- 1). Register for the convention. If you know for sure that you are going to attend an anime convention, and the option is available, you should pre-register for the event. This allows you to pay a lower price for tickets to the entire convention, whether it lasts one, two or three days. If you can't pre-register because the option isn't available or you are only attending one day of a multi-day event, get to the convention center as early as possible on the day you are attending as lines can get very long very quickly. Make sure to have cash for the registration fee, as many times credit cards and checks won't be accepted for payment. Also be sure to have your ID available, and if you are under 18 you will also need to bring a parent or guardian along to register you.
- 2). Get your costume ready. If you are going to be cosplaying at the convention, it is important to get your costume completely ready before you actually leave home. Try everything on and make sure that it all fits. Check for tears, holes or missing sections so that you can repair them before you want to wear the costume in public. Gather emergency repair supplies to carry with you at the convention, including thread, scissors, safety pins, fabric glue and anything else you might need if something happens to your costume while you are wearing it.
- 3). Book your hotel room. There will be hotels offering special rates to convention attendees, so check these out first. Unfortunately these are usually hotels with medium to very expensive rates, so even with a discount they may not be affordable. One way to work around this is to get the largest group of people together that they will allow and all share the cost of the room. Another thing you can do is book a room in a cheaper hotel that is not associated with the convention. These will usually be hotels that are not located as close to the convention location as the ones that are associated with it, but their rates may be more affordable. If you book with a hotel that is not near the convention center, make sure to check a map and see just how far away it is before you make reservations. If it is on the other side of town or too far for easy transportation to and from the anime convention, you may want to try booking with a different hotel.
- 4). Budget your money. Going to a convention can be expensive when you factor in not only the hotel room, but also the money you will spend on meals and parking. Devise a budget before you go to the convention, starting with the total amount of money you will be bringing with you. Divide it up for each day you will be at the convention, and then divide again for things, such as food and drink, toys and souvenirs, and anything else you might need. Be sure to have a stash of emergency cash that you keep aside just in case something unexpected happens, like losing your transportation home or blowing all your food money on toys.
- 5). Plan out which activities you wish to attend ahead of time. When you register for the convention you will be given a booklet listing out all of the events and activities that will be taking place throughout the days of the convention. Take the time to read this booklet over and figure out what movies you might want to see, autograph sessions you might want to attend, and what activities you might want to participate in. Anime conventions are busy, noisy places full of so many things going on to distract your attention that if you don't have a plan beforehand you could miss out on things you want to see and do. It is also a good idea to take one full walk through the entire convention center, going through each floor and set of rooms, to see where everything is located and make special note of where the things you wish to see and do will be taking place.
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