Rating the cons I've been to in 2018

2018 was a big year for me when it came to conventions. I left Ontario for four cons I've never attended before, and went on roadtrips for up to 12 hours each way! Some of my BEST memories came from these trips, and I'm so grateful that cons exist and I actually have friends now LOL. Since I just attended my first con of 2019, I wanted to look back on the ones that I was lucky enough to attend last year, and give you an idea of what they are all about.

Do keep in mind that these are my personal opinions. Just because I like a con and you don't, or I don't like one and you do, doesn't invalidate our experiences or opinions. Some years can be better or worse than others for a con, and it also depends on when you go, your circumstances, who you're with, what you end up doing, etc. Trying out a new con for yourself, or giving it a second chance is always a good idea too!

Anime Shogatsu
Rating: 4.5/10. A small, local Toronto con. I BELIEVE I attended this for 3 years, but didn't go this year due to a crappy Canadian snow storm. I remember it being alright. I enjoyed the cosplay masquerades, random events like the Beyblade tournament, and the venue itself was nice. However, I also remember the tickets being a bit pricey for the size of the con, the staff at the door being really rude, the shop area being very small, and besides going to panels, there wasn't much else to do.

Would I go again: Probably not, unless it's to see my friends.

Katsucon
Rating: 6.5/10. Oh Katsu. The Gaylord Hotel where the con took place and the area surrounding the con was BEAUTIFUL! The con is in a huge glass-enclosed atrium with trees and streams of water. You can get some gorgeous photos here, and the after parties are located in cool-looking bar areas/rooms (with a rainbow lit staircase!). However, there wasn't actually that much to do fun-wise during the day, and it was extremely crowded and expensive. Regardless of the scenery, it was hard to get any decent photos with all the people hoarding every nice area to shoot. This year it was required to have a pass to even enter the area, which was supposed to have helped with the crowding issue.

Would I go again: I ended up going again this year for a group cosplay. Do you want me to write a review post for this con? I have mixed opinions.

March Toronto ComiCon (MTAC)
Rating: 5/10. Basically a smaller Toronto Fan Expo. Worth going to if you want to get autographs from their guests or to go on a merch shopping spree, but not many places to do photoshoots and not many things to do besides shop. I usually go there just to hang out with friends and cosplay.

Would I go again: Maybe for one day this year, but only because it's close by and less crazy and crowded than Fan Expo.

Anime North
Rating: 6.5/10. An okay con. Most people don't even buy tickets and just hang around outside, taking photos, joining cosplay groups or hanging out with friends. They have a pretty fun rave at night, and the shopping areas are large. Would be a lot better if the items in the market weren't so overpriced, and the staff and con were better organized.

Would I go again: Ehh probably. I always end up roped in by my friends.

ColossalCon
Rating: 9/10. Amazing con that feels like a vacation! Has an incredible water park that is even open at night for parties, nice photoshoot locations, a flea market where I bought some super cheap merch and cosplays, a large arcade, and even a freaking petting zoo with exotic animals and where you can pet BABY SLOTHS. However, it is super pricey if you want to have a good time, and is MUCH more worth it if you get a hotel room at the Kalahari, which is almost impossible to get during the convention.

Would I go again: Yes, especially if I get a spot at the Kalahari resort.

YetiCon
Rating: 10/10. Personally, my favourite con in Canada. It's also a lot easier for me to reach than Colossalcon. The prices are reasonable and you get a lot of free activities included with the ticket, unlike most cons. There are times of the day where if you bring your pass, you can ride the mountain coaster, go ziplining, attend pool parties, spend your night at a rave, chill at a BBQ, join a tea party, or ride a gondola up the mountain for no extra cost. Gorgeous shoot locations, and located in a village with shops and lots of places to eat. The staff is actually kind and helpful, and you will rarely run out of stuff to do!

Would I go again: YES.

ConBravo!
Rating: 3/10. This was a pretty fun con a few years ago, but every upcoming year, I feel like it's been going downhill. It remember it cost like $40 (or $35?) just to enter this con on Saturday!! The shop area was pretty small, and there was barely anything to do. No good places to shoot. Maybe some people still love this con, but I remember feeling like I paid $40 (or whatever the price was) just to enter a mediocre shopping area. We ended up spending most of the con shooting on the roof where you didn't even need a pass to enter. Legit, the shopping area was the only place I entered that checked my badge.

Would I go again: No, I don't think so.

ColossalCon East
Rating: 7/10. A smaller version of the Colossalcon in Ohio. Still a REALLY fun water park con with great parties, but less crowded than the main ColossalCon. My biggest concern was that the Kalahari banned cosplay and photography at the con on Sunday, do to complaints from random normies. This really pissed me off because everyone attending was emailed and reminded about the con happening on the weekend, and photographers were made to pay for a badge to take photos, only to have to cancel their paid shoots because of the Kalahari who charged them in the first place. Also, one slice of crappy pizza and a pop was like $10 USD. It's hard to find cheap food unless you have a car or plan to travel for food. 

Would I go again: Ehhh maybe.

Otakuthon
Rating: 8.5/10. Wonderful con. The shopping area was large, the city itself was beautiful to explore, lots of stunning locations to shoot at, and so many food options around the con. However, the ticket line was absolutely ridiculous! Not well organized and it took us like FOUR hours to get our tickets to enter. My friends who came in the evening had a much easier time getting in though, so try to pick up your tickets later.

Would I go again: Hopefully yes.

KimiKon
Rating: 4/10. A small local con that just opened in 2018, focusing on artwork. The shopping area is pretty decent, and I like supporting local artists. However, there are not many good shoot locations, not too much to do, and the ticket prices are very costly for such a small, new con. Thankfully I was part of a booth there and did not have to pay for my own ticket.

Would I go again: For free, probably. Otherwise, no.

EGLX
Rating: 7/10. A pretty cool gaming con. I could test out upcoming games (in 2018 you could play Let's GO Pikachu and Eevee), join tournaments, and shop for merch and some hard-to-find games.

Would I go again: Probably.

December Toronto ComiCon (DTAC)
Rating: 5.5/10. Just a small, local con. Not too much to do besides meet up with friends, shop, and take photos. They usually have an area with a Santa where you can get photos done, and the shopping area has gotten better in 2018. Ticket prices are still pretty cheap, but not a necessary con to go to.

Would I go again: Sure, if the prices don't go up.

What new cons do you guys think I should try next year? I'm thinking of Holiday Matsuri, Youmacon, TwitchCon, MagFest, or BlizzCon if I'm lucky enough to get tickets and have enough savings to travel outside of Canada again (: Let me know in the comments!