Aww! Well, as I said, Katsu is sort of my “home” con, so I’m partial to it. Katsu is much smaller than Otakon. (Otakon being around 32K attendees last year, and Katsu being 12k). However, because it’s all enclosed in one building, it seems just as big. As huge and fun as Otakon is, I prefer Katsu, tbh. Why?
HEREIN IS RAMBLING ABOUT KATSUCON
Why Katsu is a sweet deal:
1. The damn temperature.
You know how Otakon feels like the devil himself is leaning on you and licking off your grey paint with his scorching hot tongue? Yeah. It’s not that. Yes, it’s definitely cold! I mean, it can be awfully cold. Awful snow and ice and ARGHHH. But for me, I’d rather dart outside for the HS meet wrapped in a blanket than slowly melt to death. And, the snow can make for interesting photo ops. So far, however, I’ve never managed to time my thick costumes for Katsu and my thin ones for Ota… it always goes the other way around… But, frankly, you’re never cold inside. It’s always cozy indoors.
2. Contained.
It’s contained in the Gaylord, which is, btw, my favorite venue. It’s beautiful. But because it’s contained, it means minimal darting around outside anyway to brave the cold. There’s also a beautiful indoor garden to take photos inside, so it’ll look tropic, even with the cold. However, if you want wintery shots, there’s sprawling grounds ahead of you.
3. More intimate.
Since it IS smaller than Otakon, you have far more of a chance of meeting new people and getting to know them. (SO many of my friends I met at Katsu…) Less lines, less hassle. As a whole, it’s also much safer. Even if you stay outside the Gaylord, it’s likely a short hop to get to your hotel. And you don’t have to walk through downtown Baltimore to get there. I also find that while people pack their BIG and IMPRESSIVE!! costumes to Otakon, their pretty costumes they save for Katsu. I think the venue lends itself to it? Basically you’re gonna see a lot of pretty costumes.
4. thEY HAVE A NANDOS
NANDOS NANDOS NANDOS
5. Tends to veer older?
I could be off on this, but I find Katsu to be a generally older audience. Don’t let this spook you off, guys, it’s actually a good thing. I just find that the presence of older attendees keeps some of the bullshit at bay.
HOWEVER…. There are some annoying niggly bits about Katsu.
1. Where the hell are we?
National Harbor is, uh. Sort of a manufactured community of hotels, restaurants and shopping that cater primarily to enormous conferences. As such… normal stuff, like, IDK, a walmart because your shit broke and you need gorilla glue, is far away. It’s fine if you have a car! But. Uh, if you don’t. Good luck. Get to the CVS before it gets ransacked.
2. Why the hell is everything so expensive?
Now, they DID get a CVS and a Subway finally, but pretty much EVERYWHERE else is more along the lines of where businesspeople eat on business trips. I.E…. Expensive. This kind of goes for everything. The Gaylord is pricy, and the food, etc, is, as well. If you’re Driving, I HIGHLY recommend getting big packs of snacks at a grocery before arriving. Anywhere affordable eating-wise is PACKED the entirety of the convention.
3. Who turned out the lights??
Not Katsucon’s fault at ALL, but because it does get darker earlier, you have a VERY narrow window to get photos at Katsucon. Best get your shit together and out the door, early. This is especially true for Homestucks who have to grey up.
4. I’m not as think as you drunk I am
They contained this a very little last year by trying to ban outside alcohol, but, alas. Basically, kiddos, grownups who are out and about after 10? Most likely tipsy. But, honestly, I’ve never seen anything inappropriate or rowdy happen to anyone. Just… everyone gets very LOUD and EXCITABLE at cons to begin with, and drunk? wow. The hotel can be very noisy at night because of people partying it up. Super harmless! But yeah, noisy. And little ones, just mind your drinks. Drink bottles, and keep them capped up.
All in all, I feel like Katsucon is like this fun, giant lock in of Nerds of All Ages, I feel very comfortable coming to and from my room, even alone, even in pajamas. Pretty much anything after 10PM is pajamatime at Katsu.
Alright, I think that’s enough rambling.
OMGGG you guys I’m so excited about Katsucon I’m gonna implode. I’ll see your asses at the Gazebo.