Eastercon 2026 Good/Bad/Ugly
Apr. 6th, 2026 08:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
luckykaaPartying like it's 2005 - still blogulating about Convention experiences!
So, Eastercon; run by a different committee with a different location each year. This time it was in the Birmingham NEC.
I didn't have a great time at the last Eastercon I went to, due to sudden onset shyness so was a little hesitant. But I figured if shyness takes hold, there's a pool and the rooms are nice so I can hide. Turns out I had a great time! Several people I know there, which always helps. Met some nice people. Did some gophering.
Decided to focus on talks and games rather than panels. Panels are fine but can sometimes be a little rambly depending on moderation.
What was really nice was that Haruhicon - anime convention - was in the same hotel. Different con, slightly different vibe, but still very fannish! The conventions agreed to allow the other cons in their respective dealers rooms, games rooms and art show.
The Good:
I learned a lot about English country cottage gardens. I always reocmmend going to at least one talk on a subject you have absolutely no interest in or knowledge about. You'll learn so much!
Funcon did a lot of games and things! There was live robo-rally and a circus show! And I got to play on silks! The show was really good fun. It was essentially a demonstration of a science show they want to take to schools, using juggling, and aerials as a means to provide a story. I was jealous of not being up on the silks but they let us have a go!
Outrageous liars was hilarious! I have no idea what the rules are and I don't think anyone else did either!
Mockery of the "More of a rambling comment than a question" seems to have mostly eliminated that side of things. And moderators are apparently getting pretty strict on that these days.
The Haruhicon people were lovely! And very good about showing badges when I was being a door dragon.
flickums bought me some wolf ears so I could be a guard dog!
There was a convention Discord, which was a nice place for additional chat!
They had food vans outside as an alternative food option. Souvlaki, chicken nuggets, and crepes!
The Bad
I don't think there was anything I disliked at the con itself. I found one or two talks a little dry perhaps. Talking to people was a little hard because I don't want to but into groups. Door dragoning was a little tricky because of dealers (they're the only ones who are allowed to bring drinks in so it matters) not having very clear badges and having a tendency to be rushing back. But all pretty minor stuff.
The Ugly
Irritated at the hotel. Didn't clean our room on day 1 or 2. Day 1 I understood. Do Not Disturb sign was up a lot. Day 2, apparently we need to ask specifically. Although they did send someone round. At 10:30pm.
Still angry at the hotel snack bar. Flick ordered a meal deal. They took her money and then they didn't have the sandwich she wanted. Somehow a refund wasn't possible. I have no idea why. They had to get a manager who had to get someone else and then they needed to fill out paperwork, all for a 6 quid refund, meanwhile time was pressing since the next panel was about to start.And we didn't even get a bloody refund!
So, Eastercon; run by a different committee with a different location each year. This time it was in the Birmingham NEC.
I didn't have a great time at the last Eastercon I went to, due to sudden onset shyness so was a little hesitant. But I figured if shyness takes hold, there's a pool and the rooms are nice so I can hide. Turns out I had a great time! Several people I know there, which always helps. Met some nice people. Did some gophering.
Decided to focus on talks and games rather than panels. Panels are fine but can sometimes be a little rambly depending on moderation.
What was really nice was that Haruhicon - anime convention - was in the same hotel. Different con, slightly different vibe, but still very fannish! The conventions agreed to allow the other cons in their respective dealers rooms, games rooms and art show.
The Good:
I learned a lot about English country cottage gardens. I always reocmmend going to at least one talk on a subject you have absolutely no interest in or knowledge about. You'll learn so much!
Funcon did a lot of games and things! There was live robo-rally and a circus show! And I got to play on silks! The show was really good fun. It was essentially a demonstration of a science show they want to take to schools, using juggling, and aerials as a means to provide a story. I was jealous of not being up on the silks but they let us have a go!
Outrageous liars was hilarious! I have no idea what the rules are and I don't think anyone else did either!
Mockery of the "More of a rambling comment than a question" seems to have mostly eliminated that side of things. And moderators are apparently getting pretty strict on that these days.
The Haruhicon people were lovely! And very good about showing badges when I was being a door dragon.
flickums bought me some wolf ears so I could be a guard dog!There was a convention Discord, which was a nice place for additional chat!
They had food vans outside as an alternative food option. Souvlaki, chicken nuggets, and crepes!
The Bad
I don't think there was anything I disliked at the con itself. I found one or two talks a little dry perhaps. Talking to people was a little hard because I don't want to but into groups. Door dragoning was a little tricky because of dealers (they're the only ones who are allowed to bring drinks in so it matters) not having very clear badges and having a tendency to be rushing back. But all pretty minor stuff.
The Ugly
Irritated at the hotel. Didn't clean our room on day 1 or 2. Day 1 I understood. Do Not Disturb sign was up a lot. Day 2, apparently we need to ask specifically. Although they did send someone round. At 10:30pm.
Still angry at the hotel snack bar. Flick ordered a meal deal. They took her money and then they didn't have the sandwich she wanted. Somehow a refund wasn't possible. I have no idea why. They had to get a manager who had to get someone else and then they needed to fill out paperwork, all for a 6 quid refund, meanwhile time was pressing since the next panel was about to start.And we didn't even get a bloody refund!
