FanExpo Canada 2011 (August 25-28, 2011)

[onexeyed]

I searched and saw there's a FanExpo thread from last year but not for this year so I've decided to start this one.

FanExpo is 4 days this year instead of 3 days and I think the big stars this year are Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter movies) and William Shatner.

Anyone else going?

[Invader Gir]

Going on the Friday because it is cheaper than my usually Saturday visit. Went last year and made the big mistake of leaving for lunch. I was stuck in the ****ing line outside for 3 hours and saw nothing really afterwards. They just better have all these problems fixed for this year or i don't think i will go back next year

[tonychau]

How much is the admission? Any discount code?

[Mr. Robo]

Haven't been to a show since 5 years ago. Can't imagine it being any better.

[ashs]

I'm going again, it gets pretty expensive (deluxe pass is 80$, and then parking for the 4 days).

[CrazyJo82]

i remember last year's chaos... hopefully, they learned from last year

there is a really great line up this year. however, i just dont get why they have Q&A on Thursday at 5pm and Friday at 2pm... they think people don't work?

hope i'll get my autographs...

also, if you buy... buy it before sunday online via rogers... save yourself lame service charge

[Reborn_Neo]

I really want to go but after last year's debacle, it turned me off from going. Saturday is the only day I can go and I'm not paying $40 - it will probably be busy than any other day.

[dvdswapper]

Autographs are very expensive too.
Line ups for everything and they rush you along to keep the line moving:(
I'm going just to see HAYDEN P. from Heroes. :D

[CrazyJo82]

Autographs are very expensive too.
Line ups for everything and they rush you along to keep the line moving:(
I'm going just to see HAYDEN P. from Heroes. :D

autographs will range from $20-$40 or more depend on who... but now that they have photo ops... that's another $20-$60...

i think the prices are set by the stars and percentage goes to fan expo...

[joeyjoejoe]

I went many years ago when this show was much smaller....I think it was called something else too. I don't remember the exact year, but I met Edge and Christian right round the time when they signed with the WWE. They were not there as celebrities... Just comic book geeks. :lol:

This year will be the first time I'm going back. Should be interesting.

[Migger]

What happened last year?

I've always been intrigued by these, but never bothered because I don't actually know what I'd get out of it, and if I could justify paying for admission. What's the point of these events? - is it to get autographs? buy stuff? see new stuff before its released to the masses? Are there usually deals for comics, games and memorabilia inside?

I also find it shocking that celebrities would charge that much for autographs!

Someone school me on this...

[appleb]

What happened last year?

Last year it was overcrowded and due to fire code they weren't allowed to admit any more people. As a result people were stuck outside waiting, and if you left the event early for lunch with the intention to go back in, you were stuck outside as well.

They say crowds won't be a problem like last year, because they are using the entire convention center this time.

Picture of the waiting crowd from last year at around noon... This doesn't show the hundreds of people waiting behind them.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/pj117/IMG_1391s.jpg

[JustinCredible]

i remember last year's chaos... hopefully, they learned from last year

there is a really great line up this year. however, i just dont get why they have Q&A on Thursday at 5pm and Friday at 2pm... they think people don't work?

They think people will take the time off. Like I did and many others do. Many big cons are 4 days and have programing during the day. I'm going all 4 days this year.


I went many years ago when this show was much smaller....I think it was called something else too.

It started off as Canadian National Comic Book Expo, then added different wings: CNanime Expo, SciFi Expo, Gaming Expo, Festival of Fear.


They say crowds won't be a problem like last year, because they are using the entire convention center this time.

Picture of the waiting crowd from last year at around noon... This doesn't show the hundreds of people waiting behind them.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/pj117/IMG_1391s.jpg

They are using the entirety of the South Building. The North Building has ImportFest on Saturday.

[Diana_Dang]

I went once a few years ago and was planning to volunteer but had work and missed the meeting. I don't think I will go though because I have always went to Anime North and its sorta a waste of money. But my sister is going for the first time. Gonna have her take a pic of Sam from True Blood. :D

[ephemera]

Why do I even try going each year? It was a fiasco again!!
Went to the main entrance, was told I have to go in line around the building. But there is no access to the south building from inside. Had to walk all the way around to the line. 30 minutes later had a hunch I was in the wrong line. Was told by someone that I have to go back to the main entrance to buy tickets. Another guy who worked there said, nope, no tickets here, you have to go all the way south near the waterfront to purchase tickets. This was at about 1pm. It was set to open at 4pm. Was hoping to beat the line up. No way on that. I would have guessed it would take about 1 hour to walk all the way and in line to buy the tickets. THEN another 2 to 3 hours back in the original line up I was in. By the way there are no signs indicating any of this. I said screw it, it really is not worth it at all. Why oh God why can they not just do it at the Direct Energy Centre? When I went to the wizard world comicom, no line up, nice and orderly, it was great!

[junot111]

sounds terrible!

[wildlele]

Any sick deals on tpbs/hcs?

[spm24]

any body go today and can report back if and how they changed things from previous year.

i could have sworn a couple years ago it was 20 bucks a ticket for saturday and now it has doubled.

[alamshahid]

The prices for items in the expo are horrible. I was looking for some transformer figures and a Rodimus Prime toys r us edition which sells in stores for $49.99 was $120!

I saw a SDCC soundwave set for $280... I can order it from amazon.com for around $130.

I was shocked that these retailers would sell it for that much more; sure a few bucks here and there to make a profit is fine; but to charge more than double is just stupid.

Last year I bought a Hot Rod figure for $30; this year the exact same was selling for $100....

This will be the last year that I go.

[junot111]

seems like just a poorly organized cash grab event than anything for the fans. Had thoughts of going but I'm glad I didn't

[onexeyed]

From what I heard from other people The Expo seems more organized this year than last. The crowds today weren't bad yesterday.

Autographs are pretty pricey but hey, they need to make a living too. Kevin Sorbo is charging $30 for an autograph and photograph with him is $40. I opted for the autograph only.

There's a lot of freebies too, like Kernels microwave popcorn, comic books, but one to keep an eye on is the iTunes episode cards of Thor: Tales of Asgard (Movie rental), Alphas (3 free episodes),
Lost Girl (2 free episodes) and Batman Year One (3 free episodes). They can be found at the info booth.

[cmge]

Why do I even try going each year? It was a fiasco again!!
Went to the main entrance, was told I have to go in line around the building. But there is no access to the south building from inside. Had to walk all the way around to the line. 30 minutes later had a hunch I was in the wrong line. Was told by someone that I have to go back to the main entrance to buy tickets. Another guy who worked there said, nope, no tickets here, you have to go all the way south near the waterfront to purchase tickets. This was at about 1pm. It was set to open at 4pm. Was hoping to beat the line up. No way on that. I would have guessed it would take about 1 hour to walk all the way and in line to buy the tickets. THEN another 2 to 3 hours back in the original line up I was in. By the way there are no signs indicating any of this. I said screw it, it really is not worth it at all. Why oh God why can they not just do it at the Direct Energy Centre? When I went to the wizard world comicom, no line up, nice and orderly, it was great!

WOW... will they ever learn?!

im kinda not looking forward on going now for sat... i was one of the many unlucky people who were stuck outside for a while after dropping off some of the stuff i bought...

i guess this year ill bring a bigger bag (suitcase)... :lol:

[got_it_4_cheap]

From what I heard from other people The Expo seems more organized this year than last. The crowds today weren't bad yesterday.

Autographs are pretty pricey but hey, they need to make a living too. Kevin Sorbo is charging $30 for an autograph and photograph with him is $40. I opted for the autograph only.

There's a lot of freebies too, like Kernels microwave popcorn, comic books, but one to keep an eye on is the iTunes episode cards of Thor: Tales of Asgard (Movie rental), Alphas (3 free episodes),
Lost Girl (2 free episodes) and Batman Year One (3 free episodes). They can be found at the info booth.

kevin sorbo? dude from hercules tv show back in the day? LMAO

i wouldn't want his autograph for free

[tinlunlau]

haha! i got to play arkham city for 15 minutes.

[vchan81]

damn... tempted to go.

[cmge]

haha! i got to play arkham city for 15 minutes.

was there a huge lineup for it?

[tinlunlau]

was there a huge lineup for it?

i think so...i was one of the first people in line. in fact, i was there when the convention just opened its doors at 3pm.

one thing that bothers me is, those damned wristbands. i can't have it on at work today and it says on the back that any damage and tampering will null and void my admission. will they be willing to get me a new wristband if i go again tomorrow?

[thedealhunter2000]

Last year it was overcrowded and due to fire code they weren't allowed to admit any more people. As a result people were stuck outside waiting, and if you left the event early for lunch with the intention to go back in, you were stuck outside as well.

They say crowds won't be a problem like last year, because they are using the entire convention center this time.

Picture of the waiting crowd from last year at around noon... This doesn't show the hundreds of people waiting behind them.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/pj117/IMG_1391s.jpg

Define 'using the entire convention center' ?

I've been to CNAX from 1998-current. CNAX coming from the old days when it had the Canadian National Anime Expo. Not sure why they changed the name later. Rumors was something about the California, Anime Expo commenting about people getting it confused or something.

Anyways back in 1998 it was the maiden con then. It was HUGE back then. IIRC they kept the same size in 1999 then afterwards cut the space in half for the rest of all the other years and kept jacking up the price about $5 every 2 odd years so you got less space for more money.

Man last year was a huge nightmare outside. Thankfully I was buying tickets so I could avoid the line up outside. I heard chatter about them wanting to keep the cashiers ringing thus why if you're late to the show and just buying the ticket then you got in to keep the tills full. It's a a chatter rumor tho from some poeple I know from the insied working there with influence over the years CNAX is FOR PROFIT. Everything at the con is designed to milk as much as you've got. I'm surprised they have not cracked down on the people that bring thier own food to the con and make you have to buy food in the con if you want something to drink/eat. Anime North is fan based and I could be wrong but non profit but I could be wrong as I can't remember on that right now. It all depends what you're going there for. If you're going to go shopping then pick the cheapest day and enjoy a few visual events there while you're there. If you're there for autographs they are very tight and restrictive on what badge and who gets an autograph. It wasn't like this back in the hay days. IIRC it started the turn around change around 2005.

Having been to the both cons for a long time I've seen a lot of different sutff over the years. If you're going the Masqurade is worth checking out on Sat. You get the most for your ticket if you can get into the masqurade main room or overflow room. It is totally worth it along wiht the rest of the days events.

[thedealhunter2000]

autographs will range from $20-$40 or more depend on who... but now that they have photo ops... that's another $20-$60...

i think the prices are set by the stars and percentage goes to fan expo...

If you just want the photo get the zoom lense out. IIRC Leonard Nemoy, Lou Fourigano, and others always tried to turn away if they see a lense from people not in thier paying line up. I should know I'm not a 'pro' autograph collecter to sell person. I keep it all as part of my personal collection for photos and autographs but there are people out there that do sell it this is why and as I've learned over the years the artists and stars ask for your name and write your name on the autograph. I had a little back and forth with Lou once as I had a unique piece to have him get signed but wanted a related magazine to be signed but he was trying to charge for another autograph. He kept talking about people selling his autograph but I leveled with the guy and he signed another item for me as it was very rare to see both items at the same time with something he enjoyed in front of him.

[got_it_4_cheap]

haha! i got to play arkham city for 15 minutes.

how was it? impressed?

[thedealhunter2000]

i think so...i was one of the first people in line. in fact, i was there when the convention just opened its doors at 3pm.

one thing that bothers me is, those damned wristbands. i can't have it on at work today and it says on the back that any damage and tampering will null and void my admission. will they be willing to get me a new wristband if i go again tomorrow?

Given thier stirctness and them having to deal with fake passes before I'm willing to bet you'd get a lot of static and examination (no experience in this but just from the attitude it seems) over it. What work do you do that would not allow you to have it on? Dancing at clubs? :cheesygri LOL ^_^; Working moving machinary? Just an idea if you talk it over with your boss unless you don't want you boss knowing you're secretly into this stuff is perhaps duck tape the wrist band to the wrist if so you don't have any moving stuff if you're working with power tools or machinary.

If you dance can we get a discount? ROTFL..

[thedealhunter2000]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_Expo_Canada

If you wanna quick scan of the history. Check the criticism section in the wiki and the links.


http://torontoist.com/2006/08/five_reasons_to.php to go or not go.

Being a for profit they can pay out big name stars to come to thier con which in turn draws a lot more people in but then again it's like $40-$200ish an autograph. :evil: Now I could be wrong from my sources but IIRC I was told they pay for the stars hotel costs and flight to come.

If you're going the first time Sat is the best time to go but go early to get the ticket and enjoy it. If you've been there a few times and want to enjoy the evening masqurade and such then go Sat and get as many swag the booths are giving out. This weekend is CRAZY downtown if you're there on the Sat. Jack Laytons state funeral is happening downtown at Roy Thompson Hall not too far from the CNAX. Parking downtown is always a nightmare and a rip off.

If you can park the hell away from the area and perhaps borrow a friends bike or those Bixie bikes and ride it in. IIRC York St. and Bremer last time was there was still under construction a few months ago. I saw a lot of cars parked there along the side of the construction which is pretty much behind the con. I know there is always parking by Corination Rd. http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=coronation+rd+toronto&hl=en&ll=43.636091,-79.404974&spn=0.008277,0.013797&client=firefox-a&z=16&vpsrc=6 as some motorcycle people have told me about that area.

[tinlunlau]

Given thier stirctness and them having to deal with fake passes before I'm willing to bet you'd get a lot of static and examination (no experience in this but just from the attitude it seems) over it. What work do you do that would not allow you to have it on? Dancing at clubs? :cheesygri LOL ^_^; Working moving machinary? Just an idea if you talk it over with your boss unless you don't want you boss knowing you're secretly into this stuff is perhaps duck tape the wrist band to the wrist if so you don't have any moving stuff if you're working with power tools or machinary.

If you dance can we get a discount? ROTFL..

I'm contractually not at the liberty to discuss this online but I'm working on a big movie.

[tinlunlau]

how was it? impressed?

at first glance, not so different from the first game.
but catwoman is pretty cool to use.

[joeyjoejoe]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_Expo_Canada

If you wanna quick scan of the history. Check the criticism section in the wiki and the links.


http://torontoist.com/2006/08/five_reasons_to.php to go or not go.

Being a for profit they can pay out big name stars to come to thier con which in turn draws a lot more people in but then again it's like $40-$200ish an autograph. :evil: Now I could be wrong from my sources but IIRC I was told they pay for the stars hotel costs and flight to come.

If you're going the first time Sat is the best time to go but go early to get the ticket and enjoy it. If you've been there a few times and want to enjoy the evening masqurade and such then go Sat and get as many swag the booths are giving out. This weekend is CRAZY downtown if you're there on the Sat. Jack Laytons state funeral is happening downtown at Roy Thompson Hall not too far from the CNAX. Parking downtown is always a nightmare and a rip off.

If you can park the hell away from the area and perhaps borrow a friends bike or those Bixie bikes and ride it in. IIRC York St. and Bremer last time was there was still under construction a few months ago. I saw a lot of cars parked there along the side of the construction which is pretty much behind the con. I know there is always parking by Corination Rd. http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=coronation+rd+toronto&hl=en&ll=43.636091,-79.404974&spn=0.008277,0.013797&client=firefox-a&z=16&vpsrc=6 as some motorcycle people have told me about that area.

You forgot also the Importfest (also at the convention centre) and a matinee Blue Jay game... fortunately for us, we parked at a friend's condo near by.

Here's my experience. We got there are 9:45am. We had the actual tickets already and we asked all the staff exactly were we were supposed to line up. The line up was quite long, but it moved some what fast. The line went from Bremner to up north on Simcoe. Total wait time was about 30 to 35 minutes.

After walking through a maze of lines ups we finally got in. The convention itself was actually very similar to what it was 15 years ago... just bigger, much bigger. I was glad to see the artist alley was still there. Overall, it was fun to walk around, but $40 is not worth it.

[Mr. Robo]

So, who here got to see Hayden up close and personal?

[dvdswapper]

So, who here got to see Hayden up close and personal?

I didn't get to go this year because my daughter was really ill so I stayed home with her. Would have loved to meet Hayden though:D

[buffylover]

So, who here got to see Hayden up close and personal?

Got her elsewhere, got autographs and a photo with. She was really nice

[joeyjoejoe]

So, who here got to see Hayden up close and personal?

Not up close, but I did see her. She's more attractive in person than on TV. I didn't get any autographs, but I never saw what the big deal was.

I felt bad for some of the lesser known celebs... People would walk into their queue to get pictures of other celebs.

Funniest celeb momment... Rick Fox bored to death playing with his phone while sitting beside Eliza Dushku signing autographs. I wonder how many people at that convention even knew who Rick Fox was.

[Mr. Robo]

So I saw some pics of her on the net at FanExpo. I heard she charged $30 for an autograph. Now I wished I had went for the day.

[figment]

Haven't gone since 2006 and like another poster said I doubt anything has changed except bigger crowds and more greedy organizers

Had a different reason not to go, was a volunteer back in the 2008 one so I could get in free after volunteering for about 10-20 hours over the 3 days, was promised a refund of admission however on the Sunday the organizer told me refunds would be issued at a later date 2-3 weeks from now, I later found out most people got there money back on that Sunday and I tried to contact them after the event for my $40 back, but they would just ignore my calls and you could never speak to a real person calls would just go to voice mail

Besides my obvious reasons for not liking them, there are far better places to spend $30-40 for just a one day thing which I assume most people aren't going to get a deluxe pass

[buffylover]

Not up close, but I did see her. She's more attractive in person than on TV. I didn't get any autographs, but I never saw what the big deal was.

I felt bad for some of the lesser known celebs... People would walk into their queue to get pictures of other celebs.

Funniest celeb momment... Rick Fox bored to death playing with his phone while sitting beside Eliza Dushku signing autographs. I wonder how many people at that convention even knew who Rick Fox was.

ill post my photo with her when i get home. She was actually really nice. anyone have a scan of the autograph she was giving at the show? the ones I got were every letter.

[onexeyed]

So, who here got to see Hayden up close and personal?

I met on Friday. She was really nice. I was a fan of hers when she was on Guiding Light and her character Lizzie had leukemia. When Hayden was signing the photo she kept laughing and repeated 2 or 3 times saying "that was so long ago." I know I was one of the few girls in line to see her. I also went to her Q&A on Saturday and it was pretty good too.

I was at the primarily at the Expo to see Tom Felton (Draco from Harry Potter movies). He was the nicest and most down to earth celeb I've met so far. Friendly and quite charming.

[tinlunlau]

So apparently, I hear people have thought my question to Lance Henrikson was ingenious and some may have believed that I had devised that "ingenious" question to Lance. But the truth is, I only asked because I haven't picked up a book in ages and I wanted an audiobook edition to his autobiography. lol

[Kalel]

I use to attend this event both as a member of the public and as a staffer/volunteer and have to say it is a shame how crazt this event has gottem. Here are some things. Now it is my understanding that some hogh schools allow kids to earn credits towards there diplomas so then you get alot of them to volunteer for this event. The organizers see this as the cheapest of labor since they do not have to pay them and any swag or merchandise they would normally give to a regular volunteer can be sold as a exclusive or limited edition item. In turn I know when I use to work for them you would have groups of friends who volunteer sign in and then bugger off for their hours away from the con and then maybe 30 minutes before the end of their shift would show up to sign out and get there papers signed for their hours. If they do not bugger off they do not care to get info on the expo so if a attendee asks a question they probably would be unable to answer it.

Also I feel if you want volunteeers you should have some old volunteers from the previous year(s) to aid in helping out the newbies. Finally the other sad thing is in most cases if you are able to afford to get a autograph generally its have a item to get sign. yep here it is nice to meet you or hi and bye. now i am not saying give everyone 5 minutes but it would be nice to have more then 5 seconds and I do not know about others but when I get a autograph if I can I like to get it personalized and maybe even a little note cause unlike some people I do not plan on ebaying it.

Sorry for the ramble.

[thedealhunter2000]

You forgot also the Importfest (also at the convention centre) and a matinee Blue Jay game... fortunately for us, we parked at a friend's condo near by.

Here's my experience. We got there are 9:45am. We had the actual tickets already and we asked all the staff exactly were we were supposed to line up. The line up was quite long, but it moved some what fast. The line went from Bremner to up north on Simcoe. Total wait time was about 30 to 35 minutes.

After walking through a maze of lines ups we finally got in. The convention itself was actually very similar to what it was 15 years ago... just bigger, much bigger. I was glad to see the artist alley was still there. Overall, it was fun to walk around, but $40 is not worth it.


Was Importfest the car modders convention with all the cars there? They're running still till like 1am out there with prizes being named on stage. Some cars had wicked artwork on it which is what I liked. One car had a soldier on the hood and another had Wolverine on the trunk.

[thedealhunter2000]

Haven't gone since 2006 and like another poster said I doubt anything has changed except bigger crowds and more greedy organizers

Had a different reason not to go, was a volunteer back in the 2008 one so I could get in free after volunteering for about 10-20 hours over the 3 days, was promised a refund of admission however on the Sunday the organizer told me refunds would be issued at a later date 2-3 weeks from now, I later found out most people got there money back on that Sunday and I tried to contact them after the event for my $40 back, but they would just ignore my calls and you could never speak to a real person calls would just go to voice mail

Besides my obvious reasons for not liking them, there are far better places to spend $30-40 for just a one day thing which I assume most people aren't going to get a deluxe pass

Were they giving the money back via cash or cheques? Did you have documentation of your work time there? I do know of someone that worked there and said she prefers working at CNAX over Anime North. Personally I've never worked for CNAX but I have for Anime North.

If you've gone this year then the spacing as either the same as 1998 or slightly larger thus buying a bit more of your money for more room to explore things. If you could make it to the masqurade then the $40 for Sat is a cost you could swallow somewhat if you got there when the ticket boothes opened, got the ticket at start of the day, enjoyed the full day at CNAX then at night go to the masqurade then yah you would have gotten more of your monies worth.

The masqurade is always a good highlight with awesome skits and I find if I see some cosplayer with some interesting outfit I'll seek out what series that was from and kind of my way of finding out new series of stuff I may enjoy.

[Zyphur]

Met Hayden P.
Damn was she gorgeous.

[gsrce]

Met Hayden P.
Damn was she gorgeous.

Ditto. This was the first and only time I've ever been starstruck, and it was more so just from how amazingly beautiful she is in person =D

[tinlunlau]

I heard Malcolm McDowell is kinda cynical in person. lol!