Piggy-backing on yesterday’s post about changes at DragonCon, today I’d like to look back at some DragonCon things that I miss.
1. The Photo Gauntlet
Last time I did the masquerade (2006) it was just contestants standing on a stage with photographers taking photos. I’m guessing that’s still the way they do it?
It’s not nearly as exciting and memorable as the old photo gauntlet. I wrote about it here. Man that was cool.
(photo by Patcave)
2. The Hair-Dryer Lights
Before the remodel, they used to have these small walkways from the Marriott leading towards the food court. They had these light bulbs all over the top of them that produced quite a bit of heat.
Back then, before there were so many bodies crammed into one building, it was a pleasant experience to walk through them when you’re feeling a bit chilly in a costume. Now, not so much (I can’t remember the last time I was COLD at Dragoncon), but I remember looking forward to walking through there anytime I was a little chilly from the AC.
3. This Carpet
It was replaced with the now famous print when they remodeled in – 2007, was it? But I miss this carpet. Seeing it in photos I automatically know it’s an older Dragoncon photo and feel nostalgic.
4. The Olympic Cities and Streamers
Remember the streamers in the Marriott? Also, look at the empty Atrium Level. I should upload that photo bigger.
And they also had all the names of the Olympic Cities around the bottom of the ML.
Also, whatever happened to these planters:
5. The abundance of chairs on the AL before the Sail Bar
I mentioned how empty the AL was up there – because there was no Sail Bar. The level was just open area and lots of seating.
You could ALWAYS find a spot to sit and people watch or chill. Most of the action was down on the ML or over at the Hyatt.
6. The restaurant that used to be in the back right-hand corner of the Marriott before the remodel
I have fond memories of that place. I guess the food was pretty much the same as Sear now, but we used to always go get our badge Friday morning and then go eat a good breakfast. In 2004 we sat at a table next to David Prowse. Pretty cool.
That and I just don’t really care for Sear, personally.
7. Hyatt Evening Crowds
The place to be at night now is the Marriott. Back then you could still find a decent amount of people over there – mostly on the ML level, people hanging out and people-watching. But the crowds and costumes were generally hanging out in the Hyatt lobby.
Then the Hyatt decided to post up “No Photo” regulations during peak hours, which kinda killed the vibe. The crowds migrated over to the Marriott and stayed.
But, it felt more balanced. There were more people throughout all the levels of the Hyatt, so it was more fun to explore and wander around than it is now. Now everybody is just crammed into the Marriott’s AL all night.
8. Dealer’s Rooms in the Marriott
I know it’s a recent change, but, I miss having the exhibit and dealer’s rooms in the Marriott. I’d even love to have them back at the Hilton. America’s Mart is such a hike. It was nice to be able to just pop in and glance around while waiting on someone or for an event to start, you know. Now you have to plan around it because it’s like planning a journey to take the ring to Mordor.
I know the crowds got bad the past few years. You could hardly look for the amount of people crammed in. So there wasn’t much else they could do. But still. I miss it.
9. Fan Tables in the Marriott
Maaaaaaaan the year they moved the fan tables out of the Marriott I was so sad. It was so fun to man tables over there, right there with the exhibit halls so you always had foot traffic and people to see.
And at night they pretty much emptied out so you could always find a table to sit at. The band tables kinda do, too but not to the extent. I guess it’s more that I’m into fandom and want that in my main hotel more than bands I don’t know anything about.
I admit; I don’t even know where the fan tables are now.
10. Being able to find a table in the Food Court
There was a time you could just walk into the food court, get some food, sit down, and eat.
Then as crowds increased, you had to start planning to eat at off times.
Now, you have to send out a hunting party into all areas trying to scout tables where people might be leaving, begging people if you can have their table next, sitting on the floor, or trying to carry food back to your hotel. What a pain.
(Ash’s mom is SHOCKED that we sometimes get food and sit down on the dirty floor and eat it right there, because there is nowhere else to go!)
11. The open space that was nice for photos in between the food court and the Marriott
I ALWAYS stopped to take pictures in this spot. It had a nice skylight and a generic background with few people around so it worked nice for a quick costume photo.
After the remodel, it’s now the area they do the blood drive.
12. The Buffy Prom
The Buffy Prom was AMAZING. We loved going there, dancing to just random pop music and having a good time. We could wander in and out as we pleased because it wasn’t like there was a line.
But then they changed it to something else and we discovered a line when we went to go, so we went and did something else instead. We tried the Yule Ball one year, but, nothing has lived up to the Buffy Prom. We are just not ones for standing in line to get into a dance when we just want to dance for 10 minutes, wander out and go look at stuff and get a drink, and be able to wander back in.
I should do a things I DON’T miss at Dragoncon: the Hyatt suicide steps, having to push through the smoker’s gallery right there, badge scanning is so much more awesome, that dinky “restaurant” in below the lobby in the Hyatt, etc….