So far as I know only the Hyatt has a hotel block for this convention. However it is possible some of the other hotels may honor the rate the Hyatt is offering for the convention. Call and ask. Personally, I prefer the Embassy out of all of the hotels so far. (I have stayed at the Hyatt, Embassy, and Crowne Plaza so far)

I love the dealer's room and artist's alley because I love to shop and talking to the vendors is always very interesting. I also love character ask panels because there's always something unique to them. It's always a good laugh and it always feels very genuine.

Basically, that's your first love in Anime, what series or character pulled you in to the whole scene. For me it was the series 'Please Teacher' and the character Mizuho Kazami. I'd seen some Inuyasha and stuff of that nature, but the emotional intensity of the series and the way it was so different from anything in the American media landscape really was what got to me. Been an otaku ever since! :) What got all y'all into anime?