With the 2010 FanExpo this weekend, I thought I'd take a moment to look back at the good and the bad that was 2009 (at least for me). Keep in mind that this is in reference to my experience and depending on what you were there to do, you would have experienced something different. It is a very large event after all.

2009 was big in terms of guest at FanExpo. Bruce Campbell, Leonard Nimoy and Linda Hamilton were the big names but there were many many others as well. With this in mind, I expected larger than normal crowds. Having had waited in line for hours for a VIP badge in previous years, I decided to save myself some cash and just get the standard weekend pass. I was nicely pleased to find that on Friday, the line, though somewhat long, moved quite quickly and I was on my way to join to entrance line in less than 30 minutes. Finding that the entrance line was maybe 10 people long, I wondered if I had misjudged attendance. Inside was the usual vendors and items to purchase and the basic layout hadn't changed from the previous year. 

Making my way over to the celebrity autograph area, I managed to get Udo Kier's scribbles on an amazing photo he had for sale which was nice. But when I asked if I could get a photo with him I was directed to a new "thing" they were doing. Seems that each guest was going to have a photo session where you could spend mucho bucks to have your photo taken with them. I like Udo Kier but the $40 for the autographed photo was about as much as I was willing to fork over. When I asked if I could just take his picture he stated that he technically wasn't supposed to say yes but at the same time he couldn't stop me from taking a photo. He even tossed in a wink which wasn't necessary as I did get the idea. He was nice enough to pose for the shot and the short conversation I had with him was entertaining. I expected to spend the $100+ for Bruce Campbell or Leonard Nimoy etc. but not for the regular guests. Essentially, everyone, whether they were or not, was turned into a guest of honour or special guest. Can't say I was very pleased with that at all and can only hope they do not continue that "service" in following years (at least not with the restrictions).

Well I ended up purchasing the photo op for Bruce Campbell and Leonard Nemoy but while I also paid for the autograph from Campbell, I couldn't really justify $200 on yet another celebrity so I had to settle with only the photo for Nemoy. Looking back, I should have just got his autograph but it's too late now.

Saturday is the big day with the most activity and my predictions were true. While Friday had some decent numbers, on Saturday the lineup for tickets was about 2 hours long, the lineup to get in another 2 hours and the lineup to do anything was maxed out as well. Which brings me to the fact that they didn't change the biggest problem the convention has and that's to go to any of the Q&A, photo ops, movies, seminars, you have to leave the convention to get to the event only to have to wait in line to get back into the convention area. On Saturday morning I decided to go right to a Q&A with Nemoy rather than get in the entrance line.

Sunday has attendance that's more than Friday but less than Saturday. Many people are hungover from the parties the night before, others only come the Saturday because most guests attend that day and it's also the day of the Masquerade so I wasn't surprised to not see a 3 hour long lineup outside in the morning. Sunday is the last chance day. I grab up any autographs I didn't have a chance to, find any bargains leftover and see if I have any money left in my bank for lunch.

When all was done, I can honestly say that 2009 was my least favourite FanExpo. Even though the guests were better, they cost more and when the biggest problems from previous years are still there, the good doesn't overcome the bad. I did get to check out the cool Tron preview and exhibit, get some cheap comics, grab a ton of autographs (some I didn't even want) and see some fantastic costumes. One of these years I'll make it out of there without spending an arm and a leg, I just don't think it will be anytime soon.

For more information on FanExpo visit www.fanexpocanada.com/.