lolita travel: tips and tricks for Rufflecon 2015

hello everyone!

many of us are preparing for this weekend's second annual RuffleCon, which will be held Friday October 2nd through Sunday October 4th. i am heading down tomorrow morning, and i'm very excited! a few people found my pre-con post from last year helpful, so i've decided to post a new one for this year. read on after the jump for some last-minute help with planning your weekend!




important notes

•  **Amtrak Travel alert** i was sent an email about an hour ago regarding changes to Amtrak's baggage policy. this policy will be enforced starting tomorrow, Thursday October 1st! please check if your luggage is acceptable under these new guidelines, or you may have to pay bag fees. 
• weather alert The National Weather Service is reporting heavy rains for most of the weekend due to Hurricane Joaquin. currently, there is a Coastal Flood Advisory for Thursday and a Coastal Flood Watch into Friday afternoon. please prepare with a strong umbrella, layers, a good coat and pair of boots. if you are driving to Connecticut, do this with extra care.

general advice

• charged up make sure all electronics are charged before you leave and you have packed a working charger. if you are bringing a camera, check its battery life as well.
• the buddy system if you decide to leave the hotel for food or fun, travel with a group of friends, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area!
•  location check out RuffleCon's page on the surrounding area of the hotel. for some great food recommendations, consider checking out this thread on Rufflecon General Discussion on Facebook. if you are interested in downloading travel guide apps on your phone, make sure they are set for Stamford, CT
• take care of you remember to eat, sleep, and stay hydrated! this is very important, that sometimes will get overlooked in a convention setting. passing out because you haven't had any water or food would be most embarrassing behavior.

Rufflecon

• set your Sched download Sched to your phone - while it's very tempting to schedule everything down to the exact minute, be mindful of waiting in lines, delays, and any rest/refreshment time you may need. leave some room for spontaneous fun (that's how my friends and i discovered The Pirate Crew of the Dead Rabbit last year...) 
• don't spend all your money in one place there is likely to be a variety of things that catch your eye while at the con. try to prioritize your purchases the best you can, that way your budget isn't completely gone by Saturday morning! the Consignment Room intake will happen on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so there is a chance a dream item you've been waiting for could pop up!
• don't be nervous! last year, i was so shy around people i wish i had introduced myself to. we all share a love for alternative fashion, try not to feel so intimidated. you may regret not starting those conversations and possibly making new friends!

can't wait to see you all this weekend!

until next time,
☆jessi