SacAnime 2024 arrived in Sacramento with a thrilling bang, setting new records and captivating fans with a stellar lineup of voice actors and engaging activities. As this was The Game of Nerds’ first time attending SacAnime since moving closer to Sacramento in 2022, we were excited to dive into the convention that has been making waves for years.
Record-Breaking Attendance and Star Power
SacAnime 2024 saw an unprecedented turnout, with fans flocking to the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in droves over the Labor Day weekend. The convention that usually sees 30,000 attendees says this year will blow that number out of the water. The convention featured a fantastic array of voice actors, including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack from Bluey, Tom Kenny of SpongeBob SquarePants fame, multiple stars of Hazbin Hotel, and the talented duo Travis Willingham and Laura Bailey from Critical Role. This year’s guest list was truly impressive, setting the stage for an unforgettable event.
A Family Affair: Marvel’s Adventure
We decided to check out SacAnime on Friday with our nearly 5-year-old daughter, Marvel, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision. The convention was lively but not overwhelming, providing a perfect introduction to the bustling weekend ahead. SacAnime has rightfully earned its reputation as a family-friendly event, and it was heartening to see so many families enjoying the weekend.
Marvel, a huge Bluey fan, was particularly thrilled to meet Melanie and David, the voices behind Bandit and Chilli Heeler. For those unfamiliar with our podcast, our family’s obsession with Bluey is well-documented—so meeting the voices of Marvel’s favorite characters was a highlight for us. Melanie and David were exceptionally gracious, taking the time to interact with each fan, despite the long lines that had to be capped early due to high demand.
Marvel’s excitement didn’t stop there. She had a blast at her first panel, sitting in the front row with the press. Following the panel, a photo op and autograph session further fueled her enthusiasm. But the real cherry on top was meeting Princess Tiana (Anika Noni Rose). Marvel was over the moon to have her Tiana Funko signed and had an unforgettable conversation with Anika, who was incredibly sweet and even posed for a photo. It was moments like these that made SacAnime 2024 truly special.
I returned on Saturday by myself to further explore the convention. This proved to be a wise decision, as Saturday was significantly busier. Navigating the crowds would have been more challenging and time-consuming with Marvel accompanying me. Despite the wide aisles, the increased number of families with strollers made maneuvering through the convention more difficult.
Princess Drama: A Disappointing Encounter
Unfortunately, not all celebrity interactions were as delightful. Jodi Benson, known for voicing Ariel in The Little Mermaid, stood out as a major disappointment to many fans. Her strict policies—prohibiting photographs and requiring a steep $80 minimum for any interaction—were met with frustration from fans. On Friday, I witnessed a heartbreaking scene: a father, hoping to simply say hello with his daughter, was informed that “meet and greets” weren’t permitted. As a result, he had to carry away his crying child, who was dressed as Ariel. This experience, coupled with similar vibes we noticed at GalaxyCon San Jose, left a sour taste in fans mouths.
Convention Layout and Amenities
SacAnime 2024 utilized about 90% of the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, creating a spacious and well-organized environment. The convention floor was impressive, with wide aisles and an abundance of vendors and artists showcasing everything from rare collectibles to pop culture merchandise. The cleanliness of the venue was also notable, with trash cans conveniently placed throughout the area.
Special shoutout to the photo op area, which provided the smoothest photo op experience I’ve had in a decade of conventions and was generally very helpful. A particularly cool feature was the second setup for cosplayers to get their photos taken. Notably, besides the vendors at the actual convention, the photo ops were the only ones that accepted credit card payments. All other tables required cash only, which posed a problem as there was only one ATM in the building. This ATM often broke down and had long lines, forcing some guests to leave the convention and come back later. Many guests didn’t realize it was cash only until they reached the front of the line, leading to disappointment when they learned they’d have to wait again after getting cash.
Specialized sections included a “Cosplay Style Row” and an adults-only 18+ area, which, unfortunately, saw lower traffic due to its somewhat hidden locations. The expansive layout allowed for easy movement and made exploring the various attractions a breeze. The only times it felt cramped was when you were snaked in line for panels, autographs, and photo ops.
Press and Communication Challenges
While SacAnime 2024 excelled in many areas, the press situation left much to be desired. Communication with press members was problematic, with unanswered emails and inconsistent updates. The convention’s website also suffered from outdated information, complicating efforts to gather accurate details or arrange interviews.
Additionally, the restriction on press video and photography made reporting more challenging. Despite these hurdles, the memorable experiences and high-quality content offered by the convention shone through, thanks to diligent note-taking after panels and a wicked strong memory.
Great Panels
Fans consistently praised the variety of panels available. There were group panels for Critical Role, Hazbin Hotel, and Bluey, as well as panels for individual actors like the Disney Princesses, comic book creators, and Tom Kenny. Although the lines appeared long and daunting, no fans were turned away—everyone found a seat. The panels featured a Q&A format, which was fantastic for allowing fans to ask questions, even if they were repeated. Being early in line gave fans the best chance to ask questions. However, some people treated it as a meet-and-greet, sharing lengthy stories with their questions. This disheartened some fans, as panel attendants allowed everyone to line up, even when it was clear there wouldn’t be enough time for all questions. Overall, fans were thrilled to have a full hour for most panels to ask questions and finally get answers from their favorite actors.
Final Thoughts: A Fun-Filled Experience with Room for Improvement
Overall, SacAnime 2024 was a blast. The convention’s record-breaking attendance, exceptional guest lineup, and family-friendly atmosphere created a dynamic and enjoyable experience. Marvel’s ecstatic reactions and the opportunity to meet beloved voice actors added a personal touch to our visit.
While there were some hiccups—particularly with certain guest interactions and press management—the event’s positive aspects far outweighed the negatives. SacAnime 2024 reaffirmed its status as a must-attend event for pop culture enthusiasts and families alike.
Here’s to hoping that future conventions will continue to build on this year’s success while addressing areas for improvement. For now, SacAnime 2024 will be remembered fondly as a weekend filled with fun, fandom, and unforgettable memories. Check out our other articles on the Bluey panel and Disney Princesses.
