Neurospicy Convention Prep for Tokyo, OK 2024

Covering pop culture conventions is one of our family’s favorite things to do for TulsaKids. But as a family with its own blend of neurospiciness — everyone in the crew has some degree of either autism, ADHD, or anxiety — spending long days in a crowded convention can be something of an endurance test. 

This is even more true when we’re covering an event rather than just attending it, since picking up lots of quality content for a blog post and social media means rushing around to catch as many panels and events as possible, snapping loads of pics and video footage, and talking to dozens of cosplayers, vendors, and convention reps. With Tokyo, OK 2024 coming up in a little over two weeks, I wanted to share our family’s strategy for making sure it’s a positive experience. 

Much like a good DND battle strategy can mean the difference between getting some sweet loot or getting absorbed by a shambling mound, making sure we’re able to stay fully immersed in the convention usually comes down to solid planning ahead of time and making sure we’ve got the right supplies in our bag of holding. 

Start by Building the Schedule

Before doing anything else, I always like to check the convention schedule and prioritize our weekend. I start by making a list of “can’t miss,” time-sensitive events — things that are only offered once and I definitely want to make sure we attend. I’m also making a list of places and spaces I want to check out but aren’t time-limited. Finally, I’ll make a list of panels and events we are most interested in attending followed by lower-tier events we would definitely enjoy but won’t be crushed if we miss out on. As I build our schedule for the weekend, I’m also thinking about how we’ll want time to mill about the main lobby areas connecting with cosplayers and snapping pics — not to mention working in some downtime for breaks and food. 

By planning it this way, I’m giving us wiggle room to make sure we hit up the most important events at the convention but can take breaks if we need to. The first few times we attended conventions, I felt pressure to see and do everything. Now, we know what we want to check out, but we aren’t going to be overly disappointed if we don’t get to tick off every item on our list. This strategy is also good for folks who maybe just want to go for a day since it gives you a chance to work out what’s most important to you. 

One thing I love about Tokyo, OK is the convention’s use of the Fan Guru app to let attendees customize and even print out their own schedules. The app even gives attendees an option to follow other fans, which makes it super easy for my kids to share their convention wish lists with me and see where we all land. 

Plan Ahead for Downtime

When sensory issues are a factor, it’s always important to understand the lay of the land and make a plan for quiet breaks before you end up overwhelmed and overstimulated mid-convention. One thing that will make this considerably easier this year at Tokyo, OK is the location change. For the past few years, the convention has been spread around downtown Tulsa, which meant having to either drive, take a convention shuttle, or walk several blocks through downtown in the summer heat to get from one event to another. This would be difficult for anyone, but factor in sensory issues, and it’s even more pressure. Hopping around from one building to the next also made schedules more of a challenge and cut into much-needed downtime. 

This year, the convention has moved to Marriott Southern Hills, which means no more trekking through downtown in sweaty cosplay or convention makeup. This is also something of a relief for me as a Worry Mom™ since I’ve long fretted over the teenagers and young people who get rides to the convention — particularly since I sacrificed my personal alarm to a pair of lost teens with dead phone batteries one year. 

The location change is a perfect example of how hard the Tokyo, OK team has been working to make their event accessible and safe. I spoke with a Tokyo, OK representative who told me, “We are STOKED to be all in one location this year. We’ve heard the attendee feedback that getting from one location to another was difficult, and wanted to make it easier for them.” 

And along those same lines, the event planners have made finding chill spots easier than ever this year. “With the potential of 5000+ attendees, I know personally that can be very overstimulating to be around for long periods of time,” my Tokyo, OK contact told me. “Panel rooms that are not in use are always welcome spaces for anyone who needs to have a quiet moment. We’ve also dedicated spaces in the Ruffin Event Center as relaxation rooms as well.”

If you’re like me, sometimes you need something in between a completely quiet space and a crowded room. Some of the quieter panels can be a good place to decompress, and when there’s no major competition on the schedule, a spot in the console and tabletop gaming areas can be a happy medium. 

Packing my Bag of Holding

I’m notoriously something of an overpacker for just about every occasion. But knowing that I’ve got everything our crew could need while spending all day away from home can be incredibly reassuring, not to mention potentially prevent something like a headache or blister from sabotaging our day. 

Here’s a list of things I like to take to conventions:

• Extra phone charger and charged portable battery
• Bottle of water — conventions will usually have water stations available, but it’s good to have a refillable bottle on hand, especially in the summer heat
• Headache medicine and antacids
• A hand fan (available from the Dollar Tree)
• Cash for smaller purchases and vendors who don’t take cards
• Granola bars and high-protein snacks
• Noise-canceling headphones for noisy rooms
• Dark sunglasses — these can be good for sensory breaks
• Fidget toys
• Notebook and extra pencils — I use these to take notes, but one of my kids likes to doodle in them during panels
• A manga or book for reading during downtimes
• Band-aids for blisters
• Chapstick/lip balm
• Gum and/or candy
• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer
• Hygiene supplies
• Extra hair ties

Dressing for Tokyo, OK

One of the most fun things about attending a convention is dressing up. While many cosplayers will spend weeks, months, or even years perfect a more professional-looking cosplay, folks without the skill, time, or money can still have a blast by wearing outfits inspired by pop culture or Japanese fashion. 

Especially when you’re planning to spend a long day at a convention, it’s important to dress for comfort. Here are some things I try to keep in mind:

• Layering: Thin, easily subtractable layers can be crucial since you might find yourself in a sweaty, crowded room one minute and a frosty, air-conditioned space the next. 
• Textures: Something that looks cool in the morning might not be nearly as pleasant after hours of wear, which is why it’s important to dress in comfortable fabrics for all-day events.
• Comfortable shoes: Good walking shoes are a must for conventions, where you can spend hours on your feet in some cases. 

Tokyo, OK will be held from July 12 through 14 at the Southern Hills Marriott. We hope to see you there, and in the meantime, have a fabulous week in your little nebula!