McAllen Convention Center — Attraction in McAllen

Only reason they get a 2 was because of the dinosaur and dragons as well as the staff inside the event. Oh and how could I forget the petting zoo and horse ride. Now where too begin. When we arrived they had a long line already which is like okay people are purchasing tickets you know and they just opened. However, where was the line for people that had already purchased the tickets. Like are you for real. We were told there would be a separate line for people that purchased in advance. Apparently there wasn't and then to top it off rhe security there was also trying to figure out things. They were trying to help but they themselves seemed frustrated and irritated on how very unorganized the event was. Especially too enter. Like come on you have parents that get out of work so they are tired then you have kids of all ages and let's not forget the elderly. They did not have any preparation. To top it off their scanners were not working like seriously. So they just let us in. Then there was this lady there that seemed to know what she was doing but she was lost as well. An was more concerned of trying to prove her point that there was only one line that later split into 2 but she was just proving how unorganized this even was. Then once we are inside yeah we are going around trying to enjoy the event. So ofcourse we needed to use the bathroom. Well there was no changing station for babies I had to use the handicap and rhankfully I had my stroller but cheating station there either. Seriously this even could be awesome for any age range with or without disabilities. All they have too do is organize themselves better. Even if they think they won't have a lot of people showing up just have a plan b because you never k ow...

While we—my family and I—have been out and about in Texas, as the Otakus we are, we stumbled upon an advertisement for Anime Fiesta at the McAllen Convention Center. We could tell that the opportunity would be worth the wait (we discovered the online/digital flier on August 27), and we were instantly stoked. After my mother purchased the tickets, I, being the youngest and one of the most into-anime people in my house, began zooming through videos of the location and the contents of the events. I could not wait, and when the day had almost come, I was bouncing up and down in my sleep about the event that was mere hours away! We arrived after everyone was dressed up and ready to go, and the trip was just as exhilarating as the event we had come for! Beautiful, scenic views followed us to the Convention Center, and as we drove between the outlets, there it lay, the beholder of the convention: the McAllen Convention Center. Standing in line and simply admiring the views whilst the excitement overwhelmed me with ecstasy was one of the most delightful feelings I’d ever gotten here in Texas! Since that initial experience, we have gone to the convention site one more time, and this year, we are going right back for the 2024...

It used to be a nice place. Now its full of street barricades, fences and black tarps that resembles a detention center not a convention center. Limousines full of kids going to their quince or wedding processions on a friday night used to stop and take pictures to celebrate the occassion, but no more. City managemnt has taken over and consider it a private enterprise for themselves and have the doors locked 24/7 and every door covered with an 18 yr old security guard that do nothing all day but look out the window at the ducks in the pond and are paid to be rude and repulsive. All this excessive security is about nothing more than selling alcohol at events and a sense of entitlement for the employees. Even the macroplaza in Monterrey and the skating rink in downtown San Antonio during the holidays is not this desperate and immoral to be beer pushers on families. I guess that is how the city of McAllen wants to be viewed perceived by tourists staying at Embassy Suites and people that live here in Mcallen and pay city taxes that...