Orlando’s fandom calendar is getting another jolt as Animate! Orlando returns to the Orange County Convention Center for a three-day celebration of anime, animation, comics, manga and cosplay. The West Concourse is set to fill with voice actors, creators, gaming, costumes and enough panels to make a single-day visit feel wildly optimistic.
According to WFTV, featured guests include Alyson Stoner, Vincent Martella, Cristina Vee, Brandon Rogers, Erica Lindbeck, Colleen O’Shaughnessey and Janet Varney, along with dozens of other voice actors and creators. The lineup also includes panels, Q&A sessions, gaming, costume contests and late-night programming.
What To Expect At Animate! Orlando
The official event page describes Animate! Orlando as an animation-focused festival with video and tabletop gaming, cosplay contests, live entertainment, panels and fan Q&As. Show hours run from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, giving attendees plenty of time to browse the floor before the late-night programming takes over.
Convention Returns To The West Concourse
The Orange County Convention Center lists Animate! Orlando as a Friday-through-Sunday event at the West Concourse. For local fans, that means the International Drive convention district is getting another major pop-culture weekend just as summer travel and convention traffic are already in full swing.
Tickets Are Already On Sale
GalaxyCon’s ticket page lists a three-day pass at $95, a three-day deluxe pass at $125 and a three-day VIP pass at $250, with additional two-day and special-event options available. The passes cover regular festival admission, while some VIP events and celebrity experiences require separate tickets, according to the ticket information.
Cosplayers Can Compete For Cash And Bragging Rights
Organizers are encouraging fans to arrive in costume or come as they are, with contests planned for different ages and skill levels. The convention’s cosplay information advertises more than $4,000 in cash, medals, trophies and other prizes across its competitions, including runway, craftsmanship, masquerade and kids’ events.
