GalaxyCon is bringing its animation-focused convention back to the Orange County Convention Center this month, and Animate! Orlando is shaping up to be one of the bigger anime and animation gatherings on the Central Florida calendar this year. The three-day event runs August 14-16 at the West Concourse, 9800 International Drive, with doors open Friday from 4 PM to 1 AM, Saturday from 10 AM to 1 AM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM.
The guest list is where this show really separates itself. Alyson Stoner, Vincent Martella, and Dana Snyder headline the voice actor track. Fans of anime dubs will recognize a deep bench of names too: Cristina Vee, Alexis Tipton, Brandon Rogers, Erica Lindbeck, Daniel Ross, Peter Behn, David Matranga, Mary Gibbs, Terry McGovern, Chris Wehkamp, Kyle Phillips, Michaela Laws, and David Errigo Jr. round out the lineup, with more names still being added to the roster as the event approaches. As with any large convention, guest appearances are subject to change, so it’s worth double-checking the official guest page closer to the show.
That lineup covers a wide swath of fandom. Between the animated sitcom veterans and the anime dub regulars, there’s crossover appeal for people who grew up on Cartoon Network and people who came to fandom through Crunchyroll, which is exactly the mix GalaxyCon seems to be chasing with this show.
What’s on the Floor
Animate! Orlando is built around the usual convention pillars, but with an animation-first lens. Expect over 100 hours of programming across the weekend, including voice actor Q&As, fan panels, screenings, anime-themed parties, and games. The exhibit hall will be packed with vendors and artists selling everything from back-issue manga volumes to custom prints, and the Featured Creators and Literary & Industry guest tracks give attendees a chance to meet writers and artists working in the space beyond just the people behind the microphone.
Cosplay is a major focus of the weekend. The costume and cosplay contests carry a prize pool of more than $4,000 in cash, plus medals, trophies, and judging from well-known cosplay guests. There’s also a Cosplay Lounge for photos against custom backdrops, so attendees don’t have to fight foot traffic in the main aisles to get a good shot. On top of the contests, the show is running cosplay wrestling this year, which should make for one of the more unusual photo and video opportunities on the schedule.
Tabletop and video gaming both have dedicated space as well, giving the con a hangout option for groups who want a break from panel rooms and autograph lines.
VIP and Specialty Tickets
Beyond general admission, GalaxyCon is offering a 3-Day VIP Pass that includes a dedicated registration booth, a VIP badge, an exclusive Animate! lanyard and D20, entry to a Friday night VIP cocktail party with celebrity and professional guests, fast lane access for autographs and photo ops, premium lounge access, an expo bag, an exclusive pin, and a limited-edition 11×17 art print, along with a discount on Sunday workshop tickets.
One of those workshops is worth calling out for anyone working the con floor or building a content career around cosplay. Sunday afternoon brings a public speaking and confidence workshop led by cosplayer, host, and performer Ginger Oh Snap, aimed at attendees looking to sharpen how they present themselves on camera and in front of a crowd. There’s also a life drawing session featuring GalaxyCon After Dark performers for attendees who want figure-drawing practice rather than panel-hopping. Both are add-on tickets separate from general admission.
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