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Im talking about the atmosphere, how open everyone is, how enjoyable they are and just the overall feeling.
I myself would love to go to one of these, kind of like 'THE thing to do before I die' sort of thing. But is it worth the journey? Is there a reason to go to one of these every year?

I would love to hear some friendly experiences.

They are super mega awesome!
Though I've only been to Anthrocon, the biggest furry convention, so not sure how useful it would be if you plan on going to smaller ones.

Every year I go to AC, it gets better and better! They are enjoyable by yourself if you don't mind it, but if you have at least one friend along with you, it makes it even more of a blast!
They are definitely worth it.

Go to at least one, then you can decide if you want to go every year. Some people looooove cons, some people despise them. Depends on the person really.

Also, all the fursuits you can hug! X3

That sounds amazing!!!! Just like a dream!!!! I can't wait until I get the chance to go to one!!!

Cons in general are usually quite a fun experience, but your enjoyment may vary based on your personality and the con. I.E. if you don't like huge masses of people, Anthrocon may not be right for you. I've been to a number of them and there were some that I love and others I hated do to my personal preferences. If you let us know where you live, we could let you know what may be around you and give some more accurate advice on what to expect. A lot of cons tend to have one or two areas that they really stand out in. Some seem to focus more on writing/art, others on fursuits, and some on just a general "hanging out" atmosphere. Some even have a twist to them like my favorite, Oklacon, that doubles as a camping trip in the middle of nowhere. Unless they moved hotels, Furfright had a giant tree growing through the center of their hotel IIRC and is Halloween themed since it's held in October.

A lot of the bigger cons also have side events/room parties that are open to attendees with or without an invite (depending on the event). Keep in mind if you go to these, they are not put on or endorsed by the convention or hotel. They can be fun as well if it suits your taste, but don't hold it against the con if it involves something you didn't like. Often times these are simply private room parties, but other conventions may host a public room party where you can go socialize and find out about their con. Some dealers may hold a special product launch party in there too. So just look about, enjoy what you think you'll like, and it shouldn't be hard to stay away from the activities you may not like.

Oh I am pretty sure there is none around where I live (Northern Ireland) so I would have to travel far to get to one, but it sounds like it would be worth it!

I've only been to an Ikkcon once, which was super fun. But I've never been to a con specifically for furies yet, although I would really, REALLY like to. Besides how much fun it sounds, I'd like to find some furry friends.

Also, all the fursuits you can hug! X3

Amen!

Also........Some other threads for historical reference.
http://forums.furtopia.org/index.php?topic=26462.0

I did not know what to expect for my first con. It was one of the most awesome times I have ever had. Con 2 has passed, now I get a bit depressed when I can't go to one.

Like anything else, it's what you make of the experience. I fursuit, so I spend as much time in suit as possible. Most of the time, it's just wandering around, giving and getting hugs. I also like sitting around, hanging out with friends, making new friends as well! I also like being able to kick back, watch the madness. MFF was great for this, as my room was placed so I could watch the center of the hotel from the rail along the walkway. The clear elevators are awesome, watching the suits go up and down. It's like watching a 3 ring circus, there was almost too much going on.

If you have thirty minutes to watch a video, this is a really neat one-man show done by a writer/actor I know in the furry fandom:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSBUjdRHQbA&feature=related  He put this piece together as part of his thesis project in college, and it portrays a fictionalized account of discovering the furry fandom and going to a first con.  A lot of it really resonated with my own experiences, and I highly recommend watching it.

It's a bit like saying hows driving a Ferrari in everyones eyes it different but it's one  of them things you have to try it yourself to truly understand. first couple i did was fantastic exhausting but grate none the less. after that i started working for 4 of the cons so its fun but very stressful as you can imagine being deputy head of security booze and trouble happens time to time but thats my view on it. other then that bloody awesome.

i love coming to convention talk to read about all the cons, but i hate coming here cause it reminds i cant go to a con for a couple years and it make me want to go to one even more!!!

i love coming to convention talk to read about all the cons, but i hate coming here cause it reminds i cant go to a con for a couple years and it make me want to go to one even more!!!

But by the time you get to go to one, it will be worth the wait!! Trust me!

It's like waiting to be tall enough to ride scary rollercoasters at themeparks!

I've been to a VERY large number of conventions and from my own, personal experiences i can tell you a few things:
-It all depends on what you make of it. Surround yourself with excellently delightful people and you will have an excellently delightful time. Surround yourself with dramatic galloping llamas and you will have a not-so excellently delightful time :3

-The overall feel of a convention can vary greatly. If it's your first convention everything will seem like rainbows an unicorns an you will be swimming in a sea of marshmallows and candy you'll be so overwhelmed and in amazement of everything. It's a furry convention! EVERYTHING will be awesome if it's your first time ^^. However as you become a more seasoned con goer you'll find that ddifferent conventions tend to carry certain moods about them. Take for example Anthrocon 2012- back in June. It was a gigantic contrast in terms of atmosphere compared to say- FWA in March. That ifference being that Anthrocon was a huge, big happy feeling in the air compared to FWA. Now I'm not saying that FWA is a bad con, it was just tragic for many of those (myself included) who came to the convention expecting a good time only to hear about the accident that had claimed two very much loved furs the day before- thus resulting in a bleak, weird air throughout. The size of a convention doesn't automatically gaudge its atmosphere at all. Mephit Furmeet, for example is one of the homeliest-feeling conventions i have ever attended. it's a much smaller convention then most yet it carries the warmest atmosphere i have ever encountered. So tl/dr- the atmosphere at these things tends to be dependent of what's going on at the time. Regaurdless you can probably find a good time anywhere

- you will find all kinds of people at conventions. I found someone who shared the exact same story as me at Midwest Furfest 2011. It was so incredible to meet someone i never thought i would. There are people of every walk of life at these shindigs, everyone has a story and everyone is generally VERY accepting, polite, and kind. We're all fuzzies after all, right?

-I have traveled many many more hours then i care to recount on the road. My furry friens see me far more then my actual family does and i would not trade any of them for the world. I've found love, life, and a purpose by going to conventions. If you can make the trip- it's worth it. They're aicting though! I warn you!

These are just a few observations i tossed together from collected thoughts after a few moments of thinking ^^ I hope that they help you gather some sort of an idea ^-^
-floofs- - Onai