For those wondering where I disappeared to yesterday:

Here's your answer. I didn't have the endurance or the cash to spend all four days there (much less cough up for a hotel room), so I decided to go Monday only, which had the masquerade, less crowds, someone who could transport me, and absolutely nothing else going on that day that could interfere with my ability to attend. Naturally, to try to ruin that last factor, as of Sunday I was still recovering from feeling sick and groggy all the past week, and it wasn't until that evening that I was sure I was feeling well enough to attend the next morning.

( Those without interest in anime won't care about or understand most of this; the rest, read on. )