A friend and I are planning to go to a US Comic-Con in 2015, possibly the San Diego one. This will be the first con for both of us, and as first timers I'd like to ask if there's any advice veteran conners can give me so that we can avoid any pitfalls and faux-pa's
Have you done any UK cons?
I'm sure the experience is largely analogus.
In the US, the average con goer (not a Celebrity or Vendor) should expect to be treated like diseased cattle.
This means, long lines, expensive food, 'freshers that look like cautionary tales staged by the health dept., all the most desirable swag & merch. long gone before you've set foot on the con floor. All for the honor of sitting in the back of a large musty ballroom to hear Jos Weadon tell you why Agent Colson had to die, or to pay $50 for the autograph of Brent Spiners ST:TNG stand in.
If you plan to wear a costume avoid anything that you can't sit down in.
Also wear comfortable footwear as from the start of the entrance line to the end of the day you will likely walk aproximately twice the distance from London to Stoke-on-Trent. Even more if your hotel is NOT directly adjacent to the con.
Since you are coming in from Far Away get the 4 day pass to maximize your convention experience, add a couple days more before or after the con to see any other places in California (see the beach, West coastline, etc - makes for great pics to share when you get back home)
Plan ahead and select 1 or 2 panels or events per day and get there early (that way you can get that rare item or panel that you really wanted). Everything else that day can be spontaneous and will be more fun, that way you aren't spending so much time in lines. (I often have 6 or more things per day that I want to do - half of them I miss).
I have only been to 1 con (gencon 2006) I went mostly for the gaming but spent one day just wandering around and enjoying the exp. One thing that suprised me was how many cosplayers there were, it was really cool seeing all the costumes. Since then I have been wanting to go back to a con in costume (mabey several to change into on different days), my gaming buddies think it's too geeky, of course none of their wives are willing to do this with them!I live near chicago and was wondering if more experienced cosplayers/con goers could suggest some midwest events to check out. We would really like to plan a trip to SDCC for 2013 but it looks like that sells out pretty quick, and i don't know if we'll be able to commit before tickets run out.
Definately add a couple of days onto the front end of the trip. I went to SDCC last year. I'd planned my flights so I would land the day before, get to the hotel, and then pick up my passes. Unfortunately I got delayed and missed my connection and had to wait around for 8 hours at Chicago. I ended up getting to my hotel at midnight, going straight to sleep and missed most of the first day lineing up for my pass. :-(
Loved every minute of it though.
Lol, thx for the replies. My mate is looking at going as TDKR Bane and I was planning on going as Iron Man but may now go as a 2012 movie version of a Brit-Cit Judge from the Dredd universe
Last edited by Caelien; Oct 4, 2012 at 9:28 AM.
New York Comic Con is criowded but not ridiclously crowded.
Bring:
If not in costume, dress for comfort, especially wear comfy shoes. You'll be on your feet a lot and the floors in most convention centers are cement.
Snacks. Food cost a fortune at these places. Bring nuts, cookies, chips, raisins, etc. Nuts can be dumped in ziplocs or generic plastic bags for easier storage.
A water bottle with a removable cap, not one of the pop-up things. You can pay $4-$5 for a bottle of water so bring your own and refill it at water fountains.
Small poster tube. There are some cool freebies you'll want to snag, so have something to keep them from getting squished. A small poster tube is ideal. You can even tie a string on it and hang it from your belt, across your back, etc., to keep your hands free.
These might sound silly, but you'll thank me later.
Enjoy!
Thanks Probe Droid. I was gonna bring a satchel to keep stuff in but the poster tube's a brilliant idea.
About bringing your own food and drink, will we be able to? Or will the Con's confiscate them like they do at music festivals?
There's a weapons policy in NY and I imagine in other places, but food/water is ok.
It's the most intense crowds you have ever not imagined. Thurs, Fri are awesome, Sat, Sun - the sheer number of people standing in one place (and are NOT in line for anything) is staggering.
It's a cool experience, but pales before DragonCon.
I'm curious. Which is the better con experience? Dragoncon or SDCC?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
ComicCon - 4 days of madness- over each day at 5 when the show closes-
Dragoncon- 4 days and nights of costumed madness - straight! And an damn cool Parade too!
I haven't flown for 5 or 6 years. Is it better to bring a suitcase just for stuff you are buying, or is it better to just ship it home through USPS/UPS/Fed Ex?
Most airlines now charge extra for additional luggage so I've shipped items back home with good results if I'm the one packing the contents (keeping corners from getting crushed or bent.)lannyjack said:
Fedex costs more. US Postal Priority Flat rate is reasonable and fast.
I intend to travel light anyway, and will be taking a Gorilla box so I won't be worried about storage
Luckily I've worked with the British Armed Forces so I know how to pack efficiently
I used to always take my stuff in large containers on the airlines- the oversize fee was inexpensive, it worked out great. Then...one early morning at the airport, I was informed that the fees had changed. Dramatically.
So, I started shipping my stuff-
Now, with the shipping fees having gone up, sometimes it's cheaper to pay the extra baggage fees. But weigh it first!! It sucks to have to move stuff from one suitcase to another to get under the limit...in the airport...with everyone watching the doofus...that really, really sucks!
So, make sure your home scale is damn accurate, I allow for 5 lbs under now, just to ensure I make the weight limit.
buy or bring a a wheel cart for it. also buy some water bottles and a cooler and saves on drink money
Also, whether it's DCon or Comic Con, Power Bars, Clif Bars, etc. are your friend.priestrorschach said:
Time passes differently at these places...it's all to easy to forget to eat!
Thanks everyone for all your replies. I've got a lot of good advice here so hopefully my first 'Con should go ok
if indeed you are going to SDCC and you want a close yet really inexpensive place to stay, i know a good place. PM me 6 months before hand.
Reply with Quote
