Comic-Con first timers-any advice?
- Thread starter Caelien
- Start date
jonny5
Sr Member
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.
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.
PumpMag
Well-Known Member
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).
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).
Bigdaddy
Master Member
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!:lol 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.
NuRF
Well-Known Member
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.
Loved every minute of it though.
Probe Droid
Master Member
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!
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!
Probe Droid
Master Member
There's a weapons policy in NY and I imagine in other places, but food/water is ok.
Bountys Hunted
Well-Known Member
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.
It's a cool experience, but pales before DragonCon.
Bountys Hunted
Well-Known Member
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!
Dragoncon- 4 days and nights of costumed madness - straight! And an damn cool Parade too!
PumpMag
Well-Known Member
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.)
Fedex costs more. US Postal Priority Flat rate is reasonable and fast.
Bountys Hunted
Well-Known Member
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.
cry
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.
crySo, 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.
priestrorschach
Active Member
buy or bring a a wheel cart for it. also buy some water bottles and a cooler and saves on drink money
Bountys Hunted
Well-Known Member
Also, whether it's DCon or Comic Con, Power Bars, Clif Bars, etc. are your friend.
Time passes differently at these places...it's all to easy to forget to eat!
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