It was nice to be back at Wondercon after all these years. There wasn't alot going on panels or events wise but great to see others again.
Found it interesting that there clearly was a disconnect between con staff and security. Although most abided by the mask rules not everyone did nor did it seem like there was much in the way of enforcement. Same goes for the rules that didn't allow for wearing helmets or masks of facial coverings. I had a mask/helmet on all three days and never once was questioned about it. It seemed most of the staff were more concerned with the pink wristbands more than anything else. Hell even more than badges in some cases.
I did find it frustrating that the prop policy was so inconsistent though. I brought two truncheon made of PVP pipe and was told that anything that wasn't strapped down to the body was not allowed. I pointed out to the guy that the person in front of me had a sword which was peacebonded to the sheath but not to his body and was probably more deadly that my pvp pipe. The security next to him told a Kate Bishop she had to strap her bow and arrow to her body yet later in the day I saw another Kate Bishop who had not only her bow out but had an arrow with a tip (plastic) drawn back for photos.
I get the need for prop policies I just wish they were consistent and up front about it. Honestly it seemed the policy was, just do whatever unless someone stops you.
I was kind of shocked with the prop policies this year! I went to WonderCon 2018-2019 and both years I had multiple cosplays that had weapons (Plastic bat, replica Graflex with blade, prop Mac-11 machine gun to name a few) that passed through security/peace bonding just fine, and I was even allowed to carry them around in hand on the convention floor.
This year on the other hand, I had to have my neutrona wand ziptied to my proton pack so it could not be drawn, then they wanted to ziptie my replica Buck 120 to my belt in my Ghostface costume, underneath my robe, which I declined as what would be the point if it wasn't even visible anymore, so I ended up going back to my hotel room to put it away. I had a few other costumes with props that I didn't even bother to bring down from the hotel room to get checked out.
I understand the idea of making the con safe but I remember a time when you'd take your weapon to get peace bonded at cons, and they would look it over and determine it wasn't a real gun or a dangerous weapon and slap a ziptie on it and you were good to go for the weekend... Gone are the days I guess
