Comments on: A REAL Guide to San Diego Comic Con Part One

By: Dan K

Dan K — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:29:55 +0000

Thanks for your very detailed lay out of Comic-Con. this will be my first year so i am looking forward to the Chaos that Follows. i could ask 20 questions but like you said short and sweet and to the point. my main question you comment about lines for panels starting very early. now if something is scheduled for a room at say 3pm and you really want to be in that room for that panel are you saying go there first thing in the morning and just sit through the other panels waiting for the one you want. or do they start lines for every panel? it sounds like you can get a seat and just stay in a room all day if you wanted to be in one thing real bad.

Thanks for any Info you have given so much already i hope you have a great Con this year.

Dan

By: MPNeeb

MPNeeb — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:02:55 +0000

Good stuff.
Especially about the AXE Body spray.
I’ve never considered it useful, but your suggestion was brilliant.

And you’re not kidding about the walking…

By: Torsten Adair

Torsten Adair — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:07:39 +0000

There is a large grocery store just a few blocks north of the convention center. I recommend buying a box of breakfast bars (without chocolate) for about $4. Toss the box, the bars are individually wrapped. Nutritious, tidy (I eat them while wandering the aisles), and tasty!

I also suggest eating a large breakfast (especially if your hotel serves a continental breakfast), which should keep you going until 1 or 2 PM, which will help you avoid the “lunch rush”. If meeting a group of friends from the Internet, suggest you all meet two hours BEFORE the Con opens for the day at one of the hotel restaurants. Hotels will usually offer a breakfast buffet on the menu, which allows you to “carb up” for the day. Reservations recommended.

Bring your recharging adapter with you to the Con. While you relax in a corner for a few minutes, you can recharge batteries. Also, set your phone to vibrate. If you have a calendar of events on your smartphone, then get in the habit of checking your phone every five minutes or so. Text instead of calling, unless things get confusing, then excuse yourself from booths and aisles before placing the call.

If you can, fly in and out on non-Con days. With time to spare, you can relax, reducing stress. Chances are, there will be some pros staying over as well, and a group meal is possible. Also, you can enjoy some of the other attractions nearby (such as Legoland California).

By: arbitrary

arbitrary — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:57:15 +0000

Thanks for the advice, coming over from the UK for my first comic con also, and starting to get excited and scared.

By: Gillian

Gillian — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:23:41 +0000

RobinInSeoul – Be safe. I’ve had the South Koreans in my thoughts this week.

By: Gillian

Gillian — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:20:21 +0000

Overall good tips. As a female that has attended for over 12 years, I wanted to add that as a grown up you should not only try to avoid stepping on children, but short people as well. As a 5′2” female I spend most of my time on the convention floor being mowed over by tall guys. By Friday I’m ready to hit back. By Sunday they may find bodies stuffed under unused booth tables during teardown.

IF YOU HAVE A BACKPACK, please try to mentally add it to your perception of the space you take up. You are now a cloth turtle, please don’t go around whacking everyone with your shell when you move. Hardback books HURT. After 4 days of this people start looking at my boyfriend like he beats me.

Bathe, every day, more if needed. It used to be Saturday or Sunday before people started smelling like an open sewer. In the past few years the strong scent of convention hygiene has been overpowering during preview night.

Take a few extra minutes each day for common courtesy. Letting someone cross an isle that intersects yours when they’ve been trying to for 5 minutes, answering a question you overhear when you know the answer, giving someone directions, leaving the front seats open on the shuttle for someone less mobile, not shoving your way past people, etc. 99% of the time you won’t be missing out of a vital part of the convention experience and one act of decency per attendee would make this a whole diferent ballgame. The Convention Center is packed to capacity and hell really can be other people.

By: Jedimom

Jedimom — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:38:28 +0000

Well done! This will be my first SDCC, but I ama regular at Dragon*Con. Hygiene is VERY important! Think of those around you!

By: Bonnie Green

Bonnie Green — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:25:56 +0000

Very important question: Are there plenty and available restrooms, or are there lines for that, too?

Great tips for a first-timer!

By: Jackie Estrada

Jackie Estrada — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:32:11 +0000

Yes, there is line control. Comic-Con has a whole department devoted to handling lines at all the various programming venues.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:58:54 +0000

Speaking as a Con veteran of the past 15+ years, great guide. I second Bentoboxx’s suggestion about hand sanitizer. Last year I got a really, really bad case of the “Nerd Flu” after the Con. The place is packed with people and swimming with germs. In the age of Swine Flu, I’d be extra careful about cleanliness!