So, I figured I'd post this to all my LJ friends who are coming to San Diego Comic-Con for whatever reason, sort of a survival guide:
1) The Convention Center is huge. Most of the time, maybe one or two sections are opened for an event; for Comic-Con, almost all the sections plus both floors are open. Remember this and wear comfortable shoes.
2) If you are planning on meeting someone, whether you know them or not, I have three meeting place suggestions: near the entry/exit in section A (which may or may not be the primary entry/exit area but it is the first one you acess from public transportation), inside near the elevator (bottom floor is usally best; last year registration and autographs were upstairs in the same area and they were swamped, whereas downstairs was where the ATM machine was), or at some specific location at the Gaslamp/Embarcadero areas, which are pretty close to the convention center.
3) About autographs/photos: some stars are willing to sign anything, such as pieces of paper, printed out photos, etc. While no one is supposed to sell their autograph (or at least they weren't last year), they can state they'll only sign pre-approved merchandise (such as Stan Lee did) or that you have to buy something from them for them to sign. Some also don't want pictures; BtVS/A:tS seem to be okay with it, as do Veronica Mars cast members (I've heard); selected members from both should be there this year (VM cast confirmed for Friday, July 15th).
4) This place gets packed quickly. I arrived last year at 9 AM via the train from Oceanside to San Diego and by the time I entered it was very crowded, and got more so through the day. There is a sort of guide to where the different booths are: use it. Also, keep in mind that it will take you a while to get from the downstairs booth area to upstairs where the panels are, so time well.
5) Be respectful of the speakers. I learned that the hard way last year while attending a manga forum for The Getbackers while my cranky son was there. A screaming 1 1/2 year old was not a pretty thing. However, the artist was very understanding. Some panel members I ahve heard aren't.
6) If you bring young kids, I know it sounds funny, but use a small, lightweight stroller and/or a child's leash. If you have a cell phone, make sure any child old enough to use a phone has the number and keep it on; there is a lost and found there that children can go to and volunteers all wear special IDs that show they are volunteers. The reason I rec the lightweight stroller is that they're smaller and manuever easier.
7) Be prepared for a lot of freebies. I'd recommend bringing at least one bookbag just for that (also? bring water and lots of it if you can) as well as a poster tube if you plan on snagging posters. The kind with the straps that you can wear seemed to be very popular.
8) There are going to be contests throught each day at various booths. Bring a pen and write down which booth you get your ticket from; most don't require you to be there when winners are drawn but they do require your ticket.
9) If you're going to follow a cast from panel to autograph area, there is going to be a line already waiting. If you can bear to part from the panel early, go get in line; the areas of who's giving out autographs are pretty clearly marked, though changes do happen.
10) Feel free to come in costume. In fact, even though the masquerade ball is by invite only, a lot of people enjoy seeing people looking like their favorite characters just walking around.
11) I hate to say it, but bring a lot of money. There's not only going to be a lot of things you'll want, but if you plan on staying all day it's cheaper to leave to center to go eat out in town (there's a Wendy's not that far from the center on Broadway if you want to be really cheap plus a few other inexpensive places at Horton Plaza) and then go back.
12) If you know for a fact you are going to attend and want to get in free and don't mind volunteering for at least a few hours, try and get the registration form for volunteers off the website, fill it in and mail it back ASAP. You get in for free the day you work. Since I live in SD, I plan on working from Wednesday to Saturday.
13) Speaking of Wednesday, it's a preview night open to those who pre-register. From what I understand it is well worth it. The only things not really included on that day are the panels, but a lot of the vendors will be there.
If anyone's got other questions, ask. I'll be a volunteer there this year and will get more specific information next month, I think, and I can always pass questions along.
1) The Convention Center is huge. Most of the time, maybe one or two sections are opened for an event; for Comic-Con, almost all the sections plus both floors are open. Remember this and wear comfortable shoes.
2) If you are planning on meeting someone, whether you know them or not, I have three meeting place suggestions: near the entry/exit in section A (which may or may not be the primary entry/exit area but it is the first one you acess from public transportation), inside near the elevator (bottom floor is usally best; last year registration and autographs were upstairs in the same area and they were swamped, whereas downstairs was where the ATM machine was), or at some specific location at the Gaslamp/Embarcadero areas, which are pretty close to the convention center.
3) About autographs/photos: some stars are willing to sign anything, such as pieces of paper, printed out photos, etc. While no one is supposed to sell their autograph (or at least they weren't last year), they can state they'll only sign pre-approved merchandise (such as Stan Lee did) or that you have to buy something from them for them to sign. Some also don't want pictures; BtVS/A:tS seem to be okay with it, as do Veronica Mars cast members (I've heard); selected members from both should be there this year (VM cast confirmed for Friday, July 15th).
4) This place gets packed quickly. I arrived last year at 9 AM via the train from Oceanside to San Diego and by the time I entered it was very crowded, and got more so through the day. There is a sort of guide to where the different booths are: use it. Also, keep in mind that it will take you a while to get from the downstairs booth area to upstairs where the panels are, so time well.
5) Be respectful of the speakers. I learned that the hard way last year while attending a manga forum for The Getbackers while my cranky son was there. A screaming 1 1/2 year old was not a pretty thing. However, the artist was very understanding. Some panel members I ahve heard aren't.
6) If you bring young kids, I know it sounds funny, but use a small, lightweight stroller and/or a child's leash. If you have a cell phone, make sure any child old enough to use a phone has the number and keep it on; there is a lost and found there that children can go to and volunteers all wear special IDs that show they are volunteers. The reason I rec the lightweight stroller is that they're smaller and manuever easier.
7) Be prepared for a lot of freebies. I'd recommend bringing at least one bookbag just for that (also? bring water and lots of it if you can) as well as a poster tube if you plan on snagging posters. The kind with the straps that you can wear seemed to be very popular.
8) There are going to be contests throught each day at various booths. Bring a pen and write down which booth you get your ticket from; most don't require you to be there when winners are drawn but they do require your ticket.
9) If you're going to follow a cast from panel to autograph area, there is going to be a line already waiting. If you can bear to part from the panel early, go get in line; the areas of who's giving out autographs are pretty clearly marked, though changes do happen.
10) Feel free to come in costume. In fact, even though the masquerade ball is by invite only, a lot of people enjoy seeing people looking like their favorite characters just walking around.
11) I hate to say it, but bring a lot of money. There's not only going to be a lot of things you'll want, but if you plan on staying all day it's cheaper to leave to center to go eat out in town (there's a Wendy's not that far from the center on Broadway if you want to be really cheap plus a few other inexpensive places at Horton Plaza) and then go back.
12) If you know for a fact you are going to attend and want to get in free and don't mind volunteering for at least a few hours, try and get the registration form for volunteers off the website, fill it in and mail it back ASAP. You get in for free the day you work. Since I live in SD, I plan on working from Wednesday to Saturday.
13) Speaking of Wednesday, it's a preview night open to those who pre-register. From what I understand it is well worth it. The only things not really included on that day are the panels, but a lot of the vendors will be there.
If anyone's got other questions, ask. I'll be a volunteer there this year and will get more specific information next month, I think, and I can always pass questions along.
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