10 Things You Need to Know Before Going to Comic Con
by Ruth West
Sunday afternoon marked the end of my first Comic Con experience. All in all, I had an incredible weekend where I made new friends and was able to see some pretty amazing things. My perspective of Comic Con has changed drastically since the first day, mostly because I was not informed of what four days at Comic Con actually requires. So in the interest of helping you all plan your future Comic Con adventure, here are some valuable tips you can only learn by experience:
1. Comic Con is not for the faint of heart.
There are roughly 130,000 people at Comic Con every year! However, seeing a number does not prepare you for the sheer mass of humanity that attends. You will have to push through crowds, fight for a spot in line, and be generally rude at times if you want to see any special events. If you can’t handle the crowds or long lines, Comic Con probably isn’t for you.
2. Comfortable shoes are a must!
Me and my trusty sneakers made it through Comic Con without much discomfort, but I cannot fathom how cosplayers in 6-inch heels made it through each day without an emotional breakdown. For your first time, go easy on your feet and bring shoes made for walking.
3. Seating areas are scarce.
This was something that affected me greatly. When you arrive at the convention center at 6:30 A.M each day, you will need to rest by around 2pm (or earlier). However, due to very strict fire marshal codes, people are only allowed to sit in a few places outside or in the Sails Pavilion upstairs. Resting at the convention center is not really an option.
4. Long lines are common.
That statement doesn’t even seem strong enough to express how much time you will spend waiting in line. Disneyland doesn’t come close. If you want to see anything special or popular in either Hall H or rest of the Con, you will have to camp out overnight. Bring a portable sitting stool, a blanket, a pillow, and a lot of snacks, and you will be relatively comfortable.
5. Hotel rooms aren’t useful.
If you are dedicated to seeing everything at the Con, and camping out in line all night doesn’t bother you, then don’t worry about getting a hotel room. True, it is nice to have a place to go to rest, but you will not be spending any time in your hotel. Instead, I recommend investing that money in overnight parking for the weekend. That way you don’t have to worry about moving your car when you should be focused on line times and events.
6. Don’t buy food at the convention center.
Seriously. Don’t waste your money. The food is extremely over-priced, but unlike Disneyland, it isn’t at all good. The convention center is across the street from the Gas Lamp District in San Diego, which has some incredible restaurants that will also provide a chance to rest for a couple hours.
7. Don’t overbook yourself.
There is so much to see and do at Comic Con that you will likely want to plan several events each day, but reality is you can’t do that much. You have to anticipate lines for everything, even the little stuff. Lines can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, not including the entrance line or Hall H. Pick out 1 or 2 big things to do each day, and then add to it if you have room
8. Remember to have fun!
There is a lot of pressure at Comic Con to see and do everything, but that just isn’t possible. If you miss something important or on your to-do list, don’t let it ruin your whole trip. There are plenty of other good panels or events to see, so be flexible and just have fun.
9. Safety first.
Even though you are surrounded by thousands of people at all times, don’t forget basic safety measures, especially if you are a woman. Comic Con has security officers everywhere, but a little extra precaution never hurt anyone.
10. Bring someone with you.
This year I went alone to Comic Con because it didn’t work out for my friends to be there. I had a great time and made friends along the way, but I think I would’ve had a much different, and better experience if I had just one friend with whom to share all these experiences.
So now you know how to survive “the Con”. Plan ahead for next year and go have some adventures!
