Comic-Con Survival Guide Tips & Suggestions for Attendees 2009
First off I have to say go online to the Comic-Con Info site and get tons of useful info. The website is jam packed with information for the clever attendee who bothers to check http://www.comic-con.org
Now Onto My List, Born From Hard Experience!
Park far away and use the Shuttles, if possible! Comic-Con runs many shuttles. The farther away the easier the parking & traffic congestion, especially when trying to leave the area.
Go to the ATM before you even get near Downtown San Diego. Going to the Bank is even better because you can bring small bills. The vendors will appreciate it. There are ATM's onsite for those who cannot plan ahead, but ATM's dry up like a desert during Comic-Con.
Eat before the show. Eat a BIG breakfast, you will need the energy.
Buy whatever you see right then, you may not get back to that booth ever again.
Buy Exclusive Figures on Wed, Thurs or maybe Friday. Sat & Sun is often too late!
Take more money than you need, especially on Sunday. Better to have it and not use it.
Say Thank You. The booth workers will appreciate it.
Bring a Pen. Some vendors have raffles and waiting around to use the only 2 mini pencils is silly. Bring your own. Plus you might get some hotties number?
Bring zipper-sealed bags. Storing Cool Swag and sandwiches don't mix.
Use your time wisely.,.Eat lunch in line for Panels.
Bring a Messenger bag full of items that will be gone by lunchtime. This allows you to bring food & water with the added bonus of an empty bag to put Swag in later.
Bring Snacks for the Show. Nothing like chocolate or cheese puffs. Messy fingers & Cool Swag don't mix. Make sure to use zipper sealed bags.
On-site Buy a Soda & Snacks early, before you need them. Do not wait until lunchtime to get in line for lunch. You have better things to do with your time. Like...Stand in line early for Panels.
Don't Wear A Backpack unless you want to get REALLY sweaty. Messenger bags give you the storage without the sweat.
Drink water...unless you are about to get into a long line. Warning - Bladders tend to talk right when you get near the front of the line. Plan ahead!
The Fire Marshal Has Final Say! The Fire Marshal had to close the rooms at times because they were too full. Unfortunately the CCI staff had to tell a few hardheaded people the bad news: 6,500 people got in this room BEFORE YOU!
Don't Blame. Bad Things happen. Try not to blame the Staff, Hotel, Fire Marshall etc. If something really is wrong, make sure you get to the correct person who caused the issue. Try to calmly get the matter resolved if possible. For example: Don't blame Comic-Con because there is "no parking". You KNEW there would be 100,000 other people attending. If you spend your time angry you won't have as much fun.
Never Ask A Security Guard. They are most likely a day worker who has no idea what you are asking about past the name of the convention, the city you are in and where is the bathroom.
Plan A Place To Meet. Cell phones die & dead zones happen. Plan out a place & time to meet when you get separated from your group and for at the end of the day.
Plan Out Your Routes Ahead Of Time. The Exhibit floor is HUGE! I usually do my walking by sections. Hall A - H is longer than you think!
Pay Attention to Yourself, both past & present. Many first time Comic-Con attendees have attended other conventions & venues with crowds. CCI is BIGGER! Use past experiences to help guide yourself. IF you become tired easily plan for it. IF you get headaches due to lines, stress & mayhem, bring medication.
Bring Pain Reliever: I carry a full arsenal of (legal) drugs. Most notably Aspirin and Pepto Bismol.
If You Don't Like Crowds Stay Home. It might not be worth it to have an anxiety attack and freak out everyone else around you. If you must attend the ULTIMATE SHOW in the US, take CCI in small doses. Leave the center when possible & get some sunshine on your face.
It Is Okay To Miss Something. Many many many attendees have been know to come to CCI on Wednesday and not leave until Sunday night when it closes. I would advise that you leave the center when possible to get some sun and decompress.
Back Up, Locking Storage Bins. Bring extra supplies and leave them in your cars trunk. Your car is probably not as far away as your home / hotel. I always bring 2 Rubbermaid bins so that I have a safe place to unload my goodies. Why 2 bins? I am glad you asked...#1 is for flat items like Comics, Cards, Photos etc. The #2 bin is for Pins, Figures, T-Shirts and other lumpy items.
Wear Comfortable Shoes. I do not care how cute you are, wear your grandma's orthopedics. Your feet will thank you. I Cannot Say This Enough!
Bathe. Not just for the sake, of your nose, but because that many people make it hot. It is sad that I even need to say this!!
Panel Attendance: Do your research! Go to the room you plan to be in several hours ahead of time and see how things are going. Any Attendee that has a "Must See" panel should be prepared to wait several hours. I am sorry the truth is harsh, but HOURS is how long you may need to wait. Attending a different panel you are not interested in may be required. The smaller the room the more crucial this is. Plan ahead!
Comic-Con should always be attended in pairs or groups. If one person cannot be at a certain place at a certain time, hand your friend your ticket stub. This also works for line switching and food gathering. Be loud about it so that the people around you in line know you are not trying to pull a sneak attack. OKAY WONDER WOMAN, I AM GOING TO GO GET SOME FOOD AND BE RIGHT BACK, HOLD MY PLACE. OKAY THANKS! Make sure you do not do this maneuver 15 minutes before a panel is going to start. You will NOT make it back in time and seats cannot be saved.
Costumers beware: For those of us who wear costumes and do Cosplay I seriously suggest a change of clothes be available some place close by. No convention is as big or tiring as Comic-Con. The same outfit you wore at Anime Expo just fine is going to try to strangle you at Comic-Con. I kid you not.
Now Onto My List, Born From Hard Experience!
Park far away and use the Shuttles, if possible! Comic-Con runs many shuttles. The farther away the easier the parking & traffic congestion, especially when trying to leave the area.
Go to the ATM before you even get near Downtown San Diego. Going to the Bank is even better because you can bring small bills. The vendors will appreciate it. There are ATM's onsite for those who cannot plan ahead, but ATM's dry up like a desert during Comic-Con.
Eat before the show. Eat a BIG breakfast, you will need the energy.
Buy whatever you see right then, you may not get back to that booth ever again.
Buy Exclusive Figures on Wed, Thurs or maybe Friday. Sat & Sun is often too late!
Take more money than you need, especially on Sunday. Better to have it and not use it.
Say Thank You. The booth workers will appreciate it.
Bring a Pen. Some vendors have raffles and waiting around to use the only 2 mini pencils is silly. Bring your own. Plus you might get some hotties number?
Bring zipper-sealed bags. Storing Cool Swag and sandwiches don't mix.
Use your time wisely.,.Eat lunch in line for Panels.
Bring a Messenger bag full of items that will be gone by lunchtime. This allows you to bring food & water with the added bonus of an empty bag to put Swag in later.
Bring Snacks for the Show. Nothing like chocolate or cheese puffs. Messy fingers & Cool Swag don't mix. Make sure to use zipper sealed bags.
On-site Buy a Soda & Snacks early, before you need them. Do not wait until lunchtime to get in line for lunch. You have better things to do with your time. Like...Stand in line early for Panels.
Don't Wear A Backpack unless you want to get REALLY sweaty. Messenger bags give you the storage without the sweat.
Drink water...unless you are about to get into a long line. Warning - Bladders tend to talk right when you get near the front of the line. Plan ahead!
The Fire Marshal Has Final Say! The Fire Marshal had to close the rooms at times because they were too full. Unfortunately the CCI staff had to tell a few hardheaded people the bad news: 6,500 people got in this room BEFORE YOU!
Don't Blame. Bad Things happen. Try not to blame the Staff, Hotel, Fire Marshall etc. If something really is wrong, make sure you get to the correct person who caused the issue. Try to calmly get the matter resolved if possible. For example: Don't blame Comic-Con because there is "no parking". You KNEW there would be 100,000 other people attending. If you spend your time angry you won't have as much fun.
Never Ask A Security Guard. They are most likely a day worker who has no idea what you are asking about past the name of the convention, the city you are in and where is the bathroom.
Plan A Place To Meet. Cell phones die & dead zones happen. Plan out a place & time to meet when you get separated from your group and for at the end of the day.
Plan Out Your Routes Ahead Of Time. The Exhibit floor is HUGE! I usually do my walking by sections. Hall A - H is longer than you think!
Pay Attention to Yourself, both past & present. Many first time Comic-Con attendees have attended other conventions & venues with crowds. CCI is BIGGER! Use past experiences to help guide yourself. IF you become tired easily plan for it. IF you get headaches due to lines, stress & mayhem, bring medication.
Bring Pain Reliever: I carry a full arsenal of (legal) drugs. Most notably Aspirin and Pepto Bismol.
If You Don't Like Crowds Stay Home. It might not be worth it to have an anxiety attack and freak out everyone else around you. If you must attend the ULTIMATE SHOW in the US, take CCI in small doses. Leave the center when possible & get some sunshine on your face.
It Is Okay To Miss Something. Many many many attendees have been know to come to CCI on Wednesday and not leave until Sunday night when it closes. I would advise that you leave the center when possible to get some sun and decompress.
Back Up, Locking Storage Bins. Bring extra supplies and leave them in your cars trunk. Your car is probably not as far away as your home / hotel. I always bring 2 Rubbermaid bins so that I have a safe place to unload my goodies. Why 2 bins? I am glad you asked...#1 is for flat items like Comics, Cards, Photos etc. The #2 bin is for Pins, Figures, T-Shirts and other lumpy items.
Wear Comfortable Shoes. I do not care how cute you are, wear your grandma's orthopedics. Your feet will thank you. I Cannot Say This Enough!
Bathe. Not just for the sake, of your nose, but because that many people make it hot. It is sad that I even need to say this!!
Panel Attendance: Do your research! Go to the room you plan to be in several hours ahead of time and see how things are going. Any Attendee that has a "Must See" panel should be prepared to wait several hours. I am sorry the truth is harsh, but HOURS is how long you may need to wait. Attending a different panel you are not interested in may be required. The smaller the room the more crucial this is. Plan ahead!
Comic-Con should always be attended in pairs or groups. If one person cannot be at a certain place at a certain time, hand your friend your ticket stub. This also works for line switching and food gathering. Be loud about it so that the people around you in line know you are not trying to pull a sneak attack. OKAY WONDER WOMAN, I AM GOING TO GO GET SOME FOOD AND BE RIGHT BACK, HOLD MY PLACE. OKAY THANKS! Make sure you do not do this maneuver 15 minutes before a panel is going to start. You will NOT make it back in time and seats cannot be saved.
Costumers beware: For those of us who wear costumes and do Cosplay I seriously suggest a change of clothes be available some place close by. No convention is as big or tiring as Comic-Con. The same outfit you wore at Anime Expo just fine is going to try to strangle you at Comic-Con. I kid you not.