So I’ve never been before, but a couple friends convinced my wife and I to park the kids with the grandparents and spend a week in San Diego for Comic-con. I’m looking forward to it, naturally. So what do I need to know? What must I do? And, of course, which Dopers are going?
Well, if you’re going to go, I could use a favor. There’s going to be a NCSoft booth, the people who make City of Heroes. They’re giving out a free in-game code to people who go there.
I’m kinda curious and want one. Cause I’m obsessive that way.
Other than that, I got nothing.
That I can do, assuming I find the booth.
Let’s see. There’s a Venture Brothers panel, and Lea Hernandez is going to be wandering around.
I’ve been going to the con for many years now. Since you mentioned taking a week, I’m assuming you got the 4-day pass. So tip #1, go to preview night on Wed… If for no other reason, you will be able to get your pass/badge with FAR less waiting/lines.
What to prepare for:
- a LOT of people. I mean a crushingly, claustraphobic amount of people at times. It wears on you - everywhere you want to go (down an aisle, to the bathroom, to one of the presentations, etc.). So just be prepared. Saturday will be the worst. Sunday, probably the best (least people).
- a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes (closed toe - see “a LOT of people” above). The exhibit hall is enormous, and will take the better part of a day to cover all of it. Again, with all the people, it just takes that much longer to get through.
- if someone you want to see is scheduled to appear at a booth or one of the autograph signing spots, they are invariably late. But they usually stay a little later than scheduled, so it kind of evens out.
- the presentations, on the other hand, generally run according to schedule.
- TONS to see, on the exhibitor floor alone. If you are going multiple days, I’d recommend scanning the whole floor before deciding to purchase. It may take a day or so just to see all there is.
Unless you’re staying within walking distance, plan to get there at least an hour early to park. If you can, park at Petco park (baseball stadium). They try to encourage the trolley, but it looks like a madhouse come closing time (you may wait on several trains before you get on).
Probably within a week, they will have the programming schedule nailed down on the website: www.comic-con.org It will be worth the time to scope out the schedule for any presentations you might be interested in seeing ahead of time (better than figuring it out once you get there). If the presentation is going to be a big one, plan on lining up ahead of time.
Don’t forget your camera. There will likely be someone in costume, or some celebrity, or some exhibit you’ll want to capture.
Huge MST3K thing on Friday - Mike AND Joel in attendance. I’ll be the guy in the front row crying like a pre-teen at a Jonas Brothers concert.
cormac is right - it is really fricking crowded. You did already buy your admission, right???
Excellent, thanks. Yes, we’ve been planning this for over a year, so I’ve got my four-day pass in hand. We’re staying at the Hard Rock across the street, so I don’t even need to rent a car. I bought a new pair of hikers from Land’s End a couple months ago and got them broken in. Extra battery and memory card for my camera, check. Laptop so I can stay current, check. Complete program printed out with notations for the four of us so we can sit in lines for each other, check.
I think I’m ready. I’m positively vibrating with excitement.
You are in GREAT shape for the Con.
Just a couple other items:
- daypacks to carry all your stuff (much better than the free bags given away)
- there are LOTS of really good places to eat in the Gaslamp (where you’re staying). The food in the convention center 1) will require waiting in a huge line, 2) is outrageously expensive, and 3) is just as outrageously disappointing. I would recommend eating a really good/big breakfast, and plan on skipping or just eating snacks for lunch. I’ve pretty much given up on having a “real” lunch while I’m at the con.
- Kansas City Barbeque (where they filmed the bar scenes for “Top Gun”) is just down the street. But unfortunately they recently had a big fire, and are shut down at the moment.
Browncoat style satchels are ready to go, doubling as carryon bags at the airport. Way ahead of you on the meal plan; in fact, I plan to hit the Brazilian steakhouse that’s nearby the first night. Hadn’t heard about the KC Barbecue. Too bad it’s shut down, that sounds awesome. Any other “must-eat” places I should plan on?
It’s changed a lot since the last comic con I attended. One of Phil Sueling’s at the Statler-Hilton in NYC.
Joel and Mike? And Tite Kubo (creator of Bleach)! 
I just saw where pre-registration is sold out and there is no on-site registration! And my kid is going to SeaWorld on Saturday - if they had day passes, I could have gone. But they don’t. :smack: 
(goes off to cry in a corner holding her Kon plushie)
Not too much of a zombie, I hope. But I came back with pics! Anyone else have cool things to share?
Cool pics! Have fun?
Hey, we were at the same panels!
This year we actually got into every panel that was on our “Must see” list, with virtually no standing in line (Dr. Horrible, Dollhouse, BSG, Stargate:Atlantis). It was weird, but I thought the crowd Saturday was much lighter than the crowd on Friday. Friday you could hardly move on the main floor, while Saturday you could move around with no problem. Everybody must have been in Hall H.
Having Kevin Smith moderate the BSG panel was a hoot. He injected just the right amount and attitude of fanboy to the proceedings.
How was the B.O. level? Or has the personal hygiene concept finally filtered into the collective comic fan consciousness?
No, the nerds/geeks/fanboys still are afraid of the power of deoderant. Friday was the worst, of course, because of the press of flesh. One of these years I’m going to put together a soap crucifix and wave it in front of me as I navigate the throng.
OK.
Now, I’m jealous.
Was that the girl from Dr. Horrible you had you picture taken with? Was she one of the Slayerettes as well?
I miss Comic-Con. I used to live in San Diego and went last year. The worst part was the lines, but Kevin Smith was worth it. I remember a fan asked during one of his Q&As: “We both know why we’re all here. Just tell us a funny story about you’re life.” And it was the funniest story of his I have ever heard. It was about his dogs and how they kept trying to have sex with each other.
The different forums were also great, especially the one where George Romero and Max Brooks were discussing Zombie movies and zombies in general, and the one where they were discussing if comic books are either art or entertainment.
Felicia Day. She also played Vi on BtVS, Season 7.