# Comic-Con 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2011, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492 "2011-07-10T08:01:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![With\_Rye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@With\_Rye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/With_Rye)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/1 "2011-07-10T08:01:29Z")
Anyone going or been? What has your experience been like? It’ll be my first, and it sucks they don’t have an official forum or anything for people to share stories and tips. I’m mostly concerned about getting into the epic fantasy panel and the Game of Thrones Q&A. Looks like I’d have to wake up pre-dawn and sit in the room all day to have a chance at seeing the panels. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/2 "2011-07-10T08:19:24Z")
I’ve gone for the past 6 years or so and it’s increasingly insane every year. I’ve kind of given up on going to panels - you really do just have to sit in the same room all day. For Game of Thrones, you might want to go try to get a seat _now_. What would you like to know? I have tips and stories both :). ---
**Author:** ![With\_Rye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@With\_Rye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/With_Rye)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/3 "2011-07-10T08:52:47Z")
Both please! Are you going this year? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/4 "2011-07-10T16:59:55Z")
Is it really true they cut off registration at 126000 people? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/5 "2011-07-10T17:49:46Z")
Yes it is. 4 day passes sold out _last year_. So we are missing all the insanity this year. But a buddy of mine scored passes for Sunday, so we are giving him the cash to get our passes for next year before he leaves. If you want to see popular panels, plan on getting there before the doors open in the morning and camping out in the room all day. Hall H fills up in seconds. The main floor is totally mad the entire time. Be prepared to find your zen spot to avoid punching out oblivious fanboys. The wife and I love the main floor, because the second we set foot in the place, we are the skinniest and handsomest people there. Every geek and gamer stereotype you’ve ever heard of will be in evidence. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/6 "2011-07-10T20:37:17Z")
> [@With\_Rye](#): > > Both please! Are you going this year? Yes, I’m going. I usually do a steampunk-type costume. Nothing beats the 1st time or so that you go, it’s just mind-boggling. The costumes alone are worth the price of admission, plus the charming incongruity of seeing, say, Batman with his cape flapping in the breeze as he catches a lift in a pedicab. Some of the bars really look like a Star Wars canteen. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of wearing comfortable shoes. Things are quite spread out and you’ll do a ton of walking. Bring sunscreen. Sometimes lines wind outside and you’re in them for a while. Bring a messenger bag (or something) with snacks (concessions are fairly bad and expensive), water, and, if you’re planning on camping out for panels, a book, Kindle or fully loaded iPod to listen to podcasts or something. The waiting can be boring. I, myself, bring a parasol and haven’t regretted it, but that may be a bit much for you ;). Be patient and as polite as you can be. Everyone else is, in my experience. People are nice about pictures if you ask. You will want to take some. Bring a little cash - you never know when you’re going to want a 3/$1.50 button or something. Food-wise, I like to patronize some of the fine establishments outside the Con. Taking some time out to have a stiff drink and something decent to eat is very refreshing in the midst of a long day. The Harbor area outside the convention center is touristy but really beautiful, and can be a nice break from the craziness inside the convention hall. Last year I was involved in a photo shoot Morgan Spurlock was doing for a book on the Con. Some of my friends ended up in it. If you can score an invite to some of the evening parties, they can be amazing. I went to a preview party for Mirror Mask (Gaiman) a few years ago and it was very impressive. You cannot possibly do or see everything, so take a look at your program (don’t toss it! You need the maps, believe me!) they hand you when you come in. It has all the schedules and all the vendors so you can target what you really want to shoot for. I’m not sure I can advise you more than that, not knowing what you’re into, but if you have any questions, fire away! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/7 "2011-07-10T21:08:45Z")
Patton Oswalt tends to end up at the bar in the Hyatt later on in the evening. He’s a riot to drink with. Seaport Village is a nice break from the Con. Stay hydrated. Take more money than you think you’ll need. Any bag you carry needs to be on your shoulder, not in your hands. I like a backpack better than a messenger bag for stashing all the stuff I accumulate. DO NOT eat in the Convention Center, The food is outrageously priced and really crappy to boot. Keep your ears open to conversations around you, They may give you clues about things you missed. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/8 "2011-07-10T23:20:26Z")
I so wish we could go to this. Mr. Tao has been a few times, I never; he’s determined that it’s become just too big and chaotic to bring the boys right now. They’re 11 and 13, and I think he DID bring them maybe 5 years ago, and they loved it, but…yeah. Madhouse is a good term, from the sounds of it 🙂 Maybe in a few more years, when they’re old enough to not freak out if they get totally separated for some reason. In the meantime, I’m camping this thread for stories and tips for when I finally do make it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/9 "2011-07-11T16:27:52Z")
If you’re on the vendor floor swing by the Abrams booth and tell them Tnetennba says hi. They’ll ask who the hell is that, at which point you should giggle and run away. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/10 "2011-07-11T17:13:08Z")
An acquaintance on another board had this to advice: > [@](#): > > Some other tips I would have for you would be: > > COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! - you will be on your feet for most of the weekend. Forget style and bring the most comfortable shoes you own. Trust me you’ll be thankful you did. You’ll still have sore feet by the end of the day but if you can minimize that pain as much as possible it will be worth it in the long run. > > Sensible backpack - bring a backpack that will fit your provisions and camera and whatever else you’re bringing but don’t bring the rolling suitcase you used as a carryon. One they don’t allow rolling bags in the convention center and two you don’t want to lug that around all day. Pack smart and as light as possible, your back will thank you for it in the end. > > Bring snacks - there is a food court area and a few food vendors but the lines are long and the prices are high. I’d suggest packing a lunch if you can. > > Drink lots of water - you’d be amazed at how quickly you can get dehydrated running around an air conditioned convention center. > > Have a designated meeting time and place - if you are going with a group and plan to be separated then have a specific time and place to meet up. The Sails Pavilion upstairs (where you’ll get your badge) is a nice place to meet. Its generally not that crowded and everyone knows how to get there. > > Photo etiquette - this is a pet peeve of a lot of people that attend. If you are going to take a photo of someone’s costume, ask them to step to the side of the aisle. DON’T take the photo across the aisle or in the middle of an intersection. The biggest issue at SDCC is the crowd and when someone stops Boba Fett to take his picture then others will stop to do the same and the next thing you know you have 100 people all crowding around to see what the fuss is and traffic is blocked. Trust me you’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it. I’m not saying don’t take pictures. Hell that’s half the fun, trying to get as many different costumes on “film” as possible and asking your friends “did you see that guy dressed as an Oompa Loompa?” Just be courteous and considerate of the other 125,000 people around you. > > Don’t take everything that’s handed to you - one of the things you’ll see a LOT is people at their booths handing out flyers and cards. Do yourself a favor and just don’t take them if you’re not genuinely interested or you’ll end up with a bag full of trash. Same with the free giveaways. For the first couple of years I grabbed every free thing that was given away regardless of what it was. Because, dude, its free!!! And you know what happened to most of it? Trashed. Be smart in the stuff you pick up. Just because the pretty girl in the schoolgirl outfit offers you a flyer promoting the new War of the Undead Cheerleaders online forum doesn’t mean you have to take it. > > Use the map and schedule - included in the convention bag you’ll get at registration is a schedule of events. Inside this is a foldout map of the convention center and exhibit floor. Plan out what booths you HAVE to hit and mark their location so you know where you’re going ahead of time. Also look over the schedule and map out where the panels are that you want to see. It might not look like a big place but once you get inside and realize you have 3 minutes to get from the exhibit floor to the Hasbro GI Joe panel you’ll wish you’d planned better. Allow for time to get from point A to point B. It will take longer than you think. > > Get away from the convention center - I’m not sure what your plans are for the weekend but try to get away from the convention center for a few hours if you can. The Enterprise aircraft carrier museum is a great little side trip. They have audio tours or you can just walk around on your own. Some restaurants in the Gaslamp district across from the convention center offer convention specials. They can be crowded and you might have to wait but its nice to get a good sit down meal after a long day of conventioning. > > Look around - I’m putting this in for two reasons. One is general safety. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been run nearly run over by some idiot that’s texting and walking at this show. If you need to text or email or whatever STOP and do it. Don’t text and walk. Pay attention to where you’re going and what’s around you. If you’re not careful you could end up with a fairy wing in the face. Its happened. And the second reason is you’ll never know who you’ll see walking around the exhibit floor or on the sidewalk outside a restaurant or in line at the Starbucks. Amanda and a couple friends and I ran into Colin Ferguson, the star of Eureka at a coffee shop downtown one morning a few years ago. He stopped and talked with us and took pictures (with his patient hot girlfriend right next to him) and recognized us later in the day when we saw him at the Sci-Fi booth. I’m not saying you’ll meet a star on the street but you won’t have the chance if you don’t look around. > > Have fun! - a lot of people get caught up in the hunt for the exclusives and if that’s your thing then more power to you. But don’t get so wrapped up in getting them that you miss out on all the fun stuff that’s around you. From the costumes to the booths to the people watching and the panels there is a lot to do. You won’t see it all but you should try to take in as much as you can, especially if you won’t be going back again any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/11 "2011-07-11T17:22:30Z")
And I thought Phoenix Comicon was packed. :eek: The convention center itself was incredibly busy on Saturday, but I never had trouble getting into panels on a whim, even the Stan Lee one. The only one that filled up ridiculously fast sold tickets ahead of time, so I was guaranteed a seat anyway. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/12 "2011-07-11T17:41:12Z")
It’s not the _Enterprise_. It’s the _Midway_. ---
**Author:** ![With\_Rye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@With\_Rye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/With_Rye)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/13 "2011-07-12T04:18:30Z")
Thanks for all the tips, appreciate them. More stories =D I’m going with two friends who have never been to Comic Con either, so it’ll be one of those great nasty bellic shared experiences that bond survivors for life. I’ll just try to take it all in and see what it’s like to swarm around with 100K people. It’s crazy. They’ve released the programming grid, and I don’t even know where to begin. My chances of getting into the Game of Thrones panel just got slimmer. The epic fantasy panel I’m practically going to the con _for_ ends just two hours before Game of Thrones on the same day. Do they record the panels for later viewing? ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/14 "2011-07-12T16:35:35Z")
A hundred thousand people? For real? :eek: 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/15 "2011-07-12T16:40:43Z")
That would be a low estimate. You have _no idea_ what the area looks like on Saturday. Trying to navigate the main floor is like trying to get on a Tokyo subway when everybody else is getting off. Add in the fact that these are Comic Book People, which means all of the stereotypes are true for at least 2/3 of the attendees. Wave a bar of Lifebuoy in front of you to part the crowds. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/16 "2011-07-12T16:51:35Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > A hundred thousand people? For real? :eek: 🆒 I think 125,000 was the number of 4 days passes they sold this year. One of the thing I wished I had known my first time was parking tips. You’ll have to pay for parking.. you just will. I think the lots near the metro station clocktower are worth the extra cost just for the ease of getting to and from the convention center.. but also.. if your hotel is near a train stop definitely take the train if you can. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-con-2011/588492/17 "2011-07-12T17:10:41Z")
Or stay at one of the dozen hotels within walking distance of the Convention Center. That way you just valet your car and forget about it until you leave San Diego. Otherwise, you are correct. The lots down across from the USS Midway are right on the tram route, and offer easy access back onto the freeways.