Your GeekTyrant Comic-Con Survival Guide
Comments(7)
- By Venkman
If this is your first year at Comic-Con and you got your pass awesome! There are a few things that you need to know. If you have been to Comic-Con before then you know the madness that is in store for you. Comic-Con is such a fantastic and fun event, but one that can easily turn frustrating and hard. Here is a list of suggestions that I have to offer to help you in your Comic-Con experience.
First of all: If you didn’t get your tickets way in advance, then you’re out of luck my friends. I think the reason this year sold out faster than any other year, was because the Twilight fans knew that there was going to be a panel for New Moon.
Walking: You are going to be doing a hell of a lot of walking. No joke, every year I have gone, I have dropped at least five pounds. It’s quite an incredible workout session. So if you’re out of shape, I hope you’ve been training. If not, then just know your feet are going to hurt. Wear comfortable shoes! They will save your life.
Plan out what you want to see: Make sure you make a list of everything you want to see. Including: panels, celebrity signings,movies, and a few back up plans as well.
You won’t be able to see everything: You might not make it into everything you want to see. Which is why you should have a back-up plan. The big panels and events will fill up. And unfortunately, not everyone will make it.
Waiting in line: Comic-Con is home of the longest lines you have ever seen or stood in. The line for Hall H is literally a few miles long! It runs off to the side and behind the convention center. I can tell you that if the line is as far as the Mariott Hotel and Marina you will still get in Hall H when it first opens. But if you really want to get in Hall H then you must wait in line, and you will need to get in line a few hours before the event to make sure you get in. You will spend so much time waiting line, make sure to bring some snacks, reading material, and an ipod.
Be Social: While standing in line for hours, don’t be afraid to talk to people standing in it with you. You will meet some great people and have some fun conversations. Remember, you have a lot in common with the people attending Comic-Con, so you will have a lot to talk about. You never know who you will meet either, you might be surprised by who is standing in line with you.
Don’t Scare the Celebrities: They will be all over the place, if you happen to run into any of them, be polite, have a manners, respect their privacy, and don’t follow them around the convention. Sure, you can talk to them! Just be cool, you know what I’m sayin’? Celebrities are people too.
Don’t Stare at the Booth Babes: Just don’t. I know they are there to look at. But if you linger around way too long (staring at them for an unreasonable amount of time), this means that you are scaring the shit out of the them. These girls have a hard job, and it is a job. There is no need to make them more uncomfortable than they already are.
Bring Cash: Cash is king at the con, especially if you want to but some sweet ass toys. Some places will take debit and credit cards, but it costs them money to use it, so if you bring cash, everyone wins.
Bring Beverages and Snacks: You will be glad you did, so much to do, so little time to eat. I find I only eat one good meal a day while up at the con, because there is so much stuff to do.
People will be Handing out Lots of Stuff: Take it, it could be something cool, if not you can easily get rid of it. There have been many times these handouts ended up taking us to free food, and some really cool movie screenings going on around town that you may not have heard of.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Ice Cream Shop: This is a must go for everyone who goes to Comic-Con! So freakin good! We will be there every night getting our ice cream groove on.
Look for the people wearing GeekTyrant T-Shirts! If you see us walking around, stop us! We’ll be happy to give you a free t-shirt, and hang out if time is permitting. If you see us in line, maybe we’ll let you hang out with us while we are waiting to get in(if you know what I mean), we’re all friends right?
Follow us on Twitter: So you are up to date on where we are at and to keep up to date on the latest and breaking news. We will also have little geektyrant meet-ups, where you will be able to pick up your free shirt.
See you at Comic-Con 2009!
Unfortunately not going this year, however I am coming across from the UK to go to next years event. My family have actually organized our holiday around it, yay for insanity, right?
Looking forward to living vicariously through you guys…spare no details, PLEASE!
)O( Dayanara )O(
(AKA: @WitchyWriter)
I have to agree with everything that is said above.
- If you want to see multiple panels, and they are in different rooms, first, check the time difference. If there is less than an hour between panels, choose which one you want to go to more. Odds are, you will have to show up at least 2 panels prior to even think of getting in, or longer for the bigger ones, especially those in Ballroom 20.
- The concession stands at Con are extremely expensive and the lines rival those of Hall H. Also, they definitely only take cash. I always bring a lunchbox with a sandwich and some other snacks. I'm lucky enough to live in San Diego, so I can make my food at home, but you can easily buy some food making stuff and make it in your hotel room (there is a Ralphs walking distance from the Convention Center). I usually bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (hey, Con makes me fell like a kid, so I should eat like one, right?). There are lots of eateries around outside the convention center. The Gaslamp Quarter is mostly comprised of restaurants.
I'm usually at Con everyday before 8am, especially if I want to see the first panel in any room. I don't think you need to camp out (okay, maybe if you want to see Twilight), but be there plenty early.
Agreed, food is very expensive. We always partake in a deli that's about 4/5 blocks away from the Convention Center and fuel up for the entire day. Also, if you want to see a hugely popular panel at 3pm, be prepared to sit in that room through the rest of the panels. The only way we got into the BSG panel last year was by sitting through four other panels, which turned out to be a really good idea as every panel was enthralling.
Remember, this used to be about comics, so go say hello to the artists and by some of their pencil/ink work. Sometimes the real good stuff isn't the most popular.
Yes, definitely check out the Small Press section, there are some definite great finds there, and who knows, you may end up buying something from someone before they are discovered.
This was my first Comic-Con and definitely won't be my last! I just wish I had read this article before I tackled my Thurs at the Con. I was really looking forward to running into one of you, I am such a fan! Unfortunately I spent most of my day waiting in line @ Hall H trying to get a glimpse of Johnny Depp & Tim Burton. The AIW trailer blew my mind!! Still can't believe I actually I made it even with the countless Twilight fangirls/boys in front of me. I had a blast! Thanks for the rants! Hope to run into y'all next year! =)
I wish I had known about your site before you were sitting in front of us in Hall H! The tips are all fabulous ones! It was great meeting you all! Thanks for the updates on the panels we didnt get to see!!