San Diego Comic Con was last week – the magical time during which the people involved in our favorite movies, TV shows, and comics go to one place and interact with the fans. But if you didn't get to go to San Diego, you might get a chance to go a different Comic Con or other convention near you, because there are comic book conventions all over the country and all throughout the year.
So in the spirit of
Comic Con, I thought I'd give some tips and advice from my experience
at a Comic Con. Keep in mind I've only been to one Comic Con, so you
could either take that as I've been to only one Comic
Con and thus my advice is worth nothing, or you could take that as I
went to my first Comic
Con and now have this awesome advice to give to anyone else going to
their first Comic Con!
1. Buy tickets in advance
Like going to a concert, it's best to get your tickets early so you're not going to wait in line for tickets only to find that they are sold out. You get a cool pass in the mail and you can pick a lanyard to use to wear it around your neck.
2. But wait until you know who's coming and when
If the con is in November, don't buy the tickets in May! Wait until October, or at least until you know when the people and panels you want to see will be available. If you know you want to see actors from Doctor Who and they're having a panel on Sunday, you can buy tickets for just Sunday, which might be cheaper than buying tickets for the whole con.
3. Go with awesome people
If you don't go with people that will enjoy the con and all of its bustling, nerdy glory, then you won't have a great time. Cons are loud, busy, expensive, and not for everyone. Your experience will be ruined if you go with anyone who isn't as into the experience as you are. So make sure you go with people you know will be right there with you.
4. Screenshot the schedule
The con's website will have a schedule of the panels and workshops it will be hosting. If you screenshot it on your phone, you can look back at it whenever you want, without having to connect to any wifi (if there is any), using up your mobile data, or using up your battery.
5. Save money
This should be a no-brainer, but to those unfamiliar with Comic Con, it might seem like they can get by without spending too much money, other than the money on tickets. But on the con floor, there are so many opportunities for you to be tempted to buy something. Not to mention the photo ops and celebrity signatures that you'll have to pay for if you want them. Expect to be tempted and expect to be spending.
6. Be prepared to either starve or spend a lot of money on food
Again, make sure you save money. The food is as expensive as the food at a concert or amusement park. You will be hungry. Unless you can find a nearby restaurant, you'll be spending a lot on the con's food.
7. Bring a camera with plenty of memory and battery
Nowadays, a lot of us use our phones for a camera. If you do that, make sure you charge it beforehand and clear up some space for pictures. The charging part is important because if your phone dies at the con, you're either stuck with no phone or your stuck paying $10-$20 at a charging station.
8. Get there early
The line for the con will be the longest line you'll ever wait in, I guarantee it. Unless, you get to the con super early.
9. Plan out your day
Look at your screenshots of the schedule and plan out your day with your friends. You'll hit up the main floor first, then go to this panel, then back to the floor, then to lunch, and then to another panel. If you have a plan for the day, you won't be wandering around wondering what to do later.
10. Carry as little as possible
It's going to be packed full of people in the con, so carrying bags or other things in your hands is not ideal. Go for drawstring backpacks and small over-the-shoulder bags to minimize discomfort. Remember: you're going to be walking almost all day!
11. Go to panels and workshops
I initially thought that going to the scheduled events at the con was just what everyone did, but as I learned at my first con, I was wrong. Not everyone thinks they'll be fun. Hear me out – if you don't go to one panel or workshop, you will quickly be bored. You'll have fun on the floor for a while, shopping around the vendors, taking pictures with cosplayers, and looking at all of the cool stuff, but eventually there will be nothing left to do unless you go to a panel. Take a look at the schedule and see what might interest you and your friends. If nothing else, it'll give you an opportunity to meet new people.
12. Cosplay
Of course, you don't have to cosplay when going to a con. Some people just like to enjoy the con for what it is and see the other people cosplaying. Some people don't have the money or time to put into making a costume. But if you can, cosplay. It was the best part about the con I went to.
It's Halloween, but for nerds! Dress as your favorite video game character, Disney character, action hero, TV show protagonist, villain, comic book character – anything! If you don't have the skill to make your own costume or the money to buy one, be creative and pick a character that will be easy for you to cosplay as. Don't think of cosplaying as a competition, as if you have to impress somebody; just think about what you like and have fun with it.
I don't have any other tips or advice except to stay safe and enjoy yourself. Comic Con is a great opportunity to get away for a bit and indulge yourself in the things that you love. You'll already be looking forward to next year's con when you step in the door.
