Everyone has their own summer vacation destinations of choice. For some, it's the beach. For others, it's Disneyland. But for hundreds of thousands of lucky fanboys and fangirls, it's San Diego Comic-Con. This pop culture mega event is held in San Diego every summer and draws thousands of celebrities, cosplayers and fans to see the newest films, TV shows and upcoming comic books long before everyone else. You can meet the stars of your favorite shows, score exclusive merchandise and get ultimate bragging rights. In short, it's every fan's dream. And I'm going.
2015 will be my fourth straight Comic-Con as an attendee, so by now, I've learned the tricks of the trade of this nerd haven. The convention doesn't start until July 8, and when it does, I'll be sharing my awesome experiences with you all. For now, here's the breakdown.
The San Diego Convention Center where the magic happens.
Comic-Con takes place in the San Diego Convention Center, which is so big, you couldn't begin to imagine. There are dozens of rooms with house panels of all kinds — the biggest one seats 6,500 people. Then there's the Exhibit Hall, which is easily several football fields in size. In Exhibit Hall you can find booths scattered throughout, cars on display, movie props, costumes, celebrity signings — you name it. Though it may seem overwhelming at first, if you truly care about what all these booths have, it's heaven.
The panels themselves range from obscure (such as artist spotlights) to mainstream (a screening of the "Agents of SHIELD" pilot two months before its air date). The larger attractions will require waiting in line and lots of patience, but again, it's worth it. Striking up conversations with your fellow nerds in line is a great way to pass the time.
The massive Exhibit Hall.
But a big attraction for Comic-Con are the many movie and television stars that appear and love greeting their fans. People will wait in line for hours to see their favorite stars and a lucky few get to talk to them. I, myself, have managed to meet stars of hit shows like "Castle," "The Originals", "Breaking Bad," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and "Power Rangers." If you're someone who gets starstruck, then Comic-Con is most likely going to be overwhelming. I have never had this problem with the exception of meeting my celebrity crush, "The Originals"' Phoebe Tonkin, which was one of the greatest moments of my life.
So, as you can imagine, Comic-Con is a major destination for me. I'll be headed back in a few days and ready for the action. Stay tuned for more!
