I attended Comic-Con from 2008 to 2015, and over the years I picked up some wisdom about how to survive the four-day madness (five if you count Wednesday’s preview night). Comic-Con can be exciting, friendly, and foster a good sense of camaraderie if you know how to play it right. It’s an expensive ticket to get out to San Diego, get a hotel room, and buy a badge not to mention other expenses (food, merch, etc), so you should get the most out of your time.
This guide isn’t to direct you to what panels you should see, but how to make your way through Comic-Con.
[Note: This is an updated version of a guide Iposted in 2012]
How Hall H and Other Panel Rooms Work
Comic-Con does not empty the rooms after each panel. Let me repeat:Comic-Con does not empty the rooms after each panel. What this means is that once you’re in the room, you’re in. No one will kick you out. If you’re outside, then you’re ability to get in is contingent on how many people leave after a panel. This is where things get tricky.
Say you want to see the panel for Marvel in Hall H, but the panel is near the end of the day. Guess what: Hall H holds 6,500 people and there are more than 6,500 people who want to see that panel. If you want to guarantee yourself a seat, then you can’t show up an hour before the panel.
Here’s where things get tricky. It used to be a first-come, first-served deal where the earlier you showed up in line, the more likely you were to get a seat.Now Comic-Con has implemented a wristband system, and while we know how it works in theory, in practice it could be very different. However, I assume the same rule applies: the earlier bird gets into Hall H.
There are also some details that remain the same. For example, there’s no point in saving seats for people who didn’t come in with you. If you’re inside and they’re at some random place outside andThe Walking Deadis about to take the stage, your buddy probably isn’t going to make it.
Th old system is how all the other panel rooms function. If you absolutely have to see a panel, then be prepared to get in line super-early.
Learn to Stop Worrying and Love the Line
So let’s say you’re committed to waiting. You’ll wake up early, you’ll get in line, and spend hours on end waiting in line and through panels you don’t care about just so you can see the approximately hour-long panel forGame of Thrones. But remember this: panels come and go. They’re salesmanship. You can get a first look, be entertained by the celebrities, and maybe even ask them a question during a Q&A (more on this later), but it’s only a fraction of your time. The majority of your time is the line.
And the line isn’t the worst thing ever. If you’re waiting in line for a panel room, you’re able to sit down, chat with friends, or even better, make new friends. Nerds get a bad rap for being anti-social, but the person next to you in line might be really cool. Strike up a conversation, share what you’re excited to see, see if you’re both part of the same fandom, and so forth. You’re more than welcome to break out a book or a video game or what have you (but read on for why you should be careful about electronics), and you probably will at some point when you’re waiting for hours in line. But you’ll have a better experience if you take some time out to chat with someone.
Be Sure You Know What You’re in Line For
Yes, making friends and chilling in line isn’t so bad and can even be fun in its own way. But there are many lines at Comic-Con; they can criss-cross, they bend around corners, and it’s possible you could end up waiting for hours in a line that’s not for the thing you care about. This problem doesn’t affect people waiting for Hall H because that line is strictly outdoors and clearly marked. You can’t miss it.
But you can miss a hell of a lot of other lines, especially on the exhibitors’ floor. All of the major booths are crammed together, and even if you ask someone who is standing in the line, they might say “Ithinkthis is for…” Even they’re not 100% sure. Missing a free poster or a t-shirt or some such nonsense will be a bummer, but it won’t ruin your day. However, you would be justifiably peeved if you stood in line (remember; exhibitors’ floor is mostly standing) to get a poster autographed only to find out you were in line for something else.
Being in the wrong line for the exhibitors’ floor is tough, but not getting into the panel you want can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.
The Best Panels Aren’t Necessarily in the Biggest Rooms
There are tons of panels going on all across the convention center, but most of them are in tiny rooms that hold maybe around 100 to 200 people. But because so many people are burning up their day to check out the major panels, they might miss some gems that are elsewhere. One year, I found my way into an awesome panel where female writers likeMarti NoxonandFelicia Daytalked about their experiences in the business and the challenges they face. Another time, I easily got into the panel for the (sadly unrealized) animated adaptation ofThe Goon. SinceDavid Fincherwas a producer on the film, he showed up for the panel. Fincher didn’t go to Hall H or any other major room that year. He showed up in a small room to talk about a project that could have used some more attention.
Keep your program guide (or app) on you at all times and hold on to a contingency plan.
Rules for the Q&A
Some panels, and most of the ones in the major rooms, will hold a Q&A session near the end of the presentation. This can be the most cringe-worthy part of any panel because people don’t think before they speak. This isn’t a criticism. I absolutely understand getting star struck, wanting to take the opportunity to speak with a famous person you admire, and not having a good question to back it up. Here’s a tip: if your question begins with “Was it fun…” don’t ask it. You’re going to be in front of a lot of people, and the crowd will let you know when you’ve asked a good question (or when you’re an adorable child). You have more than enough time to think of a good question, so come up with one. And if you’re dead-set on asking your question, make sure you know where that line is (in Hall H, the line is to the far left side of the room), and get as close to it as possible so you’re ready to go when they start inviting people up to ask questions.
One final note: be sure your question is aquestion. Telling a celebrity, “I think you’re really hot,” is not a question.
Be Respectful of Other Fandoms
I used to hateTwilightfans. Their screeching cheers shattered my eardrums, and they took up a huge amount of space in Hall H for a single panel. But then I realized that while I may findTwilightitself despicable, the fans are harmless (except for the eardrum thing) and they have as much right to love their property as any other fandom. Even if they asked statement-questions, and I was uncomfortable for the next minute or so, this discomfort passed. No one is excited for every single property, but that doesn’t mean you have to snipe at things other people really care about.
Bring Healthy Food or Get Fast-Acting Diabetes
I honestly have no idea why Comic-Con is intent on shoving junk food down the mouths of its attendees. It’s not that I oppose junk food being on sale. Junk food is delicious. However, it shouldn’t be the only option for hungry people who are stuck in Hall H (you can’t leave Hall H unless you’re willing to go back to the end of the line, but there’s an adjacent room that serves food; bathrooms are also adjacent to the hall). Doesn’t the catering company make more money by offering lettuce wraps and pre-made salads? I assume someone made this suggestion and then was promptly taken out back and shot. The food is also pricey (they know there’s nothing you can do about it), so your best solution is to bring in some protein bars, sandwiches, or anything that isn’t pizza, hot dogs, potato chips, nachos, cookies, soda, and bottled water. Honest to God: that’s all they sold in all the years I went there.
Do You Really Need to Buy That?
Let me say up front that I’m not trying to stop exhibitors from making money. I know Comic-Con is a huge part of their yearly sales. But speaking as a consumer, I want you to think through your purchases. When you’re surrounded by so much merchandise, there’s a greater temptation to impulse shop. There’s an even greater impulse when you’re handed your free gigantic swag bag when you pick up your badge and now you have a desire to fill the bag. So you’re walking around with this gigantic swag bag with money burning a hole in your pocket and you think, “What am I going to do?Notbuy all these 50% off trade paperback comics?”
However, you’re going to have to carry that weight around all day, and that’s in addition to all the free swag you pick up. And are you really getting a good deal? If you find a rare comic or something that will complete your collection, go for it. If there’s an exclusive toy or figure, go for it. However, a lot of the merchandise on the floor can be found online for a comparable or cheaper price.
And here’s one more question for you to consider: How do you plan on getting your stuff back? You can either leave room in your luggage, check a bag through (which means you’ll probably pay a fee), or you can ship it. There’s a FedEx shipping center inside the convention center, and there’s a UPS store inside the Hilton Bayfront (you don’t need to be a guest to use it), although I have never shipped something out that UPS that arrived intact. Either way, it all adds up, so remember that there are hidden costs behind every “deal”.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
This was the biggest lesson I learned from my first Comic-Con and I continue to pass this lesson on to others. You will spend a lot of time at Comic-Con in lines. You’ll be sitting in them but you’ll also be standing in them, especially if it’s on the exhibitors’ floor. Additionally, there’s all the walking around you’ll be doing, so comfortable shoes are your savior in this environment. I will never forget the agony I was in and my desire to steal a motorized scooter from an old woman.
Also, wear open-toed shoes at your own risk. You may think it goes great with your Kid Icarus costume, but Kid Icarus looks a lot less heroic as he’s crumpled on the ground clutching his crushed toes (However, this may simply be the life of a devoted cosplayer, environmental hazards be damned).
Stay Charged
It should come as no surprise that open electrical outlets are in short supply in the San Diego Convention Center. You know how long your electric device lasts, and taking that into account, ensure you begin the day with your phone, laptop, etc. fully charged. Additionally, you may want to bring a spare battery. Going back to the whole “new friends advice”, bring a power strip and you’ll be the most popular attendee at the Con.
