With Comic Con 2015 only two days away (one, if you count Preview Night), the excitement and stress levels are WAY high! Thankfully the Obsessive-Compulsive person hiding inside me likes to plan, make lists, and generally be VERY prepared for the madness that is Comic Con.
I’m already getting texts, emails, and even phone calls from less-prepared, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants friends (you know who are!) on what they need to do, who could they talk to, etc. One would think that there wasn’t this useful tool called the Internet, right? So, partly to capitalize on all those inquiries, and partly because duh this is my blog, I hereby present to you how I prep for Comic Con:
1.) Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork.
The first and foremost vital thing about preparation is ensuring my Comic Con paperwork is in order. I’m referring to that important piece of paper with a barcode that indicates you, the lucky one, has scored a badge. Paperwork also refers to hotel reservations, airline tickets, parking spot tickets, party tickets, i.e. anything and everything that you acquired for your Comic Con experience. I usually print out multiple copies, and place them in a brightly-colored folder (this year, its yellow), and on the coffee table for direct and instant access.
2.) A form of government ID.
You will need your driver’s license, or your passport, or your state-issued ID to be able to pick up your badge. VERY important.
3.) MAPS and APPS.
I usually like to know where I am picking up my badge, where the panels/events/lines I need to get to are located, you get the picture. Comic Con has a very handy and free app you can download which contains maps, schedules, exclusives, and a whole lot of information that you can carry in your handy-dandy mobile phone. Preview night is a good time to take that map out, walk around the convention center, feel out the booth locations, know where the panel rooms are, and generally get a feel for your home for the next four days.
Another important map and app (especially if you aren’t driving) is the SDMTS map and app. SDMTS stands for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, of which the trolley is a part of. The trolley conveniently stops directly in front of the convention center. Taking the trolley saves you parking $$, as well as time better spent on other Comic Con pursuits. Visit the SDMTS website for their trolley map, and download their GO! app , where you can get up-to-the-minute trolley arrival and departure times, as well as purchase trolley tickets. SDMTS also has special paper Comic Con edition trolley tickets for sale in their stations. Prices range from $10 for a two-day, $13 for a three-day, $16 for a four-day, and $20 for a five-day pass.
4.) SCHEDULING.
Hopefully you’ve checked out the Comic Con website for the daily schedules. I usually check it over and over again to see if the schedules are updated, plus I create a schedule on my iPhone calendar. Which currently looks like this:
I do have a lot of overlaps. It’s because based on personal experience, I may not get into the panels I want, or the line is too long, or its just not worth it. I give myself at least 90 minutes to get to one panel from the other, especially if they are on opposite ends of the convention center. Why 90 minutes? You have to walk / dodge/ maneuver around 130,000 people to get from point A to point B, plus you might get distracted by Comic Con stuff along the way. I gave myself 90 minutes because I’m a pretty fast walker, and have been going to Comic Con enough times that I’ve acquired some skills in the art of crowd-maneuvering, and of quickly deciding if I want to be distracted or not.
The Comic Con phone app is EXTREMELY helpful if you do not want to make your own schedule on your phone. Download it now.
5.) BADGE.
Once you’ve gotten your badge, make sure it is securely on your person at ALL times. Especially if you are cosplaying. Your badge is what gets you in the Comic Con world, and into other events downtown. I’ve heard horror stories of cosplayers who didn’t secure their badges properly, lost/dropped it on the way, never to be seen again. I secure mine via a lanyard, as its convenient and I can forget about it as I focus on Comic Con.
6.) COSPLAYING.
If you are cosplaying, make sure you have planned/ created/ finished your costumes at least a week before Comic Con. Even more importantly, make sure you’ve at least tried your costume on, walked around it a bit, and get a general feel of comfort. Remember that you will be walking around Comic Con in that costume for the whole day(s). I usually plan my costumes at least six months in advance. I decide who I’m going to be, then create a list of items I will need for that particular cosplay. I then use the awesome internet to search for DIY tutorials, or previous examples of the character to see how easy/hard it will be. I am fortunate enough to have a friend who sows, so she and I sit down together and plan out our strategy. We usually go for costumes that are easy to put together, and easy to walk around in during Comic Con.
7.) PROVISIONS.
You will need sustenance whilst walking around the massive complex that is the convention center, and downtown. Sometimes you will not have time to line up for food, or walk outside to grab a quick bite. At least, I don’t. I usually shop two days before Comic Con (tonight actually), and buy salami, paninos, energy bars, breath mints, and trail mix. I slice up the salami and paninos into bite-size pieces, store them in medium Ziplock bags.
Together with the energy bars and trail mix, I have a nice little snack party going on in my bag. Breath mints are instant breath freshness, not just for me, but for the person beside me in line. Trust me, breath mints are your friend. For water, I pack a collapsible water bottle, which doesn’t take up space like a regular water bottle, and can be refilled at the many water fountains located inside the convention center.
I also pack hand sanitizers, a small deodorant stick, facial wipes, and tissue. I like to stay as clean as possible, and you will surprised how refreshing a facial wipe feels on your skin after you’ve been standing in line in the hot sun.
Finally, you will not be the only one who needs sustenance. Your mobile device will too. There are staggeringly few outlets to plug your charger into in the convention center, plus you would be stuck in one spot when you could be walking around checking out the convention, and/or attending a panel. Some friends look for outlets inside the panel rooms, but its a hit or miss as someone else may already be using them. What I do is bring an external battery with cables (DO NOT FORGET YOUR CABLES). I use Ankers External Battery , which has massive storage capacity, looks really sleek, and most importantly, is space efficient.
You will be walking / be on your feet at least 60% of the time. Be nice to your body i.e. your feet, your shoulders, and your back.
First off, get a good bag. And not the bag that you get when you pick your badge. Most people get backpacks, but its hard to reach around to, and can get bulky. I bring a mid-size bucket bag, which contains just the essentials: a small wallet for my cash, credit cards, and driver’s license, two sandwich bags, two energy bars, trail mix, breath mints, hand sanitizer, facial wipes, deodorant, my phone, my external battery, and cables. I also bring a sharpie and a small notebook of loose stationery for when I run into celebrities and I manage to get their autograph. All of these items fit nicely into my bucket bag. My bucket bag has a sturdy strap that can be worn across my chest ala messenger bag-style. Not only is it comfortable for my shoulders, but it is also easy access.
Secondly, wear shoes that have support. If they don’t have support, invest in a nice pair of Dr. Scholl’s Inserts. I wear them for Comic Con, and they have significantly helped my feet feel good even after four-plus days of walking/standing in line/ crowd-manuevering / running after the trolley, etc.
9. SOCIAL MEDIA.
If you have a Twitter account, it is always helpful to follow a few twitter feeds so you are instantly updated on what’s going on at the con. I personally follow : @Comic_Con , @SD_Comic_Con , @Crazy4ComicCon , @SDCCnerdsattack , @NerdsDoingStuff , @HallHLine , @Ballroom20Line , to name a few. Following these feeds will up your Comic Con game and help you navigate the madness!
Hopefully you will now walk away from this post just a tad better prepared for Comic Con. Hope to see you there !!!