Some people know San Diego, California is home, owning one of the best zoos in the U.S., having a controversial SeaWorld, or a beautiful place for vacation. I know San Diego as the host for the infamous San Diego International Comic-Con. I started attending Comic-Con back in 2015, at the ripe age of 20, and have continued to go every year since then. The convention is something I had never experienced before I attended. It can become addicting and is the ultimate place to display your nerd side. Before attending the event, there are some things to know, which is where this article comes in. Below I will be indulging you with multiple facts that I have learned about the San Diego International Comic-Con.
Before I get into the fun, let me tell you a bit about the history of the convention. San Diego Comic-Con is a non-profit entertainment and comic book convention held annually in San Diego, California. It has been held annually since 1970. It is a four-day event spanning from Thursday to Sunday held during the summer (usually sometime in July) at the San Diego Convention Center. On the Wednesday evening before the official convention starts, professionals, exhibitors, and pre-registered guests can attend a "Preview Night." That is where attendees can walk the exhibit hall before it opens, and possibly see unreleased pilots of future television shows or unreleased movies. To register for Preview Night, you need to buy a four-day ticket along with the Preview Night option.
Getting Badges - This is the first and most challenging step to attending SDCC. You MUST make a Member ID account on the SDCC official website. The Member ID sign up system will close before the badge sales, so make sure to do this at least a couple months before because they close the system without notice. Everyone who wishes to purchase tickets to SDCC needs to have their Member ID and have it confirmed before badge sales. Fortunately for children 12 and under, SDCC offers free child badges! They can only be acquired if they have a paying adult. They are not required to be registered ahead of the convention. They can register on-site. For returning attendees, they will receive an email about Returning Registration. That is an opportunity to get badges before the open public sale. Nothing is for sure, so if you are not able to obtain the badges the first go-around, you are still able to try during the second round that is open to the public. For more badge information, click here to access the SDCC badge information page.
Set Up a Buying Group - Buying groups for tickets are not officially regulated or condoned by SDCC. If you are participating in a buying group, you are doing so at your own risk. My buying group is a connection of friends I have met and made at previous SDCC. While buying badges, each individual is only able to buy three tickets; therefore, if you have a group of more than three, you need to have a second person get past the random selection process. Since SDCC badges are in high demand, to obtain badges, you have to go through the process of a random buying selection that SDCC hosts. Many people try countless years never to be selected, but if you keep trying, you will eventually get picked. That is why buying groups form. The more people you have in your corner, the more chance you will get tickets. If you don't get through the random selection that year, but your friend across the country gets chosen, they can snatch you a ticket. You should know that during Returning Registration, new attendees are not qualified to buy a ticket, which means your friend cannot purchase you one either. New attendees have to go through the public registration badge sales.
Immediately Book a Hotel - After tickets, SDCC does have a hotel lottery you can take part in. That does not mean you automatically have a hotel. You can go through the whole process and not acquire anything or a hotel over 30 minutes away. I always tend to book a backup hotel on my own, in case the hotel lottery does not work out for me. That has saved me multiple times while attending. Prices tend to skyrocket during that week of the convention, so this will be the most expensive aspect of the SDCC trip. Many returning guests will rebook hotel rooms a year in advance even before they have tickets. I have used Airbnb in the past; it has worked out great for me! With that said, be warned, many owners can cancel if someone they know offers a higher price.
Plane Tickets - The closer to the convention, the harder plane tickets are to acquire. That is not necessarily because of price, but because the flights become full and are in high demand. No one wants to take off more days from work than they need to, so the busiest days are the Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to the convention, and the Sunday and Monday at the tail end of the event. I recommend buying a plane ticket well in advance, and standby might not be the best option this time. If you are driving for the convention, many hotels charge for parking and have limited space. Always check that parking is available, and then once you park, do not drive. Walk everywhere or use public transportation. Parking at the convention is difficult. Then finding a space at your hotel can be even more of a challenge. I end up parking my car at the airport for 19 dollars a day, and then Uber to my hotel, and walk the entire week.
Once you are in San Diego and about to attend the convention, there are some important things I have learned to expect.
Plan your Day - There is so much to see and do at Comic-Con there is no way to see it all. They provide panels, classes, demonstrations, and much more. Each one takes time, so it is a necessity to figure out your priorities beforehand. Do you want to see your favorite celebrities from your favorite tv show? Attend a panel. Would you like to learn how to draw faces? Attend a class. Do you want to purchase the limited edition toy? Go to the Exhibit Hall. There are so many choices that one can become overwhelmed and end up disappointed.
Expect to Wait in Line - I have waited in lines spanning from 30 minutes to 4 hours to overnight. Determine what is worth standing in line for and block out a portion of time to wait in line. That also depends on which hall you are waiting to get into. Hall H (where all the big-time announcements are made, like Marvel, Disney, and more) is usually a full day wait or an overnight wait. I have met people camped out for days in advance to see the newest Marvel announcement. Other rooms might not have a wait at all, so determine what is worth the wait or what you are okay with catching online later.
Bring a Portable Battery Charger - Investing in a portable phone charger is a game-changer. My phone at comic con usually needs to be charged at least three times. You do not want to be stuck next to an outlet for an hour because your phone is dead. Portable chargers allow you to have the freedom to roam while your phone is getting juiced back up. The same goes for camera gear. Bring as many batteries as possible.
Ask Cosplayers for a Photo - Cosplaying at comic con is challenging. People are taking nonstop photos, stopping you, and sometimes even touching you without your consent. Boundaries people! We get it-you're excited, but that does not mean you can hug me out of the blue. Cosplayers like to take photos with you! Just ask! Want to touch the Hawk Girl's retractable wings? ASK! Many cosplayers go to promote their designer, so be polite and take a business card. Those designers work endlessly! Some cosplayers cosplay just for fun, but if you disrupt their bubble, it is no longer is fun for them. Be considerate, and ask.
Embrace the Crowds - SDCC is one of the most crowded experiences I have ever had. Shoulder to shoulder people, even sometimes pushing through or being shoved, yourself. Be understandable about the environment. While on the Exhibit floor, people are just trying to get from point A to point B. Sometimes that does require elbowing through some people. Embrace the elbows and pushing and go with the flow.
Make Sure to Bring Deodorant - People sweat; it is just a fact. The convention takes place in the summer. There are a lot of outdoor physical activities you can participate in. With how crowded it is and with everyone sweating, people can get a bit smelly. Make sure you are not one of those people.
A Backpack is Required - Bringing a backpack or bag is needed. You can pack lunches and water to save money, chargers, essentials, and it is fabulous to have if you are buying things. Make sure the backpack is comfortable because most likely, you will be wearing it all day. There are some things you are not allowed to bring, so make sure to check out the policies here on the SDCC website.
Have FUN! - Having fun is the most crucial part of the SDCC trip. Everyone is so inclusive and nerdy that it is easy to find the people that relate to you. I met most of my friends in lines while waiting. Be extroverted and start a conversation about a specific tv show or comic. No one will be annoyed with you. Plus to have someone to talk to in line makes the time go by faster.
San Diego Comic-Con can be a bit of everything. Stressful, irritating, exciting, and fun. The rush of all the emotions you experience can create a life high, making you can become addicted. I started by saying, "I just need to go once to experience it." I have attended seven years consecutively, including this upcoming 2021 year. I always explain to people, you will never believe your eyes or meet kinder people. The atmosphere is nothing I can truly put into words. You should attend San Diego Comic-Con to experience it for yourself, and you will see me there alongside you.
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