San Diego ComiCon
Jul. 25th, 2007 11:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
furtechA friend asked for advice for her first SDCC and here's what I said (sorry for the repeat post, Kim!)
Friday's the best shopping day: Thursday is the busiest day (people rushing to be first to buy "X"); Saturday is like human head-cheese: a mass of bodies jammed together barely able to move and stuck together with sweat (they had to stop selling memberships on Saturday for the first time last year); Sunday is pretty good (crowd-wise)-- but a lot of stuff is sold out by then. Friday is the only real "dead day". This has been learned by having a dealer's table there for 15 years.
Stuff to know:
Things that can get you injured/killed: Standing in a busy aisle talking on a cellphone. But people will let you know that you are blocking the path by simply rolling over you. Eventually you will become part of next year's carpet.
Beware of mega-backpacks: owners will spin unexpectedly and knock you silly. People trying to squeeze in front of you going sideways-- when they're wider with the backpack this way and take your face off.
Don't be short (sorry, s'true!).
SUV-strollers: WHY do people bring babies/infants to ComiCon?!? And then expect you to make way for them (when you can't move yourself)!
Food: the stuff in the convention center has gotten better (won't make you sick), but is also $$$. You can do a LOT better walking across the street/trolly line to the fish-taco place or the Quiznos. Save your money for dustcollectors and get better food to boot!
You will never get a seat alone on the shuttle. Rather than look for an empty row, pick a seat next to a skinny person with no bags. On the other hand, if you are skinny/small, a fat guy with huge bags will sit next to you. Hello.
Water-water-water: hydrate! Carry a bottle or hit the drinking fountains. Often.
Wear the most comfortable shoes you own-- it's like walking a marathon every day on hard, unforgiving cement.
A comfortable shoulder bag or backpack with help avoid having your fingers cut off by the multiple razor-edged bags you will end up carrying.
Network: talk to friends often-- you'll find out where the cool freebies are being given out!
Friday's the best shopping day: Thursday is the busiest day (people rushing to be first to buy "X"); Saturday is like human head-cheese: a mass of bodies jammed together barely able to move and stuck together with sweat (they had to stop selling memberships on Saturday for the first time last year); Sunday is pretty good (crowd-wise)-- but a lot of stuff is sold out by then. Friday is the only real "dead day". This has been learned by having a dealer's table there for 15 years.
Stuff to know:
Things that can get you injured/killed: Standing in a busy aisle talking on a cellphone. But people will let you know that you are blocking the path by simply rolling over you. Eventually you will become part of next year's carpet.
Beware of mega-backpacks: owners will spin unexpectedly and knock you silly. People trying to squeeze in front of you going sideways-- when they're wider with the backpack this way and take your face off.
Don't be short (sorry, s'true!).
SUV-strollers: WHY do people bring babies/infants to ComiCon?!? And then expect you to make way for them (when you can't move yourself)!
Food: the stuff in the convention center has gotten better (won't make you sick), but is also $$$. You can do a LOT better walking across the street/trolly line to the fish-taco place or the Quiznos. Save your money for dustcollectors and get better food to boot!
You will never get a seat alone on the shuttle. Rather than look for an empty row, pick a seat next to a skinny person with no bags. On the other hand, if you are skinny/small, a fat guy with huge bags will sit next to you. Hello.
Water-water-water: hydrate! Carry a bottle or hit the drinking fountains. Often.
Wear the most comfortable shoes you own-- it's like walking a marathon every day on hard, unforgiving cement.
A comfortable shoulder bag or backpack with help avoid having your fingers cut off by the multiple razor-edged bags you will end up carrying.
Network: talk to friends often-- you'll find out where the cool freebies are being given out!
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Date: 2007-07-25 11:08 pm (UTC)Agreed. At my very first convention, a woman tried to mow me down with her stroller...dinged my ankles and everything. I moved for her and muttered something rude as she passed. A minute later I felt a very firm tap on my shoulder. I turn around and there is a man ( her husband) jamming his middle finger into my face shouting at me, calling me a very vile name. This man had his one year old child astride his shoulder..very wierd experience! I laughed at him and my freind was mad because he couldnt punch him ( baby on head).
Strollers take up alot of room and people expect you to treat them with such care and consideration. Get a baby
sitter...everyone will have a better time!
I learned my lesson last year about attempting to costume saturday. Not a good idea! I felt really bad as my armor turned me into a walking hazard. This year i'm jusy gonna costume in the hallway saturday and let people take photos...shop friday, costume inside sunday....