by Sarabeth Pollock:
The time has come. San Diego Comic Con 2013 has arrived. For those not in the know, SDCC is a celebration of all things pop culture. What was once nothing more than a group of friends who liked comic books who gathered in a hotel basement over four decades ago is now a juggernaut of everything from comics to toys to TV to movies. And more.
The four day event can be overwhelming for people who aren’t used to have 125,000 people crammed into an 800,000 square foot space. This is part of the reason that SDCC has now expanded to the Gaslamp Quarter outside the Convention Center. (For more on the things happening outside the Convention Center, see my other article, “Outside SDCC 2013”) I thought I’d share some helpful hints that I have learned over the years to help the newbies (and even the seasoned veterans) navigate SDCC successfully.
- Bring your phone charger. Batteries drain quickly with so many people using Wi-Fi at the same time
- To help ensure the return of a lost cell phone, lock your phone and put your name and email address on the home screen (I lost my phone last year, and the security people were happy to return my phone to me because it had my name on the screen)
- There is free Wi-Fi available, but can be slow. I suggest bringing a personal Wi-Fi port if you need to get online a lot
- Hand sanitizer is your best friend. Bring lots of it and use liberally.
- Vitamins will keep you healthy.
- Avoid the Con Crud at all costs. Wash your hands and hold your breath when people sneeze near you
- Be prepared to be close to people who don’t understand the importance of deodorant. I’m sorry to say this, but some people go all four days without showering.
- Did I mention hand sanitizer?
- Buy a reusable water bottle with a filter inside. Save money by filling your water bottle in the drinking fountains.
- Pack snacks. The average meal inside the Convention Center will cost you $12-20. If you don’t plan to leave the Convention Center, bring your own food.
- Acquire a poster tube. It makes things so much easier when you’re fighting through the lines at DC and Marvel.
- Money and phone in your front pocket. That one is an oldie but a goodie.
- The WB bags are great, but they make it difficult to navigate the Exhibit Hall floor. I suggest a trusty backpack and a smaller bag. Penguin Books, The Blood Factory, and Dark Horse tend to have great bags that are easy to carry.
- If you want to get into some of the more popular panels, plan to wait in a line for a few hours at the least. Last year I got into the line for Ballroom 20 at 6am in order to see the 5pm True Blood panel. Now that there are no more Twilight films, I suspect it won’t be as crazy to get into Hall H.
- Hand sanitizer. Bring lots of it.
- Sit back, relax, and smile. It’s Comic Con.
I hope these helpful hints are useful to you as you explore San Diego Comic Con 2013.
Enjoy the Con!
Sarabeth Pollock is a contributor for Dark Media. She covers The Walking Dead, True Blood, Doctor Who, Fringe and American Horror Story, as well as the True Blood comics and whatever movies and books happen to catch her fancy. Watch for her coverage of San Diego Comic Con 2013. She’s an avid writer, reader, and pop culture fan, with interest in everything from True Blood to Doctor Who to Anne Rice to Deborah Harkness. Follow her on Twitter at @SarabethPollock and check out her blog at http://sarabethpollock.wordpress.com
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