In the world of geek entertainment, there are comic cons and then there is Comic-Con International. Since its inception in 1970, the San Diego Comic-Con has become the largest comic book convention in the United States, and its reach has expanded to include movies, TV, video games and the rest of pop culture.
Every year, over 130,000 people make their way into the San Diego Convention Center for Comic-Con International… and it’s a madhouse of epic proportions. Almost everything you could possibly imagine is jam packed into this location, but it’s next to impossible to do everything. There’s just too much to choose from.
CraveOnline’s Definitive Guide to Conquering The Con is designed to maximize your enjoyment of this year’s Comic-Con International. For first-time attendees and even convention veterans, there are always a few new tricks to pass along, as well as tactics to get into panels, restaurants to recommend and general tips that can deliver a more satisfying Comic-Con experience.
Feel free to include your own suggestions in the comment section below!
Transportation
To get this far, you’ve probably had to overcome Comic-Con’s incredibly wonky ticket website and find a hotel within a reasonable distance of the Convention Center. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part.
If you’re bringing your own car or a rental car to Comic-Con, you have the option of parking at the Convention Center itself or in the nearby parking lots. However, the only way to secure a really close spot is to arrive extremely early every morning. Ideally, between 6am and 7am, before the Convention Center parking lot fills up. One thing that people rarely mention is that San Diego’s downtown traffic is extremely congested in the early morning hours. If you’re leaving your hotel at 8:30am and hoping to jump in your car and arrive at the convention by 9am… it’s just not gonna happen, even if you’re only a few miles away.
For those of you who are near one of San Diego’s trolley stops, hop on that; it will let you out across the street from the Convention Center. However, it’s more likely that you’ll be close to one of the official Comic-Con Shuttle Bus routes that run 24/7 until Sunday, July 27. The Shuttle Bus is a great option if you’re not in a hurry, but it can take up to 45 minutes to an hour for your hotel to come up on the stop rotation.
If you need to get to the Con quickly, a Taxi is your best option. But even then, you’re gonna hit a lot of traffic in the early morning hours. I suggest getting out of the cab a few blocks away from the Convention Center and walking the rest of the way.
What To Pack
Clothes would be a good place to start. You’ll need several changes of clothes, because chances are good that you will want to swap outfits before heading out to enjoy the San Diego nightlife. If you don’t like the cooler temperatures at night, bring a light jacket. Another Comic-Con essential is a backpack. Comic-Con does hand out gigantic souvenir bags for free every year, but they’re awkward to carry and they don’t offer much protection for your things. A standard backpack that can hold your laptop/tablet and your most important supplies is still your best bet.
If you’re bringing electronics to the Con, bring your chargers as well. One of the great things about the Convention Center is that it has plenty of outlets to use. And unless you really love overpaying for food and water at the Convention Center, you should bring your own. There’s a Ralphs grocery store just a few blocks away from the Convention Center at 101 G St San Diego, CA 92101. If you’re into health food, junk food or anything in-between, you can find it there.
Sunscreen is also a must in San Diego. The advance forecast for this year’s Comic-Con is that the temperatures will be in the early ‘80s. That’s a relatively cool day in San Diego, but you still need to use sunscreen. You may be outside of the Convention Center longer than you would like. Do you really want to deal with the possibility of a bad sunburn at Comic-Con? People who wait in line for Hall H or Ballroom 20 should definitely follow this advice.
What To Wear
If you’ve been saving your geek related clothing for a special occasion then this is the perfect opportunity to break out those “Doctor Who” and “Game of Thrones” T-shirts as well as any superhero themed clothing that you have.
For the extremely casual fans, dress for warm weather. Even with air conditioning, it’s going to get hot inside the Convention Center. Have you ever been on the floor of Comic-Con’s main showroom when the air conditioner has failed? Ask any Comic-Con veterans about the times that it happened and you’ll hear some war stories.
It’s not a bad idea to bring a second shirt and extra socks as a backup, as sweat can be a problem throughout the day. Although there will be plenty of opportunities to buy new shirts and other geek apparel on the show floor. If you want to make a wardrobe change at Comic-Con, you can.
What To Expect
“Madness. Madness and stupidity.”
Look, I love my geek brethren. But at Comic-Con, common sense often takes a vacation. People will stand in the middle of the floor or stop suddenly when dozens of people are walking behind them. And fans get so caught up in their own personal moments that they’re no longer ever considering how their actions can disrupt other people around them. Think about that the next time someone’s phone goes off in the middle of a panel or a screening.
In all honesty, some fans have a hard time dealing with the massive crowds of Comic-Con. 130,000 people could be a small city and they’re all packed together in this relatively confined space. As much as we want fans to be respectful of others, that has to start with all of us. Be kind and courteous to your fellow fans, even if they’re being jerks. Don’t be Comic-Con’s latest asshole. We’ve got plenty of those already.
Make a Plan, Keep a Plan
Before you arrive at Comic-Con, you should know why you’re coming to the show. Are you here for the panels? To shop on the show floor? To meet up with friends? To meet your favorite comic book creators? To catch advance previews of the latest geek TV shows and movies?
What is the focal point of your fandom? Where are your priorities?
Back when Comic-Con was a much smaller beast, fans could pretty much do everything that they wanted. Even waiting in line for a panel wasn’t a big deal. But with so many like-minded people, you’re gonna have to play things smarter to get what you want out of Comic-Con. My suggestion is that you figure out your Comic-Con schedule before you step foot into the Convention Center. Even then, you may not be able to get to everything that you want to do, but you’ll have a better chance than most people.
Escape From Hall H
The biggest movie and TV panels happen in Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center. For that reason alone, it’s the most difficult room to get into at Comic-Con, even for those of us in the press!
The good news is that there is a way to get in. The bad news is that you’ll probably have to camp out overnight if you want a real chance and then you may also have to stay in Hall H until your panel begins later in the day. This is where you’ll want to pack as much food and water as possible.
If you’re waiting to get into Hall H when the line is already going across the street and near the water then you’re probably not going to make it in even if you spend hours out in the hot San Diego sun. So, ask yourself if it’s really worth spending your Comic-Con in line just to spend 90 minutes or so watching the cast of your favorite show from a seat far, far in the back of Hall H. For some people, that answer is still going to be “Yes.” In that case, getting in line the night before will dramatically increase the possibility of getting in.
This year, Comic-Con has instituted a “Toucan Tracker” wristband system for the first Hall H panel of the day. The wristbands don’t guarantee that you’ll get a space, but they will give you an indication of whether you have a realistic chance of getting in.
For the first time, Comic-Con is offering an alternative to standing in line for Hall H. There’s a Playback Room at the Omni Hotel that will be streaming the panels from Hall H and Ballroom 20. The one restriction is that any exclusive footage from the panels will not be included in the Playback Room. But this is an option that’s been long overdue.
Convention Strategy Tips
Before we leave the subject of lines behind, I need to stress the importance of talking with the people around you in line. You’re likely to be standing next to these people for hours, so it’s in your best interest to make friends with them. You’ll need them if you want to get a restroom break or if you have to leave the line and return for any reason. Line buddies are an important part of any convention, just make sure that you return the favor.
The main show floor at the Convention Center is fifty shades of crazy. Don’t make the mistake of trying to walk the length of the floor. It will take much longer than you want and it will be an extremely aggravating experience. If you’re trying to get from one end of the show floor to the other, your best bet is to step out into the main hall of the Convention Center and walk down to the entrance that is the closest one to your destination on the show floor. You’ll still run into crowds on the main hall, but it’s much easier to navigate from there.
When buying comics and collectibles at Comic-Con, there are two immediate things to keep in mind: how will you carry the item? And how will you get it home? For comics and books, a backpack is still your best option. If you’re into original artwork or posters, special containers for both can be purchased at Comic-Con. Action figures and statues are trickier. You may not want to carry those around all day. Fortunately, the San Diego Convention Center does have a coat check that will allow you to stow your items until 7pm each day. If you’re flying home after Comic-Con, you should probably consider mailing the larger collectible items to yourself. There is a FedEx Office inside the Convention Center that can be very useful for that.
If you need water and you don’t have a water bottle handy, go to almost any of the panel rooms on the second floor of the Convention Center. There are water coolers in nearly all of the panel rooms, which is useful to know in those moments when you badly need to get hydrated.
Another thing to remember is that the restrooms on the first floor of the Convention Center are a disaster area… and you’ll have to get in line to use them. The restrooms on the second and third floors tend to be cleaned more often and there are usually fewer people waiting in line to get in.
Remember The Rule of Wheaton
Former “Star Trek: The Next Generation” star Will Wheaton once offered this bit of advice to sci-fi fans: “don’t be a dick.” Take his words to heart.
As much as we might like to pretend otherwise, fandom isn’t just one big happy family of geeks. Some fans look down on other fans as if they are the superior geeks. For example, I’m not a Twilight fan, but there’s no excuse for being rude to the people who came out to Comic-Con just for those Twilight panels.
There’s also been a schism between fangirls and some angry fanboys who view them as faux-geeks. There isn’t a litmus test for fandom, but you can fail the asshole test pretty quickly.
Which brings us to cosplay. You will see several hundred men and women in costume every day of Comic-Con. Unfortunately, some among us have taken to groping cosplayers or sexually harassing them. Dudes and gals, that is very uncool. Just don’t do it. You can be kicked out of Comic-Con for pulling anything like that, and you’ll deserve it.
Protect Yourself
Within our bubble of fans at Comic-Con, everybody should be relatively safe. But everything changes once you step back into the real world.
There’s something that you need to know about San Diego. Most of the people there are tolerant of the Comic-Con fans and all of the local businesses are very happy to take our money. You’ve probably noticed that all of the hotel rates are sky high. That’s just their way of welcoming us to town.
But there are people who actively despise Comic-Con and they resent our presence. Sometimes these people can be very rude to the fans. And there are others who might be looking for easy marks at Comic-Con. As tourists, we make very attractive targets for thieves. My suggestion is to remove your Comic-Con badge and store your bags somewhere safe before you walk through San Diego. It’s also a good idea to stay with a group of friends when exploring Downtown San Diego, especially if you go beyond the Gaslamp district.
Places To Eat
Unless you’re looking to spend one or two hours outside of the Convention Center, I strongly suggest bringing your own food to eat throughout the day. But at night, San Diego offers a lot of options for dinner. There are some sensational restaurants that can satisfy almost any taste you desire. Here are a few of our favorites.
Salvatore’s Cucina Italiana
750 Front St
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 544-1865
Searsucker
611 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 233-7327
The Marble Room
535 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 702-5595
Escape Fish Bar
738 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 702-9200
Fox Sports Grill
1 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 231-9000
Lotus Thai
906 Market St
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 595-0115
Burger Lounge
528 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 955-5727
Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery
310 10th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 814-5458
Comic-Con International has also released a list of 160 restaurants that are near the Convention Center. You can read their restaurant list here.
Beyond Comic-Con
In Europe, there are comic conventions like the Angoulême International Comics Festival in France that essentially take over entire cities. Comic-Con International appears to be headed in that direction.
Comic-Con has outgrown the San Diego Convention Center and an expansion of that area is still years away. However, there are several satellite Comic-Con events near the Convention Center that have already broadened the reach of the show.One of the biggest offsite events this year is the MTVu Fandom Awards and MTV Fan Fest at Petco Park on Thursday night. All you need to get in is your Comic-Con badge.
CraveOnline and TNT are throwing an invite only party on the USS Midway on Friday night for “The Last Ship,”with musical performances by MGMT and Grimes.
But if you can’t get into our party, here are some of the other party highlights from this year’s Comic-Con.
Thursday, July 24
Geek & Sundry Lounge at Jolt’n Joe’s at 379 Fourth Avenue. Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton are going to be among the special guests all day Thursday and Friday. And this event is open to everyone.
Scholastic’s Comic-Con party at Hotel Palomar’s SummerSalt Pool Deck and Lounge at 1047 Fifth Avenue. If you RSVP, you can enjoy the party with Jeff Smith (Bone), Dan Santat (Mighty Robot), Jeffrey Brown (Jedi Academy) and more authors!
BOOM! Studios Ninth Anniversary Drink-Up. 9 p.m. at Hilton Bayfront, Odysea Bar at 1 Park Boulevard. Want to hang out with the Boom! Studios comic creators? This is a free event and a great place to network.
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Friday, July 25
Flash Bash at Altitude Sky Lounge at the Marriott Gaslamp, 660 K Street. You’ll need an RSVP to get into The CW and BuzzFeed’s party for “The Flash.” But if you make it inside, you’ll be among actors from “The Walking Dead,” “True Blood” and “Teen Wolf.”
Bates Motel Party at Seventh Avenue, between Island and Market Street. Playboy and A&E are co-sponsoring this invite only party that features cast members from “Game of Thrones,” “True Blood” and of course, “Bates Motel.”
Incognito: A Celebration of Cosplay with Adam Savage at Sidebar, 536 Market Street. Tested.com is running this free cosplay themed event
Hollywood Babble On at the House of Blues at 1055 Fifth Avenue. Kevin Smith and friends are bringing their show to Comic-Con, but you’ll need to buy a ticket to get in.
Saturday, July 26
Entertainment Weekly & HBO’s Comic-Con Bash at the Hard Rock Hotel at 207 Fifth Avenue. This is an invite only event and it will probably be one of the more difficult parties to get into at Comic-Con. But HBO tends to throw the best parties and the network is bringing props from “The Leftovers,” “True Blood” and even the Iron Throne from “Game of Thrones” for photo ops.
NBC Digital Network Party at Hotel Solamar Rooftop, 435 Sixth Avenue. If you RSVP for this one, you may get a chance to mingle with cast members from “Constantine,” “Hannibal,” Grimm” and more.
Bar Con
If you’d love to hang out with some of your favorite comic book creators at Comic-Con, you may find that the best place to meet them is at the hotel bars. The Omni, the Hilton Bayfront and the Marriott bars are popular among comic creators. However, the Hyatt bar has apparently fallen out of favor with the comic industry.
But if you’re just looking to get your drink on after the Con, then here are some of the most popular bars in the Gaslamp District.
The New Yorker
535 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 238-0048
Altitude Sky Lounge
660 K St
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 446-6086
Prohibition
548 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Barleymash
600 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
The Tipsy Crow
770 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 338-9300
Tivoli Bar & Grill
505 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 232-6754
Henry’s Pub
618 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone number (619) 238-2389
Exit Strategy
The greatest thing about Comic-Con is that there’s so much to do at the Convention Center that you don’t have to leave immediately when the show floor closes at 7pm. There are nighttime events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday that can keep you entertained for hours. But when the time comes to leave on Sunday, you’d better be gone long before the Comic-Con wraps up at 5pm.
At the end of each day when the show floor closes, there is a huge mass of people headed towards the exits and it becomes a human traffic jam outside of the Convention Center. It can take up to 20 minutes or longer just to get away from the Convention Center. And trust me, you don’t want to go through that.
You have two alternatives to escape that fate. Either leave early or stay late. But if you try to walk out of those doors when everyone else does, then this is what can expect.
CraveOnine will be out in force for this year’s Comic-Con International, so keep coming back for more coverage as we get closer to Comic-Con!
