24 JULY 2016
Comic-Con 2016 has come and gone. If you're still lingering in San Diego, you probably already feel the drop in energy. And if you're home, you're probably busy with laundry and sorting through all your new books and action figures and shirts and autographs.
Was this a good Con for you? Mediocre? Will you be in the mix on Pre-registration Day this fall? I'll post my thoughts about SDCC 2016 tomorrow - changes, good and bad, more news (I lost all Internet access for the last day) and the general feeling of the crowd. First-timers, don't forget to send me your stories.
And of course, it's never really over - not all the way. We'll hear a steady flow of news over the coming week, and it won't be long before news on Pre-reg is announced. Optimistic attendees (like me) have already booked hotels for next summer. So go ahead and take a break from this mad way of life we live, but only for a while. Because it'll start up again before you know it.
This was my first time at San Diego, but I've been to New York and Wizard World. Does that qualify?
ReplyDeleteSure. I'd be interested in your comparisons.
DeleteAt a certain point and time where Hall H starts to enter Convention Center near the bus drop off....I really thought there was gonna be a fight in a crowd. It felt like none of us could move. They have to take CONTROL of this - Us adults can take the heat / Pressure BUT not for the older peeps, kids & ESPECIALLY for the people on wheelchair. I feel kinda sorry for them.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling the staff wanted it to be like that & were probably amused seeing us packed like sardines and so on. That's my perspective.
What day was this?
DeleteOn Sunday...guessing the people who didn't get in Thu-Sat. And the exhibit hall had more people right? After all panels & shows most ALL us attendees started buying stuff. I did!
DeleteFor me, what really got me was the awful weather. The heat I could stand. But it was the humidity that affected me the most. At the end of the day, I was swimming in my own sweat! My friends and I were at the Funko line which I believe was near Market street. We had to wait a horrifying 4 1/2 hours in line! The humidity nearly killed us all. The sun was awful as well, but I wore a huge, wide brimmed hat which I recommend everyone to wear to avoid sunburns when they're outside. There were a lot of things to see and do outside of the convention center which I enjoyed. But what I noticed the most was the number of handicapped people, older people, and those who bought their young children. I had to admire them for coming to Comicon. I'm sure it wasn't easy for them due to the crowds.Also, there have been lots of comments saying how nice everyone was to each other. I second that! I didn't hear a negative word or met anyone who was anything but polite and friendly. Finally there was the usual crowds. Crowds never bothered me. But I felt the crowds were more rowdy in the Gaslamp area. If you have young children, I suggest they have an adult with them. Though there was a strong San Diego police presence (thank goodness!) in the Gaslamp, there was also some at the convention center itself which I felt was more than last year. I did feel much more safe with the police there. I don't want to delve in politics. But the number of terrorist attacks happening in the last few weeks made me somewhat apprehensive about how safe it would be to attend comicon. So I'm glad the SD police was there. At the end of the day, I enjoyed myself and hope to go next year.
ReplyDeleteEveryone's been thinking about the violence/terrorism aspect, so you weren't alone in welcoming the security. And yes, the humidity was intense. I hardly ever sweat and I did this year.
DeleteThe crowds in the Gaslamp are why I rarely go over there anymore. Overall, I'm glad you had a good time.
My input.... It is not clear how to buy exclusive items, or when to get in line for panels, or how to attend events. We missed out on half of what we wsnted to do. It is not managed well for a convention of that size. This was our big trip and it cost us a small fortune. We just expected more.
ReplyDeleteIt's just a lot of knowledge, and it's hard to break down into digestible pieces. The blogs and forums are a helpful resource for this, but it's still hard to wrap your head around all of it and find out everything you need to know. Sorry it didn't live up to your expectations.
DeleteWhat I really wanted was Conan O'Brien Show. Instead of Spreckles theatre - have it in Ballroom 20 at least.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing they probably can't afford to give away thousands of Conan figures. Ha!
What day did you want to go? My best advice for next year is to make sure you sign up for 3rd party emails in your Member ID account, and if you still don't get tickets, do standby and ask around. My group wound up having a spare VIP ticket for Wednesday.
DeleteWell this was my second time at SDCC, and it's still a little confusing as for where and when to do everything you want, which is pretty much impossible since there's so much to do. You have to try and plan it out as best as you can, but most likely you'll have to miss one thing to do another. I personally don't want to spend a whole day waiting on one line, I'd rather do a few smaller things. I guess that's why I enjoyed the Comic-Con HQ stage, which you didn't even need a badge for, because there were a lot of different short interviews, and no line to get in. Unfortunately it was outside with very little shade and the sun was unbearable. This year I planned a few things ahead of time, bought Chris Hardwick tickets, and was lucky enough to get into Conan. But the best part of the whole convention for me was the other fans. I cosplayed for the first time, with what I thought was a pretty crappy costume, and the reaction was great. I'm generally not a people person, but I loved stopping to talk or take pictures, and sometimes just get a high five, with other people, especially the kids.
ReplyDeleteThe attendees are definitely the best part of SDCC. It's really a chill group of people and everyone is so genuine.
DeleteYou are spot on about having to make choices. It's frustrating because there are so many great offerings, and you just can't do them all.