The three major fan conventions that I attended in less than a year Fan conventions are very popular right now. They usually have celebrities, cosplayers, panels, and plenty of items for sale. I follow a lot of conventions, and lately I’ve heard a lot of complaints. I have attended three major fan conventions (Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, D23 Expo, and MEGACON Orlando) in less than a year. None of them were perfect, but I’d attend any of them again in a heartbeat. I love conventions, so I thought I’d share a few tips for having a good time.
If you want to avoid the largest crowd, attend the convention on a weekday if possible. Saturdays tend to be the busiest day at any convention. If you attend the entire convention, spend the weekday on the show floor and the weekend at panels or smaller gatherings. The show floor tends to clear out the last hour of the day, so if you’re there on a Saturday that is the best time to explore.
Download the app (if there is one) and study the schedule ahead of time. Study the map as well. Screenshot or take notes for anything that might be important to you. The Wi-Fi in convention centers can be hit or miss, so if you have your must-do list elsewhere on your phone you won’t spend a lot of time frustrated that you can’t get the app to load.
Learn about the convention center’s parking ahead of time if you’re driving. At MEGACON parking passes were sold online and the close lots sold out. That didn’t stop people from trying to park there, which backed things up for everyone.
Be patient with the staff. Most of the people are volunteers, and they aren’t well trained. They’re told the basics of the job that they’re supposed to do, and that’s about it. A volunteer in the autograph area isn’t going to know what time the kids’ cosplay contest will be held. It’s always sad after a convention to hear how many volunteers will never do it again. It’s supposed to be a good experience for everyone involved. Be nice to people, even if they don’t know the answer or if they’re rude to you.
One major complaint that I hear during conventions is how unorganized they are. I don’t think that’s always the case. How do you organize something for tens of thousands of people ahead of time? How do you anticipate what will happen? Again, this goes back to patience. If you’re as prepared as possible before you arrive you’ll find that some of the complaints about organization aren’t really on point.
Don’t be scared to dress up if you want to! Cosplay has become an important part of fan conventions, and people of all ages get involved. Don’t worry that your costume won’t be good enough, you can do as little or as much as you want. For many people, cosplay is the best part of the con.
Protect your money. Use an RDIF wallet or sleeve for your cards, and leave most of them at home. A credit card will offer you more protection than a debit card. There are scammers who just need to get close to your bag (and people get close at a convention!) and they will steal your card information. It’s also not a bad idea to have some cash, because some booths could be cash only. Having only cash won’t work, though, because the food kiosks and some booths might be cashless.
Bring a water bottle. If the convention center doesn’t allow outside food or drink, bring an empty one and fill it up once you’re inside. Most places have water refill stations so you don’t have to use a yucky water fountain. You can buy drinks, but plain water is best to keep you hydrated.
If you don’t want to be overwhelmed, maybe look for a smaller convention. You’ll still be able to enjoy the panels and see the actors, but smaller conventions are much more personal.
There’s one final thing to keep in mind. Conventions aren’t designed for the typical “over 50” crowd. That doesn’t mean that you won’t have a good time if you aren’t 20-something. There is a reason why actors like Henry Winkler are popular on the convention circuit, we grew up watching him! Take your time at the con, figure out in advance what you want to do, and have fun!