Anyone been to comic con

[ebtbmom]

DS is wanting to try comic con for vacation in 2013 but I don't know a lot about it. Is it fun or just annoyingly packed, Is there lots for a teenager to do? How many days should we spend at the convention, would 2 be enough? How do you buy tickets, it looks like online ahead of time? Is it worth flying all the way from NC? Though I'm sure we'd combine t with other southern CA sights (DLR??).

Thanks for playing 20 questions!

 

[StageTek]

It’s fun and it’s annoyingly packed.
There is a lot to do and see. It’s mostly “movie con” these days,
comics taking a far backseat to movie promotions and panels.
Two days is usually enough.
You buy tickets in advance on line.
Hard to say if it would be worth it for you. Many fly in from all
over the world and do it every year because they LOVE going. If
you make a week out of it and see other sites too, it will be very
worth it.

 

[AustinTink]

We take a SoCal trip every summer. Two years ago we added Comic Con to our lineup. Now, we're hookerd. There is plenty to do on the convention floor and the breakout rooms. There really isn't a need to stand in line for 6 hours to see the movie stars. Not my cup of tea anyway.

We have only been for one day each time because tickets are so hard to come by and the online system to buy them really sucks. The multi-day passes were already sold out. Get online as far in advance as possible to secure your tix. You'll be waiting in the queue for a very long time.

I suggest you join their facebook group to receive updates. I also suggest you take an extra empty suitcase with you on your trip. You'll need it to bring home all the cool freebies they give out!

 

[Kelsers!]

Another way to experience Comic Con is to volunteer. Volunteer sign up is online, usually about 7 months ahead of time. I've volunteered the past two years and have really enjoyed my time. You pledge to spend 2 hours a day doing whatever task you're assigned (you get some choice, so if you can't do something like heavy lifting, don't worry!), in exchange you're granted free admission and a free t-shirt! I had a lot of fun working the check in booth for exhibitors, assembling their swag bags. When our time was done the ladies in charge gave the volunteers their own swag.

Popular panels are very difficult to get in to and require waiting in massive lines. For the Harry Potter panel in 2010, fans were sleeping overnight. Some people once they get into a panel room stay all day. This makes it difficult to attend panels if you're volunteering. But there are lots of other things to do, the exhibit hall is massive, there's always fan meet ups, and smaller panels.

Hope that helps! Comic Con is a ton of fun, especially for teens. And San Diego is one of the best towns in California, definitely worth a trip!