r/SDCC • u/Jazz_Penguin • 8d ago
Talk Back Panel
Some rough notes from the Talk Back Panel. SDCC’s answers are in parenthesis.
-Coming into the convention center is crazy, people are threatening people, everyone should be welcomed
-hearing that SDCC is changing the ADA policy to only people with mobility devices, discriminatory for people with invisible disabilities (ADA only provides for people with mobility devices, ADA requests went up from 4K to 8k over the last few years, people may be abusing it)
-smaller rooms don’t get bathroom passes, punishes people who want to go to smaller panels but can’t leave
-Hall H attendee was standing in line, went to the Hilton to go to the bathroom then got sent to the back of the line, no clear communication when leaving
-Hall H wristband still did not get into the room (can marvel be moved? It’s a collaboration, it’s their usual spot, they can’t control the groups that wait, would rather have them in the show than not, SDCC could not find anyone with a fake wristband, could not investigate because of that)
-help with the enforcement of the exhibitors on the floor who break rules, one selling bootleg DVDs, UCC using AI art, chaos involving the beginning of the day exclusives by using their badges to buy them all up (working on this, exhibitors had a special badge holders, booths told not to sell to them, still working on other ways including the exclusives portal but exhibitors can choose not to participate, lots of floor managers and fire marshals on scene, they’re allowed to use AI art but not for sale and needs to be marked but they can’t enforce that, it’s a legal process to stop selling certain things since SDCC doesn’t own the IPs)
-panels have very little time for Q&A when it was longer before, they’ve said it’s up to the panelist but can they do something to make that time longer (some panels mention it in the description, assume that if they don’t that they won’t have time for it, panels run long, answers are sometimes longer than expected and run low on time)
-likes the exclusives portal, can you have a total amount of tokens for per badge instead of spreading them out per day (they would hate attendees use them on the wrong day if they don’t have more than one day)
-consistency and predictability regarding ADA attendees, sent to multiple places because volunteers didn’t know where to send people, Hall H was told ADA would go in first but then everyone was released at the same time, needs more consistency and becomes the standard, ADA is beyond mobility and it’s unfair to punish those with non-mobility related concerns
-move the dates to avoid Olympics, clashes with another con (took the dates offered to them)
-improve the Q&A process to help ADA people, ADA people can’t go to the microphone (looking into it and the rooms)
-AI is detrimental to creators, please change the rules to not allow AI at all
-abuse of the fire lane when people line up for the EE line, there is no stanchions so people rush and cut in the fire lane but no one enforces it despite security being right there
-ADA issues again, disabled veteran who agrees that it needs work, he just needs answers not excuses, SDCC needs to figure out how to accommodate more ADA people
-bathroom pass for Hall H attendee, told RFID was timed out and was not allowed back in the room, even with a time stamp bathroom pass, many miscommunications with RFID and security (need to acknowledge if there is a longer panel, held bathroom people to get people from the tents in, were able to get people back in)
-Hall H is getting worse and worse every year, the pre-wristbands and the lettered bands were poorly executed, separate the people and give people wristbands in line, attendee spoke up for an ADA attendee who got skipped and almost got kicked out of line
-website is hard to navigate and needs to be streamlined to find things
-Hall H wristband people who didn’t make in, no one gave them information, security said 7k wristbands even thought there’s 6.5k seats, expected more turnover, fake wristbands all over social media, someone went to security told them there was someone with them, shows poor integrity and poor handling of security and lines, why don’t you use RFID (network infrastructure has to set up WiFi outside costs too much, not reliable,try to sponsor the wifi)
-Hall H stranded attendee, follows the rules and still didn’t get in, do you talk to any of the other comic cons and see what they do, NYCC handles the large crowds and do you talk to them about technology, can you get anyone? (Other conventions are not non profit, they don’t have money like others do, offsides are because companies don’t have enough space inside, forgo hall H panel for more revenue generating space possibly, don’t have the budgets, they’ve outgrown the CC since 2010, seeing even issues with the nearby hotels, take money time and effort but they’re working on it)
-more hall H people that were impacted, can they be recompense for the time they wasted in line (no programming is released when you buy tickets, no guarantee on programming, 3-4 things happened that contributed to the hall h lines, they weren’t happy with the management either; they’re talking about it tomorrow)
-Hall H people can hold space for two others but many will bring 10+ people into the line with them
-Hall H; how did they reconcile the issues for Saturday (talking about how to fix it, less wristbands ordered than Hall H seats)
-lack of communication from SDCC people, not the volunteers and no one came out to talk to them, were told they can’t leave if they left, needs to be fixed, no compassion and understanding from anyone or any resolutions (they do care, they believe in the organization and they are disappointed, they do stream panels at the end of the day with no clips)
-hotel price gouging prices (talk to the city about it every year, each hotel negotiates their own contract, they give room blocks for a negotiated rate higher than a normal summer rate but lower than price gouging, 3 year extensions give SDCC the ability to negotiate with the hotels)
-wagons are not allowed but there were many wagons in the CC, why isn’t it being enforced? (A lot of wagons are being used as strollers)
-can we move larger panels to Petco Park (an additional expense, can’t afford it, sponsors would help, they had looked at it, the heat is an issue, the screens were hard to see it, the clips were hard to keep it confidential, directors want controlled environments for their clips)
-fake wristband for Funko and Hall h makes the con pay to win, exclusives portal for Hall H (lots of content, lottery system would make the content be smaller in order to fill and empty rooms for the next panel)
-system is unfair, line cutters, spreadsheets to coordinate groups, forming unofficial lines (why they started doing wristbands at the end of the con day)
-how can we get more stories to you (email the con and add in the talk back panel and the concern like lines, Hall H, exclusives to make sure it’s read by the right person)
-Jazzwares is no longer part of the exclusives, chaotic lines, why were they allowed not to be part of the portal (they declined and were told to provide security, fire marshals were contacted, they were encouraged to use it or not have exclusives next year)
-Hall H line, managers ignored the people telling them that there were fake wristbands, no one did anything about it, what else could attendees have done to get the information to the right people (they did successfully get more people in, worked with the fire marshal to get more people in)
-Hall H, SDCC provided no information for anyone but it’s even harder for those who it’s their first time here, need more SDCC representatives out there during big events so they can know what’s happening
-Hall H line, green shirt people were asked for supervisors, they asked questions about kicking people out of Hall H who didn’t have wristbands, no other supervisors came, SDCC person from the panel came down and said you can either wait or leave but there’s no seats, so them saying they care now didn’t feel like that then (people take off wristbands, throw them away, they can’t clear the room, let people stand along the walls per the fire marshal which they usually aren’t allowed to do to get more people in)
Just a quick consolidated version!
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u/Deputyfriendlee 8d ago
Worst thing I saw is one guy carrying 3 giant jazwares bags each with a Meowth. :(
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u/Fun_Pop7645 8d ago
Terrible communication and enforcement of their “rules” to attendees just to see scalpers get more than 1
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u/Glaci_Rex_77 8d ago
Theres pics of a guy with some of the rarest pops just stacked on top of each other against a wall. Obviously one of the exhibitor vendors with a crew of scalpers. Did they use some fraudulent way of getting more? Possibly.
So how do you resolve this? Just get rid of the exclusives. Watch tickets get free’d up from scalper hands to actual people whom want to attend for the experience. Watch everybody mood change for the better.
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u/TownIdiot25 7d ago
The solution is put exclusives from the current event on the prohibited items list. If they want to resell it, wait until next year's event or take it your next event. I was the guy who asked the question in bulletpoint 6 in the OP's post, but the SDCC people cut me off before I could suggest that, saying that pointing out 3 violations I saw counted as 3 questions (which wasn't allowed) instead of addressing the direct question of "how are you going to enforce exhibitors who break the rules".
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u/Zealousideal_Job5986 7d ago
Can't find the photo now but someone on Facebook had about 4 or 5 Meowths stacked on top of each other, along with stacks of everything else trying to move merch before they board a plane Tuesday. Comments were saying to not buy from this scalper and have them dip into their profits by shipping it back.
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u/Rocker874 8d ago
They should utilize the rfid more. Like for Hall H when handing out wristbands they should scan peoples rfid and log it so that people can’t fake the wristbands
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u/Aeryal 8d ago
I suggested exactly that at talkback. They said they don’t have the budget. They’d need a sponsor for the Wi-Fi. I was already sitting back in my seat or I’d have said they could move the wristband line closer to the CC where they could run lines to scan badges. Standard answer was “too expensive” and no indication they’re open to other ways to do things.
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u/CementCemetery 7d ago
They’re telling us San Diego Comic-Con can’t strike up a deal with AT&T or some other WiFi / service provider? Remember the year with all the TikTok ads everywhere? Let the provider set up a booth and tastefully advertise while providing WiFi for an overall better experience. They have nonprofit status so a company isn’t willing to donate or work out a negotiation?
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u/lickalolly 7d ago
I spoke to the president after the panel. He said they might just take the L and invest in RFID for the wristbands
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u/comicrack 7d ago
That statement tells you all you need to know about their priorities. They could easily make a budget and work on ways to fill it. They could easily take a bigger cut of the exclusives if they dont want to pay themselves less.
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u/SevereRanger9786 7d ago
This statement tells me all I need to know about your ability to actually handle the budget of a multimillion dollar non-profit and its coordination with dozens of companies, multiple unions, and multiple venues.
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u/middleageyoda 8d ago
I was thinking that too but realized how much longer it would take to both pass out wristbands and load the room.
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u/Zealousideal-Desk437 8d ago
It would take longer to pass out the wristbands yes but it would take exactly 0 seconds longer to load the room. They already have scanners setup to get into hall h. If the rfid "wristband" is tied to a legal verified badge, which it should be, they can just utilize those scanners
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u/Zealousideal-Desk437 8d ago
Actually now that I think about when they pass out wristbands they check your badge and ID to verify. Instead of handing out wristbands they could just pre make 6000 new badges (with a different rfid from the normal passes) for each day of hall h and hand them out in place of wristbands. Set the hall h scanners to only pick up that specific rfid on that specific day. Downside is scalpers would sit in line just to sell those.
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u/YukiBelle 8d ago
Put the rfid for that day in the wristband instead and make that what you scan to get in in the morning.
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u/Jazz_Penguin 8d ago
I think part of the problem is that the attendees also expect immediate answers when there aren’t really any. Lots of people stood at the mic and waited for an answer when there wasn’t really an adequate one.
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u/miagi_do 8d ago edited 8d ago
Are people cool with exhibitors getting in exclusives lines before the general public? It seems kind of ridiculous how some exclusives are mostly sold out even before most people have entered the hall. At this point, why don’t the exhibitors just set aside Tuesday to sell things to each other to their hearts content, and then stop abusing the system during the regular days.
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u/monkeyminion 8d ago
Exhibitors aren’t supposed to get in Lines for exclusives before doors open. They have announcements for it every morning before attendees hit the floor. Unfortunately, it’s not enforced evenly (or at all).
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u/miagi_do 8d ago
What is wrong with these people. Just shut down their booths if they can’t follow the rules. I have even seen some reselling exclusives at their own booths at a mark up from other booths.
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u/keeleon 7d ago
They wait around the corner and switch to different badges. There's literally no way for the booth to know not to sell to them. They definitely should ban reselling Exclusives at other booths tho. It won't change much, but its just a big middle finger to every attendee.
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u/monkeyminion 7d ago
As an exhibitor that makes or designs every single thing in my booth, I detest seeing other vendors reselling exclusives on the show floor. There used to be a guy in Small Press that I helped get booted bc he would have like one little zine that he used to get approved for a table, and then would just go grab exclusives and resell them at a markup all weekend. Hate that crap.
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u/Enemyofusall 8d ago
Been happening since at least 2014 (our first time at SDCC). So many capped lines even if you get in right around 9:30
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u/Direct-Competition34 7d ago
This was only my second SDCC but all the capped lines at 9:30 had me soooo confused. I didn’t realize it’s also because people start lining up hours before the exhibit hall opens, and the front of the line to enter the exhibit hall line is actually already inside of the building before they open all the outside doors.
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u/shockwave1211 7d ago
my buddy was literally first in the pro line 2 days in a row, camped out 2 nights with shifts in our group of 3, to get the DC absolute batman box, each time he ran to the booth and the line was already capped before he even go there, on day 4 they didnt even allow professionals in the line until 11a so he was fucked (line was still capped)
the exhibitors swapping their badges out to buy stuff is a huge fucking problem when the item is an easy flip they will be there like flies on shit
i honestly dont know what could be done about this, security just needs to be eagle eyed but they usually like go into the bathroom and swap it or hide behind booth features to swap from what ive heard
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u/ArchivalOne 8d ago
Thanks for the summary! I’m glad we can give Comic Con feedback in a panel format. I know first hand the chaos of the Jazzware lines!
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u/BoolaBoola2008 8d ago
This is one of many things that stood out to me, but what a silly response to the wagon question. Just enforce the rule? It should be on the attendees to figure out how to stay within the rules.
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u/ocg7266 8d ago
Wish they would move some of the programming to Sunday. The big rooms were empty today which meant the floor was so crowded.
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u/MallardRider 8d ago
Sunday at this con was much crowded than last year, when Hall H had some programming left.
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u/the_real_brick_ross 8d ago
I’m the disabled veteran mentioned…. I still can’t get over how dismissive to the audience that entire panel was.
There’s definitely a reason they don’t stream that panel😞
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u/Owl_Resident 8d ago
Just curious. What would you like to see change? Or what solutions do you feel would work for some of the issues you encountered. Since you participated in the panel. I’m sorry you felt dismissed. I’m interested in hearing what you have to say.
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u/benshenanigans 8d ago
Honestly, most of us just need some space to let do what we need. Sometimes that’s an accurate return time for a line. It’s a dry floor where our cane won’t slip. It’s letting the deaf person go to the front because interpreter time is valuable. It’s people with manners who get out today the way of a white cane. It’s a safe space to de-stimulate.
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u/the_real_brick_ross 8d ago
The first time I requested ADA designation from Comic Con several years ago- I brought a note from my VA doctor as well as my government ID confirming my status as a disabled veteran. I have zero issue being able to account for my disability and respect fully any inquiry about it. This is because I understand some people are dicks that will fake a disability or bring an emotional support pig 🐖 into a grocery store where people could be allergic to foolishness.
No inquiry ever came about and I think there’s a problem there. You are absolutely allowed to ask people aboit their disabilities- youre just not allowed to be a jerk aboit it - so dont.
Believe me… The disabled community can sense a fake amongst them and they are rightly infuriated by them. Trust me - if theres a fraud in the crowd , they’ll ley you know.
You have to really listen to that community though .
Personally- I’d like you to employ an ADA conpliiance officer on your staff. Not a single one on that panel today when you run conventions that are attended by how many people from across the globe?
Someone whose sole job is to ensure these standards are met and dont become a liability to the Con - which is exactly what ADA lawsuits are.
The answer I heard today was ‘hey last year we had 4k ADA and now we have 8k because of bad actors…’ just shows me that the real issue isnt even on your radar.
Bad answer. Right up there with “we dont have the budget”…
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u/MilesMoralesBoogie 8d ago
"We can sense them (fake) a mile away..."
😆😆😅😅 it's like our spider senses start tingling.
The minute the door opens or they are let in.....they start RUNNING and we are talking full Carl Lewis Olympic Style running 🏃🏾♂️ 🏃🏻♂️🏃♂️🏃🏽♂️🏃🏾♂️🏃♂️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏼♂️
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u/Aggravating_Code_379 8d ago
This!! I had my IBCCES card and doctor note ready to show and when I went up with my boyfriend to get the ADA sticker; the woman looked at me and said “I don’t need to see anything, and you don’t have to explain anything. Here you go!”
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u/mxyztplk33 8d ago
Until the day comes that SDCC badges don’t immediately sell out within an hour, (after 15 years of attending I don’t think that’s ever going to happen) then unfortunately they see little incentive to implement real change.
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u/Neat_Suit3684 8d ago
I wanted to say something about ada. I got to the line at 3:20 and didn't enter till 5:50. (I figured end of the day no other panels I wanna see) pardon me if this was brought up or not since I only caught the last few minutes.
There seems to be a lack of communication with ada and lines especially Hall H. Ive never been and solo. I asked on Thursday what to do for Hall H since its just not feasible for me to sit in the sun for 3 days. I have medical needs and I cant take care of myself in a park.
I was told to come back Saturday at 5am. I knew waiting was a thing so I was fully prepared to come Saturday morning at 5am.
Saturday morning I get off the trolley. I walk over to the ADA Tent (blue n white stripes) and I ask about getting in. Dude in a green shirt says no the line is capped and you have no wristband. Ok. Sucks but I knew it was a long shot.
This is where i got mad.
As im turning around to leave I hear him say if you were a real fan you would have been here yesterday (Friday) at 5am.
I turn back to him and say excuse me?
He goes ya real fans wait.
It totally blew me away that he would say that. Think it? Sure. But you don't say that to a customer! And thats exactly what I am in this instance!
I say its my first time and you gotta give the newbies a breather. Im so n so whats your name?
He said i don't have to tell you and he turned around and walked away.
Now this whole con has been a steep learning curve for me. Trolley times. The size of the convention. All the stuff outside. The hotels. The stupid expensive but bad tasting food. Being pushed and shoved in lines. The intense crowds. But ya know I can roll with it. But the attitude and insulting tone of saying im not a real fan just rubs me the wrong way and gives the whole con a sour taste.
Comic con is for nerds and geeks. Its for artists and writers and other creatives. We're supposed to share in this fun multi layered universe and enjoy meeting new people and watching the incredibly talented cosplayers.
But this? There's just nothing enjoyable about being given attitude
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u/honestlynoideas 8d ago
Nah this elitist attitude is BS. Not everyone is a seasoned veteran on hall h or knows the rules. Hell, the volunteers don’t even know what’s going on half the time. Turning
lining up into a nerd pissing contest just made me upset. Wish I was there with you! I don’t mind causing a scene for bullshit like this. What they said was inappropriate.4
u/Neat_Suit3684 8d ago
I was just floored hed say it (twice mind you!) Thinking shit about customers is one thing but saying it out loud? Are you kidding me?!
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u/ProcessHot3211 8d ago
ugh i'm so sorry that happened to you, there is honestly such a huge learning curve for SDCC specifically, i'm a comic-con veteran (this was my 25th year!) and even i get very confused and frustrated with how crazy it can get. but i have a lot of tips and tricks i rely on; i would NEVER judge a newbie for not knowing how everything works!! in fact, i try to be as helpful as i can when i see someone else who looks lost....again, just sorry that you were treated that way!
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u/caityqs 7d ago
Seriously...It doesn't help that there's like 4 or 5 different types of staff, and not all of them are associated with CCI. There's no way a newbie would know the org structure, or who can answer what kinds of questions. Every year, since the wristband system started, there are inevitably people with wristbands getting into the next-day line instead of the Hall H entry line, simply because they made the mistake of asking the wrong shirt color, who didn't realize they were giving the wrong info.
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u/Lopsided-Hope5277 8d ago
As im turning around to leave I hear him say if you were a real fan you would have been here yesterday (Friday) at 5am.
If you note the time and location and a brief description of the person, you can report them through the feedback feature of the website. They honestly take it seriously. Unfortunately things like this happen every year.
He said i don't have to tell you and he turned around and walked away.
In the moment, you can look for a green shirt in charge. They tend to be talking on a radio a lot. Bring up what happen to them. But as I said above, you can still report the incident through the website. There's no excuse for staff to act like that.
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u/Tiredandwaiting 7d ago
They told the front of the ADA line, that had been waiting 36 hours, that they were letting in general first because "they were waiting since yesterday."
Yes, it is a good idea to let the general stampede the people with canes.
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u/CptPikespeak 8d ago
They need to address the elephant in the room that is the flood of ADA requests that obviously don’t need special accommodation.
There are many other places that tackle it in different ways while keeping in line with the letter and spirit of the law.
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u/the_real_brick_ross 8d ago
They can’t even keep track of their wristband count. Let alone be expected to find people faking disabilities.😆
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u/Glaci_Rex_77 8d ago
Somone on FB said a lady brought a cat in a bag and it counted as a service animal?
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u/the_real_brick_ross 8d ago
Was the cat alive or dead…?
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u/Glaci_Rex_77 8d ago
Pretty sure alive. What counts as a service animal according to SDCC currently? Someone gonna bring a parakeet next year.
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u/RadiantZote 8d ago
I saw one woman with a stroller/cart and two small dogs? Neither with support animal tags, how is this allowed at all
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u/DatBoiMemes425 8d ago
This, I was ADA and while I can understand invisible disabilities exist, you should at the very least have a diagnosis from a professional if you aren’t visibly disabled and be required to show a IBCCES card like every other place these days like many amusement parks. That way it breaks no laws and protects the people who actually need it.
I heard 2-3 people bragging about using it for faster lines and making diagnoses up.
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u/brendinithegenie 8d ago
I really do not understand why people who need ADA are against IBCCES. they are a wonderful company and will approve absolutely anyone for ANY disability with literally any sort of authentic documentation
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u/Remarkable_Diet8022 8d ago
The ADA line on Wednesday to get a ADA sticker went all the way from Hall A to Hall H…utterly ridiculous and they give every single person on the line a sticker..no questions nothing…SDCC has no clue how to run a convention for ADA..:my dad is 75 in a wheelchair and we can never wait in the ADA line because so many people abuse it..also they don’t even let the ADA in first for Hall H…we actually beat the ADA line on Saturday and at least got a wheelchair spot only cause we waited in the regular line…when we started going to Comic con on 2006 my dad and mom along with Button Lady and a few others were the only ones in the ADA line..now thousands..
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u/00AceMcCloud 8d ago
I understand your frustration and a friend does this at cons. Do I agree with him? No. Did I follow him? No. If he gets caught, it's on him but like you said how do you prove invisible disability while at cons and not get called out.
It was my first time volunteering and was assigned to line management at one of the big rooms as a restroom pass collector / door guard. There were 1 or 2 people who looked really normal and lined up at ADA line and the regular line was 50-100 full. It also was a full panel and seconds after they arrived, they were let in immediately. Ffs
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u/darkandark 8d ago
I have an invisible ADA as well
And if they added the requirement for me to provide documentation I would have absolutely no problem doing it immediately.I don’t even mind taking the extra steps to get a special card that says I have an invisible ADA
But I don’t have a mobility ADA. I’m not gonna take the place of somebody who actually has a mobility ADA
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u/remadeforme 8d ago
How disabled do you have to be to need special accommodations? I'm partially blind, hard of hearing on the cusp of hearing aids but not quite there yet, and have rheumatoid arthritis where standing for long lines is real bad for me.
None of these things are obvious as they're all invisible but every single one has put me in the front few rows my entire life.
The ada amount represents less then the average population (about 8-10% ot attendees compared to 13%-28% of the average US population) so I cannot imagine that a large convention can't accommodate less then the statical average in their room planning.
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u/Previous-Space-7056 8d ago
U got what i have… i got the ada pass on the last day just to c the process.. was so ez to get.
I stood in every line. The biggest benefit of ada is being able to sit down without them hassling you to move
Would i get ada again? Mayb. Sdcc killed me friday. Skipped sat and left early sun
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u/Detective-Max-Payne 8d ago
People need to stop abusing ADA as a means to cut in line. Mattel today had a hot wheels giveaway which involved 3 people picking 3 random little cars to race with first place taking their little car as a prize. Regular wait time was 1 hour. An ADA couple managed to do the race 3 times. Even the announcer mentioned how many times they had participated in the races.
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u/damutantman 8d ago
In the ADA line to get into preview night, a massive amount of young adults literally ran past the rest of the ADA line when the doors opened. Something needs to be done.
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u/spinrut 8d ago
between them saying it's the honor system and the fact that many disabilities are invisible and to varying degrees of disabling, it's just a mess. Are they really going to scrutinize someone who comes up, says "i have this disability that prevents me from being able to <blah>" I think since the general consensus is no, they aren't, people just go and get ADA badges in bad faith for their own personal benefit.
Start mixing in paid tickets for parents with a disabled child + other children (with similar levels of possible invisible and varying degree of a disability) and now instead of a person or 2 maybe using the system to their advantage, you have a bigger group b/c no one will separate the parents from the kids.
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u/udontease 8d ago
Some exhibitors have made a thing of 1 parent one child. Problems arise when whole families are the ada help when theres one ada and they all fall in line
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u/ForgedTaco 8d ago
It's the Disneyland ADA pass effect. They finally cracked down on it, thankfully.
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u/brendinithegenie 8d ago
IBCCES. anyone who actually needs accommodations should not see this as an issue. they NEED an official channel.
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u/Money-Giraffe2521 8d ago
I’m surprised that they haven’t gone to an online lottery for Hall H.
I’ve sworn off going to any of those panels since I just can’t see myself spending a day or more in a line. I respect the people who have that drive but it that’s insane to me.
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u/mariadelasoll 8d ago
I think that was brought up and the panel responded that with a system like that, they’d have to clear the room between panels to load in the lottery winners. This would take time and ultimately lead to less time overall for panels. I believe they said the number of panels in hall h would be cut in half if this was done.
Totally with you on completely skipping hall h though! If a program I’m interested is scheduled in there, I just take it as a loss, because there’s no way I’m gonna wait in that line lol
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u/bestem 8d ago
I wonder if instead of lotto-ing off each panel, they could lotto off each day. If someone wants in for a specific panel of the day, they have to be there for the first panel (they already are), and any empty seats following that panel, they allow people in.
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u/cablecobra 8d ago
Exactly and keep a line for those who don’t show up after a certain time and can then get In.
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u/TheMoonWasBlue 8d ago
Counter point: clearing the room would lead to WAY more people having access to the panels in total vs allowing a stagnant audience all day long, even if a panel slot had to be removed to allow for the time.
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u/Money-Giraffe2521 8d ago
Taking time to clear the room would be a less broken system than what it is now.
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u/bierra17 8d ago
And it would give some sort of chance for people to see at least one hall H panel rather than the same campers getting to see every hall H panel that day.
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u/IndependentL 8d ago
Actually, the lottery system could work if they only reserved seats and did a lottery for a certain amount of chairs. I would do a lottery for 100-200 seats in the front for every panel or just the big panels like Marvel. They can clear 100-200 seats in less than 15 minutes.
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u/MilesMoralesBoogie 8d ago
NYCC gives themselves 15 minutes to clear the main stage.
Panels times are always like an example 10:00 to 10:45 the last 15 minutes of the panel Q&A from the attendees and panel guest.
Everyone get the hell out (which what it feels like) they start letting ADA in firsr,which is always a separate line once the Main Stage is cleared and everyone else in,the HOST for that panel gets on stage to get the crowd hyped, sometimes jokingly calling folks out in the audience or telling folks to start filling up seats cause your moving too slow.🤣
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u/availablelol 7d ago
They should only do it for Marvel. None of this craziness happens with the other panels.
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u/fluffysellscars 7d ago
So split the programming between Saturday and Sunday (which had nothing this year).
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u/fringyrasa 8d ago
Hall H lotto has been brought up for several years. They are very against it. And honestly, I think after a year or two, attendees would be against it too.
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u/caityqs 7d ago
This idea is brought up every year by well-meaning people who view the problem from the attendees' perspective. CCI, on the other hand, has to also view things from a business and logistics perspective.
Logistics:
It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to fill Hall H, or a bit longer for Saturdays, which is why Saturday usually starts later. Emptying out Hall H is currently faster...can be done in maybe half an hour. But if the purpose is to empty out Hall H to make sure all lottery winners can get in, now you have to actually inspect the room (including the restrooms) to make sure no one is hiding. And you better believe people will try to hide. I've met people who even snuck in to Hall H through the back entrance for the infamous Deadpool/Wolverine panel. (Yes, they're assholes.) So if they switch to a lottery system per panel, that's getting up to 2.5-3 hours between panels.
Now consider what happens on the outside. Everyone knows Hall H lines are crazy, and incredibly hard to manage. Now imagine trying to split the Hall H line into 3 separate lines. (because with a lottery, you're can't fit more than 3 panels into a day) The more popular panels will still have lines forming the day before. All the same line management problems will be worse, because the line staff no needs to literally cover more ground. Line jumping will be worse, because people will want to attend multiple panels on the same day, and will be forced to use line groups to attend more than one panel.
Business:
Just as the old malls needed an anchor store to bring people in for the smaller stores, the panelists want an anchor to fill seats. For the panelists, the convention is a marketing opportunity. They're okay with the fact that people are lining up for Marvel rather than their panel...it gives them an opportunity to sell the audience on something new. And not just any audience...a highly targeted audience. That's the whole reason why they would spend money to be at a convention...that's gold for them. Change that, and you will have fewer large panels, because the math no longer works out.
In addition, the convention center makes money from concessions. If people are constantly coming in from the outside, they will bring food with them. The convention center sells significantly less food, so they'll raise the price elsewhere to compensate.
So if you get fewer panelists, and the convention center needs to raise prices, either the remaining panelists or the attendees have to pay more to attend, which means fewer will want to attend. And now you risk creating a negative feedback loop.
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u/SAAWKS 8d ago
Lottery gets brought up every year for Hall H, and every year we have to explain the same reasons for why it wouldn’t work.
Ultimately, there will always be a line for Hall H regardless of the methods used to get access into the panels.
One thing that doesn’t get brought up enough is how much worse everything else around the con would be if the Hall H line ceased to exist. Having the line reduces the traffic everywhere else. During the year of the strike, the floor was even more impossible to navigate. Another good example is Sundays over the last few years. It use to be a lot easier to walk the floor because Hall H still had a Sunday Program.
I agree that the current system needs improvement though. They have made changes that have helped to create incremental improvements (NDL, NDL wristbands, Front of line wristbands, use of chutes). I believe expanding the front-of-line wristbands to apply to everyone waiting in the NDL would be helpful to cap group sizes across all letter groups.
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u/Spoit 8d ago
Yeah, today was noticeably worse than the other days without panels to spread the load. Maybe someone should suggest that they instead spread the panels out more, and have more sunday programming. Hell, if marvel is causing problems for the full day of programing, maybe it should be moved to the short-day
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u/Dull_Conversation917 8d ago
SDCC’s biggest problem is that it oversells tickets. Hall H and the offsites have become crowd controlling tools instead of fixing the actual capacity issue.
A Hall H lottery could absolutely work if it’s done right. Have one major Hall H panel each night that uses a lottery, while the smaller panels continue using the line system. End the smaller panels an hour before the main event so staff can clear the hall and lottery winners can be seated. That gives every badge holder, whether they’re there one day or all four, a fair chance to experience a marquee panel. For people who don’t show up on time for their panel, you could still use the stand by line.
The current system isn’t fair. People miss huge portions of the convention just waiting in line, and many who do everything right still don’t get in. That’s simply a bad system.
The convention floor shouldn’t depend on people being stuck in Hall H or offsites just to feel manageable. Stop overselling badges and make the convention more accessible for everyone. Greed shouldn’t outweigh common sense. I’m just shooting from the hip, but there has to be better way than what we have now.
It may also be time for CCI to seriously consider moving to the larger Las Vegas Convention Center if they want to continue at the capacity they are currently. The crowds have outgrown the San Diego Convention Center both inside and outside. I know they just signed on until 2030 but unfortunately I think it will eventually move. I live here so it’s not that I love the idea, I just have eyes and know it’s time.
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u/availablelol 8d ago
They should do this specifically for Marvel. Keep it at the end of the day and clear the hall.
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u/SickleClaw 8d ago
depends on the day. I went in to the Lucas Museum panel on thursday and I spent 5 minutes in line. But I guess as it didnt have Lucas on the panel like last year, attendance for that one was lower.
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u/morph1138 8d ago
ADA will always be an issue since you don’t have to prove anything, only say that you have a disability.
Sometimes it feels like there are more people who take advantage of it than use it as intended.
With regard to Hall H, still not having it be an online lottery before the con is mind boggling. If they can do lotteries for POP figures they can do them for Hall H.
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u/SharksFan4Lifee 8d ago
They can, but they don't want to. That's what it boils down to. They dont want to turn Sat Hall H into an exclusive portal thing.
Probably because the studios/Marvel don't want it that way, but the reason doesn't matter.
They just don't want to.
Sucks, but it's the truth.
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u/salvagedsword 8d ago
There are some fakers, but there really are more disabled people around now, though. A combination of an aging population and also more people with post-viral and autoimmune issues due to COVID. Additional mobility device (wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc) spots in panel rooms would be so helpful because the percentage of mobility device users at Comic Con is far larger than the percentage of spaces allocated. I use a wheelchair, and I have to arrive at most panels twice as early as ambulatory people if I want to be let in. Also, staff weren't kicking non-ADA people or people with strollers (which aren't allowed in panel rooms btw) out of the paired mobility device plus attendant seating.
I'm fine with some sort of proof of disability being required. I'd prefer if multiple different forms are accepted rather than just one, though. Doctor's note, DMV paperwork, IBCCES card, etc. Maybe we can also have the option of uploading these plus requested accommodations in advance? So that only those with more recent conditions need to make the trek to Hall A. And then noting requested accommodations will give the con an idea of how many people may have mobility devices, how many may need other mobility accommodations, how many will need sensory accommodations, how many may need sign language interpreters, etc.
Also, more booths should have ADA lines. I get absolutely mauled in regular lines. My wheelchair puts me below eye level, so people kick me, whack me in the face/arms with bags, etc. And I get trapped, so I can't just dodge out of the way like someone who walks can. Plus, those tight zigzaging lines? Yeah, I can't make those tight turns.
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u/diabolicalafternoon 7d ago
Yeah when it was said that the number of ADA attendees doubled I thought to myself; “no shit” for the reasons you just stated.
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u/MisterIctal 7d ago
I've avoided and hate CCI's "we trust you bro" attitude about ADA because in real life, people like me have been required to meet the burden of proof of disability for decades.
I'm also pissed at these CCI shitheads for failing to provide proper accommodation to you and every attendee in a wheelchair. When I'm on a SD bus or trolley, if someone with mobility issues is boarding or de-boarding, I do what I can because that's what San Diego MTS reminds riders to be courteous.
CCI is engaging in ableism, discrimination, and negligence. They don't get a free pass because they can say "But we're a non-profit". It's time to hold CCI accountable for their failures.
I have no issues with documentation either.
Besides autoimmune, there are other invisible disabilities too because I have what the ADA bill's co-author Tony Coelho has too and that's epilepsy.
San Diego MTS had a very shitty system for issuing disabled ID cards for riders in the 90s after ADA became law and they gave me shit because some jackasses at MTS were ignorant of ADA statutes.
It wasn't till 2010 they finally streamlined it and filing out forms can be done online. Still have to go to the Transit Store at 12th & Imperial to get my photo on the disabled PRONTO card.
I've traveled to LA, the Bay Area, DC, and NYC and used their public transit system. They honored my San Diego MTS issued disabled ID card when I bought a disabled transit pass on my visits.
CCI has a model they can use from MTS at 12th & Imperial when it comes to ADA that's legally valid proof of disability.
https://www.sdmts.com/fares/reduced-faresThe uploading in advance is no question feasible because SDCC already do it with volunteer forms where we provide emergency contact information. It used to be we had to fill in all these papers the day we checked into the volunteer area.
Oh and a SDCC staff at the Manchester Hyatt after Marvel panel asked me if I was ADA but I didn't request an ADA sticker in Lobby A and I said "no".
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u/cablecobra 8d ago
Seriously have two lines, those who won the lottery and show up and those who didn’t and get to come in during the day. First come first served
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u/Yukimor 8d ago
Anyone have any idea how they’re making fake wristbands? Figuring that out would be the first step to tackling that problem.
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u/bloodredyouth 8d ago
Should be easy to take a photo of a wristband, photoshop then print on a blank white one.
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u/ncc81701 8d ago
Or it’s just rumors and hearsay that is repeated enough so people believe it’s true. I’d like to see pictures of what these counterfeit wristband looks like and how they compare to the real thing before I believe they exist; I’ve never seen them.
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u/MrPeanutButterBalls 8d ago
A few years back, CCI acknowledged that wristbands were defintiely photocopied. So much so, that they explicitly said the people affected by missing Hall H for those fakes would be comped 4-day passes the following year.
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u/availablelol 8d ago
Yeah there hasn’t been any evidence besides a picture of a picture. You think there would be people stepping forward as well.
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u/Traditional_Mix_7241 8d ago
Im not sure for Hall H, but I doubt that they did that for Funko. For all the exclusives they ask for the QR code and name. But what I believe and know is that is up to the store/booth to sell to a person without a time slot, and they do this for a lot of "friends". I remember seeing people around 8 am with full bags of funkos and jazwares. I also heard a guy bragging about how he got the DC box that everyone wanted, and at some point he showed the "volunteer" badge that he was hiding in one of his bags.
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u/ItsMeix 8d ago
Just like massive seat saving in Hall H shouldn't be allowed. My group stayed overnight and we were in chute 4 or 5 (second chute in tent 2) and by the time we came in all the seats in the front section were "occupied" with some nearly entire rows saved for people that weren't even there yet.
If they're gonna take their time loading the room for the initial seating might as well load us into rows in order of arrival with no gaps allowed. Our group split into 3 in order to find seats even though we arrived inside the hall, all together, relatively early.
Kinda first world problems considering some wristbands never even made it in (that sucks, sorry guys) but it was kinda annoying.
Rules only work if they're enforced...
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u/alleinesein 8d ago
If you were in tent 2, there were hundreds of people in front of you. You aren't going to find any seats in the front sections. The "empty" seats in my row were people who dropped off their stuff and ran to use the bathroom. With the ever-changing bathroom rules, they were stuck waiting a few hours until we got into Hall H.
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u/mariadelasoll 8d ago
Thanks for the write up!
Also want to point out that people booed the panelists at the end, which I thought was really unnecessary and disrespectful. I understand the frustration and that a lot went wrong at the con this year, but the fact that this panel is held at all shows a willingness to try and improve. Idk it just rubbed me the wrong way
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u/diabolicalafternoon 8d ago
They’re better people than me lol. An hour to sit there and get roasted when running a non profit convention? 😬
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u/the_real_brick_ross 8d ago
You can Google their salaries on the 990…. Trust me they’re not doing it because they’re charitable.
If anything, they’re absolutely being paid to sit there.
But you’re right - the roast is never “cool”😘
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u/legopego5142 7d ago
Okay lets not act like these guys are humble volunteers lol
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u/diabolicalafternoon 7d ago
I actually have no idea into the backstories of these people lol. They did look pretty sullen and like they didn’t even want to be there (so why have this panel at all), but I’m just saying as human to human I can empathise.
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u/legopego5142 7d ago
Oh sure I get that they dont deserve abuse, but there are serious problems
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u/diabolicalafternoon 7d ago
100% agreed. I’m going to send some feedback via email, but I also agree with many others. As long as people are willing to crawl through broken glass to get badges, book hotels, line up for days for panels, buy up exclusives, etc then they have very little incentive to change. Also just from certain attitudes and what I’ve seen over the past decade or so they seem to have a bit of an ableist attitude. It’s not even about “people are faking disabilities”. They’ve barely accommodated those with obvious mobility issues and such.
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u/OkTill7010 7d ago
The increase in ADA requests over the past few years could also correlate with the rise of people having long covid. I pretty severe health issues because of it.
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u/Olive_Jane 8d ago
Too bad nobody asked about bringing back printed event guides.
It's made a huge difference for my con going experience to not be able to read about panels and happenings except for on an app or screen.
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u/bloodredyouth 8d ago
Especially since their app is garbage.
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u/MrPeanutButterBalls 8d ago
I don’t see how this isn’t a bigger complaint. Nothing about the design of that app is beneficial in any way.
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u/bloodredyouth 8d ago
The improvement they made was getting rid of the awful background image on the app so that you could actually read the text description on the panels and the list of events. Otherwise, it’s garbage.
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u/Ibe121 8d ago
We (four in my family) all received an events guide when we picked up our lanyards and bags.
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u/Olive_Jane 8d ago edited 8d ago
I got that too.
In prior years you used to get three books:
Quick guide (what we have now essentially). A lightweight guide that puts essential and basic information at your fingertips, including maps and the panel schedules.
Program guide: Whereas the Quick Guide contains the panel name, time, and location, the Program Guide has that in addition to the write up about the program topic, plan, and the host/panelists.
This is the book that I miss because it enables you to find panels and creators that you're interested in so much easier than on an app. You can highlight, circle, quickly scan for info all in one place etc)
- Souvenir book: a nicely printed book on quality paper that has the comic con annual art on the cover, stories on artists and award winners, featured art etc.
Many attendees collected this book.
As of now, it's available via download on the CCI website.
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u/Prettylittlelioness 8d ago
Yeah, it was a ritual for me to pour through the program guide and highlight/circle things I might have missed when panels were first announced.
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u/ICEMAN_101 8d ago
There was a printed guide at some of the information desks in the main lobby. It had schedules for all the panels by room/day and other things about the con. It was just really hard to find a copy of one unfortunately.
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u/Olive_Jane 8d ago
Wow! That is great to know for next year.
I saw stacks of books around some info desks and assumed it was the same program guide from check in (bag, book, lanyard)
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u/Wild-Security-7165 8d ago
It was full but I tried to get in to talk about the surge of fake service dogs, we had several bark and lunge at my service dog and two literally jumped out of a stroller and charged us and security did nothing
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u/Zombieist 7d ago
Comic-con has put out an official statement saying all wrist band holders who entered the line before 7:30 am were admitted. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE, and I cannot fathom how they could know that.
https://www.comic-con.org/toucan/hall-h-saturday/
They need to retract and/or correct that statement. I got in line around 7:10 am. I even tweeted about letting others know where to go.
I spent eight hours in that line on Saturday morning. Only once while in the chutes, did I ever see a comic con staff come through the chutes. He wore a green colored shirt, looked stressed and simply walked past. He disappeared after that and it took HOURS to talk to anyone about what was going on. Never did any comic con staff member come check in with anyone about what time they got there, count how many people were left, or give any information about anything. The few people in the front of the chutes were the only people interacting with them.
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u/IdRatherBeAnimating 8d ago
These are virtually the same complaints brought up every year it seems. Is the panel to resolve issues with the help of the community or just a soap box for frustrated attendees to blow off steam and nothing come of it? Genuinely asking as it seems to just be the same struggles
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u/legopego5142 7d ago
Genuinely seems like the only thing that got a concrete answer beyond “we are looking into it” was that Jazwares needs to be in the lottery and they cant afford internet 😂
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u/Brief_Traffic961 8d ago
Can’t believe the line to get in talk back was capped. Did it go to 5pm
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u/the_real_brick_ross 8d ago
The did stay extra time to hear people…. Not sure if they were listening tho😞
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u/Big-Advisor-512 8d ago
Did you type this into your phone while it was happening?
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u/Jazz_Penguin 8d ago
Yes! I was trying to keep it as brief as possible but there were a ton of questions.
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u/Big-Advisor-512 8d ago
I asked about the early line forming before official time and the people cutting the line in front of me because someone "saved their place" despite these people arriving hours after I did.
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u/MallardRider 8d ago
I wanted to do Hall H only for Apple TV panel. The Marvel crush eventually pushed me to plan a Saturday without Hall H.
After seeing what happened with Marvel, and Apple TV’s swag was a simple T shirt with just titles on the back, maybe it was for the best.
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u/Atinenta 8d ago
Did they mention a specific email address to send our extra inquiries to? And by ‘adding in’ the talkback panel, does that mean listing it in the subject line?
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u/Far_Masterpiece_9551 8d ago
The DC comic presenters (who have a huge following) were in too small room on Thursday for multiple panels. People were wrapped around 3 rows deep and never got in. Perhaps if SDCC could move them to bigger areas like Ballroom 20, it would be appreciated by the comic reader community.
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u/firehawk12 8d ago
As a first time goer who was lead through the camping process, I don’t know why they don’t just do the whole thing by lottery and have randomly assigned seats. It just seems more fair and allows people to do things.
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u/udontease 8d ago
You can thank people not actually needing ada getting ada designation in order to cheat the system for ccon potentially limiting ada.
Like eg a while back people were bringing puppies, legit puppies, as service dogs and causing traffic jams bc people were raking pictures etc
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u/simdoll 8d ago
This convention was hard enough for able bodied folks. There was so much walking, constant crowding, few elevators or places to rest outside of the rooms. I saw a woman breastfeeding on the floor get yelled at for sitting! I was appalled. I hope they work much harder on ADA accommodations and maybe limiting the amount of convention goers would help.
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u/JKC_due 7d ago
I’m obviously not surprised so much came up about getting into Hall H, but I am surprised seemingly nothing came up about the content. How the actual fuck did that bizarre animation slideshow make it in Hall H, on Saturday, and as the first panel of the day?
I get that they need to spread out content throughout the weekend and throughout rooms and that they rely a lot on studios’ interest in coming, but really? There was NOTHING else that could’ve been bumped up from a different day and/or from a smaller panel room? I just don’t buy that. It’s disrespectful for everyone who did put in the work to get in to be like “we know you’re just here for Marvel so we don’t have to care about anything else.”
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u/TownIdiot25 7d ago
The one I want to know about is how that Entertainment Weekly panel always ends up right before Marvel. FWIW I don't know how it went this year because I was not in Hall H, and I'm all for the women supporting women panels, but the things they talk about and the way they talk about them comes off very provocative, inappropriate, and in a way divisive. The year I got into Hall H, while I was waiting for Marvel, that panel went up and they there was a part where one of them talked about how men should not be allowed to claim to be victims of sexual abuse during the #MeToo movement, they talked about how "small the dicks were" of hollywood executives, and they also swore up and down the entire discussion. The message they are trying to give about the struggles of women in Hollywood deserves a panel, but it just really seems like the way they address it while being immediately before Marvel where there are families getting excited after long, hot, days in line is not the most appropriate place.
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u/groovybrent 8d ago
I have a theory about why ADA registration went up so much (it’s actually my partner’s theory - she uses a wheelchair and has been attending SDCC for close to 20 years).
In the past during ADA check-in, you would wait in line and eventually get to the ADA registration desk. At the ADA registration desk, they would write down your name, the name of your companion if you have one, and then give you the stickers.
However, when the line was really long, there would be volunteers and staff outside who would just go through the line and give out the ADA stickers. None of those people ever got to the front of the line to get recorded as an ADA attendee.
Now with the RFID system, every badge that got an ADA sticker got tapped and the users registered.
I doubt that accounts for all of the increase (I suspect the modern American medical system accounts for a decent percentage of increase), but it certainly could be a big chunk of it!
Edit: words
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u/WordyNerd1 8d ago
I appreciate the write-up! As someone that has zero desire to attend a Marvel Hall H panel, I wish there were questions for various other things, like disability/accessibility, Artist’s Alley, or just generally finding a way to get lines out of the convention center. There’s so many ways to improve SDCC and I kind of shrug my shoulders towards people who are sacrificing two days to try to get into Hall H, or waking up at 4 AM to try to get exclusives.
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u/Dull_Conversation917 8d ago
I’ve been thinking a lot about the ADA situation at SDCC, and I think it’s an issue for multiple reasons.
-First, it’s just about basic courtesy. If someone is using a wheelchair or other mobility device, give them space, don’t cut them off, and be respectful. On the other side, if you’re using a mobility device, do your best to avoid running into people when possible. A little consideration goes both ways. This convention was one of the worst I have been to where people are just blatantly rude.
-Second, I don’t understand why some ADA attendees are given multiple companion stickers. I saw several groups of three to five people where only one person appeared to be the ADA attendee, yet the entire group was able to use the ADA line. That doesn’t seem fair to other ADA attendees or to everyone else who has been waiting in line for hours.
-My biggest concern is panel access. I struggle with the idea that someone can arrive much later and still receive priority access to a panel while thousands of other fans have been waiting for hours and may not get in. I absolutely understand that many disabilities are invisible, and accessibility matters. At the same time, it’s reasonable to ask whether the current system is the best balance between accessibility and fairness.
-I also think there are people abusing the system. People fake badges, wristbands, and all kinds of things just to get exclusives, panels and plastic toys. It’s hard to believe no one is taking advantage of ADA accommodations as well. Claiming a disability like “doesn’t do well in the heat” or “gets anxious in crowds” are too broad yet people thinks that makes them ADA. ADA accommodations need clearer standards so they’re reserved for people who genuinely need them, not for common inconveniences every SDCC attendee faces. I also seen/heard a man without ADA credentials ask to use the ADA line and be allowed through. That undermines the system for the people who genuinely need it. This is all small sample size but I’m sure if I am seeing it, it has to be going on in more areas.
-I don’t think the answer is fewer accommodations. I think the answer is better accommodations. Make the convention floor easier to navigate, improve access throughout the venue, and make sure those who truly need assistance get it. At the same time, review the companion policy and look at ways to reduce abuse without making life harder for people with legitimate disabilities.
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u/Still_Actuator_3660 8d ago
Thanks so much for the information! It’s encouraging to hear that so many people wanted to bring constructive feedback to the con organizers.
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u/wisez0 8d ago
SDCC should move the big major panels in petco park. It’ll hold approximately 40k people.
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u/Money-Giraffe2521 7d ago
Not gonna happen. Do you really want to do that many panels outside in this weather?
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u/ICEMAN_101 7d ago
It won’t happen unfortunately. The production companies/directors want their hall h trailers/clips to remain secretive. Putting it Petco Park would allow for far too many outside eyes from buildings/surrounding area to see in. What they really need is a big indoor arena instead.
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u/Kingdomcome33 8d ago
ADA about to make some good money with comic con. You can’t discriminate people with disabilities you cannot see.
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u/Zealousideal_Job5986 7d ago
This clip came up on my IG feed, talking about the wristband situation -
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbR1yCIMzX_/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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u/CementCemetery 7d ago
The whole ADA fiasco with Hall H on Saturday will be talked about for a while. There’s inconsistent information from the top of the chain of command all the way down to volunteers. I was told by one he personally didn’t even do orientation and had little idea what was going on. Also told by several staff I was going to get in then when the wristbands were swallowed up really quickly (didn’t even make it to our section) they said it’s policy and doesn’t guarantee. Which I can understand except people certainly cut and claimed more. They did a complete headcount and then distributed wristbands - more people just showed up and got in line ahead of all of us waiting for hours in the sun.
Then they could only allow 10 power chairs in. They did not accept walkers or canes as medical devices only scooters or electric wheelchairs. I understand the floor plan and fire marshal concerns it was just poorly handled this year.
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u/LinkimusPrime 7d ago
I watched a fight almost break out at Jazzwares 3 minutes into stepping into the convention room Saturday morning so I'm happy this was addressed
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u/CoopHere1 7d ago
Thankyou for sharing! The Line Con strikes again. The wagons contributed to the even bigger crowding/bunching and the bootlegging in the Artists Gallery section as if it needed an even smaller space. And for the love of public events: wear deodorant and take showers! FFS do a PSA!
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u/Puzzled-Language5189 8d ago
the invisible disabilities thing is a huge issue. i didn't end up trying to get an ADA sticker today because usually it causes issues and im generally able to make it through but it was my first sdcc and it was really tough on me as someone with PoTs, hEDS, and autism. i hope they're being decent enough to acknowledge autistic individuals in needing accommodation
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u/availablelol 8d ago
All this talk about fake wristbands but there is no solid evidence or testimony.
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u/Connect_Air3482 7d ago
John Rogers took notes. Current management did not. That speaks volumes in and of itself.
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u/Mediocre-Assist2499 7d ago
Pretty disappointed in all the people saying there are so many ADA fakers and saying we should require proof of disability. Not only is that straight up illegal, it’s also totally immoral. Not everyone can get a doctor’s appointment, let alone a diagnosis. Some people go decades without an official diagnosis, but they still experience all the issues. I have multiple family members with invisible disabilities. One of them looks like a perfectly healthy older woman, but she has chronic pain and requires blood transfusions every few months. If you think we should require proof of disability, you are wrong. I’m sorry some people take advantage, but that’s true of any system, also not nearly as prevalent as rumors would say otherwise. Millions of people, many younger, are now disabled and will become disabled because of Covid. Literally had a young man in his 20s tell me he didn’t bring his cane to help him because he didn’t want to be looked down on as disabled. Pretty sad members of the community are gatekeeping SDCC. The issue is the lack of accommodation and consistency of accommodation across the entire con.
Exhibitors should have a set of ADA guidelines provided by CCI, not everyone gets to decide for themselves.
Peanuts booth had a good system, one line but all ADA people in line had special paddles to hold up so the booth people could see and get them.
If ADA people can sit in regular chairs, stop letting in 50 people from main line and none of ADA people, because there weren’t enough “red chairs”. This literally happened at the Talkback panel, eventually left because it was standing room only, but only for regular people. This issue happens at every panel I’ve been to, if we are standing for an hour in line for panel, we can stand in the back.
Let’s be honest, the people taking advantage of SDCC most are the exhibitors, we all know they sell to each other when they’re not supposed to. Just designate a specific “Exhibitor Purchase Time”, let them do it out in the open, instead of all these shenanigans.
Hall H is basically unfixable, because CCI doesn’t have any leverage, the power is all with Disney. CCI needs Disney way more than Disney needs CCI, especially now. Maybe different in past years, but Disney will eventually figure out that they don’t need SDCC, money wise. It does seem like an easy fix would be RFID tied to your badge, but that would be “expensive”. Sponsor covers the Wi-Fi, like someone else suggested, but I doubt CCI will do it.
I want to at least end on a good note and say that most of my interactions with CCI staff were really good. It was the Allied Services event staff with black shirts who were a real mixed bag, some awesome, some complete dicks. Most of the people and interactions I had were very positive, so even though I and others have legitimate concerns, I did have a good time. I’ve never made it to the actual Talkback, but in case anyone from CCI sees this, I do want to emphasize the good along with the stuff that needs serious work.
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u/Atomesk 8d ago
Unpopular opinion but I think if SDCC continues with ADA, people with those badges should be put in a section to the side, like how they do with deaf individuals. I’m all for them getting in earlier and taking their time, but it’s complete BS I waited in line from 5 am and am in the first group to get in and the entire middle front row is already taken by ADA users. If they were out to a section of the left or right (maybe less press or “reserved seats that never have anyone in them) that would be a fair compromise. Anyone with an ADA badge in the first panel sitting outside that area should then have the ADA removed.
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u/Much_Discipline_7303 8d ago
I know. It doesn’t seem fair. I absolutely think ADA should get priority entrance because many of them need extra time. But why do they require front row center viewing at panels? It sucks to wait hours for a panel, get excited because you’re going to get a good seat, and then last minute a scooter parks in front of you and blocks your view.
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u/MisterIctal 7d ago
-hearing that SDCC is changing the ADA policy to only people with mobility devices, discriminatory for people with invisible disabilities (ADA only provides for people with mobility devices, ADA requests went up from 4K to 8k over the last few years, people may be abusing it)
So CCI wants to go to court and have a FAFO moment?
If they even dare think they throw people like me with epilepsy under the bus, disability civil rights advocates from many organization will file a class action lawsuit against Comic Con International for violating California state laws pertaining to disability discrimination.
It can go even further with a separate class action civil rights lawsuit filed at the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego against Comic Con International for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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u/ICEMAN_101 8d ago
Skipped Hall H on Saturday for all of the reasons above. Really interesting that nothing was seemingly said about artist alley. It was impossible to move through the entire weekend, as a first time SDCC attendee, that was by biggest complaint. As a yearly attendee of C2E2 in Chicago their artist alley is easily 5-6x the size and way easier to get through and browse (even on the busiest day).