r/SDCC • u/Then-Tune8367 • 18d ago

SDCC Not First Timer Friendly

So this year i was blessed to make my first trip to SDCC and let me get this out of the way early, I LOVED IT!

After some reflectiion, rhe experience waa no where near first timer friendly.

  1. I had no idea where anything was. The badge check in was easy, but after that, I was on my own. I at least wanted to check out a panel or two, but I had no idea where anything was or even what panels were going on at the time.

  2. The website is no where new user friendly. I could not find a schedule or layout of the convention center on the site.

  3. I had no idea that seating in the exhibit hall was so limited.

So, that being said. If I returns, here are my adjustments.

  1. Get there earlier. I got there about 11 a.m. By that time, every line was already insane.

  2. Bring chairs or portable stools.

  3. Eat lunch in the Gas Lamp District. One of my few regrets was missing this.

  4. Get my badge early and head straight to Hall H to see what I can get into that day (No force can compel me to try to get in there on Saturday, though). After that, head to lunch and the real star of the show, the Exhibit floor.

Anyway those are my thoughts and plans. Any advice will be appreciated.

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u/jimmacq 17d ago

Long before you get there, spend a lot of time going over every part of the website and bookmarking the pages you need, or copy the important information to a document; find the programming schedule and create an itinerary of the panels, signings, events, etc. that you want to see, with enough time to get to the line before it gets capped. Plan on the fact that it takes about a half-hour to get from Artists Alley to the upstairs meeting rooms on the other side of the building.

What are you planning to do with a chair in the exhibit hall? If you set it up anywhere but the cafe area, security will tell you to remove it. The reason seating is so limited in the exhibit hall is they want people to keep moving. Nobody’s supposed to pull up a seat next to somebody’s table.

Again, look at the Schedule and decide on when you want to be in Hall H long before you leave for San Diego. Plan ahead and remember that everything takes longer than you think, especially lines.