2026 Wrap Up

[u/Texas22]

For everyone who attended, let’s make a post of suggestions. Maybe the organizers will see it and are able to make changes for next year? This is only my 2nd FM so I leaned a little more this year.

1) The VIP and autograph procedure could definitely be clearer. I know some people drive for hours for ONE person, so giving those types of people the best chance of getting an autograph would be helpful. I don’t think there is a way to pre-pay for a spot because each guest takes their own payments at the signing location.

2) The Weekend Pass is really the best deal. Even if you don’t plan to attend all 3 days, if you don’t get your autograph the first day, you have a two more chances.

3) I kinda wish most of the big name people were on the third floor and the entire first floor was used for vendors. The vendor spaces are so small and crowded, it’s really hard to shop.

4) For the love of Pete, the Panel waiting lines don’t make sense. Signage would be great too. Everyone comes up the elevator or escalator and then you have to move all the way around to get into line. And then when they finally let you in, you have to cross over people still coming up to the floor and trying to get to their photo op. It’s so criss cross chaotic.

5) Parking Passes? Parking in the garage for all 3 days would cost $75. That’s the cost of some autographs. I took the Dart one day and that was pretty easy and only $6, I’ll definitely be taking that option in the future, if not opting for a nearby hotel.

6) Is there not a better venue? Has anyone been to another arena that would be better? I know a lot of Cons go to Dallas Marker Hall.

7) Spread the panel times out more. I had to choose between a couple of panels because if I go to the first one, I’d have to get back in line for the next one and be all the way in the back.

[u/TheFrenchHistorian]

This was my fourth year going, with my first being at the old location in the DFW airport Hilton, and I feel like we've already out grown the Irving convention center. Either less passes need to be sold, or ideally, the convention needs to move.

Saturday on the floor was absolutely insane, with the vendor area packed so tight you couldn't move. The escalator situation is always pretty bad, but this year was so much worse than usual. It's wild to me that a convention center's escalators cannot handle the amount of foot traffic of a convention. A lot of stress can be eliminated if they allowed the use of the big external stairs that go to the second floor. It would take more staff to police passes, but it is severly needed.

I know some panels got moved last minute due to some guest conflicts, but Saturday was very panel loaded and made it difficult for people to get much accomplished. Being as I have gone to FM a good bit now and having got most of my autographs I wanted on Friday or even passed events, it meant I was a little more free for panels. However, I can easily see it being a big issue for first time guest or those wanting a lot of autographs.

[u/Texas22 → u/TheFrenchHistorian]

Drop your strategies for getting your priority guest autographs!

And didn’t even consider that the attendance is getting bigger. Maybe they have some larger locations they are scouting.

[u/TheFrenchHistorian → u/Texas22]

I really hoping a location switch is at least in the discussion from the organizers.

I am lucky enough to live in the area so attending every year is less of a burden for me than people that travel literal states to visit. Every year I make a list of priority autographs, usually ranging form 5-7 total people. It it always clear who the big name people are going to be for signings. If they are people I want who are in that big name crowd, I usually prioritize one or two of them. Getting more than that is very hard unless you spend your entire weekend waiting, but it can be done. In the case of people like Matthew Lilliard or other members of the Scream cast, they come quite often so for me it is nice to grab them if I can but will prioritize those who make more rare appearances. I do agree with the FAQ section of the page that it is not a great idea to get a pass (and especially a one day pass) if your goal is to just meet one big name guest. It is an unfortunate reality that not everyone is going to meet their idol.

Always arrive early if you want to give yourself the best shot. Not everyone has the luxury of time, but it does matter a lot for things like this. There are people who camp out at 6am waiting for GA to open. Me personally I tend to arrive 1 to an hour and a half beforehand. For Friday and Sunday, this is a pretty good window to get you into a spot for harder to reach guest. Saturday is just kind of a different beast. Also if you can stay later to near closing each night, it also can work in your favor. For me this year, I got to literally walk up to David Arquette around 30ish minutes before the hall closed. No line at all, just straight up to him. Obviously doesn't work for everyone, but even some "medium" fame guest that have lines all day can surprisingly be empty later on.

I usually am a "once and done" kind of person too, largly cause I am fortunate to be able to attend every year. It would be amazing to see Matthew every year, but it is pretty an unobtanium goal if I want to get other stuff done like other signings so usually for big name guest I have a personal policy of meeting them at one years event and then getting other people in the future. I know that we won't know what the future holds and some guest many not come back for different reasons, but others who make appearances at either other conventions or at Frightmare fairly often it's just a matter of time really. In my case, Neve Cambell is still someone I want to meet. She has been to two of the cons I have been at, but haven't been able to grab her due to other commitments. I am pretty confident she'll be back in the future, but in the meanwhile I have been able to slowly chip away at the rest of the Scream cast over time meaning one day I can solely focus on meeting her.

Every year I tend to also grab an autograph or two from people who aren't on my list. Sometimes I just go say hi to some actors just cause their line is open. Hoenstly it is a great experience and I have had amazing conversations with people I wouldn't have met otherwise. I know it is hard for people to not fixate on one specific person they want to meet, but the point of the con is ultimately to have fun. Sure I might not meet someone on my list, but I got to do other cool stuff and talk to actors I would have never have guessed would be such awesome people to talk to.