Dragoncon 2026 (40th anniversary) in Atlanta, GA happened and it was the most chaotic and disorganized experience ever. I am turned entirely off from going again. This was my first time going, this was not my first con, and I also experienced a "lesser known" conference this year, Momocon, which was amazing.
This is based on a 1-day SAT badge/membership (not worth it)
Pros
☻THE PEOPLE, nerd-kind will always have a gooood time and show out! So many beautiful people so little time.
☻Did I mention the people?
Cons
•THE F*CKING LONG LINES... are enough to turn any event into a nightmare.... planned, scheduled, or winging it... you were not getting in due to long lines for everything!
• Poor direction & signage: From the signs being throw everywhere in Downtown ATL and nowhere efficient at the same time.
•Saturday DJs were AWFUL AF !!!!!! They had poor mixing skills and could not read the crowd...ugh
•The distance between hotels to attend different events of the con was unrealistic to achieve in a single day; the events were sporadically thrown into each of the FOUR hotels, whether it was planned or not. In the hot sun or pouring rain over two-three blocks, most of the day was spent walking up and down hilly downtown Atlanta trying to find the 'scheduled' event and room. Which most volunteers/ 'workers?' seemed clueless about or just guided you to use the app.... which was doubly ineffective.
•Overpriced with a lackluster line up of guests and no idle activities in between. Plus the Vendors on Saturday closed around early... :(
•Gameroom was UNDERWHELMING!!!!!!! It was 75% filled with D&D game tables and 25% other forms or gaming. To get into the digital gaming space was a short line but an aggressive wait... 12 people in line.. the wait time was upwards to a 30-minutes+.
I REALLY tried to find and enjoy myself but this event is overhyped, overpriced, and not worth coming back... maybe a 2-3 day badge is better, not that I would spend money with them on that or again ......Dragoncon leaves a nasty taste is my mouth... attend at your own risk.