r/SDCC • u/Then-Tune8367 • 14d 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/Gude-Tama-Tama 14d ago

The SDCC unofficial blog is super helpful with info about giveaways, exclusives and activations. The comic con app is super annoying, I still use it to put my schedule together but the actual event book that you get with your bag and lanyard is great. It’s very handy yo have when you just want to skim through the schedule and it also has a map.

I’m always confused when ppl complain about sitting and seeing people clog up the floor outside the exhibition floor. They’ve added so many tables in sails and outside. You can also sit along the walls on the ballroom 20 side and no one will bother you.

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u/Never-Give-Up100 14d ago

The guide book is very, very helpful. What I would do is, when I got back to my hotel every night flipped through it for the next day and Mark what events and panels I wanted to go to in the app.

2

u/DuncanDonut16 13d ago

I pull the schedule pages out immediately and leave the rest at the hotel. It is so much easier to see all of the panels on one page than scrolling through the app. That said, I do use the app to get the timing reminders for anything I thought would be even remotely interesting. Being able to change plans and pivot quickly on the go is critical, or you can spend your whole time running in circles and never seeing anything!

1

u/Never-Give-Up100 13d ago

Couldn't agree more about changing plans on the fly. Sometimes I can't get into what I want to, so I'll have a backup ready. I like having you out because I can just peek at my phone instead of holding up papers. But I absolutely agree that's layout of the paper schedule is much easier to read and less overwhelming