I'll be heading down with my friends and family and a bunch of Californian 405thers go every year. It's one of the most hectic and events I've ever been to and there's definitely a few survival rules to keep in mind:
1) PLAN AHEAD - this is for EVERYTHING, and I do mean EVERYTHING. General passes aren't on sale yet and they haven't announced the date. But be assured they'll sell out within half an hour. Keep an eye on that page and be prepared jump in with a fast internet connection. Same applies to hotels. Comic-Con will offer hotels at discounted rates, but when they go on sale, they will go as fast the passes. I personally will be staying at an extended stay hotel in hotel circle for a week during the con, any other 405thers are welcome to get a room next to us
. Panels also take special consideration, be aware of when they are and if there's anything popular before or after the one you want to go to. Ballroom 20 and Hall H will take at least 4+ hours to get into due to the long lines.
2) BE READY FOR THE CROWDS - Comic-Con is the single densest mass of humanity I've ever seen crammed into a building. There will be crowds and lines. Everything will take forever. Especially if you're in armor trying to get from point A to B. Aside from the general crowding and pushing, there will be the take a picture every 4 inches you move scenario
3) BE READY FOR SECURITY - They're dicks. Especially when it comes to managing lines at booths and panels. They also don't take too kindly to people holding up traffic for a while if people are taking pictures of you. Seriously had a security person threatened to call the fire marshall to get us to move when people were taking pictures of us.
4) EXPLORE THE GASLAMP DISTRICT - the con is too large to be contained in just the convention center. There's panel overflow into the hilton next door and a lot of big companies have taken to setting up events outside the convention center. Highlights include EA setting up some kind "base" in the hotel across the street, SyFy usually takes over an entire cafe and converts to the one from eureka, cartoon network usually gets a pizzaria, there's usually some from of carnival out in front of the convention center, etc.
5) PARKING COSTS A LOT - since you're flying out, i doubt it's an issue but for anyone else reading, prices have been going up and up over the years. Expect $30 a day for any parking close the convention center. But that can be mitigated by the free shuttles that comic-con runs around downtown to bring people from various spots to the convention center
6) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BAGGAGE CHECK - there's a baggage check for $5 a day. Useful for storing swag you pick up, armor repair kits, etc.
7) THERE IS NO COSPLAY REPAIR AREA - i've only become aware recently the conventions have places to repair cosplay and stuff. I honestly had no idea. Comic-con does not have that.
8) BE PREPARED FOR SWAG - when you check in you'll get the giant WB bag that everyone loves. useful for hauling all the swag in the dealer hall, but it all gets heavy after a while and posters and such obviously get crumpled. So would be advisable to bring a tube if you're the collecting sort.
9) Meet other 405th Members!
- There's like a little meetup every year, usually around a the time of halo panel. More information will probably come up on the 405th pacific facebook group
