The Positively Positive

This year I was only able to attend Comic-Con for one day, Sunday. The tickets sold out much earlier than I ever expected (c’mon, March?? Really??) so Sunday was the only day I could get. My friends and I did manage to get a hotel so we arrived on Saturday evening, saving us from having to drive from LA and back in one day.

Every year Comic-Con keeps getting bigger and bigger and while it’s definitely a bit overwhelming at times, I still really enjoy it. I know people who go to a lot of conventions and if they’ve never been to one like Comic-Con I tell them that there’s really nothing like it. For instance I’ve gone to a few conventions put on by Creation (Supernatural, Firefly and even some Star Trek ones a long, long time ago) and Comic-Con is a whole different animal. If you’re looking for some one on one time with your favorite stars or reserved seating in a panel, then Comic-Con is not for you.

If, however, you’re looking for non-stop excitement, a dealer’s room the size of an airplane hangar, more panels than you can shake a stick at, activities that run nearly 24 hours a day, parties, the best costumes, the chance to see a beautiful city, and a shot at hanging out with other geeks like yourself (because let’s face it, if you go to Comic-Con, you’re a geek, case closed), then Comic-Con is the place for you.

Highlights…..

Registration is very streamlined these days. Signing in and picking up our badges was probably the easiest and fastest thing we did the whole day.

Seemingly bursting at the seams, the con has grown into other parts of the city of San Diego. Activities were held at local restaurants, etc. There was even a circus/amusement park sponsored by Heroes across the street from the convention center.

Going to the con with a baby (and stroller) in tow was not a problem. They were well prepared, with people to guide us through doors and take us to elevators when needed.

The volunteers were topnotch this year. From the woman who registered us and printed out our badges in record time (all the while flirting with the littlest member of our crew), to the gentleman who gave us instructions and advice while we waited in line for the Supernatural convention (telling us about where to get our bathroom tickets and how to exit the panel room), to the lady who pulled us under the rope line and personally escorted us to the elevator when she spotted our stroller – I found all of them courteous, kind and (mostly) knowledgeable about the happenings there.

Seeing some simply amazing costumes, some of which (okay, most of which) I didn’t even recognize. From the Joker with us on our first elevator trip (turns out he’s got a toddler, who knew?) to the guy dressed up as some sort of robot whose costume was so big (I’m sure there were stilts in there somewhere) that he had to take the elevator as he was unable to navigate the stairs.

Watching the looks on my friends’ faces as they caught sight of the absolutely humungous booth full of t-shirts. I tried to tell them how big it was but until you see it, I don’t think it registers.

Standing in line for an hour waiting to get into the Supernatural panel and finding anything and everything we could to distract an 18 month old.

Kripke and crew giving us some juicy tidbits about the upcoming season of Supernatural.

Playing Lego’s with my friends’ toddler in the Hasbro booth.

Ending up about 15 feet in front of Brent Spiner after not only having a huge crush on him when I was a teenager but also, by some strange coincidence, dreaming about him the night before the con.

Managing to sneak a seat on the floor out in the lobby, in between various security people coming by and telling us we weren’t allowed to sit down.

Finally calling it a day, picking up our car from the hotel and driving home.

Overall it may have been my shortest trip to Comic-Con ever, but it still was fun and I’m already planning next year’s trip. Each year Comic-Con just keeps getting better and better and from what little I saw, this year was no different. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next year.

Disagree? Have something to add? Want to suggest something for me to review? Post a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

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