A (hopefully) helpful guide to Comic Con
Hey lovely people, it's officially summer (does May count as summer or spring?) and that means Comic Con season, and I am here with a hopefully helpful guide to the event. In other words, I've learnt it all the hard way and this is my attempt to help everyone else - learn from my mistakes people - learning the hard way was not fun when you are on the floor against a wall with a pounding headache and severe overwhelm.
Yes I know the irony is there, works full MSI season in person, goes to Worlds 2024, not even remotely overwhelmed, goes to comic con is overwhelmed to the max. Let's not talk about the irony and instead get into the guide!
As a first timer to comic con last year, I can confirm that going with no idea what to expect is really stupid, if you're a veteran of the event then maybe you know all this already - and to be fair some of it is definitely common sense - but that's a technicality! So without further ado let's hop into the guide!
(If possible) get a priority ticket
I know this sounds awfully snobby, but having done the standard ticket on a Saturday - yes I'm an idiot, I agree - I would recommend getting a priority ticket wherever possible. It means early access to the event, less people, and longer on site - depending on if you want that.
It also makes it less overwhelming in my opinion as it's not as crowded - I'm assuming - compared to when standard entry opens. Also if you get a priority ticket on Friday or Sunday it's the same price as a Saturday standard :)
Also be prepared that there is an onsite ticket (the lanyard pass pictured below) collection, while it can be fast - especially if you're a fast walker; if you're vertically challenged like me, seeing which table is available to go to pick up your pass is not so fun. Bring a tall person for maximum success with ticket collection and thank me later.
Planning the day
Common sense? Probably, but still worth doing. I followed the official advice to download the app though admittedly I didn't really use it. Though if you have set goals for the day I'm sure it will come in useful. As much as I enjoy a good wander, I wish I'd had more of a plan going into the event, here's what I suggest planning for your day:
- Your expected arrival time
- When you want to eat - I get hangry so this one is important for me!
- Any talks / meet and greets / shows etc you want to see
- If you've booked meet and greets specifically, timetable this into your day - and ideally the location so you know where to hover
- For artist alley specifically, lots of businesses publicise that they will be there and their stall number / where to find them - make a note of this ahead of time!!! (the signal is bad for loading instagram to double check and your feet will thank you when you know where to go instead of walking back and forth a hundred times
- eXcel has 2 halls for Comic Con - one is primarily artist alley the other is gaming and anime, the other is primarily Asian culture and artist alley - work out what you want to see in each one ahead of time or if you want to focus on one. Personally, I found the gaming hall incredibly overwhelming and now know if I want to do that hall, it has to be early on so I don't get swept up in the crowd
If you're unsure what you want to do, you can check out the schedules and 'things to do' tab on Comic Con's website for inspo and to find out if there is something in particular you want to do. A word of advice - any event on the main stage, requires reservations i.e. the Hazbin Hotel Meetup on the main stage on Friday - you have to reserve this ahead of time.
https://www.mcmcomiccon.com/london/en-us/things-to-do.html
Refuelling - food and drink
Don't be an idiot like me and assume mainstream cafe places with stalls will have a wide variety - cha time certainly didn't and the boba wasn't cold T.T . Plus obviously there are the prices at an event like comic con. Good luck protecting your bank balance and buying food in the con.
Bring a re-useable water bottle, and snack / cereal bars - also get your coffee before coming, I regretted not doing this one - or if you prefer bring your own lunch - there are bag searches but I'm yet to see anything that says you can't bring lunch in.
The food I had was from a Filipino stand in the Artist Alley which was really good, but it was about 13 pounds for a rice box that realistically I could've made myself and bought with me in tupperware. And the queues were long so at all the food stands, that by the time I decided I wanted to eat, the queue was over half an hour - which is not great when you get hangry and feel dizzy.
Basically, like with the rest of the event, plan ahead.
Sore feet are no fun
This is one I managed to get right first time! Whoop whoop!
Again possibly common sense but some of the cosplayers I saw did not look comfortable. Comic Con is huge and huge means a lot of walking, if you like being able to feel your feet and not be in total agony, wear comfy shoes or at the very least bring a change of shoes for later. Even little fold up ballet shoes will do, just something to give your feet a rest!
And don't be afraid to take breaks, it is a lot of walking, and as long as you're cool with sitting on the floor, you have options!
Money, money, money
Learn from my mistakes and don't rely on cards / apple pay / any other non cash based payment. Some businesses - particularly in artist alley - don't have card machines / card readers and ask for cash or Paypal specifically.
MCM Comic Con's own guide including info about an ATM
I have no clue if there were ATMs around as I couldn't find them but I'd suggest taking an amount of cash so you have it - I was so lucky that one stall was willing to take payment in euros as that was the only cash I had... so yeah find an ATM before you go and don't pray like me that the businesses will take other currencies.
It'll fit in a tote bag (or d*e trying)
If like me you have no self control in artist alley - I literally tried, and failed spectacularly, I'm not even trying this year. Bring a tote bag - or several. I saw people suggest bringing a reinforced envelope so you can keep any prints you buy flat which is a great idea if you happen to have one lying around or don't mind going out and buying one.
Personally stickers are my kryptonite so a tote bag dedicated to paper goods - stickers, prints, etc. and then one dedicated to other materials / items i.e. plushies, sweatshirts, trinkets, etc. is better and also more practical as not all stalls sell tote bags / give bags outside of small paper pouches that are designed to go into a bigger bag. Alternatively you can just shove it all into your bag, but I know the inside of my bags are a mess and I don't love the idea of trying to flatten out all the prints / stickers I bought...
There are chill areas for overwhelm!
I wish I'd known this, I went alone so the overwhelm overtook me and I was too overwhelmed to process this information but now I know I'm sharing it! On Comic Con's website, it lists an area to go to relax / destress from any overwhelm you might be feeling.
Finally - your ultimate checklist
And because we at Smol Koala Esports love a to-do list - we've made you on ahead of Comic Con season kicking off! You're welcome!
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