So you've made it to the Con-hooray! As a parent, there's things you'll need be aware that your average, single Con attendee won't have to worry about. But don't fret, you too can have fun at SDCC, you just may need to get creative at times.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
The Exhibit Hall
If you are a first time attendee, know that the exhibit hall is HUGE and mobbed with people, pretty much every day you are there. Saturday is the busiest day, and Sunday is Kids day, so Sunday may be your best bet. Plus many vendors discount their prices on Sunday, so you may be able to pick something up here for your child for a lower price. If you can avoid the stroller, do so. However, obviously, if you have a wee one, the stroller will be necessary-I think they frown upon you putting them in your swag bag. :)
Because there is so much activity, and so many people, prepare your child ahead of time. My daughter is ok with crowds, but even she was taken aback at how crazy it was. For younger ones, this may be one of this instances that the kid leash is an option, even if it is just to keep you tethered to one another in the crowd.
Devise a strategy BEFORE Comic Con of what you will do if you do get separated. I told my daughter to go to the nearest booth, tell the person running the booth she was separated from her parent, and stay put until we found her. Wandering around trying to find you is NOT a good strategy. If your child has a cell phone, this is a good time to use it. And if he or she doesn't it, this is one of those times when it is not bad to have one of the pre-paid ones in case you get lost.
Bring snacks and a water bottle. You can always sit outside the convention center or in the hall and take a break, and this is a way to share a little down time and strategize about what you are going to do next.
Panels and Signings
The schedule for panels comes out about two weeks prior to the start of the convention. If you are like me, you have been obsessively keeping up with releases from the other blogs about who's coming when. When you get the final schedule, there will be lots of times when panels you want to go to, and panels your child want to go to either double up, or don't match up completely. NEGOTIATE AHEAD OF TIME what you want to do, and have a back up plan if the first panel fills up.
Do not underestimate the power of children's panels, and keep in mind the panels that follow the one you are trying to attend. For example, if you want to attend a panel for a new animated series, but the next panel scheduled for the room is for a famous television show, you will have to compete for seats with people who want to attend either of those sessions, since they don't force you to leave the room when the panel is over.
Decide in advance if you want to attend a signing or a panel for the event you are looking at. Often times super fans will skip the panel and line up for a signing that takes plans hours later, so if you child really really really wants to meet the guy who plays Spongebob, you need to get in line early on.
Remind your child that a lot of Comic Con is really Line a Con. While you are waiting, encourage them to look at other costumes, plan out other activities, and if you have more than one adult in your group, switch out like its a Disney ride. The less time your child has to stand in line, the better.
Feel free to share your thoughts and tips with us here!
Next time-Costumes and Offsite Events
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