Dec 02 2008
Pros & Cons: Large Conventions (The Cons)
As I mentioned, there are cons to everything, even the much beloved large conventions that continually draw 30,000+ people. However, it should be noted that since the attendance numbers seem to be steadily climbing for the behemoth conventions, these “cons” don’t seem be too much of a deterrent.
Cons of a Large Convention:
1. Queue Lines Worse than Spring Break at Disney World
Being an Orlando native, I have always jokingly told people that I know how to queue like a pro. After all, I had Disney, Universal and Sea World in my backyard. However, large conventions make a Disney queue line look trivial by comparison (and at least at Disney they have the Fast Pass!). It seems like no matter what you do (get to the convention a day early or pre-register), you’ll still end up in a line. I’ve seen lines at Otakon wrap around the entire convention center. I’ve seen lines at Dragon*con wrap around an entire city block. Lines at Megacon have filled the entire entry way to the vendor’s ballroom. And you haven’t even gotten INSIDE yet. You’re going to wait to get into the autograph room. You’re going to wait to get into that Joss Whedon panel. You’re going to wait for an elevator to get to your room. You’re going to wait for a bellhop to check out, wait some more at the counter, and wait even longer for the valet to get your car. Attending a large con is an exercise in patience.
2. Con Crud (*cough hack*)
It happens to us more often than we’d care to admit: the con crud. The coughing, sniffling, hacking, and otherwise disgusting side effects of having come into contact with 30,000+ people who were all touching the same door knobs, hand railings, etc. One year, mine turned into full blown bronchitis. Although you can do your best to prevent the crud (hand sanitizer, vitimin C, getting enough food and sleep), sometimes it gets you anyway.
3. It’s Just So Overwhelming and Crowded!
A “Light” Day at the Marriott (Dragon*con 2008)
If you have anxiety, or don’t like crowds, tight spaces, loud noises, etc., than a big convention is probably not for you. With so many people, activity, noise, and stuff to do, it can definitely be overwhelming. Even the most level headed of cons goers can find themselves having an anxiety attack by Saturday night. If you’re going to attend one of these large conventions, be prepared to kiss personal space goodbye, and try to go with the flow. You just cannot see and do everything at a convention that has dozens of programming tracks, events, concerts, signings, shows, panels, costume contests…sheesh. I get a little overwhelmed just thinking about it all! Where’s my highlighter pen and schedule?
4. The Expense (a.ka. Is My Wallet Actually Hemorrhaging Money?!)
This may come as no surprise, but big conventions aren’t cheap! While some attendees may live locally, and are only out the cost of entry (which can still be a pretty penny), a lot of people travel a decent distance to attend these large conventions (see the Pros of a Large Convention for the “why”). By the time you pay for the entry, the travel (gas or plane tickets), and the hotel costs (and maybe parking or wireless internet too), you can easily come up with a bill topping $1000 for the weekend, and we haven’t even factored in food, spending money, or what you spent on your costumes already. Granted, these costs can be whittled down by splitting them with other people (raise your hand if you’ve ever shared a hotel room with more than five other people), but it can still add up. Many people have to save for a greater portion of the year in order to afford a convention like Comic Con or Dragon*con (now raise your hand if you haven’t started saving yet).
Note about an upcoming entry: What conventions do you recommend as good “day pass” cons? You know, the ones that are great for just a quick Saturday trip? Post your recommendations in the comments! Don’t forget to include a link to the convention’s website or MySpace page!
Couldn’t agree more about the long lines, but there is one upside to the hours stood/sat waiting to get into a pannel- you will be surrounded by other fans who are just as bored as you.
As a Brit attending comiccon and dragoncon this year (comiccon by myself, dragoncon with a friend), I was astounded by the lack of bordom I felt in those long lines. SciFi fans are some of the nicest, most genuine and friendliest people you will ever meet.
For anyone venturing to a con by themselves, fear not! You will find plenty of new friends and the hours will fly by.