Not every convention requires a hotel room reservation six months in advance to be enjoyable. In fact, a lot of people skip the weekend long encounter and just show up to a convention on a Saturday. Not only is it cheaper, but it requires less planning and less luggage. Of course, there are also downfalls to only doing the “day trip” thing. Here is a list of Pros & Cons of doing only one day of a convention, instead of attending for the entire weekend.
Con: Getting There Can be Half the Battle
Before deciding to make a one-day trip to a convention, you need to determine just how much time you’re willing to spend in the car to get there. Then add time for parking. Add some more time for having to buy and/or pick up your entry badge. Then add a little time for incidentals (”OMG I forgot my kitty ears - we have to go back to the house!“)
When you’re staying at or near a convention for the whole weekend, it’s much easier to just take an elevator down to the convention that morning and be ready to start the day.
Con: The Ticket Line
While some conventions will sell one-day passes in advance, a lot of them do not. That means you have to wait in line to buy your admission, and any time you spend in line is time you’re not spending at the convention. I have seen “day of” Saturday ticket lines wrap around entire convention centers and city blocks. The larger the convention, the more likely you’ll be spending a 1/4 of your day in a line just to get in. If you can’t buy a ticket in advance, I strongly advise being in line that day as early as you can be. Otherwise you might end up in a line like the one pictured (photo courtesy of RisingSun.net).
Pro: See What You Want and be Home in Time for Dinner
By just popping in on a Saturday, you can see and do the one or two things that are important to you, and then be home in time for dinner, and that can definitely be a good thing. Also, if you decide to just attend one day, it doesn’t have to be Saturday. If you’re looking forward to seeing a particular convention guest, double check which days they will be attending. If they are there all weekend, you can possibly get into the convention for cheaper (and have a shorter line), if you go on Sunday only instead.
Pro: Saving Time and Money
Buying a pass for just one day is pretty much always cheaper than buying one for an entire weekend. You also don’t have to invest in a hotel room, or three days worth of traveling and food. No need to take two or three days off work, or make arrangements for pet sitters or baby sitters. ‘Nuff said.
Con: Where Do I Stash This Obnoxiously Hot Costume?
Even the most comfortable costume can be become burdensome after five hours of wear. If you just came to the convention for a single day, it may be very difficult to change out of your costume and store it somewhere safe if it becomes uncomfortable. If you’re determined to cosplay at a convention, and you’re just going for a day, I strongly recommend stashing a change of clothes in the car, or finding a friend who did get a room that you can borrow for a bit.
In conclusion….
Spending just one day at a convention is really ideal if you’re more interested in the vendor room, or one particular guest, than the convention as a whole. While it’s true that you will miss out on the programming and events from other days, attending a convention for an entire weekend is hefty commitment of your time and money. Do what makes the most sense for you, and just have a good time!
Halloween is about a month away, which means a half dozen Halloween stores have probably sprung up in your neighborhood. If you have always wanted to wear a costume to a convention, but lack the sewing skills or money to have something amazing, picking up a pre-made costume from the local Halloween store can be pretty tempting. However, some hardcore cosplayers look down on Halloween costume cosplayers. They think you should find a way to make a costume yourself, or not bother.
