I was excited to find out I have the opportunity to go out to SDCC this July for the first time! Not really sure what to expect as this will also be my first convention, period. I scored the 4 day pass as a gift from my wife, so I will be there all 4 days. From a transformers perspective, I really want to pick up the Soundwave set. Judging from past Hasbro offerings, are the lines ridiculously long to get Hasbro exclusives? Should it be the first thing I go for on day one or should there by plenty of them available? Do exclusives go on sale on the Wednesday preview night or Thursday morning? Is the Wed preview night even worth it? So many questions! Any tips and/or fun things to do at SDCC would be welcome. Thanks!
Make sure you have a small backpack to carry these essentials : 1. Something to drink. My suggestion : water. 2. Something to eat. My suggestion : Any type of energy bar. 3. Enough cash. It simply is much easier to pay cash for all the cool stuff. 4. Buy stuff you actually want anr/or can carry easily back home (and on the convention floor for that matter. 5. Plan the panels you want to see far in advance and stick to your schedule. Water and energy bars are essentials because you don't want to spend time waiting in line for the snack-bar. The prices are high too. As for cash carry just enough so you don't overspend or simply lose it. Plus if you buy a lot of stuff you will need to unload at the hotel, so replenish your cash there. On the SDCC site you will find all the panel schedules. Make sure you mark down those you don't want to miss. Word of advice, the most popular ones are crowded to the max, and last year people were getting in the previous panel to make sure they would be already in for the one they absolutely wanted. I don't know if this year they'll ask to clear out panel rooms between each but you better make sure either way. Have a good one ! Godspeed -Greenspan
Don't bother trying for the SDCC exclusives from Hasbro Toy Shop. Every year I have been it has been the worst experience of the whole trip trying to deal with that crap, and every time I've left empty handed on exclusive goodness. They are horribly unorganized, have stupid systems in place to even give you a chance at getting in line (i.e. you had to be at the right place, at the right time, to get a chance at getting a ticket to be allowed in line at some point...maybe that day, maybe for a different day). Just order it online after the convention. That said, make sure to keep an eye on your stuff, have money on hand. Don't just jump on the first offering you see of what you want, shop around a bit (though if you see a too good to be true deal, take it, it may not be there when you get back). I almost spent like, $20 more for a MP Megatron than I did because I shopped around and found a better price. Don't buy food at the convention center, it's overpriced, eat well beforehand, and grab a bite later. Know what panels you want to be at, where they are, and when they are, try and get to them a decent time in advance. And dress comfortably, nice cool clothes, but bring a jacket as it can get chilly in the center believe it or not.
Start working out your hamstrings and calves now....the standing in line is brutal. Makes the lines at Botcon seem like child's play...
Great. Thanks for the tips. The small backpack thing makes a lot of sense. The disorganized Hasbro Booth is really disappointing though.
