Dragon*Con

[jedimara77]

This past weekend I attended my first Dragon*Con, held every year in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend. I had a great time! As it was my first Dragon*Con I was very overwhelmed at first, but by the time I left I knew how to successfully navigate the hotels. I definitely want to attend next year!

Pros of Dragon*Con:
Lots to do! There are many different programming tracks that encompass many different interests. For example, I was interested in seeing some of the celebrity panels, but Philip was not. So we went our separate ways and I drooled over the Phelps twins while he went to all the science stuff.
Staying at the Hilton. If/when I attend Dragon*Con next year, I definitely want to stay at the Hilton again. There were hardly any people there at night, which was very nice. I didn't have to fight many people for the elevators, although there were lines at times. Plus, the science and space tracks were at the Hilton, so Philip and I went to all those nerdy things late at night. And the dealer hall was there, so after we shopped we could just go up to our room and drop everything off.
Internet people. I finally got to meet christmasjedi, and we said "Hello" to Timothy Zahn together. And I hung out with andorus and nasturtium (for a little bit), my C3 roomies. I also ran into theemdash, dragonbetween, scifigirl, and some of their other internet friends.
Leaving with more money than intended! I didn't buy much at the con, only three autographs and a t-shirt. I would have liked to meet some Stargate folk, but their lines were really long. Plus, the only food I bought was dinner all three nights, and I didn't have to buy water since there were water jugs all around the con. Very convenient!
Stargate Family Feud. I only saw the end of this, since I was busy at losing Star Wars Trivia, but good job, theemdash! And "McKay" was the perfect host.

Cons of Dragon*Con:
So much to do. The first pro of Dragon*Con was also a problem at times. I had to skip a panel I was interested in so I could go have dinner. I didn't get to hang out with many people because I was attending different panels. I liked all the panels, but I wish there was more time to do social things. Next year, I want to get to Atlanta on Thursday so I can go to dinner with people and hang out on Thursday night, and then I'll have an extra day (Friday) to see panels so I feel like I have more time to socialize.
Forgetting my phone charger. Because of this my phone died on Sunday night and I couldn't call christmasjedi to see where she was in the Marriott. Silly Nanci. :(
Crowds! Holy Jesus the crowds were insane at times, especially in the Hyatt. The Marriott was also pretty crowded, especially at night. The Hilton wasn't so bad, which is why I liked staying there. But, when you go to an event like this, you pretty much expect the crowds.
Photo Ops. I almost didn't get any autographs because most of the big name guests were doing photo ops, which was an extra charge in addition to the autograph fee. I pay to get autographs so I can get a picture with people, not so I can get their signature. Well, during my final walk through of the Walk of Fame on Monday morning, I noticed that people were taking pictures with the Phelps twins. So I jumped in line and got my picture taken with them, too. Although it worked out that I met who I wanted to, I would have met other people if I could get a picture, too.



More to come, this time with what I actually did at Dragon*Con. :)

Comments

[astrogrl32.livejournal.com]

ohemgee you have to tell me about Stargate Family Feud!

[jedimara77.livejournal.com]

It was pretty cool. My friend Alli made up the game, and her husband Nick was the host, dressed as McKay. One of the questions I saw was "Name someone who has the hots for Daniel Jackson."

You and Brad should go to Dragon*Con next year. There's lots of geeky stuff.

[nic]

I agree that it's ridiculous that guests charge separately for autographs AND photo ops. At UK conventions, it's often $US40 per autograph and $US40 for a photo... that's a ridiculous sum of money for what, 2 minutes with a guest and a photo to remember it by?

I think that's why I don't go to many conventions any more. I'm tired of feeling ripped off just to get close to someone whose character I like!

[jedimara77.livejournal.com]

I know. I don't mind paying a fee because that's the way they make their money, and a lot of the guests aren't exactly raking in the cash. But with photo ops it really does feel like a rip off.

[starbuck92.livejournal.com]

Stargate Family Feud? *sporfle!*

[jedimara77.livejournal.com]

See theemdash about this. :)