tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post4806110865841119840..comments2024-03-27T03:15:55.367-04:00Comments on EPBOT: Dragon Con Survival Tips (New & Improved!)Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-19953091884625593752015-08-31T14:02:23.667-04:002015-08-31T14:02:23.667-04:00I've been following Cake Wrecks for years and ...I've been following Cake Wrecks for years and I've only just recently started peeking over at Epbot... so I was flabbergasted to see a DragonCon Survival Tips banner on Cake Wrecks one week before my first trip to DCon! I clicked immediately!<br /><br />Some of this information is already known to me, especially after having been to MOST of SDCC once a couple of years ago (I had Con Crud on the last day, ugh), but I can tell some of this is going to be extremely helpful, thank you so much for posting it! My eyes are always bigger than my "stomach"/schedule where panels are concerned, so I will need to try to rein myself in. I'm glad I pretty much already decided not to try to attend the parade on Saturday morning!<br /><br />Well, I've told my boyfriend to add you in the DC app, so hopefully we will be able to see you there! Maybe we will even see you on Saturday when we are dressed up as Yennefer and Geralt (haha, I won't hold my breath, Saturdays are crazy at ANY con)! I hope you guys enjoy yourselves!!!PristineSenishttp://www.forlornmists.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-72132746798889274242015-08-27T13:35:18.250-04:002015-08-27T13:35:18.250-04:00Hi Jen! Although I'm not going to Dragon*Con, ...Hi Jen! Although I'm not going to Dragon*Con, I think your tips can still apply to other cons! I agree about bringing snacks to munch on between meals, since typical con food can be expensive and there are often no healthy options available. I will also keep your typical con outfit in mind for the next time I go to a con in plainclothes rather than cosplay. Good point about using shorts to make it more comfortable sitting on the ground! <br /><br />I also like the idea of bringing some portable game to pass the time while waiting in those long lines.candiedappleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12268575549226781428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-37957530582019049552015-08-27T09:40:17.969-04:002015-08-27T09:40:17.969-04:00The only stairs that I've found to be sticky a...The only stairs that I've found to be sticky are the ones by the Con-suite. They can get pretty gnarly. Otherwise I've never had an issue.Dianna :)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-66086714568749117952015-08-27T00:08:30.769-04:002015-08-27T00:08:30.769-04:00I feel a little silly but I'm a strong believe...I feel a little silly but I'm a strong believer in giving compliments, so I just have to say: Jen, your picture with the Ghostbusters is a really good one! I hope to someday be as cute while still dressing comfortably. :-) (Oh, and thanks for all the D*C tips, too!)Shalmenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721988519611082513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-6827075126697755602015-08-26T20:42:10.033-04:002015-08-26T20:42:10.033-04:00All good tips, Jenn et al! I'm off to D*C mys...All good tips, Jenn et al! I'm off to D*C myself for year number 7! Jen, I've got a new mash-up to show off. Hoping I see you while I'm in it. I'm doing a Steampunk Lady Danger Minnie (Mouse)! I've sent you a friend request, so hopefully I'll find you this year. :)<br /><br />Cheers!!<br />Wendy<br />Raleigh, NCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-74457856210713545782015-08-26T12:47:36.533-04:002015-08-26T12:47:36.533-04:00At my only con in the last 8 years I actually took...At my only con in the last 8 years I actually took a lot of time off. I only stood in two lines, spent most of my time with my friends, cooked meals in my room, and laughed a lot. I didn't do much shopping since I have been strapped for cash, but I did enjoy myself. It was kinda awesome to have such a nice time. I did spend an hour+ in line for the masquerade (my friend was in it!) and instead of stressing or being bored I brought "Settlers of Catan" and taught the people next to me how to play. I do think that next time I should grab an easy dice game or something instead though since it was a pain to set up...Ronjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05464800282004201253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-45951209128688645222015-08-26T12:04:37.122-04:002015-08-26T12:04:37.122-04:00Tip: Keep your smartphone put away while you'r...Tip: Keep your smartphone put away while you're in line for panels. Seriously, you're surrounded by people who share at least one interest of yours and who love it enough to show up early like you--so keep your phone in your pocket and strike up a conversation! Some of my favorite hours have been spend in line with fellow fans (Whedonverse rocks at this!)--as well as some of my most boring, while my linemates played Candy Crush and checked Facebook for an hour and half.<br /><br />Parents of newborns: I was pregnant when we moved to Atlanta, so I did my first Dragon Con (and first con, ever) with a two-month-old in tow. Since I had trouble finding ANYTHING online about how to do a con with a baby, I wrote up a post of my own (<a href="http://raisinglittledragonslayers.blogspot.com/2014/08/doing-dragoncon-with-baby.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>) with a few tips and what I learned from it. I'm not exactly a seasoned DC veteran (this will be my third year), but I figured even newbie advice might be helpful for other parents who might want to do it but aren't finding much online to give them confidence that it can be done. :-)Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03307970134500542431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-57667889212643927862015-08-26T09:23:02.024-04:002015-08-26T09:23:02.024-04:00MARTA is great, you can even get there from the ai...MARTA is great, you can even get there from the airport. A very straight forward system. Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00964679867487186534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-91194779614893232872015-08-25T16:55:13.605-04:002015-08-25T16:55:13.605-04:00Thanks for the tip, Timba. I was just reading thi...Thanks for the tip, Timba. I was just reading this thinking we could NEVER do this con with my son in his wheelchair. Maybe we could some day. :)Sharonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-27608775477417608042015-08-25T16:54:48.935-04:002015-08-25T16:54:48.935-04:00Yes, please go on the walking tour. I'll be l...Yes, please go on the walking tour. I'll be leading one or two of them. We will hit the "big three" hotels Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, mainly to point out the 'habitrails' and how to navigate them. We will also point out important stuff like bathroom locations and which tracks are in which hotels (roughly). The tours will run up to 5:00 and are a continuous, rolling start with the first in/first out plan (a change from last year). Stay for the Q&A after the tours or go to the one Friday morning at 10, you can get a good feel of what to expect or ask questions that might not have been answered on the tour. We are DragonCon, and we are here to help you! :-)Khakismumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356918383783859166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-38225033595902292802015-08-25T16:44:06.569-04:002015-08-25T16:44:06.569-04:00Jen, someday, I will go to DC, and I will use this...Jen, someday, I will go to DC, and I will use this guide to its fullest to get me there and through it all (I have severe anxiety issues along with other co-morbid disorders). All I need is some money and some free time. And fewer disorders. I somehow don't think I'm getting any of that. But one can dream. Plus, I can live vicariously through all of the lovely photos you post each year. Not only are there some fantastic, mind-blowing, beautiful, and imaginative costumes, you always take it a step further to make the photos themselves look spectacular. Thank you for being my con avatar.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-82009966990692178962015-08-25T15:44:55.604-04:002015-08-25T15:44:55.604-04:00So, while the skybridges connecting the hotels are...So, while the skybridges connecting the hotels are fine if you want to avoid the heat, they can be incredibly crowded and are not necessarily the most efficient way of getting from hotel to hotel. If you don't mind being outside for a bit (anywhere from five to fifteen minutes depending on where Point A and Point B are in relation to each other) just walk around outside. Downtown Atlanta is a grid system so you won't get lost, and you won't have to deal with the periodic full-on-stops that can sometimes happen in the hotel sky bridges. Unless it is raining, my husband and I usually walk around outside to get to where we need to go more quickly. <br /><br />One other point: most of the time walking around downtown Atlanta alone is 100% safe but I'd say just don't do it post-midnight (especially if you are a female). Odds are you will be heading somewhere late at night so bring a friend and/or join up with a group of Dragon Con goers and you should be fine. <br /><br />Additional things to consider:<br /><br />1) Try to pre-buy your booze if you plan on drinking. Of course you will probably be buying drinks at hotel bars, but having some stuff in the room to pre-party or to fill a flask (if that is your thing) certainly doesn't hurt. There are some liquor stores around the hotels but they will have a huge up charge during Dragon Con, so if you want to drink and save some money, get your alcohol ahead of time. <br />2) Get cash BEFORE the convention, preferably before you even get to Atlanta. All the ATMs in the areas surrounding the hotels will be wiped out by Saturday night, due to high demand. <br />3) Try not to be rude about holding a seat for too long in not-lounging areas. I'm thinking primarily food-court type areas. Last year at the Peachtree Center Food Court there were a ton of people who were clinging to tables, knitting and/or playing video games at them, long after they were done eating--while all around them people with food trays were searching for a place to sit and eat. Don't be those rude people--when you are done eating, up and leave. There are plenty of places around the convention (mention above in Jen's post) where you can sit and relax at your leisure without putting other people out. <br /><br />That's all. We can't go this year, which is a bummer, but hope everyone has lots of fun! The Dilettantistahttp://www.thedilettantista.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-89868781443762359042015-08-25T15:00:51.591-04:002015-08-25T15:00:51.591-04:00I LOVE DragonCon and can't wait until my kids ...I LOVE DragonCon and can't wait until my kids are old enough so I can go back!<br /><br />I would recommend bringing some cash. Not all places take credit card (though most do now, from what I remember. When we first started going it was hit or miss if vendors took cards or not though), and the ATMs can run out partway through the weekend.<br /><br />If you can snag a room in a host hotel, DO IT! They're expensive, and reservations can sell out in minutes, but I find it to be so worth it. Being able to run back to your room to take a nap in the middle of the day is SO HELPFUL, especially for someone like me who gets tired easily. Plus it's nice to be able to go to your room for snacks, for some quiet time, to repair costumes, to change...plus DragonCon TV is fantastic. They'll often show some of the bigger panels, so if you don't want to wait in line to hopefully get in you can go back and watch from the comfort of your bed. Also, if you have friends going, have as many stay in one room as you can stand to split the cost. We've never had a problem requesting extra room keys and bedding, I'm sure they're used to that sort of thing even though you aren't *really* supposed to be doing that. One year we brought an air mattress and rolled to see who had to sleep on it every night, lol. My favorite hotels to stay at are the Sheraton and the Westin. <br /><br />The sky bridges (we called them the habitrails lol) are great - BUT they can get very crowded very quickly, and with that many people in them not really moving, it can get pretty toasty in there. Something to keep in mind if you don't deal with crowds or enclosed spaces well.<br /><br />Also, don't be afraid to poke your head into random panels. Sometimes they can end up being AWESOME. We were looking for something to do, and since we spent a lot of our time where the MMO track was, we ended up in an AdventureQuest panel put on by the people who make the game. We'd never played the game, only vaguely heard of it, and it ended up being a ridiculously fun panel, one of our favorites of the weekend!Elan Aumannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-48758492146276507962015-08-25T14:32:13.242-04:002015-08-25T14:32:13.242-04:00One more thing I found on the con app today is tha...One more thing I found on the con app today is that if you are in Atlanta on Thursday, they have a walking tour that starts in the Marriot at 2:30 for newbies, so you can get a lay of the land before the madness of the con on Friday. And they have a panel after the tour hosted by some veteran con-goers where you can ask questions and get more tips and such. I think the tour will be very helpful to minimize the number of times we newbies will get lost! Now I'm glad that my flight in is so early! I was wondering what to do with my afternoon and evening in Atlanta, now I know!Laura P.http://www.geekgirlcreations.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-61941022982814754362015-08-25T14:03:57.389-04:002015-08-25T14:03:57.389-04:00I hadn't heard of the game rental thing; that ...I hadn't heard of the game rental thing; that sounds awesome! If they're open late, it'd be a nice way to unwind in the evening with friends.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-83393037004292160012015-08-25T13:49:58.260-04:002015-08-25T13:49:58.260-04:00Disco Princess Peach gave it away
-HunterDisco Princess Peach gave it away <br />-HunterAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285054716417975342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-66031287937445240862015-08-25T09:30:51.016-04:002015-08-25T09:30:51.016-04:00I'm not able to attend DC, but wanted to thank...I'm not able to attend DC, but wanted to thank you for your Con tips in general. My SO and I were able to do our first Con recently and I really relied on your blog to have a plan! It was a great experience and we will hopefully be ready to attend something (bigger?) else in the future. <br /><br />Just wanted to add that leaving Con premises for a leisurely lunch at off-hours (2pm) made a huge difference for us... it gave us quiet time to just enjoy and process everything we'd seen! Leftynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-80899713650517066782015-08-25T09:20:35.698-04:002015-08-25T09:20:35.698-04:00Great advice all around, especially about only pla...Great advice all around, especially about only planning to attend 3-4 panels a day. The biggest thing for us is to relax and not be in a hurry, and having a schedule that's not ridiculous really helps. If you're stressed about getting somewhere quickly (which is pretty much impossible, anyway), you're not going to have as much fun. <br /><br />Like you said, ConCrud is real. I recommend taking your vitamins and something like EmergenC during the weekend. Hydration is key, too, especially if you're dancing at a 2am Cruxshadows show. :) <br /><br />My only additional advice: If you're wearing costumes, make a detailed checklist for each costume. Include even the little things, like any particular undergarments you need, special make-up, adhesives, etc. Before you leave for DragonCon, make sure you've packed everything on your checklists. Then, before you walk out of your hotel room, look at the list again to make sure you haven't forgotten something. Beth Dolgnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03189299464058568759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-14581836305663447582015-08-25T09:14:34.341-04:002015-08-25T09:14:34.341-04:00One more thing I forgot...before taking pictures, ...One more thing I forgot...before taking pictures, ask the person if it's ok to do so. Also (and I shouldn't even have to mention this), it's ok to compliment someone on their costume, but BE POLITE.Raienyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955666524512690926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-84403361087418509832015-08-25T09:10:19.723-04:002015-08-25T09:10:19.723-04:00Avoid the stairs if at all possible. All manner of...Avoid the stairs if at all possible. All manner of drink and food get spilled on them, and they are rarely cleaned. You could end up stuck there until the next con.Raienyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955666524512690926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-23067610300575227622015-08-25T08:56:31.307-04:002015-08-25T08:56:31.307-04:00Great tips for newbies and vets alike. This will ...Great tips for newbies and vets alike. This will be my 13th con and I just now learned about the sky bridge from Westin to America's Mart. ::face palm:: <br /><br />Some more random tips I thought I'd share:<br /><br />1) Bring a refillable water bottle. The host hotels have ice water all around the con. You can fill your bottle up for free. Bring those powdered or concentrated flavor packets to give the water a boost. Drinks in the hotels and even the food court are expensive. You will be hot and get dehydrated. Don't do it. That's awful way to spend the con.<br /><br />2) Watch out where you try to catch a cat nap. The hotels are strident in preventing that in the main areas. With various success, I've napped in empty track rooms, under a water table, in the bottom most hallways, and once I fell asleep on the elevator going up to my room. I've been chased off of benches in the Marriott while wide awake after about 10 min when I was sitting & reading.<br /><br />3) Speaking of elevators, the traffic on them is horrendous by Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. I take the stairs for anything less then 4 flights up or down. If you just can't bare the thought of taking the stairs get on the elevator when the door opens and there is room. D*Con vets call it "going down to go up" or "going up to go down" depending on where you are going. While they are awful crowded, I'm proud to say that folks in wheel chairs, with baby strollers, or on crutches or other walking device are given preferential treatment by other con goers. Marriott and Hyatt are by far the worst to get an elevator in and the Sharadon is actually pretty easy. The Hilton really depends on the time of day. Also be sure you are on the correct elevator. Some of them don't even go to all floors or are put on express mode, I'm looking at you Hilton and your Trader Vic's/Nicholi's Roof elevator.<br /><br />4) Ride the elevator (if you can get on) to the top floor and look down the middle of the 3 main hotels. The view is amazing and vertigo inducing with out even looking out over the city, also amazing. <br /><br /><br />Jen - I've requested a friend in the APP since I don't tweet and have been trying to find you since you started attending. I'd love to meet up with you. <br /><br />Dianna :)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-8033226670047678202015-08-25T08:38:49.393-04:002015-08-25T08:38:49.393-04:00That being said, I have heard they are moving the ...That being said, I have heard they are moving the blood drive down to this location as well this year, so hopefully the related crowds for this don't ruin my statement!Tyraennahttp://www.questsofquirkiness.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-66777363344224742942015-08-25T08:37:19.240-04:002015-08-25T08:37:19.240-04:00One of my favorite places at DCon is the basement ...One of my favorite places at DCon is the basement of the Hilton. It is highly air conditioned, there are lots of tables and chairs, and several bathrooms. And as an avid board gamer, they have a HUGE board game library. You can buy a $5 pass (typically only one person in a party needs to purchase the pass) to borrow any games for the length of the con, and tryout some new games without needing to purchase. It has been gaining more populatiry in recent years, but it is still a nice, entertaining rest / escape area. I imagine I'll find myself there even more this year, being prego at the con. If you see a female Hades, a fancy Fluttershy, or a Disco Princess Peach around, come say hi! :)Tyraennahttp://www.questsofquirkiness.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-9554880033242511902015-08-25T07:25:22.399-04:002015-08-25T07:25:22.399-04:00I do have crowd anxiety, so when I go to big cons,...I do have crowd anxiety, so when I go to big cons, I never go on Saturdays (which is always the "big reveal" day and has the most people). I also clock which areas have a lot of empty space or secluded niches where I can go and sit for a few minutes if it gets too much, and I plan for only short bursts on the vendor floor, because that's where the crowds are the worst.<br /><br />Now that my uncle is moving to Atlanta, I might have to seriously consider going to Dragon Con next year since I'll have free lodging!Kim @ Treats and Trinketshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15834413831297148254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-21366994600658718082015-08-24T23:45:48.385-04:002015-08-24T23:45:48.385-04:00Also, if you must travel during a passing period, ...Also, if you must travel during a passing period, it's often easier to just go outside on the sidewalks. I know, I know, it's hot as hell, but if you've gotta get somewhere in a hurry, the sidewalks work well.Caitlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10126262810608741775noreply@blogger.com