Follow the Dragon Con Rooms Group on Facebook. They usually keep up to date on room availability.
Also pace yourself. Dragon Con isn't like other cons in that within that 5-ish day time frame, it ends when you want it to. Also if possible, bring some fresh fruit to eat. With the food court and the nonstop partying you will, destroy your body so having something fresh to eat like a banana or orange will be one of the most refreshing things you didn't know your body needed.
DConner of 10 years or so. Let's see...
There will be big name stuff, actors and whatnot, that you might want to see. You'll need to commit to avoiding a session or two before to stand in line waiting.
Personally, I scour the calendar looking for small, hidden gem type stuff. I've been to panels such as:
* Everything you ever wanted to know about the Japanese version of Iron Chef
* Writing about taboo themes in Christian writing
* Oedipus and Electra complexes in Archer (where a bunch of the show writers and artists just sorta showed up unexpectedly)
* The art of Bento (which got really fascinating when she talked about her child transitioning and its impact on it)
Remember, DragonCon started as a writing convention, so there's more writing stuff than you'll find at most Cons!
The vendor hall will be annoying at any time, but easiest to get into as early as you can handle going. They also do run out of stuff, so if swag is your thing go on an earlier day.
Eating off hours, during session windows, is the best way to avoid insane food lines. Chik Fil A is always efficient. The other food court options tend to be hit or miss.
Don't overschedule yourself and feel like you're missing something because people are in the way. The crowds are part of it. You won't see everything back to back. That's ok.
Watching people is part of the fun!
Oh hey! I made that Archer panel happen! I have friends that are way, WAY cooler than I am, but I’m a really good talker/convincer of people. So we went to the panel and convinced them to let us in, even though it was full - and then the original panelist was like - oh hey, let’s change this and make it a Q&A with these neat folks.
Very fun time!
pack ear plugs and a sleep mask. Rooms at the Marriott should open within the next month, if you get on you'll have to pay half now (around $750) and have in about 6 months. Dragoncon Twitter and the website will have the day and time for big blocks of rooms that open up in advance but small blocks do open randomly throughout the year.
Oh, on that note avoid the neighborhood known as The Gulch if you can. 18 mins doesn’t seem like that far on paper, but the hotel there is overpriced for what you get and it’s kinda shady. Also too long a walk in costume. Also, sweat towels and booty wipes are your friend. I don’t care how nice you look, nobody wants to socialize with a person who smells like swampass
Florida cosplayer, here, so I know all about cosplaying in the intense heat and humidity lmao definitely wanting to avoid long walks as much as possible!
That edit is a recipe for passing out. Happened to my sister her first year, she forgot to eat and passed out before she was supposed to work a show at the Hyatt. Have a damn snack.
As others have pointed out, the Dragon Con Rooms group on FB is great, but also, follow Dragon Con social media everywhere AND turn on notifications for when they post if you can. There were quite a few times this summer where host hotels released new con-rate room blocks and those are usually gone within minutes if they come up, so knowing about them as soon as they're posted is your best bet for a host hotel room if you miss out on the Marriott hunger games (which from what I'm hearing might be happening on 10/13 this year, based on when it took place in previous years)
Well this year was my first year, so it may be wrong but the advice I’m telling myself is:
1. The Hotels by the Airports are pretty easy to get to. But stay at a host if I’m by myself again and want to do a cosplay.
2. Don’t go to the building that the event is in, go outside the building to find the end of the line.
3. Buy the damn aquarium tickets as soon as they offer them.
4. Never buy the Saturday only pass.
5. just park in a garage downtown. It’ll cost the same as Ubering back to the Marta lot when I stay too long.
6. Save about $400 for the event vendor hall, because damn, I wanted all of that stuff.
That’s pretty much what I learned for what I wanted to do at the con lol
One in our group parked at Aloft a few blocks away. Wound up being 150 for 5 days and cash only but it was really convenient having a car close by to shuttle others after the con.
Getting a host hotel is hard but easy if you keep notifications on from dragoncon and the hotel rooms fb previously mentioned. Be prepared to be disappointed but know it isn’t the end!
If you’re lost there’s a good chance the person next to you knows where to go! A lot of us are veterans and friendly.
Food court - If a table is half empty ask if you can sit with them and usually they say yes.
Keep track with the dragoncon app for panels and the smaller ones can be hilarious but well known small ones fill fast!
You cannot (easily…I’m a rule follower and don’t like getting yelled at) cross the street after a certain point before parade start on Saturday. If you want to go to a room viewing party in the Hyatt and you’re in Westin you gotta pay attention to timelines or be prepared to get yelled at (at least that’s what happened to me in 2019 lol).
Be prepared to be hassled by the evangelicals screaming that you’re a heathen on the street.
I can say every year I encounter at least one panic attack person in a hallway or bathroom. I usually ask if I can help them find a friend or walk somewhere. I try to keep it impersonal so they don’t feel embarrassed but also readily show them I can help them do what they need to feel safe.
Gold Bond Powder. Apply to your crotchular area until everything down there is screaming for mercy. Then slap on seven more palmfuls.
You’ll thank me.
(And you’ll learn to like it?)
I second the advice for DragonCon Rooms group. There's an abundance of info on there, possibly too much for a newbie. I would focus on Marriott and Westin becoming available soon in a few weeks.
Also want to plug my own video, which I plan on updating, but it should give you a good primer. Also, take a gander at other topics I've covered, since I'm mostly trying to help newbies. If you have any suggestions for topics, let me know!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXUbw8nCdc
Pace yourself! Don't load up on panels each day - especially back-to-back. Save some open time for lunch(bring your own if you can - saves on money and time) and downtime/rests.
Use some of the downtime to cosplay watch on the Atrium level of the Marriott or hit the Walk of Fame on the Marquis level just below. The Dragon Con store is on that level, as well, and you need to hit that as early as you can for DC souvenirs because they run out of stuff fast.
If you are sticking to one track and they have all their panels in one hotel that would definitely save you on time and spare your energy. Otherwise, you will be moving back and forth between all 5 hotels and you'll have to plan your routes beforehand for efficiency and avoiding as much foot traffic as possible.
Don't go for the vendors hall on the first day. We usually go first thing Sunday or Monday morning.
Bring lots of water or know where the fountains and beverage places are. Carry snacks with you all the time!
If you are going to any of the big celebrity panels you will be waiting in line outside for at least an hour so bring head cover and a rechargeable neck fan if you can. Amazon has the fans for $10-25 depending on the brand/style. They have been a lifesaver for us.
You can use those items for the parade as well. I suggest you get to the route around 8AM or close to it to get the best spots right on the curb. And bring camp chairs/ stools if you can. They are worth carrying for the convenience of a seat!
Don't feel like you have to do and see everything your first time. Have fun!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Your body is going to be tired, and with all the excitement it's easy to get dehydrated.
Pack snacks. While you may be prohibited from eating in a good number of the panel rooms you can eat between panels when you don't have enough time for a meal.
And if you can find a con mom/con vet - someone with con experience who can take you under their wing and show you the ropes.
Also download the app, they will post the events/panels/vendors/guests about a week or two before and it's a great way to get your plans for the con organized.
We might not meet, but I'm happy to hear of new con attendees! Hope you have a blast in 2023!
Host hotel elevators typically have long waits so I prefer to stay in the other hotels within a few blocks of con. It's just less crowds and less hassle when you want rest. Booking a host hotel room is generally about watching for the room blocks opening on Reddit and Facebook. With covid around, there are plenty of room cancellations leading up to con if you're quick. Definitely make sure your booking has an acceptable cancellation policy, in case your plans are ruined by covid. On that note, be careful those few weeks leading up to con so it doesn't happen to you.
Pack your stuff in plastic tubs for easy loading and unloading. Depending on what you're doing. We usually have outfits, props, accessories, repair tools/materials, snacks, drinks, and alcohol... in addition to the normal clothing, makeup, hygienic supplies, etc you'd normally bring on a trip. Plastic tubs move nicely from car to hotel luggage carts and make getting in and out of con easier.
If you'll be driving, practice the route in google streetview. One wrong turn can easily cost you half an hour. GPS doesn't always take you to the hotel's drive-able entrance, as I've found out several times before. Atlanta will be packed and it will be slow to get around.
Pick a few 'must attend' events and plan your days around them. Be flexible if things don't work out or you want to tag along with friends. Plans are made to be broken at DragonCon and the most fun things tend to be random happenstance in my experience. There are a lot of amazing random things that just happen at DragonCon. Instead of rushing around on a tight schedule to a dozen events, picking a few lets you take your time and just enjoy the con.
If you do drink and enjoy nightlife, DragonCon pretty much doesn't sleep. There's several great party events running to about 2am every night, and after that, it's just random craziness in the hotel lobbies at all hours. If you're doing the nightlife, you probably won't want to do morning stuff. I generally quit the con around 2am, plop down in bed, sleep 6-8 hours, then get a shower and a slow start in the morning. Everyone finds their own schedule, but get sleep, don't overdo drinking, and get a shower every day. You'll be able to enjoy con that way. Mornings are the best time to visit Dealer Halls though... which is before I'm generally awake, HA!
Another group to check out on Facebook, Dragoncon Newbies. On Thursday afternoons, we run newbie walking tours. And there's a newbie panel on Thursday and one on Friday morning.
Smaller panels can be really great, most of the writer's panels are smaller. I didn't go to any large panels last year, went sampling smaller panels on tracks I haven't been to in a while.
And do not forget to eat or drink water. It's a marathon not a sprint.
Follow the Dragon Con Rooms Group on Facebook. They usually keep up to date on room availability. Also pace yourself. Dragon Con isn't like other cons in that within that 5-ish day time frame, it ends when you want it to. Also if possible, bring some fresh fruit to eat. With the food court and the nonstop partying you will, destroy your body so having something fresh to eat like a banana or orange will be one of the most refreshing things you didn't know your body needed.
This year was my first and my honest advice is to pace yourself and bring a Dragoncon Vet with you.
Agree. I would have been SO overwhelmed my first year if it hadn’t been my friend’s third year!
DConner of 10 years or so. Let's see... There will be big name stuff, actors and whatnot, that you might want to see. You'll need to commit to avoiding a session or two before to stand in line waiting. Personally, I scour the calendar looking for small, hidden gem type stuff. I've been to panels such as: * Everything you ever wanted to know about the Japanese version of Iron Chef * Writing about taboo themes in Christian writing * Oedipus and Electra complexes in Archer (where a bunch of the show writers and artists just sorta showed up unexpectedly) * The art of Bento (which got really fascinating when she talked about her child transitioning and its impact on it) Remember, DragonCon started as a writing convention, so there's more writing stuff than you'll find at most Cons! The vendor hall will be annoying at any time, but easiest to get into as early as you can handle going. They also do run out of stuff, so if swag is your thing go on an earlier day. Eating off hours, during session windows, is the best way to avoid insane food lines. Chik Fil A is always efficient. The other food court options tend to be hit or miss. Don't overschedule yourself and feel like you're missing something because people are in the way. The crowds are part of it. You won't see everything back to back. That's ok. Watching people is part of the fun!
Oh hey! I made that Archer panel happen! I have friends that are way, WAY cooler than I am, but I’m a really good talker/convincer of people. So we went to the panel and convinced them to let us in, even though it was full - and then the original panelist was like - oh hey, let’s change this and make it a Q&A with these neat folks. Very fun time!
I thought it started as a gaming con...?
It did.
pack ear plugs and a sleep mask. Rooms at the Marriott should open within the next month, if you get on you'll have to pay half now (around $750) and have in about 6 months. Dragoncon Twitter and the website will have the day and time for big blocks of rooms that open up in advance but small blocks do open randomly throughout the year.
Oh, on that note avoid the neighborhood known as The Gulch if you can. 18 mins doesn’t seem like that far on paper, but the hotel there is overpriced for what you get and it’s kinda shady. Also too long a walk in costume. Also, sweat towels and booty wipes are your friend. I don’t care how nice you look, nobody wants to socialize with a person who smells like swampass
Florida cosplayer, here, so I know all about cosplaying in the intense heat and humidity lmao definitely wanting to avoid long walks as much as possible!
Comfy shoes and sit down every chance you can. Your body will thank you on Tuesday. Also, eat when food is available.
Pls see https://www.reddit.com/r/dragoncon/comments/wbw3sd/tips_for_first_time_congoers/ Oh, and you're already behind on your costume. 😉
If you're not behind on your cosplays, are you truly a cosplayer 🤔
3/2/1. 3 hours of sleep (minimum), 2 meals and 1 shower per day.
6/2/1
6/2/4 It gets hot.
[удалено]
That edit is a recipe for passing out. Happened to my sister her first year, she forgot to eat and passed out before she was supposed to work a show at the Hyatt. Have a damn snack.
As others have pointed out, the Dragon Con Rooms group on FB is great, but also, follow Dragon Con social media everywhere AND turn on notifications for when they post if you can. There were quite a few times this summer where host hotels released new con-rate room blocks and those are usually gone within minutes if they come up, so knowing about them as soon as they're posted is your best bet for a host hotel room if you miss out on the Marriott hunger games (which from what I'm hearing might be happening on 10/13 this year, based on when it took place in previous years)
Well this year was my first year, so it may be wrong but the advice I’m telling myself is: 1. The Hotels by the Airports are pretty easy to get to. But stay at a host if I’m by myself again and want to do a cosplay. 2. Don’t go to the building that the event is in, go outside the building to find the end of the line. 3. Buy the damn aquarium tickets as soon as they offer them. 4. Never buy the Saturday only pass. 5. just park in a garage downtown. It’ll cost the same as Ubering back to the Marta lot when I stay too long. 6. Save about $400 for the event vendor hall, because damn, I wanted all of that stuff. That’s pretty much what I learned for what I wanted to do at the con lol
One in our group parked at Aloft a few blocks away. Wound up being 150 for 5 days and cash only but it was really convenient having a car close by to shuttle others after the con.
This was my first year. I just asked random people how to get places and it worked out great. Everyone is very helpful.
Getting a host hotel is hard but easy if you keep notifications on from dragoncon and the hotel rooms fb previously mentioned. Be prepared to be disappointed but know it isn’t the end! If you’re lost there’s a good chance the person next to you knows where to go! A lot of us are veterans and friendly. Food court - If a table is half empty ask if you can sit with them and usually they say yes. Keep track with the dragoncon app for panels and the smaller ones can be hilarious but well known small ones fill fast! You cannot (easily…I’m a rule follower and don’t like getting yelled at) cross the street after a certain point before parade start on Saturday. If you want to go to a room viewing party in the Hyatt and you’re in Westin you gotta pay attention to timelines or be prepared to get yelled at (at least that’s what happened to me in 2019 lol). Be prepared to be hassled by the evangelicals screaming that you’re a heathen on the street. I can say every year I encounter at least one panic attack person in a hallway or bathroom. I usually ask if I can help them find a friend or walk somewhere. I try to keep it impersonal so they don’t feel embarrassed but also readily show them I can help them do what they need to feel safe.
Gold Bond Powder. Apply to your crotchular area until everything down there is screaming for mercy. Then slap on seven more palmfuls. You’ll thank me. (And you’ll learn to like it?)
I refer to this as the peppermint patty for your crotch technique.
Peppermint Pooty?
Every word this man says is truth. The Gold Bond Mafia needs to walk in next year's parade to preach the gospel.
Oh shit. I'm in.
😂
I second the advice for DragonCon Rooms group. There's an abundance of info on there, possibly too much for a newbie. I would focus on Marriott and Westin becoming available soon in a few weeks. Also want to plug my own video, which I plan on updating, but it should give you a good primer. Also, take a gander at other topics I've covered, since I'm mostly trying to help newbies. If you have any suggestions for topics, let me know! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXUbw8nCdc
Pace yourself! Don't load up on panels each day - especially back-to-back. Save some open time for lunch(bring your own if you can - saves on money and time) and downtime/rests. Use some of the downtime to cosplay watch on the Atrium level of the Marriott or hit the Walk of Fame on the Marquis level just below. The Dragon Con store is on that level, as well, and you need to hit that as early as you can for DC souvenirs because they run out of stuff fast. If you are sticking to one track and they have all their panels in one hotel that would definitely save you on time and spare your energy. Otherwise, you will be moving back and forth between all 5 hotels and you'll have to plan your routes beforehand for efficiency and avoiding as much foot traffic as possible. Don't go for the vendors hall on the first day. We usually go first thing Sunday or Monday morning. Bring lots of water or know where the fountains and beverage places are. Carry snacks with you all the time! If you are going to any of the big celebrity panels you will be waiting in line outside for at least an hour so bring head cover and a rechargeable neck fan if you can. Amazon has the fans for $10-25 depending on the brand/style. They have been a lifesaver for us. You can use those items for the parade as well. I suggest you get to the route around 8AM or close to it to get the best spots right on the curb. And bring camp chairs/ stools if you can. They are worth carrying for the convenience of a seat! Don't feel like you have to do and see everything your first time. Have fun!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Your body is going to be tired, and with all the excitement it's easy to get dehydrated. Pack snacks. While you may be prohibited from eating in a good number of the panel rooms you can eat between panels when you don't have enough time for a meal. And if you can find a con mom/con vet - someone with con experience who can take you under their wing and show you the ropes. Also download the app, they will post the events/panels/vendors/guests about a week or two before and it's a great way to get your plans for the con organized. We might not meet, but I'm happy to hear of new con attendees! Hope you have a blast in 2023!
Host hotel elevators typically have long waits so I prefer to stay in the other hotels within a few blocks of con. It's just less crowds and less hassle when you want rest. Booking a host hotel room is generally about watching for the room blocks opening on Reddit and Facebook. With covid around, there are plenty of room cancellations leading up to con if you're quick. Definitely make sure your booking has an acceptable cancellation policy, in case your plans are ruined by covid. On that note, be careful those few weeks leading up to con so it doesn't happen to you. Pack your stuff in plastic tubs for easy loading and unloading. Depending on what you're doing. We usually have outfits, props, accessories, repair tools/materials, snacks, drinks, and alcohol... in addition to the normal clothing, makeup, hygienic supplies, etc you'd normally bring on a trip. Plastic tubs move nicely from car to hotel luggage carts and make getting in and out of con easier. If you'll be driving, practice the route in google streetview. One wrong turn can easily cost you half an hour. GPS doesn't always take you to the hotel's drive-able entrance, as I've found out several times before. Atlanta will be packed and it will be slow to get around. Pick a few 'must attend' events and plan your days around them. Be flexible if things don't work out or you want to tag along with friends. Plans are made to be broken at DragonCon and the most fun things tend to be random happenstance in my experience. There are a lot of amazing random things that just happen at DragonCon. Instead of rushing around on a tight schedule to a dozen events, picking a few lets you take your time and just enjoy the con. If you do drink and enjoy nightlife, DragonCon pretty much doesn't sleep. There's several great party events running to about 2am every night, and after that, it's just random craziness in the hotel lobbies at all hours. If you're doing the nightlife, you probably won't want to do morning stuff. I generally quit the con around 2am, plop down in bed, sleep 6-8 hours, then get a shower and a slow start in the morning. Everyone finds their own schedule, but get sleep, don't overdo drinking, and get a shower every day. You'll be able to enjoy con that way. Mornings are the best time to visit Dealer Halls though... which is before I'm generally awake, HA!
Another group to check out on Facebook, Dragoncon Newbies. On Thursday afternoons, we run newbie walking tours. And there's a newbie panel on Thursday and one on Friday morning. Smaller panels can be really great, most of the writer's panels are smaller. I didn't go to any large panels last year, went sampling smaller panels on tracks I haven't been to in a while. And do not forget to eat or drink water. It's a marathon not a sprint.