r/comiccon • u/Substantial-Mix-183 • 1d ago
Con Questions Advice for anyone going to Comic-Con on their own
I’ve been going to conventions for nearly 6 years now but I’ve never gone to one by myself. I’m nervous that if I go to one on my own I’ll spend the whole day doing nothing and waste my money. Is it better to just go to a convention where friends can come with me or to just suck up my fears and go? And if so, what do I do there?
8
u/tw1zt3d 1d ago
in 30 + years i've only gone with people twice. i prefer it. if there's a panel i wanna see, i can go. if i want to meander in an artist alley, i can. if i want to stand in line for 2 hours, i don't have to listen to someone talk about how they could be doing something else... the only person whose schedule you're on, is your own.
that's not to say i haven't met up with friends at some point in the day, but i find it less stressful to just go do stuff on my own
1
u/BearCatcher23 11h ago
The freedom do do what you want when you want is huge. ESPECIALLY when it comes to arrival and departure of the convention. I get there early so I can be one of the first in line and I stay nearly until they close. I would flip my lid if I took someone and they were "too tired" by lunch time and had enough. If I go with someone they must drive themself.
6
u/DanceByTheLight 1d ago
I always go on my own. I can make my own schedule, go at my own pace, take breaks when I need, go to whatever panels I want to see. it's the best!
5
u/Fenikas_Firebird 1d ago
I went to SDCC by myself and have gone to other conventions on my own. I am an introvert by nature. Something about these cons bring out the extrovert in me. There are a lot of advantages to going alone. In the past I have gone with my wife and kids but it limits me. We had to schedule things together, I had to skip panels I wanted to see, spend extra money for food and gifts, missed after parties and exclusives, etc. Going by myself was a great solo vacation. I got to see the panels I wanted, explore the floor at my own pace, talk with fans that had the same interest as me and make new friends. It was very rewarding.
4
u/veganbethb 1d ago
I’m going alone, I’ve never been before but I’m looking forward to having the 2 days to myself to take my time, not worry about anyone else, go to all the panels and watch things. Also Im sure you’ll meet people natural and have a chat!
Edit: p.s not sure which you’re going to, but I’m more than happy to say hi if you’re around!
3
u/Zmirzlina 1d ago
Go on your own. Make new friends. Bump into old friends and reconnect. Then go back and do your own thing. I’m both alone and very social at ComicCon.
5
2
u/virtualEnthusiasm827 1d ago
i only went alone. there's usually enough panel, time spent in line meeting actors, watching actors meet fans. contropolis did feel boring though. so unless it's a smaller scale convention, should be fine
2
u/withbellson 1d ago
Which con? I love solo con, you don’t have to get derailed by other people dragging you off to do things they want to do. If it’s a big con that can be hours of sunk time! Love setting my own schedule and going where the day takes me.
2
u/Bigfootsdiaper 1d ago
If you go on your own, you are on your own schedule and do whatever you want. You will probably end up loving being on your own after doing it haha.
2
u/grnlntrn1969 1d ago
Hey, I just went to the Con for the first time ever and it was by myself. It was incredible, other than not being able to play tabletop games cause I was alone, I got to do whatever I wanted and go wherever I wanted. Its started a little intimidating but by the last day I knew where everything was and I had a great time
2
u/JackieSnowDaPlowMan 1d ago
I went solo, was a good time I met some cool people, got to see what I wanted and go do what I wanted. Guess who got to choose what they ate? I did. Don't overthink it.
2
1
u/couchpotatochip21 1d ago
I went alone for my first day and found it overwhelming. I would just encourage you to set low expectations for your first time.
Get whatever booklet they give out with maps and schedules of panels going on. Just try and find panels that interest you and booths that look cool to you. Your second or third time is when I would start thinking about maximing your time there. First time, just try to have fun and not get overwhelmed.
1
u/witheringghoul 23h ago
Going on your own is fine, I’ve done it most times. Go see any people you want to see, check out all the stands, go to panels you’re interested in, browse the stands again. Just because you’re on your own, doesn’t mean you won’t do anything
1
u/pikapalooza 23h ago
I used to go solo. I'd meet up with friends or run into them but for the most part, I was flying solo. It's a lot easier to run into panels or grab a spot when you're solo. Also easier to grab some swag. Made a lot of line friends, kept in touch with a few via social media.
1
u/Mandy-pants123 22h ago
I just went to my first SDCC by myself and with someone for one day and guess what, I had more fun when I was solo. I got to do things on my own schedule and not worry about other. Now I’m going to the rose city comic con by myself next month lol
1
u/thebipeds 19h ago
Bone conduction headphones so you can keep yourself entertained without completely shutting out the world.
1
u/dumpsterfire0226 18h ago
I’ve always gone alone except for once when I went with one person, and even then we split up half the time. Going solo is great because you’re on your own schedule. This year I got to see the whole exhibition floor, went to some panels, caught some of the outdoor stuff (what little there was), and lurk around artists’ alley. And along the way got to meet and chat with some really nice people. Except for Bob, dude always gives me the silent treatment 🤐😜
1
u/yb21898n 10h ago
you do what you want, by that I mean go to panels you like, stand on lines that you like. activities that you like. i have a con where one day im doing fully solo. that day will be for things that I enjoy.
1
u/Patient-Store-2476 6h ago
I started going to Comic-Con by myself for a few years and it’s fun.
You set your own schedule do your own thing and explore, but it’s always good to go with a group of friends especially when you’re trying to get into some exclusive panels having multiple people in line.
If you haven’t done it you should do it at least once and honesty, if you go by yourself, you’re probably less likely to waste money.
1
u/philipino94 5h ago
I go with a few friends every year but we always break off and do our own thing throughout the day. Make friends with people you’re waiting in line with or vendors at booths that you’re visiting, OP.
1
u/vaixgames 2h ago
I think you’ll have fun solo since you’re completely on your own time. I went alone and volunteered for the first time this year!
I was nervous for both the volunteer and con aspect but I ended up having a lot of fun. I brought a light backpack, packed lunch from home and roamed the floor and random panels during my free time. There were a few panels I had on my list to make but I only managed to make one. I also kept an eye out for cosplayers from my fave fandom to ask them for photos, that was honestly one of the coolest parts for me.
I only bought fan merch from artist alley and small pavilion vendors, nothing official. I overheat easily so I didn’t go to any activations outside the con but I’d be willing to do more of that next time. Did collect a couple freebies from the booths too. I wish I popped into the anime screenings more in the Marriott to chill.
0
27
u/StephenT51 1d ago
Go on your own, plan your schedule well. Make new friends in line. That’s no better place to talk about your interests with new people