If you happen to be a big comic book fan or entertainment junkie visiting or living in New York City, or just someone who loves fun events, then you’ve probably heard about New York Comic Con. A four-day convention paying homage to everything from comics, anime, movies, and television, NYCC is a major event that usually takes place during the first weekend of October. Tickets go on sale online as early as June, require that the customer be “Fan Verified,” and certain days tend to sell out quicker than others.
That being said, if you’ve managed to snag tickets and it’s your first time attending NYCC, things can seem pretty overwhelming. There’s a lot of sights to see and events to participate in both inside and outside the actual convention center. Here are some tips for surviving your first comic con experience:
Get There Early
NYCC starts letting people in around 10 am, and events can start as early as 10:30. If you’re planning on claiming a spot for something with limited reservation times, you’ll definitely want to get inside faster than everyone else. The same goes for attending panels and exhibits, as lines tend to fill up pretty quickly.
Pick Up A Schedule
There are a lot of things to witness at NYCC, and some of those events take place in areas outside of the convention center. Be sure to pick up a schedule on your way inside and pay attention to the time, it can be easy to lose track of.
Different Days = Different Panels, Celebrities, & Crowd Levels
NYCC spans over the course of four days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Though exhibits may stay the same, each day tends to bring about new celebrity guest appearances and various panels to check out. As three of these days fall on the weekend, you can also expect to see more con-goers during those days.
Cosplayers Galore
One of the fun parts of NYCC is that almost everyone dresses up as their favorite characters from cartoons, movies, television, and books. Meaning you’ll be seeing a lot of different cosplayers as you attend the event. Feel free to attempt your own cosplay, and join in on the fun. It’ll make your experience much more enjoyable.
Bring Money
As you traverse the convention center, you’ll come across hundreds of vendors selling unique merchandise that you might not be able to find anywhere else. Make sure to save up in preparation for this. Though you may not even buy anything, it’s always good to have money on hand in case something catches your eye.
Visit Artist Alley
You’ll find a lot of artwork around NYCC, and some of them are done by famous and upcoming artist. In fact, there’s an entire section of the con dedicated to them called Artist Alley. Make sure to check it out, you’ll even see some custom artwork from the artist themselves.
Have Fun!
One of the major things to remember about NYCC is that everyone is just out there to have fun and enjoy themselves. Please be respectful and mind your manners while at the convention center, and just enjoy yourself.
