New to DragonCon? Here are some tips.

[Rev Chumley]

I've been going to DragonCon since 2000, and here are a few things that I've learned over the years that might help some of the newer attendees.

1. Buy your memberships as soon as possible. Prices go up every 3 months or so until they reach door price. The soon you get it, the cheaper it is, and if you find out later you can't attend you can always sell your ticket (via a transfer request) to someone else.
Another reason for getting a pre-reg (as they are referred to) membership is that it gets you a nice big impressive badge that you can wear on a lanyard and keep for a collection, while at the door registration gets you a crappy little (easily lost) pin on badge.*

*you lose it, you have to buy another one

2. Hotels go fast nowadays and I mean fast. Get your hotel booked BEFORE February for the next year. If you can manage it, book for next year AT the con this year. At the Hyatt and the Marriott it costs nothing to book a room except a major credit card (they don't require deposits) so there is nothing to lose. The Hilton requires a nights stay deposit and I have yet to deal with the new addition Sheraton. Call the hotel DIRECTLY if possible, not the 1-800 national number. The local desk will know what your talking about when you mention dragoncon when the national won't.
You don't want to be without a room or stuck with a 5 block walk to a overflow hotel at 4 in the morning wading through the local fauna.

3. There is a inverse correlation between the party atmosphere and the speed of the elevators when it comes to the con hotels. Hyatt is the main party hotel and has the slowest most crowded elevators, next is Marriott, next is Hilton and then the Sheraton. Plan accordingly.


4. Show up for any event at least an hour before hand to check the line. If there is a line at all, get in it. If there isn't then make sure you haven't overlooked it, are in the right place etc.. If the event involves Centennial 1,2, or 3 show up 2 hours before hand (at least).

(edit) that advice is if you reallllly want to get as far up front as possible. If you just want to hear the panel and don't care to see the stars on the big projection screens then I would actually suggest that you wander about and enjoy yourself, show up about 10 mins after the event is suppose to start, walk right in and sit in the back. No muss no fuss and you still get to enjoy the panel. With this plan you risk a completely full room (but even in centennial that only happens when there is a panel with like 5 principal BSG guests) I've stood around having fun talking to friends plenty of time and watched a huge line file in to a room for an event that have been standing there for hours only to walk right in behind them and get a seat, but its a gamble so have a backup plan.


5. Bring 3 times as much cash as you think you will need (keep it in the safe, with the hotel desk, whatever) but you will not be able to find an ATM with cash in it after Sat afternoon within a 1 mile radius of downtown. Between 7 dollar drinks at the bar, 5 dollar hamburgers, tipping the hotel staff and some of the vendors in the dealers area you'll need the cash.


6. Shower at least once a day, get at least 4-5 hours sleep a night and eat at least 1 good hot meal a day. Everyone else will thank you for the first one and you'll thank yourself for the latter two. The con crud is infamous at this event, if you follow the first three and throw in a few hand washings or some hand sanitizer here and there you should get away unscathed. Trust me, you don't want the con crud as it is a sickness that will ruin your con and your life for the next 2 weeks after. (taking a little airborne for a few days before and during the con isn't a bad idea either)


7. This con is HUGE, so don't try to kill yourself trying to see it all. Hit your favorite panels, try out the art and dealer rooms and just generally wander around and enjoy yourself. If you come to one DragonCon chances are you'll be back next year so whats the rush!


I'll add to this post as I think of some more stuff, please if you have any other great tips feel free to add them!


Rev Chumley
Cult of UHF
http://www.cultofuhf.com

[dcolanduno]

Thanks for the great post Rev.! :)

[tvindy]

Another reason for getting a pre-reg (as they are referred to) membership is that it gets you a nice big impressive badge that you can wear on a lanyard and keep for a collection, while at the door registration gets you a crappy little (easily lost) pin on badge.
And just to underscore the seriousness of that point, everyone should watch this hilarious video (http://www.pickle.com/treocast/107/649034).

[kbachelder]

Some excellent tips and information there...thanks very much for sharing that.

We just started discussing tips like this on the latest episode (http://www.dragon-pod.com/?p=10) of Dragon*Pod and there'll be more coming in upcoming shows.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's tips and ideas so we can all benefit.


Thanks,

Kevin

[plynn78]

Thank you so much for the woderful tips, Rev. I am a total n00b to Dragon*con, well, to all Cons to be honest. I only attended the FXShow here in Orlando for the first time in January, but I had such a great time, that I decided that a road trip to Atlanta was in order! I'm really looking forward to it, but I must admit, I am a bit nervous and really close to being overwhelmed by all of the information. So your list of tips will come in handy. Thanks again.

Patty

[Rev Chumley]

Not a problem all, any help I can give to make people enjoy DragonCon is time well spent. Lets see if I can't think of a few more tips.

1. If you are at the Hyatt bar and are lucky enough to get a table to sit at (I will assume your drinking, its a bar) TIP YOUR WAITRESS WELL. (remember that cash I told you to bring?) Normal server rules apply 10 fold at dragoncon. If you ever want to see that incredibly over-worked waitress again that night, you better be tipping well. The waitresses at the Hyatt bar are good, and they will remember you all weekend. Tip Early Tip often Talk nice.

2. Food- There is a food court attached to the Hyatt and the Marriott through the "Hamstertubes" "Habitrails" what ever you want to call them. From the Hyatt if you stand in the bar and face the lobby to your far left will be a hallway, follow it and poof! tons of food on Thur, Fri, and Sat. Sunday I believe a few places will be open specially for dragoncon so choice is limited.
The Hyatt also sets up hotdog/pizza/hamburger vendors in several locations in the hotel. They will keep you alive, but its highschool cafeteria grade food. If you can wait until 1 or 2 in the morning when they are getting ready to close for the night you can get specials at these vendors. (will save you a ton of cash)

3. There is a liquor store across the street from the hyatt's front entrance to the right. It sells Cigs, liquor and beer. Its not cheap, but it is there. If you can bring your own liquor, but make sure to keep it concealed when you check in. There is a cork law in atlanta, but I've never seen them actually enforce it if your not flaunting your bar fixings when you check in.

4. If you are Cosplaying or taking pictures of Cosplayers, please do not stop in traffic areas. Move to the side against walls to take pictures.

5. is right out

6. there is no rule 6

7. On the first room floor of the Hyatt in the far left corner facing into the hyatt from the front doors is the Consuite. The Consuite is open almost 24/7 and serves free fruit/energy drinks and has snacks and occasionally larger fare for the weary con-goer (Free). Avail yourself of it as often as possible for a quick rest, a quiet place to re-hydrate and mingle. They also show some movies and popular series episodes like Buffy and Firefly etc..

8. You really need to come to the Cult of UHF LIVE show Sat night at 11:30.

9. See #8

10. Bring comfortable shoes and some light clothing. Its HOT in Hotlanta in Sep, BUT make sure to bring a light jacket or hoodie because down in the bowels of the hotels the AC can freeze you in your tracks so if you plan on spending time in some of the smaller panels you might want layers. It can change from 96 F outside to 65 F in some of the rooms.

11. Try to bring a cell phone, DragonCon is HUGE and if you have friends you want to meet or you go to different panels you'll need one to find each other quickly. There is a caveat to this though, in the basements of the hotels where some of the panels are, there is no signal. So voicemail is your friend, and for goodness sakes, if your in a panel (yes even one of the big ones) turn your ringer off and put it on vibrate.

12. Some of the bigger events at the con such as the Dawn Contest, The Masquerade, the Parade are broadcast either live or on a slight delay on DragonCon TV which is the con channel piped to all the major hotel rooms. So if you miss one (and I suggest you attend all the ones I mentioned at least once in person) you can watch all the action from the comfort of the bar or your room. DragonCon TV also has some great announcements and Brian and crew (including myself on some) have some great bumpers and short commercial skits produced just for the con to watch as well as movies, anime and other great fan films going 24/7. Tune in and leave it on in your room, trust me.

We'll that is all I can think of at the moment. I'll certainly try to think up some more!

Rev. Chumley
Cult of UHF/Cult of Kung Fu Video Podcasts

[dcolanduno]

You also might want to order one of the re-cap DVD's from last year or the year before to get a good idea of what you are going to see and be in the middle of. They do a good job of showing how much fun and madness that goes on there so you can then know how to dress, and what you should be prepared for. :cool:

[KenMcE]

Can anyone recommend which overflow hotel is best? All four of the main hotels are completely sold out.

[dcolanduno]

I know a few people who have used the Downtown Westin and have been quite happy with staying there.

[Thanatophobia]

There are a few simple rules you can follow in order to get better service at any bar. These rules will make your night at the bars a little smoother and you'll get better service...

1. Don't wave your money around like a jerk to get the bartender's attention. This just makes you seem arrogant.
Make eye contact with the bartender and be patient. She saw you and has a queue in her head of who got to the bar in what order.
Keep your money in your hand in front of you on the bar to signify you are ready to place your order.

2. Have your order ready when she gets to you... Nothing is more irritating than "Uhhhh.... Whats good?"
Have a backup drink ready just in case the bar is out of the particular drink you want.

3. Don't order anything that takes forever to make or has a huge ingredient list.
This just makes the bartender want to serve you less and less each time you order it.

4. Find a drink and stick with it. It makes it easier to serve you. The bartender won't have to ask you what you want when she sees you. She already knows.

5. Don't bait and switch. Don't let the guy/girl next to you take your place in the line because you think he/she is hot. The bartender came to you and was going to get to that person eventually. You just lost your place in line and the guy/girl doesn't have time to talk to you because they are already on their way back to their seat and you have to wait for a drink.

6. Be nice. To everyone. Period. If you are the git that the bartender has had complaints about she will more than likely stop serving you in a timely fashion.

7. The BIG one. Tipping is very important. The lady who is hustling to serve you your cosmopolitan quickly makes her living on tips. Most people know that you tip AT LEAST 15%, but you should consider tipping in the vicinity of 18-20 percent. This makes her want to come back to you and treat you like you deserve to be served quickly. Another rule is a dollar per drink tip. Also, a tip jar is no place for change.

8. (Scott's rule) Don't flirt with the wait staff. No matter how hot she is, she is off limits to you. IF there is the smallest chance that they are into you they will let you know.

Those are a few rules that you may find helpful. I hope that you will take them into consideration. As a bartender I find that people who follow just a few of these are my favorite customers.

Mostly, have a good con

[dcolanduno]

Good points, my father while I was in High School ran and managed a very popular bar/nightclub. Making sure you always make eye-contact and TIP, no matter how small. Is always the best way to make sure you get the best service. :)