As most of you know, I’m an avid attendee at DragonCon every year. For those of you who don’t know what DragonCon is, it’s the largest general Pop Culture Fandom Convention in the Southeast, held on Labor Day weekend every year in Atlanta, Georgia. Most people would call it a sci-fi convention, but to do so would be to narrow it far too much. If there is anything in this world to geek out about, no matter what it is, DragonCon has it. There’s something for every sort of fan there.

The one unifying theme of DragonCon is that it is where geeks go to be geeks, no matter what sort of geek they are.

So here goes, the Annual (s)IB Survival Guide:

1. BRING COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!
   

   I cannot stress this enough. Unless you’re an athlete or work out regularly, you’ll probably be walking more in this one weekend than you walk all year. Total. And no, that’s not hyperbole for many of us. As cute as the thigh-high boots with the stiletto heels might be, you’ll hate yourself after a weekend in them.

2. MAKE A SCHEDULE WELL AHEAD OF TIME – Download the schedule grids as soon as they are available online and decide what you want to do, when.  Work out a tentative schedule for your Priority must-see items, plus some contingency options in case you don’t get into your first option. Leave time in your schedule to wait in line 3-5 hours for the big name panels. Make sure to allow time in your schedule to do those important things like bathroom breaks and eating. Remember: You cannot do everything. This is absolutely impossible, barring the invention of the time machine and/or the interference of our favorite Gallifreyan.. There will be things that you will miss.
   • The DragonCon schedules are still subject to change even during the convention. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Daily Dragon every morning (or afternoon, depending on when you wake up) to check on any changes that might have been made for the schedule that day. They are available at the info desks.
3. YOU WILL WAIT IN LINE:  Yes, I know that I said that in the schedule section, but you will be waiting in line a lot.  Leave your grumpy back in the hotel room and try to make the most of it and it can be fun.  You’re likely to meet some neat people in line, and you can costume-watch.
   • If you’re with a large group, it is acceptable to wait in shifts, particularly for families with small children.
4. DON’T LOSE YOUR BADGE – Your badge is required for admittance into any convention event, and you will have to pay for a new one if it gets lost.
5. PACK A SURVIVAL KIT – Bear Grylls might go into the wilderness with nothing but a shirt on his back, but you don’t want to go to DragonCon unprepared. Here are a few things that might be good to have on hand:
   • A basic Foot Care kit, including moleskin and bandages for blisters, gel shoe inserts, etc.
   • A basic First Aid kit, including, again, bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain reliever, antacid, allergy medicine/decongestant, any prescription medications, etc. Add condoms in there, if you think you’re likely to hook up. Be safe!
   • Bottle of hand sanitizer (to avoid the Con Crud)
   • Sunscreen. You can expect Atlanta in August to average over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Getting burned, if you’re prone to it, isn’t fun. Due to the same circumstances, extra deodorant is a wonderful thing.
   • An easy to carry and refill water bottle (and single-use flavoring pouches like Crystal Light makes, if you don’t want plain water) to save you money and help save the environment, by avoiding tossing plastic water bottles.
   • Bring your own snacks. They’ll be much cheaper than anything you can get at the stands in the hotels.  Double that for alcohol. The liquor stores and hotel bars love DragonCon goers, but you’ll spend anywhere from 3 to 5 times what you’d spend at home for the same drink.
   • A notepad and pen, for making notes for your blog (heh) and, of course, to write down contact info if you meet anyone neat.
   • Camera and lots of extra batteries if it’s not rechargeable. Bring twice what you think you’ll need.
   • For more suggested items to bring, see the Packing List on the DragonCon Wiki.
6. Set up a location and landmark to meet at if you get separated from your group.
7. DragonCon offers a Con Suite, where there is always something cold to drink and usually snacks, all of which are free. This year, the Con Suite is in the Hyatt, rooms 223 and 226.
8. SET A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT: I withdraw a specific amount of “mad money” each year to take to DragonCon. I am allowed to spend that money, and only that money, no more.  Keep your money and a picture ID safe in a money-belt, which are handy for tucking into pocketless costumes. Stick a list of emergency contacts in there too.
9. BE POLITE: I have heard so many horror stories told by actors after ComicCon.  On the other hand, I’ve heard tons of good things from the actors and guests about DragonCon. Let’s keep it that way. When in doubt, follow the advice of the Great Geek God, Wil Wheaton, and “Don’t Be a Dick.”
10. COSTUMERS:
    • Be sure to start your costume well ahead of the convention! You don’t want to be staying up late the night before you leave to finish your outfit.  I usually start my costumes about 2-3 months ahead of time, depending on how time consuming and/or expensive they might be. My Tom Baker Scarf, however, I’ve been working on since Christmas.
    • Bring a needle and thread and some safety pins, just in case, and some Febreeze to freshen it up if necessary, also some color-safe stain remover, if your costume can handle it.
    • Take into account your body type when planning your costume! Yes, there are a lot of totally toned young hotties going around in nothing but a few bits of string, but honestly, no one wants to be a couple steps down on the escalator with their nose inches from a stranger’s uncovered ass, no matter how toned it is.  As insulting as it may sound, I know no one wants to see my cellulite, and I’m fairly sure no one wants to see yours either.
    • I have heard, though I would not vouch for its veracity, that it is legal for women to go about topless after 10 PM in downtown Atlanta, provided their nipples are covered with pasties or the like. However, I do not recommend it, as I have seen some police officers get a bit testy about it. If you’re going to go uncovered or painted and are particularly well-endowed, carry a shawl or covering of some sort to wear until you get to your party.
11. LODGINGS & MISC.: Unfortunately, if you still don’t have a hotel room, with 29 days to go, you’re probably just SOL.  I am aware that a large number of people had their reservations canceled after the hotels were sold to become dorms, so there is an even larger number of roomless searching this year than usual.  The best place to find people willing to share a room and/or anything else you might have a need to ask is at the DragonCon Livejournal Community.

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