San Diego Con 2005 Photo Album

[Todd Shogun]

I finially finished the UYD's photo album for the SDCC 2005. Lots of coverage over at http://usagiyojimbo.com/conventions/sdcc-2005.html

[Gaffey]

Great pics! I can't believe all the goodies that can be had at the SDCC. Mogura Ninja original art .

[hakucho]

Wow, it looks like everyone had fun! ^w^

[Mayhem]

Looks like I might just have to get myself to the Con next year... seeing as the other cons I go to in the US are not happening in 2006. So, do I start making plans now already btw?

[Leonardo-san]

Looks like I might just have to get myself to the Con next year... seeing as the other cons I go to in the US are not happening in 2006. So, do I start making plans now already btw?

You'll want to preregister by April to get the best price on the 4 day + Preview night pass.
You'll want to be ready to book your hotel room(s) around...what is it going to be this year? I think in February.

Yes, the Con isn't until July, but if you want the hotels right on the shuttle bus routes, you have to book your hotel room within a couple of days of the rooms going up for booking. It fills up fast.

The info is all on the official San Diego Comic-con page. You could google it or someone will post the link.

[Mayhem]

Yeah I was asking because I recall the part about the hotel rooms filling up fast you see

I'd not book for the whole 4 days in all honesty... two would probably be enough. But it's a chance to meet Stan (finally!) and all you peeps from the board if possible

[Colin Solan]

I was watching a Star Wars documentary the other day and they talked about going to SDCC in '76 to promote the movie. Amazing how far it's come.

One of these days I'll have to get out there but for now I'll have to content myself w/ Stan's Long Is appearance.

[Leonardo-san]

I was watching a Star Wars documentary the other day and they talked about going to SDCC in '76 to promote the movie. Amazing how far it's come.

One of these days I'll have to get out there but for now I'll have to content myself w/ Stan's Long Is appearance.

If you are also a SW fan, you should come out to SDC! The past few years, the SW pavillion is one of the largest blocks of booths at the con. And they have a whole day of SW panels.

We have a friend in our group that came from Worcester, MA last year. He's supposed to be coming again this year. And another friend who was from Holden, but now she's living out here in CA. I've visited there a couple of times and enjoyed it!

And coming from the UK? That'd be fun, Mayhem!
I've had a lot of fun meeting some international LotR message board members at various events. It'd be neat to meet some international UY members, too.

[Mayhem]

I've done Vegas, San Jose and San Francisco for cons, so San Diego is not going to be much more of the stretch

It's just that they've been going on at a time just outside being able to go to ComiCon and them at the same time (as they've usually been on early July or mid August). Now that my schedule US con wise is empty in 2006, then perhaps I can do this next year instead!

[Todd Shogun]

I'd recommend searching for hotel rooms NOW. They sell out quick and increase their rates as you get closer to the Con. The Horton is already charging $750/night for Jul 20-23. Another thing you can do is book with a hotel now that may not be the best price or location, and wait until the hotel of your choice opens up rooms (if no rooms are available now). That's what I do and it works out great. You can always cancel.

[Leonardo-san]

I'd recommend searching for hotel rooms NOW. They sell out quick and increase their rates as you get closer to the Con. The Horton is already charging $750/night for Jul 20-23. Another thing you can do is book with a hotel now that may not be the best price or location, and wait until the hotel of your choice opens up rooms (if no rooms are available now). That's what I do and it works out great. You can always cancel.

The "official" SDC hotels already have blocks of rooms being held for SDC. But they won't become available until the website opens them up for booking per the date on the website. So once their other rooms not on the blocked list fill up, if you call them, they'll tell you they have nothing available. But when the booking part of the website opens up, they will--until those are gone. And that's usually within a couple of days.
Also, it is true that a lot of the hotels provide discounted rates through the SDC website. To get them, you usually have to go through the website to book--though sometimes you can pull it off in other ways.

However, you could just book something now, and see if you can improve on it through the con website.

But if you want a hotel that is not on their list, it would be a really good idea to book now.

[Mayhem]

So it's pretty much select a hotel you want (the closer to the con the better), and then on the day in question get it there?

Which leaves the following Qs having had a look at the site...

1) How do I register if I live outside the US? There only appears to be a form, and that's really set up for US citizens.

2) By the looks of things, you can only buy a 4 day pass, nothing else?

3) A list of the hotels that are used by the Con? I couldn't find it... must be blind probably

4) The date on which booking for these will open up?

5) How far the Con location is from SD airport? The map location thingy didn't seem to work for me

[Leonardo-san]

So it's pretty much select a hotel you want (the closer to the con the better), and then on the day in question get it there?

Which leaves the following Qs having had a look at the site...

1) How do I register if I live outside the US? There only appears to be a form, and that's really set up for US citizens.

--I know that there are plenty of international attendees. I knew someone that came from Australia one year from our TMNT message boards, and some from the UK from the LotR boards.
The registration form has an area for country (if not USA) and country mailing code. So you would just ignore the parts that don't apply and leave them blank for your address.
And if you can get your money submitted through any of their accepted payment forms, you should be all set by just filling it out and mailing it. Or you could have a trusted friend in the USA fill out the form for you with all of your country code information, and mail it in for you. I don't think the Con would freak out over that? As long as the information was correct and payment was legit....
The badges are not mailed out, but they do send out a confirmation mailer with your registration number. The convention's badge pick-up is incrediably sophisticated and fast, so even if you don't get that confirmation mailer or lose it, all you need is a form of legal identification (passport should work fine) and remember the name you sent your registration in as.


2) By the looks of things, you can only buy a 4 day pass, nothing else?

--Right now they are just selling the 4-day memberships.
They will sell single day passes as the convention gets closer, and you can just buy the days you want. I seem to recall seeing them sell them through early registration forms, too?
You can also just buy the passes when you get to the con itself, if you choose. You don't have to pre-register at all, if you don't want to.
Keep in mind that it is *sometimes* cheaper to get the 4-day pass with Preview Night access, and then just not go to the convention every day or all day if you've planned something else for the day. If you've got a block of vacation time set up for San Diego, you can wait until you see the programming and autograph schedule, and then pick which days or times you want to be at the con. Then go to the zoo, the beach, museums, shopping, etc. as you please.

3) A list of the hotels that are used by the Con? I couldn't find it... must be blind probably

--It says they are negotiating with the hotels right now, check back in January for more information. That will include your answer to #4.


4) The date on which booking for these will open up?

--see above.

5) How far the Con location is from SD airport? The map location thingy didn't seem to work for me

--Not far at all!
You can get a taxi ride from the airport to most of the convention hotels and it won't cost much. Probabably $5-10.
There are also airport shuttle buses. The airport would be the best place to get information on ground transportation, probably. Or a San Diego visitors webpage.

Happy planning your trip!!

[Kodiakc]

I would buy one of the black banner/flags i see behind Stan so fast if they were ever offered it looks awesome!

[Mayhem]

Cheers for that Leonardo-San. I'll have a look again in a couple of weeks time then. Most likely I'll go out to Chicago to visit a friend of mine for a while, and then head to the Con from there. Might bring her along if she is interested. Have to see. She does read comics at least heh.

If need be, I could have her fill in the form, but probs best I'll send them an email and see what they think the best way of doing it will be...