SDCC Special Edition Reviews

[hikanteki]

I’m hoping they uphold the promise of guaranteed 2023 badges for attendees. If that pans out, it’ll have been worth it. 

I know they said attendees will be eligible for the 2023 presale, but did they actually promise guaranteed badges?

[marcia29]

I know they said attendees will be eligible for the 2023 presale, but did they actually promise guaranteed badges?

This is copied from the CCI Badge sale info page:

"Bonus! All attendees who purchase a badge for Comic-Con Special Edition will be automatically eligible to participate in Comic-Con 2023 Returning Registration next year!" 

[sessionka]

I’m hoping they uphold the promise of guaranteed 2023 badges for attendees. If that pans out, it’ll have been worth it. 

I thought they were letting first time attendees participate in pre-reg for 2023.  I didn't think it was a guarantee for badges.

Did I miss something?

[Chris]

Random observation from photos:  it looked like people found a lot of creative ways to incorporating masks into their cosplay.

[chocolateshake]

Its probably a lot less than you are thinking. I used to volunteer at the Air and Space Museum next door and they only pay $1 a year to the city for the lease but the museum is responsible for all the upkeep and repairs to the building which is where the money sink comes in. The money from tourism to the museums outweigh the money the city gets get from charging rent at standard pricing. Most of their cost seems to get the museum up to current standards.

Which is most likely the same situation with the comic-con museum.  Especially since the lease the Sports Museum had before it was for $0.  What is unclear to me is who did CCI lease that space from?  Did they lease it from the Sports Museum or the city?  The Sports Museum had a lease for 55 years, that lease should still be good for about another 20 years.  When all this went down in 2017, the news reports were that the two organizations were discussing terms.  When the announcement came, it came out of the Sports Museum.

But as you said, the money sink is the restoration and upkeep.  From what I understand, that's pretty substantial for the entire Palisades including the Federal Building.  That entire area had been allowed to dilapidate.  Look no further than the amphitheater next door.  Although CCI isn't in it alone in restoring the Federal Building.  My understanding is that the Committee of 100 was instrumental in restoring the outside of the Federal Building to it's former glory.

[stl_ben]

I thought they were letting first time attendees participate in pre-reg for 2023.  I didn't think it was a guarantee for badges.

Did I miss something?

There is no guarantee for badges.  Just that they get to participate in pre-reg.

[Transmute Jun]

The real question is, will people who had 2020 badges (rolled over twice to 2022) also get to participate in 2023 pre-reg?

[hikanteki]

The real question is, will people who had 2020 badges (rolled over twice to 2022) also get to participate in 2023 pre-reg?

I don’t see why not.

[stl_ben]

...any other reviews...

[Mario Wario]

The real question is, will people who had 2020 badges (rolled over twice to 2022) also get to participate in 2023 pre-reg?

Yes, but more people will be joining pre-reg thanks to the CCSE pre-reg offer.

[Transmute Jun]

...any other reviews...

Well, there’s this one.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

[perc2100]

I think this is why they stuck with 3 day passes all through till the end.  This was a fund raiser.  It didn't hit me until I saw an interview about the comic-con museum opening.  CCI seems to be short on cash.  Paying rent on a big building like that just to have it sit idle for 2 years can't be helping.

To be fair:
1) the museum was never supposed to open until 2021; they had to do a MASSIVE indoor overhaul of the space to prep it for opening, and the plan was always to have it open 2021 (originally summer 2021, so it WAS delayed a few months)
2) CCI did get PPP loans: at least two of them. I know that's not the same has the revenue generated by WonderCon & (especially) Comic-Con by any stretch, and I also get those funds from the 'loans' (which, presuming they didn't have mass lay-offs they never have to pay back) are finite and do/did run-out.

That all being said, almost everyone/every business is indeed short on cash & this absolutely felt like a nice revenue stream for CCI.  I think they did a great job for the limited resources available to them (especially time of year - I know A LOT of comic pros who have been active with conventions this year that passed on SDCC SE because they didn't want to travel on Thanksgiving weekend).

[marcia29]

Yes, but more people will be joining pre-reg thanks to the CCSE pre-reg offer.

All hail the buying group leaders!

[perc2100]

The real question is, will people who had 2020 badges (rolled over twice to 2022) also get to participate in 2023 pre-reg?

Why wouldn't they?

[perc2100]

Random observation from photos:  it looked like people found a lot of creative ways to incorporating masks into their cosplay.

I did find some WILDLY inventive uses of masks last week.  One day I saw some dude dressed as Kevin Smith, with a mask of Smith's face.  The guy even had a similar body build (much closer to vegan Kevin Smith vs larger/chubbier Smith), and for a few seconds it REALLY tripped me up!