Author Topic: WonderCon 2013 Reviews  (Read 29065 times)

Offline Car_Low

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #30 on: April 01, 2013, 06:23:14 PM »
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Not so dead! We were at the Under the Dome panel during that time.
You mean the show with the same plot as the simpsons movie? Haha. Me and khan was there to kill time so it pretty much was a dead period to us.

Offline perc2100

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #31 on: April 01, 2013, 08:07:54 PM »
One other thing I forgot that doesn't apply to all:

* there was no attempt/protocol/logistics in "connected" child badges with adult guardian badge.  At SD Comic-Con when I pick up by badge and 'register' my so (who's now 11), they put my contact info on a barcode on my son's child badge.  If we ever get separated someone could take my son to a CCI employee, they can can the badge, get my info and give me a call.  At WonderCon they seemingly just gave him a similar badge with "CHILD" written on it with not connected barcode.  I've never had any problems with my son and I separating, but if there is one thing I'd like to see changed it would be that.

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #32 on: Today at 09:43:23 AM »

Offline Khaaaaaaanh!!!

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #32 on: April 01, 2013, 08:35:23 PM »
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One other thing I forgot that doesn't apply to all:

* there was no attempt/protocol/logistics in "connected" child badges with adult guardian badge.  At SD Comic-Con when I pick up by badge and 'register' my so (who's now 11), they put my contact info on a barcode on my son's child badge.  If we ever get separated someone could take my son to a CCI employee, they can can the badge, get my info and give me a call.  At WonderCon they seemingly just gave him a similar badge with "CHILD" written on it with not connected barcode.  I've never had any problems with my son and I separating, but if there is one thing I'd like to see changed it would be that.

Or even our names printed on the badge would be a nice start!
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Offline RSilvaConFan

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #33 on: April 01, 2013, 09:36:33 PM »
This year's WonderCon was great!  Definitely larger than last year - great exhibit floor and the arena was a fantastic venue - the video projection sound systems were great. I especially want to thank the Dr Who/Wondercon people for accommodating the fans who couldn't get into 7pm Friday show by adding an additional showing that night.
 I hope that Wondercon stays in Anaheim - but that there can also be a show in SF as they need one also.

Offline Applescruff

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #34 on: April 01, 2013, 10:05:35 PM »
So I know I'm not a regular on this forum, but I do pop in once in a while.  So here's my two cents, for what it's worth. 

Pros
-Loved the Arena - every seat was comfortable and had a great view
-The panels were brilliant this year!  There was only one panel I wasn't able to get into and I knew the chances were unlikely to get in as I was leaving one panel and rushing to get into another back-to-back.  Also, CCI opened another room for the viewing of Doctor Who when they realized they were going to have to turn away masses of people.  Kudos for that!
-As someone mentioned earlier, loved the fountain area in front of the convention center so cosplayers and media/photographers could have their heyday.
-Again as someone else mentioned earlier, there were lots of great costumes this year.  I am not a cosplayer, but as a seamstress I can appreciate a good costume.  In the past, people have worn things bought at Party City and called it a costume.  But I really saw a step up from the past. Serious costuming - Niiiiiice!
Cons
-I was really disappointed with the selection of vendors.  I am guessing this was due to the convention being on Easter weekend.  There were numerous vendors who were there last year that did not attend this year and I was greatly disappointed.  And while the floor was larger and there were more vendors there seemed to be unnecessary repetition.  Do they really need two large t-shirt vendors and two large robe vendors?  I know they have this at ComicCon, but that's such a huge facility.
-The regulations at the private wristband signings were too restrictive. One had to win a ticket-pull to get the wristband, which set the numbers usually at 100 winners.  When you got to the signing you were not only restricted to what could be signed, but you couldn't even take a picture (for a memory of the event) from the line.  I can understand no photos once you get up to the signing table, but no photos from the line?  And they were very serious with repercussions; I saw security pull people's badges who had "broken the rules" and were escorted out of the convention.  The joy and synergy I've felt at other signings were completely absent from the WonderCon signings I experienced this weekend.
-The restrooms were way too small!  Every restroom I visited only had 4-5 stalls, with a line of ladies waiting.  Also, I don't mean to be gross, but the restrooms that were in the middle of the exhibit hall were completely misplaced.  Every time I was on my way to Dark Horse Comics and had to pass the men's restroom, oh my! A most unpleasant wall of putrid odor would hit me.  Honestly, I don't know how the staff at Dark Horse made it through the weekend!
So those are my thoughts - that's just how I experienced it.  WonderCon is no ComicCon.  But I do love it and hope they keep a version of it in Anaheim!

Offline YouThinkMeMad

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #35 on: April 02, 2013, 05:24:56 AM »
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So I know I'm not a regular on this forum, but I do pop in once in a while.  So here's my two cents, for what it's worth. 

Pros
-Loved the Arena - every seat was comfortable and had a great view
-The panels were brilliant this year!  There was only one panel I wasn't able to get into and I knew the chances were unlikely to get in as I was leaving one panel and rushing to get into another back-to-back.  Also, CCI opened another room for the viewing of Doctor Who when they realized they were going to have to turn away masses of people.  Kudos for that!
-As someone mentioned earlier, loved the fountain area in front of the convention center so cosplayers and media/photographers could have their heyday.
-Again as someone else mentioned earlier, there were lots of great costumes this year.  I am not a cosplayer, but as a seamstress I can appreciate a good costume.  In the past, people have worn things bought at Party City and called it a costume.  But I really saw a step up from the past. Serious costuming - Niiiiiice!
Cons
-I was really disappointed with the selection of vendors.  I am guessing this was due to the convention being on Easter weekend.  There were numerous vendors who were there last year that did not attend this year and I was greatly disappointed.  And while the floor was larger and there were more vendors there seemed to be unnecessary repetition.  Do they really need two large t-shirt vendors and two large robe vendors?  I know they have this at ComicCon, but that's such a huge facility.
-The regulations at the private wristband signings were too restrictive. One had to win a ticket-pull to get the wristband, which set the numbers usually at 100 winners.  When you got to the signing you were not only restricted to what could be signed, but you couldn't even take a picture (for a memory of the event) from the line.  I can understand no photos once you get up to the signing table, but no photos from the line?  And they were very serious with repercussions; I saw security pull people's badges who had "broken the rules" and were escorted out of the convention.  The joy and synergy I've felt at other signings were completely absent from the WonderCon signings I experienced this weekend.
-The restrooms were way too small!  Every restroom I visited only had 4-5 stalls, with a line of ladies waiting.  Also, I don't mean to be gross, but the restrooms that were in the middle of the exhibit hall were completely misplaced.  Every time I was on my way to Dark Horse Comics and had to pass the men's restroom, oh my! A most unpleasant wall of putrid odor would hit me.  Honestly, I don't know how the staff at Dark Horse made it through the weekend!
So those are my thoughts - that's just how I experienced it.  WonderCon is no ComicCon.  But I do love it and hope they keep a version of it in Anaheim!

What signing was really strict? I know I've seen tons of photos from the Arrow signing from people waiting in line and Stephen even taking photos with fans.

Offline alyssa

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #36 on: April 02, 2013, 05:27:08 AM »
thx applescruff & rsilvaconfan,

i don't know how much control cci has over bathrooms.  I would suspect due to the physical restrictions abt the bathrooms, the only control cci could do would be to insist on more cleaning of the mens rooms, better signing (directions to other wm's rooms).

Regarding vendors, maybe not allowing second vendors and holding out for more varied stores?  the risk is having empty tables...

my hope is that there are two WonderCon's, north & south
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Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #37 on: April 02, 2013, 06:58:41 AM »
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You mean the show with the same plot as the simpsons movie? Haha. Me and khan was there to kill time so it pretty much was a dead period to us.

LOL, yep. Although to be fair, Stephen King came up with the idea long before the Simpsons existed. ;)  But I really enjoyed the book, so I'm looking forward to see what they do with the TV series.

I did notice a couple of the women's bathrooms closest to the Exhibit hall had lines, but I never had to wait in the bathrooms on the second floor (close to the panel rooms). So if you were desperate, it was easy to hop the escalator and go up.

I didn 't smell anything from the men's bathroom, but then, I didn't get too close! ;)
« Last Edit: April 02, 2013, 07:02:07 AM by Transmute Jun »

Offline MacAttack

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #38 on: April 02, 2013, 08:39:57 AM »
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my hope is that there are two WonderCon's, north & south

According to Jim's insider, it looks like that is hopefully the plan.

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I had lunch today with friend from San Francisco and she knows someone who helps run WonderCon and the plan seems to to be to have two WonderCons per year . One in SF and one in Anaheim , I guess we will see if that's what they are going to try and do.

It'll be interesting to watch how WonderCon grows if they continue with it in Anaheim.

Offline Applescruff

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #39 on: April 02, 2013, 09:06:48 AM »
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What signing was really strict? I know I've seen tons of photos from the Arrow signing from people waiting in line and Stephen even taking photos with fans.
The two wristband signings I got into on Saturday were Guillermo Del Toro and Mortal Instruments; however, the instructions were the same for Evil Dead.  While we were in the holding area, they went so far as the instruct fans NOT to talk to Guillermo (you know how he likes to talk to his fans!) so they could get us through quicker. I'm grateful for the opportunity of the signing, but they made it as "fan un-friendly" as it gets. Sad :(

Offline oneroomdisco

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #40 on: April 02, 2013, 09:23:00 AM »
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The two wristband signings I got into on Saturday were Guillermo Del Toro and Mortal Instruments; however, the instructions were the same for Evil Dead.  While we were in the holding area, they went so far as the instruct fans NOT to talk to Guillermo (you know how he likes to talk to his fans!) so they could get us through quicker. I'm grateful for the opportunity of the signing, but they made it as "fan un-friendly" as it gets. Sad :(

I figured it was one of these.  My friend did them and saw a guy leaning against the wall with a closed fist have security come over, thinking that he had a phone in his hand.  I wonder if these rules were the result of the studios or CCI.  I've done numerous signings at anime cons with similar rules (although I've yet to encounter not being allowed pictures of the lines), but those are usually the result of the Japanese guest's management.

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WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #41 on: April 02, 2013, 09:31:21 AM »
Stylin and superhero stuff are a con staple (the two big t shirt vendors). It's both difficult and expensive  to be a vendor at a CCI event.  If we limit the number of t-shirt vendors, should we limit who can sell books. Each vendor had something different.  The wristband lotto was done last year at SDCC. If you think about it, at lottery is pretty much the fairest way.

Offline tragedys

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #42 on: April 02, 2013, 09:38:54 AM »
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I figured it was one of these.  My friend did them and saw a guy leaning against the wall with a closed fist have security come over, thinking that he had a phone in his hand.  I wonder if these rules were the result of the studios or CCI.  I've done numerous signings at anime cons with similar rules (although I've yet to encounter not being allowed pictures of the lines), but those are usually the result of the Japanese guest's management.

During this years Portland Comic con only some of the guests had the 'no pictures' signs up (Bruce Campbell, Morena Bacarrin, Brent Spiner) but others allowed pics to be snapped away (Henry Winkler, Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker).  The security wasn't as ferocious (as it's a small con) but still tried to discourage it as much as possible.  I think it's up to the individual star as to what their preferences are and then up to the security team to determine to what degree they will enforce it.
I'm sure there is a good combination of 'I don't want to be blinded by flashes all day' with 'I need to sell my photo op tickets'.  In the end, they are human and have their reasons.  It just makes you feel more ninja like if you are able to sneak in that photo while in line. *smoke bomb*

Offline Khaaaaaaanh!!!

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #43 on: April 02, 2013, 10:26:58 AM »
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I wonder if these rules were the result of the studios or CCI.

Could be combination - studio says one thing, CCI says something and security is looking to impress both by strictly enforcing. Usually what happens when you have multiple directives.
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Offline YouThinkMeMad

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Re: WonderCon 2013 Reviews
« Reply #44 on: April 02, 2013, 10:43:58 AM »
I can understand why they wouldn't want random people who weren't in line for something taking photos, it can cause a huge traffic jam but if I'm in line and want to snap something really quick, it shouldn't be an issue. IMO anyway.