Newbie

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

Hi guys! My boyfriend is a big fan of all Joss Whedon, Dragon Con, Comic Con etc.. 
And hey I thought it'd be a cool present to give him a trip to Dragon Con but I'm a bit overwhelmed with all of the stuff that goes on here..do you guys have any suggestions for first timers as in what to do, see, etc.?? I want to really make this unforgettable and I appreciate any comments on this.

Thanks!

Comments

[fluffydragon.livejournal.com]

Go to the dragoncon website and find a downloadable program or list of events - both of you pick things you want to see separately and together, but really, it's IMPOSSIBLE to see everything youre first trip. I recommend chilling at some of the tabletop roleplay tables, going to costume contests and finding out which of your favorite webcomic artists and actors are going to be there. The Pirate party is supposed to be a lot of fun too :D

Pick one night and take time out for yourselves.. there's an amazing restuarant called Caca Fuego or something like that which is expensive, but really a great experience - my husband and I keep our sanity by having at least one date night out of the whole con weekend to just be ourselves and de-con a bit.

pace yourselves out, and try to be prepared to take an extra day off to just recover :)

Have fun!!

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

thanks for you comment! I will take note of what you said and hey yeah I did look at the pirate party and was interested :) hehe, thanks again!

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

Also, is the program ready to be downloaded with the list of events? where can I get that?

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

WhedonUniverse.com has info on the Whedontrack: guests, panels, special events, etc. It's still pretty thin but will grow quickly over the next month and a half. You'll definitely want to try to see Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog and the Buffy Horror Picture Show (lines can be pretty long), and the Shindig is the big party for the weekend, normally Saturday night. Costumes are encouraged but not required. :)

Otherwise, spend time wandering the hotels to see the costumes, check out the dealer room, exhibits, and art show, and hit the Walk of Fame if you want to meet guests. (Again, some lines will be long.)

[numbereleven.livejournal.com]

I'd poke around at the forums too, at http://www.whedonuniverse.com/forum/ for info, and a board of pretty cool people. (=

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

cool! thanks for the link!

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

Yes! WhedonUniverse.com! great suggestion! thank you! well about the Shindig, I doubt my boyfriend would want to dress up but I would love it...having a hard time deciding tho..im pretty small figuered...any suggestions? thanks for ur suggestions again!

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

To be honest, it's going to be unforgettable no matter what you two end up doing. All I'd say is pick a few things you want to see, and enjoy the experience of just being there and soaking up all kinds of geekiness around you :D

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

haha! that's awesome thank you soo much! Will definetely pace ourselves...hey is the celebrity type banquet that they have worth it? Do you know?

[learath.livejournal.com]

Leave plenty of time just to watch and or wander around. There is an almost unlimited list of stuff to do, but if you're just running from one event to another it gets kinda un-fun.

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

that is true! Are there that many events! we booked from Sept. 3rd through the 7th I hope thats enough time to do everything and hey I hear they're giving dicsounts for the Aquarium...sounds interesting do you know how I can get them?

[learath.livejournal.com]

There is easily that much to do depending on what you're interested.
Honestly the only times I've made it out of the con are the trips to a bar called The Vortex which is fairly nearby, so I have no idea about other stuff in the city. IIRC there is a modern art museum right next door.

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

Well i'll keep that in mind! thanks

[numbereleven.livejournal.com]

Whedontrack is basically my home base. All the staff are extremely friendly, and once you find the track room, there's something fun happening there, always.

For Buffy Horror, and Dr Horrible live, make sure you get there massively early. The first cast of Buffy is full costume, and I believe the first two of Dr Horrible is. The last cast of each is usually the most casual. These shows are SO fun to be in... and I hear they're fun to watch, too! (=

As for the Shindig, I've literally never attended it, because the line is overwhelming to me. I usually see it, and go, "Okay, back to the bar!"

Honestly, if you do nothing but attend a few panels and costume watch, it'll be a great time. Try to plan out a VERY flexible schedule, and be willing to break it.

[xenaclone.livejournal.com]

/\ I at least, will be wearing a blue homemade zoot suit in the #2 Buffy Horror Picture show :-).

The Shindig will be a must for me. Just hope they provide a larger bar this year :-).

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

thanks for the info! Is there an actual room where they have all of these Buffy Horror, and Dr Horrible live events? how early do you recommend getting there? Do you have to dress up for this? Also, what are the panels? thanks for the heads up!

[numbereleven.livejournal.com]

Buffy Horror and Dr Horrible Live were in the Sheraton ballroom last year, which was a great space for them, so I'm hoping that's where they are this year. I believe that they let the same audience for Buffy sit for Dr Horrible (or vice versa?) because one came right after another. I'd really recommend both, so in case that happens this year, I'd line up for the first show, whichever it is.

Panels and games will be in the track room. Not sure about where the celebrity panels will go, I guess that depends on size demands and whatnot.

Also, you don't HAVE to dress up for anything (except if you're in the costume contest, of course,) but it's encouraged! You can't even count the amount of Dr Horrible goggles in the audience.

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

thanks for the info! I hope I can you and the other there! maybe I should dress up like a princess or something...any suggestions? im pretty small, petite about 5'1 or 5'2 and my bf is almost like 5'11 lol. I mean i've dressed up as supergirl fro halloween but not sure how it is going to be there. Anyways, thanks for the suggestions and I will make note of them! Do the majority of people dress up?

[numbereleven.livejournal.com]

Oh seriously, if it's your first con, and you don't have a costume ready to go, don't worry about it!!

I went year one with one Stargate costume I wore every single day, and just marvelled at everyone in costume. I'd say it's about 50/50, but my numbers may be really off because sometimes I don't know when a costume is a costume, and I pay more attention to costumes. But there is a good healthy chunk of people in fandom shirts, goth clothes, t-shirts and jeans.

Especially since it's coming up so soon, if I were you, I'd focus on getting my planning for everything done, and take in the costumey view this year. It will definitely inspire you for next year.

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

okay great! thanks again! So the pirate party...do you have to dress up for that one? Also, do you know what the weather was like there last year? like was it cold or pretty much hot...I live in S. Fl so im used to really hot and really himid weather. thanks again!

[numbereleven.livejournal.com]

You don't have to dress up for the Pirate party! I thought so too at first, but they make it a point to say so now. I somehow keep missing that one, too...

Also, I'm from NY state, so the weather for me? HOT and HUMID. haha, I dunno how it fares to you guys. But I just about die anytime I have to step outside.

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! weather.com it is then lol thanks!

[starlady42.livejournal.com]

Dragon*Con standards you absolutely should not miss:
- The parade (Saturday morning). Nothing like seeing several hundred stormtroopers marching through the streets of Atlanta (and of course two thousand other people in costume!).
- The Masquerade (Sunday night). It's broadcast on DCTV, so if you're in one of the conference hotels you can watch it in your room, but as this is your first year I'd really recommend getting in line and watching it live in Centennial.
- Peoplewatching on the Concourse level
- The Lips Down on Dixie performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Emerald Rose, the Cruxshadows, Voltaire, and the Bedlam Bards are Dragon*Con musical institutions -- catch 'em if you can

Whedonverse things you should definitely do:
- The Shindig (probably Saturday night)
- Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog performance and/or Buffy Horror Picture Show - as mentioned above, get in line EARLY
- Any of the big actor panels -- Marsters is usually good for a few laughs, and this'll be Felicia Day's first year at 'con

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

If I dress up with my bf can I be in the parade or is it somehting else? Whats is the Masquerade? a dancing event or something? And as for Felicia Day that's awesome I actually follow her on twitter and that's where I got the idea to give this trip as a b-day present for him! :) Thank for the information tho. this is great! :)

[rooneym.livejournal.com]

If you two go to the Dealer's Rooms go by the Austin Browncoats, QMx, and SouthEastern Browncoats.

Combined, they sell alomst anything you want from teh Whedonverse.

PS Shoot me a PM, i have an offer..

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

thanks very cool...will send u a pm!

[genixbear.livejournal.com]

The one thing I can tell someone who is a newbie, make a list of everything you want to see or attend, and then see how it goes. Don't be disappointed if you don't see everything you want to see. This will be my 4th year and I know I haven't even begun to see everything.

If you have a smart phone, make a schedule on your calendar in it, that's easier to access than the pocket program, but set reminders for 30-45 mins in advance since sometimes one thing your doing will be in the Hilton and the next is in the Hyatt.

Good shoes is a must. There is a lot of walking and standing involved.

[princessdayanna.livejournal.com]

Check and noted! thank you for your help! unfortunately dont have a smart phone but if I can get around Disney without getting lost and manage to see everything i'm sure I could do this! hehe lol I will be sure to bring some good shoes...hadnt thought about that one thanks!