Question regarding lines

[destinyman50.livejournal.com]

Hey, first time con goer here with a question regarding how early it is recommended to arrive for panels involving celebrity guests. I've heard that the official line for all panels starts an hour before the panels themselves start but for the more star filled things such as the Firefly cast or The Guild should one arrive early? If so, how early? Do you just wait around in the general area until the line starts or do con officials try to prevent that?

Comments

[irishbuddha.livejournal.com]

Lines normally are not allowed tp form more than 1 hour prior to the panel. This prevents two lines for different stuff and areas getting too blocked off. Just wait in the general areas and form the line when the time comes.

[destinyman50.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!

[braidedmane.livejournal.com]

While the 1-hour thing is technically the rule, I did not get the impression last year that they were being as strict as they could have been about it. But people were bitching so perhaps they'll do differently this year. (For the record, I wasn't trying to get into anything big so I didn't have this experience firsthand--it was something I heard from others around the con, so I don't know if that was how things were all over or just an isolated incident.) You might want to swing by earlier and scope out the situation.

[grimthorn.livejournal.com]

No lines earlier than 1 hour before an event. If you got in line 2 hours early for "The Guild", for example, you would be ushered into the ballroom as soon as space is available. If it is the panel before "The Guild", you would then have to leave and go to the back of whatever line has formed while you were inside. (Unlike other cons, Dragon*Con clears every room in between panels. No "camping" in a ballroom all day.)

That is probably not as well worded as it could be, but give me a break. I'm the guy who has 4 "Guild" panels to run next weekend. =P

-K

[kyndig.livejournal.com]

Will that actually be happening this year? For every panel? There seemed to be a LOT of confusion around this last year.

[grimthorn.livejournal.com]

That is our intent. How well it is executed depends on factors that we have not yet... factored or something.

[kyndig.livejournal.com]

Great! I hope it is well executed and that there are minimum of unexpected factors.

Thanks for spending your free time working to make the con a better place btw. :)

[whiteladyeowyn.livejournal.com]

+1

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

It's a good system, one that was implemented after the SDCC fiasco with Twilight fans camping in an auditorium for 5 or 6 hours before their panel started, and generally being jerks.
Security is generally very good about ensuring that a ballroom is cleared, announcing loudly that the next panels seating will not start until the ballroom is clear.

[pagemasterjim.livejournal.com]

We have actually been doing it long before the incident at SDCC. :) (Also, the staff responsible for these room clears are usually the TechOps staff. Not to say Security doesn't help keep the flow going once the room exists, and other great, important tasks. Just saying this so you can be sure to thank the Tech staffer in your room on the way out, as they are often the staff behind the curtain.)

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

Wasn't aware that it was techops. Learn something new every day!
I spent enough time as a redshirt at various cons and such to appreciate everything that volunteers do :)

Dragon*Con! Over two decades and not a single eyeball stabbing!

[kyndig.livejournal.com]

Last year was a bit of a disaster IMO. If you want to get good seats, I'd recommend swinging by early and seeing if the unofficial line has formed.

I think that the way the lines were handled last year created dangerous situations for no good reason. I think the idea of keeping lines from forming too far in advance is an excellent one. On the other hand, at some panels this just made people create unofficial lines and then when they announced the formation of a real line it was chaos! People ran and pushed and shoved to get into the front of the official line. Fortunately, I'm a pretty good size guy who plays in mosh pits for fun so it wasn't bad for me, but I ended up...being forceful a few times after someone I was with was pushed around.

[mirana.livejournal.com]

Yeaaaah, the "no lines form until an hour beforehand" is complete BS from what I've seen. For the big panels if you show up at the 1 hr before mark, you're already going to be standing outside...probably around the block. For panels that are in the large, ground level rooms at the Marriott, they don't even line you up at the door. The beginning of the line starts in the back hallway and goes out the back doors of the hotel so that it doesn't interfere with the main level traffic. At the Hilton the year of Patrick Stewart, an hour out got you in line in the MALL. With the Sherton (or was it the Westin? Crap.) panels it's always been outside standing at the one hour mark.

I don't know what the "be at the front of the line" time is for panels, honestly. I don't think it's worth wasting that much of my con in line for more than an hr. :P

[ninepointfivemm.livejournal.com]

For the Firefly megapanel in 2010, I got there at an hour and a half before, and I ended up being in one of the last couple rows. People who got there after me were turned away.

[siege1010.livejournal.com]

I know that last year I showed up to The Guild panel 1.5 hours early and scored third row. There def was an unofficial line before there was the official. It all depends really. However, first in line can get you a seat by the wall. So consider that as well.

[soulflare.livejournal.com]

Last year there was a bit of a stampede (no, seriously) at one of the BSG panels when the one hour pre-panel lineup mark struck.

The staff guy that opened up the rope line had a smirk on his face as he led a bunch of wheres-the-line-start inquirers to the spot outside the atrium ballroom where the ropes ended (just across the pulse lounge area across from some double doors leading outside). As soon as he lifted the rope that blocked off the end of that area, everyone rushed in, knocking down one or two of the rope stands in the process. Just outside the double doors was a long unofficial line which also joined in the rush as soon as they saw what was going on.

But nobody fell down (I almost did), no trampling injuries or deaths, so I kinna doubt anything is changing this year for the better. But I am a fan of being pleasantly surprised?

[delle.livejournal.com]

for most panels, even really really popular ones, you can show up a few minutes before the panel starts and usually (USUALLY being the operative word) get a seat in the back. there are large screens so you can see everyone up on the panel anyway. for the massively MASSIVELY popular panels, there's always DCTV. Personally, I won't wait in a line for a panel - there's simply too much other fun stuff to do to waste my con time sitting in a line.

[don3172.livejournal.com]

This. I've been to Dragon*Con six (seven?) times and I've only been turned away from two panels. Firefly in 2010 (so I do recommend getting there early for that one) and a Venture Bros. panel/signing in 2006 or 07.

[encarmencita.livejournal.com]

Firefly panels are one of the biggest draws at con. Same with autographs. Usually the longest lines. Browncoats rawk. That being said, the only panel I've never gotten into was a Buffy one last year (but I arrived only a few minutes before they began seating). I usually arrive 1.5 to 2 hours ahead of time and get a seat in the front third of the hosting room. Much better waiting times than Comic Con.

[http://users.livejournal.com/mad_brilliant_/]

The Guild panels will be at the Sheraton, yes? You'll want to get there before the "official" line starts. Find the unofficial line. It'll be outside somewhere. So here's a pro tip: Bring an umbrella to block the sun (and the rain.) It'll get really hot out there, and you'll need some way to get out of the direct sunlight. Have a bottle of water with you too.

Same sitch for the Firefly panels, except those are at the Westin, and both the unofficial and the official lines are inside.

The Marriott and Hyatt are usually the worst when it comes to lines. Maybe you'll get lucky and avoid both of those.

[xenaclone.livejournal.com]

In 2007 [my first time] the line for the Firefly panel with Nathan, Jewel, Morena and Alan I got in had started at least 3 hours before the panel. I'm thinking Mr Baldwin might well meet with the same enthusiasm!

[tonyalittegirl.livejournal.com]

The lines are the one thing about Dragoncon that I am not looking forward to *sigh* last year I got into panels easily but that was because I was my dad's companion for his handicap, but he is not attending this year :( I have done the lines 4 years before but after attending a con where I didn't have to wait hours to get in a great panel it is sort of sad. Now don't get me wrong there where panels last year that even the handicap waiting area was full like the BSG one and there was a Smallville one that was full, in that case i was always nice to let a disabled person take my place and i got in the huge line and just caught up with my dad after the panel. I just wish other companion people would be as courteous but that is not the discussion here :)

[carsonok.livejournal.com]

After 6 Dragon*Cons, I pretty much skip any popular panels nowdays. After all, Patrick Stewart can only say the same thing so many times before it gets old. Plus popular panels are almost always taped and can be seen on DCTV. But yes, it seemed the 1 hour rule was haphazardly followed last year,so here's hoping for a better enforcement.

[encarmencita.livejournal.com]

Zod, I'd listen to Patrick Stewart read a laundry list. That voice! It always seems fresh. But, then again, if someone misses him at a panel they can always meet him in the Walk of Fame.

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

Echoing the statements here that if it's a big panel, you definitely want to be lurking in the area well before the hour the "official" line starts. Scope it out, see where everyone else is gathering, and stay near them so when the line does form you have a good chance of getting in. Actually, this applies to small panels as well, because you'd be amazed how many other people might also be into your obscure fandom and show up. Last year I attended a panel I thought would only have a handful of people and it ended up being standing-room-only, with many others being turned away.

TLDR: Basically, if seeing a panel is a priority, be prepared to get there early and wait a lot.

[astralfire.livejournal.com]

From the Pocket Program.

Large Room Capacity Policy
All event and program rooms have limited capacity as set by the Fire Marshal. Even though your badge is needed to get into all events, it does not guarantee you access to any event if the room has reached its capacity. Additionally, all large ballrooms will be cleared in between panels.

Line Formation Policy
Lines for ballroom events will not be allowed to form more than one hour prior to the event, or until the line for the current event has completely entered the ballroom. Each ballroom will have signage marking the location where the line may start to form. Those in line will not be allowed to enter the ballroom until the previous panel has been completely cleared.

[rap541.livejournal.com]

Is there any reason why, after doing this for 25 years, that someone can't figure out to count the seats in the theater and start counting people IN the lines so that if a panel is going to hit max capacity, the line is *ended* so people don't have to wait an hour or so to find out they can't get in? It would put an end to the "out the doors and around the block" lines that cause giant traffic jams.

[greycoupon.livejournal.com]

The only problem with the line formation policy is people are going to show up early and form lines. Without an "official" line you get people either milling around which blocks the walkway (and security tells them to move as it's a fire code violation) or they start an unofficial line. As other comments note, unofficial lines get really problematic.

Gillian Anderson is going to be here this year. I'm going to take a wild guess that quite a few people are going to want to line up more then an hour advance to see her. Just telling people they "can't" doesn't solve anything.

Is there some reason official lines for the popular panels can't start earlier? Put the line outside or down the hall somewhere that isn't a firecode violation. Put signage up directing people to the start of the line.

This could certainly get excessive but it would seem to make sense with the popular panels.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

I think the official line an hour beforehand is a great thing. It gives everyone an equal chance to get into the panel. If they started forming official lines in different places for different panels, it would be unfair. They might as well not clear the rooms at all. Standing in line for panels is a part of con life. Most people have accepted this and plan their schedules accordingly.

[greycoupon.livejournal.com]

Not really. You just get unofficial lines and things like near stampedes. You have people who get there an hour ahead of time thinking they will be first in line vs. the people who have been waiting for two hours. That doesn't seem to be good from a security perspective.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

if someone doesn't know where an official line starts, they need to ask the person in charge of the door of the panel room. asking random people in a line is where the trouble can start.

[silver113.livejournal.com]

Last year we got in line for a popular panel in the Marriott. We had no way of knowing it was an "unofficial" line as everyone there told us it was THE line and it was one hour before the event. We were behind the ropes and inside the building.

Then at about 45 minutes before the event someone came and told us that the official line was formed outside the doors and that we had to move the back of the new line. WTF? It was chaos. The people in the "official" line were for the most part gracious and allowed us to merge since we were actually there first.

They really really need more direction and better signage for lines before events. And if they say lines form at 1 hour prior to event then for the love of Spock have someone there to guide an "official" line and let everyone know exactly where it starts.

[tracey tolbert (from livejournal.com)]

Sooo basically I need to be three hours early to get a shot at hearing John Barrowman and should have an alternative panel or workshop selected even then?

This will be my first year at Dragon*Con and I think the line policy sounds great but will be interested to see it in action. When I read about it my main wonder was how unofficial lines were prevented. I think it is great to give everyone a decent chance to see a panel and prevent camping out (in the ballroom or in the line) and rushing. However, I do not envy the volunteers and security who have to enforce it. It seems the only way to enforce it would have the official line start in an inconspicuous place (like a side entry), but that wouldn't solve the rushing problem when people realize where the line actually is.
It sounds like the policy does at least prevent some of the more major problems like SDCC has (but that may be do more to size). And I think it is probably better for fans than having people have to sign up for tickets ahead of time (which could be a problem due to differing registration times, etc.).

[drkvampirelupin.livejournal.com]

Last year we started lining up 2 hours early for the Boondock Saints panel, but our line was disbanded until the official 1-hour mark. I just hung around the area right near where the official line would start and scrambled in with everyone else when they declared it starting. I was in the first row behind the handicapped folks.

[rap541.livejournal.com]

Yes this is actually exactly the scenario that leads to massive overcrowding and stampedes and accusations that there's unofficial lines. No offense intended to the poster, I've done this too. This is how you end up with the Marriott so full of people - people hanging out in unofficial lines waiting for the moment that the official line starts.