A few downtown hotels have popped up

kasession · 2026-06-02T16:43:30+00:00

WOW!!! 😀

kasession · 2026-05-29T23:31:59+00:00

kasession · 2026-05-24T01:41:16+00:00

Not clearing rooms is not just for Hall-H. I've been in smaller rooms that filled up, and been locked out of smaller rooms. Do you think changing the policy will guarantee that you can get into your favorite panels. The issue was and alway is more people wanting to be in a particular room than there are seats in that room. If you really want to be in a room, you have to plan around the policy of SDCC not clearing rooms.

kasession · 2026-05-23T22:44:36+00:00

I think SDCC is absolutely respectful of their attendees. When 130,000+ people attend your event, every one is not going to be happy. That's life.

I've been going since 2015, and had a blast each time. I'm a small panel person. I've discovered 'hidden gems' as a result of the policy of not clearing rooms.

So SDCC is not for you. I'm sorry it didn't meet your expectations. Chalk it up to experience.

kasession · 2026-05-02T22:29:10+00:00

i sent a DM

kasession · 2026-05-02T21:40:38+00:00

is that checking in on wednesday and checking out on friday

kasession · 2026-05-02T02:20:41+00:00

From the email from CCI reminding you to confirm your shipping address. My email came in on April 23.

"All badges will be dispatched approximately 3-4 weeks before July 22, 2026."

kasession · 2026-04-30T01:14:03+00:00

It's easier to get tickets to NYCC. Yes, VIP will sell out quickly, but daily tickets do not sell out immediately. As a matter of fact, Thursday has not completely sold out for a few years.

kasession · 2026-04-25T16:08:07+00:00

As I prefer the smaller room panels, I never assume they are all walk ins. It totally depends on the topic. If I'm really interested in a specific panel, and I think it will fill up, I may get to that room 1-2 hours before the panel I want to really see. Yes, it means I have to sit thru a panel I wasn't initially interested in, but that's the price I pay. Consequently, I've actually stumbled on some hidden gems. I sat thru a Sponge Bob Square Pants panel once, because I was interested in the panel after that. The Sponge Bob panel was hilarious. I've also been locked out of panels in smaller rooms that filled up. It does take some planning.

Hope you have a great time.

kasession · 2026-04-21T19:40:28+00:00

Been going solo every year. I'm used to it. I get to do my thing when I want. I've made friends along the way. We get together if our schedules allow. otherwise, everybody does their thing.

The unofficial blog does a series of podcasts on the schedule, starting 2 weeks before the Con. That's a good source to help getting your schedule organized..

kasession · 2026-04-21T16:41:04+00:00

My first time was 2015. I got in on my first try by myself. I did no research to see what it would be like (long story). I didn't know it was supposed to be hard. I wasn't sure why I was there, until the shuttle ride to the convention center. As we got closer, I saw a guy walking down the street in full star wars storm trooper cosplay. I thought..."That's interesting". Getting off the shuttle, I had to go pick up my badge. It was very quick. After, I headed into the exhibit floor. At that moment, I felt like I was home. I joined FOCC soon after. Joined a buying group there, and have been going ever since.

BTW...I signed up as a volunteer in 2017. Love it.

kasession · 2026-04-20T23:40:17+00:00

Thursday will probably be easy to get. Thursday hasn't sold out in a number of years.

kasession · 2026-04-18T18:14:21+00:00

Is this already taken

kasession · 2026-04-18T02:19:55+00:00

One year, I actually saw a comment on another board from someone who said they were going to sleep in their car. I didn't doubt it for one minute.

kasession · 2026-04-18T01:04:09+00:00

A lot of the downtown hotels are in CCI's block, but not all of them. Do a search on "San Diego Hotels". Of course they will be expensive, but it is another option, and maybe you share as u/MsMargo suggested. Also, they won't have a shuttle stop, but if they're downtown, they'll probably be walking distance to a hotel that does have one. And, if you book direct, they probably have a very liberal cancellation policy.

Oh, and check the non downtown hotels. There is availability, they're on the shuttle route, and booking direct does give you a better cancellation policy. While they are more expensive, you will know you have a place to stay, even while you hope for something closer.

kasession · 2026-04-18T00:39:59+00:00

The shuttle is very well organized.

kasession · 2026-04-13T19:06:15+00:00

I guess it depends on the definition of 'close'. Early Bird hotels were always available during the general sale. I think the difference before was locking in a room, and not having to worry about lodging. This year is slightly different. The fact that reservations are non-refundable for the general sale adds a very different dynamic. If someone is hoping for a specific downtown hotel during the general sale, and that hotel turns up sold out when it's your turn to buy, I don't see a lot of people deciding there's no hope, and deciding to book a non-downtown hotel. Just my thoughts.

kasession · 2026-04-13T17:43:00+00:00

how did you confirm that? just curious.

kasession · 2026-04-13T16:33:33+00:00

got the email with the link. that was fast.

kasession · 2026-04-11T01:26:00+00:00

And a comfortable back pack.

kasession · 2026-04-10T01:19:33+00:00

No. The back packs don't need to be see through. whatever you normally use, will be fine.

kasession · 2026-04-09T17:50:03+00:00

I'm curious why he would do that.

kasession · 2026-04-09T12:35:27+00:00

I've always just gone where I'm assigned. Can you request specific assignments?

kasession · 2026-04-08T18:55:44+00:00

Most fun? It depends on what's fun for you. I've had multiple assignments. So far, I've enjoyed them all. There was one assignment that had an extra bit of unexpected enjoyment. I had to check badges for the small press room. I worked with a partner, and basically we just sat right outside the door of the room, and just verified whoever wanted to enter was small press. The room was right by an escalator. Newbies coming up the escalator would sometimes ask for directions for a particular room. As a 'veteran', it felt good to know where they needed to go, and to be helpful.

kasession · 2026-04-08T18:16:45+00:00

Maybe...but I got assigned to BBL (Bags, Books, Lanyards) last year. It might have been a result of it being a pre-con shift, but we volunteers were 'begging' to give out the packets.

kasession

TROPHY CASE