Fan Expo Canada

Reznik

Looking at going to Fan Expo this year. I've been going to Ottawa Comic Con regularly and went to Montreal last year (and will again this year), but I hear Fan Expo is a whole other story (like, Canada's SDCC)

Primary attractions for me are the panels, maybe one or two autographs, and possibly some art. I might cosplay if I can make a costume that doesn't make me die of heat stroke - it gets pretty awful at Ottawa because there's nowhere to sit down and chill, but Montreal was much better. I hear Fan Expo has insane crowds and the convention centre is essentially a moving wall of people at most times.

The pass to give early entry to the panels is out of my price range, so I'm wondering how far ahead of time I would have to be lining up for panels and in general what the risk is of not getting into the hall at all. I've never had any issues with Ottawa even without a VIP pass but it's also a much smaller con. I basically don't want to drop the money on a pass (+travel +hotel) if there's a strong chance I'm not going to get to see what I'm there to see without having to line up 6 hours early.

So any experiences, advice, etc. regarding Fan Expo would be appreciated.

SwashbucklerXX

Which panels are you looking at going to? Issue panels shouldn't be a problem, but celebrity panels are very heavily attended. I don't know how early you'd have to get there, but my guess is "pretty damn early."

Saturday is the super-crowded day. Friday and Sunday aren't actually that bad, especially earlier in the day, though some of the artists don't stick around for Sunday. There are areas in which you can sit on the (carpeted) floor and chill, and finding chairs and tables in the food areas isn't too bad except at lunchtime on Saturday.

The autograph system is kind of a mess. They're not good at posting actual schedules unless you've bought a photo session. Sort of depends on the celeb, but most of them you have to cross-check the general schedule with the booth they'll be at... if you can find anybody there.

The art section of the con is usually pretty good, excepting that one year where half the booths were perler beads for some reason. We've found some nice pieces there over the years.

Reznik

Definitely looking at the celebrity panels. Of the announced guests so far, the ones on my list are Stan Lee, Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthal, and Elden Henson. Given it's still early I imagine a bunch more will be announced that I'll want to see as well. Stan Lee is basically the one I'm worried about because I figure this is my only shot to see him and a ton of other people will have the same idea. For Montreal/Ottawa I think the earliest I started lining up for a panel was maybe 45 minutes to an hour and I was usually near the front of the line, but those are half/less than half the size of Fan Expo and I don't know what its organization is like, so...

I'll probably use Friday as my 'buy stuff' day since it really sucks trying to lug stuff around on the crowded days (Ottawa was pretty much a standstill on Saturday afternoon).

amateurhour

If you want more than an autograph from Stan Lee I'd budget around it.

IIRC his going rate at Wizard shows to be confirmed with a place in line to get a photo and autograph with him was like $400? Not saying it wouldn't be worth it, but I remember a friend getting salty a few years back because he paid for just the autograph and Lee had to leave early (health issues) so only the top tier photo/meet and greet payees got what they paid for, and the rest got refunds or credit toward other guests.

Reznik

For Stan Lee getting into the panel is the main thing I'm concerned about. If the autographs aren't too insane I might grab one, but I won't be too bothered if I don't get one. Especially if they're in the hundreds. Shatner was like $90 at Ottawa Pop Expo and I really had to think hard about that one.

JaysonFour

Usually Sunday is the best day for buying stuff that's not limited edition or just regular inventory. Dealers don't want to lug stuff home so you can get some good deals.

Forar

I've never attended as an, err, attendee, but I have been to the last three Fan Expo's working a booth. Which also means I haven't done much in terms of panels (none, actually).

Thursdays are super short and quiet. Everyone is at full stock but also at full price, the aisles are pretty empty (at least in the North building, where our booth is located) and getting around is a breeze.

Speaking of the buildings, before I continue; for Fri/Sat at least, don't expect to move between the buildings swiftly. While the walk between Metro Toronto Convention Centre's North and South buildings isn't terribly far (maybe a block or so), when the convention is up at its higher capacities it can be a good half hour or more to get between them, between the crowds meandering, massive costumes, getting pics of cosplays you like, and even capacity limits that the buildings have set (so they have to hold up the crowd for a few minutes now and then). It's not always terrible, but for those two days in particular, I'd recommend either doing each building on a separate day, or planning to cover one entirely and then pass over to the other if you try to squeeze in a single day adventure.

Fridays and Saturdays are, as noted, a madhouse. End of days, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria. It's great. The Cosplay masquerade is on Saturday, so that's the day where you can expect to see the highest concentration of costumes (though they're totally present all weekend long; I snap pics (with permission) of the ones I like, and easily end up taking dozens of shots every day I'm there).

Sundays are indeed quieter, and if you're lucky some booths will indeed cut or slash their prices to clear out product without having to worry about packing it up and transporting it again. There was a booth across from us a few weeks ago at Toronto ComiCon that was selling replica swords, and by Sunday they proceeded through a good 3 or 4 'buy one get one free' deals and price cuts.

And if you need a snack, feel free to swing by the booth (Cakes Cove). This of course goes to any forum attendees who will be at the Con, I'll likely be there at least 3 days. If you see a tall guy in an N7 hoodie, that's probably me. Just say you're from the Penny Arcade forums, it might take me a second to answer to my chosen handle 'in the wild' (despite answering to it for two decades in a variety of games).

Reznik

Sweet, thanks for all the tips. I'll move buy-stuff day to Sunday. I'm used to Fridays being quiet, but that's because Ottawa's only a 3 day con (and again, comparatively tiny). Thursday I guess I'll familiarize myself with the layout so that I don't get lost on the way to panels.

I'll keep an eye out for your booth, Forar! I may or may not be in costume. If I am, it'll be either Hellboy or one of the Gentlemen from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.