Comic Con Survival Guide: Your 7 #SDCC Essentials

It’s finally that time of year again: San Diego Comic Con has arrived! But remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and if you’re not fully prepped you are definitely at risk of becoming a SDCC urban legend. So here are the essentials you’ll need to make it through the long days, long waits, and long lines.

1. BOTTLED WATER

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know there is a drought in California. This means that the fountain water is over-treated and tastes a little like sewage. Try to only drink from bottled water in order to prevent a “things you can’t un-taste” moment.

2. COMFY SHOES

Whether you’re working a booth or attending events, you’ll be on your feet—a lot. Comfortable shoes are a must. And if you’re cosplaying, consider characters with the comfiest footwear, like Walter White, Barf from Spaceballs, or Marty McFly

3. MARKERS

You never know what super (pun intended) famous person you might run into on the exhibitor floor or the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter, so keep those markers handy in case you spot someone you want an autograph from for your collection permanent bragging rights!

4. CHARGERS

Just like you don’t want to get caught meeting a famous person without a marker, arguably more important is your phone for photographic evidence and social media posts. Stay charged by having a cord or, even better, a portable battery, since outlets are at a premium.

5. WET WIPES/HAND SANITIZER

Guys, it’s messy out there, and sometimes you can’t always make it to a bathroom to wash your hands. But if you’ve seen some of the people attending the Con, you’ll want to keep things as clean as possible, making sanitizers and wipes essential.

6. SNACKS

We’ve all been there: hanger strikes and the best you can get is a $20 sandwich that’s stale and contains questionable ingredients. Make sure you have a few snack packs with you at all times, because you just never know when you’ll get stuck behind a foot traffic-blocking cosplay photo-op.

7. BADGES

No advice needed here, just a reminder not to forget to pack your passes into the convention!

And of course, most important of all: Don’t forget to stop by booth #1128 for tons of free books, swag, and signings! Visit SSComicCon.com for more details and giveaways!