Travel and Survival Tips: Fan Conventions and Expos

Attending conventions like Comic Con, the Oddities & Curiosities Expo, HorrorCon LA, and Creep I.E. Con Aftermath can be an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you're not prepared. Having attended a number of conventions recently, here are some essential travel and survival tips to make the most of your experience.

Watch my recap of Day 1 of my first time at Comic Con! 

Recap of my second horror convention: 

1. Plan Ahead

   - Tickets & Badges: Purchase your tickets and badges early, as many conventions sell out fast, especially for special panels or events. Don’t be like me and miss out on the E.T. Reunion Cast Panel because I was uninformed on when/where to get my panel ticket!

   - Schedule: Review the convention schedule in advance. Mark key panels, autograph sessions, and photo ops you want to attend. Download the event app, if available.

   - Map: Familiarize yourself with the convention center layout to know where key locations (entrances, exits, bathrooms, panels) are.

2. Travel & Accommodation

   - Book Early: Hotels near conventions fill up quickly. Book a room early, preferably close to the venue for convenience. For example, I made sure to book a hotel a mile away from the Oddities and Curiosities Expo in Sacramento, CA. 

   - Transportation: Research public transportation options, parking availability, or rideshare services (like Uber or Lyft) for commuting to and from the convention center. I opted to rent a car from the Sacramento airport, since I had plans to explore the area before and after the expo. 

   - Carpool: If you're driving, try to carpool to save on parking fees and alleviate stress. For every convention, I’ve carpooled as parking typically costs $20-$25. 

3. What to Pack

   - Comfortable Clothing: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Conventions involve a lot of walking and standing. For my first horror convention, I wore Vans and it was night and day compared to when I wore my Adidas sneakers with cloudfoam insoles. 

   - Cosplay Comfort: If you're cosplaying, ensure your costume is comfortable for long hours and allows easy bathroom breaks. Keep spare makeup or costume repairs on hand.

   - Portable Charger: Your phone battery will drain quickly from taking photos, using apps, and social media. Bring a portable charger or power bank. This is a must have especially, if you’ve got a 4-year old phone (iPhone 12 Mini), like mine where the max battery capacity is 75%. 

   - Water Bottle: Stay hydrated! Carry a refillable water bottle to avoid spending money on overpriced beverages. At every convention I’ve attended, cool tumblers were sold consisting of awesome designs. 

   - Snacks: Bring snacks like protein bars or trail mix to avoid long food lines or the high cost of convention food. Make sure to check the convention’s official site as some places do not allow outside food. I noticed this sign during CreepIE Con.

Watch my 30+ minute convention walkthrough:

4. Survival Tips for the Convention Floor

   - Arrive Early: Get there early to avoid lines, especially for popular panels or events. It’s also great to get there early for parking purposes. The later you arrive, the farther you’ll have to park.

   - Stay Hydrated and Eat: It’s easy to forget to eat or drink, but staying hydrated and nourished is key for lasting the whole day. I learned this the hard way and developed a hunger headache during HorrorCon LA since I forgot to eat and drink water.

   - Be Mindful of Personal Space: Conventions can get crowded. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when in lines, and be courteous to others. Most conventions have signs that let attendees know that filming is encouraged so if you’re shy, keep this in mind. You’ll likely end up in someone’s YouTube video. 

   - Cash is King: Some vendors or artists only accept cash, so bring some just in case. For celebrity autographs and selfies, many are cash only. There are ATMs on site but it’s better to budget ahead of time as it’s easy to get carried away and overspend.

   - Respect Cosplayers: If you want to take a photo of someone in costume, always ask for permission first.

Did not expect to see this cosplay

Check out my HorrorCon LA walkthrough:

5. Networking & Socializing

   - Bring Business Cards: If you’re an artist, creator, or influencer, have business cards ready to network with fellow attendees, vendors, or industry professionals.

   - Join Social Media Groups: Many conventions have online communities or hashtags (like #LACC or #CreepIECon). If you tag the official handles, you can easily be featured on their social channels. This was the case during CreepIECon. Engage in these groups to find meetups, after-parties, or important updates. 

6. Safety Tips

   - Stick to a Group: Conventions can be overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to stick with friends or meetup groups, especially if you’re in costume or attending a night event.

   - Stay Aware: Keep your belongings secure and stay alert in large crowds to avoid pickpockets.

   - Emergency Kit: Pack a small kit with band-aids, painkillers, or allergy meds. Blisters and headaches can ruin your day.

7. Post-Con Survival

   - Rest: Give yourself some downtime after the convention to recover from exhaustion and avoid “con crud” (the sickness many people experience after being in crowds).

   - Unwind: After long days at a con, it’s essential to relax. Soak your feet, get some sleep, and enjoy looking through the pictures you took. Share photos of your convention haul. Below are a few items I purchased from CreepIE Con: 

My CreepIE Con haul

The sunglasses case cracked me up! Love my little Beetlejuice notebook.

I thought this zipper pouch was funny

Tote bag I purchased from HorrorCon LA

Had to purchase this cute little compact mirror

My new favorite Back to the Future tote

By following these tips, you'll be better equipped to fully enjoy conventions while staying comfortable and safe!

Have you been to a convention or expo? Let me know in the comments. 

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Trip Resources

If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!

Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals. 

Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals. 

GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food. 

VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities. 

TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site. 

Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.