Niagara Falls Comic Con Survival Guide

With Niagara Falls Comic Con only days away, we know you are busy putting the final touches on your costumes or packing your bags for the flight or drive in. We want to make sure that you are ready to enjoy every moment of the convention so we’ve prepared some helpful tips that will get you through this epic upcoming weekend.

Plan Ahead

The schedule has been released (you can view it here) and you can begin planning your convention experience. It’s always best to arrive at least an hour before the panel begins as there may be a line already forming. Make sure that if you are going to Q &As that they don’t conflict with other things you may have going on, such as photo ops and autographs. You can even print the schedule and bring it with you so you know where you’ll want to be and when. Taking a look at their floorplan will also give you an idea of the layout of the convention and where you will need to go.

Pack the Essentials

– Backpack or messenger bag to carry all your sweet swag
– Camera
– Tylenol
– Refillable water bottle; believe me, this is the most important thing you can have!
– Snacks; unless you don’t mind paying $5.00 for a snack sized bag of Doritos you stood in line for twenty minutes for
– Deodorant; you don’t want to be ‘that guy’ in line
– A charger (the real challenge is finding an outlet!)
– Cash; don’t forget there’s long lines at the ATMs and service fees

Plan a Meet Up Spot

The convention floor can get crowded, so always have a designated meet-up spot in case you and your friends/family members get separated. While the Scotiabank Convention Centre traditionally has better cellular service than other conventions, when there are a lot of people there on Saturday it could be hard to reach someone. Always better to have a backup plan!

How to Manage the Lines

Lines are a part of every convention, and no matter what kind of pass you have (unless its VIP), you are guaranteed to spend at least a little of your time in a line, especially on a Saturday. The general rule of thumb for a large panel (example: William Shatner) is to line up at least an hour early. Bonus points if you have a friend willing to sit and hold a spot for you while you go get some snacks, use the bathroom or go shopping for a little while to break up the time.

Shop Smart!

Don’t buy everything you want on the first day, unless of course it’s something rare that you’ve wanted for a long time and absolutely, positively cannot live another second without. If you are there for the full three days, you’ll find that on Sunday vendors may offer a little bit of a better discount. If you can only attend one day, make sure you look around the floor a bit to make sure that you are getting the best deals possible on your precious. And, think about your purchases! You don’t want to find that collectible you’ve been waiting forever to get and then realize you’ve just spent the last of your cash on something you could buy online. Also remember…

Cash is King!

Don’t just assume every vendor will accept credit and debit cards, and if they do, they can’t rely on internet connection services with so many people in one place. Bring cash with you, and make sure you get it before you go in! This is important enough to mention more than once. The lines at the ATM get long and there are not a lot of them; while they are refilled during the day, that won’t stop a line up from forming. Also, vendors love small change! Five dollar bills are a precious commodity on the convention floor.

Bring Some Tylenol

Or Aleve or Advil, whatever floats your boat. Believe me, you will not feel the ache in your legs, feet and calves until you are struggling to complete the walk back to your hotel. It’s a bonus if your hotel has a nice hot tub to soak those feet and toes in after your long day (or even better, a jacuzzi in your room) but these painkillers will be the second most important thing you can bring with you, next to refillable water bottles.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

This might be a given, but the best thing you can do for yourself (and your legs and spine) is have a good, comfortable pair of shoes you can be in all day. If you are a cosplayer, pack a separate pair of shoes even if it’s for the trek back to your hotel or public transit. Unless your super power is being immune to blisters, these are a must have.

If you do all of the above, you will not only be comfortable (hopefully) but you’ll make the best of your time at Niagara Falls Comic Con. This is a fantastic convention that is near and dear to our hearts and we can barely contain our excitement with only days left to the convention countdown! Feel free to stop by the Geek Chic Elite booth located in Artists Alley at booth 931 where we will be doing free cosplay photos and giveaways all weekend. Come say hi!