lol.. asked basically the same questions.. what's in hall h?

And wear deoderant! When you have 100,000 people running around and it's hot, it gets pretty stinky. Last year wasn't too bad. In fact it was almost too chilly. I guess making sure the Convention Center was not over capacity helped things.

A lot of the really popular panels (major studios promoting their films with cast and/or crew in attendance) are in Hall H. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I read that it holds about 6,000 people, but they don't clear the room between panels, and you have to get there really early to get in.

oh ok.. i really have no interest in any of the panels (maybe 1 or 2)

I wish I could offer advice about the lines for individual days. I've been getting 4-day passes for the past 6 years or so. This is the first year they have not sold passes onsite, so that might help with the lines. Just get there as early as you can so you can hit the floor sooner rather than later. The zoo stop sounds like fun but the zoo itself is HUGE and your feet might not be up to it. Get the bus tour to give those dogs a break

Don't write off Hall H right away. Late in the afternoon, check the line to see how it's doing. If it's not too long, jump in it. Hall H is HUGE and has numerous projected screens to view what's happening on stage. Kick back towards the rear of the hall and enjoy the show.

The convention center is only about 4 miles from the airport. The only thing you'll have to worry about is traffic. I'd say it shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes.

I can't say how long it'll take to get your badge. I have really no idea. Sorry.

Parking can be a mess. Lots near the convention center will be expensive and full. Look on the Comic-Con website for parking structures that are close to the buses they provide for free. They'll pick you up near the parking lot and drop you off directly in front of the convention center. They run every 15 mins or so. On the next days, if you can get to the convention center fairly early (around 7ish??), you can park UNDER the convention center for $8.

A couple years ago, after a REALLY hot and muggy Con, the convention center got a new A/C unit to cool things off. But still observe good hygiene

Thanks again. There are a few panels in the larger rooms that I'm sure I would enjoy, so I may check out the lines. I know I'm going to be playing a lot of this by ear and just trying to get as much out of my three days as possible.

You are close in that it holds 6,500 peeps. You need to get there early if you want to get in on the early panels. I've had friends say they've walked right in later in the late afternoon. Must've been after the Josh Whedon panel let out.

More good advice.. besides parking, why do people get there early? (i probably will since i have nothing else to do). is there a line each morning? (i'll have a 4 day pass so that will be nice)

also, here's another concern along the lines of parking. i'm planning on buying a few collectible figures that might be a foot long in the box... anyhow, i figure if I buy 2, i pretty quickly run out of space to carry them. i'll have a backpack, but still...... is there like a bag check?

The really early birds want a good seat for Hall H. It'll have it's own line at the south end of the building. With a 4-day pass you'll only have to worry about a line during badge pick-up on Wednesday. The last couple years it's been real smooth and the line moves very fast.

Yes, there are 2... count 'em 2... bag checks. $2! Cheap cheap. They are located in the main lobby. They usually post a pdf of the convention center layout, so check those for the specific locations. It used to be the best kept secret of Comic-Con but then word got out and they're pretty popular now.

Oh my.. comic con is going to eat you up alive.

I agree with Tom, put check marks and make a rough sketch of what you may want to do or see. And then be completely flexible with it because no matter how little you want to do, you will not be able to do it all.

[old mentor dude]Your Destiny[/old mentor dude]

Comic-Con is now sold out!

Other than the usual film festival they also show regular movies if you wanna kick back, relax and chill. This was posted in the members log-in area:

2008 Films Schedule

Thursday, July 24
Convention Center
8:00pm - Juno
9:45pm - Hard Candy
Marriott
5:00pm - Predator
6:55pm - Predator 2
8:50pm - Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
10:45pm - Alien
12:55am - Aliens

Friday, July 25
Convention Center
8:00pm - Jumper
9:40pm - I Am Legend
Marriott
7:00pm - The Gamers: Dorkness Rising
8:50pm - Wizards
10:20pm - Stardust
10:30pm - 30 Days of Night
12:40am - 300
2:50am - The Gamers

Saturday, July 26
Convention Center
8:00pm - Fantastic Four
Marriott
6:00pm - Southland Tales
8:00pm - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
8:35pm - The Orphanage
12:35am - Fido
2:15am - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Thanks everyone for the valuable info in this thread, as this will be my first sdcc. I've been to Wizard World LA before but this seems to be a whole other world completely.

One question- I'm going Saturday only, and was wondering if I will still have a chance at getting some of the action figure exclusives, or are they pretty much all gone by Thurs night?

Sorry, I meant I won't spend time waiting in line for signatures, because I don't care about them, which means I will have more time to stand in line for panels.

I've got every panel I want to see scheduled into my phone, and then backup panels on top of that. And in case I can't get in to any, I can always hit the floor or take a breather and get some food.

Different companies have different procedures. Some will only sell so many each day so they won't sell out first day. If there are some you're really interested, hit those booths first thing on Saturday to see if they have any left.

Hey Tom,

Are those movies listed on DVD or on film? I'd love to see Alien on 35mm.

That's a good question. I've never attended one of the movie showings. I have seen anime ("Princess Mononoke") and it was film.

In my experience, the booths spread out the exclusives over the course of the days. Very few have them all sold within the first day or so.

Are we meeting at Hooters again Weds?

Yes, we are. I thought I had posted about it last week or so but who knows I might be delayed a little bit because one of the guys in group couldn't get Wednesday off but he gets off work at 2:30. We're hoping traffic is light so there won't be much of a delay... maybe 30 minutes at the most. We should be at Hooters around 4:30 (as long as the badge pick-up goes as smooth as the last couple years ).

As the time gets closer I'll post what I'll be wearing so the group will be easy to spot for those that haven't met up before. It'll be cool to see ya again.

1 week to go!

btw, there's a San Diego Comic-Con discussion group on MySpace. I'm not sure if you can view the threads if you're not a member. There are some interesting tidbits of information in the "Special events, signings..." thread. Here's one I copied from there:

Tori Amos will be signing autographs at 2pm on Saturday. The only way to get one (limited to 200) is by purchasing a copy of Comic Book Tattoo at the Image Comics Booth (2729). Tickets will be disbursed as follows: twenty on Wednesday, seventy five on Thursday, another seventy five on Friday and thirty on Saturday.

For those interested, Jennifer Love Hewitt will be doing a signing on Sunday at the Inkworks booth. Check early with them about how to attend the signing.