Your First Time to the San Diego Comic-Con

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This guide is based upon what I've experienced of the years, and what actually happens can, and probably will, change at anytime.

The most valuable piece of advice is to register as soon as possible on the Comic-Con's website. Just look for the Register Online Now! link. You should be able to register at any time, and the website is the only place you can get a one day pass other than at the convention center. If you try and get your badge at the convention center, be prepared for a very long wait.

If you are only getting a one day badge, say for only Saturday or Sunday, try and go down to the convention center the day before to pick up your badges. In the late afternoon to evening, you can often be in and out in just a few minutes, speeding up your entry the next day tremendous.

Now, Thursday morning comes arond and you get down to the convention center, and there are all these different lines. Some of these people have been here since before dawn. Where to go?

Front of the Convention Center

If you were unable to register ahead of time, head down to around Hall A or B. There's probably a very long line that will stretch around to the back of the convention center and snake in between the Mariott and the convention center, possibly even reaching as far as the sea. This line will eventually be taken into the convention center and up the escalator to the registration area, where you can buy your badge.

Since I always buy my badge ahead of time, this part I'm not completely sure of. If you bought your badge, but haven't yet picked it up, check for a line around Hall C. From there, you'll be taken up the escalator to the registration area to pick up your badge.

Entrance to Registration Area

In both of these cases, you end up in the Under the Sails area. There will be yet another line in the far corner. When the main hall is opened, you'll be lead down the stairs in the back of the center and into the rear of the main hall.

If you already have your badge, check around Hall E. If you're early enough, then there'll be a line around that point. This line will eventually be lead inside and up the escalator. From there, the line is lead around Ballroom 20 and down the hall along the back of the convention center. The head of this line will eventually reach the escalators that lead down to Hall G. When the main hall opens, this is where you can then enter the main hall. Under Construction