Newbie's Guide to Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgie

In the first weekend of September, downtown Atlanta, GA comes alive with a mixture of characters. Spock, Captain Jack Sparrow, and the Ghostbusters take to the streets for Dragon*Con. Dragon*Con is the U.S.'s largest, East Coast-based science fiction convention. It's three hotels of panels, exhibitor's booths, gaming, and dealer's space. The sum of which can be a little daunting to the first time attendee, so I've compiled a list of things that every first timer should know to survive Dragon*Con.

Register ASAP

It's in your own best interest to either pre-register or register early on Fridays as registration lines past year on Saturday had waits up to four hours. Registering before 5pm on Friday (preferably at 10am when registration first opens) will ensure that you only have to wait forty-five minutes max. Pre-reg is available through ticket master on www.dragoncon.org.

Don't Eat the Hotel Food.

You'll find tons of convenient, little stations throughout each hotel offering various snack or lunch-type fair. It's also often 2-3 times what you'd pay for it under normal circumstances. Don't waste your money! Go to the Hilton's lobby-level, head toward the elevators and down the corridor until you hit the land bridge. This will take you to the Peachtree Center's Food Court. They have various fair to satisfy all appetites and pocket books. Though whatever you do, eat before 8pm as many of shops close early on the weekend. If you do find yourself hungry after 8pm, go check out the conventions hospitality suite which is open 24 hours throughout the con.

Make Plans Ahead of Time, & Have a Back-up Plan

The convention's schedule is released about a week before the convention commences. It's in your own best interest to read through the schedule and pick out what events you'd like to do. This will ensure that you don't miss anything you really wanted to see, and will also let you know if there's anything conflicting going on as well. The Daily Dragon is put out everyday and is usually available from information booths. This handy flier will let you know if a panel or event has been changed or cancelled, saving you from running all over the con.

Arrive Early

If there's a panel or event that you want to see that has a celebrity in it, or if it's a contest, arrive at least an hour early. Seating is limited in most of the panel rooms and once the room reaches capacity no one else will be allowed in.

Don't Tip the Panhandlers.

Downtown Atlanta suffers from an exorbitant amount of panhandlers, not homeless. These people specifically prey on the tourists that come into the area every single year. Don't give these people money! It's actually illegal for them to be in the area and if they won't leave you alone pull out your cell phone and say, "I'm dialing 911."

Don't Block the Elevators, Stairs, Doors, etc.

It's very difficult to get around the con due to all the people that are present. Don't make it anymore difficult by blocking a necessary passage way. If you feel the need to stop, do it in an area where no one will care, like a corner in wide-open entryway, etc.

Be Polite and Well-Behaved

Just because Klingons are on parade doesn't mean you should forget all your manners. Every year someone does something either illegal or stupid (often a combination of both) and ruins the convention for many people. Hold doors for others, pardon yourself if you bump into someone, and try to be understanding of any unfortunate circumstances that might arise. If you use common sense, clean up after yourself, and mind your manners you won't have to be removed from the convention by Atlanta's Finest.

The Best Costumes Are Out on Sunday Night

If you're looking to get great pictures of everyone in their best costumes, venture into the Hilton's lobby level as the sunsets. Most major programming transpires on Friday & Saturday night leaving Sunday night for all the costumers to come out and play.

Guests are People too

They maybe your favorite tv or movie star of all time, or they could've penned a line of best-sellers, but please remember that they're people too. Making rude, irrational demands of them ("Take off your shirt.")during their panel is just going to get you removed by Security. If you happen to see someone outside of panel, etc be polite when making any reasonable requests like autographs, but at least let them finish using the restroom/eating their dinner first.

Don't Forget to Take a Bath (Preferably with Soap)

There's nothing worse than walking into a room with five thousand people who haven't showered in the last two days! Do the world a favor and practice proper hygiene! I understand that some people can go days without smelling foul, and others it's a mere matter of hours. Whatever you have to do to keep yourself smelling fresh would be greatly appreciated by all the attendees at the convention. So when you're packing for the con, make certain to bring deodorant and breath mints. They do really go a long way with the opposite sex.