Shuttles, Strollers, and Weapons — Tips to Survive Hall H Line at Comic-Con and More

Navagating the Con is not easy. Over 130,000 people walking shoulder to shoulder down narrow  passage ways inside the convention center while lugging posters and loot bags twice the size of a small child, makes for uncomfortable personal-space invasions.  Little regard for a polite ‘excuse me’ or ‘pardon me’ will remind you of the worst day you’ve spent at Disneyland, and similarly test the limits of your patience as well as your sense of smell! 

Adding to attendees’ list of frustrations is dodging ankle-bumping strollers; finding a parking spot downtown San Diego during Comic-Con, and locating a chair or an uncrowded spot to sort through booth loot are as improbable as winning the lottery.

Fear not my fellow Comic-Conians. From shuttle transportation to stroller parking, below are important guidelines (also posted on the Comic-Con.org website) you should be aware of before you head down and start lining up outside of Hall H. Reading this information beforehand will help make your expereince at Comic-Con hasselfree!

Comic-Con International Line-Up Rules

While Comic-Con discourages any line-ups in advance at Plaza Park outside Hall H, if you do find yourself in line for an extended period of time, please adhere to these rules:

For safety issues we cannot allow anyone to line up in the Park until ALL tents, canopies, stanchions and work is completed at the Park. This also includes areas adjacent to the park, so please no waiting nearby for work to be completed. We anticipate that all work will be finished sometime Tuesday morning (July 10), however this is not a guarantee.

Because this is a safety issue, we have been told that anyone waiting in the area before all work is completed will be asked to leave regardless of time of arrival or length of time they have been waiting.

In an effort to accommodate as many people as possible with the least amount of impact for all, please follow the rules below:

  • Camping is not allowed.
  • No tents, canopies, inflatables, cots, beds, furniture, large coolers, heaters, large fans, large umbrellas, chaise lounges, open flames, or anything of similar size of any kind as determined by the Convention Center.
  • You are allowed to have one chair per person of relatively normal size. You may use a sleeping bag or blanket as well, provided it is only taking up the space of one person.
  • No facilities or services will be available in the Park, so plan accordingly.
  • Restroom access will be available in Lobby G of the Convention Center from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM each night starting Tuesday, July 10. No other access to facilities will be available.
  • Please respect the grounds and dispose of trash in trash receptacles. Please do not leave any trash or waste behind.
  • No “saving” a spot in line unless it is only temporary, such as a restroom break.

New for Comic-Con 2012: Strollers Not Allowed in Programming Rooms

For safety reasons, the Fire Marshall will not be allowing strollers inside the programming rooms. This includes rooms 2, 4, 5AB, 6A, 6BCF, 6DE, 7AB, 8, 11AB, 23ABC, 24ABC, 25ABC, 26AB, 28E, 32AB, Ballroom 20, and Hall H.

Stroller parking areas can be found throughout the Convention Center. Parking will be free of charge and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note: Comic-Con will not provide security or check-in/check-out for the strollers.

Comic-Con International Shuttle Expands to 24-Hour Service!

  • Hop the FREE Shuttle to Over 60 Different Locations!
  • Comic-Con International’s shuttle expands to 24-hour service this year, stopping at over 60 different locations in downtown, Mission Valley, and hotels near the airport on Shelter Island and Harbor Island. The shuttle service, sponsored by Showtime and coordinated by Seat Planners Incorporated, kicks in Wednesday, July 11 from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM for Comic-Con’s Preview Night. On Thursday, July 12, 24-hour service begins starting at 5:00 AM and runs continuously until Sunday at 7:00 PM!
  • COMIC-CON SHUTTLE SERVICE FREQUENCY
    Wednesday, July 11
    3:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Every 20 minutes
    7:00 PM – 10:00 PM*: Every 15 minutes
    RED & PURPLE ROUTE Shuttle Service to Town & Country for Pre-Registration ONLY
    Transfer required at Town & Country for PETCO Park
  • Thursday, July 12
    5:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
    8:00 AM – 10:00 PM: Every 15 minutes
    10:00 PM – 11:59 PM: Every 30 minutes
  • Friday, July 13
    12:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
    8:00 AM – 11:59 PM: Every 15 minutes
  • Saturday, July 14
    12:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
    8:00 AM -11:59 PM: Every 15 minutes
  • Sunday, July 15
    12:00 AM -8:00 AM: Every 30 minutes
    8:00 AM -7:00* PM: Every 15 minutes
    *Ending time is last departure from Convention Center to official hotels. The last bus departing the hotels going to the Convention Center is approximately 30 minutes prior to the end time listed.
  • See the Comic-Con Shuttle Map on page 14 of the Quick Guide color section in the center of this publication for a complete list of pick-up and drop-off locations.
  • Click here to download a PDF of the Comic-Con Shuttle Service, including a map showing the routes and stops!

Leave Your Weapons At Home.

Simulated or costume weapons are allowed as a part of your costume, subject to prior approval by security and compliance with the following:

  • All costume weapons must be inspected at the Weapons Check Desk in Lobby E.
  • All costume weapons must conform to state and federal law.
  • Projectile costume weapons must be rendered inoperable.
  • Costume swords must be tied to your costume in such a way that they can’t be drawn.
  • After each person’s costume weapon has been checked, it will be tagged by security, and you will be given a wristband to wear to designate that your weapons have been checked.

Security will escort you to the security station for inspection if your costume weapon is not tagged.

If you do not want to have your costume weapons inspected or tagged, or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please do not bring your costume weapons.

Finally, this is the single guideline everyone should observe out of respect for the masses at the Con: Please wear deodorant!

Smell ya later!

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