With an estimated attendance of over 120,000 people, the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con lived up to its hype once again—turning more mainstream with every passing year.  As thrilling as it is to experience the latest on the studio, TV network and comic industry’s showcases, navigating through the programming, crowds and long lines can be challenging.

The recognizable Comic-Con banners inside the San Diego Convention Center.

This wasn’t my first rodeo and while the whole experience is fresh in my mind, here are some tips (beyond the basic lodging and ticket questions) you may find useful if you’re planning your first trip to Comic Con next year (July 18-21, 2013):

1. Preview Night – definitely worth it!

Time is precious at Comic-Con and adding this to your ticket frees you up from waiting in line on Thursday morning to pick up your badge. A Wednesday entry also allows you time to get orientated and scope out your must-visit locations (booths, panels, signings, special giveaways, etc.) before the big events begin. Don’t be shy when inquiring about schedules for events; most reps are happy to share details and drive traffic to their locations.

2. Saturday is always a zoo.

Saturday is the busiest day of Con and the sooner you accept that fact, the better off you’ll be. There will be long lines for everything (food, freebies, panels, bathroom, etc.) so be prepared to wait.

To avoid parking headaches, purchase parking permits directly from the Comic-Con official site.

3. Get permit parking.

If you’re driving to Comic-Con, the easiest way to park is to buy permit parking. Look for “Parking and Transportation” on the official site (http://www.comic-con.org/). Otherwise, you’ll end up driving all over, getting stuck in traffic in order to find available parking. Plus, you’ll be adding more unnecessary walking to your day (something you want to avoid at all costs!).

4. Bring cash.

Many vendors have a ‘cash only’ payment policy and this includes food concessions.

5. Invest in a wireless charger.

For those planning on taking tons of photos, tweeting, and/or updating your blog while at Comic-Con, invest in one of the many wireless chargers that are available today.   Unless, of course, you’re OK with going on an outlet hunt and competing for the few that are available.  You’ll find more opportunities to re-charge your phone at the airport than at the convention center! On a busy day like Saturday, and for safety reasons, Comic-Con staff didn’t allow attendees to use the outlets in the Hall H bathrooms (a commonly used charging spot). Also, be aware that reception is spotty in certain parts of the convention center; this may depend on your phone carrier.

6. Wear sturdy shoes.

This in an event where you’ll be standing and walking around for long periods of time so comfortable sturdy shoes are a must!  I recommend closed-toe shoes to avoid dealing with people stepping on your toes. I’m speaking from experience here as I had to endure a shoe-malfunction. My super cute and trendy open-toe silver sandals broke on my way to the Sons of Anarchy press conference. I ended up having to buy flip flops at the last minute – just lovely!

Views of the San Diego Convention Center and Gaslamp District.

7. There are no guarantees you’ll see your favorite celebrities up close and personal.

Hall H and Ballroom 20 accommodate thousands of fans and due to their seating arrangements, seeing your favorite actors up close could be challenging. I recommend taking advantage of the autograph signing booths offered by the studios or networks (If your number is not called, at least you can take good photos.)

The G4 booth also has a number of scheduled appearances by both film and TV stars so it’s worth checking out. If you have the patience and time, you can also wait outside the ritzy hotels near the convention center; you just might catch celebs coming and going.  Most celebrities tend to stay at the Hard Rock, Marriott, and Omni Hotels. There are a few restaurants in the vicinity of these nearby Gaslamp hotels with outdoor seating and while here, don’t be surprised to see actors walking by. This is how, without even trying, I ran into Jamie Kennedy, Joshua Jackson (Fringe), Edi Gathegi (New Moon, Death Sentence) and Lucas Till (X-men: First Class).

8. A must: a camera with a generous zoom!

Due to the size of the main panel rooms and the volume of attendees, chances are you may be sitting several rows (and TV screens) away from the main stage. Fans can’t take photos near the stage; only accredited press members are allowed. Therefore, a 16x to 24x zoom may come in handy if you want great photos.

The Total Recall display, a popular spot for attendees.

9. To camp out or not?

We’ve all heard stories of people waiting in line five or seven hours to get into Hall H or Ballroom 20. Believe me, these are true tales. If getting into one of the highly anticipated panels is critical to you, the answer to this question is a resounding  “Yes.” In the spirit of full disclosure, I should admit I’m not a fan of camping out; I’ve done it in the past and  hated it. If you do camp out, come prepared with ear plugs because the darn trolley doesn’t stop running at night; it stopped every time I was about to fall asleep.  There are also people walking, talking, and breaking into musical renditions, etc. throughout the night. I also recommend doing this with a group of people. You should all be prepared with camping gear (blankets, sleeping bags, etc.).  This is not only for safety reasons but to allow for food/restroom breaks. Any camping items you bring should be easily discarded or stored away as I don’t recall seeing lockers at the convention center.

Fans begin camping out for Hall H the night before a panel.

10. Bring snacks and beverages.

As it tends to be the norm in events like this one, food costs are high. For example, a Coke will set you back $4. Unless you can afford those prices, I suggest bringing your own snacks and drinks. As far as I know, there hasn’t been a ban on bringing outside food and beverages into the convention center as of yet.  My recommendation isn’t based solely on economics. There are instances where the programming includes back-to-back amazing panels (like on Saturdays) where you may not want to leave your hall or ballroom for even five minutes.  Trust me when I say, you don’t want to pass out at a crowded place like this out of dehydration or starvation.

11. Overwhelmed at the Convention Center and need a break?

If, at some point, the convention center gets to be too much for you, escape to the nearby Gaslamp District – a dining, entertainment, and shopping hub.  It’s a great place to explore; there’s great food and you can take a break at one of the many vendor-related lounges that set up shop during Comic-Con. For example, I took a nice long break at the YouTube lounge. Most lounges have sit-down areas, drinks, computers, etc. where you can get away from the crowds.

Inside Nerd HQ.

In Gaslamp, I also recommend checking out Nerd HQ, the brainchild of Nerd Machine founders Zachary Levi (Chuck) and David Coleman. Admission is free and Nerd HQ boasts over 15,000 square feet of gaming, technology, and entertainment space for all the self-professed nerds to enjoy.  There is a fee for the “Conversations for a Cause” panels, which I understand sell out quickly as they’re more intimate sessions for less than 300 people. This year’s panels included a Chuck cast reunion, Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, Guillermo del Toro and the casts from The Expendables 2, Grimm and Twilight, among others.  Earnings from Nerd HQ tickets sales, merchandise, etc. all go to Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the globe.

12. Don’t stop to take photos/video or chat in busy corners.

The main convention center floor gets packed; don’t contribute to the traffic jam by being oblivious to the traffic floor patterns.

Be conscious of where you stop in the main floor to avoid contributing to the traffic jams.

12. Comic-Con Panel Play-Backs.

If you didn’t get into Hall H or Ballroom 20 for a panel and have time to kill that same night, here’s an option for you. Beginning at 8 p.m., Comic-Con will rebroadcast some of daily panels from these two rooms. Be aware that the showing only includes the panel portion and excludes special clips or footage.  Please refer to the Comic-Con Schedule to figure out the play-back location.

13. Cutting in Line

I wouldn’t recommended it unless you want to be punched in the face and/or have your Comic-Con badge stripped after the people around you report you to Security. (Yes, they are everywhere!)

Just like with any other major event, investing the time and effort to plan things out and develop an informed perspective on the conference will end up saving you time and will maximize your Comic-Con experience. Believe me, it’s worth it!

All photos ©  2012 YourEntertainmentCorner.com and Elle Lutz. All Rights Reserved.