Following my Pre-Planning post…We’re 30-ish days from DragonCon, and this may be your first year going! Never to fret, Dragon is the most nerd-friendly place! Get ready to hang out with 80,000+ 65,000 of your socially distanced newest friends!

Update: Masks are not required for 2023, but don’t give anyone a hard time who chooses to wear (or not wear) one.

Labor Day weekend in Atlanta is busy – and HOT. There are several things going on in town that weekend, and with these tricks you’ll do just fine.

1 – Pre-Plan: That’s right, pre-plan. I know I said it before. You should already be doing this. You should also start taking Vitamin C supplements (you’ll read why further down). By now you should have your room situation taken care of and your badge purchased. If not, you still can or you can get them online for $175 (day passes have been made available in a limited quantity on August 1st, 10AM EDT). There is no on-site registration this year, so be sure to pre-buy or stand in line and buy online before you get to badge pickup. Also if you’re doing celeb photos, you should pre-pay them online from Epic Photo Ops. I believe they do on-site sales as well, but some celebs WILL sell out.

If you’re driving, you should already go ahead and scope out what parking lots are around the con online. They can range from $3/day (uncovered) to garages that are $18/day (covered), and even hotel parking which I do NOT recommend, as it’s $45-60/day and that’s just crazy. All of the hotels have a service where you can unload your gear and have it set aside in the lobby while you go find parking.

If you’re flying, check out what route on the MARTA you need to take (red or gold line to get to con central) and if you’re having someone meet you at the airport, schedule your meetups.

Atlanta also currently uses Uber and Lyft, but watch out for Uber surge pricing.

2 – Pack: Packing is essential. Veterans have become masters of suitcase and car-tetris. With as many costumes as some of us bring, it’s vital. In the past, I’ve written a short packing list that you can check out. I recommend packing short sleeves and shorts, jeans, and COMFORTABLE SHOES as your mundane clothes. You don’t have to go outside normally, but there is programming in both the Westin and Sheraton Courtland Grand that you have to walk to (as in not via skybridge), same goes for badge pickup as it’s only at the Courtland Grand for non-eternal members. It’s only a couple of blocks for either. The same goes for the Vendor Hall and Gaming, which are now located in the AmericasMart across the street from the Hyatt.

3 – Arrival: You made it! Now you need to meet up with your room holder (unless that’s you) and get your stuff up to your room – don’t forget to tip your bellhop! Take a few minutes, relax, BREATHE. Shenanigans are already happening (and do 24/7 pretty much). Unpack, get a nap in (you’ll need it), and get some food.

Now that you’re at DragonCon, you’ll need to be aware of some things….

• Realize that you’re going to stand in some lines at some point. That’s okay! Big celebrity panels tend to form huge lines (as do the masquerade and puppet slam). Line up for those as early as DragonCon volunteers will let you. All panel rooms are cleared after each one, and there will be extra cleaning measures in between events so you can’t just park in a room all day. It’s not fair to others who wait in line.
  • Bonus: Most big-name panels and the masquerade are broadcast on DragonCon TV in the host hotels, so you can avoid it altogether if you just want to watch it in your room.
  • Bonus 2: The Masquerade overflow room has basically become an unofficial party and it’s way more fun.
  • Bonus 3: You can meet new people in line. People you obviously have at least one common interest with.
• Learn your way around. DragonCon is HUGE and it’s easy to get lost. The con is spread out over five hotels, which are:
  • Hyatt Regency Atlanta – 265 Peachtree Street NE
  • Marriott Marquis Atlanta – 265 Peachtree Center Avenue
  • Hilton Atlanta – 255 Courtland Street NE
  • Courtland Grand – 165 Courtland Street
  • Westin Peachtree Plaza – 210 Peachtree Street
    • The Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt all connect to each other via skybridges. You can also reach the Peachtree Center food court through the Hyatt and Marriott.
• Pick up your badge. Badge pickup is located in the Courtland Grand. DragonCon volunteers have had their stuff together and for the last few years, it’s been pretty speedy. Be sure to have your QR code handy. There are NO on-site badge sales this year! DragonCon has posted an article with the process and the hours of operation here. They’ve also posted a page with MAPS! Glorious maps!
• Plan a schedule. You can pick up a program at the end of registration (unclear if it will just be digital this year). It lists all of the events and panels that are going on. They should also be in the app (you can download in the Play Store or App Store). Just keep in mind you’ll probably change this up a bit.
• Find the Elusive ConSuite! It’s open 24 hours starting Friday at noon, and they provide snacks (and SPAM) and beverages to all convention goers!
  • Hint: they are located in the Hyatt in rooms 223 and 226.
• Check out the food court. Seriously, you have to eat. Make time for that. The food court provides a LOT of options, including:
  • Aviva by Kameel
  • Chick-fil-A
  • Metro Cafe Diner (24 hours!!!)
  • Noodle Cafe
  • Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken
  • And so many more! Check out this link to find out what is available: Peachtree Center Food Court
    • Personally, I recommend Café Momo (It’s open again!!!) for breakfast and dinner as they cost by weight and you can get SO MUCH FOOD for a decent price.
    • For those like me w/Celiac, I recommend Aviva by Kameel but they are so popular that they DO run out of food on occasion.
  • There’s also a 24-hour CVS, and you will make at least two trips there. Just saying.
• What events are must-see? DragonCon is enormous and it is impossible to see everything you want to, whether it is your first con or you are an eternal member. However, there are many events that should be seen at least once (and preferably your first year, because you may want to participate the next!)
  • The Parade (10am Saturday). With over 3,000 participants, this one is a must-see for everyone.
  • DragonCon Night at the Georgia Aquarium (7-11pm Saturday). You have to do this at least once! They close the aquarium early to the public and then reopen for a night of costumed fun. You get to visit this amazing attraction with FAR LESS crowds than on a normal day. It is simply breathtaking, and the photos that come from this are to die for. For 2021, the costume contest for the event will not be held, but it will be back in 2022.
  • The Masquerade (8pm Sunday, Hyatt). Most people will watch in overflow locations, or on DCTV from their rooms as this event fills up very quickly.

4 – Have fun, but be responsible: It’s hotter than hell in Atlanta (Hello, Satan’s buttcrack!), so hydration is super important! There are water fountains in the hotels so I recommend bringing a refillable water bottle.

• Remember the rule of 4, 2, 1…
  • 4+ hours of sleep per night
  • 2+ meals a day
  • 1+ shower per day – with warm water and soap. Axe body spray does not count as a shower. Seriously, no one likes con funk. Don’t be nasty.

Don’t accept drinks from strangers. ESPECIALLY WITH THIS DAMNED PANINI! C’MON! Most people are there to have fun and it’s harmless, but there’s always the risk of someone putting something in a drink. Also, you don’t want to share drinks with people because you’ll end up with Con Crud OR FRAKKING COVID (0/10 do not recommend). That’s right. There’s always someone sick there and it’ll spread like wildfire. No one wants a week-long cold or worse right after being on a week-long trip. Just be smart. Also, this is why you should start taking Vitamin C supplements a month ahead if you don’t already.

Why am I going on about Covid? Wellll, 21/25 of us got covid last year in my group, and there’s yet another variant running rampant right now. It’s more contagious than omicron (not surprising).

Know your limits. As adults, we’re all going to have fun and probably partake in adult beverages, but don’t get so wasted that you’re puking everywhere and whatnot. Be smart.

Be courteous to people in general – costumed or not. Don’t pull on someone’s Proton Pack, prop, or piece of a costume…and don’t be a creeper on someone in costume. Sexual harassment is never okay.

• Follow the Law of Wheaton – Don’t be a dick!
• Allow disabled people onto the elevators first. They have no other option to get upstairs, you may.

Follow the rules of the con. They’re printed on the back of your badge. Make memories! That’s why we’re all here – to have a great time!

I can’t wait til DragonCon and I hope to see you there!!