By MJ Wilke

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WonderCon Anaheim 2019, March 29 – 31, 2019, kicks off spring and warmer weather in sunny southern California. The Anaheim Convention Center is next to Disneyland Resort—and all the wonderful activity, excitement, and crowds that go along with it. Here are a few suggestions to help you navigate your way through the weekend in a wonder-filled way.

 

Before You Go

Badges. Double check that you packed your badge, early badge purchases were mailed. If you purchased your badge after February 14, 2019, pickup is on-site in Hall E. Print your bar code confirmation and bring it with you, you will need it and photo id to get through security and to pick up your badge. To avoid the long lines on Friday and Saturday mornings, go to early pickup on Thursday from noon to 7pm. A limited number of badges are typically still available the week of the convention, but there is no on-site badge purchase. WonderCon badges are only available for purchase on-line.

 

Manage your tech. Download apps for WonderCon and Disneyland and remember to pack a backup power supply.

 

Keep in Mind

Plan your meals. Meals are an ongoing challenge at WonderCon. Although the availability of food has improved over the years, finding food when you want it is still something that needs to be managed. Limited food outlets are within the convention center; however, WonderCon has arranged for food trucks in the courtyard between the Hilton Anaheim and the Anaheim Marriott. Food courts and restaurants are in the hotels but expect long lines and wait times everywhere, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With the convention center located next to Disneyland and Downtown Disney, attendees have more options at dinnertime. But (once again!) plan ahead because reservations at the restaurants, especially for Saturday night, fill up quickly and some Disney restaurants can be pricey. (Just relax and accept the reality of hungry hordes.) You can make reservations on the Disneyland app.

 

Stock your room. Many convenience stores are within walking distance of the convention center. Water, soda, and snacks are less expensive here than at the hotel gift shop or convention center. Pick up some high protein snacks in case you miss a meal due to scheduling or long lines at the food outlets.

 

Explore the Con

Wander. Typically, WonderCon panels are of a high quality. Pick a panel room at random, walk in, sit down, and experience something new. You never know who might be the moderator or on the panel—it could even be Kevin Smith. The same can be said of the exhibit hall and artist alley. Go explore. 

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Program guides. Don’t skip picking up your souvenir program guide. WonderCon program cover art are exclusive and thematic. They make great keepsakes and are free. This year’s cover celebrates Batman’s 80th birthday and the 1000th issue of Detective Comics with exclusive art by Lee Weeks. The printed souvenir programs, WonderCon bags and lanyards can be picked up in Hall E.

 

Take a Nerdy Side Trip

Disneyland. Take advantage of the fact that Disneyland is right across the street from the Anaheim Convention Center. Check the WonderCon website for special ticket prices to Disneyland. In addition, the Downtown Disney District is open to the public with no need for a ticket to the park. It has numerous restaurants and shops. Of note is the amount of Marvel, Star Wars and Lego items available for sale.

 

For more about WonderCon and galleries of past years, check out our Comic-Con Travel page.