Dragon Con Inc. — Local services in Forest Park

This was our first con and I was a little amazed when I heard an attendee say “this was the best year yet”.

Employee Contact:

DragonCon has really responsive email replies, which I really appreciated with this being our first con, I felt very out of sorts.

Website:

The website lacks standard processes covered in FAQ (or they are difficult to find). Like “where do I go to pick up my passes?” and have a map that points that location out. You have to receive a card to exchange for your passes instead of just receiving the passes in the mail. We didn’t even know there was an app until we were AT the con.

App:

App was surprisingly useful; however, it lacked some functionality and content (like not all the panels were on the listing so you had to jump back and forth between app and big printed magazines).

Navigating:

Navigation was difficult, but if your app was correct, it definitely helped. I would have really benefited from “3rd floor, Marriott” instead of whatever they call it internally.

Panels:

Although the panels I attended had cool, respected people in their field, the content seemed haphazardly put together and the lack of structure definitely impacted the quality of the content.

Food:

Food was less than what I expected and more expensive. Your options were basically hotdogs, sandwiches, chips, etc. or Starbucks food...if you wanted to wait 30+ minutes in line and an extra 15+ waiting for your order. It was more economical to just get ubereats delivered to whatever hotel you were at while waiting for your next event.

Beer & cocktails were overpriced but more reasonable in the exhibitors area in the Mart Building. If I ever did something like this again, I’d just pack a lunchbox with food and alcohol.

Verdict:

A bit too chaotic for me. People all over the floor and along the walls and little courtesy for people with disabilities or special needs. Most of the hotels and grounds around were trashed by convention goers. Although the con is “child friendly”, there wasn’t much for children except maybe Jenga in the back of panel rooms.

It was nice to visit a local con as we’ve never attended one before, but I don’t think we’ll be...

I usually have fun at this event. But today changed how I feel about it. I really wanted to go to the parties that start on 12am Sunday morning. THAT'S WHY I PURCHASED A SUNDAY MEMBERSHIP. Drove from more than an hour away to get there. Dealt with 45 minutes of horrid congestion (it's ATL), paid extra for parking near the Sheridan so I can get my badge. Get told I can't have my badge until tomorrow morning at 8am. I explained where I drove from. The lady was kind enough to refer me to resolutions. My friend and I explain what happen to them. The gentleman with the massive cigar (I mean looked like a baby's arm) got short with me "can't do anything. Don't have badges on hand". Explain that I didn't see where I couldn't pick up early. A second man with a ponytail scoffed at me, told me to come around the desk, shows me on the monitor the dinky blue icon on the purchasing page. He clicks on it "it's right there". I tell him that's not a very obvious or good place for important info. Honestly, my beef is with how I was handled. I was frustrated, but they were undeniably rude. I mean I can't even get a refund, you could at least not be "the south end of a mule going north" when someone needs help. No offer of a work around. Zero customer service. Couldn't even fake some sympathy.

So I just cut my losses and...

We attended on September 2, the last day.

We pre-purchased three tickets for $33 each, plus fees.

We spent $60 on parking.

DragonCon failed to mention why the tickets were cheapest on Labor Day.

Nobody was there. The booths and displays were packed up and gone. People were checking out of the hotels. Most of the merchandise was sold out.

We figured it would still be worth the price to get a few autographs, so we made our way to the Walk of Fame.

Security guards were standing at the entrance, making sure everything was safe.

Imagine our surprise and confusion when we entered the Walk of FAME with ZERO FAMOUS people. Not ONE. I was looking forward to seeing my friend Mike Colter. My son wanted a picture with Giancarlo Esposito. That's it.

We should have taken our money and spent the day at the aquarium.

DragonCon 2024 should have been very clear about the last day. What a...