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My second year at Wondercon and it's just as magical as the first time! Tons of panels, a huge area for artists (artist alley) lots of comics, merch, and collectibles for sale. There are so many food trucks and different types of food for sale inside and around the convention center. Although, you can also bring your own food and water. Parking price is very fair and there is so much value to your ticket with lots of freebies given out by sponsors and different artist booths. This con is definitely less busy than others I've attended the past year so it's a bit easier to maneuver around and easier to see some of your favorite talents. (Less lines) I am always finding something new to fawn over and get into here at Wondercon.
This was an absolute nightmare of an experience. We arrived a little after 8:00 AM and were directed by multiple staff members to line up outside Hall D. We did exactly what we were told and waited there for over an hour. Then, around 9:30 AM, staff suddenly told everyone to leave and get in a completely different line--one that didn't even exist when we got there. So essentially, we were punished for following staff instructions. Because of this disorganization, we lost our place and missed out on autographs, while others were let in. The email clearly stated a 9:30 start time, yet there was zero consistency or control. What made it worse was the attitude of the staff. Not only were they giving incorrect directions, but when the mistake became obvious, they were dismissive and rude instead of taking accountability. We paid to attend this event and were treated with complete disregard. The lack of organization, poor communication, and disrespect from staff made this one of the worst event experiences I've ever had. Do better.
It's one of the few comic book cons that comic book nerds like myself can enjoy to go to when I'm not working. There are overpriced comics and some good comics to fill in gaps in my collection at a reasonable price. Otherwise it's worth checking out if you are nearby around their show dates
#2 for 2023 Originally WonderCon started strong in Oakland before being bought out by the San Diego Comic Con and moved to Anaheim. It is now thriving like it was in its inception in the late 80s. WonderCon is one of the more professionally run Comic Cons so you would think there should not be any hickups, or very little. That is not the case. However, they do have a good team of people that can help get through these situations. One of these is registration. You can't jsut buy a ticket and be done with it. There are several steps to take including verification who you are and such. Anyway, once you get through that then you can purchase tickets. The good thing is once you go through this it will be easier to not just buy tickets for WonderCon but also for the San Diego Comic Con. It is a 3 day event happening now in March at the Anaheim Convention Center. That can change. If you do plan to attend, or have a desire to in the future, it is best to register yourself now to get a member number. You can also sign up to get updates. Very helpful. Purchasing your badges early is also helpful because they will be mailed to you. Doing so allows you to bypass the badge pickup line which can be long depending on the time you attend. Its a big relief if you were not able to find parking easily. My favorite section is Artist Alley where most of the artists are corralled in. It gives you a chance to see their work, buy prints and original art, schedule commissions, and talk to them to learn who they are and their approach to the art. They are very helpful sharing their techniques and tools to teach other artists. Many cosplayers attend showing their new costumes. I like the ones that are hand crafted showcasing their talent as seamstresses, creativity and nerdiness. All this comes to a head in the Cosplay contest Saturday night when the cosplayers present themselves for viewing and judging. The winners win prizes. I don't think the prizes add up to the time and material bought. However, it is still a great honor to win. And those that do have great love and passion for their craft. Well deserved for the quality and creations they put out. The Dealer's room is filled with vendors selling comics, toys, clothing, food, costumes, accessories and all sorts of things. You'll be sure to find something of interest in here guaranteed. Another interesting area is Small Press. This is where the start up and smaller publishers are showcasing the comics, manga or novels they put out themselves or the books the publishers are selling. It is fun to find new things to read that offers that escapism into another world filled with adventure. Panels and screenings occur all day covering every genre out there. To be honest these are good areas just to sit down and take a nap. There are good panels worth listening too but not all are of interest. It can get very crowded for sure. WonderCon does seem more relaxed not so rushed to do everything giving way to a more leisure event that can be enjoyed with family and friends.
I have been to San Diego Comic Con as well as L.A. Comic Con. WonderCon is by far my favorite. The convenience, the space and the accessibility are some of the things I appreciated about this Con in the Anaheim area. First of, my hotel was adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center. Where WonderCon was being held. It only took my family and I minutes to walk to all the fun. We were also in walking distance to restaurants, fast food places convenient stores, drug stores and even food trucks. Secondly, WonderCon was big and spacious. Plenty of room to move around without bumping into other people. So traveling the convention floor was no problem. With my grandson in attendance; it was reassuring that we could easily keep track of him. Not him getting lost in a sea of people. Lastly, the Con had everything I wanted in a Comic Con. Comic books, video games, artists, cosplayers and toys everywhere you looked. Things I grew up with and still enjoy to this day. Overall, a fun time for my family and I. Looking forward to next year. I will be back. WonderCon is an awesome time.
I heard about this con so many times as I attend San Diego Comic Con, and also I heard it's used to be a lot more programs for 3 days, but after Covid it seems to die down a bit as I don't see a lot of companies pouring their money in. Anyway it's my first time coming to Wonder Con as Professional and not Attendee, thanks to my status update. Parking is $20 a day but at least you have a place to park and you didn't get ripped off on parking like SDCC, it could easily be $85 for you not overnight flat rate. A lot more vendors but less industry people or panels here comparing to SD or NY, again this is a sister convention to SD, they're smaller and tend to cater towards collectors, individuals. Their venue is pretty old, especially the escalator going up the stairs. Anywho I got to experience my first Wonder Con. Too bad I can't stay for all 3 days, but I wish I could next time.
What a delightful time! I've not attended any of these types of conventions in perhaps a decade however, I've taken my daughters to Comic Con, AX (Anime Expo) ... And I now recall I did attend a Creation Star Trek Convention several years ago. At any rate, there was Tons n tons of stuff to see! Thousands of happy enthusiasts, fans n costumed artists! We bought all kinds of stuff, some mildly pricey and some a bit of a bargain, and other stuff super rare and or original. What a "chill" n "kewl" event!!! We went in with my brother in law, his son and one of my daughters who just graduated from her UC early (less than 4 years!). None of us stayed "all day" but we sat in on a couple panels, one was how to create your own R/C R2D2 droid... N we met many artists... N just saw an incredible dizzy variety of things, costumed fans, beautiful elaborate creations in costumes and art! I should try to go back again next year. So parking was a "bear" but was "bearable". Otherwise, no other criticisms or gripes. Is this for everyone... Maybe not. But if this might be your "thing" in any way... Than it's a delightful fabulous event indeed!!! So yeah... If I could have given 7 stars... I would have tried to bestow 19 stars!!!
I've never missed a WonderCon in Orange County and I have absolutely amazing memories from each one. Little brother to San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon does not have either the ridiculous crowds nor the overhyped Hollywood presence of its big brother and without them it's the perfect place for the first time comic book convention attendee or the less fanatical fan. And yet there are plenty of creators, many of them very well known in the comic book interest, some pretty entertaining panels, nonstop game play, and a main exhibit hall that needs at least three days to completely experience. Best of all, the passes are affordable and attainable. Plus, the hotel rooms and restaurants aren't nearly as big a pain as are those in downtown San Diego during those five days every July. Go next year. You'll love it.
This is a great alternative to San Diego Comic-Con and at a fraction of the price! I've been to Comic-Con about six times and now that I live In the OC, I'm stoked to have finally checked out Wondercon. For a single day pass it's only $30 which gets you into everything, the main product and collectibles floor, TV show panels and other live demos happening at the convention center. I've never been one to sit at panel and watch people talk for two hours, so the floor is the main draw for me. Pops, Kid Robot, DC, Marvel, Artists Alley and of course miles of comics. I came here looking for pops and anything Simpsons related. A few tips when attending the Con; come with a game plan, a realistic budget and some pricing knowledge of the stuff you're seeking out. For the most part, items can be be cheaper and more exclusive at the con, but there are a few vendors who will hike up the price. The three day pass for me isn't worth it, because you can walk the entire floor in 3 hours. So if panels aren't your thing either, a single day pass will be perfect. Go on Saturday if possible, and remember everything on Sunday could be half price!
This is my first time at WonderCon. I thought this was a pretty good experience! The staff was very friendly and helpful.Overall, I had a good time on my Friday one-day pass, but I didn't get to experience the panels. Food trucks set up:I thought this was pretty clever to have out in the front. There were a lot of options for the food trucks, but they were all suuuuuper expensive. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Where is the boba truck, though?! Come on, SoCal! Cosplay entrance: Kudos to the Linus cosplay who committed to his piano playing for most of the day! He even got his friends to dress up! Pretty cool! There was a good amount of cosplayers, and they were always very friendly for pictures and such. Lots of Deadpools running around, which was hilarious. Artist's ALLEY: This was the main thing for me. I loved looking at the different booths of artists. Though I did wish there were more of these and more diversity. Or some sort of organization in terms of what was stationed where? There were some really cool stuff I haven't seen before, and there were some pretty cool organizations supporting budding artists! Convention Booths: Oh MAN!There were some really cool things on display and for sale! I spent a good time looking through them, wishing I had more money to afford! Art for fans by fans was definitely a highlight. Puglie was SUPER cute!I The Exploding Kittens booth was also REALLY smart. Really loved that. Some people were walking around with a bundle of asparagus! Haha. Overall, I had a good time for my first convention! I got to see a lot of cool things, and I hope to come again!
Date of visit: April 2, 2017 FINALLY we got to go to WonderCon! This year, not only is it back at the Anaheim Convention Center, it was also scheduled earlier than Easter weekend! We wanted to come here not only to get my girlfriend a bit more used to the convention hall craziness, but also have a dry run of what we're planning to wear for this year's San Diego Comic-Con - our Mouseketeer costumes. (Yes, we're dressing as Mouseketeers for SDCC.) I was very surprised that we were able to cover the exhibit hall in five hours... unlike SDCC, there's no big media/entertainment companies represented on the floor (even Marvel and DC's booths were muted compared to the large space they normally command). Instead, there are plenty of independent vendors around, and you definitely will be able to buy something that strikes your fancy (in our case, the Disney pin booth that was run by a couple; we spent a good hour or so here checking out the collections!). Even with the large number of attendees, we actually were able to walk around and actually find places to sit and relax along the walls. In terms of panels, honestly I was a bit disappointed. Maybe it was because we went on a Sunday, but based on my online browsing beforehand, there just wasn't anything this year that looked appealing. Foodwise, I was actually impressed. The quality of the offerings at the Anaheim Convention Center outshine the ones held inside the San Diego Convention Center, and that's not counting the food trucks and the restaurants at the GardenWalk! Parking... well, we ended up taking the shuttle from Angels Stadium to the Convention Center. We were debating about using our Disney Annual Passports to park at the Toy Story Parking Lot, but as it turns out, that one was also pretty full by the time we got there. Lots of cosplayers abound, and there's plenty of opportunities to take pics (and have them taken - we were surprised that someone wanted a picture of my lady and I in our Mouseketeer finery)! Ask nicely, and they'll oblige! While a bit smaller in scope compared to SDCC, we still had a good time here. Perhaps if we can't get SDCC tickets, WonderCon still will be another option.
Ok so this con was a great time I almost took a star(or two) away because there was these religious nuts spouting hell fire at us even telling us we were going to die wich itook as a threat along with so many more hateful and bigoted things all while people were trying to have fun and even staff were doing nothing about it and guarding them.....on second though I will take a star away for that I can believe comicon international is ok with zealots threatening their event guests and not try to put a stop to it but oh well aside from that I love the panels and guest ,my partner and I cosplayed and love the event (inside) . A large amount of vendors with every conceivable nerd item one could think off I will say we spent more than we should have . Over all it was a really great experience but again will dock a star because for the nuts on the megaphone , I'm all for free speech but not telling gay,trans,jewish,Muslims, catholics, comic book readers, and suicide survivors( that last one hit perosnal) that they will burn in hell and die . Event staff did nothing to stop this and neither did the police but they sure stopped all the guest from being able to do a thing about it....infact I will dock another star because of that it was a real "pleasure" hearing a guy call my partner a whore on a megaphone while we ate lunch cmon wonder con why do you allow them on premises. This would have been a 5 star event but these zealots ensured many people were accosted, harrased,and made to feel like dirt is that what you were going for?
Wonder Con is the little sibling of the SD Comic Con. If you want to pay less money, still see people dressed up, go and see some booth (some that actually sell comics) then this might be the place for you to go. It is ran by the same people that put on SD Comic Con so somethings are familiar but what it doesn't have is the Hollywood star power behind it - which is a good thing if that's what you are looking for. My hubby tells me it was like the way SD Comic Con was before Hollywood starting promoting all the movies/shows and all the stars started coming down for it. We went in 2012 and now in 2014 and I can tell you it has grown since then but I really like the fact you can get parking, walk down aisles and not be surrounded by people all the time. We were able to do the whole con in one day (in at 10 and out by 5).
4 months ago
Not as many photo opportunities. Less clothing for cosplayers. Skimpy costumes that were not family friendly, even though this is a family friendly event. Plenty of food options. Food trucks and vendors available throughout the event. Air conditioning not working or not high enough. It was a sweaty day. Less exhibitions and not as many booths. Kind of let down this year... Not as good as previous years. We went in Sunday. I'm not sure if vendors had already packed up or what. Value was not there. Service was fine, people were nice at the booths. Just disappointed in the convention overall. It seemed to be not as good as previous years. read more
I've been going to Wondercon for years, taking a few hiatus years off due to child rearing logistics. Now, my son's been to LA Comic Con, San Diego Comic Con and Anaheim Wonder Con.... This is his favorite convention between the 3. He's not into comic books per se, he's not into TCG's Trading Card Games and "Gaming", he's not into Cosplay ('tho doesn't mind dressing up or people watching), he's not into Artist's Alley nor Celebrities, and generally likes Lego, some video games and Star Wars. So for children 7-14, this is a good convention for many interests. The Lego they have here is primarily 2 main vendors and a few smaller ones who sell unlicensed brick (Lego styled designer imposter) "Mini-Figures" that has many characters that Lego never built, so are "custom" probably mass produced in China, accessible probably at Alibaba or Temu for cheap in bulk. They're usually $5 each or 5 for $20 at Wondercon. The Star Wars stuff is sparce, and they used to have a vendor who sold high end inspired (not licensed) Light Sabers. This convention has a really good representation of vintage to modern comic book back-issues in a focused area of the convention hall. If you collect comics this is equal in many ways to SDCC. The "Artists Alley" pales in comparison to what their creator area used to be with top names of writers, penciling artists and inker artists who appeared representing Marvel, DC and Indie (Dark Horse, Image, etc.) comic publishers who were top named talent. These days they have maybe a half dozen to dozen at best recognizable (mainly local talent) major names. This year (2026) there was Ron Lim, Don Ho, Jimmy Cheung, Norm Rapmund, Joel Gomez, David Mack and a few others. So, the comic book creator guest list continues to shrink (although this year Wondercon competed the same weekend as the C2E2 show, Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo. Parking was $25 on-site, but there's FREE parking about 0.5 to a 1.5 miles away walking distance in residential areas. Overall the show has become more of a "Pop Culture Expo" than a comic book convention, lacking presence by any of the big publishers with corporate booths (again, maybe C2E2 is a bigger show than Wondercon and that's where everyone went in '26). I see rooms of improvement revolving around revisiting the glory days of yore, and looking back at what once made Wondercon the 2nd biggest show on the West Coast behind San Diego Comic Con (and this is a SDCC sister show too, by the same organizers). As many have noted in the past decade, Wondercon was a better show when it was held in San Francisco. It's still a good show worth attending no matter what. read more
My second year at Wondercon and it's just as magical as the first time! Tons of panels, a huge area for artists (artist alley) lots of comics, merch, and collectibles for sale. There are so many food trucks and different types of food for sale inside and around the convention center. Although, you can also bring your own food and water. Parking price is very fair and there is so much value to your ticket with lots of freebies given out by sponsors and different artist booths. This con is definitely less busy than others I've attended the past year so it's a bit easier to maneuver around and easier to see some of your favorite talents. (Less lines) I am always finding something new to fawn over and get into here at Wondercon. read more
6 months ago
This was an absolute nightmare of an experience. We arrived a little after 8:00 AM and were directed by multiple staff members to line up outside Hall D. We did exactly what we were told and waited there for over an hour. Then, around 9:30 AM, staff suddenly told everyone to leave and get in a completely different line--one that didn't even exist when we got there. So essentially, we were punished for following staff instructions. Because of this disorganization, we lost our place and missed out on autographs, while others were let in. The email clearly stated a 9:30 start time, yet there was zero consistency or control. What made it worse was the attitude of the staff. Not only were they giving incorrect directions, but when the mistake became obvious, they were dismissive and rude instead of taking accountability. We paid to attend this event and were treated with complete disregard. The lack of organization, poor communication, and disrespect from staff made this one of the worst event experiences I've ever had. Do better. read more
1 year ago
It's one of the few comic book cons that comic book nerds like myself can enjoy to go to when I'm not working. There are overpriced comics and some good comics to fill in gaps in my collection at a reasonable price. Otherwise it's worth checking out if you are nearby around their show dates read more
#2 for 2023 Originally WonderCon started strong in Oakland before being bought out by the San Diego Comic Con and moved to Anaheim. It is now thriving like it was in its inception in the late 80s. WonderCon is one of the more professionally run Comic Cons so you would think there should not be any hickups, or very little. That is not the case. However, they do have a good team of people that can help get through these situations. One of these is registration. You can't jsut buy a ticket and be done with it. There are several steps to take including verification who you are and such. Anyway, once you get through that then you can purchase tickets. The good thing is once you go through this it will be easier to not just buy tickets for WonderCon but also for the San Diego Comic Con. It is a 3 day event happening now in March at the Anaheim Convention Center. That can change. If you do plan to attend, or have a desire to in the future, it is best to register yourself now to get a member number. You can also sign up to get updates. Very helpful. Purchasing your badges early is also helpful because they will be mailed to you. Doing so allows you to bypass the badge pickup line which can be long depending on the time you attend. Its a big relief if you were not able to find parking easily. My favorite section is Artist Alley where most of the artists are corralled in. It gives you a chance to see their work, buy prints and original art, schedule commissions, and talk to them to learn who they are and their approach to the art. They are very helpful sharing their techniques and tools to teach other artists. Many cosplayers attend showing their new costumes. I like the ones that are hand crafted showcasing their talent as seamstresses, creativity and nerdiness. All this comes to a head in the Cosplay contest Saturday night when the cosplayers present themselves for viewing and judging. The winners win prizes. I don't think the prizes add up to the time and material bought. However, it is still a great honor to win. And those that do have great love and passion for their craft. Well deserved for the quality and creations they put out. The Dealer's room is filled with vendors selling comics, toys, clothing, food, costumes, accessories and all sorts of things. You'll be sure to find something of interest in here guaranteed. Another interesting area is Small Press. This is where the start up and smaller publishers are showcasing the comics, manga or novels they put out themselves or the books the publishers are selling. It is fun to find new things to read that offers that escapism into another world filled with adventure. Panels and screenings occur all day covering every genre out there. To be honest these are good areas just to sit down and take a nap. There are good panels worth listening too but not all are of interest. It can get very crowded for sure. WonderCon does seem more relaxed not so rushed to do everything giving way to a more leisure event that can be enjoyed with family and friends. read more
I have been to San Diego Comic Con as well as L.A. Comic Con. WonderCon is by far my favorite. The convenience, the space and the accessibility are some of the things I appreciated about this Con in the Anaheim area. First of, my hotel was adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center. Where WonderCon was being held. It only took my family and I minutes to walk to all the fun. We were also in walking distance to restaurants, fast food places convenient stores, drug stores and even food trucks. Secondly, WonderCon was big and spacious. Plenty of room to move around without bumping into other people. So traveling the convention floor was no problem. With my grandson in attendance; it was reassuring that we could easily keep track of him. Not him getting lost in a sea of people. Lastly, the Con had everything I wanted in a Comic Con. Comic books, video games, artists, cosplayers and toys everywhere you looked. Things I grew up with and still enjoy to this day. Overall, a fun time for my family and I. Looking forward to next year. I will be back. WonderCon is an awesome time. read more
I heard about this con so many times as I attend San Diego Comic Con, and also I heard it's used to be a lot more programs for 3 days, but after Covid it seems to die down a bit as I don't see a lot of companies pouring their money in. Anyway it's my first time coming to Wonder Con as Professional and not Attendee, thanks to my status update. Parking is $20 a day but at least you have a place to park and you didn't get ripped off on parking like SDCC, it could easily be $85 for you not overnight flat rate. A lot more vendors but less industry people or panels here comparing to SD or NY, again this is a sister convention to SD, they're smaller and tend to cater towards collectors, individuals. Their venue is pretty old, especially the escalator going up the stairs. Anywho I got to experience my first Wonder Con. Too bad I can't stay for all 3 days, but I wish I could next time. read more
What a delightful time! I've not attended any of these types of conventions in perhaps a decade however, I've taken my daughters to Comic Con, AX (Anime Expo) ... And I now recall I did attend a Creation Star Trek Convention several years ago. At any rate, there was Tons n tons of stuff to see! Thousands of happy enthusiasts, fans n costumed artists! We bought all kinds of stuff, some mildly pricey and some a bit of a bargain, and other stuff super rare and or original. What a "chill" n "kewl" event!!! We went in with my brother in law, his son and one of my daughters who just graduated from her UC early (less than 4 years!). None of us stayed "all day" but we sat in on a couple panels, one was how to create your own R/C R2D2 droid... N we met many artists... N just saw an incredible dizzy variety of things, costumed fans, beautiful elaborate creations in costumes and art! I should try to go back again next year. So parking was a "bear" but was "bearable". Otherwise, no other criticisms or gripes. Is this for everyone... Maybe not. But if this might be your "thing" in any way... Than it's a delightful fabulous event indeed!!! So yeah... If I could have given 7 stars... I would have tried to bestow 19 stars!!! read more
I've never missed a WonderCon in Orange County and I have absolutely amazing memories from each one. Little brother to San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon does not have either the ridiculous crowds nor the overhyped Hollywood presence of its big brother and without them it's the perfect place for the first time comic book convention attendee or the less fanatical fan. And yet there are plenty of creators, many of them very well known in the comic book interest, some pretty entertaining panels, nonstop game play, and a main exhibit hall that needs at least three days to completely experience. Best of all, the passes are affordable and attainable. Plus, the hotel rooms and restaurants aren't nearly as big a pain as are those in downtown San Diego during those five days every July. Go next year. You'll love it. read more
2 years ago
8 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
This is a great alternative to San Diego Comic-Con and at a fraction of the price! I've been to Comic-Con about six times and now that I live In the OC, I'm stoked to have finally checked out Wondercon. For a single day pass it's only $30 which gets you into everything, the main product and collectibles floor, TV show panels and other live demos happening at the convention center. I've never been one to sit at panel and watch people talk for two hours, so the floor is the main draw for me. Pops, Kid Robot, DC, Marvel, Artists Alley and of course miles of comics. I came here looking for pops and anything Simpsons related. A few tips when attending the Con; come with a game plan, a realistic budget and some pricing knowledge of the stuff you're seeking out. For the most part, items can be be cheaper and more exclusive at the con, but there are a few vendors who will hike up the price. The three day pass for me isn't worth it, because you can walk the entire floor in 3 hours. So if panels aren't your thing either, a single day pass will be perfect. Go on Saturday if possible, and remember everything on Sunday could be half price! read more
This is my first time at WonderCon. I thought this was a pretty good experience! The staff was very friendly and helpful.Overall, I had a good time on my Friday one-day pass, but I didn't get to experience the panels. Food trucks set up:I thought this was pretty clever to have out in the front. There were a lot of options for the food trucks, but they were all suuuuuper expensive. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Where is the boba truck, though?! Come on, SoCal! Cosplay entrance: Kudos to the Linus cosplay who committed to his piano playing for most of the day! He even got his friends to dress up! Pretty cool! There was a good amount of cosplayers, and they were always very friendly for pictures and such. Lots of Deadpools running around, which was hilarious. Artist's ALLEY: This was the main thing for me. I loved looking at the different booths of artists. Though I did wish there were more of these and more diversity. Or some sort of organization in terms of what was stationed where? There were some really cool stuff I haven't seen before, and there were some pretty cool organizations supporting budding artists! Convention Booths: Oh MAN!There were some really cool things on display and for sale! I spent a good time looking through them, wishing I had more money to afford! Art for fans by fans was definitely a highlight. Puglie was SUPER cute!I The Exploding Kittens booth was also REALLY smart. Really loved that. Some people were walking around with a bundle of asparagus! Haha. Overall, I had a good time for my first convention! I got to see a lot of cool things, and I hope to come again! read more
Date of visit: April 2, 2017 FINALLY we got to go to WonderCon! This year, not only is it back at the Anaheim Convention Center, it was also scheduled earlier than Easter weekend! We wanted to come here not only to get my girlfriend a bit more used to the convention hall craziness, but also have a dry run of what we're planning to wear for this year's San Diego Comic-Con - our Mouseketeer costumes. (Yes, we're dressing as Mouseketeers for SDCC.) I was very surprised that we were able to cover the exhibit hall in five hours... unlike SDCC, there's no big media/entertainment companies represented on the floor (even Marvel and DC's booths were muted compared to the large space they normally command). Instead, there are plenty of independent vendors around, and you definitely will be able to buy something that strikes your fancy (in our case, the Disney pin booth that was run by a couple; we spent a good hour or so here checking out the collections!). Even with the large number of attendees, we actually were able to walk around and actually find places to sit and relax along the walls. In terms of panels, honestly I was a bit disappointed. Maybe it was because we went on a Sunday, but based on my online browsing beforehand, there just wasn't anything this year that looked appealing. Foodwise, I was actually impressed. The quality of the offerings at the Anaheim Convention Center outshine the ones held inside the San Diego Convention Center, and that's not counting the food trucks and the restaurants at the GardenWalk! Parking... well, we ended up taking the shuttle from Angels Stadium to the Convention Center. We were debating about using our Disney Annual Passports to park at the Toy Story Parking Lot, but as it turns out, that one was also pretty full by the time we got there. Lots of cosplayers abound, and there's plenty of opportunities to take pics (and have them taken - we were surprised that someone wanted a picture of my lady and I in our Mouseketeer finery)! Ask nicely, and they'll oblige! While a bit smaller in scope compared to SDCC, we still had a good time here. Perhaps if we can't get SDCC tickets, WonderCon still will be another option. read more
4 years ago
Ok so this con was a great time I almost took a star(or two) away because there was these religious nuts spouting hell fire at us even telling us we were going to die wich itook as a threat along with so many more hateful and bigoted things all while people were trying to have fun and even staff were doing nothing about it and guarding them.....on second though I will take a star away for that I can believe comicon international is ok with zealots threatening their event guests and not try to put a stop to it but oh well aside from that I love the panels and guest ,my partner and I cosplayed and love the event (inside) . A large amount of vendors with every conceivable nerd item one could think off I will say we spent more than we should have . Over all it was a really great experience but again will dock a star because for the nuts on the megaphone , I'm all for free speech but not telling gay,trans,jewish,Muslims, catholics, comic book readers, and suicide survivors( that last one hit perosnal) that they will burn in hell and die . Event staff did nothing to stop this and neither did the police but they sure stopped all the guest from being able to do a thing about it....infact I will dock another star because of that it was a real "pleasure" hearing a guy call my partner a whore on a megaphone while we ate lunch cmon wonder con why do you allow them on premises. This would have been a 5 star event but these zealots ensured many people were accosted, harrased,and made to feel like dirt is that what you were going for? read more
Wonder Con is the little sibling of the SD Comic Con. If you want to pay less money, still see people dressed up, go and see some booth (some that actually sell comics) then this might be the place for you to go. It is ran by the same people that put on SD Comic Con so somethings are familiar but what it doesn't have is the Hollywood star power behind it - which is a good thing if that's what you are looking for. My hubby tells me it was like the way SD Comic Con was before Hollywood starting promoting all the movies/shows and all the stars started coming down for it. We went in 2012 and now in 2014 and I can tell you it has grown since then but I really like the fact you can get parking, walk down aisles and not be surrounded by people all the time. We were able to do the whole con in one day (in at 10 and out by 5). read more
I attended Comic Con back in 1997 and 1998, back when you could walk right in with hardly any hassle and cosplayers were few and far between. Enter the 21st century...and Comic Con blows up and it has been nearly impossible to get tickets to said event. Quick fix...any of the slightly lesser publicized conventions. Wonder Con was a breeze to get tickets for. Tickets were not available at the door, online only. We were able to get tickets for Sunday only on Friday morning for $15. You must register on Comic Con's website and use your user name and password to buy tickets for Wonder Con. When you show up to Wonder Con you go to pick up your badge. It was super easy and a breeze. I just showed them the email on my phone and boom! Badge acquired. If anyone reading this is wondering what wonder con or comic con is, it's basically a convention for fans to attend and even dress up. Fans of what ? You ask? Fans of any and everything fiction, fantasy, or make believe in all forms of media such as books, comic books, movies, tv shows, cable network shows, and anime. Cosplayers are costume role players, people who dress up and look just like one of their favorite characters. Aside from the hundreds of cosplayers in attendance, there are artists, vendors, comic books, art, and guest speaker panels. There are also opportunities to see movie or tv show trailers. We didn't spend any money, we felt everything was overpriced! There were lots of goodies to see, definitely a geek, nerd, or fans shopping paradise if one is looking to expand their collections. My 11 year old son had a blast, it was his first time ever attending this type of convention. He was so happily overwhelmed with all the cosplayers! He couldn't stop naming them, it was so much fun for him. I can't wait to take him to more conventions. He had fun asking cosplayers to take pictures with him. The food trucks outside were awesome. We snacked from two trucks, once on our way in and again on our way out. It was a nice relief from the convention center food inside, we weren't looking forward to dining from there!! It was a tad warm inside, we were all sweating and had to keep taking breaks. There lots of people roaming around so it was hard to look at the booths without having someone in the way or getting bumped into. We met up with a group of friends who met up with their friends, it was difficult to keep us together since everyone wanted to do their own thing. I think it's best to split up into smaller groups or pairs, especially with the crowds. Wonder Con is awesome, great experience for all alike. Who isn't a fan of one thing or another? Kids definitely love it, I know my son did. Next convention we will be there super early, bring our own cold water, come fed, and dress lightly. read more
This was my first time attending WonderCon since I moved to the area and I loved it! I can't wait to go back next year. It's not as low-key as the Long Beach Comic and Horror Con, but definitely not as packed as SDCC. That being said, there's still a lot of booths to see, a ton of great artists in Artists' Alley, and some pretty good panels as well. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wondercon-2014-anaheim-2?select=OnlNMfnTq8EMxm4VcO4FZw#OnlNMfnTq8EMxm4VcO4FZw Parking is pretty abundant if you park across the street from the convention center (in the shared Disneyland lot) - $12/day isn't too horrible, especially comparing it with SDCC where it can be upwards of $20. There's always a good number of excellent food trucks. Sadly, I wasn't able to try some, but I really wanted to try Chef Joe's Tasting Spoon...one day! I was able to pick up commissions from Peter Nguyen and Minion Me, and I got to stop by Katie Cook's booth to get a couple of custom watercolors :) Cosplayers are abundant here as well, and they're always in good spirits for pictures. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wondercon-2014-anaheim-2?select=OnlNMfnTq8EMxm4VcO4FZw#0rbqwo4qD9ZXgeRzyaiwmw http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wondercon-2014-anaheim-2?select=OnlNMfnTq8EMxm4VcO4FZw#C3YWjN3P-RZkLeKp6Kdwbw http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wondercon-2014-anaheim-2?select=OnlNMfnTq8EMxm4VcO4FZw#PIV3J2MlUpZMaEKpq4Ew9w Also, how awesome was it that Chris Hardwick was on the floor??? http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wondercon-2014-anaheim-2?select=OnlNMfnTq8EMxm4VcO4FZw#eeTtHSw5GRyBTFoyFQP1Pw Can't wait for next year! read more
3 years ago
8 years ago
This year's WonderCon is our third one and it has not disappointed us. We checked out the DC Comics Batman Anniversary panel, enjoyed Jim Lee's panel, bought some cool merch and rare books from Stranger Comics. We had a lot of fun cosplaying this year and got to know some very creative people. WonderCon is becoming my annual ritual and is the best con I have ever attended. I am looking forward to doing this again next year. read more
5 years ago
9 years ago
Parking, traffic and crowds aside (they are seriously horrible at the Anaheim Convention Center, but I suppose better than that of the LA Convention Center), my son had an awesome time at WonderCon. He loved the artists and being able to meet and greet so many professionals and exhibitors. I was surprised there were so many vendors on hand so be sure to budget for trinket buying...jewelry, art, paraphernalia and more in addition to the $30 day pass price. A lot more people in costume than I expected as well. I wrongly thought that was more of a Comicon thing. read more
10 years ago
"I think, that if the world were a bit more like ComicCon, it would be a better place." --Matt Smith Actually, ComicCon is hot, sweaty, crowded, and claustrophobic. Nevertheless, it IS fun. I was looking forward to my first WonderCon ever, as I was told by countless friends that it is so much better than ComicCon... less crowded, similar vendors, just as much fun, with half the humanity. Well, I suppose the secret was out because it was every bit as cattle-prod inducing, congested and crowded as the 405 Fwy in rush hour traffic. From the moment we walked in on Saturday morning, to the moment we left an hour before it closed for the day, movement through any of the show areas and aisles was a contact sport. As far as vendors go, there were way more comic / manga vendors than I even encounter at ComicCon! I didn't get a chance to sit in on any panels, and that would probably have made my experience better. Tons of unique merchandise, apparel, books, DVD's, toys, plushies, and artwork you could never find anywhere else but at these kinds of conventions. There were a few Sci-Fi stars from TV / Movie's past there to give autographs (for a price, but that's normal). Still a fun experience. Hope you all get to experience a ComicCon / WonderCon at least once in your lives! read more
Just arrived....getting checked in....looks good so far. Day 1 of WonderCon Arrived at 11am.....picking up my badge was fast and easy.....I had anticipated long waits and long lines.....but this time all tickets were pre-purchased over the internet months ago.....just bring your receipt and an ID to pick up your badge and it gets you inside. Once inside there are many things to see and buy. Lots of people are Cosplaying as you can see by the pictures I've posted. People are selling comic book, artist are on hand displaying their art work. Superhero's are signing autographs. Everyone is just having fun and the people are real nice. There is plenty of food....lot's of food trucks outside..... I was lucky to book a room that is just across the street from the convention center which is great. Makes me feel a home like so. Highly recommend it .... at least make it a one time appearance and you will fall in love with the fun. read more
12 years ago
Alan L., you were down for WonderCon? Dang! Wish I knew so I could have said, "Hi," in person. Sad face. Thus lies one of the main reasons I like this con: being one of the higher-capacity cons, I get to see many more of the geeky brethren I recognize. Lots of hugs were had the last couple days. But alas, I've been getting spoiled hanging around the smaller cons with tightly-knit communities. Walking around WonderCon during peak hours was draining. Thousands of people all slowly moving in all directions, many seemingly oblivious to those around them as they'd unapologetically run into people or suddenly stop. At least it's not to the level of Comic-Con, where most of the folk are competing for one thing or another at any given moment and people shamelessly elbow you in the ribs or sneeze, uncovered, in your face as they are wont to do. WonderCon still has manners. To speak of what I saw at 2014's show, there were hundreds of outstanding cosplayers, MANY friendly people, and some great panels. I spent the first half of Saturday in the Arena, watching the Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox presentations. I got to be in the multitude of people cheering for the extensive "Godzilla" clip, getting a sneak peak at "Secret Service," falling in love again with the look of "How To Train Your Dragon," and seeing talented folks like Gary Oldman, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, and Bill Paxton. WonderCon staff were wonderful, as far as I could tell. The line for the Arena was well-managed and registration went smoothly for me. My favorite aspect is still the Hospitality Suite, called 10 Forward for the Guinan they have working it. She is so cool and remains in character through the service. And hey, free snacks and drinks. The hired security companies (StaffPro, CSC, etc) were also quite courteous and helpful when I'd ask them for directions. Matter of fact the ONLY group I saw getting short with people were the Arena staff when it came to seating. The two managing our area in particular were curtly telling people to scoot over in one direction or another, were telling people they couldn't go to the bathroom, and refused to inform those who asked how to access the tier above for more seating, despite it already being open. I get that they're just trying to ensure that as many people as could fit in the Arena would get in to enjoy the show, but there was no call for sternly telling people they couldn't use the restroom between panels because they'd mistake the saved seat for an open one. Also, there's always been the rule that no one should film ANYTHING on the screen (trailers, clips, concept art, etc) during panels. It was sort of funny watching these four burly guys in suits descend on someone following the special "Godzilla" clip to make them delete what footage they got. It's necessary to keep the cool things coming to the con. Something gets leaked online, and the studios stop bringing the exclusives for the paying attendees. Overall, I had another pleasant con-going experience, just as I have the previous years it's been in SoCal. If only Comic-Con International had announced it was going to be in Anaheim again sooner. While there were still several panels and booth with big names, it felt like less due to the delay. I don't know. Still, I've always felt that the large presence and high quality of cosplayers is a sign of a good, healthy convention, of which there were many. Is it returning to Moscone next year, I wonder? I know it's the popular opinion to demand it back in the Bay Area, but I'm still loving it down here while Anaheim has had it. I feel it's thrived and grown outward, while it seemed stifled in Moscone. Again, not the popular opinion. So yeah, good stuff. read more
It's Wondercon! We got dropped off so we didn't have to deal with parking. So many costumes this year. The Convention Center is huge and the layout is pretty easy. Check in was easy as long as you don't go right when it opens. It was pretty fun shopping and looking at all the unique costumes. We got lots of prints and some cool jewelry. It was pretty crowded but it was fun. read more
15 years ago
Wondercon is smaller compared to Comiccon Parking is like a b*tch. The police were blocking the streets near the convention center. It took us 40 minutes to get a parking lot. We parked at The Garden walk, it was 2.5 streets further. And then we were a bit lost between wonder con and the cheerleading competition. I though the cheerleaders were the cosplay girl ;D There were like next door. It was pretty confusing However, it's still a fun place to walk, taking pictures of sexy cosplay ladies with big boobs and sexy tush, Darth Vader with beer belly's, super skinny captain America or men in the cosplay suit that sweat like crazy in a place with lots of spotlights and of course searching for new toys/ figure to buy. Me and Mr.Q likes this place and Yeahhh...Geeks rocks! read more
15 years ago
Came here last day (sunday), parking is terrible. the convention center and the hotel parking is full, only disney parking left. If you come Sunday don't expect to see much of announcement or contest those are done previous day or 2. There's reason why ticket in the last day cost a lot less. However the best about coming in Sunday, if you wanna get some real discount deal buying shirts, comics and toys. Shirt getting little discount but those toy and book can be heavy discount. any 10 big or small paper or hardcover comic for $60 is definite best deal I had see, some of the comic retail $30-50. The let down is lack of booth from Marvel. A lot small Independent comic artist to sell their works. But mostly is vendors sell shirt, toy etc.. I not complaining since I got some very good deal and the admission is about same as Auto Show. In summary if you see the latest and best comic con is still no brainer, but if you don't wanna spend full day or 2 and get real tire this is more idea to try it. read more
7 years ago
I appreciate this convention more than its big sister counterpart ins San Diego. As of now people are still free to walk anywhere in the exhibit hall since the crowds are moderate. Great place for the cosplayers because of the numerous open areas and a scenic fountain, not to mention the mild spring weather encourages dressing up. The convention isn't too much occupied by big media industry so you will see more of unique and homemade wares by local people. A Big improvement is the food choices they have around the outside ofnthe convention center. I would hope that the event would become bigger in the future read more
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More info about WonderCon
800 W Katella Ave
Anaheim Convention Ctr
Anaheim, CA 92802
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http://www.comic-con.org/wca
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