More information IF things are done the same way as in previous years:
They use two big screens on the sides so you will be able to see the folks onstage.
Gold tickets will arrive in the mail a week before the convention. I think they mail them two weeks out and it takes a few days to go through the postal system.
Autograph tickets are done according to number, but Gold Tickets trump numbers for those autographs that are included with the purchase of a Gold Ticket. If you have gold tickets, you will be called by row, so having row G is good. There should only be about 300-400 people ahead of you. After Gold tickets are done, the numbered tickets are called about 50-100 at a time. The autographs are done very quickly. There are a few stars (Brent S. and others) who will chat briefly with fans, so those lines might go a little slower, but still they move very quickly. There is no personalizing done in the autograph ticket line.
As with all conventions, you may bring an item for a star to autograph. If you do not have something to get autographed, pictures of all stars are available in the dealer's room which is right next to the main auditorium.
There will also be an autograph room with several folks in it signing and talking to you all you'd like. You usually are not told this, but in this room, an autograph is twenty dollars and it includes a picture from the star. Usually they will personalize them, too.
Photo OPs are NOT done according to number, but according to where you are in line. Head for the photo ops line about 30 minutes ahead of time to get a good spot.
Go ahead and study the schedule of autographs and photo ops as well as the floor plan of the Hilton ahead of time (when you arrive) and plan out where you need to be and when.
If you get confused, find Marlene, the volunteer who works the photo ops line. She always works the photo ops and she is the greatest lady in the world. She'll tell you where to stand and where to be. Tell her DeeDee from Georgia said hello.
You'll have an arm band AND a ticket on a lanyard. You'll need to show both to enter events.
Check out the breakfast times at the buffet (yes, I would go to the buffet) when you get there so you can plan to eat a late breakfast which will end up being your brunch. You'll be busy standing in lines and listening to stars onstage, and there will probably not be time for lunch. However, the price for the buffet rises at lunch time, so make sure you catch the breakfast buffet. We usually ate twice a day... very late breakfast and then dinner. There's a wagon stand that sells fruit and muffins and sandwiches that's closer than the restaurants, but the prices are EXTREMELY high. Plan ahead of time when and where to eat to save money.
For cheaper quick eats, there's a Pizza Hut counter at the end of the hall that runs by Star Trek, The Experience. They sell personal pan pizzas. But they are all the way at the very opposite end of the hotel about as far away from the main auditorium as you can get.
There'a a Quark's Bar menu online. Google it. You can see the descriptions and prices. Make sure you eat there at least once.
The dinner on Thursday and Friday night is a buffet, and it I has always been delicious. However, it is not the menu from Quark's bar...no Trek-themed food. You'll probably have to hunt to find the dessert. It is usually off in a cubby hole somewhere. Again, go upstairs to find a place to sit at the dinner. Be aware that you may have to stand to eat.
All information above is based on previous years' experience. Things may be different now.
I wish I were going again, but I just can't manage it this year. Y'all ride the Experience a time or two for me, OK?
They use two big screens on the sides so you will be able to see the folks onstage.
Gold tickets will arrive in the mail a week before the convention. I think they mail them two weeks out and it takes a few days to go through the postal system.
Autograph tickets are done according to number, but Gold Tickets trump numbers for those autographs that are included with the purchase of a Gold Ticket. If you have gold tickets, you will be called by row, so having row G is good. There should only be about 300-400 people ahead of you. After Gold tickets are done, the numbered tickets are called about 50-100 at a time. The autographs are done very quickly. There are a few stars (Brent S. and others) who will chat briefly with fans, so those lines might go a little slower, but still they move very quickly. There is no personalizing done in the autograph ticket line.
As with all conventions, you may bring an item for a star to autograph. If you do not have something to get autographed, pictures of all stars are available in the dealer's room which is right next to the main auditorium.
There will also be an autograph room with several folks in it signing and talking to you all you'd like. You usually are not told this, but in this room, an autograph is twenty dollars and it includes a picture from the star. Usually they will personalize them, too.
Photo OPs are NOT done according to number, but according to where you are in line. Head for the photo ops line about 30 minutes ahead of time to get a good spot.
Go ahead and study the schedule of autographs and photo ops as well as the floor plan of the Hilton ahead of time (when you arrive) and plan out where you need to be and when.
If you get confused, find Marlene, the volunteer who works the photo ops line. She always works the photo ops and she is the greatest lady in the world. She'll tell you where to stand and where to be. Tell her DeeDee from Georgia said hello.
You'll have an arm band AND a ticket on a lanyard. You'll need to show both to enter events.
Check out the breakfast times at the buffet (yes, I would go to the buffet) when you get there so you can plan to eat a late breakfast which will end up being your brunch. You'll be busy standing in lines and listening to stars onstage, and there will probably not be time for lunch. However, the price for the buffet rises at lunch time, so make sure you catch the breakfast buffet. We usually ate twice a day... very late breakfast and then dinner. There's a wagon stand that sells fruit and muffins and sandwiches that's closer than the restaurants, but the prices are EXTREMELY high. Plan ahead of time when and where to eat to save money.
For cheaper quick eats, there's a Pizza Hut counter at the end of the hall that runs by Star Trek, The Experience. They sell personal pan pizzas. But they are all the way at the very opposite end of the hotel about as far away from the main auditorium as you can get.
There'a a Quark's Bar menu online. Google it. You can see the descriptions and prices. Make sure you eat there at least once.
The dinner on Thursday and Friday night is a buffet, and it I has always been delicious. However, it is not the menu from Quark's bar...no Trek-themed food. You'll probably have to hunt to find the dessert. It is usually off in a cubby hole somewhere. Again, go upstairs to find a place to sit at the dinner. Be aware that you may have to stand to eat.
All information above is based on previous years' experience. Things may be different now.
I wish I were going again, but I just can't manage it this year. Y'all ride the Experience a time or two for me, OK?
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lol
Well, I'm going to be armed with a camera with a 12x zoom and three 2GB memory sticks. I'll make sure you get some "exclusive" closeups!
