Dragon*Con vs. San Diego Comic-Con: Which Convention Should You Attend?

Been to both multiple times. The first year I went to Dragoncon was the last year I went to SDCC. I am now an eternal member of Dragoncon.

I would like to see SDCC before I die. I am an ETERNAL member to DC.. NUFF SAID!!

First I glanced over the high points then went back and read over this article again.  For the most part I agree with the points of this article but to me this comparison is a bit of apples and oranges. I've been to both conventions multiple times.  If you only attend one convention between the two I'd say San Diego Comic-con is the better choice.  It has a more diverse programming schedule. Dragon*con is more sci-fi oriented, with a strong emphasis on science. But in the long run it depends more on where your interest lie.  For example this article made a point of comparing music. Several bands are part of the Dragon*con experience. They have a booth/table at the show and have an after hours concert at least one night during the show. Comic-con has nothing like that. Any music is just part of the city's night regular night life. So it not really a fair comparison, plus it depends on what type of music you like. Can't really say the bands there appeal to my taste personally, so for me that's not a strong draw but the people are nice. But Dragon*con is definitely more of a party especially after the sun goes down.I think I will disagree some on the fan panels.  To be fair I haven't been to a panel at Dragon*con in quite awhile but generally there are only a few panels there I consider attending. There are plenty to attend just not a lot that I've been dying to see. Some of that has to do with the fact I'm more a fan of comic books and as I said before Dragon*con is more Sci-fi oriented. Though some complain Comic-con has become less about comics there is plenty of comic-related events. Much like the music it depends on what you are into.  Comic-con is simply more diverse. There's things for movies, TV, books, comics. For a variety of genres and audiences. And not all panels are create equal.  The movie panels are mostly just big commercials for their latest work. TV panels are more fan friendly and has limited interaction talking to the stars.  The book/comics/topic panels are actual discussion between panel and audience.  Some occasionally get a little heated. In fact Comic-con diversity can be a bit of a problem.  The programming schedule itself can be overwhelming.  There is literally too much to do at Comic-con. You can't do half the things you want to do.  It like trying to do everything at Disney World in a single day.  You'll have fun trying but you just can't do it.  Another issue with Comic-con panels is if the subject becomes popular it becomes harder to get in the room and less personal.  There have been several first year TV shows where I walked into the room and got a good seat mid-panel.  Then when the show got popular the lines for that same panel next year you had to be in line two hours ahead of time.

As for Cosplay I do give Dragon*con an edge but that's because it's more of a central focus of that convention.I can't say which con has more cosplayers.  Comic-con has more people in attendance so percentage-wise fewer are in costume but per numbers there may be more.  However they don't all congregate in the same area. Aside from Star Wars and Zombies there rarely is a planned cos-play gathering at Comic-con. So you won't often hit a pocket of cos-players but at Dragon*con it happens quite often.

While both cons are take place in major cities.  Comic-con is a major, if not the biggest event in San-Diego and a huge deal for the city, It is without a doubt the biggest event in the city that weekend.  Dragon*con's home is in Atlanta but it's not as hot a ticket nor the central focus of the city.  I've been to Dragon*con the last 3 years and each year there were at least 2 other major events happening in the city.  Granted ATL is a much bigger city, I've seen both cons grow over the year.  Comic-con has gotten so big it has because a bit of exclusive ticket selling out months in advance the last few years. So if you want to go you have to plan ahead these days. I decide to attend one Dragon*con the morning of the convention's first day.  San Diego has been one of the best run conventions I've every attended and that's been true for over a decade.  Several years ago I attended a couple of Dragon*con and didn't stay a whole day because it was too disorganized.  The last few years it has gotten a lot better.  I haven't seen the problems I saw in the past.  To me San Diego Comic-con is more of a must see but nowadays it's a lot harder to get tickets and you MUST plan months in advance.  Dragon*con may get there one year but right now you want to go to D*C you can just go.  

Sadly, I haven't attended DCon yet but itching to do so. I have been to SDCC a few times now and my self and many others have noticed that it is getting to commercialized and not a family friendly as it used to be. MANY of my costuming friends, comic artists, etc...all say that DCon is very welcoming and worth the 3000 mile drive from my hometown of San Diego....SDCC zone! I do hope to get a chance soon to do just that! Now, many do know that DCon is not as a "family" friemdly as SDCC but I do know for a fact that they are trying to bring in the family crowd to DCon. I am a costumer and a wife and mother of 3 very active kids that LOVE our costuming scene. They want to attend DCon. I would like to see more children to such a fantastic event to put on their record! ~Zarah Diane~

I loved reading this. Since I have never been to SDCC and was also a virgin this year at Dragon*Con (squee!) I appreciate reading the insight. I will say that being an Atlanta native and a lifelong geek; I have been exposed to D*C for over a decade. It's absolutely true that you need to book your hotel room a year in advance--I called the week after labor day and 3 of the 5 host hotels were completely booked for next year, and I was lucky to get the one that I did for 2012 in another host hotel. That's right--Dragon*Con fills the 5 largest hotels in downtown Atlanta and believe me that is a big statement. When I say fill, I mean fill to the brim--every hotel room, every convention hall, ever ballroom, every lobby, every restaurant lounge or bar, everything. We had over 40k people on the premises in 2011 and it's expected to be closer to 60k just this next year. Also good to mention--the ticket (membership) price for D*C is only $60 for all 4 days if you buy it a year in advance--I think it's still only $70 or $80 until next year. The big difference, from what I understand is simply put that every other Con--be it SDCC or others, especially on the west coast, are all run by marketing. The studios, the publishers, they pay a lot of cash to sell to you the whole time while keeping you well divided from actual fraternizing with any of the popular celebs or just "being there" for the excitement. Dragon*Con is for fans. It's all about fans--run by fans, for fans, and the money is raised by our own membership dollars, not a bunch of studios trying to sell to us. I perused and shopped and was never sold to. And for anyone who might be slightly misled by this article--plenty of real pop culture celebs are at Dragon*con; I'd argue just as many as anywhere else. They might not make their "holywood announcements" here in Atlanta but we also don't have to trip over red carpets or see our favorite people from a distance. Last year I shook hands with every single member of my favorite star trek series' and didn't pay them one dime or have to "keep my distance". And I managed to catch almost a dozen panels--all but one led by the actual celebrities, actors, singers, producers, whatever. Taking our questions, listening to our feedback--and without all the overhead of the "glamour" from California to get in the way. Oh--and Dragon*Con TV...awesome, and available in every hotel room of all host hotels, 24 hours a day.

Kind of an unfair comparison, since one con is a Comic Book industry con, which grew up around comic books and the other is a fan con which grew up around nothing specific.  You also left out video games, small press publishing, and the huge opportunities for independent artists and writers at SDCC.  Having been to numerous fan cons over the years, SDCC is just a different animal and if you know that going in, your expectations should be satisfied attending either con.

Having been to 23 (!) Dragon*Cons, I can honestly say that SDCC doesn't hold a candle to the fan experience. The guests aren't shielded from the fans, and in most cases happily hang out in the bar! Correction: there are two exhibit halls, a huge dealer's room AND the artists alley. ;P

Two things you left out, or maybe didn't experience as a "virgin" this year: Celtic rock/folk band Emerald Rose and the Drum Circle.  Both have gone from being a very small event to being must-do's for many of us. 

Thanks for the great information Liz.  As someone who has worked DragonCon for a long time I can tell you why some of the stuff didn't win over SDCC.  It's tried to have more support from the greater Hollywood industry and they just refuse to give it!     Quite a lot of stuff at SDCC is sponsored by studios but never mind that there's another half of the country on the other side and D*C is definitely worth their support!

Nice!  I've been going to D*C for over 10 years now and I'm local.  I've never been to SDCC, but just from what I read on the interwebs, it sounds like a pretty fair assessment.  The only thing I noticed possibly wrong (or incomplete) is in your section on collectibles.  D*C does have two Exhibit Halls, but they also have a large dealer room (usually in the bottom of the Marriott) that has a lot of stuff to peruse and buy too.

A pretty fair assessment with the exception of calling a draw for which is best for artists. An unknown artist will likely sell prints easier at DC, but it is a very far cry from SDCC in meeting new clients and networking with other artists, which I personally feel are far more valuable to an artists career than booth sales.  The opportunities at SDCC are massive, whether emerging or established, attending or exhibiting.

Should mention I have been a part of Dragon Con fandom for 16 years now.Ratt

Glad to read that you enjoyed the Con if You are not already a member come and join the Con away from Con on the DragonCon Yahoo group... It is a wonderful family and great place for Con Communications.Ratt

Buffalo Bill admits there was much alcohol involved in the deciding (and wearing of that costume)

For pure-n-simple people watching, and awesome fan costumes, Dragon*Con wins hands down. Its also a great place to just chat with the actors and even hang out with them as the atmosphere at D*C is much more relaxed and fan-friendly than SDCC. Even the panels seem more relaxed as they are geared towards the fans and aren't just pimping somebodies latest project. I've been to 9 Dragon*Cons now and have never been disappointed.

Totally agree. I wrote a blog about the same thing. Many of the same points.

http://thetvsisters.com/con-co...

Included New York Comic Con also.

I do have to say...the Goth kids and their awful bands playing the same 4 songs on a loop are the second worst things about Dragoncon.  The first being the rush to get a room.  Anyone going should know that you have to book a year in advance to get a decent room at one of the host hotels.

Ha! Love this. I do have to admit... Dragon*con is more fun than should legally be allowed.