For a variety of reasons I have been MIA from the convention scene. Imagine my excitement when I attended MegaCon Orlando this past weekend?
MegaCon Orlando 2024 was a rousing success. This was my first convention appearance since the pandemic. MegaCon sported an impressive lineup of stars. From the cast of The Princess Bride and Back to the Future to the cast of Charmed and Entourage. This showcase catered to all types of fans. And this does not even mention the featured guests that included: Tom Hiddleston, Paul Bettany, Hayden Christensen, and Ewan McGregor. Wow!!
The event took place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. I appreciated the layout of the show floor that made maneuvering around the masses easier than other conventions. If you’re a parent like I am with a wee one, getting around with a stroller will always be a challenge. Overall though I was pleased and so was momma. Let’s breakdown and grade the convention to see how it compares to others like New York or San Diego.
Merchants and Exclusives
From Funko Pops to T-Shirts and gadgets galore for all the cosplayers out there. There was no shortage of merchandise at this event. Lots of unique experiences as well such as a Star Wars “house” that you can walk through. There was a “Petrified Forest” area and Castle Grayskull which was cool for the kids. So many exhibitors of different varieties. If you’re a toy collector, they got you. If you’re a comic book collector, they got you.
A personal favorite of mine, RSVLTS had exclusive shirts that were very cool but also in very high demand.
Grade: A
Photo Ops and Autograph Alley
Automatically I was happy to see the team of Epic Photo Ops handling this area. They are the benchmark for these events. How they handle the guests is always first rate. Glad to see that hasn’t changed over the years. Photo Ops were divided into two areas that bookend the show floor. It was a smart decision to keep the headlines in a separate area for crowd control.
Autograph Alley was set on the far left side of the show floor near the main Photo Op area. It was well organized and easy for those seeking autographs from their favorite stars. A new thing I have noticed over the last couple of years is the use of prepaying for selected time slots. I think it’s a great way to control crowds and allow people to experience all the wonders of the convention without sacrificing time and energy waiting on line.
Yes, you’ll see be waiting once your time slot comes up but the process will be less stressful. This has been a great new addition to the convention experience.
Grade: A
Artist Alley & Tattoo Alley
Artist Alley here was reminiscent of other big cons and it’s always nice to see the creators at work. The only complaints, and they are minor, is that I didn’t notice a listing of how was there and how to find them. If it was there and I missed it, I apologize. The other issue is I wish the alley was given a wider space. The tightness of the area could easily make you miss an upcoming artist and their table.
Grade: B
Tattoo Alley is something very new to me. It wasn’t overly big which is to be expected, but a really cool addition to any comic convention. From what I can tell, these were quick designed tattoos that required minimal time. Those getting them seemed very pleased and that’s the idea.
Grade: B
Food Options
Hungry? Well, the choices were aplenty. Pizza from Papa John, Nathan’s Hot Dog, BBQ, Greek, Chinese and Japanese food were also available in different areas of the show floor. There was enough food to satisfy the pickiest of eaters. But the biggest line was not for any food. It was for soda. More specifically, Wild Bills Soda. They had an exclusive mug with free refills and that was the go to for my family and many others.
Grade: B+
My Top 5 highlights are:
5. Meeting Ming-Na Wen from Agents of SHIELD and The Book of Boba Fett. She was very gracious with her fans.
4. Meeting Marisa Tomei, Aunt May from the MCU and My Cousin Vinny. So lovely and kind.
3. Meeting Oscar Winner, Ke Huy Quan from Everything Everywhere All at Once & of course, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. What a delightful man.
2. Meeting Star Wars legends, Hayden Christensen, and Ewan McGregor. Simply the coolest Jedi’s in the galaxy.
1. The best by far was sharing this experience with my family. In the end, nothing else really matters and I am grateful for every moment together.
There you have it. My first MegaCon experience and I couldn’t ask for a better time.
Final Grade: A
Until February 2025!
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
