What to expect at Fan Expo
It is arguably the second largest fan show of its kind in North America, and definitely Canada’s biggest celebration of comics, horror, video games and all different kinds of genre entertainment that people obsess about.
Fan Expo returns to take over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for four days starting this Thursday, and while this weekend has become an annual rite of passage for people from all over Canada — attendance is expected to top out at over 140,000 people — there can be a lot for a newcomer to take in and navigate. Here’s a quick primer for what to expect. Getting in: While there will be some same-day tickets available, buying in advance is wise, as there are many different tiers and VIP packages to consider. As well, single-day tickets tend to sell out, particularly on Saturday. It’s smart to try and plan your day, as you may be traipsing back and forth between the North and South convention hall. There’s an app you can download to get a head start on your route. What you need to bring: Money. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of stuff to see and do for free at the show, but this really is a show about collectibles and consumption. This is the place to get hot new Dungeons and Dragons modules or that one missing X-Men comic for your collection. Go to Artist’s Alley and get a comics professional to draw something original. The T-shirt towers alone are worth a visit. There are certain events that you can buy an advance ticket for, but if you do want to line up to get an autograph or signed picture of a celebrity, there will likely be a cost for that, too. What you also need to be ready for: Lineups and a sea of humanity. Even before the event opens on Thursday, there will be a thousand-person queue snaking around the convention centre, and that will be for people who have already bought their passes. There will be another really long line for tickets. Once you get in, if you are planning on meeting a celebrity and getting something signed, that will require some waiting, as will things like previews of unreleased videogames. Just walking the aisles in the rooms, or even in the hallways outside, you will often find traffics jams of people milling about. For the sake of the greater good, let’s all hear it for excellent personal hygiene! Cosplay: One of the best things about Fan Expo is all of the amazing cosplayers (costume players), who dress up in elaborate adaptations of their favourite characters. Do marvel and let them know how great they look. Don’t be a creep and take someone’s photo without their permission. Most will more than happy to offer up a wicked pose when asked nicely. Cool stuff to do: Yes, the main purpose is buying stuff, but there is so much stuff to do at Fan Expo. Here’s a list to get you started: Play a demo of an unreleased game, like Shadow of War or the Call of Duty: WWII; check the costume display for the upcoming film Thor: Ragnarok; catch special screenings of the upcoming vampire movie The Carmilla or a sneak peak of the upcoming Star Wars: Rebels cartoon; if you’re a Whovian, you can either meet up with the entire cast of Matt Smithera Doctor Who or try an escape room based on the Timelord’s shenanigans; if you’re more of a Star Wars aficionado, there will be a lifesize replica of Jabba the Hutt’s throne room, which will likely be an Instagram hot spot for all of the Slave Leia cosplayers out there. Also, go hit a panel discussion — they are plentiful and free, and a great place to find like-minded fans. What else: Stay hydrated! Take breaks when you need them. Fan Expo is offering a family & kids lounge and a cosplayers break room for when downtime is needed. There is a bunch of official after-parties but also spinoffs like Saturday’s Nerd Noise Night at the Rec Room, which features the Cybertronic Spree, a local band that dresses up like Transformers as well as other geek-oriented performers.
And one final pro-tip, Sunday afternoon is a good time to go deal hunting as some vendors will gladly get rid of stuff cheap as opposed to packing it back up.