Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans 2018 With Jason Momoa and Tips For Beginners

This weekend I scratched two more things off my bucket list (other bucket list scratch offs for me were a Duran Duran, Culture Club and Chaka Khan concert in 2016). I went to Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans (Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana) and met Jason Momoa (Baywatch, Stargate Atlantis, Conan The Barberian, Game of Thrones, Frontier, Aquaman). This was my first time going to Wizard World (I learned so much), so I thought I would put together a list of tips to help anyone going for the very first time.

1. Find Out When Wizard World Will Be In Your Area and Look For Discount Codes

The first thing you should do is follow Wizard World on Instagram & Twitter, make an account on their website and subscribe to their newsletter. They offer discounts on General Admission tickets! Look for discount codes in all four places to save some money. I also suggest you follow Groupon. Groupon does a half-price discount off general admission tickets, but move fast because they were sold out BEFORE noon. I waited too late and missed out on that one. Some Wizard World Conventions (yes, this is a convention) are 3 days...some are 4 days! Ask yourself if you want to attend 1 day, a couple of days or everyday! The next step (#2) will guide you as to how many days you should attend.

2. Pre-Plan What You Would Like To Do

I remember telling my blog buddy Emmy of Scarberian Fashion Lover blog in 2015 (who attended Fan Expo Canada 2015) that I wished Jason Momoa would come to New Orleans. Well wishes DO come true! I learned in December (2017) that Jason Momoa would be at the January (2018) Wizard World Comic Con in New Orleans. That wasn't much time to plan! His photo-op is expensive, but I got a discount by following Wizard World. He was the focus of my visit. Jenna Coleman (Victoria PBS) was also suppose to be there, but cancelled :( She was another celebrity I wanted to meet. So this is a great time to look at the list of celebrities (photo ops & autographs), list of exhibitors and programming coming to your area. Programming? Yes! I didn't know about programming until AFTER I went. There are a number of presenters that talk about a number of topics. So put a wishlist together of what you would like to do.

3.  Tickets, Wristbands and Security

Once you place your order for General Admission Tickets, Photo-Ops, Autographs and/or VIP Packages ONLINE,  you will receive an email(s) with your tickets for EACH item. Each ticket will have a bar code. Print out your tickets. Fold them as directed. Keep them in a safe place. The day you attend Wizard World, you will have to stand in line to get your ticket scanned. If you don't have the paper ticket, you will have to show them the ticket on you cell phone for them to scan + id. They will then give you a wristband. YOU NEED THE WRISTBAND TO GET INTO WIZARD WORLD! My preconception was that the ticket would get you in. No! Again, prepare to stand in long lines to get your wristband. There's also a security checkpoint, where they check your bags. This process could take up to an hour or more depending on what city you are in! So give yourself time or your whole schedule could get thrown off! If I was a half-hour later, I would've missed my photo-op with Jason. I thought I had plenty of time. NOT!

4. Know The Building The Wizard World Convention Will Be Held In 

The Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans is LONG & HUGE! It's been awhile since I've been there. Well our UBER asked us what HALL the convention would be held in. It wasn't on the ticket. He let us out at the very front of the building. Well, we had to walk from the beginning to Hall I-J! Yes, my mom and I made stops in-between. LOL What a walk! I was so tired. I was hoping Jason would come and rescue me. HaHaHa So if this convention comes to your area, FIND OUT EXACTLY WHERE IN THE BUILDING IT WILL BE! Some people still had to walk because outside doors were locked near I-J. So make sure you wear something comfortable while attending.

5. View Floor Map (Exhibitors) 

It will be extremely helpful for you to look at the online floor map (under the exhibitors tab) to see where everyone will be and how things are laid out. You can get one when you pick up your tickets, but with all the people there, it will be hard to study. So become familiar with it beforehand and mark the spots you want to go. 

6. Prepare To Stand In-Line For Photographs And Autographs. Also Be Early!

Below was the line for Jason Momoa. This was a breeze compare to other larger cities. My mom and I were in line 10 minutes to 6pm. His scheduled time for photos was 6-7p. At 6:30p a lady announced LAST CALL FOR JASON MOMOA! LOL I looked at my mom and she looked at me. We just made it. So don't assume a celebrity will be there until the ending time. He was scheduled for autographs at 7:10pm so I don't know what was going on. Photo Op and Autograph Tickets are scanned in the designated Photo Op and Autograph AREA! Once scanned, they give you another ADMIT ONE TICKET to see the celebrity. I thought all of this checking and double checking was a bit excessive, but that's how Wizard World had it set up. Once you take your picture with the celebrity (Jason had music and the fan going LOL - He's really FUN!) you stand in line to pick up your picture. They hand you the picture and ask if you want a sleeve. The sleeve is $5. Try to get a plastic bag, like the blue one above to put your picture in. They should be available when you enter the convention. If not, they will be there after you leave. There's also a lady/man/or table that will either hold your bag/jacket while you take a picture with the celebrity. Your picture can also be found on the Wizard World website! Click on BUY SHOW PHOTOS! You can get additional prints and digital downloads. But you can also get the picture you took with the celebrity on a tshirt, mug, magnet, keychain, tote, mousepad, sweatshirt and even iphone case. AMAZING! LOL

7. Eat & Hydrate Before You Go. Be Sure To Dress In Layers.

It was cold outside, but warm inside the Convention Center. Dress in layers so you don't get overheated while standing in line. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with all the people there. I don't like crowds and there were a couple of times I had to take a deep breath when the lines got long. There are bathrooms & water fountains along the way. Don't be afraid to step back and take a break. I ate and drank plenty of water before I attended this event. I'm so glad I did.

8. Exhibitors, Props and Costumes

There are so many exhibitors at this convention! Again look at the map online! It tells you where exhibitors will be located. The online map will also give you the exhibitors website and social media pages. It will give you an idea of what they sell etc. There are a number of props scattered throughout the floor. These can also be found on the map. Some people wore costumes to the convention and others wore regular clothes and changed into costumes once they got in the Convention Center. I thought that was smart! Sometimes you don't want to walk on the street, catch an Uber etc in your costume. There are a number of bathrooms in the Convention Center that you can change into your costume.

picture credit: ghostbuster car (@jackstradespod), harley quinn (@charliedeaton123), face of boe (@blackberrytea) I took all of the other pictures  & gifs

9. How Will You Get Home?

I caught an Uber both ways! When I scheduled the UBER to go home, it gave me the option to be picked up at one of the HALLS at The Ernest Morial Convention Center. I was able to select HALL I. The Uber driver knew exactly where we were. I didn't see taxi's waiting, so if you call one let them know what Hall to pick you up at. Also, when you leave the door locks behind you. There are people that make sure it's locked. So make sure you're ready to go and your ride is secured. I left right after my picture with Jason Momoa, but if you stay until closing time realize The Ernest Morial Convention Center becomes very dark and secluded. Go to The Hilton (closest hotel next door) for your security. 

10. Expect To Be Tired The Day After...But It Will Be A Good Tired!

I think it's very challenging to do EVERYTHING in one day! Try to spread things out. Do photo ops & autographs one day. Visit exhibitors another day. Again, it depends on what you want to do. Just standing in line to get in (going through the different checkpoints) and then standing in line for Jason Momoa wore me out. LOL I took a picture of The Hulk, called an Uber and I was out of there. I wanted to do more, but was just too tired. But I talked about meeting Jason Momoa ALL WEEKEND! I was ecstatic. It's so funny, my mom wanted to see him but didn't want to be in the picture. He grabbed her as well! He's such a fun guy! It was a great time. I hope these tips were helpful. If I go again, I will have a better understanding of the event and will spend more time.

Jason Momoa found his way around New Orleans! Below is a picture of him on a private plane heading to New Orleans from his instagram account (@prideofgypsies). He dined at Emeril's in New Orleans (Emeril Lagasse) (picture credit: hazeleyed_gypsy) and he had breakfast at The Ruby Slipper in the CBD (picture credit: sallyann_chicago). Have you been to a Comic Con, Wizard World or Fan Expo? Man, it's serious! It's also BIG MONEY!