My VidCon Tips And Tricks
I was actually going to make this a video, but I'm the worst kind of person, and couldn't be bothered.... Anyways, this will be my second VidCon, and I just thought I'd share some important tips and tricks that I wish I had known last summer.
What To Pack:
My packing list is huge, so I'll just link it here I update it all the time, but it includes everything I will be bringing. Some items I wanted to highlight:
Backpack with a drawstring. Whenever I go somewhere with a lot of people, I make sure to use something with a drawstring. A zipper is super easy to pickpocket from, and so are buttons and snaps. If you tie a drawstring, and clip a flap over it, the chances of you having your money or expensive possessions stolen drops.
a filtered water bottle. The water in California is highly chlorinated, which is not something I was expecting, coming from a small town in Canada. You can't drink straight from the taps in Cali like I can at home, and I, myself, hate buying bottled water (it always tastes like plastic to me). I have a Brita water bottle that I love, and I highly suggest picking one up before you leave.
Hand Sanitizer, Tissues, and Emergen-C (or any immunity booster)! The VidCon Cold is a real thing! You will be hit with it when you get home, and it won't be fun. Wash your hands a bunch, don't cough or sneeze out into the open (Sneeze into the collar of your shirt, even if people look at you like you're crazy). You're going to be in a room with 20,000 people from all over the world that you've never met before. Their germs are different from your germs, so the cold risk is higher.
Snacks. It's super important to eat. I'm the kind of person to get cranky and mean if I'm hungry, and I'm sure a bunch of you are the same. Toss a few school-type lunch snacks in your bag before you leave the hotel, and maybe a handful of those little peanut butter packages from the continental breakfast. One or two of those can tide you over until you can get some real food.
Insoles for your shoes. I'm not really one for sneakers. I don't own any, and I don't intend on buying any. Last year I spent all of VidCon and Disneyland in my favorite pair of Toms, and I'm doing it again this year. But, if you're going to ignore the advice of everyone and not bring sneakers, I highly recommend picking up a pair of arch supporting insoles. You're feet will hate you if you don't.
What To Wear:
Whatever you want. Although it is very hot, and if you're not used to the heat (like me, from Canada), you might wanna pack light, summer clothes. Dress to your own preference. If you like jeans and t-shirts, then that's what you should wear. I don't like the way my legs look, but I know I'll be too hot in pants, so I'm bringing a different maxi dress for each day. They're cute, long enough to cover my legs, and can be tied up to be shortened if needed.
What To Attend:
There is always going to be more things to do than there are hours in the day, and sadly, we don't have Time Turners to be able to do everything. I suggest using the VidCon Agenda to make your own schedule. This is mine, and I used a template that someone else created and uploaded to tumblr. I no longer have the blank template, and I can't remember who made it, but if someone knows, just let me know, I'd like to give them credit. Keep in mind that to get into anything, you'll have to wait in line probably an hour before the thing actually happens, but the closer you are the front of a signing line, the faster you can get into a line for something else. I would also take the schedule with a grain of salt, because even the day of the event last year, they were changing things up. Prioritize who you really really really need to see vs. who your friends back home want you meet. I would also recommend wandering the expo hall in your spare time. I met more Youtubers that way last year, than I did waiting in lines.
What To Do If You Meet A Youtuber:
Breathe
Remember that they're people, too.
Breathe
Be polite, smile, ect.
Breathe
Do not harass them
If they need to be somewhere, let them go.
Breathe
Do not be angry/overly upset if they need to walk away.
Breathe
What To Do If You're Going Alone:If you're attending alone, and not having someone you know there is going to be an issue for you, consider joining the LoneWolves Group on Facebook. That way you can meet someone before you go, and you don't have to worry about being on your own. But in all actuality, even though I went with two other people last year, we didn't really spend that much time together. We all have different interests, so we all did our own thing. It is good to have a buddy, because they can hold your spot in line and what not, but on more than one occasion, complete strangers held my spot for me while I attended to important things (read: while I got photos with youtubers passing through). It's super easy to befriend the people your in line with, and I really think everyone should. You'll be stuck with them for a while, so be pleasant. Last year I met a girl in line for a meetup, and the next day she let me hop into a signing line with her.
What To Do If You Forgot Something: If you forgot sunglasses, you're in luck. Last year, everyone got sunglasses in their goody bag, and the amount of sunglasses given out for free at the booths was insane. My sister left with 8 new pairs of them. I expect this year to be the same. If you forgot anything else, hotels usually stock toiletries, and there is a Target 10 minutes away from the Convention Center if you're driving.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!