This was our first year going to Wondercon 2018 in Anaheim, California and we weren’t sure what to expect. Walking in from the parking garage, we were struck with how immense this con was. Security was evident but not oppressive, and it was interesting how welcome photography was, people nearly setting up small studios.
The line for registration looked like it would go on forever, but they had more the enough places to get badges and even with them implementing their new badge system it went really fast.
We tagged into the con and got in to enter the expo floor which stretched for the whole convention center.
What I found most surprising was not the size of the convention, but how friendly people were. Cos-players stopped to let us take their photo, vendors were friendly and actually were welcoming. Even the big name cos-players were willing to stop for a picture. Nobody tried to squeeze us out, or ignore us. It gave the small town con feel I got at Cochise College Comic Con . I don’t know how this was achieved, but I like it, the panels were accessible to anyone. There was no weird looks when we attended the Her Universe Fashion Show Update panel.
On of the most interesting group cosplays I’ve seen also was for a good cause. Put together by the Adventure Effect, #PlayboyPrinces, a group of male cosplayers dressed as playboy bunnies to bring light to the harassment female cosplayers experience as a gender neutral concept. For more information check out : PlayboyPrinces PSA
We also make a point of seeing the masquerade at every con we go to, and Wondercon 2018 was no different. The contest was however different, with fewer entries, and more traditions Ah, Ahh, Ahhh, WooOOOoo! The winners really deserved their awards, the work was superb.
