This weekend, from March 27-29, WonderCon returns to the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Southern California. Hosted by the nonprofit organization Comic-Con International as the sister show of San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon will bring thousands of excited attendees to Anaheim. With thousands in attendance, it can surely be exciting and overwhelming. That is why I want to present a few tips on attending a large-scale convention like WonderCon.
As a convention connoisseur and reviewer, I am overjoyed to be returning to WonderCon this year. As a neurodivergent introvert with limited spoons, I was also apprehensive about WonderCon approaching. I love attending conventions. Attending WonderCon, for example, has brought me incredible joy since my early adolescence. But occasionally, the jam-packed floors, the nonstop noise, and the overwhelming body odor of thousands (bring deodorant or body spray, hint, hint) can be too much all at once. For that reason, I plan my days, pack a bag with day-trip essentials, and stay up to date via social media and online announcements.
How do I know what to expect at WonderCon this weekend? How do I prepare? With the Official Comic-Con App available for free download, attendees can access the Special Guests list, navigate the convention center using the maps component, locate exhibitors in the 412,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, and customize a schedule of panels, workshops, and other programming. As a habitual planner, I use the app to coordinate my weekend, map my plans, and estimate which panels conflict. To avoid running myself ragged between panels and other programming, I leave time in between to rest somewhere quiet, if possible, and explore the Exhibit Hall. I highly recommend utilizing the Comic-Con app if you also identify as a planner, and if coming more prepared eases any anxieties.
What programming will WonderCon 2026 offer? What special guests can fans expect? As a three-day annual convention celebrating pop culture and fandom, WonderCon 2026 will host panels exploring neurodiversity and LGBTQ-inclusivity in media, creative storytelling, career exploration, and more. There will also be panels honoring and analyzing the Jaws monster film franchise, the elusive DC Universe detective Batman, and the super-powered X-Men of the Marvel Universe. Among the celebrities, panelists, guest speakers, and experts appearing this weekend at WonderCon, attendees can anticipate beloved actress, producer, and author Felicia Day, animation historian and author Jerry Beck, and author and founder of Lilac Grove Entertainment, S.G. Blaise. With 900+ exhibitors, carefully curated panels, networking opportunities, workshops, game demos, Q&As, and an incredible guest list, WonderCon will have something for everyone to enjoy this weekend.
What should I pack for a day at WonderCon? What should I wear? In a sizable satchel or backpack, I typically pack bottled water, a portable charger for my phone, deodorant, cash, painkillers, plenty of snacks, Sharpies for signings, and a fidget toy to calm any excess nerves. There are basics to bring, but what you bring can also depend on what you have planned for the day, so keep that in mind when packing for this weekend. When it comes to what I wear, I consciously wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking around the convention center. And depending on the weather for the weekend or whatever show or character I’m fixated on, I’ll attend in casual cosplay. Since costumes and cosplays often go hand in hand with pop culture conventions, you can anticipate many attendees masquerading as their favorite characters. Just remember to keep your hands to yourself, ask before taking a photo of someone, and be respectful. Be kind to fellow attendees and remember that everyone is there to have fun!
Whether you are a returning or new WonderCon attendee, planning your weekend, coming prepared, and practicing convention etiquette is key to having a great, memorable experience. Tickets for WonderCon 2026 are still available. If you are local to Orange County and looking for a fun way to spend this weekend, get your ticket and make new memories!
