K.K. Slider

BronyCon does have a pre-reg line but this year's con you had to join the master line to reach it...it wasn't like that in Summer '12. Perhaps they will do it differently this year, as the line was truly awful. If you're in Baltimore the day before, I believe you can pickup your badge early. Sponsor badges have a non-existent line, so you definitely get what you pay for. I personally just pay somebody $5 to let me cut in, but sponsorship helps the con out. I don't let it be a selling point though. No matter your sponsor level, it's all the same short line. & you're welcome.

Same deal as other nerd cons apply to BronyCon. Follow the 6-2-1 rule (6 hours of sleep, 2 square meals, 1 shower a day) and you'll be fine. Get in line at least an hour-30 minutes early for the major panels if you want a decent seat, or bribe somebody in front. 20 people may say no, 1 always says yes. Expect a massive line at registration. Have a separate fund for the Dealer's Den, haha. Don't forget to have fun. Do be careful at night. Baltimore is a pretty sketchy city and all the nerds/kids draw baddies to the area. There's been reported muggings this year's con. I recommend you carry a weapon (& be prepared to use it...) and/or mace and travel with at least one other person. The bigger the group, the better. If you stab somebody, they will run away, not stand and fight. As soon as nightfall hits stay on well lit streets, don't linger, and keep on the move. Walk fast/aggressively and try not to look naïve. Don't walk around looking at your shiny smartphone or wearing headphones. People will be scoping out easy targets. Watch out for alleys, walk near the road. I walk the streets with my right hand in my pocket...holding a 4" fixed blade. I also wear a beanie hat & a military thermal, which I feel helps deters people in the dark. Appearance is a huge factor in being a victim; hands in your pockets can mean exactly what it means for me...that you might be armed. If you're at the Hilton you can stay off the streets and use the skybridge. Some hotels are 10-15 minutes away though, so definitely buddy up if it's dark. There's usually con-goers moving to and from the convention, you'll know just by looking at them. The area immediately around the convention center is very well lit and tends to have a good amount of foot traffic, so it's relatively safe. But nowhere is 100% safe. People further out are more at risk. Keep in mind muggings tend to happen in instant. They last under 30 seconds. If somebody sticks a gun in your face, just give them your stuff. Don't try to fight them, even if you're armed. Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings. Look around once in awhile, especially for people who may be following you. If you're being followed (with ill intentions), they are usually waiting for you to move into an isolated area, like a deserted street. The later at night, the less people are about, and the sketchier it is. Practice common sense and stay perceptive and you'll be fine. Baltimore may not be great, but the convention venue truly is.

Yeah, it would have sucked to wait in that line. I just paid somebody $5 to get to the front. Works every time! Next year is gonna be nuts! Already got my ticket & room (@ the Hilton too!).

Fluttershy herself refers to Ponyville as a village in Dragonshy, when trying to warn the townsfolk about the smoke. I think it's more akin to a town though, probably no more than 700-1,000 ponies.

Completely normal for a convention this size. You can still get regular rate room, but you'll pay much more. It's a good idea to book a room ASAP, you don't get charged until the con and can always cancel. Rideshare.

You should have seen the brohoof line as people filed in for the closing ceremonies, haha. As people filled up the dividers, you'd constantly pass others with their fists out. People starting high fiving instead because it got so painful, lol. Looking forward to BronyCon '14.

Then why not find a ride share? Come around the time of the convention, the convention forums get swamped with ride/roomshare requests. People do it for convenience and to save money. All the better if you're near a major city.

I've always just strolled into the girl's aisle and never had issues. After BronyCon '12, my buddy and I were in the New York City Toys R Us scoping out the blind bags, looking for specifics using codes. We helped a husband and wife out by giving them the Mane 6, so they didn't get random recolors. They didn't look at us funny. They said their daughters like to have their Barbie dolls ride the ponies around, lol. We also met four or five bronies, haha. Also having worked at Toys R Us back home, I can't recall any funny looks there. One of my co-workers was even into the show! You definitely won't get looks at Hot Topic either. It isn't hard guys.

I managed to make BronyCon '12, Canterlot Gardens, Everfree Northwest '13, BronyCon '13, and BronyCAN...so I don't see why I'd miss this one! Plus Burning Man is at the end of the month.

When I first started watching the show, I would always skip it. I knew about it before I gave the show a shot, so it wasn't a sneak attack. Nowadays I ALWAYS play it; I've definitely come to enjoy it!