I’ve attended NYCC for over a decade now, but this Saturday will be my first time going to Rhode Island Comic Con. Can anybody who has attended in years past please give me some tips and advice?

I’m traveling in from CT, and with my schedule, aiming to arrive around noon. Is close parking going to be non-existent by then? Will there be other options nearby?

I’ve also read in years past that his con has a reputation for overselling tickets and the fire marshals will stop people from entering the building after a certain point. Should I expect this to happen this year too, especially as a late arrival?

Lastly, I’m strictly going to get some posters signed from about 6-8 attendees. If i’m not able to explore the showroom or artist gallery it’s cool, but will I be able to knock off the autographs in one day?

Thanks!

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_iutgyuu wrote on November 2, 2022 at 10:06 PM

Parking will be fine. Aim for the Providence Place Mall garage. It's huge and has signs telling you which levels have open spots and where. You can reserve a space online too. It's also attached via a skybridge to the hotel that's used for panels and shit.

There's other garages. Next biggest is for the convention center and it's half the size. A bunch of others are significantly smaller. Those will fill up quickly

The overselling thing was a huge issue in 2014 when it was still relatively new. Their attendance shot way up and they ended up denying entry/re-entry for most of Saturday afternoon.

I could be wrong, but I don't think that's happened since. Certainly not at the same level as that one year. If you're there by noon, you'll likely be fine.

I think the autographs depend on how popular the autographs you want are. I've seen some ridiculous lines for shit and I've also had a 10 minute conversation with the Honky Tonk Man because I felt bad that nobody else wanted to talk to him. He seemed lonely. A little sad too.

TheGambler930 OP t1_iuts8k7 wrote on November 2, 2022 at 11:27 PM

Thanks for your reply! I spent 2 weeks in Providence for job training about 7 years ago, specifically at the Mall, so I think i’ll be able to find my way there again.

Also, great story about The Honky Tonk Man lol. Sgt. Slaughter and Billy Gunn are going to be at RICC this year and they are some of the people I plan on meeting. A few years back I had a big WWF logo poster printed so I can collect signatures from all the wrestlers from his era. I’m coming close to 80 sigs now, yet haven’t seen him come around these parts in years. Would love to get his sig on the poster.

Proof-Variation7005 t1_iuweewx wrote on November 3, 2022 at 2:43 PM

Oh shit, I forgot about Sgt. Slaughter. I've been wanting to know why he turned his back on America for 30 years. I might finally get my answer.

OctoberRust13 t1_iuuh4qh wrote on November 3, 2022 at 2:24 AM

Here's my response from having worked and gone many many times; regarding the people you want autographs from: it depends on who they are. Some people just are sitting at tables and you can walk right up to them because nobody else cares but some have humongous lines and you have to pay to even be in those lines

geffe71 t1_iuskvlp wrote on November 2, 2022 at 6:38 PM

I stopped going after year 3. This is the 10th anniversary and from what I’ve heard every year since is that nothing has changed. I know a few comic artists that refuse to go because of the way they were treated.

I have a bet going on how long it will take the fire marshal to shut it down this year

If you’re used to NYCC, you’ll be sorely disappointed

rolotech t1_iuste64 wrote on November 2, 2022 at 7:32 PM

I went last year for the first time and compared to NYCC it was not crowded but of course a lot less things to see and do. Even the boys panel was easy to get to and I think no one was turned away. I didn't know that being turned away was a possibility, it didn't seem so to me just comparing the amount of people. I was actually able to walk without having to squeeze by others but maybe that was just because it was still close to COVID times last year? I don't drive but there a many garages in walking distance so while the closest may be full you will have other options like Providence place mall or a garage next to Marriot which is not far for someone I assume is used to city blocks distance

SweaterGoats t1_iuszvyw wrote on November 2, 2022 at 8:14 PM

Depends what you mean by close, but there should still be parking by then. The convention center parking will most likely be full by that time, but you can either pay to park in small lots nearby or park in the Providence Place Mall parking garage (most likely your best bet, and the cheapest, too!). If you park in the mall, most of the walk to the convention center is indoors.

The past couple of years have been better about the number of people in the building/flow of people traffic, but it's still not great. Just have patience and be ready for lines.

Have fun!