After checking “Attend a Hall H panel” off my bucket list, albeit accidentally, and enjoying simply being an attendee, I vowed to dedicate my Saturday at San Diego Comic-con to being a fan girl. My eye was on Ballroom 20, where at least two of my favorite shows were scheduled to appear. Ballroom 20 is on the second level of the Convention Center, has built itself enough of a reputation that its own line winds its way down one side of the convention center and zigzags out on the terrace.
To ensure myself a seat, my plan was to get in as soon as the doors opened at 9:30 a.m. Even with a quick trek to the second floor, I found myself behind hundreds of people waiting on the terrace. The helpful volunteers told me the Ballroom holds about 4800 people and there were already 3300 seated. I know some special members of the press as well as special guests of the TV show (family, friends, staff, fanclub officials) get early entrance but I’m not sure where the other 3000 came from. But luckily only 1000 people were in front of me, so I found a seat. In the back. They don’t clear the rooms between panels, so once you’re in, you’re in. Re-entry is allowed with a pass, but only for the duration of the current panel. However, not everyone was there to camp out like me, so after every panel, I was able to move up a few rows for a better view.
The panels I really wanted to watch were Grimm and Outlander. But they were scheduled for 3p and 4p respectively, and here it was only 10am. So before my shows, I had to sit through the Once Upon a Time panel, TV Guide’s Fan Favorites panel, The Simpsons panel and Seth MacFarlane’s Animation Block. I don’t mean it to sound like a trial. It was quite fun actually.
Camping out in Ballroom 20 introduced me to Once Upon a Time, which I’ve always been curious about. If you haven’t seen the panel yet, check it out because Yvette Nicole Brown of Community is the best moderator. You really need a moderator who absolutely loves the show because it’s really those who “ship” who know what questions to ask. Check out the panel, and if you’re not already a Oncer, you may just want to become one. You have until September 27 to catch up before the new season starts.
