MegaCon Orlando 2023
MegaCon Orlando came back to the Orange County Convention center on March 30 – April 2, 223. This year’s guests included Chevy Chase, Hayden Christensen, Rosario Dawson, James McAvoy, Gwendoline Christie, John Cleese, and many others. With its star-studded lineup, it was a packed four days.
MegaCon has learned from its mistakes over the years. This year was the first year where you could buy advance parking for several lots and offer shuttles to the convention center. Also, the floor plan has grown in size and takes up both the North and South Concourse. The food courts are large with multiple tables and the food choices have grown in size.
Last year the convention was overly packed and just felt uncomfortable, with many vendors and attendees complaining. Fan Expo is definitely listening to its fans and customers. MegaCon Orlando announced that next year’s dates are February 1-4, 2024.
Entertainment
This year MegaCon now included a haunted house; A Petrified Forest. It’s definitely an experience if you are into those types of things. They expanded their HQ Stage where a DJ and in-house band with music played all day. Around the HQ Stage, there were large-scale games such as; Janga, Connect 4, Tic-Tac-Toe, etc. While at the opposite end, there is a Creator Stage for its YouTube affiliates and speakers.
Vendors
This year’s vendors arrange from all types of your fandom desires. From your Funko Pops to Chocolate Fudge, you can get your additional costumes to your favorite character/fandom tattooed. This year, I saw more D&D booths where you could get custom design dice and trays, I dare say I saw more than your typical comic stands. And I cannot forget the mystery boxes, which now cover more fandoms and pop culture.
Cosplay
The cosplay scene was out in full force and there wasn’t one fandom that was not covered. This year’s cosplayers completely blew my mind! There were so many with such details that it almost looked like the real deal. There were more Jesus cosplays than there was Princess Leia or inflatable dinosaurs. They also reached new heights as there were a few handfuls that had attachments to make them look down at the crowds below them. Then you have the extra creative ones where you have Captain America dragging Iron Man around allowing smaller superheroes beat him up.
Overall Thoughts
I saw a huge difference between last year’s convention to this year’s. My only issue is with Saturday as it was still very much packed (it was a sold-out day), I found that the only area where you could move comfortably was in Autograph Alley. A few of the vendors did complain about how packed it was as many people couldn’t stop and look at the booths. But that is my only issue. It was reassuring seeing Fire Marshal, Paramedics, and County Police walking the floors, checking out the merchandise, and overall having a good time.
Everything else went smoothly; even the app was working inside the building. There was tons of seating and all the choices for food. There was no need to sit on the floor. Communication was great between staff and attendees. If you’re going to buy autos and photo ops, I suggest getting them Saturday and/or Sunday; while spending Thursday and Friday shopping at vendors. It’s easier planning it out that way with the number of attendees that fill up the convention center.
I thoroughly enjoyed the convention this year, though it was my first year not getting any autos or photo op; spending more time on the show floor and panels. Making it a completely different con experience from years prior. As this is my 6th year attending MegaCon Orlando, they have really changed over time and I have to say this was my favorite year by far.
