Lightning Bliss's Guide to Con Survival 

Thank you for talking about the 6-2-1 rule Blissy. I know it can be difficult, but I appreciate you encouraging others to follow this guideline.

Addendum to the 6-2-1 rule... *WEAR DEODORANT!*

EXTRA TIP: Get your con badges as early as you can! I made some vlogs while at Bronycon, and the line to get con badges on Thursday (the day before the con) was almost empty! However, on Friday (the first day) the line stretched almost out the door! GET CON BADGES EARLY, AND SAVE YOURSELF LOTS OF TIME!

1 like = 1 prayer for British Ninja

Thank you very much that was very helpful! I'm going to my first con soon, so this was awesome to finally have some questions answered.

I guess you could say that this is...a code of CONduct. Eh? Eh? Anyway, this is a great video covering a wide variety of subjects related to conventions. Part of me wishes that I watched a video like this before attending Nightmare Nights last year, as that was my first convention. I was able to financially plan for that convention only 3 months in advance, but I imagine that was only because that was a smaller convention. For a large convention like BronyCon, yes, plan early. (Take it from me. I had only recently booked a room for one of the hotels for BronyCon, and I was most likely lucky.) At Nightmare Nights, I also took note of where the nearest restroom was. Because I didn't have hand sanitizer with me, I knew that my interactions with people would make me sick if I didn't wash my hands regularly. One thing about large amounts of money is to not put all your eggs in one basket. Take what you need and a little extra just in case, then hide the rest of it among your belongings in your hotel room. That way, if you are in a situation where you do get robbed, you won't be flat broke.

omg that British ninja puppet is adorable il take 20

This was an excellent con advice video blissy. I will amend that I wish I would've known on the safety sooner for this one happened outside while during nightmare nights I was actually involved in a car accident the day before the first day and then there was a family emergency regards to that. And you were definitely Spohn on our mentioning on a stocker remind you and the other analysis community members cause our place where you gather and celebrate the fandom and make other friends so I all can say yes about defending your group of friends well said. Still this is excellent advice for when I try to go over do you ever free Northwest or nightmare work allows me. The closest thing before going to party conventions for me was actually the wrangler national finals rodeo conventions in Las Vegas as well as stock shows and national finals Ropings

well well well... if ever i needed a walk through then i'm glad i watched this one, nice job bliss and thank you :D

9:20 *Surprise Gasp* MRS. BLISS.....U used my photo of me and u and Toon and Miss Fire Lilly from BABSCon 2017 :D

6-2-1! 6 hours of sleep, 2 meals a day, and at least 1 shower a day: because you reek!

Thanks for the tips Ms Bliss. This will be my second time going to Brony Con and now I know what I actually need and think more about things. Now I'm really excited to go. I just hope that my piano playing skills will be good enough by then

Hrm, now I wonder how many, "Get in the bag, Blissy!!!" images will be born of this.

I feel you British Ninja😂

Great, well thought and very organised how to guide Blissy, I have been to a few Sci Fi conventions and at the end of August I'm going to my first anime convention with my anime and manga society I recently joined up ^^ I followed most of the rules you have covered ^^ And next year there might be a possibility of me going to BronyCon as few of my friends in the society are Bronies as well and one went to BronyCon last year ^^

Thanks for the advice about the conventions lightning bliss. I am a fanfiction writer and would like to go to a con one day, I don't have enough money to pay for it right now, but hopefully, if I do get enough I could come to a convention and meet you and your friends. Keep up the great work on your videos. I'm a really big fan and like you say “look out for those Rainbows, they will make you smile”

Thank you for the advice Bliss! I always keep those tips in mind when I am at a Con. Although I didn't eat once while at BABS Con this past April. I remember you and Toon giving me that look.

Well then, time to start saving for BC'18! (But in all seriousness, I'm loving this style of video! I'm betting if you made more of these tutorials, they would be quite helpful to the rest of us in the community).

Seeing this has brought me a little calming security for the up and coming pony con in October. It will be my first con and this video is very helpful in letting me know what I can and can't do, and how to go about my business there :D. For that I thank you, and hope you continue to grow and gain experience in attending conventions to help share to other new goers X3

This is very thorough and EXCELLENT advice, Bliss. Great job!

While my first con was Whinny City, my first full con will be Cidefest in October, and i believe with these tips i will survive

Thank you for making this Blissy. It helps me as sometimes I imagine going to a Con and not solely an MLP one but anyone... Even a James Bond one.

This is really helpful. Thank you

Thank you for making this. This will definitely help for the future. BTW love the "get in the bag" joke. I use the "get in the car" reference at work a lot, so the joke made my day.

This is what I have been searching for for a while! Thank you so much Blissy!

Thanks for the Con Survival Guide Hun! I needed it to plan on going to BronyCon 2019. I’ll be heading out by myself, so this will be super useful.

Great advice Lightning Bliss, I already had Ideas how to survive at Cons, thanks to some friends who taught me the way to survive in any situation.

Thank you for this video. I have never been to a convention but someday I would like too and hope I can look onto this video again for some advice.

It's nice to get a heads up on these things for first timers and really helps So Thank You!

I have never been to a con but I tank you for making this video it helps a lot love your vids by the way I've learned a lot from this thanks 😀😊

Thank you so much for the tips Lightning Bliss this will help a lot in the years to come!

BronyCon is my first convention ever this year and I'm super nervous cuz firstly, offline I'm shy, I'm nervous, I'm self conscious, I'm socially awkward and just, well...pft a mess and I'm nervous about meeting and talking to people I look up to and saying something stupid. This video helped calm the nervousness and the anxiety a bit, thank you ^^;

Thanks for the advice Bliss. I look forward to meeting you at Bronycon!

thank you for making this video lightning bliss. I am going to Babscon 2018 with my friends. This is my very first pony convention. Thank you for your personal tips on the con. I hope to stop by and say hi while i'm at it. -Whirl

Thank Lighting Bliss and the other in the video for the tips and info. I wish you and your friends the best of lucky at your next con. :3

I remember my very first con back in Orlando. I actually had fun going to almost every panel, meeting people, and of course the food being very delicious (especially the pasta). However, it did cost a price on us; more specifically the 6,2,1 Rule. A few of my friends got Con Crud due to lack of sleep, eating, or showering. It wasn't pretty seeing them sick afterwards. This year, my group is going to that same convention again, however; I am unable to attend due to school, work, and of course my age. The convention is for every Teen church group around the world. Due to me having an age of 19, I had to leave my group and I can't be a chaperone due to my age of not being 21. I felt rather bad that I can't attend but, rules are rules so I can't conplain there. Hopefully in the future, I would be able to attend once more with my group to that same convention one more time.

Going to be costly for me this year. No way around it hehe. I look forward to returning this year and Bronycon and if I run into ya again that be awesome ^^ recalled that selfie you had with me before a panel you was going to. I been wondering how it turned out ^^

Sorry blissey all I heard was: 1. Don't go to cons 2. Don't go to cons 3. Never go to cons 4. DON'T TO CONS YOU FOOL

I tend to only go to Babscon because I don't really travel that much and I've never flown in a plane before. Also, here's a tip for anyone going to conventions. Always have a budget. Do not bring more money that what you intend to spend. Your 200$ can easily become 50$ without warning. So always be aware of what you buy and be careful where you leave your stuff. Cause once you take your eyes off of them for even a minute, you can bet you'll never see it again. Keep valuables in your room, most likely in a safe that the hotel room provides, or on your person.

thanks lightning bliss for this I needed it I CANT WAIT UNTIL I CAN PUT THIS INTO ACTION!

Good timing. I'm actually gonna be attending my first Bronycon in Baltimore. My sister will be moving there, so I'll have a place to stay.

thanks for the tipps Bliss, will use them when i'll go to my first BronyCon. Maybe in 6 years.

thank u lighting bliss for everything cuz I know what do so ill be ready for my first convention coming up

I am one of those lucky con goers where the con (Sakura Con and Everfree Northwest) are in my home state. I am an old time goer to both and I find that if the con you want to go to is in your home state, see if there is a bus service that can get you there and back. My friends and I used to drive there, and when you are driving from Olympia to Seattle, gas and parking is a freaking nightmare. So third year going, I looked up the bus schedules and learned that the bus we need to get there can get us there and back on $12 per person. Way better than spending $40 on gas and then $90 for parking.

I really want to go to a con someday to meet your nice community. And i agree with your tips. Great video.😊

This is nice to know, thanks for sharing this with us Lightning Bliss!

Thanks for the advice. One day, depending on what money I have and such, I would love to go a a pony con to meet you and other reviewers. See ya in your next video

I first heard the 6.2.1 rule on a pony podcast a few years back and have always thought it was the most important rule in any con

One thing I can think of to maybe add is if you do meet anyone you were wanting to see, whether is a youtuber/actor/voice actor/etc., if you see them again later on at the con that you go ahead and give them there space if you were already able to get a photo or something autographed by them. If you do happen to see them then it's fine but don't try to go up to them everytime you see them, like Blissy said, it could be seen as stalking depending on how many times you keep showing up around them and if you don't allow them to feel comfortable at the cons because you want to try and ask them about your ideas when they themselves would like to do other things before the next panel starts.

Hey bliss! I've seen a rainbow two times and they really do made me smile! Thx bliss!!!

Thank you for doing this, i'm going to comic con in 2 months and this is helpful

This is a video I would look at if I ever go to a con in the future! If that happens...... Anyway, I also want to say that this is a great guide for those who have never been to a con, the beginners. I for example had never heard of the 6.2.1 rule! But that is probably something I should remember, even at other things similar to a con.

Having been to several conventions both pony and non-pony, I'd say you hit everything dead on Lightning Bliss. A little note on pre-registering: When you pre-reg, you skip the registering lines and typically take a shorter time getting you badge since everything is prepared for you. Also, pre-registering helps you to ensure you getting into the con. Case in point: I was at a small convention that had a 1,500 person cap due to the hotel con space size. I forgot to pre-reg and was worried that I wouldn't get a badge. Thankfully I did, but the moral is to skip that stress and pre-register.

I can definitely use this for when I go to anime conventions...though I just have to learn to pace myself and spend less. Oh and get more stamina. I ended up exhausting myself after a full convention weekend

These are all great tips, and I'll definitely have to keep everything in mind (possibly write it all down too) for when I someday get the chance to attend any kind of con, whether for MLP, the Furry fandom, or one of the many gaming and anime conventions. And I worked as an Easter Bunny a few years ago, so I can definitely understand the need for people to be respectful of other con-goers. You have no idea how many times I had screaming children on or around me, or was uncomfortable by people coming up to me unexpectedly while trying to go to a break. I hope to have some friends to go to a con with someday, so time to just save up and prepare for it all!

Thanks for the tips Blissy. I hope I'll remember them until next year...if Brony Fair isn't cancelled again...

thank you for all of these great tips they will help alto with the upcoming Cons I'm going to

An awesome guide! *furiously writes down notes*

You should start a merch store and sell Lightning Bliss plushies, Bliss!

These tips were really awesome and I'll use them when I go to bronycon this year! Only problems are that obviously this will be my first year going but I'm going with my parents! I'm really nervous on how it'll go but I really hope that nothing bad happens.

A lot more information could have been put in, but I assume an almost 13min vid was as time consuming as it was already. Good and helpful for some foals new to the con heard. XP

You should do a separate video of something like this but about con goers with kids as well, I know a lot of people would bring their kids to these things, myself included.

This is very good advice, thank you. I hope to meet you at a con one day 💗

Hey Lightning.Thank you so much for these tips and tricks. I'm planning on attending a Dragon Con soon enough, and could really use these. As for meeting our idols and role models, I was curious if there was a middle ground to that: I printed a stack of business cards that have an inkling of the ideas I make and how to contact me. If I run into an idol that I wanted to network and share my ideas with, would it work to give them a brief description of what my ideas are before leaving them with my card and hoping they contact me again if they're still curious? It was an idea that I had, but wasn't sure if it was a good idea. I appreciate your input and opinions, and hope you have a great time. Thanks again. You're the best. :)

some cons have a 6.2.1.8 rule (Get at least 6 hours of sleep, 2 meals a day, a shower per day, and 8 cups of water per day) the 8 cups of water mostly goes for the cos-players that where Full body suits that can trap a lot of heat in them, and can cause the cos-player to get dehydrated if the rule is not properly followed. its also a great rule addition to follow when out on a hot summer day.

You don't always need to get a hotel when going to a con. Always try and see if there is an AirBnB available, they tend to be cheaper than hotels and as an added bonus, most of the time they tend to be entire houses. I got one for Bronycon this year and it was about $60 a night for the whole weekend and it was only about a block away from the convention itself

1. I am so lucky to be near CMPC 2. Going on a family vacation so packing is pretty much covered for. 3. Plane tickets, hotel room, reserved, though getting a car might be some what of a hassle. 4. 6.2.1 Rule? Isn't that a given for any sane person/pony? Oh wait, Blissy is insane! That's why you are so adorable! 5. I am very respectful and try not to intervene when others have place or precedence. That being said, I am also autistic in the higher brain functionality area so I may not recognize different social standards or end or begin conversation awkwardly. Either way, I look forward to meeting you all not as idols but as inspiration for my other hobbies in life as well as ponies. And don't worry, I hate being embarrassed so I will plan out and be careful not to let anything embarrassing happen. 6. I feel very self conscious as an 18 year old going to a convention with a parent. I hope throughout the course of the con, I can meet some people I can trust and hang out with. That being said, I went to an All State choir concert where I was left alone by my brother, others I did not know, or others who I thought I had made friends with. I was a lone ghost that hovered around for 2 hours on my lonesome, passing photo-ops and other choir members who didn't even give me a glance. So there is always a possibility of that happening again though I'm hoping in a crowd of 1k+, that won't happen. Anyway, I look forward to seeing you at CMPC, Utah. I will be attending as the top rank, Crystal Guardian. My OC Caramel Chord will be in the program and my Instagram shouted out at the Gala. I do hope to get all your autographs and pics with you as well as participate in some of your panels. By the time the con rolls around, I will have a timeline of the entire MLP series as well as the EQG series connection. See you around cutie! >:)

Overall a really helpfull Guide for Conventions in general Bliss XD although 2 little additions: in the finesses: make sure to check any additional cost that can be charged if you take a second bag (like you said cosplay) on your flight, especially oversea (Germany-USA in my case) they can charge up to 100$ for ONE flight alone. And they charge you on the bag check-in. And for safety: in my experience in visiting Gamescon in Germany with 80 - 100 thousand visitors, make sure if you have a Backpack, to make the zipper on a not easy spot so they cant reach it when you are distracted form the big screens for example. The best solution: put your money, phone and other valuables in a fanny pack. so its close to you and better in your sight. But all in all, im glad you did this guide Bliss. Im will make sure that I and my firend Astro to follow the tips here when he is coming over to my place so we can go to Gamescon this year. ^^

as someone whos going to bronycon this year "for the first time in forever" hehe :P this is helpful

1:48 HAHA! The picture is so funny! Is that Aeon? And who is the other person?

this is very helpful cause i didn't know how to act around my idols and i didn't know how much i should save. also, i live in florida and all the conventions are in callifornia, Massachusetts, and all!!! so i know how you feel.

A very interesting and useful video, Blissy.

What's funny is that Base edit character worked perfectly.

Honestly even though this is more of a different con it still follows the same rules as a brony con, even at other cons like furry conventions which can easily be a little more dangerous then a brony con, its still good to follow these rules especially if you're a fursuiter, or a non fursuiter. I actually want to go to a con one day, i really do appreciate this advice and hope to see you if i actually get a chance to go to one. thanks for the advice blissy!~

The last thing I would expect was hearing Tix music, mostly used to hear him in "Russefeiring" lol

This was very helpful, as I am planning to go to Trotcon (it is the closest con to me) next year. I do have one question: what should I do about food?

poor ninja, I know how it feels to travel out of state and u dnt have enough money. thanks bliss I need this info when I go to my first con.... one day.

Chester A. Bum: "I HAD CON CRUD ONCE!!!!! Never eat pizza with prosciutto that went bad."

Oh yes, another thing about getting your badge, pre-registering not only helps out by being a bit cheaper for you, it also helps the con you're going to by letting them know about how many to expect to be there, and sometimes can help dictate who'll be there as special guests.

Thanks Bliss, going to use this for Breyerfest 2018

:( I have no money I am always missing out on everything :( plus I am in Chch NZ

Hi, I know that this may be a little late of a comment, but I just wanted to say that this is a very helpful and informative video, and in such a creative way. I would just like to ask for any advice about traveling, as I am coming from Canada, more specifically from north-central Alberta. As this is my first time not only going to Baltimore and BronyCon, but it is also the first time I am traveling outside the country without any major help or being done so by my parents or school, so I am essentially going on this trip completely on my own aside from my one friend who is going. Sorry if this was a long comment. I am just a little nervous going outside the country on my own for the first time, so any traveling advice would be greatly appreciated.

thank you for the tips miss Bliss's

8:24 reminds me of a Doctor Who episode of the monks who keep like saying "love is consent" and "strategy is not consent."

And you can buy food and drinks in the waiting area after getting pass security, they do stop you from at the but they don't stop you from taking food and drinks on the plane. And it saves you money because you then don't need to buy it while on the plane which does add up overtime, especially if your ordering drinks.

Idgaf, If i see one of my favorite people in cosplay or idols, I'm tackling them with a hug.

I was thinking of going to a recent convention but after seeing this video I don't think I will

WOW great... totally not being sarcastic... I CANT GO TO *Beep* CONS.

yep con's are a joy and a beast at the same time

I shall learn your ways lightning bliss

That song. That song was Norwegian!! Why did you choose that song? I understood the language cuz I am Norwegian myself! Anyway, nice vid Blissy!

@Lightning Bliss Hey Lightning I know you got a lot going but...do you think sometime in the future you could do a Guide to Proper Rainbow Beast Care please? Being an avid Magi-Zoologist well training to be I must admit you have a very fascinating pet and I would like to learn about and since you're the only...Alicorn I know of who owns one, I would love to here what you know. I understand your very busy so I wouldn't expect it anytime soon.

4:32 The get in the bag Nebby meme. Don't try too get the refrens pass't me!

me and my friends are hoping to go to undercon and its our first time this helps alout thanks

Another piece of advice I'd give regarding finances. Airport food is EXPENSIVE. On my last trip, even a WATER BOTTLE was like $4.50. So if you need to buy food at the airport, try to get something small to tide you over until you land. If you have certain medical issues, then by all means do what you have to do.

Get in the bag Blissy. GET IN THE BAG!!😂😂

This was pretty cool! This will be my first time going to BronyCon this year so I'll be sure to use this advice! Also, Bliss, are you going to BronyCon this year?

Very well-done video, thank you for posting this Blissy. One question though; given what Toon said about how you can expect to pay for everything short of oxygen during a trip to a convention, are you sure your $500 estimate is sufficient for the average convention?

great tips this will for a starter be very handy ^^

All I had to do was introduce myself to scare blissy! LOL