What to Expect at Megacon Orlando This Year

Whether you are looking to shop all things comics or hoping to meet your favorite television star, Megacon Orlando is the place to be! From August 12-15, you can enjoy the southeast’s biggest pop culture event of the year.

But what should you expect? How do you get tickets? Who is going to be there? And, where should you stay? Don’t worry! Our guide lays out everything you need to know about making the most of Megacon.

History of Megacon

Megacon is one of the biggest conventions in the southeast for comics, sci-fi, anime, games, and more. It was started in 1993 and is currently run by Fan Expo HQ, which hosts conventions of the same name across North America.

The convention hosts over 100,000 guests each year and takes place over four days. It is held each year in the Orange County Convention Center.

This incredible event hosts panels, events, and guests each year, so there’s always something new to experience! A few of the past guests include David Tennant (Doctor Who), Rob Paulsen (Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain), and even Stan Lee (Marvel Comics).

Panels & Events at Megacon Orlando 2021

While the convention’s main event is the celebrity photo ops and autograph sessions, Megacon Orlando has something for everyone! From cosplay contests to card tournaments to entire walkthrough experiences, there is never a lack of things to do.

Cosplay

If you are looking to show off your costuming skills, there are a few different cosplay events you can check out!

The Cosplay Red Carpet event is a stress-free, no-registration event that lets you walk your own red carpet in front of your biggest fans! While the Red Carpet event grants you a free photo from Megacon’s official photographer, the event also hosts a cosplay photo park where you can take more pictures against various backgrounds.

If you are looking for something a bit more competitive, consider registering to compete in the Megacon Orlando Cosplay Craftsmanship Cup. There are six different awards to win, with a grand prize of $500 and a VIP pass to Megacon Orlando 2022. This event does require registration, though, so be sure to sign up soon!

Art

From the artist’s ally to creator spotlights, there is a ton of art to experience at Megacon Orlando! The artist alley is the second biggest event at any convention. This area is the go-to spot for fanart, graph novels, comics, and more!

If you are more interested in learning from the pros, check out the sketching duel and creator spotlight events. The sketching duels pit your favorite comic artists “pen to pen” in a friendly rivalry and a chance to win their original art. Creator spotlights allow you to ask questions to your favorite creators any questions you have about the field.

Other Experiences

Some other things to check out are the gaming events. Megacon Orlando hosts board games, card games, and roleplaying game tournaments throughout the four-day event.

There are also horror events for those looking to get a bit more spooky! Phantasmagoria’s Dark Carnival offers you an exceptional performance of the whimsically macabre. There are also live special effects makeup demonstrations, horror panels, and the Halloween Horror Picture Show to get you in the mood for Halloween.

For a complete list of all of the events, check out the website for more information.

Meet and Greet Opportunities

With meet and greets being one of the main experiences of Megacon, the guest list doesn’t disappoint. Don’t miss out on meeting your faves! Be sure to check out the Megacon Orlando website to see which days each guest will be appearing. 

Celebrities

This year, Megacon Orlando is celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings by offering meet and greet opportunities with Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins), Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee), Billy Boyd (Pippin Took), and Dominic Monaghan (Merry Brandybuck).

If sitcoms are more your style, you can also meet the cast of the popular series The Office. Fans of the series will have the opportunity to meet Leslie David Baker (Stanley Hudson), Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer), David Koechner (Todd Packer), and Oscar Nuñez (Oscar Martinez). 

Other celebrities in attendance this year include Adam Savage from Mythbusters, Christopher Eccleston from Doctor Who, George Takei, and William Shatner from Star Trek, and more!

Comic Creators

You don’t have to meet celebrities to have a good time, though. The lengthy guest list also offers a lineup of 88 comic creators, featuring guest George Pérez making his final appearance before retirement. 

Other featured comic creators include Greg Capullo (Dark Nights: Death Metal), Donny Cates (Venom, Guardians of the Galaxy), Jason Fabok (Batman: Three Jokers), Tom King (Batman/Catwoman, Supergirl), Ryan Ottley (Invincible, Amazing Spider-Man), and Scott Snyder (Dark Nights: Death Metal, Nocterra).

Tickets to Megacon

Tickets for the event can be purchased online directly through the Megacon Orlando website! If you are worried about the cost, Megacon offers a few different options to choose from.

If you are only planning on visiting for a single day or are looking to spend the least amount of money, the single-day passes start at only $20. This pass includes access to the show floor, panel rooms, and a souvenir badge.

Depending on what day you decide to visit, the prices can vary. If you are planning on visiting all four days of the convention, the best deal is the four-day pass for $100. This includes all four days of the convention under one flat rate with all the benefits of the single-day pass and the inclusion of access to the special preview event held on Thursday.

If you are looking for more bang for your buck, you can get the premium package for $40 more!

In addition to con and panel access, the premium package gives you a 24-hour purchase guarantee on celebrity photo ops and any specially ticketed event. It also includes exclusive Megacon merch, a 10% coupon off the Megacon Orlando Store, and one free Single Day Admission pass to all future Fan Expo events!

Be sure to read through the ticketing website for the fine print, refund policy, and disclaimers before purchasing.

Where to stay

If you haven’t seen already, the convention takes place at the Orange County Convention Center and we have a large selection of vacation rentals nearby! We’d recommend starting to look at Vista Cay, which is only about a 5 minute drive away. This lovely Mediterranean-styled resort is situated on Universal Boulevard and right off International Drive, making it the perfect location to experience everything our area has to offer:

Other travel considerations

To be best prepared, consider looking up directions and local parking before your trip. The convention website also has a map of the con floor, so you can plan your day or create meetup spots before arriving!

If you are traveling from out of state, it is essential to know what to expect before you go! It can get hot during August in Orlando, especially if you’ll be walking around outside of the convention center or taking a day to visit the theme parks. Be sure to bring cool outfits or a change of clothes.

If you are planning on visiting other attractions around the Orlando area during your visit, keep in mind that the theme parks may be a bit busier than what’s usual for this time of year as well.

Start planning your trip today

Don’t miss out on one of the biggest pop-culture events of the year and start planning your trip to Megacon today! If you are looking for some help with your travel, feel free to contact us. We would love to answer any of your questions or help plan your vacation in one of our many affordable and private vacation rental homes.