MegaCon Orlando 2023: The Most Epic Celebration of All Things Fandom
While fanatics, or “fans,” have been around as long as sports, art, and storytelling, the concept of “fandom” is a relatively recent addition to our culture and our vocabulary. Fandoms are communities of people united by a shared interest in a book, game, comic, or television series. They swap fanfictions, fanart, fan theories, and in general, simply have fun and share the excitement of loving the same thing.
MegaCon Orlando is the ultimate celebration of fandom culture, uniting fans with one another, as well as the celebrities and content creators who are the pillars of the fandom.
Whether you’re part of one fandom or many, it’s likely you’ll find “your people” hanging out at MegaCon Orlando! From sweeping film franchises like Lord of the Rings to television series like Star Wars the Clone Wars and favorite anime such as Naruto – it’s all represented at MegaCon!
So don your best cosplay, and let’s get going. (I’m already fangirling!)
To really be a nerd, she’d decided, you had to prefer fictional worlds to the real one.
fangirl by rainbow rowell
MegaCon Orlando – Fandoms Unite!
MegaCon Orlando is a fantastic and enormous Comicon. You’ll see fans of every franchise dressed to the nines in their wizarding, superhero, or Force-wielding best!
MegaCon Orlando 2023 is a four-day event, spanning March 30th to April 2nd, which is a Thursday through Sunday. And it’s a good thing, too, because there is so much to do here. You really do need a few days to pack it all in!
The main attractions include celebrity photo-ops and autograph sessions where fans can talk with their favorite actors and creators and at the end, take home a permanent memento of the occasion. It’s a highlight for members of any fandom and a great, lifelong memory!
Other MegaCon activities include Artist Alley, which is brimming with amazing pieces by indie and well-known artists, the Cosplay Red Carpet where fans can show off their transformations into their favorite characters and browse through 400,000 square feet of fandom merch. (Yes, my wallet is already crying… but my heart is so happy!)
MegaCon Orlando tickets are on sale now and are slightly discounted if purchased before March 15th. Single-day tickets vary in price depending on the day you choose, with Thursday being the cheapest at $23 (but also not opening until 4 p.m.) and Saturday being the most expensive at $55.
You can also opt for a regular 4-day pass or upgrade further with the Ultimate Fan package or VIP package. These upgraded passes include 4-day admission and come with benefits like guaranteed celebrity photo-op purchases, exclusive collectibles, merch, fast passes, and more! The VIP package is particularly pricey at $499, but for diehard fans whose favorite celebs are in town, it could be worth it!
Amazing Meet and Greets
From photo-ops to autographs to scintillating Q&A panels and presentations, getting to rub shoulders with the celebs who breathe life into your fandom is such a unique experience. One of the best parts about MegaCon Orlando celebrities is that they span across so many fandoms!
As of writing, specific celebrities haven’t been announced yet, but we can expect actors and voice actors from popular TV series (animated and live-action), movies, and anime!
In the past, MegaCon has boasted guests from Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars, Disney productions, Cartoon Network productions, and favorite animes like Dragon Ball Z and My Hero Academia! (MegaCon Orlando goes beyond PLUS ULTRA!)
Last year, guests included Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano, Star Wars), Dante Basco (Zuko, Avatar), Christopher Sabat (All Might, My Hero), Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee, Lord of the Rings), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter), and LeVar Burton (Geordi La Forge, Star Trek, and host of Reading Rainbow on PBS!).
And that’s just a smattering of what the line-up is like! MegaCon also hosts well-known gamers, authors, and comic creators!
As you can see, MegaCon Orlando is a hub for the who’s-who of fandom. Just thinking about meeting Ahsoka or All Might makes me excited!
Stunning Sketches and Sensational Shopping!
If MegaCon’s star quality wasn’t enough, there’s also a fantastic gallery of artwork to peruse – and purchase! Well-known artists, as well as up-and-coming indie artists, will be displaying their most impressive prints and pieces. You’ll be able to find comics, graphic novels, original sketches, and more! Getting to connect with the creators is so fun, too. It’s why strolling through the art gallery is a “must” on the MegaCon to-do list!
In addition to admiring the artwork, there’s also so much fandom merch to fall in love with. If you enjoy frequenting stores like Box Lunch and Hot Topic, you’ll feel right at home here! From cardboard cut-outs of favorite characters to plushies, shirts, and pins, you’ll be able to find everything you need to show off your fandom spirit!
Incredible Cosplay, Better Community
Come dressed as your favorite character, or find what you need for your costume here at MegaCon Orlando. Friends and families often dress up as a group, which is super fun!
If you’re feeling particularly proud of your costume, you can walk the Cosplay Red Carpet – there’s no registration or fee to do so! And everyone who walks gets a free photo taken by MegaCon’s pro photographer!
There’s even a Cosplay contest, which can be entered individually or as a group, as well as cosplay panels and workshops!
In fact, there are workshops for all sorts of things related to the fandom industry, such as gaming and graphics! Attending workshops and seminars is a great way to learn about the creation process and even pick up pointers on how to do it yourself!
The best part about MegaCon Orlando is the community. Whether it’s taking pics with matching cosplayers, entering a boardgame tournament, making new friends through a MarioKart race, or meeting another Spiderman fan while browsing through the comics, there are so many opportunities to connect with people just like you. The sense of belonging at MegaCon is a powerful one and is even more alluring than the autographs and merch.
Hope to see you there!
What’s your favorite part of attending MegaCon Orlando? And what fandoms are you a part of?? Let us know in the comments below!
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Photo: Unsplash
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