• Drink lots of water. Not soda - WATER
• Join the Discord - DragonCon Outlaws.
• Turn on notifications but plan to not hear them half the time.
• Whatever your schedule already is - cut it back - it's easy to get exhausted, fast.
• Data often gets congested/doesn't work - get phone numbers/head back to reception areas often.
• Rest.
• Con Suite is on the 2nd floor and has free food like PB& Js on 2¢ bread.
• No, seriously rest. If you don't have a day off before going to work, you will experience Con Drop.
• Dance party lines are long. Que early. Or take a chance after opening. They're often in the sights of fire marshals, and they don't f- around.
• Seriously, don't make anyone hand you a bar of deodorant.
• Pechtree Center food is your friend, but it is for everyone else, too. Plan on long lines.
• Registration lines will be long. Pre-reg is always longest up until Midday Friday. Getting in ASAP Thursday. Credit/Cash on site will often be SUPER short, the early part. This flips as the Con continues.
• It's often possible to check in/que for check-in early. Wednesday is always an easier check-in day. -Dont underestimate how far the hotels/your hotel are from each other.
• It will be hard to get a cart on checkout day. You can bring big items to bellhop for storage before check out, in some special cases/ask them.
• No, seriously, rest.
• If you're unsure if someone wants to flirt - ASK them "Would you like to flirt?" if it's a no. Drop it or MOVE THE FUCK ON.
• Consent, Consent, Consent or move the fuck on. If you're wanting something specific or outlandish, you can find it.
• You don't have to take every shot, there will always be more people. Don't ruin someone's Con by be heavy handed. It'll ruin your Con more than you think
  
• Talk to people in line. Be excited about whatever you're into - it's contagious.
• Take advantage of the popup food stands. Yes, they're more expensive but often they're super convenient.
• The liquor store across from Hilton is reasonably priced & they're good at what they do with Con - there is also one on the West corner from the Hyatt.
• After 3am, really consider getting an escort home, if for no other reason you won't get panhandled. There's usually a decent prescence, but group numbers is always more fun.
• PACE your drinking/substances. It's more fun if you're not hungover.
• Protect your drinks from anyone.
• Assume stranger danger until you know better
• Meet & Greets are always the safest place to meet someone, vet them, and determine your comfort levels if you're wanting to hookup/play.
• Change your lock screen on your phone to "If found, return to: Hotel/Room #/Call this #"
• Write in sharpie on the back of your badge "If found, call #/return to Hotel". The Con can't do shit about your lost things. Often, lost & found will end up at the Marriott, IIRC.
• NEVER use the clip for your badge, alone, unless you like spending $160 again on a badge - USE THE LANYARD. They can still fall off. A zip tie around the clasp will prevent that.
• The Vendor Hall is a black hole of a time sink, and many vendors are on Etsy, etc.
• Artist Alley is often a great place, and separate from Vendors, for the best merch, especially art.
• There are several nightlife dances - as a former DJ for them - they are ALL very very good, but it's okay to seek a different party, but again, lines can be long - finding random people to hang out with is often far more entertaining.
• The back steps at the back at the Hilton ( in through front, down back escalators) is often where all the cosplayers gather for group shots.
• The Marriott Atrium is a shit show to walk throw in primetime bc of Cosplay's getting photographed. Don't go through the atrium, if possible. The lower floors up escalators are always faster
• You often have to go up, to get down, on the elevators, and down to go up.
• LET ANYONE OFF THE ELEVATOR FIRST
• Always let wheelcheers go first. They are often ignored, and it will clear out the backlog faster, and they can have a better Con, too.
• Cheapest parking is $6 a day at Wellstar Parking on Mackenzie. It's super sketchy around there, get an Uber or scooter back, bc it's just far enough to be awkward/clover leaf style on/off ramps to the highway make it longer. It's safe, during the day, but still somewhat sketch - but won't get messed with at that parking deck. SunTrust building, otherwise.
• Find the habit trails connecting buildings. Use them
• Turn parallel to foot traffic, do not block traffic! Pull over to the side to take pictures.
• Take a deep breath before getting mad or impatient. Everyone's having fun, and rarely is anyone trying to be an asshole.
• Dont neglect the 24hr Werewolves game ifd late night entertainment.
• ASK before bringing additional people to someone's room with you.
• Have a conversation with your Con mates about hookups, nudity, and getting time alone in the room. All of these things will come up & they should be a compromise. If someone needs to decompress/settle a panic attack - take it seriously. It can ruin a whole groups Con if everyone spirals hard.
• Take time away from your Con mates.
• Dont be afraid to wander off alone. Information Booth has your back.
• The Vortex is a great place to eat, off site, if you want a landmark place to go to. (Little Five location, but both have great food."
• The hotel room is sacrosanct. Keep it as clean as you can, you'll need a place to retire to.
• Try to leave outside world at the door. Con is another world, with a HUGE swirl of energy. If you can, it will help you do this.
• Follow the 3, 2, 1, plan: "DragonCon / 3-2-1 Rule" http://dragon-con.pbworks.com/w/page/28066260/3-2-1 Rule
• Get excited - THATS WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR. Most everyone here is very excited. Ask them about it. One of the most powerful phrases to make new friends is "Tell me more about that." & just let other people talk, too.

If anyone has anything else, please add below. The magic phrase is "Shenanigans, not Flannigan's." If you know, you know.