WonderCon isn’t nearly as big as San Diego Comic-Con or New York Comic-Con, and after attending MegaCon in Orlando the weekend before, the difference was obvious right away.
WonderCon, SDCC, and NYCC are run by the same company, ReedPop, but WonderCon feels a lot more local and a lot less like a major celebrity-driven event.
From talking with regular attendees and locals, the consensus seems to be that WonderCon took a big hit during Covid and still hasn’t fully bounced back.
That said, I still had a good time at WonderCon. It may not have the scale of SDCC, NYCC, or MegaCon, but it offers a fun weekend, especially if you are into comics, anime, cosplay, and a more relaxed convention experience.
WonderCon feels smaller in both good and bad ways
Compared to the bigger conventions, WonderCon lacks the star power. It isn’t packed with major celebrities doing photo ops and autograph signings, and that changes the overall vibe quite a bit.
MegaCon really blew away my expectations because of how massive it was and how much it had going on. WonderCon is not that kind of show. It feels more modest and more regional.
Still, there is something nice about that.
The floor was busy, but it never felt overwhelming. You could actually move around. You weren’t constantly stuck in traffic trying to get from one side of the convention center to the other. That alone made the experience a lot easier and more enjoyable.
Comics and anime seemed to be the big focus
If there was one area where WonderCon stood out, it was probably the comic book side of things.
Scott Snyder seemed to be one of the biggest names at the show and made multiple appearances, which was a big plus for comic fans. That was one of the more noticeable draws during the weekend.
Anime also had a huge presence. Between that, Artist Alley, comic vendors, and the general fan atmosphere, there was still plenty to see and do even without the major Hollywood push.
Marvel Comics, however, had zero presence, which was surprising. For a convention of this size and profile, that definitely stood out.
The Disneyland panel drew a huge crowd
One of the biggest draws I saw all weekend was The Science of Disneyland panel, which had some of the longest lines at the convention.
That made sense. Disneyland is right down the road, and there was clearly a lot of local interest in that panel.
It fit the vibe of WonderCon pretty well, too. The convention felt more tailored to Southern California fans and local interests than to the massive industry spectacle you get at SDCC.
The cosplay may be the best part of WonderCon
The best part of WonderCon might be the cosplay.
It was everywhere. Inside the convention center, outside the convention center, and especially in the dedicated cosplay area right in front of the venue. That area had a lot going on with fans hanging out, food trucks nearby, and tons of costumes on display.
It gave the show a fun energy and made it feel alive even when the convention itself wasn’t packed wall to wall. If you like taking in the fan side of conventions, WonderCon does that really well.
The after-hours scene adds to the experience
At night, the Hilton turned into “LobbyCon,” with people packing the hotel for drinks and hanging out after the convention ended for the day.
That was a fun part of the weekend. There’s also a Starbucks in the lobby and a restaurant, so it becomes a natural gathering spot.
We also checked out Finney’s, a crafthouse/sports bar down the road (closes early), which was great, and on the final night we hit a Mexican restaurant (closes later). That side of the trip added a lot to the overall experience and helped make the weekend feel more social.
WonderCon is worth it, even if it feels more local
WonderCon may not be on the same level as San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic-Con, or MegaCon, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth going to.
I had fun, especially because a lot of friends from Los Angeles came down. The convention feels more aimed at locals than at fans flying in from all over for a giant pop culture event, but it is still big enough to be worth checking out.
If you go in expecting a smaller, more manageable convention with strong cosplay, a solid comics presence, a lot of anime, and a more relaxed crowd, WonderCon delivers. It may not be the biggest con, but it still offers a good time.
