Yesterday, CCI posted its guidelines for lining up for Hall H, which was basically the same information they provide every year about what you can and can’t bring into line with you, and where you can use the restroom in the middle of the night. Today, CCI posted its policy regarding the Hall H “Toucan Tracker” wristbands — and it seems to be quite a bit different than last year.
Last year, 2014, was the first time that Comic-Con International introduced a wristband system for lining up for Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. It was meant as a marker to indicate how likely you were to make it into Hall H for the first panel of each day. However, at least one person from your group had to stay in line, otherwise you would have to go all the way to the back of the line — even behind those who didn’t have a wristband. It also did not specify exactly when wristbands would be handed out. Click here for our take on how the Hall H wristbands worked out last year.
This year, however, the wristband policy is much different. Once you get a wristband, you can either stay in line, have someone from your party stay in line and meet up with them later (before 7:30am the next day), or your entire party can leave and will be allowed to return to the end of the wristband line as long as you return before 7:30am. Which means that if you only care about being in the room, rather than having a close spot, 
you can actually sleep in your nice, comfy hotel bed, rather than on concrete! There are also designated times and locations for when wristbands will be handed out for the next day. Except for Wednesday night, wristbands will be handed out at the Next Day Line (“NDL”), which is located behind the convention center, as seen pictured on the map to the right, at what appears to be along the marina. The distribution times and locations are as follows:
Wednesday, July 8: 10:00pm in the general Hall H line in Plaza Park
Thursday, July 9: 8:30pm at the front of the NDL
Friday, July 10: 9:45pm at the front of the NDL
Saturday, July 11: 11:00pm at the front of the NDL
However, the Toucan Blog update does not specify exactly when attendees are allowed to get into the NDL, nor does it say where people without wristbands should go to wait on standby in the morning who are hoping for the chance to get into Hall H despite not having received a wristband. After all, our group was able to make it into the first Hall H panel on Saturday last year, although about a half hour after it started, even though we were about 80 people back from the last wristband that was handed out. This could cause some chaos and confusion.
Overall, the new policy sounds great in theory, but we’re worried that it will merely have the effect of causing people to line up earlier throughout the day, requiring you to have to miss out on much of that day’s programming in order to ensure a wristband for the following day. Additionally, some attendees who, in the past, have not bothered with Hall H due to being unwilling or unable to camp out overnight may now consider trying for a Hall H wristband since they don’t have to camp anymore. On the other hand, many of the Hall H “regulars” that normally would get in line super early will be preoccupied with actually being in Hall H and not be able to get in line so early, possibly cutting down on the number of people lining up earlier. However, non-traditional Hall H attendees may then use this to their advantage to swoop in and line up to get wristbands while others are distracted inside of Hall H.
In any case, we’ll soon see how it all goes down. You can read today’s Toucan Blog update about the Hall H wristbands in its entirety below:
“Planning on Waiting in line for Hall H? We have good news! To help you manage your valuable time at Comic-Con and to discourage line cutting, the Toucan Tracker wristbands will be returning to Hall H for 2015!
Toucan Tracker wristbands give attendees flexibility based upon their priorities at Comic-Con. If you wish to get a front section seat in Hall H, you are welcome to wait in line overnight once you receive your wristband. If seat placement is not a priority to you, wristbands allow you to reserve general seating in Hall H and come back in the morning. Toucan Trackers are essentially a way for you to know that you have a seat in Hall H, whether you are physically in line or not!
So How Do They Work?
Toucan Tracker wristbands will be given out the night before each Hall H panel. For example, Saturday wristbands will be given out on Friday night. Once you receive your wristband, you have three options:
1. You may immediately line up for the following day’s first panel in Hall H.
2. You may leave someone to hold your place in line, and return before 7:30 AM to meet them. You will be allowed to join them in line as long as you have your wristband. Please keep in mind that all members of your group will need to get your wristbands at the same time, so plan accordingly.
3. You may leave, get a good night’s rest, and return to the end of the wristband line before 7:30 AM. Please keep in mind that you must be there before 7:30 AM.
If you decide to leave the line at any point, you may return to the end of the wristband line prior to 7:30 AM and still gain entry to the first panel of the day in Hall H. You do not need to wait overnight! If you return after 7:30 AM, you will have to go to the end of the Hall H line and will not receive priority seating.
And Where Do You Get These Fabulous Wristbands?
Toucan Tracker wristbands will be distributed at the front of the Next Day Line (NDL) for Hall H. Distribution times vary by day. Click on the map to the left for the location of the NDL.
You will need your Comic-Con 2015 badge or your barcode confirmation to receive a wristband. Please note that IDs will be checked, and the name on your photo ID must match the barcode confirmation.
Distribution Dates/Times
• Wednesday, July 8: Wristband distribution for Thursday panels in Hall H will begin at 10:00 PM in the general Hall H line in Plaza Park.
• Thursday, July 9: Wristband distribution for Friday panels in Hall H will begin at 8:30 PM at the front of the NDL.
• Friday, July 10: Wristband distribution for Saturday panels in Hall H will begin at 9:45 PM at the front of the NDL.
• Saturday, July 11: Wristband distribution for Sunday panels in Hall H will begin at 11:00 PM at the front of the NDL.
Please Note: Wristband distribution will continue throughout the night until all wristbands are distributed or until 7:30 AM the following day.
Remember, you do not need to wait in line overnight to receive priority seating. Your wristband ensures priority seating for the first panel of the day in Hall H. You are welcome to have someone hold your place in line or simply return to the end of the wristband line prior to 7:30 AM.
Wristbands will only be used for the first panel of Hall H. Once the wristband line has been let into the hall, attendees in line without wristbands will be let in as long as seats are available.
The Fine Print
Wristbands are issued such that the wristband holder will have priority seating for Hall H. We anticipate that all holders of wristbands will be able to get seating for Hall H if you follow the guidelines above. Comic-Con reserves the right to refuse entry to any person for any reason.
Wristbands cannot be traded or sold. By receiving a wristband, you agree not to sell, trade, transfer or share your wristband. In the event that San Diego Comic Convention/Comic-Con International (SDCC) determines that you have violated this policy, SDCC has the right to cancel your badge(s) and keep any money paid by you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the wristband for?
Wristbands give you priority seating and ensure that people are not cutting in line. Previously, you could be number 100 in line when you went to bed that evening, and find yourself number 500 in line due to people in front of you holding spots for their friends. They also allow you to skip the overnight wait if seat placement is not a priority.
What does it do?
It shows our Line Management team—and you—that you are one of the people who will be admitted to Hall H for the first panel of the day. They also have the awesome benefit of showing Comic-Con where to place signs marking each quarter of the line. These signs will help you by giving you a visual marker of just how much of Hall H needs to empty in order for you gain entry! In other words, if you’re waiting in line for a panel later in the day and you see a sign that says 75% of the room would need to leave, you will be able to judge whether or not waiting in line is worth it for you, or if you should spend your valuable time elsewhere!
Can I leave the line and come back? Does it hold my place in line?
Wristbands do not hold your place in line. If you leave the line, make sure someone in your group remains to hold your spot or you will lose it. You must return to your group prior to 7:30 AM or you will be sent to the back of the entire Hall H line, even if you have a wristband.
If I have a wristband, decide not to wait overnight, and do not have a friend hold my spot, will I still get in to the first panel?
Yes! As long as you return prior to 7:30 AM you will receive priority seating. You will however, be at the end of the wristband line.
What about the disabled seating line?
We’re glad you asked! The disabled seating line will also have wristbands. All the same directions and procedures for Hall H will apply to the disabled seating line, including distribution times. The NDL for disabled seating will form behind the current day’s line for disabled seating. Disabled seating wristbands will only be distributed to attendees with a disabled seating sticker and their attendant with a hangtag.
What about my children?
Your child must be with you when you receive your wristband. Once they have a wristband, they may leave and you can save them a spot in line, but they must be present when you get your wristband.
If all wristbands are distributed, what does that mean for me?
If you don’t have a wristband, you probably won’t get into the first panel of the day. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though! The great thing about wristbands is you can see exactly how far you are from the last attendee with a wristband and decide if you want to wait or not.
Am I guaranteed a seat in Hall H if I have a wristband?
Wristbands are issued such that the wristband holder will have priority seating for Hall H. We anticipate that all holders of wristbands will be able to get seating for Hall H if you follow the guidelines above. Comic-Con reserves the right to refuse entry to any person for any reason.
Can I give my wristband to someone else if I change my mind about going into the panel?
No. While we appreciate your willingness to share, we ask that you do not give away your wristbands to allow those who have spent the time waiting in line the chance to enter.
My friend is coming later to stand in line with me. Can I get an additional wristband?
To keep things as fair as possible, wristbands will only be given to those people present in line, while supplies last. Anyone who comes later will have to go to the back of the line. One wristband per person.
How does saving a spot in line work?
The NDL will be grouped in “color zones”. For example, if all of your group gets a red wristband, you may hold a place for them in line overnight and they may return to meet you in the same spot before 7:30 AM. However, if your group is not all together at the time of distribution, you may get a red wristband and your other friends get a blue wristband. They will only be allowed to line up in the blue section and may not join you in the red section. Simply put, if you want your group to enter the hall together, make sure you all get your wristbands at the same time.
Can I get into the first panel of the day in Hall H without a wristband?
We want as many people to enjoy the panels as possible, so if everyone with wristbands has entered Hall H and there are still seats remaining, attendees in line without wristbands will be let in as long as seats are available.
I have more questions, what should I do?
We’re always happy to answer any questions that may arise! If you have additional questions before the event, feel free to send an email to cci-info@comic-con.org. Otherwise, just ask any of the Hall H Line staff in the light green shirts.”
