For better or worse, we survived San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Returning Registration, which is no small feat, since we’ve technically survived returning registration sales twice in one year. Because 2017’s Returning Registration took place much later than usual, it may seem like 2018’s Returning Registration was early – but 2017 was just abnormally late.

Now that we’ve had a chance to recover from the ensuing hangover, one question prevails: What now? The answer to that is not so simple. It all depends on whether or not you were successful in purchasing a badge for SDCC 2018, and what you want from this point on. We’ll do our best to answer some of your most burning questions, though.

Q: Yay! The Comic-Con gods have smiled on me! I made it through and bought badges! Now what?

A: It can take up to 72 hours to receive your purchase confirmation e-mail (and up to 48 for your credit/debit card to be charged, so that part should have happened by now). Some have also reported receiving their barcode e-mail. If you haven’t received these yet, though, don’t panic. Only the buyer will receive the initial purchase confirmation e-mail, so if someone else purchased your badge(s), ask them to forward any confirmation e-mails to you. CCI will send your barcode directly to your e-mail address on file with them, which you hopefully confirmed before Returning Registration. We know it’s not easy, but try to be patient.

Q: I made it through and bought my badges, but I got notification from CCI that my card was declined. What do I do?

A: You’ll receive an e-mail from EXPO Logic with instructions on how to re-enter your payment information. All hope is not lost.

Q: I bought a badge for several days, but I didn’t get every day I wanted. Can I still participate in Open Registration to get those badges?

A: Yes! As long as you didn’t purchase a badge for Preview Night during Returning Registration, you’re still eligible for Open Registration.

Q: What happens if I did purchase a badge for Preview Night? I want to help my friends.

A: Because purchasing a badge for Preview Night means you also purchased Thursday-Sunday badges, there are no more available badge types for you to purchase. CCI will not assign you a Registration Code for Open Registration, and you won’t be eligible to participate in the sale, even if you’re just “helping friends”.

Q: Really? Are you sure?

A: Yes. We’re very sure.

Q: My confirmation/barcode email has my old/incorrect physical address on it, even though I updated it before Returning Registration. Is this going to be a problem?

A: We don’t think so. Updates to your Member ID info officially freeze on May 14, 2018. As long as you have your correct address in there by then, your badge should come to the correct address. There’s no need to set up a camp at your old place and scare the new occupants.

Q: I sat in that EXPO Logic waiting room until all the badges sold out and never got in. Should I just give up? Am I not going to SDCC this year?

A: Before you contemplate committing hara-kiri, remember there are more opportunities to get to SDCC this year. This was only the first sale – you have at least one more chance.

Q: When is Open Registration?

A: Open Registration will be happening sometime “before the new year”. We expect an official announcement sometime late November/early December, with the sale likely happening sometime in December.

Q: What about Volunteer Registration?

A: Registration for Priority Volunteers (meaning you completed a volunteer assignment in 2017 and received an email from CCI) will open on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 10AM PT and close on Friday, November 10, 2017. We expect Volunteer Registration for those who signed up for the Volunteer Interest List (which is now closed) will take place sometime after November 10. Volunteering is a great way to get into the convention – sure, you have to work for three hours, but you get entry into SDCC for the whole day you volunteer, and you don’t have to pay for the badge.

Q: What if I still don’t get a badge in either of those?

A: Keep an eye on our Contest Hub page for details on badge giveaways – someone has to win them, and it might as well be you, right? If all else fails, don’t forget that SDCC has awesome offsites every year, most of which don’t require a badge at all.

Q: I’m kind of a big deal. People know me. When does Professional Registration occur?

A: The deadline to apply for professional applications (either new or for those who needed to re-verify) for SDCC 2018 was August 16, 2017. If you’ve been approved or you’re “not due” this year, and you’re a Creative Professional, you can register now until April 12, 2018. We’ll find out more information about Trade Professional Registration at a later time.

Q: I’ve received my confirmation e-mails and barcode but have no place to rest my weary head. When can I expect to get a hotel room?

A: We assume you’re asking this because you don’t plan on camping out in the Hall H Line every night. With Open Registration scheduled for “before the new year”, one would assume that the General Hotel Sale will take place after that. In the past, the General Hotel Sale (lovingly referred to as Hotelpocalypse) has taken place sometime late March/early April, with the Early Bird sale occurring two to three weeks before. With everything happening so early this year, though, we wouldn’t be shocked to see a much earlier hotel sale timeline as well.

For those who may be newbs, the Early Bird sale offers hotel rooms for SDCC at discounted rates but does not include any downtown hotels. Stay tuned for more updates regarding hotel sales/Hotelpocalypse as we get them.

Hopefully, this puts your mind at some ease. With Returning Registration returning to its original timeline this year, we expect events to go back to “normal” (whatever that is). We’ll be updating as we learn more.

Remember, Master Yoda counsels patience, and above all, DON’T PANIC!