MCM Comic Con Avis 72

OMG, I absolutely loved MCM Comic Con. I went on the Friday with priority entry and it was relatively quiet. I'm too broke to do the photo ops and signing so I can't give any opinions. It was my first one so I saved up to buy some manga. The manga has money off depending on how much it costs to make up for the buy-two-get-one-free deal. The food was divine, Though it was quite expensive ngl. Do prepare yourself for a LOT of walking. Cosplayers were absolutely amazing, regret not asking people for photos cause I'm too nervous—Overall fabulous day, and I'm saving up for the weekend pass for May 2024! Good day.

Honestly a terrible waste of money. It exploits fans wanting to see their idols but charging loads of money and providing a very unorganised event in return.
For our event we arrived at 12 and were just scouting out where we needed to go in two hours time when we hear this woman shouting about the event and where we should queue, which wasn’t told on the app or anywhere else. We queued for two hours and they started letting everyone in ten minutes before it started (so obviously it took longer than 10 mins). The event started about 15-20 minutes late and still finished on time, so they cheated us out of the time we’d spent £25 each for (priority paid a lot more). They made the Australian host sing and dance to these terrible songs to try and tie over the time but he was clearly overworked, looking dead behind the eyes and drugged out of his mind, so that didn’t sell.
Afterwards we quickly ran over to the book signing as the website said you didn’t have to book a ticket - ANOTHER LIE (sorry for caps). It was also posted on the app as being photo ops and autographs but that was also wrong - good job we didn’t have a ticket, eh? We got there and there was no staff to help so we asked someone else there. They said unless you bought a ticket this morning you couldn’t attend. Apparently (they bought priority) they arrived at 10am and you had to get tickets for the signing when you arrived, but by the time they got in they had already sold out. How is that fair? It wasn’t advertised online so how was anyone who wasn’t in that small group expected to have a chance.

Everything else was also stupidly priced but you kind of expect that with money grabbers like this.

Pros - A lot of good guests up for panels, photos, autographs, a lot of really good artists, some decent merchandise. Other reviews say it's cheaper online, it's not. It's the same price or cheaper at the event for most things. If they left after 2 hours then they didn't even look at everything so how can they write a fair review? I was there all 3 days. Saturday was definitely the busiest. If you can swing it, go on the Friday. It's the least crowded day.

Cons for the Con -
1 - Show up on Sunday, they say, "There aren't any Sunday tickets left, only weekend tickets." So on Sunday, the last day of the event, you have to buy a 3 day pass to enter instead of the day pass. Please explain in what reality that makes any kind of sense? It feels kind of illegal. If this happened to you, please report it to Citizens Advice Bureau and the Consumer's Association. This happened to my friend who only came for the Sunday.
2 - Forcing people to pay tracked shipping for a physical ticket who live nationally, but allowing international guests to use a digital ticket to claim their ticket at arrival.
3 - Having physical tickets, it's nearly 2024... join the 2020's and go digital to reduce your carbon foot print.
4 - Further to having to have a physical ticket... it never even gets scanned. Just glanced at and they let you in. On Sunday, no one even asked to see my ticket to gain entry.
5 - Further to this; should you lose your ticket prior to arrival, you have to pay full price again because they don't even scan your ticket to let you enter after you have it to know if you someone already entered using it.
6 - It's "Comic" con and there was very little to do that actually felt related to comics in any way.
7 - Photo spots probably oversold because they shout at you when you enter, "No handshakes, No Hugs, No Poses!" I've been to many other photo ops and this is the first time I've ever been told I shouldn't even shake hands with the guest.

Sum it up.. I won't ever go another event hosted by MCM.

Had lots of events up as free on the website, the morning of the convention they changed it to tickets that cost over £90 after marketing them as FREE

What a waste of money. Never going again or recommending to anyone. Arrived with plenty of time but then parking? The whole place was a nightmare. All parking either cordoned off or no signage to alternative parking. I came to excel before and it was fine to park. But today was horrid. Then the events themselves were lackluster and really disappointing. Save your money and watch stuff online and be happy.

The event was in effect a large market, with almost nothing to do except buy merchandise from the countless stalls that filled the venue (which felt like a large warehouse that the organizers hadn't even bothered to decorate).

Everything was incredibly overpriced and there was little that couldn't be found cheaper online.

The only highlight were the fan cosplays which were fantastic, although there was no cosplay display area or changing room.

All things considered it felt very overpriced and we left after just two hours. Perhaps Cons are better in America but if this is the best we can do in Britain then I won't be bothering to go again.

This time around, MCM London Comic Con October 2023 put their prices up. It's a tough world out there so I got it. I paid the new prices and things looked good, this is the 7th time I've attended MCM London. Good guests, good communication pre-event and more seating and more stalls - great! ... Not great. Queuing for Main Stage panels on the day was TERRIBLE. I arrived AN HOUR early to queue for the Baldurs Gate 3 panel, they only started letting people in ten minutes before showtime, so by the time I sat down, the panel had already started and I missed half of it! They then cut the time down on the panel by half an hour!!!! FURIOUS!!! The venue was massively overcrowded, I don't suffer from claustrophobia but I felt it no less than 3 times at this event. The exhibitor stalls were lacking in variety selling the same merchandise which was very poor. Game demos had all sold out prior to the event so apart from FF7 Rebirth, you couldn't games test anything, so there was a real lack of entertainment. I will say that food variety was better and there was more seating this year but not enough for the DROVES of people they let in. STOP OVERSELLING TICKETS. YOU PUT THE PRICES UP?! YOU DON'T NEED TO SUFFOCATE PEOPLE DUE TO OVERCROWDING. Won't be returning to ANY MCM events. I wish everyone who goes next year the best of luck. I wish MCM the best of luck if they continue choosing profit over attendee happiness.

I thought it would be cool and fun and exciting with lots of interesting events, spectacles and activities. It was overcrowded, poorly signposted and void of entertainment. It's like others have said you pay for entrance into what is essentially a gargantuan marketplace with very little variation. It's fine if you want to go shopping for dice or swords or kawaii etc but the other stuff on offer does not carry it and I left feeling deeply saddened and like I'd wastes mine and my son's time and not a small amount of money getting there. One saving grace was London origami where a lovely chap helped my son and I fold a crane. Another is the passion and creativity on display from fans it's truly awesome and brings a smile to my face. I would not recommend it for a day out with a 5 year old though he had about the same amount of fun as he does in the supermarket. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone. The event feels soulless and a cynical money making scheme that uses the best intentions and hopes and passions of the wonderfully vibrant attendees to rake in some cash. Make it a great experience first as a baseline and then a shop not the other way round.

Ive been to 3 or 4 Comic Cons now. Currently in the one dated Saturday 28th October 2023. The show used to be amazing but it's a shadow of its former self. My partner and I have been in line for autographs all day we've never actually made it to the actors. We gave good time as we had priority tickets and started early when the lines opened. This event has not scaled well, you'll end up spending £35 to sit on the floor to only be turned away. The variety of stuff on show is poor as well. There has to be a better system than just lining and praying.

Waste of a bloody day. Doubt I'll return and that brings me down. It used to be good but the excitement has gone.

There was no mention of the fact that autographs must be booked in advance when I bought my ticket. I specifically bought a ticket to see two guests but the autographs were sold out on presale - I'm glad I checked the website or I would have been absolutely livid had I made the trip down from Birmingham expecting to be able to purchase on the day (as is the case with every other normal convention I've been to). At no point was it advertised that autographs must be bought before the event, nor that the presale was underway. Absolute joke. First and last time ever considering this event. What a waste of money the Saturday day ticket was - I won't be going now. Have asked for a refund on this basis but I won't hold my breath.

Been going to mcm London comic con for 9 years all have it was worst experience i ever went through with my little brother too over crowded people are rude no manors and no respect and the stewards are useless and very racist as well also the celebrities they get are also rude to the fans and they overcharged for autographs and Photoshots including they charge for selfies and if you want to meet a big celebrity u have to buy the VIP pass because you won't get a chance getting a autograph and Photoshot because the stewards are useless doing they jobs and also very unorganized as well they care about making money they don't give a damn about the costumers and damn shame they been in business since 2002 I think they should shut down there business one day! Take my advice do not go there because you going to regret it rest of your life.

Sent over 15 emails- no reply even though I revived confirmation email.
Didn’t receive £50 merch bundle- was assured I could collect on the day- I couldn’t at all even though I had the emails saying I could- was told it would turn up- it hasn’t it’s wasn’t even revived by Royal Mail, now they are ignoring me. Proper out of order

First of all the security staff treated us and every other attendee in sight with rudeness and contempt. They made me feel very uncomfortable with their scolding and condescending way of communicating, and they had absolutely no clue where to guide people to.

The event organisers severely sold far too many tickets and we were treated worse than cattle. It was utterly appalling and frankly unsafe. I wouldn't be surprised to hear reports of injury through crushing.

I have sympathy for independent artists who hoped to get some exposure and some sales for their work, to be met with a situation where none of the attendees could stop long enough to make a purchase the majority of the time.

Trying to exit and re-enter the venue was made needlessly difficult by poor organisation and arbitrarily closing off certain entrances and exits because the event organisers decided to hire less staff to save money.

Being neurodivergent, I can tell you that despite being able to handle loud music venues and festivals, this event was sensory overload for me and the fact that entering and exiting was made needlessly difficult meant that it was difficult to decompress in an outside spot with less stimuli.

I won't be attending another MCM event. I was utterly disgusted with my experience and the organisers should be ashamed that they put on such a terrible event. I've attended past MCM shows and this fecalshow is a poor imitation of what this event once was. It'll be as dead as e3 due to the utter greed and arrogance of the organisers at some point, and the contempt the organisers have shown towards attendees through overcrowding and disorganising these shows will be mirrored back by the community they have disrespected.

I cannot explain how genuinely disappointed I am. I've been going to MCM London for 10 years this year and boy oh boy has it changed. Security was loud and verbally aggressive for no reason, speaking and shouting at us like children. The entry system was laughably awful, security checks were so lax it made me wonder if we were safe at all.
I don't know what the MCM organisers have been thinking but the price hike is extortionate considering all they've cut from the convention. Tickets were oversold to a grotesque extreme. I honestly feel insulted as a long time attendee.
The venue was so crammed it was nearly impossible to see or interact with anything. My friends and I only got to see artist alley before we gave up and went outside. A friend and I travelled for 5 hours each way to be there. We ended up leaving hours early because we'd rather be home than stuck in a hall with nothing to do because we simply couldn't see through the crowds.
I highly suggest anyone looking at conventions stay far, far away from MCM, at least London. You deserve better, we all do, even if companies like MCM see us as fools to milk for money. MCM comic con holds many fond memories for me. It's a shame it's ended like this.
Quite frankly, MCM should be ashamed of themselves. Little tip: we're sentient beings who know when they're being fobbed off. You can't treat your visitors like dog *****, charge them an arm and a leg for it and expect them to come back. Get your act together.

To start with there was too many tickets sold. This made the venue feel very claustrophobic. The whole feel of the show was very disorganised. Spent less than an hour there. It was a very expensive hour out! Having attended many of these in the past this will be my last foray to a comic con. If you attend in future make sure you take drinks and food...the queues for either was horrendous.

I recently attended the convention on Saturday, London, May 27st, and I must say, I was extremely disappointed with the way the security staff treated me. Not only were they rude for no apparent reason, but they also failed to conduct thorough checks on bags. A simple question about sharp objects was all it took for them to let me through. This made me feel extremely unsafe.

To make matters worse, the lady who helped me with the accessibility pass was also rude for no reason. She demanded that I produce a form that I wasn't aware of, even though I had already received approval for the pass via email. There was no mention of this form on the website or in the email, and absolutely nothing was saved on their system. It's great that they eventually gave me the pass, but the whole experience left me so overwhelmed I couldn’t enjoy the first few hours of that day because I just couldn’t stop crying.

Furthermore, I was shocked by how many tickets were sold compared to the size of the venue. Look, the venue is HUGE but even when the tickets weren't sold out, the place was extremely packed, making it impossible to get through. This made it difficult to enjoy the convention, as I was constantly jostled and pushed around by the crowds.

Overall, I was annoyed and upset with the convention due to the behavior of the security staff and the lady who helped me with the accessibility pass, as well as the overcrowding of the venue. While they did eventually solve my problem, it came at a cost of unnecessary rudeness and poor customer service. I hope that the convention organizers take note of this and take steps to improve the behavior of their staff and the overall experience for attendees in the future.

Not autism friendly at all. It was overpriced, overbooked and there was no atmosphere. The venue was tiny compared to the amount of guests so I had multiple meltdowns and had to leave early. Please either get a bigger venue or let less people attend!!

We're paying a LOT of money to be here, and each year gets more expensive with much less facilities. Half the toilets inaccessible, a lot less seating, less space from more cordoning.
Too big and corporate, there's no saving it from the capitalism.

Amazing , so well organised . Fantastic guests and a brilliant day out . One to remember

Great line up, really enjoyed it, the not being able to go outside after entering without having to all the way back around and have to re cue was stupid though. needs a smoking area. also needs more seating areas