Dragon Con 2025
One Day at the Con
We only had a single day to spend at Dragon Con this year—Saturday, August 30th—and even that brief visit made it clear why this convention has such a legendary reputation. Dragon Con is one of the largest multigenre pop-culture events in the world, drawing around 75,000 people and spreading across five host hotels in downtown Atlanta (the Hyatt Regency, Marriott Marquis, Hilton, Courtland Grand, and Westin Peachtree) plus the AmericasMart buildings for vendors and gaming. With more than 3,500 hours of scheduled programming, it’s impossible to take in more than a fraction of what’s offered. A day at Dragon Con is more like being dropped into the middle of a living city powered by fandom.
Meeting The Magicians
Our main goal was to see the cast of The Magicians, and this was easily the highlight of the day. We met Summer Bishil, Hale Appleman, and Trevor Einhorn, and all three went above and beyond. They weren’t just signing and moving on; they took the time to talk, joke, and even helped set up a prank photo op for my husband later. It felt warm, personal, and memorable—remarkable given the size of the event and the number of fans they had to meet.
Organization and Flow
Badge pickup was much smoother than expected. The line was long, but it moved at a steady pace, and the process was organized well enough that no one seemed stuck waiting. Once inside, the sheer volume of people was undeniable, but the logistics kept things manageable. There were definite bottlenecks—especially at the vendor mart in AmericasMart and at hotel lobbies where crowds converged—but overall the flow of people was better than you’d expect for a convention of this size.
Atmosphere and Cosplay
The atmosphere was electric. Even without attending the famous Dragon Con parade that morning, it was impossible to miss the energy pulsing through the hotels. Cosplayers filled every hallway and lobby, and the level of creativity was stunning. What stood out most wasn’t just the costumes themselves but how friendly and interactive everyone was. Cosplayers seemed genuinely excited to share their work and pose for photos, creating a sense of community that pulled you into the fun whether you were in costume or not.
Vendors and Shopping
The vendor hall at AmericasMart is a convention in itself. Spread across four massive floors, it’s packed with everything from collectibles to costumes to independent art. We barely scratched the surface in the time we had, but one area we focused on was the handmade vendors—those who craft every item they sell. The level of talent and craftsmanship on display was incredible, ranging from jewelry and clothing to art and props. With only one day, we didn’t even get through all four floors, but what we saw was impressive enough to make us wish we’d had more time just for shopping alone.
Food and Comfort
Food options were plentiful, though seating was limited. We stumbled upon the “secret food mart” upstairs, which turned out to be a great find—reasonable wait times and enough variety to recharge for another round of walking. The downside was trying to find somewhere to sit; with so many people around, tables filled quickly and many attendees ended up eating on the floor or against a wall.
Parking and Transport
Driving through Atlanta was terrible, but once we got into the downtown area, finding parking wasn’t too bad. The real frustration was that we had reserved a SpotHero space that was inaccessible due to parade-related street closures. We ended up paying for that in advance and then paying again for the new garage we found nearby. Hopefully the refund comes through, but at least parking itself was close and not outrageously expensive.
Final Impressions
Even in just one day, Dragon Con delivered an unforgettable experience. Between the scale of the event, the warmth of the community, and the highlight of meeting The Magicians cast, it was worth every moment of effort. That said, one day is simply not enough. With thousands of hours of programming spread across multiple venues, we probably experienced one percent of what was available. The convention is clearly built for a full weekend (or longer), and next time we’ll plan to stay the whole stretch.
If you’re considering Dragon Con for a one-day visit, be prepared: crowds are intense, navigation takes time, and downtown traffic can test your patience. But the organization, atmosphere, and sense of shared excitement more than make up for the challenges. It’s overwhelming, chaotic, and at times exhausting—but also one of the most vibrant, well-run, and welcoming conventions out there.
