Hello everyone! This is going to be a text based post so you can COPY PASTE any segment for notes to you.
This year’s STGCC is pretty interesting since for the weekend of 6 and 7 September, there’s lots of events elsewhere happening around too. For one thing, the Cafe Fest is happening along Marina Bay. Which means that you can possible walk over from Cafe Fest to STGCC or have a break at Cafe Fest and then go back to STGCC etc. You get the idea since they have cakes and whatnot to eat too.
Also, you can read my 2012 guide and it still works but hey, I’ve been to MBS and here’s the latest tips.
 SURVIVAL TIPS 2014!
Attire
I realize I have out of town readers so here’s tips for you.
- Singapore is really hot. Wear summer clothes or t-shirts and light layered clothing.
- Track shoes/covered shoes are good because your feet might get stomped upon in a crowded hall or walk way.
- If you’re cosplaying, toilets in the convention hall have a lot of cubicles. Those not at the convention hall have very few OR take the ones on the same floor as the theatre. Alternate toilets would be pretty much at the MRT stations but just go to the ones nearer the convention hall.
- For cosplayers: DO NOT WASH HAIRSPRAY DYE/ETC AT THE TOILETS THERE AND CLOG IT UP. Non-newbies know not to do this for ALL cosplay events but this is always a good reminder to know.
Money
We use Singapore dollars here. Also, we might have artist friends from different countries in the artist alley too.
- The big ‘companies’ will mostly have NETs which is our debit card machines and you can pay using that.
- For artist alleys and small booths PLEASE try to give them exact change if possible. Do not be a douche canoe.
- ATMs are available near the entrance of the hall, behind a small cafe. Other locations would be uh, near the casino entrance.
- Bring cash since at least you’ll have a limited budget for what you want to spend on during convention days.
Transport
How to get to Marina Bay Sands really.
- You can actually walk from City Hall if you’re lurking around there. Look up into the sky and find the flying/floating ship on top of the buildings. Behold, it is probably a twenty minute walk depending on which part of City Hall you’re at. It’s closer from Marina Square too.
- If lost, see cosplayers and follow them discreetly. It’s a tip because they are probably going to STGCC. If not, well, too bad.
- Take the MRT and drop of at Bayfront MRT station. This requires getting off at either Promenade(?) I can’t remember but do check your YELLOW line train because it will stop one stop before it and then you might have to take just the NEXT yellow line train that reaches Bayfront. In case of being lost, follow cosplayers.
- I’m not going to bother with buses here. If you’re really lost, I recommend using Gothere.sg
Food
It’s time to pretend you’re a school girl/boy packing bentos to sit underneath a cherry blossom tree. Well, we have none of that but we have lotus near the Art Science Centre.
- The 7-11 at the MRT station would be a good place to stock up on sandwiches or candy but their prices are way above 7-11 prices elsewhere. I recommend stocking up at your local supermarket first.
- There is a Coldstorage at the basement of MBS, you can get more food or drinks there.
- Pack at least a large bottle of water with you, candies, mints or trailmix.
- There ARE food courts there but it will cost you quite a bit of money. If you wanna save, pack or buy from the malls at City Hall/Marina Square.
STGCC!
Ok, here’s STGCC specific tips I’ve learned from the previous years.
- Make sure you know what time the autograph sessions are for and queue up before it starts or if the line is not open, just lurk by.
- Really give exact or closest change to artist alley people. TALK TO THEM. Sometimes if it’s near the last hour of the last day, they might throw in some stuff or it’s discounted. But this doesn’t work with really popular goods since THAT means you just get it as soon as you ENTER the convention hall.
- Talking to booth owners are nice. Just don’t hog the area though.
- Try to get a seat before the next panel comes on if you’re wanting to listen. If not, you should bring your own mini foldable stool.
- GET post it pads! Write YOUR name or whoever’s name on it for stuff you want autographed and put it on your item to be autographed so that it can be a speedy process.
- DO help out another person if they look lost, are being harrassed etc. You can also ask staff on hand to help or point it out to them.
- If for some reason you wanna ice skate (in costume?!), wear socks and bring gloves. There’s a skating ring there in the building.
THINGS THAT ANNOY ME AND STUFF YOU SHOULD NEVER DO AT STGCC:
- Harrass booth owners/staff/random people. Duh.
- Block walk ways.
- Give big change to artist alley people especially when they’re from out of Singapore and won’t have the ability to have too much change when you buy ‘small’ items.
- Have TOO many stuff to get autographed. I know the feel but don’t bring a fifty comics or something. There’s limits for it.
- Don’t ever glomp or hug a cosplayer or touch their stuff without their permission. You don’t do it anyhow to a random person what makes you think you can with a cosplayer?
- Stupid ‘sexy’ interviews for your own web youtube channel. People are ok with interviews but try to be funny ha ha sexy oh noes naughty, prepare to be punched in the face.
- Freak the guests out by asking questions that do not have a question during a Q & A session.
- TALK LOUDLY WHILE WAITING FOR THE NEXT PANEL. HELLO, ANNOYANCE MUCH. I am sitting HERE listening to the panel, I know you’re waiting for the NEXT panel and thus ‘booking’ your seat, can you shut up because I want to listen to the panelists and not you?
Ok, I think you know which one pissed me off greatly.
I should be there on Sunday so HELLO TO YOU GUYS. I am generally nice and you can ask me for pictures, just talk to me politely or something. I might lurk around GnB or Books Actually since I have friends there too.