EvilFluffyBiteyThing

Pretty much what Jimmyc said - plus, if you're keen to cosplay next time around, this is a great opportunity to meet cosplayers of all genres (anything from Attack on Titan to Steampunk) and get tips on what to use, how to build props and general advice on assembling your costume. The cosplay area usually has at least one talk on costuming - so they're great for inspiration and ideas. Don't feel shy to stop people in costume - we love to chat about what we're wearing, and if you ask to take a photo, be aware that the first thing we'll do is strike a suitable pose for you. Have a great time!

I third this. Plus Ryan was hilarious when I was getting his auto. Me: "Your Majesty" *attempts rubbish curtsy* Ryan (haughty King Louis mode): "lower." Everyone was fab, and really friendly. I had a great day, and bought far too many boxes of Pocky. Again.

There'll be a goodly number of us, I think! I'm coming in on the train, which gets me in for about half eight, so I'll tag on to wherever the queue's got to. Usual routine is that ticket holders queue to the left of the entrance (towards the Admiral Insurance building), while walk-ups queue to the right.

Permission to SQUEEEEEE?!

No six nations this weekend, Cardiff City are away, No Cardiff Blues either as far as I can find, so I think the march is the only other event during the day on Sat, and the Sunday is clear. Nothing else that I can see, so I think you're set!

That's a nice little gift for St David's day!

You're welcome!

The layout is pretty straightforward - as you go in you'll have the vehicle (The Mystery Machine this year!) in front of you, and there'll be stalls to the left and right both along the walls and then stretching into the main arena space. The guests are always towards the rear of the arena - some in a central 'island', the others ranged along the back wall. There's usually a large open area between them and the front of the hall which gets packed with amazing cosplayers, so there's always something fab in the vicinity! Photo shoots and talks are usually upstairs (the Speeder shoot might be in the foyer - the prop shoots tend to be there) - the Showmasters team can point you in the right direction. The team's usually located opposite the guest tables towards the front of the hall, facing inwards. There are generally signs up, and you can access the upper floors via stairs and lifts from each of the four corners of the main arena. The cloakroom is also usually upstairs on the first floor. I rather like not having a floor plan - it makes everything such an exciting discovery!

If you're there on the Saturday, don't miss Professor VeryMental. He's fantastic!

Aww, what a shame! Never mind - thanks for confirming. My autograph list going to give my bank manager nightmares as it is, so perhaps it's just as well!

Ditto - very happy!

Ta muchly!

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, what about Anneke Wills (shown for Sat) and Kerry Ingram (shown for Sun)? Despite being on the list, neither have been announced on the site or the forum, and there are no tickets for their listed photoshoots. If they aren't coming, fair enough (though it would be fab if they are), but it would be great to have it confirmed so I know if I need to up my ever enlarging autograph budget again!

I won't be there on the Saturday this time, alas - so I send my support in electronic, written form instead. xx

Im wondering if there've been a couple of names mixed up - the list is, as I write this, showing Kerry Ingram appearing on the Sunday, but there's nothing on the site, and no photo shoot tickets on sale; but Carl is missing from the list, while he's on the site and tickets are still on sale...

Hi Superwondergirl - info is a bit sparse at the moment. Millennium Stadium shows no events beyond 1st Oct at present, but as the Rugby World Cup semis are on 24 & 25 (at Twickers), an international will be unlikely. No info yet on Cardiff City or Blues fixtures - though others more 'in the know' may be able to jump in with something?

Hi Hunter13 - I'd take a right once you come out of the station and head towards the Sleeperz Hotel and the travelodge. Stay on the left side of the road (just follow the outside of the Great Western pub) and you'll get to a wide pedestrian crossing on St Mary Street. You should see The Peppermint Bar, and the Marriott Hotel on the other side, which is Mill Lane (a.k.a the Café Quarter). Once over the crossing, pass by the Bar, and follow Mill Lane as it curves to the left until you get to the big open space in front of the Central Library (you can't miss it - there's a huge sculpture that looks like a hoop standing on its end with a giant spear sticking up out of the ground, and it has a Wagamama built into it). You should see John Lewis to your right. Head towards it, and go under the overpass between the shopping centre and JL onto Tredegar Street. You should pass a small branch of Boots and then a Tesco express on your left. By this point, you should be seeing cosplayers queuing at the cash machine, but, if not, just keep following Tredegar Street until it opens out - the arena entrance will be just ahead to your right on the other side of the road. It should take about ten minutes - probably a bit less. Chances are, the closer you get, the more cosplayers you'll see - and you can petty much follow the crowd.

Which means you'll be staying on the street where Kate Lethbridge-Stewart threw the Cyberman's head at Missy's feet. Now that's what I call an appropriate choice!

I've not been to the Cardiff event before, but I've heard its particularly busy on the Saturday and would expect James to be one of the busiest guests, so my advice would be to pre-book your entry ticket and photo shoot with James.Having attended last November, I concur! The entry queues for the walk-ups went almost entirely round the Arena and back towards Town at one point. In fact, the Con last March got so busy on the Saturday that I think they had to stop people coming in for a while until numbers began to thin out a bit as people left. If you want to risk it, I'd suggest doing both days if you can manage it. Sunday is generally quieter from the off, and James and Daniel are doing both. If you can only do the Saturday; definitely pre-book!

Probably more people than I can sensibly afford...plus anyone who stops to say "hi!".

Top name! Nice one, SM!

Excellent news!

Yep - need to start saving up, I think - it's gonna be an expensive weekend!

I certainly enjoyed the last one (big thanks to the SM team for that) - really looking forward to the next. Can't wait to see the first names on the line-up!

Amanda Tapping would be awesome - and I'd love to meet Tom Mison, Orlando Jones and/or Nicole Beharie.