Hi samandean10,
I just saw this discussion topic, and I'll try to add a few notes as they come to mind. (Hopefully it will make sense)
So glad you finally got a chance to go, Leah, and enjoyed it! Very brave to ask a question at your first con!!
I've been to 3 cons now - Dallas twice, and Houston once - (when I originally planned on it being a once-in-a-lifetime-thing), and I've been lucky to attend 2 of Jared's meet&greets. Amazing. (Never ever thought I'd spend the money on those, but yup. I've done it. Would love to do some of the others, but.... $$)
In my experience, cons are totally addicting. The panels and activities are great, but it's really the experience of being in one location with literally hundreds of like-minded people - mostly women, mostly - um - over the age of majority - and all lovely people. We all have our favourite actors/seasons/episodes/scenes, but at a con? Everyone is literally family. Not exaggerating at all. There are a few eye-rolls, and such, but generally everyone is kind and loving and tolerant of differences. Some people choose not to go to everything - they skip panels or skip karaoke or skip the concert Saturday night - but for me, every minute is a treasured moment. I drink it all in.
The bad - I've also had an experience with Con-goers who imbibe a bit too much, Leah. At karaoke in Houston, there was one young lady who really shouldn't have been there. Her friends were trying to remove her/get her to sit down, and she actually fell on top of me. I was pushed back into a chair. Luckily no injuries, but I suppose there are always a few....
Question lines for panels are quite civil and orderly. If you want to ask a question, you join the end of the cue. The cues can be long (and start forming up for the Js at about the middle of the panel before them). Most questions are at least thought out, but I've heard a few groans and seen a bunch of eyerolls to the predictable prank questions, and some of the more ludicrous questions. One about what the Js bikinis would look like, for example, got a loud groan. The worst audience reaction I have been present for was the one to Colin Ford at Houston this year. I mentioned it on the main board at one point.
Gold panel didn't have a question line at my first con, and breakfast was still included. (We ate before the Js appeared). Everyone sat at tables, so you got to meet other people and get to know them. I met a pair of beautiful young women there, and still have contact with them.....Questions were just by raising your hand. It felt more intimate than the way they do them now, which is in your seat in the main auditorium.
At my first con, Dallas2013, I met SweetonDean (a former contributor to this site, and a truly lovely person). She and her friend Hazel basically showed me the ropes, laughed at my total fangirl freak-out (embarrassing!!) during my J2 photo op - The write-up she did which included that moment is probably still in the article archives here - and introduced me to a few other people. I went to that one alone (well, my husband went with me, but did not attend the con), but I met one of my current con-buddies there. And ultimately a few other people who will probably be friends for life. That con was a whirlwind for me. I loved every minute, but felt totally overwhelmed by it all. So.....
That one, and some personal circumstances led to me signing up for the next year. This time, rooming with the girl I'd met the year before and another friend. And, with experience under my belt, I bid for the Meet & Greet - wow! - and actually spoke to the Js. Jensen during the Gold Panel (not intentionally - I didn't ask a question - he saw me respond to something they were discussing, and talked directly to me about it!), and Jared during the M&G. The best thing about speaking to them is the way they zero in on you. Totally focussed on you, on your words, and on their answer. (oh GOD those eyes!!) I'm quite sure that's why there are a lot of... um, what's the right word?.... inane questions. Just to get that focussed attention, all to yourself. *sigh*
I had some interesting items for them to sign that year, hand made by my daughter, and that got a lot of positive attention from J2M2 and Jim Beaver - and especially Clif. The items led to further discussion, and - at my 3rd con in Houston this past January - they all actually remembered. That was a total rush! Being remembered by J2M2 and Clif.
I'm going to DallasCon again this year, thanks to the prodding of my buddies, and hope to see SweetonDean there. I hear she's going, along with a few hundred of my friends, and a dozen or so very special people.
By the way, if you get ever get a chance to go, thank the volunteers and the head Creation guys. They work really hard, stand on their feet very long hours, and try very hard to make it an unforgettable weekend for everyone. (And yes, it's getting more and more expensive, but that's for another discussion.)
Let me know if you have any more questions - or any that I either haven't answered. I do get rambling when I discuss my con experiences. Hope this is coherent enough to give you a picture.