How to attend BlizzCon if you weren't lucky enough to get a ticket
As you probably know, tickets for this year's BlizzCon are now sold out. If you weren't lucky enough to nab a ticket of your own, there are still a few ways to enjoy this year's convention -- and they don't even have to cost an arm and a leg.
The bargain basement option: Stay home and follow the blogs.
Total cost: Nothing
No ticket costs, no travel costs, and no need to interrupt your regular weekend schedule. You'll still get the news, as well as commentary, photos, and video from your favorite blog (which we hope is us, but don't judge if it isn't).
The budget option: Get a BlizzCon Virtual Ticket.
Total cost: $40, based on 2011 costs
BlizzCon Virtual Tickets haven't gone on sale yet, but they tend to be unlimited in number, so there's no problem getting one. And at $40 compared to the full ticket price of $175, they're pretty easy on the pocketbook. Based on previous years, expect a virtual ticket to get you a live video stream of the convention, your own BlizzCon exclusive pet, access to BlizzCon merchandise, and perhaps other bonuses.
The vacation option: Skip BlizzCon, but go to Anaheim anyway.
Total cost: Airfare and hotel costs will vary
We hear it again and again: the best part about BlizzCon is getting to hang out with your WoW friends in real life. And, fortunately, you don't actually need a BlizzCon ticket to do that. Just head out to Anaheim during BlizzCon and enjoy hanging out with your raid buddies -- who won't be on the convention floor 24/7.
And if you need something to do while your friends are at the con, there's Disneyland just around the corner from the convention center and plenty of other activities in the Anaheim area -- and even more if you venture in to Los Angeles.
The wait and see option: BlizzCon tickets may be sold out, but that doesn't mean they're gone.
Total cost: Airfare and hotel, plus ticket cost
While it isn't against Blizzard's policy to transfer tickets (so you can certainly buy tickets from friends), picking up tickets online from a scalper can be fraught with peril and is certainly frowned upon. If you're looking to buy a ticket from anyone, remember that to pick up your BlizzCon badge, you need a photo ID whose name matches whatever name is on the ticket. If you're getting tickets from a friend, they have until May 14 to edit the names attached to each ticket -- after that, they'll have to pick up the badges themselves (they'll all be in the buyer's name) and give them to their guests.
We don't recommend buying BlizzCon tickets from strangers online -- in addition to huge price tags, it would be very easy for these people to scam you out of your badge in the end. Especially as we get closer to convention time, be wary of scams if you're looking for a ticket -- if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
However, you should let your friends know that you're looking for a BlizzCon ticket. Someone may have an extra and they'll probably be willing to let you have it for their cost.
The "I'll pay anything" option: Go to Blizzard's charity dinner.
Total cost: Airfare and hotel, plus $500 per dinner ticket (which includes a BlizzCon ticket)
It's pricey, but if you really want to go to BlizzCon -- plus get to meet Blizzard staff and nab exclusive swag -- this benefit dinner is a solid option. Plus, the proceeds benefit the Children's Hospital of Orange County.
Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 7 p.m. Pacific Time and there will only be 200 available... so practice your clicking speed and read our ticket purchasing tips.
