Built from your app favorites. A lot of them overlap, so the plan is one path with no clashes. Open All options to swap things in or out. Reservation = confirmed in the app (Futurama, Swordplay, Percy Jackson, Cosplay). Suggested = a filler block.
Everyone gets a short must-do list. Starters below are ideas; check booth numbers in the app and add your own.
On arrival: point out a red CREW shirt and an info booth, walk the kids to each meetup spot once, and take a photo of both of them so you can show crew exactly what they look like. Pick a new spot when you change levels. Info booths: three on the show floor, three on the lower level, one on the way up to the Empire Stage. Saved on this phone only.
Most of your picks are in Hall 1E: Family HQ (1E-02), the workshop room (1E05), D&D and the TCG area. The Main Stage is next door in Hall 1D. Room 405 and 408 are in the North building, a longer walk.
Saturday is the biggest, busiest day. Aisles get shoulder to shoulder by late morning, so do the must-see booths first.
Security lines form well before 10am, with bag checks and metal detectors at every entrance. Arrive early and keep bags small.
Main Stage and Empire Stage panels need a free NYCC Reservation in the app. Show up about 30 min early, and budget 15 min to walk there through the crowd. Room panels (like Room 405) are first come; 15 min early is usually fine. The Main Stage queue is downstairs on the lower level in the Queue Hall at 1C.
Put all three badges in the con bag tonight. Morning check: wallet, keys, badges. A lost badge means paying full price for a replacement. Lost phones and wallets usually get turned in, so ask at an info booth before giving up.
Bring cash in small bills (5s and 10s) plus a card. Artist Alley creators often can't make change, some are cash only, and some discount for cash. Tap-to-pay sometimes just fails in the crowd.
Outside food and drink are allowed, so pack lunch. Food court lines are long; the stalls along the back wall of the show floor move faster. Water fountains have bottle fillers. A 7-Eleven a few blocks up is good for restocking snacks.
Javits has a bag check. If the kids buy something big, drop it there instead of hauling it all day. Consolidate into one bag first.
Trailer reels before panels are very loud. Earplugs for the kids, especially at the Main Stage.
Scammers work the sidewalks outside Javits asking for "donations." Keep walking, don't engage. Skip the mystery boxes inside; they're overpriced dollar-store stuff.
Always ask before photographing anyone in cosplay, and never touch a costume. If you get turned around, keep moving until you can step aside, don't stop in the aisle.
Collapsible stools are allowed and recommended for long panel waits.
No real weapons. Cosplay props must be clearly fake and may go through Prop Check.
Secaucus Junction has two Edison ParkFast lots open 24/7 on weekends: Lot 1 at 675 New County Rd (the big one) and Lot 2 at 650 New County Rd. Check rates on the LAZ site before you go.
Secaucus to Penn is one stop, about 10 min. Use the NJ Transit app for tickets and DepartureVision for the next train. From Penn, walk west on 34th St to Javits (about 15 min).
Cell and venue Wi-Fi get spotty with crowds. Agree on the meetup spot before you split up, not after.
Getting home
The plan runs to 9:45pm with the Cosplay Championships. Walk east on 34th St to Penn and take an NJ Transit train that stops at Secaucus Junction (check DepartureVision), one stop, then walk to the lot. Home around 11. If the kids fade, skipping the Cosplay Championships cuts two hours.
VisionQuest Collection RSVP
Studio 525 · 525 W 24th St
Marvel's walk-through art gallery for the VisionQuest series. Open Sat 12–8pm, about a 20 min walk south from Javits. Only works if you skip the evening block.