Preparation and Tips - A Star Wars Celebration Packing List

So you're going to Star Wars Celebration! You've got your badges, you've got your hotel room, you've even got you transportation all figured out (will that be X-Wing or TIE Fighter?). You're pretty much all set. You just need to pack. So what should you be taking with you for this five day extravaganza anyway?

Everyone's list of Con essentials will be slightly different, we're all individuals after all, so I'm just going to try and make this list as comprehensive as possible. Will I get absolutely everything in here? Of course not! So please let me know if I'm missing one of your essential items, I'll add it straight to the list. That said, there are some items everyone needs to take, like deodorant - please take it and use it!

There's two bags you'll need to be thinking of - your main travel case and your convention bag that you'll be taking with you to Celebration each day.

Main Packing List

Important Documents and Travel Essentials

Wallet & Cash/Cards

Passport or other photo ID if not travelling from abroad

Plane Tickets

Hotel Reservation

Shuttle Bookings

Hire Car Reservation

Parking Permits

Glasses

Glasses Case & Cleaning Cloth

Contact Lenses & Lens Solution

Sun Glasses

Medication

Clothing

Jumper/Hoodie

Shirts - both long and short sleeved

Jeans

Cargo Pants/Cargo Shorts - more pockets are good for conventions

Belt

Underwear - take extra so you can change after a long day at Celebration & in the morning if you're planning on doing the overnight line

Socks - again make sure to include a few extra pairs

Comfy Shoes

Extra pair of shoes/sandals/flip-flops

Pajamas

Watch

Hat

Swimwear

Comfy Clothes for the overnight line up

Toiletries

Tooth Brush

Tooth Paste

Mouth Wash

Dental Floss

Soap

Shampoo

Conditioner

Hair Gel

Face Wash

Face Wipes

Body Wash

Body Lotion

Deodorant

Hair Spray

Make Up

Make Up Setting Spray/Powder

Razor

Shaving Foam/Gel

Aftershave

Tissues

Plasters

Blister Plasters

Aspirin

Throat Lozenges

Vitamin C

Lip Balm

Eye Drops

Sunscreen

After Sun

Convention Essentials

Star Wars Celebration Badges (if not collecting on site)

Lanyard

Cosplay Costume

Cosplay Footwear

Cosplay Weapons/Accessories

Mini Sewing Kit & Safety Pins - for cosplay repairs

Back Pack or Tote Bag

Poster Tube and/or Poster Sleeves

Itinerary (including Fan Events) and Map

Pen

Highlighter

Sharpie & Notepad - you never know who you might run in to!

Mints

Hand Sanitizer/Hand Wipes

Blanket - for overnight queue

Pillow(s) - or borrow from your hotel to save space in your luggage

Sleeping Bag

Small Collapsible Chair

Small Air Bed

Ear Plugs

Eye Mask

Refillable Water Bottle

Electrical

Phone & Charger

Tablet & Charger

Camera & Charger

Video Camera & Charger

Laptop & Charger

Spare SD Card(s) for Camera

Multiple Power Packs & Chargers - ideally 2 per person per day if you're planning on taking a lot of photos or using a lot of data

Power Strip - ideally with USB sockets as well

Fitbit

Headphones

Hair Dryer - your hotel may provide this, check before you go

Hair Straighteners

Nintendo DS/3DS/PSP/Switch & Charger(s)

Misc.

Umbrella

Snacks - may be easier to buy local

Water - may be easier to buy local

Books/Comics - reading material for on the journey and in line

Trash Bags - useful for separating dirty clothes

Money Belt

Shipping Boxes - if you want to post your haul home

Extra Suitcase - just make sure you book an extra hold bag for your return flight

Bubble Wrap - for packing exclusives

Freezer Bags/Ziplock Bags - for liquids on the plane & also good for parting out figures and accessories if you don't have space to take everything home in box

Convention Bag

Star Wars Celebration Badge & Lanyard - you'll be wearing this

Wallet & Cash/Cards

Phone

Back Pack or Tote Bag - good size, comfortable and secure and the main things you need

Poster Tube/Poster Sleeves - you'll want these with you if you're picking up an art print or attending a panel where a free poster is likely to be given out (like IX). The sleeves are also good for photo op pictures

Tablet or Laptop

Camera/Video Camera

Power Packs & Charge Cables

Headphones

Itinerary & Map

Pen

Highlighter

Sharpies & Notepad

Snacks (or even a full lunch if you want)

Refillable Water Bottle

Mints

Hand Sanitizers/Hand Wipes

Tissues

Deodorant

Mini Sewing Kit & Safety Pins (if cosplaying)

Overnight

Blanket

Pillow(s)

Sleeping Bag

Small Collapsible Chair

Small Air Bed

Ear Plugs

Eye Mask

Comfy Clothes

Change of Clothes & Underwear for the morning

I think that covers everything. Remember it's only a guide, don't take what you don't need, especially in your convention bag, it's better to travel light, you don't want to be lugging round too much stuff on the show floor .

One thing I would highly recommend is using these blank planning sheets that Jenn Depaola created for Celebration Orlando last year. You can create your own custom packing list, costume packing list, budget, and panel schedule.

Until next time, may the Force be with you.