The FX activation kiosk returned to the same spot they occupied last year but with a smaller footprint, a bit less showmanship, but some decent giveaways.
In terms of accessibility, it had the same challenge as before when it came to being on the grass, making some wheelchairs difficult to navigate. There’s also a significant issue with most of the experience being visual-based so blind people, or people with low vision, may find there being no point in waiting in any line save for the umbrellas.
Furthermore, the Horror Story Hellevator has strobing effects, a major problem for people with epilepsy.
Speaking of the umbrellas, however, FX has delivered what’s probably the most-wanted piece of swag this convention. San Diego is warmer and more humid than usual this year, as well as very sunny, so the customized umbrellas are lifesavers.
They come in white, offer UV protection, and you can get a name and your choice of one of six symbols hand-drawn onto them. I don’t remember all six, but three of them were a bat, a lightning bolt, and a sun.
The artists decorating the umbrella worked as fast as they could while still making the pieces look incredible. While the line can get long, it does moves steadily.
All of that’s part of the What We Do in the Shadows experience, which besides that, offers a photo opportunity in front of the much-loved mansion from the show. There was also another photo opp in front of a bar for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
For American Horror Story, attendees are escorted into a building 12 at a time and stand in a simulator that shakes as if it’s ascending and descending as they see various horrifying scenes. The line is long and the experience isn’t particularly worth standing in the sun for, but at least there’s a cooling blood (cherry) slushie afterward.
Finally, there’s The Bear, which is based on what’s probably the most anxiety-inducing, appetite-increasing show I’ve ever seen. People have waited three hours in this specific line to get into a place with two photo opp spots, toothpicks, and an item that changes by the day. Thursday had the best item so far, a sturdy branded apron. Friday’s item was a hat, and Saturday’s was a shirt.
While the booth and counter photo spots are fun, neither are really iconic places from the featured restaurant just yet. Far more memorable would have been the kitchen, or the original dining room setup, and so the wait is just not worth it.
Especially because before these lines are another line that’s taken up to two hours to wait it, mostly in the sun. And unlike last year, there’s no regular entertainment happening in the central area. The FX 2024 activation is the most-line of line-con, and many people who were hoping for a return of all that was going on last year are disappointed.
Stay tuned for more SDCC ’24 coverage from The Beat.
