MegaCon 2014 Wrap-Up: Record crowds swarm Orlando convention to see Walking Dead stars, Stan Lee, more pop culture fun


    
An unprecedented attendance of more than 80,000 people on its biggest day alone made MegaCon 2014 one of Orlando’s biggest conventions ever. This year the sprawling show moved to the South Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center, packing in every inch of space with excited fans of all things pop culture, eager to see - and meet - some of their favorite celebrities, artists, writers, and more.
MegaCon 2014 convention halls and crowds
MegaCon 2014 convention halls and crowds
MegaCon 2014 convention halls and crowds
With many dressed in elaborate costumes, attendees at MegaCon 2014 showed that cosplay is bigger than ever, bringing impressive levels of creativity and craftsmanship to show off their talents and love of anime, TV shows, movies, comic books, superheroes, and a whole lot of Disney characters.
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
In partnership with MegaCon, photographer Michael Gavin and I were given access to every panel and presentation throughout the weekend. Below are video and photo highlights from all three days of the event that this year for one day impressively approached attendance levels of San Diego Comic-Con.
(You’ll soon see our photographs on the official MegaCon web site too.)

Cosplay

In addition to the many amazing Disney costumes we’ve already shown off from MegaCon attendees, the convention was filled with thousands of cosplayers posing for and endless stream of photos throughout. From Superman to Batman to Powdered Toastman to obscure anime and everything in between, there’s no end to the possibilities of cosplay.

Video: I am MegaCon 2014 - Costumes, Cosplay, and Zombies in Orlando

Video: Disney cosplay photo meet at MegaCon 2014 in Orlando

Some famous cosplayers were in attendance, including Yaya Han, Riddle, Ivy Doomkitty, and Kristen Hughey.
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
Ivy Doomkitty at MegaCon 2014
Kristen Hughey at MegaCon 2014
Kristen Hughey at MegaCon 2014
Below are just a few of our favorites that we photographed throughout the weekend, followed by a slideshow of the 800+ cosplay pictures we took.
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay

DC cosplay group at MegaCon 2014

MegaCon 2014 cosplay

MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon 2014 cosplay
MegaCon also hosted two separate major costume contests simultaneously, one specifically for anime and one catch-all for everything else, to showcase the best of the best and hand out some prizes.
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Anime Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest
MegaCon 2014 Universal Cosplay Costume Contest

More cosplay photos from MegaCon 2014:

Panels

The special presentations of MegaCon 2014 were packed throughout the weekend, particularly on Saturday where long lines of hundreds of attendees were turned away from popular panels like the cast of “The Walking Dead” as rooms filled up fast. But those who did get in were treated to hours of entertainment, information, and a whole lot of laughs.
For those who couldn’t make it into “The Walking Dead” panel, we have a full video of it below. And don’t worry, they didn’t reveal any spoilers.

Video: FULL The Walking Dead panel at MegaCon 2014 - Michonne, the Governor, Sasha, Beth, Glenn

The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
The Walking Dead cast at MegaCon 2014
Beyond “The Walking Dead,” another highlight of MegaCon was some of the industry’s top voice actors reading the entire “Ghostbusters” movie script, changing up their voices for each scene. Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Darkwing Duck, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Walking, Invader Zim, Cinderella, and Donatello, are just a few of the many character voices that were hilariously voiced during this entertaining presentation, highlights of which can be seen in the video below.

Video: Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014 in Orlando

Unfortunately we do not have the full presentation on video, as we had to hop around to a few different panels and events to photograph overlapping with this one, but the group did select a costumed audience member to man a front-and-center camera (next to mine) to record the whole event, which they said would eventually be up on YouTube.
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Voice actors read Ghostbusters script at MegaCon 2014
Other highlights throughout the weekend included presentations from Stan Lee, John Barrowman (with and without the cast of “Torchwood”), the cast of “Smallville,” James Marsters (from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), “Robot Chicken” creators, famous cosplayers, Six Degrees Improv, and many more.
Battlestar Galactica - MegaCon 2014
James Marsters at MegaCon 2014
James Marsters at MegaCon 2014
James Marsters at MegaCon 2014
Stan Lee at MegaCon 2014
John Barrowman at MegaCon 2014
John Barrowman at MegaCon 2014
Jon Heder at MegaCon 2014
Jon Heder at MegaCon 2014
Jon Heder at MegaCon 2014
Karl Urban at MegaCon 2014
Robot Chicken at MegaCon 2014
Robot Chicken at MegaCon 2014
Smallville at MegaCon 2014
Smallville at MegaCon 2014
Six Degrees Improv at MegaCon 2014

More photos from MegaCon 2014 panels and presentations:

Convention Show Floor

Throughout the show floor, exhibitors sold unique merchandise while artists displayed their works as well as commissioned custom creations. The level of talent found throughout Artist’s Alley is tremendous, consistently one of the most popular areas of the convention. Plus, there was a huge themed LEGO display, an area for Star Wars photo opportunities, and ample chances to meet and get pictures with and autographs from celebrities.
Here are a few MegaCon 2014 show floor highlights:
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 celebrities
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 artists
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits
MegaCon 2014 booths and exhibits

More photos from the MegaCon 2014 show floor:

Parties

Even after regular MegaCon hours ended, Friday and Saturday nights offered elaborately themed parties throughout the area. We’ll have coverage of two of the off-property, adults-only themed events coming up soon on Outside the Magic, so keep checking back for those!
On Friday night, MegaCon hosted the Cosmos dance party in one of the convention center’s ballrooms, blasting dance music for a chance to unwind at the end of a long first day. Then on Saturday, James Marsters’ band performed to an excited crowd and an anime dance party was held as well, keeping MegaCon alive until well past midnight each night.
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cosmos party at MegaCon 2014
Cyberia anime dance party at MegaCon 2014
Cyberia anime dance party at MegaCon 2014
James Marsters and The Ghost of the Robots Band at MegaCon 2014
James Marsters and The Ghost of the Robots Band at MegaCon 2014
James Marsters and The Ghost of the Robots Band at MegaCon 2014
James Marsters and The Ghost of the Robots Band at MegaCon 2014

More photos from MegaCon 2014 parties:



Though Saturday’s unexpectedly huge crowds caused severe traffic and parking issues around the Orange County Convention Center, those who were able to get in saw a huge MegaCon event that rivaled some of the country’s biggest comic-cons. MegaCon keeps getting bigger and better year after year and will return to Orlando in 2015 for even more comic, sci-fi, television, movie, and general pop culture fun
.