WonderCon came and went over the weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center, and overall, it felt like a mixed bag that leaned more toward underwhelming than exciting.
The show floor had moments, but for a convention backed by Comic Con International, it never quite reached the level people have come to expect. It was definitely more put together than something like the Barbie Dream Festival, but that is not exactly a high bar. There is usually a certain polish and energy tied to this brand, and this year just felt off.
Part of the issue of this year’s WonderCon came down to timing. There were three other major conventions all happening at the same time, including C2E2, Planet Comicon, and PAX East. That kind of overlap spreads talent, vendors, and fans thin. Artists and exhibitors had to make tough choices about where to show up, and it showed. The floor felt lighter, not just in crowd size but in variety. You could tell some of the usual heavy hitters simply were not there. As if it was just abandoned in a toy box.
Once you got inside, the lack of activities became even more noticeable. There were barely any interactive experiences to keep people engaged throughout the day. Outside of the Send Help escape room, which stood out as the only real attraction pulling consistent interest, there was not much to do beyond walking the aisles. In past years, there has been more of a sense of discovery, where you stumble onto activations or immersive booths. That feeling just was not there this time.
The WonderCon Show Floor, Photographed by Julian Cannon
At the same time, one unexpected positive was the absence of the live mystery boxes that usually dominate parts of the floor. Those tend to draw big crowds and create chaotic lines, so not having them actually made it easier to move around and enjoy what was there. It gave the space a calmer vibe, even if it also highlighted how little else was happening.
WonderCon struggled to maintain consistent engagement and forward momentum all weekend long and it was not too hard to notice it. The panels on the other hand, offered some diamonds in the rough, but it was barely talked about on social media.
The panel lineup was another mixed experience. On paper, there were some solid options, but the execution left a lot to be desired. There was a noticeable absence of major studios like Marvel or DC, which are typically big draws. Even Funko, which has taken up massive space in previous years, was not present in the same way. That could point to shifting demand, or maybe they are saving their energy for San Diego Comic Con. It is also worth noting that Funko has faced financial challenges recently, including missed revenue targets and layoffs, which could have played a role.
WonderCon 2026 Brandon Davis and Tom King’s taping of the Phase Hero Podcast, Photographed by Julian Cannon
Scheduling made things even more frustrating. For most of Friday and a good portion of Saturday, there was not much that felt like a must see. There were a few highlights, including the Phase Hero live taping featuring Tom King hosted by Brandon Davis, Breaking Into Entertainment Media and Content Creation, and Hulu’s Ted panel. Still, for some reason, many of the more appealing panels were stacked into the same Saturday evening window between 7 and 9. That made it nearly impossible to attend everything, especially with the Masquerade kicking off at 8.
Attendance patterns reflected the overall vibe. Friday felt like a ghost town, with wide open spaces and minimal energy. Saturday picked up slightly in the late afternoon, but it never reached that packed convention feel. On the flip side, the smaller crowd did make it easier to navigate, and that was honestly a welcome change.
Even so, it was hard to ignore the missing elements. Last year there was a push around the idea of owning a part of WonderCon, which added a layer of engagement. That concept was nowhere to be found this time. By Sunday, the lack of momentum made it an easy decision to skip altogether.
In the end, WonderCon this year felt like a convention that struggled to find its footing. Between the crowded event calendar, lighter programming, and lack of standout experiences, it never fully came together. There is still a strong foundation here like many other comic conventions, but it is clear that more effort and better coordination will be needed to bring it back to form next year.
