For SDCC 2012 Hasbro’s annual exclusive My Little Pony was from the newest reboot of the show. Not only were they modeling the toy after the insanely popular show but also using one of the new fans’ favorite characters Dippity Doo, a.k.a. Derpy Hooves. Knowing the frenzy of the brony crowd I was sure right off the bat this Pony was going to be difficult to acquire.

Like with Mattel’s exclusive Polly Pocket, my friends and I tried several times throughout the weekend to get the highly sought after pony. The main obstacle was that Hasbro seemed to only be allowing those that managed to get special tickets to shop at their booth. Getting a ticket to shop at their booth was its own problem to overcome, one had to get up before the show opened and run to another booth handing them out and hope you were granted one. With this added barrier my party never managed to get a ticket.

While in line at the Neca booth my sister held my spot in line while I was away, in boredom she chatted up some guys in line behind us when I returned I did the same. Chatting about the con and interests we found out our new friends were Canadian and stocking up on lots of toys they had no chance of getting in Canada, and to top off all their loot they had a ticket for the Hasbro booth. My sister explained my fierce desire for the My Little Pony while I proclaimed my jealousy/admiration at them having scored a ticket. Our new friends then offered to purchase ponies for me.

I tried to stay calm, but I was fangirling inside at my good fortune.

After getting through the line at the Neca booth I followed my linemates over to the Hasbro booth. We called our requests to the man vetted to go through that line (“Can I have 3? I have the cash! I will like you forever!”) and handed over a wad of bills for the prized figured when he emerged.

One pony for me, one went to my friend that put me up at last year’s SDCC, and one to Calvin of Nerdy Needles Knitting. Omar, our Canadian chum, I salute you. You made some pony fans very happy.

One theme that was continued through my SDCC weekend was “Friendship is magical”. Not just because My Little Pony was involved, but because great things happened due to friendship. None of the following would have happened if my roomies and I hadn’t taken the time to talk to and make friends with fellow fans.

On her flight out to San Diego my sister was stopped by a fellow traveller and complimented on the Mockingjay pin she was wearing. Thanking the stranger, she found out they were both on their way to San Diego Comic Con and he invited her to stop by his booth at the convention.

Once settled in at the convention we made for his booth. Being friendly Minnesotans our first stop anywhere is to meet friendlies. After chatting a bit he then offered to get us into the Hunger Games cast signing later that weekend. Being huge Hunger Games fans we were ecstatic about the opportunity. Quelling our fangirling we said so-long to our booth friend and left the convention the evening giddy about what the weekend held.

With no other knowledge of the event besides that we had access we wondered about the specifics. Who would be there? What would be signed? Were we supposed to bring our own items to get signed? With these questions buzzing we went hunting for Hunger Games merchandise. Not finding anything, we commissioned a lovely artist in the Artist alley to make us one of kind Hunger Games pieces. Upon reflection it seems obvious that at such a show we would be provided with something, but at the time we were so excited to think that and do not regret our actions.

When the morning came for the signing we hurried down to the Lionsgate booth on convention floor and got wristbands for the event without fuss. After a short time security started ushering people away from the booth and the actors came out. We saw Willow Shields “Prim”, Amandla Stenberg “Rue”, Dayo Okeniyi “Tresh”, and Alexander Ludwig “Cato”! In line we were provided with bluray cases to get signed and disappointed that we weren’t allowed to get our art signed, but the staff did compliment us on our pieces. Tresh and Cato exited after some photos, they would be doing the second half of the signing and my sister and I got to meet Prim and Rue! Once in front of the actresses my sister and I were star struck but we didn’t expect them to act likewise. Their excitement was at my sister. Cosplaying the gritty bow toting and beaten up Lara Croft she was mistaken for Katniss!
The actors and the Lionsgate staff invited her behind the table for pictures. Being surprised she have a chance to explain the mishap until after it happened and so enjoyed posing with the Hunger Games stars. Even pictures were not allowed and staff made sure cameras were off when you approached the table they allowed me to take some snaps of my sister. The washout is from the uber flashes from their event photographer (didn’t want to push my luck taking more).

We left the floor giddy clutching our swag and laughing about the Lara Croft banner hanging adjacent the Lionsgate booth.