Attendee Guide

Gallifrey One’s Attendee Guide is a quick-reference manual summarizing everything you need to know to enjoy our convention… whether you’re a seasoned “Gally expert” or an anxious first-timer, or anywhere in between. You can find more detailed information on the pages of this website. 

Don’t see an answer? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!

Where and when is the next convention?

Gallifrey One in 35 Millimetre will take place February 14-16, 2025, at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel, 5855 West Century Boulevard, just east of Los Angeles International Airport.  Note that, although the con officially starts Friday, we have early check-in and our convention Launch Party, as well as our first night of karaoke, the evening of Thursday, February 13.

How can I purchase tickets?

Pre-convention ticket sales have closed.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR: Prices at the door are $147 for adults, $95 for teens (12-16), $37 for children (3-11); these prices include all transaction & processing fees.  We only take credit cards on site (no cash or checks).  We also do not sell single-day tickets at the door, only full weekend passes.  

Name Change Deadline Has Passed: You are now only be able to make changes on site, in person at Convention Registration, and you must be physically present to request the name change.  

Reminder: we do not allow selling tickets under any circumstances! You may not sell your ticket to another individual, publicly or privately; doing so will void your ticket completely. And, prospective attendees be warned: advertisement of tickets for sale on any social media platform are complete scams (they routinely hit our socials around this time each year).  The only way to get a ticket to Gallifrey One is to buy it from us directly.

Who are the guests for Gallifrey One 2025?

A list of confirmed guests can be found on our Guests page.

Where are my tickets?

Gallifrey One does NOT use printed tickets; you will not receive anything in the mail! Instead, like many other fan conventions, we use a badge system; you pick up your badge upon arrival at the convention, and all you’ll need to claim your badge is your photo ID. You must wear the badge all weekend for access to the convention floor and all convention-related areas. The convention registration area is on the hotel lobby level; you can pick up your badge beginning Thursday at the convention.

We use RegFox for processing our ticket sales and official merchandise.  To find proof of purchase after you’ve bought your tickets, you can search your email for “Gallifrey One 2025 Registration Confirmation”.  Please note that we no longer use EventBrite or Member Solutions for our order processing.

Important: our partner vendor Convention Photo Shoots, which takes care of all our photo op sales as well as our optional add-on packages (such as the Diamond Pass, TARDIS Tag and VIP script readings), does use EventBrite to sell their items.  Email regarding any issues with add-on items should be sent to them via that website.

What do I need to bring with me to attend the convention?

Entrance to Gallifrey One in 35 Millimetre requires photo identification, as your ticket is assigned to your name.  Your legal name on your ID must match the name on your ticket.

What are my options for hotel accommodations?

Hotel accommodations at the Marriott LAX Hotel for our 2025 convention took place in May 2024 and sold out quickly, both our convention discount block as well as the additional rack-rate rooms at the hotel.  

However, there are a wide variety of very close options within an easy 5 minute walk and our attendees are usually spread out over many of them. See our Hotel Accommodations page for info.

Where do I park?

Parking at the Marriott LAX after Friday morning can be a huge hassle because of the number of people who attend, and because there are other events in the surrounding areas (including the Strategicon gaming convention next door at the Hilton at the same time as Gallifrey One), it’s often difficult to park. The Marriott lot can and will fill up quickly, but there are many options around the area. Our Directions and Parking guide can help you find the best place to park and how to get to the hotel thereafter: local parking structures and hotels as well as parking at Los Angeles International itself. The Directions and Parking guide also has information about how much you’ll pay, and also handy directions how to get to the hotel.

For those parking at the Marriott LAX, the daily validated rate discount rate is automatic for hotel guests, and via validation sticker from our Member Services desk for day-trip attendees. When the parking lot is completely full, ask the parking attendants to direct you to another nearby lot (which will be owned by the same company as the Marriott LAX’s parking lot, and should also give you the validated rate).  However, we have other suggestions on the Directions & Parking page as well.

Where do I pick up my pre-ordered convention T-shirt/tote bag?

If you pre-ordered one of our 2025 collectibles, you can pick them up at the Convention Sales desk, which this year is located in the very back of the Gallifrey One Dealers Room.  You may pick up your merchandise during regular Dealers Room hours on Friday and Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm, and on Sunday 10:00am until 1:00pm.  We will also have a limited supply of these items available for sale at the Convention Sales desk, while supplies last, available during Dealers Room hours (we strongly recommend you do this Friday morning as soon as the room opens!)

Do parents have to accompany children?

Gallifrey One requires all children under 18 at our convention to be accompanied by a paid adult.  Anyone who is age 18 or above should be prepared to show photo ID.

UPDATED: How do I check in/register at the convention?

As announced on February 7, Convention Registration, which normally takes place on the convention center level at the bottom of the down escalator, has been moved up to the hotel lobby level, where it will be located during regular Registration hours: Thursday 4pm-9pm; Friday & Saturday 9am-7pm; Sunday 9am-1pm.  Registration is located in the Aviation Ballroom, between the hotel’s lobby bar and the JW’s Steakhouse (regular attendees will know this as the former site of Program B prior to the COVID pandemic.)

Please check in for your badge and program on the Lobby level
BEFORE making your way downstairs to the convention center!

At Convention Registration, show your identification to receive your convention badge. Your badge is on a lanyard and must be worn around your neck at all times that you are at the convention. The convention badge is your credential to access everything the convention has to offer.

Our Registration Desk is open for badge pick up at the following days and times; stop by any time during these windows to pick up your badge. Tickets are good for the weekend and therefore your badge can be picked up at any time during the weekend, as follows:

Convention Registration (Badge Pick-Up) Hours
Thursday 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Friday 9:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday 9:00am to 1:00pm

You must have a badge on to enjoy our pre-convention events on Thursday night, so please be sure to pick yours up during the times noted above. Note that the hotel may require people hanging out in the lobby to have a convention badge or reservations at the hotel on Thursday night, so please do not show up for the social events some people refer to as “lobby con” if you are not a ticketholder (there are maximum capacity issues, after all!)

UPDATED: After I check in at the convention, how do I get to the convention center?

After picking up your badge and program, you have three options to access the convention center level, in the basement of the hotel, where all of our programming and events, our Dealers Room, Art Show, video room, gaming and more is located:

• Stairs from the front of the building directly into the convention center, which we have not previously used, will be available this year; to access them, you must exit the building out the front doors of the hotel lobby, then turn right at the valet parking area, and head toward the stairs (signs will be posted).  
• Elevators will be fully in operation, though these can suffer from delays at peak times, especially on Friday & Saturday afternoon and evening.
• The circular ramp in front of the hotel, which includes the valet parking area, curves around and ends at the lower convention center patio.

Convention badges will be checked on the convention center level at all three entry points: the alternative stairwell mentioned above; at the elevator landing; and at all of the glass doors leading into the convention center from the patio.  Make sure you get your badge from Convention Registration before attempting to access the convention center, because you will be turned away.

As noted, the escalator from the convention center to the lobby is unaffected by this situation; it’s only the escalator down that is an issue.

Due to expected additional reliance upon the elevators this year, we encourage everyone who has tickets to our evening guest receptions on both nights to give yourself plenty of time to get up to the 16th floor.  Freight elevators are still not accessible to the public.

Do you still publish a searchable attendee list?

No.  We stopped releasing our attendee list online several years ago, due to privacy concerns.

What is the schedule of events for the convention?

The Gallifrey One Complete Schedule of Events is now online!  

As in prior years, we are using the Sched online scheduling system for a seamless and easy-to-navigate program that can be used on your desktop or mobile device.  We’ve done our very best to bring our attendees a great lineup, with tons of interviews, Q&As, discussion panels, special events, and all the fun that makes Gallifrey One special.   The Gallifrey One 2025 schedule is fully customizable, and you will be able to select items you are interested in and prepare your itinerary by becoming a registered attendee on Sched.com. Full screen web version and mobile versions of the schedule are available at the following links.

Meanwhile, below is a general overview to the convention schedule, starting with badge pickup (attendees with tickets pick up their badges at our Registration desk, which allows you entry into the convention).

• Wednesday, February 12, 2025
  • As attendees and guests start to arrive for Gallifrey One, many will mingle in the hotel lobby and bar throughout the evening (and the first ribbon-trading meet-up is at 7:30 Wednesday night in the lobby.) 
• Thursday, February 13, 2025
  • 4:00pm to 9:00pm — Registration open for badge pickup
  • 5:15pm — Annual In N’Out Burger run (meet in hotel lobby)
  • 8:00pm — Gallifrey One 2025’s Pre-Convention Launch Party and Ice Cream Social, plus Thursday night karaoke immediately after (9:30pm approx.), both in Program A
  • All evening — the lobby bar and restaurants will be full of attendees (which will continue all weekend!)
• Friday, February 14, 2025
  • 9:00am — Registration reopens for badge pickup (to 7pm); Member Services desk open for information & assistance (until 6pm); Video Room open (to midnight)
  • 9:30am — Seating opens in Program A
  • 10:00am — Programming begins in select rooms, with others beginning at 11am or later; Dealers Room open (to 6pm); Gaming open (to midnight)
  • 5:00pm — Evening Guest receptions begin on the 16th floor, at 5pm, 6:30pm and 8pm (for additional charge, purchase here)
  • 6:00pm — Program A closes for evening setup; Fan Video Happy Hour in Program B; panel programming continues in Program C (until 9:30); Shabbat Shalom Gallifrey One service in Program D (6:30pm); Frazer Hines evening panel (8:00pm)
  • 8:00pm — The Idiot’s Lantern live stage show in Program A
  • 9:30pm — Friday night karaoke begins in Program B
  • 10:00pm — Gallifrey One 2025’s dance party in Program A
• Saturday, February 15, 2025
  • 9:00am — Registration reopens for badge pickup (through 7pm); Member Services desk open for information & assistance (until 6pm); Video Room open (to midnight)
  • 9:30am — Program A (main stage) seating opens
  • 10:00am — All program tracks and kaffeeklatsches open (to 6pm); Dealers Room and Art Show open (to 6pm); Gaming open (to midnight); Catherine Tate VIP script reading in Program B (for additional charge, purchase here)
  • 5:00pm — Evening Guest Receptions begin, at 5:00pm, 6:30pm and 8:00pm (for additional charge, purchase here)
  • 6:00pm — InDoctornated screeening in Program A; The Game of Rassilon event in Program C.  (Note: Program A will NOT close before the Masquerade!)
  • 8:00pm — The Masquerade of Mandragora costume & fashion show, immediately followed by a screening (time approximate around 9:15-9:30pm) of The War Games in Colour.
  • 9:30pm — Saturday night Karaoke begins in Program B
• Sunday, February 16, 2025
  • 9:00am — Registration reopens for badge pickup (until 1pm); Member Services desk open for information & assistance (until 4pm); Video Room open (to 4pm); Gaming open (to 4pm)
  • 9:30am — Program A (main stage) seating opens
  • 10:00am — All program tracks and kaffeeklatsches open (to 4pm); Art Show auction in Program E (10am); Dealers Room open (to 4pm); Jenna Coleman VIP script reading in Program B (for additional charge, purchase here)
  • 12:00pm — Gallifrey One’s 2025 Bob May Memorial Charity Auction begins in Program B (runs until late afternoon)
  • 4:00pm — The Year in Review in Program A; most programming ends; Dealers Room closed
  • 5:00pm — Closing Ceremonies

Please note that the above times are subject to change and may be altered at any time prior to the convention.

If I want to see everything, when should I arrive (and leave)?

For most fans with flexibility in their travel plans, to get the most out of Gallifrey One we suggest arriving no later than late afternoon Thursday and departing no earlier than Monday morning.

We have a pre-convention party/mixer on Thursday evening beginning at 8:00pm, with karaoke happening that night as well. Besides the scheduled events, we have a very lively social atmosphere, with literally hundreds of attendees participating in the hotel lobby social scene on Thursday and Sunday nights (something many of our attendees refer to as “lobby con,” although please note that this is not a convention function.) By Thursday evening, our hotel lobby and bar area is completely full of people, with lots of socializing; at 8:00 pm many of them come down for the opening party. The convention proper begins at 10:00 am on Friday morning and runs through Sunday evening.

I’m flying in; how do I get to the Marriott?

We have published a guide For Air Travelers to help you get from your terminal to the Marriott hotel. The Marriott LAX courtesy van runs every 20-30 minutes, but please be advised that the shuttle can run very slowly at peak times and has occasionally been known to bypass the higher-number terminals if it is full (usually because of airline personnel staying at the hotel). Taxis might be your best option when the airport is very busy.

How do I find everything at the convention?

The Gallifrey One convention is mostly in the convention center, though a couple of items are in other locations:

• Convention Center (lower floor): Program Rooms A, B, C, D and E; Dealers Room; Art Show; Photo Studio; Kaffeeklatsches; Exhibitor Tables; Autograph Alley; TARDIS photo area; Costume Repair Shop; Auction Donation Room; Gaming Hub. Also, our Convention Merchandise sales desk, including T-shirt/tote bag pickup for preorders, is located in the Dealers Room.  For all your other needs, the Member Services Desk is next to the elevators.
• First Floor/Pool Deck: Children’s Programming, and the hotel pool, where many attendees congregate for social events.
• Hotel Lobby Level (second floor): Only hotel amenities (hotel lobby, Hangar 18 bar/restaurant, Starbucks, J.W.’s Steakhouse, Social Market Cafe).  We no longer have any programming or events on the lobby level.
• 16th Floor “Runway Room”: Private sponsored events including our Evening Guest Receptions and select meet & greet events included in the TARDIS Tag package.

The up/down escalators are direct access between the hotel lobby (second floor) and convention center (bottom floor); they bypass the first floor entirely. To access the first floor/pool deck, you may use the elevators, or the stairs that lead down from the lobby level (the stairs are located immediately past hotel registration).

Does my badge include everything at the convention?

The convention itself, yes; that is, all five programming tracks, access to all of our daytime & evening functions, our Dealers Room, Art Show, video room, gaming room, and more. All of our guests appearing on panels and Q&As, interviews, discussion panels, video presentations, live commentaries, social events, evening events… all are included in the price you paid for your ticket.

However, there are only a few special add-on items that are not included in the cost of your admission:

• Evening guest receptions with a selection of convention guests
• TARDIS Tag events (small group meet & greets)
• Photo ops with selected guests in our Convention Photo Studio
• Autographs (see below)

For prices of or to purchase tickets for the evening receptions, TARDIS Tags, Diamond Passes and photo ops, you can visit the Convention Photo Shoots website. Photo op pre-orders are sold as a courtesy and are nearly always available on site (though we can only sell enough photo ops up to the time limit for each guest; a sell-out hasn’t happened on photo ops yet, but it’s technically possible.) Evening receptions may sell out prior to the convention.

You can also purchase tickets for the evening receptions and photo ops while supplies last on Thursday at the convention during Registration hour (times to be announced) or starting Friday morning at the Showmasters tables in the Dealers Room.

What’s in the Dealers Room?

Gallifrey One’s Dealers Room features everything from Doctor Who licensed vendors to jewelry and handcrafted items, books, games, comics, collectables, costumes and prop replicas, guests with their own tables and much more. Our Dealers Room is included in your admission and will be open in 2025 on Friday and Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Our Dealers Room is anchored by several large Doctor Who vendors, including Alien Entertainment/Big Finish Productions, Showmasters Events, The Who Shop UK and many more; a list of confirmed dealers can be found here.  We look forward to seeing you there.

What do I do if I have tickets to the receptions, script readings, a Diamond Pass or TARDIS Tag, or prepurchased photo ops?

Showmasters Events, which runs our sponsored convention events including the evening guest receptions and the VIP script readings, as well as sells and manages the TARDIS Tag and Diamond Passes, can answer all of your questions and give you everything you need when you arrive.  You can find them in one of two places, and they will be more than happy to help you:

• At the Showmasters Events tables in our Dealers Room, which is open daily at 10:00am; or,
• Outside the doors to our Photo Studio

Although it may seem a little daunting at first, you won’t have any trouble acquiring your promised autographs, photo ops, and materials for your optional packages from them.

I have questions about the optional add-ons: autographs, photos, script readings, evening guest receptions…

How can I purchase photos, receptions, the TARDIS Tag, a Diamond Pass, or a ticket to a script reading or an evening guest reception?
Convention Photo Shoots are still selling guest photo ops, TARDIS Tags, Diamond Passes, tickets to our Evening Guest Receptions, script reading events & more, up to and throughout the convention.  You can purchase these in advance by visiting their website.  During the convention, you can pre-purchase these items at the Showmasters table in the convention foyer on Thursday afternoon (while Registration is open), or throughout the weekend at the sales table outside our Photo Studio.

What if I don’t purchase any add-ons?  Do I get to see the guests?
YES! All of Gallifrey One’s guests appear on stage throughout the weekend, and all of our convention programming is included in the price of general admission.  You do not ever have to purchase an optional add-on to see our guests; the add-ons enhance your experience.  Check out our schedule for their appearance dates & times.

Do I have to buy an add-on package to get an autograph from, or photo with, any of the sponsored actor guests?
No.  The Diamond Pass and TARDIS Tag are for attendees’ convenience only (and cost savings, in many cases) and are never required for access to our guests.

Will you sell out the photo ops if I don’t purchase in advance?
We do recommend pre-purchasing photo ops (or one of the packages mentioned above) to save yourself time, not to mention our photo studio staff.  However, we expect all photo ops will be available for purchase on site as well.

What about autographs?
We do not pre-sell autograph sessions with any guests, except the autographs guaranteed in the add-on packages.  Autographs with all guests will be fully available for purchase on site.  (Important fact: we have never sold out of photo ops or autographs.)

When will the VIP script reading sessions and TARDIS Tag meet & greet events take place?
The script readings for Catherine Tate (Saturday 10am) and Jenna Coleman (Sunday 10am) are on our convention schedule.  The times and dates for all of our script readings, meet & greets and evening receptions can be found by clicking here.

Will you be adding photo ops with additional guests?
The current photo ops for sale are with guests we have already established contracts with.  We add additional photo ops with guests as contracts are signed.  Photo op pre-sales are for convenience only; you can purchase them on site as well.

Are photo op prices per photo, or per participant?
Per participant.  If you have two attendees wanting to be in the same photo, you must each purchase a photo op. All participants will receive a copy of the photo, as well as a digital print available after the convention.

If I have a package that includes a photo op, can my friend(s) participate in the photo?
Yes… as long as each person has purchased a photo op – either a package or an individual photo – they can participate in the photo.

Whose autographs/photo ops are included with the TARDIS Tag?
Guests specifically sponsored by Showmasters Events, which currently include Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Jenna Coleman, Catherine Tate, Susan Twist, Michelle Greenidge and David Gooderson.

How do I get autographs at Gallifrey One?

Gallifrey One provides three different types of autograph opportunities at our events, which we know can be confusing (especially to the newer attendees).  We believe in scheduling autograph sessions appropriately to the guest, not imposing on all of our guests’ times, while still providing as much autograph opportunity and flexibility in case we need to make last minute changes; meanwhile, many of our sponsored guests have autograph commitments in their contracts. 

ALL of our autographing takes place in our Dealers Room; the only differences between each type is how autographs are delivered to you.  Here is a quick and easy to understand guide to getting your most coveted autographs at this year’s convention; guest participation in each type of autograph area will be added to this list shortly before the convention.

Autograph Alley

Gallifrey One’s Autograph Alley is our general autograph session area, located in the very back of our Dealers Room.  Nearly every guest we invite ourselves directly signs here, with rare exceptions (sponsored guests and guests with their own tables sign elsewhere, see below).   Each guest involved in an Autograph Alley event will begin signing at the start of the session, usually for a one-hour or, in some cases, two-hour block… but we permit the guest’s session to end when there is no expectation of additional autograph collectors wanting signatures.  In other words, we don’t require guests to remain for the entire time; you should show up as close to the start of the session as possible, as it’s their choice to stick around or not.

Autograph Alley participants: Steven Moffat, Julie Gardner, Joel Collins, Louise Jameson, Katy Manning, Nicola Bryant, Kate Herron, Briony Redman, Julie Anne Robinson, Paul Magrs, Jonathan Morris, Marv Wolfman, Blair Mowat, Barbara Hambly, Gary Russell, Andrew Smith, Nev Fountain, Andy Lane, Tony Lee, Lisa McMullin, Alfie Shaw, Jody Houser, Craig Miller, Christopher Jones.

Sponsored Guests

Autograph sessions with our “sponsored guests” are set entirely by the sponsors, for a time and duration of their choosing, at their tables in our Dealers Room.  You will pay the sponsor directly at their table for autographs (credit cards OK for Showmasters & Alien Entertainment, otherwise cash-only).  The sponsored guests usually sign for longer periods during the day and often have multiple autograph sessions each day, though some only appear one or two days, so check the schedule.

Guests signing at Showmasters Events (Dealers Room): Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Jenna Coleman, Catherine Tate, Susan Twist, Michelle Greenidge, David Gooderson, Philip Rhys Chaudhary, Diane Franklin, Karl Held, Ardeshir Radpour, Daniel Bohman.

Guests signing at Alien Entertainment/Big Finish (Dealers Room): Sean Carlsen, Alex Macqueen, Lisa Greenwood, Miles Richardson, Safiyya Ingar, John Dorney, Lizzie Hopley, Juliet Landau, Mara Wilson, Alimi Ballard, Ursula Burton.

Fixed Location Guests

Some of our guests — including sponsored guests appearing on only one day — have their own tables in our Dealers Room.  These guests will be signing throughout the day, on the day(s) they are in attendance; we do not post autograph times for them since they will set their own hours and are usually available any time they are not doing programming or photo ops. 

Guests with their own tables in our Dealers Room: Wendy Padbury & Charlie Hayes, Frazer Hines, Mark Sheppard, Gigi Edgley, Blair Shedd.

Additional Important Autographs Information

All guests are free to set their own costs for autographs (usually in the case of actors) or sign for free, as well as sell their own photos or other merchandise if they choose to; Gallifrey One does not require any concessions on potential autograph costs and takes no cut.

Gallifrey One does not pre-sell autographs at any time; you will need to speak to the guest, or their sponsoring organization, at the time for any rates.

It is highly recommended you bring ample cash with you for autographs; don’t plan on using a local ATM (especially the one in the Marriott, which tends to run out of cash quickly). Autographs from guests who charge for signing can run anywhere from $10-30 or higher.

Please respect our guests’ rights to charge for autographs at the costs they deem appropriate; our guests are here on their own time and frequently part of their recompense is in the sales of autographs.

In order to provide our attendees with a positive experience while waiting for an autograph from guests in our Autograph Alley or Dealers Room, we will not permit saving places for friends in any autograph lines, or allow jumping ahead in line to join a friend/relative (exception: those with jump-the-line passes as part of their ticket packages through Convention Photo Shoots, such as TARDIS Tag or Diamond Pass holders.)

Due to time constraints and our wish to allow everyone possible a chance for an autograph, we are not able to permit attendees to take photos with guests during autographs, except with the full consent of the guest; this is limited to guests who have their own tables in the Dealers Room only.  Our sponsored guests, and our guests participating in the Autograph Alley, may choose to allow the taking of personal photos at other times, and attendees are welcome to have their photo taken during our professionally-run photo sessions in the Photo Studio throughout the weekend.

Gallifrey One reserves the right to alter these policies or alter the category of each guest at any time.

Will there be an opportunity to have photos taken with a TARDIS?

You can find the TARDIS at Gallifrey One… in fact, we have two of them!  The first one is on the convention floor along with a TARDIS console; these are provided in a special photo area in the Dealers Room, provided by our friends at AZTARDIS; you can pose for photos at that location, and donations to the owner are accepted.  The second one, Gallifrey One’s own TARDIS, is on our main stage throughout the weekend.

How is seating handled for the programming sessions & events?

Gallifrey One provides open seating for all of our program rooms; we do not sell reserved seating, and we do not clear rooms between each daytime program event (or between the evening events), only at the dinner hour (usually after 6pm).  If you want to sit in the front row of Program A all day long, get their early and claim your seat! That said, we do have a couple of important things to keep in mind.

Program A (the main hall) will open for seating on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 9:30am.  General seating is open to everyone during these times.  Although it may first appear that seating is light, we ask you to please fill in all available seats.

Reserve seating is held in Program A/B/C/D for attendees with special needs (who have registered at the Accessibility Services desk, located next to Convention Registration). This includes front row seating specifically reserved for hearing and vision impaired attendees.  We ask that you please pay attention to reserved seating signs and do not sit in these spaces if you have not been instructed to do so.  Attendees who have registered with Accessibility Services will be instructed where to meet for seating for these events.

You MUST fill in all available seats when asked by a Gallifrey One staff member. There are times when our main ballroom (Program A) will be filled to capacity; during these times, we will fill all empty seats, regardless of seats being “saved” for others.  You have been warned.

On Friday evening, Program A will be closed briefly at the end of our main daytime programming session, for setup for our stage show The Idiot’s Lantern. Lines usually begin to form for the room after that, so if you want a great seat, we encourage you to join the line at that time. Attendees should never hold places in line for parties larger than four. 

On Saturday evening this year, we will not be closing Program A after the end of daytime programming, in order to bring you a special screening of the new film InDoctornated at 6:00pm.  Following the conclusion of the film, there will be a very brief pause until the start of The Masquerade of Mandragora at 8:00pm, but the room will remain open.

In our panel program rooms (Program B/C/D), please do not save seats for others as these rooms have limited seating.  Program E is a multi-purpose room so there is very limited seating available. 

While you’re in our programming rooms, we ask that you follow our Courtesy Policy toward other guests. Please take a minute to check out the Courtesy Policy and understand how we handle our event to make it enjoyable for everyone in attendance.

Are there breaks between panels and events?

Yes… Gallifrey One provides breaks in between panel sessions for people to be able to leave the room and new people be able to come in and sit down. Please note that the following will be in effect; our programming coordinators will be ensuring that programs end on time (as much as they possibly can):

• For 60 minute (hour) programming and panel blocks, the panels will be 55 minutes long, with a 5 minute break at the end of the hour.
• For 45 minute programs (mostly interview sessions), the panels will be 40 minutes long, with a 5 minute break at the end.
• For 30 minute programs, the panel will run the full 30 minutes; this is the one item that will not have a break after.
• Any panels or events longer than an hour will be at the discretion of programming operations but will likely have a 5-10 minute break at the end.
• Panels that are the last panel of the day prior to a gap in the schedule or a closure of the room will be allowed to run until the very end of the panel block.

How are audience questions handled in Program A?

We no longer feature an open microphone in Program A for audience questions, except when the guests specifically request it (see below).  Although we’ve loved the opportunity for open dialogue between attendees and our guests taking the stage, many an interview has been sidetracked with things that your fellow attendees have not enjoyed: the long-winded “question, but more of a comment” that takes forever; the requests to give guests gifts (or hugs); and of course, the dreaded “what’s your favorite ___?”  Instead, we primarily conduct interview-style events in Program A throughout the weekend.

We may accept audience questions in advance selected interviews/panels up until two hours prior to the start of the event.  We will have a list of these events online close to the convention.  Drop by Member Services and ask for a question card for one of these events; simply write your name and your question on the card.  Our interviewers will be reviewing submissions for their panels after the deadline and, who knows… maybe your question will be answered!  (We make absolutely no guarantees though; it is entirely the choice of the moderator!)

Please note that this year, Catherine Tate has requested an open microphone and no moderator for both of her events (Friday and Saturday at 5pm), so we will have an open microphone for those sessions only.

What is your charity for 2025?

We are proud to support the Cancer Support Community Los Angeles this year.  Complete information about the charity, and our Sunday afternoon charity auction at the event, is on the Charity Auction page.

Can I donate to the charity auction?

YES! Absolutely. We would very much appreciate your donation, as our auction is entirely of merchandise donated by attendees.

What kinds of donations are we looking for?  In short: donations of science fiction, fantasy, comics, horror or genre related material, most especially Doctor Who and its spinoffs. This includes items from many different genres: a few examples include Torchwood, Marvel MCU/DC Extended Universe, Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Supernatural, Game of Thrones, The Expanse, Stranger Things, Westworld, The Prisoner, Blake’s 7, Outlander, Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Red Dwarf and the myriad comics-related TV shows and films; as well as anything related to science fiction film and television, SF/fantasy literature, comic books, or collectibles. Anything that has a tangential relationship to the SF/fantasy/horror genre which is in at least very good condition. Autographed photos, commemorative items, one-time prints, illustrations, etc. are also welcome. If you find it to be a valuable collectible, chances are good that others will, too. Just be sure: this is not a disposal service for items you wish to throw away! 

To donate, bring your donation(s) to the Charity Auction Donation Room. The Auction Donation Room will be open during normal business hours starting Friday morning and running until Saturday late afternoon.

And don’t forget to join us on Sunday for Gallifrey One’s Annual Bob May Memorial Charity Auction. We hope you’ll help us raise a lot of money for our charity.

What are kaffeeklatsches? How do I participate?

The Gallifrey One Kaffeeklatsches are wonderful, small group events with one or two guests and up to ten fans this year. 

Our advance Kaffeeklatsch sign-up event was on February 1 and was already completed.  More slots are available for select events; stop by the Kaffeeklatsch desk on Friday morning at the convention to sign up.

This year we will be allowing fans with one kaffeeklatsch already assigned to sign up for a second session after the desk opens Friday, so we can fill up all of the sessions throughout the weekend.

Are there activities for children?

We are happy to welcome back Gallifrey One’s Children’s Programming Room again this year.  Children’s Programming, for ages 6-12, will be open Friday 12pm to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm, and is located on the first floor of the hotel (just above the convention center), accessible via elevator, or the stairs down from the hotel lobby level (next to the gift shop).  More details will be published closer to the convention.

Tell me about Karaoke…

Gallifrey One’s late night fun (and by late night, we mean often times going as late as five o’clock in the morning!) is our karaoke event, located on the convention level. Karaoke is open to all badged convention attendees throughout the weekend (badges WILL be checked.)

In order to make sure that the maximum number of people get to sing throughout the evening, and avoid any appearance of favoritism, we have a very simple policy regarding karaoke participation:

• You must be signed up in advance to take the stage and sing at any time, either solo or in a group
• You may only be signed up for ONE item/song/performance at any time on our list
• You may only sign up for another performance after you have appeared on stage

There are no exceptions to these rules. We do NOT permit audience members to join a performance, either solo or group, without already having been signed up, and your name may only appear on our current and upcoming list once — so no stage rushing, no random joining a song, etc. Once your turn as a participant in ANY karaoke performance is done, you may sign up again.

This policy is enforced entirely so that everyone has a good time and that no one is perceived to appear during karaoke more than any other person. If you have questions, please contact us. Thanks for your cooperation.

Can I help set up the convention?

Have you ever wanted to volunteer, but thought you might be too busy?  Believe it or not, there are areas we can really use a helping hand (or two, or even more!) that won’t steal your valuable time attending the program:

Badge Checkers & Line Management: We are always happy to have help with badge checking at the convention center elevator lobby and the entrances to the facility (from the patio and elsewhere).  Even an hour or two of our time is very helpful to us; our ConOps staff will explain everything in detail.  This also includes needing rovers to help guide traffic and lines.

Setup & Teardown: We do plenty of stuff before it all starts, and after the close of our event.  From Wednesday’s truck loading (including our TARDIS), to Thursday’s truck unloading into the Marriott, and then doing it all again in reverse on Sunday & Monday, we can always use your assistance.  (Those who help with this truck loading and unloading get the opportunity to help us put the TARDIS onto the stage, which is fun in its own timey-wimey way!)

So, if either of these possible areas of assistance to Gallifrey One appeals to you, just let us know. Who knows? You may discover that it is more fun to help it happen than just to watch it happen.  (Weekend staffing is a great way to get involved in the convention!)

Can I use the freight elevators to get between floors?

No.  Any convention attendee using the Marriott LAX freight elevators, or accessing hotel service corridors, without the express permission of the Gallifrey One Board of Directors is prohibited and may result in ejection from the convention without refund.  This includes access to any non-public Marriott service space, as well as boarding freight elevators from ANY floor of the hotel.  

These rules are also posted at Convention Registration and are a condition of entry into Gallifrey One 2025.  We know the Marriott’s elevators can be frustrating at peak times, but that does not give anyone permission to be in Marriott secure spaces and freight elevators. 

Attendees to the 16th floor Evening Guest Receptions: Plan Ahead!  We encourage allowing 20 to 30 minutes on Friday & Saturday evenings for transportation between floors.

What is Gallifrey One’s current health policy?

For your safety, we recommend that our attendees use the following guidance when attending the convention:

• We strongly recommend all attendees receive vaccination from viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and influenza as soon as possible.
• We strongly recommend all attendees over the age of two wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status except when actively eating or drinking, and to follow the California Department of Public Health guidance for face coverings. (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings.aspx)
• We strongly recommend considering testing (if available) or self-isolation at home if you are currently feeling symptoms of illness.
• We strongly recommend following the CDC’s guidance on hand washing. (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html)

Please be aware that all COVID-19 mandates enacted by the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, and the state of California during the COVID-19 pandemic have ended.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is both safe and effective.  Remember that you can be fully vaccinated against COVID and still have it, not to mention can still transmit it to others; home testing before you arrive is a great way to do your part.  If you are sick, or test positive for COVID, stay home.  

Even in cases where a vaccine is available for a given illness, in large indoor events there may be populations that may not currently be eligible for vaccination or who may be immunocompromised. It is for the sake of everyone’s health and safety that we recommend we each do what we can individually to improve the health of our community.  For any attendees who may be immunocompromised, we recommend that these individuals wear a mask with N95 protection while in indoor spaces in order to keep themselves safe.

Thank you for helping us reduce the spread of unwanted germs at our convention so that we can all have a safe, healthy convention experience!  (With thanks to Anime Los Angeles for some of the above guidance!)

How can I take care of myself (and others) at the convention?

Science fiction conventions are notorious for being places where flu and cold germs spread, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated that over the past few years. We ask that all Gallifrey One attendees to be prepare… and be mindful of everyone attending this year’s convention, by remembering the following:

• As noted above, we recommend keeping up with your COVID-19 vaccination and make sure you test before you attend.  Wear a face mask if you feel even slightly ill, or at any time throughout the convention that you wish; we do encourage this!
• Please be sure to wash your hands as often as possible and use hand sanitizer regularly.
• Getting a flu shot is highly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
• Most importantly, if you get sick, please stay home, so as not to infect others.

Gallifrey One, like any convention or large gathering, is a lot of people from all over the US as well as from over a dozen other countries, in a very small and relatively confined space. While we’re very welcoming to everyone, we do encourage people to consider the health and well being of all of their fellow attendees when considering their options for attending this year… the convention appreciates it, your fellow attendees appreciate it, and we’re sure the Doctor would too!

I need special assistance; what are my options?

Gallifrey One’s Accessibility Services team is here to help! If you are disabled, have limited mobility or any other special needs that require some assistance, please stop and register at the Accessibility Services desk, located next to Convention Registration this year.  They will answer any of your questions and let you know how to proceed with enjoying the convention.

Note: if you do not yet have your badge, and have mobility issues including using wheelchairs or scooters, you are welcome to use the elevator to the Convention Center floor (lower level)! We ask that anyone without mobility issues please use the escalators.

Seating in Program A is handled by Accessibility Services team. We will begin assisting our attendees who register with Accessibility Services before we open the doors for general seating. We have clearly marked spaces for the visual and hearing impaired, wheelchair and scooter locations, and more. Program A is closed for setup in the early evening for a reset for our evening shows. Attendees who have registered with Accessibility Services will be instructed to meet at a location determined by them; you will be seated immediately prior to opening the doors for general seating.   Note that this early seating does NOT give you the best seating in the house… for the purposes of fairness, if you want to be able to sit in the front rows, you will need to line up with everyone else. 

For all other program rooms we will be reserving a few seats in each room for hearing- and visually-impaired attendees as well as access for wheelchairs, although there will be no interpreters present. 

Please note: We are currently unable to provide ASL interpreters at our convention.  Gallifrey One requests that you understand that we are a non-profit, volunteer-run fan convention with a very limited budget, and so we have to work entirely within the scope of what we can afford for extended accessibility services. We will do everything we possibly can to make sure you enjoy your visit.

Can I cosplay at Gallifrey One?

Absolutely! Costumes at Gallifrey One are welcome, encouraged, and beloved, and are welcome at nearly all convention functions at all times (except the sponsored Evening Receptions, where we suggest you might want to dress in more general attire.) Even some of our guests occasionally get in on the act and do cosplay. It’s a wonderful part of the convention and encouraged all weekend long.

(Of course, it should go without saying that it’s also not a requirement, and the vast majority of our attendees are in regular street clothing – so don’t feel bad if you don’t cosplay, just enjoy the clever costumes around you. And don’t forget to complement cosplayers on their costumes if you like what you see!)

The Cosplay Repair Shop is also back again this year.  They can help you with accessories and options for your cosplay, and assist with mending and tears – in short, it’s like having a costuming partner of your own on standby!  Our Cosplay Repair Shop is located at the far end of the center hallway, across from the Gaming Hub and Video Room and next to the back door of the Dealers Room.

Will there be a Masquerade at Gallifrey One 2025?

Gallifrey One’s Masquerade of Mandragora costume presentation takes place this year on Saturday at 8pm in Program A.  It is presented in a fashion show-style format (and is not a judged event).  Costumers are welcome to enter their cosplay into the Masquerade, including hall costumes! 

You can enter the Masquerade as a solo act or in a small group.  We will have background music playing but we do not take individual cues; also, please be sure to keep your stage time brief so everyone has a chance to be seen. We cannot provide custom sound effects for you, either, sorry.  However, we will allow participants to speak — briefly — to the audience about their costume; the only caveat is, it must be very brief (please: no monologues, no character dramas, no stories, just something about your costume!)

The Masquerade Registration Desk will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Simply stop by the desk, which is located across from Member Services at the convention, and fill out an entry card (all we need is your name, and the name of your costume.)  Our masquerade green room will be in Program B on Saturday evening; speak with the helpful Masquerade Registration folks who will give you your time to report there.

What’s the deal with all the ribbons?

Badge Ribbons are a science fiction and anime convention tradition, and Gallifrey One has been the primary reason why they’ve made the jump to Doctor Who conventions. It’s important to remember that badge ribbons are a totally optional item that have absolutely nothing to do with participating in the convention. They are, instead, small ribbons with phrases or decoration of various colors that people collect at the convention, and attach them to the bottom of their badges in sequence. You can find an article about ribbons and etiquette on our Ribbons page.

Many people purchase their own batch of ribbons and hand them out at the convention; many others bring their own ribbons but only offer them for trade. It’s important for people to remember that your fellow attendees pay for their ribbons with their own money; asking for ribbon trades instead of offering them for free is something everyone must respect (although everyone should practice courtesy!) Do not pay anyone for a ribbon; we do not allow people to sell their ribbons.

Where can I grab a meal/drink/snack?

As always, we like to help our attendees find as many food options as possible.  Here’s a list of where you can find food and beverage during this year’s convention:

• Social Market Cafe is the Marriott’s coffee shop, which prepares food from various local and regional California suppliers, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Hours of operation: 6:00am to Midnight.
• Hangar 18 is the Marriott’s lobby bar & restaurant. It features a full bar, plus some of the same fare as the Social Market restaurant.  Hours of operation: 11:30am to Midnight.
• J.W.’s is the hotel’s steakhouse. Reservations are required as in years past. J.W.’s is on the pricey side but the food is definitely worth it!  Hours of operation: 5:00pm to 10:00pm.
• Starbucks is open daily in the Marriott lobby for coffee, drinks, pastries and snacks. Note that the lines for Starbucks can be long in the morning (note that there are also Starbucks at the Residence Inn and Sheraton Gateway hotels which may save you time!)  Hours of Operation: 5:00am to 5:00pm.
• Food trucks are once again returning to the convention center patio all three days of the convention!  We are currently expecting the following vendors during posted hours (Friday & Saturday 12:00pm to 8:00pm, and Sunday 12:00pm until mid-afternoon.)
  • Friday: Baby’s Badass Burgers, famous beef and veggie hamburgers and fries; Kabobaholic, Mediterranean wraps and loaded fries; and Rice Balls of Fire, rice bowls, sushi burritos and sides.
  • Saturday: Baby’s Badass Burgers returns for a second day; Tropic Truck, Caribbean cuisine with tacos, quesadillas and rice bowls; and Stopbye Cafe, with fried chicken and pulled beef sandwiches, curry bowls and Indonesian chow mein.
  • Sunday: Okamoto Kitchen, Japanese fusion with fried chicken, rice bowls, sushi burritos and vegan options; and Tropic Truck returns for a second day.

There are multiple food options in the local area including Jersey Mike’s Subs and Antonio’s Artisan Pizza in the Residence Inn a block west of the Marriott; Trimana coffee shop in the business tower right across Airport Blvd. from the Marriott (note: closed Sunday); the Atrium Food Hall at the Embassy Suites LAX; the Century Taproom at the Sonesta LAX, just past the Residence Inn; Brewsters Bar & Grill and the Comfort Restaurant at the Four Points Sheraton, just north of the Marriott; Studio 12 Bar & Lounge at the Renaissance, just north of the Four Points Sheraton; the Bistro, Landings Bar & Grille and Andiamo at the Hilton LAX, just east of the Marriott; and the Costero Bistro and Brasserie restaurants at the Sheraton Gateway.

Meanwhile, the Carl’s Jr. fast food restaurant just east of the Hilton & Parking Spot garage, and there are additional restaurants nearby at other porperties.  Further afield, several blocks east of the hotel (anywhere from 10 to 20 minute walk) are Denny’s (yes, it’s still open!), Subway, McDonald’s, the Daily Grill at the Westin, Aliki’s Greek Taverna at the Super 8/Skyways motel two blocks north of the Marriott, and others.

In order to provide our attendees a large outdoor space to eat and mingle, as well as to aid those waiting for service by our food trucks, the outdoor convention patio is completely NON-SMOKING.  This includes the ramp area around the food trucks.

Smokers may use the designated area right outside the front doors on the hotel lobby level or other outdoor areas, but not near the convention patio or food trucks.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Can I film anything at Gallifrey One?

Video recording and video streaming of our programming is NOT ALLOWED in any Gallifrey One program rooms (that is, any of our five main program rooms, noted as Program A/B/C/D/E on site) due to issue with people uploading the contents of our programming to YouTube and other services. This policy is strictly enforced. If you are found to be making a video or streaming our events – including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or other live streaming – in our program rooms, you will be asked to stop immediately. If you do not comply, you will be removed from the convention. Please ensure you are comply with this policy; we don’t want to ruin your weekend.  Photography in these rooms is perfectly fine, just no video!

Photography and video are NOT allowed in the Art Show. Photography of art, model, toy and collectibles displays may be allowed with the permission of the Art Show Coordinator and the artist; contact the Art Show Coordinator for more details.

Photography and videotaping of other activities OUTSIDE the program rooms or Art Show, including hallway chats, general cosplay, personal photos/video with the TARDIS, etc., is acceptable provided that subjects being videotaped consent to it and provided that it does not disrupt events or the flow of foot traffic. Should any convention guest or staff member request that videotaping of a particular item (such as autograph sessions or photo ops) be discontinued, attendees must comply with this request immediately. (Please be courteous and do not stop in the middle of all hallway to make your video.)

You can visit our Convention Policies page for more information about our videotaping policy and other policies that affect your enjoyment of Gallifrey One.

Are there other rules I need to be aware of?

Yes! Gallifrey One’s Convention Policies page has detailed information about our policies against harassment, our courtesy policies and much more. You should familiarize yourself with it if you have not done so. But here’s a quick summary:

• Gallifrey One does not tolerate harassment, bullying, threats or violence in any form. We will deal with this directly and swiftly including canceling the perpetrator’s badge (permanently) and referring to the proper legal authorities. Please go to our Member Services desk for help!  Also, we have an overnight hotline for specific issues that take place on the convention floor, the number for which is posted at Member Services.
• If we see someone exhibiting obvious signs of being sick, we will ask them to self-isolate.  Please don’t show up if you are clearly sick and contagious to others, no matter what the illness.
• Illegal issues such as possession of controlled substances, possession of alcohol by anyone under 21, possession of weapons or other contraband, etc., will be referred to law enforcement. We have ZERO tolerance for this. 
  • Please note: while cannabis is fully legal for adults 18 and above in the state of California, neither Gallifrey One nor the Marriott LAX permit its use on Marriott hotel premises at any time!
• We have a very specific courtesy policy: do not bug guests during their down time; do not annoy fellow convention goers with tall hats during panels, talking during events or taking cellphone calls/letting your cellphone ring during panels; please take crying babies/children out of program rooms, etc.
• Videotaping rules are in effect and are noted above.
• Badges must be visible at all times.

See the Convention Policies page for more details!

What do I do if I have other questions or if urgent issues arise, including complaints of harassment?

Have questions on site?  Not sure how to find a program item?  Looking for the best place to eat?  What about a Lost and Found?  The Member Services desk is here to help you!  Member Services is located in one of the two kiosks (the other is the Kaffeeklatsch Desk) right next to the elevator lobby on the convention floor, adjacent to the center Exhibitor Table hallway. Stop by if you have questions or need assistance.

• • •

We hope this guide for new and returning attendees helps you navigate our convention a little better – and of course we would love to hear your feedback. Contact us and let us know if you have any other suggestions or questions!