Gallery • 14 Photos

Jeremy Gottschalk

Students cosplayed from cartoons such as Dr. Seuss and The Smurfs. "The Lorax" Amanda Torres and "Papa Smurf" Amaya took time off from school to participate.

FanExpo’s MegaCon 2025 offered Valencia students an expansive platform to express themselves through cosplay and connect with other fans. MegaCon drew an estimated 160,000 attendees and ranks among the largest in North America.

Each year, the convention floor is surrounded by vibrant arrays of vendors and cosplayers. The cosplays are a visual spectacle, blending familiar fandoms with inventive character combinations, while vendors showcased a diverse selection of merchandise from anime and superhero memorabilia to comic book collectibles.

Valencia College students were among the many participants, and we spoke to a few to learn more about their experiences.

BioTech major Brianna Claar, 19, is a Osceola Dungeons & Dragons club member. Claar attended MegaCon and joined the tabletop gaming section of the convention. Claar described the welcoming atmosphere of MegaCon, stating, “Everybody here is so nice.” Claar notes how one vendor had a screen displaying animated details about their characters. Claar, who has been playing Dungeons & Dragons since third grade, said the game has helped her connect with countless people. She expresses how the D&D club at Valencia needs more players to join the club. D&D Game Nights occur every two weeks and are scheduled for 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. in conference rooms via the club Discord server. The next session is planned for February 26.
Valencia faculty member Professor John DiDonna attended as “Byron” an immortal storyteller of the Victorian horror troupe “Phantasmagoria” which attends MegaCon annually.

“We’ve been together for 16 years, blending circus arts, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and aerial work to tell horror stories,” ‘Byron’ said. The troupe’s work aligns with some of the techniques used in Valencia’s theater program, encouraging students to audition after graduation.

“We have many alumni in the troupe, not just from Theater, but also from the LEDP program,” he added.

Phantasmagoria brings their live shows to MegaCon to cater to all horror fans with a passion for the gothic atmosphere, providing a unique and immersive experience for attendees.

Cosplay Runways and competitions were a highlight of the event which gave cosplayers a chance to showcase their creativity. Students such as Amanda Torres, 19, and Amaya, 20, dressing as Papa Smurf and Dr. Suess’ The Lorax. Torres, a wildlife ecology major, and Amaya, a psychology major, were among those showcasing their creative costumes. Both mentioned that they also enjoy the shopping at MegaCon.

Costuming and cosplay can come in all shapes and sizes. Student Whitney, 19, cosplayed as Yor Forger from *Spy X Family*, and Cameron, 19, cosplayed as a banana. Whitney is majoring in Radiology, while Jones is majoring in Health Science. Whitney said she attended for the shopping, and Jones said he was there for the Intel booth. The booth featured a line of handheld gaming systems called the Claw 8 AI+, similar to the Steam Deck and ROG Ally handhelds.
Celebrity cancellations unfortunately impacted the event. Millie Bobby Brown withdrew from the convention just one day before it began. Although the reasons for her cancellation remain unclear, this is not the first time Brown has backed out of a scheduled appearance. In 2017, she canceled a Collective Con event in Jacksonville, Florida, apologizing to fans but promising not to do so again.
Still, several notable celebrities attended including Nicholas Hoult, who will portray Lex Luthor in the upcoming “Superman” film. Hoult spoke about his role in 2024’s horror “Nosferatu”, directed by Robert Eggers, saying, “I love Robert Eggers and his movies. He’s had such a passion for this story since he was a kid.”

Hoult also expressed excitement about the future of Marvel’s X-Men franchise, teasing a possible return to his role as Beast. “Superman” is slated to release July 11, 2025, and will be directed by James Gunn, CEO of DC Studios.
One of the most expensive celebrity appearances at MegaCon was Mel Gibson, with autograph prices ranging from $259.99 to $299.99 for a “premium” signing. While these fees are common at conventions, many attendees expressed frustration with the high costs, especially when factoring in the price of tickets, food, parking, and other expenses.

MegaCon is a must-see event for many fans, providing a unique space for creativity and fandom. Attendees should plan carefully to manage the costs involved. The price for a weekend pass ranged from $80 to $100, food expenses could easily exceed $50, and autographs could set fans back $80 to $300, depending on the celebrity. With so many vendors, the experience can add up quickly, making it essential for convention-goers to budget wisely.

Overall, MegaCon 2025 is a vibrant celebration of creativity, fandom, and community, offering something for everyone—from cosplay enthusiasts and passionate gamers to fans of pop culture and entertainment. While there were some challenges, such as higher costs and occasional logistical hiccups, the event still provided an unforgettable experience for those who attended. For Valencia students and fans alike, MegaCon remains an opportunity to connect with others, showcase personal creativity, and immerse themselves in a world of limitless imagination. With careful planning, it can be a rewarding adventure for all who choose to embrace it.