Paramount+’s The Lodge was another one of the off-site experiences we checked out during San Diego Comic-Con this year, and they always go all out. It took over Happy Does in the Gaslamp Quarter, turning the entire space into an immersive Paramount+ experience. It was free to attend, and you didn’t need a Comic-Con badge, although reservations were highly recommended and the standby line could get pretty long. I was lucky to get a press pass, so thank you to Paramount+ for that; it was much appreciated!
The Lodge was set up almost like a little tour through different Paramount+ shows and worlds. You moved from one area to another, with themed food and drinks, games, photo opportunities, and different little activities along the way. It felt like there was something new around every corner, and the whole experience took around 50 minutes, so it was a pretty substantial off-site compared to some of the smaller activations around Comic-Con.
There were quite a few shows represented this year, including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, South Park, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Dutton Ranch, as well as other Paramount+ properties. One of my favorite things about The Lodge is that you aren’t just looking at signs for the shows. You actually get to step into these themed spaces and interact with them a little bit.
The Avatar: The Last Airbender area had a Republic City Marketplace setup, while the Star Trek section let you step aboard the U.S.S. Port Galley. There were themed food and drinks throughout the experience, too, which made it feel more like you were actually hanging out at a Paramount+ lounge rather than just walking through a promotional event.
And of course, there was swag! Paramount+ had a swag counter where you could customize items to take home, including laser-engraved luggage tags and patched pennants. I always appreciate it when an activation gives you something to remember your time by.
There were also plenty of photo opportunities throughout The Lodge. I really liked that The Lodge felt like an actual experience instead of just another booth. Paramount+ does such a good job of creating these immersive spaces. There was a lot packed into the space, giving you a chance to see several Paramount+ shows in one visit. Plus, having food, drinks, air conditioning, and a place to sit for a little bit was a very welcome break from walking around the Gaslamp in the July heat.
Paramount+’s The Lodge was definitely one of the off-sites I’d recommend checking out if you’re going to San Diego Comic-Con. The combination of the themed environments, food and drinks, photo ops, activities, and customizable swag made it feel like there was actually a reason to spend some time there rather than just stopping by for a quick picture.
