DEF CON is going to be as fun as you make it yourself. If you decide to sit on the sidelines, like most attendees, and don’t engage with others, your experience may not be great.
There are many contests throughout the con that require a group to succeed, many people gather ad-hoc to solve the challenges together. So yes, being social and friendly makes a big difference. You talk to a stranger in an elevator one moment, next thing you know you get invited to a penthouse party with DJ and free booze. Anything can happen!
If you have not yet seen the DEF CON documentary (filmed during DEF CON 20), check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ctQOmjQyYg