D23 expo 2015

1. D23 Expo 2015 is August 14-16, 2015 (actually starts August 13th for Sorcerer Ticket holders which are $1500+/ticket).

2. Sale for tickets starts August 14, 2014 for D23 members (free to join D23 by the way).

3. There were lots of different pins (see below)

4. No lines for some, long lines for others... a quick recap of pins you could find:

- Stock certificate pin for filling out a survey
- Once Upon A Time grab-bag pins for going to the new season preview
- Fantasia pin for trying the new video game
- Planes movie pin if you spun the wheel and landed on the correct section
- Tomorrowland movie pin if you completed the LONG scavenger hunt
- D23 Expo branded pins and some mystery pin sets to buy in the Dream Store. Most were easy to buy but there can be long lines to get in.
- Some specialty pins at the pop-up Disney Store (like the princess set, Steamboat Willie Redux jumbo, Little Mermaid, etc). If you don't have a Sorcerer's Ticket you will wait in line for HOURS just to get in
- TONS of WDI-exclusive pins in the Mickey's of Glendale pop-up shop (an hour or two wait to get in)
- A pin jumbo especially for Sorcerer's Ticket holders, as well as a WDI Sorcerer's hat pin which you had to go purchase in the pop-up shop with a special coupon

I'll be honest.... MOST pins I found to be so-so or really just not worth the money. The pins people get most excited for are in the Disney Store, and the wait can be FOREVER. I was fortunate enough to have a Sorcerer's Ticket which bypassed all of that, but in the end I sold most of my pins because I didn't really get a personal connection from them. To each his own I guess.

And I'll be honest, for ME, I didn't enjoy D23 Expo that much... many people love it but I didn't find it to be anything special. It had a VERY typical convention feel without the Disney magic. Most staff working there are temp hires or work for the Anaheim Convention Center, so they are nearly useless except for maybe some basic guidance. It can be crowded with longs waits and mediocre food... like the theme parks on a bad day, but without the fun rides and theming. The best part last year BY FAR was the Imagineering area, but that was a special thing for 2013. It's a convention like ComicCon, E3, etc.

Hope that helps!

Ethan

I think the prior post covered most of the big details. So I'll add a few personal observations.

If you can get into the main shows - Disney Legends, Coming Attractions, and other special shows it is WELL worth the energy/time.

Many of the "elite" items at the convention were old out before I even got on the plane to visit the convention. And I left at 4am, but the lines for many of those items formed days earlier. My advice there is don't count on getting any of the special items and just savor them if you can get them.

Pins: WDI pins and the Disney store pins were able to be purchased during the convention. Depending on what you collect, there are nice pins available. But I didn't see anything that I considered exceptional. But your mileage may vary if they happen to have something that is on your favorites list. And there is always the dealers area where several pin sellers can be found.

Pin trading at the park also is above average with all the people in town for the big event. It's a great time to find pins from Japan, Hong Kong, Paris on lanyards or when you trade with other guests.