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D23 Expo 2017: What should we do?

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D23 Expo 2017: What should we do?
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reimanthapins

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Good morning all! D23 Expo is just around the corner. We went to the 2015 Expo and didn't enjoy it at all. Lined up Thursday night at 8pm only to get into Disney Store Friday afternoon at 2pm. And at that time, we weren't able to even buy anything for everything sold out for the day. Only got a few Tsum Tsums. What should we do this year to make up for 2015s disaster? Should we still camp out Thursday night? and skip Disney Store?
 
My husband and I debated going again. We also felt last year wasn't as great as previous years. The lines for anything were crazy unless you bought the sorcerer ticket (which I couldn't justify). The majority of my time was spent in line all 3 days trying to get items from the Disney store (which the daily allotment was gone by the time I got to the front). Once you've already waited in line to get into the event 2+ hours, then waited 3+ hours to get into ONE store - who wanted to wait another 2+ hours for another store (WDI or Dream store). We decided we would pass on this one and try for the sorcerer ticket for 2019.

The only saving grace were the trading cards - my husband got into collecting and trading those which made the experience more fun.
 
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That's exactly how we felt in 2015. It was sad and such a let down since it was our first time. We even skipped out on meals because people got upset whenever we would jump out of line and get back in line. We're definitely going to go this year, but not to purchase exclusive stuff. Gonna try to enjoy the event x_x Try to catch some seminars and meet and greets. haha.
 
My wife and I had the same experience. Thought that it was very disorganized and missed out on a lot of seminars and meet and greets as not all were posted and you just had to stumble across things. I've been to other conventions; hot wheels, walking dead, various rock and roll conventions and all were set where you had a program as to what was going to happen. I don't think that we will ever go back to another D23 event. We did enjoy the Pixar party this past year and would rather do this type of event, especially for trading. If you do decide to go let us all know how things turned out this year.
 
I enjoyed the seminars most -- waiting in line for 3 hours to get into the Disney Store (where almost all merch was sold out already) was not worth it. Even when it just came to panels and things, though, I definitely had to figure out which ones I could realistically attend, which meant skipping most of the big ones like parks and films. This year, I'm only going for one day, and will try to come in with lower expectations. Might try for the WDI store and a seminar or two if possible.
 
We've gone to the last 3, so I'm a little disappointed were not going. When we went to the expo in 2011 it was a wonderful experience - lines weren't crazy, it wasn't overly crowded. 2013 was busier for sure, however 2015 was the worst of all 3. It seemed as though it was all about re-selling things at a profit, which I do understand to a certain point.
 
We're most definitely going this year. But more than likely not for merchandise. Going to try to see some panels and seminars. And yes 2015 was so unorganized. I talked to a few of the Cast Members working it, they said they had no training for the expo. They were told to just keep guest in line and what to expect. So that could have been a big factor in the disorganization. Lets hope for the best!
 
I have attended all of the D23 Expos and had the opposite impression of most posters. I thought that the 2015 Expo was the best organized, but then I knew what to focus on, having the experiences of the previous three. My experience has been that I enjoyed the seminars over the "arena" presentations. I'm not willing to wait hours in line just to sit in the front rows. And most of big presentations end up on YouTube within 48 hours. I was surprised that my fondest memories are of the special live music events - the Alan Mencken concert, the Disney on Broadway concert, the evening with Dick Van Dyke. My worst memories were pin trading at the Expo! The WDI store - Mickeys of Glendale - is the only store that I am willing to stand in line and stand in line each day! (New pins released each day.)
 
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I went in 2009 (inaugural year) and thought it was exhausting but amazing. I loved the way it was structured, from the voucher distribution for the limited edition merchandise to the way all of the panels and events (save the keynotes) were repeated throughout the event so if you planned your time carefully, you could see and do everything you wanted during the four days. By far and away, the best event ever.

I went in 2011 and wanting to splurge a little, I sprang for the $500 Premier ticket. I figured that would get me into the keynote addresses and, assuming the events would be scheduled the way they were in 2009, I'd be able to wait for whatever else I wanted. Uh ... wrong, wrong, and wrong. I was able to pre-purchase what I wanted from the RSP and get into the keynote addresses and that was about it. The other panels were run exactly one time, and because of that, the queues were started and closed by the time I got out of the keynote addresses each day. The only people who got to do more than one panel a day were the Sorcerer ticket holders (which is why I suspect they eliminated the Premier ticket for 2013). Did I consider what I got for the ticket worth the cost? NO!

At this point, I haven't gone back to D23 and I probably won't go again. With the cost of the Sorcerer ticket, a hotel room, food, etc, plus the merchandise and the time and energy spent running around trying to get it, it's just easier for me to buy what I want on the secondary market and save myself a great deal of energy and frustration (and apply the extra on something that is enjoyable and less exhausting). The convention just isn't fun anymore; without the Sorcerer ticket, there's no guarantee that I can get into the panels or get the merchandise - and without either, what's the point of going?
 
Thanks for all your inputs! Note to self, spend more time on the less crowded panels and seminars. Don't line up anywhere but MOG/WDI. and Save money, stick to the basic tickets and events.
 
SAME ;) Lined up as well and HATED it. Couldn't enjoy all the cool things happening around me because of how tired I was from lining up and receiving almost nothing. Just going to go on the day of and shrug my shoulders when I see whatever is left for sale at MOG.
 
Girugamesh said:
SAME ;) Lined up as well and HATED it. Couldn't enjoy all the cool things happening around me because of how tired I was from lining up and receiving almost nothing. Just going to go on the day of and shrug my shoulders when I see whatever is left for sale at MOG.
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Noooooo!! You guys better come with us to MOG at least. No Disney Store. Lets camp out with food this time and a REAL Hacky Sack and head straight to MOG with that Gold pass ;D then enjoy the rest. LOL.
 
I went for the first time 2015 and didn't like it. I barely made it into the OUAT panel (missed getting tickets so was in stand-by). I only went into MOG and that was after 1+ hour wait. Never made it into the Disney Store, but I was able to purchase some dolls from someone at not-too-bad a mark-up (well, less than it was going for on ebay)
 
starry_solo said:
I went for the first time 2015 and didn't like it. I barely made it into the OUAT panel (missed getting tickets so was in stand-by). I only went into MOG and that was after 1+ hour wait. Never made it into the Disney Store, but I was able to purchase some dolls from someone at not-too-bad a mark-up (well, less than it was going for on ebay)
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But would you be going back this year? Based on 2015 Experience?
 
reimanthapins said:
But would you be going back this year? Based on 2015 Experience?
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Nope. It's pretty much spending time in line all day. Even getting sorcerer tickets (very expensive) + hotel (I live close by but wouldn't want to drive in the horrible traffic) + food, I might as well buy the merchandise I want at a higher price and then watch videos of the panels. LOL.

Edited: I didn't get sorcerer tickets, but calculated the costs x 2 (cuz I'd bring sis) and then having to stand in line early to beat other sorcerer's for some LE merchandise, etc.
 
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Interesting comments. As someone who had attended all of the Official Disneyana Conventions (1992 - 2002) I can appreciate the "waiting in lines" concerns and comments. We now attend many of the D23 events in Florida, but have no plans on attending the big D23 conventions in CA. What we learned is that you go to these things EITHER to listen and learn things at the seminars, OR, wait in line to buy stuff.

After missing out on so many seminars because we were in line to buy stuff, often NOT getting what we wanted anyhow, we took the approach that we would go to these things to LISTEN and LEARN stuff about Disney. The merchandise can always be obtained on the secondary market. No more paying good money to go to these Events only to pay more money only to buy stuff.

Plus, Disney often offers "premiere" tickets at a ridiculous price to buy stuff ahead of the crowd, plus maybe better seating in the presentations. IMHO just way to expensive for my budget.

Mike S.
Figment919
 
starry_solo said:
Nope. It's pretty much spending time in line all day. Even getting sorcerer tickets (very expensive) + hotel (I live close by but wouldn't want to drive in the horrible traffic) + food, I might as well buy the merchandise I want at a higher price and then watch videos of the panels. LOL.

Edited: I didn't get sorcerer tickets, but calculated the costs x 2 (cuz I'd bring sis) and then having to stand in line early to beat other sorcerer's for some LE merchandise, etc.
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So Sad but True. Even with Sorcerer tickets, they still put a cap on how much merchandise gets sold and how many tickets for panels get handed out. So it doesn't even guarantee you what you want -__-" So sad. But yea, I figure its best to save from Sorcerer packages and just drop that on second market merch. Thanks for your input!
 
Yea in 2015 even Sorcerers (Highest Ticket Package) had a cap as to whats available for them to purchase. The big Expo out here in California is crazy. We literally camped out the Night before at 8pm only to get in 4 HOURS after doors open the following day. Terrible lines. x_x
 
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