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D23 Expo

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D23 Expo

Aceastrococopuff

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Hey all!

This year I am going to the D23 expo for the first time! I am very excited and I can't wait to go! I've had questions here and there but got help from people who have been. The one question I still have is are there exclusive pins just at the expo? Do they even sell pins at the expo? Basically just simple pin questions. Any help would be appreciated!

Corvyn
 

Yes they sell pins there
 
At the last three Expos, the following Disney entities released new pins:

  1. D23 Expo Store
  2. Disney Shopping pop-up store
  3. WDI pop-up store
I expect the three above will be doing the same thing at this year’s Expo.
 
In the past, how bad were the lines to get pins or any other merchandise? I'd like to get some stuff to help remember the event, but I don't want to spend all 3 days standing in line.
 
The lines are huge and long - some take hours to get through and the most popular merchandise (pins, dolls, etc.) can sell out quickly. Also bear in mind that it's not really first come, first served for the lines - those with the Sorcerer's Package get in first, and then D23 members (likely the paid levels will get in first, given how many "free" members there now are), and then the general public.
 
I'm going for the first time this year as well so I will be keeping an eye on this thread!

Does anyone know anything about cast member discount for the Expo tickets?? (I'm a CM)

-Charlie
 

That is good to know! I am a gold member and didn't buy a sorcerers package but can still get priority over the general public! Thanks for the tip!
 
Ahh! Thank you for making this thread as I am too going to the D23 Expo for my first time! So seeing these questions coming up is already helping me plan ahead for when I go
 
That is good to know! I am a gold member and didn't buy a sorcerers package but can still get priority over the general public! Thanks for the tip!
Yes, but items may still sell out before you even get up to the front of the line, depending on what you're looking for as people have been known to cut in line here as the expo is not run by Disney cast, but by convention center employees, so just be prepared to hope for the best and expect the worst. lol

Also expect to spend several hours in line to get into the Expo on the first day, then potentially another several hours in line to try to get any leftover merch that SP package people (or other people cutting in) didn't already buy.

It's kind of like Comic-Con in that you have to prioritize - if you want to see panels, go for the panels/panel tickets (however they're handling it this year) first. If you want limited edition merchandise - especially anything designer (dolls, pins, etc.), well, good luck. lol


Also, CheshireCat, there have been cast tickets offered at a discount at the previous expos, so I would expect something similar for this year as well.
 
^ Depends on what rules they decide on this year. They'd be smart to let the paid memberships in first, otherwise what's the point in a paid membership if you get all perks for free?
 
^ Depends on what rules they decide on this year. They'd be smart to let the paid memberships in first, otherwise what's the point in a paid membership if you get all perks for free?

I'm hoping that's the case, especially since they did away with the Silver - cheaper - paid membership and now you have to pay for Gold or nothing.
 
Remember, Ali, we are going to meet up at the convention

Haha yes definitely! I almost forgot about our awesome meet up. I'll definitely message you once the expo comes closer

I probably should renew my membership to gold to make sure I could get any first priorities as possible during the expo.
 
Ugh! I want to go and buy my tickets but I'm not sure I'll be here! Graduating grad school and (hopefully) getting a job so not sure where I'll be moving! Do general admission tickets usually sell out? Do you think there would be any left by the end of June?
 
I attended D23 for the first time in 2013.

Fortunately, my first experience was a good one.

The key for me, was, I did not go there the first day looking to buy pins.

A number of my pin trading friends, that did attend the first day to buy pins , had a nightmare of a experience. I wouldn't wish on anybody.

I am thoroughly looking forward to attending this year.

My advice..
A) plan out what you want to do ...ahead of time.
B) if one can, go to the convention center on Thursday, and just wander around, out side and check out the lay of the land, as it were.
C) if going for "certain pins" that are being released on the first day...good luck. Personally, my experience was, I did my shopping on day two, and was completely satisfied with what I purchased at the MoG's store. I didn't get any of the pins from the other 2 stores, but, I was fine with that.
D) if obtaining Pins is one's primary reason for attending...be prepared to spend the night on Thursday...if the powers that be, will be allowing it.

Finally, if a Meet-up of dpf members is going to happen...I'm in! I think it would be grand, to meet more of you!
 
Thanks for the advice Jabberwockey, any idea when the Cast Member tickets become available? And how I get them??

-Charlie
 
Thanks for the advice Jabberwockey, any idea when the Cast Member tickets become available? And how I get them??

-Charlie
I'm not sure if there has been info released yet. I seem to recall in years past that tickets went on sale maybe a little closer to expo time? Also, U.S. cast options may be different than UK cast options. One thing you could try is to just contact D23 via their website and ask about cast tickets.
 

Perfect! Thanks so much!

-Charlie
 
So is it worth going if you didn't get the Sorcerer's Package? I really would love to go and am excited for the pins and of course the fun, but it seems they have amazing pins and would love to be able to get them, but have heard in multiple places that nothing is left with the LE pins and special (Example - designer couples pin set) after the Package people are done... Is this the case? Is it better to try for the next expo with a package? Thanks for any and all info as I too have never gone but would love too!!!
 
^ At the last expo, I think a handful of non-SP people got the designer pin sets and maybe the dolls. But pretty much the guaranteed way to get any merch is the SP.

However, there is never a guarantee there *will* be designer pins or dolls released, so unless money is no object, getting the Sorcerer's Package at the next expo may get you nothing beyond the regular package perks of guaranteed seats at some panels, getting in early, etc. And if you have a few thousand to spend on the SP, then you can just buy any designer merch when it hits the secondary market anyway.

So if you want to go to the Expo, to experience *the Expo*, it doesn't matter if you get general admission or the highest package. If all you're concerned about getting are pins, and you can afford them, just buy them secondary and don't waste your time on trying to go to the expo.
 
I am a gold member did not help me at all got all the leftovers.And the cutting was insane.Fight almost broke out in front of me never again...
 
^^

If you can find someone that cuts in line and grabs 20+ sets of the designer pins while waiting for friends that are also non-SP people, that's the only way to get a set.

Remember, the sorcerer package costs $2000 per person. So unless a SP person is able to get one per day every day (including the early bird shopping the day prior) - so that's 4 sets - that the SP person then has to sell on the secondary market to make up for the $2600-2900 ($2000 + 3 sets at $200-300, assuming the SP person wants to keep one set for himself/herself), so $1000/set just to get their money back on that specific pin set.

Obviously, if there are other pins that sell for more that the SP person can get to lower the price, that's always great
 
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