~ D23 Expo Aug./2013 ~

[franandaj]

I called the other day and they said you can pay $30 and get a fridge for the length of your stay. Not sure if there is microwave access in the lobby or anything though.

I never saw any microwaves in the lobby, they want you to use the food court. The first day I wanted Starbucks and the line was super duper long. I don't remember what I did about coffee the remaining days.

At the last Expo, I made us sandwiches in the room one day. Cobb Salads another day. We took them with us in the morning and ate lunch waiting in the lines for the presentations. We brought lots of snacks like potato chips, bananas, skinny cow candy, and Hostess style baked goods. For our breakfasts we had Yogurt, fruit and the baked goods. Our only hot meals were late at night, once at Brennan's at DTD and some from the Food Court at the Hilton.

 

[keahgirl8]

I never saw any microwaves in the lobby, they want you to use the food court. The first day I wanted Starbucks and the line was super duper long. I don't remember what I did about coffee the remaining days.

At the last Expo, I made us sandwiches in the room one day. Cobb Salads another day. We took them with us in the morning and ate lunch waiting in the lines for the presentations. We brought lots of snacks like potato chips, bananas, skinny cow candy, and Hostess style baked goods. For our breakfasts we had Yogurt, fruit and the baked goods. Our only hot meals were late at night, once at Brennan's at DTD and some from the Food Court at the Hilton.

The only reason I was thinking about a microwave is for leftovers. I will be solo, so I rarely finish my food!

 

[franandaj]

The only reason I was thinking about a microwave is for leftovers. I will be solo, so I rarely finish my food!

I understand, this level of Hilton hotel does not encourage leftovers, Hampton Inn and Homewood suites are geared toward guests that want a homier type of place. This part of the chain caters to business guests who travel on company budgets and don't need to save by eating leftovers and stuff. Frustrating but true. We tried to plan for things that would work well cold in line and didn't have many opportunities to visit places serving hot food during the Expo itself as from Friday to Sunday there was just so much jam packed in there the only chances to leave the Expo were after 10PM.

As I look back at my TR, we did go to Brennan's at DTD for a hot dinner on the 1st night after the Dick Van Dyke show.

Saturday I think we were too tired and had eaten our salads in the line so we just snacked from our fridge when we got back to the room.

Sunday they ended the show with a reception for us in the lounge and Steven Clark was so exhausted he had huge bags under his eyes! After that Fran and I took off for Mrs. Knott's Chicken dinner (which required a car ride) but it was sooooooo good after many days of "picnic lunches and breakfasts". We were so treated the next night to a dinner at the Chef's Table at Napa Rose, with friends we met at the Expo, but you'll have read my TR to find out how that was.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I agree! Just like the people who left the Studios presentation early in 2009 and totally missed Johnny Depp!

I had to miss Studios last year (AVENGERS!), but no regrets, I was inline for something I wanted to see more, I think the Pixar presentation. Anything with John Lassiter is a priority for me (ok, I have a little crush on him, I admit). I saw him at 2 seminars last time, Pixar and Carsland. I saw the development of the new Star Tours, and the new Little Mermaid rides (2 different talks). Also saw the Monsters University one, Disneyland Hotel history, and Parks.

I ran around like a nut, and spent loads of time inlines, but it was worth it. Was shut out of a few, like Voices of the Parks, which was really good, we heard. Also was too late for Dick Van Dyke. Skipped Legends, can't remember why, heard it was very good though.

I am leaving Sunday mid afternoon, I wish I could stay to the very end, but I have to catch a 6pm flight home. Staying at VGC and then PP.

 

[nunzia]

I can't believe that I missed this thread! I'm staying at the Hilton and we got the Sorcerer's package this year. Last time we were premiere which was nice but not as good a Sorcerers.

If you are looking for a pretty in depth TR on the 2011, I think that I did a pretty good job. The link is in my signature. I did most of the big presentations, but for a lot of those they take away your cameras and cell phones. Another good reason to be close by hotelwise, is you can leave them in your room and not have the hassle of waiting in line to get them back. Then you can go retrieve them easily. We had to wait in line for everything that wasn't in the Arena and we spent a fair amount of time in line.

There's no way to do everything and as someone ekse mentioned you have to choose becsuse most likely there will be lines, unless they have developed a FP system for the queues. There wsd even a wsit to get into the stores!



No fridges in the room

Oh well..no biggie then. If I recall, the Hilton had some pretty decent places in the little food court (course lines were LONG). Also noted that Sorcerers will have a place in the lounge to purchase food this time, not just the snacks for free like last time (that was one of my suggestions..I'd be happy to pay to get a sandwich or something in there...several times it seemed like the convention quick service places set up in the halls..with wraps and stuff..were totally sold out) so I will make it work. Hilton didn't cost THAT much more than JR and don't have to do the parking lot schlep to get to the CC. No shuttle to the parks, I guess ART? We usually walk but if it is the usual million degrees again I'd like a second option.

 

[RandFamily]

I just wanted to point out to those of you who haven't attended the expo before to be prepared to wait HOURS in line to get into most of the presentations. Bring something to do, to read, etc. Most of the people on this thread seem to have had the premier passes, but for those of us who didn't, it was important to get to the venue you want at least an hour and a half or more before time. For the headliners in the evening we got in line at least 3 hours ahead of time. Although there is more seating this year, I expect there will be more people too. And we all know how willing Disney fanatics are to wait in line to get what they want, ha ha!!

 

[nunzia]

I think everyoneknows about the Sherman/Menken concert, but this has been announced for Friday. Holy Cow..cannot WAIT!

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is thrilled to announce a special theatrical performance, “Broadway and Beyond,” which will appear at D23 Expo 2013. Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions, will host this musical journey into Disney’s history on Broadway and beyond. The star-studded event will feature an all-star lineup, including Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan and Aida), Josh Strickland (Tarzan) and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King). They will sing beloved songs from the award-winning musicals they starred in as well as classic tunes from the Disney on Broadway catalogue.

The one-night-only performance will take place on Friday, August 9, at 6:30 p.m. on Stage 23.

For more information on D23 Expo 2013, visit D23Expo.com.

 

[franandaj]

In line with the comments of the poster pointing out about the waiting in lines, the schedule may list items like "dinner break". Keep in mind that if you don't have a guaranteed seat for something like the Broadway event or the Menken/Sherman concert, taking a leisurely stroll to DTD for dinner and coming back with the hopes of getting in line. Think twice.

I just checked my TR from the last Expo and we got in line for the Dick Van Dyke concert (which started at 8:15) at 5:15. I heard they capped the line at 6:15. Granted they have made the venues bigger, but still there will always be more demand for the presentations than space.

 

[Dream.Finder]

I predict another gong show, IMO.

 

[lurkergirl]

In line with the comments of the poster pointing out about the waiting in lines, the schedule may list items like "dinner break". Keep in mind that if you don't have a guaranteed seat for something like the Broadway event or the Menken/Sherman concert, taking a leisurely stroll to DTD for dinner and coming back with the hopes of getting in line. Think twice.

I just checked my TR from the last Expo and we got in line for the Dick Van Dyke concert (which started at 8:15) at 5:15. I heard they capped the line at 6:15. Granted they have made the venues bigger, but still there will always be more demand for the presentations than space.

You know, I must be insane. I'm actually looking forward to the hustle and bustle, especially after a) standing in line for 3 1/2 hours at Mickey's of Glendale for the last D23 shopping event and b) reading your trip report from 2011.

I considered the MoG thing training. Need better shoes.

Yes, the lines were extreme and frustrating and there was point I thought I was going to pass out from the rising body heat in one of the waiting areas, but...it was all part of the experience.

Yup....insane.

 

[franandaj]

You know, I must be insane. I'm actually looking forward to the hustle and bustle, especially after a) standing in line for 3 1/2 hours at Mickey's of Glendale for the last D23 shopping event and b) reading your trip report from 2011.

I considered the MoG thing training. Need better shoes.

Yes, the lines were extreme and frustrating and there was point I thought I was going to pass out from the rising body heat in one of the waiting areas, but...it was all part of the experience.

Yup....insane.

You're not crazy, I was lucky enough to get a Sorcerer ticket this time and I'm sure I won't really miss the lines, but part of me will miss chatting with all the nice people in line.

I reread parts of my trip report and I'm starting to get excited too. We know they will have a Legends presentation, a Studios talk, probably Pixar and Parks sessions as well. What I'm curious about is all the ones that will be in Stage 23 on the attractions and other up and coming projects.

 

[wwwosie]

Between the Menken/Sherman presentation and the Broadway stars presentation, I will be a happy soul, if I can get in

 

[keahgirl8]

You know, I must be insane. I'm actually looking forward to the hustle and bustle, especially after a) standing in line for 3 1/2 hours at Mickey's of Glendale for the last D23 shopping event and b) reading your trip report from 2011.

I considered the MoG thing training. Need better shoes.

Yes, the lines were extreme and frustrating and there was point I thought I was going to pass out from the rising body heat in one of the waiting areas, but...it was all part of the experience.

Yup....insane.

I agree. I can't explain it, but I am excited about it!

 

[franandaj]

Between the Menken/Sherman presentation and the Broadway stars presentation, I will be a happy soul, if I can get in

Just make sure you are policing the line at least three hours before. I don't know how much of an expansion they are making to Stage 23, but it didn't hold nearly as many people as it should have. Probably fire regulations, but when we got there for the Dick Van Dyke queue last time, we were three hours early and there were easily 50 people in front of us. Don't underestimate the lasting power of Disney folks!

These shows are awesome! You can always mark your spot and ask people around you to hold it while you go get a bite to eat. Just don't abuse that kind of trust. Folks don't mind holding your spot, if all you do is go wait in a long line to get food and bring it back to eat in line. If you go on over to see another presentation or have a sit down meal, especially if the line starts moving while you are gone, forget about it.

My partner and I spelled each other last year, she would go shopping while I waited, and then when she got back I would get food (if I didn't have something already packed). But when the line started moving we were always both in line, it's tacky saving seats once they open the theater unless the other person is just slow or something.

 

[nunzia]

I think they are doing some sort of ticket system this year? Like you can get a ticket and know you are guaranteed to at least get in if you don't mind where you sit..I had suggested this on a survey awhile ago. Why have people stuck in line when they can be out buying stuff from you? Too many years in retail I guess. We would do this with HP book releases..the manager just had people line up..I say..let's give them tickets so they can SHOP...plus..if we had say 300 books we could hand out the 300 tickets and then those who didn't get one knew they wouldn't get a book so they weren't as mad as if they had waited forever and still didn't get one.
I can't remember where I saw this..I think it was an interview with Steven Clark somewhere...

 

[lurkergirl]

I think the most important thing is to be realistic with expectations - there are going to be people and lines, so if you want to see something? Expect to wait in line for while (hours) and adjust.

I seriously want to see the Parks & Resorts and Studios presentations...and snag a Harveys bag in the Dream Store. *fingers crossed!*

I think they are doing some sort of ticket system this year? Like you can get a ticket and know you are guaranteed to at least get in if you don't mind where you sit..I had suggested this on a survey awhile ago. Why have people stuck in line when they can be out buying stuff from you? Too many years in retail I guess. We would do this with HP book releases..the manager just had people line up..I say..let's give them tickets so they can SHOP...plus..if we had say 300 books we could hand out the 300 tickets and then those who didn't get one knew they wouldn't get a book so they weren't as mad as if they had waited forever and still didn't get one.
I can't remember where I saw this..I think it was an interview with Steven Clark somewhere...

I haven't seen anything that specific, just the vague "we're going to handle it better!" statements. This is what is on the page now:

More than 40,000 Disney fans from around the world gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2011 for the second D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. In anticipation of even bigger attendance, D23 Expo 2013 will feature: an overflow theater for the D23 Arena, which will accommodate more than 2,000 guests for live streaming of the popular Arena presentations; nearly double the size of presentation venue Stage 23 (formerly 1,000 seats); and an expanded show floor, to include Halls A, B, C, and D, as well as a larger Collectors Forum to provide even more magical experiences for guests.

I want details!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I agree! Just like the people who left the Studios presentation early in 2009 and totally missed Johnny Depp!

Maybe they left early to hop on another line for another presentation. I MET some people who left the 2011 Studios presentation, on another line that I was on (maybe for Pixar? I forget)......... I was sort of annoyed that they took a seat in Studios, when they KNEW they were going to bail out 1/2 way thru. Another person might have been happy to get in, and stay the whole time. Whatever.

People holding spots in line was an issue for me. Some solo people were in line for say, 60-90 minutes, then 5-6 friends would join the solo line person. NOT ok for me. Met a family that had mom and dad holding spots in line for their teens, so the teens did not have to wait at ALL, and got to go from one seminar to another.

So giving out tickets to events? I say wristbands of different colors, that get you in, wait if you want first choice of seats. And let people wait in a standby line for no-show seats.

 

[wwwosie]

I think that people left early because they truly thought the presentation was over the way it was staged, and you had to retrieve cellphones that had been checked in. In 2009 they had a huge problem with the lines because when the CM's counted people in the lines they did not account for people holding places for folks that had gone to the bathroom. They did fix that on day 2.
If I remember correctly, in 2011 you could not hold places for people, a lady was trying to explain to a CM that she was catching up to her party, and they wouldn't let her in the line.
After 2 expos, my expectations of things changing are not that great, to me, 2009 was way more fun that 2011. There were more things to do and more swag to be had. I will definitely wait in line for both the Menken and the Broadway presentations, (there goes 6 hours for sure) after that, I will try to have as much fun as possible without getting frustrated by the inevitable long lines. My ONE hope is that it doesn't take 2 hours to get in like it did last time, even with D23 tickets. It should be fun anyway!!

 

[lifesgr8]

Would the expo be worth going this year if we've never been & made no plans?

My dd wants to be an imagineer & we love Disney. I've never heard about the expo till now.

As a second question ... Would it be better to plan now & go next year & get those sorcerer tickets? How do I know when it is next year?

 

[franandaj]

Most people have not made plans. The full schedule has not been released so there is still plenty of time to plan and go. The Expo only happens every two years so there won't be another until 2015. Also I'm not sure if you know that the Sorcerer tickets cost $1500 per person. They also sold out within about 20 minutes of going on sale. You need to be sure to know the date when they go on sale and have a stable internet connection and be ready to click as soon as the link gets posted. Registration can be very stressful, but woth it!