D23 Expo 2010 -- any dates set?

[bwvBound]

Anyone watching the release of D23 Expo 2010 dates so they can book GCV? Any bets on if dates will be published before GCV owners lose their home-resort booking window?

We are planning to attend the 2009 event and will be staying off-property close to the Convention Center. Looking forward to it!

 

[crocko]

Bump....would like to know if 2010 dates have been released yet.

 

[tjkraz]

Disney hasn't even announced if there will be a 2010 Expo. Or if there is, it could be shifted to the Orlando area (some have suggested it would be a good idea to alternate.)

I've heard that Disney signed a 3-year contract with the Anaheim Convention Center but I suspect there is some wiggle room to alternate years or just cancel the event if they don't see a bright enough future.

 

[crocko]

From what I've heard....this first Expo was a big hit.

Hoping the expos and events continue...

 

[tjkraz]

I was at the Expo 3 of the 4 days. Thursday and Friday were quite slow. Things picked up over the weekend but there were numerous reports of Disney doing everything it could to prop-up attendance. They offered $5 tickets to employees (normally $80-100) and one blogger even claimed they were busing-in employees from DL and DCA--people who were ON THE CLOCK--to help put more bodies into the convention center.

Although I would make some minor changes to the format, overall it was very good. Many unique exhibits and presenters, and unparalleled access to Disney Imagineers.

But it was also a very, VERY expensive event to host. Disney certainly lost money on it. The main questions are how much they lost and whether they feel it can still serve as a platform for building an annual tradition (like Comic-Con.) If prospects for future growth aren't good, they could dramatically scale-down future events or simply cancel it altogether.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

. . . They offered $5 tickets to employees (normally $80-100) and one blogger even claimed they were busing-in employees from DL and DCA--people who were ON THE CLOCK--to help put more bodies into the convention center...

I can confirm that there were quite a few Disney employees & DL CMs there. We spoke to several while waiting in line. While waiting to enter the theater for the Princess & Frog presentation, we spoke with the Technical Director for the film, who acknowledged that he and his girlfriend bought the $5 tickets so they could attend this presentation and get a feeling for audience reaction. [We loved all of the clips we saw and told him so after the show] But this was on a Saturday, so I don't think he was technically on the clock.

If you are thinking about staying at the GCV, you may need to book the likely weekend (I would suspect if it is in Anaheim, it will be the weekend after Labor day again) and then adjust accordingly.

With DL trips, you'll have to get used to the incredible lack of advance notice. In June, we booked GCV for the CP this year, which still hasn't been officially announced. The dates (12/5- 12/6)were confirmed as part of one of the auction items at the D23 Expo. -- Suzanne

 

[nunzia]

I'm also waiting for an announement and hopeful they do the EXPO again..I wouldn't stay at the Grand though, as I'd rather be closer to the Convention Center. Yes..it's frustrating when you NEED to plan way out but you don't have info you need to plan

 

[tjkraz]

I'm also waiting for an announement and hopeful they do the EXPO again..I wouldn't stay at the Grand though, as I'd rather be closer to the Convention Center.

Unless you're planning on a lot of back-and-forth to the convention center, I don't think GC is a bad place to stay. You can exit the GC and walk through Downtown Disney to the tram stop near Harbor Blvd. Ride the tram to the drop-off point and the convention center is right across Katella Ave. I'd say it's about a 15 minute journey--half walking and half riding/waiting.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Unless you're planning on a lot of back-and-forth to the convention center, I don't think GC is a bad place to stay. You can exit the GC and walk through Downtown Disney to the tram stop near Harbor Blvd. Ride the tram to the drop-off point and the convention center is right across Katella Ave. I'd say it's about a 15 minute journey--half walking and half riding/waiting.

We stayed at the Sheraton PArk near the convention center during the Expo and really liked being that close, even though we only headed out in the morning and returned in the evening on all but the last day.

On Fri and Sat nights, we were back in our hotel room by about 6 or 7 pm (after only a 10 or 11 hour day!) and decided to watch the fireworks from our balcony instead of heading out to the park (which was open to Midnight). Had we been staying at the GCVs, we probably would have been enticed into a short visit to the Park, but the proximity might be too much temptation for those who don't have APs. -- Suzanne