D23 Expo 2011! Who's attending?

[franandaj]

Having paid $2,000 for two of these tickets, I'm extremely about this. One of the selling points (and advertised items) of these tickets was how "exclusive" it was. Being 1 of 50 is not the same as 1 of whatever we feel like.
Not trying to sound like a snob, but I paid for something that was supposed to be very limited. I'm hoping that Disney makes up for the overselling in a BIG way.

Totally understand. I just hope that the same mathematics don't apply to the Premier package as well!

 

[nunzia]

Having paid $2,000 for two of these tickets, I'm extremely about this. One of the selling points (and advertised items) of these tickets was how "exclusive" it was. Being 1 of 50 is not the same as 1 of whatever we feel like.
Not trying to sound like a snob, but I paid for something that was supposed to be very limited. I'm hoping that Disney makes up for the overselling in a BIG way.

You missed our 'spirited' discussion awhile back . I'm also a bit miffed...(I had heard it was 74, but well, you know) I agree that I paid a huge amount of money (for me) because it was such a small group that they would be able to really accomodate nicely, and now it is over half again as many which turns into a crowd and not a group. What bothers me the most is that the verbage said that it was STRICTLY limited to 50..to me that means..hey..STRICTLY limited. If they needed some wiggle room since their ticketing is always so screwed up..and groups were having trouble buying at the same time, system would say sold out then have tickets available 5 minutes later, etc., then they should have just said VERY limited to under 80 or whatever. Still..I would have bought the dang thing even knowing about a higher number, I just wish they would have been upfront about how many tickets would be sold.
I do not think they will 'make it up'. I think any extra goodies will be diluted since it is much easier to get 50 of something, or herd a group of 50 to something, than 80+.
What we will get is what we were promised..seating at everything..that is fine by me (also..I bet we won't win any of the little surprses..how mad would the folks be if the 'Sorcerer snobs' won the special stuff since we probably have assigned seating and if we DID win it would look very set up..so no night in the Dream suite for us! (story: remember the very cool guy who won that at the last Expo and it semed like it took forever for him to come on stage and then he seemed like he had nothing to say and then all he got out was "Every since my Dad worked on Main Street as a street sweeper..." and everyone whooped? Well..we ended up sitting by him at Destination D and that prize kinda messed up his Expo since he had to do all sorts of thngs and then go home to get stuff and then round up friends to stay with him..maybe I wouldn't want to win..heck..who am I kidding?? Of course I would!! Anyway, he was a really neat guy

 

[Peepster]

Hey, franandaj, I didn't think you were being catty in the least! Sorry if I made you feel that way! You've been great in helping us as newbies!

I'm miffed about not getting an answer to our Charter Member question because even with the package we've been told we can't get access to the lounge if we can't PROVE we're Charter Members. I know we are but the card doesn't say so. Feel like I'm chasing my tail, so to speak....

And, honestly, I'm rather glad to hear you guys vent a bit as we've pretty much decided that this will be our first and last Expo..at least with the expensive tickets. We are thinking of blowing off a lot of the stuff and visiting the parks instead. We feel less like D23 wants to entertain us and more like they want us to entertain ourselves (i.e. Trivia Contest, bring your collections, buy all our souveniers, spend your money at our auction) and less like D23 is putting out for us. We h ope we're terribly wrong.

And, like several of you, it's kind of a kick in the teeth to have them nearly double the number of special tickets sold. Why are they then special?

Okay, sorry for complaining. As I said, am having a bad day...think I need a trip to the Mouse

May we still come to the DIS meet?

A. Peep

 

[franandaj]

Peepster, don't think they expect you to entertain yourself, I'm sure the reason the marketplace was the only thing up there for a while is that they can do the rest 'behind the scenes, they require the public for this section of the show. Also this part of the show was really cool. The sellers have some unique collectables and stuff.

Once the full schedule is released, there will be so many choices of what to do, it will be mind boggling!

 

[nunzia]

Hey, franandaj, I didn't think you were being catty in the least! Sorry if I made you feel that way! You've been great in helping us as newbies!

I'm miffed about not getting an answer to our Charter Member question because even with the package we've been told we can't get access to the lounge if we can't PROVE we're Charter Members. I know we are but the card doesn't say so. Feel like I'm chasing my tail, so to speak....

And, honestly, I'm rather glad to hear you guys vent a bit as we've pretty much decided that this will be our first and last Expo..at least with the expensive tickets. We are thinking of blowing off a lot of the stuff and visiting the parks instead. We feel less like D23 wants to entertain us and more like they want us to entertain ourselves (i.e. Trivia Contest, bring your collections, buy all our souveniers, spend your money at our auction) and less like D23 is putting out for us. We h ope we're terribly wrong.

And, like several of you, it's kind of a kick in the teeth to have them nearly double the number of special tickets sold. Why are they then special?

Okay, sorry for complaining. As I said, am having a bad day...think I need a trip to the Mouse

May we still come to the DIS meet?

A. Peep

..you are terribly wrong It was MAGICAL..Disney pulled out all stops and really just floored me at what they put together for us..AMAZING

 

[meg8182000]

Hey, franandaj, I didn't think you were being catty in the least! Sorry if I made you feel that way! You've been great in helping us as newbies!

I'm miffed about not getting an answer to our Charter Member question because even with the package we've been told we can't get access to the lounge if we can't PROVE we're Charter Members. I know we are but the card doesn't say so. Feel like I'm chasing my tail, so to speak....

And, honestly, I'm rather glad to hear you guys vent a bit as we've pretty much decided that this will be our first and last Expo..at least with the expensive tickets. We are thinking of blowing off a lot of the stuff and visiting the parks instead. We feel less like D23 wants to entertain us and more like they want us to entertain ourselves (i.e. Trivia Contest, bring your collections, buy all our souveniers, spend your money at our auction) and less like D23 is putting out for us. We h ope we're terribly wrong.

And, like several of you, it's kind of a kick in the teeth to have them nearly double the number of special tickets sold. Why are they then special?

Okay, sorry for complaining. As I said, am having a bad day...think I need a trip to the Mouse

May we still come to the DIS meet?

A. Peep

Do you still by any chance have your original D23 membership card that states you're a charter member? If you do, maybe you could bring that one along with your current membership card to prove that you are a charter member? I would also call the online disney store to see about your membership. Hope you can get this all straighten out before the expo.

 

[nunzia]

More info today:
The D23 Expo Dream Store and Live Auction Return
06.20.11 - The D23 Expo Dream Store will include special logo apparel, product debuts, artist signings, and a new silent auction.






Bursting with D23-themed merchandise and other specialty items from Disney Theme Park Merchandise, the Dream Store returns to D23 Expo 2011 with something magical for Disney fans of all ages. From Disney-inspired art and collectibles to classic character collections featuring such beloved characters as Mickey Mouse and Dumbo among others, the D23 Expo Dream Store is a Disney enthusiast's dream come true. Highlights include:

D23 Expo Logo Merchandise will allow D23 fans to take home a piece of the magic from this year's D23 Expo, with an assortment of merchandise including apparel, headwear, pins, and Vinylmation. The heart of this collection is the official logo of the D23 Expo 2011.






Remember... it all started with a Mouse is a tribute to Walt's legacy and visionary imagination. As part of this year's D23 Expo, Disney Consumer Products commissioned local artist Noah to create an iconic graphic celebrating this year's themes. In exquisite detail, Noah has captured the joy and laughter that come from Walt Disney's ever-familiar and contagious smile. By carefully selecting a beautiful palette of colors, he cleverly reveals this year's celebrated Disney film anniversaries, which include One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo and Beauty and the Beast.

For the past decade, Noah has continued to magically interpret Disney characters through his unique style, which has become a favorite among Disney collectors worldwide. For more information on Noah, visit NoahFineArt.com.

Disney Theme Park Merchandise debuts some of its newest releases, including the Disneyland Vintage Collection, which pays tribute to attractions from yesteryear, as well as the release of the much-anticipated, limited-edition TRON Monorail and the Disneyland Monorail play set. In addition, the latest releases from Disney licensees and artists, including Precious Moments, Robert Olszewski, Jim Shore, and more will be unveiled.




D23 Expo Anniversary Collection pays tribute to this year's historical anniversaries of the beloved Disney classic films One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Alice in Wonderland, and Dumbo. Each day of the Expo, the Dream Store will release limited quantities of commemorative merchandise from each of these celebrated films.

Disney Dream Collection and D23-Exclusive Jewelry will captivate and dazzle audiences with new pieces of fine jewelry featuring classic Disney icons and characters, such as the Sleeping Beauty Castle, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Tinker Bell, among others.

Acme Archives Limited invites guests to make the magic come alive in your home with the latest releases from Disney·Pixar, Disney Studio Art, Disney Limited, and Disney Underground.

Dream Store Autograph Sessions will give D23 fans the opportunity to meet and greet some of their favorite authors, artists, Disney Legends and other notable celebrities. Autograph sessions will be posted daily at the D23 Expo Autograph exhibition area.




Dream Store Showcase and Trading Area invites fans to find out more about what is "in store" from the world of Disney Theme Park Merchandise, including Disney Pins, Vinylmation, Duffy the Disney Bear, limited-edition ear hats, and more. This special area is the place to trade, collect, and swap stories with fellow Disney fans.

D23 Expo 2011 Live and Silent Auction offers Disney enthusiasts the rare opportunity to bid on unique experiences, tours, artwork, props, and more — specially designed for Disney fans. The D23 Expo 2011 Live and Silent Auction takes place Saturday, August 20, 2011. Tickets for the Live and Silent Auction are now on sale via ArtOfDisneyParks.com. Separate D23 Expo admission is required.

 

[franandaj]

Did anyone check out the Dream Store special order event merchandise?

I don't know if I got the email as a Premier Package holder or they just said that in the email to make me feel better about the $$$'s we shelled out.

This is so mine!

 

[Simba001]

Did anyone check out the Dream Store special order event merchandise?

I don't know if I got the email as a Premier Package holder or they just said that in the email to make me feel better about the $$$'s we shelled out.

This is so mine!

Like it! Didn't get the email.... I can tell I better plan on finding more $$$ before heading to CA in two months.

A couple of questions:
- Anyone received the info that should have been mailed for the EXPO?
- Anyone gone online to order Auction tickets? It is looking like you can order only one at a time and that you then have to go back in and order again for your spouse. Or If I order one package can the DH attend too and use the same catalogue and paddle? ( We only need one paddle so we don't bid against each other )

 

[PrncesKMW]

A couple of questions:
- Anyone received the info that should have been mailed for the EXPO?
- Anyone gone online to order Auction tickets? It is looking like you can order only one at a time and that you then have to go back in and order again for your spouse. Or If I order one package can the DH attend too and use the same catalogue and paddle? ( We only need one paddle so we don't bid against each other )

Does anyone else find it a bit ridiculous that they are charging $45 for an auction ticket? I understand that it comes with a catalog, and perhaps they are doing this to make sure that only individuals who actually intend on buying something attend. However, it just leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth that after flights, hotels, expo tickets, etc... they are charging almost $50 to attend an event in the convention center.

That being said - I'll probably pay it anyway, or at least buy a catalog if that option is available. They are probably charging the fee because they know we Disney nuts will actually pay it

 

[andrewilley]

Does anyone else find it a bit ridiculous that they are charging $45 for an auction ticket?

I do for one! Oh well, let's just hope the weather is nice for a pleasant evening at Disneyland on the Saturday as I would not pay for an auction that I almost certainly won't be buying anything at.

Andre

 

[nunzia]

Did anyone check out the Dream Store special order event merchandise?

I don't know if I got the email as a Premier Package holder or they just said that in the email to make me feel better about the $$$'s we shelled out.

This is so mine!

Yes..it was just mailed to Sorcerer and Premier people..I placed my RSP things and ordered 2 Vinylmations...some pretty cool stuff and love the Noah art (put down for a litho)

 

[nunzia]

Does anyone else find it a bit ridiculous that they are charging $45 for an auction ticket? I understand that it comes with a catalog, and perhaps they are doing this to make sure that only individuals who actually intend on buying something attend. However, it just leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth that after flights, hotels, expo tickets, etc... they are charging almost $50 to attend an event in the convention center.

That being said - I'll probably pay it anyway, or at least buy a catalog if that option is available. They are probably charging the fee because they know we Disney nuts will actually pay it

They charged extra last time also..I may go and watch this year (which you could do for free last time, so hopefully this time also) If I recall, last time an original Peter Pan ride vehicle went for 32K.
It doesn't bother me that it's an additional charge ticketed event..stuff would cost way to much for me to even bid anyway.

 

[lisakramer]

tinkcollector, thanks I won't worry so much about not having tickets yet.

Yes, we did join prior to December 2009 and were Charter Members but upon renewal recently noticed that our (one) membership card no longer stated Charter Member. While at the D23 40th event at WDW I was told to contact D23 via email to check into it and obviously have not received an answer. Sorry I didn't explain more clearly.

And yes, it has to do with access to the Charter Member lounge (the, it seems, exceedingly crowded, Charter Member lounge) at the D23 Expo.

Thanks for the help about the tickets. We promise not to spend too much time in the lounge, btw.

We haven't gotten our tickets yet either. And I'm wondering the same thing about charter membership, lounge, etc. I received the membership for my bday in 5/09 so am definitely a charter member. I was expecting tickets to arrive earlier this month, but nothing yet. Any ideas?
Also, this is our 1st expo. We will have our 3yr old son with us. What can we expect to see/do that he will be interested in?

 

[Peepster]

Does anyone else find it a bit ridiculous that they are charging $45 for an auction ticket? I understand that it comes with a catalog, and perhaps they are doing this to make sure that only individuals who actually intend on buying something attend. However, it just leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth that after flights, hotels, expo tickets, etc... they are charging almost $50 to attend an event in the convention center.

That being said - I'll probably pay it anyway, or at least buy a catalog if that option is available. They are probably charging the fee because they know we Disney nuts will actually pay it

Yes, I'm finding the cost of this Expo more and more ridiculous. We're spending money to attend an event at which we'll spend money.

I thought we were Disney nuts. We are DVC'ers, AP'ers and visit once to twice a year. But, in our world (and we understand and respect that others do not agree) there are expenses that are we cannot justify.

Still have no answer to the charter member question and no tickets. Am looking forward to seeing Disneyland though!

 

[nunzia]

We haven't gotten our tickets yet either. And I'm wondering the same thing about charter membership, lounge, etc. I received the membership for my bday in 5/09 so am definitely a charter member. I was expecting tickets to arrive earlier this month, but nothing yet. Any ideas?
Also, this is our 1st expo. We will have our 3yr old son with us. What can we expect to see/do that he will be interested in?[/QUOTE]

Well, not much frankly. He will enjoy seeing the characters that are there for pictures and some of the pavillions may be kid friendly..the parks pavillion was lots of fun last time. He may enjoy the movie showings if he can sit still for a movie yet.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

[snip]Also, this is our 1st expo. We will have our 3yr old son with us. What can we expect to see/do that he will be interested in?

The whole Expo is oriented to adults and mature children. There will be film viewings (Lion King in 3D is scheduled for Saturday evening). The Expo floor had a play area with the newest Disney toys and some of the Parks & Resorts exhibits were hands on. Otherwise, the real focus is on seminars and presentations. But you and your spouse could trade off and one of you go to a seminar while the other watched your son and then switch off.

You might plan on bringing a DVD player to keep your 3 YO entertained. Handheld games might be another option, but at the last Expo, phones (and possibly also laptops -- anything that might have a camera) had to be checked with security before entering many presentations. So you can't count on your iPhone to keep him entertained.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[franandaj]

Also, this is our 1st expo. We will have our 3yr old son with us. What can we expect to see/do that he will be interested in?

I just looked at the program from 2009 (which I saved on my computer in *.pdf format) and didn't see anything for kids. Although there was a baby care center on the 2nd floor, but this was just a place to feed them, change their diapers and locate lost children. All the seminars would be of no interest to kids, maybe once they were 13 or older. The parks etc exhibit might be interesting, but it was a lot previews of things like Aulani, Cars Land, and what was coming to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris. They might enjoy the character meet, and the characters changed often so there was the potential to get their picture with lots of different characters.

Like someone else suggested the best bet might be to trade off with your husband while one of you attends a seminar, the other can baby sit.

 

[Peepster]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that we received a phone call tonight from the D23 section of the Disney store who provided the answers to our question concerning the problems with logins and charter membership. They certainly went above and beyond what we expected. We can now access the website and yes, the charter member status has been verified even though it's not on the card. Their attention was appreciated.

I did mention some of the concerns we've talked about here concerning the Expo and the CM asked if I would elaborate...i.e. the number of special tickets that were sold above what we were told upon purchasing (Sorcerer and Premier), the idea of having to play this silly game of signing up to "possibly" be able to buy merchandise and having to pay to get into an auction to spend money. All of this after forking out $500 for a ticket in the first place. He volunteered that he would like to pass along the information to higher ups. Now, whether I was getting "woofed" or not, I don't know, but we did tell the CM that we most likely will not renew our D23 membership this fall, which, in our case, is the truth. And I was asked about this years' Legends picks.

In any case, the phone call was more than we expected and certainly answered our immediate questions. What really ticks me off though is that I forgot to ask where all our tickets are!!! Duh!

Wave at the Disney folk visiting our thread.

Still really looking forward to our first trip to Disneyland!

 

[franandaj]

I can tell you that the Disney folks who run these things do visit the DISboards threads. I had a thread going on the DCA F&W Festival and I took a picture with the Director of the festival aat one of the first dinners. We met up at a subsequent dinner, and he told me that he had Google searches set up with his name and DCA F&W Festival set up. When he found one with both he had a red flag go up!

He ended up reading my whole Report and said that he loved how I covered past events before leading up the actual festival. Sad thing it was the last festival they have had. I just pray that in 2013 they bring it back!