D23 EXPO 2019 Superthread - dates announced!

[gatechfan99]

I'm sick to my stomach. Going June 2-4 and thought we'd miss SWGE.

Wow, Disney just destroyed us.

I'll do you one better. We are traveling to Aulani at the end of May. Last year, I had the great idea of extending our trip a little and stopping by in LA for a couple of days. I decided we'd go to Disneyland for one day. Guess what day that is? Yep, May 31.

I'm really not sure what we're planning to do right now. We're WDW veterans but have only been to Disneyland once. The point in the stop was to hit the things that aren't in Orlando that day (Matterhorn, Radiator Springs, Incredicoaster, etc.). I do not want to spend my one day waiting 8 hours in line for a ride that I can do in Orlando multiple times in the next year.

We do have a long-ago reserved reservation at Paradise Pier, so I guess we'll be getting the reservation time at some point to go in the land. Do we try to do that and at least check out the sights of the land? I'd also like to get some of the Disneyland rides like Matterhorn and Mr Toad that aren't in Orlando? Or is Disneyland just too insane to consider with my family that day and do we just buy a single park ticket for California Adventure? And how crazy will that park be that day? So many questions to consider.

 

[dina444444]

We can't say for sure if it's mostly out-of-towners or locals that are booking DLR hotels. Personally, I almost booked a room for opening weekend just to get the guaranteed reservation for SWGE and I'm only a 30 min from DL.

I did book a room for 5/30-6/1 and I live 30 minutes away. It’s for peace of mind.

 

[kirstie101]

We can't say for sure if it's mostly out-of-towners or locals that are booking DLR hotels. Personally, I almost booked a room for opening weekend just to get the guaranteed reservation for SWGE and I'm only a 30 min from DL.

Not a local so not exactly the same... We just happen to already be going during opening weekend, arriving on June 2nd. Yesterday I booked PPH for our first night. The rate was about $200 more than what we were already paying at our hotel we are spending the rest of the trip at. For me, its worth the extra $200 to guarantee seeing SWGE for my family of 4. And for the record I checked the rates on Thursday and it was the same as what I booked for yesterday for a Standard view.

 

[dtrain]

Once both attractions are open, I can see Disneyland After Dark SW events happening 2-3x per week @$300 for several months...and every single date selling out immediately.

 

[Gaugersaurus]

I did book a room for 5/30-6/1 and I live 30 minutes away. It’s for peace of mind.

Had I not just purchased DVC and the fact that my AP is up for renewal I would've done it without hesitation.

Now I'll just have to hope I luck out with an opening day reservation or a paid preview event. Maybe they'll have an extra special Disney After Dark on May 4th that allows access to SWGE.

 

[JMommyof3]

In my mind, timed slots with breaks work best. Say 8-12, 1-5, 6-10 or something like that would work. Gives that hour for CM's to clear out old guests. Each time has a different color wristband with the date/time on it. People in line for the ride, will be led out after their ride. I see it being done online like party tickets are done.

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

In my mind, timed slots with breaks work best. Say 8-12, 1-5, 6-10 or something like that would work.

I really like this idea. I hope you are right! Four hours would give everyone enough time (I hope) to see everything in the land, try a few food and beverage items, maybe buy some merch, and ride Smugglers Run.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

Sorry if this was mentioned on another post...but is Millenium Falcon going to be a mission space type ride? Any insight?

 

[HydroGuy]

I do not disagree with folks here that SWGE will sell hotel rooms. I am just saying that those rooms typically sell out by the time summer arrives. I really do not think Disney needs to use SWGE to help fill their hotels - especially in the summer. It will increase demand and maybe drive up prices. But the hotels will be full (or mostly so) regardless.

I would say Disney is using SWGE to add more value to hotel guests. But not more hotel guests. At least not in any significant way.

 

[dina444444]

Sorry if this was mentioned on another post...but is Millenium Falcon going to be a mission space type ride? Any insight?

No. It is a motion simulator but each pod on the turntable moves independent of the turntable with motion. It shouldn’t have the gravitron spinning that mission space does.

 

[HydroGuy]

I do not disagree with folks here that SWGE will sell hotel rooms. I am just saying that those rooms typically sell out by the time summer arrives. I really do not think Disney needs to use SWGE to help fill their hotels - especially in the summer. It will increase demand and maybe drive up prices. But the hotels will be full (or mostly so) regardless.

I would say Disney is using SWGE to add more value to hotel guests. But not more hotel guests. At least not in any significant way.

On the other hand this will really help WDW. That time of year they have to give big discounts and incentives to get people to come to WDW at all and stay in their hotels.

 

[kimmar067]

....my DS is doing the DCP [at WDW] till August - all CM's will have special training, because they anticipate lots of questions from the crowds. He also got to see the "uniforms"/"costumes" that the CMs will be wearing and,although he wasn't at liberty to take pics or to discuss any specifics, he said they are way cool!

 

[kimmar067]

....there is also a lottery for the CMs to do a "pre-soft opening" sneak peek!

 

[abnihon]

I really like this idea. I hope you are right! Four hours would give everyone enough time (I hope) to see everything in the land, try a few food and beverage items, maybe buy some merch, and ride Smugglers Run.

I thought I remembered reading that time slots would be 2 hours. I don’t know if that was anywhere official or a rumor. Does anyone else recall seeing that?

 

[dieumeye]

I thought I remembered reading that time slots would be 2 hours. I don’t know if that was anywhere official or a rumor. Does anyone else recall seeing that?

I don’t remember that, but any time slot has to be an entry window... not that you can only be in the land for 2 hours. There would be no way to enforce that once people are in.

 

[sherilaine]

On the other hand this will really help WDW. That time of year they have to give big discounts and incentives to get people to come to WDW at all and stay in their hotels.

But WDW is not doing the soft type opening DLR is doing - at least there is nothing mentioned to date that reservations of any kind are being offered to onsite guests at WDW perhaps due to the fact they have way more hotels than DLR? I know it will be open during EMH but that's really the only advantage and considering the volume of hotel guests there, I can't see that being much of one.

 

[Gaugersaurus]

But WDW is not doing the soft type opening DLR is doing - at least there is nothing mentioned to date that reservations of any kind are being offered to onsite guests at WDW perhaps due to the fact they have way more hotels than DLR? I know it will be open during EMH but that's really the only advantage and considering the volume of hotel guests there, I can't see that being much of one.

I think @HydroGuy is pointing to the fact that anyone who was looking forward to getting a discount at WDW in the Fall will probably be out of luck because SWGE will be bringing guests who will stay on property for a chance at EMH.

 

[cadien]

I don’t remember that, but any time slot has to be an entry window... not that you can only be in the land for 2 hours. There would be no way to enforce that once people are in.

They can if the slots are only every two hours, for example. Everyone in. Everyone out. Repeat. Conventions have to do that with panels so people don't camp out all day for something in late afternoon.

 

[dieumeye]

They can if the slots are only every two hours, for example. Everyone in. Everyone out. Repeat. Conventions have to do that with panels so people don't camp out all day for something in late afternoon.

That’s true. But clearing out the entire land and making sure it’s empty every 2 hours would waste a lot of time in the day.

 

[HydroGuy]

I think @HydroGuy is pointing to the fact that anyone who was looking forward to getting a discount at WDW in the Fall will probably be out of luck because SWGE will be bringing guests who will stay on property for a chance at EMH.