I went last time, staying at DL Hotel. After a quick breakfast, we would walk over to Convention Center, I think doors opened at 9 for
D23 members? There were HUGE lines, and I mean HUGE outside, we probably got there about 7:30am on Day 1? One problem, the first seminars began while 1/2 the people were still lined up outside. We got in, and RAN and just made the history of the DL Hotel, which was very interesting. That might be the only one I saw that day, I know that we were shut out of a couple others, because we waited too long to get inline. Lesson learned. One we missed was "voices of the parks", which we were dying to see! Bummer. Also, line got cut off for Dick Van Dyke, missed that.
Day 2, lessons were learned!! The lines were more manageable outside, with better organization, and doors seemed to open earlier. We did see the big Theme Park presentation. I also saw the designing of the Little Mermaid ride, that might have been day 1, I forget. I was interested in Park and Pixar things. I also saw one about designing the new Star Tours ride, I love those Imagineers. And I DID see John Lassiter at the Cars Land presentation, and saw the Monsters University one too. I was able to see these, because I waited inline for a couple of hours, but to ME, it was worth it. I had to skip the Studios presentation (and Robert Downey Jr! ARGHH!) to sit on a line for Pixar stuff, but that is what it is like, you have to choose. Over and over. I missed the Marvel one too, it was just not possible to see it, or the Legends one, choices, choices. I know I saw John Lassiter twice, I have a secret crush on him....
In between, you walk around the large hall, and there is so much to see (and buy!) Other people have other priorities. People with kids lining up for Disney channel things, collectors rushing to buy LE items (released each day).
We would go in the morning, and usually we would stay until 4-6pm. Even on the last day, we hung around because we were flying home that night on the red eye. We never left to "rest" in our hotel, and we are not young people... You can rest waiting in those lines, everyone sits on the floor. I just ate whatever junk they had around during the day, because I had breakfast at the hotel, and dinner at DD, so i could deal with the food.
So, I had a good time, once I figured it all out. Which was to pick the presentations I really wanted to see, and line up 1-3 hours before they started....... I was with other people, and sometimes I did this alone, they did not want to wait. One in my group liked walking around the hall, meeting other online bloggers and website people. There are other small celebrities around too, and they hand out free samples of things, etc. I missed lots of THAT, because I was on those lines. So, it is all about making choices. Don't look at the program, and think, I can do this, then that, then this, etc. Probably not.....
We stayed at the Jolly Roger the last two times and it was fine but upgraded to the Hilton. Being close REALLY helped. I plan on having some food in the room I can get quickly if need be..that was the worst thing about the Expos..icky convention food, huge lines for it and they ran out of nearly everything. The food court in the Hilton is much better, but still lines. We are Sorcerers again this year and they had a little lounge for us last time but the food was really not enough to get by. I think they may have items for purchase there this year since that was a big request, but if not I'd just as soon have some bagels, cream cheese, lunchables etc in the room..hmmm..wonder if there is a fridge..
so I don't know if they will be able to do as many special things. Here is the Sorcerer listing for this year:
As for Mr. Lasseter, you more than likely will have a chance to see him at one or more of the presentations. My memory of Mr. Lasseter is really memorable. I had seen him in presentations over the period of the Expo. I was on the Expo floor looking at all the new things coming to Disney when a door opened up and out walk a half a dozen men in black suits (security) and in the middle of them was the one and only Mr. Lasseter sporting a Hawaiian shirt with carsland print. It was hilarious how he toyed with these guys. He would slow up, then speed up and zig and zag. I only wish I had a video camera at that moment, never knew what a sense of humor he had until then. 
He gave the security guys a run for their money they did not know how to keep up with him. 
worth every penny last time and I am betting the same this time.
