D23 Expo September 9-11, 2022 Superthread **Updates in Posts 2 & 3**

[AquaDame]

Got our regular plebian tickets! Haha

I went ahead and got some also... my husband wasn't going to go since I was hoping to get a fancy ticket, but now that I didn't he said he wouldn't mind walking around with me. Still going to cancel our Hilton stay though and have a relaxing weekend doing some smaller panels and taking it in.

 

[Nonsuch]

Yeah, I didn't get my Preferred ticket. I was on an hour beforehand in the waiting room on three different computers, and got numbers greater than 1500 on all of them, and by the time I got in, they were gone. Frustrating because I tried multiple years for Sorcerer as well.

I was shut out again. It will be interesting to see how early Preferred Ticket holders line up

 

[AquaDame]

I got my preferred ticket. Actually, my daughter got it for me. She had 718 in front of her in the queue when she joined and I had over 3K. A couple of friends got in the queue right after her and when it came to get tickets they were sold out, so I think we were among the last.... just my thought.

@AquaDame, I was with you - it was confusing to me which link and where to click on the tickets for the waiting room. My daughter got it right away.

Oh Im so glad you got one!!

 

[AquaDame]

I was shut out again. It will be interesting to see how early Preferred Ticket holders line up

Why would they bother? Not having to was the whole reason I wanted one!

 

[soniam]

There was no way I was going to spend that much on these so y'all had no competition from me lol.
I am suprised by how fast stuff is selling out. Some of the merch is getting sold out also lol

If you think it's nuts that the preferred went so quickly at that price, you should have seen the Sorcerer's option in years past. I can't remember the price, but it would go like Rise of the Resistance VQ. It was the only way previously to get reserved seating up front.

 

[soniam]

Why would they bother? Not having to was the whole reason I wanted one!

You still might have to get there 30 minutes to an hour if you want to be at the front of the reserved seating. It's like getting to the parks an hour before opening vs right before opening.

 

[Kender]

There was no way I was going to spend that much on these so y'all had no competition from me lol.
I am suprised by how fast stuff is selling out. Some of the merch is getting sold out also lol

Yeah, I had no interest in preferred either. I didn't see any value in it for me (especially having to buy two). Maybe I'll regret it if they add any perks, but I just didn't think it worth the cost or stress to get it for me. I'm so happy for those that wanted it and got it, though! And glad they had no competition from me so they could better increase their chances.

The merch is already starting to sell out? Glad I got my lanyards and pins already! And decided I didn't like the other merch enough to try and get back in to get it

 

[AquaDame]

You still might have to get there 30 minutes to an hour if you want to be at the front of the reserved seating. It's like getting to the parks an hour before opening vs right before opening.

Yeah, fair point. Looking at the seating chart they're ALL towards the front in the middle, so I wouldn't bother personally, even if it meant I was in the back row of the best seats.

 

[Sakura1017]

If you think it's nuts that the preferred went so quickly at that price, you should have seen the Sorcerer's option in years past. I can't remember the price, but it would go like Rise of the Resistance VQ. It was the only way previously to get reserved seating up front.

For people with the sorcerer's option did you have to wait in line early to get there for preferred seating? If not, are there different lines so you don't have to wait in a general line when it comes to going into panels? I really wanted preferred since sdcc was long lines and I sat towards the back since they don't have the option for preferred seating. I would generally have to look up the screens to see things.

 

[tobikaye]

Yeah, I couldn’t decide between the preferred and gold, so my plan has been to try for the preferred and then get the gold if sold out of preferred. I am okay with gold.

I figure this way I do not feel the need to see all in Hall D23. I wanted to check out smaller panels anyway, at least I hope they have some that draw my interest this year. Plus, maybe this expo I might make it to the store.

Now to book my flights.

 

[kristenabelle]

If you think it's nuts that the preferred went so quickly at that price, you should have seen the Sorcerer's option in years past. I can't remember the price, but it would go like Rise of the Resistance VQ. It was the only way previously to get reserved seating up front.

For people with the sorcerer's option did you have to wait in line early to get there for preferred seating? If not, are there different lines so you don't have to wait in a general line when it comes to going into panels? I really wanted preferred since sdcc was long lines and I sat towards the back since they don't have the option for preferred seating. I would generally have to look up the screens to see things.

Nah, in 2019 I lined up around 5 AM for the show floor, got caught in the pin store stampede, and left at 9:30 AM to go get a seat for the 10 AM Legends panel. On Saturday I got in line again at 5 AM for the live action panel, but I was the first in line and I waited a while before folks started to fill in behind me. On Sunday I got in line for parks around 7 AM probably. That said, I really wanted to be in the front row so that's why I lined up so early. My behavior is definitely not representative of most sorcerers that year.

Edit: Since things change, IDK what'll happen this year. But in 2019 we had a separate entrance and then separate lines for Hall D23 and the show floor. I assume the separate line for Hall D23 will be similar.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Yeah, I couldn’t decide between the preferred and gold, so my plan has been to try for the preferred and then get the gold if sold out of preferred. I am okay with gold.

I figure this way I do not feel the need to see all in Hall D23. I wanted to check out smaller panels anyway, at least I hope they have some that draw my interest this year. Plus, maybe this expo I might make it to the store.

Same here on the smaller panels. I will hear the big announcements later one way or another. Musical performances are more of a draw for me, but not enough to spend the money or line up early in the basement, lol. I'm just gonna be chill and go where we fell like/are able to, get some cool merch, and enjoy people's costumes. DH and I might dress up, actually!

 

[soniam]

You still might have to get there 30 minutes to an hour if you want to be at the front of the reserved seating. It's like getting to the parks an hour before opening vs right before opening.

There's some fine print that says they can give away your preferred seat if you aren't there at least 30 minutes before hand. So that would be the minimum.

 

[tobikaye]

DH and I might dress up, actually!

That sounds fun! If my sister had gone, we would have. I even had ideas to turn her EVC into one of the attraction vehicles. Since I am solo, I may disneybound or at least make some shirts. I have some ideas for obscure references to see if people can guess the reference.

 

[limace]

Decided not to go so just cancelled four nights at the Sheraton Park if anyone is looking for a hotel.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

That sounds fun! If my sister had gone, we would have. I even had ideas to turn her EVC into one of the attraction vehicles. Since I am solo, I may disneybound or at least make some shirts. I have some ideas for obscure references to see if people can guess the reference.

ooh, I love obscure Disney references! I hope we cross paths and you can quiz me lol

 

[HeadNerd]

Yeah, I'm upset that I didn't get a Preferred Seating, but I'm not upset with the process, if that makes sense? It seemed random enough, and clearly more demand than supply by a large magnitude. So no hurt feelings there! At some point "preferred seating" becomes an oxymoron if 5,000 people have it.

Having missed out on the Sorcerer's Package twice before, I'm perversely a bit happy that it's just Preferred Seating this year, as I'd be a lot more sad at missing out on the perks that it included in past years.

I actually didn't go before since I didn't get the Sorcerer Package and didn't feel up to standing in crazy lines. I assume if you don't get there super early, you can't get into Hall D23 at all? I'm not too worried about being at the front, but I'd like to at least see the presentations. I would hope they would do satellite rooms outside the hall so you could at least watch the panel even if you can't make it in there.

 

[soniam]

Yeah, I'm upset that I didn't get a Preferred Seating, but I'm not upset with the process, if that makes sense? It seemed random enough, and clearly more demand than supply by a large magnitude. So no hurt feelings there! At some point "preferred seating" becomes an oxymoron if 5,000 people have it.

Having missed out on the Sorcerer's Package twice before, I'm perversely a bit happy that it's just Preferred Seating this year, as I'd be a lot more sad at missing out on the perks that it included in past years.

I actually didn't go before since I didn't get the Sorcerer Package and didn't feel up to standing in crazy lines. I assume if you don't get there super early, you can't get into Hall D23 at all? I'm not too worried about being at the front, but I'd like to at least see the presentations. I would hope they would do satellite rooms outside the hall so you could at least watch the panel even if you can't make it in there.

It's up to you if you want to stand. A lot of people sit on the floor in line. With the reservations last year, those folks didn't have to wait in line crazy early. You did still have to get there about an hour before with the reservation, or you could lose your spot. I lost mine for the Haunted Mansion panel. Only people who didn't get a reservation for the panel they wanted, which included me for a few. They haven't done satellite rooms, showed the panels anywhere but the actual room they were in, or streamed for the expo before. They streamed for Destination D this year, but that's a much smaller event. I don't know if they will show the panels this year to anyone that is not present in the room.

 

[HeadNerd]

It's up to you if you want to stand. A lot of people sit on the floor in line. With the reservations last year, those folks didn't have to wait in line crazy early. You did still have to get there about an hour before with the reservation, or you could lose your spot. I lost mine for the Haunted Mansion panel. Only people who didn't get a reservation for the panel they wanted, which included me for a few. They haven't done satellite rooms, showed the panels anywhere but the actual room they were in, or streamed for the expo before. They streamed for Destination D this year, but that's a much smaller event. I don't know if they will show the panels this year to anyone that is not present in the room.

Thanks, this is super-helpful info. I didn't release there was a reservation process, so that's good to know. I'll have to do my research as a "rookie".

 

[kristenabelle]

Yeah, I'm upset that I didn't get a Preferred Seating, but I'm not upset with the process, if that makes sense? It seemed random enough, and clearly more demand than supply by a large magnitude. So no hurt feelings there! At some point "preferred seating" becomes an oxymoron if 5,000 people have it.

Having missed out on the Sorcerer's Package twice before, I'm perversely a bit happy that it's just Preferred Seating this year, as I'd be a lot more sad at missing out on the perks that it included in past years.

I actually didn't go before since I didn't get the Sorcerer Package and didn't feel up to standing in crazy lines. I assume if you don't get there super early, you can't get into Hall D23 at all? I'm not too worried about being at the front, but I'd like to at least see the presentations. I would hope they would do satellite rooms outside the hall so you could at least watch the panel even if you can't make it in there.

It's kind of difficult to say (IMO) because even though D23 has the opportunity to improve processes and the experience every year, any changes impact our ability to plan and predict - especially the time you need to plan ahead/get in line/wait in line, etc. If they get rid of inside overnights or institute virtual lines or reservations, it's all up in the air. So while I read stories about folks getting into live action when they entered the queue at 5 AM, that may change this year (or the queue may have closed earlier in previous years, causing people to overnight or scrap going altogether).

I learned my lesson at my first expo in 2013, though. The website clearly said no lining up before 5 AM. So I got there at 5, only to face a massive, massive queue for the show floor. The best advice I ever got was pick and plan around limited priorities, and join the FB groups/follow folks on twitter. They'll share when queues are open, closing, what's sold out and not, and give you a better idea of what you need to do to see the things you want to do.