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

[dustindh]

I managed to get a Disneyland Hotel stay on Passkey this past Sunday which was a huge win because I am using D23 as an excuse to go back to the resort and use a park ticket I still have from a cancelled trip. Should I be expecting a follow up confirmation with the actual DLH reservation number or anything? I have the Passkey confirmation email and it shows up in the reservation lookup on the Passkey reservation management system.

 

[EveV]

Husband got our preferred tickets (he's so good at that kind of thing, if that makes sense) and I have hotel and dining luck-- so we got Grand Cal. I guess we all have our talents Pretty excited since it's my firstD23 Expo-- typically don't like conferences or expo's from doing them for work for many years, but I'm looking forward to the costumes people wear, the Disney revelry, and reveals. Now off to plot dining reservations (my true love).

 

[kristenabelle]

I managed to get a Disneyland Hotel stay on Passkey this past Sunday which was a huge win because I am using D23 as an excuse to go back to the resort and use a park ticket I still have from a cancelled trip. Should I be expecting a follow up confirmation with the actual DLH reservation number or anything? I have the Passkey confirmation email and it shows up in the reservation lookup on the Passkey reservation management system.

I have the same! It seems like they'll be transferring the reservations to DLH closer to the Expo - at least the whole language about not calling the hotel "to be sure" seems that way.

Is there any advantage to having your DL hotel connected, like at WDW? I haven't been since 2019, and wasn't sure if that changed.

 

[dustindh]

I have the same! It seems like they'll be transferring the reservations to DLH closer to the Expo - at least the whole language about not calling the hotel "to be sure" seems that way.

Is there any advantage to having your DL hotel connected, like at WDW? I haven't been since 2019, and wasn't sure if that changed.

I did message Orchid Events for clarity on it. The only thing I can think of is that DL hotels have a special pool of park reservations to pull from. I found this out last year via a call to GS (some veteran passholders didn't even know that when I told them.) You can pretty much edit your park passes under a hotel reservation and get into either gate even if the general calendar says it is sold out.

 

[soniam]

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".

They may not use the same reservation process this year. They have not released any info yet on how/if this will happen. The last one required people to get into a queue, like the tickets. to reserve a certain number of panels, signings, and other events. Originally, they said that if you didn't get a reservation, then you wouldn't be allowed into that panel and that there wouldn't be any lining up for spots. Well, many people didn't get many panels or signings reserved. I think I only got 1 of the big panels, Disney+, and 1 medium panel, Haunted Mansion. The first people into the "random" queue were basically allowed to get so many reservations that there was not much left for others. In fact, some of the people at the end of the queue didn't get anything; there was absolutely nothing available. They theoretically got onto their computer at the same time as everyone else. The organizers eventually said people could line up but would not be guaranteed a spot. We have no idea what they will be doing this year, so I wouldn't get my heart set on anything that has happened in the past. Hopefully, this year will be more equitable. I would, however, read past trip reports to get an idea of what could happen to be prepared. The panels will probably be organized about the same way/have the same presentations, especially the big ones in Hall D23, so reading about those to see what interests you would be good. Good luck!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... They haven't done satellite rooms, showed the panels anywhere but the actual room they were in, or streamed for the expo before...

There was an overflow room for the Arena presentations in 2013. We watched the Legends Ceremony from there. It was a large, spacious area -- never crowded. The overflow room was well received by those who used it. Unfortunately, it was not offered again.

 

[Wookiecookie]

Myself with two other friends going all three days = splitting up between the three stores. If the big panels aren’t the priority, what would be a reasonable time to wait in line to get in the first day? Also the website didn’t say anything about not bringing in a rolling backpack as long as its within the size parameters of a regular backpack (back issues) but I don’t recall anyone using one.

 

[TikiRob]

I don’t know what I just got myself into, but at my wife’s insistence I’ll be there solo! This will be my first time so I’m gonna have lots of questions for you all over the next 7 months.

To start, were there any Dis meetups in previous years?

 

[kristenabelle]

Myself with two other friends going all three days = splitting up between the three stores. If the big panels aren’t the priority, what would be a reasonable time to wait in line to get in the first day? Also the website didn’t say anything about not bringing in a rolling backpack as long as its within the size parameters of a regular backpack (back issues) but I don’t recall anyone using one.

Splitting up for stores is a good strategy overall, IMO. Last time they had a separate queue for show floor (stores/smaller panels) and Hall D23. For sorcerers on Friday, they had us line up for the show floor in either A, B, or C areas, each one in front of a set of doors closest to one of the big three stores. I'm not sure if they did this for the general show floor line as well (splitting the line by area of interest), but when they started bringing the line up from the basement general folks were lined up right next to us...and then they released all the doors at once, and let everyone run for it, Lion King stampede style.

I've heard the process was better Sunday, and hopefully it's more organized and less chaotic than that this year. But in terms of lining up time, it depends on what you're trying to get. Lots of scalpers ran straight to the Mickey's of Glendale pin store (which had a separate line from the main WDI merch store). Getting into the Dream Store was easier, but if you want something that's say, LE 50, you'll want to be closer to the front of the line. I kid you not - some people created an "unofficial" line on Wednesday. Eventually they were sent off property and started forming the line on the street.

In 2017, when I didn't have sorcerer, I lined up overnight at 11 PM Thursday for the Friday show floor open at 9. At open, I went straight to the MOG store, quickly got what I wanted, then went immediately to the Dream Store and didn't have to wait long. I skipped the Disney Store that year - it consistently had the worst line, and I wasn't interested in any of the offerings enough to wait in it. That said, they did have Storepass (sort of like Fastpass - wait to get a timed entry to the store), which I could've tried for and didn't.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Splitting up for stores is a good strategy overall, IMO. Last time they had a separate queue for show floor (stores/smaller panels) and Hall D23. For sorcerers on Friday, they had us line up for the show floor in either A, B, or C areas, each one in front of a set of doors closest to one of the big three stores. I'm not sure if they did this for the general show floor line as well (splitting the line by area of interest), but when they started bringing the line up from the basement general folks were lined up right next to us...and then they released all the doors at once, and let everyone run for it, Lion King stampede style.

I've heard the process was better Sunday, and hopefully it's more organized and less chaotic than that this year. But in terms of lining up time, it depends on what you're trying to get. Lots of scalpers ran straight to the Mickey's of Glendale pin store (which had a separate line from the main WDI merch store). Getting into the Dream Store was easier, but if you want something that's say, LE 50, you'll want to be closer to the front of the line. I kid you not - some people created an "unofficial" line on Wednesday. Eventually they were sent off property and started forming the line on the street.

In 2017, when I didn't have sorcerer, I lined up overnight at 11 PM Thursday for the Friday show floor open at 9. At open, I went straight to the MOG store, quickly got what I wanted, then went immediately to the Dream Store and didn't have to wait long. I skipped the Disney Store that year - it consistently had the worst line, and I wasn't interested in any of the offerings enough to wait in it. That said, they did have Storepass (sort of like Fastpass - wait to get a timed entry to the store), which I could've tried for and didn't.

It sounds like you knew what would be offered ahead of time at each store? If so, that is super helpful.

 

[kristenabelle]

It sounds like you knew what would be offered ahead of time at each store? If so, that is super helpful.

Some things, yeah! In previous years, merch peeks would be released in a few ways. Sorcerers would get to pick/enter RSP (random selection process) from some of the year's merch in advance, and media outlets would share the lists. Additionally, Disney blog/social media outlets would share key or limited edition merch releases specific to the date (for example, Ariel 17" LE doll releasing Saturday at the Disney Store). Since the former won't be around this year, I'm assuming there'll be more of the latter! Usually all this info comes out closer to expo dates, but it definitely helps me figure out where I "absolutely gotta" go or where I can skip.

 

[soniam]

There was an overflow room for the Arena presentations in 2013. We watched the Legends Ceremony from there. It was a large, spacious area -- never crowded. The overflow room was well received by those who used it. Unfortunately, it was not offered again.

That is a bummer. That would be great! Here's hoping!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I always thought it would be a good idea for them to show the Hall D23 presentations on a big monitor on the show floor. Some people would stay but others would watch for a bit and then move on.

 

[Wookiecookie]

Complete random question but has anyone been able to bring in water and a rolling backpack in? I don’t the site said you cannot bring food/drinks in but there isn’t anything that says no rolling backpacks as long as it’s small enough.

 

[tobikaye]

From this link, under things to know, it looks like as long as the bag is under the size listed, you can bring in a rolling bag.

https://d23.com/d23-expo-2022/things-to-know/

• Suitcases, bags, coolers, or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24 inches long x 15 inches wide x 18 inches high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Complete random question but has anyone been able to bring in water and a rolling backpack in? I don’t the site said you cannot bring food/drinks in but there isn’t anything that says no rolling backpacks as long as it’s small enough.

Last time I brought in a refillable water bottle and some small snacks. I didn't have a problem with security saying anything about it. My husband had two bottles of water one day and that was allowed. I was ready to play the medical card about the small snacks, but honestly though because I am diabetic and need to have stuff available if my blood sugar drops. I didn't try to take in a lot of food though, although in 2017 I took in some Earl of Sandwich sandwiches a couple days and no one said anything then either.

 

[dina444444]

Complete random question but has anyone been able to bring in water and a rolling backpack in? I don’t the site said you cannot bring food/drinks in but there isn’t anything that says no rolling backpacks as long as it’s small enough.

I brought water and snacks in 2019.

 

[pharmama]

Does anyone know if all the bookings through the event hotel site are 3 night minimum during actual event days? I was able to snag the GCH for Sat-Tues the other day but when I tried to book the Westin for Thurs/Fri to go with it I saw the Westin had a 3 night minimum.

My "real" plan is to keep checking and hope to snag GCH for Thurs/Friday too but that won't work if there's a 3 night minimum.

 

[dina444444]

Does anyone know if all the bookings through the event hotel site are 3 night minimum during actual event days? I was able to snag the GCH for Sat-Tues the other day but when I tried to book the Westin for Thurs/Fri to go with it I saw the Westin had a 3 night minimum.

My "real" plan is to keep checking and hope to snag GCH for Thurs/Friday too but that won't work if there's a 3 night minimum.

It’s possible that it’s not letting you book it since it does not include Friday night as a reservation. usually with group rates like this you need to have a night that overlaps with the actual convention but you can book nights before and after.

 

[Wookiecookie]

It’s possible that it’s not letting you book it since it does not include Friday night as a reservation. usually with group rates like this you need to have a night that overlaps with the actual convention but you can book nights before and after.

I checked the rates through the D23 rate but I found Hotel Lulu for $640 from the Thurs to Mon.