D23 First Timer - Have Questions

[Castillo Mom]

Hi everyone, going to D23 for the first time to see what it's like but only going on Saturday. I've tried searching for information on the logistics of arrival time and lining up but haven't find a whole lot of information. What I have learned is that I probably won't be able to get into all of the events I want to.

I'm most interested in Voices of the Disney Parks, Disney Legends and Richard M. Sherman and Alan Menken: The Disney Songbook. I will need to use an ECV due to an ankle problem I have. I will be accompanied by two of my adult sons. How soon should we line up in the morning for admission since I don't have a specific plan for the morning? How far in advance should we line up for the events we plan on attending? Since I'll need handicapped seating, would my sons be able to enter and sit with me or will we be split up?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm a little lost and appreciate the help!

 

[Filipina]

Download the D23 App. It will really help your planning!

 

[Filipina]

Also check the website. They will have a Fast Pass for some presentations to help save time with the lines but there will be LINES! No way around it.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Thank you! I forgot that I had downloaded the app over the weekend but haven't opened it yet.

 

[Filipina]

The app divides the schedule of each day. I highly suggest you go in with a plan and download a hard copy of the floor map. I don't think the app map is that good as its kind of slow. ID all the handicap sections. Saturday will be crazy crowded . Some people line up at 5 am just to enter the expo.

 

[HydroGuy]

Are you a D23 member?

 

[Castillo Mom]

Are you a D23 member?

Not yet but seriously considering it.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I will need to use an ECV due to an ankle problem I have. I will be accompanied by two of my adult sons. How soon should we line up in the morning for admission since I don't have a specific plan for the morning? How far in advance should we line up for the events we plan on attending? Since I'll need handicapped seating, would my sons be able to enter and sit with me or will we be split up?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm a little lost and appreciate the help!

So... Two years ago I was in an ECV for the entire D23 Expo. My husband also attended, walking on his own two feet .

As for entering the Expo itself, we waited in the giant queue with everyone else.

Once inside the Expo and getting into the presentations...

The queues that they had set up were extremely tight to get an ECV through, even though they were technically ADA compliant. The corners were really tough to turn without taking down the whole thing. Haha. So, what they had established was the following:
DH went through the queue. I went to a waiting area near the very front of the queue. When DH got to that point, I was able to join him and we went into the presentation room together. The concept there was that I was waiting in line sling with DH in spirit, not getting a "front of the line" pass, and if there was room to get in once "we" got to the front, we got in --- just like any pair waiting in line.

There were lots of complaints about this system, but it seemed fair to us. It did stink to wait separated and I remember seeing the room was getting very full and wondering (agonizingly so) if we were going to make it in while watching DH in line moving toward the front.

If they will handle it the same this year, who knows, but that was the deal in 2011.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[Castillo Mom]

Thanks for the info Dreams!

Do you know whether I really need to get to the expo early if we're not planning on attending any of the morning events? Seems like we could just show up at opening because since the more popular events like Legends and The Disney Songbook are later in the afternoon.

 

[HydroGuy]

Are you a D23 member?

Not yet but seriously considering it.

Be aware that there is different line for D23 members vs. non-members. Basically they allow all the members in first. The sessions you want to see? IMO you will never make it to them in the non-member line. Well, you can for the evening Sherman/Mencken session. But you will not make the morning sessions. They will be full before you ever get in.

Bottom line? I would not go to the Expo if I was not a member.

As a member I will be in line each morning outside the ACC by 7AM at the latest. Maybe 6:30. Then I and DS17 will go straight into get in line for the morning Arena session on Fri/Sat. Then one will sneak away to get a Stagepass for a mid-day session.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Be aware that there is different line for D23 members vs. non-members. Basically they allow all the members in first. The sessions you want to see? IMO you will never make it to them in the non-member line. Well, you can for the evening Sherman/Mencken session. But you will not make the morning sessions. They will be full before you ever get in.

Bottom line? I would not go to the Expo if I was not a member.

As a member I will be in line each morning outside the ACC by 7AM at the latest. Maybe 6:30. Then I and DS17 will go straight into get in line for the morning Arena session on Fri/Sat. Then one will sneak away to get a Stagepass for a mid-day session.

According to the letter I received with my tickets, there is a separate line outside for the Arena on Friday and Saturday AM, which opens at 8. Both members and nonmembers are in the same line. -- Suzanne

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Thanks for the info Dreams!

Do you know whether I really need to get to the expo early if we're not planning on attending any of the morning events? Seems like we could just show up at opening because since the more popular events like Legends and The Disney Songbook are later in the afternoon.

It's always hard to give advice on timing based on past Expos. Everyone's experience in prior years is different. Some want to have the best seats; sone just want to be inside.

In addition, things change from year to year. There is overflow seating for the Arena for the first time and Show Passes for many presentations in Stage 23 and Stage 28. -- Suzanne

 

[Disney Enabler]

I attended the Expo two years ago using an ECV and will again this year. One issue I had last time was going to any sessions that was on floor two or above. The elevators were small for a scooter and hopefully this year there will be an additional bank of elevators opened so the wait will not be as long. In addition I hope the food vendors will not be using the public elevators for transport.

Hope you have a good time.

Carol
It's a great day to be alive!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

According to the letter I received with my tickets, there is a separate line outside for the Arena on Friday and Saturday AM, which opens at 8. Both members and nonmembers are in the same line. -- Suzanne

Hmmm. Well that would be different from 2011 and change things. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[HydroGuy]

According to the letter I received with my tickets, there is a separate line outside for the Arena on Friday and Saturday AM, which opens at 8. Both members and nonmembers are in the same line. -- Suzanne

OK I just read my letter more closely and it appears this will be the case for the Arena only. The other sessions in the mornings will still have separate lines.

Again, thanks for the heads up. We need to make sure to find the Arena line which sounds like it will start outside this year and not inside like last time.

 

[Castillo Mom]

OK I just read my letter more closely and it appears this will be the case for the Arena only. The other sessions in the mornings will still have separate lines.

Again, thanks for the heads up. We need to make sure to find the Arena line which sounds like it will start outside this year and not inside like last time.

Thanks everyone!

Hydroguy, does everyone in my family need to be a D23 member to get in the members only line? I'm going to sign up for the gold membership.

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks everyone!

Hydroguy, does everyone in my family need to be a D23 member to get in the members only line? I'm going to sign up for the gold membership.

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Each D23 member can order an Expo pass for 3 people. I did this for DS17. He gets to go in the members line. That is my understanding. I ordered the pass back in Feb.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Thanks HydroGuy, I signed up for the free membership today and bought our tickets. Still contemplating upgrading to gold although not sure it would offer any advantage for the expo itself.

 

[nunzia]

They are using a thing called Stage Pass this year to guarantee seating in events. Since you want to see Voices of the Parks the minute you get into the Expo get in the Stage Pass line to get your pass for the event you really want to see. The Menken/Sherman concert is in the Arena which does not have Stage Pass so you will need to get in that line very early to make sure you have a seat. It looks like they are offering TONS more stuff on the floor, so be sure to find time to explore all that.
PS The Legends presentation takes place the same time as Voices of the Parks so you cannot do both. You will need to pick one. Legends is in the Arena as well so does not offer Stage Pass.

 

[Castillo Mom]

They are using a thing called Stage Pass this year to guarantee seating in events. Since you want to see Voices of the Parks the minute you get into the Expo get in the Stage Pass line to get your pass for the event you really want to see. The Menken/Sherman concert is in the Arena which does not have Stage Pass so you will need to get in that line very early to make sure you have a seat. It looks like they are offering TONS more stuff on the floor, so be sure to find time to explore all that.
PS The Legends presentation takes place the same time as Voices of the Parks so you cannot do both. You will need to pick one. Legends is in the Arena as well so does not offer Stage Pass.

Thanks For the tips Nunzia. Voices will be a plan B for us. I'm going to wait til we get to the expo to decide whether its even worth it to try to get into Legends.

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