D23 First Timer - Have Questions

[nunzia]

This thread has been very helpful thanks! What advice do you have for how early to line up for meeting the presenters at the talent round up? Namely I am thinking the senior imagineers (Baxter, Sklar, Davis, etc.) and Paige O'Hara?

Also do they sign/take pics? Is there a cost?

Thanks
Brendan

The Talent Round Up thing is brand new as is having panels on the floor in various pavillions. I imagine those will be packed, and we will all live and learn since neither has been done before. I am seeing so much more offered on the floor to pull away from disappointment of not getting into the venues. Good idea.

 

[keahgirl8]

The Talent Round Up thing is brand new as is having panels on the floor in various pavillions. I imagine those will be packed, and we will all live and learn since neither has been done before. I am seeing so much more offered on the floor to pull away from disappointment of not getting into the venues. Good idea.

I'm pretty sure the talent roundup was there last time. I just don't think here were as many people there, and I'm not sure they signed anything. I think they just stood there and talked to people. I remember seeing David Arquette there and some other Disney Channel people.

 

[BRG226]

Was that not signing for actors/performers or for everyone? Also, do you remember if they would pose for pics? I would guess Marty Sklar would sign his new book. Bob Gurr too.

Thanks...getting stressed!!!!
Brendan

 

[Bugdozer]

I am both excited and dreading the Expo...I went to the Expo in 2011 with my son and some friends. The lines were horrendous. Saturday by far was the worst day. They were sold out on Saturday and the crowds reflected that. I remember spending more time sitting on the floor waiting in lines then anything else. It was so awful I had a bit of a breakdown on Saturday and swore I would never go to another expo ever again yet here I am leaving in a few days.

They have changed a few things this year that I hope help. They have doubled the size of the Arena seating from 2000 to 4000 with an additional over flow room of 2000 so they can accommodate 6000 people. I really hope this helps. Stage pass sounds intersting not sure if I will use it as I am mostly intereted in the happenings in the Arena and they are not usable there.

I am also trying to go with a different attitude this time. Last Expo I mapped it all out choose everything I wanted to do and did 1/4 of what I wanted do to lines. I also hardly got to see anything on the show room floor as I was always in lines. This year I am going with the plan of seeing a lot less. There is only really one thing I want to see on Friday so I will use my east coast time to benefit me and show up at 5-6 am. Then I will spend rest of the day exploring.

I plan on Saturday being the worst of the worst. Like everyone else I hope to see the 3 big Arena shows and have come to grips with the fact the entire day I will be either in a line for the arena or in the arena. Sunday there is nothing pressing I want to see so anything I get into that day will be a bonus. Last Expo I left in the afternoon on Sunday and went to the park for a change in scenery.

I am a D23 member so that will help a bit. I read that we can't bring food or drink into the Expo which kinda stinks- means I can't bring my water or some snacks.

Hopefully I get through this Expo with no break downs and enjoy myself.

Bug

 

[Castillo Mom]

I am both excited and dreading the Expo...I went to the Expo in 2011 with my son and some friends. The lines were horrendous. Saturday by far was the worst day. They were sold out on Saturday and the crowds reflected that. I remember spending more time sitting on the floor waiting in lines then anything else. It was so awful I had a bit of a breakdown on Saturday and swore I would never go to another expo ever again yet here I am leaving in a few days.

They have changed a few things this year that I hope help. They have doubled the size of the Arena seating from 2000 to 4000 with an additional over flow room of 2000 so they can accommodate 6000 people. I really hope this helps. Stage pass sounds intersting not sure if I will use it as I am mostly intereted in the happenings in the Arena and they are not usable there.

I am also trying to go with a different attitude this time. Last Expo I mapped it all out choose everything I wanted to do and did 1/4 of what I wanted do to lines. I also hardly got to see anything on the show room floor as I was always in lines. This year I am going with the plan of seeing a lot less. There is only really one thing I want to see on Friday so I will use my east coast time to benefit me and show up at 5-6 am. Then I will spend rest of the day exploring.

I plan on Saturday being the worst of the worst. Like everyone else I hope to see the 3 big Arena shows and have come to grips with the fact the entire day I will be either in a line for the arena or in the arena. Sunday there is nothing pressing I want to see so anything I get into that day will be a bonus. Last Expo I left in the afternoon on Sunday and went to the park for a change in scenery.

I am a D23 member so that will help a bit. I read that we can't bring food or drink into the Expo which kinda stinks- means I can't bring my water or some snacks.

Hopefully I get through this Expo with no break downs and enjoy myself.

Bug

Bug I've read quite a few reports of people bringing snacks into the expo. Personally I don't think it's reasonable to expect people not to if they're spending most of the day waiting in lines. I think if we bring a couple of light snacks we should be ok, at least from what I've read. Someone please correct me if that is not the case.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Last time, Expo employees were strict on Friday about bringing in food and drinks, but relaxed a LOT as the Expo continued. Mainly, they don't want people bringing in tons of food (e.g. big sandwiches from Subway, anything obviously from an outside vendor, etc.) that could be sold to other guests. Snacks and water were fine last time around. We were able to bring in outside food (Baja Fresh and Starbucks, I think -- and we did ask about it beforehand), and employees asked us to be discreet. Have some protein bars and snacks on hand, but I wouldn't worry about the food restrictions overall.

 

[Disney Enabler]

I'm so glad I found this thread. I went to both of the previous expos so I'm familiar with the lines, crowds, etc. however between the 2011 expo and now, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I'm use to getting a GAC at Disneyland and I use a cane. Sometimes I have to rent a wheelchair because of the fatigue issues.

I'm starting to get very nervous about the expo. I'm considering bringing my walker because it is one of those ones that has a seat and I feel like that will possibly make standing in lines easier. Does anyone have experience with using a walker at the expo? Any other advice?

Thanks everyone!

I use a walker at home but when I attended the Expo two years ago I used a scooter. I will be using a scooter again this year. There is alot of standing and waiting in lines which can make for a long day. I would bring your walker just so you can sit. One thing to remember is there are alot of people so be aware of that. I would think your walker would give you more stability in a crowd than using your can.

Hope to meet you at the DIS meet at the Grand California's Hearthstone Lounge fireplace on Thursday evening at 5:00pm.

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

 

[tinkcollector]

I use a walker at home but when I attended the Expo two years ago I used a scooter. I will be using a scooter again this year. There is alot of standing and waiting in lines which can make for a long day. I would bring your walker just so you can sit. One thing to remember is there are alot of people so be aware of that. I would think your walker would give you more stability in a crowd than using your can.

Hope to meet you at the DIS meet at the Grand California's Hearthstone Lounge fireplace on Thursday evening at 5:00pm.

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

Carol is so right, I used my "can" to wait in lines most of the time.Sorry I could not help it Here's to a great time at the Expo.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I use a walker at home but when I attended the Expo two years ago I used a scooter. I will be using a scooter again this year. There is alot of standing and waiting in lines which can make for a long day. I would bring your walker just so you can sit. One thing to remember is there are alot of people so be aware of that. I would think your walker would give you more stability in a crowd than using your can.

Hope to meet you at the DIS meet at the Grand California's Hearthstone Lounge fireplace on Thursday evening at 5:00pm.

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

I read about the meet and so sorry my family and I won't be able to make it. Would've been nice to meet everyone. Maybe next time.

Carol is so right, I used my "can" to wait in lines most of the time.Sorry I could not help it Here's to a great time at the Expo.

LOL!!! I needed a chuckle!

I'm determined to have a good time no matter what!

 

[keahgirl8]

LOL!!! I needed a chuckle!

I'm determined to have a good time no matter what!

Me too! I refuse to stress out about what I'm getting into or not getting into!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

That's a healthy attitude and will go a long way toward making Expo more enjoyable! Some of the best memories we have from the last Expo are of making friends with fellow fans/sufferers in the lines -- we had plenty of time to get to know each other and, if we didn't get into our event, we knew each well enough by then to go out or meet in the parks afterward. Lots of fun all around!

 

[keahgirl8]

That's a healthy attitude and will go a long way toward making Expo more enjoyable! Some of the best memories we have from the last Expo are of making friends with fellow fans/sufferers in the lines -- we had plenty of time to get to know each other and, if we didn't get into our event, we knew each well enough by then to go out or meet in the parks afterward. Lots of fun all around!

I also ended up with some amazing experiences going to presentations I didn't plan on due to not getting into others!

 

[mickey7]

Does anyone know if Disney gives out bags for people to put stuff in like Comic Con or should one bring a small backpack?

 

[lurkergirl]

Does anyone know if Disney gives out bags for people to put stuff in like Comic Con or should one bring a small backpack?

In 2011, you could get a bag if you did the Voluntear project...other groups were also handing different ones out, as well.

 

[RandFamily]

I just want to clarify for newbies about the lines. (Assuming it works the same way this year). There were lines to get let into the "holding area" for the shows. Typically you were let into the holding area an hour or so ahead of time, but the line to get into that room would start hours earlier. The line to get in wrapped around the hallways. If D23 didn't have an official line yet, people just made their own line to wait for the line to start (only Disney people!!)

The line inside the holding area was organized in rows and marked off with ropes. If you were in the middle, you had nothing to lean on. But it was very congenial, as others pointed out, and fun to chat with people. Bring a book, tablet, knitting, or something to do!

Note that as they let you into the holding room, all of your party must enter together and be counted (once they reach maximum, they set up a waiting list or turn people away). You couldn't save a spot for someone who wasn't there to be counted. Once you're in that room, though, you can leave to go to the bathroom, get food, etc.

We brought a lot of little snacks with us that we got at the convenience store across Katella. No one questioned our food at all. I guess this wasn't consistently enforced.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I just want to clarify for newbies about the lines. (Assuming it works the same way this year). There were lines to get let into the "holding area" for the shows. Typically you were let into the holding area an hour or so ahead of time, but the line to get into that room would start hours earlier. The line to get in wrapped around the hallways. If D23 didn't have an official line yet, people just made their own line to wait for the line to start (only Disney people!!)

The line inside the holding area was organized in rows and marked off with ropes. If you were in the middle, you had nothing to lean on. But it was very congenial, as others pointed out, and fun to chat with people. Bring a book, tablet, knitting, or something to do!

Note that as they let you into the holding room, all of your party must enter together and be counted (once they reach maximum, they set up a waiting list or turn people away). You couldn't save a spot for someone who wasn't there to be counted. Once you're in that room, though, you can leave to go to the bathroom, get food, etc.

We brought a lot of little snacks with us that we got at the convenience store across Katella. No one questioned our food at all. I guess this wasn't consistently enforced.

Thank you so much for the info, very helpful!

 

[cdwatts]

I read about the meet and so sorry my family and I won't be able to make it. Would've been nice to meet everyone. Maybe next time.



LOL!!! I needed a chuckle!

I'm determined to have a good time no matter what!

Y'all are all so helpful and encouraging! Thanks for the responses about using the walker or "can" (I love that!). Does anyone know whether there are accessible seating areas in the larger rooms that would not require one to go up stairs to get to a seat? And if I have my walker, will it be easy or a hassle to figure out how to access these areas? As I said, I'm not new to the Expo itself, but am new to having to do it "this way." Thanks!

 

[Castillo Mom]

If some people start lining up at 5:00 a.m. does that mean the parking lot at the convention center is open earlier than that?

 

[Castillo Mom]

Oh oh, just read on FB that Saturday is sold out. It's going to be an interesting day. Remain calm....

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[nunzia]

I think it will be ok. During the Sorcerer tour it seemed quite organized and the StagePass thing looks well set up. I can tell you from what we saw today the EXPO will be fabulous!