Expo August 2011

[Flora Fan]

My sister and I are looking to go to the expo next August in Anaheim. I would like to stay on my DVC points in a studio. Has anyone had trouble getting a room during the expo?

This will be my first time actually using my points as we have just recently purchased our DVC membership. I am seriously considering getting a hotel reservation outside of the parks and canceling once I have reserved the DVC stay...I'm a little nervous.


Thanks for the help.
Flora Fan

 

[OhioDVC]

don't you have to wait until 11 months prior?

 

[DenLo]

It looks like you own at BLT, so you'll have to book at the 7 month mark. I saw a thread before that mention it was really hard to get into VGC during the D23 Expo. I cannot remember if that was at the 7 month or even during the home resort period (8 - 11 months).

Good luck, I have to admit that going to one of those D23 Expos does sound like fun.

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

DH and I went to the D23 Expo last year but at the time the villas weren't opened yet so we just stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel portion on points. My thoughts are that it will be difficult to get availability at 7 months since the expo was so popular but I would definitely recommend calling right at 7 months when members services opens. We ended up adding points at VGC to ensure a 11 month window for Disneyland trips including expo trips.

Here are the ticket prices. Tickets go on sale tomorrow!

http://d23.disney.go.com/articles/081810_NF_FEAT_D23Expo2011Tickets.html

 

[SuzanneSLO]

DH and I went to the D23 Expo last year but at the time the villas weren't opened yet so we just stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel portion on points. My thoughts are that it will be difficult to get availability at 7 months since the expo was so popular but I would definitely recommend calling right at 7 months when members services opens. We ended up adding points at VGC to ensure a 11 month window for Disneyland trips including expo trips.

Here are the ticket prices. Tickets go on sale tomorrow!

http://d23.disney.go.com/articles/081810_NF_FEAT_D23Expo2011Tickets.html

I would be interested in your opinion of your stay at a Disney hotel during the Expo, from a convenience point of view. We stayed at the Sheraton Park, which is in the same block at the Convention Center and apprecaited it was jsut a short walk each way at the end of very long days. -- Suzanne

 

[bwvBound]

Personally, I think the DLR hotels/resorts are too far to walk to the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo. Suggest booking a Convention Center hotel instead.

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

They actually had a shuttle that would drive you from the DL hotels to the convention center last year. I believe it cost around $10-$15 per person for all 4 days. The shuttle was very efficient and quick. It did however stop at all three hotels but it didn't take more than 10 minutes to actually get to and from the center. They would run all day. I personally enjoy having the close proximity to the parks and DTD.

 

[Don'tYouKnowNothing?]

I'm a Grand Californian DVC member, and I'm hoping to use my points for the Expo as well. I guess we'll see next month how it goes...

I just saw the ticket prices, and it makes me a little upset that they are selling 300 reserve seating packages for the arena presentations. My wife went last year with a friend and said that the arena presentations were the best and, in general, very crowded. I wonder if these reserve packages will make it that much more difficult to get in.

I already paid to become a D23 member. Should that by itself get me reserve seating? I think I should get a little more than the $5 off the ticket price. Maybe I'm making too much of it.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I'm a Grand Californian DVC member, and I'm hoping to use my points for the Expo as well. I guess we'll see next month how it goes...

I just saw the ticket prices, and it makes me a little upset that they are selling 300 reserve seating packages for the arena presentations. My wife went last year with a friend and said that the arena presentations were the best and, in general, very crowded. I wonder if these reserve packages will make it that much more difficult to get in.

I already paid to become a D23 member. Should that by itself get me reserve seating? I think I should get a little more than the $5 off the ticket price. Maybe I'm making too much of it.

I wouldn't worry about the reserved seating at the arena presentations. I believe the Arena holds about 9000 and at last year's Expo, I beleive they only turned people away becuase it was already 20 or 30 minutes past the posted start time. There always seemed to be more seats available.

The perk we enjoyed the best for Members was admission one hour early. While some people spent that time buying limited edition merchandise, we spent it in the Parks and Resorts pavilion talking one on one with the Imagineers designing Carsland. Truly a memorable experience.

With the early entry, members also got to go to the front of the line for the presentations that started at the same time the doors opened to the GP. I heard that the 9 AM cruise line presentation filled quickly, so non-members probably never had a chance. We went to hear Don Hahn speak about his book: The Alchemy of Animation at 9AM one morning and, though a wonderful presentation, there were plenty of seats so early entry was not that big a deal.

-- Suzanne

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

The main presentations are the ones we waited in line for. We waited at least 2 hours for each main presentation. That was just our personal preference to sit closer. The main arena is quite large but I can imagine that there will be a larger turn out for the next expo since the 1st went so well. I just hope they can top it.

The ticket prices are reasonably priced for the multi-day tickets. I just wish they would have issued the VIP package pricing a little sooner so I could have planned ahead financially.

 

[Flora Fan]

Thank you everyone. That is exactly what I needed to know. I will book a hotel as soon as possible and hope for the DVC in January.

Thanks again to all.

 

[nunzia]

I would be interested in your opinion of your stay at a Disney hotel during the Expo, from a convenience point of view. We stayed at the Sheraton Park, which is in the same block at the Convention Center and apprecaited it was jsut a short walk each way at the end of very long days. -- Suzanne

I chose to stay close to the convention center for the Expo last year and will do the same next year. It was a pretty far walk from the parks to the convention center..and after a tired day that always seems longer. Honestly..last time they had the days so jam packed you really won't find much time to enjoy the parks. Going out a day or two early or staying a day or two later might be a good idea though.

 

[nunzia]

The main presentations are the ones we waited in line for. We waited at least 2 hours for each main presentation. That was just our personal preference to sit closer. The main arena is quite large but I can imagine that there will be a larger turn out for the next expo since the 1st went so well. I just hope they can top it.

The ticket prices are reasonably priced for the multi-day tickets. I just wish they would have issued the VIP package pricing a little sooner so I could have planned ahead financially.

Ditto..my friend wants to try for the Sorcerer's package so we'll give it a try. Holy cow..Out of my league but what the heck..
If the Expo next year is half as good as last year's...you won't want to miss a minute.

 

[Don'tYouKnowNothing?]

Thanks for the great information and the reassurance. Good luck everyone trying to get a room. I hope the Expo is great!

 

[Flora Fan]

Just spoke with MS. The rep said that because there was only one Expo, she really couldn't say if the DVC spaces would go quickly or not, but...

DVC members can stay at the Grand Californian, the Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Paradise Pier. So regular hotel rooms can be had for points if necessary.

I am soooo looking forward to this. Does anyone know when the tickets will open for sale? I've been on pins and needles all morning.

 

[bwvBound]

I am soooo looking forward to this. Does anyone know when the tickets will open for sale? I've been on pins and needles all morning.

D23 Event Tickets generally open at 10AM Pacific. (Haven't checked the page for today's opening.)