NFFC Disneyana Convention in July..

[senecabeach]

Is anyone going to the NFFC Disneyana convention in DL in July??

I have never been there and am considering going.
Has anyone gone before??? Is it worth it??
Thanks in advance!!

Have a Disney Day !!

 

[Parkhopper]

We are not going to be able to go this year, but we have been in the past and it is just the most incredible experience. I definitely recommend going if you are able!

Suzi

 

[~Kathie]

Lisa (Tiggersmom) and I are going.

We are making the trip from the east coast. It's a great time.

I wouldn't miss it.

 

[senecabeach]

Parkhopper, Kathie.......

Thanks for your replies.
I have never been to DL and will be going myself.

Can you tell me if the days are very full with the seminars?
Will there be time for me to spend @ DL?
Is the recommended hotel ( a safe) walkable distance to DL?
Which package would you recommend?

Thanks for all your advice in advance. I am leaving for WDW tomorrow..cant wait!!

Have a Disney Day!!

 

[hopemax]

After a year off, I'm going to. I haven't talked to you in awhile, Kathie, did you know I live in Scottsdale, AZ now? DL is a hop, skip and a jump from here compared to Washington. In fact, we're going their next weekend (not this one, my parents will be visiting )

The convention starts Wed evening with the dinner, so you would have all morning and afternoon for park stuff. Thursday and Friday should be full seminar days, but they usually wrap up around 4, so that would leave the evening for park time. I expect Saturday to break up after the Luncheon with a Disney Legend or about 3 PM, leaving the rest of the day for park time. There never seems to be enough time for convention, park time, and side trips around the area, but if you fly in a day or two early, you should be fine.

Our favorite hotel is the Best Western Park Place Inn, it's the closest hotel within walking distance, it's closer than even the Paradise Pier hotel. However, I think this year we're staying at the Crowne Plaza (convention hotel). My Dad and I stayed there for the kick-off event in January and it was nice to be able to run upstairs to your hotel, between seminars. They have a shuttle service to the park, too.

We always get the full package. If your at all interested in the banquet or the Luncheon (and these are when the "heavy hitters" tend to speak), you might as well.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

This will be my 2nd year and I absolutley loved it. Well worth the money.

Your day a re full enough bu tthere is some time to see DL/DCA. We stay at the Crowne Plaza, and I beleive th have shuttles from hotel to DL. If they don't it is about a 1 1/2 mile walk and not bad in CA weather.

I would highly recommend it, most of the seminars are very informative. I have learned things and met some Disney folk that are wonderful.

Hope to see you there!

 

[~Kathie]

Hi Hope!!!

I missed seeing you and your parents last year. Heard you moved!!

senecabeach-- Hope Lisa and I run into you there. Just look for my nametag. ~Kathie

The first year I went I got package with just the seminars and the Legends Lunch. It was nice but I felt like I missed all the fun of the parties.

Since then I have always done the complete package and I have not regretted it one bit. The convention starts this year on the 21st so Lisa and I decided to go out to CA on the 18th, so we could get in some park time.

As Hope said, most of the activities are over by 4:30-5, but don't forget room hopping every night and Friday night is the closing banquet.

Lisa & I will be staying at the Crowne Plaza, which is where the convention is being held. The NFFC rooms were going fast so you should call soon if you want the convention rate. There are a couple of other hotels nearby, but it is nice staying right there. The hotel does have a shuttle to Disneyland which I have used many times. I don't normally rent a car while I'm there.

I have found that this convention is more "Disney" oriented than merchandise events at the parks or any of the Official Disneyana Conventions I went to in past years. You get up close and personal with Disney legends, hear stories from people that worked with Walt, learn about attractions and how they were built from Walt Disney Imagineers and so much more.

Anyone interested in reading about the January kickoff event (mini convention held in January) go to nffc.org Roy Disney was the guest speaker.

 

[flyinglizard]

~Kathie- Nope, won't be there again this year. Nothing to do with the change in the Board, I lost my job a month after 911 and kinda had to start all over again with vacation time, etc. Wife lost her job last year, so now she is starting all over again too. Yeh, I will miss everybody.

Senecabeach- Our first NFFC Convention was 1989 and we attended every year through 2001. Our kids went every year until they became adults and on their own.

Before eBay, this was the best place for anyone who collects Disneyland stuff. LOTS of Disneyana for sale, sometimes expensive, sometimes dirt cheap! But that really isn't the best part.

You'll meet lots of people: the old people who are still left that actually worked with Walt, the new people who will take the company into the future, and lots of people who share our mutual interest in all things Disney.

Over the years, my wife and I have made many close friendships with other "Disney people" from all over the country. That's the best part, the people who will become your good friends and share Disney. That really is the magic.

Yeh, go for the complete package, and experience everything. But be warned, the NFFC Convention can be very addicting!

Right Kath?

 

[~Kathie]

Right Dave!!! Very addicting. I'm sorry I won't get to see you this year. I'm sorry to hear Sandy lost her job too. I'll miss seeing you.

Dave was on the Board of Directors when I started going to the NFFC in 1999. I met him on my first trip to California and he made me feel very welcome. He is a font of knowledge when it comes to Disney collectibles.

I have found some great deals at the show & sale. Pins, collectibles, stuff I never knew I needed!!!

 

[senecabeach]

Well...I've learned so much from everyone here...THANKS !!


Dave...sorry to hear about the bad luck you're having right now. I was there in 02 and know how it feels. Will say a prayer for your family.

Would like you all to know... Im @ WDW for these next 2 weeks, but, most importantly...experienced my 1st pin trading event @ DTD in the WoD shop.

It was a great time for me and I never thought I'd meet such good, friendly people!! Never expected to see such huge collections of pins and awesome artwork. A few of us hung around afterwards and I certainly asked lots of questions.

Think I will buy a lanyard then check all the pins I have stashed @ home in the D drawer since my initial visit in 71...but..parting with any might be another story.

Kathie,flyinglizard,tiggersmom... OK, I'm convinced and will be there!!

Many thanks again to ALL of you!!

I need to go have a Disney Day now......bye......

 

[~Kathie]

Have fun at WDW.........and see you in California!!!