D23 EXPO 2019 Superthread - dates announced!

[cdatkins]

Has anyone used DAS? Any reports on how to make the request, how it went, reporting back for your return time, etc.? Any and all information will be helpful to others reading along here!

Agreed, this will be helpful for us as well!

 

[abnihon]

I apologize if this has already been and asked an answered, but are you able to go back into Launch Bay to shop if you are not checking in for a reservation? Our reservation is for 8am and I want to get into line ASAP because we’re hoping to get into the Cantina. I’d like to come back later and look at any merchandise.

Yes we shopped on a different day in Launch Bay

 

[skier_pete]

You're in good hands.

We'll get it figured out.

Disney+ might be pretty high on my list now because of the Mandalorian and the Clone Wars.

Yeah, I'm thinking I might go for that one now too since it is also an afternoon session so wouldn't require early AM line-up. I also think it has a chance to be really big-time because it's not like they really need to sell Marvel/Star Wars, but Disney+ is still a big unknown so I expect some heavy hitters at this one.

 

[Lesley Wake]

If you have the 8am reservation and get there at 6, will anything be open food wise between 6-8?

Galactic Grill is open (and mobile ordering works). Also the stand outside of Launch Bay has large cinnamon rolls.

 

[abnihon]

Yes we shopped on a different day in Launch Bay

And met Darth and Chewie who are still meeting there in case anyone was wondering!

 

[Tink1987]

I’m sorry if it’s already been mentioned - just to say even if you do give your number for Oga’s cantina it isn’t a guarantee you will get in. When we left we saw plenty of people complaining that they hadn’t received a text. A CM was explaining that it wasn’t a guarantee and you still had to be high up in the queue if you really wanted to visit.

This was super annoying for us as a CM told us to not queue up for our reservation until 8pm at Hungry Bear restaurant and then within 10 minutes of telling us that the same CM let people start queuing at 7:10pm.

 

[midnight star]

I’m sorry if it’s already been mentioned - just to say even if you do give your number for Oga’s cantina it isn’t a guarantee you will get in. When we left we saw plenty of people complaining that they hadn’t received a text. A CM was explaining that it wasn’t a guarantee and you still had to be high up in the queue if you really wanted to visit.

This was super annoying for us as a CM told us to not queue up for our reservation until 8pm at Hungry Bear restaurant and then within 10 minutes of telling us that the same CM let people start queuing at 7:10pm.

Yeah that's exactly why I'm going to just sit at hungry bear, or wander very close by early on. I want to be at the front of the pack for the Cantina.

 

[Jhoe247]

So this will be my first expo, and my first trip to Disneyland. Originally I was only planning on going to the expo on Friday and Saturday (assuming parks and resorts was going to be held then) and keep Sunday as a theme park day. Now of course the parks panel is on Sunday. Does anyone have any suggestions on if I should keep it as a park day or get a Sunday ticket? Would I be able to switch my Saturday ticket to sunday? Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[mrsxsparrow]

For anyone still thinking about making a last minute hotel reservation, I wanted to share my story.

We have the free SWGE reservations for this Sunday 6/9 at 8am. Last minute, I decided to fly in to join my family (I'm on the reservation but wasn't sure I would be able to go). Because I'm flying in and we wanted to maximize our time, and we want to try to do both the Cantina and Savi's and that doesn't seem to be possible with one reservation, we decided to book the Disneyland Hotel on Saturday night (6/8). We made the reservation on Wednesday (6/5).

Last night I called the SWGE hotline mentioned previously in this thread. Without even attempting to look up my reservation, the Cast Member told me I booked so close to my arrival date I would likely not know my time until I checked in, and it would most likely be for Sunday. I asked if there was any way he could check or if I should call back tomorrow seeing as we already have a reservation Sunday morning and I fly out that afternoon. He said my only option was to ask the hotel when I checked in if I could switch to a same-day reservation.

Lo and behold, got my SWGE reservation email this morning -- for the exact time on Sunday morning we had already booked. I called the number again and spoke with a different Cast Member who was, in fact, extremely helpful. She told me I could choose from the 8am, 11am, and 5pm slots for tomorrow. I happily took the 5pm. She did let me know I'll still have to stop by the hotel's SWGE desk/booth when I check in to get an updated QR code because it would not be emailed to me in time, but I am SUPER BEYOND happy she was able to make this change for me.

I was on the fence about dropping the $$ for the hotel Saturday night and I'm sure there are others in my boat -- just wanted to let you all know my experience!

 

[Tink1987]

Yeah that's exactly why I'm going to just sit at hungry bear, or wander very close by early on. I want to be at the front of the pack for the Cantina.

This is probably the one time I will say do not listen to the CM - we were really annoyed as we were the only ones who took any notice of him in the first place!

 

[ashley0139]

So this will be my first expo, and my first trip to Disneyland. Originally I was only planning on going to the expo on Friday and Saturday (assuming parks and resorts was going to be held then) and keep Sunday as a theme park day. Now of course the parks panel is on Sunday. Does anyone have any suggestions on if I should keep it as a park day or get a Sunday ticket? Would I be able to switch my Saturday ticket to sunday? Any suggestions are appreciated!

I don't think you can switch ticket days, though you can always try calling. It really is up to you and depends how much you really want to see the parks panel. A lot of the other really good panels will be on Saturday though. Sunday is usually a slower day. But if the parks panel is your only real priority then buy a Sunday ticket.

 

[RomCom]

Does anyone have the Disney Chase Visa? Were you able to get a discount on a purchase of $50 or more anywhere in Galaxy's Edge? I am assuming Savi's is excluded but what about everywhere else?

 

[CaliGrrl]

Does anyone have the Disney Chase Visa? Were you able to get a discount on a purchase of $50 or more anywhere in Galaxy's Edge? I am assuming Savi's is excluded but what about everywhere else?

We were able to get the discount at the merchandise shops. I know Savi's is excluded. They did not take the discount at Oga's either. I'm not sure about the droids as we did not build one.

 

[Weedy]

Has anyone used DAS? Any reports on how to make the request, how it went, reporting back for your return time, etc.? Any and all information will be helpful to others reading along here!
ETA: Does anyone have a photo of the Information Kiosk inside SWGE which they can post here?

I’ve been watching the wait times and most of the times this week it’s only been 15 minutes. Great for everyone. The wait times do go up in the crossover hours but quickly drops back down

 

[pinksand]

We went yesterday 8a-12p. One odd thing that happened - I had printed the email with the QR code and brought it with me, but it didn't have the time/date on it, so I was held up at the turnstiles for a few minutes until I found the email that had my time and date. We got our wristbands at about 6:45am and quickly rode Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland at 7 before joining the line at like 7:20a (it was back to the Carrousel).

We first went to Oga's and my DH put his name on the list. I didn't expect to get in since I'd say we were about halfway back in the line, but we got a text at about 8:30AM. Before the text, we were just wandering around and using the Datapad app - my DH liked scanning the cargo packages and hacking and I was using the radio tuner, but there didn't seem to be an audio component - I just got transcripts of broadcasts, which seemed odd, but maybe I'm doing it wrong. We just had one drink in the Cantina and moved on. The atmosphere and music are outstanding, but I don't think the drinks or service is very good, IMO.

We met Vi, the Rebel spy, who gave us a mission, and we wandered through the marketplace. There were lines for Savi's, the Droid Depot and Dok Ondar's Den of Antiquities. One note - you can enter the portion of the Droid Depot that sells accessories and housewares and make those purchases without waiting in the line to build a droid.

We rode the Falcon at 10a, because the line was down to 20 minutes, and once we got off it was 15 minutes, so we rode again. Once the 11am crowd came in it shot back up to 40 minutes. Then we ate at Docking Bay 7, and then grabbed a wrap at Ronto's, got the special Coke bottle and then we just wandered around taking pictures and playing with the app.

Another note is that the Disney Play App with the Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Datapad really will eat through your battery crazy fast. I'd also say to maybe shoot for riding the Millennium Falcon at about 90-120 min into your time, since the line will be much shorter then.

It just felt really special to be there at the very beginning of this new land. Galaxy's Edge will be different in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years - and you'll always remember those first few weeks when everything was new and the crowds were managed with the reservation system!

 

[lurkergirl]

Like @ashley0139 said, I don't think that you'll be able to switch the ticket @Jhoe247 - tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. But you should contact them to ask.

The Parks panel won't be all day, you could get a ticket for Sunday for the Expo and still make the resort in the afternoon. Another option.

 

[carlosalonsor]

This was super annoying for us as a CM told us to not queue up for our reservation until 8pm at Hungry Bear restaurant and then within 10 minutes of telling us that the same CM let people start queuing at 7:10pm.

So the queue starts at Hungry Bear? Will have to be around there to avoid what the CM did to you.
I would be very upset.

 

[CarolynFH]

We waited 9 hours in 2017. Got there around 6am for the 3PM panel. 4 hours outside in the sun and 5 hours in the basement. So we weren't there before dawn but there for a long time. For a 10:30am panel... you're gonna want to be there before you really want to be there if you catch my drift. Even if they don't officially allow overnights, people will make an unofficial line and you'll be behind the 8 ball if you get there late anyways.

I know this is true - sigh! Here's hoping for an advance lottery or ticket system (as rumored) for us old folks!

 

[ateam79828592]

Does anyone know if they still have the special edition park maps? The special Galaxy’s Edge ones?

 

[crystal1313]

Has anyone had the ronto wrap? Was it spicy? Trying to find a food option my kids will actually eat! Thanks!