D23 EXPO 2019 Superthread - dates announced!

[theluckyrabbit]

Ok I’m going to tell you my story.
Our reservation. Had 3. Me , wife and daughter

Son was visiting and went to DL with us we went early to try and get him added to the reservation. Disney magic. Sure no problem

Cousin and her daughter heard the family was at DL and came to visit since my son I la visiting from New York. WhAt the heck let’s go see if we can add 2 more people. Sure. No problem


Disney Magic.

So, 6 people total? Because everyone with an online reservation is allowed to have up to 6 guests on the reservation. I was wondering if you or anyone else had been allowed to have more than 6 on a free reservation.

 

[cxr]

Ahhh. Yes only 6.

 

[pharmama]

We were there on June 8 from 11-3. We saw lots of stormtroopers out and about and we saw Kylo Ren, but that was it. We didn't see any other characters walking around. I will say though that we spent almost 2 hours of our time in line for the droid building, so that could've been why we didn't see anyone else.

I've seen all characters during the day time slots. I've only seen Chewbacca during the 8-midnight slot.

I was there 8-12M, and only saw Chewbacca.
I was there the next day 2-6P, and saw Chewbacca and strom troopers.

ERQ

I was there 11-3 last Saturday. From what I observed, Chewie and Rey hang out towards the Rise of the Resistance ride, nearer the Critter Country entrance. Storm Troopers stay in "town" and Kylo Ren makes periodic appearances near his ship.

Thanks everyone!!! I really appreciate it! It does sound like we should look for characters more during our daytime slot.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Ok I’m going to tell you my story.
Our reservation. Had 3. Me , wife and daughter

Son was visiting and went to DL with us we went early to try and get him added to the reservation. Disney magic. Sure no problem

Cousin and her daughter heard the family was at DL and came to visit since my son I la visiting from New York. WhAt the heck let’s go see if we can add 2 more people. Sure. No problem


Disney Magic.

You were able to add people day of? If I’m understanding correctly...

I received my email today, regarding adding people, a week ahead of my reservation date.

 

[Shellbells]

I've been a Disney fan forever. My friends think it's an addiction but I just call it love, lol. We just bought a Sunday ticket and then bought the room and park ticket for after 4 (to use on Sat), through the link that came up after we got the tickets.
Then, super excited, I came here to read all about it.
All the comments about the lines and seating issues really got me down. Now I regret booking the trip. I really wanted to see the parks panel but there's no way my husband is going to get up in the middle of the night just to wait in line for hours after we paid for it... I didn't realize you had to do that.

Can we cancel the tickets? I'm going to check and see if I can cancel the room.
I'll call Disney to see if we can cancel the park tickets or upgrade to a full day ticket for another time.
I'd this doable?
I'm so sad. But it's my fault. I should have researched more before paying for everything.

 

[skier_pete]

I've been a Disney fan forever. My friends think it's an addiction but I just call it love, lol. We just bought a Sunday ticket and then bought the room and park ticket for after 4 (to use on Sat), through the link that came up after we got the tickets.
Then, super excited, I came here to read all about it.
All the comments about the lines and seating issues really got me down. Now I regret booking the trip. I really wanted to see the parks panel but there's no way my husband is going to get up in the middle of the night just to wait in line for hours after we paid for it... I didn't realize you had to do that.

Can we cancel the tickets? I'm going to check and see if I can cancel the room.
I'll call Disney to see if we can cancel the park tickets or upgrade to a full day ticket for another time.
I'd this doable?
I'm so sad. But it's my fault. I should have researched more before paying for everything.

I am sorry to hear this. I am with you, there is no way we are lining up at 3 AM. I so much want to go to the parks panel as well, I am not sure yet what we are going to do. That said, we do not yet know how they are going to handle the line-ups. In the past, Sunday they did not allow lining up until 6 AM. (At least this is what I was told.) Perhaps you could re-set your standards, and instead of going to the Parks panel go to some of the smaller panels instead. Yes, there will still be lines, but it doesn't necessarily mean you can't have a good time.

And yes, it's an addiction. If you can't quit it...it's an addiction. If you spend money you shouldn't be....it's an addiction. There's lots of people that are addicted to coffee, but there's very little concern about this. The question is...if you are harming yourself or those around you, then it is an OK addiction.

 

[cxr]

You were able to add people day of? If I’m understanding correctly...

I received my email today, regarding adding people, a week ahead of my reservation date.

Hmmm I don’t know if things have changed. But we’re always told absolutely no changes to reservations. But yes was able to make a change day of visit. And on-site

 

[ashley0139]

I've been a Disney fan forever. My friends think it's an addiction but I just call it love, lol. We just bought a Sunday ticket and then bought the room and park ticket for after 4 (to use on Sat), through the link that came up after we got the tickets.
Then, super excited, I came here to read all about it.
All the comments about the lines and seating issues really got me down. Now I regret booking the trip. I really wanted to see the parks panel but there's no way my husband is going to get up in the middle of the night just to wait in line for hours after we paid for it... I didn't realize you had to do that.

Can we cancel the tickets? I'm going to check and see if I can cancel the room.
I'll call Disney to see if we can cancel the park tickets or upgrade to a full day ticket for another time.
I'd this doable?
I'm so sad. But it's my fault. I should have researched more before paying for everything.

At least you found out before you arrived as many people do! This is a convention. You can basically spend your entire time waiting in lines and see a couple panels.

Yes, you will likely need to line up insanely early for the parks panel, but maybe just change your plan. Sunday is usually the slowest day. You could check out all the vendors and exhibits they have in the halls, go to the smaller panels, and check out the stores.

 

[lurkergirl]

I've been a Disney fan forever. My friends think it's an addiction but I just call it love, lol. We just bought a Sunday ticket and then bought the room and park ticket for after 4 (to use on Sat), through the link that came up after we got the tickets.
Then, super excited, I came here to read all about it.
All the comments about the lines and seating issues really got me down. Now I regret booking the trip. I really wanted to see the parks panel but there's no way my husband is going to get up in the middle of the night just to wait in line for hours after we paid for it... I didn't realize you had to do that.

Can we cancel the tickets? I'm going to check and see if I can cancel the room.
I'll call Disney to see if we can cancel the park tickets or upgrade to a full day ticket for another time.
I'd this doable?
I'm so sad. But it's my fault. I should have researched more before paying for everything.

The D23 Expo tickets are non-refundable, I’m afraid. It states that on the Expo page.

@skier_pete is right, we haven’t been given line information yet. They only have done official lines overnight the last few years and Sundays haven’t had overnight lines in the past...officially at least. The move of Parks and Resorts is an unknown, we can only speculate endlessly on it.

 

[Shellbells]

I checked into the tickets and your right. Non-refundable. I told my husband we might need to go early to get in line. But we wont go super early.
If we miss it, we miss it. I didn't realize there would be other options. Like other panels and vendors etc. We'll make the best of it and I'm sure we'll have a great time.
I've never been to a non work related convention before so I had set up different in my head.
I just changed my expectations and I'm sure we're going to love it.
Plus that half day ticket to the parks was a bonus and now we get to go to one of the parks too. It's going to be a lot of fun

 

[Mathmagicland]

didn't realize there would be other options. Like other panels and vendors etc. We'll make the best of it and I'm sure we'll have a great time.

My first D23 Expo, I spent a lot of time in lines for panels. Last year, I decided I did not need to be towards the front in any panel and was able to get into a lot of panels each day. They had large video screens in each of the larger rooms so being in the back or off to the side was just fine for me. I enjoyed the Expo a bit more because I was able to see more things.

I’d encourage you to do some planning before Sunday, as the fuller schedule gets shared. There will be lists of vendor booths as well. And be sure to get the D23 Expo app, which helps with locations and logistics.

You won’t see everything as that’s not possible in just one day, but you can experience more than you might think at first glance.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

This will be my first visit to D23 - and, while I have a three day ticket, I’m a bit on the fence about my travel plans.

I was thinking of flying in Thursday late and staying through Sunday. Now I’m starting to think that flying in Friday early and leaving Monday might make more sense. Less of a rush on Sunday if I can somehow get into the parks panel while not adding an extra night of hotel. (Making the change is possible with no fee - at least for the moment.)

Of the big panels, I’m really only interested in the parks presentation. I’d like to see some smaller panels if I can, spend some time on the show floor, and maybe hit the Imagineering store if i can do it without standing in a 5 hour line. (I’m not a collector who needs a certain item.)

Has anyone ver arrived mid-day on a Friday? If I arrived at the convention center in the early afternoon, would I be able to get in and see anything?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[ashley0139]

This will be my first visit to D23 - and, while I have a three day ticket, I’m a bit on the fence about my travel plans.

I was thinking of flying in Thursday late and staying through Sunday. Now I’m starting to think that flying in Friday early and leaving Monday might make more sense. Less of a rush on Sunday if I can somehow get into the parks panel while not adding an extra night of hotel. (Making the change is possible with no fee - at least for the moment.)

Of the big panels, I’m really only interested in the parks presentation. I’d like to see some smaller panels if I can, spend some time on the show floor, and maybe hit the Imagineering store if i can do it without standing in a 5 hour line. (I’m not a collector who needs a certain item.)

Has anyone ver arrived mid-day on a Friday? If I arrived at the convention center in the early afternoon, would I be able to get in and see anything?

Thanks for any insight!

If you don't want to make it into any of the panels on Friday, you can definitely arrive then, and you'll be able to walk right in without having to wait in line to get in. You can hit up the vendor floor and exhibits they have and maybe a smaller talk or something. There will still be tons to do, although lines for the store will still be long probably.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You were able to add people day of? If I’m understanding correctly...

I received my email today, regarding adding people, a week ahead of my reservation date.

The CM on the phone line (at the number given in the email to add guests to free reservations) clearly stated that you can add or change guests up to the day before your visit by phone or in person at check in as long as all guests 18 and over bring gov't. issued photo ID.

 

[Mathmagicland]

The CM on the phone line (at the number given in the email to add guests to free reservations) clearly stated that you can add or change guests up to the day before your visit by phone or in person at check in as long as all guests 18 and over bring gov't. issued photo ID.

Thank you!

 

[hngo003]

Just wanted to say thank you to all for the help in planning for this trip. Yesterday (June 15th), arrived there around 5:30am and found at least 20-30 people already in line at the Disneyland gate. Waited until 6am to be let into the park. Checking in was smooth at Launch Bay and waited in Tomorrowland by galactic grill until 7am to be escorted to Fantasyland by Red Rose Tavern. We were told that we can enjoy Extra Magic Hour, but none of us budge. Around 7:50am, they let us into Frontierland to the SWGE entrance and was scanning our wristbands right away. Afterwards, it was a mad dash to the cantina.

There were cast members there that were telling us which direction to go to Savi’s and to Oga’s cantina. My intention is to go to cantina, so I went directly right. Thanks to the message board, I followed the path, going to the right and following the lady with the flag. Definitely make a hard right because they were trying to create an organized path to the cantina (tape already in place to form the line). We initially got told to only have one person represent the group but as we got closer, they said to have everybody in your party be with you. We were guaranteed to be part of the first group to go in which got us so excited. We didn’t get to do Savi’s and the droid building but was able to enjoy all the shops and rode the millennium falcon twice with almost walk-on during the 3rd hour.

Thank you again

 

[midnight star]

How heavy are the droids? Since the droid backpacks are sold out, I am thinking about bringing a reusable shopping tote and putting mine n there while I walk around rather than holding the box.

 

[Lesley Wake]

How heavy are the droids? Since the droid backpacks are sold out, I am thinking about bringing a reusable shopping tote and putting mine n there while I walk around rather than holding the box.

That would probably work. They aren't that heavy (mostly hollow plastic with a motor).

I saw someone online who created their own droid backpack with a clear backpack (meant for a cat) and it actually looked awesome and even more useful than the ones from Disney

 

[cttaylor2000]

We have 8am reservation 6/20 & is our first time to Disneyland been to Disney World. Family of 3 son 19. What time should we arrive to get see Cantina. We aren't doing drioid or lightsaber. What is best parking lot? We just have 1 day do you suggest park hopper or stick to one park? Going to do maxpass. Thanks in advance for help.

 

[msteddom]

We have 8am reservation 6/20 & is our first time to Disneyland been to Disney World. Family of 3 son 19. What time should we arrive to get see Cantina. We aren't doing drioid or lightsaber. What is best parking lot? We just have 1 day do you suggest park hopper or stick to one park? Going to do maxpass. Thanks in advance for help.

I was in the 11-3 group, so I can't really advise you when to line up to ensure getting into the Cantina, other than to say, the earlier the better. The Cantina really is worth the effort, it was a lot of fun!

For parking, general wisdom is that if you are coming from the Southbound 5, park in Mickey and Friends, if you are coming from the Northbound 5, use the Toy Story lot. I think the Mickey and Friends structure is easier, but there are those who would disagree.


For just one day, I think sticking to just Disneyland is fine, unless there is something you are dying to see at DCA,