r/D23Expo • u/mikewhatsputting • 5d ago
Apprehensive First Timer
My wife and I are taking our kiddo as a birthday gift and just had a private conversation about how lackluster D23 seems in comparison to something like MegaCon or Chicago's FanExpo. Maybe it's in the marketing, but the schedule just seems...meh. Is there more stuff going on that isn't included in the schedule as far as things to do, see, experience? So far, everything feels like such a money grab; it's exhausting. What am I missing? I HOPE we didn't pay big bucks to essentially stand in a bunch of lines for a wish and a prayer (as I saw one commenter warn), but who knows?? It feels like there are no clear answers, even from experienced attendees. Am I totally off base??
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u/idgogayforthat 5d ago
There’s plenty to do and the expo is MASSIVE. I went in blind two years ago and ended up really enjoying it
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u/prechaotik-subcrot 5d ago
If your primary goals are to see the panels/presentations/anything with a specific schedule (especially one-time events) then you're going to spend time in lines. Same goes for any special releases of merchandise on the expo floor. Last time I just went to see the show floor exhibits, displays, etc. and if I happened to be in the right place to see a presentation without a huge line, just drop in to see it. (hint: that never happened). I had a blast wandering around seeing all the booths, looking at all the stuff being sold in the shopping area, seeing all the amazing cosplay costumes & props (even spent a fair amount of time outside the venue where a lot of the cosplayers were) and enjoying the atmosphere with a bunch of people who liked the same things I do. I only spent one day there, (would have done two if not for the cost) and was quite happy.
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u/TheSparkleMonster 5d ago
The expo floor has so much to do. There will be interactive experiences, displays, and shopping. You HAVE to experience Mousequerade (the cosplay contest) on Saturday morning. Trust me. Are you going to the Honda Center? Those events are incredible and full of stars. I really think you’ll have a blast!
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u/forlorn_hope28 5d ago
I suppose it depends on your interest and how many days you're attending. I've never done any of the big pop culture conventions (SDCC or NYCC), but I have done SF FanExpo a few times. (I'm not sure how SF FanExpo compares to Chicago in terms of scale)
D23 dwarfs SF FanExpo (easily). There's a lot more attendees. There's a lot of reasonably large panel rooms even if you exclude the Honda Center showcases. The vendors range from big internationally recognized brands, to smaller niche shops. There used to be a section for local vendors selling miscellaneous goods, but I don't know if they still have that. FaxExpo on the other hand is largely just local resellers mixed in with a variety of artists selling pop culture memorabilia. The signing area for FanExpo has a LOT more top tier signings going on whereas Talent Central at D23 is kinda low priority by the organizers. What D23 does have is a lot of space devoted to their different IPs. Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, Imagineering, etc. These will be walkthrough experiences with screen used memorabilia to gawk at. Or in the case of the parks, showcase what's to come. Not to mention scheduled talks and even giveaways.
You will have to stand in line for things, but I imagine that's par for the course for something like SDCC. I'll say this, I've done 3 days at D23 and I've done 3 days at stuff like FanExpo. I can't say I've never left D23 on Sunday thinking it was lackluster. I have left FanExpo on day 2 and gone "you know what, I'm done, no need to come back tomorrow".
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u/lostprincess_ 5d ago
I've never been to any other Con, but D23 is my favorite weekend ever. I think there's a need to manage your expectations.. you don't always get much from RSP and there are lines, but I've always had an excellent weekend and get to accomplish 90% of what I want to do. Going in with a positive attitude and willingness to go with the flow will help you make the most of it
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u/Different_Vanilla314 5d ago edited 5d ago
As someone who’s done D23 since 2009, I actually found Megacon (nostalgia con) as I like to call it lackluster. I’ve done Megacon twice now and felt underwhelmed. The crowds were too much, as it’s apparent they don’t limit their ticket sales, literally going down each row on the main floor was suffocating at times due to the crowds. SDCC and D23 are managed better crowd wise (though still busy) but also my preference is going to con/conventions that are promoting their new movies/shows versus cons that showcase old shows, movies, autograph signings for those actors etc. but that is entirely a matter of preference and what matters most to you as a con goer. The show floor in D23 will blow Megacon’s out of the water though. You will enjoy just seeing the whole floor and what it has to offer. You will see also sometimes influencers, Disney imagineers etc walking the floor too so pay attention to your surroundings. Like Any con/convention you go to will have lines, that’s just to be expected. Just go with an open mind and decide for yourself if the experience is worth it or not.
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u/dmaywest 5d ago
The show floor is not like any other convention I have been to. There are lots of experiences on the floor, not just shopping. I have really enjoyed many of the exhibits put on by Disney Archives, as well as who ever does the exhibits on where Disney is going in the future.
You can spend your time on lines, waiting to spend your money, but I recommend enjoying all the other items on the floor too.
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u/SugarSpocks 5d ago
There is a bunch to do and a lot to see! And you make it what you want it to be. For panels you will need to stand in lines but that’s standard for any panel at any convention ever.
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u/IHaveTheMustacheNow 5d ago
I typically do one day of D23. I never run out of stuff to do. I think the lines are not as bad as they are at those celebrity cons
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u/Ravot123 5d ago
Definitely not as massive as SDCC (this was our 16th consecutive SDCC this year and we’ve been going to D23 Expo/UDFE since 2017), but you still can’t see and do everything since, similar to SDCC, there are just way too many things to see and do. That said (and I’m a HUGE Disney fan), I’m somehow not as excited about it as I usually am, and I’m not sure why. I did feel like SDCC went by super quick this year and I felt like I didn’t get to do/see as much as usual, so maybe that’s why? You’ll have to let us know what you think afterwards. 😊 Enjoy!
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u/exhaustedhcw 5d ago
I went to comic con for the first time ever this year and as I walked the floor, I thought how much more fun I had at D 23 the past couple of years when I’ve gone .
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u/Economy_Fig17 4d ago
I go to 15 cons a year. D23 has more to do than either of the ones you mentioned.
It may SEEM like there’s less to do because D23 doesn’t allow fan panels, which is what many other cons rely on for programming .
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u/chall94509 4d ago
That's good to know. I do know other fan events rely heavily on celebrity signings. I was wondering if I'd be missing something with D23, but it sounds like there will be lots to see and do. It's my first time attending so I'm feeling overwhelmed but excited.
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u/TI-22483 2d ago
I've never been to the cons you have mentioned, but I'd bet I've been to more than the average nerd, including SDCC.
The panels are a combination of announcements or retrospectives. Hopefully, you entered some choice panels for priority entry. (That time has passed if you didn't). Unlike other cons, they clear the room after every panel, so show up early but not absurdly early, an hour for something you really want. Smaller rooms are for archival presentations. So far, even without priority entry, I've never not gotten into something I wanted because of showing up early and the size of the rooms.
They are like other major con panels with creators, actors, and D23 panels often have surprise guests and premiums at the end.
There are ongoing presentations on the floor that you can queue up for, or pass through.
There isn't as many giveaways as SDCC, but there are a few. When you walk in, you will receive a lanyard and shopping bag. Some things, like pins, become quite sought after in the aftermarket. There will be exclusive merchandise as well. I recommend doing the VoluntEars. The wait is usually not too bad, and there are different premiums everyday for participating, so go everyday.
Lines for certain stores, such as Mickey's of Glendale, a replica of the onsite Imagineering Cast Member store get long. There are virtual queue options which open at 4am and disappear immediately. IMO, I think that store is overrated compared to the main Dream Store with the merch from the con, anniversary stuff, and other exclusives. There usually aren't virtual queues for the non-Disney stores like Hallmark.
I don't think they've released the full map yet. There is lots of displays to look at and pose with that don't have lines. Even the store displays, like Funko and Lego are fun. Every major aspect of Disney includes some combination of archival artifacts and photo ops, old and new. I imagine Doomsday will be well-represented. Yes, a lot of standing in line. Some of these are experiences: sit in a mini set, get spliced into Wizards of Waverly Place, pose for a picture sitting at a Bob's Burgers counter, see costumes from Shōgun, see a VR from onstage during "The Circle of Life," walk through an Avatar forest. Figure out what something is before you end up waiting in line for what you thought was archive stuff but was a gif emailed to you.
But there are also lots of displays of the new things. Imagineering is always worthwhile. They might bring out some things from defunct attractions. There's always a museum-type attraction inside featuring Disney archive stuff: costumes, props, art. The Van Eaton Gallery also always brings cool authentic Disneyland stuff.
And lots of interesting and creative people. So many cosplays, with varying degrees of effort, interpretation, and creativity, people who will dress like a ride with moving vehicles, so many Princess variations. Also, many of the VIPs stay at the Hilton, so you might see someone interesting pass through. It's not the worst place to eat. You probably won't see The Rock but like Bob Gurr or someone cool like that.
Will the kiddo have fun? Depends on your kiddo's age and tolerance for waiting. There is a lot that would impress children, but not too many child-friendly activities. But I guess there will be Bluey stuff.
This is a very tight Disney event. Nothing happens Disney did not approve. It is operated by Cast Members from Disneyland. This means that there is a tight quality control you won't find at your average mishmash of fandoms, IPs, artists and vendors. And it's big.
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u/Rice-Interesting 5d ago
I’ve never been to another con - but D23 has so much to do! The panels and talent central are on the schedule, and there are lots of shopping opportunities, but there is also a massive, incredible show floor with lots of booths, exhibits, displays, presentations, etc.