The countdown is on to the 2015 D23 Expo. I have already started planning out which presentations I want to attend and my “plan of attack” so that I can highlight the best of the expo here on the blog and on my social media channels during and afterward. (I am also teaming up with my friends at the blogs DAPs Magic and Inspired By Dis to host an after-the-Expo meetup at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel for Saturday evening. Click here for more details.)

If you will be heading to the Expo , here are a nine tips from my experiences covering the last three Expos–from sun up to sun down.

1. Wear comfortable shoes! If you think you walk around a lot at Disneyland or Walt Disney World, the Expo will wear you out! Unlike a trip to the Parks, the different panels and presentations are all over the place and you just can’t group all of your experiences into one spot.

2. Bring snacks and water, especially if you are bringing the kids, because food lines can be long. You can also leave the convention center to eat over at the Hilton Anaheim, which features a Sbarro (ideal for the kiddos) right inside the lobby.

With Sean Astin at the 2011 Expo

3. Pace yourself! Don’t expect to be able to go to presentations back-to-back. Sometimes the presentations go long, and again, they can sometimes be on the other side of the convention center, so give yourself a good 15 minutes (or more) to get where you need to go. Think of the Expo in terms of a day at the Parks. You can never do EVERYTHING you want in one given day. Pick out the things you really want to see and do and then be flexible and open to exploring and trying experiences you may not have thought about. You can check out the Expo schedule by clicking here. 

Some of the really cool things that happen at the D23 Expo that you just won’t get anywhere else, including:

• Meeting Disney Channel (and Disney XD) stars and the voices from some of your kids’ (and your) favorite Disney cartoons.
• Checking out cool Disney and Marvel merchandise before it comes to stores.
• Presentations that look back on the rich, beloved history of Disneyland.
• The ability to purchase Disney memorabilia, collectables and art pieces from vendors brought in from across the country.
• Screenings for new shows.

Be sure to keep tabs on the schedule because new things will be added as the Expo gets closer.

4. Don’t forget your cameras! You are going to want to take a LOT of photos while at the Expo, so don’t forget to bring your cameras, your phone charged and extra external power so that you will be set to capture all of the day’s memories. If you don’t already have an external battery charger, now is the time to get one.

5. And speaking of phones, D23 has unveiled an app for the Expo. In previous years, the app has made navigating the convention center and planning the day a whole lot easier. Click here to download from the Apple App Store and here from the Google Play Store.

6. Schedule some shopping time. I know this may seem to go without saying, but honestly, even when I’ve been at the Expo from sun up to sun down, I’ve run out out of time to shop because there were so many presentations and panels to attend. Also don’t forget to schedule time to just roam the convention floor. There are so many incredible exhibits, this is a must!

7. If you are bringing the kids, panel discussions may be tough, especially some of the “quieter” discussions about how some of the movies were made or about Disney history. If you have little ones, I would recommend staying toward the back of the room or taking turns going to panel presentations and hanging out on the convention floor with the kiddos with another adult. New this year is the Family Play Zone called Aladdin’s Retreat. This designated area, located on the second floor, will be a place for families to gather for a little “downtime.” This special area will offer a comfy den for relaxing, coloring corner, place where guests can create greeting cards for kids in local hospitals and there  a few surprise guests over the course of the weekend. The Family Play Zone is intended for families, and parents are required to be with their children inside the Play Zone at all times. (In other words, it isn’t a babysitting service and you will have to stay with your kiddo.) It is also important to note that admission to the Expo is required for all children ages 3 and older.

It is also important to note that unlike previous Expo’s there will NOT be a Baby Care Center this year, so parents should plan accordingly when it comes to diaper changins and breastfeeding.

8. Get into it and wear a costume or Disney Bound! A lot has changed since the last Expo and with more and more folks Disney Bounding or dressing in costumes when heading to the Parks, there are bound to be a lot of people on the convention center floor dressed up. (I will definitely be one of them.) Be sure to keep an eye out for me as I roam the convention center. I love it when readers say, “hi!”

9. If you will be driving in for the day, you can park at the Anaheim Convention Center for $12 per day ($24 for oversized vehicles).

Tickets are still available for the D23 Expo! While supplies last they be purchased by clicking here.

The Apple App Store link about is an affiliate link. I may make a tiny commission on any purchases made at the App Store within 24 hours of clicking on the link.