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The countdown is on to the 2013 D23 Expo. In fact, I have already started packing my new camera equipment and all of the tricks of the trade I need to bring the incredible stories, video and photos of the Expo to all of you who cannot attend. If you will be heading to the Expo this weekend, here are a few tips from my experiences covering the last two 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.
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 so 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.
4. If you’re bringing a little one, don’t forget the Baby Care Center: Just like the Baby Care Centers in the Disney Parks, moms and dads can change and feed baby and get a bit of quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the convention floor.
5. Don’t forget the cameras! You are going to want to take a LOT of photos while at the Expo, so don’t forget to bring your cameras and have your smart phone charged. If you don’t already have an external battery charger, now is the time to get one.
6. And speaking of smart phones, have you downloaded the D23 app yet? If you haven’t, you simply must. The app, available at the App Store, provides users:
- The most up-to-date schedules for all Expo presentations
- Sneak peeks at merchandise and collectibles that will be available for purchase exclusively at the event
- The ability to push alerts of the latest Expo news including announcements and notifications when panels, presentations, and events are booked up.
- Map of the show floor
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Loads of Disney trivia
- Bios of all talent who will be attending the Expo
- Additional fun features such as a D23 Photo Booth, a scavenger hunt, and more!
I’ve already started plotting out all of the presentations I want to cover and plugged them into my D23 calendar.
7. If you like FASTPASS at the Disney Parks, you are going to love StagePass at the Expo. Much like FASTPASS at the Parks, StagePass acts like a virtual queueing system for the panels and presentations, which I might add often queue to capacity before the panel begins. This is a very good idea if there are some panels or presentation you are dying to experience. If you don’t get a StagePass for something you really want to see, be sure to get their early…really early to check to see if a line is forming. Click here to learn more about StagePass.
8. 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!
9. 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.
10. Look for me roving the convention center covering everything I possible can! I’m also considering a Babes In Disneyland meet-up Friday evening. Leave a comment on the Babes In Disneyland Facebook page if you are interested in meeting up at the Grand Californian.
