Criticisms of the previous D23 Expo’s have been about how the Walt Disney Company has had a history of making announcements for new experiences and attractions but have not delivered on these projects. They have either been delayed or scrapped altogether. Many Disney fans have also expressed frustration about their ability to purchase tickets for this event with the site having had many technical issues and price increases. I completely understand their viewpoints but I do think that if you are a fanatic of everything Disney you will still enjoy going if you managed to get your tickets! There is so much to see and very little time to do it all but it can be magical.
The Rebranding and New Venue: D23 Ultimate Fan Event
This year Disney has rebranded from the D23 Expo to the D23 Ultimate Fan Event and has expanded the experiences by adding a whole new venue! Now whether this is a good move or not might be based on how you’ve experienced past D23 Expo’s.
There is always a lot to see and do at D23 and the idea of having to travel to another entire location does feel a bit chaotic to me. Traditionally the D23 Expo has always been held at The Anaheim Convention Center and now there is the additional venue of the NEW Honda Center, specifically for those who will be attending the Legends Ceremony Panel.
Preparing for the D23 Ultimate Fan Experience
I personally had to give a lot of thought in advance as to how I was going to prepare for this D23 Ultimate Fan Experience and decided going was worth it for me. Here is my justification; this event only ever comes once every two years and it gives me and others a chance to meet like minded fans of Disney and to see some rare items that I couldn’t find elsewhere. Additionally, it’s one of the few places where you get the chance to possibly meet creators and actors from some of your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel films.
If you’re going too, I am so excited for you to experience the magic that is D23 and here I will give you some practical tips and a general planning guide to help you make the most out of your trip!
Booking and Reservations: Tips for Success
If you haven’t already, book your hotel stay because the longer you wait the more expensive it can get and the less availability a hotel may have! I love booking my travel plans with my partners at Get Away Today because they often stay at many hotels in the Anaheim area and have incredible deals! If you plan on visiting the Disney Parks you can save the most when you get bundled vacation packages for Disney tickets and hotels.
Read here for family friendly good neighbor Disney Hotels in Anaheim and use my code ANGIE10 for exclusive savings! I won’t announce yet where I will be staying yet (for safety purposes) but you can expect a review of where I stayed afterwards. Ideally you will have picked a hotel that makes sense for you distance wise from the venue you will be going to (since not everyone will be going to the Honda center).
After you have secured your hotel stay, make sure you’ve submitted your reservations for the panels you’d like to attend at D23! This does not guarantee you will get into these as they are given at random and you will be informed if you’ve been selected for them on August 2, 2024. Make sure you add a guest onto your reservation if you plan on going together; otherwise your friend(s) and/or family will have to sit that panel out. Please only make reservations for what you are wanting to see because you could be taking a spot from someone who might really want to attend that panel. If you don’t get any reservations you are free to join any standby lines for panels and chances are you can get in because people’s plans do change and certain panels may conflict with other experiences they may be wanting to do more.
Disney has provided attendees with an option to attempt to reschedule their RSVP’s for panels and experiences if they were assigned any. This will begin on August 6, 2024 HERE
Be aware that by using their system that it is randomized and your chances of being able to enter their queue sooner will not improve if you go on when the site opens. I was lucky enough to get two panels!
Strategic Shopping and Flexibility
I do recommend you try to join in on virtual queue lines for shopping because many people do use this event to snag the newest merchandise before they hit the Disney Parks. If you get a VQ, you will receive a return time with a group number when you will be allowed in to shop.
Last year I had seen merchandise at booths that I would consider older and rare! I personally wouldn’t recommend you spend all your money in one place on day 1 or on the newer merch necessarily. Unless it is limited edition and something you feel you’d be extremely sad to have missed out on. What you see day 1 won’t be the same as day 2 and day 3 guaranteed! If you don’t get in, I would say not to sweat it! You can also join a standby line for most things but the lines can be long so just plan on factoring this into your plans.
Be willing to be flexible because not everything will go as you plan. So have a few back up plans and remember this event is meant to be fun! I know myself well enough to know that I can get hangry and my mood can be influenced by heat so come prepared with some water, a light sweater or fan! No outside snacks or food is permitted unless cleared due to allergies and dietary restrictions for example according to Disney. You can read their policies on what is prohibited and acceptable here.
There are other essentials I think you should/can bring with you but my list may be too long to put here so I put it as a freebie. Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter here to help plan out this D23 trip; if you’re already subscribed to my newsletter check your inbox for this freebie.
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Predictions and Final Thoughts
If you’re curious about what Disney Parks news we might get at D23, it’s hard to say. However I do have some thoughts/predictions that Disney may announce at D23. These include: (1) Updates on the Disneyland Forward Project, (2) Getting more information about Avatar and how this will be integrated at Disneyland, (3) How Disney plans to celebrate the 70th anniversary at Disneyland (some teasers), and (4) possibly some vague explanations about Marvel as it relates to the movies, shows and attractions. I would like for Disney to inform us fans if we can expect updates to Tomorrowland in Disneyland (e.g., getting the people mover up and running, similarly the run of the carousel of progress at Star Wars Launch Bay) and if we can also expect to get new lands themed to Frozen, Tangled and Inside Out 2 with the Disneyland Forward project.
I do plan on going to D23 all 3 days and will do my best to get coverage of as much as I possibly can while also enjoying the present moment. So if you aren’t already following me on my social media channels do it now so you don’t miss out on the fun and magic. If you plan on going, please stop me and say hello!
-Angie
