Destination D Conference - anyone been

[wombat girl]

I have tickets to the Destination D conference in September.

Has anyone been to previous conventions and do you have any tips?

I want to make the most of the time in LA.

For instance I have seen on the internet that I might get discounted park tickets - does this happen or should I book tickets from the UK?

[Excelsior]

Hi,

If you have tickets for this September in Anaheim, this is the full D23 expo rather than Destination D, which is a smaller event run in the off-years between D23 events in the USA.

Discounted Disneyland tickets are due to go on sale this Friday, 20th May. We're looking at 3 day tickets starting on the Monday after the expo, as the expo hours are 9am - 7pm so you wouldn't get much time in the park if you have a full expo schedule, especially if you want to arrive early morning to queue up - if reservations remain the same as previously you are only guaranteed one larger panel entry and one "large shop" (Disney Store, Disney Dream Store and Mickey's of Glendale) which have most of the exclusive merch - so people queue before the expo opens in order to do the equivalent of rope dropping. We're also waiting for Oogie Boogie Bash tickets if there's a party while we're there, which are rumoured to go on sale 13th July.

Apparently other announcements will come nearer the time with the big panel announcements approximately 2 months out, and the full schedule 2 - 3 weeks out.

We're flying into LAX so are looking for a shuttle to/from Anaheim - otherwise you would probably need to travel on the Flyaway bus to LA Union Station where you can catch the train to Anaheim which takes about 45 minutes.

Most of the big Disney info sites have D23 guides and will probably do new ones once things like the reservations and badge activation (which are meant to happen "summer") have been confirmed - a quick google for "D23 tips" will pull up a bunch which I've used to estimate what will happen. Info for 2019 seems like it will mostly also be true for this year's expo so if you find anything it will probably be at least somewhat relevant - even Disney's official recaps if you search "D23 Expo 2019"

I'm also following the DISboards D23 expo megathread.

There are also a bunch of YouTubers who have been - I don't follow many West Coasters but "mrcheezypop" and "parks and cons" are locals to DL who have also attended D23 expos.

Hope this has been helpful and Good luck planning your trip!