D23 Expo 2011: Treasure Trove

Date: August 20, 2011

Today they let the D23 line in way before 9am to line up inside for the areas you wanted to go right at 9am.  The first level was very crowded with people wanting to go to the Arena, so we decided to go up to the Treasure exhibit first.  We ended up getting in the Treasure Trove store line first, since yesterday the lines for the stores got bad quickly.

Inside the Treasure Trove store there was plenty of room to navigate and it was also pleasantly not very crowded because very few cam up to the Treasures area first thing.  Mik ended up getting the Snow White Book pin and I got a D23 Expo magnet.

The checkout queue was not bad because it was not very long, but it was set up barely wide enough to even turn Mik's wheelchair for the turns.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2011: First Day Issue Disney Stamps

Date: August 19, 2011


I was excited to learn that the newest Disney stamp sheets were being First Day Issued at the Expo.  We did not end up hanging around long enough to even think about lining up for the ceremony, but I did end up buying them, which was more what I wanted anyways.  The line was much shorter than the ones for the Disney shops, but it actually moved so slow it at least seemed as long as the one for the Disney Store.  It turned out it was pretty much a full service USPS booth, so they were actually packaging and shipping stuff and not just selling the stamps.

I bought a sheet of 20 to go with my collection that includes all the other Disney stamp sheets issued so far.  I also ended up getting the D23 Expo First Day Issue envelope featuring the Buzz Lightyear stamp.  I debated about getting the stamped envelopes, but liked the D23 Expo ones better and it did not seem worth paying for the whole set.  I kind of wanted the stamped postcards, but I only wanted to have one to mail for my postmarked postcard collection and it was not worth buying 19 extra just to do that.

The line itself was accessible, but when we got to the front I ended up leaving Mik off to the side, as he would have blocked the path for others to get to the other counters if they opened up.  Not to mention it would have been awkward to get him back out with the minimal space to go through the counter area and since he was not interested in the stamps it did not matter to him to not go to the counter.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2011: Dream Store

Date: August 19, 2011

After getting through the Disney Store at the Expo, we headed over to the Dream Store.  The line for this store was much longer just to get in and then was quite ridiculous inside.  At first we were regretting not going there first, but it all worked out okay in the end because we still got the pins we wanted.

The Dream Store was technically laid out more roomier to navigate through than the Disney Store, but it was extremely crowded and the line weaved around through it making it way worse to navigate.  To browse the store we had to cut across the line.  Then to get into the line, we had to cut across twice to find the end.  I think they should have been better limited the crowd inside or have better thought out how the line should go around if people are also trying to wander around browsing in the area the line is winding through.

It took us about an hour to just get into the Dream Store.  We then soon realized we just needed to get in line because we only wanted pins.  Getting through that line took us about 90 minutes.  It did seem like forever, but it ended up being worth it because Mik got the pin he really wanted as did I.  Mik got the Star Tours Piece of History Pin.  I got the Sorcerer Mickey Annual Pass Exclusive D23 Expo pin.  We were also pleasantly surprised that we got to save 20% here with out Annual Pass just like when we shop in the parks.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2011: Disney Store

Date: August 19, 2011


After waiting in line for 9am early entry to the Expo and taking about 20 minutes to move up in line enough to be inside the D23 Expo, we began tackling the shopping.  We started with about a 20 minute line for the Disney Store.  The line into the store area was wheelchair accessible.  Inside the store it was mostly accessible, although it was hard to get to the edges.  However, the stuff on the edges was mostly extras of stuff you could get from the middle area.

Mik and I have both avoided buying Vinylmation in the past.  We have looked, but the only ones I ever sort of watned were the penguins, but they are both part of series that you do not know what you get until after you buy and open it.  Mik has really been wanting a Vinylmation for his miniature collection, but only saw one he actually liked yesterday at Disneyland.  However, we both refused to buy anything  until after the Expo.


There was not much of interest for us in the Disney Store, but Mik instantly wanted the Vinylmation.  It is a cool silver 25th Disney Store Anniversary one.  What he really liked was it also came with a pin.  I ended up also getting one because I wanted a pin and did not like the big one sold on its own.  It was about the same price as just the big pin, so I figure I might just sell the Vinylmation or maybe I could trade it for a penguin one.  Maybe, I will just keep it, though, as it is kind of cool.


Mik also fell in love with the Expo exclusive 25th Anniversary ornaments.  He thought for sure I would want the Sorcerer Mickey one, but I felt it was too pink looking.  Mik thought about getting it anyways, but ended up settling on the Jiminy Cricket one.  I kind of thought he would go for the Buzz Lightyear one, but it also had pink, which was even odder.

When we got to the checkout line, I was worried it would be annoying because it was set up with little room to go through the queue.  I thought we might have to keep moving the pedestals like we had to at the Twins Team Shop.  However, when we got to entering it the Cast Member had us cut the line to the front.  It was still kind of awkward because we had to go against traffic coming out to the register and then after paying had minimal room to turn around and get out, but everyone was friendly and it was better than having to try to squeeze through the queue.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise: Goofy's Galley

Date of Visit: July 2011

Goofy's Galley was our favorite place to get breakfast on the cruise.  Mik especially liked the little croissants, which had chocolate in them.  They also had yogurt, parfaits, other baked goods, and various fruit.



The best part of Goofy's Galley though is the self serve soft serve ice cream.  Only one machine was working the whole trip, so it was easy for the line to get long, especially in the afternoon.  Also, annoyingly the machines were often closed in the late evening even though the navigator said they were open until 11pm.  There are cones to out the ice cream in right by it, but you can also go get a cup from the soda area to use.  Too bad they don't have root beer, though, as it would be great to make a root beer float.

Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise: Pinocchio Pizzeria

Date of Visit: July 2011

We only had the pizza once or twice on the cruise.  The slices are rather small, but you can ask for the amount you want.  The pizza is not bad, but it is not all that great either.  Also, we found it easily got cold since it was cold outside and they didn't were often only just warm when served.  Definitely, does not work out well for getting and carrying back to the cabin to eat.

Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise: Pluto's Doghouse

Date of Visit: July 2011

Pluto's Doghouse was our favorite place to get lunch on the ship.  I enjoyed the veggie burgers and the fish burger was okay.  Mik liked the hot dogs and burgers.  It was nice you could put what you wanted on it and how much on your own with the toppings bar.