30 MARCH 2016
I think this will impact only a few of you but here it is: D23 and San Diego Comic-Con will be almost on top of each other in 2017.
D23, Disney's epic convention, will be held 14-16 July, while SDCC is expected to be 19-23 July. This doesn't have to be a bad thing if you've got the vacation time and spending money to do both - and the physical endurance - but some fans may feel forced to choose between the two, if the 2017 badge sale doesn't choose for them.
Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts
And you thought SDCC was expensive
14 AUGUST 2015
Today kicks off D23 Expo, the famed Disney celebration that has caught the nerd world's eye this year for its inclusion of Star Wars and Marvel doings. I almost went; today's press has convinced me it would have been a fool's errand, that I would have been hopelessly outclassed by Disney veterans who understand all the tricks that a noob like me is hopelessly ignorant about. What time/day to get in line. What kind of membership is needed to ensure success. How to buy specific collectibles. How to get into certain panels. You know, like San Diego Comic-Con.
Except NOT, because of this: "At 9 a.m., the VIP Sorcerer members, those who paid $2,000 for primary access and shopping opportunities, were let onto the showroom floor. The room was buzzing with excitement and a sense of anxiety as guests wondered if their long hours of waiting would get them the limited items."
Wait, what? $2,000 for "primary access and shopping?" Comic conventions look like the Family Dollar Store in comparison. That's incredible. Even VIP Con packages tend to range from $300-500.
But attendees think it's worth it; Sorcerer members got early access to buy exclusives, front-row access to any panel, exhibit tours, snacks and a 20-minute massage voucher. One guy even put it in SDCC terms: "I'm a San Diego native, so I know how Comic-Cons get crazy. But Disney provides a hassle-free way of dealing with the lines and crowd. It's a better deal."
Better except for the people who can't pony up 2K, of course. Anyway, if you have your eye on the next Expo in 2017 - and who knows, Disney could own 2/3 of Hollywood by then - the Sorcerer's package has been bumped up $500 each convention and there are supposedly about 300 memberships available. So save your pennies or skip your next 10 Comic Cons.
Otherwise D23 looks a lot like your typical Con:
Fandom: why is it so intense? Is it because religious people and sports fans get to go to services and games on a regular basis, while we mostly bottle up our passions with just 1 or 2 outlets a year? I don't know. But it does seem that people like not just convention content but the pursuit of it - the drama, the determination, the conquest. Or as an SDCC first-timer said to me this summer, "We want to do Hall H next year. Camping out looks fun."
As someone who will (almost) always choose a hotel bed over a sleeping bag, I don't understand that attitude at all - but it's possible soft attendees like me are being winnowed out of the Con game, a Darwinian selection where only the hardest of hardcore fans succeed at these events. It'll be interesting to see if the next Expo involves longer lines and higher-priced memberships. Maybe it won't. But it's clear that given the demands these events place on attendees, you have to be a very serious fan indeed to make it worth it.
Today kicks off D23 Expo, the famed Disney celebration that has caught the nerd world's eye this year for its inclusion of Star Wars and Marvel doings. I almost went; today's press has convinced me it would have been a fool's errand, that I would have been hopelessly outclassed by Disney veterans who understand all the tricks that a noob like me is hopelessly ignorant about. What time/day to get in line. What kind of membership is needed to ensure success. How to buy specific collectibles. How to get into certain panels. You know, like San Diego Comic-Con.
Except NOT, because of this: "At 9 a.m., the VIP Sorcerer members, those who paid $2,000 for primary access and shopping opportunities, were let onto the showroom floor. The room was buzzing with excitement and a sense of anxiety as guests wondered if their long hours of waiting would get them the limited items."
Wait, what? $2,000 for "primary access and shopping?" Comic conventions look like the Family Dollar Store in comparison. That's incredible. Even VIP Con packages tend to range from $300-500.
But attendees think it's worth it; Sorcerer members got early access to buy exclusives, front-row access to any panel, exhibit tours, snacks and a 20-minute massage voucher. One guy even put it in SDCC terms: "I'm a San Diego native, so I know how Comic-Cons get crazy. But Disney provides a hassle-free way of dealing with the lines and crowd. It's a better deal."
Better except for the people who can't pony up 2K, of course. Anyway, if you have your eye on the next Expo in 2017 - and who knows, Disney could own 2/3 of Hollywood by then - the Sorcerer's package has been bumped up $500 each convention and there are supposedly about 300 memberships available. So save your pennies or skip your next 10 Comic Cons.
Otherwise D23 looks a lot like your typical Con:
- Some attendees "are frustrated knowing some people are only buying souvenirs to scalp later."
- But others felt like their line BFFs made the weekend more magical. "She said it was the relationships she has formed in line with people she had never met before that are making it worth it."
- Rumors and possible misinformation fuel everyone's agenda: "We don't know if we'll get the dolls, it's rumored 50 or 100 dolls will be given out today."
- Which in turns fuels odd hours and sacrificed sleep: "I'm going to be here at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning to make sure I get those dolls."
- There was an "exclusive preview sale Thursday night."
- And of course people were camped out with blankets and coolers a day in advance - the non-Sorcerers, I'm guessing. One difference: at 10 p.m. they were allowed to go in and sleep on the floor of the convention center. How generous.
Fandom: why is it so intense? Is it because religious people and sports fans get to go to services and games on a regular basis, while we mostly bottle up our passions with just 1 or 2 outlets a year? I don't know. But it does seem that people like not just convention content but the pursuit of it - the drama, the determination, the conquest. Or as an SDCC first-timer said to me this summer, "We want to do Hall H next year. Camping out looks fun."
As someone who will (almost) always choose a hotel bed over a sleeping bag, I don't understand that attitude at all - but it's possible soft attendees like me are being winnowed out of the Con game, a Darwinian selection where only the hardest of hardcore fans succeed at these events. It'll be interesting to see if the next Expo involves longer lines and higher-priced memberships. Maybe it won't. But it's clear that given the demands these events place on attendees, you have to be a very serious fan indeed to make it worth it.
What Comic-Con means to investors
16 JULY 2015
Are you curious how San Diego Comic-Con is going to impact your portfolio? (Assuming you have one and it's chock full of major studio stocks.) I'm pretty sure the Motley Fool just wanted an excuse to talk about Star Wars, but this article does contain a few speculative points on how Con performance can impact trading prices and where you might want to invest your discretionary stock dollars. Spoiler alert: that would be Disney, who consistently makes 15%-17% returns on equity year after year.
Are you curious how San Diego Comic-Con is going to impact your portfolio? (Assuming you have one and it's chock full of major studio stocks.) I'm pretty sure the Motley Fool just wanted an excuse to talk about Star Wars, but this article does contain a few speculative points on how Con performance can impact trading prices and where you might want to invest your discretionary stock dollars. Spoiler alert: that would be Disney, who consistently makes 15%-17% returns on equity year after year.
Enter the Disney Infinity Challenge at SDCC
22 JUNE 2015
From Disney Infinity
Most contests are about getting you to San Diego Comic-Con. Now Disney is running a contest at Comic-Con to get you onto a 3-night Disney Cruise - if you prove yourself to be one of the top 3 Disney Infinity Superfans.
The tournament: You'll compete in the first leg at SDCC on 10 July; others will compete in the second leg during D23 in Anaheim in August; the third leg will happen in September, TBA. All contestants will receive a Disney Infinity Prize Pack.
To enter: Submit a video (one minute or less) and tell Disney why you're a Disney Infinity Superfan. They're looking for 16 contestants for the SDCC part of the tournament. It should include:
The winner of each leg will go to the IN Games Finals on the Disney Cruise Line, which includes 2 round-trip air tickets, ground transport, a stateroom for two, with all meals comped.
Most contests are about getting you to San Diego Comic-Con. Now Disney is running a contest at Comic-Con to get you onto a 3-night Disney Cruise - if you prove yourself to be one of the top 3 Disney Infinity Superfans.
The tournament: You'll compete in the first leg at SDCC on 10 July; others will compete in the second leg during D23 in Anaheim in August; the third leg will happen in September, TBA. All contestants will receive a Disney Infinity Prize Pack.
To enter: Submit a video (one minute or less) and tell Disney why you're a Disney Infinity Superfan. They're looking for 16 contestants for the SDCC part of the tournament. It should include:
- Your name & what you love most about Disney Infinity
- Favorite Toy Box ever made & why
- Favorite Disney Infinity Figure & why
The winner of each leg will go to the IN Games Finals on the Disney Cruise Line, which includes 2 round-trip air tickets, ground transport, a stateroom for two, with all meals comped.
Stars Wars is ready to dazzle you at Comic-Con
10 JUNE 2015
Virtual reality duels with Yoda. Sneak peeks at The Force Awakens and new collectibles. Impersonating Darth Maul. We finally know what Star Wars beauty is coming our way in a few weeks and it all looks incredible.
Clear your Comic-Con Friday and be ready for the Force to awaken.
Star Wars Panels
Obviously the big one is the Hall H panel with JJ Abrams and "special guests" on Friday. You'll get a "special look" - as in, footage that will probably have everyone on the edge of their seats.
We'll also have a two-part Star Wars Publishing panel in room 7AB from 10 am - noon. "New Star Wars retellings for a younger generation of fans."
Following that at noon in the same room, we'll have Hasbro Star Wars - a panel that hints at "a special product reveal."
That's followed with a Star Wars Collectibles Update at 1 pm and then Industrial Light and Magic 40th anniversary panel at 2 pm. We're still in 7 AB for this one.
We'll also get a Disney Infinity 3.0 edition panel.
Disney and Star Wars Activities
"For the first time, Star Wars joins forces with characters from across The Walt Disney Company in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition – the next chapter in the best-selling hybrid toy/video game series." That means you can visit the Disney Infinity Pop-Up Shop, located in the Gaslamp District, and play as Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul or other Star Wars characters.
Virtual reality duels with Yoda. Sneak peeks at The Force Awakens and new collectibles. Impersonating Darth Maul. We finally know what Star Wars beauty is coming our way in a few weeks and it all looks incredible.
Clear your Comic-Con Friday and be ready for the Force to awaken.
Star Wars Panels
Obviously the big one is the Hall H panel with JJ Abrams and "special guests" on Friday. You'll get a "special look" - as in, footage that will probably have everyone on the edge of their seats.
We'll also have a two-part Star Wars Publishing panel in room 7AB from 10 am - noon. "New Star Wars retellings for a younger generation of fans."
Following that at noon in the same room, we'll have Hasbro Star Wars - a panel that hints at "a special product reveal."
That's followed with a Star Wars Collectibles Update at 1 pm and then Industrial Light and Magic 40th anniversary panel at 2 pm. We're still in 7 AB for this one.
We'll also get a Disney Infinity 3.0 edition panel.
Disney and Star Wars Activities
"For the first time, Star Wars joins forces with characters from across The Walt Disney Company in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition – the next chapter in the best-selling hybrid toy/video game series." That means you can visit the Disney Infinity Pop-Up Shop, located in the Gaslamp District, and play as Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul or other Star Wars characters.
You can also enter the “Disney Infinity Only in the Toy Box” mediated reality experience, where you'll virtually enter the Toy Box and interact with Disney Infinity characters "such as engaging in lightsaber duels with Darth Vader or Yoda." You get a customized photo and video with your chosen character.
They'll also have a Toy Box TV Live Edition webcast on Twitch featuring new announcements, surprise guests, contests with prizes, and exclusive giveaways.
And this isn't everything. More Star Wars announcement will roll out over the next days and weeks. How excited are you?
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