Reported by Jami Ferguson
![expo](http://whysoblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/expo1.jpg)
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![mickey](http://whysoblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mickey-e1376540802322.jpg)
Having dedicated nearly all of my first two days to getting into (or out of) the Expo arena – day three is all about shopping for me. I left behind a five year old (without telling him where I was going so he wouldn’t be sad) and a husband that frankly loves Disney significantly more than I do, so I thought they both deserved a souvenir. Unlike Comic-Con, the crowds are not shoulder to shoulder and I am amazed that I can walk freely on the exhibition floor. I want to buy my son a t-shirt, and I am unable to locate a single vendor with children’s sizes. I do see that there is a walled off Disney Store but those in line tell me they have been waiting for two hours and that the line has barely moved.
![](http://whysoblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/matterhorn-e1376545064930.jpg)
I happen upon the silent auction area and briefly imagine having Matterhorn bobsleds in my living room in place of our lazy boy chairs. I’d also like to have a piece of the Dumbo ride but I I’m not willing to spend thousands of dollars on this trip. The auction items are interesting to look at but out of my budget.
![](http://whysoblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-101-e1376544461240.jpg)
Walking the floor again, I see a lot of really nice art. In some locations, you can watch the artists create their pieces. A Boba Fett picture catches my eye. I know that my husband and son would think that I’m the coolest person if I brought it home, but again I’m not willing to part with the cash.
![](http://whysoblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-12-e1376544553796.jpg)
I can’t believe that I am unable to locate a decent souvenir and after passing the same booth for the third time I resign to wait in line for the Disney Expo items. Again, not a single t-shirt in children’s sizes but I do find an iPhone 5 case, which I have personalized for my husband.
![](http://whysoblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-9-e1376544355579.jpg)
I walk outside to the structure next to the Marvel tent hoping to see something with a super-hero on it. It turns out the structure is the waffle-inator where Eggo waffles can be fired from cannons toward villains and it is related to the “Phineas and Ferb” show and it is certainly something I’ve never seen before.
![](http://whysoblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-11-e1376544682836.jpg)
Next to the Waffle-inator tower is a large hotel and inspiration strikes as I realize they must have a gift shop. Inside I find a stuffed Nemo and I am able to head home with an appropriate gift for my son. I am amazed that Disney didn’t take advantage of this opportunity to offer a ton of merchandise to their fans, which is something I thought they were known for. Now that the Expo is over, it’s hard to to believe how fast it all went. I got to see a ton of actors that I really like, a lot of movie clips that have gotten me excited up Disney’s upcoming movies, and a bunch of cool sights that could only have been seen here. I’m already looking forward to the next Expo and I hope that Disney learns from what worked and didn’t work from this one and makes it even better!
If you’d like to experience these presentations yourself, please take a look at the following videos that I’ve found that will make you feel like you were there!
To Infinity and Beyond: Disney Interactive Takes the Stage:
Walt Disney Imagineering’s 60th: Leading a Legacy:
Star Wars Attraction Teased with Walt Disney Imagineer Jason Surrell:
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