To borrow from Shakespeare, that is the question isn’t it?
It seems early to think about whether or not to invest in the Sorcerer’s Package. After all, D23 Expo 2017 just finished and 2019 is still two years away. Tickets won’t even go on sale for a year, but once they are released there won’t be much time. Apparently, they sold out in 10 minutes. Even if you decide to make the plunge of $2,250 (2017 prices), there’s no guarantee you’ll get tickets. Not only are you competing with hardcore Disney Nerds, but investors looking to profit from the exclusive goodies and early access that comes with the package will be vying for your space.
So what do you get for your money?
Investing in the Sorcerer’s Package is more than just “good seats.” That’s a big part of it to be sure, but there are a number of great perks beyond that. In 2017, we had reserved seating in all four major areas – Hall D23, D23 Expo Arena, Walt Disney Archives Stage, and Stage 28; exclusive preview day at the Expo for shoping; pre-Expo tour of select exhibits and the Show Floor; exclusive entrance to the Expo with shortened security lines; meet and greet with a “special Disney guest;” awesome exclusive gifts from D23 and the rest of the Disney companies; an exclusive limited edition American Tourister boarding bag; a goodie bag filled with fun presents; and even a massage from an onsite therapist. Believe it or not, that’s only SOME of what you get. The folks at D23 try to add even more perks here and there to enhance your experience. One of our bonus perks was a special reception on preview night complete with rooftop fireworks and a special Sorcerer’s popcorn bucket we could refill at the Expo all weekend.
I have to admit, the biggest draw for me was the time I saved by being a Sorcerer. When you consider how much time you don’t have to wait in line to get in to the panels you most want to see, and then be guaranteed the best seats in the house, that’s an incredible perk right there. It also allows you to experience more of the Expo because whether you have special access or not, no one can do it all. It’s physically impossible. So finding a way to maximize your time is a huge benefit. I was able to shop for most of the stuff I wanted AND still make it to the big tentpole presentations (Animation, Live Action, and Parks and Resorts). Plus, getting in even 5-10 minutes early meant at least getting one special item per day that I was hoping for. I was able to buy that Limited Edtion of 300 Oswald for my daughter, that gorgeous Limited Edition 1023 Snow White, and some pretty awesome pins from Mickey’s of Glendale.
On top of all that, Sorcerer’s Package recipients get exclusive ID tags, an exclusive lounge, a “welcome” and “farewell” reception, and tons of other perks not even listed. But remember, only Gold and Gold Family Members even have a chance at purchasing these precious tickets. So if you’re not already a member, consider signing up before tickets go on sale again. If you can afford it, the Sorcerer’s Package is WELL worth the price, but bring LOTS of money! And maybe an extra suitcase…or two.
- To find out more about D23 Gold Membership, read our post on Disney Nerds!
- To follow along on our journey as a Sorcerer at D23 Expo read our first post!
- To find out more about all the things happening at D23 Expo go to our D23 Expo Page!
- To find out what great stuff is being sold at D23 Expo, check out our post!
- What was my final analysis? Read about it at the end of my Sorcerer’s Journey
Disney Nerds 
I was lucky enough to get one for 2015. Did you get one?
I did not! Wow they went fast. Hope you will have an excellent time!
lucky lol
So package sells out in seconds?
I don’t know for sure if it’s seconds, but I remember last year going on the site a couple of hours after they went on sale to buy my regular tickets and they were already gone completely. I would guess they sell out as fast as the computer can process the sales, but until I try it I won’t know for sure. I’ll let you know!
How do you purchase the sorcerer package? I’m a gold member. Do I have to purchase the 3-day first and it will lead me to purchase the package?
Hi, Winnie! So glad you’re reading Disney Nerds! Unfortunately, all the Sorcerer Package tickets are sold out already. If they had not been sold out, it would have been an option on the same page as the 3-day pass. These packages sold out within 10 minutes. Hopefully, next time you’ll get to purchase it.
I was online at exactly 10:00 am…..and there was never an option for sorcerer tix. Just saying.
Hi, Betty! Thanks for reading! Yes, me too. There wasn’t a link at all on the D23 Expo site. I went to Twitter and someone posted the link to the sales site which was a completely different link altogether (you can now reach it from the D23 site). I’m not sure what happened – my guess is something went wrong with the server due to too many people all at once? I’m not sure and Disney hasn’t said officially what happened as far as I know. I did get tickets so I know they exist, but they sold out very quickly.
Hi. Can someone *please* post details about the schedule for people with a Sorcerer’s Package, especially the *Thursday* before the event. I want to go to the park on Thursday but I’m not sure how much time if any I’ll have to enjoy the park or if the day before is full of Sorcerer’s Package events. And just in general is there time to enjoy the park during the expo, at least in the evening?
Thanks!
Hi, Arthur! A schedule hasn’t been posted yet and likely won’t be posted until close to the event. If it’s like it has been in the past, there are events in the afternoon and I believe at night on Thursday. The Expo has evolved each time so it’s hard to tell what will be the same and what will be different. In general there is something going on all day long from about 10am to 6pm every day. And as a Sorcerer’s Package recipient, you’ll have early access and you’ll want to use it. If you really want to go to the park, I would suggest coming a day early or staying a day late and spending the time to enjoy it. Hope that helps.
Great information- thanks for sharing.
If you have a Sorcerer package do you get to use a separate entrance.
I am asking because I saw a picture of thousands of people in line.
I am a senior and my back and legs would not be able to take stand for hours just to get it.
Good news and bad news. Good news is there is another entrance! Bad news you might still have to wait in line. But it is nowhere NEAR as long as the regular line. And you don’t have to wait overnight to get in. More like an hour. And that’s only at the beginning. The hardest part will actually be getting the ticket. Of our group, only about half of the ticket holders were repeats. And not because people didn’t want to get a ticket but because they are that hard to get.
Thanks for all the information about being a Sorcerer. How many Sorcerer Package tickets were you able to purchase?
When I went last year, I only bought one, but you can buy up to 2. I don’t know if they’ll change it this year. They haven’t announced any ticket information yet!
Thanks a bunch! We are hoping to go in 2019 for the first time.
To purchase the Sorcerers Package, were you logged into your D23 Gold account to see the link? Or did you have to have your D23 Gold number available? Since they sell out so quickly, I am trying to understand the detailed logistics and be prepared. Thanks!
Both. I was logged into my Gold account to see the link AND you need your number to buy the tickets.