I think part of my problem is that what I really want is something more like those "academic" style cons I've seen for the Harry Potter fans, with a lot of focus on the underlying mythology, fanfic writing, etc.

That's the kind of stuff I would love to see at Celebration too. Comic Con has scheduled legal workshops, tips for getting into the biz, screenwriting classes, how to do podcasts, etc.. There's even a Twilight fan fiction group meeting in a neighboring hotel. I understand they want to make Celebration all about geeky fun and there's nothing wrong with geeky fun. But I noticed the lack of substance at the last Celebration and I was disappointed they didn't change up the programming very much this time around. Another big yawn from me on the con exclusives. I'll likely hit up the Celebration store for other goodies but the best Boba Fett item is one of the artists' exclusives.

One thing about Celebration that sets it apart from other cons...it's Darwinian to the extreme. I joked years ago that it's like the Star Wars episode of Survivor where your job is to outsmart, outplay, and outlast every other attendee in order to see, do, and get what you want. There are times when you'll feel like the guy at the car show who has to keep his hand on the new Ferrari all Memorial Day weekend to win it.

But I'm really looking forward to the Disney party. That will be fun! Disney does that kind of stuff right.