Indeed: this year, the Expo is back in the South Building of the Convention Centre, so it feels bigger and swankier than last year's version. The organization of the entrances is also a little better planned out, but be warned that there's no direct access from the Skywalk from Union Station -- you have to go down Lower Simcoe Street and access the entrance on Bremner Boulevard.
After the jump: Swag!
The best bit of swag so far is at the Lucasfilm booth, where you get your picture taken wielding a lightsaber and get spliced into a photo with C-3PO and R2-D2. Then they print it out and you can use it as a postcard or whatever.
The guy taking the pictures does a good job of helping you get a good pose too. "The stupider you feel, the better it looks," he told me. Wisdom worthy of Yoda.
It being the first afternoon, the Expo wasn't too hectic. But that meant not too many interesting costumes so far, although there were a few starting to show up. Will post more from my colleague/photographer/good pal/fellow fanboy Yvan soon (the pics here are from my inferior camera).
Yvan had actually done the whole Fan Expo thing in costume a few years ago, so he's seen the action from both the fan and the press perspective now. The verdict on cutting the line with a press pass and getting up close for celeb photo ops? "This is better than dressing up -- this is real power!"