Anaheim Comic Con is next week (April 16-18, 2010) at the Anaheim Convention Center and if the lineup, or the chance of meeting GamingAngels and getting an official GamingAngels button aren’t reasons enough to go, now you can also get free stuff just for being there.

Yes, it’s true that at most comic book conventions you better beware because you may end up spending more than you wanted. But there are two things you can get for free, just for registering.

Wizards of the Coast will be distributing free half-packs of Magic: The Gathering M10 cards.

“The giveaway of the valuable Magic: The Gathering cards will be a big hit with Anaheim Comic Con attendees of all ages,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard Entertainment CEO. “We are excited that Wizards of the Coast will have such a strong presence at the event.”

For the young ones, Gogos Crazy Bones will be free to Kids 10 and under courtesy of Irwin Toy. Gogos Crazy Bones is a collectible, mini-game.

“Having an international sensation like Gogos Crazy Bones available free to kids is a great bonus for Anaheim Comic Con attendees,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard Entertainment CEO. “It’s particularly gratifying to be partnering with Irwin Toy, which has been a leader in the industry for more than 80 years.”

Buy your tickets for Anaheim Comic Con in advance online because it’s cheaper.

Can’t make it to Anaheim Comic Con? Here is a list of Wizard World’s Comic Cons that might be somewhere near you…
Wizard World Comic Con Tour:
March 26-28, 2010, Toronto Comic Con, Direct Energy Centre
April 16-18, 2010, Anaheim Comic Con, Anaheim Convention Center
June 11-13, 2010, Philadelphia Comic Con, Pennsylvania Convention Center
August 19-22, 2010, Chicago Comic Con, Donald E. Stephens (Rosemont) Convention Center
October 1-3, 2010, New England Comic Con, John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center
October 7-10, 2010, Big Apple Comic Con, Pier 94
October 15-17, 2010, New Jersey Comic Con, New Jersey Convention and Expo Center
November 12-14, 2010, Austin Comic Con, Austin Convention Center
December 3-5, 2010, Atlanta Comic Con, Cobb Galleria Centre
Cincinnati Comic Con, TBD
Cleveland Comic Con, TBD
Nashville Comic Con, TBD

Given that we already had rumors flying that Blizzcon might take place in Vegas I would be careful about getting too excited over the news. I’ve included the screenshot that WoW.com snagged and if I hear any news I will definitely update the post. Hopefully Blizzard will announce when and where the convention will be soon!

Tip via WoW.com

blizzcon

BlizzCon has outgrown Anaheim Convention Center. Every year many more people attempt to get tickets to BlizzCon but end up not getting in. It looks like Blizzard may be looking to correct that with next year’s BlizzCon.

WoW.com found on the Vegas Convention website that Blizzard has reserved for BlizzCon 2010 in Las Vegas July 30th and 31st. Viva Las Vegas! The new space can hold 30,000 instead of Anaheim’s 20,000.

Blizzard has yet to announce the venue, but I would bet on it being in Vegas next year! You know GamingAngels will be there to get all the coverage!

UPDATE: Blizzard has added this official response which isn’t so surprising:
“We haven’t announced any details regarding our next BlizzCon, so please refrain from making any travel plans at this time.”

UPDATE #2: Update 12:30 p.m. PST, 11-13-09: The LVCC has retracted their statement. LVCC is saying that it was human error and the confirmation they gave was false. There was a hold placed because they were talking to Blizzard but the hold was made a reservation by accident.

Major League Gaming is coming to the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend from November 6-8. The world’s top pros, our GamerBeauties, and many spectators will be watching and playing over the busy three days.

Admission to the events is $20 for all three days and fans can interact with “Play-a-Pro” matches, watch matches and be there for live broadcasts. I highly recommend going and cheering on GamerBeauties as well!

We’ll be documenting their progress through the competition and would love to talk to other women competing. Let me know if your team will be there and we’ll schedule an interview.

Here is the full schedule for the competition which features Halo 3, Gears of War, Call of Duty 4, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 and World of Warcraft.

AMAZING PRO MATCHES START ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND GO ALL WEEKEND LONG!!
Highlights include:
* # 3 Ranked Team-Instinct-Friday 11/6 at 5:30 pm PT
* Dallas Champions-Triggers Down-Friday 11/6 at 6:45 pm
* The Dallas sweetheart story-Carbon-Friday 11/6at 10:30 pm
* 2008 National Champions-Str8 Rippin- Friday 11/6 at 10:30 pm
* Call of Duty and Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 Championships-Friday 11/6
* World of Warcraft Championship-all weekend long

EA SPORTS CHALLENGE SERIES
Highlights include:
* Madden Challenge-Saturday and Sunday 11/7 and 11/8
* NBA Live-first place finisher takes $1,000; 2nd place takes
$500-Saturday 11/7
* Fight Night Round 4- first place finisher takes $1,000; 2nd
place takes $500-Sunday 11/8

FOOD, SWAG, PLAY-A-PRO, AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS AND MORE
* Ball Park Friday Morning Tailgate-Friday 11/6 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
* Str8 Rippin play-a-pros, autograph/photo sessions, and expo
scrims at the Dr Pepper booth Friday and Saturday
* Team Instinct autograph and photo session at the Old Spice booth
on Saturday 11/7 at 6:15 pm
* Customize your own t-shirts at the Stride booth
* Be an MLG Legend and hang with our broadcast personalities at
the BIC Comfort 3 Advance Booth
* Win Best Buy gift cards if you can prove your Madden skills on
Saturday and Sunday at the Best Buy booth

CHEER THE BEST AMATEURS IN THE WORLD AND PUT YOUR OWN SKILLS TO THE
TEST!
* See over 1600 of the best amateurs in the country try to make it
into the pro bracket and get noticed by the pros
* FFA and Wingman competitions at the GameBattles Arcade-

MLG LIVE BROADCASTS-WATCH HISTORY BEING MADE-LIVE!
* Pre-game show-Friday 11/6 at 4:30 pm PT
* Friday Night Kick Off-Friday 11/6 at 5:30 pm
* ESPN Saturday Night-Saturday 11/7 at 5:00 pm
* Call of Duty 4 Championship-Saturday 11/7 at 8 pm
* MLG Championship Sunday-Sunday 11/8 at 3 pm

D23 Expo Flyer

ABC will be invading D23 Expo with stars from ABC series as well as a sneak peek into the ABC Fall schedule. D23 Expo is the expo about everything Disney and is September 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

“The ABCs of Disney” will be September 10 at 3pm. Tom Bergeron will host the event with President of ABC, Steve McPherson to talk about ABC’s upcoming shows. Patricia Heaton, Kelsey Grammer, Ed O’Neil, Joseph Fiennes, will all be on hand to talk about Wednesday night comedies.

“The ABCs of Disney” will end with a performance of two of the Dancing with the Stars champions, including Cheryl Burke. Fans will get a chance to receive autographs and take pictures with the stars.

Throughout the expo, visitors can stop by the “ABC House Screening Room: where guests can relax as if in their living room and see all the sneak peeks of the fall schedule.

Lost fans will want to attend as they will have props, set pieces, costumes and collectors’ artifacts for fans to check out. Visitors can sign up for Lost University and receive a limited edition collector’s pin available only at D23 Expo.

To find out information about tickets and the Expo go to www.D23Expo.com.

D23 Mickey

Disney is offering a “behind-the-magic” tour of Disney’s theme parks and resorts and invites fans to see what Disney has in store for the future at D23 Expo. Everything Disney will be will be at the Anaheim Convention Center in California from September 10-13.

There will be plenty of displays and presentations for fans. On Saturday, September 12, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo will share some “behind-the-magic” details on several new projects including the 12-acre Cars Land that’s going to open at Disney’s California Adventure in 2012.

Here’s an example of what D23 Expo attendees will get to see:
• Never-before-seen models of classic Disney attractions and glimpses of coming projects that will surprise and delight even the most knowledgeable Disney fans.
• An exclusive sneak peek at the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure that’s so big, it won’t fit inside the Blue Sky Cellar.
• The chance to meet, up close and personal, Lucky the Dinosaur and Wall-E.
• A preview of the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figures ever created.
• Displays showcasing cutting-edge effects technologies that are being developed for Disney attractions, shows and venues.
• New Disney Cruise Line itineraries for 2011.

This sounds like an amazing event for Disney fans. Tickets to the D23 Expo are available at www.D23Expo.com. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: the Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions and get early entry to each day of the D23 Expo.

There are also vacation packages for guest that have to travel. Check out the D23 Expo website for all the information!

D23 Expo Flyer

Wizard Entertainment

Gareb Shamus CEO of Wizard Entertainment has announced the launch of Anaheim Comic-Con. A con that is closer to Los Angeles than San Diego Comic Con. The con is even dated already and set for April 16-18, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Richard McWilliam, Upper Deck Chairman/CEO said, “Gareb and I have been friends for many years now, and I’m happy to see him once again back in Southern California. On behalf of myself and Upper Deck, we congratulate Gareb for bringing the fans here another great Comic-Con.”

Wizard used to host a convention at the LA Convention center but closed it when attendance was low.

“We had an outpouring of requests by fans and partners to return to Southern California, and felt that Anaheim was the best place to come back to,” said Shamus. “There is a real desire here for a comic based pop-culture experience, and I feel privileged to get back in touch with our west coast fans in this way. This will truly be an event for families and people of all ages.”

Tickets can already be purchased here.

[source CBR]