Our cups are always half full … at the very least.  In truth, they typically run over!

Caffeinated and ready to roll.

Our first stop that morning was a Back to the Future script reading featuring voice actors.  FE has never had an event like this before, and BTTF is having a moment–it’s currently one of Penn’s favorites, and we know the cool hunters’ lead dog is always several yards ahead of the pack.  So, we made it a FE must do.  Clearly, he was right.  The reading was scheduled for the Convention Center Theatre, and by the looks of the looping hallway line, it would be a packed house.

We had no idea what to expect.  The panel was comprised of the top talent behind your favorite video games and toons.  The only face you might recognize is Phil Lamarr, far left.  We had no idea that they’d be reading selections from the script in multiple voices: Bill Cosby, Barack Obama, Michael McDonald, the Penguin, Catwoman, Morgan Freeman, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jackson, and more.  And, they amped the stakes with some PG13 ad libs.

Then, surprise guests started arriving.  First, Jeremy Shada, aka Finn from Adventure Time.  He also does a mean Batman!

You’re looking at the seven smartest people in Toronto–those of us with deluxe lanyards who thought to ask the lone theater staffer if we could just wait in our seat for the next panel.

We were soon joined by about 1000 of our closest friends for a viewing of Adventure Time’s season six finale and a great Q&A with Jeremy Shada and Tom Kenny.

In the immortal words of Harper, “Jeremy Shada kinda looks like a douche but seems like a really nice guy.”  She’s right.  Both Shada and Kenny clearly enjoy working together and love AT.  Ned’s day was made when Kenny declared Starchy to be his favorite C-level AT character–although he would quibble with the C and bump him to a B.  As Penn noted, “Dad does a great Old Starchy!”

After the AT panel, we were astonished to realize our day wasn’t even half over!  BTW, Penn is season one Netflix rebooted Daredevil.  Harper is once again Lumpy Space Nesmith, Ned is sporting his AT/Mad Max Fury Road smashup t-shirt, and I’m rocking a Hogwarts T with my all purpose Cath Kidston comic book skirt–plus a BMO face tattoo.

On our way to the South Building, we came across a MM Fury Road Finn … a dream come true.

It was Saturday at FE, which meant that about 120K people were crammed into the Toronto Convention Center, shuffling their way between buildings via checkpoints and escalators.  Along route, there are always people watching distractions.  Like Stormtroopers.

And Princesses.

And Baymax (so adorable, he even did the Baymax walk).

Season two Daredevil, season one DD, and Cap (who just sort of wandered into the picture).

Two season one DDs to promote gender equality!

And, harmony exists in the Marvelverse:  our DD joins girl Loki, a new Cap, and Star Lord to rock the North Building.

Even the littlest FE goers get into the act … Let it Go, Toronto!

After wandering both buildings, we brought our spoils back to the premium lounge to rest our tired feet.  We still don’t know what makes this space premium, other than the fact that most of us got to sit on chairs rather than on the floor in a corner like everyone else.  Our minis of the day.  And, big-up to Mindzai for trading Harper’s duplicate Unicorno for this little Moofia milk bottle!

Penn scored big on his one and only mystery box buy: a Groot keychain!

They take the screening into the premium lounge seriously; this Jedi needed to dig his lanyard tag out of his multilayered costume.  Clearly, the light saber does not speak for itself.

Then, it was off to another queue: this one for our special event, A Hogwarts Reunion!

Footwear of FE: Birks, Combat Boots, Blue Nail Polish freed from sensible Clarks flats, and New Balance.

After waiting in the hallway, we got to wait in the hall itself.  After a long day at FE, it was time for this little Hogwarts student to take a nap.

To get a sense of how big the big rooms at FE are: this is half of Room 105.  It seats about 2500 people.

We left super glad we had switched our tix from Who to Hogwarts and were wonderfully surprised by the witty Phelps twins.  We pledged to watch all the movies again, start to finish, and look just for their scenes!

The panel singled out this young woman for special praise: Lion-costumed Luna Lovegood became a FE star that night!

We were starved post-panel, so headed to the TIFF O&B Canteen for dinner.  We love this place: great food, hip environs and convenient location.  I think we stop here every year.

A newer arrival on King Street: a literal hole in the wall Gelato place: it seems to be open only at night with a storefront opening as wide as a door backed by a counter with about 8 flavors, a speaker system blasting rap out front, and absolutely delicious gelato.  Genius!

Our stroll to dessert revealed us true FE regulars, as vendors recognized us on the street and commiserated with us about being day three tired.  And, with that, Saturday was over: we went back to the future, had an adventure time, and caught up with old friends from this weird boarding school.  Another smashing FE day.  Maps!