More than meets the eye as the Transformers convention hits Disney World

Watch out Walt Disney World, Transformers are invading this weekend. The Dolphin Hotel and Convention Center will be the home for the 16th annual “BotCon” – the official Transformers convention – hosted by The Transformers Collectors’ Club and Hasbro, the creators and owners of the Transformers franchise.

From June 25 to 27, 2010, thousands of Transformers fans and collectors from around the world will arrive at Disney World. This year’s convention will feature special guests, including creators and artists from animated series, video games and comic books, as well as the Hasbro Transformers brand and design team.

Additionally, after more than 25 years of “More Than Meets The Eye” action, Hasbro has established the Transformers Hall of Fame, with the inaugural class of both “Robots in Disguise” and those influential in creating and building the iconic entertainment brand being inducted during the convention.

First introduced in 1984 by Hasbro and Takara as a toy line, Transformers has morphed into cartoons and feature films.

Here’s a look at what can do at BotCon 2010:

• Meet voice actors from the recent Transformers films and various Transformers animated series.
• See yet-to-be released Transformers toys from the 2010 product line and compete in the “Hunt for Decepticons” challenge.
• Experience the new Transformers: War for Cybertron video game from Activision.
• View new Transformers comics, interact with their comic book artists and writers, and get insider information about new and upcoming series.
• Attend panel discussions and interactive workshops led by Transformers experts.
• View fan-created diorama and customized action figure contest entries.
• Purchase exclusive Transformers products sold only at this year’s convention.
• Buy, sell or trade Transformers toys from throughout the franchise’s 26-year history at more than 200 tables of merchandise.

Day passes are available to everyone from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Adult tickets are $18; Children 6 to 12 are $10; Children 5 and under are free. The hotel also charges a parking fee.

For more information, visit www.BotCon.com or call (817) 448-9863.