D23 Expo Recap: Day 2

Hello, and welcome to the D23 Expo, Day 2 (for more expo coverage read my D23 Expo Day 1 and Alison’s D23 Expo Day 3 recaps!) where things were taken up a big ol’ notch. I know, I couldn’t believe it either.

This is where you say, “How in the world did they top the first day? Nothing could be sweeter than Kermit the Frog and Rowlf the Dog singing a tribute to the late, great Jim Henson! Nothing could be better than Dick Van Dyke in concert!

Fair enough. However, where Day 1 was a tip of the hat to Disney legends, Day 2 was about the now and the immediate future. Hence John Lasseter introducing Billy Crystal to a standing ovation (Lasseter also received a standing ovation) while discussing the upcoming Pixar film Monsters University. Also, Jason Segel coming out with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy to discuss the new Muppet Movie. And of course, the Avengers assembling. On stage. That’s right, with the exception of the Hulk and Captain America, the entire team came out to watch a trailer that they had never seen. Robert Downey, Jr. made us watch it twice. Basically, it was a parade of celebrities (including Jennifer Garner, Sarah Silverman, and Jon Cryer, to name but a few) and Disney awesomeness (including Rich Ross, Andrew Stanton, and Marvel’s Kevin Feige, to again name but a few). My inner geek setting was at 11.

The new projects announced looked fantastic.

Among some surprises were Wreck-It Ralph scenes and cast (Sarah Silverman and a very tan Jack McBrayer) and two new Pixar films, both untitled, about dinosaurs and inside the human mind, respectively.

Also, Buzz and Woody brought a giant cake onstage to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pixar, and then an army of cupcakes advanced on the entire crowd. We all shared a frosting-covered moment and then went back to being awestruck.

Among the exhibits in the expo hall was a large walk-through area called the Carousel of Projects, where you could talk to people about Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, and Disney Cruise Line, as well as new technology and expansion plans for all of the parks.

The rest of the day was filled with celebrities and artists and people dressed as characters meeting said characters. It was capped by a showing of the new 3D retooling of The Lion King.

All in all, it was pretty magical. What? Disney doesn’t own that.

Photos courtesy of Disney