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D23 Expo Recap: Day 1

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Friday, August 19 was opening day of the D23 Expo (I’m working under the assumption that you are familiar with D23) and it kicked off with a bang. Or a mouse, as the case may be. It always starts with a mouse.

D23 crowdsWhile the expo was open to the general ticket-buying public, it did offer a number of perks specifically to official D23 members, such as discounted passes, special “members only” events and early admission. It pays to belong, people!

Friday’s itinerary started at 9:00 a.m. with two of the aforementioned members only events, namely the Disney Store Opening Ceremony and the Radio Disney Road Crew Dance Party.

Other events that morning included an art contest with Disney.com, vintage footage showcasing the history of the Disneyland Hotel (congrats, DH, on the new ranking!), meet and greets with artists Jim Salvati and Robert Olszewski of the Disney Store and Disney Dream, respectively, and characters from Disney Channel’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates.

Then it was time for the 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony, which was, as you might imagine, magical. However, not everyone was able to attend the ceremony, so they had to settle for other really cool things like The Wonderful Words of Disney… Behind the Page: Kingdom Keepers presentation with Ridley Pearson. I would have loved to have attended this event to discuss some of my issues with the continuity, or lack thereof, within the series, but alas, Mr. Pearson was spared my fanboy criticism, and is probably the better for it.Read More »D23 Expo Recap: Day 1

Disney Legends honored at D23 Expo

TOM BERGERON, PAIGE O'HARA, LEA SALONGA, ANIKA NONI ROSE, JODI BENSON

By all accounts the Friday 2011 Disney Legends ceremony was the emotional highlight of the D23 Expo. From four princess voices on stage singing together, to the family of Guy Williams, and a duet between Kermit The Frog and Rowlf the Dog to honor Jim Henson, there was not a dry eye in the house. That is, of course, if you could make it into the show. Lines formed early and the show filled up far ahead of time.

More photos and a list of all the honorees below the jump:

Read More »Disney Legends honored at D23 Expo

D23 Expo Begins!

Update: Check out this Imagineering video recorded by Orlando Attractions Magazine. It shows some of the development that went into the Dwarf’s Mine Ride coming (we hope) to Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland expansion:

Two videos have been released before the Expo floor opens up this morning. A lot of great stuff to see there. A real wonderland of Disney history and upcoming attractions (I think I saw Storybook Circus in there).

A video with hosts from from Shake It Up below the jump:

Read More »D23 Expo Begins!

Two new trailers for “Disney Universe” – Wall-E & Lion King worlds

Two new trailers for the upcoming video game “Disney Universe” were released by Disney Interactive Studios. It was also announced on Twitter that the game will be at the Disney Gaming Pavilion at D23. Click here to read more about the game, or watch the two following trailers that give a preview of the Wall-E and Lion King themed worlds. (The Lion King one gives some nice hints as to the type of mini-games that will be included in Disney Universe.)

Pre-order it today for Wii, Xbox, or Playstation.

one more below the jump:

Read More »Two new trailers for “Disney Universe” – Wall-E & Lion King worlds

D23 Expo sounds like fun

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of D23. I think a fan club is the sort of stuff Disney should be doing for free. To tie some sort of merchandising to a Disney club cheapens the experience. That said everyone I spoke with who attended last year’s D23, reported what a great event it was an this year’s is shaping up similarly. If you want to attend you’ll likely get to see all sorts of fun stuff like newly released concept art, theme park models, TV pilots, and more all before anyone else does.

One of the interesting aspects of the D23 Expo is how it’s almost a mini Comic-Con. In fact, it replaces much of Disney’s outreach at the Comic-Con (except for the obvious Marvel and some ABC tie-ins this year). Plus a lot of the Disney online fan community will be there either hosting Podcasts or selling books they’ve written. So it’s a good chance to meet and greet the people you’ve only known online.

Tickets to the August 19-21st D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children.

If you are going, what are you looking forward to seeing the most? What rumor do you hope is confirmed?

The full press release is below the jump:

Read More »D23 Expo sounds like fun

Announcing Magic Pursuit – May 22nd – Compete for Free

Yearning to play the D23 Scavenger Hunt game but didn’t want to plop down the $100+ registration fee per team? Not to worry. We’ve got an alternative! In fact, it’s coming to you as a grassroots push from three different Disney bloggers: myself, Shane Lindsay… Read More »Announcing Magic Pursuit – May 22nd – Compete for Free

Enchanted Tiki Room to return with Original Feel this year

Walt Disney World has finally made official the rumor that will make millions of guests lets loose a few happy tweets (the bird kind). A show that returns to the original look and feel of the Enchanted Tiki Room will indeed be returning this year… Read More »Enchanted Tiki Room to return with Original Feel this year

Destination D and WDW Scavenger Hunt Tickets go on Sale Feb. 24

Tired of all the D23 events being on the left coast, well you’ll be happy to hear that tickets for Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th will go on sale February 24 at 10 a.m. PST; 1 p.m. EST.

The Event Offers Members of Disney’s Official Fan Club an Exclusive Look at Walt Disney World and Features Disney Legends, Imagineers, Musical Performances, Entertaining Presentations, Rare Screenings, Special Gifts & More.

More details below the jump if you’re inclined:

Read More »Destination D and WDW Scavenger Hunt Tickets go on Sale Feb. 24