Earlier this month, Disney fans of all ages converged on the Anaheim Convention Center to celebrate all things Disney in a 3-day expo. A bi-annual event, presented by the Official Disney Fan Club (D23), the expo has been a much anticipated event for passionate and loyal Disney fans since 2009. No other convention provides a three full days of Disney magic, including exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming Disney and Pixar films, exciting celebrity appearances, eye-opening presentations by Disney luminaries and a preview of what’s coming from Disney Parks and Resorts and Walt Disney Imagineering.
While Disney could hold this expo every year with great attendance, doing it every other year creates even more heightened expectations and Disney does not disappoint. Fans were treated to surprise appearances by Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres and Dwayne Johnson, just to name a few. This access to celebrities alone is worth the price of admission, but the greatest draws for me were the entertaining exhibits, especially Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives. From the first Mickey Mouse outfit to Iron Man, the exhibition features more than 300 artifacts from nine decades of Disney’s rich history—including props; costumes; memorabilia; and artwork from classic Disney animation, theme park attractions, television shows and live-action films.
The lines to enter the convention are reaching San Diego Comic-Con ridiculous proportions, with many fans electing to campout the night before to ensure their spot for the major panels. However, once inside the convention center, the lines were better managed. One line I did not mind standing in was the line to travel to Pandora. This amazing new land, modeled in miniature for the exhibit, comes complete with floating mountains and alien wildlife, based on the movie Avatar. It’s scheduled to open in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in early 2017.
That’s not the only alien invasion we can expect. Walt Disney Studios’ Bob Iger announced that a brand-new, 14-acre land themed Star Wars will be added to Disneyland in California and to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. While it doesn’t take us to another universe, I’m excited for the new update to Disney California Adventure’s SOARIN’ attraction, which will now take riders Soarin’ Around the World. Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort will experience the innovative update as well. Not to be outdone, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek announced that Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be taken to a whole new level with “new plans to take you to infinity and beyond” with the new, 11-acre Toy Story Land.
Speaking of infinity – as a fan of DISNEY INFINITY video game, I was excited to get some hands-on time with the new 3.0 Edition. I think Disney missed a great marketing opportunity by not calling it “3P0”, especially when they had co-stars John Boyega and Daisy Ridley of Star Wars: The Force Awakens appear onstage during the Disney Interactive presentation in Hall D23 to introduce their Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition character figures, Finn and Rey. But it’s understandable since the 3.0 edition brings not just new Star Wars character play sets, but also Inside Out characters.
In addition to the new Star Wars movie, I’m excited for next April’s release of The Jungle Book, which stars Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong’o, and the adorable 11-year-old Neel Sethi. Who’s voicing Baloo the bear you ask? Bill Murray! And yes, that will be him singing “Bare Necessities”. From the animated showcase, I’m also excited bout Moana’s, Disney’s first Polynesian princess. And of course, the sequel to Finding Nemo, starring Ellen DeGeneres in Finding Dory.
With so much to look forward to, it’s no wonder the two years between D23 expos goes by quickly.
