Disney D23

Up the Waterfall: D23 Expo, A 10 Year Retrospective

2 September 2019 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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A Zannaland Podcast!

It’s finally here! Up the Waterfall is a Disney podcast I’ve wanted to do for about 5 years now and it’s finally happening! Up the Waterfall is weekly podcast hosted by Zanna (me!) and Scott Otis. Discussions range from Disney history, to theorizing on what Disney’s future holds! Anything is possible in Disneyland! Thanks to Christian, we are also uploading the podcasts as video, in case anyone wants to watch as well as listen. 🙂

Up the Waterfall, Season One
Episode 1
“D23 Expo, A 10 Year Retrospective”

A look back at the past decade of D23 fan events, remembering what some of the biggest hits or biggest misses were. Listen and then let us know your thoughts!

This episode is also available in audio-only format.

Click here to download.

D23…and Me (and You)

12 August 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Like many other posts which I begin here lately, this one has been brewing a while, probably since the EPCOT 30 celebration put on by D23 back in *gulp* 2012…wow, has it really been that long? Well anyway, I wanted to say a lot about D23 back then, and since that time, my sentiments have only grown. I feel that I should preface this by saying that, yes, I am a charter D23 member. Growing up in the 1980’s and falling in love with the Walt Disney World of that time, and then EPCOT Center, I was lucky enough to have parents who were equally as interested and full of love for the parks. As a result, we subscribed to Disney News in our small town of Sharon, Massachusetts, and even joined the Magic Kingdom Club when it was available as a non-corporate membership. I still have that vinyl tote bag and gold membership card that came with the yearly fee to join. So joining D23 seemed like a natural thing to do, to get more knowledge and information about something you love. You got a slick magazine full of interesting articles on current and historical Disney, and the ability to attend special events. More importantly, I felt like I was supporting an arm of the company which held the same values and love for Disney past that I did. So I gladly joined and am a gold member to this day.

There has been some sharp criticism of D23 itself by hardcore fans, noting the cross-promotion or really over-synergisation (if that’s not a word. it is now) of whatever current flavor-of-the-month Disney Channel, Disney Jr., or Disney Consumer Products was strutting out on display. I do agree that most of those who joined D23 did so for the historical aspect; the archives, the trivia, the peek or entrance into otherwise unseen experiences. However, much as we like to think we are Disney’s most important fans (those with a devout love of the company’s storied past achievements and promise for the future), who will put our wallets where our mouths are when presented with the right choices, there simply aren’t enough of us to warrant a separate, exclusive club, without dipping into the overflowing pond that is families, kids, and more kids. After all, who would buy all of the things without the constant suggestion from kids about how they HAVE to have the newest whatever from the newest show on Disney Jr.? I’m oversimplifying of course, but obviously the mass-market is where the money and the success is. Bottom line, for now, you have to endure the latest Disney pop sensation to justify an archives exhibit, presentations by Tony Baxter, and other things that make a Disney nerd’s heart go a-flutter. In a perfect world, that wouldn’t be the case, but there you go.

Now where the concept of D23 just explodes (which is also what happens to the brains of most attendees), is at the special multi-day events, where the best and the brightest come together to bring you, well, the best and the brightest insights into Disney’s past, present, and future, through concept art, Imagineering processes, music, construction, and more. Many times, these stories are told straight from the horse’s mouth, when present or retired Disney cast members, Imagineers, Legends, and archivists share the information.

The first of these events was the D23 Expo in 2009. At that time, I was personally just starting down my blogging and “public” (for lack of a better term regarding my forays into the social media channels of the Disney community) path of Disney love. The concept of me leaving my three children (the youngest not even one at the time) and flying off to the far-off country of California to experience this “Expo” chock-full of Disney history and more, was beyond foreign to me. I’ve mentioned before that before my first visit to California (which I’ll expand on in a moment), the idea of flying to California just seemed an unreachable, unattainable, unthinkable option. What can I say, I was (not-so-)young and uninformed. Before my stint on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now Disney Parks Moms Panel) and the training weekend involved, I had *never* left my children for more than a few hours or a sleepover at Grammie’s house. Meeting friends in the local Disney community along with being on the panel led to the desire to simply do more; learn more, experience more and, as silly as it sounds, live more. Without straying off-topic too much, let’s just say I was a very sheltered person in many ways for many years. Painfully shy in person (ok this is still pretty true today), I had zero self-confidence and pretty much lived my life the way I always had, because it’s all I knew. Again, I don’t want to stray too much because that’s really another whole blog post for perhaps a different site altogether, but I must note that I by no means didn’t enjoy or appreciate my role as a mother to my children. But what followed in the months after I began blogging and doing more was that the whole world (though I still stuck to the Disney areas for the most part) opened up to me. So, while I missed out on the first D23 Expo, and followed along on live streams and tweets and instagrams of friends there, I decided that I could and would attend the first Destination D here in Walt Disney World. Again, as corny as this must sound, that event really changed my life.

The Destination D events are held on the even years in between the Expos (except for the first WDW one which was in 2011), and are smaller, more concentrated, less stressful events focusing solely on a particular aspect or two of Disney history. The first one was held in Disneyland and focused on just that: Disneyland. I missed that one too, because of that whole California-being-a-far-off land-that-I-still-couldn’t-possibly-get-to thing. The next one, in Walt Disney World, focused on vintage WDW to celebrate the resort’s 40th birthday (and also combined a very hot, very arduous scavenger/trivia hunt which has not been duplicated since).

To say I fell in love, would be a very severe understatement. The things we got to see were like viewing my childhood on a highlights reel, with bonus features of the stuff I missed before I was born. We heard from some of the original folks involved in the creation of Walt Disney World, from its inception to land purchases to infrastructure to making it all a reality. As a fan like most all of us in the room were, hearing these amazing tales and insights was such an honor. The real hit of the event were the three Imagineers, Jason Surrell (now with Universal but whose spirit still very much haunts the Disney community), Jason Grandt, and Alex Wright. These three had been making their presence and personalities known for months on twitter, and seeing them interact in person was a treat. Like a set of brothers giving each other an increasingly harder time each time they spoke, it was great fun, along with the fact that they shared wonderful information about their projects and the company. Oh, and to top all of that off, Richard Sherman appeared to play and sing our favorites, along with the surprise arrival of the original Dreamfinder, Ron Schneider, in full costume, with Figment. Yes, 8 year-old me was in heaven. In addition, I had the joy of meeting people I had only ever interacted with on twitter, and realizing this was actually real life. So I decided then and there, that I would make every effort to attend every future D23 event like this that I could.

Despite this new-found enthusiasm for Disney history, the Disney community, and D23 events, California and the 2011 D23 Expo still seemed sooo out of reach. When a couple of friends showed me how it could actually be affordable (ahh, I miss airfares to CA for under $300…) and I was able to work it out with my family at home, I finally took that giant leap and got myself to Disneyland. And THERE, my life truly changed. As I’ve written before, I fell head-over-heels in gushy, messy, ridiculously over-the-top in L-O-V-E with Disneyland. Everything people had warned me I wouldn’t like about Disneyland (it’s so small! it’s old! there’s so much more at WDW!) were the exact reasons I fell in love. It was perfection to me, wrapped up in a tiny little jewel-box of a park, drenched in history and dripping in emotions. Emotions I didn’t really know what to do with. I had never been a Disneyland local. I hadn’t grown up with that park, or during the time of Walt’s direct impact on it, so why was this place affecting me so? Maybe I had just been a WDW local for too long, and experiencing something new yet still familiar was just the right answer to an equation I didn’t know I’d tried to solve. Maybe it was the people I was with, sharing stories of their childhood memories there as well as park history and lore. Whatever it was, I drank it all in, and didn’t want to leave. As a result, I spend most of my time in Orlando trying to figure out how I can get back to Disneyland. And now I seem to have gone off on a tangent.

Well, really, it’s not too much of a tangent, since D23 is what brought me into the world of Disneyland, making it attainable and within reach, and worth getting to (not that Disneyland isn’t worth getting to on its own, but as an east coast girl who’d only ever been as far west as Chicago one time, having that much more reason to fly all the way to California was just what I needed). Since then, I went back to Disneyland for the Destination D in 2012, attended the amazing EPCOT 30 event, back to Disneyland for the 2013 Expo, the second Destination D in WDW, and now, the 2015 Expo will begin in just a few days and I’ll be there.

You can find hundreds of accounts of the events and happenings within these D23 events, from live blogging to play-by-plays to full video of presentations. But what those can’t convey are the the feelings that come with seeing these sometimes once-in-a-lifetime events in person. Beyond the big Hollywood stars that appear during the Studios presentations, or even the oft-anticipated news from Parks & Resorts on the Next Big Thing, it is the less-publicized little gems where you hear those first-hand stories, or see those never-before-seen photos or film footage of extinct attractions or concept art that really draw me to D23 and its productions. Sure, there are countless hours spent waiting in line to secure a seat at the bigger showcases, but they are for the most part worth it. And those gems will show themselves, and you’ll find yourself having another eye-opening epiphany of, “wow, this is why I became a Disney fan.”

And to think, I initially intended this post to be a sort of planning guide or tips for getting the most out of the D23 Expo…well, in a way, perhaps it is. Because getting the most out of any event, is remembering and realizing why you wanted to take part in it to begin with, right? You could focus on the lines, the fact that some will get shut out of seeing presentations they want to see, some merchandise you really want may be sold out, and the parks will be extra crowded. But, you are enveloped in history and surrounded by love for a company and a place and people who share that love. And you get to do it all right across the street from Disneyland. What could be better? So if you haven’t ever been to a D23 event or an Expo, think about why you want to go and focus on those things as you look at the schedule or plan your attack on the day. You won’t see everything. You will be tired. You will probably even get cranky. But that’s okay. When it’s all over, you may find you even miss those lines, and what you got to experience at the end of them.

So, a heartfelt thank you to D23 for making me sit up and take notice of my passions and things I could do to further develop them and even grow a bit as a person because of it. Now I’m flying to Disneyland for the 8th time in 4 years like it’s nothing. And I couldn’t be happier with where I’m heading.

To follow along with my D23 Expo 2015 adventures, add me on twitter: @zannaland, instagram: @zannaland, facebook.com/zannaland, or even snapchat as zannadeux. I may blog during the Expo, but most likely my updates will be on the above channels, as I tend to spend all my possible hours not at the Expo in Disneyland.

I’m excited to share my experiences with you and hope you enjoy following along. And if you were on the fence about joining D23, maybe I’ve convinced you a little bit to jump over to this side. If you’re already convinced and attending the Expo, I hope to see you there! I do have that shy/awkward thing going on, but I still love meeting new people at these events!

For all of the official scoop on the D23 Expo 2015 presentations and events, follow @DisneyD23 on twitter, facebook and instagram too. You can see a schedule of all the events too and more in-depth descriptions of the major stage presentations.

By way of disclaimer, I was provided with a single media pass for the D23 2015 Expo. That has not swayed my opinions in any way, all of the above is really me and views, like ’em or not.

D23’s Destination D to Be Held in Walt Disney World This July

21 January 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

As a charter member of D23 – I really am grateful for its existence. It brought Walt Disney history to life for me, and really, led to my first visit to Disneyland in 2011 for the D23 Expo (and I’ve now been back 5 times since!). So I’m thrilled that D23 is announcing its next Destination D event will be held here in Walt Disney World again. This was the first D23 event I attended, and it really made me realize how important it is to support those in the company who truly care about its past and work at being stewards for its future. I also couldn’t be more excited that they will be paying homage to the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. My mother actually attended this World’s Fair and it of course holds a special place in my heart. Here is the official news from D23 directly, with info on each event and a full 2014 calendar of events:

DESTINATION D: ATTRACTION REWIND presented by H20 Plus: Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” It’s in that spirit that guests this summer will have the opportunity to visit—or revisit—some of the most beloved Disney attractions of yesteryear.Destination D: Attraction Rewind, held July 26 and 27 at Walt Disney World Resort, will bring Disney archivists, Imagineers, Legends and luminaries together to celebrate fan favorites such as Adventure Thru Inner Space, If You Had Wings, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with rarely seen concept art and images; vintage video clips; and revealing stories. In addition, several presentations will be dedicated to the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, which spawned beloved attractions like it’s a small world and Carousel of Progress.

MARY POPPINS 50th ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: On August 24, 2014—nearly 50 years to the day on which this beloved classic premiered—D23 will celebrate with a very special screening event.

D23’S DISNEY FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: For the third year in a row, D23 will hit the road, visiting cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year. Hosted by Disney archivists and the D23 Team, D23’s Disney Fanniversary Celebration events will be held in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, New York City, Seattle, and other cities in fall 2014. Fanniversary 2014 will revisit some of the most beloved theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, characters, TV series, and more than 90 years of Disney history including Donald Duck, the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, Sleeping Beauty, Haunted Mansion, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Little Mermaid, and many more. Fanniversary events will be open to the public, with special admission prices and surprises created for D23 Members in attendance.

D23’S LUNCH WITH A LEGEND: A limited number of D23 Members will join Disney Legend Marty Sklar for a private luncheon on The Walt Disney Studios lot, where Marty will talk about his extraordinary 54-year career with Disney. Look for additional “Legendary” lunches later this year.

DISNEY STORE MEMBER MIXERS: After giving members a peek at the reimagined stores in Florida, Kansas, New Jersey, California, and Nevada in 2013, Disney Store will once again invite D23 Members for exclusive mornings of shopping, discounts, games and goodies.

MICKEY’S OF GLENDALE: The Walt Disney Imagineering employee store in Glendale, Calif., will open its doors to D23 Members on April 26, June 21, and other dates throughout the year, with special guests and surprises. Members will have an opportunity to purchase limited-edition merchandise and view the park-like grounds at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts’ creative “think tank.”

SCREENINGS ON THE DISNEY STUDIO LOT: Throughout the year, D23 will continue its popular movie screenings inside the historic Studio Theatre at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. The 2014 roster includes Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and The Little Mermaid.

D23 DAY AT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS AND ARCHIVES: D23’s members-only tours of the historic Studio Lot and Walt Disney Archives in Burbank return, highlighting historic moments from Disney film, television, and theme parks—as well as showcasing many of the external locations used for filming Saving Mr. Banks. Tours will take placeMarch 22, May 31, August 2, and November 8.

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Look for the return of some favorites, including the popular holiday offering DISNEY AND DICKENS (in Burbank in December), as well as other D23 traditions.

Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2014 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at www.D23.com/events. All events and dates are subject to change.

Current event calendar:

January 31: D23’s Lunch with a Legend — Marty Sklar, Burbank, Calif.
February 15: The Jungle Book, Burbank, Calif.
March 22: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
April 26: Mickey’s of Glendale shopping event, Glendale, Calif.
May 31: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
June 21: Mickey’s of Glendale shopping event, Glendale, Calif.
July 26 & 27: Destination D: Attraction Rewind presented by H20+, Walt Disney World Resort
August 2: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
August 24: Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Celebration, Los Angeles Area
Fall: D23’s 2014 Disney Fanniversary Celebration, locations to be announced mid-2014
September 13: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Burbank, Calif.
October 11: Sleeping Beauty, Burbank, Calif.
November 8: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
November 15: The Little Mermaid, Burbank, Calif.
December: Disney and Dickens, Burbank, Calif.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s more than 90-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold, Silver, and Free Membership levels at D23.com and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Impressive List of Disney Legends Announced for the 2013 D23 Expo Presentation

10 July 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

At the 2011 D23 Expo, one of my favorite moments was the Disney Legends presentation. It’s a wonderful look into Disney history and the impact individuals have had on the company and its fans. The list for 2013’s Disney Legends has just been released by D23 and it is quite an impressive roster, from Imagineer favorite Tony Baxter to Steve Jobs to Billy Crystal and John Goodman. Ed Wynn has always been a personal favorite, I loved him in Mary Poppins and Alice and Wonderland. Glen Keane has always been a favorite animator. His distinctive style is much beloved among fans. Read the full list and press release below:

BURBANK, Calif. – July 10, 2013 – Monsters Inc. and Monsters University stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman, technology visionary Steve Jobs, television icon Dick Clark and other beloved contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during the D23 Expo 2013 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, in the D23 Expo Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Disney Legends Awards program is a 26-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company. The three-day D23 Expo provides a rare opportunity for the public to be a part of the always touching and memorable presentation, hosted by noted television personality Tom Bergeron (host of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos).

“The Disney Legend Award is our highest and most coveted honor,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “It’s reserved for the extraordinary visionaries and artists behind the Disney magic, the men and women who push the limits of innovation and creativity to ensure Disney remains truly special. The eight Legends we honor this year helped create some of our most beloved characters along with exciting new worlds and thrilling attractions. They also entertained millions of people and expanded our definition of what’s possible. They are all indelible parts of our legacy, and we are proud to recognize them as true Disney Legends.”

The 2013 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

TONY BAXTER has developed beloved Disney attractions including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Journey Into Imagination, Splash Mountain, and countless more over the course of his 43-year career with Walt Disney Imagineering. Revered by Disney fans, he is best known for his commitment to storytelling, attention to detail, and ability to develop new ideas and attractions by combining time-tested design practices with modern technology.

COLLIN CAMPBELL touched almost every part of the Walt Disney Company, from animated classics to legendary theme park attractions, with stints in live action film and television. Collin’s work with Walt Disney Imagineering includes the development of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as concept illustrations of Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot Center.

DICK CLARK brought rock and roll to 40 million homes across the country with the national debut of American Bandstand on ABC in 1958. He went on to produce game shows, award shows including the Golden Globes® and the Academy of Country Music Awards, comedy specials movies, and other popular television specials. Dick might best be remembered, however, as the host of ABC’s annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve from 1973 until 2011.

BILLY CRYSTAL is an acclaimed actor who lends his voice to Mike Wazowski, the frenetic, green cyclopean monster from Monsters Inc. andMonsters University. Best known for his memorable roles in When Harry Met Sally…, The Princess Bride, and City Slickers, Billy, who has won six Emmy Awards and one Tony Award, has also been a fixture on ABC television, where he hosted the Academy Awards® broadcast nine times and found his breakthrough role as Jodie Dallas on Soap from 1977-81.

JOHN GOODMAN is a celebrated actor of stage and screen, and the voice behind James P. Sullivan, better known as “Sully,” from Monsters Inc. and Monsters University. Among John’s notable film appearances are The Big Lebowski, The Flintstones, and most recently Argo andFlight. John’s appearances in Disney-produced films include the Hollywood Pictures films Arachnophobia and Born Yesterday, as well as Touchstone Pictures’ Stella, Coyote Ugly, O Brother, Where Art Thou, and Confessions of a Shopaholic.

STEVE JOBS changed the world of consumer electronics as the founder of Apple, and was known throughout the world for his visionary attitude and penchant for innovation. He was an early investor and chief executive of Pixar, and became the Walt Disney Company’s largest shareholder overnight when it acquired Pixar Animation Studios in 2006. That same year, he joined the Disney board of directors, and remained a valuable sounding board and advisor to the company until his passing in 2011.

GLEN KEANE has brought to life many of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most popular characters. Since becoming a Disney animator in 1974, he has animated classic Disney characters such as Penny in The Rescuers, Elliott in Pete’s Dragon, Ratigan in The Great Mouse Detective, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and the titular characters in The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, and Tarzan. In 2010, Glen served as Executive Producer and Animation Supervisor for Tangled, a story he developed for more than ten years.

ED WYNN, a comedian whose career began on Broadway in the early 1900s, appeared in numerous Disney classics of the 1960s, includingMary Poppins, Babes in Toyland, That Darn Cat, The Absent-Minded Professor, and Son of Flubber. Fans of Disney animation know him as the manic and distinctive voice of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients also participate in a handprint ceremony, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in theDisney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to the D23 Expo. In addition to the 4,000-seat D23 Expo Arena, the ceremony will be simulcast into a 2,000-seat overflow theater inside the Convention Center.

The first Disney Legend, actor Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), was named in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 237 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Regis Philbin, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Walters. At the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, the Legends Awards ceremony, which honored Robin Williams, Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McLanahan, Betty White, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Harry Archinal, Don Iwerks and Leota Toombs Thomas, was presented to thousands of Disney fans for the first time.

Tickets and pricing information for D23 Expo 2013 are available at D23Expo.com Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on admission, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 Expo for themselves and their guests. More details about D23 Expo entertainment, events, and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting D23Expo.com or by following “DisneyD23” on Twitter and Facebook.

D23 Expo to Honor 60 Years of Disney Imagineering

28 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

The main reason I joined Disney’s D23 back when it was first announced, is a promised peek into Disney history and just what made this company we all know and love, so great. I may have missed the first Destination D and Expo out in California, but I have attended each subsequent Destination D and 2011’s Expo. The things I learned, the history shared, the stories, the images, cannot be compared, and really, cannot have a price put on them. I, as a fan, am so grateful for the things the Walt Disney Archives and D23 have done, to share and nurture the legacy that is the Walt Disney Company.

So it was with great excitement that I read the news below, revealing an Imagineering “Open House” to give attendees a glimpse behind the creative process of Imagineering. In addition, several panels with Imagineers, discussing various projects and company history. The only downside will be deciding which panels to attend! Read below for the full press release from D23 – and I hope to see you at the Expo!

Disney Takes Fans Behind the Magic with an Unprecedented Look at the Imagineering “Dream Factory”

BURBANK, Calif. – June 28, 2013 – In honor of the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney Imagineering and the origins of Disney Parks and Resorts, Imagineering is hosting an “open house” at the D23 Expo, August 9-11, opening the doors of its unique facilities and offering an unprecedented look at its creative processes—all on the floor of the Anaheim Convention Center. In addition, Imagineers past and present will host an entire day of panel discussions on Sunday, August 11, celebrating their 60 magical years of “dreaming and doing.”

Within the “open house” pavilion, D23 Expo guests will get an up close look at an eclectic array of Imagineering’s creative minds—ride engineers, model builders, pre-visualization artists, special effects designers, inventors, and show animators—as they share the skills and talents behind Imagineering’s creative process. In addition, guests will have the chance to glimpse at the “workspaces” of several project teams from around Disney’s global portfolio of parks and resorts, perhaps spotting a few clues into coming attractions along the way.

For the first time at the D23 Expo, Walt Disney Imagineering will be showcasing some of its most historical and revered concept art from its Art Library, including Herb Ryman’s original drawing of Disneyland. Also in the Disney Parks pavilion, D23 Expo guests will again have the chance to explore Mickey’s of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering’s employee-only store, to shop for unique souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.

In addition to the Imagineering Open House, D23 Expo attendees will be able to attend 12 unique presentations and panel discussions that will take fans on the incredible journey behind the latest Disney resorts, attractions, and entertainment including:

· The Art and Artistry of Aulani – Imagineers Joe Rohde and Jeanette Lomboy will share the authentic tapestry of art and stories found at Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa.

· Mayhem, Mischief, and Monkeys: The Magic of Mystic Manor – Join Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and others for the strange stories behind Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic Manor, the newest and one of the most sophisticated attractions ever built.

· Undiscovered Disneyland – Legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter shares rare and never-before-seen footage of the early days ofDisneyland, from design and construction through opening day.

· Broadcasts from Buena Vista Street – Enjoy the latest ‘soundtrack’ from Disney California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street, featuring a live performance of Scary Symphony from radio station KBVS and a panel discussion led by Imagineers.

· Disney Ambassadors – Join current Disney Parks Ambassadors from around the world as they discuss this renowned program and share insights about its rich heritage, current outreach efforts, and the importance of sharing Disney goodwill.

· Voices of the Disney Parks – Back by popular demand, this panel of famous Disney voices will gather for an encore panel discussion, including recreations of some unforgettable Disney Parks sayings.

· Charles Phoenix Presents – Noted humorist and self-proclaimed “retro daddy” Charles Phoenix shares some of his favorite images from around Disney, featuring classic kitsch, clashing colors schemes, and hairdos that truly defy gravity.

The panels continue on Sunday August 11, with a full day dedicated to the celebration of Walt Disney Imagineering’s 60th anniversary. The presentations in the 2,000-seat Stage 23 with current and former Imagineers will explore a wide range of topics, from working with Walt Disney himself and the exploration of creativity, innovation, and humor in the parks, to a lively discussion of what it’s like to lead one of the world’s most creative organizations. More details on these exciting panels and presenters will be revealed soon. D23 Expo tickets are available now.

D23 Expo 2013 Costume Contest and More Expo Info

25 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

When I came out to California for 2011’s D23 Expo, seeing fellow attendees in costume was one of the best parts! I love that D23 is now holding an official costume contest celebrating fans creativity! Here are all the details:

Since the first D23 Expo in 2009, fans have shown their passion for Disney by dressing up as their favorite and most beloved Disney characters while attending the one-of-a-kind event at the Anaheim Convention Center. This year, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates that excitement and enthusiasm with the first À La Mode Costume Contest, which will take place Friday, August 9 at 2:30 p.m. in Stage 23.

À La Mode, named after The Incredibles’ couture genius Edna Mode, is the first competition of its kind to showcase fans’ creativity through costumes inspired by all things Disney, including Motion Pictures (Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm); Parks & Resorts; Consumer Products; Media Networks (including Disney Channel, ABC, and ESPN); and Interactive.

Five collectible trophies—specially designed for the À La Mode Costume Contest—will be awarded to the most magical costumes in the following categories: Original Design (or inspired by…), Re-creation, Craftsmanship, Young Fan, and Best in Show.

The contest will be two (2) hours in length, and, therefore, the number of entrants is limited. Guests interested in participating MUST complete an entry from, available now at D23Expo.com. Closing date for entry is July 21. Not all applications for entry will be accepted. Applications will be evaluated on the merits of quality and quantity and selected at the producers’ discretion.

In Addition, D23 recently announced the Disney Channel stars that will be present during the 2013 Expo:

On FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, in celebration of “Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel,” a special-one hour telecast featuring an epic teaming of characters from two hugely popular Disney and Marvel franchises, fans can meet the stars and characters including Phineas, Ferb, Agent P, Spider-Man and Iron Man. The unforgettable special premieres this summer on Disney Channel.
On SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, bikers and surfers unite on the dance floor of the Disney Channel booth for the ultimate beach ball bouncing, high-spirited ‘Surf Crazy’ fan dance with stars from Disney’s “Teen Beach Movie,” an exuberant song, sand and surf fest, premiering July 19 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.
On SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 in the Disney Channel booth, Disney Junior fans of all ages are invited to meet beloved characters from top-rated preschool series “Sofia the First,” “Doc McStuffins” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” and enjoy a special sneak-peek screening of new Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts in Stage 28.

Popular radio personalities from Radio Disney, the 24-hour contemporary hits radio network and the only radio broadcaster for kids and families, will join in the fun every day, along with the Radio Disney Road Crew, for interactive entertainment, fun prizes and the hottest music from kids’ favorite artists.

Tickets for the D23 Expo are $57 for a one-day adult admission and $47 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $50 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available for both D23 Members and the general public, and D23 Members can save as much as $84 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit D23Expo.com.

About D23 Expo 2013

The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, and theme parks. For the latest D23 Expo 2013 news, visit D23Expo.com. To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.

Disney’s D23 Expo 2011: A Primer for All You Need To Know

15 August 2011 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I’ve been so busy lately with projects that I haven’t even had a chance to share the news that I’ll be attending the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California this week! (So if you’ll be there too, be sure to stop and say hello!) It is not only my first trip to Disneyland, but my first trip further west than Chicago and my first plane trip since 1997 (crazy, I know!). So I am, in a word, overwhelmed! I figured if I was overwhelmed, there were probably lots of other people wondering “What exactly IS this ‘D23 Expo?’” and even those attending might be a little confused by all the events, presentations and more. To help, I’ve enlisted Carrie Hayward, who I had the pleasure of meeting this year at the Disney Social Media Moms event. Carrie is not only the most famous Disney bride I know, she’s also an amazing writer. She attended last year’s Expo, so I knew she’d have all the ins and outs to help us newbies out. I’m honored to have her as a guest author here on ZannaLand. Without further ado, here’s Carrie —

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Billed as “The Ultimate Fan Event,” D23 Expo 2011 takes over the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 19-21. Falling somewhere between the chaos of Comic Con and the intimacy of the All Disneyana Show & Sale, this official event is a chance for Disney to connect with fans and showcase the new and forthcoming products in all its business lines, from film, television, and radio to theme parks and consumer products. Whether you were at the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009 or this will be your first time, here is an overview of everything you need to know about D23 Expo 2011.

D23 Expo Show Floor

Located in Halls A, B and part of C, the D23 Expo Show Floor is where you’ll go to see Imagineering’s handiwork in the Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Pavilion, track down rare items in the Collectors’ Forum, purchase official Expo merchandise in the Dream Store, and visit the booths and exhibits of Disney’s various business lines. The show floor is open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, with a one-hour head start for D23 members beginning at 9:00 am.

Welcome Center
In addition to acting as an information booth and membership desk, the Welcome Center will host meet-and-greets with artists, authors, actors, filmmakers, and Disney celebrities including Don Hahn, Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry, Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, and Dave Smith. Note that these take place in the Talent Round-up area across the aisle, not inside the Welcome Center itself.

Disney Consumer Products’ Disney Living Pavilion
This is where you’ll find a showcase of the latest Disney merchandise, appearances by celebrity designers and artists, story time with Disney Publishing, and a performance by American Idol‘s Constantine Maroulis and Rock Star Mickey. This massive pavilion, which spans the lower quarter of Hall A, also houses “pop-up” locations of the Disney Store and A Small World Village (more information on these in the Shopping section, below). Additionally, there will be toy demos, mini-beauty treatments at the Disney Beauty Lounge, and party ideas at the Disney Celebrations exhibit.

Disney Channel & Radio Disney Pavilion
You’ll hear this pavilion before you see it because it’s the site of a nonstop series of dance parties, concerts by Radio Disney favorites, appearances by Disney Channel stars, and meet-and-greets with Disney characters. This is also the place for “Perry-Oke” sing-alongs at the Phineas & Ferb Platy-Bus.

Disney Interactive Media Group
Check out the latest Disney videogames and meet Epic Mickey game designer Warren Spector on Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Walt Disney Studios In-Home Entertainment
This is the place to see Blu-ray 3D in action and learn about movie-viewing on mobile devices.

Inside Tides – Pirates of the Caribbean Film Prop Collection
Located next to the Walt Disney Animation Studios booth, this collection of props and costumes from the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise offers the rare opportunity to actually photograph items from the Walt Disney Archives.

Disney Corporate Citizenship
The hub for Disney’s charity and environmental initiatives offers the opportunity to volunteer just a few minutes of your time at the Expo to make a big difference in the community.

Disney Corporate Citizenship booth in 2009

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Carousel of Projects Pavilion
Probably the most entertaining area of the show floor, this pavilion spotlights the work of Walt Disney Imagineering at the parks around the world. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the work on Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land and the Fantasyland expansion in the Magic Kingdom and have a chance to talk to real-live Imagineers about the projects they’ve worked on. There will also be exhibits on the inner workings of Audio-Animatronics, and last time there were meet-and-greets with advanced AA figures Wall-E and Lucky the Dinosaur. Elsewhere in the pavilion, you’ll find displays by Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and Adventures By Disney.

Radiator Springs model and Lightning McQueen Audio-Animatronic at D23 Expo 2009

Collectors Forum
This area serves as a catchall for independent vendors of Disney art and collectibles, fan sites and message boards, and Disney travel agents. It’s also the place to meet Disney celebrities like Bill Farmer (Goofy), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Margaret Kerry (Tinker Bell), and Susan Egan (Megara, Belle on Broadway) at the Disneyana Fan Club booth. An outlet of the United States Postal Service will be handy for those who’ve gone on a D23 Expo shopping spree.

Disney Desk – Park Ticket Sales Center
Disney will be selling Expo attendees discounted “Twilight” tickets to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that are good after 4:00 pm or 4 hours before the park closes, whichever comes first. Rates are $55 for a 1-day, 1-park Twilight ticket (vs. $80 for a full day) or $70 for a 1-day Twilight Park Hopper (vs. $105 for a full day). A full-day Park Hopper can be purchased at $8 off the regular adult or child price. Disney will also sell multiday Park Hoppers for $25 off the 3-day price, $30 off the 4-day price, or $35 off the 5-day price for adults and children.

D23 Arena

The 4,000-seat arena hosts all the major Expo events, from the Disney Legends Ceremony and 3-D screening of The Lion King to the presentations by Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. The Studios presentation is the one to hit for celebrity sightings, with Jason Segel, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, Willem Dafoe, Kelly Macdonald, Jennifer Garner, Sarah Silverman, and cast members from Marvel’s The Avengers on tap at press time. Fans of the Disney princesses will want to check out Friday morning’s 2011 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, which honors the women who provided voices for Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and Tiana. The Walt Disney Parks & Resorts presentation will provide a look at upcoming projects at Disney parks around the world, although last time the promised surprises were the same information that had been floating around the Internet for weeks or months already.

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts presentation in 2009

You only need to wait in the ginormous arena queue if you absolutely have to get a seat in the first few rows. Also, attendees will be required to turn over their cell phones, cameras, and other recording devices on the way in to the Walt Disney Studios presentation. This creates long lines before and after the event; allow extra time or find another place to stash these devices so that you can skip the check-in lines.

Second Floor

You’ll need to travel upstairs to see the various seminars, panels, and events with Disney celebrities, plus the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives. For a complete schedule, click HERE to download the official D23 Expo 2011 Guide Book.

Stage 28
The majority of the historical and Imagineering seminars at D23 Expo 11 will take place inside Stage 28. These are the kinds of presentations found at D23’s Destination D events at Disneyland and Walt Disney World: in-depth examinations of the development of parks and attractions, plus interviews with the people who were there. Stage 28 was frequently packed to capacity at D23 Expo 2009, so be sure to get in line early.

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives
Located in the middle of the second floor is the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit. This year’s will be twice as big as it was at the inaugural D23 Expo, packing in 12,000 square feet of costumes, props, artifacts, photos, and memorabilia from Disney films, TV shows, theatrical productions, and Walt Disney himself. Also inside the exhibit this year is the D23 Fan Art Gallery, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the movie 101 Dalmatians. (Shameless plug: My husband created the winning art piece, Tiki de Vil!) Note that photography and videography are prohibited inside the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives.

Outside the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit in 2009

D23 Expo Live Auction Preview Room
If you don’t want to pay $45 for a ticket to the D23 Expo Live Auction on Saturday night, you can preview the lots on the second floor of the convention center. Up for live auction are original attraction vehicles, props, art pieces, tours, and experiences—a complete list can be found at HERE. To see a few of the silent auction lots, click HERE.

Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily's Hatbox Ghost for the D23 Expo 2009 Live Auction

Third Floor

There’s only one venue on the third floor of the convention center, and that’s…

Stage 23
Not to be confused with Stage 28, this theater hosts mostly screenings and events for the first two days of the Expo, including the Pixar shorts collection, the Dick Van Dyke & The Vantastix concert, the Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament and the D23 Expo Live Auction. On Sunday it becomes home to the kinds of theme park history and Imagineering seminars found on Stage 28, like “Imagineering Cars Land” and “The Making of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.” Although it can hold 1,500 people, Stage 28 (then known as Walt Disney Studios Theater) was often packed to capacity in 2009, so get in line early for hot-ticket presentations featuring popular names.

Shopping

Disney provides numerous “shopportunites” at the expo, including plenty of limited-edition and exclusive merchandise.

D23 Expo 2011 Dream Store
This is the place for limited-edition Expo merchandise, theme park products, jewelry, ACME art, and autograph sessions. Each day will see the release of items themed to a specific Disney classic: 101 Dalmatians on Friday, Dumbo on Saturday, and Alice in Wonderland on Sunday. Last time, Disney handed out tickets to those in the pre-opening line that allowed them to return at any time that day to pick up the limited-edition items they wanted. While certain products remained available throughout the Expo, others sold out to those at the front of the line, so be sure to get there early if these are important to you. A partial list of D23 Expo merchandise can be found HERE.

Mickey’s of Glendale
Although it has been a fixture at the Disneyana Fan Club’s All Disneyana Show & Sale for a few years, Mickey’s of Glendale makes its D23 Expo debut in 2011. This satellite location of the employee store at Walt Disney Imagineering will be inside the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Carousel of Projects pavilion selling WDI-exclusive apparel, accessories, pins, and art, plus merchandise inspired by the projects on display in the pavilion. Pin collectors, take note: There will be several limited-edition D23 Expo pins sold only at Mickey’s of Glendale. Also, they usually have a few bins of $4 and $5 WDI pins that make great traders.

Disney Store
The Disney Living Pavilion is the site of a 1,500-square-foot pop-up Disney Store, which will kick off its 25th anniversary celebration with a D23 members-only presentation at 9:00 am on August 19. The first 25 people in line will receive a commemorative pin. Additional members-only opening ceremonies will be held at the same time on Saturday and Sunday. Note that only 500 of the Disney Store 25th anniversary Vinylmation figures will be sold at the Expo, but 2,000 more will be available to D23 members online.

There were plenty of limited-edition Vinylmation figures left on the last day of D23 Expo 2009

Walt Disney Archives Treasure Trove
Adjacent to the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit is the Walt Disney Archives Treasure Trove, which will sell reproductions of and pieces inspired by items in the archives, limited-edition merchandise from the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World and 20th anniversary of The Rocketeer, and assorted other leftovers from previous D23 events.

A Small World Village
This pop-up shop features apparel and accessories for children, toddlers, and babies inspired by Mary Blair’s concept art for the “it’s a small world” attraction. Sponsor Nordstrom will also offer Basq NYC skincare for new moms and TOMS shoes for kids.

Dining

All concessions are handled by Aramark, whose food you may recognize from arenas, convention centers, and stadiums across the country. If you have special dietary requirements or are just a fan of fresh food, you may want to explore the options right outside the convention center in an area known as CenterWalk.

A complete list of dining locations and menu items can be found in my article “Dining Options at the 2011 D23 Expo” on The Disney Food Blog.

Touring Tips

It’s a Disney convention, but it’s still a convention. Disney may have reinvented the amusement park business, but its approach to conventions is strictly by the book. Expect many of the less-than-thrilling aspects of a theme park visit (lots of walking, long lines, overpriced food) combined with familiar convention touchstones like counter-programmed seminars, bad fluorescent lighting, and huge corporate booths shilling the latest and greatest products.

It may feel crowded. In 2009, D23 Expo drew almost 40,000 people over four days. This year, they’re expecting 45,000 people over three days. This may be especially noticeable at the two counter-service restaurants around lunchtime, so you might want to eat at off hours.

Expect to wait in line. Unfortunately, Disney’s FASTPASS does not extend to D23 Expo. Lines form hours in advance for popular seminars (especially the ones featuring Imagineers), the sale of limited-edition merchandise, and presentations in the arena.

Know when to get in line. Although D23 Expo officially opens to D23 members at 9:00 am (10:00 am for the general public), Disney is expecting lines to begin forming out front by 5:00 am. These will mostly be people waiting to line up for merchandise vouchers from the Dream Store and those who want floor seats in the arena. The first group will be ushered into the lobby at 6:45 am, with the rest entering by 7:00 am. At 8:00 am lines will be divided into one for the store and one for the arena, and at 8:30 am the latter will be allowed into the arena. There is no need to wait in either line if you’re not interested in limited-edition merchandise or don’t care where you sit in the Arena.

You can’t see it all. D23 head Steven Clark has said that the Expo is scheduled so that fans will feel like there’s too much good stuff to see and do. This means that popular presentations are often counter-programmed so that it is impossible to see them all. Be prepared to make tough decisions between certain panels and presentations, especially those that require a long wait in line.

See you at the Expo!

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Carrie is the author of PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons, a guidebook and bridal organizer for weddings and honeymoons at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line. You can read her account of the inaugural D23 Expo in D23 Expo The “All-Lines, No-Rides” Disney Experience! and follow her adventures at D23 Expo 2011 as @lurkyloo on Twitter.