D23 Expo 2013 to Take Place August 9-11, 2013!

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

BURBANK, Calif. – March 9, 2012 – All the magic and excitement of the past, present and future of Disney entertainment will come together once again when D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents an all-new D23 EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center on Aug. 9-11, 2013.

“The D23 Expo has become a phenomenal way for Disney fans to see everything they love about Disney all in one place — from Disney’s biggest stars and latest innovations to unforgettable performances live on stage,” said Steven Clark, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, which produces the bi-annual D23 EXPO. “Our third Expo is sure to create even more magical new experiences and memories for our biggest fans attending from throughout the U.S. and around the globe.

“Anaheim is extremely pleased that the D23 EXPO will be returning next year,” said Charles Ahlers, president, Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “This exciting event is quickly becoming an industry icon, drawing Disney fans from around the world. The Anaheim community truly appreciates and enjoys this quality show and positive impacts it brings.”

More than 40,000 Disney fans attended D23 EXPO 2011, which brought together the entire world of Disney under one roof for three star-studded days and nights. Fans were treated to appearances by superstars like Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Regis Philbin and Billy Crystal; enjoyed performances by Dick Van Dyke, The Muppets and Disney princess voice talent Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Lea Salonga and Anika Noni Rose; previewed concept art and attractions coming from Disney Parks and Walt Disney Imagineering; glimpsed back at Disney’s rich history through extraordinary panels, presentations and exhibits; and discovered the newest entertainment, technology, and products from The Walt Disney Company.

Among the highlights of D23 EXPO 2013 will be expanded capacities at some of our most popular venues; the 2013 Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors the talented men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy; Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, a treasure trove of crown jewels from the Walt Disney Archives; the bustling aisles of the Collectors Forum, where Disney fans can buy, sell and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia and merchandise; and a massive show floor full of special opportunities to see what’s on the horizon for Disney around the world—and where guests may bump into their favorite Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators and filmmakers.

Advance tickets for the D23 EXPO 2013 will go on sale at D23Expo.com beginning August 9, 2012. D23 Members receive special pricing on both one- and three-day tickets to the event, which is also open to the general public.

D23 Members receive early admission to the Expo show floor, and D23 will once again give a special thanks to D23 Charter Members, providing them special access to the Expo’s Charter Member Lounge. Members will also have an opportunity to purchase a special Sorcerer Package, which provides a host of special benefits and amenities.

D23 EXPO 2013 marks the third D23 Expo held in Anaheim — the first Expo was held in 2009 followed by a second in 2011. Each event played host to thousands of Disney fans from every corner of the globe. Starting today, guests can visit D23Expo.com to relive some of the extraordinary experiences from the first two Expo events and get a peek at what’s to come in 2013.

D23 Expo 2013 to Take Place August 9-11, 2013!

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

BURBANK, Calif. – March 9, 2012 – All the magic and excitement of the past, present and future of Disney entertainment will come together once again when D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents an all-new D23 EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center on Aug. 9-11, 2013.

“The D23 Expo has become a phenomenal way for Disney fans to see everything they love about Disney all in one place — from Disney’s biggest stars and latest innovations to unforgettable performances live on stage,” said Steven Clark, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, which produces the bi-annual D23 EXPO. “Our third Expo is sure to create even more magical new experiences and memories for our biggest fans attending from throughout the U.S. and around the globe.

“Anaheim is extremely pleased that the D23 EXPO will be returning next year,” said Charles Ahlers, president, Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “This exciting event is quickly becoming an industry icon, drawing Disney fans from around the world. The Anaheim community truly appreciates and enjoys this quality show and positive impacts it brings.”

More than 40,000 Disney fans attended D23 EXPO 2011, which brought together the entire world of Disney under one roof for three star-studded days and nights. Fans were treated to appearances by superstars like Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Regis Philbin and Billy Crystal; enjoyed performances by Dick Van Dyke, The Muppets and Disney princess voice talent Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Lea Salonga and Anika Noni Rose; previewed concept art and attractions coming from Disney Parks and Walt Disney Imagineering; glimpsed back at Disney’s rich history through extraordinary panels, presentations and exhibits; and discovered the newest entertainment, technology, and products from The Walt Disney Company.

Among the highlights of D23 EXPO 2013 will be expanded capacities at some of our most popular venues; the 2013 Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors the talented men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy; Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, a treasure trove of crown jewels from the Walt Disney Archives; the bustling aisles of the Collectors Forum, where Disney fans can buy, sell and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia and merchandise; and a massive show floor full of special opportunities to see what’s on the horizon for Disney around the world—and where guests may bump into their favorite Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators and filmmakers.

Advance tickets for the D23 EXPO 2013 will go on sale at D23Expo.com beginning August 9, 2012. D23 Members receive special pricing on both one- and three-day tickets to the event, which is also open to the general public.

D23 Members receive early admission to the Expo show floor, and D23 will once again give a special thanks to D23 Charter Members, providing them special access to the Expo’s Charter Member Lounge. Members will also have an opportunity to purchase a special Sorcerer Package, which provides a host of special benefits and amenities.

D23 EXPO 2013 marks the third D23 Expo held in Anaheim — the first Expo was held in 2009 followed by a second in 2011. Each event played host to thousands of Disney fans from every corner of the globe. Starting today, guests can visit D23Expo.com to relive some of the extraordinary experiences from the first two Expo events and get a peek at what’s to come in 2013.

D23 Announces Details on Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animated Features

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

BURBANK, Calif. – April 5, 2012 – D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is celebrating the once-in-a-lifetime diamond anniversary of one of the most universally beloved and singularly unique film genres in the world—at DESTINATION D: 75 YEARS OF DISNEY ANIMATED FEATURES, Aug. 11 and 12 at the Disneyland Resort.

The two-day event will offer a panorama of some of the most celebrated films and characters ever brought to life on screen and provide attendees with an unforgettable Disney experience.  

From Walt Disney’s groundbreaking Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the upcoming Wreck-It Ralph, guests will go on a “behind-the-magic” journey filled with classic cinematic moments of heart-tugging emotion, laughter, and song that have captivated generations the world over. Renowned historians, authors, and animators of today will host this trip through the artistry and imagination of Disney animated features, each day ending with an unforgettable nighttime concert featuring two incomparable Disney Legends.

Highlights of DESTINATION D: 75 YEARS OF DISNEY ANIMATED FEATURES will include:

  • Salutes to the great Disney animators and artists of the past
  • A Saturday-evening concert by the incredible Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix performing beloved Disney songs and pop standards
  • A Sunday-evening concert showcase starring eight-time Oscar®-winning composer/songwriter Alan Menken, who will perform some of his most memorable songs from many modern-day Disney film classics and more
  • A glimpse at how Disney animated features have influenced Disney Parks
  • Rare and never-before-seen artwork and film footage
  • A special salute to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the “fairest of them all”
  • An extraordinary reunion of Disney animation voice talent through the years
  • More screenings, presentations, and panels, to be announced in the coming weeks

The weekend event will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the newly “re-Imagineered” Disneyland® Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. Tickets, available Wednesday, April 18, are $225 each and available exclusively to D23 Members and their guests. A limited number of “Diamond Level” tickets will be available featuring VIP seating, a third day of experiences on Monday, Aug. 13, at the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif., special gifts, and more.

More details about the program and tickets for D23’s DESTINATION D: 75 YEARS OF DISNEY ANIMATED FEATURES can be found online at www.disney.com/D23.

D-23 Vinyls Photoshoot

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

D-23 Expo 2011 saw a few exclusive vinyls released for the event. With the dates for the next expo recently announced (August 9-11, 2013), we thought it’d be fun to take a couple of last year’s figures to the parks for a few pictures. I’m talking to you, Davy Crockett and Gladestone Gander.

Location: Magic Kingdom
Davy Crockett takes aim at the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade.
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Gladestone takes a stroll through old Hollywood.
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Gladestone Gander shops for some fine men’s wear.

Tim Alcoser’s 6/30/12 Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Photo Report

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

DLNT Reporter Tim Alcoser went to a media preview of D23′s Treasures Of The Walt Disney Archives exhibit at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley and captured tons of photos of all the displays and exhibits to share. The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, July 6, and is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  The exhibit is scheduled to run through April 2013.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

 


These Haunted Mansion props are from Walt Disney World

Maleficent dragon head from Disneyland’s Fantasmic!

Mickey Mouse Revue!

Thanks for reading!

 

2012 D23 Events Announced, Including 2012 Destination D At The Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

In 2012, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will take the show on the road as it kicks off a year-long celebration for D23 members with a bold lineup of fantastic events.

Throughout the year, D23 will delight Disney fans from Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Palm Springs to Orlando, Burbank and even Marceline, Missouri — Walt Disney’s boyhood hometown — with the thrill and excitement of uniquely magical Disney experiences.

“To help D23 celebrate its third ‘fanniversary,’ we developed the most exciting lineup yet of special events to bring our members truly one-of-a-kind Disney experiences,” said Steven Clark, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. “We’re excited to visit our fans all around the country, and to create events we hope will surprise and delight them.”

Starting the year are two new extraordinary experiences: D23’s JOURNEY TO MARCELINE and D23 PRESENTS THE SMOKE TREE RANCH ROUNDUP.

For the first time ever, a special tour of Walt’s boyhood hometown — Marceline, Missouri — will take place for D23 members on March 14. Led by Disney archivists, the daylong Journey to Marcelineexplores this small town (pop. 2,221) in ways that will have special resonance for Disney fans.

In his later life, Walt found unique inspiration at Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, and during the incredible, three-day Smoke Tree Ranch Roundup (January 23-25), D23 Members can experience this exclusive retreat in a completely unique way. In another first-of-its-kind, immersive experience, Disney fans will get to see what Walt called “my own laughing place,” taking part in screenings, presentations, activities and delectable meals, all while staying in a Smoke Tree Ranch cottage.

In the spring, D23 takes the party on the road with the D23 ‘FANNIVERSARY’ CELEBRATION. It commemorates more than 40 unforgettable Disney magical milestones, each celebrating an anniversary in2012. Hosted by Disney archivists, D23 Fanniversary Celebration events will be held in Orlando, New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles and revisits some of the most beloved Disney theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, TV series and more from 85 years of Disney history.Fanniversary events will be open to the public, with special admission and surprises created especially for D23 Members in attendance.

In the summer, D23 will offer an all-new “Destination D” event – DESTINATION D: 75 YEARS OF DISNEY ANIMATION, held over two days at the Disneyland Resort in California (August 11-12). As Disney marks the 75th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, D23 marks the occasion by gathering many renowned Disney animation legends along with topDisney animators, voice talent (past and present) and composers — plus interesting demonstrations, fascinating presentations, autograph sessions and the chance to see entertaining animation rarities from the Disney vaults —all in celebration of 75 years of Disney feature animation.

Throughout the year, D23 will continue its popular series of movie screenings at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. With a new series, FROM THE VAULTS, D23 will bring favorite live-action films back to the big screen, including special 20th anniversary screenings of Newsies (February 25) and Sister Act (May 26), plus the classic Disney adaptation of Treasure Island (September 22). D23’s 50 AND FABULOUS series also returns in 2012, with In Search of the Castaways (June 23).

The year also includes four special weekends of member-only tours of the Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives in Burbank, which are planned for February 11-12, April 28-29, September 8-9 and November 10-11 — doubling the capacity of these consistently sold-out D23 events.

In the fall, during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, D23’s popular Sip & Stroll event get a Halloween twist and becomesSIP & SCREAM (October 2012). And during the holiday season D23 will again hold back-to-back presentations of its popular holiday offerings — DISNEY AND DICKENS (in Burbank in December) and MAGIC & MERRIMENT (at Walt Disney World Resort, tentative dates: December 7-8 and 9-10), doubling your Disney holiday fun.

Look for more D23 events to be announced throughout the year including details on an Epcot 30th anniversary celebration and a fun-filled D23 third anniversary party at the Disneyland Resort. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2012 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at http://www.Disney.com/D23. All events and dates are subject to change.

D23 Exclusive Vinylmation Review

WDWNT on August 31, 2011

Some figures exclusive to the D23 Expo in Anaheim were released last weekend. Here is an up close look and our take on the group.

3″ D23 Logo
Maria Clapsis
LE 4800
$13.95

With the design and very high quantity available, this one hung around all weekend long and was still available late Sunday at the Dream Store. A very simple design, this one actually grew on me. I like the color and the stars outlining Mickey’s features. I’m also a sucker for Sorcerer Mickey and he is part of the logo on the back of the Vinylmation. This one gets a low grade for me because it isn’t exciting, but it’s a nice souvenir of the event.

3″ Davy Crocket 
Casey Jones
LE 1200
$13.95

Casey created a Masterpiece with his 9″ Park 5 Davy Crocket, this 3″ version doesn’t hold the same wow factor. It did however sell off the shelves just a few hours into day 1 of the expo.

I will say the attention to detail is phenomenal, and without the 9″ to compare it to, this one would be even more incredible. I don’t really understand the muted tone on this 3″. The 9″ is brown, but it’s a lively coloring scheme that yells old west.

The hat is wonderful. Again, comparing it to the 9″, it doesn’t have the layered tail the bigger figure has. But the fact that we now have this coon skin cap for combo contests can not be understated. Overall, a brilliantly detailed 3″ that is a must own for any Disney fan.

3″ Gladstone Gander
Thomas Scott
LE 1200
$13.95

If there is anywhere that a character this obscure can work it’s a large gathering of Disney geeks. So D23 was the perfect place, as Gander sold out first within hours of the expo opening on Friday morning.

Gander, among other places, is from the Disney Comics and Thomas Scott did a fantastic job at pulling Gander out of the comic and slapping him on a vinyl collectable.

Care about the character or not, this figure has a perfect colorful, comical look with clean lines and big duck bill perfectly placed. It really does look like a cool drawing on a Vinylmation instead of a design printed on it.

9″ Butch
Eric Caszatt
LE 750 
$44.95

Sorry Eric, but a great design couldn’t overcome a larger than needed LE and a high price tag on an obscure character. There were plenty of Butch’s on the shelves late into Sunday. The design works. I’ll say it every time, putting the chin on the nose just looks great on many figures. Nothing fancy, it’s just a straightforward design. In my opinion, 750 was WAY too high an LE. Put it at 500 or even 450 and sell it out at the event. Neither M.C. nor I purchased this one, but we probably would have purchased a 3″ version.

3″ Disney Store 25th with Pin
Enrique Pita
LE 2500
$26.95

Another high LE, but this one appealed to a much wider audience. I saw these fly off the shelf at the Disney Store inside D23, although I couldn’t verify if they sold out and if not, where the quantities would go.

To me, nothing fancy about the design. In fact I don’t like the outlines on Mickey’s face. Also, in general, the Disney Store logo doesn’t do anything for me. It holds no special meaning. But to many it does. Many current and ex Disney Store Cast Members are excited about this figure.

The pin I do like. It’s large and has a nice high quality feel and design to it. This set was a pick up for me. Not necessarily a long term keep, this one might be up for trade.

Blind Box Buyer Custom

WDWNT on August 28, 2011

At D23, we were able to meet many of our readers, listeners and featured custom artists for the first time. One such artist was Chelsey. We have featured Chelsey’s work before. She has done some great Pixar characters. So we were very excited when she contacted us and said she had a special custom Vinylmation to give us. Meet, the blind box buyer.

Chelsey said she modeled it after a picture she found of me, Nick, wearing a backwards baseball cap on our website. Of course, the DV logo is on the front of the shirt. According to the facial expression, it looks like I’m trying to decided how many more to buy.

Chelsey put amazing detail into the blind box and into the hat that has a brim sticking out. Also the line of the jeans over the shoes. Now this must be in the early days of my collecting, otherwise I would have a case in my hand 🙂

The back says Destination Vinylmation on the shirt with Nick and M.C. on the ears. Amazing job Chelsey! Thank you so much for this special souvenir of our D23 trip.

A Good Look at Buena Vista Street

WDWNT on August 28, 2011

While not related to Walt Disney World, one of the great panels presented by Disney Parks and Resorts at the D23 Expo was “A Good Look at Buena Vista Street”. In case you aren’t up on your Disneyland Resort news, Buena Vista Street is going to be the new entry area for Disney California Adventure starting next Summer. So while we aren’t looking at anything for the Vacation Kingdom, it is a fascinating look at a great upcoming project from Walt Disney Imagineering that we think you’ll enjoy:

D23 Expo Will Return in 2013!

WDWNT on August 22, 2011

With the 2011 D23 Expo wrapping up right now, guests of this year’s event were notified via PA announcements that the next D23 Expo will be in 2013, keeping with the every two year schedule. Of course, WDWNT will be there to bring you all the announcements, news, and fun.

However, our coverage of this years Expo is far from over.  Over the coming days, weeks, & months, we will continue to provide additional details of the event along with the deep analysis that our readers / listeners have come to expect from WDWNT.  Along with additional posts on the site and podcast discussions, WDWNT: The Magazine will shortly release Issue 7 with the majority of the content devoted to continued coverage of the 2011 D23 Expo.

As always, if there is Disney news happening, WDWNT is there…