Orange County Register

I was a part of history on Saturday when I attended the very first D23 Expo.  Fans of all thing Disney converged on three floors of the Anaheim Convention Center for four days to meet Disney stars, listen to Imagineers talk about the creative process, and just simply bask in the joy of being among people who also have a passion for that perky mouse.

D23 was introduced in March of this year and touted as  The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience. It included a WEBSITE, in which you can still become a charter member, and an annual D23 Expo.  (”D” for Disney and “23″ for the year the Walt Disney Company was founded.)  The concept brings every aspect of the Disney experience under one umbrella: D23.

… and bring everything together they did at the D23 Expo.  The Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Channel, collectors, Disney Artists, the Disney Store, and even Pixar had their digs set up and were selling their own particular slice of the Disney brand.

The D23 Expo also became a place for the Disney higher-up types to make announcements and answer questions from the media (which included me and Marcy with our press passes), and fans alike.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the news that surrounds Disneyland:

–  Cars Land is scheduled to open in California Adventure in Spring 2012.  The town of Radiator Springs will be the backdrop for a new ride (The Radiator Springs Racers), activities and characters, and food vendors.  D23 had an enormous display which included models of the town, Imagineers on-hand to answer questions, and a prototype of  McQueen (who shamelessly flirted with me, BTW).

– Star Tours, in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, will close down in October and be reintroduced in 3D in 2011 with upgrades to to the outdated technology and also “a few surprises.”

–Toontown in DisneyWORLD will be calling it quits to make room for  ”The biggest expansion in the Magic Kingdom’s history.” (Which makes me wonder if Disneyland’s Toontown has an expiration date??)

I would sum up D23 as a totally worthwhile event to attend and suggest next year when it rolls into town you get yourself down there. Even for the casual Disney fan — I fall under this category — it’s interesting to see the exhibits, people watch, and learn more about what goes in to making Disney, Disney. I didn’t take my kids this time, but will make sure to have them in tow in 2010.

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YouTube keeps heartlessly taking my video down from the day. I will post it as soon as I get copyright clearance. Until then, here is my Whrrl picture story for the D23.

For more D23 coverage and photos, visit the Around Disney blog.

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