Whew
It has been one day of the D23 Expo, and I feel like I have just barely scratched the surface after this full day. I certainly did not do every single thing available at this enormous Expo, but here’s the highlights of my day:
Animation Studios
The big presentation of the day was the Animation at Walt Disney Studios presentation. John Lasseter mostly took the helm, and brought out a few surprises for the Expo audience. One great thing was a tribute to a great animator, Burny Mattinson, who is one of the last living animators to have ever worked with Walt Disney. Another unplanned surprise was Tom Hiddleston being pressured into singing Bare Necessities. There was also a musical performance from Frozen.
Among some of the previews and announcements were the sequels to Disney Fairies from DisneyToon Studios, including an origin of Hook, who will be voiced by Tom Hiddleston. This particular direct-to-video film will be Pirate Fairies. A sequel to Planes was announced on opening day of the first film. This time, Dusty will be part of a fire rescue team in Planes: Fire and Rescue.
Pixar had a few previews, including The Good Dinosaur, and Inside Out. Big Hero 6 had a more flushed out preview from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The one I’m looking forward to is Zootopia. It takes the tradition of Disney animated animals, but has a setting of if animals built the world themselves. The explanation was that other films just put animals in place of people, but this film really wants to explore more of how animals naturally are, and how they would create a modern city if they could.
Disney Planes
Before saying what I liked about the movie, I’ve got to say a fun side highlight is seeing Phyllis Smith from the Office walk into the film side by side with me. She will be a voice in Inside Out, and appeared onstage to promote that. But, I think I just liked that celebrities really do want to see Disney movies like they say they do.
I had the opportunity to go to the screening of Disney Planes. I’ve got to say that this film really surprised me. I really enjoyed it! It was not quite the story I thought it would be. And there was a small introduction from the filmmakers ahead of time, as well as Dane Cook, to explain the research and personal connection with the film. I think it helped me enjoy it more.
But, back to the movie itself….It had fun one liners. It had some great heart to it. I am ashamed to say I didn’t expect it from DisneyToon Studios, but they pulled off a film in line with Pixar films!
Pavilions
On the showfloor are some great exhibits and pavilions. The main one I got to check out was the Imagineering one. Though, checking out was all I had time for. There was so much to do inside this mini area! There’s a play test where you can go on an “Expo-dition” to find Adventureland “jujus” and complete tasks around the convention center. And even one quest that takes guests outside to the Disneyland Resort. Other areas had fun research you don’t get to commonly see. And there were even some models of early concept Epcot pavilions and some upcoming areas of parks (like a certain land coming to Animal Kingdom) that were on display. Before even going in, a presentation mimicking getting to be in the lobby of Imagineering sets up what guests will see beyond the doors.
Well, time to go and get some rest before heading back in tomorrow. And, until next time, have a marvelous day!
