D23 Expo Media Preview Gives a Look at the Expo and Reveals Some Updates Coming to the Disney Parks!

D23 Expo Media Preview Gives a Look at the Expo and Reveals Some Updates Coming to the Disney Parks!

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On Thursday night the D23 Expo hosted select media for a preview of what will be seen by the thousands of Disney fans who attend the D23 Expo this weekend. The media were treated to a look at a secret project that has been worked on across The Walt Disney Company first. They then were taken to the Walt Disney Archives pavilion where they were shown Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume Exhibition. After a stop for dinner, the evening culminated with a look at what is coming to the Disney Parks with an introduction by Bob Chapek at the Imagineering pavilion.

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Disney+ and One Day at Disney

The evening began at the Disney+ pavilion. The night began with a welcome from Jeffrey Epstein who then introduced the head of D23, Michael Vargo. Vargo also welcomed people to the weekend and shared his excitement before introducing Ricky Strauss. President, content and marketing for Disney+. He shared about his excitement of working with Disney+ along with the new secret project that The Walt Disney Company has been hinting at. One Disney Day will chronical the lives of cast members from across The Walt Disney Company from the same day. Camera teams were sent around the globe to capture this and help create this special that will come to Disney+ in December. A video showcasing this was shown. Then, Strauss introduced Robin Roberts of Good Morning America to the stage. The future Disney Legend shared her role in the production before a portion of her segment was shown. Following the video, the two spoke about the project and also what character each related to the most.

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Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume Exhibition

The second stop for the media was the Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume Exhibition. Every D23 Expo, the Walt Disney Archives pull together some incredible exhibits for Disney fans to check out. This year, the focus is on the costumes of Disney heroes and villains. The costumes ranged from recent live-action princesses both from the movies and television to classic characters and costumes like Mary Poppins! There were also some others included like the Santa Claus costume that Tim Allen wore in The Santa Claus. There was also Cinderella’s carriage from the live-action version of the film and Cruella’s car from the live-action version of 101 Dalmations. The space was nice and open and will accommodate lots of fans. It should be an enjoyable stop for Disney fans, especially those who are intrigued by Disney costumes!

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Imagining Tomorrow, Today – Imagineering Pavilion

The final stop of the night was at the Imagineering Pavilion. There, Chairman of Parks, Experiences and Products, Bob Chapek, welcomed those in attendance to the pavilion Chapek shared that work continues on Epcot. Epcot will be “More Disney, more family, and more timeless.” He shared about the excitement of what will be announced this weekend and also made some announcements himself. Chapek also shared that a new Moana themed experience will be coming to Epcot! It will be called Journey of Water.

Moana - Journey of Water Attraction Concept Art for Epcot
This first-ever attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film, “Moana,” will let guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

Chapek also shared that another experience that will be arriving at Epcot is the Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience. For those at Disneyland, this will be similar to the Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure. It will give a look at what is coming to Epcot.

Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience
Inside this first-of-its-kind offering within a Disney park, guests will discover engaging and interactive exhibits that allow you to step inside the relentless innovation, energy and excitement and see some never-before-revealed details driving the future of Epcot all throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

Along with the Epcot news, Chapek shared that the Marvel-themed lands will be called Avengers Campus at both the Disneyland Resort and also over at Disneyland Paris. An are of the pavilion is dedicated to this and gives a look at what will be coming to both parks when this new land arrives.

Avengers Campus
Avengers Campus

Finally, before setting the media loose to check out the pavilion, Chapek announced some more details about the Star Wars hotel that is being built near Disney’s Hollywood Studios currently. He shared that a galactic cruiser named the Halcyon will take guests on a cruise through the galaxy. It will also include a stop at a planet named Batuu where guests will be able to take a day trip. A model of the ship was on hand to give a look at what this experience will be like. The model had videos next to it and also had an incredible display showcasing its various features. This will be an incredible experience once it opens.

Once Chapek finished speaking, those in attendance were allowed to check out the pavilion. There is a lot of focus on Epcot. However, there are also some looks at the new castle at Hong Kong Disneyland, Avengers Campus, the new areas at Tokyo Disneyland, and even the Tron Lightcycle coming to the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort.

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As the evening came to a close, the media in attendance were given a swag bag. Tomorrow will be a day full of Disney news and panels. DAPS MAGIC will be covering it all. Make sure to subscribe to the DAPS MAGIC YouTube and also check out dapsmagic.com/d23expo for full coverage!


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