#Disneyland60....Today In Disneyland History....September 12, 2009

First D23 Expo in Anaheim

September 12, 2009

On September 12, 2009, the first annual D23 Expo continued for its third day at the Anaheim Convention Center near the Disneyland Resort. The third day's schedule of more than 15 events included "So You Want to Be an Imagineer" with Marty Sklar, a behind the scenes look at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts with Chairman Jay Rasulo, a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs panel discussion with Don Hahn, and a D23 Expo live auction.  During this first D23 Expo, also known as the Ultimate Fan Experience, the Anaheim Convention Center hosted Disney fans from all over the world from September 10–13, 2009. It featured pavilions from Walt Disney Imagineering, showcasing models and tests for future attractions, Corporate Responsibility, which feature a photo op, as well as projects for overseas troops and homeless shelters, Disney Consumer Products, showing the many products being sold by Disney within the next few years, a Disney Dream Store, costumes and props from the Walt Disney Archives, a Collectors Forum, where people from all over the country showcased and sold memorabilia.

Events were held in the D23 Arena, Stage 23, Storytellers Theatre, and Walt Disney Studios Theatre. Many future projects were announced, including an expansion of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, an extensive re-hauling of Star Tours for Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios, a film based on the Beatles' Yellow Submarine, a fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a new Muppet film, as well as clips and sneak previews promoting projects such as Prep & Landing, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast in 3-D, a set of viral Muppet videos, and a film series with Guillermo del Toro.

Celebrity appearances included John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Patricia Heaton, Kelsey Grammer, Tim Burton, Selena Gomez, Donny Osmond, Tom Bergeron, Kym Johnson, Betty White, Robin Williams, Joseph Fiennes, Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, as well as live performances by Miley Cyrus, Honor Society, and the Muppets.

As announced at the annual shareholders meeting in 2010, the D23 Expo did not return in 2010, but appeared to the Anaheim Convention Center through August 19–21, 2011. A then-new event called "Destination D" was held at the Disneyland Hotel ballroom in Anaheim, California on September 24–25, 2010. 

Each year Destination D would have a new theme, with the 2010 event's theme being "Disneyland '55."  These events now alternate each year with this year’s Destination D “Attractions Rewind” being held at Walt Disney World on November 22 & 23. Tickets are currently on sale for D23 2015 to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center August 14- 16.  You won’t want to miss out on the largest Disney fan event in the world, the D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Disney entertainment, uniting all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history.  

TICKETS FOR D23 EXPO 2015: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT, GO ON SALE THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014

Early Bird Discounted Tickets Available for a Limited Time

D23 Members Enjoy Additional Savings and Member-Only Benefits

Set your alarms and mark your calendars-you are not going to want to miss this!  On Thursday, August 14, at 10 a.m. PT, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will begin selling tickets for the next D23 Expo, which will take place August 14–16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The largest Disney fan event in the world, the D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Disney entertainment, uniting all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including The Walt Disney Studios (including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm); Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Consumer Products; Media Networks (including ABC, Disney Channel, and Radio Disney) and Disney Interactive. D23 Expo 2015 marks the fourth bi-annual event held in Anaheim.

More than 65,000 Disney fans from around the world gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2013 for the third D23 Expo. Once again, the Expo will celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney with live events, celebrity appearances, panels, presentations, sneak peeks, and immersive experiences. D23 Expo 2015 marks the return of fan favorites including the Disney Legends Awards, honoring the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; and Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, which spotlights costumes, props, and set pieces from Disney’s rich history. 

As in previous Expos, D23 Expo 2015 will showcase all of the latest stars in the Disney universe. In 2013, celebrity appearances included Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Billy Crystal, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston, with performances by Idina Menzel, R5 featuring Ross Lynch, and a once-in-a-lifetime concert with Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Alan Menken. Additionally, Disney executives and creative talent came together to deliver special presentations, announcements, and experiences to Disney fans throughout the three-day extravaganza.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. From August 14–December 31, 2014, tickets are $61 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $52 for a one-day adult admission and $37 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $268 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.

In addition to these special advance-purchase savings, an extremely limited number of D23 VIP Sorcerer Packages will once again be available. Based on fan feedback, even more benefits have been added this year including exclusive opportunities in the Walt Disney Imagineering pavilion and Mickey’s of Glendale.

The SORCERER PACKAGE includes:

·         Three-day admission ticket and commemorative Sorcerer credential

·         Reserved seating at all presentations in the main hall, Stage 23, and Stage 28

·         Limited-edition D23 American Tourister boarding bag

·         Pre-Expo tour of the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit

·         Special tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Pavilion

·         Exclusive shopping time in the D23 Expo Dream Store, Disney Store, and Mickey’s of Glendale

·         Tour of the D23 Expo show floor the day before the Expo is open to the public

·         Welcome Reception on Thursday evening

·         Exclusive entrance to the Expo each morning

·         A voucher for an appointment with an on-site massage therapist

·         Exclusive D23 Expo gift pack including gifts from D23 and the rest of The Walt Disney Company

·         Saturday morning Meet and Greet Coffee with a special Disney guest

·         “Fond Farewell” reception on final day of Expo

·         Plus, access to the Sorcerer Member Lounge and other benefits

Sorcerer Package tickets are available exclusively to both Gold and Silver D23 Members at $2,000 per ticket. Members have the option to purchase up to two Sorcerer tickets. Additional details and benefits are highlighted at D23Expo.com.

D23 Gold and Silver Members are entitled to 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.

Visit D23Expo.com to relive some of the extraordinary experiences from the first three Expo events and get a peek at what’s to come in 2015.

Save the Date D23 2015 Dates Announced!

ALL THE WONDERFUL WORLDS OF DISNEY COME TOGETHER

AT THE D23 EXPO—THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT—
AUGUST 14–16, 2015 IN ANAHEIM, CALIF.

Advance Tickets on Sale August 14, 2014 for the Biggest Disney Fan Event Ever

PORTLAND, Ore. – March 18, 2014 – All the magic and excitement of the past, present, and future of Disney entertainment will come together once again under one roof when D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center the weekend of Aug. 14–16, 2015. Each of Disney’s wonderful worlds will unite to celebrate what’s new and what’s on the horizon from theme parks, television, music, games, and films, including Pixar, the Muppets, Star Wars, and Marvel. 

D23 Expo Kicks off On August 9 with Disney CEO Bob Iger and John Lasseter

D23 EXPO 2013 TO OPEN AUGUST 9 WITH WELCOME FROM

DISNEY CEO BOB IGER FOLLOWED BY ANIMATION PRESENTATION HOSTED BY JOHN LASSETER

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS RETURNS AUGUST 10 WITH LIVE ACTION PRESENTATION HOSTED BY STUDIO CHAIRMAN ALAN HORN

Disney Studios Is Proud To Host Two Arena Presentations At

D23 Expo 2013, Featuring Celebrity Appearances And Exclusive

Sneak Peeks From Upcoming Films

 D23 Expo 2013 will celebrate its grand opening with a welcome from Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger followed by the first of two arena presentations hosted by The Walt Disney Studios at the Anaheim Convention Center. On Friday, August 9, The Walt Disney Studios will surprise and delight fans with sneak peeks of the incredible slate of upcoming animated films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and Disneytoon Studios, hosted by Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter. Then, on Saturday, August 10, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn will host The Walt Disney Studios live action arena presentation which will pull back the curtain on upcoming releases from Disney Live Action and Marvel Studios. Both presentations will feature exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes footage, filmmaker discussions, and surprise celebrity appearances.

The 4,000-seat arena, the largest venue at The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, will for the first time feature a 2,000-seat overflow theater where guests will be able to watch these once-in-a-lifetime happenings through a live feed.  

Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios (Friday, August 9, 10:00 a.m.): Disney and Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, filmmakers and star talent will take guests on a journey through The Walt Disney Studios’ slate of upcoming animated features, including Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen and Pixar Animation Studios’ The Good Dinosaur. Plus, catch the U.S. debut of the new Mickey Mouse short Get A Horse!, major movie announcements, and a not-to-be-missed live musical performance.

Let the Adventures Begin: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios (Saturday, August 10, 10:30 a.m.): The Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn will showcase the Studios’ exciting live-action release slate, including Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks and Tomorrowland, Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World, and much more. 

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here