Cars Show, D23 Style...

I am speed...







I didn't get to go to the D23 Expo panels on Sunday due to a previous commitment...

There were only two events I wanted to attend, if I had been about to be there on that day: the Marvel Panel and the Cars Land Panel. Well, thanks to the wonders of YouTube, you and I can watch that panel. Just imagine all those people that waited in line only to be told the room was full? They could have been riding something in the parks and just clicked on this once they got home. So here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Cars Land Panel One

Cars Land Panel Two

Cars Land Panel Three

And this time next year you'll be in another line; one for these attractions...

Lessons Unlearned...

Plan ahead, plan well you big dopes...





With the closing of the Mouse's second convention, I thought it was time to reflect...

On what went right and what went wrong. Mostly on the wrong part of that reflective question. Lets recap a little about the 2009 D23 Expo. First, it was over 4 days and in the end had over 20,000+ attend the show. Not bad for a first time event. Disney pulled it off pretty well, although there were some rough edges that you would think they would learn from and tweak the next time, right?

Not really, no.

This time to save money, (I mean, those numbers weren't a success for a first time event.) they decided to have the event over three days instead of four. And the attendance this year was more than last time, catching Disney off guard. close to 40,000 attended this year. A full 17,000 attended a sold out Saturday event alone. Do the math, almost twice as many people with one less day to do it in. Crowds far worse than last time. Less Cast Members were there to help out from the parks as well. Have to save those pennies you know. After all, no one will notice right? There were five security companies hired to handle this event as well and I talked to some of them as well as several people that worked for the Anaheim Convention Center and they all agreed that the Mouse botched it.

There were a lot of displays, but it did seem like there were less of them. I could be wrong about that, but the general perception was along those lines. The Walt Disney Parks & Resorts display was nice, but the open space between the displays made it feel like there were less models on view. Also, the announcement that there would be things on display from all parks wasn't accurate as well. Florida, with the Extreme Expansion at the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland was the big model this time. California with Buena Vista Street and Cars Land were represented. Shanghai was on display in a very intentionally vague model. Disney Cruise Line had a representation there as well with models of the Dream and a statue of Minnie from the Fantasy. Adventures by Disney, the Aulani and the Disney Vacation Club was represented as well. But Hong Kong from 09' wasn't represented, neither was Disneyland Paris and nothing from Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySEA (Mustn't embarrass the other parks by stunning Disney fans with pictures from this park, could they?).

But as I mentioned in my observations in the earlier post, the biggest mistake was the Arena area of the park. This was the place where the big stuff was to be held. This place holds 6,000+ people and during the first D23 Expo Disney rented out the entire place. Even then people still didn't get in. You would think with this demand, event planners would have prepared for this and did something to address the situation. They did. They made it worse. To make it more intimate (company phrasing to hide the unwillingness to fork over cash for the entire place) they decided to only rent out approximately 4,000 seats. Leaving almost a third of the place empty. Empty even though they could have filled up all the seats. Almost the whole upper balcony sat vacant while fans waited outside. Way to make it more intimate, guys. Real good PR move. While I got into the Parks & Resorts event, hundreds of people did not. This left many people that attended this expo who waited in line feeling frustrated and saddened at not being able to see the presentation. Now, what was shown was very entertaining, but it wasn't any big surprise. Tom Staggs continues to grow in his job and will hopefully be Iger's successor some day. Like I mentioned in my other article, Staggs would likely only give a small surprise, not a big one. Which is exactly what happened.

But the major screw up was the big event for Walt Disney Studios; the massive two and a half hour collection of previews of coming films, DVD's and teases of what's to come over the next two/three years. This event did offer some surprises and the fact that they didn't let you bring your camera was a clue to this. If they have a Parks & Resorts event at a future Expo where they don't allow cameras or cell phones then you will have a clue that something is going to be shown that you'll want to be there for. But even with all these wonderful surprises, there were thousands of people, yes thousands, that didn't get to see any of it. They had to wander around the panels and exhibits checking websites for updates. All while two thousand seats sat empty. But it was intimate right? I was one of the lucky ones with a connection, but most were not.

The really bad thing is those that got up, drove to this thing and waited for three or four hours ahead or more only to be told that the Arena was full. Now, if those other seats were available there still would have been people who didn't get in to see it, but there would have been far less. And to make matters worse, this event was not advertised as a D23 Member exclusive event. That's because it was open to the public... or so it was advertised. But the geniuses at planning didn't think this one through. See, if you are a D23 member then you get early admission to the Expo. Fair enough, but it also means that you can line up for the Arena queue up to an hour before anyone else can. Including those that have been there four hours before you. So by the time the attendees were let in, it was full.

No one that waited in this line got to see the show. If the other two thousand seats had been available, many would have got to see it. But Disney chose to only buy out two thirds of it and make the others that waited feel like they'd wasted a good deal of time. Unless you were someone in the media or a D23 member you were shut out. That's not how it was advertised and that is not how it was planned, but it is how events unfolded. And several of the media weren't too happy having their reporting materials confiscated. To make matters worse, Marvel live-blogging the announcements made many reporters upset that they were invited to cover an event only to be scooped by the host. And with the chaos that happened over these three days many in the media felt that Disney had been touting that they can hold an event as good as, or better than Comic-Con does. The reporters I talked to believe they clearly cannot.

I can tell you at least one vice president no longer has a job because of these screw ups and I can think of one or two more I wouldn't mind seeing let go. I think the planning should have been done to make sure everyone wanted to return for the next expo. I don't know if that will happen, because I talked to several people that were so frustrated they didn't know wether or not they were going to book it. I think many will wait for the schedule to see what is planned. And several of those will wait to see if the Arena is fully booked, because if they plan on leaving a third empty then many will just stay home. Because they'll know that the events they are being told they have a chance of seeing, they have no real chance of attending. The planners of the next event had better have at least the entire Arena available or there will be major complaints. At least? How can they have more? Well, there are several rooms that weren't rented out which the event planners could have put seats in and big screens at the front to broadcast the events. If they're worried about cameras and cell phones then they can ban them from this room like they did for the Studios keynote. But at least many more will get to see it. That would leave the guest happy to have been part of the magic they wanted to see. Imagine that, Disney?

There were several things that went well, but far too many screw ups were worse than the original Expo, which shouldn't have happened. I wonder how many who worked that last one were paying attention? I wonder if they really thought this through? It certainly didn't appear so this time. They had better examine the problems they had and address them before next time. I remember hearing the PR Suits saying that two years would help them plan for an even better expo. Really? Then next time play it safe.

Plan three, four or even five years in advance, please...

ReTangled...

I have a dream...



One of the things announced at D23 this weekend was a continuation of the goldmine known as "Tangled" next year...

Not a sequel, but a short that will debut on the Disney Channel in 2012. Nathan Greno and Byron Howard will bring us "Tangled Ever After" as a special event on the Mouse's main cable channel which has yet to be scheduled.

Now, if some of those shorts inch closer to production...

Expo-Tube...

For those that didn't attend the D23 Expo here is a surprise for you...

No long lines. No crappy, overpriced food. No dealing with screw-ups that shouldn't have happened. Just sit back in your chair and click the links. Watch them at your leisure and pause then to go to the bathroom or grab another drink from the fridge. Through the magic of YouTube you can be there.

Others have sacrificed for your pleasure:


Tom Staggs' Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Keynote - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Carousel of Projects - Disney and More has excellent coverage of this as well as here and more here.

Buena Vista Street Panel - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Disney Legends Panel - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6.

Talk with Mickey Presentation - Part 1, Part 2.

Voices from the Parks Panel - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8.

Imagineering Cars Land Panel - Highlights here.

Walt Disney Studios Keynote - What, are you crazy? You think even we have that? Move along!


And now we can all wait for the next D23 Expo...

Twenty-Three Perspectives...

Evo-lutions...





And so ends the first day of D23 Expo 2011...

I thought I'd add a few comments from Blue Sky's perspective on the second convention put on by the Mouse. I got to attend quite a few panels today that I wanted to. I barely got into Tom Staggs speech after a very interesting conversation with a couple of Bothans. But here are some thoughts.

First off, it's evident that Disney decided to pull back somewhat from the 2009 expo. Whereas the first one was over four days, this year there is only a three day event. The rooms used for panels was lowered as well. Disney is trying to be somewhat conservative after their first expo and not over plan for some of the events. I believe they intended to tighten their belt a bit this time and see how things go with the fans. The one area where I think they made a mistake is by not renting out the entire Arena for the big events. Sure, the line going around is that they wanted to make it more intimate, but that's not the case. The first expo had events using all 6000 seats in the Arena, while this year they're only using 4000 seats. Disney expected to save some money by not renting out many of the top tier seats (hence the propaganda about "intimate."). But truthfully, all that did was leave hundreds of fans unhappy and angry that they were left waiting outside in a line that had no hope of seeing events. If they're going to do this again next time, I suggest they at least put some screens along the queue area to allow those not inside to at least view Tom's announcements.

Now, as far as what was announced? Not much new as I expected. I know that a couple of things that were on the list got cut off for a later announcement (the program was reduced from an hour and a half to just an hour). But all present got to see a lot more of the progress on the current projects. If anyone expected a lot of new info to be released, all you had to do was look at the description of the keynote to make you lower your expectations. No new projects were going to announced for Disneyland as that will upstage all the stuff surrounding DCA. You can expect that we won't hear much about the next phase for that park till after next summer.

As for Shanghai, if you were visiting the Carousel of Projects then you'd see that vague model and those rotating pictures behind it. But that's all you'll see for a while. This park is about five years away. So they are in deep blue sky right now. it'll be another two years before the plans start to finalize and closer to three before you see any tangible progress. Even the projects that we announced here could evolve. This is "Blue Sky" Disney, of course. Nothing is set in stone just yet. Plans are made, shown to execs and then they're sent back to the drawing board. Tom himself has had them go back and change plans a couple times already. Disney spent a lot of time wooing the Chinese over the last decade with many samples of artwork that showed extravagant designs of beautiful things that would be possible in this park. Now, the hard part will be actually turning that paint into something buildable for a budget. Kind of like what they have to do with this year's expo.

Then it's all about managing expectations...

August Projected...

A world filled with imagination...




One of the great things about the first D23 Expo was the Imagineer Display that everyone gravitated toward...

It was great to see the plans that WDI had for the upcoming future. At least what they were willing to reveal. Next month's D23 Expo will have another area that will display work throughout all 11 Disney Parks called the "Carousel of Projects."

It'll have much of what we've seen already, but several sections will have more detailed views of what to expect from the Fantasyland Expansion in the Magic Kingdom, the further progress of Hong Kong Disneyland and more elaboration on what to expect from Shanghai. Hopefully they'll show some of the incredible models for that River Run project we mentioned a while back, or perhaps what is to be expected in the very different Tomorrowland.

But what I'm looking forward to is the presentation by Tom Staggs who I'm greatly happy is in charge of the parks instead of the soulless Jay Rasulo. I always thought he was a creativeless, bean counter and it's good to see he is in the proper position now. The management team of Burbank is quite better than it was a decade ago, but the WDW management team seems more of an enigma to me. I wish they seemed to care about the parks as much as Anaheim. I expect that Staggs knows the problems and will slowly over the next few years make the moves that will put people in power in Florida that can advance that resort to its full potential.

Until August...

Journey Twenty Years In The Past To Journey Into The Past...

Twenty years ago today Walt Disney Pictures released what they hoped would be their answer to "Raiders of the Lost Ark" franchise...

Well, it didn't turn out the way they expected. "The Rocketeer" has slowly developed a cult following over the years and if you are one of the lucky members of D23 at the El Capitan today, then you'll get a screening and panel afterwards. I was a big fan of the comic when it came out and like Jeffrey Katzenberg, hoped that it would inspire a string of movies featuring the character in a series of adventures.

Audiences decided to see other things that weekend and the film became a disappointment. Not a failure, but not what was expected and making too little to justify a sequel. I had great fun watching it (four times at the El Capitan), but felt that it need more action and a greater sense of jeopardy for the hero. I hoped that a sequel would deliver on the promise of this character. But a sequel never came. It would be great if somehow Disney tried to do a sequel or reboot of the film, but that is not likely. An animated series for Disney XD perhaps?

One can dream, since all it cost is time...

SEAing Dragons...

Believe In Magic...

So the Mouse has finally released another image of the Tokyo version of "Fantasmic!" that will debut in Tokyo DisneySEA in April...

Over at D23, this weeks commentary by the Disney Geek has a peek at the art (go to the 6:40 mark). This illustration helps to understand Steven Davison's comments about Maleficent having wings made of water. You can also see the Sorcerer's Hat which will be filled with LED lights and will rise from a collapsible float. It's going to be interesting to see how this 360 degree in-the-round version will play and compare next to the original in Disneyland and the deplorably, sad clone down in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Only a few more months before we find out...

Legacy 23...

A real page turner...




The latest issue of D23 Magazine has some nice stuff in it...

Best of all is that article about some movie coming out in December. But its name escapes me.

Check it out...

Tomorrow Buy Two...

The tickets for the second D23 Expo will go on sell tomorrow...

If you are a Disney fan and didn't attend last years event, you really missed a great show. The Mouse really pulled off a great show, especially since it was their first one. There was great surprises, guests and an amazing show room with a great deal of beautiful WDI models.

I'm hearing that the goal of not having this in 2010 was to work on improving the quality even more for the next expo. As we get closer to the end of the year expect some exciting updates about the schedule.

Plus, at the coming Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, I can look forward to hearing from Tom Staggs instead of Jay speaking about the future of Disney Parks.

That's a big improvement right there...

Hairy Cover...

Lots of locks, lots of box office...


The new issue of D23 features some nice art/info on Walt Disney Animation Studios 50th film...

I'll be glad to see a better trailer for this film that better shows what "Tangled" is all about. I hope they go with the classical version that there showing around right now.

Of course, the trailer won't be out till we get closer to Fall...

23/70...

It all started with a rat...

I mean, a mouse.

The upcoming D23 magazine will celebrate seventy years of film from the Walt Disney Studios...

It won't be out till February 2, but here's a look at the cover. Through the perspective of time you can see how far the little studio has come. From creating little animated shorts to theatrical animated features to moving into live-action films to television to many television series to multiple film divisions to internet. A long way over such a specific passage of time. Today the studio is busy with several projects that will cost a quarter of a billion dollars each. At least three will be out in the next year with more to come the following year. Not bad for a tiny little place on Hyperion Avenue in a quiet suburb of the sleepy town of Los Angeles, huh?

Just imagine what you can do with a dream...

John Lasseter Perception Conference...

When John Lasseter was at the D23 Expo on the final day he was a busy man...

He not only participated in giving the "Walt Disney Animation Studios/Pixar Animation Studios" keynote and then the "Imagineering Pixar in the Disney Parks" panel, but he also did a Q&A Interview with the press while there. Another facinating look into his view of the Lamp, the Mouse and all things Disney.


Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.

Enjoy...

Luxolands...

If you weren't lucky enough to get to attend the D23 Expo then YouTube is here to save you...

There was a panel called "Imagineering Pixar for the Disney Parks" that had a fascinating conversation with Imagineers, Animators and Lasseter which any fan of the Lamp should love. Here for you to see is that panel, in eight glorious YouTube chapters.

I recommend watching all of the parts if you have the time. It's filled with thoughtful analysis by everyone with commentary you wouldn't expect from a company sponsored event. The last part is extremely candid with Lassetter offering up thoughts that I'm sure every Disney fan would be cheering in agreement.

Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.
Part Four.
Part Five.
Part Six.
Part Seven.
Part Eight.

Enjoy...

Star Tours: Episode Two...

What you've all been wondering about for a couple years has now become official...

Now, I was privy to some of this, but not all of this a couple weeks ago. I knew that there was going to be a Star Wars/Star Tours announcement and all. I didn't know all the details and my Bothans asked me to not say anything since being employed has an added importance in this economy right now. It doesn't mean I didn't give you guys a hint. There was a reason why I put that picture up of a Stormtrooper/Clonetrooper when talking about the D23 Expo. I expect you guys to be smart and tag along, no room for stragglers here. I was hoping some of you would take the hint as to why is there such a Star Wars presence on the day Imagineering takes the spotlight. Then I posted the "Saturday Matinee" article which should have clearly got your attention. I just couldn't come right out and tell you anything at that time. Now, I can...

Jay Rasulo gave his big speech today and talked about a lot of expansion news. Strangely, there were advertisements of news about Paris and Tokyo that weren't mentioned in the keynote. But Jay did mention that Star Tours is getting a makeover. Sort of a "Pimp my Landspeeder" kind of thing, actually. The attraction will close in October 2010 to reopen in the later part of 2011. More details were expected than what the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts mentioned, but I take it they're wanting to save some of those details for later. Perhaps a D23 Expo in 2010?

I'll be back at the end of the weekend with a recap of the other news from Saturday and Sunday, but I've got to get some sleep so I can get up early for a keynote tomorrow...

Po Begins...

Saturday Matinee...

I can't wait to see the D23 Expo in a couple weeks...

First though, since this is a Saturday Matinee, how about a preview? That's a nice little marketing campaign the Mouse has started just a few days ago. Expect more as we get closer to the events.

Like I said; I'm really looking forward to this show. If anything, it'll be a nice consolation prize for missing out on Comic-Con this year. I'll be at the Expo Saturday and Sunday. Although I'd like to be there on Thursday and Friday (especially Friday), I've made other plans and won't be able to make it. Possibly Friday evening, but I would want to see Dick Cook's keynote and a few other things.

But I will be there the last two days. Any Disney fan will love it, I believe, especially Saturday. Particularly Disneyland fans. Specifically Star Tour(s) fans. And who knows, maybe even a few Star Wars fans, perhaps? What's that? I have know idea what you're talking about. You didn't hear what you thought you heard. These aren't the droids you're looking for. They're for sale if you'd like to buy them? Hehe...

Plus, Sunday I get to see Lasseter's keynote and his talk about the direction of Walt Disney Animation Studios, a few things I can't mention and then a fun filled evening with friends over at Disneyland.

It'll be fun to see how this D23 Expo develops as time goes by...

Admit One...

I've been hearing all this chatter about the D23 Expo...

You know, the talk about tickets not selling and the Mouse is worried that it's going to be a failure. Blah, blah, blah. Sometimes people really need to relax and not listen to all the nattering nabobs of negativity. But fear not, everything is just fine and reality isn't quite as bad as some would have you believe.

Here's a little secret between me and you... ticket sales are actually ABOVE projections. Hard to believe, huh? Ticket vendors tend to sell 40 to 50% of the tickets for an event at the door. Right now, D23 Expo tickets are approaching that number. The high forties, actually. And there is still two weeks to go so that's not bad at all.

The Suits up in Burbank, though, they want it all sold out so they've bought a specific number of tickets to give to the employees to make sure it's full. They want it to look like something out of Comic-Con, which in the first year is not really a realistic thing, but hey, they're Suits. Originally the plan was to have employees get one day for $5 dollars, but when Cast Member tickets were a little slow at first they changed their minds and let them get all four days at $5 dollar a piece. Not a bad deal if you work for the Mouse.

But those tickets are in addition to the sales to the general public and the D23 community. So since sales are going briskly there, that means the crowds are going to be pretty good. This won't be like Comic-Con, but then again, Comic-Con wasn't like it is today on its first year. It took time to grow and gather word of mouth. And the D23 Expo will need the same. It's not like a theme park like Tokyo DisneySEA that can be built great on opening day. Of course, it's not like DCA either, which was the exact opposite.

Fear not...

Iger On Expo...

The Los Angeles Times has an article that has an interview with Bob Iger about the upcoming D23 Expo...

Go over at take a look at what the Times and the Mouse's Big Cheese thinks about the upcoming event.

Expo Grows...

The full schedule has expanded for D23 Expo. For the most part it's solidified, although you may see a few minor changes/additions:

Burbank, California – August 19, 2009 -- The Walt Disney Studios is jumping on the D23 Expo bandwagon with four days (September 10-13) of exciting programming that includes major overviews of upcoming films by Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook and Disney-Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, plus a full schedule of events spotlighting new releases and newly restored digital versions of classic favorites.

Cook will present exclusive sneak peeks at such highly anticipated Disney features as “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” “Old Dogs” (with Robin Williams and John Travolta), “Prince of Persia” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (both from producer Jerry Bruckheimer), “Tron: Legacy,” plus updates on many more exciting projects. Lasseter will discuss and show materials from such upcoming Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios’ motion pictures as “The Princess and the Frog,” “Rapunzel,” “Toy Story 3,” etc. Both presentations will be held at The Anaheim Convention Center in a 4000-seat arena.

All other film screenings and programs will take place in The Walt Disney Studios Theater (at the Anaheim Convention Center), a custom-built state-of-the-art venue with 3D capability, located within the Convention Center. All Disney Digital 3D™ presentations will be shown in RealD 3D, the world's most widely used 3D cinema technology. Among the U.S. premieres at the D23 Expo will be new Disney Digital 3D™ versions of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” the digital conversion of the original “Tron,” and a newly restored digital version of the Walt Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Expo guests will get an exclusive look at all things Muppets, as well as meet the filmmakers and see exclusive presentations for such highly anticipated new Disney features as “The Princess and the Frog,” “Toy Story 3” (from Disney-Pixar), “Tron: Legacy,” “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” (from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment), and the new ABC-TV holiday animated special, “Prep and Landing.”

The Expo will also debut selected scenes from the upcoming Disney Digital 3D™ version of the Studio’s 1991 modern classic, “Beauty and the Beast.” Other highlights of the four-day event include a program devoted to the music from “The Lion King,” a panel discussion and screening of “Sleeping Beauty,” and the first U.S. screening of “Trail of the Panda” (Disney’s second co-production with China). There will also be presentations on two recent documentaries – “the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” and “Walt & El Grupo.”

A special screening series, “Fifty and Fabulous,” will unspool at 10:00 pm in the Studio Theater on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights spotlighting films that are celebrating their 50th anniversary – “Darby O’Gill and the Little People,” “The Shaggy Dog,” and “Sleeping Beauty.”



D23 EXPO – WALT DISNEY STUDIOS THEATER

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

THURSDAY 9/10

10:00 a.m.
Bob Iger Address
Disney President and CEO Bob Iger kicks off the D23 Expo speaker program with what promises to be a fascinating look at Disney that no fan will want to miss.
Arena

11:00 a.m.
Disney Legends Ceremony
Be on hand as The Walt Disney Company honors the 2009 Disney Legends — who will join a prestigious circle of luminaries who embody the Company's unique creative spirit, as best personified by its founder. This is only the third time this hallmark event on the Disney yearly calendar has been open to the public — and the first time the ceremony has not been held on Disney property.
Arena

1:00 p.m.
Beauty and the Beast Panel Discussion
The D23 Expo debuts selected scenes from the upcoming Disney Digital 3D™ version of the Studio's 1991 animation classic.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

3:00 p.m.
"The ABCs of Disney"
Hosted by Emmy®-nominated Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars, America's Funniest Home Videos), "The ABCs of Disney" presentation features Steve McPherson, President of the ABC Entertainment Group, unveiling sneak peeks of many of the fall TV season's most anticipated new series.
Arena

4:00 p.m.
The Lion King Music Program
A fun and insightful panel discussion about the role its unforgettable music score played in making The Lion King one of the most heart-warming animated classics of all time.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

7:00 p.m.
The Boys: the sherman brothers' story Panel Discussion/Screening
A discussion of the making of this deeply felt documentary about the timeless songwriters and Disney Legends Richard and Robert Sherman.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

10:00 p.m.
Darby O'Gill and the Little People Screening
Fall in love again with Darby O'Gill and the Little People, which features a young and dashing Sean Connery. It's part of the D23 Expo's "50 and Fabulous" screening series, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of some of Disney's most beloved films.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

FRIDAY 9/11

11:00 a.m.
Dick Cook Address
Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook oversees all aspects of the development, production, distribution and marketing for all live-action and animated films released under the Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax banners worldwide.
Arena

1:00 p.m.
Screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas in Disney Digital 3D™
A spook-tacular screening in 3D of Tim Burton's stop-motion animation classic. Includes two of Burton's beloved shorts, Frankenweenie and Vincent.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

4:00 p.m.
Tron/Tron: Legacy Presentation
See the digital debut screening of Tron and go behind the scenes of the making of Tron: Legacy.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

7:30 p.m.
Walt & El Grupo Presentation
Learn more about the making of this soon-to-be-released documentary, and then enjoy all over again Saludos Amigos, Walt's film about Latin America released in America in 1943.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

10:00 p.m.
The Shaggy Dog Screening
Wilby Daniels becomes a Bratislavian sheep dog in this hilarious film starring Disney Legends Fred MacMurray and Tommy Kirk. It's part of the D23 Expo's "50 and Fabulous" screening series, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of some of Disney's most beloved films.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

SATURDAY 9/12

10:00 a.m.
Disneynature Presentation
The latest news from Disney's newest film label, Disneynature, a production company that goes to the ends of the earth to produce nature documentaries for the big screen.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

11:00 a.m.
Disney Store: The Magic is Back!
Jim Fielding, president, Disney Stores Worldwide, provides an exciting look into Disney's retail efforts around the globe.
Arena

12:00 p.m.
Snow White Panel Discussion Followed by a Special Screening of Restored Print
A special panel discussion of the first animated feature film followed by a screening of a just-restored print of this beloved cinematic masterpiece.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

2:00 p.m.
Jay Rasulo Address
Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts share how Parks and Resorts dream up the magic that our guests enjoy every day at our magical destinations around the world.
Arena

3:00 p.m.
The Princess and the Frog Presentation
A special panel discussion of The Princess and the Frog, Disney's beautiful upcoming 2-D animated film.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

5:30 p.m.
Prep and Landing Presentation
Join the filmmakers behind Walt Disney Animation Studios' Prep and Landing for an insightful discussion about the upcoming holiday movie for ABC.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

6:30 p.m.
D23 Expo Live Auction
Join us for an ultimate Disney Fan experience as we unveil the magic of Disney during our D23 Live Auction. Disney enthusiasts will have the opportunity to bid on our unique Walt Disney Studio and Theme Park experiences, tours, artwork, props and more.
Arena

7:30 p.m.
Trail of the Panda Screening
View Disney's second co-production with China shines a cinematic light on these reclusive animals.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

10:00 p.m.
Sleeping Beauty Screening
Revel again in the enduring classic Sleeping Beauty, part of the D23 Expo's "50 and Fabulous" screening series, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of some of Disney's most beloved films.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

SUNDAY 9/13

11:00 a.m.
Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Presentation Featuring John Lasseter
Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter takes you behind the scenes of the upcoming films The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel, Toy Story 3 and more.
Arena

1:00 p.m.
Muppets Presentation
An exclusive look at all things Muppets!
Walt Disney Studios Theater

2:00 p.m.
A Magical Afternoon With the Cast of Wizards of Waverly Place
Disney Channel will present "A Magical Afternoon With the Cast of Wizards of Waverly Place", a fun-filled, must-see event for kids, tweens and families. On hand will be Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise, along with executive producer Peter Murietta.
Arena

4:00 p.m.
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Screening
Enjoy this enchanting latest adventure about our tempestuous Tink!
Walt Disney Studios Theater

6:30 p.m.
Toy Story 3 Presentation
Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Chief Creative OfficerJohn Lasseter tells us what you can expect from the eagerly awaited third installment about Buzz and the gang.
Walt Disney Studios Theater

7:00 p.m.
Premieres of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in Disney Digital 3D™
Be the first to see these beloved films in 3D!
Walt Disney Studios Theater

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Special vacation packages including Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations, D23 EXPO tickets and theme park admission are available at the D23 EXPO website. Packages are available from both the Walt Disney Travel Company and the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, which is offering a limited number of area hotel rooms at special rates to those attending the D23 EXPO.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.