It’s a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow for Disney Fans

It’s a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow for Disney Fans

If you’re like me, your Saturday was spent refreshing Twitter, Periscope and Instagram for the latest updates at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. This is the biggest event of the year for Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm Fans alike. Everyone gathers to be surprised by Disney cast members, directors and imagineers. And, were we ever surprised.

First up, we have the Disney Legends Awards. Johnny Depp was a surprise guest of the ceremony. Cameras flashed as he placed his hands in the grey cement. Now, Captain Jack Sparrow now holds a new treasure. The list of other honorees include:

George Bodenheimer – ESPN

Andreas Deja – Animator

Eyvind Earle – Artist

Danny Elfman – Musician/Singer

George Lucas – Filmmaker

Susan Lucci – Actress

Julie Casaletto – Disney’s 1^st Ambassador

Carson Van Osten – Artist

Johnny Depp – Actor

Photo Credit: Insidethemagic.net

While the voices behind the Muppets brought crowds laughter with beloved characters like Fozzy Bear, Pepe and Animal, Disney cast members were able to bring tears to fans’ eyes by reminiscing about the past 60 years of Disneyland with home videos, merchandise, a history of the Jungle Cruise and storytelling. The emotions fans experienced during this panels are much like the emotions movie-goers watched in Disney Pixar’s Inside Out.

Pixar had brought us many adventurous tales of fish, superheroes and toys. And, this tradition is being continued. Coming to theatres near you are:

Finding Dory – This story will feature Dory, the forgetful fish, as she tries to find her family.

Toy Story 4 – this will expand on Woody and Bo Peeps relationship as Woody and Buzz go on a search mission to find Little Bo Peep and her sheep.

Incredibles 2 – picking up on our favorite superheros.

The Good Dinosaur – to focus on the relationship between a cave boy and a friendly dinosaur when the Earth will experience a meteor shower.

Gigantic – Robert Lopez (musician from Frozen) will pen the music for this re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Zootopia – a film featuring Shakira who plays the animal, Gazelle in a mammal metropolitan society.

Coco – Dia De Los Muertos is the Day of the Dead, but this film will be brought to life as the story of a young boy finds  a surprising family reunion.

Many Disney theme park lands are designed around popular animation. Going along with this wonderful Pixar it is time to announce…Toy Story Land. A larger than life Buzz Lightyear, Alien Spin ride and Slinky Coaster are just a few attractions to be undergoing construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Photo Credit: disneyparks.disneygo.com

Speaking of attractions, a rumor has been confirmed! Star Wars will be expanded at both Disneyland and Disney World. Jedi and Sith will be able to enjoy a new Star Wars Launch Bay (based on the Force Awakens), Season of the Force (themed park season) and Star Tours-The Adventure Continues (based on the Force Awakens).

Photo credit: disneyparks,disneygo.com

Well, I don’t know about you, but that is about as much excitement as I can take. If you would like more information on the topics I touched based on today, be sure to check out the official Disney blog, unofficial Disney vloggers on Youtube, Twitter, Periscope and Instagram for more updates.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/08/live-updates-from-walt-disney-parks-and-resorts-presentation-at-2015-d23-expo/

Be sure to check in for more.

Have a magical, Disney day!

 

Fans Get Curious and Curiouser at D23 Expo

Disney Parks are continuously changing queue lines, adding new lands and reinventing classic rides to keep the magic alive for guests. This is idea is reminiscent of what Walt said himself. The parks will continue to grow as long as there is imagination in the world.

Here is a list of construction, refurbishments and updates at each park.

Walt Disney World

• Toy Story Expansion
• Magic of Disney Animation
• Maelstrom
• Soarin’
• Innoventions
• Living with the Land
• Central Plaza in Magic Kingdom
• Monorail
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Dream Along with Mickey
• Briar Patch
• WDW Railroad
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• People Mover
• Splash Mountain
• Space Mountain
• Space Ranger Spin
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• It’s a Small World
• Avatar Land

Disneyland

• Rumored Star Wars expansion
• DCA’s Hollywood Land Backlot area
• Frozen Musical Sing-Along
• Freeze the Night (dance party)
• Storybook Land Boat Ride
• Soarin’
• Luigi’s Flying Tires
• Fantasyland Dark Rides

What to Expect at D23?

Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Photo Credit: Cmdr_Crimson, Oct 24, 2014

Disney fans, like myself, are anxious about the cosmetics Disney Hollywood Studios has been receiving. Earlier in the year, the Sorcerers Hat was taken down to open the area in front of The Great Movie Ride. In addition, the name Disney Hollywood Studios is about to be trashed. Will there be a new name release at D23? Only time will tell.

Without the magic of Disney animation, there would be no parks. The Magic of Disney Animation is following The Studio Backlot Tours in the fact that they are resting in peace with the 999 happy haunts. The Magic of Disney Animation is a sit-down event where guests are led by a cast member to draw a beloved Disney character. Visitors love to see their creations take on a new life when pencil hits paper. The Animation Academy isn’t going away forever. It will find a new home in the future – hopefully big enough to house the larger than                                                                                         life names they create.

Avatar Land is creating lots of buzz in Animal Kingdom. Construction has been going on, and guests have been able to see a glimpse of this new attraction. While you can only see the skeleton at the park, the media has already had the chance to see a preview of Avatar Land – truly out of this world.

Avatar Land Model at D23
Photo Credit: John Frost

Now, let’s take a turn into the unknown…in a galaxy far, far away. D23 is hosting a live-action day which means there will be a lot of news for all things Marvel and Lucas Films. There has been a rumored Star Wars expansion at Disneyland. Disney has just purchased two pieces of land in Anaheim in close proximity to the parks. Fans of Disney and Lucas are raising their light sabers in hopes that an announcement will be made this weekend. The Star Wars community is also looking if there will be a special preview of Episode VIII at D23. All I can say is, “Never tell me the odds.”

These are just a few key points some are looking towards at the Expo. Keep looking, and I will keep posting updates about D23 and all things new at Disney Parks. If you are particularly interested in the D23 Expo and cannot attend, be sure to check out Disney Vlogs on  Youtube, Twitter and Periscope. Some Disney Periscopers are broadcasting live at the events. So, you can receive the information from the comfort of your home or work.

Thanks for checking in, and have a magical, Disney day!