D23 Expo: The “All Lines, No Rides” Disney Experience! FINISHED at Last!

[Donald'sGirl]

Carrie another fantastic installment! I love the Muppets, it so cool to see them on the Mark Twain.

On the whole JP/Captain Sparrow thing - gag me! I can't stand him! I would however have been estatic to see Nick Cage and John Travolta!

Can't wait for more!

 

[rentayenta]

That Hilton looks really nice. I think there are a few Hiltons in the area- what was the exact name? I am thinking of taking the kids to Disneyland for a quickie trip to Disneyland next June but won't be staying DVC and looking for a less expensive off property hotel than the DLH or PPH.

 

[DisneyJo]

Loving your honest report of the Expo, I didn't realise so much queueing was involved

 

[Handbag Lady]

I know I am not Carrie, but I would seriously go again. Even with the lines and having to miss some things due to capacity, I had a great time.

There were a few things that I saw that I was THRILLED to see. It is worth the trip if they do a D23 expo again.

Plus, they let the imagineers out. That never happens in a public area. I got to meet Burny Mattinson, I was so thrilled. You could just walk up to them and say, "Hey, I LOVE your work. May I have a picture?" and they all said yes.

 

[lurkyloo]

That and the great movie to bad movie ratio is about 1 to 100 I need more than Megan Fox rolling around half naked (although my bf surely doesn't) and remakes of every show/movie I watched growing up to make me want to drop an Andrew Jackson (or Thomas Jefferson? Who is on a ten dollar bill?).

Good point! But I'm jealous that you can see a movie for a mere Alexander Hamilton. Around here we're lucky if we only have to throw in an Abe Lincoln with our Hamilton, but for 3D movies there are usually a few George Washingtons on top of all that!

Oh, and I have no idea what Fangoria magazine is. I could cheat and google but that would mean I would have to not be lazy. And I was already too lazy to google who was on the ten dollar bill.

1. I have heard of Fangoria magazine. (but you probably knew that already I bet!)

Yes. Yes, I did...

2. I miss the Nicholas Cage circa Valley Girl days...he was awesome in that movie (yes, I'm serious). It actually was a very realistic 80's film and I believe it was pre-John Hughes movies...

Oh yeah, that one too! I just loved his whole look in Raising Arizona - the perpetually mussed hair, the droopy eyes and half-wit expression.... comedy gold!

Not only have I heard of Fangoria! mag, but I attended their convention.

Awright, Prize #1 for Patrick....

Too late to get the prize. Wah!

Dang - now I owe him TWO prizes!!!

Yeah .....I can just see that interview now.

Interviewer: "Do you have any final questions?"

Me: "Uhmm....yes, just one. Does your internet network support photobucket pictures?" (because I need my daily dose of the DIS)

Nice pics, by the way~

Thanks!

I haven't finished this day yet...but Patrick gets a prize..DH and I are long time readers of Fangoria!

Prize #3.... I have a feeling all of DH's prizes are gonna end up being smooches, cuz I can't afford to buy this many!

Oooh. So cool that you got to see Captian Jack and Kermit in the same venue. Maybe they'll collaborate on something in the future

That would RULE!

Carrie, I have to confess, I've avoided your trip report until now because I just recently stopped being so pissed that Will and I missed the expo!

Oh no! I'm so sorry you were bummed out! Here, just think of all the crummy stuff you missed: standing in lines, getting turned away from presentations even after standing in line, waiting in a sheep herd to fork over your electronic devices for hours, waiting in another herd to pick up your electronic devices, eating greasy burgers three meals a day, or missing meals because you're in line/in a presentation, getting wanded, spending way too much money on any tchotchke that said "D23" on it, standing in line to spend money on said tchotchkes, going without sleep in order to see everything you wanted to see.... am I making you feel any better...?

Next year - we're going! And you know what? We're going to DL on the day they premiere Pirates 4, too. You should come! It'll be madness! (So therefore a fun trip report, no?

Oooh, now that would be interesting. I dunno, though - I don't do well with crowds and standing in line (as we've all seen in this report). But then maybe it would make for a funny trip report...

Carrie,

You better pay up, I've heard of Fangoria magazine also. My DH loves all things gory and weird.

Prize # 4 for DH - dear lord! Do you think he'll accept origami boulders as prizes?

Muppets of the Caribbean

LOVE it!!!

Great report, I was really enjoying following your blog. So it looks like it's not worth planning a last minute trip to CA for something like this? It's such a shame they couldn't have scheduled things better.
So overall are you glad you went? Sounds like a bit of a kerfuffle getting into the venues if you had a phone/camera (who doesn't these days ).
Which was the best presentaion/event you did? Were there any you were really torn by (on at the same time) I know I would have kicked myself if I had missed the Muppets et al.

Let's see... I don't know if I would plan a trip to CA from England for it... maybe from, say, Oklahoma, though. I think I am glad I went overall - that Disney Studios presentation was worth it right there, and it was definitely the best presentation. This is embarrassing, but as you'll see later in the report, I actually started to fall asleep in most of the other presentations we went to! I think I was so tightly wound and anxious about standing in line, that when we finally got in and didn't have to wait anymore, I relaxed so much that I just kinda shut down...

The one I was most torn about was the Disney Parks presentation being pitted against the Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings one. I picked the parks one, and now I totally regret it b/c they didn't announce anything new and I feel guilty for being the Disney wedding book author who didn't even go to the Disney wedding seminar!

Okay, I've never heard of Fangoria, but Googled it after reading this yesterday. Then, lo and behold, a trailer came on TV for the stupid movie... I think Patrick's spot-on with that one!

I'll let him know!

Wow! What a presentation. Loved the Muppets and Captain Jack's entrance.

Totally! I have no idea how they'll top that if they hold an Expo next year...

Loved the Muppets aboard the Mark Twain!!!! And the back story that you know the guy who does Kermit now....I bet he is over the moon to get to play such a character.

Johnny Depp's entrance was wonder-ball!!!! He is so great as Captain Jack & that was a great surprise.

Here here!

Carrie another fantastic installment! I love the Muppets, it so cool to see them on the Mark Twain.

On the whole JP/Captain Sparrow thing - gag me! I can't stand him! I would however have been estatic to see Nick Cage and John Travolta!

Wowza! I have to say I've never met someone who can't stand Cpt. Jack Sparrow before, but I totally respect that. It must also save you a lot of money on Pirates merchandise...

That Hilton looks really nice. I think there are a few Hiltons in the area- what was the exact name? I am thinking of taking the kids to Disneyland for a quickie trip to Disneyland next June but won't be staying DVC and looking for a less expensive off property hotel than the DLH or PPH.

It is... the Hilton Anaheim Hotel, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim, California, United States 92802. It's on the property of the convention center, and about a 20-minute walk from Disneyland.

You might check out the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, which everyone seems to love and has all kinds of discounts thru www.mousesavers.com and other Disney sites.

The very closest hotel to the gate at Disneyland (even closer than the Grand Californian) is the Best Western Park Place Inn & Mini Suites (*not* the Best Western Anaheim Inn, which is down the street). But it's not always a bargain. Sometimes you can get a lower rate by calling though.

And the absolutely cheapest accommodations we've had were through Priceline, which only works if you have a car, in case it's far. We got the Doubletree for $55/night, but it was 10 minutes' drive away.

Loving your honest report of the Expo, I didn't realise so much queueing was involved

Hi Jo! I think I may know you from PassPorter.com too!

Plus, they let the imagineers out. That never happens in a public area. I got to meet Burny Mattinson, I was so thrilled. You could just walk up to them and say, "Hey, I LOVE your work. May I have a picture?" and they all said yes.

That was one of the highlights, I have to admit...

 

[rentayenta]

It is... the Hilton Anaheim Hotel, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim, California, United States 92802. It's on the property of the convention center, and about a 20-minute walk from Disneyland.

You might check out the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, which everyone seems to love and has all kinds of discounts thru www.mousesavers.com and other Disney sites.

The very closest hotel to the gate at Disneyland (even closer than the Grand Californian) is the Best Western Park Place Inn & Mini Suites (*not* the Best Western Anaheim Inn, which is down the street). But it's not always a bargain. Sometimes you can get a lower rate by calling though.

And the absolutely cheapest accommodations we've had were through Priceline, which only works if you have a car, in case it's far. We got the Doubletree for $55/night, but it was 10 minutes' drive away.

I am from So Cal, Cypress, about 10 minutes from Disneyland but because we lived so close, we never needed a hotel. We have stayed at all of the Disney properties and the HoJo but that Hilton looks nice. Since DH won't be with us, I might have to order a little room service for breakfast in the morning. I liked the HoJo well enough but those Hilton beds look comfy. My friend also gets a discount at all Marriotts and Hiltons. The BWPPI looks iffy but I have read some good things.


Ideally, DH would buy me those 100 DVC points at the GCV and this would be a moot point.

 

[romymichelle21]

:Oh no! I'm so sorry you were bummed out! Here, just think of all the crummy stuff you missed: standing in lines, getting turned away from presentations even after standing in line, waiting in a sheep herd to fork over your electronic devices for hours, waiting in another herd to pick up your electronic devices, eating greasy burgers three meals a day, or missing meals because you're in line/in a presentation, getting wanded, spending way too much money on any tchotchke that said "D23" on it, standing in line to spend money on said tchotchkes, going without sleep in order to see everything you wanted to see.... am I making you feel any better...?

Oooh, now that would be interesting. I dunno, though - I don't do well with crowds and standing in line (as we've all seen in this report). But then maybe it would make for a funny trip report...

Oh no myself! I just realized what a whiny downer I sounded like!

It was mainly sarcasm, though - although I was bummed after I found out Jack was there, I was still very excited for you and Patrick all weekend! I'm glad you guys had a (overall) great time.

Next year we will go, so no biggie. But yes, I think the premiere would be awesome! I always wished I'd known about the others before they happened, so I'm hoping they do the same thing for this one. I'd love to be at the park and catch a glimpse of Jack and Barbossa!

 

[DisneyJo]

Hi Jo! I think I may know you from PassPorter.com too!

I don't post there but I did read and post on your TR, I'm also on the Moms Panel so you may have seen photos of me around

 

[Beka]

Next up was Robert Zemeckis flogging his latest motion-capture atrocity, A Christmas Carol (sorry, but Jim Carrey is creepy enough on his own without being rendered in THE creepiest-looking kind of animation going). I love how in all the clips, Zemeckis says that modern animation has allowed them to finally present A Christmas Carol in the way Dickens originally intended - cuz obviously Dickens went to his grave wishing it were possible to show Scrooge sliding under and getting whacked in the face by a series of icicles hanging from the eaves... Patrick calls the look of the movie "Thomas Kinkade by way of Fangoria magazine," and I told him if anyone reading my trip report has actually heard of Fangoria magazine, he gets a prize.

Give him a prize, cuz I know Fangoria magazine! It used to both scare & fascinate me.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Hi Carrie! I was just wondering if you happened to hear what the release date is for the Pook*a*looz that they had on display? I didn't think to ask anyone at the booth when we were there , and now I can't find any info on line about their release.

 

[romymichelle21]

I just Googled Pook-a-Looz, and found Patrick's Swazzle blog!

(Or, actually, it says Sean... does Patrick have a brother?)

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I love reading your trippie on the convention and wish I was there!

And...I've heard of Fangora too. Dated a guy who was massively into zombies and b horror movies.

 

[lurkyloo]

Ideally, DH would buy me those 100 DVC points at the GCV and this would be a moot point.

I gotta agree with you there!

Next year we will go, so no biggie. But yes, I think the premiere would be awesome! I always wished I'd known about the others before they happened, so I'm hoping they do the same thing for this one. I'd love to be at the park and catch a glimpse of Jack and Barbossa!

I'll bet they'll do the same kind of premiere - Disneyland has them down to a science!

I don't post there but I did read and post on your TR, I'm also on the Moms Panel so you may have seen photos of me around

That must be it!

Give him a prize, cuz I know Fangoria magazine! It used to both scare & fascinate me.

Oh my gosh - now I owe him, what, six prizes!

Hi Carrie! I was just wondering if you happened to hear what the release date is for the Pook*a*looz that they had on display? I didn't think to ask anyone at the booth when we were there , and now I can't find any info on line about their release.

As far as either of us can recall, they just said "2010" - the only month I remember hearing was February for the Muppet Vinylmations. I think the Pook*a*looz might be further out....

I just Googled Pook-a-Looz, and found Patrick's Swazzle blog!

(Or, actually, it says Sean... does Patrick have a brother?)

Yes, Sean is Patrick's twin! (hint: Patrick is the one with a beard)

I love reading your trippie on the convention and wish I was there!

And...I've heard of Fangora too. Dated a guy who was massively into zombies and b horror movies.

Wowza! So I guess this means I owe DH about seven prizes now....

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Wowza! I have to say I've never met someone who can't stand Cpt. Jack Sparrow before, but I totally respect that. It must also save you a lot of money on Pirates merchandise...

Don't get me wrong I LOVE the POC ride but can't watch the movies because of JD. I can't look at him he grosses me out. However my DS and DF both love the movies so we do actually have some POC merchandise.

 

[lurkyloo]

Originally we'd planned to go next to the Haunted Mansion presentation, followed by "The Making of The World of Color" and then split up so I could go to "We Make the Music: Disney Theme Park Music" and DH could go to "The Evolution of Mickey Mouse" (to ask why Mickey's hands and feet are so huge and bloated in all the illustrations these days). However, each presentation ended only 30 minutes before the next (meaning there was no way we'd get in line in time to get a seat). We were so burned out from the previous day that we bagged all our plans for the rest of Friday so we could go at our own pace and not be enslaved by the schedule. So there ya go, Steven Clark - when you give people too much good stuff to see and do, they give up and don't get to see any of it.

The first order of business was lunch. On Disney's Expo map, the Aramark-serviced convention food counters were given cute names like "Walt's Diner" and "Woody's BBQ," and they even made up distinctive-sounding menus for each place: Soup, pizza, calzones, stromboli, and parmesan chicken sandwiches at Stromboli Trattoria, and chicken fajitas, taco salads, and carne asada tortas at Caballeros Cafe. I say "made up" because when we got to each of these counters (which had no signage identifying them by their Disney names, so you never knew where you were) all they offered were pre-cooked burgers, fries, and assorted soggy cold sandwiches, salads and wraps.

We didn't know any better, so we grabbed lunch at Caballeros Cafe (formerly known as "Aramark Slop Trough #351A.6"). I watched in horror as they pulled a pre-cooked burger from a metal tub of grease and smashed a plasticky square of cheese on top of it - guess I needn't have specified "medium rare"! At least we had sense enough to bypass the sad, fluorescently lit jumble of a seating area and head over to the D23 Member Lounge with our food. Earlier I'd spotted a few nice sets of tables and chairs scattered among the plush couches and armchairs within its invisible walls (sorry, but an overhead banner and a carpet border do not make it an exclusive area!).

Ooooh! Exclusive!

Non-members stood at the edge of the black carpet and pressed their noses against the invisible walls longingly...

Try not to look too long or you'll need clinical-strength depression medication

The one bright spot in our lunch was the brick of fudge I'd grabbed on impulse. It turned out to be another treat shipped in from the parks and HOLY CRAP was it delicious! Now I know why everyone on MousePlanet was so sad when Disneyland temporarily stopped making its own fudge - that stuff is WAY better than Disney World fudge! I'd picked up the chocolate cookies & cream kind, but at that moment I vowed to try as many varieties as I could before Expo's end.

Don't worry, those aren't teeth marks...

While we were eating, one of the few fans dressed in costume came by — The Rocketeer! It's one of my all-time favorite movies, and the guy's costume looked really good (he also looked super-familiar, but I couldn't quite place him...), so I asked for my first-ever picture with a costumed fan.

He also did his special Rocketeer pose for us, and he taught DH to do it too!

The helmet was amazing! We saw the actual Rocketeer costume later in the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit, and this guy's get-up was spot-on!

After lunch, we headed into what turned out to be hands-down the best exhibit at the Expo, the Disney Parks & Resorts area.

Just like at an actual theme park, the experience started with a queue, then proceeded to a pre-show before we were let into the exhibit.

I loooove old attraction posters!

When you stepped into the curtained preshow area, there was a huge screen with a projection on it that made it look like a big old-fashioned TV.

I know this is just a little thing, but I got really excited when the video switched to ginormous images from the theme parks - you could almost reach out and touch the castle!

But the coolest part was the way the screen split like a Z and opened to reveal the inside of the exhibit.

 

[lurkyloo]

Stepping through this magic portal brought you smack into Carsland.

On display were the small overview model and the large Radiator Springs Racers models (DH asked what the scale was for each of them, but I forget what they said.) There were real-live Imagineers stationed at each exhibit to answer questions (some more effectively than others - we must've caught one lady right before her lunch break - all we got were "yes" and "no" answers). At the time we went, the guy who was in charge of building the models was actually there, so DH had plenty of questions for him.

Overview Model:

Radiator Springs Racers Model:

To give you an idea what the ride will be like, here is video DH shot of the snippet of Radiator Springs Racers ride previsualization that was shown at Saturday's Parks & Resorts presentation by Jay Rasulo:





To the left were life-size (I think - with no humans in the movie, who can tell?) figures of Guido and Luigi that you could pose next to (Luigi is my favorite character in the film, so I was sure to take a terribly unflattering picture with him that you will never see!).

To the right was another mind-boggling accomplishment - a talking Lightning McQueen. His mouth is projected from inside his body, and the effect is astonishing, it's so real.

Here's video DH shot - no sound on him yet...





Up next: Naked Abe, Meeting Lucky the Dinosaur and Wall*E, pix of DVC's Hawaii resort model, and concept art and models from Hong Kong Disneyland!

 

[lurkyloo]

Don't get me wrong I LOVE the POC ride but can't watch the movies because of JD. I can't look at him he grosses me out. However my DS and DF both love the movies so we do actually have some POC merchandise.

That's true... if I ran into a real-life Cpt. Jack Sparrow in a dark alley, I would run the opposite direction - he's totally gross!

 

[Disneygrl36]

I love the Rocketeer!!!!
And, I got to see the big model of Radiator Springs & the Cars ride being worked on & built when we went to Imagineering so that is really cool to see how it turned out. Love all the details in those models, they really are amazing pieces of art. That ride looks so cute & amazing.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

OMG I can't believe they are going to have a Cars ride at DL but not WDW! I want to go on it sooooo bad!!! Guess it means I just have to come to CA! DS's favorite character in cars is Luigi he would have killed to have his pic with him!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

(sorry, but an overhead banner and a carpet border do not make it an exclusive area!).

The one bright spot in our lunch was the brick of fudge I'd grabbed on impulse.

Don't worry, those aren't teeth marks...

Oh man, that looks goooood! Bright spot indeed.