My Very Quick Expo/Open AP Review

[nunzia]

Really quick with a few photos since I hate photobucket.
Sorcerer Expo started on Aug. 18 with a 'hardhat' tour led by Stephen Clark, head of D23.

Then off we went to the Wally Boag/Betty Taylor Golden Horseshoe tribute which was really great and quite moving:

I had to try the fried green tomato sandwich and it didn't disappoint..the blueberry pie was just OK (really bummed it wasn't better)

Another Sorcerer surprise was reserved seating for fireworks..great view and Magical was pretty good but nowhere near as good and RDCT

First panel at Expo was history of the DL Hotel. Really a hoot..photo is of the shovel that broke ground for the hotel.

Next up, Legends ceremony which I enjoyed more than I thought I would. I was going to leave to go see Prep and Landing, but wanted to see the Jim Henson award which of course was last. Jim's son Brian did a puppet skit we could watch him perform with no screen, then Kermit and the dog led us all in Rainbow Connection. Nice.

Parks and Resorts presentation wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped, but really loved the little Hawaiian dancers.

Next was It's a Small World 45th Celebration, which was one of my hightlights with Tony Baxter, Alice Davis, Richard Sherman and Kim Irvine. Alice talked about Mary Blair and the original dresses, which she designed and were there, and we all sang 'the song' with Richard.

Then off to see Dick VanDyke and the Vantastixs which was a super show.

Saturday came early!
No pictures from the Studios panel as cameras were taken, but all the movies highlighted really look great..standing out are: Brave, Wreck it Ralph, The Odd life of Timothy Greenand Oz the Great and Powerful. Thank you John Lasseter for the cupcake!
Next up was teh number one highlight of the Expo, the 25 Years of Pixar panel. What amazing people and we all nearly cried we laughed so much. Look on You Tube for Mark Andrews (Brave director, hence the kilt) doing his grenade impression.

Sunday started out with Imagineering the Dream and Fantasy. Both ships look just fantastic and hopefully I can sail on one someday.

Floor area for Parks and Resorts was full of cool stuff. I caught Kevin Rafferty explaining some Carsland things

The Art of Brave was next. What a beautiful and amazing film this will be be. We were asked to keep things we saw private, so here is the director of the film introducing the art directors..then I put my camera away.

Next up was the CarsLand panel..another great group with wonderful things to share. The Imagineer moderating is the one who took us on our ABD Backstage Magic Imagineering building tour

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks!

 

[nunzia]

Part 2:
Then John Lasseter introduced his contest for someone to find a picture of him as a Jungle Cruise captain. The webisite is..I forgot, but it should be easy to find

The last panel of the Expo was Tony Baxter presenting Vintage Disneyland, which had alot of new footage so was alot different than the Destination D presentation. He also promised much more had been found and would be shared 'next time'.

Off to the parks. I had a kabob at the new restaurant..Paradise Grill? Very fresh and tasty

Little Mermaid ride is cute, but not fabulous

Here is the crowd at Pirates about 10 am. This is the Monday the So Cal APs blocks came off and it was much less crowded than I thought it would be. Longest line was Toy Story at 45 minutes. Star Tours was a zoo, of course, but the free FP for staying onsite were great. Rode Star Tours twice and had completely different rides. Really great fun. It was pretty darn hot, but crowds were very managable(is that spelled wrong? hmm) We saw WOC from three different vantage points this trip. There is a set of garbage cans exiting Little Mermaid ride that are in a long roped off section on that side of the street..great view with no FP!. Then we had the WOC dinner and saw it from the preferred dining area. Great tip about heading to stairs if you don't get rail (from Trey I think?) Worked perfectly. Great view. We then watched it form the 6th floor viewing area at VGC.
Our room was 4504..our friends' was 4516. Our view was perfect, theirs was of Redwood Challenge and the pool..still nice.

You can really see CarsLand coming along. This vantage point is at the Wine bar area

The new parade, Soundsational, is very fun also. Lots of great floats and I liked how they ended with Mary Poppins

Well, there you have it! Now to rest up for our Halloween time trip that has grown to 2 of our kids and their spouses and 6 grandkids..(do you know how many points are needed for a last minute booking at only property still available..Disneyland Hotel Preferred view? You probably don't want to know, actually)
whew...

 

[nunzia]

For crying out loud..I forgot the Pirates crowd:

 

[HydroGuy]

Part 2:
Then John Lasseter introduced his contest for someone to find a picture of him as a Jungle Cruise captain. The webisite is..I forgot, but it should be easy to find

www.johnofthejungle.com

 

[DizMe]

Wow, that looks like it was amazingly fun!! I don't really know what D23 is, but I'm interested in finding out more.

I love all of your pictures. Too bad we couldn't have said hello at the tribute!

I'm going back for Halloween too, Oct 13-15. Still haven't booked our party tix or room, though. I was planning on DLH but I've been hoping the rates would come down. I'm beginning to think Disney isn't going to give a fall rate as I'm afraid they have so many reservations going that they won't have to.

 

[skiingfast]

How many points? Think it was more that weekend because of D23 bringing in more DVC owners?

 

[nunzia]

How many points? Think it was more that weekend because of D23 bringing in more DVC owners?

This is for October stay..a second son decided he just had to join us last minute..114 points (3 nights, 2 weekday, 1 weekend)..holy cow..Yes, could have paid cash and booked, but had the points and just came off Expo so really didn't want to come up with $$$$$

 

[skiingfast]

This is for October stay..a second son decided he just had to join us last minute..114 points (3 nights, 2 weekday, 1 weekend)..holy cow..Yes, could have paid cash and booked, but had the points and just came off Expo so really didn't want to come up with $$$$$

If you have the points, you got to do something with them. Thanks for the reply.