No D23 Expo this year??

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

A blogger for the Los Angeles Times is reporting that there will be no D23 Expo this year.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/03/d23-celebrates-first-anniversary-at-disneyland-on-march-10-.html

There are plenty of birthdays celebrated at Disneyland and a good number of them are for 1-year-olds enjoying their first cake-and-candles experience. On March 10, though, the youngster celebrating one year of life will be D23, the Disney fan community that shares its name with the D23 Expo that was staged so memorably in September in Anaheim.

More on the party in a moment; first, a bit on that expo: The inaugural convention (a sort of Comic-Con but just for Disney and its films, theme parks, television shows, collectibles etc.) started off slow last September, and I know some folks at Disney weren't thrilled when I wrote about the small opening-day crowds. But by the end of the weekend, I was among the many people who felt the event had really turned a corner. There were some major surprises and some wonderful memories, and I remember thinking that the 2010 edition would be far more impressive considering the Disney purchase of Marvel Entertainment -- how great would it be to see presentations on the upcoming "Thor" and "Captain America" movies on the same bill as "Pirates of the Caribbean 4" and "Tron"?

But as it turns out, that won't be happening. At least not this year. The Disney plan, as of now, is to stage the D23 Expo as a biennial event, which means we'll have to wait until 2011 to see the second edition. I'm not sure when this decision was made or how the expo was viewed in the new regime at Disney, but I'll try to find out.

Now, back to that party. If you're a D23 member, there are still tickets left for the March 10 event (tickets are $65 and must be bought in advance). If you're not a D23 member, you must become one to get access to any of numerous D23 events throughout the year (with the exception of the expo, which is open to the public), but you may be running out of time to get into this particular Disneyland celebration.

And what is that celebration? On March 10, after the park closes at 9 p.m., there will be a D23 party in Fantasyland. A limited number of guests will be able to ride all the attractions, mix and mingle with characters (including some that have not been seen roaming the park in a long time) and inspect the Electric Runaround (which Walt Disney used to escort special guests around park) and Cinderella's Crystal Coach. There will be drinks, desserts and a few D23 surprises. Guests will also get a limited-edition commemorative pin.

I'm looking forward to the event, though, for the chance to talk to some of the Disney talent in attendance. Among those set to attend: Dave Smith (chief archivist for the Walt Disney Archives) Bob Gurr (a vehicle specialist for Walt Disney Imagineering, he worked on Autopia and the Main Street fleet); Tony Baxter (the Imagineer who had a key role in design of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and, my favorite, the Indiana Jones Adventure); Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy and Pluto); actor Kevin Corcoran ("Old Yeller," "The Shaggy Dog"); actor Dan Roebuck ( Dr. Leslie Arzt on "Lost") and Margaret Kerry (the original live-action model for Tinker Bell).

-- Geoff Boucher

 

[PryncessChrysty]

While it's not all that surprising, I am bummed it's not happening this year.

Looking forward to next year, though (and selfishly hoping they keep it out here in CA).

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I saw that blog too. I can't say I'm totally surprised. I heard an interview with the D23 organizer, and I remember him saying they did not know if it would be an every year event. I just hope I can go to the next one.

 

[MrX8991]

I was surprised by the size of the first D23 Expo and the amount of new stuff announced. I'm not surprised that it's going to be every two years, since I really can't imagine them having enough new stuff that wasn't talked about last year.

 

[challer]

I guess that discount your were counting on this year when you signed up for D23 ain't happening.

Another strike against D23 membership.

 

[Gabe]

That's dissapointing. That being said, we were on the Walt Disney Studios tour on February 13 and the D23 guide told us that there would be an Expo this year, but that he couldn't tell us where it would be, yet. He also said that there was going to be some other "great" stuff and to wait for an announcement later this month. From what the other D23 member was saying, this particular cast member was one of the organizers of the event and a had a lead role in the logistics of the event.

So, who knows. I am still hoping there will be one. However, all the other events have been AWESOME.

Besides the Expo, we have been to the Studios Tour, Mary Poppins, Richard Sherman (my favorite), Princess and the frog screening at the studios,a nd a few others. We are loving D23.

Hopefully we will hear official word soon either way.

Gabe

 

[SaraMc]

Everything seems to be based in California. But for those of us that live on the other coast Expo perhaps in WDW? just a thought..

 

[challer]

How about bringing Mousefest back instead?

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

The rumor that the D23 Expo would be moved to every other year has been rolling around for months. Supposedly, there are two reasons:

1. The event did not make the profit and draw the number of crowds as anticipated and the thinking is that moving it to every other year would make it more profitable.

2. And, you guessed it, due to the high crowds expected for the DCA World of Color they allegedly did not want the D23 participants who visited DCA to come away with a negative impression of the Expo due to the crowds at DCA.

Again, please keep in mind these are just the rumors I've heard and may not be true.

 

[exwdwcm]

I guess that discount your were counting on this year when you signed up for D23 ain't happening.

Another strike against D23 membership.

Exactly.....i am pretty upset about that.......we planned to go this year and was one reason i bought the membership. so count me in, one more unhappy d23 member. We are still going to hit DL that second weekend in Sept anyhow.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Seeing how most of the announcements haven't come to fruition yet It would have been a pretty small Expo in the way of announcements.

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

Folks who miss the D23 Expo experience may want to consider the NFFC Disneyana Fan Club Convention in Anaheim in July. It's supposed to be a more intimate version of the D23 Expo. They also hold one in Orlando in December. I think it partially coincides with the Podcast 2.0 Cruise this year.

Also, a friend just told me about a private Disney fan club called Club 1313 (Disneyland's address - I thought it was a reference to the Munster's adddress on Mockingbird Lane) that is having a similar conference at the Disneyland Hotel in December. I plan to research those events and, hopefully, attend one.