Any D23 Expo Announcements?

J9 · 09-11-2009, 05:50 PM

I know the D23 expo started on thursday. I haven't heard news of any big announcements or seen any postings about anything really worthwhile yet.

Anyone know what's going on?

**BrerGnat** · 09-11-2009, 09:33 PM

I think pretty much all that's been "newsworthy" have been:

Announcement of Alaska itinerary for Summer 2011 on DCL
Announcement of NO PLANS to bring back Captain EO.

That's all I've seen so far...

**Figment!** · 09-11-2009, 09:38 PM

... and the official announcment of Pirates of the Caribbean 4

**DisneyFanaticDargon** · 09-11-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Figment!

... and the official announcment of Pirates of the Caribbean 4

So essentially they've been announcing things that people knew were inevitable anyway? With the exception of the Alaska itinerary?

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by BrerGnat

I think pretty much all that's been "newsworthy" have been:

Announcement of Alaska itinerary for Summer 2011 on DCL
Announcement of NO PLANS to bring back Captain EO.

That's all I've seen so far...

As far as Captain EO, Iger did not rule out plans to bring back Captain EO- specifically he said it was being looked at and if Disney were to bring it back that they wanted to do it right so it was not ruled out completely.

As for other announcements at the Expo- the first few days have focused on ABC and Disney pictures specifically- today was wrapped up with a lot of focus on the movies in the works.

First, they spoke about Robert Zemeckis' A Christmas Carol and also talked about how he would be re-interpreting the Beatles Yellow Submarine in 3D.

Next up was Old Dogs with John Travolta and Robin Williams.

Then went into Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (mostly same footage shown at Comic-Con)

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time with Jake Gyllenhaal (who I thought looked somewhat freakishly ridiculous if you haven't seen how he bulked himself up for the role)

Muppets came out on stage in a sort of replica of Disneyland's Mark Twain and did a musical number to promote "The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made" which turns out to be a concept originally thought up by Jim Henson, Jerry Juhl and Frank Oz back in the mid 1980s.

Then Nicolas Cage came out to talk about the Sorcerer's Apprentice- not sure about this one. Adapting the sequence we know from Fantasia into a feature film?

Brief mentions of Andrew Stanton's live-action film (director of WALL-E) John Carter of Mars for Summer 2012.

But the major highlight was the Pirates announcement- crowd started screaming when you first saw the silhouette of Captain Jack behind a back-lit sail and then turns out to be Johnny Depp in character as Jack Sparrow- said he was hungry and could go for a snack like that mate Kermit (the frog).

Tomorrow is the big day for Parks and Resorts- also, there are lots of details to be gathered from the Expo itself in some of the smaller sessions and walking the expo floor.

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 12:40 AM

What doesn't get covered in the major announcements about the D23 Expo are some of the panel discussions but are the real experiences that offer something unique to the fans.

Opening day was a special particularly with a panel discussion led by Marty Sklar of Imagineering legends like Bob Gurr and Alice Davis (always a treat to hear them speak) and also see them out interacting with guests out on the expo floor during the day.

Another major highlight was a screening and dicsussion about "The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story" including a performance by Richard Sherman

**Chescat** · 09-12-2009, 01:54 AM

We've heard nothing about them saying that Captain EO wasn't coming back, quite the contrary in the rumor mills.

We ran into Tony Baxter today and started talking to him. He said make sure we get to that Park discussion tomorrow which was going to be something huge. He wouldn't say anymore.

We know for sure, the Star Wars Stormtroopers will be there and that it has something to do with Star Tours 2.

Miley Cyrus was also there and then sang her current song with her band.

I was one of the people that screamed hysterically when the camera went in on that Jack Sparrow close up on two screens and realized it was truly Johnny Depp!!!! I was in the 5th row!!!!

**Melanie** · 09-12-2009, 08:44 AM

Thanks for all the great info, Mufasa! Looking forward to today's theme park focus.

**BrerGnat** · 09-12-2009, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mufasa

As far as Captain EO, Iger did not rule out plans to bring back Captain EO- specifically he said it was being looked at and if Disney were to bring it back that they wanted to do it right so it was not ruled out completely.

Sorry, I should have been more thorough.

I was going off the LATimes.com article that I got via Facebook (Disneyland Fan Page).

Essentially, what I was trying to convey was the debunking of the rumor that EO would be returning to DL's Tomorrowland in early 2010...

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by BrerGnat

Sorry, I should have been more thorough.

I was going off the LATimes.com article that I got via Facebook (Disneyland Fan Page).

Essentially, what I was trying to convey was the debunking of the rumor that EO would be returning to DL's Tomorrowland in early 2010...

Well, even the LATimes can't make up their mind as they posted 2 separate blog style posts about Captain EO- one saying that it definitely wasn't returning, while a few hours later saying wait, maybe it will be returning.

And just to further add to any speculation about announcements they are passing out 3D glasses to people in line for the Disney Parks/Resorts presentation to begin shortly...

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 01:51 PM

I will try to keep this thread updated as the keynote goes on- as long as the cell phone networks don't get overloaded as unlike the other keynotes phones and cameras are ok for the session.

**Meteora** · 09-12-2009, 01:58 PM

The new show for Disneyland CA sounds amazing...I've actually never been to Disneyland, and really want to go, but it's far from NY, and I am but a poor graduate student. However, this sounds like another reason to add it to my list of things I hope to do.

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 02:24 PM

First stop in Jay Rasulo's tour through Disney Parks- Fantasyland. The WDW expansion is true with Fantasyland nearly doubling in size.

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 02:26 PM

What to expect?

Dueling Dumbos, Princess meet & greet, Be Our Guest Restaurant, and Little Mermaid Attraction for 2012

Rather than a typical queue, Dumbo will be interactive themed like a 3 ring circus

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 02:32 PM

DVC Hawaii opens 2011. Guests will also experience retelling of stories of Hawaii (expo guests caught glimpse of this with Storytellers Sandbox) and film clip shown about Hawaii narrated by Imagineering's Joe Rohde

**Mufasa** · 09-12-2009, 02:36 PM

Now talking Hong Kong expansion with 3 new lands. First toy story land. Major new attraction Mystic Manor- trackless ride vehicle never same experience twice. Think the next generation Haunted Mansion (I will talk more about this later)

**Melanie** · 09-12-2009, 04:04 PM

Little Mermaid Attraction Concept Art

**Dsnygirl** · 09-12-2009, 04:08 PM

Wow... amazing information... thanks for keeping us updated!! I love the stuff they're doing for Fantasyland... that is going to be amazing. Is 2012 the "finish date" for everything?

Thanks again for the updates!!