Tickets for D23 Expo 2011 On Sale Tomorrow

WDWNT Author on August 18, 2010

BURBANK, Calif. – August 18, 2010 – The first-ever D23 EXPO in 2009 left Disney fans asking when there would be another.  On Thursday, Aug. 19, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club begins ticket sales for the next adventure – an incredible three-day event that brings the entire world of Disney under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center next Aug. 19–21.

Tickets for the D23 EXPO 2011 will be available at a discounted price for a limited time.  From August 19–December 31, 2010, tickets will be $37 for a one-day adult admission and $27 for children 3-12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be $30 for a one-day adult admission and $22 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available for both D23 Members and the general public, and D23 Members can save as much as $204 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit www.Disney.com/D23.

In addition to these special advance-purchase savings, D23 Members can also buy new D23 EXPO VIP packages that are only available to members. These new packages offer incredible exclusive opportunities and will have very limited availability.

The PREMIERE PACKAGE includes:

  • Three days of admission to the D23 EXPO
  • Reserved seating at all events and presentations in the Arena
  • Access to a relaxing Premiere Lounge with concierge and complimentary refreshments, as well as a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives
  • A D23 EXPO autograph book
  • A special Premiere Package gift bag

The SORCERER PACKAGE includes:

  • All benefits in the Premiere Package
  • A private tour of and reception in the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit the night before the Expo opens<
  • Exclusive hardhat tour of the show floor prior to opening
  • Limited edition artwork signed by Disney artist Dave Pacheco
  • Reserved seating at all presentations and panels
  • A voucher for an appointment with an on-site massage therapist
  • Special shopping opportunities at the Disney Dream Store
  • A hardbound, collectible D23 EXPO guidebook.

Only 250 Premiere Package tickets will be available at $500 per ticket. Availability of the Sorcerer Package will be strictly limited to 50 D23 Members at $1,000 per ticket. Both packages are only available to D23 Members.

All D23 Members – both Gold level and Silver level – can take advantage of these exclusive admission savings and access to the special packages when tickets go on sale on Thursday, Aug. 19 at www.D23Expo.com.

The D23 EXPO 2011 will also feature the Disney Legends Awards – a tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; the return of the D23 Live Auction boasting extraordinary rarities and specially designed items for Disney fans; an all-new Fan Art Contest themed to the 50th anniversary of One Hundred and One Dalmatians; Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives with an expanded exhibit of costumes, props and set pieces from Disney’s rich history; plus amazing live events, special celebrity appearances, panels and presentations, sneak peeks and unique experiences that celebrate the past, present and future of Disney. The D23 EXPO 2011 is scheduled to take place Aug. 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

In 2009, the first D23 EXPO brought together all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof including The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Archives, ABC, Disney Channel, Radio Disney, and Disney Interactive Media Group to celebrate all things Disney. Stars like Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Courteney Cox, Betty White, Robin Williams, John Travolta and the cast of Wizards of Waverly Place made appearances; Miley Cyrus and Honor Society performed in concert. Imagineering legends took to the stage, and key Disney executives and creative talent including Walt Disney President and CEO Bob Iger and Disney and Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter.

Gold-level D23 memberships are $74.99, and Silver-level memberships – which provide all benefits with the exception of a Disney twenty-three subscription – are just $34.99 a year.  All discounts and special promotions are available to both Gold- and Silver-level D23 Members.

Disney fans can become members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at www.disney.com/D23, select shops at the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World Resorts and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2011 On Sale Tomorrow

WDWNT Author on August 18, 2010

BURBANK, Calif. – August 18, 2010 – The first-ever D23 EXPO in 2009 left Disney fans asking when there would be another.  On Thursday, Aug. 19, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club begins ticket sales for the next adventure – an incredible three-day event that brings the entire world of Disney under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center next Aug. 19–21.

Tickets for the D23 EXPO 2011 will be available at a discounted price for a limited time.  From August 19–December 31, 2010, tickets will be $37 for a one-day adult admission and $27 for children 3-12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be $30 for a one-day adult admission and $22 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available for both D23 Members and the general public, and D23 Members can save as much as $204 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit www.Disney.com/D23.

In addition to these special advance-purchase savings, D23 Members can also buy new D23 EXPO VIP packages that are only available to members. These new packages offer incredible exclusive opportunities and will have very limited availability.

The PREMIERE PACKAGE includes:

  • Three days of admission to the D23 EXPO
  • Reserved seating at all events and presentations in the Arena
  • Access to a relaxing Premiere Lounge with concierge and complimentary refreshments, as well as a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives
  • A D23 EXPO autograph book
  • A special Premiere Package gift bag

The SORCERER PACKAGE includes:

  • All benefits in the Premiere Package
  • A private tour of and reception in the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit the night before the Expo opens<
  • Exclusive hardhat tour of the show floor prior to opening
  • Limited edition artwork signed by Disney artist Dave Pacheco
  • Reserved seating at all presentations and panels
  • A voucher for an appointment with an on-site massage therapist
  • Special shopping opportunities at the Disney Dream Store
  • A hardbound, collectible D23 EXPO guidebook.

Only 250 Premiere Package tickets will be available at $500 per ticket. Availability of the Sorcerer Package will be strictly limited to 50 D23 Members at $1,000 per ticket. Both packages are only available to D23 Members.

All D23 Members – both Gold level and Silver level – can take advantage of these exclusive admission savings and access to the special packages when tickets go on sale on Thursday, Aug. 19 at www.D23Expo.com.

The D23 EXPO 2011 will also feature the Disney Legends Awards – a tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; the return of the D23 Live Auction boasting extraordinary rarities and specially designed items for Disney fans; an all-new Fan Art Contest themed to the 50th anniversary of One Hundred and One Dalmatians; Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives with an expanded exhibit of costumes, props and set pieces from Disney’s rich history; plus amazing live events, special celebrity appearances, panels and presentations, sneak peeks and unique experiences that celebrate the past, present and future of Disney. The D23 EXPO 2011 is scheduled to take place Aug. 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

In 2009, the first D23 EXPO brought together all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof including The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Archives, ABC, Disney Channel, Radio Disney, and Disney Interactive Media Group to celebrate all things Disney. Stars like Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Courteney Cox, Betty White, Robin Williams, John Travolta and the cast of Wizards of Waverly Place made appearances; Miley Cyrus and Honor Society performed in concert. Imagineering legends took to the stage, and key Disney executives and creative talent including Walt Disney President and CEO Bob Iger and Disney and Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter.

Gold-level D23 memberships are $74.99, and Silver-level memberships – which provide all benefits with the exception of a Disney twenty-three subscription – are just $34.99 a year.  All discounts and special promotions are available to both Gold- and Silver-level D23 Members.

Disney fans can become members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at www.disney.com/D23, select shops at the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World Resorts and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23.

A Look Back at World of Color

WDWNT Author on June 8, 2010

With World of Color now only three days away, thought it would be appropriate to take a look at the show’s Journey, from concept to now. So here is a video from the D23 Expo at the World of Color presentation starring Imagineer Steven Davison as he guides us through the World Of Color. Taken by WDWNT’s own, Matt Paul.

D23 Announces Destination D 2010 & D23 Expo 2011

WDWNT Author on March 10, 2010

BURBANK, Calif. – March 10, 2010 – It’s a milestone year for the Disneyland® Resort, and D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans is celebrating with the premiere of DESTINATION D, a brand-new, two-day event exclusively for D23 Members that illuminates Disney’s fascinating history.

D23 announced its latest members-only event on its first anniversary – capping a year in which Disney’s first-ever fan community grew to encompass tens of thousands of members from all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 countries worldwide.

The inaugural DESTINATION D, whose theme is “Disneyland ’55,” will be held this Sept. 24-25. DESTINATION D: Disneyland ’55 will take D23 Members on a journey through the design, creation, debut and magical history of the world’s first Disney theme park. The first DESTINATION D will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel.

DESTINATION D: Disneyland ’55 will offer two full days of special presentations, panels, screenings and guest speakers that let fans meet and talk with key figures in Disneyland’s history. Future DESTINATION D events will explore other important aspects of Disney’s creative legacy. Following its premiere in September, DESTINATION D will alternate annually with the enormously popular D23 EXPO.

The next D23 EXPO is set for Aug. 19-21, 2011, returning to the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets for the 2011 D23 EXPO will go on sale Aug. 19 (one year in advance), with specially priced tickets available exclusively to D23 Members. In addition, D23 Charter Members will have access to a special Charter Member Lounge at the 2011 D23 EXPO, at no additional cost.

The first-ever D23 EXPO attracted nearly 40,000 Disney fans when it debuted last September, bringing the entire world of Disney under one massive roof. During the D23 EXPO, fans were treated to appearances by superstars like Johnny Depp, Miley Cyrus and John Travolta; explored exciting, new concepts and attractions from Disney Parks and Walt Disney Imagineering; peered into Disney’s history at special panels, presentations and displays; and discovered the newest entertainment, products and events from throughout The Walt Disney Company.

“The first D23 EXPO surpassed all of our expectations, and our 2011 Expo is already shaping up to be a jaw-dropping, not-to-be missed showcase of the best and brightest Disney has to offer,” said Steven Clark, head of D23.

“We’re very excited to also be creating an entirely new event with DESTINATION D, which will bring Disney’s fascinating history to D23 Members in ways no other Disney fan can experience,” Clark said. “There’s nowhere on earth quite as special as Disneyland, and we want fans to see it as they never have before.”

The D23 team is in the midst of developing exclusive programming for DESTINATION D – but an early peek at plans reveals a host of special speakers, presentations and panels throughout the two-day event, including:

  • “Disneyland: The Way We Were” – Disney’s Chief Archivist Dave Smith will look back at highlights from Disneyland history;
  • “Disney Undiscovered” – An exploration of never-built projects and attractions developed for Disneyland;
  • “23 on 55” – The Walt Disney Archives celebrates Disneyland’s 55th anniversary;
  • “Weird Disney” – A showcase for some of the quirky, little-known facts, places, people and ideas that even the most avid fan might not know.

More details on the programming and events planned for DESTINATION D: Disneyland ’55 – as well as details about the 2011 D23 EXPO – will be available soon at www.disney.com/D23. Tickets will go on sale early this summer.

DESTINATION D joins a lineup of special events throughout 2010 designed exclusively for D23 Members. Among them are free screenings of classic Disney movies during the “50 & Fabulous” film festival at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank; members-only tours of the famed Walt Disney Archives; an exclusive Sip & Stroll event during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival; and holiday-themed Magic and Merriment weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

A Wonderful “World of Color” Coming to California

WDWNT Author on September 24, 2009

While it doesn’t really pertain to Walt Disney World, we thought you would enjoy another pair of videos from the D23 Expo recorded and edited by our own Matt Paul. The first video is “The Making of World of Color” presentation with Imagineer Steven Davison (walking us through the entire new nighttime spectacular for Disney’s California Adventure) and the accompanying video is of the World of Color press conference that directly followed. We hope you enjoy this inside look at Disney’s World of Color embedded via the WDWNTube:

The Making of Presidents and Play Things

WDWNT Author on September 23, 2009

Continuing our D23 Expo coverage, we have two more fantastic videos for you to enjoy. The first video is of the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, featuring the creation of the new Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World and the progress on the upcoming Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show for Disneyland. The second video is from the “Making of Toy Story Mania” panel and features the development and execution of the Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions. We hope you enjoy these videos by Matt Paul, embedded via the WDWNTube:

Disney Parks and Resorts at the D23 Expo

WDWNT Author on September 17, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul has put together a fantastic video looking around the Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion at the D23 Expo. Included in the video is Lucky the Dinosaur, a look at Cars-Land for Disney’s California Adventure, the Storyteller’s Sandbox attraction, and a look at the massive expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland:

More D23 Expo videos are on the way, including the World of Color preview and press conference, the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, and “The Making of Toy Story Mania” panel, so stay tuned! As well, be sure to tune in to this week’s WDW News Today and Disneyland News Today Podcasts (episodes 111 and 81 respectively) for our D23 Expo review special including audio from “An Afternoon with Imagineering Legends”, interviews with Imagineers on Cars-Land and the Hong Kong Disneyland expansion, and much more.

Future of Disney Parks and Resorts featuring Star Tours II and Fantasyland

WDWNT Author on September 17, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul was able to record video of both the “Imagineering the Future of the Disney Parks” presentation and the follow-up press conference at the D23 Expo, and now has both videos available for your enjoyment. Both videos are embedded below courtesy of the WDWNTube:

Hopefully these videos have answered some lingering questions about the exciting upcoming Walt Disney World projects. We still have many questions to ask as well and will try to get them answered as soon as possible, so stay tuned.

WDWNT Network Coverage of the D23 Expo 9/10-9/13/09

WDWNT Author on September 7, 2009

When D23: The Official Disney Fan Community debuted on March 10, 2009, we had a pretty good idea that it was something that would forever change what it meant to be a “Disney Fan”. We were made a ton of promises and I think Disney has come through on just about all of them, to their credit. The biggest promise they made was that the first ever Disney fan convention called the D23 Expo would be “the ultimate Disney fan experience”. In our continuing effort to bring you Disney news as it happens (who are we kidding, we wouldn’t miss this for the world anyway), the WDWNT Network crew is heading to the D23 Expo in Anaheim to provide you with as much coverage of the event as we possibly can. Mind you, we can’t bring you everything because there is just far too many panels, presentations, and exhibits spanning the 4 days of the event (as you can see by the 74 pages of guide book it takes to explain and showcase all that the D23 Expo has to offer). To follow live coverage from the various events of the D23 Expo, you can regularly check the WDW News Today and Disneyland News Today news blogs, as well as follow the WDWNT Twitter and myself on Facebook for the most frequent updates we can possibly provide.

For those who are actually coming to the D23 Expo in Anaheim, we are proud to announce that we will be having yet another WDWNT Fan Meet in Disneyland Park on Friday, September 11th. The meet is a great opportunity to escape the Anaheim Convention Center for a few hours after the floor closes and take in Disneyland with fellow Disney fans and WDWNT Network staff. You can find out more information about this meet on Facebook and on the WDWNT Network Community Forums.

There will also be a special post-Expo review podcast (featuring audio from the various events, interviews, and much more) on WDW News Today Podcast episode 111 and Disneyland News Today Podcast episode 81.

We hope you will join us for and enjoy all of our coverage from the D23 Expo!

Tom Corless
Owner of the WDWNT Network

D23…. Solved!!!

WDWNT Author on March 5, 2009

It seems that Distant Creations has uncovered the following information about “D23” or “Disney 23” in a magazine put out early by accident at a book store:

The mystery behind Disney’s “Are you 23?” viral question is quickly unraveling leading up to the March 10 reveal date.

At least one Barnes & Noble store has put out the new quarterly “Disney Twenty Three” magazine a few days earlier than they were supposed to and DC blog reader Joseph has sent me the details about it.

A membership to the new D23 fan club includes:

  • A membership card with a personalized charter member certificate with characters drawn by David Pacheco
  • A surprise collectible gift for D23 members from the new Walt Disney Archives collection
  • Exclusive special events and merchandise opportunities
  • Discounted admission to the D23 Expo on 9/10-9/13/09 in Anaheim, CA

That’s right, an official Disney convention for fans will be taking place in or near Disneyland from Sept. 10-13, 2009, one day after the 40th Anniversary event for The Haunted Mansion. Note that being a member of D23 only grants you discounted admission, which means the event will be open to anyone willing to pay to attend.

The new magazine costs $15.95 and comes out four times a year. The premiere issue’s cover contains a photo of Walt Disney looking through the camera and the back cover is black with a quote from Walt that reads, “It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell”.

Articles inside the photo filled 12″x12″ glossy magazine include:

  • The Disney Archives
  • The Anne Liebovitz photo’s article
  • Through Tim Burtons Looking Glass
  • The Suite Story – Disney Gallery & Castle Suite
  • On top of the World – cooking article
  • Finding Pixar
  • UP
  • Sleeping Beauty Reawakens in the castle
  • Writing the Next Chapter- Book article
  • Little Mermaid on Broadway
  • Spirit of 23- About Walt & company history

I just checked my local Barnes & Noble and there was no sign of the magazine yet, as it’s not supposed to be placed on newsstands until March 10 when the official D23 announcement is made at the Disney shareholder’s meeting.

Alright, now I’m officially excited. Not only do we finally have an official Disney fan club, another official Disney magazine, and exclusive merchandise; we now have confirmation that there will be an annual fan convention and explanation as to why the annual pin event at Epcot was moved away from its typical September weekend. Noticeably, the report does not note how much annual membership in the club or attending the D23 Expo will cost, but we will know that information for sure March 10 when all of this information is made public by Disney. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on the exciting “D23” club.