D23 Expo Floor

It was easy to forget about the expo going on around you when you were sitting in the presentations and shows. All of the Disney stalls were magical as expected and done above and beyond. Interactive meet and greets, the Talent Round-up, and of course FREE SAMPLES are all some of the awesome parts of the Expo floor. There were a few things that I was a bit disappointed about. The Collectors Forum felt like a flea market, the lines for the stores were hours long except for the once I went in the Dream Store late in the afternoon, and there was so much empty space that could have been used to have more stalls and vendors.

The exhibits that were part of the Expo floor were a great insight to the history of Disney and what we can expect in the near future. Journey into Imagineering had a wonderful floor space showing off everything from vintage material to brand new concepts. You could see the artists working and talk to them about what they do for Disney. It was so amazing to be able to actually speak with designers and imaginneers who work in the parks and in the studios to create the world we all love.

The Treasures of the Disney Vault was a beautiful display of costumes and props from Once Upon a Time, Designer Disney Princess Dresses (Harrods), Wizard of Oz (Both old and new), and a huge area for Mary Poppins. Also at the ending part of this area was the fan art competition entrants for Mary Poppins. I loved the detail put into the winner's piece but most of the others were also just real amazing with how beautiful they are.

Disney Voluntears was a fantastic way to bring in a large amount of workforce to quickly create packages to send out to different communities. When I went through I made a care package for a young school child with books and coloring pages. All you had to do was put things into a bag. It helped to show to some people who would not normally reach out how easy it could be. And bonus! Free Disney reusable totebag.

There were too many stands to really go into detail of all of them. I just hope that the next expo will have more going on with the floor area because it was sometimes difficult to get into the presentations. When so many people are just walking around it just makes sense. 

At the talent round up there were a lot of designers, Disney legends, and authors. Every time I walked past there were people lining up to meet their favorite. I only waited for one person, Ridley Pearson, author of the Kingdom Keepers series. It was so awesome to meet the author and talk to him if only for just a minute. I am just so jealous that his able to go anywhere at any Disney park that he wants to. I wish I was able to have the possibility.

D23: Pixar Doing Our Homework.

From Saturday morning's panel of Pixar directors here is a few fun facts I learned about the research that goes into these amazing films.

For Finding Nemo many of the artist department became certified divers to learn more about the underwater world they were creating including the Director himself.
Research for the obese humans of Wall-E was done by observing sea lions!
UP had research done in Venezuela. While on site the trip to the top of the mountain was supposed to take 1.5 hours but actually took everyone over 10! Also the grandfather of the director was secretly videotaped to have reference for Carl Frederiksen's movements and mannerisms.
Before starting on Brave the Pixar family came together to discuss mother-daughter relationships to make sure that the feud between Merida and Elenor was not made without basis.
The Toy Story series included a lot of bringing in childhood toys to work for the Pixar team and reliving the play habits of their youth. Jonas Rivera admits to being the destructive child much like Sid from the movie by blowing things up and waiting for them to break. Whereas John Lasseter was Andy and played nicely with stories behind everything.

During the Q&A there were a few things that were memorable to me.
When asked about creative license versus following reality a scene from Finding Nemo was recalled by the director. During research the team visited a sewage processing plant and ask what would happen if a fish was flushed and put through the system. The resounding response of "It would die" was all it took for the team to realize, alright we will act like we didn't hear that information.
With inconsistencies and plot holes such as this the production team does their best to cover it up with other information. Their job is to create a refrigerator moment of it. So that when the movie is over and you are back home getting something from the fridge you realize; Oh wait! Did they really do that?
Its brilliant in my opinion that they are able to do that so well and cover the small incongruities that do happen when you are making a complete new world and story. There will always be those small slips with any film but it is impossible to say that Pixar does not go through the extra effort to truly have all the details for their movies.

D23: Live Action

If I only go to one of the events in the D23 Arena I'm glad it was this one!  Opened by the chairman Alan Horn, only 14 months at Disney,  with sizzle reels of the upcoming movies including the following:

Star Wars - episode 7 is to be expected Summer 2015 as well as more information about a spinoff that takes place in the star wars universe. Director JJ Avos, score composed by John Williams.

Thor 2 - the presentation included an extended look at the movie which seemed very epic as well as the unfinished scene of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) first day in Asgard. Special appearances by Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), and Anthony Hopkins (Odin).

Captain America the Winter Soldier- expected April 2014. Presentation included a first look at the first clip for the movie.  Cap is getting hands on and knocking those guys out!  Special appearances by Chris Evans (Captain America), Anthony Mackee (Falcon), and  Sebastian Stan.  Apparently Chris Evans will be visiting the happiest place on earth here at  Disneyland.

Guardians of the Galaxy- filming right now in London expect this movie in August 2014. I really don't know much about the comic but the trailer makes it look like a comedy.

Avengers Age of Ultron-not much information here but a brief teaser was played.

Disney Nature Bears- premiers Earth day 2014 and proceeds will benefit the National Park Foundation.

President of live action production Sean Bailey presented the Walt Disney Studio movies coming in the near future.

Muppets Most Wanted- spring 2014, music by Brett Mckenzie. Special guest Ty Burell in his Interpol mini car and a video from some of the cast on location in London.

Into the Woods -holiday 2014 based on the Broadway musical.  Filming begins at the end of August cast includes Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.

Cinderella- Disney's live action will finally be here March 2015. Director Sir Kenneth Branagh. Lily James as Cinderella, Richard Madden as Prince Charming,  and Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother.

Maleficent- July 2014. Angelina Jolie made a surprise stop as her kids were in the parks, she herself plays Maleficent and her daughter plays a young Aurora. Exclusive never before released footage was shown.

Tomorrowland - a supposed lost box labeled 1952 had brought the inspiration for the new movie which seems to be mostly for all the Disney  conspirators.  Expected in December 2014 George Clooney will star as an inventor.  Producers Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof were 
on hand with some of the contents of this box and the rest are on display on the expo floor. 

Saving Mr. Banks- this holiday season is time to see Walt Disney himself finally portrayed in this story of getting the rights to Mary Poppins. Tom Hanks as Walt and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers. Bj Novak and Jason Schwartzman pkay the legendary Sherman brothers and had a special   performance of Let's Fly a Kite on stage with Richard Sherman himself!