D23 Expo 2015: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Date of Visit: August 15, 2015

After a little confusion of the guy trying to send us downstairs, we got in the Sorcerer line for the presentation an hour early. Mainly because we had nothing else to do, but also so we could end up closer than at the Disney Legends ceremony. We ended up being close enough to the front of the line to be in the front row (dead center, too!). They almost tried to send us back some because of the wheelchair, but thankfully those that were in line with us were in agreement that we should get to stay in the front row and they moved in a seat so we could be on end.

There was lot of exciting stuff in the presentation. When I asked Mik what his favorite part was at first he said Star Wars Land, Pandora, and Disneyland Shanghai, but really he liked it all and the best part was being in the front row.

I agree that was the best part, but my favorite thing coming is Soarin' Around the World. I'm somewhat disappointed that means Soarin' Over California is probably going away, but I've always thought it was wrong that they put Soarin' Over California at Epcot and thought it should've been Soarin' Over Florida. Soarin' Around the World is definitely an even better fit for Epcot.

Disney Parks Interactive Trivia Pre-Show

Star Wars Land Coming to California and Florida

New Star Tours Coming Soon

Star Wars Launch Bay

Star Wars Season of the Force - Early 2016 @ Disneyland and Walt Disney World 

Star Wars Season of the Force -  Special Food

Star Wars Season of the Force -  Hyperspace Mountain version of Space Mountain at Disneyland

Star Wars Season of the Force -  Fireworks Show @ Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Land @ Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Land  - Slinky Dog Roller Coaster

Toy Story Land  - Another Track for Toy Story Mania!

Frozen in Norway Pavilion @ Epcot

Animal Kingdom - New Night Show and Pandora: World of Avatar

Iron Man Experience @ Hong Kong Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland - Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure

Shanghai Disneyland -  Tron Lightcycles

Shanghai Disneyland -  Roaring Rapids

Shanghai Disneyland -  Castle including water ride through it

Soarin' Around the World @ California Adventure and Epcot

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2015: Mickey's of Glendale

Date of Visit: August 13, 2015

Mickey's of Glendale was back to being annoying this year because it was extremely crowded with merchandise displays with barely enough room to maneuver through even with only a few other people wandering the store at the same time as us. However, it was the preview day, so they very well may have ended up different with the pin line winding through the store like they did last time when it actually was crowded.

I loved the pins available as the Limited Editions available were mostly Fantasia Sorcerer's Apprentice themed stained glass scenes. Mik was very disappointed though because while he didn't expect a grumpy, he was hoping for something without Sorcerer Mickey and all that met that criteria was two Frozen pins. At least he didn't have to wait in line to find there wasn't any pins he liked.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2015: Dream Store

Date of Visit: August 13, 2015

Since we preordered all the pins and stuff we wanted, we didn't really need to go in the Dream Store this time. However, there also wasn't many people there and we had a few hours to kill until the Disney Store and Mickey's of Glendale opened. It was still hard to navigate due to the way the displays are, but since there were only a few other people we did get to actually go everywhere, which of course meant I found some music to buy.

 Mik gave me a hard time because one of the items was the A Day at Disneyland vinyl record. I know I don't need any more records, but months ago Mik said a record player would be a good birthday gift idea for me and I keep trying to get him to hold to follow through and get me one. Plus, it would look good on display if I ever finish turning my album frames into cabinet doors for the shelves in my room.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2015: Walt Disney Archives Presents Disneyland The Exhibit

Date of Visit: August 13, 2015

At first the Walt Disney Archives exhibit experience was annoying because the press was doing their preview at the same time as the Sorcerers and one guy kept getting in the way blocking the displays with their tripod for at least five minutes. However, once we got past the first little area it opened up and was easy to enjoy. It also helped that around then it was announced John Lasseter was there and a bunch of people rushed out of the exhibit to see him.

The Walt Disney Archives exhibit is always a favorite of ours at the D23 Expo and this year it was, too. We love Disneyland and it was fun to see the stuff, especially from past attractions, but I also kind of missed that this year there wasn't movie prop stuff with the focus being entirely on Disneyland.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2015: Disney Legends Awards

Date of Visit: August 14, 2015

As usual D23 Expo ended up confusing trying to figure out where to go, but we did manage to figure out how to get into the hall and to the reserved seats for Sorcerers with plenty of time to spare considering they started about 10-15 minutes late. We're still glad we've never wasted time doing any presentations before as even with Sorcerer we could barely see anything. However, Sorcerer was definitely worth it to be able to just show up a 15-20 minutes before and have a seat to experience at least the Disney Legends Awards (and Mik's excited for the video game one on Sunday, too).

The whole reason Mik was interested in at least giving a presentation a chance was we knew George Lucas was going to be there to be inducted in as a Disney Legend. Turned out to be even more amazing with other past Disney Legends in attendance. Mik also really loved the little performances between presenting the new Disney Legends.

My favorite was Richard Sherman came out and did a new song called "A Kiss Goodnight."

Mik's absolute favorite part ended up being the surprise at the end with Johnny Depp ending up also being one of the Disney Legends this year. Mik liked it because he was funny.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA