D23 Announces New Events for the D23 Expo

  D23 Announced this week all of the Disney Channel events that will take place at the D23 Expo as well as a concert by a concert by Dick Van Dyke. The Dick Van Dyke concert will take place on Friday, August 19, 2011 at 8:15 p.m. in Stage 23. Below is the schedule for events at the Disney Channel Pavilion.

Friday, August 19, 2011

• 10:00- 11:00 a.m.: JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES

  Character appearances by Disney Channel's Jake, Captain Hook, and Mr. Smee.

• 12:00- 1:00 P.M.: THE NEVER LAND PIRATE BAND

  The Never Land Pirate Band from Jake and the Never Land Pirates rocks out!

• 1:30- 2:30 P.m.: CAST OF GOOD LUCK CHARLIE

  Meet Good Luck Charlie's Jason Dolley, Leigh-Allyn Baker, and Bradley Steven Perry.

• 3:00-4:00 P.M.: RADIO DISNEY'S N.B.T. PERFORMANCE

  Performances from Tay Barton, Zack Montana, Shealeigh, Ladina Spence, and Hollywood Ending.

• 4:30- 5:45 P.m.: CAST OF LEMONADE MOUTH

  Meet Lemonade Mouth's Adam Hicks, Hayley Kiyoko, and Chris Brochu.

• 5:45- 7:00 P.M.: CAST OF SO RANDOM!

  Meet Tiffany Thornton, Sterling Knight, Doug Brochu, Allisyn Ashley Arm, and more!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

• 11:00 a.M.- 12:00 p.m.: CAST AND CREW OF PHINEAS AND FERB

  Meet Dan Povenmire, Swampy Marsh, Vincent Martella, Alyson Stoner, and Dee Bradley Baker.

• 12:30- 1:30 p.m.: CAST OF KICKIN' IT

  Meet Leo Howard, Dylan Riley Snyder, Alex Christian Jones, and Olivia Holt.

• 2:30- 3:00 p.m.: PERFORMANCE BY COCO JONES

  Performance by Radio Disney's guest and Hollywood Records recording artist Coco Jones.

• 3:00- 4:00 p.m.: CAST AND CREW OF FISH HOOKS

  Meet Noah Z. Jones, Chelsea Kane, and Kyle Massey.

• 4:00- 5:00 P.m.: CAST OF A.N.T. FARM

  Meet China Anne McClain, Jake Short, Sierra McCormick, Stefanie Scott, and Carlon Jeffery.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

• 10:00- 11:15 a.m.: HANDY MANNY

  Meet the voice of Manny, Wilmer Valderrama, with character appearances from the show.

• 11:15 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.: SPECIAL AGENT OSO

  Meet the voice of Oso, Sean Astin, with character appearances from the show.

• 12:30- 1:30 p.m.: CAST OF PAIR OF KINGS

  Meet Doc Shaw, Kelsey Chow, and Geno Segers.

• 1:30- 2:30 P.m.: SHAKE IT UP CAST PHOTOS

  Snap a photo of Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Davis Cleveland, Roshon Fegan, and more!

• 4:00- 6:00 p.m.: CAST OF SHAKE IT UP

  Meet Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Davis Cleveland, Roshon Fegan, and more!

Pieces of Disney's NextGen System Found in Disneyland and Walt Disney World Websites

  The past few weeks, I have been on Disneyland's and Walt Disney World's sites almost daily due to many vacations coming up. One of the most interesting part of my findings for the trip was parts of the website being registered under either DLR_NextGen or WDW_NextGen.

Click the photo above to see the menu's address. 

The first part of Disney's Websites that are registered under the NextGen address is menus for most restaurants at WDW and Disneyland. As you can see above, the menu for Fresh Mediterranean Market at the Dolphin Resort which is filed under the core catalog of WDW_NextGen. And below at Disneyland, you can see the menu for the Blue Bayou is filed infer the core catalog of DLR_NextGen.

Click the photo above to see the menu's address. 

The second part of Disney's websites that are filed under the NextGen address is different images around the websites. An example of this is WDW's images if restaurants around the resort. Below is a screenshot of the code for just some of the pictures inside of WDW_nextgen.

This image below was found at http://wdw2.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/.

Photo ©Disney. 

This all confirms that dining will be part of Disney's NextGen system. At Walt Disney World right now, there is a feature on the Dining part of the website where it lets you book advance dining reservations for most restaurants. This feature will most likely be part of the NextGen system when it is launched at all American Disney Parks. With all of the photos and ads on most of the website being labeled under NextGen, we can look forward to a possible website redesign when NextGen is launched.

Check back August 19-21, 2011 for coverage of D23 Expo.

Later this summer, we will once again be live streaming from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure so keep checking Twitter and Facebook for the latest information. 

D23 Announces Video Game Previews at D23 Expo 2011

  Disney has announced previews of their upcoming video games such as Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension, Disney Universe, and Disney Epic Mickey Digital Painter. The previews will take place at the Disney Interactive Media Group Pavilion and will take place all three days of the expo. The Epic Mickey Digital Painter will include daily art contests so that attendees can try and win prizes. Warren Spector will be doing a signing on Friday and Saturday at the expo in the Interactive Media Group pavilion.  Here is the full press release.

Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) invites Disney fans and families to step into its pavilion at the D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—for hands–on fun with the latest interactive entertainment products for video game consoles, mobile devices and online, based on beloved Disney stories and characters. Every day of the D23 Expo, taking place August 19–21, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center, will be packed with hours of game play, special guests, interactive art contests, giveaways, and more!

Guests of the D23 Expo will be able to suit up, power up and team up as they enter Disney Universe , a multiplayer action–adventure video game set in a mix–up of Disney and Disney•Pixar inspired worlds that will be released this fall.

The Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension , video game, inspired by the Disney Channel Original Movie, will be available for hands–on gameplay. Fans will be able to play as their favorite Phineas and Ferb characters as they journey through new dimensions to battle the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Guests can also immerse themselves in the recently released and critically acclaimed Cars 2: The Video Game,. Inspired by the Disney•Pixar animated film, the game allows players to dive into the Cars 2 universe alongside some of their favorite Cars personalities in exotic locations spanning the globe.

The award–winning video game Disney Epic Mickey, will be featured in the DIMG pavilion and the game's creator, legendary game designer Warren Spector, will be on hand. Mr. Spector will be making special appearances at the booth on August 19 and 20 to meet guests and sign autographs.

Online gamers can play Disney's latest social games, including this summer's smash hit Gardens of Time, and the popular online virtual world for kids Club Penguin. Guests who want Disney games on the go, can try out the latest mobile games, such as Cars 2 and Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

For aspiring young Disney artists and animators, Disney.com's Create, will offer its newest collection of online creativity tools for making digital paintings, comic books, animated pets, photo mashups, music slideshows, and animations. During the D23 Expo, the new Disney Epic Mickey Digital Painter, will be featured in the booth and guests will be invited to participate in daily art contests judged by Warren Spector for the chance to win exclusive D23 DIMG prize packages.

D23 Expo Advertisements

 Here are three advertisements from Disney for the D23 Expo. These ads promote the D23 Expo 2011 with 3 different characters as seen below. Ads ©Disney.

Mini Update- Disney California Adventure Entrance While Under Construction

  This update contains pictures that were taken before the completion of Disney California Adventure's new entrance. 

Downtown Disney's Avocado Week Stage.

D23 Announces Carousel of Projects Pavillion

Photo ©Disney

 D23 has announced details of the Disney Parks Pavilion and some presentations. The Carousel of Projects pavilion will include a version of Mickey's of Glendale, an employee-only store. Read below for more info:

Fans attending Disney's D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center will have the chance to experience "a great big beautiful tomorrow" as they immerse themselves in the future of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which is currently in the biggest period of global expansion in its history.

Drawing inspiration from a classic attraction that debuted at the 1964 New York World's Fair and has made stops at Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts invites attendees to hop aboard the "Carousel of Projects" for a sneak peek at concepts, designs, models, storytelling tools, and technologies currently being developed at Walt Disney Imagineering for Disney parks around the world.

Throughout the weekend, exclusively at the D23 Expo, fans will get a look at the latest details for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts' 11 parks and five resorts around the world, as well as Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club, including:

• Actual figures, props and ride vehicles for Radiators Springs Racers, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the building of Cars Land, the newest land at Disney California Adventure which opens next year.
• The opportunity to meet a classic Disney icon in an entirely new way.
• Concepts, models and plans for Fantasyland, one of the most ambitious expansions in the 40-year history of Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
• What's new at Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club.

In addition to the pavilion, D23 Expo attendees will also have the chance to attend numerous presentations and panel discussions. On Friday, August 19, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs will give guests in the 4,000-seat main arena an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest projects currently underway at Disney parks, featuring a few surprises along the way.

Imagineers and cast members who create and operate Disney's parks, resorts, cruise ships, and other vacation experiences will take fans behind-the-magic with nine exciting presentations including:

• Radiator Springs Reality: Imagineering Cars Land for Disney California Adventure—Join Disney/Pixar's John Lasseter and a panel of Imagineers and Pixar creative talent as they share the twists and turns through the real-life development of Radiator Springs.
• The Making of Star Tours - The Adventures Continue—Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald will share the inside scoop on how Walt Disney Imagineering and George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic began laying the groundwork for a new version of Star Tours.
• A Good Look at Buena Vista Street—Imagineers Lisa Girolami, Ray Spencer, and Coulter Winn provide a preview of the new entrance to Disney California Adventure, an idealized depiction of the Los Angeles Walt Disney lived and worked in throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
• Imagineering the Dream and the Fantasy—Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Bob Zalk talk about charting the design course of the two newest Disney cruise ships.
• Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering—Disney Legend Marty Sklar will lead a celebration of the careers and accomplishments of Walt Disney Imagineering, including Alice Davis, Orlando Ferrante, Bob Gurr, and Don Iwerks. With special guest and current Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of Disney Legend Leota Toombs.

In addition, and for the first time, the Parks and Resorts pavilion will also feature Mickey's of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering's employee-only store, where—for just three days—guests can shop for "Carousel of Projects" souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.

D23 Expo Pin Releases

One of the pins that will be released at the D23 Expo. 

All Photos ©Disney.

  Here is the schedule of pins to be released at the 2011 D23 Expo. 

Friday, August 19, 2011:
Annual Passholder Exclusive:

  This pin will be sold exclusively to Passholders and features Sorcerer Mickey with the logo for D23 Expo 2011. Passholders must show a valid annual pass in order to purchase this pin. Edition Size 1000. Price: $12.95.

D23 Member Exclusive:

This limited release pin will be sold exclusively to D23 Members and features the logo for D23 Expo 2011 with pie-eyed Mickey Mouse on a red glitter filled shield. This pin will be sold exclusively to D23 members who present a valid D23 Membership ID. Edition Size 3000. Price: $12.95.

D23 Expo Piece of Disney History Pins:

This pin features Jiminy Cricket and features pieces from the banner from the 2009 D23 Expo. Each pin contains actual pieces of the banner from the 2009 D23 Expo. Edition Size: 1000. Price: $12.95.

This pin features the Starspeeder 3000 and features pieces from the mural found in front of the Star Tours Attraction at Disneyland® Park. Each pin contains actual pieces of the mural. Edition Size: 2000. Price: $15.95.

Surprise Stamp Collections:

  This framed set contains 36 pins from the Surprise Stamp Collection. Edition Size: 20. Price: $399.95.

  This framed set contains the complete set 36 pins from the 2011 Surprise Stamp Collection with a complete set of chasers. Edition Size: 10. Price: $699.95.

Disney Parks Collection:

  DCA- Minnie. This pin is hinged and features a Mickey Mouse icon in a stained glass fill, which opens to reveal Minnie Mouse in front of Grizzly Peak. Edition Size: 500. Price: $15.95.

  EPCOT-Figment. This pin is hinged and features a Mickey Mouse icon in a stained glass fill, which opens to reveal Figment in front of Spaceship Earth. Edition Size: 500. Price $15.95.

  Disney Hollywood Studios- Stitch. This pin is hinged and features a Mickey Mouse icon in a stained glass fill, which opens to reveal Stitch in front of the Sorcerer Mickey Hat. Edition Size: 500. Price: $15.95.

  Animal Kingdom- Chip 'n Dale. This pin is hinged and features a Mickey Mouse icon in a stained glass fill, which opens to reveal Chip 'n Dale in front of the Tree of Life. Edition Size: 500. Price: $15.95

 Disneyland- Mickey Mouse. 

 Magic Kingdom- Tinker Bell.

  Boxed Set. This box set features the Disney Characters enjoying the Walt Disney World® Resort andDisneyland® Resort. Each pin is hinged and features a Mickey Mouse icon in a stained glass fill, which opens to reveal a character in front of a Disney Park icon. Edition Size: 100. Retail: $99.95.

Expo Pins:

  Logo Pin. This limited release pin features the logo for D23 Expo 2011 with Sorcerer Mickey in front a blue glitter fill. Edition Size: Unknown. Price: $10.95.

  Disney Legends Ceremony Pin. This pin features the logo for 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony. The pin is hinged and opens to reveal the Disney Legends Award. Edition Size: 750. Price: 15.95.

 101 Dalmatians Pin. This pin features puppies from 101 Dalmatians and commemorates the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatians. Edition Size: 750. Price: $12.95.

  It's A Small World Jumbo Pin. Commemorate the 45th anniversary of "it's a small world" with this limited edition jumbo pin featuring the children of the world as a spinner element. Edition Size: 250. Price: $44.95.

  Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Mystery Pin Set. This limited release mystery collection features the Disney Characters with the 40th anniversary for Walt Disney World® Resort. Each box will contain randomly selected two (2) pins. Edition Size: Unknown. Price per box: $19.95.

The pins include:

• Mickey Mouse
• Goofy
• Tinker Bell
• Minnie Mouse
• Pinocchio
• Big Al
• Cinderella
• Grumpy and Dopey
• Orange Bird
• Pluto

  101 Dalmatians Multi-Pin Set.  This limited edition boxed set commemorates the 50th anniversary Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatiansand features three (3) pins including:

• Cruella de Vil
• Penny and Rolly
• Pongo and Perdita
• Edition Size: 250
• Price: $44.95

Saturday, August 20, 2011

D23 Expo Pins:

  This pin features the Cheshire Cat and commemorates the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Edition Size: 750. Price: $12.95.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

D23 Expo Pins:

  This pin features Dumbo and commemorates the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney's Dumbo. Edition Size: 750. Price: $12.95.

Be sure to check beck often for more information about the D23 Expo as it comes out. For live coverage of the D23 Expo as it happens check out our D23 Expo Coverage page this August. 

Disney Announces Family Reading Event and More for D23 Expo 2011

Disney has announced another event for the D23 Expo featuring Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, and David Arquette. Here is the full press release:

Featuring Disney Publishing Worldwide authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and Disney
Junior’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” star David Arquette

Visitors can also participate in community-building activities at the Corporate Citizenship pavilion.

Burbank, Calif. – July 14, 2011 – A strong commitment to corporate citizenship is as much a
part of The Walt Disney Company’s heritage as the family entertainment that has delighted and
captivated audiences for decades. Disney opens a new chapter in that level of commitment
at the D23 Expo on Friday, August 19, 2011 in the Anaheim Convention Center Main Hall. A
special announcement will be part of a storytelling event featuring two of America’s best-known
and most popular writers, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and David Arquette, star of Disney
Junior's #1 series, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates."

Disney Publishing Worldwide authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have enthralled readers
since 2004 with their re-imagining of Peter Pan’s adventures, “Peter and the Starcatchers,” the
best-selling and award-winning prequel trilogy. Visitors are invited to hear from the authors,
listen to a family reading event led by Disney Junior’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” star
David Arquette, participate in the big announcement and receive a free book.

“By nurturing young readers we help support creativity and imagination, an important part of our
citizenship mission at Disney,” said Leslie Goodman, Senior Vice President, Disney Corporate
Citizenship. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Disney Publishing Worldwide to
bring this special event to the D23 Expo while at the same time encouraging visitors to take part
in our daily pavilion activities that show how we can all make a lasting, positive change in the
world.”

At this year’s D23 Disney Corporate Citizenship pavilion, visitors will see how they can take
action through Disney Friends for Change, an initiative that helps inspire kids and families to
join together and make a positive impact on their world. Visitors can participate as an “honorary”
Disney VoluntEAR in a different community service project each day, including preparing
child comfort kits for kids in need, assembling care packages for military families and planting
seedlings for the environment.

Visitors can also become “honorary” D23 Green Team members by taking part in a scavenger
hunt that will lead them through the Expo in a quest to boost their environmental I.Q. Not only
will they find out what Disney is doing to help protect the planet for future generations, they’ll be
in the running for prizes and a fun Friends for Change photo as well!

D23 Announces Schedule For the D23 Arena at D23 Expo 2011

 D23 announced today the schedule for arena events only at D23 Expo 2011. Here is the schedule: 

Friday, August 19:

• 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony—11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  Hosted by Tom Bergeron. Honorees Regis Philbin; Jim Henson; Disney Princesses Jodi Benson, Paige O'Hara, Lea Salonga, Linda Larkin andAnika Noni Rose; Bo Boyd; Jack and Bonita Wrather; Guy Williams, andRay Watson will be inducted as Disney Legends for their contribution to the creative legacy of The Walt Disney Company in a special presentation exclusively for D23 Expo guests.
  
• Walt Disney Parks and Resorts—3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  Join Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, as he gives D23 guests a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into some of the exciting projects currently underway at Disney's parks and resorts around the world.

Saturday, August 20:

• The Walt Disney Studios —11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  A fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse at the exciting roster of projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios. From exclusive video clips and live performances to filmmaker discussions and star appearances, this session will be hosted by Rich Ross, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios;Sean Bailey, president, Production, The Walt Disney Studios; John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; and Kevin Feige, president, Production, Marvel Studios.
  
• The Lion King 3D Exclusive D23 Screening—6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  Disney fans will have access to an exclusive advance screening of The Lion King in Disney Digital 3D™, ahead of the film's highly anticipated theatrical and home entertainment releases. "The Circle of Life" takes on a new dimension as Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa grace the screen once again, this time in breathtaking 3D.

Sunday, August 21:

• Marvel Comics —10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
  An exclusive and unprecedented experience that will take you through the evolution of Marvel from its first comic book in 1939 to its current position as one of the most important creative forces in the world. During this presentation, which will include interactive Q&A segments, you will not only get an inside glimpse of the history of Marvel and its iconic Super Heroes but also discover why Marvel truly is the House of Ideas. This session will be hosted by Joe Quesada, Marvel's chief creative officer and one of the most respected and sought after writers and artists in the entertainment industry.
  
• Disney Channel —2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  Fans are invited to experience the excitement of a spectacular live performance, featuring stars of Disney Channel's hit series Shake It Up. From meeting the cast of television's first dance-driven sitcom and learning moves from a Disney Channel dance master to a special panel, autograph session and more, this unforgettable experience awaits Disney fans of all ages.

Meg Crofton Promoted to President of Operations for all Disney Parks in the U.S. and France

Meg Crofton, former president of Walt Disney World. She is now
President of Operations for Disney Parks  in the U.S. and France. Photo ©Disney

  Shocking news for Disney fans came today as news broke that Meg Crofton was being promoted to President of Operations for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Paris. This change comes after Al Weiss, former president of operations at Disney Parks worldwide. Do you think the change is a good change? Take the poll below!

Do you think that Meg Crofton should have been promoted to President of operations for Disney Parks in the U.S. and France?

Dates for Holidays at Disneyland Resort Announced

Photo ©Disney

 Disneyland has announced dates for their seasonal celebration of holidays. Holidays at the Disneyland Resort will start on November 14, 2011 and continue until January 8, 2012. Highlights of the holiday celebration include "it's a small world" Holiday, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Believe... In Holiday Magic fireworks.

Coolwaters Productions LLC Announces Exclusive D23 Expo Products

 Coolwaters Productions announced today that D23 Members can now order an exclusive Pirates of the Caribbean lithograph with signatures from all 5 cast members that will be at the D23 Expo this year. They also announced that you can send in products for the same amount as an autograph ticket to get it signed by one of the celebration that will be at the expo. Other products include 2 Tron: Legacy autographed action figures. All of these products can be ordered today at this link: http://bit.ly/kBDhBb. As D23 Expo 2011 approaches, keep checking back for more information as it comes out.