Walt Disney Parks and
Resorts to Take Fans Through the
"Carousel of Projects" at Disney's D23 Expo, August 19-21, 2011
BURBANK,
Calif. (July 18, 2011) – 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 DisneyPixar'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.
Tickets
to the D23 Expo are available at
http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to
all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be
purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission
is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day
passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children. Members of D23: The Official
Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as
early entry to each day of the D23 Expo
for themselves and their guests.
About
D23 Expo 2011
The D23 Expo-The Ultimate Disney
Event for Fans and Families-brings the entire world of
Disney under one roof at the Anaheim
Convention Center, providing guests with unprecedented access to Disney films,
television and theme parks.
About
D23
The name "D23" pays homage to the
wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling
studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney's
88-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world
of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly
publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.Disney.com/D23; a collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and
special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo
in Anaheim, California, August 19-21, 2011.
Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, select shops at Disneyland Resort
and Walt Disney World Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest
D23 news and events, follow us "DisneyD23" on Twitter, YouTube and
Facebook.