D23 Expo schedule

I can be a nerd sometimes. For instance, I love writing out what we do on vacations and at events like the Expo. When it's all over and I feel depressed that it has ended and we have to return back to real life, I get joy from looking back at detailed accounts of our experiences.

Now before you judge me - realize that this may some day benefit you! If you are going to any of the places we have been I can share my detailed account with you and that might assist you in planning your vacation! :) Don't judge. Even us nerds serve a purpose.

In addition to the photos posted earlier, I thought someone out there (I'm not sure who - but surely there is someone!) might like to know what we actually DO during these events. Here is my recap of the time we spent at the Expo (minus the details on the Optimist - that deserves its own post). I got made fun of quite a bit for the time I spent documenting it, but it still puts a smile on my face to look back at the experiences!

Friday, August 9

*Got in line at about 5:30 a.m.

Art & Imagination: Animation at the Walt Disney Studios

Introduction – Bob Eiger

Led by John Lassiter

PIXAR

• Monsters University highlights 
• We got to see the premiere of the new short film – “Party Central”
• Celebrity Guest – Bill Hader
•  The Good Dinosaur – previews and several clips.
• Celebrity Guests – Lucas Neff, Judy Greer & Bill Hader
•  Inside Out – several clips
• Pete Docter & Jonas Rivera
• Celebrity Guests – Phyllis Smith & Bill Hader
•   Finding Dory – preview & talks
• Andrew Stanton and Lindsey Collins
• John Ratchenberger with a marching band! (Pixar’s good luck charm)
•  Toy Story of Terror – TV spot coming this Halloween.
• We watched about 10 minutes of it and it looked AWESOME!!

DISNEYTOON STUDIOS

•  Legend of the Neverbeast
• Steve Loter
• The Pirate Fairy
• Peggy Holmes
• Celebrity Guests – Christina Hendricks & Tom Hiddleston
• Planes
• Klay Hall
• Planes: Fire & Rescue announced
• Bobs Gannaway
• Celebrity Guest – Dane Cook

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

• Burny Mattison tribute
•  “Get a Horse” short film world premiere (AWESOME!!)
• Lauren Macmullen, Eric Goldberg & Adam Green
•  Big Hero 6 – San Fransokyo – Disney’s first animated Marvel feature. 
• Character sketches and news on who will be voicing them.
• Don Hall
• Zootopia – 2016 announced
• Byron Howard & Jared Bush
• Frozen – previews and never before viewed scenes (Olaf is hilarious!)
• Chris Bock/Jennifer Lee
• Celebrity Guests – Kristen Bell, Josh Gad
• Idina Menzel – live performance of “Let it Go,” the theme song of the movie! 

Scavenger Hunt – Expo portion

Met with Wallace (The Optimist)

Followed the map with our new friend & Optimist partner, Steve

The Art & Artistry of Aulani

Tahitian music & dinner show on lawn at Disneyland Hotel

Became an Optimist. Got our Tomorrowland pins. Called it a night around midnight!

Saturday, August 10

*Got in line at about 4:30 a.m.

Let the Adventures Begin: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios

Alan Horn, President

They gave us nothing on Star Wars, except to say it was their priority (Boo!)

MARVEL

Kevin Feige

•  THOR: Dark World – previews & clips
• Celebrity guests – Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Sir Anthony Hopkins
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier – preview & clips
• Celebrity Guests – Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackey & Chris Evans (!)
• Guardians of the Galaxy – in production, but we saw a few clips. It looks like the funniest Marvel yet!
•  Avengers: Age of Ultron
• Disney Nature – Bears

WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:

Sean Bailey, President

•  Muppets Most Wanted
• Ty Burrell
• Into the Woods
• Live Action Cinderella coming in 2015 – we saw sketches and they announced voice actors.
•  Malefiscent
• Celebrity Guest – Angelina Jolie
• Tomorrowland announcement/preview
• Brad Byrd & Damon Lyndelof
• Saving Mr. Banks
• Celebrity Guests - Jason Schwartzman & BJ Novak, Richard Sherman

Peruse the show floor, booths

Explored the Tomorrowland Exhibit

Richard Sherman & Alan Menken concert. We had seen both at prior D23 events, but this was an historic event - the first time they have ever performed together.

Dinner at Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney

Sunday, August11

Look through Mickey’s of Glendale (Imagineering clothes & merchandise)

Explore the Parks & Recreation Exhibit

Look through the Disney Archives display (Mary Poppins focus)

Walt Disney Imagineering 60^th anniversary – Imagineer panel discussion - Craft of Creativity

Screening of the new show Agents of Shield (we have a new show we will be watching! It was great.)

Walt Disney Imagineering 60^th anniversary – Imagineer panel discussion -  Leave ‘Em Laughing