D23 Expo Info | Daytripping Mom

We are huge Disney fans at home and if you are too, you will not want to miss out on an exciting event for the ultimate Disney fan. My husband recently was able to attend a luncheon preview of the D23 Expo at the Walt Disney Studios. He was also able to take a tour similar to the type that members of D23 can attend during the year. His highlight was holding a real Oscar given to Walt Disney for White Water Wilderness.

The D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is coming up quickly, on August 19th to 21st at the Anaheim Convention Center. Yes, anyone can attend. No, you don’t have to be a member of D23 (but you should be!). I was able to attend the last Expo in 2009 and had an amazing time. Every kind of Disney fan can find something to enjoy: the collector, the theme park goer, the TV/Movie watcher, you name it. There are informative panels, exclusive presentations on new rides, movies and products, and the exhibit hall is full of all types of Disney vendors.

There are guaranteed surprises and exclusive announcements that will be made. Last time, Johnny Depp made an appearance in character as Captain Jack Sparrow to announce the “On Stranger Tides” feature that came out this year. There was a display with a full scale model of the new Cars Land at DCA as well. This year will feature an area called “Carousel of Projects” that will have an expanded area of new attractions coming to the Disney parks. Also returning, but even larger will be the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives display of costumes and props direct from the Disney archive vaults.

This mechanical bird from the Disney Archives inspired the Tiki Room and audio animatronics.

And if you are wondering, children are definitely welcome. There will even be a Baby Care Center, much like the ones found inside the parks, to help out parents of young children. The D23 Expo is not to be missed. You can pre-order your tickets now and D23 members get a special discount as well as early entry into the event. It is three days of Disney magic. Even if you think you can only attend one of the days, you must experience this, there is nothing like it.