With the D23 Expo almost two weeks away, new information about what each section of the Walt Disney Company will be showcasing at the event is being announced faster than ever. Most recently, Disney Consumer Products announced their offerings at the three-day convention. At the division’s Disney Living Pavilion, Expo guests will be able to discover new and exclusive merchandise, participate in interactive experiences, meet the creators and innovators behind the merchandise, and more.
Guests at the pavilion will be invited to “explore the ultimate Disney lifestyle” through the three “neighborhoods” that make up the Pavilion: Style, Play, and Celebrations. The “Play” neighborhood will feature exciting toys and collectibles that Disney fans are sure to love. A new animated Fisher Price plush, Rock Star Mickey, will make his first public appearance at the Expo. Set to be released to retailers nationwide this holiday season, Rock Star Mickey will sing, bob his head, dance, and even play the guitar with his nose in his signature “mouska-split” move. Fans will also be treated to a special performance with Rock Star Mickey and Broadway performer/rocker Constantine Maroulis on the Disney Living Pavilion stage.
The Play pavilion will also feature a Mattel booth, where guests can discover new merchandise, including a space-themed Toy Story playset and Cars die-cast vehicles. Upcoming products to be released this fall, including an Ultimate Disney Princess Castle and VIP Disney Channel Star dolls, will also be on-hand at the booth, as well as exclusive D23 merchandise that includes a Toy Story Woody action figure and a Cars 2 Finn McMissile vehicle. Another booth in the pavilion will be the JAKKS Pacific area, where children can play on Disney Princess and Disney Fairies playsets, enjoy carnival-style games from Just Play, and more.
At the “Style” neighborhood, Disney collectors will be able to find limited-edition offers, meet Disney artists, and see them in action. Disney fans will also be able to enjoy a special panel discussion, “Disney Storytellers: Artists of Walt Disney Animation Studios,” at the Disney Living Pavilion Center Stage on August 20 from 2:30-3:30 PM. But this neighborhood will feature much more than these collectibles for fans. Here, guests will also be able to see and purchase Hallmark’s annual Disney keepsake ornament, which will feature the Pook-a-Looz Steamboat Willie. Guests can also meet and get autographs from the winners of Uniqlo’s “Mickey By” global t-shirt design contest, as well as visit fine writing instrument manufacturer Retro 51, where guests can compete for prizes by dropping off their ugliest pens.
The Style neighborhood will also feature different themed areas for guests to discover. The neighborhood will feature a Disney’s It’s a Small World area, which will feature fashions for infants and children inspired by Mary Blair’s iconic artwork for the classic attraction. Children will also be able to compete in a shoe styling competition and create It’s a Small World-inspired arts and crafts. Nordstrom will also have a pop-up store here, featuring infant and toddler apparel, TOMS Shoes, and BASQ personal care products.
The Disney Beauty Lounge will feature pampering experiences and special beauty demonstrations, as well as Disney face art and hair styling for kids. At the Disney Food and Health area, guests will be able to get snack and meal ideas, tips for good nutrition and exercise, learn ways to have fun while staying healthy, and spin a prize wheel for exciting giveaways.
Disney Publishing will be sponsoring The Wonderful Words of Disney area, which will feature a comfortable reading area where guests can enjoy Disney books on paper, and even on iPads. The area will host daily storytelling sessions as well, and Disney readers should also look out for panel discussions on Stage 28 and signings with authors Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, and Don Hahn.
Planning a Disney-themed party? The “Celebrations” neighborhood will give guests the chance to learn from party planning experts about how to create and find Disney party decorations, as well as decorate cakes and cupcakes. Guests in this neighborhood can also join in on the festivities of a real party with balloons and games, and be treated to daily birthday cupcake giveaways from DecoPac.
Another unique offering at the Disney Living Pavilion will be the Disney Living Social Media lounge. Here, social media-savvy guests will have the chance to virtually “check-in” to the pavilion, watch Disney Living videos, participate in giveaways, and even join in on some social networking activities, such as Tweet-ups.
Disney Living will also be host to some exciting Expo presentations as well, outside of the Pavilion. On August 19 at 4:15 PM on Stage 23, John Lasseter (chief creative officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios) and Ronald A. Stroman (Deputy Postmaster General, United States Post Office) will join together to celebrate the First Day of Issue Ceremony for the Disney-Pixar Send A Hello Commemorative Stamps. These stamps will feature original designs of Disney/Pixar characters, from such beloved films as Ratatouille, Up, Wall-E, and Toy Story. The event will be followed by an artist signing.
On August 19 at 1:00 PM on Stage 28, guests can enjoy a special “it’s a small world: Celebrating 45 Years” panel discussion. The discussion will feature experts from Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Disney Consumer Products. However, the panel will most notably feature Disney Legend Alice Davis. Along with fellow legend Mary Blair, Davis researched, designed, and supervised the creation of over 150 costumes for the original attraction. Her inclusion on this panel makes this a sure-to-be fascinating event.
The D23 Expo will take place August 19-21, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center. To purchase tickets, visit the event’s official website.
