Tickets For D23 Expo 2015: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Go On Sale Thursday, August 14, 2014

ExpoTicketChart-AllOn Thursday, August 14, at 10 a.m. PT, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will begin selling tickets for the next D23 Expo, which will take place August 14–16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The largest Disney fan event in the world, the D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Disney entertainment, uniting all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including The Walt Disney Studios (including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm); Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Consumer Products; Media Networks (including ABC, Disney Channel, and Radio Disney) and Disney Interactive. D23 Expo 2015 marks the fourth bi-annual event held in Anaheim.

More than 65,000 Disney fans from around the world gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2013 for the third D23 Expo. Once again, the Expo will celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney with live events, celebrity appearances, panels, presentations, sneak peeks, and immersive experiences.

D23 Expo 2015 marks the return of fan favorites including the Disney Legends Awards, honoring the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; and Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, which spotlights costumes, props, and set pieces from Disney’s rich history.

Buy Your D23 Expo 2015 Tickets Now ►

As in previous Expos, D23 Expo 2015 will showcase all of the latest stars in the Disney universe. In 2013, celebrity appearances included Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Billy Crystal, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston, with performances by Idina Menzel, R5 featuring Ross Lynch, and a once-in-a-lifetime concert with Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Alan Menken. Additionally, Disney executives and creative talent came together to deliver special presentations, announcements, and experiences to Disney fans throughout the three-day extravaganza.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. From August 14–December 31, 2014, tickets are $61 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $52 for a one-day adult admission and $37 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $268 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. Please note that tickets in advance of the event may only be purchased online.

In addition to these special advance-purchase savings, an extremely limited number of D23 VIP Sorcerer Packages will once again be available. Based on fan feedback, even more benefits have been added this year including exclusive opportunities in the Walt Disney Imagineering pavilion and Mickey’s of Glendale.

The SORCERER PACKAGE includes:

  • Three-day admission ticket and commemorative Sorcerer credential
  • Reserved seating at all presentations in the main hall, Stage 23, and Stage 28 (must sign up for presentations in advance)
  • Commemorative Sorcerer level access credential
  • Exclusive D23 Expo 2015 Samsonite luggage piece
  • Pre-Expo tour of the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit
  • Special tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Pavilion
  • Exclusive shopping time in the D23 Expo Dream Store, Disney Store, and Mickey’s of Glendale
  • Tour of the D23 Expo show floor the day before the Expo opens to the public
  • Welcome Reception on Thursday evening
  • Exclusive entrance to the Expo each morning
  • First opportunity to pre-purchase D23 Expo Dream Store select themed merchandise
  • Exclusive D23 Expo gift pack including gifts from D23 and the rest of The Walt Disney Company
  • Saturday morning Meet and Greet Coffee with a special Disney guest
  • “Fond Farewell” reception on final day of Expo
  • Plus, daily access to the Sorcerer Member Lounge

Sorcerer member lounge: Open from (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

  • Complimentary snacks throughout day (11a.m. – 6 p.m.)
  • Cash Bar (noon – 6 p.m.)
  • Access to purchase food in Lounge
  • Archives exhibit
  • Dedicated Sorcerer Concierge desk
  • Baggage Check area
  • Masseur on site (for pay) (10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
  • One voucher for 20­-minute free massage

Sorcerer Package tickets are available exclusively to both Gold and Silver D23 Members at $2,000 per ticket. Members have the option to purchase up to two Sorcerer tickets.

D23 Gold and Silver Members are entitled to early admission to the Expo show floor and D23 will once again give a special thanks to D23 Charter Members, providing them special access to the Expo’s Charter Member Lounge.

Step BACK in Time to a Different World: Vintage Mary Poppins Shop Windows

Take a look at these certifiably “weird” and entertaining Berlin shop windows circa 1966, which showcase merchandising tie ins for Mary Poppins.

Walt Disney’s New Musical Film Mary Poppins
Walt Disney’s New Musical Film Mary Poppins

Would you like to know how the film begins? Then take a look at the windows on Wilhelmsdorfer Strasse, Berlin.

London 1810: Bert, the One Man Band, hawking… 1960s men’s outerwear and Ray Conniff records …
London 1810: Bert, the One Man Band, hawking… 1960s men’s outerwear and Ray Conniff records …
Katie Nana and her plush poochie have had it. They can’t stand Mrs. Banks’ suffragette friends and their faux furs for another moment…
Katie Nana and her plush poochie have had it. They can’t stand Mrs. Banks’ suffragette friends and their faux furs for another moment…
Well, I hope there is at least ONE pair of dancing shoes on the rooftop… could come in handy.
Well, I hope there is at least ONE pair of dancing shoes on the rooftop… could come in handy.
I guess we found Mavis and Sybil and Prudence and Gwendolyn…
I guess we found Mavis and Sybil and Prudence and Gwendolyn…
… and Phoebe and Maude and Janice and Felicia…
… and Phoebe and Maude and Janice and Felicia…
… and Lydia and Cynthia and Vivian and Stephanie and Priscilla… well you get the point…
… and Lydia and Cynthia and Vivian and Stephanie and Priscilla… well you get the point…
A fresh new shirt… in case you spill your floating tea…
A fresh new shirt… in case you spill your floating tea…

Disneyland’s Last-Minute Addition

With the gates of Disneyland set to open just a few days later, it was a virtual “all hands on deck” scramble to get the park “show ready” for the world to see. Walt and his Imagineers were working day and night to ensure that they were prepared to please the world with the finest in family entertainment they could dream up. This memo, from the inimitable ex-Navy man Joe Fowler, then in charge of getting Disneyland built, reminds Jack Evans, brother of Disney Legend Bill Evans, an early Disneyland landscaper, that one very important welcoming aspect of Disneyland still needed to be addressed before the big day . . .

Here is a small collection of photos of Floral Mickey, one of the icons of Disneyland® Park, in its earliest stages just days before the park’s July 17 press preview and July 18 public opening.

Belgian Mickey Mouse Art From the Disney Archives Depicts Our Favorite Pal Cornered by Cats

Showcased here is cover art from “Prenez Moi” [“Take This”], an illustrated humor magazine of the 1930s, published in Belgium. Titled “La Vengeance des Chats” [“The Revenge of the Cats”], “Dessin de Theu” [“Drawing of Theu”] the illustration highlights a dubious (yet comical) feline attraction to everyone’s favorite mouse. When translated, the poster says “Mickey! Now Showing”, with the sign over the door reading “Artist’s Exit.” This is one stage door to watch out for!

Mickey Mouse in La Vengeance Des Chats

South American Artists Shine in Scrapbook from Walt Disney’s Offices

One of the true treasure troves of the Walt Disney Archives collection is the cache of materials that was originally housed in Walt Disney’s office suite, found in the 3H wing of the Disney Studio’s original Animation building on the Burbank studio lot. The cataloguing of this collection by Disney Legend and Walt Disney Archives Chief Archivist Emeritus Dave Smith in 1970 resulted in a thorough inventory of Walt’s studio memorabilia and furniture. Film production and theme park ephemera aside, this space was also filled with books, trinkets, gifts from visitors, and materials Walt acquired himself during his world-wide travels—it’s evident that he surrounded himself with reminders of the cultures he experienced and the people he met from all over the globe as a means to not only remember his past adventures, but to possibly inspire his myriad current and future projects.

During the 1941 “Good Neighbor” trip Walt and his artists took to South America, the clan known as “El Grupo” received many a gift from the enchanted people they studied and learned from—Walt especially. One of the gifts Walt received during the trip was a scrapbook filled with original art from some of South America’s then-premier artists. Everything from caricatures of Walt to depictions of Gaucho life can be found in the tome. Let’s take a look now at a couple of pieces from this scrapbook—direct from Walt’s office.

070513_argentinian-artists-1 Artist: Kras, Abraham, Date: 1941. This is one of several caricatures of Walt featured in the scrapbook album. Walt’s famous smile is as remarkable as ever in this depiction.
Artist: Kras, Abraham, Date: 1941. This is one of several caricatures of Walt featured in the scrapbook album. Walt’s famous smile is as remarkable as ever in this depiction.
Artist: Martignoni, Gerónimo Luis, Date: 1941. “Gaucho” culture is evident in several pieces of art found within the boards of this historic volume. The vibrancy and vitality of the images are truly stunning.
Artist: Martignoni, Gerónimo Luis, Date: 1941. “Gaucho” culture is evident in several pieces of art found within the boards of this historic volume. The vibrancy and vitality of the images are truly stunning.
This December 1948 photo shows Walt at ease in his formal office entertaining Indian film exhibitors Kebi and Ellen Modi. Walt can be seen showcasing the scrapbook containing gifts of art from more than 50 South American artists he received in 1941.
This December 1948 photo shows Walt at ease in his formal office entertaining Indian film exhibitors Kebi and Ellen Modi. Walt can be seen showcasing the scrapbook containing gifts of art from more than 50 South American artists he received in 1941.

Exploratory Art of Lee and Mary Blair

One of the most iconic art styles to have emerged from the ranks of Disney Studio artists over the years is undoubtedly that of the incomparable Mary Blair. Instantly recognizable in color and composition, Mary’s whimsical artwork has enchanted generations of Disney fans. Where Mary has an immensely important place in the pantheon of Disney history, some may not know that so too does her husband, Lee.

Having lent his artistic talents to the productions of Pinocchio and Fantasia, Lee was an accomplished watercolor artist who helped add an impressionistic touch to the lush, exploratory and groundbreaking artwork that was coming out of the Disney Studio in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Both Blairs would end up taking a trip “south of the border” with Walt Disney and a group of fellow studio artists in 1941 to experience several South American countries. The cultures, locales and people the group known as “El Grupo” experienced during this venture were ample inspiration to help guide artistic output—perhaps influencing the Blairs more than any of the others on the trip.

Lee and Mary’s effortless watercolor brush strokes convey a strong and immediately identifiable sense of location— exotic and colorful, their artwork from the trip (as well as that created after) came to represent the essence of the locales “El Grupo” visited. Later, much of this artwork was used as inspiration (and in some instances, as hand props!) for the productions of Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros and the featurette film, South of the Border with Disney.

An Early Script for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

This script shows an early attempt at the Enchanted Tiki Room, hosted by one José Carioca!

On June 23rd, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room celebrated its 50th anniversary. Walt’s original Audio-Animatronics® spectacle, the tropical serenade has delighted guests for five decades–first at Disneyland, and then at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disneyland.

These script pages, dated December 16, 1962, show an early version of the show’s four hosts—or “macaudios”, as they’re described here. Much of the show’s dialogue and gags were written by Disney Legend Wally Boag, who also contributed the voice of José the parrot. In fact, in this version of the script José introduces himself as José Carioca, a name shared with the Brazilian feathered star of Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros.

Enjoy this look back at the development of the “world of joyous songs and wondrous miracles” that has enchanted us all for 50 years.

Discovered in a Bedknobs and Broomsticks Prop

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) is a thrilling film, featuring groundbreaking animation and special effects, as well as a lovable cast of characters. One of the film’s dashing thespians the Disney fan community has come to embrace over the years is David Tomlinson, perhaps known best for his performance as Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins. In Bedknobs, David plays the affable swindler, Emelius Brown—master “teacher” of magic and witchcraft, extraordinaire!

It’s an iconic performance, one many Disney fans warmly remember.

During David’s introduction in the film, he uses a small briefcase that pops up into a colorful magician’s cart to woo onlookers while peddling his wares on Portobello Road. It’s an iconic performance, one many Disney fans warmly remember. Thankfully, Emelius’ magician’s cart is safely stored in the Walt Disney Archives.

While inspecting the film-used magician’s cart for display, Becky Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives, noticed a small, yellow, crumpled-up piece of paper in the bottom of the cart’s surprisingly cavernous opening. Upon further inspection, this piece was not garbage or misplaced production ephemera.

It was scrawled with dialogue: the blocking notes for one of Emelius’ ploys!

David Tomlinson’s actor’s notes had remained in the case many years after production wrapped—helping to clue our archivists into the intensely personal and creative mind of a Disney Legend. The find was a welcome surprise, one that helps us understand the actor’s motivations and thoughts while giving a memorable performance.

The Saga Of Captain Saltyhinder

By author and historian Michael Crawford

Imagineer John Hench sketched this salty seafarer for Epcot Center’s Living Seas pavilion.

Captain Salty Hinder

Success can be a double-edged sword sometimes; your creation might be so popular that people demand you revisit it again and again.

This is a problem that Disney Imagineers faced after Epcot opened, when the Figment and Dreamfinder characters from Journey into Imagination proved to be instant stars. Suddenly, the sponsors of other pavilions wanted characters similar to the loveable duo.

Captain Saltyhinder and his mackerel sidekick.

When United Technologies signed on to sponsor a Seas pavilion for Epcot in 1983, one of their requests was for the pavilion to have a pair of host characters—just like Dreamfinder and Figment. Imagineer Hench, perhaps not keen on merely repeating past successes, scribbled in the margin of a meeting memo, “Here we go again!”

This request led to a bout of inspired silliness from the Imagineer—maybe it was a slow day at the office?—when he sketched these hilarious proposals for two new characters: Captain Saltyhinder and his mackerel sidekick. Saltyhinder is portrayed as a sea captain or deep-sea diver, greeting park guests and spraying children with water.

Captain Saltyhinder and his mackerel sidekick

Needless to say, these ideas didn’t make it off the drawing board. The Living Seas opened in 1986 as a very serious trip to Seabase Alpha, with nary a “mackerel Figment” in sight.

How Figment Found His Voice

By author and historian Michael Crawford

When EPCOT Center opened in 1982, its most iconic denizens were the two whimsical hosts of the Imagination pavilion: Dreamfinder and Figment. Imagineer Tony Baxter and his team developed the beloved characters, but it took some time to figure out just how they would appear, act… and sound.

This rather remarkable casting call appeared in one of Disney’s own cast member newsletters in the fall of 1981. It’s an open request for employees to send in cassette tapes if they have “distinctive” voices, which would prove suitable for a “youthful, restless, mischievous, excitable, daydreaming purple dragon.”

While the role of Figment’s voice eventually went to stage-and-screen veteran Billy Barty, it must have been exciting at the time to have a shot at voicing this future Epcot legend!