With 815,000 square feet of exhibit space spanning three floors, genuine superstar appearances—including Nicolas Cage, Miley Cyrus, John Travolta, and Johnny Depp in full Jack Sparrow regalia—and more than 80 presentations, panels, and screenings, the first-ever D23 Expo delivered enough pixie dusted magic to please any Disney fan. For the first of four whirlwind days, Disney fans could stroll happily on the showroom floor and come face-to-face with the turtle from Main Street Electrical Parade, Cinderella’s carriage, a fabulous insider look at upcoming attractions, including an elaborate preview of Cars Land and much more.
It’s your passion for Disney . . . that keeps the magic alive
Upstairs, fans reveled in the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit, which showcased never-before-displayed props and costumes from Disney films and TV shows and some of Walt’s personal artifacts. Meanwhile, in the 4,000 seat D23 Arena, Disney President and CEO Bob Iger kicked off the festivities, then turned over the stage to the 2009 Disney Legends ceremony, held for the first time off Disney property. As amazing as it all was, what really made the first day of the D23 Expo—and the three days that followed—so successful were the fans.
As Bob said on that first day, “It’s your passion for Disney, your respect for our legacy, your fond nostalgia for our past, and your anticipation of more fun in the future that make all of this work—that keeps the magic alive.”
