D23 Expo will offer to Disney fans a glimpse " Behind WDI Magic ”

D23 announced today its program for September 10-13 Expo and, as you will see below, Disney theme parks fans planning to attend the event should be in heaven! Here is the full press release!

What will Disney’s theme parks and resorts look like in the future? Fans will learn the answer to that question and many more as they take a “behind-the-magic” tour of their favorite Disney destinations at the inaugural D23 EXPO, where the entire world of Disney will come together under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center in California from September 10-13.

Through a series of stunning displays and not-to-be-missed presentations, D23 EXPO attendees will explore the rich legacy and future of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – a story that began in 1955 with Disneyland and has since grown to include 11 theme parks at five vacation destinations around the globe, as well as new immersive vacation experiences including the Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney and the Disney Vacation Club. On Saturday, Sept. 12, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo will share some “behind-the-magic” details as he pulls back the curtain on several new projects – including the 12-acre Cars Land that’s set to open at Disney’s California Adventure in 2012.






Here’s a sampling of exciting Disney Parks experiences that D23 EXPO attendees will discover:

Never-before-seen models of classic Disney attractions and glimpses of coming projects that will surprise and delight even the most knowledgeable Disney fans.

An exclusive sneak peek at the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure that’s so big, it won’t fit inside the Blue Sky Cellar.

The chance to meet, up close and personal, Lucky the Dinosaur and Wall-E.

A preview of the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figures ever created.

Displays showcasing cutting-edge effects technologies that are being developed for Disney attractions, shows and venues.

New Disney Cruise Line itineraries for 2011.

Also, in the 500-seat Storytellers Theater, Imagineers and Cast Members who create and operate Disney’s parks, resorts, cruise ships and other vacation experiences will take fans behind-the-magic with a variety of presentations including:

World of Color – Imagineer Steven Davison brings to life World of Color, the water-and-fire spectacular that will debut next year at Disney’s California Adventure.

The Making of Toy Story Mania! – From its interactive elements and innovative ride system to its cutting-edge Audio-Animatronics figure of Mr. Potato Head, Toy Story Mania! represents a new kind of Disney theme park attraction. Meet the team who helped bring it to life.

“So You Want to Become an Imagineer” – A panel of Imagineers will answer one of the most frequently asked questions of Walt Disney Imagineering – “How does one become an Imagineer?” – and will share what it’s like to be one.

The Making of the U.S. Presidents – Imagineers will talk about updating both Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland and Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

An Afternoon With Imagineering Legends – Disney Legend Marty Sklar will lead a celebration of the careers and accomplishments of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Cast Members who have been named Disney Legends.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Text: copyright Disney

Disney Shopping release new Pinocchio Collectibles

Two weeks ago i've posted a quite harsh article about the D23 merchandise section and their now famous $849 pen. Some days later, Jim Hill posted an article called "Give the Geeks a Chance" where he says that Steven B. Clark, the head of D23 was just as Disney geek as we can be. And you know what? Jim is right.

By all what i've heard in the last two weeks, Steven B. Clark is indeed a real Disney fan. Now, my article was "exclusively" harsh about the merchandise section, and by what i've been told Steven is not at all in charge of the D23 merchandise products.
So, just in case Steven was hurt by my article, i want to send him my real apologies. As i've said, i think that D23 is a real good initiative, the D23 magazine too - although a bit expensive - and i sincerely wish him all the best for the D23 future.
I know enough the company to know how amazingly difficult it can be to DO this kind of initiative, and i hope it will be successful. Really, i mean it.

Now, as for Disney Shopping or Disney Consumers product division who were the target of my previous article, to be perfectly fair they can also design cool Disney collectibles, and the new Pinocchio items released recently - simultaneously with the release of the Blue Ray collector's edition - are a good example. Let's have a closer look at them.

First, there is of course this Limited Edition Pinocchio Marionette at $199.50

This one and only 30"" high Limited Edition Pinocchio Marionette is a numbered limited edition of 500 and "comes straight from Geppetto's workshop with his artfully crafted expression and fully-jointed arms and legs. The costume of the ''Little Woodenhead'' is intricately detailed with buttons, embroidered accents and golden trim on his lederhosen and vest, plus pleated bow tie, white collar and a soft velour hat topped with a felt feather".



There is also this hand-painted, limited edition of 1200, sculpted resin set of 3 Limited Edition Pinocchio Figurines at $99.50 with a metallic character nameplate on base of each statuette.






One of my favorite is this Limited Edition Whistling Jiminy Cricket Figurine at $79.50

This highly-detailed 8" high Jiminy Cricket maquette captures the personality and design of Jiminy Cricket. "When a motion-sensitive feature hidden in the statue's base is activated, your "Official Conscience" gives a little whistle to remind you that he'll always be at your side". There is a Metallic "Jiminy Cricket" nameplate on base and it's a limited edition of 900.




Another cool item is this 16" high Limited Edition Sculpted Pinocchio Clock at $199.50

Crafted with old world charm in the style of Walt Disney's animated classic, this Pinocchio wall clock strikes all the right notes with its intricate design and cheerful patterns. Four figural sculptures of the favorite characters adorn the timepiece. Staged before the face, Geppetto and Figaro send Pinocchio off to school with a notebook and apple for the teacher, while Jiminy Cricket floats on his umbrella high above the rooftop. Peek into the toy shop from decorative windows on each side.
It includes pendulum and pine cone-shaped counterweights and it's a numbered limited edition of 400.



More affordable is this 9" high Deluxe Pinocchio Journal at $24.50

Reproducing the Old World storybook from the film's opening sequence, this Pinocchio diary features a soft bound cover embossed with an icon of Geppetto's "Little Woodenhead".



If you're among those who like snowglobes, my favourite is this 9" high Monstro the Whale Snowglobe at $79.95 with an automatic blower function and translucent waves



There is also this 11" high World of Disney Jiminy Cricket Snowglobe at $99.95 which take you back to the days of old time radio. Jiminy is perched on a speaker crooning his greatest hit while a colorful cast of Walt Disney characters gather around to hear the broadcast. Note that it is not a functional "real" radio. Other characters include Jiminy Cricket, Snow White, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Mickey Mouse, Bambi, Thumper, Dopey, Alice, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.



As you've seen, when Disney Shopping want to design cool collectibles, they can do it. Okay, that's the kind of collectibles they produce three or four times each year but it also would be the perfect collectibles for the D23 merchandise section. Now, if they could add a "theme park collectibles" section this would be just perfect. C'mon folks, you can do it, it's not that difficult. You did it perfectly for DL 50th Anniversary - that was only four years ago - so we're sure you can do it again.

In the meantime you can find these Pinnochio collectibles right HERE on page 3 of the "new arrivals" section.

Pictures: copyright Disney

Why " Walt Disney and the 1964 World’s Fair " is exactly the kind of product they should sell at the D23 store - and not a $314 pen ...

Good news: Walt Disney and the 1964 World’s Fair 5 CD Box Set is finally released on March 24. Great idea, as it is a rare and highly collectible document of Walt Disney Imagineering history that will be released for the first time. Exactly the kind of merchandise the Disney fans are looking for. Not "Executive Pen" at $849.

Once again, i salute the initiative of the new D23 site and magazine. I have not seen yet the magazine, but i'm confident that it is good. No, the two problems that makes the fans screaming on all forums is the membership $74 price - some of them didn't understood that it includes four issues of the D23 magazine and not only a membership card and certificate. However, it's probably the wrong price at the wrong time. And i don't mention the "amazing" shipping price for non-U.S residents, probably due to the fact that Disney use generally DHL for any overseas shipment. Also, D23 is almost described like a "private club for Disney fans", but honestly, i think Disney fans are not sensitive to that. Let me be clear: if any of you could become instantly a member of the legendary Club 33 at Disneyland, i'm sure you will be happy, but the D23 membership - although it has real advantages - is probably seen more like a "virtual" club for Disney fans. In fact, it's even worst: simply nobody - or very very few people - cares anymore about "club and membership". It's the kind of mental image that belongs to the past, except for some super rich people.

To come back to the membership price, personally i think it's probably 30$ too high, but most of all the timing is terrible - did nobody tell them we are in the middle of a world economy crisis? At least probably not to the guy responsible of the D23 merchandise shop - in fact a new section on the Disney shopping web site. T-Shirts at $25 with only "Are you 23?" written on them - and with no disney logo! Pens at $314 or $849 !?! I'm sure the items are beautifully crafted, but the problem is elsewhere - it's simply that Disney fans are expecting other kind of collectibles!

And which kind of collectibles? Well, this "Walt Disney and the 1964 World’s Fair 5 CD Box Set" is EXACTLY the kind of collectible they should sell at the D23 "boutique".
Need another example? Take this gorgeous Mark Twain Riverboat model released last year on Disney Shopping. Don't you think it would be a perfect collectible too for the D23 shop? For the Mark Twain it's too late of course, but they're is PLENTY of good collectible ideas that would be perfect for the D23 shop.



I have a long experience with Disney merchandise departments - specially since i did my Disneyland Paris book, and let me tell you more about it as it will help you to understand where is the problem. You have no idea what fight it has been, back ten years ago, to convince them that guests and fans were looking for this kind of book...even after the book was released they were surprised it sells so well. And since then, thousands copies of the book have been sold!

Do you want to know why you can't find the book at WDW or Disneyland shops? Not because i didn't proposed the book at their mechandise dept. I DID proposed the book to them. And even send them a copy so they can see how it looks. And what was the answer? Well, the answer was: "because the book is talking about Disneyland Paris, it will not interest ANYBODY at WDW or DL" !!! No kidding. It was just like Disney fans didn't exist for them. At least at that time, 7 years ago. But it's still true today, i could give you hundred of other examples, and personally, i arrived at this conclusion: merchandise dept guys (or women) simply don't know AT ALL what kind of products Disney fans are looking for. NO VISION, really. Okay, to be perfectly honest, since the Disneyland 50th Anniversary, and more specifically since the release of Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily 50th Ann collectibles on Disney shopping, Disneyland merchandise finally understood that true-fans collectibles could be profitable. Of course it is when it's well done! And also when it's NOT done in a "cheap" way (i'm thinking about the beautiful Tiki Fountain released last year for the Tiki Room anniversary and which had problems as Disney choose a cheap "pump" system and of course the pump began to stop working after few hours...)

Frankly, there is nothing more simple than to find good ideas for special-fans collectibles. But there is ONE condition for that: you MUST be a fan yourself, that's the trick. If you're not a Disney fan, you can't know how Disney fans are thinking, right? And this is where the problem is: most people at merchandise dept don't think like Disney fans. They think they do, but in fact, deeply, they don't. Believe me.

Now, there are exceptions: i was talking about Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily, well, here are two persons, designing Disney collectible since years and years (and it's always perfect) and who are ALSO Disney hardcore fans. And it's hard to find a collectible they've designed that didn't provoked fan enthusiasm. And i'm sure they're not alone. But Kevin and Jody - and i am NOT their "agent"! - would be, in my opinion, the best people qualified to create D23 collectibles. I mean: collectibles that fans will rush to order. Even expensive one.

Do you remember the famous line from Kevin Costner movie "Fields of Dreams"? : "If you build it, he will come". The line became famous since then, but it's perfect for what we talk about today, and a perfect message to D23 Boutique managers/designers : "If you build them ( the right collectibles) , fans will come". And if you don't know what to do, ask those who knows - i mean, of course, those who are REAL fans.

Photo: copyright Disney