The D23 Expo has returned after three years and there was a convention full of fans who were excited about every moment of it! It is usually every two years, but the pandemic delayed this one for a year. The usual location of the expo is at the Anaheim Convention Center. It runs from September 9th to 11th, but tickets have been sold out for months! I arrived a little after 8 a.m., there were many fans already lining up, some cosplayer cheerleaders were outside. After a security check, we were led into a building for a wait until the expo opened at 10 a.m. then lead past the arena to the main building with Halls A through C. I entered at Hall B and immediately saw the costume displays. First, there were costumes from Moon Knight, and then Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness including the Darkhold.
Marvel Studios costume display, author’s photo.
To the right of them was Ms. Marvel’s costume, Thor: Love and Thunder costumes including Mighty Thor’s Mjolnir and the screaming goats, and then Antman and the Wasp. Finally, there was Scarlet Witch and Agatha, no Vision! Across from the display is the costume of Thanos with his massive sword from Iron Studios. To the left of it is the Lucasfilm booth which had a screen that had Darth Vader that was at Times Square billboard. Inside the Lucasfilm booth were costumes from the Willow television series; Jade Claymore (Erin Kellyman), Dove (Ellie Bamber), and Kit Tanthalos (Ruby Cruz). There was also the golden robes of Queen Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) with her jagged sword. In the center was Willow Ufgood’s (Warwick Davis) costume. It looks like studded leather armor with a staff, a book (of magic?), and Cherlindrea’s wand!
There were also costumes from Indiana Jones, most likely the new movie, but they only have in theaters June 30, 2023. Even Indiana Jones’ costume is not identified. I saw a woman’scostume with hat, tied off shirt, and long pants. I’m assuming it’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character, Helena. There was a black leather coat, gloves, and glasses like Toht (Ronald Lacey) in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Across from Lucasfilm, around the corner of the Marvel Studios display are Star Wars costumes and props. Starting at the right, there was a trash droid, B2EMO, Emo?, ok. Cassian Andor’s costume and also Mon Mothma’s dress and gold cloak. All from the upcoming Andor show. From Obi-Wan Kenobi, is Darth Vader’s armor, and Obi-Wan’s outfit. I noticed that there is no sign if these are screen used costumes by the actors. Next was from The Book of Boba Fett, Fennec Shand’s costume.
The new attraction model of the overlay of Splash Mountain and Tiana!, author’s photo.
This is followed by Ahsoka Tano’s outfit from The Mandalorian, Bo-Katan Kryze’s armor, The Mandalorian’s costume from The Book of Boba Fett, and lastly Boba Fett’s armor. I saw a photo op of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, the actors were made Disney Legends, the statues were from the last D23 Expo. The Disney Cruise Line had a photo op with Sailor Goofy. There was a Disney Wish luggage tag handed out at the end. At Hall C, there was the Wonderful World of Dreams pavilion that featured Disney parks around the world. Once in, there are models of attractions, and then this leads to windows where two construction workers, a bear and rabbit, give a little show. More ride vehicles from around the world and then to the left is the model of the re-themed Splash Mountain. Past it is Tiana greeting visitors! Across from them is the new Moana’s Journey of Water model of Te Fiti. Then, to the right is two pieces of the new Toon Town and Mickey’s Runaway Railroad. I was told that all attractions will be in Toon Town with only the addition of the new ride.
At the end of the room is the statue of Walt the Dreamer in bronze. The following room has the new animatronic developments including a massive Kong-sized musculature with arms. Outside of the dual Walt Disney Animation and Pixar pavilion there is a photo op with the new Strange World character, Splat. You get a Strange World Splat pin afterwards. There are some scenary from that film in Walt Disney Animation, also maquettes of different characters, and original artwork from animated films. Pixar had a Turning Red photo op, also one with a Lightyear and Sox statue, and an Elemental wall photo op. I saw again author, David Koenig, at the Mice Chat booth. Highly recommended is his Mouse Tales (1995). I picked up his latest book, The 55ers: The Pioneers Who Settled Disneyland (2019). There was a TRON Lightcycle/Run photo op for the attraction that will open at Magic Kingdom. You board the lightcycle pulling on the handles to drop the backrest. A button for the attraction is handed out after the photo op. Coming up is the Studio Showcase: Disney and Pixar and the Disney Archives: Step in Time exhibit! D23 Expo continues this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, more fun is on the way!
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