Denise's Corner

Disney D23 Expo 2015 Offers Look at New Projects for Disney Parks Including Star Wars Land; Toy Story Land

Denise

Hi everyone!

We covered the Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim, California last week and attended the Disney Parks presentation where Star Wars Land, Toy Story Land and more were announced (well, the announcement of Star Wars Land was let out of the bag earlier, but more details were given in the Parks & Resorts presentation). Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek kept up a fast pacing as each segment. Much of what was announced had been heavily rumored, but concept art and details – such as the 14 acre footprint of Star Wars Land at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World – were shared with 7500 attendees.

We began this article over a week ago, but putting it together during our busy trip was difficult. In the end, it is a roundup of videos from the presentation! Our Disney D23 Expo video playlist is growing, with 25 videos so far.

We have videos from the different announcements. First up is Star Wars Land. This has been the most anticipated new land for each coast, though the “coming soon” notation behind Chapek was a little optimistic. There has been no date given yet for the new land, which will take years to complete. There will be other Star Wars additions in the meantime, including an update to Star Tours – The Adventure Continues. Here is our video of the Star Wars Land announcement.

Toy Story Land will be an 11 acre land with 2 attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including a Slinky Dog family coaster. A lot has been said since about there only being the 2 attractions, but currently the extremely popular Radiator Springs at Disney California Adventure has just 2 – but much more goes on there, including meet & greets. It sounds like the land will be similar in the level of theming, I hope it is! I was concerned it would be like Toy Story Playland at Disneyland Paris, which could use an overhaul.

Even in Florida, we have been Soarin’ over California for many years. Next year, we will be Soarin’ Around the World (both coasts, Disneyland and Walt Disney World).
Stan Lee made his usual cameo in the talk about the Iron Man ride at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Joe Rohde and James Cameron talk about the upcoming Avatar Land in this video.
I was asked yesterday what I was looking forward most to from what we experienced or saw during the Expo. And after thinking about it, I said Shanghai Disneyland. It never occured to me that I might ever go to China, but the park looks like it will be phenomenal. I have hundreds of photos just from the floor display alone, there was so much to see! Here is the presentation on it, but we will be talking more about Shanghai once I work through the photos.
And the musical finale by Disney Cast Members was incredible!
Keep checking back as we add more videos to our D23 Expo 2015 video playlist, and more articles about what we experienced at the D23 Expo.