D23 Expo to highlight upcoming Disney theme park expansions

For complete Disney fanatics, the first-ever D23 Expo coming to the Anaheim Convention Center from Sept. 10th to Sept. 13th promises a sneak peek at new rides and attractions debuting soon at Disney’s 11 theme parks around the world.

Among the highlights at the Disney D23 Expo:

* Disney theme parks chairman Jay Rasulo offers a “behind the magic” tour of the Cars Land themed-area opening at Disney’s California Adventure in 2012

* Imagineer Steven Davison previews the World of Color nighttime spectacular debuting at Disney’s California Adventure in 2010

* Preview of the new animatronics used in the makeover of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show reopening at Disneyland in late 2009

* Demonstration of the Wall-E and Lucky the Dinosaur mobile animatronics

* Showcase of cutting-edge special effects under developed for Disney rides, attractions and shows

* Panel discussion: “How to become an Imagineer”

* Presentation: A celebration of Imagineering legends

* Panel discussion: “The making of the Toy Story Mania dark ride at Disney’s California Adventure”

* Overview of the $1.1-billion expansion of Disney’s California Adventure

* Scale models of existing rides and attractions

In addition to theme parks, the D23 fan conference will offer details on all things Disney — movies, television, celebrities, cruises, hotels and merchandise.

Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland. Follow Funland on Twitter and Facebook.

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times staff writer

Image: Disney

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 3, 2009 at 5:05 am by Brady MacDonald and is filed under California, Celebrity, Disney's California Adventure, Disneyland, Family & Kids, Orange County, Theme Parks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.