I can’t believe that the D23 Expo is only 35 days away!  I’m so excited to have the opportunity to do this again.  The 2009 Inaugural Expo was so indescribably awesome, I don’t know what they will do to top it… but I’m sure they will come up with something!

I thought for my first Disneyland in August Trip Planning Thursday I’d give everyone a quick glimpse of just a few of my favorite moments from 2009.

Expo Highlights

Pictures (clockwise from top-left)

  1. Convention Center Entrance – Come one, come all… this beacon in front of the Anaheim Convention Center welcomed guests on Harbor Boulevard to the Disney Magic that waited within.
  2. Attraction Posters – Disney Parks and Resorts pulled out all the stops with their show floor pavilion.  This poster mural lined the exterior walls, keeping all the theme park secrets inside the pavilion.
  3. Ridley Pearson – The Kingdom Keepers/ Peter and the Starcatchers session with Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry actually ranked up there with the show-stopping arena events for me.  I love these books, and both authors were delightful.
  4. Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter Hat – This pic has proven to be a favorite among Rays of Disneyland readers, and seeing the prop in person was just as amazing.  However, seeing Johnny come out on stage in full Jack Sparrow regalia was the highlight of the show.
  5. Wall-E – I was so thrilled to get to “meet” Wall-E at the Expo.  I never thought I would have this opportunity, as his park appearances were extremely rare.  This was truly an amazing experience.
  6. Lightning McQueen – This life-sized Car was a sneak-peek at what fans can expect from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure next year.
  7. Wizards of Waverly Place – Wizards is my true guilty pleasure on TV, so lining up with all the “tweens” to see the cast was a must-do for me. 🙂
  8. Storm Troopers on the Show Floor – In a little nod to yesterday’s post, the preview of Star Tours II – The Adventure Continues, complete with Darth Vader and these Storm Troopers, was a blast.

These are just a small sampling of all the amazing experiences at the Expo… what was your favorite part?

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