Breaking: Disney Wants to Invest $1 Billion at Disneyland and California Adventure; Pixar Announces D23 EXPO Schedule and more

Breaking: Disney Wants to Invest $1 Billion at Disneyland and California Adventure:

In an article just posted by The OC Register, Disney wants to invest $1 billion at Disneyland and California Adventure in exchange for no new gate tax. At this point the company is seriously considering the deal which would bring new attractions, a 5,000 slot parking structure, and massive improvements to streets surrounding the theme park. Disney officials said they don't know whether yet if they improvements would come to one of the parks or even both but they do know that their won't be a third park opening in Anaheim. In exchange for the investment into the parks, Disney wants the city of Anaheim to not levy taxes on admission tickets at the theme parks for another 30 years, according to sources.

The City Council of Anaheim will be holding a public hearing on July 7 to consider extending the current tax exemption agreement that started in 1996 and is set to expire June 30, 2016. Michael Colglazier, president of Disneyland, said: "Anaheim has been an economic success story thanks to its policies and initiatives that allow businesses to invest and thrive. We are asking city leaders to continue with a policy set two decades ago that has driven unprecedented job creation, growth and prosperity, and enabled the city to invest in vital services that benefit every Anaheim resident."

Disney officials don't even know what new attractions, themed lands, or any other details on what would be coming but said that construction would begin no later than 2017. Disney has plenty of options since it owns the Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar franchises. If the ticket-tax exemption is approved Disney said the announcement on the expansion could be announced by December. Disney Chairman Bob Iger has told shareholders earlier this year about the plans to expand the Disneyland Resort. In other calls, he also stated that "Star Wars" attractions for Disney theme parks are being worked on by Imagineers. 

The last expansion at Disney's California Adventure ended in 2012 and cost more the $1 billion. Tune in for more news on the expansion of the Disneyland Resort as this story develops.

Pixar Announces Schedule for D23 EXPO:

Pixar is taking this year's D23 EXPO "To Infinity and Beyond!" Pixar will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Toy Story by greeting guests by the larger-than-life Buzz Lightyear helium balloon that has taken flight in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade six times. This will mark the first time that the Buzz balloon will be seen at the expo and guests will be able to see it at the expo on Friday, August 14. That is not all as Pixar plans to show never before seen footage of upcoming films The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory. Here is the full schedule from Pixar for the expo:

Every Story Is a Journey: The Upcoming Films of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios
Friday, August 14, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, presents “Every Story is a Journey.” Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out
Friday, August 14, 11:30 a.m.—Stage 28

Get the inside story on the making of Pixar’s latest summer release, Inside Out. Hear from Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up) as they reminisce and share their personal stories of creating a world that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen.

Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!
Saturday, August 15, 3 p.m.—Stage 28

Ever wonder where your favorite Pixar stories began? Hear the stories you don’t know about the classic films that you love. Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman hosts this experience, welcoming the storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films, including Darla K. Anderson (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave), Ronnie del Carmen (Up, Inside Out), and Dan Scanlon (Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University), as they talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative and share some of the crazy story ideas that didn’t make the final cut.

Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back
Saturday, August 15, 2015, 4:30 p.m.—Stage 23

From flipbooks to feature films, animation has taken audiences to fantastical new worlds, far beyond the limits of any real-world setting. Pixar Animation Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, blurring the line between art and technology and bringing beloved characters to life with heart and humor. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1995’s Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, join members of the original crew, including filmmakers John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley, and Bill Reeves as they share their stories and the challenges they faced along the way.

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

Animation – Show Floor Exhibition

For the first time ever, Pixar Animation Studios is creating a Show-Floor experience at D23 EXPO. Pixar teams up with Walt Disney Animation Studios for an unforgettable adventure that showcases magic from both animation studios, featuring live demonstrations, presentations, and autograph signings with top filmmakers, free giveaways, and interactive displays. With highlights from films like Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory, and Moana, animation fans will get the inside scoop on their favorite films and characters.

Say Aloha to John Lasseter’s Film-Themed Hawaiian Shirts

Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter takes Disney and Pixar animation to heart—literally. For nearly every film—from Finding Nemo and Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen and Inside Out—Lasseter has commissioned an exclusive movie-themed Hawaiian shirt. And those who know the Oscar®-winning storyteller know that he loves his Hawaiian shirts—and dons one for almost every occasion. Animation fans will see their favorite film characters “materialize” before their eyes in this colorful collection, which will be exhibited on the show floor.

Fans can take home their own shirt, thanks to Disney Store at D23 EXPO. This D23-exclusive Reyn Spooner-design features characters from all the feature films produced under the creative guidance of Lasseter. The simple, appealing collage joins many of Disney’s and Pixar’s most beloved recent characters on one wearable canvas. The shirt will retail for $99.95.

The D23 EXPO 2015 will be at the Anaheim Convention Center, August 14-16, 2015.

Captain EO is Making a Return at Epcot:

In some shocking news, Captain EO is making its return to Epcot scheduled for July 19, 2015. The attraction closed back in April for preview's of Disney's "Tomorrowland" and most recently Pixar's "Inside Out." Guests can begin making Fastpass + reservation for the attraction now for July 19. It's sister attraction out in Disneyland remains closed.