Disney Parks and Resorts to Celebrate 60 Years of Innovation at D23 EXPO; Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Returns for the Holidays

Disney Parks and Resorts to Celebrate 60 Years of Innovation at D23 EXPO:

Three weeks from today, D23 EXPO 2015 kicks off at the Anaheim Convention Center. Today, D23 and Disney Parks and Resorts released a sneak peak of what they will be showing off during the expo. Disney Parks and Resorts will be celebrating 60 years of innovation while showing off sneak peaks of the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland that opens next year and the Avatar Project of Pandora opening in Disney World's Animal Kingdom. In the release from D23, nothing has been mentioned about the rumored expansions in Disney World's Hollywood Studios or on the west coast in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure which is rumored to include Star Wars.

In addition to the previously announced the Hall D23 presentation, fans will get the opportunity to hear from Disney executives, imagineers, designers, Disney Legends, and other involved with various projects for Disney Parks and Resorts in five engaging panels throughout the weekend. Here is an over view:

On the Show Floor:

Located in Hall C, the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Pavilion is a 12,500-square-foot exhibit that gives guests a glimpse of the creative process in designing and building Shanghai Disney Resort, along with a preview of the Avatar project coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

In a celebratory exhibit on Shanghai Disney Resort, maquettes, artist illustrations, and media clips capture the designers’ journey as the resort comes to life. Guests can learn about the show design process and discover the tradition and innovation infused into the resort.

Guests will also get an in-depth look at Pandora when they explore what’s to come for the AVATAR project, with models, images, and exhibits on display.

Additionally, Mickey’s of Glendale, the Imagineering-exclusive merchandise store, will open an outpost at the Pavilion where guests will have the opportunity to purchase merchandise specially designed for D23 EXPO 2015.

Presentations and Panels:

Friday, August 14
1:30–2:30 p.m.         60 Years of Disney Parks Merchandise (Stage 28)

Join our talented Disney Design Group artists, merchandisers, and special guests as they take you from concept to reality with behind-the-scenes storytelling about classic Disney souvenirs and how they have become tangible lasting memories. Guests will get a first look at some of the exciting new merchandise coming to Disney parks.

3:15–4:15 p.m.         Safari So Good—60 Years of the World Famous Jungle Cruise (Stage 23)

Skippers from throughout the years reflect on their experiences at the Jungle Cruise, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary as one of Disneyland’s opening-day attractions. They will also discuss changes to the attraction over the years including recent holiday overlays and other additions.

5–7 p.m.         Imagineering 60 Years of Disneyland (Stage 23)

In a two-part panel discussion about Disneyland with Disney Legends and current Imagineers, panelists will discuss how it all began, what it took to carry on Walt Disney’s legacy, and how Imagineers are continuing to deliver magic well into the future. The panel is moderated by Academy Award®- and Emmy®-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, who will present a new trailer from her forthcoming documentary about Walt Disney Imagineering.

Sunday, August 16
10–11 a.m.         Disney Kingdoms (Stage 28)

Guests will learn about Disney Kingdoms, a joint collaboration between Marvel Comics and Walt Disney Imagineering. Guests will hear how these popular comic book series got started and discover the creators and theme park inspirations behind these popular titles, including Seekers of the Weird, Figment, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

3–4 p.m.         Experience the World with Disney: Adventures by Disney, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Vacation Club (Stage 28)

This panel will provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Disney is creating new vacation experiences for families all around the world. The first 400 guests in attendance will get a D23 EXPO-exclusive pin set.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Returning for the Holidays:

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will be returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios for the holidays this year. Among rumors, due to the rumored expansion of Hollywood Studios, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is a wonderful view that takes place in the Streets of America. This years spectacle will run November 6, 2015 through January 3, 2016. 

Joe Rohde and Bob Weis' Roles Expanding at Walt Disney Imagineering

Joe Rohde and Bob Weis' Roles Expanding at Walt Disney Imagineering:

Two of the most high ranking imagineers at Walt Disney Imagineering are having their roles expanded according to WDWMagic. Joe Rohde and Bob Weis are both having their roles expanded as the bigger picture of what the future of Disney takes hold. Recently, Scott Trowbridge was appointed the lead role of all Star Wars projects in imagineering. Now both Rohde and Weiss will have their own lead roles in both Marvel and Asia. 

Joe Rohde who is currently the creative lead in the Animal Kingdom expansion projects with Avatar Land set to completed in the next few years. He is also known for his  creative work at Disney's Aulani Resort. Rohde will now take on a global creative leadership of the Marvel Property. 

Bob Weis is most known for his creative force behind the development of Disney's Hollywood Studios and the massive makeover of Disney California Adventure. Currently, he is heavily involved in the creation of Shanghai Disney Resort. Weis will also expand his role to take on the creative lead of Hong Kong Disneyland.

With these two new appointments and the appointment of Trowbridge to lead Star Wars, one could clearly see the focus of Disney Imagineering will be Star Wars, Marvel, and its theme parks in Asia. This is all adding up to an exciting future of Disney Parks & Resorts with the recently passed $1 billion investment promise to Anaheim for Disneyland and California Adventure. Then the rumor last week of a $3 billion plus expansion project for Disney's Hollywood Studios, many will be waiting for the D23 EXPO and any news of an expansion on both coasts and around the world. Tune in the coming weeks as we await the long awaited big news from Disney in hopes all these rumors could actually be true. 

Breaking News: Disneyland to Start Testing Fastpass+ in August; Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016

While everyone is preparing for tomorrow's big kickoff to the Diamond Celebration at Disneyland to celebrate its 60th anniversary, there appears to be some breaking news out of California. For just over a year now, Disney World has successfully brought out the Fastpass+ system. Now announced today over several outlets out there, Disneyland will begin testing the system this year in August and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016.

Now that the bugs and kinks have been worked out in Florida at Disney World, Disney Parks and Resorts is ready to take Fastpass+ and MyMagic+ globally. Hong Kong Disneyland will officially begin testing the system with the opening of the new Iron Man Experience in 2016. 

Fastpass+ is taking the Fastpass ticketing system into the digital age by removing the paper fastpass distribution systems at attractions. Like guests in Disney World, guests will be able to book fastpass+ attractions online, in the My Disney Experience app, or at designated kiosks throughout the park. The fastpasses will then be linked to magic bands (pictured above). Nothing has been said so far from Disney to confirm this or when the old Fastpass ticket distribution points will be removed. Tune into It All Started With a Mouse as more information about Fastpass+ coming to Disneyland and around the globe at Disney Parks and Resorts.

D23 Expo 2015 Promises Larger that Ever Presentations; Parks and Resorts to Present as Well

Today, Disney and its official fan club, D23, officially announced what would happen during the D23 Expo that is happening August 14-16. Disney will be creating a new 7,500-seat venue, called "Hall D23," to be located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center. More guests than ever will be able to see the presentations at the expo. To kick off the expo, the fan-favorite Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday and is hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO, Bob Iger.

The ceremony which has honored those who have made major contributions to the Disney legacy will kick off the ceremonies. In the past Disney stars Julie Andrews, Annette Funicello, Alan Menken, Tony Baxter, Steve Jobs, and many other Disney legends. Later on Friday the expo will continue with presentations on sneak peeks of all the latest from Disney Animation and Pixar. On Saturday morning, fans will get a preview from Walt Disney Studios the slate of live-action films from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm (Star Wars). Saturday afternoon will bring a presentation from chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Bob Chapek. At the 2013 D23 Expo there was no presentation from Parks and Resorts. 

The presentation for Disney Parks and Resorts is interesting as they are saying they are going preview the new and exciting things that are coming to the parks. Will it be a continuation and preview of Pandora (Avatarland) or even what coming to the new Shanghai Disney Resort. What everyone is asking and hoping for is an announcement of maybe a Pixar Play Place and Star Wars coming to Hollywood Studios. Also, will this be the place where they announce the new name for Hollywood Studios? All this will be answered in the coming months.

Tickets for the D23 Expo are now available at a discounted price for a limited time offer. Until June 30, tickets for one-day adult admission will be $67 and $48 for children ages 3-12. For D23 members tickets are $58 for adults and $42 for children for one-day admission to the expo. Multi-day money saving tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and other questions, guests can visit D23EXPO.com. 

Bob Chapek Named Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Two weeks ago, Bob Iger named Tom Staggs Chief Operating Officer of the Walt Disney Company. This left Staggs' former position of chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts open. Today Iger and Staggs filled the position and named Bob Chapek chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Chapek is a 22-year veteran of the Walt Disney Company who since 2011 has been President of Disney Consumer Products. He will assume the role effective immediately.

Mr. Iger stated in the release about Chapek, "Under Bob's leadership, Consumer Products has seen great success, focusing on brands and a franchise-driven strategy while launching new products and retail experiences that combine technological innovation and creativity. He is an experienced and versatile executive well-suited to lead Parks and Resorts into the future."

After being named COO of the WDC earlier this month Tom Staggs said in a statement, "Bob is stepping into this role at an incredibly dynamic and exciting time for our Parks and Resorts business. The ongoing construction of Shanghai Disney Resort as well as the new Avatar-themed land at Walt Disney World continues an era of unprecedented growth and historic expansion."

Finally Mr. Chapek in the statement released said, "I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had during my many years at Disney and am thrilled to join the incredible Disney Parks organization. I look forward to working with the remarkably talented team dedicated to creating magical memories for millions of guests around the world."

A successor for Mr. Chapek at Disney Consumer Products will be named at a later date. Prior to being named President of Consumer Products Chapek was President of Distribution for Walt Disney Studios from 2009 to 2011. Prior to that he was President of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Before joining Disney in 1993, Mr. Chapek worked in brand management at H.J. Heinz Company and in advertising at J. Walter Thompson.