D23 Expo 2017 Recap: Disney Parks & Resorts

From Disney Cruise Line, Executive Creative Director Wendy Anderson took the stage to talk about the new Beauty and the Beast show coming to the Disney Dream in November. This show is based on the new live action adaptation and is currently being workshopped in Toronto. The workshop cast presented a medley of songs to give us a taste of the creative process. Bob Chapek also announced a seventh ship is being created, which will nearly double the size of the fleet. He didn’t give any hints as to the names of the three ships being developed, though. I vote they make them the 3-D’s and name them Dorothy, Dina, and Max.

Switching to Pixar, Bob Chapek played a video where Toy Story characters try to peak over the walls at Toy Story Land at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Shanghai Disneyland. Afterwards, John Lasseter joined him to announced Pixar Fest coming to Disneyland, a celebration that will bring a new fireworks show to Disneyland. As part of the celebration, the Pixar Play Parade will move to Disneyland and Paint the Night will return to the resort, but this time at Disney California Adventure where a new Pixar float will be added.

One of the few announcements for Disneyland was a big dud. Paradise Pier is going to be rethemed to Pixar Pier (“They paved Paradise… put up a Pixar Pier”). Remember a few years ago when Disney spent a ton of money to bring Mickey and friends to the land? The adorable Silly Symphony Swings will be rethemed to something Pixar, which I guarantee won’t be anywhere near as charming. Mickey Mouse will no longer be the backdrop of World of Color and overall, I just don’t understand the reason behind this decision.

Bob Chapek also announced that the hatch outside of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout was a clue that two more Marvel attractions are coming to that corner of the park. More details will be revealed soon, but he promised attractions based on Spider-Man and The Avengers. No more information was given, but connecting the dots I would expect a bug’s land to be vacating to make room for these new thrill rides. Perhaps some of those attractions will find new homes in Pixar Pier? Is it really too late to reverse that decision?

Going back to the park that started it all, Bob Chapek talked about Fantasmic!‘s grand return on July 17th. He then dropped that the show would be soft opening that night, as well as Sunday night, and that everyone attending the presentation would be walking away with a credential that could be redeemed for a Fast Pass to one of four shows over the next 28 hours (plus a random pin from an international park). It was a really nice “Kiss goodnight” if you were able to get through the long Stage Pass queue that immediately formed after the panel.

To bring the presentation home, Bob Chapek introduced a performer who read a real guest letter from the mother of a boy with autism. Her son had been fixated on getting a green Mickey Mouse balloon, but when they went to buy one on Main Street they couldn’t find a balloon seller. She left her upset son and husband on Main Street while she ran around desperately trying to get him a green balloon. Two Tomorrowland Cast Members made her son’s dream come true by going backstage and returning with his only request. As the performers returned to the stage singing “When You Wish Upon a Star,” Cast Members joined them with bouquets of green Mickey balloons, which they handed out to guests in the audience. I’m not crying, you’re crying, shut up!

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Alex Reif
Alex joined the Laughing Place team in 2014 and has been a lifelong Disney fan. His main beats for LP are Disney-branded movies, TV shows, books, music and toys. He recently became a member of the Television Critics Association (TCA).