I really hope some of you here can give us updates or pics from the event this weekend. I really, really wanted to go, but just could not pull it off.
I want someone to ask Joe Rohde about the ToT Guardians update and see if he can say anything that helps us determine where his AND the company's current thoughts are toward it at WDW. I really hope that (1) he does not really want it to happen at WDW, and (2) he gets a solid impression from fans at WDW that the current ToT is perfectly themed and iconic and should not go anywhere (nor should the Great Movie Ride, but we know that at least Joe is involved with the ToT redo in California).
DETAILS
The two-day event will take place November 19 and 20, 2016, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort.
Since Walt Disney first brought his groundbreaking True-Life Adventures to the big screen, adventure has played a pivotal role in Disney entertainment, from the
Jungle Cruise and
Pirates of the Caribbean to the new planet of Pandora, which will soon be unveiled at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This year, members of
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are invited to join the excitement at
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures, a celebration of these landmarks of the past, present, and future. The two-day event will take place November 19 and 20, 2016 at Disney’s
Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort.
AVATAR creators James Cameron (writer, director, producer) and Jon Landau (producer) will join Imagineer
Joe Rohde for Pandora – The World of AVATAR, a presentation where they will unveil new details about the immersive, 12-acre land coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In addition, the event will include a conversation with Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Plus,
Moana screenwriter Jared Bush (co-writer/co-director
Zootopia) will be on hand to provide guests an exclusive advance look at the making of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature.
The Walt Disney Archives will present a special exhibit created exclusively for the event:
Walt’s Great Adventures, featuring photographs, props, and models that showcase Walt Disney’s personal voyages, including his trip to South America in 1941, as well as some of his most memorable creations for television, film, and theme parks, such as
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Additionally, during the weekend, guests will be among the first to see the new Ethan Allen | Disney home furnishing line in person.
Marty Sklar and
Tony Baxter; Walt Disney Imagineers Joe Rohde, Chris Merritt, Jason Grandt, and Wyatt Winter; producer
Don Hahn (
The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast); and Walt Disney Archives Director
Becky Cline.
returns to the event with a pop-up shop at the event for attendees, featuring a selection of exclusive Imagineering merchandise as well as limited-edition pins, T-shirts, and collectibles themed to the event.
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures Event Program*
Friday, November 18
10 a.m.–6 p.m. — Registration Open
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—East Registration
11:30 a.m.–6 p.m. — “Walt’s Great Adventures” Exhibit Open
Walt Disney Archives Exhibit
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—Olympus A & B
2–8 p.m. — Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Open
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—Sorcerer’s Apprentice Room
Saturday, November 19
7 a.m –2 p.m. — Registration / Guest Services Open
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—East Registration
7 a.m.–5 p.m. — Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Open
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—Sorcerer’s Apprentice Room
8–9 a.m. — “Walt’s Great Adventures” Exhibit Open
Walt Disney Archives Exhibit
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—Olympus A & B
8:15–9 a.m. — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
General Admission Seating
9 a.m —
Welcome!
9:10 a.m. —
A Conversation with Bob Chapek
Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, will sit down with D23’s
Jeffrey Epstein to share his insights on the parks.
9:50 a.m. —
A Look Back at Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures
Join film producer
Don Hahn and Walt Disney Archives Director
Becky Cline on an expedition through the landmark True-Life Adventure series, which earned the Disney Studio eight Academy Awards®!
10:45–11 a.m. — Break
11 a.m. —
Albert Schweitzer, Harper Goff, Bill Evans, and “The Wonderland of Nature’s Own Design”
Welcome to Adventureland! Disney Legend and Imagineering ambassador
Marty Sklar presents a tour through the earliest concepts for the themed realm and how Harper Goff, Morgan “Bill” Evans, and other legendary designers brought Walt Disney’s vision to life.
12–2 p.m. — Afternoon Break
Walt Disney World Resort restaurants will be open, and snack carts will available. Please note that all seating in the ballroom will be cleared. No reserved seating upon return.
12–2 p.m. — “Walt’s Great Adventures” Exhibit Open
Walt Disney Archives Exhibit
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—Olympus A & B
1:30–2 p.m. — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
General Admission Seating
2 p.m. —
A Special Announcement from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
2:05 p.m. —
Disney Adventurelands Around the World
Set off on a journey through exotic realms at Disney theme parks around the globe, as Imagineers
Tony Baxter,
Jason Grandt, and
Luc Mayrand explore “Adventurelands” from Florida to Shanghai.
2:45 p.m. —
Tales from the Jungle Cruise
Fans of “the backside of water” unite! Discover the legendary history of the world-famous attraction with a panel of historians, skippers, and Imagineers, including
Justin Arthur,
Alex Grayman,
Kevin Lively,
Chris Merritt,
Trevor Van Dahm, and
Wyatt Winter.
3:30–3:45 p.m. — Break
3:45 p.m. —
Disney’s Polynesian Resort 45th Anniversary
From tropical hideaways to enchanting entertainment, celebrate the spirit of aloha as Disney artists
Casey Jones and
Richard Terpstra, Disney Vacation Club’s
Ryan March, and D23’s
Steven Vagnini look back at 45 years of the classic South Pacific-themed getaway.
4:40 p.m.—
MOANA: Building a Legend
For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium—and no one knows exactly why. Screenwriter
Jared Bush (co-director/co-screenwriter,
Zootopia) shares how that question became the jumping-off point for the story of
Moana, and presents exclusive footage from the film.
5:30–7:30 p.m. — Evening Break
7:30 p.m. —
An Evening at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Join us for a special celebration of the 45th anniversary of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
10 p.m. — Conclusion of today’s adventures.
Sunday, November 20
7 a.m.–2 p.m. — Guest Services Open
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—East Registration
7 a.m.–5 p.m. — Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Open
Sorcerer’s Apprentice Ballroom
8–9 a.m. — “Walt’s Great Adventures” Exhibit Open
Walt Disney Archives Exhibit
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—Olympus A & B
8:15–9 a.m. — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
General Admission Seating
9 a.m. —
It All Started with a Map
Discover details on why and how Disney theme park maps have changed over time with historians
Kevin Neary and
Susan Neary, two co-authors of
Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai (Disney Editions, 2016).
9:20 a.m. —
New Walt Disney World Adventures
Get an insider’s glimpse into the latest experiences across Walt Disney World Resort with behind-the-scenes looks at new entertainment—featuring Walt Disney World Resort Ambassadors
Caitlin Busscher and
Nathaniel Palma, Entertainment Show Director
Tom Vazzana, and Imagineer
Wyatt Winter!
10:05–10:20 a.m. — Break
10:20 a.m. —
Magic Journeys: 45 Years of Walt Disney World Adventures
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, join Imagineers
Jason Grandt and
Alex Wright for a nostalgic journey through some of the Vacation Kingdom’s most unique and fondly remembered adventures!
11:05 a.m. —
Pandora – The World of AVATAR
AVATAR creators
James Cameron (writer, director, producer) and
Jon Landau (producer) and Imagineer
Joe Rohde unveil new details about the immersive, 12-acre land coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
12–2 p.m. — Afternoon Break
Walt Disney World Resort restaurants will be open and snack carts available. Please note that all seating in the ballroom will be cleared. No reserved seating upon return.
12–2 p.m. — “Walt’s Great Adventures” Exhibit Open
Walt Disney Archives Exhibit
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—Olympus A & B
2 p.m. —
The Art and Adventures of Marc Davis
From
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room to
Pirates of the Caribbean, discover the adventurous artwork of artist and animator Marc Davis with Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Production Designer
Chris Merritt, who is co-authoring a new book on the Disney Legend.
3:05 p.m. —
The Imagineering Adventure
In this two-part session, discover how Imagineers bring adventurous Disney experiences to life, with an in-depth look at attractions from
Indiana Jones Adventure with Disney Legend
Tony Baxter, to
Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, with Shanghai Disneyland Portfolio Creative Executive
Luc Mayrand.
4:15–4:30 p.m. — Break
4:30 p.m. —
Guiding Animals Through Change
With brand-new evening experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, how does one prepare animals for changes to the nighttime ambience of the park, and how does one know if these animals are happy with the changes? ?
Dr. Scott Terrell, Director, Animal and Science Operations, will talk you through the process they followed and share stories of the great care our animals get.
4:55 p.m. —
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Evolving a New Species of Theme Park
Imagineer
Joe Rohde shares the origins and incredible evolution of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, from early concepts to new experiences to be discovered at the park!
6 p.m. —
Farewell
6–8 p.m. — Evening Break
8 p.m. —
In-Park Gathering (Optional)
Walt Disney World Resort theme park admission required.
Walt Disney World Resort theme park admission NOT required.
Details forthcoming.
9:30 p.m. — Conclusion of
Destination D’s amazing adventures.
A printed event program will be distributed to attendees upon check-in.
Wilderness Explorer VIP attendees will receive a separate agenda with event details soon.
*Please be advised: All schedules, events, and merchandise are subject to change without notice. For the enjoyment of all attendees, access in and out of the Fantasia ballroom may be limited during presentations.
The weekend event will take place in the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Tickets, on sale now, are $190 each for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members. Tickets are also available to D23 General Members for $250 per ticket. All guests will receive a special gift created exclusively for the event, and attendees are guaranteed seats at all panels and presentations.
Notice that the 8 p.m. Sunday night park gathering first said it required park admission, but then that was changed. (The website shows the first sentence in strikethrough format that does not come through here in cut-and-paste.) So, it looks like at least they conceded on one thing that would have clearly been a cash-grab (charging admission to folks who already had paid $200 for tickets to the event, just so that they could experience the last hour of it).
But I really think the event looks cool, and I would appreciate any updates or pics (especially from the walk-through exhibit from the archives). Last year they webcasted one of the presentations (on the CoP), but this year I have not seen any notice of a webcast at all. You would think that at least gold members would have a webcast option. But anyway, it looks fun. Wish I could be there. If you are staying at the Poly this weekend, maybe at least you can catch a glimpse of the Poly night.
