Disney’s D23 Expo 2013: The Art!

By Chris Jalufka | 08.16.2013

 

Disney is more than films. Cartoons. Animated animals talking and singing. There’s also the park and the rides and the atmosphere. The culture of kindness. Families, together. Disney’s D23 Expo is a celebration of all of these things. A convention floor full of booths and ‘experiences’ for the fans.

 

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‘Mary Poppins’ Display Area

 

One section of the expo was dedicated to the art of the classic film ‘Mary Poppins.’ Wardrobe and props were on display. The artwork used to inspire the film’s design.

 

Mary Poppins wardrobe display.

Mary Poppins wardrobe on display.

 

Mary Poppins wardrobe display.

Mary Poppins wardrobe on display.

 

Original sign for the premiere of 'Mary Poppins.'

Original sign for the premiere of ‘Mary Poppins.’

 

Carousel horses from 'Mary Poppins.'

Carousel horses from ‘Mary Poppins.’

'Mary Poppins' storyboards.

‘Mary Poppins’ storyboards.

 

Original painting for the 'Mary Poppins' posters.

Original painting for the ‘Mary Poppins’ posters.

 

Original painting for the 'Mary Poppins' posters.

Original painting for the ‘Mary Poppins’ posters.

 

These paintings, complete with registration marks, are artifacts of the time when artists painted posters rather than assembled them digitally from stills of a film.

 

Original painting for the 'Mary Poppins' posters.

Original painting for the ‘Mary Poppins’ posters.

 

Beyond the artwork on display at the expo were the booths of new and exclusive Disney merchandise. At the center of all of this was the Disney Dream Store.

 

The Disney Dream Store

 

The Disney Dream Store at the D23 Expo 2013.

The Disney Dream Store at the D23 Expo 2013.

 

The Dream Store hosted a few stars like Brad Bird for signings alongside the merchandise, but I skipped it.  The line was insanely long for the duration of the expo.

 

The line to get inside of the Disney Dream Store.

The line to get inside of the Disney Dream Store.

 

I may be a huge fan of Disney and its parks, but I’m not a fan of lines so that’s it for the Disney Dream Store.

 

Steamboat Willie: Redux

 

Steamboat Willie Redux

Steamboat Willie Redux

 

On display was also an area of new artwork for the ‘Steamboat Willie Redux‘ line.

 

Steamboat Willie Redux

Steamboat Willie Redux

 

Steamboat Willie Redux

Steamboat Willie Redux

 

Steamboat Willie Redux

Steamboat Willie Redux

 

It’s exciting to see Disney utilizing their original properties in different ways. No word on exactly what these pieces are for, but I’m sure they’ll end up in stores at some point.

 

‘Journey into Imagineering’ Open House

 

Imagineering

Journey into Imagineering

 

The ‘Journey into Imagineering‘ was by far the highlight of the D23 Expo. It’s a peek into the world of Disney’s imagineering department, the secret garden of artists, designers, and crafts-folk that bring the world of Disney to life at the resorts.

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

One of the ultimate highlights was seeing the imagineers at work, talking to fans about how they create the environments for the parks. In Disney fashion, the imagineers are touted as stars in their own right. It was stunning to watch these incredibly talent artists work.

 

The Imagineers

 

Imagineer at work.

Imagineer at work.

 

Imagineer at work.

Imagineer at work.

 

Imagineer at work.

Imagineer at work.

 

Imagineer at work.

Imagineer at work.

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

Imagineer’s work desk.

 

'Journey into Imagineering'

‘Journey into Imagineering’

 

Next on the list of displays to visit was the ‘Collector’s Forum,’ a space full of Disney items for sale, new and old.

 

‘Collector’s Forum’

 

'Pinocchio' original cel.

‘Pinocchio’ original cel.

 

Goofy, only $800!

Goofy, only $800!

 

'Peter Pan' characters.

‘Peter Pan’ characters.

 

'Winnie the Pooh' honey pot pile.

‘Winnie the Pooh’ honey pot pile.

 

'Winnie the Pooh' honey pot pile.

‘Winnie the Pooh’ honey pot pile.

 

Jerrod Maruyama's 'Warmup Mickey' at the D23 Expo silent auction.

Jerrod Maruyama’s ‘Warmup Mickey’ at the D23 Expo silent auction.

 

'20,000' Leagues Under the Sea' 1962 edition.

‘20,000’ Leagues Under the Sea’ 1962 edition.

 

Throughout the expo were various booths for TV shows and upcoming films —

 

The Expo Floor

 

'Once Upon a Time' ship display.

‘Once Upon a Time’ ship display.

 

'Frozen'

‘Frozen’

 

'Frozen'

‘Frozen’

 

And of course, there were princesses. Look! It’s Belle! On an iPhone!

 

Belle texting in front of the 'Beauty and the Beast' art display.

Belle texting in front of the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ art display.

 

So of course there were photos of me and the princesses —

 

Your Humble Narrator and Belle.

Your Humble Narrator and Belle.

 

Your Humble Narrator and Repunzel.

Your Humble Narrator and Repunzel.

 

And photos of Disney stars, like the most important of them all — Pat Carroll, the voice of the greatest of Disney villains, Ursula from ‘The Little Mermaid.’

 

Pat Carroll, the voice of Ursula from 'The Little Mermaid.'

Pat Carroll, the voice of Ursula from ‘The Little Mermaid.’

 

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The D23 Expo is done and won’t be back until 2015, and of course I’ll be there.

 

The D23 Expo

The D23 Expo

 

For the movies presented at the D23 Expo, why next check out the handy link below?

 

Previously on ETDC — Disney’s D23 Expo 2013: The Movies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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