All of Disney's Wonderful Worlds Come Together at D23 Expo - July 14-16, 2017 in Anaheim, CA

ALL OF DISNEY’S WONDERFUL WORLDS COME TOGETHER AT D23 EXPO—THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT—
JULY 14–16, 2017, IN ANAHEIM, CALIF.

Advance Tickets on Sale July 14, 2016, for the Biggest Disney Fan Event Ever

BURBANK, Calif. – March 28, 2016 – All the magic and excitement of the past, present, and future of Disney entertainment will come together once again when D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presentsD23 Expo 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center the weekend of July 14–16. Each of Disney’s magical worlds will unite under one roof to celebrate what’s new and what’s on the horizon from theme parks, television, music, gaming, and films, including Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel. 

Highlights planned for D23 Expo include the Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors the talented men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy; an all-new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives; D23 Expo’s costume contest, Mousequerade, showcasing the most creative designs by fans; the D23 Expo Emporium, where Disney fans can buy, sell, and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia, merchandise, and more; and the D23 Expo Design Challenge. (Details on the Design Challenge and Mousequerade will be forthcoming.)

The 2017 Expo will feature a massive show floor full of immersive experiences and special opportunities to see what’s next for Disney around the world—and guests may run into their favorite Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators, and filmmakers. StagePass, the popular ticket distribution system that allows attendees to obtain guaranteed seats for some of Expo’s most popular presentations, and StorePass, which allows priority entry to select shopping venues at the event, will once again enhance the guest experience. Hall D23, the popular presentation and performance venue featuring more than 7,000 seats, will return, as will Stage 23, Stage 28, and Center Stage.

The fifth event follows the success of D23 Expo 2015, which drew tens of thousands of Disney fans for three star-studded days and nights. Guests were treated to appearances by such celebrities as Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Evans, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Dwayne Johnson and watched performances by Ne-Yo, Sabrina Carpenter, the cast of Teen Beach 2 and stars of Disney’s shows on Broadway. Guests previewed costumes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and were the first to hear about the new Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. They also enjoyed a look back at Disney’s rich history through extraordinary panels, presentations, and exhibits and discovered the newest entertainment, technology, and products coming from Disney.

Advance tickets for D23 Expo 2017 will go on sale at D23Expo.com beginning July 14, 2016. D23 Members will receive special pricing on both one- and three-day tickets to the event, which is open to the general public. D23 Gold and Charter Members will also be entitled to special benefits at the 2017 Expo. Gold Members will also have an opportunity to purchase the Sorcerer Package, which provides a host of special benefits and amenities. Ticket prices will be announced this summer.

About D23 Expo

D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. Presentations, talent, and schedule are subject to change. For the latest D23 Expo news, visitD23Expo.com. To join the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 on Twitter and use #D23Expo.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a member-exclusive website at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Disney twenty-three Takes Fans Inside Walt Disney Animation Studios

In the 10 years since John Lasseter and Ed Catmull took over the reins of what is now Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney has enjoyed incredible creative and box office success with such films asTangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6, and, of course, Frozen. The spring 2016 issue of Disney twenty-threelooks at the creative talents—from writers and directors to producers and animators—who have driven this wave of superior filmmaking that has resulted in two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature for the studio.

Disney twenty-three, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members, includes exclusive interviews with Lasseter and Catmull, as well as the teams behind Walt Disney Animation Studios’ run of hits, discussing the secrets behind their work and how a Disney animated film goes from concept to creation. Plus, Disney twenty-three unveils rarely seen visual development art created for the Studio’s most recent films. There are also advance looks at the upcoming animated films Zootopia—including a revealing one-on-one with star Ginnifer Goodwin—and Moana.

In addition to the animation celebration, the issue offers a sneak peek of Captain America: Civil War,featuring exclusive interviews with star Chris Evans and one of the film’s directors, Joe Russo. And director Jon Favreau details the incredible work behind crafting the stunning live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, including how he snared Bill Murray to voice Baloo the bear.

Also included in the spring issue of Disney twenty-three:

• Three cheers for the 10-year anniversary of High School Musical, including interviews with the director and members of the cast
• A look at the colorful concept art from the 1967 animated hit The Jungle Book, with stories from Disney Legend Floyd Norman, who worked with Walt Disney on the film
• A walk through Walt Disney’s office suite on the Studio lot, recently restored by the Walt Disney Archives
• Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in late February.

Review: Walt Disney Archives Collection - Elephant

When I viewed the Walt Disney Archives Collection at the D23 Expo held in Anaheim, CA. in August, I immediately knew I wanted this sculpture for my collection.

What I like most about this sculpt, it shows what you can accomplish in resin that you lose in porcelain. 

Notice the detail of the backbone (photo at left) and the overall texture of the skin. 

I was glad to see in person, how nicely the Elephant maquette worked with previous Dance of the Hours characters done in the Walt Disney Classics Collection (see photo below). 

I hope future releases work as well and can be blended in existing WDCC setups as the Elephant and Pinocchio maquettes have.

Elephant

Size: 7.5" W x 12" H

Edition Size: 1,940

Price: $ 99.00

Additional Angles

Elephant Maquette with the Walt Disney Classics Collection releases of Hyacinth Hippo and Ben Ali Gator from The Dance of the Hours sequence.

Review: Walt Disney Archives Collection - Pinocchio

I've included in this blog entry, photos of the actual sculpt I received this week.  I went with close-up shots vs. full body since my earlier blog entry included full body shots provided by Enesco LLC.

The sculpture is resin, so doesn't have that smoothness that you might be used to in porcelain figurines. I like that the actual paint palette of the original was used and it captures the roughness of the original.

I displayed my Pinocchio Maquette with the WDCC Pinocchio in Cage with Jiminy Cricket and Blue Fairy Event Sculpture. The maquette blended in very well and complimented the grouping.

Pinocchio
Size: 4.49" W x 9.25" H
Edition Size: 3,500

Price: $ 75.00

Additional Angles

Walt Disney Archives Collection: Elephant & Pinocchio

Yesterday I received my first maquettes from the new collection, the Walt Disney Archives Collection by Enesco LLC ... The Elephant from Fantasia ('The Dance of the Hours' sequence) and Pinocchio from Pinocchio. 

Pinocchio (1940) was the first Disney feature to utilize animator models or "maquettes." This skillfully crafted, hand-painted sculpture originates from a late 1930's Pinocchio animation maquette from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.

The Fantasia Elephant maquette reproduced for this edition was on display at the end of 1966 on the north windowsill of Walt Disney's formal office on the Burbank Studios lot.

I will do a review in a separate entry for each sculpture but wanted to share some photos I took of the maquettes with releases from the Walt Disney Classics Collection.

Pictured below is the Elephant Maquette with Hyacinth Hippo and Ben Ali Gator from The Dance of the Hours sequence.  I thought the Elephant worked in very well with both these sculptures. Unfortunately, I don't own Madamoiselle Upanova to include her in the grouping as well.

Below is the Pinocchio Maquette with the Walt Disney Classics Collection first release of Pinocchio ("Good-Bye Father").

My Walt Disney Archives Collection Wish List

Coachman from Pinocchio

As you can imagine, I'm really intrigued by the new collection from Enesco that was previewed recently at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA.

A recent discussion on the blog, a fellow collector shared some great links on the maquettes (be sure to check them out!) and was thrilled to see some releases I had hoped for under the Walt Disney Classics Collection, maquettes were created for these characters. I couldn't help put a wish list together aka my own personal campaign to hopefully see these considered for future release.

Top of my list is the Coachman from Pinocchio (pictured above).  This was one character from Pinocchio I lobbied hard for. The only villain from the animated classic that was never done.

In an article on Charles Cristadoro, not a familiar Disney artist to many, was involved in the sculpting of the first maquettes done.  In the article was the following:

Of his character models, it is claimed that Cristadoro created the original Geppetto and Pinocchio models. Cristadoro's first assignment was to sculpt fellow Italian and wood carver Geppetto. The carving was of Geppetto sitting on a tool chest, with his hand holding his face, his feet slightly pigeon toed and his face having a casual expression. Cristadoro had done the figure in just eight hours, left his work and went home. Joe Grant and Bob Jones were in the studio after all the artists had gone home. They saw the Cristadoro figure and then Walt walked in. Walt picked up the Cristadoro figure, studying the figure at every angle, examining the tangible image to that in his imagination. Jones and Grant stood there waiting for the verdict. Walt said, "This is it!" Jones recalled, "I'll never forget that day." Walt loved and was fascinated by these little figures.

I'm guessing this is the model they were referring to in the article and would love to see this one done, based on it's back story.

Another film favorite is The Adventures of Mr. Toad.  Came across this maquette of Mole in one of the articles. As you can guess,  another maquette on my list.

I also came across artwork for this beautiful Centaurette during the days of the Walt Disney Classics Collection. Stumbling across this photo, can only hope and dream one day, that possibly she would be considered as a future release.

Walt Disney Archives Collection - Elsa Maquette

Elsa Maquette

'Frozen' (2013)

'Frozen' Art Director, Michael Giaimo supervised the maquette painting of Elsa.

Size: 11.6" H x 15.35" L x 8.57" W

Edition Size: 5,000

Price: $ 350.00

Additional Angles

Walt Disney Archives Collection - Anna

Anna Maquette

'Frozen' (2013)

'Frozen' Art Director, Michael Giaimo supervised the maquette painting of Anna.

Size: 10.24" H x 4.92" L x 4.92" W

Edition Size: 5,000

Price: $ 199.00

Additional Angles

Walt Disney Archives Collection - Elephant Maquette

Elephant Maquette

From 'Fantasia' (1940), this skillfully crafted, hand-painted sculpture originates from an animation maquette in The Walt Disney Archives. The Fantasia Elephant maquette reproduced for this edition was on display at the end of 1966 on the north windowsill of Walt Disney's formal office on the Burbank Studios lot.

Elephant
Size: 7.5" W x 12" H
Edition Size: 1,940
Price: $ 99.00

Additional Angles

Walt Disney Archives Collection - Jiminy Cricket

Jiminy Cricket Maquette

'Pinocchio' (1940) was the first Disney feature to utilize animator models or "maquettes." This skillfully crafted, hand-painted sculpture originates from a late 1930's Pinocchio animation maquette from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library

Jiminy Cricket
Size: 4.13" W x 4.13" H
Edition Size: 3,500
Price: $ 75.00

Additional Angles

Note on the above image the faint WDP for Walt Disney Productions which was on the original maquette.

Note on the above image the faint WDP for Walt Disney Productions which was on the original maquette.