Every other year, the Anaheim Convention Center down the street from Disneyland hosts D23, a massive convention for all things Disney. Panels at D23 range from parks to television to the studios and more. Fans often dress up in costume for the occasion, and many fans end the day in the parks after the panels end.
This year’s D23, running from yesterday through Sunday, is one of the most anticipated events in recent memory. Fans are anxiously awaiting news about Marvel Land (and the fate of Spider-Man), Rise of the Resistance, and rumors of a super-secret Disney project. Since this blog is about Disneyland, my daily recaps will only cover news related to the resort in some way. But for full breakdowns of all the announcements and happenings, I recommend checking out these sources:
Let’s dive into Day 1.
MARVEL LAND NAME & PREVIEW
The new Marvel land on its way to California Adventure finally has a name: Avengers Campus! In a media preview, Disney showed off the first concept art for the new land.
Source: Scott Austin
Many fans are wondering what this means for the Spider-Man attraction slated for the campus. In case you missed the news, Sony and Disney failed to reach an agreement on Spider-Man, so he is technically not going to be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward. What that means for Tom Holland and further Marvel movies remains unknown. But in the concept art, Spider-Man is still at the front & center. So without any word from Disney, I guess we can assume it’s still in the works?
TOONTOWN’S NEW ATTRACTION
D23 Day 1 also brought us our first look at the Runaway Railway, the newest attraction coming to both Mickey’s Toontown and Hollywood Studios in Orlando. Check out the two cast member costumes:
Source: The DIS
And the model of the ride vehicle:
Source: The DIS
GALAXY’S EDGE INSIGHTS
And finally, D23 attendees had the chance to learn a little behind-the-scenes info about Galaxy’s Edge. In one panel, the creative team behind the new land discussed their collaboration with John Williams. Williams created new music for Galaxy’s Edge, including nods to previous scores but creating a new feel for the new space.
Source: Laughing Place
To top it off, visitors received data cards with music from Oga’s Cantina!
Source: Disney Examiner
HEIMLICH VISITS HIS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS
And finally, visitors got a glimpse at a fallen California Adventure comrade.
Source: Guy Selga
We miss you, our strange and hungry friend.
Look for a new post tomorrow covering Day 2.
I would love to attend D23 one year! Even just to be around all that excited energy!