The D23 Expo returned to the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, with fans lining up to enter the sold-out, three-day event, which includes exhibits, panels, presentations and shopping tied to all things Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
The expo will feature 55 panels and presentations and 175 show floor offerings and Disney celebrity interactions. Larger nighttime showcases will take place at the Honda Center following daytime events at the Anaheim Convention Center.
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Among the attractions is the Imagineering: Behind the Dreams pavilion hosted by Disney Parks and Experiences, which contains design models and prototypes of new rides, shows and lands coming to Disney theme parks around the world.
The Lightstorm Pavilion will be of special interest this year to fans looking for a preview of the Avatar themed land coming to the Disneyland resort. The walk-though experience inspired by the alien world of Avatar will let visitors “discover the captivating culture of the Na’vi, explore the Bioluminescent Forest and soar through the mountains like a banshee.”
Many of the thousands of fans descending on Anaheim this weekend will be in cosplay as their favorite characters from Disney-related films and TV shows.
D23 continues through Sunday, Aug. 11.
Tasha Black, left, and Raena Rubenstein are dressed as Wilderness Explorers from the Pixar movie Up as they to get into D23 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. The Disney fan fest runs from Aug. 9 to 11. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Peter Tran, dressed as Jin Lee from Red Panda, waits to get into D23 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. The Disney fan fest runs from Aug. 9 to 11. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Andrea Feale is dressed as Lego Darth Vader as she waits to get into D23 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. The Disney fan fest runs from Aug. 9 to 11. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ashley Gilmore is dressed as Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas as she waits to get into D23 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. The Disney fan fest runs from Aug. 9 to 11. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sabrina Chicas is dressed as Partysaurus Rex, the T-rex from Toy Story as he appears in a Toy Story short film, while she waits to get into D23 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. The Disney fan fest runs from Aug. 9 to 11. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cosplayers show off their eleborate costumes on the opening day of the D23 fan expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Tasha Black, left, and Raena Rubenstein are dressed as Wilderness Explorers from the Pixar movie Up as they to get into D23 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. The Disney fan fest runs from Aug. 9 to 11. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
