Wrap Up Report from the 2011 D23 Expo - DAY 1!

[JordieP]

Hey VF!

Jordie here again! It's certainly been an awesome honor to be reporting here to all of you...believe you me, this here writing space is valuable to me and is about to be filled with magic!

That's right...magic! It's been a little over a week since the D23 Expo, but I certainly hope you guys didn't forget it! For those of you who attended, you know what I'm talking about! For those of you who couldn't, that's ok because that's what websites like DisneyExaminer and VF are for - to immerse you in the Disney magic wherever you go!

So without any further adieu, I'd like to present a day-to-day recap on what DE did at the D23 Expo this year! Here's an excerpt from that wrap up report - my encounter with Destini!

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Those were some of the highlights from the Carousel of Projects. There were also models of Shanghai Disney Resort and Aulani, but that was pretty much it! One thing I just happened to stumble upon was Destini…

That’s DEST-EE-NEE.

Who is Destini? Think Esmerelda the Fortune Teller on Main Street for the 21st Century! How? Well he analyses you.

Basically what that screen shows is that through cameras and motion detectors, Destini (aka an AI) can communicate with you! As he is still in the testing stages, It is really cool that he can actually interact with you, as if he was a person. Scary, I know but I got the chance to have Destini himself show me my fortune, which can be seen below! You’ll be able to see how solid he is with his conversation with me. I promise there is NO person doing a voice behind a curtain…nothing! He’s a self-sustaining AI.

**You can see that video by checking out the whole wrap up report on our main site by clicking HERE.**

Destini was so cool, he made me do this face!!

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And that's only a portion of the D23 Expo we got to experience and now are bringing to you! Be sure to check out the rest of the events we attended on Day 1 of the Expo that include the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony AND the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts presentation that is filled with the latest news about Cars Land and some new experiences coming to Disneyland next year!!

All that and more can be seen in our full wrap up report which can be found by clicking HERE!

Remember this is only Day 1 folks! Day 2 will be "MARVEL"ous...

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The Day 1 DE Coverage Team!

The BEST team I could ever ask for to help me with all this coverage! Thank them, not me!

[Disneyland_DHI]

Was a little peeved I couldn't see Destini. Was he coin-operated? If not, then a BIG kick to myself.

[JordieP]

He actually was coin-operated! I only had a quarter on me...but it was worth it!

[Disneyland_DHI]

He actually was coin-operated! I only had a quarter on me...but it was worth it!

Okay, good, because my quarters kept disappearing. I suppose it's a downside to having a duct tape wallet. Hoping we get to see him in the parks one day.

Also, I just noticed; Wall-E didn't return! I was hoping to catch him this year!

[#1DisneyFreak]

Such a fun read! Can't wait for more!

[disneylover]

Ooo! SO they *may* be opening up Club 33 to guests that don't have a membership? Interesting. I wonder how members will feel about that? Hmm.........

[austen]

Ooo! SO they *may* be opening up Club 33 to guests that don't have a membership? Interesting. I wonder how members will feel about that? Hmm.........

I heard 2 different things:

1. It is a continuation of Club 33. (One membership is good for both Parks)
2. An entirely new, just as exclusive Club.



I'm hoping for number 2!

[disneylover]

^Oh, ok! Is this the lounge at the theater on buena vista street?

[austen]

^Oh, ok! Is this the lounge at the theater on buena vista street?

It's on the second story I believe, or at least part of the second story of the Carthay Circle Theater.

[JordieP]

Hey friends!

Thanks for all your feedback! Just to clarify some things...the Club 33 "expansion" announcement by President Kalogridis focused more on Club 33 itself, no mention of having the restaurant in the Carthay Circle Theater be closed off to members only.

Our sources tell us that although that dinners at Club 33 will now be more accessible, they will continue to make sure that reservations are spread out to keep the atmosphere of the Club feel private and special.

In regards to the Carthay Circle Theater, YES - there will be a fine dining establishment on the second story of the "Theater" building. There will also be balconies to watch the craziness below (just like Club 33). We can also confirm that the menu is currently being developed and will be implemented by none other than Andrew Sutton, a great family friend and current Executive Chef at Napa Rose in the Grand Californian Hotel!!

More in-depth news on Buena Vista Street will be in Day 2 of our 2011 D23 Expo Wrap Up Report!

[Executioner]

More accessible? So they are going to loosen the reigns on memberships or get rid of that entirely? And expansion? As in expanding the footprint like removing some of the Dream Suite to make way for more room or expanding to utilize other areas of the other park? Kinda confused here.

[disneylover]

I'm confused too. I just don't see how they can do this without really upsetting the members. I know if I forked out all the money to have an exclusive membership to club 33, I wouldn't be very happy if they expanded it to non-members. Unless they decreased the fees or something. It should be interesting to see how this plays out.

I do have to say as a fan, that the idea of getting into club 33 made easier is AWESOME!

[Cavemandon]

Awesome reporting, Jordie and crew! :)