A Walk Around D23, Part 2
On our last visit to Shandy’s Corner, we entered the Anaheim Convention Center and had our first glimpses of the D23 Expo show floor, and it became clear that there’s a whole lot going on at Expo. But we’ve just gotten started. Ready to see some more? (This is the part where you nod your head “yes”, folks.) Then lets do a little more exploring!
To the immediate right of the D23 Lounge, we have the Walt Disney Corporate Responsibility pavilion. Yeah, it doesn’t sound too promising, but come on over. You know how good you feel when you experience some thing from Disney? Here’s your chance to spread a little of that good feeling around.
Here we have some helpful Expo guests participating in a Disney VoluntEars project. For you folks who aren’t familiar with the VoluntEars, it’s a program where Disney employees volunteer their time to help the less fortunate in their communities. Normally, you have to be a Disney employee to be a VoluntEar, but during the Expo, Disney’s running a new project every day, and they’re looking for Expo guests like you to help out.
These honorary VoluntEars are putting together gift bags for disadvantaged children. On other days, they’ll be putting together care packages for our troops overseas or decorations for community centers.
Providing moral support (he can’t provide much else, not having any arms and all) is Push, the talking trash can from the Disney theme parks.
If you become a VoluntEar at Expo, Disney will thank you for your kindness with a set of silver 25th anniversary VoluntEar mouse ears.
Does working on a VoluntEars project sound like a little more work than you’d like to do? Well, how about donating a can of food to Disney instead? They’re putting together a canned food castle on the Expo floor with people’s donations. Not only will you be helping feed some needy people…
…you’ll also be contributing to an amazing, if temporary, piece of art.
Now that you’ve earned your VoluntEars, let’s continue our journey around the show floor. Up ahead is Disney Consumer Products. If you never had an idea how much Disney stuff is available in the stores, you’re about to find out, as many companies who hold licenses for Disney merchandise are showing off their wares here. For example, have you got a wedding coming up soon? Have a look at some of the things available from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings.
And after the wedding, wouldn’t you want to decorate your new home with Disney Home furniture and furnishings? There are a few sample rooms to give you some decorating ideas.
Okay, so maybe you’re not ready to redecorate your house just yet. There are still plenty of other things Disney they you might like to pick up at the store on display here. For example, how about toys and dresses for your favorite little princess?
Or Lego and toy displays sure to drive the wildest Toy Story fan “To Infinity and Beyond”?
From collectibles to food and even paint (Disney paint?), you can see it all in the Disney Consumer Products display.
But you look a little tired. How about a spot of tea? I know a great tea party nearby…
Well, maybe we’d better skip that tea party for now. Maybe gaining a little knowledge is more to your tastes. Nearby, you can sign up for Lost Universty and take a break in a dorm room of a couple of LU students.
If you’ve already got your PhD in Lost-ology, next door are some posters and props from the show for you to peruse.
Just beyond the “Lost” booths is a Radio Disney van and stage, where your favorite tweeners can rock out to their favorite Radio Disney jams. (Hmmm, no pictures of Radio Disney – must have had a camera malfunction…)
Also next to Lost is the Collector’s Froum, home to all the fan clubs, fansites, and non-Disney vendors selling collectibles and other fun Disney and Disney-related stuff.
Finally, at the far east end of the show floor, we have the entrance to the D23 Arena, home the the largest of the Disney presentations - and the queue for same…
The good news is we’ve completed our exploration of the D23 show floor. The bad news for your tired virtual feet is that we’ve got the floors above and some galleries to explore! I’ll let you take a break for now and we’ll continue our tour of the D23 Expo next time.