Practically Perfect: D23 Expo

My friend Michael invited me to the D23 Expo yesterday. I wouldn't have been remotely interested in pushing through crowds of people with children infatuated with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Princesses except that there were going to be a couple of my namesakes' showings and artifacts. But I almost didn't make it. My students' germs invaded my body on Wednesday creating a waterfall out of my nose. I had chicken tortilla soup for two days straight and drank my way through a bottle of Tylenol Severe Cold liquid medicine. I woke up better than new before the sun was up on Saturday morning. I'm driven by perseverance, what can I say?

We were inside the convention center two hours after our arrival despite being upgraded to VIP status. Our first stop was the "Let the Adventures Begin" panel where we snuck in as Press but not before sealing our cell phones in baggies. All of the upcoming summer blockbusters through 2015 were revealed. We saw never before scenes from Thor, Captain America, Maleficent, The Muppets, Tomorrowland, and the only film I was interested in, Saving Mr. Banks. Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins made an appearance, as well as Chris Evans and two of his castmates. Angelina Jolie surprised us with her presence too. But none of them made my day like Mr. Richard M. Sherman, one of the composers of the Mary Poppins songs, who sang "Let's Go Fly a Kite" alongside the two actors who play him and his brother in Saving Mr. Banks. I think I teared up. I was about to start dancing, pretending to be holding a kite of my own, when the lights came on. I could've gone home after that. But there was still much more to see.

Here's a preview of Saving Mr. Banks coming out in December. I promise to wear my Mary Poppins costume if you accompany me.

After having some grub, we continued the experience by sitting in the "Disney Legends Awards Ceremony." Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Jobs (one of Michael's many idols), and Ed Wynn (Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins, the man laughing in the ceiling), amongst others, were honored.

Tom Bergeron

Sulley congratulating John Goodman. I miss Roseanne :(

Billy Crystal greeting Mike Wazowski. "This is what happens when you wish upon a star," he said at the conclusion of his speech. Reminded us to keep on dreaming...

Leaving hand impressions...

...for the Disney Legends Hall of Fame.

Next, we sat in the "Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars Saga 101." Michael et al were hoping for major reveals about the next three films but Pablo Hidalgo, the "Lucasfilm resident authority," didn't say a peep. I, on the other hand, was very pleased with the presentation. In just 45 minutes, I was all caught up on a story that is more than 18 hours long, have no interest in watching, and could easily sleep through. Pablo promised me that due to his crash course, I will be able to follow the storyline in the future if I decide to put myself through that misery. I am very appreciative of the fact that I do not have to waste an entire day catching up on this "worldwide phenomenon."

I love Mickey and Minnie here!

And finally, at the end of the day, I didn't think it could be possible, but I turned into the typical girly-girl all-things-Disney fan inside the "Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit." That's where there was "a wide array of iconic display[s] from the Academy Award-winning 1964 film," Mary Poppins. Enjoy, although I know you won't as much as I did :)