2011 D23 Expo Highlights

For those of us not able to attend this year’s D23 Expo, I took to the Tubes of You to share some highlights from the event. Enjoy!

First up, from the Disney Legends ceremony, here are Anika Noni Rose, Jodi Benson and the rest of the Disney princesses performing some classic songs:

And you know I couldn’t leave out the best princess, Belle.  Here is Paige O’Hara doing a medley of songs from “Beauty and the Beast”:

This next session looked interesting, and features a different kind of voice talent than the first two videos.

While we are in the parks, let’s take a look at a quick clip featuring a computerized mock-up of the new Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train attraction coming to Fantasyland. (It looks good to me, but the passengers don’t seem too excited.)

Another CGI mock-up here, this time of the castle coming to Shanghai Disneyland.  It will be the most ambitious castle ever built for a Disney park, featuring multiple interactive levels and an attraction that rides through it.

Back to the Legends ceremony for a tear-jerking moment, as Kermit the Frog and Rowlf lead a sing-along for their buddy, the late Jim Henson.

The biggest mainstream news from the Expo was the unveiling of some clips from the movie “The Avengers” and having some of the stars on hand.  While this clip edits out the Expo exclusive scenes from the film, seeing some of the cast together is enough to get this fanboy more excited to see it.

Finally, a bit more music as the wonderful Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix perform acapella versions of a couple hits from “Mary Poppins”.

Overall this year’s Expo didn’t deliver a lot of surprises in terms of news or announcements, but it still looked like one heck of a good time.  Maybe next time we’ll get to head out to Anaheim to catch it.

So, what announcement or event from the Expo did you enjoy most? Leave your comments below!