Disney twenty-three goes to the World’s Fair & some thoughts on/memories from 5 years of D23

Just finished reading the Spring 2014 issue of Disney twenty-three. This issue ranks up there as one of my favorites/top so far. The two subjects I enjoy most are the history of Disney parks and what’s next and in this issue we get a healthy dose of history. The focus is the 50th Anniversary of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and we are treated to an in-depth look with 28 pages featuring several articles devoted to the Fair. There are also a couple of companion/further exploration pieces available on the D23 website for members(including the free memberships) to learn more and they feature video clips, concept art, audio and more. I especially enjoyed the Magic Skyway piece as it included narration and concept art.

All of us disneygeeks should know the importance of the fair. It marked a major milestone in Disney theme park history with the four attractions that were created for the fair, it’s a Small World, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, the Carousel of Progress and the Magic Skyway. These four attractions laid the ground work for most of what has followed in Disney Parks. As with all Disney twenty-three issues there is some breadth to go with the depth. Other articles look at topics including the upcoming films Muppets Most Wanted & Captain America: The Winter Soldier as well as Aladdin on Broadway. Also Ask Dave by Dave Smith has joined the magazine, hopefully as a regular feature. For more information on the topics covered here is the press release.

* Note the Disney twenty-three magazine is only available to D23 Gold Members, you can no longer purchase single issues, so if you want this issue be sure to join or renew your membership by April.

Another feature in this issue looks at the 5th anniversary of D23. Hard to believe isn’t it? What was your first encounter with D23? I think mine was a simple tease “Are you 23?” poster on a Disneyland ticket booth (pictured above from January 2009). Then came the formal announcement on March 10th where of course I signed up and became a day 1 charter member, like many of you. Over the years D23 has put on many great events and I have been lucky enough to be able to attend a good number of them taking place at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank to Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Any time you can hear first hand from those who “create the magic” it is always a good day to me. Some of the moments that pop to mind when reflecting on the 5 years of D23 are a screening of Disneyland USA with Tony Baxter @ Disneyland, eating dinner on the set of Lights, Motors, Action at Walt Disney World during the first Magic and Merriment Event, a surprise appearance of the original Dreamfinder and Figment that caused an amazing reaction in the ballroom at the Destination D for Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary, enjoying an evening in Fantasyland at Disneyland with Disney Legends to celebrate D23’s first anniversary and many more! Don’t forget some of the great concerts and musical performances ranging from Broadway to film including Disney Legends Richard Sherman and Alan Menken. This does not even take into account the two Expos that touched on almost every corner of the Walt Disney Company. For a complete listing visit of my D23 experiences check out our D23 section at: http://disneygeek.com/d23 I have pictures and thoughts/observations posted there.

To close with a very special musical moment from a reception in 2011, hosted in the Walt Disney Archives Library on the Studio lot in Burbank. Steven Clark gives a brief introduction then Richard Sherman played Feed the Birds and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious on the piano that used to be in Walt Disney’s Office (which was only a short distance away from where we were sitting).