Here's why D23 isn't calling it the D23 Expo anymore

Last week when Disney shared details of this year's D23 Expo, the word "expo" was conspicuously absent in the press releases and branding. It was clear that Disney didn't want to call the official fan convention the D23 Expo anymore, but why?

We specifically were told by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, who has put on the massive fan gatherings for close to two decades, that for the eighth edition of their signature fan convention that they had entirely reimagined the event.

It appears that over the years, D23 has taken into account fan feedback and have done their own research on the guest experience to create an entirely new event that required a new name. And an "event" is exactly what you'll get as the word is in the new name they're giving--D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

So what makes it an event like if it wasn't one before? D23 shared that in their reimagining, they have made it "even bigger, more immersive, [and] more accessible," adding that all the fan favorites from the previous Expos will return, but with more capacity for seating in their panel venues, more exhibition space for Disney's official showcase pavilions, and more guest experience additions like reserving more passes for selected shopping and show experiences.

The D23 team also highlighted that the word "event" is also appropriate as the famous hall, Hall D23, where their biggest celebrity-infused, announcement-crusted presentations from the Walt Disney Studios and Parks & Resorts (now called Disney Experiences) team will get upgraded to a 18,000-seat venue at the Honda Center, just down the street from the main show floor still located at the Anaheim Convention Center.

In addition to the now-called D23 event happening in August, the week leading up to it will feature their own mini-events like a 20th anniversary showing of "The Incredibles," a D23 Day at Disneyland Resort, and even a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball game that will be taken over by D23 where all attendees will receive an special Angels Mickey Mouse bobblehead.

So, in effect, Disney isn't kidding when they said they reimagined everything and all they could think when it came down to it was the word "event." Perhaps it also has to do with Disney's chief brand officer known for "eventizing" Disney's products and services across all its lines of businesses, too.

We agree with it all, but we also have to admit that D23 Expo still has a better ring to it.

More details on D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event can be found on the official website. Tickets are on sale now and range in pricing and benefits.

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