Orange County Register

Bob Iger

Just a few hours into the first major Disney convention, the company’s president declared that the event was already a success.

However, Disney officials declined to release attendance numbers, only saying that ticket sales were “brisk” and they were expecting tens of thousands of guests at the D23 Expo, said Steven Clark, head of D23.

“I think this is just the beginning of what is really an exciting opportunity for us,” said Bob Iger, the Walt Disney Co.’s chief executive officer during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Iger came up with the idea of a Disney fan club — now called D23 — after getting comments from fans that they wanted a direct connection with the company. Disney officials decided to hold the first expo just months after starting the club earlier this year.

Iger said he was curious to find out the reactions that fans will have about the four-day convention, but he thinks there is potential for future events. He said the expo might not be held every year.

While Disney has committed verbally to more conventions in Anaheim, Iger said the D23 Expo could be held in other places in this country or around the world later.

Iger highlighted the host city during his opening address Thursday morning, bringing Mayor Curt Pringle on stage. In an old video interview, Walt Disney talked about how Anaheim was the envy of other little cities with Disneyland, its new baseball stadium and upcoming convention center — now more than four decades old.

Photo by Joshua Sudock, The Orange County Register

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