Sunday at the Disney D23 Expo was probably the most important day for video game fans because of the panel called ‘To Infinity and Beyond: Disney Interactive Takes the Stage‘.  This panel featured numerous video games, apps, animation, announcements, a live orchestra and more.

The Disney Interactive panel started with a showcase of the upcoming 2014 video game Fantasia Music Evolved from the creators of Rock Band and Dance Central.  Fantasia Music Evolved is a hands-free video game application where participates can manipulate music from both pop culture and the Disney film Fantasia.

Next up was a demonstration of the recently released iPad App Disney Animated which we reviewed just days ago here.  Disney Animated is a wealth of knowledge and history of all Disney licensed films – most people sitting in the audience were a bit puzzled but soon fascinated when they saw some of their favorite movie characters come to life in the App’s interface.

Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story is a stop-motion animated series which premiered at the Disney D23 Expo.  We were treated to a full episode which featured vinyl characters meeting and romancing – it was cute and charming and probably just enough to introduce newcomers to this style of artwork which already has a large underground following.

The main attraction was the upcoming video game Disney Infinity which thus far we had only seen showcased at numerous media events filled with disgruntle so-called game journalist.  It was a treat to see Disney Infinity on display in all its glory to hardcore Disney fans.  While Disney Infinity as a game is a difficult sell in an elevator pitch – we heard handfuls of ‘oohhhs’ and ‘ahhhs’ during the entire presentation.

We’ve had our eye on Disney Infinity for months now with coverage from Comic-Con and E3 Expo and with the game only days away from release were surprised that there was actually ‘news’ to report.  At the Disney Infinity panel they announced/confirmed 12 new figures:

– Jack Skellington (Nightmare Before Christmas)
– Woody, Buzz Lightyear & Jessie (Toy Story)
– Rapunzel (Tangled)
– Wreck-It Ralph & Vanellope (Wreck-It Ralph)
– Phineas & Agent P (Phineas and Ferb)
– Anna & Elsa (Frozen)
– Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey (Fantasia)

The Disney Infinity developers also showed an authentic Toy Box version of Disneyland which would be available to play/download the week of launch.  All the new figures gave audience members a reason to cheer and be grateful – it also meant a handful of female characters added to the list of Disney Infinity playable figures.  The Toy Story Playset was also confirmed as we assumed it would be considering how Woody and Buzz Lightyear are in just about every commercial thus far.

Finally – Disney Infinity dropped the big bomb when they announced everyone in attendance would receive a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey figure which will not be officially available for purchase until sometime in 2014.  Be sure to check back for a full review of Disney Infinity and more gameplay soon!

Disney D23 Expo Preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf4xN8B8TIo

Disney Infinity Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJpdW_NSJeE

Disney Infinity Website
https://infinity.disney.com