Walt Disney Co. is bringing another fan convention to Anaheim.
Burbank-based Disney said on Wednesday it plans to host a September convention called Destination D that will focus on Disneyland Park and feature speakers on the theme park’s history and quirky facts.
The event coincides with Disneyland’s 55th anniversary this year. It’s being put on by D23, Disney’s official fan club, and is open only to members.
The convention joins the fan club’s D23 Expo, which made its debut last August in Anaheim.
D23 Expo now will be held again in August 2011, alternating with Destination D and subsequent events.
D23 Expo drew about 40,000 people last September, according to Disney.
It featured some of Disney’s largest actors including Johnny Depp, Miley Cyrus and John Travolta and previews of upcoming movies.
Fans were also treated to previews of upcoming attractions planned for the Disney theme parks.
“The first D23 Expo surpassed all expectations, and our 2011 Expo is already shaping up to be a jaw-dropping, not-to-be missed showcase of the best and brightest Disneyland has to offer,” said Steven Clark, head of Disney’s fan club.
Fan fests have become big business for Anaheim.
In April, the city’s convention center is set to host New York-based Wizard Entertainment’s Wizard World Comic-Con event, which is expected to attract about 30,000 fans of comic books and science fiction.
The event isn’t directly related to the much larger Comic-Con International held each year in San Diego—which Anaheim also is hoping to land.
In July, the convention center expects a rush of baseball fans to descend on the city with baseball’s 2010 All-Star Game and a related fan fest event.
Also expected later this year is BlizzCon 2010, put on by Irvine-based online game maker Blizzard Entertainment Inc.
