If you attended this year D23 Expo on Friday you could not have missed him. The official Buzz Lightyear helium balloon from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was flown in just for the occasion all in honor of Toy Story's 20th Anniversary. We can't think of anything much more inviting then Buzz Lightyear in all of his Toy Story glory hovering in front of the Anaheim Convention Center. Greeting guests by the thousands as they stood in line, waitimg to enter the Expo floor. Especially for west coasters like us who have never had the pleasure of being at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to see Buzz, Mickey, or any other huge Disney helium ballons float down 6th Avenue in New York City. It was a magical experience that added even more excitement to an already awesome event!
We had a special preview of Buzz Lightyear on Wednesday, the night before the crowds gathered. It was completely unexpected, serendipity we like to say. We were staying at the Anaheim Marriott for the length of the Expo, and as we got ready for bed on Wednesday night, I looked down one more time from our room on the 18th floor before heading to bed when I first spotted him. Mind you, he's hard to miss. Immediately I felt a rush of adrenaline rush through my veins and screamed for Becky to rush to the balcony. BUZZ LIGHTYEAR was here, he was blown up, and he was just a quick walk away from us. Now keep in mind that it was past 1am, and we had to be up early the next morning for the first day of the Expo. Should we or shouldn't we. But we looked at each other and instantly knew what we had to do. We changed out of our pajamas, mostly (ahem) and ran downstairs to get a closer look.
There he was, Buzz Lightyear, from Toy Story huge and amazing and there was NO ONE down there. There were a few people (like 3) who were guarding him, but he was basically all ours. It was surreal, plus we were tired so it almost seemed like a dream. We took pictures and videos and of course Periscope'd him. Although he was fully inflated, Buzz was tied down to the ground with sand bags - so he was even closer than ever. Like we could reach out and touch him close. It was a Disney geeks (like us) dream come true! It's moments like those in life, we will always remember.
Then the next morning he greeted us again while we headed into the Convention Center as if to say, "Hey girls I remember you, we had a real moment last night and I just wanted to let you know... You've Got A Friend In Me." I swear he was really trying to giv e us a pound-pound as we passed him, you guys! Ok maybe we are just being silly, and you just want to shake us and say, "He Is A Toy!" but this is Disney and stranger things have happened. We totally believe in the magic.
There he was, Buzz Lightyear, from Toy Story huge and amazing and there was NO ONE down there. There were a few people (like 3) who were guarding him, but he was basically all ours. It was surreal, plus we were tired so it almost seemed like a dream. We took pictures and videos and of course Periscope'd him. Although he was fully inflated, Buzz was tied down to the ground with sand bags - so he was even closer than ever. Like we could reach out and touch him close. It was a Disney geeks (like us) dream come true! It's moments like those in life, we will always remember.
Then the next morning he greeted us again while we headed into the Convention Center as if to say, "Hey girls I remember you, we had a real moment last night and I just wanted to let you know... You've Got A Friend In Me." I swear he was really trying to giv e us a pound-pound as we passed him, you guys! Ok maybe we are just being silly, and you just want to shake us and say, "He Is A Toy!" but this is Disney and stranger things have happened. We totally believe in the magic.
For those who came on Saturday or Sunday or weren't able to attend D23 Expo this year, we wanted to share these awesome shots and different angles of Buzz Lightyear. Let us add, he's never looked more handsome. Did you get to see him or have you ever seen the Macy's Day Parade in person?
