Wonder Con was coming to an end. While Sunday was lighter than Friday and Sunday, people were still coming in for cosplay, autographs, and more. This is the big day for Disney cosplayers - being next door to the happiest place on earth helps too. Our team represented the Disney XD show, Star Vs. The Forces of Evil.
Gay Disney by Eri Kagami
Disney has a diverse array of fans including the LBGT community. This panel had a majority of gay men presenting and discussing the parks and various Disneyana. I liked how the panels were from different parts of the Disney fandom from bloggers, cosplayers, and industry personnel. The panel talked about the early days of gay days at Disneyland and how people would wear a red shirt to spot out each other. The older panelists were talking about what it was like before gay days. One panelist recalled even in the 1980s when Videoapolis, the dance club in Fantasyland, was around, two gay men can be arrested for dancing with each other. The gents were fielding questions from the audience including if Elsa will ever have a girlfriend, when will Disney have a gay prince, and trans folk playing face characters.
Food Truck Alley by Eri Kagami
The Anaheim Convention Center has changed since the last time we attended a convention there in 2012. The street that used to take up the the front of the convention center has been converted to a walkway between the adjoining hotels. The nearest “cheap” restaurants are a few blocks down away from the hotels if you didn’t want to deal with the lines at the food court at the Hilton. The food trucks were present for all three days and they were more or less the same. In other words, if there were a few trucks that had delectable offerings, you could try them at anytime and any day during Wonder Con. There was a diverse array of food selection, but there was always a line. However, there were seats outside the food truck area where people can enjoy their meals.
Tribute to Carrie Fisher and Kenny Baker by Eri Kagami
One of the more solemn panels in the midst that is Wonder Con, this fan focused memorial tribute to the late Carrie Fisher and Kenny Baker was very emotional. Ballroom 300DE was filled to the brim to the point where Wonder Con staff was trying to fill in every seat. Different groups from various Star Wars fan factions had their eulogy about memories working with Carrie Fisher and Kenny Baker. Organizations included the 501st, Rebel Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, R2 Builders, etc. Members shared memories about escorting Carrie Fisher at various Hollywood events including AFI’s tribute to George Lucas. Shawn Crosby also spoke of his personal relationship and friendship with Carrie Fisher. The tribute ended when Star Wars cosplayers were asked to come to the front to take photos with the eulogists. This was one of the more emotional panels I attended in a while; hankies are highly recommended.
Comic Creators Connection by Jared the Greek
This was one of the events that really sets Wonder Con apart from other pop culture events. This panel was more of a meet up where artists and writers could sit at a table and discuss their projects in a speed dating style for two hours. There would be three minutes for both parties to discuss their ideas and projects before moving on to the next person. As there were far less artists than writers the artists got to sit down and the writers had to keep moving. This was a great way to meet other creators and hopefully find someone who will become part of a future project. Granted, there is the distinct possibility you will run into someone who isn’t very talented making for an awkward three minutes. If you are an artist or writer this is the kind of event that could give you that chance to move forward with a new project.
Disney Cosplayers Meet by Eri Kagami
Hosted by Robert Torres Photography (and some assistance from Bill Watters), this was Wonder Con’s largest Disney cosplayer meet up ever. The meet up occurred outside by the main fountains. We had over 200+ Disney cosplayers show up from all media under the mouse. This also included Walt Disney cosplayers and Powerline from A Goofy Movie. Deb and Jared went as Marco Diaz from Star Vs. The Forces of Evil. I went as Princess Star Butterfly, a rather unconventional princess. There were a few of us representing Disney XD shows. However, the majority is usually Disney princesses in various forms from standard, park variations, ball gowns, plebs, and more. The gathering was so huge, Wonder Con gave us the go to have the meet up on the second floor of the convention center next year.
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