Y’all!! My Disney dreams come true later this week as I head to the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA. This 3 day Expo will bring my love of all things Disney – Disney Parks, Disney Movies, Disney Channel, Disney Interactive, and more – together under one roof. Follow along with me this week:
Known as the “Comic Con of Disney”, the D23 Expo comes along only once every two years. History of D23
I am so excited to be covering the D23 Expo as a member of the media. As I have been blessed enough to attend a few press junkets and red carpet events over the past few years for Disney, as well as spending lots of time in the Disney Parks, it will be cool to see it all come together.
So what will I do at D23 Expo?
The D23 Expo fills the Anaheim Convention Center for 3 days – like FILLS it completely up with interactive displays, shops, booths and more spanning moves, television, parks, music, clothing and more.
We will also be attending several panel presentations including:
Disney Legends Awards Ceremony
Oprah Winfrey, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Stan Lee, Julie Taymor, and other remarkable contributors to the Disney legacy will be honored as official Disney Legends during D23 Expo 2017. This incredibly moving ceremony will be hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger and will include special musical performances.
Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films
John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, presents sneak peeks on upcoming movies from Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. We will see never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming feature Coco and Walt Disney Animation’s Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. We also hear there will be surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by star voice talent.
Disney, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm – Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios
The Walt Disney Studios is home to the biggest and most beloved brands in filmmaking today, with a number of highly anticipated projects from Disney, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm in the works. At this exclusive Hall D23 presentation, we will see never-before-seen footage, surprise star appearances, and more.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek will take the stage during this presentation to share what’s new and what’s next at Disney Parks and Resorts around the globe.
Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King
The Lion King Producer Don Hahn, Director Rob Minkoff, and animators Tony Bancroft and Mark Henn, along with some very special guests, reveal the secrets behind the making of the timeless animated classic.
We will also get to see the following at the Expo:
Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Robin Hood overview at the Disney Music Emporium
Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Robin Hood, a two-disc set, will be released for the first time during the expo. Disc one of the collection includes the songs and score and disc two includes previously unreleased demos and bonus tracks performed by Louis Prima. Also included are extensive liner notes by Disney historian and writer Paula Sigman-Lowery. The CD cover and 20-page booklet feature newly created artwork inspired by Robin Hood from Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios (Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, Wreck-It Ralph). The Disney Music Emporium is a pop up store on the D23 EXPO floor that sells collectible Disney music-related products
A Whole New World of Alan Menken Concert
“Under the Sea.” “Be Our Guest.” “Colors of the Wind.” This is just some of the unforgettable music written by Disney Legend Alan Menken over the course of his unrivaled career. Menken’s iconic melodies have been stuck in our heads and are firmly imprinted on our hearts—and now he’s giving us the chance to hear them like never before. Menken will present a brand-new one-man show, A Whole New World of Alan Menken, in which the Disney Legend will perform songs from beloved Disney films and share stories from his incredible career in film, TV, and theater. This special concert will be filled with magical musical memories that will make your heart sing.
Walt Disney Archives exhibit “A Pirates Life For Me”
Walt Disney Archives Presents––”A Pirate’s Life for Me: Disney’s Rascals, Scoundrels and Really Bad Eggs” is a 12,000-square-foot exhibit, located on the Expo show floor, that will honor Disney’s treasured pirates from film, television, and the beloved Disney parks attraction that has thrilled guests from Anaheim to Shanghai. Hundreds of props, set pieces, photographs, costumes and never-before-seen items will be on display.
Included in this collection will be a 23-foot-tall set model of the Black Pearl ship, the Dead Men’s chest, and more original props and set pieces, including items from the new film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Also on the show floor, the Archives will present “Fantastical Fashions,” a dazzling selection of dresses worn by beloved heroines and sinister villainesses. Costumes from six of Disney’s live-action fantasy films will be showcased including Enchanted, Maleficent and Beauty and the Beast.
D23 Expo: DuckTales
While in town, we will get the opportunity to screen the first episode of DuckTales. AS a kid in the 1990’s, I’m super excited to see this as I loved the original! Afterwards, we will have a chance to meet with the Executive Producer Matt Youngberg and Co-Producer / Story Editor Francisco Angones of DuckTales as well as swim in Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin at the D23 Expo
Based on the Emmy Award-winning series treasured by a generation of viewers, the new animated comedy-adventure series chronicles the high-flying adventures of Duckburg’s most famous trillionaire Scrooge McDuck, his mischief-making triplet grandnephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, temperamental nephew Donald Duck and the trusted McDuck Manor team: big-hearted, fearless chauffer/pilot Launchpad McQuack, no-nonsense, housekeeper Mrs. Beakley, and Mrs. Beakley’s granddaughter, Webby Vanderquack, resident adventurer and the triplet’s newfound fierce friend.
D23 Expo: Disneyland’s Summer of Heroes
This summer is the Summer of Heroes at Disney California Adventure and we will be spending a few evenings at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure to experience the attractions, shows, food & more that make it a Summer of Heroes. I’m especially excited to ride the new Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Disney California Adventure park is officially the destination for adventure, intrigue and triumph as recruits from around the world – like you – join forces with legendary Super Heroes in an ever-expanding universe of stories that will grow even bigger over time including the thrilling, rocking attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
D23 Expo: Follow Along with ME!
So friends, make sure you follow along with me as I travel to Anaheim this Thursday thru Sunday. I will be bringing you exclusive news and photos right from the panels, so expect to hear the presentations from me over on Twitter as they happen! Follow along here
And make sure to watch all my social channels to see the fun:
RWeThereYetMom on Instagram
RWeThereYetMom on Twitter
RWeThereYetMom on Facebook
Disclosure: I have been invited by Disney to attend the D23 Expo, learn about DuckTales and visit Disneyland. All opinions are my own.
