With Disneyland at its center, Anaheim, CA is already the spiritual home of the Disney fan. Every two years the party moves across the street to the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo, which is a three-day spectacular chock full of ways to celebrate the fandom. This year the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event takes place July 14–16 and guests will have the chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hercules with members of the cast and creative team; hear from Disney Legends, including 2017 inductee Mark Hamill, during a panel hosted by Leonard Maltin; and enjoy the music of Walt Disney’s classic live-action musicals in a remarkable stage production featuring Lesley Ann Warren and hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. John Stamos will host a chat with Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering. Plus, the Walt Disney Archives will host three days of presentations on its own stage. And, for the first time, guests will be able to enjoy a daily “Ultimate Fan Street Party” right on the show floor.
Just-announced panels:
Mousequerade
Friday, July 14, 11 a.m., Stage 28
Mousequerade, the fan-favorite costume competition that invites participants to create their own Disney-inspired designs, returns to D23 Expo 2017. Join judges Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Rebels), Kara Saun (costume designer for Descendants 2), Yvette Nicole Brown (ABC’s The Mayor), and the contest’s host, Disney’s Jim Babcock, to watch dozens of finalists compete in five exciting categories for the $2,300 grand prize!
The Golden Girls: A Celebration of Friendship, Laughter, and Cheesecake
Friday, July 14, 2:30 p.m., Stage 28
In the 25 years since the final episode of The Golden Girls aired in 1992, the television series has become an enduring fan favorite that continues to be watched throughout the world. Celebrate with us as we bring together the show’s creators and other special guests for this unforgettable event.
Disney Legends 30th Anniversary
Friday, July 14, 4:15 p.m., Stage 28
Join film historian Leonard Maltin as he celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Disney Legends program with a remarkable lineup of individuals who have each left an indelible mark on the Disney legacy, including Bill Farmer (the voice of Goofy and Pluto), Imagineering Legend Bob Gurr, Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith, and 2017 inductee Mark Hamill.
Melodies in Walt’s Time: The Music of Disney Live-Action Films
Friday, July 14, 6 p.m., D23 Expo Arena
In the 1960s, Walt Disney sought to expand his filmmaking style beyond animation and bring music to a variety of new live-action film projects. D23 Expo will celebrate these magical, musical movies in a live stage extravaganza—hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and featuring Lesley Ann Warren, Karen Dotrice, and other renowned guest stars, joined by live musical performers and a 20-voice chorus—to showcase Summer Magic, Mary Poppins, The Happiest Millionaire, and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, as well as others.
Zero to Hero: The Making of Hercules
Sunday, July 16, 12:30 p.m., D23 Expo Arena
From the heights of Mount Olympus to the depths of the Underworld, celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Disney classic that put the “glad” in gladiator! Join a group of legendary artists and filmmakers who brought Hercules to life, including directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg (“Phil”) and Ken Duncan (“Megara”), as well as Megara and Hercules themselves—Susan Egan and Tate Donovan—as they recount stories of making one of the most epic animated features of all time.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: 80th Anniversary Screening
Sunday, July 16, 3:15 p.m., D23 Expo Arena
For eight decades, Disney fans have whistled “Heigh Ho” while they worked. Now, in honor of the 80th anniversary of Walt Disney’s first-ever animated feature, D23 Expo is proud to present a special screening of the film that started it all: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering
Sunday, July 16, 6 p.m., D23 Expo Arena
Join a fascinating conversation, hosted by John Stamos, with three Imagineering Legends—Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, and 2017 Disney Legend inductee Wayne Jackson—as they recount true-life anecdotes and share personal stories about the celebrated artists, designers, and technical wizards who established the foundation and guiding principles for groundbreaking Disney experiences around the globe.
Also coming to D23 Expo…
Walt Disney Archives Stage
The popular Walt Disney Archives Stage returns, more than doubling its capacity, as it hosts 17 panels and presentations throughout the weekend. Disney notables, such as director Pete Docter, Disney Legend Jim Cora, producer Don Hahn, Bret Iwan (the voice of Mickey Mouse), Imagineers Diana Brost, Jason Grandt, and Chris Merritt, plus many more, will participate in panels throughout the weekend. Fans will enjoy exploring many of Disney’s worlds, from the incredible work of Marc Davis and the original characters of the Disney Parks (such as Figment and the Country Bears) to the women of Disney animation and an incredible virtual walk-through of the Walt Disney Studios on Hyperon Avenue.
Center Stage
Located in the center of the D23 Expo show floor, Center Stage will be the heartbeat of the Expo and a hub of activity throughout the weekend. Aimee Carrero, the voice of Disney’s Elena of Avalor, will perform live for the first time, and will be joined by special guests including Lou Diamond Phillips who voices series’ villain, Victor Delgado. Also performing on Center Stage will be Temecula Road, Tomasina, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, nerd-rock group Kirby Krackle, and Susan Egan, who will sing favorites from Beauty and the Beast. Disney animators, including Eric Goldberg and Mark Henn, will show aspiring artists “how to draw” throughout the weekend. Marvel’s Brian Crosby will show fans how to draw Spider-Man and Groot. And Bill Rogers, the “voice of Disneyland,” will be on-hand each day to record fans’ outgoing voicemail messages in his signature dulcet tones.
D23 Expo’s Ultimate Fan Street Party
For the first time at D23 Expo, guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind street party—right on the D23 Expo show floor. Twice each day the cavalcade will travel down Mickey Avenue, with a live band, beloved Disney characters, high-energy dancers, and celebrity grand marshals! Stan Lee and Mark Hamill will grand marshal the first cavalcade on Friday, July 14, and members of the cast of Descendants 2 will lead the second that day. Additional talent and times to be announced in the coming weeks and will be available on the D23 Expo app.
Will you be exploring all these amazing pavilions and soaking up the fantastic panels at this D23 Expo? Let us know what you’re looking forward to the most?
I have said this before…I am beyond angry….upset and hurt…that those of us…ardent Disney fans who live on the East coast (I am in NY) are totally shut out of things like this since they are never held in NY. The Javits Center in NY hosts many conventions and things like this not to mention the availability of Madison Square Garden. We support Disney all year long…we go to Disney World….we purchase Disney items, wear Disney clothes but never are we considered for a DS 23 convention? Wrong…just wrong…
You could travel to California like I will be doing if you’re such a die-hard… Just saying.
I attend NYCC at the Javits every year, as I live in PA and it’s a short NJ transit ride away, but I will also attend the D23 expo, because it’s just a plane ride away. if you can dream it, you can do it! That’s Disney magic!!
There is so much work and planning that goes into this Expo that is why it is held every 2 years.As an ex Disney employee even functions held at work are missed the year of the Expo.People come from all others states and countries.I have met people from Australia and England.I hope one year you can attend and incorporate it into a family vacation.I tell you after 1 day my feet hurt.This is my 5th Expo and have yet to get into to see the Panels.You have to wait hours to get in.By the way Iove going to New York to visit!Come to California and visit Disneyland!
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