D23 Celebrates Disney Fans with a dazzling slate of coast-to-coast events in 2023 to honor the company’s 100-year anniversary. This announcement includes dates for the next Destination D23, which will again take place at Walt Disney World Resort. The official news just dropped from D23:
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is celebrating Disney fans across the country as Disney100 kicks off. Members of D23 will be able to enjoy exclusive experiences as Disney honors its remarkable past and looks to its bright future.
DESTINATION D23: D23 returns to The Most Magical Place on Earth for the biggest Disney fan event of 2023 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, September 8–10, to celebrate 100 years of The Walt Disney Company. Fans will be among the first to hear exciting announcements and see sneak peeks from the many worlds of Disney—and relive favorite memories with behind-the-scenes stories, special guests, and so much more at this epic event.
THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS OFFICIAL TOUR – PRESENTED BY D23: D23 welcomes guests to The Walt Disney Studios Lot, giving members the opportunity to visit the world-famous studio in Burbank, California. These tours offer fans a unique perspective on historic moments from Disney films, television series, and theme parks—along with the chance to look inside the Walt Disney Archives and draw inspiration from Walt Disney’s office suite.
FAN-FAVORITE MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES: D23 will celebrate several milestone anniversaries with in-person events in 2023 for fan-favorite films, including Finding Nemo (20th), Mulan (25th), and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (35th). D23 is excited to celebrate these iconic films with extra-special experiences and even more magic for D23 Members. And Halloween will return in phantom fashion, celebrating the anniversaries of monstrously major movies including Hocus Pocus (30th), Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (30th), and Halloweentown (25th).
WALT’S MARCELINE: Walt Disney frequently cited this charming Missouri town where he spent his early childhood as one of his greatest influences. Its lovely main thoroughfare was an inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. D23 Members will have a chance to return in June 2023 for a very special hometown event.
D23 NIGHTS WITH DISNEY THEATRICAL: D23 and the North American tours of Disney’s The Lion King and Disney’s Frozen are excited to offer D23 Members exclusive theatrical experiences, including special ticket packages and post-show Q&As with cast members. D23 will kick off these dazzling theatrical events in Los Angeles with The Lion King and in Costa Mesa, California, with Frozen, and offer an exclusive experience with the cast during the highly anticipated opening of Disney’s Hercules at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey.
SIGNATURE EVENTS: Fans can look forward to D23 Gold Member previews of Walt Disney Archives traveling exhibitions across the country. D23 Gold Members will enjoy advance and opening night screenings of new Disney films at locations across the country. Walt Disney Imagineering’s exclusive merchandise store, Mickey’s of Glendale, will open its doors to members with both online and in-person opportunities. Look out for the return of the holiday favorite Light Up the Season in December 2023 as part of a very merry D23 Holiday Celebration!
Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2023 special events can be found on the fan club’s website at D23.com/Events. Additional dates will be posted soon. All events and dates are subject to change.
If you are not aware, the name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; the latest news and stories on D23.com; member-exclusive offers and discounts; the popular D23 Inside Disney podcast; and special experiences for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
We were unable to obtain tickets to last year’s Destination D23, so I really hope we can attend this coming year, as it’s one of our favorite D23 events with its focus on Disney history and archives.
Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I Airplane Makes its West Coast Return for D23 Expo 2022 The historic aircraft will be on display at the Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California, from September 9 through 11 in an all-new exhibit from D23, the Walt Disney Archives, and D23 Expo Platinum Sponsor Amazon.
Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I plane is making a cross-country journey to Anaheim, California, where it will be on display for fans attending the sold-out D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa from September 9 through 11. D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, along with D23 Expo Platinum sponsor Amazon, have restored the plane’s exterior for guests to see in a specially curated exhibit in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center called Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane presented by Amazon. The exhibit will highlight the history of the plane—also known as “The Mouse”—and showcase its significance in The Walt Disney Company’s history.
The newly repainted plane with updated wing edges and windows will be on view along with never-before-exhibited items from the aircraft’s interior, including a customized instrument panel originally located near Walt’s favorite onboard seat that allowed him to monitor flight conditions; a telephone handset that gave Walt a direct line of communication to the pilot in the cockpit; a flight bag featuring an image of Mickey Mouse sitting on the tail of the iconic plane; and more. Walt’s plane will return to the West Coast for the first time since October 8, 1992, when the plane landed on World Drive in Orlando, Florida, at Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), where it resided as a part of the Studio Backlot Tour until 2014. The recent exterior repaint and finishing work, along with the cross-country move of the aircraft, was made possible thanks to collaboration and support from Walt Disney Imagineering.
In 1963, Walt acquired the iconic Gulfstream that would come to be known as “The Mouse.” The interior of the plane, initially designed with creative input from Walt and his wife, Lillian, seated up to 15 passengers and included a galley kitchen, two restrooms, two couches, a desk, and nods to the mouse who started it all, including matchbooks and stationery adorned with a silhouette of Mickey Mouse. Mickey’s initials were eventually included in the tail number of the plane, too, as N234MM, in 1967. Throughout its 28 years of service to The Walt Disney Company, the plane flew 20,000 hours and transported an estimated 83,000 passengers before it was grounded.
D23 Expo will kick off Disney100, a celebration of the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company, and in this all-new exhibit, guests will be invited to “take to the skies” and learn about the role this iconic plane has played throughout the company’s history:
In 1963, Walt, members of his family, and company executives took off on a demonstration Gulfstream aircraft to explore potential locations, including Central Florida, for a proposed development often referred to as “Project X.” After Walt received his own Gulfstream in early 1964, he made several trips to Florida that ultimately laid the foundation to bring the magic of Walt Disney World to life.
Walt’s plane flew a total of 277,282 miles back and forth between Burbank and New York to oversee preparations before and during the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, an event that brought iconic attractions such as “it’s a small world” to an East Coast audience and, later, to Disneyland.
The plane also took Disneyland to new heights as Walt found inspiration for the look of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction as he flew over the El Moro fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico, while conducting research for the now fan favorite.
“The Mouse” has a star-studded past, having been used for promotional tours for Disneyland as well as for classic movies such as The Jungle Book (1967), as well as making appearances in The Walt Disney Studios films The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) and Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972), both of which starred Disney Legend Kurt Russell. The aircraft has also transported notable guests including Disney Legends Julie Andrews and Annette Funicello, as well as former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
Painted blue and white in 1985, Walt’s plane embarked on goodwill tours and character visits to children’s hospitals, adding to the company’s history of giving back to the community.
Disney fans attending D23 Expo are invited to shop, browse and play at Amazon’s immersive space on the showroom floor with in-person peeks at custom merchandise related Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane.
D23 Expo is sold out. Select presentations will be streamed for guests at D23 Expo [LIVE]. For more information, visit D23Expo.com.
Lilly Singh (@lilly) and Raven-Symoné (@ravensymone) To Host ‘Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!,’ Presented by Disney Branded Television, Saturday, September 10, During the Ultimate Disney Fan Event D23 Expo 2022
Star-Studded Showcase Will Feature Exclusive First Looks at Upcoming Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney Junior Series, Movies and Documentaries with Exciting Announcements and Epic Performances
Stars Scheduled to Appear Include Tim Allen, Laurence Fishburne, Brie Larson, Kal Penn, John Stamos, Michelle Yeoh, Catherine Zeta-Jones and More!
Plus Cast and Producers From ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,’ ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,’ ‘The Muppets Mayhem,’ ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians,’ ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’ and ‘ZOMBIES 3,’ AND a Special Performance by the Detroit Youth Choir and Much More!
Lilly Singh, Raven-Symoné
Photo credits: Shayan Asgharnia, Jonny Marlow
Disney Branded Television, home to some of the most iconic stories and characters in the Disney canon, is bringing its Disney magic to kids and families and Disney fans of all ages with its first-ever D23 Expo showcase, “Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!,” hosted by Raven-Symoné (@ravensymone) and Lilly Singh (@lilly) on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, at 3:30 p.m. in Hall D23.
This fan extravaganza will feature big news, big stars, big musical performances and big previews of upcoming series, movies and specials across Disney+ (@disneyplus), Disney Channel (@disneychannel) and Disney Junior (@disneyjunior). D23 Expo, the ultimate event for Disney fans, presented by Visa, takes place SEPTEMBER 9 THROUGH 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Plus, this epic presentation will also be available as part of D23 Expo [LIVE], which will livestream many of the biggest D23 Expo panels and presentations throughout the weekend.
Scheduled to appear during “Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!” are the stars and creative teams of some of the biggest upcoming titles from Disney Branded Television across Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior, including the following:
In addition to the Hall D23 showcase, select casts from multiple hit Disney Branded Television series will participate in events throughout D23 Expo, including panel sessions with popular current and upcoming series. The schedule is as follows:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
“Hamster & Gretel” 4:30-5:30 P.M. | Location: Backlot Stage Join the cast and creative team of Disney Channel’s “Hamster & Gretel” as they share a behind-the-scenes look at what went into making the music-filled animated series and content from the show.
Guests scheduled to appear include Dan Povenmire (creator and executive producer), Joanna Hausmann (co-producer/story editor), Michael Cimino (Kevin), Meli Povenmire (Gretel), Carolina Ravassa (Carolina), Brock Powell (Lyle aka FistPuncher), Karina La Voz (La Cebolla) and Thomas Sanders (Neighslayer).
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
“Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” 11:45 A.M.-12:45 P.M | Location: Hyperion Stage Watch an exclusive sneak peek of the premiere episode of “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” followed by a Q&A with cast and creative team, ahead of the 2023 debut on Disney Channel and Disney+.
Guests scheduled to appear include Diamond White (Lunella/Moon Girl), Fred Tatasciore (Devil Dinosaur), Libe Barer (Casey), Laurence Fishburne (executive producer), Steve Loter (executive producer), and Pilar Flynn (producer).
“The Santa Clauses” 6:00-7:00 P.M | Location: Premiere Stage Join “The Santa Clauses” cast and creatives for a lively panel as they discuss the return of the beloved franchise and share a first look at the upcoming Disney+ Original series.
Guests scheduled to appear include Tim Allen (Scott Calvin), Elizabeth Mitchell (Carol), Kal Penn (Simon), Elizabeth Allen-Dick (Sandra), Austin Kane (Cal), Matilda Lawler (Betty), Devin Bright (Noel), Rupali Redd (Grace), Jack Burditt (executive producer),and Jason Winer (executive producer).
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
“The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” 10:30-11:30 A.M | Location: Premiere Stage The cast and creative team of the Disney+ animated series “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” gather to discuss the acclaimed revival of the groundbreaking series “The Proud Family” and share an inside look at the upcoming season.
Guests scheduled to appear include Bruce W. Smith (creator and executive producer), Ralph Farquhar (executive producer), Kyla Pratt (Penny Proud), Paula Jai Parker (Trudy Proud), JoMarie Payton (Suga Mama), Cedric “The Entertainer” (Uncle Bobby), Keke Palmer (Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins), EJ Johnson (Michael Collins), Alisa Reyes (LaCienega Boulevardez), Karen Malina White (Dijonay Jones), and Soleil Moon Frye (Zoey Howzer).
Additionally, Disney Branded Television series and talent will also appear on the Expo Live Stage, the Disney Bundle Stage and at Talent Central throughout the weekend.
D23 Expo is sold out. Select presentations will be streamed for guests at D23 Expo [LIVE]. For more information, visit D23Expo.com.
With just over a month until Disney’s highly anticipated D23 Expo presented by Visa in Anaheim, California, kicking off September 9, Marvel is unveiling a can’t-miss lineup of panels, stage events, guest appearances, exclusive merchandise, giveaways, and more!
Fans will be able to explore the Marvel Studios Pavilion on the show floor to experience an awesome costume display, exclusive giveaways, a photo activation, and other surprises. Elsewhere on the show floor, the shopDisney booth will spotlight exciting Marvel merchandise featuring the Avengers, Spider-Man, and the Guardians of the Galaxy, along with a variety of other products at retailer booths during the show.
Throughout the weekend at D23 Expo, fans won’t want to miss Marvel’s panels and stage events diving into what’s next for Marvel Studios, a celebration of 60 “Beyond Amazing” years of Spider-Man, an exciting current look at Marvel Games, and more! These include:
Marvel DRAW Live! Friday, September 9, 2–2:30 p.m. PT and Saturday, September 10, 1:30–2 p.m. PT | D23 Expo Live! Stage
Join Brian Crosby, Marvel’s Director of Themed Entertainment, for a real-time, step-by-step tutorial session on how to draw some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes and villains!
Hall D23 Presentation Saturday, September 10, 10 a.m. PT | Hall D23
As previously announced, filmmakers, celebrity talent, and surprise guests from Marvel Studios will join Lucasfilm and others onstage in Hall D23 to showcase theatrical and Disney+ titles. Going behind the scenes of these studios’ highly anticipated films, specials, and series, attendees will see exclusive footage and be among the first to learn what’s in the works.
Marvel Comics: Celebrating 60 Years of the Amazing Spider-Man Saturday, September 10, 2–3 p.m. PT | Backlot stage
Celebrate sixty spectacular, sensational, web-slinging years of Spider-Man! From his humble debut in 1962’s Amazing Fantasy #15, he wall-crawled his way to international super-stardom. Now, join Marvel’sExecutive Spider-Editor Nick Lowe and Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski as they team up to trace the comics history of the web-head across six decades—and BEYOND! Tantalizing trivia about the webbed wonder will be shared in this can’t-miss panel, so be sure to swing by! Fans attending will also receive a special exclusive giveaway (while supplies last), to be revealed in the coming weeks!
Signings with Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski and Executive Editor Nick Lowe Saturday, September 10, 5:30–6:30 p.m. PT | Talent Central
Swing by Talent Central to meet Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski and Executive Spider-Editor Nick Lowe for a signing opportunity!
D23 Expo is sold out. Select presentations will be streamed for guests at D23 Expo Live! For more information, visit D23Expo.com.
Additional event details, including D23 Expo plans for Marvel Games, will be released in the coming weeks and made available on the D23 Expo app. Stay tuned to Marvel.com and D23Expo.com for more information!
As promised, we are getting more and more updates as the D23 Expo 2022 draws nearer. September 9 will be here before we know it and we’ll keep sharing these D23 news and scheduling updates as we receive them to help you plan out your D23 Expo experience. The Disney Music Emporium has always had some unique and interesting offerings at the D23 Expo. We’ve collected the Disney Legacy Collection albums, even gotten fun Disneyland Records t-shirts. It’s definitely fun spot you don’t want to pass by during the D23 Expo weekend! Here is the official update from D23 about the Disney Music Emporium at the 2022 D23 Expo:
Disney Music Emporium, the online destination for collectible Disney music products, returns to D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa with a pop-up store on the show floor. Over the three-day Ultimate Disney Fan Event, on September 9, 10, and 11, the Emporium will feature limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products, including new releases from Marvel and Lucasfilm, vinyl albums, die-cut picture-disc vinyl, and more.
In addition to the 24 new offerings available at D23 Expo 2022, 10 titles are exclusive or first-to-market, including Encanto die-cut vinyl (featuring “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”), Enchanted (available for the first time on clear vinyl), Hocus Pocus (score-only on moon-variant vinyl), Minnie Lo-Fi (on purple orchid vinyl), Adventure Thru Inner Space (picture disc), The Lion King on Broadway (first time on vinyl), The Mandalorian Season 1 (exclusive sand-colored vinyl), Music from WandaVision (exclusive red vinyl), The Legacy Collection: Aladdin (exclusive CD), and Turning Red – The Mix (exclusive CD).
Celebrate the powerful music of Marvel Studios storytelling when Variety’s Jon Burlingame hosts Disney For Scores Podcast Live. Burlingame will bring the format of the popular For Scores podcast to life as he interviews composers of favorite series and films, including Tyler Bates (Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Laura Karpman (Ms. Marvel, What If…?), and Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel). The panel is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9 on the Backlot Stage.
Additional highlights include:
The previously announced Disney Princess – The Concert performance presented by Disney Concerts on Sunday, September 11 at 4:15 p.m., featuring Tony® nominee Susan Egan (Broadway’s original “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast, “Meg” in Disney’s animated feature Hercules), Broadway.com® Audience Award nominee Isabelle McCalla (“Princess Jasmine” in Aladdin; The Prom), Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol (That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, Broadway’s final “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast), and Broadway World Award winner Syndee Winters (Broadway’s “Nala” in The Lion King; Hamilton)
Gifts with purchase include limited-edition Disney Movie Club collectible pendants (Bambi, Cinderella, Olaf, Aladdin Genie Lamp, Simba, and Nemo), while supplies last
Attendees can get three months free from SiriusXM. Listen to Disney Hits and hundreds of other SiriusXM channels in the car, on the SXM App and on your connected devices at home. Look for SiriusXM at the show for details. Offer available to new subscribers only; 18 years+.
Giveaways include limited first edition Disney Hits Trading Cards, featuring 30 collectible cards.
About Disney Music Group and Disney Music Emporium
Disney Music Group is home to Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Disney Music Publishing, Buena Vista Records, and Disney Concerts. The labels’ genre-spanning rosters include Queen (in North America), Andy Grammer, Sofia Carson, TINI Stoessel, DCappella, New Hope Club, almost monday, and more. DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks from some of the largest movie franchises in the world—from Disney, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and Pixar, including the chart-topping albums Encanto, Frozen 2, Bohemian Rhapsody, Moana, the Oscar®– and Grammy®-winning Frozen, the Grammy-winning Guardians of the Galaxy, the Emmy®-winning music from WandaVision, the Emmy-winning music from The Mandalorian, the Oscar- and Grammy-winning Soul score, plus the Oscar-winning Black Panther and Coco soundtracks. Recent titles include Lightyear and Thor: Love and Thunder, featuring scores by Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino. Upcoming titles include soundtracks for ZOMBIES 3 and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Impacting pop culture around the globe, DMG’s rich and eclectic catalog includes music from films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Star Wars, and Beauty and the Beast, as well as recording artist Annette Funicello and the beloved classic song “It’s a Small World.” DMG produces the Disney For Scores podcast series, highlighting conversations with acclaimed film composers from DMG soundtracks. Disney Concerts licenses and produces hundreds of shows around the world, including Star Wars in Concert, Disney on Classic, Pixar in Concert, and many more. To stream classic Disney Hits, please visit: http://disneymusic.co/DisneyHits.
Honoring the continuing legacy of the Disney music catalog, Disney Music Emporium (DME) is the destination for collectible Disney music products. For more information and product offerings, visit DME at www.disneymusicemporium.com.
You can see our additional D23 Expo coverage and follow along with us on social media:
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I will admit, aside from the Walt Disney Archives exhibits and the show-stopping news we usually hear, the merchandise is a main draw for me at the D23 Expo, and 2022 will be no different. I love being able to shop at “Mickey’s of Glendale” with exclusive Imagineer items, as well as of course all of the other specialty items you can find only at the D23 Expo. Below is the scoop from D23 directly with all the news and how you can ensure you see all the merchandise there is to see at the D23 Expo:
For the ultimate Disney fans, D23 Expo 2022 will feature never-before-seen, limited-edition merchandise from across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. Author appearances, engaging panels with iconic Disney personalities, and interactive social moments on the show floor will give attendees a variety of ways to celebrate the magic of Disney and kick off 100 Years of Wonder. The Ultimate Fan Event, presented by Visa, takes place in Anaheim, Calif., from September 9 through 11, 2022.
WHERE TO SHOP
D23 EXPO MARKETPLACE: Debuting on the show floor this year is an all-new shopping experience, D23 Expo Marketplace. This 27,000-square-foot retail location offers merchandise from fan-favorite collections and characters across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more, including limited-edition merchandise and the availability of the first items celebrating Disney’s 100th Anniversary. The D23 Expo Marketplace brings together the most exciting offerings from shopDisney, Disney store, and Disney Parks into one shopping destination for a wide assortment of curated brand collections, specialty items, and milestone anniversary collectibles.
MICKEY’S OF GLENDALE: Mickey’s of Glendale, the Walt Disney Imagineering store, will have three unique retail spaces for D23 Expo attendees to check out at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Mickey’s of Glendale Main Store — Featuring merchandise designed by Imagineers, including hats, T-shirts, accessories, and more. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to shop collections celebrating the upcoming Walt Disney Imagineering 70th Anniversary.
Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store — Disney pin enthusiasts will want to stop by this space, which will feature a large assortment of limited-edition pins.
D23 Expo Shop x Mickey’s of Glendale — The Official Disney Fan Club and Mickey’s of Glendale have joined forces to bring you the official merchandise of D23 Expo 2022
DISNEY PUBLISHING: The shopping destination for Disney book fans returns this year with an array of exciting first-to-market books available for purchase. Disney Publishing continues its tradition of celebrating great storytelling by hosting a variety of authors behind well-loved Disney stories. Join these world-building creators for book signings within the booth, including Disney historian and 100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime author Marcy Carriker Smothers, DisneyBound’s Leslie Kay, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl’s Julie Kagawa, and Cautionary Tales’ Ridley Pearson.
WHAT TO BUY
Jam-packed with gear for every fan, from nostalgic collectibles, to fun twists on beloved classics, to playful merchandise from the newest series, movies, and characters, D23 Expo is the best place for fans to discover their next favorite treasure. A few highlights include:
D23 Expo attendees will have the first opportunity to purchase items celebrating Disney100.
Inspired by the vibrant landscape of Wakanda, and brought to life on-screen in Black Panther, World of Wakanda merchandise from Marvel will debut at D23 Expo Marketplace and on shopDisney.
Guided by the Light, a new collection by Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), isinspired by Ahsoka Tano’s strength amid darkness. The collection will also be available on shopDisney.
With the help of some magic, a new line of adorable plush inspired by tasty treats from Disney Parks Main Street Bakery will debut at D23 Expo: Disney Munchlings. These cute collectibles include a scented Mickey Mouse Cinnamon Swirl Bun and Minnie Mouse Wild Strawberry Cupcake. Disney Munchlings will also be available for purchase on shopDisney.
I know there is no image here, but I can’t wait to see what Munchlings look like!
HOW TO SHOP
A few ways for attendees to navigate the shopping experience with ease:
Virtual Queue: Attendees will be able to sign up for an available boarding group in a virtual queue for D23 Expo Marketplace, Mickey’s of Glendale Main Store, or Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store by using the Disneyland Resort app and scanning a QR code located at the store’s entrance.
Merchandise Mobile Checkout: Pay for items from D23 Expo Marketplace, D23 Expo Shop x Mickey’s of Glendale, or Mickey’s of Glendale Main Store via the Disneyland Resort app to save time!
StorePass: To shop select limited-edition collection items, attendees will be able to reserve via StorePass, an onlinereservation system prior to the start of D23 Expo. Details on how to get a StorePass reservation will be announced later this summer.
INSPIRED BY STORIES: WHAT TO SEE
Throughout the weekend, Disney will give fans the chance to get the very latest in product innovations, listen to revered authors, and explore fashion trends through an array of content. Highlights include:
Women in Disney Fashion: Step into the minds of major Disney fashion icons as they share an exclusive look at their upcoming Disney collaborations.
It’s a Small Disney World: Celebrating the Art of Disney Parks: Ever wondered what it’s like to be an official Disney Parks artist? Disney will gather six artists to dive into their art, ideas for the future, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Cautionary Tales with the Disney Villains: The Imagination of Ridley Pearson: Cautionary Tales authorRidley Pearson and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline will delight fans and spark creativity with insider Disney stories.
National Geographic’s 100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime: From a dessert cruise with fireworks views to an exclusive dinner in Walt’s Disneyland apartment, discover one-of-a-kind magical Disney experiences in this memorable discussion with expert Marcy Carriker Smothers.
Hey Disney! — a custom voice assistant built on Amazon’s Alexa technology — will be highlighted on the D23 Expo show floor (stay tuned for more details). Whether at home or in a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort hotel room, fans will be able to use an Echo device to interact with their favorite Disney, Star Wars, or Pixar characters.
On the Show Floor: Attendees can also check out activations from Visa, Amazon, Target, Aniplex, BoxLunch, Citizen, Enterprise, Funko / Loungefly, IMAX, Pandora, Ravensburger and Sunglass Hut, along with many others.
D23 Expo Guests should get ready to be wowed by the assortment of fan-favorite merchandise, books, clothing, and collectibles.
If you haven’t yet purchased tickets for the D23 Expo for 2022:
A limited number of single-day tickets for Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Friday and Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.
I feel like most of what I’ve been sharing lately in the Disney movie department has been the “_____ we didn’t know we needed” and it looks like this is definitely going to be the LEGO Star Wars…summer vacation?! movie we didn’t know we needed – and we’ve got the trailer. It’s coming to Disney+ so it’ll be fun and easy to watch no matter what your thoughts are on a limbo contest using Darth Vader’s light saber. It’s also no secret that we are LEGO fans around here.
You may be happy to learn that LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation features an all new song by Weird Al Yankovic, who also appears in LEGO form for the movie.
Have I piqued your interest? Here’s the official LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation trailer:
The movie premieres on August 5th exclusively on Disney+. Here’s all the official Disney info:
Summer is here, and the trailer for “LEGO® Star Wars Summer Vacation” is about to heat things up! The all-new animated special from Lucasfilm and the LEGO Group and the newest entry in the popular signature branded cross-saga storytelling series that began with “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special”and continued with “LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales,” will premiere August 5, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.
“LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation,” which is set shortly after the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” features the voices of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Yvette Nicole Brown, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, and returning cast members from previous “LEGO Star Wars” specials, and includes the new original song Scarif Beach Party performed by “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Looking for a much-needed break from stormtroopers and TIE fighters, Finn arranges a surprise vacation for his friends Rey, Poe, Rose, Chewie, BB-8, R2-D2, and C-3PO, aboard the ultra-luxurious Galactic Starcruiser, the Halcyon. But Finn’s plan to have one last hurrah together quickly goes awry when he’s separated from the group. While searching for his friends, he encounters three Force ghosts: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Leia Organa, who each share their own unexpected stories of vacations gone wrong, helping him to understand that holidays are about more than just having fun.
“LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation” features the voices of: “Weird Al” Yankovic as Vic Vankoh; Yvette Nicole Brown as Colvett Valeria; Thomas Lennon as Wick Cooper; Paul F. Tompkins as Rad; Dee Bradley Baker as Boba Fett; Ashly Burch as the Tour Droid; Kyliegh Curran as Sidero; Anthony Daniels as C-3PO; Trevor Devall as Emperor Palpatine; Allie Feder as Sy Snootles; Jake Green as Poe Dameron; Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker; Ross Marquand as Han Solo; Omar Miller as Finn; Kevin Michael Richardson as Jabba the Hutt; Matt Sloan as Darth Vader; James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan Kenobi; Kelly Marie Tran as Rose; Helen Sadler as Rey Skywalker; Billy Dee Williams as Lando (Holovid); Matthew Wood as Ben Solo; and Shelby Young as Leia Organa.
David Shayne is writer and executive producer, and the director is Ken Cunningham. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert, Jason Cosler, Keith Malone, and Jennifer Twiner Mccarron are executive producers. Produced in collaboration with Atomic Cartoons.
More D23 Expo announcements as we get closer to the big weekend. The Walt Disney Archives exhibit is always a favorite of mine when I visit, and any chance to get to see the archives in any form, is a must-do for me. Disney just announced the return of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit and stage for the 2022 D23 Expo. Here’s a little more to get you excited:
The Walt Disney Archives returns to the D23 Expo presented by Visa with an all-new exhibit, Walt Disney Archives presents Step in Time, a celebration of the nearly 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company. As part of the kick-off to Disney100, this chronological exhibition showcases Walt Disney Archives historical assets like never before with immersive, themed environments from animated shorts, films, and film premieres, as well as television productions and Disney Parks favorites, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mary Poppins, Tron, and Walt Disney World Resort’s Haunted Mansion. The exhibition will provide fans an opportunity to experience some of the most iconic Disney moments over the course of September 9, 10, and 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the Expo hosted by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
A timeline in the center of the exhibit will showcase the breadth of extraordinary Disney events over the past century and will act as a guide for visitors as they journey through the 12,000-square-foot experience. Guests will have the chance to literally “Step in Time,” into various immersive areas around the perimeter of the space, showcasing rare historical objects as never before, in recreations of the settings from which they originated.
The gallery space will be divided into nine highly themed areas, providing fans the opportunity to capture photos and become part of Disney’s rich history themselves. From captaining the boat in Steamboat Willie, walking the blue carpet at the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and visiting with the carousel horses from Mary Poppins, to being serenaded by Breathless Mahoney at Club Ritz (Dick Tracy), visiting Flynn’s Arcade (Tron), and coming face-to-face with the bride in the attic of the Haunted Mansion, fans will have the opportunity to relive moments from 100 Years of Wonder, all while making new memories to last a lifetime.
The popular Walt Disney Archives Stage returns, hosting more than a dozen panels and presentations throughout the weekend. Notables such as Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline, author and historian Graham Allan, Walt Disney Imagineering global ambassador Bob Weis, Imagineers from the Illusioneering Lab, and historian and artist Stacia Martin will offer a unique peek “behind the magic.” Fans will enjoy exploring many of Disney’s worlds, including the impressive 50-year legacy of the Main Street Electrical Parade, a look back at the 1980s and 1990s edition of the Mickey Mouse Club, and the first half-century of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I airplane will be on display at D23 Expo. To accompany the return of this piece of Disney history, which is having its exterior restored and will be available for guests to see in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center, the Walt Disney Archives has curated an all-new exhibit featuring specially selected items that represent the history of the aircraft. Included will be a customized instrument panel originally located near Walt’s favorite onboard seat (enabling him to monitor flight conditions), a telephone handset (which gave Walt a direct line of communication to the pilot in the cockpit), and a flight bag adorned with an image of Mickey Mouse sitting on the tail of the famed plane.
Plus, join the Archives team and special guests on the 1,250-seat Backlot stage on Saturday, September 10, at 10 a.m. for a look at the creation of the upcoming Disney100: The Exhibition, which opens next February at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
A limited number of single-day tickets for Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.
Schedule and talent are subject to change.
I remember the Breathless Mahoney costume from the old Backlot tour at the Disney-MGM Studios along with many other Dick Tracy items and displays. I cannot wait to see the Walt Disney Archives exhibit at the D23 Expo! We recently visited the traveling Archives exhibit at Graceland last winter and it was a phenomenal display. We may have to head to Philadelphia next February! Keep following along for more D23 Expo news and coverage.
It’s getting closer to D23 Expo time!! Today Disney D23 made some announcements about the biggest presentations for the Expo main stage shows. Let’s get right to it! Here’s the official announcement from D23:
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has announced the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa, September 9, 10, and 11. Disney100 kicks off at the biggest Disney fan event in the world celebrating 100 years of wonder as The Walt Disney Company enters its second century. The festivities begin Friday morning, September 9 with the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony and a kick-off to Disney100. Later that same day, The Walt Disney Studios will showcase what’s on the horizon from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and Disney Live Action. On Saturday morning, the Studios will give fans a sneak peek at the latest from Marvel and Lucasfilm. Saturday afternoon, Disney Branded Television will preview their exciting slate. On Sunday morning, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and that afternoon, guests will enjoy a special presentation of Disney Princess – The Concert.
These incredible presentations will take place in “Hall D23,” the 6,900-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center. The schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations is as follows (all events subject to change and additional events to be announced in the coming weeks):
Disney100 kicks off at D23 Expo on Friday, September 9 at 10:30 a.m. with an epic presentation that includes the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, featuring Disney CEO Bob Chapek. Legends will once again honor those visionaries and artists who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. Look for the names of the 2022 inductees to be announced in the coming weeks.
On Friday at 3:30 p.m., guests will be treated to new details, first looks, sneak peeks, surprises, and announcements regarding upcoming theatrical and Disney+ titles from Disney Live Action, Pixar Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Studio heads, filmmakers, and cast members will come together onstage with the inside scoop on some of these studios’ most exciting titles.
Filmmakers, celebrity talent and surprise guests join representatives from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, among others, onstage in Hall D23 to showcase theatrical and Disney+ titles on Saturday, September 10, at 10 a.m. Going behind the scenes of these studios’ highly anticipated films, specials and series, attendees will see exclusive footage and be among the first to learn what’s in the works.
Disney Branded Television, home to some of the most iconic stories and characters in the Disney canon, including Peabody Award winners Doc McStuffins and The Owl House, and culture-defining movie franchises like High School Musical and Descendants, presents an exclusive showcase of upcoming content that will carry on the legacy of excellence in storytelling with a look at the new Disney+ Original series National Treasure, American Born Chinese, and The Santa Clause, on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The showcase will include talent appearances and never-before-seen sneak previews of original content for Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior.
On Sunday, September 11, at 10:30 a.m., join Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro for a look at Disney’s boundless future. With announcements and updates on the magic happening around the world in parks, on the high seas, at home, and beyond, attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at the big dreams of Disney Imagineers. Every Disney fan will want to be a part of this special presentation full of exciting news and surprises.
Sunday afternoon at 4:15 p.m., Disney Concerts presents a special performance of Disney Princess – The Concert, featuring Tony® nominee Susan Egan (Broadway’s original ‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast, ‘Meg’ in Disney’s animated feature Hercules), Broadway.com® Audience Award-nominee Isabelle McCalla (’Princess Jasmine’ in Aladdin, The Prom), Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol (That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, Broadway’s final ‘Belle’ in Beauty and The Beast), and Broadway World Award–winner Syndee Winters (Broadway’s ‘Nala’ in The Lion King, Hamilton). Music Director Benjamin Rauhala (Fiddler on the Roof, The Secret Life of Bees) and enchanting Prince Adam J. Levy (Moulin Rouge) will also join the quartet. The acclaimed cast will perform favorite Disney Princess and Frozen songs, including classics such as “Part of Your World,” “Let It Go,” “A Whole New World,” “Colors of the Wind” and “Almost There.” The performers will share exclusive, hilarious, and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen.
A limited number of single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.
Schedule and talent are subject to change.
What presentations are you most excited about? I can’t wait for the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products one, personally, along with all the Studios announcements too! Hope to see you there! You can read more D23 Expo news here!
Disney just released the first teaser trailer for their live-action update of Pinocchio which is coming to Disney+ on September 8. You can watch the trailer below. I’d love to know your thoughts too! When it started, I thought ‘wow this looks just like the ride in Disneyland!’ but then the cgi characters appeared and the similarities ended there. I’m sure I’ll watch it, but not sure it’ll become one of my favorites. Here’s the official announcement below from Disney, who will be celebrating Disney+ Day on September 8th, right before the D23 Expo!
LIVE-ACTION PINOCCHIO COMING TO DISNEY+
The global celebration of Disney+ Day will return on Thursday, September 8, 2022, leading into D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa in Anaheim, CA. In celebration, the streaming service will host special experiences for fans and subscribers, and will premiere new content from its marquee brands, including the return of the beloved Disney franchise in the all-new live action “Pinocchio” on Disney+ Day, September 8.
The teaser trailer and key art for the film, starring Tom Hanks, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Cynthia Erivo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key, Lorraine Bracco and Luke Evans, are available now. In addition to “Pinocchio,” Disney+ will announce more Disney+ Day premieres from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic in the coming months.
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) May 31, 2022
Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live action retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the wood carver who builds and treats Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John; Academy Award® nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman. Also in the cast are Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana (and her marionette Sabina), Giuseppe Battiston as Señor Stromboli and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.
Robert Zemeckis, Derek Hogue, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz are the film’s producers, with Jackie Levine, Jack Rapke, Alexandra Derbyshire and Jeremy Johns the executive producers.
Will you be watching Pinocchio on Disney+?
ABOUT DISNEY+ DAY
Disney+ Day is an annual celebration of the Disney+ global community that debuted in 2021 and features content premieres from the streaming service’s marquee brands, special experiences and offers for subscribers and fans, and more. This year, Disney+ Day returns on Thursday, September 8, leading into D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa in Anaheim, CA.
ABOUT DISNEY+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the new general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ is part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution segment. The service offers commercial-free streaming alongside an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service or as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.
Let us know what you think of the live-action Pinocchio trailer below!
