BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The excitement is ramping up from “zero to hero” for D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. During the three-day spectacular, which takes place July 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, 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. Visit D23expo.com for the complete schedule.
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.
The complete lineup will be available in the coming weeks on the D23
Expo app.
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.
Talent subject to change. Additional details are available at D23expo.com.
Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23expo.com.
About D23 Expo 2017
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2017 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.
About D23
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 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
NOT FOR PRINT: For images, press releases, and the official media credential application, please visit D23expoPress.com.