A few years ago, I heard about the D23 Expo. I didn't know much about it, but when I saw my fellow Disney bloggers dressing in Cosplay and taking about the event, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. This year my dream came true! I attended the 2017 D23 Expo in Anaheim, California and I want to tell you all about it!
If you're not familiar with the D23 Expo, let me break it down for you real quick. We sat down with Michael Vargo, the Vice President of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and the Walt Disney Archives and he gave use all the info. D23 is Disney’s Official Fan Club ("D" or Disney and "23" for the year the company was founded, 1923).
D23 is a fan club that you can join and it offers unprecedented access to all things Disney — past, present, and future. There are two levels of membership, general and gold. The general membership is free and the gold is available for only $79.99 (there's also a family gold membership that's a steal). Along with their fantastic quarterly publication, gold members receive exclusive annual gifts, special discounts and promotional offers for special events (like screenings and red carpet events). Plus, the fan club hosts the D23 Expo every two years (for members and non-members alike). It's described as the greatest gathering of all things Disney ever in one place - the ultimate Disney fan event, if you will.
2017 D23 Expo
Now that I’ve given you a little bit of background, let’s get back to the 2017 D23 Expo. Since this was the 5th D23 Expo and I’ve had the opportunity to read about past expos, I had high expectations going in. I fully expected to see things that I’ve never seen before, hear breaking news on upcoming Disney / Pixar animated films and live-action Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm movies, and see the people who create the magic for us Disney fans. I also hoped to see tons of Disney fans rejoicing among each other. With more than 161 presentations, panels, concerts, demonstrations, meet-and-greets, and sneak peeks that were to take place during the 2017 D23 Expo, I also fully expected to be exhausted by the end. I’m happy to report that I was correct on ALL fronts!
We are here! Just got our #D23Expo credentials! #Disneyland #Ducktales #SummerofHeroespic.twitter.com/WVVpoIPA2w
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 13, 2017
I started out by grabbing my press credentials the day before the expo. This gave me a chance to check out the convention center and how utterly massive it is. D23 Expo 2017 was slated to take up 961,228 square feet of the Anaheim Convention Center and I spent a good portion of my first evening in Anaheim trying to map out my plan of must-see and must-do events.
It's the 30th Anniversary of #Disney Legends! Honoring these Legends today! #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/vC8mlOsTxd
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 14, 2017
We dove right in on the first morning of D23 Expo and attended the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony. The Disney Legends Award is bestowed upon those who have truly contributed to the magic of the Disney. From imagineers to animators to actors, this honor is only given to a handful every two years.
This year was the 30th anniversary of the Disney Legends Award and 10 new Legends were honored during the 2017 D23 Expo. Among the honorees this year were Oprah Winfrey, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Stan Lee, Julie Taymor, and other remarkable contributors to the Disney legacy. Although 10 names were listed in previous press releases, fans were in for a surprise since Whoopi Goldberg was also named a Disney Legend.
Congratulations to @Oprah on becoming a #Disney Legend! #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/iISV14DsCy
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 14, 2017
Listening to Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger present the Disney Legends Awards this year was an amazing way to kick of the expo. And did I mention that I got to share the same air as Oprah?! Be sure to check out my full post to get more details and photos of the 11 new Disney Legends for 2017.
After having some free time to explore the expo, we attended Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films panel hosted by John Lasseter. This was HUGE for me. I seriously love Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar films, so getting to hear from Mr. Lasseter himself (who, in case you don't know, is the chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and DisneyToon Studios) was INCREDIBLE. I couldn't wait to hear more information about what was coming from these studios and I was not disappointed! Fans are going to love COCO and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (especially the princess scene!). We also heard from the stars. Hearing from Kristen Bell and hearing Josh Gad sing as Olaf were highlights for me. Be sure to check out my full post about what's new and what's coming from Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios for more details and photos.
Being surrounded by Disney fans all day was surreal. It's not often that you can completely submerge yourself into a fun atmosphere like D23 Expo, where dressing up like your favorite character is not only normal, but celebrated.
With the guys of @FreeformTV! @isaiahmustafa @haydenbyerly l @teshrajan @KyleHarris @DamonDayoub ? #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/GlKTM03x5n
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 14, 2017
While you're taking in all that the Expo has to offer, you might even meet some stars! I got to chat with some of the guys from Freeform TV. They were just so lovely and kind! Above you'll see Isaiah Mustafa from Shadowhunters, Hayden Byerly from The Fosters, and Ritesh Rajan, Kyle Harris and Damon Dayoub from Stitchers.
Our second day of the 2017 D23 Expo started with a special visit to Scrooge McDuck's Money Bin. If you didn't hear, DuckTales is coming BACK! Sorry for shouting, but I've been waiting for this. I loved DuckTales as a kid and I'm so excited to share this new series on Disney XD with my kids.
I've dreamed about diving into Scrooge McDuck's money vault for the past 25 years and I finally had my chance!
After my epic swim through DuckTales gold, I got to screen the first episode of the new series, which is premiering on August 12th on Disney XD. I've got a full review coming soon, but I have to say it's all I hoped it would be!
Next up was the finding out breaking news from Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm. Not only did we cover all the live action projects that are coming from these legendary studios, we also got to see the stars and never before seen footage. Be sure to check out my post about the latest news from Disney, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm for more details and exclusive photographs.
After a little more free time in the expo hall, where we saw some AMAZING cosplay, we sat in on the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts panel hosted by Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek. Oh my WORD! There are so many exciting things happening at Disney properties around the globe.
New vision for #Epcot at @WaltDisneyWorld! #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/fsIMNODDvt
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 15, 2017
I cannot wait to see the new additions to Epcot at Walt Disney World Resorts and I'm totally looking forward to seeing Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland California someday. To learn even more about this panel, check out my full post about what's new and what's coming at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
On the final day of the 2017 D23 Expo I had exclusive access to the Walt Disney Archives exhibit "A Pirate's Life for Me." This 12,000-square-foot exhibit payed homage to Disney’s treasured pirates from film, television, and the beloved Disney parks attraction that most of us know and love so well. There were so, so many props,set pieces, costumes, photos, and never before seen items.
Perhaps the most impressive piece was the 23-foot-tall set model of the Black Pearl ship from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.
There were also several original props and pieces from the brand new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. This was SO cool!
The Archives also presented “Fantastical Fashions,” a dazzling selection of dresses worn by beloved heroines and sinister villainesses. We got to see costumes from 6 of Disney's amazing live-action fantasy films including Enchanted, Maleficent and Beauty and the Beast.
D23 Expo also has a lot of interactive, fun exhibits for guests to take advantage of. Naturally, I was drawn to the Thor: Ragnarok green screen... because, HELLO CHRIS HEMSWORTH.
Hey, hey #Thor! ?❤️? #ThorRagnarok #Marvel #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/OF2LXtLbIU
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 16, 2017
After that I was completely impressed and beat, but there was more! We got to attend the Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King. I still remember when The Lion King was released on VHS when I was a child. Believe me when I say that it was on REPEAT.
Surprise! @WhoopiGoldberg just arrived to #TheLionKing celebration at #D23Expo! pic.twitter.com/7uZyM6Jz4P
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 16, 2017
Sitting on this celebratory panel was one of the highlights of my time at the 2017 D23 Expo. We even got surprised by Whoopi Goldberg, who played Shenzi the hyena in the film. I can't even begin to describe all the amazingness here but I'll have a full recap for you soon.
If you're like me, and a fan of Disney Classics, you too would relish the experience we had during the Walt Disney Records "The Legacy Collection Robin Hood" overview at the Disney Music Emporium. The Disney Music Emporium is a pop up store on the expo floor that sells collectible Disney music-related products (and I wanted them ALL). Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Robin Hood, a two-disc set, was released for the first time at the 2017 D23 Expo and I was lucky enough to score a copy!
Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection #RobinHood is out! Thank you @WaltDisneyRec! #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/PkkoEIzJuf
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 16, 2017
Disc one of the collection includes the songs and score and disc two includes previously unreleased demos and bonus tracks performed by Louis Prima. Side note, my dad asked me to order him a Louis Prima CD on Amazon a few months ago and it came with a digital copy; HOLY SMOKES, I had no idea how many hits Louis Prima sang and how talented he was! This two disc set also includes 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 (who also created artwork for Tangled, Winnie the Pooh and Wreck-It Ralph).
My very last moments of the 2017 D23 Expo were spent the "A Whole New World of Alan Menken Concert." If you don't think you know composer Alan Menken, trust me, you do. Mr. Menken, a Disney Awards Legend, is the man behind the songs “Under the Sea,” “Be Our Guest,” and “Colors of the Wind.” This is just a small sampling of the music that Mr. Menken has created over his career and I got to hear all of them and MORE.
A Whole New World of Alan Menken catalogues his iconic melodies from TV, theater and films. Not only did he perform the songs for the crowd, he also gave us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes moments from the stories we love.
Alan Menken performing #BeautyandtheBeast and paying tribute to #Disney Legend Howard Ashman. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/bzTXWA7Bs6
— Ruth V. (@vivaveltoro) July 16, 2017
I knew of Alan Menken, but I wasn't aware of his professional relationship with fellow Disney Legend, playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman. He gave us some insight on their collaborations and told us what it was like when they won an Academy Award for Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid. Ashman died only a few years later from AIDS related complications. This was so touching and it really made me think about how many more unforgettable songs Ashman and Menken could have created together.
From Little Shop of Horrors to Beauty and the Beast to The Bronx Tale, Menken gave an incredible performance; one which I won't soon forget.
Be sure to check out my other 2017 D23 Expo posts
for more details and photographs from the event!
Upcoming Disney / Pixar and Disneytoon Studios films
Upcoming live-action films from Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm
Special thanks to Disney for inviting me on this EPIC trip, and thank you to the D23 Expo for granting me press credentials so I could share these stories with you.
Amber Ludwig says
Omgosh!! I am pretty much speechless for you!! What an amazing and magical time!! Epcot really looks like it is going to be so magical but I love just everything you got to experience!! Diving in the Duck Tales gold is the clear win here!! And checking out those AMAZING dresses!!!!
Dorothy Boucher says
OMG!! I am in wow! over this, I know I keep saying one day I want to go and expirence this for myself, I love
that they had so many wonderful speakers.
@tisonlyme143