Lilly Singh, Raven-Symoné, Tim Allen, Laurence Fishburne, Brie Larson, Michelle Yeoh, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and More to Attend Disney Branded Television Panel at D23 Expo

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 and Lilly Singh 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+ Disney Channel and Disney Junior. 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:

Disney+

  • American Born Chinese: Executive producer Kelvin Yu and stars Michelle Yeoh, Daniel Wu, and Ben Wang
  • Growing Up: Executive producer and director Brie Larson and series subject Vanessa Aryee
  • High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Stars Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Saylor Bell Curda, Adrian Lyles, Larry Saperstein, Joe Serafini, and Liamani Segura
  • National Treasure: Edge of History: Stars Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lisette Olivera, Zuri Reed, Lyndon Smith, Antonio Cipriano, Jordan Rodrigues, and Jake Austin Walker
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Executive producer and author Rick Riordan and special guests
  • Prom Pact and Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.: Stars Peyton Elizabeth and Milo Manheim
  • Choir: Detroit Youth Choir and choir director Anthony White
  • The Muppets Mayhem: Stars Lilly Singh and The Electric Mayhem, including Teeth, Floyd, Lips, Zoot, Janice, and Animal
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: Creator and executive producer Bruce W. Smith, executive producer Ralph Farquhar, and cast members Paula Jai Parker, Alisa Reyes Karen Malina White, Soleil Moon Frye, and JoMarie Payton
  • The Santa Clauses: Stars Disney Legend Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Kal Penn, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Austin Kane, Matilda Lawler, Devin Bright, and Rupali Redd
  • ZOMBIES 3: Stars Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Kylee Russell, Carla Jeffery, Trevor Tordjman, Chandler Kinney, Pearce Joza, Matt Cornett, Terry Hu, and Kyra Tantao

Disney Channel

  • Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Executive producers Laurence Fishburne and Steve Loter, and cast members Diamond White, Fred Tatasciore, and Libe Barer
  • Phineas and Ferb: Creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh
  • Raven’s Home: Stars Raven-Symoné, Issac Ryan Brown, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Felix Avitia, Emmy Liu-Wang, and Rondell Sheridan
  • Under Wraps 2: Stars Malachi Barton, Christian J. Simon, Sophia Hammons, and Phil Wright

Disney Junior

  • Alice’s Wonderland Bakery: Star Donald Faison
  • Firebuds and Alice’s Wonderland Bakery: Star Yvette Nicole Brown
  • Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends and Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Star John Stamos
  • Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Star Harvey Guillén

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.

 

MORE EXPO NEWS

On Sale Soon: A D23-Exclusive Jumbo Pin Celebrating 75 Years of Fun & Fancy Free!

By Peyton Liebler

Fee-fi-fo-fum, D23 is celebrating 75 years of classic FUN! Commemorate the giant 75th Anniversary of Fun & Fancy Free with a jumbo pin, fit for a Giant like Willie!

Inspired by the Disney classic Fun and Fancy Free, which premiered September 27, 1947. Fun and Fancy Free is a delightful gem that not only sparkles with charm but is unbelievably rich in history-making Disney moments. It was the last animated feature starring Walt Disney as the voice of Mickey, and the only film featuring all four of Walt Disney’s most famous characters: Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Jiminy Cricket. Following Disney’s classic tradition of great storytelling, unforgettable characters, music, and adventure, Fun and Fancy Free is the joyful telling of Bongo and Mickey and the Beanstalk, two timeless tales magically brought to life by the beloved Jiminy and the masterful combination of animation and live action.

D23-Exclusive Fun and Fancy Free 75th Limited Edition Jumbo Pin
Climb up into the world of circus bears and beanstalks with this D23 Gold Member-exclusive oversized pin! This beautiful pin is the ultimate way to commemorate 75 years of Walt Disney’s animated classic Fun and Fancy Free. Featuring the heroic Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy gazing out from their gargantuan beanstalk, narrowly avoiding Willie the Giant, it’s a mythically magical pin that will send you soaring into the heavens!

Our Fun & Fancy Free 75th Anniversary pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,000, are available to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney on Tuesday, September 6, at 7 a.m. PST.

BUY NOW

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $19.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

On Sale Soon: D23-Exclusive Pin Celebrating 95 Years of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit!

By Peyton Liebler

Celebrate the ostentatiously original, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit! Reflect on 95 years of animated antics with Oswald and his adventurous toon-tastic spirit!

Inspired by the classic character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit who made his theatrical debut on September 5, 1927, in Trolley Troubles, one of the Walt Disney Studio’s early animated shorts. Oswald went on to star in even more animated shorts produced by the Walt Disney Studio and was the original predecessor to one Mickey Mouse. Oswald made his triumphant return in 2010 with the Epic Mickey games and has made cameos in animated shorts and Disney Parks ever since!

D23-Exclusive Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 95th Anniversary – Commemorative Pin
Show off your luck and grab this special pin! This D23 Gold Member-exclusive pin is the best way to celebrate 95 years of classic fun with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This pin features the mischievous character modeled after his first appearance in 1927. Sketch into the animated antics with this lucky pin!

Our Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 95th Anniversary pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,500, are available to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney on Tuesday, September 6, at 7 a.m. PST.

BUY NOW

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to your D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $14.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, edition sizes, and retail prices.

Quiz: What’s Your Super Hero Day Job?

By Victoria Hunt

Our favorite Super Heroes are just like us—well, kind of. We may not have superhuman abilities like other-worldly strength or web-flinging spider senses, but many of Marvel’s leading characters lead more-routine lives when they’re not saving humanity. Some, like Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, doggedly pursue lifelong career goals

In case you don’t wake up with the ability to lift cars or swing from buildings, take our quiz to find out which Super Hero day job fits you best.

If you could live in any city in the world, it would be:

What’s your favorite attraction at Disneyland?

On your day off, what are you doing?

What does your dream home look like?

Which Disney sidekick do you relate most to?

Lastly, what Disney Parks snack are you munching on?

What’s Your Super Hero Day Job?
Scientist, like Bruce Banner

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) stands to the left of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). Banner is wearing a blue plaid shirt, black pants, and a white lab coat. He is wearing frameless glasses and has black wavy hair. Stark has facial hair and a black wristwatch and is holding a tablet. He is wearing a black zip top and black pants.

Just like our friend the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), you are a perfect balance of creativity and determination. When in his human form as Dr. Bruce Banner, he is a genius and scientist—oh, and he’s funny! You may seem a little rough around the edges when emotions get the best of you, but that doesn’t take away from your incomparable intelligence and ability to make a room burst into laughter with your fast wit. We could totally see you in a lab working on the next scientific breakthrough!
Lawyer, like Jennifer Walters

Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) stands in a court room with her hands in front of her. She is wearing a suit but the sleeve on her right arm has been ripped down to the forearm. The dress shirt is white, and her suit is dark gray. She has curly brown hair.

Like Jennifer (Tatiana Maslany), you are well-spoken and newly aware of your own strength. Who could make a better lawyer than someone who is confident and caring? You may need to sharpen your skills just a tad, but in no time, you will be defending innocent people just like She-Hulk!
Surgeon, like Dr. Stephen Strange

To be a surgeon, one should be patient, thoughtful, and strategic—just like you and Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). Make sure you learn from his mistakes before taking on the task of becoming a neurosurgeon, though. Before he was offering aid in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a Super Hero, Dr. Strange was arrogant and egotistical—perhaps leading to the terrible accident that ended his career. Don’t forget to be understanding and humble even when you save lives every day!
Photographer, like Peter Parker

You see life through a different lens than most people (pun intended). Like Peter Parker (originally played by Tobey Maguire), you are a softer soul with an ability to connect with people on a deeper level. Try your hand with a camera and take pictures of your family, friends, and even pets! It may be a great creative outlet for you to express yourself.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From prehistoric family hijinks to a reluctant Super Hero, the content coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week has something for everyone! On Wednesday, Season 4 of The Croods: Family Tree debuts on Hulu, and Phoebe hosts a dinner party on Everything’s Trash, which airs on Freeform. Jennifer Walter contends with an unruly client in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, launching Thursday on Disney+, and that same day, ABC’s Press Your Luck welcomes a new crew of feisty contestants. Then, two special guest stars help Daisy on Mickey Mouse Funhouse, airing Friday on Disney Channel and Disney Junior!

Animated prehistoric people ride a large, boldly colored tiger through the jungle. Behind them is a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. The adjacent foliage is large and multi-colored.

The Croods: Family Tree—Wednesday, August 31, on Hulu
Everyone’s favorite prehistoric family is back with all-new hilarious and heartwarming adventures! Season 4 begins with some family bonding between Grug (voiced by Kliff Vandenheuvel) and Thunk (voiced by AJ Locascio). Then, Phil (voiced by Matthew Waterson) invents a new game that everyone can’t stop playing! The series also includes the voices of Amy Landecker as Ugga, Ally Dixon as Eep, Artemis Pebdani as Gran, Darin Brooks as Guy, Amy Rosoff as Hope, and Kelly Marie-Tran as Dawn. All episodes of the Hulu Original are available to stream at launch.

Actor Phoebe Robinson wears a neon green dress and stands next to a dining table as she speaks to her guests. Actors Jordan Carlos, Toccarra Cash, and Brandon Jay Mclaren sit around the table. The table has assorted dishes and plates in front of each guest. Behind them large movie posters and electronics are seen.

Everything’s Trash—Wednesday, August 31, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Phoebe (Phoebe Robinson) decides to host a dinner party with only the best intentions. However, she quickly realizes playing host is a little more complicated than she expected as not all of her invited guests get along. EEK! This is going to be a fun evening…

Actor Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk wears a navy suit jacket and sits in a chair within a large office. She has CGI green skin and hair. Behind her are large windows depicting the Downtown Los Angeles skyline.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law—Thursday, September 1, on Disney+
Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) is slowly embracing her new moniker and role representing superpowered individuals at GLK&H. However, her first client Emil Blonsky/Abomination (Tim Roth) is making her rethink things after footage of his prison escape makes the rounds around every media outlet. Will she be able to secure a solid alibi for Blonsky despite the incriminating video footage?

Host and actor Elizabeth Banks wears a black, long-sleeve dress with two rows of gold buttons down her abdomen. She holds a red notecard reading “Press Your Luck” and stands at a wooden podium. Behind her is a large blue screen and a silhouettes of studio audience members.

Press Your Luck—Thursday, September 1, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Host Elizabeth Banks is joined by three new contestants—Jake Marshall from Loveland, Colorado; Freddie Walton from San Diego, California; and Rita Bohl from Ione, California—who all are vying for big bucks while avoiding the WHAMMY! Will the pressure of the competition interfere with sportsmanship?

Two animated women, Calliope and Thalia, wear tan togas with gold clasps at their shoulders. They look at Daisy Duck with large white and tan columns and staircases seen behind them. Daisy wears a large purple bow on her head and a light purple dress.

Mickey Mouse Funhouse—Friday, September 2, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and 12 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior
Daisy wants to learn how to whistle and seeks out help from the Muses, Thalia (voiced by Roz Ryan) and Calliope (voiced by Lillias White), for guidance. Ryan and White reprise their roles from the 1998 film Hercules. Then, after a lazy day in the Funhouse, the pals decide to play in Sportopia!

Start Wishing with New Pinocchio Trailer—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Like a Bolt Out of the Blue: Check Out the Magical New Pinocchio Trailer

We’re tantalizingly close to Disney+ Day on September 8—and to celebrate its impending fun, Disney+ just released a new trailer for its highly anticipated live-action reimagining of Pinocchio. Check it out, below.

Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this 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 Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) and treats as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John; Oscar nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the seagull, a new character; and Luke Evans is the Coachman. The film also features Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana and Jaquita Ta’Le as her marionette Sabina; Giuseppe Battiston as Stromboli; and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.

And don’t forget: There’s so much to look forward to on Disney+ Day… Check out our rundown for what to expect, and make sure to mark those calendars—and pop enough popcorn to last you into the night! You’ll need it!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

We’re big into celebrating World Princess Week ’round these parts, so we’re planning on continuing the festivities well into the weekend; won’t you join us? There’s all sorts of princess-related animated fun to be had on Disney+, including Cinderella, Raya and the Last Dragon, The Princess and the Frog, and so much more. Find your favorite spot on the couch, your preferred streaming device, and settle in…

A Walt Disney Imagineer, wearing a blue T-shirt and holding a small tool, is seen working on part of the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction, coming soon to EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort.

First Looks at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT

Speaking of World Princess Week, the good folks over at Disney Parks Blog just shared a first look at one of the incredible new attractions coming soon to EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana!

For the young and young at heart, Journey of Water—located within EPCOT’s World Nature neighborhood—will allow guests to explore and engage with water as it travels from the sky to the ocean and back again.

Walt Disney Imagineering partnered with artists and cultural consultants from Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring this experience to life and capture the splendor of the natural water cycle. The attraction is also inspired by Moana’s determination to protect her environment and her bond with water. Shapes and characters from Moana will be carved into the rocks and waterways throughout the attraction.

Stay tuned for more information as more exciting developments on both Journey of Water and EPCOT’s transformation are revealed…

D23 Expo [LIVE] Livestream Schedule Announced

Well, friends, we here at D23 are as busy as ever, prepping for D23 Expo 2022—and we’re particularly excited to be livestreaming more Expo content than ever before! To that end, we just announced our livestream schedule… and it is pretty darn fantastic, if you ask us. Take a gander at what you can expect, and join us all weekend long for more fun than you can shake a lightsaber at.

In a promotional still, the cast of Disney Branded Television’s The Villains of Valley View, all wearing contemporary clothing, is standing in what looks to be an “indoor set” version of a suburban backyard. There is a clothing line with some “villainous”-looking clothing hanging on it to their right, and two cast members are sitting on lawn chairs; the rest are standing.

Second Season of The Villains of Valley View is Coming Soon

Earlier this week, our pals at Disney Branded Television announced the second season renewal of their hilarious comedy The Villains of Valley View, which follows a family of supervillains forced to hide their powers and adopt “normalcy” in suburbia. With 10 episodes of Season 1 currently available to watch on Disney Channel and Disney+, production on Season 2 will begin this fall in Los Angeles.

When teenage supervillain Havoc (Isabella Pappas) stands up to the head of the League of Villains, her family is forced to change their identities and relocate to a sleepy Texas suburb. With the help of her effervescent new neighbor Hartley (Kayden Muller-Janssen), Havoc—going incognito as Amy—must somehow hide her superpowers and quell her villainous nature in favor of something she and the rest of her family have fought against all their lives: being normal.

In addition to Pappas and Muller-Janssen, returning for season two are series regulars Lucy Davis as Eva/Surge, James Patrick Stuart as Vic/Kraniac, Malachi Barton as Colby/Flashform, and Reed Horstmann as Jake/Chaos.

The Villains of Valley View was created by Chris Peterson and Bryan Moore, who also serve as executive producers and showrunners. Look for new episodes from Season 1 to start airing on Fridays beginning October 7 on Disney Channel!

New Trailer Celebrates Avatar’s Return to Theaters Next Month

James Cameron’s Avatar broke box-office records worldwide—and now, with its first sequel coming to theaters later this year, audience can get prepared by revisiting Pandora on the big screen in a whole new way.

Beginning September 23, Avatar will return to theaters in 4K High Dynamic Range. (Knowing Cameron’s proclivities toward state-of-the-art technology, you know that means the movie will look incredible!)

Written and directed by Academy Award® winner Cameron, Avatar stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver. Nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, the film won three—for Cinematography, Production Design, and Visual Effects.

Avatar: The Way of Water, the first Avatar follow-up, splashes its way into your local cineplex beginning December 16.

Stars A-Plenty Sign On for Normal Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter

He’s created some of the most iconic TV shows of the 20th (and 21st) century, and he’s still going strong… so some celebrations are definitely in order! And Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Poehler, and Octavia Spencer are now set to appear in honor of iconic television pioneer Norman Lear in ABC’s upcoming special, Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter—airing Thursday, September 22, at 9 p.m. EDT, and available the next day on Hulu.

Honoring the life and legacy of  remarkable storyteller, activist, and philanthropist Lear, the one-night-only celebration will feature intimate conversations, special performances, and surprise reunions that pay homage to the man behind some of television’s greatest stories in celebration of his 100th birthday.

“I’ve always believed music and laughter have added time to my life,” Lear recently said. “I’ve seen a lot throughout my 100 years, but I would’ve never imagined America having a front-row seat to my birthday celebration.” Additional talent and performances will be announced at a later date.

Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter is produced by Done+Dusted, and executive produced by David Jammy, Brent Miller, Garrett English, Raj Kapoor, and Eric Cook. James Merryman is set to direct.

ICYMI: 5 Pieces of Important Intel from the Andor Cast and Crew

D23 was lucky enough to hear from the folks behind Lucasfilm’s Andor—set to debut on September 21—and we hand-picked five critical pieces of information you have to know before you join the rebellion (from the comfort of your home, or wherever you like to stream, of course). Hear from star Diego Luna, showrunner Tony Gilroy, and more.

The Official D23 Expo Cosplay Meet-Ups and Photo Shoots Return!

It’s that time of year again—when the call goes out across the Disney fandom, sending out a cry for assistance from the most fashionable heroes around: “Cosplayers, Assemble!”

This year, we’re bringing back the official Cosplay Meet-Ups and Photo Shoots* for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars fans, exclusively at D23 Expo 2022. All you need is to suit up and grab your D23 Expo ticket—then meet us at the Grand Plaza Fountain during the times below to snap a pic and immortalize your cosplay creation.

All D23 Expo attendees are welcome to join the jamboree! Search #D23Expo on social media to follow along with the magic.

Friday, September 9
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Heroes & Villains

Saturday, September 10
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Marvel

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Star Wars

Sunday, September 11
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Princesses & Parks

*D23 Expo 2022 admission required

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

Hear ye, hear ye… a royal celebration is coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this weekend! With World Princess Week festivities underway through Saturday, August 27, keep the revelry going with a Disney Princess movie marathon highlighting these beloved characters and the courage and kindness that they inspire in their fans around the world. We present five animated feature films to binge watch on Disney+…

Cinderella holds her blue ballgown up as she runs down a long staircase to a blue pumpkin-shaped carriage with ornate gold accents and pink interior seen in the window. The carriage’s wheels mimic the vines of a pumpkin.

Cinderella (1950)—Disney+
Dreams do come true! The animated classic—now part of the Walt Disney Signature Collection and the National Film Registry—is the ultimate rags-to-riches story. Cinderella (voiced by Disney Legend Ilene Woods) is reduced to being a lowly servant to her bitter stepmother and stepsisters. However, thanks to a little “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” from her Fairy Godmother (voiced by Verna Felton), Cinderella receives beautiful ballgown and magical transport to attend a royal ball. The only catch: She must be home before the stroke of midnight.

Close-up photo of Jasmine and Aladdin’s faces with puffy clouds and a starry sky seen behind them. Jasmine wears a blue top with the straps hanging off her shoulders along with gold earrings and matching necklace. Aladdin wears a white headpiece that matches his white suit with gold accents.

Aladdin (1992)—Disney+
Aladdin (voiced by Scott Weinger), a street-savvy young man in Agrabah, falls in love with fiercely independent Princess Jasmine (voiced by Disney Legend Linda Larkin) after a chance meeting in the marketplace. However, an antiquated law prohibits Jasmine from marrying anyone who isn’t of royal lineage. Meanwhile, the evil vizier Jafar (voiced by Jonathan Freeman) is determined to capture the throne for himself. After Aladdin discovers a magic lamp that unleashes a powerful genie (voiced by Disney Legend Robin Williams), the pair embark on a mission to bring Al and Jasmine together and save Agrabah.

Raya looks adoringly at a dragon. She is wearing a yellow top and dark brown vest. The dragon is multi-colored with light blue and purple fur.

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)—Disney+
This year, Raya makes her official debut as a Disney Princess! In the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons once lived together in harmony. However, when menacing monsters called Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, the Druun have returned, and it’s all up to a lone warrior named Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) to find the last dragon and stop the Druun.

Pocahontas wears a tan, one-shouldered dress adorned with fringe. She wears a turquoise necklace with a white charm. She sits in a wood canoe and a bright blue river is seen behind her.

Pocahontas (1995)—Disney+
An adventurous Native American woman named Pocahontas (voiced by Irene Bedard) is uncertain about her future, especially with her father, Chief Powhatan (voiced by Russell Means), urging her to marry a brave warrior. However, when English settlers arrive in Jamestown, the land of the tribe of Powhatan Indians is threatened. And things become even more complicated when a romance blossoms between Pocahontas and Captain John Smith (voice by Mel Gibson).

Tiana wears a blue ballgown with matching gloves and a tiara. She stands on a balcony and leans to kiss the frog she is holding. A nighttime skyline of New Orleans is to the right of the frame.

The Princess and the Frog (2009)—Disney+
Tiana (voiced by Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose) dreams of opening her own restaurant in New Orleans… and she’s “Almost There.” However, her dreams take a slight detour when she meets Prince Naveen (voiced by Bruno Campos), who has been turned into a frog by Dr. Facilier (voiced by Keith David). Naveen mistakes Tiana for a princess and kisses her in the hopes of breaking the spell, but instead, she is also transformed into a frog. The unlikely duo embarks on a journey down the Bayou to seek the help of a voodoo priestess (voiced by Jenifer Lewis).

Livestream the Magic of D23 Expo 2022 with These Can’t-Miss Panels and Presentations

By the D23 team

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is proud to announce the official livestream schedule for D23 Expo 2022 from September 9 through 11. D23 Expo [LIVE] will bring the incredible content of The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to people all over the world, including the Disney Legends Award Ceremony, Mousequerade, and celebrity trivia, as well as panels from Disney Parks, Experiences and Products; Disney Branded Television; Disney Games and Marvel Games; National Geographic; and more!

Every day, D23 is bringing eight hours of non-stop wonder, including must-see panels from D23 Expo featuring the brightest stars, enchanting entertainment, and first looks. In between these panels will be exclusive curated content to keep fans engaged with surprise-and-delight moments including:

  • Appearances from the casts and creators of favorite films and shows
  • A sneak peek at new merchandise
  • Tours of the one-of-a-kind experiences on the show floor
  • An inside look at the newest Disney Games releases
  • Interviews with Disney Publishing authors
  • Daily D23 Expo highlights from the D23 Inside Disney podcast hosts
  • Special announcements
  • And much more!

D23 Expo [LIVE] will feature hosts Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Her Universe), Mark Daniel (Disney Parks Live Entertainment), Bret Iwan (official voice of Mickey Mouse), Juju Green (Your Movie Guy), Ryan March (Disney Vacation Club), and Alyssa Navarro (Walt Disney Studios).

Disney fans can watch D23 Expo [LIVE] at D23Expo.com/live, D23.com, and on all D23 social platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Twitch.

Get excited, because here are highlights of the D23 Expo [LIVE] schedule that you can look forward to (all times are PT):

Friday, September 9

10:30 a.m. – Disney Legends Awards Ceremony

  • Disney100 kicks off at D23 Expo with an epic presentation that includes the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, featuring Disney CEO Bob Chapek. The event will once again honor those visionaries and artists who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. This year’s honorees include Anthony Anderson, Kristen Bell, Chadwick Boseman, Patrick Dempsey, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel, Ellen Pompeo, Tracee Ellis Ross, and more.

1 p.m. – Disney & Marvel GAMES SHOWCASE

  • Tune in to the Disney & Marvel GAMES SHOWCASE for announcements, trailers, and reveals for new and upcoming games from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios.

2:30 p.m. – Disney For Scores Podcast Live Celebrates Marvel Music

  • Celebrate the powerful music of Marvel storytelling when Variety’s Jon Burlingame hosts Disney For ScoresPodcast Live. Jon will bring the format of the popular Disney For Scores Podcast to life as he interviews composers of some of your favorite Marvel series and films. Listen in as they fill us in on the secrets of creating the amazing music that helps build the Marvel Universe!

4 p.m. ­– Disney Legends in Conversation

  • Listen in as members from the newest class of Disney Legends partake in an enlightening conversation about their storied careers.

6 p.m. – D23 Expo Mousequerade 2022

  • The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest returns to D23 Expo! Join host Nina West and guest judges Yvette Nicole Brown, Ashley Eckstein, and Ally Maki as we showcase the most magical makes and quintessential creations of the Disney cosplay fan universe. And new this year, fans watching the show at D23 Expo and at home will be able to cast their vote for “Fan Favorite” and see who will be named the winner!

Saturday, September 10

10:30 a.m. – Talkin’ Pets with the Vets of National Geographic

  • Join National Geographic’s vet sensations Dr. Jan Pol and his wife Diane (The Incredible Dr. Pol); Dr. Vernard Hodges (Critter Fixers: Country Vets); Dr. Geoff Pye, Dr. Jen Flower, and animal keeper Rain Westgard (Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom); and Alfonso Ribeiro (America’s Funniest Home Videos: Animal Edition) for a heartwarming look behind the scenes of their popular series, moderated by Tamron Hall (Tamron Hall Show).

12 p.m. – Bob’s Burgers

  • The Emmy® Award-winning animated series Bob’s Burgers joins D23 Expo hot off the critically acclaimed release of The Bob’s Burgers Movie! The cast and creators will break news and have you howling with laughter during a lively panel discussion.

2 p.m. – MARVEL COMICS: Celebrating 60 Years of the Amazing Spider-Man

  • Celebrate 60 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 Executive 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!

3:30 p.m. – Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!

  • Join Disney Branded Television for an exclusive showcase that highlights a legacy of excellence in storytelling and includes talent appearances, performances, and never-before-seen previews of original content for Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior.

6 p.m. – D23 Disney Stars Trivia Showdown

  • Join the iconic Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Hairspray on Tour, D23 Mousequerade 2022) as she hosts hopeful celebrity contestants and audience members through a kaleidoscopic world of larger-than-life Disney Games, including Disney Trivia, physical challenges, and so much more!

6:30 p.m. – The Making of Disney100: The Exhibition

  • Producers from Walt Disney Archives, Semmel Exhibitions, and Studio TK reveal illuminating details about the all-new exhibition celebrating 100 Years of Disney Wonder, scheduled to premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in February 2023.

Sunday, September 11

10:30 a.m. – A Boundless Future: Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

  • 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.

1 p.m. – Walt Disney Imagineering: 70 Years of Making the Impossible, Possible

  • For 70 years, Walt Disney Imagineering has blended imagination with cutting-edge technology to create groundbreaking experiences. Join Imagineers past and present as they discuss the core elements of storytelling and innovation that bring dreams to life for guests from all around the world.

3:45 p.m. – Explore the World with the Next Generation of National Geographic!

  • Meet the exciting next generation of National Geographic stars—Kristen Kish (Restaurants at the End of the World), Bertie Gregory (Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory), Mariana van Zeller (Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller), Jeff Jenkins (travel blogger), and Dwayne Fields (7 Toughest Days)—who are taking viewers to the most remote locations on Earth in pursuit of breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, exotic foods, epic challenges, and undercover storytelling. 

5 p.m. – D23 Disney Stars Trivia Showdown

  • Join the iconic Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Hairspray on Tour, D23 Mousequerade 2022) as she hosts hopeful celebrity contestants and audience members through a kaleidoscopic world of larger-than-life Disney Games!

Schedule and talent are subject to change.

Stay tuned for more information on D23 Expo 2022. We can’t wait to see you there and online during D23 Expo [LIVE]!

D23 Expo is sold out. For more information, visit D23Expo.com.

MORE EXPO NEWS

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your Disney Parks knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

When Space Mountain first opened at Disneyland Paris, which celebrity performed at its grand unveiling ceremony?

Correct! Wrong!

In 1996, Disney Legend Sir Elton John performed at the grand unveiling ceremony for Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!