This BoxLunch Merch Coming to Expo Will Fill Any Nerd’s Heart

August 6, 2019May 31, 2020

By Karina Schink

We’re counting down the days to D23 Expo 2019, and while there are so many amazing panels, presentations, and experiences coming to the Anaheim Convention Center this year, we are especially excited about all of the merchandise available to purchase on the show floor.

This year, pop culture retailer BoxLunch is setting up shop on the show floor, and we’ve got a sneak peek at some of their merch, as well as a look at the giveaways, photo ops, and special experiences happening at their booth.

Hats are the new tiaras
It’s going to be a sunny weekend in August at D23 Expo, and we can’t think of a better way to keep cool than by repping one of your favorite Disney films right on your head with these hats by New Era.

Adventure is out there!
Especially in this custom Our Universe (founded by Ashley Eckstein) Mickey Mouse explorer shirt, featuring the original trio: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Pluto!

Fit for an Ewok
If you’re heading to a galaxy, far, far away, you’ll want to be equipped for the cosmic terrain. This custom Our Universe Star Wars Endor print, featuring R2-D2, C-3PO, Ewoks, AT-ATs, stormtroopers, and speeder bikes is perfect to help you fit in (and maybe even camouflage a bit if you’re heading to Endor).

A spark of style
This custom Ahsoka Tano t-shirt by Danny Haas for Our Universe is the perfect way to show off your favorite Jedi by wearing her proudly on your sleeve.

Beluga Sevruga
The queen from under the sea has arrived, with her sidekicks Flotsam and Jetsam in tow, no less. Okay, maybe she’s not actually a queen, but she in in our hearts, and we hope you’re ready to add to your whozists and whatits because this exclusive Ursula metallic Funko Pop! Figurine will be available at D23 Expo!

Gear fit for skippers
Ahoy, skippers! Here’s a D23 Expo exclusive just for you. BoxLunch is equipping you for your next safari adventure, be it on land or on sea, with this D23 Style Mickey Mouse Safari Loungefly set that can hold all your expedition necessities.

What time is it?
D23 Expo time! It’s also time to check out these Nixon x Disney Steven Harrington Mickey Watches, available at D23 Expo. They’ll will keep you on schedule for all your must-see panels and presentations.

In addition to the exciting exclusives and great merchandise available, the BoxLunch booth will also have giveaways and unique experiences every day. Check out the schedule below!

Every Day
9 a.m. – Limited-Edition Patch Giveaway Presented by BoxLunch & New Era
Join BoxLunch and New Era in celebrating 10 years of D23 with a limited-edition patch for the first 500 guests to purchase a hat at the BoxLunch booth. A new D23 patch will be available each day, so be sure to collect them all!

10 a.m. – BoxLunch Enamel Pin Giveaway
The first 200 guests to visit the BoxLunch booth will get a free Pop! Disney enamel pin.

All Day – Funko Pop! Photo Booth Fun!
Pop on over to the BoxLunch booth for a unique Funko photo booth experience.

Saturday, August 24

12 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Miss Mindy Special Autograph Session Presented by BoxLunch
Stop by the BoxLunch booth on Mickey Ave. to get your exclusive World of Miss Mindy Disney vinyl figures autographed by the incomparable Miss Mindy herself!

4 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Ashley Eckstein Meet & Greet Presented by BoxLunch
Stop by the BoxLunch booth to celebrate the launch of the exclusive Our Universe Apparel Collection with Ashley Eckstein, Founder of Her Universe and the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And, don’t forget to pick up an exclusive Ahsoka Tano art print by Danny Haas signed by Ashley.

Sunday, August 25

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Ashley Eckstein Meet & Greet Presented by BoxLunch
Stop by the BoxLunch booth to celebrate the launch of the exclusive Our Universe Apparel Collection with Ashley Eckstein, Founder of Her Universe and the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And, don’t forget to pick up an exclusive Ahsoka Tano art print by Danny Haas signed by Ashley.

An All-Star Cast Goes Under the Sea this November on ABC

August 5, 2019March 31, 2020

By D23 Team

Look at this news—isn’t it neat? Although in this case, “neat” may be an understatement. ABC has just revealed an incredible celebration of the 30th anniversary of The Little Mermaid. On Tuesday, November 5 (8–10 p.m. EST), Auli‘i Cravalho, Queen Latifah, and Shaggy will star in The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live!, airing on ABC.

The magical adventure will pay tribute to the original animated classic and its beloved music, with live performances from the special’s star-studded cast interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film. This will be a first-of-its-kind hybrid format, featuring amazingly detailed sets and costumes, along with music from the original animated film and the Tony Award®-winning Broadway stage version, composed by Alan Menken. In addition to Howard Ashman’s iconic film lyrics, Glenn Slater—the lyricist for the Broadway adaptation—will also contribute to this special event.

Cravalho, best known to fans as the voice of Moana from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film of the same name, will star as Ariel in the live studio production of The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! Oscar®-nominated and Grammy®, Golden Globe®, and Emmy® Award-winning R&B artist, actor, and producer Queen Latifah will take on the wickedly wonderful role of Ursula; while renowned reggae musician, singer, DJ, actor, and Grammy-winning artist Shaggy plays cautious crustacean Sebastian.

We’ll have updates and announcements aplenty as additional cast members and details are revealed.

8 Attractions That’ll Take You on a Trip Around the World

August 5, 2019August 6, 2019

By Karina Schink

Summer is here, which means it’s time for a vacation. So pack your suitcases and get ready to add some stamps to your passport, because we’re setting off on the ultimate summer trip, traveling across swashbuckling seas, on African safaris, and, of course, to the ever-so-famous backside of water! Buckle up and get ready for the ultimate summer vacation—Disney Park style, compliments of our friends at Alamo Rent A Car.

1. Soarin’
Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

We’re starting our journey off with a classic, going up, up, and away to explore all the adventure out there! From sky-high views of California at Disneyland Resort, to a brand-new look at gems from across the globe at Soaring: Fantastic Flight at Tokyo DisneySea, hopping on any of the Soarin’ attraction will give you a fantastical trip you won’t soon forget.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean
Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Avast ye, mates! Want to travel back to a time where seafaring pirates ran rampant in the Caribbean? Well, the boats arrrrrr all ready to set sail at Pirates of the Caribbean at five Disney Parks across the globe, with daring battles, secret treasure, and of course, the most fun-loving pirates that ever sailed the seven seas.

3. Jungle Cruise
Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

02H, 02H! Sorry, we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. For the next leg of our adventure, we’re casting off to the world’s most remote rivers. Keep a sharp eye out, and you just might be able to catch a glimpse of some exotic animals, both friendly, and not-so-friendly.

4. Kilimanjaro Safaris
Walt Disney World Resort

We hope you’ve got your passport ready, because next we’re heading to Tanzania and hopping on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Get your camera, sketchbooks, and eyes ready, because we’ll be gazing upon all kinds of animals from okapis to zebras to impalas.

Visit our friends over at Alamo to see what the next stop on our world-wide vacation is!

Bringing Down the Barrier: Behind the Scenes of Descendants 3

August 2, 2019

By Zach Johnson

If the Descendants movies have taught us anything, it’s that no one is ever just one thing. Villains can be good, heroes can be bad, and it’s OK—normal, even!—to be a little bit of both.

Before Descendants 3 premieres this Friday, August 2, at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel, we talked to three of the film’s stars to find out what happens after the original Villain Kids Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Carlos (Cameron Boyce), and Jay (Booboo Stewart) return to the Isle of the Lost to recruit a new batch of villainous progeny to enroll at Auradon Prep. “A lot happens,” promises Anna Cathcart, who portrays Dizzy. “You definitely won’t be disappointed!”

After talking to Kristin Chenoweth, who played Maleficent, Cheyenne Jackson jumped at the chance to play Hades and work with director and executive producer Kenny Ortega. “She told me, ‘Cheyenne, just go for it. Just jump in. Make big choices,’” he recalls. “It was really fun! I decided to have a great time—and I did! I loved everybody. Kenny is wonderful to work with.”

When the Descendants 3 cast began dance rehearsals in Vancouver over a year ago, they marveled at the scale of the production. “The first day we were like, ‘Whoa! This is like boot camp!’” Cathcart says. Jadah Marie, who plays Celia, the daughter of Dr. Facilier (Jamal Sims), shared that sentiment. “It was like boot camp!” she says with a laugh. “But it was so much fun. We were like, ‘We could get used to this. Can we have this experience every day of our lives?’”

Jackson, used to the rigors of performing on Broadway eight times a week, was particularly impressed by the young cast’s dedication to their craft. “The first time we were shooting, a couple of the cast members were completely surrounded as if they were The Beatles or Madonna! I finally got the impact of their fame, but they don’t act like that,” he says. “They’re really cool kids, and they’re really great artists who know what this franchise means to people.”

It helps that the actors themselves are fans of the films. “This is all like a dream to me,” says Cathcart. “I think we’re more excited than the fans, honestly, because we haven’t seen it yet.”

As was true in the first two films, nothing should be taken at face value. “Nobody knows what I do in the movie yet. Am I bad? Am I good? And if I am bad, how bad?” asks Jackson. “I hope I’ve created something that’s multidimensional. I purposely didn’t watch the animated movie, because I didn’t want to have anything [voice actor] James Woods did in my head. I read a lot of books and then just created something with Kenny. We wanted something that was organic and over the top, but also grounded, because he is a person—yes, Lord of the Underworld, yes, stealer of souls—but he also has dreams and he has wishes and he has hopes and he has fears.”

Good or bad, he’ll present one of the biggest challenges the Villain Kids—aka the VKs—have ever faced. After a barrier breach jeopardizes the safety of Auradon, Mal decides to close it for good, fearing that her old nemeses—Uma (China Anne McClain) and Hades—will seek revenge on the kingdom. And yet, despite her actions, a mysterious dark force threatens the people of Auradon, meaning it will be up to Mal and the VKs to save everyone in their biggest battle yet. “Honestly, I can’t reveal much,” Cathcart says. “But there are definitely some twists and turns!”

Descendants 3 premieres Friday at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.

Royal New Additions to Hong Kong Disneyland—Plus More in News Briefs

August 2, 2019

By Courtney Potter

An already iconic castle is transformed with the help of some Disney Princesses, and Disney Cruise Line readies for Halloween on the High Seas… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Hong Kong Disneyland Reveals Castle Upgrades Fit for Royalty

Longtime D23.com readers may remember that we’ve spoken of the incredible expansion coming soon to Hong Kong Disneyland—complete with a bolstered Marvel-themed area; a Frozen-themed land; updates to Adventureland; and so much more. In fact, just today, our Hong Kong pals announced that the stunning transformation of the park’s iconic castle has reached an amazing new stage!

Starting this week, towers and spires representing 13 stories of beloved Disney Princesses and heroines will be lifted onto the castle base. Park guests will witness the ongoing castle transformation progress right before their eyes; the thematic towers, turrets, and spires—each crafted with unique architectural designs—will soon appear, bolstering the already memorable magic at the heart of the resort. Each of the elements is inspired by beloved Disney Princesses stories, featuring the likes of Tiana, Aurora, Ariel, Mulan, Jasmine, Snow White, Moana, Cinderella, Merida, Pocahontas, Belle, and Rapunzel, along with Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen. They’ll appear in sequence throughout the summer.

Traveling to Asia soon? Lucky you! Make sure to check out the castle’s noticeably noble transformation in the coming months…

Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
September 9, 2019
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
September 21, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at Walt Disney World
September 28, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on the Lot
January 17, 2020
Get VIP Tickets to Disney’s Frozen The Hit Broadway Musical
Parks
August 16, 20, 23, 27, 30; September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29; October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, 2019
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park
August 29, 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort
August 29—November 23, 2019, 2019
2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
September 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 2019; October 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31, 2019
Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure park
November 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24; December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 2019
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom park
2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 2019; December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 2019
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom park
November 29—December 30, 2019, 2019
2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Studios
October 18, 2019
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil opens in U.S. theaters
November 22, 2019
Frozen 2 opens in U.S. theaters
December 20, 2019
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in U.S. theaters
Television
August 2, 2019
Descendants 3 premieres on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW (8 p.m. EDT/PDT).
August 9, 2019
Muppet Babies kicks off season two on Disney Channel (8:30 a.m. EDT/PDT)

Sensational Seasonal Fun Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is—like their brethren at Disney Parks worldwide—exceedingly extraordinary at celebrating all major holidays in grand style. So if you’re looking for an incredible way to enjoy Halloween with your family and friends, there’s still time to book a Halloween on the High Seas cruise with DCL.

And just what should you expect? Well you’ve definitely gotta come prepared—the families and assorted revelers on Halloween on the High Seas cruises take their costumes very seriously. There will be plenty of opportunities for young and young-at-heart to strut their stuff—and there’s even an adults-only “Halloween Isn’t Just for Kids” costume contest! But that’s not all: Everyone will shiver in delight during “Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party,” a scare-a-bration complete with trick-or-treating, ghoulish games, dancing to all your favorite spooky tunes, and some Disney pals resplendent in Halloween attire! Plus, thrills and chills await you at “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream,” an interactive movie experience followed by a meet-and-greet with Jack and Sally. Look for pumpkin carving and campfire-style storytelling, and don’t forget to marvel at the spooky Pumpkin Tree as it magically transforms every sailing.

Want more mysteriously magical info on all things Halloween on the High Seas? Visit DisneyCruise.com to find out how you too can take part… and keep your eyes peeled for info on DCL’s festive holiday sailings this winter!

Have a Spooktacular Time at Disney Parks and Resorts

Speaking of Halloween, remember how we said our friends at Disney Parks really know how to celebrate a holiday? Well, take a gander right here at D23.com, at every incredible way you can get into the All Hallows Eve spirit at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, Disneyland Paris, and more.

Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger Announce Crossover

Marvel fans, we’ve got some exciting news: Marvel Television and Hulu just revealed the worlds of Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger will be colliding later this year in a special crossover episode… Take a look at the casts making the big revelation together in the clip above.

The action-packed third season of the hit Hulu series Marvel’s Runaways will premiere on December 13 with all 10 episodes—one of which will feature the Cloak & Dagger cast. Over the course of said episodes, the Runaways frantically search for their captured friends Chase Stein, Gert Yorkes, and Karolina Dean—going head-to head with an unstoppable enemy who has targeted Leslie… or more accurately, the child she’s carrying. Nico Minoru draws them all into a dark realm where its ruler, Morgan le Fay (Elizabeth Hurley), is much more nefarious than anyone the kids have yet to face. The Season 2 finale of Freeform’s Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger aired earlier this year, with Tyrone Johnson (Cloak) and Tandy Bowen (Dagger) on a bus leaving New Orleans in hopes of helping out other parts of the country.

Stay tuned for more details on this truly heroic crossover soon!

How to Maximize Your Descendants 3 Viewing Experience

August 2, 2019

By Zach Johnson

The Villain Kids have been enchanting millions of fans ever since Descendants debuted on Disney Channel in 2015. With the third installment in the hit franchise premiering Friday at 8 p.m., we spoke with Jennifer Rogers Doyle, Senior Vice President, Brand Development and Integrated Planning, Disney Channels Worldwide, to discover how to enhance your viewing experience when Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Carlos (Cameron Boyce) and Jay (Booboo Stewart) return to Isle of the Lost in Descendants 3 before a mysterious threat arises.

By creating custom content for multiple platforms, Rogers Doyle’s team built on the success of the first two films while also appealing to new viewers. “In the case of Descendants 3,” she says, “it was all about setting up this whodunit: ‘Who’s taking over Auradon? Is it Hades? Check. Is it Uma? Check. Is it Celia? Check. Oh, guess what? It’s someone you don’t even know yet. Check.’”

Three of those videos—Is It Uma?, Is It Hades? and Is it Celia?—have been viewed a combined 1.5 million times on YouTube since April. They followed a 10-minute special, Under The Sea: A Descendants Short Story, released in September 2018. Complementing the special teasers and shorts are digital clips, like Audrey’s Royal Return, as well as behind-the-scenes videos from set.

Expect more videos akin to Under the Sea: A Descendants Short Story in the months after Descendants 3’s release. “This year, we have a video based on Hades (Cheyenne Jackson) and the girls,” Rogers Doyle teases. “Then, later this year, we’ll have a bigger, content-driven one.”

Fans are obsessed with all things Descendants, and Disney Channel delivers on all fronts. Rogers Doyle says, “It’s really about, ‘How do we extend the story?’” So, without further ado, here’s how they worked across The Walt Disney Company to do just that:

Cross-Media Networks
Director and executive producer Kenny Ortega joined stars Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Cheyenne Jackson and Booboo Stewart in the July 28 episode of ABC’s Celebrity Family Feud, where they competed against the stars of American Housewife and won $10,000 on behalf of the Make-A-Wish® Foundation. Next up: Stewart, who played the werewolf Seth Clearwater in the Twilight saga, will host a Twilight movie marathon on Freeform in support of Descendants 3. “Our objective is to aggregate, then align and amplify all the content—to not just reach new viewers, but to appeal to the super-fan as well,” Rogers Doyle explains. “Today it’s so much harder to break through all the clutter, and in addition, there are so many different platforms.”

Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products has arranged for the broadest nationwide retail placement and promotional support Disney Channel has ever had, including in-store fashion shows and exclusive content like unboxing videos for their in-store television monitors. Retail partners include Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kohl’s, Target, and Walmart. “We’re lucky that our content creators work with us from the very inception of the story in terms of, ‘How do we meet the consumer expectation of these extensions?’” Rogers Doyle says, noting that each retail partner has its own collection themed to the film. “It’s all designed for their particular clientele,” she continues. “When they can do that, it really speaks to the consumer and it gives them options.”

Disney Stores across the country will also host a “DescenDANCE Party” Friday, August 2, at 3 p.m. The party will recur every Saturday in August at 3 p.m., where Descendants 3 characters will appear onscreen and you will learn moves from the new song “Good to Be Bad.”

Disney Parks & Resorts
In addition to seeing Descendants messages on billboards, posters, trams and more, fans visiting Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Stores and Disney Parks and Resorts will soon be able to participate in DescenDANCE, a nightly music, dance and video-based experience from the mind of Eric Covert, Vice President, Partnership Marketing and Creative, Disney Channels Worldwide.

“Eric and his team have done an incredible job integrating a DescenDANCE dance party. It’s basically a 20-minute dance party and then it has an interactive feature, so the kids ‘come to life’ in magic mirrors,” Rogers Doyle explains. “It started out as an idea for Disney California Adventure Park; they were going to do it during Halloween. Then it expanded to Walt Disney World and to Disney Springs. Now it’ll be on the Disney Cruise Lines and in Disney Stores. It’s an example of people at this company really, deeply understanding the content. They understand how it can be meaningful to their customers and that Eric and other people on my team can integrate it.”

Short Form
Music videos from the first two Descendants films have been viewed over 2.5 billion times on DisneyMusicVEVO, and both soundtracks reached No. 1 on the iTunes and Billboard soundtrack charts. The lead music video from the third installment, “Good to Be Bad,” has been viewed over 23 million times since it premiered in May. Musical integrations called “CARscendants” are popular, as are behind-the-scenes videos and original, character-focused content. “The one thing we brought to Kids TV, which we just get better and better at, is this idea of extending music videos,” Rogers Doyle explains. “Within that music video and the content surrounding it, you get an extended story that tells you something you didn’t already know about the world.”

Descendants 3 premieres Friday, August 2, at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.

Descendants 3 Director Kenny Ortega Talks About Being on the Good Side of Evil

August 2, 2019

By Beth Deitchman

Director Kenny Ortega has always been surrounded by heroes, sometimes even literally. As a young boy, Ortega’s bedroom was filled with wood cut-outs of Disney characters that his father, an artist with a love for Disney animation, created for him. But for Ortega, there was something unmistakably captivating about Disney villains. “Although my heroes were not the villains, the villains inspired me in ways,” he shared. “They were just so colorfully sculpted, and I loved that.”

For the last five years, Ortega has immersed himself in a wickedly wonderful world that turns the entire concept of villainy on its head. On Friday, August 2, the premiere of Descendants 3 on Disney Channel brings this chapter of the Villain Kids’ story to a satisfying conclusion. The trequel finds the “core four” graduating from Auradon Prep. Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Carlos (Cameron Boyce), and Jay (Booboo Stewart) return to the Isle of the Lost in search of a new group of deserving VKs to follow in their footsteps on the other side of the barrier. But when Mal senses that her new home is under threat, she resolves to close the barrier completely—a decision that leads to the biggest challenge yet for the daughter of Maleficent and her friends.

“I hope that we fulfill the expectations and hopes of our fans, in that we have a story here that encapsulates all of our main characters but gives them all a kind of wonderful final run around the track, landing them in a place that I think is special and deserved,” Ortega told D23.

Beloved baddies Uma (China Anne McClain), Harry Hook (Thomas Doherty), Gil (Dylan Playfair), and Dizzy (Anna Cathcart) return for Descendants 3, as do their not-so-evil-born counterparts, including King Ben (Mitchell Hope), Audrey (Sarah Jeffery), Chad Charming (Jedidiah Goodacre), Doug (Zachary Gibson), and Jane (Brenna D’Amico). But Descendants fan are in for a devilish introduction to the franchise for two frightfully familiar foes: Hades and Dr. Facilier, played by Cheyenne Jackson and Jamal Sims, respectively.

Ortega points out that working with these heritage characters, rather than their offspring, presented a thrilling opportunity for the filmmakers. “We’re bringing back the actual characters in a live-action film. It’s important that the DNA is connected [to how they’ve been portrayed in the animated classics], but there’s a certain freedom that we have,” he explains. “We can show new colors—great, great colors—but we can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

With Jackson and Sims, Ortega says they cast actors who stayed true to the villains fans grew up loving, but also infused the characters with surprising new qualities. “Both of these gentlemen came in with something that gave us the confidence that they would be the right people—and so much fun,” Ortega says. “Cheyenne comes from Broadway and television and film; and Jamal is an extraordinary world-class choreographer who just did the live-action Aladdin for Disney. They came to us with a life of experience and know-how.”

The soon-to-be-Disney Legend, who was also the creative force behind Disney Channel’s hugely successful High School Musical franchise, emphasizes that when he casts actors he looks for people who will become partners, sharing his passion and approaching the project with their own voices and ideas. He found that—and more—in the talented young cast of Descendants, to whom he’s grown incredibly close since Mal first graffitied the rallying cry, “Long live evil.”

After five years together and three movies, Ortega remains grateful for the “continuous enthusiasm and energy in which they approached every day; the love that they had for their characters and each other; their dedication to the work; and wanting to come back and continue to do it again.”

When he spoke with D23, Ortega described actor Cameron Boyce, who passed away on July 6, as “an artist’s artist,” who he cast in the role of Carlos on the spot when they first met.

Boyce’s family joined Descendants stars Dove Cameron, Zachary Gibson, Mitchell Hope, and Booboo Stewart to support Ortega as he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 24. “His all-too-brief appearance in this life inspired me beyond words and many of us here and generations of kids and families all over this world,” said Ortega of Boyce during the ceremony. “His extraordinary talent and loving heart will be remembered through his foundation. The foundation is called The Cameron Boyce Foundation and has been set up by his family to remember Cameron by continuing his pursuit to make positive change in the world. Cameron said, ‘We can’t take it with us, so it’s about what you leave.’ With this, I promise Cameron that I will carry this goodness with me in all the days of my life.”

Disney Channel will dedicate the August 2 premiere telecast of Descendants 3 in Cameron Boyce’s memory. Tune in at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT to see Carlos, Mal, Evie, and Jay return to the Isle of the Lost one last time.

Disney Books to Dazzle at D23 Expo 2019

August 2, 2019November 4, 2019

By D23 Team

D23 Expo is a time for celebration! For fans of Disney books, that means being the first to own the newest titles, meeting the talent who created them, and taking in behind-the-scenes riches at an array of compelling presentations. (Plus, don’t forget about getting books personalized with autographs!) Bookmark this page, because here’s everything you need to know about books at D23 Expo 2019:

Books Available Exclusively at D23 Expo
Interested in getting the newest Disney books before anyone else? Disney Publishing Worldwide will release six new books at their D23 Expo booth in Hall B. Treat your shelf to these titles before they go on sale to the public:

Travels with Figment: On the Road in Search of Disney Dreams
Get it here
Disney Legend Marty Sklar’s final book is a collection of captivating and untold tales from his storied career. In his 54 years at Disney, Marty travelled the globe—creating Disney magic, committing his adventures to memory, and bringing them together in this fresh volume.

Sold in wide release: November 5, 2019

Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.

The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between
Get it here
Celebrate the imagination, passion, and attention to detail invested in each Disney costume within this gorgeous coffee table book! Renowned Disney historian Jeff Kurtti and the staff of the Walt Disney Archives present an elegant and adventurous array of dresses, uniforms, and other attire. At each turn, this volume offers a one-of-a-kind backstage view of remarkable works of art, and it inspires a true appreciation for the highly skilled and talented costumers who created them.

Sold in wide release: September 17, 2019

Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below. And plan to check out the book’s companion exhibit on the show floor: Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume.

Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Career
Get it here
After a 40-plus-year storied career—beginning in the dish room at the Plaza Inn in Disneyland—Kevin Rafferty has conceived, designed, written, and overseen the creation of some of the most memorable Disney park attractions. Kevin chronicles his unimaginable career with great humor, honesty, and heart.

Sold in wide release: September 10, 2019

Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.

The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember
Get it here
Prepare for an insider tour from Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline! Abundantly illustrated with behind-the-scenes photographs and artwork from the Studio’s 90-plus years of productions, the deluxe history book celebrates Walt’s dream factory, which has always been and continues to be the heart of The Walt Disney Company.

Sold in wide release: September 3, 2019

Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.

Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks
Get it here
Authors Pete Docter and Christopher Merritt have created a treasure trove for artists, students, and Disney collectors. Featuring Disney Legend Marc Davis’s groundbreaking work designing Walt Disney’s theme parks, this magnificent two-volume set includes more than 1,500 rare pieces from the Imagineering archives. Also, for the first time, Marc’s design theories and stories of working with Walt are featured in his own words as recorded during hours of interviews by Merritt.

Sold in wide release: September 3, 2019

Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons, Revised Special Edition
Get it here
David A. Bossert’s revised edition updates Oswald’s story, plus includes images from a newly discovered Oswald film, a foreword by Disney CEO Bob Iger, and six collectible lithographs. Readers will find this engaging and accessible volume delivers an in-depth look at Walt’s first major animated success and the journey to reclaim the lost Disney films.

Sold in wide release: August 27, 2019

Must-have Titles for Your Bookshelf

The exclusive books will not be the only treasures on sale at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B. No Disney book library would be complete without these remarkable releases:

The Art and Making of The Lion King – Get it here
The Art and Making of Dumbo – Get it here
Practically Poppins in Every Way: A Magical Carpetbag of Countless Wonders – Get it here
Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.
From All of Us to All of You: The Disney Christmas Card – Get it here
Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.
Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World – Get it here
Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.
Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Disney’s Magical Mid-Century – Get it here
Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation – Get it here
Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.
Dream It! Do It! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms – Get it here

The TASCHEN booth in Hall B will also sell their gorgeous fan favorites, including these notable books:

Walt Disney’s Disneyland – Get it here
Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History – Get it here

Get them signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.

Books for a New Generation of Disney Fans

For the budding Disney aficionado, don’t miss these nonfiction picture books at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B:

Pencils, Pens & Brushes: A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation – Get it here

Get it signed! See “A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo” below.

Mary Blair’s Unique Flair: The Girl Who Became One of the Disney Legends – Get it here

A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo

Friday, August 23

Book Shop
9 a.m.–7 p.m. at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B
The tradition of great storytelling has always been part of the fabric of The Walt Disney Company. See how Disney Publishing continues to inspire a love of reading with families and fans around the world.

Talent Signing—Don Hahn

Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Disney’s Magical Mid-Century – Get it here

10:30–11:30 a.m. at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B
Signing limited to the first 50 guests and will require purchase of this book. There will be a ticket distribution, and the line opens 30 minutes prior to start.

1–3 p.m. at the D23 Emporium in Hall A (Magical Memories booth)

Talent Signing—Jeff Kurtti

From All of Us to All of You: The Disney Christmas Card – Get it here

12:30–1:30 p.m. at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B
Signing limited to the first 50 guests and will require purchase of this book. There will be a ticket distribution, and the line opens 30 minutes prior to start.

Talent Signing—David Gerstein and J. B. Kaufman

Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History – Get it here

1:30–3:30 p.m. at the TASCHEN booth in Hall B

Talent Signing—Jeff Kurtti

From All of Us to All of You: The Disney Christmas Card – Get it here
The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between – Get it here
Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World – Get it here
Practically Poppins in Every Way: A Magical Carpetbag of Countless Wonders – Get it here

2–3 p.m. in the D23 Emporium in Hall A (Hyperion Historical Alliance / Ryman Arts booth)

Presentation—Behind the Art of Disney Costuming
4–5 p.m. at Stage 28
Go behind-the-scenes with the team that crafted the dazzling new Walt Disney Archives exhibit on the Expo show floor and its accompanying coffee table book: Jeff Kurtti, Becky Cline, Robert Maxhimer, Holly Brobst, and Rick Lorentz.

Talent Signing—Jeff Kurtti and Becky Cline

The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between – Get it here

5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B
Renowned Disney historian Jeff Kurtti and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline celebrate the companion book to this year’s Walt Disney Archives show floor exhibit. Signing limited to the first 50 guests and will require purchase of this book. There will be a ticket distribution, and the line opens 30 minutes prior to start.

Saturday, August 24

Book Shop

9 a.m.–7 p.m. at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B
The tradition of great storytelling has always been part of the fabric of The Walt Disney Company. See how Disney Publishing continues to inspire a love of reading with families and fans around the world.

Talent Signing—Jeff Kurtti

Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World – Get it here

Talent Signing—Mindy Johnson and Lorelay Bové

Pencils, Pens & Brushes: A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation – Get it here

Talent Signing—Jeff Kurtti

From All of Us to All of You: The Disney Christmas Card – Get it here
The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between – Get it here
Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World – Get it here
Practically Poppins in Every Way: A Magical Carpetbag of Countless Wonders – Get it here

1–2 p.m. at the D23 Emporium in Hall A (Hyperion Historical Alliance / Ryman Arts booth)

Talent Signing—Chris Nichols

Walt Disney’s Disneyland – Get it here

2:30–4:30 p.m. at the TASCHEN booth in Hall B

Talent Signing—Becky Cline

The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember – Get it here

3–4 p.m. at the Disney Publishing Worldwide booth in Hall B
Signing limited to the first 50 guests and will require purchase of this book. There will be a ticket distribution, and the line opens 30 minutes prior to start.

Talent Signing—Leah Sklar and Leslie Sklar

Travels with Figment: On the Road in Search of Disney Dreams – Get it here

3–4 p.m. at Talent Central

Presentation—Travels with Marty: A Conversation with the Sklars and Imagineers
6–7 p.m. at the Walt Disney Archives Stage
Join Leah and Leslie Sklar and editor Wendy Lefkon in conversation with Imagineers Daniel Jue, Kevin Rafferty, and Bob Weis. Each a colleague and mentee of Disney Legend Marty Sklar, they will recount their journey to publishing Marty’s last book and discuss Marty’s lasting impact on Disney.

Sunday, August 25

Book Shop

Talent Signing—Kevin Rafferty

Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Career – Get it here

Talent Signing—Disney Legend Don Iwerks

Postcard previewing Walt Disney’s Ultimate Inventor: The Genius of Ub Iwerks

10:30–11:30 a.m. at Talent Central
Meet and greet Don Iwerks, and learn all about his father, Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, the iconic animator, innovator, and technical genius. Don will sign a postcard previewing his upcoming Disney Editions book, Walt Disney’s Ultimate Inventor: The Genius of Ub Iwerks. Don followed his father to The Walt Disney Studios in 1950. There, among many leadership roles and accomplishments, he assisted his father with the development of special cameras, projectors, and other technical systems, many of which are still used in Disney parks around the world—among them Circle-Vision 360°, wide-gauge 3-D film systems, and the projection system for the wildly popular Star Tours attraction.

Talent Signing—Mindy Johnson

Pencils, Pens, & Brushes: A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation – Get it here
Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation – Get it here

11 a.m.–5 p.m. at the D23 Emporium in Hall A
(Magical Memories booth 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 3–5 p.m. and Hyperion Historical Alliance / Ryman Arts booth 1–3 p.m.)

Presentation—Marc Davis In His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks
12–1 p.m. at Stage 28
Authors Pete Docter and Christopher Merritt reveal their magnificent two-volume tribute to the inimitable Marc Davis, a deluxe book set celebrating Marc’s groundbreaking work designing Walt Disney’s theme parks. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Haunted Mansion will be a special focus of this presentation.

Talent Signing—Jeff Kurtti

Practically Poppins in Every Way: A Magical Carpetbag of Countless Wonders – Get it here

Talent Signing—Pete Docter and Chris Merritt

Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks – Get it here

1:30–2:30 p.m. at Talent Central

Talent Signing—Don Hahn

Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Disney’s Magical Mid-Century – Get it here

1–3 p.m. at the D23 Emporium in Hall A
(Magical Memories booth)

Presentation—Magic Journey: My Fantastical Ride with Imagineer Kevin Rafferty
4–5 p.m. at the Walt Disney Archives Stage
Join veteran Imagineer Kevin Rafferty in conversation with his editor, Wendy Lefkon, as he reminisces about his 40-plus-year career from dishwasher at Disneyland to world builder. Kevin explains his path to Imagineering and talks about his new book.

7 Ways Oogie Boogie is Casting His Spell Over Disney California Adventure This Halloween

August 1, 2019

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Halloween season at Disneyland is a celebration full of Mickey-shaped pumpkins, villains on parade, and delicious treats we can’t wait to eat. It’s enough to entice even the creepiest crawlies and spookiest specters—and maybe even a boogieman! Oogie Boogie has arrived to cast a new spell—one full of villainous fun. Oogie Boogie Bash—A Disney Halloween Party is the brand-new, separate-ticket event, held on 20 select nights, and it’s sure to thrill fans of Halloween and Disney villains alike. Tickets for the new Oogie Boogie Bash—A Disney Halloween Party* may be purchased online at Disneyland.com/HalloweenParty, as well as at the Disneyland Resort main gate and by phone at (714) 781-4636.

What exactly does our favorite boogieman have in store for us? Here are seven new things he’s concocted to take over Disney California Adventure:

1. Ghostly Good Magic Across the Carthay Circle
What’s this? New Halloween magic appears on the façade of Carthay Circle on Buena Vista Street, changing throughout the night as bats swarm, green energy pulses from within, and spellbinding moments transform the iconic tower structure. Show director Jordan Peterson hints at the transformations you might encounter: “You may see Maleficent’s vines grow up and start to crack the mortar of the building, see candy corn fill up the windows, or see the shadow of Oogie Boogie himself on the façade. What’s cool is that you’ll get to see how it changes as you go back and forth throughout the night.”

2. Explore the Mysterious Villains Grove
There is a portal inside Redwood Creek Challenge Trail where the Disney villains emerged to join our party, leaving behind traces of their magic in the grove. Peterson describes Villains Grove as a “hauntingly beautiful display of light and sound.”

Guests can explore areas of the grove affected by different Disney villains. Catch a glimpse of a waterfall turned poisonous green by Maleficent, or see the Queen of Heart’s garden filled with self-painting roses. Explore areas transformed by Scar, Frollo, Dr. Facilier, and more! Color, light, and sound craft the stories behind this enchanting realm. “It’s gonna transport our guests to a really different world,” Peterson explains. Fans of Disney villains will definitely want to explore this transformation of the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

3. A World of Villains
Exclusive to the Oogie Boogie Bash, the new World of Color show, Villainous!, shares the charming, yet spooky story of a young girl named Shelley Marie. Created by Disney animator Eric Goldberg, Shelley has a tough decision to make about her Halloween costume this year—luckily for her, the magic of Disney villains is here to help guide her decisions! Throughout this twisted tale, Shelley explores the villainous side of Disney characters through fountains, lights, lasers, projections, and special effects. Villainous! shows guests that, deep down, there’s a little villain in all of us.

4. Wickedly Immersive Treat Trails
Among the most beloved parts of Halloween at Disneyland are the treat trails, where guests can enjoy trick-or-treating with extra Disney magic! Now that Oogie Boogie is in charge of the celebration, Peterson explains, “Some of those have been handed over to the villains to control.” While you can still enjoy regular treat trails during the party, keep an eye out for the new, immersive treat trails throughout Disney California Adventure. It’s your chance to enjoy trick-or-treating under the watchful eyes of iconic Disney characters such as Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, and Oogie Boogie himself.

Each trail is transformed to match the villain. For example, Peterson describes Oogie Boogie’s trail as, “A world of blacklight, a world of really cool haze, and Oogie Boogie himself will sometimes preside over the festivities and goings-on as people collect their candy.”

It’s not just villains who have taken over the treat trails—keep an eye out for a special trail presided over by Mad Hatter! While he’s not a villain, Peterson explains, “He is a huge fan of chaos—and he would never miss a party!”

5. While The Villains Are Away, the VK’s Will Play
Peterson poses an important question: “If the villains are all here, who’s watching their kids? And the answer was ‘nobody’… So they are going to throw a dance party!”

A portal has opened from the Isle of the Lost and our favorite VK’s sent over their best dance crew to teach us how to be chillin’ like a villain. The new DescenDANCE is a pulsing party in the Backlot area of Hollywood Land, inspired by the fan-favorite Descendants movie series from Disney Channel. This party combines the entertainment of a show with the interactivity of a dance party—which guarantees that there are so many ways to be wicked.

6. A Purr-fect Addition to the Frightfully Fun Parade
Making its debut in Disney California Adventure, the fan-favorite Frightfully Fun Parade is back, featuring classic spooky characters like The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, Jack Skellington, Haunted Mansion dancers, and many mischievous Disney villains who are ready to stir up some trouble along the parade route. Plus—make sure to stay till the end of the parade to see the ever-curious and whimsical Cheshire Cat mischievously smiling at all the magical mayhem. This is the first time ever the Cheshire Cat is appearing in the parade (which is definitely something worth smiling about!).

7. A Brand-New Show Starring Mickey!
This show, which Peterson describes as both “really cute” and “really adorable,” brings Mickey and friends together for a Halloween celebration perfect for the young and young at heart. He explains, “This one is really meant for that family element and anyone who loves characters.” Head over to the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land to check out the new, interactive stage production that includes dancing, not-so-frightening scary-tales, and (of course!) candy.

*The number of tickets available are limited and valid only for the specific event date and hours. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date. Tickets not required for Guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-refundable and may not be resold or transferred for a commercial purpose. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive; please check special event costume guidelines at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress for restrictions. Offer and event elements are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice.

Even More Stars, Panels, and Experiences Heading to D23 Expo 2019

August 1, 2019March 31, 2020

By D23 Team

We are officially in August, which means D23 Expo is almost here! We’re just a few days away from experiencing the ultimate Disney fan event, and all the pixie dust-filled announcements are still pouring in!

Take a look at some of the experiences heading to the stages and show floor of D23 Expo 2019:

Mousequerade hosts Ashley Eckstein, Jennifer Leonard, and Yvette Nicole Brown — Ashley Eckstein, Jennifer Leonard, and Yvette Nicole Brown

Mousequerade—Presented by Raw Threads
Friday, August 23, 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 2019. Join judges Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Rebels), Yvette Nicole Brown (Disney’s upcoming live-action Lady and the Tramp), Jennifer Leonard (owner and designer of Raw Threads), and the contest’s host, Disney’s Jim Babcock, to watch dozens of finalists compete in five exciting categories for the $2,300 Best in Show Prize!

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series—Episode II First Look
Friday, August 23, 2 p.m., Stage 28

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series lets you become the hero of your own personal adventure as you step into the role of a Force-sensitive smuggler recruited by Darth Vader himself. Director Ben Snow, Senior Experience Designer Jose Perez III, and Lucasfilm Story Group Creative Executive Matt Martin take the stage for an in-depth discussion about the upcoming second episode, including an exclusive sneak peek that will be available only to those at D23 Expo.

A Musical Celebration of Aladdin
Saturday, August 24, 5:30 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

To celebrate the in-home releases of the all-new live-action Aladdin and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Aladdin Walt Disney Signature Collection, hosts Scott Weinger (“Aladdin”) and Linda Larkin (“Jasmine”) take us on a musical-magic-carpet ride through your favorite tunes from Aladdin both on stage and on screen. Special guests include Brad Kane (“Aladdin” singing voice), Deedee Magno Hall (“Jasmine” in Disney’s Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular), Jamal Sims (choreographer, Aladdin live action), Clinton Greenspan (Broadway’s next “Aladdin”), Lillias White (Hercules), and Norm Lewis (Scandal, The Little Mermaid on Broadway). You never know what surprises the Genie may conjure up.

Heroines of the Disney Galaxies—Presented by BoxLunch
Sunday, August 25, 10 a.m., Stage 28

Join Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, creator of Her Universe) and some very special guests—including Sana Amanat (VP of Content & Character Development, Marvel), Ally Maki (Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, Toy Story 4), and Christy Carlson Romano (Kim Possible, Even Stevens, Big Hero 6: The Series)—for a celebration of some of the most inspiring and empowered heroines from the worlds of Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and more!

Disney Character Voices, Inc: The 30th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, August 25, 4:15 p.m., Hall D23

For 30 years, Disney Character Voices has kept the voices of Disney characters alive and well for fans through toys, games, apps, theme park attractions, and much more. Take a journey with Rick Dempsey, SVP of Character Voices, and many of those beloved voices—including Tony Anselmo (“Donald”), Jodi Benson (“Ariel”), Bill Farmer (“Goofy” and “Pluto”), Bret Iwan (“Mickey Mouse”), and Linda Larkin (“Jasmine”), with more special guests to be announced—as they step out from behind the microphone to celebrate this joyous anniversary through stories and amazing voices!

Two Worlds, One Family: The Making of Tarzan
Sunday, August 25, 5:45 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

Twenty years later, the team who brought the animated classic to life “swings” into the D23 Expo to give a behind-the-scenes look at how the Walt Disney Animation Studios film came to be! Guests include directors Chris Buck (Frozen 2) and Kevin Lima (Enchanted); animators Bruce W. Smith, Ken Duncan, and producer Bonnie Arnold, as well as a very special performance by Matthew Morrison (Glee) from his forthcoming Walt Disney Records album.

The Art of Disney Storytelling
Sunday, August 25, 3 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

A panel of master storytellers—including Disney Legends Tony Baxter and Floyd Norman, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Paul Briggs (head of story, Frozen and Big Hero 6), and legendary producer Don Hahn—discuss Walt Disney’s impact on their careers and the entertainment industry, highlighting the ways they leverage those lessons to spark creativity today.

Inside the World of Avatar
The astonishing world of Avatar is one of the most indelible ever created in film and a celebration of all that is possible in cinema and storytelling. Avatar’s visionary director, James Cameron, has created a spellbinding, immersive world that transports audiences to a never-before-imagined place inhabited by jaw-droppingly original characters. At D23 Expo 2019, the spectacular world of Avatar comes to life once again with rarely seen props, costumes, and models used in the making of Cameron’s groundbreaking film, paired with the iconic movie moments where they are brought to life. Fans will also get a glimpse at the making of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World Resort, making this one-of-a-kind exhibit, located on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center, a must-see stop for anyone who appreciates the very best in movie and theme park storytelling.

Walt Disney Archives Stage
The popular Walt Disney Archives Stage returns, hosting 16 panels and presentations throughout the weekend. Disney notables, such as Disney Legend Bill Farmer, author J.B. Kaufman, designers Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily, Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline, Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis, and Imagineers Daniel Jue and Kevin Rafferty, plus many more, will offer peeks “behind the magic” throughout the weekend. Fans will enjoy exploring many of Disney’s worlds, from holiday magic in the Disney Parks and secrets of Walt Disney’s Fun and Fancy Free to a celebration of 50 years of Haunted Mansion collectibles and a preview of the final book by Disney Legend and Imagineer Marty Sklar with his friends and family. Visit D23expo.com for the complete schedule.

Center Stage
Located in Hall A, Center Stage will once again be the heartbeat of the Expo and a hub of activity throughout the weekend. K-pop star Tiffany Young will celebrate the launch of her new single and upcoming music video. Radio Disney Presents will bring some of today’s hottest talent to the stage, including Meg Donnelly, and Asher Angel. Disney on Broadway stars will drop in to reminisce about bringing some of Disney’s most beloved tales to the stage. And, back by fan demand, 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 on the D23 Expo app.

D23 Expo’s Ultimate Fan Street Party – Presented by Alamo
D23 Expo’s one-of-a-kind street party returns to the show floor with a disco twist! Twice each day the cavalcade will travel down Mickey Avenue, with a live band, beloved Disney characters, high-energy dancers, and celebrity grand marshals! In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Mickey Mouse Disco album, Mickey, Minnie, and several of their friends will be wearing their disco duds as they delight guests along with Disney stars. Newly inducted Disney Legend Kenny Ortega and Tom Bergeron will lead the 4:30 p.m. parade on Friday, August 23, and Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack) and Skylar Astin, who star together in the Disney+ film Secret Society of Second Born Royals, lead the 2 p.m. Street Party on Saturday, August 24. Additional talent and times to be announced in the coming weeks and will be available on the D23 Expo App.

Hong Kong Disneyland Reveals Castle Upgrades Fit for Royalty

Save the Date! Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

Sensational Seasonal Fun Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line

Have a Spooktacular Time at Disney Parks and Resorts

Marvel’s Runaways and Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger Announce Crossover

Must-have Titles for Your Bookshelf

Books for a New Generation of Disney Fans

A Disney Book Fan’s Guide to D23 Expo

Friday, August 23

Saturday, August 24

Sunday, August 25

Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar: