Battle of the Network Stars Returns to ABC!

By Courtney Potter

Beginning in the early 1960s (and for three decades’ total), ABC’s legendary Wide World of Sports was known for “spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport… the thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat!” Sure, we witnessed truly historic moments, from soccer great Pele’s final game to Muhammad Ali knocking out George Foreman during 1974’s celebrated “Rumble in the Jungle.” But ABC’s commitment to chronicling memorable sporting events didn’t stop there… for in November 1976, ABC aired the first Battle of the Network Stars! Just as its name implies, the series featured TV actors from ABC, CBS, and NBC (the “big three” networks of the day) as they competed in athletic games including archery, kayak relay, tug-o-war, and even an obstacle course. Hosted by famed sports commentator Howard Cosell, it quickly became a veritable pop culture phenomenon and continued airing through the late ‘80s. And now, just in time for summer, it’s back where it all started.

Check out a sneak peek below!

ABC’s revival of Battle of the Network Stars kicks off tonight, Thursday, June 29, and will feature a whopping 100 TV stars, from 14 different networks and cable companies, searching hilariously for their own “thrill of victory”! The 10-episode summer event—filmed on location at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, the location of the original series—pits current and classic TV stars from multiple eras and different genres against one another… and in fun groups based on the TV characters viewers have loved over the years, up to the present day. Tonight’s series premiere pits “TV Kids” (below left) Joey Lawrence (Blossom, Melissa and Joey), The Facts of Life stars Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields, Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), and Nolan Gould (ABC’s Modern Family) against “TV Sitcom” (below right) celebs AJ Michalka (The Goldbergs), Tracey Gold (Growing Pains), Dave Coulier (Full House and Fuller House), Bronson Pinchot (Perfect Strangers), and Tom Arnold (Roseanne).

Battle of the Network Stars

Battle of the Network Stars

Later episodes will feature an awesomely diverse array of stars, spanning the ’70s through today:

Battle of the Network Stars

Primetime Soaps (Ian Ziering, Josh Henderson, Gabrielle Carteris, Donna Mills, Mischa Barton) vs. ABC Stars (pictured above) (Shari Belafonte, Michael Fishman, Anson Williams, Olivia d’Abo, Jason Hervey)

Battle of the Network Stars

 

Variety (Joanna Krupa, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Lachey, Gilles Marini, Jack Osbourne) vs. TV Sex Symbols (pictured above) (Brant Daugherty, Keegan Allen, Rosa Blasi, Galen Gering, Traci Bingham)

Battle of the Network Stars

Cops (pictured above) (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Erik Estrada, Kelly Hu,  Lorenzo Lamas, Larry Wilcox) vs. TV Sitcoms (Todd Bridges, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Dave Foley, Willie Garson, Jenna von Oy)

Battle of the Network Stars

White House (Cornelius Smith Jr., Marlee Matlin, Joshua Malina, LaMonica Garrett, Mary McCormack) vs. Lawyers (pictured above) (Elisabeth Rohm, Corbin Bernsen, Catherine Bell, Matt McGorry, Romi Dias)

Battle of the Network Stars

TV Moms & Dads (Chad Lowe, Greg Evigan, Ted McGinley, Lesley Fera, Jackee Harry) vs. TV Kids (pictured above) (Jimmie Walker, Jeremy Miller, Mackenzie Phillips, Krista Marie Yu, Jonathan Lipnicki)

Battle of the Network Stars

Famous TV Families (Danny Bonaduce, Barry Williams, Beverley Mitchell, Willie Aames, Charlene Tilton) vs. Doctors (pictured above) (Taye Diggs, Rachelle Lefevre, Benjamin Hollingsworth, *Deidre Hall, Thomas Calabro)

Battle of the Network Stars

Troublemakers (pictured above) (Julie Benz, John Barrowman, Vivica A. Fox, Catherine Bach, Paul Johansson) vs. TV Lifeguards (David Chokachi, Brande Roderick, Parker Stevenson, Nicole Eggert, Gena Lee Nolin)

Battle of the Network Stars

ABC Stars (pictured above) (Joely Fisher, Troy Gentile, Ted Lange, Jill Whelan, Denise Richards) vs. Variety (Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Adrienne Houghton, Cameron Mathison, Kelly Osbourne)

Battle of the Network Stars

Cops (Marisol Nichols, Roma Maffia, Adrian Zmed, Fred Dryer, Ryan Paevey) vs. Sci-Fi Fantasy (pictured above) (Lou Ferrigno, Charisma Carpenter, Kevin Sorbo, Jill Wagner, Vinnie Jones)

Battle of the Network Stars

… And each team that competes will be captained by two of today’s biggest sports heroes: Super Bowl 50 winner DeMarcus Ware (above left), and MMA fighter/Olympian/actress Ronda Rousey (above right).

Battle of the Network Stars

Hosted by ESPN’s Mike Greenberg (above left) and Joe Tessitore (above right)—both wearing the traditional Howard Cosell-esque 1970s yellow blazer—with sideline reporting by Cassidy Hubbarth and Cari Champion, Battle of the Network Stars airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. EDT, only on ABC!

New Pirates Setting Sail at Disneyland Paris’ Pirates of the Caribbean on July 24

If ye come seekin’ news about Pirates, you’ve come to the proper place! The Disney Parks Blog just revealed that a few changes are coming to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland Paris when it reopens on July 24, and we’ve got all of the details about the new rascals and scoundrels who are joining the crew.

Disney Imagineers took inspiration from the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise as they added new magic to the attraction, in the form of new Audio-Animatronics® figures, costumes, special effects, lighting, and sound. Guests might recognize some melodies from the films, and they’ll see a familiar face, as well: In a new scene that can only be experienced at Disneyland Paris, Captain Barbossa makes his attraction debut. And fans are advised to heed the warning they receive from the ghosts of Davy Jones and Blackbeard that “dead men DO tell tales!” Indeed.

On this side of the pond, at Magic Kingdom park and Disneyland park, it’s a pirate’s life for a favorite redhead—beginning in 2018, after an already-planned refurbishment, the redhead is trading her fashionable bonnet for a pirate’s hat. Guests will now see her joining the pirates’ ranks and helping the locals “unload” their valuables at the Mercado auction.

Pirates of the Caribbean update concept art

Kathy Mangum, senior vice president, Atlantic Region Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, said, “Our team thought long and hard about how best to update this scene. Given the redhead has long been a fan favorite, we wanted to keep her as a pivotal part of the story, so we made her a plundering pirate! We think this keeps to the original vision of the attraction as envisioned by Marc Davis, X Atencio, and the other Disney Legends who first brought this classic to life.”

Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador Marty Sklar said of this new story twist, “Pirates of the Caribbean has always represented great Disney Park storytelling; it has set the standard for the theme park industry for half a century! But it’s a story you can continue to add fun to, with great characters in new ‘performances.’ That’s what the Imagineers have done with this new auction scene—it’s like a theatre show with a new act.”

The Disney Legend continued, “To me, the Imagineers are simply reflecting what Walt started the day Disneyland opened—making changes that create exciting new experiences for our guests. I can’t think of a single attraction that has not been enhanced and improved, some over and over again. Change is a ‘tradition’ at Disneyland that today’s Imagineers practice—they learned it from their mentors, many of them Walt’s original team of storytellers and designers—the Disney Legends.”

Keep a weather eye open for more tales about these new pirates on D23.com.

You’ll Be “Moved” by These Stunning PeopleMover Photos from the Walt Disney Archives

By Jocelyn Buhlman

The spirit of Tomorrowland centers on moving forward: We seek out new ideas for the future, we imagine the next steps of humanity, and sometimes we even literally keep moving forward with the help of a classic ride system. In 1967, PeopleMover debuted at Disneyland and provided guests with the public transportation of the future, alongside a quick glimpse into some of Tomorrowland’s classic attractions. The PeopleMover has taken many forms, from a spaceport transportation center at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, to a portal to the Game Grid when Disneyland’s PeopleMover transformed into PeopleMover Thru the World of Tron. As we celebrate this classic piece of Disney parks history, enjoy photos from the Walt Disney Archives of this fan-favorite futurist attraction.

Anyone Can Cook with These Tips from Ratatouille

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Where is there a better place to enjoy fine cuisine than the sparkling city of Paris? Whether you’re a human or, perhaps, something smaller, there’s a world of taste just waiting to unfold for everyone—and we mean everyone, even a little rat. Once upon a time, we would have been scandalized by the idea of a culinary rodent like Remy, but since Disney•Pixar’s Ratatouille stole our hearts (and our taste buds), we’ve learned this to be true: Anyone can cook! Ratatouille taught us that—and more—through its stunning tale of a rat becoming a chef in the city of lights. To celebrate the movie’s 10th anniversary, we’ve compiled our favorite pieces of wisdom that Ratatouille taught us about cooking.

Ratatouille quote
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Star Wars Forces of Destiny, Vampirina, and Rapunzel—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Get a sneak peek at Star Wars Forces of Destiny, and mark your calendars for Vampirina’s debut… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Awesome Star Wars Forces of Destiny Sneak Peek

Look, there on the horizon—there’s a brand-new series of animated shorts winging their way across our solar system, and to say we’re excited would be putting it mildly! Star Wars Forces of Destiny, a collaboration between the good folks at Disney and Lucasfilm, explores the untold stories that helped shape the circumstances of several beloved Star Wars characters, including Rey, Jyn Erso, Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, Sabine Wren, Ahsoka Tano, and more… and the first short will make its debut on Monday, July 3, at YouTube.com/Disney (followed by a Disney Channel premiere on July 9, plus a two-part TV special in the fall). Check out the amazing new teaser trailer for the series, above.

Perhaps most significantly—and this part is really cool—actresses Daisy Ridley (Rey), Felicity Jones (Jyn Erso), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), and Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata, narrating the series) will all reprise their roles for the series! And for those of you who enjoy Star Wars toys and memorabilia, listen up: Hasbro is set to launch a line of Star Wars Forces of Destiny toys (including new “Adventure Figures,” which fuse traditional dolls with action figures) later this summer.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
August 19, 2017
D23’s Disney Afternoon on the Lot
October 1, 2017
D23’s Fanniversary Celebrates 35 Years of Epcot
October 1, 2017
A Progressive Dinner Celebrating 35 Years of Epcot
October 3, 2017
D23’s Sip and Stroll
Parks
July 17, 2017
Fantasmic! returns to Disneyland park.
July 29, 2017
Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes return to Disneyland park.
July 29, 2017
The Disneyland Railroad returns to Disneyland park.
August 31-November 13, 2017
Epcot Food & Wine Festival
2019
Star Wars-Themed Lands Opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Studios
November 3, 2017
Thor: Ragnarok opens in theaters
November 22, 2017
Coco opens in theaters
December 15, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters
Television
July 21, 2017
Disney’s Descendants 2 debuts on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime and ABC (8 p.m. ET)
July 21, 2017
Raven’s Home debuts on Disney Channel (10 p.m. ET)
August 12, 2017
“Woo-oo!” DuckTales Movie premieres at 12 a.m. and airs for 24 consecutive hours
September 23, 2017
DuckTales Series debuts with two new episodes (7 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Vampirina

New Animated Series Vampirina Debuts This Fall

Do you love the adorable Vampirina Ballerina book series from Disney Publishing as much as we do? Well then, your day is about to be made! Disney Junior has just announced an animated series based on the books; entitled Vampirina, the series will center around a young vampire and her family as they adjust to life in a new town. Read up on the show and its fabulous voice cast (including James Van Der Beek, Lauren Graham, Wanda Sykes, and Broadway’s Patti LuPone), here.

Tangled The Series

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rapunzel…

Late last week, D23 was lucky enough to obtain a first look at Inside the Journal—a new series of animated shorts that take you inside the world of Tangled: The Series (and Rapunzel’s very own diary) like never before. Take a gander at the trailer for the series, which just made its debut on Disney Channel, right here.

Miles from Tomorrowland

Musician Béla Fleck to Guest Star on Miles from Tomorrowland

It’s not every day that a 16-time Grammy® Award-winning musician guest stars on a Disney Junior animated series—so when it does happen, it’s something to celebrate! Béla Fleck, the legendary banjo player, will lend his instrumental expertise to a special episode of Miles from Tomorrowland… which happens to have been created by his very own brother, Sascha Paladino. (That’s the two of ‘em in the photo above.) The ep in question, “Galactech: The Search for the Plectrix,” premieres on Saturday, July 8, at 9 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior, and features brand-new music written and performed by Béla himself.

The story centers on Miles and his sister, Loretta, as they hunt for a lost musical instrument—one that used to belong to their grandfather—with a very special power. Wanna see Miles and Loretta mid-quest? Check out a clip from the episode, below.


 

Marvel’s Inhumans Premiering on ABC September 29

It’s one of the most highly anticipated shows of the upcoming TV season, and it’s only on ABC… The new Marvel series Marvel’s Inhumans brings the fan-favorite comic book series (and a new kind of family drama) to life on the small screen starting Friday, September 29, with two back-to-back episodes beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.

Marvel’s Inhumans explores the never-before-told epic adventure of the royal family including Black Bolt (Anson Mount), the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where they are greeted with surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them. Now they must find a way to reunite with each other—and return to their home—before their way of life is destroyed forever. The series also stars Iwan Rheon, Serinda Swan, Eme Ikwuakor, and Isabelle Cornish.

If you’re looking for a super-special early look at the show, don’t forget—a version of the first two episodes will be shown globally in IMAX theatres for a two-week period, starting September 1.

The Lion Guard

Season Two of Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard to Debut Next Week

The adventures of Kion and friends continue when Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard roars back onto a TV screen (or mobile device) near you on Friday, July 7, at 8 a.m. EDT… and when they return, they’ve got some very special guests set to join the Pride Lands. Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo (Selma) will voice the role of Scar, the villainous younger brother to Mufasa, in an episode to air later in July; he’ll appear in the flames of a volcano after Simba and Nala’s young son, Kion, unwittingly summons him (in anger!) by using the Roar of the Elders.

Additional guest stars for the new season include Tony® Award-winning actress Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) as Dhahabu, a charismatic golden zebra; Oscar®- and Grammy® Award-winning rapper, actor, producer, and poet Common as Kiburi, an arrogant crocodile; and AJ Mclean of the Backstreet Boys as Kuchimba, an adorable golden mole. Y’know, all this good Lion Guard news truly gives us no worries for the rest of our days…

Descendants 2 Behind-the-Scenes Special Coming to Disney Channel

The big debut of Disney’s Descendants 2 is just around the corner—and to get us all in an appropriately wicked mood, a new behind-the-scenes special is coming to Disney Channel on Friday, July 7. It’s Going Down: Behind the Scenes is hosted by Descendants 2 actress (and Villain Kid super-fan) Anna Cathcart, who gives us an all-access sneak peek at the on-set fun.

See Anna visit Lady Tremaine’s Curl Up & Dye! Watch as the cast rehearses their big musical numbers! Marvel as director Kenny Ortega calls the proverbial shots! It’s more Descendants 2 scoop than you can shake a wand at. Watch the teaser trailer for It’s Going Down, above.

Kenny G

Epcot’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series Welcomes 11 New Acts

If you read D23.com with any regularity (and thank you heaps, if so!), you know that we’re big fans of the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival—which is going into its whopping 22nd year. And for 2017, the fest is welcoming a bevy of new musical acts to its always-entertaining Eat to the Beat Concert Series.

Jazz great Kenny G; renowned pop groups like 10,000 Maniacs and Squeeze; and the Baha Men (of “Who Let the Dogs Out?” fame) will join returning favorites Taylor Dayne, Starship, Plain White T’s, Air Supply, Sugar Ray, Christopher Cross, and Billy Ocean for a stellar 75-day line-up of musical magic. Performances kick off when the Festival officially opens on August 31, at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. each evening… and it’s all included in your Epcot admission.

Honestly, if you’re anywhere near Walt Disney World Resort this fall, do yourself a favor and check out this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Good food, good music… how can you go wrong? For more info, including a full Eat to the Beat Concert Series schedule, visit epcotfoodfestival.com.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Hamill, and Minnie Mouse

Disney Talents to Join Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018

At the heart of Hollywood, California, lies the Hollywood Walk of Fame—where the town’s Chamber of Commerce fetes all manner of celebrities (from music, TV, film, stage, and more) with their very own star embedded in the storied sidewalk. And next year, a plethora of Disney talents will join that historic roster…

Star Wars superstar (and new Disney Legend) Mark Hamill; Oscar® nominee—and star of Disney’s upcoming Mary Poppins Returns—Lin-Manuel Miranda; and even Minnie Mouse herself are all set to receive stars as part of the Class of 2018. Read more about all the honorees courtesy our pals over at Oh My Disney.

These Marvel Ozobots Made Us Feel Like Super-Smart Heroes

By D23 Team

Ozobot sent some of their most Marvel-ous new bots to our office, which means we were literally required to play at work. (Best meeting ever?) This was an incredibly easy task with these super-fun bots. See our reactions below and catch these bots in action at Center Stage during D23 Expo!

Ozobot Spider-Man and Venom

How cute is Spider-Man?! This Ozobot Bit comes with skins for both Spider-Man and Venom, and you can customize their faces with stickers, which we obviously had a lot of fun with…

Ozobot spiderweb

Spider-Man (or Venom, depending on your mood) is super-smart—the robot can follow patterns in the pack included with your Ozobot (we’re fans of the spider web-like one above), or follow a pattern you create using the provided markers. The possibilities are endless!

Ozobot Captain America

Captain America and Iron Man are part of the Avengers collection—which also features Hulk and Black Widow (available early 2018). Collecting them all leads to some really fun interactions on the included playfield. You can register your Evo within the Ozobot app for even more play options.

Like the Ozobot Bit, your Avengers Ozobots can follow patterns in the pack included, or follow a pattern you create… like ours below!

Ozobot D23 animated gif

Disney Characters Who Went from Zero to Hero

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Sometimes you’re born a princess, and sometimes you’re born a street rat. But no matter your status in life, there’s always a chance to save the day—just look at Hercules. Celebrating its 20th anniversary today, Hercules tells the mythical tale of an orphan boy turned demigod. But he’s not the only Disney character who turned his story from “zero” to “hero.” We’ve rounded up our favorite characters who stepped up to save the day—and change their lives.

Hercules

Hercules, Hercules (1997)
He’s the original zero who became a hero, the one who put the “glad” in gladiator—Hercules! While he was always a demigod, it took a lot of training—and a whole lot of monster fighting—before Hercules reached the status of a true hero.

Moana and Maui

Moana and Maui, Moana (2016)
You may think that Maui, Shapeshifter, Demigod of the Wind and Sea, Hero of Man (and Woman) would not have started as a “zero,” but it turns out that this demigod has a lot to learn before he becomes a true hero. After he loses his magical fish hook, Maui teams up with Moana, a chief’s daughter, who is anxious to prove herself as a wayfinder. Through their adventure to return the Heart of Te Fiti, they discover what it takes for both of them to be heroes in their own ways.

Milo Thatch

Milo Thatch, Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Milo Thatch used to be a laughingstock for his obsession with the lost city of Atlantis while as a linguist for the Smithsonian Institute, but when he was hired for a real expedition to Atlantis, he had the last laugh. Not only was he able to pursue his life dream of uncovering the ancient city, but he also helped save Atlantis and its people from the greedy schemes of Lyle Rourke.

Aladdin

Aladdin, Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin spent a lot of his life believing he would be nothing more than a street rat, but with the help of a magical genie (and several stunning musical numbers), Aladdin became a prince—and not just because he wished it! After he and Princess Jasmine defeated the evil sorcerer Jafar, they were able to pursue their romance and get married, making Aladdin a real prince, and a real hero!

Kristoff Bjorgman

Kristoff, Frozen (2013)
Originally a simple ice harvester with no friends besides his reindeer, Sven, Kristoff faced an unexpected opportunity to become a hero when Queen Elsa froze all of Arendelle. Teaming up with Elsa’s sister, Anna, Kristoff helped free Arendelle from its permanent winter and stopped devious forces from attempting to take over the kingdom.

Mulan

Mulan, Mulan (1998)
Mulan thought she could never be a perfect daughter because she couldn’t act the way she was expected to—but then she found a place where she fit in. Going to war in place of her father not only allowed Mulan to become a hero, but to find the confidence within herself to be the person she was meant to be, and not the person everyone else expected her to be.

Arthur

Wart/Arthur, The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Aspiring to squiredom, a young boy named Wart studied under the tutelage of the wizard Merlin while wishing for a bigger role in life, such as to become a knight. His dreams gave way to an even bigger reality when Wart unknowingly pulled a sword out of a stone—and becomes the famed King Arthur!

Princess Tiana

Princess Tiana, The Princess and the Frog (2009)
While Tiana started as a workaholic waitress, it was her adventures as a frog that gave her a chance to save the day. Not only was she able to defeat Dr. Facilier, but, with help from her new friends, she bought her dream restaurant and was able to finally open “Tiana’s Palace.”

Judy Hopps

Judy Hopps, Zootopia (2016)
Before Judy Hopps joined Zootopia’s police force, most everyone believed that bunnies couldn’t be cops. While Judy always knew that she could fit in with the team, it wasn’t until she exposed major corruption within Zootopia’s mayoral office and stopped a horrible plot to turn animals against each other that she was able to prove to the world that she belongs on the police force. Now, she not only fits in, but is considered a hero for her work in protecting Zootopia.

Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse, The Brave Little Tailor (1938)
Mickey played the role of a simple tailor in this classic animated short, whose only accomplishment was killing seven flies at once. When that feat is mistaken as killing seven giants at once, Mickey is appointed the “Royal High Killer of the Giant.” While at first Mickey is discouraged by the enormity of the task in front of him, using his wits and his sewing abilities, Mickey is able to take down the giant and free the people of the land!

See What The Walt Disney Studios is Bringing to D23 Expo

By D23 Team

At D23 Expo 2015, we met the cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at The Walt Disney Studios live-action panel, were the first to hear new details about Toy Story 4 at the Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Panel, and were thrilled by so much more throughout the three-day event. These two can’t-miss panels are back for D23 Expo 2017, along with new presentations that will bring some of your favorite characters and films to life in a whole new way. Take a look at the schedule below and get ready for D23 Expo!

Friday, July 14

John Lasseter at D23 Expo

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter (2:30 p.m., Hall D23) –– Join host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, as he shares never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming feature Coco and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. Plus, surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Saturday, July 15

Disney, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm – Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios (10 a.m., Hall D23)–– At this exclusive Hall D23 presentation featuring never-before-seen footage, surprise star appearances, and more, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at an exciting array of spectacular films on the horizon from these world-class studios. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Moana, Ariel, and Tiana

The Power of the Princess (10:30 a.m., Stage 28)––Join Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), and Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana) as they share stories from the making of these iconic films and how these characters have impacted fans across the globe. Hosted by Walt Disney Animation Studios animators Amy Smeed and Kira Lehtomaki.

Creating the Worlds in Pixar’s Universe (12:15 p.m., Stage 28) –– Pixar production designers and artists will literally take guests behind the scenes on a visual tour of the amazing worlds created in Pixar films––from oceans and outer space, to mountain tops and “monstropolises.”

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure: A Sneak Peek at the New Frozen Short Film (2:30 p.m., Stage 28) –– Be among the first to see exclusive and behind-the-scenes footage from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest Frozen holiday short film event, the highly anticipated Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. The film, which features the talents of the original Frozen cast, as well as brand-new songs, is directed by the Emmy®-winning team Stevie Wermers-Skelton and Kevin Deters (Prep & Landing) and produced by Oscar®-winning producer Roy Conli (Big Hero 6, Tangled).

The Evolution of Pixar’s Characters (6 p.m., Stage 28) –– Pixar characters are full of personality––from the waves in their hair to the shoes on their feet. Join some of the legendary Pixar artists behind its most memorable characters as they share what it’s like to draw these lovable characters to life.

Sunday, July 16

The Lion King

Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King (10 a.m., D23 Expo Arena) –– Join a Disney celebration of the magic, the music, and the majesty of the animated classic The Lion King. Producer Don Hahn, director Rob Minkoff, and animators Tony Bancroft and Mark Henn, along with some very special guests, reveal the secrets behind the making of the timeless animated classic.

Bambi’s 75th Anniversary (11:30 a.m., Walt Disney Archives Stage) –– Celebrate the 75th anniversary and Walt Disney Signature Collection release of Bambi with personal stories from the voice cast, anecdotes behind the making of this film and its exquisite hand-drawn artwork, and much, much more.

Throughout the weekend, be sure to check out these five sweet spots on the show floor:

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios
Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios once again join forces for a must-see animation experience at D23 Expo. Don’t miss artist demonstrations, autograph signings with top filmmakers, fan giveaways and interactive displays featuring the latest films including Cars 3, Coco, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.

Marvel Studios Pavilion
At the Marvel Studios Pavilion, fans will get an up-close look at the costumes and props from Thor: Ragnarok, including photo opportunities with exclusive set pieces from the film, as well as incredible costumes from Black Panther. Marvel Studios will host multiple giveaways and events within its pavilion space in Hall B. Fans will get the chance to meet with Marvel Studios’ filmmakers, development team, and talent. Exclusive artwork will be given away daily, along with other surprises. Details on talent appearances and special signings will be made available on the D23 Expo app.

Disney Music Emporium
Over the three-day Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the Disney Music Emporium will feature album signings by artists and award-winning composers. Limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products will be available, including new releases from Marvel, Moana, Beauty and the Beast, and Disneyland attraction picture discs, plus lithographs, Crosley turntables, and posters. For a complete list of talent appearances and album signings, visit http://waltdisneyrecords.com/d23expo/signings.html.

Disney Movie Rewards and Disney Movie Club
Disney fans will be able to experience a unique augmented reality photo booth presented by Disney Movie Rewards. Fans will be able to earn mystery points which can be used for great rewards like Blu-rays, movie tickets, and exclusive collectibles only available at DisneyMovieRewards.com. Disney Movie Club, the ultimate source for building your Disney movie library, will also be there hosting a special augmented reality gallery. Come by for free giveaways and a special sign up offer just for D23 Expo 2017 attendees.

Disney Family Movies
Stop by the Disney Family Movies booth in Hall C to learn about this fun subscription, video-on-demand service.

James Van Der Beek, Lauren Graham, Patti LuPone, and more star in Disney Junior’s Vampirina

By Nicole Nalty

Inspired by Disney Publishing’s popular children’s book series Vampirina Ballerina, Disney Junior’s Vampirina centers around Vampirina (aka Vee), voiced by 12-year-old Isabella Crovetti, as she adjusts to life in Pennsylvania, after she and her family move from Transylvania. James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek) and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) voice Vampirina’s parents, Brois and Oxana Hauntley, who are facing an adjustment of their own as the proprietors of the local Scare B&B––a bed and breakfast for visiting ghouls and goblins.

Van Der Beek and Graham lead a star-studded voice cast with recurring guests like Tony® Award-winning Broadway performers Patti LuPone and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Vee’s grandparents, and Wanda Sykes as Vampirina’s gargoyle sidekick Gregoria. With this talented bunch, it’s no surprise that each episode of Vampirina will feature original songs––and Van Der Beek, Graham, and Crovetti perform the series’ theme song.

Rounding out the voice cast are: Mitchell Whitfield (My Cousin Vinny) as playful ghost Demi; Jordan Alexa Davis (Sofia the First) as Vee’s best friend and next-door neighbor, Poppy; ViviAnn Yee (The Boss Baby) as another one of Vee’s close friends, Bridget; Dee Bradley Baker (Phineas and Ferb) as Vee’s teacher, Mr. Gore, and the Hauntley’s dog, Wolfie; Benji Risley (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie) as Poppy’s twin brother, Edgar; Cree Summer (A Different World) as Poppy and Edgar’s mom, Edna; and Ian James Corlett (Dinosaur Train) as Chef Remy Bones, the Scare B&B’s comedic skeleton chef.

Stay tuned for more ghoulishly great updates from Disney Junior’s Vampirina, debuting this fall!

Find Out Which Hercules Character You Are Most Like with this Epic Quiz

By D23 Team

It’s an anniversary of legendary proportions: June 27, the animated classic Hercules is celebrating 20 years of going from zero to hero! We all have a favorite character from the film, but which character do you think you are most like? With some inspiration from the muses, we went the distance and created this quiz to answer that very question. And don’t miss our Hercules panel at D23 Expo on July 16!

This campaign has ended. Check out D23.com for more Disney fun!