StorePass at D23 EXPO 2015—Spend More Time Shopping and Less Time Waiting

So many D23 EXPO shopping experiences to choose from, and so little time!

Plus there are presentations… Autograph signings… Concerts… What’s a retail-minded Disney fan to do?

The brand-new StorePass will let you spend more of your time shopping—not waiting in line for entry to the most sought-after stores at D23 EXPO. A very limited quantity of D23 EXPO 2015 StorePass tickets will be available and will offer priority entry to Disney Dream Store, Disney Store, and Mickey’s of Glendale.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Starting at 10 a.m., and while D23 EXPO StorePass tickets last, visit the StorePass desk located adjacent to the StagePass distribution area in Hall A.
  1. Choose one of the 30-minute shopping experience timeslots, held from 12–5 p.m.
  1. Present your D23 EXPO 2015 admission ticket to receive a StorePass ticket for the respective shopping experience location.
  1. Each person is limited to one StorePass ticket for each shopping experience location per day.
  1. Please arrive at the shopping experience location at least five minutes prior to the start of your assigned timeslot with your StorePass ticket.
  1. StorePass tickets are valid only for the timeslot printed on the ticket.

Note: There will be standby lines at all locations should a guest not receive a pass for that day.

StorePass makes your D23 EXPO shopping experience so easy that the hardest question becomes, “What are you going to buy?” Have fun answering that—and shopping—at D23 EXPO 2015!

D23 EXPO 2015—Where the Art Is

Disney fans come to D23 EXPO to see things they simply can’t see anywhere else.

And Collectors Editions will be presenting three brand-new works from notable Disney artists at D23 EXPO 2015, where Disney fans will have the opportunity to purchase them for the first time anywhere.

Collectors Editions’ Official D23 Fine Art offering of Tim Rogerson’s “A Colorful Mind” will launch at EXPO and will be available in various editions, including the original.

“Six years ago, I had the honor of painting “In Company of Legends,” the official art for the first-ever D23 EXPO,” Rogerson says. “It was a painting that celebrated The Walt Disney Company and how ‘it was all started by a mouse.’ When it came time to create the next official art for D23 EXPO 2015, I felt compelled to create a piece that celebrated the man behind the mouse. Walt Disney was a master storyteller who created the most beloved and cherished characters the world over. From cheerful Mickey Mouse, to sassy Tinker Bell, to the terrifying Chernabog, Walt Disney created hundreds of unforgettable characters in his career, from early black-and-white cartoons to colorful full-length feature films. My newest work of art, ‘A Colorful Mind,’ celebrates those amazing characters that Walt himself had a hand in bringing to life.”

D23 Collectors Items

Disney Fine Art will also be presenting two D23 EXPO 2015-exclusive releases from legendary Disney artist Eric Goldberg to coincide with the launch of his new book, An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg Draws the Disney Characters. “Genie’s D23 Vacation” and “The D23 Gang” will also make their debut at D23 EXPO 2015.

Both of these programs will appeal to all levels of art collectors, offering a variety of formats, sizes, and price points.

Look for these exclusive images at D23 EXPO 2015, where Disney Fine Art by Collectors Editions presented by Stage 9 will be located in Hall B.

New The Good Dinosaur Trailer Roars to Life—& More in News

The Good Dinosaur: See Arlo the Apatosaurus in Action

Need a dose of “adorable” today? Look no further than the brand-new trailer for Disney•Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur, which will roar into theaters on Thanksgiving Day (November 25).

Directed by Peter Sohn (fun fact: he’s a Disney•Pixar veteran on whom helpful Wilderness Explorer Russell from Up is based), the film asks one simple—but very big—question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely, and dinosaurs never became extinct? The Good Dinosaur will take you on an epic journey where a terrifically cute Apatosaurus named Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa) makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is really capable of.

Mark your calendar with upcoming Disney events in 2015

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
September 26
The Art of Disney—Featuring 75 Years of Pinocchio
October 3
D23’s Sip & Stroll
Studios
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.
January 29
The Finest Hours opens in theaters.
March 4
Zootopia opens in theaters.
 Parks
September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
September 25, 28, 30; October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party 2015 at Disneyland
September 25-November 16
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
Television
July 31
Disney’s Descendants premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
September 5
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD

Celebrating Opening Day: Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Continues

On Friday, July 17, Disneyland commemorated the official 60th anniversary of their opening with a huge party! Guests were able to take fabulous, memory-filled pictures at special photo locations around the Park, and thousands of delicious cupcakes were handed out to young and young-at-heart. Some attendees even dressed in 1950s-themed outfits, “traveling” back in time to when Walt Disney threw open the gates in 1955.

But that’s not all: The celebrations also featured an announcement about Disneyland Resort’s new Million Dollar Dazzle program. Each month during the Resort’s Diamond Celebration, the Million Dollar Dazzle Crew will surprise one (or more) Southern California nonprofits with a $60,000 gift, totaling more than $1 million. Girl Scouts of Orange County was surprised with the first gift at a special ceremony on Friday morning.

In case you weren’t able to visit the Park on July 17 in person, we’ve got the next best thing: Check out this fun recap video, above, from our friends over at the Disneyland Resort.

Yoda from Star Wars

Strange But True Star Wars Trivia

The original Star Wars trilogy is beloved by fans throughout the world—and many of them know amazing, minute details about every frame. But the good folks over at StarWars.com have found a selection of very-peculiar-but-true trivia facts… ones that’ll be fantastic to break out at the next cocktail party you attend.

For instance, did you know that The Empire Strikes Back and The Shining (the 1980 film based on the Stephen King novel, starring Jack Nicholson) were shot right next to each other at London’s Elstree Studios? See the complete, fascinating list here to find out more.

Team Mickey All-Star Baseball Tour Kicks Off July 26

Play Ball! Team Mickey All-Star Baseball Tour Kicks Off July 26

Summer’s in full swing—and you know what that means, right? More baseball action than you can shake a bat at. Mickey Mouse himself is looking to get in on all the fun, so Disney is suitin’ him up and hittin’ the road…

The Team Mickey All-Star Baseball Tour allows fans of all ages to celebrate two beloved all-American icons: baseball and Mickey! Fans can join the fun-filled celebration in three weekend games in 2015: Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals on July 26; Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers on August 9; and San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies on August 16. At each game, attendees will enjoy exciting Mickey-themed activities, a huge on-field celebration, giveaways, and special surprises throughout the day.

Each team is offering a special ticket package (all available for purchase now) that includes a limited-edition Mickey Mouse hat from New Era and access to that game’s Disney fun—like all-new baseball-themed Mickey Mouse animated shorts on the jumbotron! Plus, fans are invited to enter a national sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for a youth baseball team of up to 15 people to visit ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort and play in a select baseball tournament. Head over to www.Disney.com/teammickey for your chance to win, and for more info!

Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland

Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland: Bigger and Better in 2015

Halloween at Disneyland has become its own “spooktacular” tradition over the years… and in 2015, the Park’s got even more frightful fun in store. Mickey’s Halloween Party—a separate ticketed event with trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities, and a big dance party for fans of all ages—has been expanded to 17 nights! On those special evenings, guests will be able to enjoy the new Paint the Night parade plus the Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular.

But if you can’t make it to a Mickey’s Halloween Party night, fret not! Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort features all the spine-chilling seasonal attractions you’ve come to know and love—including the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, and Mickey and all his friends in their Halloween finery. There’ll also be special Halloween-themed Diamond Celebration décor sprinkled throughout the Park, and both Paint the Night and the new Disneyland Forever fireworks will delight guests on non-party evenings.

Mickey’s Happy Haunts materialize for a creepy good time during Halloween Time, from September 11 until November 1! Care to join them…?

Disneyland Paint the Night Parade

Making a Disney Parks Parade Even More Memorable

Speaking of the new Paint the Night parade, which debuted in honor of Disneyland Resort’s Diamond Celebration, you probably know it delights the Park with music, magic, and a whopping 1.5 million colorful LED lights. But did you know it’s also the first time a Disney Parade has been made available through both Audio Description and Handheld Captioning? That means the new nighttime spectacular can be a more inclusive (and more memorable!) experience for guests with visual or hearing disabilities.

This service works by providing guests with a small handheld device that utilizes amazing Disney-patented wireless technology, which recognizes its location in the Park and triggers pre-programmed actions. For example, during Paint the Night, guests with visual disabilities who use the device hear descriptions of the visual elements of the parade. It receives signals from each parade float as it passes by, prompting it to play pre-recorded audio that describes the float. The device, offered at no cost (with a refundable deposit), also provides amplified audio for assistive listening. The next time you’re at Disneyland, visit City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A., for more information.

 

Gravity Falls Comes to Life on Nintendo 3DS

Calling all Gravity Falls fans! Disney Interactive is helping bring the Disney XD animated hit to life this fall with Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets, a brand-new video game for Nintendo 3DS. Created in collaboration with Ubisoft and the show’s creator and executive producer, Alex Hirsch, the game delivers Gravity Falls’ hilariously quirky humor in an interactive way, letting fans play as Dipper and Mabel as they set out to solve mysteries and restore order to the Gnome kingdom. Along their journey, players will encounter many more characters from the show and will explore locations like the town of Gravity Falls, the Mystery Shack, and much more. Alex himself designed the game’s original key art! (He’s multi-talented, that guy.)

Check out the new trailer for the game, above.

Sneak Peak at The Walt Disney Studios’ Film Slate

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For more than 90 years, Disney films have been exciting, enthralling, and entertaining moviegoers… And The Walt Disney Studios are gearing up to do exactly that for Disney fans at D23 EXPO 2015. The Studio has just announced its lineup for D23 EXPO 2015, taking place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, and it’s packed with sneak peeks and exclusive presentations and experiences you won’t see anywhere else.

The Studio will unveil its animation and live-action film slates via two huge Hall D23 presentations featuring surprise guests and many unforgettable moments. Other not-to-be-missed events include a Frozen FANdemonium musical celebration with Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and the 20th anniversary celebration of Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story with John Lasseter and the original Pixar crew.

HALL D23 PRESENTATIONS:

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Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter

Friday, August 14, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo, where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, presents this in-depth look at the animation studios’ slate. Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Disney Animation’s Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent.

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Worlds, Galaxies, and Universes: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios

Saturday, August 15, 10:30 a.m.—Hall D23

Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm are home to some of the planet’s best storytellers, immersing audiences fully in the world of each film from beginning to end and beyond. In this exclusive Hall D23 presentation, join Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn for a tour of upcoming live-action projects from these legendary film studios. A bevy of special guests will be on hand to offer a look at an unparalleled slate that includes Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Jungle Book, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—and much, much more.

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Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!

Sunday, August 16, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

Join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your favorite friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film—including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

CALENDAR OF KEY EVENTS:

In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out

Friday, August 14, 11:30 a.m.—Stage 28

Get the inside story on the making of Pixar’s latest summer release, Inside Out. Hear from Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up) as they reminisce and share their personal stories of creating a world that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen.

Welcome to Zootopia!

Saturday, August 15, 1:30 p.m.—Stage 28

Welcome to Zootopia, a magnificent mammal metropolis, and home to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next feature, the comedy-adventure Zootopia. Join directors Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), producer Clark Spencer (Wreck-It Ralph, Bolt), and artists from the incredible production team as they introduce rookie rabbit-officer Judy Hopps, con-artist fox Nick Wilde and a host of dynamic animal characters, sharing footage and behind-the-scenes stories with D23 EXPO-goers.

Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!

Saturday, August 15, 3 p.m.—Stage 28

Ever wonder where your favorite Pixar stories began? Hear the stories you don’t know about the classic films that you love. Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman hosts this experience, welcoming the storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films, including Darla K. Anderson (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave), Ronnie del Carmen (Up, Inside Out), and Dan Scanlon (Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University), as they talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative and share some of the crazy story ideas that didn’t make the final cut.

Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back

Saturday, August 15, 4:30 p.m.—Stage 23

From flipbooks to feature films, animation has taken audiences to fantastical new worlds, far beyond the limits of any real-world setting. Pixar Animation Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, blurring the line between art and technology and bringing beloved characters to life with heart and humor. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1995’s Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, join members of the original crew, including filmmakers John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley, and Bill Reeves as they share their stories and the challenges they faced along the way.

Aladdin—The Making of a Classic

Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m.—Stage 28

Join Walt Disney Animation Studios filmmakers, including legendary directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg (Genie), and Mark Henn (Jasmine), as well as Jasmine herself, Linda Larkin, and the two actors who gave life to the character Aladdin: Scott Weinger and Brad Kane, as they unveil the stories behind one of the great Disney classics, Aladdin, a film that led to a “whole new world” for animation.

The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: from Paperman to Prep & Landing, Feast to Frozen Fever

Sunday, August 16, 11:30 a.m.—Stage 28

When Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Studio in 1923, their first medium for storytelling was the animated short. More than 90 years later, Walt Disney Animation Studios continues this tradition, making groundbreaking and award-winning shorts including Feast, Paperman and this year’s hit Frozen Fever. Join the filmmakers behind these shorts and so many others, including Get A Horse!, John Henry, Lorenzo, and The Ballad of Nessie for a conversation about this truly animated art form.

The Tunes Behind the Toons: Screening/Q&A

Sunday, August 16, 6 p.m.—Stage 28

D23 EXPO invites you to a special screening and Q&A panel for The Tunes Behind the Toons, a short form documentary that celebrates the power of music in animation. From the silent film days when organists played live accompaniments, to the music within today’s animated features, this documentary traces the origins of cartoon music and its pioneers. Featuring interviews with Alan Menken, Randy Newman, Patrick Doyle, Mark Watters, Bruce Broughton, Richard Sherman, and many others. Producer/director Dave Bossert will lead a star-studded Q&A following the presentation.

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

The Walt Disney Studios—Show Floor Exhibition

Step into the worlds of The Walt Disney Studios in this wide-ranging showcase of exciting projects from Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm. Among the many highlights:

  • For the first time at D23 EXPO, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios have created a joint experience no Disney fan should miss. With live demonstrations, presentations, and autograph signings with top filmmakers from each studio, plus free giveaways and interactive displays featuring the films Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory, and Moana, this is a can’t-miss attraction for animation fans.
  • Explore costumes, props and photo ops from the Studios’ live-action films, including Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm.

Disney Movies Anywhere Tweet Suite

Take pics and share them in the Disney Movies Anywhere Tweet Suite. It’s also the perfect opportunity to learn more about Disney Movies Anywhere, Disney’s digital movie app that lets you watch your Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars movie collection across your favorite devices, anywhere you go.

Say Aloha to John Lasseter’s Film-Themed Hawaiian Shirts

Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter takes Disney and Pixar animation to heart—literally. For nearly every film—from Finding Nemo and Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen and Inside Out, Lasseter has commissioned an exclusive movie-themed Hawaiian shirt. And those who know the Oscar®-winning storyteller know that he loves his Hawaiian shirts—and dons one for almost every occasion. Animation fans will see their favorite film characters “materialize” before their eyes in this colorful collection, which will be exhibited on the show floor.

An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg

D23 hosts the first public exhibition anywhere of “An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg.” Celebrate Goldberg, whose artistry at Walt Disney Animation Studios began with his groundbreaking work on Genie in Aladdin, and continues to this day on projects such as the upcoming Moana and the 2014 Oscar®-nominated Mickey Mouse short Get A Horse! The exhibition features a collection of more than 100 of Goldberg’s caricatured creations of Disney characters, drawn in a style reminiscent of art seen on the famed walls of Sardi’s Restaurant and The Brown Derby. This incredible collection of art is from the newly released book An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg Draws the Disney Characters, and will be available for purchase in the Walt Disney Publishing pop-up shop on the EXPO show floor.

Frozen Album Signing

With the purchase of Frozen: The Songs or Frozen Picture Disc at the Disney Music Emporium, guests will be issued a wristband to secure a space for an album signing with Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, and Tom MacDougall (Co-Producer, Frozen Soundtrack) on Friday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Announcing the 2015 Disney Legends

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For 28 years, The Walt Disney Company has proudly honored those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy by naming them Disney Legends. Today, Disney announced the talented people who will be celebrated in a special awards ceremony at D23 EXPO 2015.

Star Wars creator George Lucas, composer Danny Elfman, All My Children star Susan Lucci, and animator Andreas Deja are among the honorees for 2015. The Disney Legends Awards ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center and will be hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. The ceremony will also include special musical performances.

“The Disney Legend Award is our highest honor, and we are incredibly proud to recognize these eight talented individuals who have contributed so much to the world of entertainment and the Disney legacy,” Bob Iger said. “Their vision and dedication to their work have brought joy to audiences around the globe and earned them a place in Disney history.”

The 2015 Disney Legend Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

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GEORGE BODENHEIMER, who retired from his role as Executive Chairman of ESPN in May 2014, enjoyed a remarkable 33-year career that began in the company’s mailroom in 1981. Working his way through the ranks, he became executive vice president of sales and marketing in 1996, before being named the network’s fifth president in 1998. He held that role until 2012, when he stepped down from day-to-day operations.

 

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ANDREAS DEJA is a link to Disney’s past and one of the greatest animators of its modern era. Deja is known for his rich portraits of villainy, having animated Gaston for Beauty and the Beast, Jafar for Aladdin, and Scar for The Lion King. He has also brought life to heroes such as mighty Hercules, the precocious Lilo (Lilo & Stitch), regal King Triton (The Little Mermaid), wise Mama Odie (The Princess and the Frog), and loveable Tigger (Winnie the Pooh). In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Winsor McCay Award for his contributions to the art of animation.

 

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EYVIND EARLE, one of the greatest of Disney artists, brought his unique style to a number of memorable projects but perhaps the purest realization of his vision remains the visual styling and backgrounds for the Disney classic Sleeping Beauty. Earle’s career with Disney began in 1951, working on background artwork for Peter Pan. He created the look of the 1953 animated short Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom, which won an Academy Award® for Best Short Subject, Cartoons in 1954. His most noticeable contribution, however, remains his work on Sleeping Beauty. The film’s eye-catching look, in its design and backgrounds, are the perfect representation of his unique style.

 

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DANNY ELFMAN provided the songs and score for Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, for which he also provided the singing voice of Jack Skellington. He also scored several Disney films including Alice in Wonderland, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Dick Tracy, Dead Presidents, Flubber, Good Will Hunting (Oscar® Nomination: Best Score), A Civil Action, Instinct, Frankenweenie, and Oz the Great and Powerful. Elfman also wrote the theme for ABC’s Desperate Housewives and penned the music for the Mystic Manor attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. His music is featured in Disneyland’s annual Haunted Mansion Holiday. His upcoming Disney projects include Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.

 

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GEORGE LUCAS, whose Star Wars films made him one of the most successful filmmakers of all time, is also a longtime Disney fan who has left an indelible impression on Disney parks. His first project with Disney was Captain EO, the 1986 3-D spectacular starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Star Tours and Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, as well as Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril in Disneyland Paris, and two blockbuster Indiana Jones Adventure attractions at Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, round out Lucas’ timeless work in conjunction with Disney.

 

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SUSAN LUCCI portrayed Erica Kane on ABC’s fabled soap opera All My Children for 41 years, a role that TV Guide deemed unequivocally the most famous character in the history of daytime television, earning Lucci 21 Daytime Emmy® nominations to which she won the prestigious Emmy for Best Actress to an industry-wide standing ovation on her 19th nomination. Shortly thereafter, she received her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, presented to her by Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. The iconic actress has also appeared on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and Hope & Faith, as well as Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven. Lucci currently stars in the international hit Lifetime series, Devious Maids, produced by ABC Studios, as the wealthy and effervescent socialite, Genevieve Delatour.

 

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JULIE REIHM CASALETTO, who began her Disney career as a tour guide, became Disneyland’s first Ambassador in 1965—a role created to help Walt, who found it increasingly difficult to attend all the events to which he was invited. As Disneyland’s first Ambassador, she was chosen “as a personification of Disneyland’s world-famous spirit of friendliness and happiness.” She became the template upon which decades of Ambassadors would pattern themselves.

 

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CARSON VAN OSTEN helped bring Disney characters to life in a variety of media, all around the world, for three decades. During Van Osten’s tenure, he oversaw creative content for motion picture tie-in advertising, many Disney publications, and also established some of the first licensing style guides for Disney Consumer Products. The talented artist designed logos for Mickey Mouse’s 50th and 60th birthdays, the Walt Disney Studios logo and water tower design, and the Disneyland Hotel clock tower “Mickey” logo in Paris.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity, and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronze prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 EXPO 2015.

The first Disney Legend was Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), who was honored in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 257 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Regis Philbin, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Walters. With the inaugural D23 EXPO in 2009, thousands of Disney fans were able to enjoy the Legends Awards ceremony for the first time. Honorees that year included Robin Williams, Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Harry Archinal, Don Iwerks, and Leota Toombs Thomas.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Sixty Years Ago Today…

Sixty years ago today, on a hot Sunday afternoon, Walt Disney unveiled “a new concept in entertainment.”

July 17, 1955 was the day the great showman unveiled his original theme park, Disneyland Park. This historic gallery of rare photos from the Walt Disney Archives captures fascinating glimpses of that unforgettable event. Since that groundbreaking day, more than 750 million guests from approximately 200 nations have headed to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Celebrate this 60th anniversary of the dedication of Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom by getting a close-up view of Opening Day with these priceless pieces of Disney history.

ABC Family Brings Stars of Hit Series and Exclusive Pin Sets to D23 EXPO 2015

Fans can meet their favorite ABC Family stars and collect exclusive pins sets at D23 EXPO 2015, the ultimate Disney fan event, August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

ABC Family will give away exclusive pin sets each day at the Disney | ABC TV Pavilion booth, from the much anticipated new series Shadowhunters on Friday, August 14; from the network’s hit series Pretty Little Liars on Saturday, August 15; and from the network’s annual event, “25 Days of Christmas,” on Sunday, August 16.

Fans can also meet some of their favorite network stars throughout the weekend in the Disney | ABC TV Pavilion booth, located on the show floor. Following is the appearance schedule (subject to change):

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

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11–11:50 a.m.
Young & Hungry stars Jonathan Sadowski and Aimee Carrero

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1–1:50 p.m.
The Fosters stars Sherri Saum and Hayden Byerly

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5–5:50 p.m.
Switched at Birth stars Constance Marie and Lea Thompson

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

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12–12:50 p.m.
Stitchers stars Emma Ishta, Kyle Harris, Ritesh Rajan, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Allison Scagliotti

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6–6:50 p.m.
Baby Daddy stars Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Chelsea Kane, and Melissa Peterman

*Schedule is subject to change.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

What are you most excited to see at D23 EXPO 2015?

D23 EXPO 2015 is coming up soon—August 14–16, to be exact—and everyone is brimming with anticipation! From attending presentations and experiencing live performances to spotting Disney stars and shopping at the Disney Dream Store, there will be so many delightful things to see and do.

We know it’s hard to decide, but let us know what you’re most excited to see!

This poll is closed.

ABC Brings Once Upon a Time & More to D23 EXPO

Be among the first to learn the secrets of what’s ahead on ABC’s most anticipated new and returning fall series; hear from some of the fairy-tale residents of Once Upon a Time and the very talented performers from the new series The Muppets; and meet some of your favorite ABC stars in person during special signing sessions at D23 EXPO: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where all the worlds of Disney come together, August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

 

Panels and Presentations

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The Magic Behind The Muppets

Friday, August 14, 10 a.m., Stage 23

Calling all Muppet fans! Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with the Muppets? Here’s your chance to find out firsthand when ABC presents a panel on the magic and art of being a Muppet Performer. Join these creative artists and some of your favorite characters, along with a few surprise guests, for a rare and unforgettable demonstration of what it takes to bring these iconic and enduring personalities to life.

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Once Upon a Time: An Evening with Snow White & the Evil Queen

Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m., Stage 23

Once Upon a Time’s savior has gone dark! As Emma Swan transitions into her role as the Dark One, join the resident fairy-tale characters as they cope with Emma’s new role and begin the search for Merlin. This is a journey that will take our heroes from the Enchanted Forest to Camelot and along the way bring many surprises, including Merida from Brave, as Once Upon a Time introduces its first Pixar character. Join co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis (LOST) and Adam Horowitz (LOST) along with series stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parrilla as they discuss the upcoming season of unexpected twists, evolving characters, new adventures, and new rivalries. This panel is sure to bring some surprises you don’t want to miss and an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming season premiere! The Q&A with this fairy-tale team will be moderated by D23’s Jeffrey Epstein.

On The Show Floor

Autograph Signings

Meet and receive autographs from some of your favorite ABC stars at the Disney | ABC TV Pavilion booth, located on the show floor. Following is the appearance schedule (subject to change):

Friday, August 14

12–12:50 p.m.
Dancing with the Stars pro dancers Witney Carson (Season 19 champion) and Allison Holker (Season 20 runner-up)

Saturday, August 15

4–4:50 p.m.
black-ish stars Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, and Marsai Martin

5–5:40 p.m.
Once Upon a Time stars to be announced

Sunday, August 16

10–10:50 a.m.
Fresh Off the Boat stars Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen

5–5:50 p.m.
The Goldbergs stars Sean Giambrone and Hayley Orrantia

Once Upon a Time Snow White and Evil Queen Doll Collection

Limited Edition of 300, $129.95

Inspired by ABC Studios’ television series Once Upon a Time, this collection brings to life the beauty, magic, and charm of the iconic fairy tale characters from the show. Exclusively available at Disney Store at D23 EXPO.

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Doll Collection Autograph Signing Opportunity with Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White) and Lana Parrilla (The Evil Queen)

Ginnifer and Lana will sign the Once Upon a Time Doll Collection, available exclusively at Disney Store at D23 EXPO. This autograph session will take place on Saturday, August 15 from 4–4:45 p.m. at the ABC booth on the D23 EXPO show floor, and is exclusively for those guests who have purchased one of the dolls.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

The Force Was Strong at Comic-Con—And More in News Briefs

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Premieres Behind-the-Scenes Footage

San Diego Comic-Con 2015 just wrapped up all its insanely awesome shenanigans… including a panel dedicated to all things Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Not only did director JJ Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy take questions from the floor (further whetting everyone’s appetite for the movie’s premiere in December), but they also welcomed nine actors from the film—including “legacy” folks Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford! That wasn’t all: Fans in Hall H were also treated to a very special look behind the scenes of The Force Awakens… which is now available online! Take a gander, above—and try not to fall out of your chair at its sheer epic-ness. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

 

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
July 18
D23 Celebrates Disneyland, U.S.A.
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
September 26
The Art of Disney—Featuring 75 Years of Pinocchio
October 3
D23’s Sip & Stroll
Studios
July 17
Ant Man opens in theaters.
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.
January 29
The Finest Hours opens in theaters.
March 4
Zootopia opens in theaters.
 Parks
September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
September 25-November 16
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
Television
July 31
Disney’s Descendants premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
September 5
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD

 

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“Looking for Mickey Quest” Begins This Month at Disneyland Resort

Spending the day at the Disneyland Resort is already loads of fun… but what if you could add a cool scavenger hunt on top of that? Look no further than the new “Looking for Mickey Quest,” which begins July 16! While Quest Guides last, guests can search for hidden Mickeys throughout the Disneyland Resort. There are two ways to play: There’s a Quest themed to Disneyland Park, and one to Disney California Adventure Park (DCA)—which means the locations, clues, hidden Mickeys, and surprises for each Quest will vary. Double the fun! You purchase a Quest Guide from one of the parks to follow clues that’ll direct you to a location where a hidden Mickey can be found. Once you arrive at the location, scratch off the answer to reveal whether or not you’re correct. But no matter whether your answers are right or wrong, you can return with your Quest Guide to the redemption location to pick up a special surprise!The Disneyland Park “Looking for Mickey Quest” Guide has 20 questions, and is available for $19.95 (plus tax); the DCA version has 10 questions, and costs $12.95 (plus tax). And don’t forget: You must return your “Looking for Mickey Quest” Guide to the respective redemption location (depending on which Quest you did, natch) before July 31, 2015, to pick up your treat. Now get to questin’!

 

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Future World Marketplace Expands at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Big doings for our friends down at Walt Disney World: Four new food and beverage marketplaces will open in Future World during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs September 25 through November 16. It’s the first time in the festival’s 20-year-history that global marketplace experiences—now numbering more than 30—have expanded from the park’s World Showcase into Future World!During the 53-day festival, the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese area featuring the Cheese Studio and Wine Studio marketplaces will evoke the ambiance of Napa Valley with grape vines and pergolas all along the walkway to Future World West. And the new Next Eats area (near the Epcot Character Spot) will include the Sustainable Chew and Chew Lab marketplaces, inspired by ABC’s daytime lifestyle series The Chew.The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is included in the price of Epcot admission—though you can make reservations or purchase separate admission for some of the Festival’s special events at epcotfoodfestival.com. See you foodies there!

 

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Brave Merida Joins ABC’s Once Upon a Time

That Star Wars behind-the-scenes featurette wasn’t the only big news at this year’s Comic-Con: the producers of ABC’s hit series Once Upon a Time (OUAT) made an announcement of their own. Starting in the fall, the good (and occasionally evil) people of Storybrooke will be joined by none other than Merida, the heroine of the Disney•Pixar film Brave.

According to our pals over at Oh My Disney!, OUAT series creator and executive producer Adam Horowitz named Amy Manson (Atlantis, Not Another Happy Ending) as the actress who’ll take on the headstrong redhead. Let’s hope she brings Angus with her!

 

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Disney Infinity Gets North American Release Date

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been counting down the days ’til the release of Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition. Thankfully, the wait is almost over; the first Starter Packs, Play Sets, and figurines will be available in stores on August 30!

Fans can expect to see the Star Wars Twilight of the Republic Play Set (featured in the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack), the Star Wars Saga Play Set, the Inside Out Play Set, and the Tomorrowland Power Disc Pack on store shelves as August comes to a close. Additional Play Sets and figures will become available throughout the fall… just in time for the holidays.

Bonus: Fans who pre-order a Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack at participating retail stores will receive an early copy of the Toy Box Expansion Game, Toy Box Takeover, an action-adventure valued at $19.99! It features multiplayer gameplay that allows players to use all of their favorite Disney Infinity characters across Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, and Disney•Pixar.

 

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Prince Harry to Bring Invictus Games to Walt Disney World in 2016

Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is set to get the royal treatment next year, when England’s Prince Harry brings his Invictus Games to the United States for the very first time!

The event, celebrating wounded servicemen and women from around the world as they compete in a variety of sports events, will take place May 8–12, 2016. The inaugural Games in 2014 drew more than 400 athletes from 13 different countries—plus some 65,000 spectators—to London, and it was seen by more than 10 million fans on TV. The Invictus Games at Disney is expected to involve a similar number of athletes from up to 14 nations competing in 10 sports including archery, swimming, track and field, triathlon, and wheelchair basketball.

Keep an eye out for more news about the Invictus Games at Disney in the coming months!