Disney News

D23 Expo Announces Disney Legends 30th Anniversary Panel, Legends of Imagineering & More (Including Billy Hill and the Hillbillies!)

Hi everyone!

The D23 Expo is just 4 weeks away now, and so much more is being announced for the event – 3 days definitely won’t be enough to see everything! Below is information in a press release about the popular Mousequerade costume contest; a Golden Girls panel to celebrate 25 years; a Disney Legends 30th anniversary panel that will be hosted by Leonard Maltin and is to include Bob Gurr and Mark Hamill; a Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering panel; and so much more that you can read below. It really looks like it will be an incredible event, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Billy Hill and the Hillbillies there! Whoopi Goldberg will be hosting a panel on live-action movies and their music. Read more below, and check out the schedule for all 3 days as it is currently filled out.

BURBANK, Calif. (June 13, 2017) – The excitement is ramping up from “zero to hero” for D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. During the three-day spectacular, which takes place July 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, guests will have the chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hercules with members of the cast and creative team; hear from Disney Legends, including 2017 inductee Mark Hamill, during a panel hosted by Leonard Maltin; and enjoy the music of Walt Disneys classic liveaction musicals in a remarkable stage production featuring Lesley Ann Warren and hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. John Stamos will host a chat with Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering. Plus, the Walt Disney Archives will host three days of presentations on its own stage. And, for the first time, guests will be able to enjoy a daily “Ultimate Fan Street Party” right on the show floor.

Justannounced panels:

Mousequerade

Friday, July 14, 11 a.m., Stage 28

Mousequerade, the fanfavorite costume competition that invites participants to create their own Disneyinspired designs, returns to D23 Expo 2017. Join judges Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Rebels), Kara Saun (costume designer for Descendants 2), and the contest’s host, Disney’s Jim Babcock, to watch dozens of finalists compete in five exciting categories for the $2,300 grand prize!

The Golden Girls: A Celebration of Friendship, Laughter, and Cheesecake

Friday, July 14, 2:30 p.m., Stage 28

In the 25 years since the final episode of The Golden Girls aired in 1992, the television series has become an enduring fan favorite that continues to be watched throughout the world. Join us as we bring together the show’s creators and other special guests for this unforgettable event.

Disney Legends 30th Anniversary

Friday, July 14, 4:15 p.m., Stage 28

Join film historian Leonard Maltin as he celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Disney Legends program with a remarkable lineup of individuals who have each left an indelible mark on the Disney legacy, including Bill Farmer (the voice of Goofy and Pluto), Imagineering Legend Bob Gurr, Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith, and 2017 inductee Mark Hamill.

Melodies in Walts Time: The Music of Disney LiveAction Films

Friday, July 14, 6 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

In the 1960s, Walt Disney sought to expand his filmmaking style beyond animation and bring music to a variety of new live-action film projects. D23 Expo will celebrate these magical, musical movies in a live stage extravaganza—hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and featuring Lesley Ann Warren and other renowned guest stars, joined by live musical performers and a 20-voice chorus—to showcase Summer MagicMary PoppinsThe Happiest Millionaire, and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, as well as others.

Zero to Hero: The Making of Hercules 

Sunday, July 16, 12:30 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

From the heights of Mount Olympus to the depths of the Underworld, celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Disney classic that put the “glad” in gladiator! Join a group of legendary artists and filmmakers who brought Hercules to life, including directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg (“Phil”) and Ken Duncan (“Megara”), as well as Megara and Hercules themselves—Susan Egan and Tate Donovan—as they recount stories of making one of the most epic animated features of all time.  

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: 80th Anniversary Screening

Sunday, July 16, 3:15 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

For eight decades, Disney fans have whistledHeigh Howhile they worked. Now, in honor of the 80th anniversary of Walt Disneys firstever animated feature, D23 Expo is proud to present a special screening of the film that started it allSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering 

Sunday, July 16, 6 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

Join a fascinating conversation, hosted by John Stamos, with three Imagineering Legends—Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, and 2017 Disney Legend inductee Wayne Jacksonas they recount truelife anecdotes and share personal stories about the celebrated artists, designers, and technical wizards who established the foundation and guiding principles for groundbreaking Disney experiences around the globe.

Also coming to D23 Expo…

Walt Disney Archives Stage

The popular Walt Disney Archives Stage returns, more than doubling its capacity, as it hosts 17 panels and presentations throughout the weekend. Disney notables, such as director Pete Docter, Disney Legend Jim Cora, producer Don Hahn, Bret Iwan (the voice of Mickey Mouse), Imagineers Diana Brost, Jason Grandt, and Chris Merritt, plus many more, will participate in panels throughout the weekend. Fans will enjoy exploring many of Disney’s worlds, from the incredible work of Marc Davis and the original characters of the Disney Parks (such as Figment and the Country Bears) to the women of Disney animation and an incredible virtual walk-through of the Walt Disney Studios on Hyperon Avenue. Visit D23expo.com for the complete schedule.

Center Stage

Located in the center of the D23 Expo show floor, Center Stage will be the heartbeat of the Expo and a hub of activity throughout the weekend. Aimee Carrero, the voice of Disneys Elena of Avalor, will perform live for the first time, and will be joined by special guests including Lou Diamond Phillips who voices seriesvillain, Victor DelgadoAlso performing on Center Stage will be Temecula Road, Tomasina, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, nerd-rock group Kirby Krackle, and Susan Egan, who will sing favorites from Beauty and the Beast. Disney animators, including Eric Goldberg and Mark Henn, will show aspiring artistshow to drawthroughout the weekend. Marvels Brian Crosby will show fans how to draw SpiderMan and Groot. And Bill Rogers, thevoice of Disneyland,” will be onhand each day to record fansoutgoing voicemail messages in his signature dulcet tones. The comlete lineup will be available in the coming weeks on the D23 Expo app.

D23 Expo’s Ultimate Fan Street Party

For the first time at D23 Expo, guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind street party—right on the D23 Expo show floor. Twice each day the cavalcade will travel down Mickey Avenue, with a live band, beloved Disney characters, high-energy dancers, and celebrity grand marshals! Stan Lee and Mark Hamill will grand marshal the first cavalcade on Friday, July 14, and members of the cast of Descendants 2 will lead the second that day. Additional talent and times to be announced in the coming weeks and will be available on the D23 Expo app.

Talent subject to change. Additional details are available at D23expo.com.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for oneday adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a oneday adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multiday tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23expo.com.

About D23 Expo 2017

D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2017 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.

About D23

The nameD23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disneys 90-plusyear historyIt gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twentythree; a rich website at D23.com with membersonly content; memberexclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.