Whoopi Goldberg, Mark Hamill and others join star-studded lineup for D23 Expo 2017

in Disney, Disneyland Resort, Entertainment, Events, Movies, Movies & TV, Television

The excitement is ramping up from zero to hero for D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. During the three-day event, guests will have the chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Hercules with members of the cast and creative team. They will also hear from Disney Legends, including 2017 inductee Mark Hamill, during a panel hosted by Leonard Maltin. Additionally, the music of Walt Disney’s classic live-action musicals will be on stage in a production featuring Lesley Ann Warren and hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. That isn’t all though. John Stamos will play host during a chat with Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering. Plus, the Walt Disney Archives will host three days of presentations on its own stage. 

Newly added panels include:

Mousequerade

Mousequerade, the fan-favorite costume competition that invites participants to create their own Disney-inspired designs, returns to D23 Expo 2017. Join judges Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Rebels), Kara Saun (costume designer for Descendants 2), Yvette Nicole Brown (ABC’s The Mayor), 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

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. Celebrate with us as we bring together the show’s creators and other special guests for this unforgettable event.

Disney Legends 30th Anniversary

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 Walt’s Time: The Music of Disney Live-Action Films

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, Karen Dotrice, and other renowned guest stars. Musical performers and a 20-voice chorus will showcase numbers from “Summer Magic,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Happiest Millionaire,” and “The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band,” and others in the enchanting event.

Zero to Hero: The Making of Hercules 

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

For eight decades, Disney fans have whistled “Heigh Ho” while they worked. Now, in honor of the 80th anniversary of Walt Disney’s first-ever animated feature, D23 Expo is proud to present a special screening of the film that started it all: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering 

Join a fascinating conversation, hosted by John Stamos, with three Imagineering Legends—Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, and 2017 Disney Legend inductee Wayne Jackson—as they recount true-life 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.

These exciting panels are not all you can expect to find at the D23 Expo 2017 though. There will also be several other exciting events:

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.  

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 Disney’s Elena of Avalor, will perform live for the first time, and will be joined by special guests including Lou Diamond Phillips who voices series’ villain, Victor Delgado.  Also 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 artists how to draw throughout the weekend. Marvel’s Brian Crosby will show fans how to draw Spider-Man and Groot. And Bill Rogers, the “voice of Disneyland,” will be on-hand each day to record fans’ outgoing voicemail messages in his signature dulcet tones. 

 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. 

 D23 Expo 2017 will run July 14 to July 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets are available now at D23expo.com.

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