I was invited by Disney to experience the D23 Expo. All opinions shared are 100% my own.
For someone that never gets enough of the art of animation, my cup was full. I totally Geeked-Out at The Disney- Pixar Animation Panel Fiesta at D23 Expo. All the feels people. I cried, cheered, laughed and was wonderfully surprised (insert excited screams). In the awesome story telling style of Disney-Pixar we were pulled into the beautiful world of Joy, Buzz Lightyear, Olaf and Moana and got fabulous news of what is in the pipeline for us.

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
ALAN HORN (CHAIRMAN, THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS)
What’s Next? Why I Geeked-Out at The Disney- Pixar Animation Panel Fiesta at D23 Expo
Who wants a t-shirt?Johnny Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, walked to stage armed with Buzz Lightyear looking guns that were shooting outs shirts from his collection, and guess what? I got one!!!

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
JOHN LASSETER (CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, PIXAR AND WALT DISNEY ANIMATIONS STUDIOS)
Once we all settled down, Mr. Lasseter shared an explosion of magical news during the Disney-Pixar Animation Panel. He opened with a boom and keep the momentum going with fabulous news, never before seen footage of films to come, and wowing surprises. Did you know last year was the biggest one ever in animation for Disney? It sure felt like it with movies like Zootopia. Of course, that means that the teams are working to top it this year and the ones to come, soooooooooo, let’s look to the future 🙂
The Upcoming Movies

TAKING FLIGHT – Directed by Klay Hall and Bobs Gannaway, and produced by Ferrell Barron, Disneytoon Studios’ original new movie explores the future of aviation—taking moviegoers to the edge of discovery in the air and beyond. The untitled movie soars into theaters on April 12, 2019. (Concept Art) © 2017 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Untitled Disneytoon Studios:
a powerful clip with the speed and roar of sleek jet planes set the intro for a theatrical feature film that explores the future of aviation—taking moviegoers to the edge of discovery in the air—and beyond. “Untitled DTS Film” opens in theaters on April 12, 2019.

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
JOSH GAD
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure:
Kristen Bell who voices Princess Anna come on stage to present a holiday featurette that will preface Coco this fall. The 21-minute film is about Olaf and Holiday traditions. As she started the presentation there was a series of technical difficulties which turned out to be a great set up for Josh Gad to come on stage for a live performance of the all-new original song “That Time of Year”. It was so amazing and totally Olaf adventurous-sweet!

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
KRISTEN BELL, JOHN LASSETER (CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, PIXAR AND WALT DISNEY ANIMATIONS STUDIOS), JOSH GAD
Frozen 2:
With Anna, Olaf and Lasseter were already talking Arandelle, they announced that Frozen will have a sequel!!! It still does not have a name yet, but they did share it will not be Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Neither will it be “Frozen…not Thawed” or “Frozen Peas” We will have to wait until November 27, 2019 to see it. Before leaving the stage Josh Gad introduced a clip of the filmmakers taking a trip to Norway and Iceland for research purposes, to which he underlined that the actors were not included to 🙂

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
BRAD BIRD
The Incredibles 2:
In theaters on June 15, 2018, this movie is still “under production” but that doesn’t stop the fashionistas of the world to have something to say about the one and only Edna
Now, with better controls for facial expressions, The Incredibles will be even more incredible ;-). BREAKING NEWS on The Incredibles during the panel:
- Dash gets a new voice, Huck Milner
- Samuel L Jackson joins the cast as Frozone
- Lesson of the day after watching exclusive movie footage preview? Don’t mess with baby Jack!
“‘Incredibles 2’ is really a family film, it’s just that the family happens to have super powers,” said Bird. “They may have super speed or super strength, but they experience the same problems as any family.” This time around Mom is out saving the world and Bob stays at their super modern and not so baby friendly home.

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
PHIL JOHNSTON, RICH MOORE
Ralph Breaks the Intenet – Wreck It Ralph 2
WRECK IT RALPH leaves the arcade behind, venturing into the expansive universe of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s not-so-light touch. Outcasts-turned-BFFs Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz are reuniting with Fix-It Felix and Sergeant Calhoun. Added to the story is Yesss, played by Taraji P. Henson. Yesss owns a website and knows about everything cool and on trend. The website Oh My Disney makes an appearance in the film!

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
JOSH COOLEY (DIRECTOR)
Toy Story 4
John Lasseter invited Pixar’s Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?” short) to the stage, revealing that Cooley has assumed full director responsibilities for TOY STORY 4. The pair brought with them a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the director’s life at the Northern California studio. Produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out”), TOY STORY 4 is slated for release on June 21st, 2019!

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
DAN SCANLON
Untitled Dan Scanlon Movie
Director Dan Scanlon, who helmed Pixar’s “Monsters University,” joined Lasseter to share a few details about an all-new original feature film currently in production at Pixar Animation Studios. According to Scanlon, who lost his father at a very young age, the film is inspired by the question he’s always asked: who was my father? The story is set in a world with no humans—only elves, trolls and sprites—“anything that would be on the side of a van in the ’70s,” said the director. “In the film, we’re going to tell the story of two teenage elf brothers whose father died when they were too young to remember him. But thanks to the little magic still left in the world, the boys embark on a quest that will allow them a chance to spend one last magical day with their father.” Kori Rae (“Monsters University”) will produce.

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
LEE UNKICH, ADRIAN MOLINA, DARLA K. ANDERSON
Coco
The sneak peek was definitively emotional. The movie is all about family and our ancestors through the adventures of an aspiring musician, Miguel whose family long ago banned music. Desperate to prove his talent and follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel makes a fateful decision and finds himself in the Land of the Dead, where he meets his extended family and charming trickster Hector. Together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
“Our film embraces a broad landscape of music,” said director Lee Unkrich. ‘Remember Me’—the signature song made famous by Ernesto de la Cruz it embodies the key theme in our story: the importance of remembering loved ones both in life and beyond.
A Royal Surprise
Wrecked Ralph 2 has an EPIC moment in store for us. We had an advance screening of a scene of the film that is Disney Royal Surprise. It is all about a princess slumber party of sorts with Vanellope!
Shocking discovery? Princess Jazmin is allergic to Tigers and Snow White needs glasses!
Who voices these princesses? Lasseter revealed that filmmakers had asked the original voice actresses behind the Princesses featured to reprise their roles for the sequence. One by one the Disney princesses came on stage for an unforgettable Disney moment. Auli‘i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald(Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”) were welcomed on stage for the largest gathering of Disney Princesses in history.
A Celebration
To close the Disney – Pixar Animation Panel nothing short of a beautiful Mexican fiesta took over every inch of the salon when Anthony Gonzalez, who provides the voice of Miguel in the film, and Benjamin Bratt, who lends his voice to Ernesto de la Cruz, come on stage for first-ever public performance of “Remember Me” a song featured in the upcoming film Coco. To accompany the song, 160 dancers and mariachis added to the celebration.

D23 EXPO 2017 – Friday, July 14, 2017 – 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, which takes place July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. (Disney/Image Group LA)
ANTHONY GONZALEZ, BENJAMIN BRATT
And that is the rundown of what will soon capture our hearts and imaginations! Which one are you most looking forward to see?
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