Starting this Friday, it’s once again time for the event Disney fans have been looking forward to for the past two years: D23! The 2015 D23 Expo is once again coming to the Anaheim Convention Centre after being absent last year. Just like the Expo that was held in 2013, we’re expecting some big news, exciting announcements, and fun events. So, if you’re going, you’re definitely in for a treat!
To make sure you don’t miss any of the awesome panels and presentations, we made an overview, which can be found below, with all the panels and presentations a Disney or animation addict won’t want to miss.
Friday, August 14
The Magic Behind The Muppets
When: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Stage 23
If you’re a Muppets fan, the The Magic Behind The Muppets is a panel you won’t want to miss during this D23 Expo. This panel will show you the magic behind being a Muppet performer and what it takes to bring some of the world’s most beloved characters to life. This panel, which features some unannounced surprise guests, will give you a once in a lifetime demonstration of how your favorite Muppets are brought to life. Since this panel is hosted by ABC, you can also expect some fun surprises from the upcoming Muppets TV series.
In Conversation With the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out
When: 11:30 a.m.
Where: Stage 28
Earlier this summer Pixar’s latest animated feature, Inside Out, hit theaters. Get an exclusive behind- the-scenes look at how the film was made and join director Pete Docter and producer Jonas Rivera in this panel as they share their personal stories of creating the world, characters, and story of this already beloved classic.
Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films
When: 3:00 p.m.
Where: Hall D23
As an animation addict, this is the panel you definitely can’t miss if you’re attending the D23 Expo on Friday. During the panel John Lasseter will take the audience through some of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studio’s upcoming slate of films including The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory, and Moana. We expect that attendees will be shown some exclusive footage from these films including clips and concept art. The filmmakers will be at the panel to discuss their upcoming films and we expect some guest appearances from voice actors (including some unannounced ones). Besides getting to see exclusive footage from these films, Disney announced that there will be musical performances, so be ready to hear some exclusive songs from upcoming films like Moana. Finally, this panel will most likely feature some exciting new announcements for feature films and shorts that we can expect in 2017 and beyond!
The Art of the Story – with Brian Kesinger & Normand Lemay
When: 9:00 a.m.
Where: Walt Disney Studios
Have you ever wondered how the storyboarding process is done? Join Walt Disney Animation story artists Brian Kesinger and Norman Lemay as they discuss and explain the process of storyboarding using their very own storyboards.
NOTE: This presentation will take place at the Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Stage within The Walt Disney Studios pavilion.
Visual Development – with Lorelay Bové & Brittney Lee
When: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Walt Disney Studios
Disney Animation’s most popular visual development artists, Lorelay Bové and Brittney Lee, will take you through the visual development process in this presentation about the visual design of Disney movies. As they discuss their work on films such as Wreck-it Ralph and Frozen, they will showcase some of their own imaginative designs and explorations.
NOTE: This presentation will take place at the Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Stage within The Walt Disney Studios pavilion.
A Goofy Movie 20th Anniversary Reunion!
When: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Stage 28
If you’re a big fan of A Goofy Movie, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, you can’t miss this exciting panel about the film. The film’s producer, Don Hahn, will host a panel featuring the film’s original voice cast to celebrate its anniversary. Bill Farmer (Goofy), Jason Marsden (Max), Jim Cummings (Pete), Rob Paulsen (P.J.), and writer Jymn Magon will discuss behind-the-scenes stories and surprising anecdotes about the beloved film.
Saturday, August 15
Worlds, Galaxies, and Universes: Live-Action at The Walt Disney Studios
When: 10:30 a.m.
Where: Hall D23
While this is not exactly an animation related panel, its definitely a panel you won’t want to miss if you’re simply a movie and/or Disney fan in general. Join Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn as he presents the studio’s upcoming slate of live-action films. The panel will feature some first looks at upcoming Disney projects as well as some special guests appearances. The panel will discuss some highly anticipated films such as this December’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Jungle Book and many more surprises.
Welcome to Zootopia!
When: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Stage 28
Looking forward to Walt Disney Animation’s upcoming Zootopia? Join the film’s directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer, and artists from the incredibly talented production team to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the characters and world from this upcoming film and some exclusive behind-the-scenes stories. This is a panel you definitely don’t want to miss as a Disney Animation fan as you’ll be first to see some never-before-seen footage, as well as concept art from the film.
Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!
When: 3:00 p.m.
Where: Stage 28
Interested in hearing how some of your favorite Pixar movies came to be? Join Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman as she hosts this panel about crazy story ideas that almost made it into your favorite Pixar films but eventually didn’t make the final cut. The panel features guest appearances from 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).
Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Stage 23
This year, Toy Story celebrates its 20th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone join some of the film’s filmmakers including John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley, and Bill Reeves as they discuss the making of this animated classic and some of the challenges they faced along the way. As a Pixar fan this is a panel you definitely don’t want to miss as some of the studio’s most well know talent will be there to discuss Toy Story.
Once Upon a Time: An Evening With Snow White & the Evil Queen
When: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Stage 23
If you’re looking forward to the upcoming season of ABC’s Once Upon a Time, this panel is one you need to attend for sure. Join the show’s co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, as well as the series stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parrilla as they discuss the upcoming season of the show (which will for the first time ever feature a Pixar character, Merida). The panel will feature some fun surprises and sneak peeks at the upcoming season premiere. The panel will also feature a Q&A with the show’s talent moderated by D23’s Jeffrey Epstein.
Aladdin – The Making of a Classic
When: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Stage 28
Aladdin is today still one of Disney’s most beloved classics. To celebrate this timeless story join 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 voiced Aladdin (Scott Weinger and Brad Kane) to discuss behind the scenes stories about the timeless movie that changed animation forever.
Sunday, August 16
Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration
When: 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
Where: Stage 23
Do you love the classic Disney Silly Symphony cartoons? Then Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration is the right concert for you. The concert will celebrate the classic Silly Symphony animated shorts. Watch the Silly Symphony shorts as the music is performed live, by a 32-piece orchestra, and synchronized with the shorts. The shorts will be presented in high quality, newly restored, digital film masters.
The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: From Paperman to Prep & Landing, Feast to Frozen Fever
When: 11:30 a.m.
Where: Stage 28
When the Walt Disney Animation Studios was originally founded, the first kind of films it made were shorts. Today, the studios still continues this tradition with groundbreaking shorts such as Paperman and Feast. Join the filmmakers behind these shorts in this panel as they discuss this animation form.
An Animator’s Gallery: Presented by Dave A. Bossert and Eric Goldberg
When: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Stage 28
Legendary Disney animator and director Eric Goldberg recently released a book in which he drew many classic Disney characters in his own stylized way. Classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit were featured alongside more recent characters from films such as Frozen and Big Hero 6. Join Disney supervising animator Dave Bossert and Eric Goldberg as they discuss the stylized drawings that will be featured in the An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg exhibition on the show floor. Discover what inspired Goldberg to make these portraits and how he made them.
Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!
When: 3:00 p.m.
Where: Hall D23
At the 2013 D23 Expo Disney first revealed two songs from its (back then) highly anticipated film, Frozen. By now, the film and its music have become worldwide phenomena and during this D23 Expo you’ll be able to celebrate the music from the film. Join the film’s songwriter duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they discuss the movie and, most prominently, its music. You can expect to see guest appearances from Anna and Elsa, sing along to your favorite songs like Let it Go and In Summer, and hear some fascinating stories about how the song were written.
Be sure to stay tuned throughout the weekend for all the latest updates from the 2015 D23 Expo on the site. The 2015 D23 Expo runs from August 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Centre.
Are you attending the 2015 D23 Expo? Which panel do you most look forward to attending?
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes
