Top 10 Amazing Things that Happened at Disney D23
What's up with the world of Disney and what projects are coming up? In this countdown we take a look at the Top 10 Amazing Things that Happened at Disney D23! We've included book announcements, commemorative panels, Disney legends, Kingdom Hearts III, Park additions and revamps.
#10: Cosplays Galore
The modern standard is that big pop culture conventions feature incredible cosplay, and Disney definitely wasn’t the exception to this rule. Attendees got creative with their outfits, portraying characters from properties across the Disney spectrum. Since adults aren’t allowed to dress up in costume at Disney parks, in order to avoid confusion with actual cast members, this is one of the few opportunities Disney lovers get to show off their amazing costuming skills, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
#9: Book Announcements
In 2015, Disney Legend Richard Sherman debuted a new song for Disney called “A Kiss Goodnight” which would come to be part of Disneyland’s Disneyland Forever fireworks show. Fans of the song were excited to hear that it’s actually being turned into a book, illustrated by fellow Disney Legend Floyd Norman, scheduled for released on August 22nd, 2017. In other bookish Disney news, a title was revealed called “Ink and Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation” which looks at women’s involvement in Disney’s inception and how their contributions shaped the way the company looks today.
#8: Commemorative Panels
While much of the focus on D23 is put on announcements of new content and park updates, there were also many panels looking back at some of achievements that Disney has made in the past. Alan Menken performed his one man show that featured songs he’s written for Disney classics like “Under the Sea,” “Be Our Guest,” “Colors of the Wind.” There was a jaw dropping live Lion King performance to celebrate the upcoming live-action film. There was a panel on the 50th anniversary of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride as well as retrospectives on Hercules and The Golden Girls.
#7: Disney Legends
2017 was the 30th anniversary of the Disney Legends awards, which recognize people who have contributed to the world of Disney. This year was bittersweet as both Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill of the Star Wars franchise were honored with the title of Disney Legend. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke to Fisher’s contributions. Among the other honorees inducted into the Legends category this year were Oprah Winfrey, Julie Taymor, and comic book legends Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.
#6: Disney on TV - Returning and Reboots
Disney movies are typically what garner the most attention at D23, but in 2017 there were also a few exciting previews of what’s to come for Disney Channel television content. There was an exciting panel on “Tangled: The Series,” which returned in July 2017 with the second half of its first season. The panel discussed even more adventures and mishaps for Raps and the gang. At the “DuckTales” Q&A panel, attendees were surprised with a teaser for fall 2017’s upcoming “Big Hero 6: The Series” as well as a clip from the “DuckTales” reboot.
#5: Kingdom Hearts III
Over a decade after the release of “Kingdom Hearts II”, fans have been hotly anticipating any news of a sequel. While it was announced in 2013 that the game was in development, it was only at D23 that a release date had been established. Tetsuya Nomura, one of the game’s directors, said that fans can expect a 2018 release for the third installment of the series. It will also mark the first time that the franchise will partner with Pixar. A new “Toy Story” world will be included in the gameplay where you’ll get to play alongside Woody and Buzz.
#4: Park Additions & Revamps
For many, the parks announcements are what D23 is all about, and there was no shortage of exciting news this time around. 2021 will be the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in Orlando and there are many new rides and attractions set to debut for the occasion. A “Ratatouille” ride will be added at Epcot, a “Tron” ride will appear in next to Space Mountain, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be built at Hollywood Studios and there will be new transportation to connect parks and resorts: the Disney Skyliner and new “Minnie” vans. We also got an announcement that Toy Story land will officially open at Hollywood Studios in 2018. There’s one category we’re omitting from this entry and you’ll see why in a minute...
#3: Animated Movie Announcements
One of the most well-attended panels of the weekend was “Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films” which gave us sneak peeks at some upcoming movies as well as announcing projects we didn’t even know were in the works. It was revealed that the short film “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” would premiere before “Coco” in theatres during the 2017 holiday season. We also got a release date of November 27, 2019 for “Frozen 2”. We were treated to a clip of “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” that featured the voices of 9 Disney princesses as well as concept art for “The Incredibles 2”. An untitled Dan Scanlon fantasy project was also announced and we can’t wait to learn more about it.
#2: Live-Action Announcements & Casting
Disney has many live-action projects in the pipeline and each one seems more exciting than the last. The trailer for "Avengers: Infinity War" was unveiled by its huge and formidable cast. Conference attendees were treated to a clip from the upcoming live-action “Lion King” remake but unfortunately Disney has not released the scene online. All reactions though point to the CGI being incredible. We finally got casting news for the “Aladdin” remake as well as a full length trailer for the adaption of popular children’s book “A Wrinkle in Time.” There was also talk about a live action “Dumbo”, set to be directed by Tim Burton and released in 2019, as well as an interview with Emily Blunt who will be portraying Mary Poppins in the 2018 reboot.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Honda "Minnie" Van
Tribute to Edna Mode
DuckTales Money Pit
#1: Star Wars Galore!
When Disney announced in 2012 that it would be acquiring the “Star Wars” franchise under Lucasfilm, fans were split on whether the merger would be a positive one. Several years later, it seems clear that this was a match made in heaven. There were three separate “Star Wars” announcements at D23, including a behind the scenes look at 2017’s “The Last Jedi.” We also got a glimpse of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” the new land opening at Disney World in 2019. Perhaps most buzzworthy however was the announcement that Disney would be creating an immersive “Star Wars” hotel in Orlando that will be unlike anything the world has seen before.
