 | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Founded | March 10, 2009; 16 years ago (2009-03-10) |
| Founder | Bob Iger |
| Headquarters | 500 South Buena Vista Street,, United States |
Key people |
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| Products | Disney twenty-three magazine |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Website | Official website |
| Footnotes / references [1] | |
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also known asDisney D23 or simplyD23, is the officialfan club forThe Walt Disney Company. Founded in 2009, the organization is known mainly for its biennial[2] exposition event,D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (previously known as theD23 Expo). The nameD23 refers toD forDisney and23 for1923, which is the yearWalt Disney founded the company.[3]
Membership is in two levels: free and gold.[4] Membership includesDisney twenty-three (a quarterly publication), yearly gifts, events, exclusive merchandise offers, and discount and early access to the D23 Expo fan convention.[5]
Bob Iger introduced D23 on March 10, 2009, during the company's annual meeting.[3][5][6] D23 had a booth atSan Diego Comic-Con in 2009 and held the first D23 Expo from September 10 to 13, 2009.[3] In March 2010, D23 announced that the expo would be biennial instead of annual, and Destination D events would be held in the off year.[2] In February 2013, the Walt Disney Company Japan announced the first D23 Expo Japan would be held from October 12 to 14, 2013.[7]
In April 2013, D23 andTurner Classic Movies Festival teamed up for the 75th anniversary showing ofSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Kirk Douglas hosted the showing of20,000 Leagues Under the Sea newly restored from original camera negatives.[8]
Steven Clark stepped down as head of D23 in late September 2013. In January 2014, Adam Sanderson took over as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications with oversight of the Disney Archives.[4][9] At the November 21, 2014, weekend event, Destination D, Sanderson indicated that the silver level of membership was being discontinued.[4]
In October 2018,Disney Cruise Line began showingDisney at Sea with D23, a 30-minute entertainment news show that covers the many Disney subsidiaries with input from D23, starting with the shipDisney Wonder.[10]
Events include:
The expo is biennial[2] featuring:
The New York Times has called the expo "both awe-inspiring and terrifying to witness because it showcases how deeply the company's products, mythmaking and characters are woven into the cultural fabric."[14]
The first D23 Expo was held at theAnaheim Convention Center inAnaheim, California from September 10 to 13, 2009.[15] It featured pavilions fromWalt Disney Imagineering, showcasing models and tests for future attractions,Corporate Responsibility, which feature aphoto op, as well as projects for overseas troops and homeless shelters,Disney Consumer Products, showing the many products being sold by Disney within the next few years, a Disney Dream Store, costumes and props from the Walt Disney Archives, a Collectors Forum, where people from all over the country showcased and sold memorabilia.
Events were held in the D23 Arena, Stage 23, Storytellers Theatre, and Walt Disney Studios Theatre. Many future projects were announced, including an expansion ofFantasyland at theMagic Kingdom, anextensive re-hauling ofStar Tours forDisneyland andDisney's Hollywood Studios,[16] a film based on the Beatles'Yellow Submarine,Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides being revealed as the title for the fourth film in thePirates of the Caribbean franchise with a "Summer 2011" release, a newMuppet film,[17] as well as clips and sneak previews promoting projects such asPrep & Landing,Tangled,Beauty and the Beast in3-D, a set of viral Muppet videos, and a film series withGuillermo del Toro.
Celebrity appearances includedJohn Travolta,Nicolas Cage,Patricia Heaton,Kelsey Grammer,Tim Burton,Selena Gomez,Donny Osmond,Tom Bergeron,Kym Johnson,Betty White,Robin Williams,Joseph Fiennes,Johnny Depp (asCaptain Jack Sparrow), as well as live performances byMiley Cyrus,[18]Honor Society, andThe Muppets.
The D23 Expo returned for a second time at theAnaheim Convention Center inAnaheim, California from August 19 to 21, 2011.[19] The Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives has expanded by 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) since the Inaugural D23 Expo.[20] The show floor also featured a new pavilion, similar to theWalt Disney Imagineering pavilion from D23 Expo 2009,Walt Disney Parks and Resorts's Carousel of Projects which shows the highlights of the developing projects coming soon inDisney Parks around the world.[21]
Shopping opportunities included the D23 Expo Dream Store returning from the inaugural Expo. Other D23 Expo-exclusive stores included Mickey's of Glendale fromWalt Disney Imagineering headquarters inGlendale, California and the Walt Disney Archives Treasure Trove from the Walt Disney Archives inBurbank, California. Other stores include A Small World Village and aDisney Store in the Disney Living Pavilion. Another popular area was the Collectors Forum,[22] where guests could buy Disney Collectibles and connect with theDisneyana Fan Club,[23] Mouse Planet,[24] Mice Chat,[25]Hidden Mickey author Nancy Temple Rodrigue, and artist Brian Rood with his one-of-a-kindThe Rocketeer.[22][26]
Events took place at the D23 Arena, Stage 23, Stage 28, the "red carpet" at the Talent Round-Up area, Storytellers Stage at the Disney Living pavilion, and at theDisney Channel/Radio Disney stage. The Disney Channel stage held performances fromCoco Jones,China Anne McClain, a first look for Radio Disney'sN.B.T. (Next Big Thing), and a karate exhibition fromLeo Howard. Guests also had the chance to meet and greet the cast ofGood Luck Charlie,Jake and the Never Land Pirates and The Never Land Band,Lemonade Mouth,So Random!,Phineas and Ferb,Kickin' It,Fish Hooks,A.N.T. Farm,Handy Manny,Special Agent Oso,Pair of Kings, andShake it Up.
Stage 23 hosted many events involving sneak peeks to projects fromWalt Disney Studios andABC Studios includingThe Avengers,The Muppets,Brave,Monsters University,Once Upon a Time, andPrep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice, and the celebration for the 25th Anniversary ofPixar.[27][28] Stage 28 hostedWalt Disney Imagineering panels for theDisney Cruise Line,Cars Land,Buena Vista Street,Star Tours: The Adventures Continue,The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure, "The Voices of the Parks", and vintage photos and videos ofDisneyland andWalt Disney World.[27][29][30]
The first rounds of the UDTT were held on August 18, 2011 (one day before the D23 Expo), which narrowed from thousands to one hundred and from one hundred to 20. It was hosted byDan Roebuck (guest starred inLost andWizards of Waverly Place) who narrowed down the final round from 20 people to 3. After two full days of trivia questions, John Kurowski was declared the winner of the inaugural Ultimate Disney Fan Trivia Tournament. His name was engraved on aLudwig Von Drake trophy which was preserved in the Walt Disney Archives. Kurowski also won a preview cruise on theDisney Cruise Line'sDisney Fantasy ship which set sail to the public in 2012.[31]
The D23 Arena hosted many milestone events only at the D23 Expo. This was the second time that theDisney Legends ceremony had taken place in front of guests at the D23 Expo; it had originally been held at theWalt Disney Studios in Burbank. At the expo, the company honored 12 people who contributed toThe Walt Disney Company. This includedJodi Benson, Barton Boyd,Jim Henson,Linda Larkin,Paige O'Hara,Regis Philbin,Anika Noni Rose,Lea Salonga,Ray Watson,Guy Williams, and Jack and Bonita Wrather.[32]
The D23 Expo returned for a third time from August 9 to 11, 2013, at theAnaheim Convention Center. Disney officials later estimated attendance to be around 65,000.[33]Walt Disney Studios presented exclusive looks at live-action films includingSaving Mr. Banks,Maleficent,Muppets Most Wanted,Tomorrowland, andThor: The Dark World, as well as animated productions such asThe Good Dinosaur,Frozen,Party Central,Get A Horse!,Finding Dory, andInside Out.[34][35]Lucasfilm had its first appearance at the expo with the panel "Crash Course in the Force:Star Wars Saga 101" hosted byPablo Hidalgo.[36][37]Walt Disney Parks and Resorts showcased pavilions relating toAvatar Land, futureStar Wars attractions, Marvel's Avengers Academy on theDisney Magic,Disney Springs, andShanghai Disneyland.[38][39]
The fourth D23 Expo was held from August 14 to 16, 2015, at theAnaheim Convention Center inAnaheim, California.[40]Pixar andWalt Disney Animation Studios presented first looks ofThe Good Dinosaur,Finding Dory,Zootopia,Moana,Toy Story 4, andCoco.Marvel Studios presented footage fromCaptain America: Civil War and concept art fromDoctor Strange, whileLucasfilm presented a look atStar Wars: The Force Awakens.Walt Disney Pictures showcasedAlice Through the Looking Glass,The Jungle Book,Beauty and the Beast,Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,Pete's Dragon,The Finest Hours, andQueen of Katwe.[41][42] In addition, the logos forIncredibles 2 andCars 3 were revealed.[43][44] Disney Interactive held presentations on several video games, namelyStar Wars: Battlefront,Disney Infinity 3.0, andKingdom Hearts III. The presentations featured new in-game footage, trailers, and reveals.[45] The presentations also included surprise announcements and special guests.[46] At the conclusion of the Walt Disney Studios presentation, Bob Iger made a surprise announcement that Disney was developing a newStar Wars themed land for bothDisneyland andDisney's Hollywood Studios.[47] Additional presentations included "Disney on Broadway: The Originals" celebrating the stage adaptations of Disney films byDisney Theatrical Productions, "FROZEN FANdemonium – A Musical Celebration!" which celebrated the music ofFrozen, and a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release ofToy Story.
The fifth D23 Expo was held from July 14 to 16, 2017, at theAnaheim Convention Center inAnaheim, California.[13]Pixar andWalt Disney Animation Studios presented first looks atRalph Breaks the Internet,Incredibles 2, andCoco.Lucasfilm presented a behind-the-scenes look atStar Wars: The Last Jedi,Marvel Studios presented a first look atAvengers: Infinity War, andWalt Disney Pictures presented first looks atA Wrinkle in Time,Mary Poppins Returns,The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and thelive-action remake ofThe Lion King. The cast for thelive-action remake ofAladdin was also announced.Walt Disney Parks and Resorts revealed that both newStar Wars-themed lands inDisneyland andDisney's Hollywood Studios would be calledStar Wars: Galaxy's Edge and presented a scale model of the land in its pavilion on the expo floor. There were additional presentations forTangled: The Series andOlaf's Frozen Adventure, as well as a presentation celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release ofHercules.The New York Times estimated attendance for the 2017 expo at around 100,000 people.[48]
The sixth D23 Expo was held from August 23 to 25, 2019, at theAnaheim Convention Center inAnaheim, California.[49]Pixar andWalt Disney Animation Studios presented extended looks atFrozen II,Onward,Soul, and announcedRaya and the Last Dragon.Marvel Studios presented first looks atBlack Widow,Eternals, and announcedMoon Knight,Ms. Marvel,She-Hulk, andBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.Lucasfilm presented a behind-the-scenes preview atStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Finally,Walt Disney Pictures presented first looks at the live-action remake ofMulan, an extended clip ofMaleficent: Mistress of Evil,Jungle Cruise, and the live-action prequelCruella. This expo also marked the first time that Disney showcased projects from20th Century Fox, with clips of upcoming films fromFord v Ferrari,Spies in Disguise, andThe King's Man.Alan Horn stated that they were not going to announce anything about Fox at the expo, but also noted that more news about Fox would be forthcoming in the future.[50]
The seventh D23 Expo was held from September 9 to 11, 2022, at theAnaheim Convention Center inAnaheim, California. The event was originally expected to be scheduled for 2021, but was pushed back a year due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in the United States. D23 Expo 2022 saw the debut of thenew production logo ofWalt Disney Pictures, created by the Disney Studios Content andIndustrial Light & Magic and accompanied by a new arrangement of "When You Wish Upon a Star" composed byChristophe Beck and conducted byTim Davies.Pixar andWalt Disney Animation Studios presented a first look atElemental andStrange World, and also announcedInside Out 2,Elio, andWish. Walt Disney Pictures presented first looks atThe Little Mermaid,Peter Pan & Wendy,[51]Disenchanted,Snow White, andHaunted Mansion, and also announcedMufasa: The Lion King.[52]Marvel Studios announcedWerewolf by Night and presented exclusive looks atBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever,Ironheart,Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,Loki,Echo,Secret Invasion, andThe Marvels.Lucasfilm presented an exclusive first look atIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny along with trailers forTales of the Jedi,The Mandalorian, andWillow.[53]20th Century Studios announced anAssassin's Creed TV series forNetflix and presented a first look at new scenes fromAvatar: The Way of Water.[54][55]Disney Branded Television presented first looks at multiple shows, including upcomingDisney+ exclusivesAmerican Born Chinese,The Muppets Mayhem, andPercy Jackson and the Olympians.[56] Disney also presented panels and exhibits on "Disney100", the then-upcoming yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the company, as well as a "Celebration ofEncanto" and aDisney Princess concert featuringSusan Egan andAnneliese van der Pol.The New York Times estimated attendance for the 2022 expo at around 140,000 people.[14]
The eighth D23 fan event was held from August 9 to 11, 2024, at theAnaheim Convention Center inAnaheim, California.[57] Disney dropped the word "Expo", resulting in the name "D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event". On August 8, the D23 kickoff celebration took place atDisneyland Resort. From August 9 to 11,shopping pop-ups, exhibits, panels, and presentations were held at the Anaheim Convention Center during the day, and then the largest marquee shows were held atHonda Center in the evening: theDisney Entertainment Showcase (August 9), theDisney Experiences Showcase (August 10), and theDisney Legends Ceremony (August 11).The Guardian noted that the prices of three-day tickets for the event started at just under $300 and went up to $2,599 for the best seats at Honda Center.[58]
Part of the Experiences showcase was viewable in-game onFortnite[59] and showed a trailerfor the next Battle Royale season featuringDoctor Doom.[60]
The first D23 Expo Japan was held from October 12 to 14, 2013, in the Maihama area at theTokyo Disney Resort. This expo celebrated multiple anniversaries, 90th anniversary of the company, Tokyo Disney Resort's 30th, Disney Channel's 10th, Disney Mobile's fifth, the Disney–JCB Card's fifth and Dlife's first.[7] This was the first time that a Disney fan event took place in Japan.
The second D23 Expo Japan was held from November 6 to 8, 2015 at theTokyo Disney Resort.
The third D23 Expo Japan was held from February 10 to 12, 2018, at theTokyo Disney Resort.
The first D23 Brazil was held from November 8 to 10, 2024, at Transamérica Expo Center inSão Paulo,Brazil. On January 11, 2024, during the 2024Consumer Electronics Show, Disney announced that the event would be going global, with D23 heading to São Paulo, Brazil, in November of that year. This was the first time that a Disney convention was held in Brazil.[61][62][63]
As announced at the annual shareholders meeting in 2010, the D23 Expo did not return in 2010. A then-new event called "Destination D" was held at theDisneyland Hotel ballroom in Anaheim, California from September 24 to 25, 2010. Each year Destination D would have a new theme, with the 2010 event's theme being "Disneyland '55." It is likely that these events would alternate each year.[64]
The Destination D event was held from May 14 to 15, 2011, atDisney's Contemporary Resort atWalt Disney World Resort, in honor of Walt Disney World's 40th anniversary.
The Destination D event was held from August 11 to 12, 2012, at the Disneyland Hotel ballroom in Anaheim, California, to celebrate 75 years of Disney Animated features, which was a celebration of the art, storytelling, music, voices, imagination, and innovation of Disney's benchmark films.
The Destination D event was held from November 22 to 23, 2014, at Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Destination D event was held from November 19 to 20, 2016, at Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Destination D event was held from November 16 to 18, 2018, at Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort.
The first Destination D23 virtual event was held from November 16 to 20, 2020, online. The full lineup of virtual events and presentation has been announced for theD23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration, which had gone digital due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
The Destination D23 event was held from November 19 to 21, 2021, at Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort and online.
The Destination D23 event was held from September 8 to 10, 2023, at Disney's Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort and online.
The Destination D23 event is scheduled to be held from August 29 to 31, 2025, atDisney's Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort and it will be double the size from the previous events.[65][66] In addition, it was announced that attendees can enjoy several events around Walt Disney World, includingD23Kuzcotopia Night atDisney's Typhoon Lagoon water park (on August 30),Disney '80s-'90s Celebration in Concert (on August 31), andThe Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course – Disney's Global Stories & Inspirations, along with “A Goofy Movie Throwback Premiere” andD23 Nights atDisney Springs (on August 28) during the week of the event.[67]
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