WDW Daily News

Fans inside Hall D23 at D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, California, were the first to learn of six new series in development for Disney+ and discover key details about the highly-anticipated streaming service. The star-studded event featured in-person and video appearances from the stars of Disney+’s slate of originals from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, and included sneak peeks, trailer premieres and exclusive news about the service and its upcoming projects.

“With less than three months until launch, Disney+ will soon entertain and inspire audiences of all ages for generations to come, and we’re excited to preview some of the amazing original content being created for the service exclusively from our world-class brands today at the D23 Expo,” said Kevin Mayer, chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment. “Storytelling is the cornerstone of The Walt Disney Company and we’re thrilled to unveil a new slate of original shows from the Star Wars and Marvel cinematic universes, along with popular television franchises set to return with all-new series streaming only on Disney+.”

The presentation was hosted by one of the stars of the Disney+ original film Lady and the Tramp, Yvette Nicole Brown, and featured some of the creative minds behind Disney+’s content slate including Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Productions; Kevin Feige, president, Marvel Studios; Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm; and Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channel Worldwide.

With the streaming service set to debut on November 12, many of the stars, filmmakers and creatives behind Disney+’s original movies and shows that will be available at launch were in Hall D23 today for the first public preview of the eagerly anticipated content. Six new trailers were seen for the first time today at D23 Expo 2019, along with a first look at an animated shorts series from Pixar:

The Mandalorian

As Lucasfilm ventures into Star Wars episodic live action for the first time in history, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy told Disney fans, “It’s both exhilarating and liberating to be able to tell stories that expand beyond two hours, and the quality of our episodic series for Disney+ will be identical to our feature films.” Brand-new Disney Legend Jon Favreau and his fellow executive producer Dave Filoni were joined by series stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers and Giancarlo Esposito—as well as Taika Waititi, who brings the droid IG-11 to life—to premiere the teaser trailer for the first-ever Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian.  Additionally, earlier today, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger also announced that new Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen will join the cast of the series. Set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order, the series follows the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.

The D23 Expo audience was the first to hear how Target and Disney will come together with a creative retail collaboration that encompasses experiential retail and merchandising – including the launch of 25 Disney stores within select Target stores nationwide on Oct. 4, with 40 additional locations opening by October 2020. The “shop-in-shop” will feature an enhanced Disney assortment of more than 450 items, including more than 100 products that were previously only available at Disney retail locations.

D23 Expo fans heard more details about the “Zootopia”-themed land coming to Shanghai Disney Resort. In addition to a major new attraction that blends storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to bring this favorite film to life, guests can expect immersive entertainment, merchandise, and dining options that can only be found in this mammalian metropolis.

The story of a generation comes to an end. Watch the D23 special look for Star Wars the Rise of Skywalker

This past weekend I had the great opportunity to go to WIZARD WORLD Chicago.

If you have never been to a convention like this, then you are definitely missing out. Whether you are a fan of Marvel, Disney, WWE, Star Wars, or just about anything in pop culture, you are guaranteed to have a great time.

I have been several times over the years and I continue to be entertained by the fans in their Cosplay, the wide variety of merchandise and the amazing artwork. Where else can you walk past Ironman, Arya Stark and Jon Snow, and a zombie at the same time?

Where else can you see people bring their favorite characters to life with no judgment from others for “playing dress up”? Where else can you walk up to both a famous comic book artist and someone who is just starting their career to discuss their pieces and why they chose that particular character and style? There are even opportunities to meet celebrities from TV, movies, and more. The crowd pleasers this past weekend were Jeff Goldblum and John Travolta.

WIZARD WORLD Chicago also amazes me every year because of the LACK of people on their electronic devices. It is a rarity to see so many people in one place just enjoying the event and each other. It is so refreshing to see people smiling, laughing, and living life without having to be attached to their phones. If shopping is more your style, then there are plenty of opportunities for that.

I know we spent hours winding through the many shops looking at pop culture figurines, comics, tshirts, and posters. I even managed to find a few items from my favorite Broadway shows as well as a picture book for my classroom.

Like I said, there is something for everyone. WIZARD WORLD convention information can be found at wizardword.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. No matter where you live in the USA, there is a Wizard World convention coming to a venue near you in 2019-2020. Go ahead and get those tickets so you too can be part of one of the best fan conventions in the country. I promise you will have an awesome time!

Guests will be able to visualize these exciting plans for Epcot when doors open Oct. 1, 2019, for Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experiencein the Odyssey Events Pavilion. Guests will discover engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the park’s future throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

Clearly … there’s a LOT happening at Epcot. Stay tuned for more updates during the park’s historic transformation!

At D23 Expo 2019, Bob Chapek, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products shared details about the next generation of animated stories we’re bringing to life – starting at the Disneyland® Resort!

Debuting in spring 2020, the all-new, extraordinary “Magic Happens” parade will travel down Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland® Park.

Celebrating awe-inspiring moments of magic—both large and small—that are at the heart of so many Disney stories, “Magic Happens” reminds us we don’t need wings to fly, shooting stars were made to wish upon, and magic doesn’t stop at midnight.

This daytime spectacular will feature stunning floats, beautiful costumes, and beloved Disney characters – all led by Mickey Mouse and his pals.

On her voyager wa‘a (or canoe), Moana journeys forth on the crest of a beautiful wave, inspired by beautiful koa wood carvings inset with LED panels, providing a dazzling glimpse into the magic the ocean holds.

Celebrating the magic that happens when Miguel strums the guitar of Ernesto de la Cruz, the spectacular float inspired by the Disney and Pixar film “Coco” bridges the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead with vibrant marigolds. Fantastical alebrije spirit animals join the procession, along with Miguel’s dog Danté.

The regal grand finale of “Magic Happens” parade celebrates magical moments from classic Disney stories, including the trio of fairies from “Sleeping Beauty” who transform Princess Aurora’s gown from pink to blue and back again!

In addition, the parade will feature ​even more floats and characters, an energetic musical score and a new song produced in partnership with singer-songwriter Todrick Hall. The high-energy music combines this original song with classic Disney tunes in a fresh, contemporary style.

Stay tuned for more updates on “Magic Happens.”

• Also in the France pavilion, the classic Impressions de France film will be joined by the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,” debuting in January 2020 and directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time.

• “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360”will debut in January 2020 in the Canada pavilion with new scenes and a new story.

• In the China pavilion, “Wondrous China” will take you on a spectacular journey across the country, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products have announced tickets are on sale for the highly anticipated new show coming to the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The yet-to-be-named production, a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering will open for previews March 20, 2020, and officially premiere April 17, 2020. The show will take residency at Disney Springs. Tickets information is available online at Disneyworld.com.

This original creation coming to Disney Springs celebrates the art of Disney animation in Cirque du Soleil’s signature way, with a tribute to thecraftsmanship that makes Disney so extraordinary.It will transport the audience into the world of Disney animation with new original acrobatic sequences, dazzling choreography, musical masterpieces and whimsical characters.

Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, stated “We have joined forces with Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios to create a show that combines Disney animation and heart with the unique artistry and theatrical sensibility of Cirque du Soleil. We are honored to be the first company trusted to work and create around these classic Disney characters in this unique way.’’

“For more than 60 years, we’ve been bringing Disney stories and characters to life in our theme parks around the world,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “Now our teams at Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios have joined with Cirque du Soleil to create an entirely new experience that will wow Walt Disney World guests and bring timeless, enchanting Disney stories to life in an unforgettable new way.”

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products first teamed up to bring La Noubato the stage at Disney Springs (then Downtown Disney) in 1998. Twenty years later, the two organizations are excited to be working together on a new project.

For more information on show tickets, dates and pricing, visit Disneyworld.com.

Take a look at concept art for the entrance of Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge. It will be a unique hotel and proposed Disney Vacation Club resort inspired by the wonders of nature and artistry of Walt Disney.