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D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event brought the Anaheim Convention Center to its knees with every facet of The Walt Disney Company mere steps away from the Disneyland Resort. The bi-annual event has grown so large that the nearby Honda Center was also included for the first time in 2024 for high-end production scales and presentations.
From August 9 to 11, 2024, everything from Disney Parks, studios, animation, television, streaming, theatrical, music, archives, and more got in on the action. This is also the place and time to share your favorite fandom with others. Panel discussions provided great venues to sit, relax, listen, and absorb the different fascinations. Not every Disney fan is the same. That’s why these panels are pinnacle to focusing on particular aspects of the love we have for what The Walt Disney Company does to provide quality entertainment.
The following panels we managed to attend barely scratch the surface of the schedules, space, and guest appearances that were able to make time for these fascinating appreciations.
The Costuming Artistry Behind Disney Experiences panel brought Disney Live Entertainment costume designers to share inspiration, creative process, and details behind costumes across Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. Exclusive to the panel was new concept art for The Little Mermaid show returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. New costume details were also revealed for the Haunted Mansion Parlor and Periscope Pub aboard the Disney Treasure. A personal favorite included character concept art for Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Tyler Lenn Bradley leads with Harmony McChesney, Josh Winchester, and Yonit Olshan.
Costumes Photo Gallery
Unusual Artwork from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library showcased not every collection in the archives were pencil and paper. They came in small and large sizes, dimensional, and unidentified. Fox Carney and Tori Cranner curated the gallery of oddities.
Research Library Photo Gallery
Anaheim Convention Center arena stage was turned into the Premiere Stage for the D23 weekend hosting the event’s biggest performance venue.
Team members from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios joined onstage in a discussion “Bringing the Worlds of Disney Animation to Life in Disney Parks”. Jeanette Lomboy lead the global panel with Roger Gould, Charita Carter, Daniel Jue, Dustin Schofield, Emily (Emo) O’Brien, and Michel Den Dulk from Tokyo Disney Sea Fantasy Springs, Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia, to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Disney Animation to Life Photo Gallery
Even with outstanding national tours, Disney Princess – The Concert is a returning favorite to D23. Bringing together a who’s who of voices from Disney on Broadway and animated films performing the music of Disney Princesses, heroes, and villains. Appearances included Susan Egan, Courtney Reed, Syndee Winters, Benjamin Rauhala, Coco Jones, Jodi Benson, and Adam J. Levy. A highlight of the evening was Paige O’Hara joining Susan Egan for a Beauty and the Beast medley. Powerhouse performances leaving behind heartwarming cheers and tears.
Disney Princess Concert Photo Gallery
Jolly Holiday: A D23 Musical Celebration of Richard M. Sherman. From “Mary Poppins” to “Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room”, a heartwarming and joyous musical tribute to beloved Disney songwriting legend Richard M. Sherman. Joining host John Stamos onstage were the people who worked, knew, and admired him best. From Disney CEO Bob Iger, singer Ashley Brown, imagineer Tony Baxter, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, animator Floyd Norman, film critic Leonard Maltin, his daughter Jessie Maltin, and via recorded video “Saving Mr. Banks” actor Jason Schwartzman.
After reminiscing about their working relationship with the Disney legend, actresses Haley Mills and Lesley Ann Warren sang a duet tribute of “Let’s Get Together” from the Disney classic “The Parent Trap”. Jeff Sherman, Richard’s son, spoke a few words about his father while Richard’s granddaugther Meg Rose Wolf sang a redenition of “The Age of Not Believing”. It wouldn’t be a proper celebration of life to a legendary songwriter without a sing along to “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”. A touching tribute put together only a mere couple months after Richard’s passing.
Jolly Holiday Photo Gallery
“Donald Duck’s 90th Quacktacular” celebrated 90 years of Donald Duck with special screenings, never-before-seen artwork, and behind the scenes photographic history. Adorned with Donald Duck apparel, voice actor Jenny Lorenzo hosts animator Mark Henn, producer Dorothy McKim, and Tony Anselmo, the voice of Donald Duck. The panel ended with singing happy birthday and a surprise appearance by Donald himself!
Donald Duck 90th Photo Gallery
“Magic After Dark – The Story of Disney’s Nighttime Spectaculars” joins nighttime magicians to share stories behind favorite and iconic after-dark shows from fireworks above castles and colorfully lit stage of water. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology of the time from computer programming, lasers, and drones, it’s not always easy to make memories last a lifetime.
Nighttime Spectaculars Photo Gallery
There were growing concerns of the space limitations from making online reservations to highly sought after panels. But from personal observations, online reservations either did not meet even half of the allotted space for each room, or not every reservation showed up. Thus allowing a majority of seating going to the standby queue.
In past D23 events, the panels were often chaotic and frustrating leaving a bad impression among attendees. But for the most part in 2024, getting into the panels were met with ease and professionalism. Less panic-inducing and more time for enjoyment. If panels is what you want from your convention experience, panels you will get.
