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Recap: D23 A Disney Fan Dream Come True

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D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event took center stage at the Anaheim Convention Center. From August 9 to 11, 2024, the weekend was filled to the brim with every corner of The Walt Disney Company represented in pavilions, shopping, experiences, shows, costumes, panels, celebrity sightings, signings, photo opportunities, artwork, music, sneak peeks, debuts, and more.

With so much to do and see, the weekend can be the most exhausting Disney experience across the street from the Disneyland Resort. The bi-annual extravaganza has grown so large that the nearby Honda Center even got involved for the biggest productions to close each evening.

Show Floor Photo Gallery

No doubt many fans partake in dressing up as their favorite characters. Strangers become immediate friends upon meeting matching stories. Groups of friends and family unite to share their creativity. Photo backdrops enhance the experience. Some walk thru themed experiences come with special giveaways at the end like pins, posters, and free digital photo downloads. Pin collectors even got to participate in pin hunting via QR codes. The D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest was your one-stop shop for the biggest and brightest costumes put on display.

Photo Op and Cosplay Photo Gallery

Themed experiences and pavilions highlighted potential adventures and streaming opportunities to celebrate and await. Disney Junior, National Geographic, ESPN, Honda, Disney Cruise Line, Storyliving by Disney, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, Disney Theatrical Productions.

Experiences Photo Gallery

Major branches of the studio divisions got to show off new technology with popular and upcoming environments and shows. Live your Star Wars dream with Lucasfilm setting foot in the Volume for a unique one of a kind keepsake. The world of Avatar brought a slice of Pandora to Anaheim with costumes, props, set designs, and even a life-size banshee. Moana 2, Inside Out 2, and Zootopia 2 take the lead of photo ops and panels for Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios.

Production Studio Pavillion Photo Gallery

Streaming services Disney+, Hulu, and FX gave fans opportunities to put themselves into the setting of their favorite shows. A full experience of Marvel’s Time Variance Authority (TVA) was just as jaw-dropping of a themed walk-through as any Disney Park could provide in the limited scale. Portals opening into different Marvel costumes across the saga, interact with Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy, and a sneak peek at costumes for the upcoming series “Agatha All Along”. No wonder a visit to the TVA gnarled an hour long wait. Too bad this is only a limited temporary offering.

Streaming Services Photo Gallery

Walt Disney Archives also strives to display something different and unique at every D23 event. A Great Big Beautiful Car Show was an inspiration this year with automobiles displayed across movie and television appearances from Herbie the Love Bug, Cruella de vil’s motorcar, Disneyland parking lot tram, to a TRON Lightcycle.

Car Show Photo Gallery

If you thought the main show floor had it all, wait until you see the North side of the Anaheim Convention Center. World of Disney: The Product Experience extends the footprint of your shopping spree with the D23 Marketplace, Disney Store, Disney Publishing, Disney Princess, Marvel, and more. Some playful respite to be had with a Pixar mini-golf and Star Wars themed arcade.

Product Experience Photo Gallery

The crème de la créme of D23 pavilions, the not-to-be-missed showcase will always belong to Imagineering. The creators and builders of Disney Parks and Experiences open the secretive veil to reveal what goes into constructing favorite Disney adventures to life. Imagineers from across different levels of disciplines share stories and inspire dreamers of past and future projects.

Go in with less expectations of finding out any secretes beyond what the company has previously released. Go in more with what sort of skills can be applied through education and imagination to do what imagineers do best. Through trade schools and internships, the possibilities can be endless. Everyone has a unique journey where they were able to find success. From costume design, model making, sculpting, technological illusions, software engineering, robotics, and more.

Imagineering Photo Gallery

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event truly does attract the biggest fans from around the world through different divisions of The Walt Disney Company. Over 100 years of history come together under “one” roof to celebrate the entertainment conglomerate. 2024 has certainly seen enhancements in crowd control, more seating, lots of shopping, plenty of experiences, and ultimately, making new memories.

There’s still other areas left to improve for 2026. One unexpected surprise discovery for myself was finding the major shopping venues open to standby about an hour before closing time due to a majority of attendees making their way to the big evening events at Honda Center. Although the Disney Parks and Experiences show itself was split with one half just wanting quick announcements and the other half enjoying flashy musical numbers with every topic, I was happily part of the later crowd opinion.

Overall, I had a better experience this year compared to past frustrating experiences at D23. Maybe it helped I did not concentrate on shopping or getting to and from the Honda Center. The individual value of D23 is what you make of it. See you in 2026, D23!

D23 Panels Take Disney Fans Behind the Ears

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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

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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

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“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.

Disney “POP CUBE” Collection Now Available

POP

POP MART, the renowned global designer toy and entertainment brand, is transforming the global blind-box industry with the launch of POP CUBE. POP CUBE is POP MART’s new innovative product line featuring creatively designed characters in the shape of a cube with magnetic capabilities. POP CUBE will be available to purchase on POP MART’s online store from August 15, 10 pm ET, and across all POP MART US stores in September.

POP CUBE is the first-of-its-kind blind box line, with the magnetic feature allowing collectors to stack these figures in endless combinations. Standing at 4.5cm, the POP CUBE launch showcases POP MART’s dedication to creativity, artistry, and innovation as a pioneer of blind boxes. Following the launch, POP MART has plans to release additional collections across a range of IPs.

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The first three POP CUBE collections contain nine blind boxes featuring characters from a mix of Pixar’s classic and recent movies including Toy Story, WALL-E, The Incredibles, Up, Monsters Inc., Soul, Inside Out, Coco, and Turning Red.

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Larry Lu, Head of POP MART North America shares, “We are thrilled to offer collectors a new way to enjoy blind boxes and their favorite characters from Pixar with the launch of POP CUBE. This new iteration of blind boxes allows us to continue to pioneer the designer toy industry while expanding our US and global audience”.

POP CUBE Series 1-3 Product Overview:

  • Series 1 characters include: Buzz Lightyear, Little Bo Peep’s Sheep, Slinky Dog and Chuckles the Clown of Toy Story, WALL-E, Up’s Russel, Lightning McQueen, The Incredibles’ Violet, and Soul’s Joe.
  • Series 2 characters include Woody, Zurg, Little Bo Peep, Jessie and Bunny of Toy Story, Inside Out’s Sadness, Mike Wazowski, Up’s Carl Fredricksen, and WALL-E’s EVE.
  • Series 3 characters include Rex, Hamm, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear and Aliens of Toy Story, Sulley, Inside Out’s Anger, Coco’s Ernesto de la Cruz, The Incredibles’ Dash, and Red Panda Mei.
  • Price: $13.99 per blind box

Lego reveals The Nightmare Before Christmas set

Lego

The LEGO Group stumbles into Christmas Town with the reveal of the highly anticipated LEGO Ideas Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas set. Based on the iconic 1993 film, the intricately designed set brings the eerie charm and playful details of the movie to life in brick-form.

Prepare to be immersed in a ghoulishly delightful world and give the holidays a macabre makeover with three iconic locations from the beloved animated classic: Disney’s Spiral Hill, Jack Skellington’s house, and Halloween Town Hall. Build nostalgia and revel in authentic details which include a lift-off roof revealing Disney Jack Skellington’s Christmas formula, a detailed graveyard, a walking bathtub and the Town Hall lectern where Jack delivered his famous speech.

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This collector’s set includes eight beloved Disney characters: Jack Skellington, Sally, Santa Claus, Lock, Shock, Barrel, Zero the Dog, and a two-faced brick-built figure of The Mayor.

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The set was designed by UK-based LEGO fan Simon Scott as part of the LEGO Ideas program. Once designed, 10,000 people voted for it to be made into a real set. Talking about his design, Simon said, “I’m a massive fan of LEGO builds and Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas film so I’m honored to see my creation come to life in physical brick form. The film is such a family hit with young & old fans from around the world. The ideas team have done a fantastic job creating a wonderfully playable set that is just as appealing as a display piece.”

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With 2,193 pieces, the LEGO Ideas Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas set offers a rewarding building experience for fans and collectors.

The LEGO Ideas Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas set is available for LEGO Insiders from 3rd September at www.LEGO.com/Nightmare and LEGO Stores and for all from 6th September priced at $199.99.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Unveils California’s Largest Haunt

Six Flags

Six Flags Magic Mountain goes EXTREME this Fall with the park’s 31st annual Halloween event — Fright Fest Extreme, presented by SNICKERS. With 32 nights of fright on select Thursdays through Sundays, from September 7 to November 3, Fright Fest Extreme establishes Six Flags Magic Mountain as California’s largest haunt featuring 11 terrifying haunted houses and nine bone-chilling scare zones.

Fright Fest Extreme transforms the 260-acre theme park into a haunted scream park of epic proportions, captivating horror enthusiasts and thrill-seekers with a record combined total of 20 haunted attractions, including five new haunted houses inspired by Stranger Things, Trick ‘r Treat, Army of the Dead, The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Nun, and the SAW franchise.

Six Flags

“This year marks a significant milestone for Six Flags Magic Mountain as we go extreme and embark upon our largest investment and expansion of Fright Fest to date,” said Jeff Harris, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President. “By expanding our highly anticipated event with some of the largest horror brands in the world, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures, Netflix, and Legendary Entertainment, we’re raising the bar and pushing the boundaries of fear to create an unforgettable, immersive, and all-out terrifying experience like never before. It’s an honor to say that Fright Fest Extreme is the largest haunt in California, delivering an unmatched lineup of spine-tingling attractions and experiences,” he added.

Six all-new haunted houses and three scare zones coming to Fright Fest Extreme include:

  • Stranger Things – The students of Hawkins High decide to team up to create a little innocent Halloween fun for their community – but things quickly turn upside down and morph into something far darker.
  • Trick ‘r Treat – Enter a dark and twisted candy trail nightmare on a jack-o-lantern-lit path of supernatural encounters that tap into your deepest fears. With Sam, the infamous Spirit of Halloween, as your guide, learn the rules of the spooky holiday before entering a world where tricks dominate treats.

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  • Army of the Dead – The City of Las Vegas is under lockdown following a recent viral outbreak and survivors must look for an escape while battling the undead.
  • The Conjuring Universe – Strap in for a tour of the Warrens’ most hair-raising and gruesome cases, including those that inspired The Conjuring, Anabelle and The Nun. In each investigation, encounters with cursed artifacts make you the target of the possession.

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  • The SAW Franchise – Celebrate the 20th anniversary of SAW with an all-new experience honoring the franchise’s legacy of terror by plunging guests into the depths of Jigsaw’s twisted mind. Guests will endure torturous trials and come face to face with some of John Kramer’s most diabolical contraptions before time runs out.

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  • Aftermath: Nocturnal Hunt – Three hundred years after a devastating zombie outbreak, Ash City lies in ruins. Guests will stumble into the breeding grounds of the Nocturnals, the former infected who have evolved into bioluminescent predators. In a desperate attempt to escape, will you be hunting them or are they hunting you?
  • Plaza de la Muerte – Step into the spectral celebration of Día de los Muertos, where vibrant colors blend with eerie shadows in an immersive dance of spirits and traditions.
  • Underworlds of Oz – Journey through the dark side of Emerald City and the mystical realms of Oz, where twisted enchantments and ominous shadows consume the golden path, and the line between fantasy and nightmare blurs into a chilling adventure unlike any other.
  • Grimmlore Ridge – Enter a chilling realm where fear takes root and grows wild, leaving the daunting calls of ravens and crows echoing through the twisted branches and shadowed alleyway.

Five returning guest-favorite haunted houses featuring state-of-the-art makeup, props and special effects, include:

  • Condemned Forever Damned – In this dilapidated home where the walls are alive and terror crawls in every corner, guests are left trying to escape the spirits of those who once lived there as they unleash fury on anyone who dares to trespass.
  • Willoughby’s Resurrected – Evil spirits roam the once-affluent Willoughby’s family mansion that now echoes with whispers and footsteps of these restless spirits, creating an atmosphere of perpetual dread.
  • Sewer of Souls – Stumble into an underground world where the air is thick with the despair of lost souls and the darkness is alive with unseen terrors. Guests will be left to navigate through the terrifying tunnels where evil oozes and fear thrives with every step.
  • Truth or Dare – In a warped game of Truth or Dare, guests find themselves questioning their every move. The stakes are perilously high as the dares become increasingly dangerous and the truths reveal hidden fears and dark secrets. Can you handle the pressure, or will the game unravel your sanity?
  • Vault 666 Unlocked – Demonic relics are locked in a dark and sinister antique shop, waiting to be unleashed upon anyone foolish enough to disturb their rest. Haunting and inexplicable occurrences plague those who dare to enter, for the relics do not forgive or forget.

Six additional scare zones around the park that leave guests nowhere to hide and screaming to get out include:

  • City Under Siege – The clowns are back and spreading havoc in every inconceivable manner. As their twisted grins and sinister laughter fill the air, no place is safe from their deranged antics.
  • CarnivHELL – Visitors are invited to step right up and enter if they dare into a once-thriving circus now taken over by a carnivorous band of carnies.
  • Nightmares: A Twisted Fantasy – In this perverse twist on childhood favorite bedtime stories, your worst nightmares come to life, taunting you to sleep with one eye open.
  • Devil’s Triangle – Succumb into the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean, haunted by the many souls lost to the Devil’s Triangle that prey on guests drifting by.
  • The Deadzone – A renegade group of cyberpunk zombies are unleashed and feed on unsuspecting visitors.
  • Exile Hill – Unimaginable sinister souls appear without warning and send chills down the spines of guests that dare to journey through this dark and ominous passage.

For those looking revel in the Halloween spirit during Fright Fest Extreme, an exciting selection of exclusive merchandise and culinary delights will enhance the spooky experience. Guests can scream louder with limited-edition apparel, collectibles and unique souvenirs inspired by Six Flags Fright Fest and some of the park’s haunted attractions. In addition, a variety of themed food and drinks will be available throughout the park for those looking to satisfy an eerie appetite including sangria blood bags and more.
Tickets for Fright Fest Extreme at Six Flags Magic Mountain are available online now and include:

  • Single Day Admission – A separate admission event ticket will be required for Fright Fest Extreme admission with access to all haunted attractions, entertainment and the world’s largest collection of thrilling rides and coasters. Guests can purchase an express upgrade for priority entry to all haunted houses.
  • Pass Holder Admission – Fright Fest Extreme park admission is included for all 2024 Gold, Platinum and Diamond Six Flags Season Pass Holders, Six Plus Members and Legacy Six Flags Members with a valid Pass. An additional fee for entry to haunted houses will still be required.
  • V.I.SCREAM Tour – Enhance your visit with a guide to the fright! Experience the VIP treatment with a private guided tour featuring unlimited priority express access to all eleven haunted houses, priority express access to select rides and attractions, VIP parking, Fright Fest Extreme exclusive food and beverages, and more. All Tours must be booked a minimum of 48 hours in advance online. Some restrictions may apply.

As the countdown to Fright Fest Extreme begins, guests are invited to prepare for the largest, scariest and most extreme Halloween event ever. For more event details, including operating dates and times or to purchase tickets, visit sixflags.com/magicmountain/events.

Disney Experiences Unveiled Full Slate of Projects

Disney

During the 2nd day of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro hosted an extraordinary musical celebration for Disney’s biggest fans as he unveiled the future for Disney parks, cruise ships and beyond, including the future of storytelling made possible through a groundbreaking collaboration with Epic Games. Major announcements, surprise celebrity guests, and special musical performances closed out day two of the mega fan event.  ,

“Disney Experiences is embarking on an accelerated path of ambitious growth and innovation,” said D’Amaro. “With so many great Disney stories to tell, we’re excited to bring an unprecedented number of new projects to life in the near future, whether it be in our theme parks, on our cruise ships, or through our partnership with Epic Games in the digital space.”

Among the many announcements were plans for four new cruise ships and details about six new themed lands and areas that will bring guests deeper into the stories they love, including Monsters, Inc., Cars, Indiana Jones, Encanto, Avatar, The Lion King, and the classic Disney Villains fans know and loathe.

D’Amaro announced plans for 14 all-new attractions featuring those stories and more, such as The Avengers, Spider-Man, and the first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Coco coming to Disney California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort, inviting guests to join Miguel on a trip through the Land of the Dead. Among the five new shows and nighttime spectaculars coming to Disney parks around the world is “Disney Starlight,” an all-new nighttime parade coming to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

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D’Amaro was joined onstage by Disney Imagineers and creative leads across Disney’s film studios to share breaking news, as thousands of fans heard from stars and storytellers in an unexpected show only Disney could deliver. Celebrities, surprise guests, and award-winning recording artists joined the fun.

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Billy Crystal announced a Monsters Inc.-themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. Meghan Trainor surprised the audience with a moving rendition of “Feed the Birds.” D’Amaro also announced the largest expansion in history for the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, before Shaboozey brought the house down with a new rendition of “Life Is a Highway” to announce a Cars-themed area and Rita Ora joined the Magic Mirror to perform “Trust in Me” as part of the announcement of a Villains-themed land.

“Today we unveiled an extensive slate of new experiences that only Disney can deliver,” D’Amaro said. “Work is well underway on all of the new projects we announced, and fans will start to see them come to life in the near future.”

Top 10 Announcements from the Disney Experiences Showcase: 

  • Expansion of Disney Cruise Line–  Disney Cruise Line will add four new vessels to its growing fleet between 2027 and 2031. Once these ships are built, guests will have 13 different ways to experience Disney’s world-class entertainment, renowned dining, and impeccable guest service in more parts of the world.

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  • Monsters, Inc. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Construction begins next year on the first full land dedicated to Monsters, Inc., coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. The land will feature the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park, where guests can experience what it’s like to zoom through the door vault in the factory, just like Mike and Sulley.
  • Cars at the Magic Kingdom– Pixar Animation Studios’ beloved Cars franchise is coming to a reimagined area of Frontierland with two all-new attractions taking guests into the wilderness beyond Radiator Springs – a thrilling off-road rally race and a family friendly attraction even the youngest racers will love. Construction on this area will begin early next year.
  • Villains Land at the Magic Kingdom– Work is already underway on a new land dedicated to Disney Villains coming to the Magic Kingdom – complete with two attractions, dining, and shopping – where happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream. It will be a fearless new vision of what a Disney experience can be on a grand scale that only Disney can deliver.

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  • Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will feature two new signature attractions – a thrilling adventure following the heroic Indiana Jones into an ancient Maya temple and a journey through the Casita Madrigal from “Encanto” following Antonio’s story on the day after he received his magical gift. It will also feature a beautiful carousel featuring animals from many favorite Disney stories, perfect for young families to enjoy. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027.
  • Avatar at Disney California Adventure – An all-new Avatar experience will come to Disney California Adventure including an innovative new attraction that will bring all the action, the excitement, and the wonder of Avatar to life in a completely new and thrilling way.

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  • First-ever Audio-Animatronics Figure of Walt Disney – Next year, a new show based on the life of Walt Disney, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” will play at the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland park and feature the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney. After the show’s debut run, it will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
  • Avengers Experiences in California, Shanghai and Hong Kong – The presence of Super Heroes is expanding at Disney parks around the globe. The original Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort will double in size with the addition of two new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Shanghai Disney Resort will introduce its first major Super Hero attraction, a Spider-Man-themed, high-energy thrill coaster. At Hong Kong Disneyland, the presence of the Avengers will continue to expand with a major new attraction coming to Tomorrowland featuring Spider-Man and one of his most formidable villains.

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  • Lion King Area at Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris – On the heels of the highly anticipated World of Frozen, set to open in 2026, the first-ever ride through attraction themed to “The Lion King” will come next to Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris in a new Lion-King themed area of the park, complete with dining, shopping and character meet & greets. This water attraction will go down into the caves beneath Pride Rock to follow Simba on his journey from cub to king, following the story from the classic Walt Disney Animation Studios film.

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  • Epic Games Collaboration – While livestreamed in Fortnite, D’Amaro was joined live on stage by creative leads from across The Walt Disney Company — Jennifer Lee from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pete Docter from Pixar Animation Studios, Kevin Feige from Marvel Studios, and Dave Filoni from Lucasfilm — to discuss Disney’s expansive collaboration with Epic Games and how the full power of Disney storytelling will come to this dynamic, new environment. They shared how the world’s most notable characters and stories will converge in one connected universe where fans can watch, play and even create Disney stories. The group also announced new characters and skins coming soon to Fortnite, from Disney Villains to The Incredibles and The Mandalorian, and showed a trailer for the next Marvel season featuring Doctor Doom which debuts on August 16.
  • These experiences will give fans around the world even more to be excited about, and more ways to be captivated by the joy and magic of Disney’s iconic stories.

Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” New Trailer and Poster

Mufasa

Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” director Barry Jenkins and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, along with cast members Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Theo Somolu, Braelyn Rankins and Anika Noni Rose, shared an exciting new trailer and poster with fans that attended the studio showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The film capped the studio’s presentation tonight with a show-stopping performance of the classic “Nants’ Ingonyama” and new song “Ngomso” by Lebo M., who contributes to the film’s music, alongside a full choir. “Mufasa: The Lion King” releases only in theaters Dec. 20, 2024.

Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

In addition to the cast attending D23 this year, the film also features John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Keith David, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, the all-new feature film is produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.

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Disney Entertainment Showcase 2024 at D23 Recap

Disney

The world-class storytelling engines of The Walt Disney Company took center stage at the Honda Center during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa on Friday, August 9, 2024. Surprise celebrity appearances, new film and series titles, and major musical performances enthralled the audience of Disney fans from around the world, demonstrating the unmatched strength of the company’s creative studios, as well as the unique connection that generations of passionate fans of all ages have forged with its stories and characters over the past century.

Walt Disney Company Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger kicked off the evening to thank fans for their enduring passion, and to highlight what sets Disney apart as a global leader in creative storytelling and innovation.

“Our deep bond with fans, forged over a century of storytelling, is stronger today than ever before,” he said, “driven by the unmatched strength of our creative studios, the wide appeal of our brands and franchises, and the innovative ways that we bring our stories to life in our theme parks and experiences.”

Hosted by Yvette Nicole Brown, the event featured a number of Disney’s outstanding creative leaders, including Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, Pixar Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee, and Marvel Studios President and producer Kevin Feige were on stage to introduce the stars and storytellers behind new and beloved titles.

The Walt Disney Studios had a lot to celebrate—and a lot to look forward to.

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS welcomes back to the big screen fan-favorite characters in a trio of all-new feature films coming to theaters beginning this fall.

  • Disney Animation’s “Moana 2” kicked off the showcase with a crowd-pleasing performance by the phenomenal voice of Moana herself, Auli‘i Cravalho, alongside dancers and drummers from Nonosina Polynesia. Fans were among the first ever to hear “We’re Back,” an all-new song written by Grammy®-winning songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear—one of several new songs to be featured in the film that reunites Moana and Maui for an expansive new voyage. Following the performance, Dwayne Johnson, the inimitable voice of demigod Maui, hit the stage to greet fans and drum up excitement, revealing for the first time a new trailer and poster. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, the new film opens only in theaters on Nov. 27, 2024.

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  • Fans went wild for the studio’s highly anticipated follow-up to “Zootopia,” 2016’s Oscar®-winning feature film. In “Zootopia 2,” which hits theaters in November 2025, detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the mammal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. Ginnifer Goodwin, who returns to voice clever bunny Judy, greeted fans at D23, sharing a special look at the film that features a fugitive snake called Gary. Jason Bateman returns as the voice of wise-cracking fox Nick Wilde, Ke Huy Quan was announced tonight as the voice of Gary, and Fortune Feimster ventures into the world as a beaver named Nibbles. Jared Bush is directing and writing; Yvett Merino produces.

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  • Disney Animation’s Jennifer Lee, who wrote and directed 2013’s Oscar-winning “Frozen” and its 2019 follow-up, shared a brief tease and concept art for “Frozen 3,” which comes exclusively to movie theaters in 2027.

AVATAR continues to enchant and excite global audiences, and franchise creator James Cameron was on site to share details about the next chapter.

  • The excited crowd offered a warm D23 welcome to Cameron. Joined by “Avatar” stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, Cameron revealed for the first time the title of the third film in the remarkably successful “Avatar” franchise: “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which takes audiences back to Pandora in an immersive new adventure with Marine turned Na’vi leader Jake Sully (Worthington), Na’vi warrior Neytiri (Saldaña) and the Sully family. Directed by Cameron, the new film from 20th Century Studios and Lightstorm Entertainment also stars Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Oona Chaplin, Jack Champion, Britain Dalton, Trinity Bliss and Bailey Bass. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” opens exclusively in theaters nationwide December 19, 2025.

PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS’ Pete Docter invited fans inside his own mind where his Emotions were both grateful—“Inside Out 2” recently became the number-one animated film of all time—and excited about what’s next from the studio.

  • Docter revealed the official launch date of Pixar’s first original series “Win or Lose,”which begins streaming exclusively on Disney+ on Dec. 6, 2024. Directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced by David Lally, the new series reveals what it feels like to be in the shoes of eight different characters—the insecure kids, their helicopter parents, even a lovesick umpire—as they prepare for a championship softball game. Will Forte lends his voice to the coach.

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  • Coming to Disney+ in 2025 is “Dream Productions,” a just-announced series from the world of “Inside Out” about the studio inside Riley’s mind where dreams really do come true thanks to acclaimed dream director Paula Persimmon (voice of Paula Pell). Written and directed by Mike Jones and produced by Jaclyn Simon, the four-episode series also features the voices of Richard Ayoade, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Alli Maki, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith.

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  • The D23 audience was cosmically chosen to learn more about Pixar’s upcoming feature film “Elio.” Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, the new adventure follows Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination, who gets beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization that mistakes him for Earth’s leader. Greeting fans were the voice of Elio himself, Yonas Kibreab, and Zoe Saldaña, who lends her voice to Elio’s Aunt Olga. Produced by Mary Alice Drumm, the movie also features the voices of Brad Garrett and Jameela Jamil. “Elio” releases in theaters on June 13, 2025.

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  • Coming to theaters in 2026 is “Hoppers,” an all-new film from Pixar that introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use new technology to ‘hop’ her consciousness into a life-like robotic animal: an adorable beaver. Directed by Daniel Chong and produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle, “Hoppers” features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm.

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  • It’s been almost 30 years since audiences first met Buzz and Woody and what a journey they’ve had! The D23 crowd was elated to hear about Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5”when Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, who’s worked on every “Toy Story” film and helms the new movie, greeted fans and offered a few clues about the new story. This time around, it’s Toy meets Tech when Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder as they go head to head with this all-new threat to playtime. Co-directed by McKenna Harris and produced by Jessica Choi, “Toy Story 5” opens only in theaters on June 19, 2026.

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  • Docter had one final announcement before he bid adieu. Fans’ favorite Super-family is heading back to the big screen—“Incredibles 3” is officially in the works at Pixar Animation Studios with Oscar®-winning filmmaker Brad Bird currently developing the film.

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DISNEY ON BROADWAY celebrated its 30th anniversary with a thrilling medley of performances and exclusive announcements from its hit stage musicals. Highlights included “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “Hercules,” which will open in London’s West End in summer 2025. The event also featured news about “The Greatest Showman,” currently in development for a stage musical adaptation, and “Frozen,” which was filmed on stage and will premiere on Disney+ in 2025. Samantha Barks, who will star as Elsa, dazzled the audience with a powerful rendition of “Let It Go.”

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The stage adaptation of “The Greatest Showman,” featuring the Academy Award®-nominated songs of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, will announce production timetable, creative team and cast at a later date.

LUCASFILM’s upcoming theatrical and streaming titles continue the studio’s penchant for adventure that’s out of this world.

  • Star Jude Law hit the stage to offer insight on a brand-new Star Wars series launching on Disney+ on Dec. 3, 2024, with the first two episodes. Told through the perspective of four kids, Lucasfilm’s “Skeleton Crew”follows them as they make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy, crossing paths with the likes of Jod Na Nawood, a mysterious character that Law portrays. The coming-of-age series also stars Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon and Nick Frost. Episodes of the original live-action series are directed by Watts, David Lowery, the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung. Executive producers are Christopher Ford, Jon Watts, Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson.

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  • Season two of “Andor” is on the horizon and star Diego Luna joined fans at D23 to build excitement for the follow-up to the critically acclaimed, Emmy®-nominated first season of the Lucasfilm series. “Andor” Season 2 will continue to follow Cassian Andor over the period of four years as he grows into the rebel hero we see fulfill his destiny in “Rogue One.” The second season will launch on Disney+ in 2025.
  • Director Jon Favreau and producer Dave Filoni offered a special sneak peek of Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu,”the upcoming Star Wars feature film that will open in theaters on May 22, 2026. Starring Pedro Pascal, directed by Jon Favreau and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Favreau, Filoni and Ian Bryce, this exciting new adventure in the Mandalorian and Grogu’s journey is currently in production.

MARVEL STUDIOS’ Kevin Feige joined fans inside the Honda Center, offering appreciation and excitement for the phenomenal success of Marvel Studios’ recent release, “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

  • Feige discussed next month’s launch of Marvel Television’s new series “Agatha All Along” in which the infamous Agatha Harkness finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell. Fans were the first to see a brand-new, decidedly dark and mysterious trailer—a tone that continued when series stars Kathryn Hahn, Aubrey Plaza, Patti LuPone, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn and Debra Jo Rupp performed a magical new song, “The Ballad of the Witches Road.” Written by Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—who joined the singers and Feige on stage—the song is featured in the Disney+ series that begins streaming Sept. 18, 2024. Episodes are directed by Jac Schaeffer, Rachel Goldberg and Gandja Montiero. Executive producers are Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Mary Livanos and Schaeffer, who is also head writer.

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  • Feige welcomed “Captain America: Brave New World” star Anthony Mackie, who makes his big-screen debut as Cap on Feb. 14, 2025. Mackie talked about the film and shared footage with the D23 audience. Julius Onah directs the feature film in which Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross. “Captain America: Brave New World” also stars Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson and Harrison Ford. Feige and Nate Moore produce; Louis D’Esposito and Charles Newirth executive produce.

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  • Launching on Disney+ in March 2025, Marvel Television’s “Daredevil: Born Again” catches up with Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, and his nemesis, Wilson Fisk, who’s pursuing his own political endeavors in New York. The crowd erupted when Feige invited stars Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson and Jon Bernthal to the stage to talk a little about the upcoming show before sharing footage with D23 attendees. Dario Scardapane is head writer and showrunner; episodes are directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and David Boyd.
  • Fans were excited to learn—and see—a little more about Marvel’s First Family and the retro-futuristic vibe the new movie is embracing. Starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/Thing, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which just began production in the UK, features Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige and featuring music by Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” hits theaters on July 25, 2025.
  • Fans welcomed Ryan Coogler to the stage—Coogler and his team at Proximity are producing the upcoming Disney+ series “Ironheart” with Marvel Television. Stars Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, Regan Aliyah and Alden Ehrenreich offered insight and a look at some footage of the new series that launches on the streamer in 2025. Set after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Marvel Television’s “Ironheart” pits technology against magic when Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne)—a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world—returns to her hometown of Chicago. Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant, but in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins aka “The Hood” (Anthony Ramos). The series also stars Lyric Ross, Manny Montana, Matthew Elam and Anji White. Chinaka Hodge is head writer and EP; episodes are directed by Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes.

DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION’S Disney+ Original series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series co-creator Rick Riordan and stars Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson), Leah Sava Jeffries (Annabeth Chase) and Aryan Simhadri (Grover Underwood) revealed an exclusive start of production tease from the upcoming second season. From Disney Branded Television and 20th Television, production on the epic adventure series is currently underway in Vancouver for a 2025 debut on Disney+. Season two is based on “The Sea of Monsters,” the second installment of Disney Hyperion’s best-selling “Percy Jackson” book series by acclaimed author Rick Riordan.

Disney Branded Television, Disney Concerts, Disney Music Group, and AEG jointly announced that the stars of mega-hit franchises “Descendants” and “Zombies” will be hitting the road together for the “Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour” in summer 2025. “Descendants: The Rise of Red” star Rita Ora introduced a medley performance of hit songs from the latest film, followed by an announcement of the tour news. The arena tour will be an immersive and interactive live concert experience celebrating the high-energy music from both franchises and will be held in arenas across the country. “Descendants: The Rise of Red” stars Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Dara Reneé, and Ruby Rose Turner, as well as “Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires” stars Freya Skye and Malachi Barton are already confirmed for the tour, with more to be announced soon. Tickets will go on sale this November. For more details, please visit www.descendantszombiestour.com.

National Geographic revealed a first look at upcoming series, “David Blaine: Do Not Attempt,” coming 2025 on National Geographic and Disney+.

DISNEY LIVE ACTION is looking forward to a host of all-new, big-screen adventures that promise to thrill audiences around the world, judging from the audience reaction at the D23 showcase.

  • Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” closed the studio’s showcase, beginning with Lebo M., who contributes to the film’s music, performing the iconic “Nants’ Ingonyama” alongside a full choir. Director Barry Jenkins welcomed to the stage “Mufasa” songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda in his first-ever D23 appearance. Together, they offered a special look at a sequence from the film featuring a new song, “I Always Wanted a Brother.” Cast members Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Theo Somolu, Braelyn Rankins and Anika Noni Rose were introduced after Jenkins shared details about the all-new story that introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka. Fans were among the first to see the new trailer before being treated to a show-stopping finale by Lebo M. and choir, who returned to the stage to perform a new song called “Ngomso.” “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20, 2024, also stars John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Keith David, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak produce.
  • “Disney’s Snow White,” a live-action reimagining of the classic tale, whistles into theaters March 21, 2025. Stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, who portray Snow White and her stepmother, the Evil Queen, respectively, hit the stage to the fans’ delight, sharing a special look at the upcoming film, including a brand-new teaser trailer and poster. Featuring original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the new film is directed by Mike Webb and produced by Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff, and welcomes back to the big screen the beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy.
  • A new logo was revealed for the much-anticipated feature “Lilo & Stitch.” The crowd got a taste of Stitch’s signature mayhem as he wreaked havoc throughout the Honda Center. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and produced by Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin, “Lilo & Stitch” is a live-action reimagining of the animated classic. Starring Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere and Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance and Zach Galifianakis, the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family comes to theaters Summer 2025.

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@disneystudios

Experiment 626 has entered the chat! The live-action #LiloAndStitch is coming only to theaters in Summer 2025!

♬ original sound – Disney Studios – Disney Studios

  • “TRON: Ares” stars Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee, Evan Peters and Jared Leto garnered huge applause from the audience—Leto, who portrays Ares, hit the stage in style alongside an iconic Lightcycle. Cast members shared details about their characters as well as an in-room-only early look. After a sonic assault, lasers burned into the screens, which parted to reveal “music by NINE INCH NAILS.” Slated for theatrical release on Oct. 10, 2025, “TRON: Ares” follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. Joachim Rønning directs; producers are Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, Leto, Emma Ludbrook and Steven Lisberger.

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  • Fans gave a warm welcome to Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, the stars of the upcoming “Freaky Friday” follow-up—who revealed to fans for the first time the sequel’s official title, “Freakier Friday,” which heads to theaters in 2025. Directed by Nisha Ganatra and produced by Kristin Burr, Andrew Gunn and Curtis, the new film picks up years after Curtis and Lohan’s characters, Tess and Anna, first endured an identity crisis: Anna has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate challenges that come when two families merge, they discover that lightning might indeed strike twice. “Freakier Friday” also stars Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Haley Hudson, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky and Rosalind Chao. Executive producers are Nathan Kelly, Ann Marie Sanderlin and Lohan.
  • Dwayne Johnson and Alan Bergman revealed that a new movie is in the works about monster trucks, leaning into the popularity of monster jam truck rallies and celebrating the biggest motorsport event in the world. Johnson will produce via his Seven Bucks Productions.

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Disney “Moana 2” New Trailer and Poster

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A new trailer and poster are now available for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2,” opening in theaters on Nov. 27, 2024. The trailer received an enthusiastic response during D23 when stars Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson—together on stage for the first time ever—shared it with fans attending the studio showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

Cravalho wowed the audience with a live performance of one of the film’s new songs, “We’re Back,” with dancers and drummers from Nonosina Polynesia under the direction of Tiana Liufau—who contributed animation reference choreography to “Moana” and the new film—and Johnson led the audience in a rousing “chee hoo!” chant.

Also revealed were additional voice cast, including returning stars Rachel House (Moana’s Grandma, Tala), Temuera Morrison (Moana’s father, Chief Tui) and Nicole Scherzinger (Moana’s mother, Sina). The film also features the voices of Hualâlai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo as Moana’s new crew members Moni, Kele and Loto, respectively. Awhimai Fraser voices mysterious new character Matangi; Gerald Ramsey plays Moana’s ancestor, Tautai Vasa; and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda lends her voice to Moana’s adoring and adorable little sister, Simea.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

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Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa‘i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Jared Bush and Miller are writing the film, which is executive produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson.

All-New Disney Stitch Inspired By Elvis Collection from NECA Unveiled

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NECA, the industry leader in pop culture collectibles, has collaborated with Disney and Elvis Presley Enterprises to create a themed merchandise program inspired by Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Elvis Presley.

Growing out of the success of its previous Lilo & Stitch product line, NECA can’t wait to introduce fans of the beloved Lilo & Stitch franchise and Elvis Presley to the new, exclusive Disney Stitch Inspired By Elvis Collection, featuring figures, plush, collectibles, and more.

The Disney Stitch Inspired By Elvis Collection will feature Stitch dressed up in six signature Elvis Presley looks. Influenced by some of Elvis Presley’s most iconic fashions that are memorialized in global pop culture history, the looks take inspiration from Memphis, Tenn., to Hawaii and include:

  • Elvis Singer Stitch
  • Elvis Blue Hawaiian Stitch
  • Elvis Gold Suit Stitch
  • Elvis Rocker Stitch
  • Elvis White Jumpsuit Stitch
  • Elvis Pink Checkered Stitch

The Disney Stitch Inspired By Elvis Collection will officially launch on August 9, 2024 at both D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, CA and Elvis Week at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event attendees will be able to purchase an assortment of plush, figures, and an exclusive pin and lanyard set throughout the event, taking place August 9, 10, and 11, 2024. NECA’s Booth, #5838, will be located in Hall B.

Elvis Week will run August 9 – August 17, 2024, where attendees will visit a Disney Stitch Inspired By Elvis Collection Pop-Up Shop stocked with new merchandise and a Disney Stitch Inspired By Elvis Collection photo op. In addition, the week’s events include an outdoor luau party featuring a Disney’s Lilo and Stitch movie screening on August 10 on The Guest House, located at Graceland’s back lawn.

After the dual launch at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and Elvis Week, Disney Stitch Inspired By Elvis Collection products will be available at authorized NECA retailers and on necaonline.com and kidrobot.com.

“Stitch and Elvis are two beloved global icons and we’re thrilled to engage fans in dynamic ways through new products and unique experiences,” said Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum, the owner of NECA and Kidrobot and managing partner of Graceland. “Our new collection of products will offer something for Disney’s Lilo & Stitch lovers and Elvis enthusiasts alike, from the casual fans to collectors.”

Midsummer Scream 2024 Summons the Strange and Unusual

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The coveted premier Halloween and horror convention of Southern California, Midsummer Scream, clawed its way back to Long Beach Convention Center on July 26 – 28, 2024. The annual gathering of the strange and unusual featured bountiful boutiques from fashion, figurines, art, baked goods, and other accessories that accent the vibrant halls. Industry professionals showcased their year-round businesses in inventive escape rooms, creative fog machines, intricate makeup, gruesome masks, and even thrilling axe-throwing.

Show Floor Photo Gallery

Spooky photo opportunities with favorite backdrops and sinister characters lurk around dark corners. Celebrities from favorite horror media met with enthusiastic fans from Dana DeLorenzo (Ash vs. Evil Dead), David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Jenna Davis (Lisa Frankenstein), and Mistress of the Dark herself, Cassandra Peters (Elvira). Guests with Gold Bat VIP status and party tickets ended Saturday night with a wild dance party in the Grand Ballroom.

A live DJ, mini-games, and a costume contest highlighted the procession. Featured sponsor, Mystic Museum, also provided Beetlejuice themed photo backdrops. No doubt in anticipation for the upcoming movie sequel later this fall. Cash bars were present as well as throughout the fun-filled weekend at Long Beach Convention Center.

Photo Ops, Characters, and Dance Party Photo Gallery

Hall of Shadows is a guest favorite area dedicated to feature condensed versions of haunted houses, whimsy displays, unique photo opportunities, and a show with sliders performing daring stunts. Fear Farm led guests through their decorative opening act leading into the dark hall. Entertainment company Lionsgate was a pleasant surprise sponsoring their own haunted house highlighting the movie studio’s horror franchises like “SAW” and “The Strangers”. Between appearances from Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Gang and Pizza Planet Truck, Hall of Shadows has grown to offer more thrills and chills in intimate but wide-open spaces.

Hall of Shadows: Spirits & Legends Photo Gallery

While small businesses share their passion for all things spooky through products, performance, services, and art, panel rooms provided a space to showcase current hot topics and exciting new offerings in the upcoming Halloween season. Six Flags Fright Fest at Magic Mountain revealed their focus on licensing popular intellectual properties between “Stranger Things”, “The Conjuring”, “SAW”, “Army of the Dead”, and “Trick ‘r Treat”. Netflix’s “Army of the Dead” should be promising utilizing the oldie but goodie Aftermath outdoor maze area.

Michael Dougherty, writer and director of “Trick ‘r Treat”, joined the panel as a surprise guest discussing his involvement with the project and encouragement to explore beyond what was seen onscreen such as graphic novel storylines. Six Flags Fright Fest seem to really want to push their own boundaries to deliver the scares.

Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme Photo Gallery

Thirteenth Floor has quickly grown in the Southern Californian Halloween market after concurring many other regions throughout the country. The company operates a slew of Halloween offerings from family-friendly affairs to downright scary. The biggest change for 2024 is switching their presence at the Queen Mary ship from Shaqtoberfest to the resounding return of Dark Harbour. A great emphasize has been taken to bring back what worked and resonate with long-time audiences whilst tweaking established mainstays. Secret bars are making a comeback.

Tokens can be purchased for entry so actors can focus their attention on the scaring instead of distracted guests trying to obtain the wooden coins. A new carousel ride has been refurbished with unique design work including horses with glowing eyes. Haunted houses are getting updated layout designs and new character background stories. The Stimson House will be the new home to immersive theater experience, Delusion. Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns in Whitter Narrows Recreation Area will expand their pumpkin carvings with sound and light shows throughout the entire display, light up the firepits for s’mores, pumpkin flavored treats, and inflatable bouncing.

In addition to axe-throwing and gellyball experience, LA Haunted Hayride gears up 2024 with new offerings like a mini escape room, interactive Madam Aurora’s Séance Theatre, operating scary-go-round, ringing doorbells for Trick or Treat houses, and a new collaboration with Grammy nominated recording artist, Janelle Monáe, getting her own haunted house experience called Monáe Manor. Crowd favorite Monte Revolta and his theatrical cover band was teased at the panel as well. As a side note, LA Haunted Hayride also collaborates year-round with Meyer2Meyer Entertainment putting on incredible theatrical productions at The Nocturne Theater in Glendale, California.

Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group Photo Gallery

While a panel was set aside to feature Cassandra Peters, better known to most as Elvira, it quickly morphed into a panel showcasing licensing products and art gallery announcement for Elvira’s legacy at Knott’s Scary Farm. The Walter Knott Theater during the Halloween event will be featuring a grandiose display of Elvria’s iconic turn as host from props and showpieces from past shows.

It is also said to project a video recording of her last show at the theater. Cassandra Peters will also be making personal appearances on select nights at Knott’s Scary Farm for photographs and signings with fans. The creative team made the announcement that haunted house Wax Works will be ending after the 2024 run. To celebrate, designers spoke about the creative development and behind the scenes stories and easter eggs of the wax themed house.

Other components of the event between show writing, maintaining costumes, and prop building also shined. More tantalizing announcements will be revealed during a special ticket event at Knott’s Berry Farm on August 22, 2024.

Knott’s Scary Farm Photo Gallery

Undoubtedly the biggest panel draw belongs to Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights closing the weekend event. John Murdy, creative director, once again takes the stage to adoring fans as he breaks a major haunted house announcement. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of classic horror movie “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, The Leagcy of Leatherface experience will take guests through the Sawyer family slaughterhouse. Different incarnations of Leatherface throughout the 9-film series will chase trespassers through the aptly named Hooper-Henkel meat processing plant.

A witty tribute to writer Kim Henkel and director Tobe Hooper. Being a history buff and former Studio Tour guide, John Murdy led the cheerful audience through his research of slaughterhouses influencing the haunted house being able to go beyond what was seen on screen. Universal Monsters continues the house tribute to classic horror icons. Eternal Bloodlines gets an all-female battle between the holy trinity of Dracula’s Daughter, She-wolf, and the mummy’s Anck-su-namun going against Bride of Frankenstein and Van Helsing.

The male descendants of Van Helsing have been eliminated. The last line of humanity’s defense against the monsters belong to the last female Van Helsing. After years of pleading, the soundtrack to the Universal Monsters haunted houses by guitarist Slash will be debuting in a collection on vinyal record. This will surely be a hot item upon release for super fans. Mexican horror cinema wrestling with monsters gets an inspired collaboration for a new scare zone called Luchadores Monstruosos. Merchandise based on this new line is available on Amazon.

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights Photo Gallery

Midsummer Scream let the cat out of the purgatory bag with an abundant supply of thrills, chills, and fun for fans of Halloween, horror, and macabre. From spooky shopping, to creepy showmanship, and inspiring artwork, the annual event at Long Beach Convention Center continues to draw big crowds and offer something for everyone of all ages and fandom. While many favorite moments and purchases were made, a personal highlight for the 2024 season was Peepshow Menagerie’s hour long Grim Grinning Burlesque inspired by Disney’s The Haunted Mansion.

Each act was based on a spectral resident of the maniacal manor with grace and humor. Forget Christmas in July, it’s all about Halloween! Midsummer Scream returns with more gruesome calamity on August 15 – 17, 2025. For more information, visit www.midsummerscream.org

Review: “Company” The Smash Hit Musical Comedy

Company

It’s a rare treat to be able to experience a modern revival that completely blows you away, but this updated and gender-swapped production of Stephen Sondheim’s 1970 musical comedy Company did just that. I’ll confess I came in with bias having loved the soundtrack of the original Broadway cast for many, many years. In a time when most musicals I was familiar with were based on fantasy worlds like Wicked, and even another Sondheim—Into the Woods, Company felt like a refreshing breath of real life.

I brought a friend who had never even heard of this musical, which seemed to be common among many people I’d talked to about it. If you are hesitant to purchase tickets due to unfamiliarity, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.

The story begins on a New York City woman named Bobbie’s 35th birthday. Her friends are all eager to celebrate her and surprise her with a party. They bring her a cake and urge her to blow out the candles and make a wish, but she insists she didn’t make a wish. Bobbie is painfully single, and as you quickly learn, all her friends are married couples—all not-so-secretly hoping she wished for a husband.

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While they all love time spent with Bobbie, two is a company, and three is a crowd. Unlike the original which leans more into a man’s fear of intimacy, this new production’s comedy is heavily reliant on the audience sharing Bobbie’s exhaustion with her friends and the pressure they put on her to get married while struggling heavily with their own relationships. Bobbie is trying to navigate and balance three lovers, none of whom are good for her, as her biological clock is telling her she needs to settle down…even if it may mean settling for less.

The first thing you’ll notice is the simplicity of the set design, with sets existing entirely in movable cubes representing apartment interiors surrounded all the way around by panels of light. Neil Austin’s lighting design is well showcased in the use of the boxes, changing colors and even flashing to represent a camera.

Britney Coleman (Bobbie) is an amazing singer, adding so much emotion to “Someone is Waiting,” “Marry Me a Little,” and “Being Alive.” But the comedy starts before “The Little Things You Do Together” as you meet her first couple-friends, Harry and Sarah, who are a recovering alcoholic and struggling on a diet, respectively.

James Earl Jones II (Harry) was a standout for this scene with his acting and physical comedy, though the entire scene sets the tone for how uncomfortably real and funny each couple’s experience would be. Though funny, there is a poignance to the show and “Sorry-Grateful” is the first foray into the more emotional aspects, being especially relatable if you’ve been married for a while.

Matt Bittner (David) was hilarious, but Marina Kondo (Priest) and Matt Rodin (Jaime) nearly stole the show in “Getting Married Today”. I don’t think I have laughed that hard in the theater ever, at least not since Book of Mormon. The use of practical sets and illusions continues to shock and delight throughout the number. Judy McLane (Joanne) was amazing throughout, but of course “Ladies Who Lunch” was performed wonderfully, her woeful line deliveries as a jaded third-time wife was both funny and a little heartbreaking.

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This production is branded as “The Smash Hit Musical Comedy” and boy, does it deliver on that. Though I’ll summarize that it’s really an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. The show earned uproarious laughter but also many songs garnered complete silence due to the subject and amazing vocal performance. Though I was initially apprehensive of the gender-swapping of our protagonist, it allowed me to connect more with Bobbie’s feelings and frustrations than I might have normally.

I left the theater still buzzing with joy about what I experienced, and my friend who came with me was over the moon, saying it was one of the best shows she’d ever seen. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, don’t miss this one while it’s here.

“Company” is now playing at the Pantages Theatre until August 18, 2024. Click here to purchase tickets. 

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