Disney News Blog

BURBANK, CA – September 9, 2009 -- D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans today announced its lineup of Fall 2009 Special Events. In November, D23 Members will be among the first audiences to see The Princess and the Frog as The Walt Disney Studios opens its gates to the public for the very first time. The national tours of The Lion King and Mary Poppins continue to delight audiences from coast to coast, and D23 Members will get the opportunity to go behind the scenes of these amazing productions. Back by popular demand, the legendary lot at The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives will be open for guided tours, and unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences will take place at the Walt Disney World Resort where D23 Members can enjoy Sip & Stroll during the Epcot ® International Food & Wine Festival and Magic & Merriment this holiday season.

“D23 continues to create unique and unforgettable events around the country that only D23 Members can experience,” said Steven Clark, head of D23. “Our Spring and Summer events introduced us to our Members for the very first time, and we look forward to meeting more of them this Fall; plus, as with everything we do, D23 Members can expect some amazing surprises along the way.”

FALL 2009 D23 CHARTER MEMBER-ONLY SPECIAL EVENTS:

October 7 D23 and The Lion King Roar into Anchorage - (Anchorage, AK) This award-winning musical phenomenon has entertained more than 50 million guests around the world and now, thanks to our friends at Disney Theatrical Productions, D23 Members can have a magical night to remember at The Lion King at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, including premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program, an exclusive show merchandise item, a special "behind-the-scenes" experience after the show, and more!

October 7 D23 and Poppins Breeze into the Lone Star State - (Dallas, TX) D23 Members can have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious night to remember at Mary Poppins in Dallas—featuring original Broadway stars Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Gavin Lee (Bert)—with premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program and a once-in-a-lifetime “behind-the-scenes” experience. D23 Members also will receive the recently released 2-Disc Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

November 7 D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives (FREE)
(Burbank, CA) — A rare opportunity for D23 Members to enjoy a 2-hour tour of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives, hosted by D23 and Walt Disney Archives staff. Space is very limited.

November 18 D23 and Poppins Flies into Los Angeles
(Los Angeles, CA) D23 Members will have the chance to experience the “practically perfect” Mary Poppins—featuring original Broadway stars Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Gavin Lee (Bert)—like never before, with premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program and a once-in-a-lifetime “behind-the-scenes” experience. D23 Members also will receive the recently released 2-Disc Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

November 20 D23 and The Lion King Roar into Spokane
(Spokane, WA) Simba and Nala have entertained more than 50 million guests across the world. Now D23 Members can have a magical night to remember at The Lion King, including premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program, exclusive show merchandise item, a special "behind-the-scenes" experience after the show, and more!

November 25, 2009 D23 Night at The Princess and the Frog
Join D23 at a very special first-night screening of The Princess and the Frog, when The Walt Disney Studios opens its gates for the first time in history to the general public! After being one of the first audiences to see The Princess and the Frog in the newly renovated Main Theatre on The Walt Disney Studios Lot, guests will go over to Sound Stage 3 for the Ultimate Disney Experience, where they can meet ALL the Disney princesses, including the star of the film, Princess Tiana. D23 Members will learn to draw a character from the movie from a Disney animator; see original costumes, sets and props from the Walt Disney Archives, and much, much more! Tickets for this event will be available at the D23 Expo in addition to the D23 ticketing phone line.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS: SAVE THE DATES
Complimenting the above spectacular experiences are three extraordinary events.

Sip & Stroll will offer a host of exclusive, delicious opportunities during the Epcot ® International Food & Wine Festival on Sunday, October 18.

D23 will celebrate the season with Disney and Dickens on Thursday, December 10, featuring VIP seating for Disney’s A Christmas Carol at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, followed by a private dinner at the legendary Tam O’Shanter restaurant in Los Angeles—a frequent hang out of Walt Disney and his animators.

On December 12 and 13, D23 will bring Magic & Merriment to Walt Disney World with out-of-this-world holiday magic.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for additional details and ticket prices for these truly unique events.

To find out more about D23’s Fall 2009 Special Events Calendar, including admissions and how to register for events, visit www.disney.com/D23 and click on the “Expo & Events” tab. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice, have varying admission fees and registration processes, and may require advance reservations due to space limitations.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – September 9, 2009 – In Hollywood, it’s “lights, camera, action,” but for crews preparing the first-ever D23 EXPO, the getting-ready checklist goes much deeper, and with just one day before the Anaheim Convention Center opens the doors to the first Expo guests, the “action” part of the classic equation is definitely underway.

Crews are working around the clock on more than 500,000 square feet of Disney excitement, creating a bevy of unique experiences that will greet D23 EXPO guests.

Among their tasks:

• Rolling in the actual Volkswagen Beetle that “played” the role of Herbie in The Love Bug and uncasing the costume worn by Michael Jackson as “Captain EO,” which are part of the 100-piece Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives

• Creating a “magic beach,” a dazzling, brand-new effect developed by Walt Disney Imagineering that will be seen at the D23 EXPO

• Reviewing digital “prints” of such classic Disney movies as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Tron, Sleeping Beauty and the 3-D versions of Toy Story and Toy Story 2, all of which will be screened for audiences during the four days of the D23 EXPO

• Making plans to host such celebrities as Nicolas Cage, Courteney Cox, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton, Tommy Kirk, Cody Linley, Paige O’Hara, Anika Noni Rose, Betty White and Robin Williams, who are among the luminaries attending the incredible event

• Setting the stage for special announcements about the future of Disney theme parks

• Preparing the Arena for incredible musical events, including performances by members of the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, including Donny Osmond; and a performance by hot new recording artists Honor Society.

“There’s more to see, do and experience than any one Disney fan could possibly take in during four days,” said Steven Clark, head of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans, which is hosting the D23 EXPO. “There will be something here for Disney fans of every kind, and we’re looking forward to a fantastic four days.”

One-day and four-day tickets to the D23 EXPO can be purchased in advance at http://www.D23Expo.com, and will also be available at the main D23 EXPO entry of the Anaheim Convention Center. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO, and is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

BURBANK, Calif. – September 1, 2009 – Oscar™-winning actor Robin Williams, the extraordinary actresses of The Golden Girls, the voices of Donald Duck and Goofy, and other incomparable contributors to the Disney legacy will be honored on Sept. 10 at the 2009 Disney Legends Awards during the D23 EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Disney Legends Awards are a 22-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and the four-day D23 EXPO provides a rare opportunity for the public to watch the awards presentation. The awards ceremony, hosted by ABC personality Tom Bergeron, will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. It directly follows a special, one-hour presentation by Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger that kicks off the first day of the D23 EXPO – which promises to be the ultimate Disney fan event.

“This year’s recipients have had truly indelible influence on the Disney legacy,” Iger said. “Whether on screen or behind the scenes, these 10 men and women have contributed their talents in countless ways, and we are very honored to name them as Disney Legends.”

The 2009 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

TONY ANSELMO is a Disney animator who, since 1985, has provided the incomparable (and some would say inimitable) voice of Donald Duck in movies, cartoons, TV shows and theme-park attractions.

HARRY ARCHINAL is the former president of Buena Vista International, who helped expand Disney’s cinematic presence into regions outside of the U.S. and Canada, bringing Disney movies to audiences around the world.

BEATRICE ARTHUR brought deadpan comic timing and enormous warmth to the role of Dorothy Zbornak in The Golden Girls from 1985 to 1992, a role that brought her a second Emmy Award (in addition to an Emmy for Maude). She was also a Tony Award-winning stage actress and is in the Academy of Television Arts & Science’s Hall of Fame. Note: This award is presented posthumously.

BILL FARMER is an accomplished voice actor whose enormous body of work has included providing the voice of Goofy since 1986. Farmer has also been the voice of Pluto and Horace Horsecollar for Disney productions.

ESTELLE GETTY was, in fact, younger than Beatrice Arthur but portrayed her mother, feisty Sophia Petrillo, in The Golden Girls from 1985 to 1992. She received an Emmy Award for the role – which she reprised in Golden Palace and Empty Nest – and was nominated six additional times. Getty was one of the first recipients of the “In Memoriam” Tony Award for her Broadway stage work. Note: This award is presented posthumously.

DON IWERKS is the son of Walt Disney’s longtime friend and animator Ub Iwerks. Don Iwerks worked at Disney from 1951 to 1986, and created revolutionary film systems that were used in movies like Mary Poppins (sodium traveling matte process) and in such Disney theme park attractions as “CircleVision 360” and “Star Tours.”

RUE McCLANAHAN was honored with an Emmy Award for her hilariously lusty, warm-hearted role as Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls, which she also repeated on Golden Palace. From 1972 to 1978, McClanahan played opposite Beatrice Arthur as Vivian on Maude, and also co-starred in Mama’s Family. In addition to her renowned work on TV, on stage and in films, McClanahan is active in animal-rights, cancer and AIDS organizations.

LEOTA TOOMBS THOMAS was working at Walt Disney Imagineering (then WED Enterprises) when she served as a model for a new attraction called the Haunted Mansion. She soon became world-famous as the Mansion’s disembodied Madame Leota. Note: This award is presented posthumously.

BETTY WHITE has become a television icon, especially for her role as slightly befuddled, always charming Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls – for which she received one of her six Emmy Awards. White has also been a key cast member in such hit TV shows as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Palace, The Practice and her own series, The Betty White Show. She has been seen in 19 films and has long supported many animal-rights organizations.

ROBIN WILLIAMS is the recipient of six Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Grammy Awards and the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (1997). His unforgettable film work for Disney has included providing the voice of Genie in Aladdin and starring in Good Morning, Vietnam, and Dead Poets Society. He also appeared in the short film Back to Neverland at Disney theme parks. This fall, Williams stars with John Travolta in Old Dogs from Walt Disney Pictures.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients also participate in a hand-print ceremony, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

The first Disney Legend, actor Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), was named in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 237 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Walters.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

Osmond to Join an All-Star Lineup at “The ABCs of Disney,” September 10th at the D23 EXPO Arena

Donny Osmond -- singer, entertainer, longtime Disney collaborator, and season nine cast member of the ABC hit show, “Dancing with the Stars” -- will join the all-star lineup at “The ABCs of Disney,” a special presentation at the D23 EXPO, September 10, 3 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center arena.

In a first for “Dancing with the Stars” fans, Osmond will be joined by his professional ballroom partner, Kym Johnson, and preview his dance abilities for D23 EXPO goers, long before his televised premiere on September 21st on the ABC Television Network.

ABC proudly presents “The ABCs of Disney,” an exclusive D23 EXPO event in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, September 10 at 3:00 p.m. Hosted by Emmy®-nominated Tom Bergeron (“Dancing with the Stars,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos”), “The ABCs of Disney” presentation features Steve McPherson, President of the ABC Entertainment Group, unveiling sneak peeks at many of the fall TV season’s most anticipated new shows.

Joining Steve McPherson and Tom Bergeron on stage are some of the most beloved television actors of our time, the stars of ABC’s new Wednesday night comedies, Patricia Heaton (“The Middle”), Kelsey Grammer (“Hank”) and Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”). Actor Joseph Fiennes (perhaps best known for his starring role in the Oscar®-winning film “Shakespeare in Love”) will introduce his new series, the much buzzed-about drama, “FlashForward.”

“The ABCs of Disney” concludes with a thrilling dance performance by two of “Dancing with the Stars”’ professional champions, Cheryl Burke (two-time winner with partners Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith) and Derek Hough (season seven champion with Brooke Burke). After the presentation, fans will have a chance to receive autographs and take photos with the stars. (Please note: though the talent listed are confirmed, appearances are contingent on production schedules.)

Throughout the four-day D23 EXPO, guests can enter the “ABC House Screening Room” to see sneak peeks of ABC’s new Fall schedule. The “ABC House Screening Room” is set up to be as comfortable as a living room –- where guests are encouraged to put up their feet, relax and enjoy the best that television has to offer. (Screening schedule to be announced).

Also on display Sept. 10-13 is ABC’s “Lost.” In celebration of the Emmy® Award-winning series “Lost” entering its final, thrilling season, ABC Television Network presents a can’t-miss experience for all fans. Guests will be able to step into the world of “Lost” and see a selection of props, set pieces, costumes and collectors’ artifacts from key moments in the series, as well as sign up for Lost University, a special Blu-ray™ and online experience, and receive a limited edition collectors’ pin, available only at D23 Expo.

Fans will also have a chance to sneak a peek at ABC’s first TV special by Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Prep & Landing”. On Sept. 12, “Prep & Landing’s” directors, Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton, will present the holiday special and answer fans’ questions.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Special vacation packages including Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations, D23 EXPO tickets and theme park admission are available at the D23 EXPO website. Packages are available from the Walt Disney Travel Company and the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, which is offering a limited number of area hotel rooms at special rates to those attending the D23 EXPO.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23″ at Twitter and on Facebook.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – August 24, 2009 – For four incredible days beginning September 10, fans of Disney entertainment will revel in new discoveries, special panels and presentations, movie screenings, celebrity appearances and autograph signings, plus new insights into movies, TV shows, theme parks, animation, Disney history and more. It’s all part of the first-ever D23 EXPO from Sept. 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Exciting details about the activities and events planned for the four days of Disney’s inaugural D23 EXPO have just been announced, and a complete, up-to-the-minute schedule can be found online at www.D23Expo.com. The D23 EXPO is open to the public. Tickets for individual days or the full four days of this Ultimate Disney Fan Event are available at the website. Highlights of the D23 EXPO include:

Exclusive Screenings & Sneak Peeks

The D23 EXPO will offer guests the chance to get sneak peeks of upcoming Disney movies like The Princess and the Frog, TRON: Legacy, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Rapunzel, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and many others. The D23 EXPO also will present the U.S. premiere screenings of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in Disney Digital 3D™. More than that, the D23 EXPO will present several classic movies on the big screen, including the original Tron, Sleeping Beauty, The Shaggy Dog, Darby O’Gill and the Little People, along with other exciting screening events. The ABC House Screening Room will present screenings of new television entertainment, including ABC’s vibrant new fall schedule.

Special Presentations and Panels

The D23 EXPO will offer fascinating explorations of the past, present and future of Disney. Throughout the four days, scores of special panels and presentations will bring new insight into Disney history, let guests go “behind the magic” of Disney theme-park attractions and movies, and get fans up close and personal with the Disney legacy of unforgettable entertainment.

D23 EXPO Show Floor

A giant show floor filled with incredible pavilions and interactive areas assembles the entire world of Disney under one roof. From Disney’s global theme parks to the Company’s environmental initiatives, the show floor includes a collector’s area, a gathering of Disney licensees, an eight-room “home” showcasing an amazing array of Disney merchandise, and new technologies being developed by Walt Disney Imagineering. The show floor is the heart of the D23 EXPO. It will also be home to the “ABC House Screening Room,” a sign-up area for the “Lost University,” and kid-friendly play areas that make the D23 EXPO an exciting event for all ages of Disney fans.

“Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives”

The legendary Walt Disney Archives will assemble a never-before-seen collection of more than 100 props, costumes and one-of-a-kind items from more than eight decades of Disney creativity. For the first time ever, the Archives also will present a retrospective of props and costumes from the classic “Captain EO” attraction in which Michael Jackson thrilled theme-park audiences in 3D.

Arena Presentations

The 4,000-seat Anaheim Convention Center Arena will be home to spectacular presentations throughout the four days of the D23 EXPO. Disney President and CEO Bob Iger will kick off the entire event with an unforgettable presentation that includes a 30-minute glimpse at the upcoming animated feature The Princess and the Frog and a live performance by its vocal star, Anika Noni Rose. Other Arena presentations will incorporate surprise celebrity appearances as D23 EXPO guests learn about the future of ABC, Disney movies, theme parks, animation and more.

Celebrity Appearances

Celebrities from both current and classic Disney projects (both on screen and behind the scenes) will be on hand throughout the D23 EXPO, and are currently scheduled to include: X Atencio, Jake T. Austin, Kathryn Beaumont, Richard Bellis, Tom Bergeron, Bruce Broughton, Cheryl Burke, Maria Canals-Barrera, Marge Champion, Ron Clements, Mary Costa, Alice Davis, David DeLuise, Joseph Fiennes, Michael Giacchino, Blaine Gibson, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammer, Don Hahn, David Henrie, Patricia Heaton, Tommy Kirk, Steve Lisberger, Joel McNeely, Brendan Milburn, John Musker, Ed O’Neill, Marty Sklar, Jennifer Stone, Valerie Vigoda and many more.

Family Activities

Disney Consumer Products will give D23 EXPO guests the chance to explore a host of activities for the entire family, including a Disney Creativity Center hosted by Crayola, the Disney Princess Storytime and Royal Manners event, the Baby Einstein World of Discovery Center, and a magnificent live LEGO building event in which Master Builders will invite guests to join them to construct a life-sized mural of Disney characters, paying homage to the innovation of Disney and LEGO. There will be appearances by best-selling authors, fine artists, and toy designers. There will also be a series of fashion shows featuring the latest styles from Disney Couture, Disney Couture kids and the Wizards of Waverly Place collection. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the first-ever Disney Dream Home and to go “behind the fairy tale” at the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings showcase.

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

The four days of the D23 EXPO are packed with excitement and activity. Below are selected highlights from the four-day D23 EXPO schedule. Please note that because the D23 EXPO is a first-of-its-kind live experience, schedules, locations and descriptions are subject to change -- so be sure to visit www.D23Expo.com for full updates and even more schedule details and surprises.

THURSDAY, Sept. 10, 2009

Bob Iger Presentation, 10 a.m. – Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger will launch the first-ever D23 EXPO with an hour-long presentation in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, exploring the incredible future of Disney and exciting projects that are taking shape around the globe. Arena.

Disney Legends Awards, 11 a.m. – Men and women who have contributed to the creative legacy of The Walt Disney Company will be honored in a special presentation, hosted by Tom Bergeron and open to all D23 EXPO guests. The full list of honorees will be announced shortly, and includes renowned celebrities, actors and artists. Arena.

The ABCs of Disney, 3 p.m. – Steve McPherson, president of the ABC Entertainment Group, and Emmy®-nominated Tom Bergeron host a D23 EXPO-exclusive presentation as many of the biggest TV stars of today preview ABC’s new series, with a very special “Dancing with the Stars” performance. Arena

An Afternoon With Imagineering Legends, 4:30 p.m. – Recently retired Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Marty Sklar hosts a panel of extraordinary artists who shaped classic Disneyland attractions, including X Atencio, Alice Davis, Blaine Gibson and Bob Gurr. Storytellers Theater

Top Ten for the Toy Chest: The Making of the Next Great Disney Toy, 12:30 p.m., Stage 23

Beauty and the Beast 3D Preview and Panel Discussion, 1 p.m., Studio Theater

The Magic of Disney in the Art of Disney Stamps, 1:30 p.m., Stage 23

The World of Vintage Disneyland – In Color, 2 p.m., Storytellers Theater

The Music of The Haunted Mansion, 3:30 p.m., Stage 23

The Music of The Lion King Panel, 4 p.m., Studio Theater

the boys Screening and Panel, 7 p.m., Studio Theater

Fifty and Fabulous Film Festival Presents Darby O’Gill and the Little People,
10 p.m., Studio Theater

FRIDAY, Sept. 11, 2009

Disney Movie Magic: Inside The Walt Disney Studios, 11 a.m. – The Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook offers Disney fans an unprecedented sneak peek at new live-action movies from Walt Disney Pictures, incorporating exclusive footage from such movies as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and more. Special celebrity guests also will join in on the fun. Arena

Tron Presentation, 4 p.m., – Steven Lisberger, director of 1982’s Tron, is a special guest as the D23 EXPO offers an exclusive exploration of the science-fiction classic, including glimpses of the upcoming TRON: Legacy. A fascinating discussion will be followed by the first-ever digitally converted screening of the original Tron. Studio Theater

Disney Rarities, 5:30 p.m. – Academy Award-nominated producer and author Don Hahn joins Walt Disney Animation Studios’ creative director Dave Bossert to present several rarely seen animated short films from Disney history, including some of Walt Disney’s earliest animation efforts. Some of these shorts have not been seen in more than 60 years. Stage 23 Theater

The Making of “Toy Story: The Musical”, 5:30 p.m. – A preview of the newest stage extravaganza for Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Parks. Michael Jung, Vice President of Creative, and Matt Almos, Creative Director, host this musical sneak peek, and composers Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn will perform. Storytellers Theater

Walt and El Grupo and Saludos Amigos, 7:30 p.m. ­– Filmmakers Ted Thomas and Kuniko Okubo and Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman lead a panel discussion about the upcoming Walt and El Grupo, a new documentary that reveals the story behind Walt Disney’s influential 1941 trip to South America. After the discussion, D23 EXPO guests will be treated to a rare screening of Saludos Amigos, the colorful animated feature that grew out of Walt’s goodwill expedition south of the equator. Studio Theater

Early Bird Books: Kingdom Keepers, 8:30 a.m., Stage 23

Sailing to New Horizons with Disney Cruise Line, 9 a.m., Storytellers Theater

A Day in the Life of an Adventures by Disney Guide, 12:30 p.m., Storytellers Theater

Happy Haunts: 40 Years of The Haunted Mansion, 12:30 p.m., Stage 23

Nightmare Before Christmas 3D Screening, Plus Tim Burton Shorts Frankenweenie and Vincent, 1 p.m., Studio Theater

Special Preview: “The Wonderful World of Color,” 2 p.m., Storytellers Theater

History and Preservation of Disney Animation Art: The Courvoisier Tradition,
2 p.m., Stage 23

We Make the Music: Conversations with the Creators of Disney Theme Park Music, 3:30 p.m., Storytellers Theater

The Evolution of Mickey with Dave Pacheco and Andreas Deja, 3:30 p.m., Stage 23

Fifty and Fabulous Film Festival Presents The Shaggy Dog, 10 p.m., Studio Theater

SATURDAY, Sept. 12, 2009

So You Want to Be an Imagineer, 9 a.m. – Marty Sklar hosts a conversation with more than half a dozen guest Imagineers, who will discuss the challenges and rewards of their careers ... and the special skills that are needed to “make the magic.” Storytellers Theater

Disneynature Presentation, 10 a.m. –The latest updates from Disney's newest film label, Disneynature. This prestigious production banner literally goes to the ends of the earth to tell the remarkable stories of nature. Studio Theater

Imagineering the Future of Disney Theme Parks, 11 a.m. – Go behind the scenes with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo as he unveils the magical entertainment and experiences on the horizon at Disney’s Parks and Resorts around the world … and offers a surprise or two. Arena

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 12 p.m. – Don Hahn hosts a compelling discussion about the making of Walt Disney’s first animated feature film. Following the discussion, D23 EXPO guests will enjoy a screening of a newly restored digital version of this landmark film. Studio Theater

Disney Store: The Magic is Back, 2 p.m. – Jim Fielding, president of Disney Stores Worldwide, looks at the vibrant future of the Disney Stores around the world. Arena

The Princess and the Frog, 3 p.m. – All-new footage from Disney’s upcoming animated musical The Princess and the Frog will be screened, followed by a panel discussion with the film’s creators, including John Musker, Ron Clements, Andreas Deja and Eric Goldberg. Studio Theater

Prep and Landing, 5:30 p.m. – The directors of Disney’s new TV special explore the creation of this new holiday-time treat. Studio Theater

D23 Expo Live Auction, 7 p.m. – 49 lots of extraordinary rarities and specially designed items will be front and center at this D23 EXPO exclusive event, including a check personally signed by Walt Disney, a progressive dinner through the Disneyland Resort plus a stay in the Presidential Suite of the Disneyland Hotel, original animation production cels, movie premiere tickets, an authentic attraction vehicle, a very special “Lot 23” exclusive, and much more. 7 p.m., Arena (Note: Auction admission is free; bidders must purchase a $40 bidder’s package.)

Trail of the Panda Screening, 7:30 p.m. – The D23 EXPO presents the U.S. premiere of Trail of the Panda (Xiongmao Huijialu), the second Disney Chinese-language film production, created specifically for audiences in China. Studio Theater

Early Bird Books: The Alchemy of Animation with Don Hahn, 8:30 a.m., Stage 23

Behind the Fairy Tale – Disney Weddings with Kristie Kelly and David Turturro,
11 a.m., Stage 23

The Science of Imagineering, 12:30 p.m., Storytellers Theater

Growing Up Disney with Roy P. Disney, 12:30 p.m., Stage 23

Refreshing a Classic: Remaking “it’s a small world” for the 21st Century, 2 p.m., Storytellers Theater

Sneak Preview of The Walt Disney Family Museum, 2:30 p.m., Stage 23

The Making of the U.S. Presidents, 3:30 p.m., Storytellers Theater

Disney Kids’ Fashion Show, 4 p.m., Performances Stage

Lost Chords – Never-Heard Music from Disney Animation with Russell Schroeder, 5:30 p.m., Stage 23

Fifty and Fabulous Film Festival Presents Sleeping Beauty, 10 p.m., Studio Theater

SUNDAY, Sept. 13, 2009

The Future of Disney and Pixar Animation, 11 a.m. – Get a glimpse of what the future holds at Disney and Pixar Animation Studios as Chief Creative Officer, John Lasseter, shares sneak peeks of such exciting upcoming films as The Princess and The Frog, Rapunzel, Toy Story 3 and more. Arena

A Magical Afternoon With the Cast of Wizards of Waverly Place,
2 p.m. – Cast members Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise join executive producer Peter Murietta for an exclusive preview screening of the season premiere episode of Wizards of Waverly Place. Popular Radio Disney personality Ernie D also will join in the fun! Arena

Toy Story 3 Special Presentation, 6:30 p.m. – Sneak a peek at what’s in store when Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the Toy Story gang make their big-screen return – this time in 3D. Pixar filmmakers Lee Unkrich and Darla Anderson host. Studio Theater

Toy Story and Toy Story 2 Double Feature Premiere Screening, 7 p.m. – Following the 5 p.m. sneak peek of Toy Story 3, the D23 EXPO will host the U.S. premiere screening of this 3D double feature. (Note: There will be a 10-minute intermission between the films.) Studio Theater

Early Bird Books: South of the Border with J.B. Kaufman, 8:30 a.m., Stage 23

The Making of Toy Story Midway Mania, 9:30 a.m., Storytellers Theater

Collector’s Edition Fine Art Panel Discussion, 12:30 p.m., Performances Stage

The Science of Imagineering, 1 p.m., Storytellers Theater (an encore presentation)

Silver Banjo Barbeque Panel with David and Ron DeFore, 12:30 p.m., Stage 23

Special Muppets Presentation, 1:30 p.m. - The Muppets Studios takes you inside the Muppet world for an exclusive frog's-eye-view of what Kermit and Company have been up to in 2009 – and all the fun and mayhem they have planned for 2010 and beyond! Studio Theater

Disneyana Detective with Tom Tumbush, 3 p.m., Stage 23

Imagineering Pixar for the Disney Parks, 3 p.m., Storytellers Theater

From Annette to Miley, 3:30 p.m., Stage 23

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on admission, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - August 20, 2009 – Disney’s spectacular product lines will come to life like never before in over 20,000 square feet of fun-filled interactive experiences and activities at the inaugural D23 EXPO, where the entire world of Disney will come together under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center in California from Sept. 10-13. Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will treat fans to a sneak peek of the latest and most innovative Disney products as well as the chance to meet and hear from the artists and designers that bring them to life.

D23 EXPO attendees will have the premier opportunity to visit the first-ever Disney Dream Home, stroll through 30 years of Disney-inspired Hallmark keepsake ornaments, witness Disney Fine Art created right before their eyes, and immerse in the magic of a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding where guests will get a first look at the yet-to-be-unveiled Princess Tiana wedding gown inspired by the upcoming animated feature The Princess and the Frog. They will go behind the scenes of Disney products through a series of events and presentations including fashion shows, art galleries, appearances by best-selling authors such as Ridley Pearson and artists such as Thomas Kinkade, and seminars describing the creative process by Disney toys and electronics designers. Plus, they will be part of a special introduction to the history and future of Disney Store by Disney Stores Worldwide president, Jim Fielding, and much more.
There will be fun for the whole family at the Disney Creativity Center hosted by Crayola, the Disney Princess Story time and Royal Manners event, the Baby Einstein World of Discovery Center, and a magnificent live LEGO building event of Disney characters with the help of Master Builders.

Additional highlights of DCP’s exciting line-up at the D23 EXPO include:

• Disney Store and www.DisneyStore.com guests will get a first look at this year’s hottest Halloween costumes, exclusive The Princess and the Frog product assortment (available only at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com) and limited edition collectible Snow White deluxe dolls; and on September 12, a special presentation by President Jim Fielding on exciting new developments coming soon to Disney Store retail.

• Guests will stroll through the ultimate showcase house and experience the first-ever Disney Dream Home featuring Disney furniture, carpeting and rugs, paint, lighting, bedding and home decor. They will preview the new color collection from Disney Color by Behr and wall-to-wall imagination from Shaw Carpets. Eight beautifully designed rooms will come to life including a central courtyard, nursery, boys and girls rooms, living and dining rooms, home office, master bedroom and even a Lillyput Play Home in the backyard.

• Guests will travel back through time as Hallmark and Disney introduce the Disney Hallmark Keepsake Museum featuring more than 30 years of Disney keepsake ornaments.

• Disney Toys and LEGO Master Builders will host a live building event where guests can join in the fun and help construct a life-size mural of Disney characters paying homage to innovation.

• Families are invited to Early Bird Books, seminars from renowned Disney Publishing authors including Ridley Pearson, who will discuss the Kingdom Keepers series and Peter and the Starcatchers books where he will be joined via satellite feed by co-author Dave Barry.

• Additional luminaries speaking at Early Bird Books panels include author Don Hahn, acclaimed producer of The Lion King, who will discuss The Alchemy of Animation: Making an Animated Film in the Modern Age; author and animation historian JB Kaufman, who will speak about his book South of the Border and reveal the story behind Disney’s contribution to Nelson Rockefeller’s “Good Neighbor” program; and Jason Surrell, author of The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, who will discuss the evolution from beloved attraction to major motion picture.

• The Disney Creativity Center hosted by Crayola will bring to life Andy’s room from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story where guests will learn drawing techniques from DCP character artists John Quinn and George McClements.

• Disney Fashion & Home will host a series of fashion shows featuring the latest styles from Disney Couture, Disney Couture kids and the Wizards of Waverly Place collection inspired by the hit Disney Channel series starring Selena Gomez.

• Guests will go “behind the fairy tale” at the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings showcase; they will hear from celebrity wedding designer David Tutera and couture wedding gown designer Kirstie Kelly who will unveil the first public viewing sketch of the Princess Tiana-inspired wedding gown releasing this October.

• Collectors Editions will showcase beautiful art displays and host an all-star list of artists, voice talent and legendary Disney personalities, including Margaret Kerry (the original Tinker Bell model), Dick Jones (original Pinocchio voice), Eddie Carroll (current Jiminy Cricket voice) and Paige O’Hara (original Belle voice from Beauty and the Beast).

• BOOM! Comics will present comic legend and writer Mark Waid.

• Disney Toys and MINDstyle will introduce Disney’s Stitch: The Experiment 626 Project custom art tour - a collection of interpretive Stitch vinyl figures.

• The original art program “Mickey By” will make its first public debut. These artistic interpretations of Mickey Mouse, in a classic pose, come from Disney artists of every style and genre. The result is a celebration of one of the most recognizable and beloved characters around the globe.

• eFX Inc, will preview an astonishing four foot replica of Captain Nemo’s iconic Nautilus from the classic Disney film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, based on the Jules Verne novel.

• S/R Laboratories’ artists will demonstrate how animation art backgrounds are made for the new Courvoisier Miniatures art collection.

• EK Success will showcase its latest Disney crafts products, from scrapbooking to stamping to paper crafting, and share tips and techniques.

• The Disney food, health and beauty group will offer samplings from the latest Disney food product lines and fun beauty activities for girls featuring Disney beauty products that are age-appropriate, fun and easy-to-use.

• Disney and Retro 51 will host an hourly raffle for a D23 collectors pen. Plus, Retro 51 will introduce a unique design-your-own-pen contest in which guests will have the opportunity to use a Retro 51 pen template to design their own Disney-themed pen. At the conclusion of the D23 EXPO, 23 winning designs will be chosen to be featured in Disney Twenty-three magazine, and souvenir pens with those designs will be produced for the winners by Retro 51.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23EXPO.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on admission, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following "Disney D23" on Twitter and Facebook.

About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home décor and books and magazines to foods and beverages, stationery, electronics and fine art. This is accomplished through DCP's various lines of business which include: Disney Toys, Disney Fashion & Home, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, and Disney Stationery. Other businesses involved in Disney's consumer products sales are Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, and DisneyStore.com, the company's official shopping portal. The Disney Stores retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America and Europe. The Disney Stores chain in Japan is operated under a license agreement with Disney. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com or watch us on www.youtube.com/disneyliving.

Burbank, California – August 19, 2009 -- The Walt Disney Studios is jumping on the D23 Expo bandwagon with four-days (September 10-13) of exciting programming that includes major overviews of upcoming films by Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook and Disney-Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, plus a full schedule of events spotlighting new releases and newly restored digital versions of classic favorites.

Cook will present exclusive sneak peeks at such highly anticipated Disney features as “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” “Old Dogs” (with Robin Williams and John Travolta), “Prince of Persia” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (both from producer Jerry Bruckheimer), “Tron: Legacy,” plus updates on many more exciting projects. Lasseter will discuss and show materials from such upcoming Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios’ motion pictures as “The Princess and the Frog,” “Rapunzel,” “Toy Story 3,” etc. Both presentations will be held at The Anaheim Convention Center in a 4000-seat arena.

All other film screenings and programs will take place in The Walt Disney Studios Theater (at the Anaheim Convention Center), a custom-built state-of-the-art venue with 3D capability, located within the Convention Center. All Disney Digital 3D™ presentations will be shown in RealD 3D, the world's most widely used 3D cinema technology. Among the U.S. premieres at the D23 Expo will be new Disney Digital 3D™ versions of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” the digital conversion of the original “Tron,” and a newly restored digital version of the Walt Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Expo guests will get an exclusive look at all things Muppets, as well as meet the filmmakers and see exclusive presentations for such highly anticipated new Disney features as “The Princess and the Frog,” “Toy Story 3” (from Disney-Pixar), “Tron: Legacy,” “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” (from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment), and the new ABC-TV holiday animated special, “Prep and Landing.”

The Expo will also debut selected scenes from the upcoming Disney Digital 3D™ version of the Studio’s 1991 modern classic, “Beauty and the Beast.” Other highlights of the four-day event include a program devoted to the music from “The Lion King,” a panel discussion and screening of “Sleeping Beauty,” and the first U.S. screening of “Trail of the Panda” (Disney’s second co-production with China). There will also be presentations on two recent documentaries – “the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” and “Walt & El Grupo.”

A special screening series, “Fifty and Fabulous,” will unspool at 10:00 pm in the Studio Theater on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights spotlighting films that are celebrating their 50th anniversary – “Darby O’Gill and the Little People,” “The Shaggy Dog,” and “Sleeping Beauty.”

D23 EXPO – WALT DISNEY STUDIOS THEATER
PROGRAM OF EVENTS

THURSDAY 9/10

1:00 PM “Beauty and the Beast” panel discussion;
and screening of selected scenes in Disney Digital 3D™
4:00 PM “The Lion King” music program

7:00 PM “the boys: the sherman brothers story” panel discussion/ screening

10:00 PM “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” screening

FRIDAY 9/11

11:00 AM Dick Cook / Walt Disney Studios presentation (in the Arena)

1:00 PM Screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in Disney Digital 3D™ plus Tim Burton shorts, “Frankenweenie” and “Vincent”

4:00 PM “Tron”/ “Tron: Legacy” presentation;
Digital debut screening of original “Tron”

7:30 PM “Walt & El Grupo” presentation;
Followed by screening of “Saludos Amigos”

10:00 PM “The Shaggy Dog” screening

SATURDAY 9/12

10:00 AM Disneynature presentation

12:00 PM “Snow White” panel discussion;
Followed by screening of Restored Print

3:00 PM “Princess and the Frog” presentation

5:30 PM “Prep and Landing” presentation

7:30 PM “Trail of the Panda” screening

10:00 PM “Sleeping Beauty” screening

SUNDAY 9/13

11:00 AM John Lasseter / Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios presentation (in the Arena)

1:00 PM “Muppets” presentation

4:00 PM “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” screening

6:30 PM “Toy Story 3” presentation;

7:00 PM “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” debuts in Disney Digital 3D™

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., August 13, 2009 – Disney.com is offering Disney fans a chance to attend the inaugural D23 EXPO, where the world of Disney will come together under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center in California from September 10-13, 2009. Fans can enter exclusively through Disney.com’s popular mobile Web site by texting D23 to DISNEY (347639) now through August 21, 2009. The winner will receive the ultimate Disney fan experience including travel accommodations, tickets the to the D23 Expo and Disneyland Resort tickets for a group of four.**

From September 10–13, the D23 Expo will transform the Anaheim Convention Center into the single largest gathering of all things Disney ever assembled in one place at one magical time. The incredible experiences, exhibits and presentations at the Expo are another way D23 will connect fans to the timeless stories, characters and amazing worlds that we create here at Disney.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by signing up for mobile alerts from Disney.com by texting D23 to DISNEY (347639).*

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

*Msg & data rates may apply. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

**ONE GRAND PRIZE: A four day / three night trip for winner and three guests to Anaheim, California, arriving September 10, departing September 13, 2009, to attend the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center, consisting of the following elements for the Group: hotel accommodations (one standard room/quadruple occupancy, including room tax) for three nights; airport/hotel transfers; four 4-day passes to the D23 Expo and eight 1-day Park-Hopper tickets redeemable at Disneyland Resort.

Enter the World of ABC’s Hit Series “Lost,”
Receive a Special Collector’s Pin, Exclusively at the D23 Expo

Want to be among the first to watch ABC’s new series? Would you like the chance to see some of television’s biggest stars in person? Fans will have those opportunities and many more at the inaugural D23 EXPO, where the entire world of Disney comes together under one roof, Sept. 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

ABC proudly presents “The ABCs of Disney,” an exclusive D23 EXPO event in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, September 10 at 3:00 p.m. Hosted by Emmy®-nominated Tom Bergeron (“Dancing with the Stars,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos”), “The ABCs of Disney” presentation features Steve McPherson, President of the ABC Entertainment Group, unveiling sneak peeks at many of the fall TV season’s most anticipated new shows.

Joining Steve McPherson and Tom Bergeron on stage are some of the most beloved television actors of our time, the stars of ABC’s new Wednesday night comedies, Patricia Heaton (“The Middle”), Kelsey Grammer (“Hank”) and Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”). Actor Joseph Fiennes (perhaps best known for his starring role in the Oscar®-winning film “Shakespeare in Love”) will introduce his new series, the much buzzed-about drama, “FlashForward.”

“The ABCs of Disney” concludes with a thrilling dance performance by two of “Dancing with the Stars”’ professional champions, including Cheryl Burke (two-time winner with partners Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith). After the presentation, fans will have a chance to receive autographs and take photos with the stars. (Please note: though the talent listed are confirmed, appearances are contingent on production schedules.)

Throughout the four-day D23 EXPO, guests can enter the “ABC House Screening Room” to see sneak peeks of ABC’s new Fall schedule. The “ABC House Screening Room” is set up to be as comfortable as a living room –- where guests are encouraged to put up their feet, relax and enjoy the best that television has to offer. (Screening schedule to be announced).

Also on display Sept. 10-13 is ABC’s “Lost.” In celebration of the Emmy® Award-winning series “Lost” entering its final, thrilling season, ABC Television Network presents a can’t-miss experience for all fans. Guests will be able to step into the world of “Lost” and see a selection of props, set pieces, costumes and collectors’ artifacts from key moments in the series, as well as sign up for Lost University, a special Blu-ray™ and online experience, and receive a limited edition collectors’ pin, available only at D23 Expo.

Fans will also have a chance to sneak a peek at ABC’s first TV special by Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Prep & Landing”. On Sept. 12, “Prep & Landing’s” directors, Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton, will present the holiday special and answer fans’ questions.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Special vacation packages including Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations, D23 EXPO tickets and theme park admission are available at the D23 EXPO website. Packages are available from the Walt Disney Travel Company and the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, which is offering a limited number of area hotel rooms at special rates to those attending the D23 EXPO.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23″ at Twitter and on Facebook.

AllEars® will be at the D23 Expo and reporting on the events all week long!

Disney Channel will present a fun-filled, must-see event for kids, tweens and families, "A Magical Afternoon with the cast of 'Wizards of Waverly Place’" -- Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise, and executive producer Peter Murietta -- at the largest Disney fan gathering ever, D23 EXPO on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (2:00-5:00 p.m.) at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Summer to date, "Wizards of Waverly Place" is TV's #1 program among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. This D23 EXPO exclusive Q&A session provides a chance for fans to ask their favorite stars about the Emmy-nominated series and the Disney Channel Original Movie it has inspired.

The afternoon will include an exclusive preview screening of the "Wizards of Waverly Place" season premiere episode and a surprise musical performance.

Popular radio personality Ernie D from Radio Disney, the 24-hour contemporary hits radio network and the only radio broadcaster for kids and families, will join in the fun at "A Magical Afternoon with 'Wizards of Waverly Place’" event. Ernie D will also make appearances with the Radio Disney on-air team – Jake, Candice and Blake – Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 13 (schedule to be announced) on the D23 EXPO floor. In addition, the Radio Disney Road Crew will be on hand with the "JONAS" Fan Van, playing music and inviting young fans to win prizes.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following "Disney D23" at Twitter and on Facebook.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 97 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

Radio Disney is the #1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. Kids help pick the music that is played and are encouraged to interact via a toll-free phone line to the Radio Disney studio. The network's current playlist, driven by listener requests and representing major record labels, includes recording artists Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, David Archuleta, Jordin Sparks and Mitchel Musso. The network is available on 49 terrestrial radio stations and via RadioDisney.com, Sirius and XM satellite radio, iTunes Radio Tuner, XM/DIRECTV and mobile phones. Its brand extensions include multiple Radio Disney Jams CDs from Walt Disney Records and iTunes offerings.

Burbank, Calif., Aug. 3, 2009 – What will Disney’s theme parks and resorts look like in the future? Fans will learn the answer to that question and many more as they take a “behind-the-magic” tour of their favorite Disney destinations at the inaugural D23 EXPO, where the entire world of Disney will come together under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center in California from September 10-13.

Through a series of stunning displays and not-to-be-missed presentations, D23 EXPO attendees will explore the rich legacy and future of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts – a story that began in 1955 with Disneyland and has since grown to include 11 theme parks at five vacation destinations around the globe, as well as new immersive vacation experiences including the Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney and the Disney Vacation Club. On Saturday, Sept. 12, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo will share some “behind-the-magic” details as he pulls back the curtain on several new projects – including the 12-acre Cars Land that’s set to open at Disney’s California Adventure in 2012.

Here’s a sampling of exciting Disney Parks experiences that D23 EXPO attendees will discover:

• Never-before-seen models of classic Disney attractions and glimpses of coming projects that will surprise and delight even the most knowledgeable Disney fans.
• An exclusive sneak peek at the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure that’s so big, it won’t fit inside the Blue Sky Cellar.
• The chance to meet, up close and personal, Lucky the Dinosaur and Wall-E.
• A preview of the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figures ever created.
• Displays showcasing cutting-edge effects technologies that are being developed for Disney attractions, shows and venues.
• New Disney Cruise Line itineraries for 2011.

Also, in the 500-seat Storytellers Theater, Imagineers and Cast Members who create and operate Disney’s parks, resorts, cruise ships and other vacation experiences will take fans behind-the-magic with a variety of presentations including:

• World of Color – Imagineer Steven Davison brings to life World of Color, the water-and-fire spectacular that will debut next year at Disney’s California Adventure.
• The Making of Toy Story Mania! – From its interactive elements and innovative ride system to its cutting-edge Audio-Animatronics figure of Mr. Potato Head, Toy Story Mania! represents a new kind of Disney theme park attraction. Meet the team who helped bring it to life.
• “So You Want to Become an Imagineer” – A panel of Imagineers will answer one of the most frequently asked questions of Walt Disney Imagineering – “How does one become an Imagineer?” – and will share what it’s like to be one.
• The Making of the U.S. Presidents – Imagineers will talk about updating both Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland and Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
• An Afternoon With Imagineering Legends – Disney Legend Marty Sklar will lead a celebration of the careers and accomplishments of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Cast Members who have been named Disney Legends.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is $37 for a one-day adult ticket and $27 for children 3-12. Four-day passes are $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Special vacation packages including Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations, D23 EXPO tickets and theme park admission are available at the D23 EXPO website. Packages are available from both the Walt Disney Travel Company and the Anaheim/ Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, which is offering a limited number of area hotel rooms at special rates to those attending the D23 EXPO.

Many more details about D23 EXPO entertainment, events and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

D23 EXPO, THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EXPERIENCE,
COMES TO THE ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER SEPT. 10-13

Four Extraordinary Days of Live Events, Interactive Pavilions and
One-of-a-Kind Entertainment Celebrate the Past, Present and Future of Disney

ANAHEIM and BURBANK, Calif. – June 3, 2009 – Disney fans will be given unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, park experiences, collectibles and more from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center when Disney and D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans present the first-ever D23 EXPO.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available beginning today at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is discounted for members of D23.

“We hope this will be the ultimate event for the multitude of fans who have been so instrumental in Disney’s success,” said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger. “The D23 Expo represents the finest in Disney entertainment from across our great company and will offer a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience for people of all ages to enjoy.”

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle added, “The upcoming D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center will serve as an exciting opportunity to present Anaheim to the millions of Disney enthusiasts around the world. For the thousands of inaugural-year D23 Expo attendees who will visit our city in September, this will be a special and a memorable time in the birthplace of Walt Disney’s original theme park. It is a great honor for Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center to host this event.”

Among the centerpiece events of the D23 EXPO will be an extraordinary, exclusive opportunity to get early glimpses of several all-new Disney feature films. Only at the D23 EXPO will guests preview a wide range of upcoming movie events, including The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, TRON, Toy Story 3, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Walt Disney Pictures will present these special sneak peeks in a state-of-the-art cinema built especially for the D23 EXPO.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will take D23 EXPO guests behind the scenes to explore the rich legacy and exciting future of Disney’s theme parks and vacation destinations worldwide. Highlights will include a special look at what’s being imagineered for the future of Disney’s California Adventure, a peek behind closed doors at the amazing new technologies defining today’s and tomorrow’s Disney theme park experience, and the opportunity to meet and hear from the Imagineers, Cast Members and key Disney Parks and Resorts executives who create lasting memories for millions every year.

In many different ways, the D23 EXPO will explore the history and heritage of Walt Disney and the company he founded more than 80 years ago. The D23 EXPO will be home to the 2009 Disney Legends Awards – a 22-year tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to Disney entertainment. This year’s recipients will be honored at a ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 12, marking the first time the prestigious event has been held off Disney property.

In an extraordinary exhibition designed specifically for the D23 EXPO, an incredible collection of classic and contemporary Disney props, artifacts and costumes will be accessible to the public for the first time ever. “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” brings together such amazing pieces as the fully restored, 11-foot model of the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; the stunning, jewel-encrusted book used in the opening moments of Sleeping Beauty; and other rare surprises from throughout Disney’s history. Ranging from the original Mickey Mouse Club and the musical classic Mary Poppins to recent hits like Pirates of the Caribbean and High School Musical, the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” is a never-before-experienced exhibit that’s a D23 EXPO exclusive.

The D23 EXPO spotlight will also shine on Disney Channel's brightest stars in a can't miss-special event. There will also be an ESPN Sports Lounge, live broadcasts from Radio Disney, and a preview of ABC's new fall primetime shows, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks at www.D23Expo.com.

For Disney fans who want to take home part of the magic, Disney Consumer Products will offer myriad opportunities to do just that. Only at the D23 EXPO will guests be able to walk through the eight-room “Disney Dream Home,” celebrate the holidays Disney-style, see fine art created before their eyes, learn about Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, experience Disney couture fashion shows, meet and hear from the authors of a dazzling array of Disney books, prepare for trick-or-treating with the latest Disney Store Halloween costumes, and more ... all under one roof.

The D23 EXPO also will be home to the “Disney Dream Store,” where guests will find exclusive D23 EXPO merchandise and collectibles; the Disney pin-trading headquarters; and much more, including the chance to build your own Mouse ears.

Showcasing Disney’s appeal to fans of every generation, the D23 EXPO has created a multi-layered experience: Avid Disney enthusiasts can attend dozens of specially created panels and celebrity-speaker events, details of which will be announced over the next several weeks. Younger Disney fans, meanwhile, will be able to experience special interactive play areas, meet their favorite Radio Disney DJs broadcasting live, watch “Princess makeover” demonstrations from the Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique, and have fun in the Baby Einstein play area. Together, families can enjoy the Disney Crafts Center and learn about Disney-themed scrapbooking.

The D23 Collectors’ Forum will present a wide range of options for collectors to show and sell their Disney memorabilia, and those interested in exhibiting can visit www.D23Expo.com for more information.

Fans also will be able to view and even take part in the first-ever Disney Fan Art Gallery, which will include the finalists in the Donald Duck 75th Anniversary Portrait Contest, as well as a one-of-a-kind fan art show. Full details and contest rules can be found at www.D23Expo.com or www.disney.com/D23.

All activities at the D23 EXPO are included in single- and four-day admissions, including the “50 and Fabulous Film Festival,” which honors three classic Disney movies that are celebrating their golden anniversaries this year. Sleeping Beauty, The Shaggy Dog and Darby O’Gill and the Little People, all originally released in 1959, will be presented on the big screen, one movie each evening, for Disney fans of all ages to enjoy together. Also featured at the D23 EXPO will be a special screening of Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming Tinker Bell: Lost Treasure, along with an in-depth exploration of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition, which will be released this fall by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO, which go on sale today, are $37 for a one-day adult admission and $27 for children 3-12. To experience every bit of entertainment and excitement at the D23 EXPO, four-day passes are also available at $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Special vacation packages are available at the D23 EXPO website, from both the Walt Disney Travel Company (including Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations, D23 EXPO tickets and theme park admission), and the Anaheim Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, which is offering a limited number of area hotel rooms at special rates to those attending the D23 EXPO.

Many more details about the entertainment, events and special guests that will be part of the first-ever D23 EXPO will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all of the announcements by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney’s 85-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 EXPO in Anaheim, California, September 10-13, 2009.

Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, all Disney Store locations within the United States, select shops at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and www.DisneyShopping.com/D23.

“D23 Members are Disney’s biggest fans, and they’re always looking for distinctive, memorable ways to celebrate the things they love most about Disney,” said Steven Clark, Head of D23. “For our inaugural season of events and contests, we’ve created an experientially and geographically diverse calendar that we know our Members will enjoy and remember fondly for years.”

SUMMER 2009 CHARTER MEMBER-ONLY SPECIAL EVENTS:

May 28 D23 “Up All Night” at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre (FREE)

(Los Angeles, CA) -- Theatergoers across the country will soon meet the unlikely duo of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen and 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell in Disney•Pixar’s latest adventure, Up. D23 Members will be among the first to see the film at this free event at the historic El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on May 28, 2009. The fun begins with a special pin trading event, followed by an all new Disney stage show and a screening of the new Disney-Pixar short Partly Cloudy and the highly anticipated and critically acclaimed Up! And it wouldn’t be a D23 event without a few other special surprises and guests!

May 31 D23’s Flowers & Fireworks Celebration at Epcot (FREE with park admission)

(Orlando, FL) – Join D23 at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate its members in all 50 states and more than 25 countries worldwide! Start the evening at the American Gardens Theatre with reserved seating for the Flower Power Concert Series Finale, starring the legendary Tony Orlando, to close the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Next, head to a VIP location to mix and mingle with your fellow D23 members over desserts and coffee, and then enjoy the spectacular nighttime extravaganza IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth from a private viewing area.

June 24 D23’s Supercalifragilistic Night on Broadway

(New York, NY) -- Disney’s award-winning musical Mary Poppins recently celebrated its 1,000th performance on Broadway and on June 24, 2009, D23 Members are being offered the opportunity to meet one another and share in the magic with premium seats, merchandise discounts and an opportunity to stay after the show for a special “behind-the-scenes” experience at the historic New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. D23 Members also will receive the recently released 2-Disc Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

June 24 D23 and Poppins Breeze into The Windy City

(Chicago, IL) -- Mary Poppins blew into the Windy City on March 25, 2009 and original Broadway stars Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee have been delighting audiences at the Cadillac Palace Theatre ever since. On June 24, 2009, D23 Members will have the chance to experience the “practically perfect” Mary Poppins like never before, with premium seats, merchandise discounts, complimentary souvenir program and a once-in-a-lifetime “behind-the-scenes” experience. D23 Members also will receive the recently released 2-Disc Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

June 27 D23 and The Lion King Roar in Vegas

(Las Vegas, NV) -- After entertaining more than 45 million guests in theatres around the world, Simba and Nala have roared their way onto the world famous Las Vegas Strip. On June 27, 2009, D23 will host a special night at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, with premium seating for The Lion King, a “behind-the-scenes” experience and more, available exclusively to D23 Members.

June 27 & Aug. 15 D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives (FREE)

(Burbank, CA) -- A rare opportunity for D23 Members to enjoy a 2-hour tour of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives, hosted by D23 and Disney Archives staff. Only two dates are available for the Summer 2009 Calendar and space is limited.

July 17 D23 presents Disneyland, U.S.A. (FREE)

(Anaheim, CA) -- Celebrate Disneyland’s 54th Anniversary with a special screening of Walt Disney’s recently restored 1956 “People and Places” featurette Disneyland, U.S.A., as well as a panel discussion including Imagineer Tony Baxter, Disney Legend and Chief Archivist Dave Smith, and Disney Studios Film Archivist Ed Hobelman. The event will take place at Disneyland’s Team Disney Anaheim Theater and will be followed by a D23 Member reception.

Sept TBD The Walt Disney Family Museum Preview (FREE)

(San Francisco, CA) – Prior to its October 2009 Grand Opening, D23 members will have the opportunity to experience The Walt Disney Family Museum, celebrating the life and achievements of the man who raised animation to an art, transformed the film industry, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a global and distinctly American legacy. This special preview will be hosted by the Museum’s Executive Director Richard Benefield. Dates and details will be available soon.

To find out more about D23’s Summer 2009 Special Events Calendar, including admissions and how to register for events, visit www.disney.com/D23 and click on the “Expo & Events” tab. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice, have varying admission fees and registration processes, and may require advance reservations due to space limitations.

SUMMER 2009 CHARTER MEMBER-ONLY CONTEST:

In addition to D23’s inaugural slate of special events, the fan community is also pleased to announce its first Member-only contest. This summer, one lucky D23 Member and a guest will have the chance to win an incredible getaway package to join the pack at Pride Rock and see The Lion King in Las Vegas including 2-nights accommodation at the Mandalay Bay Resort and much more. To enter, D23 Members are being asked to tell us what they love most about The Lion King in 300 words or less. A complete list of rules/ regulations and more information will be available at www.disney.com/D23 in early June.

ABOUT D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official community for fans in the Company’s 85-year history. D23 gives its Members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, September 10-13, 2009.

Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, all Disney Store locations within the United States, select shops at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and www.DisneyShopping.com/D23.