D23 EXPO 2015 Tradition Meets Innovation At Disney Consumer Products Showcase

‘TRADITION MEETS INNOVATION’ AT DISNEY CONSUMER PRODUCTS SHOWCASE AT

DISNEY’S D23 EXPO 2015

Glendale, Calif. — June 18, 2015 — Disney Consumer Products will unveil unique product experiences and exclusive merchandise at this year’s D23 EXPO, Disney’s ultimate fan event, held at the Anaheim Convention Center August 14–16. Reflecting a ‘Tradition Meets Innovation’ theme, the expansive Disney Consumer Products pavilion will provide interactive opportunities for fans of all ages to explore exciting stories and engaging experiences and products celebrating everyone’s favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars stories.

Throughout the weekend, Disney Consumer Products will give fans the chance to get hands-on with the very latest in product innovations, explore fashion trends, books, apps, and more, as well as shop for collectible Disney Store merchandise at D23 EXPO. Special artist signings and stage presentations also will take place over the three-day event, offering fans the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite storytellers.

Events and attractions within the Disney Consumer Products pavilion include:

·         Playmation Marvel’s Avengers – EXPO attendees will have the chance to see if they have what it takes to gear up and join the Avengers! Be among the first to experience the recently announced Playmation product, a groundbreaking new system of connected toys and wearables that uses smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations, as they become the hero or heroine of Marvel stories.

·         The Marvel Universe – Fans of all ages collect across the ever-expanding Marvel Universe, and at D23 EXPO they can experience more of their favorite Super Heroes with a preview of the newest large-scale statues, action figures and more. Additionally, attendees will get a first-hand look at how the attributes of Marvel characters – cool, strong, relatable – come together in fashionable apparel and accessories. Attendees are encouraged to follow @StyledbyMarvel on Instagram and to share their own passion for MARVEL with the #StyledByMarvel hashtag.

·         Evolution of the Star Wars Stormtrooper – Explore the design evolution of the armor-clad legions of Clone Troopers and Stormtroopers that have fought for the light side and the dark side throughout the Star Wars saga.

·         #TeamMickey – Fans can show off their #TeamMickey spirit and commemorate their visit at a fun-filled Mickey photo booth.

·         Rock Your #MinnieStyle – The Minnie lounge will feature a nail bar and surprise product giveaways along with an inspired fashion and accessories statement.

·         D-Style – EXPO attendees will be the very first to preview D-Style, an all-new, curated assortment of fashion items and accessories debuting at DisneyStore.com this fall.

·        Make it a Tink Moment – Straight from Never Land, #TinkStyle will land at D23 EXPO. Guests can visit the ‘Bun Bar,’ where professional hair stylists will be on hand to give attendees the iconic Tinker Bell top knot while they peruse a glittering Tinker Bell product display.

·         Disney Junior ‘Fun Spot’ – Fans can experience galactic play with new stellar toys from Miles from Tomorrowland and have the chance to meet Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First at the Disney Junior ‘Fun Spot.’

·         Unlock Your Inner Disney Princess – D23 EXPO attendees can unlock their inner princess by leaving an empowering message on a special ‘Keys to the Kingdom’ gate.

·         The Breadth of Frozen – Fans will have the opportunity to check out Frozen products for the whole family and engage in fun activities held throughout the day.

·         Pixar Storytelling Comes to Life – Pixar films have delighted audiences for more than 20 years with memorable characters that have been brought to life in equally delightful product. Explore some of the newest products from everyone’s favorite Pixar films. Additionally, fans will be able to see the exciting new app from Disney – Cars: Daredevil Garage – that allows you to take your favorite Mattel diecast cars into the virtual world, using them to perform extreme stunts in crazy environments.

·         Discover Disney’s Descendants – EXPO attendees will get an exclusive look at the wicked world of fashion and toys inspired by Disney’s Descendants, the teenage progeny of Disney’s most infamous villains.

Disney Store

In addition to the exciting events and attractions offered in the Disney Consumer Products pavilion, the Disney Store shop at D23 EXPO invites attendees to shop an array of special products not yet available to the general public. Showcased throughout more than 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space, new collections and Limited Edition items will launch throughout the D23 EXPO weekend.

Offering even more collectible merchandise, Disney Store will be launching “Disney 3D Print Studio” at D23 EXPO, offering fans the chance to personalize new figures, including a Disney Mouseketeer, Star Wars stormtrooper, and Marvel’s Iron Man, with their likeness through the use of facial-scanning kiosks. Marking the first foray into 3D printing by Disney Store, the figures sold at EXPO will feature unique packaging with a special D23 Certificate of Authenticity.

More details about Disney Store merchandise offered at EXPO will be released in the coming weeks.

Disney Publishing

Disney Publishing will take fans into the world of books, apps, and everything in between by showcasing how artists, storytelling, and innovative content come together to create stories full of magic and adventure.

·         Disney Storytelling Pop-Up Shop – EXPO attendees are invited to take a magical journey into the world of storytelling featuring titles that span Disney’s fascinating history. Look behind the magic through Disney Publishing’s Disney Editions books that showcase a vast array of feature films, Disney Legends, and Imagineers, available for purchase at the Disney Store retail space.

·         Discover the Magic of Learning with Disney Imagicademy – Dive into the world of technology-driven learning through apps designed to encourage children to learn by creating, doing, and making.

·         Disney Publishing’s Digital Discovery Zone – Fans can immerse themselves in the exciting world of innovative storytelling through a collection of digital experiences that will engage the imagination of people of all ages.

·         Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets – Take a journey into a secret realm deep in a fairy tale land between the Disney Princess kingdoms called Animal Royal Kingdom of Whisker Haven, where the Palace Pets characters can meet up with their friends, play, and save the day.

·         Introducing Star Darlings – Coming this fall, the Star Darlings characters will encourage girls to make wishes from the heart and find their inner star. At D23 EXPO, fans can see a sneak peek into their world, with exciting Star Darlings giveaways being conducted throughout the weekend.

Disney Publishing will also present in Stage 28 at D23 EXPO. Located inside the Disney Consumer Products pavilion, Stage 28 will feature exciting presentations and author signings including:

Friday, August 14

·         3–4 pm: Stage 28: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of Storytelling with Ridley Pearson and Marty Sklar

New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson joins Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar as they discuss their seemingly different careers and roles as storytellers, along with how their worlds pleasantly and serendipitously collided with the creation of Pearson’s Kingdom Keepers series.   

·         4:30–5:30 pm: D23 EXPO Dream Store: Ridley Pearson autographing

Saturday, August 15

·         10–11 am: Stage 28: One Little Spark—Mickey’s  Ten Commandments and The Road to Imagineering—with Marty Sklar in conversation with Eli Erlandson, Shelby Jiggetts-Tivoni, Daniel Joseph, Dexter Tanksley, and Kevin Rafferty                                                        

From the acclaimed author of DREAM IT! DO IT!, Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar joins five well-known Imagineers in a lively conversation about what inspired them to go into the arts, ultimately become Imagineers, and the advice they have for young creative talent who wish to do the same. Sklar will engage his fellow Imagineers in an inspiring discussion that will appeal to young and old alike–those who hope to take that “Road to Imagineering” someday, along with the parents and grandparents who encourage young people to follow their dreams.

·         11:30 am–12:30 pm: D23 Autograph Central:  Marty Sklar signing

·         2:45–3:45 pm: D23 EXPO Dream Store: #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz autographing for The Isle of The Lost: A Descendants Novel

Sunday, August 16

·         1:30–2:30 pm: Stage 28: An Animator’s Gallery:  Presented by Dave A. Bossert and Eric Goldberg      

Based on the book containing whimsical, deluxe Art Deco-themed art showcasing Walt Disney characters in a style reminiscent of caricatures from the famed walls of Sardi’s and The Brown Derby, join Disney Supervising Animator Dave Bossert and Director Eric Goldberg as they discuss the stylized images in the collection that first debuted as a display within the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California. Fans of all ages, and from all over, will learn what inspired Goldberg to create these playful portraits, starting with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse through characters from Frozen and Big Hero 6.                                          

·         3–4 pm: D23 Autograph Central: Dave Bossert and Eric Goldberg signing

Additional details and updates about Disney Consumer Products events and activities will continue to be updated on www.D23EXPO.com, on Facebook, and Twitter at “DisneyD23.”

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Now through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

About Disney Consumer Products

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that delivers innovative and engaging product experiences across thousands of categories from toys and apparel to books and fine art. As the world’s largest licensor, DCP inspires the imaginations of people around the world by bringing the magic of Disney into their homes. DCP is comprised of three business units: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around five strategic brand priorities: Disney Media, Classics & Entertainment, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Tinker Bell, Lucasfilm and Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, magazines, eBooks and apps. DPW is also committed to the educational development of children around the world through Disney Learning, which includes our flagship learning brand, Disney Imagicademy, as well as Disney English and other Disney-themed learning products. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe, and Japan with more than 350 stores and provides high-quality, unique products. Disney Store also operates ecommerce sites in several countries, which can be found here. For more information, please visit www.DisneyConsumerProducts.com.

About D23 EXPO 2015

D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23EXPO.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It 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 D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

D23 Expo 2015 Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!

D23 EXPO PROUDLY PRESENTS

FROZEN FANDEMONIUM: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION!

In a Special Event Only at D23 EXPO 2015, Frozen Fans Join Academy Award®-Winning Songwriting Team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez for the Largest Frozen Sing-Along Ever

BURBANK, Calif. – June 12, 2015 – D23 EXPO 2015 attendees are in for a fun-filled musical treat when Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration! takes over the 7,500-seat Hall D23. The event, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will take place at 3:00 pm, Sunday, August 16, at the Anaheim Convention Center.

In what will be a thrilling and fun interactive experience for Disney fans of all ages, join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar^®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film––including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences of your Frozen favorites such as “Let It Go,” “In Summer” and more. Plus, fans can expect special surprises and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ, along with husband and collaborator Robert Lopez, wrote the songs for Disney's Frozen. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez won an Oscar^® and a Grammy^® for the movie’s signature song “Let It Go,” and share a Grammy for the Frozen soundtrack. Their song "Moving Pictures," sung by Neil Patrick Harris, opened the 2015 Academy Awards^®. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez's original musical “Up Here,” directed by two-time Tony^® nominee Alex Timbers, will be featured in the La Jolla Playhouse’s 2015-16 season. 

Anderson-Lopez made her off-Broadway debut at Primary Stages with In Transit, a musical performed entirely without accompaniment, inspired by the rhythms and sounds of life on the subway. The show earned her Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Lucile Lortel nominations. Together with her husband and collaborator Robert Lopez, she wrote the Annie Award-nominated songs for the 2011 feature film Winnie the Pooh, as well as Finding Nemo: The Musical. For young audiences, she was a staff writer for Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets and wrote book/lyrics for several of Theatreworks/USA’s stage adaptations of children’s classics. She is the recipient of the BMI Harrington Award and the Dramatists Guild Fellowship, and a frequent guest moderator of the prestigious BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. Anderson-Lopez is a graduate of Williams College and just received the bicentennial alumni award for distinguished achievement. Also an actress, Anderson-Lopez was featured as the voice of Kanga in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh. 

ROBERT LOPEZ, along with wife and collaborator Kristen Anderson-Lopez, wrote the songs for Disney's Frozen. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez won an Oscar® and a Grammy® for the movie’s signature song “Let It Go,” and share a Grammy® for the Frozen soundtrack. Lopez is the three-time Tony® winning co-creator of the worldwide smash hit Broadway musicals Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez's original musical Up Here, directed by two-time Tony® nominee Alex Timbers, will be featured in the La Jolla Playhouse’s 2015–16 season. Their song "Moving Pictures," sung by Neil Patrick Harris, opened the 2015 Academy Awards. Lopez shared two Emmy® Awards for his music for Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets and an Emmy® nomination for his work on the musical episode of Scrubs. His work has been featured on South Park, The Simpsons and Phineas and Ferb, as well as Bear in the Big Blue House, Third and Bird and Johnny and the Sprites. He has won Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Lucile Lortel, Frederick Loewe and Edward Kleban awards. Recently, Lopez, a graduate of Yale College, became the youngest of twelve people in history who have won Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony® Awards (EGOT) and the only one to have accomplished it in under a decade.

CHRIS MONTAN currently serves as president of Walt Disney Music and oversees music for a wide variety of Disney projects including all Disney and Pixar animated feature films, all Disney Theatrical stage productions, as well as the music for Walt Disney Theme Parks and Resorts worldwide. Additionally, he is executive music producer for all of the Studio’s animated features and works closely in the story process as well as helping to select musical talent. Montan joined Disney in 1984. Under his guidance the Studio has garnered an unprecedented 42 Musical Academy Award^®nominations, and soundtracks from ten of the Studio’s theatrical releases have been certified multi-platinum.

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About Walt Disney Animation Studios

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Located in Burbank, WDAS continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, stretching from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to 2014’s Oscar®-winning Big Hero 6. Among the studio's timeless creations are Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Tangled and the Academy Award®-winning Frozen, the biggest animated film of all time.

About D23 EXPO 2015

D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com. Presentations, talent and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23EXPO.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It 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 D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.

Be Our Guest Disney Legend Dinner Event

Be Our Guest Disney Legend Dinner Event

All the Disney Legends lined up before dinner.
Back row from left to right
Mindy Johnston, Bob Gurr, Terri Hardin, Floyd Norman David Story, Cindy, Willie Ito
Front row from left to right
Eric Goldberg, Alice Davis, X and Maureen Atencio

 Sunday June 7^th, 2015 is a day I will not easily forget. That was the night I went to the 13^th Be Our Guest Disney Legend Dinner. Cinde BeOurGuest set up a fantastic dinner with Disney Legends and Notables. This is the first year I’ve been able to attend but the 13^th year the event has been held. It was truly a magical and memorable event.

 

I must thank my friend Jessica for taking me to the event!

The idea of the Be Our Guest Event is to be at a table with a Disney Luminary. There are about 10 people with a Disney Royal at each table. So everybody gets a chance to chat with their Royal. After dinner you can walk around and chat with the Disney Legends at the other tables.

The Menu

 

My name tag

The center piece was handmade and was given as a door prize.

Jessica and my places

Each guest gets a bag and goodies to take home. Many of the items are signed by the Disney Legends there. There is also a door prize and items are raffled off. For an additional fee there are more raffles and silent auctions.

The Marker telling us who was at our table.

X's table setting

I was seated at the table with ”X” Atencio. My friend Jessica was between us. I was honored to be there at the table so close to the famous “X”. He is elderly, frail and his mind is not as sharp as it was years ago but he was a joy to be near. He talked of Walt Disney and sang Yo Ho Yo Ho with us.

X, me and Maureen

X telling stories to a table full of fans.

X placed his hand on my friend's hand
so we could get a picture of his Disney Legend Ring.

Maureen, X’s wife is just as much of a treasure as he is. She spoke of how X came home after Walt told him he was to design Pirates of the Caribbean and started to study everything about pirates! It became all-consuming to him. She told me how having the people/fans love him so keeps him going. Maureen told me, “If he did not want to be here, believe me he would not be! He is here because he wants to be.”

X & his wife Maureen

After dinner and X making an early exit because of the busy day he had enjoying Disneyland (he road Pirates and Haunted Mansion) and dinner it was time for me to walk about. I visited all the tables and said hi to each of the notables, except David Story who left before I could say hello. It is amazing how approachable Disney Legends are. Bob Gurr was more than happy to sign my autograph book and spend a few moments talking about Walt’s Barn where he likes to hang out sometimes. Floyd Norman drew me a Mickey Mouse! Floyd is also a support of Walt’s Barn. Terri Hardin chatted about her current work. Each was happy to spend a moment with and inquiring fan.

Alice Davis reached up to hold my hand.

Bob Gurr is so approachable and kind.

Eric Goldberg has a quick laugh

I know Floyd Norman from Walt's Barn.
If you ever get a chance say hi to him.

Terri Hardin is fascinating!
Check out her new work at
http://MiceChat.com/103063-Terri-Hardin-60/

Willie Ito spent a few moments with me.

I suggest if you have a chance to attend a Be Our Guest Event you do. Cinde is amazing and sets up a beautiful meal and does not skimp on the added “desert” of Disney Legends!

Broadway's Best Light Up D23 Expo with Exclusive Concerts!

BROADWAY’S BEST LIGHT UP D23 EXPO WITH

EXCLUSIVE CONCERTS

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

DISNEY ON BROADWAY’S “THE ORIGINALS”

FEATURING STARS FROM BROADWAY’S MARY POPPINS, TARZAN AND ALADDIN.

BURBANK, Calif. – June 4, 2015 – Following the incredibly warm and rousing reception from D23 EXPO fans in 2013, Disney Theatrical Productions is thrilled to announce a new concert presented exclusively for this year’s D23 EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center entitled Disney on Broadway’s “THE ORIGINALS.”  In anticipation of high fan-demand, two performances of the concert will be presented on Saturday, August 15^th at 11am and at 2pm in Stage 23.

Disney on Broadway’s “THE ORIGINALS” stars Broadway’s original “Mary Poppins” (Ashley Brown), “Tarzan” (Josh Strickland) and “Genie” (James Monroe Iglehart) fromAladdin.  The “originals” will entertain and delight D23 EXPO attendees by performing favorite musical highlights from the Disney on Broadway catalogue.   Tony Award®-winner James Monroe Iglehart will also serve as host for this 70-minute, live performance that features a five-piece band of Broadway’s best musicians with special behind-the-scenes videos and interviews that promise to enthrall Disney on Broadway fans of all ages.

Ashley Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress.  Ms. Brown also starred as Mary Poppins in the national tour of Mary Poppins where she garnered a Garland award for “Best Performance in a Musical”. Ms. Brown’s other Broadway credits include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and she has starred in the national tour of Disney's On The Record.  Ms. Brown recently returned to critical acclaim starring in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Oklahoma.   She previously played Magnolia opposite Nathan Gunn in Francesca Zembello’s Show Boat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Ms. Brown has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at Disney Hall, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall (four times), the Cincinnati Pops and the Philadelphia Orchestra (two times). Ashley starred in The Sound of Music at the St. Louis MUNY which garnered her a Kevin Kline award and her own PBS special called “Ashley Brown: Call Me Irresponsible” which received a PBS Telly Award.  Other television credits include NBC’s The Sound of Music.  Ms. Brown’s long-awaited album of Broadway and American Songbook standards is available on Ghostlight/Sony. Ashley is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Josh Strickland is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. In 2006, Strickland created the leading role of Tarzan in Disney’s Tarzan on Broadway. In 2009, he made his starring Las Vegas debut in PEEPSHOW at Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort while concurrently co-starring in the hit E! reality show Holly's World. Strickland debuted his first single "Report to the Floor", which skyrocketed to the top five on the iTunes Dance Charts the first week of its release, followed by “Last Dance”. Mr. Strickland is currently starring inVegas! the Show at the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.

James Monroe Iglehart won a 2014 Tony Award® for his performance in Aladdin. He originated the role of Bobby in the Tony-winning musical Memphis. Other NYC: The 25th Annual…Spelling Bee and The Wiz. Film/TV: "Gotham", "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt", "The Good Wife” and “The Electric Company” (the Silent E Soloist). James is a member of the hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme. His greatest gift is his wife, Dawn. This is an absolute blessing — a real-life wish come true!

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

About DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS

Disney Theatrical Productions operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher and is among the world’s most successful commercial theatre enterprises, bringing live entertainment events to a global annual audience of more than 19 million people in more than 50 countries.  Under the Disney Theatrical Productions banner, the group produces and licenses Broadway musicals around the world, including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida, TARZAN®, Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, The Little Mermaid, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Newsies.  Aladdin is its most recent Tony Award-winning Broadway hit.  Other successful stage musical ventures have included the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.  DTP has collaborated with the country’s leading regional theatres to develop new stage titles including The Jungle Book andThe Hunchback of Notre Dame.

About D23 EXPO 2015

D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com.  Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23EXPO.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It 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 D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

D23 Expo & Disney Concert Present Disney In Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration

DISNEY CONCERTS AND D23 PRESENT DISNEY IN CONCERT: A SILLY SYMPHONY CELEBRATION HOSTED BY LEONARD MALTIN

The Live Concert Event Is the Highlight of Disney Music Emporium’s EXPO Activities August 14–16, Which Include Music Product, Album Signings, and a Pre-Order for The Silly Symphony Collection

BURBANK, CA – June 2, 2015 – D23 EXPO 2015 will feature the world premiere of Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration—a live concert performance featuring a 32-piece orchestra celebrating the Silly Symphony animated short films and their accompanying music, hosted by film historian Leonard Maltin. Fans will delight in watching selected Silly Symphony shorts from Disney’s archives while the music is performed live in synchronization with the picture, presented using high-quality, newly restored digital film masters. The music will be performed as it would have been recorded during those historic days at the Disney Studios on Hyperion Avenue in the 1920s and ’30s. This very special concert event will showcase the music of the Three Little Pigs, The Old Mill and many other classics. To ensure as many guests are able to see the concert as possible, two 70-minute presentations will take place on Sunday, August 16, one at 11 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m. in Stage 23.

For the first time ever, Disney Music Emporium, the online destination for collectible Disney music products, is creating a pop-up store on the show floor of D23 EXPO 2015. Over the three-day Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the Emporium will feature album signings by composers and Grammy®-winning Disney music producers. Limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products, including Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels vinyl, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Master Score music sheet book, picture disc vinyl, plus lithographs and posters will also be available. Additionally, visitors to the Disney Music Emporium will be able to pre-order the long-awaited The Silly Symphony Collection box set, featuring the complete restored soundtracks from all 75 Silly Symphony shorts from 1929–1939, with over eight hours of music on 16 vinyl LPs.  

   

• For more information on The Silly Symphony Collection and Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration, please visit: http://waltdisneyrecords.com/d23expo/sillysymphonies.html

• The Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection CDs, including The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Fantasia,Pinocchio, and Disneyland, will be available in the Emporium. A limited quantity of lithographs for each title featuring the back cover artwork designed by Lorelay Bove (Visual Development Artist, Walt Disney Animation Studios) will be a gift with purchase.  For more information on theWalt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, please visit: http://waltdisneyrecords.com/d23expo/legacycollection.html

• With the purchase of select music products at the Disney Music Emporium, guests will be issued a wristband to secure a space for an album signing. For a list of album signings and artist appearances at the Pavilion, please visit:  http://waltdisneyrecords.com/d23expo/signings.html

About Disney Music Group and Disney Music Emporium:

Disney Music Group is home to Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, Disney Music Publishing, and DMG Nashville.  The labels’ genre-spanning rosters include Demi Lovato, ZZ Ward, R5, Grace Potter, Zella Day, Breaking Benjamin, Bea Miller, Sabrina Carpenter, Joywave, Olivia Holt, Jordan Fisher, Fairfax Recordings, and more.  DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks such as the Oscar® and Grammy-winning “Frozen” soundtrack, the Grammy-nominated soundtracks for “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the Aladdin Original Broadway Cast Recording, and “Saving Mr. Banks," as well as upcoming soundtracks for “Teen Beach 2,” “The Descendants,” “Ant-Man,” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”  DMG also releases the Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, a series celebrating the anniversaries of Disney’s most cherished and classic films.

Honoring the continuing legacy of the Disney music catalog, Walt Disney Records’ recently launched site, Disney Music Emporium (DME), is a destination for collectible Disney music products that also features monthly columns by guest writers, a News tab for fun Disney facts, plus videos that exclusively debut on DME including behind-the-scenes of beloved soundtracks, The Lost Chords, and more. 

About D23 EXPO 2015

D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 on Twitter and use #D23Expo.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It 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 D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Tomorrowland ~ Review ~ Spoiler and Non Spoiler

Tomorrowland ~ Review ~ Spoiler and Non Spoiler

Spoiler warning is given

Many movie critics have panned this movie. Many say the story is confusing and disjointed. To me that is just proof that this story is not fiction or science fiction. This is truth/fact. The world is jaded and full of despair. These reviewers have no imagination and are desperate. I don’t listen to them and I hope you will not.

Is your world one of fear and despair or is your world a world of hope? In Tomorrowland you learn there is a choice. It is time for you to make that choice.

Here is my 3 word non spoiler review – GO SEE IT!!!!!  Hands down this is one of the best Disney movies ever and one of the best movies any studio has put out PERIOD! The basic moral of the story goes back to an old Cherokee legend called “The Wolves Inside.”

Having grown up in the 1960’s when anything was possible and now living in a world filled with fear, despair and doubt about the future I NEEDED this movie!!! It is a great reminder that WE have to make a choice. Do we chose despair or hope? Do we want to allow things to continue as they are or make a real and positive difference? I personally want to choose positive change.

While on the surface there is a save the world from the damage that man is doing story line that is a minor point and actually to me appears to be part of the smoke and mirror misdirection to get you off track. Man’s failures are not the why there is hopelessness. It is man’s lack of focus on hope and imagination that is the problem. We need more dreamers in the world!

I believe this movie is a good depiction of the attitude Walt Disney had in life. “I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. With the laugh comes the tears. . .“ Walt Disney knew that with the good comes the bad and you cannot separate them. It is the choice you make during the times that are complicated that make the difference. Do you give up or keep on trying? Given time and the right attitude full of hope all things are possible.

When we came home for seeing Tomorrowland we found we had accidently left another one of our hopeful Disney movies running in the player. Meet the Robinsons was playing and we came in on the scene where young Lewis meets Cornelius for the first time. Cornelius tells Lewis to have faith, keep moving forward and make good choices and things will work out. I think that is a message we need to hear today. I highly suggest you go see Tomorrowland and then come home and watch Meet the Robinsons.

I’ll leave you with this non-spoiler thought by way of Meet the Robinsons:

Let it go, let it roll right off your shoulder

Don’t you know the hardest part is over?

Let it in, let your clarity define you

In the end we will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made in these small hours

These little wonders, these twists and turns of fate

Time falls away but these small hours

These small hours still remain

Let it slide, let your troubles fall behind you

Let it shine until you feel it all around you

And I don’t mind if it’s me you need to turn to

We’ll get by, it’s the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made in these small hours

These little wonders, these twists and turns of fate

Time falls away but these small hours

These small hours still remain

Rob Thomas – Little Wonders Lyrics

Make sure to listen to the end credit song, The Future has Arrrived in Meet the Robinsons as well.

STOP STOP STOP!!!

Stop here if you have not seen the movie and don’t want spoilers!

In the world of the early 1960’s there is nothing but hope. There is technological advancement and anything is possible. This is a perfect time for young Frank Walker. Anything is possible, including his jet pack.

Young Frank sneaks off and goes to the 1964 World’s Fair and shows his jet pack to David Nix. Nix is a judge of new inventions at the World’s Fair. Nix is not impressed with Frank’s attempt because it does not quite work. . . yet. While he is talking to Nix Frank catches the attention of a young girl, Athena. Athena gives Frank a pin with a stylized “T” on it and tells him to follow her. Frank follows her and her group as they enter the “It’s a Small World” ride at the fair. He sneaks on as the ride is closed after the group Athena is in boards their boat.

Once on the boat Frank finds all is not as it seems. A droop appears and his boat falls. He is swept away into Tomorrowland! Here he sees a glimpse of the future where all things are possible. But, something happens.

Current day, Casey Newton is the daughter of a NASA employee. She is optimistic and sees that all problems must have a solution. We just need to work hard at finding them. The launch platform at Cape Canaveral, Florida is being dismantled and Casey attempts to stop it by breaking the equipment. She knows an era will be over and her father out of a job once the platform is dismantled. She hopes the delay will allow people to see the need to continue to explore the stars.

When she sees her father is worried about the future and what will happen once his job with NASA is over she reminds him of a story he told her often. “There are two wolves. One is despair and the other is hope. Which one will win the battle? The one you feed will win.” The message is clear, nurture hope and keep it alive.

Casey is caught while causing damage and arrested. When released she finds a strange pin in her personal items. It is a “T” identical to the pin given to young Frank years ago. When she tells the officer who gives her items it is not hers he ignores her. When she picks it up she sees a glimpse of the world as it could be, full of hope and beauty. She is instantly drawn to this “Tomorrowland”.

On the ride home from jail Casey tries to tell her father about the pin and even gives it to him believing he will see what she did. He does not see what she did and takes the pin from her. Later that night she steels it back and tries to figure it out. Through trial and error she follows the pins vision to a beautiful city. Once there she explores and sees amazingly hopeful things. A world where people are exploring and life is good. Then the power to the pin runs out and she is home!

Casey wakes her younger brother, enlisting his help to get past the changed password on the family computer so she can find information on this amazing pin! The search leads her on a trip from Florida to Texas to check out a shop of SiFi collectables. The shop has advertised they are looking for a pin like hers. She goes there hoping to find answers to her questions.

Instead of answers Casey finds it is a trap. Robots are after her! They are trying to find out who gave her the pin! They are demanding answers and are attempting to kill her when a young girl jumps in to save her. It is not any young girl. It is Athena, the same girl that encouraged Frank to follow her! Athena and Casey escape and Athena takes a car.

Athena tells Casey the world needs her help. She tells Casey they need to go see Frank Walker who can take her to the places she has seen through the pin. At first Casey does not believe Athena and that distrust is deepened once she realizes Athena is a robot, like those that were attempting to harm her. Finally Casey does trust and in fact falls asleep on the long ride. When she awakes she finds herself laying on the side of the road watching Athena drive off!

Once she looks around she sees she is next to a mailbox with the name Walker. As she walks up to the house she is “attacked” by a hologram guard dog and hit with a force field of some kind. After sitting out in the rain for a while she tricks Frank into letting her in. As Frank comes into the house the robots catch up to her and attempt to kill her. While the battle rages they are in a “situation room” where there are many monitors showing the problems of the world. There is also a monitor showing a percentage. Frank tells Casey that he can tell her when she will die. He asks her if he could do that would she want to know the date of her own death? Would it change how she lives her life? Would she attempt to change “her fate?” She says she can believe his prediction and she would want to know BUT, she believes even knowing she could change it because she would not accept it. The percentage displayed changes and drops from 100% to 99.99% when she states she believes she must have hope. After fighting with and destroying many robots Frank leads Casey into the bathroom and they jump into the bathtub which becomes an escape capsule. They are jettisoned out of the house and fall to ground away from the house where they can continue to run.

Frank is upset that Casey led the robots to him. He is even angrier when Athena shows up. It is obvious he feels that she tricked and mislead him years before. He is hurt by the fact he fell in love with a robot without knowing she was not human.

Athena convinces Frank they need to get Casey to Tomorrowland because Casey has the optimism to change the future and save the world. They need to go to undo the damage Frank accidently caused to both Tomorrowland and the world.

Frank takes them to a location and they use a device hidden there to travel to Paris, France. They find themselves on the Eiffel Tower. Frank shows them that they great thinkers of the past have hidden a rocket type ship that will take them to Tomorrowland in the Eiffel Tower.

Once in Tomorrowland they find it is no longer the optimistic place it once was. Governor Nix captures them and tries to send them to a deserted island. He will not listen when Casey and Frank tell him they realize what when wrong. Frank had tried to set up a machine that would warn the world of the negative impact of their collective actions. It is like a radio signal being broadcast that nobody can escape. He thought the warning would be listened too and positive changes made. Instead people became filled with despair and gave up. Things got worse.

Casey realized that Frank’s machine was amplifying the negative and understood that if the negative influence was stopped the world would change. She realizes that despair is being fed and hope starved!

There is a battle with Nix and his robots. Athena is injured and her self-destruct sequence activated. All other options are gone and Athena tells Frank to use her to destroy the signal stopping the negativity flooding the earth.

Frank tosses the now shutdown/dead Athena into the machine and she explodes taking it out. The world does not change right away but now they have a chance to find the dreamers and hopefully stop feeding despair and building hope.