Every two years, The Walt Disney Company partners with their official fanclub, D23 (D for Disney and 23 for the year the company was founded, 1923) for the D23 Expo. The D23 Expo is a large convention dedicated to the past, present, and future of the entertainment goliath. The expo features fan contests, exhibits, the Disney Legends ceremony, and the unveiling of new projects

The Disney Legends program saw many icons receive the honor of becoming a certified Disney Legend. The main cast of Frozen, legendary Disney producer Don Hahn, Black-ish’s Tracee Ellis Ross & Anthony Anderson, Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsy, and the late great Chadwick Boseman were just a few of those honored with the prize

Disney also announced new features for Disney Parks. Including Thanos in Avengers Campus and the Hatbox Ghost coming to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. A Moana ride at Epcot, the expansion of the Magic Kingdom, and a Tron themed ride at Disney World. New cruises and a beautiful Walt Disney statue being built at Disneyland Hong Kong were also unveiled. 

Disney’s upcoming projects for Walt Disney Studios are sure to be interesting. The first trailer for the live action Little Mermaid was released. While we only got a snippet of visuals and music, fans are excited, well mostly. Disney fans are skeptical about new live action adaptations following numerous disappointments but Halle Bailey’s vocals have alleviated some worries. Sequels Hocus Pocus 2(September 30) and Disenchanted (November 24) hit Disney+ this fall. The live action Snow White was announced with Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot as Snow and the Evil Queen. A Lion King prequel Mufasa was announced, to the confusion of many. More looks at Strange World, hitting theaters on November 23rd, and Peter Pan and Wendy, arriving sometime next year on Disney+. We also saw first looks at two new original animated film, Wish (set for November 2023) and the series Iwájú. We also will see a documentary on Mickey Mouse himself coming out around Disney’s 100 year anniversary. 

After no theatrical releases since 2020’s Onward, Pixar announced that Elemental will hit theaters on June 16, 2023.Its set in a city where people of all elements live together and will follow Ember, a flame girl and Wade,a water guy and their adventures. They also announced Inside Out 2 will come out in summer 2024 and another new film that year called Elio. They also gave new looks at their baseball series Win or Lose, which will arrive on Disney+ next year.

Marvel expanded on many of their Comic Con announcements. Their first real horror project, Werewolf by Night, hits Disney+ on October 7th. A new trailer for the upcoming Secret Invasion series. Panels featured upcoming films and shows such as Season 2 of Loki, Armor Wars,Echo, Captain America: New World Order, The Marvels, Ironheart, Ant-Man 3, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Daredevil: Born Again, and Fantastic Four. The cast of Thunderbolts was unveiled as well and the directors for many of these projects were named. Marvel video game fans were also well treated. The final trailer for Midnight Suns came out, a new mobile Marvel game, and a new Black Panther/Captain America video game was announced. 

Star Wars fans were treated as well. The Mandalorian Season 3 trailer was released. Tales of the Jedi also released a trailer. We get first looks at Skeleton Crew, Bad Batch Season 2, and Ahoska. Speaking of Ashoka, fans of Rebels were ecstatic to hear the beloved Ezra Bridger would make his live action debut, played by Eman Esfandi. 

We also saw Harrison Ford give a moving speech during the panel for Indiana Jones 5. Percy Jackson fans rejoiced as the first teaser trailer for the Disney+ series was released. A TV series based on the beloved 80s film Willow was announced and Tim Allen returns as Santa in a Santa Clause series.

One thing is for certain, this D23 is certainly one for the books.