Below is some footage provided to us by Disney from both the Bob Iger address and the induction of both Betty White and Robin Williams into the Disney’s Legends program. Enjoy!
D23 Expo Day One: Bob Iger Address / The Princess and the Frog
Scheduled to begin at 10 am, the address by Disney President and CEO Bob Iger actually began at 10:30 am. Although it was clear by the fact that the 4,000 seat Arena was still having guests being ushered in after checking all cameras and cell phones and being wanded by security, it wasn’t until Iger took the stage that he declared the popularity of the address the ultimate cause for the delay. Popularity is a major understatement as well as although the address was set to begin at 10, D23 Expo guests came to the Anaheim Convention Center as early as 4 AM to wait for the doors to open at approximately 6:45 AM, only to immediately go wait in another line to enter the Arena.
The presentation began with a powerful video that really underlined the expanse and reach of The Walt Disney Company. Not just the conglomeration of individual divisions, but how the company is experienced by people the world over (indeed I learned that there was a reporter from Russia covering the event). The titles quickly formed the sentence ‘Every Minute of Every Hour, Someone is Experience the Disney Difference’ (or somthing to that effect) and flashed through snippets of productions past and productions yet to come in all mediums. The film ended with flashing The Walt Disney Company over and over in different languages.
Then Iger took the stage and talked about the birth of D23, how he would constantly have guests ask him why there was no way for Disney to reach out to its customer base and how a visit to the Walt Disney Archives became the catalyst for D23. He talked about how only a company like Disney could have the type of fan base that would enable them to pull off a convention like the D23 Expo.
Crediting it all to the fans, Iger talked about being a fan of Disney himself as a child. A brief mention of the Mickey Mouse Club quickly transitioned to a lengthy ode to Davy Crockett. Anette, he said, was cute, but she had nothing on Davy.
D23 Expo: Photo Call for The ABCs of Disney
Prior to the ABCs of Disney event, the stars (minus Tom Bergeron and Courteney Cox) appeared on a small red carpet for photos and media interviews, mostly by outlets like Inside Edition and Entertainment Tonight. I actually stumbled onto this event by accident when determining what the queue would be like for the event and was initially told I had the wrong type of pass to be allowed into the area, but the cast members had a change of heart and let me in and even called for a media host to be assigned to me so I wouldn’t have any further issues.
Celebrating the Start of the Third Year: Disney Expands Walt Disney World Moms Panel and Seeks New ‘Mouse’ Experts for 2010
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 10 — Is Disney your go-to family vacation? Are you a master at coordinating everything from character breakfasts to family reunions? If so, then Disney Parks would like you to apply to be on its third annual Walt Disney World Moms Panel. Disney Parks announced today its search for 10 park-savvy parents to reside on the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel, www.disneyworldmoms.com, where they’ll join panelists from previous years to make this the largest panel to date.
Similar to asking a friend or neighbor for advice, this online forum, led by parents sharing their ultimate park smarts, serves as a resource for families planning a Disney vacation. Beginning today, Sept. 10, the Moms Panel search begins online, www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010 and will close on Sept. 20, or when 20,000 applications are received, whichever comes first.
Parents who pride themselves on being Walt Disney World vacation experts are encouraged to visit www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010 for what will be a magical seat on Disney’s Moms Panel.
Video: Mickey Mouse Checks in on D23 Expo Preparations
It’s the eve of D23 Expo and Mickey’s hard at work making sure everything goes off without a hitch. Join Mickey Mouse as he checks out The Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives and all sorts of things going up for the Expo like the 5’3″ Buzz Lightyear made entirely of LEGO bricks and the fully interactive Storytellers’ Sandbox from Walt Disney Imagineering. Footage courtesy of Disney.
Mandy Moore lets down her hair for “Rapunzel”
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – After combing the acting landscape, Walt Disney Pictures has chosen Mandy Moore to voice the lead role in its Digital 3D-animated musical action-adventure “Rapunzel,” inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
Zachary Levi, star of NBC’s “Chuck,” has been cast as the voice of the dashing bandit who finds himself on the road with the rebellious teen “hair apparent.”
D23 Expo Features Walt Disney Signature Home Fragrance Collection by Seda France
Anaheim, CA, September 10, 2009 — Seda France recently unveiled the all-new Walt Disney Signature Home Fragrance Collection – part of Disney’s premiere upscale, non-character, adult lifestyle brand – and this week that line can be found at the first-ever D23 Expo, an event that Disney President and Chief Executive Bob Iger is calling “the ultimate event for the multitude of fans who have been so instrumental in Disney’s success.” The Expo, to be held September 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center, will offer a sneak peek at all-new Disney films and will also showcase a collection of Disney props, artifacts and costumes.
Welcome Foolish Mortals…Walt Disney Records Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of The Haunted Mansion with Two CD Releases
BURBANK, Calif. — On September 9, 2009 Walt Disney Records celebrates the 40th Anniversary of The Haunted Mansion with two CD releases — The Story and Song From The Haunted Mansion and The Haunted Mansion. Both CDs were produced, fully restored and compiled by Grammy®-winning producer Randy Thornton.
Special One-Hour Episode of ‘The Suite Life on Deck’ has Kids ‘Lost at Sea’; Kicks off Week-Long Event
Zack, Cody, London, Bailey and Woody are lost at sea in a new one-hour special episode of “The Suite Life on Deck,” premiering FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. Viewers go around the world to the S.S. Tipton’s ports of call during a week-long programming event.
In “Lost At Sea,” Zack, Cody, London, Bailey and Woody find themselves stranded on a deserted island when Woody accidentally hits the release lever on a lifeboat and the gang drifts out to sea. Zack hops into action, putting his survival tactics to use, while London takes it all in stride, believing that they have found a remote five-star resort. When Mr. Moseby realizes that the kids are missing, he sets off on a search to find them.
Disney Launches Nationwide Environmental Science Competition for Classroom, Prizes Include Class Disneyland Celebration
BURBANK, Calif. — With the school year in full swing, educators will have a new environmental science learning tool to draw from as they develop their curriculums. Disney today announced the nationwide launch of Disney’s Planet Challenge, a project-based environmental competition for 4th – 6th grade classrooms that will empower students to make a difference in school, at home and in their local communities. With more than 15 years experience running highly-acclaimed classroom environmental competitions in regional markets including California and Florida (as “Disney’s Environmentality Challenge®”), Disney developed the new Disney’s Planet Challenge in response to growing demand across all 50 states. Program collaborations with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the K-12 Alliance and state and federal government agencies ensure academic and environmental excellence. Participation in the program is free, and enrollment is open today at www.disney.com/planetchallenge.
“Disney’s environmental legacy is carried forward today in our ambitious environmental goals that not only focus on how we operate our businesses, but on how we inspire others to learn about the planet and take action as well,” said The Walt Disney Company’s senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, Tom Staggs, who oversees the company’s environmental efforts. “Disney’s Planet Challenge is an excellent example of how our unique connection to children can give us the opportunity to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards.”
To ensure Disney’s Planet Challenge promotes excellence in science education and adheres to the specific educational standards of each state, Disney is collaborating with NSTA and the K-12 Alliance. Disney has also worked closely with the U.S. and California Environmental Protection Agencies, U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife and the California Department of Education to achieve the highest in environmental standards.
