Kristen Bell, Josh Gad and Idina Menzel showed off a new song for "Frozen 3." Getty Images for Disney A crowd of hundreds eagerly gathered around a stage at the Anaheim Convention Center last weekend at an over-the-top Disney gathering. But this wasn’t for any celeb appearance, casting announcement or live performance – it’s a “live unboxing” of a prop from the Disney Archives.
The reveal might sound ho hum to some – but not to the diehards who descend every two years at “D23,” the massive meet up that’s billed as “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.”
Two Disney cast members raised the box’s lid to unveil the surprise inside: The sword Johnny Depp wielded as Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. “Oohs” and “aahs” ensued.
For D23 attendees, no Disney memorabilia, photo op or micro announcement is too small. Case in point: due to overwhelmingly high demand, the merchandise areas throughout the convention center require customers to enter a virtual queue at 6a.m., giving them a return window during the day. By the time I arrived at 11a.m. on Friday to cover the event, there were no remaining slots across 10 different shops.
Throughout the show floor, Mickey-eared fans line up in droves to view areas showcasing everything from new experiences coming to Disney Parks (like a “Coco” inspired attraction) to a scale model of Walt Disney’s beloved miniature railroad. There was even a stage performance by Mëtal Möuse, a glam rock band playing metal mashups of classic Disney tunes.
The Mouse House also hosts higher-profile events at the nearby Honda Center, like Friday night’s Disney Entertainment Showcase.
Reveals included the cast of a new “X-Men” film (including “Obsession” star Inde Navarrette, “Star Wars” baddie Adam Driver, his former “Girls” co-star Christopher Abbott and Broadway actress Maya Boyd), plus a new Pixar project, called “Ghost Market,” and a performance of new songs from the upcoming “Frozen 3” soundtrack by Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad.
The weekend ended on Sunday with the “Disney Legends” ceremony, honoring individuals who “made a significant impact on the Disney legacy,” including Jerry Bruckheimer, Anne Hathaway, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the Jonas Brothers and former Disney CEO (and future Lakers owner) Bob Iger.
Among the more obscure surprises: the Carousel of Progress will reopen at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in 2027 — with Bryan Cranston and Jamie Lee Curtis as voices for the updated attraction with a new ’80s-set scene.
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