From Walt Disney’s groundbreaking Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the upcoming Wreck-It Ralph, guests will go on a two-day journey filled with fun, laughter, and rarely or never-before-seen artwork, photos, and film clips—all the while surrounded by some of the most beloved imagery and characters the world has ever known. There are more announcements to come but we wanted to share with you the most up-to-date plans (current as of June 4, 2012) on what promises to be an extraordinary celebration (additional participants and presentations to be announced in the weeks ahead). Here are the Saturday, August 11 highlights so far!
Walt Disney and the First Golden Age of Disney Animation
Walt and his original team of animators and artists invented an entirely new genre of filmmaking storytelling. Together they created unparalleled bodies of work that continue to delight audiences around the world. Join our panelists who participated first-hand (or witnessed) the remarkable creation of Walt Disney’s feature animated films:
• Joe Hale—43-year Disney veteran who contributed his artistic talents to such films as Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and Mary Poppins.
• Burny Mattinson—Disney Legend and 50-year veteran of Disney animation who contributed his artistic talents to such “Golden Age” favorites as Sleeping Beauty, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book.
• Ted Thomas—Son of legendary Disney animator Frank Thomas and director/writer of the acclaimed documentaries Frank and Ollie and Walt & El Grupo.
Roy E. Disney and the Second Golden Age of Disney Animation
Roundtable discussion of Roy E. Disney’s influence on the “Second Golden Age of Disney Animation”—from The Black Cauldron and The Great Mouse Detective through the modern-day classics of the 1990s. Join our panelists who participated first-hand (or witnessed) Roy E. Disney’s remarkable stewardship of Disney’s contemporary animation renaissance:
• John Musker—Noted Disney animation writer, director, and producer whose directorial Disney film credits include some of Disney’s most successful animated films The Great Mouse Detective, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, and The Princess and the Frog.
• Ron Clements—Noted Disney animation writer, director, and producer whose directorial Disney film credits include some of Disney’s most successful animated films The Great Mouse Detective, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, and The Princess and the Frog.
• Dave Bossert—Author of an upcoming book on Roy E. Disney, and creative director and head of special projects at Walt Disney Animation Studios; artistic coordinator and visual effects supervisor on Fantasia/2000 and associate producer of the short “Destino” among many other accomplishments.
• Roy P. Disney—Son of Disney Legend Roy E. Disney, former Disney Imagineer, and first-hand witness to Disney animation’s second “Golden Age.”
• Don Hahn—Noted author, Disney animation historian, and producer of some of Disney’s most successful animated films of the second golden age, including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Emperor’s New Groove.
Inside Walt Disney Animation Studios Today
In a presentation created exclusively for Destination D, fans will be treated to a never-before-seen peek into the exciting current and upcoming projects from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Exclusive sneak peeks and footage from the comedy Wreck-It Ralph, the 2013 feature film Frozen, and short films Paperman and Tangled Ever After will be revealed by the filmmakers themselves. Hosted by Disney animator Darrin Butters, take an inside look at how the legacy of Disney animation lives on and grows today.
The Greatest Disney Animation You Never Saw
Enjoy a “Behind-The-Magic” peek at the art of Disney feature animation. Academy Award®-nominated film producer and author Don Hahn and Creative Director for Walt Disney Animation Studios David Bossert present rarely seen (or never before seen at all) Disney artwork and animation from more than 75 years of Disney animated features.
Animating The Disney Parks
Disney Parks owe a great deal of their creative development and design to the roots of Disney animation. Join current and former Disney Imagineers as they discuss how legendary Disney Imagineers, including Marc Davis, Mary Blair, Claude Coates, Herb Ryman, John Hench, and many others, successfully transferred their skills and talents from the world of Disney feature animation to “animating the Disney Parks.” Join our panelists who personally worked with many of these Disney animation and Imagineering greats:
• Tony Baxter—Senior vice president, Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering, whose project credits include Disneyland Paris, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones™ Adventure, and Splash Mountain.
• Eddie Sotto—Noted experiential designer, mixed-media producer, conceptualist, and former Disney Imagineer, whose projects included the design of Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris, early work on Indiana Jones™ Adventure at Disneyland, plus Mission: SPACE at Epcot and Pooh’s Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland.
An Evening Concert: Dick Van Dyke & The Vantastix
The fun continues into the night with an unforgettable evening of harmony provided by Dick Van Dyke & The Vantastix. The popular vocal quartet is comprised of legendary television, Broadway and film star Dick Van Dyke and three renowned west coast musicians—Mike Mendyke, Bryan Chadima, and Eric Bradley. Songs from Van Dyke’s varied entertainment career, in addition to many well-known Disney hits and timeless pop standards, will be performed by Van Dyke and The Vantastix in a show rich in humor, pure entertainment, and sing-along favorites. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t want to miss!
Exclusive Screening: Walt & El Grupo—The Director’s Cut
Presented exclusively for D23 Members and their guests is the definitive director’s cut (not available on DVD) of the acclaimed 2009 film documentary Walt & El Grupo. Hosted by Director Ted Thomas and Producer Kuniko Okubo, the film chronicles the amazing 10-week trip that Walt Disney and his hand-picked group of artists and filmmaking talent (later known as “El Grupo”) took to South America in 1941 at the behest of the U.S. Government.
