D23 Expo 2022: Day 1 Recap

D23 Expo 2022 - Friday Recap

If you were looking for a one-stop-shop for all news and happenings throughout the first day, Friday, September 9, of the 2022 D23 Expo, you’ve come to the right place!

Dad’s Guide to WDW Co-Owner Danny Shuster is reporting live from the D23 Expo, and sharing all he experiences on each of our social media accounts.

What’s on Tap for Day 1 of the 2022 D23 Expo?

  • Disney Legends Awards Ceremony
    • What’s it about? Stars such as Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Chadwick Boseman, Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross and many more set to receive the honor of being a Disney Legend, given their significant contributions to The Walt Disney Company
    • When? 10:30am – 12pm PT, Friday, September 9
    • Where? Hall D23 // Streamed live here
    • Host? Tamron Hall
  • Studio Showcase, Day 1: Celebrate the Magic of Disney and Pixar
    • What’s it about? Sneak peeks, announcements, and surprises will be unveiled for upcoming films from Pixar and Walt Disney Studios (animation and live action)
    • When? 3:30pm – 5:30pm PT, Friday, September 9
    • Where? Hall D23 // Streamed live here
    • Host? Studio heads, filmmakers, and Cast Members
  • D23 Expo Mousequerade 2022
    • What’s it about? It wouldn’t be the D23 Expo without the ultimate Disney costume contest (the creativity and talent showcased by the cosplaying contestants is not to be missed)!
    • When? 6pm – 7:30pm PT, Friday, September 9
    • Where? Premiere Stage // Streamed live here
    • Host? Nina West
    • Judges? Ashley Eckstein, Yvette Nicole Brown, Ally Maki

Live Updates

D23 Expo 2022 Entrance
  • Danny Shuster has arrived!
Tiana's Bayou Adventure - Drop
Tiana's Bayou Adventure - Water Tower
  • A model of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which will replace Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park in 2024, is a focal point of the “Wonderful World of Dreams: Disney Parks and Experiences” booth
The Broadway Casts of “Aladdin,” “Frozen” and “The Lion King”
©The Walt Disney Company
©The Walt Disney Company
©The Walt Disney Company
  • Each newly honored Disney Legends (including Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Kristin Bell, Jonathan Groff and Derrick Boseman, the brother of Chadwick Boseman, shown above) gave an inspiring acceptance speech, posed with Disney CEO Bob Chapek for a photo op, and left their signature/handprint in cement to be permanently displayed at Walt Disney Studios 
Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo
©The Walt Disney Company
  • Attendees were treated to a surprise performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” featuring the voice talents from “Encanto” to close out the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony
Disney + Marvel Game Showcase
©The Walt Disney Company
  • The Disney & Marvel Games Showcase unveiled new video game titles and provided sneak peaks of upcoming games, including “TRON: Identity,” “Disney Illusion Island,” “Avatar: Reckoning,” “LEGO Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga,” and many more.
  • Watch the full Disney & Marvel Games Showcase presentation here
  • The official trailer for “Disenchanted,” streaming on Disney+ November 24, was released!
Peter_Pan___Wendy_Teaser_Digital_KeyArt_v5_lg
©Walt Disney Pictures
  • Coming to Disney+ in 2023, “Peter Pan & Wendy” will star Jude Law as Captain Hook.
©Walt Disney Pictures
  • A prequel to The Lion King, “Mufasa: The Lion King” will be a live action film directed by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins. Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will once again play Timon and Pumbaa, respectively.
  • The official teaser trailer for the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel, was released!
Inside Out 2
©Pixar
  • “Inside Out 2” is officially happening! Amy Poehler is set to reprise her role as “Joy” ahead of the film’s Summer 2024 release.
Pixar's Elemental
©Pixar
  • Pixar’s “Elemental” is coming to theaters June 16,  2023!
Pixar's Elio
  • Another new original Pixar story, “Elio,” is coming to theaters in Spring 2024. America Ferrara will voice Elio’s mother.
  • Iwájú will mark the first time Disney has collaborated with an outside animation studio (Kugali Media) in 100+ years! This 6-episode series is coming to Disney+ in 2023.
  • We now have a release date for Disney’s “Strange World,” November 23 of this year! This new animated film will star Jake Gyllenhaall, Lucy Liu, and Dennis Quaid.

Keep an Eye on the Following Dad’s Guide to WDW Social Media Accounts for Danny Shuster’s Live Coverage