Next Year's Disney Fans Expo Will Be One Month Earlier

ANAHEIM, CA - The Walt Disney Co. announced Monday that the 2017 D23 Expo, a fan convention showcasing its theme parks, television, music, gaming and film projects, will be held July 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center, a month earlier than the 2015 event.

Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators and filmmakers make appearances at the biennial expos put on by Disney's official fan club, which was founded in 2009. The name "D23" pays homage to the year -- 1923 -- when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood.

Highlights of the fifth expo will include the Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy; a new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives; Mousequerade, showcasing creative costume designs by fans; and the D23 Expo Emporium, where attendees can buy, sell and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia and merchandise.

The fourth D23 Expo in August 2015 drew tens of thousands of Disney fans who previewed costumes from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and were the first to hear about Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Last year's event also featured appearances by such celebrities as Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson, performances by Ne-Yo, Sabrina Carpenter, the cast of "Teen Beach 2" and stars of Disney's shows on Broadway.

Disney's decision to move up the date by a month puts D23 in promixity to Comic-Con International, the annual celebration of the popular arts that's traditionally held in July at the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding venues. Dates for the 2017 Comic-Con have not yet been announced.

Advance tickets will go on sale online at D23Expo.com beginning this July 14. D23 members receive special pricing and benefit for both one- and three-day tickets to the event, which is open to the general public.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of Disney