Biennial D23 Disney fan convention opens in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The three-day D23 Expo begins Friday at the Anaheim Convention Center, a biennial celebration of The Walt Disney Co., including Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars across film, television, theme parks, products, online, music, live entertainment, and more.

The D23 Expo will feature about 50 shows, presentations and panel discussions, including the Disney Legends Ceremony which celebrates Disney creators and business leaders.

Disney Legends to be honored include Robert Downey Jr., who starred in three Iron Man films, singer-actress Bette Midler, actor-filmmaker Jon Favreau, Darth Vader voice James Earl Jones, Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer and singer Christina Aguilera.

Fans also participate in the Mousquerade, a costume contest, as they mingle with other enthusiasts and keep a lookout for Disney stars and creators.

The convention will also feature a new exhibit, "Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume," which will showcase more than 70 costumes worn over the past 55 years of Disney movies and
TV shows.

Other attractions will include autograph sessions with composers Randy Newman and Tyler Bates.

Fans will also get a chance to meet "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening at a panel discussion Saturday featuring producers and directors from the long-running Fox animated comedy as well as voice actors Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith.

In connection with the D23 Expo, the Disney+ streaming service and Disney Publishing Worldwide announced "One Day at Disney," a 224-page coffee table book and documentary series, which will both be released Dec. 3.