This is a huge weekend for Disney fans. There will be plenty of big news dropping this week due to two big events happening. The big week starts with Disney+ Day on Thursday, September 8th, and is followed up with a 3-day convention called D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA on September 9-11th.
Disney+ Day
Disney+ Day will return on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. In celebration, the streaming service will host special experiences for fans and subscribers and will premiere new content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
Obi–Wan Kenobi: A Jedi‘s Return
The new documentary follows the filmmaking journey of Obi-Wan Kenobi series that starred Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. With never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage, colorful personal stories, and meaningful moments, Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return showcases the making of Lucas film’s original limited series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. an epic story that begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.”
This insightful documentary from Lucasfilm and Supper Club explores the return of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to the screen—and Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen to their respective classic roles. Additionally, Director Deborah Chow, the cast, and crew reflect on their journey to tell a new story with iconic Star Wars characters Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and Princess Leia while introducing new heroes and villains into the saga along the way. Complete with visits to the creature shop, props department, and more, “Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return” features the side of filmmaking that makes Star Wars so unique—the respect and passion for the generation-spanning legacy and the beloved characters.
Pinocchio
“Pinocchio” will launch on September 8, 2022, exclusively on the streaming platform. Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live-action and CGI retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy.
Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the woodcarver who builds and treats Pinocchio as if he were his real son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s “conscience”. Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy. Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John. Academy Award® nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Hitting the streaming platform on September 8th is Thor: Love and Thunder. Written by Taiki Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Unpregnant) and directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Love and Thunder takes place almost immediately after Avengers: Endgame. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself traveling the cosmos with the Guardians of the Galaxy, helping those in need while searching for himself in the process.
Cars on the Road
Premiering on Sept. 8, “Cars on the Road” is produced by Marc Sondheimer. The series’ episodes are directed by Steve Purcell (Eps 1, 2, 8), Bobby Podesta (Eps 5, 6, 9), and Brian Fee (Eps 3, 4, 7). Composer Jake Monaco created the score for all nine episodes, which is featured on the “Cars on the Road” soundtrack from Walt Disney Records.
The soundtrack, which is available beginning today, features the musical talents of 79 musicians and 17 singers, and showcases memorable moments from the series, including the full version of the theme song plus the infectiously toe-tapping “Trucks” and show-stopping “Brain on Wheels.”
Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory
Premiering Sept. 8, “Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory” breaks the mold of the traditional natural history program by telling amazing, real-life animal stories and taking viewers with him for every beat of the action. For weeks at a time, the charismatic 29-year-old BAFTA-winning cinematographer immerses himself into the animals’ lives to capture the untold stories of iconic creatures living in some of the harshest environments on our planet, from the icy worlds of Antarctica to the remote forests of Zambia, Africa, to the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles off the coast of Costa Rica. Bertie’s youthful curiosity is matched by his magnetism and a ceaseless drive to take viewers on an epic and heart-warming journey to discover the fascinating, wonderous world we live in — sometimes even breaking the fourth wall to engage directly with viewers in a charming and accessible way.
Disney+ Day Special Deals
Fans are invited to join the streaming service with a special introductory offer. Between now and Monday, September 19 at 11:59 pm PT, new and returning subscribers can get one month for $1.99 here.
Both existing and new subscribers can receive the following perks starting September 8 at 12:00 am PT / 3:00 am PT.
Disney+ Fan-Favorite Screenings at AMC Theatres: From September 8-19, select AMC Theatres will celebrate with screenings of fan-favorite movies including Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto”, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”, Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Disney and Pixar’s “Cars” and “Newsies.” Tickets are $5 per screening and are available to everyone. Attendees will receive a free poster, while supplies last. Plus, a special concessions offer will be available for subscribers.
Disney+ Day Shopping
Special Access to shopDisney Merchandise: Subscribers can receive special access to a curated collection of shopDisney merchandise. This custom selection of designs is inspired by favorite premieres, and more.
Disney Cruise Line Offer: Third and fourth guests sail free with two full-fare guests in the same stateroom. Subscribers can book up to two staterooms with this offer. Offer available starting September 8 on select sailings aboard the Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy departing January – April 2023, in select stateroom categories.
Disney Park Perks
Walt Disney World Resort Offer: Experience holiday fun during the Walt Disney World® 50th Anniversary Celebration! Subscribers can be on the lookout for a special holiday offer at select Disney Resort hotels. Visit www.disneyworld.com/disneyplus starting September 8 for additional details. To learn more about the benefits of staying at a Disney Resort hotel, visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resort-hotels-benefits.
Disney Parks Early Entry: On September 8, subscribers and their party with theme park admission and reservations are invited to enter the theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California, and Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris 30 minutes before regular park open to extending the celebrations.
D23 Expo
This event marks the seventh D23 Expo. Previous events took place in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. Guests are arriving from all 50 states and 43 countries. Overall, D23 Expo 2022 takes up over 1,000,000 square feet of the Anaheim Convention
Center, including exhibit halls, stage venues, back-of-house operations, and queue space.
Kicking off the event
The Opening Ceremony of the D23 Expo will offer guests a first look at Disney 100 Years of Wonder with an epic presentation that includes the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, featuring Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Tamron Hall. And of course, there are some big-name Honorees including Anthony Anderson, Kristen Bell, Chadwick Boseman, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, Ellen Pompeo, Tracee Ellis Ross, and more.
What to expect at D23 Expo
Returning to the West Coast is Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I plane. It will be on display for fans. Along with a specially curated exhibit called Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane. Which is actually presented by Amazon. Walt Disney Archives presents Step in Time will give fans the opportunity to relive moments from 100 Years of Wonder. All while making new memories throughout the 12,000-square-foot fully immersive exhibit.
The Disney Parks and Experiences Wonderful World of Dreams pavilion invites attendees to step into the new stories. There will be new attractions, and adventures Disney Imagineers are bringing to life around the globe. Even including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction, the transformation of EPCOT, new Frozen-themed experiences, Disney Cruise Line, live entertainment, and more.
Stars from all the worlds of Disney will be making appearances
More than 500 performers and presenters will take to the stage during can’t-miss panels and presentations. More than 165 presentations, panels, concerts, demonstrations, meet-and-greets, and sneak peeks will take place during the Expo. Disney fans at home can enjoy more than 26 hours of live stream content from D23 Expo [LIVE], including more than 10 hours of exclusive [LIVE] Stage programming and 16 hours of other major presentations from the event.
Additionally, more than 70 stars from all the worlds of Disney will be making appearances at D23 Expo 2022. This also includes new and fan-favorite shows and films such as The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Grey’s Anatomy, Disenchanted. And not to mention Frozen, black-ish, Home Economics, Raven’s Home, The Santa Clauses, Bob’s Burgers, and more.
