D23 Expo 2026 - Day Three

0:00Decently, we keep talking to sets. From west to east and kingdom to kingdom, you're listening to the Connecting with Walt Podcast. Connecting with Walt is brought to you by Dream's Illuminated Travel. Experts at helping you plan the perfect Disney vacation. The best way to support the show is by booking a Disney Land Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, or adventures by Disney vacation with Dream's Illuminated Travel. Get a free no obligation quote today for your next Dream Vacation at Dream's Illuminated Travel.com. Either hide their hoe there and welcome to episode 379 of Connecting with Walt celebrating our 10th Senile year. I am your host and is historian Michael Bowling. I'm joined by my co-host producer and good friend Tom Bell.

1:04Tom, how are you today? Hey, Michael, I'm doing well. Did you have a good... Did you get a three-day weekend? Well, I guess. I know you're so busy with your volunteers. I don't know if you guys... I worked more on top of that. I'm talking more on that in the end of the show. But I worked at the Zeylon Saturday and Monday. No, okay. But you know, I enjoy doing things. You do what you like to do. And then I did see... I think I mentioned it in the last week's episode. I did see all four of the Star Trek films. And they ended up... Our Reable Theater ended up having them. Yeah, mine too. And so then I ended up once a day and so it was hard to... So I ended up canceling all of my cinema tickets and then bought the Regal... Yeah. And they have like... They have popcorn buckets too, like an $80.

2:04$80. Star Trek Enterprise. Oh my God. They sold out. Did they? No, but they... Did you want one? I saw them at my regal tonight. Oh no, I don't want one. Are you sure? I'm sure. And so I think that $80 is a bit steep. And... But it has a lot of popcorn buckets too. I have a lot of popcorn at home. Because you know, I get... You know, Regal unlimited. You know, it's cheaper to get the biggest of everything. Yes, exactly. The biggest drink. And the biggest popcorn is you get the biggest discount. So then I get the refill on my way home. I have so much popcorn at home. I could... Just a movie not... I was like, I'm not a free. I'm not a free. So I know. So that'll be my dessert for a while. But did you have a fun, Labor Day weekend? Yeah, I got into the weekend and I was... I knew it was a good weekend. Because I couldn't remember what day of the weekend was.

3:07Is that because you were drunk? No, no. Just because I was like enjoying my weekend. Oh good. I'm glad to hear that. Today we're heading back to D23, Ultimate Disney Fan Event for the third and final day of presentations. And joining me once again, or Patty, Cisette and Lawella, who have been sharing this D23 adventure with us over the past several episodes. So Patty, Cisette and Lawella, welcome back. Hey. Hey, hello. Hello. So by day three of D23, you begin to experience two conflicting emotions. On the one hand, you're exhausted. You've spent two days walking for a presentation, the presentation, standing in lines, navigating crowds, trying to see everything you possibly can, and probably not getting nearly enough sleep. But at the same time, you realize this is the last day. And suddenly, all those things you thought, I'll get to that later, have to happen now.

4:10And day three gave us plenty to talk about. I attended Disney World Builders, a presentation that explored the extraordinary process of creating the world in which Disney stories take place. Patty and Cisette explored another subject that has been fundamental to Disney storytelling almost from the beginning, music with Disney and the Grammys, the musical legacy. Then the three of us headed to the Honda Center for one of D23's most important traditions, the Disney Legends Awards ceremony. And finally, Patty Loella and I spent time with a man whose music has become inseparable from Disney animation and whose songs have become part of the soundtrack of our lives, Alan Menkin. So we've reached day three. We're tired. Our schedules are probably crumpled, our feet hurt, and we're still trying to squeeze in one more panel. In other words, it's just another day of D23. So let's get started.

5:11The first presentation we're going to discuss is one I attended on my own, Disney World Builders. Now this is also a documentary that's on Disney plus to any of you have a chance to watch it. I have not yet. Not everybody haven't watched it yet. All righty. So I watched it. I haven't rewatched it. But I don't know if I will. So I'll talk about it. So the title itself describes something Disney Storytell has been doing since Walt's time, because creating a great story is not only simply about creating great characters, sometimes you have to create an entire world for those characters to inhabit. Disney artists have taken audiences into fairy tale kingdoms, futuristic cities, underwater worlds, distant planets, and places that exist only in the imagination. And when that world building is done particularly well, we don't simply watch the story.

6:14We begin to believe that somewhere beyond the edges of the screen, that world continues to exist. And that's what made this panel particularly interesting to me. Since I attended this on by myself, let me start by explaining exactly what Disney meant by world building, new participated in a discussion. So first of all, it started with a trailer about just think, just about the Disney parks and people and all that. And then CEO Josh Demaro came out. And then he said he was at Disneyland this morning at 5 a.m. to see Bob Eiger receive his window on Main Street. And he said he has stood in places that didn't exist. And then they did exist. And it isn't magic. Walt understood the story didn't end with the credits. It's, it's, oh my gosh.

7:14It is content with storytellers, it designers, builders, and we will learn from their stories by Leslie Iwerks in her new film. So then she had that there was, there were several people on this panel. And in different areas of Disney storytelling. So there was Jared Bush, Dave Filoni, Kevin Feige, Pete Doctor, John Favreau, and of course the hostels, Leslie Iwerks. All these folks were in the, are in the documentary, which and also Bob Eiger, who's in it a lot. And so, so Leslie Iwerks that she was so, so excited to share the film. And she what it was very dear to her heart. And she said that it was inspired by Disney handcrafted. And she saw when she was doing all the research, she saw a photo of Walt,

8:16riding the mind train with children. And she would have liked to know what it was like to, she wanted to ask them what it was like to walk through his lands and ride his attractions. She wanted to make a film where the Imagineers tell their stories. So, and this was a cute photo because it was Walt with children. And I think a couple of his grandchildren. And they were all looking up, so if they were looking at, you know, what has been created. So, so Pete Doctor said he grew up in Minnesota. And the highlight of going was, of the year was driving the California to visit family. But for him, he didn't really care about seeing family. It was more about going to Disneyland. And he said it's, it's, now with him, it's, with Pixar, it's all about the computer. And Bugsland was the first time, that, you know, a first time that a land was created based on a film.

9:18And he said when he saw it, it was just mind blowing. And then Kevin Feige said that it took films for, you know, 2D, 2D comes first. And then it goes into the parks. And then it, so at the Stark Expo at Hong Kong Disneyland. And he said that it was just pretty astounding to see all that created. For Jared, at Shanghai Disneyland, and it's Soutopia. And he said, when he saw that, he was emotional. He said he had tears. He said 700 people worked on the first film. And there are, they have to have sets to work from. And he said it's amazing to see all of this come to life. He said opening day was cold. And it was one of the coldest days on record in Shanghai. So they figured no one was going to come to the park that day. And he said seeing people show up. And they all dressed in animals.

10:20And he said they called it the great migration of all these people in the gates open, dressed like animals, just rushing towards the Zichou people. It's kind of cool. It is. That's neat. Yeah. Yeah. And in the Asian parks, they, they, they're allowed to dress up. Unlike here in the North American parks to the point that sometimes when I visited, I didn't know if they were cast members, or they were, they were just people, except what the Asian, Alice in Wonderlands. That was really easy. So the figure out they weren't, they weren't walk around characters. So, now Dave said it affects the way you do your job when you see how people interact with it. And, and how the food looks and how it smells. And he said he rides the Millennium Falcon with John all the time.

11:22And he said you're surrounded by it. And that you feel like a kid again. And so Pete, doctor asked what was asked what it was like. What it was like. It wasn't like to bring your characters to light. And bring your characters to imaginary. And so, was it important to, what was important to get right. And he said you have to have a North star. What's important, what is your direction. So he got the idea of rides in the, in the vaulted Disneyland. And now, you know, we're sort of getting into the, and now we're getting into it. He's partial to Disneyland. He, he doesn't watch his films once they're done. Which is interesting. Dave said what's important to preserve it and what can evolve. So he said George Lucas was always willing to push and experiment.

12:23And to see how imagination can, you know, sort of evolve. And, and overcome obstacles. So he said Star Wars lands should evolve. He said difference. There are different Star Wars fans. And you have to bring them all together. You, you draw something. And then it's there talking to you. And you have to maintain the past. But also look forward. And he said George was good at that. And he's trying to continue that. And I think some people would argue that's where the original version of Galaxy Edge sort of failed. Because it didn't bring in the past. Oh, yeah. Sort of what people wanted. And, and they wanted the past as well. As the new trilogy of films with the new characters. And I think now, and I know you guys are more Star Wars fans than I am. To me, it's a better balance. For the cap as a casual Star Wars fans.

13:26Because now we have how I'm solo and we have Princess Leia. And, you know, and we have Luke and all that. I mean, what do you guys think? I agree. Because when Galaxy Edge first came about and the land was beautiful. But I felt there was something lacking. Because many of us were, you know, part of the original trilogy. And it, I felt like it was a miss to not have at least some section. And you can get immersed with those characters. Now, granted, I did love the new characters. But it just felt a bit missing. Something was missing. And, and I know I didn't, I wasn't alone in that aspect. So I felt if they're talking about world building, when they built that world. I didn't think they were connecting the past. They tried to, you know, you saw Chewie. You saw the Millennium Falcon. And I was definitely pushing a certain agenda.

14:28Like, I felt, which was fine. But I didn't have a desire to constantly go back. And now that they've incorporated the past, I guess, or Leia and Han. I couldn't wait to go back there and meet them. It was like the priority was just the newer things in the television shows and things like that. And my husband was like 10 years, 10 years old when the original movie came out. That is, you know, that is everything to him. And so he was very happy when they started kind of bringing in some of the older stuff. Because like you said, there was just kind of a, for a certain age range, there was a bit of a disconnect. Yeah, it was a, it was a misfire. Yeah, so funny because you're talking about world building, but they didn't want to build that world. Well, they wanted to build the world where, you know, the kids of what the kids can watch now, right? So, but I do think like what you said, Luila, and it's that it was just one of those things when they started bringing in the older characters,

15:34then everybody had like this collective gas, but like, yes, finally, you know, on all socials and everything. And that was the one thing that was lacking. Any kind of connection to the past and bringing them out. Yeah, there's something for every fan now. Yeah, and I have to admit though, I like, I didn't go to the land on most of my visits. And now I do. And, and I really liked the new Millennium Falcon ride with the Mandalorian and Grogu. That was fun. I didn't think I would, but I really enjoyed the storyline. Yeah, we had a good time on that. Yeah, it was good. I liked it more than the last than the original storyline. Mm-hmm. I don't know. Grogu makes everything cute. It's adorable. Yeah, it's adorable. Like to Lisa teenager. So, so John, his question Leslie asked him was, what is continued from the story world to imaginary?

16:38And so he said in the early days of web, they were trying to, they were trying to tell stories in a different way. He said, today's sort of wrap around screens wouldn't be possible without circle vision. He said, Walt, of the Imagineers created stories that impact people, the way people can't experience in theaters. And so Kevin, he said he was, he's amazed by the evolution of technology that led to the Spider-Man spin at DCA. And remember when we saw that technology, I think in one of the documentaries that led to the flying Spider-Man, you know, at DCA, which do they have him anymore? They do, I heard. I had inquired. It's just not all the time. Okay. And that's what I was thinking about. And I was thinking about, you know, because that is amazing. And that's something I would always look for.

17:40I mean, at one point, he was like every half an hour on the hour. Yeah. Is this what once a day now he can't, he threw his back out or something. He is getting older. He's not a teenager. He knows how I'm in the building so many times. That's true. But I do like that they have him as a meet and greet more often now. Jared said 70% of what's its Shanghai Zootopia is in the film. And in 30% was created by imaginary. So one was the sheep barber shop. And it was connected to next door was a wool sweater shop. So at, so at, in Shanghai. So as they were, he, they, he, he thought this is so amazing. So they, they put it in the second film with the character being called Ed Sheeran. And you might remember they were cutting the sheep and the wool was just going right into the next shop where they were making the wool sweaters.

18:45So that came from the imaginary putting those shops in Shanghai. So it's just, so it sort of worked backwards in a way. So John said he saw a demo of a droid imaginary. And he was so impressed that he included them in the Mandalorian and Grogu. And those are those little droids that you never know are it have been at DCA in Cal, I mean, I'm sorry, been a Disney man in Cal. So the two foot, the by pets, right? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And then she asked what, what were you excited about that was that was announced last night, you know, over about the park experiences. And they said everything, um, imaginary to, um, you know, journey through imagination to figment, um, Harrison Ford. And then they said tomorrow land, but they wanted to be inspired by the fantastic four.

19:49Oh, interesting, because that didn't do very well. It didn't, and I know they were, I liked the film. Oh, I liked it too. Yeah, and I know they were really hoping that it would do well because of the aesthetic of that film. And that it would carry through and we have them in Disneyland for a while. They have the characters there and they sort of disappeared. It would be beautiful when you think about what they could bring in the look of it. It would be lovely. It was just, I don't know that they'll do something like that since the movie didn't do as well as I hoped. Yeah, I think the aesthetic would still work. Yeah. You know, so anyway, were you going to say something, Patty? Well, I was thinking unless they, they pull off something crazy in Doomsday. I almost saw the same thing. Maybe that's where they'll hit a chord with fans and they'll want to see more fantastic four. Maybe is it too much to do? Well, they can't do incredible.

20:49It would have been nice for Incredibles too a little bit because that aesthetic is nice, but they have it over in DCA. Yeah, and it's very cartoony. I don't think tomorrow, I think to Arla and they're looking for optimism and all that I think they're trying to go for a different deal. Walt's optimism. Anyway, so John, John said, bringing Oswald back using state of the art technology. It was very exciting and so, so Leslie asked, how did you come up with that idea? He said he wanted to preserve the art and the personality created by up and 2D animation. So he said, you don't tell, you don't just tell the story for Disney plus. You have it at Disneyland. So, and that's when they handed out the Oswald cards. Remember that they had given us. I never open mine yet. You probably have the golden card. Probably do. The writer cards. I owe a stuff that's over here.

21:51So he said that he wants to preserve the aesthetics that Walt laid out surrounded with new technology. And he wants to make it authentically Disney. And he said, we're taught by the lessons that Walt created. No, it makes me feel happy when they. When they say that, that they're still staying true. Change true. The vision and trying to carry on the legacy. While still using, you know, the technology that's available. Yeah, still advancing things, but also trying to make sure that they honor what the original intent was. And it starts with having a good story. Always. Yeah. And he said, one, okay, one person profiled in the film is Bob Eiger. And he's, and Leslie was saying, and he's not here, which was shocking because he is definitely in that film. And he said, one of the, the, the,

22:53and most important things to do is, is one of the worst things that you can do is maintain the status quo. So anyway. And so, anyway, so Dave said, kids have more ways to interact with stories today than before. So how do we arrange our stories so that they are accessible in multiple ways? So they need, so they need a team of people to ask, what if we did this? And Jared said, people love returning to the world is utopia and Moana, but we need to push people into new areas. So in Kevin said, what are the new storytelling frontiers? Well, that was his question. What are the new storytelling frontiers that Lizley asked him? And he said, well, we announced we're a new young cast for X-Men. He said, we've made 10 and we can make 100 more films. He said, there are stories yet to tell.

23:54But I'm not, I don't know much about the X-Men, were you, are you excited about the new young cast? My daughter is very, very excited. And my husband has read X-Men comics, like, since for his entire life when he started, he still buys X-Men comics. And so the two of them are, she's more excited about the reboot. He was always really into the older, the older show. The classic, yeah. Yeah, the classic, but she being 30 years old is very, very excited about the reboot. She loves say the sink. And so she's been all about that. Alex is, oh, my spouse is very interested in what it is. But he's into the classics as well. I mean, every week we have to watch the X-Men 97 series drop or, you know, the world is over. So I'm all of today, at least that series now. I think that's me viewed without me in my household.

24:57Oh, look at you. I'm following it, Majon. This isn't a prequel. Is it they're just rebooting with younger people and continuing on the stories? I don't know. Because that's the problem Star Trek has. They're just, they're just hiring younger actors to portray the same character. But if you look at the history of the comic books, they do reboots all the time. I mean, they wouldn't be surprising if it's, I think this is a reboot because 80 sink is, is Jean Gray and she's young. Yeah. So yeah, this is a younger version to watch the X-Men films. Now, John in response to what are the new storytelling frontiers, he said it's a vision that's yet to be. We have to figure out how to connect the audience through technology that makes them feel good. He said experience, experience things vertically, then walking around in the parks.

26:01He said we're, I'm sorry, experience things virtually, then walking around in the parks. He said we present ideas, get feedback and that creates our path. Pete said lots of great stories to go back to. And he said Pixar has a lot of new storytellers. He said we have new tools and new opportunities to use technology, but we need to keep it human. So I think that's a response to AI. And I saw just in response, I think I understand what he's saying because you star-check today as a recording, it's the 60th anniversary of the first episode of star-check airing. Which I remember watching when I was a little boy on I saw something on YouTube today where somebody a studio an animation studio used AI to create sort of a sequel to the final film of star-check six.

27:05And it was shocking. It was frightening because they got Spock's voice wrong. It sounds like Jean-Luc Picard. But how close they were to how the characters really look. You could tilt out with AI, but it was close. And but then all of the sets, the ships, everything you couldn't tell from the films where they used models that this was this is all done on a computer. So I don't know in a year or two, it's going to be really tough to tell, I think, an AI film from a real film. It's hard to tell. This star-check thing was shocking. Absolutely shocking. So I understand what Pete is saying. So if you could go back in time and drop in on any imagineer, when would this be? That's just Leslie's question.

28:13Jared said he'd drop in when the Yeti stopped working. And whisper in Joe Rody's ear, it'll be okay. Pete said he would want to observe Mark Davis and watch him work. Because that was one of his, the people they really looked up to and was, it's been inspired by. John has a photo of Walt in front of the opera house and he, he, you know, looking at the castle and the park is empty and he, he, he's just asking, is this, you know, in his head, you know, Walt is asking himself, is this going to work? Because it's like, it's the day before the park opens to the public. He would like to ask him what was in his head and Leslie said that was that photo was the inspiration for this film.

29:18Also, so, yeah, so Dave said, would he would want to ride the train on day one with Walt. He said his family was into trains. So this was always something, there's always something genius about the past. And he would want, you want to talk to him about the train. And then Kevin said he'd want to talk to Roli Crump about his subversive art. And Leslie has one of his crazy marijuana posters in an office. You have to look up some of his art. It's, it's quite remarkable. We talked him about it on an early show that he was on. We talked a little about that artwork. And then she asked, do you have a great Bob Iger story? This is funny because they all laughed and then nobody said anything. And then finally, they don't know if they have clearance.

30:18Yeah, really, really. So Jared's finally spoke up. And it wasn't like it was five minutes, but it was a long enough pause that I thought, wow, this is getting a little uncomfortable. I don't think I was expected this. Well, people are like, is he really gone this time? Yeah. Really? You don't want to say something and then having to be your boss in two weeks. That's right. Yeah. So Jared's finally spoke up. Is it in Zootopia? You're the, you're the size of Judy and Hobbs. He said, there are three sizes of benches, and then going back to Shanghai. You know that too. There's a rabbit size, a regular size, and an elephant size. So when they were, when he was walking with Bob through Shanghai, they sat at the large elephant size bench. So they're sitting on this thing with their feet dangling down. And Bob said, this is great because no one knows who we are.

31:22And then Leslie said, oh, that was a spoiler for the film because that scene was in the film. Anyway, then she asked you have any advice for, you know, people who want to become an imaginary work for Disney. Pete said, practice your craft and know yourself. Kevin said your freedom can, your, your fandom can build your career. You know, whatever you're interested in, you know, go in that direction, develop it. Dave said, do or do not. Do your, do your best and commit. And you'll learn, you'll learn and progress. If you, if you, you know, if you, what is this? You said, oh, if you, if you train your hands, you'll learn the skill. Jared said figure out who you are as a storyteller and craft a story you are passionate about.

32:26And then, and then basically they, they showed the, the film. And I just thought, you know, this was sort of Bob Eiger sort of, he's in it a lot. So I thought. And so I think this was one of his final. This is what I did, look what I did. Here I go. And is probably his one of his final farewells. I think he's had many farewells. And this is one of his final what's it's worth watching. But I didn't find it as inspiring and fascinating as some of her other films. And, you know, and maybe it's just because I'm not, I don't worship Bob Eiger as many do. And so that might be why it's colored my, it's affected my appreciation for the documentary. So I need to rewatch it again and maybe put my prejudice to the side of it. When we saw you afterward, you did say the first thing you said was there's a lot of Bob Eiger in it.

33:33So. Did you just watch it during the panel or you watched it on Disney Plus? Oh, watched it during the panel. Because it then was on Disney Plus the very next day. And I'm assuming on Disney Plus and, you know, forgive me, I haven't watched it. It's not the panel. It's just. Oh, no, it's. Yeah, it's just a film. So, and then I know they're showing it at different places like it's. I know they're like the Walt Disney Family Museum is showing it. I don't know if it's part of the panel or if they're just showing it. And that was it. So, um, so you know, when we want to create a Disneyland, he didn't simply give us individual attractions. He gave us worlds. No Main Street USA establishes a particular time place in emotional tone before you've written a single attraction from tearland tells you something through its architecture and landscape. Eventually, I create the suggestion of an exotic place beyond everyday experience. Fantasy line asks us to physically enter the world's Walt's artists had previously created on film.

34:35And tomorrow I'm originally asked us to imagine a world that hadn't been built yet. And that's world building. The techniques available the Disney artists today are vastly different from those Walt and his artists had in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. But the objective remains remarkably similar. Create a world convincing enough that the audience wants to step inside it. So, whilst I was exploring Disney world building, Patty and Susette were attending a presentation devoted to something else that has been essential to Disney storytelling from almost the very beginning. Music. In our day one episode we talked about the art of the score and traced Disney's musical storytelling from Steampot Willie and the silly symphonies through Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia and Beyond. And we came back to an idea that I think is fundamental to Disney. Disney music doesn't simply accompany the story, very often it tells the story. But Disney's musical influence extends far beyond Disney films and theme parks.

35:39Patty and Susette attended Disney and the Grammys, a musical legacy, which looked at the recognition Disney music has received from the recording industry. So since I wasn't there you're going to have to take take us inside this one. So, Patty and Susette, who participated in the presentation and how did they approach the relationship between Disney and the Grammy Awards? Do you want me to take this one right now Susette? No, I do not have notes from this. I do not have the names of the people. I know the composer that we had seen at the art of the score. Michael Giacana. Oh yeah, I have the names here. Okay. Yeah. So it was hosted by Harvey Mason Jr. who's the CEO of the Recording Academy and Music Cares. And I looked all the stuff up. So this is his, he's a record producer, songwriter, film producer.

36:39Some of the movies that he's produced music for are like Bob Marley, all of the pitch perfect movies. Michael, the most recent Michael Jackson movie, respect, which is the Aretha Franklin movie, all of the sing movies, the animated sing movies, and a whole bunch of others. They mentioned it briefly in there that his dad is Harvey Mason Sr., who's a jazz drummer who recorded with Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock. And he came on to the stage and the running theme of this entire thing is that the Grammys are now being hosted by ABC and will be shown February 7th, 2027 on ABC Disney plus Nulu. It was the mantra for the entire panel. And every little listings and add this by Neil Patrick Harris and Bob I believe. It was amazing how often that it was they led back to it.

37:44It was like a standing joke. It was the commercial break that we never asked for every 10 minutes on this panel. Yes. So he introduced, let's see, first before he introduced everyone, he did that. And then he showed a photo on the screen that had a lot of covers of music and said that Disney and its musical history go all the way back to 1923. And then he had like an out loud aha moment and was like, oh, 23 and D23 and the whole crowd is like, oh, come on. But just put this together. But I feel like he was kind of writing the book report as he was going. As he was going a lot. So he kind of went back and said that the recording academy and the Grammys were founded in 1959. And then he said the music that won awards in 1959, he listed a bunch. Some of them was a Sinatra had won for Best Album Cover Art.

38:47The Best Album went to music from Peter Gunn and Song of the Year was Volade. And that same year, 1959, Disney released Sleeping Beauty, the Shaggy Dog, and the Matterhorn had opened as well as the Disney Monterey system. So he said that both Disney and the recording academy both believed in taking very big creative swings. He went through a few Disney songs and from the classic films at that time and asked the audience to kind of sing with us. So we all kind of sang along and said that the scale of the Disney songbook is just incredible and went through an entire list of many, many, many, many artists. Did Disney songs that had won Grammy Awards or just? No, they could have, but he did not signify that. He just went through reading a list of songs, a list of artists that contributed to the Disney songbook from, he said from film, from television.

39:49He said the Disney songbook goes from film television, theater, theme parks, streaming, virtual reality, and we'll go into other worlds that might not even yet be known. So with all of that, he then introduces, introduces panelists, film composer, and they all have many titles, right? So film composer, conductor, producer, arranger, songwriter, and percussionist, 2023 Grammy winner for best score soundtrack for Encanto, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, Germain Franco, composer from film television, video games, the 2008 and 2010 Oscar winner for Ratatouille and Up, Oscar and Golden Globe winner Michael Giacchino, Giacchino, musical theater and film lyricist, composer, songwriter, producer and director, 1999 Grammy nominee for best song for visual media, for Giacchino, Giacchino, musical theater and film lyricist, composer, songwriter, producer and director, 1999 Grammy nominee for best song for visual media, for true to your heart from a long Tony award winner and Oscar and Golden Globe nominee David Zippel.

41:00So they were all the panelists and he asked them, what do you think about the history, Disney Music history and being a part of it? Michael Giacchino says, you know, it was a crazy path and that he took, and a lot of I think his answers probably echoed a little bit with what you guys had heard in art of the score. Because he started out in PR and it was like in public relations and so it was kind of a windy road to get him to there. And he said that he was walking in the parks and someone had told him, you know, look they're playing up the music from up on Main Street and he just couldn't believe it. And while he said that the job is tough, you can see how many people it touches and it kind of rejuvenates you and motivates you to do the work.

42:00And so, Jermaine Franco said that it's a special thing to be part of the history because it's all the songs that you grow up listening to and now you're creating the songs that other people will grow up listening to. And it uplifts her as an artist. And David Kippel had said that while he was doing research on Hercules that they had taken them to Turkey and he found himself surrounded by a bunch of Turkish children who were screaming, who were screaming Lion King over and over again and he realized that the music he was working on and the film he was working on would have a really significant global impact. That's amazing though Turkey. I mean it really transcends. Yeah, pictures. So Harvey then asked knowing that people who would listen when you sit to compose do you think about the impact or do you just sit and focus on the music, which do you choose Michael had said that he's mostly in his 10 year old brain.

43:06I don't know if he said that in art of the score. He said that he remembers that Brad Bird had told him. For the incredible is that he wanted the music to light a kid on fire so that when the end credits rolled the kids would be running up and down the aisles believing that they could be one of the incredible. Little Jack Jack on fire. I don't think that was the idea. I don't know. He asked, he then asked, um, Jeremy Franco to talk a little bit about appearing in her own work and she said that she wanted. She didn't plan on appearing on her own work, but she had asked Jared Bush to to visit her while she was working on it and he said he would only visit if she would play. So she said that she writes on her music on a keyboard and she does she's a percussionist so she plays a snare drum in the Marimba and that she has a custom made Marimba made out of Colombian palm wood and she used that in the soundtrack.

44:16And she had said that even if you're that she had learned that even if you're writing the music, you should still always keep playing the music being a musician and she she lives by that kind of. And then they played a clip of the score of Enquanto and they asked her about like her motivation and she said she was just imagining the world of the Madrigal family and that. She was alone in the studio doing the score because it all took place during the pandemic. So she just had a lot of added a lot of stylistic horns and the orchestra and everything. They've really all brought it together. I don't know if she's that if you want to add. Well, I think part of it for her. She also talked about how it honored her heritage and bringing that style music into the mainstream with Disney and how important that was to her.

45:18Yeah, yeah. Harvey. It's about like the recent Disney films like Moana and Conto Coco. It's it keeps the Disney storytelling and the whole reason what wanted music and the films, but it's it's embracing the cultures. The films are based on as well. So it's a very different style of Disney music and all that I love it. I'm here for it. And it's snow white, sleeping, you know that that was that was the Disney music. It was all sort of the same in many ways or orchestra. And and vocally. But now it's all the films are very unique based on the culture that they're drawing from. And it's giving so much more exposure to those cultures, which is wonderful. Yeah, it caters to, you know, the worldwide audience, right point down to. So right. It's great that it's embracing everywhere. The representation is so important. It is. It is.

46:23So Harvey had asked if they had any hidden mckys in their works. And David Kippel was quick and said, no, no, I've never done that in my Disney work. Maybe another stuff I've done, but not in Disney work. Michael said he did it all the time with his kids names, his pets names. And sometimes he re-listen to the sounds to the scores and things. Oh, maybe I really shouldn't have done it. So clearly that other people can really hear it. I've never heard it, but I don't know if anybody else has. Now you know what to listen to. Yeah. Jermaine had said that it was a good idea that she might try to do in the future. Which I thought was funny, which may be means that she's working on something else right now. Maybe she's working on the ride. Oh, that would be cool. That would be cool. She had said that she always wanted to connect with the character.

47:26And she works to connect with the character and of Merevel and with women all over the world. And that she included included ganta dora music, which is like female musical chance chanting. So she had female voices and a Colombian choir brought in when she worked that she worked into the score. And you can hear it in the scene with the Jaguar. Yeah, that was pretty fascinating to see all that. I think let's see. David Kiffles talked about balancing the songs in Mulan with humor. Because he said Mulan ultimately is a comedy film. David said that they tried to make the emotional part subject to the humor and true to the characters. And at the end for the parting song, he said, wouldn't it be great if we had a harmonica part and wouldn't it be great if maybe Stevie Wonder would play the harmonica and they wound up getting him.

48:36And then while they were taping it, Stevie had said, you know, is it okay if I actually sing with 98 degrees and they were all like, well, yeah, of course you can. We're not going to tell you no. So he was so that happened and then Michael told the same story about Ratatouille. I don't know if you want to tell that one again about a little bit of this and a little bit of the whole thing. Oh, yeah, that they had told him when he was composing that they wanted him to treat it as though he was a somebody who had just come home from work and didn't have time to plan his meat. They're dinner and take a little of this and a little of that and just kind of, you know, you're reaching through the cabinets. And that's why you hear instruments that you don't always hear because they told him if you want to use it, then use it. If you want to put it in there because they wanted it to be very unique and somewhat chaotic, like as if you were just kind of having to do things on this fly.

49:39And he's the one who added that when you're creating the music that it's not just music for the film and winds up being music in the parks, music for the video games, music for the attractions. So there's this whole added layer of, you know, audience and reach that you're creating music for. And then just stop there. Yeah. And he said that when he was coming up with the idea of music for up, he had thought of a tune in the shower and decided that he wouldn't write it down right away. And if he could still remember it the next day, then it would be something that he would work to write down. And you know, I guess fortunately for all of us, it stuck with him for the next day. So he didn't write it all down and it worked on it from there. And then Q and at least the third different commercial on when the Grammy is showing on ABC.

50:40Do you really think it was only three? I swear, I felt that they said it like eight times. It's probably true. It was crazy. It was a lot. I don't know if you have anything else to add to that. I know the focus on this panel. I know Michael, you would think that from the title that it might be a lot of history and historical, but it was really just a focus on these four panel panelists and their contributions to like the legacy of music. At least that's how I felt about it. And I think so. Yeah. And how it would affect like the generations that listen to this music and how it would affect generations to come. It wasn't really about older music and the history behind it. They didn't really touch on that. No, they didn't really touch on. Oh, these were Grammy winners at all. I felt it was almost an extension of art of the score.

51:42That was probably that's probably a good description for it. With more people brought in. I was glad to see because I really liked the conversation with Michael. Prior. Two days before or I think yeah, that was on Friday with Michael and then this was on Sunday. But yeah, I don't think it was, oh, let's go talk about past Grammy winners, but it was more. Let's just talk to these four people and what they're doing to bring music forward. Into all these various different genres and they were all very fascinating and they all were. They were kind of wrote little differently and how they approach things. I really like Michael and so I thought it was fun to kind of sing him again. And it was good to hear. I thought I enjoyed your main Franco. I don't know if she gets to be on a lot of panels to begin with or if she's done a lot of speaking engagements.

52:42But it was nice to hear her contributions to everything. Oh, yeah, definitely. And I don't think she plugged the Grammys at all. I mean, no, she was just a show. I think. It was it was Mason junior Harvey Mason junior because that's, you know, Grammys, that's his job. Well, and Michael, Michael like came out and sat down in the first and he said, okay, so now let me get this clear. When are the grant? I mean, Michael immediately played into it. It was like, let me, let me make sure I understand. Are you saying he was kind of like that? And they were like, oh, yeah, yeah, it's definitely, you know, that's right. He did do that. Yeah, it was kind of funny. It was, it was very much like an advertisement. They must, they should have just had a booth on the floor. The same way that they're doing the booth on the floor for the Super Bowl. They should have had a booth for the Grammys being on ABC this year too. Because it's that much of a dynamic shift. I guess for them. I think they did.

53:42Oh, they have a booth. Yeah, I don't know necessarily was a booth, but there was a in the Hulu and the Hulu exhibit. There was a Grammy photo op and I didn't go there. There you go. And was so long, but I bet you if I went in there, it probably takes a picture in the back. And it would have said February, February, and we're spending money. Yeah, we didn't go through that. No, we did not. Yeah, but it seems like they catch you on either end. You're either on the convention floor or you're in the panel. By golly. Oh, thank you. And there's something rather appropriate about discussing Disney's musical legacy on this particular day. Because a four day three was over would spend an entire presentation, one of the most important composers in Disney history. But first it was time for Patty, Susette Meade, head back to the Honda Center. So one of the great traditions of D23 is the Disney Legends Awards ceremony.

54:46The Disney Legends program was established to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the Disney legacy. And I think the word legacy is particularly important. These aren't simply people who work for Disney. They are actors, animators, imagineers, musicians, filmmakers, and other creative people whose contributions became part of the story of Disney itself. For connecting with Walt, there's another reason I find the Disney Legends program so meaningful. Walt gets much of the attention and understandably so, but Walt never created Disney alone. From the earliest days of his studio, he surrounded himself with talented people and challenged them to accomplish things that often hadn't been done before. So the Disney Legends program, many ways, reminds us that the Disney story has always been the story of people. So Patty, Susette, and I headed to the Honda Center for the Disney Legends Award. So let's start with the ceremony itself.

55:47So what was the atmosphere like inside the Honda Center today? I think there was an anticipation because everybody knows who the legends are going into it. And so I think there was a lot, for me, there was a lot of anticipation for what the show was going to be like and what they were going to say. Because honestly, I have never even watched one of these televised. Because I know you can go back and watch it on Disney+. I've never even watched one of them. I think last time was the first one that they put on. And then they removed it, I think a month later. So I expect them to remove this one in a few weeks after it's, you know, had its fair rotation and it loses its ratings and everything. I don't think the atmosphere was as electrified as it was in previous days. I think a lot of people were really hyped up about entertainment and very hyped up about the parks and the experiences.

56:53But, you know, historically, legends is one of those love it or leave it type of things. I love award shows, not everybody does. So there were more noticeably and there were empty seats. Yes, there were a lot. And there were a lot of people who chose, I don't think, Luella, did you go? I did not. You chose the floor, right? I chose the floor. And part of the reason, I mean, I do enjoy legends, but it was during, I think it was at the one o'clock. It was. Yeah. Having, it was the floor time. Yeah, having to not really experience the floor. It was a conscious decision that I had decided that I'm going to skip it. I think it would have been different if it was maybe the first night in the evening. I think that's how it was last time. Yeah, it was Sunday night. It was still the last day. Okay. The first night. Yeah. Going back to Suzan's point, there are no surprises. Everything's been announced.

57:53I remember in the first two or three years of the Disney legends, you could almost anticipate there's one surprise at the very end. And we don't get that anymore. So it is like, if you know in advance, who's going to be there? So if that's thought, someone you're really interested in seeing. Well, I will say for Patty and I, one of the conversations we had going into this is there was some anticipation about who's going to do the presentation per person. And we did have some fun kind of playing back and forth. Like, do you think it'll be this person? Do you think it'll be that person? Oh, it could be so and so and so. And so even though we knew who the legends were, it was kind of fun to kind of guess who it might be. And I know there was one. There were a couple of surprised people who came out to introduce them that I was like, oh. Yeah, we were, we were both the kind of a little surprised by a few of them. So, but it was, it was fun.

58:56Were there any legends you were personally most excited to see honored? Well, for me, we talked the other day about my love for Alan Tudick. So I was very excited to see him. And I am also doing Johnson. I love doing Johnson. I think he's funny. So I thought those two were probably, oh, and get to see Anne Hathaway and her, her bump. That was fun. Anne Hathaway, my number one was Lynn, Lynn Monroe Miranda. I was very excited to see him. Warned me that you would start screaming. I would. I did. She did. I lost my voice. I don't know if anyone I was particularly interested in. Yeah, I excited about. Well, Bob. I mean, I know you were. Bob. I tell you this, I was shocked that, and you may not be as thrilled, but I'm a big cat, Sifan. And so I was shocked that cats I performed because my friends who were there had to text and send it to me because they knew that.

1:00:01And I actually found it a little surprising, but considering that this show is going to be shown on Disney+. What is going to get some people like, you know, this people that are into like that kind of K-pop to watch this show. Yeah, yeah. To see cats eye who is a huge, you know, who are very huge right now for a certain audience. But to get them to watch it, because you're right, we already know who the legends are. So how are you going to get some other people to watch this Disney plus show? Yeah. You got that side performing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Because I was like, why is cats eye performing? Why are they there? That was when I was a 2024 when Shabuzie came on and Michael's like, who's Shabuzie? Yeah. Well, I didn't know who a lot of the folks were. Hardly singing. They're doing this show to get people, they are making the show exactly for a Disney plus tape, you know, showing.

1:01:02Yeah. It was high quality. It was production value. Absolutely. Yeah. So yeah, they're getting more and more slick. They're packaging it. That is one word for it. Yes. Yeah. But this was in that they filmed it in the, or they, they, yeah, they filmed it in the afternoon. So they could edit it because I have to edit. I would think, um, Twain Johnson. Yes, he cursed twice. I asked you words. Mm hmm. So, so that it could be ready then for. I'm going to have to go back and watch it and see if I can figure out what. You know, I watched it twice and I can't, they did such a great job. I have no idea where the heck they put. They took it away from my husband and daughter watched it that evening because I raved about it and told them you have to go back. You have to watch this and they, they, they watched it that evening. Did they enjoy it? Yeah, they really enjoyed it. Okay. They thought it was very good. I liked everything except the performance that Louella liked.

1:02:04I was going to their concert. So. Different generation. You would have saved yourself on the tickets if you would have just gone to the arena. So the festivities were started by Josh Demaro, Disney CEO. You said for more than a century, Disney, um, Disney creators have, have endured because they spark connections. And, uh, and today we are going to honor 11 people with the highest honor the company can bestow storytellers, songwriters, visionaries, pioneers, leaders who have helped define the company's future. Well, you know, these are very new there. And then different, different backgrounds who share a deep commitment to Disney. So then Ryan C C crest comes out. Of course. Because he needs more jobs. I know he is the host.

1:03:05I don't even know what he does these days. We'll afford to. We'll afford to. Oh, does he. He had had, I don't know. He had had some. Work done or something. I pointed out to patty. Yes, he is. Cheek bones were. It was very interesting looking. Well, Tony, you have to keep that perpetual smile, you know. I think he's. There's that. And then after the rock, he said he needed to eat more protein. So I feel like he needs a sandwich. Yeah. I thought it was very interesting, especially on that big gigantic screen. It was just kind of like very. Anyway, sorry. Anyway, so he's so he was the host. He's been a lifelong Disney fan. And he said, um, united by. You know, we're all united by stories and pixie dust. And we're here to honor the people behind the magic. And the fans who keep it alive. So. Okay, so only. Okay, how do you say his name?

1:04:05I tried to write it phonetically. Anyway, the voice of Moana. Only equal. Yeah. I will. I'll leave you. Mm hmm. Yeah, see now that now that makes sense. The way I wrote it. Okay. So she's the voice of Moana. And she's introducing Lin Manuel Miranda. So I mentioned it. And then when she was talking to me, and then I said, should I pause for patty to screen? Wait a minute, Bob. And said he said he doesn't first create music. He creates generosity. And one of the defining story tellers of my generation. And he has to believe that the best stories are. That are shared is your magic. So. and he sang to the, and then there was, and then there was a song to the tune of Mary Poppins Returns. And then there was, and then there was a whole Disney medley of different performers.

1:05:06I'm singing Lin-Man-Man Miranda songs that he composed. It was amazing. I saw it right down to all the singers. Oh, you're not sure. There's too many. I went back. I looked, I looked at all the, and they're all connected to him, but I don't have every single connection. So we have Jordan Fisher, right, who performed. He is connected because he did the pop-duet version of your welcome with Lin for Moana. He also had joined the Broadway cast of Hamilton at one point. Ali Ikervalio for Moana. James Monroe, Eagle Heart, who is the Genie in Broadway's Aladdin, but he is a member of Lin-Man-Man Well Miranda's improv hip-hop group, freestyle love supreme. And he also joined the Broadway company of Hamilton. Mandy Gonzalez, who played Mariana in Hamilton. She was also Luna Rosario in the Heights,

1:06:07which is a Lin-Man Well Miranda Broadway show that turned into a film, which is spectacular if anybody hasn't seen it. Go watch it. Wayne Brady, who also had played in the Chicago production of Hamilton. I don't remember what the connection for Nikki James is, or for Ariel Jacobs. I'm sure that there is a connection. I just didn't write that one down. And then there is, I'm hoping not to Ootkarsh, Ootkarsh, who is also a member of freestyle love supreme. He worked with Lin, I believe, on doing scubble butt in the live action little mermaid. And he's also a member, like I said, of freestyle love supreme. He was also on in tick tick boom. I don't know if you guys ever watched.

1:07:10Oh yeah, Lin, that was good. It was a great film. That's Lin's movie. Robin De Jesus, the one who sang the Encanto song in the mid stage. He was also in tick tick boom, and he was in the Heights. Okay. So Ariel Jacobs posted on our Instagram like the day or two after that because she was in the the 80s, 90s show like the previous day. Oh, the rewind concert. The rewind concert. Yes, thank you. She got a call like 11 o'clock of that night. Someone canceled, can you stay an extra night and do this presentation for Lin? She's like, it's for Lin. Yes, of course. So she wouldn't had to learn that. So I think she's done, I think she's done in Hamilton before because I was like the piece that she was part of. So then Lin

1:08:13Manuel Miranda comes up. But yeah, that was an amazing production number. And he's holding what appears to be a little mermaid BHS cassettes. Yeah, original. Yes. And we had one of those in our house, my kids are little. And then he's he then he starts saying, look at this stuff. You know, is he and isn't it neat? And then he's singing to, you know, part of your world. He's got tonies and Grammys of plenty and it goes on and on and then he ends up great. I'm grateful that I parted your world. It was so clever. It's exciting. He does these great speeches. I mean, he did it for the tonies. I believe he accepted it with the summit. So the fact that he crafted this to that song was just it was just like chef's kiss. That performance, his acceptance, everything.

1:09:13I was everything could have been downhill. It was really hard to top, I think. It was very hard to follow. It was. Yeah, I was sort of surprised. They started a match in the beginning. It's not that it hold him to the end. One of the final. And that was the yeah, the surprise production. Yeah, it wasn't closer. They were the bang anyway, so then fine. Then no, they saved the most important for last. Oh, yes. That's true. Yeah. Anyway, so next then Ryan says, this actor has been in every Disney films in 2012 and as a good luck charm. And Jennifer Lee then um, comes out and says some some actors disappear into a role and some um, some Tudik, every character and then some, every character feels original and unique. He is voice 25 Disney characters and he is a remarkable

1:10:17talent. And then there, so then this is Alan Tudik, he didn't have a sizzle reel. He did. It was just brief. Yes. I wrote no sizzle reel. It was very short, but he did have a little part where he's like, I went to Juilliard. I remember that portion in the sizzle reel. Okay. But it was one of the shortest of the entire show. I was so short, I missed it. He said, I see the world Disney's created in children's eyes. And he said, he went to an event for pediatric cancer and a little girl had a little picture of hey hey and looked, he looked at him, funny at him as he signed it because he until he clucked like a chicken and danced. And then all the children drew their favorite characters and it was hey hey. And so he gets, he's happy that he gets to be the ambassador of joy.

1:11:17I like the story he told about that it really touched me that when he was at that hospital event that a doctor pulled him aside and said, and got this book out and told him, you know, we allow the children to decorate the tiles, like the ceiling tiles above their bed is for something that makes them happy and something that brings them joy because you know, they spent a lot of time in those beds. And the doctor just showed him picture after picture after picture after picture of children drawing hey hey. Yeah. Yeah. That was it was a great thing for him to say like that he gets to be the ambassador of joy. That's a great title and a great way to say it, right? Yeah. Maybe maybe he'll be ambassador joy just like Jody Benson is the what's her title or the god mother of a ship or whatever. You know, she has a funny title for D23 if we get what it is. So anyway,

1:12:24anyway, then there's the magic of Disney imaginary started to talk about they don't first build attractions. They create the magic and make memories. So then it was Kim Irvine. And she came out a little early. Oh, I told somebody was getting fired. I told Patty, somebody's losing their job. Exactly. So Ming Na Wen is that cooler? So was the presenter? Yes. Yes. And she recently met Kim and understood what it was like to have parents who had worked with Walt Disney and was saturated with Disney. And so she asked her was there a time you ever got sick of Disney? She said her eyes lit up and she said never. So as the emperor once said, you don't get to meet a girl like that in every dynasty. That was cute. That was cute. So I really want to know more about what their connection was. I don't think they had one because she said she just met her

1:13:25the other day and was given asking her questions. So I feel like that was kind of that was a that was an orchestrated pairing. Yeah. And Kim said thank you so much. I was so excited that I came out too early. So she said in 1970 when I started at Wed, it was only for a summer. Then all the original Imagineers were there and they liked to visit the model shop and shared stories about creating the park and attractions we still love. She wanted to thank her Disney Land brothers and sisters who make the magic happen every day and the thank my imaginary team that started at 2 a.m. started at 2 people and now is 50. And John Hensch would say remember the guests own this park. We just take care of it. I like that. I like that. Sometimes I think it's

1:14:25a philosophy that's been forgotten. That at times. Do you think that there would have been someone more apropos to introduce her or do you I mean I feel like Ming Na one came out because of the production value that they have to have for the show. But I feel like wouldn't another or any famous or past legend Imagineer would have been an engineer. I kind of felt that way. I mean I know that I felt that was production value. I only feel there's certain people that they're having introduced to try to get them to watch the show. Yes I agree. Yeah you know and she's just would garner a different audience to come watch it because they would like to see Ming Na win. I love her so yeah they try to find a way to tie it but that's what I feel. I feel like you're getting there they're trying to get other people that may attract watching this legend show on

1:15:30Disney class. Well there is a legend and I'll point it out when happens there was a legend that came later in the broadcast that I thought there was somebody else who would have made more sense but it wouldn't have been as flashy as who was there and I'll point it out when we get there. I mean they she did haunted mansion though right so couldn't they have brought somebody from the haunted mansion movie. I'm up. Yeah I could have had mispiggy interviews. They starved together up its own mansion. Anyway and so then Ryan Seacrest did introduce the next one maybe this is maybe these are the people you're referring to. There's story and music has grown up alongside their films and it was the show and it's brothers. Now who introduced them Vanessa. Oh yeah yeah no

1:16:31that's they I'll tell you when we get there. She said it seems like just yesterday we were running around the Disney lot. Now we all have kids. I didn't know all the Jonas brothers had kids. Yep. But it's not like I didn't even know they were all married. They're not all married and divorced. They were all right because one married the girl from Game of Thrones. Sophie yeah Joe is divorced. Yeah. Yep. Anyway I didn't know they had children though. Yeah. Oh good for them. Anyway she says she said you make working together look so much easy and so much fun. She said the bond of your brotherhood makes your fans feel like extended family. So that was a nice introduction. Joe said thank God we didn't take that Nickelodeon deal. It was fun. They were started joking. I thought they had a good laundry and back and forth with each other. They did because they talked about like what

1:17:33Joe had done and what Nick had done and Kevin said and I've watched them both do that. Yeah Nick said yes Nick said one of his first Disney jobs was chip on Broadway. And yeah and then yeah and then the other one Nick show who's the other one for other Kevin Kevin was like and I watched them all do that because he's pretty much just had the Jonas brothers. Yeah and well he sort of is there's any like the one that writes a lot of the songs and the music and stuff. I don't know. I don't know. I know they're from New Jersey. So and then he then they wore their mouse series and swore they put on mouse series and swore absolute loyalty to the mouse. Yeah that was fun. And then Joe and let's see Joe and to Bob Iger I said who we they said we think of his family. We hope he remembers that when he oh Joe said to Bob Iger who we think of his family.

1:18:36We hope he remembers that when he tells us a state planning. I love that. That was funny. Yeah Kevin said thank you to our wives and children who love us for who we are up stage. So and then and then there was a performance by by all the four bells on stage. I have the names do you want the names? Sure. Ashley Brown and Sanders and Elise Vanderpool and Kira Bell Johnson. Okay so anyway and then and then Susan Egan came out and then cats eyes here we go with cats. They came out and they said they were inspired by Susan Egan and they did a medley of her Disney songs and that and that they welcomed her as a Disney legend. So I thought they it I thought that was a very nice performance it beautiful voices.

1:19:39Oh yeah they're beautiful girls. Yeah did you want to comment anywhere on them? I am a fan but I was surprised actually that they were there and it was that little bit I was like why am I not there. So I take some pictures but they're singers and they're dancers so they're you know in the grand you know originally they mean they're they have great voices and they harmonize. Um I wouldn't but I guess I wouldn't be surprised why they were chosen to perform so that it adds to the production value of watching it on Disney+. Oh yeah. And then Susan Egan said if Beauty and the Beast had been my only Disney project I would have been happy. She spent 25 years working in every division of the company as an actress, a producer, a performer. So I feel this you know she feels this very humbly and she works with people who

1:20:42create create the Disney magic without the spotlight. She said I accept this for you and you know you are and she's honored to play a small role in Walt's legacy and grateful to God whose hands are in awe and the thank you to husband and daughters who are my legends. I this is one legend that I've been quietly pulling for because I think I don't know I think this is probably two or four years too late at least. Um you know and like she says she's it's not just the mega or the or the bell on Broadway she's producing those Disney princess concert. Yeah. So it's going to train and on that. Yeah. Yeah. So like and you know how she's doing the rewind concert too. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Isn't she also involved in the cruise line like performance? Some of the like the special performances on the cruise line. You know how we know Jody Benson from Little Marmaid but she's also like you said the fan

1:21:47ambassador of D23 and yes I had to look it up and just promoting the company and I think Susan is doing that you know 10 years later the same way how she's supporting the company and not just her own stuff but all all the princess stuff. Yeah. Yeah I agree with you. Absolutely. And then we come to one guy I knew nothing about this was he asked me who this person is I would have no idea Carol we're still with us she absolutely would have known who he was. We will kick this to Susette because she's the sports lover in the group right now. So we were giving the preface us we were given cards to hold the lapped that we were wondering who is this for and what does this say we had to practice. That was part of the the hyping of the audiences was this whole practice holding up your card and we're trying to look and you can't make out whatever

1:22:50it's. I think it might say something like we love boomer. That's exactly what it's what I had to watch it. And there were three people missed not in their seats and we were wondering are they going to have fillers run down. They did not say you need to get here. The bowl just card up. You know so but they didn't and it still worked. So this was an ESPN hall of theamer who won three super balls you know this is an NFL icon came out Steve Young. I know Steve Young. Daddy growing up in San Francisco. I know him. He was on that little stage to the right of us and when they were getting ready to do it I think Patty I he was in the dark and I looked over there and I said oh my god that's Steve Young and Patty's like oh my god how do you know that just the shape of him. I was like oh that's that's Steve Young. He had his back turned to us. So so of course Steve

1:23:57introduces Chris Burman. He made the transition from player to desk and then he said boomer tie him it was authenticity the counts. Now we did the card stunt. I don't know is that do you want to add anything more. Now I mean the card stunt was interesting when you consider how many empty chairs there were but this man has been with ESPN for years and years and years and I was excited to see him inducted. He is a he's a people love him. He's a really nice guy you know there has never been any weird stuff come out of the woodwork about him. He has like his he does like a wrap up on like Sunday night after the NFL games and stuff. I don't know if he still does or not but his big tagline is like he couldn't go all the way and he also kind of will like take people's names and make funny little things out of it you know and so I thought it was fun I thought it was interesting

1:25:00and it was nice to listen to him. He's he's a genuinely a good guy. Yeah he said we've had some great today's but here's to some great tomorrow's he seemed like a very nice guy. Yeah I think he's still active on the ESPN network. Yeah he said ESPN started in 1971 there were no teleprompters. He said we just did it our way. He said 47 years later I stand on the shoulders of those who should have have the moniker legend said when Disney bought ESPN in 1977 we realized we are telling stories like Disney no matter if you're male or female, Richard poor older young we can have the same obsession the next day. There's the same discussions the next day so I can't believe they didn't go for the fourth down. Yeah so he said growing old as mandatory growing up as optional Walt Disney he liked that quote so yeah he was a very good talk. Yeah he's like a very humble guy.

1:26:08I think so and he mentioned his late wife and his children and so I enjoyed seeing him. So the next was Jerry Brookheimer and there was a sizzle reel of all these films you're shaking your finger. This is the one that I really was kind of hoping it would be Ron Howard because that's his business partner they have been together for years and so that this is the one that I mean I think Orlando Bloom yes he's in pirates but I kind of feel like Orlando is kind of like that for the production value I think Ron Howard would have been more fitting but then Ron Howard has Ron Howard done a lot of Disney films? Well they're business partners. Yeah their production company it's the both of them. Okay and anyway yeah so Orlando Bloom as he said was the presenter and

1:27:09a lot easier on their eyes I'll tell you. Maybe Orlando Bloom isn't enough coming film of Brookheimer's so I'm not sure. Aren't they doing a prequel for pirates? I know they're in talks with Johnny Depp. Yeah yeah so I don't know if they know it would be a prequel because you know he's older now. Anyway but for parts of the Caribbean he sent a note to Orlando Bloom. Here's to making the first billion and it's sent it with a bottle of champagne. So he said he blends together casts, yeah he blends together casts that just you puts together casts of blend together. He said pirates changed my life over 20 years later you're still in my life offering advice when I need it. You remember all the people you came up with and I monitored to be one of your actors and your friend. It was a nice presentation. It was it was it really came from the heart.

1:28:16He was one we did not expect to come out and introduce them. No we're on our list of bingo card for the day. Yeah. And Jerry said I'm thrilled to be here and I'm humble to be one of the class. I'm only here because of great writers, crew and a company. There are two legends in my life, my wife and daughter. So that was nice. A lot of people I like to give shout outs to those who work with them and to their families. It was nice. And Jared Bush came out the chief creative officer for Disney animation. Of course this this is probably the one I was most happy to see. Yeah because this I think Tom you'll probably agree is a long time in coming. This is Eric Goldberg. Yeah. He said let us never forget it was all started by a mouse and it's and then Jared Bush said

1:29:20that it was never forget the animators who created that mouse and who have created animation with a brush or pixel. And so Eric started his career on Aladdin creating the genie boy what a start. And he keeps the legacy of Disney animation alive. And then the Disneyland band came out. I always like it when they bring them out. Because he usually bring them out at some point in the presentation. And then they had they had all these characters Disney the genie, Louis from Tiana, Jim and he cricket. It was sort of weird. It was a weird combination of characters. They also had Nico. Yeah the raccoon from Polka Hodges. Quite now what was up with all these almost same characters that he had drawn. Well that's kind of what I figured that they were characters that he was in charge of animated animated. Yeah. Although he didn't I don't know when he

1:30:20animated Jimmy cricket. Maybe for the 100th short. Oh that short. Yeah I'm sure he animated because he animated that short. So yeah. So anyway so it was great. I love it. Eric said being a traditional hand drawn animator I work from paper. He said this is the most important honor I've received in my lifetime. But I'm not going anywhere. You thank his wife and daughters who are unique artists in their own right. And he his inspiration used as an inspired by Mary Blair, Mark and Alice Davis, Bernie Matheson, Robin Williams, Ward Kimball and Ali Johnston. So all greats and all Disney legends. So you don't have to retire anymore to become a Disney legend right. Is that how this is working? I think I asked you that

1:31:21while we were in the ceremony. Yeah. Apparently not because he's still active. And it is Kim's is Kim still working and I think Kim is still working. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I do like Alachutic is still doing voices. I think it's the the window on Main Street windows you have to be but Kim has a window. She was. Your mother. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know if Kim is maybe she's working on special projects as a consultant or something because you know people come back. They never truly go away like Bob Eiger. It's like the godfather. They keep bringing you back in. Yeah. It's it's good to know also that Eric was the second person, the second legend that day who was reading not from the teleprompter but from a piece of paper as well. Yeah. I was sitting works for paper. Yeah. Yeah. He was cute. I enjoyed both exposure. You know we saw him

1:32:23in that panel and then this I really enjoyed him. Oh yeah. I enjoyed him a lot more than I thought. I imagine he's new to Disney and then he's creating the genie and trying to capture Robin Williams. I can't. Isn't that crazy? I mean what a first what an introduction. And he just hits it straight out of like five different parks right? It's not even one home run. He just hit it just amazing. And in the coming years we had Aladdin on stage at Disney Coffin Adventure. Oh I missed that. It was central to that. Yeah. So anyway. And then this is probably a highlight for a lot of people and half the way. Yeah. We had a little sizzle reel there and then there was David Frankle. He said he met her when she was 21 and perfect to be in the Devilware's Prada. And then the studio

1:33:25had other ideas for who should play that role and Merrill Streep saw her in broke back mountain. I didn't realize she was in broke back mountain. Yeah. She played one of the wives. No. Okay. And chose her. And in 20 years she has gone into she's grown into a leadership powerhouse. She's in five films this year. It's crazy. That's not a lot of time. And having a baby. Yeah. Yeah. And then there was a video of Anna Wittor, Editor in Chief of Vote and the chair for the Met Gala. I think she's former. Editor. Right. And she's no longer with the anyway. But anyway. So there was an I didn't really write down what she said too much. So I don't know if you recall. I haven't rewatched it. Patty did. I think she said she was a great

1:34:27front seat companion at a fashion shows and something else. I can't remember word for word what it was. But I mean, just to have her actually come out and say something on the close-up with her huge sunglasses. It's actually a feat because she's yeah. She's very private. She doesn't do public. You don't see much of her. Nope. Not at all. Yeah. And she was in tears. She said I'm humbled and overwhelmed. My children are here today. She said kids asked her how do you become a Disney legend? And she said you get lucky. You know how lucky am I to be in a family that fostered creativity. And how lucky am I that my first film was with Disney legend Julie Andrews. And I'm lucky that my first film led to so many opportunities. And I'm lucky to share my life with Jack and my children

1:35:31and Johnny and then another boy whose name I didn't get. And the baby in her belly. The baby should be named later. Is it a boy or a girl? And she said and whoever this is. Already has two children I think. Two boys. Yeah. She does. And she said you make you make my life more happy and magical than any film. And she said thanks to you. I wouldn't be here without you meeting with the audience. So. And then yeah somebody screamed is it a boy or a girl and she's like wait five minutes and you'll find out. Yeah. He was very pregnant. Yeah. Very cute. And then Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. Emma Blunt came out to introduce Dwayne Johnson. So that was adorable. They are so fun together. They are. Yeah they were cute. And she said she's so proud to wax on about this famous demigod. She said the rock is a performance. He is

1:36:35gentle, wise, pulls pranks and filthy. And don't try to beat him drinking tequila. There's a whole lot of stories going on here. We don't know. Well he owns the tequila company. So yeah. He owns a tequila company. Oh I didn't know that. Yeah. Terramon. He said he had a lot to overcome and he has captivated the world with his charm and redefined what it means to be a movie star. And then there was his sizzle reel. And then the audience gave him a big chi hu. That was nice. Yeah. Yeah. That was. And Dwayne sort of said you're welcome. So. And then he said growing up as a trailer park kid to being introduced as a ginny Disney legend is by Emily Blunt is pretty terrific. So he said one thing that connects Disney legends is that

1:37:38we're all trying to create something that brings people joy. So he said when he was five or six he went to Walt Disney World and it was wonderful. And then he went back in his 20s when his daughter Simone was five and he went to breakfast with the princesses and she closed her eyes and she made a wish and she wished what he at he wondered what was in her wish. And then he's saying happy birthday to Simone. Well. And he said the entire arena saying happy birthday. Oh yeah that's right. Did they have to pay like royalties on that for the rebuk test? Happy birthday. Did they cut that out? I think we've aged out of the finally. Okay. Because it used to be they couldn't sing happy birthday because it was yeah. It was a copyright. Oh really? Yeah. I thought it was funny that he said that he didn't he didn't write anything down. He didn't have a speech ready. And in fact the the producers and

1:38:41everything had been bugging him all week his people that they wanted his whatever he was going to say and writing and he was like I don't do that. And it was one of the longest speeches. It was one of the longest ones. Yeah. And it was the longest. It was a nice speech but it was interesting that he was like yeah I don't work that way. Yeah. He said our responsibility to be a human being is to do our best and be kind because everyone is going through something. It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice. I thought that was a that was a nice my way to end. I thought that was a lovely way to end it as well. Yeah. And then Ryan said I've got to eat more protein. Yeah. Yes. Because he did look very tiny next to. Oh yeah. And then and then we saved the best for last.

1:39:41Josh Demaro came out. If it weren't for our friend and Disney legend I wouldn't be standing here. He's one of the most consequential business leaders of our time. He's a visionary. His impact on Disney cannot be understated. Well that is true. He leads with integrity, respect and cares about everyone. And then they ran a sizzle reel of him. So starting when he was very young in his career all the way to now as they're making it as a as a semi-demo god. And then our Michaels Harrison Ford, Robert Downey Jr. Diane Sawyer and Ellen Pompeo all came out with I just wrote kind words and accolades. Yeah. Yeah that's that's that's about right. Yeah. A little bit

1:40:48of every piece of the company. The interaction between Harrison Ford and Robert Downey Jr. was cute. It was they were silly. They were playing off the audience cheers for them and giving each other the the loser sign. The loser sign. My husband I sent him the picture of them all on stage. And he was like that is my childhood right there. Al Michaels and Harrison Ford. He's like you know Al Michaels called the US Russia hockey game when he was a kid and then Harrison Ford being in Star Wars. He's like that right there is my entire childhood. Yeah. Yeah. It was it was amusing for me that I got told the Oswald Al Michaels story. Which yes from what I understand Al Michaels hates. Oh really. Yeah. He said he's very bitter about it. That he got traded for a cartoon. I mean

1:41:49I guess that he wanted to leave according to his right. He said he wanted to leave. Which I had never heard. I had never heard that part before. So it may be true and it had always been left out of the story. Or we're rewriting history. Yeah he said they came to him and said he wanted to leave. I mean the only thing I can imagine is you know NBC made him a really great offer. And I said probably said if you want to go then give us something back. It makes sense. I mean both versions make sense. Yeah. But why um Al Michaels that would be bitter about it. I don't know if you wanted to leave because Al Michaels has publicly stated. You know, it's pretty as though it's just joking. I don't know. Either way Oswald came home. That's really important. That was important. Yeah. Oh I know. Bob said oh go ahead. No I was just going to say if he really hated the story but he doesn't hate the man because he was there. Right? Yeah. That's true. Well he knows what side

1:42:53is better. It was bettered on. Yeah exactly. You know I mean this we're talking to Godfather of the Walt Disney company here. You you kiss the ring. Yeah. If you ever want to work in this town again. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Make you an offer. Yeah. Can't refuse. Anyway. So anyway, so Mr. Iger said there's a speech on the teleprompter but I am speechless. Yeah. Well but he went on. But he found the words. As as many of your Disney Disney fans know I made a trade. Here it goes. Al Michaels wanted to go to NBC. I wanted to go to yeah NBC. Yes. PN said let him go. Bob said we should get something and he remembered NBC Universal owned the rights to Oswald. The Lucky Rabbit.

1:43:54So he traded out Michaels for Oswald. After seeing what John Favreau is doing with Oswald, we should thank Al Michaels. So I think there we go. There's a nice kudos. See there are nice kudos or a nice little poke with the little guy. He's actually still over on NBC I think. Yeah. I think he is. He accepts the award for all the creators and thousands of cast members who made this company what it is. Of course they're laying off a lot of them. He gave thanks to Willow his wife and his oldest son Max who is 27. Bob has four children I made a note. I don't know if it gets because he named them off. He thanked fans and D23 members. I don't know is there anything else. I didn't write down a lot of what he said. Everything else he wanted to add. He said after giving out so many of the awards it was really nice to be on the receiving end. I'm sure it was. It's surprising that they did it like

1:44:57that they just did it immediately after he retired that they didn't wait two years. And gave him a window right away. I mean that was like very very quick. Yeah. I think the one that the window was probably on his own letterhead memo when he just looked at it. I'm sure there was yeah I'm sure the agreement. The I'll give you a window if you don't come back. That's I was going to say if we do this then he won't he won't come back. He won't you know. You can't do another another one of these two. Can't do what was you can't do another Jay Leno. Sorry. And then Samantha was a bank. Her barks barks. So came out and saying a dream is a wish you heart me. And she's also on stage and the withstand. I had no idea who she was and my daughter texted me that evening. It said you didn't tell me Samantha. The barks was on the broadcast and I was like I didn't know who she was. So on the on Disney Plus there's a vert the western version of Frozen. And she

1:46:03was also she's also yeah. I'll have to watch that. I was informed of that. Yes. Oh, I love that. And then they then they took the traditional Disney legends photo with Disney characters. Yeah, they brought them all on stage for the class photo. Sort of a Eric Goldberg in. It's like he's lost. That's the one that I told you all it was very cute to watch his interactions. I mentioned this I think last week or the week before that when they started bringing people up he was pretty far forward to everybody and the Jonas Brothers kind of went over and brought him back. Pulled him back on stage a little so he was appropriately in the right place. They were very sweet how they just kind of were like see Chris needed to get out of the picture. He probably had something to do with the production. I mean he has his hands and everything. Yeah, so many different things. So it's a production company. So since this was your first Disney legend ceremony was it

1:47:06everything you expected me? Oh, it was funny because Patty had told me she how much she loves the Disney legends showcase that it's just wonderful and she and she told me everybody just kind of goes along you know to humor me and they go with me. But I really really love it. But Michael and Brandon they all just kind of go to humor me. I was shocked. I was like why could people not like this? Don't you don't like award shows? But I'm an award show person. Yeah, I would well I will Carol was. I'd watch them with her. I will watch the Oscars every year. I'm not you know kind of Oscars and Emmys but I was blown away by it. I thought it was amazing. Good good. I'm glad. So now let's we'll go around the virtual table here. If you could have spent an hour talking privately with one of the legends honored that evening. Who would you choose

1:48:09and what would you ask them? So Thomas start with you. Oh, I think that probably the most entertaining would be Linda Malvara and he's there's so much going on in that brain. Yep. Oh, so what would you want to ask him? Like one question you want to ask him. What's going on in that brain? What's next? Because I mean it took him what? I'm 10 years to write in Hamilton. Something like that it was a long time to write Hamilton. I know he's working on warriors or something like that now. But like what's what else is rattling in that brain that that might we might see on Broadway in the next five to seven years? Yeah. Lewella how about you? I am a huge fan of Eric Goldberg and I am in the agreement that it took a long time for him to be a Disney legend and having attended him his little his panel on you know conversations with Disney legends and he talked about being the character. I would love

1:49:11to just talk with him and I want him to animate me. And I'd love to see what he would come up with. Whether I'd be an animal or you know a demigod but he says everything comes down to the character and he's all about you know granular up. He drew the genie and you can see a lot of Robin Williams and that. So I'm curious I would ask him to draw me. Awesome. He give you really great running shoes because you're everywhere all at once. Like yes. Yes. How do you how about you? Well Tom kind of took my answer some little but no yeah it's it's Lin-Manuel Miranda and and again they would just be what is what is in that brain what are you working on what what inspires you what moves you and what you know pushes you forward and what from the past influences what you do moving forward.

1:50:12I would probably spend 50 minutes talking about Hamilton and then 10 minutes asking what else is in his brain. I would not I'm not I'm not like I watched Hamilton I'm not crazy crazy like obsessed with it but I like I like just other work. Yeah. I just saw it for the second time a few weeks ago it came through for worth and we are season ticket holders for the Broadway series. That thing is just amazing. It's just amazing. So I was a fan of In the Heights first like in the Hamilton was out but I was a fan in the Heights because my son West was in eighth grade. The high school did a production of In the Heights in the audition and got. Oh did they really? Wow. Yeah so so like all of that music in my head and then so I was I was I was liking that a lot and then finally okay let me let me listen to Hamilton see if I like it and then of course you give a

1:51:13tick to it. So is that how about you? Well I think it's no it's no secret. I would love to spend an hour talking to Alan Tudig but I don't know that I really have any I just I don't know that I have like a direct question. I just think he is such a genuinely nice person that I I just think talking to him about all the various things he's done like his show um resident alien and how he goes about creating the character voices that he does. I don't have anything direct I just I think I would just enjoy just spending an afternoon talking to him. I was gonna ask which voice would you want him to talk back to you? Yeah well not pay him. I can't understand that one. Yeah or one of his one of his chickens or something like that. I want to even go from wish. Yeah because he does speak. Yeah there you go. So there you go but I I think Kim or Dwayne Johnson I am fascinated by

1:52:19Dwayne Johnson also. I think for me I'm like LaWalla Birk Goldberg. And not Bob Eier. He knows so many people and he's worked with so many fascinating people. I would just want to hear his stories and learn about his creative process. How he captures the personality of the people voicing the characters and then incorporates them you know into his drawing. It's fascinating. So I think the legend ceremony belongs very naturally in a connecting with Walt discussion because Walt once said you can dream create design and build the most wonderful place in the world but it requires people to make the dream a reality. Whatever part of Disney history we're discussing animation live action films, television, and engineering, music of the parks, we eventually come back to people. People took Walt's ideas and made them real. And after Walt was gone the other people carried those ideas

1:53:21forward, expanded them and challenged them and sometimes took Disney in directions Walt could never imagine. The legend ceremony gives us an opportunity to stop looking at the Disney names of corporate identity and remember the individuals behind it. And that brings us to our final panel of day three and what a wonderful way to conclude our three days of presentations. Patti and I were joined by LaWalla who is somewhere in that room. The whole new world of Alan Minkin. It was a big room. It was. It was a huge room. There are certain people whose contributions to Disney become so deeply woven into its history that is difficult to imagine the company without them. And Alan Minkin is one of those people. Think about the Disney films and characters whose emotional identities are inseparable from his music. R.E.L. Bell, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Quasimodo, Hercules Rapunzel. That's only part of the story. For many Disney fans, particularly those who grew up during the Disney Renaissance,

1:54:26Alan Minkin's music isn't simply something they heard in Disney movies. It became part of the soundtrack of their lives. At his collaboration with Howard Ashman, helped transform Disney animation at a moment when the future of animated musical storytelling at the studio was far from certain. So when we have the opportunity to spend time listening to Alan Minkin, reflect on that extraordinary career, this was a presentation, Patti, LaWalla, and I certainly didn't want to miss. So first of all, what was it like for you when Alan Minkin walked onto the stage? It was electric. This was my first time watching him. Perform, listen to him talk. I've been a fan, but I've never seen him live. So I didn't want to lose this opportunity. I was so excited. And he's funny. He's a funny guy when he talks. Yeah. Agreed. Yeah, definitely. He does a good job of the storytelling and

1:55:31with the showmanship and everything. It was exciting. I think it's my third time seeing him. Yeah, I think it's my third time as well. Yeah. So a lot of it was the similar to what I've seen in the past, but obviously since it's been a few years, he added on because he's had such a story career. There's more to chapters that were on this. And the concert was long. I thought it ran a very long time. I left about 15 minutes early so I could see more the show floor. But he went over. I thought, right? Luella, did you, you didn't leave early, right? Luella? No, I, you know how I loved the floor. I was in, I was in trance. I, I wanted to see what he would perform next. Yeah, because he did, he ran over. I thought past eight o'clock. Yeah, he did. Yeah. Yeah. It was so, so the, so the format was that conversation and performance.

1:56:38So, so he, so how far back would you say he went and telling his story? Well, he started as a child because he said he was playing with the piano as his father was a dentist, drilling teeth. And they, his father had looked, he was, he said that he was an ADHD type of kid. And his father said, what are we going to do with you? And worried about what he was doing. And he mentioned getting piano lessons and finding it hard to concentrate on the classics and making stuff up as, as he went along because he got a little bored. But it was cute because he, called up to the audience like does anybody understand, you know, neurodivergence and the whole crowd like cheered and they're like, yeah, let's hear it for neuroses. And then he's cheering and then he's like, what about this and what about anxiety? And let's hear it for like narcissism. Oh, wait, no, not that one. It was, it was really funny. How he started that off. But yeah, he started off

1:57:40as when he was a kid. Yeah. And then what did he, what did you think of his stories about meeting Howard Ashman and how the creative partnership developed? I didn't have too many details about other than the fact that while they met and it was in a little shop before. Oh, yeah, that was like the singular, that forming the partnership was what really changed his life, right? And the direction of his career because he was doing jingles after, after his schooling and everything I think in LA. And then he joined forces with Howard Ashman. And then they came up with little shop of horrors. Did they do something before that that didn't, it wasn't successful? And then they did little shop of horrors? Yeah, I believe he was doing another off Broadway musical in which led to little shop of horrors. And he did

1:58:49perform songs from little shop of horrors and that feed me seed more. But I believe that he was doing an off Broadway musical. Yeah. And little shop of horrors started as an off Broadway musical too. And then he did get into the little mermaid. Yeah. And how that role, the role of the Nat Phil played in changing the direction of Disney animation. The what you're trying to think of as was a musical adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's novel God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. That's right. That's right. I think you even sang a song from that didn't it? I don't remember. I've never heard yet. I don't remember. But I will say they were filming this. They had like cameramen and stuff, I thought, I thought, I feel like this is going to be one of those D23 gold theater moments that they offer in the future or something. But yeah, he sang little shop of horrors. He then introduced

1:59:55and not introduced, but he said that at that time then the AIDS crisis had arrived and that he escaped into a world with his niece of Disney animated classics on VHS and how that he rediscovered the magic of film and found that they were the one safe space in the world. And you bought a farm. They're a remote farm too. They showed a photo of it in the snow. It looked beautiful. When they sort of retreated from the world in there. So but then yeah, little shop, little mermaid was a huge turning point for them and for Disney animation. And then he went into how he and Howard approached songwriting differently from the way songs had been used in animated films before. And even in other animated films, but with Walt, the songs need, they could just

2:01:02continue. Whereas in other films, including live action films, the film would stop the person would then sing and then the story continued. But Howard especially saw that the you know, how how the songs revealed personalities and inner thoughts and characters and really continued the story. And they talked about the I Want song. Remember Howard said there's always an I Want song in every single film, you know, like you know, Ariel talks about you know what she wants, you know, wants to be part of the world. And Belle has heard big huge opening number. About how she wants adventure and the great white out out there. And all that's every song. There's always one in every song, every Disney film. I remember them talking about Beauty and the Beast and really adapting like true musical theater,

2:02:06how they had a that six minute opening, which was unheard of before. And how they had to submit that. And it was not like how it is now they had to put on cassette tape with all the their writings and FedEx and just wait and wait and wait wait for the response to see if they like that six minute opening, which they did, which is great. But how it was just so different back then of how they would submit music. Yeah, yeah, it would take forever to get a response. Yeah, so and then I'm then he talked about, you know, you know, how Howard Astron of course then God AIDS. Because he just progressed through his whole career and sang songs from each film he talked about. But he talked about when Howard Astron after they got the Academy Award for, I think it was for a little mermaid or for Beauty and the Beast. I think it was a little mermaid.

2:03:12And they were celebrating and then he had mentioned, I need to tell you something, but not now. Yeah, not tonight. You're then you know, because I think he passed away. They were working on Beauty and the Beast and and Aladdin. And then I think he passed away before Beauty and the Beast completed. Yes, I believe that's right. Yeah. Yeah, so and then they then they had to finish Aladdin. Yeah, they had to finish Aladdin actually with someone else. And all that. And then he talked about all his other collaborators that he worked with Stephen Schwartz, and all that. And then it was basically just a musical progression this career. So I left at home on the range. Well, at least you were there for newsies though, because he had said like after all the accolades that they got for Beauty and the Beast that they went from the Oscars, the next and then 24 hours

2:04:12to turn around to get a razzie for newsies. Yeah, and that newsies bombed. Yeah, and he played his Christian and there's Christian Bales. First musical, yeah, a film debut and first musical ever. Yeah, I think so yeah. I like newsies. Boy, but and then he talked later about how it became big when they did, with theatrical production for schools. And then it became huge and went to Broadway. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Talk about that. Like there's sometimes songs they have a second life, third or a fourth, so it's never really the end. Yeah, yeah. So did you have any favorite musical moments or a favorite story that you told? Well, I am a big fan of Enchanted and I loved how he

2:05:13of course, I was formed. Yeah, that was from Enchanted. But he did answer a question that I always wondered was you have Andina Manzell and she's not singing in this movie. And he talked about how he actually had a song and he sang a little bit of it that was meant to be for Andina Manzell and James Marsden. But sometimes even though you have this great song and these great singers, it just doesn't fit the story. So it's really about the story. And so that song was never in the movie. And I thought that was very fascinating. And it's true. I think that's a perfect movie. I love that movie. I do too. I thought it was interesting because he did that and I don't think he's done this in past shows. But he played a couple of songs that got cut from their productions. Right. So he did that one from Andina Manzell. He played when he was talking about Little Mermaid.

2:06:13He played a song that Ursula would have sung. Yes. Did you make it in? And he also played another song. In Latin, there was a song cut and then put it again for the Broadway show. We were on the out of the boy. And then that was very, very personal song for Howard Asterman. And he hated it when it was cut. Remember, back in the past concerts before the Broadway's production was created, he would play proud of your boy. He was talking about how it was not. And then they were able to add it back. Yeah. He also played a song from Pocahontas that got cut. Oh, who's supposed to sing that? I don't remember who was supposed to sing it. I don't remember. I just remember he played a song that got cut from there. He played a song that would have been in Hercules. There were a couple of them that I don't remember hearing in the past. So I think he

2:07:20kind of, he might have added them into this one. And he had said the greatest advice you could ever get is not to fall in love with your own work. Because I guess he knows they get cut, they get cut. And I think he mentioned, did he talk about Hunchback of Notre Dame and it going the Broadway? He did. He sang with songs too. Yes. That's just brought back. And that is, I think, for me, that is my favorite Disney Broadway show I've seen. He said, he sang, he sang with song. He said it became a great stage production. He moved on from there to Hercules and said that's become a great stage production. And he hinted that it might even become a live action film. Yeah, I think they please talk about that. We need more of those.

2:08:21And then they'll cast someone controversial and it'll just because everybody will be focused on that. So anyway, so, so there's, you know, and then neat thing is is that Ellen Minken never worked with Walt Disney. And yet when we listened to his best Disney work, are we hearing the continuation of a philosophy while established decades earlier that music shouldn't simply decorate a story but should become an essential part of telling it. And I think with Ellen Minken's work, he definitely is continuing that philosophy of Walt Disney. Yeah. So, is there anything else you wanted to say about the Ellen Minken concert? Well, we, there was an intermission that brought out Chaudy Benson and Nina West and they did trivia questions. And I guess they had a secret like prize. I don't, I don't know if

2:09:26Louisla anybody by use screened. Nobody by us did. Yeah, I was really feeling under my chair. Didn't feel as nothing there. I was going to knock my know her and look at it. It was a signed, a Susan Egan signed record of a beauty in the, a beauty in the beast recording. So everybody like as soon as they said it, people jumped out of their chairs and started yeah. You would think that they would flip over all the chairs in the entire and you could buy it at the Disney Music and Poirier booth if you wanted. No, signed? Yeah, you autographed. Oh, okay. Yeah, they have some. But then I guess it'd get male too. And funny on a side note of that because I did order some albums from, and they said, oh, you get them in seven to ten days. Well, today I wrote them asking, you know, I ordered

2:10:27these on August 14th and said it take seven to ten days. Where are they? So I shot off the email. What do you think arrived about it later? I thought, wow, now that's service. I'm going to have the phone number. Personal post. So, um, and with Alan Menkin, our formal panel going portion of D23 came to a close and boy, and I was on the floor and at eight o'clock, they turned out the light turned out the lights. That would have been a big experience. It was an interesting experience. So before we leave day three, let's go around one more time. So, um, so what was the most memorable moment of the day? Or is this the set about you? Oh, I think it was the legend ceremony. Definitely. The production value of that was amazing. Getting to see all of those people just

2:11:32right there in front of you was really neat too. Yeah. Patty, how about you? The legends, specifically the Lin-Manuel Miranda presentation. I mean, it brought me to tears and then I've watched it on on Disney Plus twice and even watching it on Disney Plus has brought me to tears to watch it because it's just so touching and it was so good. It was so well done. And Luella, how about you? Well, day three was my floor day. So I had a lot of great experiences on the floor, but I'm very happy to have attended the Alamane Concert. It was a great moment for me. Yeah. Yeah. It's funny. I think I probably enjoyed the Alamane Concert since I saw most of it. More than the Disney Legends panel. Oh wow. Yeah, so I guess because I'm not an award show. Oh, yeah, that's true. So I enjoyed it, but I think I

2:12:37just like the musical performance better. I didn't do it for you, huh? I think one of the things about, I didn't even mention this earlier about Lin-Manuel's, the, what do you call it when they did the performance honoring him. One of the things that I loved more than anything was watching when they showed him on screen. Yeah. And just this look of wonder in his eyes. Yeah. And he seemed so touched and moved. And I know this is, you know, radio, you can't see me, but how he just would look around and wonder and just be so moved by what was going on. I was sad. I think too. He was so coming next. Yeah. I just, that part of the presentation I just thought was so moving. So Suzan, we've been asking you about this throughout our coverage because this was your first D23.

2:13:40Now that you've made it through all three days was D23 what you expected it to be. I think because I knew so much going in, yes, I think the basic structure was what I was expecting. I think I was, and I said this the other day, I don't know why I'm surprised because it's his Disney. I think I was surprised by the level of professionalism of it all and not professional. It just everything was just so well done. Minus except for the lines in the morning. Yeah. Minus the fan. Yeah. And what surprised you the most? Um, I think the panels, I don't know that I expected to enjoy them as much as I did. I really, I think they were the biggest surprise. I didn't exactly know what to expect going into them because

2:14:44Patty and I and Alex had never really talked about what the panels were like. I just knew that they they were panels. So I think the panels are what really surprised me and I think I went to like three, four, five, like six. I do, I think it's like six. I wish I had gone to more panels. And the most important question would you do it again? I think. Okay. Now Michael, last time you said you think you know what my answer would be. What do you think my answer is? I think under the right circumstances, you would do it again. And that that is exactly what my circumstance would be. We we have a trip that we make every year, the week leading into labor day. And so that would kind of be like how does this all work out with that time period. And also I was there as Alex is standing and Patty and Patty and Alex were very

2:15:50generous when I asked Patty about helping pay for the hotels and stuff like that. Patty was very generous and said, look, you know, I'm going to be using these DVC points or paying cash whether Alex, you know, if Alex were here, so I'm going. And so she was like, no, I don't want you to to do that. And so I kind of in my little notes, but I had a generous benefactor. They made it very possible for me to do it because my husband is now retired. He retired early. And so I always kind of been watching my pennies. And so I think that's the right way to put it in the right circumstance. Yes. I would definitely do it again. I I thought it was and I think I would do different things. I would do it differently. I don't know that I would be up at 5 a.m. trying to get into a shopping queue. You would because you love me. I don't know. I definitely would

2:16:51not be over there. I need the shopping group number. I definitely would not be over. And that could be a deal. They could be a you know, you can stay in the room. But I definitely would not go over there and be in line at 630 in the morning. I think I would I still stand by. You don't need to be over there that early. You can go in a side entrance. There's various other points of entry. You could go in and just simply go up and get in an overflow queue for a panel. So that's a long way of saying in the right circumstance that's a yes. I truly, truly enjoyed it. I enjoyed getting to meet Luella and her friend and I enjoyed seeing Michael again. And as I stated back on the first show, I really, really enjoyed being back in the park with in the parks with friends.

2:17:55So yes, with the caveat. I've only got a little less than two years to get her to solidify. It's a yes. Okay, I know my ways of making Susette work for all. I truly came home and my has I told my husband it was so much fun. I had so much fun with everybody. I had truly enjoyed I see Patty yearly but hadn't been in the parks with her and been a while. We we have a very tight relationship and so it was great to have those 11 days because we were together 11 days like the beds are right next to each other. I mean we were we were together for 11 days. How long did it take you take to recover from the trip? That's a good question. Well, I actually wasn't even huh. I'm sure I think I came home on a Friday and my flight was like five hours delayed so I didn't

2:19:02get home until early Saturday morning. And like seven or eight days later I turned around and left for New York City and I just got home from New York. So yeah, I kind of felt like it was very very squished but yeah, I think by the time we got to Friday of the trip I felt like I was rather recovered. I will say that day after D23 that Monday, I was exhausted. It was a little rough but you know we changed to tells that day and I remember us sitting there waiting for the fireworks and then waiting for the paint the night. I told my husband that I feel sorry for Michael because Michael was sitting on my left side and there was nobody else from the group on his other side and I told my husband I'm pretty sure I fell asleep. We all did. Waiting to take the night. I think somebody what was it someone behind me asked me a question I

2:20:05turned around and I just nodded off. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I've been hearing the question. That day was rough. That was very very rough. I think Monday the day after was was harder than any of the three days at D23. I just because it was a part day. Yeah, we had to be up early. I mean we were all we were all over meeting by like eight or eight or 15 and we had to change hotel rooms. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, so yeah, yeah, that was a long day. It was a fun day but it was a long day. Oh, but you changed hotels on Sunday, right? Michael? Yes, and that's how it was. That was a smart thing. That was a smart thing. I don't know. I think that would have that made it rough too. I preferred doing it on Sunday, I think. I did it. Nana, then I went to the expo. Yeah, because when we got back to the room at midnight on Monday night, we then had to call for our luggage. And yeah, yeah. Yeah.

2:21:09Well, and with that, we've reached the end of day three of D23, the ultimate Disney fan event. Over these past several episodes, we've taken you from Disneyland. There's three very full days of presentations, celebrating Disney history, animation, music, and engineering, storytelling and the future of Disney. But if you've ever attended D23, you know that the panels are only part of the experience because somehow in between racing from one presentation to another, there's an entire convention happening around you. So we're not quite finished in our final episode of D23 coverage. We're going to leave the presentation rooms in the Honda Center behind and spend some time exploring everything else. We'll talk about the show floor, the exhibits and displays, the booths we visited, the giveaways we imagine we managed to collect and perhaps the ones we didn't. The people we met, the unexpected experiences that weren't printed on our schedules, and some of those little moments that can become favorite memories of D23 precisely because you

2:22:14didn't plan them. We'll also step back from the individual panels to talk about the event as a whole. What worked, what didn't, what surprised us, and what would do differently the next time. Because D23 isn't simply something you watch, it's something you experience. In our next episode, we'll tell you what that experience was like for us. Until then, thank you for joining Patti, Suzette Lualla and me as we've made our way through another very full day at D23. And now it's time for this week in Disney History. All right, I think it is my turn to start. Correct. All righty. Well, mine is a very somber one because we are releasing this episode on 25th anniversary of the attack of 9-11. So I thought we'd talk about what went on at Disney

2:23:16Parks that day. And so September 11th, 2001, following the morning terrorist attacks on the Pentagon, New York City's World Trade Center, and of course the flight, and it was at 93, 92, anyway, that went down. It was taken down in Pennsylvania by a group of heroes on that plane. The Walt Disney Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California closed without any problems. All the resort hotels of which my wife was in one at Florida remained open and provided accommodations to guests who are unable to leave. Phone charges are suspended so the guests can reach family. This is only for Disneyland. This is only the second time it ever closed. In its 56 year history, the first time was following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy November 1963. Another tragedy where I remember where I was when that happened. I heard about that.

2:24:21I was in my second grade classroom as a student, not as a teacher. Now, Walt Disney World cast members in all four parks were instructed to hold hands and form a human wall and gently without touching guests walk towards the hub of each park and eventually towards the exit. So this is a very clever way to calmly force all of the guests out of the parks. So security, quality, human wall to make sure no one, you know, tried to get past. In less than 30 minutes, thousands of guests were evacuated from all the parks. The Disneyland Resort, because of the time difference, the parks had never been open that day yet. So the food and beverage stations remained open at no charge for guests who were on property. At the time in downtown Disney, there was an AMC theater. So they showed free Disney films for stranded Disney guests. The Disney store is closed just well for the day and all of Disney's

2:25:26Broadway shows in New York and all of their touring companies closed that day. Michael Eisner released a statement. The cast members explaining the Disney closings and he ended his note with these words, finally, let me say our company around the world will continue to operate in the sometimes violent world in which we live offering products that reach to the higher and more positive side of the human equation. I mentioned Carol was there. Carol was there because she was attending a convention that she was in charge of and then the convention was supposed to start the day of the attacks. So of course she was stranded there for a week and about the time I decided I was going to rent a car and drive to Florida because she was going nuts. Being isolated there, they finally they finally opened up air traffic again. So she was able to fly home on United and when we went

2:26:33back to Walt Disney World again after all this happened she showed me the bench at the airport that she sat on. The minute she heard that they were going to re-open lights she went to Orlando Airport and just waited in line and she was first in line and she sat on this bench just waiting for them to open the ticket counters until that. So anyway so so it definitely touched us. I noticed it did everybody around the world. Talking about something more cheerful. Oh just just to quick aside you know talking about all the changes that happened to air travel after that day. Did you see that they're lifting one of those changes kind of? It's certain airports, TSA pre-check travelers can apply to walk their loved ones to the gates so

2:27:37they're able to go through security and go down and greet their loved ones or take their loved ones I just heard that. That works out well if you have a child who's flying to meet grand parents, a grandma, a grandpa or to visit another parent or something like that. That's nice, especially that you'll be able to do that. Make sure your child gets to the gate or if you're helping someone that needs extra help to get to the gate you'll be able to do that sort of waiting for somebody to bring a wheelchair and all that and help them. So there's a lot of positive things for that. All right I'll go with something a little happier. Since we were talking about Disney Legends earlier this is September 14th 1985 and it's kind of French Disney. The Golden Girls, produced by Touched on Television and distributed by

2:28:41Winner Vista Television, Dave Hughes on NBC and of course starring Be Arthur Betty White, Rumaclanan and Estelle Getty. The show centers on four women who share a Miami Florida home. Of course it runs several awards during its seven-year run and then all all four actresses were named Disney Legends in 2009. I remember that. Thank you for being a friend, Michael. You've got a friend in me too. I remember when Disney Hollywood studios opened. And Carol and I, we went there on our honeymoon and in the park was like it's brand new and they had the back lot tour and they rebuilt their home. Okay. There because they needed something. And so they rebuilt homes from some of their films. And they had and the big claim the theme was you know they just filmed Splash 2 and so they had it. They had the house. They actually used this

2:29:47air. But we'll go to another park now. A little spotlight on Walks Park. Well, Tommy, you might remember it's been a couple of months. I remember I talked about the put up the they covered the diorama, the Grand Canyon diorama, the Meeville World Diorama, on the Disneyland Railroad. And then a couple of weeks ago I think they reopened the Grand Canyon diorama. Well, the primeval world diorama is now open. They opened it. I think the end of August. And so the so what I've seen I watched some videos of it. It seems like the lighting is different. And you can now remember years ago they did more projections on the back. It's like the volcano

2:30:48smoke and the terror, terror dawns flying and all that. And so apparently you could see them a little better. So it adds more depth and detail and things like that. So that's good. Oh God, those are back. And then there are the ticket booths at the east end of the Esponade have been demolished and they're going to make way of course for the new transportation. Have an entrance plaza. And also the new 6000 space parking structure behind the Harbor Boulevard hotels. That work has begun. What are how noisy it's going to be in those little motels? And hotels for a while. So remember you paid top dollar to stay across the street. This is the land. Used to review all of those. Yeah. Yeah. Little places. It's going to be interesting. I knew to look at a map and see which which I think chopper and that. I'm sure. Yeah. And all that because

2:31:51didn't make a tour down the one right next to it. Yeah. So it's going to be interesting. And next week's show when we talk about the show floor at T23. In the imaginary Pavilion, they had I think it's the Mandalorian and Grogu. They have these little in zealons. They were in the tiny little spaceship. Okay. And all that. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. And anyway, they and they helped save the Mandalorian and Grogu a spoiler alert. Anyway, they have doing little available in Disney plus. Yeah. Early. Yes, it is. They were doing work and all that. They had them working and doing these little things. And on this conveyor belt contraption. Anyway, they are now going to be in Galaxy's Edge. So it looks like they're going to be behind

2:32:53the register inside the droid depot. Okay. The little projects. And all that. So you can take a look at them. So and if you want to take a closer look at them, then you and then if you again, we keep we're really promoting going to Disneyland or Walt Disney World for the holidays or even a line. Yeah. It was like that or a Disney cruise. Now it's the time that contact your dreams limited travel agent get a free no obligation quote today. And just go to dreamswillingbidachravel.com. Tell them where you want to go and when and they will work with you to plan that perfect dream vacation. And I am looking forward to going down the beginning of December to see Disneyland and all its holiday splendor. What's your what's your one favorite thing for Disneyland at all? It is because I probably have two. You know, of course, I like to listen to the

2:33:59candle light procession. I don't always get to see it, but I like to listen to it. But probably I think it for attractions. I love the it's a small world holiday. Okay. The way they decorate that inside and out is just so beautiful and they change the music. So include Christmas carols. I just love that. If you're not in the Christmas spirit when you get on that attraction, you're in it when you get off of it. What about you tell them what you have? I think you know that for for for Disneyland Park, a Christmas fantasy parade is my number one. I just think nostalgia of that. But over at California Adventure, the fun energy of Viva Navidad that that's my favorite holiday celebration. Yeah. There is so much going on and it's just constant

2:35:04constant energy. It's so colorful and good food and music and the little that would you call it the street performance. No, I'm talking about that. That's what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the whole. Oh, yeah. The festival of holidays. Yeah. Yeah. I'm talking about that one performance. That one performance. Yeah. It's a busy performance. It is very busy. Put a lot in there. Yeah. I agree. All right. At the beginning of the show, I talked about, oh, I'll tell you a little about it later. You'd used a little bit. I was I was I was working at the zoo on on Saturday because we really are promoting for guests that we are going to have a lot going on with our animal ambassadors out and and bio fact tables where we

2:36:05have you know, animal artifacts. I was working with another dose and did a table and we had helps out a mountain lion pelten a bobcat pelten. We did not kill them. That's the number one question. We'll get a little kids. They were donated to us. We don't know their story. And then we had replicas of skulls. You could make up a story. Yeah. Well, we know because of it's not in our no no operations manual. So and then we had replicas of skulls of different felines and all that some of which are in the zoo and I know that nobody talked to the kids about them and said I had some claws and things. Well, apparently a listener came with his family and thought he recognized me and then I guess he hadn't heard the one episode we did where I talk about the zoo a lot and the trainer of the Disney animals for the films. And so it is named

2:37:05Andrew. She's shout out to Andrew because he went home did some research and realized that was me and then came back. But by that time my shift was over and I'd left. So I then returned on labor day where I'm working with our animal ambassadors bringing them out for guests to meet. And then I don't can't tell you how many women who work at the zoo told me this man and they described him. Kamehman was looking for you and all that well. Let's just say he made a huge impression on all the women he encountered. And then in the meantime, I discovered he'd sent me an email to Michael bowling at Disneyofthe.com telling me he was looking for me and all this stuff and he's been listening to our show since day one and all that. He's been in the military and he's a firefighter.

2:38:07So thank you for your service and lives in the area. So he'd brought his family with his two little kids and all that. And so and apparently I had I don't know if I'd interacted with them if they came by the table. But anyway, so I wrote in back saying you made a huge impression on the women at the zoo and all this stuff. So even riding back and forth. So thank you. Thank you, Andrew, for visiting the zoo and for letting me know that you brought your family and I hope I get to meet all of you. I'm one of your next visits. I thought that was it was hilarious. So Tom, until next time, how can I listen to his connect with you? Well, feel free to drop me an email at tom at DisneyInfo.com. On Facebook, you'll find me I'm too excited to sleep. On Instagram, I am the Disneyland Tom and on Twitter, I am Disneyland underscore Tom. And you can connect with me at Michael bowling at Disneyofthe.com on X, formerly Twitter. I'm at M bowling 121, Facebook,

2:39:08on Michael bowling dash connecting with walk and Instagram, Michael bowling the days. And you can connect with me and Tom on Twitter at connecting. Well, we would like to listen to more shows on the history of what Disney, his studio, his Imagineers and Disneyland. Check out our Disney Land podcast archives of my Disney history episodes on the link Tom includes in our episode description. And look for past episodes of connecting with walk and iTunes, spotify Stitcher, Google Play, Pandora and Amazon podcasts where you can subscribe to our show and leave some positive reviews and ratings when possible. So thank you for making us a part of your day. And remember, I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing that was all started by a man, Walt Disney, and his brother boy.