D23 has announced the schedule of events for their Destination D: Amazing Adventures event which will be held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort on November 19 & 20.
Saturday, November 19
9:10 a.m. — A Conversation with Bob Chapek
Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, will sit down with D23’s Jeffrey Epstein to share his insights on the parks.
9:50 a.m. — A Look Back at Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures
Join film producer Don Hahn and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline on an expedition through the landmark True-Life Adventure series, which earned the Disney Studio eight Academy Awards.
11 a.m. — Albert Schweitzer, Harper Goff, Bill Evans, and “The Wonderland of Nature’s Own Design”
Welcome to Adventureland! Disney Legend and Imagineering ambassador Marty Sklar presents a tour through the earliest concepts for the themed realm and how Harper Goff, Morgan “Bill” Evans, and other legendary designers brought Walt Disney’s vision to life.
2 p.m. — A Special Announcement from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
2:05 p.m. — Disney Adventurelands Around the World
Set off on a journey through exotic realms at Disney theme parks around the globe, as Imagineers Tony Baxter, Jason Grandt, and Luc Mayrand explore “Adventurelands” from Florida to Shanghai.
2:45 p.m. — Tales from the Jungle Cruise
Fans of “the backside of water” unite! Discover the legendary history of the world-famous attraction with a panel of experts and designers, including archivist Justin Arthur and Imagineers Alex Grayman, Chris Merritt, and Wyatt Winter.
3:45 p.m. — Disney’s Polynesian Resort 45th Anniversary
From tropical hideaways to enchanting entertainment, celebrate the spirit of aloha as D23 looks back at 45 years of the classic South Pacific-themed getaway.
4:40 p.m.— MOANA: Building a Legend
For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium—and no one knows exactly why. Screenwriter Jared Bush (co-director/co-screenwriter, Zootopia) shares how that question became the jumping-off point for the story of Moana, and presents exclusive footage from the film.
7:30 p.m. — An Evening at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Join us for a special celebration of the 45th anniversary of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Sunday, November 20
9 a.m. — It All Started with a Map
Discover details on why and how Disney theme park maps have changed over time with historians Kevin Neary and Susan Neary, two co-authors of Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai (Disney Editions, 2016).
9:20 a.m. — New Walt Disney World Adventures
Get an insider’s glimpse into the latest experiences across Walt Disney World Resort with behind-the-scenes looks at new and upcoming entertainment!
10:20 a.m. — Magic Journeys: 45 Years of Walt Disney World Adventures
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, join Imagineers Jason Grandt and Alex Wright for a nostalgic journey through some of the Vacation Kingdom’s most unique and fondly remembered adventures.
11:05 a.m. — Pandora – The World of AVATAR
AVATAR creators James Cameron (writer, director, producer) and Jon Landau (producer) and Imagineer Joe Rohde unveil new details about the immersive, 12-acre land coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
2 p.m. — The Art and Adventures of Marc Davis
From Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room to Pirates of the Caribbean, discover the adventurous artwork of artist and animator Marc Davis with Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Production Designer Chris Merritt, who is co-authoring a new book on the Disney Legend.
3:05 p.m. — The Imagineering Adventure
In this two-part session, discover how Imagineers bring adventurous Disney experiences to life, with an in-depth look at attractions from Indiana Jones Adventure with Disney Legend Tony Baxter, to Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, with Shanghai Disneyland Portfolio Creative Executive Luc Mayrand.
4:30 p.m. — Guiding Animals Through Change
With brand-new evening experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, how does one prepare animals for changes to the nighttime ambience of the park, and how does one know if these animals are happy with the changes? Animals, Science and Environment Vice President Dr. Mark Penning will talk you through the process they followed and share stories of the great care our animals get.
4:55 p.m. — Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Evolving a New Species of Theme Park
Imagineer Joe Rohde shares the origins and incredible evolution of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, from early concepts to new experiences to be discovered at the park!
8 p.m. — In-Park Gathering (Optional)
Walt Disney World Resort theme park admission required.
Details forthcoming.