D23 Expo

D23 Expo is a convention run by The Walt Disney Company, billed as "The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience". The first Expo was held in Anaheim, California, from September 10-13, 2009. The Muppets were scheduled to appear at a special presentation on Sunday, September 13th; they also made a surprise appearance during the "Disney Movie Magic" presentation on Friday the 11th. Displays on the show floor also offered glimpses of upcoming Muppet merchandise.

Johnny Depp, in full costume as Pirates of the Caribbean character Captain Jack Sparrow, appeared near the end of the presentations. He said he'd like to have a little snack, Kermit, who "probably tastes like chicken."

Disney Movie Magic
The Muppets appeared on the Mark Twain riverboat and announced that they were working on a new movie, The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made. No release date was announced.

Appearing on the riverboat Mark Twain Boat were Kermit the Frog, Fozzie, Pepe, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Animal, Janice, Floyd, Dr. Teeth, Zoot, Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Scooter, Rizzo the Rat, Lew Zealand, Robin, Penguins, Chickens, with Sweetums standing beside the boat.

Statler and Waldorf appeared after the number shouting, "We want Grumpy!"

The Muppets Presentation
There was also a special presentation by The Muppets Studio on September 13th. Sam Eagle, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Pepe the King Prawn, some chickens and the Swedish Chef appeared. The presentation, hosted by Lylle Breier, detailed some of the future plans for the Muppets.

Projects announced included  :


 * The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made!
 * a Muppet Halloween special for Halloween 2010
 * An online cooking show with Cat Cora for fall 2009
 * More viral Muppet videos for 2010
 * Updates to Muppet*Vision 3D and Muppet Mobile Lab, plus the creation of a mobile Electric Mayhem unit for the Disney parks
 * Expansion and updates to The Muppet Whatnot Workshop, including new Whatnot parts and workshops in the Disney parks
 * The Muppets Revisited album coming in 2010
 * The Muppet Show: Season 4 and Studio DC: Almost Live on DVD in 2010
 * A From the Balcony book by Statler and Waldorf
 * The "Green and Lovin' It" line of products at the Disney Store
 * Steiff plush dolls
 * Vinylmation figures
 * Pook-a-Looz dolls
 * Muppet Halloween costumes
 * New Muppet iPhone Apps and Mobile Comics
 * Television appearances on upcoming episodes of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", "America's Funniest Home Videos", "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon", and ABC's "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade"
 * Kermit at the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
 * Collaboration with Andrea Bocelli on Bocelli's upcoming Christmas album and on The David Foster Christmas Special

After the presentation, convention goers could wait in line to meet Fozzie, Gonzo, and Pepe, and have their pictures taken with them.