D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is the official fan club for The Walt Disney Company. Founded in 2009, the organization is known mainly for its biennial exposition event, known as the D23 Expo. The name D23 refers to D for Disney and 23 for 1923—the year Walt Disney founded the company.
D23 has released member exclusive merchandise, including pins celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Muppet Movie and the 25th anniversary of Muppet Treasure Island.
D23 also holds smaller fan events for its members throughout the year, separate from the expo, and publishes a magazine called Disney twenty-three.
Live Events and Appearances[]
- On November 17, 2011, D23 held a Muppet-acular Mayhem at D Street event exclusively for D23 members and their guests at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California for the debut of new Muppet clothing, original artwork, and skate decks. There were light refreshments and a live DJ.
- On December 5 & 6, 2011, D23 held their Disney and Dickens event for its members at the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California. Some of Disney's classic Christmas films were screened, including The Muppet Christmas Carol.
- On November 27, 2012, D23 held a The Muppets Take Disney Store Manhattan event at the Disney Store in Times Square, New York City. A limited number of D23 members had the chance to meet and have their photos taken with Kermit the Frog and Pepe the King Prawn, and got a 15% discount on store merchandise. There was also some Muppet trivia from the Disney store crew.[1]
- On November 21, 2021, D23 hosted an all-day "Destination D23 LIVE!" event. Kermit the Frog appeared during the Disney+ presentation, discussing the Muppet content that can be found there and presenting a blooper reel from Muppets Haunted Mansion.
- On September 9, 2023, Destination D23's parks presentation included a tribute to Dave Goelz, and appearances by various Muppets (including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Scooter, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam the Eagle, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Uncle Deadly, and some chickens). The band played songs including "Gotta Be," "Rainbow Connection," "Can You Picture That?," "Gonna Get There," "Movin' Right Along," and "Together Again (Again)." Kermit and Gonzo also appeared in a promotional video, which was published on various D23 social media accounts.[2] Tracie Mick served as an additional performer for this appearance.[3]
D23 Inside Disney[]
Kermit the Frog and Gonzo appeared on the D23 Inside Disney show for the September 2023 episode to introduce "D23 Inside Disney Goes Behind the Scenes of Destination D23." The episode included footage from the Destination D23's presentation held earlier that month and included footage of Gonzo, Uncle Deadly, Fozzie Bear and Dave Goelz on stage. (YouTube)
D23 Inside Disney Podcast[]
The weekly D23 Inside Disney podcast was launched in August 2019, and has featured the Muppets and related guests many times.
- Episode 48 (August 6, 2020) - Kermit the Frog is interviewed about Muppets Now.
- Episode 71 (January 21, 2021) - Matt Danner appears to discuss Muppet Easter eggs in Muppet Babies.
- Episode 75 (February 18, 2021) - Dave Goelz and Muppets Studio vice president Leigh Slaughter appear to discuss The Muppet Show, Jim Henson, and Muppet*Vision 3D.
- Episode 108 (October 7, 2021) - Gonzo and Pepe the King Prawn appeared on the podcast to promote Muppets Haunted Mansion.
Streaming Events[]
- On February 16, 2021 (the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of Muppet Treasure Island), D23 hosted an online look back at the film with Brian Henson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, and Kevin Bishop (YouTube) and a live-tweet of the film with Kermit the Frog, Gonzo the Great, Rizzo the Rat, and Miss Piggy.
- On February 18, 2021, to celebrate the release of The Muppet Show on Disney+, D23 celebrated "A Muppetational Legacy" with an extended panel discussion featuring Brian Henson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Kevin Bishop, and Leigh Slaughter (Disney VP of Muppets Studio). (YouTube)
Sources[]
External links[]
See also[]
- D23 Expo
- Disney twenty-three (magazine)
- Oh My Disney (official Disney fan site)