7 Disney Projects I Am Aesthetically Excited About From the D23 Expo
I have thoughts on this year’s D23 Expo. Of course I do; I am a Disney fan, and we tend to be pretty opinionated. For me, this year’s D23 Expo was unique; I wasn’t in the trenches actively chasing the hot stories and breaking news. This year, I wasn’t there as a journalist; I was at D23 as a panelist.
Okay, actually this is the SECOND year where I wasn’t “covering” the conference. The last D23 was right before my book, Bring the Magic Home, came out, and Ashley Eckstein (who penned the intro and whose gorgeous home is featured in the book) and I did a Q&A and a signing.
This year I was invited to fly down and plan a panel entitled Disney-fying Your Home with guest panelists Bret Iwan (yes, the artist and voice of Mickey Mouse), Jeff Schiefelbein (of the Haunted Mansion-themed Airbnb The Ghostly Retreat), and our hostess with the most-est, Ashley Eckstein. It was a great time, full of interior design (and train) magic!
So, yeah, I was a wee bit distracted, since speaking in front of an audience of hundreds isn’t usually my thing. But during the expo, I still was able to absorb most of the news and do a mental list of what I personally am most excited – from an aesthetics angle – from both the entertainment and the experiences teams. What made the cut? Let us count the ways; well, 6 of them.
Image: Disney
Oswald (2027)
The three-part mini-series by Jon Favreau is a throwback in more ways than one. To celebrate Oswald, the precursor to Micky Mouse, for his 100th birthday, the studio is FINALLY going to create new content around the adorable lucky rabbit. Disney’s Epic Mickey (2010) was the first foray into celebrating the return of the character to the Disney company after a wild trade with Universal back in 2006. Still, beyond a sporadic burst of product releases, Oswald hasn’t had the chance to shine. The other throwback is that Oswald will be hand-drawn, integrated with real-world footage. The studio rehired animators who are masters in the field to make it happen. With the advent of computer animation and AI, it’s incredibly refreshing to see the return of animation with a human touch.
Image: Disney/Pixar
Gatto (March 5, 2027)
I have a thing for Venice, and really, how could you not? It is one of the most aesthetically pleasing man-made locations on earth. At first I was surprised that Pixar would return to Italy so soon after Luca (2021), but with the Genoese-born Enrico Casarosa at the helm, it makes sense. The film has a hand-drawn finish, so it doesn’t have the high-contrast computerized style as other Pixar projects. On a personal note, the look of the protagonist cat Nero reminds me of Nick Bruel’s Bad Kitty, which was a family favorite when my kid was a wee one, so we already love him.
Ghost Market (March 2028)
Pixar’s first ghost story has a striking style; close-ups mixed with Blair Witch Project-esque camera movements which showcases yet another new animated technique. It gives off a modern Spirited Away vibe, but that’s probably just bowls of noodles in deserted restaurants talking.
Image: Disney/Pixar
Monstropolis (Walt Disney World 2027)
My biggest complaint about the Monsters, Inc. themed land opening at Walt Disney World is that it will be 2,894 miles away from my house. Monsters, Inc is one of my family’s favorite Disney IPs, and the lure of having the chance to walk around Monstropolis will be irresistible. Of all the photos I took at D23. the majority of them were of the cute Monsters creatures that will inhabit the land and of their “Designing on Monstropolis” boards that shared details of what they have in store for the land from brick treatment to “Monster motifs” of eyes, teeth, and horns that that will subtly be added to building exteriors. And yes, there will be a Harryhausen’s!
Image: Disney
Villain’s Land (Walt Disney World)
There is plenty of potential for an incredible Villain’s Land full of dark, moody, and gothic touches, but still keeping in line with the Disney brand. The lush logo of the land and the images the company shared definitely give a maximalist vibe, with rich tones (blacks, emerald greens, deep purples) and just the right amount of darkness (both in vibe and hue). It appears that the area will have touches of inspiration beyond the original films and from Art Nouveau, Eyvind Earle, and Antoni Gaudí, making for a very high end – European aesthetic.
Image: Disney
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto (Animal Kingdom – Walt Disney World)
When I first saw Encanto in the theater, I – along with probably everyone – immediately thought it would make an ideal attraction in the parks. Since the film did well at the box office, it was a natural addition to the attraction portfolio. One of the items they had on display in the Imagineering section at D23 was a model of the ride vehicles, featuring a charming mishmash of the home’s furniture, such as pianos paired with dressers. The ride will go through a variety of scenes, culminating in the character Antoine’s vast room filled with over 50 animatronic creatures.
