5 underrated D23 moments that will leave you with all the feels

With so much happening at D23 it’s easy to lose sight of the things that aren’t Star Wars. Here are 5 moments you’ll never forget.

You might think that absolutely nothing happened at this year’s D23 Expo short of a bunch of Marvel and Star Wars announcements, as well as news about things coming to Disney parks around the world. Disney+ programming was heavily promoted, both in its own panel and on the festival floor, but was that all there was? No, far more happened at this year’s D23 that wasn’t shown off in the news media and we’re here to recount some for you.

This was my first year covering the convention touted as being for the ultimate Disney fan, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The crowds might have made things challenging, but to be in a world where everyone loved Disney was a heartening experience. I saw things I could have only dreamed about, so let’s look at just five moments from this year’s D23 Expo that will make you feel some serious FOMO. As they say, “you had to be there.”

Hearing Jodi Benson Sing ‘Part of Your World’

This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Little Mermaid and D23 Expo celebrated in style. They devoted an entire panel to the movie and its history but chose to kickstart it with a moment doomed to leave everyone a sobbing wreck. Set amongst a stage decked out to be a tropical seascape a group of little girls, all dressed as mini-Ariels, came out to sing “Part of Your World.” It was cute. Then, the voice of Ariel herself, Jodi Benson, came out and took over.

I do believe when I wrote out my interview with Benson from earlier this year I mentioned my desire not to cry, but it didn’t happen here. Hearing Benson belt out a song that still resonates so strongly was unlike anything I’d experienced. The emotions of 30 years of love for one movie and one character came flooding back and, I’ll confess; I sobbed right next to a mother and her daughter who were also crying. It was amazing and Jodi Benson is responsible for all of it.

Pat Carroll’s Letter to Fans

Celebrating The Little Mermaid would be nothing without the Sea Witch herself, Ursula. And while voice actress Pat Carroll couldn’t travel to be there, she was felt in spirit. A video package saw her discussing her time with the movie and early sketches were shown illustrating an Ursula that was glamorous, younger, and thinner. How times have changed. But the highlight was Carroll herself, reading a handwritten letter she wanted to share with fans at D23 Expo. The letter was heartfelt, discussing how touched she is that people still love her performance. She then gave us Ursula’s famous cackle, proof she’s still got it after all these years! Carroll may be 92, but she’s forever young (and Ursula) in our hearts.

The Raya and the Last Dragon Footage

It was easy to be seduced by the star-studded casts of the Rise of Skywalker and Eternals and assume no other movie was spoken of during the Disney Studios panel. But there were several more films discussed, including an extensive discussion on the new Pixar movie, Soul, that should be whetting your appetite. But amongst all that was the earliest footage from Raya and the Last Dragon. Written by Crazy Rich Asians scribe Adele Lim and heavily inspired by the countries of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the story follows the title character as she tries to find the last dragon that will restore her country.

The sequence shown involves Raya (voiced by Cassie Steele) and her little brother as they embark on their mission to find the dragon and was equal parts hilarious, tense, and breathtaking. The animation here is so photorealistic it blows other Disney properties like The Lion King and Jungle Book out of the water. Steele’s voice work, what little we heard, seemed perfectly suited to the character with her little brother (and his flute) stealing the scene. We have to wait till next November for the finished product, but I’m ready to meet Raya and the Last Dragon for sure!

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez Banter

It’s a running joke in my house that Frozen songwriter Kristen Anderson-Lopez is my same-named sister. I’ve actually had people pitch me projects assuming I’m the Academy Award-winning writer (I wish). So a big part of my D23 experience was to see the discussion with her and her husband, Robert Lopez, and boy did it live up to my expectations! Not only are these two delightful people but it’s obvious they’re buddies and perfect work partners.

The two discussed how their writing process with Robert Lopez overtly stating that he gets to work with his best friend! Awww! The two also discussed their early career, with Anderson-Lopez getting candid about initially starting out as an actress, but then transitioning to songwriting because she didn’t have to change her appearance. We even got to hear Robert Lopez belt out “Remember Me,” the Academy Award-winning song he and Anderson-Lopez wrote for Coco. Someone give these two a reality show.

So. Much. Disney Cosplay!

And it wouldn’t be a fan convention if I didn’t bring up cosplay.

It’s a feature at any comic book event but at D23 it enhances the magic even more. It was fantastic seeing everyone’s creativity, from a woman whose dress was a working model of the Haunted Mansion to the man who created an actual pirate ship from Peter Pan.

There was also a reverence for all things obscure and unique. One couple rocked their sweaters and bobby socks as dancers from Julie Andrews’ 1971 appearance at Walt Disney World, and I saw a ton of Emperor’s New Groove cosplayers. Disney fans literally wear their love on their sleeve.