Happy D23 Expo to all who celebrate!

Today kicks off three days of panels, exhibits, news, and more — and we’re here to bring you along on all the fun! One of the very first panels of the day was the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, where Disney honored 14 legends who made a lasting impact on the company. We got to watch the ceremony, so come with us as we watch these individuals get honored.

Disney had previously announced who would be getting honored a the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, and now it’s time to watch them become actual Disney Legends! Disney Legends are chosen by a specific selection committee that chooses from animators, Imagineers, songwriters, actors, and business leaders that have all had an impact on the company. The very first Disney Legend to get honored at today’s ceremony was Ellen Pompeo, known for her role as Meredith Grey on the show Grey’s Anatomy. 

Next came Rob’t Coltrin, a Disney Imagineer, which is what Disney calls the people who come up with new technology and creative ideas for the theme parks.

After Rob’t, Patrick Dempsey, who played Robert in Enchanted (and will be reprising his role in the sequel, Disenchanted), and Derek Shepherd in Grey’s Anatomy, was honored.

Then Doris Hardoon received her award. Doris Hardoon is a retired Disney Imagineer who helped work on projects like World Showcase at EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Anthony Anderson, who executive produced and starred as Andre “Dre” Johnson on Black-ish, was then honored.

Tracee Ellis Ross, who also starred in Black-ish and created the spin-off series Mixed-ish then took the stage.

Bob Foster was then honored. Foster was a crucial part of the land acquisition process for the plot of land in Florida that would become Walt Disney World. He has since passed away, but his daughter, Debbie Swenson, accepted the award on his behalf.

Next, was Chris Montan. Chris Montan currently serves as president of Walt Disney Music and he has worked as an executive music producer for the Walt Disney Company.

Four of the cast members from Frozen and Frozen 2 were honored, as well. Jonathan Groff, who plays Kristoff received an award.

Kristen Bell, who plays Anna, also became a Disney Legend.

Josh Gad plays the snowman Olaf in Frozen and Frozen 2, and he became a Disney Legend today, as well.

Idina Menzel, who plays Elsa in the Frozen movies and also appears as Nancy in Enchanted received the Disney Legend distinction also.

When she received her award, she sang “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Pinocchio!

From Broadway to Arendelle, Idina Menzel accepted her Disney Legend award with words from Disney’s own Jiminey Cricket! #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/YjjQPDnzrY

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) September 9, 2022

The second-to-last Disney legend that was honored during the ceremony was Don Hahn. Hahn is credited with producing movies like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. He, unfortunately, was not able to be at the ceremony to receive his award in person.

And finally, Chadwick Boseman, known for playing Black Panther in the movies of the same name was honored as a Disney Legend posthumously. His brother accepted the award on Boseman’s behalf.

The ceremony ended with a performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” by the Encanto cast.

In a surprise ending to the Disney Legend Awards, we got a LIVE performance of We Don’t Talk About Bruno by the cast of Disney’s Encanto! pic.twitter.com/QDovLXqT47

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) September 9, 2022

We’ll be bringing you all the news you need from the D23 Expo, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates. And remember, if you’re keeping up with the Expo from home, you can watch the D23 Expo livestream too! There’s also a line of D23 Expo merchandise available online that you can grab to make you feel like you were there.

Click here to follow along with us at the D23 Expo!

Are you following along with the D23 Expo? Let us know in the comments!