Destination D23 – A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney was a fantastic Disney fan event. It was full of moments that celebrated the history and legacy of The Walt Disney Company. Some moments looked toward the future as well. One of the moments that was particularly poignant was with D23 FANbassador Disney Legend Jodi Benson. The voice of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid performed on Broadway before joining the Disney family. One show she was a part of was called Smile. This was a show by Marvin Hamlisch with a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. After it closed very quickly, Benson shared how Ashman gave her basically something to do by auditioning for The Little Mermaid. Little did she know how much this act of kindness would dramatically change her life.
At Destination D23, Benson shared this story (and several others) with those in attendance. She also performed the song Disneyland from the Broadway musical Smile. Below is a video of this beautiful performance.
During Destination D23, there were many other special moments and announcements that were made. Some special moments included a look at Disney Villains, Disney Castles, and a look at the legacy of the Disney family. Some of the bigger announcements included the repainting of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, the addition of Walt Disney in Audio-Animatronic form in the Carousel of Progress, and the dates for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2026!
What do you think of this special performance by Disney Legend Jodi Benson? Have you heard this song before? Have you heard Jodi Benson perform live before? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
