For many attendees of the Destination D experience, the last event was perhaps the most special, in that “An Evening with Alan Menken” touched the hearts and souls of everyone who has ever wanted to hear the master of his craft live.

Alan Menken, the composer behind the films and songs we know by heart, presented the most extraordinary two hours of music I have ever heard – and seen – in my life. Now that’s quite a statement. Some may call that a bit exaggerated, but as a devoted Disney fan, like almost all of my fellow audience members, we knew the gift we were being presented. Menken rarely performs publicly, so to hear his legendary stories and songs in person made this even more winning.

The D23 Destination D event, held at the Disneyland Resort a few weeks ago, not only focused on the array of Disney animated features, but also on the musical acts who helped make those films even more memorable.

D23 brought back the winning act that won audiences at the 2011 D23 Expo (Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix). This first-class concert made me feel like a chimney sweep, “as lucky can be,” for experiencing this performance was “practically perfect in every way.”

At the bi-annual Destination D event at Anaheim’s Disneyland Hotel last week, the Disney D23 Official Disney Fan Club hosted a series of events that focused on the legendary history of Disney animated features. Hundreds of Disney fans gathered inside the resort’s convention center to obtain exclusive access to lectures, concerts and footage. Over the coming weeks inside Disney In Depth, I will cover some of those topics featured in the fascinating presentations held at Destination D. As for now, this edition will focus on the exciting future of the division we know as Disney animation.

Walt Disney Animation Studios appears like it is entering that third renaissance we have all been waiting for. With the beautiful The Princess and the Frog and delightful Tangled leading the way, the studio that suffered from creative missteps like Home on the Range is now producing hit films that resonate with audiences and appeal to critics to boot. During “Inside Walt Disney Animation Studios Today,” animator Darrin Butters hosted an appealing round-up of the studio’s newest projects.

Warning: This edition contains some spoilers of details mentioned at the event.