Disney Ultimate Toy Drive Delivers Joy to Kids in Need This Holiday Season

The Walt Disney Company recently launched its annual Disney Ultimate Toy Drive supporting the Marine Toys for Tots Program to help deliver toys to children in need this holiday season.

Are you a D23 Member and attending the fan-favorite Light Up the Season event this Sunday, December 10? You’re invited to participate in the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive by donating new, unwrapped toys at Legends Plaza during the event!

This year’s campaign kicked off in November on ABC News’ Good Morning America, where special guest Taylor Price-a 29-year-old mother and foster parent-shared her remarkable story of becoming a coordinator for Toys for Tots in Texas after experiencing homelessness as a child and receiving toys from Toys for Tots, showing first-hand the impact of this remarkable organization. Now with children of her own, Price is looking forward to making a difference in the lives of children suffering from difficult circumstances who would never experience the magic of Christmas without the work of Toys for Tots and Disney. To thank Price for her dedication and hard work, Disney Ultimate Toy Drive  helped Price kick off her local campaign with a donation of shopDisney toys  and surprised her on-air with tickets to see Aladdin on Broadway with her family.

Disney’s relationship with Toys for Tots dates back to 1947, when Walt Disney and his team of animators designed the Toys for Tots logo that is still used today. Since then, The Walt Disney Company has continued to strengthen this relationship, engaging volunteers and providing charitable support to help Toys for Tots deliver toys to children in need nationwide. Since its founding, Toys for Tots Marines and volunteers have distributed 652 million toys to over 291 million children. Last year the organization set a record of distributing more than 24 million toys to nearly 10 million children, thanks in part to the collaboration with the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive.

“For over 75 years, Disney has been proud to work with Toys for Tots to help deliver joy to children in need,” said Lisa Haines, senior vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company. “From VoluntEARS opportunities to integrations into shows across our networks, our employees and cast members in every part of the company love supporting Toys for Tots and giving back at this special time of year in ways that only Disney can.”

Disney toys are piled on top of each other in a Toys for Tots donation box.

Said Lieutenant General Laster, President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, “It’s amazing how this relationship started with a logo and has now transformed into an annual nationwide campaign supporting children in need. Toys for Tots is grateful to have the continued support of Disney to help bring their stories to children for the holidays and deliver joy during this season of giving.”

Fans and families can participate in the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive by donating a toy online at shopDisney.com now through December 24, 2023, or by donating a new, unwrapped toy in person at a U.S. Disney store location, Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, or in select locations at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort*, now through December 15, 2023.

Throughout the holiday season, Disney will air a Public Service Announcement on its television networks and streaming platforms-such as ABC, ABC Owned Stations, Disney+, Freeform, FX, Hulu, and National Geographic-in support of Toys for Tots.

A trio of Marines hold toys and stand on a red carpet. They are posing for a photo in front of a backdrop of Walt Disney and information about The Walt Disney Company's longstanding relationship with the Marine Toys for Tots program.

Toy collections will also take place at in-person film screenings and activations, including events surrounding Season 2 of Marvel Studios’ What If…? (premiering this month on Disney+). Shows across the Disney networks-including ESPN’s GetUp!, as well as ABC and ABC News’ Good Morning America, Tamron Hall, The View, and Wheel of Fortune-are featuring Disney Ultimate Toy Drive and Toys for Tots stories to highlight the season of giving and the importance of supporting communities in need. Additionally, toy collections are being hosted by the ABC Owned Television Stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham, and Fresno.

Taylor Price's family watches her film a segment on Good Morning America.
ABC/Paula Lobo

Disney Theatrical Group is encouraging audience members to support the initiative at select shows by featuring the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive in Playbills. Plus, Disney Junior will host a special event for local Military families in Los Angeles featuring screenings of new Disney Junior holiday episodes, including the SuperKitties: Merry Mousemas 22-minute special and the Mickey’s Christmas Tales stop-motion shorts, alongside holiday-themed crafts, activities, and a special Disney Junior toy donation from Just Play to Toys for Tots.

*At Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, collection bins are located at the World of Disney store, Star Wars Trading Post, and retail shops inside Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. At Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, collection bins are located at the World of Disney store, Marketplace Co-Op, Star Wars Galactic Outpost, and the Disney Springs Welcome Center.

Adventureland Treehouse Combines Legacy Elements and New Innovations

By Bruce C. Steele

Honoring the legacy of the founder of Disneyland Park, the reimagined Adventureland Treehouse inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson opens to guests on Friday, November 10. As the name indicates, Disney Imagineers took inspiration from Walt Disney’s original 1962 attraction—the former Swiss Family Treehouse is once again the home of a remarkable family, filled with contraptions made from jungle resources—but the story has been updated for the next generation of parkgoers. “It’s still about a family that built this amazing home together out of just their shared creativity and innovativeness,” said Kim Irvine, Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, during a preview tour of the attraction this past Friday. “But we really wanted this to be [experienced] so that anybody could imagine they lived here.”

An innovative family this is indeed! The father is an inventor and chef—a combination of skills evident in the cleverly automated kitchen—while the mother is a musician who can play any instrument. Their daughter is an aspiring astronomer and artist, while her twin younger brothers are nature lovers, one fascinated by animals, the other by plant life.

An image of the Adventureland Treehouse looking from the ground up to its peak features the working waterwheel in the foreground and the stairways behind and above it, snaking around the trunk of the banyan tree.

The tour begins with an homage to the original treehouse attraction: a waterwheel seemingly made of bamboo and wood, powered by flowing water. “We brought the waterwheel back, thanks to our great partner Becky Cline,” Irvine recounted, referring to the director of the Walt Disney Archives. “I called her and said, ‘We really want to rebuild that waterwheel. Do you have any drawings?’ And she said, ‘Kim, I think I have the waterwheel.’ They had it at a warehouse. It didn’t run anymore, but we were able to take it and recreate the whole thing, making molds off of the original. It’s just like the original waterwheel—with a few enhancements.”

The waterwheel is integral to the family’s innovations throughout the treehouse. “Our story is that everything that the family has created actually runs off of this mystical water from a spring underneath the tree,” Irvine said. “The water rises up into the rooms [and flows] through all the different bamboo pipes to the different cisterns. And that’s how they run all the pieces of magic in each room.”

The treehouse kitchen is on the ground level. It has a picnic-style dining table on the left, and an elaborate stove in the back, next to a cabinet and some shelving. In the foreground is a seating area with a few mismatched wooden chairs arranged around a small, low table.

On the ground level is that busy kitchen, where the father “has made everything automated,” Irvine explained. “The pots stir themselves. The kettle heats itself. So, even though he’s fine with being the chef of the family, he’s figured out how to make it an easy job.”

The head of an ostrich is visible above a wall made of bamboo. This is the animated Jane, the family’s pet.

Also in the kitchen, guests will meet the family’s pet ostrich, Jane—a nod to the attraction’s previous incarnation as Tarzan’s Treehouse. Jane is mostly hidden by the wall of her enclosure, but her expressive head pops up over the barrier to take stock of everyone who comes to visit.

Three paintings are lined up, each sitting on an easel, on a terrace or platform. From left to right, the paintings portray the twin boys’ nature-themed room, the daughter’s astronomy-themed room, and the mother’s music room.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the father’s workshop, with drawings of many of the inventions guests will encounter on higher levels, as well as a terrace that serves as a gallery for the family member’s drawings of their upper rooms: the mother’s and daughter’s in oils, and the younger boys’ in watercolor and pastels.

The rest of the treehouse is accessible by the stairway that weaves its way up through the branches of the banyan tree—although the sketches and paintings on the ground level provide a glimpse of the rest of the home for those who can’t make the climb.

An elaborately carved and constructed pipe organ is automated to play on its own. Above the keyboard is the turning cylinder that determines the music to be played, and above that are pipes that appear to be made from bamboo. Behind and above the pipes are a self-playing violin and two tambourines. Various animal figurines stand in different positions around the instrument, including an elephant, a squirrel, and two cranes.

The first stop in the higher levels is the mother’s room, featuring a self-playing pump organ and a host of other instruments, including “a violin that animates along with the organ,” Irvine pointed out. It’s a jam-packed space, full of figurines of animals, so the mother also has a sleeping loft above the walkway. (Look for the ladder.)

Behind the pipe organ is a reading alcove with chairs and a small table. Here, observant guests will note more references to the attraction’s earlier identities: two books titled Swiss Family Robinson and Tarzan of the Apes!

The daughter’s room is stuffed with astronomic paraphernalia. At the center is a large telescope, homemade from a small barrel and a sailor’s telescope. Around it are related objects, including a model of the solar system, a map of the night sky pinned to the wall, and much more.

The daughter’s combination study and observatory is next, with a domed roof that opens up so the daughter can observe the night sky through the powerful telescope she has fashioned from a small barrel. Here the story also alludes to the well-known Disney Parks mythology of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, as an S.E.A. member has been corresponding with the daughter and provided the lens for her telescope. (Look for the letter from the S.E.A. on the daughter’s desk.)

The twin boys’ room features their pet monkey, Rascal, hanging from the ceiling at the center; a toucan perched on the left; a series of birdhouses beyond the toucan along the left wall; and a frog incubator, partially visible on the right. Plants in pots also hang from the ceiling.

The boys’ room is next, bustling with jungle life. At the center is the boys’ pet monkey, Rascal, swinging from the ceiling in an effort to turn the dial on a timing device to the setting for “Feed Monkey.” There’s also a frog incubator with swimming polliwogs, and a collection of homemade birdhouses—along with a few of their feathered occupants.

Before descending, guests will want to stop a moment to enjoy the unique perspective from the tree’s higher branches. “The view of Disneyland from here is just amazing,” Irvine said. “That’s one of the things that we love so much about the tree—where else do you get to be this high up and really look out over the park like this?”

Guests can see that panoramic view again beginning Friday, November 10.

Check out an enchanting video and audio tour of the Adventureland Treehouse inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson, above.

Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas Returns This December

By Emily Hewitt

Deck the halls while enjoying some choice holiday entertainment when Freeform’s highly anticipated 25 Days of Christmas returns on Friday, December 1.

The monthlong viewing event will include Christmas favorites Home Alone, The Santa Clause trilogy, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, and Miracle on 34th Street (1994). Christmas classics Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, along with family classics including the Toy Story franchise, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, and Frozen, will also help brighten the season.

Freeform will also host the network premieres of the Disney+ holiday films Noelle and Godmothered.

Below is a day-by-day list of the movies and holiday-themed episodes airing during the 25 Days of Christmas event:

Friday, December 1
7:00 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
9:00 a.m.– Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
11:00 a.m.– Eloise at Christmastime
1:00 p.m.– The Star (2017)
3:00 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
5:00 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
7:00 p.m.– Home Alone
9:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– Home Alone 3

Saturday, December 2
7:00 a.m.– Home Alone
9:30 a.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:05 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
2:05 p.m.– The Santa Clause
4:15 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
6:45 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
8:50 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
11:30 p.m.– GodmotheredFreeform Premiere

Sunday, December 3
7:00 a.m.– Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
9:10 a.m.– The Search for Santa Paws
11:15 a.m.– Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
1:20 p.m.– Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
2:50 p.m.– Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
4:30 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
7:10 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
8:15 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
8:50 p.m.– Home Alone
11:20 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Monday, December 4
7:00 a.m.– The Mistle-Tones
10:30 a.m.– Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (Disney Animated)
11:00 a.m.– Home Alone
1:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:10 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
5:15 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
5:50 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
6:55 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
8:55 p.m.– Noelle Freeform Premiere
12:00 a.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
1:00 a.m.– The Simpsons (Holiday Episodes)

Tuesday, December 5
7:00 a.m.– Holiday in Handcuffs
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
11:30 a.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
2:00 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
4:00 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone
8:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– Jingle All the Way

Wednesday, December 6
7:00 a.m.– Snow
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
11:05 a.m.– Home Alone
1:35 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:15 p.m.– The Santa Clause
6:25 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
8:55 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
12:00 a.m.– Jingle All the Way 2

Thursday, December 7
7:00 a.m.– Snow 2: Brain Freeze
10:30 a.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
12:35 p.m.– Love the Coopers
3:10 p.m.– Home Alone
5:40 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
8:20 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12:00 a.m.– The Family Stone

Friday, December 8
7:00 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
8:00 a.m.– Love the Coopers
10:30 a.m.– Home Alone
1:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
3:40 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
5:40 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
8:20 p.m.– Frozen (Disney Animated)
10:50 p.m.– Frozen II (Disney Animated)
1:00 a.m.– Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
1:30 a.m.– Toy Story That Time Forgot (Disney-Pixar)

Saturday, December 9
7:00 a.m.– Jingle All the Way
9:00 a.m.– Jingle All the Way 2
11:00 a.m.– Prancer Returns
1:05 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
3:05 p.m.– Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
4:45 p.m.– Toy Story That Time Forgot (Disney-Pixar)
5:15 p.m.– Toy Story (Disney-Pixar)
7:15 p.m.– Toy Story 2 (Disney-Pixar)
9:20 p.m.– Toy Story 3 (Disney-Pixar)
11:50 p.m.– Toy Story 4 (Disney-Pixar)

Sunday, December 10
7:00 a.m.– The Simpsons (Holiday Episodes)
8:00 a.m.– Prancer Returns
10:00 a.m.– Home Alone 3
12:00 p.m.– Home Alone
2:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
5:10 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
7:15 p.m.– The Santa Clause
9:25 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
11:55 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Monday, December 11
7:00 a.m.– Snowglobe
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
11:00 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
1:05 p.m.– Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
3:10 p.m.– Home Alone
5:40 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
8:20 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12:00 a.m.– Black Nativity

Tuesday, December 12
7:00 a.m.– Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
11:00 a.m.– Home Alone
1:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:00 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
6:00 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
8:30 p.m.– Godmothered
12:00 a.m.– The Mistle-Tones

Wednesday, December 13
7:00 a.m.– Home Alone 3
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
11:00 a.m.– The Family Stone
1:30 p.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
4:00 p.m.– Home Alone
6:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
9:00 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
12:00 a.m.– Daddy’s Home 2

Thursday, December 14
7:00 a.m.– Daddy’s Home 2
10:30 a.m.– The Santa Clause
12:35 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
3:05 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
5:10 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
7:10 p.m.– Noelle
9:20 p.m.– Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
12:00 a.m.– 12 Dates of Christmas

Friday, December 15
7:00 a.m.– Kung Fu Panda Holiday
7:30 a.m.– Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
9:30 a.m.– The Search for Santa Paws
11:30 a.m.– Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
1:30 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
3:30 p.m.– Home Alone
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
8:40 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
11:20 p.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Saturday, December 16
7:00 a.m.– The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
7:30 a.m.– Cricket on the Hearth
8:30 a.m.– Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
10:00 a.m.– Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
11:30 a.m.– Home Alone
2:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:35 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
7:15 p.m.– The Santa Clause
9:25 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
11:55 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Sunday, December 17
7:00 a.m.– Cricket on the Hearth
8:00 a.m.– Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
10:05 a.m.– Eloise at Christmastime
12:10 p.m.– Home Alone 3
2:15 p.m.– Prancer Returns
4:20 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
6:20 p.m.– Home Alone
8:50 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
11:30 p.m.– Godmothered

Monday, December 18
7:00 a.m.– Prancer Returns
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
11:35 a.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
2:15 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
4:15 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
6:20 p.m.– Frozen (Disney Animated)
8:50 p.m.– Frozen II (Disney Animated)
12:00 a.m.– Jingle All the Way

Tuesday, December 19
7:00 a.m.– Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
10:30 a.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
12:35 p.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
3:10 p.m.– Home Alone
5:40 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
8:20 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12:00 a.m.– Jingle All the Way

Wednesday, December 20
7:00 a.m.– Eloise at Christmastime
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)
11:00 a.m.– The Santa Clause
1:05 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
3:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
5:35 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
8:15 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
9:20 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
9:55 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
12:00 a.m.– Home Alone 3

Thursday, December 21
7:00 a.m.– Cricket on the Hearth
8:00 a.m.– Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
9:30 a.m.– Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
11:30 a.m.– The Search for Santa Paws
1:30 p.m.– Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
3:35 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
4:40 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
5:15 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
6:20 p.m.– Home Alone
8:50 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
11:30 p.m.– The Family Stone

Friday, December 22
7:00 a.m.– Prep & Landing (Disney Animated)
7:30 a.m.– Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (Disney Animated)
8:00 a.m.– Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
9:30 a.m.– Toy Story That Time Forgot (Disney-Pixar)
10:00 a.m.– Home Alone
12:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
3:10 p.m.– Noelle
5:15 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
7:15 p.m.– The Santa Clause
9:25 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
11:55 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Saturday, December 23
7:00 a.m.– The Simpsons (Holiday Episodes)
8:00 a.m.– Toy Story That Time Forgot (Disney-Pixar)
8:30 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
10:30 a.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
1:05 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
3:10 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
5:10 p.m.– Home Alone
7:40 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
10:20 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
1:00 a.m.– Family Guy (Holiday Episodes)

Sunday, December 24
7:00 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
9:05 a.m.– Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
10:35 a.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
1:15 p.m.– Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
2:55 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
5:35 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
6:40 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
7:15 p.m.– The Santa Clause
9:25 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
11:55 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Monday, December 25
7:00 a.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
10:30 a.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
11:30 a.m.– The Santa Clause
1:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
3:30 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
4:30 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
5:00 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone
8:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Watchlist: Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

By Emily Hewitt

This Native American Heritage Month—and really, all year long—we’re honoring the incredible contributions of diverse Native American and Alaska Native communities. To help celebrate, we’ve compiled content from across Disney-owned platforms featuring Native characters and stories, available to enjoy from the comfort of your own home—or anywhere you can take a favorite streaming device! From the critically acclaimed series Reservation Dogs which follows four Native teens who attempt to go to California, to the thriller Prey, which tells the story of a Comanche woman who confronts an alien predator, there’s sure to be something that catches your eye among the options available to watch this month.

Naru from Prey, played by Amber Midthunder, is wearing a brown dress with black paint around her eyes as she sits in the forest with one knee on the ground and the other knee bent. She is staring off into the distance with a scared look on her face.

Prey
The seventh installment in the Predator franchise, set 300 years ago, tells the story of a young Comanche woman, Naru, (Amber Midthunder), who stalks and ultimately confronts a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal. Midthunder is a member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and her co-star Dakota Beavers, who plays Taabe, is also of Native American descent, with his mother’s side having Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and Apache Nations roots. Jhane Myers, the producer of this film, is from the Comanche and Blackfeet Nations. The Hulu Original film is available to watch in English and has also been dubbed in the Comanche language.

The four main characters of Reservation Dogs are all walking together. From left to right, Elora Danan, played by Devery Jacobs, is wearing a gray top with a red button down that is open. Cheese, played by Lane Factor, is wearing a gray shirt with a red and yellow print on the front. Wilhemina Jack, played by Paulina Jewel Alexis, is wearing a gray long sleeve shirt with dark grey sleeves and a black baseball cap backwards. Bear Smallhill, played by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, is wearing a yellow shirt with a yellow and red button down that is open.

Reservation Dogs
This series follows four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who steal, rob, and save in order to get to the faraway land of California. The whole writing team and four stars of the show are all of Indigenous descent. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who plays Bear Smallhill, is of Oji-Cree descent. Devery Jacobs, who plays Elora Danan, is First Nations  from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec, Canada. Paulina Alexis, who plays Wilhemina Jack, is another First Nations actress from the Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation Reserve in Alberta, Canada. Lane Factor, who plays Cheese, is of Creek-Seminole and Caddo descent.

Tiger Lily from Peter Pan and Wendy, played by Alyssa Wapanatâhk, is in a brown dress with her hair styled with two braids in front. She is standing in a forest, looking off to the right while holding onto a white horse that has a light brown saddle on it.

Peter Pan and Wendy
Wendy Darling, (Ever Anderson), finds herself and her brothers on a thrilling adventure with Peter Pan, (Alexander Molony), a boy who refuses to grow up, in this Disney+ Original film. Along the way they meet many friends including Native American warrior Tiger Lily, (Alyssa Wapanatâhk). Wapanatâhk is a member of Bigstone Cree First Nation, and she speaks the Cree language in the film.

Alaska Daily
Eileen Fitzgerald, (Hilary Swank), an investigative reporter, leaves New York to join a newspaper in Anchorage, Alaska, where her first assignment is to dive into a case focusing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women along with Native Alaskan and fellow reporter Roz Friendly, (Grace Dove). Dove is Secwepemc and is from the Canim Lake Indian Band in British Columbia, Canada.

Echo from Hawkeye, played by Alaqua Cox, is wearing a black leather jacket and black pants as she stands in front of a table with a red tablecloth, a tree with colorful lights in it, and an archway with a beaded curtain. Echo is talking to Wilson Fisk, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, who is in a white blazer and is holding a black stick with a gold detail on the end of it.

Hawkeye
Avenger Clint Barton, (Jeremy Renner), aka Hawkeye, tries to get back to his family for Christmas in this Marvel Studios series. Maya Lopez, (Alaqua Cox), aka Echo, a deaf martial artist, is introduced in this series as she seeks revenge on Hawkeye for her father’s death. Cox was raised on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin and will also be starring, alongside Devery Jacobs, (from Reservation Dogs), in the mini-series Echo, coming soon to Disney+.

Journey Into the Magic with Hyundai and Disney100

The D23 Team

Drive into the adventure of a lifetime with Hyundai and Disney100! In celebration of Disney’s recent 100th anniversary, our friends at Hyundai Motor America have produced a truly special IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition that will take to the streets beginning in early 2024. This incredible car features unique, Disney-inspired visual accents and entertainment—including colorful lighting and music right out of the iconic Disney songbook. It’s the perfect all-electric vehicle for any Disney fan.

This is the very first time ever that Hyundai designers have created a vehicle with visual creative input from the good folks at Walt Disney Imagineering. News about the car—which will have extremely limited availability—was revealed this past spring at the New York International Auto Show... and up till now, it’s still been kept a bit under wraps. But D23 Members, you’re in luck, because you’ll get to see it up close and personal at this year’s Light Up the Season event on the historic Walt Disney Studios lot on Sunday, December 10!

The IONIQ 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition features some seriously incredible Disney-related design details, including:

Exterior

  • Gravity Gold Matte exterior paint
  • Disney100-exclusive 20” alloy wheels
  • Disney100 Platinum Edition badges on the front fenders
  • Black “H” badges on the hood and liftgate
  • Gloss Black side mirrors

Interior/Convenience

  • Terra Brown interior color
  • Disney100 Platinum Edition debossing on front head restraints and center console armrest cover
  • Disney100-exclusive carpeted floor mats
  • Door garnish trim featuring “Mickey ears” silkscreen pattern

“At Hyundai, we are always looking for new ways to connect with customers on every mile of their journey,” Angela Zepeda, chief marketing officer, Hyundai Motor America, recently said. “And the magic that Disney creates inspires us to deliver moments of delight for our customers. This is the first time that Disney has opened the doors to their design studio and granted access to Disney’s iconic characters for an artistic collaboration with an automaker. The IONIQ 5 is Hyundai’s flagship all-electric vehicle, and we are excited to share a limited-edition version that will deliver an unforgettable experience for any Disney fan.”

Interested in more magical information... or maybe even purchasing one for yourself? Sign up for future updates on the HyundaiUSA website!

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Celebrate 10 Years of Disney’s Frozen with 10 Cool Products

By Jennifer Chalifoux

Disney’s Frozen is celebrating its 10th anniversary on November 27. That’s 10 years of thrilling adventures, warm hugs, and icy fun!

Whether you grew up with this beloved tale or grew to love the film’s incredible soundtrack, we will never forget the way Frozen took the world by (snow) storm as a global phenomenon. As we celebrate this exciting anniversary, we can’t forget to say “thank you” to YOU— the wonderful fans!

With Frozen news happening all month long, check out 10 cool products to kick off the celebration!

A girl poses in a costume inspired by Elsa’s snow queen gown from Frozen

After the movie Frozen made its debut on the big screen in 2013, Elsa-inspired costumes quickly became one of the most popular items among kids and adults alike. With the Frozen Elsa Snow Queen Gown Classic Girls Costume from Disguise, young fans can dress as their favorite Queen in Elsa’s stunning, icy blue, sparkling dress!

A plushie of Olaf, a snowman composed of two snowballs for his body and one large snowball for his head. He has stick arms and hair, coal buttons and eyes, and a carrot nose.

If you like warm hugs, you will absolutely love the Olaf Weighted Plush—perfect for hugs at nap time, bedtime, travel time, and beyond. His super-soft body features felt hair and arms, and a removable 2.5-pound weight to take your daily stress and help you let it go! The story of sisters Anna and Elsa wouldn’t be the same without their adorable pal. This weighted plush and more Frozen-inspired fun can be found at select retail locations at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and on shopDisney.

Dolls of Anna and Elsa, in their outfits from Frozen, beside their collectors box. The box is deep blue with snowflakes on the left-hand side and the lower right corner. A faint image of a snowflake sits on the center of the box, with the logo for Disney Frozen on top of it.

 Mattel has added new characters to an already stunning line of Disney Collector Dolls! The Frozen 10th Anniversary Disney Collector Anna & Elsa Dolls were inspired by the special bond between sisters Anna and Elsa in the film. In this collector set, Anna and Elsa are garbed in their iconic introductory outfits and styled braids. Anna is dressed in a satin and metallic woven dress with a winter cape and fur-trimmed hat, while Elsa shows off a sparkling detailed icy blue satin gown and cape. The specially designed collector’s box features the Disney Collector logo and recognizable Frozen colors. 

A young girl plays with small dolls, two of Anna, two of Elsa, and three of Olaf. She is removing one of the Elsas into a blue, translucent tube.

Knock, knock, knock-knock, knock. We might not have enough snow right now to build a snowman but come on—let’s go and play! Just like Elsa’s powers, kids can use their own powers to reveal Anna, Elsa, or Olaf in this exciting playset. The Disney Frozen Snow Color Reveal from Mattel features six surprises in every set, including one beloved Frozen character. The package lid is also a fun hair accessory for everyday wear!

The LEGO set and box for a scene featuring Anna, Elsa, and Olaf playing in an ice castle with several small snowmen.

Young Frozen fans will find joy in building the LEGO Disney Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Wonderland building set from the LEGO Group. Featuring Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, this set is perfect for kids to role-play their favorite Frozen stories with friends. Its revolving dance floor and hidden treasure chest are sure to inspire creativity!

A Funko POP! Vinyl figure of Elsa, wearing her blue dress from the original Frozen movie and holding out her arms as if she is manipulating ice.  

There are some incredible Frozen-inspired toys and collectibles available just in time for the 10th anniversary celebration, including Pop! Elsa by Funko. It’s the perfect addition to any Disney collection, which also celebrates The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary!

A purple and blue backpack featuring an illustration of Elsa using her ice powers behind Anna, who is standing with her hands on her hips.Add a flurry of excitement to your wardrobe with a new Frozen-inspired accessory! The Frozen Loungefly Mini Backpack is a beautiful bag for any Frozen fan, featuring 3D appliqués of Anna and Elsa in front of Elsa’s ice castle. Silver foil snowflakes and other winter designs decorate the exterior, while the interior is lined with a snowflake print pattern. This bag is available at select retail locations at Walt Disney World Resort, and on shopDisney.

Two girls stand together, holding hands and leaning on each other’s shoulders. One girl is wearing a cape and dress inspired by Anna, while the other girl is wearing a light blue dress inspired by Elsa.

Janie and Jack’s new Frozen-inspired collection of winter wear is made for everyone with fearless style. The Disney Frozen Velvet Tulle Dress is inspired by Anna with embroidered gold details and puff sleeves.

Two dolls are posed as if they are ice skating, each wearing white ear muffs, white dresses with glitter accents, and white ice skates.

The Disney ILY 4EVER Dolls collection has two special friends inspired by Olaf. These ice-skating stars are ready for any icy adventure with their fluffy earmuffs and skates. Inspired by Olaf Dolls are available now, only at Target.

The cover of the book All Is Found: A Frozen Anthology, which features the title in white text in front of an Illustration of Anna and Elsa standing back-to-back against a blue background.

Anna and Elsa share a lot of adventures together, but a new book tells original untold tales from the sisters’ childhood. All Is Found: A Frozen Anthology features creative stories by 10 authors to celebrate 10 years of Frozen. In this book, available now for pre-order, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Sven journey together through the Frozen universe while greeting old friends and making new ones.

To shop Frozen-inspired merchandise from this post and more, visit select Disney Parks retail locations, shopDisney, and other retailers.

Can’t get enough of Disney’s Frozen ahead of this anniversary celebration? We have bonus entertainment for you!

An illustration of Anna and Elsa looking at something off-screen. Above them, against a background of blue diamonds, is the text Disney Frozen Podcast. Below them is a light blue bar with the text Forces of Nature

Recently announced, Disney Publishing Worldwide, in collaboration with ABC Audio and Walt Disney Animation Studios have launched the Disney Frozen Podcast: Forces of Nature. This original podcast extends the storytelling of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film as an audio-first offering, complete with new characters and a standalone adventure set after the events of Frozen 2. Fans can listen to Forces of Nature on their favorite podcast listening platform now.

The Arendelle racing environment from Disney Speedstorm, featuring a road flanked by giant spikes of ice. Ahead of the road is the Arendelle Castle.

Plus, fans can ice out the competition in the new Frozen-inspired season featuring all-new racers, cosmetics, and Arendelle racing environment—coming this holiday season to Disney Speedstorm!

Meet the Characters of Marvel Studios’ The Marvels

By Zach Johnson

The Marvels are ready to go higher, further, faster—together.

When Marvel Studios’ The Marvels opens in theaters on Friday, November 10, audiences will be introduced to a brand-new team of Super Heroes—who bring with them relatable themes and mind-blowing action, resulting in a fresh and thrilling adventure for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Nia DaCosta, from a script by DaCosta, Elissa Karasik, and Megan McDonnell, the 33rd film in the MCU will take a remarkable roster of newer characters in a bold new direction. “The Marvels is a huge world-building endeavor. The film paints the biggest picture of the cosmic Marvel universe that we have seen yet,” executive producer Mary Livanos explains. “With that come locations and new characters that celebrate all the most zany and mysterious facets of sci-fi that we as filmmakers love.”

Before The Marvels flies into theaters, get to know the main characters:

A gif of Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel flying

Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson)
Carol, “prodigal child of the Milky Way,” has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence... but unintended consequences see her shouldering the burdens of a destabilized universe. She won’t have to face them alone, though, as her powers become mysteriously entangled with those of Kamala Khan and Captain Monica Rambeau. At first, it’s “tough” for Carol to work as part of a team, Larson says: “She’s sort of decided to work alone, because it’s too painful to try and deal with loss.”

A gif of Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel looking at her bangle and standing up

Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani)
Following her introduction in the Disney+ Original series Ms. Marvel, Jersey City superfan Kamala is only just beginning to understand her light-based powers. Not only does she get the opportunity to meet her idol, Carol, but she gets to work with her to stop a Kree zealot.

A gif of Captain Monica Rambeau touching electromagnetic waves

Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris)
Now a S.A.B.E.R. astronaut, Monica has the ability to manipulate wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, which allows her to see and manipulate light energy. It’s been years since she’s seen “Auntie Carol,” her late mother’s best friend—so their unexpected reunion is understandably charged. Can they work through their issues and stay on-mission?

A gif of Nick Fury gazing out of a S.A.B.E.R. space station window

Director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)
After retiring from S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury now serves as the director of S.A.B.E.R.—a space station that secretly acts as Earth’s first point of contact and defense from universal threats.

A gif of Dar-Benn approaching the edge of a cliff while holding a Cosmi-Rod

Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton)
A warrior and scientist, Dar-Benn is a politician hellbent on saving the Krees’ home planet of Hala and exalting her people to their rightful place in the universe. Strengthened by a Cosmi-Rod and a mystical bangle, Dar-Benn will stop at nothing to seek revenge on Carol.

A gif of Prince Yan turning to camera, surrounded by dozens of soldiers

Prince Yan (Seo-Jun Park)
The charming and charismatic prince of the planet Aladna has a surprising past with Carol.

A gif of Aamir Khan shifting his gaze and looking perplexed, Muneeba Khan smiling and nodding, and Yusuf Khan shaking his head and placing his hands on his hips

Aamir Khan, Muneeba Khan, and Yusuf Khan (Saagar Shaikh, Zenobia Shroff, and Mohan Kapur)
Although a mind-bending space adventure may be in Kamala’s future, her irreverent-but-supportive older brother, Aamir (Shaikh), her never-to-be-underestimated mom, Muneeba (Shroff), and her proud and warm dad, Yusuf (Kapur), keep her feet firmly on the ground.

Grand Legacy At The Park Discount in Anaheim

Available Exclusively to Gold Members

Enjoy 15% off nightly rates plus free parking at Grand Legacy At The Park! 

When it comes to making memories that will last a lifetime, no one brings together family-friendly fun, exceptional value, and convenience like Grand Legacy At The Park.

Located directly across the street from the Disneyland® Resort, we are less than a 5-minute stroll to all the fun and excitement. At Grand Legacy At The Park, family time means fun time in our heated outdoor pool and spa with a Splash Zone area for little ones. 

We invite you to be part of the story with Grand Legacy At The Park!

 

Details
With family-friendly accommodations, find the accommodation that is perfect for your entire family! Choose from our Classic, Deluxe, Premier, Luxury, and Suite Rooms.

A Disneyland® Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, Grand Legacy Hotel is located directly across the street from the Disneyland® Resort main entrance!

To redeem your offer online, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Click 'Book Now' from below
  2. Select the number of guests in your party
  3. Choose your travel dates
  4. Select from one of our available room types
  5. Discount will be displayed based on date and room type selected

NOTE
Blackout dates and restrictions may apply. Tax is additional. Cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Free parking is valid for one registered vehicle only per night.  

 

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5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Courtney Potter

Welcome to November! Yes, we’re known to point out how fast time flies, but seriously y’all—time flies ultra-fast when you’re having fun… and there’s more fun than you can shake a proverbial stick at around the worlds of Disney this very weekend! From a brand-new trip behind the scenes of your favorite Disney Parks attractions, to some sure-to-be-spectacular (live!) performances from some of your favorite music acts, there’s something for everyone. Read on for what to expect:

In an image from season 2 of Disney+’s Behind the Attraction, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is seen, with a ride vehicle full of guests crossing over a bridge of some kind. It’s a bright, sunny day and there are trees and other foliage surrounding this section of the attraction.

Behind the Attraction—Season 2 now streaming on Disney+
From executive producers Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Brian Volk-Weiss, Behind the Attraction takes you on a ride behind Disney Parks’ most iconic and beloved attractions. Among other adventures, explore how Big Thunder Mountain Railroad became the wildest ride in the wilderness; see when the Pirates of the Caribbean set sail for Anaheim; and find out how the Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Meet the Imagineers behind these attractions, as well as the cast members who operate them.

Key art for the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The logo for the ceremony is seen at the center of the image, surrounded by bold colorful graphics in blue, purple, red, orange, and yellow, as well as depictions of this year’s class of inductees—including Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, George Michael, Missy Elliott, DJ Kool Herc, Chaka Khan, Don Cornelius, and more.

2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony—live on Friday, November 3, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on Disney+
Recorded live in Brooklyn, New York, this year’s ceremony features rare once-in-a-lifetime performances and collaborations celebrating the legacy and influence of the class of 2023: Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, Bernie Taupin, and Don Cornelius.

In an image from Marvel Studios’ The Marvels, from left to right, Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) are seen in their Super Hero suits, and all three are looking up at something off camera in the sky to the right.

Marvel Studios Legends—Friday, November 3, on Disney+
Prepare for Marvel Studios’ The Marvels hitting big screens around the country with three new episodes of this Disney+ series. In “Carol Danvers,” retrace the quest of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) to discover her truth, repel an alien invasion, and finally stand with the Avengers in their fight against Thanos. In “Kamala Khan,” unpack the surprising journey of Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) as she goes from a young woman who dreams about hanging with the Avengers, to a fledgling Super Hero who might actually get the chance one day. And in “Monica Rambeau,” relive the life of Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) from her childhood with “Auntie Carol” to her time trapped inside a powerful hex conjured by Wanda Maximoff, which altered her on a cellular level—imbuing her with powers of her own.

In an image from Disney Branded Television’s The Ghost and Molly McGee, Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch) is seen holding Scratch (voiced by Dana Snyder) on the steps of her school. She’s wearing a jean vest, a pink plaid skirt, and pink high-tops and is carrying a backpack.

The Ghost and Molly McGee—Saturday, November 4, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD
The episode’s two stories include: “Smile Valley Farm,” in which Scratch (voiced by Dana Snyder) discovers he loves a game he initially (stubbornly) refused to try, so he’s faced with attempting to hide his growing obsession; and “The Grand Gesture,” where June (voiced by Sue Ann Pien) and Darryl (voiced by Michaela Dietz) accidentally transform Scratch’s ectoplasm into a living being.

In an image from Disney and Pixar’s Coco, Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt), left, and Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), right, are standing at a window overlooking a huge display of fireworks. Ernesto’s hand is up gesturing at the display, and Miguel’s eyes are full of wonder.

Coco—Sunday, November 5, on ABC (check local listings)
ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney presentation for this weekend is this 2017 Oscar®-winning Disney and Pixar film. Despite his family’s perplexing generations-old ban on music, 12-year-old Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events… Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voiced by Gael García Bernal)—and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

An Imaginative Look at Behind the Attraction Season 2 on Disney+

From a swashbuckling adventure on the seas to an ever-evolving theme park where the impossible becomes possible, Behind the Attraction continues to live up to its name in Season 2, now streaming on Disney+. From executive producers Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Brian Volk-Weiss, the series shares inside looks at Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure and EPCOT and shares untold stories about the food and nighttime spectaculars that make each Disney Parks experience feel magical.

“The power that we have to build things that guests can only dream of or imagine is so humbling,” says Jeanette Lomboy, Executive Producer, Creative Ideation, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It speaks to all of the tools we have in our toolkit: the technology, the lessons we’ve learned from the past, and our legacy as Disney Imagineers. And all of that together creates the magic. That’s good stuff, right? That is what dreams are made of.”

Whereas Season 1 gave viewers an inside look at Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, Space Mountain, and other attractions, Volk-Weiss had always hoped to tell the behind-the-scenes story of a personal favorite. “My all-time favorite attraction anywhere is Indiana Jones Adventure,” says Volk-Weiss, who also directs each episode. “I got the bad news that it wouldn’t be in Season 1, but once Season 2 was official, we got the good news!”

Six small monitors and one larger monitor are mounted on a wall inside the Pirates of the Caribbean control room. Attraction blueprints are mounted on another wall.

Another attraction that seemingly everyone was excited to dive into was Pirates of the Caribbean. Initially conceived as a wax museum, technological advances convinced Walt Disney that a more sophisticated attraction could be created using state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics® figures. The original version at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, proved so popular it spawned a hit film franchise and iterations in parks around the world. “I grew up about 10 minutes away from Disneyland, so it felt like an extension of my backyard,” Lomboy recalls. “When you’re a kid, you typically learn about a subject like pirates by reading books and seeing movies. But with Pirates of the Caribbean, as you go down those waterfalls, you’re immersed into a completely different world. You forget where you are. The pirates are alive and in front of you! It below my mind as a little girl. I was transported to a place I had never been before, to a place I’d only understood didactically.”

From the first time he experienced Pirates of the Caribbean as a young adult, Luc Mayrand, Senior Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, was blown away by the sea-roving scallywags. “As I started digging into it, I discovered more and more about what went into the attraction,” he says. “An immense blooming of all this magic had been made for this—the creation of New Orleans Square and all the things that go into on top of this extraordinary attraction. To me, it was a step above any invention I’d ever thought possible.”

So, imagine Mayrand’s delight when he was invited to help reimagine the attraction for Shanghai Disney Resort. “I had been dreaming about it all the time: ‘What could possibly be the next version of Pirates?'” he recalls. “At one point, we even did a hypothetical exercise where I sat in a room with a couple of core people and asked, ‘If Walt was doing this today, what would he want to do? If you picture how innovative he was, and what a rule-breaker he was, what would Walt and his team have thought?’ And, actually, some of those ideas are in the attraction [Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure].”

Of course, the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction has been updated several times over the years, adding context and layers to its storytelling. “I always have this quote in the back of my mind that Walt actually intended Disneyland to be a living, breathing thing—that it would be constantly evolving and changing,” Lomboy says. “If you go to any of our parks worldwide, there are a group of Imagineers at each whose sole job is to continue to adhere to the story of opening day, as well as continue to maintain, update, and add to it.”

A Disney Cast Member holds up an unbaked Mickey Mouse gingerbread.

That same ethos guides the Disney Parks Food and Beverage team, who share several mouthwatering tales about churros, DOLE® Whips, turkey legs, and more. “Over the years, people’s tastes have changed,” Brian Piasecki, Concept Development, Culinary Director, Walt Disney World Resort, says. “Tastes have changed because we’ve pushed the envelope.”

Much of that iterating happens inside the secretive Flavor Lab at Walt Disney World Resort—and in Season 2 of Behind the Attraction, viewers get a special glimpse inside the intentionally nondescript building. “Aside from doing the food and the beverage menu development, we do a lot of collaboration here,” Piasecki says. “We’ll invite all of our partners from Walt Disney Imagineering to discuss what each dish is, hear stories from the Imagineers, and see the artists’ renderings. We really dive into how to bring a story to life and how to continue the storytelling with the food. It’s a great collaboration space that’s very open and friendly; it’s really, really comfortable, and it leads to so many great things.”

Because no matter how creative something looks, it needs to taste good, too. “It’s got to be delicious,” says Gary Maggetti, Food and Beverage Director at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. “What the culinary team has been able to do is put the accelerator down on great flavors that are memorable and that fit the accompanying story. Years ago, I would sit in front of an audience and say, ‘In Food and Beverage, we’re humble enough to realize that guests come here for the attractions and the entertainment, but the food and beverage needs to support the story.’ I don’t say that anymore, because now, people actually come for the food—and they’re doing that because the memories, the flavor profiles, and the adventurousness we’ve been able to execute is incredibly profound.”

“What’s really unique is that Disney’s culinary teams have the freedom to use their best judgment and to try new things,” Maggetti continues. “It’s not about mass dining. It’s actually about experiential food and beverage in every possible area. That sometimes is the reason why you’re coming to Disney. I’ve talked to many people who plan their vacations around dining experiences. It’s so incredibly important to the way they experience Disney.”

The Food and Beverage team has also found unique and magical ways to extend the storytelling from beloved films and series through its ever-changing menu offerings. For years, many fans had wondered what things such as the blue milk from Star Wars: A New Hope or the grey stuff from Beauty and the Beast tasted like—and thanks to the Food and Beverage team, their questions have been answered. “Disney has the ability to bring things to people that are only in the movies; they don’t exist otherwise,” Piasecki says. “For example, when we developed blue milk for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it was all about: What do we think it would taste like? What does the animal eat? What is its environment? We had no idea—but like always, we figured it out through collaboration and trial and error.”

With Season 2 of Behind the Attraction now streaming, Volk-Weiss hopes fans have as much fun watching it as he did putting it all together. “One of the great things about making a show like this is that not many people get to go to all the parks in five weeks,” the director and executive producer says. “I’ve always known that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Anaheim is the exact opposite of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Orlando—but how many people get to ride it on Tuesday in Anaheim and again on Wednesday in Orlando?”