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The Great Gonzo—world famous daredevil—has done it all, seen it all, and narrowly survived it all. But on Halloween night, the fearless Gonzo takes on the greatest challenge of his life by spending the night in the scariest place on Earth… the Haunted Mansion. Teamed up with his friend Pepé the King Prawn, this musical comedy reunites Kermit and the entire Muppets gang who portray the beloved grim grinning ghosts of the Haunted Mansion in this star-studded, frightfully funny Muppet adventure.
This epic Halloween collection, based on the Muppets Haunted Mansion adventure on Disney+, is sure to delight the entire family! This D23 Gold Member-Exclusive Collection has been carefully curated by our friends at Mickey’s of Glendale and The Muppets Studio and sold only at shopDisney.com.
They’ll be available for purchase beginning October 4 and October 11 (starting at 7 a.m. PT) at shopDisney.com exclusively for D23 Gold Members.
Muppets Haunted Mansion Collection
October 4 Launch
Spirit Jersey – SOLD OUT Summon Madame Pigota and the spirits, wherever they are, with this glowing pullover spirit jersey with pieced yoke, plus puffy “It’s Time to Fright the Frights” glow-in-the-dark banner; featuring an allover stylized pattern inspired by Muppets Haunted Mansion.
MacGuffin Challenge T-Shirt for Adults – SOLD OUT In Muppets Haunted Mansion, Gonzo and Pepé attempt to spend Halloween night in the most haunted place on earth as part of the Great MacGuffin’s challenge. Only the brave show off their victory with this shirt proclaiming they survived!
Classic Baseball Cap – SOLD OUT If the flickering candlelight of a floating candelabra is too much for you, shield your eyes with this lovingly worn hat. Its distressed, vintage styling may just bring you some ghoulish delight.
Mumm and Duddy T-shirt for Youth
If the silly hench-monsters Mummy and Duddy are known for one thing, it’s a perfectly timed “Dun-dun-dunnnn!” Get your fright on with this tie-dye shirt inspired by Muppets Haunted Mansion.
Pin Collection Set – SOLD OUT If your ideal life hereafter has sleek lines and retro stylings, you will love this Spooktacular set of seven pins featuring your favorite characters from Muppets Haunted Mansion.
Collectible Coin – SOLD OUT Just like the song says, “Cash in your chips, we’re not joking!” Inspired by Rizzo’s prop from Muppets Haunted Mansion, this collectible coin features artwork of a skeletal Gonzo and Pepé.
October 11 Launch
Wallpaper Camp Shirt When crypt doors creak and tombstones quake, show off your admiration for Gonzo’s frightfully chilling challenge with this colorful shirt inspired by the purple hallways from Muppets Haunted Mansion.
Fozzie Bear Halloween Costume Pin Why did the banana cross the road? Because the banana was Fozzie Bear on his way to a Halloween party!
Fozzie Bear as Gauzey the Hatbox Bear Pin – SOLD OUT Get a-head with this enamel pin featuring Fozzie Bear as Gauzey the Hatbox Bear from Muppets Haunted Mansion.
Miss Piggy Halloween Costume Pin – SOLD OUT Kissy Kissy! Miss Piggy is ready for the Muppets’ Halloween party in her costume inspired by her favorite frog, Kermie.
Kermit Halloween Costume Pin – SOLD OUT Trick or Treat! Kermit the Frog wears a Halloween costume inspired by the one-and-only Miss Piggy.
Miss Piggy as Madame Pigota Pin – SOLD OUT Pumpkin-spiced lattes and a vampire bat, you can find this Madame Pigota pin wherever you’re at!
Statler and Waldorf Doom Buggy Pin – SOLD OUT They were booing before they were ghosts! Muppets balcony hecklers, Statler and Waldorf, are ready to share their frightfully candid feedback from their Doom Buggy.
Tuxedo Gonzo Pin – SOLD OUT Dressed in a costume inspired by his hero, The Great MacGuffin, Gonzo is ready to take on anything Halloween night has in store for him.
Tuxedo Pepe Pin Who needs Halloween costumes when you can wear a tuxedo, okay? Pepé the King Prawn is dressed to impress and ready to meet all the party peoples.
Janice Stretching Room Portrait Pin – SOLD OUT Gee, is that haunted room, like, actually stretching? Or is it just your imagination? Janice, like, totally rocks her cameo as The Tightrope Walker in this pin inspired by her stretching room portrait.
Muppet Pigs Stretching Room Portrait Pin – SOLD OUT Just give the cameos of Link Hogthrob, Dr. Julius Strangepork, and Miss Poogy second to…sink in. This collectible pin celebrates their appearances as the Men in Quicksand painting in the stretching room of Muppets Haunted Mansion.
Harry Stretching Room Portrait Pin – SOLD OUT Have a blast showing off your love for Crazy Harry in his cameo as the Man on the Dynamite Barrel with this collectible pin.
Remember: Our D23-Exclusive Muppets Haunted Mansion Collection by Mickey’s of Glendale will be available for D23 Gold Members at shopDisney.com beginning October 4 and 11 at 7 a.m. PT! Don’t miss out!
To purchase, log in to shopDisney with the Disney account tied to your D23 Gold Membership. Not a D23 Gold Member? Click hereto join.
*Muppets Haunted Mansion Collection available only to D23 Gold Members. Available for purchase starting October 4 and 11, 2021, while supplies last at shopDisney.com (online or via phone orders). Must be logged in to your Disney Account to purchase, using an account linked to your D23 Gold Membership. Maximum one of each item per D23 membership. Items not eligible for any additional promotional discounts or offers except available shipping offers. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Void where prohibited.
Disney+ Unveils Thrilling New Trailer for Just Beyond Anthology Series
Earlier this week, our friends at Disney+ revealed their brand-new trailer for Just Beyond, an eight-episode anthology series from the world of best-selling author R.L. Stine. The series tells astonishing and thought-provoking stories of a reality just beyond the one we know; each episode introduces viewers to a new cast of characters who must go on a surprising journey of self-discovery in a supernatural world of witches, aliens, ghosts, and parallel universes.
Seth Grahame-Smith serves as writer and showrunner on Just Beyond, which is based on the BOOM! Studios graphic novels by R.L. Stine. Look for all eight episodes—with intriguing titles like “Parents Are from Mars, Kids Are from Venus” and “The Treehouse”—to drop on the streaming service on Wednesday, October 13, as part of Disney+’s exciting Hallowstream event!
5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend
Y’all, it’s here. Spooky season, a.k.a. October, has arrived! And to celebrate, there’s some fabulous viewing in store from around the world of Disney—including the premiere of the new Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps, and the chance to see Dwayne Johnson don a pair of wings in the 20th Century Fox film Tooth Fairy over on Hulu. For more on what you can expect, click here.
Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home Will Return for a Fifth Season
Fun news from the good folks over at Disney Channel: The network just ordered a fifth season of its hit sitcom Raven’s Home, starring Raven-Symoné as Raven Baxter and Issac Ryan Brown (co-host of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off) as her teen son, Booker.
Making kids age 6-14 and their families laugh for several years now, Raven’s Home will continue to follow the hilarious hijinks driven by somewhat psychic Raven Baxter and her son Booker, who has inherited his mom’s gift to catch glimpses of the future. A spinoff of the iconic Disney Channel comedy That’s So Raven, season five welcomes Rondell Sheridan to the cast, who reprises his role from the beloved classic as Raven’s easygoing and loveable dad, Victor Baxter. Also joining the cast are Mykal-Michelle Harris (ABC’s mixed-ish) as Raven’s young cousin Alice; Felix Avitia (Disney’s Gamers Guide to Pretty Much Everything) as Neil, Victor’s neighbor and Booker’s high school classmate; and musician and singer Emmy Liu-Wang (Broadway’s Annie) as Ivy, a young neighbor who babysits Alice.
The new season will also mark a reunion for the creative team as Emmy®-nominated writer/producer partners Scott Thomas and Jed Elinoff (Malibu Rescue, Disney’s Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja), who developed the series, join Raven-Symoné as executive producers, along with Anthony C. Hill (Family Reunion). Production on the show resumes this fall—so stay tuned… and in the meantime, catch Raven’s Home on Disney Channel, DisneyNOW, and Disney+, and stream all four seasons of That’s So Raven on Disney+ as well!
Open The Book of Boba Fett This December…
Teased during the second season finale of The Mandalorian, Disney+’s sure-to-be-spectacular new series The Book of Boba Fett has a release date: Wednesday, December 29. (If that’s not an excellent extension of the holiday gifting period, we don’t know what is.) But that’s not all… the streaming service also released a very cool new piece of art for the series featuring the legendary bounty hunter, above.
The Book of Boba Fett, a thrilling Star Wars adventure, finds the bounty hunter—along with mercenary Fennec Shand—navigating the Galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.
Starring Temuera Morrison and Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen, The Book of Boba Fett is executive produced by Disney Legend Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Robert Rodriguez, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson.
Walt Disney World’s 50th: Amazing Announcements as Celebrations Begin
With “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” honoring Walt Disney World Resort’s truly incredible 50-year history, kick off this weekend, our pals at the Resort just made a bunch of very cool announcements—including when Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set to blast off, and the magical new addition coming to guest rooms across the resort. Read all about it right here at D23.com.
Jingle Jangle’s David E. Talbert Developing Madelyn Square Garden for Disney
Prolific playwright and filmmaker David E. Talbert is partnering with Disney Branded Television for the new musical series Madelyn Square Garden—and if you watched his hit 2020 holiday film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, you know there’s a lot of fun in store…
Madelyn Square Garden is set to introduce audiences to an accomplished young woman (named Madelyn, of course) as she moves from Mississippi to the bright lights of New York City, thinking all her Broadway dreams are about to come true. But she soon discovers that she’ll need more than raw talent to beat out the competition at her elite performing arts school. At the same time, she’ll set off on an unexpected journey that reveals why her grandfather ran off to NYC with his own Broadway ambitions, never returning home.
Talbert, alongside his wife and partner, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, will produce the series; their other projects in development include ABC’s Better Late, a single-cam comedy produced alongside Lebron James and Maverick Carter. Keep your eyes peeled for more Madelyn Square Garden news as it develops.
First Look at Disney+’s Welcome to Earth from National Geographic
National Geographic is soon bringing an awe-inspiring new six-part original series to Disney+… Welcome to Earth follows two-time Academy Award® nominee Will Smith on an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime adventure around the world to explore Earth’s greatest wonders—and reveal its most hidden secrets!
Along the way, Smith is guided by elite explorers on an extraordinary journey, getting up close and personal with some of the most thrilling spectacles on the planet—from volcanoes that roar in silence to deserts that move beyond our perception to animal swarms with minds of their own. The preeminent adventurers leading Smith through these experiences include marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Diva Amon; polar expeditionist Dwayne Fields; National Geographic Photographer Cristina Mittermeier; and many more. Combining breathtaking cinematography with Smith’s boundless curiosity and enthusiasm, the epic Disney+ series is an exciting, multisensory ride through Earth’s most mind-bending portals.
Look for Welcome to Earth to start streaming this December.
ICYMI: 7 Spellbinding Stories from the Encanto Press Conference
In just a few short months, audiences will meet the amazing Madrigal family in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ milestone 60th animated feature, Encanto. D23 recently heard from a gaggle of Encanto’s creative team about their memorable experiences making the film, from how two musical theater-loving trombonists came up with the initial idea to a colorful Colombian research trip, and lots more.
Today, Walt Disney World Resort kicks off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” an 18-month event to commemorate its 50th anniversary with new attractions, nighttime spectaculars, and more. Across its theme parks and resorts, there are countless ways to mark this milestone—and thanks to Disney Editions, you can also immerse yourself in its rich history from home. The new coffee table book A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth, authored by Kevin M. Kern, Tim O’Day, and Steven Vagnini, paints a robust and magical portrait of Walt Disney World Resort through vibrant voices along with rare Disney theme park concept art, ephemera, and photographs.
Because we can never get enough Disney trivia, we wanted to go behind the scenes of this behind-the-scenes book. Below, Kern, O’Day and Vagnini recount how their book went from a dream to a reality—and share some of the exciting things discovered along the way.
D23: Where did the idea for this book come from? Steven Vagnini (SV): I think the idea arose pretty naturally. In 2013, Kevin and I were colleagues in the Walt Disney Archives, which, as you might imagine, is involved in nearly all notable Disney anniversary celebrations. Thinking a bit ahead (and probably inspired by the hundreds of books around us!), we approached each other, suggesting that anyone who would want to work on a book for something as monumental as the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary would need to start… yesterday! That was eight years ago, and, of course, we wish we had even more time. Meanwhile, Tim and I had recently finished collaborating on D23 events for the resort’s 40th anniversary, as well as for the EPCOT 30th anniversary, which further sparked our interest in the project. The three of us made the pitch to our esteemed colleagues at Disney Editions—and got to work right away!
Kevin M. Kern (KMK): As Steven hints at, I think each of us holds a pretty high regard for the Walt Disney World publications of the past, and those were our constant creative compasses in many ways. After a few initial conversations, thoughts of “What if we pitched this idea?” quickly morphed into a roadmap for creating the book before us. Once we all connected with editors Wendy Lefkon, Jennifer Eastwood, and Monica Vasquez at Disney Editions, and after early encouragement from our colleagues in the Walt Disney Archives and at D23, we were off and running. Keeping the concept under wraps for so long was one of the hardest parts!
Tim O’Day (TO): I’ve always been fascinated by the affinity people have for various aspects of the Walt Disney World Resort experience. Having helped produce or co-produce elements of such events as the Official Disneyana Convention, various Walt Disney Art Classics celebrations, Disney Vacation Club events, and, of course, D23 Destination D gatherings, it was always thrilling and delightful to see the enthusiasm and passion people have for Walt Disney World. So, my interest in creating a book that celebrates that affection was at the forefront of my thoughts when teaming up with Kevin and Steven in planning and pitching the book.
D23: When did you start working on the book? TO: If you ask any of our wives, they may answer that it feels like it’s been forever! [Laughs] However, in actuality, we were talking a great deal about how to approach the book from 2017 through most of 2019. There was just so much to tackle. The resort is very much like a living entity that grows and contracts, changes, morphs, adds, and subtracts, etc. Attempting to keep up with all the exciting changes while trying to ascertain the right tone and format took many, many, long phone calls and video chats. You cannot write a book like this for just one audience; it needs to satisfy the novice fan, the ardent enthusiast, the armchair historian, plus the countless cast members and Imagineers of yesterday and today. Once other projects cleared the runway, we were given a “go” for take-off in autumn of 2019. It was then everything kicked in at warp speed, with many sleepless nights and too many emails, texts, and phone calls to count. However, it all proved to be a delightful flight down the rabbit hole of Walt Disney World history, stories, personalities, beautiful artwork, and incredible photos.
D23: What new insights or surprises did you discover through your research? SV: The story of Walt Disney World is ever evolving and has been told in many various forms over the past five decades. That said, in presenting this unique “portrait” of the resort, we hope to captivate readers who might be less familiar with this remarkable story while also delighting the most knowledgeable fans with fresh insights and discoveries—and some fun surprises—about a place they deeply cherish.
Technically, you could say our research began more than a decade before the project officially launched! Poring through hundreds of files, memos, and other records preserved in the Walt Disney Archives that dated to the resort’s early development revealed a pivotal era in Disney history—from the time the state of Florida first caught the eye of Walt Disney in the 1950s, in fact—to the eventual design, development, and opening of the property without Walt.
Through this research—and in interviewing dozens of Disney Legends and company personnel—we are thrilled to paint a robust portrait of the resort, the profound inspirations and guiding philosophies behind its continual design and its impact on the world at large.
Along the way, we uncovered answers to curiosities that we, as historians, had long held. For example, we had seen only a handful of photographs of Walt on the property, but were there others? What, exactly, did Walt experience on his first visit to the site, and what did he think of it all? We are pleased to finally answer these questions in this coffee table book.
Further digging in the Walt Disney Archives revealed some of the first known concepts for the yet-to-be-named Magic Kingdom, noted by young Imagineer [and Disney Legend] Marty Sklar just weeks after Walt’s passing, as well as some of the earliest proposed names for the resort, years before it was called “Walt Disney World.” You’ll find these informational nuggets sprinkled all throughout the book, whether in the main narrative, photo captions, or the 10 pages of endnotes!
D23: How is the book structured or laid out? KMK: When the three of us sat down to chat about how to structure the content, an apt metaphor presented itself—that of a “thematic compass.” By focusing in on the resort through various conceptual lenses we were able to tie concept art, photography, and ephemera from across the five decades together in ways that hopefully will surprise and delight readers.
D23: This book includes some rare and never-before-seen material. Can you share some specific examples that will delight and excite Disney fans? KMK: One of the joys of this creative process was having the chance to work very closely—though, mostly remotely!—with the amazing teams at the Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Archives Photo Library, the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library, and numerous groups from across the Walt Disney World Resort to try and identify visual material that seemed fresh and engaging, or at a quality that just hadn’t been seen before. We’re so grateful for the support across the board; it really helped to make the book sing.
The Archives, for example, has preserved an absolute treasure trove of original print ephemera from the resort over the years that was just remarkable to cull through for this project. We feature some fun examples throughout the book, including a “Preview Month” ticket from October 1, 1971, also known as “Opening Day.” The ’70s colors and design of this rare example of admission media are just delicious to take in.
I think one of my favorite “behind the scenes” shots in the book comes from the chapter where we cover the construction of the resort; we feature an absolutely stunning photograph from inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort while it was being built. The black- and-white composition of the photograph has such a gorgeous quality to it, largely due to the grid of windows looking out from the hotel’s Grand Canyon Concourse. When we first reviewed the photo, it stuck out to us so much we immediately said, “We have to use this!”
There are lots of other fun examples peppered throughout the book, too, that we were excited to be able to include—things like original concept art for early cast member costumes and the original Country Bear Jamboree cover painting for the 1971 coloring book, A Visit to Walt Disney World; it felt like such an embarrassment of riches when it came to picking the final options for the book, which was tough!
D23: How did your own experiences at Walt Disney World affect your approach to this book? TO: All three of us came to this project with our own Walt Disney World memories and experiences. Me, as a Disneyland cast member, in 1983 at the age of… well, that’s not really important in this context, is it? Steven first visited in 1988 at age of one and a half (I was considerably older, let’s put it that way) during Mickey’s big 60th birthday celebration. Kevin visited in 1990 at the age of three (and now you know why I didn’t mention my age) around when the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, plus the Swan and the Dolphin, made their debut. Our experiences through the decades started as guests but eventually expanded to include such roles as Jungle Cruise skipper, Imagineer, Archivist, event producer, marketer, spokesperson, etc., all the while having the privilege of getting to know many of the Walt Disney World pioneers, Disney Legends, and noted personalities. The imprints of all those memories and experiences are on display on every page of our book.
D23: Tell us about some of the people you interviewed for this and tease what they shared. SV: As authors, we felt it important to include the voices of the designers, planners, builders, operators, and many others who have left an indelible mark on Walt Disney World. We are grateful to have interviewed nearly 100 individuals—cast members, Imagineers, celebrities, and guests. From opening day tour guides to Imagineers overseeing the next great attractions, we are proud to spotlight a diversity of representatives, united by an enduring love for this remarkable place.
We are also pleased to showcase the contributions of some of the Florida Project’s original “founders.” Incidentally, our first interview, held over lunch inside a Central Florida smokehouse, was with none other than Phil Smith, the first Walt Disney World cast member, who shared fond memories establishing the resort. (Phil was also asked to live on the Disney property to oversee things, which he did with his family in the years before construction began!)
In 2013, Kevin and Steven (pictured right) traveled to meet with retired “Florida Project” executive Bob Foster (left), who headed the legendary land search and acquisition for the Walt Disney World property. Several fascinating stories from their interview are included in A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth.
And retired legal vice president Robert Price “Bob” Foster graciously met with us over several years, reminiscing over his experiences scouting and acquiring more than 27,000 acres of Florida scrub and swamp… and negotiating with more than 100 individual landowners in the process! We’ve included many of Bob’s favorite stories from this fabled era in our “Building the Dream” chapter.
And of course, we’re thrilled to feature guest essays by three Disney notables who hold deep-rooted and lifelong connections to Walt Disney World—Dick Nunis (Disney Legend and retired chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts), Debby Dane Browne (inaugural Walt Disney World Ambassador), and Roy Patrick Disney (grandson of Roy O. Disney). Through their recollections, readers will get a sense for what it was like to open the resort and even experience its colorful Grand Dedication weekend in October 1971.
Every quarter, D23 Gold Members get an exclusive magazine full of Disney magic—Disney twenty-three magazine. Delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, the magazine is a portal to inside details on the latest news from Disney movies, television shows, theme parks, video games, and more! If you’ve been a member from the beginning, your library if full of these collectible issues—but if you’ve joined the club more recently (Welcome!), you might be missing some memorable issues. If you want to make your collection complete, you’re in luck! We’ve offering some of our back issues for purchase, including issues celebrating 65 Years of Disneyland, 40 Years of Walt Disney World, the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, and more iconic moments in recent Disney history.
All magazines will be available on shopDisney for D23 Gold Members starting October 11 at 7 a.m. PT:
Disneytwenty-three 2020 Fall Issue
It was 65 years ago that Disneyland first welcomed guests to enjoy a new kind of experience: the theme park. And to mark the occasion, Disney twenty-three has created a one-of-a-kind, stand-alone issue, filled with rich stories and stunning photography that look at the development and evolution of the Disney theme park. Disney artist Ricky De Los Angeles created an exclusive wrap-around cover for the issue featuring colorful illustrations of iconic attractions (and snacks!) from Disney parks around the world. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro penned a special “Editor’s Letter” for readers, highlighting his deep connection with the theme parks, and stories include exclusive interviews with Disney Legends Tony Baxter and Wing T. Chao; Imagineers Tom Fitzgerald and Bhavna Mistry; original Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess; and Walt Disney Imagineering President Bob Weis.
Disneytwenty-three 2017 Summer Issue
The creative minds behind one of Disney’s newest lands give Disney twenty-three an exclusive look at the spectacular addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, exclusive interviews with the new crew of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Thor: Ragnarok’s Chris Hemsworth, and the driving forces behind Cars 3.
Disneytwenty-three 2016 Summer Issue
Through spectacular photography and in-depth articles, Disney fans got an advance look at the one-of-a-kind theme park that is authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese. Plus, D23’s summer movie preview features exclusive interviews with Finding Dory’s Ellen Degeneres, Pete’s Dragon’s Bryce Dallas Howard, and The BFG director Steven Spielberg.
Disneytwenty-three 2014 Spring Issue
The 1964–’65 World’s Fair in New York marked the creation of landmark Disney technology, music, and attractions, including it’s a small world, Audio-Animatronics® technology, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and the Carousel of Progress.
Disneytwenty-three 2011 Fall Issue
The issue celebrates Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary with the story of how Walt’s “vacation kingdom of the world” became a reality in Florida. In addition to the look back at the excitement leading up to the spectacular opening of the Walt Disney World Resort in October 1971, Disney twenty-three’sfall issue includes an intimate, never-before-told portrait of Walt’s brother Roy, by his grandson Roy P. Disney. Roy O. was the executive responsible for making sure that the park opened on time … and on budget.
*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Magazines are sold separately for $19.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” begins October 1 at Walt Disney World Resort, and to celebrate, ABC on Friday presents an all-new special, The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World, featuring awe-inspiring performances, cherished memories, and famous faces including Anthony Anderson, Tom Brady, and John Stamos. That same night, Disney Channel will premiere Under Wraps, followed by the first episode of the new animated series The Ghost and Molly McGee. Hulu, meanwhile, will add dozens of titles to its library Friday, including the 20th Century Fox film Tooth Fairy. Last but not least, hop over to Disney Channel on Saturday for the season three premiere of Amphibia.
The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World—Friday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, ABC presents a spectacular television event, taking the young and the young at heart on a historical journey spanning half a century and beyond at Walt Disney World. Hosted by Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, the two-hour program features stunning visuals and musical performances from Disney Legend Christina Aguilera and Halle Bailey in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, accompanied by the renowned Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as interviews with iconic actors and actresses, athletes, Walt Disney World cast members, Disney Imagineers, and executives past and present.
Under Wraps—Friday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel In this contemporary remake of the first-ever Disney Channel Original Movie, three 12-year-old friends—Marshall (Malachi Barton), Gilbert (Christian J. Simon), and Amy (Sophia Hammons)—accidentally awaken a mummy (Phil Wright), whom they affectionately name Harold. Together, they must rush to return him to his resting place before midnight on Halloween. Along the way, they narrowly escape a group of criminals who are determined to sell Harold to the highest bidder. After Harold is captured, Marshall, Gilbert, and Amy must stop the criminals, face their fears, and rescue their new—but rather ancient—friend.
The Ghost and Molly McGee—Friday, October 1, at 9:35 p.m. ET on Disney Channel In “The Curse,” Molly (voice of Ashly Burch) and her family move into their forever home, only to discover that it’s already occupied by a grumpy ghost named Scratch (voice of Dana Snyder). Then, in “First Day Frights,” Molly is determined to make a good first impression on her first day at a new school. So, she turns to Scratch for help… but he has other plans!
ToothFairy—Friday, October 1, on Hulu Hockey player Derek Thompson (Dwayne Johnson) is a terror on the ice, earning the nickname “Tooth Fairy” for knocking out opposing players’ pearly whites. When he dashes the dreams of a young fan, Lily (Disney Legend Julie Andrews), head of the tooth fairies, sentences him to serve time as a real tooth fairy, complete with wings and wand. At first, Derek can’t “handle the tooth,” but he soon rediscovers the dreams he gave up years ago.
Amphibia—Saturday, October 2, at 9:30 a.m. ET on Disney Channel In “The New Normal,” Anne (voice of Brenda Song) and the Plantars (voices of Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Justin Felbinger, and Amanda Leighton) must adjust to a wild new environment on Earth. Now can someone please explain why there’s an evil robot in L.A.?!
As Ryan Reynolds once said, Free Guy is a “fastball of joy.”
The same could be said about the film’s gag reel. To celebrate the Digital release of 20th Century Studios’ epic adventure-comedy, laugh along as you watch Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Taika Waititi breaking character. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film centers on a bank teller named Guy, a background player in an open-world video game. Can he become the hero of his own story? Find out when you see Free Guy, available to own now on Digital and on October 12 on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD.
Iconic Super Heroes and iconic coolers unite! Our friends at Igloo have assembled the ultimate collection to save the day at your next picnic, barbecue, and more. Each Marvel’s Avengers Little Playmate cooler is inspired by the heroic ones who fight against the world’s injustices, including Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor. And just like these extraordinary individuals—each with incredible strength and powerful skills—these coolers are ready to endure and provide enhanced cold retention during the adventures of Marvel fans everywhere. This super new collection just debuted today, and you can add one of the Little Playmate Coolers to your team here. Check out the four styles, each inspired by a classic Marvel hero:
Marvel’s Avengers Captain America Little Playmate 7 Qt Cooler Part of the Marvel’s Avengers Playmate Collection, this Captain America Little Playmate cooler perfectly captures the legendary, shining sentinel of liberty Super-Soldier through custom graphics inspired by retro Marvel comic books.
Marvel’s Avengers Hulk Little Playmate 7 Qt Cooler The Hulk Little Playmate cooler perfectly captures the genius-scientist-turned-Super Hero of few words and incredible superhuman strength through custom graphics inspired by retro Marvel comic books.
Marvel’s Avengers Iron Man Little Playmate 7 Qt Cooler This Iron Man Playmate cooler perfectly captures the armored Avenger who defends the greater good through custom graphics inspired by retro Marvel comic books.
Marvel’s Avengers Thor Little Playmate 7 Qt Cooler The Thor Playmate cooler perfectly captures the Mjolnir-wielding hero and God of Thunder through custom graphics inspired by retro Marvel comic books.
Plus—D23 Gold Members can save 15% off Marvel Products now through October 7. Click here for details.
Under Wraps was the first-ever Disney Channel Original Movie in 1997, launching a blockbuster franchise that includes more than 100 titles. It’s a timeless tale—which is why a contemporary comedic remake of Under Wraps is premiering this Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Based on the original movie written by Don Rhymer, Under Wraps is directed by Alex Zamm, who co-wrote the remake with William Robertson. “I equally felt the honor and the privilege of remaking one of my favorite movies,” Zamm admits. “I have done a lot of sequels, but when you do a reboot, you feel the pressure of honoring the original and keeping its DNA intact. You want to stay true to the story but also allow for interpretation.”
The reimagined story begins when three 12-year-old friends, Marshall (Malachi Barton), Gilbert (Christian J. Simon), and Amy (Sophia Hammons), sneak into their mysterious neighbor’s spooky basement. It’s there that the kids stumble upon an Egyptian mummy (Phil Wright) and accidentally expose his amulet to moonlight, which brings him to life.
If the kids are surprised to see this mummy come to life, so, too, is the mummy himself! “One of the most exciting scenes for Harold is when he initially discovers himself in the mirror,” says Wright. “He quickly realizes how much he’s aged. You literally see him go through the five stages of grief in that one scene! It’s one of the most comical moments.”
The kids are also surprised to learn the 4,000-year-old mummy is gentle and kind. Not sure what to do next, they decide to hide the mummy in Marshall’s room. Marshall forms an instant bond with the mummy and quickly discovers he likes hot sauce—just like his Grandpa Harold! For Marshall, that’s reason enough to name the chummy mummy Harold.
The naming scene holds special meaning for Barton, who added a personal touch to the set. “When you look next to Marshall’s bed, there’s a little picture frame with a photo of him and his Grandpa Harold,” he says. “In real life, it’s actually a picture of me and my great-grandpa. It’s something really special that I now get to share with my entire family.”
Harold can’t stay hidden in Marshall’s room forever, of course, so the kids decide to pay a visit to Buzzy (Melanie Brook), who manages Ernie’s Eerie Emporium. There, they learn that Harold’s amulet gives him a three-day pass in the world of the living. Huzzah! But there’s just one catch: He must return to his resting place before midnight on Halloween.
It’s not impossible… but it won’t be easy. To find out if the kids can pull it off, watch the world premiere of Under Wraps on Friday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET PT on Disney Channel.
“At the end of the day, this is still a wonderful story about friendship, and about friends who find themselves on a supernatural adventure with a living mummy while trying to stop a criminal,” Zamm says. “All those elements from the original movie have stayed the same.”
For its 50th anniversary, Walt Disney World Resort on Friday kicks off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” an 18-month event that ushers in an array of new attractions, nighttime spectaculars, and more. To celebrate the milestone occasion, we attended a virtual press event earlier this morning that began with a welcome from Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “As you can imagine, this celebration is packed with new experiences that will connect you to the stories and characters you love most; connect you to each other as you share magical moments together as friends and families; and connect you to the magic in ways you may never have dreamed of before, with new attractions, entertainment, merchandise, dining experiences, and more,” he said. “This celebration will also give us opportunities to continue to invest in our surrounding communities, sharing Disney magic in meaningful ways with children and families who need it most.”
D’Amaro then introduced Disney Legend Julie Andrews, who reflected on being part of the grand opening of Magic Kingdom in 1971 and also shared fond memories of Walt Disney, who hand-picked her to star in Mary Poppins. “All these years later, I’d like to wish everyone at Walt Disney World many more years of joy, love, and wishing upon stars,” she said in a special video message. “Happy 50th anniversary to The Most Magical Place Earth.”
With that, the announcements came pouring in! Here are just five of the many highlights:
1. Disney Enchantment Adds an Iconic Voice Performer: Angela Bassett Spreading magic across the sky, over a castle, and down a bustling street, Disney Enchantment debuts October 1, 2021, at Magic Kingdom Park to help kick off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” Today, it was announced that Angela Bassett, star of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther and Disney and Pixar’s Soul, will narrate the new nighttime spectacular. Disney Enchantment features a breathtaking spectacle of Disney music, stunning fireworks, enhanced lighting, and immersive projection effects that extend for the first time from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. Inspiring everyone to believe in the magic that lives within them, Disney Enchantment features characters, moments, and music from beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films. The show’s stirring soundtrack is anchored by an emotional original song, “You Are the Magic,” written and performed by eight-time Grammy Award® winner Philip Lawrence, whose stellar career began as a Disney cast member who performed in Walt Disney World shows.
2. The State-of-the-Art MagicBand+ Will Debut in 2022 Innovation is essential to The Walt Disney Company story, dating back to its inception nearly a century ago. Two new technological achievements are destined to carry its theme park and resort guests’ imaginations into the future: The MagicBand+ wearable and the “Hey Disney!” voice assistant. Both cutting-edge innovations will debut in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort as part of the vacation destination’s 50th anniversary celebration.
These innovations continue to build upon the Disney “theme park metaverse,” where technology is part of the magic—seamlessly integrating the physical, digital, and virtual worlds to help guests navigate Disney properties and platforms. Here, guests immerse themselves in Disney stories, connect with characters they love and share unforgettable experiences with the world, creating new magic in ways only dreamed of before.
The MagicBand+ will retain the popular features of the original MagicBand, introduced in 2013, and add new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic across the theme parks and resorts. “In celebration of Walt Disney World’s 50th, we’ve come up with some really cool designs celebrating this magical place,” said Dan Soto, Vice President, Technology & Digital. And, after a guest enters a theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition, enhancing the environment’s immersive storytelling. The wearable will allow guests to engage with Disney moments in new ways and discover interactive experiences, including:
Playing like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Interacting with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks
Experiencing nighttime spectaculars in a new way as they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new Harmonious at EPCOT and Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park
More details about MagicBand+ and its capabilities will be revealed in the future.
3. A New Magical Voice Assistant Will Enhance Resort Stays Beginning in 2022 Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. Called “Hey Disney!”, this voice assistant will work alongside Alexa to respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life in magical new ways to make guest stays even more convenient, engaging, and enjoyable. “Hey Disney!” will begin rolling out in Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World in 2022. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays. “Hey Disney!” will make traditional Alexa services, such as alarms, timers, weather forecasts, etc., feel magical with the help of characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, C-3PO, and more.
“Hey Disney!” also features an all-new character, the Disney Magical Companion, to help guests discover more than 1,000 magical interactions, such as hearing special greetings and jokes from authentic Disney character voices, asking trivia questions, and exploring audio environments inspired by Disney films and destinations. Disney Resort guests can learn helpful information about their vacation (“Hey Disney! When does the next bus to EPCOT depart?”), order amenities (“Hey Disney! Can we have some extra towels?”), and more.
“For those looking to bring the magic home, it will also be available as an Alexa skill for purchase through the Amazon Alexa skill store, which you can use with supported Amazon Alexa smart speakers and displays,” said Soto. In addition, two new exclusive Mickey-inspired stands are coming for the Echo Show 5; these durable OtterBox Den Series stands feature Mickey ears in playful designs inspired by either Mickey’s 50th anniversary celebration outfit (which will appear in Disney Resort hotel rooms) or his classic red shorts.
4. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coming in 2022 Walt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming” as a place that changes with the times. Its biggest transformation yet is currently underway, bringing the next generation of immersive storytelling to life through a plethora of new attractions and experiences. Among them is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind—set to open in 2022!
The first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT, the family-friendly adventure will begin in the Galaxarium, a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. “The Galaxarium is only one piece of the wonders of Xandar,” Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald said. There, guests will learn a bit more about the treasures Xandar has to share—until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and guests go on an intergalactic chase through space and time! The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering: a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster. “It’s like something you’ve never experienced before,” Disney Imagineer Scot Drake said. “We can’t wait to show you more and more details as they unfold.”
5. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Will Depart for a Galaxy Far, Far Away in 2022 We intercepted an important transmission during the virtual press event: The inaugural voyage of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World Resort will depart March 1, 2022! General bookings for this first-of-its-kind immersive adventure will open October 28, 2021. Some fans, including Disney Vacation Club members, Disney Passholders, and Disney Visa Cardmembers, will receive special booking opportunities ahead of the general booking date.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a vacation experience that goes beyond anything Disney has created before, inviting guests to become the heroes of their own stories during a two-night adventure where they see, feel, and live Star Wars. Guests will travel the galaxy in style aboard the glamorous Halcyon starcruiser, known for its impeccable service and exotic destinations; stay in well-appointed cabins; experience exquisite dining and out-of-this-world entertainment; visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and more. “As this is a Star Wars adventure, you can be pretty sure that not everything is going to go as planned,” said Disney Imagineer Ann Morrow Johnson. “Passengers will find themselves right in the middle of the action, making choices unexpected story moments. Do you help the Resistance, or do you tell the First Order? Your choices determine what happens for you during your voyage, including exciting activities and missions, character encounters, and adventures that go beyond any ordinary vacation experience.” These decisions make will affect how guests’ individual stories unfold as they seize control of their destinies… and potentially impact the fate of the entire galaxy!
In Disney Channel’s fa-boo-lous new animated buddy-comedy series The Ghost and Molly McGee, premiering Friday, October 1, at 9:35 p.m. ET/PT, the enthusiastic Molly McGee (voiced by Ashly Burch) and her family relocate to the town of Brighton and settle into a home occupied by Scratch (voiced by Dana Snyder), a grumpy ghost whose job is to spread misery. Scratch’s instinct is to scare the McGees away—but Molly sees right through him.
Emmy Award® winners and long-time collaborators Bill Motz and Bob Roth are the series’ creators and executive producers, and their personalities inspired the two main characters. “A number of years ago, Bob was away on a trip, and he came back with this idea that Scratch didn’t curse her; he’s cursed with her,” says Motz. “That made us laugh. The more we began diving into that premise, the more we realized, ‘Wait a second: This is us.’ I’m Molly. He’s Scratch. I’m an extrovert. He’s an introvert. I tend to be a wide-eyed, magical-thinking optimist, and he tends to be a grump and a pessimist. We’ve been friends for over 30 years. Bob has tempered some of my extrovert excesses, and I’ve helped Bob open up from his introverted disposition. We are better people because of our friendship with each other.” The inherent humor in that contrast will be “reflected in Molly and Scratch,” says Roth. “They will become better people—each of them—for the time they spend together.”
Scratch’s initial attempts to scare off Molly have the opposite effect; his “rude, crude, and disgusting” behavior only makes her love him more. Trying to scare off the rest of the McGees (voiced by Jordan Klepper, Michaela Dietz, and Sumalee Montano) doesn’t work, either, as Molly has made Scratch her instant best friend. “Initially, you see this opposites dynamic,” says Motz. “It’s the odd couple idea: She’s positive, he’s negative. She’s yes, he’s no. But very quickly, they really come to care for each other. How they approach things is wildly different, but there’s real love and care between them—and with the whole family.”
Unfortunately, this puts Scratch at odds with the Ghost Council, as he is supposed to be “generating misery,” Motz says, “and here’s Molly bringing joy and positivity to Brighton.”
Molly has struggled to sustain friendships while moving around the country, and now she wants to “embrace everybody”—Scratch included—“because she doesn’t know when they’re going to be ripped away,” explains Roth. “We’re not going to share Scratch’s backstory just yet, but there are similarities there with people being ripped away.”
Music plays an important role in The Ghost and Molly McGee, with each episode featuring at least one original song. According to Emmy Award winner and executive producer Steve Loter, “The songs came about in an interesting way. As we were making the pilot, which was done with a really small crew, we were finding ways to entertain each other and to make each other laugh. And we got to a point in the pilot when we said, ‘It’d be great to put a song here.” They added more and more songs, he says, until the team realized they were “tapping into something that has always been a strong part of the Disney legacy: music.”
The “super talented, super funny” songwriter Rob Cantor was brought in, according to Loter. “Rob can basically do any genre at the drop of a hat. Anything you throw his way—whether it’s inspired by Queen or John Williams—he can do it. Every episode has a song burst, which is basically echoing the theme of the episode. It’s a really fun way to add a lot of humor, and it continues the legacy of how important the music is in Disney productions.”
In the pilot, however, neither Molly nor Scratch sings. “For whatever reason, we said, ‘This show is going to have music, but it’s not a musical. Molly and Scratch aren’t going to break into song,’” Roth recalls. “Cut to the very second episode. We were like, ‘Yeah… Molly’s got to sing this song. Then we had to go through, ‘Oh, no… can they sing?’ But we dodged a bullet; Ashly sings beautiful, and Dana has a degree in musical theater. It all worked out.”
The Ghost and Molly McGee premieres Friday, October 1, at 9:35 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel; the second episode airs in its regular timeslot on Saturday, October 2, at 9 a.m. ET/PT. The first five episodes will be available Wednesday, October 6, on Disney+.
