‘This is Halloween’ at Magic Kingdom Park

By Ryan March

Boys and girls of every age: Wouldn’t you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see, a Magic Kingdom Halloween!

With headless horsemen dangling from their drinks and with their churros anchored in what appear to be bags of bugs, Walt Disney World guests are embracing the spirit of the season at Magic Kingdom Park, where D23 got a firsthand look at the ghoulish delights.

wdw halloween
The Oogie Boogie novelty bucket is available with popcorn or churros.

The aforementioned churros, coated this season in orange and black sugar, are available as an option with a new novelty bucket inspired by Oogie Boogie, the burlap bag-o-bugs that creepily crawled to fame in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. That same bucket is available with popcorn, joining a fall lineup of collectible popcorn buckets that also includes crafty containers inspired by Mickey Mouse (in jack-o’-lantern form) and those Hitchhiking Ghosts who follow you home from the Haunted Mansion. (Even if you already have 999 buckets in your popcorn collection… there’s always room for a thousand.)

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Look for the Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sundae at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square.

For those who define the seasons as winter, spring, summer, and pumpkin spice, the park has you covered. Our favorite pumpkin-spice discoveries were the Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sundae at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square, where vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, a salted caramel drizzle, and sprinkles top pumpkin spice Mickey waffles; and the Pumpkin Spice Milkshake at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Tomorrowland, where the pumpkin-spice ice cream blend is topped with whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, sprinkles, and a Mickey marshmallow straw.

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The Headless Horseman Rides Again—this time at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland.

Among the other sweet treats that made us lose our heads was the Headless Horseman Rides Again beverage served this season at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland, adorning a concoction of Strawberry DOLE Whip soft serve and Fanta Strawberry soda with a Headless Horseman straw. And in Fantasyland, the Poor Unfortunate Souls float at Storybook Treats—a Coke float with cream cheese soft serve and black raspberry syrup, topped with a sugared crown and pearls—left us ready to do business with a sea witch.

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Add Oogie Boogie Dice glow cubes to fountain beverages at many of the park’s quick-service restaurants.

By the way, among the tips we followed during our sugar rush through the park was this novelty nugget: Guests may add Oogie Boogie Dice glow cubes to fountain beverages at many of the park’s quick-service restaurants. We didn’t get the complete list of restaurants, so you’ll have to try your luck. (See what we did there?)

We’ve only scratched the surface of the fall food menu, which also features such savory selections as the Mickey Monster Mash Burger (topped with Muenster cheese, potato barrels, bacon, and a sriracha aioli) and Hades Nachos (black bean nacho chips topped with fiery buffalo chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, and jalapeno)—both served in Frontierland at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe.

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Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse go candy corn crazy in a vast array of new Halloween fashions and home accessories.
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Simplify your seasonal decorating with a Jack Skellington bone wreath that’s perfect for both fall and winter.
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The new Oogie Boogie baseball cap has the look and feel of the character’s signature burlap.

As you complete your own fall food quest, be sure to stop for shopping, as the park has debuted dozens of new items celebrating Halloween (Mickey and Minnie go candy corn crazy in some of the most popular new items), the Haunted Mansion (including chew toys and harness costumes for dogs!), and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (we dig the details of the Oogie Boogie burlap cap, and as transitioning from Halloween to Christmas is a home décor chore, we love the longevity of the Jack Skellington bone wreath).

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Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse don fall fashions during a surprise appearance atop the Walt Disney World Railroad’s Main Street Station.
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Tigger parades in his pirate costume as he and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood follow the trolley during a surprise appearance on Main Street, U.S.A.

And you never know who may show up to celebrate the season during your day in the park. We were surprised by Mickey and friends in fall fashions, waving to us from the Walt Disney World Railroad’s Main Street Station, Halloween-costumed Winnie the Pooh and friends following the trolley right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A., and Jack Skellington and company (including the oft-mentioned Oogie Boogie) carrying on in a cavalcade near Cinderella Castle. We appreciated the spontaneity of these surprise appearances, which made us feel like we were spotting stars in Hollywood (only these stars were delighted by our cameras).

There’s plenty more to consume this Halloween season in the vacation kingdom—from popcorn in a Green Cauldron at EPCOT to the Rotten Apple Punch (Angry Orchard Hard Apple Cider and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky over ice, garnished with a poison apple glow cube and gummy worms) at Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park to the Box of Bones Chocolate Éclair at Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—but before our blood sugar level sets a new high score, we’re going to take a salad break.

Quiz: Which Disney Twin Said This Quote?

Want something twice as nice? Take our twins-inspired quiz!

Throughout Disney history, actresses including Dove Cameron, Lindsay Lohan, and Disney Legend Hayley Mills have pulled double duty by playing twins onscreen. Sometimes, real-life twins, like Dylan and Cole Sprouse, would make us do a double take. And, of course, there are the supremely talented pairings, such as Disney Legends Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, whose onscreen chemistry is so strong you’d never guess they’re actually unrelated!

From popular films like High School Musical to hit series such as The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, all of these characters share a connection that’s unique to twins… but, of course, they don’t share a brain. So, with that in mind, can you guess which twin recited the following quotes?

Liv and Maddie

liv and maddie

1. “Bam, WHAT?”
A) Liv Rooney
B) Maddie Rooney

Alice in Wonderland

alice in wonderland

2. “If you think we’re waxworks, you ought to pay, you know.”
A) Tweedle Dee
B) Tweedle Dum

The Parent Trap (1998)

the parent trap

3. “If your mom is my mom and my dad is your dad, and we’re both born on October 11, then you and I are, like… sisters!”
A) Annie James
B) Hallie Parker

Avengers: Age of Ultron

avengers: age of ultron

4. “You didn’t see that coming?”
A) Pietro Maximoff
B) Wanda Maximoff

High School Musical

high school musical

5. “We need to save our show from people who don’t know the difference between a Tony Award and Tony Hawk.”
A) Ryan Evans
B) Sharpay Evans

The Parent Trap (1961)

the parent trap

6. “I shan’t tell my aunt about the ants nor the debutantes, shall I?”
A) Sharon McKendrick
B) Susan Evers

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

star wars: return of the jedi

7. “If I don’t make it back, you’re the only hope for the Alliance.”
A) Leia Organa
B) Luke Skywalker

Twitches

twitches

8. “The only person I can ever count on is me!”
A) Alex Fielding/Artemis
B) Camryn Barnes/Apolla

The Suite Life on Deck

the suite life

9. “I’m here. Your lives just got better.”
A) Cody Martin
B) Zack Martin

Big Business

big business

10. “I hate my job. I hate shopping. I hate New York in June. How about you?”
A) Rose Ratliff
B) Sadie Shelton

Double-Teamed

double teamed

11. “We’re tall. We’re twins. We’re new. They’ll get over it!”
A) Heather Burge
B) Heidi Burge

Answers:

1. Maddie Rooney (B)
2. Tweedle Dee (A)
3. Hallie Parker (B)
4. Pietro Maximoff (A)
5. Sharpay Evans (B)
6. Susan Evers (B)
7. Luke Skywalker (B)
8. Alex Fielding/Artemis (A)
9. Zack Martin (B)
10. Rose Ratliff (A)
11. Heidi Burge (B)

EXCLUSIVE: Join Disney Channel Stars in Celebrating Rosh Hashanah

By Beth Deitchman

Over the last few months, ZOMBIES 2 and Disney Fam Jam stars Ariel Martin and Trevor Tordjman have been staying safe in their respective homes, but they’ve found unique and creative ways to come together to entertain fans every day. We’ve seen them go head-to-head in tabletop “olympic” challenges, try to make each other laugh with dad jokes, and even sing the funky hat song from Wizards of Waverly Place. Their latest on-air segment gives viewers—as well as some of Martin and Tordjman’s Disney Channel friends—a closer look at celebrating Rosh Hashanah, which begins this Friday evening.

Tobie Windham (Byron from Just Roll With It), Raphael Alejandro (Matteo from BUNK’D), Elie Samouhi (Elliot from Upside-Down Magic), Sky Katz and Jason Maybaum (Tess and Levi from Raven’s Home) and Ava Kolker (Olive from Sydney to the Max) join Martin and Tordjman in the new video, which you can see right here on D23.com before it begins airing on Disney Channel. The segment dives deeper into the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and some of the holiday traditions, such as the custom of eating apples dipped in honey to wish for a sweet new year. Samouhi even shows off his “Shofar,” a horn used to sound the coming of the new year.

The segment—like all of Martin and Tordjman’s previous installments—was produced remotely with an entirely remote production crew. You can see Martin and Tordjman’s segments daily on Disney Channel and Disney Channel’s YouTube. ZOMBIES 2 is available to stream now on Disney+; Disney Fam Jam airs on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Zach Johnson

Fall is in full swing! On Monday, Tamron Hall will return for its second season with a stacked lineup of news-making guests. Later that night, ABC will bring the boogie with a brand-new season of Dancing with the Stars. Immediately afterward, the network will broadcast a nonpartisan, election-themed comedy special, VOMO: Vote or Miss Out. Then, on Friday, Disney+ will debut all 10 episodes of its original and inspirational docuseries, Becoming, and add all seven seasons of the ABC series Once Upon a Time to its vast library.

tamron hall

Tamron Hall—Monday, September 14 (Visit TamronHallShow.com for times and channels)
Emmy® Award-winning talk show host and journalist Tamron Hall returns to daytime for a sophomore season with a provocative and riveting hour-long exclusive interview with Andrew Gillum, a former rising superstar in the Democratic Party, whose hopes for a political future were derailed after a headline-making scandal. Gillum, who narrowly lost the 2018 gubernatorial run in Florida that would have made him the state’s first Black governor, will discuss his swift fall from grace, his rehabilitation experience in the face of adversity, and what life looks like now. His wife, R. Jai, will also join Hall to discuss the impact his actions had on their marriage and their family and what the future holds. Additional premiere week guests include Stassi Schroeder; Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson; Melissa Etheridge; Chris Evans; and Mark Kassen. On Wednesday, DJ Jazzy Jeff will host a 50th birthday celebration for Hall with special guest Naomi Campbell!

dancing with the stars

Dancing with the Stars—Monday, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
The fan-favorite series returns with a new host (Tyra Banks), a new judge (Derek Hough), and 15 new celebrities competing for the coveted Mirrorball trophy! Tune in to find out which professional dancers are paired with Monica Aldama, Carole Baskin, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Vernon Davis, Anne Heche, Skai Jackson, Justina Machado, AJ McLean, Jeannie Mai, Jesse Metcalfe, Nelly, Nev Schulman, Charles Oakley, Chrishell Stasue, and Jonny Weir. Hough will be joined at the judges desk by Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. In light of current circumstances, Len Goodman is unable to judge this season live in the ballroom; he will remain involved in the show, sharing his ballroom expertise from the U.K.

vomo

VOMO: Vote or Miss Out—Monday, September 14, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
The nonpartisan primetime comedy special, created by ATTN: in partnership with When We All Vote, will be hosted by Kevin Hart and feature some of the biggest names in comedy and music. Its purpose is simple: to encourage participation in the 2020 election. Keep an eye out for 2 Chainz and Lil Baby; Cristela Alonzo; Tim Allen; Whitney Cummings; Will Ferrell; Kaia Gerber; Charlamagne Tha God; Tiffany Haddish; Jon Hamm; Scarlett Johansson; Liza Koshy; Jay Leno; Jaden Smith and Willow Smith; and more celebrity guests. The special will feature prominent political figures across party lines, including Michelle Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Larry Hogan, Ann Romney, and Cindy McCain.

becoming

Becoming—Friday, September 18, on Disney+
From executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter, the 10-episode docuseries chronicles the inspirational life stories of world-class athletes, entertainers, and musicians. Each episode will follow a different celebrity—Adam Devine, Anthony Davis, Ashley Tisdale, Caleb McLaughlin, Candace Parker, Colbie Caillat, Julianne Hough, Nick Cannon, Nick Kroll, and Rob Gronkowski—back to their hometown as they revisit memorable places that were central to their upbringing. Family members, coaches, teachers, mentors, and friends will also share significant, personal memories of the stars before they hit it big.

once upon a time

Once Upon a Time (Seasons 1-7)—Friday, September 18, on Disney+
The ABC series is joining the streaming service’s library. It follows Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) as she reunites with the son she gave up years ago in an enchanted town called Storybrooke. Henry (Jared S. Gilmore) believes Emma hails from an alternate fairy tale world and is the missing daughter of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas). According to his book of fairy tales, she was sent to the modern world just before the Evil Queen (Lana Parilla) cast a curse that trapped the fairy tale world, frozen in time, and brought everyone into the modern world. Can Emma help him break the curse and rewrite the story? The Once Upon a Time cast also includes Robert Carlyle as Mr. Gold Rumpelstiltskin, Mekia Cox as Sabine/Tiana, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Jamie Dornan as Sherrif Graham/The Huntsman, Rebecca Mader as Kelly West/Zelena, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Dania Ramirez as Jacinda Vidrio/Cinderella, and Andrew J. West as Henry Mills.

JUST ANNOUNCED: The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse Comes to Disney+ in November

By Beth Deitchman

We’ve got wonderful news to start the week: Our friends at Disney+ have just announced an all-new animated shorts series that’s truly made for you and me. The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse comes from the team behind Disney Channel’s Emmy® Award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts and it arrives on Disney+ on Mickey’s birthday, November 18.

the wonderful world of mickey mouse

The new Disney+ original series will feature Mickey and his best pals—Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto—as they embark on their greatest adventures yet in a wild and zany world where the magic of Disney makes the impossible possible. Fans are in store for a mouse-terful combination of laugh-out-loud comedy, modern settings, timeless stories, new music, and the unmistakable art style of the Mickey Mouse shorts, which put a contemporary twist on a classic look that harkens back to Mickey’s 1928 beginnings.

Emmy Award-winning artist and director Paul Rudish serves as executive producer and supervising director of The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, which is produced by Disney Television Animation. Christopher Willis, the Emmy Award-nominated composer of the Mickey Mouse shorts, also provides the music for this series.

While you’re counting down to Mickey’s birthday and the series premiere, all five seasons of the multi-award-winning Mickey Mouse shorts are available to stream now on Disney+.  Following The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse’s November 18 debut, two new shorts will roll out on Disney+ every Friday beginning November 27. Ten shorts will premiere this year, with 10 additional shorts set for Summer 2021.

Picture It: Celebrating 35 Years of The Golden Girls

By Julia Vargas, Walt Disney Archives

Thank you for being a friend! September 14, 2020, marks 35 years since Touchstone Television’s The Golden Girls first aired on NBC. Early press materials describe the show as “[capturing] the humorous and poignant relationships that develop between four single women—two widows, a divorcee and her mother—spending their golden years together in Miami, Florida.” It depicted strong, educated, and independent lead characters in a time when there were fewer dynamic roles for women, especially of a certain age group. Audiences watched the ladies share friendship, squabbles, and cheesecake (more than 80 were consumed!) through seven seasons, clocking in over 175 episodes.

The starring cast included Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, described by show publicity as a “feisty, irreverent” Sicilian mother who goes to live with her daughter, Bea Arthur’s character, Dorothy Zbornak, a “no-nonsense school teacher,” who was equally as sarcastic and witty. Rue McClanahan portrayed Blanche Devereaux, the “man-hunting Southern Belle” who owned the home the ladies shared. Lastly, Betty White played the role of sweet, but “spacey,” Rose Nylund, who often exasperated her roommates with reminiscences about her hometown of St. Olaf, Minnesota. Together, they effortlessly flaunted what women in their golden years could contribute to the world. The show ran through September 12, 1992, but has seen a cult resurgence in the ensuing years due in part to its noted social awareness for the time, strong storytelling, and availability in syndication and streaming.

During its original run, The Golden Girls received 68 Emmy® nominations, winning 11, and 21 Golden Globe® nominations, for which they won 4. All the lead actresses won Emmys for their performances on the show, a feat achieved by few productions. Off screen, these leading ladies were also active in advocating for numerous social causes. Both Bea Arthur and Estelle Getty advocated for AIDS activism and education. Arthur, along with Rue McClanahan and Betty White, also advocated for animal rights. White was named the “Ambassador of the Animals” by the City of Los Angeles for her work in animal welfare in 2006. The Golden Girls themselves were honored as Disney Legends in September 2009 at the very first D23 Expo. Fittingly, their award plaques are all displayed together at Disney Legends Plaza on The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California.

The Golden Girls is now available to stream on Hulu.

Disney+ Announces New Olaf Short Coming Soon—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

New Olaf Short Premiering on Disney+ This October

Ready for a few more warm hugs? Disney+ has just the ticket! Earlier this week, the streaming service announced that an all-new animated short—chronicling the origin story of everyone’s favorite sunny snowman Olaf, from the Oscar®-winning 2013 hit Frozen and its acclaimed 2019 sequel—will debut next month!

So what exactly happened to Olaf within the moments after Elsa created him (as she was “letting it go” and building her ice palace) and when Anna and Kristoff first meet him in the forest? Once Upon a Snowman follows Olaf’s first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the snowy mountains outside Arendelle. Directed by Trent Correy and Dan Abraham, and produced by Nicole Hearon with Peter Del Vecho, Once Upon a Snowman will once again feature the voice of award-winning actor Josh Gad, reprising his role from the two films.

once upon a snowman

“This is an idea that started to form when I was an animator on the first Frozen,” Correy recently said. “Dan Abraham and I are so grateful and excited to have had the opportunity to direct this short, working with our incredible colleagues at Walt Disney Animation Studios.” Added Abraham, “Josh Gad gives one of the great animated voice performances as Olaf through the Frozen films. To have the opportunity to work with him in the recording booth was such a privilege and career highlight.”

Look for Once Upon a Snowman on Disney+ beginning Friday, October 23!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

The official start of fall is just over the horizon—so let’s get in some late-summer TV viewing while the gettin’ is good. And just what’s available from around the worlds of Disney this weekend for our watching pleasure? Two brand-new episodes of ESPN+’s series Roll the Tape; a new episode of Disney Channel’s Amphibia; and a host of fabulous Disney movies on Freeform! Read up on what you can expect right here at D23.com.

Official Trailer for Disney+’s Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Debuts

We’re roaring with excitement for Disney+’s upcoming series Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom—especially now that we’ve watched the show’s brand-new trailer. Check out the clip, above.

Premiering globally on Friday, September 25—and produced by National Geographic—Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is narrated by the aforementioned Josh Gad (Frozen) and gives viewers a backstage pass to explore the magic of nature within Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. Each of the eight episodes truly dives into the details, unveiling the multifaceted aspects of animal care, conservation, and Disney Imagineering involved; plus, the series showcases the park’s magnificent array of more than 300 species and 5,000-plus animals, and the herculean tasks their animal care experts undertake to keep things running day and night.

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom invites fans of Disney, nature, and animals to hang out with all the park’s residents, including baby Grace, the newest member of the gorilla troop; Masai giraffe Kenya; hippo Gus; and alpha male African lion Dakari, among others. Using cutting-edge technology—including custom-built GoPro housings, 18-foot cranes, and underwater camera systems—the series will reveal the world-famous dedication, pioneering conservation, and visionary genius that is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Mark those calendars!

Stay Tuned for Disney+’s Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.

The doctor is in… again! Disney+ just announced late this week that Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. (working title)—a reimagining of the ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D., set in modern-day Hawaii—has been picked up, and is scheduled to go into production later this year. See what you can expect from the new series, created by Fresh Off the Boat’s Kourtney Kang, by clicking here.

derek hough

Derek Hough Returns to the Dancing with the Stars Ballroom

Great news, Dancing with the Stars fans: Emmy® Award winner and six-time Mirrorball champion dancer Derek Hough joins DWTS in a new capacity as a judge when the show kicks off its upcoming season live on Monday, September 14, with a two-hour premiere beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

“This show has been and will always be incredibly special to me,” Hough recently explained. “Coming back feels like coming home, and I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the ballroom.” Hough will join Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli at the judges table; meanwhile, in light of current circumstances, Len Goodman will be unable to judge this season live in the ballroom. Thankfully, he’ll still be sharing his ballroom expertise from the U.K.

Dancing with the Stars, hosted and executive produced by Tyra Banks, returns to the ballroom with a lineup of celebs that includes Carole Baskin, AJ McLean, Johnny Weir, Justina Machado, and more; for a complete list of who’s ready to rumba, click here.

ICYMI: Reimagined Holiday Offerings This Year at Walt Disney World Resort

Sure, we’re still making plans for Halloween… but as we always say here at D23, it’s never too early to get some holiday fun on the calendar. Should you find yourself in the vicinity of Walt Disney World Resort later this year, we have a handy-dandy rundown of the reimagined holiday celebrations kicking off at all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and Disney resort hotels beginning November 6. Take a look (whilst imagining that very first egg nog of the season) by clicking right here—and stay tuned for more holiday hoopla as it’s announced!

Clouds Takes Flight on Disney+ Next Month

Back in 2012, 17-year-old Zach Sobiech captured the hearts of folks around the globe when his original song “Clouds” debuted… and instantly became a viral sensation. The world will be inspired once again by Zach’s musical legacy—and his story about the resilience of the human spirit—when the new Disney+ original movie Clouds premieres next month. Check out the brand-new trailer for the film, above.

Inspired by the incredible true story, the film is a testament to what can happen when you start to live as if each day might be your last. Zach Sobiech (Fin Argus) is a fun-loving high school student with raw musical talent living with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. At the start of his senior year, he is ready to take on the world. But, after receiving the news that the disease has spread, he and his best friend and songwriting partner, Sammy (Sabrina Carpenter), decide to spend Zach’s limited time following their dreams. With the help of Zach’s mentor and teacher, Mr. Weaver (Lil Rel Howery), Zach and Sammy are given the chance of a lifetime and are offered a record deal. Along with the support of the love of his life, Amy (Madison Iseman), and his parents, Rob and Laura (Tom Everett Scott and Neve Campbell), Zach embarks on an unforgettable journey about friendship, love, and the power of music.

Based on the book Clouds: A Memoir by Zach’s mother, Laura Sobiech, Clouds is helmed by actor/director Justin Baldoni (last seen on Jane the Virgin). Look for it on Disney+ beginning Friday, October 16.

ABC Announces Scripted Comedy Premiere Dates for 2020-2021 Season

By Zach Johnson

Get ready to fall in love with ABC’s fall schedule!

The network just announced premiere dates for its Wednesday primetime comedy block. The Goldbergs (with back-to-back episodes), The Conners, and black-ish will return October 21, while American Housewife will join the comedy lineup October 28. Dates for scripted dramas will be announced soon, while dates for ABC’s unscripted series, including Dancing with the Stars, Shark Tank, Supermarket Sweep, and many more, were previously announced.

“We couldn’t be more excited to spread some much-needed joy with our Wednesday night comedy lineup,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. “While we had to be incredibly flexible this year, we are so lucky that we’re able to continue our long tradition of making Wednesday night comedy a strong staple of our fall broadcast schedule.”

abc fall comedy

ABC’s Wednesday scripted comedy series premiere dates are as follows:

Wednesday, October 21
8-9 p.m. ET/PT: The Goldbergs (Season 8)
9-9:30 p.m. ET/PT: The Conners (Season 3)
9:30-10 p.m. ET/PT: black-ish (Season 7)

Wednesday, October 28
8:30-9 p.m. ET/PT: American Housewife (Season 5)

A previously announced standalone black-ish event composed of two back-to-back episodes (“Election Special Pt. 1” and “Election Special Pt. 2”) will air Sunday, October 4, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. For the first time, ABC will air a fully animated episode as part of the event. Directed by Oscar® winner Matthew A. Cherry, it will follow the Johnson family as they navigate the upcoming election, with Junior (Marcus Scribner) embarking on his journey as a first-time voter and Dre (Anthony Anderson) launching an exploration into local politics.

Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., a Reimagining of Doogie Howser, M.D., Coming to Disney+

By Zach Johnson

The results are in: Disney+ announced today that a new doctor will be on call in 2021. Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. (working title), a reimagining of the ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D., has been picked up to series. It is now scheduled to go into production later this year. Fresh off ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat, Kourtney Kang will write and executive produce the series for 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios. Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar are executive producers for the series and Dayna Bochco and Jesse Bochco will produce.

Set in modern-day Hawaii, the 10-episode half-hour comedy will follow Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha, a mixed race 16-year-old girl, as she juggles a budding medical career with normal teenage dramas. Guiding Lahela (and also complicating matters) is her family, including her spit-fire Irish mother—who’s also her supervisor at the hospital—and her Hawaiian “Local Boy” father, who struggles to accept that Lahela is no longer his little girl.

“Thirty years ago, a young medical prodigy took the world by storm and left a lasting impact on pop culture,” said Ricky Strauss, president, Content and Marketing, Disney+. “Kourtney and the team at 20th Television have created a very modern take on this beloved property which will resonate with our global Disney+ audience. We can’t wait to introduce the world to the new Doogie!”

Doogie, Howser M.D. is beloved by everyone at our studio, so we knew that if we were going to reinvent it for a new generation, we had to have both the blessing and participation of the Bochcos and a creator with a fresh, new take that made us lean in,” added Carolyn Cassidy, president, 20th Television. “Kourtney’s vision for the character is so inspired, we’ve been dying to collaborate with Melvin and Jake again, and Disney+ is exactly the right home for this idea. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Running for four seasons on ABC from 1989 to 1993, Doogie Howser, M.D. starred Neil Patrick Harris as the now iconic doctor. The hit series catapulted Harris into television stardom and made the term “Doogie Howser” synonymous with kid geniuses everywhere.

7 Ways to Bring Disney Home with The Bowers Museum Store

By the D23 Team

Earlier this year, the Walt Disney Archives’ amazing retrospective exhibition—“Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic”—premiered at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California. Commemorating five decades of collecting and preserving historical materials relating to Walt and the company he founded, the exhibit offers a rare look at some of the treasures from the archives, such as Walt Disney’s office set from Saving Mr. Banks; never-before-displayed production art from Fantasia; maquettes from animated films including Peter Pan and Frozen; the original pitch portfolio used to secure investors for Disneyland; and so much more.

But the exhibit—now extended through February 28, 2021—isn’t the only way the Bowers Museum is helping celebrate all things Disney; their online store has a treasure trove of incredible items fit for any Disney fan’s collection. We’ve picked a fantastic few to highlight in the roundup below…

bowers merch

Walt Disney Archives 50th Anniversary Tote
Be reminded of all the Disney magic seen at the Bowers Museum with this exclusive cotton tote celebrating the exhibition and the archives’ 50th anniversary. This 14.5-inch by 15-inch black bag also features the Bowers Museum logo on the back. The perfect way to show your Walt Disney Archives pride on your next trip to the grocery store!

bowers merch

Walt Disney Archives 50th Anniversary Sweatshirt
Speaking of, here’s a way to wear your Walt Disney Archives pride for all to see… This exclusive zip-front hooded sweatshirt—with the archives’ 50th anniversary logo on the front and the Bowers Museum logo on the left sleeve, is made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Available in adult sizing S through XXL.

bowers merch

Walt Disney Notecards
Send your friends and family some magical wishes on these beautiful notecards, which come in a keepsake box embossed with Walt Disney’s signature. Contains 20 cards (two each of 10 designs, including rarely seen photos, promotional material, and more); envelopes; and Walt Disney Archives Collection logo stickers to seal said envelopes.

bowers merch

Walt Disney’s Classic Stories
Looking for a holiday gift for the young (or young-at-heart) in your life? This boxed set contains five classic Walt Disney Little Golden Books originally published in the 1950s and 1960s—including Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and His Spaceship, Scamp, Cinderella’s Friends, Little Man of Disneyland, and The Lucky Puppy.

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The Legacy Collection: Disneyland from Walt Disney Records
Fill your house with the music of Disneyland with this collection honoring decades of magical fun! The 3-disc edition includes over 50 songs, featuring music from fan-favorite attractions. Also includes a full-color booklet of liner notes, with illustrations and original concept art by Lorelay Bové.

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The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between
The companion to a previous Walt Disney Archives exhibit, this colorful coffee table book by Jeff Kurti celebrates the imagination, passion, and attention to detail invested in Disney costuming through the years—offering readers a unique behind-the-scenes view that inspires appreciation for the brilliantly talented designers.

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Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie 11 Inch Plush
Here’s a nod to the one who helped start it all! This adorable 11-inch plush depicts Mickey Mouse in his black-and-white Steamboat Willie best. We think it’d be great to keep you company on those cool fall nights, whilst you sit near the fire watching all manner of amazing Disney+ content… doesn’t that sound cozy?

D23 Gold Members, here’s the best part: You can use your Gold Member discount to get 10% off of the above items… or anything in the Bowers Museum store! Click here for more information.