Stilton Cheesecake at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

August 25, 2020August 31, 2020

Makes 48 individual mini cheesecakes or 1 large cheesecake

SHORTBREAD CRUST
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup softened butter (packed), cut into small pieces

FILLING
3/4 cup Stilton cheese, rind discarded and cheese crumbled
1 1/4 cup or 10 oz. cream cheese, softened (packed)
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

FOR SHORTBREAD CRUST:

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Blend together flour and sugar.
Add butter and blend until mixture resembles coarse meal (it will not form a dough)
Press into the bottom of 48 buttered mini muffin cups (1 3/4” x 1”) or transfer into buttered 9 1/2-inch springform pan and spread evenly and press into bottom.
Bake for 7-9 minutes on the middle rack of the oven until pale golden.
Cool in pan on a wire rack.

FOR FILLING:

Beat together crumbled Stilton, cream cheese, and sugar in a large bowl with mixer on low speed.
Beat in eggs (add one at a time) beating well after each addition. Add flour.
Beat in sour cream and vanilla until just blended.
Pour filling over cooled crust in mini muffin cups or springform pan.
Bake cheesecake in a water bath in the middle of oven for 30 minutes until puffed and pale golden around the edge.
Transfer to rack and run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
Chill covered, until cold, at least 4 hours, before serving.

As D23: The Official Disney Fan Club continues to celebrate 65 Years of the Disney Theme Park, we’ll be sharing more delicious recipes from the vault over the next few weeks. Some include:

Creamy Parmesan Mashed Potatoes at Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Tuna Burgers at Captain Hook’s Galley at Disneyland Park
Three Cheese Lobster Macaroni at Lumiere’s and Triton’s Disney Cruise Line
Chocolate Soda at Plaza Restaurant Magic Kingdom Park
French Toast with Fresh Berries and Mascarpone Cream at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park

Digging in to Disney Theme Parks’ Food & Beverage Revolution

August 25, 2020August 24, 2020

By Zach Johnson

One bite of the grilled pork tenderloin at California Grill in 1995 was all it took. As Karen McClintock, Food & Beverage Content Relations Manager, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, dug into the savory dish—served with goat cheese polenta, mushrooms, kalettes, bacon, dried cherries, zinfandel glaze—she realized the Disney dining experience was about to enter a renaissance period. The restaurant, which opened in 1995 and is located on the top floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, offers picturesque views of multiple Disney properties—not to mention some of the finest cuisine in the world. “That meal was probably the first time I thought, ‘Wow! We can compete with anyone in New York. This is incredible,’” she recalls. “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel and eat some great dishes, but the simplicity of that dish that was so perfectly prepared. I thought to myself, ‘The sky is the limit!’ And I knew we were going to be changing the landscape of Food & Beverage.”

McClintock, after all, would know. After joining The Walt Disney Company in 1992 as a coordinator for Disney’s Food & Wine Society (a precursor to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival), she had seen firsthand how the dining experience was rapidly evolving. “A lot of people ask me, ‘What’s been the evolution?’” she says. “It wasn’t an evolution; it was a revolution.” With new television networks dedicated to all things food, the public had become more interested—and more knowledgeable—about what was on their plate. She credits Dieter Hannig, then the Vice President of Food & Beverage at Walt Disney World Resort, for having the vision to adapt the Disney dining experience for newly curious and educated guests. “When we opened up California Grill, that was the ‘aha moment,’” she says. “But Dieter and our team had to really sell these concepts to our own people at Disney.” The Disney leadership team bought in fairly quickly. “They were like, ‘We see it!’” McClintock recalls. “

Hannig went on to create other restaurants, Cítricos at Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. And each time, says McClintock, the team had to pitch their vision to Disney’s executives. “One, night, I was racing back to the office because I had poster boards made for a presentation. There was a floodlight on in the parking lot, and I saw the entire team and Dieter had a hammer and all this wood. I asked, ‘What’s going on?’ He said, ‘I just realized no one’s going to know what a boma is. We’ve got to make a miniature boma so they understand why we’re naming the restaurant Boma – Flavors of Africa and why this is going to be a main feature in the restaurant.’ So, I picked up a hammer and I helped build a miniature boma. You see, this was the passion Dieter brought, and that was really why it was so successful. Because of his passion, his creativity, and his knowledge, he was able to build teams and attract this incredible, knowledgeable talent who said, ‘We’re taking Disney Food & Beverage to the next level.’” Although Hannig left the Company in 2009, McClintock says he “left an incredible legacy.”

Just as TV shows centered around food were influencing the Disney dining experience, so too were cookbooks. “In the mid-’90s, more guests said, ‘We want not only to take a piece of Disney home; we want to make a piece of Disney at home,’” McClintock says. And so, she eventually partnered with cookbook author Pam Brandon. After McClintock collected recipes from Disney chefs, Brandon tested them and authored more than a dozen cookbooks, including Delicious Disney (2006), Chef Mickey: Treasures from the Vault & Delicious New Favorites (2012), A Cooking Safari with Mickey Recipes from Disney World’s Animal Kingdom (2015), and more.

Learning about food and beverage also occurs in-person and on-property. “Our cast members are so knowledgeable and guests feel they are in a safe zone,” McClintock says. “Dieter and his team said, ‘We’re going to put a stake in the ground when it comes to Food & Beverage. We’re going to make it fun, make it interesting, and make it distinctly Disney.’”

No matter where guests choose to dine, they can trust cast members will not only point them in the right direction but also ensure they have a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime experience. “A guest could say, ‘I’m ordering this. What’s the best wine pairing?’ Or, ‘You know what? I’m not a big wine drinker. Is there a good cocktail?’ Or, ‘I don’t drink alcohol. Do you have a good mocktail?’” McClintock says. “We could take the easy way out and say something like, ‘We’re going to make a regular gin tonic at Dahlia Lounge.’ But we don’t. We say, “We’re going to take that cocktail to the next level, because we’re Disney… and we can do it! And we know that in Spain, the gin tonic is obviously the drink of choice. So, we’re going make the Disney difference and make our own saffron-orange tonic.’”

From quick service to family table service to fine dining, Disney always goes the extra mile. And the Disney dining experience is in the midst of another revolution, McClintock says. “It’s ongoing—very much so,” she says. “I think it’s very evident with plant-based options. We’re listening and we’re changing, and we see when guests come in and want something—we want to deliver.”

As D23: The Official Disney Fan Club continues to celebrate 65 Years of the Disney Theme Park, we’ll be sharing nine delicious recipes from the vault over the next few weeks. From restaurants like The Crystal Palace and The Empress Lilly, you’ll soon be able to recreate some of the most beloved Disney dishes from your very own kitchens.

Fashion and Fun: Costume Art from World of Motion

August 25, 2020August 21, 2020

By Nikki Nguyen, Walt Disney Archives

World of Motion, an opening-day attraction at EPCOT, provided Guests with a fun-filled look at the history of transportation. Former Disney animator and train-enthusiast Ward Kimball came out of retirement to lend his characteristic sense of humor to the attraction’s action. As an art director, Ward helped shift the initial concept of a primarily screen-based attraction to one incorporating a large cast of Audio-Animatronics^® characters and set pieces. In fact, at the time of its opening, World of Motion featured the largest number of Audio-Animatronics^® figures featured in any attraction to date, not only including human characters but also pigs, alligators, zebras, and even a fanciful sea serpent!

The “Invention of the Wheel” scene provided great gag opportunities as these characters showed off their not-so-successful concepts.

Marc Davis, a former animator and one of Walt’s Imagineers, created earlier gag concepts for the attraction and spoke to the importance of costume design as a comedic tool:

“If you go through the history of fashion from the very beginning, you’ll find that certain styles stand out from the others. These are styles that enhance or articulate the human figure; they don’t impede it. The ones we get the biggest laugh out of are those which defy the human figure. A costume for a comic character will always defy, to a degree, logical anatomy. We look at these things and think they are funny—and they will remain funny because of their relationship to something that is real.”—Marc Davis, as quoted from Pete Docter and Chris Merritt’s Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks (Disney Editions, 2019).

Audio-Animatronics^® costumes for World of Motion showcased stylistic elements from periods throughout history, as seen from these Renaissance-inspired designs.

As part of the planning for parks and resorts experiences, concept illustrations for costume designs are often made, and sometimes feature accompanying swatches of fabrics to help better visualize the creative direction of a look. These concepts can go through a series of revisions and often have interesting notes or approval marks, indicating their important role in the design process prior to the creation of the final garment.

Textile swatches, like those attached in the top right corners here, helped provide additional reference for the final look, and often showcased a variety of different types of fabrics.

The well-dressed Audio–Animatronics^® cast of World of Motion brought the history of transportation to life, entertaining Guests with their humorous antics for more than a decade. Today, Test Track continues the tradition of exploring the world on the go by providing Future World Guests with the opportunity to design a virtual concept car for a thrilling test ride, proving that it’s still fun to be free, and to be on the move!

Creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh Discuss Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020

By Jim Frye

Animated favorites Phineas and Ferb; their sister, Candace; and the whole gang are back in the great big new adventure Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe, from Disney Television Animation and Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, creators/executive producers of the beloved Emmy® Award-winning Phineas and Ferb series.

The 104 days of summer may be coming to an end, but stepbrothers Phineas (voice of Vincent Martella) and Ferb (voice of David Errigo Jr.) find their biggest adventure yet—while still trying to avoid getting in trouble with Mom. This time, though, they dash across the galaxy to save their older sister, Candace (voice of Ashley Tisdale), from space aliens who have taken her to a planet free of pesky little brothers—which, of course, is pretty enticing for Candace.

And even though it’s been five years since the TV series concluded, the characters feel as fresh as ever. “They never really left,” says Marsh. “They’ve always been with us.”

“They’re like family,” adds Povenmire. “We lived with these characters day in and day out for 10 years. Swampy and I kinda’ missed the characters. After the finale we thought, ‘We’ve done this for 10 years—we’re done, let’s move on.’ And now, five years later, it’s like, ‘Yeah! We would love to play with those guys again.’ So we got together with a lot of our old Phineas writers and hatched a plan.” That plan, of course, involved Disney+, which seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring back these iconic characters.

Original cast members returning for the movie also include Caroline Rhea as Linda, Dee Bradley Baker as Perry the Platypus, Alyson Stoner as Isabella, Maulik Pancholy as Baljeet, Bobby Gaylor as Buford, Olivia Olson as Vanessa Doofenshmirtz, Tyler Mann as Carl, Povenmire as Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, and Marsh as Major Monogram. Joining the fun are Ali Wong as Super Super Big Doctor, Wayne Brady as Stapler Fist, Diedrich Bader as Borthos, and Thomas Middleditch as Garnoz.

Original songs, a staple of the series, are back and funnier than ever—including the upbeat opening number, “Such a Beautiful Day,” sung by Candace as she rides her bike around Danville. “In the beginning of the movie, it was hard to hit the right tone because we were showing the end of a day in a Phineas and Ferb summer where Candace misses busting them,” says Povenmire. “She was coming off as shrill if you had not seen the whole series, and we needed people to be on her side, so we thought, ah-hah, we need a song to get people on her side but still show how crazy she is. For that I actually called my friend Kary Kirkpatrick.” Povenmire has known Kirkpatrick—who works mainly as a screenwriter and director— since college, but the two friends had never collaborated together until this film. Kirkpatrick’s body of work includes writing on such Disney films as The Rescuers Down Under; Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves; and many more. But for this project, “He just showed up with guitars,” says Povenmire.

The central premise of the original Disney Channel series—Candace trying to get Phineas and Ferb in trouble for carrying out crazy adventures—is still the same. But the movie allowed for a bit more depth, and even “sweetness,” to seep in.

“The sweetness comes from the extra sugar we added,” says Marsh.

“Usually we use just a cup of sugar, but this time we used a cup and a half,” adds Povenmire. “And it really pumped up the sweetness. So much of the series seemed to be Candace against the boys, but she’s really just against what they’re doing. She thinks, ‘If I were to do that, I’d get in trouble.’ So it’s all about fairness in the house. That said, we always like when we get to show that these characters actually care for each other and love each other. And we usually don’t get to do that in the short-form as much. I feel like we’ve done it better in this movie than we’ve done it before.”

Marsh adds, “But every time we’ve done it, it’s felt so great and so emotional. Those are the moments where I will automatically get choked up.”

Speaking about getting choked up… Where did the nickname “Swampy” come from?

“It’s descriptive,” says Povenmire playfully. “He used to not shower very much.”

“I used to be green and mossy,” jokes Marsh. “No, actually, it’s because of my last name. I acquired the nickname at a club I worked at. A bunch of people decided they were either going to call me Boggy Marsh or Swampy Marsh, and I think I got a little too stroppy about how much I didn’t want to be called Boggy Marsh. And that kind of sealed my fate. I’ve been Swampy ever since.”

All nicknames aside, Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe premieres exclusively on Disney+ on August 28. This Friday, when you ask yourself that age-old question, “What are we going to do today?,” the answer is clear.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

August 24, 2020August 21, 2020

By Zach Johnson

August is ending on a high note, Disney fans! The final week of fun begins Monday when FXM broadcasts Love, Simon. Then, on Wednesday, ABC will air the season finale of United We Fall. To cap it off on Friday, Disney+ will travel to outer space (twice!) with the addition of Fantastic Four (2005) and the premiere of the original film Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe. Disney+ will also offer something more grounded—literally—with a fun farming-themed episode of Weird But True! from National Geographic.

Love, Simon—Monday, August 24, at 5:30 p.m. ET on FXM
The 2018 film follows Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), a closeted high school student who falls hard and fast for an anonymous online pen pal from his school who is also gay. After classmate Martin Addison (Logan Miller) obtains their deeply personal e-mails, he uses them to blackmail Simon, who must decide how to reveal his sexuality to his friends and family while attempting to turn his online flirtation into a real-life romance. Directed by Greg Berlanti and based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, the film stars Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Keiynan Lonsdale, Miles Heizer, Logan Miller, and Tony Hale.

United We Fall—Wednesday, August 26, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Wedding bells are ringing… again! In the heartwarming and hilarious season finale, “Re-Wedding Crashers,” Jo Rodriguez (Christina Vidal Mitchell) and Bill Ryan (Will Sasso) decide to renew their vows to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. Unfortunately, their overzealous extended family and an approaching snowstorm threaten to ruin the event.

Fantastic Four (2005)—Friday, August 28, on Disney+
Transformed into superheroes after surviving a disaster in space, the Fantastic Four—Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd), Susan Storm/Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Chris Evans), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Michael Chiklis)—struggle to reconcile their powers, responsibilities, and relationships as a dysfunctional family. Overcoming their personal conflicts, they finally join forces to defeat Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon), the malevolent, metallic embodiment of their deceitful former investor.

Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe—Friday, August 28, on Disney+
Stepbrothers Phineas (voice of Vincent Martella) and Ferb (voice of David Errigo Jr.), Candace (voice of Ashely Tisdale), Perry the Platypus (voice of Dee Bradley Baker), and the Danville gang are back together in an out-of-this-world feature film from Disney Television Animation. Executive produced by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, creators and executive producers of the hit series Phineas and Ferb, the animated adventure follows Phineas and Ferb as they set out across the galaxy to rescue Candace, who finds utopia in a far-off planet—free of pesky little brothers!—after being abducted by aliens. Rounding out the voice cast are Marsh as Major Monogram, Maulik Pancholy as Baljeet, Caroline Rhea as Mom, Povenmire as Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, and Alyson Stoner as Isabella, among others.

Weird But True!—Friday, August 28, on Disney+
In the third episode, “Farming,” Charlie Engelman and Carly Ciarrocchi run a fruit-and-vegetable stand outside of headquarters—but lately, they’ve been selling all their crops faster than they can grow them! Carly has an idea to turn the garden into a farm, but alas, they don’t have enough space to grow everything they need outside. So, she takes Charlie on a trip to an indoor vertical farm in New York City to learn about a different way to farm.

Get Ready to Spin with New Disney Channel Original Movie—Plus More in News Briefs

August 21, 2020August 25, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Disney Channel Announces New Original Movie Spin

There’s a sure-to-be-fabulous new Disney Channel Original Movie coming to a TV screen (or mobile device) near you in 2021… Spin—starring Avantika Vandanapu (Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective; Disney+’s Diary of a Future President) and directed by Manjari Makijany (the upcoming Desert Dolphin, India’s first-ever skateboarding feature)—follows an Indian American teen who discovers her artistic side through the unique world of DJ culture.

Rhea Kumar (Vandanapu) is an effervescent 15-year-old who lives with her tight-knit multigenerational family. After her mother’s death, she has been her father’s emotional rock, and her life revolves around her family’s restaurant; her eclectic group of friends; and her after-school coding club. Everything changes when she falls for aspiring DJ Max and a long-lost passion for music is reignited. Rhea discovers that she has a natural gift for creating beats and producing music that blends the textures of her Indian heritage with the world around her… but she must find the courage to follow her inner talent.

Look for Spin on Disney Channel next year!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

With kids around the country starting school, we’re facing facts—summer is almost over, and so is the month of August. (Crazy, right?) But don’t fret: There’s plenty of cool stuff to watch this weekend, from around the worlds of Disney. Take a breather from those back-to-school shenanigans with a brand-new episode of Muppets Now on Disney+; the series finale of Elena of Avalor on Disney Channel; and more! To make sure you don’t miss a moment of fun, click here for our weekend-watching rundown.

American Idol Season 4: Bryan, Perry, Richie, and Seacrest Will Return

Great news, American Idol fans! Just this week, ABC announced the iconic star-maker competition series will welcome back music industry legends Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as judges—and veteran host Ryan Seacrest—to help find America’s next singing sensation for a fourth season on the network!

Last season, American Idol became the first reality competition series to air remotely and the unprecedented season dominated Sunday nights, claiming the No. 1 spot for a broadcast series (among adults ages 18 to 49) as well as the night’s most talked-about show on social media.

And guess what? Virtual auditions for season 4 are already underway! Idol Across America will give hopefuls in all 50 states the chance to showcase their talents from anywhere in the U.S. of A., across any official audition date and face-to-face with an American Idol producer—staying true to its roots by providing aspiring Idols real-time feedback on their journey to being crowned the next American Idol.

Stay tuned for more Idol news as it becomes available…

**New Trailer for Earth to Ned—Coming to Disney+ in September!**

These are the kind of thoughts that keep us up at night: What would a talk show hosted by a very curious alien be like? We’re ever so thankful we don’t have to wonder any more… because this September, Disney+ is premiering Earth to Ned—a fresh take on the late-night format starring larger-than-life extraterrestrial creatures as they interview some of the biggest stars in our galaxy. Check out the brand-new trailer for the series, above.

The talk show is hosted by alien commander Ned and his lieutenant Cornelius, who call off an invasion of Earth after they fall in love with human culture. Broadcasting from the bridge of their spaceship, hidden deep underground, Ned and Cornelius interview Earth’s greatest resource: celebrities. With the help of the ship’s artificial intelligence, BETI, and the destructive CLODs (Cloned Living Organisms of Destruction), Ned must keep his show a secret from his home planet or suffer the wrath of his father, the Admiral of the Galactic Fleet.

Each episode focuses on a topic or theme that is both equally unique to earthlings and fascinating to Ned, including comedy, sports, social media, and fashion. Look for appearance from the likes of Rachel Bloom, Billy Dee Williams, RuPaul, Andy Richter, Raven-Symoné, High School Musical The Musical The Series’ stars Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo, and so many more…

Produced by Brian Henson and Vince Raisa from The Jim Henson Company, Earth to Ned will feature creations brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop—the team behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic characters. Meet Ned and crew when the series makes its Disney+ debut on Friday, September 4!

ICYMI: New Trailer and Posters for The New Mutants

D23 recently heard from writer/director Josh Boone about The New Mutants, an original horror thriller debuting soon. Inspired by a spin-off of Marvel’s X-Men comic series, the film follows four teenage mutants as they’re held in an isolated psychiatric hospital for monitoring. Read more about the film—and see its brand-new trailer and posters—by clicking here.

First Trailer Revealed for Death on the Nile

The latest film from Twentieth Century Studios, the daring mystery-thriller Death on the Nile, is set to mystify audiences beginning this October… and to that end, they just debuted the film’s brand-new trailer this week! Directed by and starring five-time Academy Award® nominee Kenneth Branagh, this tale of passion, jealousy, and intrigue features an all-star cast of suspects. Take a look at the new clip, above.

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s (Branagh) Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against a landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, Death on the Nile features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers—and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until its shocking finale.

The film reunites the filmmaking team behind 2017’s global hit Murder on the Orient Express; joining Branagh onscreen this time are a cavalcade of stars including Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright.

Death on the Nile is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on October 23.

Danny DeVito and Phillipa Soo Talk The One and Only Ivan

August 20, 2020August 25, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Directed by Thea Sharrock, Disney’s The One and Only Ivan tells the story of a gentle, artistically inclined 400-pound silverback gorilla (voice of Sam Rockwell) who begins to wonder what life is really like outside the suburban shopping mall habitat—and struggling circus attraction—he calls home. Ivan’s not alone, however; among his circle of animal friends are a colorful parrot named Thelma (voice of Phillipa Soo), and an adorable stray dog named Bob (voice of Danny DeVito).

With this CGI/live-action adaptation of Katherine Applegate’s award-winning novel coming to Disney+ in just a few days’ time, D23 spoke with both DeVito and Soo about what made their experiences making The One and Only Ivan so unique.

When it came to joining The One and Only Ivan’s voice cast, Tony®-nominated Soo (Broadway’s Hamilton) was especially elated. “I actually didn’t know anything about the novel or the story that it was based on,” explains Soo, alluding to the true tale that inspired Applegate’s Newbery Medal-winning book. “[But] I was so excited—I just got married three years ago and because of that, I have all of these young nieces and nephews. Being asked to be a part of something that’s so iconic for them was super cool for me; so many cool ‘aunt’ points!” It’s not just the story (and its popularity amongst family) that delighted Soo—it’s the particularly impactful way it’s presented. “[Kids] are so knowing—and at the same time, they’re just curious and wide-eyed and open to the world,” she continues. “So they connect with [this story] a lot… And especially in this day and age, when we’re just trying so desperately to protect our environment, I think that kids are really aware of that. I think what this story shows them is that they can really contribute to that. Big change starts small. And just because they’re young should not deter them from wanting to help advocate for change, and change what they want to see in the world.”

As for Emmy® winner DeVito (Taxi), his participation in the film came about—at least in part—due to a previous role: “[With The One and Only Ivan], I’m working with a director I’ve worked with before,” he explains. “I did The Sunshine Boys on the West End in London, which Thea Sharrock directed, and it was great. I loved working with her, and when she told me about this [project], I thought it was great! I’ll play an animated dog in your movie, y’know? So I read the book—an amazing book.”

Giving voice to a CGI-animated animal is an interesting challenge from the start—but when said animal already has an iconic sound, it could prove daunting. Not so for Soo, who took her parrot voice seriously—with a hearty dollop of humor, of course. “It’s not very often I get to play characters like this parrot; it’s a very long jump from Eliza Hamilton,” says Soo, chuckling. “So as an actor, I feel so lucky that I was given that opportunity—because all I want to do is stretch, [and] be asked to do things that I’ve never done before and take risks. What a great way to be involved with, now, two Disney films”—Soo also lent her voice to 2016’s Moana, featuring music by her Hamilton compatriot Lin-Manuel Miranda—“[where] the characters are very different.” During recording, “I was lucky enough to see my Ivan character as I was working on it,” explains Soo. “The animation had largely been complete for Thelma, so when I got to go in and record, I had something there to reference. That was really exciting.”

For DeVito, recording included something that’s not often done in animation: “The uniqueness of doing this was that we—Sam Rockwell [voice of Ivan], Angelina Jolie [voice of Stella], Brooklynn Prince [voice of Ruby], myself, Helen Mirren [voice of Snickers]—were able to, at some point or another over the past couple of years that we’ve been doing this, to be actually in the same room. Disney had fixed it up so that we could see each other [in the recording studio]; it really makes a difference for an actor to be able to communicate, because you improvise—one thing leads to another… That was a unique experience, and it was great working with those people.”

Lending her talents to a Disney film—especially an animated one, and one that focuses on animals and the natural world to boot—might’ve been fate for Soo, who came of age during the Little Mermaid-led renaissance of Disney animation. “Growing up, my best friend and I would watch Pocahontas over and over and over and over,” she admits. “And we would go outside and run around—run through the woods, which we called ‘the forest.’ I definitely feel like it was such a great way—kind of like The One and Only Ivan—to really understand and appreciate nature. I think Pocahontas was my first deep understanding and connection that I had with the planet, and the animals that are on it.”

All told, both Soo and DeVito feel The One and Only Ivan is the perfect film for such a singular time in our history. “This is one of those great films where you feel like there’s a lot of wonderful lessons, as well as humor,” Soo says. “[And] what I think is so unique about this film is that it really captures the purity and the sweetness of these animals… I was just so struck by the fact that the writing and the directing really captured this purity; the knowingness that these animals have, and how precious that is.” DeVito agrees, adding, “It’s a movie for kids of all ages. First of all, it’s a lot of fun—it’s a comedy and it’s spirited. And the themes in it—of captivity and freedom—[it’s] heartfelt… The way it [all] was woven in with Mike White’s screenplay—Ivan the gorilla realizing that he should be free; keeping promises; being true to your word. All these different themes are woven into The One and Only Ivan—and that’s what makes it such a spectacular movie.”

Don’t miss The One and Only Ivan, premiering on Disney+ this Friday, August 21!

Go on an Adventure with These Disney Parks Attraction Posters

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Pirates! Ghosts! Hippos that wiggle their ears and blow bubbles! No matter what perils and thrills appear on our adventures, we can’t help but return to experience the fun all over again. At Disney Parks around the world, you can find adventure in all sorts of places—from jungle rivers and ancient temples in the aptly-named Adventureland, to the Rivers of America along Frontierland—but keep an eye out for ghosts next time you travel to Thunder Mesa! No matter where your next journey takes you, one thing is for certain—it’s going to have some gorgeous poster art. Check out this gallery of attraction posters for some of the most thrilling, wildest, and spookiest attractions at Disney Parks all over the globe.

Want to keep celebrating 65 years of the Disney Theme Park? Make sure to check out all the ways we’re celebrating, including more digital content right here on D23.com, all month long!

Eating Our Way Through 65 Years of Disney Theme Parks

August 20, 2020August 19, 2020

By Jim Frye

The savory aroma of a smoked turkey leg at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; the sweet taste of churros at Disneyland; the tangy deliciousness of a DOLE Whip at Magic Kingdom; or the cool, refreshing pleasure of a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar on a warm summer afternoon. The ever-evolving, always-enticing food stands and eateries at Disney theme parks have become can’t-miss stops—offering everything from fully immersive experiences to high-end dishes prepared by world-renowned chefs. But it hasn’t always been that way.

EARLY DAYS
Dining in Disney theme parks has changed dramatically over the years. These days, the parks in the U.S. use more than 49,900 different recipes at just over 710 food and beverage locations, including more than 130 table-service restaurants and 420 quick-service restaurants. To put that in perspective, if Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts were a single restaurant chain, it would rank as the 30th largest restaurant chain in America. And consider this: If the number of churros consumed annually at Disneyland Resort were laid end-to-end, they would stretch 1,162 miles and could line the Disneyland Resort Monorail Track 468 times. Also, if the number of Mickey-shaped soft pretzels sold annually at Walt Disney World Resort were laid ear-to-ear, they would stretch 352 miles and could circle Spaceship Earth at EPCOT 3,600 times.

How things have changed. In the early days when Disneyland was first opening, comfort food was the name of the game. Walt Disney brought in a number of outside/sponsored restaurants. “Walt was successful surrounding his brand with other well-known established brands, such as Carnation, Coke, and Sunkist,” says John State, culinary director, Disneyland Resort. “These brands boosted guest confidence, as they aligned with what was familiar.”

Those early sponsored eateries included Swift’s Red Wagon Inn and Swift’s Market House, Carnation Company Ice Cream Parlor, the Main Street Refreshment Corner sponsored by Coke, Chicken of the Sea’s Pirate Ship Restaurant, and Welch’s Grape Juice Stand. But, according to Robert Gilbert, culinary director, Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, there was always a push to develop food into something more exciting. “It is said that Walt knew food could be much more than just something that you ate,” Gilbert says. “It could also be entertaining and part of the experience. He wanted his food to be part of the show and help tell stories.”

Robert Adams, culinary director, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, agrees: “Walt was a great storyteller and restaurants were themed to the lands they were in,” he says. “Eventually, performance-theming was developed in order to have the cast really play a part in the show of the restaurants. Guests have always considered Disney restaurants more than just a place to get a meal. They often plan their vacations around making sure they experience certain restaurants, much like they plan for the attractions.”

THEMED DINING EXPERIENCES
As Imagineers began to rethink food in Disney theme parks, Disney dining became as much of an experience as the attractions—sometimes even more so! At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the waitstaff at the 50’s Prime Time Café tell guests to get their elbows off the table and wash their hands before eating. And the dining area is designed to look like your mom’s or grandma’s old-school kitchen. The Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant—where diners sit in “cars” at an “outdoor theater” watching classic ’50s sci-fi film clips—is a throwback to the glory days of ’50s car culture and outdoor movie theaters. Elsewhere, Jiko—The Cooking Place, tucked into a section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, feels as though you’re sitting on a savanna, enjoying authentic African cuisine and wine.

Carthay Circle Restaurant, at the hub of Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure, invites guests to step into an oasis of well-crafted California-inspired menu items in a dining room filled with Hollywood nostalgia—the entire restaurant is a replica of the original Carthay Circle Theatre, which premiered Disney’s first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

“Starting with the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland, which opened in 1955, on up to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Hotel in 2015, these restaurants help support the surrounding stories and bring the show to life with theme food, décor, and creative cast members,” says Karlos Siqueiros, project manager, Food and Beverage Concept/Product Development, Disneyland Resort. “It’s a Disney destination dining experience brought to life.”

DINING ELEVATED
As Disney parks expanded and opened additional properties—and resort hotels—dining options changed to meet the variety of palates and appetites. At Disneyland, the Plaza Inn opened in 1965, originally designed to be an elegant restaurant for the whole family. The Blue Bayou Restaurant, which sits along the “banks” of the waterway that ferries guests through the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, first opened its doors in 1967, meeting the growing demand for a high-quality restaurant in the park.

“Disney has transformed theme park dining, and has been recognized by both consumers and industry experts for exceptional, innovative, fun, and healthy dining experiences,” says Siqueiros. “From immersive dining that brings guests into the stories they love to the broad range of options, varying from five-star restaurants to quick-service choices, Disney parks are moving the culinary industry forward.”

According to Adams, fine dining at Walt Disney World, as it was defined at the time, started at the Resort Hotels soon after opening. “The Contemporary Resort had the Top of the World dinner show, as well as the Gulf Coast Room that was created out of a banquet space on the second floor,” he says. “The Empress Lilly’s Empress Room came on line with Walt Disney World Village around 1977. Theme park fine dining [at Walt Disney World] really did not exist until the opening of EPCOT with Paul Bocuse at Les Chefs de France.”

Speaking of EPCOT—which is currently undergoing its largest reinvention ever—it’s hard to imagine a trip inside the Walt Disney World Resort’s second theme park without savoring all the scrumptious offerings around World Showcase. This promenade of international pavilions offers an unparalleled selection of foods from around the world, including some of Disney’s most exceptional restaurants. These include Le Cellier Steakhouse inside the Canada Pavilion, Monsieur Paul at the France Pavilion, Restaurant Marrakesh in the back of the Morocco Pavilion, and the San Angel Inn Restaurante at the Mexico Pavilion, to name just a few. This is also the location of the super-popular EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

Eventually, the desire to create the finest dining experiences available produced the most elegant, high-end restaurants ever seen inside the theme parks and the surrounding resort hotel properties. These included the intimate opulence of Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa beside Magic Kingdom Park (the Chef’s Table provides an exceptionally immersive meal), Napa Rose inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel, and even Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida.

“We have our fair share of hot dogs (which, I might add, are great, high-quality, all-beef hot dogs), cotton candy, popcorn, and DOLE Whips,” says Gilbert. “But we also have a restaurant in Cinderella Castle that offers a feast fit for a prince and princess or a queen and a king.”

CHARACTER DINING
Perhaps no other dining experience is as celebrated at Disney parks and resorts as the chance to eat with your favorite characters from Disney animated films. “It is my recollection that the first character dining was a buffet banquet experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and soon afterward they tested the concept at Empress Lilly at the Fisherman’s Deck,” says Adams. “It was a huge success and drew in the local crowds, especially on the weekends. After several months, they started to re-concept restaurants in the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Golf Resorts with character dining.”

The 1980s found Goofy inside Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, along with breakfast with Winnie the Pooh or Minnie Mouse and Friends at the Plaza Inn at Disneyland. Both options are still available to this day. Guests can find Mickey and his friends at Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet at Storytellers Café inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Or, if Donald Duck is your favorite, head on over to Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast at Disney’s PCH Grill inside Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. At Walt Disney World, character dining can be found at Story Book Dining at Artist Point inside Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Chef Mickey’s Buffet at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Garden Grill Restaurant at EPCOT, Cape May Café inside Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and many more.

To the delight of fans both young and young-at-heart, Disney characters show up and delight guests at dining establishments all across the theme parks—and Disney Cruise Line, too! “Character dining is popular, unique, and sets us apart from other brands,” says State. “The great thing about character dining is that we have so many themes to tie together and likely more to try. This brings so much joy to our guest of all ages, but particularly our youngest.”

Eating has come a long, long way at Disney parks. What started as simple comfort food provided by outside vendors at the opening of Disneyland has grown into a collection of world-renowned dining destinations and culinary adventures sure to please the pickiest of palates.

Whether it’s grabbing a corn dog at Corn Dog Castle at Disney California Adventure, or dining on the savanna while watching graceful giraffe grazing nearby at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the opportunities to satisfy your appetite are nearly endless.

CHEF’S CHOICE! DISNEY RESORT HOTEL RESTAURANTS NOT TO MISS
As Disney resort hotels continue to develop dining locations to delight travelers from across the world, it can seem almost daunting trying to figure out which ones to visit. Not to worry, though, because Chef John State has put together his list of seven marquee hotel restaurants that guests simply cannot miss.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort: California Grill
Disney’s BoardWalk: Flying Fish
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jiko—The Cooking Place
Disney’s Riviera Resort: Topolino’s Terrace
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Victoria & Albert’s
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Yachtsman Steakhouse
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: Napa Rose Restaurant

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

August 20, 2020August 19, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Immerse yourself in the worlds of spies, spirits, and more this weekend! Disney+ will debut another laugh-out-loud episode of the original series Muppets Now Friday, while FX will air the 2014 blockbuster Kingsman: The Secret Service. On Saturday and Sunday, Freeform will premiere its original four-part limited series Love in the Time of Corona (available the next day on Hulu). Also scheduled for Sunday are the series finale of Elena of Avalor on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW and a new episode of Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa on Nat Geo WILD.

Muppets Now—Friday, August 21, on Disney+
In the fourth episode, Scooter wakes up in horror to discover his all-nighters have finally caught up to him… and now he has only 30 minutes to upload the show! With the clock ticking and his eyelids drooping, he enlists Animal to help him stay awake. Meanwhile, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, conduct a series of vibrational experiments with the help of a lonely, outdated computer. As the Swedish Chef uncovers the secrets of spaghetti carbonara when staring down his competitor, Giuseppe Losavio, Miss Piggy sits down with actress Aubrey Plaza to conduct a fabulous one-on-one interview. Later, Miss Piggy looks out for No. 1 as she focuses on self-care with Linda Cardellini and Taye Diggs.

Kingsman: The Secret Service—Friday, August 21, at 4 p.m. ET on FX
Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton) is a juvenile delinquent living in South London. His world is turned upside down when he discovers his late father secretly worked for a spy organization—and now agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth) wants to recruit him to be a trainee in the secret service! Meanwhile, tech villain Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) launches a diabolical plan to solve the problem of climate change… via global genocide! It’s up to Eggsy, Harry, and the other spies to thwart the diabolical plan before it’s too late.

Love in the Time of Corona—Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform
Filmed using remote technologies and shot in the cast’s actual homes, this four-part, limited series follows four interwoven stories about the search for love and connection while in quarantine, covering the early days of the stay-at-home order through the events that ignited the Black Lives Matter protests. James (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Sade (Nicolette Robinson) are a married couple who have been living somewhat separate lives until the pandemic halts his work travel and puts them back under the same roof. Meanwhile, the mostly platonic relationship between roommates Oscar (Tommy Dorfman) and Elle (Rainey Qualley) becomes increasingly complicated as they wonder if they can find love under one roof. Then there’s Paul (Gil Bellows) and Sarah (Rya Kihlstedt), who hide their separation from daughter Sophie (Ava Bellows) after she returns home from college. Finally, there’s Nanda (L. Scott Caldwell), who is determined to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary—even if her husband is unable to return home from a rehab facility.

Elena of Avalor: Coronation Day—Sunday, August 23, at 7 p.m. ET on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW
After three seasons, Princess Elena (voice of Aimee Carrero) will embark on one more heroic journey in an epic prime-time finale special. With plans for Elena’s coronation underway, Chancellor Esteban (voice of Christian Lanz) and his team of villains unleash legendary spirit misfits: The Four Shades of Awesome (voices of Jenny Slate, Disney Legend Mark Hamill, Fred Armisen, and Andy García). In order to save her kingdom, her family, and her friends, Elena must journey to the Spirit World, where she encounters Grand Macaw (voice of Patrick Warburton), ruler of the dark side of the Spirit World. To make it home and become queen, she must face the ultimate test of courage and character.

Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa—Sunday, August 23, at 9 p.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD
In the brand-new episode “Kitty Kitty Fang Fang,” you’ll get to meet the locals of ZooTampa: the Florida wildlife! As the team prepares to relocate two rescued Florida panther cubs, a young manatee has to prove he can survive in the wild. Meanwhile, the reptiles team races against the clock to breed a pair of indigo snakes. And the vet staff has a big problem in a tiny package with a lined seahorse who needs surgery to remove a lump.