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Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 25th anniversary today! We know we can wish them a happy anniversary by saying, “Joyeux anniversaire,” but what about “once upon a time,” or “a dream is a wish your heart makes,” or even “just keep swimming”? We asked our friends at Disneyland Paris to help us out with translations of a few of our favorite Disney phrases—try ‘em out below!
1. Once upon a time––Il était une fois
2. When you wish upon a star––Quand on prie la bonne étoile
3. Happily ever after––Heureux jusqu’à la fin des temps
4. A dream is a wish your heart makes––Les rêves qui sommeillent dans nos coeurs
5. Faith, trust, and pixie dust––Avec de la poussière d’étoiles
6. Just keep swimming––Nage droit devant toi
7. To infinity and beyond––Vers l’infini et au-delà
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Whether you’ve been a D23 Gold Member since the very beginning, or if this is your very first D23 Expo, there are special benefits for everyone to enjoy during the ultimate Disney fan event. Read on and stay tuned for more D23 Expo news!
D23 Expo Gold Member Gift––Disney animator Eric Goldberg crafted a piece of artwork exclusively for the latest issue of Disney twenty-three featuring more than 30 Disney Legends, including Julie Andrews, Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury, and Robin Williams. As a bonus, D23 Gold Members attending D23 Expo 2017 will receive a complimentary print of the artwork at the event.
D23 Fan Lounge––Need to recharge in between panels, presentations, and exploring the Expo? Everyone is welcome to enjoy the D23 Fan Lounge, which will be located in the heart of the show floor. Here, you can charge your phone at complimentary stations, take Insta-worthy shots at fun photo spots, and learn more about D23. The lounge is located directly in front of Center Stage, and you won’t be able to miss it––it will feature décor inspired by everyone’s favorite lucky rabbit, Oswald!
D23 Gold Member Benefits––If you’re a D23 Gold Member (we hope you are!), be sure to take advantage of several benefits, including priority seating for presentations in Hall D23 and the D23 Expo Arena, a complimentary Expo-exclusive print, and special offers and discounts from Disney partners including Havaianas, Ozobot, Steiff, and Thomas Kinkade (Stay tuned for the full list of Disney partners and offers).
D23 Charter Member Lounge––If you’ve been with us since the very beginning, don’t forget to stop by the D23 Charter Member Lounge. D23 Charter Members (who joined in 2009 and have maintained their Gold Membership status) will have exclusive access to this private lounge off the show floor, where they can relax and purchase food and beverages.
For more information on D23 Expo, visit D23expo.com
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Star Wars,Star Wars: Force for Change is collaborating with Omaze for Star Wars “Past, Present and Future,” an epic fundraising campaign featuring one-of-a-kind Star Wars experiences. “In a year that we celebrate 40 years of the Star Wars saga, I continue to be inspired by the incredible generosity and charitable efforts of our fans,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “We are so proud of their tireless dedication to positively impact the lives of children and others around the world, and hope this year’s Force for Change campaign will offer a few of those wonderful fans an experience they will never forget.”
Starting today, April 11, until May 11, 2017, you can enter on Omaze.com/StarWars for a chance to win one of these incredible prizes inspired by the saga’s past, present, and future:
Past––Stay at Skywalker Inn, tour of the archives and the Ranch, and a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope
Present––Join the cast and attend the Star Wars: The Last Jedipremiere and exclusive after party
Future––Visit the set, meet the directors, and have the chance to appear in the untitled Han Solo film
Plus, one lucky winner will be awarded all THREE of these unbelievable experiences.
Star Wars: Force for Change will benefit UNICEF and Starlight Children’s Foundation, an organization that works to bring comfort and joy to hospitalized children throughout more than 700 children’s hospitals, clinics, camps and other partners throughout the United States. Donations from Star Wars: Force for Change will help provide new Starlight programs, including fun and comfortable Star Wars-themed Starlight Brave Gowns, to tens of thousands of hospitalized children nationwide.
Star Wars: Force for Change and UNICEF joined forces in 2014 and have helped improved the lives of children around the world, saving the lives of more than 30,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with more than 4 million food packets distributed around the world. The collaboration has raised more than $9 million to date.
Check out the announcement (featuring Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley!) below and be sure to follow along on Omaze.com/StarWars for exclusive updates each week.
Celebrate some of the most legendary artists behind classic Disney animated films with this year’s D23 Member Gift.
By Greg Ehrbar
The first “nine old men” were Supreme Court justices—all more than 90 years old—who were trying to block President Franklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal” in the mid-1930s. When Walt Disney selected his first-string supervising animators, he was doing a wry nod to the headlines when he dubbed these then-young artists his “Nine Old Men.” While it’s hard to remember the those nine justices, the work of the nine Disney Legends continues to enchant the world…
The “Go the Distance” Guy
Walt Disney first approached Les Clark to compliment the lettering he created for a candy store menu. In 1927, Les joined the company—soon thereafter animating Mickey in a scene of Steamboat Willie (1928)—and stayed for 73 years. Among the numerous memories he gave us are the animation of Mickey in The Band Concert (1935) and the fairies in Fantasia (1940). Les believed in constant learning and development, attending art classes throughout his life and eventually directing Disney educational films.
The Renaissance Man
If Marc Davis’ only work was the animation of Cruella De Vil, he’d be legendary, but his talents extended to painting, design, and beyond. He created animation for many of Disney’s leading ladies, including Alice (of Wonderland), Cinderella, and Tinker Bell. His Disney theme park magic includes the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Country Bear Jamboree. Marc’s widow, Alice (also a Disney Legend), designed costumes for attractions, films, and TV.
The King of Emotions
Relationships highlight Ollie Johnston’s work, from warmhearted—Pongo and Perdita in One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), Baloo and Mowgli in The Jungle Book (1967)—to dysfunctional (Prince John and Sir Hiss in Robin Hood (1973). He bonded with fellow “old man” Frank Thomas and, along with their wives, became lifelong friends. Frank and Ollie make a guest appearance as animated characters in Disney•Pixar’s The Incredibles (2004).
The Master Draftsman
Milt Kahl had an ability to create animation that even struck his fellow “old men” with awe. He tackled characters that others found near impossible to animate: Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty’s Prince Phillip, Shere Khan in The Jungle Book (1967), and Madame Medusa in The Rescuers (1977). “It’s just that I don’t stop trying so quickly,” he told author John Canemaker in Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and The Art of Animation (2001), “I keep at it. I happen to have high standards and I try to meet them.”
The Mad Genius
Not one to overuse praise, Walt referred to Ward Kimball as a genius. They were especially close because of their love of trains. In addition to the animation of the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat—and the development of Jiminy Cricket—Ward encouraged Walt to embrace new and unusual techniques. He even directed the famous space-themed Disneyland TV episodes that influenced real-life U.S. missions.
The Beloved Mentor
Eric Larson is dear to the hearts of the animators he mentored in the 1970s—many now legends in their own right, like Tim Burton, Glen Keane, Brad Bird, and Andreas Deja, who wrote in his book The Nine Old Men: Lessons, Techniques, and Inspiration from Disney’s Great Animators (2015): “A talk with Eric always left us with a feeling that this is the greatest art form in the world.” Among Eric’s masterpieces are Lady and the Tramp’s Peg and Peter Pan’s breathtaking flight over London.
The Bouncy, Trouncy, Flouncy One
John Lounsbery was noted for refining the early techniques of “squash and stretch” movements into compelling character animation. Just mention one of his characters and that quality comes to mind: Tony and Joe in Lady and the Tramp (1955), King Stefan and Hubert in Sleeping Beauty (1959), and the elephants in The Jungle Book (1967). Not surprisingly, he co-directed the bouncy Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1974).
The Mighty Adventurer
Wolfgang “Woolie” Reitherman was the animator most likely to have been an action figure. His exploits as a pilot and outdoorsman carried over into the animation of the dinosaur fight in Fantasia, the dragon battle in Sleeping Beauty, and the whale chase in Pinocchio (1940). Woolie directed every animated feature from The Sword in the Stone (1963) to Robin Hood. His son, Bruce, voiced Christopher Robin in Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) and Mowgli in The Jungle Book.
The Steward of Sincerity
Among Frank Thomas’ masterworks are Captain Hook, Lady Tremaine in Cinderella (1950), the Queen of Hearts, and classic moments like the spaghetti-eating scene in Lady and the Tramp, Pinocchio’s puppet dance, and the ice skating in Bambi. Frank and Ollie Johnston collaborated on the acclaimed book, Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life (1981). A film called Frank and Ollie (1995) was written and directed by his son, Ted.
John Canemaker writes that these artists are “charged with a power to make audiences laugh and weep, sometimes (as did Chaplin) in the same scene.”
Thor is in trouble. The goddess Hela (Cate Blanchett) is on attack against Asgard, Odin is missing, and Thor himself is in for the battle of the century against a certain mean, green fighting machine.
In a blast of color and sound and excitement, the teaser for Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok dropped this morning, giving us our first looks at the deadly Hela in all her evil action, the warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) ready to send Thor to battle, and the mysterious Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) who is pitting the god of thunder against the Hulk in his gladiatorial best.
Along with the premiere of the thrilling new teaser is the debut of a poster featuring Thor in the middle of the Grandmaster’s arena, sporting his brand-new gladiator haircut. Are you excited to find out what’s in store for the god of thunder? Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok is directed by Taika Waititi and stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Cate Blanchett as Hela, along with Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins. We’re counting down the days until November 3 when we can finally see exactly what kind of exciting trouble our favorite Norse god has gotten himself into.
Andi Mack is Disney Channel’s newest show, about the warm, relatable and funny coming-of-age stories of the titular star and her friends as they navigate middle school. While Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) is on the verge of turning 13, also faces an unexpected surprise when her older sister, Bex (Lilan Bowden), moves back home—and brings big secrets with her. We chatted with the cast of Andi Mack to bring you seven facts you need to know about this endearing new show. Catch the premiere episode of Andi Mack on Disney Channel on April 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, or stream it right now on the Disney Channel App or YouTube.
1. Second chances are important.
Lilan Bowden plays Andi’s cool older sister, Bex, who has been traveling the world away from her family but now returns home so that she can be closer to her sister. Bex also has a big secret—one that will change Andi’s life forever. Bowden explains of Bex’s free spirit, “Bex is an example of how it’s never too late to want to improve upon yourself, it’s never too late to admit your mistakes, it’s never too late to want to change or adjust who you are. Just because you’ve always been a certain way doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re stuck in this archetype now—you can be many things.”
2. Bex and Andi were close on- and off-camera.
Bex and Andi are as close as two sisters can be before Bex’s secret gets out, and that closeness often carried over behind the scenes. Bowden and Lee frequently hung out outside of filming, including taking a ballet class together!
Lee explains, “So, Sofia [Wylie, who plays Buffy] and I are both trained ballet dancers, and we were taking this adult, advanced ballet class. I wasn’t really thinking oh, this won’t be too hard for Lilan.”
“She’s an expert ballet dancer,” Bowden says of Lee, “and I haven’t taken a class in 20 years. It was humorous to say the least.” The two actresses were able to teach each other, however, as Bowden recounts: “Peyton got to teach me ballet, so she was helping me correct my posture over the course of the season—because I kept up with it!— and Peyton is learning Mandarin Chinese right now, and I took a couple years in college. I was able to help her with her homework!”
3. Growing up is one of life’s best adventures!
Andi is still trying to figure out her role as she becomes older than a child but too young to be an adult. The bubbly Peyton Lee explains, “Growing up, you’re trying to figure out the balance of doing new things and sticking with what you know. I think it’s super important for kids to get out and do something that they’ve never done before and be adventurous.”
Of course, this is a familiar experience for teenagers all over the world, and Lee hopes that Andi Mack will be a positive influence as they grow up. She knows how tough being a teen is, and she says, “A lot of shows kids watch make them think, ‘Oh, if only one day I could be like that;’ but I think this show is really great because it’s not about people to look up to, but people who are your equals. It’s great to be able to watch someone who is the same as you are.”
4. Changing relationships take time.
Andi and Bex’s relationship isn’t the only one that’s changing! Their mother, Celia, has a very strained relationship with Bex, as she doesn’t approve of her free-spirited wandering. Because of that, Celia and Bex often don’t get along. The relationship, while often difficult, comes from a place of love. Actress Lauren Tom, who plays Celia, was able to relate the relationship to her own experiences, as she explains, “My mother was very tough and basically authoritarian, and I channeled her, because in real life I’m very soft. Now, I understand how deeply my mother loved and still loves me, and hopefully the character of Bex will understand,—sooner than I did—just how deep that love runs.”
5. The cast grew up with Disney Channel.
Lee, along with her costars Sofia Wylie (Andi’s best friend, Buffy), Joshua Rush (Andi’s other best friend, Cyrus) and Asher Angel (Andi’s crush, Jonah Beck), have all grown up with Disney Channel. The actors listed shows like Shake It Up!, Wizards of Waverly Place, Sunny with a Chance, A.N.T. Farm, and That’s So Raven as some of their favorite shows growing up.
Now that they’re on their own show on Disney Channel, there are Disney Channel stars they admire. Wylie cites Zendaya as a huge role model and explains, “She’s so amazing! She’s a fashion icon, and she’s branched out into so many different things.” Shake It Up! stars also influenced Rush, who says of actress Bella Thorne, “She’s such a down-to-earth, really cool person.”
As the lead of the show, Lee looks to other stars who began their careers on Disney Channel. She says, “One of my favorite Disney shows of all time is Wizards of Waverly Place, so Selena Gomez is a big inspiration for me. I look up to her because she started with Wizards of Waverly Place, and how she’s grown so much is definitely something that I emulate.”
6. You hear some familiar voices.
When it came time for Joshua Rush to list his favorite Disney Channel shows, he couldn’t help but be a little biased. He’s already done voice work for two of his favorites: The Lion Guard (as Bunga the Honey Badger) and Gravity Falls (as Soldier Kid). And he’s not the only familiar voice!
Before Lauren Tom was playing Celia Mack, she lent her voice to a variety of Disney shows. You may recognize her as the voice of Jake’s grandma on American Dragon Jake Long, as Barb on Fish Hooks, as Tasumi on The Replacements, and Yoshiko on Kim Possible. Her most famous role is a live-action one, as Lena St. Clair in The Joy Luck Club. Tom’s extensive resume with Disney is something she is proud of, as she explains, “Disney shows are always so wonderful because I have kids of my own, and I know whatever Disney represents is going to dovetail with my values. It’s always a joy to work for Disney.”
7. Joining the Disney family makes for a magic moment.
Whether they’ve worked with Disney before, or it’s their first time joining the family, everyone from the Andi Mack cast had a special moment when they realized they were part of the magic.
For Lee, it was a moment when dreams came true: “I feel like every day I’m checking something off my bucket list. I think one of the most exciting points was when I went to Radio Disney and we did our first on-air interview—and I did that with my friends on the show, and that was super exciting and fun.”
Bowden couldn’t help but remember the bigger picture of what she was joining: “We got to come into the office and watch a montage of all the years of Disney. I literally started crying.”
Wylie and Rush were struck by their first ‘star’ moment. Rush shares, “A special Disney moment for me was definitely was going to the Beauty and the Beast premiere—it was off the charts!” Wylie agrees and confesses, “I was asking people to pinch me!”
For Angel, the magic comes from being part of a close cast. “I remember going to a Houston Rockets game with Joshua. We were watching my team lose, but just being there with one of my best friends made it great.”
And the Disney veteran of the cast, Lauren Tom, values the impact Disney has on the world: “I am part of something that could end up changing a lot of the ways people feel, that someone understands them and that they are not so alone—and that’s really special.”
Ready to set sail with Captain Jack in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales? Lucky for you, we have brand-new character posters for the upcoming film to quench your thirst for adventure on the high seas. Enjoy exciting first looks at Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Barbossa, Captain Salazar, Carina, and Henry in these new character posters!
If you still haven’t gotten your fill of the pirate’s life, head on down to Disney California Adventure to see a special preview of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, presented in 3-D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land. You can also visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the preview as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction. And if you’re sailing the high seas and want a sneak peek at the action, Disney Cruise Line will be showing the preview on all four ships!
He’s friendly, kind, and all stuffed with fluff—and he’s brought his pals to Hong Kong for a very special visit! The “best bear in all the world,” Winnie the Pooh, has spent the last few years traveling the globe… and now, he’s making lots of new friends during the “Winnie the Pooh: Be My Friend” exhibition—now on display (and already hugely popular!) at Hong Kong’s Times Square mall. This amazing event is the largest Winnie the Pooh exhibit ever seen in Hong Kong, and features exquisite artifacts from the Walt Disney Archives. Many items will make their historic global debut, allowing fans to get a closer look than ever before—bringing to life the legacy of the iconic and beloved teddy bear… and giving fans a glimpse into the world of Pooh, filled with fun, friendship, loyalty, and love.
“We are thrilled to bring to life and share the world of Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood in Hong Kong,” says Rebecca Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives—pictured at the exhibit, below. “Pooh’s appeal spans generations, and the exhibition will give fans a look into the artistry behind one of the world’s most beloved characters. It will be a celebration of Winnie the Pooh’s heritage, where guests can immerse themselves in the storytelling adventure.”
There are so many things to see and do at the “Winnie the Pooh: Be My Friend” exhibition! The presentation includes 92 rare and unique artifacts—storybooks, sketches, original animated cels, toys, and more. Over half of these items, which have long been kept under Disney lock and key, are going on public display for the very first time—and they’re sure to delight fans of all ages.
Highlights include: a collection of original animation drawings from the early stages of development on Disney’s 1966 animated classic Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree; several hand-picked original production cels from 1968’s Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day; and examples of vintage merchandise, such as the very first Pooh and friends plush toys, created in 1964—before Disney had even released the first film. (Walt Disney himself had a plush Rabbit toy in his office on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank.)
But that’s not all: Guests can take photos alongside 19 figures—including a whopping nine-foot-tall Pooh (seen above), plus Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Gopher, and more… all in an adorable replica of the Hundred Acre Wood! If you’d like to meet some of your favorite Winnie the Pooh characters live and in person, you’re in luck: Piglet, Eeyore, and the “grand Pooh-bah” himself will be on hand to greet fans on select days through the rest of the exhibition.
If you want to bring a little piece of the Hundred Acre Wood home, a “Pooh and Friends” pop-up store offers a variety of both new and classic Pooh products—including hundreds of exclusive items going on sale for the first time.
If you’re in Hong Kong this spring, don’t miss “Winnie the Pooh: Be My Friend”—now through April 23!
The Disney Legends Award ceremony is one of many highlights during D23 Expo, and we’re excited to share this year’s class of legendary honorees! Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Disney Legends Award was first given to Fred MacMurray in 1987, and has since honored 276 Disney Legends (including this year’s honorees). “The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor our company can bestow on an individual, reserved for those few who have truly made an indelible mark on the history of The Walt Disney Company,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “It’s a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievement, and an expression of gratitude to the men and women whose work has significantly contributed to Disney’s enduring reputation for creative excellence.”
Since the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, fans have been able to enjoy the ceremony live, and this year is no different! Hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, the Disney Legends Award ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 14, in Hall D23 during D23 Expo. Read on to see which legendary contributors to The Walt Disney Company will be honored this year.
CARRIE FISHER is known best by Disney fans as Princess Leia, a role she originated in Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977. In addition to reprising the role in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Carrie’s Disney appearances also include Scream 3 (2000) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) for Dimension Films. Outside of her notable acting career, Carrie was also an accomplished author, playwright, screenwriter, and outspoken advocate for mental health awareness.
CLYDE “GERRY” GERONIMI (pictured left) joined the Disney Studio in 1931 and animated several memorable Mickey Mouse, Silly Symphony, and Pluto cartoons. Throughout his career, Gerry contributed to more than 50 of the Studio’s shorts. Gerry made the leap to sequence director with 1943’s Victory Through Air Power, and he subsequently contributed to The Three Caballeros, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. He also directed segments for television’s Mickey Mouse Club and contributed to episodes of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. Gerry also had the honor of serving as supervising director for the 1959 animated classic Sleeping Beauty.
MANUEL GONZALES was one of 33 artists selected from thousands of applicants to join Disney in 1936. In 1938, he took over penciling duties on the Sunday Mickey Mouse comic strip from Disney Legend Floyd Gottfredson. He brought Mickey Mouse to newspapers nationwide for nearly 40 years. His Mickey-starring comic strip appeared in 120 newspapers around the world with a collective circulation of more than 20 million readers each week. Manuel is one of a few to receive a “Mousecar” award from Walt Disney himself in 1966.
MARK HAMILL is best known as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, but Mark’s Disney roots can be traced back to a recurring role on ABC’s General Hospital and a starring role in MTM’s The Texas Wheelers. A prolific voice actor, he has performed on Disney’s Miles from Tomorrowland and Milo Murphy’s Law, and has also provided the voice of The Joker in the Batman animated series, a role that recently earned him a BAFTA Award. He returned as Luke in The Force Awakens and will reprise the role in the upcoming The Last Jedi.
WAYNE JACKSON began his career as a Walt Disney Imagineer in October 1965, and he put his technical skills to great use in the development and installation of Disney attractions around the world. Originally trained in aircraft tooling, he began as a technician and machinist assigned to rebuild the shows from the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair that were slated for installation at Disneyland. Instrumental in the early development of Audio-Animatronics® technology, Wayne would go on to help create Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Wayne would eventually work on the construction and installation of attractions and show systems at Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Disneyland Paris.
JACK KIRBY first grabbed our attention in the spring of 1941 with Captain America, a character he created with Joe Simon. Jack then followed this debut with a prolific output of comic books in the Western, Romance, and Monster genres—all a prelude to his defining work helping to create the foundations of the Marvel Universe. For the next decade, Jack and co-creator Stan Lee would introduce a mind-boggling array of new characters and teams—including the Avengers, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Ant-Man, Wasp, Black Panther, S.H.I.E.L.D., and the Inhumans. Jack was inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame’s 1987 inaugural class and continued creating comics throughout the ’90s before passing away in 1994.
STAN LEE got a job as an office assistant at a comic publisher in 1939 called Timely Comics—forerunner of the powerhouse we all know as Marvel. Stan made his debut with a Captain America story in 1941, and by the next year, at the age of just 18, he was promoted to editor. In 1961, Stan teamed up with Jack “King” Kirby to create the Fantastic Four and ushered in a spectacular new age of comics. Stan co-created an enormous roster of Marvel characters, including Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, the X-Men, Daredevil, and Falcon. He became Marvel’s editorial director and publisher in 1972, and eventually was named chairman emeritus.
GARRY MARSHALL began his career in Los Angeles writing for a number of hit shows, including The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show. But his big break came in 1970, when he produced The Odd Couple for ABC, the first of many big hits he created for the network. Beginning with Happy Days in 1974, he developed a shared universe of spinoffs including Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, and Joanie Loves Chachi. He also produced Angie, The New Odd Couple, and Blansky’s Beauties for ABC. In addition to his television work, Garry directed 18 films, including multiple films for Disney, like Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts, and The Princess Diaries with Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway. Garry was known for his acting, as well, and he appeared in Disney’s Race to Witch Mountain and Hocus Pocus.
JULIE TAYMOR is a Tony®-, Emmy®-, and Grammy®-winning and Oscar®-nominated filmmaker who has changed the face of Broadway with her innovative direction. Her adaptation of The Lion King debuted in 1997, and became the most successful stage musical of all time; 24 global productions have been seen by more than 90 million people. The show has played in more than 100 cities in 19 countries. It received 11 Tony Award nominations, earning Julie Best Director, Costume Designer, and Best Musical. She is currently directing M. Butterfly on Broadway, opening Fall 2017.
OPRAH WINFREY is a renowned award-winning producer, actress, talk show host, and philanthropist. For 25 years, she was the host of the award-winning talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran for 25 seasons in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. In 1998, she produced and starred in Beloved for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures. Oprah also produced and starred in ABC’s 1989 limited series The Women of Brewster Place, and would go on to produce many films for ABC, including Tuesdays with Morrie, Before Women Had Wings, and Their Eyes Were Watching God under the “Oprah Winfrey Presents” banner. She voiced Eudora in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog in 2009 and will co-star as Mrs. Which in Disney’s 2018 film A Wrinkle in Time.
Last year, we shared exciting news about amazing enhancements coming to Tokyo Disneyland, including a brand-new Beauty and the Beast area and attraction, a Big Hero 6 attraction, a live entertainment theater in Fantasyland, and a new greeting facility for Minnie Mouse.
Today, the Oriental Land Co., Ltd. held the groundbreaking ceremony for this development at Tokyo Disneyland Park. The president and COO of Oriental Land Co., Ltd., Kyoichiro Uenishi led the ceremony alongside Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
These exciting enhancements are set to open spring 2020, but in the meantime, stay tuned to D23 for more exciting updates!
