Miss Adventure Falls Makes a Splash at Typhoon Lagoon

March 13, 2017March 26, 2018

By Nicole Nalty

A new adventure awaits at Typhoon Lagoon, one of two thrilling water parks at Walt Disney World Resort. Miss Adventure Falls, a brand-new family raft attraction, opened yesterday at the water park and looks like some serious fun in the sun!

Surf into the story of world-famous oceanographer and Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A) member, Captain Mary Oceaneer. The adventurous Captain Mary aimed to sail the seven seas and collect treasures from around the world––but when her ship was swept up in a rogue typhoon, the boat and its artifacts ended up at Typhoon Lagoon, where locals repurposed the treasures for this all-new adventure. Along with trinkets from Captain Mary’s travels, you’ll find her parrot and trusted diving partner, Duncan, who lives inside the shipwreck, still hunting for treasure.

See more of this exciting attraction below!

Spring Forward with Your Favorite Disney Clocks

March 12, 2017March 14, 2017

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Today at 2:00:00 a.m. all the clocks turned forward an hour, so if you’ve been running late or are just plain confused, now you know why! You better make sure to spring your clocks forward, or, if you still need some help with the time, why not look to these famous clocks from Disney history to help you stay on time!

it’s a small world clock, it’s a small world (1966)
You know you’re nearing it’s a small world because you can always here it: that gentle “tick, tock” of the smiling clock face watching over the children of the world. Every 15 minutes, the clock chimes and a parade of children from around the world dance around the clock to let theme park guests know what time it is.

Cogsworth, Beauty and the Beast (1991, 2017)
When you want to tell the time, why not have your clock tell you the time? This mechanical majordomo used to be a human, but he’s just as loveable as a magically alive clock in the animated classic Beauty and the Beast, and we can’t wait to meet Cogsworth again when the new, live-action Beauty and the Beast comes out on March 17.

Clock Tower, Cinderella (1950)
“Oh, that clock!” The chiming of this clock wakes Cinderella up each morning, but even though it’s always ordering her to wake up, it can never order her to stop dreaming. Even when it chimes midnight and forces her to flee the ball, she is still able to live happily ever after thanks to a certain glass slipper.

The Mine Cuckoo Clock, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
This little cuckoo clock has a very important job: letting the Seven Dwarfs know when their working day at the mine is done! When the two wood-carved men on the clock ring the bell, the Dwarfs know it’s time to head “Heigh Ho-me” from work.

13-Hour Clock, Haunted Mansion (1969)
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you as you pass this ominous timepiece in the Haunted Mansion: This clock is tolling for the 13th hour. Don’t be afraid of this creepy clock, as it’s just letting you know it’s time to go join a swingin’ wake.

The White Rabbit’s Pocketwatch, Alice in Wonderland (1951)
If you forget to set your clock forward for daylight savings, you may find yourself saying “I’m late, I’m late!” But even with a clock working on time, the White Rabbit still can’t quite ever be on time.

The Crocodile, Peter Pan (1953)
It might get a little tricky to check the time on this clock, since it’s in the belly of a croc! The good news is that the “tick tock” sound gives you a warning when the hungry crocodile is headed your way.

Pooh-koo Clock, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
Winnie the Pooh may have troubles getting his hunny, but he lets his dreams come true in his special cuckoo—er, Pooh-koo—clock that features a mini version of Pooh popping out of a honey pot.

Shanghai Disney Store Clock Tower, Shanghai Disneyland (2016)
We’ve featured this one-of-a-kind clock tower here before, and we wish we could always use it to check the time! Whenever the half hour or hour chimes, this glockenspiel-style clock tower greets guests with a show of bells and Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars characters!

Geppetto’s Cuckoo Clocks, Pinocchio (1940)
If you ever need to know the time, just head over to Geppetto’s workshop! He’s crafted every kind of cuckoo clock imaginable, from swimming ducks to jumping sheep to a bee buzzing out of a flower.

Big Ben, Peter Pan (1953) and The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
London’s most iconic clock has been featured in multiple Disney films: It is the setting for one of the most famous images from Peter Pan, when Peter and the Darlings pause a moment in their flight to rest on the clock’s hands, and later the setting of a tense fight in The Great Mouse Detective, when Basil of Baker Street is locked in deadly battle against the villainous Rattigan.

Cuckoo Clock, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (1975, 1993)
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progess tells the story of technological advances, but no matter what we have in store for our great, big, beautiful tomorrow, one thing that progress won’t change is our need to tell time. And so, amdist all the wonders of progress, a simple cuckoo clock in Act Three reminds us that sometimes our beautiful tomorrow can happen today! The cuckoo, however, has a tendency to chime in just at the right time to poke fun at our host, John.

Ingersoll Mickey Mouse watch (1933)
If you need to check the time, why not check it with some style? This iconic watch featuring Mickey Mouse pointing out the time to you was among the earliest liscenced and most popular products featuring our favorite leader of the club, and is still a fashion staple for Disney fans today.

There’s Something for Everyone to Love About ABC’s New Primetime Spring Series

March 10, 2017March 10, 2017

By Tim Lammers

Spring is upon us. In nature it’s a time for rebirth, and it’s a time when the Earth’s axis starts to tilt toward the sun. For TV fans, it’s a time to tilt toward the nearest screen because this year, springtime marks the return of an acclaimed drama and the debut of three new series to primetime on ABC.

Plus, there’s a change in tune—at least for one episode—for the network’s beloved fairy-tale series.

Time After Time
A movie based on H.G. Wells’ classic tale The Time Machine gets a new spin via the creative talents of writer/producer Kevin Williamson and producer/director Marcos Siega with Time After Time (Sundays 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT). In the series, Wells (Freddie Stroma), years before he becomes a legendary author, must use his time-travel machine to capture his friend-turned-foe, Dr. John Stevenson (Josh Bowman)—who is shockingly revealed as Jack the Ripper—after he escapes from 1893 London to modern-day New York City.

While Time After Time draws its inspiration from the 1979 Malcolm McDowell movie of the same name, Siega says the movie’s narrative only serves as a foundation for the show to build upon. The basic idea, he says, is, “If the movie were to continue, what happens?”

“We were very true to the original film in the pilot, but the fun of the series is how we take it in a new direction,” Siega says. “With H.G. Wells’ pursuit of Jack the Ripper, we’re going to learn that the adventures he goes on are the inspiration for all of his great novels. Season one, for example, is the inspiration for The Island of Doctor Moreau, and season two would be the inspiration for The Invisible Man.

While Time After Time is rooted in Wells’ work in science fiction, the series also explores other genres.

“It’s a really fun show that satisfies more than what the obvious is,” Siega says. “We’re not really a time travel show. It’s not that. We don’t time travel every episode. That’s a very small part of it… I just feel it would be really nice for people to give it a shot and understand it’s a really fun, epic drama with some great romance and some great suspense in it.”

American Crime
Hot off the success of its first two seasons, Oscar®-winning filmmaker John Ridley’s compelling drama American Crime (season premiere March 12, airs Sundays 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT) is back with 8 more episodes in season three. Like the first two seasons of the critically lauded anthology series, the new season of American Crime explores provocative social issues in the U.S., including the distressed plight of migrant workers and the people who employ them.

In an interview for an upcoming documentary on the series, co-star Felicity Huffman says there’s a lot bubbling under the surface for her character, Jeanette Hesby. As an ordinary housewife, Huffman says, Jeanette has “disappeared as an individual” in her marriage, until a revelation about the shady practices of her husband’s farm business sets her on a new but rough path to establish her own identity.

“The farm that her husband runs with his siblings, in order to compete with Mexico and China, they need cheap labor,” Huffman says. “They have five farms in that area and they contribute a lot to the economy in the area, and they put a lot of people to work… but the only way they can compete is to bring in illegal workers and try to get as much as they can out of them. She’s been unconscious of that and when she wakes up to, I guess you could call it an ‘American crime,’ she wakes up to the fact that, ‘I have no currency. I have no autonomy in this world.’”

Imaginary Mary
Fifteen years after the conclusion of Dharma & Greg in 2002, comedy gem Jenna Elfman makes her return to the ABC sitcom slate with Imaginary Mary (sneak peek March 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT, Tuesdays starting April 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. CT). Elfman stars as Alice, a successful ad executive whose life is turned upside down when she meets the love of her life, a divorced father of three. That’s a problem considering Alice fears kids, and further complicating her life is the sudden return of her imaginary childhood friend—a furry little creature named Mary (voice of Rachel Dratch).

While the series isn’t Elfman’s first turn in a live-action/animation hybrid environment (she previously starred opposite hand-drawn characters in Looney Tunes: Back in Action in 2004), she says the process of filming computer-generated scenes for Imaginary Mary was quite different.

“With Looney Tunes I had green-screen things and people in green outfits to look at—something in the real, physical world to put my eye on. But for Imaginary Mary, I rehearsed with a puppet and a puppeteer, and we did one take so the animators had a point of reference of Mary in the actual space,” Elfman recalls. “But when we filmed the takes for real, for my acting, there was nothing. It was just a normal room and I had to remember all these different eye-lines while doing the scene, making it funny and making my acting choices. It was definitely a great creative challenge.”

Another thing Elfman had to imagine was the idea of actually having an imaginary friend as a child.

“I never had one growing up. I’ve always liked the real world a lot,” Elfman says with a laugh. “I never felt the need or it never occurred to me to have one. But I was also a girl who didn’t like playing with dolls. I liked playing basketball with the boys across the street. When I used my imagination, I was doing art and creative things like that.”

Downward Dog
Fargo star (and Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee!) Allison Tolman has unleashed her comedic side in Downward Dog (summer, premiere date/time TBA), a sitcom that explores the special bond between a single woman, Nan (Tolman), and her beloved dog, Martin (voiced by series writer-executive producer Samm Hodges)—and how that bond is tested by Nan’s involvement with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Jason (Lucas Neff).

Real-life shelter rescue dog “Ned” plays Martin, and audiences get to hear the pooch’s innermost thoughts through video camera confessionals he makes while everyone is away.

“It’s so clever and it’s what makes the show work, 100 percent,” Tolman observes. “If the dog spoke to me or spoke to other dogs, it would be a completely different thing. But instead, we all exist in the world of this show and he’s the only one who can speak to the audience. He’s not really a talking dog because every time we see him in reality he can’t talk. The only time he can talk is when he is talking directly to us.”

Tolman says while Martin speaks and moves his lips, Downward Dog is much more than a “talking dog” show. She says the stigma of what some perceive as a gimmick was removed when the show’s pilot screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

“It’s a highbrow show that sounds really lowbrow,” Tolman says. “It’s hard to say the words ‘talking dog show’ without thinking, ‘That’s a kid’s show!’ or ‘It’s an animated dog!’ But this show is really super-grounded. It’s really based in reality and we just happen to have a talking dog in it. It’s really about people behaving like people and it’s a pretty realistic, sweet-sad comedy. Being able to debut the show at Sundance was a godsend for us. It was like getting a stamp of approval and showed that it’s not a goofy show that should be passed over.”

Once Upon a Time
While the midseason premiere of Once Upon a Time had its share of surprises like the return of Robin Hood (Sean Maguire), there’s more mystery ahead from creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis—including whose vocals we’ll be hearing in the show’s hotly anticipated musical episode coming sometime this spring.

Karen David, who joined the cast as Princess Jasmine opposite Aladdin (Deniz Akdeniz) to flesh out Storybrooke’s Aladdin storyline, said in November that she was hoping the idea of a musical episode would come to pass.

“When I first got the role of Jasmine, that’s the first thing I thought about—that it would be so wonderful to sing it because that’s their theme song! When you think of Aladdin, you think of A Whole New World,” David said. “A lot of fans want Deniz and me to do a duet together, but Deniz insists that he doesn’t sing. I asked him if he’s being modest and he says, ‘No, no, no. I can’t sing.’ I know Josh (Dallas) and Colin (O’Donoghue) have offered to sing, and Deniz can just open his mouth and pretend!”

Exclusive Q&A with Tangled: The Series’ Zachary Levi—One of the Biggest Disney Fans You’ll Meet

March 10, 2017

By Beth Deitchman

The actor—a self-proclaimed “Dis-nerd”—is reprising his role as the charming and adventurous Eugene Fitzherbert (formerly Flynn Rider) in Disney Channel’s brand-new Tangled: The Series.

He’s dashing… witty… and deeply loyal. We could be talking about Eugene Fitzherbert—aka Flynn Rider—who burst into Rapunzel’s tower in the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2010 hit feature Tangled and ended up sticking around for “ever after,” but those qualities are just as evident in the actor who voices Rapunzel’s true love, Zachary Levi. We talked with Levi recently about Tangled Before Ever After, the Disney Channel Original Movie that premieres Friday, March 10 (8 p.m. ET)—in advance of the debut of Tangled: The Series on March 24 (7:30 p.m.)—about the enduring appeal of Eugene and Rapunzel as well as Levi’s enduring love for all things Disney.

“I have a massive affinity for everything Walt Disney created. He connected to the child in all of us and told really great stories that are classic and timeless.”

D23: What’s Eugene up to in the new series?
Zachary Levi (ZL): He’s pretty content. Now he’s in with the royal family and living in the lap of luxury, but he’s still learning. He’s not accustomed to any of this stuff and what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate. He’s rough around the edges but he’s still learning and coming to terms with the bad decisions that he made in the past.

D23: Speaking of back story, Eugene is a pretty complex character. Is portraying him more of a challenge than a live-action role, given that you can only use your voice to bring him to life?
ZL: I love voice acting. Ever since I was a little kid I was a massive “Dis-nerd”—I watched everything Disney under the sun—and I always loved the idea of being able to create a character with your voice. There are cameras in the [recording] booths, so the animators kind of use a little bit of whatever you might be bringing, as far as how a character might gesticulate. I trust the animators to bring all those little bits of Eugene to life and they do in tremendous ways.

D23: Why do you think that Rapunzel and Eugene remain so beloved to fans?
ZL: Fairy tales used to be much more cookie-cutter and there was a very definitive prince and a very definitive evil character, whomever that might be. In Tangled, they really took a swing at making two well-rounded characters who aren’t perfect. They fumble, they stumble, they fail, they succeed. They’re there for each other, but they fight—and there’s teamwork. They have fun together and really complement each other in their adventure skills and resourcefulness and the comedic tête-à-tête between them. And there’s heart in them [as a couple] that fits behind all of that—Disney’s never lacked heart.

D23: You proudly call yourself a “Dis-nerd.” How much of a Disney fan are you?
ZL: I grew up in Southern California, so we went to Disneyland a good amount growing up and still do. But I grew up right at the advent of the beginning of cable television, and my sisters and I would watch Disney Channel religiously. We’d watch all of the Mickey cartoons, Goofy cartoons, Donald cartoons, and Pluto cartoons, but I loved all of the other ancillary characters that came with them, like Humphrey the Bear and the park ranger, J. Audubon Woodlore, and [characters from] classic shorts like Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, and Ichabod Crane. I have a massive affinity for everything Walt Disney created. He connected to the child in all of us and told really great stories that are classic and timeless.

D23: Do you have a favorite character?
ZL: Aladdin and Genie are always kind of at the top of my list, but if I were to go “deeper cut,” I’d say it was Casey Jones from The Brave Engineer. He was the best train conductor and he was never late, always on time. Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet are also among my favorites. I just love that short [the “Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet” segment from Make Mine Music] so much.

D23: Did you have any idea when you first breathed life into Eugene that the character, and Tangled, would be so special and would still be with you so many years later?
ZL: I always believed that if we all worked our hardest and brought all of our talents as best we could and collectively shepherded all of that, we’d have a chance at making something really special. And what a treat that we were the 50th [Disney animated feature]—I’m always a fan of anniversaries, and I think that was a really cool thing, having that special Steamboat Willie opening of the 50th Disney animated film. At the end of the day I really do feel like we were super, super blessed.

4 New Characters Racing into Cars 3

March 9, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

We’re nearing the starting line for the debut of Cars 3, which cruises into theaters on June 16. All of our favorites are back––Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), Sally (Bonnie Hunt), and the whole Radiator Springs crew––along with some new faces, trainer Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) and next-generation racer Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer). Now there are even MORE automobiles lined up for the upcoming film. “We’re introducing some fun and really appealing characters in Cars 3,” said director Brian Fee, “so we really wanted to find the right voices to help us breathe life into them. We hit a homerun with this group; I couldn’t be happier.” Read on to see who’s joining the racecar roster and stay tuned for more from Cars 3!

Natalie Certain––Natalie Certain’s name suits the book-smart and mathematically gifted automotive. A highly respected statistical analyst, Certain might be missing the importance of determination in her race equations. Natalie Certain is voiced by the Scandal-ous Kerry Washington.

Sterling––Running one of the most successful race car training facilities in the country probably isn’t easy, but Sterling, a brilliant businesscar, seems up to the task. The automobile may seem calm, cool, and collected, but he’s driven to make sure all of his investments pay off. Sterling is voiced by Nathan Fillion, who Disney fans know from Castle and Modern Family.

Miss Fritter––Miss Fritter is one scary school bus! A local legend at the Thunder Hollow Speedway demolition derby, Miss Fritter intimidates with her smokestacks of doom, razor-sharp stop sign, and a collection of her victims’ license plates. Miss Fritter is voiced by Lea DeLaria, of Orange is the New Black fame.

Hamilton––A fully loaded, built-in voice command assistant, Hamilton is a great help to high-tech trainer Cruz Ramirez, especially when Lightning McQueen takes his training off road. Hamilton is voiced by none other than three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Can You Find These 7 Disneyland Numbers?

March 9, 2017March 9, 2017

By Jocelyn Buhlman

You can always count on spotting some significant numbers throughout the worlds of Disney—we all know, for example, that the “23” in D23 is taken from the year 1923, when Walt Disney first arrived in Los Angeles and founded what is now The Walt Disney Company. The rich history of Disneyland has provided many an opportunity for these numerical namings, and we’ve gathered our favorites to share with you some Disneyland history that adds up to fun!

Flight 1401, Star Tours—The Adventures Continue
“Star Tours flight 1401, you are cleared for departure!” The destinations and adventures change every time you experience Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, but the flight number always remains the same. The number 1401 serves as a special shout-out to Walt Disney Imagineering: 1401 is the street address where Disney theme park magic is dreamed up!

1901, Carthay Circle Restaurant
You may have heard of the exclusive Club 33, named for its address in New Orleans Square at Disneyland on 33 Royal Street. Did you know that Disney California Adventure also hosts a private club, located inside the Carthay Circle Theatre? 1901 ties into Disney California Adventure’s theme of celebrating Walt’s early life by taking its name from the year the master showman was born. The club itself is decorated with early pictures of Walt and Disney staff members and is described as the kind of place early Disney animators would have hung out in during their off hours.

Space Station 77, Space Mountain
The iconic, intergalactic thrill ride Space Mountain originated at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, but the ride was so popular that its futuristic white dome now shines over Disneyland’s Tomorrowland as well. While the Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain is referred to as “Starport Seven-Five,” in tribute to the year the attraction was installed in the park, Disneyland’s Space Mountain is called “Space Station 77,” after the year the classic “E-ticket” attraction blasted off on the west coast.

Madame Leota’s spell book page 1313, Haunted Mansion
If Madame Leota’s spirit summoning doesn’t have you too entranced, take a peek at her spell book during her spectral séance. Looking closely, you may spy that the book is open to page 1313. While you may think the double thirteen was selected for its unlucky symbolism, the number actually has a much lighter meaning! 1313 frequently shows up on Haunted Mansion-related merchandise and art, referencing the street address of Disneyland park itself: 1313 Harbor Boulevard.

Spaceship DL 05, Space Mountain
Space Mountain may have first premiered at Disneyland in 1977, but it received a special refurbishment for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary in 2005 to take guests to new reaches of the galaxy. This special refurbishment is commemorated on the “spaceship” in the main queue, which is numbered DL 05, representing Disneyland 2005. Even though the “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” celebration is over, the memory of it still remains, even in the world of Tomorrow.

TL59 pipes, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
You already have a lot to find on Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage as you go on your underwater search for Nemo, but did you know that you can also make discoveries in the queue? Pipes running overhead of the attraction’s seaside queue feature printed numbers evoking an industrial aesthetic. But some of the numbers have a special meaning: “TL59” is printed along one of the pipes, referencing Tomorrowland 1959, the place and year the original attraction, Submarine Voyage, first debuted at Disneyland park.

Route 55, Autopia
Disneyland’s Autopia allows guests of all ages to enjoy the thrills of driving, and the roads you explore in your friendly ride vehicle offer all sorts of silly Easter eggs. Did you spot the “Mouse Crossing” sign? Can you find the reference to Mr. Toad’s Motormania? Some of the shoutouts are less obvious, however. When your car passes a sign for Route 55, you are passing a tribute to Disneyland park itself. Fifty-five is a significant number for Disneyland, as 1955 was the year Walt Disney’s groundbreaking theme park first opened to the public

Exclusive: Mandy Moore Lets Down her Hair About Tangled Before Ever After

March 9, 2017

By Beth Deitchman

Her own “once upon a time” begins, magically, with a Disney movie. Long before she would play Mia Thermopolis’ nemesis in The Princess Diaries or lend her voice to the motherly Nita in Brother Bear 2, a young Mandy Moore was captivated by The Little Mermaid. The little girl who ran around her house singing “Part of Your World” grew up to wonder “When Will My Life Begin?” as a new Disney Princess, Rapunzel, who inspired a next generation of would-be royals in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2010 feature Tangled. The character—as well as that of her eventual husband, Eugene Fitzherbert (formerly Flynn Rider)—remained a fan favorite in the years that followed, leading Disney Channel to continue her adventures now in Tangled Before Ever After. The Disney Channel Original Movie premieres this Friday, March 10, at 8 p.m. ET; followed on March 24 with the debut of Tangled: The Series at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Rapunzel’s story picks up “between the kisses” that come at the end of Tangled and the 2012 short Tangled Ever After, which saw the happy couple say their “I do’s,” and follows the princess as she reacquaints herself with her parents and the kingdom of Corona. “There’s so much there to explore,” Moore told D23 in an exclusive interview. “I’m excited that we have a series and a plethora of episodes to be able to do that.”

Moore was thrilled to revisit the character, who she describes as an “unstoppable force” and someone she’s glad that young fans can look up to. “I think that her fearlessness and the fact that she stands up for herself and what she believes in resonates with people. She wants to learn about the world around her with her eyes wide open—and I think people really appreciate that,” she theorizes.

Alan Menken’s music inspired Moore as a child, and she still speaks in amazement about having the opportunity to sing the original songs he composed with Glenn Slater for Tangled. “I have so many memories of recording the music at Capitol Records with an orchestra,” she enthuses, and adds that the experience of singing “I See the Light” on the Academy Awards® broadcast alongside Zachary Levi (Eugene) was “transcendent.” Moore is singing new songs from Menken and Slater, and executive producer and supervising director Chris Sonnenburg has been similarly awed to witness the new musical collaboration. “For a certain amount of the process you hear Alan singing the song or you hear a scratch person singing the song. But then Mandy comes in and hits the first note and, all of a sudden, Rapunzel’s in the room. You get chills,” he shares.

Rapunzel’s unmistakable voice has wowed audiences since 2010, but it had a different, surprising effect on one young fan. “A friend once asked me to help his kid sleep. It was like, ‘Can you please call as Rapunzel and leave a message saying that you like to go to bed by 7:00, and all princesses really like to get a good night’s sleep and go to bed early?’” Moore remembers. “I never heard back from them, so I figured since I didn’t need to do a follow-up call, perhaps it did work,” she laughs.

The actress shares the admiration that fans have for this modern and relatable princess. “She’s ready to take on all of the obstacles and challenges that may lie before her, even things that are sort of unknown,” Moore says. “She really does have this natural curiosity about the world and this irrepressible spirit.” As a testament to the equally irrepressible affection fans have for Rapunzel and Eugene, Disney Channel recently announced that Tangled: The Series has already been greenlit for a second season in advance of the series debut, ensuring that the beloved princess is “hair to stay.”

Exclusive: Kurt Russell Talks Gogi Wines and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

March 9, 2017March 9, 2017

By Jim Frye

Here’s something we can all toast!

With a bevy of great food, incredible chefs, and arguably some the most respected (and popular) vineyards anywhere in the world, California is a foodie paradise. Just ask Disney Legend Kurt Russell, who fell in love with the wine regions north of Los Angeles during film shoots and eventually created his own label—Gogi Wines, based in Los Alamos—which produces some of the region’s most elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. And seeing as how the popularity of Russell’s wines can sometimes make the bottles hard to find, it’s exciting to hear that guests can sample and buy Gogi to their heart’s content this spring at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! (And all year long, too!)

Kicking off March 10, the Festival encourages guests to discover new dishes and drinks from all across the Golden State, including Kurt Russell’s Gogi wines. “Our wines are at the Alfresco Tasting Terrace there in Disney California Adventure and also at Steakhouse 55, Club 33, and all over Walt Disney World—and even at Shanghai Disneyland,” Russell says. “My history with Disney has been significant.”

And when he says “significant,” he’s not kidding. In addition to his next role as Ego, the father of Chris Pratt’s character in Marvel’s summer film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Russell has played a number of iconic Disney characters, such as the unforgettable Dexter Riley in the classics The Strongest Man in the World; Now You See Him, Now You Don’t; and The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. There’s also The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, Sky High, and the inspiring Miracle, about the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team. “I’ve starred in more movies for Walt Disney than anybody,” Russell laughs. “At least I’ve been told that.”

Coming back to work for Disney [Marvel] in Guardians is like returning home for Russell. “It’s been a relationship,” he says. “I’ve just kept this contact and recently, because of my involvement with Gogi Wines, I’ve regenerated my relationship with Disney in a very big way, and it’s a growing thing. Gogi Wines are a big part of getting the word out that there’s this growing reputation about Disney having great food and great wine. I love being a part of that. So my relationship has grown with them. It’s just always been a part of my life.”

At Disney parks, Russell’s Gogi Wines are part of what’s known as the Disney Family of Wines, a carefully curated wine list featuring vineyards that have a connection to Disney. These wines, which can be found at many restaurants throughout Disney Parks & Resorts, include Fess Parker Winery, from the Disney Legend best known for his role as Davy Crocket; MacMurray Ranch Wines from Fred MacMurray, the first Disney Legend, fondly remembered for his portrayal of Professor Ned Brainard; Silverado Vineyards, owned by part of the Disney family; and Lasseter Family Wines, by John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Pixar and Disney.

“I’m involved heavily now with Disney,” Russell adds. “They sell my wines at some of their best restaurants, and it’s something they want the word to get out about. They want to be known as a place that not only has this incredible history of theme park adventures that nobody else can provide, but also they are becoming more and more known for the fact that they are also connected with great food and wine.”

And what better way to find out about all those tasty offerings than at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. “I’m involved with the Food and Wine Festival this year,” Russell says. While the Winemakers Dinner, featuring a variety of blends from the Disney Family of Wines (including Gogi Wines), is sold out, you can sample some of the winery’s best grapes at the Festival Showplace (Goldie Chardonnay will be available March 10 – March 31, 3 Bings Pinot Noir will be available April 1– April 16), or during a wine education seminar on Saturday, April 15 (purchase tickets here).

If this is your type of fun, then come out to the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival to sample and buy Russell’s Gogi Wines, along with all the other Disney family of wines. And make sure to check out Russell’s newest role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, hitting theaters May 5. And make sure to raise a glass to him, preferably filled with a Gogi Wine!

Everything You Need to Know about Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

March 9, 2017March 8, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

Starting March 10, you can enjoy culinary creations inspired by flavors and ingredients from throughout California at Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. There’s so much to see, do, and (most importantly!) eat, you’ll want to make multiple trips––and maybe take a walk around the park in between sampling some of these delicious delicacies. Read on to see what’s in store during this celebration of California cuisine.

The Food
The festival returns this year with 15 marketplaces serving up delicious eats throughout Disney California Adventure park. Celebrating California-grown ingredients, you’ll find marketplaces like I Heart Artichokes, Olive Us, Bacon Twist, and Lemon Grove, just to name a few. We’re particularly excited about Nuts About Cheese (because, well… we’re nuts about cheese), and we have to try the garlic-rosemary and avocado oil ice cream pop at Garlic Kissed. Use this complete guide from our friends at the Disney Parks Blog to plan out your must-eats.

Aspiring and veteran cooks can enjoy culinary demonstrations from local, visiting, and Disney chefs daily during the festival. Plus, you’ll get to taste a sample of the dish prepared during the 30-minute demonstration! See who’s cooking and purchase tickets here.

The Wine (and Beer!)
Taste your way through California wines at Uncork California, and savor wine and sangria at Wineology. Beer enthusiasts can sample the best of local breweries at California Craft Brews and craft beer and beer cocktails at The Brewhouse. Outside of the festival’s marketplaces, industry experts will be on hand daily throughout the festival for a selection of wine, beer, and spirits education and tasting seminars, where you can enjoy a tasting and learn more about your favorite beverage. You can find the full schedule of wine education and tasting seminars here, and the full schedule of beer and spirits education and tasting seminars here.

For a special treat, enjoy a four-course dinner with wine or beer pairings at a special Winemaker Dinner or Brewmaster Dinner. Winemakers or brewmasters will speak about each beverage and its pairing and, with courses designed by the Disney Executive Chef Team, it’s sure to be a delicious dinner!

The Chefs
Spend some time in the kitchen with celebrity chefs for “In the Kitchen with…,” a special 60-minute culinary demonstration, Q & A, and autograph session. Chefs scheduled to appear include Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Duff Goldman, Emily Ellyn, and Keegan Gerhard. Click here to see the full schedule and purchase tickets.

A Festival with Character
Little ones can test their skills with a Junior Chef experience at Paradise Park––led by none other than Chef Goofy, of course––or jam out with Chip ‘n’ Dale during Jammin’ Chefs in the Paradise Gardens area.

Sweet Souvenirs
Head home with more than just a satisfied appetite… check out this year’s commemorative merchandise! You can find Chef Mickey whipping up something special on a variety of items, including glasses, tees, and a limited-edition pin.

5 Things You Need to Know Before You See Beauty and the Beast

March 8, 2017March 24, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

Ready to be enchanted by Beauty and the Beast? D23 spent some time with the cast and crew of the upcoming film this weekend, and we brought back some (spoiler-free!) stories from the stars of the film. Read on and don’t miss Beauty and the Beast in theaters March 17!

1. New Answers to Old Questions
Ever wondered how Beast became such a, well… Beast? Or what happened to Belle’s mother? So did the filmmakers behind the new live-action film. These questions led to a deeper dive into the backstory of characters like Beast, Gaston, and Belle, and created an opportunity for brand-new music. For Gaston, the new film depicts him as a war hero, which is why you can see his face in murals throughout his favorite pub.

2. Becoming Belle
Emma Watson as Belle may have been “dream casting” for fans, but it’s also a dream role for the actress. “It’s really remarkable to play someone that I’m almost sure had an influence on the woman that I’ve become,” Emma says. “I just immediately resonated with her. I was so young I didn’t even know what I was tapping into, but there’s something about that spirit—there was something about that energy—that I just knew she was my champion.” When Emma took on the role, she knew she had to stay true to that energy. Keeping that spirit in mind, Emma and the team behind Beauty and the Beast made thoughtful decisions that developed Belle’s character; “taking what was already there and expanding it,” Emma explains. Audiences will see Belle’s love of literature in the upcoming film, but Emma’s Belle takes it one step further as an activist, teaching young girls in the village to read.

3. A Beast of a Role
Bringing Beast to life was no easy task. Using a combination of physical performance capture, facial capture technology, stilts, and a prosthetics muscle suit, actor Dan Stevens (Beast) had to deliver an emotional and empathetic performance of one of Disney’s most beloved characters. Just standing up would be difficult for anyone on stilts, but Dan Stevens had to dance, too! Learning the choreography for the iconic ballroom scene is how Dan and Emma truly got to know each other, “Getting to know Emma first and foremost on the dance floor, I think, is a great way to get to know your co-star,” Dan explains. “The trust that Emma had to place in me that I wouldn’t break her toes…”

4. A Different Kind of Disney Villain
Fans of the film may argue that the true beast is the arrogant, ignorant villain, Gaston. Portrayed by Luke Evans in the upcoming film, Gaston’s history as a war hero has made him a hero to almost everyone in the poor, provincial town. Unlike more traditional Disney antagonists, Luke wanted the audience to like Gaston “a little bit” at first. “A villain shouldn’t start out as the bad guy, a villain should end up being the bad guy,” Luke explains. As the film continues, you start to see Gaston’s hatred, anger, and jealousy come through. While these traits are shared by many a Disney villain, there’s something different about Gaston. “Gaston, especially compared to other Disney villains, he has no book of spells, he has no magic powers,” Luke remarks, “He’s a human being.”

5. Horsin’ around with Josh Gad
From his impeccable comedic timing to his singing chops, there’s a lot to love about Josh Gad as LeFou. But please, don’t overlook his horseback riding. During “Belle,” the opening number of the film, Gaston and LeFou walk side-by-side on horses on their way into town. What seems like a simple task proved to be a challenge for Josh and his horse. “[My horse] was a cold-blooded killer,” Josh jokes, “He proceeded to moonwalk. He walked backwards. Then, he ran through multiple extras,” and through the village before the director called cut. “Ironically, my horse’s name was Buddy,” Josh continues, “He’s nobody’s buddy.”