Doing the Math: Donald in Mathmagic Land

March 14, 2016May 21, 2024

As people around the globe celebrate Donald’s 90^th anniversary, D23 looks back at a Disney educational film that served its own spoonful of sugar to help the medicine (i.e. mathematics!) go down. Donald in Mathmagic Land (1959) remains one of the most popular and inspiring educational films in history, ingeniously presenting the world of math in captivating and thought-provoking ways. Enjoyed by tens of millions of viewers—from students in classrooms to patrons in cinemas—the featurette reveals the fascinating relationship between the oft-unpopular subject and the worlds of music, sports, nature, and beyond.

To help tell the story of Donald in Mathmagic Land, we’ve counted up a few interesting factors we thought you’d enjoy:

The Disney Studio helps solve a puzzling problem.

In the late 1950s, the Disney Studio embarked on a bold effort to approach a challenge facing classrooms: to build an appreciation of mathematics. For the star of their film, the staff needed to identify an entertaining personality with whom the audience could identify. It wasn’t long before the directors found their biggest critic of mathematics in-house: the irascible Donald Duck. (After all, if Donald could become interested in math, who couldn’t?!)

The film begins with our skeptical duck wandering through a mysterious land where numbers are the size of trees and birds take on strange geometric shapes. There, a mysterious voice—who identifies himself as the true Spirit of Adventure—informs Donald that he’s about to embark on a journey through the wonders of Mathmagic Land. Our protagonist is first sent back to ancient Greece, where he eavesdrops on a top-secret meeting of Pythagoreans (or, as Donald calls them, “eggheads”) and watches how math unlocks the secret to music (and spirited jam sessions). Donald soon takes on a variety of other roles—from a billiards player to Lewis Carroll’s Alice—discovering the important and surprising purposes that mathematics plays in our world. By the end of their adventure, Donald and the audience are inspired to learn how math will play a limitless role in scientific achievements of the future.

Adding a scientific expert to the equation.

While whimsical settings and imaginative scenarios were devised to engage Donald and his audience companions, the featurette needed to be “squarely rooted” in mathematical principles. The Disney Studio therefore sought the technical counsel of scientific expert and mathematician Dr. Heinz Haber, who joined as a special advisor on the production. Haber had previously consulted for (and starred in) the popular Disneyland episodes Man in Space (1955) and Our Friend the Atom (1957), which made complex visions of space travel and power sources accessible to television audiences.

A formula for success… and multiple releases!

“The cartoon is a good medium to stimulate interest,” Walt Disney once said. “It is an ideal medium for teaching… We have recently explained mathematics in a film and in that way excited public interest in this very important subject. Donald in Mathmagic Land stimulated interest in mathematics and turned out very well.”

First released theatrically—on a bill with 1959’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People—Donald in Mathmagic Land was so popular that it was also included in the very first episode of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, airing September 24, 1961, on NBC. Perhaps most importantly, the featurette was also made available to classrooms via filmstrip (and later VHS and DVD!), quickly becoming the most popular educational film ever released by the Walt Disney Educational Media Company.

Clarence Nash — Clarence “Ducky” Nash, the voice of Donald Duck

Each legend, artist, and staff member adds a unique angle.

Directed by Les Clark (who started at the Disney Studio back during the days of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit), Wolfgang Reitherman, Ham Luske, and Joshua Meador, Donald in Mathmagic Land emerged greater than the sum of its parts—which says a lot, considering the amount of talented artists (and future Disney Legends) who left their mark on the Disney production.

Opposite Clarence “Ducky” Nash—whose incomparable performance as Donald marked the character’s 125th theatrical release, to be precise—was another versatile voice artist and Disney Legend. Fans of the Haunted Mansion and Adventure Thru Inner Space attractions will instantly recognize Paul Frees as our narrator, the Spirit of Adventure, a role he recorded a decade before welcoming foolish mortals at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

And to bring the dramatic adventure to life on-screen, Studio artists employed the latest tricks of their trade, combining animation, live-action photography, color, and visual effects. From John Hench and Collin Campbell’s visual contributions to Buddy Baker’s mysterious musical score, the film still resonates today as a panorama of Disney showmanship at its finest.

Counting up the awards and honors.

Not only was Donald in Mathmagic Land nominated for an Academy Award® (in 1959, for best Documentary—Short Subject), but it also received recognitions for outstanding achievement. Among them were diplomas of merit from the 13th Edinburgh International Film Festival (1959) and Mexico Instituto De Cultura Cinematográfica (1962), as well as certificates from the Southern California Motion Picture Council (1959) and International Educational Film Festival of Ministry of Education (1976).

These represent just a fraction of the film’s many accolades. But perhaps the most important honor of all is the enduring appeal of and continued interest in Donald in Mathmagic Land. Today, nearly 60 years after its initial release, the timeless story remains as popular as ever, stimulating the minds of the young and young-at-heart well into the 21st century.

Seven Reasons to Love Being a D23 Gold Member

March 10, 2016

Can you believe D23 is celebrating its seventh anniversary? We’ve had so many magical moments over the past seven years and we’re looking forward to many, many more! In honor of our anniversary, we’ve rounded up our seven favorite things about being a D23 Gold Member (although we could have picked many more!):

Cross items off your Disney bucket list: In 2016, D23 Gold Members were the first to tour Walt Disney’s birthplace and one of the first groups to tour Walt Disney’s Office Suite—and it’s only March! D23 Gold Members have also toured the Walt Disney Studios lot, the Walt Disney Archives, and had lunch with several Disney Legends, including Kathryn Beaumont, Floyd Norman, Marty Sklar, and Bill Farmer.

Celebrate Disney favorites: Join D23 for celebrations of your favorite films, attractions, and shows! From a trip to The Parent Trap’s Camp Inch to Epcot’s 30th anniversary, celebrations have included surprise guests, special commemorative gifts, and more.

The more the merrier: D23 Gold Members can bring a friend to all D23 events, and D23 Gold Family Members can bring up to three guests to select events.

Disney twenty-three: The quarterly magazine is a stunning collectible full of exclusive stories about Disney’s past, present, and future.

Member Gift: The 2016 D23 Gold Member gift celebrates the opening of Walt Disney’s Office Suite with commemorative replications of real items from Walt’s office—it’s a must for any Disney fan!

Exclusive discounts: Save on shopping sprees at UNIQLO, SMS Audio, and Disney Store; enjoy dining discounts at Downtown Disney and Disney Springs; and sleep well with savings at multiple hotels near Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort—just to name a few!

An extra sprinkle of pixie dust: Keep an eye out for special surprises—like a holiday card signed by Disney Legends, or a pair of tickets to the latest Disney film!

Have we missed anything you love about being a D23 Gold Member?

Fan-Favorite Moments for D23’s Seventh Anniversary

March 10, 2016March 9, 2016

Happy Seventh anniversary, D23! As of today—March 10, 2016—it’s been seven fabulous years since The Official Disney Fan Club became a part of the Disney family, and we’ve asked fans to vote on their favorite moments throughout the history of D23. Whether it’s attending a classic movie screening event, receiving the beautiful Disney twenty-three publication in the mail, deciphering a wild scavenger hunt puzzle, or watching your favorite Disney hero become a Disney Legend at D23 EXPO, everyone has those moments that make their D23 Membership so special. Take a trip with us down memory lane and remember the top seven moments that have brought D23 so close to our hearts.

7. Bob Iger surprises audiences by honoring Johnny Depp with a Disney Legends Award at D23 EXPO 2015
To kick off the biggest D23 EXPO to date, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger inducted eight new Disney Legends in the new Hall D23, with special musical performances, moving tributes, and surprise celebrity appearances. But the biggest surprise came later in the show, when he announced that Johnny Depp would join the 2015 class. Bob introduced the superstar to the roar of the crowd, signaling the first of many exciting moments that would take place throughout the memorable weekend.

6. Idina Menzel sings “Let It Go” for the first time in public at D23 EXPO 2013
As one of the highlights of D23 EXPO 2013, Idina Menzel brought down the house with her immaculate performance of “Let It Go” at the conclusion of the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ presentation in the D23 Arena. The performance marked the first time the Tony® Award-winning actress performed the soon-to-smash-records hit song in public.

5. D23’s EPCOT 30th Anniversary Celebration (2012)
In 2012, D23 Members and Epcot überfans celebrated the 30th anniversary of the park with panels, presentations, and virtual ride-through attraction experiences. More than 30 Disney Legends, Imagineers, archivists, and historians joined members inside the World ShowPlace Pavilion to present the most detailed look at the park evolution ever mounted by The Walt Disney Company!

4. D23 First Anniversary Parties at Disneyland and Walt Disney World (2010)
To celebrate the first anniversary of D23, members celebrated in private parties at both Disneyland Park in Anaheim and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. With fireworks shooting from Sleeping Beauty Castle, the party at Disneyland featured meeting opportunities with Disney characters and Disney Legends, while D23 Members on the east coast enjoyed a private dinner inside the Diamond Horseshoe and an after-hours experience in Fantasyland.

3. “Magic Journeys” Musical Finale at Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th (2011)
As the finale to Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th, D23 Members and their guests gathered at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for a flight of fancy through 40 years of Vacation Kingdom musical memories. More than 50 Disney performers past and present played favorite melodies, including the Kids of the Kingdom, Main Street Philharmonic, Encore! Choir and Band, and Disney Legend Richard Sherman—with a surprise appearance by Dreamfinder and Figment!

2. The Muppets sing “Rainbow Connection” at D23 EXPO 2009
Members in the D23 Arena erupted in applause throughout the inaugural D23 EXPO in 2009, especially as multiple surprise guests appeared on stage during The Walt Disney Studios’ presentation. To celebrate the announcement of their upcoming movie, the Muppets sailed on stage in a replica of the Mark Twain Riverboat to sing a few songs, ending with a stirring rendition of “Rainbow Connection.”

1. Disney Princesses perform at the Disney Legends Ceremony at D23 EXPO 2011
Taking the Disney Legends Ceremony to towering heights, newly inducted Disney Legends Paige O’Hara (voice of Belle), Lea Salonga (voice of Mulan), Anika Noni Rose (voice of Tiana), and Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel) performed beloved songs from their respective Disney animated classics. The audience roared with applause as all the inductees joined together for once-in-a-lifetime rendition of “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

Can You Guess These Disney Middle Names?

March 9, 2016April 9, 2018

March 11 marks Middle Name Pride Day, a chance for those of us with middle names to shout ’em from the rooftops! No one can truly pinpoint how long middle (or “second”) names have existed in the English language—but we do know that the practice of putting a name between someone’s given (“first”) name and surname (“last”) has existed for several centuries. (Just take a look at some of Europe’s royal families for fun examples.) Some middle names have been passed down through generations; some are truly unique, like combinations of names or even made-up words!

Take a spin through the following photos of Disney icons and characters (both animated and live-action) and see if you can guess their middle name. The answers, and some trivia, are at the bottom of the page. Good luck! And don’t forget to head over to D23’s Facebook and Twitter to celebrate your own middle name…

1. Walter _____ Disney

2. Roy _____ Disney

3. Donald _____ Duck

4. J. _____ Toad

5. J. _____ Woodlore

6. J. _____ Foulfellow

7. J. _____ Hooter

8. Abraham _____ O’Malley

9. Horatio _____ Sebastian

10. Wendy _____ Darling

11. Ben _____ Gator

12. Nick _____ Wilde

ANSWERS:

1) Walter Elias Disney
Perhaps the most famous middle name in Disney history, “Elias” was Walt Disney’s father’s name. These days, it’s also recognizable as the moniker for the largest shopping location on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure.

2) Roy Oliver Disney
Roy O. Disney was one of Walt’s older brothers and co-founder of what’s today known as The Walt Disney Company. An unassuming financial whiz, he preferred to stay in the background while Walt became the public face of the Company. Roy is perhaps best known for spearheading, after Walt’s death, the building of Walt Disney World in Florida.

3) Donald Fauntleroy Duck
As revealed in the 1942 animated short Donald Gets Drafted, everyone’s favorite fiery-yet-funny duck does, indeed, have a middle name: Fauntleroy. (This might be based on his sailor hat, which is often seen as an accessory for old-timey “Little Lord Fauntleroy” suits.)

4) J. Thaddeus Toad (The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad)
Based on the book by Kenneth Grahame, the Wind in the Willows segment of the 1949 feature told the story of Mr. Toad—full name: J. Thaddeus Toad—whose love of speedy vehicles repeatedly got him into hot water. (Make sure you visit good ol’ Thaddeus at Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride inside Disneyland; it’s one of the park’s original “dark rides,” having opened July 17, 1955!)

5) J. Audubon Woodlore (Theatrical shorts and House of Mouse)
Otherwise known as the “Ranger,” J. Audubon Woodlore worked at Brownstone National Park and appeared in five animated shorts—alongside characters like Donald Duck and a hungry grizzly bear named Humphrey—beginning in 1954. Most recently, he was seen on ABC’s animated series House of Mouse.

6) J. Worthington Foulfellow (Pinocchio)
This one’s a little more challenging… you might remember him by his nickname: Honest John. In 1940’s Pinocchio, the sly fox and his cat sidekick, Gideon, concoct a get-rich-quick scheme that entails selling that poor wooden boy to evil puppeteer Stromboli.

7) J. Gander Hooter (Darkwing Duck)
We’re big Darkwing Duck fans around here—so we knew we had to include the director of super-secret spy organization S.H.U.S.H. (Bonus points if you realized his name is a play on former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.)

8) Abraham de Lacy Giuseppe Casey Thomas O’Malley (The Aristocats)
If you guessed all the middle names for this character correctly, color us impressed! This big name actually belongs to a little critter—namely, streetwise alley cat Thomas O’Malley from 1970’s The Aristocats. Guess you’ve got to have a lot of names to compete with an elegant kitty named Duchess, right?

9) Horatio Thelonious Ignacious Crustaceous Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)
Here’s another small fellow with a surprisingly long name… King Triton’s court composer Sebastian. The snapping sidekick from 1989’s The Little Mermaid must hate to fill out any kind of official paperwork; no wonder he’s so persnickety!

10) Wendy Moira Angela Darling (Peter Pan)
Wendy Darling proudly states her full name to Peter as she’s sewing his shadow back on. No word on where those middle names came from (her mother’s name is Mary)… but it is interesting to note that author J.M. Barrie is often credited with popularizing the first name “Wendy.”

11) Ben Ali Gator (Fantasia)
This guy’s middle name is a bit of a “no-brainer.” You might remember him as the leader of a horde of ballet-dancing alligators in the “Dance of the Hours” segment from 1940’s Fantasia, in which he cuts the proverbial rug with lovely Hyacinth Hippo.

12) Nick Piberius Wilde (Zootopia)
We couldn’t resist including con-fox Nick Wilde on our list! According to Zootopia director Byron Howard, “Piberius” is a play “Tiberius”… which, if you know your Star Trek, is Captain Kirk’s middle name.

First Look at New DuckTales—Plus More in News Briefs

March 9, 2016March 24, 2016

Every Day They’re Out There Makin’ (New) DuckTales!

Ready for more adventures in Duckburg? Then mark your calendars for the 2017 debut of a brand-new show based on the Emmy® Award-winning animated series DuckTales! Brought to you by Disney XD, the new series will once again star über-popular characters Scrooge McDuck, his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and (of course!) Donald Duck.

We don’t know too much about the new show just yet—but we do have the very first image of the characters (above) as they set out to solve a mystery… or maybe rewrite history. “Woo-hoo!”

Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
March 18
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Charlie Ridgway
March 19
D23’s Very Important Date: 65 Years of Alice in Wonderland—Florida
April 8
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Don Iwerks
April 9
D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios
April 20
D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour in Portland, Oregon
June 8
D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour in Salt Lake City, Utah
Studios
April 15
The Jungle Book opens in theaters.
May 6
Captain America: Civil War opens in theaters.
May 27
Alice Through the Looking Glass opens in theaters.
June 17
Finding Dory opens in theaters.
July 1
The BFG opens in theaters.
August 12
Pete’s Dragon opens in theaters.
November 23
Moana opens in theaters.
December 16
Rogue One opens in theaters.

Parks
March 2—May 30
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
April 1-May 1
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
June 16
Shanghai Disney Resort to open
Television
May 1
Disney Channel Presents the Radio Disney Music Awards airs on Disney Channel from 7–9 p.m. EST

#TeamCap or #TeamIronMan? New Posters for Captain America: Civil War

It’s the question sweeping the nation, in advance of Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War coming to theaters this May: Are you with #TeamCap, or are you loyal to #TeamIronMan?

In case you’re unfamiliar with the dilemma soon facing our favorite Super Heroes, the film finds Steve “Captain America” Rogers (Chris Evans) leading a newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in some big-time collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability—headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. This new “status quo” fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps: one led by good ol’ Cap (and his desire for the Avengers to remain free of political interference), and the other following Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) surprising decision to support government oversight.

Take a gander at these brand-new character posters—featuring Cap, Tony Stark, the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and even Ant-Man (Paul Rudd)—before picking a side… and make sure to catch Captain America: Civil War at a multiplex near you on May 6.

Dancing with the Stars: Season 22 Cast Revealed

We teased the Good Morning America announcement of the latest Dancing with the Stars cast in last week’s News Briefs… and the moment finally arrived! All 12 contestants—along with their professional partners—were just revealed in advance of Season 22’s premiere episode on Monday, March 21, at 8 p.m. PT/ET, only on ABC.

Celebrities ready to set the dance floor on fire include actresses Jodie Sweetin (Fuller House) and Mischa Barton (The O.C.); TV director and actress Kim Fields (The Facts of Life); NFL legends Doug Flutie, Von Miller, and Antonio Brown; TV personality Geraldo Rivera; Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris; and America’s Next Top Model’s first deaf winner, Nyle DiMarco.

Who will take home the Mirrorball trophy? Stay tuned to find out…

Nominees Announced for Radio Disney Music Awards

Lovers of pop music, rejoice: All your favorites will be hitting the stage at the upcoming Radio Disney Music Awards! Among the artists vying for a coveted “ARDY” trophy are megastars Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, One Direction, and DNCE. Fans from all over the world are invited to vote for their faves in categories including “The Bestest—Song of the Year,” “The Buzz—Breakout Artist of the Year,” and “That’s My Jam—Best Anthem.” Make sure your voice is heard by heading over to Disney.com/RDMA, or Radio Disney on Facebook and Twitter, to vote. (Especially tech-savvy folks can also use the Radio Disney app or Google OneBox to cast their ballots.)

The Radio Disney Music Awards—music’s biggest event for families—are set for Sunday, April 30, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles… If you’re local to SoCal, you can even attend in person; check out AXS.com/RDMA for more info about tickets. But if you’re not a West Coaster, fear not: A special two-hour telecast premieres Sunday, May 1, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on Disney Channel!

“Secrets of The Force Awakens” Doc to Premiere at SXSW

If you’re dying to know just what kind of movie magic went into creating Star Wars: The Force Awakens, you’ll be thrilled to know there’s an amazing documentary being included with the film’s upcoming Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack release.

“Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey” is an inside look at the making of the blockbuster, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers. The doc will have its world premiere on Monday, March 14, as part of the yearly South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ BAFTA Award–winning and Academy Award®–nominated visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett, Academy Award–nominated supervising sound editor Matthew Wood, and co-producer Michelle Rejwan will be on hand for a Q&A following the screening.

Look for Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere this April 1… and then on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5. May the Force be with you, always.

New Shows Announced for Disney Junior & Disney XD

There are so many fun animated shows coming soon to both Disney Junior and Disney XD, we almost can’t keep track! Disney Junior has just begun production on two new animated series: Vampirina (inspired by Disney Publishing’s popular children’s book series Vampirina Ballerina and executive produced by Doc McStuffins creator Chris Nee); and Puppy Dog Tails (created by comedian/actor Harland Williams). Both shows are slated to premiere in 2017. Additionally, second seasons have been ordered for Disney Junior’s recent hit The Lion Guard and its adorable series for preschoolers, Goldie & Bear.

Over at Disney XD, Billy Dilley’s Super-Duper Subterranean Summer (the adventures of a science-obsessed seventh grader, brought to you by Emmy® Award-winning director Aaron Springer) will come to life in 2017; and comic book creators Chris and Shane Houghton will collaborate with former Gravity Falls director Rob Renzetti on Country Club, set to air in 2018. Plus, Star vs. The Forces of Evil has been picked up for a third season, and the ultra-wacky short-form comedy series Two More Eggs will return.

Plan your TV-watching hours accordingly, animation fans!

Frozen—Live at the Hyperion: Opening Soon at Disney California Adventure

Can you feel it? There’s a chill in the air… and that can only mean one thing: Frozen—Live at the Hyperion, the new musical adaptation of Disney’s mega-huge animated hit, will officially open at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney California Adventure this summer!

Bringing the stage production to life is a team that not only includes the best-of-the-best from Walt Disney Imagineering’s Creative Entertainment division, but also Broadway vets Chad Beguelin (Tony®-nominated lyricist of Disney’s Aladdin and The Wedding Singer); music supervisor and arranger Jason Michael Webb (The Color Purple); puppet designer Michael Curry (Tony winner for Disney’s The Lion King); and multi-award-winning theater director Liesl Tommy.

Expect elaborate costumes, amazing sets, stunning special effects, and truly show-stopping musical numbers when the new production opens on May 27!

17 Actors You’ll Hear When Tangled: Before Ever After Debuts in 2017

March 8, 2016March 24, 2016

Once upon a time—well, in 2010—Walt Disney Animation Studios released the feature film Tangled, and we’ve been happier ever after since our first viewing. That happiness grew with the announcement of an animated series based on the film, which will take place between the events of the feature and the start of the 2012 short, Tangled Ever After. The series unfolds as Rapunzel acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom, and the people of Corona.

Today, we’re positively ecstatic that Disney Channel has just announced the voice cast who will be joining Mandy Moore and Zachari Levi when the series premieres in 2017. Seventeen actors were announced this morning—and Disney fans will recognize quite a few from all around the worlds of Disney.

Ashley Judd (Divergent) has will lend her voice to the role of Rapunzel’s mother, Queen Arianna.

Broadway star, Eden Espinosa, will voice Cassandra, Rapunzel’s handmaiden and confidant. Eden is well known for performing the role of Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked, but you might also recognize her as the featured soloist in the Magical fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort.

Comedian Jeff Ross (The Wedding Ringer) will provide the voice of Hook Hand’s brother, Hook Foot.

The actor who voiced Molt in a bug’s life and Bing Bong—Bing Bong!—in Inside Out, Richard Kind, will now lend his voice to Uncle Monty.

Jeffrey Tambor, Paul F. Tompkins, and M.C. Gainey — Jeffrey Tambor (left), Paul F. Tompkins (center), and M.C. Gainey (right)

Several actors will reprise their roles from the feature film: Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent, and who has also been heard on Hercules: The Animated Series, Sofia the First, and Star vs. The Forces of Evil) will return as the voice of Big Nose; while Paul F. Tompkins joins him once again at the Snuggly Duckling in the role of Shorty. M.C. Gainey will voice the Captain of the Guards. Disney fans will remember him as Pappy Joe on Girl Meets World and as Tom Friendly on Lost.

From Broadway’s Newsies, Jack Kelly—actor Jeremy Jordan—will voice teen alchemist Varian; and Jonathan Banks, who voiced Filbrick Pines on Gravity Falls, will play Quirin, Varian’s father.

Another Broadway favorite, James Monroe Iglehart—Tony^® winner for his role as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin—will be the voice behind Eugene’s friend Lance Strongbow.

Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) joins the Tangled: Before Ever After cast as Pete the Guard; Peter MacNicol (Ally McBeal) as Nigel the Advisor; Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) as Rapunzel’s father, King Frederic; and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost) voices blacksmith Xavier.

Veteran Disney voice Diedrich Bader is the voice bringing Stan the Guard to life. You’ve heard Diedrich on Ultimate Spider-Man (as Sergei Kravinoff and Kraven the Hunter), as Dundgren on Gravity Falls, on Miles from Tomorrowland as Admiral Crick, and as Albert on Phineas and Ferb. Diedrich also played Oswald Lee Harvey on ABC’s The Drew Carey Show.

And what would Tangled: Before Ever After be without a full quota of Pub Thugs? Charles Halford (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will be voicing Pub Thug Vladimir, while Steve Blum (Disney XD’s Star Wars Rebels) joins him in pub-thuggery as Attila Buckethead.

Produced by Disney Television Animation, Tangled: Before Ever After was developed by animation veterans Chris Sonnenburg (Disney’s Enchanted) and Shane Prigmore (The Lego Movie). Sonnenburg serves as executive producer and supervising director; Benjamin Balistreri (How to Train Your Dragon) is supervising producer; Jase Ricci (Disney XD’s Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero) is story editor; and Alan Bodner (The Iron Giant) is art director. The series will feature music by Academy Award^®-winning Disney Legend Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. Emmy^® Award-winning Kevin Kliesch (Tangled Ever After) will serve as score composer. Celebrated artist Claire Keane (Frozen, Tangled), daughter of Disney Legend Glen Keane, who was animation supervisor on the feature film, is contributing design work and consulting on the series.

The 2016 ZOOper-Sized March Hare Mania: Find Out Who Won!

March 7, 2016March 31, 2016

March 31 Update: We know somebunny who’s very excited about this news! Thumper has hopped his way to the top and won this year’s March Hare Mania! Thanks for your votes – and be sure to follow along on Facebook and Twitter for more Disney fun.

March 28 Update: From the King of the Jungle to a quiet chameleon, sixteen animals have competed and only two remain: Robin Hood and Thumper. Who will win it all? Stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter to vote for your favorite in the final round of March Hare Mania!

March 21 Update: Zazu, Robin Hood, Pascal and Thumper are our final four! Who will you vote for in the semifinals of March Hare Mania? Check out the bracket below and be sure to vote on Facebook and Twitter.

March 14 Update: Round 1 of March Hare Mania saw the loss of Humphrey the Bear, Terk and Copper, to name a few – who will make it out of round two? Cast your vote on Facebook and Twitter.

March Hare Mania is back! Last year’s winners (Chip ’n’ Dale) were a little nutty, but this year we’ve gone completely wild! We’ve herded together our favorite bears, bunnies, cats, and dogs to compete for the title of ultimate animal. Check out the bracket below and make sure to cast your vote throughout March on Facebook and Twitter.

D23 Fab Five: Ginnifer Goodwin’s Favorite Disney Experiences

March 7, 2016April 18, 2016

In the Spring 2016 issue of Disney twenty-three, we asked Zootopia and Once Upon a Time actress Ginnifer Goodwin to name her favorite Disney movies. But knowing the D23 Charter Member was such a big Disney fan, we had a feeling she had some other “Disney favorites.” Here, she tells us about five Disney experiences that took her to infinity and beyond.

Interviewing Walt Disney Imagineers for the Cinderella Diamond Edition Release
I got to interview the Imagineers behind New Fantasyland [at Walt Disney World]. It all took place on a day I will never forget. I was actually made an Imagineer for that day and was given an Imagineer hardhat, which will forever be a cherished possession.

Being Cast as Judy Hopps in Zootopia
Getting the Zootopia phone call while wearing my red Mickey Mouse pajamas, which need to be replaced—that was amazing. I mean, I don’t think it gets better than going to work at Disney Animation.

Working from Bed
There was a special day when I was [recording the voice of Fawn for] Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast. I was super-pregnant with Oliver, and I was on an unofficial bed-rest. My doctor asked me not to stand up for stretches of time. So the folks behind that movie were saying, “It’s totally fine if we put off this recording session.” I was saying, “No. I really want to come to work. I’ll just sit down. It’ll be fine.” And I got there, and they had set up a bed for me covered in Disney stuffed animals. I did an entire recording session that way. I was, like, “This is Disney. This is working for Disney.”

Touring the Walt Disney Family Museum with Diane Disney Miller
Diane Miller gave Josh [Dallas, Ginnifer’s husband and David/Prince Charming on Once Upon a Time] and me a tour of the Family Museum one day years ago before she passed. Hearing her tell stories blew our minds.

Hanging with John Lasseter
Going to Disneyland with John Lasseter is pretty high up there. Going on [Radiator Springs Racers] with John was pretty dreamy. And getting notes from John—getting acting notes [for Zootopia]—there’s nothing like that. No Oscar® could ever come close to having John Lasseter give me some acting notes. To me, he’s the greatest living storyteller. The whole time, I can’t believe this is happening, and I had to say to myself, “Ginny, stop thinking about the fact that you can’t believe this is happening and listen to what he’s saying because you’re supposed to be taking the notes!”

Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day with Zootopia

March 3, 2016March 24, 2016

Waaaaay back in 1937, the Seven Dwarfs first sang (and whistled) that now-famous tune, “Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s home from work we go.” But the rest of the song clues us in to just how hard they actually had to work: “We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig in our mine the whole day through. To dig dig dig dig dig dig dig is what we like to do.” Whew! Talk about a great work ethic! Speaking of which, this Friday, March 4, is Employee Appreciation Day in addition to the opening day of Disney’s newest animated feature, Zootopia! Starring the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and a whole slew of other actors, Zootopia extols the virtues of friendship, acceptance, and—of course—hard work! So we figured what better way to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day than to profile some of the hardest-working characters from Zootopia, a city abuzz with animals from all professions and walks of life!

Judy Hopps: Her hard-working farming family taught Judy the value of a hard day’s work, and even though she loves her parents and her farm, Judy dreams of life in the big city of Zootopia. Her dreams make her the first bunny ever to join Zootopia’s police department.

Bellwether: It’s not easy working in the shadow of larger-than-life Mayor Lionheart, but Assistant Mayor Bellwether is determined to make her mark, pulling long hours and constantly toting around stacks of books. She may have a little voice and a seemingly diminutive appearance, but her can-do attitude is sure to take her places.

Flash: Flash isn’t fast—as a matter of fact, he’s veeeery slow, which explains the wait times at the Zootopia DMV (Department of Mammal Vehicles). But he’s thorough, he follows through on his tasks, and—perhaps most important—he has a great sense of humor. Tell him a joke, go ahead. Then sit there and wait as he slowly breaks into laughter. He may not have the best job, but he’s not complaining.

Chief Bogo: Do not irritate Bogo, the Cape Buffalo who is also the chief of the Zootopia Police Department. Chief Bogo is used to working with hardened rhinos and thick-skinned elephants, which is why when Judy Hopps shows up, he doesn’t exactly welcome her with open arms. But don’t hold it against him—he’s just never seen a bunny on the police force before.

Yax: With flies buzzing around his shaggy mane and flowers in his hair, Yax is the epitome of the free-spirited. He wears a beaded necklace, and little else, as the owner of Mystic Springs Oasis, a naturalist club for animals who prefer to go au naturale. Yax may not know the latest fashions, but he has revealing insights that help Judy.

Stu Hopps: Judy’s hard-work ethic comes from her dad, Stu Hopps, a carrot farmer from Bunnyburrow. He and his wife, Mrs. Hopps, aren’t too keen on Judy moving to the big city and getting mixed up with the shady characters they believe are there, but they have faith in their daughter.

Final Update—News from the 2016 Meeting of Disney Shareholders

March 3, 2016March 28, 2016

Today in Chicago, Illinois—the city of Walt Disney’s birth—D23 Members, Disney fans, and shareholders gathered at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University for The Walt Disney Company 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Everyone most certainly recalls the exciting news that emerged from last year’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco; it was there that plans were announced for Frozen 2 and a name was revealed for the upcoming Star Wars anthology film, Rogue One.

Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger welcomed all in attendance and acknowledged “what an unbelievable privilege it is to lead this phenomenal company.” Noting that The Walt Disney Company’s beginnings are rooted in Chicago, where Walt was born, Bob announced that The Walt Disney Company has pledged to donate $250,000 to the Center for Early Childhood Creativity and Innovation at the Walt Disney Birthplace.

The Force was strong this morning in Chicago, and the crowd awakened with cheers and applause over the announcement that the galaxy far, far away is coming to exactly where you like to watch movies. Bob announced that Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be available digitally beginning April 1 and on Blu-ray and DVD on April 5.

The release will include enough fantastic bonus material to fill the Millennium Falcon. The exciting journey behind the scenes will include features such as:

Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey—For the first time, discover the complete story behind the making of The Force Awakens, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers in this feature documentary.
The Story Awakens: The Table Read—Cast members familiar and new reflect on the memorable day they all first came together to read the movie’s script.
Building BB-8—See how the filmmakers brought the newest droid to the screen, creating an instant fan favorite in the Star Wars universe.
Crafting Creatures—Watch movie magic as the filmmakers bring a cast of new creatures to life.
Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight—Go deeper into the epic, climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren.
John Williams: The Seventh Symphony—The legendary composer shares personal insights of his work on Star Wars and The Force Awakens.
ILM: The Visual Magic of The Force—An insider’s look into the remarkable digital artistry of the movie’s visual effects.
Force For Change—Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. See how the Star Wars: Force for Change initiative has united Star Wars fans all over the globe to help others.
Plus Deleted Scenes

Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.

Of course, the world of Star Wars is vast and touches so many worlds of Disney. We’ve been eager for any new details about the upcoming Star Wars-themed lands being built at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, and Bob gave us fantastic news this morning: the groundbreaking for these Star Wars-themed lands will begin next month.

But that wasn’t the end of the morning’s surprises. Bob revealed that The Walt Disney Company plans to build “two more phenomenal ships” for Disney Cruise Line, which will join the current fleet of four. The ships are scheduled to be completed in 2021 and 2023. We’re marking our calendars right now!

Our friends at Disney Cruise Line shared that the Company has entered into a memorandum of agreement with Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard. Each new ship will be approximately 135,000 gross tons—slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy—and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms. While design plans, ship names and itineraries are still in development, the Walt Disney Imagineering team is already dreaming up exciting new ways to create the world’s most magical oceangoing adventures.

“We pride ourselves on the unforgettable vacation experiences we deliver to our guests each and every day, and the expansion of our Disney fleet will allow us to create even more magical memories for families at sea and in incredible cruise destinations around the world,” Bob Iger said in the official announcement.

“The expansion of Disney Cruise Line only adds to our excitement for the unprecedented growth taking place across our vacation destinations, from new Star Wars experiences coming to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts to the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris and the grand opening of our newest park, Shanghai Disney Resort,” Bob Chapek, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said today.

Roy P. Disney, grandson of Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney, was on hand for today’s meeting and Bob welcomed him to the stage at the end of the question-and-answer portion. Roy, who went on the record as saying that Dumbo is his favorite Disney movie, shared his excitement about seeing “Walt’s house” for the first time tomorrow. He noted that Walt’s father, Elias, built the house himself and its endurance is “a core value that Walt got instilled in him—to do it once, do it right and do it with quality—that this Company is still true to today.”

Mornings like today remind us of the reasons that we’ve all loved Disney for so long—and of the excitement that is yet to come!