Celebrating Fashion and Fandom at Mousequerade

Since March, talented Disney fans have designed, stitched, and hot-glued their hearts out—all to create their very own Disney-inspired costumes for a chance at D23 EXPO glory! The 2015 Mousequerade, hosted by Disney’s Jim Babcock, was a five-category contest judged by luminaries including Disney Channel star Zendaya (KC Undercover); recent Dancing with the Stars winner Alfonso Ribeiro; Once Upon a Time costume designer Eduardo Castro; and Global Entertainment Costume Design Lead for Disney Parks, Leigh Slaughter. The winner of each category competed for the ultimate grand prize: a 4-day, 3-night trip for two to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa! Check out some of the “best of the best” from each category, and the eventual grand-prize winner, below!

“Heroes Unmasked” – Terrance Thompson as Spider-Man

“Once Upon a Costume” – Judith Grivich as Ursula

“The Wonderful Worlds of Disney” – Elizabeth Oldak as Matterhorn Yeti

“Weird, Wild, and Goofy!” – Marty Brooks as SuperDiamondDisney60TextMeAdliocious

“Best of Star Wars” – Alexander Ford as Chewbacca Beast

Mousequerade Grand Prize – Elizabeth Oldak as Matterhorn Yeti

Mousequerade Photo Gallery

Costume Winners from D23 EXPO Mousequerade Contest

Snow White, The Magic Mirror and Edna Mode

JUDITH GRIVICH as Ursula from The Little Mermaid

Connor Breen as Captain Hook in D23 EXPO 2015

RYAN GARCIA as The Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Matterhorn Yeti D23 EXPO 2015 Costume Winner

JENNIFER WILLIAMS as The Ghost That Follows You Home

LEIGH SLAUGHTER, EDUARDO CASTRO, ZENDAYA, ALFONSO RIBEIRO

ROBERTA NICHOLS as Lady Tremaine and Lucifer

Yeti Costume Winner from D23 EXPO 2015 Mousequerade Contest

A Whole New Muppets Show

Kermit, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo showed up at Stage 23 at D23 EXPO to tell us all about their new show The Muppets, premiering this September on ABC. Oh… and they brought along their personal “Muppeteers” to help (the humans whose hands and voices give life to the Muppets).

“We’re always learning,” said Dave Goelz, voice and Muppeteer for Gonzo. “Everyday we like to surprise each other with new aspects of the characters.” Other Muppeteers joining Goelz onstage were Steve Whitmire, Bill Barretta, Eric Jacobson, and Matt Vogel.

Bill Barretta, Muppeteer for Pepe the King Prawn and Rowlf the Dog, agreed, saying, “Every day we’re pushing them a little bit and have fun with them. The characters, even after we cut, tend to stay alive. This new show is about what happens to them after we call cut, which is fun. People don’t usually get to see the backstage stuff.”

Fans fell in love with Kermit, Miss Piggy, and their whole oddball cast during the initial run of The Muppet Show back in the ‘70s, a comical look at what it takes to put on a weekly variety show. Since variety shows aren’t as well known today, The Muppets is now a behind-the-scenes look at a late-night talk show—Miss Piggy’s late-night show, of course. “It’s two shows—a show within a show,” Whitmire said. “But you probably can’t find that late-night show, although Kermit says he’s trying to find a place on the air.”

Kermit, as always, is in charge, but with a twist—he and Miss Piggy are no longer seeing each other (many blogs and entertainment sights reported the breakup as closely as other Hollywood split).

During the Q&A portion, a D23 EXPO attendee asked about the tone of the new show, to which Steve Whitmire, Muppeteer for Kermit and Rizzo the Rat, answered, “It’ll be real life. A little edgy by nothing that parents can’t let their kids watch.”

I’m really excited. I don’t know if I’ve ever worked on a project like this before.

Goelz added, “You want to do something you’re interested in. We’ve always done things that amused us, that worked on an adult level but safe for kids.”

Perhaps the best part of the panel was when the Muppeteers, along with Kermit, Fozzy, Gonzo, and few other famous fuzzy stars, invited some lucky D23 EXPO fans up onstage to learn how to work with Muppets. They ended up dancing, kind of like an oddball Muppet-and-fan congo line. It showed the enthusiasm and love fans are now lavishing on the Muppets, eager to see them return to TV after such a long absence. “We couldn’t have done this show five years ago,” said Whitmire.

“The time feels right now,” Jacobson added. “After the viral videos [a series of Muppet-themed viral videos tore up social media the past couple years] primed the pump, followed by the movies that we did. There’s now a real appetite for the Muppets. And we’ve got this amazing team, the creatives, the writers, this material—it’s so incredible. I’m really excited. I don’t know if I’ve ever worked on a project like this before.”

The Ins and Outs of Inside Out

Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out offered audiences an exhilarating look inside Headquarters, the control center within 11-year-old Riley’s mind. Today at D23 EXPO 2015, Stage 28 was the “headquarters” where the filmmakers behind Inside Out took guests on a funny and fascinating look into the creation of this hit film. In the exclusive presentation at D23 EXOPO 2015’s Stage 28, In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out, Academy Award^®-winning director Pete Docter and producer Jonas Rivera regaled D23 EXPO attendees with insider info that was fun, intriguing, and yes, emotional. With humor and insight, these Pixar pros gave an authentic taste of their creative process by tracing the development of the character of Sadness. As an extra added treat, Phyllis Smith (The Office), who voiced the lovably downhearted character, joined the panel to add her own unique perceptions.

Rivera and Docter shared exclusive photos of artists, outlines, and even offices at the Pixar plant in Emeryville to give the audience a true sense of “you-are-there.” Docter revealed that the idea for this high-concept animated feature orginated with his daughter Elie, who as she entered her tweens became more moody. “Growing up is hard,” Docter noted, and this led to the idea of a movie about a young girl who herself is the setting of the film: what—and who—are her emotions and how do they impact her behavior from the inside out. Through never-before-seen development art, Docter and Rivera revealed that they not only explored what each emotion would look like—starting with basic shapes and colors—but also which emotions would be the stars of the show; for example, they considered including Pride and Hope.

“Growing up is hard.” -Pete Doctor

One surprise gleaned from this artwork: Sadness was originally going to be a male character named Bud. Artist Albert Lozano, played up the idea of having Sadness shaped like an upside-down teardrop, and the character really started to gel when he drew Sadness as his own mother.

The casting of Phyllis Smith as the vocal embodiment of the blue-hued emotion was a huge breakthrough in the character’s development. Her comedic vocal hesitancy gave the creators a new insight into the character, who before this stage had constantly cried in an annoyingly one-note fashion. When the filmmakers said that, inspired by Phyllis’s voice, they added insecurity to the character’s personality, the actress cracked “That’s me! You nailed it!” In sharing with the audience the story of being contacted by the Pixar artists to come in and discuss the role, Smith recalled her reaction to seeing the storyboards as presented by Docter: “I felt like I had walked into Geniusland.” To the delight of D23 EXPO guests, the trio recreated a recording session of an actual scene from the film on the spot, with Smith voicing Sadness at the stand, Rivera reading the other roles, and Docter directing. When the director advised the actress to “try it again with a little less energy,” Smith asked, “Are you firing me?” in her saddest Sadness voice, earning her a huge laugh from the audience and a big hug from Docter.

In personifying basic emotions for this extraordinarily creative film, Rivera said, “We were hoping that these characters would be our Seven Dwarfs, that forever after Sadness will be defined as looking and sounding the way we portrayed her.” Judging by the delighted reactions of the D23 EXPO guests, these endearing characters have indeed been embraced. This inside (and out) look at the behind-the-scenes creative process as presented by Docter, Rivera, and Smith was met with Joy. Only when the presentation was over was there Sadness.

The Stuff of (Disney) Legends at D23 EXPO 2015

Thousands of Disney’s most loyal and passionate fans headed to Hall D23 this morning at the Anaheim Convention Center to watch as The Walt Disney Company honored the eight—make that nine!—newest inductees into the prestigious circle of Disney Legends. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger hosted this historic event, which marked the fourth time the Disney Legends ceremony has taken place at D23 EXPO.

George Bodenheimer. Andreas Deja. Eyvind Earle. Danny Elfman. Susan Lucci. George Lucas. Julie Reihm Casaletto. Carson Van Osten. And also, in an unexpected announcement, Johnny Depp was inducted into the 2015 class, making a surprise appearance on stage to the roaring delight of the audience.

“I have the happiest job on Earth,” Iger said in opening the ceremony. “Walt would be so proud of everything The Walt Disney Company is doing today.” He acknowledged the huge responsibility he feels for protecting the Company’s legacy.

In inducting first Disneyland Ambassador Julie Reihm Casaletto, Iger said, “She set the standard,” noting that every Ambassador who came after her followed Reihm Casaletto’s lead. “Wherever Walt is,” Reihm Casaletto said in accepting the award, “he’s smiling, and his eyes are like the eyes of a boy.”

George Bodenheimer, former Executive Chairman of ESPN, said, in accepting his award, “Whenever I’m asked what’s the best part about ESPN, the answer is always the same. The people. The people of ESPN deserve the credit for what ESPN has become.”

The late Eyvind Earle’s daughter, Kristin Thompson, accepted the award on behalf of her father, the artist, illustrator, and designer best known for his work on Sleeping Beauty, for which he contributed significantly to the production design, including styling, background, and color. “During his post-Disney career, he was often referred to as a ‘Disney artist.’ That was something he was very proud of,” she said.

Susan Lucci is best known for her portrayal of the husband-collecting Erica Kane on the daytime drama All My Children, but as Lucci said, “It’s all primetime as far as I’m concerned.” Lucci later shared that a reporter today asked her to design a Disney ride based on her iconic character. “It would have a lot of husbands, and would definitely be a roller coaster!” she laughed.

Carson Van Osten, an artist known primarily for his work at Disney Consumer Products, referenced a remark from Pablo Picasso during his remarks. “Picasso said all children are artists until they are taught not to be. My mother never taught me not to be.”

Andreas Deja, a 30-year Disney animator best known for his portrayals of such villainous characters as Scar and Jafar, said, “I have a ‘before Jungle Book’ life and an ‘after Jungle Book’ life,” Deja said of the film that gave him his life’s mission. The he humorously lobbied Bob Iger for a Jungle Book ride at Disneyland Paris. “The Germans will come!” he promised.

Composer Danny Elfman, who has penned scores for such Disney movies as Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, and the upcoming Alice Through the Looking Glass, said, in his mind, that his time spent with Disney has felt “like a throwback to Hollywood’s golden age. Working with Disney is unlike working for any other company.”

In introducing what we thought was the last Disney Legend for 2015, Iger said he was “stating the obvious” in declaring George Lucas to be one of the best storytellers of all time. “His gifts for storytelling are matched by his incredible abilities to innovate.” In accepting his award, Lucas said he was a park guest on the second day the park opened, and that “Disney has always given me a great deal of inspiration.” Lucas also shared a secret with the audience: “Not very many people realize that Goofy was the inspiration for Jar Jar Binks.”

Those in the audience may have thought the 2015 Disney Legends Awards ceremony would now come to a close. But as Iger said, “There is nothing D23 fans like more than a good surprise.” And a good surprise was delivered when he announced that Johnny Depp would also today become a Disney Legend. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do stupid stuff for a living,” a visibly moved Johnny Depp told the excited crowd, before acknowledging how much he will treasure this honor. “I hope I get the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse!” he said.

Another memorable surprise was a moving tribute to the Disney Legends who have passed away since the last D23 EXPO. Josh Strickland saluted them with a heartfelt rendition of “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan.

The nine very special talents honored today have now taken their places alongside the 249 men and women who, since 1987, have received The Walt Disney Company’s highest honor for their timeless contributions and inspirational talent.

Who is the Little Man of Disneyland?

August 14, 2015February 21, 2019

By Jim Fanning

For Walt Disney and his Imagineers to design, build, and open Disneyland Park 60 years ago took oodles of imagination, tons of creative courage—and a wee bit of luck. So it couldn’t hurt to have a leprechaun on hand. A whimsical story about just such an Irish elf is one of the best-kept secrets surrounding the creation of Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Fans of this fanciful little fellow have been fascinated with him and his unique status as a “resident” of the magical park—in fact, some who have read his tale have been searching for his mysterious house ever since! But if you aren’t acquainted with this legendary leprechaun, allow D23 to introduce you to the fabled Little Man of Disneyland.

Meet Patrick Begorra

The “buried gold” of this elusive leprechaun begins with those fan-favorites, the Disney Little Golden Books. These well-told, richly illustrated volumes—both adaptions of classic films and specially created stories—were often illustrated by moonlighting Disney Studio artists, including such Disney Legends as John Hench, Al Dempster, and Mary Blair. In 1955, several Little Golden Books spun stories around Walt’s latest dream-come-true, Disneyland. The most fantastical of these was Little Man of Disneyland, the charming story of Patrick, a leprechaun who lives in a tiny, half-hidden house at the roots of an Anaheim orange tree—until one day Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and Goofy (and Pluto too) turn up. They are ready to start moving trees so they can build “a wonderful place called Disneyland… with all sorts of marvelous things for fun.” The friends take the little man on a helicopter ride back to the Disney Studio—exactly how Walt traveled back and forth from Burbank—to see the Disneyland blueprints, drawings, and concept paintings (all based on actual Disneyland art). Patrick agrees to let them build the Park—as long as he can live there in a new house. Once Disneyland is ready to open, Patrick moves into a “wee snug house” of his own in a secret spot at the Park known only to him.

Authentic Art

Prolific Golden writer and editor Jane Werner penned Little Man of Disneyland. The author of more than 400 Little Golden Books, Jane wrote the tale of Patrick and his hidden home under one of her pen names, “Annie North Bedford.” (The Golden Book offices were on North Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills.) The full-color illustrations “by The Walt Disney Studio,” were adapted by Dick Kelsey. The illustrations are authentic: Richmond Kelsey joined Disney in 1940, with credits as an animator, art director, and writer, working on such animated classics as Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Alice in Wonderland. He was also one of Disneyland’s designers. Dick’s vibrant, artful illustrations are so intriguing, that young—and young-at-heart—readers have kept their eyes—and imaginations—open to wonder as they visit “The Happiest Place on Earth,” hoping to find Patrick’s home. Some readers even assumed Patrick’s “out of sight, hidden away” home was in Adventureland, apparently because the art portrays Donald querying the Little Man about his hidden Disneyland home near the Jungle Cruise.

“Leprechauns are very unpredictable.”

Little Man Gold at the D23 Expo

Walt Disney ’s Little Man of Disneyland was published in 1955 as “A Mickey Mouse Club Book” in the Little Golden Book series. Random House— the publisher of the Golden imprint—has created a special reprint of the book that will debut at the 2015 D23 EXPO, August 14-August 16. This collectors’ edition of the classic Little Golden Book will be available exclusively in the Random House booth, in the Disney Consumer Products area of the D23 EXPO show floor. This cherished Little Golden Book title is being “brought back” especially for D23 EXPO 2015.

See (and Hear) the Original Book

For longtime lovers of this vintage storybook as well as those just being introduced to this one-of-a-kind tale, a Little Man of Disneyland vignette can be discovered at the “Walt Disney Archives Presents: Disneyland–The Exhibit” pavilion on the show floor of the 2015 D23 Expo. Featured will be a 10’ x 10’ background image from the book, a case displaying two original 1955 copies of the Little Golden book, and a piece of the original art painted by Disney artist Dick Kelsey and on loan courtesy of Disney Consumer Products. As part of this unique exhibit guests can also see a video of Disney Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter relating his childhood memories of the beloved book and reading it aloud on camera.

The Little Man at Disneyland?

But what of the legend of the Little Man of Disneyland? Is Patrick’s tiny home hidden somewhere in the Park? Well, enchanting things have been known to happen at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom, especially during such an extraordinary occasion as the Disneyland Diamond Celebration. And some even claim to hear whispers and murmurs on the wind that the leprechaun’s new house just might “magically appear” during the weekend of the D23 Expo. And where exactly in the Park might the mystical miniature manse of the Little Man of Disneyland appear? When asked, all Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline could do was shrug and say—with twinkling eyes worthy of Patrick Begorra himself—“Leprechauns are very unpredictable.”

Cast Announced for The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar—& More in News Briefs

A brand-new television movie is roaring to life on Disney Channel this November, and the voice cast has just been announced. When The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar makes its primetime debut, it will feature James Earl Jones and Ernie Sabella reprising their roles from The Lion King as Mufasa and Pumbaa, respectively, alongside Rob Lowe (The Grinder) as Simba and Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane) as Nala. Max Charles (The Strain) stars as Kion. The voice cast also includes Joshua Rush (The Adventures of Puss in Boots) as Kion’s best friend Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Atticus Shaffer (The Middle) as Ono, an intellectual egret; Diamond White (Sofia the First) as Fuli, a confident cheetah; and Dusan Brown (Blaze and the Monster Machines) as Beshte, a friendly and good-spirited hippo.

Set in the African Savanna, The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar follows Kion as he assembles the members of the Lion Guard. While traditionally the Lion Guard has been comprised of lions known to be the fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest, and keenest of sight in the Pride Lands, Kion breaks tradition by instead calling upon some of his friends who he believes best exemplify these heroic qualities. Throughout the movie and the series, the diverse team of young animals will learn how to utilize each of their unique abilities to solve problems and accomplish tasks to maintain balance within the Circle of Life, while also introducing young viewers to the vast array of animals that populate the prodigious African landscape.

A television series, The Lion Guard, will premiere in early 2016 on Disney Channels and Disney Junior channels around the world.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
September 26
The Art of Disney—Featuring 75 Years of Pinocchio
October 3
D23’s Sip & Stroll
November 7
D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives
Studios
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.
January 29
The Finest Hours opens in theaters.
March 4
Zootopia opens in theaters.

Parks
September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
September 25, 28, 30; October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party 2015 at Disneyland
September 25-November 16
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
Television
September 22
The Muppets premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
September 26
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.
November 30
It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Attention Amateur Artists: Before The Force Awakens… “Art Awakens”

Star Wars fans throughout the galaxy are eagerly awaiting a piece of cinematic art known as Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And, in celebration of the movie we already know we’re going to love, Lucasfilm and HP have announced “Art Awakens,” a new program that’s designed to revitalize creativity by “Bending the Rules” of the Force, themed around that galaxy far, far away. The program kicked off yesterday, and for the next two months, amateur artists can submit their Star Wars: The Force Awakens-inspired art on ArtAwakens.com for a chance to be showcased in an upcoming professional art exhibit later this year. And this November in Los Angeles, Gallery 1988 will host a three-day Star Wars: The Force Awakens art exhibit that features top professional and emerging contemporary artists, where new original pieces will be auctioned off in the name of Star Wars: Force for Change to benefit UNICEF Kid Power, which gives kids the power to save lives. Visit StarWars.com for more details.

Disneyland—There’s an (Official) App for That!

Disneyland has always been the Happiest Place on Earth, but thanks to the new, official Disneyland App—available for download now from the App Store and on Google Play—navigating the park has just gotten even easier. The app includes maps of attractions, restaurants, and shops, along with attraction wait times, character appearance schedules, and entertainment show times. If you need to purchase park tickets, the app now lets you do so right from your phone or mobile device: Just show the barcode at the gate for admission when you arrive! To download the app, visit disneyland.com/magic now.

No Rest For the Wicked—Hooray!

If you enjoyed Disney’s Descendants, mark your calendar for Friday, September 18, when Descendants Wicked World, an animated short-form series set in Auradon and Isle of the Lost, makes its debut on Disney Channel and its digital platforms, including WATCH Disney Channel. Your favorite characters from the film will be back, with Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, and more of the cast returning to provide their voices; and the series will introduce new characters, too. Four songs that were included as bonus tracks on the hit soundtrack for Descendants will be featured in the short-form series, including “Rotten to the Core”, performed by Sofia Carson, and “Good Is the New Bad,” performed by Dove Cameron, Sofia Caron, and China Anne McClain.

Beachbot Draws a Line—and Walt Disney!—in the Sand

This week, the Disney Parks Blog spotlighted Beachbot, the robot built by Disney Research Zurich and a group of undergraduate students from Swiss engineering school, and showed off Beachbot’s latest artistic creation: a sand portrait of none other than Walt Disney. Watch the video above to see Beachbot in action—the little robot is handier in the sand than most of us are with a pencil and paper!

The Great Race… Between Turtles!

Remember the classic race between the tortoise and the hare? Well, last week Disney Vacation Club Members and guests at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort witnessed the kickoff to an exciting race between two turtles. For the eight annual “Tour de Turtles,” researchers from Disney’s Animal Programs and the Sea Turtle Conservancy attached satellite transmitters to two loggerhead sea turtles, Tinker Bell and Marina, each of which is swimming to raise awareness for a specific threat to sea turtle populations. Tinker Bell is raising awareness about light pollution on sea turtle nesting beaches, while Marina is drawing attention to the plight of plastic debris in the world’s oceans. To learn more, visit the Disney Parks Blog, and enjoy seeing Tinker Bell and Marina in action in the video above.

VIPGs—Very Important Parks Guests

Are you enjoying your summer vacation? Does it involve a trip to one of the fabulous Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the world? Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa hosted the new host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, Alfonso Ribiero, and his family, who, naturally, made time for a picture with Mickey Mouse. And at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Idina Menzel—the voice of Elsa—visited the set of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where she posed for a photo with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, in summer! That’s a vacation photo worth melting for.

Avengers Assemble, LEGO-style!

You can get your copy of LEGO Marvel’s Avengers on January 26, 2016, but in the meantime, you can enjoy a first look at some of Marvel’s fan-favorite super heroes. Marvel.com shared images of Ms. Marvel, Thor, Squirrel Girl, Bruce Banner, Hulk, and Speed this week, and we’re already excited about the adventures we can create for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!

Disney twenty-three Takes Guests Through Shanghai Disney Resort in its Fall Issue

In celebration of D23 EXPO 2015, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is devoting its Fall publication of Disney twenty-three to some of the remarkable things guests will get to see and experience at the biennial event. And as The Walt Disney Company readies for the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, readers will get an in-depth look at the amazing new park set to open next year—including spectacular concept artwork and a look at some of the new attractions being built right now in China.

Also in the Fall issue, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members, two of the members of the original Toy Story team reflect back on the earliest stages of the beloved film, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, including an unexpected encounter the film’s art director, Ralph Eggleston, had with Disney Legend and Apple founder, Steve Jobs.

In addition, the talented artists at Marvel and creative minds at Walt Disney Imagineering teamed up to create what is now a wildly successful line of new comic books based on theme park favorites—Disney Kingdoms. Disney twenty-three looks at the three current titles—Figment, Big Thunder Mountain, and Seekers of the Weird—and gives readers a peek at what’s to come.

Also included in the Fall issue of Disney twenty-three:

Profiles of the 2015 recipients of the Disney Legends Award including George Lucas, Andreas Deja, Eyvind Earle, and Danny Elfman
A tribute to Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, on its 60th anniversary
A look at the impact of the Silly Symphony cartoons by historian and world-renowned film critic Leonard Maltin
A look inside Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit with a preview of some of the classic and contemporary pieces included in the breathtaking display
The dazzling illustrations created by Disney animator Eric Goldberg for Shanghai Disney Resort and a new book
Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

D23 Members are invited to visit D23.com for up-to-the-minute breaking news from D23 EXPO 2015, and recaps of some of the biggest, most exciting presentations at the event.

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-August.

The Ultimate D23 EXPO 2015 Survival Guide

Your bags are packed, your credentials are ready, and you’re on your way. So what are you going to do once you arrive at D23 EXPO 2015? You wouldn’t go to Disneyland Park for the first time without a game plan, would you? We want you to be as prepared as possible for The Ultimate Disney Fan Event with this ultimate survival guide.

Come Prepared: Know the schedule, and have a first, second, and third choice for things to do, in case you don’t make it into your first-choice presentation or event. There are more than 260 presentations, panels, concerts, demonstrations, meet-and-greets, and sneak peeks during the event, so even if you don’t get into your first (or second) choice, there is still plenty of fun to be had!

Download the D23 EXPO app: The D23 EXPO app is all-new for D23 EXPO 2015. It has the complete schedule, bios, a show floor map, ways to highlight what you’d like to do, and much more. It’s a must-have tool for everyone attending the event.

Use StagePass: Thanks to your positive feedback at D23 EXPO 2013, StagePass is back this year for use in Stages 23 and 28. It’s a great way to avoid waiting in line and—as long as you don’t feel like you need to be in the front row—you can show up 15 minutes before and be guaranteed a seat! You can pick these up on each day of the event. And if you don’t nab a StagePass for something you’d really like to see, there will be a stand-by line.

Use StorePass: This year we have added the brand-new StorePass, so if you are excited about shopping, we wanted to make the experience even more enjoyable for guests. It works very much like StagePass—guests will be able to hold a StorePass for one of our three key shopping locations at any given time—Disney Dream Store, Disney Store, and Mickey’s of Glendale. There will also be stand-by lines for all these venues as well.

Wear Comfortable Shoes: The Anaheim Convention Center is huge, and we want you to be as comfortable as possible.

Hydrate: It’s August and there’s a ton to do at D23 EXPO, so make sure you stay hydrated throughout the weekend.

Arrive Knowing You (Probably) Can’t Do Everything: As our favorite tentacled undersea villainess Ursula likes to say, “Life’s full of tough choices, in’nit?” As much as we’d love every guest to be able to attend every panel, see every show, and walk through every pavilion—it’s not likely to happen unless you have the powers of an Avenger. There are an incredible number of things happening at D23 EXPO, which we’re very excited about sharing with all of you. So again, make that list with alternate ideas, just in case you don’t get into your first choice.

And Don’t Forget, We’re Here to Help: Use the EXPO App to send direct messages or emails to Guest Services. Guest Services and Member Services will also be available in the lobby to answer your questions your general and membership questions.

Have Fun! We can’t wait to see you at the biggest D23 EXPO ever!

Late Arrivals: Disneyland Attractions That Opened in August 1955

August 6, 2015March 26, 2018

Opening Day, Disneyland Park: Those lucky guests who were the first to experience The Happiest Place on Earth on that historic date of July 17, 1955—and the millions who watched on television—saw such attractions as the Mark Twain Riverboat, the Jungle Cruise and King Arthur Carrousel, all now-iconic attractions that continue to amuse and amaze. But even though Disneyland debuted right on schedule, several planned attractions were simply not ready for Opening Day and made a delayed debut in August. Even though they were tardy to the Disneyland party, these late arrivals helped make August 1955 a most festive second month at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. As the Disneyland Diamond Celebration continues, D23 turns the calendar back 60 years to honor the attractions of August.

Casey Jr. Circus Train

“The little engine that could” just couldn’t wait until August. The happy circus train from Dumbo started carrying guests through the gentle slopes of Fantasyland on July 31. A little-known fact about the smiling little locomotive: Casey Jr. Circus Train was slated to be the first Disneyland roller coaster. As test runs were conducted, however, it became readily apparent that the attraction was not working in the way it was originally intended. Amazingly, Casey Jr. rolled out on Opening Day in its original roller coaster-style form, but was then immediately closed. Once the tracks were revamped with moderate slopes, as opposed to the more extreme lift hills and down ramps, this charming little chugger started “comin’ round the track,” and has conveyed passengers—some of them happily ensconced in colorful circus animal cages—ever since.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Exhibit

First welcoming Tomorrowland guests into the oceanic world of Captain Nemo on August 3, this unique attraction showcased the elaborate sets seen in Walt Disney’s smash hit film that premiered less than a year earlier, in December 1954. This walk-through displayed interior sets from Captain Nemo’s submarine, the Nautilus, complete with attacking Giant Squid. When this attraction was retired on August 28, 1966, Captain Nemo’s ornate organ was reserved for a new home that would open in 1969: the Haunted Mansion. And why was an exhibit of sets from a still-new classic film set in 1868 a Tomorrowland attraction in the first place? Because it “represented atomic power submarine activity.”

Conestoga Wagons

This authentic western-themed attraction (“It was the Conestoga, not the Covered Wagon, that developed the West,” according to vintage Disneyland publicity) first trundled “pioneers” through Frontierland on August 16. A pair of strong steeds pulled these wooden wagons—with the slogans “Westward Ho!” or “Oregon or Bust” painted on their canvas tops—along the Rivers of America and through the Painted Desert until this example of frontier “rapid transit” was retired in September 1959.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

This high-flying adventure was actually intended to premiere on Opening Day but due to technical challenges, poor Dumbo didn’t make it. The aerodynamic ears on each Dumbo-shaped ride vehicle were supposed to flap up and down, but the mechanism refused to work properly. (Sharp-eyed guests noticed the hinges that were supposed to allow the ears to flap were on the Dumbos for several years.) Finally proving to guests that this particular elephant can really fly—no magic feather needed—on August 16, this beloved attraction still takes guests on a fantastical flight above Fantasyland today.

Mickey Mouse Club Theater

First opening its doors to guests on August 27—beating the October 3 premiere broadcast of the TV series after which it was named by over a month—this colorful 400-seat cinema screened classic Disney cartoons in air-conditioned splendor. The first program offered Mickey in Squatter’s Rights, Donald Duck in Out of Scale, Goofy in The Big Wash, and Lambert the Sheepish Lion. The theater very appropriately started showcasing the Mouseketeers themselves in 3D Jamboree on June 16, 1956. Renamed the Fantasyland Theater in 1964, this special cinema screened Disney animated films—including Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day during the special Winnie the Pooh for President Days—until it closed in 1981.

Flight Circle

This 200-feet-in-circumference area opened in Tomorrowland in August. Around the four points of the compass marked in its center, model airplanes, cars, and even boats were demonstrated. This area, which closed in 1966 to make way for New Tomorrowland, originated when Walt, himself an avid railroad and miniatures hobbyist, attended a Los Angeles hobby show and became intrigued by the working models. Flight Circle also became the launching pad for the famed Rocket Man of the mid-1960s who used an experimental rocket pack to soar above Tomorrowland.

New Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Shorts—& More in News Briefs

Get up to speed on Star Lord’s origins,

. . . and mark your calendars for a special Charlie Brown holiday… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Meet Young Star Lord in New Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Shorts

Sure, he was plucked away from Earth as a kid by alien aircraft, just as his beloved mother passed away… but have you ever wondered how young Peter Quill managed to become the hilariously awesome Star Lord we know and love today?

Get ready for the series premiere of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy animated series on Disney XD by learning about Star Lord’s origins in two brand-new shorts! See what happens as Peter wakes up on a mysterious and terrifying spacecraft, and watch as he meets arrow-wielding mercenary Yondu for the first time. Check out Part 1, above (and don’t worry; it links to Part 2 towards the end).

Once you’re up to speed on all things Star Lord, make sure to tune in for the Guardians of the Galaxy series premiere on Saturday, September 26, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD!

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

Kristen Bell Jingles All the Way With It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown

It may be the first week of August, but it’s never too early to start planning some holiday cheer! In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved “Peanuts” animated tale, A Charlie Brown Christmas, actress Kristen Bell (aka Princess Anna of Frozen fame) will host a special Snoopy-fied holiday retrospective! It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown will air Monday, November 30, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and it’ll mark the iconic yuletide classic’s 50th season on television.

It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown is poised to be an unforgettable special, featuring live performances of “Peanuts” composer Vince Guaraldi’s classics from acclaimed musical guests and a gaggle of Hollywood stars reminiscing about their most-loved A Charlie Brown Christmas moments. We’ve got a hankering for eggnog just thinking about it!

Rev Up the Fun with New Cars Mobile App and Collectibles

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! Fans of Disney•Pixar’s Cars are cordially invited to the (virtual) racetrack for the launch of Cars Daredevil Garage—an all-new, action-packed mobile app from Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI). The app allows fans to collect and scan real-life Mattel diecast cars into a stunt-filled virtual world. And to go along with the app’s launch, DCPI is also set to introduce Precision Series, a new line of movie-accurate collector diecast cars that feature elements unique to each Cars character, later this fall.

Once you scan any of Mattel’s 2015 “mainline” diecast cars into the Cars Daredevil Garage app, you can use ’em to perform extreme stunts in real-world environments—all inspired by the way kids play! The app is free to download, and allows players to race with Lightning McQueen and earn more racing friends through gameplay.

There are several tracks already available to race on, with additional tracks available for purchase and even more tracks scheduled for release throughout the summer. Ready, set, GO!

Light Speed to Friendship: Top 10 Star Wars Sidekicks

Our good friends over at StarWars.com broke out their Lightsabers and battled to the death—well, actually, they sat around their conference table and strongly, but good-naturedly, argued—over their latest list: the Top 10 sidekicks from the Star Wars universe.

The StarWars.com editorial team ranked the companions (from the current six films, and two TV series) on personality, loyalty, and impact. Did your favorite(s) make the list? Check out the video, above, to find out!

Josh Gad Bids “Adieu” to Beauty and the Beast Film Set

The premiere of the live-action Beauty and the Beast is still more than a year away… but that doesn’t mean our excitement is any less palpable! (In fact, we’re enjoying a delicious bowl of “grey stuff” as we type this.) Happily, actor Josh Gad has been bolstering our excitement with his stream of Instagrammed set photos.

Josh just finished filming his scenes as LeFou, Gaston’s (Luke Evans) bumbling sidekick, which means the photos may slow down for a while—but this last one gives us a great sneak peek at the movie’s castle set. The snow! Those detailed castle steps! The super cool Mr. Evans! Look for Josh, Luke, and their all-star cast-mates to “Be Our Guest” when Beauty and the Beast hits theatres on March 17, 2017.

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

Attention Amateur Artists: Before The Force Awakens… “Art Awakens”

Disneyland—There’s an (Official) App for That!

No Rest For the Wicked—Hooray!

Beachbot Draws a Line—and Walt Disney!—in the Sand

The Great Race… Between Turtles!

VIPGs—Very Important Parks Guests

Avengers Assemble, LEGO-style!

Meet Young Star Lord in New Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Shorts

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

Kristen Bell Jingles All the Way With It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown

Rev Up the Fun with New Cars Mobile App and Collectibles

Light Speed to Friendship: Top 10 Star Wars Sidekicks

Josh Gad Bids “Adieu” to Beauty and the Beast Film Set

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

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