Next Star Wars Anthology Directors Announced—And More in News Briefs

Christopher Miller & Phil Lord to Bring Han Solo to the Big Screen

Big news, Star Wars fans! The sought-after directors of last year’s The LEGO Movie, Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, have just been announced as the directors for the next installment in the Star Wars Anthology of films—a look at the backstory of everyone’s favorite scoundrel, Han Solo. And if that wasn’t cool enough, the screenplay is written by Star Wars veteran Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens) and his son Jon Kasdan (Freaks and Geeks).

“This is the first film we’ve worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with,” said Miller and Lord. “We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us. This is a dream come true for us. And not the kind of dream where you’re late for work and all your clothes are made of pudding, but the kind of dream where you get to make a film with some of the greatest characters ever, in a film franchise you’ve loved since before you can remember having dreams at all.”

 

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Save the Date!

Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
July 18
D23 Celebrates Disneyland, U.S.A.
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
October 3
D23’s Sip & Stroll
Studios
July 17
Ant Man opens in theaters.
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 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-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
July 31
Disney’s Descendants premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
September 5
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD

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Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Rockets onto Disney XD This Fall

While we may have to wait until 2017 to see the return of Star Lord, Gamorra, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Drax on the big screen, we get to see them on the small(er) screen much sooner! Marvel’s highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy animated series just announced its Disney XD premiere date: Saturday, September 26 (9:30 p.m. ET/PT), to be exact . . .

The epic, action-packed space adventure follows our favorite ragtag band of misfits as they band together to save the Universe, and it debuts with a one-hour special featuring back-to-back episodes. Fans can get a sneak peek at the first episode on Saturday, September 5 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. But that’s not all: Disney XD will whet your Guardians whistle with 10 two-minute shorts that dive into the backstory of each of the five main characters every Saturday in August. We’re breaking out our mix tapes in anticipation!

 

Disney’s The Finest Hours: First Trailer Debuts

On February 18, 1952, a massive “Nor’easter” barreled its way onto the New England coast, wreaking havoc on several ships, including the oil tanker SS Pendleton. Despite the ridiculous odds against them, a small group of brave men from a local Coast Guard station set out to save the crew of the tanker. This incredible true story is the basis for Disney’s epic The Finest Hours, which stars Chris Pine (Star Trek), Casey Affleck (Interstellar), and Eric Bana (Hulk).

Check out the brand-new trailer for the film, which storms into U.S. theaters on January 29, 2016 in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

 

New Star Wars App Brings A Galaxy Far, Far Away to the Palm of Your Hand

Want a lightspeed connection to Star Wars news, special features, and more? The brand-new Star Wars app is completely customizable and makes it possible for you to theme your app to the Light Side or the Dark Side, take and share Star Wars “selfies,” share animated GIFs of memorable scenes from all of your favorite Star Wars movies and TV shows, and count down to massively important events, like the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with a timer that is always running! The app is now available for iOS and Android devices, and will continue to evolve and offer new features. The Force just got a little stronger in your smartphone or tablet!

 

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ABC.com Wants Kids to “Be Inspired”

Attention kids between the ages of 5 and 18 (and their awesome parents)! Disney|ABC Television Group is teaming up with Youth Service America to offer “Summer of Creativity” Grants, and they’re taking applications now through August 10. Young change-makers can now apply for a Grant to help make their community greener, safer, smarter, healthier, cleaner, or fairer! Winners will receive $500 to help make a lasting, positive change in the world.

The “Summer of Creativity” Grant Program, part of Disney|ABC TV’s “Be Inspired” campaign, is searching for kids and teens who want to create change through volunteer and community service projects. They’re especially interested in youth-led projects that highlight the creativity and commitment of young people working to meet the needs of others.

Interested? Head over to http://www.ysa.org/beinspired to read up on eligibility, browse free Youth Service America resources, and download the application!

 

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Eat Delicious Pizza and Take Ant-Man Home!

Where else can you enjoy a delightful meal and get the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition Marvel print? Why, the Disneyland Resort, of course!

Created exclusively for Disneyland Resort Food and Beverage, a very cool “keepsake” art print to celebrate the release of Marvel’s Ant-Man will be available at Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port (inside Tomorrowland) starting July 17! The limited-edition print is only $5.99, and it features a comic book-style look at Ant-Man himself by artist Todd Nauck.

Todd himself will be on hand from 2–4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, to sign the new Marvel’s Ant-Man print. As our friends over at the Disney Parks Blog so astutely said, don’t miss out on this “f-ANT-astic” opportunity!

 

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See ABC’s The Chew at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

For the first time in the show’s history, the hilarious and informative hosts of ABC’s The Chew—Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Daphne Oz—are leaving the comfy confines of their Manhattan studio to tape several shows at the 20th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! The shows will tape on October 7, 8, and 9, and the five resulting episodes will air the week of October 12.

Wanna chance to sit in the show’s live audience? Visit thechew.com for information on how to obtain tickets. However, we’re guessing you’ll manage to get a glimpse of the hosts all over Walt Disney World Resort as they discover all the innovative dining the Resort has to offer . . .

Along with the taping of their show, The Chew will be featured in two marketplaces throughout the festival’s 53-day celebration from September 25 through November 16. Marketplaces will expand into Future World—for the very first time—in their new “Next Eats” festival area, offering three delicious dishes from The Chew in their Sustainable Chew Marketplace. (Fun fact: Herbs and veggies from The Land pavilion at Epcot will flavor the marketplace dishes when harvested!) Also in “Next Eats,” Disney chefs are collaborating with The Chew for the Chew Lab, a cutting-edge Marketplace inspired by food-science labs and the latest culinary technology trends.

Keep an eye on epcotfoodfestival.com for more info as the event approaches!

Star-Spangled Skies: Fireworks at Disneyland

By Courtney Potter

The Fourth of July is upon us—that most American of holidays, celebrating the bravery of our Founding Fathers and the generations after who fought for our continued freedom. And nothing says “Fourth of July” quite like a magnificent display of fireworks! Disneyland Park has cornered the market for decades on firework displays, culminating with Disneyland Forever, their newest spectacular in honor of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration.

It all started in 1956 (just one year after the Park’s opening) when Walt Disney first dazzled nighttime guests with a fireworks display, entitled Fantasy In the Sky. Back then, firework fuses were lit by very steady hand. But by the 1960s, an electronic system was created to launch the shells into the air… and shortly thereafter, the increasingly popular shows were synchronized to music. Tinker Bell’s iconic “flight” over Sleeping Beauty Castle was first added in 1961, and other characters (including Dumbo and Mary Poppins) followed.

Quintessential displays over the years have included Believe … There’s Magic in the Stars, which fused storytelling with innovative pyrotechnic effects; the breathtaking Christmas-themed Believe… In Holiday Magic; the 50th anniversary Remember… Dreams Come True; the enchanting production Magical (which brought Dumbo back to the skies above the Castle); and last year’s re-invented Fantasy In The Sky. And it all leads up to the new Disneyland Forever, which surrounds audiences with magic like never before!

Disney pyrotechnics dazzle crowds

Whether watching from Main Street, U.S.A., it’s a small world, the Rivers of America, or even within sight of the Matterhorn, each guest has a different experience of Disneyland Forever—as every location comes to life with unique combinations of color and light. The show features sequences themed after timeless films like Mary Poppins, Frozen, and The Lion King, and the pyrotechnics join with amazing projection mapping technology to immerse guests into the Disney tales that surround them. Other special effects include dozens of inflatable units and moving window “actuators” that make Main Street, U.S.A. truly come alive. And don’t forget the show’s brand-new musical score! It includes a very special closing theme, “A Kiss Goodnight,” written by Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman and performed by Broadway’s original Mary Poppins, Ashley Brown.

Disneyland Forever is the latest (and greatest!) in a long line of memorable fireworks spectaculars at Disneyland Park—and if you’re visiting this coming Fourth of July, take note: Following that evening’s performance, for one night only, guests will enjoy a patriotic pyrotechnic grand finale to celebrate America’s birthday!

Disney Gif Adds Magic to Your Mobile Device—And More in News Briefs

Deliver a Dose of Disney Magic with Disney Gif

Sometimes you just need a little The Little Mermaid action to get your point across on Facebook, right? (Ariel really gets us.) Well, adding a touch of Disney magic to your messaging is now easier than ever with Disney Gif, a new mobile keyboard extension from Disney Interactive! Disney Gif lets users easily send gifs and emojis of their favorite stories and characters via text, email, and social media/messaging platforms. It features awesome characters from Frozen, Star Wars, ABC’s Scandal, Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out, classic Disney films, and so much more.

Whether you’re feeling happy, bold, or villainous, you can find the perfect gif in the keyboard’s curated galleries—which are categorized by emotions and Disney films and shows. More than 200 gifs are now live and more will be coming soon, so keep an eye out for new additions in the app’s Featured, Recently Added, and Trending sections.

You can download Disney Gif now from the Apple App Store!

 

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
July 18
D23 Celebrates Disneyland, U.S.A.
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
Studios
July 17
Ant Man opens in theaters.
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 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 1Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
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
July 31
Disney’s Descendants Premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel

 

Tailoring Tangled: The Musical—Behind the Scenes

The newest show aboard Disney Cruise Lines, Tangled: The Musical, premieres on the Disney Magic this November… which means the talented production team is crazy-hard at work! We recently shared a look at the cool technology behind the show’s life-sized Maximus puppet. Now, in this new behind-the-scenes video, we meet Tony® Award-winning costume designer Paloma Young as she talks about her creative process, and where she finds inspiration for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider’s amazing outfits.

 

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All New Adventures with the Palace Pets in Whisker Haven App

Palace Pets fans, rejoice! Those cute and quirky pets of your favorite Disney Princesses are back for more fun and frolic in Palace Pets in Whisker Haven, an all-new app that’s now available for free at the Apple App Store. The app features six of the fan-favorite Palace Pets, and provides children with all-new ways to play along as they nurture, groom, feed, and play interactive games with the pets. Kids can also earn happiness hearts and level up to unlock even more fun. The app also includes some all-new Whisker Haven with the Palace Pets animated shorts, which just made their TV debut on Disney Junior on Saturday, June 20… and new shorts will be added to the app each week!

 

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A Dash More Pixie Dust for Peter Pan’s Flight

“Second star to the right, and straight on ’til morning!” Just days ago, our friends at the Disney Parks Blog were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the new magic inside the classic Peter Pan’s Flight attraction at Disneyland Park. Peter, Wendy, and the whole gang are preparing to meet all manner of guests when the refreshed ride reopens to the public on Wednesday, July 1. Make sure to look for a reimagined nursery scene, and several new special effects, when you next take flight!

 

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Crewing Up for the Heist: New Ant-Man Trailer

The countdown is on! Marvel’s newest action adventure, Marvel’s Ant-Man, hits theaters July 17… but to tide us over, they’ve released another hilarious trailer. This time ’round, we meet up with Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) as he fills in the rest of his team on their roles for the heist of the century. Trouble is, Luis (Michael Pena) can’t pay much attention to Scott’s plans when Hope (Evangeline Lilly) is nearby.

 

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Relive Star Wars Rebels on Blu-ray and DVD

The first season of Disney XD’s Star Wars Rebels found a potential Jedi named Ezra Bridger joining the daring crew of the starship Ghost as they fought against the Empire. Soon, you’ll be able to watch this new chapter of the Star Wars saga unfold any time you want; Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One on Blu-ray and DVD hits shelves this fall! With 15 action-packed episodes (featuring appearances by iconic characters like Lando Calrissian and Jedi Master Yoda), amazing never-before-seen bonus material, and interviews with cast and crew, the only thing missing is your very own Lightsaber.

Look for Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One in stores (both tangible and virtual) this September.

Made For You and Me! D23 EXPO 2015 Celebrates Mickey Mouse Club’s 60th Anniversary and More!

Come along and sing the song and join the jamboree! What jamboree, you might be asking? Why, the just-announced presentation at D23 EXPO 2015 commemorating Mickey Mouse Club’s 60th anniversary! Celebrating Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club—60 Magical YEARS, hosted by author Lorraine Santoli (The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book), will take place Sunday, August 16, at 5 p.m. in Stage 23. The panel, featuring original Mouseketeers Sherry Alberoni, Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess, Tommy Cole, Darlene Gillespie, Cubby O’Brien, and Doreen Tracey, along with actors Tim Considine (Spin Evans) and David Stollery (Marty Markham), will include a one-of-a-kind performance filled with memories, music, and magic. D23 EXPO 2015 will take place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

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In addition to the panel, the Disney Dream Store will offer a small collection of 60th anniversary Mickey Mouse Club items to mark the occasion. Also, several of the Mouseketeers will be available for a signing opportunity at D23 EXPO Autograph Central on the show floor on Sunday from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Plus, guests will be able to see Mouseketeer Annette Funicello’s original Disney Legend handprints on display for the first time outside the Walt Disney Studios lot. The handprints, taken on October 21, 1992, when Funicello was inducted as a Disney Legend, will be presented in one of the show floor’s “photo spots.” There will also be a collection of props and costumes from Mickey Mouse Club Circus in “Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit.”

D23 will also present several other engaging presentations for guests throughout the weekend including:

 

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Charles Phoenix: Big Retro Disneyland Slide Show!

Friday, August 14, 10 a.m., Stage 28

Be prepared for your Disneyland-loving spirit to soar when the Ambassador of Americana takes you to the granddaddy of all theme parks when it opened. With his spectacular collection of “found” mid-century-era Kodachrome images, unbridled enthusiasm, and keen eye for detail, Charles shares the early days of Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland. See long-gone attractions, including the Phantom Boats, Flying Saucers, the Indian Village, PeopleMover, House of the Future, Carousel of Progress, and the original Tomorrowland—promoted as “The World of 1986”—and the all-new Tomorrowland in 1967. Your imagination will be inspired!

 

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Disneyland Home Movies

Friday, August 14, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28

While Disneyland is one of the most photographed places on earth, this collection of one-of-a-kind footage and photography offers a unique viewpoint from another time. From the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Randy Haberkamp, Managing Director of Preservation and Foundation Programs; Lynne Kirste, Special Collections Curator; and surprise special guests will take guests on a journey from Walt’s inspirations for Disneyland to the park’s opening and evolution, as captured on film. Suzanne Lloyd joins the presentation to showcase her grandfather Harold Lloyd’s stunning photography of Disneyland taken the week before the opening and on opening day.

 

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A Goofy Movie 20th Anniversary Reunion!

Friday, August 14, 6 p.m., Stage 28

Fans of A Goofy Movie won’t want to miss this special commemoration of the beloved Disney animated feature, which turns 20 in 2015. Film producer Don Hahn hosts a panel of A Goofy Movie talent––including Disney Legend Bill Farmer (Goofy), Jason Marsden (Max), Jim Cummings (Pete), Rob Paulsen (P.J.), and writer Jymn Magon––who will share behind-the-scenes stories and surprising anecdotes from the fan-favorite musical.

 

The Making of American Experience: Walt Disney

Saturday, August 15, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28

This fall, PBS will premiere a new two-part, four-hour film exploring the life and legacy of Walt Disney as part of the American Experience series. Go behind the scenes with the team who brought the project together for a special sneak peek of the film: moderator Don Hahn (film producer, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King), Sarah Colt (director/producer, American Experience: Walt Disney), Neal Gabler (biographer, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination), and Becky Cline, the Director of the Walt Disney Archives.

 

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Best of Destination D

Sunday, August 16, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28

Since 2010, D23 Destination D events have offered D23 Members the chance to celebrate their favorite Disney subjects with unique and in-depth presentations from Disney Legends, Imagineers, animators, and others who have made magic on film, at Disney theme parks, and beyond. At D23 EXPO 2015, D23 is bringing two popular presentations from prior Destination D events together for a celebration of Walt Disney World® Resort—including a look back to its construction, early development, and favorite attractions of the past with Disney Legend and Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith. Then, Imagineer Jason Grandt will provide a modern look at Disney Parks and offer a designer’s point of view of details and “Easter Eggs” found throughout different attractions.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Remembering James Horner

Award-winning film composer James Horner, whose stirring musical scores were an unforgettable part of films like Titanic, Field of Dreams, Glory, and Walt Disney Studios’ The Rocketeer, passed away on June 22. He was 61.

Horner may be best known for his work in James Cameron’s Titanic, for which he composed the Academy Award®-winning score, along with the music for the film’s iconic ballad, “My Heart Will Go On,” which was sung by Celine Dion. Over the course of Horner’s prolific career, which began in 1979 with The Lady in Red, the celebrated composer won two Oscars® for Titanic, and was nominated eight other times for his work in films that included Apollo 13, Braveheart, and Avatar.

Born in Los Angeles but raised in London, where he attended the Royal College of Music, Horner attended the University of Southern California, where he received a B.A. in music. After earning a master’s degree, he started his doctorate at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Horner’s list of credits is more than 100 titles long, and there are so many that Disney fans will remember that feature his unparalleled talent. Horner’s work is heard in The Journey of Natty Gann and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, in Swing Kids and Mighty Joe Young, and in Bicentennial Man and, of course, The Rocketeer. For many years, James Horner also had a presence in Disney parks with his score for Michael Jackson’s Captain EO.

Composer Michael Giacchino (Up, Ratatouille, Inside Out) said, via Twitter, “You were one of my childhood heroes, James. Thank you for the inspiration, you will be greatly missed.”

In an interview with a fan site, James Horner Film Music, Horner spoke about the role of music in film, saying, “The music’s job is to get the audience so involved that they forget how the movie turns out.”

Pixar Takes D23 EXPO 2015 to Infinity and Beyond!

Disney fans already know that the Anaheim Convention Center is the place to be from August 14–16. But when guests arrive at D23 EXPO 2015 on August 14, a larger-than-life Buzz Lightyear helium balloon will make it clear they’re in the right place. Our friends at Pixar have just announced their lineup of presentations, panels, and events taking place over the weekend and it has us feeling even more joyful than Joy in Inside Out. The wide variety of events pays homage to Pixar’s past, while looking ahead to its roster of exciting new films.

Buzz Lightyear will welcome visitors to D23 EXPO 2015 as Pixar Animation Studios celebrates the 20-year anniversary of Toy Story. Buzz has taken flight in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® six times as a giant character helium balloon, measuring 67.7 feet long, 39.9 feet wide, and 34.3 feet tall. Buzz’s appearance at Expo marks his first trip ever to the West Coast. Disney fans can see Buzz on Friday, but they can celebrate all things Pixar the whole weekend long. Here’s the lineup:

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Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter
Friday, August 14, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, presents Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films. Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

 

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In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out
Friday, August 14, 11:30 a.m.—Stage 28

Get the inside story on the making of Pixar’s latest summer release, Inside Out. Hear from Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up) as they reminisce and share their personal stories of creating a world that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen.

 

Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!
Saturday, August 15, 3 p.m.—Stage 28

Ever wonder where your favorite Pixar stories began? Hear the stories you don’t know about the classic films that you love. Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman hosts this experience, welcoming the storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films, including Darla K. Anderson (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave), Ronnie del Carmen (Up, Inside Out), and Dan Scanlon (Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University), as they talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative and share some of the crazy story ideas that didn’t make the final cut.

 

Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back
Saturday, August 15, 2015, 4:30 p.m.—Stage 23

From flipbooks to feature films, animation has taken audiences to fantastical new worlds, far beyond the limits of any real-world setting. Pixar Animation Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, blurring the line between art and technology and bringing beloved characters to life with heart and humor. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1995’s Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, join members of the original crew, including filmmakers John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley, and Bill Reeves as they share their stories and the challenges they faced along the way.

 

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

Animation – Show Floor Exhibition

For the first time ever, Pixar Animation Studios is creating a Show-Floor experience at D23 EXPO. Pixar teams up with Walt Disney Animation Studios for an unforgettable adventure that showcases magic from both animation studios, featuring live demonstrations, presentations, and autograph signings with top filmmakers, free giveaways, and interactive displays. With highlights from films like Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory, and Moana, animation fans will get the inside scoop on their favorite films and characters.

 

Say Aloha to John Lasseter’s Film-Themed Hawaiian Shirts

Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter takes Disney and Pixar animation to heart—literally. For nearly every film—from Finding Nemo and Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen and Inside Out—Lasseter has commissioned an exclusive movie-themed Hawaiian shirt. And those who know the Oscar®-winning storyteller know that he loves his Hawaiian shirts—and dons one for almost every occasion. Animation fans will see their favorite film characters “materialize” before their eyes in this colorful collection, which will be exhibited on the show floor.

Fans can take home their own shirt, thanks to Disney Store at D23 EXPO. This D23-exclusive Reyn Spooner-design features characters from all the feature films produced under the creative guidance of Lasseter. The simple, appealing collage joins many of Disney’s and Pixar’s most beloved recent characters on one wearable canvas. The shirt will retail for $99.95.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Which Disney Era is Your Favorite?

This week marked the 45th anniversary of the Walt Disney Archives, which has the honor and privilege of preserving Disney’s history and heritage, from before Walt was born, all the way through to new attractions, movies, and television shows being created today.

If you worked in the Walt Disney Archives, which period of Disney history would you most like to research?

THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED

Figment 2 Comic Series Hits Stores This Fall—And More in News Briefs

Further Adventures of Figment and Dreamfinder: Coming Soon!

Disney Kingdoms—the awesome monthly comic book series from Marvel and Walt Disney Imagineering—has announced their next installment: Figment 2, the sequel to the hugely popular Figment miniseries, which itself was based on the beloved Journey to Imagination attraction in Epcot at Walt Disney World. (And no, you’re not mistaken if you just heard shouts of delight from Figment fans around the world…)

Figment 2 will be written by Jim Zubkavich (aka “Jim Zub”) and penciled by Ramon Bachs, and it’ll pick up where the first series left off—but in a totally different time period. When last we left our intrepid hero Figment and his pal Dreamfinder, they’d saved the world and were awarded for their good deeds by being stuck out of time for a century. As Jim Zub explained to our pals at the Disney Parks Blog, “[The pair is] now in the modern world, and they’re going to discover that a lot of things have changed in their absence… Couple that with a young dreamer inspired by the Academy Scientifica-Lucidus and a dark threat from an unexpected source, and we’ve got all the ingredients for high adventure.”

Look for Figment 2 in stores this fall!

 

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
July 18
D23 Celebrates Disneyland, U.S.A.
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
Studios
July 17
Ant Man opens in theaters.
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 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 1Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
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
June 26
Teen Beach 2 Premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel

 

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Emotional Fun with New Inside Out Mobile Game

Can’t get enough Inside Out? We can’t either! Luckily, you can take Riley’s Emotions “on the go” with Disney Mobile Games’ latest offering!

Inside Out Thought Bubbles, created by the team behind Where’s My Water? and Disney Frozen Free Fall, is a new bubble-shooter mobile game based on Disney•Pixar’s latest hit. Take a journey with Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness to match and sort memory bubbles in Riley’s head as they travel through unique locations inspired by the film. Players will journey through Family Island, Dream Productions, Imagination Land, and more as they complete each puzzle and unlock new characters.

Download Inside Out Thought Bubbles from the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, the Windows Phone Store, and the Amazon Appstore.

 

Fill Up on Two More Eggs at Disney XD’s YouTube Channel

Hot off the frying pan comes Disney XD’s latest animated series, Two More Eggs—an ultra-wacky set of 40 animated shorts from the Brothers Chapman, the brains behind Internet favorite Homestar Runner. The series launches today on Disney XD’s YouTube channel and the Watch Disney XD app with three shorts, followed by a new episode every Tuesday throughout the summer.

The Chapmans are no strangers to Disney animation; Matt wrote for the Emmy® Award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts and Gravity Falls, and voiced some characters for the latter and Star vs. The Forces of Evil… and both Matt and brother Mike wrote for Disney XD’s Wander Over Yonder.

Take a look at the hilarious premiere short, “Dooble – Dooblie Doo,” above—and don’t blame us when you can’t get the song out of your head!

 

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Celebrating 15 Years at Tokyo DisneySea

Can you believe it’s been 15 years since Tokyo DisneySea opened at the Tokyo Disney Resort? The park delights guests with adventure, romance, discovery, and (of course!) fun throughout its seven totally unique “ports of call” like Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, and Lost River Delta. (Don’t you just wish you could teleport to different Disney parks around the world, even for an afternoon?)

Beginning in April 2016, Tokyo DisneySea will celebrate its big anniversary with “The Year of Wishes”—an event focusing on wishes and dreams, symbolized in the form of glittering crystals that’ll decorate the park. Guests can catch the new “Crystal Wishes Journey” show at Mediterranean Harbor, in which Disney characters will share their own special wishes, and a new version of “Big Band Beat”—the popular Broadway Music Theatre show—will debut with brand-new music, costumes, and scenery. “The Year of Wishes” will run at Tokyo DisneySea from April 15, 2016 through March 17, 2017.

 

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Help Defeat the Empire with Star Wars: Heroes Path

Ever wanted to help Luke Skywalker restore the peace and freedom he fought so hard for in Star Wars: A New Hope? Disney’s latest mobile app strategy game, Star Wars: Heroes Path, reimagines the classic movie and challenges players to rely on their smarts—not to mention their connection to the Force—to defeat the Empire.

Players will guide Luke, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and even Obi-Wan Kenobi through puzzles that will wrack their brain and test their quick-thinking approach. Using each character’s special abilities, fans will travel from Tatooine to the Death Star, with every move capable of triggering enemy reactions that can change the game in an instant!

Star Wars: Heroes Path is now available at the Apple App Store for $4.99.

 

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@Disneyland Makes Your Photos Sparkle

Looking to add a dash of sparkle to family photos (or yes, even selfies) from a recent trip to the Disneyland Resort? Want a great keepsake of Disneyland’s big Diamond Celebration?

Just by sharing your favorite park picture on Twitter with the hashtag #Disneyland60, you might receive your image back from @Disneyland with a magical, glittery boost! And keep an eye out for even more magical touches coming from our friends at @Disneyland in the very near future…

 

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Travel the Globe with Inside Out

The good folks over at Oh My Disney have compiled a ridiculously cool gallery of international posters for Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out… and it’s making us emotional all over again! We all might speak different languages, but feelings are pretty universal.

See how Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear are depicted in countries as diverse as Korea, France, and even Russia.

 

A Quick Tour of Paradise at Polynesian Village Resort

We recently told you about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World and all its fabulous new additions. Sure, the photos were great (we seriously wanted to book a stay there immediately after news of its update came across our desks), but now we can take a special peek at one of the Resort’s Deluxe Studio rooms with a brand-new video, courtesy of Disney Parks Blog’s ongoing “Room with a View” series. For those keeping score at home, this video highlights Room 3020 on the third floor of the Moorea longhouse . . .

Gaze at the Resort’s gorgeous location! (The Magic Kingdom, and its nightly fireworks spectacular, is just across the Seven Seas Lagoon.) Marvel at the amazing “murphy-style” bed hidden discreetly under the room’s TV! (Honestly, why didn’t we think of that?) Run to the phone and immediately make a reservation!

Favorite Disney Graduations

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

The ultimate in Disney graduations, High School Musical 3 saw our favorite East High Wildcats staging one final show before going their separate ways. Troy picks a college close to Gabriella (aww), Sharpay finally gets her comeuppance, and we personally can’t believe this movie came out seven years ago!

 

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Kim Possible

The final episode of the animated series saw teen crime-fighter Kim and her sidekick/boyfriend Ron graduating from Middleton High School—but not before the duo has a final showdown with Warhawk the Conqueror.

 

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Boy Meets World

As if graduating high school wasn’t life-altering enough, Topanga shocks Cory with a marriage proposal during the ceremony. By the time the series ended, the pair had gotten hitched—and we know from Girl Meets World that they really did live “happily ever after.”

 

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Jack

The late, great Robin Williams starred in this 1996 film about Jack Powell, a boy who ages four times faster than normal due to a rare genetic disease. As an old man, Jack graduates from high school (as valedictorian!) and gives an impassioned speech to the kids who grew to accept him.

 

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The Secret Life of the American Teenager

This ABC Family series featured several noteworthy (and dramatic) graduations, including Season 4’s ceremony—where Ricky asked for Amy’s hand in marriage. She accepts, but the couple eventually breaks up and goes their separate ways. We’re just hoping little John is doing well…

 

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Mr. Holland’s Opus

This 1995 drama followed the career of composer-turned-schoolteacher Glenn Holland. Early in the film, Mr. Holland is faced with prepping his band for the 1965 graduation ceremony. Later, he “graduates” to retirement—but not before hearing one of his beloved compositions played live (by current and former students) for the very first time.

 

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Up

Young scout Russell doesn’t really graduate in the Disney•Pixar hit, but he does end up earning a makeshift badge of achievement (made of a grape soda bottle cap) from ornery but kindly Carl. We’d take that over a boring ol’ cap and gown any day.

 

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Herbie: Fully Loaded

We may not see Maggie Peyton’s college graduation in this 2005 comedy, but we know that Maggie’s dad decides to buy her a car as a gift… And it’s that fateful trip to the junkyard that sends Maggie on a racing adventure of a lifetime!