May the Force Be With You—Anywhere!— And More in News Briefs

April 8, 2015March 26, 2018

The Star Wars Saga in Digital HD is a Most Wonderful Disturbance in the Force!

Devoted Star Wars fans heed all of Master Yoda’s words. And when he says, “Size matters not,” he’s absolutely right—especially when it comes to the screen on which you can enjoy any of the six films of the Star Wars Saga. With the release of The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection this Friday, April 10, fans will now be able to enjoy the iconic films on their widescreen TV at home, on their laptop at their favorite cantina, or even on their smartphone waiting in line to go on Star Tours at Disneyland. The Force can now be with you everywhere you go.

This marks the first time the original six films have been made available on Digital HD, and the collection is packed with a host of never-before-seen special features, including Star Wars: Discoveries from Inside and Conversations between key contributors from across this celebrated film franchise. The films are available as a collection or as individual purchases, and each digital film features its own Star Wars Extras.

The next chapter in the Star Wars Saga, Episode VII: The Force Awakens, opens in theaters December 18. This new release presents the perfect opportunity to re-live the experience of seeing the first six films before you first see The Force Awakens on the big screen.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
Fall 2014-2015
D23 Member Nights at Newsies—On Tour
April 18
Waking Up with Sleeping Beauty
April 25
D23 Day at Walt Disney Studios and Archives
May 9
The Parent Trap Party at Camp Inch
May 29
VIP Studio Tour with Disney Legend Dave Smith
June 20
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Studios
April 17
Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom opens in theaters.
May 1
Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters.
May 22
Tomorrowland opens in theaters.
June 19
Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).
July 17
Ant Man opens in theaters.
December 18, 2015
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.

Parks
March 4–May 17
22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
May 15–June 14
Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
May 22–23
24-hour event kicking off Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration at Disneyland Resort
May 22–23
24-hour event kicking off “Coolest Summer Ever” at Walt Disney World Resort
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

photo of smiling family huddled together with Mickey Mouse costumed character wearing santa clause fur-lined coat and cap — Tickets for Special Events at Magic Kingdom Now On Sale

We’ve had you saving the date for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but starting today you can mark that date on your calendar in ink. Tickets for both events are now on sale, along with tickets for Disney’s Night of Joy (September 11–12). Tickets for these special events have been known to sell out, so be sure to buy your tickets early! For more details and pricing information, visit the Disney Parks Blog.

photo of line of resort bungalows surrounded by water built on pylons — Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Now Open at Walt Disney World

It was no April Fool when Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows opened on April 1. The new Disney Vacation Club resort offers 360 Deluxe Studio accommodations (opening in phases through the summer) and 20 over-the-water Bungalows to bring the spirit of the South Pacific to Disney fans. Our friends from the Disney Parks Blog shared this video from the grand opening event—it definitely has us dreaming of the Seven Seas (Lagoon)!

Watch a New Featurette for Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron

Ever think it would be fun to be an Avenger? Well, this latest featurette for Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron takes you behind the scenes with director Joss Whedon and the cast and pretty much confirms that Robert Downey Jr. and his fellow actors have some of the best jobs ever. Even when things get perilous on screen—and the previous trailers for the film have us believing that things are going to get very perilous in Avengers: Age of Ultron—it’s great to see that the actors are having as much fun with this franchise as we are. Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters on Friday, May 1.

still from DuckTales cartoon featuring Scrooge McDuck — Woo-hoo! Everything DuckTales Is New Again

If you were a fan of DuckTales back in the day—and who wasn’t?—you might also have spent a fair amount of time playing the 8-bit DuckTales video game. You can now relive those days—or should we say “remaster” with the news that Disney Interactive has released DuckTales: Remastered for iOS, Android, and Windows devices. DuckTales: Remastered lets players join Scrooge McDuck in an epic adventure across the world to discover the five Legendary Treasures. Players will embark on a journey to the Himalayas, Amazon, Transylvania, African mines, and the Moon using Scrooge’s secret map. The evil sorceress Magica De Spell and notorious Beagle Boys are on a quest to steal Scrooge’s fortune, which he may have to risk along the way to save his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. DuckTales: Remastered is now available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone, and Windows Store. Woo-hoo!

illustration of a full stage production set in a village with a dancing woman and a white horse surrounded by villagers beneath bright colored streamers from Tangled: The Musical — When Will My Disney Cruise Begin?

We were so excited to share the news last week that Disney Cruise Line is premiering Tangled: The Musical on board the Disney Magic beginning this November. This marks the first time that Tangled, the beloved film from Walt Disney Animation Studios has been adapted for the stage. The brand-new stage show will feature groundbreaking puppetry, dazzling sets and costumes, and three new songs from Academy Award^®-winning composer Alan Menken and Grammy^®-winning lyricist Glenn Slater that have been created for Tangled: The Musical, in addition to favorite songs from the film like “I See the Light” and “When Will My Life Begin.”

movie still featuring Captain America and Thor — Go the Marvel-ous Distance!

Marvel fans are going to assemble en masse for the opening of Avengers: Age of Ultron. But extra-dedicated fans can assemble at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre on April 20 and at select theaters around the country on April 29 for The Ultimate Marvel Marathon. This 29-hour engagement, announced by Chris Hardwick at the Nerdist Panel at WonderCon Anaheim, will showcase all 11 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, culminating with Avengers: Age of Ultron. “In 1990, Kevin Feige and I were both at an all-day Back to the Future trilogy screening where they showed films one and two and then premiered part three for fans die hard enough to wait in line for MANY HOURS, which we were. After exchanging e-mails with Kevin, we agreed that it was time to do this with the Marvel films,” said Chris Hardwick. “This Ultimate Marvel Marathon will be an experience that Marvel super fans will remember for the rest of their lives, just as we did with Back to the Future. And getting to see Ultron first? What true Nerd doesn’t love to see a movie before anyone else? Marvel fans, ASSEMBLE!”

illustration of toy Mickey Mouse-themed drag racing car and cartoon Mickey Mouse in a driving helmet — Mickey Mouse Revving Up for Mickey and the Roadster Races

Mickey and his friends are getting their motors running in a new action-packed animated series for preschoolers. Disney Junior announced that Mickey and the Roadster Races will debut in 2017 on Disney Junior, and will feature Mickey and his pals—Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy, and Donald—and their uniquely personalized vehicles (check out Mickey’s in the image above!) on humorous high-spirited races around the globe plus hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. The production team is made up of Emmy^®-nominated talent from hit Disney Junior series Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, including executive producer Rob LaDuca, co-executive producer and supervising story editor Mark Seidenberg, and story editor Thomas Hart.

Make Your Garden More Magical with Tips from a Disneyland Horticulturist

April 6, 2015March 26, 2018

Spring has finally sprung! And Disney fans who have spent the last few months staring at white blankets of snow can now begin to fill their gardens with the vibrant colors of spring flowers and foliage. But what if you don’t see “green” when you look at your thumb? D23 went to an expert at Disneyland—sure, we think of it as the Happiest Place on Earth, but we also believe that when it comes to landscaping, Disneyland is one of the most gorgeous places on earth. We spoke with Disneyland Horticulturist Ryan Childs to hear his suggestions for how you can turn your own garden into your own personal “picture spot.”

D23: What’s the first thing someone should think about when planning a spring garden?

Ryan Childs (RC): Color scheme. You know the old saying, “less is more”? This is actually very true. Rather than plant an entire rainbow, we usually only go with about three colors together because the more you add, the more your eye gets confused and it starts losing impact. When we’re working with color, usually we’ll pick two complementary colors—like purple and yellow—because each naturally makes the other color stand out. Then we’ll throw in an accent color, like pink, for example. If you plant with just those three colors in one particular spot, it’s a much stronger statement than if you do all 27 colors that a flower comes in. It’s a little more focused.

D23: Are there other things to keep in mind when you’re choosing combinations of plants to place alongside one another?

RC: We take texture into account. For example, begonias have shiny, waxy leaves. Rather than finding another plant that looks similar and using that, try adding something totally different, texture-wise, like a grass or something spiky. You could have something spiky, something with big leaves, and maybe a mossy kind of thing. Put those together in a grouping combination, and all of a sudden the textures really make the other things stand out and pop!

D23: What can you suggest for people who live in areas experiencing drought, who are trying to not water their gardens or lawns as much?

RC: That’s a question that everybody is dealing with in this day and age. There are actually a lot of really fun plants that don’t require as much water. There’s a whole line of succulents and cactus—all kinds of funny shapes, different colors—it’s a really expanding market right now. Aloes are a type of succulent. There are some aloes that bloom and they get these big spikes of flowers that are starting to come in all different kinds of colors now. There’s some really drought-tolerant grevillea, which is a great genus of shrubs that come in all shapes and sizes. Some get really big—we’re talking about 20-feet-tall—and then some are just little two-foot plants. Those use very little water, yet provide great screening and great backgrounds for a planting. We use those here at the Park.

D23: Tomorrowland, at Disneyland, is known for having a large number of plants that are edible. What plants can you recommend that do “double duty” and look nice, but also could possibly make it to the table?

RC: We use a lot of citrus in Tomorrowland. There’s a shrubby kind of citrus, called calamondin, which looks almost like a kumquat but it’s a little more sour. You would use it in preserves or something like that. We use that as hedging over near Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters; and Star Tours;. There are also dwarf pomegranates—we use those in Autopia; as hedging or shrub planting. They produce edible fruit on a bush that only gets to be maybe five feet tall.

D23: Of course, when we think of flowers at Disneyland, the Mickey Mouse flower “portrait” comes to mind. Could a Disney fan be ambitious enough to make their own Mickey Mouse garden in their yard?

RC: It’s fairly high maintenance—we end up changing it about every eight weeks or so. It would be helpful to put in some kind of plastic or bender board for edging, to keep the shape. You also really want to use short, tidy plants, like alyssum or violets—smaller flowers. If you’re looking for a mass, the smaller the flower, the more it’s going to read like a painting than individual blobs.

D23: Speaking of maintenance, once a garden is planted, how do we keep it looking as magical as the gardens always look in a Disney park?

RC: You don’t want to water in the evening, because then the leaves will usually sit wet most of the night, and that’s a great way to encourage disease to get started. Early in the morning would probably be best. And for most flowering plants, it’s best to water deeper a little less often than to do a bunch of really shallow waterings if you want to encourage the roots to keep on going down. That way they’ll last through drought and heat better. And the other thing—especially if you’re planting annual flowers—it’s best to use a planting fertilizer with them or lightly feed them afterwards. Find a product intended for flowers and follow the directions on the package. There are some really great slow-release fertilizers that you can add to the soil as you’re planting and then they can feed for months.

Hopping to It—D23 Pays Tribute to Disney Bunnies

April 2, 2015March 26, 2018

THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED

As Easter approaches, we thought we would salute some of our favorite Disney bunnies!

Thumper is known (and named) for his habit of thumping his left hind foot, which he often does when he gets excited. Along with Flower, he helps Bambi navigate his way through the forest as he discovers life as a young buck—and even successfully teaches young Bambi a couple of his first words! Any of us would be lucky to call Thumper our friend.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

Even though we always say, “It was all started by a mouse,” we could almost be saying, “It was all started by a rabbit.” Oswald was one of Walt’s first animated stars, making his debut in 1927’s Trolley Troubles. You can now find Oswald hanging around Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure.

White Rabbit

This guy will make sure you get where you need to go on time. Although he’s probably one of the most rational inhabitants of Wonderland, he lives his life under very stressful circumstances—the fear of always being late for the Queen! But can we really blame him? Running around all day is probably better than dealing with the Queen of Hearts’ irrational rage.

Bean Bunny

No one is cuter than this young bunny, who most people recognize from his appearance in Muppet*Vision 3-D, where he accidentally ruins Miss Piggy’s big musical moment—her performance of “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” But despite all of the chaos he causes, we know Bean Bunny’s intentions are always good.

illustration of rabbit family with baby rabbit holding a rabbit doll and a glasses-wearing turtle standing beside them — Tagalong

Tagalong

The littlest one of the Rabbit family in Robin Hood, this spunky young bunny has no problem keeping up with her older siblings. With her adorable purple pajamas and bunny stuffed animal, it’s hard to believe this little one was thrown in jail (along with her family) for not paying her taxes!

illustration of happily hopping smiling rabbit passing a cherry tree with a hobo's kerchief tied to a walking stick slung over his shoulder — Brer Rabbit

Brer Rabbit

This quick-witted rabbit lives life as he sees fit—bending the rules whenever possible and shrewdly working his way through situations. As we see in Splash Mountain, sometimes his quest for what he wants can get him in trouble (and almost roasted), but thankfully that astute personality always saves him from misfortune.

Rabbit

Diligent and practical, Rabbit is one of the most responsible residents of the Hundred Acre Wood. He tends to his garden constantly, and gets extremely upset if anyone tries to take vegetables from it. Although he can sometimes be seen as a control freak, he has a huge heart and cares deeply for all of his friends.

Tangled: The Musical Adds to the Magic of Disney Cruise Line

April 2, 2015March 26, 2018

Like Rapunzel in Tangled, we see the light—the spotlight, that is! Today Disney Cruise Line (DCL) announced that beginning this November, the characters and music we love from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ beloved film will come to life on stage aboard the Disney Magic. This will mark the first time Tangled has been adapted for the stage.

Tangled: The Musical will recreate Rapunzel’s fairy tale using lavish production numbers and spellbinding music. DCL audiences will, of course, enjoy live performances of their favorite songs from the film, including “When Will My Life Begin,” “Mother Knows Best,” “I Have a Dream,” and the Grammy^®Award-winning “I See the Light.” But DCL announced that this show will also feature three brand-new songs created exclusively for Tangled: the Musical by Academy Award^®-winning composer Alan Menken and Grammy-winning lyricist Glenn Slater.

The story we fell in love with in the film will now feature a few special twists to create a live staged production, but all of our favorites will appear live on stage: Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Mother Gothel, and Maximus the police horse. We’ll watch Rapunzel escape the confines of her tower and the clutches of Mother Gothel, who wishes to shield the secret of Rapunzel’s magical golden tresses and royal roots. Rapunzel strikes up an unlikely friendship with the suave, crown-stealing bandit Flynn Rider, and together they face ruffians, thugs, and a budding romance on their hair-raising journey.

On board the Disney Magic, the 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre will become Rapunzel’s fanciful Bavarian kingdom. The all-star creative team behind the extravagant production includes director Gordon Greenberg and choreographer Connor Gallagher, in addition to Menken, Slater, and a bevy of top-notch theatrical talent.

Michael Curry, the master puppet designer whose creations are featured in Disney’s Tony Award®-winning musical The Lion King on Broadway will bring the rambunctious Maximus to life. Maximus was known to steal a scene or two in the animated Tangled, and with the help of the whinnying puppet performer within, the character is sure to be a standout on stage as well.

The musical’s colorful costumes—including the townspeople’s bright hues and Rapunzel’s feminine florals—are being created by Tony winner Paloma Young. The sets—Rapunzel’s tower, the lakeside setting of the iconic floating lanterns scene, and even the Snuggly Duckling tavern—will be designed by Bradley Kaye (Disney’s Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular).

Voyages on the Disney Magic are known for their exclusive live entertainment, such as Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story and Disney Dreams . . . An Enchanted Classic (which is debuting a new Frozen-themed segment beginning in summer 2015).

Tangled: The Musical is set to premiere during the Disney Magic‘s four-night Bahamian sailing that departs Miami on November 11. To learn more, visit Disney Cruise Line‘s official website. This news is likely to have Disney fans singing to themselves, “When will my cruise begin?”

New Diamond Celebration Pins and Video of Disneyland’s Construction, plus News Briefs

Look Back at Disneyland Construction . . . Look Ahead to Diamond Celebration Pins!

We’ve been bringing you all of the details, as they emerge, about the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration beginning May 22. We’re looking ahead to the 24-hour kickoff event, the new nighttime entertainment, and all of the new merchandise and collectibles. But as we look ahead, we naturally can’t help but look back. And this week, the Disney Parks Blog did a little looking back for us, sharing the video above, a rare time-lapse video that shows Disneyland Park under construction.

The Parks Blog also revealed that pin collectors are going to need longer lanyards—there will be more than 100 pins released during the celebration! We’re always excited when new collections of pins are introduced, but these seem a little extra sparkly. This is going to turn pin trading into a “diamond celebration” by itself.

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

photo of darkly colorful interior Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto — Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

Trader Sam’s Has Soft Opening at Walt Disney World

There’s much to celebrate in Orlando, too! The East Coast version of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, is set to officially open in late April. But, lucky for Walt Disney World guests, Trader Sam’s recently had a soft opening on March 28. Located off the main lobby of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto offers a menu of “magical tropical drinks and food,” sharing a few small plates and cocktails with its West Coast counterpart. But the Walt Disney World Resort Trader Sam’s will feature exclusive drinks named “Castaway Crush” and “Dark & Tropical Stormy” and small plates that include kalua pork tacos with shredded cabbage and picked vegetables, as well as corn-battered Portuguese sausages with curry ketchup and a Headhunter Sushi Roll. Check it out now if you’re at Walt Disney World and have worked up an appetite. Then go back after it opens to check out the Tiki souvenir glassware!

Watch a New Featurette for Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron

May is a busy, busy month for Disney fans, and it starts with a bang on May 1 when Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters. This featurette serves to introduce two of the newest characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Quicksilver (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), and writer/director Joss Whedon refers to them here as “massively important.” See these twins in action in the video above before you see them at a theater near you.

still from the movie Tomorrowland featuring actress Britt Robertson standing in a wheat field with the spires of Tomorrowland in the distance behind her — Tomorrowland

See Tomorrowland in May, But See a Preview at Disney Parks in April!

You know that moment in the Tomorrowland trailer when George Clooney—referencing Tomorrowland in the movie—asks, “Do you wanna go?” Well, Disney fans definitely want to go to Tomorrowland at Disneyland in April to see an exclusive preview of scenes from the film. For a limited time, this sneak peek will be presented with special in-theater effects at the Tomorrowland Theater at Disneyland park and at the Imagination Pavilion theater at Epcot. Tomorrowland opens in theaters May 22, 2015.

illustrated scene of Loki and Falcon — Falcon and Loki

New Marvel Characters Joining Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes

Speaking of the Avengers, Captain America’s closest ally, Falcon (aka veteran Sam Wilson), and the God of Mischief himself, Loki, have both joined Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes. The final two Power Discs—Marvel Team-Up: Captain Marvel and Ultimate Falcon—are also available now as a Rare Power Disc Pack. With Marvel Team-Up: Captain Marvel, players can team up with Captain Marvel and activate her energy blasts and super strength in any battle, while Ultimate Falcon lets players gain the ability to collect sparks from far away and unlock the Ultimate costume for Falcon.

Zendaya

Zendaya to Host Radio Disney Music Awards

Actress and recording artist Zendaya has made herself known to Disney fans as one of the leads of Shake It Up and, currently, as the star of the hit series K.C. Undercover. She’s had a platinum single with “Replay,” she’s danced all the way to the finals during Dancing with the Stars’ 16th season, and she’s received multiple NAACP Image Award nominations. And now Zendaya will host music’s biggest event for families, the Radio Disney Music Awards, taking place Saturday, April 25 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, followed by a 90-minute televised special, Disney Channel Presents the Radio Disney Music Awards, airing Sunday, April 26 on Disney Channel. When the news was announced last week, Zendaya said, “We’re going to have a great show . . . a lot of fun and get to watch amazing performances, so I’m very, very excited. Plus, I’m nominated again for artist with the best style (You’re So Fancy!—Artist With The Best Style), so I better wear a good outfit!” We can’t wait to see what the RDMAs have in store!

Shadowhunters Coming to ABC Family

Fans of the bestselling young adult fantasy book series The Mortal Instruments will be eagerly awaiting the premiere of Shadowhunters, which has just been picked up by ABC Family as its first scripted-to saga series. The books, written by author Cassandra Clare, spent 122 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, with more than 35 million copies in print worldwide. The books tell the story of 18-year-old Clary Fray, who finds out on her birthday that she is not who she thinks she is but rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters—human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons. When her mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped, Clary is thrown into the world of demon hunting with mysterious Shadowhunter Jace and her best friend, Simon. Now living among faeries, warlocks, vampires, and werewolves, Clary begins a journey of self-discovery as she learns more about her past and what her future may hold. The series begins production in May.

illustration of Fancy Nancy all made up wearing sunglasses and red pumps from Disney Junior series of books — Fancy Nancy

Disney Junior is Getting Fancy…

If you know any young kids, you can rest assured that they know Fancy Nancy, the beloved character from Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser’s bestselling book series of the same name. The Fancy Nancy books follow the adventures of a girl who likes to be fancy in everything from her very elaborate and creative attire to her very advanced and elegant vocabulary. And now Disney Junior—also known and loved by young kids and their parents—has optioned Fancy Nancy for an original animated TV movie and series, slated for premiere in 2017. This news isn’t just “great,” it’s marvelous… it’s superlative… it’s splendid! It really is fun to be fancy—as kids will see when the TV movie makes its debut.

photo of two young boys and two young girls eating Mickey Mouse frozen fudge sticks — Cast members of *blackish*

The Cast of ABC’s black-ish Celebrates First Season Wrap at Walt Disney World

There’s a reason why football players all want to go to Walt Disney World after they win the Super Bowl—it’s an amazing place to celebrate a huge accomplishment! Last week, the four actors who play the Johnson family children on ABC’s comedy black-ish celebrated the wrap of their show’s first season with a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Yara Shahidi (Zoey), Marcus Scribner (Andre), Miles Brown (Jack), and Marsai Martin (Diane), joined by their real-life parents, kicked off Walt Disney World’s “Coolest Summer Ever” a little early. The group met Mickey and Minnie, rode the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train together, previewed Frozen Summer Fun with Anna and Elsa, and enjoyed a “star moment” when Goofy took their picture in front of the black-ish billboard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Our Disney Green Team—Characters Who Make It Earth Day Every Day

Earth Day presents a perfect opportunity to be more mindful of our environment and to think about how we can better protect our world and its natural resources. But some of our favorite Disney characters make this a priority throughout the way they go about their daily lives. Here is a look at some of our role models who treat every day like it’s Earth Day.

Pocahontas knows “every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name.” She’s a friend to animals, she spends her days exploring nature around her, and she has the utmost respect for trees—starting with her beloved advisor, Grandmother Willow, but extending to any ordinary tree as she asks, “How high does the sycamore grow? If you cut it down, then you’ll never know.”

Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore

Tasked with making sure that things are up to snuff in Brownstone National Park, we think that Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore would rise to that occasion in any of our nation’s national parks today. Ranger Woodlore is so committed to fighting pollution that he manages to enlist the park’s bears to help clean up piles of litter in In the Bag (1956).

Russell

When we first meet Russell in Up, he’s just one badge short of achieving the title of Senior Wilderness Explorer—a badge awarded for “Assisting the Elderly.” His sash is full of badges, and we know that a Wilderness Explorer as dedicated as Russell has done more than his fair share to make the world a better place. As Russell proudly recites, “An Explorer is a friend to all, be it plants or fish or tiny mole!”

WALL•E

In this cautionary tale set in the future, WALL•E is alone on a garbage-filled Earth, trying to—literally—clean up the mess we humans have made of our planet. And when WALL•E inexplicably discovers a single seedling plant, he needs no instruction or special programming to recognize the value of this living thing—a symbol of hope and rebirth.

Anna

After her sister, Elsa, “lets it go” and Arendelle starts to fall under the big freeze, Anna doesn’t hesitate to jump on a horse and ride off to fix the situation. Of course she’s concerned for her sister, but she successfully brings to a halt—and reverses, no less!—the biggest climate change ever.

Jacques

Of all the members of the Tank Gang in Finding Nemo, Jacques, a cleaner shrimp, takes it upon himself to keep his world in its most habitable shape. He “decontaminates” any newcomer to the tank immediately upon their arrival, proudly informing his tankmates, “Voilà. He is clean.” When the Tank Gang decides, for strategic reasons, that they need to let the dirt accumulate and they force Jacques to stand down, he does so only with great difficulty. “I am ashamed,” he declares. Cleaning the planet has to begin close to home.

Kenai

There’s an old saying that before you judge a man, you should walk a mile in his shoes. And while for Kenai those shoes may be a bear’s paws, those words prove to be true. After Kenai kills a bear out of vengeance, he is turned into a bear himself—and is forced to look at humans through a bear’s eyes. Kenai comes to understand so keenly the implications of the human ways he has been taught, that when he is given the choice to return to human form or remain a bear, the choice is not an easy one.

Jiminy Cricket

In addition to teaching kids about man’s history with and reliance upon fire in the educational short I’m No Fool With Fire, Jiminy Cricket also served as the mascot for “Environmentality,” The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to acting responsibly with the environment in mind. Jiminy Cricket’s simple advice—“Always let your conscience be your guide”—is something that everyone should heed when it comes to protecting our natural resources.

These are a mere eight characters whose good intentions and actions represent Walt Disney’s legacy with respect to the environment. Through his TV series Disneyland, the True-Life Adventure films, public service announcements for National Wildlife Week, and more, Walt generated great awareness for the natural wonders around us. Walt put it best when he said, “The natural beauty of America is a treasure found nowhere else in the world. Our forests, waters, grasslands, and wildlife must be wisely protected and used. I urge all citizens to join the effort to save America’s natural beauty . . . it’s our America—do something to preserve its beauty, strength and natural wealth.”

Disney Television Animation Salutes Disneyland

Our friends at Disney Television Animation (Disney TVA) have been busy over the last few months. They’ve debuted new shows Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero and Star vs. The Forces of Evil. They’ve continued to bring us favorite series like Gravity Falls, The 7D, and the Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts—to name just a few—and they’re also developing soon-to-be favorites like DuckTales! But the incredibly talented folks behind these Disney TVA shows—artists, executives, and staff—recently took time out of their busy schedules for a little extracurricular creativity in celebration of The Happiest Place on Earth.

Enjoy this video peek at “The Disneyland 60th Anniversary Show,” which took place Tuesday, March 24, at the Disney TVA studio headquarters in Glendale, California, along with some photos of the artistic creations and the artists who brought them to life.

Ryan Quincy, Creator and Executive Producer, Future-Worm! created this untitled piece.

The classic attraction Adventure Thru Inner Space inspired Craig McCracken, Creator and Executive Producer, Wander Over Yonder, to put together a collection of novelty snow globes.

Paul Rudish, Creator and Executive Producer, Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, paid tribute to Disneyland by way of a classic attraction poster.

Star vs. The Forces of Evil’s Creator and Executive Producer Daron Nefcy set out to capture the Disneyland fan experience with her piece.

Recognize any Disneyland cast members? This interpretation of them was created by Sam Levine, Co-Creator and Executive Producer, Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero.

Only a portion of this impressive drawing from Tom Warburton, Co-Executive Producer, The 7D, could fit into this photo with him.

Your Key to the Kingdom: Read the First Chapter of Kingdom Keepers—The Return

March 30, 2015March 26, 2018

For any Disney fan who has ever dreamed of sneaking into a Disney park after hours, best-selling author Ridley Pearson’s seven-part Kingdom Keepers series might be the next best thing. The books, of course, take place at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where the series’ teenage heroes Finn, Philby, Willa, Charlene, and Maybeck move through Disney parks at night, protecting our favorite attractions and places from an ominous group known as The Overtakers.

Finn and his fellow Kingdom Keepers are back for a new incredible adventure, and it begins at D23 Expo! D23 is giving you early access to read the first chapter of Kingdom Keepers—The Return here, before it’s available at retailers everywhere tomorrow.

To read the first chapter, click here to download or click the far left image below and click the arrows to turn the pages!

Weird Disney: A Magic Skyway Christmas

Today’s traditional holiday meal would be quite different from that of a caveman.

But don’t take our word for it . . .

The large wooly mammoth––or Christmas turkey, in this case––and his caveman co-star from the Ford Magic Skyway were hot off their performances at the New York World’s Fair and returned to Southern California just in time for the 1965 Christmas Party at WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering).

Attendees who gathered for the festive occasion had a chance to glimpse the decked-out halls of Walt Disney’s creative design workshop, which featured displays of many Audio–Animatronics^® marvels that Disney Imagineers had brought to life over the past few years. Among them: the cast of the Magic Skyway (obviously ready for the occasion), dolls from it’s a small world, and even––Yo Ho Ho! ––a fully mocked-up auction scene from the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean.

Season’s Greetings!

Star vs. The Forces of Evil—A Battle the Audience Wins!

Meet Star Butterfly.

Star is a “fiercely awesome” high school girl

. . . who just so happens to be a magical princess from another dimension. On Star’s 14th birthday, she receives an all-powerful magic wand from her parents—which proves to be a little difficult for Star to control. Star’s Royal Parents send her to Earth to live with the Diaz family and their son Marco as “an exchange student” where she can master her wand safely away from the clutches of her arch-nemesis, Ludo, and his monstrous forces of evil. Viewers can begin tuning in to watch Star and her best friend, Marco, embark on dimension-hopping adventures when Star vs. The Forces of Evil premieres Monday, March 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.

This fiercely awesome princess was created by the fiercely talented Daron Nefcy (who also serves as executive producer), a 29-year-old Cal Arts graduate who was recently named one of Variety magazine’s “10 Animators to Watch” as well as one of Forbes‘ “30 Under 30.” D23 had the opportunity to attend a special screening of Star vs. The Forces of Evil hosted by Disney Television Animation (DTVA) and Women in Animation, followed by a Q&A with Nefcy; actress Eden Sher (of ABC’s The Middle, who voices Star Butterfly); Lisa Salamone, senior vice president, Production, DTVA; Brooke Keesling, director, Animation Talent Development, DTVA; and Maija Burnett, the director of the Character Animation Program at Cal Arts.

group photo of five women: L—R: Maija Burnett, director of Cal Arts' Character Animation Program; Brooke Keesling, director, Animation Talent Development, Disney Television Animation (DTVA); Daron Nefcy, creator and executive producer, Star vs. The Forces of Evil; Lisa Salamone, senior vice president, Production, DTVA; and Eden Sher, who voices the role of Star Butterfly. — **L—R:** Maija Burnett, director of Cal Arts’ Character Animation Program; Brooke Keesling, director, Animation Talent Development, Disney Television Animation (DTVA); Daron Nefcy, creator and executive producer, *Star vs. The Forces of Evil*; Lisa Salamone, senior vice president, Production, DTVA; and Eden Sher, who voices the role of Star Butterfly.

The panelists talked about the increase they’ve noticed in recent years in the number of women who are now working in animation. Burnett noted that at Cal Arts—the institution that counts John Lasseter, John Musker, and Brad Bird among its noted alumni—there has been a sea change. “The percentages, in terms of gender breakdown, have really flipped from 10 years ago. I think it was about 25 percent female, 75 percent male; and now that has reversed and it’s 75 percent female and 25 percent male.”

In fact, the idea for Star vs. The Forces of Evil was hatched while Nefcy was still a Cal Arts student. “I came up with Star in my third year at Cal Arts and she started as a sketch, just a drawing with the little heart cheeks and stuff,” Nefcy recalled. The character and her world evolved over several years—Star was originally a bit younger and the magical powers weren’t always real. But, Nefcy says, “I think there’s a lot of me in Star. And I think when Eden came along some of Eden got in there, too. It’s really awesome.”

“Awesome” may not be a big enough word to describe how thrilled Sher is to be bringing Star to life with her voice. “I feel like she’s like me without a filter,” Sher jokes, remembering that she saw the character as a kindred spirit as soon as she read the first script. She marvels about Star, “Oh my god, she’s just this crazy girl and she’s not apologizing!” And Sher is having a blast voicing Star and helping the character evolve.

The character is anything but what you might expect from a royal princess—even one who can summon “laser puppies” (which are absolutely adorable… and maybe kind of dangerous?)—and that unpredictability is a big part of what makes Star unique. Nefcy explains, “What I like about Star personally is that she is girly. And she does kick ass. And she can do all these things and she’s not just a tomboy, which is kind of nice.” Nefcy adds, “She gets to make mistakes, which is important for any character. I really just set out to make a well-rounded character.”

Nefcy’s well-rounded character comes with one of the catchiest theme songs you’ve heard in a while:

According to Nefcy, choosing the song that serves as Star vs. The Forces of Evil‘s introduction was one of the most fun parts of developing the series. She and the DTVA music team started with a collection of music that Nefcy liked, along with some lyric ideas, and then listened to countless song submissions—and they listened to all of them blindly, without knowing the names of each artist they were hearing. “There were so many good ones,” Nefcy remembers, but the submission they selected came from Brad Breeck, who also composed the theme for Gravity Falls. “I love that it sounds like a garage band,” she professes.

Star vs. The Forces of Evil makes its official debut next week, but the series has already been renewed for a second season. The character developed a cult following after the series’ opening title was previewed at last year’s Comic-Con, inspiring hundreds of fan art pieces generated by people who responded to the character. Perhaps some of those people are future animators. For Nefcy, Star began with a sketch, “as most characters do.” And that’s a truth that’s as enduring as the legacy of Walt Disney himself.