By Courtney Potter
New Series Saturdays Premiering on Disney Channel March 24
The good folks at Disney Branded Television just announced the launch of its newest Disney Channel series Saturdays, premiering on Friday, March 24. Take a gander at the teaser for the show, below.
Saturdays—premiering at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT with two back-to-back episodes weekly—is a coming-of-age comedy that only takes place on the very best day of the week... Saturday! The series follows 14-year-old Paris Johnson (Danielle Jalade) and her best friends Simone (Daria Johns) and Ari (Peyton Basnight), who hone their roller-skating skills on the cool parquet floor of Saturdays, a local skating rink in Chicago. Together they form the We-B-Girlz skate crew; they’re determined to show (and prove) they have the hottest skate routines on the planet, and that they’re worthy to become Goldens, the top skaters in the Windy City.
Additionally, Secrets of Sulphur Springs is returning for a third season. The popular adventure-filled mystery series centers around Griffin Campbell (Preston Oliver) and his family, who move into a hotel with a paranormal past, and kicks off the evening of March 24 with two new episodes starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Both series will stream on Disney+ shortly after.
5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®
Get ready for more football this Sunday than you can shake a buffalo wing at by binge-watching five favorite football moments from around the worlds of Disney. Animated athlete appearances... inspiring true stories... check out our watchlist, order that pizza, and enjoy all the gridiron action!
Moon Girl Merriment Arrives at Disney California Adventure Park
Big news from our friends at Disneyland Resort (courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog): For a limited time beginning on Wednesday, February 15, at Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure Park, you can see and interact with Moon Girl from the latest Disney series Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, which premieres on Friday, February 10, on Disney Channel and Wednesday, February 15, on Disney+.
The series follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl) and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, whom she accidentally brings into present-day New York City. The duo works together to protect New York City’s Lower East Side from danger.
When Moon Girl lands at Disney California Adventure on February 15, guests can catch her in a special one-day-only entertainment celebration—including a cavalcade on Hollywood Blvd, and a stage show on the Hollywood Backlot Stage. But don’t fret: She’ll stick around for a little while! Make sure to keep an eye out for her if you find yourself at Disneyland Resort in the near future...
All-New Adventure Game Disney Illusion Island Available to Pre-Order
Get ready to join Mickey Mouse and friends for a magical adventure in the all-new immersive video game, Disney Illusion Island, which will debut exclusively on Nintendo Switch on Friday, July 28—and is now available for pre-order! Check out the action in the trailer, above.
Play solo or grab up to three friends to embark on the 2D adventure from Disney Games, in collaboration with Dlala Studios. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy set off on a perilous quest to explore the colorfully hand-crafted yet mysterious island of Monoth in an escapade to recover three magical tomes—powerful books used to protect the island. Players will discover rich biomes and meet intriguing characters, all while listening to an original orchestral score.
“Words cannot express how excited we are for players to embrace the Dlala-spin on this brand-new experience for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy,” AJ Grand-Scrutton, lead developer at Dlala Studios, recently said. “It’s been an incredible honor working on this title, and we hope that Nintendo Switch players and Disney fans worldwide love playing it as much as we’ve loved creating it.”
Disney Illusion Island is available for pre-order in Nintendo eShop and at retail stores for $39.99.
Disney+, Disney Junior, and Lucasfilm Announce Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Premiere Date
Disney+, Disney Junior, and Lucasfilm have announced that Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures—the first Star Wars series developed with preschoolers in mind—will premiere on Disney+ and Disney Junior on Thursday, May 4, Star Wars Day. Set during The High Republic era, the animated series follows Jedi younglings as they study the ways of the Force; explore the galaxy; help citizens and creatures in need; and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures stars Jamaal Avery, Jr. as Kai Brightstar, Juliet Donenfeld as Lys Solay, Dee Bradley Baker as Nubs, Emma Berman as Nash Durango, Jonathan Lipow as RJ-83, and Piotr Michael as Master Yoda.
“Star Wars transcends generations; fans of all ages deeply connect with its imaginative worlds, mythic stories, and unique characters,” said Lucasfilm’s James Waugh, who executive produces the series. “When developing Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, the first Star Wars series created for preschoolers, the creative team never stopped thinking about how this show may be a ‘youngling’s’ first step into a larger world and their first time experiencing the limitless potential of the Star Wars galaxy.”
All-New Storyline Revealed from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
After the success of Tiana’s Palace, Tiana’s hard-earned restaurant, the entrepreneur set her sights on another goal: a salt mine!
Our pals at Disney Parks Blog revealed the details of Tiana’s endeavor, which will unfold in the attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure—set to open at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in 2024. Within this all-new experience, inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Princess and the Frog, Tiana has transformed an aging salt mine into a beloved brand, Tiana’s Foods... reviving the land to grow delicious vegetables, herbs, and spices. But she didn’t stop there—she’s also created a line of original hot sauces.
Tiana wants to thank her community for their support by throwing a fantastic party during Mardi Gras season, but one ingredient is missing. She’s invited guests to help her find it, along with familiar friends from the animated film like Eudora, Naveen, and Louis.
In the attraction queue, guests will learn more about Tiana’s Foods—then they’ll set sail and explore the refurbished salt mine, complete with a boutique farm and a working and teaching kitchen. The company’s facilities have been spruced up with vibrant local art, and beignets are being loaded into crates for the upcoming celebration. Our favorite cook has crafted a treasured community, working with others to teach gardening and cooking to kids and inspiring women to run successful businesses. Now, if only she can find that ingredient...
Hong Kong Disneyland Gives Behind-the-Scenes Look at World of Frozen
In the animated film Frozen (2013), the once-closed realm of Arendelle finally throws open its gates—and it’ll do so again when World of Frozen debuts at Hong Kong Disneyland later this year! The good folks at Disney Parks Blog also recently shared some cool behind-the-scenes drone footage (seen above) of the land’s work in progress.
World of Frozen will feature sure-to-be-incredible attractions—including the new coaster Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs—as well as a quick-service restaurant and merchandise outlets. Iconic landmarks in the making can be seen throughout; the clock tower, fountains, and Arendelle village will welcome guests toward the land’s entrance, and Elsa’s nearly finished ice palace can be seen tucked in the North Mountain.
Meanwhile, Frozen Ever After—which also has a home at Walt Disney World Resort—will feature Audio-Animatronics® figures that lean into ever-evolving technology. Take a first look at Elsa, above, who Imagineers brought to life through dynamic facial expressions and body movements.
Stay tuned for more World of Frozen news as it becomes available...
The Mandalorian to Make Broadcast Debut Ahead of Season 3 Premiere
Prepare for The Mandalorian Season 3 by watching the episode that started it all: The first, memorable episode of Season 1 will make its broadcast debut across three networks on Friday, February 24. “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian” airs on ABC, Freeform, and FX simultaneously at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The special airing paves the way for the Season 3 premiere, which debuts on Disney+ Wednesday, March 1. Set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order, the show focuses on title character Din Djarin and his continuing journey with Grogu as he meets old allies and makes new enemies.
The eight-episode Season 3 stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow, and Giancarlo Esposito. The directors include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey, and Bryce Dallas Howard.
The first two seasons are now streaming on Disney+.
Limited Series Great Expectations Premieres Exclusively on Hulu This March
Fans of amazing Victorian storytelling, take heed: The first two episodes of FX’s limited series Great Expectations will premiere Sunday, March 26, exclusively on Hulu. Steven Knight’s six-part series adapts the classic Charles Dickens coming-of-age story, which follows young orphan Pip as he navigates the true cost of a greater life.
Great Expectations is produced in association with the BBC, which will air the series in the UK. Internationally, it will be available to stream on Star+ in Latin America and on Disney+ under the Star banner at an unannounced later date.
The series stars Olivia Coleman as Miss Havisham, Fionn Whitehead as Pip, and Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella. Also featured are Johnny Harris, Hayley Squires, Owen McDonnell, Trystan Gravelle, Laurie Ogden, Rudi Dharmalingam, Tom Sweet, Chloe Lea, and Matt Berry. Knight serves as writer and executive producer alongside fellow executive producers Tom Hardy, Ridley Scott, Dean Baker, David W. Zucker, and Kate Crowe.