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Freeform Fun A-Plenty and Cruising with Fan Faves—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Tons of news from the world of Freeform, and Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea return in 2020… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Catch a Peek at Freeform’s Upcoming Shows via These Cool New Teasers

Freeform has been featuring some killer (pun intended?) shows lately, so color us excited to feature a trailer for one of their brand-new upcoming dramas… In the clip above—which premiered on the heels of the show’s recent appearance at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour—catch a sneak peek at Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, which spins off Alison (Sasha Pieterse) and Mona (Janel Parrish) from the original PLL into a series that finds them living in the college town of Beacon Heights and dealing with an ever-so-mysterious murder. Stay tuned for the series debut on Wednesday, March 20, at 8 p.m. EST/PST, only on Freeform.

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There were more headline-grabbing announcements during Freeform’s TCA sojourn, including the fact that grown-ish has been picked for a third season! The black-ish spinoff, which stars Yara Shahidi, Trevor Jackson, and Francia Raisa (and currently airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT), will continue following Zoey and her friends as they navigate the ups and downs of college.

The Bold Type returns for a third season, picking up right after the heartbreaking and romantic sophomore season finale in the City of Lights. Season three finds Jane, Kat, and Sutton back in New York City, coming to terms with some seriously major decisions. Check out the video, above, to see the series’ stars—including Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, and Meghann Fahey—learn that The Bold Type’s new season kicks off on Freeform on Tuesday, April 9 (8 p.m. EST/PST), and they’re just as excited as we are.

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Lest you believe that’s all in terms of Freeform news, we’re also happy to report that Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger is returning for season two on Thursday, April 4, at 8 p.m. EST/PST, with a special two-hour season premiere. Look for this new season to “turn up the heat” on our young heroes Tyrone (Aubrey Joseph) and Tandy (Olivia Holt), as they try to find their place as more active heroes in this world. As they learn and grow emotionally, so will their skills. Color us intrigued!

For more information about all these amazing series, visit Freeform.go.com.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
February 16, 2018
D23’s Happily Ever After Brunch
February 16, 2018
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Sleeping Beauty on the Lot
February 16, 2018
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Sleeping Beauty at Walt Disney World
March 7, 2018
Don’t Miss a Complimentary Advance Screening of Captain Marvel
March 10, 2018
D23’s 10-Year FAN-niversary Celebration at The Walt Disney Studios
March 11, 2018
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experiences: A Day at the Studio Lot
March 18, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
April 5, 2018
Lunch with a Disney Legend–Linda Larkin
April 6, 2018
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: The Lion King on Broadway
April 6, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – GOLD FAMILY EXCLUSIVE
April 15, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
May 6, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
Parks
January 18-February 25, 2019
2019 Epcot International Festival of the Arts
January 25-February 17, 2019
Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure
March 1-April 23, 2019
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
March 6-June 3, 2019
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Summer 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at Disneyland Resort
Fall 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort

Studios
March 8, 2019
Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel opens in U.S. theaters
March 29, 2019
Dumbo opens in U.S. theaters
April 17, 2019
Penguins opens in U.S. theaters
April 26, 2019
Avengers: Endgame opens in U.S. theaters
May 24, 2019
Aladdin opens in U.S. theaters
June 21, 2019
Toy Story 4 opens in U.S. theaters
July 19, 2019
The Lion King opens in U.S. theaters
August 9, 2019
Artemis Fowl opens in U.S. theaters
Television
February 15, 2019
Kim Possible premieres on Disney Channel (8–9:32 p.m. EST/PST)
February 24, 2019
The Oscars® airs on ABC (8–11 p.m. EST)
March 3, 2019
American Idol kicks off second season on ABC (8–10:01 p.m. EST)

news briefs 2/6

news briefs 2/6

Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea Return to Disney Cruise Line in 2020

They’re two ridiculously popular experiences on the already ridiculously awesome Disney Cruise Line itineraries…and they’re coming back for 2020! That’s right: Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea will be returning to select five- and seven-night sailings early in the year.

Guests will celebrate all the legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars saga on special seven-night Disney Fantasy sailings from January to March 2020, taking you to the Caribbean for an out-of-this-galaxy experience that includes encounters with characters; live shows; Star Wars-themed family and kids’ activities; unique food and beverage offerings; and exclusive merchandise. And from January to early March 2020, special five-night Disney Magic sailings will combine the excitement of a Disney cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas with all the thrills of Marvel comics, films, and animated series for a truly action-packed, day-long celebration of the Marvel Universe—complete with visits from the likes of Captain Marvel, Spider Man, and Iron Man; an extraordinary deck show; and so much more!

So sail on over to DisneyCruise.com to find out how you can be a part of the action.

Meet Purl in Latest Pixar Animated Short

Our pals over at Pixar Animation Studios just started a fabulous new film program called SparkShorts—and the first short from this experimental initiative has made its debut! An adorable ball of yarn finds herself tied up in knots (literally and figuratively) when she tries to blend in at her new job… find out more about Purl, and see the short for yourself, right here at D23.com.

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Hercules Stage Musical to “Go the Distance” in New York This Summer

“Bless my soul, Herc is on a roll!” Now this is some über-nifty musical theater-related news, especially for fans of the Disney animated classic Hercules. (Hey, that’s us!) Just this week, The Public Theater announced that a new stage musical adaptation of the 1997 film will be presented this summer at their Delacorte Theater inside New York City’s Central Park, as part of Public Works’ Shakespeare in the Park theater series. And best of all, it’ll be free!

The show, presented by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), will feature beloved songs from the film as well as brand-new musical numbers—all written by Disney Legend Alan Menken and David Zippel. It’ll also include a new book (that means “script”) by Kristoffer Diaz, and original choreography by Chase Brock. Directed by Public Works Founder Lear deBessonet, the Hercules musical will run August 31 through September 8.

Should you find yourself in the New York City area later this year, visit PublicTheater.org to find out how you might be able to see this sure-to-“hit the heights at breakneck speed” show in person!

These Brand-New Reusable Shopping Bags are Practically Perfect

Disney Parks have something for literally everyone—from exciting attractions to seriously delicious food to all manner of fabulous shopping opportunities. And now there’s a whole new way to bring home your goodies from Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort… Take a gander at Disney’s new reusable shopping bags in the video, above.

Available for a nominal fee and offered in three sizes, these bags are made of 80 percent recycled materials and are similar to reusable bags first introduced at the World of Disney stores last fall. They’ll feature fun Disney character designs mixed with recognizable icons from around Disney Parks—and they’ll be found in Disney owned-and-operated shops. Environmentally friendly and adorable? Sign us up!

If you’re visiting either location in the near future, keep your eyes peeled for these bags—they’re different on both coasts, so they’re a bit of a “collector’s item” to boot. Plus, if you keep them in your car once you’re home, you’ll be the envy of all your fellow grocery-store shoppers… just sayin’.

Fozzie Bear Lends Voice to Big City Greens—This Weekend!

Muppet fans, listen up! There’s a show you’ve just gotta watch—on Disney Channel and/or DisneyNOW—this weekend… Fozzie Bear, The Muppets’ (and the world’s only!) “stand-up comic bear,” will make his voice acting debut as Dr. Enamel, a cheery and affable dentist who eagerly imparts dental wisdom to his patients, in a brand-new episode of Big City Greens this Saturday, February 9, at 8:30 a.m. EST/PST. Hear from the legendary bear himself in the clip, above.

In the episode titled “Hurty Tooth,” the Greens go on a family visit to the dentist’s office where Cricket is determined to avoid Dr. Enamel and power through his toothache. Comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins also guest stars as the Tooth Fairy.

For those unfamiliar, Big City Greens is an animated comedy-adventure series—created and executive produced by brothers Chris and Shane Houghton (Harvey Beaks)—which follows the offbeat adventures of 10-year-old Cricket Green, a mischievous and optimistic country boy who moves to the big city with his wildly out of place family: older sister Tilly, father Bill, and Gramma Alice. You can catch the show daily on Disney Channel… and good news: The show was recently picked up for a second season!

ICYMI: Every New Trailer from the Game

Okay, we’re fairly certain you’ve seen at least one of these by this point—but just in case you missed any of the massive Disney-related trailer drops during this past weekend’s big game, we’ve got a rundown of them all here at D23.com. Do check ‘em out, and then double-check that your calendar is marked up and prepared for all the epic adventure to come …