By D23 Team
Since his debut on November 18, 1928, Mickey Mouse has been bringing the world joy through his adventures in movies, animated shorts, video games, theme parks, and more. There’s no better tribute to the mouse that started it all than a star-studded celebratory issue of Disney twenty-three, coming to D23 Gold Members this August.
The celebration starts with a heartfelt tribute to Mickey penned by film historian Leonard Maltin, honoring Mickey’s enduring optimism and youthful spirit. More celebrities and luminaries join in sharing Mickey memories, including Kurt Russell, Mark Hamill, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Menken, and Hayley Mills.
Of course, with an issue honoring a star this big, he has to be on the cover! The cover features the latest tribute to Mickey—his new birthday portrait, titled “Spreading Magic Around the World,” painted by legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Mark Henn—and Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline looks at the long-standing tradition of Mickey portraits over the decades. We go behind the scenes of the creation of the portrait, which we unveiled at our first-ever San Diego Comic-Con panel, in a stunning time-lapse of Henn’s animation process:
Mickey’s not the only Disney icon ringing in 90 years of happiness—the effortlessly charming Minnie Mouse is joining the festive celebrations! We honor Minnie with a special tribute by actress and fashion designer Ashley Eckstein, who spotlights Minnie’s enduring place as a role model and fashion icon.
Get ready to tune in to your next favorite Disney Channel Original Movie—Disney twenty-three goes behind the scenes on the making of the new Freaky Friday, sharing exclusive interviews with stars Heidi Blickenstaff and Cozi Zuehlsdorff.
Plus, D23 is kicking off its annual Fanniversary in the most spellbinding way: We’re honoring Hocus Pocus and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, two beloved films celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Director Kenny Ortega talks about the making of Hocus Pocus and all of the on-set excitement working with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
This month’s “Character Analysis” examines the frightfully fun denizens of Nightmare, along with a first look at the new Nightmare-themed gingerbread house coming to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction overlay this year. For more Fanniversary fun, visit D23.com/Fanniversary beginning October 1.
Also included in the fall issue of Disney twenty-three:
- Animation historian Fox Carney dives into the vaults of the Animation Research Library to show off stunning paintings and drawings from Mickey’s rich history
- From the Desk of: Mickey’s portrait painter Mark Henn
- A preview of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
- An advance look at the new Disney Channel series Star Wars Resistance
- Regular features including D Society and Ask Dave
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-August.
Learn more about D23 Gold Membership here
