Star Wars Rebels Returns—And More in News Briefs

Light Speed to Season Two: Star Wars Rebels Back in October on Disney XD

Brace yourself as the power of the Empire grows, and get ready for the big debut of fan-fave Clone Troopers… Star Wars Rebels Season Two, with all-new episodes, begins Wednesday, October 14, at 9:30 p.m. on Disney XD!

As we catch up with the intrepid crew, the Imperial oppression on Lothal is growing stronger—and the Rebels seek out new allies and resources to sustain their fight against the evil Empire. With the help of Ahsoka Tano, the crew of the Ghost enlists some old friends: ex-Clone Troopers who fought in the Clone Wars. Through dangerous rescue missions, crazy space chases, and amazing Lightsaber duels, the Rebels’ bond will be tested like never before. Check out a sneak peak, above!

And that’s not all: Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One is now available on Blu-ray and DVD! The collection delivers all 15 action-packed episodes from Season One, plus out-of-this-world, never-before-seen bonus material including cast and crew interviews. Pick one up at your local “trading post” today.

Mark your calendar with upcoming Disney events in 2015

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King

September 19-20
Never Had a Friend Like D23

September 26
The Art of Disney—Featuring 75 Years of Pinocchio

October 3
D23’s Sip & Stroll

November 6
VIP Studio Experience with Disney Legend Andreas Deja

November 7
D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives

Studios
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.
January 29
The Finest Hours opens in theaters.
March 4
Zootopia 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, 28, 30; October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party 2015 at Disneyland
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
September 22
The Muppets premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
September 26
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy premieres at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.
November 30
It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

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Unlock a Magical World with New Sofia the First Episodes

Huge news, Sofia the First fans! Sofia’s Aunt Tilly returns to give her a gift that will unlock a secret world and appoints Sofia storykeeper of amazing magical books in Sofia the First: “The Secret Library,” the first episode of a four-part story arc debuting Monday, October 12—at 9 a.m. on Disney Channel, and later at 7 p.m. on Disney Junior. If that weren’t special enough, the episode also features an appearance by fiery Brave heroine Merida! Bonnie Hunt (Cars), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride), and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) all lend their voices to the four-part arc.

Can’t wait ’til October to see what lies in store? Whet your whistle with the new illustrated storybook and e-book Sofia the First: The Secret Library—just released Tuesday, September 1—from Disney Publishing Worldwide, which introduces the tale of how Sofia becomes storykeeper of magical books without endings. (An accompanying app featuring three exclusive stories and play experiences will be released on Thursday, October 8.)

And on Monday, October 5, look for a full-length preview and a fun new game for Sofia the First: “The Secret Library” to debut on WATCHDisneyJunior.com and the WATCH Disney Junior app. Saddle up for adventure!

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Derek and Julianne Hough Waltz Through Magic Kingdom Park

Celebrities often seek out a little late-summer Disney magic, just like the rest of us… so it’s no surprise that Dancing with the Stars’ star siblings Derek and Julianne Hough recently spent some time enjoying Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World! As you can see by the photo above, the duo met two enchanting new dance partners—Sleeping Beauty’s Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip—and took them for a spin inside Cinderella Castle. We give ’em perfect 10s across the board…

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“Force Friday” Comes to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts

Unless you’ve been living under an Endorian boulder, you know that September 4 is “Force Friday,” a very special 24-hours in which a heaping helping of new Star Wars-themed merchandise will make its way into a toy store (or online retailer) near you… and it’s all the better to help fans gear up for Star Wars: The Force Awakens this December! Naturally, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort don’t want to miss out on all the “Force” fun—so each resort is holding “Force Friday” events on September 4 at 12:01 a.m. (midnight) that include the opportunity to be among the very first to purchase new Star Wars and Star Wars: The Force Awakens-themed merchandise (including Disney Park merchandise exclusives and licensed products). Plus, attendees will also receive an exclusive “Force Friday” Logo Messenger Bag!

Disneyland Resort’s event will be held inside the World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney District, and Walt Disney World Resort’s will take place at Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney Marketplace. “Red-24, Red-30, follow me!”

Dancing With the Stars: New Season’s Stars Announced!

Dancing With the Stars’ 21st season is just around the corner—and the hit ABC show has been tantalizing us with several competitor “reveals” over the last few weeks. Recently, Disneyland Park was the setting for a particularly memorable reveal, as actors Alexa (Spy Kids) and Carlos PenaVega (Big Time Rush) were announced as the first-ever married couple to compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy!

It was a truly special day for Alexa—not only did she and Carlos make some DWTS history, but it was also her birthday! No better place to spend it than Disneyland Resort, right? Learn more about this Disney-loving couple in the video, above.

Alex (and her partner, Mark Ballas) and Carlos (and his partner, Witney Carson) are joining a cavalcade of celebrities for Season 21—all of whom are eager to don their dancin’ shoes, including:

  • Army National Guard specialist and hero (recently helping to overpower a terrorist on a French train) Alek Skarlatos, who’s dancing with Lindsay Arnold
  • Singer Andy Grammer, with partner Allison Holker
  • Wildlife conservationist and actress Bindi Irwin, dancing with Derek Hough
  • Award-winning R&B star Chaka Khan, with Keo Motsepe
  • Actor Gary Busey, dancing with Anna Trebunskaya
  • Social media star Hayes Grier, partnered with Emma Slater
  • Reality TV star and singer Kim Zolciak Biermann, dancing with Tony Dovolani
  • Pop singer Nick Carter, with Sharna Burgess
  • Celebrity chef Paula Deen, dancing with Louis van Amstel
  • Singer and reality TV star Tamar Braxton, with Val Chmerkovskiy
  • Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza, partnered with newly returning pro Karina Smirnoff.