Animation Is Film Festival Exclusive Event Discounts for D23 Members

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Where: TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood
What: 23% off Discount Offers
When: October 22, 2022

D23 Members can enjoy ticket discounts for a Strange World exclusive event and Turning Red exclusive screening, as part of this year's Animation Is Film Festival!
Please read on for more details.

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Strange World Exclusive Event Ticket Discount

The fifth annual Animation Is Film Festival, produced by GKIDs in collaboration with Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Variety is held every October at the historic TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. This year’s event will run from October 21 through October 23, with a closing presentation on October 29, and will include an exclusive look at never-before-seen footage from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 61st animated feature, Strange World!

Presented in-person by Producer and Academy Award® winner Roy Conli, this is a first look at both film footage and behind-the-scenes of one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year, which debuts exclusively in theaters on Wednesday, November 23, is a must-see for Disney, animation, and movie fans of all ages!

The hour-long event will be held on Saturday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m., and Animation Is Film wishes to extend a LIMITED number of discounted tickets to the D23 community. *Enter the promo code “D23” for 23% off your order through the following link: https://animationisfilm.com/events/work-in-progress-strange-world/.

Promo codes are limited. This event will sell out, so be sure to reserve your seats promptly.

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Turning Red Screening with Q&A Ticket Discount

Did you miss seeing Pixar’s newest classic "Turning Red" on the big screen? If so — the Animation Is Film Festival will offer a theatrical screening on Saturday, October 22 at 3:30 p.m. What’s more, the screening will be followed by an in-person Q&A with Writer/Director Domee Shi and Producer Lindsey Collins!

There are a very LIMITED number of seats left, and Animation Is Film wishes to offer them at a discount to the biggest Disney/Pixar fans of them all!

*Enter the promo code “D23” for 23% off your tickets through the following link: https://animationisfilm.com/events/turning-red/.

Don’t forget to enter the D23 promo code!

*Tickets are limited. Subject to change without notice.

Rosaline Infuses Shakespeare’s Timeless Love Story with Humor and a Modern Sensibility

By Alison Stateman

What if Romeo had eyes for more than just Juliet? In Rosaline, a minor character mentioned in Shakespeare’s classic play Romeo and Juliet takes center stage in a comic retelling of this timeless love story.

This rollicking reimagining from 20th Century Studios is told from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever), who also happens to be Romeo’s recent love interest. Heartbroken when Romeo (Kyle Allen) meets Juliet (Isabela Merced) and begins to pursue her, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back her guy.

The film will stream as a Hulu Original in the U.S., on Star+ in Latin America, and on Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories beginning Friday, October 14.

(Rosaline has strong language and adult themes; recommended for mature audiences.)

During a virtual press conference for the film, key members of the cast along with director Karen Maine (Yes, God, Yes) shared how they infused the tragic love story with humor and a modern sensibility.

Origin Story
Adapted from Rebecca Serle’s novel When You Were Mine by 500 Days of Summer writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, the script—and the fact that Dever was playing the lead—was a major draw for Maine.

“The script was sent to me, and I was told that Kaitlyn was attached to play the lead. I love Kaitlyn; I love her work. I was dying to work with her,” admitted the director. “I read the script and it was amazing. It’s just hilarious.”

She continued, “The idea to set it in this classic Renaissance period with this modern language, and modern sensibilities and themes, just created in my mind this perfect juxtaposition of old and new that really nailed the comedy and let it shine.”

For Dever (Dopesick), the opportunity to “do anything and everything” with the character was an especially “exciting prospect.”

“The character that I created with Karen was something [where] we just felt like you could go for it in so many ways,” she said. “On the daily I was having so much fun with the role. I appreciated and admired her determination and her fearlessness and her drive, and just playing up the comedy. It was so easy to just have the most fun and be sort of outrageous sometimes, and sarcastic and comedic with this whole cast. It was really, really fun.”

That sense of fun came through during the virtual gathering, with Maine, Denver, Allen, Merced, Minnie Driver (Nurse Janet), Sean Teale (Dario), and Spencer Stevenson (Paris).

The movie, filmed over two months in Italy, marked several “firsts” for Stevenson—it was his first project for Disney; first time playing a Shakespearian character; and first time traveling outside of the United States.

“When I booked the role, I did not have a passport. I needed to get there in a week. I ended up getting my passport on a Thursday and got on a plane on Saturday. It was intense. I was so excited,” he said. “Paris is so much like me. It was kind of like playing dress up and just having fun. And it was so much fun.” (Viewers should keep an eye out for a very outré cape that Paris wears during an elaborate party scene.)

Like in the play, Paris is a count and the prospect that Juliet’s parents want her to marry. However, in the film, he’s brought to their attention as part of the larger romantic scheme by Rosaline.

Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever) reclines on her stomach as she draws a map on parchment on a portable easel, which is balanced above a stack of thick, hard-covered books. She wears a gold dress, and her hair is worn down with two front sections clasped together in loose braids. Her cousin Juliet (Isabela Merced) lies on her side, admiring the map. She wears a white dress with small burgundy flowers and a cream-colored vest. 

Characters Reimagined
In this retelling, Romeo is still a lovestruck teen—taken to the extreme.

“Romeo would fall in love with a stick,” Allen, who most recently played Balkan in West Side Story (2021), said, drawing laughs from the cast. “He’s completely obsessed with the concept and the idea of love. And other than that, that’s pretty much the entirety of his personality. He doesn’t have much else going on.”

Juliet, meanwhile, still has an innocence about her—but it’s counterbalanced with a strong sense of self. When Merced was offered the iconic role, she said she was happily surprised.

“I am used to playing characters that are very headstrong, independent—typically ‘not Juliet,’” she said. “But I think Rosaline and Juliet do a great job of representing both sides of what feminism and womanhood really is. You can be strong and be sentimental and sensitive and still be an independent woman. It’s nice to see the two sides of rebellion and then sweetness.”

Nurse Janet (Minnie Driver) ties an ivory patterned face mask on Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever) as she gets ready for masked ball. Rosaline’s strawberry-blonde hair is worn half-up/half-down and is styled in loose curls. She wears a burgundy velvet gown over a white gauzy top, as well as a gold and black jeweled necklace; there is a gold imprint of a dragonfly at the center of the front of her gown. Nurse Janet has an ivory hair wrap on that cascades down her back, and wears an ivory dress with dark grey-green lightweight coat.

Even the supporting role of Juliet’s nurse was given a modern update, as played by Oscar® and Emmy® nominee Minnie Driver (Speechless).

“You have to have an anchor in a wayward love story/drama. And she was really funny. And it was very good that she was British because British people sound funny,” said London-born Driver, which cracked up the cast.

“I always played the nurse in Romeo and Juliet in drama school and she’s always the worst part… because she was the boring old person. But now, in this, she’s obviously youthful and vigorous and extremely funny,” she continued. “I was just thrilled to be part of this whole thing with all these lovely people.”

Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever) and Dario (Sean Teale) stand on a forest path looking at one another. Rosaline wears a burgundy and lace gown with pearl accents, with her hands clasped behind her back—one injured hand is wrapped in muslin. Dario has dark short hair and a light beard. He is wearing a black and tan leather and cloth coat; metal details run up and down the front and forearms of the garment, a sword visible in a holster at his hip.

Then there is Dario, a totally new character/potential love interest played by Sean Teale (Little Voice).

Without revealing any spoilers, Teale shared what appealed to him about the role.

“The thing that drew me to Dario is that he just doesn’t mind what anyone thinks of him or how he appears,” said Teale. “He is certain in a way, and I do not possess that trait at all. But Dario manages to be a lot more progressive than a man would be in that time.”

Rosaline is produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine, with Kaitlin Dever, Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, Whitney Brown, Emily Morris, and Becca Edelman serving as executive producers.

Behind the Magic of “Disney+ Night” on Dancing with the Stars

The worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and more collided on Dancing with the Stars Monday. The first-ever “Disney+ Night” saw the 13 remaining couples putting their best feet forward in the hopes of getting the first perfect score of the season. While no couple managed to get a 10 from judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, or Derek Hough, three of them tied for first place, earning a score of 36/40.

The show began with an upbeat performance to “Colombia, Mi Encanto” from Encanto, featuring a special appearance from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. The episode also included a performance of “That’s How You Know” from Enchanted, with Gabriella Baldacchino, star of the upcoming Disney+ Original film Disenchanted, watching from the audience. The song “Try Everything” from Zootopia was also highlighted in a troupe number in celebration of Disney’s upcoming 100th anniversary.

First up, Joseph Baena and pro Daniella Karagach performed a Charleston to “A Star Is Born” from Hercules. Although Goodman called it a “fun” performance, he said there were too many tricks in the routine: “Sometimes less would be more.” Hough agreed with Goodman, saying it was “one too many,” though he thinks Baena will “go the distance” in the competition. The judges gave them sevens across the board for a score of 28/40. This was only the second time the couple had danced together onstage, as Karagach missed the last two live shows due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. “This was so fun,” Karagach told D23 after the episode. “It feels so good to be back.” Getting into character as Hercules and Megara was extra fun: “His personality is very, very similar to Hercules,” said Karagach, with Baena adding, “She’s grumpy, like Meg!”

After landing in the bottom two last week, Sam Champion and pro Cheryl Burke returned to the ballroom to perform a Paso Doble to “The Greatest Show” from 20th Century Studios’ The Greatest Showman. Hough confessed he couldn’t help but root for Champion and credited him for staying in character throughout the routine. Tonioli called the number “big,” “ballsy,” and “passionate,” but noted that Champion missed some key details and flourishes. Ultimately, the couple received the lowest score of the night with 25/40.

Next, Jordin Sparks serenaded her son and husband with “Remember Me” from Coco before launching into a Jazz routine with pro Brandon Armstrong. Goodman deemed it the couple’s best dance to date, while Tonioli praised it for being “fluid and dynamic.” They earned 34/40 points, their highest score to date and a five-point improvement over last week. “It felt really good,” Sparks told D23. “To be honest with you, I couldn’t hear what the judges were saying because my emotions started to come up when we were standing in front of them, but I feel really good! We really worked our butts off for this dance. We drilled it, and then he was like, ‘Hey, we have to do tricks!’ And I was like, ‘Alright... throw me! Let’s figure it out!’ I’m so excited and just so, so proud of us!”

Wayne Brady and pro Witney Carson performed a Jazz routine to “Wait for It” from Hamilton—a musical that holds special meaning for Brady, who previously performed as Aaron Burr in the Chicago company. Afterward, the couple once again found themselves at the top of the leaderboard, earning an impressive score of 36/40. The full circle moment and judges’ praise brought tears to Brady’s eyes, with him telling host Tyra Banks, “I thank Witney for carrying me and making me believe I can do this.”

Next, Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart performed a Quickstep to “Finally Free” from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, earning a score of 29/40. The number was especially momentous to Stewart, who got her start as a dancer in the High School Musical film trilogy. “It’s so meaningful to me,” she said. “I was only 15 in the first movie, so to be able to perform a song from the series with Daniel was very special.” Although Durant admitted he “hasn’t seen” the films or series, Stewart said that will change ASAP: “To all the HSM fans, don’t worry! We will be watching clips this week!”

Shangela and pro Gleb Savchenko brought a little New Orleans flair to the ballroom when they performed a Charleston to “Dig a Little Deeper” from The Princess and the Frog. Shangela’s friend, Jennifer Lewis, who voices Mama Odie in the film, made a surprise appearance in the ballroom to perform the song and support the drag superstar. “This is Disney+ Night!” Shangela told D23 afterward. “Magic happened!” The couple earned a score of 32/40, with Tonioli joking that if they had dug any deeper, they would have struck oil! Getting to portray Princess Tiana in the ballroom was a career highlight, Shangela added. “I’m sure it was every little gay boy and drag queen’s dream to be a Disney Princess, and Tiana represents so much to me—especially as the first Black American princess,” she said. “I thought, ‘Wow, what a great way to honor that inclusion and also represent inclusion myself by being here.’”

After a trip to the bayou, it was on to Cherry Tree Lane, where Heidi D’Amelio and pro Artem Chigvintsev performed a Viennese Waltz to “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from Mary Poppins. Hough called it their best dance to date, and the couple earned 32/40 points, a four-point improvement over last week. “It felt really good,” Heidi said afterward. “I was nervous about being in frame, so to hear we had the best frame of the night was super exciting.” She especially loved getting into character as the magical English nanny, telling D23, “I was happy that we went classic. This was one of my favorite movies growing up, and I thought the set looked beautiful. It definitely set the mood for the dance. I was really happy with both what we chose and with the choreography.”

Next, Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy traversed the cosmos—er, the ballroom floor—with a Quickstep routine to “Mr. Blue Sky” from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Inaba told Windey she was “out-of-this-world good,” adding, “You have everything you need to win this competition. You are so refined.” The couple earned a score of 36/40, but for Windey, the best part was making her partner proud. “It feels so good,” she told D23. “I always look to Val for validation after our dance, and the scores are just like a cherry on top—a huge, fat cherry on top with whipped cream and sprinkles.” Dressing up as Gamora and Star-Lord took “a long time,” Chmerkovskiy said—well, at least for The Bachelorette star. “This process saw her go through seven shades of green. The artists did all the work, and I think they did a great job.” Windey said she felt “like a new woman” as Gamora, adding, “I feel like I can do anything I want to do.”

Moments later, Trevor Donovan and pro Emma Slater revved things up with a Samba routine to “Life Is a Highway” from Cars, but the judges felt there was room for improvement. Even so, Tonioli said Donovan had “no problem with gyrations and thrusts,” while Inaba acknowledged he has “come a long way” since the competition began four weeks ago. After earning a score of 28/40, Slater told D23, “I don’t know what I was expecting from the judges, but they had a lot of constructive criticism.” Slater acknowledged the “energy was so different” on “Disney+ Night,” with Donovan adding, “There was levity to the room... It’s a bit more of a party on ‘Disney+ Night.’”

Next, Vinny Guadagnino and pro Koko Iwasaki performed a Samba to “Il Gatto E La Volpe” from Luca and earned 29/40 points, a six-point improvement over last week. “It felt rewarding,” Guadagnino told D23. “During the week, we know we can dance. When you get here, that’s what the show is really about. There’s a second element to this: It’s learning the dance then it’s coming out here and doing it alongside all of these other amazing performers.” Getting to bring the Pixar characters to life on “Disney+ Night” was especially fun for the Jersey Shore star, who said, “This is, so far, my favorite theme. I don’t know if I can top it—even though next week is pretty lit, too!”

There was a little mayhem in the ballroom when Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog showed up to support Selma Blair and pro Sasha Farber as they performed a Quickstep to “The Muppet Show Theme” from The Muppet Show. The high-energy routine resulted in eights across the board for a total score of 32/40. Afterward, she told host Alfonso Ribeiro that filming Dancing with the Stars has added “so much” joy to her life.

Next, “Disney+ Night” took a bewitching turn when Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten performed a Jive to “One Way or Another” from Hocus Pocus 2. Portraying Sarah Sanderson and Bully Butcherson, respectively, Decker and Bersten earned their highest score to date, 31/40, with Inaba calling it their “best dance” of the season. “It was so hard this week,” Decker admitted after the show. “I struggled mentally, and I had a moment where I thought, ‘Am I going to make this happen?’ I couldn’t see the light. To put in the work and get to this place, I’m like, ‘We did it! We really did it!’ It boosted my confidence, and it makes me feel like moving forward, I can do this.” High scores and judges’ praise aside, getting to embody of her favorite Disney characters made “Disney+ Night” even more magical. “I love Sarah Jessica Parker,” she said. “It made me feel like I could channel her energy, and it gave me an extra little boost of confidence.” Bersten added, “The character allowed Jessie to be free and have fun.”

Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas closed the “Disney+ Night” episode with a Jazz routine to “‘The Simpsons’ Main Title Theme” from The Simpsons. Portraying Marge and Homer Simpson, respectively, the duo earned a score of 36/40. Hough predicted the dance would “go viral,” while Tonioli said, “It was so good I didn’t want it to end.”

After voting officially closed, Banks and Ribeiro revealed which two couples were up for elimination. For the second week in a row, Champion and Burke were on the chopping block. Donovan and Slater, who had never been in the bottom two before, joined them, with the judges ultimately deciding to save the latter couple. “We got some mixed reviews from the judges,” Slater told D23 after the show. “What can you do? It landed us in the bottom two this week. Hopefully next week, we won’t be there again.”

A new episode of Dancing with the Stars will stream live on Monday, October 17, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, only on Disney+. Fans in the U.S. and Canada can vote during the livestream by visiting disneyplus.com/vote. Fans in the U.S. can also vote via SMS/text (message and data rates may apply). With each ensuing episode, live viewer votes will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine which couples may face elimination.

Stream Dancing with the Stars on Disney+

Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month Phone Wallpapers: Celebrating Hispanic and Latin American Cultures with an Extra Magical Touch!

Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month—September 15 through October 15—may be about to wrap up, but the fiestas don’t need to end... Whether you’re finding your magic within or learning the importance of family, we all have a reason to celebrate Voces Unidas all year long!

Share your magic with these downloadable phone wallpapers featuring Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto and Miguel (and others) from Disney and Pixar’s Coco, so you’ll never forget that together, we are magia!

Can You Guess What These Hocus Pocus Spells and Potions Do?

Spooky season is upon us, and All Hallows’ Eve is just around the corner. What better way to see if you are ready for the most supernatural day of the year than testing out some magic spells and potions from your three favorite witches from Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2. Take a gander below to see whether you can correctly guess what these spells from the Sanderson Sisters do.

What does this spell turn someone into?
Twist the bones, and the back
Itch-it-a-cop-it-a
Mel-a-ka-mystic-a
Trim him of his baby fat
Itch-it-a-cop-it-a
Mel-a-ka-mystic-a
Give him fur black as black
Just like this!

Correct! Wrong!

What does this Life Potion formula do?
Bring to a full rolling bubble
Add 2 drops oil of boil
Mix blood of owl
With the herb that’s red
Turn three times
Pluck a hair from my head
Add a dash of pox and a dead man’s toe
Green newt saliva
Add a bit of thine own tongue

Correct! Wrong!

One All Hallows’ Eve,
When the moon is round
A virgin will summon thee
From under the ground

Correct! Wrong!

Come little children
I’ll take thee away
Into a land of enchantment
Come little children
The time’s come to play
Here in my garden of magic

Correct! Wrong!

Don’t feel bad if you couldn’t guess them all correctly—at least you didn’t light the Black Flame Candle! Hop onto Disney+ to stream Hocus Pocus and the all-new sequel Hocus Pocus 2. Learn a thing or two from these three Salem nuisances.

Your Guide to the Most Magical Halloween Celebrations at the Disney Parks

By Victoria Hunt

Ready for a haunting good time? Look no further than the Disney Parks to offer magic to ghouls and ghosts of all ages. Whether you are looking for beautiful autumnal treats, villainous adventures, or photo ops with your favorite characters, get ready for the Halloween of a lifetime!

Disneyland Resort

The Haunted Mansion is decorated in Christmas lights and candles. A pumpkin scarecrow stands on the front lawn decorated like Santa Claus. He sits on a bed of pumpkins.

Haunted Mansion Holiday
Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie, and their friends from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas once again take over Disneyland Park’s most beloved haunted attraction, providing the most bone-chilling way to ring in this Halloween season. Hop on your “Doom Buggy” and adventure through Jack Skellington’s journey to becoming Sandy Claws. Head on down to New Orleans Square to experience this seasonal favorite, up until the new year.

Sleeping Beauty Castle is lit up in pink and purple lights. Jack Skellington’s face is to the right of the castle.

Halloween Screams
If you’re looking for a frightful sight, check out this delightful nocturnal show on select nights at Sleeping Beauty Castle. Jack Skellington hosts this Nightmare Before Christmas-themed spell-ebration with some familiar villains, including Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent and The Little Mermaid’s Ursula. The 10-minute show continues until the end of October.

Lightning McQueen is a red sportscar. He is dressed up in a blue superhero costume. Mater is to his left. Mater is a purple tow truck and sports a black wig, mustache and vampire fangs.

Halloween in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure
In a celebration connected to the recent release of Cars on the Road on Disney+, guests can find Lighting McQueen and Mater cruisin’ down Route 66 in some photo-worthy costumes. Will you be able to recognize Mater and McQueen in their superhero and vampire disguises? While you’re in Cars Land, mosey on down to Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, where guests can enjoy tractor-dancing fun set to Halloween music! Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween will also be hosting a groovy, graveyard bash until October 31.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! is lit up in blue and purple lights.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark
For the brave souls visiting Disney California Adventure, Groot needs your help to rescue him from the monsters that have been unleashed! You and Rocket will need to distract the crazed creatures that have captured the galaxy’s most beloved friend. Do you accept the mission at hand?

Walt Disney World Resort

A round purple sign is held up during the parade. In yellow letters, the sign reads “Boo-To-You! Halloween Parade.” Main Street, U.S.A., is lit up in warm white lights as guests gather around the parade.

Boo-to-You Halloween Parade
If you are going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park, be sure to catch this exciting, spellbinding parade before November. Your favorite Disney pals will sport adorable costumes as they make their way down Main Street, U.S.A.

Cinderella Castle is lit in blue, green, and yellow lights. The center has a round logo reading “50.” Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald Duck’s silhouettes are projected onto the lights.

Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular
The skies above Cinderella Castle come alive with holiday magic on select nights of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The spectacular also celebrates the park’s 50th anniversary with the help of some our Disney friends in their Halloween best!

Two sets of three pumpkins are stacked on two bales of hay along Main Street, U.S.A. Cinderella Castle is the middle in the distance.

Halloween Décor and More!
No matter where you are at Walt Disney World, take a minute to enjoy the autumnal sights, including pumpkins, leaves, and some very sweet treats. When heading down Main Street, U.S.A., don’t forget to grab a quick family picture with Cinderella Castle in the background!

Disneyland Paris 

Ursula the sea witch from The Little Mermaid is projected onto the Disneyland Paris castle. Large gusts of water are splashing around the imagery. Ursula has short white hair, blue eyeshadow, and red lipstick.

Disney Halloween Festival
Disney fans in Europe should have no fear, because Halloween festivities are coming to Disneyland Resort Paris as well. Until November 6, Disney villains including Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, and Captain Hook will take over the park with ghoulish surprises and fa-boo-lous fun! Catch the haunting cavalcade as it returns to Disneyland Paris Park with Mickey and all his friends.

Hong Kong Disneyland 

Cruella de Vil wears a black satin dress with a large red lined, white fur jacket and red gloves. She is standing at an angle with her left hand in the air.

Wicked Fun Party Zone
You didn’t think Cruella De Vil only tormented our guests in Paris, did you? At Hong Kong Disneyland, the villainess herself hosts this devilish good time in Adventureland. The dalmatian-wearing prima donna takes center stage for a musical performance sure to shake guests down to their bones!

Minnie Mouse stand atop an orange pumpkin float leading a parade down Main Street, U.S.A. She wears an orange dress with green overlay. She is followed by several parade performers in matching color schemes.

Mickey’s Halloween Time Street Party
When you want to unwind and enjoy a classic parade, join Mickey and friends as they dance their way down Main Street, U.S.A. Disney Junior’s Vampirina and Princess Sofia also star in the procession this year.

Captain Hook stands with his right hand and left hook in the air. His head is tilted to the right. He is wearing a red jacket with a frilly white shirt underneath. He has long, wavy black hair and a mustache. He is wearing a purple captain’s hat with a large white feather.

Let’s Get Wicked
Cruella isn’t the only villain with musical talent this Halloween. Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent is joined by The Little Mermaid’s Ursula, Beauty and the Beast’s Gaston, The Princess and the Frog’s Dr. Facilier, and Peter Pan’s Captain Hook, as well as several others. The villains sing and dance for guests in this scare-tastic performance.

Jack Skellington’s The Nightmare Before Dinner
Sometimes you get both tricks and treats! Take a stroll to the River View Café to enjoy a Halloween-inspired four course dinner surrounded by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas-themed décor. Guests can expect to even see Jack, Sally, and Oogie Boogie while dining!

Wicked Fun Trick-or-Treat Trail
We hope you brought your sweet tooth because it’s time for trick-or-treating! Grab a bag and make your way through the different lands to discover character-shaped pumpkin candy stations.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Night High Halloween
Halloween themed fireworks will light up the skies of the Tokyo Disney Resort for this seasonal celebration. Watch as the castle turns into a gruesome green to compliment the ghoulish firework show!

Spooky ‘Boo!’ Parade at The Villains Rockin’ Halloween
What would a Disney Park be without a bewitching parade? Catch your favorite Disney villains during Tokyo Disneyland Park’s Rockin’ Halloween. Characters including Captain Hook and the Evil Queen will make their way through the park on bewitching floats.

Disney Halloween Greeting
Join Minnie and Mickey at the Mediterranean Harbor to catch the iconic duo in their Halloween costumes. They will also be at the Hangar stage to perform their all-new performance of Halloweentime with You.

Holiday Nightmare
Jack Skellington and his crew don’t exclusively haunt the Disneyland Resort in California. Tokyo Disney Resort’s Haunted Mansion will transition into moments from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Shanghai Disney Resort

Halloween Thrills with Disney Villains
From October 4 to November 4, Disney Villains are casting a spell over the park, transforming Shanghai Disney Resort into a haunting scene with spiderweb-covered accents and pumpkins galore! Make sure to catch your Disney Villains will make their appearance on the Castle’s balcony.

Donald’s Halloween Treat Cavalcade
Nothing says Disney quite like a parade and guests can now enjoy the return of Shanghai Disney’s Halloween cavalcade featuring our favorite characters in their most fa-boo-lous costumes.

This IS Halloween Dance Party
Make your way to Tomorrowland’s Pepsi E-Stage to enjoy a haunting good time! Get your boogie on with this Disney Halloween-themed dance party.

Halloween Spook-tacular Extravaganza
From October 28 through October 31, Shanghai Disney Resort will be hosting extra-special events to cap off the season. The four days will feature various places in the park that will turn into Halloween Party Zones for guests to watch the villains. You may even see Marvel Studios’ Loki make an appearance as well.

Sweet Treats and Merchandise
If you have the hankering for something sweet, look no further than CookieAnn’s Bakery Café. The café offers all the drool-worthy, Halloween decorated treats you could want! If you are looking for seasonal souvenirs to remember your magical time here, various shops around the park carry Halloween exclusive merchandise for the whole family!

Dancing with the Stars Couples Tease Magical “Disney+ Night” Performances

By Zach Johnson

Streaming live on Monday, October 10, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, the remaining 13 couples will perform dazzling routines to hit songs from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and more. After D23: The Official Disney Fan Club revealed the songs and dance styles last week, we caught up with a few of the couples over the weekend as they rehearsed some of the show-stopping numbers featured in tonight’s episode. Read on for exclusive details on each routine, and don’t forget to vote during the livestream of the show in the U.S. and Canada by visiting disneyplus.com/vote. Fans in the U.S. can also vote via SMS/text (message and data rates may apply). As always, live viewer votes will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine which couples may face elimination.

Selma Blair and Sasha Farber
The couple will perform a Quickstep to “The Muppet Show Theme” from The Muppet Show. Farber teased, “Selma is doing things that I didn’t even know were possible!”

Witney Carson and Wayne Brady wear matching blue outfits in a promotional image for Dancing with the Stars.

Wayne Brady and pro Witney Carson
The couple will perform a Jazz routine to “Wait for It” from Hamilton. “It’s probably not your typical Disney dance,” Carson said. “It’s got a different spin, and we’re so excited to dance to it.” Brady has a connection to the musical, as he played the role of Aaron Burr in the Chicago Company of Hamilton. “We love the music and the story,” he said.

Charli D’Amelio and pro Mark Ballas
The couple will perform a Jazz routine to “‘The Simpsons’ Main Title Theme” from The Simpsons. “My hair will be tall!” said D’Amelio, who will dress up as Marge Simpson. Ballas, who will dress up as Homer Simpson, added, “We’ll be very yellow!” For this week’s routine, Ballas created “hard-hitting” choreography, saying, “This is go-time!” 

Daniel Durrant and Britt Stewart wear matching blue outfits in a promotional image for Dancing with the Stars.

Daniel Durant and pro Britt Stewart
The couple will perform a Quickstep to “Finally Free” from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. “It’s so nice to be in high school again,” Durant said. Because Stewart got her start as a dancer in the High School Musical film trilogy, “it feels very full circle,” she said. “I’m really excited about the story and the message we’re sharing this week, and knowing what this dance means to Daniel, it’s very exciting for us both.”

Shangela and pro Gleb Savchenko
The couple will perform a Charleston to “Dig a Little Deeper” from The Princess and the Frog. The song is performed by Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, and Shangela wants to make her “close friend” proud. “We’re hoping to honor her and really make her go, ‘Woo!’” Shangela said. “I’m going to have to leapfrog from the lower level to the top!”

Jordin Sparks and pro Brandon Armstrong
The couple will perform a Jazz routine to “Remember Me” from Coco. “It’s going to be very theatrical,” Sparks said. “It’s very lyrical. We are dancing to both versions of the song: the slow lullaby version, and the fast Jazz version. There’s a little twinkle for you!”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From a fan-favorite theme night to a new twist on a classic romantic tale, this week is chock-full of exciting titles coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices). On Monday, it’s “Disney+ Night” on Dancing with the Stars, and the contestants are honoring beloved Disney songs (and more), exclusively on Disney+. A new episode of Abbott Elementary debuts Wednesday on ABC, the same day the entire second season of Big Shot launches on Disney+. On Thursday, Frankenweenie airs on Freeform, and 20th Century Studios’ Rosaline debuts Friday, exclusively on Hulu.

Hosts Tyra Banks and Alfonso Ribeiro stand while filming an episode of Dancing with the Stars. Banks wears a Minnie Mouse headband with a red and white polka dot bow. She wears a black leather jacket and red mini dress. She holds a black microphone in her right hand. Ribeiro has black Mickey Mouse ears on top of his head. He wears a blue suit with a dark blue button-down dress shirt.

Dancing with the Stars—Monday, October 10, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Disney+

Week four of the competition will be even more magical as the ballroom celebrates “Disney+ Night”! The 13 remaining couples will dazzle viewers with performances set to beloved songs from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and more, including “One Way or Another” from Hocus Pocus 2, “Finally Free” from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and “Mr. Blue Sky” from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, to name a few. Plus, the pros dancers and troupe will kick off the night of magic with a performance to “Colombia, Mi Encanto” from Encanto!

From left to right, actor Janelle James wears a red jumpsuit and holds a brown clipboard in her hands. She looks down at a desk where actor Tyler James Williams is sitting. The desk is covered with flowers, a black commuter mug, papers, and a yellow plastic basket. Williams wears a dark purple button-down shirt and looks up at James.

Abbott Elementary—Wednesday, October 12, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) invites Janine (Quinta Brunson) over to her house to teach her how to cook, but Janine is focused on reuniting Melissa with her estranged sister (Lauren Weedman). Meanwhile, Gregory (Tyler James Williams) sends a disruptive student to the principal’s office but is dismayed to find out the kids enjoy spending the supposed disciplinary time with Ava (Janelle James).

From left to right, actors Cricket Wampler, Tiana Le, and Tisha Custodio stand side by side and fold their arms. They wear dark purple jerseys with white piping and “Sirens” spelled across the front and their respective number. The shorts have a logo on the lower right side.

Big Shot—Wednesday, October 12, on Disney+

Make some noise, because the Sirens are back on the hardwood! The highly anticipated second season is here with all episodes available for streaming at launch. Marvyn (John Stamos) sets his sights on getting his team on ESPN while also recruiting an unlikely player to add to the squad. Between losing assistant coach Holly Barrett (Jessalyn Gilsig) to a rival school, new friction amongst teammates, a sudden and unexpected proximity to boys, and off-the-court disasters, the Sirens have even more to prove.

An animated young boy wears a white coat and large black goggles. He stands next to a spinning wheel that has lightning spurting out and black and white accents.

Frankenweenie—Thursday, October 13, at 10:30 am. ET/PT on Freeform

The network’s “31 Nights of Halloween” continues with this animated retelling of a spooky classic. Young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is a science nerd and outsider at school, but he does have one good friend: his dog, Sparky. But when Sparky passes away, Victor’s science teacher, Mr. Rzykruski (Martin Landau) gives him an idea of how to jolt his beloved pal back to life. The experiment is successful, and all goes well until Victor’s fellow students steal his idea and use it to revive other dead animals.

From left to right, Kaitlyn Dever stands with her hands raised. She wears a white mask covering the top half of her face. She wears a red velvet dress with white puffy sleeves and gold embroidered accents. Actor Minnie Driver wears a white head scarf with a long-sleeved blue dress. She stands behind Dever and ties the mask onto her head.

Rosaline—Friday, October 14, on Hulu

The brand-new feature film from 20th Century Studios is a fresh twist on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, told from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin, Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever), who also happens to be a recent love interest of Romeo (Kyle Allen). When Romeo begins to pursue Juliet (Isabela Merced), Rosaline plots to win back her guy. The film—intended only for mature audiences—also stars Sean Teale, Minnie Driver, and Bradley Whitford.

How Marvel Studios Unleashes Its Monstrous Side in Werewolf by Night

By Zach Johnson

Over the years, Michael Giacchino has scored multiple movies for Marvel Studios, from 2016’s Doctor Strangeto this year’s Thor: Love and Thunder. But for his directorial debut, Giacchino wanted something less mystical, less cosmic, and far more macabre.

About four years ago, Giacchino was having a casual conversation with Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, when he mentioned that he was interested in directing. “I said I wanted to do Werewolf by Night, and he was like... ‘What?‘” Giacchino tells D23 with a laugh. “Most people would say, ‘Give me Spider-Man!’ But I was like, ‘No, I want the most obscure, weird thing you have—and as a kid, that was Werewolf by Night.”

Inspired by horror films of the 1930s and 1940s, the chilling Special Presentation Werewolf by Night—now streaming on Disney+—evokes a sense of dread in a new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The eerie tale follows a secret cabal of monster hunters who, on a dark and somber night, emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple to pay tribute to their late leader, Ulysses. However, they are soon thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—one that will bring them face to face with a dangerous monster. “It’s our first ever MCU special, so it had to be different,” explains Feige, who executive produces Werewolf by Night. “It’s a little darker, a little scarier, but still fun for fans.”

Actress Laura Donnelly, in character as Elsa Bloodstone, is trapped in a cage. She is grabbing the bars with both hands and screaming as a shadowy figure approaches.

“I think it’s genuinely, completely unique in the MCU,” Laura Donnelly, who plays monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone, tells D23. “I don’t think anybody has seen anything like this in the Marvel Universe before, and I’m really, really excited to be a part of it.”

A nod to classic black-and-white monster films of yesteryear, Werewolf by Night originates from Marvel comics, where the character Jack Russell first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #2 in 1972; he starred in his own series of comic books later that year, and now Golden Globe® winner Gael García Bernal is bringing him to life onscreen. Enigmatically, he tells D23, “I think people will be very excited to see where this goes.”

Giacchino calls Werewolf by Night “a giant mashup love letter” to his favorite monster movies of yesteryear, telling D23, “My brother and I spent every Saturday watching Creature Double Feature; that was our church. I had such an affinity for those movies. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to make a new monster movie under the Marvel banner?’”

Indeed, Giacchino promises viewers are in for plenty of chills and thrills when they stream the MCU’s first Special Presentation. “Horror is all about what you don’t know and what you think is about to happen or what you think you see or what you think you hear. I am trying to use that for us as much as possible,” Giacchino explains, adding, “For me, some of the scariest things I saw as a kid watching old movies on Creature Double Feature were just the shadows. If you saw a shadow creep by a wall, whether it was a defined shadow of a particular creature or just an amorphous shape, that was always so much scarier than anything that you could literally show me on screen. And that’s what I kept thinking about. How do we do that? How do we embrace that idea?”

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Disney Channel’s Kiff Announces Stars—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Stars Announced for Nutty New Animated Comedy Kiff

Our friends at Disney Branded Television just announced that Kimiko Glenn and H Michael Croner will lend their voices to the brand-new animated buddy comedy series Kiff, slated to premiere in 2023 on Disney Channel. Take a gander at the series’ new teaser trailer—recently revealed at New York Comic-Con—below!

Glenn will star in the title role of Kiff, an optimistic squirrel whose thirst for life takes her on countless adventures through her town, while Croner will co-star as her naive and lovable bestie, a bunny named Barry. Set in a world where animals and magical oddballs tackle day-to-day life alongside one another, the series follows Kiff and Barry as they navigate school, relationships, and their often-eccentric community.

The series comes from creators and executive producers Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal. Inspired by the people and places Heavens and Smal experienced when they were growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, each half-hour episode—comprised of two 11-minute stories—will include a new original song.

Stay tuned for more Kiff-rific news as it becomes available.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

Let’s see... what’s there to enjoy this lovely October weekend from around the worlds of Disney? There’s a brand-new episode of Raven’s Home on Disney Channel; Maleficent: Mistress of Evil on Freeform; an all-new episode of Celebrity Jeopardy (featuring Constance Wu, Jalen Rose, and Ike Barinholtz) on ABC; and more where that came from!

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—Brand-New Trailer Revealed

Earlier this week, the good folks over at Marvel Studios debuted their incredible new trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the action-packed feature film that ventures back to the kingdom of Wakanda—where a new threat emerges from a hidden undersea nation called Talokan.

Plus, fans can now purchase advance theater tickets for the film everywhere tickets are sold. Communities and organizations can arrange group bookings and theater buy-outs by visiting WakandaForeverTickets.com.

In the film, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of Talokan, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livinalli.

Directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveropens Friday, November 11, in theaters only.

In a promotional image for new Disney PhotoPass lenses on the Disneyland app, a woman is having her photo taken on a mobile device (with a yellow-colored case) at Disneyland. The image on the mobile device shows that the PhotoPass lens makes it look like she’s holding a bunch of Mickey Mouse balloons. The woman is wearing a blue Mickey Mouse t-shirt and jeans.

New Features Available—and Coming Soon—to the Disneyland App

The Disney Parks Blog recently highlighted some great “news you can use” about the Disneyland app... which, if you haven’t already downloaded and used on your most recent trip to the resort, you simply must the next time you visit! Here are some brand-new reasons why:

New Disney PhotoPass Lenses: The purchase of Disney Genie+ service now includes access to Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the Disneyland app*** – some of which are new and many unique to Disneyland Resort! First launched at Walt Disney World Resort in collaboration with Snap, these interactive moments immerse guests in Disney stories, creating magical park memories... New lenses include the adorable balloons seen above!

Car Locator: Coming later this month, the Disneyland app will help you remember where you parked your car! (Always a bit challenging after a long and memorable day at the resort, right?!) This complimentary feature, presented by State Farm, will use Location Services to find and save your parking info at the Mickey & Friends parking structure, Pixar Pals parking structure, Toy Story parking area, and Simba parking lot. It works best when you enable Location Services, Bluetooth, and Notifications on your mobile device—but even if you don’t have Location Services turned on, you can enter your parking details manually.

For more on all kinds of cool features available on the Disneyland app—including some you might not expect to find there!—check out the Disney Parks Blog.

The Hair Tales—Premiering October 22 on Hulu

Earlier this week, Disney’s Onyx Collective and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network jointly debuted the official series trailer for The Hair Tales, a dynamic celebration of Black women’s identity, beauty, culture, and humanity—uniquely expressed through the stories in their hair.

The docuseries features six diverse, phenomenal women—Issa Rae, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, CHIKA, Marsai Martin, Chlöe Bailey, and Disney Legend Oprah Winfrey—as they lay their intimate hair tales on the table with Disney Legend Tracee Ellis Ross. Surrounded by brilliant voices of academic and cultural leaders, gifted hairdressers, and extraordinary sisters, the series presents a collage of resilience, style, and purpose.

From executive producers Winfrey, Ross, and Michaela angela Davis, The Hair Tales debuts Saturday, October 22, on Hulu and at 9 p.m. ET/PT on OWN with the first two episodes.

Get Ready for Dancing with the Stars’ “Disney+ Night”

It’s always a fan favorite, and it’s sure to be even more memorable this time ’round: “Disney+ Night” is here on Dancing with the Stars, adding a whole new level of Disney fun to the long-running series... So, what should you expect? Check out our rundown of songs and dance styles—essentially, which couple will be doing what!—by clicking here, and don’t forget to tune in on Monday, October 10, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, only on the streaming service!

A close-up of Walt Disney as he’s seen in the famous “Partners” statue at Disneyland Park. His arm is raised and he’s looking into the distance. Sleeping Beauty Castle can be seen in the background.

Guided Tours Return to Disneyland Resort

Here’s some more fun news from Disneyland Resort: Guided Tours have now returned! Starting this week, guests can book reservations for two exciting offerings:

The latest guided tour highlighting Walt Disney, “Walt’s Main Street Story,” uncovers hidden details, little-known facts, and other amazing trivia about Disneyland’s magnificent Main Street, U.S.A. The experience also includes a visit to Walt’s apartment; refreshments on the apartment patio; Disney PhotoPass photos of your party; and more. Meanwhile, “Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort” gives a glimpse into how the yuletide magic is created across both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park during Holidays at the Disneyland Resort... The walking tour is accompanied by reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy Parade, delectable holiday treats, a ride on it’s a small world Holiday, and more.

Happy tour-ing!

ICYMI: Celebrating 40 Years of EPCOT

The official Opening Day anniversary has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop celebrating EPCOT’s incredible 40-year milestone! In case you missed it, check out our look at the park’s past, present, and future—courtesy of EPCOT notables, including one who’s been with the park since its inception—by clicking here.