The Overnight Holiday Magic That Takes All Year

By Bruce C. Steele

In the wee hours of each November 1, before guests arrive, Main Street, U.S.A., is a very busy place indeed. Within Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort, cast members are busy transforming the street from autumn-inspired and Halloween décor into a Christmas wonderland. By the time guests arrive later that morning, the fall holiday has been replaced with winter, as if by magic.

It’s overnight magic that’s a full year in the making. “We may take a day off here and there,” says Lisa Borotkanics, Manager, Holiday Services at Walt Disney World Resort, “but not anything substantial until next February.”

After that February breather each year, the Holiday Services and Resort Enhancement teams get back to work. There’s spring décor to install, then a new look for the summer and Independence Day—all while work continues at each resort’s holiday warehouse to refurbish and prepare the thousands of decorations for the autumn and winter holidays. The busiest time on both coasts begins in August, since autumn décor needs to be installed in time for the Halloween celebrations that begin around Labor Day and continue through October. (In Florida, decorations for the autumn and winter holidays for the parks, resorts, and cruise ships together fill more than 100 trailers.) But everything leads up to that spectacular changeover on Halloween night.

It can’t begin until all the guests are gone, which can be 1 a.m. or later, and it has to be completed before guests return, as early at 7 or 8 a.m. At the Magic Kingdom, that means getting all of Halloween out and much of Christmas installed in just a few hours. Naturally, it’s all hands on duty. That includes the full-time staff from Holiday Services and Resort Enhancement, as well as dozens of other cast members from many other departments.

At Disneyland park, “install looks a bit different,” says Dawn Pipal-Keehne, Resort Enhancement Area Manager for Disneyland Resort. “We remove all Halloween [in the early morning of] November 1 and then move into Main Street holiday install for three nights, typically starting [in the early morning] on November 2.”

Dawn Pipal-Keehne, Resort Enhancement Area Manager for Disneyland Resort, is seen in the background, while in the foreground is a golden bird ornament, hanging from a Christmas tree in the Resort Enhancement warehouse in Anaheim, California.

“I would describe it as a very beautiful, chaotic dance,” says Pipal-Keehne, Resort Enhancement Area Manager for Disneyland Resort, “because you’ve got to realize it’s not just us prepping for a holiday season, but all of the other crafts in the resort as well. [It involves] all the maintenance teams and custodial and the delivery and project teams—and entertainment, who are doing full dress rehearsals of the [holiday] parade on Main Street, U.S.A. It is a very fine, calculated, organized dance. And even at its best, there’s always sometimes when we have to pivot, because we didn’t know that was going to happen.”

The leaders of the installation, who have been doing this for years, know when it’s right, Borotkanics says. With long experience, they can stand along Main Street, U.S.A., and just look around to see what’s right and what needs adjusting. “You just need to make sure that our optics are correct when the park opens,” she says. “So, throughout that night you’re constantly looking at timing and optics.”

A Holiday in Florida

For the Magic Kingdom, it takes two consecutive nights to get everything in place. After that, the Walt Disney World Resort Holiday Services team and its decorating allies move on to the other parks, then the hotel resorts—a task that takes the Disney elves until almost Thanksgiving. Each resort has an impressive tree as its focal point: 45-foot-tall interior trees at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Wilderness Lodge Resort, and Animal Kingdom Lodge, for example, and a 70-foot outdoor tree at the Contemporary Resort.

As if four parks and more than two dozen resort hotels weren’t enough, the Walt Disney World Holiday Services team also decorates four of the ships of the Disney Cruise Line. (The Anaheim team transforms the Disney Wonder.) For Halloween and then for Christmas on each ship, “we decorate in one morning,” Borotkanics says. “We work very closely with the ship’s crew. We board the ship by 8 o’clock in the morning and typically are gone by 2 o’clock [in the afternoon]. We decorate the entire lobby, and then we decorate the clubs, the kids’ clubs, the restaurants, some of the merchandise [locations], and some of the lounges, too.” For Halloween, each ship has a unique “pumpkin tree” with a face and a name: Reap on the Disney Magic, Bog on the Disney Wonder, Grim on the Disney Dream, Mucklebones on the Disney Fantasy, and Boo on the Disney Wish.

There’s really no break during the holiday season, Borotkanics says, since by the time Christmas décor is installed across the full resort, ongoing quality control has already begun, ensuring everything remains in a fully festive mode throughout the season. Eventually, January rolls around, and it’s time to put everything away until next year—another middle-of-the-night task, this time taking just two weeks to clear the entire Walt Disney World Resort. “It does come down much quicker than it goes up,” Borotkanics says. The task in early 2023 will be a little different than in most years, though, since January also marks the end of the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration. All that EARidescent 50th birthday décor, which has coexisted with the holiday overlay for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, will be leaving along with Christmas.

Several stacked rows of dozens of boxes sit on very tall shelves from the foreground into the distance. Each box displays one round Christmas ornament on the outside, indicating what’s inside. The boxes and shelves are inside in the Resort Enhancement warehouse in Anaheim, California.

Meanwhile, in Anaheim…

A tour of the Resort Enhancement warehouse in Anaheim just days before Halloween finds a surprising calm. Everything has been meticulously planned, based on decades of experience, and most of the decorations awaiting their turn for transport to the resort have long since been renovated, refreshed, or replaced and marked with large gift-like tags reading simply, “READY FOR INSTALL 2022.” Some décor, including the 60-foot tree for Main Street, U.S.A., is already backstage at Disneyland park, in a staging area hidden behind Splash Mountain. The tree, which is stored from year to year in several sections, is constructed and largely decorated backstage. The day of its debut—November 7, this year—it will be carefully separated into two parts and transported by cranes to its showcase position in Town Square. Once in place, its 200 custom-made electric candles and other lights and its 1,800-plus ornaments will be checked by the Resort Enhancement team to make sure everything is perfect for its first encounter with park guests mere hours later. The park’s Entertainment team members are crucial partners for rigging, building, and lighting the tree, Pipal-Keehne notes.

She adds, “It takes us approximately 3 weeks to install all décor around the resort, including Downtown Disney, the hotels, the Disney Wonder cruise ship and Aulani,” the Disney resort and spa on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

The Cars Land Christmas tree is stored in three pieces in the Resort Enhancement warehouse in Anaheim, California. The ornaments are all hubcaps, and the tree topper, sitting on the floor, is a star made out of tailpipes.

Just before Halloween, however, many other trees are still back at the warehouse, including the Buena Vista Street tree for Disney California Adventure park. Stored in five sections, the tree is already decorated with its custom-made Art Deco-style ornaments, supersized re-creations of vintage examples from the 1920s and early 1930s. Grand ornaments also had to be custom-created for the 40-foot tree at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, matching the resort’s Mission theme with full-size Arts & Crafts lanterns and geometric stars and the like. Nearby in the warehouse, also awaiting its turn, stands the Cars Land tree, in three sections, ready for installation, with its hubcap ornaments and star topper fashioned from tailpipes.

Not all the trees are so massive. “Our largest tree is 60 feet tall, and our smallest tree is six inches,” Pipal-Keehne says. The tiny trees and similarly scaled garlands go into the Lilliputian scenes at the Storybook Land Canal Boats in Fantasyland, “our smallest and most intimate installation.” (The holiday overlays of the Jungle Cruise, “it’s a small world,” and Haunted Mansion in Disneyland park and of the Jungle Cruise in the Magic Kingdom are supervised by the parks’ Entertainment departments, rather than by the holiday decoration teams.)

Cast member Carrie Henry stands behind a worktable in the Resort Enhancement warehouse in Anaheim, California. In front of her is a pile of the red-and-green bows she is making from ribbon.

Despite the rapid approach of installation time, many cast members are still calmly constructing and decorating. Carrie Henry stands at a worktable piled high with red-and-green bows, on her way to making about 612 of them—just in case her quota of 600 bows isn’t quite enough to get the job done. She estimates it takes her about three minutes per bow, depending on how cooperative the ribbon is that she’s working with.

Cast member Brandon Griewank stands next to a floral arrangement he has designed and constructed in the Resort Enhancement warehouse in Anaheim, California.

Behind her, Brandon Griewank has recently finished a floral centerpiece for upstairs at the Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure park, combining white poinsettias and roses with amaryllis and snowberries around a central core of birch branches, some of which are draped with hanging dried Amaranthus. Most of these elements, Griewank notes, were sourced by “shopping” the aisles and aisles of artificial florals available within the warehouse.

Not far away from Griewank is Lorie Rossi, decorating six-foot trees on a “French opulence” theme for Disneyland park’s Club 33. The work has involved “a lot of embellishment,” she notes, including repainting existing ornaments to match the club’s color scheme and adding touches of glitter, some of which is now delicately embellishing her blond hair.

Christmas garland decorated with round silver, green, and blue ornaments is bunched up in a giant plastic bag that’s hanging in the Resort Enhancement warehouse in Anaheim, California. The bag is labeled “Ready for Install 2022.”

Everything Old Is New Again

A lot of décor is new each season, of course, but many elements endure from year to year. Mylar ornaments, especially the darker colors, tend to fade in the California sun, so they may only last a year or two. (Before Disney puts in an order for hundreds of ornaments with a vendor, samples are acquired and left outside for about three months, to make sure they’ll tolerate the intense sunshine.) The custom-made ornaments can last for years and years, with yearly refurbishment as needed. Also refurbished annually is the artificial greenery that makes up the bulk of the resort’s garlands and can often return for three to five years. Longest lasting are the carefully maintained giant trees, each of them subject to weeks of maintenance at the end of every season. “Those big trees, we get a very long life out of those,” Pipal-Keehne says. “The last Main Street, U.S.A., tree was at least 12 years old when we just replaced it about two years ago.”

The Disneyland park holiday location about which Pipal-Keehne may be most excited is available to guests in every season. It’s just a year old, but its history has its roots in Pipal-Keehne’s own childhood. “Plaza Point is a year-round holiday location for the Disneyland park at the end of Main Street, U.S.A.,” she explains. The project was initiated by Walt Disney Imagineering, but the Resort Enhancement team was asked to handle much of the décor. Thus was born the legend of shop founder Miss Evelyn Toro, a world traveler who loved all the holidays from every culture and brought that obsession to her Main Street, U.S.A., shop.

“The character is based on my mother, Evelyn, whose maiden name is Toro,” Pipal-Keehne reveals. A native of Puerto Rico, “she decorates her house every single year; it takes her two weeks. There’s a tree in every room. There are five or six Christmas villages. When I think about the holidays and growing up, I have my passion for what I do in the world of art and design and holidays because of my mom.”

The shop is a celebration of diversity—which was something of a challenge in sourcing authentic Victorian-style décor to match the era of Main Street, U.S.A. But as they do with anything else they can imagine but not find ready-made, the Resort Enhancement team simply created the elements they needed from scratch. “We were doing research for paper cutouts and ornaments and things,” Pipal-Keehne relates. What they found was that “traditional ornaments and cards in the [early] 1900s did not have a wide range of inclusion. So, we had to custom make all of that artwork.”

Guests wandering the aisles and perusing the windows of Plaza Point will find Santas of color, a rainbow variety of fat-cheeked cherubs, and elegantly dressed Victorian ladies from diverse backgrounds—at least two of them arm in arm. “We really push the envelope on diversity, equity, and inclusion in this area,” Pipal-Keehne says. Plaza Point, she adds, is “probably the one thing I’m the proudest of to date.”

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

By Andie Hagemann

Before Black Panther: Wakanda Forever claws its way into U.S. theaters on Friday, November 11, enjoy this marvelous slate of Marvel Studios content to reacquaint yourself with Black Panther and celebrate the legacy of late Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman. We present five Black Panther-related titles to binge on Disney+…

From left to right, Black Panther, Vision, Iron Man, Black Widow, and War Machine stand side-by-side. The tail of a plane is seen behind them with a blue and white logo. A large white truck is on the far right. Actor and Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman portrays Black Panther and wears an all-black suit with his face covered. Actor Paul Bettany portrays Vision with a charcoal suit and red face. Actor and Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr. portrays Iron Man and wears a red metal suit with gold accents. Actor Scarlett Johansson portrays Black Widow and wears an all-black suit. Actor Don Cheadle portrays War Machine and wears a black and silver metal suit.

Captain America: Civil War—Available on Disney+

After an incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability. The new status quo soon divides the Super Heroes with Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.) sharply disagreeing about government interference. As the debate escalates, Black Widow (Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) are pressured to pick a side. T’Challa/Black Panther (Boseman) makes his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Actor and Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman portrays T’Challa/Black Panther. Boseman wears a long-sleeved traditional African embroidered robe and holds a small remote in his hands. Actor Letitia Wright portrays Shuri and wears a white dress with a high mesh neckline. Boseman and Wright stand on a black floor with geometric designs. A white couch and chair are to their right while a long white table with knickknacks is on the left.

Black Panther—Available on Disney+

After the death of his father, T’Challa (Boseman) returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. However, when a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s resolve both as king and Black Panther gets tested. The young king must rally his allies and unleash the full power of Black Panther to secure the safety of Wakanda.

Animated characters Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Black Panther sprint forward. Hulk is all-green and wears purple shorts. His arms are in the air. Ms. Marvel wears a red and blue Super Hero suit and stretches her limbs to be long. Black Panther wears an all-black Super Hero suit with purple accents. Around them is fall foliage and tall buildings.

Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends: Season 1, Episode 1—Available on Disney+

Spidey (voiced by Benjamin Valic) reminds Spin (voiced by Jakari Fraser), and Ghost-Spider (voiced by Lily Sanfelippo) to work as a team as they attempt to track Rhino (voiced by Justin Shenkarow). Elsewhere, Spidey learns about patience when he and Black Panther (voiced by Tru Valentino) are tasked with taking down Doc Ock (voiced by Kelly Ohanian).

A man stands in the shadows and wears a helmet with glowing purple lights. Behind him is a metal-like wall and tall container with laser beams.

What If…T’Challa Became a Star-Lord?—Available on Disney+

The second episode of the Marvel Studios’ What If…? series marks Boseman’s final performance as T’Challa. In the animated episode, T’Challa, the young prince of Wakanda, is accidentally abducted by Yondu (voiced by Michael Rooker) and becomes a Ravager instead of Peter Quill. Known as Star-Lord throughout the galaxy, he eventually crosses paths with Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin), Nebula (voiced by Karen Gillan), and Korath the Pursuer (voiced by Djimon Hounsou).

From the left Actor Danai Gurira portrays General Okoye from the Dora Milaje. Gurira and the Dora Milaje wear red and gold uniforms with intricate embroidery, brown leather pants, and brown leather boots. They hold tall metal spears in their left hand. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds above them.

Marvel Studios LEGENDS—Available on Disney+

On Friday, November 4, three new episodes titled, “King T’Challa,” “Princess Shuri,” and “The Dora Milaje” will be available to stream on the platform ahead of the debut of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The episode “King T’Challa” recalls T’Challa’s (Boseman) tenure as the iconic champion and the tragic struggle against Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). Marvel Studios LEGENDS also remembers the critical role Black Panther played in the epic battle to thwart Thanos (Brolin). Sister of T’Challa and Princess of Wakanda, “Princess Shuri” recalls the struggles Shuri (Letitia Wright) endured to save Wakanda and the dire moments she stood with the Avengers in a showdown with Thanos. The episode “The Dora Milaje” reviews how General Okoya (Danai Gurira) and her soldiers fought to reinstate T’Challa as king and crushed Thanos’ armies.

Celebrate 5 Mighty Years of Thor: Ragnarok with These Behind-the-Scenes Photos

By the D23 Team

Thor: Ragnarok was an electrifying entry into the saga of the God of Thunder—a film so fresh and fun that it’s hard to believe it was released in theaters five years ago today! To celebrate the film that took us to Sakar and back, we’ve rounded up our favorite behind-the-scenes photos from this fan-favorite film. Rock on and celebrate Thor: Ragnarok with us:

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Disney twenty-three Journeys to Pandora, Going Behind the Scenes of the Next-Level Storytelling of Avatar: The Way of Water

In 2009, James Cameron’s Avatar transported audiences to a completely new world, exploring a dazzling landscape of colorful characters and unique species, while touching the hearts of millions. The Winter issue of Disney twenty-three takes readers back to Pandora for a new set of adventures that await fans in Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water. The much-anticipated sequel to the highest-grossing movie of all time opens in theaters December 16, and Disney twenty-three goes behind the scenes on the next chapter in this groundbreaking story with stars Sam Worthington (Jake), Zoe Saldaña (Neytiri), and Sigourney Weaver (Kiri), as well as producer Jon Landau. “At its core, Avatar: The Way of Water is about family, about survival, about our Na’vi and human family, and about the greater family with our fellow creatures and our flora and fauna,” says Weaver.

D23 Expo 2022 gave fans a first look at Disney 100 Years of Wonder. The new issue explores some of the highlights of the celebration—including new theme park spectaculars, incredible films, and an immersive touring exhibition from the Walt Disney Archives.

Ever since Giselle (Amy Adams) and Robert (Patrick Dempsey) got their “happily ever after” in 2007’s Enchanted, fans have been dreaming about what happens next. On November 18, Disney+ is granting that wish with the new film Disenchanted. Stars Maya Rudolph, Gabriella Baldacchino, James Marsden, and Disney Legend Idina Menzel, along with director Adam Shankman, reveal the true meaning of “happily ever after” and what’s in store for this fairytale family after Giselle and Robert share true love’s kiss. Plus, Warwick Davis talks about bringing back his iconic character Willow Ufgood, who is tasked once more with saving the world in Lucasfilm’s Willow, an Original series coming November 30 to Disney+.

Disney Legend Tim Allen revisits key moments from his acting career, including what it was like to reprise his classic role as the “man in the red suit” in the upcoming Disney+ Original series The Santa Clauses, recounting favorite memories from sleigh bells and toolbelts to infinity and beyond. And stars of the upcoming Disney+ Original series National Treasure: Edge of History share their own book of secrets about what’s in store for this next generation of treasure hunters.

The new issue, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also takes a boat ride down memory lane with Disney Park historians to commemorate 25 years of “it’s a small world” Holiday. As a special bonus, each issue of the publication will include a set of holiday-themed gift tags as part of D23 Season of Magic presented by Target. 

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Also in the Winter 2022 issue of Disney twenty-three:

  • Embark on an adventure into a Strange World with director Don Hall and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Gabrielle Union, and more
  • Meet New York City’s coolest new partners in crime fighting in Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
  • Look back on the making of The Muppets Christmas Carol 30 years later in an entertaining talk with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, and their friends
  • Get an exclusive sneak-peek of Leslie Iwerks’ upcoming book based on her hit Disney+ documentary series The Imagineering Story
  • Enjoy a special look at the best of the magic from D23 Expo 2022
    Regular features including By the Numbers, D Society, Character Analysis, and Ask the Walt Disney Archives

Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps and is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving before the end of November.

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Access Your D23 Benefits Anytime, Anywhere
With the Disney D23 app, your membership card is just a few taps away. Access your benefits from your phone!

Showcased are the four 2025 D23 Gold Member Premiums: Disneyland 70th Collection, including The Happiest Place on Earth, a replica Disneyland Park entrance plaque, and a reproduction of the Disneyland Entrance plaque text draft; Gold Member Fan Pack including a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse water bottle, crossbody bag, and hat; a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse Spirit Jersey; and a 10-piece Pin Set.

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Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your Marvel Studios knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

What name does Thor give his team—consisting of Loki, the Hulk, and Valkyrie—in Thor: Ragnarok?

Correct! Wrong!

In Thor: Ragnarok, Thor names his team the Revengers.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

Amphibia Characters Face the Pirates of the Caribbean in New Chibi Tiny Tales Short

By the D23 Team

Arrrr you ready for a swashbuckling Disney Parks and Amphibia crossover?

On Saturday, November 5, Disney Branded Television unveils the first of three all-new adorable Chibi Tiny Tales shorts pairing a beloved Disney Parks attraction with a fan-favorite animated Disney Channel series. The first story features the characters from Amphibia and Pirates of the Caribbean. The shorts will be available for viewing on Disney Channel, Disney Channel YouTube, and DisneyNOW.

A small gray dog sits on stone steps and holds a gold ring with a dangling gold key in its mouth. Three pirates stand in a jail cell and try to lure the dog with a bone, rope, and their arms. A hot pink frog with olive goggles atop its head stands outside the cell and looks at the dog.

In the first story, the Calamity Box malfunctions, causing Anne and the Plantars to be transported out of Amphibia and wind up face to face with pirates!

To whet your appetite, here’s an exclusive clip:

Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas Returns this December

By Victoria Hunt

It’s time to light the yule log and get cozy. Freeform’s highly anticipated 25 Days of Christmas month-long event returns on Thursday, December 1.

Freeform will be showing classic Christmas favorites, including Home Alone, The Santa Clause trilogy, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, as well as beloved classics like Frosty the Snowman, Miracle on 34th Street(1994) and more! Last year during the event per Nielsen, Freeform ranked as the No. 1 Primetime cable network* in entertainment across Adults 18-49, Women 18-49, Men 18-49, Adults 18-34, Women 18-34, and Men 18-34 (in the 6p.m.–11 p.m. time spot, excluding sports).

Jack Skellington is a skeleton in a black and white pin-striped suit. He holds up a large snowflake and looks at it.

Freeform will also be showing beloved family classics like Toy Story and Daddy’s Home 2 and bringing the holiday cheer right to your living room with the network premiere of Frozen 2, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Last Christmas,and more.

Other holiday films airing throughout the 25 Days of Christmas include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, and The Preacher’s Wife.

A young boy, Kevin McCallister is pinned up against a wall by two thieves. He is wearing a red knitted sweater and has blonde hair. The thieves are staring at him.

For even more festive cheer, starting November 21, fans can watch Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas Past, an all-new unlocked channel on ABC.com and the ABC app—enjoy holiday favorites instantly, with no sign-in needed.

Below is a day-by-day list of the movies airing during the 25 Days of Christmas event:

Thursday, December 1
7:00 a.m.– The Simpsons
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy
11:30 a.m.– The Santa Clause
1:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
4:00 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone
8:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– The Simpsons

Friday, December 2
7:00 a.m.– The Preacher’s Wife
9:30 a.m.– Jingle All the Way 2
11:35 a.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
2:15 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
4:20 p.m.– Home Alone
6:50 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
9:30 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
11:30 p.m.– The Star (2017)
1:30 a.m.– The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Saturday, December 3
7:00 a.m.– The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
7:30 a.m.– Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
9:00 a.m.– Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
10:30 a.m.– The Star (2017)
12:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause
2:40 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
5:10 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
7:15 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
9:15 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
10:20 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
10:50 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
11:55 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol

Sunday, December 4
7:00 a.m.– Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
8:05 a.m.– Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
10:10 a.m.– The Search for Santa Paws
12:15 p.m.– Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
2:20 p.m.– Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
4:00 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
5:05 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
5:35 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
6:40 p.m.– Home Alone
9:10 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
11:50 p.m.– Daddy’s Home 2

Monday, December 5
7:00 a.m.– Family Guy
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy
11:30 a.m.– Holiday in Handcuffs
1:35 p.m.– Daddy’s Home 2
3:45 p.m.– Home Alone
6:15 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
8:55 p.m.– Scrooged
12:00 a.m.– Snow

Tuesday, December 6
7:00 a.m.– Stealing Christmas
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy
12:00 p.m.– Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
2:00 p.m.– Jingle All the Way 2
4:00 p.m.– Scrooged
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone
8:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– Snow 2: Brain Freeze

Wednesday, December 7
7:00 a.m.– Home Alone 3
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy
11:30 a.m.– Home Alone
2:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause
6:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
9:00 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
12:00 a.m.– The Simpsons

Thursday, December 8
7:00 a.m.– Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House
10:30 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
12:30 p.m.– Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
2:00 p.m.– Prancer Returns
4:00 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone
8:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– Christmas in Boston

Friday, December 9
7:00 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
9:05 a.m.– Home Alone
11:35 a.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
2:15 p.m.– Toy Story (Disney-Pixar)
4:15 p.m.– Toy Story 2 (Disney-Pixar)
6:20 p.m.– Toy Story 3 (Disney-Pixar)
8:50 p.m.– Toy Story 4 (Disney-Pixar)
11:00 p.m.– Toy Story That Time Forgot (Disney-Pixar)
11:30 p.m.– Home Alone

Saturday, December 10
7:00 a.m.– Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
9:05 a.m.– The Search for Santa Paws
11:05 a.m.– Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
1:10 p.m.– Home Alone
3:40 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
6:20 p.m.– Frozen (Disney Animated)
8:50 p.m.– Frozen 2 (Disney Animated) – Freeform Premiere
11:00 p.m.– Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (Disney Animated) – Freeform Premiere
11:30 p.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Sunday, December 11
7:00 a.m.– Prancer Returns
9:00 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
11:05 a.m.– Jingle All the Way 2
1:10 p.m.– Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
2:40 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
4:45 p.m.– The Santa Clause
6:55 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
9:25 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
11:30 p.m.– Last Christmas – Freeform Premiere

Monday, December 12
7:00 a.m.– Family Guy
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy
1:00 p.m.– Home for the Holidays (1995)
3:30 p.m.– Last Christmas
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone
8:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– Christmas Cupid

Tuesday, December 13
7:00 a.m.– Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol – Freeform Premiere
8:00 a.m.– Kung Fu Panda Holiday
8:30 a.m.– The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
10:30 a.m.– Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
11:30 a.m.– Home Alone
2:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause
6:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
9:00 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
12:00 a.m.– Snowglobe

Wednesday, December 14
7:00 a.m.– Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy
11:30 a.m.– Almost Christmas
2:00 p.m.– The Perfect Holiday
4:00 p.m.– The Preacher’s Wife
6:30 p.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
9:00 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
12:00 a.m.– The Simpsons

Thursday, December 15
7:00 a.m.– Call Me Claus
10:30 a.m.– The Simpsons
12:00 p.m.– The Perfect Holiday
2:00 p.m.– Jingle All the Way 2
4:00 p.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone
8:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve

Friday, December 16
7:00 a.m.– It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
9:00 a.m.– The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
9:30 a.m.– Prep & Landing (Disney Animation)
10:00 a.m.– Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (Disney Animation)
10:30 a.m.– Unaccompanied Minors
12:30 p.m.– Home Alone
3:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
5:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause
7:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
10:00 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
12:00 a.m.– Family Guy

Saturday, December 17
7:00 a.m.– The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
7:30 a.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
10:00 a.m.– Home Alone
12:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
3:10 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
5:15 p.m.– Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
6:55 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
8:55 p.m.– Home Alone
11:25 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Sunday, December 18
7:00 a.m.– Cricket on the Hearth
8:00 a.m.– Call Me Claus
10:00 a.m.– The Santa Clause
12:10 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
2:40 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
4:45 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
6:45 p.m.– Home Alone
9:15 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
11:55 p.m.– Scrooged

Monday, December 19
7:00 a.m.– Family Guy
10:30 a.m.– Family Guy
11:30 a.m.– Home Alone
2:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:30 p.m.– Scrooged
6:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause
8:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause
12:00 a.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Tuesday, December 20
7:00 a.m.– Family Guy
10:30 a.m.– Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
12:00 p.m.– Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
1:30 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
3:30 p.m.– Home Alone
6:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
8:30 p.m.– Last Christmas
12:00 a.m.– Prancer Returns

Wednesday, December 21
7:00 a.m.– Prancer Returns
10:30 a.m.– Last Christmas
1:00 p.m.– Home Alone
3:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
6:00 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
8:00 p.m.– Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (Disney Animated)
8:30 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
9:00 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
10:00 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
12:00 a.m.– The Simpsons

Thursday, December 22
7:00 a.m.– Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
9:00 a.m.– The Search for Santa Paws
11:00 a.m.– Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
1:00 p.m.– Kung Fu Panda Holiday
1:30 p.m.– Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
3:00 p.m.– Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
4:30 p.m.– The Star (2017)
6:30 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
7:30 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
8:00 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
9:00 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
11:00 p.m.– Prep & Landing (Disney Animation)
11:30 p.m.– Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (Disney Animation)
12:00 a.m.– The Star (2017)

Friday, December 23
7:00 a.m.– Kung Fu Panda Holiday
7:30 a.m.– Home Alone
10:00 a.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:40 p.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
3:20 p.m.– Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
5:00 p.m.– Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
7:00 p.m.– Home Alone
9:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 a.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol

Saturday, December 24
7:00 a.m.– Love the Coopers
9:30 a.m.– Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
12:00 p.m.– Disney’s A Christmas Carol
2:00 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
4:40 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
5:45 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
6:50 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
7:20 p.m.– The Santa Clause
9:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
12:00 a.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

 Sunday, December 25
7:00 a.m.– Home Alone
9:30 a.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:00 p.m.– Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
1:00 p.m.– Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2:00 p.m.– Frosty the Snowman
2:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause
4:30 p.m.– The Santa Clause 2
7:00 p.m.– The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
9:00 p.m.– Home Alone
11:30 p.m.– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Disney Receives 86 Children’s & Family Emmy® Award Nominations

Today, The Walt Disney Company received 86 nominations in the inaugural Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards across its content brands and studios: Disney Branded Television, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television, Lucasfilm Ltd., Pixar Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Studios. Disney’s streaming platforms Disney+ and Hulu earned 62 and seven nominations, respectively. The awards will be presented December 10 and 11 at Los Angeles’ Wilshire Ebell Theater.

A complete list of nominations follows below:

Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) wears a blue suit in a scene from The Mysterious Benedict Society. He is bearded and smirking, and he is raising his arms, extending his pointer fingers. He is standing in a classroom that has yellow walls and a black chalkboard.

The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+/20th Television/Disney Branded Television)
11 nominations

  • Outstanding Young Teen Series
  • Outstanding Writing for a Young Teen Program
  • Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Program
  • Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Live Action Single Camera Program
  • Outstanding Editing for a Single Camera Program
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Visual Effects for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Main Title and Graphics
  • Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
  • Outstanding Costume Design/Styling

Sneakerella (Disney+/Disney Branded Television)
11 nominations

  • Outstanding Fiction Special
  • Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Program
  • Outstanding Music Direction And Composition for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Original Song – “In Your Shoes”
  • Outstanding Original Song – “Kicks”
  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Live Action Single Camera Program
  • Outstanding Editing for a Single Camera Program
  • Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
  • Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
  • Outstanding Makeup and Hairstyling
  • Outstanding Choreography

Rueby Wood wears a white suit and is surrounded by a troupe of dancers onstage in a scene from Better Nate Than Ever. Wood is smiling, mid-song. Above everyone is a marquee with the name “NATE” illuminated.

Better Nate Than Ever (Disney+/Walt Disney Studios)
8 nominations

  • Outstanding Fiction Special
  • Outstanding Lead Performance In A Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program – Rueby Wood
  • Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program – Lisa Kudrow
  • Outstanding Writing for a Young Teen Program
  • Outstanding Music Direction And Composition for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Live Action Single Camera Program
  • Outstanding Casting for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Choreography

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (Disney+/Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
5 nominations

  • Outstanding Young Teen Series
  • Outstanding Lighting Design for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
  • Outstanding Makeup and Hairstyling
  • Outstanding Choreography

Ciao Alberto (Disney+/ Pixar Animation Studios)
4 nominations

  • Outstanding Short Form Program
  • Outstanding Directing for an Animated Program
  • Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for an Animated Program

In this scene from Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Walter (Alex Aiono) strums a guitar while sitting on the beach. Behind him is an orange surfboard, a blue camper van, a wicker chair and table set, and a tote bag. Next to him is Doogie (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), who is wrapped in yellow towel and holding a blue mug. In front of both is a fire pit.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Disney+/20th Television/Disney Branded Television)
4 nominations

  • Outstanding Young Teen Series
  • Outstanding Guest Performance in Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program – Randall Park
  • Outstanding Writing for a Young Teen Program
  • Outstanding Casting for a Live Action Program

Dug Days (Disney+/Pixar Animation Studios)
3 nominations

  • Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
  • Outstanding Directing for an Animated Program
  • Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program

Endlings (Hulu)
3 nominations

  • Outstanding Lighting Design for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Visual Effects for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Stunt Coordination

The Caretaker (Darren Criss), Gonzo, and Skeeter investigate an open grave in a scene from Muppets Haunted Mansion.

Muppets Haunted Mansion (Disney+/Disney Branded Television)
4 nominations

  • Outstanding Fiction Special
  • Outstanding Casting for a Live Action Program
  • Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
  • Outstanding Special Effects Costumes, Hair and Makeup

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+ /Disney Branded Television)
3 nominations

  • Outstanding Animated Series
  • Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series
  • Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program

The Quest (Disney+/Disney Branded Television)
3 nominations

  • Outstanding Directing for a Multiple Camera Program
  • Outstanding Editing for a Multiple Camera Program
  • Outstanding Special Effects Costumes, Hair and Makeup

Raven’s Home (Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
3 nominations

  • Outstanding Directing for a Multiple Camera Program
  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Live Action Multiple Camera Program
  • Outstanding Costume Design/Styling

In a scene from Amphibia, the Plantars—Sprig, Hop Pop, and Polly—try to disguise themselves as humans by wearing trench coats and hats. Their human friend, Anne, bends her arms and knees and has an excited expression on her face. They are all are standing in Anne’s room, which is filled with tennis balls, art supplies, and more.

Amphibia (Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
2 nominations

  • Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
  • Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series

Madagascar: A Little Wild (Hulu)
2 nominations

  • Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in an Animated or Preschool Animated Program – Tucker Chandler
  • Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in an Animated or Preschool Animated Program – Amir O’Neil

Monsters at Work (Disney+/Disney Branded Television)
2 nominations

  • Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
  • Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program

Muppet Babies (Disney Junior/Disney Branded Television)
2 nominations

  • Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program
  • Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program

In this scene from Spin, Rhea (Avantika) is smiling and wearing a white and blue top. Colorful powder is in the air, and it’s staining her hair, skin, and clothes.

Spin (Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
2 nominations

  • Outstanding Fiction Special
  • Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Program

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (Disney Junior/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program – Eden Espinosa

BUNK’D (Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Live Action Multiple Camera Program

CHOOSE KINDNESS Campaign (Disney Channel)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Promotional Announcement

Diary of a Future President (Disney+/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Guest Performance in Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program – Gina Rodriguez

In this scene from Dragons: The Nine Realms, Jun Won wears purple armor and flies on the back of a dragon named Wu and Wei.

Dragons: The Nine Realms (Hulu)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Promotional Announcement

Fancy Nancy (Disney Junior/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Original Song

First Day (Hulu)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Young Teen Series

The Ghost and Molly McGee (Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Main Title and Graphics

Just Roll With It (Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Live Action Multiple Camera Program

In this scene from LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, a LEGO version of Luke Skywalker raises his fists in the air. He is in disguise, wearing a Death trooper uniform.

LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales (Disney+/Lucasfilm Ltd.)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Sound Mixing And Sound Editing For an Animated Program

Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (Disney Junior/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program – Daniel Ross

Olaf Presents (Disney+/Walt Disney Animation Studios)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program

Secrets of Sulphur Springs (Disney+/Disney Channel/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series

The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (Disney+/Disney Branded Television)
1 nomination

  • Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program

Dancing with the Stars Couples Share “Halloween Night” Chills and Thrills

By Zach Johnson

Dancing with the Stars had plenty of tricks and treats on “Halloween Night”!

Monday’s episode on Disney+ featured judges Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, as well as host Tyra Banks, wearing spooky costumes that featured everything from fiery red horns to bedazzled bones. Banks and co-host Alfonso Ribeiro began the show by explaining that “Halloween Night” would not only feature individual routines from the remaining couples, but also a team dance round, where the contestants would be split into two groups and compete against each other.

First up were Jordin Sparks and pro Brandon Armstrong, performing a Tango to Ed Ivory and Ken Page’s “Oogie Boogie’s Song.” Goodman deemed it Sparks’ “best dance so far,” while Hough said she “deserves to be at the top of the pack.” Ultimately, the couple received a score of 36/40. “All I wanted was to progress each week,” Sparks told D23 on the press line after the show. “We still progressed tonight!”

Mark Ballas and Charli D’Amelio perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Next up were Charli D’Amelio and pro Mark Ballas, who performed an Argentine Tango to Fabio Hager Sexteto’s “Tanguera.” Inaba praised the TikTok star, calling her “so incredibly talented,” but said she expects more from her: “I want to see that perfection. I’ve been calling for it.” The couple received an impressive score of 39/40.

Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Daniel Durant and pro Britt Stewart then danced a Paso Doble to Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend.” Tonioli called it a “fantastic” routine, telling Durant, who’d missed a day of rehearsal, “You only missed a fraction of a step.” The couple earned a score of 34/40.

Shangela and Gleb Savchenko perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

The haunts continued when Shangela and pro Gleb Savchenko performed a Jazz routine to “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift. Hough joked he was “gonna have nightmares” after watching them, with Good noting it had “plenty of tricks, plenty of treats.” The couple received a perfect score of 40/40—a first for them. “It’s amazing to get the love from the judges,” Shangela told D23 after the show. “They see we’re working hard and we’re actually growing. We’re giving people at home a reason to cheer for us each week.” During her critique, Inaba told Savchenko this was his best choreography to date, which he said was “amazing” feedback. “Carrie Ann knows what she’s talking about,” the pro dancer said. “I was like, ‘Wow!’ That really felt incredible.”

Koko Iwasaki and Vinny Guadagnino perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Next, Vinny Guadagnino and pro Koko Iwasaki performed a Paso Doble to “Get Ghost” by Mark Ronson, Passion Pit, and A$AP Ferg. Goodman said it “wasn’t all bad,” and Inaba with that assessment. She acknowledged Guadagnino’s effort but reminded him there is room for improvement. The couple earned a score of 30/40.

Artem Chigvintsev and Heidi D’Amelio perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Heidi D’Amelio and pro Artem Chigvintsev performed a Tango to “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” by Måneskin, incorporating an elastic band into their routine—something the Hulu star deemed a big risk. Hough gave the couple a standing ovation, while Tonioli praised the couple’s “power, precision, and drive.” They earned a total score of 37/40.

Gabby Windey and Alan Bersten perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Gabby Windey and pro Alan Bersten—subbing in for pro Val Chmerkovskiy—performed an Argentine Tango to “Shivers” by District 78 and Mikayla Lynn. In a nod to their vampire costumes, Hough called it “bloody brilliant.” They received a score of 38/40. “I thought we killed it,” Bersten told D23 of dancing with Windey for the first time. Regarding next week’s performance, he teased, “Maybe Val’s going to come back, maybe not. Who knows?” Windey added, “We have a very fun, vibrant ‘90s theme up our sleeve, either Alan and I or Val and I. We’re going to take it day by day.”

Wayne Brady and Witney Carson perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Next, Wayne Brady and pro Witney Carson performed a Contemporary routine to District 78’s “Halloween Theme,” earning 37/40 points. Hough said Brady’s talent is “unparalleled,” while Tonioli considered Carson’s “clever” choreography “superb.”

Emma Slater and Trevor Donovan perform on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Finally, Trevor Donovan and pro Emma Slater performed a Contemporary routine to Justin Bieber’s “Ghost (Acoustic).” Hough told Donovan, “To see this growth in you and this love of dance, we feel it, brother.” Inaba called the routine “spectacular,” saying, “That was amazing. The partnership is beautiful!” They earned a score of 39/40.

Then, as a Halloween treat, the couples got to compete in a team dance. Guadagnino and Donovan were the captains of Team Wicked and Team Scream, respectively. The latter team won the round with a score of 39/40, beating the former team by six points.

Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli hold 10 cards up on “Halloween Night” of Dancing with the Stars.

Following the team dance competition, voting officially closed and Banks and Ribeiro revealed who would be returning for next week’s ‘90s-themed episode on Disney+. Heidi D’Amelio and Chigvintsev and Sparks and Armstrong landed in the bottom two. Inaba voted for the former couple, while Hough and Tonioli both voted for the latter. The decision came down to head judge Goodman, who opted to save D’Amelio. “I’m really, really grateful,” Sparks told D23 after being eliminated. “I almost pulled out right before [the show started] because I was just so nervous. This isn’t something that I know, and I hold my performances to a very high standard. I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can present these the way I want to.’ But then I was like, ‘You have to try.’ To anyone who’s nervous about trying something new, just do it! You never know unless you try.”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

Happy Halloween, ghosts, ghouls, and witches! On Monday, watch The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror marathon airing all day on FXX, followed by the Halloween-themed episode of Dancing with the Stars on Disney+. Debuting back-to-back Wednesday on ABC, it’s country music mayhem on The Goldbergs while Abbott Elementary plays defense after an attack ad. Plus, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law stars and creators spill series secrets in Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, premiering Thursday on Disney+.

Animated characters Homer, Marge, Maggie, Bart, and Lisa Simpson stand next to each other and scream. Homer wears a metal trash can, goggles, and orange gloves. Marge wears tan tights and an ice cream cone suit. Maggie wears a black derby hat and blue onesie. Bart wears an orange pterodactyl costume while Lisa wears a blue box resembling a blue recycling bin.

The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes Marathon—Monday, October 31, from 8 a.m.-12 a.m. ET/PT on FXX

Join The Simpsons before, during, and after your Halloween festivities for an all-day marathon chock-full of hilarious hijinks and spooky episodes. From alien invasions to Twight Zone parodies and so much more, everyone’s favorite animated family boasts plenty of tricks and treats!

Dancing with the Stars contestants Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy portray Gamora and Star-Lord from the Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise. Windey wears a black leather ensemble with black leather boots. Windey wears a long black wig and her skin is painted green. Chmerkovskiy wears a maroon leather jacket with black accents, black pants, and black shoes. The screen behind them projects a galactic graphic with purple lights highlighting the stage and dance floor.

Dancing with the Stars—Monday, October 31, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Disney+

On “Halloween Night,” the nine remaining couples will perform bewitching new routines to spooktacular songs including “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift and “Oogie Boogie’s Song” by Edy Ivory and Ken Page. Plus, a fan-favorite competition is brought back from the dead as the contestants are split into two groups to compete in a team dance. Will Team Wicked or Team Scream prevail?

Actor Judd Hirsch sits in a brown recliner and rests his elbows on the armrests. Hirsch wears maroon pants, a yellow and tan cardigan, and a nude button-down shirt. Actor Sean Giambrone sits on a couch adjacent to Hirsch with his feet resting on the coffee table. Giambrone wears black wire-frame eyeglasses, a sandstone T-shirt, a black and gray plaid robe, and gray sweatpants with white socks. The coffee table holds two glasses, two small bowls, and one large orange bowl.

The Goldbergs—Wednesday, November 2, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

The country music craze has taken over Jenkintown, and everyone is obsessed with line dancing. Determined to not become another “old” grandma, Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) escapes to a country western bar to reclaim her youth. Meanwhile, Adam (Sean Giambrone) gets a new job, but his lack of time to spend with Pop-Pop (Judd Hirsch) leads to some comically disastrous outcomes.

Actor Quinta Brunson stands and points with her right hand to a bulletin board. Brunson wears a purple sweater and white skirt with a candy and lollipops print. Actor Tyler James Williams looks at the bulletin board and wears a tan collared shirt and dark gray pants along with a blue lanyard and ID around his neck. Brunson and Williams stand in an elementary school classroom decorated with bright posters and colorful storage bins.

Abbott ElementaryWednesday, November 2, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

The teachers are shocked after a local commercial in support of charter schools criticizes Abbott Elementary. When students begin to transfer schools, Jacob (Chris Perfetti), Ava (Janelle James), and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) invite the leader of the charter school organization to Abbott and ask him to take down the ad. Meanwhile, Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) discuss her relationship with Tariq (Zack Fox).

A robotic machine suspended from the ceiling with three lenses colored blue, red, and green. The machine reads, “K.E.V.I.N.” Behind the machine, part of the Marvel Studios logo is seen in red and metallic silver.

Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law—Thursday, November 3, on Disney+

Discover how the creators of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law executed the Marvel Studios’ first truly comedic series—one that boldly smashes the fourth wall to acknowledge its own audience. Hear from the crew and series stars including Tatiana Maslany, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Roth, and Benedict Wong as they share how the series was conceived and shaped while unveiling behind the scenes footage.