MagicBand+ is Coming to Disneyland Resort This Fall—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

MagicBand+ Features and Experiences Revealed for Disneyland Resort

Yes, it’s almost time: This fall, MagicBand+ will make its debut at Disneyland Resort, bringing the wearable technology to the West Coast for the first time! Earlier this week, our friends at Disney Parks Blog shared a look at how this innovation will deliver hands-free convenience… not to mention unlock a whole new dimension of amazing Disney storytelling!

Launched at Walt Disney World Resort earlier this summer, MagicBand+ is a next-generation wearable that enables users to see and feel park experiences in a brand-new way, thanks to smart features like color-changing LED lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition. Available in a large (and growing) assortment of designs and colors, MagicBand+ offers yet another opportunity to show off personal style; it’s also rechargeable—with an included charging cable—and waterproof. And when MagicBand+ is paired to a smartphone device through the Disneyland app*, it unlocks personalization options such as selecting unique light colors and adjusting the vibration and motion recognition settings.

MagicBand+ features and experiences will vary between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. But at launch, the wearable will boast a host of convenient capabilities—with more to come… For instance, users will be able to connect their MagicBand+ to their theme park ticket or Magic Key pass in the Disneyland app for an easy way to enter the Disneyland Resort theme parks (valid park admission and reservation required), or use it to check in at Lightning Lane entrances (separate valid Lightning Lane entry required).

MagicBand+ will also add new, immersive elements and surprises to park experiences. In sync with special moments during select nighttime spectaculars—including World of Color at Disney California Adventure Park—the band will complement the magic in the skies by pulsing with lights and vibrations. And look for a brand-new quest to help you explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge like never before.

There’s lots more to come—so keep your eyes peeled here at D23.com, as well as at the Disney Parks Blog, for all the latest and greatest about what MagicBand+ can do for you. See y’all at the parks!

*Message, data, and roaming rates may apply for use of Disneyland app and Play Disney Parks app. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

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

We’ve now passed the first day of autumn—and while it may not truly feel like fall in some corners of the country (lookin’ at you, SoCal!), that doesn’t mean we can’t fake it by cozying up on the couch with fave snacks and taking in some quality viewing this weekend from around the world of Disney. Look for the mid-season premiere of Big City Greens and the big debut of Under Wraps 2 on Disney Channel; new episodes of Celebrity Jeopardy and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC; and much more.

Global Citizen Festival: Take Action NOW—This Sunday on ABC

This Sunday, September 25, ABC will air highlights of the 2022 Global Citizen Festival—from two stages in international cultural capitals, New York City and Accra, Ghana—with the special Global Citizen Festival: Take Action NOW, starting at 7 p.m. EDT). The broadcast will feature exclusive performances from across the globe by the likes of Mariah Carey, Jonas Brothers, Metallica, Usher, SZA, Tems, and many more.

For those who’d like to watch the full festival, you’re in luck: ABC News Live will air the event starting Saturday, September 24, at 4 p.m. EDT, and Hulu subscribers can stream it through the ABC News Live feed.

Hosted by international advocacy organization Global Citizen, the global event is calling on world leaders, corporations, and philanthropic foundations to “End Extreme Poverty NOW.” Award-winning actor, playwright and activist Danai Gurira (Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) will host the festival in Accra, while actor, producer, author, and Global Citizen Ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas hosts in New York City.

For more information about the 2022 Global Citizen Festival, visit www.globalcitizen.org.

Disney+ Announces Save Our Squad with David Beckham Premiere Date

They’ve seen it “across the pond,” and now we get to see it here!

Disney+ this week announced that UK Original series Save Our Squad with David Beckham will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Wednesday, November 9.

Save Our Squad with David Beckham is a heart-warming show that sees Beckham returning to his East London roots to mentor Westward Boys—a young, grassroots team at the bottom of their league, facing relegation. However, this isn’t just any league… this is the same league that Beckham played in as a young boy! Working with the head coaches, he’ll try to turn the team’s fortunes around.

As seen in the sneak peek above, Beckham will mentor the young squad members and give advice and encouragement—including on how to perfect their free kicks, so everyone on the team has the chance to “bend it like Beckham.”

Celebrate Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month with the Ultimate Watchlist

Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month is here, and D23 has compiled a list of movies and TV shows for Disney fans of all ages to enjoy. From TV favorites to Oscar®-winning animated films celebrating the diverse cultures within the Hispanic and Latinx communities, there’s something for everyone.

An image of Mickey Mouse in a drum major uniform—the jacket is yellow and red, with a treble clef and music notes and gold knots across the front, and a gold cape flying out from his shoulders. He’s wearing a fuzzy black drum major hat, and is carrying a drum major baton.

Walt Disney World Resort to Host Largest-Ever HBCU Week

Here’s some very cool news: For the first time, HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Week is being held at Walt Disney World Resort… and it’s expected to be the largest ever! A record 5,000 high school students from the Southeastern region of the United States and beyond are expected to attend the college fair, along with nearly 50 HBCU recruiters who will be handing out college acceptance letters and scholarships—including full four-year rides—on the spot. In all, more than $10 million in scholarships are set to be awarded, which would also be another HBCU Week record!

Throughout the three-day event at Walt Disney World, there will be pomp and pageantry on display, plus fun for the entire family. Starting Friday October 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the HBCU Week college fair will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, with a lunch and learn series beginning at 11 a.m. The following day, October 8, Magic Kingdom Park will host HBCU Week band parades highlighting Delaware State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Winston-Salem State University, and Alcorn State University. The parades will begin at 9:20 a.m. with the last school performing at 6 p.m. Then on Sunday, October 9, look for the HBCU Week Battle of the Bands at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; tickets are $25 each.

Prospective students are encouraged to register for the college fair—and find more information about the entire event—by visiting HBCUWeek.org.

New Trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World

We’re just a few short months’ away from the latest animated feature from the good folks at Walt Disney Animation Studios—and to tide us over, they just released a brand-new trailer for the film, above…

In the action-packed adventure Strange World, a legendary family of explorers known as the Clades attempts to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog, and a slew of ravenous creatures. The voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old son, Ethan, who longs for adventure; Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world.

Helmed by Don Hall (Big Hero 6, Raya and the Last Dragon) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer, Raya and the Last Dragon), and produced by Roy Conli (Big Hero 6, Tangled), Strange World debuts on November 23.

Curious about what went into creating such a unique piece of animated art? Go behind the scenes with the filmmakers right here on D23.com!

The colorful logos for Disney Channel and Disney Junior’s Halloween programming events are side by side; Disney Channel’s has fangs at the bottom, while Disney Junior’s says “Trick or Treat” under the network logo; on left side of the word “Junior” there’s a black cat, and on the right side there is a black Jack-o’-lantern.

Fang-tastic Halloween Programming Comes to Disney Branded Television

It’s nearly time for happy haunts to materialize… so we’re spook-tacularly excited for Disney Channel’s “Calling All the Monsters” and Disney Junior’s “Trick or Treats” programming events—which include the debut of the new Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps 2; new Halloween-themed episodes of Raven’s Home, BUNK’D, The Villains of Valley View, Eureka!, Mickey Mouse Funhouse, and Firebuds; and marathons for the whole family to enjoy, airing from this Sunday, September 25, through Monday, October 31!

Plus, beginning Monday, September 26, Disney Channel will air Halloween-themed movies every weeknight at 8 p.m. ET/PT, including fan favorites Hotel Transylvania, Hotel Transylvania 2, Hotel Transylvania 3, Halloweentown, and Halloweentown II.

And make sure to look out for the Season 4 premiere of The Worst Witch on Friday, October 21, at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Tune in… and get ready for grim-grinning ghosts to come out and socialize!

ICYMI: Bertie Gregory Opens Up About His Epic Adventures

In his new series, now streaming on Disney+, National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory takes viewers on some truly incredible adventures—everywhere from Antarctica to Zambia. D23 recently heard from Gregory about what makes the show so special, and took a spin through a few breathtaking images from the series; check it all out by clicking here.

Building a Fairytale: The Construction of Cinderella Castle, Part 2

By Matt Moryc and Maggie Evenson, Walt Disney Archives

Welcome back to the second and final part of our look at the construction of Cinderella Castle. These photos, selected from the Walt Disney Archives Photo Library, are only a taste of the thousands of vintage Walt Disney World images that reside in the collection. In case you missed Part One, please visit this link.

A unique aerial view of Cinderella Castle under construction, taken from above and behind the Castle. The newly planted trees of the Central Plaza are visible at the top of the photo.

A crane lifts the roof portion of a tower into place.

There’s much to see in this aerial shot of the Castle and nearby Fantasyland. Notice the Castle’s golden spire has been staged at the top of the ramps before its eventual placement at the top of the structure. To the left of the castle are the buildings for both it’s a small world (green structure) and “Mickey Mouse Revue,” while the steel structure of the Pinocchio Village Haus takes shape next to it’s a small world. In the top right corner is construction on the lagoon and infrastructure for the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea submarine voyage, while the Snow White’s Adventures and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride buildings sit just below it.

The top portion of Cinderella Castle’s tallest spire is lowered into place as a construction worker in the turret helps to ensure the proper connections are made.

A shot taken from the entrance to the Castle foyer. A sign was placed over the face of the Castle’s clock to remind the planners, designers, and laborers when the Magic Kingdom had to be completed: “Remember Opening Oct. 1971.” A similar sign was also placed over the clock face of the City Hall building on Main Street, U.S.A.

Inside the Castle foyer, the story of Cinderella is depicted along the walls via five dazzling mosaic murals, with each panel in the shape of a Gothic arch 15 feet high by 10 feet wide. This photo shows tile setters cementing the glass pieces into place. The murals were designed by Disney Legend and Walt Disney Imagineer Dorothea Redmond and translated into hundreds of thousands of pieces of glass by a renowned tile mosaicist. More than 400 colors were used, with 100 accent colors, and some of the glass pieces were infused with silver and 14-carat gold. According to a Disney press release at the time, “Some pieces are as small as the head of a tack and many more are hand cut and shaped by a power grindstone.”

A rarely seen view from the balcony of Cinderella Castle overlooking the forecourt area and across the Central Plaza toward Main Street, U.S.A.

An almost-ready Cinderella Castle as viewed from Central Plaza at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. The iconic “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse was placed in the planter at the center of this photo in June 1995.

A Fall 1971 view of the completed Cinderella Castle.

A Spellbinding Look Inside Hocus Pocus 2 with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and More Stars

By Zach Johnson

Fans of the Sanderson sisters are in for a treat this Halloween season!

The highly anticipated Disney+ Original movie Hocus Pocus 2 premieres Friday, September 30, on the streaming service. It follows the wickedly wonderful witches Winifred (Disney Legend Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) as they try to wreak havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. In celebration of the live-action comedy, an enchanting cover was created exclusively for the Fall 2022 issue of Disney twenty-three, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. In excerpts from those interviews (below), the cast members and director Anne Fletcher discuss revisiting the bewitching characters decades after Hocus Pocus was initially released (and ultimately became a Halloween classic).

The lead actresses had their own ideas about the story they wanted to tell in Hocus Pocus 2, “but nothing major,” Midler says in Disney twenty-three. “Kathy, especially, acted as the keeper of the Black Flame Candle, forgive my pun. She was adamant about what the fans would and wouldn’t accept, and we sort of followed her lead.”

Belissa Escobedo in character as Izzy, Whitney Peak in character as Becca, and Lilia Buckingham in character as Cassie. The characters are dressed for fall, wearing sweaters and jackets, and they are walking out of school next to a crowded bike rack.

Fletcher knew she had her work cut out for her. “It’s incredibly daunting,” says the director. “You want to give fans what they’ve been waiting 29 years for without being redundant. I also kept in mind that there’s a slew of people who have never seen the first movie, if you can imagine! You want to make sure they understand everything without being expositional every five minutes—and do that in a really elegant way.”

To do that, Hocus Pocus 2 introduces characters played by Sam Richardson, Hannah Waddingham, Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, Froyan Gutierrez, and Tony Hale. Peak, Escobedo, and Buckingham portray three high school students who vow stop the Sanderson sisters from running amuck, amuck, amuck. “These girls have been working professionally since they were kids,” Midler says of the collective experience the young talents brought to the Hocus Pocus 2 set. “I love and respect them all.”

For the younger trio, getting to be a part of the Hocus Pocus franchise—and work alongside Midler, Parker, and Najimy—was a dream come true. “I grew up being a Halloween girl,” says Buckingham, who plays Cassie. “I watch the original movie every October on Freeform, so when I got the audition for the sequel, I was like, ‘If I don’t get this, it’s over!’” Like Buckingham, Escobedo says she had seen Hocus Pocus countless times. “My mom is obsessed with Hocus Pocus. We watch it every single year around Halloween, so I was definitely very familiar with the movie,” Escobedo says. “My mom was in the room when I got the part, and she screamed before I screamed.”

Doug Jones, in character as the zombie Billy Butcherson, stands in a dimly lit graveyard.

For the veteran actors, once they got back into costume for Hocus Pocus 2, it felt as if no time had passed since they filmed the perennial Halloween classic. “The surreal part was looking at myself in the mirror,” says Doug Jones, who returns as the zombie Billy Butcherson. “Putting my zombie makeup, my wig, and my costume back on, I look as though maybe two minutes have passed in the last 29 years! I look exactly the same. Looking at Bette, Sarah Jessica, and Kathy was equally as surreal, because 29 years have passed, and they all look younger and more vibrant than they did the first time!”

Speaking of vibrancy, the musical numbers in Hocus Pocus 2—set to classic songs by Disney Legend Elton John and Blondie—are a real treat. “I come from musical theater, so song and dance is a bit in my bones,” Najimy says. “We had brilliant choreographer and dance team. That being said... dancing on dirt and rocks was a bit of a challenge!”

Naturally, there’s plenty of magic in Hocus Pocus 2, and Midler can’t wait for families and fans to stream the film on Disney+. “It’s a big, broad, family comedy with great effects, a lot of slapstick, and no cursing!” she says. “Who doesn’t love to laugh?” Escobedo agrees, adding, “It’s a wild ride. It’s just as kooky and crazy as the first movie—if not more—because it’s 2022. There’s a lot that we can do with movies now.”

Inside Hulu’s Steamy New Legal Drama Reasonable Doubt

By Zach Johnson

In Reasonable Doubt, the truth belongs to those who twist it.

Onyx Collective’s highly anticipated first scripted series, premiering Tuesday, September 27, on Hulu, centers on Jax Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi), a brilliant and fearless defense attorney in Los Angeles who bucks the justice system whenever possible. Sure, her ethics are questionable, and her interpretations of the law are debatable, but people want her in their corner if (or when) they get into trouble.

With Reasonable Doubt, however, the drama doesn’t unfold only within a courtroom. “Often, legal dramas focus on the professional, and there’s a little bit of personal,” says writer and executive producer Raamla Mohamed, who leads the show’s all-Black writers room. “But I think what separates the show is that it’s about a woman who’s balancing all the things that women have to balance: her career, her friendships, her marriage, her kids. It’s all of those things that, as women, we have to coordinate and figure out. The great thing about it is that you get to see her have a really full life. Sometimes she wins in one part of her life, and then sometimes she wins in another part—just like women do. We’re just trying to win and one, and hopefully it works out.”

According to Mohamed, Corinealdi—best known for her award-winning turn as Ruby in the 2012 indie drama Middle of Nowhere—was the only person who could bring a character such as Jax to life. “We had a lot of people come in to audition—a lot of wonderful, amazing actresses,” Mohamed recalls. “Honestly, just talking about it gets me emotional, because she clearly was Jax. There was no question in any of our minds that she encapsulated both who Jax needed to be and who I wanted to see on screen.”

Reasonable Doubt is produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios, with Simpson Street’s Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone and Wilmore Films’ Larry Wilmore all serving as executive producers. Washington also directs the first episode.

“Raamla was a big part of the reason why I wanted to do the show,” Washington says. “We’ve grown up together in this business. She was a research assistant on Season 1 of Scandal, and we lived through that show together, and then we did Little Fires Everywhere. Raamla’s big, bold, risk-taking, adventurous mind was the big draw. And also, the woman who inspired the show, [co-executive producer] Shawn Holley, is really special and dynamic. When I met her, I got so excited about working on a show that would explore some of the complexities of her work and her life. I knew it would be really, really challenging to find somebody who could play this character as written by Raamla, but Emayatzy actually solved that problem for us; hiring her was a no-brainer.”

Jax is a nuanced character, and as such, Corinealdi appreciated how Mohamed gave her the freedom to experiment. “Raamla was so clear in her point of view, and also so giving within that point of view,” Corinealdi says. “She left the room for us to explore and find things. That’s what made it interesting. One of my favorite things about Jax is that she has all of these different circles she’s in, and she keeps some of them pretty separate, but you get to see her live her life in a way that’s not particularly all together. As Raamla said, ‘That’s life.’ She wrote a woman who is capable of trying to figure all of these things out—and who is willing and has the courage to fail at them at the same time. That’s what I like seeing on television, and I don’t think we have a lot of that.”

5 Things to Know About Avatar and Its Theatrical Rerelease

By Zach Johnson

This Friday, 20th Century Studios will bring the bioluminescent moon of Pandora back to the big screen when writer, director, and executive producer James Cameron’s Avatar returns to theaters in 3D—and, for the first time, in stunning 4K high dynamic range. Following its initial release in 2009, Avatar went on to become the highest-grossing, most successful movie of all time, and it made household names out of stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña. The winner of three Academy Awards®—Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects—Avatar can now be experienced as a 4K HDR remastered picture, while theaters with 3D capabilities will present the remastered version with an added dimension to bring the epic story to life.

Recently, Cameron, Worthington, and Saldaña joined Avatar stars Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine), Michelle Rodriguez (Trudy Chacon), and Stephen Lang (Miles Quaritch) to reminisce about making the revolutionary adventure—and D23 was there to round up the top five things audiences need to know about it.

(L-R): The Na’vi avatar Jake Sully (voiced by Sam Worthington) and the Na’vi warrior Neytiri (voiced by Zoe Saldaña) embrace each other and press their foreheads together. Their blue skin is illuminated by the bioluminescent fauna in the background.

1. The story may be the same, but the sweeping visuals are anything but.
When Cameron and executive producer Jon Landau first brought Avatar to the big screen, both the 2D and 3D versions of the film encouraged theaters around the world to upgrade their equipment to deliver the highest quality picture and sound. “It’s been 12 years since the release, so if you’re under 22 or 23 years of age, it’s very unlikely you’ve seen the film in a movie theater—which, in a way, means you haven’t seen the film,” Cameron said. “We authored the film for the big screen, for the giant screen, in 3D, and now we’ve remastered it in 4K, in high-dynamic range and some 48-frame-per-second sections in the film. It’s looking better than it ever looked, even back in its initial release.” In fact, as they were finishing the remastering process, Cameron was blown away by the visuals. “That’s hard to say with any degree of humility, but we were really impressed with how the movie looked—just the physical experience,” he said. “We’re just really excited to share that with people who have never seen it in a movie theater.”

2. Imagination and technology combined brought Avatar to life.
Performance capture was used to render Pandora’s indigenous Na’vi clan and the avatars, and it was an experience Worthington will never forget. “I was like a 5-year-old kid in a big play pit, and the boss was saying, ‘Get to it!’ That was the job,” said Worthington, whose character, former Marine Jake Sully, was reborn as an avatar, a remotely controlled biological body unaffected by Pandora’s toxic air. “You kept pinching yourself, because I didn’t really think this was ever going come out or be a movie. I just thought it was a bunch of fun and I was allowed to experience it.” Like Worthington, Saldaña said, “My imagination was never as infinite as when I was there.” Weaver, who played xenobotanist Dr. Grace Augustine, added, “The idea that from this little room, we were going to create this other world was so fantastic. The only way [audiences] can go to Pandora is by going to the theater and seeing it in 3D.”

(L-R): Sigourney Weaver, in character as Dr. Grace Augustine, places her left hand on the shoulder of Sam Worthington, in character as Jake Sully. Their skin is illuminated by the blue avatar pod behind them.

3. In a film about super-tall blue creatures, the story remains grounded and real.
According to Rodriguez, her favorite scene depicts the tribal ceremony at the Tree of Life, when the Na’vi clan is trying to bring Weaver’s character back to life. “There’s something really powerful about that moment,” Rodriguez explained. “It resonates with me in such a deep way, because it seems so beautiful, natural, ancient, spiritual.”

4. Avatar was intended to be experienced on the big screen.
Thinking back to when she first saw Avatar in a theater in 2009, Saldaña said, “I was completely enamored with what I was sensing, and it was an immersive experience that was unlike anything I had ever seen. I felt grateful. I felt very humbled. Let’s not forget that when Avatar came out, it wasn’t like we came out with a big splash, you know?  We came out, and we were solid, but these ripples kept growing and growing as time kept going by. And they became this really big thing, but it grew. And as it was happening, I felt like I was witnessing something truly remarkable. How people were captivated by it was really humbling.” Weaver marveled at the technological innovations that enhanced the storytelling, saying, “What really moved me was using such effective 3D that you feel like you’re in the room with Jake when he’s having to make some decisions, that you’re in the place with Neytiri when she’s moving through the forest. It took all the barriers away between me and the world—in the emotional scenes with humans and in the world of Pandora. I found that I had much less objectivity. The decisions they made felt much more personal to me because I was in their world with them, and I had something at stake in that world. I couldn’t get away.”

The blue Na’vi warrior Neytiri (voiced by Zoe Saldaña) crouches on a rock. Her tail is extended, and she holds a knife behind her back, ready to strike at any moment.

5. Avatar features themes that are relatable to people from every planet.
Asked why he thinks Avatar appealed to movie lovers of all ages and backgrounds, Cameron mused, “People saw some universality of their lives and these characters through this lens of science fiction.” In addition, the “physical execution” was so crisp that within the first few minutes, “people gave up trying to figure out how it was done,” he said. “They just surrendered to a sense of immersion in a world and in a fantasy. People are willing to go on a fantasy if they can relate to the main characters.” Like Jake, Worthington said, “We’re all looking for our own little clan, our own clique, our own group of people who can comfort us and give us confidence, who we can learn from. I don’t think it was a theme that was hammered out. It was a subconscious feeling we all received when we watched the movie—this sense of wanting to belong.”

Avatar will also be available in Dolby 3D, IMAX 3D, Premium Large Format screens, RealD 3D, and additional formats nationwide. The story of Avatar will continue in the upcoming film Avatar: The Way of Water, opening in theaters on December 16, 2022.

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

By Andie Hagemann

Don’t miss the all-new content debuting on your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this weekend! On Friday, watch the Disney+ debut of Saving Giraffes: The Long Journey Home, a documentary chronicling an extraordinary rescue of a rare giraffe herd. The mid-season premiere of Big City Greens airs Saturday on Disney Channel—and changes are coming for the adorable, animated crew. You’ll be fit to be tied with the premiere of Under Wraps 2 Sunday on Disney Channel, followed by a double-dose of competition-hungry celebrities on Celebrity Jeopardy and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, both airing on ABC.

A small red boat leads a large rectangular barge across a body of water. Inside the barge are two giraffes wearing blinders. Lush green landscapes are seen in the distance along with a bright, blue sky containing two fluffy white clouds.

Saving Giraffes: The Long Journey Home—Friday, September 23, on Disney+

This remarkable documentary from National Geographic Films launches on the streamer this Friday. In Kenya’s Rift Valley province, former warring communities unite to aid a small herd of giraffes after they are stranded due to unprecedented flooding. Watch animal rights activists, veterinarians, and community representatives join forces to help the endangered species embark on a precarious trek.

Animated characters Crickey and Tilly Green touch arms and stand facing an old house. The house is red with tin and boards used for roofing and repairs. Next to and behind the house are modern tan-colored buildings with several windows.

Big City Greens—Saturday, September 24, at 9 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel

The Greens are back! However, big changes are in store for this animated family. How will Cricket and his family adjust to their new home? Tune in to find out!

Actors Christian J. Simon, Sophia Hammons, and Malachi Barton stand center. Melanie Brook stands behind Simon. On the left, T.J. Storm portrays a mummy wrapped in gauze bandages stands with one leg on a bale of hay. On the right, Phil Wright and Rryla McIntosh portray mummies with their bodies covered in gauze bandages and stand on a bale of hay.

Under Wraps 2—Sunday, September 25, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel

Marshall (Malachi Barton), Gilbert (Christian J. Simon), and Amy (Sophia Hammons) are getting ready to attend a Halloween-themed wedding. However, their plans soon go awry when the three friends discover their mummy pal Harold (Phil Wright) and his beloved Rose (Rryla McIntosh) may be in danger. Sobek (T.J. Storm), an evil mummy with a 1,000-year-old grudge against his best friend-turned-bitter-rival Harold, is unexpectedly awakened and out for revenge. With help from his hypnotized lacky, Larry (Jordan Conley), Sobek kidnaps Rose, and the three friends, along with Buzzy (Melanie Brook), join forces to save her. Will they get back in time to attend the wedding?

Actor and host Mayim Bialik smiles and stands with one hand on her hip. She is wearing a hot pink coat and matching hot pink dress with multi-colored shoes. Behind her is lavender backdrop.

Celebrity Jeopardy—Sunday, September 25, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

I’ll take “Series Premiere for $1,000.” Host Mayim Bialik kicks off the first quarterfinal in the tournament-style series this week! The highly anticipated premiere includes a celebrity faceoff between actor Simu Liu, comedian Ego Nwodim, and comedian Andy Richter as they compete to win the grand prize of $1,000,000 for their charity of choice. Episodes are available on demand and on Hulu the day following their premieres.

Musical artist Snoop Dogg leans forward and spins the large wheel on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. He wears a black and green sweatshirt reading “Death Row Records,” a large silver chain, and silver-rimmed eyeglasses. On the panel in front of him reads “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune—Sunday, September 25, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

The star-studded edition of Wheel of Fortune is back with all-new episodes! In the season premiere, hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White welcome celebrities including actress Amanda Seales, recording artist Snoop Dogg, and actor Mark Duplass to spin the wheel and solve puzzles for a chance to win more than $1 million for the charity of their choice.

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 Star Wars knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

In which Star Wars film or series did Genevieve O’Reilly first portray Mon Mothma?

Correct! Wrong!

Genevieve O’Reilly first portrayed Mon Mothma in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

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!

The Princess Bride Turns 35: Can You Finish These Iconic Quotes?

For more than three decades, The Princess Bride has captured the hearts of fairy tale fans everywhere. On September 25, the romance-adventure film about the harrowing journey of farm boy Westley’s (Cary Elwes) quest to save Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) turns 35! To celebrate this momentous occasion, put your Princess Bride knowledge to the test with this quote quiz.

“I’ll explain and I’ll use small words so that you’ll be sure to understand, you ____________.”

Correct! Wrong!

“Life is ______, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”

Correct! Wrong!

“I have been in the ________ business so long, now that it’s over, I don’t know what to do with the rest of my life.”

Correct! Wrong!

“I do not mean to pry, but you don’t by any chance happen to have ____________?”

Correct! Wrong!

“That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying ‘____________,’ what he meant was, ‘I love you.’”

Correct! Wrong!

“When I was strong enough, I dedicated my life to the study of ___________.”

Correct! Wrong!

“Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world except for a nice ________…”

Correct! Wrong!

“I’ve hired you to help me start a ________. It’s a prestigious line of work, with a long and glorious tradition.”

Correct! Wrong!

Stream The Princess Bride on Disney+ to celebrate 35 incredible years of this timeless tale.

Celebrate 40 Grand and Miraculous Years of EPCOT with This Pin!

By Peyton Liebler

If you’re reading this, first thank the Phoenicians, and then mark your calendars! Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, it’s has sailed through the universe of time—and in just a short while, you can snag this pin celebrating 40 years of EPCOT!

Inspired by the Disney Park in Orlando, Florida... EPCOT was originally imagined by Walt Disney himself, and initially designed as an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) for the Florida Project—which would have acted as a master-planned neighborhood, housing residents in a system designed with efficiency and future-forward living in mind. Upon Walt’s passing, Imagineers rekindled the idea of EPCOT as a second park in the Florida area, following the Magic Kingdom. This new approach would take concepts from Walt’s idea of EPCOT and forge them into a park dedicated to celebrating human achievement through imagination; wonders of enterprise; and concepts of the future. Since opening in 1982, EPCOT has experienced several inspiring evolutions—and is currently undergoing the biggest transformation in its history, celebrating the magic of possibility.

 

SOLD OUT

D23-Exclusive EPCOT 40th Anniversary Commemorative Pin
Reflect on 40 grand and miraculous years of EPCOT with this D23 Gold Member-exclusive pin! This unique pin is the greatest way to celebrate 40 years of possibility and worldly wonders. Featuring the majestic Spaceship Earth and original iconography from EPCOT, the pin commemorates the magic journey EPCOT has embarked on since its opening in 1982. Here’s to the next 40 years of EPCOT—an adventure that we’ll take and make together. See you in the future!

Our EPCOT 40th Anniversary pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,000, is available to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney at 7 a.m. PST on Monday, September 26.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $14.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of  for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

Big Sky: Deadly Trails Returns with a Truckload of Montana Mysteries

By Zach Johnson

It’s time to crack another case wide open when Big Sky: Deadly Trails premieres Wednesday, September 21, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, streaming the next day on Hulu. Season 3 will combine a season-long storyline and episodic thrillers, with Jenny Hoyt (Katheryn Winnick) and Cassie Dewell (Kylie Bunbury) once again leading the charge. “It feels like it’s a whole new season this year. It really does,” says Winnick. “A whole new script, in terms of the storylines—it’s completely different. New cast, new energy.”

Jensen Ackles and Reba McEntire join the Big Sky cast as newly appointed sheriff Beau Arlen and as charismatic outfitter Sunny Barnes, respectively. According to McEntire, signing on for Big Sky was one of the easiest decisions of her career. “To get to come on this show with such wonderful characters already established—and with great storylines and things that I look forward to every time I get a script—that’s when I know the audience is going to be entertained, and that’s what drew me to this show,” the actress says. “It’s wonderfully exciting, and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen.”

Ackles shares her sentiment. “When my initial conversation with [showrunner and executive producer Elwood Reid] took place, he mentioned shaking some stuff up for Season 3. I thought, ‘I can shake!’” he says with a laugh. “It was an easy conversation. The show obviously had done really well and was interesting to me… It was a natural fit and an opportunity to work with some really grade-A actors. And, really, it came down to the fact that he said Reba was coming, too. So, I was in for a penny, in for a pound.”

Beau “brings a really fun dynamic” to the series, according to Winnick. As for Sunny? “She’s an interesting person,” McEntire teases. “She’s very protective and loving, and she’s trying to make a living with her family on this ‘glamping’ thing. She’s working real hard to hold it all together. That’s something totally different than anything I’ve ever played before, and I love the depth of it. She’s very friendly, but she can get very dark. I like the dimensions I get to play, and it’s so much fun… I’m absolutely having a blast.”

For the original cast members, bringing in Ackles and McEntire has been re-energizing. “We are blessed with the opportunity to work with two consummate professionals who are not only really good at what they do, but who bring a certain energy that makes you feel excited to work and to be here,” Bunbury says. “We learn from them, as well.”

Ackles and McEntire aren’t the only big stars joining the cast. Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominee Rosanna Arquette will play Jenny’s mother, with more guest stars to be revealed as Season 3 progresses. “She’s a career criminal, which is interesting,” Winnick says of Arquette’s character. “I’m like, ‘So, why did Jenny become a sheriff?’”

And as viewers dive deeper into Jenny and Cassie’s backstories, they will see the relationship between them continue to blossom. “The arc between Cassie and Jenny from Season 1 to Season 3 is pretty apparent,” Bunbury says. “They went from fighting each other physically to having a deep sense of trust and respect for one another.”