Every Disney Moment from the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture

By the D23 Team

As the exclusive entertainment sponsor of the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ held in New Orleans from June 30-July 3, Disney was a major presence all weekend long. From can’t-miss presentations to highly anticipated announcements, Disney fans enjoyed an abundance of magical moments. Worried you might have missed something? Never fear! We’ve rounded up highlights from ESSENCE Fest panels, presentations, announcements, and more from across the worlds of Disney.

ESSENCE Fest Made Its Livestreaming Debut on Hulu
For fans unable to attend the event, select ESSENCE Fest performances and programming were made available on Hulu, the official livestreaming destination for the 2022 festival. This was the first time that ESSENCE has made programming available via livestream, which included live music performances by Janet Jackson, New Edition, and more.

For those who were celebrating in-person, Hulu created an immersive experience, The Rink @ The Hulu Motel, a roller-skating rink with interactive touchpoints, giveaways, and content-themed bites and drinks.

The logo for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, featuring the attraction name in gold and green curly text on a blue background. A pink flower blooms in the “o” of Bayou, and small fireflies dot the area around the text.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Begins in 2024
Highly anticipated details about the Princess and the Frog-themed reimagining of Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort were announced over the weekend. Disney Parks announced that the new attraction will be named Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and will open in late 2024 at both resorts! Read more about it here, and check out the video below to see more from Walt Disney Imagineering’s research trip to New Orleans for the upcoming attraction:

Dino-Mite News on Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Being a 13-year-old super genius is hard enough but try being a girl genius with a mental connection to your dinosaur best friend! That’s what Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl) deals with on a day-to-day basis in the upcoming animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, set to premiere in 2023 on Disney+ and Disney Channel. ESSENCE Fest showcased this action-packed series at a special panel on Friday, July 1, where Disney revealed that multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Saadiq will lead the songwriting and musical underscore. Check out a special featurette on his music in the series here:

Moderator WABC-TV news anchor Sade Baderinwa sits cross-legged on a swivel chair, holding a card in her hand that she points at actress Moses Ingram, who is also seated on a similar chair. Flanking the women on either side are stormtroopers from Star Wars.

Moses Ingram on Obi-Wan Kenobi
When you have the power of the Galactic Empire behind you, the only option is to make  a dramatic entrance… At least, that’s the philosophy Moses Ingram applied when she entered her panel flanked by stormtroopers. Answering questions about her character Inquisitor Reva, the “Third Sister” from the Disney+ Original Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ingram discussed her work on the series and the power of Black Joy.

Actress Keke Palmer, in an orange suit with matching nails, speaks to the audience at a panel during ESSENCE Fest. Panel moderator, actress and influencer Marsai Martin, watches Keke speak. Both women are holding microphones and seated on white couches.

“Out of this World” Moments with Keke Palmer
Things got galactically good on Friday when Keke Palmer participated in “An Out of this World Conversation” to discuss her voice work as Izzy in Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear, which is currently in theaters. Palmer’s character is part of a team of ambitious Space Ranger recruits who help Buzz Lightyear escape a hostile planet so he can return home to Earth—if they can get past Zurg and his army of ruthless robots first.

Two members of the Dora Milaje from the film Black Panther, stand proudly onstage, holding their spears in matching poses.

Welcome Back to Wakanda
This fall, Marvel returns to the world of Wakanda with the follow-up to the smash-hit Black Panther with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. To celebrate this highly anticipated sequel, ESSENCE Fest wowed attendees on Saturday with a special performance of “Warriors of Wakanda: The Discipline of the Dora Milaje,” showcasing the skill and bravery of Wakanda’s elite team of female warriors.

The costumes of Thor and Mighty Thor from Thor: Love and Thunder on display in a case on the show floor of the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture

And So Much More!
That’s not all the fun for Disney fans experienced at ESSENCE Fest! Attendees enjoyed panels and presentations from Thor: Love and Thunder, Avatar: The Way of the Water, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, the upcoming film Haunted Mansion (2023), Abbott Elementary, Rise, and so much more beloved and soon-to-be-beloved content from the worlds of Disney.

Plus—Supporting the Next Generation of Black Storytellers
While current and upcoming stories from the World of Disney were featured throughout ESSENCE Festival, The Walt Disney Company announced the creation of the Disney Storytellers Fund at Howard University.  The multiyear program will create opportunities for historically underrepresented students to have future careers as storytellers in media and entertainment. The initiative will provide stipends over a five-year period for student projects focused on storytelling across media, including: animation, digital design, journalism, live action, performing arts, product design, visual design, virtual reality, and more. Disney will also provide access to speakers, mentors, and internships to help further their future careers in entertainment.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

Get those thinking caps on, because this week is jammed-packed with content that’s sure to test your wits! An all-new episode of Ms. Marvel launches on Wednesday and picks up after last week’s thrilling cliffhanger. On Thursday, Press Your Luck returns for a new season, followed by the series premiere of Generation Gap and the second half of Good Trouble’s fourth season. Plus, The Wonderful Summer of Mickey Mouse premieres Friday! 

(L-R): In Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel, Aramis Knight as Red Dagger/Kareem and Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan stand with their hands ready to attack. Aramis is wearing a green vest and a red scarf and wields a dagger, while Kamala wears a blue vest over a red tunic and a mystical bangle. They are surrounded by various colorful linens.

Ms. Marvel—Wednesday, July 6, on Disney+
Last week, Kamala (Iman Vellani) traveled to Karachi with her mother (Zenobia Shroff) to visit Nani (Samina Ahmad), and after a fateful tussle, we’re now one step closer to learning what happened to Aisha (Mehwish Hayat). With Kamala transported to the Partition, we’ll be on the edge of our seats awaiting what’s to come in the penultimate episode!

Host Elizabeth Banks (right) points to a trio of contestants on the ABC game show Press Your Luck. Elizabeth is wearing a white dress and standing at a podium. To her right, the three contestants—Gina, Jordon, and Cathy—are seated next to each other and clapping.

Press Your Luck—Thursday, July 7, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The fan-favorite game show returns for an all-new season with host Elizabeth Banks. The stakes have never been higher as contestants try to avoid the iconic and devilish WHAMMY for a chance at cash and prizes. Watch Gina Mertz, from Roseville, California; Jordon Friend, from Sacramento, California; and Cathy Adams, from Tacoma, Washington, kick off the summer fun!

Two contestants from the ABC quiz show Generation Gap await their next question from behind a brown podium with a mounted screen. A young boy, wearing a green vest, is laughing as he sits beside his elder, Janice, who is laughing and wearing a purple top and a red beaded necklace.

Generation Gap—Thursday, July 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Kelly Ripa hosts the new comedy quiz game show where teams of seniors and juniors are tasked with answering questions about each other’s generations. Which generation will prevail in this battle of pop culture wits?

The FCG crew stand in a circle with the champagne glasses in the air as they make a toast during an episode of Good Trouble. Mariana, played by actress Cierra Ramirez, stands in the center of a group wearing a sequined dress with a plunging neckline.

Good Trouble—Thursday, July 7, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
The FCG is back for the second part of season four. The next installment kicks off with Davia (Emma Hunton) mustering the courage to tell Dennis (Josh Pence) how she feels while Malika (Zuri Adele) grapples with Angelica (Yasmine Aker) seeing other people. Meanwhile, Alice (Sherry Cola) hires a new manager, and the FCG throw a party to celebrate the launch of their app!

(Clockwise) Mickey Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy each hold phones with bright bold colors behind them. Minnie Mouse is in the center, also holding a phone.

The Wonderful Summer of Mickey Mouse—Friday, July 8, on Disney+
Hot dog! Independence Day festivities may be over with, but this fantastical animated special will keep the summer fun going. Mickey Mouse and his pals recount all the wild moments leading up to the Annual Summer Fireworks Spectacular from their point-of-view.

Everything You Need to Know About Thor: Love and Thunder

By Zach Johnson

Not only is Thor worthy, but The Mighty Thor is, too!

Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder, the 29th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a new kind of journey: one of self-discovery. Directed by Taika Waititi, who wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the film also stars Natalie Portman as Jane Foster aka The Mighty Thor, Tessa Thompson as King Valkyrie, Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher, Waititi as Korg, and Russell Crowe as Zeus. Below, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the cosmic action-adventure before it bolts into U.S. theaters on Friday, July 8.

After taking big, bold swings with Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Hemsworth and Waititi were excited to blaze new trails together. “There was a huge amount of pressure coming into this. Thor is the only character to make a fourth film so far, so I wanted to do something different,” Hemsworth says. “I want to always do better with this character.”

And that’s just what they’ve done. “Thor: Love and Thunder feels similar to Ragnarok in terms of tone and style,” Waititi says, “but we wanted to double down on how vibrant and crazy the worlds are and the situations we put Thor in.” It helped that producers Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, along with executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brian Chapek, Todd Hallowell, and Hemsworth, encouraged Waititi to let his imagination run wild. “One of the cool things about Marvel films is this ability to embrace various genres within a single film,” Waititi says. “It keeps audiences guessing, and the characters within these different genres then feel different all the time.”

In a production still from Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder, actor Chris Hemsworth, as Thor, stands in a cloud of smoke. In the background, the people of New Asgard fight a mysterious enemy force.

It's not an understatement to say that, in spite of being thousands of years old, the past few years have been especially hard for Thor. He’s lost his parents, his brother, his friends, his home world, his magical hammer—not to mention his will to lead, his fight with Thanos (Josh Brolin), and his god-like physique. “In Avengers: Endgame, we see a pretty confused, lost version of Thor,” says Hemsworth. “He’s certainly better at the end of the film than he was at the start, but he still doesn’t really know who he is or what his place is in the universe. And he decides he needs to search and take some time for himself.” So, after crowning Valkyrie King of New Asgard, he hitched a ride with the Guardians of the Galaxy. “Thor travels off with the Guardians and—much to their discomfort and irritation—plants himself firmly in the center of their posse and tries to dictate how things should be run,” says Hemsworth. And yet, in Thor: Love and Thunder, the eccentric band of misfits—half-human, half-celestial Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt); former assassin Nebula (Karen Gillan); insect-like empath Mantis (Pom Klementieff); aloof warrior Drax (Dave Bautista); cybernetic raccoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper); and humanoid tree creature Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel)— are instrumental in helping Thor confront the pain he’s been working so hard to ignore.

In a black-and-white production still from Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder, actor Christian Bale, as Gorr the God Butcher, peels back his white head scarf to reveal his scarred face. His teeth are razor-sharp, and his expression is menacing.

But Thor doesn’t have much time to face his existential crisis, as a terrifying new foe threatens to upend the galaxy. Gorr the God Butcher has waged a war on the gods, hunting and killing them in a carefully plotted course that’s headed for New Asgard. Thor has faced off against countless enemies, but Waititi felt it was imperative to raise the stakes even higher for Thor: Love and Thunder. “We needed to step up from Hela [Cate Blanchett] and find a villain who was somehow even more formidable,” says Waititi, “and we found that in Gorr, who is played by the remarkable Christian Bale.”

“The name kind of tells you who he is,” Bale says of his character. “Straight away, you know he’s a serial killer bent on killing gods.” But Gorr is anything but one-note. “The character is fascinating because, like all good villains, Gorr has a point,” Hemsworth explains. “He may not be going about it the right way, but there’s empathy in the script, and Christian brought so many more layers and so much more depth to Gorr.”

Back on New Asgard, Thor is surprised to see that Jane, his ex-girlfriend and a renowned astrophysicist, has returned... but there’s something different about her. Jane has proven herself worthy of wielding his hammer and is now the Mighty Thor. What he doesn’t know, however, is that her transformation masks a personal battle. Portman, who originated the role of Jane in Thor (2011) and reprised it in Thor: The Dark World (2013), was thrilled about her big return to the MCU. “Taika came over to my house to talk because I’d been out of the Marvel world for a while,” she says. “When he explained how Jane would become The Mighty Thor, it was fascinating to consider what that experience could be like. Working on the film was an exciting challenge because it was so improvisatory, and Taika really keeps you on your toes.”

In a production still from Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder, actress Natalie Portman, as Jane Foster, wears Asgardian battle armor and a red cape. She is more muscular than ever and newly blonde. Behind her stands actor Chris Hemsworth, as Thor, who is also wearing Asgardian battle armor and a red cape.

For Jane’s arc, Waititi sourced inspiration directly from the pages of Marvel Comics, particularly The Mighty Thor (2014-15). “It’s brilliant to see Natalie in a way that we don’t expect. She’s such a great actor, and in keeping with reinventing this franchise again and again, we didn’t want to go back to seeing her in the same role,” says Waititi. “We don’t want to see her just being a scientist on Earth waiting for Thor.”

And for that reason, Portman was all-in. “In previous films, Jane was a scientist who needs help being saved by Thor, but in this film, she’s seeking her own solutions and taking her own journey. She’s fighting alongside Thor and they’re a team,” explains Portman, “but Jane is very much paving her own path, which has been really exciting.”

Meanwhile, in the village of New Asgard, King Valkyrie has quickly grown tired of her leadership role. As the last surviving Valkyrie, Asgard’s elite force of female warriors, she misses the glory days of fighting alongside her sisters. So, when Gorr brings the battle to New Asgard, she leaps back into battle with Thor to take on the God Butcher.

In a production still from Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder, actress Tessa Thompson, as King Valkyrie, is leaning against the bar aboard a boat. She is wearing traditional Valkyrie armor and her hair is in tight braids. Behind her are shelves containing various beverages, snacks, and lost merchandise.

“When we saw Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, she was struggling with a lot of guilt and pain,” says Thompson. “She didn’t really have much that she wanted to live for, besides what was at the bottom of a bottle. I think, this time around, you get to see her rediscovering her sense of purpose.” Of course, playing a Super Hero “who bucks convention, who is so strong and resilient, is amazing,” she adds. “The truly exciting thing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the idea that your superpower derives from the things that have happened to you, the traumas, the things that make you ostracized. But the things that make you different are also what make you spectacular.”

As for Korg? “He’s still loyal to Thor,” Waititi promises. “He’s still got that innocence about him, where he always sees the positive in people. He’s a very uplifting presence to have in the film, and I think that every film needs that.” Whereas Thor, Jane, and King Valkyrie, have been “evolving and changing,” that’s not true for his own character. “Korg has not changed at all,” Waititi says. “He’s a very grounding force.”

Did we mention the goats? They’re the newest additions to Thor’s trusted circle of allies. “In my opinion, the goats are going to be the fan-favorites of Thor: Love and Thunder,” Robinson predicts. “Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder are absolute stars.”

As Gorr continues to kill the gods one by one, Thor appeals to his allies—including Zeus, who spends his days living in excess in the Grand Pantheon in Omnipotence City and seems oblivious to the growing number of gods gone missing. “I never thought I’d see the day where Russell would appear on screen with hints at Gladiator imagery, yet with a wink, totally self-deprecating,” says Hemsworth. “He didn’t hold back. I’m such a fan. I have been since I first started acting. There’s such a weight and a seriousness to his performances and to him, as an individual, from afar. But meeting him, he has a great sense of humor and did whatever Taika asked on set, which was mind-blowing.”

Run Amok with New Hocus Pocus 2 Trailer—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

This Hocus Pocus 2 Trailer Will Put a Spell on You

Some legends never die… and as longtime mega-fans of Disney’s 1993 Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, we’re ever so glad—because it means the Sanderson Sisters are returning for more mayhem this fall!

Yes, Winifred (Disney Legend Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) are back! It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th century siblings, and—no surprise here—they’re seeking revenge! Now it is up to three high school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem, Massachusetts, before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.

Hocus Pocus 2 also features returning co-star Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson, as well as Emmy® winner Hannah Waddingham, Sam Richardson, Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, Froyan Gutierrez, and Tony Hale. Directed by Anne Fletcher, the film is produced by Lynn Harris, with Ralph Winter, David Kirschner, and Adam Shankman serving as executive producers.

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

Not only is this a holiday weekend, but we’re also now about halfway through the year—can you believe it? Mark both the above occasions with some quality viewing from around the worlds of Disney. Take in a celebratory viewing of Hamilton for its second anniversary on Disney+; marvel in the natural majesty of these here United States in National Geographic’s America the Beautiful, also on the streaming service; and much more.

Raphael Saadiq Named Executive Music Producer of Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Music fans, listen up: Three-time Grammy Award® winner Raphael Saadiq has been named executive music producer for Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, the highly anticipated animated series following 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl) and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, as they protect New York City’s Lower East Side from danger. The news, along with the above video featurette highlighting Saadiq and the music in the series, was just revealed during a Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur panel at this weekend’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ in New Orleans!

Saadiq, a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, will lead the songwriting and musical underscore that reflects the many cultures and communities of New York City (hip-hop, pop, R&B, jazz, Jamaican, funk, Latin, and more). Based on Marvel’s hit comic books, the Disney Branded Television series is scheduled to premiere in 2023 on Disney Channel and Disney+.

Diamond White, the voice of Lunella/Moon Girl, provides vocals for the theme song and additional tunes throughout the series. In addition to White, the voice cast includes Alfre Woodard as Lunella’s grandmother, Mimi; Libe Barer as Lunella’s best friend and manager, Casey; Sasheer Zamata as Lunella’s mom, Adria; Jermaine Fowler as Lunella’s dad, James Jr.; Gary Anthony Williams as Lunella’s grandfather, Pops; Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur; and executive producer Laurence Fishburne in the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious and mischievous trickster.

New Trailer for Searchlight Pictures’ See How They Run

This film is right up our alley—it’s a madcap whodunit that takes places in the theater! Searchlight Pictures recently shared the official trailer for See How They Run, starring Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan, and directed by Tom George; check it out, above.

In the West End of 1950s London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Ronan) take on the case, the two find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid theater underground, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril.

Also starring Adrien Brody, David Oyelowo, Ruth Wilson, Harris Dickinson, Shirley Henderson, Sian Clifford, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Reece Shearsmith, and Charlie Cooper, look for See How They Run in U.S. theaters beginning Friday, September 30. 

All the Latest News from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

We’re just a few weeks’ away from the big debut of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 3, which finds our beloved Wildcats heading off on all manner of summer adventures—chiefly, to Camp Shallow Lake for two drama-filled weeks of musical theater and hilarious mayhem! See the brand-new trailer for the season, and find out about two amazing, just-announced guest stars to look out for, right here at D23.com.

Inside the Lagoon at Disneyland Park’s Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is soon slated to reopen at Disneyland Park… and to celebrate, our pals at Disney Parks Blog recently debuted a fun video going behind-the-scenes of this beloved attraction.

Team from across Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Resort, and Pixar Animation Studios have been working tirelessly to bring lots of new fun (not to mention color) to the attraction—including the addition of Hank the “septopus” from Finding Dory.

Hear from several cast members and Imagineers as they share more about what they’ve been working on, and be sure to visit Nemo and all friends once again—should you find yourself vacationing at Disneyland Resort this summer—beginning July 25.

Colorful promotional image for Good Morning America’s 2022 Summer Concert Series, featuring photos of aespa, OneRepublic, Megan Thee Stallion, Demi Lovato, Ozuna, and the Black Eyes Peas, as well as the concert series’ logo.

Good Morning America Announces Lineup for 2022 Summer Concert Series 

Ready for a sizzling hot summer of music? Earlier this week, ABC’s Good Morning America announced its lineup for the 2022 Summer Concert Series, with K-pop girl group aespa kicking off the free concert series on Friday, July 8.

Sponsored by Massage Envy, this year’s sure-to-be-memorable lineup includes some of the biggest stars in music—including OneRepublic, Megan Thee Stallion, Demi Lovato, Ozuna, and the Black Eyes Peas. Each concert will take place from Rumsey Playfield in Central Park in New York City.

The 2022 Summer Concert Series lineup is as follows:

  • Friday, July 8: aespa
  • Friday, July 15: OneRepublic
  • Friday, August 12: Megan Thee Stallion
  • Friday, August 19: Demi Lovato
  • Friday, August 26: Ozuna
  • Friday, September 2: Black Eyed Peas

So mark those calendars! All performances will be simulcast on Fridays from 7–9 a.m. ET/PT during GMA on ABC.

ICYMI: Behind the Scenes of Baymax! on Disney+

With Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new six-part series Baymax! now streaming on Disney+, D23 recently heard from creator Don Hall, producers Roy Conli and Brad Simonson, and voice actor Scott Adsit at the series’ recent global press conference. Just what did they talk about? Among other things: why now was the right time to revisit everyone’s favorite inflatable healthcare companion robot! Read more by clicking here.

Stars Dish on Royal Rumble in 20th Century Studios’ The Princess

By Andie Hagemann

She’s a damsel in distress, but this princess doesn’t need a knight in shining armor to save her.

20th Century Studios’ The Princess, starring Emmy® Award-nominated actress Joey King, is an action-packed, fight to the death film that’s unlike any princess story ever told before.

After refusing to marry a power-hungry man named Julius (Dominic Cooper), to whom she is betrothed, the princess is locked away in a remote tower in her father’s castle. With her nefarious suitor determined to seize the throne, the princess is forced to take matters into her own hands to save her family and the kingdom. Directed by Le-Van Kiet, The Princess premieres Friday, July 1, in the U.S. on Hulu, and is for mature audiences only.

Joey King and Veronica Ngo stand back-to-back with swords in their hands near a doorway waiting to fight intruders in 20th Century Studios’ The Princess

“The thing that made me want to do this movie is that it scared the living hell out of me,” said King, who also serves as executive producer. The intensity of the film, partnered with King’s then-recent wrist surgery (prior to filming) and her “bad hip” had the actress questioning her decision, but unwavering support from family and friends persuaded her to stick with it. “Everyone in my life said, ‘We don’t know how, but we just know you’re going to [be able to] do it,’” she added.

As depicted in the film, King’s character secretly trains in martial arts alongside her best friend Linh (Veronica Ngo) in a nearby forest—much to the dismay of her parents. Ngo, an accomplished action star herself, was awestruck by King’s combat ability. “I have never seen a girl fight like that before,” she said. “I saw [her] commitment when [we] trained, but when I watched the final product, I was on the edge of my seat; Joey is so badass.”

King said she immediately knew she had so much to learn from Ngo, much like her character in the film, and admitted it was a tad intimidating to work with an “unbelievable” fighter. “She is so clean with her fighting,” she added. “She is so admirable; it’s a beautiful dance [watching] her fight.’

Dominic Cooper, who stars in 20th Century Studios’ The Princess, wearing medieval clothing and sitting in a dark room.

Ngo and Kiet, who have worked together on other action films, admitted they didn’t expect the 22-year-old actress to do most of her own stunts as The Princess is vastly different from anything King has previously been in. “Every day she came to work, she said, ‘No, I’m doing that,’ and we all looked at each other and said, ‘Okay, I guess you are,’” Kiet added with a chuckle. King interjected that her comfort with Kiet, Ngo, and the entire stunt team along with their constant cheerleading during filming made her feel like she could do anything. The intense training prior to filming also helped King learn not only proper form, but also how to bounce back after sustaining an injury to film a subsequent take.

“There were a couple times I got kicked in the head and hurt my back,” King admitted. “You can’t be afraid of that and anticipate it; you have to go full throttle.”

She continued, “You’re learning these movements and you’re learning how to respect these movements, while learning how to not be scared.”

Veronica Ngo and Joey King stand with swords in the castle’s kitchen in a fighting stance.

Filming an intense, non-stop action film with demanding fight scenes is difficult outright. However, King’s wardrobe made a flashback sequence unexpectedly more challenging than others to film. “I don’t think we stopped fighting for 12 hours,” said King. “If I remember correctly, we wouldn’t cut and go right into another take and keep fighting.” King added with a laugh, “I was wearing leather pants. I think I lost like five pounds of water weight that day—that was a hard day… but, the best day.”

Kiet shared one of his favorite scenes to film was the kitchen brawl that includes Olga Kurylenko (Moira) dueling against the princess and Linh. “Olga was fantastic in this scene, in terms of flipping it to another tone,” he said. “By that time in the movie, you’re kind of tired of the fighting, so we gave everybody a different flavor to it, changing it to a much more dramatic but fun element.”

Prepare to be on the edge of your couch when The Princess launches July 1, on Hulu.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Coming to Disney Parks in Late 2024!

By the D23 Team

Since the news broke in June 2020, Disney fans have been wishing on Evangeline for more details on the upcoming The Princess and the Frog-themed reimagining of Splash Mountain. All that wishing paid off, because while Disney was down in New Orleans for the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola®, they announced that the new attraction will be named Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! This all-new experience invites guests into the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film The Princess and the Frog, and the opening date is “almost there.” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is coming to Magic Kingdom in Florida and Disneyland park in California in late 2024.  

Concept art of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure featuring Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in a rowboat, leading guests in log ride vehicles down the firefly-lit bayou. Louis the alligator is in the water, waving to the guests, while a silhouetted animal band watches in the background.

To preserve the iconic heart and soul of the city, Walt Disney Imagineers made frequent research trips to Louisiana, from exploring the French Market and the bayou, to consulting with academics, chefs, musicians, and cultural institutions. Throughout the region, Imagineers were inspired by local experts along their journey. Check out the video below for more from their research trip:

Today at ESSENCE Fest, Walt Disney Imagineering shared in detail its research during an intimate event in French Quarter’s historic Preservation Hall. With its own distinct history bringing people together, Preservation Hall was the ideal location to celebrate an attraction in which music and community are at the heart of a transformational journey.  

The celebration’s panel was moderated by Victoria Uwumarogie, senior lifestyle editor at ESSENCE magazine, and featured Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development - Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies; Charita Carter, executive producer of relevancy activations at Walt Disney Imagineering; Ted Robledo, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering; and Stella Chase, daughter of the late Chef Leah Chase, who inspired Tiana’s story. Guests were treated to live art demonstrations provided by emerging talent from YAYA Arts Center, an organization Disney Parks has engaged to commission artwork from alumna Sharika Mahdi. Music from the world-renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band echoed throughout the hall, along with a performance by Jenifer Lewis, the voice of Mama Odie!  

During the panel, Carter shared, “In many ways, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a love letter to New Orleans. Like the musical city that inspired this attraction, Tiana’s second act is about a community working in harmony to achieve something extraordinary. She reminds us of an immutable truth we can all relate to: ‘If you do your best each and every day, good things are sure to come your way.’ And that’s a melody we can all sing along to!”  

Robledo added that “the joie de vivre that animates this region so brilliantly not only inspired Tiana’s journey, but also our team at Walt Disney Imagineering.” Walt Disney Imagineering intends to bring that joie de vivrewhen advancing the storyline of Princess Tiana at Disney parks—and we can’t wait to join in the jubilation!

Stay tuned to D23.com for future updates on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and more news on the next chapter of Princess Tiana’s story. 

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

By Andie Hagemann

In between family BBQs and fireworks, don’t miss all the exciting content available on your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this holiday weekend! On Friday, watch a new episode of Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion on Disney Channel—as well as the launch of Assembled: The Making of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Bohemian Rhapsody (on Disney+ and Hulu, respectively). Speaking of Disney+: Return to the room where it happens and watch Hamilton as it celebrates its second anniversary on the streaming service; and explore the marvelous wonders of North America with a viewing of National Geographic’s new series America the Beautiful when it debuts on the streamer this Monday.

Violet Rodriguez (Scarlett Estevez) wears a luchador mask in promo art for the new series Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion.

Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion—Friday, July 1, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
When an anonymous gossip blogger at school posts humiliating secrets, Violet (Scarlett Estevez) chooses to take matters into her own hands. Can she stop them before too much damage is done?

Close-up still of Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlett Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Assembled: The Making of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness—Friday, July 1, on Disney+
The latest installment of the behind-the-scenes documentary series examines how director Sam Raimi and the film’s cast brought Marvel’s most mystifying story yet to the big screen. Hear firsthand accounts on what it took to design, create, and make each universe unique and believable.

Freddie Mercury, who is wearing an all-white suit, stands at center singing with his band Queen in a recording studio in the film Bohemian Rhapsody.

Bohemian Rhapsody—Friday, July 1, on Hulu
You’ll be havin’ such a good time; you’ll be havin’ a ball watching this Oscar®-winning biopic chronicling the meteoric rise of the legendary band Queen and its lead singer Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) in the 1970s. After leaving the group to pursue a solo career, Mercury reunites with Queen for the benefit concert Live Aid—resulting in one of the most iconic performances in rock ’n’ roll history.

Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr and Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton a filmed performance of the Broadway musical Hamilton

Hamilton—Sunday, July 3, on Disney+
Sunday marks two years since the debut of the filmed version of the original Broadway production from The Richard Rodgers Theatre, and we’re not throwing away our shot to celebrate! The iconic show chronicles the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton with a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who stars as Hamilton, the cast also includes multihyphenates Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, and Phillipa Soo.

A common dolphin surfing a wave off the coast of California. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

America the Beautiful—Monday, July 4, on Disney+
National Geographic’s new Original documentary series, narrated by Michael B. Jordan, depicts the jaw-dropping story of North America and its amazing animals. From Arctic icecaps to sweltering deserts and everything in-between, the special journeys through the continent’s most spectacular regions. All six episodes are available to stream at launch. Note: Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.

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 Marvelknowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

What year did Jane Foster make her comic book debut as The Mighty Thor?

Correct! Wrong!

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!

Foodie Guide: Eating and Drinking Your Way Through the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE®

By Victoria Hunt

Some people head to EPCOT for their favorite attractions or a meet and greet with legendary characters—but this July is for the foodies! We see you roaming around the park, with a turkey leg in one hand and a Dole® whip in the other, and we are here to bring you very exciting news.

On Thursday, July 14, EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort will kick off its annual International Food & Wine festival presented by CORKCICLE®. Through Saturday, November 19, Disney will offer dishes from six continents with 25 marketplaces inspired by cuisines and wines from around the globe. Fan-favorites like the warm delicious Pão de Queijo Brazilian cheese bread will return, and the festival will introduce new menu offerings, such as the Chesapeake Crab Slider. Yum!

What would a festival be without good music? Florida Blue Medicare will present guests with the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Imagine sipping on a Blood Orange Charm margarita and jamming out to some classic tunes.

Already getting excited? Wait till you see the list we have compiled showing off the drool-worthy creations and wine pairings our chefs have concocted exclusively for the festival and foodies like you. 

Pro-tip: Grab a Festival Passport to keep track of your delicious trek throughout the world (of Disney).

Earth Eats hosted by IMPOSSIBLE (Near Port of Entry)

Food Items:

  • IMPOSSIBLE Burger Slider with wasabi cream and spicy slaw on a sesame seed bun (Plant-Based)
  • IMPOSSIBLE Meatball with herbed polenta, rustic puttanesca sauce, and basil pesto (New) (Plant-Based)

Beverages:

  • Strawberry Freeze featuring Twinings Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea (non-alcoholic) (NEW)
  • Stephen Vincent Pinot Noir
  • Strawberry Freeze featuring Twinings Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea with Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint Vodka (NEW)

Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE (Near Port of Entry)

Food Items: 

  • Guava Mousse on a sugar cookie with coconut-lime whipped cream (NEW) (Plant-Based)

Beverages:

  • Tropical Mimosa with sparkling wine and Minute Maid passion fruit, orange, and guava juices
  • Key Lime Mimosa with key lime sparkling wine and cranberry juice
  • Blood Orange Mimosa with sparkling wine and blood orange juice
  • Berry Sour Ale Mimosa: Boulevard Brewing Co. berry noir sour ale and sparkling wine (New)
  • Mimosa Flight
  • CORKCICLE Stemless Flute

Hawaii (Near Port of Entry; opening August 11)

Food Items:

  • Kālua Pork Slider with sweet-and-sour DOLE pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise
  • SPAM Musubi Nigiri with sushi rice, teriyaki-glazed SPAM, spicy mayonnaise, eel sauce, and nori (NEW)
  • Passion Fruit Cheesecake with toasted macadamia nuts (Emile’s Fromage Montage)

Beverages:

  • Kona Brewing Co. Hanalei Island IPA
  • Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine
  • AULANI Sunrise: Vodka, DOLE pineapple juice, and grenadine

Australia (Near Port of Entry)

Food Items:

  • Grilled Sweet-and-Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with pineapple, pepper, onion, and snap peas (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Roasted Lamb Chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Lamington: Yellow cake with raspberry filling dipped in chocolate and coconut (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Coopers Brewery Pacific Pale Ale (NEW)
  • Yalumba ‘Y’ Viognier (NEW)
  • Robert Oatley Chardonnay
  • Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Jansz Premium Rosé (NEW)
  • Wine Flight

Refreshment Port hosted by Boursin (Near Canada)

Food Items:

  • Braised Beef Poutine: French fries, Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce, cheese curds, and gherkin relish
  • Maple cheesecake with whipped maple bourbon cheese and candied pecans

Beverages:

  • Frozen Mango Martini: Boyd & Blair Vodka with mango nectar and lemon

Canada

Food Items:

  • Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup served with a pretzel roll (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with truffle-butter sauce (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)

Beverages:

  • Collective Arts Audio/Visual Lager
  • Château des Charmes Cabernet-Merlot Estate

Appleseed Orchard (In Canada Far and Wide Theatre)

Food Item:

  • Apple Crumble Tart

Beverages:

  • Frozen Apple Pie (non-alcoholic)
  • Cinnamon Apple Cider (non-alcoholic)
  • Bold Rock Imperial Apple Hard Cider (NEW)
  • Original Sin Hard Cider McIntosh
  • Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Saint Chéri Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry
  • Cider Flight
  • Big Storm Brewing Co. Apple Blonde Ale
  • Playalinda Brewing Caramel Apple Pie Ale (NEW)
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Apple Pecan Brown Ale
  • Beer Flight
  • Apple Blossom Sky: Apple cider, ginger ale, apple brandy, maple syrup, and mini marshmallows
  • CORKCICLE Classic Tumbler

Ireland (Near the United Kingdom)

Food Items:

  • Fisherman’s Seafood Pie
  • Roasted Irish Sausage with colcannon potatoes and onion gravy
  • Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake with Irish cream liqueur custard

Beverages:

  • Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
  • Bunratty Mead Honey Wine
  • Guinness Baileys Coffee Shake

Brazil (Between France and Morocco)

Food Items:

  • Feijoda: Black Beans with crispy pork belly, Brazil nut pesto, and Ben’s Original Long Grain White Rice (NEW)
  • Pão de Queijo: Brazilian cheese bread (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Emile’s Fromage Montage)

Beverages:

  • Xingu Brazilian Black Lager                             
  • Frozen Caipirinha with Cachaça

Belgium (Between France and Morocco)

Food Items:

  • Beer-braised Beef served with smoked gouda mashed potatoes
  • Belgian Waffle with warm chocolate ganache
  • Belgian Waffle with berry compote and whipped cream

Beverages:

  • Bernardus Witbier
  • Belgian Abbey Ale
  • Delirium Red Fruit Ale
  • Chilled Coffee featuring Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
  • Beer Flight

Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco)

Food Items:

  • Grilled Chermoula Chicken or Moroccan-spiced Lamb Kebabs with carrot-chickpea salad and garlic aïoli
  • Fried Falafel Pita with tahini sauce (Plant-Based)
  • Stone-baked Moroccan Bread with hummus, chermoula, and Zhoug dips
  • Pistachio Cake with cinnamon pastry cream and candied walnuts

Beverages:

  • 3 Daughters Brewing Fig Hard Cider
  • Bold Rock Ginger Turmeric Hard Cider
  • Stem Ciders Hibiscus Session Hard Apple Cider (New)
  • Fig Cocktail with white cranberry juice and fig vodka
  • Cider Flight
  • CORKCICLE Classic Tumbler

Greece (Near Morocco)

Food Items:

  • Spanakopita
  • Griddled Cheese with pistachios and honey (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Lamb Gyro with shaved lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and tzatziki on warm flatbread (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Mylonas Assyrtiko White Wine
  • Zoe Rosé
  • Kir-Yianni Naoussa Xinomavro Dry Red
  • Wine Flight

Hops & Barley (American Adventure)

Food Items:

  • Chesapeake Crab Slider with tangy coleslaw and Cajun remoulade (NEW)
  • Hot Beef Sandwich with horseradish cream and pickled vegetables
  • Freshly Baked Carrot Cake with cream cheese icing

Beverages:

  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Strawberry and Lime Wheat Ale
  • Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale (NEW)
  • Lord Hobo Brewing Boom Sauce DIPA
  • Bold Rock Roast Coffee Hard Cider
  • Longevity Chardonnay
  • Tribute Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Beer Flight

Spain (Between Italy and Germany)

Food Items:

  • Charcuterie with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, Olives, and an Herbed Vinaigrette (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Paella with Rice, Chorizo, and Shrimp (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)

Beverages:

  • Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial Lager
  • Kentia Albariño Rías Baixas (NEW)
  • Faustino VII Rioja Rosado
  • Quinta del ’67 Almansa Garnacha Tintorera (NEW)
  • Wine Flight

Germany

Food Items:

  • Schinkennudeln: Pasta gratin with ham, onions, and cheese (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Roasted Bratwurst in a pretzel roll
  • Apple Strudel with vanilla sauce

Beverages:

  • Gaffel Kölsch
  • Weihenstephaner Lager
  • Schöfferhofer Pineapple Hefeweizen (New)
  • Selbach-Oster Riesling
  • Beer Flight

The Alps (Near Germany)

Food Items:

  • Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with alpine ham, baby potatoes, cornichons, and baguette (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with baby potatoes, cornichons, and baguette (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Riesling-poached pears, red wine-braised figs, candied pecans, honey, and cranberry toast (NEW) (Emile’s Fromage Montage)

Beverages: 

  • Wicked Weed Brewing Uncle Rick’s Pilsner (NEW)
  • Huber Vision Grüner Veltliner
  • Cave De La Côte Rosé Gamay
  • René Favre Dôle
  • Frozen Rosé
  • Wine Flight

Kenya (Near Refreshment Outpost)

Food Items:

  • Kenyan Coffee Barbecued Beef Tenderloin with sweet potato and corn mealie pap and kachumbari slaw (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp with citrus-scented couscous

Beverage:

  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Congo Pilsner

Refreshment Outpost

Food Items:

  • Spicy Githeri with white beans, pigeon peas, Ben’s Original Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley, and kachumbari slaw (Plant-Based)

Beverage:

  • CORKCICLE Classic Tumbler

India (Near China)

Food Items:

  • Crispy Paneer with mango-curry ketchup (NEW) (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Potato and Pea Samosa with coriander-lime cream (NEW) (Plant-Based)
  • Chicken Tikka Masala with fennel-spiced yogurt and naan bread (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Mango Lassi (Non-Alcoholic)
  • Taj Mahal Premium Lager
  • Sula Brut Tropicale Sparkling Wine
  • Sula Chenin Blanc
  • Mango Lassi with Sōmrus Chai Cream Liqueur

The Swanky Saucy Swine (Near Disney Traders)

Food Items:

  • Crispy Barbecued Pork Rinds with pimento cheese (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Soy-glazed Sticky Ribs with green onions and peanuts
  • Grilled Pork Shoulder Lettuce Wrap with charred corn salsa, pickled red onion, and cilantro-lime crema (NEW)(Gluten/Wheat Friendly)

Beverages:

  • Parish Brewing Co. SIPS Cabernet Franc Strawberry (NEW)
  • Rombauer Zinfandel
  • Bourbon Bloody Mary with Seaside Grown Bloody Mary Mix and Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

The Noodle Exchange (Near Disney Traders; opening August 11)

Food Items:

  • Traditional Spicy Vietnamese Beef Pho with shaved beef, mushrooms, and Thai basil (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Chinese Char Siu Pork Udon with mushrooms, bok choy, and soy pickled egg
  • Thai Shrimp and Coconut-Curry Rice Noodles with shiitake mushrooms and Thai basil (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Tofu Pho with mushrooms and Thai basil (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (Plant-Based)

Beverages:

  • Playalinda Brewing Company Yaupon Brothers Green Tea Pale Ale
  • A to Z Riesling

Brew-Wing (Opening August 11)

Food Items:

  • Sticky Wings with Peanut Sauce and Grape Gel with Celery and Ranch (NEW)
  • Garlic-Parmesan Wings with celery and ranch (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Traditional Buffalo Wings with celery and ranch (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Sriracha-Lime Wings with celery and ranch (NEW)
  • Dry-rubbed Jerk-spiced Wings with papaya chili sauce with celery and ranch (NEW)
  • Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Buffalo sauce (Plant-Based)

Beverages:

  • Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company Pineapple Vibes Blonde Ale
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Watermelon Wheat Ale (NEW)
  • Central 28 Beer Company Groveland Road Blood Orange IPA (NEW)
  • Beer Flight
  • Bold Rock Honeycrisp Hard Cide
  • Woodchuck Guava ‘Nother Hard Cider (NEW)
  • Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Strawberry Lemonade Hard Cider (NEW)
  • Cider Flight

The Fry Basket (Near Test Track presented by Chevrolet)

Food Items:

  • Adobo Yuca Fries with garlic-cilantro aïoli (NEW) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Plant-Based)
  • Fry Flight (NEW)
  • Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Fries (Plant-Based)
  • Barbecued Bacon Fries with smoked aïoli
  • Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with candied pecans, toasted marshmallow cream, and caramel whisky

Beverages:

  • Salty Dog Cocktail: Boyd & Blair Vodka with grapefruit juice, ginger, simple syrup, and lime with a salted rim ((NEW)
  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Key Lime Lager (NEW)

Flavors from Fire (Near Test Track presented by Chevrolet)

Food Items:

  • Smoked Corned Beef with crispy potatoes, cheese curds, pickled onions, and beer-cheese fondue (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Banh Mi Bao with char-grilled Asian skirt steak, chicken liver aïoli, pickled vegetables, and cilantro (NEW)
  • Rocky Road Chocolate Cake with marshmallows, spiced almonds, and chocolate ganache (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Saugatuck Brewing Company Bonfire Beer
  • Four Virtues Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel
  • Swine Brine featuring Jim Beam Bourbon
  • CORKCICLE Classic Tumbler

Coastal Eats (Near Mission: SPACE; opening August 11)

Food Items:

  • Baked Scampi Dip with shrimp, scallops, and baguette (NEW)
  • Oysters Rockefeller (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Bell’s Lager of the Lakes Bohemian Pilsner (NEW)
  • Villa Wolf Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé
  • Sean Minor Chardonnay
  • Cape Codder: Boyd & Blair Vodka with cranberry, pomegranate, and lime

Mac & Eats (Near Mission: SPACE; opening August 11)

Food Items:

  • Traditional Macaroni & Cheese with herbed panko (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Cowboy Macaroni & Cheese with smoked pork belly, brisket burnt ends, pickled peppers, onion straws, and barbecue aïoli (Emile’s Fromage Montage)
  • Chili-Cheese Macaroni & Cheese with sour cream and cheddar cheese (NEW) (Plant-Based) (Emile’s Fromage Montage)

Beverages:

  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Lemon Hazy IPA
  • Catena White Clay Sémillon-Chenin (NEW)
  • Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir (NEW)

Mexico

Food Items:

  • Taco al Pastor: Seared pork belly pastor on a corn tortilla with chipotle black beans, pineapple, pickled onions, and chives (NEW) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Tostada de Barbacoa: Barbacoa beef on a fried corn tortilla with chipotle black beans, salsa verde, Mexican crema, queso fresco, and chives (NEW) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
  • Capirotada de Chocolate: Abuelita chocolate bread pudding served with a chocolate crème anglaise

Beverages:

  • Mexican Craft Beer
  • Blood Orange Charm Margarita: Centinela Blanco Tequila, blood orange aperitif, blackcurrant-infused vodka, and prosecco served on the rocks with pink peppercorns and sweet-dried-chile salt rim (NEW)
  • It Takes Two to Mango Margarita: Mezcal Ilegal Joven, mango purée, Nixta Corn Liqueur, rum, and ancho chile lime juice served on the rocks with hibiscus-salt rim (NEW)

France

Food Items:

  • Beignet aux Trois Fromages: Warm beignet filled with three cheese blend
  • Brioche aux Escargots, Sauce Crème à l’ail et Persil: Escargot brioche with creamy garlic and parsley sauce (NEW)
  • Parmentier de Boeuf Braisé au Cabernet: Braised short ribs in cabernet with mashed potatoes
  • Crème Brûlée Vanille à la Confiture de Framboises: Vanilla crème brûlée with house-made raspberry jam (NEW) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)

Beverages:

  • Strawberry Rose Mimosa: Pol Remy Sparkling Wine, orange juice, and Monin Strawberry Rose Syrup
  • Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend, Bordeaux, Château de Riffaud (NEW)
  • Chardonnay, Louis de Camponac
  • La Passion Martini Slush: Vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, cranberry, and passion fruit juice

Italy

Food Items:

  • Gnocchi di Patate: Potato dumplings with four-cheese sauce and roasted cremini mushrooms (NEW)
  • Gnocchi di Patate: Potato dumplings with vodka sauce, Romano cheese, and crispy bacon (NEW)
  • Panna Cotta: Orange blossom panna cotta with seasonal berries (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Prosecco
  • Moscato
  • Italian Sangria
  • Italian Margarita with tequila and limoncello
  • Peroni Pilsner

China

Food Items:

  • Pan-fried Chicken Dumplings with house-made sweet-and-spicy sauce
  • Mongolian Beef Bao Bun with onion (NEW)
  • Dandan Noodles: Spicy pork with sichuan sauce, peanut butter, sesame, and green onion (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Passion Fruit Bubble Tea (Non-Alcoholic) (NEW)
  • Good Fortune Citrus: Triple sec, grapefruit, and white boba
  • ByeJoe Punch: Chinese baijiu spirit, piña colada mix, and lychee
  • Fireworks: Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila, Smirnoff Vodka, orange, and mango
  • Jasmine Draft Beer

Japan

Food Items:

  • Teriyaki Chicken Bun: Steamed bun filled with chicken, vegetables, and teriyaki sauce
  • Takoyaki: Octopus, green onion, and cabbage bites topped with tonkatsu sauce, bonito flakes, and nori (NEW)
  • Spicy Salmon Donburi: Spicy salmon with sushi rice, shiso leaf, red tobiko, and rice pearls (NEW)

Beverages:

  • Yuzu Lemon Drop: Vodka, yuzu, and lemon
  • Hana Fuji Apple Sake (NEW)
  • Orange Blossom Brewing Co. Moon Blossom Pilsner (NEW)

Funnel Cake

Food Item:

  • Mini Piña Colada Funnel Cake with piña colada ice cream, whipped cream, toasted coconut, and maraschino cherry drizzled with coconut-rum sauce (NEW)

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

The American Adventure

  • Mocha Madness: A sweet frozen cappuccino blended with chocolate syrup (non-alcoholic) (Spirited version available with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur) (NEW)

World Showcase (Near Disney Traders)

  • Castaway Cold Brew: A creamy combination of Joffrey’s Shakin’ Jamaican™ Nitro and sweet cream (Non-Alcoholic) (Spirited version available with Grey Goose Vodka and Kahlúa Liqueur) (NEW)

Near Canada

  • Arctic Sunrise: A cool citrus treat featuring passion fruit over ice and coconut syrup (non-alcoholic) (Spirited version available with Bacardí Tropical Rum) (NEW)

World Discovery (Near Mission: SPACE)

  • Nitro Dreams: A creamy combination of Joffrey’s Shakin’ Jamaican™ Nitro Cold Brew, Irish cream syrup, and half & half topped with cream (Non-Alcoholic) (Spirited version available with Angel’s Envy Bourbon) ((NEW)

Available at Select Marketplaces

  • Remy Spork

Behind the Scenes of Baymax! on Disney+

By Zach Johnson

Baymax is back!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ six-episode series Baymax! returns to the fantastical city of San Fransokyo, where the affable and inflatable healthcare companion robot Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit) sets out to do what he was programmed to do: help others. Created by Don Hall and produced by Roy Conli and Bradford Simonsen (the team behind the 2014 feature film Big Hero 6), Baymax! is now streaming on Disney+.

Hall pitched the idea for a Baymax-centric series in 2019. Whereas Disney Television Animation’s Big Hero 6: The Series (2017-2021) “explored so many great avenues and really furthered the story of all the characters in Big Hero 6,” Hall shared, “what I thought we could do with our series was focus on Baymax and one patient at a time.”

Baymax, the inflatable healthcare companion robot, stands just inside the gate of a woman’s front yard. He waves to her from the cement path; to his right is a hose, and just behind him is a trash can. A woman wearing a hat and holding an envelope faces Baymax.

Hall, who was joined by Adsit, Conli, and Simonson at the global press conference for Baymax! on Monday, continued, “I thought it would lend itself to some fun stories where we get to meet a patient and see the fun of Baymax helping them. Through Cirocco Dunlap’s writing and Scott’s performance, and all the directors who worked on the show, it became something much more than what I’d envisioned at the beginning.”

Conli said he’s “very proud” of how the series evolved—and how it honors real-life medical professionals: “Every episode is actually dedicated to our healthcare heroes.” Baymax! has plenty of “humor and heart,” he added. “This is Disney at its best. I was so impressed with Cirocco, who came in and totally understood the soul of Big Hero 6—and the soul of Baymax, for that matter. Between Don, who is a brilliant storyteller, Cirocco, and our fabulous directors, we created some amazing new characters for the series. Each has a physical ailment, but as usual, when you have a physical ailment, there’s also an emotional element to that. In Baymax’s inimitable way, he is able to address both. Then, you add Scott Adsit in there, and you’ve got magic!”

The most admirable thing about Baymax is that he leads with “compassion,” said Adsit. “He is very aware of making people feel good, and he is in no way judgmental, which is the great thing about him. He approaches everything equally and is only there to provide help and support and knowledge. And that’s what we all aspire to do, right?”

Because Baymax’s “innate compassion” is literally programmed into him, it can lead into some hilarious hijinks. “He is relentlessly focused on that; you can’t bump him off of that,” Hall explained. “That is his protocol, so he will do it. Part of the fun of the series is looking at that from the perspective of a patient who may not want his help.”

Baymax waves to a man, who is facing the inflatable healthcare companion robot while standing inside a trailer.

Baymax means well, of course. Simonsen described Baymax as “a total innocent,” saying, “He’s so huggable and so cute. Our animation team is so amazing. What they’re able to do with two blinky eyes and some ‘squishy squishy’ is absolutely amazing. With Scott’s voice, they bring him to life. You want to just hug him and pal around with him and follow him around. There’s so much to love in all his mannerisms.”

After joking that he has “six favorite episodes,” Adsit revealed his favorite involves a character named Sofia, who experiences her first period right before a talent show. “She is a bit panicked by this change that’s happening in her life, and she doesn’t know if she’s ready to make that leap into adulthood,” Adsit said. “And Baymax is there to help her understand that change is good—that you don’t have to be afraid of it.” Because the subject matter was “talked about very openly and plainly,” he explained, “That’s when I knew this was a very special series—and I’m very proud to be part of it.”

Three years after Hall pitched Baymax! to Disney+, the entire team is excited to finally share these six episodes with the world. “We really hope that the characters are inspiring, that Baymax is inspiring, that people take a moment to think about and care about each other,” Simonsen said. “We hope that people enjoy the show, and learn and grow from it. It isn’t just one of those laughers. It’s very emotional and thoughtful.”

Scan complete.