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’ve got a special Earth Month-themed trivia question, to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

Q: What’s the title of the first True-Life Adventures film to win an Academy Award®?

Correct! Wrong!

In 1949, Walt Disney’s Seal Island took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary: Short Subject. Several more True-Life Adventure films would go on to win an Oscar®, including The Living Desert.

First True-Life Adventures film to win an Academy Award
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Thursday. We’ll see you next Thursday for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
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Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Thursday! 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!

10 Hidden Details at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By Sarah Sterling

On Friday Disney’s Animal Kingdom turns 24 years old, and we’re celebrating Walt Disney World Resort’s wildest park with 10 hidden details you may not have noticed before! 

  1. Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, and… Iguanodon?

Before you board your time rover and head back to the Cretaceous Period, you’ll notice several pipes in the final room of the Dinosaur queue. Above the loading dock, there are three pipes—red, yellow, and white—with a series of numbers and chemical compounds printed on them. These pipes display the chemical formulas for (respectively) ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise! Why? Well, Dinosaur (known at the time as Countdown to Extinction) was originally sponsored by McDonald’s from 1998 to 2008. This detail was left inside the Dinosaur queue as a tribute to the attraction’s beginnings.

  1. Helping Handprints

You may have been too stunned by the beauty of Avatar Flight of Passage to notice this detail at the attraction’s exit. As you make your way out of the Alpha Centauri Expeditions center, you can spot three red handprints clustered together on a concrete wall. These are very different from the Na’vi handprints you see during the entrance queue for the attraction, as they belong to the creative leaders behind the Avatar films and Pandora – The World of Avatar. J.R. stands for Joe Rohde, lead design Imagineer for Pandora and all of Disney’s Animal Kingdom; J.C. belongs to James Cameron, director of the original Avatar and, of course, Avatar 2 (coming December 2022); and J.L. represents Jon Landau, producer of the Avatar films. They really made a lasting mark on this park!

Red hand prints on a wall at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

  1. JORODI Masks & Beads 

Speaking of Joe Rohde… As the lead creative designer behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there are naturally a few nods to Rohde’s legacy around the park. One can be found at the Tusker House restaurant located in Africa. On your way to the restrooms, look up to find a sign that reads “Jorodi Masks & Beads.” Phonetically, “Jorodi” sounds exactly like “Joe Rohde”—and the mention of “beads,” along with another wooden sign nearby reading “earings,” is a sly reference to the extra-large earring that Rohde famously wears on his left earlobe.

A wall at Disney's Animal Kingdom with Jorodi masks on it.

  1. A Familiar Silhouette

We all love Expedition Everest, one of Animal Kingdom’s most thrilling attractions. Many of you have also visited the shrine across Discovery River that pays homage to the mountain and its fearsome Yeti. But you may not have realized that this shrine’s peaks and shape exactly mimic the silhouette of Expedition Everest! If you stand directly in front of the shrine and position your line of sight toward the mountains, you’ll see how perfectly the two match up! Pretty neat!

Mount Everst at Disney's Animal Kingdom can be seen during a beautiful day with clear blue skies.

  1. Fantasia (1940) & DinoLand U.S.A

You’re probably thinking ­– what do Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s 1940 musical anthology film, Fantasia, have in common? If you’re a fan of Fantasia’s “The Rite of Spring” sequence, we have an Easter egg just for you! Inside Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A., you can spot multiple concept art pieces and character sheets framed on one of the shop’s walls. “The Rite of Spring” features many Jurassic characters, culminating in a showdown between the menacing Tyrannosaurus rex and formidable Stegosaurus—so these pieces of art fit perfectly inside DinoLand U.S.A., and provide a unique opportunity to link Disney’s newest Walt Disney World park with a classic film.

Four framed concept art of dinosaurs on the wall,

  1. Marshall Lam and the Valley of Mo’ara

Soon after Pandora – The World of Avatar was first announced, fans got their first taste of the magic of Pandora when the team broke ground on the construction of this new land. An unbelievable photo was snapped featuring former Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs, Imagineer Joe Rohde, former Chief Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering Bruce Vaughn, former Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis, former President of Walt Disney Parks U.S. Meg Crofton, and Avatar producer Jon Landau. They were joined by Mickey Mouse and…a Na’vi! If you visit Pandora’s Satu’li Canteen, you can see this photo in person, located on the wall next to the queue for the registers. Also visible on the wall is a photo featuring two Na’vi with Alpha Centauri Expedition founders at the entrance to the Valley of Mo’ara. One of these founders, the fictional Marshall Lam, is portrayed by Landau!

  1. Countdown to Extinction

There are many nods to the original Countdown to Extinction attraction in the present-day Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Countdown to Extinction was re-themed and re-named following the release of Disney’s film Dinosaur in 2000, but the original name lives on through various stamps of “CTX” on ride vehicles, pipes, and walls. One of our favorite nods to the original prehistoric adventure is this stencil along a far wall in the Dinosaur loading area. It reads “Sector CTX-WDI-AK98”, not only recognizing Countdown to Extinction (CTX), but Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), and Animal Kingdom’s opening year, 1998 (AK98)!

A wall with a series of electrical panels that reads "Sector CTX-WDI-AK98"

  1. Simply DiVine!

You may know every detail from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and still might have missed one of the park’s most shrouded treasures—the living plant, DiVine! DiVine is an original character featured at Animal Kingdom and she has been entertaining and surprising guests since 1998. Covered head to toe in vines and flora, DiVine camouflages completely into the foliage of the park, but can often be spotted near the park’s entrance or on the pathway between Africa and Asia. Representing the park’s commitment to environmentalism and the intrinsic value of nature, DiVine never speaks a word and moves about slowly with serenity and grace. She measures between 7 and 16 ft. tall, depending on how she is posed, and will be happy to take photos with guests… if they can spot her!

  1. The Stone Dragon of Beastly Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates creatures of the past; animals that still roam the Earth today; and some that only live in our imaginations. Beastly Kingdom was a proposed land for Animal Kingdom that would have featured unicorns, dragons, and fictional sea creatures like the Loch Ness monster. Remnants of Beastly Kingdom can be seen all over Disney’s Animal Kingdom, namely on the park’s entrance sign which prominently features a dragon silhouette. Keen eyes can still spot another, more hidden, nod to Beastly Kingdom on the bridge between Discovery Island and Pandora – The World of Avatar. When crossing the bridge, or taking a break at Nomad Lounge, gaze out toward the river on the right side of the bridge and you’ll find a collection of rocks shaped like a dragon’s head! Today, Pandora – The World of Avatar and Expedition Everest both fulfill the park’s original mission and allow guests to encounter fictional species like the Na’vi and the Yeti.

  1. Eco-Friendly Benches

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has always been committed to the conservation of wildlife species and the natural world. From the endangered species nursed back to health by Disney’s animal care team to the paper straws found at eateries, many aspects of this park are centered around the ability to reduce, reuse, recycle, and preserve the magic of nature. This includes less-noticeable recycling efforts like the colorful benches found around the park. These bright benches shaped like alligators, turtles, and other animals are made of 100% recycled milk jugs! It takes over 1,000 bottles to make one bench. Next time you’re at Animal Kingdom, find one of these benches and think of all that went into your seat as you rest your feet.

Stay tuned to D23.com for more information on Disney Parks across the globe. Join in on the fun now by joining D23! The 2022 D23 Gold Member Collector Set is included as part of any 2022 D23 Gold membership.

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Your Ultimate Foodie Guide for Celebrating Mother’s Day at Disney Parks

By Andie Hagemann

The chefs at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts are hard at work creating delicious treats in honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8. These delectable desserts and sumptuous sips are a special way to celebrate your mother, grandmother, aunt, caregiver, mother figure, or any special person in your life! 

Our friends at Disney Parks Blog have assembled a foodie guide of all the available scrumptious treats—as well as where to surprise that special person with a Mother’s Day brunch or dinner, at one of the many amazing restaurants at both resorts: 

Disneyland Resort 

Disneyland Park

Plaza Inn  

  • Mother’s Day Brunch: Drop “inn” to enjoy a meal with family right in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. with classic American fare, joined by Minnie Mouse and her friends. You can reserve your spot beginning Wednesday, April 20.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

GCH Holiday Cart

  • Enjoy various Mother's Day-themed treats, including chocolate covered strawberries, macarons, and cookie shots (available with milk or liqueur)

Storytellers Cafe  

  • Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner: Feast on delicious dishes with the whole family as you enjoy decadent flavors and characters in this brunch and dinner celebration. Make your reservation starting April 20!

Disneyland Hotel

Goofy’s Kitchen       

  • Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner: Grab the whole gang to celebrate over tasty plates and even appearances from beloved Disney friends! You can reserve your dining experience beginning April 20.

Walt Disney World Resort

EPCOT

 Coral Reef Restaurant (available on May 8)  

  • Mother’s Day Dessert: Strawberry-pistachio dome with strawberry-lemon gel and ruby chocolate powder (New)

Le Cellier Steakhouse (available on May 8)

  • Mother’s Day Dessert: Strawberry mousseline, pistachio chiffon, strawberry jelly, caramelized chocolate crumble, and raspberry meringue (New)

Sunshine Seasons (available on May 8)  

  • Mother’s Day Cupcake: Red velvet cupcake with chocolate chip fudge filling and caramel buttercream

Disney’s All-Star Movies, Disney’s All-Star Music, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resorts

World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court, End Zone Food Court (available on Mobile Order from May 4-11)

  • Mother's Day Dessert: Strawberry mousse with strawberry compote and lemon curd (New)

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Landscape of Flavors (available on Mobile Order from May 4-11)  

  • Strawberry Bliss Cupcake: Yellow cupcake filled with strawberry boba topped with strawberry buttercream and white vanilla wafers with white chocolate and nonpareils (New)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Boma – Flavors of Africa (available on May 8)

  • MOM-mosa: A refreshing combination of Sparkling South African Graham Beck Brut Rose, X-Fusion organic mango and passion fruit liqueur, and pomegranate juice (New)

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

BoardWalk Bakery (available on Mobile Order from May 5-8)

  • Jumbo Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake, peanut butter filling, vanilla buttercream, white crispy pearls, and a white chocolate Mrs. Jumbo and Dumbo (New)

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill (available on Mobile Order from May 4-11)

  • Strawberry Rose Cupcake: Rose-scented cupcake filled with strawberry rose mousse topped with strawberry buttercream and white chocolate décor (New)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Contempo Café (available on Mobile Order on May 8)

  • Chocolate Strawberry Tart: Chocolate mousse tart topped with strawberry crémaux and strawberry balsamic compote (New)

Steakhouse 71 (available on May 8)

  • Mother’s Day Brunch: Spring into the seasons with a scrumptious brunch as you celebrate your family legacy over dishes like Walt’s Prime Rib Hash, Floridian Eggs Benedict, and Bacon & Eggs. (New)

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Gasparilla’s Island Grill (available on Mobile Order from May 6-8)

  • Mother’s Day Mimosa Cake: Golden sponge cake topped with a chocolate Cinderella slipper filled with mimosa-flavored mousse (contains alcohol)

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Capt. Cook’s (available on Mobile Order from May 6-8)

  • Mother’s Day Sweet Treats Box: Guava macarons, a coconut macaroon with white chocolate drizzle, and a pineapple cheesecake crème puff (New)

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Everything POP Shopping & Dinning (available on Mobile Order from May 4-11)  

  • Strawberry Bliss Cupcake: Yellow cupcake filled with strawberry boba topped with strawberry buttercream and white vanilla wafers with white chocolate and nonpareils (New)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory and Riverside Mill (available on Mobile Order from May 4-11)

  • Mother’s Day Cupcake: Lemon-scented cupcake filled with fresh blueberry compote topped with vanilla buttercream and fondant flowers (New)

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Le Petit Cafe (available May 8)

  • Mini Dessert Chocolate Box: Hand-crafted chocolate box with a ganache brownie, raspberry macaron, and lemon madeleines (New)

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Roaring Fork (available on Mobile Order from May 6-9)

  • Mother’s Day Cupcake: Raspberry swirl cupcake filled with raspberry custard and crispy pearls topped with lemon buttercream and chocolate and fondant décor (New)

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

The Marketplace at Ale & Compass and Beach Club Marketplace (available on Mobile Order from May 5-8)

  • Sweeter Than Roses: Raspberry mousse and chocolate cake with a ruby red raspberry center and chocolate and fondant décor

Disney Springs 

Amorette's Patisserie (available from May 6-9)  

  • “I Love You Mom” Dessert: Coconut cream, chocolate mousse, and Grand Marnier jam on a coconut chiffon (New)

(Note: All offerings are subject to change.)

Everything to Eat, See, and Do to Celebrate Nighttime Spectaculars’ Return at Disneyland Resort

By Alison Stateman

It’s almost here, the moment you’ve been waiting for—four beloved nighttime spectaculars are coming back to Disneyland Resort!

As daylight fades on April 22, the Main Street Electrical Parade, Disneyland Forever fireworks, and World of Color will bring even more spectacular magic to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. What’s more, the Main Street Electrical Parade, a guest favorite since its debut in 1972, returns with a new grand finale to celebrate its 50th anniversary! On the heels of these illuminating offerings, Fantasmic! —Disney’s longest-running nighttime show—will return to Disneyland on May 28.  

Of course, no trip or special event at Disney Parks would be complete without specialty wares and scrumptious munchies to enjoy while you “ooh and ahh” at all the pageantry. From the Parade Macaron at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café to the Light-up Elliott Dragon Premium Bucket, edible embodiments of these illuminated must-sees bring their enchantments to the plate for you to indulge in!

To help you make the most of these colorful evenings, we’ve compiled a list all the things you can eat, see, and do to celebrate with help from our friends at Disney Parks.

Disneyland Park

The triumphant return of the Main Street Electrical Parade will feature long-treasured floats, such as the classic Casey Jr. train and drum unit and Elliott the Dragon, and the familiar strains of the electro-synthe-magnetic musical score based on “Baroque Hoedown” by Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley.

In honor of the cavalcade’s 50th anniversary, Disney Live Entertainment introduced a magnificent, all-new grand finale that celebrates the theme of togetherness.

The seven-segment, 118-foot float draws inspiration from the original design of classic Main Street Electrical Parade floats and Mary Blair’s one-of-a-kind art style on “it’s a small world.”

In a nod to the parade’s storied heritage, the finale will also feature the return of the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio and a unique 19-foot-tall representation of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Scenes from more than a dozen Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films are depicted in thousands of twinkling lights in one of the grandest sequences in the parade’s history. Beloved characters and scenes from classic and contemporary stories such as Encanto, The Jungle Book, The Princess and the Frog, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Aladdin are sure to delight guests of all ages.

For those who like to wear their adoration on their sleeves, eye-catching new merchandise dedicated to the parade is available at Disneyland and shopDisney. These include options that, quite fittingly, feature glowing ink such as an all-over print T-shirt and leggings. Or choose a dress with glow-in-the-dark accents featuring Elliott the Dragon and a bright pink sash in salute to the timeless spectacle. Accessories include an ear headband and a mini backpack by Loungefly perfect for toting all your park essentials.

Parkgoers will also be treated to the Disneyland Forever fireworks spectacular — a street-to-sky celebration filled with sparkling pyrotechnics and immersive projections that envelop guests in a breathtaking journey with surprising special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and a few other spots in Disneyland become a magical canvas, transporting guests from an Anaheim orange grove into the worlds of timeless Disney and Pixar stories. Disneyland Forever also features two original songs: the theme “Live the Magic,” and the inspiring closing song “Kiss Goodnight,” written by Richard M. Sherman.

Don’t dawdle! The Main Street Electrical Parade and Disneyland Forever fireworks extravaganza are being presented for a limited time. Disneyland Forever will ignite the night from Fridays through Sundays with Mickey’s Mix Magic projections-only show scheduled Mondays through Thursdays. Disneyland Forever fireworks will then run nightly in the summer. 

Following these spectaculars, Fantasmic! returns to Disneyland on May 28. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Fantasmic! offers an emotional extravaganza of colorful Disney animated film images, choreographed to an exciting musical score and highlighted by the 45-foot-tall, fire-breathing Maleficent dragon. The waters of the Rivers of America come alive as Mickey Mouse dreams he is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice and faces some of Disney’s most dastardly villains, using the power of his imagination to save the day. Along the way, fantastic events and images as seen in Disney films—including Fantasia, The Jungle Book, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more—come to life with live performers, character appearances, enhanced special effects, and pyrotechnics.

Foodies can find a bevy of yummy options, from a dining package (with reserved viewing of the parade) at the Plaza Inn to sweet and savory offerings throughout Disneyland Resort, to satisfy cravings while taking in all the electrifying sights and scenes.

Plaza Inn

  • Parade Confetti Bundt Cake: Confetti cake with blue sopapilla filling, cream cheese glaze, and Main Street Electrical Parade chocolate décor (New)
  • Main Street Electrical Parade Dining Package: Plaza Inn fried chicken, smoky mac ’n’ cheese, oven-roasted carrots, baby wedge salad, Mickey-shaped corn bread, and berry cheesecake (Only available with purchase of the dining package) (Kids option also available)

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor hosted by Dreyer’s (Available on mobile order)

  • Uni-cone: Banana, cherry, and pistachio ice cream in a white chocolate-dipped waffle cone with fantasy sprinkles

Hub Churro Cart

  • Blueberry Looks Good on You: Blueberry-flavored sugar-dusted churro (New)
  • Blueberry Cheesecake Dipping Sauce: Blueberry fruit topping with cream cheese icing (New)

Fantasyland Theatre and Small World Popcorn Carts

  • Electric Sweet & Salty Popcorn: Colorful sweet kettle corn combined with butter-flavored popcorn (New)

Fantasyland and Small World Churro Carts

  • Electric Sprinkle Dip: Citrus buttercream frosting with sprinkles (New)

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Available on mobile order)

  • Parade Macaron: Yellow macaron filled with honey buttercream and lemon curd topped with rainbow sprinkles and Main Street Electrical Parade drum decoration (New)
  • Mine Cart Brownie: White chocolate-dipped dark chocolate brownie topped with sugar gems
  • Linzer Cookie: Citrus shortbread linzer cookie with strawberry glaze

Refreshment Corner Hosted by Coca-Cola (Available on mobile order)

  • Electric Relish Dog: All-beef hot dog, bacon, mustard cheese sauce, electric relish, and sport peppers served with a choice of a Cuties mandarin orange or small bag of chips (New)
  • Firefly Chips: Corn chips topped with chili, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and jalapeños

Red Rose Taverne hosted by Minute Maid (available on Mobile Order)

  • Pineapple Night Light: Fresh pineapple purée and Sprite with a glow cube (New)

Town Square Churro Cart

  • Parade Dreams: Colorful sugar-dusted churro with fruit drizzle garnished with rainbow candy (New)

Town Square Popcorn Cart 

  • Electric Pop: Brightly colored kettle corn (New)

Available at Various Locations Throughout Disneyland Park Throughout the Summer Season:

  • Light-up Turtle Premium Sipper (Limit two per person, per transaction while supplies last. Availability may vary throughout the season.) (New)
  • Light-up Elliott Dragon Premium Bucket (Limit two per person, per transaction while supplies last. Availability may vary throughout the season.) (New)

California Adventure Park

Beginning on April 22, World of Color returns to Disney California Adventure Park, bringing animation to life with the help of powerful fountains that create an immense screen of water. Combining the elements of music, fire, fog, and laser effects with memorable animated sequences, the multi-sensory show immerses viewers in legendary Disney and Pixar stories. These include scenes like WALL-E and Eve zipping through the cosmos, Pocahontas exploring just around the riverbend, and Jack Sparrow battling on the sea. The mega-scale spectacular illuminates all of Paradise Bay, with water reaching heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet—higher than the top of Pixar Pal-A-Round! A soaring musical score incorporating familiar Disney melodies and a contemporary version of the 1960s TV theme for Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color accompanies the stunning display.

There are several delicacies celebrating this reopening for parkgoers to enjoy.

Paradise Gardens Park

  • World of Color Dessert Party: Indulge in sweet delights including raspberry cookies, cheesecake, and Mickey crispies.

Wine Country Trattoria

  • World of Color Dining Package: Prior to the show, enjoy a delicious three-course meal, including dishes such as chicken parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, salmon, and roasted vegetable lasagna, to name a few—plus tiramisu and more. Simply check in with your host or server about upgrading your reservation to the dining package!

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Storytellers Café 

  • World of Color Dining Package: Indulge in an all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner buffet with specialty sweets and a non-alcoholic beverage followed by reserved seating for World of Color. Upon arrival for your reservation, just let your server or the host know you want an upgrade to this exciting enhancement.

Be sure to check out the Disneyland Resort app to stay up to date on the latest nighttime entertainment and schedules, as well as food and merchandise at Disneyland.com and the Disneyland mobile app.

Climb into the Unknown with Explorer: The Last Tepui on Disney+

By Zach Johnson

Ready to discover uncharted territory?

The Disney+ Earth Day special Explorer: The Last Tepui, from National Geographic, follows elite climber Alex Honnold and a world-class climbing team—led by National Geographic Explorer and climber Mark Synnott—on a grueling mission deep in the Amazon jungle, where they attempt a first-ascent climb up a 1,000-foot sheer cliff. Their goal? Bring biologist and National Geographic Explorer Bruce Means to the top of a massive “island in the sky” known as a tepui. The journey quickly proves to be an arduous one, as the team must trek miles of treacherous terrain in order to help Dr. Means complete his life’s work: searching the cliff wall for undiscovered animal species.

The one-hour special, directed by Taylor Rees and Renan Ozturk, is the newest installment of National Geographic’s long-running Explorer series and will debut on Disney+ alongside The Biggest Little Farm: The Return and Disneynature’s Polar Bear.

This expedition, Honnold says, afforded him the opportunity to embark on a different kind of adventure than the one he undertook in National Geographic Documentary Films’ Academy Award®-winning Free Solo. “I was still mostly motivated by my love of climbing, but I was on the expedition because I wanted to climb the tepuis that hadn’t been climbed,” he says. “But it’s a huge bonus when we can do something that’s actually useful for the world as well. The opportunity to take Bruce Means to an area that he otherwise would have great difficulty accessing was just a tremendous [honor].”

Although the team had an idea of what to expect once their expedition began, Rees confesses, “Nothing could’ve prepared us for the remoteness. It was kind of like wading through chocolate pudding for 10 straight days. We were there to support Bruce on his swan song expedition, moving through the landscape and discovering new species. But Bruce is 80 years old and 300 lbs., so we were moving at his pace.”

“Once we made it to the wall and we were doing the first descent, we all felt slightly more in our element than we did in the jungle,” Honnold recalls. “The film crew really struggled with fogging of the lenses, with everything being wet all the time, and with everything being muddy and impossible to keep clean. Basically, everything was a struggle! And then once we got to the wall, most of us were like, ‘Thank goodness!’”

Because Explorer: The Last Tepui was filmed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team took extra care to ensure everyone’s health and safety. “There was a lot of fear, and a lot of precautions we had to take as a team, moving through airports and traveling,” Rees says. “At the same time,” she notes, “I’ve noticed and I’ve heard from a lot of communities I’ve worked with that the lack of tourism, of travel, and of collaborative storytelling can negatively impact them. We tried to balance being as safe as possible with not giving up on our relationships and filmmaking collaborations.”

Honnold adds, “Once we got through the initial COVID precautions of getting in country, the expedition was so remote out in the jungle that we didn’t have to worry about COVID. It actually was a bit of a shock when we came back into civilization after a month, having to put masks back on and do those kinds of things. Because we’d been remote for so long, we’d forgotten that a pandemic was ongoing.”

Rees hopes that through Explorer: The Last Tepui, viewers will discover why the tepuis are a treasure trove of biodiversity worth protecting. “In this third year of COVID, I don’t think people have ever been faced so viscerally with how interconnected we are as people, through our spaces and our waters, and how easily disease can transmit around the world,” Rees says. “It gives us opportunities to realize how connected we are to other ecosystems as much as we are to other countries and other people... I hope that continues to inspire and motivate us to do the work that needs to be done.”

Explorer: The Last Tepui starts streaming Friday, April 22, exclusively on Disney+.

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in May 2022

By Zach Johnson

Sure, the sun is shining… but Disney+ just gave us more than a few reasons to stay inside next month! The streaming service has announced which titles you can begin watching in May, including the Original films Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Sneakerella, and We Feed People, and the Original series Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Quest. Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight will end May 4, but don’t worry: Marvel Studios: Assembled – The Making of Moon Knight will premiere on Disney+ just one week later!

In celebration of Star Wars Day, Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett will explore the behind-the-scenes story of the legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett’s return to Tatooine with mercenary Fennec Shand, seeking to claim the territory once run by Jabba the Hutt. In this insightful special, filmmakers, cast, and crew will reveal never-before-seen footage, groundbreaking technology and the practical effects that brought it all to life.

In the Disney+ show The Quest, four men and one women are seated in medieval attire.

As first announced at WonderCon earlier this month, The Quest is a groundbreaking, immersive, hybrid competition series that drops eight real-life teenagers (aka Paladins) into the fantastic, fictional world of Everealm, where they must save a Kingdom by fulfilling an ancient prophecy. Throughout the eight-episode series, each Paladin will be immersed in a fantasy world come to life complete with a castle, royals, ethereal Fates, all forms of mystical creatures, and a Sorceress intent on destruction and power.

Lace up for Sneakerella, set in the avant-garde street-sneaker subculture of New York City. The high-energy, music-driven movie puts a modern twist on the Cinderella fairy tale and centers on El (Chosen Jacobs), an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens. He works as a stock boy in the shoe store that once belonged to his late mother. El hides his artistic talent from his overworked stepfather and two mean-spirited stepbrothers, who constantly thwart any opportunity that comes his way. When El meets Kira King (Lexi Underwood), the fiercely independent daughter of a legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon, sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers. With a nudge from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a “legit” sneaker designer.

A comeback 30 years in the making, Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers catches up with former Disney Afternoon television stars Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) in modern-day Los Angeles. When a former co-star mysteriously disappears, Chip and Dale must repair their broken friendship and take on their Rescue Rangers detective personas once again to save their friend’s life. The cast of the hybrid live-action/CG animated action-comedy also includes KiKi Layne and the voices of Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg, Dennis Haysbert, Keegan-Michael Key, Tress MacNeille, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogen, and J.K. Simmons. The movie is directed by Akiva Schaffer.

In the Disney+ show Obi-Wan Kenobi, a mysterious female character in black attire is kneeling at night with a neon green sign behind them.

Lucasfilm’s highly anticipated series Obi-Wan Kenobi begins a decade after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, in which Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. Directed by Deborah Chow, Obi-Wan Kenobi also stars Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.

The documentary We Feed People, from director and producer Ron Howard, spotlights chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen’s evolution over a 12-year period. Discover how Andrés and a scrappy group of volunteers were able to create one the most well-regarded humanitarian aid organizations in the disaster relief sector.

Here’s everything new you can stream on Disney+ in May:

Wednesday, May 4
Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett (Premiere)
Life Below Zero (Season 18)
Moon Knight (Episode 6) (Finale)

A behind-the-scenes look at the Disney+ show Moon Knight as star Oscar Isaac talks with members of the film crew.

Wednesday, May 11
The Chicken Squad (Season 1, 5 episodes)
Just Like Me (Seasons 1–2)
Marvel Studios: Assembled – The Making of Moon Knight (Premiere)
Mira, Royal Detective (Season 2, 10 episodes)
The Quest (Premiere)
Something Bit Me! (Season 1)
The Wizard of Paws (Season 2)

Sneakeralla main lead is dancing in middle of the dance floor with a colonial attire.

Friday, May 13
Sneakerella (Premiere)

Wednesday, May 18
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (Season 1, 5 episodes)
I Cavalieri Di Castelcorvo (Season 1)
Secrets of the Zoo (Season 5)

Friday, May 20
8 Simple Rules (Seasons 1-2)
Alias (Seasons 1-5)
Broken Karaoke (Season 1, Episode 6)
Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers (Premiere)
The Finder (Season 1)
Shook
The Wizard of Paws (Season 2)

In the Disney+ show We Feed People, a man is standing in front of a large map and marking locations with orange arrow shaped sticky notes.

Friday, May 27
Bad Boys
Wade: Life Unexpected
Hubble’s Cosmic Journey
Mission Pluto
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Two-Episode Premiere)
We Feed People (Premiere)

Turning Red Quiz: Can You Finish These 4*TOWN Lyrics?

Calling all 4*TOWNies! If you’ve watched Walt Disney Animation Studio’s newest animated film Turning Red, you’re probably just as obsessed with the movie’s musicians, 4*TOWN, as we are. What’s not to love about a nostalgic boy band with catchy lyrics and perfectly choreographed dance moves? Well, now you can put your knowledge to the test with this fun quiz. Try to finish the lyrics to 4*TOWN’s biggest hits!

I’m making paper like it’s Origami /_______________

Correct! Wrong!

You’re never not on my mind, oh my, oh my / ________________

Correct! Wrong!

’Cause you have opened my eyes and stolen my heart / ________________

Correct! Wrong!

I’m gonna make it all the way, just watch me / ______________________

Correct! Wrong!

Let’s call it what it is, _______________

Correct! Wrong!

Nothing numbs the pain/ _______________

Correct! Wrong!

Turning Red Quiz: Can You Finish These 4*TOWN Lyrics?
Have you even seen Turning Red?
You need to have a movie night with your bestie ensemble and tune onto Disney+ to stream it immediately! Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Okay, you’ve got our attention!
You have probably watched Turning Red a time or two, maybe even tapped your foot along to 4*TOWN’s musical numbers.
You would make Mei so proud!
Not only do you know all of 4*TOWN’s lyrics but you probably even have the dance moves down. Impressive!

Orange Bird – Think Orange Thoughts!

By Francesca Scrimgeour, Walt Disney Archives

The thoughtful and cheerful little Orange Bird has been an emblem for Walt Disney World Resort since the beginning. Always a friend to all, the Orange Bird loves to meet new friends and assist in good deeds. However, he does not communicate by sounds or tweets. Rather, this tiny, happy, flying bird thinks of exactly what he wants to express, and an orange cloud appears over his head to convey what he is thinking. Hatched just before the opening of Walt Disney World, the Orange Bird’s first appearance happened on March 3, 1971, at a press event in Lakeland, Florida. Since then, the Orange Bird has been a tremendously popular character that has evolved with new artwork and stories over time.

At the outset, the Florida Citrus Commission needed a persona to represent its fresh Florida citrus. The creation of the Orange Bird stems back to Disney Legend and animator Bob Moore, along with publicity art designer Don MacLaughlin, who together crafted the Orange Bird specifically for the Florida Citrus Commission in 1969. The Orange Bird swung from a branch on the mythical Sunshine Tree inside the Sunshine Tree Terrace restaurant at the Magic Kingdom Park. As guests left the Tropical Serenade attraction (currently known as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room), they were greeted by Orange Bird at the Sunshine Tree Terrace, where there were plenty of citrus products on hand to enjoy. A few of those citrusy items included traditional orange juice served in Orange Bird paper cups, as well as thirst-quenching orange slushes, the O.J. Hot Sipper for the winter season, and the mouthwatering citrus swirl soft serve. As the mascot of the Sunshine Pavilion, it was only natural to have a walkaround character of the Orange Bird allowing guests to snap pictures and create orange-filled memories with him. Credit for the adorable, strolling character of the Orange Bird goes to Disney Legend and Imagineer Bill Justice, a 42-year Disney veteran that helped animate such films as Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953). The Orange Bird appeared on billboards, in television commercials, and on merchandise, with guests getting to know him before they even set foot in the park. In addition to Sunshine Pavilion, the Orange Bird sometimes flew over to the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village (now Disney Springs) to promote Florida citrus products in the mid-1970s. The Orange Bird could be spotted at the former Captain’s Tower shop (now Disney Pin Traders) with welcoming signage and a larger-than-life-sized Orange Bird statue. The character had become a symbol of Florida to park visitors around the world and promoted the Florida oranges and juice. As the Florida slogan went, “A day without Florida orange juice is like a day without sunshine,” and the Orange Bird was always ready to think orange thoughts.

The brilliant songwriting duo the Sherman Brothers introduced the new character to the world through the 1971 album, The Orange Bird. Disney Legends Richard and Robert Sherman created all-new songs for Disney’s newest character with the exception of one song, “I’ll Fly the Skyway.” This song was originally written for Thomas O’Malley in The Aristocats (1970) with the original title of “My Way’s the Highway.” Instead of scrapping a perfectly good song, the Sherman Brothers reworked it into The Orange Bird Storyteller LP.

As for the narration, Vince Jefferds, who was formerly the Vice President of Sales Promotions, assisted in the creation of the story of the Orange Bird. The record tells the story of the “fluffy little puffy sight to see” who was rejected by other birds since “all the thoughts he ever spoke appear in orange smoke.” The Orange Bird decides to go down south to find new friends, where he runs into an alley cat, mistakes a traffic light for another orange bird, and eventually finds a home with a picnicking family.

Renowned voice talent for the album included Robie Lester, Sam Edwards, and Ron Howard. Robie had a great deal of credits to her name, including the sped-up voice of Dale from the famous chipmunk duo, the singing voices for Eva Gabor’s Duchess (The Aristocats, 1970) and Bianca (The Rescuers, 1977), and the theme song performer for The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963). Edwards also had many Disney voice acting credits, beginning with the adolescent voice of Thumper in Bambi (1942) and many Disneyland Records characters, such as the Big Bad Wolf in the 1958 album version of Three Little Pigs. Filmmaker and actor Ron Howard provided his voice to other characters in Disneyland Records albums like Mike from The Story and Song from The Haunted Mansion (1969) and Woot from The Tin Woodman of Oz (1970). The Orange Bird album would mark all three actors’ final LP performance for Disneyland Records.

The Orange Bird would fly his “leafy wings” again in September 1980 to star in Foods and Fun: A Nutrition Adventure, an educational film that promoted the importance of plentiful sleep, nutritious meals, and vigorous exercise. Through all his hard work, the Orange Bird was able to have the energy to fly south for the winter where he met a family to join in with the warm weather activities. The animated short was directed by Rick Reinert, who helped create a few of Disney’s educational featurettes, with music by Will Schaffer, known more commonly as Will Schaefer, who composed the background music of many Disney television films and series like Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color and The Wonderful World of Disney. Even though the Orange Bird does not speak, he was accompanied by a flock of renowned voice actors that included Rex Allen, June Foray, Ilene Latter, and Hal Smith. The names and voices from this film may seem familiar to many Disney fans. Rex narrated many films and television shows along with theme park attraction characters like “Father” in General Electric’s Carousel of Progress eventually becoming the “Grandfather” when the attraction was updated in 1993 and the riverboat captain from the Liberty Belle Riverboat in Magic Kingdom Park. June voiced many television and film characters such as Witch Hazel in Trick or Treat (1952), Grammi Gummi on Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears, and Grandmother Fa in Mulan (1998). Lastly—and to show off his vocal range—Hal famously voiced Owl in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) along with subsequent Winnie the Pooh films, Goofy in Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), and Gyro Gearloose from DuckTales.

The partnership with the Florida Citrus Commission lasted from 1971 until its contract expired in 1987. Just like the record album, the Orange Bird took a little vacation and after 25 years, he flew back to his home in the Sunshine Tree Terrace just in time for the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. After a major refurbishment of the Sunshine Tree Terrace—from the thatched roof to painted graphics—in 2012, the Orange Bird was revealed on the new sign and the original 1971 figure was returned to the quick-service restaurant. Imagineer Jason Grandt sought out the original figure and brought back a slice of 1971 to the park through the refurbishment of the Orange Bird figure. The Orange Bird has since been revitalized in different merchandise items such as mouse ears, pins, and apparel that have been popping up ever since. The Orange Bird also makes small appearances in both Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Walt Disney World. In the Disneyland Hotel location, a small note appears next to the Orange Bird figure in the bar notating, “Traded for this because I thought it had appeal.” Naturally, the Orange Bird made his way back to the Disney Springs shopping district after promoting Florida citrus in one of its previous shops with a vintage Orange Bird art mural that is a celebration of Florida history. In 2022, the Orange Bird made his Golden Books debut with new Sunshine Tree adventures on a Florida farm with a menagerie of new friends and some familiar Disney birds. The book is affectionately written by Jason and illustrated by Scott Tilley.

The location of the Sunshine Tree Terrace has moved in Adventureland, but the Orange Bird is still a representative of the land. The character has brought joy to park visitors around the world and even “though his little beak, can’t even peep a squeak,” he captures our hearts and imaginations. Next time you visit the Magic Kingdom Park, make sure to visit the Orange Bird for a citrus swirl and think of something sunny just for him!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Reveals Rockin’ Playlist

By Andie Hagemann

Saving the galaxy requires an “Awesome Mix!”

Before Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens on Friday, May 27, at EPCOT’s Wonders of Xandar pavilion, guests can rock out to the attraction’s stellar track list.  Walt Disney Imagineers tested hundreds of songs before narrowing it down to six, in their classic versions, as the soundtrack for the all-new family-thrill coaster.

Here’s the “Awesome Mix” for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind:

  • “September”
  • “Disco Inferno”
  • “Conga”
  • “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
  • “I Ran”
  • “One Way or Another”

Enson reaches out to grab planet earth in outer space

In addition to the rockin’ playlist, the attraction will include Eson as the attraction’s antagonist! Guests will come face to face with the Celestial, who is looking to “right a wrong in a big way” after the Guardians battled him for the Power Stone in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. However, the Guardians of the Galaxy—Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot—are stepping in to save the day. But, they can’t do it alone and need guests’ help to stop Eson from executing his plan.

The Biggest Little Farm: The Return Expounds Upon the Curiosity of Farm Living

By Andie Hagemann

They’re back! This Earth Day, revisit the enchanting Apricot Lane Farms with National Geographic’s all-new special, The Biggest Little Farm: The Return. Get reacquainted with Molly and John Chester, the stars of the 2018 award-winning documentary film, The Biggest Little Farm, as they chronicle the next chapter of their unique journey. The special premieres on Friday, April 22, exclusively on Disney+, as part of the streaming service’s Earth Day celebration.

In The Biggest Little Farm, viewers watched the Chesters channel the classic sitcom Green Acres as they abandoned their big-city life in Los Angeles in favor of living on a then-barren farm in Ventura County, California. A few years later, Apricot Lane Farms is thriving, and it’s not so “little” anymore. Over 75 different fruit varieties, including mandarins, grow in the farm’s diverse orchard aptly referred to as “The Fruit Basket.” The special will introduce the adorable animals who reside at Apricot Lane Farms, including Emma the pig and a lamb named Moe, as well as educate viewers about the importance of soil health for growing nutrient-dense food.

For The Biggest Little Farm: The Return, the couple partnered with National Geographic to effectively share the many stories of Apricot Lane Farms, including Emma welcoming her newest litter and Moe integrating himself as a member of the Chester family. The farmers felt it was ideal considering the brand’s renowned storytelling of the animal kingdom. “National Geographic is really into what we’re into: the importance of every little creature from the microbe to the coyote and mountain lion, or a giant 650-pound pig named Emma,” John Chester said. “All those things coming together and their support for the way we tell stories has been just a perfect partnership for us.”

Despite the overwhelming success of The Biggest Little Farm, jumping back into filmmaking whilst working as a full-time farmer again was no easy feat. Molly Chester confessed that filmmaking was the furthest thing from her husband John’s mind before they signed on to film the update. The dynamic couple shared the motivation behind the special and more while on a virtual panel during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour. “The farm is a microcosm of the planet—it all works the same way, so that was really important,” shared John Chester. “It wasn’t an easy thing to do for our marriage—to go run a farm and also tell a story, and then another one. I’ve never felt more motivated to suffer in the way of making a film than I did in making The Biggest Little Farm, and with this special [too].”

Molly Chester said one of the biggest, unexpected blessings of the documentary’s success is how it has inspired others to follow their lead. “We do weekly farm tours here and [visitors will say], ‘I watched the film and now I’m taking over my aunt’s farm,’ or ‘you inspired us to go out and buy 10 acres,’” she shared. “It does feel like there are these little seeds that have spread across the world due to this.”

John Chester added that the documentary and Apricot Lane Farms hope to galvanize a new generation of farmers from the young and young at heart who are looking to be stewards of the Earth and farm in a way that heals the planet. To succeed in doing so, the couple stressed, requires being fearless in the pursuit.

“It’s really just about taking the things that we normally would be afraid of and flipping that on its head by being incredibly curious about how it all works, because curiosity is essentially the antidote to all of our fears, especially as farmers and as human beings facing any conflict,” said John Chester.

The Biggest Little Farm: The Return is available for streaming on Earth Day, exclusively on Disney+.