EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Sets Launch Date

It’s time to save the galaxy! Beginning Friday, May 27, guests visiting EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort will blast through the galaxy on the all-new coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The attraction will open as part of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The family-friendly coaster brings the fun, action, and rockin’ tunes from the Guardians of the Galaxy films, along with your favorite misfits Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora, and Star-Lord. Glenn Close reprises her role from the films as Nova Prime, the leader of Xandar and commander of the Nova Corps. Plus, the attraction is one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world!

Located in the theme park’s newly renamed World Discovery neighborhood, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT. Xandarians traveled from their homeworld to Earth—or Terra, as they call it—to build the fantastical pavilion to educate EPCOT guests about their advanced technologies… until the Guardians arrive, anyway, and the adventure begins.

D23 Gold Members, stay tuned later this week for news about how you might be able to experience this attraction before opening day!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From a high-stakes poker games and surfing colossal waves to sleuthing siblings, this week’s slate of content is sure to please everyone! On Wednesday, all 10 episodes of The Hardy Boys season two launch with a new mystery; later that same day, Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban attends Connor’s poker game on a new episode of Home Economics, and Good Trouble’s Malika receives exciting news. Plus, The Dropout debuts its gripping series finale on Thursday; and on Friday, watch surfing superstars attempt the impossible in Chasing Mavericks.

The Hardy Boys—Wednesday, April 6, on Hulu
The mystery-solving brothers are back for season two! After a Bridgeport classmate unexpectedly disappears, Frank (Rohan Campbell, left) and Joe Hardy (Alexander Elliot, right) resume their detective work. However, the Hardy boys soon realize their missing person case is part of something far more sinister. All 10 episodes of the second season will be available on the premiere date.

Home Economics—Wednesday, April 6, at 9:31 p.m. ET, on ABC
Tom (Topher Grace) and Sarah (Caitlin McGee) crash a poker night that Connor (Jimmy Tatro, left) is hosting for some famous pals—including Shark Tank star Mark Cuban. Will the siblings know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em against this group of high rollers? Meanwhile, Camila (Chloe Jo Rountree) is convinced there’s a ghost in the house, leading Marina (Karla Souza) and Denise (Sasheer Zamata) to debate their beliefs.

Good Trouble—Wednesday, April 6, at 10 p.m. ET, on Freeform
Mariana (Cierra Ramirez, right) is overwhelmed when the Revitalize and FCGs cross paths at a pitch meeting. Meanwhile, Davia (Emma Hunton) tests out her burlesque name around the Coterie, and Lucia (Malaya Rivera Drew) admits to her lingering feelings for her ex. Plus, Malika (Zuri Adele) receives approval for her women’s center proposal.

The Dropout—Thursday, April 7, on Hulu
The Hulu Original limited series concludes with a jaw-dropping finale. Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried, above) and Sunny Balwani (Naveen Andrews) attempt to undo the damage of the Wall Street Journal article; however, a reckoning is well underway. Meanwhile, Tyler Shultz (Dylan Minnette) mulls going on the record for an upcoming Theranos exposé, defying his grandfather’s wishes.

Chasing Mavericks—Friday, April 8, on Disney+
After Jay Moriarty (Jonny Weston, right), a 15-year-old surfing phenom, discovers that the legendary Mavericks surf break is near his California home, he sets his sights on conquering the monster waves. Jay asks local surfing icon Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler, left) to train him, and the pair embark on a journey to achieve the impossible.

 

FINAL RESULTS: Meet the Winner of the March Hare Mania 2022 Bracket

April 4 Update: The cast of characters in this bracket are all beloved, regardless of how far they made it in the rounds of voting. However, when it comes to March Hare Mania, there can be only one winner! Who will be joining Figment and the other March Hare Mania winners in the hall of fame? You cast your votes all month long and decided that the winner of March Hare Mania 2022 is…

MHM_Social_Week 5_WINNER_OB (1080x1080)

Check out the final bracket below!

MHM_Main Bracket_Week 5_WINNER_Orange Bird (2000x2000)

Want to keep exploring the wonderful worlds of Disney Parks? We’ve created an exclusive collector set, just for D23 Gold Members, celebrating Disney Parks around the world. Join D23 today to get the exclusive set as a benefit of your membership!

A promotional image for the Disney D23 app. The background is blue with the D23 logo and text that reads "THE OFFICIAL Disney FAN CLUB." The main text says, "TAKE THE MAGIC ON THE GO WITH THE DISNEY D23 APP," written in a casual, playful font. To the right, there is an illustration of a smartphone displaying a D23 Gold Member digital card featuring Mickey Mouse.

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

2024 Collector Set

Get More Disney With D23 Gold Membership
Enjoy exclusive discounts and access to special events and merch.
Also includes our quarterly publication and annual Collector Set.

BECOME A GOLD MEMBER

Happy April Fools’ Day: 5 Favorite Disney Pranks

Whether you are a self-proclaimed master of mega-pranks or you just put sugar in a saltshaker, everyone loves a good April Fools’ Day joke. Even our most beloved Disney characters are quite the jokesters and know how to keep us laughing.

Whether you need a little chuckle yourself or some new ideas for future shenanigans, here is a list of a few of our favorite pranks—and pranksters themselves—from around the worlds of Disney.

Harris, Hamish, and Hubert (Brave, 2012)
These three troublemakers are usually using their triplet power to obtain cookies—but perhaps their most heroic and funny prank was helping their mother-turned-bear escape the castle. Harris, Hamish, and Hubert banded together to create a distraction while Merida helped her mother flee. One brother made a terrifying growl; another used the shadow of a frog to simulate a beast; and the final brother led Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) and her mother to safety. Watching all the men panic following the shadow of a frog is sure to cause plenty of laughter.

The Even Stevens Movie (2003)
If you were a child or teen in the early 2000s, you were probably obsessed with Disney’s most chaotic and hilarious family, the Stevens. No one had sibling rivalry like Ren (Christy Carlson Romano) and Louis (Shia LaBeouf); this brother/sister duo was constantly duking it out, until the rug was pulled out from both of them on a family vacation. The Stevens thought they had won a luxurious island getaway, but their dream trip was followed by a series of unfortunate events—including eating slugs, their vacation house falling apart, and the family eventually being pitted against each other to survive. Turns out, they were actually being secretly filmed for a prank television show, Gotcha. Talk about a prank of the century! We bet even Louis couldn’t top that one.

Alex Turns Justin Blue (Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana, 2009)
If you were lucky enough to witness a crossover episode on Disney Channel, you know they were the best! In this episode of The Suite Life on Deck, Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) and the Russos from Wizards of Waverly Place join Zack (Dylan Sprouse) and Cody (Cole Sprouse) on the S.S. Tipton. If anyone could give Zack a run for his prankster money, it would be Alex Russo (Selena Gomez). The teenage wizard dyes the jacuzzi water while her brother Justin (David Henrie) is taking a dip; when he gets out to dry off, his skin is bright blue from the shoulders down. Imagine spending your tropical vacation looking like Genie from Aladdin!

The Classic Whoopee Cushion (Raven’s Home, 2021)
When Levi (Jason Maybaum) has a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he’s becoming an adult during his upcoming bar mitzvah, he gets desperate to hold onto his youth. During a series of childish pranks, he places a whoopee cushion under the bed sheets of his best friend Booker (Issac Ryan Brown). When Booker gets ready to go to sleep, he plops down to make a loud farting sound. This is a classic trick that most of us have used on our siblings, and it never fails to make us giggle. We can’t help but think it may be an homage to prankster Cory Baxter (Kyle Massey) in That’s So Raven.

3D Movie (Walk the Prank, 2016)
What better way to end this list than with the show that epitomizes the day… Walk the Prank was a hidden-camera reality show on Disney Channel where young jokesters set up the ultimate pranks. In this specific episode, a new babysitter thought she was sitting down to enjoy a 3D dinosaur movie with the kids when a giant T-rex came bursting through the wall! The babysitter jumped in disbelief before realizing that it wasn’t part of the movie. If you’re looking for April Fools’ Day inspiration, watch a few episodes of this series on Disney+!

 

First Look Inside the Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT

By Sarah Sterling 

This week D23 was treated to a special first look at part of the queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a brand-new family-thrill coaster coming to EPCOT this summer. This thrilling storytelling coaster will invite guests on an intergalactic chase through time and space as they are called into action to help the Guardians of the Galaxy. This attraction will open in the World Discovery neighborhood of EPCOT and features Disney’s first ever reverse-launch! It’s a first-of-its-kind programmable Omnicoaster ride system, where guests can be rotated along the ride track towards the action. It will also be one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world!

Please enjoy our gallery of photos of the Galaxarium, a planetarium-like exhibition showcasing the connections between Xandar and Terra (aka Earth). The full viewable experience in the Galaxarium will be over 30 minutes long and we were able to get a taste of the whole show, including Xandar, Earth, the Andromeda, and Milky Way Galaxies and Star-Lord’s iconic Awesome Mix Vol. 1!

There is so much more to come from the queue and the attraction itself! Click here for more information on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and enjoy the gorgeous and otherworldly Galaxarium below:

New Release Date for Obi-Wan Kenobi Announced—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi Now Premiering on May 27

Yes, it’s true: You’ll have to wait two extra days in order to see the sure-to-be-thrilling premiere of the Disney+ limited series Obi-Wan Kenobi… but you’ll get two whole episodes now, instead of one! Series star Ewan McGregor recently took to the Internet to announce the news—that the two-ep premiere date is shifting to Friday, May 27—in the clip above.

Set 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the story of Obi-Wan Kenobi centers on Obi-Wan (McGregor), who 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.

The series also features Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie. Mark those calendars and activate those lightsabers (safely, of course)!

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

Did the first three months of this year fly by at serious speed, or is it just us? It’s now the first weekend of April—and as per usual, there’s a ton of fabulous worlds-of-Disney content to fill your viewing calendar with. We’ve got a read on what you can expect from new episodes of Raven’s Home, Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, American Idol, and so much more.

Disney Character Greetings Return to U.S. Sites This Spring

Here’s some fantastic news, if you’re soon heading to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, taking a seaworthy sojourn on Disney Cruise Line, or visiting the splendor of Aulani Resort in Hawaii: Disney character greetings are coming back!

As early as April 18, traditional character greetings will be reintroduced at Disney sites around the United States (and nearby oceans, natch). Guests will soon be able to hug Mickey Mouse, get an autograph from Mulan, and share a laugh with Goofy. Get into the spirit with the new clip above, courtesy our friends at the Disney Parks Blog.

During the past two years, Disney Parks and Resorts have taken a gradual, intentional approach to health and safety protocols; recent trends and guidance have provided opportunities to bring back some of the most beloved magic, like character greetings and dining experiences. So, while not all locations will be available immediately, it’s anticipated that reopening will happen in phases throughout the spring and early summer.

This exciting milestone continues highlighting all the amazing entertainment that’s already returned, or is just over the horizon—including the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Walt Disney World; beloved nighttime spectaculars like World of Color and Fantasmic! arriving soon at Disneyland; and Disney Cruise Line once again delighting guests with fireworks at sea and Broadway-style productions on every ship.

Which character would you want to (re)meet first? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!

Just Announced: New Jim Henson Disney Original Documentary

Muppet connoisseurs—or just fans of amazingly creative people in general—listen up: There’s a new documentary on the horizon that you won’t want to miss.

As announced earlier this week, Disney Original Documentary will team with Academy Award®-winning director Ron Howard, Academy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer, and Imagine Documentaries’ Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes to produce a feature documentary on Disney Legend Jim Henson. Made with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family, the documentary will be a definitive portrait of the man—presenting a fascinating and intimate look at his illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film.

Pulling from never-before-seen personal archives, the documentary will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches, and Henson’s personal diaries.

In his 36-year career, Henson created some of the world’s most cherished characters, including classic Muppets like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and all of Sesame Street’s iconic residents, including Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie. He also created beloved fantasy films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, which included iconic characters and technological advances that pushed the boundaries of the time. Tracing his life and work, the documentary will follow how the brilliant innovator came to shape the childhoods of generations to come.

Stay tuned for more info on the film in the coming months.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Returning to Walt Disney World Resort

It’ll be a rip-roarin’ good time come June when the beloved Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue returns to Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Read up on all the fun (and delicious grub) you can expect when the show reopens this summer, right here at D23.com.

Premiere Date Revealed for Only Murders in the Building Season 2

More mystery and (hilarious) mayhem are almost upon us, as Hulu just announced its hit series Only Murders in the Building will return on Tuesday, June 28, for its second season.

Series regulars Disney Legend Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez will reprise their roles in season two, which picks up following the shocking death of Arconia Board President Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell). Charles (Martin), Oliver (Short), and Mabel (Gomez) race to unmask her killer; however, three (unfortunate) complications ensue: the trio is publicly implicated in Bunny’s homicide; they are now the subjects of a competing podcast; and they have to deal with a bunch of New York neighbors who all think they committed murder!

Take a gander at the new season’s trailer, above—and tune in for all the fun this summer!

ICYMI: Disney Oscar Wins and Magic Galore…

The Walt Disney Company took home six Academy Awards last weekend, and the ceremony itself was chockablock with plentiful Disney magic. In case you need a refresher, read up on all the Oscars we took home here—and relive moments like the amazing live performance of Encanto’s “We Don’t Take About Bruno” here.

 

Join the Ultimate Princess Celebration with This Enchanted Princess Play Book

Join us as we continue celebrating the brave and beloved Disney Princess and Frozen heroes with the Ultimate Princess Celebration. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime global extravaganza-surprising and delighting fans all year long through content, products, experiences, and more. Let’s celebrate the courage and kindness, these characters inspire in us all.

Be a part of the celebration this spring and let’s play like our favorite Disney Princess characters! Discover fun printable activities with the new Princess Play Book.

Want a peek at all the fun? You’re in luck—the clock hasn’t struck midnight yet… enjoy some of the magic with these D23-exclusive Princess Play Book Pages!

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

By Andie Hagemann

Hilarious content for the whole family is coming to your TV or other streaming device this weekend! Alice and Fergie have a kitchen faceoff in a brand-new episode of Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, airing on Friday; later that same day, watch a new episode of Raven’s Home to see if Raven can convince Booker to stay in San Francisco. On Saturday, The Owl House returns with a new episode; that same day watch the beloved coming-of-age comedy The Princess Diaries, starring Anne Hathaway and Disney Legend Julie Andrews. Conclude the weekend with a new episode of American Idol, airing on Sunday.

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery—Friday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m. ET, on Disney Channel and 4 p.m. ET, on Disney Junior
Alice (voiced by Libby Rue) and Fergie (voiced by Jack Stanton) debate who can whip up the best potato dish—and their kitchen duel ends in hilarious fashion. Then, Hattie (voiced by CJ Uy) enlists the help of Alice and Fergie to recreate his “inside-out cake,” and Wonderland pals are taught an important lesson about not judging a book by its cover.

Raven’s Home—Friday, April 1, at 5 p.m. ET, on Disney Channel
Raven (Raven-Symoné) pulls out all the stops in a desperate attempt to convince Booker (Issac Ryan Brown) to stay in San Francisco. Will her plan be enough? Meanwhile, Victor (Rondell Sheridan) builds Alice (Mykal-Michelle Harris) the dollhouse of her dreams.

The Owl House—Saturday, April 2, at 9 a.m. ET, on Disney Channel
Hunter (voiced by Zeno Robinson) embarks on his most ambitious mission yet when he goes undercover at Hexside. Meanwhile, Willow (voiced by Tati Gabrielle) is determined to succeed at an exciting new sport.

The Princess Diaries—Saturday, April 2, at 10:20 a.m. ET, on Freeform
This royal comedy from director and Disney Legend Garry Marshall follows Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway, left)—a shy San Francisco teenager just trying to survive her high school debate class. However, her world is unexpectedly rocked when she learns that she’s a princess and the heir apparent to the crown of the European kingdom of Genovia. Shut up! While Mia is initially hesitant to take the throne, she agrees to attend the “princess lessons” offered by her grandmother Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Disney Legend Julie Andrews, center) leading up to the Genovian Independence Ball before making her final decision.

American Idol—Sunday, April 3, at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC
Hollywood Week continues with the fan favorites forming duos for the Duets Challenge. Platinum Ticket winners hand-pick their duet partners and rejoin the competition in hopes of advancing to the next round. Meanwhile, judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie are faced with difficult decisions that will determine the fate of this season’s contestants.

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 put your Disneyland knowledge to the test and see if you are the ultimate Disney fan!

When did the Haunted Mansion's Hatbox Ghost return to Disneyland Park?

Correct! Wrong!

The Hatbox Ghost first appeared in the Haunted Mansion for a short time around this classic attraction’s opening in 1969. Although his time was brief, his presence sparked a decades-long following, and this reclusive resident of the Mansion was never forgotten. In 2015, he re-emerged to socialize in the beloved attraction.

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 Thursday! We will 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 Thursday! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet! We will see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Returns Summer 2022

By the D23 Team

Ready to get yer grub on, pals? The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is returning this summer to Walt Disney World Resort!

You’ll be fittin’ to clap yer hands, stomp yer feet, and sing along as the beloved musical dinner show kicks up its heels once again. Reservations will be available via DisneyWorld.com beginning Thursday, May 26 for showtimes beginning Thursday, June 23.

The Pioneer Hall Players and cast members are excited to welcome back guests to this frontier-style family fun dining experience in Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. First debuting in 1974, Hoop-Dee-Doo will once again offer guests a rousing Wild West performance; singing; zany comedy with lots of laughs; and an unforgettable feast full of their legendary fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, a variety of savory sides, and of course, strawberry shortcake! The menu is sure to make your mouth water and have you hollerin’ for more…

Since its opening day almost 50 years ago, this fan-favorite show has continued to surprise and delight—but as per usual, the good folks at Pioneer Hall (and at Walt Disney World Resort in general!) are always looking for new ways to elevate and enhance a classic experience—so expect the show to return with a few updates to its script and scenery, while staying true to the treasured experience the whole family can enjoy. It’s sure to be a hilarious, high-spirited evening of entertainment!

The return of Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is the latest showstopping offering to make its grand return to Walt Disney World Resort—joining the likes of Festival of Fantasy Parade, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, and Adventure Friends Cavalcade! Other shows coming back later this year include Fantasmic! and a fresh spin on a guest favorite, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!

Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.