American Idol Reveals Top 10 “Disney Night” Songs

By Zach Johnson

Our favorite night of the year is almost here!

The iconic “Disney Night” tradition continues as American Idol returns for a magical night of pixie dust-powered performances and surprise guests live on the Idol stage. D23 is proud to announce which songs the Top 10 contestants will perform when the highly anticipated episode airs live on Sunday, May 1, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, on ABC:

  • Christian Guardino – “Circle of Life” from The Lion King
  • Emyrson Flora – “Carried Me with You” from Onward
  • Fritz Hager – “Go the Distance” from Hercules
  • HunterGirl – “I See the Light” from Tangled
  • Jay Copeland – “Remember Me” from Coco
  • Lady K – “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana
  • Leah Marlene – “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2
  • Mike Parker – “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan
  • Nicolina Bozzo – “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid
  • Noah Thompson – “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story

Of course, it wouldn’t be “Disney Night” without a little extra magic. Award-winning actor and singer Derek Hough will mentor the Top 10 from the Disneyland Resort in California as they prepare to perform beloved Disney tunes in hopes of securing America’s vote. Plus, Rhenzy and Adassa will perform “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” the No. 1 hit song from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar®-winning feature Encanto. Something tells us host/executive producer Ryan Seacrest and judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie will be talking about Bruno… as will all of America!

This Sunday’s episode will also celebrate the return of nighttime spectaculars at the Disneyland Resort, including the 50th anniversary of the Main Street Electrical Parade.

Watch episodes on demand and on Hulu the day after their premieres. And don’t forget to tune in Monday, May 2, at 8 p.m. ET/PT for “The Great Idol Reunion”; in celebration of its milestone 20th season, American Idol greats Ruben Studdard, Scotty McCreery, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Lauren Alaina, Kris Allen, Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Willie Spence, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Grace Kinstler, Laci Kaye Booth, and other surprise guests will reunite on the Idol stage for a night of unforgettable performances.

Celebrate Mom, Marvel, and More with These Gorgeous Gifts from Pandora

By The D23 Team

May is a busy time for Disney fans! Between wishing each other, “May the Fourth be with You,” to searching for the perfect gifts for our magical moms, our calendars are packed with opportunities to add Disney magic into our lives. This year, there’s an extra reason to celebrate! On May 4, we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of when we first assembled in theaters to watch Marvel’s The Avengers. If you’re looking for Disney ways to celebrate these May milestones, stop your search! Our friends at Pandora have the perfect items to commemorate each special moment.

May the Fourth
Make sure your next adventure across the galaxy is a stylish one! For May the Fourth and beyond, mix and match new Star Wars styles, featuring iconic characters and symbols from all corners of the Star Wars™ galaxy.

10 Years of Marvel’s The Avengers (May 4)
If you’re hoping to don a super ensemble to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Marvel’s The Avengers, head to Pandora to unlock a universe of iconic characters with new styles from Marvel x Pandora. The forces of evil won’t stand a chance against you when you’re suited up in jewelry featuring your favorite Super Heroes or their iconic logos.

Mother’s Day (May 8)
Mom deserves the best, so this year give her a gift with extra pixie dust. Celebrate your bond on Mother’s Day and beyond with the only other person as sweet as your mom—Disney’s Minnie Mouse! Decorated with her iconic red bow, these special surprises will transport Disney moms back to their own childhoods. The newest specialty Disney x Pandora charm features a handwritten “Mom” motif, with a dangling heart in 14k rose gold-plating and a Minnie Mouse silhouette. Another themed charm, hand-finished in sterling silver, features polished Minnie Mouse ears and signature red bow above the “O” in the “Mom” script.

What to Watch Before You See Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

By Sarah Sterling

On May 6, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is finally tumbling headfirst into the Multiverse with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Months after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Dr. Stephen Strange must travel into the Multiverse to fight mysterious new enemies with the help of a handful of our favorite Super Heroes. The second installment in the Doctor Strange story relates heavily to several Marvel movies and television shows, but don’t worry – no need to re-watch all 27 MCU films by May 6. We have you covered with the four most important titles to watch or re-watch before seeing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness!

Doctor Stephen Strange wielding the Eye of Agamotto in Doctor Strange.

1. Doctor Strange (2016)

It should go without saying that if you haven’t yet seen the first Doctor Strange movie, now is the time! Doctor Strange is integral in understanding how Stephen Strange came to be a master of the Mystic Arts, keeper of the presumed defunct Time Stone, and pre-blip Sorcerer Supreme. The film also explains Stephen’s relationship with Dr. Christine Palmer and friend-turned-foe, Karl Mordo – both of whom return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. How many Sanctums Sanctorum are there and where are they located? If you’re unsure, it’s definitely time to revisit Doctor Strange, available to stream on Disney+.

Stream Doctor Strange on Disney+

Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, dressed in her Halloween costume from the Disney+ Original Series, WandaVision.

2. WandaVision (2021)

Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, the Disney+ Original Series, WandaVision, follows a distraught Wanda Maximoff as she moves to Westview, New Jersey, to create a bubble reality within which she can live the impossible life of her dreams. WandaVision is important viewing for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as Wanda will be a pivotal character in the film. When we last saw her, Wanda had just lost her twin sons and her husband, Vision. Fully embracing the mantle of the Scarlet Witch, Wanda dove into the mysteries of the Darkhold, a sinister collection of spells that may lead her to reconnecting with her now nonexistent family. But will she uncover more than she can handle? We may find out in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness! Make sure you know everything there is to know about Wanda and stream WandaVision ASAP! If you can’t catch the whole season, episodes 6-9 should do the trick.

Stream WandaVision on Disney+

Animated Stephen Strange conjures a crystalline fractal shield in Marvel Studios’ What If…?

3. What If…? (2021)

Marvel Studios’ What If…? is an animated Disney+ Original Series that explains what would have happened if major MCU moments had occurred slightly differently. Narrated by the all-seeing Watcher, the show explores alternate and variant realities, some of which might come into play in a film about multiple realities like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Episode 4 of the series, “What If…Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?” follows Stephen in a reality where he loses his girlfriend, Christine, and his grief leads him down a path to becoming the evil Strange Supreme. In episode 5, “What If…Zombies?!,” we encounter a terrifying zombified Wanda Maximoff who’s being fed and cared for by Vision. And in episodes 8 and 9, we see the ramifications of Ultron succeeding in his mission to cleanse the Earth, discovering the existence of multiple realities, and seeking to conquer them all. These episodes are important to watch before seeing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as they include key characters and many pivotal battles across the Multiverse.

Stream What If...? on Disney+

Spider-Man is kneeling on top of a car as Doctor Strange look at him with his arms crossed.

4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

The last time we saw Doctor Stephen Strange was in Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: No Way Home. When Peter Parker’s friends have been rejected from college because of their association with the webbed Super Hero, he goes to Doctor Strange to ask for a spell to make everyone forget he is Spider-Man. Of course, things don’t go as planned, and the spell ends up pulling Spider-Men and villains into the MCU from alternate universes. During the film’s finale, the fabric of reality is being torn apart and Doctor Strange must make everyone forget Peter completely in order to stop the Multiverse from bursting open. This solution seems to work, but time will tell if the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home relate to the challenges our Super Heroes face in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The MCU is about to change forever! Make sure you’re prepared for the mayhem and stream these movies and series before seeing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on May 6.

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

By Andie Hagemann

From a “tale as old as time” and heart-pumping action to an homage to classic Disney songs, this weekend’s offerings have something for everyone! ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney returns Saturday evening with a presentation of the 1991 animated film Beauty and the Beast. Meanwhile, love is in the air on Sunday with the additions of Fever Pitch and Pretty Woman to Hulu; later that same day, American Idol visits “The Happiest Place of Earth” as part of Disney Night, where the contestants will seek inspiration for their performances at Disneyland Resort; and a new episode of The Rookie has the team in a race against time to prevent a citywide attack.

Belle and Beast dancing in the grand ballroom

The Wonderful World of Disney: Beauty and the Beast—Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC
In the beloved animated classic from Walt Disney Animation Studios, a callous prince and his servants fall under the spell of a witch, who turns him into a Beast until he learns how to love. Meanwhile, headstrong village girl Belle (voiced by Disney Legend Paige O’Hara) enters the enchanted castle after the Beast imprisons her father Maurice (voiced by Rex Everhart). With the Beast unwilling to free her father, Belle offers to take his place in the castle, and the charmed servants, including Mrs. Potts (voiced by Disney Legend Angela Lansbury), attempt to bring them closer together.

Jimmy Fallon (left) and Drew Barrymore (right), who has her laptop at the baseball game, talk during a scene in Fever Pitch.

Fever Pitch—Sunday, May 1, on Hulu
Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon, left), a teacher, and businesswoman Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymore, right) begin dating despite their lack of common interests. However, once baseball season begins, Ben’s obsession with the Boston Red Sox threatens their otherwise happy relationship.

Judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan pose in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Resort during a taping for Disney Night for American Idol.

American Idol—Sunday, May 1, at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC
This week’s episode will be magical because… IT’S DISNEY NIGHT! The top 10 contestants join Idol’s all-star judges Lionel Richie (left), Katy Perry (center), Luke Bryan (right) for fun (and inspiration) at the Disneyland Resort ahead of their performances of beloved Disney songs. Plus, Idol pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Main Street Electrical Parade.

Niecy Nash, Frankie Faison, and Nathan Fillion talk outside of the police station during an episode of The Rookie.

The Rookie—Sunday, May 1, at 10 p.m. ET, on ABC
After a suspected terrorist scatters bombs across the city, the team partners with the FBI’s Los Angeles Division to thwart the explosions before it’s too late. Meanwhile, the joint task ponders the CIA’s connection with the situation. Niecy Nash (right) reprises her guest starring role as Simone Clark in this brand-new episode.

Richard Gere and Julia Roberts shopping during a scene in Pretty Woman.

Pretty Woman—Sunday, May 1, on Hulu
It will be a “big mistake… huge,” if you don’t watch this cherished romantic comedy—intended for a mature audience—starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts and directed by Disney Legend Garry Marshall. While on a business trip in Los Angeles, Edward (Gere, left) picks up Vivian (Roberts, right), as he struggles to drive his friend’s exotic car. Edward hires Vivian to stay with him for the weekend and the pair get close but realize they are from two very different worlds.

Just Announced: Disney Dreamlight Valley is Your Ultimate Disney Dream World!

Attention, Disney Dreamers!

There’s a whole new way to live magically—and it’s just over the horizon. As announced today, Disney Dreamlight Valley is an all-new life-simulation adventure game coming soon for PC, Mac, and console.

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Welcome to the Dream Valley
In this game, you will arrive in a mysterious world known as Dreamlight Valley—desolate and full of “Night Thorns”—after a mysterious event called “The Forgetting.” It was once an idyllic land where Disney and Pixar characters lived in harmony; now, it’s up to you to discover the land’s unique stories and bring its magic back!

As a player, you’ll help an exciting cast of favorite Disney and Pixar friends uncover their lost memories and unravel the secrets of the Valley—all while making a mark on the land by customizing your own dream village and avatar.

Live Magically
Whether you’re fishing with Goofy or serving up savory dishes alongside Remy from Disney and Pixar’s Ratatouille, you can make each experience your own by “Disneybounding,” right from your preferred gaming device. Thousands of customization options await your avatar, home, and village—allowing you to express your fandom in a way that’s completely unique to you.

From the Glade of Trust to the Dazzle Beach, you’ll find and cultivate resources to aid you on your quests to restore the village. Along the way, you’ll unlock new areas and meet new friends who will tag along as you uncover their compelling story arcs. With an ever-evolving list of Disney and Pixar-inspired items and characters, every day in Dreamlight Valley will be different and exciting.

Coming Summer 2022
Starting in Summer 2022, Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Early Access will be available for PC, Mac, and console exclusively for players who purchase a Founder’s Pack, or those who have an Xbox Game Pass. During this Early Access phase, players will be the very first to explore Dreamlight Valley and receive exclusive rewards that they’ll keep once the game officially launches next year as a free-to-play title.

PC and Mac versions will be released on Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, and the Mac App Store, while console versions will be released on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 (PS5™), PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One consoles. Players can now “wishlist” the game directly on favorite gaming storefronts… and make sure to stay tuned for more info, including official release date announcements!

Get an Exclusive Wallpaper & Stay In the Know
Stay up to date with everything Dreamlight Valley by following the game’s social pages (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Discord)—and subscribe to the Dreamlight Valley newsletter  for exclusive digital wallpaper to add some early magic to your devices.

See you in the Valley!

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 Marvel Studios’ knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

When did Doctor Strange make his first appearance in Marvel Comics?

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 Thursday. 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 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!

The Lion King North American Tour Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary

By Tori Hunt

“Hakuna matata!” The Disney animated classic The Lion King captured the hearts of fans everywhere nearly 30 years ago with its heartwarming tale of perseverance and bravery. Its popularity inspired the creation of a stage adaptation, directed by Julie Taymor, which opened to rave reviews at the New Amsterdam Theater on Broadway in 1997, smashing box office records. Its massive success, in turn, led to global and North American tours that are still going strong!

Since launching in April 2002 at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado, The Lion King North American tour (produced by Disney Theatrical Productions) has employed hundreds of theater professionals, and played more than 9,000 performances—during 227 engagements in 93 cities—to an audience of more than 21 million theatergoers! Few tours in the history of theater have achieved such reach or impact.

In its decades as a cultural mainstay, The Lion King has won more than 70 global theatrical awards, including six Tony® Awards and a Grammy® Award. The musical’s ability to connect with audiences across several different languages and cultures has made it one of the most successful productions of all time. None of that would be possible without the thousands of crew members who have a deep-rooted passion for the show.

To help celebrate its 20th anniversary, D23 got the exclusive scoop from two original tour members as the show begins a two-week engagement at The Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, Kansas.

It goes without saying that it takes a village to put on every single performance. Between lighting technicians and choreographers to musicians in the orchestra, everyone involved in The Lion King is instrumental to its success.

Stefan Monssen, an African-trained percussionist, started with The Lion King in the late ’90s, subbing for drummer Junior Wedderburn before becoming a permanent member of the orchestra. Prior to joining the show, he’d spent three years in The Gambia, living with and learning from a Mandinka family headed by master drummers.

When he joined The Lion King, “I was amazed and totally scared at the same time,” Monssen tells D23. “Though Junior was shadowing me, there was no rehearsal with the conductor or orchestra; one goes right into performing the show itself, so I was very nervous while incredibly astounded and happy.”

“Being that The Lion King is so infused with rhythms based in these [Gambian] traditions, it’s easy to stay passionate about the show,” Monssen says. (The musical boasts five indigenous African languages including Swahili and Zulu.)

After all these years, Monssen says he keeps things fresh for himself by continuing to grow outside of his work in the production. He has returned to The Gambia to reconnect with his teacher’s family and to continue his studies several times and—in addition to advancing as a musician—found his own happily ever after.

“I’m very happy to say I found love in The Gambia and I have now been happily married for three years,” he says. “My wife’s uncle happens to be my head teacher there, so it has only brought a deeper connection with the family.”

“By continuing to grow with my passion for Gambian music and culture, I am able to bring that growth, love, and passion into my performing with The Lion King. It really was the right show for me to land and stay with for so many years,” he says.

Advanced electrician Meg Sump has been with the touring production since the beginning and has witnessed every aspect of the performance. In fact, she has watched the show over 6,000 times!

Sump is grateful for the community she’s been able to build over the last 20 years as a part of The Lion King. “Each person brings talents and skills, and then combines them together, over and over, week after week, to present this wonderful work—live to audiences all across the country,” she says.

When asked why The Lion King continues to draw audiences from across the country and world decades after it began, both Monssen and Sump noted both the heart and imaginative spirit of the show.

“Even after all these years, The Lion King doesn’t get old and it keeps striking chords with theatregoers,” says Monssen. “From the incredible lighting design, the choreography, the various styles of music infused with rhythm, as well as the most beautiful South African vocals, the show is a wonderful tapestry of so many elements intertwined. And of course, the human elements are one of, if not the main part of, the show’s heartbeat and soul.”

As for Sump, she believes the audience is grabbed right at the top of the show—when the giraffe silhouette, walking in front of golden sun, captures their imagination.

“They know they see a giraffe, and then as the lighting changes, they realize it is a person in a giraffe costume,” she explains. “But they have already accepted them as a giraffe, so they are a giraffe. From that moment, the audience becomes part of the Pride Lands, and their imaginations are linked with the action on the stage.

“This is the magic of the theater,” she continues. “And once they experience it, people want to share it. Grandparents bring grandchildren to introduce them to our world. Children grow up and bring friends. The friends have children, and the enchantment grows. It is a beautiful thing to watch.”

 

Every A-MEI-zing Easter Egg in Pixar’s Turning Red

By Sarah Sterling

Disney and Pixar’s latest animated adventure, Turning Red, has spread panda-monium across the globe and turned us all into certified 4*Townies! We can all relate to adorable and confident Meilin Lee who must find the balance between being her family’s dutiful “Mei Mei” and embracing the messiness that comes with growing up, and…turning into a giant red panda! We know you’ve already streamed this stu-panda-ous movie on Disney+ countless times and probably noticed a classic Pixar Easter Egg or two, but, if not, we’ve prepared the most comprehensive list of Easter Eggs, hidden details, and Disney references from Turning Red for you to enjoy and enhance your panda power.

1. Domee Shi’s “Bao”
Turning Red Academy Award®-winning director, Domee Shi, made her directorially debut at Pixar with her short, Bao, which played before Incredibles 2 in 2018. When Mei gets off the bus at the beginning of Turning Red, you can spot a sign for a bao restaurant behind her with the same font as the title treatment for Pixar’s Bao.

2. Miriam’s Pixar-centric Skateboard
Mei’s bestie, Miriam, must be a huge Pixar fan ­– she has three Pixar Easter Eggs on her skateboard alone! Take a closer look and you’ll notice two nods to Pixar’s upcoming film, Lightyear. One is the classic Star Command logo featured on Buzz Lightyear’s chest piece and the second is a sticker of Sox, the robot cat that Buzz will befriend in Lightyear. Finally, you’ll also spy a large upside-down skull across the middle of the skateboard ­– this is the same skull found on Sid Phillip’s T-shirt in Toy Story!

3. Mei’s Purl Keychain
In 2018, Pixar released their very first SparkShorts film, Purl, the story of an eager ball of yarn who has trouble fitting in at her new job at a fast-paced, less than welcoming company. Lovable little Purl can be seen in keychain form, hanging from the top of Mei’s desk as she does homework.

4. Mei’s Burrow Sticker
Pixar’s short film Burrow premiered in 2020 on Disney+ and is about a young rabbit digging her first burrow…despite not really knowing how to. The Burrow bunny is briefly visible on the back of Mei’s notebook where she draws pictures of tantalizing mermen.

5. Ming’s License Plate
Mei’s mother, Ming, has a very specific vanity license plate that reads, “SYST3MS – Yours to Discover.” This is a discrete tribute to Pixar’s Systems team, which covers all things data, computing systems, recording studios, teleconferencing, and production pipeline software for the animation studio. We wonder if Ming is into coding 🤔

6. A Band from the Great Beyond:
Mei goes full heart-eyes when she sees her classmate, Carter Murphy-Mayhew, in the hallway at school. But don’t be distracted by Mei’s tunnel vision, because Carter is wearing a T-shirt for the band Escápula, which is the same ghostly punk rock band seen in Pixar’s Coco during the battle of the bands!

7. We Found Nemo!
After Mei allows her panda to get the best of her during a dodgeball game, the girls run to the bathroom so no one will discover her secret power. A small clownfish sticker can be seen on a stall door behind Abby. It’s unclear if this clownfish has one small fin, so it could be a nod to Nemo or Marlin from Finding Nemo, but either way, this Easter Egg so totally rocks, dude!

8. Porridge That’s Happy to See You
A rare reference to a non-Pixar film can be found when Ming makes breakfast for Mei on the morning she first turns into a red panda. Ming prepares a bowl of congee and uses eggs, mushrooms, and other condiments to create a smiley face. Similarly, in Mulan, Mushu makes Mulan a smiley bowl of porridge on her first day of army training. Who wouldn’t have a grin-credible day with this breakfast!

9. Luxo Ball Goes for a Swim
The iconic Luxo Ball appeared in Pixar’s very first short film, Luxo, Jr., in 1986. Since then, the ball has appeared in numerous Pixar films and was prominently featured in the Toy Story films. This memorable toy appears in Turning Red during Tyler’s birthday party. When Mei and her friends are hanging out on the roof, you can see the Luxo Ball in Tyler’s pool as they look out over the backyard.

10. Voice Actor James Hong
Another connection between Turning Red and Mulan is voice actor James Hong! Hong is a prolific voice talent who has appeared vocally, and in live action, in many Disney projects. Hong voices Mr. Gao in Turning Red, Chi-Fu in Mulan, and has also appeared in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Star Wars Rebels. We’d recognize that voice anywhere!

11. The Pizza Planet Truck
Arguably the most famous Pixar Easter Egg of all is the historic Pizza Planet Truck. This pizza delivery vehicle has been included in almost every single Pixar movie and Turning Red is no exception. The Pizza Planet Truck can be spotted toward the end of the film when Mei (in red panda form) is running down the streets of Toronto to get to the Skydome for the 4*Town concert.

12. Serving Your Local Star Cluster
You found the Pizza Planet Truck, but did you notice that the chain restaurant was also advertising at the 4*Town concert? When Mei’s grandmother and aunts start their red moon ritual at the Skydome, you can see a banner in the stands behind them promoting everyone’s favorite fictional pizza chain.

13. A113
Another Pixar classic is the sequence “A113,” a nod to a classroom at the California Institute of the Arts where many Disney and Pixar animators studied. A113 can be seen two times during Turning Red ­– first on the chalk machine that Mei’s dad uses to draw a large circle at the Skydome, and again during the film’s credits on a pair of 4*Town concert tickets.

14. It’s him, Robaire
Mei’s favorite musical group, 4*Town, is made up of five dreamy boy banders, one of whom is voiced by singer and actor, Jordan Fisher! In addition to voicing Robaire, you may also recognize his voice from the Walt Disney World nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After. Fisher also starred in Disney’s Teen Beach Movie, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and Liv and Maddie. He also took home the coveted mirror ball trophy on the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars!

15. Dug’s Blue Jay
At the end of Turning Red we see the totally destroyed Skydome arena and a little blue bird pops into frame. Not only is the bird a nod to the Toronto Blue Jays, but the blue jay also appears in the Disney+ show Dug Days. In the fifth episode, titled “Science,” Dug communicates with a squirrel and a blue jay using the special collars created by Charles Muntz in UP.

16. 4*Town Easter Egg in Luca
Pixar famously loves to hide Easter Eggs for their upcoming projects in each film, just like the Lightyear references in Turning Red! So, where was Turning Red in Pixar’s last animated feature, Luca? When Luca is looking at books in Giulia’s bedroom, you can see a record on the shelf behind him that reads “4*Villaggi,”which means 4*Villages in Italian. This means Giulia is also a 4*Townie!

How many of these references did you notice? Stream Turning Red on Disney+ and see how many you can spot on your next re-watch! Keep reading D23.com for more information on your favorite Disney movies and more.

 

Inside the Global Premieres of Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

By Andie Hagemann

Today, Marvel Studios released photos from the global premieres of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and Benedict Wong. The stars made stops in Berlin and the United Kingdom as part of the film’s press tour.

In Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who—with the help of mystical allies both old and new—traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also stars Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll, Scott Derrickson, and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron. 

Look for it in U.S. theaters beginning Friday, May 6!

Stream Doctor Strange on Disney+

Disney’s Halfway to Halloween Brings Ghoulish Delights Across Disney Parks

Love Halloween but can’t wait until October? We’ve got frighteningly good news: Disney Parks is celebrating halfway to Halloween on April 28 with thrills, chills, and ghoulish delights certain to raise your spirits. Now in its third year, “Halfway to Halloween 2022” will feature:

  • Exciting news about in-park events at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line—as well as some of the international parks
  • Lots of fun from beloved Disney characters like the Sanderson Sisters—including a Hocus Pocus watch party from the Disney Parks Twitter
  • A first-look at the hottest Halloween merchandise from Disney parks and shopDisney.com
  • Fun TikToks from our Disney Parks TikTok Channel—including a live TikTok!
  • An at-home “Halfway to Halloween” planning guide—complete with Halloween-themed recipes, games, wall papers, and much more

Plus, we’ve rounded up everything running amuck, amuck, amuck across Disney Parks from April 28 through May 1, in celebration of all the All Hallows Eve fun yet to come. Don’t miss these wickedly delicious eats and treats perfect to put you in the spooky spirit:

A split image featuring the Cheddar Pickle Dog on the left and the Spooky Churro on the right, both displayed with Halloween décor around them.

Disneyland Resort

Downtown Disney District

       Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

  • Cheddar Pickle Dog: The pickle dog sprinkled with cheddar cheese for a pop of orange to celebrate Halloween

       California Churro (available April 27 through May 4)

  • Spooky Churro: A churro rolled in cinnamon sugar cut in half, drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and topped with yummy peanut butter candy pieces in seasonal colors

Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Park

       Sleepy Hollow (available April 28 through August 13)

  • Lady on the Gravestone 50th Chilling Chamber Pop: Citrus cake crumbs, raspberry buttercream, and blue crisp pearls (New)

The lit-up Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket, against a white background.]

       Available at Various Outdoor Vending Carts

  • Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket (available while supplies last)

The Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb, surrounded by Halloween decorations and the three Funko Pops of the Sanderson sisters.

Disney Springs

       The Ganachery

  • Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb: Dark chocolate cauldron filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows topped with an edible image of the Sanderson Sisters and a chocolate broom stirrer

       Gideon’s Bakehouse

  • Trading Card Kick Off: Get an exclusive “Halfway to Halloween” card (New)

The Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket against a white background.

       Available at Various Outdoor Vending Carts in West Side

  • Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket (available while supplies last)

The three Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes, each frosted to mimic the Sanderson sister’s hairstyles.

Resorts

       Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes: Rich devil’s food cake with “peanut boo-tter” filling decorated to resemble all three Sanderson Sisters

(Note: All offerings are subject to change.)