Magical Moments from “Disney Night” on American Idol

May 3, 2022

By Andie Hagemann

American Idol judge Lionel Richie summed up this season’s “Disney Night” best: “The whole show should be released again as a motion picture.”

On Sunday, American Idol’s magical tradition continued as each of the top 10 contestants belted out beloved Disney songs on the Idol stage, and collectively performed “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar^®-winning feature Encanto, with the film’s voice talent Rhenzy Feliz and Adassa leading off the show, now in its milestone 20th season.

Idol judge Katy Perry pulled out all the stops, dressing as Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid—and even bringing her own dinglehopper! However, Perry soon realized flipping your fins only gets you so far and had to hilariously be wheeled onto the stage with a hand truck by her fellow judges Richie and Luke Bryan. Shortly after taking her seat at the judges’ table, Perry took a tumble out of her chair. “We knew it wasn’t going to be perfect, and actually this tail and the fin are pretty heavy,” Perry told D23. “I lost my balance; I went back, and the whole world heard me thud.” The singer added that she is OK post-tumble but joked she will probably be a little sore for the next few days.

Richie clarified that neither he nor Bryan tripped her. “It was totally an accident—and now that I know she was smiling—it was the funniest accident I’ve ever seen in my whole life,” Richie laughed. “It was straight out of slapstick!” He added that the look of sheer panic on host Ryan Seacrest’s face said it all. “He didn’t know if the show was over, if we lost a judge, because she went down like a stone, but it was great. I love this show,” Richie said.

Perry’s Ariel costume joins her slew of iconic “Disney Night” looks. During her Idol tenure, she’s dressed as Cinderella and Snow White (2018), Ursula (2019), Mrs. Jumbo (2020), and Tinker Bell (2021). Each season she’s determined to showcase her creativity with her Disney-themed costumes. “I had a few more options at the front of my mind because I’ve been going through all the [Disney] classics with my daughter,” Perry said. “I knew I wanted to do Ariel at one point; it’s the 20th season; she’s such an icon. I thought the funny factor would be in not having any feet, and it was.”

As memorable as Perry’s turn as Ariel was, don’t expect her fellow judges to don costumes in the future. For last season’s “Disney Night,” Perry said she pitched a Peter Pan costume for Bryan and a Captain Hook ensemble for Richie to go with her Tinker Bell look. Obviously the two didn’t oblige, and, after Sunday’s tumble, both Richie and Bryan joked that they can’t be in costume because it would hinder helping Perry. “I keep thinking about [dressing up]. I need to get out in front of it a little more and plan the right outfit,” Bryan shared. “But I have to be there as one of the set hands to roll Katy around because her outfits always put her in compromising mobility scenarios, so you have to call on ol’ brother Luke here.”

The theatrics of “Disney Night” continued with appearances by The Muppets’ Miss Piggy and Animal in addition to unforgettable performances from the contestants. Multihyphenate Derek Hough served as mentor, helping the contestants craft their magical performances whilst visiting “The Happiest Place on Earth” during their one-on-one mentoring sessions. He even connected contestant Christian Guardino with superstar crooner Michael Bublé via FaceTime. Hough, who has had his fair share of Disney nights on Dancing with the Stars, said while the two programs differ in content and preparation, American Idol and its talented crop of contestants certainly delivered. “Christian’s performance (“Circle of Life” from The Lion King) was unbelievable; Fritz [Hager] (“Go the Distance” from Hercules) is so unique, making every song his own; and Nicolina [Bozzo] with that dramatic performance as Ursula (“Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid) was fantastic; and of course, Katy Perry shutting it down with that [Ariel] costume,” Hough said. “I need to step it up next time on Dancing with the Stars!”

Of course, no “Disney Night” would be complete without a trip to Disneyland Resort! In addition to their mentoring sessions with Hough, the top 10 contestants were joined by family and friends and explored Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park, taking in all the magic ahead of their performances, including viewing the Main Street Electrical Parade, Disneyland Forever fireworks, and World of Color.

“It was really exciting [to film in Disneyland], get to see everything, and then when my sister surprised me, I said, ‘Oh my gosh if I get one more surprise I might pass out,’ HunterGirl, who sang “I See the Light” from Tangled said. “Getting to ride roller coasters and have a great time, was something I needed, and I know a lot of other people did too with everything going on.”

At the conclusion of the episode, Mike Parker, who performed “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan, Emyrson Flora, who sang “Carried Me with You” from Onward, and Lady K, who belted “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana, were eliminated from the competition. As with all the contestants, Lady K said her song selection for “Disney Night” was deeply personal. “I saw Moana for the first time two days before I auditioned for Idol Across America, and I felt it was a divine coincidence,” she said. “I liken [Moana’s] journey of conquering the ocean to save her village to my life as an artist conquering the stage. I got a chance to be that person for a day and invoke that energy so I’m going to go conquer this music industry and benefit my own village.”

Watch the “Disney Night” Performances:

Noah Thompson – “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story

HunterGirl – “I See the Light” from Tangled

Jay Copeland – “Remember Me” from Coco

Leah Marlene – “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2

Nicolina Bozzo – “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid

Christian Guardino – “Circle of Life” from The Lion King

Fritz Hager – “Go the Distance” from Hercules

5 Things You Need to Know About Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

May 3, 2022

By Zach Johnson

Before Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opens in theaters this Friday, May 6, cast members Benedict Cumberbatch (Stephen Strange), Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez), Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlett Witch), and Benedict Wong (Wong) joined director Sam Raimi, producer Kevin Feige, and writer Michael Waldron at a virtual press conference on Sunday to discuss the mind-bending supernatural action-adventure. Keep reading for five major highlights from the event…

1. Doctor Strange is embarking on an existential journey.
“He’s quite a maverick and an outsider,” Cumberbatch said of his character. “He doesn’t immediately strike you as a leader, despite his prominence in the MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe] at this moment. And that’s what makes him really interesting and conflicted as a hero.” This film will show Stephen examining “his flaws, his faults, his humanity, and his strengths,” the actor added, thereby “renewing and deepening our understanding of him.”

Stephen is “not rigid,” Cumberbatch noted. “He’s a very flexible character who is malleable to his experience,” he said. “He’s a very quick learner, as we know—not just intellectually, but emotionally now as well. He’s deepening his emotional language.”

2. Wanda Maximoff is embracing her destiny—and her identity.
In Marvel Studios’ WandaVision (2021), Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) claimed it’s Wanda’s “destiny to destroy the world” as the Scarlet Witch. Now that Wanda has studied the Darkhold, aka the Book of the Damned, she’s become more in tune with her powers—which, lest you forgot, exceed those of the Sorcerer Supreme. “I feel like in the previous films before WandaVision, I took up a lane for storytelling that was more grounded in sincerity, love, loss, grief,” Olsen said. “With WandaVision, I got to become anything and everything and really grow her into a woman and lead her into accepting that she is this mythic woman. That is her destiny. I hope that in this film, people see that continuation of her acceptance of who she is and the journey she has taken to get to this moment. I feel like she has more clarity now than ever in this film.”

3. Wong is stepping into his role as a leader.
After Stephen was blipped out of existence, Wong became the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats—a role he maintained even after Stephen came back. “You work on fries for a while, then you get to be area manager,” Wong joked. “When I first took the job six years ago, we moved away from the old source material and developed and crafted this no-nonsense, midfield general librarian who continued through four or five movies and is now the no-nonsense Sorcerer Supreme,” he added. “I love where we’re going with this and [seeing] the character progression.”

4. America Chavez brings a youthful spirit.
Gomez makes her MCU debut as a portal-punching teen, providing a foil to Stephen and Wong. “This is a very adult movie; it’s very heavy,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that America still had that youthfulness and that fake-it-till-you-make-it resilience.”

Feige addressed the importance of including America’s LGBTQIA+ background in the film, saying, “We always say that these films represent the world as it is—the world outside your window, as they used to say in publishing. That aspect of America’s character is from the comics, so we always want to adapt them as well and as truthfully as we can.”

5. The concept of the Multiverse is getting cracked wide open.
The script was ever evolving, given that veteran MCU actors like Cumberbatch, Olsen, and Wong know their characters better than anyone. “They’ll recognize while playing a scene, ‘This is untrue. This feels like a manipulation. It could be more real,’” Raimi said. “We’d make changes in the moment, trying to riff on that very good idea. When you’ve got great team members, as a director, you want to pull the best [of] their ideas together and make something better than you could’ve made on your own.” Calling it a “very light, lively process,” Raimi added that they also needed to weave in storylines from other films and series. “We had meetings with the director, saying, ‘What does Doctor Strange know by the end of [Spider-Man: No Way Home]? Does he even remember the Multiverse?’” Waldron would make these changes in real-time, Raimi added. “It’s probably for a writer like improv is for an actor. These movies are reacting, making up, and changing things, [and so] you have to be in the moment, take it in, and go with it.”

Waldron added, “The first movie was very much about Stephen Strange entering this world of magic, learning about it, and beginning to master it. And then we had Stephen in several other movies: the Avengers films and Spider-Man: No Way Home. This is our first time really in a movie that is his.” Audiences will see Stephen “at the height of his powers,” Waldron added. “I think that’s really exciting. At same time, you’re encountering Wong, who has become Sorcerer Supreme. He’s at the height of his powers. And then you have Wanda, who is actualized in a whole new way. From the end of WandaVision, you could say she’s at the height of her powers… Lots of magic!”

Celebrate Star Wars at Downtown Disney District… and Beyond!

May 3, 2022May 3, 2022

By the D23 Team

Bright suns, friends! And May the 4th be with you! There’s no better time to honor all things Star Wars than on this special first Wednesday in May—and throughout the rest of the month, leading up to the sure-to-be-stellar Star Wars Celebration at the Anaheim Convention Center from May 26-29.

Our pals at Downtown Disney District, as well Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, are lightspeeding into the spirit with a Star Wars-related LEGO^® build, merchandise offerings, artist signings, and even some deliciously memorable, galactically themed eats and treats…

Read on for what you can expect—both on May the 4th and throughout the rest of the month. You’re in for a truly out-of-this-world time! And see more of what you can expect throughout the Disneyland Resort by visiting our pals at the Disney Parks Blog.

Limitless LEGO® Building at The LEGO Store

Got a LEGO fan in your life? Help the good folks at The LEGO Store at Downtown Disney build an 8-foot-tall Yoda model on the following dates! (Once it’s done, the build will be available to view until May 8.)

Tuesday, May 3, from 12-7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4, from 12-7 p.m.

Cosmic Merchandise

Pandora® Jewelry

Style your galactic adventure with Pandora’s recently arrived Star Wars x Pandora jewelry collection! For May the 4th and beyond, mix and match new Pandora styles with iconic characters and symbols from all corners of the Star Wars

California Sole

Even your feet deserve some Star Wars fun! Visit California Sole for these Yoda-themed socks, available for both adults and kids.

Lovepop®

Surprise someone special with the most precious cargo in the galaxy—a Floral Grogu Giant Pop-Up Gift is sure to melt even the coldest bounty hunter’s heart. And wish someone “’Til the spire!” with one of Lovepop’s amazing Star Wars-themed 3D greeting cards.

…Plus: don’t forget to check out Star Wars Trading Post this month to see their expanded Star Wars merchandise collections!

Astronomical Artist Signings

Also at Star Wars Trading Post, later in the month, look for an amazing Artist Showcase featuring Thomas Kinkade Studios. Stop by May 26-29 to purchase your very own pieces from the Star Wars™ Collection and The Mandalorian™ Collection by Thomas Kinkade Studios; guests who purchase from the collections on the event day, at the event location, may enjoy the opportunity to have select merchandise signed! Here’s the current lineup:

Thursday, May 26, and Friday, May 27:

Jenna McMullins (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Samantha Garvin (3-5 p.m.)
Dirk Wunderlich (5-9 p.m.)

Saturday, May 28

Monte Moore (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Samantha Garvin (2-5 p.m.)
Dirk Wunderlich (5-9 p.m.)

Sunday, May 29

Monte Moore (11 a.m. -1 p.m.)
Samantha Garvin (1-3 p.m.)
Jenna McMullins (3-5 p.m.)
Dirk Wunderlich (5-9 p.m.)

Gastronomical Wonders

Enjoy the following delectable delights at various locations around Downtown Disney:

Kayla’s Cake

Galaxy Caramel Macaron—This sea salt caramel macaron satisfies two cravings at once, as it features sea salt caramel with white chocolate ganache.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes™

Galaxy Roll—A sushi dream come true! Fresh salmon, cucumber, and avocado are rolled in soy paper, topped with steamed shrimp and ahi tuna, and drizzled with spicy kimchee ponzu sauce.

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen^®

“Empire” cocktail—Cruzan citrus rum, blue Curacao, lime juice, and Sprite.
“Rebel” cocktail—Effen cucumber Vodka, watermelon Torani and Sprite.

Dueling fates… Light vs. Dark… why not battle it out at your table with a friend or a foe by ordering both drinks at the same time? (Available through May 31)

Naples Ristorante e Bar

Red Galaxy Cocktail—light rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, squeezed lime, squeezed honey, and splash of Grenadine served on the rocks, topped with mint
Green Moon Cocktail—served with either of tequila or mezcal, Anchor Reyes, Canton ginger, lemon juice, and a squeeze of honey syrup… topped with soda water and served in a hurricane glass garnished with green pepper and lime

Marceline’s Confectionary

Grogu Apple—Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears, enrobed in colored white chocolate, with gold sanding sugar for the belt

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes

Light Classic Shake—electric blue vanilla shake with silver and blue galaxy sprinkles, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle (Available through May 31)
Dark Classic Shake—wild cherry shake with red and black sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and a cherry (Available through May 31)

A Grand Starship in the Grand Californian

Even the hotels of the Disneyland Resort are getting into the spirit… Be sure to check out this display in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa—it’s truly out of this galaxy! This showpiece depicts the Millennium Falcon arriving in Black Spire Outpost and was created by the Disney culinary team, using edible ingredients like crisped rice and fondant.

Adventures by Disney Heads to Sicily and the British Isles

May 3, 2022

Calling all wilderness explorers: Adventures by Disney has just announced its latest itineraries and you do not want to miss out!

Land and Private Adventures are now open for booking—including new escapades to Sicily and the British Isles, as well as 11 returning Private Adventure itineraries. Whether you’re exploring new destinations or revisiting treasured favorites, with Adventures by Disney you’ll create cherished memories and meet new friends by experiencing the wonder of the real world in an authentic, immersive, and hassle-free adventure... all made possible by Disney.

Land Adventures

Adventures by Disney’s Land Adventures are so much more than just a vacation; they’re an opportunity to create a lifetime of magical memories for you and your family. A signature ABD offering, these 30+ itineraries include outstanding accommodations; an array of amenities; and world-class service. You can be sure that wherever in the world you choose to visit, you and your family will see the world as only Disney can show it to you.

NEW: Sicily (8 Days, 7 nights)

Destinations: Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Siracusa, Mt. Etna, Taormina

Experience the beauty, history, and traditions that have been cultivated over the 10,000 years since this island paradise off Italy’s southeast coast was first settled. With features that include hilly landscapes, stunning coastlines, and the most active volcano in Europe, it’s no wonder that the land has shaped the people who call it home. And as any visitor quickly finds out, the Sicilian people are welcoming to all those who come and embrace the food, culture, and way of life that is truly unique to this magical island.

NEW: British Isles (10 days, 9 nights)

Destinations: Dublin, Belfast, Antrim Coast & Giant’s Causeway, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London

From the warm, welcoming people of Dublin and the storied past of Belfast, to the cobblestone streets and ancient castles of Edinburgh... and on to London, a modern city steeped in history... the archipelago known as the British Isles offers something for everyone. Whether you want to walk in the footsteps of history or prefer to take in more modern surroundings, ABD’s British Isles adventure is guaranteed to quench your thirst for history.

Book early and save up to $500 per person on your 2023 Land Adventure!

Private Adventures

Explore the world with the fellow Adventurers of your choice; each Private Adventure is made up of up to 12 family members, friends, co-workers, or whoever you want to share a big adventure with! These smaller groups allow you to form a more intimate connection with the people and places you visit—while still enjoying the amenities, benefits, and services of ABD’s standard departures. Plus, you choose the dates your travel, making this a truly personal vacation experience.

ABD’s 11 returning Private Adventures include:

Australia
Costa Rica
Egypt
England and France
Greece
Ireland
Italy
New Zealand
Peru
South Africa
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

Learn more about these Land and Private Adventures—and book your own sure-to-be-memorable trip—by visiting at AdventuresbyDisney.com, calling 1-800-543-2865, or speaking with your travel advisor.

Book Now

The Disney Wish Sets Sail on the New Cover of Disney twenty-three

May 3, 2022August 3, 2022

By Jeffrey R. Epstein

Shining, shimmering, splendid. Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, is all that and more—and the new issue of Disney twenty-three provides every detail adventurers need to know before hitting the high seas on their way to a whole new world of experiences. From the delicious cuisine to the dazzling entertainment, readers will enjoy spectacular photographs and artwork (including the publication’s exclusive cover) while hearing from the Walt Disney Imagineers and creatives who crafted this work of art on water.

Plus, the biggest stars in the Disney galaxy sat down to discuss a swath of incredible new projects. Ewan McGregor talks about reprising his role as the title character in the new Lucasfilm limited series for Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi and reveals what drew him back to the lightsaber. Chris Evans takes us to infinity and beyond in Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear, in which the former Captain America voices Buzz Lightyear in the epic film that “inspired” the iconic Buzz action figure we know and love from the Toy Story franchise. Later this summer, Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder promises to electrify audiences—and Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Taika Waititi, and Tessa Thompson give us an early insiders’ look at what promises to be an unbelievable adventure.

And since it’s starting to heat up, get ready for summer with High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season three, which sees the Wildcats experience the fun and drama of theater camp with new characters and a new production—Frozen: The Musical.

The new issue, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also features a chat with Disney Legend Dick Nunis, discussing his 40-plus-year career at Disney, including working closely with Walt Disney himself.

Also in the Summer 2022 issue of Disney twenty-three:

Ms. Marvel gives Disney+ a spectacular, groundbreaking new Super Hero
The hilarious John Mulaney on voicing Chip in Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Details on Storyliving by Disney—the unique, new residential communities
The scoop on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ irresistible Baymax series, coming to Disney+ this summer
Unbelievably intricate sand artwork created at Walt Disney World Resort
50 years of bulbs and brilliance with the Main Street Electrical Parade, which returned to Disneyland this spring
Regular features including By the Numbers, Character Analysis, and Ask the Walt Disney Archives

Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps and is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving before the end of May.

Phone featuring the 2024 D23 Gold Member Card and surrounded by sparkles.

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!

Showcased are the four 2025 D23 Gold Member Premiums: Disneyland 70th Collection, including The Happiest Place on Earth, a replica Disneyland Park entrance plaque, and a reproduction of the Disneyland Entrance plaque text draft; Gold Member Fan Pack including a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse water bottle, crossbody bag, and hat; a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse Spirit Jersey; and a 10-piece Pin Set.

Where Disney Fans Belong
Enjoy access to exclusive screenings, special shopping events, immersive experiences, and unique merchandise.

JOIN TODAY

This Exclusive Turning Red Featurette Clip is Really MEI-jor

May 3, 2022April 29, 2022

By Courtney Potter

Ready to activate Red Panda mode? Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red recently debuted on all major digital platforms—and today (Tuesday, May 3), its officially arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD! Fans will be able to transport back to the early aughts any time they want. There’s lots of warm and fuzzy red panda Mei-hem in store, with never-before-seen bonus material including seven deleted scenes, including an alternate opening and Easter egg-style ending; audio commentary with director Domee Shi; and three fun-filled featurettes.

Speaking of, D23 was given exclusive early access to a scene from one of the featurettes—chronicling how Shi and her team brought such a memorable style to Mei and her friends and family. Check it out, below!

In Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red, confident, dorky 13-year-old Mei must balance being a dutiful daughter with the chaos of adolescence. Her slightly overbearing mom Ming is never far away—but that’s not all... as if changes to Mei’s interests, relationships, and body aren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited, she “poofs” into a giant red panda!

Featuring the voices of Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, and Tristan Allerick Chen—and featuring songs by FINNEAS and Billie Eilish—the film was produced by Lindsey Collins and directed by Academy Award® winner Shi (Pixar’s Bao).

Stream Turning Red on Disney+

Stream Embrace The Panda on Disney+

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

May 2, 2022

By Andie Hagemann

Clear your schedules, because you won’t want to miss the exciting premieres and finales airing this week—viewable, as ever, on your TV or assorted streaming devices! The Muppets stop by on the season premiere of Holey Moley on Tuesday and offer the zany mini-golf series some pointers. Go behind the magic of The Book of Boba Fett with the newest installment of Disney Gallery, debuting Wednesday; that same day, don’t miss the season finales of Moon Knight and Good Trouble. Then, it’s time to assemble your crew for the 10th anniversary of Marvel’s The Avengers!

Holey Moley—Tuesday, May 3, at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC
In this season premiere, The Muppets head to the course determined to help the mini-golf competition series remain on air fore-ever. Will their advice be a hole-in-one? Meanwhile, eight contestants face off for the golden putter, coveted plaid jacket, and a spot in the finals. The dynamic commentating duo of Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore return—and are joined by the one and only Kermit the Frog!

Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett—Wednesday, May 4, on Disney+
Learn how Lucasfilm created the hit Disney+ series The Book of Boba Fett, starring Temuera Morrison and Disney Legend Mina-Na Wen, in this behind-the-scenes documentary debuting exclusively on the streaming service. Filmmakers, cast, and crew reveal the groundbreaking technology and the practical effects used to bring the legendary bounty hunter’s story to life.

Moon Knight—Wednesday, May 4, on Disney+
The highly anticipated season finale is here! After the fifth episode’s emotional trip down memory lane, see what’s next for Steven Grant/Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac) as he attempts to thwart the plans of Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke).

Good Trouble—Wednesday, May 4, at 10 p.m. ET, on Freeform
The spring finale is upon us, and the gang is weighing big decisions. Alice (Sherry Cola) tries to regain her courage to go back on stage, and Joaquin (Bryan Craig) receives news regarding his sister’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) is conflicted about dating Evan (T.J. Linnard) despite receiving “approval” from the FCG ladies.

The Avengers—Wednesday, May 4, on Disney+
Celebrate 10 years of The Avengers with a third, or (let’s be honest) 33rd, viewing of the film… After Loki (Tom Hiddleston) steals the Tesseract, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)—the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.—assembles a Super Hero “dream team” comprised of Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) to save Earth.

Celebrating Halfway to Halloween with Disney Parks—Plus More in News Briefs

April 29, 2022

By Courtney Potter

Halfway to Halloween: All the Spooky Fun in Store from Disney Parks

Here’s some truly spook-tacular news from Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products: Halfway to Halloween is here, and with it comes announcements of some frightfully fun festivities!

Haunted highlights include the return of both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park inside Walt Disney World Resort, and Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort this fall. At both resorts, throughout the spooky season, you can expect all manner of new Halloween-themed merchandise as well as delicious eats and treats—both returning favorites and brand-new delights.

But that’s not all: To really get into the Halloween spirit, Walt Disney Pictures joined the swinging wake by revealing the logo for the new Haunted Mansion film—slated to open in theaters March 10, 2023.

In this mysterious adventure, a doctor (Rosario Dawson) and her 9-year-old son (Chase Dillon), looking to start a new life, move into a strangely affordable mansion in New Orleans, only to discover that the place is much more than they bargained for. Desperate for help, they contact a priest (Owen Wilson), who, in turn, enlists the aid of a widowed scientist-turned failed-paranormal expert (LaKeith Stanfield); a French Quarter psychic (Tiffany Haddish); and a crotchety historian (Danny DeVito).

Foolish mortals would be wise to keep their eyeballs peeled for more Halloween-related hijinks from Disney Parks as we creep ever closer to fall…

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

This weekend kicks off the merry month of May (honestly, has this year flown by so far or what?!)—and there’s so much good viewing to look forward to from around the worlds of Disney. The return of ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney; Pretty Woman arriving on Hulu; the always show-stopping “Disney Night” episode of ABC’s American Idol; and so much more.

**Meet The Villains of Valley View and Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion This June**

Mark those calendars, friends: Disney Branded Television just announced the premiere date for its two newest, highly anticipated Disney Channel series: The Villains of Valley View and Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion… you’ll get to officially meet ’em all beginning Friday, June 3!

The Villains of Valley View follows teenage supervillain Havoc (Isabella Pappas), who—after standing up to the head of the League of Villains—is forced to relocate with her family, who’ve all changed their villainous identities, to a sleepy Texas suburb. With the help of effervescent new neighbor Hartley (Kayden Muller-Janssen), Havoc—now going incognito as Amy—must somehow hide her superpowers and quell her villainous nature in favor of something she and the rest of her family have fought against all their lives: being normal. The series also stars Lucy Davis, James Patrick Stuart, Malachi Barton, Reed Horstmann, and Patricia Belcher.

Meanwhile, in Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion, everyday Mexican American teen Violet Rodriguez (Scarlett Estevez) is “chosen” by a magical luchador mask, which transforms her into Ultra Violet—a superhero fighting crime alongside her luchador uncle, Cruz (J.R. Villarreal), also known as Black Scorpion. Although Cruz takes Violet under his special-powers wing, she doesn’t always see eye to eye with him when it comes to his methods for capturing crooks. In the meantime, she must keep her superhero identity secret from her parents Nina and Juan Carlos (Marianna Burelli and Juan Alfonso) and her older brother Santiago (Brandon Rossel), as well as her friends and schoolmates. However, she does lean on one close confidante: her best friend Maya (Zelia Ankrum), who provides advice and assists with documenting Ultra Violet’s adventures on social media.

Look for two back-to-back episodes of both The Villains of Valley View (8 p.m. EDT/PDT) and Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion (9 p.m. EDT/PDT) on June 3… with both series streaming shortly thereafter on Disney+.

**Tokyo Disneyland Unveils Plans for Space Mountain Transformation**

Earlier this week, our friends at Tokyo Disney Resort announced that Space Mountain will be closing as part of a major renovation of Tomorrowland, beginning in 2024. By 2027—which will be here before we know it! —the new area will feature a newly rebuilt Space Mountain attraction, keeping the original concept as a thrilling indoor coaster but including enhanced performance and sure-to-be-amazing immersive special effects.

As Walt Disney Imagineering producer Kathleen Davis recently told Disney Parks Blog, “I’m thrilled to introduce this attraction to guests. It’s not only a whole new ride experience, but the story also has so much emotion. Through the queue and then on the ride, we see our connection to our planet and gain a new perspective for how special it is in all the universe. It’s a roller coaster with both thrill and heart.”

In addition to Space Mountain’s transformation, an all-new plaza in Tomorrowland will represent a future where humans are in harmony with nature. The area will offer guests areas to recharge and relax, and will include lighting and sound effects in the evening.

Stay tuned for more info on the transformed attraction as it becomes available…

No Case Too Small: New Trailer for Disney+’s Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers

Yep—once they’re involved, somehow whatever’s wrong gets solved! Disney+ recently released a new trailer for their upcoming original movie Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers; a comeback 30 years in the making, the hybrid live-action/CG animated action-comedy catches up with the former Disney Afternoon television stars in modern-day Los Angeles.

Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) and Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) are living amongst cartoons and humans in L.A., but their lives are quite different now. It’s been decades since their successful television series was canceled—and Chip has succumbed to a life of suburban domesticity as an insurance salesman. Dale, meanwhile, has had CGI surgery and works the nostalgia convention circuit, desperate to relive his glory days. When a former castmate 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.

Also featuring KiKi Layne, Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg, Dennis Haysbert, Keegan-Michael Key, Tress MacNeille, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogen, J.K. Simmons, and Chris Parnell, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers is directed by Akiva Schaffer. Look for the film to premiere exclusively on May 20—only on Disney+.

Spellbinding New Experiences for Disney Cruise Line’s Halloween on the High Seas

With Disney Parks celebrating Halfway to Halloween (scroll up for a reminder!), this update from the good folks at Disney Cruise Line fits right in: This September and October, Disney Cruise Line guests will run “amuck! amuck! amuck!” on several Halloween-themed cruises featuring special entertainment and activities, including trick-or-treating, spooky parties, elaborate décor and limited-time food and beverage items.

But that’s not all: These cruises will include a first-of-its-kind character meet and greet inspired by Halloween’s favorite sisters; while all characters on board will appear in Halloween costumes as part of the festivities, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow will debut a never-before-seen look as they dress up as the iconic Sandersons from Disney’s Hocus Pocus!

Plus, as part of its inaugural season of Halloween cruises this fall, the Disney Wish—the newest Disney Cruise Line ship—will also introduce a unique twist on a Halloween on the High Seas hallmark…Guests will witness the debut of an all-new magical Pumpkin Tree (adorned with lighter bark, graceful branches, and a mystical face) in the Cinderella-inspired Grand Hall.

For more info on all this fa-boo-lous Disney Cruise Line fun, visit disneycruise.com.

Show Your School Spirit at Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion

Speaking of Disneyland Resort, a fun new special event is coming to Disney California Adventure Park this summer… and you’ll wanna break out the letterman jackets and “Phys Ed” T-shirts!

Debuting on select June nights, Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion is the ultimate class reunion filled with dancing, fun, and nostalgia celebrating classes of the last six decades. The event grants “grads” after-hours access to Disney California Adventure after the park closes to daytime guests; plus, the night will feature cafeteria-inspired eats and treats, special character experiences, fun-filled entertainment, and shorter wait times for fan-favorite attractions. In addition to these special offerings, * guests will receive a commemorative credential and guide as well as unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass** digital photos captured during the party. Party attire encouraged—and don’t forget to show your school spirit! (Please read the Disneyland Resort Attire Guidelines).

This after-hours event will be offered on June 23, 28, and 30, 2022. To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit Disneyland.com. Be there or be square! (Do note there are a limited number of tickets, so grab ’em while the gettin’ is good.)

*Certain attractions, experiences, and offerings will not be available during the events. Please check the event’s webpage for updated information. Available experiences, attractions, and offerings may be modified and limited in availability, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. No refunds given for any changes or cancellations whether due to inclement weather or otherwise.

**Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy found at Disneyland.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required.

ICYMI: Every A-MEI-zing Easter Egg in Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red

We’re big fans of Pixar’s Turning Red ’round these parts—and as such, we recently took a deep (and totally entertaining) dive into the film to find any and all Easter eggs, hidden details, and Disney references to help “U Know What’s Up” the next time you watch. It’s almost too much panda-monium for one article to handle…

All the Buzz on Hidden ‘a bug’s land’ Details in Avengers Campus

April 29, 2022May 6, 2022

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Before the Avengers and their allies assembled to Disney California Adventure Park, guests could shrink down to the size of a bug and explore the world from the eyes of their favorite characters from Disney and Pixar’s a bug’s life. The land featured the 3D show It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, along with Flik’s Fun Fair—a collection of fair-inspired attractions perfect for both the young and young at heart. While we’ve said “bye.” to ‘a bug’s land’ as we once knew it, there are still plenty of details and shout-outs to the land hidden in Avengers Campus, and we can’t stop buzzing about them! We hope we’re not bugging you if we round up some of these details, so that next time you visit Disney California Adventure, it won’t be too tough to be ‘a bug’s land’ fan!

So that’s where ‘a bug’s land’ went…
If you’ve visited Avengers Campus recently, you might have spotted Ant-Man or The Wasp showing off an example of the Pym Particles power: They shrunk what they call a theme park to the size of a bug! If you’re lucky enough to see it (contained in its small case for safe keeping), you might even spot the iconic hidden four-leaf clover that once towered over park guests in ‘a bug’s land.’ Our favorite shrinking Super Heroes don’t always have this case with them, however; it turns out their ant friends are as big of a fan of Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train as we were, so sometimes Ant-Man and The Wasp leave the land behind so the ants can have some fun. After all, don’t they deserve a nice day at Disneyland Resort, too?

We’re totally buggin’ over this prize
There’s a lot of detail to take in during the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure preshow. You might have been too busy examining the LEGO Death Star, Lucky Dog pizza boxes, or the whiteboards full of notes to notice a certain hidden shoutout to a show we’re all buzzing about. In the claw machine on the left side of the preshow room, you can peek in to see an assortment of fun prizes (including other Disney shoutouts—hey, Baymax!). One of those prizes is a familiar pair of “bug-eye” glasses you might recognize as the glasses from the 3D experience It’s Tough to be a Bug! Don’t worry, you don’t need to win the glasses in the claw machine; if you’re hoping to see the world from a bug’s point of view, the show is still performing “off-Bugway” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Assembling hidden details
The It’s Tough to Be a Bug! details don’t just end in the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure pre-show. The WEB open house is located in what was once a Stark Industries warehouse, and you might notice remnants from the time when the building was used to craft the latest in Stark Industries technology. If you look closely, some of the leftover assembly line machines might bug you a little bit—just before you load your WEB Slinger vehicle, you can spot control boxes on the wall from It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, including the control box for the Hopper Audio-Animatronics® figure. The fearsome grasshopper is a fan-favorite, so it’s fitting that there’s a small tribute to him within the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure queue.

A robot in train-ing
Once you’ve boarded your WEB Slinger vehicle, we know you’re focused on helping Spidey take out the rogue Spider-Bots. In between battling the bots, however, we suggest you keep an eye out—because we’ve got another Easter egg to bug you about in this attraction: After the first scene of Spider-Bot battling, keep an eye out for a yellow and gray robot pallet. There’s a small label on the robot: H.E.I.M.L.I.C.H. Fans of Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train might need a moment to stop and stare, because this robot was originally part of the Heimlich Chew Chew Train’s attraction vehicles. It’s only fitting that so many cool details from ‘a bug’s land’ are hidden in a Spider-Man themed attraction, but if you want to see Heimlich in his full glory, don’t worry! Just hop on the web and stream Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives on Disney+; part of the beloved Chew Chew train is safe and sound in the Walt Disney Archives, and you can see him for yourself in the documentary.

Big decor inspiration from a small source
A spider-themed location isn’t the only place you’ll spot ‘a bug’s land’ Easter eggs. Luckily, the Pym Tasting Lab took some decoration inspiration from Flik’s Fun Fair in ‘a bug’s land.’ With Ant-Man’s incredible shrinking and growing technology, the Tasting Lab was able to replicate the Christmas light décor that you might remember from Tuck and Roll’s Drive ’Em Buggies. While the lights aren’t exactly the same, the supersized string lights offer a fun through-line between the tiny world of ‘a bug’s land’ and Hank Pym’s amazing shrinking and enlarging technology.

Building a better campus
As you head from Cars Land to Avengers Campus, you’ll notice a bright yellow crane hanging over the entry way. While that crane currently serves as a reminder of the campus’ history as a Stark Industries compound, the crane also has a more whimsical history from when it was used in ‘a bug’s land.’ The maintenance crane once lifted vehicles from Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train on and off the track of the attraction—we’re glad to see it’s found a new, heroic home at Avengers Campus!

A bountiful reference
We obviously know that ‘a bug’s land’ existed before Avengers Campus—but do you know what was there before ‘a bug’s land?’ Bountiful Valley Farm was an opening-day attraction for Disney California Adventure that celebrated the agriculture of California. This attraction became part of ‘a bug’s land’ in 2002, before eventually making way for another Pixar-themed area: Cars Land!

When you go pick up your supersized and super small snacks from the Pym Test Kitchen, don’t forget to grab some ketchup and mustard. The condiments are dispensed from enlarged ketchup and mustard bottles bearing the logo of none other than Bountiful Valley Farm! Although the location is no longer there, we can still enjoy some of its bounties thanks to this Easter egg.

Xochitl Gomez Introduces America Chavez to the MCU

April 29, 2022April 28, 2022

By Zach Johnson

America Chavez has fans seeing stars already.

The fan-favorite character from the comics is about to make her big screen debut in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, opening exclusively in theaters on May 6, 2022—and Xochitl Gomez, best known for her role in The Baby-Sitters Club, is bringing the sassy, interdimensional, portal-punching Super Hero to life.

“America is someone we’ve been trying to get into the MCU for a long time,” co-producer Richie Palmer says in the Spring 2022 issue of Disney twenty-three, available exclusively to Disney Gold and Gold Family Members. “This felt like the best place to do it, because ‘Multiverse’ is in the title and her powers specifically have to do with the Multiverse—her powers being that she can punch open doorways to other universes.”

Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Wong (Benedict Wong) have sworn an oath to “protect those barriers,” Palmer explains, making America’s presence all the more “maddening” for the sorcerers. “That’s something we haven’t seen in our movies, a character who can actually walk from one universe to another,” Palmer notes.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) ponder the possibilities of the Multiverse.

Gomez is a self-admitted “huge fan of the MCU” who has “seen every movie multiple times,” she says. However, she didn’t read the America Chavez comics until she “did some digging” during her audition process and figured out which role she was in contention for. “I immediately liked her style, her costume, and her confidence,” she says. “I was like, ‘She is a baddie! I can’t believe I get to go for this role. This is crazy!’”

Gomez calls her character “inspirational,” telling D23, “With America, she just keeps going, especially when things are going wrong—and everything is going completely wrong for her. She’s running away from her uniqueness, until she learns to embrace it.”

Rest assured, fans who’ve been following America’s adventures in the comics won’t be disappointed when they see the character in action alongside the other Super Heroes. “We are definitely honoring the Stargate portal, and you’ll see a lot of stars with America in this movie,” Palmer promises. “We’re not doing away with those portals!”

America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) encounters Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Wong (Benedict Wong) in the streets of New York during a battle.

Independent and strong, America makes a big impression when she first encounters the master of the Mystic Arts. “America meets Stephen Strange in the middle of a battle in New York as a monster is attacking the city,” she says, referring to Gargantos, a tentacled, one-eyed creature. “She’s hiding when he comes to fight it, and then he sees it’s America the monster is after. So, naturally, he wants to know more about her.”

For more exclusive details on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, read the Spring 2022 issue of Disney twenty-three—then see the film in theaters starting May 6! Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership.