The Post 21 Story

Post 21 was created by a mother-daughter duo who for years wanted a comprehensive marketplace that focused on modern and design-forward products from Black-owned businesses. While discovering some of their favorite vendors was always an exciting process, they felt strongly that there was no reason these products shouldn’t be household names. So, they said, “Let’s create the place we want to shop!”

The name Post 21 was inspired by Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood District, one of the United States’ most prosperous Black communities until May 31, 1921, when 35 city blocks were set on fire, killing 300 people and injuring 800. The innovative, sophisticated, and game-changing ideas of “Black Wall Street” entrepreneurs, a drive that cannot ever be burned down or driven out, continues to live in Black entrepreneurs today.

We see today and every day since May 31, 1921, as Post 1921. Standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us, we are ready to do what we have traditionally done—in a new and exciting way!

Previously, consumers didn’t have a platform online to find a collection of high-quality products from Black-owned businesses. We have created a marketplace that puts a spotlight on Black-owned brands. It is filled with design-forward products you will want to give to yourself and others.

Starting the business
I never saw myself as an entrepreneur. But after talking with my mom and realizing that what we needed and wanted was missing from the market, I knew this was my calling. I wanted to build the place I wanted to shop. So that’s what we are doing. As a wife and mother, I am constantly buying things for my family. In doing that I wanted to be able to support small Black businesses, and I wanted that all in one place.

What is the inspiration?
As soon as I found out I was having a daughter, I knew I didn’t want her to see me just being a mom; I wanted her to watch me build. I was raised by a single mother, and I wanted my daughter to know and see women can do it all. I was also taught to intentionally support my community, and I wanted to figure out how to do that with the current landscape. When I was young, we did that by finding Black doctors and going to local shops. But now we shop online, and I wanted to build the place I wanted to shop, a place that shows Black people are not monolithic.

Shout out to Mom
My mom deserves all the credit in my story. She raised three kids, one with autism, as a single mother in Los Angeles, all while holding a demanding corporate job. She showed me what hard work and sacrifice looked like for a woman. She put me through college and supported my art dreams. When I had a daughter, I was blessed to be able to stay at home and love on her daily, but I knew that I had to show her that same hard work. While I was pregnant with my second child, my mom brought the idea of Post 21 to me. She wanted to create a beautiful place to “shop Black,” and she wanted me to run with it. We haven’t looked back.

Combining art and business
I’ve always been an artist/creative director. When I started this business, I looked at it no differently. I used what came naturally to me to build what I envisioned, and leaned on my partner (my mom) to fill in the gaps. Business and art are different, but I am looking at them the same—and that, I think, is what is setting us apart. I am proud that during a pandemic I learned how to build this platform and create a marketplace that did not exist. We launched June 1, 2020, and have received immense support. It was not easy, but we knew it would be worth it—and we were right.

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For more information about Post21, click here!

 

Kumandra Comes Alive in Concept Art from Raya and the Last Dragon

It’s been one year since we first travelled to Kumandra—and now Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic Raya and the Last Dragon is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2022 Academy Awards®! The realism of this film’s setting and characters took animators years to achieve, and it all started with concept art, of course! Whether it’s Talon or Spine, Boun or Tuk Tuk, see how these people and places developed with our latest concept art gallery.

Stream Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney+

Disney+ Drops First Teaser Trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi

During the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Disney+ released the first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series, streaming May 25, 2022. Watch it here:

The story of Obi-Wan Kenobi is set 10 years after the dramatic events of the film Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005), where Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. Joining McGregor and Christensen onscreen are Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.

5 Facts About the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

Hear ye! Hear ye! The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is back at Magic Kingdom Park! To celebrate the return of one of the most whimsical parades to ever grace Main Street, U.S.A, we’ve prepared five enchanting facts sure to make your dreams glow.

  1. The Festival of Fantasy Parade features a dazzling cast of characters and eight floats representing more than a dozen Disney stories straight from Fantasyland. Because this parade was created to celebrate New Fantasyland in 2014, it features many of the stories and characters that you will find in the Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom, including Peter Pan, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, and more! There are 40 Disney friends represented in animated and sculpted form. This parade really has character! 

  1. A couple of floats from Disney Festival of Fantasy may seem familiar to you if you are a Disney Parks brainiac. The princess garden float—featuring Belle, Cinderella, Tiana, Anna, and Elsa—is a redressed float from Tokyo Disneyland’s Jubilation! parade. The finale float is also from Jubilation!, except that Mickey’s Airship was specifically created to match the existing aesthetic of the Jubilation! floats as well as the Fantasyland Storybook Circus theming!

  1. The steampunk-inspired, fire-breathing Maleficent float is a fan favorite, but Tony® Award–winning production designer Michael Curry explains, “We don’t think of her as a parade float, we think of her as a creature.” Curry previously designed puppets for The Lion King on Broadway and Finding Nemo – The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney Live Entertainment sought his expertise when creating the Maleficent dragon. This 52-foot-long beast represents a first for Disney, as it was the first to utilize a bending chassis base, allowing Maleficent to literally strut down the parade route.

  1. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade features an original song and score by Mark Hammond. Hammond has a long history in the Disney Parks; his past credits include music for World of Color at Disney California Adventure, Flights of Fantasy at Hong Kong Disneyland, and most recently Harmonious at EPCOT!

  1. Mirena Rada was the incredible costume designer behind the elaborate outfits featured in the Disney Festival of Fantasy. These costumes include the ruffians from Tangled, whose garments utilize more than 28 separate fabrics. That’s not all—the seashell girl from the Little Mermaid unit requires 30 yards of fabric per costume and 12 different colors of mesh. Finally, the costumes in this parade were crafted in 10 different shops in eight cities across two countries. Now that’s Disney magic!

How many of these fun facts did you know? We hope we gave you some interesting items to look out for the next time you visit Magic Kingdom Park! The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade returns March 9, 2022, at Walt Disney World Resort.

Meet the Women of Walt Disney Imagineering

Women of Walt Disney Imagineering is a tribute to the trailblazing women who have contributed to Disney Parks over the last half-century as a part of the Imagineering team. Architects, interior designers, producers, and development executives—these incredible artists have produced unforgettable experiences for guests across the globe, and now they are telling their stories in their own words. Whet your appetite with some tidbits about the 12 women featured in this upcoming anthology, available now for pre-order.

Maggie Elliot – Senior Vice President, Creative Development Administration

Elliot calls herself a “true Disney kid,” and her roots in Imagineering are deep; her father, a Disney Studio art director, headed Imagineering after Walt Disney’s death. Beginning as an apprentice model maker in 1968, Maggie was the first woman to ascend the ranks of Imagineering management—rising from manager of the Model Shop, to director of creative development administration, and then to VP of creative development administration before retiring as senior vice president in 1994.

Favorite project she worked on?
“Enchanted Tiki Room, because it’s the first show I worked when I first started working in 1968.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“The first time I met Walt Disney!”

What is Elliot’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“it’s a small world and shopping on Main Street.”

Eli Erlandson, Principal Concept Architect

Erlandson wanted to study art, but her immigrant parents insisted she study anything else—and encouraged medicine or engineering. She chose architecture, which had its own challenges in a male-dominated profession. For many years, she was the only woman at Imagineering who had an architectural license. She worked on 11 of 12 Disney theme parks and has lived in Hong Kong and Paris; she is also an accomplished set designer and art director.

Favorite project she worked on:
“I am fortunate that all the projects I worked on hold special memories and also positive resolutions to difficult challenges that needed our attention. Working on the EPCOT World Showcase project is probably one of my most memorable experiences; even though traveling on research for Disney’s Animal Kingdom throughout the African continent with three of my colleagues remains extremely high on the list. On the EPCOT project, I was on my steepest learning curve on what is ‘thematic design’ and I had the privilege of working beside some of the original Imagineers. I was working with an incredible group of professionals, with different talents, all working towards a similar goal of ‘let’s make this happen; let’s make it the best it can be!’ and I was encouraged to use all my talents without being put in one category.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“When the World Showcase three-dimensional model was completed and ready to be professionally photographed, Harper Goff looked at me and asked: ‘Tell me what is missing?’ I looked at the model and saw this beautifully executed three-dimensional mini World Showcase with its various pavilions of countries around the world, a beautiful lagoon with its rockwork borders and boat docks, boats on the lagoon, landscaping corresponding to the pavilions’ geographic locations, etc. Everything was painted to perfection. I answered: ‘This is beautiful! What could be missing?’ Harper addressed the whole team and said: ‘Bring me some salt!’ That moment made me feel confused. Was he superstitious? Was he going to shake a small saltshaker over his left shoulder for good luck? Harper took the saltshaker and carefully leaned over the model, reaching for the locations of the boats. He proceeded to create miniature wakes behind each boat, which gave them a sense of direction and motion. That day I learned that no matter how small a detail might seem, it should not be overlooked. Now we were ready for the photo shoot of the model. It was perfect.”

What is Erlandson’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“The first time I went to Disneyland Park I was in my early teens. We had immigrated from Brazil, and I was impressed by everything in the park. I still am. From those early years, I loved sailing over London in Peter Pan’s Flight, the speed of a ride in the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Submarine Voyage. Those three made a big impression on me. The Enchanted Tiki Room and Jungle Cruise were also new revelations to me, where I saw the eyes of my parents and grandparents reflect the joy of a small child. I was also fascinated by the PeopleMover, it was way ahead of its time. It created its own energy while propelling the small cars forward, something that could prove very useful today when we are trying to minimize carbon emissions worldwide. Since then, we (as a company) have developed so many new attractions and spearheaded some amazing technological developments, using these to create experiences of even more fantastic stories for our guests. It makes one proud to be part of the Disney team, while it is also quite humbling.”

Peggie Fariss – Executive, Creative Development

Fariss began her 50-year career at Disney as an attractions hostess on the Storybook Land Canal Boats. She was instrumental in the research for EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth and later became WDI’s liaison to corporate sponsors. Her experience representing Imagineering’s artistic vision led to her final assignment as the creative development executive for Disneyland Paris, where for five years she led a team that doubled in size from 25 to 50.

Favorite project she worked on:
“I’ve had the great good fortune of working on lots of favorite projects (EPCOT Conferences, Spaceship Earth, The Disney Gallery, corporate branding in the parks), but I have to say the most fulfilling project was leading the Disneyland Paris Imagineering team (Creative Design & Show Quality). It challenged me to draw upon all the Disney values I’d absorbed over my 45 years in the company up to that point. My five years in Paris went by so quickly. And they were the most challenging, fun, and fulfilling of my career. I lived in one of the world’s most amazing cities, I formed friendships for a lifetime, and I had the absolute privilege of working with so many talented, kind, and dedicated people. We accomplished so much together and for all that I am truly thankful.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“In 1987, as Show Producer for The Disney Gallery, I was tasked with interviewing legendary Disney artists and animators whose early Disneyland concept work would be featured in the opening exhibit ‘The Art of Disneyland.’ They’d worked directly with Walt Disney in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. Many were retired so I visited them in their homes. I’ve sat in Dorothea Redmond’s kitchen, in Marc & Alice Davis’s study amidst their impressive collection of New Guinea totems, and in Ken Anderson’s garden, listening as they recounted their stories of Walt and their fellow artists. For a kid who’d grown-up with Disney films and Disneyland, this was HEAVEN!”

What is Fariss’ favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“I love Ratatouille: The Adventure at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. A truly delightful mix of immersive fun with Remy and his friends.”

Paula Dinkel – Principal Lighting Designer

Dinkel came to Imagineering from academia and spent 30 years as a lighting designer for Disney Parks (Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney Studios Paris, Shanghai Disneyland); The Disney Stores; and other projects, including DisneyQuest and Club Disney.

Favorite project she worked on:
“Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris was my favorite project because I was privileged to lead the Show Lighting team. Most of the lighting designers had worked with me on previous projects like DisneyQuest and Club Disney. I was proud and pleased that I could offer them a new challenge that would be rewarding and exciting for them as well as for me.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“When I was working at Disneyland, I looked forward to sunset so I could go to Main Street to see the night lighting turn on. It always makes me happy to hear the guests exclaim, ‘The lights!’”

What is Dinkel’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland is my sentimentally favorite attraction. My first ride was with my sweetheart at Grad Night 1967 when it first opened. From a design standpoint, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris was the most fun.”

Karen Connolly Armitage – Concept Designer

Connolly Armitage brought her background in theater performance and design to Imagineering in 1977; her first assignment was with Disney Legend Dorothea Redmond. She was instrumental in the overall design of Disney theme parks around the world, including attractions at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Frontierland at Disneyland Paris, and Main Street at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Favorite project she worked on:
“Disneyland Paris’ Frontierland for many reasons. The responsibility, respect, and belief in my abilities that Jeff Burke and Dick Kline surrounded me with, partnered with the great Frontierland team with many women leads, pushed me and produced an accelerated growth and maturing as to who I was becoming as a collaborating partner and designer. My self-belief expanded and was validated. It was an incredible feeling.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“Pat Burke, returning from the Paris construction site one day, sauntered into my office chuckling while saying, ‘Karen, you are now revered and well-known on the Cowboy Cookout construction site!” (Me: ‘Good grief!’) He continued, ‘You know we have an Irish crew now! Well, I told them your middle name is Connolly and that your grandparents came from County Monaghan! And that you have a family link back to James Connolly, their Patriot Hero!’ (These facts are true!) ‘Well, we now have the hardest working, fastest, most expedient crew on the whole job site!’ I was later told Frontierland was one of the first lands to finish. Regardless, I have secretly loved remembering Pat Burke telling me this! Burke is also an Irish name!”

What is Connolly Armitage’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“Disneyland—Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Katie Olson – Principal Color Concept Designer

Olson originally wanted to be a cop, but her summer job in Imagineering’s Model Shop changed everything. She began as “the juniorest of juniors,” painting models, color boards, and anything else that needed a coat of paint—discovering a knack for color design that enabled her to lead many projects for color at WDI. She contributed to every Disney park during her 36-year career, including being on the opening teams for Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tokyo DisneySea, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Favorite project you worked on:
“it’s a small world at Hong Kong Disneyland was a joy to work on for so many reasons. To be tasked to take one of the Disney classics and bring a fresh color look to our updated version was a challenge and an honor. I took inspiration whenever possible from Mary Blair’s original design for the New York World’s Fair of 1964 where the attraction was born, which was then brought to Disneyland after the Fair closed. I was asked to color design so many elements of that attraction, from all the sets, to all the props, and even to the glitter! I did the exterior facade too… whew!”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“Let’s go build something called Tokyo Disneyland. Pick up your entire life and move to Japan in 1982… no language skills, no Internet or smart phone, no idea of where you are except—you’re not in Kansas anymore! Our very small group of Imagineers built one of the most beloved places on earth by our guests, and it still resonates so strongly today. Then on to Tokyo DisneySea several years later, and the adventure continued!”

What is Olson’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“Okay, what’s not to love about Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure?! Cars is just such a fabulous film by Pixar, and I am honored to say I was able to contribute to the color design of both the rock work and architecture of Cars Land, working with the Pixar team and our own art directors. BUT THE RIDE!!! WHEW HOO!!!!!!! Love it!!! Just wish it would go even faster around those buttes!”

Becky Bishop – Area Development Executive

Bishop is a landscape architect who began her career with Imagineering as an intern in 1982. Her first major project was Splash Mountain at Disneyland, and in her thirty-year career she was responsible for landscape and hardscape design and installation at every Disney theme park location.

Favorite project she worked on:
“Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland, Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Storybook Land Canal Boats at Disneyland Paris.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“I found these cool ‘architecturally’ shaped Sycamore trees that had been trained into a cross between a whirly-gig and a space antenna. I planted them in a grid of five’s and seven’s. The next day we hung one of our colleague’s underwear on them!”

What is Bishop’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“I have to admit that walking through Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is truly the most innovative Area Development I think the company has ever done. My admiration and congratulations to the team!”

Pam Rank – Principal Show Lighting Designer

Rank transitioned to theme park design in 1987 following a career as a theater lighting designer and professor. In her new home at Imagineering, she designed lighting for attractions, shops, restaurants, exteriors, and landscaping. During her years at WDI, she oversaw the installation of projects at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo DisneySea, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Favorite project she worked on:
“Tokyo DisneySea Grand Opening—my first chance to design lighting for a whole land, and my first experience living abroad.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“Trying to look at the big picture before opening Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea. What did it need, and what did I need to do to bring it to life through lighting? I had to stick more than my toe into the water…”

What is Rank’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“Overseas: Adventure Isle Challenge Trails at Shanghai Disneyland. In the US: American Adventure at EPCOT.

Lynne Macer Rhodes – Producer

Macer Rhodes’s background in political science and public affairs, and her program management experience in the public sector, gave her Imagineering career a broad scope. From manager of research and planning to producer, she had a ringside seat as Imagineering developed theme parks around the world, including EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Studios Paris, and Disney California Adventure.

Favorite project she worked on:
“I most enjoyed working on Tokyo Disneyland because it included a complete immersion in Japanese culture.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“One of the most inspiring things about my time at Imagineering was the experiences provided by the talent development specialists. They kept up, alive and open, and stretched our minds. Also, working with luminaries in different fields felt like working on the edges of new development.”

What is Macer Rhodes’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“As a guest, I love the experience of the Soarin’ Around the World attraction at Disney California Adventure and EPCOT at Walt Disney World.” 

Kathy Rogers – Executive Show Producer

Rogers’s career began in the Disneyland parking lot, where she made $1.70 per hour. She became an attractions lead and then was tapped to work for Imagineering at Disneyland in 1983. Working first as a coordinator, she rose through the ranks to the producer level, retiring as executive show producer with attractions as diverse as Muppet*Vision 3D and Expedition Everest to her credit.

Favorite project you worked on:
“Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D: Working with Henson and his Muppets was so memorable. He was an incredible creative soul and human, and had a gentle way of making everyone on the team feel important and relevant to the creative process.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“I enjoyed getting a private tour of the White House by a young Secret Service gentleman after the WDI Team recorded President Obama for the 2009 update to the Hall of Presidents attraction at Magic Kingdom Park. He enjoyed sharing behind the scenes of the White House along with the humorous commentary by several of the WDI Team.”

What is Rogers’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Julie Svendsen – Concept Show Designer

Svendsen’s father, Julius, was a Disney animator. He helped her land a job as an accounting clerk at WED Enterprises in 1970, as plans for Walt Disney World were in full swing. This glimpse fueled Julie’s ambition to become a professional artist; after several years of art school and a BFA, she returned to WDI to work on the design teams for New Fantasyland at Disneyland, EPCOT, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Disneyland Paris, Disney California Adventure, The Disney Stores, and Shanghai Disneyland.

Favorite project she worked on:
“I can’t say that I had any favorite projects—they were all interesting in their own way. Each was a new variety of challenges and creativity which ran the gamut from coming up with concepts for different areas of the Walt Disney World water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, to partnering with John Hench to sketch and create a montage of different Disneyland attractions for their appearance on bedspreads for the Disneyland Hotel.”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“As a summer intern working in the WED Graphics Department, I had the extreme pleasure of having my very first paid assignment—designing the Crystal Palace poster—approved by John Hench. I was over the moon!”

What is Svendsen’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“Wow, that’s a tough one. I’d say it’s a tie between Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. But, when I was a kid, I loved the Frontierland Mine Train attraction and the Tomorrowland Flying Saucers.”

Tori Atencio McCullough – Director, Interior Design

McCullough is another Imagineer with deep Disney roots; her father, X Atencio, was a legendary Disney artist and writer. McCullough spent her 40-year career at Imagineering in the interior design studio as both a designer and manager, and in those two roles worked on every Disney theme park.

Favorite project she worked on:
“It is impossible to pick a favorite, but I can pick a favorite two for similar reasons. First is EPCOT, because that was my first big project and I learned so much about theme park design from the best in the business. But equally close to my heart is Euro Disneyland (now called Disneyland Paris), because that was the first international park I worked on, and it was a new concept for a Magic Kingdom. We were designing completely new guest experiences. And of course, I got to live in Paris for three and a half years!”

A favorite memory or story from her time with WDI:
“My research trip to Norway was one of my fondest memories. I was able to share the experience with my husband (and fellow Imagineer) Mike, and we got to experience the most amazing things, in so many different cities. Time and again Mike would shake his head at the end of a busy day, and marvel at how this was a tour unlike any other!”

What is McCullough’s favorite Disney Parks attraction?
“I would have to say Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland for sentimental reasons. But Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland is pretty darn spectacular as well!”

Some imagination, huh? Read all of the awe-inspiring stories from these Imagineers in Women of Walt Disney Imagineering, releasing March 15, 2022. And stay tuned to D23.com for more news on Disney Parks across the globe. Join in on the fun now by joining D23: The Official Disney Fan Club! The 2022 D23 Gold Member Collector Set is included as part of any 2022 D23 Gold membership.

Unbearably Cute Turning Red Concept Art

By Zach Johnson

This Friday, Disney and Pixar’s all-new original feature film Turning Red will introduce us to the confident, somewhat dorky Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chang). She’s got a close crew, proud parents... and a surprising secret. When Mei’s emotions get the better of her, she “poofs” into a giant red panda! As you’ll soon see, the film has a distinct aesthetic that draws on Academy Award®-winning director Domee Shi’s love of anime and early 2000s teen culture. “Domee is a new director with a new voice and a new style,” animation supervisor Aaron Hartline says. “It was exciting that she wanted to try something completely different in terms of animation style. She called it East meets West—where anime represents the East, and signature Pixar animation is West.”

Mission accomplished. “Since everything is seen through a 13-year-old’s lens,” the director says, “we imagined that Mei’s world would be very vibrant and very colorful.”

Stream Turning Red on Disney+

Before Turning Red debuts, enjoy some of the concept and visual development art:

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Quiz: Celebrating Women’s History Month—Which Inspiring Disney Heroine Are You?

By Victoria Hunt

Strong, vulnerable, and determined… Three words that just begin to describe the many female heroines in Disney’s roster.

There is no doubt that women rule the screen in both Disney classics and modern favorites; in fact, tenacious, warm-hearted female characters have graced our screens since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs back in 1937.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, take our quiz below to find out which of these inspiring heroines—there were so many to choose from, but we’re including a sampling of favorites—you’re most like!

Who is your unwavering Disney companion?

What is your favorite Disney song?

How are you celebrating Women’s History Month?

What does self-care look like to you?

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Which Inspiring Disney Heroine Are You?
General Leia Organa

Just like General Leia, you are strong, resilient, and keep things in order. This princess-turned-military-leader used her power for good to become one of the most integral members guiding the battle against the First Order. You and Leia both refuse to let a little difficulty get in the way of what you believe in.
Pocahontas

When greedy colonizers attempted to hurt the people and land she loved, Pocahontas took it upon herself to not only protect her family and community, but to do it with patience, peace, and perseverance. You must be just like her when standing up for the things you believe in. People often underestimate you—like they did with Pocahontas—but you never let that slow you down or throw you off track. Keep fighting for the causes you care about most!
Mulan

When we think of strong Disney heroines, Mulan is top of mind. Like Mulan, you are willing to sacrifice yourself for your family and friends at all costs. You’re the first person to the rescue when a crisis breaks out, and everyone can count on you for strength in a time of need.
Gamora

Like Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, you are independent and strong-willed. You both have been through a lot of hardships in life, but you use those experiences to your advantage. People can sometimes think you’re being aloof; you just like to take your time to think before you speak. But don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone every now and then.
Mirabel

Mirabel is the new kid on the block, but she’s already captured the hearts of Disney fans around the globe. If you got Mirabel, you also might be a little timid at first—but you make up for it in your caring and positive attitude. You’re a bit different than those around you, but ultimately, that’s your superpower! And that uniqueness makes others feel included and loved...

Brilliant & Bad—A Detailed Look at the Oscar®-Nominated Costumes from Cruella

Disney’s Cruella revealed the unknown origins of our favorite puppy-stealing villainess, Cruella de Vil. From 1961 to 2021, Cruella has remained completely fashion obsessed—but Emma Stone’s portrayal of the style icon took haut couture to a whole new level, and garnered The Walt Disney Company Academy Award® nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling (that legendary hair takes hard work!). Take a peek behind the Dalmatian-spotted curtain at our gallery showcasing one of Cruella’s incredible gowns...

Stream Cruella on Disney+

Just Announced: New Comedy Series The Muppets Mayhem for Disney+

By The D23 Team

To paraphrase a certain gold-toothed keyboardist, this is some news of very heavy-duty proportions…

Today, Disney+ announced The Muppets Mayhem—a brand-new comedy series starring the world-famous Muppets—has been greenlit. The series will take audiences on a music-filled journey as, at long last, The Electric Mayhem Band records its first-ever album! Lilly Singh (A Little Late with Lilly Singh, Dollface) will play the (human) lead role of Nora, the junior A&R executive tasked with managing and wrangling the utter mayhem that is The Electric Mayhem Band.

After 45 years of rockin’ out, The Electric Mayhem goes on an epic musical journey to finally record their first studio album. With the help of driven young music exec Nora, the old-school Muppet band comes face to face with the current-day music scene as they try to finally go platinum.

The Muppets Mayhem includes Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone, and Lips on trumpet.

The series was developed by Adam F. Goldberg, Bill Barretta, and Jeff Yorkes based on characters created by Jim Henson. It is written by Goldberg, Barretta, and Yorkes, and executive produced by Goldberg, Barretta, Michael Bostick, and Kris Eber. Yorkes is a co-executive producer. The Muppets Studio’s David Lightbody and Leigh Slaughter are also executive producers.

“The Muppets are renowned for quality, creativity, and unrivaled, fun storytelling for the whole family,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “We are thrilled to have Adam, Bill, and Jeff at the helm to bring all of these iconic and great new characters to life in fresh and dynamic ways.”

Commented Jonnie Davis, President, ABC Signature, “Adam F. Goldberg is our resident Muppet enthusiast at Signature and getting to play in the sandbox with Bill, a longtime Muppet performer, as well as these beloved characters was a dream come true for him, Bill, and Jeff. Their take is fresh, fun, musical, and of course, hilarious. We couldn’t be happier to be the studio that is helping them get the band back together.”

“We are so excited to bring the story of The Electric Mayhem Band to the front and center of this new series,” added David Lightbody, executive producer and senior vice president of Disney Live Entertainment and The Muppets Studio. “They’ve been entertaining audiences since The Muppet Show, which debuted 45 years ago, so it’s wonderful that these characters are finally getting to play lead rather than supporting roles.”

The Muppets are hot off the critically acclaimed Muppets Haunted Mansion, the first-ever Muppets Halloween special and the first special from The Muppets Studio for Disney+. They also star in an original short-form series Muppets Now, available on the streaming service.

The Muppets Mayhem is a Disney Branded Television series produced by ABC Signature and The Muppets Studio.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

Several exciting premieres are coming to your TV and assorted streaming devices this week! Step into the O.R. for a new episode of The Good Doctor, airing Monday, with guest star AJ Michalka. The Coterie Crew returns for the season four premiere of Good Trouble on Wednesday. Then, on Friday, Raven is back in San Francisco to help her father in the season five debut of Raven’s Home; that same day, don’t miss the launch of Disney and Pixar’s animated feature film Turning Red. Plus, learn how the heartwarming tale was brought to the screen in the documentary Embrace the Panda: Making of Turning Red later that evening.

The Good Doctor—Monday, March 7, at 10:01 p.m. ET, on ABC
Andrews (Hill Harper) enlists Shaun (Freddie Highmore) and Allen (Bria Samoné Henderson) to help perform a risky surgery to restore the voice of a famous pop star—portrayed by special guest star AJ Michalka. Meanwhile, Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) and Park (Will Yun Lee) treat a man whose teenage son, Cody (Mathew Horner), is confined to a wheelchair due to complications related to Kabuki Syndrome.

Good Trouble—Wednesday, March 9, at 10 p.m. ET, on Freeform
The Coterie Crew is back… and they’re dealing with the fallout of the season three finale. The long-awaited verdict is in for the trial of Tommy Sung (Kevin David Lin), and Callie (Maia Mitchell) needs to keep Kathleen (Constance Zimmer) from getting in legal trouble. Meanwhile, Malika (Zuri Adele) processes the surprise return of Isaac (Sarunas J. Jackson); Gael (Tommy Martinez) tries to keep Isabella (Priscilla Quintana) in town; and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) meets with Evan (T.J. Linnard). Plus, a new resident moves into The Coterie.

Raven’s Home—Friday, March 11, at 8 p.m. ET, on Disney Channel
Raven and her zany family are back for season five! When Raven’s father, Victor (Rondell Sheridan), has a health scare, Raven (Raven-Symoné) and Booker (Isaac Ryan Brown) bolt to San Francisco to come to his aid. Of course, hilarious hijinks ensues when Booker fails at babysitting his cousin and must fix things before his mom finds out.

Turning Red—Friday, March 11, on Disney+
Adolescence is a beast! Disney and Pixar’s newest feature film makes its big debut on the streamer. Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang) is a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between being a perfect daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if sometimes overbearing mother, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), is never far behind—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships, and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda!

​​Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red—Friday, March 11, on Disney+
After watching Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red, catch this exclusive feature documentary about the all-women team at the helm of the new film. Academy Award®-winning director Domee Shi and her team grant viewers behind-the-scenes access to the creative journey that brought this relatable, hilarious, and heartfelt story to the screen.