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

By Andie Hagemann

Several fan-favorite films are coming to the device of your choice this very weekend… Swing into Saturday with a viewing of the animated hit film Disney’s Tarzan. Then, watch Hiro, Baymax, and their pals save San Fransokyo in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Big Hero 6, airing Sunday; that same day, celebrate the second anniversary of the coming-of-age story Stargirl. Mature audience can view the high-octane drama Ford v. Ferrari later that day. And round off the weekend with the hilarious animated film Spies in Disguise airing later that evening.

Tarzan—Saturday, March 12, at 8:30 a.m. ET, on Freeform
Tarzan (voice of Tony Goldwyn), a man raised by gorillas, learns to survive in the animal kingdom with the help of his pals Terk (voice of Rosie O’Donnell) and Tantor (voice of Wayne Knight). However, the arrival of a team of explorers rocks his world when he discovers he’s human like them—and not an ape. Ultimately, Tarzan is forced to choose between his two worlds: a life he knows and loves with his animal family, or a life with Jane (voice of Minnie Driver) in England. Come for the heartwarming story… and stay for the iconic soundtrack composed by Phil Collins.

Big Hero 6—Sunday, March 13, at 3 p.m. ET, on Disney Channel
The action-packed comedy from Walt Disney Animation Studios introduces Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a lovable personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). After tragedy strikes San Fransokyo, Hiro enlists the help of Baymax and his new friends—Go Go Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez), and Fred (voice of T.J. Miller)—and the group become an unlikely team of heroes.

Stargirl—Sunday, March 13, on Disney+
Based on the New York Times’ best-selling young adult novel by Jerry Spinelli, this coming-of-age film tells the story of Leo Borlock (Graham Verchere), an unassuming high schooler who finds himself inexplicably drawn to the free-spirited new girl Susan Caraway (Grace VanderWaal)—whose eccentric personality changes how he sees the world.

Ford v. Ferrari—Sunday, March 13, at 4 p.m. ET, on FX
The Academy Award®-winning film from director James Mangold—intended for a mature audience—tells the true story of American automotive designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and British race car driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale), and their journey to build a groundbreaking new vehicle for the Ford Motor Co. Together, the pair plan to compete against the race cars of Enzo Ferrari (Remo Girone) at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

Spies in Disguise—Sunday, March 13, at 8:55 p.m. ET, on Freeform
Suave super spy Lance Sterling (voice of Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (voice of Tom Holland) are exact opposites. But what Walter lacks in social skills he makes up for with the innovative gadget he creates for Lance’s missions. However, the duo is soon forced to rely on each other in a totally different way—and work as a team to save the world.

The Ultimate Guide to Member Appreciation Week

By The D23 Team

Happy Anniversary, D23 Members! All week long we are celebrating 13 fantastic years of being The Official Disney Fan Club!

D23 would not be what it is without you, the fans, so this week is we are celebrating you for Membership Appreciation! With an exclusive gift and brand-new offers, we’ve got you covered with all the ways to celebrate!

We don’t want you to miss out on any of magic, so without further ado here is the ultimate guide to D23 Member Appreciation Week:

D23 Gold Member Complimentary Gift
The best way to celebrate yourself as the “Ultimate Disney Fan” is to showcase your pride for the whole world to see! We are excited to share that we have designed an exclusive, complimentary Member Magnet for D23 Gold Members, primary or affiliate. These magnets feature some special characters and stories that are commemorating several milestone anniversaries this year!

Learn more about our Gold Member Appreciation celebration and claim your free gift!

The Ultimate Fan Downloadables
Need more ways to show your D23 pride? Get exclusive downloadable backgrounds and wallpapers designed for you, the Ultimate Disney Fan!

The Return of In-Person Events
This year, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is gearing up to make the return to in-person events alongside some equally exciting virtual experiences that explore ways of celebrating the world’s most dedicated Disney Fans.

This includes exclusive opportunities from the silver screen like the nationwide return of our D23 Magical Screening Series celebrating 30 years of Aladdin and 25 years of Hercules! In addition, we are also pleased to share that D23 Members will get more chances to see exciting exhibitions across the nation, including the special event Heroes and Villains: The Art of Disney Costume with a D23 Gold Member Preview in Detroit, Michigan at The Henry Ford in June.  Also this Summer, D23 Gold Members will have a special preview night of Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book: Making a Masterpiece at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

As Broadway has triumphantly returned, so have our “D23 Nights” for touring shows across the country! We are excited to share that later this year there will be a D23 Night for The Lion King on Broadway in support of the show’s 25th anniversary, with more details to come.

Our ever-popular virtual events will be continuing with the fan favorite D23 x Walt Disney Imagineering Magical Milestones series with a special virtual presentation celebrating 30 years of Disneyland Paris.

But the magic doesn’t stop there! D23 will be at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim from May 26 through May 29! You’ll be able to get your boogie on at D23 Galactic Disco Night, and make sure to look out for some more special D23 surprises throughout the weekend! For a more unique fan-going experience, celebrate 20 years of Lilo & Stitch with the whole “ohana” as we host a tropically inspired SoCal party, complete with a viewing of Lilo & Stitch at our 6-2-6 Day Celebration on June 26!

This July, D23 will download into the digital world of the Grid with a special celebration of 40 Years of TRON in San Diego! And of course, D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, returns this September 9 through 11 in Anaheim. We are beyond excited to welcome fans back to share the latest from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel across the mediums of film, television, streaming, theme parks, products, digital, music, live entertainment, and more.

Stay tuned, because the magic has only just begun! Visit our Events page for more details!

D23 Exclusive Merchandise
We know all too well how much our fans love some unique, exclusive merchandise, and we have some new details to share with you on the latest items that allow you to unleash the fan inside!

Mickey Mouse Plane Crazy Pin (Limited Release) – Soar to new heights with this pin celebrating the classic short Plane Crazy, starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse! This D23 Gold Member exclusive pin is a great way to fly into the world of hilarious hijinks and silly shenanigans that have become synonymous with the Mickey Mouse Shorts. Learn more about this exclusive release!

Pirates of the Caribbean 55th Anniversary Pin (Limited Edition) – Avast, me hearties and celebrate 55 years of swashbuckling scallywags on Pirates of the Caribbean with a treasure of a pin! This D23 Gold Member exclusive pin is the best bloomin’ way to dig up the nostalgia and history of this seminal attraction, beloved by guests since its debut at Disneyland in 1967, and in Disney Parks across the seven seas today. For more details visit our page for this Limited Edition pin!

D23 Gold Members who love their 2022 Collector Set will be able to purchase an additional set beginning March 14 for a limited time, while supplies last.

D23 Exclusive Merchandise Sale
Visit our merch page through March 20 for a limited-time sale on some D23 exclusives! Check out what magical merchandise is on sale from the list below:

Discounts & Offers
Make sure to take advantage of some special offers, exclusive to general D23 Members and Gold Members alike!

All D23 Members can now receive FREE SHIPPING at shopDisney until March 31, 2022. Learn more about this can’t miss offer!

Taking a trip to The Walt Disney Family Museum? D23 Gold Members will receive $3 off for them and up to three guests. Just show your D23 membership card at the ticket kiosk!

Get ready for a magical shopping spree! Until the end of the year, D23 Gold Members will receive exclusive discounts, at some of our newest partners, at Disney Springs when shopping at Sperry, Columbia, and Pandora. The fun is not over yet, because D23 Gold Members will also receive 10% off their purchase at Ballast Point, La Brea Bakery, Pandora, and Post 21 in Downtown Disney! And While you’re in Downtown Disney, be sure to stop by Post 21 and show your D23 Gold Card Membership Card for a complimentary D23 button!

Visit our Discounts and Offers page for more details!

Arrrrr Ye Adding this D23-Exclusive Pirates of the Caribbean Pin to Your Collection?

Avast, me hearties—and celebrate 55 years of swashbuckling scallywags on Pirates of the Caribbean with a treasure of a pin! This D23 Gold Member-exclusive pin is the best bloomin’ way to dig up the nostalgia and history of this seminal attraction, beloved by guests since its debut at Disneyland in 1967, and in Disney Parks across the seven seas today. This Pin features Marc Davis-inspired art of the iconic tippled pirate and his scurvy swine!

Pirates of the Caribbean is now considered one of the most immersive attractions ever created for a theme park… but when Walt Disney originally designed it in the 1950s, he imagined it as a wax museum and a walk-through adventure. After the success of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, however, Disney and his team of Imagineers decided that Audio-Animatronics®—Walt’s latest mechanical animation technology—was the most imaginative way to tell a rousing pirate story. Thanks to the highly detailed scenes, lavish special effects, and memorable characters, the attraction earned rave reviews and has remained a beloved classic ever since.

Our Pirates of the Caribbean pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,967, will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney beginning at 7 a.m. PT on March 14, 2022.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pins are sold for $12.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of three (3) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

Join the Jamboree with Downloadable D23 Phone and Video Conference Wallpapers

By the D23 Team

Flex your fandom with all-new downloadable wallpapers, celebrating your favorite parts of the wonderful worlds of Disney. As a D23 Member, we know you’re the ultimate Disney fan and deserve the ultimate way to show off your love of Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar… Or, perhaps you want to reveal your villainous vibes? Whether you’re more into saving the day or making mischief, we’ve got the backgrounds for you!

Phone Wallpapers

Video Conference Backgrounds 

Need even more extra pixie dust for your digital world? Check out more phone wallpapers and video conference backgrounds here.

Fly High with This D23-Exclusive Plane Crazy Pin

Soar to new heights with this pin celebrating the classic short Plane Crazy, starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse! Inspired by the first Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse cartoon to be made, and the third to be released, this D23 Gold Member exclusive pin is a great way to fly into the world of hilarious hijinks and silly shenanigans that have become synonymous with the Mickey Mouse Shorts.

Our Plane Crazy pin, offered in limited edition, will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney beginning at 7 a.m. PT on March 14, 2022.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pins are sold for $9.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of one (1) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

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 knowledge of Disney history to the test and see if you are the ultimate Disney fan!

Which Academy Award®-winning song was performed live for the first time at D23 Expo 2013?

Correct! Wrong!

In 2013, D23 Expo fans were treated to the first live performance of Frozen’s Academy Award®-winning song “Let It Go.” Broadway’s Tony® Award-winner Idina Menzel, who provides the voice of Elsa, sang the soon-to-be-mega-hit that has since become a fan favorite around the globe.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Thursday! We will see you next Thursday for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan.
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Thursday! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We will see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan.

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.

Discount
We are offering a 10% discount to all D23 Gold Members on all items at our Downtown Disney location. Discount does not apply to our website.

For a limited time only, show your D23 Gold Membership Card and receive a FREE D23 Gold Member button. While supplies last.

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.