5 Things to Know About Alice’s Wonderland Bakery

By Andie Hagemann

Don’t be late for a very important date with the brand-new animated series Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, premiering Wednesday, February 9, at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. The first 6 episodes will also be available on Disney+ same day. Alice (voiced by newcomer Libby Rue) and her pals are whipping up magical delicious treats for all of Wonderland in this fanciful show geared toward kids aged 2 to 7 and their families.

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, inspired by the animated classic Alice in Wonderland, centers on the great-granddaughter of the 1951 film’s heroine and a promising young baker at the Wonderland Bakery; audiences will also be reintroduced to iconic characters such as the Cheshire Cat (voiced by Max Mittelman), and meet new and reimagined characters—including the Queen of Hearts (voiced by Eden Espinosa) and Princess of Hearts (voiced by Abigail Estrella).

Before savoring this sweet series, here are five things you need to know about Alice’s Wonderland Bakery:

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Food is an integral part of Alice in Wonderland, as the heroine eats and drinks her way through her magical journey. For executive producer Chelsea Beyl and co-executive producer and art director Frank Montagna, it was only fitting to include food and baking in Young Alice’s story too. “I think so many kids love baking, and I hope the show inspires them to try something new or express themselves creatively through a batch of cupcakes, cake, or decorating—because food is so creative,” Beyl tells D23. The treats at the Wonderland Bakery use real-world ingredients such as eggs and milk to connect with the show’s young viewers, and a touch of whimsy to give recipes a Wonderland twist. “One dessert I love is when Hattie [Alice’s madcap pal, voiced by CJ Uy] makes the ‘Try Again Tart,’ because it’s a cute example of when kids make something and put their own twist on it, and he later has to remake it for the Queen. It’s a fun lesson on how he bakes the Hatter way,” says Montagna.

You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Alice is joined in the Wonderland Bakery by best friends Hattie; Fergie (voiced by Jack Stanton), a white rabbit; and Rosa, the Princess of Hearts… along with her magical cookbook, Cookie, and some enchanted appliances. The group uses teamwork, creativity, and friendship to create delectable creations for all their pals. Alice, Fergie, Hattie, and Rosa are descendants of the iconic characters and created for a modern audience; to that end, the creative team was inspired to bring a global feel to the series—seen in the set design, the food, the music, and the casting. “We always wanted the cast to be diverse, and when we were thinking about Hattie or Rosa, the Queen, we tried to clue into different cultures; it just seemed natural,” says Montagna, who landed on a Japanese-inspired design for Hattie and a Cuban influence for the Queen (and Princess) of Hearts.

Dance (and Bake) to the Music
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery features toe-tapping songs sure to get fans movin’ and groovin’ in the kitchen. With music being a major part of storytelling, the show’s creators turned to the pros to ensure the fun songs go off on the right note: “We got a lot of talent from Broadway, especially for the flowers [characters], who have a big singing presence in Wonderland,” says Beyl.

Inspired by Disney Parks… and Beyond
In the early days of production, the crew took a field trip to the central bakery at Disneyland Park to view which tools Alice would need to make her bakery unique—and may of the items the creative team chose (including a giant mixer similar to Disneyland’s industrial one) also passed muster with Beyl’s pastry-chef sister. Alice’s bakery itself is reminiscent of the eye-popping treats she’s creating, with a color palette full of candy-coated pastels.

Wonderland’s Whimsical Guests
Make sure to keep those (rabbit) ears open: The first season of Alice’s Wonderland Bakery features hilarious guest voices including former Saturday Night Live comedians Vanessa Bayer and Bobby Moynihan (Tweedle Do and Tweedle Don’t) and Ana Gasteyer (Kiki); Craig Ferguson (Doorknob); Donald Faison (Harry the March Hare); friend of D23 Yvette Nicole Brown (Mama Rabbit); and many more!

Don’t miss Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, debuting February 9—with new episodes premiering on Thursday, February 10, and Friday, February 11, as well—on Disney Junior and Disney Channel and the first 6 episodes available on Disney+.

National Geographic Announces 13 Original Projects for Disney+

By Zach Johnson

The Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour continued today with exciting announcements and presentations from National Geographic. To kick things off, Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Content, announced that 13 new original projects are being produced exclusively for Disney+ in partnership with visionary filmmakers, passionate conservationists, and marquee talent. “At National Geographic, our strategy is to tell bold, best-in-class stories that ignite curiosity and inspire people to explore and care about our world,” Monroe said. “With premium, creatively ambitious shows from the very best storytellers in the world, we are bringing awe and wonder to the lives of global Disney+ subscribers with wildly entertaining National Geographic documentary series, feature documentary films, epic natural history, and fact-based scripted drama.”

Today’s announcements expand upon the previously announced slate of Disney+ Originals from National Geographic, which include this year’s Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and America the Beautiful, and future series A Real Bug’s Life, Queens, and Oceanxplorers. Monroe also announced Michael B. Jordan will narrate America the Beautiful, and Benedict Cumberbatch will narrate Super/Natural. Finally, Monroe announced that the next documentary from the award-winning National Geographic Documentary Films banner will be Ron Howard’s We Feed People. Following a festival run, starting with its world premiere at SXSW, the film will launch on Disney+ this Memorial Day weekend on Friday, May 27.

Read on for more detailed descriptions of each project...

Pole to Pole (National Geographic/Disney+)
In his third epic project for National Geographic, Will Smith will lead viewers on an astounding journey from the bottom of the planet to its top—covering more than 12,000 miles from the South Pole to the North Pole—to unlock the mystery of Earth’s astonishing diversity and alchemy. Filming for more than 100 days, the series documents Smith’s trip across all of Earth’s biomes: polar ice, desert, jungle, mountain, savannah, and swamp. In each location, Smith and his film crew embed with local communities and experience firsthand what it is like to live in some of the most amazing and extreme landscapes on the planet.

Great Migrations (National Geographic/Disney+)
Our planet is on the move. Animals across every landscape embark on epic migrations in search of food, shelter, and safe breeding grounds. Whether by land, sea, or air, all of these journeys are full of obstacles and dangers—but only those with the strength, determination, and persistence go the distance. Now, using the state-of-the-art remote cameras and drones and the latest tracking technology that can break down animal behavior by the hour, we can follow the drama, jeopardy, and courage every step of the way. Inspiring animal stories of endeavor and emotion are set against a backdrop of sweeping wildlife spectacles and epic landscapes.

Home (National Geographic/Disney+)
Filmed over an unprecedented decade and running an exceptional nine seasons, National Geographic and BBC Studios Natural History Unit embark on Home, the most ambitious and definitive portrait of life on Earth ever attempted. Production is underway on the first three seasons, with development committed to six more seasons of what will be a cinematic spectacle of natural history across the planet, created by an award-winning team. Homewill journey through five oceans and seven continents to reveal the deeply symbiotic relationships between all living things.

Lion (National Geographic/Disney+)
Disney Legend Jon Favreau, the world’s foremost natural history producer, Mike Gunton, and the BBC Studios Natural History Unit have joined forces in a formidable creative partnership to present a landmark series, now in preproduction, about one the world’s most majestic creatures: lions. When principal photography begins, Lion will follow a single pride for an unprecedented four years. In this intimate and emotional series, the filmmakers will use cutting-edge technology to explore the heart-stopping challenges facing an entire species, all told through a compelling, serialized dramatic story of a single group of characters.

Secrets of the Elephants and Secrets of the Octopus (National Geographic/Disney+)
National Geographic is turning its Emmy® Award–winning Secrets of the Whales into a new annual multipart franchise to coincide with Earth Day each year, with James Cameron returning as executive producer. Each year will focus on one species to fully explore its unique traits and culture. In 2023, the franchise will present Secrets of the Elephants with conservationist Dr. Paula Kahumbu. Elephants have long been a source of wonder and mystery with their rich emotional lives and almost supernatural ways of navigating the world. Secrets of the Elephantstravels the globe to meet different families of elephants, each with their own set of remarkable cultural behaviors which they’ve adapted to suit the environment in which they live. This series deploys the latest science and brand-new camera technology to reveal the elephant’s secret world, revealing not just how truly extraordinary they are in their own right but also how similar they are to humans. Secrets of the Octopus, meanwhile, will be presented by wildlife scientist Dr. Alexandra Schnell.

Sentient (National Geographic/Disney+)
If monkeys do math, whales mourn their dead, bees draw maps, and the largest communication network on Earth is run by mushrooms... how special are we? For centuries, we’ve set ourselves apart from nature because of the way we think, feel, and learn, but the latest revelations from the fields of animal behavior, cognition, and psychology reveal some astonishing truths about the other minds with which we share our planet. Sentient will show that life at all scales—plants, animals, and arguably, entire ecosystems—has aspects of sentience and will ask us to rethink our place in nature.

Super/Natural (National Geographic/Disney+)
Executive produced by James Cameron and narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, this new series—set to premiere later this year—utilizes the latest scientific innovations and leading-edge filmmaking technology to reveal the secret powers and super-senses of the world’s most extraordinary animals. Viewers will get to see and hear beyond normal human perception and experience the natural world as a specific species does—from seeing flowers in bee-vision, to eavesdropping on a conversation between elephant seals, to soaring the length of a football field with glow-in-the-dark squirrels.

The Biggest Little Farm (National Geographic/Disney+)
After previously announcing an Earth Day special for Disney+, based on the award-winning feature documentary about John and Molly Chester, who abandoned urban Los Angeles to live on a dried-up farm in Ventura County, National Geographic will expand their story in a series for Disney+. Over the course of 14 years, the Chesters transformed that farm into Apricot Lane Farms, which reflects the biodiversity of our planet. The new, heartwarming series is akin to a real-life Charlotte’s Web, as it will soon introduce audiences to the animals on the farm, including Georgie, the gopher-eating egret; Walter, the rooster who protects injured chickens; and Moe, an adorable lamb who befriends the family.

Beyond Belief with David Blaine (National Geographic/Disney+)
Beyond Belief with David Blaine presents a rarely seen side of magician and endurance artist David Blaine. This new documentary adventure series brings viewers along as Blaine goes on a global odyssey across remote cultures, each embedded with unique histories and practices. He will hunt for extraordinary people—including shamans, fakirs, and magicians who perform magic that defies what doctors and scientists think is possible—and convince them to share their secrets.

The Epic Adventures of Bertie Gregory (National Geographic/Disney+)
The face of a new generation of aspirational adventurers and natural history filmmakers, 27-year-old Bertie Gregory takes viewers on a nail-biting journey that pushes into the most spectacular and secretive corners of our wild world. Armed with leading-edge film technology, The Epic Adventures of Bertie Gregory breaks the mold of the traditional natural history program by telling extraordinary, real-life animal stories and taking viewers with him for every beat of the action. For weeks at a time, the charismatic, award-winning cinematographer immerses himself into the animals’ lives to capture the untold stories of iconic creatures living in some of the harshest environments on our planet. This season finds Gregory braving the icy worlds of Antarctica in search of the biggest gathering of whales ever filmed and coming face-to-face with specialist buffalo-hunting lions in Zambia. In this multipart adventure series, he takes audiences on an ambitious odyssey across the globe, showcasing the natural world at a time when it faces its greatest challenges. Set to premiere this year, the series has been picked up for a second season, which is filming now.

Photographer (National Geographic/Disney+)
A stunning and intimate documentary series from Academy Award® and Emmy Award-winners E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Photographer tells the intensely personal stories of the world’s greatest visual storytellers and artists. Spanning diverse genres of photography, each episode profiles an extraordinary talent, taking viewers on a journey to discover exactly what is required to produce the world’s most iconic images and offering immersive insights into what it feels like to be the person behind the lens capturing extraordinary moments. Each episode is directed by a different filmmaker, who partners with a photographer to tell the story of his or her life. Vasarhelyi and Chin direct the first episode, which profiles conservation photographers Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier.

A Small Light (National Geographic/Disney+)
As previously announced, this powerful limited scripted series tells the remarkable story of twentysomething Miep Gies. After her boss, Otto Frank, came to her and asked her to hide his family from the Nazis during World War II, she didn’t hesitate. For the next two years, Miep, her husband, and the other helpers watched over the eight souls in hiding in the Secret Annex. And it was Miep who found Anne’s Diary and preserved it so that she and Otto could later share it with the world. Gies, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 100, was an amazing and unlikely heroine whose story is both inspiring and deeply humanistic.

We Feed People (National Geographic Documentary Films/Disney+)
From Director Ron Howard and producers Brian Grazer and Imagine Documentaries, We Feed People spotlights chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen’s incredible mission and evolution over 12 years, from being a scrappy group of grassroots volunteers to becoming one of the most highly regarded humanitarian aid organizations in the disaster relief sector. As the world’s most prominent food-focused first responders, Andrés and the World Central Kitchen team have snapped into action, combating hunger in the wake of crisis by serving over 60 million meals to date. Featuring exclusive access to World Central Kitchen’s initiatives and archives, the documentary follows Andrés and his team around the globe as they address the increasing environmental and humanitarian crises that devastate our world the best way they know how: through food. The film takes an in-depth look at World Central Kitchen’s collaborations with local chefs to feed affected people and first responders, which has instilled an extraordinary sense of hope in these communities. From the frontlines of a crisis to the backrooms of the kitchen, the film examines the restoration of community and the activation of change—one meal at a time.

Castings Announced for Beauty and the Beast, National Treasure, and More

By Zach Johnson

Storytelling is what Disney does best—and today, Disney Branded Television announced it will be adding new titles to its growing slate of premium original programming across Disney+ and Disney Channels. Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television, shared magical details, along with key casting updates, at today’s Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour. “With each one of these projects, we see an opportunity to build upon the strong foundation of storytelling that is a hallmark of the Disney brand,” she said. “I am so proud to be working with some of the most creative and diverse talent in the industry, both in front of and behind the camera, to bring these fresh, inventive, and impactful stories—new and reimagined—to life for our audiences to enjoy, regardless of platform.”

Davis announced that Rita Ora has joined the cast of the Beauty and the Beast (working title) prequel limited series, while Daveed Diggs will narrate The Crossover series. In addition, Catherine Zeta-Jones has joined the cast of the National Treasure series, while Michelle Yeoh will star alongside a global cast in American Born Chinese. New greenlights announced today include the original movies Prom Pact (working title), The Naughty Nine, and Under Wraps 2; the unscripted series Growing Up and Rennervations; and the scripted series Goosebumps. Secrets of Sulphur Springs was also renewed for a third season, and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouderwill now debut with two episodes on Wednesday, February 23, only on Disney+. Developing projects include two series, Paola Santiago and the River of Tears and Tiny Trailblazers, and a movie, Superfudge.

Additionally, Disney Junior’s groundbreaking animated series Doc McStuffins will turn 10 this year. To celebrate the anniversary, Davis announced a new animated music special inspired by the series will debut later in 2022. Disney Junior will also air episodes daily throughout March, including a marathon on March 23 to mark the anniversary of its debut.

Read on for more detailed descriptions of each project…

Prom Pact (Working Title) (Disney+ Original Movie)
It’s the height of prom season and high school senior Mandy Coleman (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) and her best friend and fellow outsider Ben (Milo Manheim) are surrounded by over-the-top ’80s-themed Promposals. However, Mandy keeps her eyes focused on a different goal: her lifelong dream of attending Harvard. When she finds out her acceptance has been deferred, she is determined to do whatever she can do to get herself off the waitlist, even if that means asking for help from the one person she abhors—popular all-star jock Graham Lansing, whose father is a powerful senator and Harvard alum. Once Mandy becomes Graham’s tutor, she begins to realize there’s more to him than she thought and perhaps something more to life than Harvard.

The Naughty Nine (Disney Channel and Disney+)
The Naughty Nine is a holiday heist movie—think Ocean’s 11 at the North Pole—that follows fifth grader Andy, who has been a bit of a troublemaker this year. When Christmas morning rolls around and Andy gets stiffed by Santa, he realizes he’s on the “naughty list.” Feeling unfairly maligned, Andy pulls together a crack team of fellow “naughty listers” to execute an elaborate heist to get the presents he and the others feel they deserve. The determined ensemble includes Dulce, Andy’s best friend and archery expert; Lewis, a North Pole conspiracy theorist; Ha-Yoon, a daredevil “wheel woman”; Rose, an animal whisperer; Jon Anthony, a master-of-disguise; Albert, an adorable charmer; and Laurel, Andy’s older sister, a talented gymnast seeking to regain her confidence. Andy also enlists the help of Bruno, a disgruntled cargo pilot who claims to have witnessed Santa’s sleigh. However, in the process of finding their gifts, the gang begins to realize that Christmas is more about giving than taking. The Naughty Nine stars Winslow Fegley, Camila Rodriguez, Anthony Joo, Clara Stack, Imogen Cohen, Madilyn Kellam, and Deric McCabe.

Under Wraps 2 (Disney Channel and Disney+)
The sequel to Under Wraps, the remake of the very first Disney Channel Original Movie, Under Wraps 2 picks up as Amy (Sophia Hammons) is preparing for her father’s spooktacular Halloween-themed wedding to his fiancé, Carl. However, plans quickly go awry when Amy, Gilbert (Christian J. Simon), and Marshall (Malachi Barton) discover that their mummy friend Harold (Phil Wright) and his beloved Rose may be in danger. Sobek, an evil mummy with a 1,000-year-old grudge against his best friend-turned-bitter rival Harold, is unexpectedly awakened and out for revenge. With help from his hypnotized lackey Larry, Sobek kidnaps Rose, and Amy, Gilbert, Marshall, Buzzy and Harold must use their skills once again to save her and get back in time for the wedding. Melanie Brook, T.J. Storm, Rryla McIntosh, Jordan Conley, and Adam Wylie round out the Under Wraps 2 cast.

Growing Up (Disney+ Original Series)
Executive produced by Brie Larson, Growing Up is a groundbreaking hybrid docu-series that explores the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of adolescence through 10 compelling coming-of-age stories. It uses narrative, experimental, and documentary filmmaking to follow one casted individual, ages 18-22, as they tell their story. They represent a wide range of lived experiences, with powerful narratives that offer an engaging look at teenage-hood and the diverse social, familial, and internal obstacles they face on their path to self-discovery and acceptance. Each 30-minute episode features one young person, or “hero,” and their experience growing up and is anchored by a deeply personal interview that allows them to walk us through their childhood and teenage years. Alongside these interviews, creative cinematic reenactments help bring their major inflection points to life.

Rennervations (Disney+ Original Series)
Rennervations is an original four-part series that embraces Jeremy Renner’s lifelong passion for giving back to communities around the world by reimagining unique purpose-built vehicles to meet a community’s needs. Behind the big screen, Renner is a construction aficionado. He is heavily invested in the highly creative fabricator culture that exists across the globe and hopes to change lives with these skills and inspire others to do the same.

Goosebumps (Disney+ Original Series)
Based on R.L. Stine’s best-selling book series, Goosebumps combines teen comedy with horror, action-adventure, mystery, and psychological thrill. The series follows a group of five high schoolers who unleash supernatural forces upon their town and must all work together—thanks to and in spite of their friendships, rivalries, and pasts with each other—in order to save it, learning much about their own parents’ teenage secrets in the process. The television series is influenced by five of the most popular Goosebumps books.

Secrets of Sulphur Springs Season 3 (Disney Channel and Disney+)
In season three of the popular live-action, time-travel mystery series, a new ghost will torment The Tremont. In addition, Griffin (Preston Oliver) will travel to the future and then back to the present, where he and Harper (Kyliegh Curran) will have to figure out a way to change the timelines of their lives in order to save both their friendship and their families.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+ Original Series)
A continuation of the acclaimed series, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder follows the adventures and misadventures of newly 14-year-old Penny Proud and the Proud family as they navigate modern life with hilarity and heart. The 2020s bring new career highs for matriarch Trudy, wilder dreams for patriarch Oscar and new challenges for Penny, including a socially woke neighbor who thinks she has a lot to teach her, bullying social media influencers who want to cancel her, and her own teenage hormones. The highly anticipated animated series will premiere with two episodes on Wednesday, February 23.

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears (Disney+ Original Series)
Executive produced by Eva Longoria, this fantasy/adventure television series is based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by author Tehlor Kay Mejia and published by Disney-Hyperion under the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Inspired by the legend of La Llorona (the Weeping Woman), the story introduces a teen girl, Paola Santiago, who has always relied on hard science and logic to make sense of the world—unlike her mother, who believes in magic. But folklore becomes fact when Paola’s best friend goes missing, and to save her, Paola has to enter a world of mind-bending monsters and relentless spirits steeped in Latin folklore that defy both logic and legend.

Tiny Trailblazers (Disney Junior Original Series)
Geared towards kids aged 2-7, the entertaining stories in Tiny Trailblazers model positive attitudes about the great outdoors and highlight the importance of environmental conservation and wildlife protection. Partners from National Geographic are consulting on the project. Reese Witherspoon serves as executive producer and voices one of the mom characters, Fern, a wildlife specialist. Tiny Trailblazers follows adventurous city kid Tilly and the more risk-averse Birdie, who become friends after Tilly’s family moves to a campground while her scientist mom is doing field research on forest streams. As the girls observe their mothers’ careers and interests and begin to explore and discover the magic of nature all around them, they develop a supportive friendship and a deep understanding of and appreciation for the natural world. The series also highlights age-appropriate social and emotional lessons about thoughtfulness, self-esteem, good instincts, and trying new things.

Superfudge (Disney+ Original Movie)
Based on the best-selling book by Judy Blume and from Joe and Anthony Russo of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Superfudge centers on the Hatcher family. Twelve-year-old Peter Hatcher almost has it all—two boomer parents, a perfect though slightly odorous turtle, his very own bedroom in a cramped Manhattan apartment, a ride-or-die best friend, and eight whole weeks of summer vacation ahead of him—with just one massive problem. Farley Drexel Hatcher, his 3-year-old brother, aka Fudge, isn’t just a problem—he is a tornado, a tsunami, a superstorm, an arctic bomb of chaos and destruction. When Fudge runs away under Peter’s watch, an epic family adventure across the city ensues, one that ultimately brings these two together just as their world is turned upside down by the arrival of a brand-new problem: an infant baby sister. It’s a reminder that nothing is ever constant… except change.

American Born Chinese (Disney+ Original Series)
The previously announced genre-hopping action-comedy series, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new foreign student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods. The action-packed coming-of-age adventure explores identity, culture, and family. The newly announced international cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Ben Wang, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Ke Huy Quan, Jim Liu, and Sydney Taylor.

Beauty and the Beast (Working Title) (Disney+ Original Series)
Set in the iconic kingdom of Beauty and the Beast years before Beast and Belle’s epic romance, the previously announced prequel series will follow Gaston (Luke Evans) and LeFou (Josh Gad) as they set off with LeFou’s stepsister, Tilly (Briana Middleton), after a surprising revelation from her past comes to light, sending the unlikely trio off on an unexpected journey filled with romance, comedy, and adventure. While the mysteries of the past are uncovered and the dangers of the present grow, old friends and new enemies reveal that this familiar kingdom harbors many secrets. Rita Ora joins the previously announced cast, which includes Fra Fee and Jelani Alladin, as a fugitive with surprising abilities who carries a secret that could potentially affect an entire kingdom.

Big Shot Season 2 (Disney+ Original Series)
Marvyn Korn (John Stamos) returns to Westbrook with a new fire, ready to show that his girls basketball team belongs in D-2 and that he’s still the championship-winning, powerhouse coach he was in the NCAA. Marvyn’s latest plan toward relevance is to get his team broadcast on ESPN, and his method is to recruit an unlikely player: Ava (Sara Echeagaray), a gutsy beach volleyball phenom whose public tantrum got her ousted from her own sport. Between losing their assistant coach, Holly Barrett (Jessalyn Gilsig), to a rival school; new friction amongst teammates; a sudden and unexpected proximity to boys; and off-the-court disasters that no one could’ve predicted, this season, the Westbrook Sirens have even more to prove. Rounding out the cast of Big Shot are Sophia Mitri Schloss, Nell Verlaque, Tiana Le, Tisha Custodio, Cricket Wampler, and Yvette Nicole Brown.

The Crossover (Disney+ Original Series)
Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel-in-verse by Kwame Alexander, The Crossover introduces teen brothers Josh and Jordan Bell, widely considered basketball phenoms. Through his lyrical poetry, an adult version of Josh, aka Filthy McNasty, narrates the story of he and his brother’s coming of age, on and off the court, as their former professional basketball player father adjusts to life after basketball, and their mother finally pursues lifelong dreams of her own. Daveed Diggs narrates the series, which stars Jalyn Hall, Amir O’Neil, Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle, Skyla I’Lece, Deja Monique Cruz, and Trevor Raine Bush.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Season 2 (Disney+ Original Series)
Set in modern-day Hawai’i, this coming-of-age medical dramedy follows Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a 16-year-old prodigy juggling a budding medical career and life as a teenager. Series regulars include Jason Scott Lee, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Matthew Sato, Wes Tian, Emma Meisel, Mapuana Makia, and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 3 (Disney+ Original Series)
As previously announced, season three of the hit series is set at Camp Shallow Lake, a family-owned sleepaway camp in California. There, the Wildcats and their fellow campers stage a high-stakes production of Frozen and determine who is “best in snow.” In addition to music from Frozen, season three features music from Camp Rockand the High School Musical franchise. The cast includes Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Adrian Lyles, Saylor Bell, Corbin Bleu, Meg Donnelly, Jason Earles, Kate Reinders, Olivia Rose Keegan, and Olivia Rodrigo.

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Season 2 (Disney+ Original Series)
After winning back the Mighty Ducks team name last year, our squad-with-heart and their coach Alex Morrow (Lauren Graham) take to the road to attend an intense summer hockey institute in California run by charming yet hardcore former NHL player Colin Cole (Josh Duhamel). It’s a place for kids to get excellent at hockey—without school to get in the way. As our Ducks try to survive in this super-competitive environment, they’re faced with the question: Can you win summer?

The Mysterious Benedict Society Season 2 (Disney+ Original Series)
Based on the best-selling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, season two picks up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect, and empathy to try and stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications. The series stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho, and Marta Kessler.

National Treasure (Disney+ Original Series)
An expansion of the popular National Treasure movie franchise, this Disney+ original series centers on the young heroine Jess, a brilliant and resourceful DREAMer with a natural talent for solving puzzles and a proclivity for unraveling good mysteries. In search of answers about her own family, Jess embarks on the adventure of a lifetime and recruits a few treasure-hunting friends—Tasha, Ethan, Oren, and Liam—and an FBI agent to help uncover the truth about her parents and their connection to a long-lost Pan-American treasure. Catherine Zeta-Jones joins the previously announced cast that includes Lisette Alexis, Zuri Reed, Jordan Rodrigues, Antonio Cipriano, Jake Austin Walker, and Lyndon Smith.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+ Original Series)
The previously announced Percy Jackson and the Olympians is an epic adventure series based on—and closely aligned with—Disney Hyperion’s best-selling book series by award-winning author Rick Riordan. The live-action series tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson, who’s just coming to terms with his newfound supernatural powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. Now, Percy must trek across America to find it and restore order to Olympus.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (Disney+ Original Series)
The previously announced series The Spiderwick Chronicles, based on the best-selling books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, is a modern coming-of-age story combined with a fantasy-adventure. It follows the Grace Family—twin brothers Jared and Simon, their sister Mallory, and their mother Helen—who move into their dilapidated ancestral home and begin to unravel a dark mystery about their great-great uncle, who once discovered the secret (and maybe foreboding) faerie world existing parallel to their own.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

As usual, this week features some spectacular content the whole family will enjoy… Monday marks the anniversary of the animated classic Pinocchio. On Tuesday, the latest episode of black-ish has Bow serving as Olivia’s mentor through the college admissions process. Will Boba and Fennec be victorious in the big battle? Find out when the season finale of The Book of Boba Fett lands Wednesday; that same day, travel down the rabbit hole once again with the debut of the animated series Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, then go behind-the-scenes of the hit series Hawkeye with Wednesday’s premiere of Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye. So, grab the popcorn and your favorite cozy blanket and watch all these fantastic titles!

Pinocchio

Pinocchio—Monday, February 7, on Disney+
“Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee,” it’s this classic’s 82nd anniversary! Woodworker Geppetto (voice of Christian Rub) wishes upon a star that the puppet he created, Pinocchio (voice of Dickie Jones), could become a real boy. That very night, the Blue Fairy (voice of Evelyn Venable) appears and grants Geppetto’s wish and asks Jiminy Cricket (voice of Cliff Edwards) to serve as Pinocchio’s conscience. Jiminy has his work cut out for him when the naïve young boy falls with the wrong crowd; later, Pinocchio redeems himself by saving Geppetto from the clutches of Monstro the whale.

black-ish

black-ish—Tuesday, February 8, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, on ABC
Mother knows best? When Junior’s (Marcus Scribner) girlfriend Olivia (Katlyn Nichol) is accepted into Yale, he turns to Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) for guidance, asking his mom to convince her to stay in Los Angeles and attend USC instead. Will Bow follow her son’s wishes or encourage Olivia to choose the Ivy League? Meanwhile, Diane (Marsai Martin) and Jack (Miles Brown) discover the inspiration for Dre’s (Anthony Anderson) ads—and it’s hitting a little too close to home.

The Book of Boba Fett

The Book of Boba Fett—Wednesday, February 9, on Disney+
We left off watching Grogu train at Luke Skywalker’s Jedi school on Yavin-4, learning how to use the Force… and the power of restraint. Mando (Pedro Pascal) flies to give Grogu his present (and watch his training from afar) before traveling back to Tatooine to help Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) with his Pyke problem. Meanwhile, Fennec (Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen) lays out a plan to fight the crime syndicate. It all culminates with this season finale… Will Boba bring the Rancor out of its cage?

Alice's Wonderland Bakery

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery—Wednesday, February 9, at 10:30 a.m. ET, on Disney Junior and Disney Channel
It’ll be a very merry unbirthday when this brand-new animated series premieres across Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney+! Meet Alice (voiced by newcomer Libby Rue), the great-granddaughter of the heroine of the 1951 animated classic Alice in Wonderland and a promising young baker at Wonderland Bakery. In the first episode, which is comprised of two 11-minute stories, Alice surprises her friend Rosa, Princess of Hearts (voiced by Abigail Estrella), with an extraordinary unbirthday cake. Then, hilarious hijinks ensues when the Cheshire Cat (voiced by Max Mittleman) puts in a large order for his party in the Tulgey Wood. The first six episodes will also be available on Disney+ the same day.

Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye

Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye—Wednesday, February 9, on Disney+
Lights, camera, action! Learn how Marvel Studios created the hit series Hawkeye, starring Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld (above), in this behind-the-scenes feature debuting on Disney+. The immersive episode is an in-depth examination of the latest storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Which Disney Pal Pairing Are You and Your Friend?

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Every day is a good day to celebrate the magic in our friendships, but this Valentine’s Day season, we’re finding extra reasons to honor our buddies during D23’s Pal-entine’s Day celebration! Right now, you’re probably thinking about a special pal—whether they’re a childhood friend, a buddy from work, or just a cool someone you met at the right time. You might know everything about this friend, but there’s one thing any Disney fan should know about their friendship—which Disney pal pairing is most like theirs? Worry not, because we’ve concocted this quiz to help you discover which two buddies from the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars are most like you and your friend.

1. Where did you and your pal meet?

2. How long did it take for you to become friends?

3. You’re going out with your pal—what’s your destination?

4. What’s one word that describes your friendship?

5. You’re going to Disneyland! What are you and your friend doing first?

6. Pick a Disney+ series for you and your pal to binge together

7. Which of the following most describes your friend?

8. Pick one thing to symbolize your friendship

Which Disney Pal Pairing Are You and Your Friend?
Mike and Sully

Mike and Sully

You and your bestie might have started off on the wrong foot, but soon enough you realized that you make a great team! While you might be opposites in some ways, those differences only make the two of you stronger. Together, you can achieve anything—whether it’s rescuing a lost kid or doing hilarious stand up, you’ve created a monstrously great friendship!
Carol Danvers and Maria Rambeau

You’ve got a friendship strong enough to survive space and time! Most likely, your friendship was founded from a shared interest—maybe through work, a hobby, or an invasion of shape-shifting aliens! You both love making the world better... and getting into trouble. When you and your friend work together, you’re flying higher, further, faster as a team.
Luca and Alberto

Luca and Alberto

It’s a big world out there, and you and your friend are determined to explore it together! Your friendship is filled with a sense of wonder, and more often than not, the pair of you can be found trying something new. While the unknown can be scary, you both remind each other to say “Silencio, Bruno!” to your worries and take on whatever new food, activity, or place is next.
Shang-Chi and Katy

Shang-Chi and Katy

As a duo, you bring unique talents to the table, although you’re probably using them for more wacky hijinks than fighting bad guys. You’ve known each other for a long time, growing from goofy kids to... still goofy adults! While you both know how to have fun, when the going gets tough, you always have each other’s backs. Dedicated to supporting each other, you’ve created a legendary friendship that can handle any challenge in life.
Finn and Poe

It only took one moment for this friendship to form, and then you were instantly a pair. Even though you’ve lived totally different lives, it feels like you should have known each other forever. You make great copilots for navigating life, inspiring hope in each other when times get tough. You’ll never find a more perfect pairing in all the galaxy then you and your bestie!
Tiana and Charlotte

Tiana and Charlotte

Since childhood, you and your bestie have been believing in fairy tales and finding magic in the world. You’re both royalty in your own ways, supporting each other’s aspirations no matter how different they might be. If there’s an emergency (be it fashion- or frog-related), you are always ready to drop everything and help your friend.

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red

By Zach Johnson

In Disney and Pixar’s new film, Turning Red, the relationship between Mei (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) and her slightly overbearing mother, Ming (voiced by Sandra Oh), is, well… complicated. It’s a dynamic director Domee Shi knows firsthand—and one she was keen to explore onscreen. “Back in 2017, as I was promoting my short film Bao, a lot of people kept asking me, ‘Why is this little dumpling a boy?’” Shi recalls. “I would reply, ‘Oh, because I only had eight minutes to tell this story. For a mother-daughter story, I’d need an entire feature film to unpack that.’” Her response turned out to be prescient, because around that time, Shi got to pitch three feature-length film concepts. “All of my ideas were coming-of-age teen girl stories, because that was something I was super passionate about telling,” Shi explains. “At the time, it wasn’t something that I saw a lot of in media or in animated films.”

The idea for Turning Red “was the most personal to me,” adds Shi, noting that it also resonated with Pete Doctor, Chief Creative Officer for Pixar Animation Studios, and the Pixar Brain Trust. “It was weird and very specific. At the end of the day, that’s what draws people to these ideas and stories. It was inspired by my own relationship with my mother.”

Naturally, Mei shares many qualities with her creator. The 13-year-old is confident, dorky, and torn between being her mother’s dutiful daughter and becoming her own person. “Like Mei, I’m an only child,” says Shi. “I was always super close to my parents—especially my mom—since my dad had to go away for work often. It was just the two of us. We did everything together. We commuted together to work and to school in downtown Toronto. We went on mother/daughter bus trips and vacations. But then, as all kids do, I started to grow up. I started changing. I started getting into anime and comics. I hung out with my friends more and more, and less and less with my mom. She didn’t understand why I was obsessed with these fictional characters with huge eyes and colorful, spiky hair! I was being pulled in one direction, but my duty and my loyalty to my mom was pulling me in another.”

However, unlike Mei, Shi didn’t ever “poof” into a giant red panda whenever she got too emotional—which, for a teenager, happens practically all the time. In the film, the initial transformation comes as a surprise to Mei… but, it turns out, it’s part of her family’s history.

“For Mei, the red panda is like a magical spark that sets off this internal conflict within herself,” Shi says. “Because up until that [transformation], Mei thinks she has it all figured out—like we all did before we woke up one day and realized all of a sudden we’re covered in body hair, we smell funky, our emotions are all over the place, and we’re hungry all the time. We wanted to use the red panda as an adorable metaphor for the scary, unadorable, awkward, and cringy changes we go through during that age. More specifically, we wanted to explore the nuances of Asian parent-child relationships, from dealing with change to all of the intergenerational conflict and how it shapes who we become. Turning Red is quirky and surreal, but at its core, it’s a mother and daughter finally embracing change in all of its messy and furry forms—even if it means saying goodbye to the relationship they once had.”

Shi’s story is specific, but it is also universal. Early in the process, producer Lindsey Collins recalls, the Turning Red team relayed their own experiences to enrich the story. “The crew brought in their middle school yearbooks and shared stories of their awkward moments in middle school,” she says. “Those of us who are parents shared our bad parenting moments. We really had to be real with one another about our daily failures and our daily successes.”

Such perspectives added nuanced dimension to the evolving mother/daughter dynamic at the heart of the story. Collins, for example, was in a unique position as a mother of three, two of whom are teenagers, and often advocated for Ming. “As I would talk with Domee, our writer, and our story team, it was always coming from a place of: ‘Let’s not be too harsh on the mom!’” Collins says. “Moms don’t necessarily always know what they’re doing.” Through these ongoing discussions, Collins says her priority “was making sure Domee’s voice and tone shone through,” particularly as it pertained to Mei and Ming’s relationship.

Shi says she’s grateful to have the opportunity to tell a story like Turning Red, especially since she longed for “a movie like this” when she was Mei’s age. “It would have been so cool to point to a film that said, ‘This part of your life is going to be messy. It’s going to be scary, funny, awkward, and embarrassing, but it’s going to be OK. You’re going to survive!’”

Turning Red launches exclusively on Disney+ on March 11, 2022.

Want more details on Turning Red? The spring issue of Disney twenty-three features an exclusive cover, as well as conversations with Shi and Oh. The quarterly publication is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps and is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The issue will begin arriving before the end of February.

Exclusive Q&A with Secrets of Sulphur Springs Star Madeleine McGraw

By Victoria Hunt

Secrets of Sulphur Springs actress Madeleine McGraw is giving D23 an exclusive inside look at season two of Disney Channel’s hit show, as well as her life on and off the screen. The teen plays Zoey Campbell, the twin of Wyatt (Landon Gordon) and younger sister of the dangerously curious Griffin Campbell (Preston Oliver). The series revolves around the haunted Tremont hotel in Louisiana, where Griffin discovers looming mysteries of its past. According to McGraw, season two of Secrets of Sulphur Springs is jam-packed with more terrifying mysteries than ever before.

D23: What three words would you use to describe season two of Secrets of Sulphur Springs?
Madeleine McGraw (MM): Mysterious, fun, and creepier.

D23: We are dying to know if the set of the Tremont hotel is just as haunting in real life?
MM: Maybe even more creepy! There are creepy dolls and boxes, and then on the inside of it, the doors are so scary. There are also so many old pictures, which are also kind of terrifying—so, there’s definitely a ghost living in there.

D23: What is your favorite part about playing Zoey?
MM: I love everything about playing Zoey. I love that she’s a twin. That’s probably my first favorite thing, because I’m a twin in real life, too. But I also love that she has a little bit of attitude and that she loves her twin Wyatt. She loves him so much, but she doesn’t like to show it.

D23: What do you want the viewers of Sulphur Springs to know about season two?
MM: We worked really hard on season two and we had the best time filming it. So, I hope everyone enjoys it!

D23: What’s it like to have been part of the Disney family for the last few years?
MM: In one word, I can say it’s been so magical. It’s been such an honor because I’ve grown up watching Disney Channel and I still watch it today. It’s just really cool to think that [one day], my kids will be watching Secrets of Sulphur Springs on Disney Channel.

D23: You’ve mentioned previously that you are a huge Disney parks fan. What’s your favorite part of Disneyland?
MM: I love roller coasters so much. My favorite rides are probably Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and the Incredicoaster. I’m not sure if the Star Wars: Rise of The Resistance counts as a rollercoaster, but it’s pretty fast!

D23: What are you currently obsessed with on Disney+?
MM: I love the new movie Encanto. It is so good. And I re-watch that movie every single night—not even kidding. I love the songs. I hum them. My mom’s like, “Hey, are you really humming Encanto again?” and I was like, “Yes! I love that movie.”

Season two of Secrets of Sulphur Springs is now available for streaming on Disney+.

 

Rise Up, Sing Out Now Airing on Disney Junior—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disney Junior’s Rise Up, Sing Out Inspiring Conversations

It’s positively music to our ears! Earlier this week, Disney Junior debuted a brand-new series called Rise Up, Sing Out—an animated show featuring music-based shorts that showcase an inspiring, empowering, and optimistic message about race, culture, community, and celebrating differences. Check out a featurette about the making of the shorts, above.

The shorts feature music by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (director of the documentary Summer of Soul… Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised, now streaming on Hulu) and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of the Grammy®-winning musical group The Roots, who also serve as executive producers alongside Latoya Raveneau (Disney+’s The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder). The shorts are produced in collaboration with Oscar®-winning animation studio Lion Forge Animation (Hair Love).

All eight episodes of Rise Up, Sing Out are currently streaming on Disney+, with the first episode having premiered this past Wednesday, February 2, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Additional episodes will roll out on Disney Channel and Disney Junior into next week. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for all the tuneful, inspirational fun!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Leave it to the worlds of Disney to color your weekend with lots of incredible viewing… Take to Disney+ and celebrate the 77th anniversary of Disney’s seventh full-length animated film, The Three Caballeros; find out if it’s “Good to be Bad” with a Descendants marathon on Disney Channel; and so much more.

Disney+ Original Documentary More Than Robots to Premiere at SXSW

Our pals over at Disney+ just announced that the Gillian Jacobs–directed film More Than Robots, an original documentary presented by Supper Club and Disney+ and made in partnership with FIRST®, will premiere at the world-renowned SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival on March 14—followed by its exclusive streaming debut Friday, March 18, on Disney+. Take a gander at the official trailer for the film, above.

More Than Robots follows four teams of teenagers from around the world as they prepare for the 2020 FIRST Robotics Competition. Viewers will get to know teams from Los Angeles, Mexico City and Chiba, Japan, as they work towards the goal of taking their unique designs all the way to the highly competitive global championships. Despite facing challenges along the way—including limited community resources and the COVID-19 pandemic—the kids persevere… and learn that there is a lot more to the competition than just robots.

For more than 20 years, Disney has supported FIRST with financial, in-kind and mentorship resources. Together with Lucasfilm’s philanthropic initiative Star Wars: Force for Change, FIRST continues to bring hands-on learning opportunities and mentorship to more young people around the world—empowering them not only to think big, but to develop the skills needed to be the next generation of innovators.

Actress Jacobs (Community) makes her feature-length documentary directorial debut with More Than Robots… make sure to mark those calendars!

Everything to Watch During Black History Month 2022

We’re now firmly ensconced in Black History Month—and to honor the occasion (worthy of celebration all year long!), an incredible lineup of content can be viewed across Disney’s streaming services and airing on Disney’s linear networks. From can’t-miss series (Abbott Elementary, grown-ish, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder) to inspiring movie collections, D23 has curated the ultimate viewing guide for content from across the company.

Snowdrop

Korean Drama Snowdrop to Premiere on Disney+

Snowdrop, the highly anticipated original series from Korea, premieres on Disney+ this Wednesday, February 9. A period drama that explores the forbidden love between a young couple trapped in a time of political turmoil, the series features Jung Hae-In, star of Tune in for Love and While You Were Sleeping, and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo in her leading-role debut. All 16 parts will drop (no pun intended) that same day…

When a blood-soaked man (Jung) bursts into the dormitory of a women’s university in Seoul, Korea, Eun Yeong-ro (Jisoo) goes against her better judgment and risks being expelled to hide the man from his attackers and tend to his wounds. Unbeknownst to Yeong-ro, the man has a harrowing secret that threatens to put her friends’ and family’s safety at risk—and the two, who embark on an improbable romance, will have to work together to overcome ample obstacles… An emotional rollercoaster full of excitement, action, and romance, Snowdrop—written by Yoo Hyun-mi and directed by Jo Hyun-tak—follows Yeong-ro as she goes against both family and country to help the man she loves.

“Snowdrop is a heartwarming fictional melodrama about a young couple in love, and as the story unfolds, [they] find themselves enduring an unbearable pain that one rarely encounters in a lifetime,” Jo recently said. “I hope global audiences find this heartfelt series also gripping and suspenseful, as the two come to face their fate.”

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom Expands 50th Anniversary Festivities with New Parades

The fun continues at Walt Disney World Resort for their big 50th anniversary… and The World’s Most Magical Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park at is adding even more magic with exciting new and returning entertainment.

Beginning Friday, February 11, the brand-new Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade! super-sized parade stars nearly 30 of our favorite Disney and Pixar friends, including Nick and Judy from Zootopia, Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book, José Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros, plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and more—including the Magic Kingdom debut of Miguel from Coco in his mariachi finery.

The beloved Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will return to Magic Kingdom Park on Wednesday, March 9—which happens to be the anniversary of the parade’s debut in 2014. Dazzling guests since its debut, the parade features beloved Disney characters bringing their individual stories to life on enchanting floats that look as though the characters themselves had a hand in crafting them. One of the highlights? The breathtaking, fire-breathing Maleficent Dragon float, looming 26 feet above the parade route at a whopping 35 feet in length… and it’s returning to the parade looking just as menacing as ever.

But that’s not all: Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire will make its debut on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage on Friday, February 25. The show, newly enhanced for Walt Disney World’s 50th celebration, will incorporate favorite scenes inspired by Frozen, Tangled, and The Princess and the Frog—plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and pals in their sparkling, EARidescent best. Presented multiple times a day, the show includes an all-new, original song titled “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.”

ICYMI: Your Guide to Valentine’s Day Sweets and Treats at Disney Parks Around the World

It’s almost time to celebrate love in all its many forms, and the good folks at Disney Parks around the globe have cooked up some truly delightful ways to win your heart—through your stomach! We’d recommend eating a snack before checking out D23’s colorful rundown; if not, you’ll definitely come away hungry. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya!

Pal-entine’s Day Watchlist: 5 Favorite Disney Movies Celebrating Friendship

By Victoria Hunt

The love we have for our friends is a bond unlike any other. With the season of love approaching, we have compiled a list of our favorite movies to stream on Disney+ with our besties to celebrate these special relationships in our lives. What better way to spend the day than with our friends, some snacks and uplifting Disney classics.

Luca

Luca (2021)
Set on the beautiful Italian Riviera, Luca focuses on the tale of two young sea monsters posing as humans in the little seaside village of Portorosso. The boys, Luca (voice of Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer), along with their new human friend, Guilia (voice of Emma Berman), make the most of their summer above the waves including Vespa rides and lots of gelato, while attempting to hide their true identities. This movie is chalk full of new experiences and fun adventures, just like every great friendship.

Holes

Holes (2003)
After being sent away to a juvenile detention camp in the desert for a wrongful conviction, Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf) meets the teen actually responsible for the crime pinned on him, Hector Zeroni (Khleo Thomas). The two enlist on a mission to escape the detention center and unearth some secrets along the way. During their multi-day journey across the barren Texas desert, the two boys come to realize that this is not the first time their paths have crossed, as a centuries old curse has brought them together once more. Holes is a classic story about overcoming obstacles in order to bring truth to light.

Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Stuck in a rut, Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) is tired of being the villain in his arcade game, Fix It Felix Jr. He desperately desires to be a hero to gain respect and maybe even some friends. With the help of the other misfits of the game world, including the irrepressible Vanellope (voice of Sarah Silverman), he travels through the video game universe to level-up his reputation. Grab your favorite sweet treats and your bestie to watch this hilarious and heartwarming tale.

Monsters University

Monsters University (2013)
Not all friendships start out on the right foot, and Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) and James P. “Sully” Sullivan are certainly no exception in this Monsters Inc. prequel. The two monsters are polar opposites, with Mike focused on his studies and Sully on his social life, but the two share the goal of becoming the top scarer in their class. Hijinks ensue and force the fraternity brothers to set their differences aside to achieve their dreams. Go Oozma Kappa!

The Color of Friendship

The Color of Friendship (2000)
This Disney Channel Original Movie, based on the true story of author and anti-apartheid activist Piper Dellums, has warmed the hearts of Disney fans for over 20 years. Piper (Shadia Simmons), a Black teen from California, is shocked when the South African girl her family is hosting, Mahree (Lindsey Haun), turns out to be white. The girls come from two very different cultural backgrounds, with Mahree living a privileged life in apartheid-era South Africa and Piper being the daughter of an American congressman. The teens soon come to realize that maybe they aren’t so different after all, and with a little work they prove that friendship and love tower over all else.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

By Andie Hagemann

Your weekend lineup is jam-packed with music and adventure! Celebrate the anniversary of The Three Caballeros on Friday. Then, find out if it’s good to be bad with a Descendants marathon airing all-day Friday. Watch a climber explore his famous mountaineer father’s legacy with the premiere of National Geographic Documentary Films’ Torn. Toss your pixie dust in the air because Peter Pan is celebrating its 69th anniversary Saturday. Keep your Sunday scaries at bay with a viewing of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil that evening.

The Three Caballeros—Friday, February 4, on Disney+
Get your dancing shoes ready to celebrate the 77th anniversary of Disney’s seventh full-length animated film! Donald Duck (voice of Clarence Nash) stars in this spectacular animated and live-action adventure that is full of surprises and toe-tapping songs. After Donald receives magical gifts from his Latin American friends, he’s transported on a musical journey with José Carioca (voice of José Oliveira) and Panchito (voice of Joaquin Garay). The sensational music and spectacular colors are a treat for the whole family!

Descendants—Friday, February 4, at 10:55 a.m. ET, on Disney Channel
Kickstart your weekend with a magical Descendants marathon. In a present day Auradon, Ben (Mitchell Hope), the son of King Adam, aka Beast (Dan Payne), and Queen Belle (Keegan Connor Tracy), chooses to grant four children of iconic Disney villains—Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, Evil Queen, and Jafar—the opportunity to live in the kingdom, escaping their island prison and earning a chance at redemption. Are Mal (Dove Cameron), Carlos (Cameron Boyce), Jay (Booboo Stewart), and Evie (Sofia Carson) truly bad or just born that way? The sequels will follow immediately after on Disney Channel.

Torn—Friday, February 4, on Disney+
National Geographic Documentary Films’ latest film examines the life of legendary climber Alex Lowe, who was tragically lost alongside cameraman and fellow climber David Bridges in a deadly avalanche on the slopes of the Tibetan mountain Shishapangma in 1999. Seventeen years after their deaths, the bodies of Lowe and Bridges were discovered, and Lowe’s family traveled to the Himalayas to recover the men’s remains. Watch archival footage of Lowe’s adventures, home movies and emotional interviews with his family in this captivating documentary.

Peter Pan—Saturday, February 5, on Disney+
You can fly… and transport yourself to Never Land as this Disney classic celebrates its 69th anniversary. Wendy (voice of Kathryn Beaumont) and her two brothers Michael (voice of Tommy Luske) and John (voice of Paul Collins) are surprised when a magical boy named Peter Pan (voice of Bobby Driscoll) flies into their bedroom as he chases down his shadow. The children follow Peter and his fairy pal Tinker Bell back to Neverland, but his rival Captain Hook (voice of Hans Conried) and his band of pirates stir up trouble for all.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil—Sunday, February 6, at 5:40 p.m. ET, on Freeform
In anticipation of the wedding of Aurora (Elle Fanning), Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) travels to meet Prince Phillip’s parents for an intimate family dinner. The evening quickly goes south when Aurora’s future mother-in-law, Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer), angers Maleficent and starts a fiery fight that leaves the king near death. When Ingrith’s plan to destroy the fairy population is revealed, Maleficent joins forces with a group of outcasts to battle the queen and her army.