D23 Exclusive Destination D23 Collection by Mickey’s of Glendale

January 6, 2022January 10, 2022

By the D23 Team

Mickey’s of Glendale, the Walt Disney Imagineering campus store, created a selection of exclusive Destination D23 merchandise exclusive to our event, celebrating 50 magical years of Walt Disney World Resort. Didn’t make it to Destination D23 or missed that one item at the event you were hoping to grab? For a limited time, while supplies last, D23 Gold Members will have the opportunity to purchase merchandise from the Destination D23 collection through an online event. The event is scheduled to go live Monday, January 10, 2022, at 9 a.m. PT.

Proof of membership will be required. The link for the event will be posted to this page at the scheduled time.

Here are the FAN-tastic items you can add to your collection:

Orange Bird Spirit Jersey

Orange Bird Rugby Shirt

Destination D23 Logo Hoodie

Destination D23 Logo Tee

Destination D23 Cap

To purchase, click the Disney events link and follow the directions accordingly. Not a D23 Gold Member? Click here to join.

* Destination D23 Collection available only to D23 Gold Members. Available for purchase starting January 10, 2022, while supplies last. Must enter your D23 Gold Membership number to be eligible to purchase. Limit 3 per size of each item per D23 membership. Only one order per D23 Gold Member, any duplicate orders will be cancelled. Items not eligible for any additional promotional discounts or offers. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Void where prohibited.

Q&A with the Creative Mind and Super Fan Behind the New Must-Have Disney Dolls

January 5, 2022

By Jocelyn Buhlman

For the young (and young at heart), toys are the tools to create grand stories and epic adventures. Your favorite characters can relive their famous tales or begin new ones, impossible ones—stories you’ve only seen in the depths of your imagination. Garrett Sander, a lifelong Disney fan with an epic toy collection to boot, is now living his own epic adventure as Principal Designer of Disney’s new Sweet Seams collectible line. These “sew cute” dolls feature favorite Disney characters in special environments designed to inspire your next toybox adventure. Learn more about the Sweet Seams dolls here—but first, hear from Sander about his creative process, and how it feels to go from Disney toy superfan to doll designer!

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club: Can you tell us a little bit about how you chose the specific Disney characters featured in this line?

Garrett Sander (GS): What was great about the Sweet Seams line is that we’re able to tap into the breadth of the Disney portfolio. This allows us to get a lot of different characters in there and really showcase the world of Disney. So, we have Disney Princesses, but we also have Pixar characters. We wanted to find a balance. I mean, I love the Disney Princesses, but there’s also so many other great characters in the portfolio, we wanted to be able to showcase all of them and create this Sweet Seams world that—while we know they can’t always play together, the characters can live in the same world [and] in the same style together. And you can collect this really fun new style for all of the products.

D23: What inspired the aesthetic design of the dolls?

GS: We were really inspired by animatics in animation, so like that “sketchy” kind of look. If you look at the prints on the fabric of the dolls, you can actually see some of the sketch lines. We left some of the sketch lines in the print in the way that their fabrics look and the way that their faces are done. It almost feels like every one is hand drawn, if you will. We wanted to make sure that it felt like this little thing that somebody made for you—these cute little plush dolls. On the back, all of them have a silver stitch sealing them closed, and we like to say that’s the “touch” of Disney magic!

We really wanted to create something that we hadn’t seen out there, for all of these characters. While plush has been done before, we wanted these to feel handmade. They have these cute little knot limbs that actually have a loop on one side, so they can hold hands. And they have little knot feet, so their shoes will pop on and off the knots on the bottom.

D23: How did you decide where these dolls would “live” in these vessels?

GS: Originally, it was going to be all beds. But when we were thinking about it, we wanted to be able to create a world and make scenes where your character is doing something. For example, Ariel is at her vanity getting ready for the day, or Mickey has his car so he can zoom around town. It was creating these little vignettes so you can start building out the world of Sweet Seams.

D23: Was the concept of the vessels part of the plan from the start, or did that develop later in the process?

GS: The initial idea was to make it so you’re getting a doll and a playset together. We wanted it to be like a peek into their world. It’s a moment in time that you’re getting to see [for] these Disney characters. There’s a sleeve on the outside of the box that has a scene printed on it, so when you set everything up you can complete the play. For example, in Tiana’s little kitchen, there’s a window looking outside, and she’s got her little beignet sitting on the cart. That way you can create this fun scene and set it up. Then, when you’re done, you put it all back inside too. We know storage is really nice and you can keep everything in one spot. We wanted to use everything that we could, that comes in the box, to create as much fun as possible.

D23: It seems like you’ve really like thought through both how collectors will display the dolls, but also how kids will play with them. How do you get into that head space of the customer?

GS: I think once you start the product, you ask yourself, “Okay, we want to make these characters!” And then you think, “How do we want the consumer to experience the product? What can we put in that would be really fun?” Because we know, a lot of times, kids like to use the toy to tell the stories of the characters. So, you want to make sure there’s the ability to do that. But then, what are the other fun things that you can put in? So just by adding the loop to the hands, the dolls can hold hands together. Then [we] made sure the shoes were easy to get on and off, because it is fun to dress up your dolls; you could swap out shoes if you want. All the girls basically have skirts or shorts, and you could trade outfits if you want. So, there’s a little bit of fashion play in there, too. We try to put as much play into these little plush toys [and] with our vessels as possible, so you’re getting to get this complete “play in a box” and it all stores inside, too.

D23: There are some rarer characters featured in this line. How did you decide to include them?

GS: We looked a lot at the different properties for Disney, and I also had to pick some of my favorites! I love Herculesfrom the ’90s, and that we’re seeing a big ’90s explosion too, so we wanted to pull from those really popular properties from that era. We thought that Megara was a really great example to use. She’s a really fun character: she’s spunky, she’s her own woman, and she’s not this “damsel in distress.” We thought it was a great character to feature in the line. We want the line to appeal to Disney collectors as well as kids, so there’s a little bit of something in there for everyone.

D23: Are there any hidden details or Easter eggs that fans should look for?

GS: I think the fun thing is that there is an “unboxing” experience. When you open the box up, you find your doll and they all come with a vessel. Some have a vanity; some have beds. And as you explore around, you find a hidden compartment in each and there’s accessories inside. For example, in Ariel’s scene, you find her plush doll, and you find her cute little seashell vanity—but when you open up the vanity, you find inside that she has a little “dinglehopper” brush and a mini version of the statue of Eric that she has from her grotto. We try to incorporate some of those fun details from the movies…

D23: Is there a Disney character that you’d love to include in a future line?

GS: I mean, I would love for us to get to do the villains! I think it’d be fun! They’re sort of the “not -so-Sweet Seams” characters, and a personal favorite of mine. And I’d love to do Yzma! I love The Emperor’s New Groove; it’s one of my favorite movies, and Yzma is one of my favorite villains. I’d love to be able to do her in this form—I think it’d be really fun.

Meet the Class Clowns of Abbott Elementary

January 4, 2022

By Zach Johnson

The new ABC comedy Abbott Elementary is in a class of its own.

Airing Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the series—created by executive producer Quinta Brunson, who stars as second grade teacher Janine Teagues—follows a group of dedicated and passionate public school teachers (and a slightly tone-deaf principal) who are determined to help their students succeed in life, despite the odds stacked against them.“The important thing with comedy is to make sure you have that absurdist point, right?” says Brunson. “You need to have that thing that goes a little bit farther than what happens in real life. That balance allows us to tell these stories. If we were just straight‑up telling people the reality of what’s happening in these schools, that’s not fun to watch; that’s just a documentary. But we get to have this absurdist humor, which I hope gives people the opportunity to laugh and think. And ultimately, I want people to be able to laugh with us.”

In addition to Brunson, the freshman comedy series stars Sheryl Lee Ralph as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard, who has seen and done it all; Lisa Ann Walter as second grade teacher Melissa Schemmenti, who knows a guy who knows a guy; Chris Perfetti as history teacher Jacob Hill, who means well but sometimes misses the mark; Tyler James Williams as substitute teacher Gregory Eddie, who dreams of becoming principal one day; and Janelle James as principal Ava Coleman, who may or may not be qualified for her new job.

The style of Abbott Elementary was chosen intentionally so that audiences can better understand the characters. “My favorite comedies have been mockumentaries: The Office, Parks and Rec. I was so impressed with what they did,” says Brunson. “What I love the most about the format is it gives an opportunity for the audience to build a different relationship with the characters. I think teachers deserve that. I had seen other teacher shows, and there is a lens on them that often can make them seem one-dimensional, and they are the least one-dimensional people there are. It’s the least one-dimensional job. I said, ‘If these people could talk to camera about their reasons for doing this job, for doing it how they do it, for jumping through hoops to get these things done, it would build a different relationship with the audience.’ So, I thought that was important as it pertains to educators in America.”

“When you used to see a teacher at a store, it was weird because you would think, ‘Why aren’t they in the school?’ I didn’t know they were human,” adds Walter. Filming “talking heads” and showing candid reactions helps to show them as “complete” people, she says.

According to Ralph, the kids—many of whom are not actors—keep the cast on their toes. “They’re so sweet and so good,” Ralph says. “They do get on your nerves sometimes, but…” Brunson adds, “This was their first experience. That was beneficial to us in a way, with this mockumentary style, because we had kids who weren’t giving us practiced performances.”

At Willard R. Abbott Public School in Philadelphia, staff turnover is high. And as the daughter of a teacher, Brunson has seen firsthand how real burnout can be for educators—especially those in underfunded school districts. “We have to be special about the kind of stories that we want to tell, and I think we did that in this show. Are we laughing at these problems or are we laughing with the people who do the job regardless? I think there’s a huge difference. We don’t want to create an environment where we say, ‘Hey, these issues are OK and shouldn’t be fixed.’ What we want to do is say, ‘Look at these people who do the job anyway. How can we support them further? How can we take a look at our school system and say it shouldn’t be this way anymore?’” No matter what, Brunson adds, “These people are going to do the job. Nothing can stop them. They know all the systemic issues, but at the end of the day, they have to teach your kid how to read… It was important to show a behind-the-scenes look at what teachers really do and do it with humor and heart.”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

January 4, 2022

By Andie Hagemann

New year, new shows! Start off 2022 with a few premieres on ABC. On Monday, watch Clayton Echard commence his journey as The Bachelor, with new host Jesse Palmer as his guide. Comedian Steve Harvey becomes Judge Steve Harvey on his new series, premiering Tuesday. Follow a double heaping of justice with the season premiere of black-ish, featuring a special guest star. Watch the first two episodes of Women of the Movement, a new limited series chronicling the life of Mamie Till Mobley and the brutal murder of her son Emmett Till. Round out the week by viewing Like Mike on Disney+!

The Bachelor—Monday, January 3, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Clayton Echard’s journey to find love kicks off on Monday! Will he be an underdog no more? New host and former Bachelor lead Jesse Palmer returns to the franchise to guide Echard through his first evening. For the first time in two years, the Bachelor Mansion will welcome 31 women who will vie for Echard’s attention and affection. However, before the first limo arrives, a shocking franchise first will have him clutching a rose and questioning everything.

Judge Steve Harvey—Tuesday, January 4, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Order in the court! Steve Harvey serves up justice as the judge, jury, and star in this all-new unscripted series. With the help of his bailiff, Nancy, Harvey plays by his own rules and must rule on various cases in his courtroom based on some good old common sense. In the premiere episode, Harvey hears three cases, including former friends disputing costs for a fence repair; sisters arguing whether one used loaned money for herself instead of for their brother’s funeral expenses; and a sister suing her carpenter brother for unfinished work that she already paid for.

black-ish—Tuesday, January 4, at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC
It’s the beginning of the end as black-ish debuts its final season. In the season premiere, Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) convinces Dre (Anthony Anderson) to attend a fundraising event for When We All Vote with the intention of increasing participation in each and every election as well as make some new couple friends. Their expectations are far exceeded when the evening’s special guest is former First Lady Michelle Obama. After she accepts a dinner invitation to Bow and Dre’s home, the rest of the Johnsons want to crash the dinner party, too.

Women of the Movement—Thursday, January 6, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
The new scripted limited series is based on the story of Mamie Till Mobley (Adrienne Warren), who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son Emmett Till (Cedric Joe) after his brutal murder. In the first episode, the young mother begrudgingly lets her 14-year-old son visit his great uncle and cousins in Mississippi. Days after his arrival, Mamie is faced with a mother’s worst nightmare when her son goes missing. The second episode is set to air immediately after the premiere. Mamie is thrust into the public spotlight following her son’s kidnapping by white men in Mississippi.

Like Mike—Friday, January 7, on Disney+
A young orphan named Calvin (Shad Moss aka Lil Bow Wow) has a dream to become a professional basketball player. After he acquires a pair of old sneakers with the faded initials M.J., Calvin becomes an overnight NBA sensation. But will he be able to keep up with the league’s superstars with his limited skills?

Every Amazing Disney Moment from 2021

December 31, 2021December 29, 2021

By the D23 Team

The past year was full of magical moments: Disneyland reopened, Super Heroes soared across the big screen, and the D23 team even flew all the way to Florida to throw the ultimate celebration for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! As we ring in 2022, we’re taking a look back at our favorite memories, moments, and more from 2021.

A Different Kind of Movie Marathon
No other company makes movie magic quite like Disney. Whether fantastic or real (or somewhere in between), the stories told by 20th Century Studios, Hulu, Marvel Studios, National Geographic Documentary Films, Pixar Animation Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures over the past year captivated audiences—introducing us to new characters and reacquainting us with old ones.

When we say there was something for everyone to enjoy, that’s no exaggeration. After all, nearly 40 titles were released over the past 12 months. Some of our favorites here at D23 include (in chronological order): Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself, Flora & Ulysses, Nomadland (winner of three Oscars^®), Boss Level, Raya and the Last Dragon, Cruella, Plan B, Luca, False Positive, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Black Widow, Jungle Cruise, Playing with Sharks, Stuntman, Free Guy, The Night House, Vacation Friends, Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Fauci, The Rescue, The Last Duel, Becoming Cousteau, Ron’s Gone Wrong, The French Dispatch, Antlers, Home Sweet Home Alone, Eternals, The First Wave, Encanto, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Torn, West Side Story, Mother/Android, Nightmare Alley, and The King’s Man. If that list seems impressive (and it really is), just wait until you see what’s coming next year!

Year of Storytelling
Throughout 2021, television shows comforted audiences with the return of old favorites and the introduction of new friends across Disney+, ABC, Disney Channel, Freeform, National Geographic, and Disney Junior. Marvel Studios’ slate of Disney+ programming–including WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, What If…?, and Hawkeye—kept fans on the edge of their couches week-to-week, awaiting the next twist and turn in the MCU… Speaking of the streaming service: In a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars: The Bad Batch also debuted, and a legendary bounty hunter made his long-awaited homecoming in the new series The Book of Boba Fett. And on National Geographic, Genius: Aretha captivated viewers with untold stories of one of the music industry’s biggest innovators.

Popular series such as black-ish, The Conners, and A Million Little Things returned to ABC, along with historic seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. And Disney Channel’s BUNK’D, Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective, Freeform’s grown-ish and Good Trouble, and FX’s What We Do in the Shadows all continued to delight audiences. Other 2021 standouts included Disney Channel’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs and ABC’s The Wonder Years, as well as Disney+’s The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Big Shot, Turner & Hooch, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Just Beyond, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Secrets of the Whales, Monsters at Work, and Welcome to Earth—just to name a few. If you thought 2021 boasted fantastic content to binge-watch, wait ’til you see what’s in store for 2022!

Awesome Honors
Back on February 28, titles from across The Walt Disney Company took home five Golden Globe^® Awards. Nomadland came away a winner in several prestigious categories—including Best Drama, as well as Best Director for Chloé Zhao, who became the second woman to ever receive the award and the first woman of color. “This is what he said about compassion: ‘Compassion is a breakdown of all the barriers between us, a heart-to-heart bonding,’” Zhao said that night, quoting real-life nomad Bob Wells. “‘Your pain is my pain. It’s mingled and shared between us.’ This is why I fell in love with making movies and telling stories, because they give us a chance to laugh and cry together and they give us a chance to learn from each other and to have more compassion for each other.” Additionally, the Hulu Original The United States vs. Billie Holiday was recognized with a win for star Andra Day, who received the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama; and a pair of Golden Globe Awards—the first two for Disney+—went to Disney and Pixar’s Soul, for Best Picture—Animated and Best Score Motion Picture (written by Jon Batiste, Atticus Ross, and Trent Reznor). Dig a bit deeper into all the 2021 Golden Globes fun right here at D23.com.

Nomadland and Soul once again garnered some of the evening’s most illustrious honors at the 93rd Oscars—which aired live on ABC on April 25—with three wins total for the drama: Best Motion Picture (the acceptance of which is pictured above); Best Actress in a Leading Role for Frances McDormand; and a history-making Best Achievement in Directing for Zhao (who became the first Chinese woman to receive the award and just the second woman to win the award in the Oscars’ 93-year history). Disney and Pixar’s hit claimed another two wins: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score. Read up on Hollywood’s biggest night at D23.com.

Later in the year, The Walt Disney Company earned an impressive 166 Primetime Emmy Award^® nominations, including 24 for Disney+’s The Mandalorian alone. During the September 19 ceremony, Hamilton won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).

Super Heroes and Celebrations at Disney Parks
2021 was a milestone year for Disney Parks around the world, with reopenings, reimaginings, and one very magical celebration! In April ’21, Disneyland Resort reopened its gates to fill the world (and our hearts) once again with magic—and with that reopening, we welcomed two newly reimagined attractions: Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, an enhanced update to the Fantasyland classic Snow White’s Scary Adventures; and the fan-favorite Jungle Cruise. Additionally, Haunted Mansion welcomed some scary-good new details harkening back to the history of the beloved attraction.

Meanwhile, at Disney California Adventure park, something super was brewing. Aspiring Super Heroes (and some with more… villainous intentions) flocked to Avengers Campus this past summer, where guests could meet favorite characters and even sling webs with Spider-Man in the new attraction WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. Throughout the year, new characters have stopped by the campus to greet guests, including Shang-Chi, the Eternals, Loki (and a variant or two), and even Agatha Harkness!

Disneyland Resort’s holiday season has been filling us with cheer this year, marking the return of some of our favorite classics including A Christmas Fantasy Parade and Haunted Mansion Holiday (celebrating 20 frighteningly fun years in 2021). While the delicious delights of the Disney Festival of Holidays returned to Disney California Adventure, we found a new way to celebrate with the Merriest Nites after-hours holiday parties debuting at Disneyland park, which featured lots of festive fun—and a Muppet or two!

You might have noticed a big celebration happening over at Walt Disney World Resort… We’re only ringing in an incredible five decades of magic at the resort! The World’s Most Magical Celebration kicked off in October 2021 with new merchandise, nighttime spectaculars, decorations, and so much more! D23 Inside Disney filmed a very special video episode to mark the start of the celebration—and then the D23 Team returned in November to keep the celebration going with our Destination D23 event (more on that later). The ongoing transformation of EPCOT debuted two can’t-miss experiences: the new nighttime spectacular Harmonius and a reimagined France pavilion that features Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where guests shrink down to the size of a rat to enjoy an adventure with Remy, Emile, and all their friends.

Walt Disney World wasn’t the only place ringing in a special anniversary! At the very start of the year, we celebrated 20 years of Disney California Adventure and the Downtown Disney District. Across the pond, Shanghai Disneyland rang in its fifth anniversary in June, while Hong Kong Disneyland continued celebrating its 15th anniversary. And while Disneyland Paris Resort prepared to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2022, we saw the opening of Disney’s Hotel New York—The Art of Marvel, which was the resort’s largest refurbishment ever. The hotel is the very first to be dedicated entirely to the celebration of Marvel art, with one of the largest publicly viewable collections of artwork in the world.

As if all that wasn’t enough, we also welcomed new technology and programs to enhance our Disney Parks experiences. We saw many magical debuts—including the Magic Key program and Disney Genie, as well as an all-new Disney Parks TikTok account that brings all manner of Parks and Resorts fun right into your home in a whole new, short-form-video way.

The Return of In-Person D23 Events!
While 2021 marked the return of our in-person events, we kicked off the year in a most Muppet-ational way with our D23 Muppet Mania week of celebration, honoring both the 25th anniversary of Muppet Treasure Island and the debut of The Muppet Show on Disney+. Part of the week-long party was an exclusive behind the “seas” virtual panel with the cast and crew of Muppet Treasure Island and a live-tweeting of the film—with special assistance from The Muppets themselves!

With the reopening of Disneyland Resort in the spring, we welcomed D23 Members back to the Happiest Place on Earth in the wildest way—with an early morning preview of the newly refurbished Jungle Cruise! Guests heard from Walt Disney Imagineers about the history and the future of the attraction before taking the world-famous tour past the elephant bathing pool, the African veldt, and—the sight we all missed the most—the backside of water! Our jungle adventure continued when we turned El Capitan Theatre into an exotic hideaway for our members to celebrate the opening night of Disney’s Jungle Cruise.

While we commemorated 50 magical years of Walt Disney World Resort throughout 2021 with our D23 Gold Member Collector set, The World’s Most Magical Celebration really kicked into high gear in the fall—starting with a member “squeak peek” at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which opened to the public at EPCOT on October 1. In November, we threw the ultimate celebration for Walt Disney World with three days of exhibits, panels, photo ops, and more at our 2021 Destination D23: Presented By Topps. D23 Gold Members joined us for panels covering the vast and colorful history of Walt Disney World Resort, from cuisine to characters to the kooky memories we can’t quite believe happened (shout-out to EPCOT’s The Magical World of Barbie)—all hosted by Disney luminaries, Imagineers, and Walt Disney Archives staff. Plus, guests explored two exhibits full of Walt Disney World history; shopped for exclusive merchandise; and watched early screenings of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto and Marvel’s Disney+ series Hawkeye. And just this month, we spread holiday cheer with a member mixer at the Bowers Museum in Southern California, where guests enjoyed character moments, live music, hot chocolate, and the newest (and glitteriest) exhibit from The Walt Disney Archives.

But that’s not all we did this year: From movie screenings and the continuation of our D23 X WDI virtual events, to exclusive previews of Walt Disney Archives exhibits around the country, we spread Disney magic to our members with the return of many of our favorite events… and the continuation of some new classics. After a year of spreading pixie dust through our virtual events, it was great to see our members in person again—and we can’t wait to keep celebrating our love of Disney with you into the new year!

Every Disney Moment We’re Looking Forward to in 2022

December 30, 2021December 30, 2021

By the D23 Team

It’s time to ring in 2022, and with it the opportunity of new experiences and memories. For Disney fans like us, that means a calendar full of can’t-miss movies, television series, events, and more! Are you ready to plan the most magical year yet? Read on to discover everything we can’t wait to experience in the new year.

Movies

Hocus Pocus 2

Disney+ will continue to release films for the whole family to enjoy in 2022, starting with The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild on January 28. The animated film continues the hilarious escapades of the beloved sub-zero heroes from the Ice Age franchise as they create more prehistoric pandemonium. The streamer will also release Sneakerella, a gender-flipped twist on the Cinderella fairy tale, on February 18, and Cheaper by the Dozen, a reimagining of the hit family comedy starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff, in March.

Other titles to look forward to on Disney+ include Better Nate Than Never, based on the book by Tim Federle, and Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers, a hybrid live-action/CG animated adventure starring John Mulaney and Andy Samberg, both of which will debut in the spring. Fall will deliver the Disney+ debuts of Disenchanted, a sequel to the musical film Enchanted starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey; Hocus Pocus 2, a sequel to the cult classic starring Disney Legend Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy; and Pinocchio, a reimagining of Disney’s animated classic starring Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo, and Luke Evans and featuring the voices of Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key, and Lorraine Bracco. In addition, Rodrick Rules—a second animated film from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series—is being adapted for release in 2022.

Turning Red

On March 11, Pixar Animation Studios will release Turning Red, introducing audiences to Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. As if changes to her body, interests, and relationships weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited, she “poofs” into a giant red panda! On June 17, Disney and Pixar will release Lightyear, taking Toy Story fans to infinity... and beyond! The sci-fi action-adventure will present the definitive origin story of the one and only Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans)—the hero who inspired the toy.

Death On The Nile

20th Century Studios will release a handful of films in 2022, beginning with Death on the Nile on February 11. Directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the 1937 novel by Agatha Christie, this tale of passion and jealousy features an all-star ensemble cast that includes Branagh (back as the detective Hercule Poirot), Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright. On Memorial Day weekend, 20th Century Studios will release The Bob’s Burgers Movie. Following a couple to-be-announced titles released in the fall (including one from acclaimed filmmaker David O. Russell), James Cameron’s Avatar 2 will open in theaters on December 16, inviting audiences back to Pandora. Joining returning stars Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington in the film are Trinity Bliss, Jack Champion, Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, and Kate Winslet—to name just a few.

The following titles from 20th Century Studios will debut on Disney+ in international markets under the Star brand, on Hulu in the U.S., and Star+ in Latin America: Rosaline, a comedic twist on William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet; The Princess, an irreverent adventure set in a fairy tale world (Summer 2022); Prey, an action-thriller in the Predator franchise set 300 years ago (Summer 2022); and No Exit, a suspense-thriller in which a blizzard forces a woman to find shelter at a highway rest area with a group of strangers.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness

Marvel Studios has three films lined up for 2022, starting with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on May 6, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez. Thor: Love and Thunder will light up movie screens on July 8. Directed by Taika Waititi, the cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, and Christian Bale. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, written and directed by Ryan Coogler, will open on November 11. Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy and portrayal of the title character, Marvel Studios will not recast the late actor’s role, but will continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film.

Strange World

Walt Disney Animation Studios will release Strange World on November 23 (see concept art, above). Directed by Don Hall, the action-adventure journeys deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades, a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest and by far most crucial mission.

Television

Women of the Movement

ABC opens 2022 with a pair of new dramas: Women of the Movement, premiering January 6, is a scripted limited series based on the story of Mamie Till-Mobley (Adrienne Warren), who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son Emmett Till (Cedric Joe) after his brutal murder; and beginning January 24, Promised Land—a multigenerational family drama about a Latinx family competing for wealth and power in California’s Sonoma Valley. John Ortiz, Cecilia Suárez, and Bellamy Young lead the star-studded cast.

January also marks the return of several fan-favorite ABC shows. Reality TV lovers can rejoice with a new season of The Bachelor beginning January 3; Jesse Palmer joins the franchise—this time as host—as he guides Clayton Echard through his journey to find love. Then on January 4, black-ish returns to commence its final season, with Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) convincing Dre (Anthony Anderson) to attend a fundraising event for When We All Vote in hopes of making new couple friends... and helping voter turnout while doing so. That same week, The Goldbergs, The Wonder Years, The Conners, and Home Economics all have midseason premieres airing January 5.

The Proud Family

Penny Proud and her family are back in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder—a new animated series coming to Disney+ in February and following the continuing adventures (and misadventures) of 14-year-old Penny and her friends and family as they now navigate the 2020s. Meanwhile, journey down the rabbit hole and dust off the cookbooks with Alice’s Wonderland Bakery—an all-new animated series premiering on Disney Junior in early 2022. Tune in for delicious treats and whimsical stories with a new generation of Wonderland pals.

Hold on—the fun doesn’t stop there! Rounding out the slate is a slew of highly anticipated shows set to air on Disney+ later in 2022, including Baymax!, Star Wars: Andor, Ms. Marvel, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season three, Zootopia+, Kenobi, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth, and Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. There’s truly television for everyone coming in 2022...

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

After 2021 brought a truly exciting year for Disney parks fans, 2022 is ramping up the thrills, memories, and just plain fun at Disney parks around the world. At Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, guests will be able to enjoy new enhancements to their experiences. First, the voice assistant “Hey, Disney!” is set to debut in 2022, utilizing Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. “Hey, Disney” brings Disney characters and stories to life in magical new ways to make guest stays at Disney resort hotels even more convenient, engaging and enjoyable. Along with “Hey, Disney,” guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort will be able to use the next-generation MagicBand+ wearable technology, marking the first time MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort! Stay tuned for more details on how the features of MagicBand+ will work at both resorts.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Over at Walt Disney World Resort, the fun will be in full swing already with the continuation of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, honoring the 50th anniversary of the resort. If you’re hoping for some intergalactic fun on your next trip, we’ve got good news for you! On March 1, 2022, the first voyage of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will depart, inviting guests aboard the Halcyon starcruiser to become the heroes of their own stories during a two-night adventure where they see, feel, and live their own Star Wars story. Need even more galactic adventure? As part of the historic transformation of EPCOT, the first “other-world” showcase pavilion will open, giving you insight to the treasures that the planet of Xandar has to share... Oh, and you’ll get to ride on the first-ever Disney coaster to feature a reverse launch! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens summer 2022 to take guests on an intergalactic chase through time and space!

Fantasmic!

In 2021, Disneyland Resort not only reopened, but debuted the first-ever Super Hero–themed land with the opening of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. In 2022, even more magic will return, including the Main Street Electrical Parade, which will light up Disneyland Park in time for its 50th anniversary. Plus, three more nighttime spectaculars will return: Fantasmic!, World of Color, and the Disneyland Foreverfireworks spectacular. If all that news is making you hungry for more, mark your calendars for the return of two limited-time festivals at Disney California Adventure: Lunar New Year and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. The Lunar New Year celebration will take place from January 21 through February 13, 2022, and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will run from March 4 through April 26, 2022.

That’s not all we’re looking forward to in 2022! The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage on June 9, 2022, while Disneyland Paris will ring in its 30th anniversary on March 6 and then debut Avengers Campus later that summer! Over at Hong Kong Disneyland, a new nighttime spectacular will turn the Castle of Magical Dreams into a canvas of light and sound. At Tokyo Disney Resort, you’ve got a friend in the new Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel, which will be the fifth Disney hotel to open in Japan but the first “moderate type” Disney hotel in the country, offering guests a new option between “deluxe type” and “value type” hotels.

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl

2022 also marks the debut of two books from Disney Publishing that will allow you to bring the magic of Disney Parks to your home! Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance follows the kids of the original Kingdom Keepers, living in the near future in the EPCOT of Walt Disney’s imagination. Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance is available for pre-order now and launches March 8, 2022. Meanwhile, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl is the first book in a middle-grade adventure series exploring the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.), tying together stories within Disney parks, cruise ships, and attractions throughout the last 20 years. Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl is available for pre-order now and launches April 8, 2022.

D23 Events

When you think D23 events in 2022, we know the first thing that comes to your mind: D23 Expo! But that’s not the only way we’re sharing Disney magic in the new year. You can check out our full 2022 lineup of events for our complete schedule, which includes the return of fan-favorite events like The Walt Disney Studios Official Tour – Presented by D23, D23 Nights with Disney Theatrical, and exclusive shopping at Mickeys of Glendale. Plus, D23 will continue its rich collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering with the continuation of our D23 x WDI virtual events, including a special presentation on the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris! Even more anniversaries will be honored next year, including Lilo & Stitch’s 20th and Hercules’ 20th. Beyond D23 Expo in September, we will also make the lightspeed jump to Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in the summer with an out-of-this-world Member Mixer.

Plus, all year long we will be celebrating Disney Parks from around the world with our 2022 D23 Gold Member Collector set.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

December 30, 2021August 8, 2023

By Andie Hagemann

Kick off the first weekend of 2022 with an exciting slate of content. Before the ball drops, watch two enticing College Football Playoff Semifinal matchups airing on ESPN. Furry friends take center stage on Saturday with the premiere of Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya on Nat Geo WILD and the season finale of When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren on ABC. In the mood for a movie marathon? X-Men: First Class will be available on Disney+ on Saturday, along with the addition of The Sandlot on Hulu.

College Football Playoff Semifinals—Friday, December 31, at 3:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET, on ESPN
Are you ready for some football? Four teams remain in the hunt for the national championship. ESPN presents two semifinal matchups beginning with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic as No. 1 Alabama takes on No. 4 Cincinnati at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Capital One Orange Bowl featuring No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 Georgia at 7:30 p.m. ET. The winners will meet in the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T on Monday, January 10, at 8 p.m. ET. Cue the fight songs and grab your favorite snacks for a day full of college football!

Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya—Saturday, January 1, at 7 p.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD
Gather the family and your four-legged family members, too, for the premiere of a brand-new series! Watch as veterinary dermatologist Dr. Joya Griffin and her staff take care of their patients in an animal dermatology clinic in Kentucky. See dermatology cases across the animal world, from the common to the bizarre, as Dr. Joya works to help her animal friends get back to the picture of health.

When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren—Saturday, January 1, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Academy Award® winning actress Helen Mirren narrates comedy series that shows a humorous side of the animal kingdom. The season finale features a mosquito that wants to do good in the world, a chipmunk that overpacked trying to outsmart the TSA, an old wild boar looking for love, anaconda ASMR, and more!

X-Men: First Class—Saturday, January 1, on Disney+
During the height of the Cold War, a mutant named Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) meets a fellow mutant named Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender). Despite their different backgrounds—Charles grew up in a wealthy family, while Erik lost his parents in Auschwitz—the two become close friends. With the world on the brink of a nuclear war, they must join forces with other mutants to save humanity. However, a surprising situation jeopardizes their friendship.

The Sandlot—Saturday, January 1, on Hulu
Legends never die… and neither do cult classic movies. Have a taste of summer fun in early January by streaming the family favorite. Set in the early 1960s, Scottie Smalls (Thomas Guiry) moves to a new neighborhood and quickly becomes friends with a baseball prodigy and group of kids who play baseball at the sandlot. The boys run into trouble when Smalls borrows a ball from his stepdad that is hit over a fence, resulting in hijinks and adventures.

Mickey-Inspired Conchas Recipe

December 29, 2021January 20, 2022

These Mickey-inspired pan dulce are the perfect merienda (afternoon snack) for your Día de Reyes celebration on January 6, or just to enjoy with a fresh café con leche on the weekend.

Looking for other yummy Disney-inspired recipes? Check out our ever-growing recipe collection!

Ingredients

Bread

1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
1 packet active dry yeast (see instructions on yeast packaging to activate)
1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
3-1/2 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs, beaten

Topping

3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cocoa powder if using

Special equipment

Stand mixer with bread hook
Concha cutter

Instructions

Activate the yeast by following the instructions on the packaging. Be sure the yeast is foamy or bubbly; if it’s not, toss out and try again.
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix to combine.
Mix in the melted butter, milk, and beaten eggs until combined; then, attach the dough hook and add the activated yeast mixture. Mix on medium low for about 5 to 8 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth. FYI: The dough should be slightly tacky, but not sticky. If sticky, add a small amount of flour until tacky.
Grease a large bowl with butter or vegetable oil; place the dough in bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Set the bowl in a warm area and allow it to rise, doubling in size. Note: This may take up to 2 hours.
When the dough has risen, divide it into 12 to 14 pieces. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, then shape the dough into balls. TIP: To make the Mickey head shape, use one ball for the head and divide another ball to make the ears.
Set the balls aside on parchment-lined baking sheets while the topping is made.
Mix together the flour, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract in a bowl with a spatula. Mix until a smooth paste is formed.
Separate out desired amount to add food coloring or cocoa powder, if desired.
Divide the topping to equal the amounts of dough balls. Remember, the ears count as one ball!
Roll out balls of topping and then flatten by hand to be about the same size as a dough ball. Then press down on the dough ball to flatten it a bit; place the topping onto the flattened dough and gently spread the topping to cover the top and sides.
Use the Concha cutter or a sharp knife to gently cut the pattern into the topping without cutting the dough underneath.
Place the dough balls far enough apart on the parchment-lined baking sheets for the dough to rise. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a clean towel and allow to rise for another hour. The topping will separate and maybe crack—that’s normal.
When the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 350°, and bake on the center rack for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the bread is lightly golden.
Allow to them to cool before moving. The topping is delicate and brittle.

Boba Fett’s Star Wars Story… So Far!

December 28, 2021December 28, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

For someone who only had about six minutes of screen time in his feature film debut, Boba Fett has become a fan-favorite Star Wars character based on being just plain cool. The bounty hunter captured imaginations with his iconic armor and foreboding presence, and his massive popularity led to a continued exploration of the character in comic books, television series, and more.

Now, over 40 years after his big-screen debut in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett will take the lead in the all-new series, The Book of Boba Fett, debuting on Disney+ this Wednesday, December 29. Before we dive into Boba’s new adventure on Tatooine, we’re taking a look back at his story in the Star Wars saga so far.

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
While the iconic bounty hunter first appeared on screens in an animated sequence in The Star Wars Holiday Special, within the story of the Star Wars saga, we first met Boba Fett as a child living on the rainy planet of Kamino. His father, Jango Fett, served as the genetic template for a clone army requested by Darth Tyranus. While all the clones for the clone army underwent growth acceleration and other enhancements, Jango Fett requested that, as part of his pay, he receive one unaltered clone—whom he chose to raise as his son, Boba. While Boba was only a child at the time, by the end of the film he was facing a very dark situation; his father had been killed in the battle of Geonosis, so Boba was left to strike out on his own.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Young Boba joined a team of bounty hunters as part of his new life’s mission: get revenge for his father’s death. Disguising himself as a clone cadet (an easy task, since all the clones look just like him!), Boba attempted to destroy the ship on which he was stationed in order to kill Mace Windu, who was responsible for his father’s demise. This was the first of several failed attempts against Mace Windu before Boba was imprisoned along with the bounty hunter Bossk. His imprisonment led to following in his father’s footsteps—after breaking free, Boba Fett became a full-time bounty hunter, forming a bounty hunter syndicate on Tatooine.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
For most of us, this was the moment when we first met Boba Fett: standing silently with a group of bounty hunters while Darth Vader explained his bounty for Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon. (“No disintegrations,” he commanded of Boba, sparking the imagination of Star Wars fans everywhere.) Tracking the Falcon to Cloud City, Boba lead Darth Vader to Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, Chewbacca, and C-3PO so that Vader could execute his plan of luring Luke Skywalker into a trap. First, however, Vader needed to complete a test: The trap for Luke was to conclude with the carbon freezing of the Jedi-in-training, as to easily send him to Emperor Palpantine. To confirm that carbon freezing would not kill the person being frozen, Vader tests the process out on Han Solo—and when the process works, he turns over the now-frozen scoundrel to Boba, so he can collect the bounty on Han from Jabba the Hutt.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Many fans believed this film brought about the end of Boba Fett’s story; after giving the frozen Han Solo to Jabba, Boba faced what we all perceived was his demise! When Luke and Leia staged a rescue for Han Solo, Boba ended up falling into the mouth of the deadly Sarlaac creature, where he was thought to have been digested by the creature for a thousand years. This, fans thought, was surely the end of the bounty hunter…

The Mandalorian
…Until season two of The Mandalorian, that is! The first season of the Disney+ original teased Boba Fett’s return in Chapter 5: “The Gunslinger,” when a person walking with a distinctive spur-jingling sound approached Fennec Shand in the desert. We did not have confirmation of the iconic character’s return until season 2… While he had been separated from his armor, Boba Fett was still alive and now working with Fennec. His first mission? Get his armor back! Cobb Vanth, who had traded to get Boba’s lost armor, gifted the iconic helmet and suit to the Mandalorian in return for his assistance with defeating a Krayt dragon. Boba and Fennec tracked the Mandalorian to the planet Tython, where they agreed to protect Grogu in exchange for Boba’s armor. This agreement ended up turning into a chase across the galaxy—but, in the end, Boba Fett was reunited with his iconic armor and he and Fennec Shand jumped off into hyperspace for their next adventure.

The Book of Boba Fett
Teased in a surprise end-credit sequence following the season 2 finale of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett finds both Boba Fett and Fennec Shand navigating the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate. You can watch the next chapter in Boba Fett’s story when the series premieres on Disney+ on Wednesday, December 29.

Now that you know Boba Fett’s Star Wars story, learn more about the history of the character’s creation by watching Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett, now streaming on Disney+.

Celebrate Kwanzaa With This Sweet Potato Appetizer

December 27, 2021January 20, 2022

Happy Kwanzaa to all those who celebrate! This sweet potato appetizer will add some fun to any festivity, and it can be prepared one of two ways: sweet or savory.

Ingredients for a sweet appetizer:

1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp sea salt
2 tsps coconut oil
Maple syrup or honey
Candied walnuts
Dried cranberries
Large sweet potato

Ingredients for a savory appetizer:

2 tsps olive oil
Sea salt flakes
Goat cheese
Dried cranberries
Roasted walnuts
Large sweet potato

Special equipment (optional):

Mickey-shaped cookie cutter

Shopping tip:

If using the cutter, make sure to select a sweet potato that has a circumference large enough to cut the shape out.

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Wash the sweet potato and peel the skin if desired. Slice rounds approximately 1/4” thickness. Try to cut them all the same thickness. If desired, use the cutter to cut out the shapes.
For the sweet version, mix the coconut oil and cinnamon and tumble in a bowl to coat. OR, for the savory version, use the olive oil and tumble in bowl to coat.
Arrange on a greased or silicone-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip over and continue baking for about 8 minutes until caramelized.
Serve the rounds with your choice of sweet or savory toppings, listed above.