Big City Greens Gets a Season Three Premiere Date—Plus a Fourth Season and a Movie Musical!

By Zach Johnson

This news makes us very hoppy.

Chris and Shane Houghton, creators and executive producers of the animated comedy Big City Greens, Disney’s No. 1 show, will join the echelon of format-leaping creative talent as the brothers’ popular series spins off a movie musical for Disney Channel and Disney+. Big City Greens also received a fourth season order from Disney Channel, bringing it to more than 100 episodes for the Daytime Emmy®-winning and Annie Award-nominated comedy.

“Chris, Shane and their crew made this decision an easy one because they consistently turn their wellspring of bold ideas into entertainment that connects with kids and families and appeals to fans of animation everywhere,” says Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television. “They’re an important part of our TV animation studio which, guided by Meredith Roberts and her outstanding team, is key to our group’s creative footprint and success. Whether I’m at work or at home with my family, I join the millions of viewers around the world who are looking forward to all that Big City Greens has in store for us.”

The third season of Big City Greens will debut on Saturday, February 12, at 9 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel. Last year, Shane told D23, “There are going to be some big changes for the Greens coming up”… and boy, was he serious! The story arc will bring a big change for the optimistic mischief-maker Cricket Green (voiced by Chris), who moved from the country to the big city with his wildly out of place family: hard-working father Bill (voiced by Bob Joles), sweet-and-sour Gramma Alice (voiced by Artemis Pebdani), and quirky older sister Tilly (voiced by Marieve Herington), who later in season three will participate in a rite of passage event—one that’s uniquely Green style. If you need to catch up before the February 12, you’re in luck! The first two seasons are available to stream on Disney+. The Houghton humor and creativity are also on display in two short-form Disney Channel series, Broken Karaoke and Random Rings, each featuring characters from Big City Greens.

Big City Greens is influenced by the Houghtons’ childhood in the small rural town of St. Johns, Michigan, with locations and characters inspired by their real-life family members and townsfolk and their experiences upon departing rural farmland for college in big cities. The animated series debuted in 2018, and in 2021, the Houghtons inked an overall deal at Disney Television Animation. In addition to the brothers, the movie and series’ creative team includes producer Michael Coughlin, co-executive producer Stephen Sandoval, and composer Joachim Horsley. Big City Greens is a production of Disney Television Animation.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

By Andie Hagemann

This weekend boasts a bevy of adventures for the whole family! For the space curious, Ad Astra airs Saturday on FXX. Follow that up with a viewing of Mrs. Doubtfire, starring Disney Legend Robin Williams, on Freeform. The computer-animated The Book of Life airs Saturday on FXM, the same day as a National Treasure double feature on Freeform. Round out the weekend with a delectable marathon of Bob’s Burgers on Sunday. 

Ad Astra

Ad Astra—Saturday, January 22, at 6:30 a.m. ET, on FXX
Thirty years ago, Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones) led a voyage into deep space, but the ship and crew were never heard from again. His son, Roy McBride (Brad Pitt), is now a fearless astronaut determined to embark on a daring mission to Neptune to uncover the truth about his missing father and a mysterious power surge that threatens the stability of the universe.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire—Saturday, January 22, at 9:15 a.m. ET, on Freeform
Help is on the way! With little access to his children, divorced dad Daniel Hillard (Disney Legend Robin Williams) hatches an elaborate plan. With help from his creative brother Frank (Harvey Fierstein), he dresses as an older British woman and convinces his ex-wife, Miranda (Sally Field), to hire him as the children’s nanny. “Mrs. Doubtfire” wins over the children and helps Daniel become a better parent—but hijinks ensue when both Daniel and his nanny persona must meet different parties at the same restaurant.

The Book of Life

The Book of Life—Saturday, January 22, at 10:20 a.m. ET, on FXM
In the Mexican town of San Angel, Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna), Maria (voiced by Zoë Saldana) and Joaquin (voiced by Channing Tatum) have been friends ever since childhood. Their lives all took different paths—Maria was sent to Europe, Joaquin joined the military, and Manolo studied to become a bullfighter. But one thing remains the same: Manolo and Joaquin both want to marry Maria. Little does the trio know that battling husband-and-wife deities have made a high-stakes wager on the love triangle’s outcome.

National Treasure

National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets—Saturday, January 22, at 11:55 a.m. ET and 3:05 p.m. ET, on Freeform
Saddle up for a double feature of two jam-packed adventures! In National Treasure, Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage), heir to a treasure-hunting family, learns about a national treasure from his grandfather. Clues leading to the hidden treasure chest are cyphered and scattered all over the country. When Ben’s accomplice decides to steal the “Declaration of Independence” to obtain the next clue, Ben decides to intervene, leading to a wild quest to rescue the national treasure. Then, embark on another journey in National Treasure: Book of Secrets as Ben looks for clues to find a lost city of gold.

Bob’s Burgers

Bob’s Burgers—Sunday, January 23, starting at 3 p.m. ET, on FXX
Turn up the grill for a tasty marathon of Bob’s Burgers episodes! Bob Belcher is a third-generation restaurateur who runs Bob’s Burgers with his loving wife and their three children. Watch as the family attempts to keep the restaurant open after Bob’s flattop grill breaks on the morning of Ocean Fest. Later, watch the family try to cheer Gene up when he can’t eat Thanksgiving dinner due to the stomach flu, and Tina and Louise learn how to fight.

Jonathan Freeman Reflects on a Remarkable Run in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway

By Zach Johnson

Jonathan Freeman, who originated the role of Jafar in Broadway’s Aladdin, will end his incredible run at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Sunday, January 23, after more than 2,000 performances. Few know the character as intimately as Freeman, who has been the voice of Jafar since Walt Disney Animation Studios released Aladdin in 1992. Freeman has continued to voice the evil vizier over the years, and in 2011, he brought him to life—literally—when the production was first staged in Seattle. He stayed with the show during its 2013-14 tryout in Toronto and later earned raves after it opened on Broadway in 2014. In an exclusive interview with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, he recalls revisioning Jafar for the stage, shares what he’ll miss most about the company of Aladdin, and reveals why now is the perfect time to explore a whole new world—both personally and professionally.

Freeman had initially planned to say farewell in February 2021, which would have marked his seventh year in the show. However, in 2020, Aladdin joined other Broadway shows in suspending production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I didn’t want to let go of all my work and my friends in the theater in the middle of the pandemic,” he says. “I thought that would be too sad.” Aladdin resumed performances in September 2021, with Freeman returning as Jafar. With his final performance in Aladdin just days away, he says, “I just feel like it’s time for me to do something else.”

Plus, Freeman says, “All the elements sort of aligned into a place where I was like, ‘I think this is good to let somebody else have a crack at it.’ I used to be very territorial about it. When they first mounted the production in Japan—and I’ve never expressed this to anybody out loud—I was a little frantic inside that suddenly there was going to be another Jafar. Then there was Jafar in Germany. Then there was Jafar in the U.K. Then there was a foreign and a national tour. All of a sudden, this character I had taken such good care of and taken such guardianship over for so many years was being splintered off. It’s crazy the way your mind works sometimes.” Flashing a big smile, Freeman adds, “I think I got over all of that.”

Although Freeman had previously starred in three Disney on Broadway productions—Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Mary Poppins—the Tony® Award-nominated actor recalls feeling “terrified” when Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions, approached him in 2011 about returning to the role of Jafar, this time onstage. “I was very excited when Thomas Schumacher called me to say he was working on a plan to do a tryout in Seattle,” he says, “but I clutched at the very end and I thought, ‘Oh, maybe this is a terrible idea. What if I’m terrible in the show? Is all of my work since 1991 going to go down the toilet?” Being in a room with actors who were not a part of the film—including Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), and James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), all of whom went on to originate their roles on Broadway—put Freeman’s mind at ease. “I was used to hearing what Aladdin sounded like when I was talking to him in the studio, but in this new stage version, everything was different. All of a sudden, I just had to get that this was a new experience and that it was going to be whatever it was going to be. I had lunch with [director] Casey Nicholaw one day, who said to me, ‘You have to get out of your own way.’”

That’s exactly what he did, as Freeman went on to wow audiences nightly for the next several years. After he takes his final bow in Aladdin this Sunday, the actor says he’ll most miss spending time with the cast and crew, who have become like a second family to him.

“You get to be such good friends with people, and a lot of the crew I’ve been friends with since I moved into the theatre to do Mary Poppins, which I did for two and a half years,” Freeman tells D23. “We really have a good time. It’s as close to having another family experience as you can have, because you see these people every day.” Aside from the cast and crew, he says, he’ll miss some of the quiet behind-the-scenes moments—moments where he gets lost in the beauty and the majesty of Aladdin. “I love hearing the overture every night,” he says. “I love standing in the wings every night before my first scene, hearing Aladdin sing ‘Proud of Your Boy’ and doing it so gorgeously. I enter immediately after he finishes that song, and every night before I go on to do my first ‘nasty’ scene, I have to have to do a big attitude adjustment.”

With a handful of shows left, Freeman—who says he always gravitated towards Disney Villains, even as a child—admits it’s just starting to sink in that his time as Jafar on Broadway is about to end. “There’s a certain finality to it,” he says. “I feel a little hopped up talking about it, a little more hyper than normal. Everything’s a little more heightened.” Post-Aladdin, Freeman hopes to go back to his roots and “reunite myself with plays, maybe even do some classic theatre again. I don’t know. And then, there’s just a lot of other things I want to do that have nothing to do with show business.”

Although he’s saying goodbye to Aladdin on Broadway, he’s not saying goodbye to Jafar. He plans to continue voicing the character, but he’s also ready to begin his next chapter. “It’s just time. I’ll miss all of it,” he says, choking back tears. “Oh, it’s disgraceful to have to see a villain cry. Don’t make me do it!”

Celebrating Lunar New Year 2022: What to Eat, See, and Do at Disney Parks

By Courtney Potter

It’s almost time for Lunar New Year, and all kinds of colorful festivities are just about to get underway at several Disney Parks! Traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures, Lunar New Year (also known as Spring Festival) honors the celestial journey of the sun and the moon as they cycle into another year—and 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, so Tigger himself is poised and ready to join Mickey Mouse and pals for lots of new year fun.

To get you into the Spring Festival spirit, we’ve compiled a list of things to eat, see, and do at Disney California Adventure Park, as well as Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Read on for what to expect…

Disney California Adventure Park

From January 21 through February 13, 2022, guests visiting the park will enjoy exciting live entertainment and musical performances. “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” a special parade led by Mulan and Mushu that dedicates the new year’s blessings to family and friendship, will run several times a day traveling from Pixar Pier Gate to Paradise Gardens Obelisk and back. And since it’s the Year of the Tiger, Tigger will be joining in on the procession! Meanwhile, Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon will be making her first appearance at a Lunar New Year celebration this year! So, keep your eyes peeled under the forest canopy of Redwood Creek Challenge for a glimpse of the warm-hearted dragon.

Tigger, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse will don festive attire as they greet guests at Paradise Gardens. Guests may also encounter Mulan, as well as the Three Little Pigs, all dressed in their own Lunar New Year finery. Loved ones can gather for cherished photo memories under a gorgeous pavilion decorated with bamboo, peach blossoms, golden flowers, and banners bearing hope-filled holiday wishes.

Speaking of holiday wishes, guests can also celebrate the Year of the Tiger by sharing wishes that roar with the spirit of confidence. The Lucky Wishes Wall will help guests of all ages reflect on the past and welcome a new year of prosperity by adding their own special message of hope, health, and happiness for the upcoming year.

Throughout the celebration, hear instruments that have charmed audiences of all ages for generations at the Paradise Garden Bandstand—which will present daily performances to welcome the Year of the Tiger and attract good luck and prosperity for the New Year. Look for performances by Melody of China, a group of professional musicians based in San Francisco who hail from some of China’s most prestigious conservatories. Their renowned fusion of Chinese folk, classical, and contemporary instrumentals provides quality entertainment by bridging the gap between ancient customs and American youth. This premier trio will captivate audiences with pitch-perfect music played on a traditional Chinese yangqin (dulcimer), pipa (lute), and erhu (fiddle).

Of course, look for themed merchandise inspired by different cultures of East Asia available to purchase.

And let’s not forget… the food! Foodies will be able to enjoy everything from sweet snacks to savory dishes, all featuring unique elements inspired by Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures. Plus, the Sip and Savor Pass—which provides six coupons, redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating Lunar New Year Marketplace kiosks and dining locations—is available to guests who want a more complete taste. Click here for more info on the Sip and Savor Pass, and keep reading for all the deliciousness to come.

  • Longevity Noodle Co. (Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Garlic Noodles: Long noodles tossed in a zesty garlic butter with Parmesan cheese
    • Spicy Pork Dandan Noodles: Pan-fried noodles with ground pork and a spicy tri-chile blend sauce
    • Salted Pistachio Cold Brew featuring Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. French Bistro Blend Coffee
    • Pale Ale with mandarin and bergamot zest
    • Novelty: Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Sip and Savor Pass not accepted)

  • Lucky 8 Lantern (Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Shrimp Fried Rice with garlic bacon edamame
    • Beef Bulgogi Short Rib on rice with green onion salad
    • Peach Yuja-Ade: Peach syrup, yuja, dragonfruit, lemon, and butterfly pea flower tea
    • Soju Peach Yuja-Ade: Soju, peach syrup, yuja, dragonfruit, lemon, and butterfly pea flower tea
    • Lager
    • Novelty: Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Sip and Savor Pass not accepted)

  • Prosperity Bao & Buns (Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Char Siu BBQ Pork Bao: Pickled red onions and jalapeño
    • Mickey Chinese Hot Dog Bun: Brioche-style Mickey-shaped buns stuffed with hot dog and finished with sesame seeds and scallions
    • Prosperous Tiger: Vodka, cream of coconut, bitters, triple sec, mandarin purée, and vanilla bean paste
    • Lychee Celebration: Gin, prosecco, lychee purée, lychee syrup, grapefruit juice, and yuja
    • Bamboo Lager
    • Novelty: Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Sip and Savor Pass not accepted)

  • Red Dragon Spice Traders (Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Spicy Three-Cup Chicken served on a bed of jasmine rice
    • Impossible™ Lion’s Head Meatballs: Mini plant-based pork meatballs served with cabbage and Shaoxing wine reduction
    • Mickey Purple Sweet Potato Macaron: Red macaron filled with purple sweet potato buttercream and crème fraîche center
    • Dancing Firecracker: Pineapple juice, guava purée, spicy honey syrup, hibiscus syrup, and lime juice
    • Jasmine Tea Lager
    • Novelty: Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Sip and Savor Pass not accepted)

Themed food and beverage options are also available at the following locations:

  • Paradise Garden Grill (mobile order and Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Korean-style BBQ Chicken: Half chicken with steamed white rice, kimchi, pickled cucumbers, and sesame seeds (Sip and Savor portion available)
    • Pork Banh Mi: Grilled pork belly with pickled daikon, carrots, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and seasoned mayonnaise on a crispy baguette (Sip and savor portion available)
    • Spicy Kung Pao Tofu: Deep fried tofu with zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, red peppers, peanuts, and fried rice garnished with garlic deep-fried chips (Sip and Savor portion available)(New)
    • Whole Fried Fish: Crispy whole fish, sweet and sour sauce, steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables and chicken soup, served family-style for two
    • Green Tea Raspberry Parfait: Green tea mousse, raspberry jelly, white sponge cake, white chocolate mousse, and candy pearls
    • Sides of steamed or fried rice
    • Tiger Milk Tea with brown sugar boba (non-alcoholic) (New)
    • Soju Cocktail: Soju, ginger beer, lemon, basil, Fresno chile, lychee flavor-filled boba (non-alcoholic) (New)
    • Mulan Sipper with choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (non-alcoholic)
    • Novelty: Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Sip and Savor Pass not accepted)

  • Paradise Gardens Special Events Cart
    • Gochujang Wings: Chicken wings in spicy gochujang sauce
    • Asian-style Street Corn: Steamed corn on the cob rolled in spicy gochujang sauce (New)
    • Korean-style BBQ Nachos: Bulgogi pork belly, cheesy corn sauce, gochujang crema, fresh radish, and spicy cucumbers on house-made chips (New)
    • Orange-Flavored Cotton Candy
    • Mango-Pineapple Pie: Mango and pineapple-filled pie (New)
    • Mulan Sipper with assorted Coca-Cola®, bottled beverage, or DASANI® bottled water (non-alcoholic)
    • Puffed Rice Pale Ale

  • Lucky Fortune Cookery (mobile order and Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Hong Kong-style Milk Tea: Black tea sweetened with condensed milk served over ice (non-alcoholic) (New)
    • Mulan Sipper with choice of: Fountain beverage at time of purchase, Hong Kong-style milk tea, or Vietnamese iced coffee (non-alcoholic)
    • Novelty: Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Sip and Savor Pass not accepted)

  • Seasonal Cart (Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Mango-Pineapple Pie
    • Mulan Sipper with assorted Coca-Cola bottled beverage or DASANI water bottle
  • Seasonal Cart in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (available January 20 through February 13)
    • Brown Sugar Steam Bun: Brown sugar steam bun topped with blue cream cheese icing (New)
    • White Hot Chocolate: Blue white chocolate topped with toasted marshmallow whipped cream and purple sugar (non-alcoholic) (New)
    • Warm Apple Cider Cocktail: Hot apple cider, spices, and cinnamon whiskey garnished with a cinnamon stick and a caramel rim (New)

  • Cappuccino Cart (mobile order and Sip and Savor Pass available)
    • Baked Char Siu Bao: Chinese BBQ pork-filled baked bun (New)
    • Mango-Pineapple Pie: Mango and pineapple-filled pie (New)

  • Studio Catering Truck (available January 10-March 1)
    • Hoisin Pork Sliders: Marinated pulled pork on Hawaiian rolls with apple slaw (New)
    • Green Tea Slush: Almond milk, green tea, and vanilla (non-alcoholic) (New)
    • Lemongrass-Ginger Lemonade: Lemongrass, lemon juice, ginger, and mint (non-alcoholic) (New)

  • Lamplight Lounge
    • Korean-style BBQ Nachos: Bulgogi pork belly, cheesy corn sauce, gochujang crema, fresh radish, and spicy cucumbers on house-made chips (New)
    • Kung Pao Bao: Kung Pao-glazed crispy pork belly, chili peanuts, steamed bao bun, red pepper, and green onion slaw
    • Oolong Donut: Oolong-dusted beignet donut served with oolong crème anglaise, and orange soy pudding dipping sauces
    • Lunar Cocktail: Baiju Chinese liquor, smoked orange syrup, orange bitters, and lemon juice, garnished with orange peel (New)
  • GCH Holiday Cart at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
    • Lantern Whoopie Pie: Whoopie pie filled with vanilla buttercream and dipped in pearl sprinkles
    • Assorted Pretzel Sticks: Tiger-striped chocolate pretzel sticks
    • Mickey-shaped Tiger Sugar Cookie: Sugar cookie dipped in red chocolate with gold Mickey-shaped tiger
    • Mickey-shaped Tiger-striped Sugar Cookie: Sugar cookie dipped in red chocolate with gold tiger stripes

Shanghai Disney Resort

Now through February 16, 2022, Shanghai Disney Resort is bringing the Spring Festival spirit to life in a heartwarming and magical way. With dazzling décor, fun festivities, fabulous merchandise, beloved snacks and beverages, and brand-new Spring Festival-themed events and entertainment, the resort promises to be an unmissable destination for friends and families of all ages to celebrate an unforgettable Lunar New Year.

As with each year, the Garden of the Twelve Friends will transform into the annual New Year’s Wishing Garden. This year, the garden will feature beautiful rows of lantern arches decorated with unique Tigger elements and auspicious Spring Festival details. Guests are welcome write down their wishes for the year ahead on special wishing cards, which they can then hang throughout the garden to usher in a year of good luck and fortune. These cards may be found in the Wishing Garden and at the selfie spots on Mickey Avenue.

But that’s not all: Exceptional shows and entertainment will bring even more magic and delight to the resort this season. For the first time at Shanghai Disneyland, guests will witness the authentic extravaganza that is the Lion Dance—a colorful tradition that brings good luck and prosperity in the year ahead—in the Gardens of Imagination from February 2-16, 2022. Once the sun sets, the nighttime spectacular “ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration” will light up the sky and put a twinkle in guests’ eyes. After the nightly display, a special show, “Our Families,” will illuminate the Enchanted Storybook Castle just for the New Year, with heartwarming images of Disney characters and their families to attract fortune, happiness, and health. And for a limited time only, from January 31-February 16, 2022, the resort will wish guests a wonderful coming year with the Chinese character for “tiger” majestically lit up in special fireworks amongst the stars.

As for special Lunar New Year food, here’s a look at some of the delicious themed dishes in store:

  • Wandering Moon Restaurant
    • Spring Festival Family Feast: Mickey-shaped braised pork belly, steamed chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and vegetable, and steamed fish with tofu
    • Spring Festival Afternoon Tea for Two: Enjoy a Chinese-style afternoon tea featuring puddings, cupcakes, and Chinese tea or specialty beverages.
  •  Royal Banquet Hall
    • Spring Festival Family Feast Set Menu: Pork rib with mixed mushroom soup to give the blessing of abundant wealth along with steamed codfish, fried rice with spicy abalone sauce, braised white fungus with bamboo seeds, and fruit platter
  • CookieAnn Bakery Café
    • Mickey Passion Fruit Macaroon with Financier
    • Minnie Blood Orange Mousse Cake
    • CookieAnn Mixed Berry Chocolate Cake
    • New Year CookieAnn Cookie
    • New Year CookieAnn Caramel Apple

  • IL Paperino
    • Donald Waffle with Vanilla-Flavored Ice Cream adorned with Chinese elements
    • Donald Vanilla Flavored Ice Cream Cone topped with chocolate Donald
  • Barbossa’s Bounty
    • Spring Festival Pirate’s Feast: A meal fit for a pirate inspired by the Chinese New Year
  • Pinocchio Village Kitchen
    • Spring Festival Pinocchio’s Family Feast with unique New Year elements and inspiration
  • Mickey & Pals Market Café
    • Spring Festival Beast Feast: Bring your appetite for this tasty meal for the New Year!
  • Outdoor Vending Carts
    • Chip ‘n’ Dale Spring Festival Popcorn Bucket
  • Quick-Service Restaurants and Kiosks
    • Mickey Spring Festival Tumbler featuring a self-luminating design and bells 
  • Lumière’s Kitchen at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
    • Spring Festival Buffet: Feast on a wide range of fresh seafood, fine meats, traditional Chinese and western dishes, and various types of New Year-themed desserts.
  • Aurora at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
    • Spring Festival Family Set Dinner: Indulge in a festival set menu masterfully prepared while basking in the sights on “ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration.” 
  • Ballet Café at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
    • New Year Raspberry Jelly White Chocolate Mousse Cake

  • Sunnyside Café at Toy Story Hotel
    • Spring Festival Buffet: Sunnyside Café invites you and your family to come celebrate the Spring Festival with a special holiday-themed buffet!

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

The following sure-to-be-delectable Lunar New Year inspired dishes can be found at the hotels of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort:

  • Crystal Lotus at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
    • Golden Tiger Spring Festival Poon Choi Takeaway: This exquisite cuisine is filled with mouth-watering ingredients, and is perfect for sharing with family and friends at home. (Available January 23-February 20)
    • Chinese New Year Festive New and Seasonal Dishes: Ensure your celebration is full of bountiful blessings with new and seasonal dishes exclusively for the Year of the Tiger festivities. (Available January 29-February 6)
    • Chinese New Year Kid’s Menu: Let the little ones get into the celebration with dishes inspired by the Spring Festival. (Available January 21-February 20)

  • Dragon Wind at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel (Available January 21-February 20)
    • Chinese New Year Lunch and Dinner Sets: Indulge in your Spring Festival desires with this delicious New Year set menu.
  • World of Color Restaurant at Disney Explorers Lodge (Available January 29-February 6)
    • Colorful Chinese New Year Set Lunch for Two: Sautéed sea cucumber, scallop, and yellow fungus with honey bean on basket-steamed bamboo fungus, shrimp mousse on asparagus fried rice, corn soup with crabmeat and vegetarian sharks fin, and stew pear with rock sugar and chickpeas
  • Chart Room Cafe Disney Explorers Lodge
    • Chinese New Year Combo: Stewed goose web with dried oyster, black moss and mushroom, steamed shrimp mousse in hairy gourd rings, seasonal vegetables, bamboo fungus soup with kou tau mushroom and cordyceps flower with steamed rice (Available January 29-February 6)
    • Mango Mousse Cake featuring Tigger (Available January 21-February 20)

Promised Land Pours a New Kind of American Dream

By Andie Hagemann

“In 30 years of making a living as an actor in this country, this is the first time I’ve been offered a leading role in a show,” says John Ortiz.

Ortiz stars as Joe Sandoval, the patriarch and vineyard owner in ABC’s new drama series, Promised Land, premiering Monday, January 24, at 10:01 p.m. ET/PT. The multigenerational epic tells the story of a Latinx family vying for power and wealth in California’s Sonoma Valley.

Like his character, Ortiz is the embodiment of the American Dream. The award-winning actor is finally the leading man on TV after decades in the industry, countless credits, and extensive work on the theatrical stage. Ortiz is savoring the opportunity to portray Joe—a Latinx character who is not a stereotype, as has often been portrayed in television shows and movies.

The human component of his character in Promised Land, and how the series humanizes contentious topics such as immigration, spoke to Ortiz. “Sometimes when they’re depicted or they try to be explored, they become about the issues, and you forget about the people,” he says. “You forget about the things that move us, the things that we want to see when we see anything on a screen or in life, and that’s to connect, that’s to relate to each other. That’s what moves me. That’s what I want to see when I see something.”

Promised Land

Promised Land boasts a majority Latinx cast and crew—a vital component for a show to tell authentic stories of Latinx people in the United States. “What I found is that by having a lot of Latino and Latina members behind the camera and on the writing staff, there’s a level of personal investment—and that filters through in the material,” says executive producer Matt Lopez. “There’s a passion for telling these stories.”

“The first time I saw it was when we were casting, where we had actors who would come in and say, ‘My parents were fruit pickers in Santa Paula. I’ve never seen their story onscreen before.  Thank you.’  Or [we would see] the other extreme, where we would have actors who would say, ‘Thank you for showing this extremely successful, unapologetically wealthy Latino family that’s not in the cartel,’” Lopez says. “And we would see these actors and you look at their IMDB page and it’s cartel, cartel, cartel.  So, it’s really great to be able to tell a story that doesn’t fall into those tropes.”

Lopez adds the immigrant experience is broader than just the Latinx experience. While Promised Land focuses on the latter, the series resonates with everyone, as it’s a fundamentally American story.

Christina Ochoa says her character, Veronica Sandoval, is multilayered, much like herself—she’s an active Mensa member and scientist, when she’s not acting. Ochoa echoes the importance of representation by incorporating characters like Veronica. “I really do believe that most of the very complex, nuanced characters that are full of subtleties the way Matt and his writers have crafted into the show tap into something that is very human for all of us,” says Ochoa. “Just looking at the members of the cast, I can tell you every single one of them has that. They have very rich lives. The idea of portraying that has been the thing I’ve gravitated towards the most.”

“Veronica, in particular for me, was someone who we hadn’t seen, especially on primetime television,” Ochoa continues. “Seeing a Latin woman with a Stanford MBA, complexities, and a family life, all of that together was something I had to do, and I would fight tooth and nail for.”

In addition to Ortiz and Ochoa, the cast of Promised Land includes Cecilia Suárez as Lettie Sandoval, the matriarch and heart and soul of the Sandoval family; Augusto Aguilera as Mateo Flores; Mariel Molino as Carmen Sandoval; Tonatiuh as Antonio Sandoval; Andres Velez as Carlos Rincón; Katya Martín as Juana Sánchez; and Rolando Chusan as Billy Rincón.

Promised Land

Scandal alum Bellamy Young stars as Margaret Honeycroft, whose father owned the vineyard prior to Joe Sandoval. Now, she’s back to reclaim it. However, Margaret adds an additional juicy note to Promised Land as part of a salacious love triangle with Joe that stands the test of time.

“There are things that Lettie represents to Joe, and we call Joe and Lettie our ride‑or‑die couple,” says Lopez. “The experiences they have gone through together can’t be surpassed in some ways. Whereas, Margaret, I think, represents to Joe the promise of a new country and a new horizon and so on. It’s something that we lean into.”

The love triangle is just one component of the multifaceted storylines in the series. Promised Land executive producer Maggie Malina likened the complexities of the characters to the complexities of the wine the families are creating. And, of course, amongst all the drama and glamour in Sonoma Valley, expect a glass or two to be broken. “There are so many juicy twists and turns to behold and to partake and deeply inhale,” says Malina.

Swirl, sniff, and savor this robust drama Mondays on ABC. The first two episodes will be available on Hulu the day after the series premiere.

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in February 2022

By Zach Johnson

February can’t come soon enough!

Nearly two years after The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder was ordered to series, the highly anticipated continuation of Disney Channel’s The Proud Family follows the adventures and misadventures of 14-year-old Penny Proud (voiced by Kyla Pratt) and her family as they navigate modern life with hilarity and heart. The animated series debuts February 23—but before then, there’s a plethora of other titles to stream all month long!

20th Century Studios’ Free Guy and National Geographic’s Torn will make their streaming debuts, while the films Never Been Kissed and Snow Dogs will be added to the Disney+ library. Enjoy new episodes of Alice’s Wonderland Bakery and The Chicken Squad, as well as two installments of Marvel Studios: Assembled that celebrate the making of both Hawkeye and Eternals. Mark your calendar for The Book of Boba Fett finale, streaming on February 9.

All the titles coming to Disney+ in February are listed below:

The New Air Force One: Flying Fortress

Wednesday, February 2
The Book of Boba Fett (Episode: “Chapter 6”)
The Chicken Squad (Season 1, 4 Episodes)
The New Air Force One: Flying Fortress
Rise Up, Sing Out (Season 1)

Never Been Kissed

Friday, February 4
Never Been Kissed
Of Miracles and Men
The Real Black Panther
Snow Dogs
Torn

Wednesday, February 9
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (Season 1, 6 Episodes)
black-ish (Seasons 1-3)
The Book of Boba Fett (Episode: “Chapter 7”) (Finale)
grown-ish (Seasons 1-4)
Marvel Studios: Assembled – The Making of Hawkeye (Premiere)
Snowdrop (Premiere)
The Wonder Years (Season 1, Episodes 1-12)

Friday, February 11
Russia’s Wild Tiger

Marvel Studios: Assembled – The Making of Eternals

Wednesday, February 16
Marvel Studios: Assembled – The Making of Eternals (Premiere)
Lost Treasures of Egypt (Season 3)
Science of Stupid

Friday, February 18
The Wonderful Winter of Mickey Mouse (Premiere)

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

Wednesday, February 23
Free Guy
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Episode 1: “New Kids on the Block”) (Premiere)
Puppy Dog Pals (Season 5, 6 Episodes)
Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa (Season 3)

Friday, February 25
Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight!
Way of the Cheetah

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season Three Casts Corbin Bleu, Meg Donnelly, and More!

By Zach Johnson

For the first time in forever… we have an update on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series! Production begins in Los Angeles today on the third season of the hit Disney+ original series. Created and executive produced by Tim Federle, season three is set at Camp Shallow Lake, a family-owned sleepaway camp in California, as the Wildcats and their fellow campers stage a high-stakes production of Frozen to determine who is “best in snow.” In addition to music from Frozen, season three of the GLAAD Media Award-winning series will include popular songs from Camp Rock and the High School Musical franchise.

New faces joining the cast this season include two series regulars, newcomer Adrian Lyles and Saylor Bell, and three guest stars: Corbin Bleu, Meg Donnelly, and Jason Earles. The new cast members join series regulars including Joshua Bassett (Ricky), Matt Cornett (E.J.), Sofia Wylie (Gina), Julia Lester (Ashlyn), Dara Reneé (Kourtney), Frankie Rodriguez (Carlos), Kate Reinders (Miss Jenn), Olivia Rose Keegan (Lily), and Olivia Rodrigo (Nini).

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

As production gets underway, let’s learn more about the new cast members:

  • Adrian Lyles plays Jet, Camp Shallow Lake’s mysterious new kid. A recipient of the prestigious YoungArts Award by the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists, Lyles began playing piano when he was 3 years old and filmed his first commercial at age 4. The Florida native has since booked various print jobs as well as commercials, including Six Flags and Guitars and Growlers. In addition to acting, Lyles performs with Melody of Hope, a non-profit organization supporting and advocating for non-profits across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex through music.
  • Saylor Bell plays Maddox, a bright-eyed, quick-witted techie, who always follows the rules. Hailing from Chicago and a family of actors, Bell has appeared in the series Mom, The Big Show Show, New Girl and Disney Channel’s I Didn’t Do It.
  • Corbin Bleu guest stars as himself, star of the High School Musical films. Best known for his role as Chad Danforth in said franchise, Bleu recently starred in TV movies Love, For Real and A Christmas Dance Reunion. His Broadway credits include Lucentio/Bill Calhoun in the Tony® Award-nominated revival of Kiss Me Kate; Jesus in Godspell; Usnavi in In the Heights; and Ted Hanover in the Tony Award-nominated production of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, for which Bleu won the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show.
  • Meg Donnelly guest stars as Val, a confident and funny college student and longtime camper-turned-counselor-in-training, who is ready to choreograph the summer production of Frozen. An accomplished singer, musician, and dancer, Donnelly is best known for her starring roles as Addison in Disney’s popular ZOMBIES franchise and Taylor Otto on ABC’s hit comedy series American Housewife. She has performed alongside Steve Aoki, Avril Lavigne, and Alessia Cara, and her debut album, trust (2019), features songs with KOTA The Friend and 2 Milly.
  • Jason Earles guest stars as Dewey Wood, the stone-faced, killjoy of a Camp Director of Camp Shallow Lake. Earles has spent the last two decades as a successful actor, producer, and director. Best known for his roles as Jackson Stewart in Disney’s Hannah Montana and Disney’s Hannah Montana: The Movie, as well as Rudy Gillespie and Bobby Wasabi in Disney’s Kickin’ It, Earles served as the cast’s acting coach for the first two seasons of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Stream both seasons of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series now, only on Disney+.

Meet the Characters of How I Met Your Father on Hulu

By Zach Johnson

Ready to make some new friends?

The brand-new original comedy series How I Met Your Father premieres today on Hulu with two episodes and stars Hilary Duff, Christopher Lowell, Francia Raisa, Tom Ainsley, Tien Tran, and Suraj Sharma. In the near future, Sophie (Kim Cattrall) tells her young son how she met his father—a story that catapults audiences back to the year 2021, when Sophie (Duff) and her close group of friends were in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they wanted out of life, and how to find love in the age of dating apps and infinite options.

Before you stream the first two episodes How I Met Your Father, we’re inviting you to meet all the characters. New episodes of the series will debut every Tuesday, exclusively on Hulu.

How I Met Your Father

Sophie (Hilary Duff)
Sophie is an aspiring photographer who lives in New York City with her best friend, Valentina (Francia Raisa). She isn’t giving up on love—even after 87 bad Tinder dates.

How I Met Your Father

Valentina (Francia Raisa)
Valentina, Sophie’s ride or die, is an up-and-coming celebrity stylist. Monogamy isn’t Valentina’s strong suit, but perhaps Charlie (Tom Ainsley) can be the one to change that…

How I Met Your Father

Ellen (Tien Tran)
Small town raised Ellen is newly single and ready to mingle. Divorce isn’t getting her down!

How I Met Your Father

Jesse (Christopher Lowell)
Ellen’s brother is a musician… but being an Uber driver pays the bills (for now). One more thing to know (that Jesse would like you to forget): his failed marriage proposal went viral!

How I Met Your Father

Sid (Suraj Sharma)
Jesse’s roommate is in a long-distance relationship with his fiancée. He’s a proud bar owner… and we have a hunch it might be time for Sid to mix up more than some drinks!

How I Met Your Father

Charlie (Tom Ainsley)
This British aristocrat moved to New York City to be with Valentina. A former socialite, Charlie is newly poor. (It’s been… an adjustment.) On the bright side, he’s rich with friends.

Thanos Plots Revenge in This Clip from LEGO® Marvel Avengers — Time Twisted

Thanos is at it again!

In an exclusive clip from the original special LEGO® Marvel Avengers — Time Twisted, premiering tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD, the Mad Titan is up to no good after stealing the quantum tunnel. “With it, we shall travel into the past, acquiring everything I need to defeat the Avengers,” Thanos promises Red Skull, head of HYDRA. “We shall increase our numbers, strengthening our army, and then we will retake the Infinity Stones.”

They aren’t the only big bads the Avengers need to worry about, as Obadiah Stane and Ultron are now causing chaos as a result of Thanos’ actions. Now, it’s up to a team of heroes—including Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Ant-Man, Scarlet Witch, and Black Panther—to somehow stop Thanos from changing history.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

Marvel fans will be thrilled by a double dose of new specials coming their way this week: LEGO® Marvel Avengers: Time Twisted debuts Monday on Disney XD, and Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye launches on Disney+ Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Hulu original series How I Met Your Father premieres on Tuesday with back-to-back-episodes. Satisfy you curiosity with new episodes of The World According to Jeff Goldblum on Disney+; plus, watch the first two seasons of Vets on the Beach, also on the streaming service.

LEGO Marvel Avengers — Time Twisted

LEGO Marvel Avengers: Time Twisted—Monday, January 17, at 8:30 p.m. ET, on Disney XD
Avengers, assemble! Thanos is back and he’s strengthening his army for a rematch against the Avengers in this all-new special. A devious plan up Thanos’ sleeves has the Avengers at risk. Will a Quantum Tunnel be the answer to stop him, again? Only time will tell…

How I Met Your Father

How I Met Your Father—Tuesday, January 18, on Hulu
Watch a love story unfold in reverse as Sophie (Hilary Duff) and her group of close-knit friends navigate dating in New York in the year 2021—where the options are limitless in the age of dating apps. The Hulu original series debuts with two episodes on the streamer; season one kicks off with Sophie meeting a seemingly perfect guy after a batch of terrible Tinder dates, while Valentina (Francia Raisa) brings home a “souvenir” from her trip to London Fashion Week. Then, find what happens when the group goes to an exclusive new club for a wild night out.

The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years—Wednesday, January 19, at 8:30 p.m. PT, on ABC
Strike up the band because a new episode of The Wonder Years is here! When Dean (Elisha Williams) loses his position as first chair saxophone in his school’s band, Bill (Dule Hill) instills the pressure for Dean to earn it back. But after a talk with Lillian (Saycon Sengbloh), Bill realizes he’s being too harsh and forcing his own musical dreams upon his son.

The World According to Jeff Goldblum

The World According to Jeff Goldblum—Wednesday, January 19, on Disney+
Jeff Goldblum is back—and he’s still curious. The second lot of season two episodes is here, and Goldblum is poised to uncover more surprising secrets about all-new topics regarding everyday marvels. Tune in for thoughtful discussions surrounding puzzles, backyards, birthdays, tiny things, and motorcycles.

Vets on the Beach

Vets on the Beach—Wednesday, January 19, on Disney+
Life can be ruff, but the vets are here to save the day! Seasons one and two of Vets on the Beach will be added to Disney+ this week… Watch four veterinarians from across Australia come together to help creatures big and small and share their passion for animals. No day is ordinary for these vets as they tackle cases from across the animal kingdom—ranging from dogs and orphaned kangaroos to elephants.