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.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

December 27, 2021

By Andie Hagemann

Say goodbye to 2021 with a slate of all-new content and some familiar friends… ABC News kicks off the week with a 2021 retrospective recapping the year’s biggest moments. Then a Star Wars legend returns with the highly anticipated premiere of Lucasfilm’s The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+. What else is in store? On Thursday, revisit Arendelle with a viewing of Frozen on ABC; time travel back to the 1980s with a new Disney+ series from National Geographic; and finish out the week (and year!) in style with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2022 on ABC.

The Year: 2021—Monday, December 27, at 9 p.m. ET, on ABC
As 2021 comes to a close, Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts hosts ABC’s annual two-hour primetime special highlighting the biggest moments of the year. Roberts is joined by a team of ABC News anchors and correspondents recounting the history-defining events of the year—including breakthroughs in space exploration, the most talked about moments in pop culture, milestones in movies and television, and much more.

The Book of Boba Fett—Wednesday, December 29, on Disney+
The legendary Star Wars bounty hunter returns in a new original series from Lucasfilm starring Temuera Morrison and Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen. Teased following the season two finale of The Mandalorian, the series finds Boba Fett (Morrison) and mercenary Fennec Shand (Wen) navigating the galaxy’s underworld when they return to Tatooine to stake their claim on territory ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Frozen—Thursday, December 30, at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC
After your holiday guests disperse, chill out with a special presentation of a Walt Disney Animation Studios classic. Princess Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff),and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Anna and Kristoff brave the elements, and encounter a sunny snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad), in a race to save the kingdom.

The ’80s: Top Ten—Friday, December 31, on Disney+
National Geographic kicks off 2022 with a blast from the past: This new series, hosted and produced by actor Rob Lowe, takes viewers down memory lane with six nostalgic top 10 countdowns of the 1980s—revisiting memorable gadgets, toys, fast foods, commercials, streetwear, and more. Ridley Scott, Tony Hawk, Amber Riley, Kevin Smith, Joan Collins, Tiffani Thiessen, and Meat Loaf all weigh in on ‘80s moments and crazes, including the Cabbage Patch Kids phenomenon. Feel like some totally rad binging? All episodes of the series will be available to stream upon release.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2022—Friday, December 31, at 8 p.m. ET, on ABC
Get the snacks ready and pop open something bubbly! Ryan Seacrest returns (for the 17th time!) to host the annual New Year’s Eve celebration from Times Square. He’ll be joined by first-time co-host Liza Koshy, while superstar recording artist Ciara helms the festivities in Los Angeles—complete with award-winning DJ D-Nice at the turntables! Meanwhile, Billy Porter co-hosts from New Orleans, with Roselyn Sanchez leading the Puerto Rico festivities, all before the traditional ball drop. Headline performers include LL Cool J, Journey, OneRepublic, Don Omar, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Walker Hayes, and much more!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

December 23, 2021December 23, 2021

By Andie Hagemann

This weekend has plenty of entertainment options sure to satisfy the whole family—in between sweet treats, gift exchanging, and all that holiday fun! Gather ‘round for a viewing of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto, premiering on Disney+ this Friday. That same night, National Geographic’s Lost Tombs of the Pyramids also debuts on the streaming service. Christmas Day is chock-full of content, beginning with the annual Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on ABC, followed by a marathon of fierce NBA matchups on ABC and ESPN. And celebrate the final day of 25 Days of Christmas by watching Arthur Christmas on Freeform.

Encanto—Friday, December 24, on Disney+
The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden among the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift—every child except Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), that is. However, she may be the Madrigals’ last hope when she discovers that the enchantment surrounding the Encanto is now in danger. The voice cast also includes María Cecilia Botero as Mirabel’s grandmother, Abuela Alma; Angie Cepeda and Wilmer Valderrama as Mirabel’s parents, Julieta and Agustín; and Diane Guererro and Jessica Darrow as Mirabel’s sisters, Isabela and Luisa.

Lost Tombs of the Pyramids—Friday, December 24, on Disney+
Break out the excavation tools to prepare for this National Geographic special set to unearth some astonishing revelations. Watch as an elite team of archaeologists excavate a new site in the shadow of the pyramids. Can they finally solve the ancient mystery of the lost pharaohs?

Arthur Christmas—Saturday, December 25, at 7 a.m. ET on Freeform
Ring in Christmas Day with an animated holiday classic. Santa Claus delivers presents to every last child on Earth thanks to a very high-tech operation beneath the North Pole. But when Santa misses one child out of hundreds of millions, someone has to save the day. It’s up to Arthur (James McAvoy), Santa’s younger son, to deliver a present to the forgotten child before Christmas morning.

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade—Saturday, December 25, at 10 a.m. ET on ABC
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough return to host the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade from Walt Disney World Resort, while Trevor Jackson (grown-ish) and Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) join in the merriment hosting from Disneyland Resort. Don’t miss exclusive performances and unique Disney Parks sneak peeks.

NBA Christmas—Saturday, December 25, at 10 a.m. ET on ABC
The NBA Christmas Day tradition is back for its 20th consecutive season! Five NBA games will tip-off throughout the day, airing across ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN app. The primetime game is a West vs. East matchup as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Brooklyn Nets at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. Will it be a prelude to the NBA Finals? Don’t miss the rest of the NBA slate, including Knicks vs. Hawks, at 12 p.m. ET (ESPN); Bucks vs. Celtics, at 2:30 p.m. ET (ABC); Suns vs. Warriors, at 5 p.m. ET (ABC); and Mavericks vs. Jazz, at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).

9 Cozy Disney+ Movies to Watch on a Cold Winter’s Night

December 21, 2021December 20, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Grab your favorite cuddly blanket and whip up a piping hot cup of cocoa (extra marshmallows, of course)… it’s time to get cozy with Disney+! As the holidays quickly approach and wintry weather continues to sweep in, there’s no better time to gather the family (both related and chosen) and enjoy all manner of favorites available on the streaming service.

D23’s crack team of elves took a lil’ break from our Season of Magic to pull together a list of Disney movies (and a series of animated shorts, for good measure) sure to warm the cockles of your heart. Keep this list handy for your next snow day!

The Muppet Christmas Carol
No inventory of “cozy Disney movies” is complete without the Muppets’ 1992 take on the classic Charles Dickens tale. Gonzo the Great narrates as Mr. Dickens himself in a faithful adaptation of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge’s (Michael Caine) tale of redemption. A fantastic soundtrack, with songs by The Muppet Movie’s Paul Williams, and memorable performances by humans and Muppets alike make this a warm holiday staple. (And who says you can’t watch a holiday movie after the holidays?)

Lady and the Tramp (1955)
In this animated classic, Lady, a cocker spaniel from a respectable home, falls in love with Tramp, a mutt who lives in the railroad yards. After several memorable outings together (including that iconic moonlit spaghetti dinner), the pair’s relationship is strained not only by Lady’s devotion to her human family, but by Tramp’s irresponsible behavior… which gets Lady thrown in the pound! Don’t worry, though—all’s well that ends well for this lovable pair.

Christopher Robin
Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor)—the young boy who enjoyed countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his lovable stuffed-animal friends—is all grown up in this 2018 film and stuck in a job where he is overworked, underpaid, and facing an unpredictable future. With a family of his own to provide for, his work has become his life. But when he’s reunited with Winnie the Pooh, now tattered and soiled from years of hugs and play, a spark is rekindled; after shenanigans involving Christopher’s briefcase, Pooh and the rest of the gang find themselves stepping out of the wood and into London to save the day… because best friends will always be there for you.

Finding Nemo
There’s nothing warmer than a heartfelt story about family, right? Disney and Pixar’s 2003 hit follows Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould), a 6-year-old clownfish who’s stolen away from the safety of his undersea home at the Great Barrier Reef and taken to a dentist’s office fish tank overlooking Sydney harbor. His timid father Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) launches a search to find and rescue him, accompanied by a forgetful good Samaritan: a Regal Blue Tang fish named Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres). Adventure and cozy feelings ensue.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Another holiday-adjacent film on our list is this 1999 production comprised of three festive animated tales tied together by narration from actor Kelsey Grammer. In Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas, Huey, Dewey, and Louie wish upon a star for it to be Christmas every day, only to learn that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Max questions Santa’s existence in A Very Goofy Christmas, and Goofy goes to great lengths to prove to his son that St. Nick is real. Finally, Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi brings a magical spin to an iconic holiday tale, as Mickey struggles to buy Minnie a watch chain while she’s saving to give Mickey a harmonica case… but the ultimate gift they both give and receive proves to be the best gift of all: love.

Pete’s Dragon (1977)
If you’ve never seen this one—or haven’t in a while—do yourselves a favor and check it out. The colorful musical comedy follows a magical (and occasionally mischievous) dragon named Elliott, who inadvertently causes chaos and confusion in Passamaquoddy, a quaint Maine fishing village. Hoping to help a young orphan, Pete (Sean Marshall), break away from his evil foster parents and find a happy home with kindly Nora (Helen Reddy) and her father Lampie (Mickey Rooney) in their lighthouse, Elliott must avoid the clutches of the greedy Dr. Terminus (Jim Dale), who only wants to exploit him.

Mary Poppins Returns
Featuring incredible, Oscar^®-nominated music from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and based on P.L. Travers’ stories, 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns stars Emily Blunt as the titular nanny, returning to the Banks household to help the family—grown-up son Michael (Ben Whishaw) and his own three children—find joy in their lives once again. She’s ably assisted this time ’round by friendly lamplighter Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda). The warmhearted film also features memorable turns by Disney Legends Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury.

Moana
If you’re looking for cozy warmth, you can’t go wrong with an animated film set in the beautiful, balmy islands of Oceania. Adventurous teenager Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, she meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds… and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she has always sought: her own identity.

Olaf Presents
Okay—we know this one isn’t exactly a movie, but it will most definitely bring on some warm and fuzzy feelings. In this series of animated shorts released just a few months ago, Frozen’s Olaf steps into the spotlight as he acts as producer, performer, costumer, and set builder for colorful retellings of five beloved Disney tales. The charismatic snow(show)man takes on several iconic roles (including a mermaid, a genie, a lion king, and so many more) as he entertains Arendelle with delightful, abbreviated versions of these classic stories. Josh Gad once again lends his voice to Olaf, with Disney animator Hyrum Osmond (Moana, At Home With Olaf) directing.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

December 20, 2021

By Andie Hagemann

It’s season finale week for two fan-favorite shows with shocking endings. Has Michelle found her Prince Charming or will she not hand out her final rose? Watch as her journey as The Bachelorette concludes Tuesday on ABC. Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye is set to reveal the man at the top to Clint Barton and Kate Bishop as the archers encounter their biggest threat yet. Plus, enjoy plenty of holiday content and a new animated show on Hulu!

The Bachelorette—Tuesday, December 21, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Who will receive the final rose? Michelle Young’s journey as The Bachelorette is coming to an end. In the season finale, Michelle must choose between Brandon and Nayte, but first, her parents and sister join her in Mexico to get to know the men. After the men meet her family, they have one chance to impress Michelle on their final one-on-one date. Has Michelle found the man of her dreams—and will he propose? Watch the shocking conclusion followed by After the Final Rose, hosted by Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Hawkeye—Wednesday, December 22, on Disney+
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to get bigger. In the season finale, Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) meet the man at the top—the one Clint had been worried about all along. After run-ins with Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the archers are about to face their biggest threat yet—and we do mean biggest! One question remains: Will Clint make it home for Christmas?!

Dragons: The Nine Realms—Thursday, December 23, on Hulu
Set 1,300 years after the events of How to Train Your Dragon, dragons are now just a legend to the modern world. After a geological anomaly opens a fissure in the Earth’s surface, scientists gather to study the mysterious phenomenon. Brought to the site by their parents, kids uncover the truth about dragons and where they’ve been hiding in this Hulu Original series premiere. The animated series has an all-star voice cast including Julia Stiles (Olivia Kullersen), Jeremy Shada (Tom Kullersen), D’Arcy Carden (Linda), and Ashley Liao (Jun Wong), to name a few.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure—Friday, December 24, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad) and his new pals are celebrating the holidays for the first time in forever. But after the Kingdom of Arendelle empties for the season, Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) and Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) realize they have no family holiday traditions to partake in of their own. Determined to save Christmas, Olaf sets out on an adventure to collect the best and most merry traditions to bring back for his friends.

Prep & Landing—Friday, December 24, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC
A high-tech team of elves from an elite unit known as Prep and Landing ensures homes around the world are prepared for Santa’s visit. But an elf named Wayne (voiced by Dave Foley) is upset when he doesn’t receive a promotion in favor of his former partner and he is paired with the rookie, Lanny (voiced by Derek Richardson). Wayne and Lanny are presented with challenges during their mission that push them to their limits and threaten Christmas for children everywhere. Make it a double feature and watch Disney Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC.