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.

Binge These Marvel Podcast Episodes

December 20, 2021May 5, 2022

By the D23 Team

It’s the holidays, meaning you have some time on your hands. Whether you’re in transit or waiting to enjoy a festive meal, we have the perfect way to fill your time: listening to the best D23 Inside Disney podcast episodes!

Today we suggest some of the super episodes of the past year, chatting with Marvel Studios’ most engaging talent—both in front of and behind the scenes. And, of course, you can subscribe to the pod wherever you like to stream, so you never miss an episode!

Kevin Feige
The mastermind of the Marvel Cinematic Universe sits down to answer every question we could think of. He details the “multiverse meeting” he had and talks about the futures of many of our favorite MCU characters (Agatha?). Plus, he addresses some D23 Easter eggs.

Elizabeth Olsen
WandaVision’s wonderful witch shares stories about a hilarious on-set moment with Kathryn Hahn that will never see the light of day, creating the dazzling series, and a “23” Easter egg.

Angelina Jolie and Kumail Nanjiani
This eternally extraordinary duo talk about creating the epic Eternals, what happened to Kingo at the end of the film, and some trouble Angelina got into a while back at Disneyland.

Simu Liu and Awkwafina
This pair of podcasts (one came out before Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings was released, one after) dive deep into the making of this amazing movie. Plus, Simu reveals that one moment of filming reminded him of a Disney parks attraction, and Awkwafina talks about voicing Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon and Flounder in the upcoming live-action film The Little Mermaid.

Paul Bettany
In advance of the premiere, the man who put the Vision in WandaVision reveals everything (he could) about the show, his Star Wars connection, and his favorite Marvel film.

Anthony Mackie
The Falcon himself (before he officially became the new Captain America) chats with us about The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, performing the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, and the biggest Marvel secret he had to keep.

Kari Skogland
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier director breaks down all the new characters and crazy plot twists of the incredible Disney+ series.

Tom Hiddleston
We weren’t low-key (get it?) when we sat down with Loki himself to discuss the twists and turns of his Disney+ series—and a fated encounter he had with Miss Piggy many years ago.

Hailee Steinfeld
Check out what the newest Super Hero on the block has to say about Hawkeye, giggling with Jeremy Renner, and childhood visits to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Oscar Isaac and May Calamawy
Moon Knight stars Oscar Isaac and May Calamawy give share details about getting a body scan, visiting Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Steven’s accent, and who’s “in control” of the body now.

Destination D23–50 Years of Bringing Home the Magic

December 17, 2021December 20, 2021

For 50 years guests have been visiting the “Vacation Kingdom of the World,” making memories to last a lifetime. With the Walt Disney Archives being founded in 1970, the year before Walt Disney World Resort opened, founder and Disney Legend Dave Smith knew how significant the opening of the resort would be for the Company and thoroughly captured the momentous occasion with everything from tickets and maps to advertising ephemera and menus, and, of course… merchandise!

Walt Disney World merchandise has always been more than just something to be purchased—it’s a tangible reminder of specific memories tied to “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” This chronological exhibition provides a glimpse into Walt Disney World Resort past and present through several merchandise memories that bring the magic home with us. While it’s impossible for the Archives to have saved every piece of resort merchandise created, the goal has always been to have a sampling of key objects to exemplify a given point in time. These exhibit displays represent some of the most iconic and collectible pieces from over the years, showcasing the trends of the times and key celebrations, all set to evocative shopping-bag-graphic backdrops of the decade.

We hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane with Walt Disney Archives Presents: 50 Years of Bringing Home the Magic.

1970s
Even before the Walt Disney World Resort opened, curious fans began purchasing select merchandise in January 1970 with the opening of the Walt Disney World Preview Center. Some of the most popular “before park opening” products included the first souvenir guidebook, various groovy hats like Donald Duck with a squeaking bill, and extra-long pencils with character toppers.

Walt Disney World 1970s merchandise including pencils, toppers and mugs

Walt Disney World 1970s bobble-heads and Orange Bird bank

Walt Disney World 1970s merchandise including Donald Duck squeaking bill hat

1980s
The 1980s brought the opening of two new tubular theme parks to Walt Disney World Resort, EPCOT Center (currently known as EPCOT) in 1982 and the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (currently known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios) in 1989. Upon opening, the wide range of newly created characters and logos for EPCOT made for some of the most unique Disney merchandise ever created and remain fan favorites to this day.

Walt Disney World 1980s merchandise including Figment

Walt Disney World 1980s merchandise including Kitchen Kaberet plush

1990s
From figurines to fanny packs, many fly merchandise trends came out of the 1990s. Mix these with Walt Disney World 20th and 25th anniversary celebrations, and you get light-up visors and sparkling snow globes. The opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in 1998 brought a new type of merchandise into the Disney world, focusing on nature and the park’s icon, the Tree of Life.

Walt Disney World 1990s merchandise including various Mickey Mouse Ears hats

Walt Disney World 1990s merchandise including Anniversary and Animal Kingdom merchandise

2000s & 2010s
As time progresses and technology evolves, so, too, has Walt Disney World merchandise offerings —electric monorails race around tracks, interactive Mickey plush share fun facts about theme parks, and even park tickets are a fashion statement with the creation of MagicBands in 2013. The 2000s helped to further turn collecting merchandise into an activity with the introduction of Pin Trading during the Millennium Celebration and later continued with the Vinylmation craze. Classic Minnie Mouse ear headbands became more popular than ever with the start of color collections like Rose Gold and Millennium Pink, perfectly pairing with fan favorite spirit jerseys.

Walt Disney World 2000s merchandise including MagicBands

Walt Disney World 2000s merchandise including Vinylmation

50th Anniversary
The Walt Disney Archives collection is constantly growing; the celebrations of today are history captured for tomorrow. When it comes to significant anniversaries—like “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” for the resort’s 50th—saving examples of related merchandise is imperative for the future understanding of the resort’s past, serving as research for the Company to build from and nostalgia for audiences to look back on and enjoy.

Dream-Catching Machine
Originally used to collect sparks of imagination with Dreamfinder and his pal Figment, this Dream-Catching Machine was first seen when the EPCOT attraction Journey Into Imagination opened March 5, 1983. After the original incarnation of the attraction closed in 1998, it was moved to the shopping location Mouse Gear to delight Guests as a bit of “easter egg” set décor. The Dream-Catching Machine became one of the Walt Disney Archives’ newest acquisitions when it was removed for the shop’s re-imagining in 2020.