Embark on the Eternals AR Story Experience

October 27, 2021November 28, 2022

By Zach Johnson

History is not as you know it.

Step inside Marvel Studios’ Eternals with Sprite, an Eternal, as your guide. Go on an epic Augmented Reality (AR) adventure through time and space to discover the truth about humanity. Enter the world, learn the backstory and meet the characters in Marvel Studios’ first Immersive Story Experience*. This mini prequel lets you explore the story like never before and become a part of the action. Download the Disney Movie Insiders app for free and launch the experience now before Eternals opens on November 5. See the movie in theaters and earn double points** from Disney Movie Insiders through November 7, 2021.

*Experience is compatible with iOS 13.3 or newer, iPhone X or newer.

**Double Points offer valid when you purchase Eternals tickets either (1) via your Disney Movie Insiders linked account to a participating theatrical retailer OR (2) via physical purchase and submission of the ticket stub on DisneyMovieInsiders.com. Void where prohibited. Valid for tickets registered or submitted by 11:59:59PM PT on 11/7/2021.

The Director of Lightyear Takes Us to Infinity… and Beyond!

October 27, 2021October 27, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This isn’t just any Toy Story film.

Disney and Pixar today launched the first trailer for its out-of-this-world feature film Lightyear, slated for a summer 2022 release. The sci-fi action-adventure is billed as the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy. The original film will reveal how a young test pilot became the ultimate Space Ranger. In celebration of the trailer’s release, we recently chatted with Lightyear director Angus MacLane—who, of course, is no stranger to the Toy Story franchise. From his work as an animator and story board artist on Toy Story 2 to his turn as the writer and director of Toy Story Tower of TERROR!—in addition to many other Toy Storyfeatures and shorts—he knows Buzz intimately, making him the perfect person to chart the character’s next course.

Opening in theaters on June 17, 2022, Lightyear is inspired by the sci-fi classics of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. “Right now, I’m afraid I can’t reveal much more about the plot,” said MacLane. “Suffice to say, Buzz Lightyear will be in it… and he’ll be voiced by Chris Evans!”

That much we knew, of course, as buzz has been building ever since Lightyear was first announced as part of The Walt Disney Company’s Investor Day event in December 2020. The idea for the film, however, dates back to the very first Toy Story. As Pete Docter, Pixar Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer, explained during the Investor Day presentation, Buzz had always been inspired by a character from an epic blockbuster film. It just wasn’t until the last few years, however, that Pixar decided to bring that story to the big screen.

“Buzz, as a character, I’ve always been pretty close to as a fan—mostly because of his overlap into the sci-fi genre,” MacLane said. “I’ve always wanted to know about Buzz.” As fate would have it, he’d get the opportunity to pitch his idea for Lightyear: “I said, ‘Maybe there was a movie starring Buzz Lightyear, and that’s what Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear action figure. Why don’t we just make that movie—and make it awesome?’”

Speaking of making things “awesome,” it’s clear from the trailer that Lightyear has a different aesthetic than the other Toy Story features and shorts. “There’s a very specific cinematography aesthetic I was chasing, which is a lot of chiaroscuro—a lot of light and dark,” MacLane said. “I also wanted to make the world feel really tactile and chunky. There’s a lot of different sci-fi design aesthetics, but especially in that era that, the ships and the materials were very chunky and the industrial design for them was really robust.”

To realize his vision, MacLane explained, “We first had a Buzz Lightyear ship built by a modelmaker who used to work at ILM [Industrial Light & Magic]. Then, after we saw the ship in 3D, we said, ‘OK, what are the signifiers that make it feel tangible? How do we get that into the movie?’ At the same time, we didn’t want it to look like live-action, because then the CG characters wouldn’t sit in there. It was really a balance of design aesthetics. From shape to surface texture to paint color, everything was designed with that in mind.”

Also top of mind was finding the right person to voice the titular character. Enter Evans, a skilled performer who can easily find the humor amid moments of gravitas. “That’s what he does as Captain America really well,” MacLane said of Evans’ 10-year run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). “This is not the same character, but that proved he could do it.”

“He’s a really good comedic actor, he’s a really good dramatic actor, and he’s really good at action,” MacLane continued. “When we pitched it to him, we saw how easy he was to work with and how excited he was for the project. Once he agreed to do it, we started recording, and it was a really natural fit; it couldn’t have gone better. It’s such a breeze every time we work together. Chris is such a great partner for the film, creatively and spiritually. He’s just so excited and just really positive about it. He’s exactly who you think he is. He’s awesome!”

Getting to voice Buzz Lightyear is a big deal for Evans. “The phrase ‘a dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life,” Evans said. “Anyone who knows me knows that my love for animated films runs deep. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of the Pixar family and work with these truly brilliant artists who tell stories unlike anyone else. Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day.”

While Lightyear features classic sci-fi elements, MacLane said the goal was to tell a wholly original story. “There might be something that feels like an echo of something, but we never want things to be too overt,” he said. “The movie is meant to be a love letter to film.”

Inside Dancing with the Stars’ Frightfully Fun “Horror Night”

October 26, 2021October 28, 2021

By Zach Johnson

There were thrills and chills aplenty on Dancing with the Stars last night!

To bring “Horror Night” to life on ABC, the couples performed fang-tastic numbers inspired by hit horror films. Host Tyra Banks looked fa-boo-lous as ever in two couture costumes, and judges Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli got into the spooky sartorial spirit! Of course, we were dying to interview the couples on “Horror Night,” and they were happy to divulge every devilish detail with us after the show!

The Miz and pro Witney Carson kicked off the episode with a Paso Doble routine to RAIGN’s “Wicked Games,” inspired by Hellraiser. They earned 34/40 points, in addition to high praise for embodying the character of Pinhead. “I was the first one here,” The Miz said. “It took five hours of makeup.” Carson called the makeup artists “truly incredible,” despite being scared of Pinhead. “It’s my worst nightmare,” Carson admitted, “but I’m glad I did it!”

Next up were Kenya Moore and pro Brandon Armstrong, who earned 32/40 points for their Arachnophobia-inspired Argentine Tango. Tonioli called it “beautiful and deadly,” telling Moore, “You can wrap me in your web anytime!” Unfortunately, the couple found themselves in the bottom two at the end of “Horror Night” and were ultimately eliminated.

JoJo Siwa and pro Jenna Johnson performed third, dancing Jazz to “Anything Goes” by District 78 featuring Patrice Covington. Siwa’s turn as Pennywise from the movie It prompted a “scared” Goodman to joke, “I’m so glad I’ve got on my rubber underpants!” For the second consecutive week, Siwa and Johnson earned a score of 40/40 points. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten two perfect scores in a row, so this is a moment I want to remember forever,” Johnson said after the show. “It’s pretty surreal. I’m so, so grateful and so happy.” Siwa joked she was “literally on the moon right now,” but added she’s trying to remain focused on the task at hand. “These perfect scores obviously add pressure for us again next week because we want to get another perfect score,” she said. “But I think that in both of our heads, we just want to do our best. With whatever style we have, we want to make it as amazing as possible. And if the scores line up to be four 10s again, then that’s just a bonus.”

Cody Rigsby and pro Cheryl Burke earned their first nines of the season after dancing the Cha Cha to Kim Petras’ “There Will Be Blood,” inspired by the movie American Psycho. Hough called it their “best dance” yet—and the other judges agreed, giving them 36/40 points. “We’ve been working hard. We feel good,” Rigsby said after the show. “The hard work is paying off. We took all of those notes from last week and we really applied them.” With “Horror Night” behind him, he is excited for “Queen Night” on November 1. “As a queen, I am very much a Queen fan,” he said. “I’m so excited to honor another queer man.”

Following Rigsby and Burke’s performance, Jimmie Allen and pro Emma Slater danced a Contemporary routine to Daniel Jang’s “Say Something,” inspired by the film A Quiet Place. Both Allen and Slater shed a few tears after their performance, which Tonioli said went beyond dancing: “You captured the essence of the movie, which actually is a love story.” The powerful piece earned the couple their first 10s of the season and a score of 38/40 points. With each movement, Slater explained, “It was like time stood still. Your heart races and you can really feel every second of time in slow-mo.” As for why he teared up at the end, Allen admitted he was thinking about his wife and three kids. “I’m a softie,” he said. “All of my emotions come out, and I’ve cried on the show so much. Why not keep it going?”

Following a “Tango of the Dead” performance from Hough and girlfriend Hayley Erbert—his first on the show since winning an Emmy^® Award for choreographing and performing an elaborate routine in season 29—Olivia Jade and pro Val Chmerkovskiy danced the Paso Doble to “Beggin’” by Måneskin, inspired by The Purge. After landing in the bottom two last week, they were determined to wow the judges—and they did, earning 36/40 points!

Receiving four nines made Chmerkovskiy so happy he had to sing about it! “It felt so great,” he sang. “So, so great!” The feeling was mutual, with Jade telling D23, “Being in the bottom two is not very fun… I’m having the best time during this process, so I never want it to end.” Jade added that her “main priority” is making Chmerkovskiy proud: “He deserves to be here… and we made it another week, which is really exciting. I just hope that it continues.”

Melora Hardin and pro Artem Chigvintsev were the next couple to perform, doing a Jive routine to Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog.” The number was inspired by the 1983 film Cujo, which starred Hardin’s father. He cheered her on from the audience, along with her mom. “My parents are amazing,” Hardin said after the show. “They are the reason I am who I am… I’m very grateful for everything they’ve given me.” Hardin and Chigvintsev received 34/40 points from the judges, and plan to take their critiques to heart going into “Queen Night.” Said Chigvintsev, “We’re going to try our best to come back and be better and do better.”

Next, Iman Shumpert and pro Daniella Karagach earned their first perfect score of the season for their Us-inspired Contemporary routine, set to the song “I Got 5 on It (Tethered Mix from Us)” by Luniz featuring Michael Marshall. Hough was so impressed by the couple’s performance that he jumped out of his chair and onto the table in what Banks described as a “Tom Cruise moment.” Hough told the couple, “That was something people will watch over and over and over again!’ Shumpert was so proud of their results, in fact, that he carried one of the judges’ 10 paddles into his interview! “I took one home with me,” he said. “It felt good!” During their rehearsals, Karagach added, “I didn’t even think about a perfect score, to be honest. I just wanted a good performance.” According to Shumpert, “This was a fun week for us. The song, the movie inspiration—everything about it was fun. We could really get into character. That was exciting enough to take us through the week.”

After Suni Lee and pro Sasha Farber danced the Tango to Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits,” inspired by The Vampire Diaries, she received a surprise video message from series star Nina Dobrev. “I love her!” Lee told D23 after the show. “She’s my favorite person to ever watch on The Vampire Diaries. I’ve seen it so many times.” It was a highlight for Lee and Farber, who—despite receiving a score of 36/40 points—found themselves in the bottom two. They were saved by Hough, Inaba, and Tonioli, with Goodman revealing he, too, would have saved them had it come down to a tie. “It was crazy,” Lee said. “I definitely didn’t expect to be in the bottom two, and I am very thankful that I am still in the competition.”

Closing out the night were Amanda Kloots and pro Alan Bersten, who danced the Argentine Tango to “Paint It, Black” by Ciara. The number was inspired by the movie Saw, with Kloots wearing facial prosthetics and heavy makeup to embody the character Jigsaw. “Oh, I’m not wearing any makeup. This is normal,” Kloots joked with D23 after she and Bersten earned a score of 38/40 points. In truth, she said, “This was a bit of a process. I filmed The Talk in the morning and then I got here at around 12:30, so we started a lot later than everybody else. I sat right down in the chair, and three hours later, I looked like this. They finished touching me up after dress rehearsal. I was not expecting this full-on look; I thought it was just cheeks and chin, but they started putting a whole face on! I’ve never worn prosthetics like this, and I’ve never looked as creepy as this. So, it was good. It’s cool!”

Dancing with the Stars returns with “Queen Night” next Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

20th Century Fox “Spooktacular” – 1990s: The X-Files

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives

Halloween is here at last! We are ready to don our festive costumes and fill up our Trick-or-Treat bags with delicious candy. But first, let’s glean a little investigative inspiration from the final installment of our 20th Century Fox “Spooktacular.” We are hot on the case of The X-Files, perhaps the spookiest television series of the 1990s!

Created by Chris Carter, The X-Files debuted in September 1993. While not an initial success, the series grew in popularity, eventually becoming a cult hit among audiences and resulting in 11 seasons, several spin-off series, and two films’ worth of the paranormal, the extraterrestrial, and the downright unexplainable! These creepy happenings make up the titular “X-Files” themselves, cases that the show’s fictionalized Federal Bureau of Investigation deem as unsolvable. FBI Special Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) joins fellow Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) to solve these cases; as a brilliant trained medical doctor, Scully is far more skeptical than Mulder, usually taking a more grounded, scientific approach. Even though Mulder is one of the Bureau’s best analysts, his belief in the cryptozoological, extraterrestrial, and inexplicable phenomenon—driven by his younger sister’s mysterious abduction during his childhood—informs his work and earns him the nickname “Spooky Mulder.” Although the duo’s supervisor, Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), is at first hesitant to acknowledge any paranormal possibilities, he ends up being a great support to Mulder and Scully in their investigations as they delve deeper into the X-Files.

Mulder and Scully examine all manner of strange cases, with her skepticism and his belief in the supernatural working in tandem to solve them. Some cases are what X-Files fans refer to as “Monster of the Week” episodes, wherein the duo investigate a singular monster wreaking havoc. Other cases end up being connected to a larger conspiracy involving extraterrestrial life that Scully and Mulder uncover over the course of the series. If you want to believe, join Scully and Mulder in solving The X-Files, now streaming on Hulu!

High-Flying Heritage: A Walt Disney World Moment 50 Years in the Making

October 25, 2021

By Becky Cline and Kevin M. Kern, Walt Disney Archives

Every now and then, we here in the Archives have the honor of spotlighting historical materials so unique from our collection that the objects themselves seem to transcend matters of just Disney history and cross over into a realm documenting a wider moment from popular American history. One such item from our collection highlights such an intersection rather perfectly—an otherwise all-too-normal-looking American flag that was used during the grand dedication ceremony for the Walt Disney World Resort in 1971. This flag—a gift from a U.S. president, nonetheless!—has rested safely in our collection for 50 years now and helps weave a fascinating story that connects several important historical locations on the pop culture landscape from Washington, D.C., to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and beyond.

Recently, while reflecting on the now half-century legacy of the Walt Disney World Resort for various projects (including assisting with the development of the recent coffee table book for Disney Editions, A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth), the Archives began assessing our collection for historical objects that could highlight important stories to share about the history of the resort. Specifically, while curating items for a small historical exhibit to display at the resort for the recent 50th anniversary kick-off festivities, one item piqued our interest, landing squarely in the realm of “this is a story we have to tell!” That item, as you may have guessed it, is the aforementioned flag.

High-Flying Heritage — The American flag presented to Roy O. Disney by U.S. President Richard Nixon flies over Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom during the dedication of the Walt Disney World Resort on October 25, 1971.

The details of this piece are rather (and amazingly!) straightforward—facts that are thusly laid out with beautiful simplicity: The 9-by-5-foot American flag that was raised over Town Square at the Magic Kingdom as part of the resort’s grand dedication ceremony on October 25, 1971, carried a special significance from a longtime friend of the Disney family: President Richard Nixon. An official gift from the president, the flag was first flown over the White House in Washington, D.C., on October 1, 1971 (“Opening Day” of Walt Disney World) and was subsequently delivered to the resort to preside over Town Square during Roy O. Disney’s October 25th dedication. A simple path, but quite the remarkable voyage for such an important symbol of Americana.

“As it is raised in Town Square,” wrote the President to Roy O. on October 23, 1971, “may it represent our faith in the American dream which is so much in evidence at Walt Disney World.” Shortly after the October 25th dedication events, the flag would make its way back to The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, where it was placed in the care of the Walt Disney Archives by Disney Legend Emile Kuri (on behalf of Roy O.) for long-term historical preservation. The flag has remained proudly in the collection of the Archives ever since, and safely tucked away it would reside for decades until another fateful October day, some half a century later…

Fast forward to September 30, 2021, where the staff of the Walt Disney Archives shared a very special one-day-only exhibit with visiting press in honor of the resort’s impending anniversary. Showcasing rarely seen historical objects representing the 50-year history of Walt Disney World, it was a natural opportunity, of course, to feature this important flag and its accompanying documentation with pride of place. Following the event, Becky Cline, the director of the Walt Disney Archives, had the honor of carrying the dedication day relic over to Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom to help kick off the next historical chapter in both the resort’s, and flag’s, storied existence.

There, Becky assisted Walt Disney Imagineering curators Jackie Herrera and Deb Van Horn to carefully install this slice of Disney’s own patriotic heritage in the lobby of The Hall of Presidents attraction. This “Grand Old Flag” can now be viewed alongside other fascinating artifacts that showcase the history of our nation’s great leaders and also serves as a fitting tribute to a monumental moment in the history of The Walt Disney Company.

Thus, as the sun rose on October 1, 2021, amidst the grand debut of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, and after carefully working with our Florida-based curatorial colleagues at Walt Disney Imagineering, the Archives was able to help return this trusty and inspirational emblem to the Magic Kingdom, allowing it to continue serving as a historical beacon of the resort’s legacy for all to see.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

October 25, 2021

By Zach Johnson

What’s on your watch list this week? A new installment of Marvel Studios: Assembled will be available to stream starting this Wednesday on Disney+, offering an inside look at the creation of What If…? The following night, the adult comedy What We Do in the Shadows will conclude its third season on FX. Then, at midnight, Freeform will air the 2012 film Frankenweenie, directed by Tim Burton, as part of its ongoing “31 Nights of Halloween” celebration. The scares will continue Friday morning with a Halloween-themed episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan. Meanwhile, Disney+ will add a few titles to its library Friday, including director Niki Caro’s 2015 film McFarland, USA, inspired by a powerful true story.

Marvel Studios: Assembled—Wednesday, October 27, on Disney+
The immersive documentary series returns with a new chapter focused on the making of What If…?, Marvel Studios’ first-ever animated series. Go behind the scenes with director Bryan Andrews, head writer AC Bradley, and other members of the cast and crew as they share the stories of how they reimagined famous events from the MCU in unexpected ways.

What We Do in the Shadows—Thursday, October 28, at 10 p.m. ET on FX
Intended for mature audiences, the season three finale, “Portrait,” finds the housemates grieving the loss of one of their own. (In happier news, FX already ordered a fourth season!)

Frankenweenie (2012)—Friday, October 29, at 12 a.m. ET on Freeform
Young Victor Frankenstein (voiced by Charlie Tahan) is a science nerd and an outsider at school. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog, Sparky, he uses science to bring him back to life—with a few minor adjustments. Victor tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but Sparky gets out, throwing the town of New Holland into chaos. His classmates then steal his secret and use it to resurrect other dead animals—with monstrous consequences.

Live with Kelly and Ryan—Friday, October 29, in National Syndication
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will once again set a new standard for Halloween celebrations, bringing the spooky season to life with “Live’s Out of This World Halloween.” This year’s extravaganza goes boldly where no other talk show has gone before, launching from “outer space” from the show’s own “Boo Origin.” Featuring 40 costumes, Live will draw inspiration from the latest pop culture trends, including hilarious takes on some buzzworthy shows—Bridgerton, Emily in Paris, The Masked Singer, The Queen’s Gambit, and Ted Lasso among them—as well as a wacky, retro spin on a current home workout craze. Nick Lachey will join the festivities, with more surprise celebrity guests to be announced. Live’s annual audience Halloween costume contest will remain virtual this year, with the winner revealed during the show. Live will be giving away approximately $20,000 in prizes!

McFarland, USA—Friday, October 29, on Disney+
After Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) arrives to teach at a predominantly Latino high school, it’s immediately clear that everyone has a lot to learn about each other. But after he discovers a few students’ exceptional running abilities, everything begins to change. With determination and grit, Coach White’s promising runners overcome the odds to not only become a championship cross-country team but to realize their own American dream.

A Delectable Wish Come True

October 25, 2021October 29, 2021

By Jeffrey R. Epstein

While recently at Walt Disney World Resort, D23 was given a “taste” (literally) of what’s to come when the Disney Wish sets sail next summer. Any guest who has ever enjoyed a Disney Cruise Line voyage knows one of the hallmarks is the rotational dining experience; over the course of the journey, guests feast in each of the ships’ signature dining rooms that have stunning design, impeccable service, and (of course) exquisite cuisine. We are proud to present a boatload (or, rather, “shipload”) of tasty morsels about the ship’s all-new restaurants.

1923

As D23 Members know, 1923 was the year Walt Disney moved to Southern California to be with his brother Roy, and the two founded what is now The Walt Disney Company. Located just off the Grand Hall of the ship, this dining space uniquely features two distinct rooms, one named for Walt Disney and the other for Roy O. Disney. “We want you to feel how classy this space is, and we want you to feel classy dining there, like you might turn your head and there is Walt Disney sitting right next to you,” said Sachi Handke, show coordinator, Walt Disney Imagineering. The lavishly appointed spaces will be adorned with nearly 800 pieces of artwork, 50 character maquettes, and 24 multiplane camera cel set-ups celebrating Disney animated classics. Disney utilized the multiplane camera for its feature-length films from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs through The Little Mermaid, and D23 Gold Members who have visited the Studio lot have seen one of these cameras on display outside of the Walt Disney Archives. All these incredible drawings, props, and more illustrate the evolution of Disney animation.

Monstro prop replica (based on the original used in production of Pinocchio)

Sixteen beloved animated films will be represented in the space, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), Bambi (1942), Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953), Sleeping Beauty (1959), The Sword in the Stone (1963), The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Princess and the Frog (2009), Tangled (2010), Frozen (2013), Moana (2016), and Frozen 2 (2019).

Porcini Spiced Ahi Tuna (left) and Fennel, Bartlett Pear, & Tastoi Salad (right)

The sumptuous menu will be a tribute to the Company’s roots in the Golden State, featuring “California Cuisine” that’s a rich fusion of Asian, European, and South American flavors, including a savory porcini-spiced ahi tuna appetizer and fennel, Bartlett pear, and Tatsoi salad accented with Manchego cheese, walnuts, and a sherry dressing.

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure

For years, guests have been able to enjoy seeing their favorite stories come to life in new ways on Disney Cruise Line, notably enjoying a musical dinner with The Princess and the Frog characters inside Tiana’s Place on the Disney Wonder and helping celebrate a very special Tangled occasion at Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Disney Magic. Disney Imagineers are taking these experiences to the next level with Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, the first purpose-built space on a Disney Cruise ship designed for a theatrical dining experience.

Only on the Disney Wish will guests be invited to attend Queen Anna and Kristoff’s royal engagement party in a new tale that picks up just after the events of Frozen 2. Of course, Elsa and Olaf (who will go table-to-table visiting guests) will be there for the festivities, along with a troupe of “local” musicians who will play Nordic renditions of favorite Frozen songs. And—“Yoo-hoo!”—get ready for a big summer blowout, er, a totally chill dinner, as Oaken and his Hearty Party Planning Service are catering the big event.

A first-look at Oaken, who is making his Disney Cruise Line debut at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure

The space itself will be chock-a-block with Easter eggs from the world of Frozen, including family heirlooms and paintings, an Arendelle soldier’s suit of armor, the grandfather clock featured in the original film, busts of Anna and Elsa, and the lantern featured in Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Plus, the stunning windows that look outside will undergo a magical transformation during the meal that will be snow good.

Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass (left) and Juniper Spiced Roasted Free Range Chicken (right)

The one-of-a-kind menu combines traditional flavors and ingredients from the Nordic region with modern fare. It includes entrées such as a seared Chilean sea bass that comes with a cornucopia of fresh vegetables, and a juniper-spiced roasted free-range chicken that comes with a duck fat-fried potato and estragon wild mushrooms.

Worlds of Marvel

For an epic eating experience, look no further than Worlds of Marvel, the first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where guests will play an active role in helping our Super Heroes save the day. Avengers: Quantum Encounter will immerse guests in a story with Ant-Man and The Wasp as they embark on their first public speaking engagement on behalf of the Avengers to discuss some of their innovative technologies, including Iron Man’s arc reactor. Naturally, things don’t go exactly as planned.

While assisting Ant-Man and The Wasp with some small-scale trials (anyone want their oversized luggage shrunk for easy stateroom storage?), guests will be able to engage with a Quantum Core at their table, and when enough of the cores are activated at the same time, the entire venue will become super-charged as energy pulses through the power channels in the walls and ceiling. But trouble arises when Ultron (you can’t keep a good villain down!) shows up with an army of sentients who are determined to get their hands (er, robotic parts?) on the incredible quantum technology. That’s when Ant-Man, The Wasp, and guests—with a little help from Captain America and Captain Marvel—join forces to save the day.

And in massive Marvel news, the stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have come together to lend their talents to this extraordinary experience including Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Evangeline Lily as The Wasp, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. The actors have already filmed their “roles” (or “rolls”—it’s dinner, after all!) for the show, and much of the action will take place on the upper decks of the Disney Wish, which is being created in photo-realistic CGI while the ship is under construction.

“Avengers: Quantum Encounter” is an all-new experience debuting on the Disney Wish

Guests will definitely need a lot of energy for this undertaking, so it’s a good thing that Worlds of Marvel has world-class cuisine with dishes inspired by the real and fictional settings of the MCU, including African Wakanda, Eastern European Sokovia, and, of course, New York City. And what better way to top off a meal than with a heroic dessert, like a sticky fig pudding (inspired by Peggy Carter!) with salted caramel coconut and vanilla ice cream, or perhaps a flourless chocolate beetroot cake.

Flourless Chocolate Beetroot Cake (left) and Sticky Fig Pudding (right)

You may not need a cape to enjoy this experience, but you will definitely need a napkin.

Fleeting Keepsakes: A Closer Look at Mementos from the Grand Opening of Walt Disney World

October 24, 2021October 19, 2021

By Matt Moryc, Walt Disney Archives

It’s been 50 years since Walt Disney World first opened to the public on October 1, 1971. In the months leading up this milestone anniversary, many employees from across The Walt Disney Company have asked the Walt Disney Archives to search our collection for vintage merchandise, graphic designs, and ephemera to serve as inspiration for the cast members, executives, designers, and communicators who are excitedly working to promote “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” Luckily for those employees, the Archives’ collection of Walt Disney World materials was set up for success decades ago thanks to the foresight of Disney Legend and Archives founder Dave Smith.

In June 1970, a full year before the opening of Walt Disney World, the Walt Disney Archives was established to collect, preserve, and make available the history of The Walt Disney Company along with the life and legacy of Walt Disney. By that point, the company was almost 50 years old, which presented Smith with the challenge of trying to track down many years’ worth of content such as vintage Disney merchandise, posters, correspondence, publicity materials, artwork, and memories from people that had worked alongside Walt Disney. Fortunately for Smith, setting up a collection of materials from Walt Disney World would be an easier endeavor considering the resort was still under construction and there was ample access to a plethora of people working on the project. Thanks to Smith’s diligence—and the Company’s commitment to support the Archives whenever possible— an unparalleled amount of early Walt Disney World history began pouring into the collection. Today, we are excited to share some examples of these early pieces of history that originate from October 1971.

The Grand Opening Spectacular and Dedication of Walt Disney World took place from October 23 to 25, 1971—a full three weeks after the resort opened on October 1, 1971. For three days, invited guests were able to partake in multiple galas, dedications, and receptions in honor of the newly opened “Vacation Kingdom of the World.” As a result, ephemera and other specially created mementos were produced by The Walt Disney Company and given to that weekend’s attendees. Unsurprisingly, many of those keepsakes distributed some 50 years ago were either discarded, lost, or damaged over time. Ephemeral objects are often among the hardest items for the Archives to track down given their inherent disposable nature. While it’s common to see photographs, film footage, or newspaper clippings captured during that weekend’s events, it’s certainly a rare treat to see near-pristine examples of the tactile artifacts that were given to the invite-only crowd and participants.

Participants who RSVP’d for the three-day Grand Opening of Walt Disney World were given a “Passport” folder containing specially designed tickets granting access to each event. The second day’s festivities had two separate tickets, with the blue colored ticket in this photo covering the other ticket placed behind it.

Day I—October 23: The World Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of renowned conductor Arthur Fiedler, performed a nighttime concert in front of Cinderella Castle. According to the program given to participants, The World Symphony Orchestra was “…brought together under the auspices of the Federation of People-to-People Programs to affirm the universal meaning and worldwide heritage of symphonic music.” The orchestra was made up of over 140 musicians from 63 nations, 30 states, and the District of Columbia. In the span of only four days, the group performed at Lincoln Center in New York City, Walt Disney World, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Day II—October 24: The official opening of the A-frame shaped Contemporary Resort Hotel, featured master of ceremonies Bob Hope. After fanfare of the event subsided, the gathering later dispersed for a luncheon buffet on the lagoon side of the hotel, hosted inside a striped tent along the shores of Bay Lake. “American Food Festival” was the theme, with dishes from New England, New Orleans, and the West, along with desserts from Florida.

Later that evening saw the official opening of the other original site for Walt Disney World accommodations, the Polynesian Village Hotel. More than 1,000 invited guests took to the sandy beaches along Seven Seas Lagoon for a dazzling evening that included a Polynesian luau, torch lighting ceremony, Tahitian dancers, the debut of the Electrical Water Pageant, and a thrilling conclusion capped off by the Fantasy in the Sky Spectacular fireworks. Former Florida Governor Claude Kirk commented on the night’s affairs by saying, “Just another typical Florida night that could never be duplicated in California.”

Day III—October 25: The Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony was the finale for this whirlwind weekend. A 1971 informational flyer issued to cast members described the day’s programming: “Prior to the ceremony at 2:00 p.m., will be a 1,100 voice chorus from the high schools and colleges of Central Florida and 100 piece University of Florida Band directed by Richard W. Bowles. The dedication ceremony at 2:30 p.m. will be highlighted by the reading of a plaque by Roy O. Disney in tribute to the philosophy and life of Walt Disney. The Walt Disney World On Parade will be climaxed by the grand entry of the 1,076 piece Ceremonial Marching Band under the baton of ‘Music Man’ Meredith Wilson [sic]…”

NBC cameras were on hand capturing footage from the various Grand Opening festivities for inclusion in the 90-minute television special The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World. The program, which aired later on October 29, 1971, was hosted by future Disney Legend Julie Andrews and featured a cadre of celebrity performers dancing, prancing, and yucking it up around the resort.

Diving into National Geographic’s Becoming Cousteau

October 22, 2021October 22, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Innovator. Environmentalist. Filmmaker. Icon.

With his award-winning films and TV series, Jacques-Yves Cousteau captured the imagination of a generation—offering an incredible, never-before-seen view of the magic found in the world’s oceans. And now, a brand-new documentary from National Geographic Documentary Films, premiering exclusively in theaters on Friday, October 22, shines a spotlight on the man like never before…

With Becoming Cousteau, two-time Academy Award^®-nominated and Emmy Award^®-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus has combed through 550 hours of archival material and rarely seen footage to let the French adventurer’s films, words and memories tell his own story. After prospecting for oil companies to support his globe-trotting travels, Cousteau had a late-in-life awakening and became the first great advocate for ocean preservation. Though his days were checkered with loss, he remained true to his one great love: the sea. Over 100 hours of audio journal entries, interviews and observations from collaborators and crew members help flesh out Becoming Cousteau, which also looks at his first wife and collaborator Simone Melchior; his family experiences; his second wife, Francine Triplet; the creation of The Cousteau Society and the critical work they do for the world’s oceans; and his evolution into one of the most important environmental voices of the 20th century. It’s safe to say Cousteau’s words and images are more essential now than ever before.

“As I began this film, just the fact that Cousteau himself is not a household name seemed extraordinary to me,” Garbus recently said. “Today’s generation has grown up with popular nature programs that highlight the wonders of the ocean, and they take these programs for granted as if we have always had them. It took a great mind, tremendous bravery and a pioneering spirit to do what he did—and today, we are surrounded by imagery and technology that exists because of him. And at the end of the day, the future of our species, and the survival of huge swaths of biodiversity on the planet, will depend on innovation in the spirit of Cousteau.”

“It may be difficult for younger people today to imagine just how revolutionary it was to actually see, every week in the 1970s, all of the undersea creatures that Cousteau filmed,” continued Garbus. “Underwater filmmaking was very new at the time. And not only did he use it to popularize science and important issues, but he also created a style of storytelling that has now become ubiquitous on TV and in film.”

Not only did Cousteau become one of history’s greatest environmental champions, but he also lived an extraordinary life by any stretch. Born in 1910 and growing up near Bordeaux, France, he later enrolled in the French Navy’s aviation school—but his path completely shifted when, in 1936 and in his mid-twenties, he was badly wounded in a car accident, ending his plans of becoming a pilot. Recovering on a naval base in the south of France, Cousteau swam to rebuild his strength, though his fondness for capturing images drove him even further. As a boy, Cousteau loved films such as the 1916 silent 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea—gaining an understanding the kind of power images can have. He was soon making his own films as a teenager in the ’20s with an early Pathé Baby, a hand-cranked movie camera. Later, Cousteau would begin making short underwater films, including Shipwrecks(1943), Silent Lands (1947) and Around a Reef (1948). His goal, he once said, was “to be a John Ford or John Huston of the ocean.”

“Cousteau was a filmmaker, first and foremost,” explained Garbus. “His early passion for filmmaking, including during his service in World War II, was something of a surprise to me. Home movies that we highlight in the film include some amazing footage he took of the first time he laid eyes on Simone Melchior before they married in 1937. During the war, he filmed underwater wrecks, which led to his short film Epaves, which went on to premiere at Cannes and established his reputation as a filmmaker.”

He was also an innovator, in every sense of the word; Cousteau himself created a waterproof housing for a movie camera to film underwater, and, while serving in World War II as a Naval lieutenant, he teamed with French engineer Émile Gagnan to co-invent an autonomous breathing apparatus that allowed divers to descend underwater without being tethered to tubes, diving bells or helmeted suits. The Aqua-Lung, as Cousteau called this invention, revolutionized diving—allowing for record-setting sojourns to lower oceanic depths and ushering deep-sea photography into a whole new era.

In 1956, all of Cousteau’s skills and accomplishments came together in the form of The Silent World, a feature film adapted from his ’53 book. Co-directed by Louis Malle (Cousteau’s friend and a French filmmaker who’d go on to direct acclaimed films including Au Revoir, Les Enfants), The Silent World gave audiences high-seas adventure under the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. It was the first non-narrative film to win the prestigious Palme D’or at the Cannes Film Festival; just 11 months later, the film won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 29th Academy Awards.

The success of The Silent World established Cousteau’s filmmaking adventures in the day’s pop-culture landscape. Several short films and another feature followed… and then, in 1968, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteaulanded on ABC—narrated by The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling and running through 1976. A second TV series, The Cousteau Odyssey, began in 1977. Cousteau’s works were instrumental in the creation of Earth Day in 1970, and his work manifested in the creation of the not-for-profit Cousteau Society—which, to this day, is at the forefront of oceanic research and advocates for establishing protected areas for endangered species—in 1974. As years went by, Cousteau continued crusading for the world’s oceans while contending with several personal tragedies, including the death of his son Phillipe in 1979.

Perhaps most notably, towards the end of his long and colorful life, Cousteau and The Cousteau Society helped make possible the first United Nations Conference on Environment and Development—also known as the Earth Summit—in 1992, which brought together 170 nations and was called “the most important conference ever on the environment.” It was only five years before his passing in 1997. “Cousteau was, at the time of the first Earth Summit, one of the most recognizable faces on the planet, the person Americans said they would most want to meet besides the President—and because of his influence and celebrity, he was able to bring world leaders together,” said Garbus. “An explorer who wasn’t also a TV star could not have made that happen. And Cousteau was quite aware of that; he’d get pushback for not being a ‘proper scientist.’ But he would say, ‘I’m not a ‘proper scientist’—I’m a filmmaker, a storyteller and an innovator.’ His celebrity and popularity enabled a growing global awareness of the preciousness and precariousness of the undersea world… [and he] was a key ingredient as to why our environmental consciousness occurred, and what those vital movements to protect the Earth have brought forward since.”

See Becoming Cousteau in U.S. theaters beginning Friday, October 22.

Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—Plus More in News Briefs

October 22, 2021

By Courtney Potter

New Disney Cruise Line Float to Join Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Ahoy, mateys! Supremely fun news for both fans of Disney Cruise Line and lovers of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® (hey, that’s totally us): On Thursday, November 25, DCL will embark on its maiden voyage down the streets of New York City with a brand-new cruise ship float, debuting as part of the 95th annual holiday event! The imaginatively designed “ship” has been christened “Magic Meets the Sea”—and it’s inspired by the fantastical style of the Disney Wish, which sets sail in summer 2022.

During its inaugural parade journey, the float will feature 15 fave Disney friends who represent the stories and experiences on the Disney Wish, including Captain Minnie Mouse, who proudly adorns the ship’s bow; Princess Tiana, who cooks up the power of imagination in an all-new interactive adventure aboard the ship; Aladdin and Jasmine, whose story has been reimagined into an original Broadway-style stage show on board; and Cinderella, whose delightful bronze statue will grace the fairy tale-inspired Grand Hall.

“We are honored to collaborate with Macy’s for this renowned event and build upon the shared legacy of creating magical memories year after year,” Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line, recently said. “Just like the Disney Wish, our float will be a celebration of enchanting Disney storytelling, beloved characters, and wishes come true.” Keep those eyes peeled for this fabulous new float when the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on Thursday, November 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in all time zones, on NBC!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

We’re creeping ever closer to Halloween, which means the worlds of Disney are positively chockablock with spooky fun to watch with family ‘n’ friends. What’s in store this weekend? Well, there’s a Star Wars-themed episode of Disney’s Magic Bake-Off on Disney Channel; the fun and frolic of fan-fave Halloweentown (Debbie Reynolds as a witch? So good!) on Freeform; and so much more.

Music Superstar Maluma Joins Voice Cast of Encanto

Our pals at Walt Disney Animation Studios just announced that global Latin superstar Maluma will lend his dulcet tones to the voice cast of their upcoming animated feature Encanto! Maluma will play town heartthrob Mariano, the soon-to-be fiancé of Mirabel’s (voice of Stephanie Beatriz) perfect and poised sister Isabela (voice of Diane Guererro). “Encanto is such a magical movie,” said Maluma. “I’m from Colombia and the story is about a Colombian family. I’m proud to be part of this beautiful story. It means so much to me as I’m very passionate about sharing my country’s cultural values and story globally.”

Encanto tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Each child has been blessed with a magic gift unique to them—each child except Mirabel, that is… But when the family’s home is threatened, Mirabel may be their only hope.

Featuring all-new songs by Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda; directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard; and co-directed by Charise Castro Smith, Encanto opens in theaters November 24.

First Trailer for the Disney+ Original Movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Earlier this week, Disney+ released the official (and adorable) trailer for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which debuts on the streaming service this holiday season.

The first book in Jeff Kinney’s worldwide bestselling series comes to life in the all-new animated adventure… Greg Heffley is a scrawny but ambitious kid with an active imagination and big plans to be rich and famous—he just has to survive middle school first! To make matters worse, Greg’s lovable best friend Rowley seems to coast through life and succeed at everything without even trying. As details of his hilarious (and often disastrous) attempts to fit in fill the pages of his journal, Greg learns to appreciate true friends and the satisfaction that comes from standing up for what is right.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid features the voices of Brady Noon as Greg Heffley, Ethan William Childress as Rowley Jefferson, and Chris Diamantopoulos as Frank Heffley. Directed by Swinton Scott and written and produced by Kinney, look for the film on Disney+ beginning December 3!

Disney Junior Orders Second Season of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

It’s colorful, it’s tuneful, and it’s coming back for more whimsical adventures! Disney Junior has just ordered a second season of Mickey Mouse Funhouse, the animated series that has captured the hearts of preschoolers and their families since its successful debut this past August. Featuring Mickey Mouse and all his pals—Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto, as well as the new character Funny—the series has garnered nearly 12 million video views on Disney Junior YouTube alone!

While we stay tuned for more info on season two, here’s some news you can use: The first six episodes of season one will begin streaming on Disney+ on Wednesday, November 10, with new episodes continuing to debut Fridays on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

Geared to kids ages 2-7 and their families, the show follows Funny, an enchanted talking playhouse voiced by Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), who leads the Sensational Six on magical adventures. Season one guest voices includes John Stamos (Big Shot) as Captain Salty Bones, a pirate captain; Richard Kind (Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Cheezel, another member of the weasel trio; Jaime Camil (Schmigadoon!) as Rocket Mouse, a heroic “mouse-stronaut”; and Amanda Seales (Insecure) as Annie, a friendly giant. They join the previously announced Jenifer Lewis (ABC’s black-ish) as Wheezelene, the leader of the troublemaking weasel trio, and Grammy® Award nominee Mickey Guyton as country singer Wanda the Wandrin’ Warbler.

Plaza Point Holiday Store Now Open at Disneyland Park

As mentioned previously, Halloween is just around the corner—which means a plethora of other holidays on the horizon. (Valentine’s Day is only 115 days away. Let that sink in!) And the good folks at Disneyland park are getting into all that holiday action with a brand-new, now-open store on Main Street, U.S.A.

Inside Plaza Point, guests will find all manner of fun seasonal items, including ornaments, home décor, collectibles, and more. And, throughout the year, Plaza Point will change seasonally to showcase additional holidays, including Lunar New Year, Easter, and Halloween, just to name a few. That means guests will wanna visit Plaza Point every time they visit Disneyland—not only to enjoy the latest décor, obviously, but also to shop all the current seasonal merchandise. Plus, visitors can get ornaments personalized—which make for great holiday gifts. Watch the artistry in action as cast members hand paint a name on each ornament. And best of all? Ornament personalization will be available for purchase year-round.

Plaza Point is brought to you by the store proprietress, Miss Evelyn Toro; she’s a world traveler who collects unique pieces of holiday décor wherever she goes, then brings the treasured items back to display in her store… and the warm, wood-paneled shop fits perfectly in the Victorian era of Main Street, U.S.A. We’ll see ya there!

ICYMI: The Story Behind The Story of Marvel Studios

There’s a new book that is an essential collectible for any fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Hello, holiday gift idea!) Coauthors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry were granted unprecedented access to Marvel Studios during a years-long journey to write a 512-page tome; to hear from Bennett and Terry, and see an exclusive photo from The Story Behind Marvel Studios, click here.