Heroes, Villains, and Judges! Inside Dancing with the Stars’ “Disney Week”

October 13, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman and Zach Johnson

“Disney Night” is easily our favorite episode of Dancing with the Stars each season—so when we found out the Emmy^® Award-winning series had planned a special two-night “Disney Week” event for its milestone 30th season, you can imagine how excited we were!

The magic began a few days before the show, when we exclusively announced the song choices and dance styles for both nights. So, when “Disney Heroes” night rolled around Monday, we knew we were in for something special—and not just because all 13 couples were required to add the Mickey Dance Challenge into their routine, no matter the style!

Host and executive producer Tyra Banks went all out, rocking two distinctly Disney-inspired costumes per night. The couples were just as spirited, recreating iconic looks from beloved films spanning decades of Disney magic, including Beauty and the Beast, Coco, Hocus Pocus, The Incredibles, and Mulan (to name just a few of our personal favorites). In an exciting twist, Banks announced at the end of Monday’s show that no one would be eliminated—meaning all 13 couples would return to the ballroom for Tuesday’s episode!

In another twist (a fittingly wicked one, if you ask us), Banks announced at the top of Tuesday’s show that the episode would end in a double elimination. The news clearly lit a fire under everyone’s feet, as many couples went on to earn their highest scores to date. Of course, it also helped that “Disney Week” provided additional inspiration for each couple. “Disney characters are so strong, so beautiful, and so ingrained in us that it gives you exactly what each character demands,” judge Bruno Tonioli told us after Tuesday’s show. “It gives an impetus to deliver a great performance, because we all love and adore Disney.”

Sadly, after dancing the waltz to “Someday My Prince Will Come” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Monday and dancing the Paso Doble to “He’s a Pirate” from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on Tuesday, Brian Austin Green and pro Sharna Burgess were the first to be eliminated. That left two couples in jeopardy: Matt James and pro Lindsay Arnold, and Kenya Moore and pro Brandon Armstrong. Ultimately, with the judges split, head judge Len Goodman made the decision to save Moore and Armstrong before “Grease Night” airs Monday, October 18, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. “Over the five weeks, Kenya danced maybe a little bit better than Matt,” Goodman reasoned. “And over the five weeks, she got a total of 33 points from me, while he got a total of 29.”

Judge Derek Hough added, “It was dance quality versus performance quality. I think Matt definitely had the better performance quality, but then Kenya has been more consistent with her dancing. It really could have gone either way, which is why it came down to Len.”

The magic of Disney was still in the air as we interviewed some of the couples who advanced to next week’s episode. So, how did they feel about “Disney Week?” Read on!

Melora Hardin and pro Artem Chigvintsev (“Disney Week” Score: 73/80)
After dancing a Quickstep to “I Wan’na Be Like You (2016)” from The Jungle Book for “Disney Heroes” night, Hardin and Chigvintsev danced Jazz to Tangled’s “Mother Knows Best” with a twist—they were dancing to a version of the song that Hardin had sung herself! “That was actually a super fun part of it,” Hardin said of the performance. While for others, having to dance to your own singing might be nerve-wracking, Hardin was delighted at the opportunity, describing it as, “The perfect amalgamation of the three talents that I have: the singing the acting, and the dancing!”

Hardin and Chigvintsev definitely cast their spell on the judges—judge Goodman said that the performance, “Had wit. It had charm. It was truly delightful,” before awarding the couple the first 10 of the season! Thanks to that 10, Hardin and Chigvintsev took the lead for “Disney Week,” having the highest combined scores of any couple. While they were excited to reach this score milestone, they know it sets a high bar for future performances. “Going forward, you need to do better, and improve and be better,” Chigvintsev explained, “It’s gonna be challenging transition.”

JoJo Siwa and pro Jenna Johnson (“Disney Week” Score: 70/80)
“Last night we had to be in love, and tonight we had to kill!” Siwa joked of her two “Disney Week” performances. The couple turned the dance floor into a fairy tale for “Disney Heroes” night, with an enchanting Viennese Waltz to “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Cinderella, casting Johnson as Cinderella to Siwa’s Prince Charming. Last night, the tables were turned, with the two dancing a fierce Paso Doble to “Ways to Be
Wicked” from Descendants 2. Judge Tonioli described them as, “My feuding beauties, equally strong, equally gifted,” before saying, “It really was like watching two super villains battling for supremacy, and you both won. A Paso Doble like no other!”

Both “Disney Heroes” and “Disney Villains” night brought first times for the couple. Professional dancer Johnson said, “I finally got my princess moment!” during the Viennese Waltz, calling the moment “so epic!” While she was able to live a real-life Cinderella story, Siwa faced a different challenge for “Disney Villians” night. The pop star is well-known for her positive, bubbly personality—but for her Paso Doble, she had to channel her wicked side. “I love seeing this side of Jojo,” Johnson said, “because I get to see her like bubbly, sweet self all the time. To see her with this intensity in her eyes—I was a little bit nervous, but I loved it!”

No matter if they were being heroic or villainous, the couple agreed that “Disney Week” has a special kind of magic: “I just think Disney is so timeless,” Johnson explained, “All of the movies are perfect for somebody in any phase of their life. And I think that’s where that magical feeling comes from, is that there’s an emotional connection wherever you’re at in your life.”

Olivia Jade and pro Val Chmerkovskiy (“Disney Week” Score: 70/80)
First up for the couple was a Samba routine to “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from The Lion King, followed by a jazz routine to “Remember Me” from Coco. Hough told Jade she “is becoming one of my favorite performers on the show,” while judge Carrie Ann Inaba said the “the chemistry and the trust” between Jade and Chmerkovskiy is “going to take you so far.” Getting such positive feedback means the world to Jade. “If you work so hard on a performance and you really try your best every week, it’s the most rewarding thing to hear any sort of compliment after,” she told us. “But there’s also something to be said for constructive criticism, because you want to take in everything. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, because I know starting tomorrow, it’s a brand-new week and a brand-new dance.”

Still, Jade said she loved bringing The Lion King to life in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom. “I related to ‘Disney Heroes’ night more—not because I think I’m a hero by any means, but just because of the relationship. I think we got to embrace the Nala/Simba vibe. That’s genuinely how I feel about Val. He is such a good mentor; he’s the strong one, getting me through things. That was a highlight. But I also had a lot of fun being a villain.”

Their strong showing in the competition thus far is only the beginning, Chmerkovskiy added. “We’re on a mission every week,” he said. “We want to do our best, and we want to prove ourselves in this competition. I want to prove myself as a dancer, as a coach, as a partner—and she wants to prove herself as a as a dancer, as a partner, and as a performer.”

Amanda Kloots and pro Alan Bersten (“Disney Week” Score: 68/80)
Tonilio called Kloots an “effortless, easy, natural” performer after her Rumba routine to “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan. She and Bersten closed out “Disney Villains” night with a devilish Paso Doble to “Call Me Cruella” from Cruella. “This may have been my favorite week so far,” Kloots told us Tuesday night, with Bersten describing it as “magical.”

Kloots said she identified more with embodying Cruella, “even though it’s so not me!” In fact, she said, “I actually identified with her more after I watched the movie Cruella. I don’t know what it was, but I just felt like I understood her. As I watched the movie, I was like, ‘I cannot wait to play her and dance to this song.’” Bersten, meanwhile, said he “probably looked a little bit better as Tarzan. It was so much fun.” However, he added with a laugh, “I’m not going to lie: my head hurts from the wigs. I cannot wait for this wig to come off!”

Jimmie Allen and pro Emma Slater (“Disney Week” Score: 67/80)
The couple earned a score of 30/40 on “Disney Heroes” night for their Paso Doble routine set to Mulan’s “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” At the end of the episode, they also received two bonus points for winning the Mickey Dance Challenge! “It paid off!” Slater said after the show. “Yay!” Inspired by Peter Pan, they opened “Disney Villains” night, performing a Jazz routine to Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” with Allen dressed as Captain Hook and Slater dressed as Tinker Bell. They earned their first nines of the season from three of the judges.

“I was honestly so happy,” Slater told us after the show. “There’s a big sense of relief when you finish a performance and it was to the best of your ability. I often think that when Jimmie goes and performs during the actual show, it’s the best he’s ever performed it, and tonight was no exception with his performance. He really comes alive when it’s time to go.”

“I loved being Tinker Bell,” Slater added, “and I loved him as Hook.”

An admitted “Disney nerd,” Allen said he related to Mulan and Captain Hook equally. “There’s something I love about Mulan’s confidence and courage, but there’s something I love about Captain Hook’s self-assurance,” he explained. “He’s OK with being who he is, and I think we can all learn something from that, even though he’s a villainous character.”

Melanie C. and pro Gleb Savchenko (“Disney Week” Score: 66/80)
“I think the combination of Dancing with the Stars and Disney is so great,” Melanie C. told us Monday after nailing a Jazz routine to “Step in Time” from Mary Poppins. “It’s great family entertainment, and there’s so much variety between the dances and the characters.”

The Spice Girls singer said she was excited for Savchenko to “bring the fire”—literally—when he dressed up a dragon for “Disney Villains” night. They danced the Viennese Waltz to “Once Upon a Dream” from Maleficent, with Melanie C. embodying the Mistress of Evil. Getting to play both Mary Poppins and Maleficent during “Disney Week” is a huge deal, she added: “I think I got possibly the best two female characters you could ask for, right?”

Iman Shumpert and pro Daniella Karagach (“Disney Week” Score: 63/80)
While their “Disney Heroes” dance was a cool the Foxtrot to “Let It Go” from Frozen, Shumpert and Karagach heated up the dance floor for “Disney Villains” night with an Argentine Tango to “Arabian Nights” from Aladdin that cast Shumpert as Jafar and Karagach as the parrot Iago. Karagach really channeled her inner avian—the performance featured several impressive lifts that left judge Hough “speechless,” and was described by judge Tonioli as “a feat of magical strength!”

While the lifts looked effortless on the ballroom floor, it was thanks to the couple’s hard work behind the scenes. “I knew it was gonna be tough,” Shumpert said, “And was like, ‘I don’t care! If it looks good, we’re doing it!’” The impressive moves paid off—the couple earned their highest score so far, getting a 33/40 from the judges.

The high score wasn’t the only special part of the dance—the movie Aladdin holds a personal connection for Shumpert, who actually has a tattoo of the magic lamp. He describes the movie as, “my childhood,” but jokes that in his childhood daydreams of the film, “I was never Jafar! So, this is the breath fresh air.”

Cody Rigsby and pro Cheryl Burke (“Disney Week” Score: 58/80)
No one Viennese Waltzes like Gaston! Rigsby and Burke took a theatrical turn for their “Disney Villains” night dance with their performance of “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast complete with backup dancers and props! “We didn’t know that we were having backup dancers until about 2 p.m.” explained Burke, but the couple was happy to have such an immersive scenario for their dance. “It really helps you kind of like feel the fantasy and feel the magic of Disney,” Rigsby said.

As a lifelong Beauty and the Beast fan, Rigsby recalled how the film was the very first VHS he received: “I remember that I got in that big, plastic case that you like, pop open.” His passion for the material was especially needed, given the unique challenge that the couple faced: They only had two days of in-person rehearsal, due to the couple having to quarantine away from each other during most of the rehearsal period. “Cody was determined to learn both dances as quick as possible, so that when we did see each other It wasn’t like having to start over again,” Burke explained.

Despite the challenges of video conference dance rehearsals, Rigsby gave a performance that judge Inaba described as, “bold, polished, and so animated.” For Rigsby, transforming into Gaston was easy, thanks to the magic of “Disney Week”: “You’re just automatically transported to these songs you know and love, and that essence of being a kid.”

No matter how people react to the judges’ critiques or the elimination results, Hough said they appreciate everyone’s feedback. “It’s good if there are honest complaints, because it means people care and people are invested, right?” he told us. “It’s OK. In fact, we welcome that. With all the nines and the eights tonight, I was kind of looking around, like, ‘Yo… do I give another nine?’ But then something magical would happen; it’s a feeling that you get, where you’re just like, ‘Oh, that was a moment. That was a really special moment.’”

Inaba added, “As judges, we must trust our own senses. We all judge from slightly different perspectives. We all have different backgrounds. We all have different areas of expertise. We’re looking for different things. That’s what gives them the challenge, right? So, it’s up to them; otherwise, this would be easy. It’s not easy, to be honest. But we respect and love all of them and we never want to see anybody go home because we want them to do well.”

Behind the Spooky New Series Just Beyond on Disney+

October 13, 2021

By Zach Johnson

In the mood for chills and thrills?

Look no further than the eight-episode anthology series Just Beyond, debuting today on Disney+. Inspired by the writings of R.L. Stine, each episode introduces a new cast of characters who embark on a surprising journey of self-discovery in a supernatural world. Stine, prolific author of young adult horror fiction including the Goosebumps and Fear Street series, has been scaring readers worldwide for over 35 years, so naturally, the series’ creators referenced his popular page-turners while developing all-new hair-raising stories.

The series is an extension Stine’s Just Beyond graphic novels. “We had a couple issues that [Stine] had already written to guide us in style and tone,” executive producer Seth Grahame-Smith says. “We got a bunch of really smart writers together, and they came up with a whole bunch of interesting stories, which we then turned into these eight episodes.”

“The graphic novels are an anthology series, so every issue is its own standalone story,” Grahame-Smith adds. “We took that idea and applied it to how we wanted to make the series.” Ultimately, Stine says, “It’s more about capturing the spirit of the graphic novels.”

Developing the series as co-producer was a thrill for Stine, whose works in the late ’90s inspired the Goosebumps HorrorLand Fright Show and FunHouse attraction in what is now Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “Zach, that was the thrill of my life. Are you kidding? I’m the world’s biggest Disney fan. To have my own attraction at Walt Disney World? I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “My son was so spoiled. We live in New York, but we were down there at least three times a year, and he would show the guides where things were! So, I’ve always been a big Disney fan, and it’s a real thrill for me to be back doing stuff with them.”

Just Beyond is full of scares, but it also includes humorous and relatable moments. Each episode incorporates teenage struggles, such as anxiety, bullying, and peer pressure, told through supernatural storylines designed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. “The fun of it is playing with where the line is and keeping people scared, keeping people mystified, and keeping the wonder element alive in these things,” Grahame-Smith says. “Like [Stine] says when it comes to writing his books, it’s about making the audience feel safe at the same time; we’re not going to do something that is overly gory or traumatizing.”

The cast of Just Beyond is filled with young talent, including Cyrus Arnold, Arjun Athalye, Gabriel Bateman, Mckenna Grace, Cedric Joe, Rachel Marsh, Jy Prishkulnik, Megan Stott, Lexi Underwood, and Izabela Vidovic, as well as more established adult stars, including Malcolm Barrett, Ben Gleib, Timothy Heidecker, Riki Lindhome, and Nasim Pedrad. “In Goosebumps, the parents are useless. They’re useless!” says Stine. “They never believe the kids, for one thing, or else they’re not there. With Goosebumps, you’ve got two kids—always a boy and a girl, always 12 years old—and they’re not special kids in any way. They’re normal kids, average kids, and they have to get themselves out of these incredible jams without any parents and without any help. But Seth took a different approach. We wanted this show to be more family-oriented, so the adults play a bigger role in this show.”

Grahame-Smith adds, “I think kids watching might be able to relate to what the hero of the episode is going through, and maybe the parents can relate to it—whether it’s thinking about their own childhoods or being parents themselves and recognizing things in their own kids. [Stine] says this all the time: ‘It’s a scary world, especially when you’re a kid.’ I think sometimes parents can forget how scary a place the world can be when you’re a kid.”

Just Beyond includes a few Easter eggs, including a cameo from actor Henry Thomas, famous for his role in filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. “He plays an alien conspiracy theorist in one of our episodes,” Grahame-Smith says. As for the other Easter eggs, he doesn’t want to spoil the fun, but says, “They’re for the adults watching, just to give them a little fun second-level of what was going on in the episode.”

“There are some specific, classic horror movie moments that we pay homage to in our own subtle way. But really, these things are designed to live on their own,” Grahame-Smith says. “I don’t think we consciously put any specific Goosebumps references in there.” So… no need to worry about ventriloquist dummies? “Believe me,” says Stine, “we don’t want ’em!”

Halloween Treats from ShopDisney Perfect for Frighting Up Your Life

October 13, 2021October 12, 2021

By the D23 Team

If you’re filled with the Halloween spirit and want the world around you to be as fang-tastic as you feel, just head over to shopDisney for an array of ghoulish delights guaranteed to haunt your halls and make your fashion fearsome. D23 Gold Members, don’t forget during your spectral shopping spree that you get 10% off any purchase of $50 or more. Check out some of the Disney Halloween treats now available on shopDisney:

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Halloween Countdown Calendar
Count down to the big day with these fully-sculpted Mickey and Minnie Mouse Halloween figurines in a pumpkin patch setting. It answers the question “How much longer?” without driving you batty.

BaubleBar Disney Halloween Pumpkin Earrings
As part of the Mickey and Minnie Halloween x BaubleBar Collection, you’ll see the compliments will stack up when you wear these dangling Mickey and Minnie Jack-o’-Lantern earrings! Each tower of playful pumpkins is accented with glitter, faceted gems, and enamel.

Chip ‘n Dale Halloween Plush Set
This cheeky pair of soft-stuffed chipmunks are plotting Halloween mischief in their plush pumpkin shell. Treat yourself to Chip ‘n Dale this spooky season.

The Haunted Mansion Gravedigger Mug and Spoon Set
If you’re “not a mourning person,’” then this mug is for you. Dig into the day with your favorite brew and some happy haunts when you use our cup and the coordinating spade-shaped spoon, which stores in the handle.

Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Halloween Wreath
Make trick-or-treaters more comfortable with this frighteningly festive Halloween wreath on your door. It’s shaped like Minnie, so little monsters will always feel welcome.

Mickey Mouse Jack-o’-Lantern Plush Crossbody Bag by Harveys
Your spooky season outfit will be gourd-eous when you add this plush Mickey Mouse Jack-o’-Lantern Plush Crossbody Bag by Harveys. The zippered main compartment will hold your smallest essentials and the removable, adjustable crossbody strap keeps your pumpkin pal secure.

Mickey Mouse Jack-o’-Lantern Light-Up Treat Bucket
Little ghouls will light-up at the sight of this Mickey Mouse Jack-o’-Lantern Treat Bucket! The hard plastic shell will keep candy safe while the illuminating feature brightens up your spooky season.

Legendary Handprints – Manuel Gonzales

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021

In 1936, the Disney studio needed new artists to work on its first feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Open auditions for artists were held at Rockefeller Center in New York, and Manuel Gonzales was one of 33 selected from thousands of applicants to join the Disney ranks. In 1938, Gonzales took over penciling duties on the Sunday Mickey Mouse comic strip from Disney Legend Floyd Gottfredson. After taking a three-year break for Army service, Gonzales began to pencil and ink the strip in 1946, a role he continued to occupy until 1981.

For nearly 40 years, Manuel brought Mickey Mouse to newspaper comics, nationwide. At its peak, his Mickey-starring strips appeared in 120 newspapers around the world with a collective circulation of more than 20 million readers each week.

During his time at Disney, Manuel was known by some of his colleagues simply as “Gonzy.” He was amazed by the talents of the artists around him and was honored to be in their ranks. As a Disney comics artist, Manuel helped to showcase the off-screen adventures of Mickey Mouse and his pals Goofy and Pluto, and also drew promotional comic strips that helped introduce films such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Lady and the Tramp. From 1956-1981, he penciled and inked the popular daily newspaper strip featuring Scamp, the mischievous son of Lady and Tramp. Gonzales occasionally stepped in to pencil the daily Donald Duck strip, and also contributed to various Disney comic books and publications throughout his lengthy career, and was known for tackling each project with a masterful sense of artistry.

Manuel was presented a “Mousecar” award for his company accomplishments by Walt Disney himself in 1966. Walt joked that Gonzales, who signed each of his comic strips as “Walt Disney,” had probably signed Walt’s name more often than Walt himself had! Having lived a life filled with artistic accomplishment, Manuel passed away on March 31, 1993.

Inside Dancing with the Stars’ Magical “Disney Heroes” Night

October 12, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Dancing with the Stars’ “Disney Week” is off to a shimmering start!

Monday’s episode was inspired by “Disney Heroes,” with the 13 couples performing choreographed routines to songs from hit films such as Aladdin, Frozen, The Lion King, Moana, and Tarzan. Melora Hardin and pro Artem Chigvintsev earned the top score, earning 36/40 points from judges Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli for their Quickstep to “I Wan’na Be Like You (2016)” from The Jungle Book.

In a magical twist, host and executive producer Tyra Banks announced at the end of the episode that no couples would be eliminated—meaning everyone will return to the ballroom tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC to perform “Disney Villains”-inspired numbers!

After Monday’s show, we chatted with two of the 13 couples—Jimmie Allen and pro Emma Slater and Melanie C. and pro Gleb Savchenko—to get an exclusive peek inside the magic of “Disney Week.” Allen said that all along, he’d been anticipating this special two-night event. “If I’m being honest, I’m a Disney nerd. My love for Disney is what got me through,” Allen admitted. “I’m exhausted from dancing and touring; my body is tired. But it’s Disney!”

Allen isn’t just any “Disney nerd,” as he also confessed to visiting Walt Disney World Resort 82 times in nine years! “My first time ever going was 2012, because we couldn’t afford it when I was younger,” he said. “I actually picked up two extra jobs and saved money for a year and a half so I could take my mom and two sisters. We went there for a week and hit all the parks. Ever since, I go every Christmas, every Thanksgiving, every Flower & Garden Festival, every Food & Wine Festival, every Easter, every New Year’s Eve.”

The country artist channeled his passion for Disney into his performance of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan on “Disney Heroes” night, earning him and Slater a score of 30/40. “He gets nervous before each dance, and I can feel it,” Slater explained. “But then when he gets onto the floor, he turns into this performer. He’s a natural. For instance, Jimmie picked this song himself. He sang it the entire dance—absolutely everywhere! I think it really helped him commit more to the movement, so it was a really good choice.”

To their surprise, Allen and Slater received two bonus points from the judges for their inventive take on the “Mickey Mouse Challenge”—a set of moves each couple had to incorporate into their routine, no matter the dance style. “It was quite tricky, being a Paso Doble,” explained Slater. Inspired by Mulan’s action sequences, she decided to slow it down. Luckily, Slater said, Allen “absolutely nailed it. He defined each of the movements.”

Allen and Slater will open “Disney Villains” night by dancing Jazz to “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, inspired by Peter Pan. “I dance with a hook on the whole time,” Allen said. “The whole time!” It’s a design detail worthy of “some publicity,” Slater joked. “He dances with a hook on his left hand—and we do three lifts! I did at one point ask the producers, ‘Does he need to dance with it the whole time?’ They said, ‘Yes, we would love to have that happen.’ We said ‘no problem’—even though I was secretly like, ‘This is going to be a problem!’ We strategically placed the hook in certain places so that it won’t get caught on my dress or my hair. But believe me, he is dancing! This isn’t like a slow Jazz; he is dancing his tush off!”

Initially, Slater had planned to dress up as Smee, but when cameras roll Tuesday night, she’ll be in costume as none other than Tinker Bell. “I really wanted a bounce board for him to be a villain against,” she said of Allen, who will dress up as Captain Hook. “We turned the whole dance into sort of like a fight challenge/showdown/dance-off situation.”

Allen said he will be channeling the “confidence” of Captain Hook on “Disney Villains” night. “Even though he loses time and time again, his self-belief is like no other,” he said with a laugh. “Captain Hook is delusional. He has this confidence and borderline arrogance to him, so that’s the attitude I’m going to take into the dance. And even though he always loses, his delivery in every moment makes you think there’s a chance he could pull this off.”

Speaking of pulling things off, Melanie C. and Savchenko were riding high after their Jazz performance of “Step in Time” from Mary Poppins earned them a score of 31/40 on “Disney Heroes” night—their best score yet. Goodman called it “enchanting” and compared it to Disneyland itself, while Hough paid them the ultimate compliment, saying Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke would have “loved it.” As Melanie C. told us after the show, “We’d both been watching ‘Step in Time’ from the movie, and I’m just in awe of Dick Van Dyke and the choreo and the characterization of it all. That was high praise, indeed! We had so much fun with this dance. It was hard: we had props, it was super quick, and it was super physical. But when we saw the set and we got into the costumes, and then after we got to watch it back, we were like, ‘Wow!’ We felt like we were on Broadway. It was a really special night for us.”

Because “Disney Week” is a rare two-night event—part of Dancing with the Stars’ milestone 30th season—that means each couple had to learn two dances in one week. No easy task! “I always start by asking myself: ‘What can Melanie do?’” Savchenko said. “She’s very athletic, so I thought, ‘OK, we should do a cartwheel. But can she do a one-handed cartwheel?’ It’s nice to show different sides of what she can do, from a Tango to a Foxtrot to a Cha Cha.” Audiences will get to see a different—and wickeder—side of Melanie C. on “Disney Villains” night, when she and Savchenko dance the Viennese Waltz to “Once Upon a Dream” from Maleficent. “What’s so exciting about our choice of Hero and Villain is that they are worlds apart,” Melanie C. explained. “All the fun and energy and uplifting of tonight, I really want to show the opposite of that tomorrow—the darkness and the moodiness and the drama. I’m equally excited about tomorrow, but in a very different way.”

Savchenko described their “Once Upon a Dream” routine as “dark, powerful, and sexy.” To choreograph and teach two dances in three days is “really hard,” he added, “but I’m excited to play two different characters and get into that zone.” He will play a dragon, while Melanie C. will dress up as Maleficent. “I think I got possibly the best two female characters you could ask for, right?” she said. “I’m really happy, and the song is beautiful. I’ve told my makeup artist I want to look like Angelina Jolie… she said she’ll do her best!”

Melanie C. will no doubt do her best, just as she’s done week after week. Although relocating to the U.S. to film Dancing with the Stars has been hard at times, she said, “I really wouldn’t change it for the world. I love the show. I’m such a big fan of the show here in the U.S. and the U.K. And also, I love being in America. America has been great to me and the Spice Girls; we always had so much fun working here. To be back is really special.”

Dancing with the Stars’ “Disney Villains” episode airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

20th Century Fox “Spooktacular” – 1970s: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

October 12, 2021October 13, 2021

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives

This film is for mature audiences.

Halloween is creeping up ever closer, and with the eerie flicker of jack-o’-lanterns lighting our way through a stormy evening, we are continuing our journey through some of the most “spooktacular” films from 20th Century Fox. What awaits us now is perhaps the grooviest of decades—the 1970s! We are shivering with antici…pation as we take a closer look at our next film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).

A creative and colorful musical homage to horror and science fiction films of days gone by, The Rocky Horror Picture Show opens with Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) declaring his love for the innocent Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon). Unfortunately for this newly engaged pair, their car breaks down, leaving them stranded on a stormy fall night.

In their quest for shelter, they stumble upon a foreboding castle where the glamourous, eccentric scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) is hosting the “Annual Transylvanian Convention.”

The other mysterious and strange guests of the convention include the sinister Riff Raff (Richard O’Brien), his sister Magenta (Patricia Quinn), and Columbia (“Little Nell,” aka Nell Campbell).

However, in the fine tradition of movie mad scientists, Dr. Frank-N-Furter has built his own monstrous creation: a tall, blond, muscular man he names Rocky.

After awakening, Rocky becomes smitten with Janet—and the resulting chaos and conflict affect all the film’s characters in life-altering ways.

The campy drama culminates with the climactic reveal of Riff Raff and Magenta as intergalactic interlopers from a distant planet in the galaxy of Transylvania, taking off in the castle-turned-spaceship.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show began its life in 1973 as an experimental stage production at the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs in London, eventually moving to King’s Road Theatre. The musical, with its book, lyrics, and music written by O’Brien, proved to be a hit with audiences, eventually touring the United States where producer Lou Adler secured the rights to adapt it into a film. O’Brien, Quinn, Campbell, and Curry all reprised their stage roles for the film, with Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick joining as new additions to the cast.

The character of Dr. Frank-N-Furter is perhaps the most compelling and iconic of them all, and in the production notes for the film, Curry stated that “[The character] has a very odd kind of appeal… He can go from doing something really outrageous and horrific to being deeply moving.” The outlandish and extravagant makeup, designed by Pierre Laroche, and the eclectic, creative costumes, by Sue Blane, worked in tandem to create Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s memorable looks. The Rocky Horror Picture Show initially had a limited release, but based on the rising success of late night screenings, 20th Century Fox began screening the film for regular midnight showings. Rocky Horror’s popularity exploded due to these presentations—and to this day, midnight showings remain ever present, with audiences dressing up as their favorite characters from this most camp “Science Fiction/Double Feature.” If you can, do the “Time Warp” and catch The Rocky Horror Picture Show, streaming on Hulu!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

October 11, 2021

By Zach Johnson

It’s “Disney Week” on Dancing with the Stars, and we can’t think of anything more fantastic than that! The two-night event begins Monday on ABC, and the couples will be back in the ballroom Tuesday. The National Hockey League (NHL) has returned to The Walt Disney Company after 17 years, and the opening night doubleheader will be simulcast Tuesday on ESPN and ESPN+. Also on Tuesday, ABC will present A Night in the Academy Museum, featuring a look at the incredible institution and interviews with Hollywood’s biggest stars. Then, on Wednesday, stream the season finale of the animated series Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life on Disney+, which will also debut the first season of the anthology series Just Beyond.

Dancing with the Stars—Monday, October 11, and Tuesday, October 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
We’re already tapping our toes in anticipation of the special two-night “Disney Week” event! The 13 remaining couples will perform numbers inspired by Disney Heroes on Monday, and the next night, the celebrities and their partners will perform Disney Villains-inspired routines. (ICYMI, we revealed the couples’ song titles and dance styles last week!)

NHL Opening Night Doubleheader—Tuesday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+
Live coverage of the NHL’s Opening Night will be highlighted by a history-making doubleheader, starting with two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning raising their 2020-21 Stanley Cup banner before hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins in Amalie Arena. The second game will feature the first ever regular season game for the Seattle Kraken, with the Golden Knights welcoming the NHL’s newest team to Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

A Night in the Academy Museum—Tuesday, October 12, at 10:01 p.m. ET on ABC
Oscar^® winners Laura Dern and Tom Hanks are inviting a few of their friends and colleagues to spend a night in the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The special gives fans an exclusive look at the largest institution in the United States dedicated to the arts and sciences of moviemaking. Annette Bening, Cher, Jon M. Chu, Geena Davis, Danny Glover, Eiza González, Emily V. Gordon, Aldis Hodge, Marsai Martin, Marlee Matlin, Melissa McCarthy, Kumail Nanjiani, Michelle Rodriguez, Jurnee Smollett, and Diane Warren will guide viewers through the halls of the institution as they explore the magic and artistry that has enlightened, enchanted, and entertained movie fans for more than 120 years.

Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life—Wednesday, October 13, on Disney+
Donald Duck gives us something to quack about in the season finale! First, in “Delivery Duck,” the chipmunks order food from Donald. Then, in “Dark in the Park,” Donald is stranded in the park at night. In “Choppin’ Dale,” Chip and Dale make a deal with Donald.

Just Beyond—Wednesday, October 13, on Disney+
Inspired by the writings of R.L. Stine, this eight-episode anthology series tells astonishing and thought-provoking stories of a reality just beyond the one we know. Each episode—“Leave Them Kids Alone,” “Parents Are from Mars, Kids Are from Venus,” “Which Witch,” “My Monster,” “Unfiltered,” “We’ve Got Spirits, Yes We Do,” “Standing Up for Yourself,” and “The Treehouse”—introduces new characters who must go on a surprising journey of self-discovery, set in a supernatural world of aliens, ghosts, parallel universes, and witches.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Create Your Best Disney Day When Disney Genie Launches October 19 at Walt Disney World Resort

October 8, 2021

By the D23 Team

We’re a little over a week into October, and already the month is full of magic! Last week, we joined Walt Disney World in kicking off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” with a special video podcast episode of D23 Inside Disney, celebrating 50 magical years of Walt Disney World Resort.

If that wasn’t enough, today our friends at Disney Parks Blog announced another milestone: The previously announced Disney Genie service will launch on October 19 at Walt Disney World Resort!

Available for all of our guests right in the My Disney Experience app, the complimentary Disney Genie service offers new features that let you create your best Disney day. Through Disney Genie, you can prioritize all your favorite parts of your Disney trip via a personalized itinerary creator that effortlessly and smartly maps out an entire day, so you can maximize the magic and make the most of your Walt Disney World vacation.

Much like your phone’s navigation app, Disney Genie is actively updating your itinerary based on changes in the parks throughout the day. Plus, you can adapt to your own needs! Need to go back to the hotel and take a nap? Want to make a side trip for a churro? Suddenly have the urge to ride Haunted Mansion an extra time? Disney Genie continues to update your itinerary, so you can stay spontaneous and go with the flow.

Disney Genie puts guests at the center of the experience by prioritizing ways to:

Reduce time in lines while keeping in mind your top picks
Pace your day with experiences you’ll enjoy—and haven’t already done yet
Build around your existing plans like dining reservations and Park Hopper® preferences

Disney Genie uses Disney’s 50+ years of knowledge and expertise in how guests visit the parks to make the experience better for everyone. To get a deeper dive into how the app was created, check out our exclusive interview with Disney Parks, Experiences and Products chairman Josh D’Amaro.

This launch also includes the introduction of the Lightning Lane entrance. Available for purchase through the Disney Genie+ add-on at more than 40 attractions—or individually, “a la carte” at some of the most highly demanded attractions—the Lightning Lane entrance can save you time waiting in line. Click here for a first look at the list of current attractions with Lightning Lane entrances and info on pricing.

As a reminder, attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue or from time to time, and a virtual queue may instead be used at select attractions—like right now at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT.

Prepare for the launch with all the information you need to know before you go at DisneyGenie.com. Disney Parks’ Guest Experience Team will also be available throughout all four theme parks to assist you, and be sure to head over to planDisney for expert tips from the panelists.

Disney Genie service will come at a later date for Disneyland Resort, so stay tuned to D23.com for more updates.

Build Your Own Disney Park in Disney Wonderful Worlds

October 8, 2021

By the D23 Team

Looking for a way to experience Disney magic on-the-go? Top game developers Ludia and Jam City have teamed up with Disney to create Disney Wonderful Worlds, a colorful decoration Match-3 puzzle game, now available for download through the App Store and Google Play. This magical game allows players to experience a unique storyline while customizing their very own Disney-inspired theme park. Here are some of the features we’re most excited to see:

Collect Classic Characters
Minnie Mouse and friends will aid you on your journey as you solve challenging puzzles and unlock iconic attractions. Collect other beloved Disney and Pixar characters as you discover their associated worlds, such as Jasmine in Adventureland, Rex in Toy Story Land, and—of course—Mickey Mouse on Main Street.

Personalize Your Park
Over 100 Disney decorations, characters, and attractions are just waiting to be unlocked! Customize your own Disney Park, decorate iconic themed lands, and upgrade your attractions as you play. You can even celebrate the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary Celebration in-game with limited-time EARidescent decorations and collectibles!

Solve Over 300 Puzzles
Disney Wonderful Worlds has launched with 300 challenging Match-3 puzzles for you to complete, with new levels added weekly. Sharpen your puzzle-solving skills as you experience iconic Disney Parks moments from the comfort of home!

Can’t wait to play? Players can download Disney Wonderful Worlds NOW from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Fun for Kids, Tweens, and Teens Aboard the Disney Wish —Plus More in News Briefs

October 8, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Disney Cruise Line Invites Kids, Tweens, and Teens into Imaginative New Worlds

The experiences on board Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, are truly second-to-none—and now we know a little more about the amazing fun awaiting kids, tweens, and teens!

Star Wars: Cargo Bay is a first-of-its-kind immersive experience that places kids in the important role of creature handlers as they learn to manage a mischievous menagerie of exotic beings from across the galaxy—including a porg, a Loth-cat, a worrt, and more. Throughout the length of the cruise, they’ll use augmented reality-enabled datapads to track and study the creatures on a series of special assignments. But there’s more to this job than meets the dianoga eye: The new crew will actually be joining an important mission to deliver a pair of secret stowaways, Rey and Chewbacca, back to the Resistance!

Meanwhile, Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck is specially designed for the youngest sailors at Disney’s Oceaneer Club… it’s a nautical playground inspired by the colors, icons, and magic of Disney Cruise Line. This brand-new space will be filled with a plethora of maritime-themed physical and sensory-style games and activities, including pipe slides and crawl-throughs; ship’s wheels; “busy boxes” fashioned as ship controls; and cushy life preserver seating areas.

And for the first time on a Disney ship, there’s a third club for tweens and teens: The Hideaway—a posh, colorful hangout with a dance floor and DJ booth that’s the perfect setting for dance competitions and some awesome karaoke!

For more information on what the younger folk in your family can expect on a Disney Wish cruise, check out this rundown by our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog—and don’t miss the latest kids-themed installment of Disney Parks’ “Designing the Disney Wish” YouTube series, above.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

If you’re not planning approximately 47 back-to-back viewings of Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+ over the next 72 hours like we are (that might be a slight exaggeration but… not really), there’s plenty of other fun to look forward to from around the worlds of Disney—including an all-new episode of ABC’s Shark Tank; a Halloween-themed Big City Greens special on Disney Channel; and lots more.

American Born Chinese Coming to Disney+

Earlier this week, Disney+ announced a sure-to-be-fantastic new series based on a popular graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang.

American Born Chinese is a genre-hopping action-comedy that follows Jin Wang—an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his immigrant home life. When he meets a new foreign student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods. The show takes a hilariously adventurous look at issues of identity, culture, and family.

“When I was in high school, I was such a big Disney fan that I had at least one Mickey Mouse item on me at all times: a wallet, a watch, a belt buckle, a T-shirt, something. Being a part of Disney+ is a dream come true,” Luen Yang recently said.

Destin Daniel Cretton, fresh off directing Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, is set to direct and executive produce American Born Chinese for 20th Television. Written and executive produced by Emmy® Award winner Kelvin Yu and Charles Yu, American Born Chinese is also executive produced by Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan, Asher Goldstein, and Luen Yang. Stay tuned for more info on the series in the coming months.

**“Dancing with the Stars – Live Tour 2022” Hits the Road This January!**

Celebrating its banner 30th season, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is kicking off a brand-new nationwide tour in just a few months’ time!

“Dancing with the Stars – Live Tour 2022” launches January 7 in Richmond, Virginia, with an all-new production featuring fan-fave professional dancers performing all of the breathtaking dance styles seen on the hit series. The tour, like its earlier counterparts, will include showstopping routines from the TV show alongside new numbers choreographed specifically for the live production—ranging from time-honored dances like the Quickstep and Foxtrot to sizzling Latin styles like the Cha Cha, Salsa, and Tango. In this year’s state-of-the-art production, audiences will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the glitz and glamour they see in the ballroom every Monday night live in their hometowns.

The cast is set feature Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Artem Chigvintsev, Sasha Farber, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, and Britt Stewart—with more surprise casting to be announced. Tickets are now on sale; visit DWTSTour.com for the full list of dates and cities, and to purchase your own ticket to the festive, foot-tapping fun!

Bite Size Halloween Short Films Set to Thrill on Hulu, Freeform, and FX

Get into the spooky spirit with season two of 20th Digital Studio’s Bite Size Halloween, a short film series that ranges from horror comedy to psychological thrillers and everything in between. Created by up-and-coming filmmakers, these films are now available to stream on Hulu and will screen across other platforms including Freeform and FX, as well as Hulu’s Huluween platform hub and YouTube channel.

Bite Size Halloween 2021 features 18 emerging filmmakers representing a broad spectrum of styles, identities, countries, and backgrounds. Through both horror and comedy, these shorts take on timely issues such as race, gender, motherhood, beauty, sexuality, the environment, and workplace safety. But that’s not the only cool thing about it: The long-term goal of 20th Digital Studio’s short film programs is to continue to guide and finance the growth of these artists’ careers and to transition some of the shorts into longer features. In fact, 20th Digital is currently shooting its first feature developed in this way, expected to debut on Hulu in 2022!

Among the participants in this year’s Bite Size Halloween are three Academy Award® nominees; an alum of Disney’s Launchpad Shorts program; and two Toronto International Film Festival award winners.

ICYMI: Halloween Frightful Favorites with the Stars of Muppets Haunted Mansion

Ever wanted to know about Pepé the King Prawn’s fave thing to give away to Halloween trick-or-treaters? Or the best trick Miss Piggy ever played on someone? Hear about all that and more in our latest fa-boo-lous video, in which we chat all things All Hallows Eve with the stars of the Muppets’ first-ever Halloween special!