Get Ready for Disney Uncharted Adventure Aboard the Disney Wish

August 19, 2021

By Courtney Potter

The latest ship to join the Disney Cruise Line family, the Disney Wish, has already revealed itself to be positively chockablock with truly amazing features—from breathtaking design to memorable dining adventures; from incredible staterooms to unique character interactions and dazzling live shows… and everything in between. And just this morning, our friends at Disney Cruise Line announced a first-of-its-kind, all-new interactive experience to debut aboard the ship: Disney Uncharted Adventure!

Combining imagination, technology, and the magic of a wishing star, Disney Uncharted Adventure takes classic storytelling into an all-new realm of immersive family fun—leading guests on a multidimensional voyage, into the worlds of iconic Disney and Pixar characters, from bow to stern and even beyond the stars. Designed for families to play together, this fantastical journey will be a brand-new way to explore and experience the enchantment of a Disney cruise ship. Check out the latest episode of “Designing the Disney Wish” for a special inside look:

“With the Disney Wish, we have an incredible opportunity to immerse our guests in the worlds of their favorite stories in surprising, interactive, and completely unique new ways,” says Davey Feder, software product manager, Walt Disney Imagineering. “With Disney Uncharted Adventure, we’re literally putting the power in our guests’ hands to become the heroes of a grand adventure that can only be done on a Disney cruise.”

Using the Play Disney Parks app—and with some help from their guides, Captain Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse!—guests sailing on the Disney Wish will transform their mobile devices into an enchanted spyglass, a tool that allows them to magically set sail for the worlds of Moana, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Finding Nemo, and more. This spyglass will be their key to unlocking adventures, solving puzzles, conquering quests, and ultimately saving the day.

“While guests will need a mobile device to play, this isn’t a traditional mobile gaming experience,” Feder explains. “This is a ‘heads-up,’ active experience that can be played with family and friends. The magic will happen all around the ship. The spyglass is not where the adventure takes place—it’s just the tool that brings the ship to life, opening portals into new worlds and allowing guests to interact with them.”

Adventure Awaits
The fun begins before guests even set sail! Leading up to a cruise on the Disney Wish, the app will reveal a special greeting from Captain Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse, who will help guests prepare for the journey ahead by highlighting the important role of the night sky in seafaring—particularly the ever-shining wishing star that lights the way. Then, once on board, guests will use their spyglasses to reveal never-before-seen views of the stars above, where enchanted constellations take shape as recognizable icons from Disney and Pixar stories. When the wishing star suddenly bursts and shatters, families will watch as its pieces are scattered across the sky, each landing in a far-off realm. But never fear! You’ll be tasked by Captain Minnie to help navigate the ship to these uncharted worlds to find those missing pieces of the wishing star…

Guests themselves will choose where to go next, charting a course toward iconic, adventurous locales such as Motunui, New Orleans, Never Land, Sydney, and so much more. Each quest will take them on an expansive journey throughout the Disney Wish as they are prompted to seek artwork, signs, and props that magically transform to bring the characters and settings of these story worlds to life all around them.

Magical Moments
“We are infusing the Disney Wish with innovative technology, like augmented reality and physical effects, to create a hidden layer of magic that can only be unlocked with Disney Uncharted Adventure,” says Feder. “Guests might admire a beautiful painting today without realizing that, hiding right beneath the surface, there’s a hoard of mischievous Kakamora from the world of Moana just waiting to escape and wreak havoc on the ship. A digital menu board might showcase what’s for lunch in the afternoon, but later it will host a cooking lesson in Tiana’s own kitchen.”

Along the way, guests will join the heroic characters who inhabit each destination on a mission to find the wishing star fragments that have landed there… You might find yourself teaming up with Moana to navigate canoes beyond the reef; helping Tiana cook up the perfect pot of her father’s favorite gumbo; summoning Tinker Bell to give the Disney Wish an extra dash of pixie dust; or even making an epic dive into the East Australian Current (EAC) with Nemo and friends!

The adventure culminates in a fantastical grand finale hosted in one of the ship’s premier entertainment venues. During this live interactive experience, guests will gather with other players to battle an infamous Disney villain—one who’s been pulling the strings all along—and finally restore the wishing star to its rightful place in the sky.

Disney Uncharted Adventure is being developed with flexibility, “replayability,” and customization in mind. Guests will be in charge of their own adventure, choosing when and how to play. Some guests may not complete every quest but can still enjoy the finale event… others may choose to play again and again, only to discover new surprises and rewards each time! And best of all? Families can play together, in several different ways: on up to six different devices at once, or as a team on one or two devices at a time.

More details about Disney Uncharted Adventure will be announced at a later date. As for the Disney Wish itself, it sails its maiden voyage—a five-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay—on June 9, 2022, followed by an inaugural season of three- and four-night cruises to the same destinations from Port Canaveral, Florida. Bookings are now open; for more info, visit disneycruise.com!

Meet the Characters of the Most Magical Kingdom

August 19, 2021August 19, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

We’re less than 50 days away from the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, and to help ring in that golden milestone, we’re taking a look at some of the iconic characters of Walt Disney World. Today, we’re celebrating five characters from Magic Kingdom Park that are featured in our limited edition “Most Magical Kingdom” pin set, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members. Read on to get to know these beloved characters who’ve helped put the “magic” in Magic Kingdom throughout the years.

Peg Leg Parrot from Pirates of the Caribbean
Piracy and parrots have a treasure trove of history together, so it’s only natural that this buccaneer bird would make his perch outside Magic Kingdom’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction for many years, before briefly nesting inside the World of Disney store in Disney Springs. In his jaunty pirate hat, boasting a peg leg and rugged tattoo, the Peg Leg Parrot has become an icon synonymous with the beloved version of the attraction at Magic Kingdom.

The Peg Leg Parrot was a “barker bird,” inspired by carnival barkers who would call out to patrons to entice them into attractions. The first instance of a “barker bird” was a parrot perched outside of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland Resort, who would squawk while guests walked, announcing what wonders were in store if guests stopped to watch the show. Similarly, the Peg Leg Parrot sat outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Magic Kingdom, promising swashbuckling adventure to passerby. While we can no longer visit the Peg Leg Parrot at Walt Disney World Resort, he’s been immortalized in our pin set, still dressed in his buccaneer best.

Bubbles from The Country Bear Jamboree
One of the three little Sun Bonnets from the sunshine state, Bubbles has been performing in a trio with her fellow Sun Bonnets—Bunny and Beulah—since Walt Disney World opened in 1971. The talented trio is part of the roster of musicians and singers shaking up the stage of Grizzly Hall at Magic Kingdom’s Country Bear Jamboree, an Audio-Animatronic^® show that serves up a dose of Americana and country music to park guests every day.

Bubbles, voiced by singer Loulie Jean Norman, performs with the Sun Bonnets to sing and dance to the ditty “All the Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down” before returning to the stage in the finale for a rousing, all-cast rendition of “Ole Slew Foot.” She and her fellow Sun Bonnets are known for wearing, well, a blue sun bonnet—which is included in her design in the pin set. If you can’t bear to stop learning about Country Bear Jamboree, check out this spotlight article from our friends at Walt Disney Archives, which dives into the history of the Country Bear Jamboree soundtrack and vinyl record.

Sea Serpent from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
What’s long, green, and has giant googly eyes? Why, it’s the fearsome sea serpent from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction at Magic Kingdom! While he’s more goofy than gruesome, this sea serpent was one of the many wonders guests could observe while adventuring through “liquid space” in submarines inspired by Captain Nemo’s Nautilus from the film version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Making his home in the lost city of Atlantis, the Sea Serpent was tended to by friendly mermaids while he relaxed amongst the ruins—and startled intrepid submarine captains! Don’t let his goofy visage lull you into a false sense of security, because the next stop on your voyage is a run-in with the terrifying giant squid!

While the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction is no longer voyaging at Magic Kingdom, the beloved Sea Serpent lives on in our pin set.

Red Demon from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
From his devilish grin to his wicked wings, the Red Demon from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride has captured the imagination of Disney fans everywhere. A key character in the surreal finale of the attraction, the Red Demon appeared multiple times throughout the final scene as you zip through “The Inferno” in your motorcar before finally re-emerging into the safety of Toad Hall.

While you can no longer visit Toad Hall at Magic Kingdom, sharp-eyed fans can spot many toad-ally awesome tributes to the attraction, including a ghoulishly delightful detail by Haunted Mansion—plus, the Red Demon carries on his mischief as part of our pin set.

Maestro Mickey from The Mickey Mouse Revue
When Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, guests could sit down and enjoy an enchanting concert featuring musical performances from Audio Animatronic® versions of favorite Disney characters, all conducted by the leader of the club himself, Mickey Mouse! Maestro Mickey led the show—featuring performances by Snow White, Alice, the Three Caballeros, and more—until 1980, when The Mickey Mouse Revue moved to Tokyo Disneyland to perform for guests when that park opened in 1983. While the show gave its final performance at Tokyo in 2005, guests can still spot the Three Caballeros singing and samba-ing in the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros at EPCOT; you can read more about how the historic Audio Animatronics® made their return to Walt Disney World here. Maestro Mickey continues his conducting in his new pin form, joining the rest of these beloved characters in our “Most Magical Kingdom” pin set.

Now that you’ve gotten to know these silly, scaley, and sometimes spooky characters of Magic Kingdom, make sure to check out the “Most Magical Kingdom” pin set to bring these friendly faces home. Not a Gold Member yet? Join today to get the complimentary 2021 D23 Gold Member Collector Set, celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney World. Character connoisseurs will be delighted to discover the Collector Set includes a D23-exclusive pin set featuring five more Walt Disney World Resort characters!

Star Wars Props and Costumes Arrive at the Walt Disney Archives

August 18, 2021

By Jim Frye

These are the props you’re looking for.

The Walt Disney Archives recently received multiple large trailers full of significant props—more than 3,000 actually—from the most recent Star Wars films, beginning with 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and including The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One, and Solo. “The containers are full of costumes, props, and set decorations that were actually used during pre-production and filming, and the vast majority appear on screen,” says Rick Lorentz, acquisitions manager, Walt Disney Archives. “Among the collection are a full-size X-wing starfighter, an A-wing, and the cockpit set of the Millennium Falcon.” Aside from the films, most of these items have rarely—if ever—been seen, aside from the occasional Star Wars Celebration or D23 Expo. The 2019 D23 Expo featured an impressive retrospective called “The Evolution of the Stormtrooper,” which included the wildly popular Sith stormtrooper featured in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the final film in the Skywalker saga.

Keeping track of this otherworldly collection and making sure it safely arrives at its new home at the Walt Disney Archives is not an easy task. And with Dok-Ondar busy tending to his own collectibles and creatures in his Den of Antiquities at Black Spire Outpost (part of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts), the job of overseeing this collection transition falls on Madlyn Moskowitz, the Lucasfilm collections & exhibitions archivist. As custodian of the stolen plans, er… Star Wars props, artifacts, and costumes, Moskowitz is herself also making the journey from a galaxy far, far away to join the Walt Disney Archives. “I’m very excited to join,” she says. “I’ll be part of the research team, working directly with Kevin Kern. I’ll be a good point of contact for all things Lucasfilm.”

In addition to the thousands of props already sent to the Archives, all future Lucasfilm live-action productions will likely yield additional treasures for collection. But with such a vast (and expanding!) galaxy to explore, how does the Archives team determine what to keep? “In deciding what items we collect and preserve, we want to represent the creative process and the story itself,” says Moskowitz. She says archivists look at the costumes that represent the main characters or any number of creatures who have been prominently featured in the films or, more recently, on the Disney+ live actions series The Mandalorian. “I definitely have an unusual job!” she says.

It might seem a gargantuan task to adequately preserve the touchpoints and important props of one of the most significant film franchises in motion picture history, but for now, Moskowitz and the rest of the team are excited to finally bring these items to the Walt Disney Archives. Luke’s X-wing. The Falcon’s seating area. And all those droids! Suddenly, they’re not so “far, far away” anymore. And we can’t wait to see them!

Here’s a gallery of some of these unique items that have dropped out of hyperspace into the Burbank area:

EXCLUSIVE: Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro Details What Guests Can Expect from Disney Genie

August 18, 2021August 19, 2021

By Jeffrey Epstein

Today, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products announced a new tool to make planning easier, more flexible, and more fun at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts: Disney Genie. D23 has all the details on Disney Genie, which will live within the Disneyland and My Disney Experience apps. We had the opportunity to get a deeper dive with Disney Parks, Experiences and Products chairman Josh D’Amaro, who provided D23 with even more of what fans need to know.

Can you talk about the idea for Disney Genie and why it will be a great tool for Disney fans?
There is nothing more important, obviously, than our fans—and particularly our super fans. What I want to make sure people know is that this is better. This is going to be a better experience for all of our guests. One of the things that was important to us as we embarked upon this transformation in the theme park space is that we took input from our fans and from our super fans. That input has resulted in where we are headed. Genie is a tool that I’m very bullish about and know will materially improve the guest experience. What our guests have asked for and what our fans have asked for is simplicity, to be able to plan easier, with more flexibility… and this is what we are going to deliver. Genie lives on your phone; it’s an app that will live within the existing Disneyland and My Disney Experience apps this fall when it launches. And you are basically telling Genie what you are specifically interested in, whether you’re with young kids or a bunch of friends and you’re interested in kids attractions or princesses or superheroes. Genie is going to take all the input and tell you, “This is what you should do and how you can have the most fun possible in a Disney park.” That’s game changing. It takes all the pressure off you to create a spreadsheet and think, What do I do now? What do I do next? It’s all right there. Not only is it all right there, but if you decide that you’ve changed what you’re interested in or what you want to do when you’re there, Genie can get to work in the background to do that for you. That relieves pressure to make sure you’re maximizing your time. I think that changes everything. We are taking more than 60 years of experience and data and applying artificial intelligence on top of that. And now you’ve got a tool that is game changing.

And Genie+ is within Disney Genie…
If you want to be even more flexible and have more convenience, there’s Genie+. The easiest way to think about this is MaxPass at Disneyland, which I think as the D23 fans know, was highly successful and highly adopted. You can think of Disney Genie+ as the next evolution of MaxPass across our parks. It’s super easy and convenient. And above and beyond that, there are some attractions that use the Lightning Lane queue—which you can purchase individually—which is the ultimate in flexibility. Think about Rise of the Resistance as an example. It’s a highly demanded attraction. Guests show up in the morning and they try to get into the virtual queue. We get as many people on there as we can, but inevitably someone is disappointed. Now there’s another option on top of the virtual queue so if Rise of the Resistance is the reason you’re at Disneyland or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there may be an option for you to purchase Rise of the Resistance. So again: flexibility, optionality, better guest experience overall.

There are some great new tools for guests in Genie such as forecasting wait times and fun ways to plan your day, and there are a lot of elements that guests already enjoyed, such as current wait times, MaxPass (for Disneyland), and mobile order. Why did it make sense to put this all under the Genie banner?
First of all, coming out of this COVID era, we had an opportunity to create a completely new ecosystem and experiential suite of products, and we want them to all work together. We have the benefit of taking advantage of these learnings we have and products we have had. And we wanted to make sure it was comprehensive and complete—that it wasn’t piecemeal. So that’s why it comes under the Disney Genie ecosystem. It gives guests and fans an amazing amount of flexibility and it’s all simple; it’s all right there. If I don’t want to engage at all, I don’t have to. If I just want to engage in Disney Genie, I have everything, and my experience is improved. If I want to engage with Disney Genie+, it’s right there integrated. And if I want to use a [à la carte] Lightning Lane, it’s right there, as well. It was important to us that it be seamless, integrated, and flexible. So that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing under the Genie banner.

For fans, hearing all of this is a lot of new information. What do you say to the guest who hears this and is overwhelmed?
Number one, our focus is on a better guest experience. So we started with that premise. Change, particularly with Disney and our super fans, is hard to take in. Experience, though, suggests that when we introduce these new products, like MaxPass, we markedly improve the guest experience. We are operating in the best interest of our super fans. This Disney Genie suite of products will make the experience better. Change is not simple, but we will be in a better position once this is introduced to market.

Can you give us a little insight into the decision to have some Lightning Lane attractions be à la carte and some included in Genie+?
We’re trying to make sure we have ultimate flexibility in allowing our fans to cater their experiences as they see fit. Some attractions are in more demand than others, so what we wanted to do was create a mix within that ecosystem whether it be with Disney Genie+ or Lightning Lane individually.

Why is Genie+ at Walt Disney World $15 and $20 at Disneyland?
When we went into the pandemic, at Disneyland MaxPass was priced at $20, and we know that was working well. So we are starting with Genie+ at $20. At Walt Disney World, the product is just coming in so it’s new for a lot of our fans. We also know that the length of stay at Walt Disney World is longer. So we’re thinking about pricing as related to all those factors.

In the before-time, guests at Walt Disney World could book their Fast Passes in advance while guests at Disneyland would book through Max Pass or get a FASTPASS on the day the go to the park. How did the team decide to stick with day-of planning for both resorts?
What our guests were telling us was that they wanted more simplicity and spontaneity. They wanted it to be a more convenient tool for them. We’ve done that with the Genie suite of products, so you don’t need to be scrambling and worried. Let the tool do the work for you. And then, show up and enjoy yourself. It’s that idea of simplicity that we love at Disney, and it’s what our fans told us they want. So this applies perfectly to Walt Disney World.

What would be the day Josh D’Amaro would ask Disney Genie to plan for him?
I love everything Disney. So if I went into Genie, I would be looking for a comprehensive day that gives me the classics, some of the cutting-edge attractions that cut across franchises. I would be looking for that whole Disney day. I would certainly buy Disney Genie+ because I would want that added convenience. And there would be some special attractions I’d want to make sure I get on. Rise of the Resistance would be one of those for me!

Wish Granted! Disney Genie Service Will Plan Your Perfect Day at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021

By the D23 Team

This fall, the Disney Genie is coming out of the lamp and making magic at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. As first revealed during the Parks and Resorts panel at D23 Expo 2019, Disney Genie is a complimentary and convenient new digital service designed to create your best Disney day. Wishing planning was easier? Wishing for more flexibility? Wishing for better tools to help you make the most of your visit? You’ve never had a friend like Disney Genie, who is here to make all of that happen—and more! This cool new technology will guide you through your favorite Disney parks with all the expert tips and magic moments that help take the guesswork out of “what’s next.”

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, shares more about this new technology: “Disney Genie listens to the preferences that guests share with us to help design their best day and deliver an experience that’s made just for them. Pairing incredible technology with more than 60 years of expertise about how our guests visit the parks, Disney Genie will personalize their Disney day, allowing guests to spend less time planning and waiting and more time doing the things they love.”

Here’s what the Disney Genie can do for you:

Personalized itinerary planning
Continually updated tip board
Forecasted future wait times for attractions
Virtual assistant
Mobile order
Restaurant wait list, check-in, and reservations
Attraction virtual queues (available at certain attractions)

There’s no lamp needed for this Genie. Just open your phone for the magic to start! Disney Genie is built right into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, so all your tools for a most magical day are contained all in one place! When you call on the Disney Genie, get ready for your Disney day to be one you’ll remember forever. It includes a personalized itinerary feature that will quickly and seamlessly map out an entire day for you, from the attractions you don’t want to miss to the food you’ve been craving. Want an intergalactic Star Wars-centered day? Hoping to have a royally awesome, princess-filled day? Just tell Disney Genie what you want to do, and it will do the planning for you.

Want to learn more about the features? Consider your wish granted:

Get Itinerary Updates from Morning to Night: Disney Genie will continue to update your itinerary throughout your day, so you can be more spontaneous and go with the flow.
Find Your Favorites at a Glance: Create your very own personal tip board to instantly see your favorites. It will display current AND forecasted future wait times, helping you predict when you might experience quicker entry to attractions.
Enjoy More Flexibility and Fun: Disney Genie brings existing planning features together in one place. Join a virtual queue at certain attractions, make dining and experience reservations, mobile order food at many locations, get help from a virtual assistant, and more.

For even more convenience and flexibility, there are two other options for enjoying Disney theme parks, through a queue called the Lightning Lane entrance that also saves you time in line:

Disney Genie+ service (available for purchase): For the price of $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort, choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences using the Lightning Lane entrance. You can make one selection at a time, throughout the day—from classics like Haunted Mansion to thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and newer favorites like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (attractions subject to limited availability). This convenient option is the next evolution of the fan-favorite Disney MaxPass service from Disneyland Resort. Disney Genie+ will also include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories—augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort and unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from your day if you are visiting Disneyland Resort.
Individual attraction selections (available for purchase): Schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance—such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure Park, subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+). Pricing will vary by date, attraction, and park.

Disney Genie+ will allow guests to choose the next available arrival window for the Lightning Lane entrance at more than 40 attractions at Walt Disney World Resort and at more than 15 attractions at Disneyland Resort. Guests can choose one attraction selection at a time, throughout the entire day (subject to limited availability).

Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit and can be used across multiple theme parks, great for those who love the Park Hopper option. Attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue, or a virtual queue at certain attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to maximize flexibility.

While the FASTPASS, FastPass+, and Disney MaxPass services will be retired, we’re incredibly excited about the flexibility and choices Disney Genie service provides. You can choose from all of our new options, a mix of them or none at all, and continue to have a great experience no matter how you decide to plan your best Disney day.

Disney Parks are also making some enhancements to our Disability Access Service (DAS) program, including new options to enroll in the program pre-arrival and for DAS participants to select arrival windows for attractions directly in the app. These options will be available in addition to our existing, in-person DAS program. Visit our Services for Guests with Disabilities page on DisneyWorld.com and Disneyland.com for more details.

Visit DisneyWorld.com/DisneyGenie and Disneyland.com/DisneyGenie for more details on Disney Genie, and keep checking D23.com for future updates.

Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s Legacy in Marvel Studios’ What If…?

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021

By Zach Johnson

In the second episode of Marvel Studios’ animated series What If…?, now streaming on Disney+, the late Chadwick Boseman reprises his role as T’Challa. The actor originated the role in the live-action feature film Captain America: Civil War (2016). He returned for Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), but What If…? marks the first time Boseman voiced the character in an animated project. Sadly, it also marks the last time the actor got to bring T’Challa to life before his tragic passing last year.

“He was so gracious,” executive producer Brad Winderbaum tells D23. “We were so fortunate to have him record for the series. He reprises his role as T’Challa in at least four episodes, in different versions of the character reimagined because of the different states of the universe. We had no idea at the time, when he was recording with us, that this would be his final performance as the character. It is such an honor to have had him record, to have his presence in the show. His performance has the same depth and the same impact that it does in live action; he elevates the material in an incredible way. We’re so humbled.”

In Wednesday’s episode of What If…?, T’Challa, the young prince of Wakanda, is accidentally abducted by Yondu (voiced by Michael Rooker) and becomes a Ravager. Known as Star-Lord throughout the galaxy, his reputation precedes him… which comes in handy when he crosses paths with the likes of Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin), Nebula (voiced by Karen Gillan), and Korath the Pursuer (voiced by Djimon Hounsou), to name just a few. “T’Challa is interesting because he’s not a character who arcs himself,” head writer and executive producer AC Bradley said during the recent virtual press conference for What If…?. “He’s a character who changes the world around him. He doesn’t go through a transformation; he transforms the world. So, how would T’Challa transform outer space?”

Director and executive producer Bryan Andrews said he was eager to work with Boseman on what would ultimately be the actor’s final performance as T’Challa. “It was amazing,” he recalled. “We only got a moment, because our episodes are so short compared to everyone who was able to enjoy his presence on Black Panther or even on Civil War. We had him for a moment to do our thing, and we’re so grateful for it. He was one of the first actors to sign on and say, ‘Oh, yeah! I’m going to do that voice.’ We were so excited because we really, really wanted to work with Chadwick, and we love Black Panther.”

Jeffrey Wright, who voices The Watcher, said he met Boseman several years ago at Comic-Con and had hoped to work with him ever since. “It was a lovely surprise to find out that we would have the opportunity to at least be in the same space with What If…?,” said Wright. “This being his last performance, I find that very moving.”

Stream all new episodes of What If…? exclusively on Disney+.

Every Major Announcement from Disney Branded Television at the TCA Summer Press Tour, from Under Wraps to Two Holiday Movies Starring Mickey Mouse

August 18, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Save the date for some epic holiday programming!

Today, Disney Branded Television unveiled its fall and winter premiere dates for new original movies and series on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Halloween and Christmas will come early this year when two Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs), Under Wraps and Christmas Again, debut October 1 and December 3, respectively. The animated series The Ghost and Molly McGee, exploring the unlikely friendship between an eternally optimistic girl and a grumpy ghost, will debut October 1. That’s not all! Mickey will bring the holiday fun to Disney Junior with two new movies, Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches and Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas, airing October 7 and December 2, respectively.

In addition, Emmy® Award-nominated writer and producer Travis Braun has extended his overall deal to develop and produce both animated and live-action content across linear and streaming platforms for Disney Branded Television. He has a live-action DCOM in development, and Disney Junior has greenlit Pupstruction, a new series for preschoolers.

Finally, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, which follows the adventures of Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, and Miles Morales, has been renewed for season two by Disney Junior!

Read on for all the details on the movies and series:

Under Wraps—Friday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
The contemporary comedic remake of the 1997 Halloween classic of the same name follows three 12-year-old friends, Marshall (Malachi Barton), Gilbert (Christian J. Simon), and Amy (Sophia Hammons). They happen upon and awaken a mummy (Phil Wright), which they affectionately name Harold, and must rush to return him to his resting place before midnight on Halloween. Along the way, the team narrowly escapes a nefarious group of criminals intent on selling the mummy to the highest bidder. When Harold is inevitably captured, Marshall, Gilbert and Amy must band together to stand up to the criminals, face their fears and rescue their new—but rather “ancient”—friend. Also starring are Melanie Brook as Buzzy, Brent Stait as Kubot, Jordana Largy as Diane, Jaime M. Callica as Ted and Karin Konoval as Ravensworth. Produced by MarVista Entertainment, Under Wraps is directed by Alex Zamm with Todd Y. Murata and Fernando Szew as executive producers for MarVista Entertainment. Based on the original movie written by Don Rhymer, the writing team for the remake is Zamm and William Robertson.

The Ghost and Molly McGee—Friday, October 1, at 9:35 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
The animated buddy-comedy follows tween optimist Molly (voiced by Ashly Burch), who lives to make the world a better place, and grumpy ghost Scratch (voiced by Dana Snyder), whose job is to spread misery. When one of Scratch’s curses backfires, he finds himself forever bound to Molly. A production of Disney Television Animation, the series was created by Emmy® Award-winning writing and producing duo Bill Motz and Bob Roth, who both serve as executive producers alongside Emmy Award winner Steve Loter. Britta Reitman serves as producer.

Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches—Thursday, October 7, on Disney Junior
On Halloween, Mickey tells Pluto a story about two witches-in-training, Minnie the Wonderful and Daisy Doozy, who must pass four tests to graduate from the Witch Academy in Happy Haunt Hills. While Daisy isn’t confident about passing, she and Minnie join forces, along with Count Mickula and the gang, to defeat a mischievous ghost. Minnie and Daisy learn that working together makes their magic and their friendship stronger. Rob LaDuca and Mark Seidenberg are executive producers. The movie is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas—Thursday, December 2, on Disney Junior
After a series of mishaps, Mickey, Minnie and the gang are separated all over the world and must try to get back to Hot Dog Hills by Christmas Eve. A mysterious and jolly stranger shows up to tell them about The Wishing Star, which could be the secret to bringing everybody home in time to celebrate together. LaDuca and Seidenberg are executive producers. The movie is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Christmas Again—Friday, December 3, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
Disney fan-favorite Scarlett Estevez stars as Rowena “Ro,” a high-spirited teenager experiencing a lackluster Christmas. Ro isn’t handling her parents’ divorce well because she wants her life back the way it was: her parents back together, her dad’s new girlfriend and son out of the picture, and their family traditions to remain the same. After a disappointing celebration with her family, including her sister Gabriela “Gabby” (Ashlyn Jade Lopez), Abuela Sofia (Priscilla Lopez) and Abuelo Hector (Tony Amendola), she makes a wish to a neighborhood Santa for a “do-over” and unexpectedly finds herself reliving Christmas day over and over … and over again. Now, in order to break the strange magical loop, Ro must learn to appreciate her loving family as it is, as well as the true meaning of Christmas.

Also starring are Daniel Sunjata as Mike and Alexis Carra as Carolina, Ro’s parents; Beth Lacke as Mike’s girlfriend, Diane; and Gary Anthony Williams as Santa. Christmas Again is directed by Andy Fickman and written by Doan La. Fickman also serves as an executive producer with long-time producing partner Betsy Sullenger.

Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends Greenlit for Season Two
A sophomore season of Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, the first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, has been greenlit into production after its impressive debut on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and DisneyNOW earlier this month. The first seven episodes will be available Wednesday, September 22, on Disney+, and new episodes will continue to roll out Fridays on Disney Channel (9 a.m. ET/PT) and Disney Junior (12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming and general manager, Disney Junior, said, “After just a week and a half into the launch of Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, we are already seeing how well the series is resonating with preschoolers and their families. With this season two order, we’re excited to continue our collaboration with Marvel and bring even more stories of friendship and cooperation, and of course, exciting adventures with Team Spidey, to our young audience.”

“The premiere of Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends has been a seminal moment in our journey to bring Marvel’s stories to preschool audiences,” said Dan Buckley, president of Marvel Entertainment. “Spider-Man has always been a character to break new ground for Marvel in every medium, so we’re thrilled Peter, Gwen and Miles are resonating with so many fans. We can’t wait to continue bringing that joy and experience to young kids and their families with a second season.”

Disney Sets New Overall Deal with Travis Braun, Greenlights New Series Pupstruction
Travis Braun has extended his overall deal with Disney to develop and produce both animated and live-action content across linear and streaming platforms for Disney Branded Television. The deal also includes a first look at any of Braun’s projects for other Disney-owned platforms, including additional streaming and theatrical releases. Additionally, Pupstruction, a new series from Braun for the preschool audience, has been given a greenlight for Disney Junior, and a Disney Channel Original Movie is also in development.

Braun said, “I’m thrilled to continue to call Disney my home and bring imaginative, new worlds to life under the thoughtful leadership of Peter Rice, Gary Marsh, Joe D’Ambrosia, Ayo Davis and their teams. We share a passion for telling rich stories that matter to audiences around the world in the way that Disney’s content always has. It is truly a privilege to help write this next chapter of the magic that I grew up on.”

Braun’s newest project for Disney Junior, Pupstruction, follows the adventures of the world’s first all-dog construction company, Pupstruction. It centers on Phinny, an innovative young corgi, who might be the smallest pup on the crew but proves that you don’t need big paws to have big dreams or big ideas. Braun is the series creator and executive producer. Vic Cook serves as executive producer and Robyn Brown is co-producer/story editor. Abigail Nesbitt is supervising director. The series is produced by Titmouse in association with Disney Junior and is slated to premiere on Disney Junior and Disney+ in 2023.

5 Fun Facts About Disney Junior’s Whimsical Mickey Mouse Funhouse

August 18, 2021August 6, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

On Friday, August 20, at 8 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, Mickey Mouse embarks on whimsical new adventures with his friends in Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Disney Junior’s latest animated series starring preschoolers’ first pal. Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto are, of course, joining Mickey for the action on screen, and kids watching at home are invited to be part of the fun, too. Mickey Mouse Funhouse executive producer and supervising director Phil Weinstein emphasizes that the new series is all about imagination, and he and the talented artists, writers, and musicians behind the new series have tapped into their own creativity to transport the Sensational Six to unique worlds that will delight and inspire young viewers. Here are some fun facts to keep in mind for the grown-ups watching Mickey Mouse Funhouse right alongside them:

1. Anything can happen in Funhouse Forest.
The primetime special Mickey the Brave! introduced Funny, the enchanted talking playhouse who lives in Funhouse Forest, where the events of the new series unfold. In each 11-minute story, Mickey and the gang will enter the funhouse, climb the Stairs to Anywhere, venture through the Adventure Doors, and journey to another world, from the fairy tale-inspired kingdom of Majestica and the old west-themed Sunny Gulch, to the wet and wonderful Underwater Ocean World. Funny can change into literally anything, such as a rocket ship, a steamboat, or an amusement park ride, to name just a few of the experiences the Sensational Six will have in the first season. “It’s just all about thinking creatively, thinking freely, and having fun doing it,” Weinstein says of the fresh new series and what he hopes young viewers will take away.

2. Mickey and his pals are, first and foremost, kids’ pals in the new series.
When young viewers meet Mickey and his friends in Mickey Mouse Funhouse, they’ll encounter them as relatable peers. Mickey and the gang carry backpacks with them when they climb the Stairs to Anywhere and go off on their latest adventure, in much the same way that preschoolers bring their favorite necessities with them every day at school. The Sensational Six also use their imaginations just as creatively and with as much commitment as kids do. For example, Daisy may be dressed in a knight’s armor when she’s in Majestica, but in her mind and her imagination, she’s actually a super-cool robot.

3. Mickey Mouse Funhouse has a catchy soundtrack kids are sure to love.
Each episode is filled with music, from the toe-tapping theme song, to the music that accompanies every trip up the Stairs to Anywhere. Beau Black (The Lion Guard) is the series composer and he co-writes the original songs with Loren Hoskins (Jake and the Never Land Pirates). “We’re always trying to squeeze a song in somewhere,” Weinstein promises, and most episodes—which are comprised of two 11-minute stories—will feature at least one original song. The digital soundtrack Disney Junior Music: Mickey Mouse Funhouse Vol. 1 is available now so that kids can add Mickey-inspired music to their own adventures, wherever they are.

4. This is not a series that kids will just sit back and watch.
Between the two stories, kids are encouraged to get up and dance! Each episode features a “Stretch Break” where preschoolers can move and stretch with Funny and the gang. And young viewers will also have the opportunity to “get the wiggles out” with the “Wiggle Giggle” song that’s featured in every story. “It’s like doing a Zumba class in the front yard with the funhouse,” Weinstein laughs.

5. Mickey Mouse Funhouse is geared toward preschoolers, but filled with Disney magic to enchant fans of all ages.
Art director Alan Bodner shares that the look of the series pays tribute to the classic Disney films and series, such as the Mickey Mouse Club and Mary Blair’s designs for the “Once Upon a Wintertime” segment from Melody Time and Alice in Wonderland, as well as Disneyland favorites such as Toontown and Sleeping Beauty Castle. Additionally, there are Hidden Mickeys and references to classic Disney characters and titles throughout the series. “This is a real opportunity for us to pay a little homage to the studio and what made that special—not for a little person today, but for all of us who grew up with this influence,” Bodner says.

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in September 2021

August 17, 2021September 13, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Disney+ today announced which titles will be joining its library in September. A trio of shorts will debut throughout the month, beginning with Dug Days (September 1), followed by Twenty Something (September 10) and Nona (September 17). Seven Japanese anime studios bring their unique talent and perspective to Star Wars: Visions, a collection of animated short films premiering September 22. September also marks the premieres of Grammy® Award winner Billie Eilish’s cinematic concert experience, Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, and Peyton Elizabeth Lee’s new series, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.

Throughout the month, brand-new episodes of the hit Disney+ Originals Monsters At Work, Turner & Hooch, and Marvel Studios’ What If…? will debut weekly on the streaming service. New library additions in September include Confessions of a Shopaholic, Dark Phoenix, Descendants: The Royal Wedding, The Fault in Our Stars, The Great Barrier Reef (Season 1), Life Below Zero: Next Generation (Season 16), Pepper Ann (Seasons 1-3), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Spooky Buddies, and Tomorrowland, among many other titles.

All the film and television titles coming to Disney+ in September are listed below:

Wednesday, September 1
Alaska Animal Rescue (Season 2)
Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog (Season 1, 2 Episodes: “Tall End of Trauma,” “Hijacked Pack”)
The Chicken Squad (Season 1) (4 Episodes)
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 106: “The Hazelnut King/Egg Baby/Mega Muscle Chip”)
Dug Days (Shorts) (Season 1 Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming)
Marvel Studios Legends (New Episodes)
Monsters At Work (Episode 110: “It’s Laughter They’re After”)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 107: “To Serve and Pawtect”)
What If…? (Episode 104)

Thursday, September 2
Behind The Scenes of Growing Up Animal (Premiere)

Friday, September 3
Dark Phoenix
Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles (Premiere)
Smoky Mountain Park Rangers
Tomorrowland

Wednesday, September 8
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 107: “Struggling Duckling/Friends of the Family/Top Dog”)
Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Premiere) (Episode 101: “Aloha – The Hello One”)
The Incredible Dr. Pol (Season 19) (5 Episodes)
Mira, Royal Detective (Season 2) (15 Episodes)
Pepper Ann (Seasons 1-3)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 108: “Arf Appreciation”)
What If…? (Episode 105)
The Wizard of Paws (Season 1)

Friday, September 10
Far Away from Raven’s Home
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Twenty Something (Short) (Premiere)

Wednesday, September 15
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 108: “The Ghost/The Imperfect Crime/Nut Soup”)
Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Episode 102: “Love Is a Mystery”)
Life Below Zero: Next Generation (Season 16)
Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (Season 4) (13 Episodes)
Ready for Preschool (Season 2)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 109: “Witness Pup-tection”)
Unknown Waters with Jeremy Wade (Season 1) (3 Episodes)
What If…? (Episode 106)

Friday, September 17
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Descendants: The Royal Wedding
Disney’s Broadway Hits at London’s Royal Albert Hall
Flooded Tombs of The Nile
Jade Eyed Leopard
Nona (Short) (Premiere)

Wednesday, September 22
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 109: “The Unusual Nutspects/An Evening with Clarice/Craft Craze”)
Dog: Impossible (Season 2)
Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Episode 103: “License to Not Drive”)
Spidey and his Amazing Friends (Season 1) (7 Episodes)
Star Wars: Visions (Filmmaker Focus) (Bonus Featurettes) (All Episodes Streaming)
Star Wars: Visions (Shorts) (Season 1 Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 110: “Lost and Hound”)
What If…? (Episode 107)

Friday, September 24
The Fault in Our Stars
A Spark Story (Premiere)
Spooky Buddies

Wednesday, September 29
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life (Episode 110: “Too Late to Hibernate/Sorry Nut Sorry/Never Trust a Sausage”)
Disney’s Magic Bake-Off (Season 1) (7 Episodes)
Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Episode 104: “Lahela & Stitch”)
Great Barrier Reef (Season 1)
The Hatcher Family Dairy (Season 1)
Muppet Babies (Season 3) (8 Episodes)
Ready for Preschool (Season 1)
Rolie Polie Olie (Seasons 1-5)
The Simpsons (Season 32)
Turner & Hooch (Episode 111: “Hooch Machina”)
Vampirina (Season 3)
What If…? (Episode 108)

A New Super Hero Rises at the World Premiere of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings

August 17, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Marvel Studios rolled out the red carpet for the MCU’s newest Super Hero.

On Monday night, stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Ronny Chieng, Benedict Wong, Dallas Liu, Andy Le, Jayden Zhang, Harmonie He, and Jodi Long joined director and writer Destin Daniel Cretton; producers Kevin Feige and Jonathan Schwartz; executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, and Charles Newirth; and writers Dave Callaham and Andrew Lanham to celebrate the rise of the MCU’s newest Super Hero at the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings. Hosted at the El Capitan Theatre, the event brought out dozens of stars, including Eternals director Chloé Zhao, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Xochitl Gomez, and Ben Kingsley, who returns as Trevor Slattery in Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings.

For Liu, the world premiere marked a major milestone after the film was announced in 2019. “I started this journey over two years ago at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego about to go onstage for Comic-Con,” Liu told reporters on the red carpet. “I never thought in a million years that it would all lead me to this moment right now, right here, in front of so many amazing fans—some of whom have lined up for hours and hours to be here. It’s such a groundswell of love and support and joy. It’s exciting. This is beyond a dream come true.”

On the press line, Feige revealed Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings was a project 20 years in the making. “From my earliest days at Marvel, there were lists of, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to make a movie about this?’” Feige said. “There are still some things that we’ve not made yet on that list, but I’m so happy that we’re finally debuting Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings with a full Hollywood Blvd. close—like a big premiere should be.”

Cretton added it felt “really good” to finally see the movie with an audience. “It has been a long journey for our team. It’s also been a long journey for the world the last couple years. To be here, to have a night to be grateful for being able to work for the past two years with really good people and celebrate together, is really special.” Shang-Chi’s origin story “is really dear to my heart,” Cretton added. “Growing up in Hawai‘i, I didn’t really have any Super Heroes that I could dress up like on Halloween. I got to explore this character alongside Simu and watch him grow, in true Marvel fashion, into a fully developed human being who is relatable in his ups and downs, in his strengths and weaknesses, and who finds his heroism by overcoming things that many of us are trying to overcome in our daily lives.”

Before Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings opens in theaters on September 3 (get tickets via Fandango), take a closer look at the red carpet arrivals from the world premiere: