5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

August 23, 2021August 25, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This week marks the series premiere of The Ultimate Surfer on ABC, debuting Monday and returning with a brand-new episode the following night. Meanwhile, the second season of Freeform’s Motherland: Fort Salem will conclude Tuesday with a game-changing finale. On Wednesday, an extra episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian will drop on Disney+, while a new installment of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Horror Story will debut on FX. Cap off the week Thursday with an all-new episode of grown-ish on Freeform.

The Ultimate Surfer—Monday, August 23, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
Fourteen up-and-coming surfers train and live together at the World Surf League’s state-of-the-art Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California, powered by Kelly Slater’s human-made wave technology, in the hope of winning $100,000 and the opportunity to compete on the WSL Championship Tour. Jesse Palmer hosts the competition series. Erin Coscarelli and Joe Turpel are the commentators, with Slater as the lead consultant and special correspondent.

Motherland: Fort Salem—Tuesday, August 24, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
Witches, get ready for war. In the season finale, “Revolution, Part 1,” the Camarilla brings the fight to Fort Salem. Raelle (Taylor Hickson), Abigail (Ashley Nicole Williams), Tally (Jessica Sutton), and their allies are forced to make impossible, world-changing choices.

Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian—Wednesday, August 25, on Disney+
In the season two finale of The Mandalorian, the appearance of a young Luke Skywalker (Disney Legend Mark Hamill) was one of the biggest reveals and best-kept secrets of the series to date. Reactions to the episode were emotionally charged for many, deeply resonating with generations of fans who were over the Endor moon to see the Jedi Master in his post-Return of the Jedi prime. The story of the cutting-edge technology used to bring Luke back is the subject of a special episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian.

American Horror Story: Double Feature—Wednesday, August 25, at 10 p.m. ET on FX and Thursday, August 26, on FX on Hulu
Intended for mature audiences, the 10th installment of the anthology series introduces a struggling writer (Finn Wittrock), his pregnant wife (Lily Rabe), and their daughter (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), who move to an isolated beach town for the winter. As they settle in, the town’s true residents make themselves known. Frances Conroy, Macaulay Culkin, Leslie Grossman, Billie Lourd, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Angelica Ross round out the cast.

grown-ish—Thursday, August 26, at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform
After Luca (Luka Sabbat) calls out her boss on social media, Zoey (Yara Shahidi) tries to regain control over cancel culture—but things backfire. Meanwhile, Jazz (Chloe Bailey) and Des (Warren Egypt Franklin) grow closer as she tries to lean on Sky (Halle Bailey) less.

Dig a Little Deeper with New Details on the Upcoming Attraction Based on The Princess and the Frog

August 23, 2021

By the D23 Team

We’re kicking off World Princess Week with a trip down the bayou to give you an exciting update involving Princess Tiana and her friends! Last year, Walt Disney Imagineering announced Splash Mountain at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts will be reimagined with new theming inspired by the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film The Princess and the Frog. D23 sat down with Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering, to talk some of the very first details revealed about the attraction—and today we’re excited to share even more of the latest developments!

First, check out the latest rending of the attraction, giving us a sneak peek into the next chapter for Tiana, Naveen, Louis, and more of their friends. Following the adventures of The Princess and the Frog, the new attraction’s story centers around Tiana’s first ever Mardi Gras performance—during which some original yet familiar music will bring guests into the story.

To learn more about the creative process behind the upcoming attraction—plus, to look back at Tiana’s impact over the past decade—check out the panel below, filmed at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans. Since the restaurant’s founder, Leah Chase, was one of the inspirations for Princess Tiana, the restaurant was a natural fit for this conversation. Watch Kenneth Moton from ABC News as he joins Stella Reese, owner of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and daughter of Leah Chase; Carmen Smith, Creative Executive, Vice President, Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering; Charita Carter, Senior Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering; and Marlon West, VFX Supervisor for Walt Disney Animation Studios to hear more:

So much goes into the creative process behind attractions, include in-depth research to spark inspiration. For this upcoming attraction, Imagineers dug deep into the culture of New Orleans—the city Tiana calls home—in order to craft a story authentic to both the region and to the characters. So much makes New Orleans a distinct and unique city. From food, music, art, architecture, and the diversity of its people and their traditions, there is much from which Imagineers can find inspiration.

One of the early inspirations was visual artist Sharika Mahdi. Mahdi is an art educator and alumna of the renowned YAYA (Young Aspirations Young Artists, Inc.) Arts Center located in New Orleans. To help inspire Imagineers, Mahdi was commissioned to create a series of four original paintings to inspire Imagineers. You can check out one of those inspirational paintings here:

To celebrate all of these developments, our love for the city of New Orleans, and commitment to the arts and education, The Walt Disney Company today announced a $50,000 donation to NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts), a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers students intensive instruction in culinary arts, dance, media arts, music, theatre arts, visual arts, and creative writing, while demanding simultaneous academic excellence.

If you can’t get enough of Princess Tiana, there are so many more exciting ways her story is coming to life in the future, from the Disney Wish setting sail next year with an all-new lounge, “The Bayou,” and the upcoming Walt Disney Animation Studios original series Tiana on Disney+.

Stay tuned to D23.com for future updates on how this attraction develops.

Epic New Trailer for Marvel Studios’ Eternals—Plus More in News Briefs

August 20, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Don’t Miss This Awe-Inspiring New Trailer for Marvel Studios’ Eternals

Just this week, Marvel Studios released an incredible new trailer for Eternals—giving us an upfront look at the MCU’s newest team-up, featuring a group of heroes from beyond the stars who had protected the Earth since the dawn of man. Check it out, for the first or (if you’re anything like us) 57th time, above.

When monstrous creatures called the Deviants, long thought lost to history, mysteriously return, the Eternals are forced to reunite in order to defend humanity once again. The ensemble cast includes Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi; Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo; Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos; Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari; Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig; and Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh; with Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena.

Academy Award® winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) directs the film, with Kevin Feige and Nate Moore producing. Look for it in theaters beginning November 5.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

It might be a tad cliché to say, but it’s true—the month of August is legitimately flying by. Should you be looking for some quality entertainment to view from around the worlds of Disney on this, the third (and penultimate) weekend of the month, we’ve got you covered with another “5 Fantastic Things” rundown… featuring info on the debut of Mickey Mouse Fun House on Disney Channel and Disney Junior; the multi-network Stand Up To Cancer® special; and so much more.

Holiday Fun and Frolic with “Disney Very Merriest After Hours”

Okay, hear us out: We know we’re still a few months away from the holiday season (we haven’t even gotten to Halloween—although it is, incredibly, just around the corner)… but as we are wont to encourage each year, it’s never too early to start planning some festive fun! And as luck would have it, our pals at the Disney Parks Blog recently shared a rundown on what guests can expect from this year’s “Disney Very Merriest After Hours”—a once-in-a-lifetime holiday celebration, coinciding with Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, happening over 24 select nights in November and December.

“Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will include the nighttime spectacular Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and the very special holiday-themed Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade—in which Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be joined by pals from Disney’s Frozen and lots of other fave characters, including the iconic Toy Soldiers… and, naturally, Santa Claus himself!

Tickets for the four-hour “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will grant admission to Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7 p.m., giving you more time to enjoy some of your favorite Magic Kingdom attractions. Plus, holiday attraction overlays are making a comeback (get ready for the Jingle Cruise, y’all); characters will be dressed in their holiday best; delicious snacks like ice cream novelties and seasonal treats will be complimentary—with specialty food and beverages available for purchase; and so much more.

Tickets are now on sale! For more info, including specific event dates, click here.

Announcements A-Plenty from Disney Branded Television

If you’re looking to fill out your calendar with delightful viewing over these next few months, might we steer you towards our rundown of Disney Branded Television’s big announcements from earlier this week? They unveiled all their fall and winter premiere dates for new original movies and series on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, and you won’t want to miss a minute of it. Check it out right here at D23.com.

First Look at Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps

…And speaking of the ultra-cool stuff coming from Disney Channel in the very near future, we just had to call attention this this brand-new Disney Channel Original Movie premiering this fall.

Under Wraps is a contemporary comedic remake of the 1997 Halloween classic Under Wraps—the first-ever Disney Channel Original Movie, which (as you well know) became a blockbuster franchise with more than 100 titles. This re-imagined story follows three 12-year-old friends—Gilbert, Marshall, and Amy—as they accidentally revive a mummy discovered in a neighbor’s basement a few days before Halloween. Take a gander at a first-look trailer for the DCOM, above.

The story unfolds when Gilbert (Daytime Emmy® Award nominee Christian J. Simon), Marshall (Malachi Barton) and Amy (Sophia Hammons) happen upon and awaken a mummy, which they affectionately name Harold (Phil Wright), and must rush to return him to his resting place before midnight on Halloween. Along the way, they narrowly escape a nefarious group of criminals intent on selling the mummy to the highest bidder. When Harold is inevitably captured, the trio must band together to stand up to the criminals, face their fears, and rescue their new (yet distinctly “old”) friend.

Look for Under Wraps to premiere in October!

Lift Off with Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT Next Month

It’s another milestone for EPCOT, and it’s scheduled to open just in time to help kick off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” (in honor of Walt Disney World’s 50th)…

An all-new restaurant, Space 220, is set to debut in September—and it sounds totally out-of-this-world! Located adjacent to the Mission: SPACE attraction, Space 220 takes fine dining to a whole new level. The immersive experience begins as you check in to the Space 220 Departure Lounge in Future World. From here, guests will board one of two “Space Elevators” that will transport diners in what seems like 220 miles above Earth to Centauri Space Station. Looking down through a viewport, they’ll see EPCOT “shrinking away”; looking up, they’ll see an incredible Space Station come into view.

Once docked, guests will head through the Centauri Space Station-themed dining area, experiencing a breathtaking panoramic view of Earth below, and a variety of work and leisure activities taking place beyond the windows. The views are only one part of the experience—Walt Disney Imagineers are excited to have created this experience for Executive Chef Marc Kusche to showcase all manner of culinary wonders. The Space 220 restaurant menu will feature (inter)stellar dishes and gourmet recipes—with a two-course prix fixe menu for lunch and a three-course prix fixe menu for dinner.

Stay tuned for more details on the Space 220 restaurant as they become available.

Amazing New Trailer for Disney+’s Star Wars: Visions

Earlier this week, the good folks at Disney+ debuted the trailer—and announced the Japanese and English dub voice casts—for Star Wars: Visions, an upcoming anthology series from Lucasfilm that tells new Star Wars stories through the singular style and tradition of Japanese anime. The new trailer provides a glimpse of the captivating tone and stunning visuals from each of the animated shorts, which can all be viewed both with the original Japanese voice cast or the English dub cast when the series launches on Disney+ on September 22.

Among the English dub voice cast are new and returning Star Wars actors including David Harbour, George Takei, Alison Brie, Lorraine Toussaint, Simu Liu, Bobby Moynihan, Neil Patrick Harris, Lucy Liu, and many more. Fans of anime may recognize some of the names of the Japanese voice actors—such as Masaki Terasoma, Asami Seto, Takaya Hashi, and Mariya Ise.

“Lucasfilm is partnering with seven of the most talented anime studios in Japan to bring their signature style and unique vision of the Star Wars galaxy to this inspired new series,” James Waugh, executive producer and Lucasfilm Vice President, Franchise Content & Strategy, recently said.

We can’t wait to see these new tales unfold…

ICYMI: The Mysterious World of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers

It’s got a dream cast—including Melissa McCarthy, Nicole Kidman, Bobby Cannavale, and Regina Hall; it’s based on a New York Times bestselling book; and it just about guarantees you an enigmatically good time… it’s Hulu’s latest limited series, Nine Perfect Strangers, and D23.com got the inside scoop from the cast and producers. (And remember: You can also hear directly from another Nine Perfect Strangers costar, Luke Evans, on the 100th episode of D23 Inside Disney podcast!)

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

August 19, 2021August 19, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Following the special Mickey the Brave!, Mickey Mouse Fun House—a whimsical animated series for preschoolers and their families featuring Mickey Mouse and his pals—debuts on Disney Channel and Disney Junior this Friday. That same day, the 2006 fantasy film Eragon joins the Disney+ library. On Saturday, ABC and other networks will help raise funds for cancer research with the seventh biennial Stand Up To Cancer® special. Also on Saturday, celebrate the first anniversary of The One and Only Ivan, streaming exclusively on Disney+. Cap things off Sunday with a new episode of Celebrity Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey.

Mickey Mouse Fun House—Friday, August 20, at 8 a.m. ET on Disney Channel and Disney Junior
The two-episode series premiere features four fun stories. First, in “Homesick,” Mickey, Minnie and friends want to take Funny the funhouse on a picnic, but he isn’t feeling well. Then, in “Goldfish Goofy,” Funny takes the gang to Underwater Ocean World, transforming them into merpeople. Next, in “Spaced Out,” Funny turns into a rocket ship to take everyone to space. Last but not least, in “Treasure, Ahoy,” Donald’s impatience causes him to lose his pool floaty, so Funny takes the friends to find the Lost & Found Treasure Chest.

Eragon—Friday, August 20, on Disney+
In a mythical time, a teenage boy named Eragon (Ed Speleers) becomes a dragon rider with the help of a wise old man, Brom (Jeremy Irons). The boy and his newly hatched dragon avenge the murder of the boy’s uncle, rescue a beautiful warrior, and join the resistance to a tyrannical king. Rounding out the film’s cast are Robert Carlyle, Sienna Guillory, Garrett Hedlund, Djimon Hounsou, John Malkovich, Joss Stone, and Rachel Weisz.

Stand Up To Cancer—Saturday, August 21, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Celebrities lending their support to help raise funds for cancer research include Jaime Camil; Ciara; Deon Cole; Kate Del Castillo; Jennifer Garner; Tony and October Gonzalez; Max Greenfield; Tony Hale; Ed Helms; Kyle MacLachlan; Matthew McConaughey; Candice Patton; Michael Peña; Italia Ricci; Cecily Strong; Alison Sweeney; and Chandra Wilson. Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth are executive producing the special, co-hosted by Anthony Anderson, Ken Jeong & Tran Ho, and Sofía Vergara. SU2C co-founder and special guest Katie Couric will appear, and Common, Brittany Howard, and Stevie Wonder will perform. Additionally, a special PSA featuring Jodie Comer, Michelle Dockery, Chris Evans, O-T Fagbenle, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, and Paul Rudd will air. During the show, viewers will be immersed in firsthand stories featuring families who have been impacted by cancer.

The One and Only Ivan—Saturday, August 21, on Disney+
An adaptation of Katherine Applegate’s award-winning book about one very special gorilla, Disney’s The One and Only Ivan is an unforgettable tale about the beauty of friendship, the power of visualization, and the significance of the place one calls home. Ivan (voice of Sam Rockwell) is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant (voice of Angelina Jolie), Bob the dog (voice of Danny DeVito), and various other animals. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby (voice of Brooklynn Prince) arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ivan begins to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. The heartwarming adventure, which comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI, also stars Bryan Cranston as Mack.

Celebrity Family Feud—Sunday, August 22, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Actor Bill Bellamy faces off against actress Vivica A. Fox as they battle it out for their chosen charities. In the next game, Major League Baseball alums confront their biggest competition when they go head-to-head against their wives to see who comes out on top.

Watch The Lion King Cast’s Emotional Reunion on the First Day of Broadway Rehearsals

August 19, 2021

By Zach Johnson

The Broadway cast of The Lion King began rehearsals this week for the company’s highly anticipated reopening on Tuesday, September 14, at the famed Minskoff Theatre. And today, our friends at Disney Theatrical Productions shared a special look at the company’s first day back together, which began with remarks by The Lion King’s Tony Award®-winning director, Disney Legend Julie Taymor, before the cast’s deeply moving first sing-thru of the show’s iconic opening number, “The Circle of Life,” led by Tshidi Manye as Rafiki.

In addition to Manye, the Broadway cast of the The Lion King includes Stephen Carlile as Scar, L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, Pow as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon, Brandon A. McCall as Simba, Adrienne Walker as Nala, James Brown-Orleans as Banzai, Bonita J. Hamilton as Shenzi, and Robb Sapp as Ed. Vince Ermita and Corey J. alternate as Young Simba, and Alayna Martus and Sydney Elise Russell alternate as Young Nala.

The Lion King company also features Lawrence Keith Alexander, Cameron Amandus, Leanne Antonio, Andrew Arrington, India Bolds Browne, Lindiwe Dlamini, Zinhle Dube, Bongi Duma, Angelica Edwards, Jim Ferris, Rosie Lani Feldman, Daniel Gaymon, Pia Hamilton, Daniel Harder, Michael Alexander Henry, Michael Hollick, Pearl Khwezi, Lindsey Jackson, Lisa Lewis, Mduduzi Madela, Jaysin McCollum, Ray Mercer, S’bu Ngema, Nhlanhla Ngobeni, Nteliseng Nkhela, Jacqueline René, Kaylin Seckel, Kellen Stencil, Housso Semon, Derrick Spear, Michael Stiggers Jr., Jamie J. Thompson, Bravita Threatt, Natalie Turner, Donna Michelle Vaughan, Nicholas Ward, and Stephen Scott Wormley.

Approaching 24 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere in 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by nearly 110 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, The Lion King has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years and four others running 20 or more years.

Visit Disney on Broadway to purchase tickets for The Lion King now.

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.