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

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

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…?

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.”

what if...?

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?”

what if...?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”

Pupstruction

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

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.

mickey mouse funhouse

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

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:

disney+ sept 2021

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)

disney+ sept 2021

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

disney+ sept 2021

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)

disney+ sept 2021

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

disney+ sept 2021

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)

disney+ sept 2021

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)

disney+ sept 2021

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)

disney+ sept 2021

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

disney+ sept 2021

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

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:

How a “Summer Reset” Shakes Things Up in Season Two of the Disney+ Original Series Diary of a Future President

By Zach Johnson

Everything was going according to plan… until the “summer reset,” that is.

The second season of Diary of a Future President, streaming in its entirety on Disney+ starting Wednesday, August 18, finds Elena (Tess Romero) riding high after following a Senator’s advice last year. “She’s ready to take on the world,” Romero tells D23. “She thinks she’s got the student rep thing in the bag… and then she realizes that seventh grade isn’t exactly what she planned. She can’t just assume that whatever she thinks is going to happen is going to happen. In the first few episodes of the season, Elena gets knocked down a little bit. She gets thrown back into reality, which is a little rough on her. But she’s able to pick herself up and get back to it. There’s a lot of changes in her life in season two.”

According to showrunner Ilana Peña, it was important that Elena remember why she wants to be elected student representative in the first place. “At the end of season one, Elena’s like, ‘I can be a leader.’ And so many leaders, I think, stop there. They’re just like, ‘I want to be a leader.’ But it’s so not about you. It’s so much about who you’re representing, about the people who you’re lifting up. That’s why we wanted Elena to go through that journey.”

Diary of a Future President

After her BFF Sasha (Carmina Garay) gets a boyfriend and the lead role in the school musical, Elena begins to feel a little lost. Everyone and everything, it seems, has changed. “We love the idea of a ‘summer reset,’ because we [the writers] remembered how kids would come back after summer break totally different,” says Peña. “They’d be one of the Seven Dwarfs before and then Channing Tatum after. And we wanted to present that in an emotional way. For Elena, what does that look like for somebody who’s so sure of herself?”

The “summer reset” doesn’t just affect Elena, of course. Her brother, Bobby (Charlie Bushnell), is now in high school. But because freshmen aren’t allowed to join the tennis team, his friends pursue other interests—ones that don’t necessarily interest him. Meanwhile, Bobby is still harboring a secret crush on his best friend, Liam (Brandon Severs), unsure if the feelings are mutual. “For Bobby, you’ll get to see natural progression of his journey,” Peña tells D23. “We always knew that’s where we wanted him to go—not just in coming to terms with his sexuality, but in learning how to open up and learning how to use his voice.”

Diary of a Future President

According to Bushnell, Bobby’s journey mirrors Elena’s in that their expectations don’t necessarily reflect reality. “I don’t know how much I can say, but Liam is interested in someone else. Tennis is not really a part of his life, and his friends kind of split up a bit,” Bushnell says. “In the first half of the season, Bobby is just trying to find his way in high school. He’s still on this path of self-discovery, trying to figure out who he is. But then, in the latter half of the season, Bobby meets some new people and makes some new friends. He gets close to one in particular—and that opens him up to some cool new experiences.”

Back at home, Gabi (Selnis Leyva) makes a bold step in her relationship by inviting Sam (Michael Weaver) to move in with her and the kids. Although she second-guesses her decision, neither Elena nor Bobby does. “Right off the bat in season one, Bobby got along with Sam and welcomed him in,” recalls Bushnell. “He’s happy to have Sam around; he’s like the father figure that Bobby needs. They have some really nice moments this season.”

But Peña, who loosely based Diary of a Future President on her own adolescence, notes that blending families can sometimes be more complicated for adults. “It’s not always milk and honey,” she says. “It’s not always really rainbows and sunshine.” For a widow like Gabi, “It’s always related to grief. This is a woman who has been grieving her husband for three to four years. So, what does grief look like for her? Sometimes it looks like, ‘I miss this person.’ Sometimes it looks like, ‘My kids are pulling away from me.’ I think Gabi’s always going to be grieving, even though she loves Sam and she’s thrilled to have him in her life. Gabi is based on my mom, who is remarried and happy. It’s been 25 years and my mom is grieving every day, so I wanted to explore the journey of grief without making it a tragedy.”

Diary of a Future President

Leyva, for one, is impressed by how “heartfelt” and “realistic” Gabi’s arc is in season two. “There are moments where I teared up just reading the scripts, because I know how important it is to tell these different stories and to give people a chance to see themselves,” she tells D23. “As a mother to a young lady, I connect with Gabi and Elena’s relationship a little bit too much. It’s like a little parallel, creepy world that we’re living in! I started out season one being a single mother. I liked having my life in order, knowing exactly what I wanted to do, and being very much in control. Then someone came into my life at the same time that Sam came into Gabi’s life. Our lives are connected in many ways.”

Weaver, who has a 14-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter, adds that he’s continually impressed by the “authenticity” of each character’s experiences. “Some of the scripted conversations in the show are the same conversations I’ve had at home with my kids,” he says. “I can’t say enough about Ilana and the team of writers who developed these stories.”

Romero is excited for each story to unfold when season two debuts on Disney+. “There’s a lot of growth and change and new things happening,” she teases. “It’s touching and sweet.”

Inside Hulu’s Mysterious New Series Nine Perfect Strangers

By Zach Johnson

Hulu is about to introduce audiences to Nine Perfect Strangers.

Based on The New York Times bestselling book by author Liane Moriarty, the streamer’s eight-episode series debuts Wednesday, August 18. It’s set at a boutique health and wellness resort that promises to heal and transform people’s lives. Watching over the 10-day retreat is the resort’s director, who’s on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. Unfortunately, these nine “perfect” strangers have no idea what’s about to hit them.

During the Television Critics Association’s Summer Press Tour, stars Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, and Regina Hall joined David E. Kelley (executive producer and showrunner), Jonathan Levine (director and executive producer), Bruna Papandrea (executive producer), and Per Saari (executive producer) to discuss the “trippy” series. “When people say, ‘Define what it is,’ we still can’t,” said Kidman, who also serves as an executive producer. “I dare you to ask any of us what genre this is. We have no idea!”

Nine Perfect Strangers

What is clear, however, is that the limited series explores suffering: how it’s avoided, how it’s compounded and how it’s overcome. “Doing the show, you think a lot about what you do to cover up your problems,” said McCarthy, who also serves as an executive producer. “Masking things doesn’t make them better—and at some point, you have to get them out.”

The series was filmed in Byron Bay, Australia. “It was extraordinary to shoot there. The magical quality of the environment really helped us,” said Kidman, who grew up hours away in Sydney. “It was one of those things where you walk in and you go, ‘Is this real?’”

In addition to its dreamlike setting, Nine Perfect Strangers boasts an all-star cast that includes Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Samara Weaving, Melvin Gregg, Asher Keddie, Grace Van Patten, Tiffany Boone, and Manny Jacinto. The project also marks McCarthy’s fourth time starring opposite Cannavale—a welcome reunion for both of the actors. “Bobby is so funny, and he’s such an amazing actor. He’s so present, and you never quite know which way he’s going to go with it,” McCarthy said. “It’s great when you have that kind of comfort level with somebody. You’re not afraid to be embarrassed or to feel dumb.”

Said Cannavale, “I feel the same way. It’s really serendipitous.”

Nine Perfect Strangers

“We usually get through a couple of takes pretty easily, and then we have fun and do a couple of takes just for ourselves,” Cannavale continued. “Most of the time, it feels effortless. I think that’s a testament to the kind of preparation Melissa does, and to her work ethic and to the depth of her well. So, it’s a thrill to work with somebody like that.”

Kidman, meanwhile, adopted a method approach to her performance and stayed in character on set. “The first time I met everyone, except for Tiffany and Manny, I walked in as [my character] Masha—and I never related to anybody in any other way. I only related to them as Masha and I stayed in the character,” she recalled. “The first thing we shot was the scene where I come in the room and say, ‘I am Masha. Welcome to Tranquillum.’ And then I was able to stay in that place. I wanted a very calm, healing energy to emanate all of the time. I remember going over to people and sort of putting my hand on their heart and holding their hand. They’d talk to me and use my name, Nicole, and I’d completely ignore it; I’d only respond to ‘Masha.’” Admittedly, it was a “weird place to exist,” but it was “the only way” in which the Academy Award® and Emmy® winner “could do the performance.”

New episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers stream every Wednesday, only on Hulu. Hear more from Nine Perfect Strangers star Luke Evans on our latest episode of the D23 Inside Disney podcast.

A Special Guest Star Joins Monsters At Work—Watch a Sneak Peek!

By Zach Johnson

Is it National Take Your Child to Work Day in Monstropolis?

In this week’s new episode of Monsters At Work, streaming Wednesday on Disney+, executive producer Bobs Gannaway’s daughter, Hadley Gannaway, guest stars as Ms. Flint’s daughter, Thalia—and we’ve got an exclusive look in the clip below! Hadley even shares a scene with her dad, who voices Otis, the Monsters, Inc. receptionist, in the series.

If Hadley sounds familiar, that’s because she also provided the voice of Young Anna in Frozen 2! In her Monsters At Work episode, titled “Little Monsters,” Tylor (voiced by Ben Feldman) sees an opportunity to get promoted as a Jokester during Mini-Monster Day at Monsters, Inc. after he is paired with Ms. Flint’s daughter, Thalia. Can he get her to laugh?

The series’ voice cast includes Disney Legends Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprising their respective roles as Mike and Sulley alongside Mindy Kaling as Val, Henry Winkler as Fritz, Lucas Neff as Duncan, and Alanna Ubach as Cutter. Recurring cast includes Bonnie Hunt as Ms. Flint, John Ratzenberger as Yeti and Bernard, Jennifer Tilly as Celia Mae, Bob Peterson as Roze, Aisha Tyler as Millie, and Stephen Stanton as Smitty and Needleman.