JUST ANNOUNCED: Fireworks Spectaculars Are Back at Disney Parks This Summer

June 15, 2021

By the D23 Team

Summer is here and Disney fans are prepping for all their favorite activities—from movie nights with their favorite films to an exciting day at a Disney theme park. For fans hoping to have that perfect day at a Disney park, we have wonderful news! As more communities adjust and ease COVID-19 guidelines, there’s a new sense of optimism with many positive signs moving forward. This includes Disney theme parks, which are gradually bringing back more beloved park experiences, as our friends at Disney Parks Blog just announced.

A Disney tradition since 1957, fireworks shows are what Walt Disney called the perfect “kiss goodnight” at the close of a magical day, and this summer the skies above Disney theme parks will sparkle with color once more. Beginning in July, just in time for the nation’s Independence Day celebrations, nighttime fireworks spectaculars are returning to Disney parks!

Walt Disney World
Starting July 1, Walt Disney World Resort will present nightly fireworks performances at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. Happily Ever After will transform Cinderella Castle with lights, projections, and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage you to grab hold of your dreams and make them come true. And as part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, EPCOT Forever will produce a spectacle of fireworks, music, and lighting effects over World Showcase Lagoon, highlighting the themes of innovation, exploration, imagination, and celebration at the core of the park’s past, present, and future.

Disneyland Resort
Just in time for Independence Day, Disneyland Park will start the fun on July 4 with Mickey’s Mix Magic presented nightly throughout the summer. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting, and lasers will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of it’s a small world into a dazzling, family fun dance party that goes sky high with fireworks to celebrate the leader of the club, Mickey Mouse.

As a reminder, valid park admission and a park reservation are required for park entry and must be linked to your account. Visit Disneyworld.com/update and Disneyland.com/update for important information, including park attendance requirements.

Make These New D23 Tees and Totes Part of Your Summer Style

June 14, 2021

By The D23 Team

Gearing up for summer? So are we! D23 has just unveiled a colorful new collection of must-have tees and totes that every Disney fan needs to add to their wardrobe for summer and beyond.

Here are all of the new items we’ll be sporting this season:

D23 Sketch Icons Shirt – Men
D23 Sketch Icons Shirt – Women

We’ve filled this new design with some of the most revered icons from across the worlds of Disney: a TIE Fighter from a galaxy far, far away… Thor’s hammer… the Pixar ball… Mickey’s Sorcerer hat—and so much more.

D23 Gold Member Sketch Icons Shirt – Men
D23 Gold Member Sketch Icons Shirt – Women

Plus, we’ve also created a version just for Gold Members that’s perfect to wear when you’re visiting your favorite Disney theme park this summer, seeing Disney’s Jungle Cruise in theaters, or even just streaming Disney and Pixar’s Luca or the latest episode of Marvel Studios’ Loki on Disney+. Not a Gold Member? Well becoming one is just a click away. Discover all of the benefits to Gold Membership right here on D23.com.

D23 Figment Shirt – Men
D23 Figment Shirt – Women

This is no figment of your imagination—this adorable T-shirt, featuring the fan-favorite dragon, can be yours! Figment’s inquisitive nature and optimistic spirit has charmed many a Disney fan and it shines through in the design of this new tee.

D23 Inside Disney Podcast Shirt – Men
D23 Inside Disney Podcast Shirt – Women

The Official Disney Podcast now has an official tee! The front pocket of the T-shirt features the D23 Inside Disney logo in a way that’s sure to have people talking, while the back makes it clear that you know where to get the inside scoop on all things Disney.

D23 Sketch Icons Tote Bag

We’ve put all of our favorite things on this new tote that’s perfect to fill with all of your favorite necessities, such as sunglasses, sunscreen, or the latest issue of Disney twenty-three. You’ve got places to go and people to see; so why not take D23 with you, all summer long?

All of the above items—and more—are available now at shopDisney, where Gold Members should be sure to use their D23 Discount of 10 percent off their purchase of $50 or more.

Discover What Imagination Can Spark at Disney Imagination Campus

June 11, 2021June 12, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

Today, Disney Parks announced the launch of Disney Imagination Campus, a collection of hands-on workshops, performances, and special events touching on a variety of subjects, including performing arts, technology, science, humanities, and leadership. The Disney Imagination Campus curriculum will harness beloved Disney franchises—including Star Wars, Pixar, Frozen, and more, as well as Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment—to supercharge the imaginations of students and inspire their career ambitions. Disney Imagination Campus will debut at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in January 2022.

“Our Walt Disney Imagineering partners are renowned for blue sky thinking, masterful storytelling, and creative problem-solving,” said Maryann Smith, Vice President of Sales, Services & Events at Disney Destinations. “We’ve taken these key skills and worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Live Entertainment and other Disney thought leaders to create new educational experiences to challenge students to use their imagination, all within our real-world learning laboratories and performance venues across our theme parks.”

Here’s a preview of what students will experience:

Art & Humanities—Students will discover the role that artists play in theme park design through the exploration of artistic media and storytelling.

Science & Technology—Students will explore how science and technology applies to every element of the theme park experience and is used to create Disney magic for guests.

Leadership & Innovation—Students will engage in hands-on learning that challenges their creative problem-solving and communication skills based on the real-world business experiences of Disney leaders.

Performing Arts —Disney Parks will raise the curtain once again on beloved Performing Arts workshops and performances. Students will engage in workshops taught by world-class Disney entertainment professionals and perform on Disney stages for audiences from around the world.

“Opportunities for students in the performing arts to engage in performance and workshop experiences have existed at Disney Parks for more than 40 years,” shares Matt Conover, Vice President, Disneyland Resort Live Entertainment. “Disney Imagination Campus will build upon that legacy and expand on stage and backstage experiences led by world-class Disney arts professionals. We worked with educators from a variety of disciplines to bring their expertise so our new campus will offer educational experiences for students from all over to enjoy.”

A new collaboration with education platform Kahoot! will bring an interactive element to select Disney Imagination Campus experiences. Kahoot!, which has engaged 5 billion cumulative players since 2013, empowers students to learn through play with its live games, study tools, and challenges. “Kahoot!’s long-standing relationship with Disney is now expanding beyond the classroom, bringing interactive learning experiences to the Disney Parks designed for Disney Imagination Campus students,” says Kahoot! CEO Eilert Hanoa. “Whether students are visiting the Disney Parks for a day or participating in workshops, we’ve developed interactive, self-guided challenges that will test their comprehension and retention of key learning objectives during their visit. This is a holistic, groundbreaking, and experiential approach to education.”

Ahead of the January 2022 launch of the Disney Imagination Campus workshops, student groups can learn more about this uniquely Disney curriculum and get the latest updates by visiting DisneyCampus.com and following @DisneyImaginationCampus on social media.

Behind the Attraction Coming to Disney+ Next Month—Plus More in News Briefs

June 11, 2021

By Courtney Potter

**Go Behind the Attraction with New Disney+ Series**

Want to know the incredible inside scoop on some of your favorite Disney attractions and destinations? Then mark your calendars for Behind the Attraction, a brand-new series debuting on Disney+ next month!

To celebrate the July 30 release of Disney’s Jungle Cruise—inspired by the Disney Parks attraction that debuted with the opening of Disneyland park in 1955—Disney+ will premiere all 10 episodes of this original series on Friday, July 16. Narrated by actress Paget Brewster, Behind the Attraction gives viewers an exclusive peek behind the curtain of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to it’s a small world to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Additionally, viewers will learn the unique story behind each Castle at the Parks and hear how Disney Imagineers designed and built them; discover the intricacies of the parks’ transportation systems; and even learn how the iconic Disneyland Hotel came to be.

Behind the Attraction features rare interviews with Walt Disney, as well as exclusive chats with Disney Legends and dozens of past and present Imagineers. Revealed for the first time are the out-of-this-world stories of how the Haunted Mansion was filled with 999 happy haunts; how the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! ; and why Space Mountain took so long to launch.

Executive produced by Dwayne Johnson (yes—as in the star of Disney’s Jungle Cruise!), Dany Garcia, and Brian Volk-Weiss (who also directed the series), Behind the Attraction drops on Disney+ on Friday, July 16.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Can it be? It’s already time to start figuring out what to watch over this sure-to-be-relaxing June weekend, from around the worlds of Disney. Disney+ adds the iconic 1967 musical The Happiest Millionaire (check it out if you haven’t already—it’s a big piece of early Disney film history) to its library beginning on Friday; the second season of The Owl House debuts on Disney Channel; and much, much more. Tune in and enjoy!

Delicious New Openings and Food Offerings at Disney Parks

Earlier this week, our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog announced booking and opening dates for some of our favorite Disney dining locations—as well as the exceedingly yummy offerings one can soon expect…

Among the tasty revelations is: Oga’s Cantina, located at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland park, will open June 17—with bookings available beginning June 14! While there, guests will be able to sip on a Fuzzy Tauntaun, snack on a Happabore Sampler, and sample the galaxy’s other tasty, out-of-this-world menu items. Meanwhile, over at Disney California Adventure park, foodies can soon get their fix of plant-based Potato Flautas or Indulgent French Toast at Lamplight Lounge Brunch, opening July 9 with bookings available June 14. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday Brunch only.) Plus, Wine Country Trattoria opens June 17, with bookings available June 14—so don’t miss out on that incredible plate of Spaghetti Aglio Olio.

Meanwhile, over at Walt Disney World Resort, guests can sip and savor at Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort beginning June 24, with nightly walk-in availability through July 4; at ’Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, starting July 9, with bookings available June 10; and at Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park beginning June 20, with bookings now available.

For a complete rundown on what your taste buds are in for, visit the Disney Parks Blog… and remember: Always save room for dessert!

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Kicks Off July 15

In further foodie news, guests can expect to embark on a truly incredible, totally tasty tour across six continents when the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE® kicks off at Walt Disney World Resort on July 15! Running through November 20—so guests have plenty of time to feast!—this delicious celebration features a menu of new flavors and sips, plus live entertainment, family activities, and more.

As per usual, Global Marketplaces will serve up a host of international flavors, including fan-favorite dishes from Hawai‘i, Australia, Germany, Canada, and Greece—plus new Global Marketplaces coming to Morocco, The American Adventure, and throughout the park in July with even more marketplaces opening in the fall. In addition, CORKCICLE was announced as the presenting sponsor for this year’s festival; guests visiting Shimmering Sips Global Marketplace (and four other locations) during the event will discover several sparkling beverage options available for purchase in an exclusive keepsake CORKCICLE premium beverage container. Fun entertainment is back too, with performances by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and Jammin’ Chefs—and the festival will also open with America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, a live-music concert series performed Friday through Monday evenings featuring local bands from across Central Florida.

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is available to anyone with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date—so visit TasteEPCOT.com for more info, and stay tuned for more festival news at it becomes available

**Take a Bite Out of National Geographic’s Largest SHARKFEST Yet**

This July, National Geographic is making a big splash with its ninth annual SHARKFEST—a must-sea, six-week summer event that’s set to include 21 hours of original programming and a whopping 60 hours of enhanced content…

It all starts on Monday, July 5, with the premiere of the marquee SHARKFEST special Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth at 9 p.m. ET, which will be preceded by the first episode of When Sharks Attack at 8 p.m. ET. Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth follows the Thor star as he embarks on a personal mission to investigate how we can live more harmoniously with sharks. The one-hour documentary special from Nutopia (One Strange Rock) features shark icon and conservationist Valerie Taylor, who will take Hemsworth for a shark dive to experience firsthand the awe and beauty of nurse sharks, as well as other preeminent shark experts who are exploring new preventative measures and the latest technology to help stave off shark-human encounters.

Other marquee special events include Shark Attack Investigation: The Paige Winter Story, where experts unpack the details of her attack and the inspirational story of how the teen remains an advocate for sharks; the action-packed six-part series Shark Attack Files, which investigates bizarre and fascinating shark behavior; and so much more. And for the first time ever as its biggest shark celebration, not only will the premium content continue to be available on National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, and Nat Geo Mundo, but select series and specials will also be available post-premiere on Disney XD and Disney+ the following Fridays after their debuts, beginning July 9.

Mark those calendars and tune in for some fin-tastic adventure.

First Trailer for 20th Century Studios Ron’s Gone Wrong

This past Tuesday, June 8, was Best Friends Day—hope y’all had a good one, surrounded by your besties!—and to celebrate such an auspicious occasion, 20th Century Studios debuted a brand-new, first-look trailer for their upcoming animated feature Ron’s Gone Wrong…

This first theatrical release from the U.K.-based CG animation studio Locksmith Animation follows Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler, and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally connected device, which is supposed to be his “Best Friend Out of the Box.” But Ron’s hilarious malfunctions, set against the backdrop of the social media age, launch them into an action-packed journey in which boy and robot come to terms with the wonderful messiness of true friendship. The film boasts a who’s-who of voice talents, including Zach Galifianakis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Olivia Colman, Ed Helms, Justice Smith, Rob Delaney, Kylie Cantrall, Ricardo Hurtado, Marcus Scribner, and Thomas Barbusca—and is directed by Pixar Animation Studios veteran Jean-Philippe Vine (story artist on Cars 3 and The Good Dinosaur) and Locksmith co-founder Sarah Smith (Arthur Christmas), with Octavio Rodriguez (story artist on Coco and The Incredibles 2) co-directing.

Look for Ron’s Gone Wrong in theaters worldwide beginning October 22!

**ICYMI: Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends and Its Super-Cool Theme Song**

Did you know that the first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends on Disney Junior, has some serious pop-music cred? Its theme song, as well as music throughout the series, is composed by the Grammy®-nominated lead singer of the multiplatinum-selling rock band Fall Out Boy, Patrick Stump! Find out more, and rock out to the theme song, here.

5 Fin-teresting “Tails” from the Luca Press Conference

June 11, 2021June 10, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Ready for a magical summer?

Over the weekend, Giuliana Rancic moderated a panel with the cast and crew of Disney and Pixar’s Luca, where actors Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, and Jim Gaffigan joined director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren for a fin-tastic discussion about the film, which will premiere on Disney+ on June 18, 2021.

Set in a stunning seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Luca follows the adventures of a 13-year-old boy who experiences one unforgettable summer with his newfound best friend. Before Luca debuts on Disney+ next Friday, enjoy five highlights from the press conference:

1. Luca is about facing your fears.
Sea monster Luca Paguro (voiced by Tremblay) is timid by nature, but that changes soon after he befriends the bold Alberto Scorfano (voiced by Grazer). Luca needs to get out of his head, so Alberto comes up with “Silenzo, Bruno!”—aka the perfect way to quiet his fears. “I think we all can learn a lot from this movie, but for me, that ‘silenzio, Bruno’ part is a good way of using your words to kind of silence your anxiety about certain things,” said Tremblay. “You need to do that for acting, and I really hope it can help me in the future.”

2. The film is fun for the whole family.
Although she’s no stranger to voicing animated characters, as she did in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ award-winning Big Hero 6, Rudolph’s role as Daniela Paguro, Luca’s mom, marks her Pixar debut. “My kids, they’re all excited by Pixar, but my oldest lost her mind; I think if she had a child, she’d name it Pixar,” Rudolph joked. “This is maybe the coolest thing I could ever do. We all watched it together and they have not stopped saying, ‘Silenzio, Bruno!’ It’s pretty amazing. I have to be honest: This feels like a dream come true. It feels like you’re a part of something bigger. It’s just such a beautiful movie.”

3. Most of Luca was completed remotely.
With the exception of Tremblay, who recorded his first lines of dialogue at Pixar Animation Studios and the rest at a studio in Vancouver, the voice cast worked from their respective homes. “Being in my mom’s closet for a year, it was definitely a stretch for me—a challenge for me as an actor and as a human being,” joked Grazer, who added that the sound quality was best in his mom’s closet. Gaffigan, meanwhile, said he enjoyed working from the house his family rented in Westchester, New York, during the pandemic. “There was something kind of comfortable about recording at home. There wasn’t a commute. You weren’t in an unfamiliar space,” he said. “It felt like we were working on something very personal to Enrico, so that was exciting. It didn’t feel like a job; it felt like capturing someone’s vision and tone, which is always more fun than simply trying to land a joke.”

4. Enrico Casarosa cast a wide net during the casting process.
Newcomer Berman voices Giulia Marcovaldo, an outgoing and charming adventurer who befriends Luca and Alberto after they swim above the water’s surface, transform into humans, and try to blend in with the locals in Portorosso, Italy. The first time Casarosa met with Berman, he recalled, “The chuckles were just pouring out, and I just knew there was something about her amazing voice and her amazing energy.” In fact, both Berman and Casarosa agree she is quite similar to her “very strong” character. “She’s determined, she’s hardworking, she’s genuine, and she’s intense, but she’s also awkward and quirky and goofy,” said Berman. “I had a really fun time playing her because I relate to her in a lot of ways. We’re both passionate about what we do, and we’re very excited and joyful people.”

5. Luca is a love letter to the idyllic summers of Enrico Casarosa’s youth.
Luca is inspired by a formative friendship from Casarosa’s own life. In fact, Alberto not-so-coincidentally shares a name with his childhood best friend, with whom he spent summers on the coast of Italy. “I was born in Genoa, which is this poor town right on the Riviera. I was a shy kid, a little bit sheltered by my family,” Casarosa recalled. “And when I met my best friend at 11, my world opened up. He was a bit of a troublemaker; he didn’t have a whole lot of supervision. And so, in those special kinds of summers when you’re growing up and kind of finding yourself, I was following him and getting dragged into trouble.” Directing Luca “really made me really think about how much we find ourselves with our friendships,” he added, “or how much friendships help us find a bit of who we want to be.”

5 Unforgettable Moments from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Virtual Quinceañero and Screening Event

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021

By Zach Johnson

On Thursday, we were lucky enough to attend a Virtual Quinceañero for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in celebration of the episode “The Quinceañero,” now streaming on Disney+. Although more than a few tears were shed, we had the best night!

The festivities kicked off with cast members Dara Renée and Mark St. Cyr hosting a rousing round of trivia live on set in L.A., with co-stars Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, and Kate Reinders joining them via Zoom. Then, following a special intro from executive producer and showrunner Tim Federle, fans got a special first look at the episode—and the cast joined fans in seeing it for the very first time! Afterward, actors Julia Lester and Larry Saperstein introduced Monica Trasandes, Director of Spanish Language and Latinx Media and Representation at GLAAD, who moderated a Q&A with writer Emilia Serrano and actors (and real-life boyfriends) Frankie Rodriguez and Joe Serafini. The co-stars then performed an emotional duet of Miley Cyrus’ hit song “The Climb,” which Seb (Serafini) sings to Carlos (Rodriguez) in the episode. Lester, Saperstein, and Serafini also surprised Rodriguez with a few gifts and appearances from his mother and sister, who shared some touching words. The Virtual Quinceañero ended with a performance by Mariachi Arcoiris.

Want to know more about the episode? We’ve got the top five highlights below:

1.“The Quinceañero” is many cast members’ favorite episode of season two.
Like most fans, Cornett admitted he ships Carlos and Seb—aka Seblos. “This episode is so incredibly beautiful on so many levels. I think I cried more in this episode than I’ve cried in the last 10 years of my life,” he said with a laugh. “It’s gorgeous. Joe Serafini has an angelic voice.” Like Cornett, Bassett felt similarly emotional while filming “The Quinceañero” with his castmates. “For whatever reason, I can’t cry when there’s cameras and lights and people looking, but this episode was the first time I’ve ever cried on camera, which I thought was really, really cool,” he said. “I’ll never forget shooting it. I’ve been excited for this episode to come out since we shot it. Really, I’ve been dying for it to come out, so I’m very excited.”

2. The cast got to experience seeing the episode for the first time with fans.
As we already mentioned, the cast hadn’t seen the final edit until Thursday’s Virtual Quinceañero. “You have this amazing feeling shooting it, but then you’re also wondering, ‘What is this going to feel like for a viewer?’” St. Cyr explained. “You imagine it’s going to feel even better because there are things that, as an actor, you don’t see. The way we had to shoot it, we couldn’t all be in the same space at the same exact time. There are aspects of certain performances I’ve gotten to see pieces of, and I’m really excited to see them [in full]. And for some, I’ve seen the whole thing. I can’t wait to see how they cut it together.”

3. The idea for Carlos’ Quinceañero was inspired by real life.
Writing a nontraditional Quinceañero for Carlos is a “testament” to Federle’s leadership, Serrano said. “We just want to tell the stories as we know them and experience them ourselves without over-explaining anything,” Serrano said. “I wanted to write about it organically and let people watch the story unfold.” The storyline is partly inspired by Serrano’s own nontraditional Quinceañera, as well as the one her queer daughter will one day experience. “I thought, ‘This Quinceañero or Quinceañera is really about embracing culture how we see fit. It’s also about just being filled with love and being filled with people who accept and embrace us as we enter different phases and journeys in our lives.”

4. Frankie Rodriguez had been crossing his fingers for an episode like this.
Rodriguez confessed he “didn’t think it was real” when he heard Carlos would get a Quinceañero in season two. “I was very shocked,” he said. “I think I found out at a casting meeting, and I walked out of that meeting like, ‘Oh, my gosh! It’s going to happen.’ To see the way everything came together, and the way the episode came together, and what we talked about in the episode—it’s just a very special moment, and I am so, so happy with it.”

5. Joe Serafini was already familiar with the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack.
As a longtime fan of “The Climb,” Serafini was thrilled to perform Cyrus’ song in the episode. “As soon as that song came out [in 2009], I feel like I was already buying the sheet music online and going to sing it at the piano,” he recalled. The power ballad resonates just as much today as it did then, he added. “I think we all have these climbs in life… I think, especially as LGBTQ youth, you definitely face some challenges as you’re figuring yourself out and who you are and who you want to love,” Serafini said. “I think it’s a really beautiful message that works in so many different ways, especially in this context.”

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is now streaming on Disney+.

Pride Month Spotlight: Legendary Handprints—Sir Elton John

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021

The monumental career of singer, songwriter, and performer Sir Elton John has made him one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with more than 200 million records sold worldwide. Winning a wide array of industry awards including Grammys^®, Tonys^®, and an Oscar^®, Elton continues to add to his personal repertoire of 35 gold and 25 platinum albums.

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in England, Elton’s career as a prolific songwriter and performer netted him 30 different hits on the top 40 charts between 1970 and 1982. His theatrical stage appearances, featuring a succession of elaborate costumes and outlandish spectacles, made him a pop megastar.

In the early 1990s, Elton embarked on songwriting collaborations with lyricist Tim Rice, resulting in the soundtrack to the 1994 Walt Disney Pictures animated feature The Lion King. At first, though, Elton wasn’t too sure of success. His uneasiness proved unfounded, as the resulting work earned three Academy Award^® nominations (“Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and the winner, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”), and the film’s soundtrack album produced two top-selling, award-winning singles: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

The film also introduced Elton to a whole new generation of fans—the children who approach him in public and tell him that they love The Lion King. The lad who grew up loving the score to Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book (1967) once said, “That’s exactly what I wrote it for. I wanted to write melodies that kids would like.” In 1997, The Lion King debuted on Broadway, receiving six Tony^® Awards, including Best Musical, and, in 1998, a Grammy^® for Best Musical Show Album. In March 2000, the Tony Award-winning Aida opened on Broadway and Elton was honored with another Grammy for the Best Musical Show Album.

A great humanitarian, Elton’s commitment to the fight against AIDS led to the inception of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In December of 2004, Elton received the Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contributions to American culture and excellence through the performing arts, and in 1998 was knighted by the Queen of England, who honored him with the title Sir Elton John, CBE.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

June 10, 2021

By Zach Johnson

There’s no shortage of fantastic things to watch this weekend! The fun starts Friday, when the 1967 musical The Happiest Millionaire joins the Disney+ library—the same day the streamer debuts the second season of Zenimation. On Saturday, the second season of The Owl House will debut on Disney Channel. Then, on Sunday, ABC will air a new episode The Chase and National Geographic will broadcast two new episodes of Breaking Bobby Bones.

The Happiest Millionaire—Friday, June 11, on Disney+
Based on the true story of nonconformist millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, portrayed by Disney Legend Fred MacMurray, the film is told through the eyes of the clever but unlucky butler John Lawless (Tommy Steele), who manages their Philadelphia household. After young Cordy Biddle (Lesley Ann Warren) gets engaged to heir Angier Duke (John Davidson), it’s up to John to unite the Biddle and Duke families to keep the wedding—dubbed “the social event of the season”—on track. Featuring music by Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the comedy was directed by Norman Tokar.

Zenimation—Friday, June 11, on Disney+
The series, which creates a mindfulness soundscape experience featuring unforgettable scenes from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ timeless films, is back with new episodes. They include moments from more than 80 years of acclaimed films, including breathtaking scenes from Disney’s first feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, through never-before-seen moments from Raya and the Last Dragon. Unplug, relax, and refresh your senses with the soundscapes of Zenimation. Episode themes include “Everyday Comforts,” “Kindness,” “Locales,” “Natural Wonders,” “Rain,” “Snowscapes,” “Transformation,” and “Waterways.”

The Owl House—Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m. ET on Disney Channel
Season two picks up immediately after a confrontation with Emperor Belos (voice of Matthew Rhys) and finds our heroes working together to return Luz (voice of Sarah-Nicole Robles) to the Human Realm; to help Eda (voice of Wendie Malick) confront her inner demons; and to discover the truth about King (voice of Alex Hirsch) and his past. Since Luz feels guilty about Eda losing her powers, she tries to win a bounty that will help her friends.

The Chase—Sunday, June 13, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC
ITV’s Mark “The Beast” Labbett is the Chaser to beat as three new contestants face off against him in this heart-racing quiz show. JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time’s James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings, and Brad Rutter are all back as Chasers, with Sara Haines as host.

Breaking Bobby Bones—Sunday, June 13, at 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET on National Geographic
The hit series is airing two new episodes back-to-back. First, in “Burning Bobby Bones,” Bobby Bones visits Alabama to meet a pipe welder who helps parolees get back on their feet and find careers in the welding industry. He is then challenged to complete a successful weld on a vacuum truck that’s vital to local emergency hurricane relief efforts. Then, in “In Too Deep,” Bones meets an accomplished commercial diver in Seattle. Like Bones, she has overcome adversities and defied the odds to find success in her industry. Then, he’s pushed to his limits as he tries to do heavy industrial construction… underwater!

Meet the Characters of Loki

June 9, 2021

By Jim Frye

He’s back, and he’s still “burdened with glorious purpose.”

Marvel Studios’ original live-action series Loki arrives on Disney+ today, taking the fan-favorite villain on the ride of a lifetime (or, considering the time-traveling premise, perhaps, multiple lifetimes)! Described as a crime-thriller meets epic-adventure, the series takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame, beginning the moment in Endgame when the 2012 Loki takes the Tesseract. This lands the God of Mischief in the hands of the Time Variance Authority (TVA), who needs his help to help mend the timeline. The TVA, though, is an unforgiving bureaucracy that knocks Loki down a few pegs from his days as a self-proclaimed majestic being destined for greatness—but of course, he still has his ego intact.

With all that time-jumping around the Marvel Cinematic Universe, here’s a handy guide to the characters in Loki, just to keep you grounded.

Loki / Tom Hiddleston
He is the Prince of Asgard, the mercurial God of Mischief, the brother of Thor—and he’s in deep trouble. Tom Hiddleston, who has portrayed Loki in six Marvel Cinematic Universe films, returns as the title character, everyone’s favorite villain, who tries to navigate—and manipulate—his way through the bureaucratic nightmare that is the Time Variance Authority. “Loki is almost this endlessly fascinating box of tricks,” says Hiddleston. “The moment you think you know him he reveals something else.”

Mobius / Owen Wilson
Mobius M. Mobius is an agent for the Time Variance Authority, who specializes in the investigations of particularly dangerous time criminals—case in point: Loki. “He’s a little bit like Nick Nolte getting Eddie Murphy out of jail in 48 Hours to help him investigate,” says Wilson. “Mobius believes in this investigation, and the fact that there is someone creating real mayhem for the TVA that Loki can help him find.” Wilson continues: ““Working with Loki, of course, is a little bit of a chess match to gain his trust, and Loki seeing how far he can go with Mobius. And who’s manipulating whom?”

Ravonna Renslayer / Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Ravonna Renslayer is a respected judge in the Time Variance Authority, and one of few in rank to stand in the presence of the Time Keepers themselves. She’s a former hunter who rose up the ranks and now oversees the investigation of Loki, among others. And though she’s friends with Mobius, professionally, she does not agree with his methods. “I don’t think I’ve ever played such an authoritative character,” says Mbatha-Raw. “She’s powerful. She’s well respected.”

Hunter B-15 / Wunmi Mosaku
A high-ranking Hunter, Hunter B-15 is tough, fair, by the book and none too pleased with Mobius’ laissez-faire demeanor. “She’s proficient physically, and she’s strong,” says Mosaku. “She’s dedicated and loyal. She is a diehard, absolute super fan of the TVA and believes she was created there and that the timekeepers are her superiors and like gods.” She is determined to find and delete The Variant for taking down TVA troops.

Rounding out the announced cast are Sophia Di Martino and Richard E. Grant, whose characters have yet to be revealed.

You can follow all the cross-timeline intrigue of Loki, streaming now on Disney+!

Wendie Malick Celebrates the Incredible World and Inclusive Themes of The Owl House

June 9, 2021June 8, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

Eda, the Owl Lady, was the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles… or at least she was when we met her at the beginning of The Owl House. Now, as Disney Channel’s groundbreaking, Peabody Award-nominated animated series returns for a second season on Saturday, June 12 (10 a.m. EDT/PDT), on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW, Eda has lost most of her magic but none of her humor, determination, or love for self-assured teenage girl Luz and tiny warrior King—her found family.

Season one saw Luz magically transported to the Boiling Isles, where she’s been pursuing her dream of becoming a witch by serving as Eda’s apprentice. In the first season finale, Luz destroyed the portal to the human world in order to stop the evil Emperor Belos from petrifying her friends—including Eda’s sister, Lilith. Lilith had cursed Eda many years earlier, a curse that she broke at the end of last season by sharing it with her sister. Now both Lilith and Eda have diminished powers—vastly diminished, in Eda’s case—and Luz has no way of returning home to the human world. Watch the exclusive clip below for a glimpse into what life is like in the Boiling Isles for Eda and Luz as the new season begins:

“I think that we now are at a point where everybody is having to sort of reevaluate where they are in this world of the Boiling Isles,” Wendie Malick, who voices Eda, tells D23. Without a portal to the human world, Eda can no longer bring back human garbage to the Boiling Isles to sell, so she and Luz are having to learn new skills and take on odd jobs in order to keep food on the table. “Luz is having to really up her game in order to take care of me,” Malick says. “I think this is another example of where this show is really helping us see what it is to truly be friends and family to each other, and being called upon to do what seems impossible when you love and care about someone.”

Since day one, Eda and King have accepted Luz for exactly who she is. “That’s what we all hope to find in life,” Malick shares, noting that, “As we grow older, we choose our families.” “Us weirdos have to stick together,” Eda proclaims in the first episode of the new season, and Malick has high praise for The Owl House’s inclusive themes. “The whole idea of diversity and inclusion in this show is, I think, what really sets it apart from most other kids’ shows,” she says. “It’s a chance for every kid who watches it to be able to relate to someone and not feel like they’re freaks or that they’re oddballs or misfits. It’s a chance for everyone to kind of know that you’re OK just the way you are and there are people out there who will get you. Don’t worry—you will find them!”

Malick compares these nuanced themes to those found in the fairy tales originally written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, which she points out, “were so scary, but that’s kind of how we learned about the dangers that are out there and the magical wonder of the world, and that all of it exists. This show doesn’t duck any tough issues.”

Though Malick has lent her voice to many animated films and series—including The Emperor’s New Groove, for which she voiced Chica—Eda holds a special place in her heart. “The first time I saw the illustration of this character, I thought, she could be me. She just has better hair,” Malick laughs, “but she wore the same kind of clothes I wear. She had really good arms. I liked how salty she was, and I can tell that underneath that sort of tough exterior, there’s a real squishy woman under there. She just doesn’t let too many people see it.” The character enables Malick to use “every tool in my box,” to show Eda’s more tender and vulnerable side, as well as her sass.

Over the course of the new season, Eda and King will be working to help Luz find a way to return to the human realm—though King has already admitted that he desperately wants her to stay in the Boiling Isles. Malick sees parallels in Luz’ journey to Dorothy’s in The Wizard of Oz. “[Dorothy] went into this magical world that was so dangerous and scary, and yet she got to grow and be a heroine and meet these amazing friends who helped her on her pilgrimage. I think that’s where Luz is with this new family,” Malick explains. “King and Eda have empowered her in a way she never dreamed possible, so as much as she misses her mother, it would be really hard for her to leave this place.”

And Malick can relate. She remembers the excitement that would accompany a new Disney film when she was growing up, waiting with bated breath for the latest release. “They were just the most beautifully drawn magical worlds to climb into,” she says, naming Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Peter Pan as being among her personal favorites—and revealing that she is named for the latter’s beloved heroine. “I love them all. It just made me want to go live in those worlds,” she says, “and I would have been like Luz. If I had a chance to go and live in those worlds I probably would have.”

Ahead of the season two premiere, Disney Channel ordered a third season of The Owl House that will be comprised of three 44-minute specials. So lucky for Malick—and for us—she won’t have to leave the Boiling Isles any time soon!