5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

April 19, 2021

By Zach Johnson

This week marks the start of National Geographic Presents: IMPACT with Gal Gadot, a short-form documentary series available on National Geographic digital and social platforms; new episodes will premiere every Monday. On Tuesday, the new psychological thriller Cruel Summer will premiere on Freeform in a special two-hour event. The next night, the network will air the dramatic and highly anticipated spring finale of Good Trouble. And in celebration of Earth Day, Disney+ will debut the documentary series Secrets of Whales and Nat Geo WILD will premiere the special Kingdom of the Polar Bears.

National Geographic Presents: IMPACT with Gal Gadot—Monday, April 19, on National Geographic Digital and Social Platforms
The compelling six-part short-form documentary series follows the powerful stories of resilient young women around the world who overcome obstacles and do extraordinary things. The first episode tells the inspiring story of Arianna Font Martin, a 19-year-old woman leading a team of college students who invented a water filtration system. They give the people of Puerto Rico access to clean, drinkable water after years of living with toxic water following the damage of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and a lack of government aid.

Cruel Summer—Tuesday, April 20, at 9 p.m. ET on Freeform
Taking place over three summers in the ’90s, a popular teen (Olivia Holt) goes missing. A seemingly unrelated girl (Chiara Aurelia) then transforms from a sweet and odd outlier to the most popular girl in town—eventually becoming the most hated person in the country.

Good Trouble—Wednesday, April 21, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
In the spring finale, “She’s Back,” Callie (Maia Mitchell) questions whether to help Kathleen (Constance Zimmer). Meanwhile, Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) comes clean about her relationship with Evan (T.J. Linnard); Malika (Zuri Adele) makes a decision about her relationships with Isaac (Sarunas J. Jackson) and Dyonte (Marcus Emanuel Mitchell); Davia (Emma Hunton) gets a win at her school; Gael (Tommy Martinez) gets some unexpected news; and Alice (Sherry Cole) makes a decision about whether to continue with the comedy diversity program and seeks advice from Margaret Cho (guest starring as herself).

Secrets of the Whales—Thursday, April 22, on Disney+
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker and conservationist James Cameron, this four-part documentary series, narrated by actress and conservationist Sigourney Weaver, plunges viewers deep within the epicenter of whale culture. Throughout this epic journey, viewers will get to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species: orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals, and sperm whales. Featuring the expansive knowledge and skill of acclaimed National Geographic Explorer and Photographer Brian Skerry, this Earth Day special event series will also unveil new science and technology to spotlight whales as they make lifelong friendships, teach clan heritage and traditions to their young, and grieve deeply for the losses of loved ones.

Kingdom of the Polar Bears—Thursday, April 22, at 8 p.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD
As the Arctic changes faster than ever, Dennis Compayre, a veteran polar bear guide, makes an epic first-time journey following his beloved bears through the brutal Canadian winter and onto the frozen waters of Hudson Bay. In this high-stakes, high-reward venture—which viewers can experience as a special two-hour Earth Day event—the team documents the secret world of polar bears and the mysterious and disappearing kingdom of ice that sustains them. The winter hunting and birthing season is a critical time for these bears and is largely undocumented, deemed too difficult and dangerous for humans to follow… until now. The team, armed with traditional ecological knowledge and the latest 4K camera technology, witnesses never-before-seen seal-hunting strategies and documents speedy adaptations to climate change, including whale predation and open-water hunting.

A Look Back at the Oscars® – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

April 17, 2021April 16, 2021

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives

As the Academy Awards^® ceremony approaches, we’re taking a look back at some of Disney’s Oscar winners. Today, we’re spotlighting Walt Disney’s first feature length animated production—and the fairest of them all—Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)!

The film premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles on December 21, 1937, but before the first Disney princess could make her appearance, Walt and his artists were busy at work binding the pages of her story together.

Walt had a long-standing interest in creating a film about Snow White, having seen a silent film adaptation of the Brothers Grimm story as a newsboy in Kansas City. Production of the film began in 1934, with artists such as Ferdinand Horvath and Gustaf Tenggren helping to shape the on-screen aesthetic of Snow White’s world through the European fairy-tale flavor Walt sought out.

While the film was in production, Disney artists were simultaneously working on the Silly Symphony shorts; those shorts, in turn, allowed them to innovate and refine their animation techniques, which were subsequently incorporated into Snow White.

In the elegant movements of Snow White, we can see how animators built upon both Marge Champion, the live-action reference model for the title character, and their experiences animating a realistic human figure for the first time in The Goddess of Spring (1934). The multiplane camera, first tested out in The Old Mill (1937), brought an incredible depth and richness to the animated backgrounds of Snow White’s fairy-tale world. With creative leaps and bounds such as these, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs resonated with both audiences and critics alike.

Press book page heralding the *Snow White* premiere at the Carthay Circle Theatre.

During the 11th Academy Awards ceremony in 1939, Walt Disney was presented with a special award for the film, which honored it as “a significant screen innovation which has charmed millions and pioneered a great new entertainment field for the motion picture cartoon.” Famously, the award he received consisted of one full sized Academy Award and seven miniature Academy Awards. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs continues to be a beloved classic and to commemorate it, look into your magic mirror (or device screen) to watch it on Disney+!

Tokyo DisneySea’s New Themed Port Concept Model—Plus More in News Briefs

April 16, 2021May 3, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Concept Model for Tokyo DisneySea’s New Themed Port Unveiled

Fantastical news from our friends at Tokyo Disneyland Resort: They’ve just unveiled a truly amazing concept model for Fantasy Springs, the new themed port opening at Tokyo DisneySea Park in 2023. This will be the eighth themed port in Tokyo DisneySea, and the largest ever since its opening!

Fantasy Springs will include a Disney luxury/deluxe hotel and three separate areas, each dedicated to a different Walt Disney Animation Studios film: Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan. Attractions, restaurants, and immersive spaces will lead guests into the colorful world of each story. Take a look at the Tangled area in the video above… and check out the Frozen and Peter Pan areas (respectively) in the videos below.

The concept model in the videos is one-fiftieth of the actual size of the port; during the development process, Walt Disney Imagineering uses concept art, drawings, and models to plan out the arrangement and size of buildings and area development.

Stay tuned for more Fantasy Springs news as it becomes available!

**Disney’s LAUNCHPAD Features Fresh Generation of Storytellers**

Just this week, our pals at Disney+ released the official trailer and key art for Disney’s LAUNCHPAD, a collection of live-action short films from a new generation of dynamic storytellers. Beginning May 28, six talented filmmakers will share their perspectives and creative visions with audiences around the world; take a gander at some snippets from their stories in the new trailer, above.

The goal of Disney’s LAUNCHPAD is to diversify the types of stories that are being told—and to give access to those who have historically not had it. The filmmakers whose shorts comprise the first season are all from underrepresented backgrounds; inspired by life’s journey, their films are based on the inaugural season theme “Discover.” Each director was selected from more than 1,100 U.S. applicants, and began the program in early 2020—and they were assigned an executive mentor from various divisions of The Walt Disney Company, including Disney+, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. The program included script development, mentoring, and classes—most conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic… with principal photography taking place once productions were physically able to resume, followed by postproduction and additional classes.

Sound like something you might want to take part in? Submissions for the second season of Disney’s LAUNCHPAD—based around the theme of “Connection”—will be accepted beginning Monday, May 10, with the brand-new addition of a writers’ track. Visit LAUNCHPAD.Disney.com for more info!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Well, here we are—about mid-way through April and ready for a nice relaxing weekend o’ viewing from around the worlds of Disney. Are you an entrepreneur at heart? Do make sure to check out a brand-new episode of Shark Tank on ABC. Or are you more of a nature lover? Disney+ is premiering National Geographic’s Earth Moods this weekend. And there’s plenty more where that came from…

**The Wakandans Are Back in New The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Featurette**

Now this is cool… Disney+ just released a brand-new featurette for Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, showcasing Ayo and the Dora Milaje’s return to the MCU. Yes, those fan faves are back—and in the above clip, Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier), director Kari Skogland, Florence Kasumba (Ayo), and Wyatt Russell (John Walker) share their thoughts on seeing these Wakandan warriors in action. The penultimate episode of the six-part series begins streaming exclusively on Disney+ tonight: Friday, April 16.

Directed by Kari Skogland with Malcolm Spellman as head writer, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier also stars Daniel Brühl, Emily VanCamp, Erin Kellyman, Adepero Oduye, Amy Aquino, and Danny Ramirez.

Honoring Earth Day with Disney Channels

Ready to be inspired? There’s a plethora of incredible Earth Day content coming soon from across Disney Channels’ platforms—brand-new short-form videos; environmentally themed episodes of Disney Junior favorites including Mira, Royal Detective and T.O.T.S.; and a full day of programming on Earth Day (April 22) from Disney Channel, including encore presentations of themed eps from Raven’s Home, Sydney to the Max, and more. We’ve got a look of all the Earth Day fun to come right here at D23.com.

Cast Revealed for 93rd Oscars®

In keeping with the approach for this year’s ceremony—“[an] awards-show-as-a-movie,” explain show producers Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher, and Steven Soderbergh—the ensemble cast scheduled to present at the 93rd Oscars® was just revealed, and it’s a veritable who’s who of Hollywood. Starring, in alphabetical order, are Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Bong Joon Ho, Don Cheadle, Bryan Cranston, Laura Dern, Harrison Ford, Regina King, Marlee Matlin, Rita Moreno, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Renée Zellweger, and Zendaya. “There’s so much wattage here,” the producers continue, “sunglasses may be required.” Additional talent joining the 93rd Oscars will be announced at later date.

The ceremony will be televised live from Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood—as well as from international locations, via satellite—on Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, only on ABC. Don’t miss it!

Grim-Grinning News From Disneyland Park’s Haunted Mansion

Earlier this week, the good folks at the Disneyland Resort (via the Disney Parks Blog) revealed some ghoulishly great news regarding the iconic Haunted Mansion attraction inside Disneyland Park. Step toward the dead center of the room—err, we mean, click here—to read up on what to expect the next time you find yourself amidst those 999 happy haunts.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Extremely Adorable Baby Mandrill

We couldn’t let this week’s News Briefs go by without highlighting some ridiculously cute baby animals, courtesy Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. Just as Earth Month kicked off—on Saturday, April 10—a little girl mandrill was born to first-time mom Hazel and dad Linus. Cast members have named the infant Ivy to fit in with the rest of her colorful family: Olive, Scarlett, Snow, and Hazel.

Mom and newborn are healthy and bonding… and if you’re visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom anytime soon, keep your eyes peeled—because both have already been spotted by guests on Kilimanjaro Safaris! You might see the shy baby clinging to Hazel’s stomach, a natural bonding behavior. But this will change soon as the baby begins to walk within weeks of being born, spending most of the time exploring her surroundings underneath mom. The baby joins the troop of seven other mandrills, now including four generations, that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home.

See Ivy the lil’ mandrill in action in the clip above—and prepare to involuntarily exclaim “Awwww!” at your laptop or mobile device screen. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!)

ICYMI: National Geographic Earth Day Eve Coming Soon

There are so many ways to celebrate Earth Day this year, and here’s one you should definitely add to your calendar: Nat Geo’s Earth Day Eve 2021, a virtual concert celebration hosted by travel expert Jessica Nabongo and airing exclusively on National Geographic’s website and YouTube channel, will feature sure-to-be-memorable performances from Angélique Kidjo, José González, Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma, Ziggy Marley, and many more. D23 has a full rundown on what you can expect.

Every Way to Celebrate Earth Day with Disney Channels

April 15, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

To commemorate Earth Day this year, the younger denizens of our planet can enjoy an entertaining and inspiring lineup of special themed content from across Disney Channels’ platforms. Here’s everything to watch, from new short-form videos introducing kids and families to everyday people who are making a difference in their community and in the world, to shorts celebrating animals across the globe.

For six wild days, beginning this Saturday, April 17, and continuing through Friday, April 23, Disney Junior YouTube will launch a Disney Animals Earth Day livestream showcasing an adorable assortment of Disney Animals shorts with fan-favorite characters from hit animated series. Join Mira and her friends from Mira, Royal Detective and Pip and Freddy from T.O.T.S. as they learn and explore the magic, wonder, and love of animals all around the globe.

Disney Junior will also spotlight environmentally themed episodes of popular series such as Mira, Royal Detective, Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures, T.O.T.S., and Puppy Dog Pals. Disney XD is giving fans an encore showing of LEGO Marvel Avengers: Climate Conundrum, which finds Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and other scientists—including Tony’s rival, Justin Hammer—coming together to share their world-saving technology and competing for the top prize at a climate conference.

On Earth Day, Thursday, April 22 (2–9:30 p.m. EDT), Disney Channel will present a full day of programming that includes encore presentations of episodes of Raven’s Home, BUNK’D, Big City Greens, and Sydney to the Max—all with an environmental focus. And at 7 p.m. EDT, be sure to tune in for the Disney Channel premiere of the feature film Rio 2.

All month long, the hosted short-form series In The Nook is airing segments on Disney Channel and Disney XD that have been created for kids age 6–14 and cover topics such as climate change, upcycling, a solution to fight micro-plastics in the ocean, and creating ecofriendly fuel. Throughout April, In The Nook will feature ZOMBIES 2 stars Chandler Kinney and Ariel Martin interviewing 15-year-old Alexandria Villaseñor, co-founder of US Youth Climate Strike and founder of Earth Uprising, and Jen Ellis, the second grade teacher who created the famous wool mittens Senator Bernie Sanders wore to the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Additionally, Israel Johnson of BUNK’D interviews Cassandra Lin, founder of Project TGIF (Turn Grease Into Fuel), and middle-schooler Anna Du, who built a robot that can find micro-plastics in the ocean.

And throughout the month, visit the DisneyNOW app to explore a Happy Earth Day Collection featuring all three seasons of the Disney Animals interstitials, including “Disney Animals: Look Closer with Mira,” as well as other Earth Day long- and short-form content.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

April 15, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Dive headfirst into the weekend by watching a brand-new episode of Shark Tank Friday on ABC. That same day, Disney+ will premiere National Geographic’s short-form visual series Earth Moods and also add two films, The Kid Who Would Be King and RIO, to its library. Finally, on Saturday, Nat Geo WILD will broadcast a new episode of Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet.

Shark Tank—Friday, April 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Who will Sharks Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary invest in next? Two chefs from California had to make a major pivot when the pandemic nearly derailed their business based on a perishable, rare ingredient; a husband and wife from Arizona take portability to a whole new level with their one-of-a-kind handwashing device; an entrepreneur from Texas enters the Tank with her quick and easy approach to drying greens with her space-saving design; and an entrepreneur from California is thirsty for a good deal after presenting his high tech, self-cleaning water bottle. Then, in a Shark Tank update, season 11 entrepreneurs Rachel Connors and Joe Denim update fans on their artisan hammock company with a social mission. Yellow Leaf Hammocks has flipped its traditional business model upside down in order to go directly to consumers during the global pandemic with some help from their investor Daniel Lubetzky.

Earth Moods—Friday, April 16, on Disney+
Are you ready to explore the world… without leaving home? Earth Moods takes viewers on the ultimate retreat, transporting them to a vast array of colorful and calming corners of the world. Viewers can travel to blue glaciers, arid deserts, lush rainforests, and bustling cities to escape from the cacophony of everyday life. Each “mood” gives viewers a new opportunity to relax and reset as the sound of music and the natural world wash over them.

The Kid Who Would Be King—Friday, April 16, on Disney+
This 2019 fantasy adventure follows Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis), who’s tired of being bullied at school. Everything changes when he discovers Excalibur, the legendary Sword in the Stone. Now, his friends—and his enemies—must become knights and join the wizard Merlin (Patrick Stewart) to fight the evil sorceress Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson). With the future of the entire world at stake, Alex must muster up the courage he never knew he had.

RIO—Friday, April 16, on Disney+
This 2011 animated comedy introduces Blu (voice of Jesse Eisenberg), a flightless macaw who acts more like a human than a bird. Blu had long believed he was the last of his kind, but when he discovers there’s another parrot—and that she could be his mate—he embarks on an adventure to the magical city of Rio. There, he meets Jewel (voice of Anne Hathaway) and a menagerie of other animals who help Blu fulfill his dream and learn to fly. Rounding out the film’s voice cast are Jemaine Clement as Nigel, a cockatoo; Jamie Foxx as Nico, a canary; George Lopez as Rafael, a toucan; Jane Lynch as Alice, a Canada goose; Leslie Mann as Linda Gunderson; Tracy Morgan as Luiz, a bulldog; Rodrigo Santoro as Dr. Túlio Monteiro; Wanda Sykes as Chloe, a Canada goose; and will.i.am. as Pedro, a cardinal.

Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet— Saturday, April 17, at 9 p.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD
In “O and the Three Bears,” Dr. Oakley vaccinates three bears at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and sees a lynx with deformed legs for a checkup. Then, a dog comes to the clinic with severe bite wounds after protecting its owner from a vicious dog attack. And the team performs a castration on a Rottweiler and treats baby Nigerian pygmy goats.

Weird, Wet and Wild…life at Walt Disney World!

April 13, 2021April 14, 2021

By Becky Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives

Weird, Wet and Wild … life! — Mickey and Goofy drive a golf cart towards water.

Everyone knows how hot it can get during Florida’s summer months, so it’s no surprise how popular the water activities are at Walt Disney World Resort. Whether it’s braving the slides at one of our splash-tastic Water Parks, paddling in a fabulously themed resort pool, or enjoying some active water sports on one of our legendary lakes, Disney guests manage to stay plenty cool. But… you may not realize that some of your favorite characters also enjoy a refreshing dip in the water! Please join us for a quick look back at some of our favorite weird Walt Disney World character moments from the past 50 years. Oh … and hang on tight, ‘cuz you may get wet…

In the early 1970s, Goofy and Pluto took to the waters for some fishing and water skiing aboard the WDW S.S. Intrepid (those two were indeed intrepid to brave Bay Lake in that bucket!). Our favorite goofy sportsman found that he enjoyed skiing the lake so much that he continued the sport for years afterwards, showing off his, um… skills… and surprising a few guests along the way.

A few years later when Disney’s first water park, River Country, debuted in 1976, Goofy and Pluto eagerly joined Disney’s sun (and fun) seekers for some hilarious hijinks on the Tire Swing and the thrilling White Water Rapids. Years later, Tigger himself slid into the very cool action at Typhoon Lagoon, showing off his prowess on the exciting Storm Slides.

But Goofy, Pluto and Tigger aren’t the only aquatic Walt Disney World thrill seekers. Let’s take a very deep dive into the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium at The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion in EPCOT with none other than Mickey Mouse himself! Of course, all responsible divers take along a pal, so in 1986 Mickey invited one of his avid sportsman friends, former Disney Company President Frank G. Wells, to join him “fathoms below” to celebrate the Grand Opening of The Living Seas (as the pavilion was originally known).

So, as the days get warmer, be sure to pack your snorkel and flippers and head to Florida to celebrate the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. There’s a whole world filled with golden sun and sparkling blue water waiting there for you … and you never know who might be the one sending a silly splash or two in your direction!

Can’t get enough of the Vacation Kingdom of the World? Dive into even more Walt Disney World nostalgia with the 2021 D23 Gold Member Collector Set, exclusively available to D23 Gold Members!

Check Out What’s Materializing at Disneyland Park’s Haunted Mansion

April 12, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Spring has sprung, and the urge to redecorate has possessed many of us who have grown a little too used to our usual haunts. Who hasn’t been seized by the urge to hang some new paintings or replant a garden? The spirit of home improvement isn’t limited to just the living—our ghoulishly delightful pals at Disneyland park’s Haunted Mansion have been working on their own creepy changes to their ghostly retreat.

Our friends at Disney Parks Blog shared a video that offers a sneak peek at what you can expect when you visit the happy haunts next:

Among the changes is the return of a classic piece of art to the Haunted Mansion’s queue: The original “April to December” changing portrait is now back in the mansion, with its beautiful subject undergoing her terrifying transformation in a new scene you’ll discover before you board your Doom Buggy.

Along with the classic portrait, guests will also encounter a new, mysterious cat statue, inspired by early concepts of Haunted Mansion where a ghostly cat would follow guests on their journey. Now, this cat statue observes you as you board your Doom Buggy and set off on your adventure into the mansion.

Other elements that have materialized in the mansion include new details in the séance room, the attic, and the pet cemetery out front. Check out a sneak peek at the new landscaping around the site for dearly departed pets:

We can’t wait for the planned reopening of Disneyland Resort’s theme parks on April 30! Both a theme park reservation and valid admission ticket for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up. Guests must have a valid theme park admission ticket in order to make a reservation. Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability and, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks, and in groups no larger than three households, in line with current state guidelines. For details on how to make a theme park reservation, check out Disney Parks Blog’s story here.

Stay tuned to D23.com for more news on Haunted Mansion as it materializes.

Stop Everything and Watch These Stop-Motion Movies on Disney+

April 12, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the movie James and the Giant Peach, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, who has explored many strange and wonderful worlds through his stunning stop-motion films. The art of stop-motion allows filmmakers to build amazing, intricate environments—and frame by frame, they craft a story unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. From the inside of a giant peach to an isle of dogs, these films invite audiences to venture to new and amazing places through movie magic. In honor of this milestone anniversary, we’ve rounded up stop-motion films on Disney+ that you can watch any time you hear the call to adventure.

1. James and the Giant Peach
The beloved adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl story brought a fantastical world to life thanks to stop-motion magic. Nine-year-old James Henry Trotter, a young orphan, feels like his life is the pits until he spills a bag of magical “crocodile tongues” at the base of a peach tree. The accident causes an enormous (dare we say… giant) peach to grow, and within the peach is a wondrous group of human-sized insects. When the peach breaks loose from the tree, James and newfound insect companions find themselves headed for the adventure of a lifetime. The stop-motion animation of the film (which included more than 50 peach props!) was done at Skellington Productions in San Francisco, the same studio where stop-motion classic and multi-holiday viewing staple Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas had been produced—even utilizing some of the same crew!

2. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Speaking of The Nightmare Before Christmas… In this stop-motion animated classic, Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, discovers what happens when two holidays collide after he decides to take over Christmas. His obsession extends to kidnapping Santa Claus and giving terrifying toys to the children of the world—but when Jack sees the horrified reaction to his creepy Christmas, he realizes the true way to be himself is to embrace his love of Halloween. The film features more than 227 animated characters and creeps, and the frightfully fun story inspired the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay at Disneyland park and Tokyo Disneyland.

3. Frankenweenie
Filmed in classic black and white, this “tail” of a boy who resurrects his beloved dog through the power of science puts a doggone good twist on a classic spooky story. The feature film is an adaptation of Tim Burton’s 1984 short of the same name—both of which you can watch on Disney+ now!

4. Fantastic Mr. Fox
James and the Giant Peach isn’t the only adaption of a Roald Dahl story to get the stop-motion treatment. Based on the story by the same name, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a whimsical stop-motion adventure directed by Wes Anderson. Mr. Fox is trying to break his thieving habits—but is challenged by a trio of farmers who are determined to destroy his home. The film’s stop-motion action is accompanied by a rockin’ soundtrack of classic tunes, bringing together a uniquely fun interpretation of a classic book.

5. Isle of Dogs
Wes Anderson’s second stop-motion film continued his partnership with puppeteer Andy Gent, and together they created a pawsitively intriguing story about “Trash Island,” a garbage dump for dogs exiled from Megasaki City. Gent and his team spent almost 34 months creating the canines for this film—and you can even see some of these star puppets at the Walt Disney Archives’ exhibit currently on view at the Bowers Museum.

Let’s Get Dangerous with this D23-Exclusive Darkwing Duck Pin!

April 12, 2021April 12, 2021

By The D23 Team

D23-Exclusive Darkwing Duck Pin - SOLD OUT

Celebrate 30 years of Disney Afternoon’s daring duck of mystery with this pin created just for D23 by Disney artist Jose Velasquez. As Darkwing Duck himself swoops out of the shadows in glittering enamel, this D23 Gold Member exclusive is the perfect way to commemorate this animated milestone.

Our Darkwing Duck pin, a limited edition of 1,500, will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney at 7 a.m. PT on April 12, 2021.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to your D23 Gold Membership. Pins are sold for $12.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of one (1) pin of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

11 Disney+ Ways to Celebrate our Furry and Feathered Friends and the People Who Care for Them

April 9, 2021

By Beth Deitchman and Courtney Potter

Does the wag of a dog’s tail put a spring in your step? Can a kitten’s purr ease your mind and your mood? Is the melodic chirping of a bird always music to your ears? This Sunday, April 11, is National Pet Day, the perfect excuse to dote on those special members of the family who bring so much joy to our lives all year ’round. Disney+ is a pet-lover’s stream-come-true, chock full of stories that celebrate the special bond between human and pet—from a majestic mustang to the smallest of goldfish and everything in between. Here are our recommendations for some—but far from all—of the movies and series that spotlight beloved animal companions, as well as the amazing people who look after them. Fair warning: If you aren’t already a pet owner, these might just inspire you to become one!

Black Beauty
This timeless reimagining of Anna Sewell’s classic novel, which premiered on Disney+ in 2020, demonstrates the magic that happens when the right animal and the right human meet at exactly the moment when they’re both in need of connection. Black Beauty is a wild horse born free in the American West, separated from her family and sent to live in a dusty corral that she fears she may never escape. Quiet, gentle horse whisperer John Manly is drawn to Beauty’s fiery spirit and adopts her for his training program at Birtwick Stables, though he’s unsure that the mustang can ever be tamed. It isn’t until the heartbroken horse meets John’s niece, 17-year-old Jo Green, whose spirit is also close to breaking, that the two begin to heal together and forge an unbreakable bond that carries Beauty through the different chapters, challenges, and adventures of her life.

That Darn Cat
Feline nostalgic? Then why not check out this 1997 film—an updated remake of the 1965 feature—that stars Christina Ricci as 16-year-old Patti Randall, whose ho-hum hometown is suddenly transformed into a hotbed of criminal excitement when her faithful tomcat D.C. (aka “Darn Cat”) brings home an important clue to a mysterious kidnapping. When Patti teams up with a rookie FBI agent to try to solve the baffling crime, these would-be detectives follow D.C. into some unexpected surprises.

National Geographic’s Critter Fixers: Country Vets
There is no such thing as a “normal” day at the office for Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson, longtime friends who own and operate Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital, located 100 miles south of Atlanta. Their patients deal with every manner of country ailment, and the docs’ days are filled with emergency office visits and “farm calls” around rural Georgia, where their cases have included a police dog rushed in with cactus thorns around her eye and a potbelly pig with life-threatening lacerations suffered during an attack by a wild animal. Season 1 of Critter Fixers: Country Vets is available now on Disney+.

The Incredible Journey
Sometimes ordinary pets find themselves in extraordinary situations, as is the case in this 1963 classic that follows a young retriever, an older bull terrier, and an independent Siamese cat on an amazing adventure in the Canadian wilderness. Together, these unlikely friends protect and care for one another in the face of hunger, rushing rivers, and more perilous obstacles they encounter over the course of their suspenseful journey to find their family… and home.

Lady and the Tramp (2019)
Lady, an American Cocker Spaniel, is Jim Dear and Darling’s beloved house dog from the moment that she emerges from a pink hatbox. But her entire life changes when a baby enters the picture, and Lady is no longer the center of attention. The arrival of Darling’s cat-loving Aunt Sarah makes a challenging situation worse and Lady finds herself alone on the streets. She discovers friendship—and puppy love—with streetwise mongrel Tramp, who teaches her the ways of his world, which he navigates without being tethered to a leash. The 2019 adaptation of the animated classic combined live-action with photorealistic animation and featured a real-life canine cast of rescue dogs that found furever homes when production wrapped.

National Geographic’s Dr. K’s Exotic Animal E.R.
Dr. Susan Kelleher—known colloquially as “Dr. K.”—runs South Florida’s busy Broward Avian and Exotics Animal Hospital, where she and her staff care for a veritable “who’s who” of amazing animals, including fish, birds, reptiles, rabbits, pigs, ferrets, foxes, marsupials, and even primates. “Everything but dogs and cats,” says Dr. K. “If it will fit through the door, I’ll treat it!” Each episode finds the good doctor caring for these exotic pets while also teaching their owners how to properly look after them.

Pick of the Litter
Based on the documentary film of the same name, Disney+’s Pick of the Litter is a six-episode unscripted series that follows a pack of adorable dogs—Paco, Pacino, Tulane, Raffi, Amara, and Tartan—as they embark on the often fascinating, surprisingly suspenseful quest to become Guide Dogs for the Blind. It’s the ultimate canine career, and not every pup is right for the job. Who will make the cut? You’ll have to watch and see…

The Peanuts Movie
Yes, you read that correctly—Snoopy and his pals can now be found on Disney+ in 2015’s The Peanuts Movie! Charlie Brown (voiced by Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp) is on a mission to become popular in an effort to impress his crush, the Little Red-Haired Girl; meanwhile, Charlie’s beloved pooch Snoopy writes a novel about the World War I Flying Ace as he tries to defeat the Red Baron once and for all.

Turner & Hooch
Soon to be a new Disney+ series, the original Turner & Hooch is a 1989 fan-favorite starring Tom Hanks as Scott Turner, a fastidious detective in California’s Central Coast forced to care for a late informant’s sloppy giant of a dog, Hooch. Hijinks ensue as the seemingly small-town case Turner’s been working on gets bigger… and more dangerous. Mare Winningham costars as the town vet, whose care of Hooch fosters a budding romance with Turner.

National Geographic’s Heartland Docs, DVM
The title of this show essentially says it all: Ben and Erin Schroeder live and work among farmers in America’s heartland—where blizzards, tornados, and heat waves present a wide range of challenges, which only the most passionate vets are qualified to handle. The Schroeders have the skills (and the compassion) required of homestead vets, and it’s knowledge they’re hoping to pass to the next generation. Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Disney+.

It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer
The iconic voice of Goofy and Pluto for more than three decades, Disney Legend Bill Farmer steps out from behind the mic to meet his own favorite characters—dogs! Disney+’s It’s a Dog’s Life follows Farmer as he crosses the country meeting pups who do incredible jobs, or just bring incredible joy to our everyday lives… including amazing search and rescue dogs; a canine who can surf; and even a pupster who finished a marathon!