Mira, Royal Detective Returns April 5—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Mira

Tune In for Season Two of Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective

We’re big fans of Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective around here—so we’re positively thrilled that season two of the animated mystery adventure will debut this Monday, April 5, at 5 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW… with new episodes every Monday for eight consecutive weeks.

Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, this tuneful series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family, and extended community. Season two will include an episode highlighting the Eid al-Fitr holiday debuting Monday, May 3 (5 p.m. EDT), and episodes celebrating the festivals of Teej and Dasara—as well as four extended-length music- and dance-filled specials! But that’s not all: Season one of the series will begin streaming on Disney+ on Friday, April 30.

Mira, Royal Detective celebrates authentic Indian music, dance, food, fashion, language, and art by incorporating the diversity of the culture into entertaining, mystery-laden storylines. The series’ voice cast includes Leela Ladnier, Freida Pinto, Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Simone, Jameela Jamil, Aparna Nancherla, and Aasif Mandvi; recurring guest stars include Danny Pudi, Kunal Nayyar, Hari Kondabolu, Karen David, and Aarti Sequeira. Guest stars for this season’s special Eid al-Fitr episode include Schitt’s Creek costar Rizwan Manji and his real-life daughter Ayana.

Don’t miss the fun!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Much like April showers, this weekend’s viewing enjoyment from around the worlds of Disney will definitely make your proverbial mind-garden grow. (Or something like that; we may need more caffeine.) Look for two brand-new, sure-to-be-thought-provoking documentaries to premiere on FX and Hulu, respectively; adventures from a galaxy far, far away on Disney+; and so much more.

Disney+ Reveals New Trailer for Star Wars: The Bad Batch

As we soar ever closer to Star Wars Day next month, that means that the debut of Star Wars: The Bad Batch is approaching at light speed as well! To celebrate all that impending adventure, our pals at Lucasfilm just released a brand-new trailer for the original animated series launching exclusively on Disney+ on Tuesday, May 4 (the aforementioned Star Wars Day), with a special 70-minute premiere—followed by new episodes every Friday starting on May 7.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in The Clone Wars) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch is executive produced by Dave Filoni, Athena Portillo, Brad Rau, and Jennifer Corbett, with Carrie Beck serving as co-executive producer and Josh Rimes serving as producer. For more info on all things The Bad Batch, check out StarWars.com.

Black History Always

Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu Launch Black History Always and Initiative 29

Amplifying Black voices all year long… that’s the idea behind two new initiatives from several of Disney’s streaming platforms. Black History Always, available on Disney+ and ESPN+, and Initiative 29, available on Hulu, will debut new content on the 29th of each month throughout the year with pieces that are unique to each.

Hulu’s Initiative 29 will feature socially conscious short-form content available to view in Hulu’s Black Stories hub on Hulu’s YouTube Channel and via the Hulu Facebook page. Plus, each month Hulu will add new classic films, nostalgic TV shows, and documentaries to the growing library of Black programming featured in the permanent Black Stories Hub. Recent additions include All of Us, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Malcom X, and Brooklyn’s Finest.

Over on Disney+, Black History Always content will include new YouTube episodes, with the first installment focusing on The Proud Family—and the Disney+ “Celebrate Black Stories” collection will be featured on the streamer’s homepage all year and include recent titles like Soul and Black Is King; fan-favorites like Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Black Panther; and newer stories like The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Meanwhile, on ESPN+: A Love Letter to Black Women, presented by The Undefeated, honors and celebrates the Black women who positively impact all of our lives.

Keep your eyes peeled for more Black History Always and Initiative 29 content in the coming months…

Walt Disney World

2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Kicks Off This July

This news should tickle your taste buds: Our good pals over at the Disney Parks Blog recently announced that the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will run from July 15 to November 20 at Walt Disney World Resort! This year’s event will kick off with Global Marketplaces, featuring the returns of favorites such as Canada, Greece, Germany, Hops and Barley, Appleseed Orchard, and more. Additional marketplaces will join the international smorgasbord as the festival continues into the fall.

Families will be able to have a veritable “charcuterie plate” of fun, by way of sampling delicious cheeses served in fun ways as part of Emile’s Fromage Montage (and if you collect a stamp from five different Global Marketplaces, you’ll also earn a prize!); scavenger-hunting with Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak all over the park; listening to musical favorites performed by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and the Jammin’ Chefs; and taking tasty souvenirs home, courtesy the festival’s new merchandise collections.

Look out for more delicious deets as we get closer to July, and do check out TasteEPCOT.com for further dish.

ICYMI: New Food and Drinks Arriving at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts

Speaking of delectable delights, this news just about broke the “interwebs” earlier this week: There’s a ton of amazing new food and beverage options coming to both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida—including a whole new way to be refreshed at Disneyland’s iconic Blue Bayou Restaurant. Read all about it right here at D23.com.

Obi-wan

Cast Announced for Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi

Thrilled, this scoop makes us: Mere days ago, Disney+ and Lucasfilm Ltd. announced that Obi-Wan Kenobi, the new Disney+ special event series starring Ewan McGregor as the iconic Jedi Master, has its full cast… and will begin shooting this very month!

The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, where Kenobi faced his greatest defeat: the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who became the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.

Obi-Wan Kenobi marks the return of Hayden Christensen in the role of Darth Vader. Also joining McGregor in the series are Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.

Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Chow, McGregor, and writer Joby Harold are the series’ executive producers, and it’ll be directed by Deborah Chow—director of two critically acclaimed episodes of The Mandalorian, Season 1.

6 Times Julie Andrews Dazzled in the Worlds of Disney

By Courtney Potter

It’s one of the most popular and most acclaimed movie musicals ever produced… and it just celebrated its 56th anniversary! The Sound of Music, based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of the same name—itself based on the true story of the Von Trapp family in the lead-up to World War II—was originally released in 1965; Disney Legend Julie Andrews stars as Maria, the compassionate postulant-turned-matriarch who helps her new love, Captain Georg Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), and their brood escape the clutches of evil in 1938 Austria.

The film’s anniversary got us to thinking about all the times Andrews shone her signature talents throughout the worlds of Disney. Below, in chronological order, are six occasions the Oscar®-winning actress Disney-dazzled on screens large and small… Several of the following titles are available on Disney+, so don’t miss out on celebrating these moments along with us.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins
The iconic 1964 film for which Andrews won the Academy Award® for Best Actress, Mary Poppins needs very little by way of introduction. But here’s a gentle reminder to give it a(nother) looksee on Disney+, should you not recall the last time you gave this hilarious, heartfelt, tuneful movie a watch. There’s Dick Van Dyke as a chimney sweep; dancing penguins; “the biggest word you’ve ever heard”; and Andrews being “practically perfect in every way.”

The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music
Also available on Disney+ is The Sound of Music, another of Andrews’ most quintessential works. The Oscar-winning film features truly indelible songs including “Climb Every Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” as well as the title song, “The Sound of Music”… and if you didn’t literally imagine Andrews twirling around on a Austrian mountaintop as you read that, it might be time for another viewing!

The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries
The Princess Diaries stars Anne Hathaway as shy San Francisco teenager Mia Thermopolis—who receives the shock of her life when she finds out she’s the heir apparent to the crown of Genovia, a small European principality. Andrews co-stars in this 2001 film—available to stream on Disney+—as Mia’s formidable but warmhearted grandmother, Queen Clarisse. (Let’s be honest: Who amongst us hasn’t dreamt of Andrews being their real-life grandma?)

Juile Andrews

Eloise at the Plaza / Eloise at Christmastime
These two Wonderful World of Disney TV movies aired on ABC in 2003 and were based on the popular Eloise books written by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight. Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) is a super-precocious but totally lovable 6-year-old who lives in the penthouse of New York City’s Plaza Hotel and causes mischief and mayhem wherever she goes—often with her beleaguered Nanny (Andrews) in tow.

The Princess Diaries 2

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
This 2004 sequel finds Mia (Hathaway) almost ready to live life as a princess when she’s suddenly faced with having to assume the crown from grandma Queen Clarisse (Andrews)—but when she finds out she’s got to marry before she can, she’s faced with a parade of suitors. Also starring Chris Pine as Nicholas Devereaux, much of this film was shot on Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch in Southern California.

Enchanted

Enchanted
Andrews doesn’t appear in this 2007 film, but her dazzling voice does carry the story as narrator… This charming fairytale spoof follows beautiful Giselle (Amy Adams) as she’s banished from the colorful kingdom of Andalasia and finds herself in modern-day New York City. Thankfully, it seems “true love’s kiss” might still be possible once she meets a handsome, albeit no-nonsense, lawyer named Robert (Patrick Dempsey). Three songs from Enchanted, written by Stephen Schwartz and Disney Legend Alan Menken, were nominated for Academy Awards.

Get Early Access to the April Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited Edition Bambi Plush, Amazon Exclusive

Access the April Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Bambi Plush Amazon Exclusive Plush

Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited Edition Bambi Plush, Amazon Exclusive

Relive the magic of Disney with the Treasures From the Vault Plush. Inspired by Disney’s Bambi, the Limited Edition Bambi is the fourth collectible character in this exclusive Amazon series. Standing 13 inches tall and made of soft fabric with embroidered eyes, Bambi is showcasing his signature white spots. He even includes a Certificate of Authenticity and comes in a window box featuring exclusive Disney Treasures from the Vault packaging with gold foil detailing; ideal for collectors. Collect all 12 of these commemorative plush. Ages 3+

More than five years in the making, Bambi tells the coming-of-age story of a young fawn who grows up to become the Great Prince of the Forest. In addition to studying filmed footage of deer in the wild, Disney animators studied the movements and anatomy of two live deer, named Bambi and Faline, that lived in a pen at Disney’s Hyperion Studios. The art style of the backgrounds of the film suggested the mood, seasons, and atmosphere of the forest as a contrast to the realism of the animal character designs. A reporter noted during the film’s production that “Reviewers will hesitate to describe Bambi as a cartoon… It is more like a fine painting.”

  • Fourth commemorative plush in the Treasures From the Vault Plush collection.
  • Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
  • Amazon exclusive.
  • Bambi stands 13 inches tall.
  • Made with soft fabric with embroidered eyes.
  • Collect all 12.
  • Ages 3+

D23 Members will be the first to be notified about each month’s theme and have an opportunity to order the month’s design. Each month, D23 will provide Members with advance notice of the date the plush will be available for purchase on Amazon.com. On Friday, April 2, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the April Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited Edition Bambi Plush, Amazon Exclusive Please Note: You must be signed in as a D23 Member to access the link to purchase. Click “Sign In” at the top of the page. Please note limited quantities of the plush will be available on Amazon.com.

For more Disney favorites, visit amazon.com/Disney for a full assortment of products.
Disney Treasures from the Vault Limited Edition Bambi Plush offer available to D23 Members for a limited time. Limited quantity of plush are available, while supplies last at Amazon.com.
Items not eligible for any additional promotional discounts or offers except available shipping offers. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Void where prohibited.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

By Zach Johnson

Star Wars Day is just over a month away, but we already feel like the luckiest fans in the galaxy! That’s because this Friday, Disney+ is adding the television movie Ewoks: Battle for Endor and the animated series Star Wars: Ewoks to its library. That same day, tune in for the premieres of two new feature documentaries: Hysterical on FX (available the next day on FX on Hulu) and WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn on Hulu. Then, on Sunday, the short documentary The One in November will be available on ESPN+.

Ewoks: The Battle for Endor

Ewoks: The Battle for Endor—Friday, April 2, on Disney+
The movie, which premiered on ABC in 1985, is joining the Disney+ Star Wars collection. An army of Marauders, led by King Terak (Carel Struycken) and the witch Charal (Siân Phillips), attack the Ewok village in search of a power source they believe to be magical. Cindel (Aubree Miller) and Wicket (Warwick Davis) escape into the forest, where they meet Teek (Niki Botelho) and Noa (Wilford Brimley) and team up to fight the Marauders. The film is a sequel to 1984’s Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (also an ABC movie).

Star Wars: Ewoks

Star Wars: Ewoks (Seasons 1-2)—Friday, April 2, on Disney+
The 35-episode animated series, set before the Battle of Endor in the 1983 film Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, originally aired on ABC from 1985 to 1986. It follows the lives of Wicket W. Warrick and his fellow Ewoks, including Chief Chirpa and his youngest daughter, Kneesaa a Jari Kintaka, as well as Latara; Logray; Malani; Paploo; and Teebo. The series also introduces Ewoks such as Asha, Bozzie, Ra-Lee, Erpham Warrick, Wiley, and Zephee.

Hysterical

Hysterical—Friday, April 2, at 9 p.m. ET on FX
For too long, stand-up comedy had been a male-dominated field, with only a handful of women breaking out to become household names. After decades of fighting to stand in the spotlight, things have finally shifted. Hysterical, a feature documentary from director Andrea Nevins, follows veteran comedians, rising stars, and novices to explore how a fearless group of boundary-breaking women are changing the game. The funniest women in comedy—including Kelly Bachman, Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Rachel Feinstein, Marina Franklin, Nikki Glaser, Judy Gold, Kathy Griffin, Jessica Kirson, Lisa Lampanelli, Wendy Liebman, Carmen Lynch, Bonnie McFarlane, Sherri Shepherd, and Iliza Shlesinger—drop the mic with their heartfelt struggles, personal stories, and hilariously bold opinions.

WeWork

WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn—Friday, April 2, on Hulu
This is the story of WeWork and its hippie-messianic leader Adam Neumann. Directed by Jed Rothstein and produced by Campfire CEO and founder Ross Dinerstein, the feature documentary explores the rise and fall of one of the biggest corporate flameouts and venture capitalist bubbles in recent years. Using interviews with journalists, experts, high-ranking former employees, and former WeWork members, the documentary looks at the community-centric, people-first ideal that sent the little co-working venture skyrocketing into unicorn investment territory, then investigates what was going on behind closed doors.

The One in November

The One in November—Sunday, April 4, on ESPN+
After premiering on ESPN in March, this half-hour documentary will be available to stream on ESPN+. Augusta National Golf Club offers golf fans a first-ever look behind the scenes of its operations during the unprecedented 2020 edition of the Masters. Postponed to November from its traditional April dates—and staged with no patrons for the first time in its history—the Masters overcame numerous challenges to make the annual, world-class event a reality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film chronicles the days leading into the Tournament, following those on the ground who are responsible for planning and executing a renowned and unique sporting event. Notable names who appear in the film include Green Jacket winners Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods; Masters participants Ian Poulter and Gary Woodland; and ESPN’s very own anchor Scott Van Pelt.

Your Ultimate Earth Day Watchlist is Right Here

Every year on April 22, humans across the globe celebrate Earth Day, widely regarded as the largest secular observance in the world. And while our planet’s well-being is most assuredly a priority all year round, Earth Day serves as a perfect opportunity to take action that effects change globally, nationally, and right in one’s own backyard. Earth Day may look a little different in 2021 than it has in years past, but it’s still possible to celebrate the beauty of our world without leaving your home. Here are some titles we’ll be watching this month that showcase the wonder of nature and incredible activists and explorers who are working to protect it.

I Am Greta

I Am Greta—Streaming now on Hulu
This 2020 documentary tells the story of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose one-person school strike for climate action outside the Swedish Parliament inspired a worldwide movement. The intimate documentary follows Greta—a shy student with Asperger’s—in her rise to prominence and her galvanizing global impact as she sparks school strikes around the world. The film, which is directed by Swedish director Nathan Grossman and features never-before-seen footage of Greta, culminates with her extraordinary wind-powered voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to speak at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City.

National Geographic’s Exploring Our World Collection—Streaming now on Disney+
See the world and marvel at its mysteries via this stunning collection on Disney+. Soar to thrilling heights few people reach on their own in documentaries such as Lost on Everest and Free Solo. Meet the animals who share our planet in Wild series and specials such as Wild Uganda, India’s Wild Leopards, and Wild Nordic. And imagine your own adventures as you travel virtually through series that include America’s National Parks, Wild Hawaii, and Rogue Trip.

Earth Moods

Earth Moods—Premieres April 16 on Disney+
Beginning April 16, go on the ultimate retreat, courtesy of National Geographic, via the visual short-form series Earth Moods on Disney+. Over five episodes, Earth Moods transports viewers to a vast array of colorful and calming corners of the world. Travel to blue glaciers, arid deserts, lush rainforests, and pulsating metropolises to escape from the cacophony of everyday life. Each “mood” presents an opportunity to relax and reset as the sound of music and the natural world washes over you.

Secrets of the Whales

Secrets of the Whales—Streaming on Earth Day, April 22, on Disney+
This Earth Day, take a deep dive into the epicenter of whale culture in Secrets of the Whales from National Geographic. The documentary series—which was filmed over three years in 24 locations—invites viewers to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species: orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals, and sperm whales. This epic journey will reveal that whales are far more complex and more like us than we ever imagined. Sigourney Weaver (Avatar) narrates the series, which is executive produced by James Cameron, Maria Wilhelm, Brian Armstrong, and Shannon Malone-deBenedictis. All four episodes begin streaming on Earth Day.

Heroes of the Oceans—Premiering on Earth Day, April 22, on National Geographic Channel (8 p.m. EST)
Legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle and a cast of pioneering marine scientists tell the story of the incredible work being undertaken across the planet to protect the fragile ecosystem of our oceans. It’s a showcase of the wonder of the sea, of the living laboratory we all live in and of the vital science being carried out beneath the waves every single day.

Kingdom of the Polar Bears—Premiering on Earth Day, April 22, on Nat Geo Wild (8 p.m. EST)
As the Arctic changes faster than ever, a team of polar bear guides prepares for an epic journey: a first-ever attempt to follow the bears on the sea ice of Hudson Bay. In this high-stakes high-reward venture, they will document the secret world of bears, a mysterious and disappearing realm that is the bears’ key to survival. Life on the ice is a critical time for these bears. It also remains undocumented, deemed too dangerous for humans to follow, hinted at only through aerial reconnaissance and satellite collar research. The team, armed with traditional ecological knowledge and the latest 4K camera technology, will witness never-before-seen seal-hunting strategies and document rapid adaptations to climate change, including whale predation and open-water hunting.

Delicious New Drinks and Food Headed to Blue Bayou, Flame Tree Barbecue, and More Locations

By the D23 Team

Spring has sprung, and with it a bevy of new beverage and food arrives at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. With the help of our friends at Disney Parks Blog, we’ve rounded up all the tasty new treats that Disney parks foodies should keep an eye out for on their next trip to Walt Disney World and when Disneyland Resort reopens at the end of April. Read on for everything new—but be warned, this roundup will make you very hungry!

Disneyland Resort

Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park
Next time you want to relax along the bayou for a delicious dinner while the Pirates of the Caribbean boats float on by, you’ll be able to enjoy a whole new way to be refreshed. The Blue Bayou Restaurant will soon be offering new drinks to complement the menu and theme of the restaurant, with beverages such as wine, beer, and a specialty Hurricane Cocktail—a New Orleans staple! Or, you may want to try the new celebration sparkling wine package. Soon, you’ll be able to pair them with the restaurant’s delicious menu items, like the popular Surf and Turf. Also, keep an eye out for new, seasonal takes on the Mint Julep non-alcoholic beverage.

If you’re already planning your next meal at the Blue Bayou, prepare to temporarily weigh anchor—the restaurant will open after the theme parks reopen, and D23 will be sure to report on that opening date as soon as we know it! The enhanced offerings fit right in with the story and spirit of the Blue Bayou and reflect what many guests have requested.

hotdog

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs Cart, Downtown Disney District

  • Pickle Corn Dog—Panko-crusted dill pickle corn dog served with a side of peanut butter


Ballast Point at Downtown Disney District
is celebrating Earth Day with a special limited-time linguini dish served with their delicious house-made kale and walnut pesto.

  • Linguini and Kale Pesto Salad—Linguini, house-made kale and walnut pesto, sun dried tomato, arugula, and pecorino with lemon zest (available April 22–25)

Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney District and Disney Springs

  • LIMITED TIME OFFER: Le Frenchy Sandwich—Smoked ham, brie, and mustard sauce on Earl of Sandwich signature artisan bread

Salt & Straw at Downtown Disney District

Next time you need dessert—or breakfast—stop by Salt & Straw to check out their Cereal-sly Delicious

Series 2021.

  • Pots of Gold & Rainbows—Whole-grain cereal in cream for that bottom-of-the-bowl sweetened milk before stirring in mountains of rainbow ’mallows
  • OffLimits’ Dash Cold Brew Cocoa Crisps—Coffee and dessert all at once with this cold brew ice cream swirled with malty fudge and coffee and cocoa spheres enveloped in salty chocolate bark
  • Peanut Butter Captain Munch—Dairy-free, starchy oat ice cream with peanut butter-coated cereal clusters and peanut butter swirl
  • Snap ’N Crackle Marshmallow Treats—Brown butter treats pressed and toasted with marshmallow into a lacy Florentine in a rich, malty graham ice cream
  • Cornflake Cookies with Marionberry Jam—Swirls of housemade marionberry jam with malty cereal-flecked ice cream and crumbled brown butter sugar cookies

Walt Disney World Resort

Restaurantosaurus, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (mobile order available)

  • Sea Turtle Cupcake—Graham cracker cupcake, key lime pie filling, and guava gelée with vanilla buttercream topped with a fruit snack sea turtle (available through April 29)

Restaurantosaurus Lounge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (mobile order available)

  • Crave the Wave Cocktail—Vodka, blue curaçao, lemonade, and lemon wheel (available through April 29)

Creature Comforts, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • Honey Bee Cupcake—Orange cake, honey Bavarian filling, and honey frosting with white chocolate honeycomb (available through April 29)

Satu’li Canteen, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (mobile order available)

  • Kiwi Margarita—Kiwi flavoring beverage syrup with lime, sour, and tequila (available through April 29)

Isle of Java, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • Cotton Top Lagoon—Frozen blend of blue raspberry and lemonade topped with a wave of cotton candy (available through April 29)
  • Red Crowned Crane—Frozen Coke and frozen Cherry Coke topped with strawberry cotton candy with or without rum (available through April 29)
  • The Loggerhead—Sour Apple Sprite with green sugar–rim, sour fruit snack worms, and a glow cube (available through April 29)

Flame Tree Barbecue, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (mobile order available)

  • The Loggerhead—Sour Apple Sprite with green sugar–rim, sour fruit snack worms, and a glow cube (available through April 29)
  • Flamingo Cupcake—Strawberry cake filled with strawberry compote, guava frosting, and strawberry crisp pearls topped with a sugar flamingo (available through April 29)

Thirsty River Bar, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • First Magnitude Draft: Honey Bee Citrus Blonde 2021—Refreshing and balanced beer brewed with honey for a satisfying sweet finish and hint of orange zest (available April 18–24)
  • Yeti Sunset—Whiskey, strawberry, and lychee lemonade (available through April 29)

Dawa Bar, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • Lion’s Fury—Jungle Juice and black cherryliqueur–infused bourbon whiskey with a cinnamon whiskey floater and a fiery glow cube (available through April 29)

Nomad Lounge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • First Magnitude Draft: Honey Bee Citrus Blonde 2021—Refreshing and balanced beer brewed with honey for a satisfying sweet finish and hint of orange zest (available April 18–24)
  • Mother Earth—Gin and infused tea garnished with mint and lemon peel (available through April 29)

Dino-Bites Snacks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • First Magnitude Draft: Honey Bee Citrus Blonde 2021—Refreshing and balanced beer brewed with honey for a satisfying sweet finish and hint of orange zest (available April 18–24)

Gasparilla Island Grill, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (mobile order available)

  • Earth Day Bee Hive Cake—Buttermilk-honey chiffon cake with crunchy almond mousse covered in toasted meringue (available April 6–22)

Fife & Drum Tavern at EPCOT

  • Half Note Float— This refreshing float at Fife & Drum Tavern at EPCOT, inspired by the Disney and Pixar’s film “Soul,” streaming on Disney+, hits the perfect note of tart and sweet. Layered Fanta Strawberry, Minute Maid Lemonade, and Fanta Blue Raspberry slushy with vanilla ice cream and half note white chocolate garnish

Olivia’s Café Disney’s Old Key West Resort

  • The popular weekend brunch at is back! Offered every Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can enjoy all the classic brunch entrées and specialty cocktails as well as Olivia’s signature Chicken and Waffles, Banana Bread French Toast, and Crab Cake-Eggs Benedict. Yum! View the brunch menu and make reservations here.

Drawing Upon History: A Look at the Career of Mildred Rossi

By Nicole Carroll, Walt Disney Archives

At a time when animation was a predominantly male industry, countless women left their marks on the art form here at The Walt Disney Studios. One such woman was Mildred Rossi, who started out in the legendary Ink & Paint Department before transitioning to the Effects Department. Born in 1915, Rossi spent her childhood in San Simeon, California, where her father was the superintendent of construction at Hearst Castle. With an early passion for art, she eventually moved to Los Angeles and attended Chouinard Art Institute before becoming one of the first women working in animation at The Walt Disney Studios.

Mildred Rossi
Mildred Rossi

Rossi began her tenure at Disney in early 1939 in the Ink & Paint Department and shortly thereafter began inbetweening alongside animators. She demonstrated incredible artistic skill in special effect techniques for the Disney classic Fantasia (1940), working on numerous iconic segments including “Rite of Spring,” “The Pastoral Symphony,” and “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.” Perhaps Rossi’s most notable work however was in her use of Color Animation to bring Chernabog to life in the “Night on Bald Mountain” segment. These sections were incredibly challenging to produce, and required a newly created “Pastel Effect” which was first used during the production of the film.

Mildred Rossi
Chernabog pastel color animation from Fantasia (1940).

As on-screen talent, Rossi herself can be seen in The Reluctant Dragon, the 1941 film that gives a peek inside The Walt Disney Studios at the time. In the film, actor Robert Benchley visits the Disney lot in hopes of selling Walt the idea of making a film out of Kenneth Grahame’s book The Reluctant Dragon. Over the course of the film Benchley ends up exploring the studio, where he visits an art class, the dialogue stage, the sound effects stage, the multiplane camera department, and the story and animation departments. Due to the extremely fragile work done in Ink & Paint, filming in the actual department’s workspace was not practical. The location was re-created and a casting call went out to the staff—several female artists were cast as extras, including Mildred Rossi! Although her tenure at Disney was relatively short—she left the company in late 1941—her legacy lives on through her incredible work.

Mildred Rossi
Behind the scenes of The Reluctant Dragon (1941). Left to Right: Ethel Kulsar, Mildred Rossi, Viola Anderson, Woolie Reitherman, Retta Scott, and Riley Thomson.
Mildred Rossi
Final frame, The Reluctant Dragon (1941). Rossi can be seen sitting at an easel on the right side of the image.

Years later, and after a name change, Milicent Patrick (formerly Mildred Rossi) joined the Universal Studios makeup department where she helped design some of the classic Universal monsters. Perhaps most notably, Patrick made movie history by creating the final iconic look of the Creature from Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)! For decades Patrick went uncredited for this work, but in recent years has been recognized and celebrated for her work on the Creature and many other monsters.

For more information on Mildred Rossi and the women of Ink & Paint, be sure to check out Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation (Disney Editions, 2017) by Mindy Johnson. This definitive work chronicles the impact of women at Disney from before the department was founded through its inception and heyday, and finally in its role in today’s digital world. Through her work, Johnson has helped shed light on Mildred Rossi and countless other female artists who often went uncredited despite their tremendous contributions. Of Rossi, she recalled:

“Within her time at [The] Walt Disney Studios, Mildred Rossi was a true trailblazer. As a remarkably talented artist, Mildred quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the first women animators at a time when social attitudes towards women were very limited. Mildred’s contributions within Color Animation and visual effects on Fantasia were groundbreaking. Beyond her time at Disney, Mildred went on to design some of the most iconic cinematic monsters, yet she was never given proper credit for her accomplishments. I’m elated to have helped with getting Mildred recognized and appreciated for her remarkable contributions to our cinematic past.”

While emblematic of that past, Rossi is just one of the numerous women who helped blaze a trail in animation for all of the female artists to follow at The Walt Disney Company.

Mildred Rossi
Mildred Rossi (right) with Retta Scott, the first credited female animator at The Walt Disney Studios.

Be sure to check out Fantasia and The Reluctant Dragon (see if you can spot Rossi around the seven-minute mark) on Disney+.

D23 Gold Member Appreciation Button and a Special Offer from LEGO®

By The D23 Team

As a special thank you to our D23 Gold Members, we have a little something special for you. Stop by LEGO® in Disney Springs or Downtown Disney, show your D23 Gold Member card at the counter, and receive a complimentary D23 button specially designed just for you (while supplies last!)  Also, do you have an eye on a special LEGO® set? For a limited time, LEGO® will also extend an additional offer to D23 Gold Members—a complimentary LEGO® Teen Groot Keychain* when you purchase LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes, LEGO® Disney Princess, or LEGO® Star Wars products totaling $50 or more.

Thank you for being a Fan!

* Offer valid starting March 29, 2021. Complimentary D23 button available to all D23 Gold Members with valid D23 Gold Membership Card, while supplies last.

*Offer valid between March 29, 2021 and April 30, 2021 at LEGO® Store Disney Springs and LEGO® Store Downtown Disney® District only. Complimentary LEGO® Teen Groot Keychain with LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes, LEGO® Disney Princess, or LEGO® Star Wars purchases of $50 or more. Offer is only valid on LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes, LEGO® Disney Princess, or LEGO® Star Wars purchases totaling $50 or more. One complimentary item per customer. Supplies are limited. Offer is available while supplies last only. Qualifying amount applies to merchandise only and does not include applicable tax charges. Offer is not valid toward sale items, prior purchases, or gift cards. May not be combined with any other offer, discount, or coupon. Complimentary gift cannot be exchanged or substituted for any other item or cash value. The LEGO Group reserves the right to cancel or modify any promotion without prior notice.

Get Ready for ABC’s Furbulous New Competition Series, Pooch Perfect

By Beth Deitchman

You’re pawsitively going to fall in love with ABC’s Pooch Perfect.

Premiering Tuesday, March 30 (8 p.m. ET/PT), the dog-grooming competition series raises the woof on reality TV, shining a light on 10 of the best pet stylists in the country, who, along with their assistants, will compete for the coveted Pooch Perfect trophy and a cash prize. Every week, the contestants will take on two challenges—the “Immunity Puppertunity” and the “Ultimutt Challenge” showdown—and one team will be eliminated. Along the way, there’ll be magical transfurmations and a whole litter of adorable dogs of all shapes and sizes. Be prepared to sit, stay, and settle on the sofa with your very own fur baby and be bow-wowed by the action as it unfolds on screen.

Pooch Perfect

Pooch Perfect is a show about dog lovers, that’s made for dog lovers by dog lovers—beginning with host and executive producer Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect), whose family, it turns out, has been involved with dog shows for four generations. Wilson spoke about her family’s deep connection to the world of dog shows and grooming when she joined her fellow executive producers and the judges of Pooch Perfect for the Television Critics Association’s winter press event. Wilson grew up going to dog shows and was a junior handler for a time, and she sees Pooch Perfect as bringing her full-circle from where she started out as a child in Australia. “My mum was devastated when I chose not to continue the family legacy; she’s now an international dog show judge. When I told her I wasn’t going to continue in the family business and [would instead] try to be an international movie star, she cried. I had to tell her in a public place so she wouldn’t do anything too crazy,” Wilson jokes, adding, “I guess she’s alright with it now.”

Pooch Perfect

After the contestants take their subjects from scruffy to fluffy, the model mutts strut the glamorous dog walk in front of Pooch Perfect’s expert panel of judges. Jorge Bendersky, who literally wrote the book on how to groom a dog safely, emphasizes that “safety is everything,” both on the show and in real-life, and he cautions viewers against trying to replicate the work of the Pooch Perfect groomers at home. “When you work with animals, you need to learn to use the right tools,” he emphasizes.

Pooch Perfect

His fellow judge Dr. Callie Harris—who is a veterinarian—couldn’t agree more. As excited as she is to see Pooch Perfect lifting the veil on the dog grooming profession and showcase the creativity that goes into it, she points out, “These are highly skilled and trained professionals who are applying the colors and the embellishments. I know it’s going to be very inspiring to pet parents out there, but I think it’s also going to be important to understand that this is at a totally different level when it comes to grooming.”

Pooch Perfect

In fact, the dogs who are transformed in the show were carefully curated to ensure that their temperaments were well suited to being groomed. Executive producer Elan Gale stresses that all of the dogs were beloved pets who had been determined to enjoy that level of care. “Some like it more than others,” Gale noted. “We made sure that we had dogs that were used to entire process.”

“The dogs that are chosen to become creative partners, they love the attention,” Bendersky says. “If you have a dog that is very shy, it probably won’t want to have pink hair while walking down the street and have people take a picture.”

Pooch Perfect

And pink hair is just the beginning. The premiere episode of Pooch Perfect culminates with an Ultimutt Challenge that tasks the groomers with turning their dog into an entirely different animal. Next week’s episode find the nine remaining grooming teams facing off in the Immunity Puppertunity “shape up,” where they must transform their dogs into a geometric shape.

“What we love most is how passionate [the groomers] are about the dogs and caring for them,” says judge Lisa Vanderpump, who, in addition to starring on Vanderpump Rules, is a passionate activist whose true passion is her canine charity work with her foundation, Vanderpump Dogs. She says, “To see all those happy dogs pampered and loved was just such a wonderful experience for me, especially, coming from the place of rescue and seeing so many dogs over the years—thousands of dogs—that have never been groomed and never been taken care of.”

Pooch Perfect

Wilson was committed to bringing belly laughs to Pooch Perfect, to go along with the belly rubs. “I also do what’s called ‘dog-ography’ in the show, which is a new term that I invented,” Wilson says, describing the “little dances” she choreographs for the series that are performed by humans in dog costumes, rather than by the pups. But the dogs have their own hangout at Pooch Perfect’s “Dogneyland,” a lush playground where the pups had access to water, treats galore, and even massages. “They were treated better than any of the judges,” Wilson says good-naturedly.

All of the judges attested to the joy they felt to be among such “perfectly pampered pooches,” as Vanderpump called them, and she expressed her surprise for how touched she was by the human stories featured in Pooch Perfect. “We saw so many incredible personal stories of what people have been through and how, really, I think it was as much a story about people. You get so invested in them,” she says.

Pooch Perfect

For veterinarian Harris, it was imperative that Pooch Perfect shine a light on the human-animal bond and the excitement that were palpable from both the groomers and the pets over the course of the competition. “That’s what I’m most proud of,” she says. “When this premieres, I think viewers are going to be so excited just witnessing that partnership, that relationship, and the connection.”

Based on an Australian format, ABC’s Pooch Perfect is produced by Beyond Media Rights Limited. Gale, Sonya Wilkes and Wilson serve as executive producers. Nicole Anthony, Mike Rosen, Carley Simpson and Matthew Silverberg serve as co-executive producers.