Celebrate Soulfully in February at Walt Disney World Resort

February 5, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

A new exhibit inside The American Adventure at EPCOT and new art displays and live jazz performances at Disney Springs are among the ways to celebrate soulfully at Walt Disney World Resort right now. Coinciding with and extending beyond February’s Black History Month, these offerings honor Black heritage and culture through music, food, art, and more.

Inside The American Adventure at EPCOT, “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” debuted Monday, February 1, and will continue beyond the end of the month. Featuring Joe Gardner from Disney and Pixar’s Golden Globe®-nominated Soul (now streaming on Disney+), this new exhibit showcases historic artifacts of famous jazz musicians, inviting you on a musical tour of the United States to learn more about this colorful, inspiring, and constantly evolving genre of music. Learn more about the exhibit and watch a new video from Walt Disney Imagineering’s Carmen Smith now on the Disney Parks Blog.

Over at the Walt Disney World shopping, dining, and entertainment district, “Celebrate Soulfully at Disney Springs” brings together several new offerings debuting this month. With jazz-inspired performances, new art displays, special food menus, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy:

Disney and Pixar’s Soul has inspired four new art displays created by emerging Black artists: Bee Harris, Bianca Pastel, Arrington Porter, and Cory Van Lew. Originally developed in collaboration with Disney and Pixar as part of a HUE Unlimited collection of wearable art, the work reflects each artist’s interpretation of the film.
Enjoy Motown Mondays, Jazz Thursdays, and Smooth Sundays at Disney Springs, as musicians perform throughout the district three evenings per week, playing tunes sure to stir your soul. In addition, select dining locations will feature special menu items, including Amorette’s Patisserie, which has created dazzling and delicious treats inspired by Soul and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Princess and the Frog. Also at Disney Springs, several retail locations will spotlight products from Black designers, artists, and visionaries. Learn more about all the ways to “Celebrate Soulfully at Disney Springs” right here on the Disney Parks Blog.

At select Disney Resort hotels, guests can enjoy films that celebrate Black culture, such as The Princess and the Frog, as part of the hotels’ “Movies Under the Stars” program. These complimentary movie screenings are available to guests of Disney Resort hotels, offering relaxing evening entertainment for the whole family in a serene outdoor setting.

Beyond the Page with Marvel’s Behind the Mask—Plus More in News Briefs

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Marvel’s Behind the Mask Premieres February 12 on Disney+

There’s a brand-new documentary special coming to Disney+ next week—and if you’re a Marvel fan (honestly, who amongst us isn’t?), then it’s right up your alley… Marvel’s Behind the Mask, debuting on the streaming service on Friday, February 12, will explore the power of identity behind the world’s most iconic super heroes we know and love today.

From the very inception of comic books, secret identities have been an integral part of both Super Heroes and Villains leading “normal” lives. But it’s the characters beneath that resonate within us across generations of fans. Since the advent of the Marvel Age of Comics in the early 1960s, Marvel’s writers and artists have used the notion of identities to examine the evolving concept of equal rights. These legendary Marvel creations and stories have not only reflected the world outside our window—they’ve become a reflection of our own identities and who we truly are.

Marvel’s Behind the Mask features guests from across Marvel’s 80-year legacy, including the writers and artists behind the rise of characters like Black Panther, Miles Morales, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, the X-Men, Captain Marvel, and many other characters in the Marvel Universe… all highlighting Marvel’s massive, undeniable impact on pop culture and media.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

We hear tell there’s some sort of big football game happening this weekend—but if sports aren’t your thing (or even if they are and you just wanna fill your viewing calendar with some additional fun!), look no further than around the worlds of Disney. Case(s) in point: a brand-new episode of WandaVision on Disney+; a new episode of Heartland Docs, DVM on Nat Geo WILD; and so much more.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella Coming to Disney+ on February 12

“It’s possible!” Beloved favorite Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which originally premiered during ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney, is coming to Disney+ in just a few days!

The musical, first airing in November 1997, became an instant classic—earning seven Emmy® Award nominations and legions of fans. Celebrated for its diverse, memorable casting (is there anyone better to play the Fairy Godmother than Whitney Houston?!) and sweeping musical numbers, the film boasts an array of unforgettable songs by the iconic musical theater legends Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, including “Impossible,” “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago,” “A Lovely Night,” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”

Directed by Robert Iscove and choreographed by Emmy® Award winner and Oscar® and Tony Award® nominee Rob Marshall, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella stars Brandy in the title role alongside Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber, Natalie Desselle Reid, Bernadette Peters, Paolo Montalban, Jason Alexander, and Veanne Cox. Look for it in the Disney+’s “Celebrate Black Stories” collection along with Disney and Pixar’s Soul, Beyoncé’s Black Is King, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, Hidden Figures, and many more.

Disney Sets Deal with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media

He brought the incredible world of Wakanda to the big screen, and now he’ll create even more memorable content for The Walt Disney Company… Earlier this week, Disney announced that it’s entered into a five-year overall exclusive TV deal with writer, director, and producer Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media. Coogler, who co-wrote and directed Marvel Studios’ global smash hit Black Panther and is now working on the sequel, will develop new TV series for different segments of the company—including one based in the Kingdom of Wakanda for Disney+.

“It’s an honor to be partnering with The Walt Disney Company. Working with them on Black Panther was a dream come true. As avid consumers of television, we couldn’t be happier to be launching our television business with Bob Iger [Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board at The Walt Disney Company], Dana Walden [Chairman of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television], and all the amazing studios under the Disney umbrella,” said Coogler, on behalf of Proximity Media. Founded with a mission to create event-driven feature films, TV, soundtracks, and podcasts that look to bring audiences closer together—through stories involving often-overlooked subject matter—Proximity Media also includes Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ludwig Göransson (who recently won a Primetime Emmy® Award for his score for Disney+’s The Mandalorian), Archie Davis, and Peter Nicks.

We can’t wait to see what Proximity Media has in store!

**Coming Soon: FAUCI, From National Geographic Documentary Films**

From National Geographic Documentary Films—and Emmy winners John Hoffman and Janet Tobias; Oscar® winner Dan Cogan; and two-time Oscar nominee Liz Garbus—comes a brand-new look at the life of “America’s Doctor”: Dr. Anthony Fauci, M.D.

Simply titled FAUCI, this new documentary features unprecedented access to the nation’s top infectious disease expert and dedicated public servant. A world-renowned ID specialist, Dr. Fauci has led the U.S. fight against every epidemic our country has faced over the past 50 years, from AIDS to SARS to Ebola, and now, COVID-19. The longest-serving public health leader in Washington, Dr. Fauci has worked under seven presidents and is revered on both sides of the aisle—and has testified before Congress more than any other person in American history. FAUCI will take viewers on a journey through his remarkable career, with a particular focus on his work on HIV/AIDS.

The film will also feature the voices of many of those who have influenced him, and whom he has worked alongside—and for—including President George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Bono, former HHS secretary Sylvia Burwell, former national security advisor Susan Rice, NIH director Dr. Francis Collins, former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden, key AIDS activists and organizers, and more… as well as Dr. Fauci’s family, friends, and former patients.

Look for more info on FAUCI—including a premiere date—soon.

ICYMI: Disney’s 25 Golden Globe Nominations

Speaking of Disney and Pixar’s Soul, this week saw the Hollywood Foreign Press Association honor content from around the worlds of Disney with 25 Golden Globe Award nominations! Get the full rundown right here at D23.com, and make sure to tune in on Sunday, February 28, to see if your favorite(s) take home the prize during the telecast hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler…

Big City Greens’ New Music-Filled Episode Hits All the Right Notes

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

What’s your go-to karaoke song—the one you’ve perfected in the shower and practiced singing into your hairbrush microphone? In “Okay Karaoke,” the latest episode of Big City Greens—premiering Saturday, February 6 (9 a.m. EST/PST), on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW—a family karaoke outing finds all of the Greens pondering exactly that question. For Cricket; his parents, Bill and Nancy; best friend Remy; and Gramma; choosing the perfect song is a pretty easy decision, but sister Tilly can’t quite settle upon a melody and lyric that embody who she truly is inside. Her dilemma—and the rest of the Greens’ lack thereof—leads to a toe-tapping, laugh-inducing collection of five original songs, as well as an equally unique assortment of videos that accompany them. A digital soundtrack—Big City Greens: Don’t Think, Just Sing!—was released today on Walt Disney Records and features six tracks, including the hit “Stuck at Home” along with the five original songs from this week’s music-filled episode.

Series creators and executive producers, brothers Chris and Shane Houghton, have had a blast bringing original songs into the world of their animated series, including in the 2019 holiday special Green Christmas. “We had so much fun with that and there was such a great response from the fans and from people at the studio that we just decided we had to do more with songs,” Shane tells D23.

The Big City Greens team is a musical bunch, and Chris shares that when the writers first begin to discuss incorporating a song into an episode, the process typically leads to “someone going into some closet somewhere and singing into their phone.” After they have something to work off of, in terms of the lyrics and jokes, they call in series composer Joachim Horsley. “He is just such a talent, he can really help take our rough demos and flesh them out,” Chris says. “It’s kind of down to a science, but it’s a creative science where each song is a little different. Some songs come together very quickly, others need to be hashed out more and more over time… But it’s all within the crew and our composer.”

For “Okay Karaoke,” the Houghtons emphasize how much fun they had exploring the songs performed by the Big City Greens characters and creating a music video for each. Green family patriarch Bill sings a countrified love song… to his pickup truck. “We immediately leaned into the visuals of Bill singing and having his jean jacket open and blowing in the wind, with the sky and mountains in the background. Just these very grand visuals that we kind of associate with that dramatic, ‘I lost my wife, dog, and truck in one week’ sort of vibe,” Chris says with a laugh. Nancy’s song reflects her unconventional, anti-establishment persona, and the Houghtons admit that they might have kept Pink Floyd’s The Wall in the back of their minds as they were devising her anarchic number. Gramma chooses to sing what Shane describes as an “old-time, kind of Betty Boop-style song,” and you can check out her zany number “Ask My Kazoo” in this exclusive clip:

Of course, Chris Houghton isn’t just one of the series’ executive producers—he’s also one of its stars. As the voice of Cricket, Chris teamed up with Zeno Robinson, who voices Remy, for a song that’s a little bit pop, a little bit rap, and 100-percent fun. Chris assures us that he had as much fun recording the song as fans will have watching the sequence. “I’ve had the absolute pleasure now to record a few different pop songs as the voice of Cricket and it’s been a great creative challenge to go in and really give it my all,” he says. “I break out in a sweat, really trying to make Cricket as believable of a pop star as possible, because I think the better he sings, the funnier it is.”

The Houghtons also enlisted two music V.I.P.s for the episode. Aaron Barrett, lead singer for the ska band Real Big Fish—a Houghton brothers favorite—guest stars as the voice of Ska Guy. “We saw Real Big Fish in concert way back when, in like 2005, and just had such a blast. So when we had a ‘Ska Guy’ role, it just had to go to the front man of our favorite ska band.” And singer/songwriter Macy Gray lends her voice to the role of Kara Karaoke, host of the club visited by the Greens, who believes karaoke to be one of “the purest forms of self-expression.” “Kara Karaoke is a very Zen character who has a very philosophical look on what karaoke can do for the soul and how the song you pick has to truly represent who you are,” Shane shares, explaining, “We wanted somebody who could do this kind of laid-back character and Macy Gray has this very chill vibe and very unique voice that we both just love.”

Disney Television Animation recently announced that the Houghtons have entered into an overall deal to create new animated series, shorts, and movies for Disney Channel and Disney+—along with a third season of Big City Greens. “The episodes that are airing right now are some of the biggest and funniest that we’ve done,” Shane says. “Season three continues that trend of really pushing the comedy, pushing the characters, and pushing the heart—and in season three, Big City Greens is just getting bigger!

Get Early Access to the February Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Plush, Amazon Exclusive

February 5, 2021February 13, 2024

Access the February Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Plush, Amazon Exclusive Plush

Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Plush, Amazon Exclusive

Relive the magic of Disney with the Treasures From the Vault Plush. Inspired by Disney’s dynamic duo, the Limited-Edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are the second set of collectible characters in this exclusive Amazon series. Standing 16 inches tall and made of soft fabric with embroidered eyes, Mickey Mouse is wearing red shorts and Minnie Mouse is wearing a blue polka dot skirt with a red hat and red bows on her shoes. They are both showcasing their vintage yellow gloves and brown shoes. They even include a Certificate of Authenticity and come 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 Disney plush. Ages 3+

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have been eternal sweethearts since they made their cinematic debut together in the landmark cartoon short Steamboat Willie (1928). Although Mickey and Minnie’s designs have evolved over the decades, their quintessential classic look remains inspired by their 1930s design. It’s hard to imagine Mickey Mouse without thinking of his iconic red shorts and yellow shoes, and Minnie Mouse has been a fashionable star from the very start, in her iconic heels, hat, and polka dot skirt.

Second commemorative plush in the Treasures From the Vault Plush collection.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Amazon exclusive.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse both stand 16 inches tall.
Made of 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, February 5, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the February Disney Treasures From the Vault, Limited-Edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Plush, Amazon Exclusive Plush
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.

Black History Month Spotlight: Legendary Handprints—Oprah Winfrey

February 5, 2021February 4, 2021

One of the best-known media personalities of our time, Oprah Winfrey is a producer, actress, network CEO, and philanthropist, and for 25 years was a daily fixture on television screens across the nation as host of the award-winning program The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born in rural Kosciusko, Mississippi, on January 29, 1954. While studying communications at Tennessee State University she began to work in radio and then television, eventually becoming a local broadcaster in Nashville. In 1976 she moved to Baltimore to co-anchor the local news, and went on to co-host the talk show People Are Talking. She moved to Chicago in 1984, where she became host of AM Chicago, and soon took the show to first place in its market, surpassing ratings expectations just a month after she began. Before long her show was expanded to an hour, put into national syndication, and rebranded as The Oprah Winfrey Show. The ratings juggernaut ran from 1986 to 2011, largely on ABC stations and in more than 100 countries, becoming the highest-rated daytime program in television history.

As an actress, Oprah found success early on in her career. In 1998 she starred in Beloved for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures, a film that she also produced. She later voiced Eudora in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog in 2009, and in 2018 starred in The Walt Disney Studios’ film A Wrinkle in Time as the iconic Mrs. Which.

Off-screen, Oprah has been an active philanthropist. In 2007, she founded The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa to provide educational and leadership opportunities for academically gifted girls from impoverished backgrounds, and is the largest single donor to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture with a $21 million donation.

Oprah’s illustrious career was celebrated by The Walt Disney Company in 2017 when she was named a Disney Legend. “Every day—Disney, ABC7 let me be me,” said Oprah, returning the praise during her acceptance speech. “It was an honor and I feel that… being a Legend, more than being a celebrity or being awarded for notoriety, that really a Legend is about the common experience that we all hold and share—and every day on that show I was able to tell our common story.”

A Closer look at the D23 Vacation Kingdom Lunchbox with Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily

February 4, 2021

By Justin Arthur

The colorful 2021 D23 Collector Set pays tribute to a half century of Walt Disney World with a collection of classic theme park souvenirs which, of course, had to feature a vintage-inspired lunchbox! Completely reimagining a 1973 original, this lunchbox features all-new artwork inspired by all four of Walt Disney World’s theme parks and beyond. There are dozens of characters, icons, and attractions to see on the lunchbox, from the classic Electrical Water Pageant to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway!

We caught up with the artists behind the lunchbox, fan-favorites Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily, as they took us on a journey into their imaginations!

What got you excited about this project?
Kevin: We were little kids in the 1970s when the original lunchbox was released, and it was hugely popular at my elementary school. I never got one, but I wanted it SO badly. I remember sitting in the cafeteria across the table from a girl who had one. I just stared at Mickey on that train! I laugh to think the first time I probably ever heard of Walt Disney World was from this lunchbox! Each year my mom would buy me a new lunch kit for school, and I had a fairly impressive collection by the time I was in 4th grade. My favorite was the Walt Disney World America on Parade lunch box which came out in 1976 for America’s bicentennial. It made me want to design parade floats!

How did you fit 50 years of Walt Disney World history into this?
Jody: We love to mimic different vintage art styles, whether it’s the soft watercolor backgrounds from Snow White or the bold graphics of Mary Blair, so this project was a new challenge. At first glance it looks like the lunch box we’re all familiar with, but most of the artwork is entirely new, with each of the Disney Parks in Florida represented with newly added icons and characters. The reverse side of the lunchbox originally showed the Country Bear Jamboree, but we’ve added a band of favorite characters from everywhere in the Resort—from the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, to Kitchen Kabaret and the original Journey into Imagination.

Did you research any other classic Disney lunchboxes for inspiration?
Kevin: The very first character-licensed lunch box featured Mickey Mouse in 1935, but metal lunch kits took off in the 1950s and ’60s thanks to Aladdin Industries in Nashville, Tennessee. They introduced the full-color lithography on all sides of the box and, later, embossed the front and back panels to give a 3D effect. One of the first embossed Disney-licensed lunch kits featured Ludwig Von Drake in Disneyland, released in 1962.

How did you capture that 1970’s Walt Disney World look?
Jody: Here’s some neat trivia about the original Walt Disney World lunch box. The sides were decorated with colorful icons representing the Contemporary Resort, the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction, the Swiss Family Treehouse, and several others. All of these icons were lifted from a colorfully stylized map in a 1970 booklet called Preview Edition of Walt Disney World. The map offered a peek at the “2,500 acres of resort and recreationland” before the construction was completed. If you compare the lunch box with this map, you’ll see where all the original designs came from! Ten years ago, to commemorate Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary, Kevin and I created a dinnerware set based on this same map. It’s long been our favorite graphic depiction of Walt Disney World, and a big reason why this lunch box is so special to us. In the same art style, we designed brand new icons representing newer attractions for this lunchbox, such as DINOSAUR, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The lunchbox’s cover now features embossed icons from all four of Walt Disney World’s theme parks, along with the addition of D23 favorites Chip and Dale. And the bottom features two classic 1971 icons that we just couldn’t resist keeping from the original—the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage, and the Walt Disney World Monorail gliding through the iconic A-Frame of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. My personal favorite Easter egg? A penguin from the orchestra of Muppet*Vision 3-D!

There are so many incredible things to see on this lunchbox that you’ll want to take it everywhere you go and dream that you’re on a Walt Disney World vacation! So what are you waiting for? Get your lunchbox, along with a stunning custom-designed set of five retro pins, a colorful D23 pennant, and a vinyl record featuring music from the parks as part of the 2021 D23 Collector Set , only for new and renewing D23 Gold Members in 2021!

Just Announced: Raya and the Last Dragon Soars onto the New Cover of Disney twenty-three

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021

By the D23 Team

Disney fans are invited to explore the making of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lush fantasy-adventure Raya and the Last Dragon in the new issue of Disney twenty-three, which features a stunning wrap-around cover created exclusively for the publication. The epic film follows the young warrior Raya on her quest to find the titular last dragon in an effort to save her land from encroaching darkness. Kelly Marie Tran (who plays Rose Tico in the Star Wars galaxy) gives voice to the warrior with Awkwafina (Marvel Studios’ upcoming Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings) as the fabled dragon. The two stars, along with directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, sit down to discuss creating this beautiful film that debuts in theaters and with Disney+ Premier Access on March 5.

In addition, a stunning fine art print of Raya concept artwork created by Disney animator and artist Paul Felix will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney starting March 8 in a limited edition of 500.

Also in the new issue of Disney twenty-three, which is available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan and director Kari Skogland detail making the second Marvel Studios series for Disney+, and how these two characters deal with their return from “the blip.”

Fans around the world continue to enjoy the enduring legacy of Disney Legend Jim Henson. From Muppet Treasure Island (celebrating its 25th anniversary this year) and Dinosaurs (celebrating its 30th)—both available on Disney+—to Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which opened 30 years ago, Henson’s genius lives on in such diverse entertainment as The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History at Walt Disney World Resort, as well as Muppets Now and Earth to Ned on Disney+. His son, director and producer Brian Henson, and puppeteers Dave Goelz and Bill Barretta discuss the longstanding relationship between Jim Henson’s creations and Disney.

Plus, Disney twenty-three sits down with superstar and Disney fan John Stamos to talk about his enduring love of the magic—from acquiring a certain theme park sign and DisneyBounding to his new Disney+ series Big Shot. Emmy^®, and Tony Award^®-winning actor Cynthia Erivo and the team behind Genius: Aretha reveal how they brought the legend to life.

Also included in the Spring issue of Disney twenty-three:

Director and producer Ron Howard reflects on his longstanding relationship with Disney
The stars and creative team behind Flora & Ulysses reveal high-flying details of the new Disney+ movie about a girl and her super-hero squirrel
Behind the blasters of the new Disney+ series Star Wars: The Bad Batch with Dee Bradley Baker
Captain America marks 80 super years in Marvel Comics
A look at Disney Legends Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston’s The Illusion of Life, a book that is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago
Recently retired Imagineering legend Joe Rohde toasts 15 thrilling years of Expedition Everest
Stunning images and amazing stores from National Geographic’s upcoming docuseries Secrets of the Whales
From the Desk of… Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award^®-winning director Byron Howard (this fall’s Encanto)
Regular features including By the Numbers, Character Analysis, and Ask the Walt Disney Archives

The spring issue of Disney twenty-three will be arriving before the end of February! Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. Learn more about D23 Gold Membership here.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

February 4, 2021February 3, 2021

By Zach Johnson

What in the worlds of Disney will you be watching this weekend? Our viewing plans include Disney My Music Story: Yoshiki, an original special coming to Disney+ Friday. That same day, the streaming service will also release a new episode of Marvel Studios’ WandaVision. On Saturday, celebrate the 17th anniversary of the film Miracle by streaming it on Disney+, then enjoy an all-new episode of Heartland Docs, DVM on Nat Geo WILD. Last but not least, celebrate eight decades of Pinocchio by streaming it on Disney+ Sunday.

Disney My Music Story: Yoshiki—Friday, February 5, on Disney+
In this special, which is subtitled in English, internationally renowned rock star Yoshiki performs reimagined versions of “Let It Go” from Frozen and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” from The Lion King, along with his own compositions. Yoshiki also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his recording process and how he shapes his arrangements.

WandaVision—Friday, February 5, on Disney+
Life could be perfect when it’s made just for you. The fifth episode of Marvel Studios’ hit series follows the organization S.W.O.R.D. as it continues to investigate what’s happening with Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) in Westview, the suburban town that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. After agent Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) infiltrated the “sitcom” bubble, only to be cast out, all eyes are on Wanda.

Miracle—Saturday, February 6, on Disney+
It’s been 17 years since the inspirational sports drama premiered in theaters. Based on a true story, it tells the story of coach Herb Brooks (Disney Legend Kurt Russell), who had an impossible dream: for the U.S. men’s ice hockey team to beat the Soviets at their own game. Starting with a handpicked group of 26 undisciplined kids, he coaches them to play like they never played before and turns 20 of them into a team who believed they could achieve the unachievable—and, in the process, units the nation with a new feeling of hope.

Heartland Docs, DVM—Saturday, February 6, at 10 p.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD
In the brand-new episode “You’ve Gotta Be Kitten Me,” the Schroeders jump into action when a handful of critical cases come to the clinic. First, they perform an emergency C-section on a cat that has been in labor for two days. Then, a horse with a lacerated leg requires some creative care. From a goat to a parrot to a Shih Tzu, the cases never cease!

Pinocchio—Sunday, February 7, on Disney+
Eighty-one years after the animated adventure premiered at the Center Theatre in New York City, the timeless story of Pinocchio continues to inspire a new generation with its magnificent animation, award-winning music, and unforgettable characters. Relying on his “conscience,” Jiminy Cricket (voice of Disney Legend Cliff Edwards), the wooden puppet Pinocchio (voice of Disney Legend Dick Jones) embarks on a whimsical journey that tests his bravery, honesty, and loyalty until he can fulfill his heart’s desire: to become a real boy!

Disney Earns 25 Golden Globe® Award Nominations in 2021

February 3, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Get ready for glitz, glamour, and gold!

This morning, film and television titles from across The Walt Disney Company earned a total of 25 Golden Globe® nominations for 2021. The list was revealed by actresses Taraji P. Henson and Sarah Jessica Parker on behalf of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Nomadland, from Searchlight, was Disney’s most-nominated title with nods in four categories, including Best Motion Picture—Drama. Frances McDormand is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama, while Chloé Zhao received two nominations, for Best Director—Motion Picture and for Best Screenplay—Motion Picture. Four films received two nominations: Hamilton, Palm Springs, Soul, and The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Onward and The Personal History of David Copperfield earned one apiece.

In the television categories, Hulu’s The Great received three nominations, including Best Television Series—Musical or Comedy, while the streamer’s hugely popular limited series Normal People received nominations in two categories, including Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Lucasfilm Ltd.’s The Mandalorian, airing exclusively on Disney+, was nominated for Best Television Series—Drama. Other Disney titles that are being recognized in various television categories are Ratched and the Hulu Originals Ramy and Mrs. America.

Winners will be announced on February 28 in a ceremony hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. In addition, the ceremony will honor actress and activist Jane Fonda with the Cecil B. deMille Award, while Norman Lear—who recently produced ABC’s two Emmy® Award-winning Live in Front of a Studio Audience specials—will receive the Carol Burnett Award.

Congratulations to all of Disney’s nominees for 2021:

Best Motion Picture—Drama

Nomadland (Searchlight)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama
Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Hulu)
Frances McDormand, Nomadland (Searchlight)

Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy
Hamilton (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Disney+)
Palm Springs (Hulu)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Disney+)
Andy Samberg, Palm Springs (Hulu)
Dev Patel, The Personal History of David Copperfield (Searchlight)

Best Motion Picture—Animated
Onward (Pixar Animation Studios / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Soul (Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Disney+/Disney Music Group)

Best Director—Motion Picture
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland (Searchlight)

Best Screenplay—Motion Picture
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland (Searchlight)

Best Original Score—Motion Picture
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste, Soul (Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Disney+/Disney Music Group)

Best Original Song—Motion Picture
“Tigress & Tweed,” Raphael Saadiq & Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Hulu)

Best Television Series—Drama
The Mandalorian (Disney+/Lucasfilm Ltd.)
Ratched (20th Television)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series—Drama
Sarah Paulson, Ratched (20th Television)

Best Television Series—Musical or Comedy
The Great (Hulu)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy
Elle Fanning, The Great (Hulu)

Best Performance by An Actor in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy
Nicholas Hoult, The Great (Hulu)
Ramy Youssef, Ramy (Hulu)

Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Normal People (Hulu)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America (FX on Hulu/FXP)
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Normal People (Hulu)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role
Cynthia Nixon, Ratched (20th Television)

Black History Month Spotlight: Legendary Handprints—Whoopi Goldberg

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021

As an award-winning actress, producer, and talk-show host, Whoopi Goldberg is one of the most prolific entertainers currently working in the industry. She appeared in a string of film roles for 20th Century Fox and Disney in the ’80s and ’90s, such as Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Sarafina!, The Associate, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and as Deloris in Touchstone Pictures’ Sister Act and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.

Whoopi has enjoyed much success on television, appearing on The Wonderful World of Disney as Queen Constantina in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Vivien Morgan in A Knight in Camelot, and appearing most recently in ABC’s miniseries When We Rise. Since 2007, she has been a co-host on ABC’s The View, for which she won a Daytime Emmy^® in 2009.

Audiences may also recognize Whoopi’s voice talents, as she has recorded for many television series and film projects, including: Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 3, ABC’s Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and Disney Junior’s The 7D and Miles from Tomorrowland—though Whoopi’s biggest voice role may have been the hyena Shenzi in Disney’s 1994 blockbuster animated feature, The Lion King.

Expanding her resume beyond acting, Whoopi executive produced ESPN’s documentary short Coach, and published the books Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners and the Sugar Plum Ballerinas series.

For her talents, Whoopi has earned the highly coveted EGOT: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar^®, and Tony^® Awards, and was named a Disney Legend by The Walt Disney Company in 2017. Beyond her countless awards for her acting and producing, she is also renowned for her humanitarian efforts, receiving multiple NAACP Image Awards and People’s Choice Awards.