5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

January 7, 2021

By Zach Johnson

The weekend ahead will be full of adventure, mystery, and sportsmanship. It all begins Friday when a new episode of Mira, Royal Detective debuts on Disney Junior. That same day, Disney Channel’s Disney Fam Jam will join the Disney+ library, and the streaming service will also debut the first two episodes of the new series Marvel Studios: Legends. The next night, FX will broadcast the Golden Globe® Award-winning film The Martian from 20th Century Studios. End the weekend with the NFL Wild Card MegaCast, with special presentations planned across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, and Freeform.

Mira, Royal Detective—Friday, January 8, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Disney Junior
In “The Case of the Missing Library Book,” Mira (voice of Leela Ladnier) must find the missing library book that everyone wants to read. Then, in “A Double Dosa Mystery,” Sandeep (voice of Adi Ash) loses his dosa, so Mira goes on a stakeout to find who took it.

Disney Fam Jam—Friday, January 8, on Disney+
The Disney Channel competition series, featuring co-hosts Ariel Martin and Trevor Tordjman and choreographer Phil Wright, is joining the Disney+ library. Each episode features two families hitting the dance floor to see which will be crowned the Disney Fam Jam champions. At the end of each episode, the studio audience votes for their favorite family—and the winners take home a $10,000 prize along with a Disney Fam Jam trophy!

Marvel Studios: Legends—Friday, January 8, on Disney+
Before WandaVision ushers in a visionary new age of television, the new series Marvel Studios: Legends serves as refresher for the heroes and villains making their way to the highly anticipated streaming shows coming soon to Disney+. The first episodes will focus on Wanda Maximoff and Vision, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, respectively.

The Martian—Saturday, January 9, at 6 p.m. ET on FX
The 2015 film, directed by Ridley Scott, stars Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney, who is presumed dead after a major storm on Mars. Marooned with meager supplies, he must rely on himself, utilizing his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home—all while Mark’s crew hatches their own plan to rescue him.

NFL Wild Card Playoff Game—Sunday, January 10, at 1 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, and Freeform
ESPN’s first NFL Wild Card MegaCast will feature six Disney networks joining forces to super-serve fans and offer the most extensive multi-channel NFL Playoff game offering ever. With the traditional telecast of Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans airing on ESPN and ABC with enhanced production elements, fans will be treated to an array of offerings across the other networks. DJ Khaled will perform exclusively on Freeform, highlighting a star-studded Watch Party throughout the game. A blend of non-traditional commentary, analytics, real-time analysis, and betting will be featured on ESPN+’s Between the Lines, as multiple approaches will be combined into one offering. MegaCast staple Film Room will air on ESPN2, offering a concentrated breakdown of game strategy in real-time. ESPN Deportes will air the Spanish-language telecast and will be streamed across ESPN digital properties and Verizon Media mobile properties. Additional telecasts will be streamed across devices on ESPN, ESPN+, Freeform, and on mobile via the NFL mobile app and site.

Your 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Foodie Guide

January 6, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Craving food and beverages that taste as good as they look? The 2021 Taste of EPCOT^® International Festival of the Arts, running January 8 through February 22, will once again celebrate the visual and performing arts, while more than 15 Food Studios will showcase the best in culinary art—blending colorful ingredients, unique cooking techniques and imaginative presentations to create delicious masterpieces. The talented culinary and beverage teams at EPCOT have created a number of food and beverage options for this year’s festival, in addition to bringing back several fan-favorite menu items. And guests won’t want to miss the new Food Studio, Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio, located between Morocco and France.

Also returning is the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, a fun food stroll highlighting five delicious sweet and savory offerings, all listed in the Festival Passport. Upon purchase, guests will receive a stamp for their Festival Passport. Once they have collected all five stamps, they simply need to bring their Festival Passport to the Decadent Delights Food Studio to receive an adorable complimentary Artist Palette Cookie. The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine can be completed at guests’ leisure, and they can even bring back their stamped Festival Passport to EPCOT at any time during the festival to complete their stroll.

The 2021 Taste of EPCOT^® International Festival of the Arts foodie guide is as follows:

Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)

Food Items:

Lobster Poutine: Lobster, Lobster Bisque Cheese Sauce, Pickled Jalapeños and Citrus Cream (NEW)

Beverages:

Barrel of Monks Brewing Raspberry Beret, Boca Raton, FL (NEW)
Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA

Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)

Beverages:

Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
Lost Coast Brewery Tangerine Wheat Ale, Eureka, CA
Florida Orange Groves Winery Selections
- Key Limen
- Strawberry Blush
- Orange Sunshine
- Sparkling Key Lime
- Sparkling Cranberry
- Sparkling Blueberry

The Deconstructed Dish (Showcase Plaza)

Food Items:

Deconstructed Reuben: Rye Popover, Corned Beef, Gryuère Panna Cotta and Brined Brussels Sprouts with Broken Thousand Island Dressing
Deconstructed BLT: Crispy Pork Belly, Soft-poached Egg, Brioche, Watercress Espuma and Tomato Jam
Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake: Whipped New York-style Cheesecake with Fresh Florida Strawberries and Sugar Cookies

Beverages:

Rainboba: Fruit Bursting Boba with Sparkling Water (non-alcoholic)
Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings of London^® Chai Tea Shake with Maple Syrup garnished with a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon (non-alcoholic)
Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings of London^® Chai Tea Shake with Cream Bourbon garnished with a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon

Decadent Delights (Promenade Refreshments)

Food Items:

Raspberry Soft-Serve Ice Cream (NEW)
Lemon Soft-Serve Ice Cream (NEW)
Artist Palette Cookie

Beverages:

North Coast Brewing Co. Scrimshaw Pilsner, Fort Bragg, CA
I.A. Beer Company Deco IPA, Doral, FL
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Peanut Butter Porter, Douglas, MI
Beer Flight also available

Pop Eats (Showcase Plaza)

Food Items:

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese (NEW)
Tomato Soup with French Onion and Bacon Grilled Cheese (NEW)
Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (gluten/wheat friendly)
Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Belgian Chocolate
Pop’t Art: Modern-Designed Sugar Cookie with Strawberry Filling

Beverages:

#RainbowSherbetGlitterDreamAle by Playalinda Brewing Co., Titusville, FL
Popping Bubbles Cocktail
Tomato Soup Can Bloody Mary

Refreshment Outpost

Food Items:

Plant-Based Bratwurst with Spicy Turmeric Aïoli, Coffee Barbecue Jackfruit and Slaw
Warm Brown Sugar-stuffed Pretzel with Banana Soft-serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce

Beverages:

Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola^® or Minute Maid^® Lemonade in a Souvenir Spike The Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
Playalinda Brewing Co. Blue Raspberry Blonde, Titusville, FL (NEW)

Cuisine Classique

Food Items:

Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Purée, Broccolini, Baby Tomatoes and Aged Balsamic
Coq au Vin: Chicken Roulade with Violet Mustard, Candied Carrots, Pancetta Crisp, Marble Potatoes and Beurre Rouge Sauce (NEW)
Opera Cake: Almond Joconde, Coffee Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache (NEW)
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie

Beverages:

3 Daughters Brewing Rosé Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
81Bay Brewing Rosé Blonde Ale, Tampa, FL
Frozen Rosé
Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva Art Series, Logrono, Spain
Domaine Savary Chablis, Burgundy
A Play on Rosé Flight

The Artist’s Table

Food Items:

Beef Wellington: Mushroom Duxelle, Prosciutto, and Puff Pastry with Red Wine Demi-Glace and Fennel Cream
Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis, and Parmesan Crisp (gluten/wheat friendly)
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie

Beverages:

Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, Milk and Dark Chocolate (non-alcoholic)
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Neapolitan Milk Stout, Douglas, MI
Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY
Lindemans Framboise Lambic, Belgium
Âme du Vin Côtes de Provence Rosé
Writer’s Block Pinot Noir, Lake County, CA
Symphony in Chocolate Flight: Mozart Cream Liqueurs paired with Sipping Chocolates
Beer Flight also available

Mosaic Canteen (Morocco)

Food Items:

Mediterranean Flatbread with Zaatar Pesto, Artichokes, Roasted Peppers, Sundried Tomatoes and Fennel Cream (NEW)
Harissa-roasted Rack of Lamb with Baba Ganoush, Picholine Olives, Toybox Tomatoes, Preserved Lemons and Pomegranate (NEW)
Mouskoutchou: Orange Cake with Cinnamon-Chocolate Mousse (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Orange) (NEW)

Beverages:

1906 Reserva Especial Dark Amber Lager (NEW)
Maeloc Blackberry Hard Cider (NEW)

Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio (Between Morocco and France)

Food Items:

Chilled Seafood Cocktail with Octopus, Scallops, Shrimp, Black Garlic Aïoli, Tomato-Coconut Sauce and Serrano-Lime Oil (NEW)
Blue Corn Pupusa stuffed with Cheese and topped with Shredded Pork, Guajillo and Árbol Chile Sauce, Cabbage Slaw and Aji Amarillo Crema (gluten/wheat friendly) (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Blue) (NEW)
Passion Fruit Mousse with Dragon Fruit Jam (NEW)

Beverages:

Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie (non-alcoholic) (NEW)
Frozen Piña Colada (NEW)
Passion Fruit Daiquiri (NEW)

Festival Favorites (World Showplace)

Food Items:

Remy’s Ratatouille with Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Tomatoes, and Red Pepper Piperade (plant-based) (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Red) (NEW)
Charcuterie with Meats and Cheeses featuring Nueske’s® Applewood Smoked Beef
Lemon Blood-Orange Tart
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie

Beverages:

Blue Sky Black Cherry Boba Freeze (non-alcoholic)
3 Daughters Brewing Strawberry Blonde Nitro, St. Petersburg, FL
Breckenridge Brewery Nitro Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge, CO
I.A. Beer Company Milk Stout Nitro, Doral, FL
Cold Fashioned Coffee Cocktail
Neapolitan Beer Flight

The Painter’s Palate (World Showplace)

Food Items:

Prime Steak Tartare with Pickled Vegetables, Parsley Salad, Béarnaise Anglaise and Sous Vide Quail Egg (NEW)
Salt-roasted Beet Tartare with Pickled Vegetables, Parsley Salad and Béarnaise Aïoli (plant-based) (NEW)
Pistachio Cake with Cherry Mousse and Morello Cherries (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Green) (NEW)

Beverages:

Kalimotxo: Red Wine Cocktail with Pibb^® Xtra (NEW)
Frozen Rusty Nail Cocktail (NEW)
Pinord La Dama Reserva Familiar Brut Rosé, Spain

Masterpiece Kitchen

Food Items

Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings and Zinfandel Reduction
Salmon and Cream Gâteau with Egg Yolk Cream, Paddlefish Caviar and Micro-Herbs
Vanilla, Rose Water and Pistachio Panna Cotta (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Pink)

Beverages:

Weihenstephaner Original Lager, Freising, Germany
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Champagne
The Meeker Vineyard Winemakers’ Handprint Merlot, Sonoma County, CA
Pinord La Dama Reserva Familiar Brut, Spain
Classic Sidecar with a Chocolate Twist

L’Art de la Cuisine Française (France)

Food Items:

Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm Creamy Brie in a House-made Bread Bowl
Croissant à la Truffle Noir d’Hiver: Black Winter Truffle Croissant (NEW)
Moelleux à la Framboise et aux Chocolats Valrhona: Molten Chocolate and Raspberry Cake with Pure Origin Valrhona Chocolates (NEW)
Trio de Macarons: Assortment of Three House-made Macarons in a Gift Box

Beverages:

Frozen French Martini: Grey Goose, Vodka, Chambord Liqueur, Pineapple, Orange and Grape Juice with Lemon-Lime Foam
Charles Lafite, Brut Méthode Traditionnelle Champenoise, French Sparkling Wine
Château La Gordonne, Vérité du Terroir, Côtes de Provence Rosé (NEW)
Bordeaux Merlot and Cabernet Blend, Baron des Chartrons, 2015 (NEW)

El Artista Hambriento (Mexico)

Food Items:

Chile Relleno: Fried Poblano Pepper filled with Flank Steak, Black Beans and Tomatoes drizzled with a Poblano Cream Sauce (gluten/wheat friendly) (NEW)
Pork Belly Pastor: Pastor-Marinated Pork Belly atop Boniato Purée with Charred Pineapple and Crispy Cilantro (gluten/wheat friendly) (NEW)
Taco de Chocolate: Chocolate Candy Shell filled with Mexican Chocolate Mousse with a touch of Chile topped with Tropical Fruit (gluten/wheat friendly) (NEW)

Beverages:

Mexican Craft Beer: Tulum Artisanal Lager crafted with Citrus notes and made with Mexican Caribbean Seawater
Diego Pomegranate Margarita: Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Pomegranate-Prickly Pear Juice, Blackcurrant Liqueur and Rose Petal Liqueur with a Hibiscus Salt Rim
Frida Carrot Margarita: Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, Carrot Juice, Ginger Cordial, Lime Juice and Agave Nectar

Goshiki (Japan)

Food Items:

Stone Garden: Red Bean Mousse with Chocolate Rocks and Arare Rice Cracker Pebbles (NEW)
Sushi Donut: Donut-shaped Sushi featuring Salmon, Tuna, Shrimp, Cucumber and Sesame Seed over a decorated plate of Wasabi Aïoli, Sriracha and Eel Sauce
Vegetable Gyoza: Vegetable-filled Spinach Gyoza with Tofu atop Mashed Potatoes with a Kamaboko Fish Cake, Pepper Strings and Tonkatsu Teriyaki Sauce

Beverages:

Haiku Draft Lager (NEW)
Masu Sake in a Traditional Personalized Wooden Cup
Pink Snow: Sake, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, and Calpico dusted with Snowflake Confetti (NEW)

The Painted Panda (China)

Food Items:

Old Shanghai Shi Zi Tou: Pork and Water Chestnut Meatballs served with Taro Root (NEW)
Sichuan Red Hot Mala Shrimp (NEW)

Beverages:

“Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic)
Jasmine Draft Beer
Fortune Cookie: ByeJoe Spirit, Amaretto and Piña Colada Mix
Kung Fu Punch: Vodka and Triple Sec
Sea Butterfly: Butterfly Pea Flower infused Cocktail with Lychee Syrup, Vodka, Light Rum and Magic Boba Pearls

L’Arte di Mangiare (Italy)

Food Items:

Arancini: Sweet Sausage fried Risotto Balls with Pomodoro Sauce (NEW)
L’Aragosta: Lobster Ravioli with Vanilla-Saffron Cream Sauce and Shredded Chili Peppers (NEW)
Bomboloni: Cream-filled Italian Doughnut with Raspberry Sauce and Powdered Sugar (NEW)

Beverages:

Peroni Pilsner
Pinot Grigio
Chianti
Prosecco
Rosa Regale
Moscato
Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
Italian Margarita with Tequila and Limoncello
Amaretto Bellini: Amaretto, White Peach Purée, and Prosecco
Bergamotto: Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto, Prosecco, and Cerignola Olive

Funnel Cake

Red Velvet Funnel Cake topped with Cream Cheese Icing and Pixie Dust (NEW)

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

Showcase Plaza – Caramel Canvas Latte: Latte with Peanut Butter Syrup, Caramel and Dark Chocolate Sauce topped with SNICKERS^® Original Candy Pieces paired with a doughnut
The American Adventure – Color-Me-Latte: Espresso, Swiss Chocolate Syrups and Dark Chocolate Sauce sprinkled with M&M’s^® Candies paired with a doughnut
Future World East – Starry Night Latte: Espresso with Dulce de Leche, White Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Sauce topped with MILKY WAY^® Bar Pieces paired with a doughnut
Canada – Creative Twist Latte: Latte with Brown Butter Toffee Syrup and Swiss Chocolate Syrup topped with TWIX^® Bar Pieces paired with a doughnut

Stitch Crashes Classic Walt Disney Animation Studios Film Scenes

January 6, 2021January 8, 2021

By Beth Deitchman

Hide the dishes! Everyone’s favorite experiment, Stitch, is crashing Disney’s iconic Beauty and the Beast for the first in a limited-edition series of 12 plush, pins, and MagicBands available beginning January 12 on shopDisney.com and at Disney store, as well as Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

The all-new collectible series is inspired by the original trailers for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2002 film Lilo & Stitch. The first collection officially launches on MerchPass on shopDisney.com on January 12 and will be available in Disney stores globally and domestic Parks on January 16. All MerchPass product launches will include a Stitch plush, pin, and MagicBand (available only at shopDisney.com), starting at 7 a.m. PST, while supplies last. Film-inspired tees and mugs will also be available for a limited time on the Thursday after each MerchPass on shopDisney.com.

The collection officially launches on January 12, but be our guest and visit shopDisney now for hints as to the additional titles Stitch will be crashing all year long. A new style will be released monthly throughout 2021.

The Sole of Joe Rohde: A Walt Disney Imagineer’s Boots on the Ground

January 5, 2021

By Becky Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives

In the archival world it is very rare to find a single object that can reveal a sweeping story all on its own. Recently, the Walt Disney Archives was honored to receive the donation of just such an asset—a pair of simple work boots that embody the legendary career of Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde.

Joe retired from Walt Disney Imagineering on Monday, January 4, 2021, after an amazingly productive career designing some of Disney’s most beloved and richly detailed attractions and experiences. As one of the top designers at WDI, Joe led every one of his myriad immersive projects with “boots on the ground”—passionately guiding each of them from concept to completion. And he wore the same pair of boots while working on each of those projects—with the names of each completed adventure scribbled on the side, capturing history in the making.

From the grooves of Pleasure Island into the wilds of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and from Pandora – The World of Avatar into galaxies far beyond, Joe’s imagination is boundless, but his feet have always been firmly planted on the ground, thanks to a very special pair of boots.

You can hear Joe Rohde in an exclusive exit interview on this week’s episode of the D23 Inside Disney podcast, airing this Thursday.

Joe Rohde's Boots — Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde’s boots

Save the Disney Dates with these Printable 2021 Calendars

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

By the D23 Team

From the Disney+ debut of WandaVision on January 15 to Mickey Mouse’s birthday on November 18—with a host of premieres, openings, and milestone anniversaries in between—there’ll be no shortage of important dates for Disney fans to remember in 2021. And if you don’t already have a calendar where said dates can be circled, D23 has got you covered. We’ve created three very special 2021 calendars just for you to print out and post on your bulletin board, fridge, or any wall that’s handy.

Download a calendar featuring Mickey & Minnie, Mickey & Pluto, or Goofy and print on cardstock or paper. And be sure to come back to D23.com throughout the year. We’ll be bringing you all of the very important dates to save in 2021 (and beyond), and we don’t want you to miss a moment of the magic.

D23 Calendar Printable Mickey and Minnie

D23 Calendar Printable Mickey and Pluto

D23 Calendar Printable Goofy

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

January 4, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Start the New Year off right with brand-new seasons of Disney Junior’s Muppet Babies (also airing on DisneyNOW) and ABC’s The Bachelorette, both returning Monday night. Tune into ABC on Tuesday for another installment of The Wonderful World of Disney, this time featuring the record-breaking masterpiece The Lion King (2019). Don’t change the channel, because on Thursday the network will premiere a new series, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. Cap off the week with Star Wars Forces of Destiny, streaming on Disney+ on Friday.

Muppet Babies—Monday, January 4, at 5 p.m. ET on Disney Junior
Fozzie Bear (voice of Eric Bauza) has big news: his family is adopting a new Muppet named Rozzie (voice of Charlie Townsend)! Although he’s excited, he’s worried he doesn’t have what it takes to be a big brother. So, his Muppet Babies pals will use their imaginations to enroll him in “Rizzo’s Big Bruddah School” and teach him all about his important new role.

The Bachelor—Monday, January 4, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Who will get a rose from new Bachelor Matt James? In the reality series’ historic 25th season, the real estate broker, entrepreneur, and community organization founder will begin his journey to find true love. In the season premiere, he’ll meet a record-breaking 32 exceptional women who have come from all over the country, leaving their everyday lives behind for the chance to find their happily ever after. The first rose ceremony will prove overwhelming for James, who must eliminate eight of the bachelorettes by the night’s end.

The Wonderful World of Disney: The Lion King—Tuesday, January 5, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Directed by Disney Legend Jon Favreau, this 2019 blockbuster utilizes pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way. Set on the African savanna, the story begins with the birth of a future king, Simba (voice of JD McCrary)… but not everyone in the kingdom sees the new cub’s arrival as cause for celebration. Simba’s uncle Scar (voice of Chiwetel Ejiofor)—former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, drama, and tragedy, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from his newfound friends, Timon (voice of Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (voice of Seth Rogen), an older and wiser Simba (voice of Donald Glover) must discover how to reclaim his birthright and restore peace in the land.

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune—Thursday, January 7, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Putting a new spin on the iconic game show Wheel of Fortune, hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White will welcome celebrity contestants to come spin the world’s most famous wheel and solve word puzzles for a chance to win up to $1 million. All of the money won by the celebrity contestants will go to a charity of their choice. The series premiere will feature a trio of famous faces: Tony Hawk (playing for Feeding San Diego), Leslie Jones (playing for Feeding America), and Chandra Wilson (playing for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank).

Star Wars Forces of Destiny (Vols. 1-4)—Friday, January 8, on Disney+
Small moments and everyday decisions shape a larger heroic saga in this hit animated series. Set across multiple timelines, each volume features two- to three-minute shorts highlighting female characters featured in previous Star Wars films and series. The stories center on popular characters such as Ahsoka Tano (voice of Ashley Eckstein), Jyn Erso (voice of Felicity Jones), Maz Kanata (voice of Lupita Nyong’o), Rey (voice of Daisy Ridley), Sabine Wren (voice of Tiya Sircar), Rose Tico (voice of Kelly Marie Tran), and many others.

Our Favorite Trivia from Disney Animation, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, The Muppets, Disney Parks, and More!

January 4, 2021

By the D23 Team

There’s nothing Disney fans love more than learning about their favorite Disney films, attractions, characters, and more. Here at D23, we’ve rounded up our fair share of fantastic facts in the past to help fans brush up on all the trivia they should know. Whether you just enjoy reading up on the behind-the-scenes details and interesting tidbits of your Disney favorites or if you enjoy asking your friends, “Did you know…?” and sharing some fascinating facts, we’ve rounded up Disney details that are perfect for every Disney trivia aficionado to know. Check out the list below to brush up on your knowledge or for a quick reminder on some of your favorite facts.

DISNEY ANIMATION

Bela Lugosi posed for Fantasia’s “Night on Bald Mountain” sequence
For Fantasia‘s “Night on Bald Mountain,” sequence, director Wilfred “Jaxon” Jackson brought in horror movie great Bela Lugosi to act out the evil actions of Chernabog, the god of evil for animator Bill Tytla. Read more Fantasia facts here.

Marketing for the film Cinderella referenced a “Disneyland” before the theme park was completed
Five years before Disneyland’s gates would open, ads for the film proclaimed, “It’s so full of the wonderful fun, hilarious characters, singable songs—the sheer enchantment that comes only from Disneyland.” While we know that Disneyland in Anaheim is definitely full of the enchantment the ad mentions, the park itself did not exist when Cinderella was in theaters! Read more Cinderella facts here.

The Great Mouse Detective showcased one of the earliest uses of computer animation
For the film’s climax—in which Basil confronts his archenemy Ratigan in a duel set against the clockworks of Big Ben—the filmmakers combined traditional hand-drawn artistry with the latest in technology. Animator Phil Nibbelink and Tad A. Gielow spent several months designing the interior of the mammoth clock. The exciting and experimental sequence paved the way for more computer animation, such as the groundbreaking ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast (1991) and today’s computer-animated films. Read more The Great Mouse Detective facts here.

LIVE ACTION

The Princess Diaries films were produced by Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston, along with Debra Martin Chase and Mario Iscovich, produced both of The Princess Diaries films, as part of her production company, BrownHouse Productions. In a very memorable moment on set of The Princess Diaries, Houston and Julie Andrews sang “Happy Birthday” to Garry Marshall. Read more The Princess Diaries facts here.

Industrial Light & Magic created more special effects for Who Framed Roger Rabbit than for Star Wars.
All the special effects in Who Framed Roger Rabbit were done with optical printers, puppetry, stop-motion animation, and clever gadgetry. Astoundingly, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) did more special effects for Roger Rabbit than were done for Star Wars. Read more Who Framed Roger Rabbit facts here.

STAR WARS

Before his name was revealed as Grogu, The Child was just called “Baby” on set.
To be fair, that’s what we’d call him, too. Read more The Mandalorian facts here.

The visual effects team for Star Wars: The Last Jedi visited the largest salt plains on earth to film for visual reference for the Crait sequences.
The visual effects team traveled to the largest salt plains on earth—the Salar de Uynui in Bolivia—to shoot plates to help ground the Crait sequence in reality and steer the CG of the sequence. Read more about the visual effects of Star Wars: The Last Jedi here.

Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca) attended a “Chewie Boot Camp” with Peter Mayhew.
“It’s funny, because this character is so loved and Peter Mayhew, who created this character, along with George Lucas, has been so instrumental in helping and giving me his blessing and giving me some tips in our weeklong session together, how to be this character,” said Suotamo. “It was fun because I never could have understood what went on underneath the mask of Peter Mayhew.” Read more stories from the Solo: A Star Wars Story cast here.

MARVEL

Captain Marvel’s Goose the cat was actually portrayed by a team.
“Goose is played by a team of four cats who all have their own specialty,” says executive producer Jonathan Schwartz. “There’s Reggie, there’s Archie, there’s Rizzo, and there’s Gonzo. They’re an A-team of cats who can all do one trick—because you can’t teach cats to do that much.” Read more about Goose the cat here.

Every single MCU character was considered for a role in Avengers: Infinity War.
Director Anthony Russo explains, “When we began developing this movie, we had a picture of every single character who’s been in the MCU and we hung them on the wall. We spent months and months talking about where we could go with each character. It was a very long, creative process.” Read more stories from the Avengers: Infinity War cast and crew here.

Danai Gurira was the first Dora Milaje actress to shave her head for Black Panther.
Gurira recalls, “I was the first one to get my head shaved, and in theory, it sounded amazing. And then the day came and I was like, ‘Is it today?’”But despite her hesitation, Gurira ended up loving the new look once her fellow actresses joined her. “The pride started to grow,” she explains, “this pride around it, and this sort of embracing of this symbol of power in these women.” Read more stories from the cast of Black Panther here.

THEME PARKS

Imagineer X. Atencio penned the iconic song, “Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me.”
Animator and (later) Disney Legend Xavier “X.” Atencio made the transition over to Imagineering in 1965, leaving his fingerprints on iconic attractions such as Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. The Disney Legend penned two of the most iconic Parks songs: “Grim Grinning Ghosts” and “Yo Ho, A Pirates Life For Me.” X. had never penned a song or tune before approaching Walt with ideas for lyrics to accompany their latest, pirate-themed attraction. Read more Pirates of the Caribbean facts here

While The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is not inspired by one specific episode from the series, certain episodes did have a major impact on the attraction’s plot.
The episode “Little Girl Lost” inspired Imagineers to include the Fifth Dimension in the attraction—and maybe some more Easter eggs, if you listen closely in the Boiler Room. You can also physically watch part of a Twilight Zone episode during Rod Serling’s introduction of the attraction. The original footage of Serling was taken from the episode “It’s a Good Life,” but has now been transformed into the introduction for a new episode—one where you are the main character. Read more The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror facts here.

The Star Tours: The Adventures Continue flight number has a real-world significance.
While your destination changes every time you ride Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, the flight number always remains the same: 1401. That number is a special shout-out by the Imagineers who designed the ride, since the street address for Walt Disney Imagineering is 1401! Read more Star Tours facts here.

THE MUPPETS

Jim Henson spent three days under water to film the “Rainbow Connection” sequence in The Muppet Movie.
The Muppet Movie memorably opens with Kermit the Frog, perched on a log in the lush green swamp he calls “home,” playing his banjo and singing one of his now signature tunes: “Rainbow Connection.” The man behind the frog, Jim Henson, spent three full days under water inside a specially constructed “bathysphere,” operating Kermit through rubber-sleeved arms! Read more The Muppet Movie facts here.

The very first time Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat were paired together was in The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Writer Jerry Juhl came up with the idea of using Gonzo as the film’s narrator; said Muppet performer Dave Goelz, “To add a disembodied narrator would have intruded into the film, so he came up with the idea of using Gonzo as sort of a Greek chorus, an unseen Charles Dickens, narrating and bridging the story. It worked incredibly well, and he also came up with the idea of adding a sidekick for Gonzo, who was Rizzo, and that sort of began their relationship as a duo.” Read more The Muppet Christmas Carol facts here.

PIXAR

Carl and Ellie’s ‘Married Life’ scene in Up was inspired by silent home movies.
Docter said that he and Peterson initially designed Up’s classic “Married Life” scene with snippets of dialogue, but ultimately decided to go a “silent movie” route (accompanied by Michael Giacchino’s Oscar-winning score) after recalling the atmosphere of his parents’ home movies. “I grew up in a time where our parents took a lot of Super 8 movies of us,” Docter said. “When you watch them, of course it’s without dialogue—just the whirring of the projector. There’s something almost more emotional about it without the sound.” Read more facts about Up here.

Yes, the Pizza Planet truck is in Finding Nemo—you just have to be sharp-eyed to spot it.
In a blink-or-you’ll-miss it moment, you can see the truck whiz by the dentist’s office (aka 42 Wallaby Way). It’s seen as Gill is breaking down his escape plan to his gang of aquarium pals, Nemo included. Read more about the Pizza Planet Truck’s cameos in Pixar films here.

Remembering Ron Dominguez

January 1, 2021January 1, 2021

By the D23 Team

Ron Dominguez, a Disney Legend and former executive vice president of Walt Disney Attractions, passed away early today, January 1, 2021. He was 85. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Betty, and three children from a previous marriage, Sheryl Ralston, Steve Dominguez, and Ronald K. Dominguez Jr, four grandchildren Joby Ralston, Tim Ralston, Chase Dominguez and Reid Dominguez. Great-Grandson Brooks. Ron had a brother, Paul, who had two daughters; Jonnie Jean Hofer, who resides in Iowa, and Melanie Harner, who was raised by the Dominguez family in California.

“We are saddened to have lost a very dear member of our family, Ron Dominguez,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “Ron’s contributions to Disneyland are nearly incalculable. He was well-known among the cast and community throughout his tenure at the park and continued to show his support long after his retirement, guiding and mentoring leaders, including me, for decades. I am personally grateful for all that he has done for Disney, and want to express my deepest condolences to his family on behalf of every Disney Parks cast member around the world.”

Known as a “native Disneylander,” Dominguez’s family originally owned and lived on 10 acres of the orange grove-covered property that was purchased by Walt Disney for his theme park in 1954.

“Our house was located right about where the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean and Cafe Orleans are today,” he once recalled. “The day we moved out, in August of 1954, we were walking in ditches and holes. Things were popping up around us because construction had to move ahead. They built Disneyland in a year.”

Ron, his mother, and brother all grew up on the Anaheim property. They had inherited it from Ron’s grandfather, who had purchased 30 acres of land in the area in the late 1800s. The day they moved away was bittersweet; as Ron recalled, “It was a very emotional day.”

Born on August 10, 1935, Ron later attended Anaheim High School and the University of Arizona, where he studied business administration. Then, on July 13, 1955, just four days before Disneyland opened, 20-year-old Ron took a summer job as a ticket taker at the new theme park. He found that Walt had moved his family’s two-story, Spanish-style house behind Main Street, U.S.A. for use as administrative offices.

Ron gives his former boss Doc Lemmon credit for encouraging him to extend his summer job. Within one year of joining Disney, he had been trained on every attraction and was named temporary supervisor of Main Street, U.S.A.

One of his most memorable stints was working as Davy Crockett on the Keel Boats. Dressed in a coonskin cap, Ron was a popular target for photographers. He didn’t relish the attention, and quickly asked for a transfer.

In 1957, Ron became assistant supervisor of Frontierland and went on to supervise Adventureland and Frontierland before being named supervisor of Tomorrowland in 1962. That same year, he became general supervisor of the west side of the Park and was later promoted to its manager.

By 1970, Ron was appointed director of operations, and, four years later, was named vice president of Disneyland and chairman of the park operating committee. In 1990, he was named executive vice president, Walt Disney Attractions, West Coast.

Throughout his career, Ron developed strong relations with the City of Anaheim, devoting hours of service to local organizations and helping pave the way toward creation of a second local theme park, Disney California Adventure.

Ron Dominguez retired in August 1994 after 39 years of service to The Walt Disney Company.

He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2000 and has a window on Main Street, U.S.A at Disneyland park.

As Disney Legend and Ron’s Disneyland colleague Mary Anne Mang once recalled, “If Ron has one fault, it’s not really believing how special he is to people: He touches people’s lives.”

Sneak Peek at Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship—Plus More in News Briefs

December 31, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Disney Cruise Line Unveils Look at Newest Ship: The Disney Wish

If you watched the Disney Parks Magic Christmas Day Celebration on ABC over the recent holiday (and/or DVR’d it for a nice “Christmas in July” treat this coming summer… or was that just us?!), you’ve seen this exciting tidbit of news—Disney Cruise Line just revealed a look at their latest amazing ship, the Disney Wish. For those who may have missed it the first time, or in case you’d like to check it out again, take a gander at the brand-new sneak peek clip, above.

The video showcases new details of the ship’s glittering Grand Hall, and offers a first look at the exquisite character statue at the base of the grand staircase. Inspired by the beauty of a fairy-tale castle, the Grand Hall truly sets the tone for an enchanted family vacation from the moment guests step onboard. And it’s a great setting for a statue of Cinderella, whose story is the perfect example of magic transforming wishes into dreams… and dreams into reality.

The Disney Wish is the first of three—yes, three!—new ships joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet through 2025. All three ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas and, at approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Look for the Disney Wish to set sail in the summer of 2022.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Well, it’s finally here… we’ve made it to 2021, and there is plenty of fun stuff to watch from around the worlds of Disney for this first official weekend of the year. Nat Geo WILD welcomes an all-new season of The Incredible Dr. Pol on Saturday, while ABC’s The Rookie returns on Sunday. And that’s on top of new titles coming to both Hulu and Disney+. Find out what you can expect, and make sure to save some of those yummy New Year’s Eve snacks to enjoy whilst TV-watching over the rest of the weekend.

**The Suburbs Get Strange in New WandaVision Teaser**

In just a few weeks’ time, we’ll all delight in the debut of Marvel Studios’ WandaVision, their first-ever series streaming exclusively on Disney+. And to wet our proverbial whistles, the good folks at Disney+ just premiered another intriguing teaser—which finds Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) settling into their new home in Westview. But it doesn’t take long before they start to suspect things aren’t as they seem…

Directed by Matt Shakman, with Jac Schaeffer serving as the series’ head writer, WandaVision is a blend of classic TV and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Rounding out the cast are Kat Dennings, who reprises her role as Darcy Lewis from Thor and Thor: The Dark World; Randall Park, who reprises his role as Agent Jimmy Woo from Ant-Man and The Wasp; as well as MCU newcomers Kathryn Hahn, playing a plucky neighbor; and Teyonah Parris, playing Monica Rambeau, who was introduced as a child in Captain Marvel.

Look for the series on Disney+ on January 15!

New Year, Big News from Shanghai Disneyland

Hot off the proverbial presses comes this fun news from our pals at Shanghai Disneyland: As of this writing, they’ve already passed midnight and are celebrating the first day of 2021. And during their incredible New Year’s Eve fireworks show (“Ignite the New Year”), they officially unveiled the new logo for their upcoming Fifth Anniversary celebration!

The logo’s debut, which illuminated Enchanted Storybook Castle (the world’s largest Disney castle), marked the start of the resort’s milestone year—and hinted at the many festivities and surprises in store for guests as the resort counts down to the Fifth Anniversary of its historic opening in June 2016. Disney guests and fans across the country—and around the world—are eagerly anticipating all the magical offerings that famously accompany a major anniversary at Disney resorts worldwide.

But that’s not all: Earlier this week, Shanghai Disney Resort celebrated a new milestone as construction continues in Shanghai Disneyland’s newest themed land, Zootopia! Leaders and representatives from the resort joined leaders from the Administrative Commission of Shanghai International Resort—as well as from Shanghai Shendi Group—to sign the final steel roof deck before its installation and watched as the attraction was topped out.

As the eighth themed land at Shanghai Disneyland, Zootopia will be the first-ever land of its kind, featuring a major new attraction that seamlessly blends Disney’s storytelling and state-of-the-art technologies in order to bring the beloved movie and its characters (including fan faves Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde) to life. We can’t wait to see what’s in store!

Every Upcoming Disney Movie, TV Show, Disney Parks Attraction, and More We Can’t Wait to See in 2021

December 31, 2020December 31, 2020

By the D23 Team

Everyone has a reason to celebrate the new year—whether you’re picking up a new hobby, planning new adventures, or just excited to stop writing “2020” as the date on everything, the new year holds the promise of a new start. Over at D23, we can’t help but celebrate the new year for another reason: A new year means new Disney experiences! From can’t-miss movies to exciting theme park milestones, here’s what we’re most excited for in the world of Disney in 2021:

Upcoming Films from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and More!
The new year brings a bounty of opportunities to escape into the world of a movie. And there are so many worlds to explore this year—from the Italian Riviera to the fantasy world of Kumandra to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Walt Disney Animation Studios has two films slated for release in 2021. On Investor Day 2020, Disney Animation announced that Raya and the Last Dragon, featuring the voices of Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as Sisu, will be available on Disney+ with Premier Access in most Disney+ markets, at the same time as it is released in theaters, on March 5, 2021. And Encanto, which includes new songs by Emmy®, Grammy,® and Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, is slated for theaters in November 2021.

In June, Pixar Animation Studios is slated to debut Luca, a new original feature film that celebrates the universal theme of friendship. The film is set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, where a young boy—Luca—experiences an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta, and endless scooter rides. He shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply held secret: They are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface.

2021 also brings us a rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon in Disney’s Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne Johnson as wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and Emily Blunt as intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton, who has traveled to the Amazon jungle from London determined to uncover an ancient tree with healing abilities that could alter the future of medicine. Frank is enlisted to serve as Lily’s guide on her journey through the lush rainforest, and as the unlikely duo embarks on this epic quest together, they face innumerable dangers, supernatural forces, and escalating stakes—with Lily and Frank’s fate, and perhaps mankind’s, hanging in the balance. And Oscar® winner Emma Stone takes on the wickedly wonderful role of Cruella de Vil in Disney’s Cruella, a look at the rebellious early days of one of the most notorious—and notoriously fashionable—villains. Cruella also stars Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Joel Fry, and is directed by Craig Gillespie.

Upcoming releases from Marvel Studios include Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow; Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, starring Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, and Michelle Yeoh; and Eternals, starring an incredible ensemble cast that includes Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, with Kit Harington, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie.

In The King’s Man, among the films coming in 2021 from 20th Century Studios, one man must race against time to stop a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds who are plotting a war to wipe out millions. The film’s cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance. The upcoming animated feature Ron’s Gone Wrong is the story of Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally connected device, which is supposed to be his “Best Friend out of the Box.” Prepare for an action-packed journey that demonstrates for both Barney and his robot BFF how wonderfully messy true friendship can sometimes be. Free Guy stars Ryan Reynolds as a bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, and decides to become the hero of his own story—one he rewrites himself. The mystery thriller Death on the Nile sees Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turn into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Five-time Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh directs and stars as the beloved detective, joined by an all-star cast of suspects that includes Tom Bateman, four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright. And later in 2021, the eagerly awaited adaptation of the original Broadway musical West Side Story, from Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, explores young love and tensions between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks on the streets of 1957 New York—and it’s sure to make Disney fans’ hearts sing.

And you’ll want to keep a steady supply of popcorn in the house throughout 2021. Among the eagerly anticipated films coming to Disney+ are Flora & Ulysses, a delightful comedy-adventure based on the Newbery Award–winning book about 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, who rescues a squirrel with unique superhero powers; Sneakerella, a music-driven modern fairy tale set in the avant-garde street-sneaker subculture of New York City, which stars Chosen Jacobs as El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens who dreams of becoming a ‘legit’ creative force in the industry—a dream he pursues with a little nudge from his best friend, along with a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic; Diary of a Wimpy Kid, based on the popular book series, which comes to Disney+ in 2021 as an all-new animated film; and Night at the Museum, which has a new twist when it arrives on the streaming service: This time it’s animated!

Television Fun in 2021
The new year always holds so much promise… and for 2021, no truer words have been spoken. There are tons of fantastic new shows and specials to look forward to on your television (or streaming device of choice) from around the worlds of Disney. ABC will welcome several new

series that are sure to delight, including Call Your Mother, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Rebel, inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich and starring Katey Sagal; and the brand-new game shows The Chase (hosted by The View’s Sara Haines and featuring three of Jeopardy’s greatest players) and The Hustler (hosted by Craig Ferguson). Over at National Geographic, they’re getting ready to premiere Genius: Aretha, starring Cynthia Erivo, while Disney Channel is prepping their cool new mystery/time travel series Secrets of Sulphur Springs. And this is all on top of new episodes from some of your favorite series, such as ABC’s The Bachelor, black-ish, The Conners, and A Million Little Things; Disney Channel’s BUNK’D; Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective; Freeform’s Good Trouble and grown-ish; FX’s What We Do in the Shadows; and much, much more.

If all that wasn’t enough, hop over to Disney+ in 2021 for new, totally binge-able series we can’t wait to see. As announced during the 2020 Disney Investor Day, Disney Television Studios is currently in production on several live-action series set to debut on Disney+ in 2021: The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Turner & Hooch, Big Shot, Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. (working title), Just Beyond, and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Our friends at National Geographic will also be debuting a new, unscripted series, The Secrets of the Whales, narrated by Sigourney Weaver and executive produced by James Cameron.

If you have a penchant for Pixar, check out Pixar Popcorn, which debuts in January, and stay tuned for fall 2021 when the Up spin-off Dug Days premieres. Plus, the highly anticipated animated series, Monsters at Work, is set to debut next year, further exploring the world originally established in Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University. Anyone feeling especially nostalgic should keep an eye out for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, the revival of the original groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family. Need something super-powered for your queue? Marvel Studios has you covered with the highly anticipated series WandaVision, kicking off in January, followed later in the year by The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Loki.

Anyone who binged all of The Mandalorian season 2 is wishing they could make the lightspeed jump to December 2021, when The Book of Boba Fett debuts. Boba Fett’s journey will continue, set within the timeline of The Mandalorian and star Temuera Morrison as the titular bounty hunter, along with Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand. If that wasn’t enough intergalactic fun for you, make sure you tune into Star Wars: The Bad Batch, a new animated series debuting later in the year, which follows a unique group of clones in the aftermath of Order 66.

So, pop some corn, snuggle into your favorite spot, and get ready to enjoy…

Milestone Anniversaries and Enchanting New Attractions at Disney Theme Parks
Our friends at the Disney Theme Parks have been hard at work creating new magic to share with the world in 2021. While Disneyland Resort is currently closed, we are looking forward to exploring Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure next year, where we can channel our inner Super Hero alongside The Avengers, The Guardians of the Galaxy, and more! Over at Disneyland Park, we’ve already seen a sneak peek of the renovated Snow White’s Enchanted Wish attraction, set to reopen next year.

At Walt Disney World, we’re excited to step into the future as EPCOT’s historic transformation continues, including the opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France pavilion! Additionally, our nights are about to be brighter with the addition of the new nighttime extravaganza, Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created.

At Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Hotel New York is undergoing its largest refurbishment ever, an ambitious reimagining that will transform the property into Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel when it reopens next year. It will be the very first hotel dedicated entirely to the celebration of Marvel art, with one of the largest publicly viewable collections of Marvel artwork in the world. If you’re headed into the parks, keep an eye out for the wheel-y cool, new Cars attraction coming to Walt Disney Studios Park, where guests will be invited on a trip to discover wacky roadside attractions and local natural wonders while meeting some fan-favorite Cars characters!

2021 will also mark several milestone anniversaries at Disney Parks around the world. In October, Walt Disney World Resort will celebrate its golden anniversary—50 years of making magic! We’ll be joining the excitement with our D23 Collector Set Celebrating 50 Magical Years, which will be included with all new and renewed D23 Gold Memberships in 2021. Additionally, Disney California Adventure and the Downtown Disney District will be celebrating their 20th anniversaries in January, while Shanghai Disneyland will ring in its 5th anniversary in June. Hong Kong Disneyland has already started celebrating its 15th anniversary with the debut of the Castle of Magical Dreams last month, and will continue the celebrations into the new year.

A Most Magical Celebration with D23, and More!
D23 continues to bring an unprecedented number of experiences and fun to our members, including a fantastic array of Gold Member-exclusive virtual events. When permitted, we’re excited to continue many of our other fan-favorite experiences, adhering to local safety guidelines, including guided tours of The Walt Disney Studios lot and our Magical Screening Series. Plus, all year long we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World with our D23 Collector Set, Celebrating 50 Most Magical Years of the Walt Disney World Resort.