Every Panel From Disney at New York Comic Con

October 8, 2020October 12, 2020

By The D23 Team

Are you ready for a behind-the-scenes look at Disney Channel’s upcoming The Ghost and Molly McGee? How about a LIVE discussion with the cast and producers of FX’s What We Do in the Shadows? Or maybe you want to join the stars and creators of Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 The Series, moderated by Jeffrey R. Epstein, co-host of our own D23 Inside Disney podcast. Those are just a few of the incredible panels from Disney over the next four days during the online version of New York Comic Con, an annual event featuring the biggest names in TV, animation, comic books, publishing, movies, and pop culture. Called Metaverse, the digital convention—which has gone completely virtual this year due to health guidelines—runs October 8 – 11 and includes Disney panels from Marvel, Lucasfilm, Hulu, and more!

To join various panels and get information about the convention, including a complete schedule, list of guests, artists, merchandise, and more, go to https://www.findthemetaverse.com.

Here’s a list of all the incredible Disney panels you can enjoy.

OCTOBER 8

9:35 a.m. PDT
Women of Marvel
Women of Marvel invites some of Marvel’s celebrated storytellers into a virtual panel to talk about how they stay true to their creative style while continuing the stories of comic book characters so many people know and love.

Watch on YouTube

10:10 a.m. PDT
MARVEL | X of Swords
This fall, ten X-Men will rise, swords in hand, to defend the new mutant nation of Krakoa from mysterious new enemies in X of Swords! Join host Angelique Roche and an X-traordinary lineup of the finest creators weaving this bold new tale, including Marvel Editor Jordan D. White, Tini Howard, Gerry Duggan, Benjamin Percy, and Vita Ayala!

Watch on YouTube

11:20 a.m. PDT
Serial Box | Marvel’s Black Panther – Sins of the King
Step into Wakanda with Emmy®-nominated William Jackson Harper and the award-winning writing team for Marvel’s Black Panther: Sins of the King, from Serial Box. Get an inside look at the upcoming immersive e-book and audiobook series and be the first to hear an exclusive audio excerpt from William Jackson Harper (The Good Place), who will be narrating the series.

Go to Serial Box to read the first episode of Marvel’s Black Panther: Sins of the King.

Watch on YouTube

2:30 p.m. PDT
The Great Disaster Hits! Polygon Discovers the Secrets of Star Wars: The High Republic
Join the story architects of Star Wars: The High Republic as they introduce the heroes of a brand-new saga, set centuries before the Skywalker saga, and reveal details of the central event that forever changes the galaxy far, far, away. Moderated by Polygon’s comics editor, Susana Polo, the panel features writers Claudia Gray, Charles Soule, Justina Ireland, Daniel José Older, and Cavan Scott, along with Lucasfilm Publishing executive editor Jennifer Heddle and creative director Michael Siglain.

UK fans get the books here!

US fans get the books here!

Watch on YouTube

4:15 p.m. PDT
Hulu’s WOKE | In Conversation with Cast and Executive Producers of Timely New Show
Join the Cast and Executive Producers from the hit Hulu & Sony Pictures Television series WOKE for an in-depth discussion about the show and why it is so relevant for today’s times.

Watch on YouTube

5:40 p.m. PDT
Screening of Hulu’s Books of Blood
Step into uncharted and forbidden territory for a screening of Hulu’s upcoming film Books of Blood. Based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed horror anthology, the film will take audiences on a journey through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time. Stick around after the screening for a panel with the cast and creator!

Watch on YouTube

7:35 p.m. PDT
From the Nightmares of Clive Barker | A Conversation with the Cast of Hulu’s Books of Blood
Join the cast and creator of Hulu’s upcoming film Books of Blood for a conversation about the film. Panelists include director Brannon Braga, and cast Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, Anna Friel, Freda Foh Shen, and Yul Vazquez. Be sure to watch the screening at 5:40 p.m. PDT!

Watch on YouTube

OCTOBER 9

7:35 a.m. PDT
Lucasfilm Publishing | Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Join some of the biggest and best Star Wars authors as they talk about some of their exciting new projects set in a galaxy far, far away. Featuring Daniel José Older, Preetei Chhibber, Phil Szostak, Katie Cook, Zoraida Cordova, and Amy Ratcliffe. Moderated by This Week! In Star Wars host Kristin Baver.

UK fans get the books here!
US fans get the books here!

8:45 a.m. PDT
MARVEL | Venom – King in Black
This December… Darkness Reigns! Marvel editor Devin Lewis, writer Donny Cates, and artist Ryan Stegman will bring you everything you need to know leading into Eddie Brock’s climactic standoff with one of Marvel’s most terrifying villains in the next shocking chapter in their Venom saga, King in Black!
UK fans get the books here!
US fans get the books here!
Watch on YouTube

10:50 a.m. PDT

The Ghost and Molly McGee
Be the first to venture into the fantastical world of the new animated series The Ghost and Molly McGee before it launches on Disney Channel. Meet the cast, Ashly Burch (Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet) and Dana Snyder (Aqua Teen Hunger Force), along with Creator and Executive Producers Bill Motz, Bob Roth, and Executive Producer Steve Loter as they discuss their influences for the show and reveal an exclusive sneak peek months before it airs

11:20 a.m. PDT
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Seven Seasons of Amazing Gear & Gadgets with Prop Master Scott Bauer and Live Auction Preview
Prop Store is bringing more than 500 lots of original props and costumes from all seven seasons of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to an online auction this October 8 to November 10 (go to Propstore.com/Marvel for more information). Join series Prop Master Scott Bauer as he talks about his experiences working on Marvel Television’s longest-running television series and as he reveals the stories behind some of his favorite pieces in the auction.

Watch on YouTube

4:55 p.m. PDT
Conversation & Behind-The-Scenes Look at Hulu’s New Horror Series Monsterland
Discover the monsters and unpack the thought-provoking tales brought to life in Hulu’s new series Monsterland, based on the collection of short stories from Nathan Ballingrud’s North American Lake Monsters. Join cast members Jonathan Tucker, Taylor Schilling, Kelly Marie Tran, and Mike Colter and creator/showrunner Mary Laws as they delve into the nightmares and share a look at what happened behind the scenes. All eight episodes of Monsterland premiere Friday, October 2, on Hulu.

Watch on YouTube

5:30 p.m. PDT
Cast of Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. Reveals First Look At Hulu’s New Animated Series
Get an exclusive first look at the upcoming adult animated series Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K., hear from creators Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum and the cast of characters voiced by Aimee Garcia, Ben Schwartz and Melissa Fumero. Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. is coming soon to Hulu.

Watch on YouTube

6:05 p.m. PDT
Get Heated with the Cast & Creator of Hulu’s Helstrom
Get an exclusive sneak peek at the first 10-minutes of Hulu’s Helstrom, followed by a conversation with showrunner Paul Zbyszewski and cast: Tom Austen, Sydney Lemmon, Elizabeth Marvel, Ariana Guerra, June Carryl and Alain Uy. All 10 episodes of Helstrom premiere Friday, October 16, on Hulu.

Watch on YouTube

OCTOBER 10

4:25 p.m. PDT
ABC’s Lost Anniversary Fan Q&A With Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse
Join the showrunners of the hit TV series for this special one-time event where they will answer fans’ burning questions, moderated by Josh Horowitz. Submit questions using the #lostinthemetaverse hashtag.

Watch on YouTube

OCTOBER 11

10:40 a.m. PDT

What We Do in the Shadows – Live Panel Discussion with Cast & Producers
Fresh off its eight Emmy nominations, What We Do in the Shadows returns to New York Comic Con for a LIVE discussion with the cast and producers. Named “TV’s funniest comedy” by Rolling Stone, What We Do in the Shadows is a documentary-style look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of four vampires who’ve “lived” together for hundreds of years. Joining the conversation will be series stars Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch and the creative team. Seasons 1 and 2 are now available on FX on Hulu.

Watch on YouTube

1 p.m. PDT

Big Hero 6 The Series
Join Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 The Series stars Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Brooks Wheelan, Khary Payton and Lucas Neff and executive producers Mark McCorkle, Bob Schooley and Nick Filippi as they discuss the trajectory of the beloved animated superhero comedy series and share sneak peeks of season three. Moderated by Jeffrey R. Epstein, co-host of D23 Inside Disney podcast.

Watch on YouTube

4:45 p.m. PDT
A Conversation with Executive Producers and Cast Members from ABC’s The Good Doctor
Join the Cast and Executive Producers from the hit ABC & Sony Pictures Television series The Good Doctor. David Shore, Freddie Highmore, and the cast will break down the season three finale and give fans an exclusive inside peek into what’s to come in the two-part season four premiere of Frontline, about the Covid-19 pandemic.

Watch on YouTube

JUST ANNOUNCED: Pixar’s Soul to Debut Exclusively on Disney+

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Consider this an early Christmas present: The Walt Disney Company just announced that Soul, the all-new original feature from Pixar Animation Studios, will debut exclusively on Disney+ on December 25, 2020! In international markets where Disney+ isn’t currently available (or is soon to be), Soul will be released theatrically, with dates to be announced.

“We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving Soul with audiences direct to Disney+ in December,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “A new original Pixar film is always a special occasion, and this truly heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world will be a treat for families to enjoy together this holiday season.”

Soul comes from visionary filmmaker Pete Docter, the Academy Award®-winning director behind Inside Out and Up, and co-director and writer Kemp Powers. The voice cast includes Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Angela Bassett, and Daveed Diggs. The film features original jazz music by Grammy® Award-nominated artist Jon Batiste and a score composed by Oscar®-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

“The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place—but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things,” said Docter, director of Soul and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios. “Soul investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that.”

Over the last six months, marketplace conditions created by the ongoing pandemic, while difficult in so many ways, have also provided an opportunity for innovation in approaches to content distribution. With over 60 million subscribers within the first year of launch, the Disney+ platform is an ideal destination for families and fans to enjoy a marquee Pixar film in their own homes like never before.

Previously scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2020, Soul was named an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. The film will play at multiple upcoming festivals, including the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival on October 11.

All the Spookiest Disney Channel Original Movies You Can Stream on Disney+ Right Now

October 8, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

When’s the right time to watch a Disney Channel Original movie? The correct answer is “all the time,” but there’s a certain spooky selection of films that are especially timely around the month of October. Some of the scariest, silliest, and frightfully fun DCOMs are now streaming on Disney+, and we’re certain you need to add them into your schedule of Halloween binge-watching. (Although, we know you already have a Halloweentown screening scheduled). Ready for your monstrous marathon? Here’s all the spookiest DCOMs you can stream right now:

Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999)
Strange things are afoot in the town of Middleton, and all signs point to logical (and innocent) student Frances Bacon McCausland as the source of the pranks. She’s determined to discover the real perpetrator—but the truth is even stranger than she could imagine. She’s being framed by the Boogeyman! The only person who can help her is (you’re reading that right) an imaginary friend named Larry. It’s up to Frances to look beyond her logical disposition and use her imagination to defeat this Boogeyman before his mean-spirited pranks get Frances into more trouble than she bargained for.

Halloweentown (1998), Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004), and Return to Halloweentown (2006)
Ever felt like you were a little too weird and spooky for your home town? You should take a trip to Halloweentown, the home of all the creeps, monsters, goblins, and ghouls we know and love. Fans of this terrifying town can marathon four frighteningly fun films in the Halloweentown saga—the original Halloweentown, where we first meet the Cromwells and their witchy heritage, plus the sequel Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, the spooky back-to-school shenanigans of Halloweentown High, and the final film, Return to Halloweentown.

Mom’s Got A Date With A Vampire (2000)
When Adam and Chelsea Hansen get grounded, they hatch a master plan to get their mom out of the house so that they can enjoy some freedom—they set her up for a date with the mysterious Dimitri Dentatos. The kids are home free until their youngest sibling, Taylor, discovers the chilling truth: Dimitri is a vampire! Now it’s up to the siblings to stop their mom’s date before she’s bitten and transformed into an immortal monster.

Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)
This modern-day twist on The Phantom of the Opera follows movie theater manager Pete Riley as he tries to put a stop to all the malfunctions and sabotage happening due to the alleged “phantom” who resides at his theater. It’s up to Pete to solve the mystery of the phantom before the specter can ruin the night’s star-studded movie premiere.

The Scream Team (2002)
Every year, ghosts flock to the town of Steeple Falls, a town considered a “soul processing center,” so that they can move on to the afterlife. It’s also the hometown of teenagers Ian and Claire Carlyle’s father. When they all go to visit, the kids make a startling discovery that an angry spirit won’t allow their late grandfather’s soul to rest. Soon, the siblings meet The Scream Team, the district’s police who are some good-intentioned but bumbling ghosts.

Twitches (2005) and Twitches Too (2007)
Twins Tia and Tamara Mowry star as twin witches… or Twitches in this duo of films. Camryn and Alexandra are twins separated at birth who discover each other—and their magic—on their 21st birthday. Across both films, the sisters learn to master their witch powers while defeating the Darkness, both on Earth and in their magical home dimension of Coventry.

Girl vs Monster (2012)
All Skylar wants to do is have fun at a Halloween party and show off her singing talent. Her parents force her to stay home—which would have been the scariest thing happening to her except in her attempts to sneak out, she accidentally releases a monster her parents were keeping trapped in the house! Discovering that she comes from a legacy of monster hunters, Skylar and her friends team up with the hope of defeating the monster before the night ends—and Skylar’s parents find out!

ZOMBIES (2018) and ZOMBIES 2 (2020)
High School is hard enough as it is—but try getting through teenage angst when you’re also a zombie! The first ZOMBIES film follows the zombie Zed as he learns to integrate into the normal human high school, Seabrook High, and must learn to confront the conformity of the town after falling in love with the human cheerleader Addison. In ZOMBIES 2, Seabrook becomes shaken when werewolves are discovered in the nearby forest. The discovery results in anti-monster laws that could keep Zed from attending Prawn (Seabrook’s equivalent of Prom) with Addison. It’s up to the zombies, cheerleaders, and werewolves to team up together to save the day.

D23 Amazon Mickey Plush Surprise Release!

October 8, 2020December 17, 2020

Hey D23 Members, we have some exciting news!

Our friends at Amazon are offering a surprise release of two new limited-edition Mickey plush and a limited-edition 13-pack of small plush, and D23 Members will, once again, have a first look at the all-new designs.

Starting Thursday, October 8, at 12 p.m. PST, D23 Members will have an early-access opportunity to purchase the new plush on Amazon before it goes on sale to the public. So head on over to Amazon to pick up your Kaleidoscope of Color Mickey Mouse , Fantasy in the Sky Mickey Mouse , and Disney Year of the Mouse Mickey Mouse Collector Small Plush Set 13 pack while supplies last!

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.

Disney Year of the Mouse Collector Plush – Kaleidoscope of Color Mickey Mouse
Commemorate the Year of the Mouse with this Limited-Edition Disney Kaleidoscope of Color Mickey Mouse Plush. This exclusive Mickey Mouse plush celebrates Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. Mickey Mouse stands 16 inches tall and is made of a soft thick polyester fabric featuring a vibrant geometric kaleidoscope print, holographic gold embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes. Mickey Mouse features a commemorative gold and satin foot patch and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. He even comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging—ideal for collectors. The Year of the Mouse Kaleidoscope of Color Mickey Mouse plush makes the perfect gift for Disney fans of all ages. Collect all the commemorative Mickey Mouse plush.

On the premiere episode of his television series Disneyland (1954), Walt Disney dedicated half of the program to telling the story of Mickey Mouse, and stated the now famous phrase, “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.” Walt’s television show would continue to evolve as technology progressed, moving to a new network in 1961 so it could be broadcast in living color. Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color treated viewers to a kaleidoscope of colorful Disney entertainment, highlighting the worlds of Music, Adventure, Nature, Comedy, Drama, and Classic Disney Cartoons. Special-Edition Kaleidoscope of Color Mickey Mouse Plush celebrates Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging.
Amazon exclusive.
Mickey stands 16 inches tall.
Made of a thick polyester fabric featuring a vibrant geometric kaleidoscope print, holographic gold embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes.
Ages 3+

Disney Year of the Mouse Collector Plush – Fantasy in the Sky Mickey Mouse
Commemorate the Year of the Mouse with this Limited-Edition Fantasy in the Sky Mickey Mouse Plush. This exclusive Mickey Mouse celebrates Disney Parks’ tradition of fireworks. Mickey Mouse stands 16 inches tall and is made of a thick polyester fabric featuring a rich fireworks print with metallic detailing, embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes. Mickey Mouse features a commemorative gold and satin foot patch and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. He even comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging; ideal for collectors. The Year of the Mouse Fireworks Mickey Mouse plush makes the perfect gift for Disney fans of all ages. Collect all the commemorative Mickey Mouse plush. Brilliant fireworks displays are a beloved nighttime tradition at Disney Parks around the world. Beginning in 1956, summer nights came alive with a cascade of colorful showers in the skies high above Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. The tradition continues, as breathtaking fireworks spectaculars become nightly celebrations at Disney Parks from Florida to Shanghai. And if you believe and wish hard enough, you too might see the familiar silhouette of Mickey Mouse appear in the fireworks, adding an extra touch of Disney magic to each evening’s performance.

Special-Edition Fantasy in the Sky Mickey Mouse Plush celebrates the Disney Parks’ tradition of fireworks.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging.
Amazon exclusive.
Mickey stands 16 inches tall.
Made of thick polyester fabric featuring a rich fireworks print with metallic detailing, embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes.
Ages 3+

Disney Year of the Mouse Collector Plush – Mickey Mouse Collector Small Plush Set (13 pack)

Special-Edition Year of the Mouse Collector Small Plush includes replicas of the 12 Year of the Mouse Plush, plus a bonus Kaleidoscope of Color Mickey Mouse.
Comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging.
Amazon exclusive.
Each Mickey Mouse stands eight inches tall.
Features embroidered buttons and eyes.
Ages 3+

7 Spooky Shorts You Can Watch on Disney+ Right Now!

October 8, 2020October 22, 2024

By The D23 Team

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re more than ready to get into the spooky spirit this weekend! Fans of all things thrilling and chilling will be happy to know you can find some of our favorite Halloween-themed shorts on Disney+… Read on for the perfect playlist to watch while carving jack o’ lanterns and eating all manner of delicious candy. (Well, that’s our plan, at least.)

Trick or Treat (1952)
Trick or Treat was released almost seven decades ago and features a turn by iconic voice actor June Foray as Witch Hazel—who teaches Donald a most valuable lesson about the magic of Halloween with the help of his three costume-clad nephews. This short features the song “Trick or Treat for Halloween,” performed by The Mellomen. Find out more spine-tingling Trick or Treat trivia by clicking here.

Lonesome Ghosts (1937)
Interestingly enough, this particular animated short was released on Christmas Eve 1937… but you wouldn’t know of its holiday adjacency when you look at its spooky plot: Overconfident spirits hire professional—though, unfortunately, inept—ghost exterminators Mickey, Donald, and Goofy to try and get rid of them, hoping to have some fun in the process. Many misadventures ensue, with the exterminators ultimately scaring the ghosts right out of the house.

Frankenweenie (1984)
The live-action short Frankenweenie, one of director Tim Burton’s earliest works, starred Barret Oliver (The Neverending Story) as Victor Frankenstein—a young scientist who, after his beloved pet dog Sparky is hit by a car, decides to bring him back to life. Though the experiment works, it causes panic around Victor’s neighborhood until he convinces everyone that Sparky’s the good, loyal friend he always was. Burton and Disney later released a full-length, stop-motion version of Frankenweenie in 2012.

Captain Sparky vs. The Flying Saucers (2012)
Speaking of 2012’s Frankenweenie, this short finds Victor and Sparky watching one of their very favorite home movies, in which Sparky captains a space ship and battles some hostile flying saucers. Frankenweenie producer Derek Frey and animation supervisor Mark Waring wrote and directed the short, respectively.

Mater and the Ghostlight (2006)
Created for the DVD release of Disney and Pixar’s Cars, Mater and the Ghostlight finds everyone’s favorite tow truck haunted by a very mysterious blue light that winds up teaching him not to play pranks on the other cars in Radiator Springs. Mater is once again voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, and Owen Wilson reprises his role as Lightning McQueen.

Vampirina: Ghoul Girls Rock! (2018-19)
From the world of fan-fave Disney Junior series Vampirina comes these music-video shorts. Inspired by their favorite band (The Scream Girls), Vee, Poppy, and Bridget decide to form their own band called The Ghoul Girls; the shorts find Demi, Georgie, and Chef Remy also coming along for the fun as the band lets their inner ghouls rock out.

The Legend of Mor’du (2012)
This animated short was attached to the DVD and Blu-ray release of Disney and Pixar’s Brave. In it, the film’s eccentric witch (voiced by Julie Walters) recounts how the villain Mor’du came to be. The tale follows a power-hungry prince who seeks to wrest control of a kingdom from his brothers through mysterious, magical means.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

October 8, 2020October 12, 2020

By Zach Johnson

In the mood for something spook-tacular? This Friday, Disney Channel delivers tricks and treats with a Halloween-themed episode of Disney Fam Jam. Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” continues daily, with two of our favorite films—Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Twitches—set to air Sunday. If you’re looking for something less spooky but still fang-tastic, Disney+ is adding The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and a new episode of Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom to its library Friday.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader—Friday, October 9, on Disney+
While visiting their obnoxious cousin Eustace (Will Poulter), siblings Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) are transported through a painting to a magical land. They reunite with an old ally, King Caspian (Ben Barnes), and join his quest to find the seven lost Lords of Telmar, whose swords will protect Narnia from an evil green mist.

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom—Friday, October 9, on Disney+
In the third episode, “Betty and the Beast,” Hartmann’s mountain zebras arrive on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the first time in the park’s history! The keepers work to acclimate the mischievous herd and prepare the other animals to meet their new neighbors—including a curious young Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Clementine, and mom-to-be Prima. Meanwhile, babirusa pig Betty is introduced to a bachelor babirusa, Mentari, in the hopes that they will hit it off and give the park its first-ever babirusa piglet! Then, at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, an 1,800-pound rescued manatee named Lou has a potentially infected tail. To heal him, the keepers must use a crane to lift him out of the aquarium and transport him to the veterinary treatment room for a high-definition CT scan.

Disney Fam Jam—Friday, October 9, at 8:25 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
In the brand-new episode, “Trick or Treat Yo Self,” the dance battle turns spooky when the Gandia and Devers families compete for the ultimate treat: a $10,000 prize and the Disney Fam Jam trophy! Ariel Martin and Trevor Tordjman host the family dance competition, and choreographer Phil Wright helps the families master their wicked moves.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Sunday, October 11, at 1:50 p.m. ET on Freeform
What’s this? What’s this? It’s the story of Jack Skellington (voice of Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who has grown bored of his usual tricks and treats. When he accidentally stumbles upon the bright and merry Christmas Town, he decides to spread some holiday cheer in Halloween Town… by kidnapping Santa Claus (voice of Ed Ivory) and assuming his role, causing nightmares for good little boys and girls everywhere.

Twitches—Sunday, October 11, at 9:50 p.m. ET on Freeform
Inspired by the best-selling book series, the Disney Channel Original Movie centers on twin witches born on Halloween night and separated at birth. But on their 21st birthday, Alex/Artemis (Tia Mowry) and Camryn/Apolla (Tamera Mowry) reunite and discover that their unusual powers double in strength when they work together—a discovery that definitely comes in handy when they go up against an evil entity known as the Darkness!

How Dancing with the Stars Is Shaking Up the Ballroom in 2020

October 8, 2020October 7, 2020

By Zach Johnson

With a new host and a new judge, ABC ushered in a new era of Dancing with the Stars on September 14. The season premiere proved the stalwart series isn’t afraid to take risks—creatively speaking. To produce the series in the midst of a pandemic, Dancing with the Stars implemented new health and safety measures, based on guidance from government agencies and authorities, to protect cast and crew in the ballroom and behind the scenes.

“Because of COVID, we’re not having backing dancers or huge set pieces. Everything is more focused on the couples than it has been in a long time,” says executive producer Andrew Llinares. “COVID has pushed us in so many creative ways; even with the packages, we now have remote cameras in the studios rather than manned crews in there… It makes the packages feel more intimate, more exciting. COVID creates huge challenges for us, but it’s also propelled us creatively to a place we probably wouldn’t have gotten to without it. We’re super-excited with where we’ve landed creatively in this unbelievably unique year.”

Also different this season: Judge Len Goodman is sheltering in place in the U.K., sharing his expertise remotely in pre-taped segments. Meanwhile, six-time Mirrorball champion Derek Hough has joined the judges table this season alongside veterans Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. While his new role represents a “full-circle moment” for the Emmy® Award winner, Hough admits that it’s also been a learning experience. “Sometimes I have to catch myself, you know, ‘being a judge.’ I think my inner coach, my inner teacher, wants to come out and I want to give a whole Ted Talk on how I can improve this jive in 4.5 seconds,” he says with a laugh. “For me, there is a lot of compassion, understanding, and empathy for what they are going through. It’s hard for people to really fathom how challenging it is to do what they are doing… My intention and my job is to elevate them, to help them on this journey, and to be honest with them—because I’ve been there. I’ve been in that position.”

Celebrity contestants this season include Monica Aldama, Carole Baskin (eliminated September 28), Kaitlyn Bristowe, Vernon Davis, Anne Heche (eliminated October 5), Skai Jackson, Justina Machado, AJ McLean, Jeannie Mai, Jesse Metcalfe, Nelly, Nev Schulman, Charles Oakley (eliminated September 22), Chrishell Stause, and Johnny Weir, while new and returning professional dancers include Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Cheryl Burke, Artem Chigvintsev, Val Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Farber, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Keo Motsepe (eliminated with Heche), Peta Murgatroyd, Pasha Pashkov (eliminated with Baskin), Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater (eliminated with Oakley), and Britt Stewart. There is an art to finding a partner for each celebrity, according to co-executive producer Deena Katz. “They get thrown into something they’ve never been in before,” she says. “Suddenly, they’re with someone they don’t know. It’s their mentor. It’s their therapist. It’s their coach. It’s so many things all in one: their brother, their sister. It has to be a partnership. And from the moment they meet each other, there’s trust and there’s loyalty.”

As for how the celebrity contestants are cast, Katz reveals, “I always say it’s like a jigsaw puzzle or the best dinner party you will ever have, where you’ve got 15 people you would never expect to be together. But once you see them all together, you’re like, ‘Oh! That oddly makes sense.’ The show right now is working so well because it feels very relevant.”

To that end, Banks brings a fresh perspective as the series’ new host and executive producer. “I am having such a good time,” Banks says. “When I was asked to come on as a host, I didn’t say yes immediately. I had to really think about it for a couple of months to make sure I could bring something special, unique and different to a show that is such an institution and a legacy worldwide. And now I’m so happy I made this decision to come on.”

Expect more creativity and ingenuity in the coming weeks. October 12 is ’80s night—think “’80s music, ’80s fashion, ’80s movies,” says Llinares. A week later, Hough will lace up his dancing shoes and join Hayley Erbert on the dance floor. “I’m very, very excited, and I’m even more excited that I’ll be dancing with my lovely girlfriend,” he says. “We’re already planning it. We actually did a little session yesterday and woke up this morning very sore.”

The next themed episode will fall on October 26, just before Halloween. “We are actually doing a villains night,” teases Llinares. But no matter the theme, he adds, “The challenge for us, really, is: How do we make every show feel super exciting? How do we create really exciting, fun moments—and emotional moments—every single week?” Ultimately, Llinares says, “We want the show to be fun, especially this year… We just want to create something that makes people feel really good for two hours every week. Hopefully, we’re doing that.”

Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays at 8|7c on ABC.

JUST ANNOUNCED: High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special is Coming to Disney+

October 7, 2020

By the D23 Team

It’s never too early for a holiday gift, and this one is too good not to share! Disney+ has just announced a 45-minute special, High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special, coming to the streaming service on Friday, December 11. Not only will it feature the cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series delivering heartfelt renditions of favorite Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s songs (and sharing some of their favorite holiday memories), but it will also feature a sneak peek performance from the highly anticipated second season of the series.

Series regulars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini, Mark St. Cyr ,and Kate Reinders will put their own spin on holiday classics, popular hits, and a medley of Hanukkah favorites. They’ll also reveal their favorite holiday traditions, recall some of the more unforgettable presents they’ve given or received, and share family photos and poignant New Year’s resolutions. The special will also include a performance by Bassett, who will debut an acoustic version of an original song he has written for the upcoming season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

For #HSMTMTS fans who enjoy opening their presents before the holidays (and we think we kinda, you know that feeling), you can get an early listen to the holiday songs performed by the cast in the special beginning Friday, November 20, when High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special: The Soundtrack arrives on all major music services and streaming platforms.

“The holidays remind us of the universal importance of family and loved ones,” said Tim Federle, executive producer and director of the special. “The cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is its own kind of family, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to share their favorite holiday music and traditions with our viewers.”

Ashley Edens (Dancing with the Stars) executive produces alongside Federle, who is creator and executive producer of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (and who is a Golden Globe® and Oscar® nominee for the feature Ferdinand). The series has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike; High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes and recently received the 2020 GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Kids & Family Programming.”

The special promises to be filled with all the spirit of the holiday season. And if you’re looking for that inimitable High School Musical: The Musical: The Series spirit, the first season is currently available on Disney+. Stream it now, and stay tuned to D23.com for more #HSMTMTS news as it’s announced.

Maleficent Triple Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

October 6, 2020October 7, 2020

By The D23 Team

Check out this devilishly delicious dessert from The Big Book of Disney Eats, which is now available for purchase here.

INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup high-quality dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup green candy melts
24 plain chocolate wafer cookies
½ cup your favorite chocolate frosting
12 jumbo heart sprinkles

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate chips according to the package directions and transfer to a piping bag fit with a small writing tip. Pipe 12 sets of horns, as shown, onto the parchment. Let the chocolate set.

2. Meanwhile, in a small, heat-safe bowl, melt the candy melts according to the package directions. Place in a piping bag fit with a small writing tip and pipe the outline of Maleficent’s face onto 12 of the cookies. Let set 3 minutes. Working with one cookie at a time, flood the center of the face with more candy and quickly place a heart sprinkle along the bottom, as shown. Repeat with the remaining candy and sprinkles. Let set completely.

3. Spread 2 teaspoons frosting onto each of the remaining cookies. Press a set of chocolate horns into the frosting along top edge of the cookie, then sandwich with a cookie face.

Jack’s Chocolate-Topped Rice Cakes

October 6, 2020October 7, 2020

By The D23 Team

What’s this? Get a taste of Halloween Town with this rice cake recipe from The Big Book of Disney Eats, which is now available for purchase here.

INGREDIENTS
1 ½ cups white candy melts
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
6 plain rice cakes
1/3 cup chocolate chips

1. Combine the candy melts and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl and melt according to the package directions. Stir until smooth, then transfer to a piping bag fit with a large writing tip. Pipe a layer of candy onto each rice cake and smooth out with a spoon or offset spatula. Let the candy set.

2.Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt according to the package directions. Transfer to a piping bag fit with a small writing tip and pipe eyes and a mouth onto each rice cake, as shown. Let the chocolate set. Keep cool until ready to serve.