5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

September 7, 2020September 4, 2020

By Zach Johnson

From The Simpsons marathon on FXX to a Superheroes Save the Day Marathon on FX, there’s plenty of things to watch as you rest and relax on Labor Day. For the little ones, Hulu will be debuting the brand-new original series Madagascar: A Little Wild that day. Later in the week, the streaming service will debut the new comedy series Woke. Cap off your week with a screening of Christopher Robin, which will now be calling Disney+ home.

The Simpsons Labor Day Marathon—Monday, September 7, at 7 a.m. ET on FXX
D’oh! Celebrate the holiday by getting into the entrepreneurial spirit with The Simpsons as the citizens of Springfield get to work to fulfill their dreams of self-employment. Whether it’s selling left-handed goods, recycled grease, healing crystals, moonshine, pretzels, or more, the Simpsons will try to make a buck off it. The day of programming starts with The Simpsons Movie, followed by the all-day episodic marathon that ends at 2 a.m. ET Tuesday.

Iron Man 3—Monday, September 7, at 4 p.m. ET on FX
As part of the network’s Superheroes Save the Day Marathon, watch brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr). face an enemy whose influence knows no bounds: Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), creator of the Extremis virus and the founder and owner of Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.). After Tony’s personal world is destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing journey to find those responsible—one that tests his mettle at every turn. Down but not defeated, he must survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to save those he loves.

Madagascar: A Little Wild—Monday, September 7, on Hulu
Join loveable foursome Alex the Lion (voice of Tucker Chandler), Gloria the Hippo (voice of Shaylin Becton), Marty the Zebra (voice of Amir O’Neil), and Melman the Giraffe (voice of Luke Lowe) as they grow up in the wildest jungle of all: New York City! The sky’s the limit as they bust out of their rescue habitat at the Central Park Zoo looking for adventure. They might be small—but like everyone else in the concrete jungle, they have big dreams!

Woke—Wednesday, September 9, on Hulu
Inspired by the life and work of artist Keith Knight, the original comedy series takes an absurd and irreverent look at identity and culture as it follows Keef (Lamorne Morris), an African-American cartoonist finally on the verge of mainstream success… until an unexpected incident changes everything. With a fresh outlook on the world around him, he must now navigate the new voices and ideas that confront and challenge him, all without dismantling everything he’s already built. Co-starring Blake Anderson as Gunther and T. Murph as Clovis, all eight episodes of Woke will be available to binge-watch Wednesday.

Christopher Robin—Friday, September 11, on Disney+
The 2018 movie is joining other Winnie the Pooh titles available in the Disney+ library. With the Hundred Acre Wood deserted and his “hunny” jar empty, Winnie the Pooh (voice of Jim Cummings) opens a magical door to London to reunite with his long-lost friend, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor). Now an adult, with a loving family and a stressful job, Christopher has forgotten the importance of “doing nothing.” It’s up to his old friends, and his Evelyn (Hayley Atwell) and daughter (Bronte Carmichael), to remind him how to laugh.

A Dog’s “Tail”: Celebrating 90 Years with Pluto

September 5, 2020September 9, 2020

By Nicole Carroll, Walt Disney Archives

Everyone knows that a dog is man’s best friend and classic companion. And, as Walt Disney once said, “Dogs are known and loved in every land.” This is certainly the case in the many worlds created by The Walt Disney Company. Countless new and old Disney favorites include a lovable pup: there’s Nana in Peter Pan (1953); the title characters in Lady and the Tramp (1955); Chiffon in The Shaggy Dog (1959); Pongo, Perdita and 99 Dalmatian puppies in One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961); Copper in The Fox and the Hound (1981); Max in The Little Mermaid (1989); Dug in UP (2009); Dante in Coco (2017); and even Footstool in Beauty and the Beast (1991). But perhaps the most iconic Disney dog debuted much earlier—and he’s none other than the loyal companion of Mickey Mouse himself, Pluto!

Today, with the 90th anniversary of the Mickey Mouse cartoon The Chain Gang (1930), we also celebrate 90 years since the first bow (or, bow wow?) of our favorite pup! The character that would become Pluto made his first appearance in the cartoon as two identical (and unnamed) bloodhounds. He appeared in The Picnic that same year as Minnie Mouse’s dog, this time named Rover. And just a year later in The Moose Hunt (1931) he landed the role of Mickey’s dog Pluto, quickly making a household name for himself. Pluto would go on to appear in countless Disney cartoons, starring in 48 shorts beginning with Pluto’s Quin-Puplets in 1937. Pluto’s starring turn Lend a Paw (1941) won the Oscar^® for Best Cartoon of the Year, and Pluto himself was the 1940 recipient of the Tailwaggers’ “Academy Award” for Most Promising Dog Actor, presented by the Tailwagger Foundation of America. Today, this award is proudly displayed in Walt’s office, which was restored by the Walt Disney Archives in 2015.

Even though he’s a character of few words, Pluto is still incredibly expressive. Audiences can see the love and loyalty he emotes towards Mickey, his frustrations at times with Chip and Dale, or even a bit of fear when we find him hiding behind Mickey and the gang during the occasional misadventure. Although he does not speak, the trained ear might recognize the “voice,” or “bark,” of Mickey’ pal Pluto — Disney Legend Bill Farmer!

Fans around the world know and love Bill as the voice of Goofy, but may not know about his additional canine creative side. This unique connection between Pluto and Goofy did not begin with Bill, but rather, it goes back to Bill’s predecessor and fellow Disney Legend, Pinto Colvig. As he recently recalled for the D23 Inside Disney podcast back in May of this year, Bill was already voicing Goofy and was on the set of one his first jobs for Disney in 1987 when he was reminded that Pinto did Pluto from time to time and was asked to audition his bark. So, Bill studied Pinto’s Pluto, imitated it the best he could, and has been the voice of Mickey’s lovable pal ever since. A lot of work goes into Pluto’s barks, as Bill is often tasked with expressing a range of emotions in one simple woof!

In a recent D23 premiere interview with actress Yvette Nicole Brown, Bill noted that his favorite memories of Mickey and Pluto are always the emotional scenes: “The emotions we put into a scene are kind of the difficult thing with Pluto. Where rather than just a bark that everyone can do, [we] say ‘Okay, now make him kind of soulful,’ ‘make him frightened,’ ‘make him happy,’ [or] this is a ‘let’s go’ kind of bark—those are the tough things to do with Pluto. But probably the more emotion we get to put in with Pluto, the better.”

It should come as no surprise that Bill, a dog lover himself, created and stars in the new hit series It’s A Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer on Disney+. Each episode highlights notable pups and the various jobs they may have, from serving as rescue dogs, to working with cats, or even tracking orcas! And our favorite pal, Pluto, plays an important role as mascot on the show. This isn’t the only place you can find Pluto; today, Guests can meet Pluto at various Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, interact with him in Kingdom Hearts video games, see him in episodes of Mickey Mouse Mixed-up Adventures, or catch some of his early cartoon appearances on Disney+.

And so, we hope that with your own canine companions, you’ll play fetch, tug-o-war, or go for a walk to celebrate 90 years of the ever-popular Pluto!

Inside Mulan’s Costume Design with Bina Daigeler

September 4, 2020September 3, 2020

By Courtney Potter

With epic scope and significance, Disney’s Mulan tells the story of a fearless young woman who risks everything out of love for her family—and her country—to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. As with any film of such heroic scale, the design seen on screen is of utmost importance. Enter Bina Daigeler, the renowned costume designer recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy® Award for her work on FX on Hulu’s Mrs. America…

Daigeler, who worked with Mulan director Niki Caro on 2017’s The Zookeeper’s Wife, was tasked with bringing Imperial China to life—and it was a task not taken lightly. “All my costumes are based on deep research that I did about Chinese culture and Chinese history,” Daigeler recently explained to D23. “And for me, it was very important that I treat the Chinese history with respect, because it’s so rich and such a treasure—and so amazing. So I went for a few weeks through China, and visited all the big museums. Many costumes are inspired by the Tang dynasty… There’s so much handicraft behind these costumes, and so much mutual inspiration and teamwork. And I had a lot of artists working with me, and everybody enjoyed it; I think the base of our movie is [a feeling of] good spirit, and I hope that everybody can see that.”

Earlier this year, D23 attended a special Mulan costume display walk-through led by Daigeler herself; read on for her thoughts on some of the film’s most intricate costuming.

On Mulan’s (Yifei Liu) matchmaking dress:
“So the inspiration [for this dress] came very soon, like the second day when I started after the [initial] script reading,” explains Daigeler. “And I started to go through the different dynasties… I just like this idea that perhaps we see Mulan when she gets dressed, and I could imagine that it would be just an amazing visual moment on screen, when she twirls into this dress. And I proposed that to Niki and she loved the idea—and it is in the movie, so I’m very happy about that. The development of this dress took a long time, because she also has stunt scenes [in it]—and as you can see, it’s very shaped to the body. So we had to do different dresses to ‘cheat,’ so that Yifei could do all her beautiful movements that she had to do… We constructed the whole thing, every single layer. And I think that that’s very important—because the actresses and the actors, they can really feel it, how they get dressed and how they get into this completely other [time] period.”

On Commander Tung’s (Donnie Yen) military armor:
“[Donnie] himself was an inspiration,” Daigeler says, “because we know that he knows all this special martial-arts movement… Everything [for Commander Tung] is inspired by turtles, and turtle shells. I had support from Chinese specialists who were very experienced with symbolism, and also military costumes. And so [the small details you see] play into military structure and hierarchy—you know, it’s not by chance. There are many things really based on research… And it’s very important that everything fits, [like] this leather piece is exactly the length of Donnie’s arm, so that he can bend with it… We tried to make everything really rich because it was such a rich time.”

On Xianniang’s (Gong Li) costume, perhaps the film’s most elaborate:
“I was inspired by hawks,” explains Daigeler. “[It felt like] they were visiting our workroom! We had hawk images all over… I take inspiration from a lot of things that I see and then I print them and I put them around the workroom for my crew; we have ‘mood boards’ so that everybody can get inspired and look for new ideas… The crown is inspired by bird skeletons—everything for [Xianniang] was inspired by the Earth, as well as hawks, with very grounded colors. That was important to me, that it looks somehow grounded and strong. You see that it’s all hand-stitched, and it’s all sculpted out of leather. You can bend it, and it gives the whole thing an organic feel… I think this character is actually very important, because it helps the storytelling. The journey of Mulan is also represented in [Xianniang] because both of them can’t really be who they want to be [initially]… Her costume is quite stiff, but it also empowers her, and it protects her because she is living in a man’s world.”

On the challenges of Böri Khan’s (Jason Scott Lee) costume:
“Jason did such strong preparation [for this role],” Daigeler explains. “He went through such deep physical training—it was just inspiring to see how strong he is, and how well he really took it on and learned all these amazing skills. I immediately thought black was the right color for him… The first thing we needed was a signature belt for him. We thought once we have the right belt, everything else will come together. Niki was really looking for it to have a very strong image [for Böri Khan]. And I think once I had this particular belt, I knew, okay—now I can present something to her. With Niki, I had to surprise her… that was my challenge, and a great inspiration to me to see if I can surprise her with something… The initial prototype [of his armor]—I really wanted to have it made out of metal, so that I could really see what would look like. But we couldn’t use it because he is riding horses; it was just too dangerous. So we used leather to copy the real armor. And it’s a full circle skirt—so when he does his [martial arts] movements, the whole skirt can move. And all of it, again, is hand-stitched.”

See Disney’s Mulan beginning Friday, September 4, as a Premier Access offering on Disney+!

The Mandalorian Sets a Season Two Premiere Date—Plus More in News Briefs

September 4, 2020September 3, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Mark Your Calendars for The Mandalorian’s Return… This October!

Now this is some truly fantastic, much-anticipated, totally cool news: Our pals at Lucasfilm just announced this week that the second season of The Mandalorian, from creator and Disney Legend Jon Favreau, will debut October 30 on Disney+!

All episodes of The Mandalorian Season One are currently available to stream on Disney+, along with Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, which features Favreau, executive producer Dave Filoni, and more behind-the-scenes folks as they take fans inside the first live-action Star Wars series.

By the way, in case it’s slipped your mind…The Mandalorian, starring Pedro Pascal in the title role, is currently nominated for an incredible 15 Emmy® Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series; Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (for Giancarlo Esposito); Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (for Taika Waititi); and Outstanding Music Composition for a Series — Original Dramatic Score (for composer Ludwig Göransson). Winners of the 72nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be revealed September 14–17, with a virtual ceremony airing September 19 on FXX. And the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air live September 20 on ABC. Don’t miss the fun!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Welcome to September, friends ‘n’ fans! The world keeps a-spinnin’ and it’s almost time to officially welcome fall (well, not for a couple weeks at least). There’s a ton of cool stuff to look forward to watching this weekend, from around the worlds of Disney—including the season finale of the supremely silly and super hilarious Muppets Now, as well as the season finale of Pixar in Real Life, both on Disney+; and a brand-new episode of Fancy Nancy on Disney Junior. Learn more about what you can expect on your TV screens and streaming devices by clicking here.

ABC’s black-ish Announces Special Standalone Event

ABC’s hit series black-ish is returning to our screens in a super-cool way this fall… Airing ahead of the show’s season premiere, a one-hour television special is set to debut on Sunday, October 4, at 10 p.m. EDT; the two back-to-back episodes will follow the Johnson family as they navigate the upcoming election. But that’s not all: The special will be presented in part as an animated episode—one that Oscar® winner Matthew A. Cherry (Hair Love) is set to direct.

In “Election Special Pt. 1,” Junior (Marcus Scribner) embarks on his journey as a first-time voter, but is dismayed to learn there’s a problem with his voter registration. Then, in the animated “Election Special Pt. 2,” Dre’s (Anthony Anderson) colleague Stevens (Peter Mackenzie) makes an ill-advised decision to run for Congress, so Dre enlists his family’s help and campaigns against him—but gets caught up with fundraising and private interest groups.

An official premiere date for the highly anticipated seventh season of black-ish will be announced shortly, so keep those eyes peeled…

ICYMI: Dancing with the Stars Reveals New Cast

Speaking of ABC: The ballroom is (almost) back, y’all! Yes—just this week, the next cast of Dancing with the Stars was announced… and by the looks of things, we can expect a memorable, music-filled journey towards the coveted mirror ball trophy! For a full rundown on who to expect on the Tyra Banks-hosted series, click here.

All Aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway with #DisneyMagicMoments

For those of you yet to take a ride on Runnamuck Railroad, we have great news: Thanks to #DisneyMagicMoments, now you can! Virtually, from the comfort of your own couch, at least… Check out the brand-new video, featuring a ride on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, above.

The attraction, which opened earlier this year, marks the first-ever ride-through attraction in Disney history featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. And in this new “Ride & Learn” video, which debuted earlier this week on the Disney Parks Blog, viewers can step inside the park’s Chinese Theatre and into Mickey and Minnie’s cartoon world! With Goofy at the controls, what could possibly go wrong?

You’ll learn some great tidbits of info along the way, including how the work of Disney Legend Jimmy Macdonald comes into play as you journey through the attraction. Wanna make it even more like a trip to Walt Disney World Resort? Why not make whip up some of these Triple Chocolate Cupcakes (served at the Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest restaurant) to enjoy after you’ve watched the clip? Okay, now we’re hungry…

Freeform Reveals Spooktacular “31 Days of Halloween” Schedule

Hard to believe, but Halloween is now definitively around the corner—so it stands to reason that the good folks over at Freeform have announced what to expect from 2020’s “31 Days of Halloween” programming event. Expect a few cool new additions to the lineup, including The Scorpion King and 2016’s Ghostbusters. For the entire lineup (which is subject to change, naturally)—and to get some info on a fang-tastic fan experience kicking things off in Los Angeles, CA—click here!

Which Marvel’s Avengers Video Game Character Are You?

September 4, 2020September 2, 2020

Fans of Marvel’s Avengers… assemble!

Available to play today on PlayStation 4, Steam, and Xbox One, Marvel’s Avengers is a larger-than-life, third-person, action-adventure game featuring iconic Super Heroes. Marvel Entertainment, Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal and Square Enix teamed up to create an original, cinematic story with single-player and co-operative gameplay—and as of today, there are six playable Heroes: Black Widow, Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, and Thor. Which one is most like you? Take our quiz to find out! (Additional playable characters, like Hawkeye and Kate Bishop, will become available at a later date.)

1. Which weapon(s) would you want to wield in battle?
A) A Sakaaran battle axe
B) Batons
C) A shield
D) Mjölnir
E) Repulsor rays, smart missiles, a unibeam…
F) … do morphogenic abilities count?

2. Which adjective best describes you?
A) Angry
B) Patriotic
C) Brawny
D) Stealthy
E) Inventive
F) Idealistic

3. Which Marvel villain do you most fear?
A) Abomination
B) Red Skull
C) Loki
D) Task Master
E) Mandarin
F) Monica Rappaccini

4. What food or drink replenishes your energy?
A) Tacos
B) Apple pie
C) Coffee
D) A peanut butter sandwich
E) A cheeseburger
F) Doom Dogs

5. What’s the best way to solve a problem?
A) HULK SMASH!
B) Going all day
C) Going for the head
D) Infiltrating the enemy
E) Developing new tech
F) Embiggening!

Results

Mostly As
You are The Hulk! Brilliant and strong, you are a force to be reckoned with.

Mostly Bs
You are Captain America! Loyal and valiant, you are the definition of a leader.

Mostly Cs
You are Thor! Dutiful and bold, you are devoted to protecting those you love.

Mostly Ds
You are Black Widow! Secretive and deadly, you’re wiping the red out of your ledger.

Mostly Es
You are Iron Man! Exceptional and shrewd, you’ll do whatever it takes to save the day.

Mostly Fs
You are Ms. Marvel! Feisty and optimistic, you’re not afraid to fight for the little guys.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Your Vehicles for Adventure at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

September 3, 2020September 8, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Every attraction at a Disney park is a full story, sweeping you, your friends, and family off on grand journeys that you’d only been able to previously imagine. How you travel through these journeys depends on the ride vehicle—often an unexpected or whimsical form of transport. In our adventures at Disney parks around the world, we’ve stepped into haunted elevators, flying pirate ships, Doom Buggies, magic carpets, and more to experience unforgettable adventures. While we love these unique ways to travel through Disney attractions, some of the most memorable adventures take place on more practical types of vehicles: planes, trains, and automobiles. As part of our celebration of 65 years of the Disney park, we’re exploring these forms of transportation at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disney Parks around the world and celebrating how even the most traditional forms of transport can sweep you off into mysterious temples or the futuristic world of tomorrow.

Planes
Goofy’s Sky School
If you want to take to the sky, but don’t know how to fly, head over to Disney California Adventure to get some lessons. We heard the teacher is a little… silly. Wait, no. He’s goofy. Like, he’s literally Goofy—our favorite funny friend of Mickey. Yes, that’s right, Goofy is starting his career as a flying instructor. Is this the wackiest flight school to ever issue a diploma? In order to provide instruction to his aspiring airliners, Goofy’s posted giant billboards along the flight path to instruct you on your lessons. Try to ignore any plane-shaped holes in those signs.

Inspired by “pleasure pier” rides and the golden era of seaside amusement parks, Goofy’s Sky School features retro-style roller coaster cars with no modern dimensional elements, like protruding wings or mechanical propellers (Maybe that explains all those crash marks on the billboards?). Truly, these vehicles look less like a plane and more like a contraption invented by Goofy himself—but once you’re done, you’ll be flying with the best (and goofiest) of them!

Soarin’ Around the World
One of the most peaceful, breathtaking, and enchanting experiences at EPCOT is Soarin’ Around the World. Climb aboard a hang glider and sit back as you soar over iconic landmarks and landscapes around the world. Close your eyes for a moment—feel the wind on your face; smell sea breeze in the air. This flight takes you to locations you’ve only dreamed of visiting: the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India—plus, it brings some Easter eggs you might need multiple flights to spot. The unique hang glider system was created by Walt Disney Imagineering ride engineer Mark Sumner, who came up with the idea one weekend by building a model with an erector set he had at home. That model soon became a must-experience attraction for any fans of flight.

Space Mountain
Is soaring through the air just not enough for you? Feel like your real calling is in space? Maybe you’re just a big fan of mountains but think the whole “being on the ground” part is overrated? At Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland, step into Space Mountain and prepare to blast off on a high-speed adventure. A rocket is waiting at the spaceport to take you into the far reaches of the universe. Equipped with a rockin’ sound system so you can jam out while you’re far out, your rocket travels across the galaxy and back. In fact, Space Mountain was made with the help of an expert—former Mercury 9 and Gemini 5 astronaut Gordon Cooper was a consulting member of the original Disney Space Mountain team, bringing his NASA expertise to the attraction so that your space travel is as authentic as possible.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
If you want to experience intergalactic adventure, consider enlisting as a Space Ranger. Your mission—defeat the evil Emperor Zurg. Your vehicle for intergalactic travel? The sleek, toy-inspired Space Cruiser. At Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, you board the Space Cruiser XP-40. The “X” signifies that the capabilities of the vehicle are an “unknown quantity,” or a “secret” to Zurg, and the “P” means “Protection,” which is what the vehicles provide for Star Command and the Universe. Over at Tokyo Disneyland they are the XP-38s; at Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in the Magic Kingdom, they are the XP-37s.

Of course, on this mission, it’s not just about saving the galaxy—it’s about fun. This adventure takes place in the Toy Story world, and your Space Cruiser is a play item—a plastic battery-powered intergalactic spacecraft with built-in electronics and wheels on its underside. Like many plastic toys, it has parts that are assembled with screws. The brand name on the batteries at the back of the vehicle indicates that it is powered by “Crystolic Fusion,” which is Buzz-speak for “battery powered.” Unlike other toys, this Space Cruiser is key to saving the galaxy—so let your imagination run free and you just might be the next cosmic commando.

Trains
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Enter the cartoon world of Mickey and Minnie, where anything can happen—including Goofy driving a train (who is letting him into all these vehicles?). Would you believe that on this train you have bigger worries than a goofy conductor? In the world of cartoons, mouse rules apply—but the laws of physics sometimes don’t. There’s a reason this train is called the Runnamuck Railroad, after all, and it’s not just because we like alliteration. This train is the only one at a Disney park that can take you through the city, under water, and even into a tornado! Plus—keep your eyes open for Easter eggs and hidden details along the way.

The Disneyland Railroad and The Walt Disney World Railroad
When it comes to traveling around Disney Parks, there’s one mode of transportation that originates from Walt Disney’s personal passion. Inspired by Walt Disney’s love of trains, The Disneyland and Walt Disney World Railroads transport guests on a full circle tour of the parks. This attraction evokes the nostalgic adventure of riding on old‐fashioned steam-powered trains that crisscrossed America from the 1850s to the early 1900s. But these trains don’t just take you around the Americana-inspired Main Street, U.S.A.—they also take you through worlds of adventure, tomorrow, and fantasy. Walt’s passion for railroads extends across the globe—railroads circle Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

At Disneyland, there are five trains to transport you around the park: C.K. Holliday, E.P. Ripley, Fred Gurley, Ernest S. Marsh, and Ward Kimball. At Magic Kingdom, there are four trains to transport you around the park: Lily Belle, Roy O. Disney, Walter E. Disney, and Roger E. Broggie.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Not every train takes you on a peaceful journey—in fact, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is considered the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!” With no engineer, no fear, and all the adrenaline of the wild west frontier, this train ride is out of control in the best way possible. This train takes you on an adventure through deep gorges, twisting caverns, and mysterious and foreboding mine shafts.

Inspired by small steam locomotives of the mid-to-late 1800s, the engines of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad have funneled smokestacks and a roofed cab overlooking the boiler, along with passenger cars featuring wood crate sides patterned after the excursion cars that were used in mining and logging operations to carry workers to and from their work sites. While the train might be inspired by a mining operation, the real treasure on this attraction isn’t gold—it’s the wild and rollicking adventure you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
This mine train was made to transport glittering jewels, but it’s also your vehicle to adventure at Magic Kingdom and Shanghai Disneyland. It travels into the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine, where you’ll be enchanted by glittering diamonds, rubies, and other precious gems. “Handmade” by the Dwarfs, the wooden mine cars were originally intended to haul rocks and jewels. The mine cars sit in cradles so they can be tipped to unload their contents—or so they can swing back and forth as guests zip through rolling hills, past pools and waterfalls, to the mine and to the cottage of the Seven Dwarfs.

Casey Jr. Circus Train
This colorful, small-scale train takes guests on a charming tour of the hills and valleys of Storybook Land. The Casey Jr. Circus Train was a Disneyland 1955 original attraction that has been transporting guests past the miniature homes and villages of Disney’s most beloved animated characters for 65 years.

Before you board Casey Jr., you need to pick what car you’ll be riding in. Will you ride up front in the engine (look, Casey Jr. is smiling at you!) or will you hop in the back and enjoy the view from the caboose? Take the traditional route and hop in an open car, or grab your wildest friends and slide into the Animal Cages. No matter where you choo-choo-choose to sit, one thing’s for certain: you’re in for a fantas-tic view.

Automobiles
Autopia
One of life’s little pleasures is taking a simple drive along the roadway. Isn’t it a shame that our younger guests don’t know that joy? In the world of the future, there’s no need to fret! Autopia allows drivers of all ages to cruise in a cute coupe, a rugged off-road vehicle, or a stylish sports car. Your drive will travel along the fun-filled (and often pun-filled) roadways of Tomorrowland, including a chance to off-road!

Indiana Jones Adventure
Just like its name promises, Adventureland has no shortage of thrilling expeditions on which you can embark. But if a cruise through the jungle isn’t quite pulse-racing enough for your adrenaline addiction, stop by the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Famed archeologist Indiana Jones is missing…Will you be part of the group of intrepid explorers who find him? Hop in your Jungle Transport—a handy vehicle built for rugged terrain and equipped with a radio to guide you through the ominous temple. Sure, it sounds like the car is perfect to get you through this mysterious temple, but we have one question—how good are you at driving with your eyes closed? The temple doesn’t just have its name because it sounds cool. While you drive through the ruins, beware the eyes of the idol—or you’ll soon be in for a driving test like no other (You thought parallel parking was tough? Try driving through a mummy chamber, a dart corridor, and—gulp—the Gates of Doom!)

If you’re a real auto aficionado, your Jungle Transport isn’t the only vehicle of note at Indiana Jones Adventure. In the outside queue, pay close attention to the German Patrol Truck—it’s a real prop from the Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark. Read more about Easter eggs in the Indiana Jones Adventure here [link: https://d23.com/hidden-details-in-indiana-jones-adventure/]

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
We’ve talked about the train line that’s considered the “wildest ride in the wilderness,” but what about an automobile that’s the wildest ride through…. A mansion? Channel Mr. Toad’s motormania (we know you want to) by climbing aboard a vintage motorcar at Toad Hall at Disneyland park.

Inspired by early 20th century buggies, (drivers enter on the right side—British-style) the motorcars bear the names of characters from The Wind in the Willows including Mr. Toad, MacBadger, Moley, Ratty, Weasel, Winky, and Cyril. Enjoy your drive through the English countryside… and through Toad Hall… and the courthouse… Just keep an eye out for any trains! No matter where you end up on your wild ride, rest assured that the homely grounds of Toad Hall are just around the corner.

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Want to go for a spin through the city? Stop by the Toontown Cab Co.—home of Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland—and race through the wacky streets of Toontown on the tail of Roger Rabbit. (But watch out for the dip!) Your adventure is courtesy of a yellow and black “covertible” taxicab with whitewall tires named Lenny. (And don’t forget his name—it’s right there on his license plate!) He’ll drive you through Toontown with a twinkle in his headlight eyes and a grin on his grille. While you’re enjoying your day at Disneyland or Tokyo Disneyland, you’ll drive a variety of cars on your adventures—but this is one of the few with a mind of its own.

Radiator Springs Racers
Speaking of Cars with a lot of character, next time you’re in Radiator Springs, you should join in the big race. Make new friends with a stylish convertible who’ll chauffeur your road trip through the majestic Ornament Valley while headed to Radiator Springs, encountering some familiar faces—er, windshields? —along the way. You and your new car pal are a team together, because when you arrive at Radiator Springs, it’s time for the race—and your competition are your fellow guests. Watch for the flash—it’s a photo finish! And what better way to commemorate your time in Radiator Springs than with a photo of your big race day and your new automotive amigo?

Dinosaur
When you hop in a car at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you know you’re going to journey to many exciting places: concerts, mansions—even a high-speed race! But over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Dino Institute, your automobile has a unique destination: The past!

You’ve never hopped in a car like this. The Time Rover is designed to take you to the age of the Dinosaurs. If you thought that was an impressive feature for an automobile, wait till you see what it can carry! You and your friends better scoot over, because the plan is to go to the past and nab a 3.5-ton Iguanadon! There’s one feature of the car you better hope doesn’t need to get tested—the ability to outrun the clock before a giant meteor strikes the Earth!

Want to keep celebrating 65 years of the Disney Theme Park? Make sure to check out all the ways we’re celebrating, including more digital content right here on D23.com, all month long!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

September 3, 2020September 2, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Hear that? That’s the sound of Quasimodo ringing the bells to let you know that another exciting weekend of movies and series are just a few days away! On Friday, two Disney+ originals will air their season finales: Muppets Now and Pixar in Real Life. The streaming service is also adding the 2013 blockbuster The Wolverine to its vast collection of Marvel content. Meanwhile, Freeform has a topsy turvy weekend planned, as it will air the 1996 animated classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Saturday and Sunday. Lastly, on Sunday, Disney Junior will air an all-new episode of Fancy Nancy featuring a fan-favorite guest star.

Muppets Now—Friday, September 4, on Disney+
In the season finale, “Socialized,” Scooter juggles becoming co-moderator of the Muppets Now social media accounts while trying to execute this week’s upload of all the new alerts, notifications, and requests. Meanwhile, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, receive legal lectures and accidental assistance from Muppet attorney Joe The Legal Weasel. The Swedish Chef faces his competitor, Marina Michelson, to prove his family recipe makes the most magnificent meatball. In the meantime, Fozzie Bear talks shop with fellow comedian Seth Rogen while babysitting bad babies. Last—but never least—Miss Piggy talks to Linda Cardellini and Taye Diggs for a new Lifestyle with Miss Piggy segment.

Pixar in Real Life—Friday, September 4, on Disney+
Bailamos! In the Coco-inspired season finale, Abuelita shakes her chancla at the street performers in Washington Square Park and asks New Yorkers to help her find Miguel. After she finds him playing guitar, he begs her to let him play just one song. The other street performers join in, creating a performance so fun even Abuelita can’t help but clap along!

The Wolverine—Friday, September 4, on Disney+
Still reeling from the death of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), the mutant Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is lured to Japan for the first time since World War II. Once there, he finds himself in the underground world of yakuza and samurai. His physical and emotional limits are tested when he is forced to go on the run with Mariko Yashida (Tao Okamoto), an industrialist’s daughter, all while finally confronting the prospect of death. As Wolverine struggles to rediscover his inner hero, he must face powerful foes and reckon with his past.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame—Saturday, September 5, at 11:55 p.m. and Sunday, September 6, at 10:15 a.m. on Freeform
Inspired by Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Disney’s animated adventure tells the story of Quasimodo (voice of Tom Hulce), the gentle and lonely bell ringer of Notre Dame. With the loving support of his gargoyle friends Victor (voice of Charles Kimbrough), Hugo (voice of Jason Alexander), and Laverne (voice of Mary Wickes), he decides to leave the solitary safety of his tower and ventures into the streets of Paris. It’s there that he makes his first true friend, the gypsy Esmeralda (voice of Demi Moore). When she seeks sanctuary in the Cathedral, angering Judge Claude Frollo (voice of Tony Jay), Quasimodo helps her escape. In turn, Esmeralda entrusts him with a secret map to the gypsies’ hideout. But when the hideout becomes vulnerable, it’s up to Quasimodo to save the people and the city he loves.

Fancy Nancy—Sunday, September 6, at 12 p.m. ET on Disney Junior
In the brand-new episode “Trois Cheers for Mrs. Devine,” Mrs. Devine (voice of guest star Christine Baranski) gets the blues. Fortunately, Nancy (voice of Mia Sinclair Jenness) is determined to cheer her neighbor up. Then, in “Escar-No!,” Francophile Nancy questions her love of all things French after she experiences the country’s cuisine for the first time.

Get Early Access to the September Limited-Edition Mickey

September 3, 2020September 23, 2020

The September Limited-Edition Disney Animator Mickey Mouse Plush is SOLD OUT! Check back next month for the announcement of October’s plush theme and the date and time for the sale launch on Amazon.

NOTE: Due to the strong response to these incredible plush, D23 and Amazon are making the following adjustments to the on-sale announcement for the upcoming months.

D23 Members will continue to be among 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 Monday, September 7, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the Animator Mickey Mouse 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 extremely limited quantities of the plush will be available on Amazon.com.

Animator Mickey Mouse
Commemorate the Year of the Mouse with this Limited-Edition Disney Animator Mickey Mouse Plush. The ninth of 12 collectible large plush in the series, this exclusive Mickey Mouse celebrates the month of September. Mickey Mouse stands 16 inches tall and is made of a soft suede woodgrain patterned fabric featuring Mickey Mouse sketches with 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 Animator Mickey Mouse plush makes the perfect gift for Disney fans of all ages. Collect all twelve of these commemorative Mickey Mouse plush. Ages 3+

Walt Disney invested the profits from the success of the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) into building a brand-new animation studio in Burbank, California. Walt worked closely with the architect to design an efficient and comfortable campus for his staff and no detail was overlooked, including the design of custom furniture. The most famous piece of furniture to come out of this collaboration was the stylish wood animator’s desks on which many beloved Mickey Mouse shorts and decades of classic Disney animated films were created. Which is perfect, because the Mickey plush was inspired by these animator desks, with the patterned fabric designed to evoke the wood grain look of the desk.

Special-Edition Animator Mickey Mouse Plush celebrates the month of September.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging.
Amazon exclusive.
Mickey stands 16 inches tall.
Made a soft suede woodgrain patterned fabric featuring Mickey Mouse sketches with embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes.
Collect all twelve.
Ages 3+

Continue to watch every month for a brand-new Mickey plush design announcement! For more Disney favorites, visit amazon.com/Disney for a full assortment of products.

Dancing with the Stars 2020 Season Celebrity Cast Revealed

September 2, 2020

By Zach Johnson

It’s time to dust off those dancing shoes!

Live on Good Morning America, ABC today announced the Dancing with the Stars season 2020 celebrity cast. The series, featuring new host and executive producer Tyra Banks, will return to the ballroom with a lineup of celebrities including a Grammy® winner, a Bachelorette, a big-cat lover-turned-reality TV star and a football legend, to name a few. The new celebrity cast will add some glitzy bling to their wardrobe and break in their dancing shoes as the show kicks off live on Monday, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

The celebrities heading to the ballroom this season are as follows:

Head coach Monica Aldama (CHEER)
Animal activist Carole Baskin (Tiger King)
Kaitlyn Bristowe (The Bachelor, The Bachelorette)
Super Bowl Champion Vernon Davis
TV and film actress Anne Heche
Disney Channel actress Skai Jackson
Actress Justina Machado (One Day at a Time)
Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean
Emmy® Award-winning host of The Real and sideline correspondent on Holey Moley Jeannie Mai
TV and film actor Jesse Metcalfe
Grammy-winning rapper Nelly
TV host Nev Schulman (Catfish)
NBA superstar Charles Oakley (The Last Dance)
Actress Chrishell Stause (Selling Sunset)
Olympic figure skater and on-air commentator Johnny Weir

The professional dancers heading to the ballroom this season are as follows:

Brandon Armstrong
Alan Bersten
Sharna Burgess
Cheryl Burke
Artem Chigvintsev
Val Chmerkovskiy
Sasha Farber
Jenna Johnson
Daniella Karagach
Keo Motsepe
Peta Murgatroyd
Pasha Pashkov
Gleb Savchenko
Emma Slater
Britt Stewart

Tune in to the premiere to find out which celebrities and professional dancers have been paired together. Judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli will also be returning this season, and episodes will be available the next day on demand and on Hulu.

A Highway in the Sky: 8 Cool Facts About the Disney Monorail

September 1, 2020

By Max Lark

Everyone knows that Walt Disney was a pioneering cartoonist, filmmaker, and family entertainment icon. Less well known is the fact that he was a visionary futurist with an abiding interest in transportation. Disney Editions’ The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky, a stunning, lavishly illustrated book out on September 15, 2020, reveals the story behind the development of this new form of transportation, which culminated with the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. Jeff Kurtti, Vanessa Hunt, and Paul Wolski tell the fascinating story behind this mid-century masterpiece, which is complemented with myriad historical photographs and rarely seen concept art—all of which combine to give readers the ultimate ride on the Disney Monorail. Here are 8 cool Monorail facts we discovered after reading this beautiful book no Disney fan will want to miss!

1. When planning Tomorrowland, Walt always had a monorail on his mind.
Early concept art for Disneyland—even plans that were discarded or never built—usually contained drawings of some form of Monorail. “I knew, of course, that Walt was always interested in having a monorail at the park,” Disney Legend Bob Gurr says in The Disney Monorail. “If you look at the original sketches made up for Disneyland, it was a kind of overhead hanging type of monorail. But it was there. In the very first batch of ideas, it was there.”

2. The Viewliner was a unique forerunner to the Monorail.
In 1957, Walt wanted to fill some space and create some new excitement at Disneyland. Thus the Viewliner was born. Although they looked sleek and futuristic at the time, Viewliners were actually a linked-together pair of mini-excursion trains, much of it built from discarded car parts. “I started looking for an old car I could transform into a train,” Gurr says in The Disney Monorail. “I finally settled on a 1954 Oldsmobile 88, which had a perfectly symmetrical dashboard. The Oldsmobile, like the rest of the hulking cars from that period, was far too wide to fit on the 30-inch-wide Viewliner track; to solve the problem, the Olds was split in half, removing the 14-inch-wide center section where the radio went. That’s why there was a seam in the center of the window shield. The Viewliner ended service on September 15, 1958, to make way for construction work for the updates to Tomorrowland that would open in 1959—including the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System.

3. Walt’s wife, Lillian, played a key role in the development of the Disney Monorail.
On a trip to Germany in 1952, Walt and Lillian rode an early form of the monorail—one that had carriages suspended beneath the rail. This gave the ride decided sway, and Lillian wondered out loud, “Why can’t they run the cars on top of the track?” It was a notion that stayed in Walt’s mind—probably all the way until the time he discovered the Alweg train in Germany. With Disney representatives meeting with Alweg in Germany, Walt asked Gurr to design something more in line with Tomorrowland ideals. As he says in the book, “I sketched out the old Flash Gordon spaceship—an arrow-shaped cylinder with a big swept-back wing on top and one on the bottom. Then I erased the wing from the top, drew in the old Viewliner cars along the back, and there it was. The Monorail.”

4. At the dedication of the Monorail, Walt saved the day.
When Vice President Richard Nixon’s children, Julie and Tricia, attempted to formally dedicate the Monorail on June 14, 1959, using an oversized wooden scissors to cut the ceremonial ribbon, the stubborn scissors refused to snip and Walt had to rush in to the rescue and rip the ribbon in half with his hands!

5. Walt Disney owned the Disneyland Monorail personally.
Walt created a private company called Retlaw Enterprises (Walter backwards) to help control the benefits of his name and likeness—and to manage two Disneyland attractions that he owned: the steam trains and the Monorail. According to the writers of The Disney Monorail, “Retlaw paid fees to Disneyland for the attraction rights-of-way and employed those that worked at the attraction. Walt had also owned the Viewliner and the horse-drawn streetcars on Main Street, U.S.A. All of these assets were sold to Walt Disney Productions in 1982.

6. Walt created a fleet of Monorails two years after its maiden voyage.
Two years after its maiden voyage, Walt decided to extend the monorail beam so it would become a two-and-a-half mile route. The original Mark I were expanded from three to four cars, and an additional train was added, creating a fleet of Mark II cars.

7. There have been seven versions of the Monorail that have run either at Disneyland or Walt Disney World.
Since its launch in 1959, there have been seven versions of the Monorail—Mark I to Mark VII that ran at either Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Since 1989, the Mark VI delivers service at Walt Disney World, which features six cars of 203.5 feet in length. The Mark VII has run at Disneyland since 2008, featuring five cars of 140 feet in length.

8. In December 1986, the Disneyland Monorail System was named a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.
As of 2019, only 273 landmarks have been named to this prestigious roster, overseen by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. There is a plaque located at the entry of the Tomorrowland Station commemorating this achievement.