14 Disney Movies Based on Our Favorite Books

June 11, 2020August 9, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Reading a good book is a thrilling adventure that can sometimes go by too quickly. Have you ever finished a really good book and wished you could live in the world of the story for longer? Well, some of our favorite Disney films give you the chance to do just that! Film adaptations of beloved books let us explore the worlds of our favorite stories in new and exciting ways. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite live action films based on some beloved books.

1. Treasure Island (1950)
Arr, if ye be seekin’ adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel, there be films aplenty. Perhaps you like your Treasure Island to be the Muppet variety [LINK: https://d23.com/muppet-treasure-island-did-you-know/]—or perhaps you’d rather see a sci-fi twist on the story like Treasure Planet [LINK: https://d23.com/d23-celebrates-15-years-treasure-planet-directors-ron-clements-john-musker/]. However, the original 1950 adaptation of Treasure Island made waves as the first-ever live action Disney film!

2. Freaky Friday (1976)
This classic tale of mother-daughter switcharoo has been adapted many times [link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBIf5ishtcY], but the original 1976 version was the first time Disney adapted Mary Rogers’ novel of the same name. Its premise is one any kid or parent can relate to—sometimes when we just can’t understand each other, it’s best to walk a mile in the others’ shoes. Of course, this film takes that literally when high schooler Annabell Andrews (Jodie Foster) and housewife Ellen Andrews (Barbara Harris) switch lives one fateful Friday and wacky hijinks ensue—along with heartfelt understanding… and waterskiing.

3. The Princess Bride (1987)
An article about film adaptations of books that doesn’t mention The Princess Bride? Inconceivable! The beloved adaption of William Goldman’s equally endearing novel of the same name has won the hearts of film lovers and fans of the book alike with its cheeky twist on the classic fairy tale, iconic and instantly-quotable dialogue, and beloved characters.

4. The Princess Diaries (2001)
Every day is dramatic enough as it is when you’re a high schooler, but what do you do when you have to add “discovering you’re the princess Genovia” into the already stressful mix? You don’t have to wonder—lucky for you, Mia Thermopolis kept a diary! Her life as a new princess was explored in Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries book series—and immortalized as a go-to sleepover movie starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. Mia’s story of going from awkward high schooler to… still awkward princess will inspire anyone who feels like they don’t quite fit in.

5. Tuck Everlasting (2002)
Natalie Babbit’s book about a family that discovers the secret to immortality got the big-screen treatment in 2002. We follow the journey of Winnie Foster (Alexis Bledel) as she tries to break free from her domineering mother and protect the secret of the Tuck family—especially her beloved Jesse Tuck. But she has a serious choice ahead of her: return to her normal life, or stay with the everlasting Tuck family.

6. Holes (2003)
If you dug Louis Sanchar’s award-winning novel about a boy sent to a strange camp where he must dig holes every day, you will equally love the film adaptation of Holes. Starring Shia LaBeouf as Stanley Yelnats, the film chronicles his time digging holes at Camp Greenlake—but the camp’s secret could finally help Stanley break his family’s curse of bad luck.

7. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
Based on the first-written book in C.S. Lewis’ popular The Chronicles of Narnia series, the film follows the adventures of the Pensivie siblings as they discover a mysterious land inside their wardrobe after a game of hide-and-seek. What starts as the sibling’s fun adventure filled with talking animals and strange environments soon becomes an epic battle to save the land of Narnia from the evil White Witch—and fulfill their destinies.

8. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Ok, ok, grab your tissues, we’ll wait. Both the original book by Katherine Paterson and the film adaptation are well-known for the story’s heartbreakingly sad ending—but it also has an inspiring message in the friendship of Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) and Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) as they explore their imaginations and find the magic in everyday life.

9. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
While fans of Rick Riordian’s stories inspired by Greek mythology recently rejoiced over the news that the books are getting a brand-new series on Disney+, you can watch the 2010 film adaptation of his first Percy Jackson book, The Lightning Thief, right now on Disney+. See the adventures of Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and more of our favorite residents of Camp Halfblood come to life. Camp Halfblood is, of course, the summer camp for children of the Greek gods—including Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon. With this newfound knowledge comes newfound powers—which he learns to use on his quest to save his mother from Hades, the god of the underworld.

10. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014)
We could fill up a whole other article about Disney film’s based on children’s stories (in fact, we have!), but the film adaption of Judith Viorst’s classic picture book stands out for its charming expansion upon the original story’s simple premise of a single day that just keeps getting worse—not just for poor Alexander, but for his whole, usually upbeat, family.

11. A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
What would you do if you were the only normal person in a family of brilliant scientists—but also the only one who could save them all? Meg Murry finds herself “tessering” through space and time to save her father, with a little help from mysterious celestial beings—Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who. Based on the Newberry award-winning book by Mageline L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time teaches us how to be warriors—even if not all of us are on cosmic quests like Meg.

12. Artemis Fowl (2020)
Fans have been eagerly waiting for an adaptation of the book that follows boy genius Artemis Fowl as he delves into the world of magic and fairies—and their wait will soon be over! The film adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s first book in his fantastical Artemis Fowl series is now on Disney+. Tune in and discover Artemis’ journey to rescue his father—along the way, he’ll make some unusual allies and discover a secret magic world like you’ve never seen before.

13. Upside-Down Magic (2020)
This enchanting Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) conjures up a story of two magically inclined friends, Elinor “Nory” Boxwood Horace and Reina Carvajal, who enroll in the esteemed Sage Academy for Magical Studies to train their skills. Sage Academy is split into five types of magic: Flyers, Fuzzies, Fluxers, Flares, and Flickers. Reina’s flashy powers sort her as a Flicker—but Nory’s mixed-up shapeshifter abilities place her in a sixth category: Upside-Down Magic. Based on the book series by Sarah Mlynowski, the DCOM follows Nory’s adventures as she learns to master her magic and prove she won’t give in to the mysterious ways of “shadow magic.”

14. The One and Only Ivan (2020)
Based on the children’s novel by Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ivan tells the beloved story of Ivan, a gorilla, who lives at a shopping mall along with Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and various other animals. Ivan has no recollection of his life before the mall—but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, he empathizes with her journey and begins to question the life he knows. Applegate’s Newbery Medal-winning story will be brought to life with an impressive hybrid of CGI and live-action when it debuts on Disney+ on August 21.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

June 11, 2020June 9, 2020

By Zach Johnson

The weekend can’t come fast enough! From a two-day movie marathon on Freeform to brand-new episodes of Disney Junior’s Fancy Nancy, ABC’s Celebrity Family Feud, and National Geographic’s Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, there’s no shortage of fantastic things to watch. Add in the premiere of the ESPN documentary film Long Gone Summer (an official selection of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival), and the weekend becomes a home run!

Funday Weekend—Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, on Freeform
Let the movie marathon begin! Saturday’s lineup will begin with Hook at 7 a.m. ET, followed by Big at 10:23 a.m. ET, Puss in Boots at 12:33 p.m. ET, Lilo & Stitch at 2:40 p.m. ET, Finding Nemo at 4:40 p.m. ET, Finding Dory at 7:10 p.m. ET, Ratatouille at 9:15 p.m. ET, and Shrek at 11:55 p.m. ET. All eight films will air again the next day (check your local listings), and Freeform’s Funday Weekend will conclude with a showing of Space Jam at 12 a.m. ET on January 15.

June 14: Fancy Nancy—Sunday, June 14, at 12 p.m. ET on Disney Junior
Each episode of the animated series features two 11-minute humorous and heartfelt stories—and this one is no exception! First, in “The Whisper Heard Round the World,” Nancy (voice of Mia Sinclair Jenness) breaks a promise and must find a way to restore the trust of her friend Lionel (voice of Malachi Barton). Then, in “Nancy Braves the Storm,” heavy winds blow a tree down on Nancy’s playhouse and she must learn to face her fears.

Celebrity Family Feud Sunday—Sunday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Survey says… you can’t miss this episode! The cast of Freeform’s critically acclaimed dramedy The Bold Type takes on RuPaul, the world’s most famous drag queen, and the team from his Emmy Award©-winning show, RuPaul’s Drag Race, in a fierce, funny faceoff.

30 for 30: Long Gone Summer—Sunday, June 14, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN
ESPN’s new 30 for 30 film Long Gone Summer, directed by AJ Schnack, takes viewers back to the landmark 1998 baseball season and the record-breaking home run duel of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa that ignited the passion and imagination of fans and non-fans everywhere. This intimate portrait features in-depth interviews with both McGwire and Sosa, who talk at length for the first time in more than two decades, and carries viewers through every twist and turn of the sluggers’ historic chase of Roger Maris’ iconic record of 61 home runs in a single season. Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, a St. Louis-area native and current Chicago resident, composed the musical score for the film, which serves as a journey back through time that recalls how seismic and emotional the story was.

Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted—Sunday, June 14, at 10 p.m. ET on National Geographic
Explore “The Wilds of South Africa” when chef Gordon Ramsay gets up close with rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and hippos in the wilderness of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa! He’ll learn the secrets of the traditional cuisine of Zulu warriors and masters using a local “braai,” leap from a helicopter into the Indian Ocean, harvest mussels on dangerous rocks and immerse himself in the culture—before cooking with local chef Zola Nene for a revered Zulu chief!

JUST ANNOUNCED: Walt Disney Archives Documentary to Premiere Exclusively for D23 Gold Members, Plus More Ways to Celebrate 50 Golden Years

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020

June is a special month for our friends at the Walt Disney Archives—June 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Archives’ founding! We’re throwing a celebration for this milestone anniversary, including a very special debut—the premiere of the new documentary Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives, which celebrates the lasting legacy of the Archives and provides an inside look at rarely seen treasures from the extensive collection. The film, hosted by legendary producer Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Maleficent), will premiere on D23.com exclusively for D23 Gold Members on June 27.

Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives celebrates every part of Disney we love—through the lens of the Walt Disney Archives, its history, and its collection. Everything from Disney theme parks to the Studio lot is examined through an engaging, historical lens, as Hahn speaks with Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline and other members of the Archives team. Each stop on the adventure offers a look at some of the iconic treasures that have played a role in shaping The Walt Disney Company. The film, directed by John Gleim, features new interviews with Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Pixar’s Pete Docter, film historian Leonard Maltin, and many more.

“Making this film was my Disney ‘fanboy’ dream come true,” says Hahn. “The Walt Disney Archives is packed with hidden treasures, and I had incredible access to them all.”

This morning, D23 revealed the new poster for Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives at the end of a thread on Twitter that featured 50 remarkable items from the Archives collection.

Plus, the Summer 2020 issue of Disney twenty-three, the quarterly publication exclusively for D23 Gold Members, celebrates the Archives’ milestone with an in-depth story written by Leonard Maltin, an array of classic Disneyland merchandise from the Archives collection, and an archivist-curated selection of the best films to watch on Disney+ including The Sound of Music, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Captain Marvel, and The Princess and the Frog.

And starting today, D23 is kicking off a weekly sweepstakes, including exclusive and rare items curated directly from the Archives staff. The prizes, which will be given away in weekly sweepstakes open to all levels of D23 Members, include a check signed by Walt Disney, “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo” sheet music, an original program from Fantasia (1940), and a copy of The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember book signed by author Becky Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives. And D23 will be featuring exclusive content from the Walt Disney Archives all month long, including videos, interviews, and galleries of artwork. Follow the conversation on social using #DisneyArchives50.

Starting June 15 at 10 a.m. PT, D23 Gold and Gold Family Members will be able to register for tickets for Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives.

No purchase is necessary to enter the weekly sweepstakes. Open to all D23 Members who are residents of the 50 United States or D.C., 18 or older. For details, visit https://d23.com/entry/archives-50-sweepstakes.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Proposes Plans for the Disneyland Resort to Begin a Phased Reopening July 9, with Proposed Reopening of the Theme Parks July 17

June 10, 2020June 11, 2020

By Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products today announced proposed plans for a phased reopening of the Disneyland Resort. Pending state and local government approvals, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel plans to reopen on July 23, and Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will plan to reopen on July 17. Additionally, Downtown Disney District will begin reopening on July 9.

Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all guests, including Annual Passholders, to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. Theme park reservations will be subject to availability. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon. At this time, there will also be a temporary pause on new ticket sales and Annual Passport sales and renewals. Additional details will be available soon. Please check Disneyland.com for the most current information.

Once approved, the Disneyland Resort will reopen with enhanced health and safety measures. In addition, a Guest Experience Team will be available throughout the parks and Downtown Disney District to assist guests with questions regarding these new policies.

“As one of the first major theme parks to close our operations and the last to reopen, we have been deliberate about keeping the health and safety of our Cast, Guests and local communities top of mind,” said Disney Parks, Experiences and Products chairman Josh D’Amaro. “And as we look forward to bringing our cast members back to work, and welcoming you back as cherished guests—we know it will take all of us working together responsibly to recapture the magic.”

Certain experiences that draw large group gatherings—such as parades and nighttime spectaculars—will return at a later date. While character meet and greets will be temporarily unavailable, characters will be in the parks in new ways to entertain and delight guests.

Pending governmental approval, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa are planned to reopen to guests and members starting on July 23. Plans to support physical distancing as well as increased cleaning measures, along with a number of other health and safety protocols, will be implemented as part of the phased reopening of the hotels and the Vacation Club.

“We’re fortunate to be guided by a talented team of professionals who’ve helped us implement a variety of new health and safety measures reflecting the guidance of local health and government authorities,” said D’Amaro. “These are designed with both the Cast and Guests in mind for the unique environments of each of our parks, resorts and stores.”

Downtown Disney District will begin reopening on July 9 in line with the state’s reopening guidelines, with its unique variety of shopping and dining experiences, including the flagship World of Disney store. With the health of guests and Disney cast members at the forefront of planning, several operational changes will be implemented based on guidance from health authorities to promote physical distancing and cleanliness throughout the Downtown Disney District.

Additional information on enhanced health and safety measures and operational changes for reopening locations will be shared soon. These policies are under continuous review and are subject to change as the Disneyland Resort monitors conditions and receives guidance from health and government authorities.

Get the Inside Scoop on The Bold Type’s Powerful Return

June 10, 2020

By Beth Deitchman

The mid-season finale of Freeform’s The Bold Type found Sutton, Kat, and Jane all facing new and daunting challenges. Sutton (Meghann Fahy) finally earned a coveted promotion to become the new stylist at Scarlet magazine, though she had to accept that chasing her own dreams at the New York publication means living apart for now from her brand-new husband, Richard. Kat (Aisha Dee) was fired from her role as social media manager after publishing the (illegally obtained) tax returns of Scarlet’s publisher, RJ Safford; she followed her conscience, but where will she go from here? And Jane (Katie Stevens) made the difficult decision to end her relationship with Ryan on the eve of her elective double mastectomy, rather than allow the fear of being alone keep her tied to a relationship with someone who has been unfaithful. These are difficult, life-altering changes for all three friends but, as Sutton noted in the cliffhanger episode, “Nothing is bigger than us.”

Last weekend, Stevens, Dee, and Fahy joined The Bold Type’s executive producer and showrunner Wendy Straker Hauser for a panel taking place during ATX TV… from the Couch!, a three-day festival in celebration of all things television, held virtually for the first time this year. The stars previewed what’s to come when The Bold Type’s fourth season picks back up on Freeform this Thursday, June 11 (10 p.m. ET/PT, 9 p.m. CT), and offered a glimpse into the friendship—both on screen and off—that extends far beyond the Scarlet fashion closet.

According to Straker Hauser, The Bold Type’s success stems from a dynamic mix of personalities that begins with the writing staff. “If I cast the [writers’] room right and we have amazing people from all different walks of life, then in a really beautiful way, it just organically comes out,” she shares. The writers find inspiration for the series’ relevant and relatable stories from the characters themselves, and Straker Hauser is grateful the show boasts three lead actresses who will speak their minds should something not feel true to their character. “We have conversations, and every single time we have them, the result is 20 times better than had we not,” the executive producer said. “I think we’re all extremely collaborative.”

Katie Stevens found that partnership to be invaluable while she was filming Jane’s recovery from her surgery. The producers arranged for doctors to be on set, to offer specific guidance for Stevens about what Jane would and would not be able to do in the days and weeks after her operation. Stevens also drew from personal experience, having lost her mother-in-law to breast cancer. “I care so much about this story and I want to tell it with as much reality and authenticity as we can have,” she emphasized.

That commitment to authenticity means that Jane’s recovery process will be complicated and she won’t get through it in a single episode. In the coming months, Straker Hauser noted, “We’ll explore what happens when your physical scars have healed but your emotional scars have not.”

As her journey continues, Jane will have Sutton and Kat by her side but they’re navigating new emotional challenges, as well. Sutton, who married Richard and landed her dream job in the mid-season finale, will be struggling with work-life balance like never before. Meghann Fahy shared, “I think it’s pretty intense for her. It’s really cool to see her succeeding finally and becoming a stylist; that’s the point that we’ve been trying to get her to for the first four seasons of the show, so I think it really pays off. But something that Sutton learns is that it never really gets easy to have it all.”

And as Sutton and Jane’s careers are both on the rise, Kat finds herself struggling. “For Kat, she’s lived with this financial safety net her entire life and, for the first time, that’s all stripped away,” Aisha Dee detailed. “And also, the kind of built-in confidence of being social media manager of Scarlet magazine is also taken away so she has to go and re-find herself.”

With The Bold Type’s return coming at a time when people across the U.S. are grappling with great uncertainty and unrest, the series’ stars hope the show will bring some comfort and peace to viewers and be the “safe haven” it’s been for them. The show has never been afraid to address uncomfortable topics, Straker Hauser points out, and she hopes its fearless storytelling and characters will continue to reflect the world of its audience. “I think there’s something beautiful about our platform and about Freeform for giving us our platform,” she shared. “I promise we will not shy away from the things that are happening today—both heartbreaking and inspiring. I think great change is coming from it and these three women embody what happens when you have three powerful, bold women who are going to call each other out and make each other better.”

Donald Duck, Model Citizen

June 9, 2020June 11, 2020

By Becky Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives

Universally acclaimed and internationally adored for his often-explosive qualities, Donald Duck is one of the world’s most famous and beloved personalities. He is also a model United States citizen!

A star was hatched with the June 9, 1934, release of Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony The Wise Little Hen, in which the self-centered duck danced a clever hornpipe and faked a bellyache. Supposedly a minor supporting character, Donald waddled away with the show.

Donald quickly became Mickey’s co-star, and was also often teamed with both Mickey and Goofy as one of the screen’s greatest comedy teams. But Donald’s popularity eclipsed even that of Mickey’s, and the cocky Duck was showcased in his own star vehicles, starting with Don Donald (1937). His short-fused temper, explosive tantrums, and flustered incompetence in the face of obstacles and irritants had audiences delirious with laughter at his antics—and empathizing with his enraged response to life’s frustrations.

“The Duck was very versatile,” Duck director and story artist Jack Hannah once said. “He had every emotion a human being had. He could be cute, mischievous, go from warm to cold at any moment.”

Reflecting his fame and worldwide fan base, Donald starred in more than 150 short subjects, features and featurettes—more than any other Disney star. But many of his legion of fans are unaware of his deep patriotic streak and myriad contributions to his country.

In The New Spirit (1942) Donald portrays a reluctant taxpayer who is reminded via radio broadcast to promptly pay his income tax. After begrudgingly hearing about everything that his tax dollars do to support national World War II efforts, Donald has a patriotic change of heart and quickly fills out his tax forms—and in a burst of enthusiasm races from California to Washington, D.C. to submit his tax return in person.

The short was made “without profit” for the United States Treasury Department and distributed by the War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry. The United States Secretary of the Treasury at the time, Henry Morgenthau Jr., originally objected to using Donald Duck in the film, but Walt assured him that offering Donald was the equivalent of MGM offering him Clark Gable—the Secretary relented and Donald jumped in with both webbed feet.

Morgenthau was wise to listen to Walt, as The New Spirit was hugely successful. The U.S. Treasury Department estimated that more than 60 million Americans saw the short, and according to a Gallup Poll, 37 percent of the people who viewed the cartoon said that it had directly affected their willingness to pay their taxes—generating billions in income for Uncle Sam.

The following year, in a second Treasury short, The Spirit of ’43, Donald encouraged Americans to be conservative with their money and save in preparation for increased income taxes due to the war. That same year, Donald appeared with Horace Horsecollar in a poster distributed by the National Wartime Nutrition Program encouraging workers to eat a good breakfast everyday—with the tagline “you can’t eat like a bird and work like a horse!” During these war years, Donald and his friends also encouraged the public to support efforts like the USO and the Victory War Bonds drive. Due to these efforts and more, in 1943 The New York Times singled out Donald Duck as an “ambassador-at-large, a salesman of the American Way” for his representation of the United States both at home and abroad.

Of course, it wasn’t just on the home front that Donald shone in the 1940s. Following in the footsteps of fellow Hollywood superstars like Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable, Donald Duck served in the military when duty called. A very patriotic Donald boosted morale in Der Fuehrer’s Face (1943), one of the most famous Donald Duck cartoons ever made and the winner of the Academy Award® for Best Cartoon Short Subject of 1942-43. His personal Army experiences were also documented in a number of wartime shorts throughout the war years, beginning with Donald Gets Drafted in 1942.

Following the war, in the 1950s Donald continued his tradition of public service by headlining a number of “awareness” productions including How to Have an Accident in the Home (1956) and How to Have an Accident at Work (1959). In 1959, the celebrated Duck starred in one of the most popular educational films ever produced, Donald in Mathmagic Land, followed by Donald and the Wheel (1961), The Litterbug (1961), and his widely screened safety film, Donald’s Fire Survival Plan (1966).

Walt Disney himself may have said it best when it came to summing up his ducky star: “Donald is a very outrageous fellow, with bad manners and a worse temper, and everyone is fond of him, including myself.” So, like Walt, we should look fondly on our favorite duck, because as bad mannered as Donald can sometimes be, he is always a good citizen… and always washes his hands…

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

June 8, 2020June 5, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Between all the movies, shows, and sporting events airing this week, there’s no shortage of fantastic things to watch. The fun begins Monday when The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever! premieres on ABC, celebrating iconic moments from the long-running franchise. On Wednesday, you’ll catch us saying “bah-a-la-la-la” when ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney presents the 2014 film Big Hero 6. That same night, ESPN will swing for the fences when it broadcasts the MLB Draft for the first time since 2008; the final four rounds of the MLB Draft will air Thursday on ESPN2… the same night the fourth season of The Bold Type will resume on Freeform after its dramatic spring finale. Finally, the buzzworthy movie Artemis Fowl will take flight exclusively on Disney+ beginning this Friday. Pass the popcorn!

The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever!—Monday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Now you can watch an entire season of The Bachelor—in one electrifying three-hour episode! Each Monday night, host Chris Harrison will reach into the vault and bring back one of his favorite seasons, highlighting the most talked about moments from the popular franchise. It begins with Sean Lowe, whose unforgettable proposal to Catherine Giudici remains one of the greatest in Bachelor history. But before he found his happily ever after in 2013, the former Kansas State football player from Dallas, Texas, greeted 26 impressive women—each of whom stepped out of a limo, excited about the possibility of romance.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Big Hero 6—Wednesday, June 10, at 8 p.m. on ABC
In this instantly classic film, we meet Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a lovable personal companion robot who forms a unique bond with robotics prodigy Hiro (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating turn of events pulls him into a dangerous scheme unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his group of friends—Fred (voice of T.J. Miller), Go Go (voice of Jamie Chung), Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), and Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez)—who transform into a band of unlikely heroes.

2020 MLB Draft—Wednesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. on ESPN and Thursday, June 11, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Batter up! In conjunction with Major League Baseball, ESPN will televise the 2020 MLB Draft over the course of two days. (The first round will also be exclusively televised in Spanish on ESPN Deportes). In total, ESPN platforms will carry nearly 10 hours of live MLB Draft coverage, which will be available to stream via the ESPN App. Karl Ravech will host ESPN’s MLB Draft coverage alongside Kiley McDaniel. In addition, several ESPN MLB and college baseball commentators will contribute to the network’s coverage remotely, including Chris Burke, Jessica Mendoza, Jeff Passan, Eduardo Perez, and Kyle Peterson.

The Bold Type—Thursday, June 11, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
The midseason premiere is finally here! Three months after surgery, Jane (Katie Stevens) will return to Scarlet magazine with new editorial duties. Meanwhile, Kat (Aisha Dee) will face a hard truth when she’s forced to take some responsibility… and Sutton (Meghann Fahy) will go to bat on her first shoot and get some shocking news that will rock her world!

Artemis Fowl—Friday, June 12, on Disney+
Directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the book by Eoin Colfer, the live-action adventure film makes its debut on the streaming service. It’s a fantastical, spellbinding adventure that follows the journey of 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl (Ferdia Shaw), a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, as he desperately tries to save his kidnapped father (Colin Farrell). In order to pay his father’s ransom, Artemis must

infiltrate an ancient, underground civilization—the amazingly advanced world of fairies—and bring the kidnapper the Aculos, the fairies’ most powerful and coveted magical device. To locate the elusive object, cunning Artemis concocts a dangerous plan—so dangerous that he ultimately finds himself in a perilous war of wits with the all-powerful fairies. The film’s all-star cast also includes Judi Dench as Commander Root, Josh Gad as Mulch Diggums Lara McDonnell as Holly Short, Tamara Smart as Juliet, and Nonso Anozie as Domovoi Butler.

Walt’s Woking Way

June 8, 2020June 18, 2020

By Mike Buckhoff, Walt Disney Archives

In perhaps the most iconic photo of Walt Disney, Walt stands with a serious gaze out of a doorway as the shadow of his most famous creation reflects off the wall. For many years, the most puzzling aspect of this photo was… where was this taken? Of course, those who were involved knew the truth but that information faded away with time and, amazingly, this question would remain unanswered for years to come. However, with some detailed research between a Disney historian and the Walt Disney Archives, the location was uncovered.

For years, many thought the location to be the Disney studio along Hyperion Avenue, however, none of the then-known areas at the studio matched this photo. Additionally, the Persian rug below Walt’s feet did not match anything that was believed to have appeared at the Hyperion studio until Walt later upgraded to a larger office. So, one of the few alternative locations would be Walt’s home in Los Angeles on Woking Way. The problem: In an alternate shot from the same photo shoot one can see down the hallway to a wall which curves to the left. Well, today the main hallway leads straight into a restroom. This was baffling information to the Archives upon visiting the home in 2014. But, after further research, plans of a remodel in that location of the home were located, proving the fact that the area in question was changed some time later. Original plans for the home were also obtained, which corroborated the modifications. Furthermore, in the alternate shot, one can make out a telephone just inside the doorway. Walt’s Woking Way home was originally outfitted with five telephone outlets, a large number for those days, including one in that exact location. This information, coupled with the homes’ additional matching features, finally revealed the spot where Walt (and Mickey Mouse) took this famous photo.

Occasionally, there are mysteries to be solved and information to be discovered. The Walt Disney Archives relishes these tasks and proudly preserves the lasting legacy and enduring creativity started by Walt Disney.

Disney+’s Diary of a Future President Renewed—Plus More in News Briefs

June 5, 2020June 4, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Disney+’s Diary of a Future President Returning for a Second Season

Ready to hear more from a certain middle schooler who goes on to change the world? Disney+ announced this week that Diary of a Future President has been renewed for a second, ten-episode season!

Diary of a Future President follows the adventures of Elena Cañero-Reed (Tess Romero) as she navigates the ups and downs of middle school on her journey to become the future president of the United States. Charlie Bushnell stars as Bobby, Selenis Leyva stars as Gabi, and Michael Weaver stars as Sam; Gina Rodriguez, an executive producer on the series, will also return as adult Elena in a recurring guest starring role.

“Families around the world have fallen in love with Elena and the Cañero-Reed family and we are thrilled to bring Elena’s often hilarious and always meaningful journey through adolescence back for another season,” Agnus Chu, senior vice president, content, Disney+, recently said. “It has been wonderful to partner with the extraordinary Gina Rodriguez to champion specific, diverse points-of-view and we look forward to seeing even more of President Cañero-Reed in this next chapter.”

We can’t wait!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

The first full weekend of June is upon us, and with it comes some unique things to add to our viewing calendar—including the season premiere of Gordon Ramsey: Uncharted on Nat Geo WILD and an inside look at Bruce Lee’s life and career in Be Water, a part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series. Read up on what you can expect on your screens this weekend by clicking here.

#DisneyMagicMoments: Celebrating Pandora – The World of Avatar

It was three years ago that Pandora – The World of Avatar first welcomed visitors inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. As part of the #DisneyMagicMoments series, two of the lead creative partners responsible for the incredibly lush and immersive land—Joe Rohde (portfolio creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering) and Jon Landau (producer of Avatar and its sequels)—recently got together to discuss just what went into creating all that magic.

Take a peek inside Pandora – The World of Avatar with Joe and Jon in the clip, above.

Magical Mornings with Mickey Mouse on Disney Junior

Our good pals over at Disney Junior just kicked off a brand-new campaign that brings Mickey Mouse right into our homes every morning. Honestly, we can’t think of anyone better to help the whole family kick off their daily routine… D23 recently got the inside scoop on how “Mickey Mornings” came to be—click here to read all about it!

Get Early Access to the June Limited-Edition Mickey Plush

June 4, 2020June 8, 2020

The June Limited-Edition Rainbow Disney Mickey Mouse Plush is SOLD OUT! Check back next month for the announcement of July’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, June 8, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the Rainbow 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 will be available on Amazon.com.
Extended delivery time: Amazon is temporarily prioritizing the delivery of some items in order to serve their customers in need and ensure the safety of their associates. As a result, some delivery times are longer than usual.

Rainbow Mickey Mouse

Commemorate the Year of the Mouse with this Limited-Edition Disney Rainbow Mickey Mouse Plush. The sixth of 12 collectibles in the series, this exclusive Mickey Mouse celebrates the month of June. Mickey stands 16 inches tall and is made of a knitted rainbow fabric. Mickey 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 Rainbow Mickey Mouse plush makes the perfect gift for Disney fans of all ages. Collect all 12. Ages 3+

In the early 1930s, Walt Disney signed an exclusive contract to utilize a revolutionary film process, giving the Disney Studios a broader rainbow of colors to work with than any other studio in Hollywood. While Mickey’s first color cartoon was 1935’s “The Band Concert,” his actual color debut (wearing green shorts and yellow gloves!) was in the 1932 short, Parade of the Award Nominees, a special cartoon made exclusively for Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony.

Special Edition Rainbow Mickey Mouse Plush celebrates the month of June.
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 holographic fabric featuring a rainbow design 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.