By the Numbers: 25 Years of the Disney Conservation Fund

By the D23 Team

For The Walt Disney Company, animals have always been an integral part of Disney storytelling—“it was all started with a mouse” after all!— weaving the magic of imagination alongside the magic of nature. And on Earth Day in 1995, in honor of Walt Disney’s conservation legacy, the Disney Conservation Fund was born. Committed to saving wildlife, inspiring action and protecting the planet, the fund has inspired people all over the world to take action for nature in their communities. To celebrate the Disney Conservation Fund’s 25th anniversary, we pulled together some important numbers of the fund’s impact over the years.

Disney Conservation Fund Infographic

Go Behind the Scenes of The Mandalorian with Disney+—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disney+ to Debut Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian on May the Fourth

Amazing news, Star Wars fans: There’ll be an all-new, and truly unique, way to celebrate Star Wars Day—otherwise known as May the Fourth—this year, with the debut of Disney+’s brand-new series Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian.

Executive producer and Disney Legend Jon Favreau invites The Mandalorian’s cast and crew to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series, which quickly became a pop culture phenomenon after premiering in November 2019. The eight-episode documentary series pulls back the proverbial curtain, exploring different facets of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau himself. Topics this season include the filmmaking process; the legacy of Disney Legend George Lucas’ Star Wars; how the cast brought their characters to life; the series’ groundbreaking technology; the artistry behind the show’s practical models, effects, and creatures; and so much more.

Look for Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian on Disney+ beginning Monday, May 4—after which, new episodes will air every Friday. And don’t forget: May 4 also brings the final episode of the Emmy® award-winning series Star Wars: The Clone Wars to Disney+. Make a day of it, you must…

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Halfway through April, and D23’s got another look at some of the coolest stuff to watch this weekend from around the worlds of Disney. From the Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance on ESPN, to the sure-to-be-incredible, multi-network, Lady Gaga-curated event One World: Together at Home, there’s something for every taste. Check out our rundown by clicking here!

No FastPass Needed: Ride Big Thunder Railroad at Home

It’s the wildest ride in the wilderness… of your living room. Yes, our good pals at #DisneyMagicMoments just offered up another virtual ride, in the clip above—this time, it’s Big Thunder Railroad, from inside Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort!

In case you need a refresher (no judgment here), Big Thunder Railroad is a thrilling train ride into an abandoned mine shaft—an adventure that includes evading boulders, dodging explosions, and swooping through canyons in the mysterious town of Tumbleweed.

And here’s the best part: Along the way, you’ll learn some very cool facts about the ride itself. So take off your hats and glasses, remain seated please (just in case), and enjoy! Bonus points if you follow it up with making some churro bites—recipe courtesy Disney Parks Blog…

Disney Channel to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

There’s an important milestone coming up next week—both for the world at large, and for The Walt Disney Company… it’s the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund, which works to save wildlife and build a global community that’s inspired to protect the magic of nature together. In honor of such a momentous occasion, Disney Channel is airing all manner of special programming—beginning Monday, April 20. Click here to read all about it!

Try the Grey Stuff (Virtually) with Disney Cruise Line’s Beauty and the Beast

Here’s a very special show you’d normally only get to see aboard the Disney Dream—but now, you can pop some corn and watch whilst relaxing on the couch. (Or bed, or hammock, or bathtub… Truly, the streaming world is your oyster!)

In a first-of-its-kind video, Disney Cruise Line welcomes you to “be their guest” and take a front row seat for scenes from their award-winning, Broadway-style production of Beauty and the Beast. Check it out, above, and then make sure to visit the Disney Parks Blog for a few other ways to boost all that Beast-ly fun… including a napkin-folding tutorial, and the recipe for a yummy Enchanted Rose Pizza.

ICYMI: ABC Announces Dates for Their Big Summer Premieres

ABC’s super-fun summertime TV fest, “Summer Fun & Games,” is just around the corner—and D23 has all the info you need to mark up that viewing calendar of yours… including the premiere date for the final season of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Say it ain’t so!) Take a gander by clicking here.

Throwback to the ’90s with This Classic Disney Merch

By the D23 Team

We’re gearing up to blast to the past with “D23 Presents: ’90s Throwback with DCappella” event, so we thought why not look the part, too? Pulling inspiration from some iconic ’90s Disney films, we’ve put together a totally rad collection of merch from shopDisney. Check it out!

'90s merch

Hercules Movie Poster Tee
When it comes to your Hercules fandom, go the distance and show your pride with this vintage tee. Featuring the original movie poster art from the 1997 film, this cool T-shirt has all of our favorite Hercules characters from the underworld to the heavens.

'90s merch

Simba Necklace
Hakuna Matata ain’t no passing craze! Keep the problem-free philosophy always near you with this wonderful necklace.

'90s merch

Genie from Aladdin Mug
You ain’t ever had a mug like this. If you’ve been wishing for a coffee mug with your favorite genie, now’s the time! No lamp required.

'90s merch

Disney Animators’ Collection Pocahontas Doll
Fall in love with this special-edition 16-inch Pocahontas doll. Painted with all the colors of the wind, this doll lights up and comes with a display box that features a sketch by animator Glen Keane—the animator behind Pocahontas in the classic 1995 film.

'90s merch

Mulan Backpack by Loungefly
Be prepared for anything! Add some warrior style to your wardrobe with this Mulan-inspired backpack, perfect for on-the-go adventures.

'90s merch

Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Rose Baseball Cap
This look, inspired by the “tale as old as time,” is timeless. You can rock the stylish dad hat silhouette for any adventure in the great wide somewhere.

'90s merch

Belle Tank Top
What’s better than being comfy and reading a good book? Plus, you can match this comfy tank with a matching plaid button-up for the perfect ’90s look.

'90s merch

Pocahontas | Free Spirit Pattern Throw Pillow
Pochontas, Meeko, and Flit are by your side on this multicolor throw pillow. Customize your design and paint with all the colors of the wind for this one-of-a-kind throw.

'90s merch

Oh My Disney Pin Set—1990s  

We all know collecting pins is a favorite Disney pastime, so check out this ultimate ’90s throwback. With patches and pins featuring some beloved Disney films, you can deck out your jean jacket with a little magic!

Everything New You Can Stream on Disney+ in May 2020

By Zach Johnson

Today Disney+ announced which titles will be joining the streaming service in May 2020—and it’s quite a lineup! From live-action films like George of the Jungle and John Carter to new episodes of Disney+ Originals like Be Our Chef and One Day at Disney, there’s plenty of Disney magic to discover. We’re counting down the days until May 4, aka Star Wars Day, when the series finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars arrives alongside the premiere of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, an all-new series chronicling the making of the first-ever live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian.

Other Disney+ Originals debuting in May include the game show The Big Fib, hosted by Yvette Nicole Brown; It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer, hosted by Disney Legend Bill Farmer; and Prop Culture, in which Dan Lanigan reunites iconic movie props with the very people who created and/or used them in some of Disney’s most beloved movies.

All the announced titles coming to Disney+ in May are listed below:

one day at disney

Friday, May 1
Awesome Animals (Season 1)
Birth of Europe (Season 1)
Bride of Boogedy
Buried Secrets of the Bible with Albert Lin (Season 1)
CAR SOS (Seasons 1–7)
Disney Kirby Buckets (Seasons 1–3)
George of the Jungle
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
How to Play Baseball
In Beaver Valley
Lost Treasures of Egypt (Season 1)
Love & Vets (Season 1)
Nature’s Half Acre
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Prairie Dog Manor (Season 1)
Primal Survivor (Seasons 1–4)
Prowlers of the Everglades
Secrets of the Zoo
Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa
United States of Animals (Season 1)
Unlikely Animal Friends (Season 3)
Water Birds
Be Our Chef (Episode 106—“Slimy Yet Satisfying”)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Episode 711—“Shattered”)
Disney Family Sundays (Episode 126—“Star Wars: Clock”
One Day at Disney (Episode 122—“Robin Roberts: Good Morning America Co-Anchor”)
Prop Culture (Series Premiere) (All 8 Episodes)

secrets of the zoo

Saturday, May 2
John Carter

Monday, May 4
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (Series Premiere) (Episode 101—“Directing”)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Series Finale) (Episode 712—“Victory and Death”)

Friday, May 8
Be Our Chef (Episode 107—“Anyone Can Cook”)
Disney Family Sundays (Episode 127—“Star Wars: Hanging Art”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 123–“Joe Hernandez: Attractions Host”)
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (Episode 102—“Legacy”)
Disney Insider (Episode 105—“Running through Disney, Sorcerer’s Arena, Opening the Archives”

the mandalorian

Friday, May 15
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Be Our Chef (Episode 108—“Worth Melting For”)
Disney Family Sundays (Episode 128—“Beauty and the Beast: Stained Glass”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 124—“Stephanie Carroll: Ranch Hand”)
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (Episode 103—“Cast”)
It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer (Series Premiere) (Episode 101—“Whale Poop Dogs & Sheep Herding Dogs”)

Monday, May 18
Taylor Swift: City of Lover Concert

Friday, May 22
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story
Disney Doc McStuffins (Season 5)
Disney Just Roll with It (Season 1)
Disney Mech-X4 (Seasons 1–2)
Disney Vampirina (Season 2)
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Heartland Docs, DVM (Season 1)
Hello, Dolly!
Marvel’s Future Adventures (Season 2)
The Big Fib (Series Premiere) (All 15 Episodes)
Be Our Chef (Episode 109—“Tiana’s Place”)
Disney Family Sundays (Episode 129—“Bambi: Lanterns”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 125—“Ed Fritz: Imagineering Ride Engineer”)
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (Episode 104—“Technology”)
It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer (Episode 102—“Dogs & Cheetahs & Companion Dogs”)

just roll with it

Friday, May 29
Disney Gabby Duran & the Unsittables (Season 1)
Disney The Evermoor Chronicles (Seasons 1–2)
Mickey and the Seal
The Moon-Spinners
Violetta (Season 2)
Be Our Chef (Episode 110—“Woody’s Lunchbox”)
Disney Family Sundays (Episode 130—“Nightmare Before Christmas: Candy Bowl”)
One Day at Disney (Episode 126—“Jerome Ranft: Pixar Sculptor”)
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (Episode 105—“Practical”)
It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer (Episode 103—“Mascot Dogs & Guide Dogs for Runners”)

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

By Savannah Salazar

We’re seeing stars. With two star-studded specials and three exciting premieres, your weekend is set! Kicking it all off, Disney on Broadway brings a taste of the Great White Way to your living room with a dazzling 25th anniversary special, Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway. The next night, ABC and other global networks will present some of the biggest names in music, movies and television in hopes to lift viewers’ spirits in a two-hour special, One World: Together at Home. Plus, we’ll see the premiere of the highly anticipated Michael Jordan documentary series The Last Dance. So, start planning out your weekend with these five programs you can’t miss!

newsies

Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway—Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on broadwaycares.org
The stars of various Broadway productions are preparing to light up your screens! This Friday, celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney on Broadway with a special performance, helping to raise money for Broadway Cares’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. Hosted by Frozen’s Ryan McCartan, the streamed special will feature performances by Jelani Alladin, Sierra Boggess, Ashley Brown, Kerry Butler, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. Plus, 18 Newsies from the show’s Broadway and national touring production will seize the day and come together for a special reunion.

together at home

One World: Together at Home—Saturday, April 18, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Hosted by late night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert, the two-hour global broadcast is being held in support and celebration of healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Curated by Lady Gaga, One World: Together at Home will feature appearances by a variety of artists such as Alicia Keys, Amy Poehler, Awkwafina, Matthew McConaughey, Oprah Winfrey, Lizzo, Paul McCartney, the friends of Sesame Street, and a whole lot more.

jungle animal rescue

Jungle Animal Rescue—Saturday, April 18, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Nat Geo WILD
Welcome to the jungle, well, Jungle Animal Rescue that is. The all-new National Geographic television show brings viewers to one of the most biodiverse countries on earth, India, as a team of conservationists and veterinarians work to rescue the animals competing for living space among 1.3 billion people. In the premiere episode, follow the Wildlife SOS team as they go on a mission to extract a crocodile flushed down a well during a monsoon flood.

spider-man

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Maximum Venom—Sunday, April 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD
The web-slinging series returns for an exciting third season with a one-hour special, “Web of Venom.” As Peter Parker (voiced by Robbie Daymond) and Max Modell (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) experiment on a sample of Venom symbiote, chaos ensues, unleashing a weapon of unknown purpose. The six-episode series will feature appearances by fan-favorite Marvel characters such as Captain Marvel, Star-Lord, Doctor Strange, and newcomer Riri Williams, aka Ironheart (voiced by guest star Sofia Wylie), as Spider-Man battles Venom and an impending threat from its home planet.

the last dance

The Last Dance—Sunday, April 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ESPN
Chronicling the rise of basketball star Michael Jordan and one of the most successful teams in sports history—the 1990s Chicago Bulls—The Last Dance premieres on ESPN with two brand-new episodes. The documentary series features never-before-seen footage from the 1997-’98 season as Jordan and the Bulls pursued their sixth NBA championship in eight years, as well as recounting Jordan’s childhood roots, his draft, and the team’s dire circumstances before his arrival.

Discover How Disney Channel is Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

By the D23 Team

Wednesday, April 22, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund, and Disney Channel has just announced an exciting lineup of content to commemorate both of these milestones.

Beginning Monday, April 20, Disney Channel will be airing special videos that highlight the animal care and wildlife conservation efforts led by Cast Members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. These spots were produced in collaboration with National Geographic and filmed last month on location at Walt Disney World Resort, with Christian J. Simon and Ava Kolker (Sydney to the Max) taking viewers on a fun and educational adventure where they encounter animals such as elephants, tigers, and gorillas and learn about the importance of protecting wildlife.

On Wednesday, April 22, fans can tune in to Disney Channel for a full day of Earth Day programming, including a brand new National Geographic special, Born Wild: The Next Generation, the Disneynature films Monkey Kingdom and Penguins, and environmentally-themed episodes of hit series BUNK’D, Big City Greens, Coop and Cami Ask the World, Raven’s Home, and Sydney to the Max.

The youngest fans will enjoy themed episodes of the popular series Mira, Royal Detective, Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures, T.O.T.S., Muppet Babies, and Puppy Dog Pals on Disney Junior. The channel will also present on-air messages designed to introduce preschoolers to Earth Day themes of taking care of animals and the world around them.

Disney XD’s Earth Day lineup features a full-day marathon of the animated series Amphibia, followed by a presentation of the acclaimed Disneynature film Born in China.

In DisneyNOW, fans can discover an Earth Day Collection, along with 10-minute extended version of the Disney’s Animal Kingdom spots.

On social media, Disney Channel’s Instagram account will feature interactive Earth Day content with participation from ZOMBIES 2 stars Chandler Kinney and Trevor Tordjman as well as Simon and Kolker. And Disney Television Animation (@DisneyTVA) presents a special Amphibia IGTV episode highlighting fun facts about amphibians and their importance to their respective ecosystems.

Here’s the full lineup of Earth Day-themed programming coming to Disney Channel on April 22:

bunk'd

BUNK’D—”Water Under the Dock” (Original Airdate: 7/25/2019)
(2–2:30 p.m. EDT)
Destiny organizes a dance to raise money to clean up Lake Kikiwaka.

BUNK’D—”Lake Rancid” (Original Airdate: 10/19/2019)
(2:30–3 p.m. EDT)
A magazine wants to do a story on Destiny’s community service.

big city greens

Big City Greens—“Park Pandemonium”/Cricket’s Biscuits” (Original Airdate: 2/23/2019)
(3–3:25 p.m. EDT)
“Park Pandemonium”: When Gramma refuses to join Tilly’s planned activities at the city park, Tilly tries making her jealous.

“Cricket’s Biscuits”: Gramma makes a batch of her special biscuits for Cricket and Tilly when they’re hurt, but refuses to make any more after they’ve recovered.

Big City Greens—“Level Up”/“Wild Side” (Original Airdate: 2/1/2020)
(3:25–3:50 p.m. EDT)
“Level Up”: When Bill gets hooked on a farm-simulating video game, Cricket must battle him to break his addiction.

“Wild Side”: Cricket’s wild side takes over when Bill is unable to replicate their old camping trips.

monkey kingdom

Disneynature Monkey Kingdom (Disney Channel Premiere)
(3:50–5:15 p.m. EDT)
A spectacular tale set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia, Monkey Kingdom is centered on a clever, resourceful monkey named Maya, who finds her world changed forever when she welcomes her son Kip into her colorful extended family.

Disneynature Penguins (Disney Channel Premiere)
(5:15 P.M.–6:35 p.m. EDT)
Disneynature’s all-new feature film Penguins is a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve, who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family.

Disneynature Monkey Kingdom
(6:35–8 p.m. EDT)

born wild the next generation

Born Wild: The Next Generation (National Geographic Special)
(8–9 p.m. EDT)
Hosted by Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, this hour-long special is a worldwide celebration of our vibrant planet, experienced through the eyes of baby animals and their families.

Disneynature Penguins
(9–10:20 p.m. EDT)

Raven’s Home—”Dressed to Express” (Original Airdate 7/15/2019)
(10:20–10:45 p.m. EDT)
Nia changes her personal style in an effort to fit in with the school’s new conservation club. When the leader still doesn’t let her join, Nia sets out to find another way she can make a difference in the school. 

Sydney to the Max—”Going The Green Mile” (Original Airdate 3/26/2020)
(10:45–11:15 p.m. EDT)
In an effort to save the planet, Sydney and her friends stage a student protest to convince the cafeteria to go green. Back in the ’90s, Max and Leo fight to keep their school from getting rid of the junk food in the vending machines.

Coop & Cami Ask the World—”Would You Wrather Trash a Friend?” (Original Airdate 4/3/2020)
(11:15–11:45 p.m. EDT)
When Coop and Fred go on a recycling spree to prove they care about the Earth, they accidentally throw away a sculpture that was donated for Charlotte’s fundraiser.

Over on Disney XD, fans can tune into the following Earth Day-themed programming on Wednesday, April 22:

amphibia

Amphibia Marathon
(9 a.m.–3 p.m. EDT)
The frog-out-of-water animated comedy series chronicles the adventures of 13-year-old Anne Boonchuy, who is magically transported to the fantastical world of Amphibia, a rural marshland full of frog people.

born in china

Disneynature Born in China
(3–4:45 p.m. EDT)
Born in China follows the adventures of three animal families—the majestic panda, the savvy golden monkey, and the elusive snow leopard.

Find Out How to Get Exclusive D23 Earth Day Collectibles from TOPPS Disney Collect!

By the D23 Team

Celebrate Earth Day all month long with Disney Collect! In honor of the event’s 50th anniversary, TOPPS is giving Disney fans the chance to collect brand-new sets of collectibles, inspired by Mother Earth herself. Featuring some classic Disney characters, each card is adorned with beautiful designs and some always evergreen quotes! The set is exclusive to D23 members.

Today’s the day! For Earth Day, D23 members can get their exclusive set of seven Choose Nature cards and 23,000 coins from TOPPS for a limited time here.

disney topps

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and More ABC Shows Set Summer Premiere Dates

By Zach Johnson

ABC’s “Summer Fun & Games” is right around the corner! Today the network announced its exciting programming for the months of May and June—including the premiere date for the highly anticipated final season of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. After earning the title of summer’s No. 1 network in 2019 for the first time in 24 years, ABC’s “Summer Fun & Games” will welcome back the hit game shows Holey Moley II: The Sequel, To Tell the Truth, Celebrity Family Feud, Press Your Luck, and Match Game. ABC will also debut a new series from ABC News, The Genetic Detective.

ABC’s “Summer Fun & Games” premiere schedule is as follows:

Thursday, April 30
8–9 p.m. ET: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (New Time Slot)

Tuesday, May 19
10–11 p.m. ET: The Genetic Detective (Series Premiere)

Thursday, May 21
9–10 p.m. ET: Holey Moley II: The Sequel (Season Premiere)
10–11 p.m. ET: To Tell the Truth (Season Premiere)

Wednesday, May 27
10–11 p.m. ET: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season Premiere)

Sunday, May 31
8–9 p.m. ET: Celebrity Family Feud (Season Premiere)
9–10 p.m. ET: Press Your Luck (Season Premiere)
10–11 p.m. ET: Match Game (Season Premiere)

Thursday, June 11
8–9 p.m. ET: Holey Moley II: The Sequel (New Time Slot)

More summer premiere dates and schedule information will be announced soon. In addition to revealing its summer slate, ABC shared new details about its summer series:

The Genetic Detective
The all-new series from ABC News follows investigative genetic genealogist CeCe Moore as she uses her unique research skills to transform the face of crime solving. By working with police departments and crime scene DNA, Moore will be able to trace the path of a violent criminal’s family tree, reveal their identity, and help bring them to justice.

holey moley

Holey Moley
The 13-episode extreme mini-golf competition series swings into season two as Holey Moley II: The Sequel. Its sophomore season will showcase self-proclaimed mini-golf lovers from around the country as they compete head-to-head through an epic obstacle golf course. In each episode, eight contestants will put their skills to the test as they face off in out-of-this-world challenges on the supersized course. The winners of each episode will return to the Holey Moley course for the all-star grand finale, where one will be crowned winner and claim the $250,000 prize. On-camera commentators Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore are back alongside sideline correspondent Jeannie Mai.

to tell the truth

To Tell the Truth
Hosted and executive produced by black-ish star Anthony Anderson, the funny reimagination of the beloved game show will return for its fifth season and once again feature prominent pop-culture icons and unique commentary and banter from Anderson’s mother, Mama Doris. In each round, the panel will be presented with three people who all claim to be the same person with the same incredible achievement, job, or talent. One will be sworn to tell the truth while the other two use every trick in the book to deceive the panel. The panel of celebrities will have a chance to grill each participant before taking turns deciding who they think is telling the truth. Additional celebrity panelists featured this season include Ashanti, Brad Garrett, Michael Strahan, Mark Duplass, Mike Tyson, Patti LaBelle, Rita Moreno, Yara Shahidi, and many others.

agents of shield

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The beloved series will be returning for a dramatic seventh and final season. Coulson (Clark Gregg) and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are thrust backward in time and stranded in 1931 New York City. With the all-new Zephyr set to time-jump at any moment, the team must hurry to find out exactly what happened. If they fail, it would mean disaster for the past, present, and future of the world. The Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. cast includes Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leopold Fitz, Henry Simmons as Director Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie, Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez, and Jeff Ward as Deke Shaw. (For more of what to expect from the final season of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., click here.)

family feud

Celebrity Family Feud
Hosted by Steve Harvey, the sixth season will feature celebrities, along with their immediate family members or their extended TV families, going head-to-head in a contest to name the most popular responses to survey-type questions posed to 100 people for a chance to win money for a charity of their choice. This season’s matchups will include the casts of Queer Eye vs. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Jersey Shore vs. The Hills, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills vs. Andy Cohen, among others.

press your luck

Press Your Luck
Executive producer Elizabeth Banks returns to host the second season of the game of wits and strategy. The stakes have never been higher as contestants try to avoid the WHAMMY for a chance at life-changing cash and prizes. During each game, three contestants will compete to answer questions to earn spins on the Big Board. Contestants will then use their spins to win cash and prizes while trying to avoid the WHAMMY, who could take all of their winnings and leave them with nothing. The winning contestant moves on to the new bonus game to face the WHAMMY in a final battle for the chance to win $1 million.

the match game

Match Game
Host and producer Alec Baldwin is back and ready to [blank] when Match Game returns for season five. The bawdy panel game features four contestants per week vying for a chance to win $25,000 as they try to match the answers of six celebrities in a game of fill-in-the-blank. Celebrity panelists will include Amy Sedaris, Angie Harmon, Bob Saget, Christie Brinkley, Fred Armisen, Jane Krakowski, Padma Lakshmi, and Vivica A. Fox.

Baymax and Wasabi Want to Help You Keep Busy at Home

By Beth Deitchman

If you have yet to get your daily dose of exercise and could use a little motivation, might we suggest that you look to Wasabi and Baymax? Our friends at Disney XD have debuted the first of three shorts featuring some of our favorite characters from Big Hero 6 The Series. In the first installment of “Keeping Busy at Home with Baymax,” Wasabi and our favorite robot demonstrate the importance of exercise—and breathing, stretching, and relaxing have never been so entertaining!

“Keeping Busy at Home with Baymax” is part of Disney Channel and Disney XD’s “We’re All in This Together” initiative—#WAITT—which is designed to remind kids and families that even while they’re apart from friends and families, they’re not alone in this experience. Look for two new spots in the coming weeks on Disney XD and on Disney XD’s YouTube.

From Their Homes to Yours: Discover How the New At Home With Olaf Shorts Come to Life

By Beth Deitchman

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ (WDAS) new original content series At Home With Olaf is the virtual warm hug we all need right now. The delightful vignettes offer fans a heart-melting glimpse into the life of Olaf, letting us see how he spends his time when he isn’t busy saving Arendelle alongside Anna and Elsa. At Home With Olaf is just one of the many #DisneyMagicMoments that are allowing fans to experience the magic of Disney wherever they may be, and the series of shorts is brought to life by an incredible team of artists and technologists who are working from their homes to bring Olaf directly into our homes.

At Home With Olaf’s creator, Hyrum Osmond—the original supervising animator of Olaf from the first Frozen film (and co-head of animation on Moana)—first pitched the series to WDAS Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee and WDAS President Clark Spencer several months ago. He envisioned a collection of vignettes centered around Olaf. “I really wanted to focus on just him,” Osmond tells D23. “He’s so full of wonder. Let’s see him experience the world with that wonder.”

Osmond was in the early stages of developing the series when “the world changed” and Frozen fans needed Olaf more than ever. “It really is something that an entire team is involved with, giving it their all,” Osmond emphasizes. “So many people are putting in the hours and really putting in the love to make these as sweet and fun as possible.” Groups from across Disney Animation came together quickly to make it possible for At Home With Olaf to be created safely from home—from the Disney Animation Technology team, which has made it possible for the artists to animate from home; to a lighting team who lends their expertise to each and every shot; to Disney Animation’s post-production team, which used safe measures to deliver equipment to actor Josh Gad and enable him to record Olaf’s dialogue from his own home.

This set-up allows Osmond and his team to replicate with Gad, as best they can, the recording process that would typically take place in the studio. “We get on a conference call with him and he’s hooked up with his own microphone in his house,” Osmond explains. “He’ll read some lines and then we’ll give him notes. We don’t really know exactly what we have until he emails us the audio clips that he’s recorded, which makes it interesting—but it works!”

Fans can look forward to 20 vignettes inspired by a day in the life of Olaf, presenting him in new scenarios and settings, and one will even feature hand-drawn animation. “I like the use of different media and I’m excited to show the world that one. It’s going to be beautiful. I just wanted to see some different variations of styles and see what we could do with it,” Osmond says.

Since At Home With Olaf’s debut, we’ve watched Olaf dance alone in the forest, play in the snow, and even enjoy a nap al fresco, to name just a few of the wonderful ways the snowman goes about his day. “A lot of these little stories don’t have any particular story structure to them. Some of them are just moments and I really love that,” Osmond says. He’s found inspiration for the vignettes in “little ideas I’ve had over the years,” as well as his own children. For example, “Alone in the Forest” was sparked by Osmond’s 8-year-old daughter, a budding ballerina. “She will dance everywhere and anywhere and she doesn’t care who’s watching,” he shares, noting, “Olaf would totally do that.”

For Osmond, the snowman is the perfect embodiment of the theme of unconditional love that runs through the Frozen franchise and Olaf is perfectly suited for these endearing shorts. “He makes us laugh but you can also connect with Olaf emotionally, which I think sets him apart from a lot of characters,” Osmond details.

Creating animation completely from their houses has been an adjustment for Osmond and the rest of the At Home With Olaf team. Osmond has gotten used to working on two small laptops with screens that together are significantly smaller than what he uses at the studio, and he’s also found, “Sometimes your internet just wants to shut down on you and you just think, ahhh, not right now!” But Osmond has been pleasantly surprised by one aspect of his new work situation, and that’s how he’s been able to involve his family in the process. His wife and four children—who range from ages 8 to 15—provide encouragement, feedback, and even helpful suggestions during the creative process. “It’s a pretty fun back-and-forth with them,” Osmond says of these personal magic moments. “Getting their reactions has just been golden.”