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

April 15, 2020April 22, 2020

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.

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

April 14, 2020

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
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
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.

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.)

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
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.

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

April 14, 2020

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

April 14, 2020

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.”

Walt Disney Archives x Prop Culture—A Match Made in the Movies!

April 14, 2020June 17, 2020

By Becky Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives

Please join us on May 1 for the debut of Prop Culture on Disney+. We have been working with the very talented and passionate crew of the show for more than a year and can’t wait to share it with you, our fans! You’ll see some of Disney’s most well-loved feature films represented in this first season, including: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Mary Poppins, Tron, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet Movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

When Disney+ asked us to open our “vault” to Dan Lanigan and the Prop Culture crew we were thrilled to do so. We regularly exhibit these special pieces in museums and at special Disney events, but when they are not on view these iconic treasures are carefully preserved and safeguarded deep inside the Archives. Being able to pull out these props, costumes, and works of art to share with Dan and the designers, directors, producers and actors who first created and used them was an opportunity that was not to be missed. Dan is a passionate collector who knows a great deal about the history of his favorite film props and costumes. It was so much fun for us to discuss these pieces with him, and through this process, discover brand-new information about the assets that we are tasked with caring for.

Hearing the firsthand stories of the filmmakers who created these objects taught us so much about their history—but witnessing the joy of the designers and actors as they were reunited with these objects made for my very favorite moments. Working on this show meant so much to the Archives staff—we are all huge fans of these films, and I know that the viewers of this show will also be both entertained and inspired.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

April 13, 2020April 10, 2020

By Zach Johnson

In the mood for something sweet this week? Look no further than ABC, which has cooked up a delicious new series, The Baker and the Beauty. Later in the week, the network will air a one-hour television special, The Disney Family Singalong, featuring some of the biggest names in movies, music, and more! This week also marks the miniseries premiere of Mrs. America on FX on Hulu, plus the arrival of National Geographic’s Brain Games season eight and the finale of Shop Class, both on Disney+. So, mark your calendars, because we’ve picked five programs you can’t miss this week:

The Baker and the Beauty—Monday, April 13, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

Based on the hit Israeli show, the series premiere takes viewers on a flavor-filled adventure between relatable everyman Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk) and international star Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley). Daniel is devoted to his family and their bakery—but after a wild night in Miami, he meets Noa and his moves into the spotlight. Will this unlikely pair upend their lives to be together and pull their families into a culture clash?

Mrs. America—Wednesday, April 15, on FX on Hulu

From creator, executive producer, and showrunner Dahvi Waller, the new series follows the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman, Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett), aka “the sweetheart of the silent majority.” Through the eyes of the women of the era—including second wave feminists Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne), Betty Friedan (Tracey Ullman), Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba), Bella Abzug (Margo Martindale), and Jill Ruckelshaus (Elizabeth Banks)—the limited series explores how one of the toughest battlegrounds in the culture wars of the 1970s helped give rise to the Moral Majority and forever shifted the political landscape. Rounding out the cast are Adam Brody, Kayli Carter, Jay Ellis, Ari Graynor, Bria Henderson, Melanie Lynskey, Sarah Paulson, John Slattery, and Jeanne Tripplehorn.

The Disney Family Singalong—Thursday, April 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

The magical one-hour television special will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest and feature an unbelievable lineup of celebrities and their families performing Disney songs from their own homes. Special guests confirmed for remote performances and appearances include Disney Legend Christina Aguilera, Erin Andrews, Bobby Bones, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Auli’i Cravalho, Luke Evans, Jordan Fisher, Josh Gad, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Little Big Town, Disney Legend Kenny Ortega, Donny Osmond, Thomas Rhett, Amber Riley, John Stamos, and more. An animated character will guide the onscreen lyrics so viewers can follow along in perfect harmony as the stars sing classics from Disney films including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Moana, Frozen, and High School Musical. The special will also air PSAs with talent from across Walt Disney Television to raise awareness about Feeding America’s vast network and resources for people who are finding themselves in new circumstances and facing hunger for the first time due to COVID-19.

Brain Games (Season 8)—Friday, April 17, on Disney+

National Geographic has reimagined the classic game show and added a Hollywood twist to the classic mind-bending format. Hosted by actor Keegan-Michael Key, mentalist Lior Surchard, and field correspondent and science communicator Cara Santa Maria, season eight of Brain Games (now streaming on Disney+) challenges some of the world’s biggest celebrities to realize their special brain power through fun and highly entertaining interactive games, illusions, and social experiments that reveal the “why” behind the “wow.” Audiences at home are invited to play along and compare their mental abilities against those of the A-list guests such as Kristen Bell, Dax Shepherd, Ted Danson, the Blue Man Group, Drew Brees, Anthony Anderson, Marsai Martin, Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Mark Cuban, Rebel Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, and Jordan Peele.

Shop Class—Friday, April 17, on Disney+

It’s all been building up to this moment! In its first season, we’ve seen teams create everything from skate ramps to spacecrafts. Now, the season finale will see finalists vying for the title of “Shop Class Champs” as they build contemporary backyard forts.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

April 13, 2020December 8, 2022

By Rick Lorentz, Walt Disney Archives

Fact or fiction? Television shows and movies often blur the lines between what is real and what has been created through the imaginative mind of a writer. Taking a story with very identifiable locations and very definitive historical facts and adding a touch of creative intrigue can make an audience question what they know to be true. The story within National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) includes a dossier of documents collected by “Presidents, for Presidents’ eyes only.” One of the most detailed and curious props in the Walt Disney Archives is the “Book of Secrets.” Most movie props are designed for short-term use during production. They are sturdy and efficient, but constructed primarily for only a quick appearance on screen. However, the “Book of Secrets” is a detailed fictional collection of photographs, certificates, and handwritten letters concerning some of the most controversial topics in American history. Within the leather cover of the book are custom pages that feature fictional documents exploring (among other things) Area 51, the JFK assassination, the American landing on the moon, and Watergate. A great deal of time and artistry went into the design and production of “the Book.” If you were to come upon this leather-bound collection on a bookshelf, open it, and proceed to read its contents, you would have compelling evidence for rewriting American history. And you’d have to wonder—proof or prop?

Gear up for your own treasure hunt at home, as National Treasure: Book of Secrets is now streaming on Disney+!

ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty Is Going Global

April 13, 2020April 2, 2020

By Zach Johnson

ABC is turning up the heat with the new modern-day fairy tale The Baker and the Beauty, premiering tonight at 10|9c. The hourlong series, which is based on the hit Israeli show created by Assi Azar, takes viewers on a flavor-filled adventure between relatable everyman Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk) and international celebrity Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley). Daniel is devoted to his parents, his siblings, and their business—but after one wild night, he meets Noa and his life is thrust into the spotlight.

“Disney is all about wish fulfillment and fantasy, where anything can happen,” says Emmy® Award winner Dan Bucatinsky, who stars as Lewis. “This is a show about a regular guy—a baker in a Cuban-American, family-owned bakery in Miami—who falls in love with the biggest superstar. So, this is a grounded, relatable family show, but they bring in this gorgeous, romantic storyline that will play out throughout the entire season.”

The series, from writer, producer, and showrunner Dean Georgaris, will also tackle complex issues, such as immigration and sexuality. Says Kelley, “It touches on a lot of interesting subjects that you might not expect from a typical network romantic drama.”

Although it’s set in Miami, The Baker and the Beauty was actually filmed in Puerto Rico. As a result, the ensemble cast—which also includes Carlos Gómez as Rafael Garcia, Lisa Vidal as Mari Garcia, David Del Rio as Mateo Garcia, Belissa Escobedo as Natalie, and Michelle Veintimilla as Vanessa—formed an instant connection while filming on location. “We’re lucky enough to have an all-Latino cast,” Bucatinsky says. “We speak Spanish, we dance on and off the set, and we go out afterwards. It’s a real family bond.”

Adds Rasuk, “This is one of the first jobs I’ve had where I actually get along with the cast, on- and off-camera. I’m being super genuine! When you work with actors who are as good as they are, it makes you elevate your game. This is the first time I’ve felt that.”

Kelley echoes her co-stars’ sentiments, noting that she believes their natural chemistry will translate onscreen. “To be connecting with this group of people on a cultural level and to be translating that magic into the work we’re sharing with the world is really special. There’s a lot we can learn from Latin culture, as we can from all cultures,” she says, “but it’s especially nice to be telling this story at this moment in time for Latinos.”

And after filming together in Puerto Rico, Kelley adds, “I couldn’t have picked a better group of people to be stuck on an island with. They’re the funniest, most kindhearted, warmest group of people—and talented actors! Did I mention funny? They’re hilarious!”

More than anything, the cast hopes fans find joy through The Baker and the Beauty. “Right now, we need messages of hope and love more than ever. The show definitely feels like a healing balm for the heart,” Kelley says. “You leave each episode and you feel inspired all over again. You remember love is possible; it isn’t dead. I think those themes resonate in all Disney projects, and we’re continuing that theme with our show.”

EXCLUSIVE: Disney Junior Friends are Here to Remind Kids “We’re All in This Together”

April 13, 2020April 15, 2020

By Beth Deitchman

In Disney Junior’s brand-new spot debuting Monday, April 13, Mickey Mouse and favorite characters from Doc McStuffins; Vampirina; Elena of Avalor; Mira, Royal Detective; and more come together to deliver an inspiring message for the youngest of fans: We’re all in this together! While kids may need to stay at home during this difficult time, Mickey and friends encourage them to look for ways to help each other; to call friends and family who they miss; and to talk with a grown-up about how they might be feeling.

The spot is part of Disney Channel’s “We’re All in This Together” initiative—#WAITT—which features messages that demonstrate for viewers of all ages that, even if they’re away from people they love, they’re not alone right now. The spot begins airing on Monday, but we’re bringing you an early look now:

“In the spirit of spreading some joy and comfort among our preschool audience and their parents during this difficult time, we at Disney Junior created this spot to remind families that they are not alone, and that we’re all in this together,” said Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming and general manager, Disney Junior. “We hope familiar faces like Mickey Mouse, Doc McStuffins, and our newest royal detective, Mira, will bring a sense of ease and perhaps spark a smile.”

Play A Goofy Movie Bingo!

April 10, 2020

By the D23 Team

Instructions:

Download and print out the bingo cards on 8.5-inch x 11-inch white paper—be sure to “fit to page.”
Randomly distribute cards to each player (up to 4 players).
Have them look over (and see eye-to-eye with) their bingo cards to familiarize themselves with the movie scenes.
Play A Goofy Movie and when a player recognizes scenes from the movie that matches their bingo card, mark it!
The first player to get four in a row wins the game.

Get ready for the ultimate A Goofy Movie party! Join D23 and the cast and creative team behind the film for a special virtual event and watch party today.