Conjuring Up Magical Concept Art from Onward

By Zach Johnson

Disney and Pixar’s Onward has been officially in development since September 17, 2013, but the idea for the story began taking shape decades earlier. Much like the Lightfoot brothers, Ian (voice of Tom Holland) and Barley (voice of Chris Pratt), director Dan Scanlon and his older brother were both young when their dad passed away. “As you can imagine, we don’t remember him at all,” Scanlon said recently at the film’s global press conference. “We always wondered who he was and how we were like him.”

The first production meeting was limited to just three people: Scanlon, producer Kori Rae and head of story Kelsey Mann. “I was on it since day one, which doesn’t always happen,” Mann told us last fall during a visit to Pixar Animation Studios. “We worked together on Monsters University. We took a nice long break after we made that movie, and when we all came back, we knew Dan was going to pitch ideas for an original film.”

Over the next six and a half years, hundreds of people worked together to turn Scanlon’s fantasy into a reality—a reality, ironically, set in a fantasy world. The cast grew, too, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez, Lena Waithe, Ali Wong, Wilmer Valderrama, Kyle Bornheimer, John Ratzenberger, and more joining the movie. “We have such a high bar at Pixar. We want to make sure that the story is not just good, but that it’s great. It takes a long time to achieve that,” Mann said. “We work on the story for many, many years, but we don’t actually start making it until the last year and a half.”

Before Onward opens in theaters Friday, enjoy this magical collection of concept art:

Meet Mulan’s New Nemesis

By Bruce C. Steele

In Disney’s new Mulan, Böri Khan may not be quite the hulking villain that Shan-Yu was in the 1998 animated classic, but actor Jason Scott Lee wants to make sure you know: “He’s a cold-hearted warrior.”

With a fiercely scarred face, black leather clothing worthy of the meanest biker, and a shape-shifting witch as his ally, Khan leads the invading Rouran forces that attack China in the movie. He’s a formidable foe for the beloved heroine.

But not at the moment. With a day off from filming, Lee is his jollier self, seated in a tent on Mulan’s battlefield location in New Zealand, sheltering from the early spring wind and sharing his thoughts on his character. Lee’s handsome, scar-free, most-often-smiling face is still recognizable as the lead from Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) or Disney’s first live-action The Jungle Book (1994).

Mulan

“Böri Khan has a lot of scars,” he says, speaking both literally and figuratively. “He’s tough—just a tough character who almost can’t get knocked down. And I think that allows him to unify the [Rouran tribes], to increase his army, and have the ability to tackle [war with the Chinese] emperor.”

Assisting Khan—in place of Shan-Yu’s big, nasty hawk—is the witch Xianniang, played by legendary Chinese actor Gong Li (Farewell My Concubine). She joins Böri Khan in an “equal partnership,” Lee says, for reasons of her own. (Reasons that Li cannot discuss herself, since she’s not on set this day.)

Mulan

“She didn’t want to play this victimized type of sorceress,” Lee says of Li, and he believes some script adjustments were made after her casting, “so that she could show that [Xianniang] had a more prominent warrior spirit.”

Watching the two women—Xianniang and Mulan (Yifei Liu)—face off will be a pleasure new to this telling of the story. Both actors worked from a place of being in touch with their characters’ “unsettled emotions,” Liu says later, when she drops by the press tent between takes, still in her battle costume. “You know, the human side of the character.”

Mulan

During the battle scenes, Liu says, “I like to keep calm. The more [Mulan] can stay still… stay grounded, the more power she can go beyond.”

To embody Mulan, Liu says, she put aside everyone’s expectations save for her own and those of the film’s director, New Zealand native Niki Caro. “I think everybody knows the name—it’s so familiar—and everybody has their own picture of the hero,” she says. “But to me the hero is so human… I think it goes beyond words.”

To play Mulan as a complex and credible heroine, she says, “You have to know the reason you do [what you do]—not like rational reasons, but that human emotion.”

The fact that Mulan is a woman who is only appreciated when she disguises herself as a man, Caro says, remains as relevant today as it was in 1998—or in 2002, when Caro made her breakthrough film about another young woman who takes on a traditionally masculine role: Whale Rider.

Both Mulan and Paikea, the Maori heroine of Whale Rider, “are smart, spirited, capable, and heroic from the very beginning,” Caro says. “The problem is that that no one else sees them this way. Both Mulan and Pai are expected to live a life that is predestined for them. Both of these characters must encounter tremendous resistance to become the warrior and the chief they were destined to be.”

Mulan

Lee puts it more simply: “It is an old tale, you know, brought into a new telling,” and intended to speak to modern audiences through the richness of its characters—both good and bad.

The film brings back to life characters familiar to fans of the 1998 film, such as Mulan’s family and the village matchmaker, while it reimagines villains and some other central characters.

Still, Lee says, “there are a lot of fun characters who are supporting the main protagonist. I think [fans] are going to be pleasantly surprised with the entertainment value of all the supporting cast.

That’s particularly true of the grim, determined Böri Khan. Lee cites as one inspiration in conceiving his performance the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham as played by Alan Rickman in the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. “He may be ruthless and unkind and cruel to a degree,” Lee says. “But I think we’re all fighting for something. So in my mind, I’m not a villain.” He laughs—but only because it’s true.

Nik Wallenda Isn’t Feeling the Heat Over Crossing a Live Volcano

By Zach Johnson

Nik Wallenda is on a mission to do the impossible.

Tonight on ABC, Wallenda will return to the highwire for a daring 1,800-foot-long walk over the active Masaya Volcano in Masaya, Nicaragua. Volcano Live! with Nik Wallenda will air as a live two-hour special, starting at 8|7c. “This was a dream of mine,” he says. “I’ve talked about it for six or seven years. It’s towards the top of my list. It’s the longest walk I’ve ever attempted. It’s the highest walk I’ve ever attempted. In fact, One World Trade Center—which is the tallest building in New York City—would fit underneath me.”

Part of the famed Pacific Ring of Fire, Masaya encompasses multiple craters and is one of very few volcanoes to possess a lava lake. It will be undoubtedly riskier than his last televised walk, ABC’s Highwire Live in Times Square with Nik Wallenda, in June 2019—but this daredevil is always trying to top himself. “It’s tough, for sure, but I have dreams in the middle of the night that are crazier than most people,” Wallenda says. “And generally, it’s walking in some unique location nobody would ever dream of attempting.”

Volcano Live!

In tonight’s special, Wallenda and his family will walk viewers through the rigging, planning, and execution of the walk. Volcanologists and other professionals will be on-site to lend their expertise. “After spending years scouting and researching volcanoes, I fully realize why no one has ever attempted this feat: Mother Nature is extremely unpredictable. It is by far the most dangerous walk I have ever attempted, and that alone makes it very intimidating,” he says. “I am pushing myself beyond my comfort zone by the feat itself, but I know that I am up to the challenge. I must admit, it is scary.”

Volcano Live!

Ironically, viewers often feel more stressed than Wallenda does. “Look, that’s part of the thrill,” he says, shrugging. “Some people watch because of that, and they’re on that wire with me. It’s about that anticipation, that excitement, that nervousness, that fear. And that’s the idea: to bring the viewer on the wire with me to these amazing locations. I can tell you this is probably going to be the most dangerous stunt anyone’s ever attempted.”

With millions tuning in, Wallenda must tune the cameras out and focus on the task at hand. “Once I get on that wire, I’m in my own world. It’s about me and that wire and the relationship we’ve had literally my whole life—through seven generations,” he says. “It’s about me and that wire, and that’s it. It’s life or death, generally, when I do these things.”

Get Early Access to the March Limited-Edition Mickey Plush

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

Update for March 2020: 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.
    • Please Note: You must be signed in as a D23 Member to access the link to purchase. Click “Sign In” at the top of the page.
    • Please note extremely limited quantities of the plush will be available on Amazon.com.

Train Conductor Disney Mickey Mouse

All new for the month of March!

Commemorate the Year of the Mouse with this Limited-Edition Train Conductor Disney Mickey Mouse Plush. The third of 12 collectible large plush in the series, this exclusive Mickey Mouse celebrates the month of March. Mickey Mouse stands 16 inches tall and is made of a soft denim fabric featuring his engineer’s outfit with gold embroidered buttons and embroidered eyes. Mickey Mouse features a commemorative gold and satin foot patch and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. He even comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging—ideal for collectors. The Year of the Mouse Train Conductor Disney Mickey Mouse plush makes the perfect gift for Disney fans of all ages.

Mickey Mouse and trains have a long history, from shorts like Mickey’s Choo Choo (1929) and Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip (1940) to Mickey joining Walt Disney aboard the Disneyland® Railroad  at the dedication of Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955. According to Disney lore, the idea for Mickey Mouse was born on a train as Walt Disney traveled from New York to Los Angeles.

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

Uncover 7 Hidden Details & Easter Eggs in Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Celebrating 25 years this month, Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure has been a fan-favorite attraction since opening in 1995. A key part of that passion for Indiana Jones Adventure is the keen attention to detail that is apparent in every part of the attraction. Featuring more than 1,300 props in the queue alone to tell the story of Indiana Jones’ journey into the Temple of The Forbidden Eye, sharp-eyed fans can spot many elements and Easter eggs that add new layers to the already thrilling story. In honor of this attraction’s milestone anniversary, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites you should keep an eye out for (pun intended) next time you decided to adventure with Indy.

Indiana Jones Adventure

Raiders of the Lost Props
The entrance to Indiana Jones Adventure is a spectacular sight, from the massive snake statues to the complex archeological camp set up in front of the temple. But one detail serves as a nod to fans of the first Indiana Jones film—Raiders of the Lost Ark. The German Patrol Truck featured in the queue was actually used in the film! If you look closely, you can spot handlebars with golf balls on the top of the front bumper that were placed there specifically for one of the many car chase stunts in the film.

Indiana Jones Adventure

A Glimpse Into the Future
With its twists and turns through the mysterious temple, you never know what will happen next on Indiana Jones Adventure—or, do you? Did you know that before you even lay eyes upon the fearsome deity Mara, you can discover an artifact that foreshadows your adventures? The “Obelisk of Doom” that appears early on in the attraction’s queue depicts images of the impending dangers in your adventures, including giant snakes, spearing by spikes, deadly rats, and engulfment by flames.

Indiana Jones Adventure

Your Guide to the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
If one very ominous obelisk isn’t a good enough guide for your adventures, we have good news! Near Indiana Jones’ office in the queue, Indiana has helpfully laid out some maps and guides to the temple on a bulletin board. The maps include handwritten notes, diagrams of where to close your eyes, and more. Next time you’re there, make sure to study the bulletin board so you’re extra prepared for your adventure.

Indiana Jones Adventure

Another Day in the Life of Mickey
This one is front page news for Hidden Mickey hunters—you can find your favorite pal and his best gal featured on the front of a 1930s copy of Life Magazine that is lying on the desk in Indy’s office in the queue.

Indiana Jones Adventure

Hello There!
If you’re a Star Wars fan (or a fan of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), then this is the Easter egg you’re looking for. The wall of Indy’s office in the queue is made of crates, including one labelled “Deliver to: Club Obi Wan,” a tribute to not one, but two classic movies. The text is both a tribute to Star Wars’ Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and to the opening sequence of  Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which is set at a Shanghai club named “Club Obi-Wan.”

Indiana Jones Adventure

Mine! Mine! Mine!
Speaking of Indiana Jones on the Temple of Doom, you might notice this shout-out to one of the film’s most iconic action sequences. The mine car seen just outside the attraction’s exit was an actual prop used during the film’s thrilling mine car chase. That sequence itself was a complicated feat of visual effect wizardry (that even helped secure the film an Academy Award win for Best Visual Effects!), which you can read more about here

Indiana Jones Adventure

The Missing Mouseketeer?
There’s one more hidden Mickey that only the most brave and daring adventurers can find. While you speed through a hall of terrifying skeletons, you can spot one who’s showing off his Disney magic. You can recognize him by his Mouseketeer cap—like any dedicated Disney fan, he’s even gotten it embroidered with the name “Bones.”

These Frozen 2-Inspired Outfits Are Truly One-of-a-Kind

By Zach Johnson

No matter the time of year, Frozen 2-inspired apparel is always in season.

To celebrate the in-home release of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ record-breaking musical film, L.A.’s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) recently filled the windows at Westfield Century City’s Disney store with Frozen 2-inspired luxury streetwear. Each garment was based on the five elemental spirits of nature featured in the film: earth, wind, water, fire, and ice. Recent FIDM graduates Paul Hernandez and Tomy Huang designed two female and two male looks, respectively, while FIDM co-chairs and design partners Nick Verreos and David Paul created an Elsa-inspired gown.

The beautiful, distinctive garments were on display at Disney store from February 25 through March 1. During that time, 10 people who purchased the Frozen 2 Blu-ray Multi-Screen Edition were selected at random to go home with an autographed copy from either Kristen Bell or Josh Gad, who voice Anna and Olaf, respectively, in the hit movie.

Take a closer look each of at the stunning designs in the photos below, then pick up your copy of Frozen 2 (now available on Blu-ray, DVD, digital and Movies Anywhere).

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Frozen 2-inspired outfits

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Frozen 2-inspired outfits

Haunted Mansion Tombstones

By Kimi Thompson, Walt Disney Archives

When the Haunted Mansion was being developed for Disneyland, Walt Disney asked Imagineer X Atencio to help develop the storyline for the attraction. He even wrote the now-famous lyrics to the iconic theme song, “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” As a fun homage to the Imagineers who helped create the Haunted Mansion, X wrote epitaphs for the tombstones featured outside the attraction in the queue area– including one for himself that used his full name: Francis Xavier.

When the attraction later opened in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, the tombstones were again created using the same molds as their Disneyland counterparts. Years later, the original fiberglass tombstones from Florida’s Haunted Mansion were replaced with real stone versions—leaving the original tombstones to be proudly preserved by the Walt Disney Archives.

Don’t miss seeing the original versions from Magic Kingdom in our exhibit “Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic” which officially opens this weekend at the Bowers Museum!

 

 

See How Mulan’s Epic Stunts Come to Life—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s next live-action adventure, and read up on the just-announced Season 5 of Disney Channel’s BUNK’D… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

In celebration of Disney’s Mulan coming to theaters in just a few weeks’ time, The Walt Disney Studios just released a special featurette showcasing the film’s positively thrilling stunts. As director Niki Caro explains in the clip, “I loved creating the stunt sequences in this film. The action is explosive… All of the cast are brilliant, and they trained hard. It’s not just action for action’s sake—it’s all coming from character and from story. Every action is very meaningful.” Along with the new featurette comes news that tickets for Mulan are now on sale!

The epic tale of China’s legendary warrior comes to life in Mulan as a fearless young woman (Yifei Liu) risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors the country has ever known. When the Emperor of China (Jet Li) issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan steps in to take the place of her ailing father (Tzi Ma). Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, Mulan is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform Mulan into an esteemed warrior and earn her the respect of a thankful nation… and a proud father.

See it in U.S. theaters March 27!

Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
March 4, 2020
D23 Member Preview of Inside the Walt Disney Archives at the Bowers Museum
March 11, 2020
D23 Member Mixer in Raleigh, N.C.!
March 12, 2020
Sip & Stroll 2020 at Disney California Adventure Park
March 14, 2020
Mickey’s of Glendale – March 2020
April 2020
A Goofy Movie 25th—On the Open Roadshow
August 9, 2020
Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise Presented by D23
Parks
February 28—April 21, 2020
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns to Disneyland Resort
February 28, 2020
Magic Happens parade debuts at Disneyland Resort
March 4—June 1, 2020
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort
March 4, 2020
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Summer 2020
Avengers Campus opening at Disney California Adventure
Studios
March 6, 2020
Onward opens in U.S. theaters
March 27, 2020
Mulan opens in U.S. theaters
May 1, 2020
Marvel Studios’ Black Widow opens in U.S. theaters
May 29, 2020
Artemis Fowl opens in U.S. theaters
Television
March 20, 2020
Mira, Royal Detective premieres on Disney Channel (11 a.m. EDT/PDT) and on Disney Junior (7 p.m. EDT/PDT)
Disney+
March 13, 2020
Stargirl premieres
March 27, 2020
Be Our Chef premieres

Bunk'd

Disney Channel’s BUNK’D to Return for Fifth Season

It’s a super popular Disney Channel series, and it’ll soon be back on your screen of choice: BUNK’D is returning for an epic fifth season, chock full of more adventures at Maine’s rustic Camp Kikiwaka. Erin Dunlap (Andi Mack, Jessie)—who joined the series as executive producer in Season 4—will return as sole showrunner for Season 5. Production is set begin this fall!

Returning series regulars include Miranda May as cheerful camp owner Lou; Mallory James Mahoney (Disney Channel’s Adventures in Babysitting), Raphael Alejandro (Once Upon a Time), and Will Buie Jr. (Gifted) as the loveable but mischievous campers; and Shelby Simmons (Andi Mack) and Israel Johnson (Schooled) as their quirky but well-intentioned counselors.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Coming to Disney+

Penny Proud and her lovable, madcap family from the long-running, fan-favorite Disney Channel series are coming back! Disney+ just announced it’s ordered the new animated family sitcom The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder; read more about what you can expect from the show by clicking here.

Mickey shorts

New Animated Short Vacation Fun Debuts at Mickey Shorts Theater Next Month

“Oh boy!” More exciting Mickey Mouse-related news from Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The park’s newly re-imagined Mickey Shorts Theater will debut March 4 to include a one-of-a-kind animated short…

The original short, Vacation Fun, celebrates Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse’s favorite vacation memories—plus a few new adventures! Vacation Fun, which will only be seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will feature new animation and clips from favorite Mickey shorts including Panda-monium, Couples Sweaters, Potatoland, Croissant de Triomphe, Entombed, Dumb Luck, Al Rojo Vivo, Yodelburg, and Outback at Ya!.

Guests can make even more magical memories after the short by stepping into life-sized versions of beloved animated Mickey shorts, where they can pose for photos with family and friends. (Plus, existing shorts from the Mickey Mouse TV series will be used in the post-show photo experience, such as Yodelburg, Potatoland, Entombed, and Panda-monium.)

The very same day Vacation Fun debuts, the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will begin taking guests right into the middle of a Mickey Mouse cartoon! Prepare for unexpected twists, slapstick gags, and mind-boggling transformations at every turn as Mickey and Minnie try to save the day. And don’t be surprised to find a ton of hidden Mickeys throughout this brand-new attraction… more than at any other Disney attraction or area in the world! Pretty cool, right?

Women's Day on Broadway

Disney on Broadway Presents 3rd Annual Women’s Day on Broadway

In celebration of International Women’s Day, our friends at Disney on Broadway just announced the lineup for the 3rd annual “Women’s Day on Broadway: The Decade Ahead and How Women Will Shape It.”

Following its successful launch in 2018, Disney on Broadway’s “Women’s Day on Broadway” event aims to engage attendees—of all gender identities and expressions, naturally—in a day of open, honest, and meaningful dialogue about gender equality in the theater industry and beyond… immersing all participants and audience members in a series of conversations, inspiring each attendee to make an impact in their own communities. Panels will include perspectives from the creative forces behind this season’s Broadway shows; insight from women in the theater industry who’ve decided to “pivot” their professions; and a look at the challenges women face in the theater—and some of the solutions they (or their organizations) have put into action to help fix them.

Theatrical artists scheduled to appear at this year’s event include Celia Keenan-Bolger (To Kill a Mockingbird), Ali Stroker (Oklahoma!), Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton), choreographer Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge!), and Schele Williams (director of Disney on Broadway’s upcoming Aida North American Tour).

“Women’s Day on Broadway” will be held on Tuesday, March 10, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the New Amsterdam Theater—home of Broadway’s hit musical Aladdin. For more info, or to reserve your free general admission seat, visit womenofbroadway.com.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line Returns to Greece in 2021

As we say ’round these parts, it’s never too early to start planning a vacation. Looking to travel somewhere amazing and exotic in 2021? Disney Cruise Line has got you covered, with an exciting return to Greece that summer! That country’s awe-inspiring beauty will shine with stunning landscapes and archeological wonders—including Santorini with its iconic whitewashed cliffside dwellings, and Mykonos with beautiful beaches along the azure Aegean Sea…

Other exciting stops on Greek Isles itineraries include Katakolon near ancient Olympia (home to the first Olympic Games), and the gorgeous Greek island of Kefalonia, a first-time port of call for Disney Cruise Line.

But that’s not all: That same summer DCL itineraries will offer ports-of-call stops in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Visby, Sweden; and Eidfjord, Norway. Plus, look for some amazing seven-night Alaskan itineraries, and all manner of tropical getaways to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Bookings open to the public this week—so make those plans, friends and fans! Visit disneycruise.com for more info.

ICYMI: You Need These Star Wars: The High Republic Details…

Lucasfilm and Disney Publishing Worldwide recently announced the launch of an all new publishing-led Star Wars storytelling initiative, and it sounds like it’s gonna be stellar… wait: make that inter-stellar! Read more on what you can expect from Star Wars: The High Republic right here at D23.com.

Mickey and Minnie in Halloween costumes

Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Now On Sale!

Yes, we know, it’s only spring. But we love Halloween here at D23, so we’re always on the lookout for ways to pre-plan some spooky fun. And thankfully, our good pals over at Walt Disney World Resort just announced that tickets for this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park are now on sale!

This devilishly delightful night, which happens on select evenings August 13 – November 1, includes the return of Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular fireworks show (hosted by Jack Skellington, telling a Halloween tale about Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy!); Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade; the fan-fave “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show; and so much more.

During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to greet favorite Disney characters (some of them wearing Halloween costumes of their own), go trick-or-treating throughout the park, dance the night away at the Disney Junior Jam, and enjoy popular attractions with a special Halloween twist—including Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Mad Tea Party… not to mention all the cool Halloween décor, delicious food, specialty merchandise, and a few bewitching surprises along the way.

For more information on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, including how to buy tickets (early birds can save $10, by the way!), visit disneyworld.com.

Get a Closer Look at Disneyland Park’s New “Magic Happens” Parade Floats

By Zach Johnson

The new Magic Happens parade debuts today at Disneyland Park—and we’ve got your first look at a few of the nine floats inspired by magical moments in movies from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios! The floats will make their way along Main Street, U.S.A., as more than 90 performers bring this daytime spectacular to life.

Creative director David Duffy has been with Disney Live Entertainment for nearly 30 years after beginning his career as a performer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. “When you come to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, there are so many ways to immerse yourself in our stories, but a parade is a unique experience because it’s the only way for you, as the audience, to stay in one place and have so many stories, characters and magical moments pass right in front of you,” explains Duffy. “We’ve designed the Magic Happens floats so that characters, scenes and surprises are revealed a little at a time, making each float a journey of discovery.”

Jordan Peterson, show director for Disney Live Entertainment, began his Disney career as a parade performer and has appeared in more than 18 parades between Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort. “This parade celebrates the way magic affects both the characters in the stories and the guests who are watching,” Peterson says. “Magic Happens is like a love letter to those special transformative moments.”

Magic Happens features a dazzling musical score and new songs from co-composer Todrick Hall. “This is a full circle moment for me,” says Hall, who began his career as a performer in Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. “I learned how to dance from watching Disney parades, so the fact that I am getting to create the music that these iconic Disney characters are going to be performing to is pretty much the most epic thing that has happened to me in my life!”

The dazzling finale brings together a collection of iconic magical characters, including Aladdin, Blue Fairy, Fairy Godmother, Genie, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and Tinker Bell. To see the rest of the brand-new “Magic Happens” floats—including those inspired by The Princess and the Frog and The Sword and the Stone—be sure to visit Disneyland Park!

5 Styling Secrets for the D23 Fantastic Worlds Adventure Kit

By Jocelyn Buhlman

2020 Gold Member Gift

Place a Patch
The totally retro Disneyland patch, designed by Bret Iwan (who you may also know as the official voice of Mickey Mouse), is the perfect piece to punch up any plain item you own. Share your love of the Happiest Place on Earth by sewing this patch onto whatever you please, be it jackets, backpacks, or more!

2020 Gold Member Gift

Polish Up Your Pin Collection
Pins and Disney go hand-in-hand, and odds are, you might have picked up a few at your most recent Disney parks trip (or D23 event!). If you enjoy showing off your collection on a bag or backpack, the D23 Fantastic Worlds travel-inspired pin set (designed by Disney artist Alex Riegert-Waters) will fit right in with your collection! Have a favorite place from our six-pin set? Place it on your purse with pride and let the world see your Disney side.

2020 Gold Member Gift

Liven Up a Lanyard
Of course, bags and purses aren’t the only way to showcase a good pin collection. If you already show off your pins on a fun, Disney lanyard, why not add one or two from our pin set and celebrate a favorite place from a classic Disney film?

2020 Gold Member Gift

Show Off Your Bandana
This super-fun Mickey Mouse bandana designed by Iwan is the perfect accessory for your next foray into Fantasyland or trip to Tomorrowland—so tie it up around your neck and get traveling, because adventure is out there!

2020 Gold Member Gift

Jazz Up a Jacket
Clothing can be an excellent form of self-expression, and nothing says “Disney magic!” quite like a jean jacket full of your favorite pins! The D23 Fantastic Worlds pin set is perfectly eye-catching against denim and is the perfect way to add a little extra pixie dust to your ensemble.

2020 Gold Member Gift

Add Some Flair to Your Hat
Maybe showcasing all six pins on a jacket or bag is a little too flashy for you—but if you still want to show off your love of Disney, try this subtler style. Pick your favorite pin from the set and pin it to a baseball cap for an easy upgrade with Disney style.

Show off how you style the D23 Fantastic Worlds Adventure Kit with the hashtag #D23FantasticWorlds. Get your own Adventure Kit here.