Magic Comes to Life at the World Premiere of Onward

By Zach Johnson

Last night, we set out on an epic quest to interview the stars of Disney and Pixar’s Onward at the film’s world premiere—and we emerged victorious! Stars Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer hit the blue carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, where they joined director Dan Scanlon, producer Kori Rae, and the rest of the team who brought the tale of two teenage elf brothers to life.

Onward centers on Ian (Holland) and Barley (Pratt), whose late father left them a gift: the chance to spend one more day together. Unfortunately, their visitation spell goes awry, giving Ian and Barley just 24 hours to bring their father back to life before he vanishes forever. For Scanlon, who was an infant when his own father passed away, this is a very special film. “It’ll always be a personal story to me, but now it’s kind of everyone’s story, I hope,” he said. “I hope that people see a little bit of their own family and friends in this film. People who’ve seen the film have come up to me and told me their personal stories, and that’s a gift that is really special, that it evokes that in them.”

Much like their characters, Pratt and Holland—who previously co-starred in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame—feel a strong kinship. “One hundred percent, Tom and I share a brotherly bond in real life. He’s like a little brother to me. I want to just protect him,” Pratt said of his younger co-star. “I see how talented he is. I see how pure his heart is. It’s so exciting to watch him go down this journey, and just like an older brother can learn from a younger brother, I’ve been through some of the things that he’s going to go through—and is going through—in the Marvel world.”

And because he’s “never had a little brother” in real life, Pratt said he’s happy to have Holland. “I told him again today, ‘Use me, man. Call me up if you ever have an issue.’”

With a laugh, Holland said, “I might actually try to adopt him as my big brother, for real!”

For Louis-Dreyfus, Onward is also represents homecoming of sorts, as she previously voiced Atta in Pixar’s 1998 classic a bug’s life. “They were asking me has it changed in however many years since I did a bug’s life, and from my point of view, it really hasn’t!” the Emmy® Award-winning star said. “I mean, I’m sure that from an animation and technological point of view it’s really changed, but it hasn’t from my point of view. Going into the recording studio and trying to create a character with your voice, it’s the same process.” In Onward, Louis-Dreyfus voices Laurel Lightfoot, Ian and Barley’s mother. She spends much of the film trailing them with Spencer’s The Manticore. “It’s so cool because there’s sort of dual quests going on in the movie,” she shared, “and I love that!”

Police officer Colt Bronco (voice of Mel Rodriguez) is also hot on Ian and Barley’s trail throughout Onward. “I think he’s between a rock and a hard place in a lot of ways,” Rodriguez explained. “He’s Laurel’s boyfriend, and then at the same time, he’s not trying to step on any times. He’s not trying to fill their father’s shoes, obviously, but he’s trying to be the man of the house in a way and teach them life lessons to some degree.”

Onward is set in New Mushroomtown, a suburban fantasy world. According to Jason Headley, who wrote the screenplay with Scanlon, the juxtaposition of the modern and the mundane was key to making the brothers’ adventure all the more magical. “We needed magic to tell the story, and what makes it more fun is to make it modern,” he explained. “What would happen to magical things in a world that kind of got mundane?” Find out the answer to that question when Onward opens in theaters on March 6, 2020.

Before then, check out the gallery from the world premiere below:

Disney Channel Fan Fest Kicks Off at Disneyland Resort on May 9

By Beth Deitchman

Disney Channel fans, we’ve got breaking news to share: The third annual Disney Channel Fan Fest is returning to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on Saturday, May 9. And in a truly fantastic new development, this year, Disney Channel Fan Fest expands to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, over three weekends during the world-renowned Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Pop-up weekend events taking place May 16–17, May 23–24, and May 30–31 will connect fans at Walt Disney World Resort with their favorite Disney Channel stars and series via live concert performances, meet-and-greets, surprise and delight moments, animation stations, and more.

On May 9, get ready for an incredible day of fan-focused fun, including Disney’s “QUIZney” trivia challenge; the upcoming family dance competition series, Disney Fam Jam; learn-to-draw sessions with creators from Disney Television Animation; a sneak peek at the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Upside-Down Magic; Descendants– and ZOMBIES-themed dance parties; and photo opportunities with some of Disney Channel’s biggest stars. Various Disney Channel stars will also take the stage for live musical performances as part of Disney Channel Voices, an initiative showcasing diverse music and giving multitalented young stars a platform to express themselves and make a deeper connection with their fans. And last—but most assuredly not least—today’s brightest young stars will join favorite Disney characters for a cavalcade down Main Street, U.S.A that will be live-streamed on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney Channel YouTube.

Fan Fest events in both California and Florida will include stars from ZOMBIES 2, Gabby Duran & the Unsittables, Raven’s Home, Just Roll With It, Sydney to the Max, Coop & Cami Ask the World, BUNK’D, and the upcoming Disney Fam Jam and Upside-Down Magic. The creative teams behind Big City Greens, The Owl House, Amphibia, and DuckTales will be on hand for the learn-to-draw sessions.

Stay tuned to D23.com for additional details—including talent and a schedule of events—as they’re announced.

Q&A with Straight On Til Morning: A Twisted Tale Author Liz Braswell

By the D23 Team

What would happen if Wendy adventured to Never Land with pirates instead of Peter? Straight on Til Morning: A Twisted Tale aims to answer that question with a story so thrilling, it’s already become a New York Times Best Seller! We sat down with the author, Liz Braswell, to learn more about this twist on the classic story of Peter Pan.

Straight on Til Morning: A Twisted Tale

Q: This Twisted Tale visits Wendy as a hopeful sixteen-year-old, never having met Peter Pan, but holding onto his shadow. Tell us a little bit about this more mature Wendy and her motivations throughout this story.
A: Wendy is older but not necessarily more mature at the beginning of the book. She has spent the last few years in the same house, with her same family, changing her routine only a little as she progresses from girl to young woman. She wants something but is unsure what, and a trip to Never Land seems like the ticket (I mean, wouldn’t it be, for all of us?!). Once there, in a new environment with new people—and new dangers—Wendy’s mind is finally given room to expand. While going on amazing journeys and battling dangerous foes she revisits her previous dreams and desires and realizes they don’t quite fit anymore. She wants to be someone who changes the world—not someone who is merely a character going along for a ride in the story.

Q: Peter Pan has such a special place in many people’s hearts. In your opinion, what is it about these characters and the idea of Never Land that so many people relate to?
A: I don’t think there’s a single person out there who hasn’t dreamed of escaping to Never Land at some point. If you’re a child it’s the magic of no rules and no grown-ups and actual magic and your own tribe of peers. But if you’re a grown-up…. Well, the process of growing up is complex, tricky and tiring and we all need to believe there is respite somewhere, a place where we can do whatever we want, not be judged, explore, fly, and not be burdened with aging, death, and taxes.

Plus, as Wendy says in my book, Mermaids!

And pirates and fairies and all sorts of amazing friends. Peter Pan is a force of nature! Just the name Lost Boys conjures up a heady, mystical band of lads (and lasses) who fit in nowhere and can go anywhere. And Tinker Bell…well, she’s just the best.

Q: Are there any special tributes to 1953 Disney film and/or the original novel that you included while introducing us to a completely different take on the story?
A: I tried very hard to keep to the spirit of Peter Pan and Never Land; making Peter Pan sound and act just like Peter Pan while inventing new places and creatures on the island that feel as magical as the original. There are a couple of homages to the original play and novel which a clever reader might spot.

Q: Who was your favorite character to write for in this book and why?
A: Hook! And Smee. But mostly Hook. Carefully balancing Wendy and Tink’s evolving relationship while maintaining their true personalities was a good challenge, but for straight-up fun it was definitely the Cap’n. He is mad, powerful, hilarious, dangerous and just a little complicated—all at once. Plus the jacket! Gotta love the jacket.

A Twisted Tale books

Q: You’ve also written other books in the Twisted Tales series including A Whole New World, Once Upon a Dream, and Part Of Your World. What is it like to get to reimagine these classic stories in new and unexpected ways?
A: A dream come true! My career as a writer started out with fairy-tale retellings (Snow, currently in an anthology called Once Again). I love imagining what would happen in a story if a beloved hero acted differently, or things were more complicated than with the usual fairy-tale setups. And getting to work with Disney characters and stories is like winning the lottery. A looooong time ago I had dreams of making my own Disney animated film; two of my favorite books as a child were The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation and The Art of Walt Disney—both thumbed through to death. (But I can’t draw to save my life). I’m living the dream, textually!

Straight On Til Morning is available for purchase now.

7 Secrets, Details, and Facts about the D23 Fantastic Worlds Map

By D23 Team

The D23 Fantastic Worlds Adventure Kit features a 24-by-36 inch map that lets you unfold the magic of the worlds of Disney! As part of the 2020 Gold Member Gift, this map celebrates
iconic locations from Disney Studios, Pixar, Disney Parks, television, The Muppets, and so much more! With so many tiny details and secrets hidden within the map, we’ve rounded up seven details you need to know about this gorgeous collectible.

  1. Disney artist Bryan Mon based the design of the map on Sam McKim’s early Disneyland Fun Maps.
  2. An elaborate set of rules was created to dictate which locations were included. One of the rules was a strict ban on featuring real-life places not created by Disney, instead focusing on fantasy locations or locations created for Disney and Pixar stories.
  3. Some of those Disney-created places include theme parks! The D23 Fantastic Worlds map includes locations from every Disney theme park resort around the world. Can you find them all?
  4. There are over 250 places and Easter eggs, derived from over 168 films, television shows, and theme park locations.
  5. Besides locations, the map also includes 23 Hidden Mickeys!
  6. Two other iconic Disney characters have their own Easter eggs—can you find the hidden Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (from Walt Disney’s Oswald shorts), and the hidden Julius the Cat (from Walt Disney’s Alice Comedies)?
  7. Of course, since the map features fantastic locations from Pixar films, we had to hide one of their most classic Easter eggs—can you spot the Pizza Planet truck traveling through our map?

D23 Fantastic Worlds Map gif

Get a closer look at all the amazing locations and dazzling details of the D23 Fantastic Worlds map with the D23 Fantastic Worlds Adventure Kit—exclusive to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members. More details here.

Inside the World Premiere of The Call of the Wild

By Zach Johnson

It was quite a paw-ty at the world premiere of Twentieth Century Studios’ The Call of the Wild, hosted Thursday night at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The film’s stars Harrison Ford (John Thornton), Omary Sy (Perrault), Karen Gillan (Mercedes), Cara Gee (Francoise), Michael Horse (Edenshaw), Colin Woodell (Charles), Terry Notary (Live Action Reference Performance of Buck), and Adam Fergus (James) walked the red carpet alongside director Chris Sanders, screenwriter/executive producer Michael Green, and more of the talented people who brought Jack London’s classic novel to life.

Ford, who first read The Call of the Wild as a teenager, called it a “pleasure” to star in the film adaptation. “I love the work: the problem-solving, the collaboration, the investment in storytelling,” said Ford, who signed autographs and took pictures with D23 Gold and Gold Family Members at the event. “I’m proud and happy to be part of this.”

The Call of the Wild premiere

The actor added that he identified a lot with his character, who finds companionship with a dog named Buck in the 1890s. “I was interested in the development of the story that showed Thornton’s history to the audience, that allowed the audience to experience the value that Buck brought to Thornton’s life—and the courage that he gained in the context of their relationship, which allowed him to face issues in his life that he’d run away from,” Ford explained. “As Buck is finding his destiny, Thornton is finding himself.”

Like Ford, Green said he grew up loving the American classic and was excited to introduce it to a new generation. “It’s a weighty thing to bring a book this looming to the screen, but I am a fan of this book; this book meant a lot to me,” Green said. “My grandfather got me my first copy—that I still have on my shelf—when I was a kid. He gave it to my brother, actually, and I stole it! I used that copy when I was adapting this.”

The Call of the Wild premiere

“We knew going into this that we wanted to do something that had never been done before, which was to tell Buck’s story. We wanted Buck to be the main character of this film,” Green continued. “But we wanted to give a human story along with it—not just so we could cast the most amazing actor of all time, Harrison Ford, but to tell a tale of two souls finding each other in the most impossible and the most beautiful place on earth. And fate brought these two together to heal in ways that they didn’t know they needed.”

Buck and Thornton’s relationship aside, Ford said the film contains another important—albeit more subtle—message. “Nature doesn’t need people; people need nature. We are not above nature. We’re part of nature,” he said. “When we start to behave with a full understanding of that, then we can begin to understand the world in a different way.”

The Call of the Wild opens in theaters February 21, 2020.

To see more pictures from the premiere, flip through the gallery below:

Disney Archives Throwback Screenings at the El Capitan Discount

Where

What

When
Hollywood, CA $10 Tickets April 22, 2020

Available Exclusively to Gold Members.

Celebrate the year-long Walt Disney Archives 50th anniversary each month with a special “throwback” screening!

See Disneynature’s Earth at the El Capitan Theatre on April 22, 2020 for one showing only at 10:00AM*.

Featuring a special introduction by the Walt Disney Archives and an exclusive display of production memorabilia from the department’s legendary collection.

El Capitan Earth

Click here to purchase your $10.00 ticket today!
Enter code:  D23MB

(includes: (1) Reserved Seat, (1) small popcorn, and (1) small drink)

Coming Soon:
TBD

NOTE
*Offer is only valid for the April 22, 2020 10:00AM showing of EARTH at the El Capitan Theatre.  Offer does NOT apply to Special Opening Night event, Double Features or any other special offerings.  Offer is good for up to 1 Reserved Tickets, 1 Small Popcorn and 1 Small Drink.  Tickets can only be used on the date and showtime listed on their ticket.  All sales are final.  There are no refunds or exchanges. By attending amovie screening at the El Capitan Theatre, you agree to comply with the El Capitan Theatre’s Code of Conduct. Section 42.03 of Los Angeles Municipal Code provides, in part, that “no person in or upon any publicstreet, sidewalk, park, online or public place shall sell or resell any ticket or admission to a place of public assemblage.  No credit/cash back.   This offer cannot be combined with any other offer(s) and has no monetary value.  This offer is subject to change without notice.  Dates & showtimes are subject to change without notice.

How American Idol Plans to Hit All the Right Notes in Season Three

By Zach Johnson

The search for the next American Idol is underway!

Nestled inside the Rosy Theatre at the Hollywood Roosevelt on Wednesday, the hit show’s in-house mentor, Bobby Bones, hosted a special Q&A with returning judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie ahead of the season three premiere on ABC. The two-hour episode, airing Sunday, February 16, at 8|7c, will chronicle their nation-wide search for music’s next superstar. “It’s going to be more streamlined and more succinct,” said Perry. “It’s not a karaoke show by any means; it’s literally a fast-track mentorship program… I think true artists and true stars will be coming out of Idol again.”

American Idol

The premiere episode will see auditions happening in Savannah, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California; and Sunriver, Oregon. This time around, Richie said he’s not afraid to give the contestants some tough love. “You have to think of this as a rite of passage… People have to fall in love with you. You cannot claim this title unless you understand the steps you have to go through to get here, to earn it!” the judge said. “You have to pass the attitude test as well as the aptitude test.”

Added Bryan, “If you’re in the business, you have to be all the way in.”

American Idol

“It’s very important that you understand you’re going to hear ‘no’ more than you’re going to hear ‘yes,’” Richie continued. “You have to earn the ‘yes.’ Even if you think you have a hit record, you still have to sell it to the public—and they may tell you, ‘We don’t like it.’ Now, how do you recover from that?” Perry echoed her fellow judges’ sentiments, saying, “It’s just preparation for reality. You grow wings or you fall. We’re setting them up for a huge glide after American Idol, and it’s truly up to them.” To be a superstar, Richie said, contestants need substance and style. “Some people will say, ‘Why did you send that lady home? She was a fabulous singer.’ And I will say, ‘Yeah, but she had nothing that was identifiable,’” he said. “Katy sounds like Katy. I know what Luke sounds like on the radio. If you have that identifiable sound, you, my friend, can have a career.”

American Idol

Season three of American Idol will also feature more live episodes than ever before. “That was the feedback from the fans,” Bryan explained. “People were enjoying what was happening on the live shows, so we said, ‘Let’s give the people what they want!’”

Without spoiling anything, Perry also revealed a structural element of the long-running show has been updated. “It was like the biggest curveball for these kids. It was fun to see how they handled it,” the singer said, “because this industry is all about curveballs!”

GALLERY: Have a Ball with These Cinderella Costumes From The Walt Disney Archives

By Savannah Salazar

A gorgeous film six years in the making, Cinderella opened in theaters on February 15, 1950. Since then, many iterations of the classic tale have been told, delighting audiences around the world. Along with Ilene Woods, who voiced Cinderella in the 1950 feature, Lily James, Brandy, Anna Kendrick and Jessy Schram have all donned the iconic glass slipper in one form or another. In fact, during D23 Expo 2019, the Walt Disney Archives put together an exhibition displaying their beautiful costumes—from 2015’s Cinderella, to Into the Woods, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and ABC’s Once Upon a Time.

Inspired by Disney’s animated classic, award-winning costume designers Colleen Atwood, Sandy Powell, Ellen Mirojnick and designer Eduardo Castro created their own spins on the special silver-gray ball gown. So, to celebrate Cinderella’s anniversary and its impact on storytelling throughout the years, we’ve rounded up all the Cinderella outfits from the Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume exhibition.

Mira, Royal Detective Gets a Royally Cool Premiere—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Disney Junior’s newest animated series prepares to premiere next month, and Disneyland offers up a glimpse into what to expect from their latest parade… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective Premieres in the U.S. and India Next Month!

There’s a new animated series, fit for royalty and sure to delight, coming soon… Our pals at Disney Junior just announced that Mira, Royal Detective will premiere in the U.S. on Friday, March 20, (11 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior). The very same day, Disney Channel India will debut a sneak-peek at the show—followed by the series premiere on Sunday, March 22. And following its premiere in the U.S. and India, the series will roll out to an estimated 160 countries on Disney Channel and Disney Junior platforms worldwide. (Pretty cool, right?) Hear from some of the show’s all-star cast in the video, above.

Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, Mira, Royal Detective introduces viewers to a brave and resourceful girl named Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen. Along with her friend Prince Neel, cousin Priya, and mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, Mira sets out on mystery-solving adventures that highlight and encourage critical thinking and deductive reasoning. Each episode of the show (created for kids age 2-7 and their families) is comprised of two 11-minute stories that celebrate the cultures and customs of India by incorporating authentic food, fashion, language, and art; reflecting their importance in Indian culture, music and dance play an integral role in Mira, Royal Detective—with each ep featuring at least one original song and dance number that showcases the diversity of the culture.

The series—which has already been ordered for a second season—stars Freida Pinto, Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Simone, Jameela Jamil, Aparna Nancherla, Aasif Mandvi, Karan Soni, Maulik Pancholy, Sarayu Blue, and Sarita Choudhury. Newcomer Leela Ladnier stars as the voice of Mira, alongside additional cast members Roshni Edwards, Kamran Lucas, Karan Brar, Parvesh Cheena, and Sonal Shah. Leading up to the big premiere, look for a new mash-up music video of the series’ main title song and Mira’s song, “We’re on the Case,” debuting Friday, February 21, on DisneyMusicVevo… and keep your eyes peeled for a Mira, Royal Detective-based hidden object game coming soon to the DisneyNOW app.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
February 13, 2020
Attend The Call of the Wild Red Carpet Premiere in Hollywood!
February 15, 2020
D23 Magical Screening Series: The Three Caballeros 75th at Walt Disney World
February 16, 2020
D23 Magical Screening Series: The Three Caballeros 75th Near Washington, D.C.
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 14, 2020
Mickey’s of Glendale – March 2020
August 9, 2020
Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise Presented by D23
Parks
January 17—February 24, 2020
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
February 28—April 21, 2020
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns to 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
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
February 14, 2020 (8 p.m. EST/PST)
ZOMBIES 2 premieres on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW
February 16, 2020 (8 p.m. EST/ 7 p.m CST)
American Idol returns to ABC
Disney+
February 7, 2020
Timmy Failure premieres
February 14, 2020
Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings premieres
February 21, 2020
Star Wars: The Clone Wars premieres
March 13, 2020
Stargirl premieres

Here’s a Colorful First Look at the New Magic Happens Parade

In just a few weeks’ time, an incredible new daytime spectacular is coming to Disneyland park—and our good pals over at Disney Parks Blog just revealed a sneak peek; see some of what’s sure to make Magic Happens magically awesome in the new clip, above.

The parade’s opening sequence will feature Mickey Mouse (in a brand-new costume, based on his iconic Fantasia look) leading the way on a gleaming float that includes a 15-foot-tall representation of Mickey’s sorcerer hat! Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n Dale are also along for the ride as the parade opens, and a host of eclectic contemporary dancers—known as “magic makers,” representing aspects of that iconic “Disney magic” we love—will glide along the route as well.

Magic Happens will debut at Disneyland on February 28, and we seriously can’t wait!

The Mighty Ducks

Emilio Estevez and Lauren Graham to Star in Disney+ Series The Mighty Ducks

Yes, you read that correctly: There’s a new series coming to Disney+ based on the beloved ’90s franchise of the same name… TV veteran Lauren Graham has been cast in the lead role in (and is also a co-executive producer for) The Mighty Ducks, a 10-episode original series that begins production this month in Vancouver. And Coach Gordon Bombay himself will be lacing up his skates once again: Emilio Estevez is reprising his iconic role in the series, coming to the streaming service later this year.

“Once a Duck, always a Duck!,” said Emilio Estevez, “and after 25 years, I am delighted to lace up my skates, put on Coach Bombay’s jacket, and return to play the iconic character for this new chapter in The Mighty Ducks franchise. Likewise, I am thrilled to return to my old stomping grounds with my friends at Disney and Steve Brill, the original creator of the franchise, to join them on their exciting new platform, Disney+.”

Set in present-day Minnesota, the Mighty Ducks have evolved from scrappy underdogs to an ultra-competitive, powerhouse youth hockey team. But after 12-year-old Evan (Brady Noon) is unceremoniously cut from the team, he and his mom Alex (Graham) set out to build their own ragtag team of misfits to challenge the cutthroat, win-at-all-costs culture of competitive youth sports.

Steve Brill—the original creator, writer, and executive producer of all three films, which spawned an NHL franchise—is back as co-creator and executive producer of the series. Stay tuned for more on The Mighty Ducks as additional details are revealed.

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Coming to FASTPASS and MaxPass at Disneyland Park

For Disneyland Resort guests, the chance to fly the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” is about to get easier! Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will soon be added to Disney FASTPASS. And just this week, Disney FASTPASS begins on two other beloved attractions: Autopia in Disneyland park and Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! in Disney California Adventure park.

Once Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is added to the FASTPASS lineup, Disney FASTPASS will be available for more than 20 popular attractions—including Space Mountain, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, and Toy Story Midway Mania!, as well as entertainment across the Disneyland Resort. That means less time waiting in line, and more time exploring the magic!

And don’t forget: For those guests looking to maximize their day, there’s Disney MaxPass—an add-on you can purchase for your theme park ticket with the ability to make digital Disney FASTPASS selections (for select attractions and entertainment) right from your smartphone… plus the ability to download an unlimited number of Disney PhotoPass photos from your day.

For more info, make sure to download the Disneyland app. Perhaps we’ll see you in Batuu?

ICYMI: How Pixar Created Its Own Brand of Magic in Onward

We’ll all soon get to meet the Lightfoot brothers in Disney and Pixar’s Onward. Recently, D23 was lucky enough to visit Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA, for a behind-the-scenes look—click here to see what director Dan Scanlon, producer Kori Rae, and other members of the Onward team have to say about their magical movie-making experience…

The Cast of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Reveals Their Favorite Episodes of the Series

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Sure, patience is the key to the Force, but we’re still Padawans when it comes to waiting for season 7 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars to debut on Disney+. February 21 can’t get here soon enough—but until then, we’ll be marathoning our favorite episodes of the beloved series. If you’re looking for some Clone War episodes to add to your next binge watching sesh, who better to ask for recommendations than the cast of Star Wars: The Clone Wars themselves? We chatted with Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Captain Rex), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), and Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker) about some of their favorite episodes from the past six seasons—which is a difficult challenge for a series jam-packed with epic action, emotional arcs, and out-of-this-world surprises!

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Seasons 2-5 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars

The Deserter (Season 2, Episode 10)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Dee Bradley Baker (Captain Rex):
“I can’t choose just one, but let me choose just one. I really love the episode of The Deserter, where Rex meets Cut Lawquane, who is a clone with a family. Rex is still pretty by-the-numbers, and he’s resistant to the idea of a clone walking away from his military engagement to start a family on his own—and this was when Cut’s whole company died and so he just walked away. Rex sees there may be a different way of viewing what is happening to the clones—and it also loosens up his by-the-book attitude about things. A little improv doesn’t hurt! I think that continues to play out as The Clones Wars plays out. That was an important episode for Rex and what makes the clones interesting.” 

The Mortis Arc (Season 3, Episodes 15-17)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker)
“I always go back to the Mortis Trilogy—it was so different from anything we’ve ever done! It was so cerebral. Almost at risk of being too cerebral. It stood out to me because there’s a lot of heavy character work for Anakin. Also, performance-wise, we got to dig a little deeper than we typically did, and it revealed a lot. It really went into the Force and the mythos behind Star Wars, so that arc always stands out to me.”

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano):
“I personally love the Mortis Arc. I think it’s such a beautiful arc—Ahsoka goes to the Dark Side, there’s younger Ahsoka and older Ahsoka. It’s a real emotional ride for her. She actually dies in that arc and The Daughter brings her back to life! Not to mention the story and the animation are just beautiful. I personally love that arc.” 

Padawan Lost (Season 3, Episode 22)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Ashley Eckstein:
“Oh gosh, I have so many favorites! It’s hard to pick just one. I feel like Ahsoka really came into her own at the end of season three and the arc with Chewbacca. It was one of the first times where she was truly without Anakin and she had to rely on what he taught her to save her life and other lives as well. That was a true defining moment for her.”

The Wrong Jedi (Season 5, Episode 20)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Matt Lanter:
“When [Anakin’s] losing Ahsoka, and she’s walking away from the Jedi Order, it’s a beautiful shot. He’s trying to convince her to stay, but at the same time he’s relating to her. Anakin’s grown up a little bit, and he has more responsibility. And he says something like, ‘I understand—more than you know, I understand what it’s like.’ That speaks a lot because we see that in Revenge of the Sith, where he feels never really accepted—he always feels like he’s a bit on the outside.”

Ashley Eckstein:
“Ahsoka walking away from the Jedi order at the end of season five is personally my favorite moment in the first five seasons of Clone Wars. The whole arc of Ahsoka being put on trial, being found innocent, and then walking away is probably my favorite arc of the series.”

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Read more from the cast of Star Wars: The Clone Wars in our latest issue of Disney twenty-three, the exclusive magazine for D23 Gold Members. Find out more information here.