Pan-seared Salmon Recipe from Disneyland’s Blue Bayou

By D23 Team

As a special treat, our friends at Disney Editions have served up three of delightful recipes for us from their cookbook, Delicious Disney: The Fresh Edition. So while you wait for your next Disney excursion—after all author Pam Brandon’s book is on-sale as an exclusive souvenir only available at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts—feast your eyes on these delicious dishes, Disney-style. This week, we have the perfect entrée for your next soiree.

Click here for the starter recipe.

delicious disney book cover

Pan-seared Salmon, with Tomato Caper Relish, Sautéed Spinach, and Basil Beurre Blanc
DISNEYLAND PARK
BLUE BAYOU RESTAURANT

Crickets chirp, frogs croak, and it’s always twilight at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, a Disneyland Park favorite. Cajun- and Creole-inspired cuisine is on the menu, and luxurious beurre blanc sauce adds New Orleans flair to this dish. The sauce works well with all types of fish.

SERVES 4

TOMATO CAPER RELISH:
1 small tomato, diced
1 small onion, diced 2 tablespoons capers
1/4 cup olive oil
5 basil leaves, chiffonade
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste

BASIL BEURRE BLANC:
4 cups loosely packed fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup Chardonnay
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon water
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste

GOAT CHEESE MASHED POTATOES:
2 pounds red potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese

PAN-SEARED SALMON:
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin removed
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil

SAUTÉED SPINACH:
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups spinach
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste

GARNISH:
4 tablespoons microgreens, optional

FOR TOMATO CAPER RELISH:

  1. Combine tomato, onion, capers, olive oil, and basil leaves in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Set aside until ready to serve.

FOR BASIL BEURRE BLANC:

  1. Combine basil, chives, garlic, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Blend until herbs and garlic are finely chopped. Add oil and blend until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Heat Chardonnay over medium heat in a medium saucepan for 5 minutes, until reduced by half. Add in heavy cream and continue cooking for 7 minutes, until reduced by another quarter. Add reserved basil mixture and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until fully mixed.
  3. Whisk cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Return heavy cream mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk in cornstarch mixture and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until sauce begins to thicken.
  4. Pour sauce through a fine-mesh strainer and whisk in room temperature butter.
  5. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.

FOR GOAT CHEESE MASHED POTATOES:

  1. Place potatoes in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
  2. Drain potatoes and place in a large bowl. Mash with butter, heavy cream, and salt.
  3. Fold in goat cheese. Keep warm until ready to serve.

FOR PAN-SEARED SALMON:

  1. Season salmon with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a sauté pan over medium heat for 5 minutes, until hot. Cook salmon for 3 minutes on each side, until desired doneness. Keep warm until ready to serve.

FOR SAUTÉED SPINACH:

  1. Heat oil until shimmering in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add spinach and sauté just until spinach begins to wilt.
  2. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and keep warm until ready to serve.

TO SERVE:
Evenly divide potatoes on 4 serving plates. Drizzle 1/4 cup of basil beurre blanc around the edge of the potatoes. Top with spinach, then salmon. Spoon tomato caper relish on top of salmon and garnish with 1 tablespoon of microgreens, if desired.

GALLERY: Celebrate 90 Years of the Mickey Mouse Comic Strip

By Savannah Salazar

You may know Mickey Mouse’s rise to fame through cartoons like Steamboat Willie and Plane Crazy, but his appearances in comic strips further helped to launch Mickey’s star power into the pop culture stratosphere. From screen to the page, working with King Features Syndicate, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks worked together to bring Mickey onto the funny pages across the country—and the first Mickey Mouse comic strip was distributed 90 years ago! To celebrate, we’ve rounded up some comic strips throughout the years!

You can read more about Mickey Mouse’s very first appearance in comic strips here.

Every Disney Oscar® Nominee for 2020

By Beth Deitchman

Who will the 92nd Oscars® go to? We’re officially one step closer to finding out, with nominations for this year’s Academy Awards® announced this morning live from the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The Walt Disney Company’s portfolio of brands combined for a total of 23 nominations in 15 categories. Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 is among the nominees for best Animated Feature Film and is also nominated in the best Original Song category for “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” (with music and lyrics by Disney Legend Randy Newman), along with Frozen 2’s anthem “Into the Unknown,” featuring music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

Fox Searchlight Pictures’ Jojo Rabbit is among the nominees for Best Picture and received six nods in all. Ford v Ferrari, from 20th Century Fox, received four nominations, and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is represented in three categories, including John Williams for best Original Score.

Congratulations to all of The Walt Disney Company’s Oscar nominees:

ford v ferrari still

Best Picture
Ford v Ferrari—Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and James Mangold, Producers
Jojo Rabbit—Carthew Neal and Taika Waititi, Producers

Actress in a Supporting Role
Scarlett Johansson—Jojo Rabbit

toy story 4

Animated Feature Film
Toy Story 4—Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen, and Jonas Rivera

Costume Design
Jojo Rabbit—Mayes C. Rubeo

Film Editing
Ford v Ferrari—Michael McCusker and Andrew Buckland
Jojo Rabbit—Tom Eagles

Original Score
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—John Williams

kitbull

Animated Short Film
Kitbull—Rosana Sullivan and Kathryn Hendrickson

star wars the rise of skywalker

Sound Editing
Ford v Ferrari—Donald Sylvester
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—Matthew Wood and David Acord

Sound Mixing
Ad Astra—Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson, and Mark Ulano
Ford v Ferrari—Paul Massey, David Giammarco, and Steven A. Morrow

Documentary (Feature)
The Cave—Feras Fayyad, Kirstine Barfod, and Sigrid Dyekjær

maleficent mistress of evil

Makeup and Hairstyling
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil—Paul Gooch, Arjen Tuiten, and David White

frozen 2 still

Original Song
“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from Toy Story 4—Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“I’m Standing with You” from Breakthrough—Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
“Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2—Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Production Design
Jojo Rabbit—Production Design: Ra Vincent, Set Decoration: Nora Sopková

the lion king

Visual Effects
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame—Dan DeLeeuw, Russell Earl, Matt Aitken, and Dan Sudick
The Lion King—Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones, and Elliot Newman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—Roger Guyett, Neal Scanlan, Patrick Tubach, and Dominic Tuohy

Adapted Screenplay
Jojo Rabbit—Screenplay by Taika Waititi

“I’m humbled by our six nominations this morning. Thank you to the Academy for embracing Jojo Rabbit and its message. My congratulations and thanks go to the entire cast and crew,” said director, writer and producer Taika Waititi.

Scarlett Johansson was recognized in two categories this year—for best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Rosie Betzler, the title character’s mother in Jojo Rabbit, as well as Actress in a Leading Role for Marriage Story. She describes the films as highlights of her career, noting, “I am deeply humbled by the Academy’s recognition of my work, which would not have been possible without the support of the incredibly gifted actors and writer/directors that I’ve been so fortunate to collaborate with.”

Toy Story 4’s director, Josh Cooley, and producers, Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera, said, “Working on Toy Story 4 has been an incredible journey and a tremendous honor. We love these characters so much—they are like family to us. Our goal was to tell a story that explored the idea that our purpose is a moving target. It’s humbling how that message resonated with audiences around the world. We hope people have found it not only to be entertaining, but thoughtful as well.

“Of course it’s also a film about toys, which hopefully helps imbue the experience with humor and fun, as well as emotional depth. But for us, and our entire crew, when we receive an honor like today’s two nominations, it’s clear our purpose is to strive to tell great stories. Thank you Academy for this recognition—to infinity and beyond!”

“I’m very happy,” said Disney Legend Randy Newman of the nomination for his song “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away.” “I loved working with Josh Cooley on Toy Story 4. I’m proud of this song. I like it as well as any song I’ve written for a movie. I hope it wins.”

Frozen 2 songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez shared, “For us, ‘Into the Unknown’ is more than a song—it’s a culmination of a decade-long collaboration with the incredible artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios, led by our partners and friends Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck. We have been so lucky to work hand-in-hand almost daily for five years helping to craft the story and songs for Frozen 2. To be honored by the Academy once more means the world to us.”

Creature Effects Supervisor Neal Scanlan is nominated alongside Roger Guyett, Patrick Tubach and Dominic Tuohy for the visual effects in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the Skywalker Saga’s epic conclusion. “Unbelievable, I feel incredibly lucky and honored to be nominated,” he said. “For the entire team, it is confirmation that all of their commitment and hard work has been noticed and acknowledged at the highest level. The Rise of Skywalker is the last film in the trilogy and with that comes some sadness, however this nomination is a perfect way to finish.”

Find out who’ll take home the Oscars on Sunday, February 9, 2020, when the awards are presented at the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood. The festivities will be televised live on ABC beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Don’t Miss These Incredible New Trailers—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Take a first look at several much-anticipated films, including Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, and check out some breaking Sam Eagle news… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Meet Your New Fave Detective in Disney+’s Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Coming to Disney+ in just a few weeks is a brand-new film that looks hilariously quirky and completely entertaining… Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made will premiere on Friday, February 7—and just this week, Disney+ shared a sneak peek at the movie’s trailer.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Tom McCarthy, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made is based on the best-selling book of the same name (written by Stephan Pastis) and follows the exploits of pint-sized, straight-faced hero Timmy Failure (Winslow Fegley)—who, along with his 1,500-pound polar bear partner Total, operates Total Failure Inc., a Portland detective agency. The clueless but confident Timmy must navigate the world of adults around him, including his overburdened mother (Ophelia Lovibond), her well-meaning boyfriend (Kyle Bornheimer), his teacher/nemesis (Wallace Shawn), and a school-mandated guidance counselor (Craig Robinson), all in his quest to become the best detective in the world.

Don’t forget to add it to your (ever-burgeoning) Disney+ queue!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
January 17, 2020
Get VIP Tickets to Disney’s Frozen The Hit Broadway Musical
January 31, 2020
Disney’s Aladdin the Hit Broadway Musical VIP Tickets
August 9, 2020
Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise Presented by D23
Parks
January 17, 2020
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens at Disneyland park
January 17—February 9, 2020
Lunar New Year returns to Disney California Adventure park
January 17—February 24, 2020
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
February 28—April 21, 2020
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns to the 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
January 10, 2020 (8:45 p.m. ET)
The Owl House premieres on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW
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+
January 17, 2020
Diary of a Future President premieres
February 7, 2020
Timmy Failure premieres

sam eagle smokehouse

New Epcot Eatery Takes Inspiration From Muppet Stalwart Sam Eagle

Fans of Sam Eagle, that ever-so-patriotic (and occasionally semi-judgmental) Muppet, we have most excellent news: There’s a brand-new restaurant coming to The American Adventure pavilion inside Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort, and it’s taking its inspiration from our beloved blue bird of prey!

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue is a new fast-casual restaurant, and it’ll be the site for “Sam’s Centennial Cook-Off: A Salute to All Cook-Offs but Mostly Barbecue”; guests will be the beneficiaries of said contest—described as “a competition fit for all patriots and pit masters”—as it will offer a delicious variety of classic backyard barbecue selections from across the country that are “vying” for Sam’s top honor.

Collectors of Muppet memorabilia (you can’t see us raising our hand, but we are!) will also be delighted to learn that Sam Eagle will be incorporated into new Regal Eagle Smokehouse merchandise available exclusively at this exciting eatery.

Stay tuned for more information about the restaurant as we get closer to its big debut later this winter…

We’re Voting for This Brand-New Diary of a Future President Trailer

It’s an origin story for a Commander in Chief, told in a whole new—and wholly adorable—way. Disney+’s Diary of a Future President, set to debut in just about a week’s time, recently released a trailer introducing the world to future president Elena… if you haven’t already, check out the clip, above.

Told using the narration of Cuban American pre-teen Elena’s (newcomer Tess Romero) diary, this new family comedy follows her journey through the ups and downs of middle school, which set her on the path to becoming the president of the United States. Inspired by creator Ilana Peña’s (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) childhood and produced by Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin)—who also helmed the first episode and guest stars as grown-up Elena—Diary of a Future President premieres Friday, January 17.

ICYMI: How Does The Show Go On? with Thomas Schumacher

If you still have a gift card from the recent holidays burning a proverbial hole in your digital wallet, might we suggest a very cool book to peruse? It’s called How Does The Show Go On?, and it’s written by Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions. So, y’know, he knows a thing or two about theater. See what he has to say about the book right here at D23.com.

Freeform’s The Thing About Harry to Premiere on February 15

Hard to believe, but Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. (Which is particularly hard to fathom when someone’s Christmas tree might still be up… Judge us if you must; we’ve been busy!) And in honor of such an auspicious occasion of feel-good feels, Freeform recently announced that their brand-new romantic comedy, The Thing About Harry, will premiere Valentine’s Weekend—Saturday, February 15, at 8 p.m. EST/PST.

Directed by Peter Paige (Good Trouble, The Fosters), the film tells the story of high school enemies, uber-jock Harry and out-and-proud Sam, who are forced to share a car ride to their Missouri hometown for a friend’s engagement party on Valentine’s Day. Things take a turn when Sam learns Harry has come out. Stuck spending the night together in a roadside motel, Harry and Sam begin to develop a deep friendship—with neither admitting a potential romance may be brewing—leaving them wondering if one road trip could change the rest of their lives… Take a sneak peek of that fateful car ride in the teaser trailer, above.

Written by Paige and Josh Senter, The Thing About Harry stars Jake Borelli, Niko Terho, Britt Baron, Peter Paige, and Karamo. Tune in for some “rom-com” fun!

Who Are ABC’s The Baker and The Beauty? Watch This Trailer to Find Out!

Coming soon to ABC is an exciting new “modern-day fairy tale,” based on a popular Israeli series created by well-known TV host Assi Azar… and it’s set to debut later this spring!

As announced at this past week’s Television Critics Association (TCA) 2020 Winter Press Tour, ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty chronicles the adventures of relatable “everyman” Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk) who, after a night out on the town in his native Miami, meets international superstar Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelly). Daniel is working in the family bakery and doing everything his loving Cuban parents and siblings expect him to do—but after meeting Noa, his life suddenly moves into the spotlight. Will this unlikely couple upend their lives to be together and pull his family into a culture clash? Check out the new trailer for the flavor-filled show, above.

Look for The Baker and the Beauty—also starring Carlos Gómez as Rafael Garcia, Dan Bucatinsky as Lewis, Lisa Vidal as Mari Garcia, David Del Rio as Mateo Garcia, Belissa Escobedo as Natalie, and Michelle Veintimilla as Vanessa—beginning Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Find R2-D2 at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park

Looking to spend some time with the coolest astromech droid this side of Endor? Then make sure to keep your eyes peeled the next time you’re at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park, because R2-D2 is now roaming the grounds of Batuu! Get more info by clicking here.

 

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Playmaker Tim Federle Tells All About the Can’t-Miss Season Finale

By Beth Deitchman

It was truly the start of something new. Debuting on Disney+ at launch, in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series—shot at the real-life high school where the original High School Musical DCOM was filmed—Disney fans found what we’ve been looking for. Over the course of the documentary-style High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ first nine episodes, we’ve watched the East High students prepare to perform in their high school’s first-ever production of the iconic stage version. The season has been chockful of romance… rivalry… the most delightful drama both on- and off-stage… and an incredible soundtrack (that’s available in its entirety on January 10, when the finale premieres).

Ahead of Friday’s highly anticipated season ender, we sat down with the man who has had his head in the game and his heart in the song all season long, creator/executive producer Tim Federle. As fans wait to find out what will happen as Act Two gets underway, Federle talked about what to expect following last week’s incredible cliffhanger—which ended with “wonderstudy” E.J. (Matt Cornett) poised to take Ricky’s (Joshua Bassett) place on stage beside Nini (Olivia Rodrigo). He also shared favorite behind-the-scenes memories and even gave us a little inside scoop on what to expect from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ second season.

high school musical the musical the series cast

D23: Going into the finale, there are so many unanswered questions—from, “Will Nini leave East High for the conservatory?” and “Will Ricky leave the musical?” to “Who sent the ginormous bouquet of flowers?” Can fans expect the answer to all of these questions before the curtain falls on season one?

Tim Federle (TF): I think season finales are a chance to answer a lot of questions and give people some peace of mind. They’re also a chance to say, we’re just getting started. When we shot the season finale, I did not know if we had a season two, so as I gave my final tearful goodbye to the cast and crew in Utah back in July, [and] I said, “I don’t know what happens now. I only know that no matter what, we have this.” And so I wanted to keep the doors open wide enough that I could write season two, and hopefully beyond. But I also wanted to offer some amount of closure because we have done a lot of cliffhangers all season and I want the audience to rest—even as they hold their breath to find out certain things for next season.

D23: Even when the finale episode is over, there’s still more to come in an incredible end-credit sequence that showcases a member of the ensemble in a way we’ve never seen before. Can you share how that came to be?

TF: That end-credit sequence was one of the very first things I knew would be in the show when it was greenlit. And I knew it would be in the show because these actors have so many hidden talents, and one thing I wanted to show off and surprise people with is just how versatile they are.

olivia rodrigo and joshua bassett

D23: How would you say that the end of season one sets things up for season two?

TF: The biggest clue I would say is the story is never over. I would say for “Rini” [Ricky and Nini] fans, for “Rina” [Ricky and Gina] fans, and for fans of couples who we haven’t even seen get together yet, there’s so much to come in season two that I think is going to surprise people. 

D23: Are there any clues you might be able to offer about what musical is coming to East High next?

TF: The only thing I can really confirm is that we’re not doing High School Musical 2 as our onstage musical. But the beauty of telling a story in the space of high school theater is that there are so many shows to choose from that really show off our cast.

high school musical the musical the series cast

D23: When you create a TV series, you write, cast, and shoot a pilot—but then as you go on to make 10 episodes you discover new things about your characters and your story takes new twists that you might not have originally expected. What changed for you over the course of the season?

TF: The first thing that changed for me was recognizing that some of the most gifted storytellers on the show were standing five feet away from me—and they happened to be kids. [I also discovered] that Joshua and Olivia are both very accomplished young songwriters on their own. I recognized pretty early on that with talent like that, one of my jobs as a gatekeeper was to try to lower as many gates as possible and give them an opportunity to write a song—or multiple songs—for us.

Another thing that changed is the “Rina” coupling of Ricky and Gina. That was never intended to be something that took much of a spotlight in the show. Frankly, by dint of the extraordinary gifts of these actors I can kind of pair any of them in any way—whether that’s platonic or romantic—and something interesting happens. For Dara Reneé and Joe Serafini, who play Kourtney and Seb, I put them in a stairwell scene for half a page in episode 108 (the tech rehearsal), and all of a sudden I’m going, “Oh my gosh, I want to write more for these two. What a magical combination I didn’t see coming!”

D23: In musicals, the songs so often serve as the inner voice for the characters. What was the impact of Olivia and Josh playing Nini and Ricky and also writing the music and lyrics that were coming directly from their characters?

TF: It’s a high wire act because I’m taking a huge risk as a creator in asking a young person to put themselves out there for something that we might not end up using in the show. It’s a calculated risk, which is me putting my neck on the line and saying, “Trust me, Disney. Let’s give them a shot.” And to their credit, they knocked it out of the park. The other way it impacts things is Olivia Rodrigo is still in high school (and, by the way, she’s getting a 4.0 in her high school studies). But these are young people who are expected to show up in a hair and makeup trailer at 7 a.m., ready to know every line and be present all day, still get their homework in, and, in addition, put themselves out there as a creative person with a song and hope that it gets chosen. I try to create a really safe environment where people can fail and we’re still going to hold them up. That goes for the crew as well in Salt Lake City. I want it to be a place where ultimately people love to come to work.

olivia rodrigo and joshua bassett

D23: From D23 Expo to the series’ premiere, it seems like this has been an amazing ride. Do you have any favorite memories?

TF: I have a couple. One was the day that Joshua and Olivia first read for Ricky and Nini together, and there was such an undeniable spark that I felt we might just be lucky enough to re-create—or at least pay tribute to—some of the magic between Zac [Efron] and Vanessa [Hudgens].

There was also a moment during the homecoming episode when Frankie [Rodriguez, who plays choreographer Carlos] and Joe [Serafini, who plays Sharpay] were dancing together in the gym and the actors who were not called for that scene—in other words, they had the day off—came to set to watch the monitors. I remember that Matt Cornett and Joshua Bassett burst into tears watching Joe and Frankie dance. It was very meaningful to see them support each other and be there for each other and, I think, to witness a little bit of history that none of us grew up watching on TV.

And a final memory is just every time we were on break, you would hear from a corner of the set, Josh on his guitar, and all of the kids would burst into song, singing anything you could imagine. I remember thinking at the end of the day, the least I could do is write something as joyful as these kids are when they’re given a break. Those are moments I hold dear to my heart.

lucas grabeel and kate reinders

D23: This season we’ve seen KayCee Stroh, who played Martha in the High School Musical films, and we’ve seen Lucas Grabeel, who played Ryan… What kind of feedback have you heard from some of the other key players in the original franchise?

TF: Corbin Bleu has been such a vocal champion and supporter of the show, and really shouted from rooftops about it, starting right at D23 Expo 2019. It was great talking to Kenny Ortega at D23 Expo 2019—which is the actual most magical place on earth—and having him look me in the eye and say, “What you did with this is so fresh and new and it is just the way to extend this franchise.” Kenny doesn’t know this, but I auditioned for Newsies when I was nine and a half years old and I got a callback. I’ve never told that story to anybody! For me, to look at somebody who has always been a hero of mine in the musical movie and TV storytelling space, to be told you did it right, kid, gives me the pep in my step to keep marching forward into season two and hopefully beyond!

Want to hear what cast members Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett have to say about the epic finale? Listen to the latest episode of our D23 Inside Disney podcast now.

Get Early Access to the New, Limited Edition Mickey Plush Series

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Be among the first to commemorate the Year of the Mouse with the Limited Edition Golden Disney Mickey Mouse Plush. The first of 12 collectible large plush in the series, this exclusive Mickey Mouse celebrates the month of January. As Walt Disney famously said, “I only hope we never lose sight of one thing, that it was all started by a mouse.” Usher in the “Year of the Mouse” in gala style with your very own Golden Disney Mickey Mouse, sure to bring happiness and excitement in the New Year. Join in the year-long celebration of the grand adventures that have made Mickey Mouse a worldwide icon and endeared him in the hearts and minds of generations of fans, both young and young-at-heart.

If you want this magnificent Mickey to join your collection, you’re in luck! From January 9–12, D23 Members will be able to purchase this collectible plush before it is marketed wide.  Limited quantities available.

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Plus—stay tuned every month for a brand-new Mickey plush design! Starting in February, on the first Thursday of every month through December 2020, a new Mickey plush in the series will be available on Amazon for order. D23 Members will be among the first to see each month’s theme and have an opportunity to order the month’s design.

Get January’s Golden Disney Mickey Mouse plush for EXCLUSIVE early purchase here. You must be signed in as a D23 Member to access the early purchase. Click Sign In at the top of the page.

Get an Exclusive Look at the New Magic Coming to Disney Channel in The Owl House

By Beth Deitchman

The new animated fantasy-comedy series The Owl House, which makes its Disney Channel (and DisneyNOW) debut Friday, January 10 (8:45 p.m. EST), is a vibrant celebration of life outside the box. The series is centered around Luz, a teenage girl with a fondness for scary stories and anime, whose teachers and mother believe that her imagination has gotten “out of hand.” With the help of a mysterious owl, Luz stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm where she meets Eda the Owl Lady, the (self-proclaimed) “most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles,” and tiny King, who was once a mighty ruler until his crown of power was stolen.

“I’m very much interested in horror and scary movies and I wanted to develop a show for kids that felt surreal and nightmarish but was still fun and exciting to watch,” shares Dana Terrace, The Owl House’s creator/executive producer.

Terrace has also had a fascination for owls since childhood, and she reveals that she was drawn to the bird because it’s so often misjudged. She tells D23, “When I was younger, I learned that owls seem wise to humans because they have front-facing eyes like we do, so we see intelligence in that. But in reality, they’re actually super dumb.”

Luz, who is voiced by Sarah-Nicole Robles (Billy Dilley’s Super-Duper Subterranean Summer, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure), is also frequently misunderstood by the adults in her life as they try to rein in her creativity, which is often inspired by fantasy novels and horror movies. “I see her as someone who’s trying to make sense of herself and make sense of the world around her, and at the same time help those around her—and that kind of makes her more heroic,” Terrace says of this unconventional hero. “She’s kind of just a regular, weird little teenager.”

the owl house still

Wendie Malick (ABC’s American Housewife) voices Eda with what Terrace describes as “the right balance of wisdom, experience, and sass.” And Terrace, whose Disney career began on Gravity Falls (and also includes a stint as director of the Emmy®-nominated DuckTales), had only one choice to play the indescribable yet adorable King: “I always knew that Alex Hirsch was going to be King,” she says. “On Gravity Falls, I used to see him pitch and voice act a lot, and he just had the most hilarious delivery to everything.”

The character designs for The Owl House are largely inspired by anime, and the mysterious realm is populated by a bizarre group of otherworldly characters who, along with Eda and King, become a kind of family for Luz as she studies magic under Eda’s tutelage.

The Owl House’s creative team was driven to humanize the series’ fantastical characters and make them feel like “normal day-to-day people. It just so happens that one has three eyes and one has a mouth for a face,” Ricky Cometa, The Owl House‘s art director, shares.

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For both Terrace and Cometa, the show’s “found family” parallels the tight-knit community they’ve become part of through their art. “I always felt like, oh, I’m too weird for my hometown and no one gets me,” Terrace, who hails originally from Connecticut, shares. “It wasn’t until I came out here [to Los Angeles] that I was like, ‘Ah, my people!’”

Terrace enlisted Cometa to help design a world that would be home to not just the Owl House—a place where Luz feels she can truly be herself—but the dreaded Conformatorium, a prison-like place for people who don’t fit in and are considered “unsuitable for society.” The Owl House’s surrealist-inspired look is influenced by artists such as Hieronymus Bosch, Remedios Varo, and John Bauer. “We wanted to make this place feel off-putting and a little weird, but still feel like home. There’s little bit of eeriness to it, but also a lot of comfort,” Cometa points out.

Viewers will be as captivated by the Owl House as Luz is. It’s filled with trinkets and treasures that Eda has collected—or conjured—and there’s much to look at in every frame. “Every little detail is there for a reason, is all I can say,” Terrace teases.

We’re happy to hoot that a second season of The Owl House is already in the works! And before you meet owl of the new faces on Disney Channel tomorrow night, meet Luz, Eda, and King—and get your first look at the dreaded Conformatorium—in this exclusive clip:

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Magical, Must-See Art from Walt Disney World’s Brand-New Riviera Resort

By the D23 Team

The newest resort at Walt Disney World is a charming hotel inspired by Europe—imagined by Disney! Inspired by Walt Disney’s travels, the resort features a unique collection of signature art, including more than 40 original works of art created by Disney and Pixar artists. The art is influenced by the Mediterranean region’s unique and renown art history—plus the gorgeous art of your Disney favorites. We’ve selected some of the hotel’s notable works for you to check out in the gallery below. Enchanted by what you see? Find out more information on Disney’s Riviera Resort here.

Every Major Announcement from ABC at the 2020 Winter TCAs

By Zach Johnson

In connection with the ABC portion of the 2020 Winter Press Tour, several exciting network announcements regarding new and returning series were made today. From finales (How to Get Away with Murder and Modern Family) to premieres (The Baker and the Beauty) to live events (The Emmy® Awards and Young Frankenstein Live!), it’s shaping up to be a major year! With a handful of pilot orders, revivals, and sequels, ABC has a little of something for everybody.

Modern Family
Currently in its 11th and final season, ABC announced today that the Emmy® Award-winning series will air its farewell episode on Wednesday, April 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. In addition, ABC is giving fans the power to program an entire night filled with their favorite Modern Family episodes, set to air Wednesday, March 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The night will kick off with the pilot episode, followed by five additional fan-chosen episodes, giving viewers a chance to gather their families for the ultimate Modern Family binge and relive some of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan’s most hilarious, jaw-dropping, and monumental moments. Voting will begin Monday, February 3, via a daily poll from the show’s Twitter handle and conclude Friday, February 7. Each day, a different selection of episodes will be made available to choose from.

baker and the beauty cast

The Baker and the Beauty
Beginning Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, ABC’s compelling new modern-day fairy tale will take viewers on a flavor-filled adventure between relatable everyman Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk) and international superstar Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley). Daniel is working in the family bakery and doing everything his loving Cuban parents and siblings expect him to do… but when he meets Noa on a wild night in Miami, his life suddenly moves into the spotlight. Will this unlikely couple upend their lives to be together and pull his family into a culture clash?

The series also stars Carlos Gómez as Rafael Garcia, Dan Bucatinsky as Lewis, Lisa Vidal as Mari Garcia, David Del Rio as Mateo Garcia, Belissa Escobedo as Natalie, and Michelle Veintimilla as Vanessa. The Baker and the Beauty is based on the Israeli show by Assi Azar, originally for Keshet Broadcasting; Dean Georgaris is the series’ writer, executive producer, and showrunner.

The Conners
ABC will air a special live episode of top-rated comedy the night of the New Hampshire primary, Tuesday, February 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The cast will perform the episode live for both the East and West coast broadcasts. ABC News’ coverage of the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary will be incorporated into the story in real time as the results roll in during the evening.

The live episode will find Mark (Ames McNamara) watching the results of the primary for a school report with Harris (Emma Kenney), who is indifferent to the electoral process and believes money’s influence in politics makes real change impossible. The rest of the Conners share their differing takes on why they all think everyone should vote, including their working-class perspective that you may have to vote for a candidate you don’t love but one that will hurt you the least. All of this happens against the backdrop of romance when Louise (guest star Katey Sagal) gets an opportunity that might send her away from Lanford, prompting the family to interfere in Dan’s (John Goodman) complicated relationship with her by throwing Louise a surprise going-away party—creating major new tensions between Dan and his two daughters.

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How to Get Away with Murder
Returning for its six-episode killer farewell event on Thursday, April 2, How to Get Away with Murder is currently in its sixth and final season. The explosive series finale will air Thursday, May 14, at 10:01 p.m. ET/PT. The fall finale ended on a cliffhanger, as Wes Gibbons (Alfred Enoch)—who was previously presumed dead—was seen in a flash-forward at Annalise Keating’s (Viola Davis) funeral, fueling further speculation of “Who Killed Annalise?” The back-half of the season will pick up where the fall finale left off in the present-day storyline as Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King) and Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee) are arrested for the murder of Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry). Meanwhile, Annalise was last seen fleeing Philadelphia after news broke that she is under criminal investigation. Executive produced by creator Pete Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, and Stephen Cragg, the drama also stars Billy Brown as Detective Nate Lahey, Charlie Weber as Frank Delfino, Liza Weil as Bonnie Winterbottom, Conrad Ricamora as Oliver Hampton, Rome Flynn as Gabriel Maddox, and Amirah Vann as Tegan Price.

Young Frankenstein Live!
The network will debut its latest live musical event this fall with Young Frankenstein Live! (working title), produced by the legendary director, writer, actor, comedian, producer, and composer Mel Brooks. The announcement comes on the heels of ABC’s recent spectacular, The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live!, which was the most-watched made-for-TV musical on any network in nearly four years and the week’s No. 1 entertainment show. Based on the Broadway stage version of Young Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein Live! will follow Brooks’ and Gene Wilder’s comedic reimagining of the Mary Shelley classic novel. The live production will feature music from the stage adaptation, as originally composed by Brooks.

An airdate and cast announcement will be made at a later date.

shark tank cast

Shark Tank and American Housewife
Shark Tank, the critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning entrepreneurial-themed reality show currently in its 11th season, returns to its Friday time slot on February 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT; American Housewife will move to a new night beginning Wednesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The Emmy® Awards
The ceremony will return to ABC, airing live coast to coast from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 20, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). Host(s) and producers for the telecast will be announced at a later date. Nominations for the 72nd Emmy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, July 14. The 2020 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, honoring outstanding artistic and technical achievements in television, will take place over two consecutive nights—Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13—at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart
ABC further expands its hit-making Bachelor franchise with The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart, premiering Monday, April 13, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Twenty single men and women will embark on an incredible journey to find love through music. Singing well-known songs, both individually and as couples, they will look to form attractions through the melodies, find and reveal their feelings, and eventually fall in love. The eligible singles will live together and go on Bachelor-style dates that focus on music. Once the couples commit to each other, it will be time to take their relationship to the next level. Their bonds will be tested through musical challenges, including live performances judged by some of the biggest names in the music business. Ultimately, the couples whose performances reveal their love and devotion to one another will continue to be given a chance to further their relationships until just one couple is left standing.

Supermarket Sweep
ABC is bringing back the classic TV game show, hosted and executive produced by Leslie Jones. The fast-paced and energetic series follows three teams of two as they battle it out using their grocery shopping skills and knowledge of merchandise to win big cash prizes. The original format aired on ABC from 1965–67 and went on to become a global sensation. It was adapted in 13 international territories and, most recently, relaunched in the UK. Production on the 10-episode order begins this spring. A premiere date will be announced later. “I’ve always dreamed of being on Supermarket Sweep. Seriously, I tried out for the show years ago, and after getting turned away, I knew I’d have to take matters into my own hands,” Jones says. “Being able to bring the iconic game show back to life on ABC is my ultimate redemption story!”

jimmy kimmel

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which debuted in January 2000, Jimmy Kimmel will be stepping into prime time as host of a special run of episodes featuring celebrity contestants playing for charity. Additionally, an interactive game will allow viewers to play along at home. The game show will premiere on Wednesday, April 8. For the first time in the history of the U.S. franchise, competing celebrities can invite a guest in the hot seat to help them answer questions. Celebrity players will be announced at a later date.

The show’s original executive producer, Michael Davies, is returning to run the series. “My professional career has been inextricably linked with Jimmy’s since the days of Win Ben Stein’s Money, and he was one of the first-ever celebrity contestants on Millionaire in its original run,” Davies says. “I can’t wait to work with him on this dynamic new version of the show that changed my life and the fortunes of so many who benefitted from and simply loved the game.”

Brides
ABC has picked up a new drama from executive producer/writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Berlanti Productions, and Warner Bros. Television to pilot, with Maggie Kiley set to direct. The Brides, a sexy contemporary reimagining of Dracula, is a family drama with a trio of powerful female leads. With strong horror elements, The Brides is a vampire soap about empowered, immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy—and their family.

thirtysomething(else)
The sequel to the groundbreaking series thirtysomething received a pilot pickup from ABC. The show will follow an ensemble of new faces playing the grown-up, 30-something children of the original cast reprised by Ken Olin (Michael Steadman), Mel Harris (Hope Murdoch), Timothy Busfield (Elliot Weston), and Patty Wettig (Nancy Weston). Apparently, raising children (even grown children) never ends, but who could have known how hard it would be for them to raise their parents? During its original run from 1987–91, thirtysomething became a cultural phenomenon, garnering 13 Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe® Awards. Showrunners and creators Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick return to bring thirtysomething(else) to life under their Bedford Falls Co. banner along with MGM Television, with Zwick also set to direct.

 

R2-D2 Now Roaming Around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park

By Zach Johnson

This is the droid you’re looking for!

The next time you’re at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, keep an eye out for everyone’s favorite astromech droid: R2-D2! A skilled starship mechanic and fighter pilot’s assistant, the sidekick now is exploring Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.

R2-D2 arrived days before Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens at Disneyland Resort on January 17, following its opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

r2d2

If you want to bring a droid companion home, visit Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in either park and build your own. Choose from either an R-series or BB-series as parts come and go on conveyor belts. Then, place your finished droid in an activation station to bring it to life. Droids can be further customized with personality-affiliation chips, color panels, and more accessories. Watch it interact with other droids and other elements throughout Black Spire Outpost. Droid Depot offers reservations up to 60 days in advance via the websites or the apps.