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

January 8, 2020January 9, 2020

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.

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.

8 Movies on Disney+ to Introduce to Your Kids

January 8, 2020January 8, 2020

By Savannah Salazar

As a parent there is a sense of responsibility in passing on what you have learned—morals, experiences, fond memories and in this case, even your favorite films. With many movies and shows from years past now streaming and available with the click of a button, it’s easier than ever to share movies near and dear to our hearts. We’ve rounded up a number of films that would be perfect to introduce to your kids of any age, so check it out below! Do you see any of your favorites?

1. The Love Bug (1969)
Herbie raced into our hearts in the late sixties with The Love Bug. Following the tales of race-driver Jim Douglas, a little white Volkswagen Beetle turns his bad luck around in this hilarious romp. Exciting races, cool tricks and an unlikely friendship are at the center of this fun action-adventure for the family.

2. The Muppet Movie (1979)
The Muppets have been part of our popular culture lexicon since the mid-50’s, but this ’79 classic was their break onto the big screen! With Kermit the Frog, Fozzie, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, and the whole Muppet gang on hand, this movie is a most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational introduction to the Muppets.

3. Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
Based on the novel of the same name, the Robinson family experience the adventure of a life-time after being shipwrecked and left to create a home on a deserted island. Encounters with treacherous pirates and exotic animals make for great thrills and fun in this beloved action movie.

4. The Parent Trap (1961)
Before Lindsey Lohan’s 1998 remake, there was The Parent Trap starring Disney Legend Hayley Mills. After her film debut in 1960’s Pollyanna, Mills went on to star in her biggest role yet, where she played twin sisters who scheme to reunite their divorced parents—played by Brian Keith and Maureen O’Hara.

5. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
People make mistakes, big and small, but maybe not like Wayne Szalinski, who, well, accidentally shrinks his kids. After a glitch with his electromagnetic shrinking machine, his now ¼-inch-tall children have to navigate through sprinklers, bees, lawnmowers, and more as they try to make their way back home.

6. The Rocketeer (1991)
Before the heart-pumping Marvel Cinematic Universe, there was the big-screen superhero known as the Rocketeer. Set in 1930s Hollywood, the story follows test pilot Cliff Secord as he comes across a top-secret jetpack, launching him into a new world of suspense, excitement and plenty of villains, including a secret Nazi spy.

7. Cool Runnings (1993)
This 1993 film inspires people of all ages to race toward their dreams, literally. Based on a true story, these four Jamaican athletes trade their running shoes for bobsleds to compete in the Winter Olympics. Comedic hijinks ensue as this oddball team comes together for a shot at the gold!

8. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
It’s a contemporary spin on a classic Shakespearean tale, The Taming of the Shrew—who knew a teenage rom-com could be so educational? This film stars Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, both starring in roles that helped launch their star status, in a memorable will-they-or-won’t-they. Stiles plays Kat, a stubborn and intelligent teen while newcomer Patrick (played by Ledger) vies for her affection.

The Walt Disney Archives Kicks off 50th Anniversary with Throwback Screening of Fantasia

January 8, 2020

By Savannah Salazar

The Walt Disney Archives has a huge year ahead. Marking 50 years of preserving the magic here at The Walt Disney Company, the Archives is hosting a yearlong celebration—with a special exhibit at the Bowers Museum, events and tours at The Walt Disney Studios lot, and more! Kicking off the magical milestone, the Archives and the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood are partnering for special El Cap Throwback screenings throughout the year.

On January 11, join the Archives for a special opening day presentation as they screen Fantasia, a Disney classic featuring the popular Mickey Mouse short The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and other memorable shorts. Before the screening, guests will be treated to an introduction by the Archives and have the chance to see an exclusive display of memorabilia from the film. For more information and to buy tickets, check out the El Capitan Theatre’s website here.

Stunning Concept Art from the Avatar Sequels Revealed

January 7, 2020January 7, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

There’s already so much to explore in the world of Avatar, whether you’re rewatching the groundbreaking film on Disney+ or spending the day exploring Pandora—The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Soon the world will get even bigger! Revealed recently by director James Cameron, these pieces of concept art offer a sneak peek at what’s to be explored in the upcoming Avatar sequels.

The Walt Disney Company Celebrates the 2020 Golden Globe® Awards

January 7, 2020January 7, 2020

By Zach Johnson

They’re the toast of the town!

In December, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) recognized The Walt Disney Company’s portfolio of brands with 17 nominations in 11 categories at the 77th Annual Golden Globe® Awards. Sunday’s ceremony, hosted by Ricky Gervais in California, is one of the few award shows to honor achievements in film and television.

Congratulations are in order for the following winners:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series—Comedy or Musical
Ramy Youssef, Ramy (Hulu)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon (FX)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Patricia Arquette, The Act (Hulu)

After the ceremony ended, some of the biggest names in Hollywood celebrated at The Walt Disney Company’s Post-Golden Globe Awards Show Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. To see everyone from Cynthia Erivo to Tom Hanks, flip through the gallery now.

Mushroom Arancini Recipe From Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

January 7, 2020January 6, 2020

As cookbook author Pam Brandon writes, “Vacations are often a time for indulgence, and a meal shared around a table on holiday is often the best time of day, especially for families who ‘divide and conquer’ the theme park experience—and then gather at day’s end to share stories and memorable moments.” In Brandon’s newest cookbook, Delicious Disney: The Fresh Edition, she serves up a collection of mouth-watering recipes from interesting venues across the domestic Disney Parks and Resorts. “Once you’re back home, we hope you can have fun, amaze your family and friends, and rekindle a memory around your own table,” she notes in her book.

As a special treat, our friends at Disney Editions have served up three of the book’s delightful recipes for us, which we’ll be sharing during the month of January. So while you wait for your next Disney excursion—after all, 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. Check back next week to see the next recipe!

Mushroom Arancini
DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT
CÍTRICOS

With an open kitchen and airy dining room, Cítricos offers a taste of the Mediterranean, like these crispy, deep-fried balls of rice. (The name “arancini” comes from the little oranges that these rice balls are said to resemble.) Carnaroli rice is best for making the appetizer, as it keeps its shape better, thanks to a higher starch content and firmer texture.

MAKES 16

POMA ROSA SAUCE:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon sliced garlic
28-ounce can tomato puree
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more to taste
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 pinch sugar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 teaspoon sliced fresh chives

ROASTED MUSHROOMS:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pint cremini mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
1 small shallot, sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 small sprig fresh rosemary
1 sprig fresh thyme
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste

ARANCINI:
3 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh thyme
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, finely diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup carnaroli rice
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped roasted mushrooms (from recipe)
Coarse salt, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tablespoon sliced fresh chives
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 cups panko bread crumbs

FOR POMA ROSA SAUCE:

Combine oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until garlic turns golden, being careful not to burn garlic. Add tomato puree and red pepper flakes.
Bring to a light simmer and stir in salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes. Season to taste.
Add parsley and chives just before serving.

FOR ROASTED MUSHROOMS:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Toss mushrooms, shallot, garlic, and herbs in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Roast 10 to 12 minutes on sheet pan, or until golden.
Remove from oven and cool. Cut mushrooms into small dice and set aside.

FOR ARANCINI:

Heat vegetable stock in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add bay leaf and thyme sprig.
Heat oil in a large sauté pan or deep skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; cook until soft, stirring often, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
Add rice to oil and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until wine is almost completely absorbed.
Ladle in 2 cups vegetable stock. Cook, stirring almost constantly, until completely absorbed. Continue adding stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next.
Cook until rice is tender but not mushy. (You may not need all of the stock.)
Add mascarpone and Parmesan, stirring to combine. Add chopped roasted mushrooms. Season with salt.
Stir in parsley and chives, then spread rice mixture on a baking sheet to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 3 inches in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a Dutch oven over medium heat. Heat to 350°F.
Place flour, almond milk, and panko in separate shallow containers.
Scoop a 2-tablespoon portion of cooled rice mixture and gently roll into a compact ball. Set aside. Repeat with remaining rice.
Dredge rice balls in flour, then almond milk, and then panko, packing firmly to adhere.
In batches of 4 or 5, fry rice balls until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Serve with the poma rosa sauce for dipping.

5 Disney Skyliner Sights to See from Walt Disney World Resort

January 6, 2020

By D23 Team

Criss-crossing above Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Skyliner has become a new way for visitors to glide in style. Connecting select resort hotels to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Skyliner transports guests in the sky, bringing “beautiful views, including the larger-than-life theming of the resorts on either side,” says Melanie Bronstein, marketing manager at Walt Disney World Resort. “And really, you’re so high up that you can see most of Walt Disney World.” So, we’ve put together a couple of locations to look out for while taking flight on your gondola.

Swan and Dolphin Resort
Near Epcot is a massively elegant green and orange hotel known as the Swan and Dolphin Resort. While passing by, look out for the giant swan and clamshells atop the hotel.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
You can spot The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the landmark of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, towering over the park from the Disney Skyliner.

Spaceship Earth and the Imagination Pavilion
Another park landmark you can see is Epcot’s flagship attraction and iconic metallic geosphere—Spaceship Earth. You can also spot the Imagination Pavilion, home to Journey into Imagination with Figment.

Boardwalk Inn & Villas
Located on the waterfront across from Epcot, this boardwalk-inspired hotel is another sight to see while traveling overhead. Taffy-colored cottages, boats, and beautiful gardens are just a taste of what you can see from your gondola.

Disney’s Riviera Resort
Last but not least is Walt Disney World Resort’s latest hotel—the Riviera Resort. Inspired by Europe, look for the hotel’s sweeping towers while on your trip.

How Does The Show Go On: Behind the Curtain with Thomas Schumacher

January 6, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Beauty and the Beast. The Lion King. Mary Poppins. Aladdin. Frozen. These musicals are giants of the Broadway (and international) stage, and they’ve all been shepherded to The Great White Way by Thomas Schumacher—President & Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions. There are few people on the globe who know more about what goes into taking a musical “from page to stage” than Schumacher… and lucky for us, he wrote a book about it!

How Does The Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater, the first edition of which was published in 2007, gives readers unprecedented access to the business of theater. Using all the fantastical—and fantastically successful—musicals in the Disney stable, Schumacher (with author Jeff Kurtti) takes readers from the front of house to backstage, from the box office to the stage door, and literally behind the curtain to learn everything it takes to bring a show to life.

The third edition, which highlights all the magic that goes into making Frozen come alive on stage, was just released in early November; not only does this edition include never-before-seen photos and personal stories from the making of Disney’s latest hit Broadway musical, but it also includes an incredible new “augmented reality” component—by scanning a code found sprinkled throughout the book, you can use the free Disney Scan app and open fun, related video content right on your mobile device! At the recent kick-off of Frozen’s North American Tour (now playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, through February 2), D23 was lucky enough to visit with Schumacher and hear about makes the book so compelling—for both the young and the young-at-heart.

On what made him want to write a book like this…
“[It] actually happened in a conversation with Jeff Kurtti, who’s written many books for Disney… We were on our way to the Apollo Theater in Harlem to see something… [and] I said, ‘I want to write a book.’ And he said, ‘What would it be?’ And I said, ‘I want to write a book about theater. I want to write the book that we wanted when we were kids. I want the book that wasn’t available for us. I don’t want a book about actors, because [most people] know what actors do. I want a book about people who make theater—how it actually happens.’ And all [Jeff] said was, ‘When do we start?’”

On the process of writing the original edition, and then updating it for 2019…
“Because he’d [already] worked so much in publishing, Jeff did the ‘book map’—he helped me figure it out… The original book was an ‘artifact’ book, which was Jeff’s idea. So as you opened it, you could, say, take a ticket out of an envelope. Now that sounds like nothing, but a ticket is meaningful—if [you’re new to theater and] you don’t know that it [lists] a row and a seat number… so there were things you could take out of it. The great thing about the book was it was fun to touch [and explore]; the bad thing about the book was kids took everything out of it… We sold a lot of copies, but we couldn’t reprint it because it was so complicated… Time passed, and we did two editions of the book. I knew that the book had become out of date—technology had changed, and there were [new] things I wanted to say. I wanted the format to be bigger; I wanted different photography… [then] someone brought a bottle of wine to a party at my house—it had a picture on it that if you held your phone over it, it would ‘talk’ to you… I thought there’s got to be a way to embed that [in the book], and they did… The fun thing is, we can update those videos over time. And in future versions I’m thinking about embedding even more stuff.”

On showing young people the possibilities that lie in theater—onstage or behind the scenes…
“Cheryl Thomas is the lead hair and makeup artist on Aladdin. [Her picture in the book] comes to life; it’s an actual of her doing her work… Imagine all the kids who are thinking, well maybe I’ll go to beauty school and maybe I’ll work in a beauty shop… but they could work on Broadway! They could see this and go, ‘I could do that!’ And at the back end of the book is Lisa Dawn Cave, who’s the production supervisor on this Frozen tour. To see her being the most important person backstage, as production stage manager—calling the show—is so empowering. Because [as a kid], I didn’t know people could do any of these things. I knew what actors did; I knew what Fred Astaire did… but to see that there’s all these other jobs and all these [other] people… we were able to put all that kind of stuff in the book!”

On why Disney musicals are the perfect way to introduce readers to the magic of creativity…
“The secret value of [this book] to me was that if you had never done theater, you’d open this and go wait—that’s Simba [from The Lion King]. Wait, that’s Elsa [from Frozen]. You wouldn’t have to physically see the show because you’d know that’s Ariel [from The Little Mermaid]. And even though what she looks like isn’t the [1989] movie, you’d know who that was… it kind of ‘de-terrorizes’ [theater]. I worked for a man who said our job in the arts is to constantly think about ‘de-terrorizing’ them… You’ll meet people all the time who think they’re not creative and it’s just because someone made fun of the way they decorated a cookie, or made fun of their handwriting, or made fun of the way they draw a tree. And if someone had celebrated how they did that, they wouldn’t have been afraid of it.”

For more information about Thomas Schumacher and the book—and to download the free Disney Scan app—visit HowDoesTheShowGoOn.com

Everything We Can’t Wait to Stream on Disney+ in 2020

January 3, 2020January 3, 2020

By Beth Deitchman

The new year is just around the corner, bringing with it 366 days (Thank you, Leap Year!) of Disney+ streaming. The service launched in November with an incredible array of content, and that library only continues to grow. Disney+’s lineup for 2020 features stories from across the worlds of Disney, from Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Lucasfilms’ Star Wars: The Clone Wars to The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Candace Against the Universe. Here’s some of the must-watch content for the coming year:

MOVIES

Stargirl
Based on the New York Times’ young adult bestseller, the coming-of-age film stars Grace VanderWaal and Graham Verchere and is directed by Julia Hart from a screenplay by Kristin Hahn and Julia Hart & Jordan Horowitz based on Spinelli’s novel. Verchere plays an unassuming high school student who is inexplicably drawn to a free-spirited new girl (VanderWaal). Stargirl’s cast also includes Karan Brar, Maximiliano Hernandez, Darby Stanchfield and Giancarlo Esposito.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Set in Portland, Oregon, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made follows the title character—a quirky young hero with an incredible deadpan sense of humor—as he solves local mysteries with his 1,500-pound polar bear partner by his side. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Tom McCarthy (Spotlight) from a screenplay by McCarthy & Stephan Pastis based on Pastis’ best-selling book series.

The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Candace Saves the Universe
As if we didn’t already believe that Disney+ is the most amazing “streaminator” ever invented, Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh have come up with a new animated adventure for Phineas and Ferb. In The Phineas and Ferb Movie: Candace Against the Universe, Phineas and Ferb set out across the galaxy to rescue older sister Candace, who has been abducted by aliens and has found utopia in a far-off planet, free of pesky little brothers. Ashley Tisdale reprises the role of Candace Flynn, along with Vincent Martella as Phineas Flynn; Caroline Rhea as their mom, Linda; Dee Bradley Baker as Perry the Platypus; Alyson Stoner as Isabella; Maulik Pancholy as Baljeet; Bobby Gaylor as Buford; Olivia Olson as Vanessa; Tyler Mann as Carl; and Povenmire and Marsh as Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz and Major Monogram, respectively. David Errigo Jr. joins the cast as Ferb Fletcher.

Secret Society of Second Born Royals
Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack) reigns over this contemporary princess story, which introduces Sam (Lee), a rebellious princess who is second in line to the throne of the kingdom of Illyria. Just as Sam’s disinterest in the royal way of life is at an all-time high, she is stunned to learn that she has superpowers and belongs to a secret society with a longstanding tradition of covertly keeping the peace throughout the kingdom. The movie follows Sam’s adventures at a top-secret training program for a new class of second born royals tasked with saving the world. Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) is among the stars of Secret Society of Second Born Royals, which is directed by Anna Mastro (Marvel’s Runaways, The Bold Type).

LIVE-ACTION SERIES

Diary of a Future President
When this 10-episode series debuts on Disney+ on January 17, it will introduce Elena, a Cuban-American 12-year-old girl navigating the highs and lows of middle school—and for whom an incredibly exciting future lies ahead: She happens to be the future president of the United States. Tess Romero (Blind Spot, Alternatino) plays young Elena, while Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin, Someone Great) guest stars as adult POTUS Elena. Rodriguez directed the first episode of the series and executive produces with Emily Gipson (Someone Great); along with creator Ilana Peña, whose own childhood inspired the series, showrunner Robin Shorr (The Carmichael Show), and Brad Silberling (Jane the Virgin).

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the new series from Marvel Studios will follow Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) as they up for new adventures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will also feature Emily VanCamp, reprising her role as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell, who will play John Walker, a character fans may know from Marvel Comics, but who has not appeared on screen until now.

WandaVision
Also from Marvel Studios is WandaVision, starring Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Miximoff / Scarlet Witch), Paul Bettany (Vision), Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis), Randall Park (Jimmy Woo), Teyona Parris (Monica Rambeau) and Kathryn Hahn.

Love, Simon
The original series—set in the world of the 2018 film of the same name—follows Victor, a new student at Creekwood High School, played by Michael Cimino (Annabelle Comes Home, Training Day). Victor is on his own journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city, and struggling with his sexual orientation. When it all seems too much, he reaches out to Simon to help him navigate the ups and downs of high school. Love, Simon is from the film’s original writers, Isaac Aptaker (This Is Us) and Elizabeth Berger (This Is Us), and 20th Century Fox Television.

ANIMATED SERIES

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
At D23 Expo 2019, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced that the fan-favorite series Star Wars: The Clone Wars will return with 12 all-new episodes that will stream on Disney+ in February 2020. Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and Captain Rex will be among the beloved characters we’ll encounter in these animated adventures in the galaxy far, far away.

Chip ‘n’ Dale
We went nuts over the news that our favorite chipmunks are coming to Disney+ in a 21st-century take on a cartoon classic, produced by multi-award-winning French studio Xilam Animation. The new series finds the dichotomous duo—the nervous worrier Chip and laid-back dreamer Dale—living in a small park within a bustling metropolis where everyone is seemingly bigger than they are.

SHORTS

Lamp Life
What happened to Bo Peep from the time we last saw her in Toy Story 2 until she was reunited with Woody and the gang in Toy Story 4? The all-new animated short Lamp Life just might cast some light on the topic.

Short Circuit
If you love Disney animation and are always keen to find out what the amazing artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios are cooking up next, these short films are for you. The Short Circuit experimental program was created to encourage risks in both visual style and story, surface new voices at the studio, and explore new technical innovations.

NONFICTION CONTENT

Howard
Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast) directed this critically acclaimed documentary about Disney Legend Howard Ashman, who penned the lyrics to Disney classics such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid.

Marvel’s 616
This documentary anthology series from Marvel New Media and the production company Supper Club explores the connection between Marvel’s stories and the people behind them, and the world around us. The first episode, “Higher, Further, Faster,” will look at the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics and the inclusive stories they set out to tell, while additional topics covered will include an intimate look at the cosplay community, Marvel’s influence and relationship with hip-hop, illustrators who live and work internationally, and more.

Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings
Disney+ will give fans a spectacular look at the world’s most magical weddings and engagements when the popular Freeform series Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings moves to its new home on the streaming service. The new episodes will feature surprise guests and performances; breathtaking locations at Disney Destinations all around the globe; and, of course, incredible love stories. Ahead of the new episodes, you can catch up on all of the episodes and specials from season one, which are streaming now on Disney+.

Be Our Chef
The streaming service is cooking up a delightful cooking competition that invites families from diverse backgrounds to go head-to-head in the kitchen, facing off in a themed challenge that combines their own family traditions and the magic of Disney. Finalists will turn what they’ve learned into the recipe for a dish that represents their family through a Disney lens. Angela Kinsey (The Office) hosts from Walt Disney World Resort.

Dolphin Reef
Go under the sea with Disneynature and meet some of the planet’s most engaging animals in Dolphin Reef. The film follows Echo, a young bottlenose dolphin who knows it’s time to grow up and take on new responsibilities, but finds himself longing to give in to his silly side and just have fun. See how Echo navigates the complicated dolphin society and the temptations that come from the humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and cuttlefish he encounters on the coral reef he calls home in the documentary coming to Disney+ in the service’s first year.

Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2
Some things never change, and that includes our love for Arendelle and all things Frozen. For this multi-episode documentary series, Walt Disney Animation Studios opened its doors and allowed cameras to capture how the voice cast, directors, and artists together created the blockbuster feature film Frozen 2.

Magic of Animal Kingdom
Our friends at National Geographic traveled to Central Florida to look at the groundbreaking work of the more than 1,000 high respected animal care experts, veterinarians, and biologists who work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Epcot’s SeaBase aquarium.

Prop Culture
This anthology series, hosted by film historian/collector Dan Lanigan, looks at beloved films such as Mary Poppins, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Tron through some of their most memorable props and costumes. We’ll hear from the craftspeople who created them, the actors who interacted with them, and the collectors and archives that have cherished them over the years. Prop Culture is produced by ABC Studios, Alternative and executive produced by Jason Henry and Dan Lanigan.

Rogue Trip
This is not your typical family vacation. In Rogue Trip, renowned journalist Bob Woodruff and his 27-year-old son, Mack, circle the globe in search of off-the-beaten path locales you won’t likely find on your own. They discover roguish, often misunderstood, and frequently overlooked corners of the world whose hidden corners surprise, amaze, and inspire.

Shop Class
Over the course of this competition series, teams of inventive students will design, build, and test new contraptions on their quest to be named Shop Class Champs.

MUPPETS!

Muppets Now
Our favorite felt friends are truly a class by themselves in this, the Muppets’ first-ever unscripted short-form series. Announced at D23 Expo 2019 (though Joe from Legal made sure that all of the details remained under wraps), the series will be rich with everything we’ve always loved about the world of the Muppets, featuring surprising guest stars, startling silliness, and so much fun!

Inside Walt Disney Archives’ Showcases of Stunning Assets from the Fox Archives

January 3, 2020June 17, 2020

By Max Lark

A fascinating slice of cinematic history is currently on view in the Walt Disney Archives showcases in the main lobby of the Frank G. Wells Building at The Walt Disney Studios. This must-see exhibition (which D23 Gold Members can see in person during our official tours of The Walt Disney Studios lot) pays homage to the Fox Archives, which was established in 1992 to collect and preserve 20th Century Fox’s publicity, props, and costume collections—and which recently became part of the Walt Disney Archives.

This small collection of iconic costumes and artwork will impress anyone who loves film and television. One showcase contains a dazzling array of iconic costumes—from the show-piece dress designed by legendary couturier Orry-Kelly and worn by Betty Grable as Cynthia Pilgrim in 20th Century Fox’s The Shocking Miss Pilgrim and the poncho worn by Disney Legend Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music to the iconic cardigan Alan Alda wore playing Hawkeye Pierce in the beloved Fox Television show M*A*S*H*, Kate Winslet’s delicately embroidered “flying dress” from Titanic, and the “Live-Aid” costume worn by Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody, and more. This small-but-mighty collection of costumes brings you nearer to some of the most popular and timeless entertainment of the last half century.

Another showcase is devoted to the revolutionary work of artist John Alvin. Alvin, who worked for multiple motion picture studios in the late 1980s and 1990s—including The Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox—had a singular talent to convey to adults in one-sheet posters that Disney’s animated films appealed to both children and adults.

“We wanted to welcome the Fox Archives into the Disney Archives in a meaningful manner and in a way that employees could enjoy,” says Robert Maxhimer, exhibitions manager, Walt Disney Archives. “For the costume exhibit, we went in chronological order from one of the oldest in their collection to one of the newest. In the other showcase we wanted to spotlight the career of legendary artist John Alvin. He drew fame for the movie Blazing Saddles; from there he became a celebrity in the world of movie posters. He worked with a lot of studios—mostly Fox and Disney. We’re displaying some original concept art he drew for posters and we also show a sampling of some of the posters he created for Disney and Fox.”

With the Fox Archives now a part of the Walt Disney Archives, the newly unified department is excited to give Disney employees a peek behind the magic of the Fox collections, showcasing that company’s extraordinary history and celebrating a new world of treasures now preserved in the Walt Disney Archives.

If you want to see this exhibit in person, you can become a D23 Gold Member for future opportunities to tour the Walt Disney Studios Lot—plus more exclusive events celebrating the fantastic worlds of Disney!