10 Must-Stream Selections for the Ultimate Disney+ Family Movie Night

November 26, 2019

By Beth Deitchman

There are so many things to be thankful for this year across the worlds of Disney, but Disney+ has to be at the top of our list. And after a day of cooking, cleaning, carving, and conversation, it’s hard to imagine anything more heavenly than curling up on the couch to watch a movie. Before you and your family dig in to the Thanksgiving leftovers, why not dig in to one of these beloved films?

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
For many, an annual viewing of this Santamental favorite from 20th Century Fox is as much a Thanksgiving tradition as turkey with all the trimmings. Edmund Gwenn stars as an elderly gentleman named Kris Kringle, who—in addition to being the best department store Santa Claus ever—fills almost everyone he meets with Christmas spirit. But after Kris is declared insane and placed on trial in New York City, people whose feelings about Santa range from “ho ho ho” to “ho ho no” find themselves seriously questioning their beliefs.

Noelle (2019)
Here’s a new kind of Santa Claus story, and it’s been tailor-made for the brand-new streaming service. Anna Kendrick stars as the Disney+ Original’s title character, Noelle, for whom Christmas is truly the family business, since her father is Kris Kringle himself. As her brother Nick prepares to spend his first Christmas steering Santa’s sleigh and delivering joy to children around the world, the pressure becomes too much for him. When his sister suggests that Nick take a break for a few days, that break turns into, well, longer, and it’s up to Noelle to find Santa and save Christmas.

Star Wars: A New Hope : Episode IV (1977)
Before the suns set on the Skywalker Saga in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, go back to where it all began: Episode IV. Whether you’re so well-versed in the ways of the Force that you can recite favorite lines along with the characters, or you’re looking to pass along your vast Jedi knowledge to the Padawan in your life, you can’t go wrong with A New Hope. Watch it now to re-live the magic of the beginning of Luke’s journey from farmboy to one of the greatest Jedi the galaxy has ever known; the first spark between Han and Leia that ignited one of cinema’s most iconic romances; and to hear again that first ominous breath emanate from Darth Vader’s helmet. This is the family movie night you’re looking for.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
It’s likely that your holiday table will include folks who know the Marvel Cinematic Universe backward and forward, along with novices who will stare at you blankly when you tell them that you love them 3,000. But turn on the first Guardians of the Galaxy film, and you will bridge these two factions. GOTG stands on its own as an introduction to an unforgettable group of disparate misfits—Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord; gun-toting raccoon Rocket; tree-like humanoid Groot; the deadly and enigmatic Gamora; and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer—as well as a thrilling adventure that sets up key events in the Infinity Saga. Plus, the film’s killer soundtrack will have even the most reticent toes tapping before they know it.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Holiday gatherings can be fraught with opposing viewpoints. Case in point: Cranberry sauce—canned vs. home-made? It can be polarizing. But who doesn’t love dogs—especially when there are 101 to love? And rest assured, the spirited discourse One Hundred and One Dalmatians will inspire might include which pup is the most adorable (we’re partial to Rolly), which tune is the most hummable (um, “Cruella De Vil,” of course), and—from the youngsters among your group—can we get a puppy? (We’ll let you handle that one!)

The Game Plan (2007)
If you’re looking to bring football into your holiday without committing to four quarters of an actual game, consider this family comedy starring Dwayne Johnson as Joe Kingman, a famous Boston quarterback who has to tackle his biggest challenge yet: fatherhood. As the big game approaches, Joe begins to discover that the most meaningful win he can achieve is the heart of the one fan who matters most, his 8-year-old daughter.

Inside Out (2015)
Joy. Fear. Anger. Disgust. Sadness. While there’s no doubt that Joy will be manning the console throughout your holiday season, Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out serves as a perfect reminder that her fellow Emotions play an important role in everyone’s inner life, as well. The film features a hilarious cast—led by Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith as Joy and Sadness, respectively, with Bill Hader as Fear, Lewis Black as Anger, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, and Richard Kind as the incomparable Bing Bong—along with a moving and relatable story about what a bumpy road growing up can be.

Free Solo (2018)
Free solo climber Alex Honnold sets out to achieve what would seem to be a truly superhuman feat: scaling the face of the 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, without so much as a rope. This acclaimed documentary from National Geographic boasts no secret weapons or supersuits, no special effects, and no stunt doubles—and it will have you and your entire family on the edge of your seats from start to finish.

The Cat from Outer Space (1978)
We’ve got a feline there’s something for everyone in your family to love in The Cat from Outer Space. The film follows Jake, an out-of-this-galaxy cat (literally!), who crash-lands his spaceship on Earth and needs an offbeat physicist named Frank; Frank’s girlfriend, Liz; and their gambling-obsessed co-worker, Link, to help him elude the U.S. Army and a power-hungry businessman. If you’re in the mood for sci-fi, comedy, and even a little romance—The Cat from Outer Space has a truly meowvelous combination.

The Muppets (2011)
The Muppets brought our favorite felt friends back to the big screen after a 12-year hiatus, with this most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational on-screen reunion orchestrated by two fans like us, Gary and Walter. Walter is the world’s biggest Muppet fan (for reasons that quickly become clear when you meet him in the film) and he’ll let nothing stop his quest to thwart a diabolical plot to destroy the Muppet Theater—not a second-rate tribute band of “Moopets” and especially not a greedy oil millionaire. The Muppets stars Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, and Rashida Jones and features cameos by several dozen celebrities, continuing a longstanding cinematic Muppets tradition. There’s no movie like a Muppet movie!

D23’s Lineup of Events for 2020

November 26, 2019December 21, 2020

In 2020, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is bringing back many of its most popular events, adding incredible new experiences, and putting new twists on favorites for fans around the country to enjoy.

Check out our 10 helpful tips for D23 events.

Event calendar:

DATE	D23 EVENT CALENDAR:	LOCATION
Jan 8	D23 Gold Member Mixer in Kapolei, Hawai‘i	Aulani Resort, HI
Jan 17	Get VIP Tickets to Disney’s Frozen The Hit Broadway Musical	Hollywood, CA
Jan 25	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Jan 27	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Jan 31	Disney’s Aladdin the Hit Broadway Musical VIP Tickets	Orlando, FL
Feb 8	D23 Magical Screening Series: The Three Caballeros 75th on The Walt Disney Studios Lot	Burbank, CA
Feb 12-13	D23 at Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite!	Anaheim, CA
Feb 13	Attend The Call of the Wild Red Carpet Premiere in Hollywood!	Los Angeles, CA
Feb 15	D23 Magical Screening Series: The Three Caballeros 75th at Walt Disney World	Orlando, FL
Feb 16	D23 Magical Screening Series: The Three Caballeros 75th Near Washington, D.C.	Silver Springs, MD
Feb 22	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Feb 24	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Mar 4	D23 Member Preview of Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic at the Bowers Museum	Santa Ana, CA
Mar 11	D23’s Mulan Advance Screening and D23 Member Mixer in Raleigh, N.C.!	Raleigh, NC
Mar 11	Attend an advance screening of Stargirl from Disney+ at The Walt Disney Studios!	Burbank, CA
Mar 12	Sip & Stroll 2020 at Disney California Adventure Park	Anaheim, CA
Mar 14	Mickey’s of Glendale – March 2020	Glendale, CA
Mar 16	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Apr 6-10	D23 Celebrates A Goofy Movie 25th Anniversary	D23.com and Social Channels
Apr 17	D23 Presents: ’90s Throwback with DCappella	D23.com and Social Channels
May 8	Star Wars: The Clone Wars Cast Reunion Challenge, presented by D23	D23.com and Social Channels
May 15	It’s A Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer Premiere Watch Party with D23	D23.com and Social Channels
May 22	D23 Pollyanna-versary Celebrate 60 Glad Years with Hayley Mills!	D23.com and Social Channels
June 22	Meet the Archives! Celebrating 50 Years of the Walt Disney Archives	D23.com Virtual Event
June 23	D23 Celebrates 25 Years of Pocahontas with DCappella	D23.com
June 27	Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives – D23 Gold Member World Premiere!	Virtual Event
July 1	Prop Culture with D23 and the Walt Disney Archives	D23.com and Social Channels
Aug 21-23	Disney Imagineers Celebrate 65 Years of Disneyland Park!	Virtual Event
Aug 27	D23 Gold Member Advance Screening—Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe	Virtual Event
Aug 28	D23 Trivia Night: 65 Years of the Disney Theme Park	Virtual Event
Sept 11	D23 Drive-In: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back at the Rose Bowl	Pasadena, CA
Sept 14	D23 Presents The Golden Girls: Cheers to 35 Years!	D23.com and Social Channels
Sept 18-20	Gold Member Encore Presentation — Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives	Virtual Event
Sept 18-20	D23 Gold Member Encore Presentation—Disney Imagineers Celebrate 65 Years of Disneyland Park!	Virtual Event
October	D23 Halloween Hullabaloo	D23.com and Social Channels
Oct 20-25	Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks – D23 Virtual Launch Party	D23.com and Social Channels
Oct 31	D23 Mousequerade – Virtual Costume Contest	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 16-20	D23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 16	The Fantasia Legacy: A Conversation with Eric Goldberg	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 16	Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Storytelling through Merchandise	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 17	Marvel’s 616 Uncovered	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 17	Marvel Celebrates 80 Years of Captain America	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 18	Celebrate Mickey & Minnie on Their Birthday	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 19	Walt Disney World: Destination Tomorrow	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 19	EPCOT – The Magic of Possibility	D23.com and Social Channels
Nov 18-27	Globetrotting with Mickey Mouse and the Walt Disney Archives	Virtual Event
Nov 20-27	Creating Fantastic Worlds: A Journey into Disney Worldbuilding	Virtual Event
Nov 21-21	The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse—D23 Gold Member-Exclusive Sneak Peek!	Virtual Event
Dec 8-13	Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks—D23 Virtual Holiday Party	Virtual Event
Dec 12	Join the Audience for Disney & Pixar’s Soul Virtual Red Carpet Premiere	Virtual Event
December	D23 Season of Magic	D23.com and Social Channels

Want to be part of the magic in 2020? Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Additional details on D23’s lineup of 2020 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at www.D23.com/events. Many of these events are exclusively for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members. Be sure to check the full listings when events post for details. All events and dates are subject to change.

12 Thanksgiving Meal Secrets from the Disney Parks Pros

November 25, 2019

By Beth Deitchman

Will you be attempting to pull off some culinary magic this Turkey Day? If so, we’ve got some inspiration from the chefs of the Walt Disney World Resort who cast savory spells every day as they create delicious meals for guests.

Twice monthly, Disney chefs and their teams also prepare fresh meals to serve at the local nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Continuing a longstanding tradition, the Walt Disney World culinary teams will bring turkey with all of the trimmings, including mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, stuffing, salad, rolls, cranberry sauce, and dessert, to the Coalition on Thanksgiving night—and they’ve shared some of their top Thanksgiving tips to help you in your own holiday meal prep. See them in the video below, or download and print the shareable graphic to have it close at hand as the holiday approaches.

Click here to download a printable list.

Avengers: Endgame Composer Reveals the Two Most Challenging Scenes to Score

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019

By Jim Frye

Spoiler warning: The following article contains very minor spoilers to Avengers: Endgame.

From Back to the Future and Forrest Gump to Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Lilo & Stitch, the Oscar®-nominated music of Alan Silvestri has threaded itself into the fabric of modern cinematic history, becoming an indelible part of our movie-going experience. At Marvel Studios, Silvestri’s heroic compositions and thrilling themes have become emotional touchpoints in films such as Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, and, most recently, Avengers: Endgame.

With galactic-sized action and heart-wrenching pathos, Avengers: Endgame proved, in Silvestri’s words, “daunting.” Here, he discusses the two most challenging scenes to score in the film, and the gargantuan task of providing the soundtrack to the biggest movie of all time.

“It was monumentally big,” says Silvestri. “[Directors] Joe and Anthony Russo were very clear that it needed to be epic, it needed to be operatic, and although they would never say ‘over the top,’ there needed to be no room left in the room… it needed to fill the theater.”

Silvestri elaborates about the difficult process of “spotting the movie,” which is when the composer and director go through the entire film—frame by frame if necessary—and together decide where a piece of music will start and where it will end. Each of those individual pieces of music are called “cues,” and, according to Silvestri, there are two very important moments in every cue. “The first one is when it starts, and the second one is when it ends.”

“It’s a challenge to figure out frame by frame tonally what’s right and what’s going to help the filmmakers tell their story,” he continues. “In Endgame, there were a couple of devastatingly challenging places. One of them was the Portals event that happens after Cap has really lost everything.” The “Portals” moment to which he’s referring occurs during the giant final battle where multiple “portals” open up, revealing many beloved characters.

“When we were looking at the film, we knew that’s when Joe and Anthony were going to show you every character, basically, in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We knew the fans were just going to love this, so you’ve got to find the right tone and the right approach. It was a big orchestra, and when we needed to move a lot of air—like in ‘The Portals’ cue—we moved a lot of air in the studio. It’s the challenge of being appropriate.”

On the other end of that spectrum, the other scene that Silvestri found challenging to score was the large gathering of characters toward the end of the film at the cabin by the lake. “It was a difficult scene—the death, then moving into a celebration of life, with this most spectacular cast. Then when Joe and Anthony pan up from the dock and we see all these movie stars, one after the next, I knew we had to get this right somehow.”

7 Easter Eggs You Need to Find in Toy Story 2

November 22, 2019November 25, 2019

By Jocelyn Buhlman

We’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of Pixar’s first ever sequel—1999’s Toy Story 2. Following the adventures of Woody, who has been stolen from Andy and faces a future inside a toy museum, and Buzz, who will stop at nothing to get Woody back to his home, Toy Story 2 expanded the world built in the original film and proved to us that we’re never too old to play with our toys! Besides introducing us to thrilling new adventures, catchy songs, and a host of new characters (Jessie! Bullseye! Emperor Zurg!… Barbie?), Toy Story 2 followed in the grand tradition of its Pixar predecessors with a veritable treasure trove of hidden details for sharp-eyed fans to spot. To help ring in the anniversary, we’ve brought seven of our favorites to the roundup. Next time you have a family movie night (or feel like re-watching the film on Disney+), make sure to keep an eye out for the following:

1. Familiar TV Programming
If there’s a record for most Easter eggs displayed in a few seconds, this moment may be a leading contender—when Hamm is flipping through TV channels trying to re-find a commercial for Al’s Toy Barn, he’s not just flipping through your normal TV shows. Each clip shown on screen is taken from one of Pixar’s early shorts, including Tin Toy, Red’s Dream, and Luxo, Jr. Can you spot them all?

2. May The Force Be With You
Many popular films get visual references and shout-outs in Toy Story 2, but one of the most well-known references is to none other than Star Wars! Not only is the main storyline between Buzz and Emperor Zurg a direct homage to that plot twist from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, but the video game that Rex plays at the beginning of the film, Buzz Lightyear: Attack on Zurg, uses sound effects that sound suspiciously familiar to those you might hear in Star Wars films. Keep your ears open for the buzz of a lightsaber, the blasts from an X-Wing, and even some ominously familiar breathing.

3. Get a Pizza This Detail
The character with the most appearances in Pixar films isn’t really a character at all (well, except in the Cars universe)—It’s the Pizza Planet Truck, which originated in the first Toy Story and makes its third appearance in a Pixar film with Toy Story 2, where it serves as a crucial form of transportation for our merry band of toys.

4. A Toy’s Life
Another kind of iconic Easter egg that Pixar prefers to hide in their movies are references to movies from the studio that debuted directly before and after the film you’re currently watching (for example, you can spot Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear from 2010’s Toy Story 3 in 2009’s Up). Toy Story 2 is no exception, paying homage to the previous year’s film, a bug’s life, many times throughout the movie. Sharp-eyed fans should be on the lookout during sequences in Al’s Toy Barn for a display of a bug’s life-themed toys—plus other small shout-outs throughout the film!

5. Pixar Merch Galore!
Another iconic Pixar Easter egg makes its home in Al’s Toy Barn—the Pixar ball, which originated in Luxo Jr., one of Pixar’s first animated shorts, and now serves as a sort-of mascot for the company. Keep an eye out for a bin full of the balls while Buzz and friends are searching for Woody.

6. A “Geri” Familiar Face
One of the most famous moments from Toy Story 2 (and one of the most oddly satisfying parts of the film, according to fans) is the extended cleaning sequence where Woody is restored to his original glory. This scene also holds a very interesting Easter egg—the cleaner himself looks identical to the title character of the Pixar animated short Geri’s Game! When The Cleaner goes through the drawers of his toolkit, he even reveals a drawer full of chess pieces, another nod to the short he originated in.

7. A “Class”-ic Detail
We’ve found the Pizza Planet Truck, spotted a couple of Pixar balls… all that’s left in the classic trio of Pixar Easter eggs is to locate a hidden “A113.” Referencing a classroom from CalArts, where many of Pixar’s best and brightest studied, A113 has appeared in almost every Pixar movie—and Toy Story 2 is no exception. Just as it appeared in the original Toy Story, you can spot this hidden A113 on the license plate of the van belonging to Andy’s family.

Janelle Monáe Is Pawsitive You’ll Love the Music in Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019

By Zach Johnson

The Disney+ original movie Lady and the Tramp presented a unique opportunity for actress and recording artist Janelle Monáe: Not only would she get to voice Peg, the sassy and dynamic Lhasa Apso whom Lady befriends in the pound, but she would also get to perform an original song, “That’s Enough,” which is featured in the film’s closing credits.

Monáe is part of a voice cast that includes Tessa Thompson (Lady), Justin Theroux (Tramp), Sam Elliott (Trusty), Ashley Jensen (Jock), and Benedict Wong (Bull). The live-action cast includes Thomas Mann (Jim Dear), Kiersey Clemons (Darling), Yvette Nicole Brown (Aunt Sarah), Adrian Martinez (Elliott), F. Murray Abraham (Tony), and Arturo Castro (Joe). Lady and Tramp are played by dogs Rose and Monte, respectively.

For the role of Peg, director Charlie Bean, producer Brigham Taylor, and casting director Richard Hicks were looking for someone established in the music industry who also had real acting chops—and Monáe, who starred in the Oscar®-nominated film Hidden Figures, was one of few people who fit the bill. After being cast, she asked Roman GianArthur and Nate “Rocket” Wonder to write and produce “That’s Enough” for the movie. “When I listened to it, I was like, ‘This is an instant classic!” Monáe says. “They are part of my Wondaland Collective, and we have all been writing music for a pretty long time, so it was fun to go in and do something for a film that we all three love.”

In addition to writing, producing, and performing a new song for cats Devon and Rex (“What a Shame),” GianArthur and Wonder also produced “He’s a Tramp 2019,” a vivacious version of the song from the 1955 classic. “It’s an honor, obviously, to sing a song that Peggy Lee did—and she did it so well!” Monáe says. To do it justice, she studied her favorite jazz artists, including Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, and Judy Garland. The difference, Monáe says, is that “Peg has attitude… and I have attitude!”

Lady and the Tramp is set sometime between 1910 and 1915, paying homage to the turn-of-the-century period of the animated film. Monáe, an eight-time Grammy® Award nominee, hopes fans enjoy the new music, including the beautiful score by Joseph Trapenese: “I hope people feel all the fun we had when we were making these songs.”

Want more Disney+ news? Click here to stay up-to-date with what’s streaming!

The Owl House Conjures Up a Second Season— Plus More in News Briefs

November 21, 2019

By Courtney Potter

Disney Channel orders more magical fun from its latest animated series, and Jack London’s iconic novel gets a big-screen treatment starring Harrison Ford… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

**Disney Channel’s The Owl House Summons Second Season Ahead of Premiere**

Big news, animation fans! (Hey, that’s us!) Ahead of its big series premiere on Friday, January 10 (at 8:45 p.m. on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW), our friends at Disney Channel just revealed that The Owl House—their all-new fantasy-comedy created and executive-produced by Dana Terrace (DuckTales)—will get a second season! See the just-released trailer for the colorful series, above.

The Owl House follows Luz (voice of Sarah-Nicole Robles), a self-assured teenage girl who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm where she befriends a rebellious witch, Eda (voice of Wendie Malick), and a tiny warrior, King (voice of Alex Hirsch, Gravity Falls). Despite not having magical abilities, Luz pursues her dream of becoming a witch by serving as Eda’s apprentice at the Owl House—and ultimately finds a new family in a very unlikely, but totally amazing, setting. Guest voices for Season 1 include the likes of Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Issac Ryan Brown (Raven’s Home), Mae Whitman (Parenthood), Parvesh Cheena (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), and Eden Riegel (All My Children).

Coinciding with the series premiere, the DisneyNOW app will debut an adventure game set in the supernatural world of The Owl House, where players can join Luz on her mission to become a witch by completing tasks, collecting relics, and playing mini-games. Plus, new shorts featuring Luz, Eda, and King will begin rolling out in the spring on Disney Channel and Disney Channel YouTube—and an exclusive The Owl House t-shirt (designed by the series’ art director, Ricky Cometa), is currently available at Amazon.com/DisneyChannel, with additional designs debuting in January.

Jack London’s iconic novel gets a big-screen treatment starring Harrison Ford, and a new poster for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is revealed… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

**Harrison Ford Heeds The Call of the Wild in February 2020**

It’s based on a Jack London classic; it stars Harrison Ford; and it’s coming to the big screen early next year… 20th Century Fox’s The Call of the Wild vividly tells the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. (And that, as you’ll see, is where he meets John Thornton, as portrayed by Ford.) As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team—and later its leader—Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master. Check out the brand-new trailer, above.

As a live-action/animation hybrid, The Call of the Wild uses some truly cutting-edge visual effects and animation technology to render the animals in the film as fully photorealistic, and emotionally authentic, characters. Directed by Chris Sanders and produced by Erwin Stoff—with a screenplay by Michael Green—the film also stars Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford, and Colin Woodell. Look for it in a theater near you beginning February 21, 2020.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
November 20, 2019
Attend Disney’s Frozen 2 Red Carpet Premiere in Toronto.
November 23, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Up on the Lot
December 1, 2019
Disney’s Frozen 2 Enchanted Forest Experience at Saks—in New York City!
December 8, 2019
Light Up the Season with D23—2019
December 14, 2019
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Tom Nabbe
December 14, 2019
D23’s Merriest Mixer at Walt Disney World
January 8, 2020
D23 Gold Member Mixer in Kapolei, Hawai’i
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
August 29—November 23, 2019
2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24;
December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 2019
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom park
November 8—January 6, 2020
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
November 29—December 30, 2019
2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
December 5, 2019
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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
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

Studios
November 22, 2019
Frozen 2 opens in U.S. theaters
December 20, 2019
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in U.S. theaters
March 6, 2020
Onward opens in U.S. theaters
March 27, 2020
Mulan opens in U.S. theaters
May 29, 2020
Artemis Fowl opens in U.S. theaters
Television
November 28, 2019 (8–10 p.m. EST)
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration airs on ABC
December 13, 2019 (8-8:30 p.m. EST)
Disney Channel Holiday Party @ Walt Disney World premieres on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW
December 25, 2019 (10 a.m.—12 p.m. EST, 9—11 a.m. CST/MST/PST; airtimes vary, check listings)
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade airs on ABC

Colorful New Poster for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

This week, Disney fans around the world have been celebrating another trip ’round the sun for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse—and our pals at Walt Disney World Resort got in on the party by releasing a brand-new poster for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the attraction coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Take a gander at all the colorful (and underwater!) fun, above!

On Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, guests will step through the movie screen and join Mickey, Minnie, and friends like never before—bursting into a world where mouse rules apply… and y’know what that means? Anything can happen! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will transport folks into the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy^® Award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts—where they’re the star! Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ iconic Chinese Theatre will serve as the magic portal through which we’ll get to step from the human world directly into an unforgettable cartoon world.Stay tuned for more info about Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway—including the debut of several more posters—in the coming weeks, and watch for the attraction to debut in spring 2020.

**Freeform’s Turkey Drop Debuts This Weekend**

Thanksgiving isn’t just a time for family gatherings replete with delicious food and plentiful naps (be honest; we know you get in some serious couch time, too!)… it’s also full of fun TV viewing, from big parades to adorable dog shows—and now, thanks to Freeform, a brand-new romantic comedy! If you haven’t already, do check out the trailer for Turkey Drop, above.

Debuting this Saturday, November 23, at 9 p.m. EST/PST, Freeform’s first Thanksgiving-themed feature stars Olivia Holt (Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger) as Lucy Jacobs, a small-town girl who’s just started her freshman year at a big-city university. When she returns home for Thanksgiving break, she suspects she’s about to get “turkey dropped”—dumped by her high school sweetheart—during their holiday visit. To avoid a Turkey Day travesty, Lucy gets out of her comfort zone, proving she’s not the same play-it-safe girl she was with her H.S. boyfriend. As she takes control of her own life and makes choices that put herself first, she learns to let go of what’s been holding her back, helping achieve what she really wants out of life. Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) costars as Lucy’s mother, Nancy—along with Ben Levine (Legacies) and Tyler Perez (LA’s Finest).

(By the way: In case you need something fun to watch while you’re basting your own sure-to-be-delicious bird, look for an encore airing of Turkey Drop on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, beginning at 11 a.m.)

**Also From Freeform: Don’t Miss Wrap Battle, Premiering Next Week!**

Well, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s soon to be “all holidays, all the time”—not that we’re complaining in the slightest. It’s legitimately the most wonderful time of the year! (Case in point: D23 Days of Christmas, and all its fun content and giveaways, kicks off in a little over a week.) And naturally, Freeform is getting in on the action too, with the debut of its brand-new competition series, Wrap Battle, next week. Watch the merrily magnificent trailer, above.

The three-week-long series follows nine contestants as they battle to become the ultimate wrapper—and take home the coveted grand prize, valued at $50,000. Wrap Battle will be hosted by comedian Sheryl Underwood (The Talk), with Carson Kressley (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and Wanda Wen (founder of fine stationery and luxury paper brand Soolip) serving as judges. Celebrity guest judges include Tony^® Award-winning Broadway producer Candy Spelling, Food Network star Sandra Lee, Sherry Cola (Good Trouble), Diggy Simmons (grown-ish), Lala Kent (Vanderpump Rules), and designer Sabrina Soto.

Get wrapped up in Wrap Battle beginning Monday, November 25, at 9 p.m. EST/PST on Freeform.

ICYMI: Gordo Will Return in Disney+’s Lizzie McGuire

As far as “TV best friends” go, there are few more supportive (and hilarious) as David “Gordo” Gordon—portrayed by actor Adam Lamberg—on Disney Channel’s fan-favorite series Lizzie McGuire. So we’re tickled pink to hear he’s returning to the upcoming Lizzie McGuire series on Disney+, once again featuring Hilary Duff as the (now grown-up) title character. Get all the scoop by clicking here!

Disney Festival of Holidays—Now Underway at DCA!

The Disneyland Resort is positively resplendent for the holidays, and will be through January 6… so, should you be making a trip there in these next few months—you have plenty of time to enjoy the mirth and merriment! And if you do visit, you positively must spend some time reveling in the Disney Festival of Holidays—showcasing the sights, sounds, and tastes of Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day (January 3–6) throughout Disney California Adventure park.

Inspired by the incredible cultural diversity of Southern California, Disney Festival of Holidays features contemporary music and dance performances, as well as a truly scrumptious array of holiday food and drink at the Festival Foods Marketplace. Wanna see some of it in action? Check out this new video, featured by our friends over at the Disney Parks Blog, above—and we’ll see ya there. (Pro tip: Come hungry!)

3 Hardest to Cast Super Hero Roles in Avengers: Endgame

November 20, 2019November 20, 2019

By Jim Frye

Eleven years. 23 films. And Super Heroes (and villains) from every corner of the galaxy! The ever-expanding cast of characters—both super-powered and “mere mortal”—of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a powerhouse of talent and charisma that has forever changed the way we watch movies. At the center of that universe is Sarah Finn, the casting director who assembled the Avengers and all their counterparts, beginning all the way back with 2008’s Iron Man.

“Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of over a decade of my work,” says Finn. “The scope of the cast is something we haven’t seen before—it really is a historic moment in movie history. But lucky for me, I had many years to cast this film.”

She continues: “When we first started with Iron Man, Downey wasn’t known as an action star. That wasn’t necessarily an automatic ‘yes,’ but obviously there’s no one else who could have played Tony Stark. Thor had to be somebody completely believable as an Asgardian—which had an almost Shakespearian tone—and completely relatable on Earth. For Captain America, finding the right person like Chris Evans who could embody the moral compass but also have the acting range, the comedic chops, the humor, the heart, was so important.”

And even though filling each role is a heroic accomplishment in and of itself, three of the most difficult roles to cast were Star Lord, Peter Parker, and—surprisingly—Valkyrie.

“Casting Chris Pratt for Star-Lord was famously difficult,” says Sarah. “James Gunn (director) has been very generous in giving me credit, because he didn’t feel Chris was right at all [at first]. We searched and searched, we did tests, and after several months I had approached Chris twice, but he didn’t see himself as the character. I finally convinced him to come in and audition and James said, ‘No, I don’t want to see him, he’s totally wrong.’ Coincidentally, Chris happened to come in while James was at the office, and I said, ‘Why don’t we just do this.’ So within 20 seconds of Chris speaking the words as the character, James turned to me and said, ‘We have our guy.’”

Filling the role of Spider-Man was just as difficult, if not more so. “It’s so often very nerve-wracking because I’m working closely with the director and Kevin Feige and the filmmakers—I understand what their vision is, and sometimes that doesn’t always mesh with what the audience’s expectations are,” says Sarah. “But with Tom Holland, I knew how beloved the character of Peter Parker was to people all around the world, and I knew there had already been two other versions in recent history. I knew that there was pressure that—if we were going to do it again—we had to do it very, very well.” Her gut instincts paid off—Tom Holland, and his portrayal of Spider-Man, have been embraced by fans the world over.

The third challenging role to nail was Valkyrie, as played by Tessa Thompson in Thor: Ragnarok. “There have been characters where we found it along the way, we found it as we were going through the casting process,” she says. “For Valkyrie, we knew we needed somebody incredibly talented, and bold, funny, relatable, and with a lot of humanity, because even though we’re talking about Super Heroes in a lot of these cases, I think what the audience really connects with is their common humanity. So Tessa is someone who knocked it out of the park. I’ve known her for a long time. I knew her comedy chops. I knew her dramatic side. I knew she was right for it, but she wasn’t as well known then. So, like some others, she was willing to fight for it. She was doing eight performances a week in a play in New York, and she got strep throat, but she still got on a plane and tested for the role and got the part!”

Sarah says that Marvel films work when the actors are enthusiastic and passionate about playing their characters. “In Phase One, I had no idea how broad Kevin’s vision was,” she says, “but as we went on, I became aware that these actors needed to have the broadest possible range. Humor is important, wit, intelligence, passion, commitment. We’ve been increasingly aware of what might be required of these actors for the future—we’re always looking for a great talent.”

“Gordo” Is Returning for Lizzie McGuire on Disney+

November 20, 2019March 31, 2020

By Zach Johnson

This is what dreams are made of, Lizzie McGuire fans! Disney+ just announced that Adam Lamberg will reprise his fan-favorite role as David “Gordo” Gordon, a recurring character in the upcoming Disney+ series. Lamberg originated the role of Lizzie’s best friend in the Disney Channel series, where Gordo’s intelligence, creativity, and wry observations about middle school life made him a bit of an outcast—except to his BFFs.

“Gordo was an essential piece of the puzzle to what made the original Lizzie McGuire so authentic and beloved. I couldn’t imagine the series without him,” said Hilary Duff, star and executive producer of the highly anticipated Disney+ series. “I can’t wait for fans to see what he’s up to 15 years later and how he fits into Lizzie’s adult world.”

To celebrate the news, Disney+ shared a photo of Duff and Lamberg reunited on set. The new Lizzie McGuire story picks up as the titular character is just about to turn 30. She seemingly has it all—her dream job as an assistant to a fancy New York City decorator, her dream guy, and a picturesque Brooklyn apartment—but things aren’t always as they seem. With a little help from her friends, her loving family, and her 13-year-old alter-ego in animated form, Lizzie navigates the ups and downs of adulthood.

Production on the series began earlier this month. As previously announced, original cast members Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine, and Jake Thomas will be reprising their roles as Jo McGuire, Sam McGuire, and Matt McGuire, respectively. Original Lizzie McGuire series creator Terri Minsky returns as showrunner and is an executive producer with Duff and Rachel Winter. Ranada Shepard is the co-executive producer.

News of Disney+’s Lizzie McGuire series was first announced at D23 Expo 2019.

Want more Disney+ news? Click here to stay up-to-date with what’s streaming!

Get Disney Collectibles Like Never Before with Disney Collect!

November 19, 2019December 5, 2019

By D23 Team

Update: D23 Exclusive Pack Content unlocks are here!

To celebrate the launch of the Disney Collect! by Topps app, D23 members can now redeem a an exclusive in-app pack that contains 23 digital collectibles including 5 limited-release D23 “Mickey & Pals” collectibles, 18 Mickey base set collectibles and an in-app currency boost of 23,000 coins!

This set is exclusive to D23 members and can be redeemed with membership credentials here.

More about Disney Collect! by Topps
Two brands synonymous with providing entertainment and delight to consumers around the world, Topps and Disney, collaborate once again to launch a brand-new digital collectibles app, Disney Collect! by Topps. The app transforms the classic Topps trading card experience into a virtual community where Disney fans around the world can come together to collect and trade their favorite characters, complete collector-based missions, and customize their profiles with favorite collectibles and character avatars.

Disney Collect!, available worldwide in the iTunes App Store and Google Play Stores, celebrates its launch with the release of a “Mickey and Friends” starter set, Toy Story 4 “Let’s Play” set, as well as Lion King Motion Sketch Cards (below).

The app also touts timely content releases like “Woodcut” – a Disney Frozen 2 inspired set releasing on Friday – just in time for the film’s premiere.

Along with new starter sets, Disney Collect! by Topps will also release never-before digitized content supplied by the Disney Animation Research Library. The set features original animated sketches from each decade, spanning the last 90+ years, From Never Land and 17 Cherry Lane, to New Orleans and under the sea, these digital collectibles are keepsakes that every Disney fan should add to their collection. Here’s a first, D23 exclusive look at these brand-new collectibles!

D23 members can also expect to receive instructions on how to redeem a special D23 exclusive pack in the Disney Collect! app. Be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks!

Disney Channel’s The Owl House Summons Second Season Ahead of Premiere

Harrison Ford Heeds The Call of the Wild in February 2020

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