Meet the Enchanting New Characters of Frozen 2

November 18, 2019November 18, 2019

By Savannah Salazar

For the first time in forever, our favorite characters (and new ones too!) are coming back for a journey beyond Arendelle when Frozen 2 hits theaters on November 22. Picking up three years after Anna and Elsa reunited, the sisters—along with Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven—set off into the enchanted forest where they meet a plethora of new faces.

Before you venture into the unknown with Frozen 2, we wanted to give you a look at the newest characters of Arendelle, the enchanted forest and everywhere in between.

Queen Iduna
Queen Iduna—voiced by Frozen 2 newcomer Evan Rachel Wood—is back, but this time with secrets from the past. With young Elsa’s powers growing, Iduna wonders if her past holds some answers for Elsa’s future. Director Jennifer Lee said Wood’s voice was perfect for the role as Wood’s voice sounds as if she’s keeping something hidden at all times. Her singing voice also sits right between Kristen Bell (Anna) and Idina Menzel’s (Elsa) own singing voices, which is perfect for her beautiful lullaby “All is Found.”

King Agnarr
Like Queen Iduna, Anna and Elsa’s father also returns—voiced by Alfred Molina. He tries his best to help Elsa as her powers grow, and his love for his daughters is infinite.

Lieutenant Destin Mattias
A loyal guard of Arendelle, Mattias has long protected the kingdom against its enemies, including the Northuldra, but becomes trapped in the enchanted forest by a magical mist for over 30 years. Voiced by Sterling K. Brown, director Chris Buck said Brown invested in his character, saying there is a lot of Sterling in Mattias.

Bruni
Meet your cute new obsession—because he’s most definitely ours! Bruni is a curious salamander who meets Anna and Elsa during their journey. He also takes a liking to Elsa’s icy snowflakes because—wait for it—the cold never bothered him anyways.

Yelana
As the leader of the Northuldra, Yelana is extremely wise and fiercely protective when it comes to her community. While weary of outsiders, if one shows an understanding of the forest and its inhabitants, Yelana is known to soften.

Ryder
You would think Kristoff was the only reindeer-loving man around, but Ryder is close to giving him a run for his money—or carrots? But as fun-loving and optimistic as Ryder is, he’s never left the enchanted forest and longs to venture into the world outside.

Honeymaren
Part of the Northuldra, Honeymaren is peaceful and a free spirit and wants everyone in the enchanted forest to feel the same.

The Nokk
Pulling from Nordic folklore, the Frozen 2 filmmakers were able to create this beautiful character, a mythical water spirit that takes the form of a stallion. While gorgeous, this water spirit is a warrior set to guard the secrets of the forest and is dangerous to those not careful.

Gale
As full of personality as any other character in Frozen 2, the precocious wind spirit named Gale is quite a troublemaker. From tornados to slight gusts of wind, Gale isn’t always easily seen, but instead makes her presence known by interacting with the characters’ clothing or hair.

Earth Giants
Also known as the earth spirits, these massive creatures are capable of incredible destruction and create a feeling of unease across the enchanted forest, but when they are asleep, they appear as rocky riverbanks.

Fire Spirit
A rambunctious fireball, the magical fire spirit zips around creating chaos in the forest in a matter of seconds. Its magical fire—which appears magenta and blue—doesn’t emit smoke, but it does emit heat. The level of heat is based on its emotions, from smaller, playful flames to angry, all-consuming fires that rage throughout the forest.

Must-Watch Mickey Mouse Movies and Shorts to Celebrate His Big Day!

November 18, 2019November 15, 2019

By Jocelyn Buhlman

It’s Mickey Mouse’s big day, and there are tons of ways to celebrate—but might we recommend and movie marathon? To ring in the big celebration of Mickey’s birthday, we’ve rounded up some essential Mickey movies and shorts you can watch right now on Disney+. Check out our list below for our recommendations.

Steamboat Willie (1928)
The first time we ever saw Mickey Mouse in a theatrical film, he was dressed as a deckhand and causing mischief to a certain Captain Pete. Besides being the public’s introduction to Mickey, this is also notable for being the first cartoon with synchronized sound!

The Band Concert (1935)
The first time we saw Mickey animated in color, we were literally in for a whirlwind of visual delight during this concert run amok thanks to a cyclone. Besides being significant to Mickey’s animated history, this short is also notable for inspiring Silly Symphony Swings at Disney California Adventure.

Lonesome Ghosts (1937)
“I ain’t a scared of no ghosts!” claims Goofy, but we’re not so sure. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, known collectively as the “Ajax Ghost Exterminators,” are called on to get rid of some ghosts from a haunted house—but little do they know that the call was made by the ghosts themselves. Featuring silly scares and hilarious haunts, this film as a classic Halloween staple for Disney fans.

Society Dog Show (1939)
Mickey’s best pal Pluto is already a prizewinner in our hearts, but will he stand up to the competition at a real dog show? If you’ve got a dog in your life, you can relate to Mickey and Pluto’s silly adventures at the dog show—which manage to feature everything from perilous dangers to romantic rescues.

Fantasia (1940)
Possibly one of Mickey’s most iconic appearances ever, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” sequence in Fantasia features Mickey as an ambitious aspiring magic-maker—but when he’s left to do magic on his own, he ends up in over his head. Mickey’s sorcerer outfit has become one of his most famous costumes ever, and the sequence itself went on to inspire Fantasmic! at Disney parks around the world.

Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are in for more fantastic hijinks in this retelling of the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. During the “Mickey and the Beanstalk” sequence, join Mickey, Donald, and Goofy on a giant adventure to rescue a singing harp and restore happiness to Happy Valley.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
This Disney-fied retelling of the Charles Dickens tale casts Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit against (who else?) Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge. Featuring a cast of Disney characters rarely seen all together, this Christmas story is beloved by Disney fans for touching our hearts and ringing in the holiday spirit.

The Prince and The Pauper (1990)
We’re seeing double in this take on a classic fairy tale! Mickey plays both a spoiled prince and a struggling peasant who decide to switch lives—and hijinks ensue as they try to adapt to their new lives.

The Three Musketeers (2004)
Our favorite trio of troublemakers take on the role of the Three Musketeers, faced with the dastardly plot of Peg-Leg Pete, who is determined to rid the kingdom of Princess Minnie in order to rule the kingdom himself. It’s up to the Musketeers to save the day—even if they get into some silly situations along the way.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers (2016)
Race towards fun adventures with Mickey and friends in this series following Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, and Daisy as they race through Hot Dog Hills and lend a helping hand to folks around town along the way.

Mickey Mouse (2012)
This series of slapstick shorts takes Mickey on a variety of adventures and silly situations around the world. Full of visual gags, heroic moments, and familiar faces, these shorts keep fans laughing out loud at the antics of Mickey and his pals.

A Look at The Mandalorian‘s Out of This World Fan Event

November 15, 2019

By Savannah Salazar

On November 13, we set our course for a very special galactic fan event in Hollywood to celebrate Lucasfilm’s first-ever live-action series The Mandalorian! The red carpet—complete with the Mandalorian’s armor on display—brought the stars and filmmakers at full force for a premiere screening and Q&A.

Also, in attendance were fans—some even with their own Mandalorian armor—as they jumped at lightspeed for the chance to take photos and meet their favorite stars. When it comes to the fans’ response to the show, Carl Weathers (Greef Carga) told us it’s been meaningful. “You don’t always know you’re making something special, but I had a feeling about this and I feel like we’re very fortunate,” he said. “It’s kind of like the stars have to come together in the right way to form this constellation that people somehow take interest in, and it looks like people are taking interest in this.”

Gina Carano (Cara Dune) also stopped by to talk to us on the carpet and spoke about the bounty hunter himself. “Pedro [Pascal] is such an incredible Mandalorian. There’s so much mystery in the Mandalorian, which I think is what we absolutely love about bounty hunters.”

She went on to describe what it’s been like working with Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. “Dave is so passionate and so smart. The other day he came to set and he was like, ‘You know, let me tell you a story…’ and it’s one of those situations where you can sit around the campfire and listen to him [forever]. He’s such a great storyteller and I’m really proud to know him,” she said. “And with Jon, I’ll never not be star struck.”

Composer Ludwig Göransson—whose score for Black Panther was nominated for an Academy Award®—also discussed working with Favreau. “He talked about his inspirations from samurai movies to spaghetti westerns and also about our mutual love for Star Wars. John Williams wrote the best film music there ever is, so there’s a lot of pressure to step into this universe. The only way I could do it was to write something completely different, and Jon was very supportive of that,” he said.

In fact, when it came to creating his own score for the galaxy far, far away, Göransson said he was inspired by Pascal’s character. “He has incredible armor, so I created a unique sound world, taking sounds that you’ve heard [before, such as] flutes and percussion, but then twist them around with modern technology and put a new spin to sound like something you’ve never heard before.”

After walking the red carpet, the stars of The Mandalorian—Pascal, Carano, Weathers, and Werner Herzog—joined filmmakers Favreau, Filoni, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, Deborah Chow, Göransson and the Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy for a Q&A, before screening three episodes of the Disney+ series.

See More from the Fan Event
Check out this gallery to see even more moments from the fan event! You can start streaming two episodes of The Mandalorian on Disney+ now! And for more Disney+ news, click here to stay up-to-date with what’s streaming. We have spoken.

H2O+ Releases New Thingamabobs as Part of a Collection for The Little Mermaid’s 30th Anniversary

November 14, 2019

By D23 Team

The fin-tastic H2O+ collection that debuted at D23 Expo 2019 is now available to add to your trove of whozits and whatzits galore! In celebration of The Little Mermaid’s 30th anniversary, this limited-edition 3-Step Hydration system features the little mermaid herself, Ariel. You can swim to Shopdisney.com to get your set, but until then, let’s go under the sea to look at this stuff because, well, isn’t it neat?

Elements Keep It Fresh Face Cleanser by H2O+
Your collection wouldn’t be complete without this luxurious cleanser. Gently washing away dirt, oil, and makeup, it’s formulated with water lily extract to smooth and hydrate.

Oasis Hydrating Beauty Essence by H2O+
Rounding out the collection is this skin care product that softens, hydrates, and primes your skin after cleansing. Super-charge your routine with this prep step that helps maximize the benefits of all the products in the collection.

Oasis Hydrating Treatment Water-Gel Moisturizer by H2O+
Powered by signature hydrating technology, this water-gel product moisturizes on contact, absorbs rapidly, and lasts all day, keeping you as fresh-faced as Ariel herself.

Go Inside Frozen 2 with New Podcast—Plus More in News Briefs

November 13, 2019November 14, 2019

By Courtney Potter

Hear directly from the filmmakers of Frozen 2, and stay tuned for some holiday fun from ABC and Disney Channel… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

**ABC Audio Presents Brand-New Inside Frozen 2 Podcast**

Want to learn everything there is to know about the world of Arendelle in a fresh new way? Then make sure to tune into ABC Audio’s new podcast—Inside Frozen 2—debuting Wednesday, November 20 (just a few days before Frozen 2’s theatrical release)!

The six-part podcast series, produced in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios, takes listeners on a rare deep dive into the making of the sequel to Frozen, the biggest animated movie in box office history. Hosted by ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Good Morning America stalwart Ginger Zee, the series’ first episode features an interview with Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—the married duo who wrote all seven new original songs for Frozen 2 and won an Oscar^® for Frozen’s iconic song “Let It Go.” In the series, the Lopezes will not only talk to Zee about their creative process (and the evolution of songs from conception to completion), but also give some intimate piano performances, previewing highly anticipated songs from Frozen 2 including “Into the Unknown.”

Later in the series, we’ll hear interviews with Frozen 2 directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck and producer Peter Del Vecho; score composer Christophe Beck; Walt Disney Animation Studios’ senior vice president of music Tom MacDougall; head of Frozen 2 animation Becky Bresee; “Elsa” supervising animator Wayne Unten; members of the voice cast; and more!

Inside Frozen 2 will be available for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, and the ABC News app—with new episodes releasing every Wednesday, concluding on Christmas Day. And guess what? Video versions of each episode will also be available on ABC News Digital! So mark those calendars and join in on all the Frozen 2 fun…

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
November 14, 2019
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experiences: A Day at the Studio Lot
November 16, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Up at Walt Disney World
November 18, 2019
Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney Animation Studios
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 8, 2019
Light Up the Season with D23—2019
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 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 16, 2019
Big City Greens Kicks Off Season Two on Disney Channel (9:30 a.m. EST/PST)

Make Merry with These New Holiday Specials from ABC and Disney Channel!

Speaking of ABC, they’re getting into the holiday spirit in a big way—and they’re teaming with our pals over at Disney Channel to make all our spirits bright… Beginning later this month, ABC and Disney Channel will transport the magic of Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line during the holidays to viewers with three incredible new specials featuring star-studded performances, merry entertainment, and so much more.

It all kicks off on ABC, on Thanksgiving night (Thursday, November 28, at 8 p.m. EST) with The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration; join Golden Globe^®-nominated actor/singer Matthew Morrison, The Great American Baking Show’s Emma Bunton, and TV host Jesse Palmer as they present a two-hour prime-time special from in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort and Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort. This magical evening will feature musical performances from the likes of Sting, Pentatonix, Portugal. The Man, Ingrid Michealson, and more—all among a veritable flurry of Disney holiday entertainment! During the special, viewers will be treated to several Disney Parks sneak peeks, including a behind-the-scenes look at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance—opening in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on December 5 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on January 17, 2020, at Disneyland Park.

Then, on Friday, December 13, at 8 p.m. PST on Disney Channel and the DisneyNOW app, tune into Disney Channel Holiday Party @ Walt Disney World—featuring Morrison alongside co-hosts Megan Donnelly and Milo Manheim (ZOMBIES 2) as they present even more holiday fun… including a sneak peek at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. And be sure not to miss Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, ABC’s annual fan-favorite special airing Christmas morning, Wednesday, December 25, beginning at 10 a.m. EST/9 a.m. PST.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, all this holiday talk has us hankerin’ for a mug of hot cocoa…

**United Airlines Unveils Amazing Star Wars-Themed Plane**

Could it make the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean it’s not one of the coolest-looking planes currently flying the skies…

As first announced by our friends at the Disney Parks Blog, United Airlines just introduced a special Star Wars-themed Boeing 737-800 aircraft featuring a Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker-themed look and onboard experience. The new paint design captures the galactically grand atmosphere of the Star Wars universe, and features imagery of iconic Star Wars spacecrafts—including the X-wing and TIE fighter starships. The aircraft’s tail also displays different colored lightsabers against a black backdrop on each side, indicating both sides of the Force.

Passengers are greeted with classic Star Wars-themed music during the boarding process; watch an inflight safety demonstration video that features characters from the new film (so fun, right?!); and enjoy headrests with the emblems of the Resistance and First Order. Plus, commemorative pins will be distributed throughout December to celebrate the movie’s premiere. See what makes the plane so unique in the new video, above.

It’s truly an “out-of-this-world” journey… and if you’re flying United in the near future, perhaps you’ll be “recruited” onboard!

Tree of Life Awakens for the Holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you’ve been following along here at News Briefs, you’ve already heard that Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating the holidays in a big way—bigger than ever before in their two-decade-long history… And now, we have a look at what that means for the park’s incredible Tree of Life. Take a gander at what you can expect this season in the new clip, above.

The new Tree of Life awakenings are themed to several holiday-related stories and are colorful (and adorable) as can be. And some of the animals seen in the awakenings can also be observed around Discovery Island during the day, in the form of incredible new puppets created just for the occasion. So if you and your family should find yourselves at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the next few weeks, don’t miss your chance to see it all in person!

Freeform Gets Romantic with New Valentine’s Day-Themed Movie

The holidays may still be on the horizon, but the new year will be here before we know it—which means Valentine’s Day isn’t far behind! (Time certainly flies, right?) And our pals over at Freeform just announced the start of production on a brand-new Valentine’s Day-themed romantic comedy film, to debut on the network in February…

The Thing About Harry (currently shooting in Chicago, and directed by Good Trouble and The Fosters creator Peter Paige) follows two high school enemies—uber-jock Harry (newcomer Niko Terho) and out-and-proud Sam (Grey’s Anatomy’s Jake Borelli)—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.

Rounding out the cast are Karamo Brown (Dancing with the Stars, Queer Eye) as Paul, an exceedingly well put-together (yet just a touch overbearing) gay man; Britt Baron (GLOW) as Stasia, Sam’s edgy and opinionated best friend; and director Paige himself as Casey, Sam’s warmhearted roommate.

Look for The Thing About Harry on Freeform this spring!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts Announces 2020 Schedule

Speaking of “fun things to look forward to next year,” Epcot just released some new info about its upcoming International Festival of the Arts—which will celebrate all things visual, culinary, and performing arts for a whopping 39 days, from January 17 to February 24, 2020. The event features visiting artists; an array of delicious foodie delights; and plenty of opportunities for guests to embrace their own inner artists.

The popular Disney on Broadway Concert Series will return to America Gardens Theatre with three daily performances, headlined by amazing Broadway stars who’ll reprise fan-fave songs from past turns in Disney’s award-winning Broadway shows. The show-stopping schedule—which includes several alums of the recent D23 Expo 2019 Disney on Broadway event—currently features:

17, 20, 21, 24, and 25 – Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King)
18, 19, 22, 23, and 25 – Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid, Freaky Friday) and Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins)
25 – Special performance featuring Simmons, White, Blickenstaff, and Lee
26, 28, 29; Feb. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9 – Kara Lindsay (Newsies) and Kevin Massey (Tarzan)
10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24 – Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
Additional January and February performances still to be announced.

But that’s not all: New for 2020 is the Le Cellier Brunch in the Canada pavilion, a leisurely prix fixe bounty each Saturday and Sunday in the relaxing Canadian chateau (reservations required)… And the festival will also feature photo ops aplenty; opportunities to watch our favorite artists in action; delicious eats and treats; your chance to grab your own paintbrush and add color to a wall mural along World Showcase Plaza; and so much more!

Ready to get artistic? Click here for more information, don your favorite painter’s smock, and we’ll see ya there!

The Inspiration Behind The Mandalorian? Jon Favreau Fills Us In

November 13, 2019November 14, 2019

By Jim Frye

The hotly anticipated new live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian blasted off this week with the launch of Disney+, the marquee new streaming service bringing together all the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Sitting in the pilot seat of this new series is Disney Legend and boffo Star Wars fan Jon Favreau, who most recently directed Disney’s The Jungle Book and The Lion King. Here, Favreau talks exclusively with D23 about this epic new series from Lucasfilm and the inspiration behind it.

D23: When and where did you get the idea for The Mandalorian?

Jon Favreau: It goes back as far back as 2012, when it was announced that Disney was going to be making other films in the Star Wars universe when Lucasfilm became part of Disney. I watched all the Star Wars movies again, and I was writing down notes about the type of story I would like to tell. After that, I did Jungle Book while Episode Seven [Star Wars: The Force Awakens] was being filmed. I visited the set [of Episode Seven] that [director] J.J. Abrams was filming—that was very fun and exciting to see that world come to life and to be on that set. And then Disney announced the streaming service [Disney+], and it seemed that that was the right size and scale for the type of story I wanted to tell.

D23: Specifically, what type of story is it that you want to tell?

JF: A story that is evocative of the genres that really inspired George Lucas when he was doing the original Star Wars film, which were the Western and Samurai films. And both of those genres are set against a backdrop of living on the edge of chaos and the outer boundaries of civilization.

D23: Will viewers see anything new with The Mandalorian?

JF: We invented a whole new set of characters and new planets that we hadn’t seen before. The Empire falls at the end of Return of the Jedi, and by the time you’re in Episode Seven, the First Order has come back. So, there was this 30-year period of uncertainty that is fresh now.

D23: How did you end up choosing this particular character to build a series around?

JF: I have always loved the Mandalorians. I even did the voiceover of a Mandalorian on [executive producer] Dave Filoni’s show Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And he and I partnered up on this project after I had pitched my story to Kathy [Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy]. It’s basically the story of a lone gunfighter—the Mandalorian—a bounty hunter working his way through this new world.

D23: How much does The Mandalorian touch the world of the Star Wars films?

JF: Occasionally we interconnect, and it does graft into the continuity of Star Wars. There are Easter eggs for people who are beyond just the casual fan, so the more you know Star Wars, the more you’re going to see in it. But we’re just having a really fun time with the freedom of not having to continue any stories or worrying about what we’re setting up. We’re just trying to have fun telling the story and make it fun for the fans.

9 Stories Worth Melting For from the Frozen 2 Press Conference

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019

By Savannah Salazar

For directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, the ending of Frozen was only the beginning. As Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) came together, that reunion only started a new journey for the sisters—one that Lee and Buck wanted to know about as much as the fans. So, similarly to Anna and Elsa venturing into the enchanted forest in Frozen 2, the filmmakers and cast set off on a new journey to go, well, “Into the Unknown.”

“This is a journey Disney Animation doesn’t usually do. There’s never been a second musical to a feature,” Lee said, adding, “We just knew we couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen.”

Before Frozen 2 opens in theaters November 22, here are some heartwarming highlights from the press conference:

1. Directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck missed the Frozen characters.
“We did a small short [Frozen Fever] and when we saw the characters animated again, we got emotional,” Lee said. But, it wasn’t until Del Vecho, the producer of both Frozen and Frozen 2, had been traveling the world and was always asked “Why does Elsa have powers?”—the same question that had been intriguing Lee and Buck. “The questions kept rolling, and we realized we had been talking about those same questions,” Lee said. “And, we naively just said, ‘We have more story to tell,’ because we’re not ready to leave this world. We love this world.”

2. For Bell and Menzel, their characters have never left them.
If you ever see Bell and Menzel together, it’s hard to tell them apart from Anna and Elsa. “Returning to this family, this beautiful film that’s gifted us with so much joy in our lives—and getting to connect with another human being and sister like Kristen—is something we’re proud of,” Menzel said. Bell jumped in, adding to her co-star’s sentiments. “And I think that it generally never really ended. I’m very similar to Anna, and I’ve tried to infuse a ton of me into this character—maybe more so than I’ve ever really done,” she said.

3. Technically, “For the First Time in Forever” marked the second time in forever that Bell and Menzel sang together.
Before Lee officially joined Frozen and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez even wrote a song, Menzel and Bell sang a duet of a song of their choice to test their chemistry for the first Frozen film. “It was Kristen’s idea to do a duet of ‘Wind Beneath My Wings,’” Idina said, to which Lopez jokingly added, “This has to happen now!”, inspiring Menzel and Kristen to burst into song, with everyone in the room cheering and singing along.

4. Olaf does a bit of growing up in Frozen 2.
“He got a license. He took out an insurance policy,” Gad joked. “But, really, he’s had a lot of growth.”

Early on, when developing Frozen 2, Gad told Lee, Buck, and Del Vecho a story about his daughter, and how her fears of growing up affected his performance as Olaf. “My oldest child was sitting at the table one day, and all of sudden tears started streaming down her face. She looked my wife and me and goes, ‘What if I don’t want to grow up?’” Gad recalled. “It was so unbelievable, because I think we all have had that experience as kids.”

“I still have those moments as an adult!,” Evan Rachel Wood quipped.

Gad continued, “That is the way I feel about Olaf in this movie. In the first movie, he was this innocent ball of naiveté who was willing to basically go out into the summer sun because he didn’t know any better, and in this movie he’s almost gone from toddler to fully grown child. Now, he’s starting to ask those questions that don’t always have easy answers, and from a comedic perspective, there was so much to play with.”

5. The Frozen 2 cast has proclaimed Kristoff’s song “Lost in the Woods” as one of the film’s best songs.
Kristen Bell had a tiny criticism of the first film: “It’s an excellent film but Jonathan Groff doesn’t sing!” To which Kristen Anderson-Lopez jokingly replied, “Who knew he was so talented?” But rest assured, because the cast collectively agreed the song Lopez and Anderson-Lopez have written for Groff’s character, Kristoff, is brilliant. “Dare I say, it’s one of the best, or at least one of the top three moments of the film,” Bell explained, while Gad added that Kristoff’s song is “the funniest song in Disney Animation history.”

6. The songwriters and Menzel didn’t worry too much about outdoing “Let it Go.”
When the first Frozen was released, “Let it Go” became a musical phenomenon. Although the song’s giant impact could be a bit daunting to try to top, Menzel, Anderson-Lopez, and Lopez never let that bother them anyway. “I feel so trusting of the situation and this creative process… There’s something about how Kristen and Bobby can write such memorable and powerful melodies while also telling story that evolves character. [It] is just quite a gift,” Menzel said. “So, I can just go in there and have fun.”

Intentionally planning to outdo “Let it Go” just wasn’t for Lopez and the Frozen 2 team. “We never think about hits or anything like that,” he said. “The reason for that is that is because of Jennifer, Chris, and Peter. When they first began this project, they didn’t think about trying to top the first one. They just thought about the characters and the story. They pitched us this bit of an idea that they had, and it gave us the chills.”

7. Frozen 2 celebrates its representation of both its female and male characters.
“The coolest thing about watching Frozen and now, Frozen 2, with my daughters is that they have Idina and Kristen as their role models,” Gad said. “I get to share this with two girls who get to look up to two fiercely independent Disney princesses who I think are changing the way we view what a princess is, and I love that.”

Along with Anna and Elsa, Bell explained how Kristoff is a phenomenal role model, as well: “We talk about female empowerment, it’s led by two women, but I personally think that the representation Jonathan gives for the guys is out-of-this world.” Wood added to the sentiment, saying that there are some moments with Groff’s character that are “mind-blowing,” and she sums up Kristoff as being “Prince Sincere, not Prince Charming.”

8. Getting to sing in a Disney film is a dream come true for Evan Rachel Wood.
“Disney raised me… These films are just living breathing works of art, and there’s so much love and care poured into all of them,” Wood said. She’s one of the newest cast members, joining the Frozen family as Queen Iduna, Anna and Elsa’s mom, in Frozen 2.

“I’ve been singing Disney lullabies to my son since he was born, so to be welcomed into the Disney family is already huge, and then to be given a Disney lullaby of my own was… I’m still processing it,” Wood said.

9. Frozen’s impact isn’t lost on the cast and filmmakers.
The whole team can agree that the Frozen franchise is full of love. “This is a movie which has a lot of action and a lot of emotion and drama,” Del Vecho said. “And this is a movie for everyone.”

At the close of the press conference, director Chris Buck shared stories of fan’s experiences with Frozen, from those who the film inspired to join art school, to those getting through tough times. “We’ve been floored by the response. People come up to us to say the movie brought their family together, that it’s changed their lives, and it’s all very, very powerful… everything else is ‘whatever’ because ultimately, it’s all about touching people.”

Everything You Need to Know to Be a Disney+ Expert

November 12, 2019November 13, 2019

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

By Zach Johnson

If you’re like us, you’ve watched (and re-watched) your favorite Disney movies and dreamed of exploring places like Arendelle’s ice palace and Jakku’s remote deserts. And now, you’re able to do just that—without leaving the comfort of your own home!

Disney+ launched today in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands, preceding a launch in Australia and New Zealand on November 19. On March 31, 2020, Disney+ will launch in markets across Western Europe, including the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other countries. A direct-to-consumer experience featuring original feature films, documentaries, scripted and unscripted series, and short-form content, along with unprecedented access to Disney’s library of films and television series, Disney+ is the exclusive streaming home for movies released by The Walt Disney Studios in 2019.

“The launch of Disney+ is a historic moment for our company that marks a new era of innovation and creativity,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Disney+ provides an exceptional entertainment experience, showcasing our library of beloved movies, TV series, and exclusive original content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.”

Fans got a first look at some of the exciting new titles coming to Disney+ over the summer at D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, Calif. And, during the streaming service’s first-ever presentation, six new series were revealed to be in development. “Storytelling is the cornerstone of The Walt Disney Company,” said Kevin Mayer, chairman, Direct-to-Consumer & International, “and we’re thrilled to unveil a new slate of original shows from the Star Wars and Marvel cinematic universes, along with popular television franchises set to return with all-new series streaming only on Disney+.”

How Much Does It Cost?
Disney+ is available at the following price points:

U.S.: $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year
Canada: $8.99CAD per month or $89.99 per year
The Netherlands: €6.99 per month or €69.99 per year
Australia: $8.99AUD per month or $89.99 per year
New Zealand: 9.99NZD per month or $99.99 per year

Disney+ is now available on a variety of mobile and connected devices, including gaming consoles, streaming media players, and smart TVs. Consumers in the U.S. can also select a bundled offering that includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu—for just $12.99!

How Can I Access Disney+?

At launch, consumers in the U.S. can subscribe to Disney+ directly or via in-app purchase. Then, they can stream from the following partner platforms and devices:

Amazon (Fire TV Devices, Fire TV Edition Smart TVs, and Fire Tablets)
Apple (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple TV, and fully integrated with the Apple TV app; customers can subscribe to Disney+ via in-app purchase)
Google (Android phones, Android TV devices, Google Chromecast, and Chromecast built-in devices)
LG Smart TVs with webOS
Microsoft (Xbox One)
Samsung Smart TVs
Sony/Sony Interactive Entertainment (all Android-based Sony TVs and PlayStation®4)
Roku (Roku® streaming players and Roku TV™ models)

Disney+ offers subscribers high-quality and commercial-free viewing, up to four concurrent streams, unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices, personalized recommendations, and the ability to set up to seven different profiles. Parents can set up Kids Profiles with an easy-to-navigate interface to access age-appropriate content.

Which Original Programming Will Be Available?
Fans who attended the Disney+ Showcase during D23 Expo 2019 at the Anaheim Convention Center got a first look at some of the content coming exclusively to Disney+.

Original films include Flora & Ulysses (TBD); Lady and the Tramp (available at launch); Noelle (available at launch); Togo (available in December); The Phineas and Ferb Movie (working title, year one); Secret Society of Second Born Royals (year one); Stargirl (year one); and Timmy Failure (year one). Meanwhile, live-action series include Diary of a Female President (year one); The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (year one); High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (available at launch); Love, Simon (TBD); The Mandalorian (available at launch); Untitled Cassian Andor Series (year two); and WandaVision (year two). Animated series and shorts include Chip ‘n’ Dale (year one); Disney Family Sundays (available at launch); Forky Asks a Question (available at launch); Lamp Life (year one); Marvel’s What If…? (year one) Monsters at Work (year one); Short Circuit (year one); SparkShorts (available at launch); and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (year one). Documentaries, unscripted series, live specials and short form series include Be Our Chef (year one); Dolphin Reef (year one); Earthkeepers (working title, year two); Encore! (available at launch); Ink & Paint (year two); Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 (year one); Magic of Animal Kingdom (year one); Marvel’s 616 (year one); Marvel’s Hero Project (available at launch); Pixar IRL (available at launch); Prop Culture (year one); (Re)Connect (year one); Rogue Trip (year one); Shop Class (working title, year one); The Imagineering Project (available at launch); and The World According to Jeff Goldblum (available at launch). Beginning on November 15, 2019, most new episodes of each original series will premiere on Fridays at 12:01 a.m. PT.

During D23 Expo 2019, Ewan McGregor made a surprise appearance to announce his return as Obi-Wan Kenobi in a new untitled series from Lucasfilm; Kevin Feige also teased Marvel Studios is developing three new live-action series: Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight and She-Hulk, all derived from Marvel comics; Hilary Duff revealed she will reprise the role she made famous in a new Lizzie McGuire series from Terri Minsky; and Kermit the Frog, Missy Piggy, and the gang promised they will bring a new kind of mayhem and laughter with their first-ever unscripted short-form series, Muppets Now. Guests were also the first to learn about One Day at Disney, a collaboration between Disney+ and Disney Publishing Worldwide showcasing the talents of people all over The Walt Disney Company. Both the book and documentary will arrive on December 3.

Which Library Content Will Be Offered?

Recent releases including Captain Marvel, Dumbo, Avengers: Endgame, Aladdin, Toy Story 4,The Lion King, and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, as well as the upcoming films Frozen 2 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, will call Disney+ home; the former three titles are available at launch, with the others to follow at a later date. By the end of year one, Disney+ will house more than 7,500 episodes of television and 500 movies.

Some of the films we can’t wait to watch once Disney+ launches include 101 Dalmatians, A Bug’s Life, A Goofy Movie, An Extremely Goofy Movie, Ant-Man, Avatar, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Endgame, Bambi, Bao, Big Hero 6, The Black Cauldron, Born in China, Camp Rock, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: Civil War, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain Marvel, Cars, Descendants, Descendants 2, Doctor Strange, Fantasia, Finding Dory, Finding Nemo, Free Solo, Frozen, Fun and Fancy Free, Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Hercules, High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Inside Out, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Lady and the Tramp, Lilo & Stitch, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, Moana, Monsters University, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pixar Short Films Collection Vol. 1, Ratatouille, Remember the Titans, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Steamboat Willie, The Good Dinosaur, The Incredibles, The Little Mermaid, The Parent Trap (1961), The Prince and The Pauper (1990), The Princess Diaries, The Rocketeer, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Short), The Sword in the Stone, The Three Caballeros, Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Toy Story, Tron (1982), Up, WALL•E, and Zootopia.

TV series available at launch are as exciting as they are varied, with Amazing Planet, Andi Mack, Boy Meets World, Brain Games, Dog Whisperer With Cesar Milan, Dr. K’s Exotic Animals, Dr. Oakley Yukon Vet, Drain the Ocean, DuckTales (1987), DuckTales (2016), Earth Live, Goof Troop, Great Migrations, Howie Mandel’s Animals Doing Things, Kim Possible, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel’s Runaways, Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man, Mickey and the Roadster Racers (Seasons One and Two), Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Mickey Mouse Shorts, One Strange Rock, Raven’s Home, Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue, Science Fair, Spider-Man, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, That’s So Raven, The Incredible Dr. Pol, The Simpsons, Unlikely Animal Friends, Wicked Tuna, X-Men, and more available.

For a more comprehensive look at basically everything coming to Disney+, click here.

Where Can I Follow Disney+ on Social Media?
Disney+ launched accounts in five countries on August 19:

U.S. and Canada: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
The Netherlands: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Australia: Facebook, Instagram
New Zealand: Facebook, Instagram

Visit DisneyPlus.com to register your email and stay informed on the latest updates.

Check Out These 11 Must-See Movies on Disney+

November 12, 2019

By Savannah Salazar

Today’s the day! Disney+ is finally here, and we’re excitedly adding every movie and series to our watchlist. But for the novice Disney fan, we put together a list of pivotal, must-see movies for any Disney fan. And so, in no particular order, we present 11 movies on Disney+ that are must-adds to your queue.

Steamboat Willie (1928)
Whether you’ve seen this classic cartoon short or not, you may recognize Mickey in his grey tall hat, steering and whistling his iconic melody—is it stuck in your head now? This short film is a must-see for all Disney fans and is a cartoon featuring many firsts from being the first cartoon with synchronized sound to having the first ever appearance of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
There’s the mouse who started it all, and the Disney princess who started it all. With the film’s infectious songs like “Heigh-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work” and its unforgettable characters—from the devious evil queen to each of the seven dwarfs’ unique personalities—Walt Disney’s first feature length film captured the hearts of Disney fans and casual viewers alike. In 1939, the film even received a special Academy Award® consisting of one full-size Oscar® and seven dwarf-size Oscars to accompany it.

Mary Poppins (1964)
Take a step in time while watching this story of a wonderous nanny and the two Banks children. The lush storytelling takes a technological leap forward using a combination of live action and animated sequences. The supercalifragilisticexpialidocious film starred Disney Legends Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews—in her film debut—and became an instant Disney classic.

The Living Desert (1953)
Long before Disneynature was established in 2008, there was Disney’s True-Life Adventures series. The series began with nature documentary featurettes starting in the 1940s. But in 1953, the first True-Life Adventures feature-length film, The Living Desert, was released, which inspired the modern nature documentary as we know it. It even won an Oscar!

Frozen (2013)
Six years ago, audiences were transported into the world of Arendelle with the story of two sisters Anna and Elsa. Now, the film has cemented itself as a huge pop cultural phenomenon—evoking Frozen fever in people of all ages. The film’s lovable characters—how can we forget our favorite snowman?—and addictive songs that we won’t ever let go of make this a film worth melting for.

Treasure Island (1950)
Disney’s first live-action film, Treasure Island, is an ayy-conic film. This swashbuckling adventure tells the tale of Jim Hawkins—played by a young Bobby Driscoll, voice of Peter Pan—and his friends who travel to a mysterious island in search of treasure. It’s a can’t miss, me hearties.

Fantasia (1940)
A truly unique film, Fantasia features a symphonic concert by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra embellished by Disney animation. The highly regarded Disney classic features “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” sequence, presenting Mickey Mouse in his iconic red robes and blue sorcerer’s hat—and was released in theaters eight times from 1946 to 1990. And now, you can watch this magical film on Disney+!

High School Musical (2006)
The Disney Channel Original Movie started a phenomenon and became the start of something new when High School Musical became the first full-length film available on digital streaming. With its charming cast and karaoke-style songs—we know every lyric—this film launched two additional films and now, a brand-new original series inspired by the films, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, all available on Disney+. Get ready to start streaming, Wildcat!

Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A tale as old as time, Disney’s 1991 animated classic earned itself a best picture nomination, being the first animated film ever to do so. From enchanting songs and timeless story to dazzling animation, be our guest and watch Beauty and the Beast over and over!

Tron (1982)
It’s game on! If you’re into films like Star Wars, add Tron to your watchlist. While computer imagery had been used in the original trilogy of Star Wars, Tron was the first to create a three-dimensional world using the technique. Following the adventures of Flynn, a young computer genius, after he enters a computer dimension, Tron builds a fantastical world like we had never seen before.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Speaking of science fiction, 65 years ago 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea became the first sci-fi film released by The Walt Disney Studios. Based on a classic story by French writer Jules Verne, this film is full of wonder and adventure, featuring characters seeking a fabled creature in the depths below.

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

Every Snow Cool Moment from the Frozen 2 Premiere

November 11, 2019November 20, 2019

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Last week, Hollywood was turned into an autumn wonderland complete with trees, leaf-shaped confetti, and the occasional troll or two. Why this sudden seasonal transformation? For the enchanting Frozen 2 world premiere, of course. We hit the red carpet to talk with the cast, crew, and celebrity fans of Frozen 2—and had a flurry of fun along the way!

Welcoming New Faces to the Frozen Family
Besides Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and other returning stars of the film, we met some new faces (to the Frozen films, anyway) while chilling out on the red carpet. Alfred Molina, who joins as the voice of Anna and Elsa’s father, Agnarr, stopped to share what it meant to him to be joining the world of Disney animated films.

“It’s a real privilege,” Molina told us. “I’ve been a Disney fan since I was a kid—like many actors, Disney was my first introduction to storytelling. Being part of a movie that comes from a studio with such hallowed history—it’s a big thing!”

Jason Ritter, who joins the cast as Ryder, is no stranger to the Disney family, having previously voiced Dipper Pines on the beloved Disney Channel original series Gravity Falls. Now, he’s swapping his summer at the Mystery Shack for an autumn going into the unknown—and he can’t believe his luck!

“I am so excited. It’s such a thrill!” he told us. “I almost exploded when I found out I was gonna be in this one.”

Ritter had not seen the film in full, and was just as on the edge of his seat as we were to find out what would happen—and specifically, what new music he would hear: “I can’t wait to hear all of the songs for the first time along with everybody else!”

Music to Our Ears
After the smash-hit success of the original film’s song, “Let It Go,” Disney fans have been eagerly awaiting what new music will capture our hearts (and ears) in Frozen 2. We got a sneak peek of some of the new songs—including the already infectious “Into the Unknown.” At the premiere, we had a chance to get even more details from the musical source itself—the Academy Award®-winning songwriting duo of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez!

We asked them about their journey with the Frozen story—spanning eight years since the original story’s inception.

“It’s ok,” Lopez joked about their amazing journey that began back in 2011.

Anderson-Lopez added, “It’s changed my life certainly. We have our children, and then we have Anna and Elsa that sort of sprang from this incredible collaboration with Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck, and Disney Animation. I think this time around, we were able to see how much the amazing animators bring to this process, and how lucky we are to have these songs brought to life by some of the greatest artists.”

The songwriters also share the special distinction of having “story by” credits for Frozen 2 as well. Being part of the storytelling team was a highlight of the Frozen 2 experience. “We have a camera in our office where we video into Burbank every day,” Lopez explained. “It’s a lot of fun—connecting with a little spaceship far away.”

“It’s the most important spaceship in our lives!” Anderson-Lopez added. “Out of our talks, they will then have meetings with the storyboard artists, and then they’ll come back with pages. Then, the next day maybe we’ll read something and we’ll say, “Oh my gosh, Jen! What about this? What if we sing here? And she might say, ‘Yeah try a verse or two, let’s try it. It’s like the greatest, longest, weirdest playdate ever.”

The Next Chapter in Anna and Elsa’s Adventures
The creative team behind the film (directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck and executive producer Peter Del Vecho) stopped by to answer our burning questions—namely, when they exactly knew there was more to tell in Anna and Elsa’s story.

“The ‘Aha!’ moment was when we found out where Anna and Elsa would end up at the end of this film. Once we had that, it became our true north and we tried to craft a story that would earn that,” Buck explained.

“I know I’m blessed and I feel very grateful” Lee told us, reflecting on her chance to continue telling the story of Anna and Elsa, who after eight years feel “like sisters” to her.

When it comes to the continuation of the story, Jonathan Groff (Kristoff) thinks that the creative team have their sights focused on the right place: “I think there’s a lot of humanity in the characters. Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee have kids, and they made this movie for their kids and that trickled down into the project.”

The Young Royals
Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel (the adult voices of Anna and Elsa) weren’t the only Arendelle royalty on the carpet—the voices of Anna and Elsa’s younger counterparts were also on the scene to share their experiences.

“I’m in awe! I’m an actual Disney princess!” exclaimed Hadley Gannaway (Young Anna), who is a newcomer to the world of Frozen—but delighted to be part of the magic. “My favorite part is going in and doing lines,” she told us. “I do them cold, and sometimes it’s hard! But I like how Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee always help me with that. It’s really fun.”

Mattea Conforti is new to the role of Young Elsa—but not to the world of Frozen! Prior to bringing Young Elsa’s voice to life, she acted onstage as Young Anna in Frozen on Broadway. Having portrayed both sisters, Conforti was just as excited as Gannaway to be Disney royalty. “I’m a Disney princess! It’s incredible!”

Of course, few have the unique insight of playing both sisters, so we had to know: What’s it like being both Anna and Elsa? “It’s really cool seeing both perspectives,” Conforti shared. “Anna is more outgoing, more outspoken. Young Elsa is more mature. She’s not as outgoing, but she’s very bold.”

A 360° Bedtime Story
Besides premiering Frozen 2, another peek into Arendelle debuted that night— Walt Disney Animation Studios’ groundbreaking new VR short, Myth: A Frozen Tale. The short explores the world of Frozen 2 in an immersive way, using the latest advances in VR technology, an original music score, and stylized art direction from Brittney Lee to deliver a unique virtual and visceral experience.

To celebrate this groundbreaking animation work, we stopped to chat with the short’s director, Jeff Gipson, who shed some light on what we can expect from Myth: A Frozen Tale. “It’s kind of a bedtime story,” he explained. “It’s more of a stylized concept—It’s animation in a world you can look all the way around.”

The short gives us deeper insight into the cultural world of Arendelle, transporting the audience into a mystical and enchanted forest where the elemental spirits come to life. Gibson explains, “Jen and Chris and Peter were all creative advisors on this, so it was great to have them along in the process to create what we’ll be showing tonight.”

Announcements on where VR and Frozen fans can view the short are still to come—so stay tuned!

See More from the Premiere
Check out this gallery below for a closer look at every moment from the premiere, and make sure to mark your calendar for November 22, when Frozen 2 debuts in theaters!

ABC Audio Presents Brand-New Inside Frozen 2 Podcast

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Epcot International Festival of the Arts Announces 2020 Schedule

**ABC Audio Presents Brand-New Inside Frozen 2 Podcast**

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

**United Airlines Unveils Amazing Star Wars-Themed Plane**