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!

Find Out What You Should Watch First on Disney+

November 11, 2019November 27, 2019

By Savannah Salazar

With Disney+ arriving tomorrow—yes tomorrow!—we’re already planning on adding every new show and movie to our queue. From a galaxy far, far away to the halls of East High and beyond, there’s something for everyone, but if you’re still wrestling with what to watch first—we’ve got the perfect solution. Take our quiz below, and get ready to start streaming! Make sure to match up your answers below to see what show you should watch first!

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

1. It’s vacation time! Where do you go?
A) Disneyland
B) I’m relaxing at home
C) New York
D) Paris
E) I’m not sure but as long as it’s far, far away from here, I’m good!

2. Which Disney character would you like to hang out with the most?
A) Kim Possible
B) Mickey Mouse
C) Chewbacca
D) Olaf
E) Belle

3. Your ideal night in consists of?
A) Playing board games (Forky)
B) Reading a book (The Mandalorian/Jeff Goldblum)
C) Eating a beautiful dinner (Lady and the Tramp)
D) Catching up with your closest friends (HSM//Encore)
E) Listening to your favorite podcasts (Imagineering)

4. Favorite movie night snack?
A) Ice cream
B) Popcorn
C) Snack? I’m eating dinner
D) Candy
E) Food? How about a drink..

5. What kind of movies do you like to watch?
A) Action
B) Comedy—I need a good laugh
C) Documentary
D) Drama—It’s a break from my own drama

6. What’s one word to describe you?
A) Curious
B) Romantic
C) Adventurous
D) Confident
E) Inventive

7. Favorite color?
A) Blue
B) Orange
C) Red
D) Yellow
E) Pink

8. What’s your streaming style?
A) Binging
B) I take my time

9. What’s your preferred way to stream?
A) TV, hands down!
B) Phone
C) Laptop

If you answered…

1. E) I’m not sure but as long as it’s far, far away from here, I’m good!
2. C) Chewbacca
3. B) Reading a book
4. C) Snack? I’m eating dinner
5. A) Action
6. C) Adventurous
7. B) Orange
8. B) I take my time
9. A) TV, hands down!

The Mandalorian

You’re in the mood for adventure—and what’s better than exploring the outer reaches of a galaxy far, far away! As the first live-action series from Lucasfilm on Disney+, if you’re a fan of Star Wars or anything action-packed, this is for you.

If you answered…

1. C) New York
2. A) Kim Possible
3. D) Catching up with your closest friends
4. B) Popcorn
5. B) Comedy—I need a good laugh
6. D) Confident
7. C) Red
8. A) Binging
9. C) Laptop

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Time to start watching something new, so how about this remix of the High School Musical movies? For those who have the music in them, stream this docu-style scripted series for big laughs, heart-felt moments, show-mances, and more.

If you answered…

1. D) Paris
2. C) Chewbacca
3. C) Eating a beautiful dinner
4. C) Snack? I’m eating dinner
5. D) Drama—It’s a break from my own
6. B) Romantic
7. E) Pink
8. B) I take my time
9. A) TV, hands down!

Lady and the Tramp

This is the night to start watching a “tail” of two lovely pups falling in love. The reimagining of the 1955 classic is full of some doggone good moments for romantics and dog lovers alike.

If you answered…

1. B) I’m relaxing at home
2. D) Mickey Mouse
3. A) Playing board games
4. A) Ice cream
5. B) Comedy—I need a good laugh!
6. A) Curious
7. C) Red
8. A) Binging
9. B) Phone

Forky Asks a Question

You asked a question, and, well, here’s our answer! This series of shorts explore Forky’s important questions about how the world works. Perfect for the young-at-heart, this charming series lets you dive into the world of Toy Story 4 once again with our favorite new toy.

If you answered…

1. A) Disneyland
2. B) Mickey Mouse
3. E) Listening to your favorite podcasts
4. B) Popcorn
5. C) Documentary
6. E) Inventive
7. A) Blue
8. B) I take my time
9. C) Laptop

The Imagineering Story

As a Disney fan, you’ll love this peek behind the curtain at the Disney Parks. Spearheaded by Leslie Iwerks—the granddaughter of Disney Legend Ub Iwerks—viewers will see what it takes to create and design all the magic that goes into building Disney theme parks around the world.

If you answered…

1. C) New York
2. E) Belle
3. D) Catching up with your closest friends
4. E) Food? How about a drink..
5. A) Drama—It’s a break from my own
6. D) Confident
7. E) Pink
8. A) Binging
9. B) Phone

Encore!

A show “with the best kind of drama,” this show is a perfect way to put a smile on your face. If you’re into musicals and heartwarming television, grab your tissues and start watching Encore!

If you answered…

1. A) Disneyland
2. B) Mickey Mouse
3. B) Reading a book
4. A) Ice cream
5. C) Documentary
6. A) Curious
7. A) Blue
8. A) Binging
9. C) Laptop

The World According to Jeff Goldblum

Now, who wouldn’t want to spend some time with Jeff Goldblum? Step into his world and watch his curiosity run wild. From denim to ice cream, there’s a plethora of subjects to explore in this series.

Meet East High’s New Wildcats in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

November 8, 2019

By Zach Johnson

Attention, Wildcats: Starting November 12, you’re invited to watch the drama unfold in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series! Set at the same East High where the original movie was filmed, the 10-episode scripted series follows a group of students as they prepare for opening night of their school’s first-ever production of—you guessed it!—High School Musical. With meta references and docu-style elements, it’s a modern twist on the movie we fell in love with 13 years ago! Call it… the start of something new.

At D23 Expo 2019 in August, we caught up with cast members Joshua Bassett (Ricky), Olivia Rodrigo (Nini), Matt Cornett (E.J.), Julia Lester (Ashlyn), Larry Saperstein (Big Red), Sofia Wylie (Gina), Dara Reneé (Kourtney), and Frankie A. Rodriguez (Carlos) to get the inside scoop on their characters and find out what set this series apart from the film trilogy. This is Disney+… You didn’t expect them to stick to the status quo, did you?

Watch the video below to get the 411. And don’t worry, there isn’t a pop quiz afterward:

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which has already been renewed for a second season, hails from creator Tim Federle and also stars Kate Reinders as Miss Jenn and Mark St. Cyr as Mr. Mazzara. As a special gift for fans, three networks—ABC, Disney Channel, and Freeform—will present the first episode, directed by Tamra Davis, for one night only on November 8 at 8 p.m. ET. Now this is what we’ve been looking for!

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

8 “Hidden Gem” Disney Films You Need to Check Out on Disney+

November 8, 2019August 27, 2021

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Since Disney+ is a treasure trove of Disney content available for streaming, now is your chance to discover the “hidden gems” of Disney’s filmography—meaning, the fun and unique Disney films that you might not have in your current collection. Discover new favorites (or track down that one wacky film you haven’t had a chance to rewatch!). Here’s 8 we recommend you check out first:

1. The Rocketeer (1991)
One of the quintessential Disney “hidden gems,” this sci-fi adventure about a high-flying pilot has captured the hearts of fans for its eye-catching 1930s aesthetic and adventurous storyline. Once you’re done streaming the movie on Disney+, make sure to catch the new Disney Junior series of the same name, where Bill Campbell reprises his role as the titular hero!

This year, we celebrated the film’s 30th anniversary with a D23-exclusive pin set featuring logos for the Rocketeer and two of Cliff Secord’s favorite Hollywood haunts, the South Seas Club and the Bull Dog Café. D23 Gold Members can grab a limited-edition set for themselves here—but hurry, before they fly away!

2. The Black Hole (1979)
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, this Disney sci-fi tale has it all: Adorable robots! Scary robots! Lost spaceships! Dazzling special effects! If you love classic sci-fi films like Star Wars and Tron, add this story of a spaceship crew who uncovers a horrific plot to turn humans into robots to your must-watch list ASAP!

3. Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968)
What would you do if you accidentally awakened the ghost of an infamous pirate captain? In this live-action comedy, the answer is, of course, get into wacky hijinks! Track coach Steve Walker accidentally summons Blackbeard’s spirit, and the two are bound together until Blackbeard can complete a good deed—and in the process, they embark on some of Disney’s most entertaining special effect sequences, including a motorcycle driven by the invisible Blackbeard and a track meet where the participants get some ghostly assistance in their competition.

4. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
This movie, following an apprentice witch (portrayed by Disney favorite Angela Lansbury) who just wants to learn some magic so she can help England win World War II, has been a fan-favorite for Disney film buffs for years, and now Disney+ gives you the chance to see the magic for yourself. This film has all the makings of a Disney classic—memorable Sherman brothers songs, stunning animated sequences, and some familiar faces (Mary Poppins’ David Tomlinson returns as professor of witchcraft, Emelius Browne).

5. Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959)
Fans of practical effects need to add this delightful film to their queue ASAP! The story of Darby O’Gill, who captures the king of the leprechauns in order to get three wishes, is jam-packed with special effects magic from legendary effects wizards like Peter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett, and Joshua Meador. Forced perspective, massive soundstages, and other movie magic were used to make the leprechauns appear tiny next to the human characters. Plus, the film also features an early appearance of Sean Connery as Michael McBride—who sings!

6. Flight of the Navigator (1986)
12-year-old David Freeman has a problem: After being knocked unconscious, he awakens to discover eight years have passed, and he hasn’t aged at all! What happened? The answer: aliens! During those mysterious eight years, David was the “Navigator” for aliens on a scientific mission across the galaxy—and now he has to figure out how to find his family while avoiding NASA!

7. Frankenweenie (1984)
If you’ve seen Tim Burton’s 2012’s feature film of the same name, now’s your chance to check out his original 1984 live-action short that started it all, made in Burton’s early days as a Disney animator. In this electrifying tribute to classic monster movies, a young boy named Victor Frankenstein brings his beloved pet dog back to life using electricity—much to the shock (pun intended) of his neighbors.

8. Return to Oz (1985)
Dorothy Gale’s first trip to the land of Oz was an enchanting fairy tale—but when she returns to the land, she discovers it’s now in ruins thanks to the Nome King and Princess Mombi. Featuring fantastical creatures like the Tik-Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, the wheelers, and more, the film utilizes a plethora of special effects to create a surreal (and sometimes terrifying!) wonderland.

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

An Inside Look at Disney Television Animation’s 35 Magical Years and a Sneak Peek at its Exciting Future

November 8, 2019November 8, 2019

By Beth Deitchman

Disney Television Animation (TVA) was a huge part of Emily Hart’s childhood. Like so many of us, she grew up watching the Adventures of the Gummi Bears and The Wuzzles. And 16 years ago, she joined TVA, where she currently works as vice president of Original Programming, heading up a team of creative executives who are building an incredible slate of projects coming to a screen near you.

In celebration of TVA’s 35th anniversary this month, we spoke with Hart and several of the talented women who have helped drive the studio’s success over the past decades. Since the Gummi Bears’ auspicious debut, TVA has launched more than 77 shows that run the gamut from original series that have become part of our collective consciousness, such as Kim Possible and Phineas and Ferb; to extensions of beloved stories and characters that first came to life on the big screen, among them Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Tangled, and The Lion Guard—to name just a few.

Lisa Salamone, senior vice president of Production, has been with TVA for 25 of its 35 years. She was a line producer on Gargoyles when she arrived at the studio in 1994, just as TVA was celebrating its 10th anniversary. She now oversees production for all of TVA’s content, which has expanded far beyond its broadcast and cable TV beginnings and also can be found on YouTube, in DisneyNOW, and on Disney+.

“For a lot of us behind the scenes, the really exciting part is seeing the artists’ drawings come to life,” Salamone shares. “It’s an idea, then it’s just a pencil drawing. Then you see it a year later moving on screen with music and everything, and it just comes alive.” TVA still works with the hand-drawn, 2-D animation the studio’s artists grew up loving, along with modern CG animation. Regardless of medium, Salamone points out, “You start from nothing. If you have a design of a chair, you have to design that chair—you don’t just get it out of the prop department.”

“I think all of us pinch ourselves that we get to make cartoons for a living—which is insane and wonderful—and I think everyone kind of has that same sensibility,” Jennifer Trujillo-Andres says. As manager of Casting & Talent Relations, Trujillo-Andres works with the talented actors who lend their voices to TVA projects, helping shepherd them from initial casting to recording sessions to special events like Comic-Con. Her first “pinch-me” moment at TVA came during her first week at the studio, nine years ago, when she unexpectedly met Disney Legend Mark Hamill. She recalls, “He came in and he’s just the most gregarious guy… I was a temp sitting behind the welcome desk greeting him… He had a million things to say to me, and all I could think about the whole time was, I’m talking to Luke Skywalker right now. What is my life?”

When it comes to Disney VIPs, however, Mickey Mouse is in a class by himself. Mila Livitz, senior vice president, Business Affairs—who oversees the team that handles deals, performer agreements, and so many other aspects of the business strategy for TVA content—says that working with the character “reminds you every day of how the Company started, where it got to, and the legacy that you’re part of.” That’s something that sets TVA apart from all other animation studios, Livitz points out. “My daughter thinks I work with Mickey, and the fact that he is still exciting to her in 2019, as it was back when Walt Disney first drew Mickey, that’s very, very cool to be part of,” she says.

The launch of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse marked TVA’s first opportunity to work with Mickey Mouse for the preschool demo. Meredith Roberts, now senior vice president/general manager, TVA, Disney Channels, helped develop and launch the series during her first stint at TVA in her role overseeing creative affairs for the studio. It was a thrill to see the show become a “juggernaut” that helped solidify the Disney Junior brand. “When you help create material that is bigger than the vision you might have had and it captures the hearts of kids around the world, that is pretty special,” she says.

The hit series Phineas and Ferb captured the hearts of many TVA employees who were there at the beginning. Khaki Jones, vice president, Current Series, points to her first Comic-Con with Disney-TVA as her earliest “pinch-me” moment with the studio. She tells D23, “The Phineas and Ferb Platy-BUS in our Disney booth—in the best way possible—pulled all the focus on the show floor. I was delighted to see the fans so delighted!”

Jones and her team serve as the first audience for every element of TVA’s current series. “We get to review all premises, outlines, scripts, storyboards, animatics, designs, music, and mixes for our shows, and talk through them with the executive producers and crews,” she details, confessing, “The job is absolutely as fun as it sounds. It’s hard work, but it’s fun.”

“People come on the campus and it feels like a great place to work because it is. People are happy to be here and it shows,” Roberts says. Employees have the opportunity to take character drawing classes held at TVA, and they come out in full force for the studio’s annual Halloween event and semi-annual art shows. As Roberts describes, “It’s a little bit of work and a little bit of art school. The people who support the animation are some of the brightest in the world and everyone is passionate about what they’re making.”

“We’re always connecting back to Walt,” Hart stresses. TVA recently took a group of the talent from their series on a “field trip” to Walt’s Office on the Studio lot. “You walk into that office and you feel that creative energy,” she says, acknowledging that experiences like this serve as a reminder of what an honor it is to develop and tell new and authentic stories for the Company.

Among the new stories from TVA to debut include The Owl House and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, both for Disney Channel; and the original series Monsters At Work, as well as Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe for Disney+. As the entertainment industry continues to rapidly evolve, TVA will be part of that shift and be what Roberts sees as “the constant within the disruption.”

“I think that how people consume content, when they consume content, where they like to consume content, all will change in 30 years,” she says. “But they’ll still fall in love with our characters and we’ll still be creating characters that they’ll want to spend time with.”

Every Merry Way to Celebrate Christmas 2019 at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and More

November 8, 2019November 8, 2019

By Zach Johnson

Everyone knows there’s snow better way to get into the holiday spirit than by visiting a Disney theme park! And at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you can experience the most magical time of year with family and friends—and your favorite Disney characters, too! From November 8, 2019, to January 6, 2020, explore the sights, sounds, and flavors during the seasonal celebration. And as an early Christmas present, we’ve wrapped up all the ways you can maximize your visit!

Disneyland Resort

There are endless places to snap an elfie around the resort! Approximately 300 trees are brought in to spruce things up, and nearly 10,000 poinsettias and 10,000 cyclamen are added. New at Disneyland Park is a wintery holiday look around the Partners statue in the Central Plaza at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. The holiday installation is made up of more than 7,500 individual plants, featuring roughly 80 pine trees decorated with more than 150 strands of warm mini lights. Impressively, the festive display also has more than 500 branches of red winterberry and more than 800 red dogwood branches!

Yule also love the Disneyland Christmas tree, which stands 60 feet tall on Main Street, U.S.A., and includes 1,500 Victorian-inspired ornaments and 100 oversize faux candles. The exterior of Main Street, U.S.A., meanwhile, features approximately 220 garlands that measure more than four miles long, adorned with nearly 80 wreaths and 120 bows.

An assortment of attractions at Disneyland Park are sporting sensational seasonal makeovers. Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, for example, illuminates nightly with more than 26,000 twinkling LED lights, glistening “icicles” and sparkling snow-capped turrets. it’s a small world Holiday and the surrounding plaza add more than 400,000 twinkling lights: 50,000 on its façade and another 350,000 mini-lights in the hedges, topiaries, and trees. Take a whiff of three new scents—cherry blossom (Asia), cinnamon (South America), and coconut (South Seas), which join the familiar smells of fresh pine and peppermint in Europe. And when guests use the Play Disney Parks mobile app and ride it’s a small world Holiday, they can earn a limited-time digital achievement for the seasonal overlay.

Since September 6, Jack Skellington has taken residency in the Haunted Mansion with frightfully festive touches inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Join him and the deer-ly departed in the Haunted Mansion Holiday ballroom, where a gingerbread house celebrating the original attraction’s 50th anniversary is on display. Baked, built, and decorated in 13 days, it stands nearly 10 feet tall and is made of approximately 30 pounds of gingerbread, three gallons of egg whites, 120 pounds of frosting and icing, 75 pounds of confection’s sugar, 140 pounds of fondant—and more!

Guests may feel Santa-mental when Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the Disney Princesses appear in the A Christmas Fantasy parade, a daily procession with floats, music, and marching toy soldiers. Keep an eye out for Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, who appear in the film Frozen 2 (opening in U.S. theaters on November 22, 2019). Each night, the “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and its magical snowfall finale create unfir-gettable holiday memories for families and friends. The fun extends to Tomorrowland Terrace, where a DJ is spinning at the new Disney Holiday Dance Party.

Pick up some mint condition merch, like the candy cane spirit jersey! Other new items include light-up snowman ears, a holiday plaid Santa hat, a Disney Parks holiday food mini backpack, gingerbread Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse ear headband, and more!

Meanwhile, at Disney California Adventure, a 50-foot Christmas tree lights up the night in Carthay Circle. Naturally, the tree and the surrounding buildings are decorated with vintage-style ornaments in observance of Buena Vista Street’s 1920s California theme.

During the all-new “Mickey’s Happy Holidays,” running twice daily, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy, and Clarabelle get into the spirit by wearing new Festival of Holidays attire! Join your favorite Disney and Pixar characters as they dance along to high-energy music, led by the merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers. The Country Bears and Pixar characters also sport fun seasonal overlays for the show.

Disney Festival of Holidays features craft stations little ones will love. Everyone in your party will appreciate the delicious fare at Festival Foods Marketplace, with a variety of holiday dishes and beverages that bridge several diverse cultures and family traditions. The Holiday Sunset Concerts features new music this year from The Suffragettes on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights. Phat Cat Swinger returns to play a swinging selection of holiday music with a fun twist nightly from Wednesday through Saturday.

The Three Caballeros host the popular “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” celebration, featuring folklórico, samba dancers, and live musicians—plus Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their fiesta best! And whether you’ve been naughty or nice, Santa Claus will grace you with his presents at Santa’s Holiday Visit on Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

To ensure you have a haul-y jolly Christmas, race over to Cars Land. The whimsical “Snowcar” greets guests on the road to Radiator Springs, and each Cars character gets a holiday makeover at his or her Route 66 address. Two attractions transform for the haul-idays: Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. With a mix of classic tunes (“Jingle Bells”) and Cars Land originals (“Joy to the Whirl”), you’re in for a musical treat!

The nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light” fuses cherished holiday music with memorable moments from Disney’s animated films. Dazzling lights, brilliant lasers, and high-definition projections make this a must-see holiday show! Since 2016, “World of Color – Season of Light” has been captivating guests as Mickey Mouse and pals begin to decorate their homes for Christmas. The spectacular features a range of sing-along holiday classics, including “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley (Lilo’s favorite!).

Staying in a ho-ho-hotel? The Disneyland Hotel features beautiful pine trees and holiday florals. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is aptly ornamented with blue, green, and silver décor, like the shells and starfish garland and the underwater-themed Christmas tree. And in the lobby at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, marvel at the 7-foot-tall gingerbread house, which is a replica of the property; it took 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant, one pound of “pixie dust,” and 25 people to construct it!

Walt Disney World Resort

You don’t need to travel to the North Pole to experience the magic of the season! The skies above Magic Kingdom will sparkle to life as visions of fireworks dance in the air during an all-new nighttime show: “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Hosted by Minnie Mouse, the holiday extravaganza invites guests to come together in a celebration of heartfelt moments and the magic of Christmas. The show is presented during “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party,” starting at 7 p.m., on the following dates:

November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, and 24
December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, and 22

Magic Kingdom transforms into an enchanting wonderland with dazzling decorations, holiday treats, a shimmering ice castle, and more. During A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show, Queen Elsa uses her magical powers to present a gift to everyone in the kingdom—Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf included—by transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace for the holidays. Additionally, each of the 23 nights of “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” will feature performances of “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas,” and “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” stage show. It’ll be love at frost sight when guests experience select rides and attractions (including the Jingle Cruise), savor complimentary treats, discover exclusive merchandise, and see the magical “snowfall” on Main Street, U.S.A.

Celebrate the howl-idays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which is hosting its biggest holiday season in its two-decade history! With festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land, you can experience the majesty of nature and seasonal magic. A Christmas tree towers over the park’s entrance; decorated with traditional ornaments and hidden animals, the tree is a prelude to the holiday magic awaiting inside the park.

You will be immersed in a magical scene in the heart of the park on Discovery Island. By day, artisan-sculpted, life-sized animal puppets mingle with villagers who call the island home. But as day turns into night, rooftop luminaries in animal shapes give the village a warm and enchanting glow. Also, as the sun sets, the Tree of Life awakens with a series of wintry tales emerging from within, backed by a familiar and heartwarming holiday musical score—and between awakening moments, the Tree of Life will continue to shimmer and sparkle throughout the evening!

Get into the holiday spirit in DinoLand U.S.A., where Donald Duck and his friends have each added their own colorful holiday touches to their spaces.

Make sure to take in the glowing flowers, lanterns, and more in Anandapur, where residents have decorated the theater district in celebration of Diwali—the festival of lights in India. Harambe in Africa offers an exceptional holiday presentation, fusing Western traditions with the colors and texture of authentic African celebrations. The holiday fun continues at Tusker House Restaurant, where Mickey Mouse and pals spread holiday cheer. Meanwhile, find out-of-this-world fun at Pandora – The World of Avatar. Ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora roll out seasonal cheer with a holiday display at Pongu Pongu, pairing vintage pieces from Earth with handcrafted local items.

Joyous traditions from across the globe are at the heart of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. From November 29 through December 30, merry-makers will be immersed in a world of holiday décor and entertainment, themed merchandise, festive cuisine, and costumed storytellers in many of the 11 World Showcase nations.

As always, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will greet guests at The American Adventure pavilion. Epcot’s grandest holiday tradition, Candlelight Processional, will again feature a celebrity narrator retelling the Christmas story, backed by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir. Performances run three times nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. The narrators include Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen (November 29-December 1), Neil Patrick Harris (December 2-5), Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg (December 6-7), Isabella Rossellini (December 8-10), Chita Rivera (December 11-12), Gary Sinise (December 13-15), Pat Sajak (December 16-18), Warwick Davis (December 19-21), Steven Curtis Chapman (December 22-24), Edward James Olmos (December 25-26), Marlee Matlin (December 27-28), and Lisa Ling (December 29-30).

Holiday Kitchens sprinkled throughout World Showcase serve tasty treats inspired by treasured holiday recipes from across the globe. World Showcase pavilions come alive with the sights and sounds of special entertainment celebrating each country’s holiday heritage. Epcot guests also can do their holiday shopping around the World Showcase pavilions, which are stocked with fragrances, jewelry, toys, stocking stuffers, and more.

Chip ‘n’ Dale are gathering ornaments for their Christmas tree, and you’re invited to join in on the fun! To be part of Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree Scavenger Hunt, you must purchase a map and stickers from select merchandise locations, then scout World Showcase locations looking for the famous chipmunks and their ornaments. Completed maps must then be returned for a special festive surprise, courtesy of the dynamic duo!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has all the razzle and dazzle you would expect! For example, the Hollywood Tower Hotel comes to holly-jolly life with colorful projections for Sunset Seasons Greetings. Boasting laser effects and falling “snow,” the celebration includes stories, songs, and holiday cheer, brought to you by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, the Muppets, and more beloved characters. Holiday touches and festive décor throughout the park include seasonal fun inside Toy Story Land, as well as greetings from Santa or Goofy in his holiday best. As a curtain-closer, Olaf performs a special holiday finale in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along.

The nighttime spectacular “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” invites you to experience the joy, excitement, and music of the season as it raises holiday spirit to awe-inspiring new heights! Watch in wonder as buildings and rooftops come to life showcasing scenes from Beauty and the Beast, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more. The spectacular combines music, fireworks, special effects and state-of-the-art projections to create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience at the Chinese Theatre. This spectacular evening event builds to a festive finale that must be seen—and heard—to be believed! To sweeten the experience, you can also make reservations for the “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Holiday Dessert Party at Echo Lake.

The Disney Springs retail, dining, and entertainment district is the perfect place to make a holiday list and check it twice! Live entertainment includes toy soldier stilt walkers and carolers in holiday attire. Stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and you won’t be-leaf how beautiful the custom-decorated holiday trees are, with each dedicated to a popular Disney theme featuring Disney characters. You’re also invited to join Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt to help discover where the mischievous Experiment 626 has been hiding out!

Hotels across Walt Disney World Resort will be decked out for the holidays, of course. A life-size holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is offering an assortment of Christmas treats, including—you guessed it!—gingerbread. Disney’s Beach Club Resort boasts a life-size, edible carousel as a holiday tradition, while a holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Disney Cruise Line

Unwrap a holiday voyage for the whole family with a cruise aboard the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, or Disney Fantasy—all decked out with holiday cheer!

Starting in early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with Christmas feasts, “snow flurries,” and more. One of the special stem-to-stern holiday events is the fan-favorite “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic.” Located in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, several Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall Christmas tree. The atrium lobby also plays host to “Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball,” where Disney cruisers welcome the guests of honor, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, with a grand celebration featuring Broadway-style entertainment, more Disney characters, and classic holiday tunes. The evening of enchantment is made complete when royal sisters Anna and Elsa join the party and cause a flurry of Frozen fun when a magical “snowfall” overtakes the atrium.

Dickens-inspired carolers carry the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics—sometimes with the help of Disney friends! At the end of the cruise, children have the opportunity to join them onstage for a special farewell show.

Additional family activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus. “Story Time with Mrs. Claus” is a special time for her to read famous Christmas stories from her rocking chair near the tree. Youth holiday crafts include decorating stockings, and gingerbread, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cels.

When your ship stops at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holiday season, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, additional Disney character meet-and-greets, and holiday island music!

On Christmas morning at the atrium lobby tree, Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for all the kids, and guests will delight in a special musical performance from the children. A traditional Christmas dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms. Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held for eight days, beginning on the 25th day of Kislev.

A special holiday edition of the cheerful farewell celebration on the final night of the cruise will, of course, feature beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale—led by Mickey Mouse!

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

As the song goes, “Mele Kalikimaka” is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas day! As you might expect, special Hawaiian-inspired holiday décor adorns the entire resort. Throughout the season, snowbirds can watch Christmas carolers perform holiday songs in the Maka‘ala Lobby and Waikolohe Valley, and starting December 1, Disney characters will appear in their best holiday attire for pictures and jolly greetings.

Children will also have a fun with Santa Goofy during Keiki Holiday Cookie Decorating at Aunty’s Beach House! On select nights, gather your love ones and enjoy ‘Ohana Disney Movie Nights. Take a comfy seat on the Hālāwai Lawn and watch family-friendly holiday flicks under the stars. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa will announce dates for these activities soon!

For those lucky enough to stay at the resort on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will be greeting guests at Aunty’s Beach House—meaning this will be anything but a blue Christmas! And here’s some sweet news: Guests will also be offered complimentary hot cocoa and a selection of holiday cookies on December 24. The next day, enjoy the Christmas KA WAʻA Lūʻau. Experience an exhilarating and enchanting journey through Hawaiian history and discover its deep cultural roots in canoe exploration, which brought the first ancient explorers to the shores of Ko Olina!