Author and Historian Mindy Johnson was Drawn to Discover the Incredible Contributions of Disney’s Trailblazing Women of Animation

By D23 Team

The newest book from award-winning author and historian Mindy Johnson, Pencils, Pens & Brushes—A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation, is dedicated to “Dreamers in search of their Greatness.” And, with the help of illustrations by Disney artist Lorelay Bové, Johnson shines a light on a host of women trailblazers in animation at The Walt Disney Company—from writer Dorothy Ann Blank, who founded the Story Development Department at the Disney Studios; to Mary Weiser, a talented artist who became an expert in all things related to paint—so much so that she earned two patents for inventing a new animation technique; to Retta Scott, the first woman to receive a credit as an animator on a Disney film. The vibrant book follows Johnson’s stunning and comprehensive 2017 book, Ink & Paint: The Women of Disney Animation, which revealed the never-before-told story of the women who made an indelible contribution to The Walt Disney Company in its early days. Johnson recently spoke to D23 about what went into bringing these incredible women’s stories to the page.

Pencils, Pens & Brushes—A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation

D23: How did you get started with these books?
Mindy Johnson (MJ): Ten years ago, while working on an earlier book exploring Disney animation, I noticed that what I’d written about the women involved with the development of a particular character was the most ever written about women’s roles and contributions within any other book about Disney animation—other than Mary Blair. I also noticed there was nothing really that explored the work of the women in Ink & Paint, or whether there were any women who animated besides Retta Scott—the one woman usually mentioned for her work as an animator.

I proposed a book on the women of animation and we presumed it would be a “charming” book about the ladies of Ink & Paint, as well as a few others of note. However, about six or seven months into my research, I began to lock down the growing number of remarkable and influential women who worked at Disney over the decades, and I came to fully understand what their contributions really were. Thus far, I’ve discovered well over 2,000 women whose talents and contributions throughout the studio advanced animation to an unsurpassed level of artistry—and the list continues to grow! With all these new discoveries and so many wonderful stories, Pencils, Pens & Brushes—A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation, was a fun extension of the Ink & Paint volume.

Pencils, Pens & Brushes—A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation

D23: What were some of the surprising things that you discovered?
MJ: No one had ever written about women and their work to this extent before, and the truth is, the contributions, circumstances, and overall numbers of women within the industry were very different than what we ever thought. Clearly, there were countless myths that needed to be corrected, and because no one had written accurately about the women and their contributions, we all bought into these stories, myths, and inaccuracies, thinking that was how it really was.

Pencils, Pens & Brushes—A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation

D23: What are some of these myths?
MJ: There are so many myths I work to dispel in my books. Some people thought Disney only had a couple of women in key roles in its early years, but women were at the forefront of a full range of roles. Walt Disney’s hiring practices were always ahead of general U.S. industry standards for women. In fact, the very first employee of The Walt Disney Company was a woman! Some people think in the early days women at Disney only worked in Ink & Paint or as secretaries, but there were many women working within story development, Conceptual Design, Special Effects, Camera, Editorial, Backgrounds, and so many other areas where they contributed immensely to the creative storytelling throughout the years. And while there were overall societal differences about women’s roles and capabilities in the 1930s and ’40s, Walt Disney is on record as seeking to ensure that the women working at Disney Studios had a comfortable and safe place to work.

Pencils, Pens & Brushes—A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation

D23: You cover a lot of ground in your books that no one had ever really explored, and you obviously sourced everything meticulously. How did you do it?
MJ: For my previous books on women within animation, I did well over 200 interviews ranging from direct interviews with women who worked within animation, to friends, colleagues, and family members of these women. It’s also important to have a working understanding of the larger history and processes involved with animation along with a sense of the records that exist from our animated past. Thankfully these materials exist and they help us to understand what we’re researching, but they provide only a portion of the story. Various photos, artwork, journals, and other items were vital and I’ve been discovering more new materials all the time. With each new discovery, this information advances what we know and will help to complete the overall picture of women and their contributions. Ultimately, this completely changes what we thought we knew about our animated past, and it’s exciting to see where this continued work will take us!

Learn more about the pioneering women who brought Disney’s classic stories to vibrant, multicolored life in Pencils, Pens & Brushes—A Great Girl’s Guide to Disney Animation and Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney Animation, both available now.

10 Doggone Delightful Discoveries from the Set of Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp

By Beth Deitchman

With an abundance of parks and squares, along with its picturesque riverfront, Savannah, Georgia, is a positively fetching city for a dog—refined, purebred cocker spaniel and charming, mildly mischievous mixed breed alike. Add the city’s timeless quality to that stunning vista and it’s no wonder why the filmmakers behind Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp decided to make this metropolis its home base for their re-telling of the 1955 animated classic—which is available to stream on Disney+ on November 12, the day the service launches.

Last year, we traveled to the set of Lady and the Tramp near the end of production, where we met the film’s “leading Lady” and her Tramp—Rose and Monte—along with their human co-stars and filmmakers. Here are some of the behind-the-scenes tales (and tails) that we discovered.

1. Director Charlie Bean is as passionate a fan of the 1955 original film as we are.
Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp is rich with themes that feel relevant for 2019 audiences, while paying homage to the animated classic. “I knew when I first talked to Charlie that he was going to be the right guy for the job because he is steeped in Disney history,” the film’s producer, Brigham Taylor, told us. “He knew the names of the animators and the directors and storyboard artists who made that film. He’s very respectful of the animation history.”

Lady and the Tramp Disney+

2. Canine co-stars Rose and Monte have some serious acting chops.
As the pampered house dog Lady, Rose is playing a little against type, said her on-set trainer, Mathilde de Cagny: “She’s more of a tomboy and she likes to give orders and take charge and all that stuff.” The cocker spaniel was originally trained to be a hunting dog, and de Cagny observed that the pup is always thinking. “She is very strong-willed, determined, dominant, and very smart,” the trainer emphasized.

“[Monte] isn’t necessarily a tramp, but he’s more of a rascal,” said animal trainer Mark Forbes, who first discovered the Airedale-Schnauzer mix on Petfinder, before adopting him from a shelter in Arizona. “He’s just playful—he’s very mouthy and footy, and just wants to play all the time.”

3. The actors who play Jim Dear and Darling had no problem bonding with their on-screen pet.
“The movie is all about the bond between humans and dogs, and vice versa,” said Thomas Mann (Jim Dear). That’s just an extension of what we’re experiencing on set. They’re my co-stars, just like any other actor would be. The only difference is they don’t really know they’re at work.”

Kiersey Clemons, who plays Darling, joked that Rose “runs this set. I can tell when she’s not into it that day. She’s so smart and she’s so ‘on it,’ that when she’s not, I’m like, oooh, she knows this is her movie and she knows ‘I don’t feel like it today so I don’t have to.’ I have lots of respect for Rose.”

Having a cast of canines made coming to work every day a treat for the Lady and the Tramp cast and crew.  “You work with tremendously creative and talented people,” said Taylor, “But it’s just an added bonus that you have these wonderful dogs that are so well-trained. And when they’re not hitting their marks, they’re just being dogs and they’ll come up and give you some love and nuzzle.”

4. The film’s “villains” had to work hard to muster animosity toward their canine co-stars.
Yvette Nicole Brown, who plays Darling’s Aunt Sarah—a cat lady at heart—revealed, “The toughest scene for me to film was the pet store scene, when I had to be mean to Rose.” Brown adored Rose and even adopted one of her doubles, Harley, after production wrapped. “For me, to even have to put the crate down and just be hateful to this beautiful puppy was the hardest thing for me to film,” she said. As the main antagonist, dog catcher Elliott, actor Adrian Martinez went out of his way to build a rapport with Monte: “I just doused him with love, and ever since then he was able to make the separation between character and actor.”

5. Brown has a unique take on the character of Aunt Sarah.
The actress—a Disney fan through and through—joked, “In the original film, some would say she’s the villain but I feel she’s the star of the story, because without Aunt Sarah, Lady doesn’t meet Tramp. So let’s just change our perspective and appreciate Aunt Sarah!” Brown was drawn to Lady and the Tramp for its inspiring, quintessentially Disney story. “It’s told through the eyes of a dog that’s on the streets and being followed every day by a dog catcher, and his life is in danger; and he meets another dog, helps her, and his whole life changes. So by giving and doing for other people, his life gets better,” she detailed, adding, “If that’s not the perfect thing that we need right now for people to hear, I don’t know what is. And that’s Disney.”

6. Hair and makeup isn’t just for humans.
Though Rose and Monte are the primary “actors” bringing to life Lady and Tramp, each had several doubles to serve as stand-ins or pull off more specialized stunts and skills. “We try to get the double as close as we can, and then [hair and makeup] helps us the rest of the way,” said Forbes. The dogs had their own trailer and tent where they would go for grooming, which might involve fake dirt, to create the look for a grimy street dog; or even dog-safe hair color, so that Rose’s cocker spaniel doubles could sport the same “blaze” seen on her face.

Lady and the Tramp Disney+

7. The dogs spent four months training for their breakout roles.
According to Forbes, a veteran animal trainer for film and television, “If one dog in a scene is hard, two are twice as hard. Three are three times as hard as that second one. Every time you add a dog it just compounds the difficulty of it.” The trainers had their work cut out for them, with 16 principal dogs, including the two leads. And Forbes believes that the hardest thing to achieve with dogs is the eyeline, or where the dog is looking. While training the dogs, Forbes and his team modified sunglasses, placing a treat in the middle, so that the pups would learn to look into a human actor’s eyes.

8. What training can’t accomplish, cutting-edge animation technology can.
In the new retelling of Lady and the Tramp, the filmmakers seamlessly move between live-action footage of real dogs and CG-animated sequences with the pups’ digital doubles. And that animation goes beyond simply moving the dog’s mouths to make it appear they are really speaking to each other. “The whole body is a performance,” said Forbes, pointing out that when people speak, they typically use their hands and eyes, along with their mouths. That will be the case for Rose and Monte and their digital doubles. “The hope is that you don’t notice any difference,” Forbes said.

Lady and the Tramp Disney+

9. Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp is filled with Easter eggs for fans of the original.
As a Disney fan himself, production designer John Myhre—whose Disney credits include his Oscar®-nominated work on last year’s Mary Poppins Returns—wanted to honor the 1955 film, as well as Walt’s legacy. Noting that Disneyland opened in California the same year that Lady and the Tramp was released, Myhre kept Main Street, U.S.A. in mind as he was envisioning the Disney+ film’s “anytown, U.S.A.” Viewers may take note of riverboats and trolley cars in the new film, which he sees as nods to Walt’s first park.

Lady’s house has been furnished with Victorian-era furnishings that, coincidentally, happen to have ornate detailing closest to the floor—at about the level of a cocker spaniel. As in the original film, Lady’s house has two stories, with a stained glass window at the top of the interior staircase. Myhre took inspiration from the original window in the animated film and made it more realistic and appropriate for the turn-of-the-century era.

Myhre and his team went back to the animated film and studied every sign and anything else with lettering. “In the original film, there was Francois Pastries with this really beautiful pink and green, very unusual awning, so I re-created the awning, I re-created the lettering style, and even re-created [the pastries] in the window,” he explained.

And, of course, Tony’s Restaurant is still the romantic café where Lady and Tramp share their first strand of spaghetti and their first kiss. “We took the Tony’s sign but made it look more real to the period,” Myhre said, noting that they used a more detailed font but kept the iconic red and white awnings.

Lady and the Tramp Disney+

10. The film’s stars deliver the loveliest live-action bella notte.
Is there a Disney fan who ever looked at a plate of spaghetti the same way after their first viewing of the animated Lady and the Tramp? The new retelling will make fans’ hearts sing once again during the adorable couple’s romantic dinner at Tony’s. In addition to Tramp’s dashing nudge of the last meatball, the canine stars re-created the shared spaghetti strand on set. “They actually both chewed on it,” recalled de Cagny. “The best part of it was that you could hear a pin drop. The whole crew was behind the camera, just wide open. It was so emotional for every one of us.”

Meet Lady (along with Jim Dear and Darling) in the exclusive clip below, and stream the movie in its entirety on November 12 when Disney+ launches.

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

Ho, Ho, Ho! Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” Lineup Is Lit

By Zach Johnson

Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” lineup really sleighs!

The network is kicking the holidays into high gear with today’s announcement of its highly anticipated “25 Days of Christmas” lineup, which begins December 1. This year’s festive holiday programming includes the premiere of the Freeform original feature Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas, starring The Bold Type star Aisha Dee and The Guest Book’s Kimiko Glenn, airing December 4 at 9 p.m. Good Trouble will also air a two-hour holiday episode December 16 at 9 p.m. featuring the full cast of The Fosters!

But wait—there’s myrrh! For the first time ever on cable television, Freeform will debut the timeless Christmas classics of Rankin-Bass with Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer December 6 at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., respectively. Back-to-back installments of the Freeform original holiday series Wrap Battle will air Mondays at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., with the finale airing December 9. In addition to original holiday specials, Freeform will offer nonstop Christmas cheer that will keep viewers reaching for the cocoa with a full slate of holiday hits like Home Alone, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, The Santa Clause, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Holiday, and more!

To celebrate, Freeform also released its first-ever “25 Days of Christmas” jingle, featuring Freeform Santa and Good Trouble star Emma Hunton. Watch it online now:

Below is the full list of the programming airing during 25 Days of Christmas:

Sunday, December 1
7 a.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
9:05 a.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
11:10 a.m.—Arthur Christmas
1:15 p.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon
2:45 p.m.—The Santa Clause
4:50 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
6:55 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
9 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
11:30 p.m.—Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
1:30 a.m.—The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Monday, December 2
7 a.m.—The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
7:30 a.m.—The Muppets Christmas Carol
11 a.m.—Wrap Battle
12 p.m.—Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
2:05 p.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
4:15 p.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
6:20 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
9 p.m.—Wrap Battle (New Episode)
10 p.m.—Wrap Battle (New Episode)

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas

Tuesday, December 3
7:30 a.m.—Santa Baby
11 a.m.—The Preacher’s Wife
1:40 p.m.—Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
2:40 p.m.—Rise of the Guardians
4:45 p.m.—Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
5:50 p.m.—Home Alone
8:20 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12 a.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon

Wednesday, December 4
7:30 a.m.—Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
11 a.m.—Rise of the Guardians
1 p.m.—Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
2 p.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon
4 p.m.—Home Alone
6:30 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
9 p.m.—Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (Freeform Original Feature Premiere)
12 a.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)

Thursday, December 5
7:30 a.m.—Holiday in Handcuffs
11 a.m.—Wrap Battle
12 p.m.—Kung Fu Panda Holiday
12:30 p.m.—Unaccompanied Minors
2:30 p.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
4:35 p.m.—Arthur Christmas
6:40 p.m.—Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
8:20 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12 a.m.—Unaccompanied Minors

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas

Friday, December 6
7:30 a.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
11 a.m.—Kung Fu Panda Holiday
11:30 a.m.—Home Alone 3
1:35 p.m.—Arthur Christmas
3:40 p.m.—Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
5:20 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
8 p.m.—Frosty the Snowman (Freeform Premiere)
8:30 p.m.—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Freeform Premiere)
9:30 p.m.—The Santa Clause
11:30 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
1:30 a.m.—The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Saturday, December 7
7 a.m.—Cricket on the Hearth
8 a.m.—Home Alone 3
10 a.m.—Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House
12 p.m.—The Santa Clause
2:05 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
4:10 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
6:15 p.m.—Frosty the Snowman
6:45 p.m.—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
7:50 p.m.—Home Alone
10:20 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
1 a.m.—Wrap Battle

Sunday, December 8
7 a.m.—Wrap Battle
8 a.m.—Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House
10 a.m.—I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
12 p.m.—Prancer Returns (Freeform Premiere)
2:05 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
4:10 p.m.—Home Alone
6:40 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
9:20 p.m.—Despicable Me 2
11:25 p.m.—Shrek
1:30 a.m.—Kung Fu Panda Holiday

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas

Monday, December 9
7:30 a.m.—I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
11 a.m.—Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
12 p.m.—Home Alone 3
2:10 p.m.—Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
4:20 p.m.—Kung Fu Panda Holiday
4:50 p.m.—Shrek
6:55 p.m.—Despicable Me 2
9 p.m.—Wrap Battle (New Episode)
10 p.m.—Wrap Battle (Season Finale)

Tuesday, December 10
7:30 a.m.—Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
11 a.m.—Wrap Battle
12 p.m.—The Mistle-Tones
2:05 p.m.—Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas
4:10 p.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
6:15 p.m.—Arthur Christmas
8:20 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12 a.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon

Wednesday, December 11
7:30 a.m.—12 Dates of Christmas
11 a.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
1:10 p.m.—Arthur Christmas
3:20 p.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon
5:20 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
8 p.m.—Same Time, Next Christmas (Freeform Premiere)
10 p.m.—Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
12 a.m.—Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas

Thursday, December 12
7 a.m.—The Preacher’s Wife
11 a.m.—This Christmas
1:35 p.m.—The Perfect Holiday (Freeform Premiere)
3:35 p.m.—The Holiday
6:50 p.m.—The Santa Clause
8:55 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
12 a.m.—Snow

Friday, December 13
7 a.m.—Love the Coopers
12:30 p.m.—The Santa Clause
2:35 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
4:40 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
6:45 p.m.—Home Alone
9:15 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
11:55 p.m.—Home Alone: The Holiday Heist

Saturday, December 14
7 a.m.—Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
9 a.m.—Arthur Christmas
11:00 a.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon
2:00 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
4:05 p.m.—Home Alone
6:35 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
9:15 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
11:55 p.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish

Sunday, December 15
7 a.m.—Arthur Christmas
9:05 a.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
11:10 a.m.—Unaccompanied Minors
1:20 p.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
3:25 p.m.—Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
5:05 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
7:45 p.m.—The Santa Clause
9:50 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
11:55 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas

Monday, December 16
7 a.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
9 a.m.—Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
11 a.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
1:05 p.m.—Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
2:45 p.m.—Rise of the Guardians
4:50 p.m.—The Santa Clause
6:55 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
9 p.m.—Good Trouble (Holiday Special Event)

Tuesday, December 17
7 a.m.—Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown
8:30 a.m.—Prancer Returns
10:30 a.m.—Rise of the Guardians
12:35 p.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
2:40 p.m.—The Holiday
5:50 p.m.—Home Alone
8:20 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12 a.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon

Wednesday, December 18
7 a.m.—Prancer Returns
9 a.m.—I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
11:05 a.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
1:10 p.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon
3:10 p.m.—Home Alone
5:40 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
8:20 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
12 a.m.—Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas

Thursday, December 19
7:30 a.m.—Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
8:30 a.m.—Snowglobe
10:30 a.m.—12 Dates of Christmas
12:30 p.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
2:35 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
4:40 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
7:20 p.m. – Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
9 p.m.—Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story
11 p.m.—Rise of the Guardians
1 a.m.—Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas

Friday, December 20
7 a.m.—Snow
9 a.m.—Snow 2: Brain Freeze
11 a.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
1 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
3 p.m.—Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
4:40 p.m.—Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
5:45 p.m.—Frosty the Snowman
6:15 p.m.—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
7:20 p.m.—Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story
9:20 p.m.—Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 2
11:25 p.m.—Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot
11:55 p.m.—Arthur Christmas

Saturday, December 21
7 a.m.—The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
7:30 a.m.—Prancer Returns
9:40 a.m.—Arthur Christmas
11:50 a.m.—Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
12:55 p.m.—Frosty the Snowman
1:25 p.m.—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2:30 p.m.—Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 2
4:35 p.m.—Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot
5:05 p.m.—The Santa Clause
7:10 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
9:15 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
11:55 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Sunday, December 22
7 a.m.—The Holiday
10:15 a.m.—The Santa Clause
12:25 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
2:35 p.m.—The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
4:40 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
7:20 p.m.—Home Alone
9:50 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12:30 a.m.—The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
1 a.m.—Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas

Monday, December 23
7 a.m.—Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic
8 a.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
10 a.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)
12 p.m.—Prancer Returns
2:05 p.m.—Arthur Christmas
4:10 p.m.—Home Alone
6:40 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
9:20 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Tuesday, December 24
7 a.m.—The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
7:30 a.m.—Prancer Returns
11 a.m.—Kung Fu Panda Holiday
11:30 a.m.—Arthur Christmas
1:30 p.m.—The Santa Clause
3:35 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
5:40 p.m.—Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
8:20 p.m.—Frosty the Snowman
8:50 p.m.—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
9:55 p.m.—Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
12 a.m.—The Simpsons Holiday-thon

Wednesday, December 25
7 a.m.—Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
9 a.m.—Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
11 a.m.—The Santa Clause
1:05 p.m.—The Santa Clause 2
3:10 p.m.—Frosty the Snowman
3:40 p.m.—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
4:45 p.m.—Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
5:50 p.m.—Home Alone
8:20 p.m.—Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
12 a.m.—Deck the Halls (2006)

Go Galactic with New The Mandalorian Trailer—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Get ready to meet one of the most infamous bounty hunters in the galaxy, and find out the latest from the world of Disney Junior’s Puppy Dog Pals… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Brand-New The Mandalorian Trailer: You’ve Just Got to See This!

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, and it’ll be here before you know it—when Disney+ begins streaming its sure-to-be-incredible content in just about two weeks’ time. And one piece of said incredible content? The first-ever live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian. To wet our proverbial whistle, the good folks at Lucasfilm just released a brand-new trailer for the series, and it’s seriously exciting… Check it out, above!

After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe… The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. Viewers will follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.

Starring Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Werner Herzog, Nick Nolte, Emily Swallow, Taika Waititi, Giancarlo Esposito, and Omid Abtahi, The Mandalorian debuts November 12 exclusively on Disney+.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives

November 4, 2019
Frozen 2 Sneak Peek Fan Event in Toronto!
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 23, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Up on the Lot
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 16, 20, 23, 27, 30;
September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29; October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31;
November 1, 2019
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park
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 5, 2019
ABC airs The Wonderful Word of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! (8—10 p.m. EST)
November 8, 2019
High School Musical: The Series airs on ABC, Disney Channel, and Freeform (8 p.m. EST)
November 8, 2019
The Rocketeer premieres on Disney Channel (11 a.m. EDT), Disney Junior (5 p.m. EDT), and DisneyNOW
November 16, 2019
Big City Greens Kicks Off Season Two on Disney Channel (9:30 a.m. EST/PST)

Puppy Dog Pals

Disney Junior’s Puppy Dog Pals Announces Fourth Season

There’s nothing quite like the antics of adorable puppies, so we’re tickled to learn that Disney Junior has just greenlit a fourth season of their popular animated series Puppy Dog Pals, ahead of its Season 3 debut on Friday, November 8, at 10 a.m. on Disney Channel.

Created by comedian Harland Williams, the series centers on fun-loving pug puppy brothers Bingo and Rolly, whose thrill-seeking appetites take them on adventures in their neighborhood and around the globe. Whether helping their owner Bob, exploring with their pal Keia, or overseeing their own Puppy Playcare center, the pugs’ motto is that life is more exciting with your best friend by your side!

Season 3 guest stars include Hootie and the Blowfish’s Darius Rucker as musician Ramblin’ Rhodes; country music star Jennifer Nettles as Capo, a guitar guru dog; Jaime Camil (Star vs. The Forces of Evil) as Hector, a dancer; comedian Bill Burr as Butch, a quirky dog who lives at a tire shop; sitcom veteran Stephen Tobolowsky as a worried elf; Hawaii Five-0’s Chi McBride as Mr. Kimble, the host of the television program Mr. Kimble’s Community; and Malcolm-Jamal Warner (The Resident) as Mr. Kimble’s dog, Floyd.

Here’s Who You’ll be Meeting on One Day at Disney…

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a Disney cast member or employee—from more interesting and exciting departments than we can count—you cannot miss Disney+’s new short-form series One Day at Disney. (Its accompanying book would make a lovely present this holiday season; just sayin’.) Mere hours ago, we here at D23.com were gifted with an exclusive listing of who you’ll see on that series and in that book, and you can check out the rundown by clicking here!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Makes Merry This Holiday Season

Spending time at Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays is always memorable, with fan-favorite frolics at every park… and this year, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting in on the holly-jolly action in a whole new way!

Guests will delight in new entertainment and holiday décor in every land—beginning on Discovery Island, where they’ll be surrounded by a celebration of winter. Look for the village to be filled with sparkling white holiday decorations and colorful, animal-inspired luminaries… and throughout the day, the area springs to life with a “Merry Menagerie” of winter animals, accompanied by serenading musicians as they create a playful atmosphere of festive fun.

Want to see just how the team at Disney Parks Live Entertainment brought this amazing collection of adorable critters to life? Take a gander at the new video from our friends at the Disney Parks Blog, above—and look for the “Merry Menagerie” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning November 8!

Lunar New Year at DCA

Mark Your 2020 Calendars for Disney California Adventure Fun

Hard to believe, but 2020 is just around the corner—which means that Disney Parks and Resorts around the world are announcing their special events. Break out that new day planner we know you already bought (no shame; we’re suckers for a sale, too!), and make sure to mark down these two highly anticipated Disney California Adventure park events…

Welcome another year of good fortune with 24 days of Lunar New Year celebrations, from January 17 to February 9. This year, we’re celebrating the Year of the Mouse with memorable multicultural performances; fun-filled activities for the whole family; gorgeous décor around every corner; delicious cuisine; and specialty merchandise. Lunar New Year is a joyous celebration for all ages to commemorate traditions of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures, along with favorite Disney characters. One of the event’s many highlights is “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” hosted by Mulan and her faithful dragon, Mushu.

Later in the spring, look for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival—from February 28 to April 21. Foodies of all stripes will enjoy the all live entertainment, culinary seminars, and demonstrations (with a distinctly Disney twist) the event has to offer…

The popular culinary festival will feature more than a dozen mouthwatering Festival Marketplaces, featuring small plates, specialty wines, and craft beers; guests looking to try a variety of Marketplace dishes may appreciate the special Sip and Savor Pass. Additionally, a new line of event merchandise will be offered—from festival-themed headwear and apparel, to kitchen gadgets and décor. Kids can even join in on the fun with hands-on “cooking” experiences with Chef Goofy.

We can’t wait for all this DCA fun to come!

Meet Your New East High Classmates: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

By Courtney Potter

School officially begins November 12 when High School Musical: The Musical: The Series debuts on Disney+, Disney’s highly anticipated new streaming service. In this hilariously heartfelt, tunefully terrific reimagining of the beloved High School Musical franchise, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series picks up nearly 13 years after the original movie aired, at the real-life location where it all began: East High. High school junior Ricky (Joshua Bassett) finds ex-girlfriend Nini (Olivia Rodrigo) has just returned from summer camp with a newfound voice, loads more confidence, and an ambitious new boyfriend, E.J. (Matt Cornett). With the help of best friend Big Red (Larry Saperstein), Ricky launches a bold plan to win back Nini by auditioning to star opposite her in the school’s first-ever production of High School Musical: The Musical. In the weeks leading up to an against-all-odds opening night, “show-mances” blossom, rivalries flare, and lives are literally changed forever…

Before the bell rings for the first class of East High’s school year, we wanted to get to know our new classmates (and a couple of their teachers)—and what better way to learn about ’em than by hearing from the actors themselves? D23 recently spoke with several members of the cast about what makes these characters so special. We’re sure you’ll wanna be BFFs with every single one!

Joshua Bassett

Ricky (portrayed by Joshua Bassett)
A charismatic “skate rat,” Ricky would rather spend his afternoons hanging out with best friend Big Red (Larry Saperstein) than participating in the school musical… that is, until he realizes ex-girlfriend Nini (Olivia Rodrigo) and her new boyfriend, E.J. (Matt Cornett), are planning to audition. He skateboards and plays a little guitar… on a whim, he goes and auditions [for HSM: The Musical]—and there’s a whole mess that comes from that! It’s very exciting and goes to some really cool places.” In fact, the character of Ricky hits close to home for Bassett: “Time and time again, the writers amaze me by perfectly encompassing me in Ricky… the way he cares about things, but tries to play it off like he doesn’t, is very accurate [for] me. I just think Ricky is a pure, genuine dude—and that’s mostly what drew me to him, along with him being very similar to me. That’s ultimately what made me want this role the most.”

Olivia Rodrigo

Nini (portrayed by Olivia Rodrigo)
Ricky’s ex-girlfriend Nini—who was a bit blindsided by their break-up—returns to East High after a super-successful summer (both onstage and in her personal life) at theater camp… Fiercely loyal to her two moms, Nini really is a star—if she can just believe in herself long enough to stay put in the spotlight. “When East High decides that they’re going to put on a production of HSM: The Musical in the drama department, she can’t wait,” Rodrigo tells D23, “and she really wants to audition for Gabriella. And she gets the part! But while that is going on, she’s also caught between two boys in this love triangle, which is really exciting. She’s just a teenage girl who’s finding herself in the world and [trying to be] comfortable being ‘center stage’ playing Gabriella, which I think is a really relatable thing for teenage girls.” Rodrigo also appreciates Nini’s family dynamic: “I remember the first time I [saw] the character breakdown—the script—I was really intrigued by the way that my character had two moms, and I really liked the way that they portrayed it as just something normal. It wasn’t a ‘social statement’ because in reality it isn’t; it’s just reality for many kids, and it should be presented as normal as it is in real life. I really resonated with that.”

Matt Cornett

E.J. (portrayed by Matt Cornett)
Nini’s new love interest, E.J. is the super-confident son of two corporate lawyers, who secretly battles the pressure of living up to his picture-perfect Instagram account. Co-captain of the East High water polo team, senior class treasurer, and “trust-fund baby,” it’s not a good idea to cross E.J. if you get something he wants… like the lead in the musical. Which is to say, Ricky better watch his back. Says Cornett, “He’s got a great heart, but he gets himself in trouble quite often… I think he’s trying to go about the right things, just in the wrong ways. So, it’s [often] just a matter of him getting himself in trouble and trying to figure his way out of that trouble… It’s a very fun thing about E.J. to get to play, because he has his super-sweet moments—he loves Nini to death, and he loves getting to be a part of the theater side of things in the school. There’s so many different kinds of dynamics to him. That alone drew me to [the role].”

Sofia Wylie

Gina (portrayed by Sofia Wylie)
Gina is a recent transfer to East High and a diehard theater kid—with as many skeletons in the closet as she has credits on her résumé. She is both ambitious and entitled, and dead-set on showing the school’s new drama teacher, Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders), that she’s made a huge mistake in casting her as the Gabriella understudy. “She’s kind of mischievous and she definitely comes in strong,” admits Wylie, “but I think there’s a lot of twists to her character and a lot more under the surface… [She’s] kind of like the ‘Sharpay 2.0,’ but she has a lot of layers, and I think that’s going to be fun for the audience to see her development over the series.”

Dara Renee

Kourtney (portrayed by Dara Reneé)
Kourtney is Nini’s “ride-or-die” BFF, and she’s obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism in equal measure. She works on the costume crew for East High’s production of HSM: The Musical, pulling together runway-ready looks on a high school budget. “She’s really into fashion and hair, but also, she is not afraid to speak her mind,” explains Reneé, “which I love! And she stands up for people who she believes are right, which I really appreciate, because not a lot of people do that—and you don’t really get to see that a lot on screen. And she’s also Nini’s best friend and she roots for her from the corner, being like, ‘Yes, girl! Get it!’ So, I’m really excited to play this character. I mean, playing a character who can say whatever she wants? Yes! I’ll take that and a thousand!”

Julia Lester

Ashlyn (portrayed by Julia Lester)
E.J.’s cousin, Ashlyn is an “old soul” who worships singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles—and is herself an aspiring songwriter on the sly… although something tells us that talent won’t be on the sly for too long. “My character is definitely, I would say, the peacemaker of the group,” Lester admits. “She just wants everyone to be happy, and has a very loving heart—she just wants everyone to have peace of mind.” As a fan of the original High School Musical franchise, it was truly a dream come true when she first walked through the doors of the real-life East High School in Salt Lake City: “It was a whirlwind of emotions. I mean, we grew up watching the movies and that set is so iconic that stepping into it for the first time was kind of like, ‘I can’t believe this place exists!’ I might have cried a little bit… ”

Frankie Rodriguez

Carlos (portrayed by Frankie A. Rodriguez)
Carlos is captain of the East High color guard and the student choreographer for the school’s production of HSM: The Musical. It should come as no surprise that he thinks of Miss Jenn not as a teacher, but as a peer. He eats lunch in her office, has been drinking espresso since the third grade, and already has his Tony® Awards speech memorized. And, if you’ve seen the show’s hilarious trailer, you know you can expect Carlos to have some truly “meme-worthy” moments throughout the series. When it comes to the show’s filming location, Rodriguez was equally as taken aback as Lester: “My first scene was in the [East High] auditorium—my first scene ever. I remember in between takes, just looking around and being like, ‘This is it! This is it!’ It’s just crazy.”

Larry Saperstein

Big Red (portrayed by Larry Saperstein)
A “skater boy” through and through, Big Red is the spiritual cousin of both Bill and Ted: always fuzzy and he’s been sleep-deprived since preschool. He’s surprisingly devastated by Ricky and Nini’s breakup, since his most enduring role was as their wisecracking third wheel. Leave it to Ricky, however, to change both of their junior year trajectories… “Big Red doesn’t know much about musical theater at first,” says Saperstein, “and he’s a little bit apprehensive, but Ricky—his best friend—really wants to audition for the musical and he really wants to play Troy Bolton, so Big Red is like, ‘All right! Let’s go! Let’s do this.’ And he sort of enters this world of theater and gives it everything he’s got, which I think is so awesome.”

Kate Reinders

Miss Jenn (portrayed by Kate Reinders)
Miss Jenn is East High School’s brand-new, high-energy, low-reality drama teacher—who truly believes musicals can save lives. She may suffer from serious imposter syndrome, but she would do anything for her students, even if it means fudging a few credits on her resumé. (In real life, Reinders is known for treading the Broadway boards in Wicked, Gypsy, Something Rotten!, and Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.)

Mark St. Cyr

Mr. Mazzara (portrayed by Mark St. Cyr)
Mr. Mazzara is East High’s somewhat robotic S.T.E.M. teacher. His belief in preparing students for the future often leads him to butt heads with Miss Jenn, who would rather sing about life than live in the real world. But don’t be mistaken by Mr. Mazzara’s seemingly dry behavior; his moment with Carlos in the school’s gym—as seen in the show’s trailer—is most assuredly a portent of further hilarity to come.

Look for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series when Disney+ begins streaming November 12!

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

Graham Phillips Makes a Splash in The Little Mermaid Live!

By D23 Team

Next week, The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! will take us to the magical fathoms below with a new tail, weaving the original film with live musical performances by a star-studded cast of comprised of Auli’i Cravalho as Ariel; Queen Latifah as the menacing sea witch Ursula; John Stamos as an eccentric French cook, Chef Louis; Shaggy as Sebastian; Graham Phillips as Prince Eric and Amber Riley as the emcee, presenting the Daughters of Triton with a special performance for King Triton and his subjects.

D23 recently sat down with Phillips to talk all things The Little Mermaid Live! before the premiere of the ABC live production on November 5.

D23: How does it feel to be cast as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid Live!
Graham Phillips (GP): Well, it’s been about 15 years since I was cast as a prince [in The Little Prince], so it’s exciting for me to go back to my roots. The Little Mermaid was the first Disney film I remember watching. I was about 5 years old, and I have a really distinct recollection of watching that film with my family, so it was kind of surreal to even just audition for that role. Because at that age you don’t think they’re just characters, you see them as real people. So to breathe life back into that character—that I loved at an early age—was pretty awesome.

The Little Mermaid Live!

D23: How have you prepared to be Prince Eric?
GP: The preparation has been quite rigorous. I’ve been swimming a lot and am basically trying to get in touch with my aquatic self. Prince Eric is obsessed with the water, and I think that’s pretty telling. He’s on a search for the unknown. He’s looking for adventure and something new. He’s happy to be free from the castle walls. I grew up in Laguna Beach so I’ve always been around the ocean, but I figured why not take some sailing lessons? I’ve always wanted to do that. But also, most of this role is vocal because we’re not just doing the scenes—we’re also doing the songs, so the singing is very important. I read the original Hans Christian Andersen story and that gave a little more insight to the prince, but honestly there’s so much in the lyrics that were written, too. Just listening to Howard Ashman’s lyrics tells you everything you need to know about what’s rattling around the prince’s head with his memory of Ariel and his search to be reunited with her. There’s a lot more material in the songs that we’re going to be performing than maybe there is in the original film. In the original, there’s not too much to [help] deduce what’s going on in Prince Eric’s head, so I’m really thankful that we’re getting to also do the songs that were written after the fact, because they shed more light on Prince Eric.

D23: With this unique experience using both screens and stage, how are all of you preparing for the live musical performances?
GP: What’s interesting is that there are certain transitions where we really have to match our body language to the frames of the film that we’re using from the original film. For instance, there’s one moment where we transition from Prince Eric and Max on the beach, when he’s playing his flute and saying something along the lines of ‘her voice, I just can’t get it out of my mind’ and that’s what we’ve taken as the cue to insert a song that wasn’t in the original film, “Her Voice [from the Broadway musical].” We’re matching that little tableau with him and Max. But really, it’s just the same preparation for anything that’s live—making sure you know it backwards and forwards.

D23: Who is your favorite character from The Little Mermaid?
GP: My favorite character has got to be Ursula. Although it does shift from day to day, but today it’s Ursula. I think she’s one of the best Disney villains that there are, and I just love her powerful, sultry, conniving manner, and Queen Latifah is nailing that.

Auli'i Cravalho and Graham Phillips

D23: Speaking of your other cast members, who are you most excited to be working with?
GP: Obviously, most of my interactions are with Ariel, so getting to work with Auli’i has been a delight. She’s incredible. She’s got this amazing voice and brings so much of her emotion to that voice. She’s such a giving actress. We’re doing “Kiss the Girl,” which is a big number for Sebastian, but for us, we’re just sitting in a boat for two minutes looking at each other. I’m sure you can imagine how that can be either awkward or boring or any combination, but with her, it’s dynamic and interesting. It has an arc, which is something I was initially a little worried about, but not now.

D23: She’s now a two-time Disney princess, so she has some experience.
GP: Yeah! I have some big shoes to fill.

D23: Is there something you’re most excited for audiences to see in The Little Mermaid Live!
GP: For anyone who has fallen in love with the film but hasn’t seen the Broadway musical, there are a few songs that I think they’re really going to like. Perhaps I’m biased, but I love “Her Voice.” I think that song is such an interesting part of the story. It’s the other side of the coin, in the sense that you hear a lot about what Ariel is going through, but you don’t really explore what Prince Eric is going through. Getting a sense for what he feels about Ariel, I think, makes the romance more powerful and the magnetism between the two characters more powerful. I think it helps the story out, so I think that’s something people will really enjoy.

D23: Would you say that’s your favorite song from The Little Mermaid Live! ?
GP: It’s definitely my favorite new song, but I mean, “Part of Your World” has got to be my favorite song. It’s so iconic. And it resonates with me in a way that I’m sure resonates with a lot of people because there will be these moments where you think you’ve got it all figured out, yet you still feel like there’s something that you’re missing. Just getting in touch with the idea that the things that you need the most are the things you can’t necessarily see is a really powerful message. I mentioned playing a prince before; that was when I was 12 years old and played the Little Prince. That book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has a saying, “anything essential is invisible to the eye,” and I think “Part of Your World” encapsulates the yearning for that essence.

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s Every Disney Cast Member and Employee Featured in One Day at Disney

By Jocelyn Buhlman

At D23 Expo 2019, we announced an incredible collaboration between Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney+ highlighting one day in the life of 79 Disney Cast Members and employees all over the world. One Day at Disney is a gorgeous 224-page coffee table book highlighting the 76 photoshoots that all occurred on the same day, as well as an exclusive docuseries headed to Disney+. Both the book and the series will be available on December 3. You can preorder One Day at Disney here.

Check out the full list of Disney Cast Members and employees featured in the book and series:

    1. Alfredo Ayala: Walt Disney Imagineering—Executive, Research & Development
    2. Alice Taylor: The Walt Disney Studios—Vice President, Content Innovation and StudioLAB
    3. Amanda Lauder: Disney Springs—Chef Chocolatier at The Ganachery
    4. Angela Morales: Aulani—Resort Performer (“Aunty”) and Live Music Coordinator
    5. Anthony Anderson: ABC—Star and Executive Producer of black•ish
    6. Ashley Girdich: Walt Disney Imagineering—Technical Program Manager, Research & Development
    7. Billy Ray Chubbs: Lucasfilm—Motion Capture Performer and Receptionist
    8. Bob Iger: Chairman & CEO, The Walt Disney Company
    9. Brie Larson: Actor in Captain Marvel
    10. Bryce Dallas Howard: Director of Episode 4 of The Mandalorian on Disney+
    11. Candice Valdez: Radio Disney—On-Air Talent
    12. Carlton Fu: Shanghai Disney Resort—Team Manager, Attraction Engineering Services
    13. Chris Cristi: KABC Los Angeles—Helicopter Reporter
    14. Cyril Soreau: Disneyland Paris—Fruit and Vegetable Sculptor
    15. Dana Amendola: Disney Theatrical Productions—Vice President, Operations
    16. David Muir: ABC News, Anchor and Managing Editor, ABC World News Tonight
    17. Ebony Winski: Disneyland Resort—Princess Tiana in Mickey and the Magical Map
    18. Ed Fritz: Walt Disney Imagineering—Ride Engineering Executive
    19. Ellen Pompeo: ABC—Star and Producer of Grey’s Anatomy
    20. Eric Baker: Walt Disney Imagineering—Creative Director
    21. Eric Goldberg: Walt Disney Animation Studios—Animator and Director
    22. Eric Stonestreet: ABC—Actor on Modern Family
    23. Este Meza: Lucasfilm Senior Events Manager
    24. Fabian Dib: Disney Cruise Line—Captain
    25. Fabiola M Kersul de Salles: Walt Disney World—PhotoPass Photographer
    26. Francheska Roman: Disneyland Resort—Candy Maker
    27. Gabriela Clark: Walt Disney Studios—Senior Manager, Creative Print Services
    28. George Montano: Disneyland Resort—Staff Shop, General Lead
    29. George Pennacchio: KABC Los Angeles—Entertainment Reporter
    30. Grace Lee: Disney Publishing Worldwide—Senior Illustration Manager
    31. Heather Bartleson: Walt Disney World—Senior Facilities Coordinator, Holiday Services
    32. Jackie Ma: Hong Kong Disneyland—Senior Arborist
    33. Jason Benetti: ESPN—Play-by-Play Announcer/Analyst
    34. Jerome Ranft: Pixar Studios—Sculptor
    35. Jesse Tyler Ferguson: ABC—Actor on Modern Family
    36. Jon Favreau: Executive Producer of The Mandalorian on Disney+
    37. Jose Zelaya: Disney Television Animation—Character Designer
    38. Joseph Hernandez: Disneyland Resort—Mark Twain Riverboat Attraction Working Lead
    39. Juan Estrella: The Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank—Security Guard
    40. Justin Tse: Shanghai Disney Resort—Area Manager, Costuming and Walt Disney Grand Theatre Wardrobe Supervisor

Kae Namiki

    1. Kae Namiki: Tokyo Disneyland—Stage Manager, Show Operations (pictured above)
    2. Katie Whetsell: Disney’s Animal Kingdom—Principal Actor in Finding Nemo—The Musical
    3. Kenneth Ko: Hong Kong Disneyland—Pavement Art Team Leader and Custodial Guest Services Manager
    4. Korey Amrine: Adventures By Disney—Tour Guide
    5. Kris Becker: Disney’s Animal Kingdom—Animal Keeper
    6. Kristina Dewberry: Walt Disney Imagineering—Construction Manager—Logistics, Disneyland Overall
    7. Laura Cabo: Walt Disney Imagineering—Portfolio Creative Executive
    8. Leah Buono: Disney Channel—Executive Direction, Casting
    9. Leslie Evans: Walt Disney Imagineering—Manager, Research & Development
    10. Lois Hammersley: Walt Disney World—Attractions Hostess
    11. Lupe De Santiago: Disneyland Resort—Audio-Animatronics® Special Projects Lead
    12. Manon Teissier Du Cros: Disneyland Paris—Pastry Chef at Walt’s—An American Restaurant
    13. Marc Smith: Walt Disney Animation Studios—Director of Story for Frozen 2
    14. Mark Gonzales: Disneyland Resort—Steam Locomotive Engineer
    15. Maxine Shepard: ABC—Production Designer for black•ish
    16. Michael Illardi: Walt Disney Imagineering—Principal Research & Development Imagineer
    17. Mike Davie: Walt Disney Imagineering—Project Manager Principal
    18. Morgan Pope: Walt Disney Imagineering—Associate Research Scientist, Research & Development

Natalie Mylniczenco

    1. Natalie Mylniczenco: Disney’s Animal Kingdom—Veterinarian, Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment (pictured above)
    2. Nate Moore: Marvel Studios—Vice President, Development and Production
    3. Nontra Null: Consumer Products—Design Manager, Softlines Product Development
    4. Pablo Tufino: Disney’s Animal Kingdom—Foreman, Computer Ride Show Tech
    5. Patti Murin: Disney Theatrical Productions—Plays the role of Anna in Frozen on Broadway
    6. Pavan “Billy” Komkai: ESPN+—Manager, Broadcast Engineering
    7. Peter Dufour: Walt Disney World—Security Host
    8. Rob Richards: El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood—House Organist

Robin Roberts

    1. Robin Roberts: ABC—Co-Anchor, Good Morning America (pictured above)
    2. Ryan Meinerding: Marvel Studios—Head of Visual Development

Sage Steele

    1. Sage Steele: ESPN—SportsCenter Anchor (pictured above)
    2. Scot Drake: Walt Disney Imagineering—Creative Executive, Marvel Global Portfolio
    3. Sidney Bain: Disney Cruise Line—Tram Coordinator/Trainer/Pest Control Operator, Castaway Cay

Sofia Wylie

    1. Sofia Wylie: Disney Channel—Actor in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+ (pictured above in front row far right)
    2. Stephanie Carrol: Walt Disney World—Ranch Hand
    3. Steve Sligh: Walt Disney Studios Operations—Senior Manager, Golden Oak Ranch
    4. Thom Self: Disneyland Resort—Attraction Machinist
    5. Tia Kratter: Pixar Studios—Manager, Art & Film Education, Pixar University
    6. Tony Salvaggio: Disneyland Resort—Park Decorator, Window Display Team
    7. Vince Caro: Pixar Studios—Senior Recording/Mixing Engineer
    8. Zamavuso (Zama) Magudulela: Disney Theatrical Productions—Rafiki in the Madrid production of The Lion King

Spoiler-Free Secrets from The Mandalorian Set Revealed

By Zach Johnson

After the legendary stories of Jango and Boba Fett, a new warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe: The Mandalorian. The first-ever live-action Star Wars series, named after the title character, is set after the fall of the Empire and before the arrival of the First Order. From Disney Legend Jon Favreau and executive producers Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson, the first season will follow the adventures of a lone gunfighter (Pedro Pascal) in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic. The first episode will debut on Disney+ at launch on November 12.

In addition to Pascal, the series’ cast includes Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Werner Herzog, Nick Nolte, Emily Swallow, Taika Waititi, Giancarlo Esposito, and Omid Abtahi. Recently, D23 attended the global press conference for the series, where Favreau, Filoni, Pascal, Carano and Weathers shared spoiler-free details about the first season.

“We wanted to start fresh with a whole new set of characters you never met before,” said Favreau. Still, there are Easter eggs for longtime fans to find (including ones from the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special). “If you were watching and if you knew about it—and this is where Dave has really been a treasure trove—we tried to work that stuff in.” But to preserve the series’ integrity, the creative forces behind the series showed restraint in that regard, Favreau added: “There is a discipline about it.” Still, he took several creative risks as a writer. Just know that for any change, “We really deliberated over it, discussed it and thought it through. So, if we depart in any way, we know we are—but it’s with a plan. Part of it also is: ‘What is the big arc?’ That is the other thing.”

Although Favreau has directed blockbuster films such as Iron Man, The Jungle Book, and The Lion King, he entrusted Filoni, Waititi, Rick Famuyiwa, Deborah Chow, and Bryce Dallas Howard with the directorial duties on The Mandalorian. Favreau has a keen eye for talent, as Chow was hired in September to direct the upcoming untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney+, which will begin shooting in 2020 and see actor Ewan McGregor reprising his role. “You’re going to see a lot of people who are working in this incubator of story and technology—really, people who got together because they love Star Wars,” Favreau shared. “I think the enthusiasm seems to be very contagious.”

Filoni, who cut his teeth in Star Wars animation, admitted he had become a sponge while preparing to direct the first and fifth episodes of The Mandalorian: “I was on set every day the whole season, so I learned by watching every single one of our directors. I learned by watching our great cast and everyone behind the scenes. I treated it as a boot camp for me to learn this type of filmmaking.” Filoni, who had worked closely with Star Wars creator and Disney Legend George Lucas on The Clone Wars and other projects, said his biggest takeaway was determining what he could accomplish in one day. For example, he once arrived on a backlot and the director of photography told him the sun had risen and it was time to start shooting. “I’m like, ‘Oh, right! Because it’s going to go down,’” he said, laughing. “In animation, you don’t really have that problem!”

Everything about the experience was a dream come true for the cast and crew, many of whom had long dreamed of becoming a part of the Star Wars universe. “My first day on set I was on a blurrg, so I was up on this big thing,” Carano said. “I was like, ‘OK, this is it! This is my life now.’” For Pascal, the first surreal moment arrived when he met with Favreau and Filoni and got to try on his helmet. “It fit perfectly… You can’t see very well through the helmet, but I got a pretty clear impression. If you grow up playing with Star Wars toys, and obviously seeing these movies, and then you’re staring at yourself and you are the image of that kind of childhood imagination, it’s a super pinch-me moment.”

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How Disney+’s The Imagineering Story Celebrates Walt Disney’s Legacy

By Zach Johnson

It’s no secret that making Disney magic is in Leslie Iwerks’ DNA. The daughter of Disney Legend Don Iwerks and the granddaughter of Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, the Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker has been telling behind-the-scenes stories about The Walt Disney Company’s history for two decades, starting with the 1999 release of her first feature-length documentary, The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story. Next, Leslie will pull back the curtain on Disney Parks with the Disney+ original The Imagineering Story, a six-hour saga premiering at launch on November 12.

With unprecedented access, Leslie’s series will highlight Walt Disney Imagineering, the little-known design and development center of The Walt Disney Company, inviting viewers discover what it takes to create, design, and build Disney theme parks around the world. Leslie recently appeared in the IDA Presents: Disney+ Nonfiction Storytelling Showcase in Hollywood, where she shared never-before-seen footage from the highly anticipated docu-series and recalled how it evolved from initially being a 90-minute film.

“This started about six years ago, believe it or not. I had screened my film, The Pixar Story, at Imagineering. [Disney Legend] Marty Sklar, who was the former president of Imagineering, saw the film and said to me afterwards, ‘When are you going to do The Imagineering Story?’” Leslie recalled. “I said, ‘Well, you tell me!’” After making a formal pitch, the executives at Disney got back to Leslie and made her an offer. “They said, ‘Actually, we want to commission you for five years. We want you to travel to all the parks around the world. We want you to document behind the scenes and really capture the spirit of Imagineering and what we consider the golden age of that time.’ This was from 2014 to about 2017; it was an amazing experience to kind of relive my childhood.”

With the full cooperation of Imagineering, Leslie and her team spent half a decade filming on location across all Disney Parks—to the point where they had an “avalanche of material” to edit. After assembling a six-hour rough cut, Leslie went back to Disney and asked if they would consider a series. Disney liked the idea. There was just one problem: Where to put it? “There was no outlet at the time,” Leslie explained. By the time Disney+ was announced, everyone knew that’s where it belonged. “It was perfect timing,” she said. “They came in and said, ‘We would love to have this for our launch.’”

Initially, Leslie said her team had “limited access” to archival materials: “We had to pull a lot of the stuff from the Internet, because we had a limited budget.” But after moving under the Disney+ umbrella, her team was able to spend another year “really digging—and doing it properly.” Plus, now that she was making a docu-series as opposed to a film, Leslie had even more time to celebrate the Imagineers’ countless contributions. “As we got into it, we discovered so much really cool material—and it had never been seen before,” she said. “A large percentage of this film is material no one has ever seen, between photographs and archival footage, to transfers from raw negatives in the vault.”

The Imagineering Story

Leslie, who is both the director and the executive producer of The Imagineering Story, also talked to Imagineers past and present about their work in Disney Parks. “Everyone is standing on the shoulders of Walt Disney. Everyone is standing on the shoulders of those who came before them,” she explained. “It was fascinating to see that evolution.”

The Imagineering Story will be told chronologically, to reflect the idea of Imagineers standing on Walt’s shoulders. “That, in essence, is how you build on the emotional thread of that story,” Leslie said. “Each episode, ultimately, has its own story arc, its own ups and downs, its own trials and tribulations—and it has a cliffhanger at the end.”

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Step Inside Jeff Goldblum’s Wacky World on Disney+

By Zach Johnson

The world, according to Jeff Goldblum, is meant to be explored—and he’s doing just that with his new Disney+ series The World According to Jeff Goldblum, premiering at launch on November 12. Produced by National Geographic and Nutopia, each episode will feature Goldblum seeking out the history and science behind a deceptively familiar object—think coffee, denim, and RVs—as he questions the how, the now, and the why.

The series is a passion project for Goldblum. “I think I was always inquisitive,” he said last week at the IDA Presents: Disney+ Nonfiction Storytelling Showcase in Hollywood. Mentioning his 4- and 7-year-old sons, the host and executive producer added, “These kids are very inquisitive and curious and excited and confused about every little thing. As we know, they’ve never tasted all sorts of things, or seen all sorts of things, and so they are interested in learning. They are sponges. I’m sure I was some variation of that.”

The World According to Jeff GoldBlum

Goldblum said he “got a big kick” out of hosting three episodes of National Geographic Explorer in 2017, and he impressed network executives. It wasn’t long before Goldblum was in discussions to host his own show. “We started to talk about it,” he said, “and it evolved organically out of our conversations.” At the start of production, Nutopia had asked Goldblum to record his musings about anything, hoping to find some inspiration. “I enjoyed doing that, too, just by myself—as you can imagine!” Goldblum said with a laugh. “Some of that material became useful, because it had to do with my interests, associations, experiences, curiosities, and strong feelings about some of these topics.”

Disney+ eventually acquired The World According to Jeff Goldblum from National Geographic, and the first trailer debuted during the D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, California. Goldblum considers himself lucky to be making the series, and he already has ideas for more episodes. “Time and time again I would say, ‘When, besides the opportunity of [making] this series, would I be here meeting these interesting people? Very rarely, or never,” he said. “It was almost like a bucket-list, delightful odyssey. A great experience.”

The World According to Jeff GoldBlum

The World According to Jeff Goldblum allows its titular star to use his curiosity to inspire the same feeling in others. From the beginning, he said, “I told National Geographic, ‘I think I can contribute something that you’ll like, that may skin the cat and be of interest to people. And I’ll certainly enjoy it if I can be free and if you would allow me to be free.’”

Goldlbum got his freedom, and it’s evident in his fun, insightful conversations. “I enjoy meeting people,” he said. “They’re very sweet, and I’m proud of whatever they may know me from. And once we get into it, from my standpoint, they’re more interesting than I am, certainly. Soon, they know I’m genuinely interested—and we get interested together, sitting side by side in some mental posture of this thing that we’re exploring.”

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