Disney’s Live-Action Lady and the Tramp Paws its Way onto the Cover of Disney Twenty-Three

By D23 Team

We can’t wait for this fall, when Disney+ launches with a slate of original programming we will absolutely binge watch, and to celebrate, we’re giving fans a sneak peek at some of the streaming service’s most highly anticipated programming, including the live-action adaptation of Lady and the Tramp. The film’s stars, voiced by Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux, chatted exclusively with Disney twenty-three about bringing this beloved story to life—complete with a canine cast of rescue dogs who found “forever homes” when production ended.

Fall 2019 Disney twenty-three

Also coming to Disney+ when it launches November 12 (we can hardly wait!) is The Mandalorian, the first-ever live-action Star Wars series, which will introduce a new caravan of characters in this story set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. Writer and executive producer Jon Favreau and members of the cast sat down to talk about the thrilling new show. Plus, the energetic cast and creator of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series took a break from filming to talk about their meta, magical new show.

But that’s not all! Rounding out this exclusive look at Disney+, film historian Leonard Maltin selects some of his favorite movies that are coming out of the vault when the service launches, and television reporter Craig Tomashoff takes a look at some of the fan-favorite TV making its way to Disney+, including the original DuckTales, That’s So Raven, and Star Wars Rebels.

And the 12 luminaries who are being celebrated as Disney Legends at D23 Expo, including Christina Aguilera, Robert Downey Jr., Bette Midler, and Ming-Na Wen, sat down exclusively with Disney twenty-three to talk about what the honor means to them.

Also included in the Fall issue of Disney twenty-three:

  • Michelle Pfeiffer reveals secrets about her character—and working alongside Angelina Jolie—in this fall’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
  • A look inside the August 1962 issue of National Geographic, which featured dozens of pages showcasing The Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland
  • Stars of Modern Family recall their favorite Disney moments
  • A peek inside the new book The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between, inspired by the Walt Disney Archives exhibit at D23 Expo 2019
  • From the Desk Of: Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline
  • Regular features including By the Numbers, Character Analysis, D Society, and Ask Dave

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in late August.

8 Disney Travel Movies to Watch Before Your Next Family Vacation

By Karina Schink and Savannah Salazar

Before summer’s over and kids head back to school, rev those engines and hit the road for one more grand-hoorah getaway—life is a highway, after all. To help you plan your journey, we put together a list of some of the most memorable vacation spots from Disney films, both real and imagined. So, grab a DOLE® whip, sit back in the sun, and send your imagination soaring with these unforgettable destinations.

The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap (1998)
Camp Walden is coming, and we’re ready to go! Hallie and Annie went on a trip they won’t soon forget—mainly because they had no idea it was a family trip and that they’d meet the twin sister they never knew existed! The two siblings meet as rivals, but then get to know each other over a shared love of peanut butter spread on cookies, because what better way is there to bond with your long-lost twin?

Peter Pan

Peter Pan
Never Land is a treasure trove of exotic locations, from the enchanting Mermaid Lagoon, to the daunting Jolly Roger, to the secret hideout of the Lost Boys. Wendy, John and Michael never had a dull moment on their (shall we say) “impromptu vacation” with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell to Never Land. We’re still waiting for our pixie dust flight to our vacation destinations. 

Toy Story 4
Toy Story 4
Buzz, Woody, and the gang hit the road on a vacation full of brand-new adventures and characters (protect Forky at all costs!). The toys join Bonnie and her family on a road trip in the ultimate road trip vehicle, an RV, and stop at a summer fun classic—the carnival. The open road, swirling carnival rides, loving friendships and incredibly funny hijinks have us nostalgic for summer vacation. 

A Goofy Movie
A Goofy Movie
Gawrsh! There’s nothing like hitting the open road with your best pal. Our favorite father-son duo, Goofy and Max Goof, set off on a wild cross-country vacation, from a fishing trip gone wrong and a stop at Lester’s Possum Park, to—wait for it—a Powerline concert! It’s not an all-perfect vacation but at least it stands out from other trips.

Visit our friends at Alamo to see what the next stop on our world-wide vacation is!

5 Amazing Things About Avengers: Endgame

By Tim Lammers

Right on the heels of it becoming the highest-grossing film worldwide in box office history with nearly $2.8 billion in ticket sales, the culmination of the first 22 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe saga, Avengers: Endgame, has made its hotly anticipated debut on Digital, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment). D23.com recently talked with Joe Russo about the superhero extravaganza, the fourth MCU film he co-directed with his brother, Anthony, following their direction of  Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War.

Warning: Major spoilers from Avengers: Endgame are ahead.

Avengers: Endgame

1. Joe Russo says the strong audience reaction to carnage from Thanos’ finger snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War took the Russo brothers by surprise, driving the pressure on them to deliver for Avengers: Endgame through the roof.
“The way audiences reacted to the end of the movie was much more significant than we thought it would be,” Russo says. Certainly, we expected a reaction, but the outcry and the outpouring of grief over that ending were dramatic. I know that Mark Ruffalo was in a theater, hiding in a ball cap, watching the film in New York City on opening night with his son, and he said at the end of the movie, the entire theater just sat there for 10 minutes after the movie ended. Finally, he said, a guy got up and started ripping his shirt off and screaming ‘Why! Why would you do this?’ We certainly didn’t expect that kind of reaction. So, all that did was put pressure on us for Endgame to deliver. It was good to get that kind of response because as artists it made us focus on the next chapter.”

Avengers: Endgame

2. Avengers: Endgame relies heavily on its time travel narrative, and Russo admits he and his brother initially underestimated how big of an undertaking it would be.
“Time travel was certainly the thing that we had to explain the most to the audience” Russo says. “During reshoots we had to go back and spend quite a bit of time on it to make sure it was clear, because we were working with a very different set of rules than the ubiquitous Back to the Future did and the film’s influence on all time travel stories and pop culture since its debut. We were playing by a different set of rules, and I think we underestimated how influential those Back to the Future rules were and how pervasive they were.

“So, we reshot two scenes—both of which involved Smart Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Rhodey (Don Cheadle), and Scott Lang (Paul Rudd)—talking about going back in time and how it works, etcetera, so those two scenes, back-to-back, really do a lot of heavy-lifting,” Russo adds. “At the end of the day, time travel is not real—it’s a conceit of genre filmmaking and storytelling—and ultimately this is a science fiction film and there are going to have to be buy-ins. There are no giant green men in life like the Hulk or giant purple aliens like Thanos, so you have to ask audiences to buy in on time travel as a narrative device that helps them solve the story.”

3. Not long after Avengers: Endgame was released in theaters, the Russo brothers revealed that the death of Tony Stark hinged on whether Robert Downey Jr. would sign off on perhaps the biggest scene in the history of the MCU. If he said “No,” however, Russo says he and his brother had a Plan B.
“Our Plan B if he said ‘no’ was to talk him into it, because we felt it was the right thing to do for the story,” Russo says. “We appreciate emotional catharsis as viewers when we watch stories, and we wanted to do something that was impactful and that really underscored what it means to be a hero—and sacrifice is the very definition of being a hero. It means you are willing to put the good of the community ahead of yourself, and who better to exemplify that than Tony Stark?”

Russo adds that considering where Tony’s story began, as a selfish person initially out for himself in Iron Man in 2008, the Avengers: Endgame ending completed the ultimate character arc where he arrived at the ultimate act of selflessness.

“As storytellers, there’s nothing more compelling than taking a character from A to Z, where it is starting in one place and ending in almost the exact opposite place,” Russo says. “That is a real arc and a real journey for a character to take, and a joy for a director to direct and an actor to act. “The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a very singular experiment in movie history, and there’s never been anything quite like it, where you’re taking so many different successful franchises and interweaving them into one large mosaic. There’s never been an opportunity like this on the big screen, and it’s had a profound impact on people.

Avengers: Endgame

4. The Avengers: Endgame Home Entertainment release includes six deleted scenes, and Russo says one of the scenes cut from the film—an emotionally powerful sequence where all of the members of the Avengers kneel in honor of Tony Stark after he dies—left the brothers in a huge quandary before they decided to let it go.
“The scene was in and it was out; we watched it a bunch of different times with test audiences, but at the end of the day, of anything that we had cut, it probably was the most difficult decision,” Russo says. “Ultimately, we felt like it was robbing from the scene where everybody was standing on the hill outside Tony’s house, paying their respects to him at his funeral. We wanted to make sure that we weren’t making the ending repetitive or diluting the emotion of the funeral scene.”

5. When the film ends with the reunion of Captain America (Chris Evans) and Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Russo says he and his brother refused to settle for just any ordinary dance and a kiss, and instead wanted a shot where audiences could experience the era of the Golden Age of Hollywood (which, coincidentally, is the same era that the scene is set in).
“Without question, it was about the period. It was about the warmth, the genuineness and the happiness of that kiss,” Russo explains. “It’s symbolic of years lost between them that they both suffered, and they’re finally getting a moment where they can just quietly be with one another. They know that they have a future together now, and that’s what that kiss represents. We shot it that way, starting with that long, slow crane shot across the street to reveal them in the window with the sun shining and flaring into the lens for the final close-up between the two of them. No specific classic screen kiss inspired the scene, but we’ve consumed a lot of movies over the years, so I’m sure subconsciously that the Gone with the Wind kiss was in the back of our heads as we framed up that shot.”

Here’s All the Inspiration You Need for Your D23 Expo Cosplay

By Karina Schink

D23 Expo 2019 is the perfect opportunity to live out your sartorial dreams. Whether you make it blue, pink, or a color less often argued over by fairy caretakers, we can’t wait to see what you come up with to wear to the ball (D23 Expo, that is).

Since we know it can be a difficult undertaking to come up with ideas, we’ve pulled together a look back at some of 2017’s D23 Expo cosplay looks. So, with inspiration aplenty, go forth and create. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

We also have a suggestion of what to do with your winning idea. For the first time ever at D23 Expo, we will be hosting daily Cosplay Photo Shoots outside the Anaheim Convention Center in front of the Grand Plaza Fountain. Click here for more information.

On the lookout for the Leaning Tower of Cheeza.A Goofy Movie cosplay

Only the good stuff.Ratatouille Cosplay

The force is strong with this family.Stormtroopers Cosplay

Out for delivery.Pizza Planet Cosplay

A brand-new addition to the Kakamora tribe.Kakamora from Moana Cosplay

That’s logic!Alice in Wonderland Cosplay

The Dapper Dan-ielles.Dapper Dans Cosplay

Once upon a workout.Disney Princesses Workout Cosplay

Get An Exclusive First Look at National Geographic’s The Right Stuff at D23 Expo

By the D23 Team 

Get ready to blast off at D23 Expo, because National Geographic is presenting an exclusive sneak peek of the scripted series The Right Stuff, based on Tom Wolfe’s bestselling novel that spotlighted the historical Mercury 7 astronauts. Join Jake McDorman (What We Do in the Shadows, Lady Bird), Colin O’Donoghue (Once Upon a Time,) Aaron Staton (Narcos: Mexico, Castle Rock), Michael Trotter (Underground, The Evening Hour), Micah Stock (Brittany Runs a Marathon, Escape at Dannemora), and James Lafferty (The Haunting of Hill House, Small Town Crime) as they give fans the first look at the early days of production on the series.

The Right Stuff fan experiences will launch Saturday, August 24, with a cast autograph signing and meet-and-greet at Talent Central from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Then, over at Center Stage from 2:30 to 3 p.m., the cast will sit down with special guest moderator, retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, for an out-of-this-world Q&A and first look at the series. Immediately following, from 3 to 3:50 p.m. at the Walt Disney Television booth, fans will get another chance to meet and take pictures with the cast and Stott. Finally, at 4:30 p.m., the cast will serve as Grand Marshalls for the D23 Street Party, leading the festive indoor parade across the show room floor inside the convention center.

The first season of The Right Stuff, which uses Wolfe’s book as its starting point, starts at the height of the Cold War. To combat a national sentiment of fear and decline, the U.S. government conceives of NASA’s Project Mercury, igniting a space race with the Soviets and making instant celebrities of a handful of the military’s adrenaline-fueled test pilots. These individuals, who come to be known as the Mercury Seven, are forged into heroes long before they have achieved a single heroic act. At the heart of a historic drama populated by deeply human characters, two archrivals—Maj. John Glenn and Alan Shepard—jockey to be the first man in space. Production began last month in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and will premiere globally on National Geographic in 2020.

As previously announced, National Geographic will be joining the D23 Expo show floor for the first time, delivering unique experiences that inspire curiosity and exploration for fans of all ages. Check out our previous post to see what adventures they are bringing to the show floor.

11 Facts Every Fan of The Princess Diaries Movies Needs to Know

By Savannah Salazar

Mia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi charmed the world as she went from awkward schoolgirl to a poised (but still incredibly personable) Queen of Genovia. The relatable teen queen reigned over our hearts, making both of The Princess Diaries films perfect 2000s classics.

To celebrate over 15 royally amazing years of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, here are 11 facts about the films that we can’t keep to ourselves!

Anne Hathaway, Garry Marshall, Mandy Moore

  1. Both of The Princess Diaries films featured the motion picture debut of some of our favorite actors and actresses

When (at the time) Anne Hathaway was auditioning for director Garry Marshall, she accidentally fell out of her chair, and instead of it being an awkward deal-breaker, it was perfect—and one of the reasons why Marshall chose Hathaway to be Mia. The Princess Diaries also starred (then, platinum recording artist and now, Disney Princess) Mandy Moore as Lana, the mean head cheerleader, who, yes, got coned. But, that’s not all! Chris Pine made his motion picture debut in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement as Lord Nicholas Devereaux, the (at-first) scheming yet totally dreamy Lord after Mia’s heart.

Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse

  1. The Princess Diaries marked Julie Andrews’ royal return to Disney

Julie Andrews flew into our hearts with the beloved 1964 Disney classic, Mary Poppins. Since then, we hoped for a return to the big-screen with Disney, and, in 2001, we got it with The Princess Diaries. It wasn’t a spoon full of sugar that convinced Andrews to return, but the opportunity to work with director Garry Marshall.

Whitney Houston and Garry Marshall

  1. The Princess Diaries films were produced by Whitney Houston

In 1997, Whitney Houston starred in The Wonderful World of Disney presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Continuing her wonderful reign over princess properties, Whitney Houston, along with Debra Martin Chase and Mario Iscovich, produced both of The Princess Diaries films, as part of her production company, BrownHouse Productions. In a very memorable moment on set of The Princess Diaries, Houston and Julie Andrews sang “Happy Birthday” to Garry Marshall.

Julie Andrews Soundstage

  1. The Princess Diaries was filmed at a practically perfect location

In the fall of 2000 (October through December, to be exact), The Princess Diaries started filming at The Walt Disney Studios lot on the stage of another royally revered Disney classic—the 1964 live action-animation film Mary Poppins. Both movies starred Julie Andrews, and both were filmed on Soundstage 2, so it was only natural to dedicate the stage as the Julie Andrews Stage in 2001. The dedication was a nostalgic and celebratory affair with Roy E. Disney, Richard M. Sherman, and Dick Van Dyke joining Andrews at the event.

Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway

  1. Anne Hathaway had more than 50 costume changes in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Being a princess has its perks. The Princess Diaries 2 costume designer Gary Jones said that more than 50 costumes were made for Mia Thermopolis. He even noted that the red dress that Mia wore to her 21st birthday party at the palace was inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s red ensemble in Funny Face.

 Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse

  1. The crowning glory of The Princess Diaries 2 was Julie Andrews’ song

The second film in the series marked the first time Andrews sang in a film since undergoing throat surgery in 1997. During Mia’s slumber party, Queen Clarisse sings “Your Crowning Glory” with Asana (played by Raven-Symoné). Andrews even helped compose the song, coming up with the back-and-forth banter between Queen Clarisse and Raven-Symoné.

Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse

  1. Julie Andrews does her own stunts, thank you very much

One of the most iconic scenes in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is no doubt the mattress-surfing scene. The world was never the same again, as kids and adults alike found themselves longing to slide down a set of stairs—in a palace no less. The scene evolved after a conversation between director Garry Marshall and Anne Hathaway as she explained that she used to do that with friends as a kid (sans palace). When it came time for Queen Clarisse to surf down the stairs, Julie Andrews required no stunt double, proving that Julie Andrews can, indeed, do anything.

Pretty Woman

  1. Director Garry Marshall snuck in references from one of his most popular films

There are various nods to Marshall’s Pretty Woman in The Princess Diaries films. For starters, Marshall cast Hector Elizondo (as Joe, the Genovian chauffeur) in The Princess Diaries— their 13th film together. Elizondo appeared in Pretty Woman as Barney Thompson. Marshall also pays homage to a cut scene from Pretty Woman (it’s in the film’s blooper reel) of a real-life gaffe made by Julia Roberts. She ate a mouthful of palate cleansing sorbet by accident while filming, and Marshall translated that faux pas into a memorable scene in The Princess Diaries when Mia does the same at her first royal dinner. In the same dinner scene, Mia clumsily breaks a glass and sets a guest’s sleeve on fire, where a butler, played by Allen Kent, who was a waiter in Pretty Woman says, “It happens all the time”—which is the same line he says in Pretty Woman to Roberts’ character.

Garry Marshall

  1. Garry Marshall movies are a family affair

The Princess Diaries movies feature cameos from a variety of members of Marshall’s family. His granddaughters Lily and Charlotte Marshall-Fricker played the twins who ask for Mia’s autograph and, in the sequel, they are princesses at Mia’s party. His niece (and the daughter of Penny Marshall) Tracy Reiner plays a press secretary, and at the end of the first film, you can spot Garry himself dancing with his sister Ronny at the ball. Marshall’s daughter, Kathleen Marshall, plays Queen Clarisse’s assistant and confidante in both films while his son, Scott, is a royal security guard named “Shades” in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

Anne Hathaway as Princess Mia

  1. There is also another marvel-ous cameo by Stan Lee

Before there was a big-screen Iron Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it, Stan Lee was already making some cameos in other films, including The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Lee appears as a guest at Mia’s wedding, who only knows English because of his fervent enthusiasm for The Three Stooges.

Anne Hathaway and Callum Blue

  1. The country of Genovia is an amalgamation of Europe

Since the film debuted, many fans of The Princess Diaries have first wondered, is Genovia real? Then they’ve pondered, what country is it based on? Well, the exact location has always been a bit vague, but director Garry Marshall has said it’s somewhere between Spain and Italy, while other crew members have suggested it might be somewhere in the vicinity of France, as well. It wasn’t until the second film that Genovia was introduced to viewers, but filming actually took place in Southern California. The palace of Genovia was built at Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch and was an enormous set piece.

Which Disney Character Should Be Your Vacation Buddy?

by Savannah Salazar

The only thing better than going on vacation is going on vacation with a friend! Answer the questions below and find out which Disney character should be your travel buddy.

Want to see all the possible Disney vacation buddies? Head over to our friends at Alamo to see who you could have gone on a vacation with!

This campaign has ended. Check out D23.com for more Disney fun!

Join Disney’s Team of Heroes and Explore Some Magical Opportunities at D23 Expo

By D23 Team

D23 Expo is right around the corner, and we know guests are busy mapping out each day in anticipation of exciting experiences, breaking news, and lots of Disney magic. From can’t-miss panels to incredible show floor experiences, we know that everyone’s to-do lists must be jam-packed with activities. While exploring the show floor, fans should definitely leave some room in your plans for two brand-new experiences that celebrate two of The Walt Disney Company’s groundbreaking initiatives.

Disney Aspire

Meet Disney Recruiters at the Disney Aspire Pavilion
Have you dreamed of becoming part of the magic? For the first time ever, Disney recruiters will be on the D23 Expo show floor at the Disney Aspire pavilion to meet with guests. Disney Aspire is The Walt Disney Company’s groundbreaking education investment program that enables Disney’s hourly employees to follow their educational dreams—while The Walt Disney Company pays for 100 percent of the tuition up front at schools in the Disney Aspire network. Introduced in August 2018, Disney Aspire is the most comprehensive education investment program of its kind, offering more than 290 degrees and programs at 11 educational institutions. Committing $150 million over the next five years, Disney Aspire: covers all costs associated with tuition and required books and fees; offers choice and convenience with multiple programs, classes, and scheduling options; provides individual coaching for employees from application to graduation and every step along the way; and does not require the employee stay at Disney after the completion of their degree or certificate. Disney recruiters will be ready to speak to attendees who may be interested in joining Disney and being a part of our story of entertaining and inspiring people around the globe. Whether you’re looking to create magic in our Parks and Resorts, support growth and development in one of our growing businesses, work behind the scenes on production, or anything in between, this is your opportunity to start the next chapter of your career and help create the exhilarating experiences Disney is known for worldwide. Stop by the pavilion to learn how you could be part of the story and discover more about the Disney Aspire program.

Disney Team of Heroes

Join the Disney Team of Heroes
Guests are invited to walk through The Walt Disney Company Social Responsibility Pavilion and discover all the ways Disney is working to be an honorable company that delivers comfort to those in need and creates inspiration and opportunity for those who want to improve their world.

 In March 2018, Disney debuted a bold $100 million, five-year commitment to support children’s hospitals around the world as part of its Disney Team of Heroes initiative. The suite of experiences, murals, and interactive art aims to provide comfort and inspiration for children and families. The hospital concepts were designed by Disney creatives, technology and storytelling experts, and the world-renowned Imagineers and feature favorite Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel characters. Disney Team of Heroes is Disney’s philanthropic and outreach initiative that delivers comfort and inspiration to families with children facing serious illness, as well as the Company’s work in wish-granting.

After the Disney Team of Heroes experience, guests will also be able to take part in a VoluntEARS activity where they will be able to assemble hospital care packages for kids in children’s hospitals.

Majestic New Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Poster—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Another look at the return of the Fairy Queen of the Moors, and Freeform prepares for “30 Days of Disney”… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Debuts Eye-Catching New Poster

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

It may be hard to believe, after the years-long anticipation, but Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil will finally fly onto screens everywhere in just a few months’ time! And this week, we got to see the brand-new poster for the film, above. Iconic, right?

Picking up several years after 2014’s Maleficent—in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious antihero and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora—Maleficent: Mistress of Evil explores the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon-to-be Queen as they form new alliances and face new adversaries… all in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within. Directed by Joachim Rønning, from a story by Linda Woolverton and a screenplay by Linda Woolverton and Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster, the film opens October 18.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
September 9, 2019
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
September 21, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at Walt Disney World
September 28, 2019
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on the Lot
January 17, 2020
Get VIP Tickets to Disney’s Frozen The Hit Broadway Musical
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, 2019
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park
August 29, 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort
August 29—November 23, 2019, 2019
2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
September 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 2019; October 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31, 2019
Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure park
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
2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Studios
October 18, 2019
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil opens in U.S. theaters
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
August 9, 2019
Muppet Babies kicks off season two on Disney Channel (8:30 a.m. EDT/PDT)
September 1-30, 2019
“30 Days of Disney” on Freeform
September 29, 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—Adventure Awaits premieres on Freeform (8 p.m. EDT)

September Brings a Massive Month of Disney Magic to Freeform

Our friends at Freeform have a new programming event just over the horizon, and it means a September replete with more Disney magic than you can shake a pair of mouse ears at! “30 Days of Disney” will feature fan-favorite movies from Disney, Marvel, and Pixar all month long… plus, they’ve got a brand-new, two-hour special all about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge premiering on September 29. Read all about it by clicking here.

Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats

Foodie Fun: Mobile Ordering Expands at Disneyland Resort

If you’ve been to the Disneyland Resort in the last year, you may have noticed—nay, even partaken of—the ability to mobile order delicious eats and treats, from more than 30 different locations around the resort, for a pick-up time that suits your schedule. It’s an extremely nifty component of the Disneyland app, if you ask us… and we’re happy to announce it’s gotten even niftier, just this week! Yes, our pals at the Disney Parks Blog recently revealed that six new fast casual and quick-service restaurant locations have been added to the mobile order lineup. At Disney California Adventure park, you can now mobile order your favorite treats from Schmoozies!, Rita’s Baja Blenders, Pacific Wharf Distribution Co., and Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats. And over at Disneyland park, the Mint Julep Bar (with some of the best beignets this side of New Orleans!) and Troubadour Tavern now offer mobile ordering at the super-convenient touch of a button.

More restaurant locations are expected to join the lineup in the near future… learn all about what makes mobile ordering so handy by clicking here, and stay tuned for more delectable info as it becomes available!

There’s a Hot Crustacean Band Coming to ABC This Fall…

Have you heard? Some whozits and whatsits are on their way to a television (or mobile device, should you be a stream-oriented watcher) near you this fall. In celebration of the iconic animated film’s 30th anniversary, ABC will pay tribute to Disney’s The Little Mermaid with The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live!, airing Tuesday, November 5. Get more info right here at D23.com.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is Making Spirits Bright Beginning November 9

The temps (at least here in SoCal) may still be hot, and there are a few Labor Day-adjacent vacations yet to take… but as we always say here at News Briefs, it’s never too early to start planning some holiday shenanigans. And if you happen to be traveling “across the pond” this winter, Disneyland Paris is ready to make all your spirits bright beginning November 9.

Resort guests are invited to experience this year’s Magical Christmas Extravaganza, through January 6, 2020—where they’ll discover glittering décor; meet all their favorite Disney characters; and so much more. At Disneyland park, all manner of holiday decorations will dazzle guests (don’t miss the gigantic tree on Main Street, U.S.A.), and Santa Claus himself will welcome guests at “Meet Mickey Mouse,” in a specially dedicated lodge until December 25. Plus, the traditional Disney’s Christmas Parade will dazzle and delight twice daily. And Sleeping Beauty Castle will welcome back the Enchanted Advent calendar; between December 1 and December 24, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy will discover a new surprise every day!

Over at Walt Disney Studios Park, Animagique Theater will be jumpin’ and jivin’ once again during the Mickey’s Christmas Big Band show. From November 15 until January 5, this tuneful live production will feature favorite holiday melodies along with appearances by Disney characters. Additionally, the #SURPRISEMICKEY show returns to the Production Courtyard stage at the foot of The Hollywood Tour Hotel—where Minnie Mouse and friends will have some holiday surprises up their sleeves beginning November 15.

So if you’re jingling all the way over to Europe this holiday season, don’t miss the fun! Visit DisneylandParis.com to get the sparkling scoop.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Bring the Flavors of Batuu Home with New Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Cookbook

If you’ve been lucky enough to take a stroll through the incredible sights, sounds, and smells of Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park (and to our East Coast friends—fret not, for all those sights, sounds, and smells are coming very soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios park), then you know that one of the most intriguing aspects of the land is the food. Black Spire Outpost is a crossroads for all manner of smugglers, traders, and adventurers—and as such, it offers up eats based on truly unique traditions passed down through generations.

You’ll soon be able to bring the taste of Batuu home, when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook hits shelves just in time for the holiday season. Published by Insight Editions and co-authored by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Marc Sumerak, the book is the ultimate source for creating out-of-this-world meals and treats from Black Spire Outpost and beyond. Inspired by the stories and cuisine found throughout Disney’s biggest single-themed land, it’s written from the perspective of Strono “Cookie” Tuggs—former head chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana, who now keeps hungry travelers fed at the Outpost’s Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. And the best part? All these interesting, interstellar recipes are designed for home cooks of all skill levels.

For more information, or to pre-purchase (it’ll make a great holiday gift for the Star Wars foodie fan in your life!), head over to the Insight Editions website.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Reserve Galactic Disney’s Hollywood Studios Experiences Beginning Now

And speaking of experiencing Batuu at Disney’s Hollywood Studios… we’ve got some great news out of Walt Disney World Resort: Reservations for three of Black Spire Outpost’s most memorable experiences—the Droid Depot, Savi’s Workshop, and Oga’s Cantina—are now being accepted!

Guests seeking to look into the availability of these experiences on their upcoming trip to Batuu should lightspeed directly to Disneyworld.com/SavisWorkshop, Disneyworld.com/DroidDepot, or Disneyworld.com/Cantina to see what their options are. And app-minded humans can also make reservations through the My Disney Experience app.

While reservations for these experiences are highly recommended, there will be limited walk-up availability. Either way, you’re sure to have a galactically great time. ‘Til the spire!

Find Out If Your Haunted Mansion Knowledge Is Scary Good

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Many Disney fans count themselves as ghostly geniuses when it comes to Haunted Mansion facts—after all, with such a storied history and with so many hidden details to find, learning about the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is a guaranteed ghoulish good time for everyone. One thing in particular that has entranced fans is the attraction’s famous script, full of well-loved puns and iconic turns of phrase. Do you count yourself among the foolish mortals who can recite along with the Ghost Host and sing with the spirits? Take our quiz to test your Haunted Mansion knowledge now! Scroll down for the answers, and to see how hauntingly good your trivia knowledge is.

When hinges creak in doorless chambers…

Correct! Wrong!

Our tour begins here in this gallery, where you see paintings of some of our guests as they appeared in their…

Correct! Wrong!

Oh, I didn’t mean to __________ you prematurely

Correct! Wrong!

Every room has _______________ and hot and cold running chills

Correct! Wrong!

Rap on a table, it’s time to respond…

Correct! Wrong!

Wizards and witches, where ever _____ / Give us a hint ________

Correct! Wrong!

Which is NOT a phrase you can hear Constance Hatchaway say in the attic?

Correct! Wrong!

Finish the lyric: “Happy haunts materialize…”

Correct! Wrong!

Finish the lyric: “When the crypt doors creak and the…”

Correct! Wrong!

If you decide to join us,

Correct! Wrong!

Find Out If Your Haunted Mansion Knowledge Is Scary Good
It seems as though you still firmly rooted in the realm of the living, because you have a lot to learn about regions beyond. Might me recommend giving Haunted Mansion another visit or two? If a ghost follows you home, it may be able to help you study up on your knowledge.
Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding—almost as though you’ve sensed you still have more to learn about Haunted Mansion. Don’t worry! The happy haunts are always willing to materialize for you any time you stop by.
You must be exceptionally attuned to the spectral and spooky—your Haunted Mansion knowledge is almost perfect. Call in the spirits to brush up your knowledge, and soon you’ll be a know-it-all.
Pack your bags and get ready to become the one thousandth ghostly resident of Haunted Mansion, because you’re an expert! Your sympathetic vibrations (and robust knowledge) make you a perfect fit for this ghostly retreat.