9 Things We Learned From the Aladdin Press Conference

May 23, 2019

By Zach Johnson

D23 didn’t need to travel to Agrabah to learn all about The Walt Disney Studios’ live-action adventure Aladdin. In fact, the cast and crew rolled out the magic carpet here in Los Angeles Sunday, where co-stars Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Nasim Pedrad, and Navid Negahban joined director Guy Ritchie, composer and Disney Legend Alan Menken, and production designer Gemma Jackson for a Q&A before the movie flies into theaters May 24, 2019.

Prior to the global press conference, Menken delighted the audience with a marvelous musical medley featuring songs from Beauty and the Beast, Enchanted, Hercules, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, Tangled, and, of course, Aladdin.

Everyone who spoke mentioned how enchanting the experience was. “Disney magic is real,” Smith said. “This is my first Disney movie… and at the core of these stories is something that shocks the inner child in you. It forces it to come alive and smile and appreciate the moment.”

Here are nine things we learned from the Aladdin press conference:

1. Will Smith was nervous about playing such an iconic role.
The late Robin Williams, who originated Smith’s role in the 1992 animated film, “didn’t leave a lot of room to add to the Genie,” the actor explained. “So, I started off fearful. But then when I got with the music, it started waking up that fun, childlike, silly part of me.” Everything clicked after Smith began retooling “Friend Like Me,” layering it over samples of The Honeydrippers’ “Impeach the President” and Erik B. & Rakim’s “I Know You Got Soul,” among other songs. “I started playing with the hip-hop flavor. The Genie was really born, in my mind, from the music.”

Menken was impressed. “I liken myself to an architect; I design a house that others are going to live in—and Will, man, you threw a heck of a party in that house!” he said with a laugh. “I just loved it! Once he did that, I went, ‘Back off and let him do what he does, because it’s so good!’”

2. Guy Ritchie made the movie for his children.
Considering his oeuvre, Ritchie was an unlikely—if not inspired—choice to direct. “You’ll be surprised how familiar I am in this territory, considering I’ve got five kids, and the oldest one is 18,” he said. “By family demand, it was about time I made a movie that we could all watch together. Aladdin ticked the box in that he was a street hustler, and I was a familiar with that territory. And my wife is a big Disneyphile, so anything to do with Disney Princesses is high on her list. And frankly, I was just ready to do something in this world.” Massoud, who plays the titular street rat, is grateful Ritchie was leading the charge. “The beautiful thing Guy does on set is he creates a sense of family and community,” the actor said. “Everybody feels free to create… He allows us to play, and I think that’s something no one else could have done as well as Guy.”

Pedrad, who plays Dalia, agreed. “Guy is truly the least rigid filmmaker,” she added. “When I watch the film, so much of the joy onscreen came from his spontaneity and his comfort in finding something on the day, which I would imagine was a challenge for a movie of this scale.”

3. Diversity was at the forefront of the studio’s, cast and filmmakers’ minds.
“I’m especially proud of the representation and the ethnically diverse casting that was put together for this. It’s not often you can go to a movie theater and see all people of color represented like this. It’s certainly something that I was missing in my childhood,” Massoud said. “I’m proud of the cast and the casting that Guy and Disney put together. I’m excited for little boys and girls to see people that look like them onscreen, man. That’s what I’m proud of.”

“I’m a ‘90s kid, so for me, Aladdin was like golden age Disney,” said Pedrad, echoing the sentiments of Massoud and the others onstage. “That film resonated with me as a child, because it was the first time I saw a Middle Eastern protagonist in a major motion picture.”

4. Guy Ritchie can’t mask his emotions.
Smith joked that the director was always the first to burst into tears on set—prompting a slightly embarrassed Ritchie to say, “I have no idea where I got this reputation from!” Without missing a beat, Smith shot back, “You got it from crying on the set every time you saw a good performance!” Scott and Smith then revealed the cast even gave him a nickname: “Cry Ritchie.”

5. Princess Jasmine gets a new motivation.
Suitors from all over the world have tried and failed to woo Princess Jasmine (Scott)—because, as everyone knows, she’s not a prize to be won. As a matter of fact, Jasmine believes she could reign over Agrabah by herself—if only her father would allow it. “It was a natural progression,” Scott said of giving Jasmine more agency. “The fact that she wants to become the leader, I just want people to walk out and go, ‘Oh, yeah! That makes sense, right? She should be the leader.’”

“It’s not this thing that’s been shoehorned in,” Scott added. “It just makes sense.”

Jasmine makes her point loud and clear through “Speechless,” a new tune from Menken and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Ritchie called it “the best song” in the movie and joked that directing that particular scene is how he earned his new nickname. The reason? Scott delivered a “spectacular” performance and earns her right to the throne. “It’s not really about gender as much as it is about an individual standing up for themselves during a pertinent time.”

6. Genie isn’t exactly what he seems.
In certain scenes, Smith’s Genie appears in human form, so as not to raise any eyebrows in Agrabah. But when Genie appears in all his blue glory, audiences aren’t actually seeing Smith. “A lot of people don’t even recognize this, but the Genie is 100 percent CGI,” Smith revealed. “People look at it and they think it’s my face and my body blue. The Genie is 100 percent CGI! There is none of me in the Genie, right? The work was so good they don’t even get credit for it.”

That gave Smith freedom to try play around. “I could improv on set because I knew it wouldn’t be necessarily in the movie,” he explained. “We would do the first round of CGI work and then we could go again and re-work it.” After Ritchie finished his first cut of the film, they were able to make additional adjustments. “We got to the point where Guy was open and anybody could throw something in,” Smith said. “It became a fun thing on set to try to find that No. 1 answer.”

7. Nasim Pedrad and Naomi Scott became confidantes in real life.
Whether they were holding each other’s hands or whispering jokes during the lively press conference, it was evident the actresses had forged a strong bond on the set of Aladdin. “We got to spend time together before we started filming, and there was an instant camaraderie and friendship,” Pedrad explained. “Hopefully, it translates into the dynamic of the characters.”

“She kills it in this movie,” Scott added. “I was laughing the whole time. I couldn’t keep it together! I think she brought more to the character than anyone could’ve imagined for this role.”

8. The dance numbers will light up the screen.
Choreographer Jamal Sims and assistant choreographer Nicky Andersen were “incredible” teachers, the cast said. “Jamal is one of the best in the business,” Massoud said. “I grew up watching Step Up, which was the dance film of my generation, and Jamal choreographed that!”

One of Massoud’s favorite scenes occurs early in the movie, when Genie forces him to dance in an attempt to impress Jasmine. (Spoiler: It doesn’t work.) “Me and Guy had a fun time during that, because I had to learn that choreography in the beginning but then pretend like the Genie was manipulating me. We tried doing it with mime. Then Guy had this brilliant idea to actually attach these long puppeteering arms onto me and physically manipulate me,” Massoud recalled. “We had a lot of fun with that piece. It was definitely a fun part of the whole process.”

9. Gemma Jackson created a whole new world—literally—for the movie.
“The most fun part of researching was just throwing up everything in the air, letting it settle, and thinking about the part of the world we wanted to explore for our kingdom and our land, and letting it all kind of gradually come together,” Jackson said. “And as the different demands of the film grew, the different parts of the set grew.” She couldn’t have done a better job, the cast said. “The ultimate compliment, from the actors’ point of view, is [to be] transported to the time and place,” Smith explained, “and that’s what happened when we walked on that set.”

Satipo’s Empanadas and Poisonless Dart drink from Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

May 23, 2019May 22, 2019

Channel your inner Indiana Jones and go on a culinary adventure with these savory empanadas and effervescent beverage straight from Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World.

Satipo’s Empanadas

Makes 12–15

1/2 pound ground beef
1/4 cup diced onion
2 tablespoons diced green pepper
2 tablespoons diced red pepper
1 tablespoon diced jalapeno pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons water
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 medium russet potato, diced
2 tablespoons chopped green olives
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more, to taste
15 (four-inch) empanada wrappers
Oil, for frying

Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, until fully cooked. Drain excess grease from pan.
Add green pepper, red pepper, jalapeno, and garlic to ground beef. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, until soft.
Stir in tomato paste, water, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, paprika, coriander, oregano, cayenne, and potatoes, Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender.
Remove from heat and add olives and shredded cheese. Stir in salt, adding more if needed.
Allow beef mixture to cool for 30 minutes.
Place 1 heaping tablespoon of beef mixture in the center of each empanada wrapper.
Add a small amount of water to the outer rim of each wrapper and fold into a half moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork.
Preheat oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350°F.
Fry empanadas for 5–6 minutes, turning, until golden brown.

Cook’s Note: Empanadas can be baked instead of fried. Preheat oven to 400°F and bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown.

Poisonless Dart

Serves 1

1 oz. simple syrup
1 ½ oz. lime juice
8 mint leaves
3 fresh squeezed limes
Soda water
Lime wheel, for garnish

Stir together ingredients in mixing glass. Add ice, shake, and pour into serving glass. Top with soda water.
Garnish with lime wheel.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. All recipes are the property of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., and may not be reproduced without express permission.

7 Things You Didn’t Know About Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

May 23, 2019May 22, 2019

By Lucas Seastrom, Lucasfilm

Hold onto your potatoes because Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is celebrating its 35th anniversary today, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate! And, to celebrate, we were blessed to discover a multitude of facts. You know what they call that? Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory.

1. Three pets inspired three main characters.
The film’s three central heroes—Indiana Jones, Willie Scott, and Short Round—are each named after the pet dogs of the film’s creators. Indiana’s name was famously borrowed from Executive Producer George Lucas’ Alaskan malamute (who, can we just say, strikes an odd resemblance to a rather famous Wookiee, who he also may have inspired?). Willie was named after director Steven Spielberg’s own cocker spaniel, and Short Round was the name of the dog belonging to screenwriters Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz (who were themselves inspired by the 1951 film The Steel Helmet).

2. Ke Huy Quan (Short Round) did not intend to audition.
Born in Vietnam, Ke Huy Quan was only 6 years old when he and his family immigrated to Los Angeles. In early 1983, a now 11-year-old Quan took his brother to an open casting call for Temple of Doom. Although his brother did audition, it was Quan himself who caught the filmmakers’ attention, landing him the role of Short Round. “I had never seen Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark, never seen Jaws,” Quan would later say. “So, when I met Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, and George Lucas, I didn’t know who they were. I guess it helped in a way.”

3. It almost wasn’t called Temple of Doom.
The original title of the film was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Death. It was changed to Temple of Doom just eight days before shooting began in April 1983. Like the Star Wars films, the Indiana Jones titles are inspired by the action-packed, comic-book style langue of classic movie serials. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was the first Indiana Jones film to feature the lead character’s name in the title, unlike 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. Doom was also Lucasfilm’s first prequel movie, set one year (1935) before the events of Raiders.

4. “Club Obi Wan” is a tribute to the Jedi Master.
No, you aren’t seeing things. That famous Shanghai nightclub at the beginning of Temple of Doom really is named “Club Obi Wan” after the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Star Wars saga. The club exteriors were filmed on location in Macao, a region on the Chinese mainland near Hong Kong. Two signs were installed at the filming location, with one entrance reading “Club Obi Wan” and another neon marquee featuring the Chinese translation of the name. And, if you’re a keen-eyed Disneyland guest (aren’t we all?) you might notice a special callout to the Club in the queue for Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

5. The diamond has a backstory.
While inside Club Obi Wan, Indiana Jones attempts to trade an ancient Chinese artifact for a beautiful diamond. Years after the film’s release, fans discovered that this was in fact the treasured “Peacock’s Eye,” an object Indy pursues as a young man in the television story Young Indiana Jones and the Treasure of the Peacock’s Eye. In that adventure, Indy and his old friend Remy Baudouin chase clues around the world to find the diamond, which supposedly had belonged to Alexander the Great. While Indy had given up his search, it certainly seems like he’s back on the hunt at the beginning of Temple of Doom. But, he unfortunately only came so close, and yet, so, so far, as he loses the object during the frenzied escape from the nightclub.

6. The bridge collapse was filmed in just one take.
The climactic bridge collapse was one of the most complex shots to film. On location in Sri Lanka, the production crew luckily discovered a dam being constructed by British engineers in a massive valley. The team was hired to build a platform spanning the gorge. Filmed on the ninth day of shooting, every available camera was arranged across the valley (with George Lucas himself manning one). The bridge’s steel cables were electrically rigged with explosives and mechanical dummies were laid in place. Everything had to work in one go. When the big moment came, the bridge successfully blew, sending the dummies (which were designed to kick and flail) 150 feet down to the rocks and water below.

7. You can try the mine cart race at home! (Seriously)
Though a full-sized mine cart track was built onstage in England for use with the actors, many shots in the perilous chase demanded miniature visual effects created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) at their Northern California studio. With a tight budget, the ILM artists had to think small. Visual Effects Supervisor Dennis Muren and his team had the ingenious idea to use a regular Nikon still camera modified to take movie film. With a smaller camera, the miniature tunnels didn’t have to be as large. The model makers then used tin foil to create most of the rockwork. The small camera was placed on wheels and rolled slowly down the mine track, shooting one frame of film per second. Temple of Doom would go on to win an Academy Awardâ for Best Visual Effects.

Want to keep the celebration going? Check out our 10 FAN-Tastic Milestones Pin Set, which features a special Temple of Doom pin designed by Disney artist Ricky De Los Angeles.

Apple Pie from Whispering Canyon Cafe

May 22, 2019August 30, 2021

You’ll be singing the joys of this apple pie from Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. It's a rootin' tootin' dessert for any Western fan!

Makes one 9-inch pie

PIE CRUST
4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
1/3 cup 2% milk

APPLES
1 cup water
6 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced
2 teaspoons apple pie spice

APPLE PIE BATTER
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup heavy cream

FOR PIE CRUST:

Combine butter, shortening, flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix at medium speed until crumbly.
Add milk and mix until incorporated.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and rest in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and place in 9-inch pie plate.
Set aside.

FOR APPLES:

Bring water to simmer in a large pot.
Place apples in a steamer basket and add to pot. Steam for 10 minutes. Remove from water.
Cool to room temperature and toss with apple pie spice.

FOR APPLE PIE BATTER:

Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy. Add eggs and mix until just incorporated.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Slowly add to mixer and beat on medium speed until combined.
Add cream and mix until smooth.
Set aside until ready to bake.

FOR APPLE PIE:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1/2 cup apple pie batter on top of pie crust, spread until smooth. Top with apples and remaining apple pie batter.
Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes, until golden brown.
Cool to room temperature before serving.

Cool Things You Might Not Know About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

May 22, 2019

By Jim Frye

Grab your interstellar passport, a planetary map, and get ready for your biggest adventure of the year, because fewer than two weeks remain until the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park! After years of planning and months and months of hard work, the gates are about to swing open, welcoming fans to all the tasty new alien treats, shiny new droids, and high-flying hyper-speed missions in the outer rim of that far-off galaxy.

As you prepare for your trip to this fantastic new land in a galaxy far, far away, here are five cool things you might not yet have heard about.

1. STAR WARS: DATAPAD. First, make sure to download the Play Disney Parks app before you arrive, because once you enter the Black Spire Outpost, you can use it to turn your phone into the Star Wars: Datapad. This Datapad will allow you to interact with droids, scan objects for special messages, and translate Aurebesh, the written language of the Star Wars The app also helps you to unscramble coded transmissions and hack into the cool devices, control panels, and even droids that you’ll encounter.

2. CUSTOM LIGHTSABERS. Feel the Force! When it comes to picking out your very own lightsaber, you have two options to choose from—either a legacy version or a custom creation that you make yourself! The first location to check out is Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, which will have 10 lightsabers available, each based on famous blades from Star Wars. The second spot, though—called Savi’s Workshop—allows you to build your very own lightsaber from materials in the shop, including differently colored kyber crystals.

3. TAKE A DROID HOME. In another area of the theme park, the eerie narrator of your Doombuggy warns that a ghost may follow you home from the Haunted Mansion. It’s meant as a warning, but in Galaxy’s Edge you’ll actually want to take someone home with you—your very own droid. Just stop by Mubo’s Droid Depot to design and acquire the perfect droid for you. There are two basic models: an R2 unit—like R2-D2—or a BB unit, similar to the adorable BB-8. A conveyor belt provides all the pieces you need to assemble your newest creation, after which you choose a personality circuit. C’mon, admit it—we’ve all wished we could have a droid friend to hang with, and now we can.

4. BREAKFAST IN BLACK SPIRE OUTPOST. Aliens eat breakfast, too, so it makes perfect sense that Oga’s Cantina will cater to this hungry crowd. If you’re lucky enough to visit early in the day (and why shouldn’t you?), then don’t miss out on the tasty breakfast options at Oga’s, which will open most mornings at 8 a.m. Feeling adventurous? Try Oga’s Rising Moons Overnight Oats and Mustafarian Lava Rolls. You can also head over to Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, which has plenty of breakfast offerings, including meals for the youngest aliens in your group, such as the Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast (scrambled eggs, purple potatoes, and fresh fruit).

5. ALIENS, ALIENS, and MORE ALIENS! Be prepared to see and hear aliens of all stripes and sizes wandering the streets of Black Spire Outpost. But for an up-close and personal look at some of the best-known creatures from the Star Wars films, make sure to visit Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, a place full of oddities from across the galaxy. Dok Ondar himself is an Ithorian—in the original Star Wars: A New Hope film, the “Hammerhead” alien was an Ithorian. He has two very familiar creatures within the walls of his shop. In his aquarium, guests will find a baby Dianoga, which is the same type of creature that was seen inside the trash compactor with Luke, Han, and Leia in A New Hope. And on Dok Ondar’s wall is the head of a taxidermized Wampa, which is the same type of creature that attacked Luke and dragged him into a cave on the planet Hoth in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

These are just some of the sights, sounds, and tastes you have in store for you upon your journey to Batuu. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens May 31 at Disneyland in Anaheim and August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. May the Force Be With You!

Ultimate Double Chocolate Cookies from Ghirardelli

May 20, 2019

Enjoy these mouth-watering ultimate double chocolate cookies straight from Ghirardelli.

Yield: 24 cookies

12 ounce(s) semi-sweet chocolate chips
10 ounce(s) 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
3 eggs
1 cup(s) sugar
1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1 cup(s) chopped walnuts

Directions
1. In double boiler over hot water, melt bittersweet chocolate chips and butter.
2. In large bowl with electric mixer or whisk, beat eggs and sugar until thick; stir into chocolate mixture.
3. In small bowl, stir together flour and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Gently mix in semi-sweet chocolate chips and walnuts.
4. Using a sheet of plastic wrap, form dough into two logs, each 2 inches in diameter and about 12 inches long.
5. As dough will be quite soft, use plastic wrap to hold dough in log shape. Wrap tightly; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.
6. Heat oven to 375°F. Unwrap dough; with sharp knife, cut into 3/4-inch slices.
7. Place slices 1 1/2 inches apart on greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.
8. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until shiny crust forms on top but interior is still soft. Cool on baking sheet; store in airtight tin up to 1 week.

Discover a Kaleidoscope of Colors in the New Rainbow Disney Collection

May 20, 2019

By Beth Deitchman

The week is off to the brightest start: Our friends at Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products have just debuted the new Rainbow Disney Collection, a special selection of T-shirts, socks, accessories, and more—all with a festive flash of color.

In celebration of Pride month, purchase any item from the Rainbow Disney Collection from now through June 30, 2019, and Disney will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to GLSEN, the leading education organization working to create safe and inclusive K–12 schools for LGBTQ students.

See some items from the new collection in the gallery below, and visit shopDisney.com for additional information. Look for items at select locations at Disney Parks and you may also be able to purchase the Rainbow Disney Collection at a Disney store near you.

And don’t forget to use your D23 Gold Member discount of 15 percent off your purchases of $60 or more!

Uma Vows “Mal Will Fall” in This Chilling Descendants 3 Teaser

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

By Zach Johnson

More villainy is afoot in the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants 3. After fleeing the scene in the last film, Uma (China Anne McClain) is out for revenge. “Did you really think I was just going to swim away and give up?” she asks in a just-released video. In the new character tease, Uma gripes that Mal (Dove Cameron) had promised to “change our world, destroy the barrier, and free us all—but once she crossed that bridge, she never looked back.”

Arguing Mal’s reign only benefits “the privileged, spoiled, and greedy,” Uma makes a bold promise: “Their time is coming to an end. The Isle will rise, and I promise you: Mal will fall.”

Directed by Kenny Ortega, the Descendants 3 ensemble includes Cameron Boyce as Carlos, Sofia Carson as Evie, Mitchell Hope as King Ben, Sarah Jeffery as Audrey, Brenna D’Amico as Jane, Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother, Thomas Doherty as Harry, Dylan Playfair as Gil, Zachary Gibson as Doug, Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad, Dan Payne as Beast, Keegan Connor Tracy as Belle, Christian Convery as Squeaky, Luke Rossler as Squirmy, and Jamal Sims as Dr. Facilier.

Descendants 3 will premiere this August on Disney Channel.

Forky-Inspired Merch and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Trailer—Plus More in News Briefs

May 16, 2019

By Courtney Potter

Bring Toy Story 4’s newest pal home, and reacquaint yourself with an iconic anti-hero… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Toy Story 4’s Forky Inspires Adorable New Merchandise

Disney•Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story 4 finds Sheriff Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), and all their toybox pals meeting a brand-new friend: a spork-turned-craft project named Forky (voice of Tony Hale). While Forky himself might not be particularly ready for adventure—he’s fairly convinced he’s not a toy, y’see—he has inspired some adventure-ready merchandise now available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

These new Forky-related creations include special plush, apparel, figurines, a ridiculously cute Magic Band (available only at Walt Disney World beginning June 21), and more! Find Forky merch at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure park; World of Disney at Downtown Disney District; Beverly Sunset Boutique and Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and World of Disney at Disney Springs.

Meet Forky when Toy Story 4 debuts in a theater near you on June 21!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
May 16, 2019
D23 Celebrates Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World
June 1, 2019
D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: Return to Walt’s Chicago
June 8, 2019
Lunch with a Disney Legend – Paige O’Hara
June 10, 2019
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
June 13, 2019
Mickey Mouse’s Roller Disco Party
June 22, 2019
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
Parks
March 6-June 3, 2019
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
May 31, 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at Disneyland Resort
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
November 29—December 30, 2019, 2019
2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Studios
May 24, 2019
Aladdin opens in U.S. theaters
June 21, 2019
Toy Story 4 opens in U.S. theaters
July 19, 2019
The Lion King opens in U.S. theaters
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
Television
June 21, 2019
Final episodes of Andi Mack begin airing (8 p.m. EDT/PDT)
Summer 2019
Descendants 3 premieres on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW

Don’t Miss the New Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Trailer

Are you ready to reacquaint yourself with the Fairy Queen of the Moors? Yes, Angelina Jolie is back as the iconic anti-hero in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, the sequel to Disney’s 2014 film… take a look at the brand-new trailer right here at D23.com, and make sure to mark your movie-going calendar for October 18!

Disney Skyliner Gondolas Take to the Skies Above Walt Disney World

Our friends at Walt Disney World Resort are as busy as ever, getting Disney Skyliner—the innovative gondola system that’ll begin transporting guests between Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and four resort hotels this fall—ready for lift-off… and a key milestone in that journey was just reached! Check out the video above to see 55 of these Disney Skyliner gondolas (in all their colorful, unwrapped glory) making a special test run between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Once the Disney Skyliner system officially opens, guests will be able to ride alongside a host of favorite characters—including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse; Chip & Dale; Star Wars’ C-3PO and R2D2; Guardians of the Galaxy’s Groot and Rocket Raccoon; and even the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion. Look for more information in the coming months!

Coming Soon: Feel Your Feelings with Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind

One of last week’s biggest announcements concerned Disney California Adventure park… Beginning this summer, guests will get in touch with emotions a-plenty when Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind opens at Pixar Pier! See what the new attraction (located at the western end of the pier) has in store by clicking here.

Latest Aladdin Trailer Drop… Plus, Tickets on Sale Now!

We’re mere days away from the release of Disney’s Aladdin, the live-action retelling of the 1992 animated hit. To celebrate, watch as the all-powerful Genie “fabulizes” everyone’s favorite street rat in the latest trailer for the Guy Ritchie-directed film; take a gander at the colorful clip, above.

Plus, you’ll be happy to know you can now purchase tickets for the film by rubbing the nearest magical lamp—err, wait, no… wherever movie tickets are sold.

Written by John August and Guy Ritchie, Aladdin stars Will Smith as the Genie; Mena Massoud as Aladdin; Naomi Scott as Jasmine; Marwan Kenzari as Jafar; Navid Negahban as the Sultan; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia; and Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders. Look for it at a cineplex near you on May 24.

Disney+ Announces Secret Society of Second Born Royals

Actress Peyton Elizabeth Lee—a Kid’s Choice Award nominee recently seen as the title character on Disney Channel’s Andi Mack—is now set to headline a brand-new series for Disney+, Disney’s streaming service launching this November. Read up on what to expect from Secret Society of Second Born Royals here on D23.com.

This Limited-Release Disney Parks Designer Ear Collection is Decidedly Dazzling

When it comes to this announcement, we’re truly “all ears”: Starting May 24, a series of amazing, limited-release Mickey Mouse ear hats and Minnie Mouse ear headbands—created, for the first time ever, by notable designers, artists, and celebrities—will be available at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as online at shopDisney.com.

Each month, new designs will be released, including a bridal-inspired design using hand-sewn crystal and pearl embroidery by Vera Wang; a crystal-encrusted ear hat from The Blonds; a classic pink-puffed ear headband by Betsey Johnson; a mother-and-daughter set by Cupcakes and Cashmere; and a genuine crafted leather, floral-inspired ear headband by COACH. Plus, legendary supermodel and TV host Heidi Klum has designed a pair of ears coming this fall—and in early 2020, another ear headband will hit the shelves from model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss. And be on the lookout for a Star Wars-related design from friend-of-D23 Ashley Eckstein, voice of Star Wars’ Ahsoka Tano and creator of Her Universe!

Artists from around the world will also expand upon the stories of beloved Disney characters and attractions in a whole new way. As featured in the WonderGround Art Galleries, these artisans include NOAH, Jerrod Maruyama, Dave Perillo, John Coulter, and SHAG.

To keep up with the release schedule (including artist appearances), or for more information, visit DisneyParksBlog.com or shopDisney.com.

Disney Channel Orders a Second Season of Amphibia Ahead of its June 17 Premiere

The new frog-out-of-water animated comedy series Amphibia leaps onto Disney Channel and DisneyNOW on Monday, June 17 (10–10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT), and we’re happy to say it’s going to stay for a while: Disney Channel announced that a second season of Amphibia is officially in the works. We’re eagerly awaiting Brenda Song’s return to Disney Channel as the voice of Anne Boonchuy—the independent and fearless teen at the center of Amphibia who finds herself living amongst frog people, including the excitable young Sprig Plantar. The series’ inaugural season boasts a stellar lineup of guest stars, including Tony Hale (Veep), Chris Sullivan (This Is Us), Olympic figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir, Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Kristen Johnston (Mom), and Matt Jones (also of Mom).

Meet the 2019 Disney Legends to Be Honored at D23 Expo

May 16, 2019July 8, 2019

UPDATED JULY 8, 2019

By D23 Team

At every D23 Expo, we gather together to celebrate a new class of Disney Legends. The Disney Legends Awards ceremony—just one of the highlights of the ultimate Disney fan event—has honored many of Disney’s brightest stars and notable luminaries, starting with Fred MacMurray in 1987. Since then, The Walt Disney Company has celebrated 289 Disney Legends, including the 11 talented individuals who will be inducted this year—Wing Chao, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones, Bette Midler, Kenny Ortega, Barnette Ricci, Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, Ming-Na Wen, and Hans Zimmer—who will be honored for their remarkable contributions to the Disney legacy.

JUST ANNOUNCED: We’re excited to share that one more Disney Legend will be honored at D23 Expo 2019: Christina Aguilera! One of the preeminent musical performers of our generation, Christina joined the Disney family as a member of Disney Channel’s The All New Mickey Mouse Club. Following her time on the fan-favorite TV series, Christina performed the hit pop version of “Reflection” from Mulan for the film’s end credits and soundtrack. Christina has appeared on dozens of Disney television shows and specials, including ABC’s Emmy^®-winning Dancing with the Stars and, most recently, the 2019 telecast of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. She was also featured on the ABC Studios hit series Nashville in 2015 as singer Jade St. John.

During her three-decade career as an entertainer, Christina has earned multiple Grammy® Awards, sold over 43 million records and achieved five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Congratulations to all of the Disney Legends Award Recipients especially our very own @RobinRoberts! pic.twitter.com/QR2eHeOvNK

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 16, 2019

“The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor we can bestow; it’s a recognition of talent, a celebration of achievement, and an expression of profound gratitude to the remarkable men and women who have made an indelible mark on our company and our creative legacy,” said Bob Iger, Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s honorees have earned a place in our hearts and our history for their significant contributions in film, television, and our theme parks around the world.”

Fans can once again enjoy the ceremony live. Hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, the Disney Legends Awards ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 23, in Hall D23 of the Anaheim Convention Center.

The 2019 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

WING CHAO For 37 years at Disney, Wing T. Chao played a vital role in designing and developing exceptional and inspirational projects, worth more than $12 billion, at Disney parks and resorts worldwide. Wing served as vice chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for Asia Pacific Development as well as executive vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, where he oversaw master planning, architecture, and design. Wing directed development teams consisting of Disney Imagineers and many of the world’s most renowned architects and designers. He also developed and built projects, including resort hotels, parks, cruise ships, entertainment venues, water attractions, convention and exhibition centers, sports stadiums, restaurants, retail spaces, recreational complexes, office spaces, and two new-town communities, at The Walt Disney Company’s properties in California, Florida, Hawai‘i, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and other locations worldwide.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. is a two-time Academy Award^® nominee and Golden Globe^®winner who has appeared in more than 80 films. Considered one of the industry’s most talented and respected actors, Robert has embraced both dramatic and comedic roles, including his Disney debut in the 2006 remake of The Shaggy Dog. After numerous standout performances, Robert then went on to help launch Marvel Studios with his celebrated performance as Tony Stark as Iron Man. His role has spearheaded the iconic blockbuster franchises Iron Man and Avengers, for which he’s starred in three Iron Man films, The Incredible Hulk (2008), Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017); and four Avengers films, including the most recent, Avengers: Endgame (2019), which shattered box office records and became the largest-ever film debut, bringing in $1.2 billion worldwide in its opening weekend. Robert will next star in the title role in 2020’s The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle and is in pre-production on the third installment of the successful Sherlock Holmes franchise.

JON FAVREAU started his career with appearances in film and television and has since become one of Hollywood’s most successful producers and directors. Jon’s first roles included appearances on TV shows such as Seinfeld and Friends, but his big break came with the Miramax indie film Swingers (1996), for which he wrote the screenplay, starred, and co-produced. His directing credits include Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), the live-action remake of The Jungle Book (2016), and this year’s reimagining of The Lion King. Jon also made appearances in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films as Tony Stark’s loyal bodyguard, Happy Hogan. As an executive producer for Marvel Studios, John holds credits on such films as Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Iron Man 3 (2013), Marvel’s The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). He has also voiced characters for Disney television shows and feature films, including Hercules (TV, 1999), Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (TV, 2000), G-Force (2009), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV, 2010–13), and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). Jon is writing and executive producing the live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian for Disney+, which will premiere this November.

JAMES EARL JONES started his acting career with television and film roles, including appearances in As the World Turns (1966) and Dr. Strangelove (1964). But the Oscar^®, Emmy^®, and Tony^® Award-winning actor is well known for his iconic voice acting, beginning with the role of Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). This villainous vocal performance was reprised in subsequent Star Wars films, including most recently in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and TV shows like Star Wars Rebels (2014–18). His voice can also be heard in Disney Parks around the globe, including recurring vocal performances as Darth Vader for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Other Disney credits include ABC’s Recess in 1998 as the voice of Santa Claus, narrator for the Disneynature film Earth (2009), segment host for Fantasia/2000 (2000), and as the celebrity narrator for the Candlelight Ceremony at Disneyland. Audiences also recognize the actor’s basso profundo as that of Mufasa in The Lion King (1994), a role James Earl would return to in The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride (1998), The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015), and this summer’s reimagining of The Lion King.

BETTE MIDLER When the Disney studio set out to expand the breadth of its film production with Touchstone Pictures, it was Emmy, Grammy^®, Golden Globe, and Tony winner Bette Midler who helped lead the way to box office success for the new division. She appeared in a string of hit comedies, including Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Ruthless People (1986), Outrageous Fortune (1987), and Big Business (1988). Touchstone’s 1988 drama Beaches not only proved to be a smash with audiences, but it also included Bette’s platinum-selling rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Other Disney films followed, including Stella (1990) and Scenes from a Mall (1991), as well as a memorable vocal performance as the spoiled poodle Georgette in Oliver & Company (1988). Bette is well known to Disney audiences for her role as the witchy Winifred in the perennial Halloween classic Hocus Pocus (1993). She also starred in The Lottery (1989), a short film produced for the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) in Florida for guests of the park’s Backstage Studio Tour.

KENNY ORTEGA is a multi-award-winning director, choreographer, and producer. His first work with Disney was choreographing the TV special Disney’s Totally Minnie (1988), followed by Mickey’s 60th Birthday the same year, and he would go on to direct three episodes of Touchstone Television’s Hull High in 1990. In 1992, Kenny directed his first feature film, the beloved Disney musical Newsies, which was followed, in 1993, by the Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus. In 2006, he helmed the Disney Channel smash hit High School Musical, and the success of the first film would bring him back to direct—and choreograph—the sequels High School Musical 2 (2007) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). Kenny also produced and staged the High School Musical: The Concert tour, as well as the Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers Best of Both Worlds Tour. His other Disney credits include directing the 2014 short The Making of Frozen, The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006), and, most recently, the international phenomenon Descendants (2015), Descendants 2 (2017), and Descendants 3, which will be released this summer.

BARNETTE RICCI started her career with The Walt Disney Company as a choreographer at Disneyland. In the late 1960s, Barnette created and directed Kids of the Kingdom before going on to choreograph and direct many parades, including Christmas parades, America on Parade, and the Main Street Electrical Parade. She worked on the grand openings of Walt Disney World, EPCOT Center, and Tokyo Disneyland and directed popular stage shows such as Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland and the Diamond Horseshoe Revue in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Perhaps her biggest project to date is the creation of Fantasmic! Debuting at Disneyland in 1992, the production combines state-of-the-art special effects with live performers along the Rivers of America. The show continues a successful run at Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, and now Tokyo DisneySea. Following Fantasmic!, Barnette moved to The Walt Disney Studios as the vice president/show director of Special Events. After more than 40 years with The Walt Disney Company, Barnette retired in 2013.

ROBIN ROBERTS In 1990, Robin joined ESPN and would quickly become a frequent contributor to the network’s programming. In her 15 years at ESPN, she contributed to NFL Primetime and hosted SportsCenter and In the Game with Robin Roberts. Robin began making appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA) in 1995, and in 2005 left ESPN to join the show full-time as co-anchor. Since joining GMA, the show has won four Emmys for Outstanding Morning Program. For ABC, Robin has hosted In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville, as well as ABC’s red carpet coverage of the Academy Awards, and has created original broadcast and digital programming for the network through her production company, Rock’n Robin Productions. In 2007, Hyperion publishing released Robin’s first book, From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By. Among Robin’s many awards are the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, membership in the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and being named one of Glamour‘s Women of the Year.

DIANE SAWYER is an ABC News anchor, tackling some of the biggest issues of our time with original reporting, primetime specials, long-form interviews, and in-depth investigations. One of the most respected journalists in the world, she has traveled the globe delivering breaking news reports, and has conducted interviews with almost every major newsmaker of our time. Her primetime documentaries have won critical acclaim for shedding light on difficult and previously under-reported topics, including her reporting on the realities of poverty in America. Diane’s reporting has been recognized with numerous awards, including duPonts; Emmys; Peabodys; the grand prize of the premier Investigative Reporters and Editors Association; an IRTS Lifetime Achievement Award; and the USC Distinguished Achievement in Journalism Award. In 1997 she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. After more than a decade in television news, Sawyer joined ABC News in February 1989 as co-anchor of Primetime. She was named co-anchor of Good Morning America in January 1999, and held the post until taking over the World News anchor chair in December 2009.

MING-NA WEN can currently be found saving the day as Agent Melinda May, aka “The Cavalry,” on the ABC series Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Ming-Na is also known for her seven years playing Jing-Mei Chen on ER. She found success on the big screen when she appeared in the acclaimed Hollywood Pictures adaptation of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. Five years later, she would find animation immortality as the title star of the Disney classic Mulan, a role for which she would receive an Annie Award. Ming-Na returned to the role of heroic Fa Mulan in a slew of projects, including an animated sequel, video games Kingdom Hearts II and Disney Infinity, on television’s House of Mouse and Sofia the First, and in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018). Ming-Na has been well known to audiences for her television projects, including her voice work in Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb, Disney XD’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Milo Murphy’s Law, the six-part digital short Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors, and a recurring role in ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat.

HANS ZIMMER has scored more than 160 projects which, combined, have grossed more than $28 billion worldwide. Hans has been honored with an Academy Award^®, two Golden Globes, three Grammys, an American Music Award, and a Tony Award. In addition to his long list of credits, including notable projects such as Gladiator and The Dark Knight trilogy, Hans has had a great history with The Walt Disney Company. His early work for them includes additional music for White Fang (1991) and co-writing music for Cool Runnings (1993). His groundbreaking, Academy Award-winning instrumental score for The Lion King (1994) was followed by many memorable projects, including Crimson Tide (1995), Muppet Treasure Island (1996), The Rock (1996), Pearl Harbor (2001), King Arthur (2004), and Iron Man (2008). Hans is the guiding force behind the music of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, serving in various composing, editing, and producing capacities for The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s End (2007), and On Stranger Tides (2011). Hans composed the music for this summer’s reimagining of The Lion King.

Honorees receive a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity, and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 Expo 2019.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2019 are available for $89 for one-day adult admission and $69 for children 3–9. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $77 for a one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2019, visit D23Expo.com.