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Hollywood’s biggest night is just around the corner—and for the first time ever, you’re invited to participate by playing The Official Oscar® Game, sponsored by Verizon. The live, mobile, and desktop experience lets fans play along in real time during the Academy Awards®, and it also grants them exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content throughout the live telecast on ABC.
An interactive ballot will allow fans to earn points when they correctly predict winners in each category. Players can also test their knowledge about this year’s nominees by answering trivia questions and sharing their reactions to the broadcast through real-time polls. Each point earned during the game will give the user a chance to win $50,000 in the grand prize drawing. Those with the most correct answers will appear on The Oscar® Game’s Top 100 Leaderboard.
Sign up starting Saturday, February 23, at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST at Oscar.com/Game. Then, watch live and play along during the Oscars® on Sunday, February 24, at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST.
(No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes takes place only during the live telecast of the Oscars®, which begins at 5:00 p.m. PT on 2/24/19. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. Visit Oscar.com/game for Official Rules & full details. Void where prohibited.)
While we know and love Disney films for their unforgettable characters, the breathtaking stories, and all those foot-tapping melodies, it is often the words that stick with us the most.
“Disney Wisdom” celebrates just that, in a very colorful way. Every month of 2019 Shop Disney is releasing themed merchandise all tied to those special words of wisdom we know and love.
Series 1 debuted in a beautiful baby blue, with the classic quote from Dumbo, “The very things that held you down are going to carry you up, and up, and up!” Spoken by none other than the fast talker himself, Timothy Mouse.
February debuted Series 2 with a bold red celebrating one of the most beloved quotes from Mulan, “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”
Check out the full year’s lineup of quotes (and colors) by visiting shopDisney and don’t forget to check back regularly, because each month there’ll be a whole new word to add to your collection. And D23 Gold Members, don’t forget to use your shopDisney and Disney store discount.
We’re just days away from the Academy Awards®, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for all of Disney’s 2019 nominees. Before Hollywood’s biggest stars hit the red carpet, we’ve put together a handy guide of all the information you need to make the most of your Oscar® Sunday.
The 91st Oscars® will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood on Sunday, February 24, and will be televised live on ABC. In addition to directing his fourth consecutive Oscars®, Glenn Weiss will co-produce the show with Donna Gigliotti. “Donna and Glenn will infuse new energy and vision into this 91st awards presentation,” Academy President John Bailey said last October, “and we are excited about a broad-based creative relationship with these two artists.”
The Academy Awards® will be simulcast in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
Immerse Yourself in All Things Oscars®
Planning an Oscars® viewing party has never been easier, since ABC’s pre-show programming will begin seven hours before the ceremony. Its comprehensive coverage will include exclusive interviews with Hollywood’s biggest stars—and, of course, a look at all the red carpet fashions. Adding to the excitement, ABC will also broadcast a 30-minute special, American Idol: A New Journey Begins, where host Ryan Seacrest will sit down with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie to discuss the popular series’ return and to preview this year’s crop of new talent. In addition to a behind-the-scenes look at American Idol, viewers will also be treated to a momentous musical performance featuring auditionees from the upcoming premiere episode.
Here is ABC’s broadcasting schedule for Sunday, February 24:
Eastern Standard Time
1– p.m.: Oscars Countdown: The Red Carpet LIVE!
4–4:30 p.m.: American Idol: A New Journey Begins
6:30–8 p.m. : Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live From the Red Carpet
10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Oscars Countdown: The Red Carpet LIVE!
1–1:30 p.m.: American Idol: A New Journey Begins
3:30–5 p.m.: Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live From the Red Carpet
5–8 p.m.: The Oscars
10–11 p.m.: Whiskey Cavalier—“Pilot: Sneak Peek”
ESPN and ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly, actress/singer Laura Marano, and writer/comic/journalist Louis Virtel will also co-host Oscars® All Access: Red Carpet Live on Twitter at 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST. You’re encouraged to get involved and submit questions for nominees, performers and presenters using the hashtag #OscarsAllAccess. With footage from up to 10 cameras strategically placed along the red carpet, Oscars® All Access: Red Carpet Live will provide an immersive look at the glamorous event. “Twitter is the place to be during the Oscars®,” says Sarah Rosen, head of U.S. Entertainment Partnerships at Twitter. “It’s where the conversation about everyone’s favorite films and actors unfolds, and where actors go to connect with their most passionate fan base. We are thrilled to be able to offer fans the chance to be part of that conversation by tweeting their questions and having the opportunity to have them answered live on camera during the award-winning live Oscars® All Access.”
Play Along With the Official Oscar® Game
Participate in Hollywood’s biggest night with real-time trivia, polls, and category predictions. You can sign up at Oscar.com/Game starting Saturday, February 23, at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST, then play along as you watch the Oscars® live Sunday, February 24, at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on ABC. Earn points for correct trivia answers, category predictions, and participation in fan polls, and share game content and scores on social media using the hashtags #Oscars and #OscarGame. The more you participate, the more chances you have to win, since each point earned throughout the Oscars® will grant you access into the grand prize drawing for $50,000!*
Movie buffs who play The Oscar® Game will also be given access to exclusive award show content, including backstage photos, behind the scenes trivia and a look at the audience-cam.
(*No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 or older. Game play for a chance to win takes place only in conjunction with the live telecast of the Oscars®, which begins on or about 5 p.m. PT on 2/24/19 and is scheduled to end no later than 9 p.m. PT on 2/24/19. Game play ends with the conclusion of the live telecast. Each point accumulated results in one (1) entry into the random drawing. See Official Rules for full details including eligibility restrictions, how to play, odds & limitations. Void where prohibited.)
Watch Disney’s Brightest Stars Shine Onstage
Stars from the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be out in full force, as Black Panther’s Angela Bassett, Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, and Michael B. Jordan are all set to appear on the show. Before Captain Marvel flies into theaters March 8, stars Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson will take the stage, and Avengers: Endgame co-stars Chris Evans and Paul Rudd—aka Captain America and Ant-Man—have been recruited to reveal some winners. Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, Laura Dern (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Keegan-Michael Key (Toy Story 4), and Helen Mirren (The Nutcracker and the Four Realms), among other stars, will also be presenting.
As always, you can expect some unforgettable show moments. “The array of talent anchoring the show this year has brought some of the most indelible moments in recent cinematic memory to audiences around the world,” said Gigliotti and Weiss. “They join together to reconnect us with the nominees, their tremendous movies, and outstanding performances.”
The Academy has tapped 11 luminaries from a variety of professions to present the nominees for Best Picture: Chef José Andrés, Dana Carvey, Queen Latifah, Congressman John Lewis, Diego Luna, Tom Morello, Mike Myers, Trevor Noah, Amandla Stenberg, Barbra Streisand, and Serena Williams. As Gigliotti and Weiss said in a press release, “Movies connect us all. They move us, and they create moments and memories that unite us. We are thrilled to assemble this well-known array of film lovers to introduce and share their reflections on the Best Picture-nominated movies.”
Turn Up the Volume for Show-Stopping Performances
A stellar lineup of performers will take to the Dolby stage for a host of can’t-miss musical moments, including Queen and Adam Lambert, who will open the Oscars® in support of Bohemian Rhapsody; Bette Midler who performs, “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” the tender lullaby sung onscreen by Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns; and Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic who will provide a very special soundtrack for the In Memoriam tribute.
Root for Disney’s 17 Nominations in 10 Categories
Black Pantherleads with seven nominations, including Best Picture, followed by Mary Poppins Returns (4), Avengers: Infinity War (1), Bao (1), Christopher Robin (1), Incredibles 2 (1), Ralph Breaks the Internet (1), and Solo: A Star Wars Story (1). Disney’s complete nominations include:
Best Picture
Black Panther (Kevin Feige, producer)
Best Animated Feature Film
Incredibles 2 (Brad Bird, John Walker, and Nicole Paradis Grindle)
Ralph Breaks the Internet (Rich Moore, Phil Johnston, and Clark Spencer)
Best Short Film (Animated)
Bao (Domee Shi and Becky Neiman-Cobb)
Best Costume Design
Black Panther (Ruth Carter)
Mary Poppins Returns (Sandy Powell)
Best Music (Original Score)
Black Panther (Ludwig Göransson)
Mary Poppins Returns (Marc Shaiman)
Best Music (Original Song)
“All the Stars” from Black Panther (Music by Kendrick Lamar, Mark “Sounwave” Spears, and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith; Lyric by Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith)
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” from Mary Poppins Returns (Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyric by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman)
Best Production Design
Black Panther (Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Jay Hart)
Mary Poppins Returns (Production Design: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim)
Best Sound Editing
Black Panther (Benjamin A. Burtt and Steve Boeddeker)
Best Sound Mixing
Black Panther (Steve Boeddeker, Brandon Proctor, and Peter Devlin)
Best Visual Effects
Avengers: Infinity War (Dan DeLeeuw, Kelly Port, Russell Earl, and Dan Sudick)
Christopher Robin (Christopher Lawrence, Michael Eames, Theo Jones, and Chris Corbould)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (Rob Bredow, Patrick Tubach, Neal Scanlan, and Dominic Tuohy)
Watch More Drama Unfold After the Last Winner Is Revealed
ABC will air a special sneak preview of its highly anticipated dramedy Whiskey Cavalier in advance of its series premiere on Wednesday, February 27 (10–11 p.m. EST/PST). The series follows the international adventures of FBI agent Will Chase (code name: “Whiskey Cavalier”), played by Scott Foley, and CIA agent Frankie Trowbridge (code name: “Fiery Tribune”), played by Lauren Cohan, as they lead an inter-agency team of flawed, funny spies. Actors Vir Das, Josh Hopkins, Ana Ortiz, and Tyler James Williams round out the ensemble cast.
Wake Up With Oscar® Winners on Live
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will be up bright and early Monday morning to continue the festivities with Live’s After Oscar Show. The hosts will chat with winners, conduct exclusive backstage interviews with the night’s biggest stars, recap the show’s standout moments, and weigh in on the most talked about red carpet fashions (the good and the bad).
Walt Disney is truly iconic in so many different ways… but did you know he won or received an incredible 32 Academy Awards—from a whopping 67 nominations—during his career? He still holds the record for most Oscars® in history! That astonishing legacy is still felt in every corner of Hollywood; actors and actresses the world over, to this day, can trace a path from their own careers back to films Walt himself produced. In preparation for the 91st Oscars, D23 took a look at all of the 2019 nominees for Actor and Actress in a Leading Role and calculated their “Six Degrees of Walt Disney”—read on for more, and make sure to catch these nominees during the sure-to-be-memorable telecast on Sunday, February 24, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT… only on ABC!
Mark your calendars for tons of fun on October 4, and get ready to make your Disneyland Resort photos “pop”… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!
Coming Soon: Brand-New Star Wars- and Frozen 2-Inspired Products!
They’re both still a few months off… but two of the most anticipated films of, well, the entire decade will also be unveiling some brand-new, and sure-to-be-incredible, products this fall! That’s right—fresh products inspired by both Star Wars: Episode IX and Disney’s Frozen 2 will begin hitting shelves around the world this October 4, as part of Disney’s first-ever worldwide simultaneous rollout.
Known now as Triple Force Friday, that fateful fall day—Friday, October 4, 2019—will see the launch of a wide range of brand-new products from several original Star Wars events… including products inspired by the much-anticipated final installment of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Episode IX, as well as the first-ever Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian (set to debut exclusively on the upcoming Disney+ streaming service). Plus, look for the introduction of products themed after the latest title from EA and Respawn—Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a new action-adventure game coming to store shelves during the 2019 holiday season. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. that Friday, a plethora of products—spanning categories from toys to collectibles, housewares, books, apparel, and more—will go on sale, and stores around the world will join the festivities with cool in-store experiences and midnight openings.
But that’s not all: In celebration of Disney’s Frozen 2 storming into theaters on November 22, Disney and retailers around the world will also kick off Frozen Fan Fest on October 4—when tons of new products debut worldwide! Frozen Fan Fest will include the aforementioned product reveals; fun musical moments; in-store events; and so much more. Fans will be able to join their favorite Frozen characters in a whole new way, as they set out on an epic journey beyond Arendelle…
Stay tuned for more info about Triple Force Friday and Frozen Fan Fest in the coming months!
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
Studios March 8, 2019 Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel opens in U.S. theaters March 29, 2019 Dumbo opens in U.S. theaters April 17, 2019 Penguins opens in U.S. theaters April 26, 2019 Avengers: Endgame opens in U.S. theaters 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 August 9, 2019 Artemis Fowl opens in U.S. theaters Television February 15, 2019 Kim Possible premieres on Disney Channel (8–9:32 p.m. EST/PST) February 24, 2019 The Oscars® airs on ABC (8–11 p.m. EST) March 3, 2019 American Idol kicks off second season on ABC (8–10:01 p.m. EST)
Pop-Up Disney! Will Make Your Disneyland Resort Photos Positively “Pop”
Our pals down at Disneyland Resort are continuing to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th in a big way—and their latest venture is one that’ll really make your Instagram account sing! Later this spring, they’ll be introducing Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration, a pop-up experience at the Downtown Disney District that’ll transport you though a whimsically immersive experience celebrating nine decades of both Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
This limited-time, separately ticketed exhibition will feature several different imaginatively themed rooms with colorful displays inspired by all things Mickey. Every room will include “selfie”-worthy surprises and provide plenty of fun and fabulous photo ops for guests of all ages. One such surprise: a plush, polka-dotted “bow” sofa, where you can live out all your ridiculously adorable Minnie Mouse photo-shoot fantasies.
Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration will be found near the Downtown Disney District Monorail station, in the former space of the ESPN Zone; look for tickets to go on sale soon!
Catch Up with Your Favorite VKs in New Descendants 3 Teaser Trailer
The much anticipated “trequel” to Disney’s Descendants will premiere this summer on Disney Channel—and to tide us over, director Kenny Ortega and his cast just released a nifty new teaser trailer… one that gives fans a first look at what happens when the VKs (a.k.a. “villain kids”) head back to the Isle of the Lost to recruit for Auradon Prep. See the trailer and read more about what you can expect right here at D23.com.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival: Merchandise Mania
Kicking off March 1, the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will offer 54 full days of delectable eats and treats as far as the eye can see… and if you’re searching for a way to bring home some memories of all that fun, look no further than the festival’s brand-new, exclusive commemorative merchandise.
You’ll find everything from those coveted spirit jerseys (a personal fave); baseball caps; a festival wine tote; Mickey ears featuring glimmering-gold utensils; festival-themed glassware; and even a cutting board shaped like a wine bottle—the perfect addition to your favorite foodie’s kitchen.
Food & Wine Festival merch will be located throughout Disney California Adventure park for a limited time—so don’t forget to take a break from all that delicious food and drink to do a little shopping…
Do You Enjoy Puppies? Then You’ve Gottta Watch the Latest Pixar Short!
We are unashamed to admit we are big-time dog lovers ’round here—so when we realized the latest short from Pixar Animation Studios’ SparkShorts program, Kitbull, was all about a cutie-patootie “pit bull” (and the stray kitten who befriends him), we knew we’d be smitten. And smitten is right! Watch the gorgeous, heart-warming hand-drawn clip—and hear from the short’s director, Rosana Sullivan—here at D23.com.
Sneak Peek at American Idol Before This Sunday’s Oscars®
Idol fans, listen up: Before this Sunday’s big Oscar® telecast, ABC viewers will be privy to a special 30-minute sneak peek at the upcoming season of American Idol. So just in case you needed a bit more star power that night, you’ll get to spend some time with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
In the special, American Idol: A New Journey Begins, Seacrest sits down with the judging trio to discuss the return of the series—and to share a preview of this year’s crop of new talent! Plus, the panel will answer fan questions and share some fun behind-the-scenes tidbits. You can find the special on ABC at 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST.
But that’s not all… later in the evening, Oscar viewers will see a historic musical performance featuring auditionees from the upcoming premiere episode. Set in one of the most iconic locations on Earth—the heart of Hollywood—this unique rooftop production will be shown during the live broadcast of the 91st Oscars, and will include a special appearance by Seacrest.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for American Idol’s big return—Sunday, March 3, at 8 p.m. EST/PST, only on ABC.
Captain Marvel is set to be a groundbreaking film for many exciting reasons, but possibly the most exciting of all is that it’s going to be the first film from Marvel Studios to be set in the 1990s! Yes, we admit it, some of us here at D23 might still be ’90s kids at heart, and we can’t wait for the heroic Carol Danvers to explore Earth during a totally radical time in history. We don’t know what year Captain Marvel makes her dramatic crash-landing onto Earth, but we can’t help but wonder: If Carol needed a break from all the action, what Disney things could she do for fun? Well, wonder no longer, because we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ’90s Disney things that are all that and a bag of chips:
Movies
Captain Marvel crash-lands in a VHS rental store, and if she wants to keep up with some of our favorite Disney films, she picked the perfect time to visit Earth. The ‘90s were full of fun Disney films that we’re still watching today. For example, back in 1994, we welcomed The Lion King to our pride (And 25 years later, we’re welcoming an all-new The Lion King into theaters in July 2019).
Depending on when in the ’90s Carol arrives, she could check out Toy Story, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Muppet Treasure Island, and more in theaters! We like to think she’d love jamming out to the poppy Powerline tunes from A Goofy Movie. (Maybe the “perfect cast” could provide perfect inspiration for fighting Skrulls?) No matter when Carol arrives, she can head to the movies for the perfect Disney night out after spending a long day as the hero that the world needs.
Disney Parks
“You’ve just crash-landed on earth! What are you going to do next?” We hope Captain Marvel gets the chance to visit a Disney theme park during her adventures on Earth, because in the ’90s, a lot of exciting, new things were happening at Disney parks in America.
Taking a trip to Orlando, Carol could book a room at the newly opened Wilderness Lodge Resort (which is celebrating 25 wild years in our modern time of 2019) and enjoy a well-deserved vacation. When she’s done relaxing, she can cool off at Blizzard Beach water park, which opened in 1995. Sure, our fearless Captain is brave enough to face off against Skrulls, but can she handle the 120-foot slope of Summit Plummet?
If she needs even more thrills, might we suggest Captain Marvel checks into a deserted hotel on the dark side of Hollywood… That’s right, back in 1994, we were introduced to the thrills and chills of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019), natch. Can she survive the terrifying ups and downs of this groundbreaking attraction?
Carol can also take her passion for thrills over to Disneyland and try out Indiana Jones Adventure, which opened the temple doors in 1994. And if she should happen to find herself with a little time to explore the attraction’s queue, we hope she has a decoder card ready—because we’re sure her Kree training will give her the wiles she needs to uncover the mystery of Mara.
Television
After a long day of fighting Skrulls, who wouldn’t want to curl up in a blanket and chow down on some pizza while watching the antics of the latest, coolest Disney characters? We think Carol could get some much needed rest and relaxation while watching the adventures in TaleSpin, Gargoyles,Chip ’n’ Dale Rescue Rangers, and more of the animated shows airing during the Disney Afternoon programming block. She could even pick up some hero tips from Darkwing Duck. (What’s Kree for, “I am the terror that flaps in the night”?)
Internet
While Captain Marvel wouldn’t be able to log on to D23.com yet (We didn’t join the ’net until 2009—by the way, are you going to our 10th anniversary celebration?), Disney.com launched in 1996, so if Captain Marvel felt like she needed to learn more about Earth culture, we’d recommend she visit Disney’s website to get all the information she needs. (Plus, she can book that trip to Walt Disney World!)
If you want to experience your own ’90s throwback, catch Captain Marvel in theaters starting March 8.
As Walt Disney himself once said, Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort is “an experimental prototype community that will always be in a state of becoming.” Walt’s words ring true today, as Disney announced several enhancements for Epcot, including a play pavilion, a reimagined main entrance, and an Experience Center showcasing the park’s future. “Epcot has always been, and always will be, an optimistic celebration of the real world that is brought to life through the magic of Disney,” said George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney World Resort. “The exciting plans we have on the horizon will honor Epcot’s rich legacy of creativity and innovation while continuing to exceed the expectations of our guests for decades to come.”
The as-yet-unnamed pavilion in development will include first-of-their-kind experiences devoted to playful fun, inviting guests into an innovative, interactive city bursting with games and hands-on activities. Guests at Epcot will interact with their favorite Disney characters in an energetic metropolis unlike anything ever seen before in the park. The area will come to life under the vast dome of the pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life (more recently the Festival Center) and will be unveiled in time for the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary.
“This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to Epcot,” said Zach Riddley, portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for Epcot—and another signature element of our transformation.”
New magic is also coming to Epcot’s main entrance, as the plaza will soon welcome guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces, and a reimagined fountain. This new design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic components. As part of this new entry experience, Leave A Legacy photos will move into a stunning setting outside the park’s gateway. Significant redevelopment will also commence between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase Promenade; details about that area’s transformation will be announced later.
Guests will be able to preview the exciting plans for Epcot when doors open later this year on a new Experience Center in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. There, they can experience interactive exhibits that showcase the energy, excitement, and innovation driving the theme park’s future.
“Epcot is beloved for its focus on imagination, innovation, fun, food, and family,” said Kalogridis. “It’s a timeless place where the real is made fantastic through the magic of Disney. It has a very bright future ahead and the best part is that we’ve only just begun to dream.”
These new announcements join other projects already underway as part of the Epcot evolution. Larger-than-life Super Heroes will descend upon the park with the opening of a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction. This new experience will be one of the longest enclosed roller coasters in the world and feature a brand-new ride system when it also opens in time for the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary.
Other new developments underway that we can’t wait to experience at Epcot include:
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction in the France pavilion, patterned after the No. 1 family attraction at Disneyland Paris
Beauty and the Beast sing-along in the France pavilion, showing in addition to the pavilion’s current film, Impressions de France
Circle-Vision 360 film for the China pavilion and updated O Canada! 360-degree show
Signature Dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan
Space-themed table-service restaurant adjacent to Mission: SPACE, inviting guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience
Epcot Forever, a 2019 limited-time nighttime experience over World Showcase Lagoon set to classic Epcot tunes, followed by an all-new nighttime spectacular debuting in 2020
It’s no secret that working out isn’t always the easiest thing to do. But, we have the perfect solution to make even the sorest muscles sing when the next rep is looming. Raw Threads just debuted their latest Disney-inspired collection and, we have to say, it might be their most magical yet! Highlighting Disney Princesses, these workout clothes will keep you inspired all the way to the finish line! D23 Gold Members, don’t forget to use your discount at RawThreads.com to receive 15% off site-wide.
ABC’s newest series is, ironically, a throwback. Whiskey Cavalier, an hour-long action dramedy making its debut right after the Oscars® February 24, co-stars Scott Foley as tough but tender FBI agent Will Chase (code name: “Whiskey Cavalier”) and Lauren Cohan as beautiful and bold CIA operative Frankie Trowbridge (code name: “Fiery Tribune”). Together, the unlikely duo partners up to lead an inter-agency team of fearless, flawed, and funny spies—all while navigating new friendships, romances, and office politics. “It’s got this old school charm to it you don’t see that much anymore,” says Cohan. “We’re really just trying to have fun and let our viewers have fun.”
Foley, fresh off his six-season run as Jake Ballard on ABC’s Scandal, agrees. “It’s a throwback, in a way, to some of the shows people might have grown up with… shows that, for whatever reason, the networks stopped making years ago,” the actor says. “We’re trying to bring it back.”
The series, hailing from writer/executive producer David Hemingson and executive producer Bill Lawrence and Jeff Ingold, also stars Vir Das as Jai Datta, Josh Hopkins as Ray Prince, Ana Ortiz as Susan Sampson, and Tyler James Williams as Edgar Standish. According to Cohan, Whiskey Cavalier puts “different people and disparate ideologies” together in a way “that’s compelling and fun.”
Foley promises the “sexy, romantic spy world” in the 13-episode first season will appeal to Disney fans of all ages. “What are Walt Disney World and Disneyland for? They’re for escaping, right? If you want to escape your problems or whatever you’re dealing with, Whiskey Cavalier will take you there,” he says. “It’s a great escapist fantasy, just like Disneyland and Walt Disney World.”
Echoing her co-star’s sentiments, Cohan believes Whiskey Cavalier has a “binge-able” quality—one with an “infectious,” broad appeal. “The fun thing about this show,” the actress explains, “is you can jump in at some point—having not seen an episode—and still enjoy it as a capsule.”
Whiskey Cavalier will re-air its premiere episode Wednesday, February 27, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
The paw-some pals at the center of Kitbull, a newly released Pixar SparkShort from director Rosana Sullivan and producer Kathryn Hendrickson, forge a friendship you won’t soon fur-get. Set in San Francisco’s Mission District, the story begins when a stray kitten finds shelter in a back-alley dumpster, where it encounters a tender pit bull who’s been abused by its owner. Initially wary of each other, they eventually warm to each other and begin a new life together.
Kitbull differs from what Pixar typically does, in that it’s hand-drawn (as opposed to digitally animated). “I’ve always loved the charm of a hand-drawn image,” Sullivan says in a behind-the-scenes video clip. “No two artists will draw the same way, and no two drawings are going to be exactly alike.”
“Every frame is hand-drawn and hand-painted,” adds Sullivan, who watched “endless” cat videos as part of her research. “And while we did draw on computers, everything was directly from the artists’ hands onto the screen.” According to Hendrickson, that “posed a lot of challenges” for the team, who had to take the 2-D project and “fit it back into the normal 3-D process at Pixar.” So, to bring their story to life onscreen, Sullivan boasts, “We created our own pipeline.”
As such, the characters were “not overly detailed,” she says. “The kitten is very cartoony and is almost abstract in some ways. It was just so personally rewarding and fun just to draw the kitten. I think for people who joined the crew later on as animators, they felt the same way.”
Kitbull premiered alongside two other Pixar SparkShorts, Purl and Smash and Grab, at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre last month. All three shorts—part of Pixar’s development program championing new creative voices within the studio—are now streaming on YouTube.
