Epcot Unveils Plans for Historic Multi-Year Transformation

By Zach Johnson

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.”

Epcot transformation

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.”

Epcot 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

New Disney Collections Debut at Raw Threads

By Karina Schink

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.

Raw Threads

Check out Raw Threads’ Disney Princess collection here, which joins their Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Mary Poppins collections.

Raw Threads

Whiskey Cavalier Goes Down Smooth—Just Ask Its Stars

By Zach Johnson

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.”

Whiskey Cavalier

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.”

Whiskey Cavalier

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.

Pixar’s Kitbull SparkShort Is Full of Purr-sonality

By Zach Johnson

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.

Hades Wreaks Havoc in the Descendants 3 Teaser Trailer

By Zach Johnson

Mirror, mirror on the wall: Who’s the baddest of them all?

Look no further than the VKs—that’s villain kids, to the uninitiated—at the center of Disney Channel’s Descendants 3. The first teaser trailer for the “trequel” aired during the world premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie Kim Possible, giving fans their first look at what happened after Mal (Dove Cameron) saved the day and Uma (China Anne McClain) swam away at the end of 2017’s Descendants 2. This time, the VKs’ adventure begins when Mal, Carlos (Cameron Boyce), Evie (Sofia Carson), and Jay (Booboo Stewart) return to the Isle of the Lost to recruit a new crop of villainous offspring to join them at Auradon Prep. But after a barrier breach jeopardizes Auradon’s safety, Mal elects to permanently close the gates, fearing Uma and Hades (Cheyenne Jackson) will seek retribution. Despite Mal’s decision, a mysterious dark force threatens the people of Auradon—and it’s up to the VKs to save them before it’s too late.

New and returning actors to the third film in the Descendants franchise include Anna Cathcart as Dizzy; Christian Convery as Squeaky; Brenna D’Amico as Jane; Zachary Gibson as Doug; Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad; Mitchell Hope as King Ben; Sarah Jefferey as Audrey; Jadah Marie as Celia; Judith Maxie as Queen Leah; Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother; Dan Payne as Beast; Luke Roessler as Squirmy; Jamal Sims as Doctor Facilier; and Keegan Connor Tracy as Belle.

The film is directed by Kenny Ortega, who also serves as executive producer with Wendy Japhet, as well as Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon, writers of the trequel’s screenplay. Descendants 3 also brings back veteran costume designer Kara Saun, producer Shawn Williamson, and production designer Mark Hofeling.

Descendants 3 will premiere this summer on Disney Channel.

Descendants 3

Descendants 3

Descendants 3

Descendants 3

Meet the Cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

By Zach Johnson

This is the start of something new, Wildcats.

Production is underway in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the highly anticipated and reimagined High School Musical: The Musical: The Series for Disney+, The Walt Disney Company’s upcoming streaming service. Joining previously announced star Joshua Bassett (Stuck in the Middle) are cast members Olivia Rodrigo (Bizaardvark), Kate Reinders (Modern Family), Sofia Wylie (Andi Mack), Matt Cornett (Bella and the Bulldogs), Dara Reneé (Freaky Friday), Julia Lester (Mom), Frankie Rodriguez (Modern Family), Larry Saperstein (Fan Girl), and Mark St. Cyr (Doomsday).

The 10-episode series picks up nearly 15 years after the first movie aired, at the real-life location where it all began: East High. It follows a group of students as they rehearse for opening night of their school’s first production of High School Musical. Behind the scenes, show-mances develop; friendships are both forged and tested; rivalries rage; and lives are changed forever.

Brand-new songs and acoustic “rehearsal-room” reinterpretations of songs from the original High School Musical provide the soundtrack, with Zach Woodlee (Glee, Dumplin’) choreographing the numbers. The series is developed and executive produced by Tim Federle (Ferdinand) with showrunner and executive producer Oliver Goldstick (Pretty Little Liars); Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush, from the original High School Musical trilogy, are also executive producers. Tamra Davis (Empire, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) is directing the first three episodes.

“The challenge we handed the creative team was Herculean. How do you recapture the joy and the magic of the original High School Musical movie… and simultaneously reimagine it completely?” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.  “That’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. And Tim and Oliver—and this amazingly talented and diverse cast and crew—have done exactly that!”

Here are the character breakdowns:

  • High school junior Ricky (Bassett) is a sarcastic yet charismatic skater who sets out to prove himself to his ex-girlfriend Nini—by auditioning to star opposite her in a musical.
  • Nini (Rodrigo) found her voice at summer theater camp—along with a new boyfriend. Fiercely loyal to her two moms, she’s a shining star—even if she doesn’t always think so.
  • Miss Jenn (Reinders) is a new drama teacher who believes musicals can save lives. She may experience imposter syndrome, but she’d do anything for her students.
  • A transfer student with a secret past, Gina (Wylie) is a theater veteran. Ambitious and entitled, she’s keen to show Miss Jenn she shouldn’t have been cast as an understudy.
  • Nini’s new love interest E.J. (Cornett) is the completely confident son of two corporate lawyers, who secretly feels the pressure of living up to his picture-perfect social media persona. As co-captain of the water polo team, senior class treasurer, and trust fund baby, E.J. is used to getting what he wants—like the lead in role in the school musical.
  • Kourtney (Reneé) is obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism in equal measure. Nini’s ride-or-die BFF, Kourtney also works on the costume crew of High School Musical.
  • E.J.’s cousin Ashlyn (Lester) is an “old soul” who worships Sara Bareilles—so much that she secretly dreams of following in her idol’s footsteps to become a songwriter herself.
  • As captain of the color guard and student choreographer, Carlos (Rodriguez) thinks of Miss Jenn as a peer. In fact, he eats lunch in her office and has been drinking espresso since third grade. And of course, Carlos already has his Tony Awards® speech memorized.
  • Big Red (Saperstein) is the quintessential skater boy, always fuzzy and sleep-deprived. He’s weirdly devastated by Ricky and Nini’s split, as he’s been their third wheel forever.
  • East High’s somewhat stiff S.T.E.M. teacher Mr. Mazzara (St. Cyr) believes in preparing students for the future, which leads him to butt heads with the daydreaming Miss Jenn.

“We are truly excited about this extremely talented cast and the fresh and contemporary take on this globally beloved franchise,” said Agnes Chu, senior vice president of content, Disney+.  “From the music and dance, to the characters and hilarious meta references, there is something here for fans of the originals, as well as people who are new to East High. It’s going to be an unforgettable viewing experience for Disney+ subscribers.”

Disney+, The Walt Disney Company’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service, is set to launch in the U.S. later this year.

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

Living Life in the Fast Layne

By Beth Deitchman

From Susie, the Little Blue Coupe, and Herbie, the Love Bug, to Lightning McQueen, Disney cars have driven us to distraction in the best possible ways. But you’ve never quite met a Disney car like VIN before. This tech-enhanced talking car motors onto Disney Channel in the eight-part miniseries Fast Layne on Friday, February 15 (9:32 p.m. EST/PST), right after the premiere of the live-action Disney Channel Original Movie Kim Possible.

The miniseries centers around Layne, a super-organized middle schooler who plans her life down to the minute. There’s not a lot of room in Layne’s life for surprises, but when she and her free-spirited neighbor Zora discover a souped-up talking car named “VIN” parked beneath an abandoned shed in her backyard, she embarks on the ride of her life. VIN has some secrets hidden under his hood—and a pair of mysterious villains giving chase. Layne and Zora team up with Layne’s mechanically inclined classmate Cody to stay out in front of the bad guys while also trying to put the brakes on Layne’s cousin Mel and his determination to uncover their secret.

Fast Layne

“This is definitely one of the shows where you want to keep watching and unravel the mystery,” says Sophie Pollono (The Young and the Restless), who plays the title character. “There are so many twists and turns.”

Fast Layne

The plot goes in unexpected directions, much like Fast Layne’s leading vehicle. VIN jumps bridges and boasts a host of unexpected, high-tech features, but he endeared himself to the miniseries’ characters—and its stars—through his personality. The young cast could interact with VIN as a car—being very careful to keep his all-white interior clean—but they were also able to deliver their lines to an on-set actor who read VIN’s lines in real time. “When you’re working with an inanimate object, it’s challenging because you have to work off these emotions and make sure that they are genuine,” says Brandon Rossel (The Outsiders Club), who plays Cody. “So you really have to have someone that’s energetic like that on set and thankfully we had a reader like that at all times reading for VIN—and he was awesome. He was energetic all the time and he brought that energy out of all of us.”

Fast Layne

“VIN was like a friend—a shiny, bright orange friend that we had to be very careful to not pull the seatbelts off of,” laughs Sofia Rosinsky (The Other Side of the Door), who plays Zora.

It’s no coincidence that the cast came to see VIN as more than just a ride. Alongside the high-speed action sequences, and the crazy lengths Layne and Zora go to in order to keep their four-wheeled friend hidden, are themes that resonated with the Fast Layne stars. Pollono hopes that young viewers will come away from the series with the reassurance that, “It’s OK to be different. It’s OK to have flaws. It’s OK to need help.”

Fast Layne

As half of the unlikely duo comprised of the level-headed Layne and the more impulsive Zora, Rosinsky thinks it’s important to remember that friends can be very different from each other: “You don’t have to be the same or even like the same things, as long as you understand each other.”

Over the course of Fast Layne’s eight episodes, Layne might just find that she needs to rethink her schedule and cut down on the traffic in her daily life. Rossel observes, “In life it’s good to have some organization, but sometimes you’ve got to take life spontaneously.”

Fast Layne

Or, as Winslow Fegley (Teachers), who plays curious cousin Mel puts it, “You’ve got to wing it.”

The adventures of Layne, Zora, Cody, Mel, and VIN are just revving up: Fast Layne moves into its regular timeslot on Sunday, February 17 (7 p.m. EST/PST). Catch the second installment this weekend, and hang on for an exciting ride!

Amazing Disney Movie Posters Designed by Cao Zheng Celebrate Chinese New Year

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Since February 5, we’ve been celebrating the year of the pig through fun at Disney parks—and now the fun is extending to some of the year’s most highly anticipated films. In celebration of the Chinese New Year, artist Cao Zheng has designed a stunning selection of posters for some of the upcoming Disney movies we can’t wait to see. Check out the gallery below to see designs for Avengers: Endgame, Aladdin, Captain Marvel, Dumbo, and The Lion King.

The Walt Disney Archives Embarks on a New Adventure

By Matt Moryc, The Walt Disney Archives

“Adventure is out there!” in the latest exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives at The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank. The Archives’ Reading Room has been refreshed to include tropical imports, exotic antiquities, and mysterious discoveries collected from many beloved and daring Disney adventures.

Whether it be rum-loving pirates, whimsical tiki totems, or a chorus of singing birds in an enchanted South Seas locale, projects from throughout Disney’s rich history have produced countless tales of adventure that have endured and inspired audiences for almost a century.

Upon entering the Reading Room, guests are greeted by the famous Redhead Audio-Animatronics® figure from Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. Just beyond her stand several mighty tiki gods who previously watched over the grounds of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World® Resort. The gods are easily angered, so please be mindful of all your celebratin’!

The adventure continues into a nearby display case filled with 50 years’ worth of merchandise and treasures ranging from Adventureland to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar and beyond.  Elsewhere in the room, various Disney Parks and Resorts locales are represented including Adventurers Club, Tower of Terror, Swiss Family Treehouse, and the original Club 33. The world of live-action comes to thrilling life by way of set decoration and props from The Island at the Top of the World and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Two very special items with ties to Walt Disney are also on display—a script for The Jungle Book (1967) with notes and comments inside from the master showman himself, and a model of a Jungle Cruise boat (the Congo Queen) which was used on-screen by Walt during a 1956 episode of the Disneyland television series.

Employees of The Walt Disney Company may visit the Walt Disney Archives Reading Room during regular weekday hours (9 a.m. — 5 p.m.), and D23 Gold and Gold Family Members can visit the Archives exclusively through The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23.

We recently toured the exhibit on our Facebook page. Check out the video below for the full tour, and view the photo gallery for a closer look at the exhibit.

A Fan Fave Returns to the Screen in the Live-Action Kim Possible

By Beth Deitchman

Kim Possible has always been about friendship. Whether she was saving the world, or simply hanging with her friends at Bueno Nacho, Kim Possible always had Ron Stoppable—her BFF since preschool—by her side, and Ron’s furless friend Rufus, the Naked mole-rat, was always by his. This Friday, February 15 (8 p.m. EST/PST), Kim and Ron embark upon live-action adventures in a brand-new Disney Channel Original Movie, and we’re thrilled that the fan-favorite Rufus is back, too, brought to life through CGI and the incredible talents of Nancy Cartwright, who voiced the character in the original animated series. Rufus is once again a key member of Team Possible, alongside Kim (Sadie Stanley), Ron (Sean Giambrone), new friend Athena (Ciara Wilson), and tech whiz Wade (Issac Ryan Brown).

Kim Possible DCOM

“I was hoping they would give me a call,” says Cartwright, who squeaked her first Rufus squeak back in 2002 when the animated Kim Possible premiered on Disney Channel. The accomplished voice actress took her rodent research seriously. She was fascinated to discover that Naked mole-rats are tunnel dwellers and social animals who live in large communities. They don’t do well out in the sunlight and, Cartwright laughs, “They’re kind of disgusting looking—they look like overcooked hot dogs.” Our friends at Disney Channel also put together a fun look at real-life Naked mole-rats in this video narrated by Giambrone, who plays Rufus’ protector and pal.

Cartwright has created a signature sound for Rufus that’s comprised of “efforts and grunts, and squirts, gurgles, and squeaks.” Rufus typically doesn’t have scripted lines for Cartwright to deliver, so she takes direction from the Naked mole-rat’s emotions in any given scene, which can range from über-excited to super-sad. Historically, however, we’ve heard Rufus utter a select group of Kim Possibly-important words, such as “boo-yah.”

Kim Possible

It’s been a highlight for Cartwright, also known for her many roles on The Simpsons and as Chuckie Finster from Rugrats, to lend her voice to Rufus. When she meets fans and reveals herself to be the person behind the mole-rat, she shares, “I’m not sure who likes it more—them or me, because I love the effect [demonstrating the voice] has on people. And it’s kind of surprising that I’m like five feet tall, I’ve got children of my own, I’m a grandma, and these sounds come out of this little package here. I think it’s fun for everyone.”

The cast of the live-action Kim Possible had to wait to “meet” Rufus until the movie’s visual effects experts worked their movie magic. On set, explains Ciara Wilson, who plays Athena (the newest member of Team Possible), “We would just be looking at Sean’s shoulder, or have an eyeline on his hand or a little figurine that didn’t look that much like Rufus at all.” She was thrilled to finally see Rufus on screen in the DCOM. “I am super, super-impressed. He is adorably ugly, which is exactly what Rufus is.”

Kim Possible DCOM

Giambrone was thrilled with the final on-screen result, and he expects fans to have a similar reaction. “The first time I saw him [on film] it was like true love,” he tells D23. “I knew that was exactly what he should look like and it just felt like I was reunited with a buddy, seeing the movie with Rufus in it.” He expects Rufus to continue to have a huge following among Kim Possible fans. Giambrone emphasizes, “He’s very charismatic!”

Tune in this Friday, February 15, on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW, to see Rufus meet Ron and Kim on-screen for the first time. It’ll be “boo-yahs” all around!