Go Viral with Ralph Breaks the Internet Cast and Filmmakers

By Courtney Potter

The Internet. A vast, mysterious, ever-evolving world—a place where hilariously weird cat memes can coexist with the most up-to-date research on space exploration. Who better to explore such an incredible realm than two video-game virtuosos? Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Ralph Breaks the Internet, unleashing its gif-tastic fun on moviegoers beginning November 21, follows everyone’s favorite video-game “bad guy” Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and best friend Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman)—the stars of 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph—as they leave the comfy confines of Litwak’s arcade in an attempt to save her game, Sugar Rush. Their quest takes them straight into the world wide web, an über-quirky locale Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces—so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he’s ever had…

D23 recently swiped our proverbial mouse toward the chance to hear some fantastic behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the film’s filmmakers and stars—including director Rich Moore and director/co-writer Phil Johnston; producer Clark Spencer; co-writer (and voice of Snow White) Pamela Ribon; and voice cast members Reilly, Silverman, Taraji P. Henson (voice of “BuzzzTube” head algorithm Yesss), and Jack McBrayer (voice of Fix-It Felix Jr.). Read on for a few of their most “shareable” stories!

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John C. Reilly on taking the beloved Wreck-It Ralph characters from the safe confines of their video games to the weird and wild world of the Internet:
“Wreck-It Ralph was initially even conceived as fish-out-of-water kind of character,” says Reilly. “And that was a lot of what we played with in the first film—how does Ralph behave, or how does any video-game character behave in a game that’s not his own? And then [in this film] the Internet is this literally infinite landscape… So there’s a lot of really fun metaphors that we were also playing with in the film. And this idea that the arcade is like a ‘childhood’ area for [Ralph and Vanellope’s] friendship, and the Internet represents this larger world beyond that—as they grow and mature… Ralph really works so hard to get a friend in that first movie. He’s like, ‘Got it! Rest of life, solved!’ And then Vanellope starts to grow and mature and realize that she wants to feel like she belongs somewhere that is not her candy game. So, I think a lot of kids and adults are finding a lot of stuff in the film that they can really [connect] to, in terms of the way relationships evolve… ”

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Members of the voice cast on the opportunity to record together:
“We do get to record together,” shares the voice behind Vanellope, Sarah Silverman. “[And] we get to improvise. [Directors Moore and Johnston] give us a lot of freedom—we collaborate a lot, and the script itself is so fantastic. It’s really fun. And I think they always book about an extra hour of time because we get real chatty!”

And Reilly, laughing, continues, “It was a real treat to get into the studio again with Sarah. In a way, our friendship has aged five years since the last film, so it tracks in a way with Ralph and Vanellope. Sarah’s not my only friend, but it was a real treat to be able to start at a place of intimacy with [her]—and with [directors] Phil and Rich and [co-writer] Pam… We learned how to work together in the first film. We built these characters and this story together so that when it came time to start this one, we could start from a very advanced place in terms of the kind of conversations we would have about the relationships and all that. And you can really see that in the film.”

“I think I was one of the first people to insist that we try to be in the room together as much as possible,” Reilly recalls, “because I know the way improv works—it works best in ‘real time.’ So yeah, there’s a ton of improvised stuff which Phil and Rich were very kind to just let us explore things every day. And one of the great joys of doing audio work is that there’s never the pressure of the sun going down.”

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Taraji P. Henson on fulfilling a life-long dream—and what makes Yesss such a fun character to portray:
“First of all, voicing a character in a Disney animated film…check! Thank you!”, Henson exclaimed. “I just thought Yesss was incredible. When Rich and Phil brought her to me and explained her, I was like ‘This is a no-brainer.’ I mean, she’s a go-getter, she’s the head of a company. She’s no-nonsense, she has heart. My favorite scene is when Ralph finds himself in the comment section, in the comment room, and she comes in and she tells him, ‘That’s not you, that’s them. They’re mean. They’re hurt, so they’re hurting you.’ It grounded the film for me, and it grounded the character for me—made her multi-dimensional… And then getting to [record my scenes] with these amazing other actors? I mean, it was just a no-brainer for me.”

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Silverman on Vanellope von Schweetz joining the “canon” of Disney Princesses, complete with an original song co-written by Disney Legend Alan Menken:
“It’s a thrill,” Silverman says. “The idea of Disney princesses, what makes them good is that they’ve grown and changed—that Disney has taken on progress and inclusivity and has grown and changed in positive ways… [And having a song in the film] was a dream come true. I couldn’t believe it. When Phil and Rich told me—we had already been recording for a while, and I couldn’t believe it. The music was written by Alan Menken and I got to meet him and work with him and rehearse with him… He wrote Little Shop of Horrors, one of my favorite musicals—and of course he’s this Disney icon… It was incredible. We recorded with a whole orchestra, like you see in old-timey movies. It was crazy! It was really a thrill of a lifetime.”

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Director Rich Moore, and Reilly, on what they hope audiences—especially kids—take away from the film:
“I always liked, when I was a kid, films that made me realize ‘I’m not the only one that does these kinds of things, or feels this way,’” says Moore. “Because… with a lot of these issues, even bullying, there’s a component of—it’s shameful, that we shouldn’t talk about it, that I’ve got to keep it to myself. And as a kid, when I would see a movie where a character was going through the same things that I was, it made me feel like ‘OK, I’m not alone. I’m not crazy, I’m not a freak—or the only person on Earth feeling these things.”

And Reilly agrees, adding, “I hope kids are entertained, [but that] they also feel like this story relates to them—and that they recognize themselves in these characters.”

Don’t miss Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Ralph Breaks the Internet, in U.S. theaters November 21!

Suitable for Framing: Mickey Portraits Through the Years

By Becky Cline

One of the first formal portraits of Mickey Mouse was painted by Disney Legend John Hench for a very special event—a tribute to the character’s 21st birthday that was published in a major article featured in Collier’s magazine on April 9, 1949. But it was in 1953 that the tradition of an “official” Mickey portrait began.

When Walt Disney encouraged a few studio artists to depict Mickey at age 25 and submit the art to him as a sort of internal contest, an oil painting by Hench, whose credits at the time ranged from background artist on Fantasia and Dumbo to color stylist on Cinderella and Peter Pan, won the day.

25th Birthday—1953

Mickey Mouse portraits

Mickey Mouse is seen in an office reminiscent of Walt’s. There is a world globe situated in the lower-right corner in front of a well-stocked in bookshelf. Mickey, dressed in his classic red shorts, white gloves, and yellow shoes, casually leans against a cupboard where a trophy cup and framed photo sit. John wrote in his seminal book Designing Disney, published by Disney Editions in 2003, “In deciding how to approach the portrait, I remembered the awards I had seen in Walt’s office, and thought of Mickey being recognized around the globe.”

Though not prominent, the globe is an important element. According to the artist, “As an animated character, Mickey reflects Walt’s caring and understanding of people. People relate to him emotionally, as a personality. As a result, he has become a part of not only American but worldwide folklore, as well.”

50th Birthday—1978

Mickey Mouse portraits

For Mickey’s 50th birthday in 1978, Hench again was asked to provide an official portrait, and for this depiction, Hench decided that it was important to show Mickey engaged in the Company’s newest projects.

“For Mickey’s 50th birthday portrait, I posed him in front of the original EPCOT model,” Hench said. Walt Disney World Resort had opened in 1971, and the Company was in the midst of designing its third theme park, EPCOT Center, which would open four years in the future, in 1982.

“The shadow that Mickey casts over the model was essential,” Hench said. “Mickey’s shadow lets the viewer know that they are looking at a model, and not through a big picture window at a distance view of EPCOT.”

60th Birthday—1988

Mickey Mouse portraits

“For Mickey’s 60th birthday portrait, our intention was to announce The Walt Disney Company’s new ventures in Paris,” Hench said. This portrait shows a new backdrop, that of an office wall with framed photos of some of Mickey’s most popular roles and his friend, Minnie.

“I began with the idea of marking the newest spot that demonstrated Mickey’s ever-growing worldwide influence. I decided to use a globe as a prop, with a miniature French flag pinpointing the location of the new park. Over the years, Mickey’s personality unfolded and matured just like a real human being’s. As a cartoon character, we have been able to give him the human qualities that Walt sought in animation. Of all the Disney cartoon characters, Mickey best symbolizes growth.”

70th Birthday—1998

Mickey Mouse portraits

“For Mickey’s 70th birthday portrait, I seated Mickey on a high stool to suggest his eternal youthfulness,” Hench said, “and dressed him in an orange sweater like Walt’s favorite old work sweater.”

In the portrait Mickey is reading a selection of birthday cards including those from his old pals Goofy, Donald, and Horace Horsecollar. But the most notable object in the portrait is the portrait-within-a-portrait that can be seen over Mickey’s shoulder.

“Behind Mickey, I painted a portrait of Walt. I tried hard to get a good likeness,” Hench said. “Optimism is the sustaining quality of Mickey’s character and conveys a feeling of hope to others. Walt’s uncanny connection to the audience allowed him the opportunity to define a character that touched the hearts of almost everyone.”

75th Birthday—2003

Mickey Mouse portraits

In 2003, an amazing 54 years after his first venture into Mickey portraiture, Hench created his final celebration of Mickey’s birthday. Just as in that early portrait of Mickey produced in 1949, Mickey pulls back a curtain to present a globe. This time, it is positioned to show Asia, with a Mickey flag prominently pinned at the site of the future Hong Kong park. In the windows behind are celebratory fireworks featuring a small “75” high in the sky.

According to Hench, “Walt chose to develop the art of animation and the theme parks around classic tales that appeal to all of us and transcend our differences”–a sentiment that will always keep Mickey in the hearts of millions around the world.

80th Birthday—2008

Mickey Mouse portraits

In 2008, Art Director Paul Felix was selected through another internal “contest” to create the next in a line of official portraits for Mickey and came up with a beautiful depiction. Like Hench, Felix focused on Mickey’s global reach, depicting him as a “playful boy” painting a smile on the world.

Also like Hench, Felix chose a technique that was inspired by Maxfield Parrish’s paintings–layering oils to create a contrast of light and dark areas.

“Just like people everywhere, I love the little-boy spirit in him that I sensed when I was a little boy,” Felix said. “And the idea of an active Mickey appealed to me from the outset because he’s visually more appealing when he’s posed with attitude. I pushed his pose considerably and tried a few versions with even more attitude—Mickey spinning the globe on his finger, balancing on top of it while painting, and so forth. The sketch process was a great exercise, because there’s always a better way to stage a drawing, no matter how many you’ve done.”

The result is a portrait of enduring simplicity and great charm.

Watch the creation of the newest Mickey Portrait here.

Must See Rare Robin Hood Artwork from Disney’s ARL

By Fox Carney

On November 8, 1973, Robin Hood premiered, capturing the hearts of audiences all over the world. To celebrate 45 years of this classic film, Disney’s Animation Research Library has opened its vaults, sharing some incredible artwork and stories behind the making of the film. Please enjoy as we take a trip back to Nottingham to celebrate this positively medieval anniversary!

1. Allan-A-Dale
The catchy tune “Ooh-De-Lally” was composed by Roger Miller, who was one of the most popular country-western composer/singers of the late 1960s. Production documents show Miller, voicing the minstrel rooster Allan-A-Dale, recorded the demo to “Oh-De-Lally” on October 13, 1969. Though a number of other renditions were recorded, including a more “countrified” version, in addition to another version recorded by Miller in June of 1970, the filmmakers eventually chose the original demo recording in the final tracks of the movie and on the film’s soundtrack.

Robin Hood artwork from ARL
Robin Hood (1973), Disney Studio Artist. Concept artwork, such as this ink and watercolor piece of the minstrel rooster, was created to capture the moments, the characters and the moods of Robin Hood.

2. Early thoughts about a story for a fox
In the late 1930s, Walt Disney was intrigued by the possibilities of adapting into animation the 12th Century tale of Reynard the Fox, but was concerned “the central character is a crook.” The project was subsequently shelved. It was revived in the mid-1950s and again in 1960. Marc Davis and Ken Anderson created many lavish and lush concept pieces and story sketches for the latter effort until that, too, was shelved. The character of Reynard was simply a scoundrel. Anderson would continue, in the late 1960s, to help develop what would eventually be a successful animated film featuring an appealing fox of derring-do, Robin Hood (1973).

Robin Hood artwork from ARL
“Chanticleer” (unproduced) circa 1960, Marc Davis

3. Live-action or animated?
Concept art is created to develop the characters, moods, and moments in a film. In the creative process, artists will often experiment with different ideas as they arise. During the production of Robin Hood (1973), one artist created ink and marker renditions of Robin and Marian as foxes and as humans.

Robin Hood artwork from ARL
Robin Hood (1973), Disney Studio Artist
Robin Hood artwork from ARL
Robin Hood (1973), Disney Studio Artist

4. The voice of Robin Hood
Though the voices of Little John, the Sherriff of Nottingham, and Prince John may be familiar, the casting for the voice of the title character of Robin Hood was not an easy task. British pop star and Disney veteran of The Happiest Millionaire (1967) Tommy Steele was initially thought to be an ideal voice. However, filmmakers felt his performance too exuberant and lacking in the leadership qualities for the character of Robin they conceived. Other actors who tested included former Monkee Davy Jones, Bill Bixby, Rob Reiner, Richard Dawson, Ken Berry, and Dean Jones. However, after Disney personnel saw Tony Award winner Brian Bedford onstage in Los Angeles, they brought him in to test in May 1971. Bedford’s voice conveyed the charm, heroism, and romance the filmmaker’s hoped for—all with a dash of self-mocking humor. They knew they had their Robin Hood at last.

Robin Hood artwork from ARL
Robin Hood (1973), Disney Studio Artist

5. One of the inspirations on the take of Robin Hood
According to Ken Anderson, who was key in helping bring the characters and the story for Robin Hood to life, one of the main influences in the late 1960s—when the film was being developed—was the critical and popular success of the live-action film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). The filmmakers envisioned Robin and Little John as animated counterparts to the characters of Butch and Sundance respectively. Robbing (or should we say “borrowing”) from the rich and giving to the poor, Robin and Little John would be outlaws with hearts of gold…mostly Prince John’s gold.

Robin Hood artwork from ARL
Robin Hood (1973), Disney Studio Artist

 

New Star Wars and Marvel Series Coming to Disney+ Streaming Service

By Beth Deitchman

There’s breaking news from across the worlds of Disney, beginning with Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger just revealed during a live audio webcast of Disney’s fiscal full year and fourth quarter 2018 financial results that the name of Disney’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service is Disney+.

Disney+ is scheduled to launch in the U.S. in late 2019, and we’re beyond excited about two new series that were announced today.

Lucasfilm is developing a second Star Wars live-action series for Disney+, in addition to the already-announced series, The Mandalorian, to be executive produced by Jon Favreau. The series will follow the adventures of Rebel spy Cassian Andor, a role originated in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by Diego Luna, who will star in the new series as well. “Going back to the Star Wars universe is very special for me,” said Luna. “I have so many memories of the great work we did together and the relationships I made throughout the journey. We have a fantastic adventure ahead of us, and this new exciting format will give us the chance to explore this character more deeply.” The new series, which will be set during the formative years of the Rebellion and prior to the events of the 2016 film, goes into production next year and is described as a “rousing spy thriller [that] will explore tales filled with espionage and daring missions to restore hope to a galaxy in the grip of a ruthless Empire.” We’re already hooked! Stay tuned to StarWars.com and D23 for more details as they’re announced.

Today Bob Iger also confirmed that Marvel is indeed in development on a series for Disney+ that will star Tom Hiddleston. We’re thrilled that the rumor of a live-action series centered around Loki isn’t just more mischief from the fan-favorite trickster from Asgard.

These two series are the latest additions to our Disney+ must-watch list, which includes a glorious return to East High in High School Musical: The Musical, an animated series set in the world of Monsters Inc.,and The Mandalorian, a scripted live-action Star Wars series that takes place after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. Jon Favreau is writing and executive producing, and The Mandalorian features a stellar slate of directors such as Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates), and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok).

Of course, we know there’s so much more to come and we can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned to D23.com as we eagerly await the launch of Disney+!

Visit DisneyPlus.com to register your email and be kept up to date on the service.

Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas and #ShareYourEars—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

There’s a partridge in Freeform’s proverbial pear tree, and Disney fans are invited to #ShareYourEars for Make-A-Wish… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

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Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas—Coming Soon!

It’s true—Halloween was only last week, and we’re still finishing up some leftover candy… but we’d be lying if we didn’t admit we’ve already donned some jingle bells and are ready for the holidays to begin! So we were tickled red and green to see all the amazing holiday-related news coming from Freeform this week, including a brand-new trailer for their upcoming original movie Life-Size 2—part of their 25 Days of Christmas programming event. Thankfully, D23 has the clip; click here to check it out!

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But the return of Eve (Tyra Banks, reprising her role from the 2000 TV movie Life-Size) on Sunday, December 2, at 9 p.m. EST/PST, isn’t the only merry magic we can expect from Freeform in December! Look for the Pop Up Santa Holiday Special, a heartwarming 90-minute event hosted by Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings’ Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker on Monday, December 3; the debut of Freeform’s original holiday romantic comedy No Sleep ’Til Christmas on Monday, December 10; and make sure to put the “holla” in holidays with Freeform Santa (Shadowhunters star Isaiah Mustafa) by following his hilarious exploits on social media.

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For more on 25 Days of Christmas, visit Freeform.com.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
November 10, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
November 16-18, 2018
Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse
November 18, 2018
Celebrate Mickey’s 90th birthday in NYC!
December 8, 2018
Mickey’s of Glendale – Holiday Shopping 2018
December 9, 2018
D23’s Light Up the Season – 2018
December 15, 2018
D23’s Grand Gingerbread Workshop
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
Parks
August 30-November 12, 2018
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Summer 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at Disneyland Resort
Fall 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort
Studios
November 21, 2018
Ralph Breaks the Internet opens in U.S. theaters
December 19, 2018
Mary Poppins Returns opens in U.S. theaters
March 8, 2019
Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel opens in U.S. theaters
March 29, 2019
Dumbo opens in U.S. theaters
April 19, 2019
Penguins opens in U.S. theaters
June 21, 2019
Toy Story 4 opens in U.S. theaters
Television
November 29, 2018
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration airs on ABC (9–11 p.m. EST)
December 1, 2018
Disney Parks Presents a 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Party airs on Disney Channel (8-8:30 p.m. EST)
December 2, 2018
Life Size 2 premieres on Freeform (9–11 p.m. EST/PST)
December 8, 2018
Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic airs on Freeform (8–9 p.m. EST/PST)
December 25, 2018
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade airs on ABC (10 a.m.–12 p.m. EST, 9–11 a.m. CST/MST/PST, airtimes vary, check local listings)

news briefs 11/7

Dreams Realized with Make-A-Wish® and #ShareYourEars

For the last four decades, Disney has partnered with Make-A-Wish to grant wishes for hundreds of thousands of kids—and now, you can once again be part of the magic! Disney’s Share Your Ears campaign is back; through November 17, for every public photo posted on social media of you donning some kind of Mickey Mouse ears—using the hashtag #ShareYourEars—Disney will make a donation to Make-A-Wish. Read more about this fun (and truly meaningful) initiative right here at D23.com.

Ralph Breaks the Internet: Go Inside “BuzzzTube” with Yesss

Wreck-It Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) are almost ready to take audiences on a hilarious trip down the information superhighway in Ralph Breaks the Internet—coming to a theater near you in just a few weeks. We’ve got another fun sneak-peek clip to help tide us over; this time, we (along with Ralph and Vanellope) meet Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm of trend-making website “BuzzzTube.” Check it out, above.

Ralph Breaks the Internet follows along as Ralph and Vanellope leave the safe, comfortable confines of Litwak’s Arcade in an attempt to save Vanellope’s “Sugar Rush” game. Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the Internet, where they rely on that world’s unique (and often hilarious) “Netizens” to help navigate their way. Also featuring the voices of Gal Gadot, Alan Tudyk, Jane Lynch, and Jack McBrayer, Ralph Breaks the Internet beams into a theater near you November 21. And don’t forget: Tickets are already on sale, so go ahead and make those Thanksgiving weekend movie plans now!

Jingle All the Way with New Holiday Specials on ABC and Disney Channel

Fire up the hearth and put some extra marshmallows in that mug of hot chocolate… December will be positively chockablock with Disney holiday fun! Case in point: Three all-new holiday specials coming to ABC and Disney Channel, beginning Thursday, November 29. Stay off the naughty list by checking out what you can expect from said specials here at D23.com.

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Bobby Bones Joins ABC’s American Idol as In-House Mentor

He’s a fan favorite on this season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and now he’s becoming a more permanent member of the ABC family!

Radio personality Bobby Bones is set to join ABC’s American Idol as the show’s in-house mentor. Last season, Bobby joined the Top 24 Idol hopefuls as they prepared to take the stage with their all-star celebrity duet partners. In his expanded role this coming season, the National Radio Hall of Fame inductee will offer his industry expertise throughout the competition—helping contenders reach the next level of their artistry and performances.

Auditions to find the next go-round of American Idol are currently underway, overseen by returning judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. Look for more American Idol news as it becomes available…

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ICYMI: All the Best Moments from Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

D23 was lucky enough to help celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90 years of magic by attending the taping of ABC’s recent Mickey’s 90th Spectacular television special. Access all our behind-the-scenes goodies by checking out our rundown of the special’s most memorable moments.

Making Spirits Bright—Overnight!—at Magic Kingdom Park

It won’t surprise you to learn that, once Halloween is through, the good folks at Walt Disney World Resort (and all Disney Parks, in fact) set to work immediately to prepare for the holidays. It takes literally thousands of cast members to make spirits bright in just a few nights! Wondering how they do it? Thanks to our friends at the Disney Parks Blog, we have a glimpse of just what went into switching from “Halloween” to “holidays” this year. Take a look, above.

Don’t forget that you can see the Magic Kingdom sparkle and shine in person by attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the incredible special event kicking off this week and running (on select nights) through December 21. For more information on all the (separately-ticketed) fun, visit DisneyWorld.com.

The First Life-Size 2 Trailer is Here!

By Karina Schink

Your favorite doll from the Sunshine State is back! Freeform’s original feature Life-Size 2 is premiering on December 2, but you don’t have to wait until then to get your Eve-fix. The first official trailer is here!

In Life-Size 2 Grace Manning (Francia Raisa) is the 20-something CEO of Marathon Toys, a huge toy company started by her mother that is most famous for manufacturing the iconic Eve doll. Grace is also in the middle of her quarter-life crisis, realizing she is in over her head as CEO. To make matters worse, her wild-child ways are causing the company’s stock to plummet. With the help of her young next-door neighbor, Grace’s Eve doll (Tyra Banks) magically awakens to help get Grace back on track and give her the confidence to be the woman and leader Eve knows Grace can be.

Be sure to tune in on Sunday, December 2 (9 – 11 p.m. EST/PST) to catch Life-Size 2 on Freeform.

The Winter Issue of Disney twenty-three Is Practically Perfect in Every Way

If you can’t wait until December, when the world’s most beloved nanny will fly back into our lives, we have just the spoonful of sugar you need: an early look at Mary Poppins Returns in our winter issue of Disney twenty-three, the quarterly publication exclusive to D23 Gold Members. While visiting the London set of the Rob Marshall-helmed movie musical, we spoke exclusively with the director as well as the film’s stars, Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Plus, readers will get a look at the beautiful new book Practically Poppins in Every Way, which chronicles the character on the page, in song, on the big screen, and on Broadway.

And before Poppins returns, another Disney favorite is returning when Ralph Breaks the Internet hits screens this Thanksgiving. Directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston and Vanellope herself, Sarah Silverman, guide us through the excitement Wreck-It Ralph will face in the wacky and wild World Wide Web. And the back cover of the new issue features an exclusive image created for D23 of the duo (lovingly) wrecking the Disney twenty-three logo.

The first Mickey Mouse-themed ride-through attraction is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year, and the Imagineers behind Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway offer up exciting new details about the exhilarating exploits that will await guests (and the beloved pair) when they climb aboard this thrilling attraction. Plus, the creative minds behind the hotly anticipated video game Kingdom Hearts III reveal what’s to come from the latest installment of the epic adventure, which, for the first time in forever, opens up the worlds of Pixar and Frozen in spectacular ways.

And this December, join us for our annual D23 days of Christmas, our celebration of the holidays with original stories, videos, crafts, recipes, and downloadables. We’re excited to announce that this year’s theme celebrates Mickey’s Christmas Carol, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year! To kick off the fun, we sat down with animator Mark Henn and Disney Legend Burny Mattinson to talk about the making of the heartwarming classic. Plus, the issue offers a look at how guests can enjoy Disney parks holiday magic—including unique Christmas trees delivered right to their doors at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts—as well as a photographic journey through the annual Disney Parks Christmas Parade, which is celebrating three decades of bringing cheer to fans on ABC.

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

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

Learn more about D23 Gold Membership here.

Did You Notice These Dazzling Details in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms?

By Beth Deitchman

The story of an enchanted nutcracker, a curious young girl and a menacing mouse king has captivated audiences for literally centuries, since E.T.A. Hoffman penned the iconic tale. But Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is not the story that you know. It’s a magical reimagining that takes 14-year-old Clara Stahlbaum (played by Mackenzie Foy)—a science whiz at a time when girls weren’t likely to be interested in making things and building things—into a strange and magical world that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

The parallel world that Clara enters springs from the sketchbooks of Academy Award®-nominated and BAFTA-winning production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas (Inception), who says that he looked to his inner child as he approached the film’s visual look, asking himself, “What would I want to see? What would be a spectacular way to render this world for everybody when they’re in that same head space?” Dyas took D23 on a guided tour through the new film’s breathtaking lands and revealed a host of hidden treasures to discover in the stunningly detailed sets.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

LAND OF FLOWERS

With more than 2 million individual CG flowers, turning windmills and a CG cobbled street, you can almost smell the fragrant Land of Flowers as you journey there with Clara. As he imagined the land, Dyas put tremendous thought into what the land’s inhabitants would be like. As a result, the Land of Flowers has a thriving perfume industry, and the residents also work closely with beeswax and honey. “The basis for the costumes in the Land of Flowers were Victorian beekeeping costumes,” Dyas reveals, adding, “If you look really hard, you’re going to see beehives in the backgrounds and elements of that.”

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

LAND OF SNOWFLAKES

The northernmost land was conceived with a very specific function. “It was designed as a giant iceberg that had broken away and drifted down, wedged itself into the norther part of the fantasy peninsula and is slowly melting,” Dyas says. The runoff from the melting ice creates the lake from which the palace rises, and also creates the waterfall that drives the water wheels that power the palace. The Land of Snowflakes is inhabited by aristocrats, Dyas explains, who provide pure ice and water to the world—a most valuable commodity.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

LAND OF SWEETS

Dyas describes the Land of Sweets as almost “Dickensian,” though in addition to smokestacks and chimneysweeps you’ll also see candy-colored smoke and people spinning taffy in the streets. The buildings might evoke Germany of the 16th century, though Dyas notes, “All the buildings are made of these incredible hard-boiled candies and sweets.” As a result of all of the sugary-sweet details found everywhere you look, he jokes, the Land of Sweets is also home to its fair share of dentists.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

THE FOURTH REALM

To create a home for Mother Ginger, Dyas says, “I started on the journey of clearing my head and going into those nightmarish moments that you have as a child and trying to think what would be incredibly frightening.” Though Mother Ginger is essentially a giant in the E.T.A. Hoffman tale, Dyas wanted to stay closer to reality. With Helen Mirren in mind, Dyas designed what he saw as a 30-foot marionette that would function as a kind of tank or vehicle Mother Ginger could control. “She was up in the torso of this very scary, steampunk-like marionette, controlling it with a big, booming voice and little slots where she could peek and see what was going on,” says Dyas of Mother Ginger’s lair. The Fourth Realm is intended to evoke the feeling of an abandoned fairground, “one of the saddest things you’ll ever see,” says Dyas.

Dyas, who began his career more than 20 years ago working in visual effects at Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic, believes beyond all doubt that he has the best job in the world. “I get paid to sketch things and watch them come to life,” he says, sharing that for him, the nervousness comes at the end when he watches the film with an audience. “You are in the dark and you get to listen to hundreds of people’s reactions to that world [you designed], and you hope it’s going to be awe and excitement and appreciation.” And from the small details carved into Clara’s Fabergé egg-inspired music box to the towering and timeworn carousel of the Fourth Realm, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ stunning details take us on a delightful journey of discovery alongside our heroine.

Every Magical Moment from Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

By Beth Deitchman

Our 90 years with Mickey Mouse have been a gift, each filled with laughter, with smiles and with hope. Of course as humble as he is, Mickey would never expect anything in return but, doggone it, someone at least had to try to show Mickey how much he is loved and appreciated.  The two-hour primetime special Mickey’s 90th Spectacular was a star-studded gala event that celebrated the mouse of the hour in song, dance, and tributes that came straight from the heart. We were inside the Shrine Auditorium for the filming, which aired last night on ABC, and it was filled with so many magical, memorable moments that Mickey—and we—won’t forget.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Drummers suspended in mid-air… dancers wielding illuminated lightsticks with Jedi-worthy technique… and Fitz and the Tantrums’ infectious, upbeat song “HandClap”… Mickey’s 90th Spectacular kicked off with an opening number that couldn’t possibly have been more exciting—that is, until Mickey joined the troupe. You’ve never seen the mouse move like this before!

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Kristen Bell shared the story of the journey that has taken Mickey from his beginnings in Walt’s studio to pop-culture icon and a truly “universal friend.”

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Dressed in a gossamer blue gown, Sofia Carson appeared to have stepped out of a fairy tale to serenade Mickey with the beloved song “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Mickey’s feet tapped right along with ours during the Zac Brown Band’s performance of “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Following Kelsea Ballerini’s salute to Mickey’s musical talents, the guest of honor proved her 200-percent right. Mickey sat in on drums for a rollicking rendition of “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin. We’ve never quite had a friend like Mickey—nor have we ever had a drummer like him either!

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Real-life couple Anna Camp and Skylar Astin shared the heartwarming love story of Mickey and Minnie before Mickey’s leading lady made her grand entrance. Our hearts melted when Mickey asked Minnie to join him to watch the festivities, sweetly informing her, “I saved you a seat.” Minnie’s reply was equally romantic: “There’s no place I’d rather be,” she stated without a moment’s hesitation.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

The music that followed was so inspiring there was no way Mickey and Minnie could keep from dancing. Tori Kelly’s performance of “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas provided the perfect soundtrack to a moving dance from our favorite couple.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

The crowd inside the Shrine Auditorium was thrilled when K-Pop band NCT 127 took the stage and launched into their hit “Regular,” but the cheers went to a positively stratospheric level when the band revealed a special guest joining their infectious singing and dancing: Mickey Mouse himself.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Meghan Trainor serenaded our best pal with the iconic Toy Story theme song, “You’ve Got A Friend in Me,” accompanied on piano by her dad, who she referred to as her own best friend.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Josh Gad proved his lifelong love for Mickey when he dug through a box filled with mementos from his childhood to reveal a classic—and super-sized—ear hat. Now the father of two loves sharing the Mickey magic with a new generation of Disney fans: his daughters.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

The Grammy®-winning artist who gave us the massive worldwide hit “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi, performed his new single, “Imposible.” And as the song drew to a close, Mickey changed into his own sneakers—yellow, of course—and showed off yet more fancy footwork alongside Minnie, Fonsi and his dancers.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Actor John Stamos reminded us of more of the many ways Mickey brings happiness and inspiration to people all around the world, from surprise visits to patients in children’s hospitals to whistling while he works alongside Disney VoluntEARS.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Leslie Odom Jr., Tony® and Grammy® winner for Broadway’s Hamilton, performed a stirring version of “When You Wish Upon a Star” that had the audience hanging on his every word.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

And how does one celebrate Mickey as the Leader of the Club? By inviting the Mouseketeers to join in the fun, naturally! Mouseketeers Bob Burgess and Sharon Baird from the original Mickey Mouse Club television show appeared on stage to offer their best wishes to Mickey. But it turns out they weren’t the only Mousketeers in the Shrine Auditorium: Sofia Carson inducted everyone in the audience into the club, as well! We were all given special Mickey Mouse ears debuting for the occasion—either a traditional ear hat, with a special print in honor of Mickey’s 90th and ears that light up; or a dazzling gold headband with a detachable black bow—and we joined Sofia and a massive choir to sing a joyful chorus of The Mickey Mouse Club theme song. Hey there, hi there, ho there, indeed!

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger honored Mickey, a true original, and brought all of Mickey’s friends to the stage for a spectacular grand finale. With Daisy, Donald, Pluto and Goofy joining Minnie and the stars of the evening, Mickey beamed from atop the biggest cake we’ve ever seen as the crowd gave him a well-deserved standing ovation. It was an incredible end to a perfect celebration of Disney’s brightest star.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Mickey’s big day is just a few weeks away, on November 18, and we’ve got so much more celebrating to do! Stay tuned to D23 for all the ways to join in on the #Mickey90 merriment.

Share Your Ears and Help Make Wishes Come True

Got an ear hat? A rose gold ear headband? How about a couple of softballs, donuts, or any other round objects that may be in your midst? It’s time to grab your camera, strike a pose, and #ShareYourEars!

For 40 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to grant more than 130,000 wishes for kids with critical illnesses, and the Share Your Ears campaign allows everyone to join in and help make new wishes come true. From now through November 17, every public photo of your most classic or creative “Mickey Mouse ears” posted to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter—using the hashtag #ShareYourEars—unlocks a donation by Disney of US $5 (up to a total of $2 million) to Make-A-Wish.

The Share Your Ears campaign officially kicked off last night during Mickey’s 90th Spectacular, ABC’s star-studded special celebrating the mouse that started it all. Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts appeared in a segment that spotlighted the significance of wish granting. “Make-A-Wish does such vital work and I am excited to be part of an initiative that will help make wishes come true for even more children,” said Roberts.

If you’re looking for some ear-spiration, stop by your local Disney store (U.S. and Canada only) through November 17 to decorate a pair of paper Mickey Mouse ears, then pose inside the special #ShareYourEars photo frame, and share your picture on social media.

Inside Disney parks, there will be an earbundance of opportunities to share your ears, including special themed photo walls at select locations created exclusively for #ShareYourEars by Walt Disney Imagineering. Aboard Disney Cruise Line, look for a special onboard photo op using iconic ship elements as a backdrop to provide the famous ears.

“It is a tremendous honor to support children whose wish is to come to Disney. Wish granting exemplifies the magic our 160,000 cast members and Imagineers create for guests all over the world every day,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, who recently joined the Make-A-Wish America board of directors. “With this third Share Your Ears campaign, we’ll get to make a difference in the lives of even more children and families.”

Stars from ABC, Disney Channel, Freeform, and even ESPN will be sharing their ears across multiple platforms and encouraging viewers and fans to do the same.

Share Your Ears is part of the Disney Team of Heroes philanthropic initiative and outreach program to deliver comfort and inspiration to families around the world, which launched in March 2018 with the announcement of Disney’s five-year, US $100 million commitment to reinvent the patient and family experience in children’s hospitals, and Disney is working with children’s wish-granting organizations around the world to fulfill wishes for children facing critical illnesses. Visit ShareYourEars.org for more information.

How are you going to #ShareYourEars? Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and let us know.