Breaking Parks News: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Revelations, New Attractions, and More!

November 17, 2018November 17, 2018

By Jocelyn Bulman

We’re having a blast at Disney’s Contemporary Resort kicking off Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, our weekend-long birthday party for our favorite true original! Of course, a celebration this big deserves some big announcements! Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, shared exciting new details surrounding highly anticipated experiences coming soon to Disney Parks. “We are currently in the midst of one of the most extraordinary periods of expansion in our history,” Chapek said. “We are always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible as we deliver world-class experiences and attractions, new hotels and entertainment, itineraries and destinations for our guests.”

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Attraction Names Revealed
From the seasoned Jedi Master to the youngest Padawan learner, we’ve been waiting with baited breath for the newest Disney Parks land to enter our galaxy ever since we first heard about it at D23 Expo 2015. And while summer and fall 2019 still seem like a long time from now, we found out some news that makes the wait a little easier.

Destination D guests were the first to see Chapek reveal the names (and a stunning first-ever inside look) of the two signature attractions set for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be landing in Disney Parks near you when they open at Disneyland Resort next summer and at Walt Disney World Resort in fall 2019, respectively. Get a first look at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in the video below:

On Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, guests join in an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance—including a face-off with the sinister Kylo Ren himself! Both of the new, incredible experiences, paired with the land’s interactive components and optional integration with the Play Disney Parks app, will invite guests to become galactic travelers and live their own Star Wars stories in a galaxy far, far away.

One of the most iconic parts of any Star Wars story is the gorgeous score—that’s why Academy Award^®-winning composer John Williams is creating original Star Wars themes exclusively for these lands, recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Guests of Destination D were some of the first to preview this thrilling new music.

Guests also saw an out-of-this-world sneak peek at the groundbreaking Star Wars resort coming to Walt Disney World Resort outside the borders of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This multi-day, fully immersive adventure will take guests aboard a luxury starship with all the features expected of a first-class hotel, including dining, recreation, and accommodations, all with the fun and flair you’d expect from the Star Wars universe.

More Mickey, More Fun at Disney Parks Everywhere
It’s not Mickey’s 90th without some announcements about the big cheese himself! We can’t wait to ride on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in 2019 and explore the world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts. The first-ever ride-through attraction to feature Mickey Mouse, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway features breakthrough technology to transform a two-dimensional cartoon into an amazing real-world experience with a brand-new story and lovable theme song.

There’s even more Mickey to see at Disney Parks! Disneyland Resort is keeping the fun going with Get Your Ears On—A Mickey and Minnie Celebration, which will bring new entertainment, food and merchandise to the resort. Plus, on January 18, “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will light up the night at Disneyland Park with all-new music, projections and lasers that set the scene for an epic dance party that takes over almost the entire park. Of course, we can’t celebrate Mickey without the return of a fan-favorite. The party will get even bigger when Mickey’s Soundsational Parade returns to the resort in January 2019 featuring an all-new float with Mickey himself, who will lead the celebration down Main Street, U.S.A.

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World in 2019, you can join in the celebration from January 18 to September 30 with Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom. Featuring new food, merchandise, and entertainment, including a new dance party with Mickey, Minnie, and their friends, and a chance to meet Mickey and Minnie together in their new birthday outfits, this is one party you can’t miss.

Animation fans, you’re going to want to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year! Chapek also announced an all-new cinematic nighttime experience, Wonderful World of Animation, coming May 1 as part of the 30th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show will use state-of-the-art technology to take guests on a magical journey through more than 90 years of Disney animation, all beginning with—of course—Mickey Mouse himself.

On the high seas, Disney Cruise Line will welcome Mickey & Minnie Surprise Party at Sea, an all-new high-energy deck party on the Disney Fantasy next summer.

Adding to the excitement, Chapek shared a look at the recently opened Mickey: The True Original Exhibition in New York City. The exhibition provides visitors with an interactive experience inspired by Mickey’s impact on popular culture, from Instagram-worthy design elements to larger-than-life multimedia installations. The exhibition runs through February 10, 2019, and tickets can be purchased at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.

Epcot’s Amazing Transformation
All eyes will be on Epcot in the upcoming years, with amazing new experiences sure to wow every Disney fan. We already knew about the Ratatouille-themed attraction coming to the France Pavilion in World Showcase, but Chapek revealed that the attraction’s name will be Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Guests will also enjoy a brand-new Beauty and the Beast sing-along, created by Don Hahn, producer of the animated and live-action Beauty and the Beast films. There will also be an update to the O Canada! 360-degree show.

Your nights at Epcot are about to get a little brighter, as Chapek announced that nighttime spectacular IllumiNations will have an all-new, transformative spectacular set to debut in 2020. It will celebrate how Disney music can inspire people from around the world, featuring massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, and lasers. Before that new show debuts, there will be a limited-time experience Epcot fans will love, called Epcot Forever, a true celebration of this timeless park. Debuting in fall 2019 and set to classic Epcot tunes, the show begins with a spark of imagination that quickly grows into an epic spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers, and choreographed, special-effects kites.

A Skyliner Sneak Peek
Since it was announced at D23 Expo 2017, we’ve been dreaming of the Disney Skyliner that is set to transport guests to their favorite Walt Disney World Resort location starting in fall 2019. For the first time ever, we got an in-person look at the Disney Skyliner gondolas, featuring our pals Mickey and Minnie!

The World’s Biggest #ShareYourEars Photo
The audience also celebrated Disney’s #ShareYourEars campaign by participating in a group photo, led by Chapek and Mickey Mouse. Chapek announced yesterday that Disney will add a second phase to the #ShareYourEars campaign in honor of Mickey’s 90th Anniversary. From November 18-27, participants can take a photo showing off their “Mickey Mouse ears”—or any creative “ears”—and upload it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. For every public post with #ShareYourEars, Disney will donate US $5 to Make-A-Wish®, up to US $1 million, for a total of up to US $3 million. This is the third year in a row that Disney has run this campaign with Make-A-Wish to grant even more wishes.

Two New Resorts Full of Disney Magic
During his presentation, Chapek unveiled details about Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge, a deluxe, nature-inspired resort coming to Orlando that will feature more than 900 hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club villas.

Chapek also offered a sneak peek at Disney’s Riviera Resort, inspired by the European grandeur Walt Disney experienced in his travels along the Mediterranean coastline. Projected to open in fall 2019, this proposed resort will be the 15th Disney Vacation Club property.

We can’t wait to see all these new attractions, experiences, and adventures in person at Disney Parks across the globe! Keep up with all the news via our friends at the Disney Parks Blog and, of course, right here on D23.com!

Every Swell Moment from Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse

November 16, 2018November 21, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

It’s time! This weekend, we’re throwing the ultimate party for Mickey Mouse at Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, taking place from now until Sunday, November 18 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. We’re sharing every amazing moment from this fan-favorite weekend right here with live updates throughout the event. Plus, see even more of the fun by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Oh, boy!

Check out a video recap of the celebration, and read on to see every amazing moment from the event.

Friday, November 16

Are You Ready for a FAN-tastic Year?
In 2019, we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary with a lineup of events overflowing with Disney magic. Grab your calendar and start planning, because you can see which events you can’t miss here.

Mickey’s Magical Kingdoms
Our friends at the Walt Disney Archives have once again curated an amazing exhibit just for Destination D. Explore Mickey’s immeasurable influence at Disney Parks around the world with amazing photos from the exhibit here.

Saturday, November 17

“…it was all started by a mouse” with Bob Chapek
Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, shared some exciting news about Walt Disney World’s highly anticipated attractions. Click here for the names of two attractions coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a special look at Disney’s Skyliner, the reimagined IllumiNations, and more!

A Mouse in Shorts: Animating Mickey Through the Years
Legendary film producer Don Hahn, master Disney animator Mark Henn, and animation legend John Pomeroy looked back at the animators who defined Mickey’s career, and peeked behind the scenes of some of his most famous roles, including Steamboat Willie and Get a Horse!

Weird Disney: The Early Mickey Years
The fan-favorite “Weird Disney” panel returned with an extra special Mickey-themed show, where Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline revealed some of the wildest and wackiest Mickey moments, merchandise, and more! Guests marveled at the strange and bizarre from Mickey’s early years, including this still from the Fanchon and Marco Vaudeville show, “Mickey Mouse Idea,” from the 1930s.

Voices of the “Fab 3”
Voice actors Bret Iwan (voice of Mickey Mouse) and Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy and Pluto), along with host Ashley Eckstein (a voice actress herself, best known as Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels), reflected on the voices of Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto through the years, sharing their own personal insights on voicing some of the world’s most iconic characters for films, Disney Parks, video games, and more.

Archiving the ShowMouse of the World
Disney archivists Kevin Kern and Mike Buckhoff took us on a thrilling journey through Mickey’s 90 years, showcasing special items from the Walt Disney Archives representing key moments in Mickey’s illustrious career.

Collecting Mickey, the True Original
From the first Mickey Mouse wristwatch to the fashion collaborations of today, Mickey has always been in style. We were treated to a special look at the past, present, and future of Mickey Mouse collectibles (and now have many more items on our holiday wish lists).

Mickey at the Movies
Legendary producer Don Hahn paid tribute to Mickey’s cinematic legacy, sharing rare clips of many of his biggest—and lesser known—movie moments! Mickey’s most famous cinematic appearance may be his spellbinding turn as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice in Fantasia, but we got to look at some of his other starring roles, such as The Prince and the Pauper, Fun and Fancy Free, Hollywood Party, and more.

An Evening of Music with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
In the evening, we took a jolly holiday with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the award-winning songwriters behind the music of Disney’s all-new original musical sequel, Mary Poppins Returns. We were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the new film—including a special video featuring Mary Poppins Returns star Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt sharing a favorite memory from making the film, before Marc Shaiman performed some of the film’s new songs. The concert was a practically perfect way to end our first evening of Destination D!

Sunday, November 18

Mickey’s Lost Adventures: Uncovering the Magic of Disney Storytelling
The first panel of the day featured something very special: a look at Mickey shorts and adventures that never made it to the screen! Disney archivist Kevin Kern and Walt Disney Imagineering’s Steven Vagnini shared the stories behind some of the most exciting Mickey adventures we never saw, and guests were surprised with a live table read by Bret Iwan (voice of Mickey Mouse) and Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy) of a lost radio show episode!

Inside Mickey’s True Original Exhibition
Becky Cline and Darren Romanelli (Creative Director + Designer, MTO) gave us an inside look at the making of Mickey: The True Original Exhibition. We got a look at the amazing selection of collectibles provided by the Walt Disney Archives, along with behind-the-scenes details on the new work created just for the exhibition by contemporary artists.

Totally Minnie
She’s a fashion icon. She’s America’s sweetheart. She’s the leading lady of Disney. She’s totally Minnie! We celebrated Minnie’s big anniversary with a countdown of 9 things that we love about her—from her multi-talented musical skills to her impact on fashion, guests enjoyed rare clips of Minnie (including a music video with Elton John) and even a special announcement! Co-host Ashley Eckstein revealed that she is designing special limited edition Princess Leia-inspired Minnie ears that will be available next year. We couldn’t help but smile during the panel, hosted by Eckstein, along with Fabiola Garza, and Biana Brost, which was a charming way to celebrate Minnie’s enduring (and endearing) impact on our lives.

Mickey and Pals at Disney Parks
We love going to Disney Parks to meet our favorite pals in person—and Walt Disney Imagineering’s Alex Wright, Wyatt Winter, and Jason Grandt shared details and stories behind Mickey and his friends’ history at Disney Parks around the globe. From Mickey Mouse Revue to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, we heard the details on how they’ve brought attractions, experiences, and more to life throughout the history of Disney Parks.

Catching Up with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
D23 Members were the first to hear the amazing news about this exciting attraction coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019. Walt Disney Imagineering’s Kevin Rafferty and Charita Carter shared behind-the-scenes details on this upcoming attraction, including that some of the sound effects will be made using whistles originally used in Steamboat Willie!

Mickey’s PJ Party
What better way to wrap up our massive celebration of Mickey’s big anniversary than with a pajama party! D23 Members put on their bedtime best for our special shindig, featuring Mickey Mouse himself as part of the celebration. Besides enjoying sweet treats and special photos, guests were able to check out Four Artists Paint One Mouse, where artists Jeff Shelly, Fabiola Garza, Richard Terpstra, and Tim Rogerson all painted their own special renditions of Mickey in their individual styles.

What a weekend! We hope everyone enjoyed celebrating Mickey as much as we did. This Destination D was certainly one to remember, and we can’t wait for the next! But until then, we’ll see ya real soon at D23 Expo 2019!

D23’s FAN-tastic Lineup of Events for 2019

November 16, 2018July 22, 2022

In 2019, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will celebrate its 10th anniversary and, to mark the occasion, D23 is adding extra pixie dust to some of its most popular events while introducing exciting new experiences for fans around the country to enjoy. Click here to get more details on upcoming events.

Check out our 10 helpful tips for D23 events.

Event calendar:

DATE	D23 EVENT CALENDAR:	LOCATION
Jan 25	Lunch with a Disney Legend: Dave Smith	Burbank, CA
Jan 26	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Feb 16	D23’s Happily Ever After Brunch	Burbank, CA
Feb 16	D23’s Magical Screening Series: Sleeping Beauty	Burbank, CA
Feb 16	D23’s Magical Screening Series: Sleeping Beauty	Walt Disney World Resort, FL
Mar 7	Don’t Miss a Complimentary Advance Screening of Captain Marvel	St. Louis, MO
Mar 10	D23’s 10-Year FAN-niversary Celebration at The Walt Disney Studios	Burbank, CA
Mar 11	D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experiences: A Day at the Studio Lot	Burbank, CA
Mar 18	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Mar 20	D23’s Sip and Stroll at Disney California Adventure	Burbank, CA
Mar 25	Be Among the First to see Disney’s Dumbo	Multiple Cities
Apr 5	Lunch with a Disney Legend: Linda Larkin	New York City, NY
Apr 6	D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: The Lion King* on Broadway*	New York City, NY
Apr 6	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – GOLD FAMILY EXCLUSIVE	Burbank, CA
Apr 13	Join D23 for a Special Screening of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi!	Chicago, IL
Apr 15	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
May 1	D23 Celebrates 30 Years of Disney’s Hollywood Studios	Walt Disney World Resort, FL
May 4	D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Lion King at Walt Disney World	Walt Disney World Resort, FL
May 6	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
May 11	D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Lion King on the Lot	Burbank, CA
May 16	D23 Celebrates Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World	San Francisco, CA
May 21	Attend the Red Carpet Premiere of Disney’s Aladdin	Hollywood, CA
June 1	D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: Return to Walt’s Chicago	Chicago, IL
June 8	Lunch with a Disney Legend – Paige O’Hara	Las Vegas, NV
Jun 10	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Jun 12	Be Among the First to See Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4!	Multiple Cities
Jun 13	Mickey Mouse’s Roller Disco Party	Glendale, CA
Jun 15	Celebrate Toy Story 4 with D23 Shopping Mixers	Seattle, WA
Jun 15	Celebrate Toy Story 4 with D23 Shopping Mixers	Houston, TX
Jun 18	Be Among the First to See Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4!	Burbank, CA
Jun 20	Celebrate the Induction of Disney’s Cinderella into the National Film Registry!	Washington, DC
Jun 22	Celebrate Toy Story 4 with D23 Shopping Mixers	Boston, MA
Jun 22	Celebrate Toy Story 4 with D23 Shopping Mixers	Bloomington, MN
Jun 22	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Jul 8	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Jul 18	Be Among the First to See Disney’s The Lion King on Opening Day!	Multiple Cities
Jul 20	D23 Member Mixer—San Diego	San Diego, CA
Jul 26	D23 Member Mixer—Seattle	Seattle, WA
Aug 23-25	D23 Expo 2019	Anaheim, CA
Sept 9	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Sept 21	D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at Walt Disney World	Walt Disney World Resort, FL
Sept 28	D23’s Magical Screening Series: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on the Lot	Burbank, CA
Oct 4	The Muppets Take Manhattan – Exclusive Screening in Manhattan	New York City, NY
Oct 13	D23 Heads to the Hollow	Sleepy Hollow, NY
Oct 14	Be Among the First to see Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil!	Multiple Cities
Oct 21	D23’s Sip and Stroll at Epcot	Walt Disney World Resort, FL
Oct 21	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Oct 29	D23’s Mostly Ghostly Halloween on The Walt Disney Studios Lot	Burbank, CA
Nov 11	Advance Screening of Lady and the Tramp before it launches on Disney+	Pasadena, CA
Nov 13	Be Among the First to see Disney’s Frozen 2!	Multiple Cities
Nov 14	D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experiences: A Day at the Studio Lot	Burbank, CA
Nov 16	D23’s Magical Screening Series: Up at Walt Disney World	Walt Disney World Resort, FL
Nov 18	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Nov 20	Attend Disney’s Frozen 2 Red Carpet Premiere in Toronto!	Toronto, ON
Nov 23	D23’s Magical Screening Series: Up on the Lot	Burbank, CA
Dec 4	Attend the Spies in Disguise Red Carpet Premiere in Hollywood!	Los Angeles, CA
Dec 8	Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Event – December 2019	Glendale, CA
Dec 8	Light Up the Season with D23 – 2019	Burbank, CA
Dec 10	The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23	Burbank, CA
Dec 10	One Day at Disney Presentation and Screening	Burbank, CA
Dec 11	D23 Presents Live From Walt Disney Imagineering: A Conversation with Disney Legend Don Iwerks	Glendale, CA
Dec 14	D23’s Merriest Mixer at Walt Disney World	Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, FL
Dec 14	Lunch with a Disney Legend: Tom Nabbe	Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, FL

RETURN TO WALT’S BIRTHPLACE: In 2016 and 2017, D23 Members had the amazing opportunity to visit Walt Disney’s birthplace in Chicago. The home, which is being restored, was constructed by Walt’s father, Elias, and designed by his mother, Flora. This June, D23 Members will have the chance to see the incredible progress made on bringing the home back to its initial glory.

SCREENINGS ON THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS LOT AND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT: Throughout the year, D23 will once again offer special screenings on both coasts of classic Disney favorites. As part of D23’s anniversary celebration, all the films screened will also be celebrating milestones, including Up (10th anniversary), Sleeping Beauty (60th), Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (35th), and The Lion King (25th).

THE OFFICIAL WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TOUR—PRESENTED BY D23: D23 Gold Member-exclusive tours of the historic Studio lot return and, for 2019, the tour—traditionally held four times a year—will run monthly starting in March and will include VIP experiences on select tours. Guests are able to take a look inside the Walt Disney Archives and see Walt Disney’s office suite during the tour, which offers fans a unique perspective on historic moments from Disney films, television shows, and theme parks.

D23’S LUNCH WITH A DISNEY LEGEND: Beginning in January, D23 brings back these exclusive luncheons with Disney luminaries. This year, D23 will be crossing the country so more fans than ever can enjoy the opportunity to meet Disney Legends and hear their fascinating stories, including an intimate lunch with Linda Larkin—the speaking voice of Jasmine in Aladdin—in New York City next April.

D23 HEADS TO THE HOLLOW: To celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow—and its infamous headless villain—D23 will hold a special event in Sleepy Hollow, New York, with a screening, special guests, reception, and more.

ADVANCE SCREENINGS: Next year, D23 Members can look forward to a host of exclusive, advance screenings across the country in partnership with our friends from The Walt Disney Studios. This year, D23 brought movie magic to 35 cities across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Plus, this year D23 Members attended the red-carpet premiere of Disney’s Christopher Robin. D23 Gold Members across the U.S. will once again be selected at random to receive complimentary movie passes, and in honor of D23’s 10 years, 10,000 pairs of tickets will be sent throughout 2019.

SIGNATURE EVENTS: D23 will bring back foodie favorite Sip & Stroll during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Walt Disney Imagineering’s exclusive merchandise store, Mickey’s of Glendale, will open its doors to members. Guests at Walt Disney World Resort will once again make the holiday season bright next December, and on the West Coast, members will be invited back to The Walt Disney Studios to Light Up the Season. The Walt Disney Family Museum will extend a warm welcome to Gold Members for an exclusive look at a new exhibit in May. Also, D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experiences will return, offering exclusive, one-of-a-kind events to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members.

MEMBER MIXERS: After mixing and mingling at complimentary gatherings in places such as Houston, Seattle, and San Diego in 2018, D23 will bring more mixers to U.S. cities in 2019, including a special San Diego Comic-Con mixer to celebrate Marvel Comics’ 80th anniversary.

D23 EXPO 2019: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns in 2019! It’s D23’s biggest event of the year, when all of Disney’s wonderful worlds come together once again August 23–25, 2019, at the Anaheim Convention Center for three magical days of once-in-a-lifetime live performances, star-studded presentations, exclusive collectibles, and more celebrating Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

A YEAR-LONG FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Every year, D23 honors a Disney favorite that has reached a milestone anniversary. In celebration of a decade of D23, the Fanniversary will continue all year long with additional special events to be announced, new member discounts, and more.

Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year, so stay tuned to see what FAN-tastic events are in store for 2019!

See the Amazing Disney Parks Items from Mickey’s Magical Kingdoms Exhibit at Destination D

November 16, 2018

By D23 Team

Since the opening of Disneyland in 1955, Mickey Mouse has played a special role in bringing smiles to the faces of park Guests young and old. Through dazzling parade appearances, show stopping entertainment extravaganzas, and unforgettable meet and greets, the mouse who started it all continues to entertain at Disney Parks around the globe.

As the quintessential Disney star, Mickey has taken part in celebrations across Disney parks history—after all, he’s one of the few who can say he’s been part of each Disney Park opening, from Anaheim to Shanghai. He’s hobnobbed with Hollywood’s elite at Disney Parks and Resorts, acting as the ambassador of goodwill and friendship to all who come to Disney Parks

In honor of more than 60 years of magical memories, the Walt Disney Archives presents a special all-new exhibit dedicated to Mickey and his immeasurable influence at Disney Parks. Check out their stunning collection in the photo gallery below.

Join Ralph and Vanellope In a Brand-New Immersive Experience

November 15, 2018

By Jim Frye

Ralph and Vanellope are back—in more ways than one.

Fans of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit Wreck-It Ralph are in for a double treat come November 21 as the highly anticipated sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, lands in theaters on the same day that a brand-new Ralph-themed virtual reality attraction opens, inviting guests to become part of the world of the films. So get ready to buckle up and join everyone’s favorite videogame bad guy, Ralph, voiced by John C. Reilly, and his zippy little friend, Vanellope, voiced by Sarah Silverman, in a whole new experience that puts guests right in the middle of the action—literally!

The VOID, the global leader in immersive virtual experiences, and ILMxLAB, Lucasfilm’s award-winning immersive entertainment division, bring Ralph Breaks the Internet to hyper-reality in Ralph Breaks VR, opening at Downtown Disney at Disneyland, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World, and other locations across the country. Fans will remember that The VOID and ILMxLAB also partnered on last year’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, a virtual experience that enabled guests to square off against Stormtroopers. This time, however, instead of blasters and lava, guests will be launching pancakes and ice cream sundaes against bunnies, kitties, and drones.

In Ralph Breaks VR, groups of four players, disguised as characters from the film called “Netizens,” break into the Internet with Ralph and Vanellope to play the newest, coolest video game ever. And as can be expected, everything goes wrong—which is where the fun begins!

“You basically have to try to get out of the Internet alive before you’re eradicated as a virus,” says Pamela Ribon, the writer for Ralph Breaks VR and co-writer for Ralph Breaks the Internet. “You don’t have to know any of the characters to experience this. It’s in the world that we have for the sequel, but it’s not dependent on the sequel to have a good time.”

In addition to writing, Ribon also lends her voice to a brand-new antagonist for Ralph and Vanellope—and us!—to face off against: B.E.V., which stands for Built to Eradicate Viruses. “B.E.V. is the security cam who’s chasing Ralph and Vanellope and the players as they move through the Internet,” Ribon says. “When she finds something that’s not supposed to be in the Internet, her job is to eradicate it.”

B.E.V. was actually a character in earlier iterations of Ralph Breaks the Internet, but had to be let go as the story evolved. “We’ve always had a fondness in our hearts for B.E.V.,” says Ribon, “so when Ralph Breaks VR needed a villain, I thought, ‘Oh gosh, we have one.’”

Ralph Breaks VR is unique in that players actually move around inside the warehouse-sized space, talking to each other, helping each other. Players physically move from room to room, and each location is a different candy-colored virtual space in Ralph’s world, including the Pancake Milkshake Diner, where players get to launch pancakes and sundaes to help rescue Ralph.

“Designing the elements that pull you irresistibly into the unique world of Ralph and Vanellope has been an incredibly fun process,” says Curtis Hickman, chief creative officer and co-founder of The VOID. “What we’ve created together with ILMxLAB is an astounding adventure that allows people to experience a unique extension of Wreck-It Ralph’s characters, environments, and stories.”

Tickets for Ralph Breaks VR are now on sale at www.thevoid.com

Woody and Buzz are Back in Toy Story 4—Plus More in News Briefs

November 15, 2018

By Courtney Potter

Our Toy Story pals are set to meet several new friends, and Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope go virtual… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

We Simply Cannot Wait to Go to Infinity and Beyond with Toy Story 4

Friends, we’ve been dreaming about this from the moment this movie was announced… the first trailer for Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 4! We are legitimately tickled pink to see all our favorite Toy Story pals—Sheriff Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), Jessie (voice of Joan Cusack), Rex (voice of Wallace Shawn), Mr. Potato Head (voice of the late Don Rickles), and more—all together again. Only this time, they’re joined by a new, and seemingly very reluctant, toy. See the clip, for the first or 124th time, above.

That toy’s name is Forky (voice of Tony Hale)—and Bonnie’s just added him to her room. As for Woody, he’s always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie… but Forky has thrown a monkey wrench (or spork, as it were) into things. Eventually, a road trip adventure—alongside old and new friends—will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.

But that’s not all! Disney•Pixar made their very own “trailer reaction” video (y’know, those clips all over YouTube where users watch a trailer for the first time and talk about it) about Toy Story 4… and it features two more brand-new characters making their debut in the film. These two adorable carnival-game prizes are named Ducky (voice of Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (voice of Jordan Peele), and we cannot overstate how excited we are to see—well, hear—this hilarious comedy duo together again. Check out the clip, above—and make sure to watch ‘til the end to see them interact with Woody and Buzz.

Toy Story 4, directed by Josh Cooley (Riley’s First Date) and produced by Jonas Rivera (Inside Out, Up), arrives in theaters June 21, 2019.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
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
November 9, 2018 – January 6, 2019
Star Wars: Holidays at Disneyland Resort
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)

Go Inside the Internet in New Ralph Breaks VR Hyper-Reality Experience

The folks at ILMxLAB and The VOID—who created the uber-popular Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire experience thrilling guests at Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney Springs and Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney District—are back with an all-new hyper-reality experience… and we think it’s gonna be a “smash”!

Beginning November 21, 2018, Ralph Breaks VR will put you inside a new multi-sensory Disney adventure where you’ll be immersed in the Internet world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Ralph Breaks the Internet (opening in theaters the same day). In teams of four, guests will break into the Internet with Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz, disguised as characters from the film called “Netizens,” to play the latest and greatest video game. Take a peek inside the experience, via the teaser trailer above.

Tickets for the experience are now on sale—so check out TheVOID.com for more information.

ICYMI: Star Wars and Marvel Series Coming to Disney+ Streaming Service

The more we find out about the brand-new Disney+ streaming service—coming to the device of your choice in late 2019—the more thrilled we become. So color us ecstatic with the news about brand-new series based on the worlds of Star Wars and Marvel that will be debuting with the service. Read more about it right here at D23.com.

Fun Walt Disney World Resort Announcements

Just this week, Bob Chapek—Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products—let some Walt Disney World Resort cats out of their proverbial bag. First up, the reimagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort… The centerpiece of the resort, a 15-story tower, now has a name: the Gran Destino Tower. It’ll serve as the new main entrance point for guests visiting the resort, and will add a total of 545 new guest rooms (including 50 suites) to the resort—as well as feature an incredible two-story lobby. The tower, including a themed table-service restaurant located at the top, is set for completion in July 2019.

Just a few months later, the Disney Skyliner—which we’ve covered here at D23 before—will be ready to begin transporting Walt Disney World guests in fall 2019. This innovative new gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Stay tuned for more information on all these amazing new additions to Walt Disney World Resort in the coming months!

New Shopping Experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Speaking of Walt Disney World: If you’re local to the area, or planning a trip over the next few weeks, there’s a cool new place to do some of your gift shopping! It’s called the Disney Book Shop, and it’s a pop-up location at Disney’s Contemporary Resort that currently offers a variety of titles. Find out more here at D23.com.

Start Your Gift-Giving Season with the Newest Pop-Up Book Shop at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

November 14, 2018

By D23 Team

If you’ll be visiting Walt Disney World Resort in November, you are in for a special treat! Find the perfect holiday gifts for the Disney fans in your life at the Disney Book Shop at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. There you can choose from a variety of titles about Disney history, art, and ingenuity. You’ll even have the chance to meet Disney historian and author Jeff Kurtti during book signings on Thursday, November 15, and Friday, November 16! The shop will be open on the Grand Canyon Concourse on the fourth floor of the iconic A-frame Contemporary tower, from Saturday, November 10, through Sunday, November 25. Here are some of the books that we can’t wait to share with our friends and families:

From All of Us to All of You: The Disney Christmas Card
By Jeff Kurtti
Early in the history of The Walt Disney Studios, annual Christmas-themed greeting cards were created, their designs and illustrations by such legendary Disney Studio artists as Tom Wood, Hank Porter, Bob Moore, Mary Blair, John Hench, and Paul Wenzel. Gift-wrapped and sparkling in the spirit of the season, this one-of-a-kind collection of familiar, festive, fun, and feeling holiday art shines a light on a remarkable body of work and the people who created it.

Want to personalize it? Get it signed by Jeff Kurtti during book signings at Disney’s Contemporary Resort November 15–16.

Practically Poppins in Every Way: A Magical Carpetbag of Countless Wonders
By Jeff Kurtti

This colorful and lavish book is a rich, vivid, and frequently surprising visual document of the development behind the stories of Mary Poppins on the page, screen, and stage and the creative forces that have brought her to life, generation after generation. It is accompanied by informative text, essays, and observations by creative luminaries such as Cameron Mackintosh, Thomas Schumacher, Gavin Lee, John Myhre, and more.

Want to personalize it? Get it signed by Jeff Kurtti during book signings at Disney’s Contemporary Resort November 15–16.

Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World
By Jeff Kurtti

Throughout his life, Walt Disney was a frequent and enthusiastic “tourist,” visiting destinations around the United States of America and across the globe. Here seldom-seen and never-before-published photographs are showcased along with eyewitness recollections and enlightening anecdotes, arranged into a one-of-a-kind “travel journal” as if Walt himself might have documented these exciting excursions in one special place.

Want to personalize it? Get it signed by Jeff Kurtti during book signings at Disney’s Contemporary Resort November 15–16.

Walt’s Imagination: The Life of Walt Disney
By Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by John Pomeroy

Charting Walt Disney’s progression from farm boy to actor to artist, animator, director, and entertainment celebrity, Walt’s own words are presented and contextualized within Doreen Rappaport’s signature compelling prose. Illustrated with vivid authenticity by animator and painter John Pomeroy, this stunning entry in the award-winning Big Words series reveals a man of deep and varied passions with a constantly evolving vision, and a storyteller above all.

The Art of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse
By Jessica Ward and illustrated by the Disney Artists

Celebrate the 90 years that Mickey Mouse has been entertaining audiences with heartfelt performances and humorous antics through an analysis of Mickey’s milestones and a jubilant commemoration comprised of new artworks, interpretations of Mickey by inspired minds at The Walt Disney Company.

Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Disney’s Magical Mid-Century
By Don Hahn

Packed with rarely seen Disney art and photography of the mid-20th century, this book by acclaimed film producer and director Don Hahn explores the unique modern style that Walt Disney and his artists contributed to this iconic era.

Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food
By Marcy Carriker Smothers

Embark on a culinary tour of Disneyland’s six distinct lands. Every attraction has a story, and so do many of the menu items. With food serving as the lens, Walt’s private and work life are explored and detailed in this book, which also includes recipes from his home, his studio, and his Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney: An American Original
By Bob Thomas

After years of research, Bob Thomas—biographer of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and many other Hollywood legends—produced a definitive biography of the man behind the legend of Disney: the unschooled cartoonist from Kansas City who went bankrupt on his first movie venture and developed into the genius who produced unmatched works of animation, and ultimately was the creative spirit of an international entertainment empire that has enchanted generations.

Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai
By Vanessa Hunt and Kevin Neary and Susan Neary

Unfold this book bursting with beautiful maps from when the very first Disney park opened in 1955 right up to today. Discover details on how and why the domestic and international parks have changed over time, and enjoy six decades-worth of skillful creativity.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: A Petrifying Pop-Up for the Holidays
By Matthew Reinhart

Experience Tim Burton’s iconic film like never before with a mind-blowing retelling of this classic story and gravity-defying pop-up artwork on every page from the renowned paper engineer Matthew Reinhart!

Freeform Stars Reveal Their Favorite Ingredients for the Perfect Holiday Film

November 14, 2018

By Craig Tomashoff

When the holiday season rolls around, there are certain things you just know you’re going to have to deal with. At least one family member will wear a horrible sweater. Somehow, despite the fact that we all know better, someone will gift you with an inedible fruitcake. And it will take trips to at least three different stores to find that one toy you can’t come home without.

Luckily, there is one stress-free tradition to look forward to this time of year: watching holiday-themed movies and shows. From an elf who just wants to be a dentist to a Christmas-stealing beast with garlic in his soul to the cheapskate who gets some ghostly houseguests, television is filled with films and specials that have become as familiar as eggnog and crowded mall parking lots.

This holiday season, Freeform is introducing three new films it hopes to add to the list of Christmas TV classics. As part of the network’s annual 25 Days Of Christmas celebration, it will air:

Life-Size 2, a sequel to the original Life-Size from 2000, stars Tyra Banks as a toy doll who comes to life and Francia Raisa as the woman she is trying to help (airs December 2, 9 p.m. ET).
No Sleep ’Til Christmas, a romantic comedy starring real-life husband and wife Odette and Dave Annable as two insomniac strangers who can only fall asleep when next to each other (airs December 10, 9 p.m. ET).
The Truth About Christmas, the story of a political consultant (Kali Hawk) who is magically forced to speak nothing but the truth when visiting her politician boyfriend (Damon Dayoub) and his family during the holidays (November 25, 9 p.m. ET).

Throughout the 25 days leading up to Christmas, Freeform’s schedule will also be stuffed with promotional spots featuring Shadowhunters star Isaiah Mustafa as “Freeform Santa.” To gear up for all the festivities, we asked Mustafa and the stars of these new movies to describe the perfect ingredients when it comes to cooking up a classic holiday film.

CALLING ALL KIDS
A holiday movie isn’t truly complete until there are some children who teach us how to appreciate the wonder of it all.

Francia Raisa
“I don’t remember my childhood too well but one thing stands out… we’d watch The Santa Clause with Tim Allen, and all the sequels, over and over again during the holidays. It made you love the idea of your dad being Santa Claus, as well as get you thinking about the possibility of going to the North Pole and actually getting to be one of those kids. I think that was why we were so obsessed with that movie. Plus, my dad had a big belly just like Tim Allen did so there was that appeal too!”

TIMELY TRADITIONS
A classic holiday movie doesn’t just become a viewing tradition for families. It should also celebrate the idea of having family traditions.

Mustafa
“Everybody has their own traditions so it’s always fun to see other ones in these movies. We have our own in my family. For instance, everybody gets their stocking hung up, including my two dogs. However, we don’t put any presents in theirs or in my daughter’s because those stockings will just get torn down. My wife and I also have a tradition where we collect horrible ornaments for our tree. It’s like the way other people like to collect ugly Christmas sweaters. We give each other one every yet. And we can’t make them. We have to buy them.”

The Truth About Christmas — Damon Dayoub

Damon Dayoub
“I bought everyone on the movie a pair of pajamas. It’s something we do in my family. It’s a different pair every year.”

Kali Hawk
“That’s his family’s tradition. It’s like a pajama cult with them. When they get together at Christmas, his parents make everyone wear these pajamas for, like, three days straight. They’re the two-piece, flannel, button-up type. They’re like slaves to these pajamas and that’s how they celebrate Christmas.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY
A great holiday movie needs to feel like a member of your family that you look forward hanging out with every Christmas season.

Tyra Banks
“Life-Size 2 is going to bring the whole family to the television, and that’s very important for a Christmas movie. You want everyone to be able to sit down and watch a movie together, especially this time of year. And I think we appeal to the entire family because it’s fun for kids and we also have a lot of those Pixar-style adult jokes that fly over the younger kids’ understanding.”

No Sleep Til Christmas — Dave Annable and Odette Annable

Odette Annable
“The essentials for any holiday movie are love, laughter, and a cozy vibe. You want these movies to have family and friends hanging out and cooking in the kitchen, which creates a warm feeling. Good holiday shows and films have that energy to them and our film brings all of that into it.”

THE CHRISTMAS SONG(S)
To be truly memorable, a holiday film can’t just be seen. It’s got to be heard.

Hawk
“You need a song with some type of jingling bells somewhere.”

Odette Annable
“You definitely have to have a good soundtrack. Holiday music in general always gets people going, but especially when it’s part of a movie. I know during the holidays, we always have Mariah Carey’s Christmas album on repeat all day every day.”

Dave Annable
“I’ll be honest, I’m the one hitting play on that during the holidays. We’ll have dance parties in the kitchen. I think we max out at 25 plays a day.”

Banks
“It’s all about the music. A good movie leads with that, first the audio and then the visual. And the great thing is these Christmas songs keep getting redone by the artists of the moment and you can kind of get wrapped in them over and over again. The songs are timeless and I love that. They create nostalgia, giving you that warm and fuzzy feeling that’s perfect for a holiday movie. I was actually going to change the music in a scene at the end of Life-Size 2 until one of the other producers said, ‘Don’t! Just trust me on this!’ And she was right. We use a traditional kind of Christmas song and it really took me back to my childhood. I think it’ll do the same when everyone else watches it.”

SANTA, BABY!
What would any Christmas movie be without one very special guest star?

Mustafa
“Santa’s got to make an appearance at some point in time.”

Dave Annable
“Santa’s in our movie. In fact, we have this very fun scene in the movie where I dress as Santa and Odette is dressed as an elf. The scene calls for a kid to sit on my lap for a picture and we thought it’d be a perfect opportunity to really make it a family thing and get our kid, Charlie, in the movie. She’s two years old. That idea lasted about 14 or 15 seconds. When she got on set, we had to give her to a stranger who would put her on my lap, and she started screaming. I think she was really saying, ‘I’m good. I don’t do movies. Call my agent.’ Still, I think it’ll be a really fun scene for people to watch.”

Go Viral with Ralph Breaks the Internet Cast and Filmmakers

November 12, 2018

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!

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… ”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

November 9, 2018June 9, 2020

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 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

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

“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

“For Mickey’s 70^th 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

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

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.

Friday, November 16

Saturday, November 17

Sunday, November 18

We Simply Cannot Wait to Go to Infinity and Beyond with Toy Story 4

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

Go Inside the Internet in New Ralph Breaks VR Hyper-Reality Experience

ICYMI: Star Wars and Marvel Series Coming to Disney+ Streaming Service

Fun Walt Disney World Resort Announcements

New Shopping Experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

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