Vacuums, Beds, Hats, Oh My! These Disney Icons Traveled in Style

By Karina Schink

We all know that getting around isn’t always the easiest of tasks, and sometimes you wish you had just a sprinkle of pixie dust to make it a bit easier. Well, we can all take a page out of the books of these ingenious Disney characters who found, let’s say, some unique ways to get to where they were going.

Disney transportation

Vacuum (Hocus Pocus)
Things don’t always go according to plan, and you have to make do with what you have. That’s exactly what Mary Sanderson had to do when the only broom for her locomotive needs was taken by her sister Winifred. So, what does she do? She sucks it up and uses a vacuum! We’d say that’s witchfully clever of her.

Disney transportation

Bed (Bedknobs and Broomsticks)
A good night’s sleep is often all you need to be catapulted into a wonderful world of dreams, and in this classic Disney film, a bed does just that for Miss Price, Mr. Browne, and the Rawlins kids. And all you need to make this goose-feathered steed soar? The famous travelling spell, a smart quarter turn to the left, then in a firm, clear voice tell it where you want to go and the bed will take you there!

Disney transportation

Albatross (The Rescuers Down Under)
When you’ve got places to be and things to see, you’re usually hurrying to get to the airport to hop on a plane. Well, for Bernard and Bianca, that was the plan—until new management took over their friend Orville’s travelling business. So, who ends up rescuing them in their hour of need (of what a turn of events)? Wilbur, of course!

Disney transportation

A Bathtub (Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Lock, Shock, and Barrel, in their evil doing ways, have hatched a plan to kidnap Sandy Claws. And, as we all know, no plot quite like this can be truly complete without the perfect getaway vehicle. So, the mischievous trick-or-treaters drew up a bathtub to crawl in style on their mission for Jack.

Disney transportation

Magic Carpet (Aladdin)
The Cave of Wonders provided more than just three wishes for Aladdin—including a brand, spanking new (but actually kind of ancient) ride to soar the skies of Agrabah. And this mode of transportation? It’s beautifully ornate, and it definitely has a bit of a playfully sneaky attitude as Abu quickly finds out.

Disney transportation

Pumpkin (Cinderella)
Who would have thought that something you could find in your own backyard would be the perfect vessel to bring you to the palace in style? Luckily Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother did, and this Disney princess certainly looked gourd-geous as she rolled up to the party.

Disney transportation

The Portal (Treasure Planet)
A great, intergalactic quest just wouldn’t be complete without a twist at the most inopportune time. And, that’s exactly what happens to Jim and his ragtag team of space pirates. Just as they think they’re about to find Captain Flint’s treasure, it seems to slip out of their hands. The solution? A magical portal that will provide them the transportation to The Loot of a Thousand Worlds. They’re pretty lucky the door could morph into so many different locations!

Disney transportation

Luke Skywalker (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back)
Who says your mode of transportation can’t be strong with the force? Yoda certainly thinks that the young Jedi makes for a good piggyback victim. We can’t speak for Luke, but this kind of training seems out-of-this world fun to us!

Disney transportation

Bing Bong’s Rocket (Inside Out)
Can you think of a greater way to travel than via rainbow? We certainly can’t. Bing Bong’s rocket is decked out with imagination’s best, it’s powered through song, and it’s the rocket that’ll makes you yell, “Hurray!” (We heard it can even take you to the moon!)

Disney transportation

Mad Hatter’s Hat (Once Upon a Time)
This accessory has a little bit more than a dash of that special Disney magic. Jefferson’s hat is the home to the Portal of Doors, and inside are portals to every realm. That’s a mad hat trick!

Disney transportation

Conch Shell (The Little Mermaid)
Ariel’s trusty sidekick, Sebastian, has always had a flair for the theatrical, so why should his entrance to King Triton’s concert be any different? This distinguished court composer drifted into the processional in a perfectly blue conch shell, led by two very eager fish, and he sure looked swimmingly doing it!

Oogie Bingo Boogie

Instructions:

  1. Download and print out the bingo cards on 8.5”x11” white paper, be sure to “fit to page.”
  2. Randomly distribute cards to each player (up to 6 players).
  3. Have them look over their bingo cards to familiarize themselves with the movie scenes.
  4. Pop Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas on the TV and when a player recognizes scenes from the movie that match their bingo card, mark it!
  5. The first player to get 4 in a row wins the game.

Watch Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas two different ways (including a Sing-along Edition) when you bring it home today.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular to Feature Performances by Josh Groban, Leslie Odom Jr., Meghan Trainor and More

By Jocelyn Buhlman

The star-studded celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary just got a little brighter! ABC has announced an exciting lineup of music, film, and television stars who will be joining in the celebration of the leader of the club on Mickey’s 90th Spectacular. Tune in Sunday, November 4, from 8–10 p.m. EST on ABC for a two-hour television event honoring 90 years of the internationally beloved icon.

mickey 90 announce

So, just who will be joining in the celebration? (Besides us, of course—D23 Gold Members are invited to attend the taping of the special on October 6! Making special appearances will be the actress, mom, and activist that we just can’t let go—Kristen Bell (Disney’s Frozen)! Joining her will be actress and singer Sofia Carson (Disney’s Descendants, Freeform’s upcoming Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionist), two-time Emmy® Award-winning actor Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development), and actress Sarah Hyland (ABC’s Modern Family), who will all help celebrate Mickey’s milestone anniversary. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger will also make a special appearance to celebrate Mickey. Stay tuned right here for future announcements of more names and details on the upcoming exciting performances.

But that’s not all—several musical artists are set to serenade Mickey in honor of his special anniversary! GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, and TV, film, and Broadway actor Josh Groban will be singing his new hit song, “Granted,” from his recently released eighth studio album, Bridges. Also performing is Seoul-based global K-Pop powerhouse NCT 127, showcasing their popular hit, “Regular.”

mickey 90 announce

Stars will also perform several beloved Disney classics, including the heartwarming “When You Wish Upon A Star,” Tony® and GRAMMY Award-winning performer Leslie Odom Jr. will perform the hit from the 1940 Disney adaptation of Pinocchio, which has become one of The Walt Disney Company’s most iconic songs. GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Meghan Trainor will perform one of Pixar’s perfections, the Randy Newman hit and Toy Story franchise theme song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Three-time GRAMMY-winning multiplatinum artists Zac Brown Band will bring wild fun to the night with their performance of “Bare Necessities” from the classic Disney film The Jungle Book.

With Mickey’s special day drawing nearer, the celebrations are getting bigger and bigger. We can’t wait to tune in on November 4 to see the magic happen on Mickey’s 90th Spectacular, and we look forward to all the future celebrations culminating in Mickey’s birthday on November 18. Want to be part of the fun? Join the party on social media with the hashtag #Mickey90!

It’s Never Too Early for Disney Holiday Fun—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Go behind the scenes of Disney’s upcoming The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and see who’s been added to Epcot’s Candlelight Processional narrator lineup… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Go Behind the Scenes with The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Creating a movie truly “takes a village,” especially a movie as epic as Disney’s upcoming holiday adventure The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Luckily, we get to take a quick peek behind-the-scenes in the film’s latest featurette—a look at the incredible craftsmanship that went into conceiving everything within the Land of Flowers, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Sweets, and the mysterious Fourth Realm. Check it out, above.

In The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, all young Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key—a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world.

It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), and together they must face the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren) in order to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to an unstable world. Also starring Keira Knightley, and with a special performance by iconic ballerina Misty Copeland, the film twirls into theaters November 2.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
October 6-21, 2018
D23’s Spooktacular Fanniversary Complimentary Screenings
October 19, 2018
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Ron Logan
October 22, 2018
D23’s Sip and Stroll at Epcot
October 28, 2018
D23 Celebrates 25 Spooktacular Years of Hocus Pocus
November 16-18, 2018
Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
Parks
August 17, 24, 28, 31
September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
September 19, 21, 24, 26, 28
October 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 29, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party at the Disneyland Resort
August 30-November 12, 2018
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
September 7-October 31, 2018
Halloween Time at the 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 2, 2018
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms opens in U.S. theaters
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
September 21, 2018
Elena of Avalor: Song of the Sirenas premieres on Disney Junior (7–8 p.m. EDT/PDT)
November 4, 2018
Mickey’s 90th Spectacular airs on ABC (8–10 p.m. EST)

news briefs 9/27

Mark Those Calendars: New Stars Added to Epcot’s Candlelight Processional

Speaking of the holidays, the much-anticipated Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World’s Epcot is just around the corner… and this week, our friends at Disney Parks shared a few more amazing celebrities who’ll be joining the roster. Honestly, there’s now more star power than you can shake a pear tree at!

Joining previously announced narrators including Chita Rivera, Neil Patrick Harris, and Whoopi Goldberg are Oscar® winner Helen Hunt for November 24 and 25 (wow, right?); America’s Funniest Home Videos host Alfonso Ribeiro for November 26 and 27; Moana’s Auli’i Cravalho from December 21 to 23; and still one more to be announced. Plus, new this year, the Candlelight Processional will actually begin on Thanksgiving Day, November 22.

Looking to jingle all the way to Epcot this holiday season? Don’t miss new food offerings at their Festival of the Holidays—like sofrito-marinated beef with sweet plantains and olives at the Feast of the Three Kings marketplace, or black forest roulade with cherry whipped cream at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen. But that’s not all: Take some holiday magic home with you with the brand-new Festival of the Holidays t-shirt and hoodie featuring Chip & Dale! Visit DisneyWorld.com/Holidays for more info on how you can join the festive fun.

news briefs 9/27

Disney Cruise Line Adds Brand-New Port and Itineraries for 2020

Ready to set sail? Our friends at Disney Cruise Line just announced some fantastic itineraries for 2020… plus the addition of a brand-new home port!

Families will have even more ways to explore the world together with the addition of a home port in historic New Orleans, from which the Disney Wonder will embark on a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian cruises. Before or after their cruise, guests can venture into the city to savor the distinct flavors of famous “N’Awlins” cuisine; visit family-friendly museums and parks; and delight in world-renowned jazz music. Travelers might even recognize some iconic sights and sounds that inspired Disney’s beloved animated hit The Princess and the Frog!

Additionally, DCL will make a highly anticipated return to the Hawaiian Islands in 2020 for two special Disney Wonder cruises—as well as make a return to Puerto Rico, and continue guest-favorite itineraries from Florida and San Diego, CA, to several sun-drenched tropical destinations.

For more information on DCL’s new port and 2020 itineraries, visit DisneyCruise.com.

news briefs 9/27

Get Quackin’ When DuckTales Returns for Season Two… and Three!

Big news from Duckburg: Season Two of Disney Channel’s mega-hit animated series DuckTales will look for more adventure beginning Saturday, October 20. Plus, the cast recently helped the show announce that there’s a third season to come! See Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Scrooge—well, actors Bobby Moynihan, Ben Schwartz, Danny Pudi, and David Tennant—make the big announcement here at D23.com.

ICYMI: Coco’s Miguel Now Appearing at Disney California Adventure Park

There’s a new performer at Disneyland Resort, and he’s already delighting audiences of all ages! Talented little Miguel from Disney•Pixar’s Coco can be seen as part of Plaza de la Familia, Disney California Adventure park’s special seasonal festivity celebrating the Oscar®-winning animated film as well as the everlasting bonds of family. See Miguel in action—and peek into what you can expect from the event—in the clip above.

New for 2018, Miguel joins “A Musical Celebration of Coco,” an entertaining street show presented several times a day. Singing host Mateo is joined by the Grammy®-winning Mariachi Divas, authentic Folklórico dancers, and townspeople from Coco’s Land of the Dead—who all engage the audience with beloved songs from the film. Miguel himself appears in the form of an amazing hand-animated figure!

Make sure to visit Miguel, and to take part in all the “Un Poco Loco” events available at Plaza de la Familia, at Disney California Adventure park now through November 4.

news briefs 9/27

Shanghai Disney Resort Welcomes World’s Biggest Mouse Party

Unless you’ve been living on the International Space Station (in which case, welcome back! And also, thanks for reading D23.com!), you’ve probably heard all about the incredible events planned to celebrate 90 years of Mickey Mouse over these next few months. Well, even our pals at Shanghai Disney Resort are getting in on the fun…

The “leader of the club” himself arrived in style at the Shanghai Tourism Festival’s recent kick-off on board a brand-new, festival-exclusive Shanghai Disney Resort float called “Mouse Party.” And this new float—featuring Mickey and all his friends, including Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and Chip & Dale—officially marks the resort’s launch of the World’s Biggest Mouse Party, celebrating #Mickey90 in a big way!

“Mouse Party” will dance its way across the city of Shanghai (delighting visitors and citizens alike) through October 6, when the Shanghai Tourism Festival marks its closing at Shanghai Disney Resort’s Disneytown (a first for both the event and the resort). Look for more info on the World’s Biggest Mouse Party—at Disney Parks across the globe—in the coming weeks.

You Won’t Believe This Toy Story Land-Themed Domino Maze is Real

Now here’s something totally mind-bending… Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, inside the Walt Disney World Resort, opened to much fanfare just a few months ago. The party continues, however, now that popular YouTuber and domino artist Lily Hevesh has revealed an epic 32,000 domino maze commemorating the new land. Check out the you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it clip above. Talk about “playing big,” right?

Hevesh, herself a Disney uber-fan, started the chain reaction by rolling the iconic Pixar ball into the first of the dominoes. It took Lily and her team of four additional domino builders nearly a week to set the maze up at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex… but it toppled in less than five minutes! Keep your eyes peeled for several complicated domino “tricks” within the maze, including Slinky Dog propelling a ball though a Slinky toy, and a domino fall that activates a Buzz Lightyear Bubble Blower toy.

The Biggest Pint-Sized News From The Ballroom-Dancing With The Stars: Juniors Cast Announced

The youngest cast ever is breaking in their dancing shoes and getting ready to break out on the dance floor on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors! Twelve celebrity kids will compete for the coveted Mirrorball trophy when the season premieres on Sunday, October 7. Take a look at who will be sparkling up their wardrobe, learning their steps, and taking to the ballroom this season.

dwts juniors

Addison Osta Smith
Addison Osta Smith is the first girl and youngest contest ever to win MasterChef Junior at the age of 10! Now 13, she will be paired with Lev Khmelev and mentored by Keo Motsepe.

dwts juniors

Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson
Alana Thompson, or as most of us know her, Honey Boo Boo, is most known for her show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and she’s currently starring on Mama June: From Not to Hot. Alana is partnered with Tristan Ianiero and will be mentored by Artem Chigvintsev.

dwts juniors

Akash Vukoti
This “Spellebrity” read and wrote (and of course spelled) his way to fame when he won the Scripps National Spelling Bee at just 6 years old! Now 9, Akash Vukoti will partner with Kamri Peterson and be mentored by Witney Carson during this year’s competition.

dwts juniors

Ariana Greenblatt
This small-but-mighty star on the rise just wrapped Disney’s The One and Only Ivan, in which she stars alongside Bryan Cranston. But her credits don’t end there: Ariana has also starred as Daphne Diaz on Stuck in The Middle, in Bad Mom’s Christmas, and in Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War as Young Gamora! She will be partnered with Artyon Celestine and mentored by Brandon Armstrong.

dwts juniors

Hudson West
Hudson West found his way to the spotlight when he booked his first commercial at the age of 6. Now 10, he plays Jake Spencer in ABC’s General Hospital and he has also appeared in Paul Blart Mall Cop 2, True North, Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, Modern Family, and Grey’s Anatomy (to name a few!). Hudson will be partnered with Kameron Couch and mentored by Hayley Erbert.

dwts juniors

Jason Maybaum
You know him as Levi in Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home and Fletcher in the Disney Channel Original Movie Freaky Friday, but this young star has also starred in the Hulu movie Becoming Bond, Workaholics, Teachers, Blunt Talk, and Superstore. This 10-year-old will be partnered with Elliana Walmsley and mentored by Emma Slater.

dwts juniors

Mackenzie Ziegler
Mackenzie Ziegler, 14, most recently starred on the YouTube series Total Eclipse, for the digital network Brat, of which she also serves as an executive producer! She also released her debut novel Kenzie’s Rules for Life on May 8, 2018. She will be partnered with Sage Rosen and mentored by Gleb Savchenko.

dwts juniors

Mandla Morris
The 13-year-old son of superstar Stevie Wonder is an aspiring fashion designer, drawing and sketching clothes in his spare time (when he isn’t playing with his five brothers, four sisters, or his dog, Cairo!). Mandla will be partnered with Brightyn Brems and mentored by Cheryl Burke.

dwts juniors

Miles Brown
One of the stars of ABC’s comedy series black-ish, Miles Brown is busy on- and off-set. He recently finished wrapping Emmett, starring opposite Rita Wilson and Nora Dunn, and is a member of the Jr. NBA Leadership Council. This 13-year-old star will be partnered with Rylee Arnold and mentored by Lindsay Arnold.

dwts juniors

Sky Brown
This viral sensation is best known as a skateboarding and surfing phenomenon, learning how to skate at just 3 years old! Ten-year-old Sky Brown will be partnered with JT Church and mentored by Alan Bersten.

dwts juniors

Sophia Pippen
This 9-year-old fashionista is the daughter of six-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Scottie Pippen. From a young age, Sophia Pippen has pursued a career in world fashion and beauty, and in a short time has become the face of Oscar De La Renta Kids! Sophia is partnered with Jake Monreal and mentored by Sasha Farber.

dwts juniors

Tripp Palin
The son of former Dancing with the Stars contestant Bristol Palin, 9-year-old Tripp Palin is an all-outdoors-all-the-time kind of boy and can’t wait to bring his love for athleticism to the ballroom! He will be partnered with Hailey Bills and mentored by Jenna Johnson.

This season will not only have stars on the floor, but also stars behind the judges’ table. Professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, Emmy® Award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore, and Dancing with the Stars: Athletes champion Adam Rippon will judge this season with Dancing with the Stars Season 25 winner Jordan Fisher and finalist Frankie Muniz serving as hosts.

Tune in on Sunday, October 7, on ABC (8–10 p.m. EDT) to see one of the biggest competitions get a little bit smaller.

ILMxLAB Announces Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series for Oculus Quest

By Beth Deitchman

The force is strong with the newly announced Oculus Quest. Today ILMxLAB—Lucasfilm’s immersive entertainment division—revealed the title of their highly anticipated virtual reality project, set to launch on Oculus Quest in 2019. Vicki Dobbs Beck, ILMxLAB Executive in Charge, and award-winning Writer and Executive Producer David S. Goyer unveiled the title and a debut trailer for Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series today at Oculus Connect 5 in San Jose, California.

“We always look for opportunities to explore the Star Wars universe in new ways,” said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. “ILMxLAB is very excited to be working with David S. Goyer on a first-of-its-kind Star Wars experience which allows fans to travel to Darth Vader’s fiery, lava-ridden fortress and wield a lightsaber on his home turf.”

“Our mission at ILMxLAB is to have fans ‘Step Inside Our Stories,’ and Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series represents a significant step forward in that ongoing quest.” said Vicki Dobbs Beck, ILMxLAB Executive in Charge. “Our friends at Oculus share ILMxLAB’s ambition to bring compelling immersive narratives to life and using Oculus’ hardware, we will invite fans to experience Darth Vader as never before.”

“As a lifelong Star Wars fan, working with ILMxLAB on an untold Vader story is a dream come true. The experience is designed to be ‘immersive first,’ meaning that from its inception, this three-part series has been conceived and executed specifically for the VR medium,” said David S. Goyer, Writer and Executive Producer. “We’re breaking new ground with this project that places you, the user, at the center of the story.”

Vader Immortal

“Whether it’s hearing Darth Vader’s breathing behind you and physically turning to face him in person or wielding a lightsaber with your own hands, Vader Immortal captures the ultimate wish fulfillment,” says Colum Slevin, Head of Experiences at Oculus. “Untethered VR immerses you in this universe and places you at the center of this amazing story.”

Taking place between Star Wars—Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars—Episode IV: A New Hope, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series is connected to ILMxLAB and The VOID’s location-based hyper-reality experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire.

Our 7 Favorite Things About A Million Little Things

By Beth Deitchman

ABC’s newest series takes its name from the old adage that friendship isn’t one big thing, but a million little things—from a shoulder to cry on to a hand to squeeze when you’re riding the Incredicoaster for the first time. The closest friendships are more complicated than they seem… even to the people in them. That’s the premise behind A Million Little Things, which follows a group of Bostonians after one member of their friend group takes his own life. His death becomes a wake-up call for the rest to start living, while they struggle to find a reason for Jon’s tragic demise and grapple with secrets of their own.

A Million Little Things premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and stars a talented ensemble that includes David Giuntoli as Eddie Saville, Ron Livingston as Jon Dixon, Romany Malco as Rome Howard, Allison Miller as Maggie Bloom, Christina Moses as Regina Howard, Christina Ochoa as Ashley Morales, Grace Park as Katherine Kim, James Roday as Gary Mendez, Stephanie Szostak as Delilah Dixon, Lizzy Greene as Sophie Dixon and Tristan Byon as Theo Saville. The series is inspired by creator/executive producer D.J. Nash’s real-life experiences, and when we recently heard from Nash and the actors during a premiere event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, it was clear that the series is inspiring a real-life friendship for its cast. There are a million reasons to tune in tonight—both little and not-so-little—and here are some of our favorites.

A Million Little Things

1. The show comes from a very real place for D.J. Nash.
Several years ago, Nash ran into a buddy and made plans for a lunch date that would never come to be. But as tragic as his friend’s death was, Nash remembers lighter moments, even in his time of grief. “[My friend] was hilarious, and we would always laugh together. At his funeral, we laughed a ton and we cried a ton, too,” says Nash, who carefully balances the emotional drama at the core of A Million Little Things with moments of humor between the close friends.

2. Nash pitched his story of friendship without a title, but he found a solution in an unlikely source.
After finding out that his pilot would be shot, Nash was tasked with settling on a name for the series. He left the pitch meeting and ended up in a supermarket where he took advantage of free WiFi and searched the Internet for titles that evoked friendship. “I found a cat poster with a cat holding on with another cat, helping him, and it said, ‘Friendship isn’t a big thing, it’s a million little things.’ And that little title is now on every billboard,” Nash laughs.

A Million Little Things

3. Though Jon dies at the beginning of the pilot, flashbacks will inform how he brought the group together—and why his absence has the impact that it does.
Ten years earlier, Jon, Rome, Eddie, and Gary were trapped in an elevator for several hours. By the time they were freed, the diehard Boston Bruins fans agreed to purchase season tickets and their commitment to their hockey team evolved into a friendship that took them through marriages, an addiction, and a fight against cancer. Ron Livingston, who plays Jon, notes, “We’re seeing everybody else in real time, moving forward after the suicide, and with Jon we’re sort of jumping back to essential moments that D.J. is teasing out.” Livingston believes that the character of Jon is defined, in part, by his friends and what he meant to each of them.

A Million Little Things

4. The friends don’t understand why Jon takes his own life… but each of them has a secret of his or her own, as well.
“I think every single person is broken in some way. Some people give you the courtesy of telling you right away when they meet you what that is, and with other people, you find that out sometimes at the worst time possible,” says Nash. As the characters’ secrets begin to unravel—which Nash promises will happen quickly—the revelations threaten to pull the friends apart at a time when they need each other more than ever.

5. Nash and the writers are determined that just when you think you know someone, you don’t.
Nash says that as we experience twists and turns with the characters, we’ll discover things that make us see them in a different light. “In the pilot, there’s a version you think of Katherine, and [in subsequent episodes] you see this humanity that Grace [Park] brings to the part and you understand Katherine and her struggle… Just when you think it’s Rome who’s going to take his life, it’s Jon. We will constantly, over the course of the series, flip those cards,” he says.

A Million Little Things

6. The characters won’t always be their best selves—and that’s what makes them so relatable.
David Giuntoli, who plays Eddie, admits that at first it can be a struggle to justify the choices his character makes—especially when they forever alter the dynamic between the friends. The actor confesses, “I can only do so much charming with these green eyes—and you can’t charm your way out of this one.”

The irreverent, wisecracking Gary is battling breast cancer and that has made him angry and combative, yet also darkly hilarious. “I think in a matter of seconds he has the ability to make everybody feel better and then 20 times worse,” says actor James Roday, pointing out that Gary often says what other people are probably thinking but wouldn’t say.

A Million Little Things

7. A Million Little Things is filled with tremendous optimism.
Rome’s life is saved when he gets the fateful call, and he decides to live his life differently as a result. “It’s almost like a reincarnation, where Rome has to reintroduce himself to who he is,” says Romany Malco. “He has to reintroduce himself to his wife, to his peer group and, at the same time, be honest enough and open enough to expose himself to seek help.”

“All of us, we’re all just not living the version of life we thought we’ve be living. Maybe it’s better than we’d thought, maybe it’s worse, but it’s different,” says Nash. For this group of friends, their friend’s death is the catalyst to make them change their lives. But, laughed Nash, perfectly—or purrfectly—embodying the humor that’s always present in A Million Little Things, “That’s hard to fit on a billboard, so we just went with the cat poster!”

7 Spectacular Facts About Disney Legend Ron Logan

By Francesca Scrimgeour

On Friday, October 19, D23 Gold and Gold Family Members are invited to Lunch with a Disney Legend: Ron Logan at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn conference center at Walt Disney World Resort. During the special event, guests can enjoy a three-course luncheon with Ron and ask him about his 23 years at Disney, where he ushered in a new era of live entertainment.

To learn more about Ron, here are seven spectacular facts about his legendary Disney career, creating entertainment spectacles around the world!

Beauty and the Beast on Broadway

1. Ron helped bring the “tale as old as time” to Broadway!
Building on the success of live theme park stage shows, Ron and his team pitched the idea of a Beauty and the Beast Broadway show to leadership, and the same team that produced the Beauty and the Beast stage show at Disneyland helped to create the Broadway version. They even partnered with the film’s screenwriter, Linda Woolverton, and songwriters (and fellow Disney Legends) Tim Rice and Alan Menken, who added to and adapted the classic songs written for the film by Menken and Howard Ashman. This led to the establishment of Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, where Ron served as President for the early years of Disney on Broadway!

Wild Bill's Wild West Show

2. Ron brought Western legends to life in France!
When Disney was building a theme park in France, the idea of an epic dinner show separate from the theme park was hatched. Thus, an arena-style dinner show, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was created for Disneyland Paris. Ron helped with designing the entire experience, from casting of the actors and actresses, the hearty American-style food service facilities, and the facilities for the animals. The show was such a hit that it still runs today at Disneyland Paris!

3. Walt Disney influenced Ron directly.
Ron had the opportunity to meet Walt Disney three times when he was a college-age trumpet player at Disneyland, and even performed as part of the Disney-produced pageantry for the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. One of Ron’s fondest early Disney memories includes being a fanfare trumpeter for the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland. In 1968, Ron remembers a technical issue where all the sound and lighting cut off during the show. Narrator Henry Fonda didn’t skip a beat, but pulled out a pen light from his coat pocket and continued narrating with his robust, unamplified, voice until the electricity returned. That was a defining moment for Ron, showing him that the show must go on, even when elements beyond the performers’ control aren’t going according to plan.

4. Ron added a Disney touch to the Super Bowl and the Indy 500!
Ron was involved in many sporting events and festivals around the world, bringing the Disney magic to new and exciting places. Ron aided in the opening ceremony for the Indy 500, and helped with a Disney float for Carnivale in Rio. He had a big role in creating halftime specials for many of the Super Bowls throughout the decades. Super Bowl 2000 was an especially challenging experience due to ice storms in Atlanta. Bringing in a large cast for the show became impossible, so they focused on a smaller cast to give the show a more sophisticated look. The incredible show that resulted was based on the story of the Tapestry of Nations parade that Ron brought to Epcot to celebrate the new millennium.

5. Ron’s roots run deep in education.
Ron is currently an associate professor at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, but his education roots reach throughout his Disney career! While he was a music professor at Long Beach City College, he came up with the idea of putting together a two-week pilot program where college-age student musicians would perform on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. The group eventually became the All-American College Marching Band, an educational program that still exists today, bringing college students from around the United States to perform at Disney’s parks!

Happily Ever After

6. Ron took fireworks spectaculars to new heights—literally!

When the first three of the Walt Disney World theme parks were open, launching firework shells to a certain height was unachievable. Ron wanted guests to view fireworks from all three Walt Disney World theme parks, and went to his team to see if they could figure out a way it could be done. They first thought of launching fireworks from helicopters, but they couldn’t find any pilots willing to do that! They ended up finding inspiration in the U.S. military, which was using air-launching systems for training purposes. The Disney team went on to develop electronic chips that ignite fireworks at different heights. This allowed the fireworks to not only reach new heights, but also to sync with the music, bringing Ron’s vision to a reality!

7. Not every Disney Legend has their own window on Main Street, U.S.A.!
Ron was honored with his very own Window on Main Street, U.S.A. above the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. His window reads, “Main Street Music Co.—Ron Logan—Conductor —Leading the Band into a New Century”, which is very fitting, considering his start as a trumpet player in Disneyland! See if you can spot it next time you’re there!

D23’s Ultimate Guide to ABC’s Fall Season 2018

By Will Keck

This week kicks of the new season of ABC’s most popular shows and introduces us to new series starring such fan faves as Nathan Fillion (Castle), Ron Livingston (Sex and the City) and Alec Baldwin. Here’s the complete schedule with premiere dates and hints of what’s in store for the characters we love welcoming into our homes each week.

Dancing with the Stars

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

8–10 p.m. ET/PT: Dancing with the Stars (Season premiere)
A Duke brother from Hazzard County, a former Facts of Life schoolgirl, a gymnastics legend who scored perfect 10s and a visually impaired ski champ are among the compelling contestants vying for this season’s 27th mirrorball trophy. Here’s the full lineup of competitors:

  • John Schneider: Best known for playing Bo Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard. In more recent years he’s recorded country music hits and starred on Tyler Perry’sThe Haves and the Have Nots.
  • DeMarcus Ware: One of the NFL’s greatest defensive players who spent nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the Denver Broncos and helping them win Super Bowl 50.
  • Milo Manheim: The handsome son of TV star Camryn Manheim (The Practice) who plays Zed on Disney Channel’s ZOMBIES and is set to appear in the new season of American Housewife. 
  • Mary Lou Retton: In the 1984 Summer Olympics, she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in gymnastics (scoring two perfect 10s) and get her own Wheaties box.
  • Nikki Glaser: A stand-up comic who hosts Comedy Central’s live daily morning show, You Up with Nikki Glaser, and appeared in the Amy Schumer film Trainwreck.
  • Joe Amabile: A fan favorite from season 14 of The Bachelorette and season five of Bachelor in Paradise who is known as “Grocery Store Joe.”
  • Danelle Umstead: At the age of 13, Danelle began losing her vision and her spotted vision now limits her sight to less than five feet without any detail. But this challenge didn’t stop Danelle and her husband Rob from making history at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games as the first husband-and-wife visually impaired ski race team to compete and medal for Team USA.
  • Evanna Lynch: Best known for playing Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series.
  • Bobby Bones: Host of the No. 1 nationally syndicated country music morning radio show and mentor on American Idol.
  • Alexis Ren: A social media influencer and model with 12 million fans.
  • Juan Pablo Di Pace: An Argentine-born actor best known for playing Petros in Mamma Mia! and the passionate Fernando on Fuller House.
  • Tinashe: A multiplatinum-certified R&B singer, writer, and dancer.
  • Nancy McKeon: As The Facts of Life’s motorcycle-riding Jo Polniaczek, she always stirred up trouble. Nancy will debut her dancing skills with pro dance fave Val Chmerkovskiy, who is newly engaged to fellow DWTS pro Jenna Johnson.

10–11 p.m. ET/PT: The Good Doctor (Season 2 premiere)
There are some staffing changes at the fictional San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. House’s Lisa Edelstein scrubs in as Dr. Blaize, an oncologist who’ll oversee the treatment of cancer-stricken Dr. Glassman (Richard Schiff).

The Goldbergs

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

8–8:30 p.m. ET/PT: The Goldbergs (Season 6 premiere)
Sean Giambrone, who plays son Adam, tells D23 the season premiere will be something special. “We usually do one homage episode a season, and in our first episode back my character turns 16 so we’re doing (an homage to the film) Sixteen Candles, which is a lot of fun. And then we pick up the crazy way we left things off in the finale, with Barry having proposed to Lainey. Erica dropped out of college, so the family has to figure all that out.” Look forward to a guest appearance from ‘80s rock icon Rick Springfield (as Erica’s boss at a karaoke bar) in the October 10 episode, and Robert Englund reprising his iconic Freddie Kreuger role from the Nightmare on Elm Street films in the Halloween episode.

8:30–9 p.m. ET/PT: American Housewife (Season 3 premiere; new time)
New challenges arise for Katie Otto (Katy Mixon), a confident, unapologetic Westport, Connecticut wife and mother of three, as she tries to compete with the wealthy town’s “perfect” mommies.

9–9:30 p.m. ET/PT: Modern Family (Season 10 premiere)
Series co-creator Chris Lloyd has fans guessing ever since he announced that a significant character would die, inspiring both tears and bittersweet laughter in the beloved comedy’s 10th season.

9:30–10 p.m. ET/PT: Single Parents (Series premiere)
“The show represents a significant part of the population we haven’t heard a lot about: single parents,” star Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond) teases to D23. “It’s both funny and realistic.” In the first episode, the group of parents to 7-year-olds welcome a new single dad (Saturday Night Live vet Taran Killam) into the fold.

10–11 p.m. ET/PT: A Million Little Things (Series premiere)
This new emotion-charged drama in the spirit of thirtysomething and This is Us finds a group of Bostonian friends—some thriving, some struggling—dealing with the devastating and perplexing suicide of their pal Jon (Sex and the City’s Ron Livingston).

Grey's Anatomy

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

8–10 p.m. ET/PT: Grey’s Anatomy (Season 15 premiere; two hours)
After weathering some heavy deaths over the past few years, Kim Raver, who plays pregnant doc Teddy Altman, tells D23 that the long-running hospital drama’s 15th season will be the season of love. “Even though the idea of love terrifies Teddy and she keeps trying to find it, she is all about love. I think this season is going to reveal so much about how she’s going to try to move forward with Owen, but it’s not going to be the typical love triangle with Amelia. We’re all going to figure it out together… with love.” And producers promise that the widowed Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) will also be opening up her heart after Derek’s death a few seasons back. Could it be with new orthopedic surgeon Link (The O.C.’s Chris Carmack), who previously served as the team doctor for the Seattle Mariners? Also look for Jackson (Jessie Williams) to make a life-changing decision.

10–11 p.m. ET/PT: How to Get Away with Murder (Season 5 premiere)
In the wake of last season’s turmoil, a flash forward—described as “startling”—will introduce a new mystery that promises to shake things up for all the characters, including some fresh young students selected by Annalise (Viola Davis) to work at her new legal clinic.

America's Funniest Home Videos

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

7–8 p.m. ET/PT: America’s Funniest Home Videos (Season 29 premiere)
Host Alfonso Ribeiro is back hosting ABC’s longest-running primetime entertainment show of all-time, and introducing new LOL clips sent in by Americans hoping their relatable fiascos will win them fame and fortune.

Station 19

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4

9–10 p.m. ET/PT: Station 19 (Season 2 premiere)
Seattle’s heroic firefighters are back risking their lives as first responders as new challenges erupt. New to the station is a seasoned firefighter with a mysterious past played by Code Black heartthrob Boris Kodjoe.

Fresh Off the Boat

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5

8­–8:30 p.m. ET/PT: Fresh Off the Boat (Season 5 premiere; new day and time)
Louis’ visit to a car dealership to buy a new RV introduces him to special guest star Jaleel White (Family Matters’ Urkel) who plays a sarcastic and underappreciated general manager.

8:30–9 p.m. ET/PT: Speechless (Season 3 premiere; new day)
Cedric Yarbrough (Kenneth) tells D23, “We start the show on the front lawn of the DiMeo house after they lost their home at the end of season two. We’re sleeping outside, so the family ends up moving in with me, which goes about as well as expected. I need to get them out of my house. Then, we all fly to London to find Maya’s dad, played by John Cleese. And something happens involving Buckingham Palace. I can’t believe they let us do all that we did.”

9–10 p.m. ET/PT: Child Support (Season 2 premiere; new time)
Fred Savage is back as the host posing questions to adult contestants, who receive support from five kids who have been asked the same questions by edgy funnyman Ricky Gervais.

Dancing with the Stars: Juniors

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7

8–10 p.m. ET/PT: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors (Series premiere; two hours)
Former Malcolm in the Middle child star Frankie Muniz is all grown up and hosting this kids version of Dancing with the Stars, alongside song-and-dance sensation Jordan Fisher, who actually won Dancing with the Stars’ mirrorball trophy in season 25. “Everyone knows Dancing with the Stars, but there’s a huge twist with kid celebrities, as well as the kids of celebrities,” Muniz tells D23. “My nieces are so excited to get to watch other kids their own age dancing. It’s so fun. And just wait until you hear the things these kids say.”

10­–11 p.m. ET/PT: Shark Tank (Season 10 premiere and 200th episode)
Joining the returning judging panel and fan favorites such as Alex Rodriguez and Bethenny Frankel will be three brand-new Guest Sharks, including basketball legend Charles Barkley, business titan Matt Higgins and former Shark Tank entrepreneur turned Shark, Jamie Siminoff, who went on to sell his invention, Ring, to Amazon for over a billion dollars. The series will air in its regular 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT timeslot beginning the following Sunday, October 14.

The Alec Baldwin Show

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14

10–11 p.m. ET/PT: The Alec Baldwin Show (Series premiere)
Three-time Emmy® winner Alec Baldwin is back with more in-depth interviews with his famous friends and newsmakers after a special sneak peek aired last spring following the Academy Awards®.

The Rookie

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16

8–8:30 p.m. ET/PT: The Conners (Series premiere)
Dan (John Goodman), Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), Darlene (Sara Gilbert), Becky (Lecy Goranson), and D.J. (Michael Fishman) continue to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford—from parenthood and dating to financial pressures and aging—in The Conners, and now the beloved characters will also grapple with a sudden and unexpected turn of events. Maya Lynne Robinson joins the cast as D.J.’s wife and childhood playmate, Geena, who returns from active duty overseas in Afghanistan, to her husband and daughter, Mary (Jayden Rey).

8:30–9 p.m. ET/PT: The Kids Are Alright (Series premiere)
Like ABC’s The Goldbergs, this new series is set in another decade (this time the ‘70s) and is inspired by the childhood of series creator Tim Doyle. The Clearys are a traditional Irish-Catholic working-class family with a household filled with eight boisterous sons, all having to share one bathroom. Yikes!

9–9:30 p.m. ET/PT: black-ish (Season 5 premiere)
Season 5 starts on a happy note, with Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow’s (Tracee Ellis Ross) 20-year marriage back on track. Now they’ll have to deal with Junior heading off to college, while twins Jack and Diane find some difficulty adjusting to middle school. Fans can also look forward to a special 100th episode, set to air November and sure to be full of surprises.

9:30–10 p.m. ET/PT: Splitting Up Together (Season 2 premiere)
Lindsay Price, who plays Camille, the best friend of Jenna Fischer’s Lena, tells D23, “When we ended the season, (exes) Martin (Oliver Hudson) and Lena had gotten together, and now we have to figure out what to do next. And Arthur (Bobby Lee) and Camille saw Martin’s ex-girlfriend buying a pregnancy test, so that has to be untangled.” Uh-oh!

10–11 p.m. ET/PT: The Rookie (Series premiere)
Castle star Nathan Fillion returns to ABC as John Nolan, who signs up as the L.A. police department’s oldest rookie after surviving a life-threatening incident.

Every New Limited-Time Experience Coming to Walt Disney World in 2019

By Karina Schink

There are so many exciting things happening across the worlds of Disney next year, and Walt Disney World Resort is no exception! From Mickey and Minnie and the Incredibles to some fan favorites showing some new blooms, there is an abundance of ways to experience pockets of magic at Walt Disney World next year! But, as we know, all good things must come to an end, so hurry to experience all that you can, because they’re here for a limited time only!

Move It! Shake It! Mousekedance It!

Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse
The two originals are bringing even more to the park than ever before! Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party is grooving its way over to Magic Kingdom Park. Dance with the duo as well as their pals in front of Cinderella Castle, shaking it along to live music and singers who will belt out new takes on Mickey Mouse Club classics! You’ll even be able to catch the Dapper Dans in their dashing pin-striped suits performing some songs in honor of Mickey and Minnie. No experience with these two is truly complete without a little something to commemorate your visit. Luckily, during this special event, there will be new Mickey- and Minnie-themed merchandise (and food!) to make your party complete.

The Incredibles meet and greet

The Incredibles
Your favorite heroic family is back (with their cape-hating designer in tow!). The Incredibles are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where you’ll take a stroll along a Municiberg city block—and it’s a good thing you’re there, because it just so happens a party is being held in honor of the supers themselves: Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Frozone! Of course, no celebration like this would truly be incredible without our favorite designer-turned-babysitter, Edna Mode! You can meet her on Pixar Place, where she’ll set up shop with some of her latest and greatest creations!

Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party

New Character Interactions
Oh we just can’t wait to be in the presence of these characters! Timon and Rafiki are making their way to a party near you! We’re rallying the pride to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lion King at Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party on Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Once you’ve let go of all of your worries, you can head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and come door-to-door with Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. Another new experience is rolling into Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Spring of 2019 in the form of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy! It’s a brand-new show experience that will bring you face-to-face with Lightning, and you’ll also have the opportunity to meet Cruz Ramirez, Lightning’s speedy pal, just outside the Racing Academy! That’s enough to make you go Ka-Chow!

Epcot Festival of the Arts

Epcot
Exciting things are in store at Epcot! The Epcot International Festival of the Arts returns from January 18 through February 25, delivering world-class culinary, visual, and performing arts. Then, from March 6 through June 3, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will bloom again with delectable bites and dozens of Disney-themed topiaries to discover around the park. And, of course, that’s not all: The Garden Rocks Concert Series is back and it’s bigger than ever. You can enjoy a total of 270 concerts over the course of the 90-day event.