8 Celebrity Narrators Announced for the Epcot Candlelight Processional

July 9, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

If you’re feeling the heat from the summer sun, why not cool off by making your holiday Disney parks plans? The partial list of narrators for the 2018 Candlelight Processional at Epcot has been released, so break out your calendars and think merry thoughts—this year features many returning favorites, although there are also still some narrators left to be announced. Here’s who you can expect so far:

November 22-23: Chita Rivera
November 24-Dec. 2: TBD
December 3-6: Neil Patrick Harris
December 7-9: Whoopi Goldberg
December 10-12: TBD
December 13-14: Blair Underwood
December 15-17: Gary Sinise
December 18-20: Pat Sajak
December 21-23: TBD
December 24-25: Edward James Olmos
December 26-27: Jodi Benson
December 28-30: TBD

Joined by a mass choir and orchestra, the celebrity narrator reads through the Christmas story in Epcot’s America Gardens Theatre, setting a beautiful atmosphere of holiday tradition and cheer. This year, the Candlelight Processional will start on Thanksgiving evening and continue until December 30.

Can’t wait to get in to that holiday spirit? You can make reservations for the Candlelight Processional dining package starting Wednesday, July 11. You can choose from 15 of Epcot’s delectable restaurants, along with special breakfast, lunch, and dinner options at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and breakfast and dinner options at Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

For more information, check out the Disney Parks Blog.

15 Swashbuckling Props from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

July 9, 2018July 9, 2018

By Kelsey Williams, the Walt Disney Archives

Avast! In honor of the 15th anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, D23 takes a look at 15 pieces of glittering treasure from the Walt Disney Archives collection.

Superstitious pirates believed having wenches aboard was bad luck, the exception being decorative figureheads on the bow of their ships. The *Black Pearl*’s 13-foot prow sculpture shows a winged-woman releasing a bird.

An incredible amount of detail went into crafting the *Black Pearl*, including this fish carving that was removed from one of the rear railings of the ship.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl archives item — Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa both stood behind this helm as captain of the *Black Pearl*.

The cursed treasure of Hernando Cortès contained 882 identical pieces of gold in a stone chest. This gold Aztec medallion, worn around Elizabeth Swann’s neck, is embossed with intricate details including a skull.

“It’s such a pretty boat. Ship.” At 23 feet tall, this “bigature”—the opposite of miniature—model of the *Black Pearl* is one of the largest artifacts in the Walt Disney Archives collection. The model was used for special effect shots in the first three *Pirates of the Caribbean* films.

If you’re seekin’ more pirate props, check out the exhibit the Walt Disney Archives curated for D23 Expo 2017.

D23 is Coming to San Diego Comic-Con 2018!

July 6, 2018July 23, 2018

Going to San Diego Comic-Con this year? We are, too! D23 is presenting two exciting panels—Celebrating 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, and 25 Years of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club during the weekend of July 18-22.

From Toontown to Halloweentown, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club bringing two amazing presentations to the San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con San Diego 2018!

Celebrating 90 Years of Mickey Mouse with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club

Friday, July 20^, from 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m., Room 6A

Beginning with Steamboat Willie, Mickey’s career has taken him on an epic journey that has endeared him to fans around the world. D23’s Justin Arthur hosts a panel including Bret Iwan (Voice Actor), Becky Cline (Director, the Walt Disney Archives), and Mark Henn (Master Disney Animator), who look at Mickey’s legendary roles in animated films and television shows, the Magic Kingdoms, and beyond!

25 Years of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club

Saturday, July 21, from 7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m., Room 6BCF

D23 pulls the curtain back on the classic stop-motion Halloween (and Christmas!) favorite, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, with a behind-the-scenes retrospective panel featuring the team that brought the movie to life 25 years ago, including Henry Selick (Director), Kelly Asbury (Art Director), Edie Ichioka (Editor), and Anthony Scott (Animator).

5 Fun Facts About Toy Story Land from These Pixar Pals

July 3, 2018

By Courtney Potter

D23 was fabulously fortunate enough to chat with Liz Gazzano and Roger Gould from Pixar Animation Studios about the magic that went into creating Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Mere days ago, D23 had the spectacular opportunity to visit Toy Story Land inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort before it was open to the public (click here to read all about our adventures!)… Not only did we have an absolute blast, riding Slinky Dog Dash and trying the delicious food at Woody’s Lunch Box (among so many other things), but we also had the chance to meet with two very important people in Toy Story Land’s development.

Liz Gazzano is Pixar Animation Studios’ executive producer for theme parks, while Roger Gould is Pixar’s creative director for theme parks—and both have been helping Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, as well as Walt Disney Imagineering, make Pixar-related magic for years. (Talk about two of the coolest jobs on the planet, right?) Liz and Roger took a few minutes out of their busy day to chat about what went into creating such an immersive, colorful land. Here are five of their most fascinating tidbits!

On making sure guests were truly able to “play big”…
“The first time I saw the land finished was two days ago,” shares Gazzano. “I was curious to see if I was going to feel small like a toy—and honestly, the job that everyone has done here, with Walt Disney Imagineering… I felt it. That’s what I’m most excited about, is walking into that land and feeling like you’re the size of a toy. The minute you cross that threshold where Sheriff Woody is standing there greeting you, and you see all these big plants that look like grass—you feel it!”

On some charming not-so-hidden details they know fans will really love…
“If you look closely at the Rex box that we [created, in the queue for Slinky Dog Dash], Jeff Pidgeon—one of the original Toy Story designers—drew the box that he would have come in originally,” explains Gould. “We all know Rex as the nervous Rex, but this is an image of him as the ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex. And if you look at the price stamp, you’ll see it’s from Al’s Toy Barn, and the cost is—in fact—$19.95, the year the original Toy Story premiered in theaters!… [Plus], one of my favorite things is the Wheezy box in his original packaging, [something] we invented for this land; it doesn’t say ‘Wheezy,’ it says, ‘Squeaky Penguin toy’—but Andy himself has written ‘Wheezy’ on it. [Make sure to] look at the disclaimer down at the bottom: ‘Do not use in water’… We think that maybe is how his squeaker got ruined.”

Gazzano has a favorite detail too…
“This is such a silly thing, but one thing that I think is really fun with Slinky Dog Dash is being in the back seat and seeing his little tail spring, just like the real toy,” Gazzano says. “I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so glad we did that’—because he really feels like a toy, so when I watch him going [along] on that coaster and you see his little tail bouncing along, it cracks me up every time!”

On a stand-out memory from her four-plus years spent working on the land’s development…
“With Alien Swirling Saucers—I’m a producer, so I love detail and I love process,” explains Gazzano. “I so enjoyed working with our production designer, Bob Pauley, who worked on all three Toy Story movies, and having him design the alien ride vehicles, and work with the engineers from Imagineering. We would meet three times a week with our modeler at Pixar [to] design that vehicle… It [meshed] science and art in a really great way, [not only] being able to work with the artists but also being able to learn about the engineering—marrying that all up so it becomes something as darling as that little ride vehicle. I just love it.”

On what they hope guests will take away from their Toy Story Land adventures…
“I think [visitors] are going to really enjoy this land for its uniqueness,” Gazzano says. “I think that, especially Disney fans who’ve visited the other parks and enjoyed them for their own uniqueness, [they’ll see how] this one really fits. It just fits the park… I think that Imagineering has done such an amazing job of bringing our characters to life, bringing our environments to life, building a backyard for Andy—making the guests feel like they truly can play here.”

Make sure to visit Toy Story Land, now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, during your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort!

Everything You Need To Know Before Seeing Ant-Man and The Wasp

July 2, 2018

Marvel’s tiniest heroes find themselves—once again—in big, big trouble in the brand-new film from Marvel Studios, Ant-Man and The Wasp, hitting theaters July 6. Paul Rudd returns as Scott Lang, the ex-con who becomes Ant-Man, and Evangeline Lilly returns as Hope van Dyne, who finally dons The Wasp suit. Michael Douglas is also back as brilliant scientist Hank Pym, obsessed with finding his long-lost wife, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. With so much going on in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—including an astonishing turn of events in Avengers: Infinity War earlier this year—here’s everything you should know about the characters before you see Ant-Man and The Wasp.

WHERE WE LEFT OFF
First off, according to producer and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Ant-Man and The Wasp is a sequel to two previous Marvel films. “It’s a follow-up to Ant-Man while also showing the aftermath of Captain America: Civil War,” he says. “For me, there’s a tremendous amount of excitement when you’re able to tell stories like this and combine characters from their origin movies and then layer in their appearances from other movies.”

Director Peyton Reed was eager to jump right back into the Ant-Man storyline. “In the first Ant-Man there was so much to set up. We had to set up the mythology of Hank Pym and the powers of Ant-Man. And then we had to set up Scott Lang as an ex-con and how he comes upon the Ant-Man technology. And we had to tell the story of who Hope van Dyne is. And then we had to give a little taste of Janet and Hank together. And then we had to establish that he controls ants, too. That it’s not just the shrinking. There was a lot packed into it.”

CATCHING UP WITH THE CHARACTERS OF ANT-MAN AND THE WASP

SCOTT LANG/ANT-MAN
Paul Rudd
Scott helped Captain America’s team in Civil War, earning him the ire of the federal government, not to mention Iron Man. What’s happened in the intervening time since then? “There’s the hint that Captain America busts them out,” says Reed. “So one of the big challenges was that, for the little amount of time that Scott Lang is in Civil War, we had to take into account what that meant for these characters going forward.” Ant-Man and The Wasp, then, shows us the repercussions of Scott’s involvement.

“One of the things that I really like about playing this character is that Scott is thrown into these extraordinary circumstances of shrinking and flying around on ants and dealing with life-threatening situations,” says Paul Rudd. “I’ve always tried to sustain his way of dealing with everything with a sense of humor and a carefree attitude. I think it gives an audience a fun ride to see somebody like Scott Lang take in all of this craziness. So, for me, that’s fun to play.”

HOPE VAN DYNE/THE WASP
Evangeline Lilly
Fans will remember that in the end-credits scene of the first Ant-Man film, Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym character gives his daughter, Hope van Dyne, The Wasp suit, setting up her Super Hero turn in Ant-Man and The Wasp. “I was excited to play Hope again for so many reasons,” says Lilly. “In Ant-Man she went through this enormous emotional arc. So it was exciting to have the chance to go back to this character and play her in a new space, a space where she is more at ease in her own skin and more at ease in her relationship with her father.”

HANK PYM
Michael Douglas
Hank Pym created the Ant-Man suit that helped Scott Lang defy the authorities and fight for Captain America in Civil War. It stands to reason, then, that Hank and Hope need to stay out-of-sight to avoid being arrested—not to mention the fact that that they skirted the law in the last Ant-Man film. Needless to say, the authorities would like to get their hands on this rogue scientist and his brilliant daughter. Hank’s desire to find his wife, though, complicates things.

“The best part about returning for a sequel is the opportunity to again work with Peyton, Paul, and Evangeline,” Douglas says. “There’s that feeling of familiarity that informs the filmmaking process. You also get to define your character more. Hank Pym is the straight man who keeps the story grounded.”

JANET VAN DYNE
Michelle Pfeiffer
Audiences have never met Hank’s wife and Hope’s mother, Janet van Dyne, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, who was the original Wasp. Thirty years ago, a freak accident lost her to the Quantum Realm, a place Hank and Hope want to rescue her from.

“Peyton and I spoke at length about Janet,” says Pfeiffer, “and he always stressed that, yes, she was a brilliant scientist unto herself, but at the heart of it all she is a warrior who has managed to survive on her own terms in the Quantum Realm. Honestly, I think she is a lot fiercer now than the original concept of the character, which is exciting to me.”

AVA/GHOST
Hannah John-Kamen
Ava, played by Hannah John-Kamen, seeks out the new technology developed by Hank for her own personal reasons. Of course, Hank won’t part with his invention willingly, which sets up one of the main sources of conflict in the film. “There are so many layers to this character,” says John-Kamen. “Her situation is not black and white. It’s not about world domination or good and evil. I was amazed at her vulnerability and felt really connected to Ava.”

THE X-CON SECURITY CREW
Michael Peña (Luis)
David Dastmalchian (Kurt)
Tip “T.I.” Harris (Dave)
Michael Peña returns as the hilariously lovable Luis, the one-time partner-in-crime to Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang. Trying to live lawfully isn’t necessarily easy for Luis, who wants to find a way to make money without going to jail. “Luis is such a fun-loving dude,” remarks Peña. “Although he’s been in and out of jail for some minor stuff, he is always really positive, and I think that’s really kind of endearing. He still has an optimistic viewpoint towards life. Especially now as he and Scott are building a business and potentially a new life.”

SCOTT’S FAMILY
Judy Greer (Maggie)
Bobby Cannavale (Jim Paxton)
Abby Ryder Fortson (Cassie)
Scott’s relationship with his daughter, Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson), his ex-wife, Maggie, (Judy Greer), and Maggie’s husband, Jim Paxton (Bobby Cannavale), is complicated by his exploits as Ant-Man. “Paul, Bobby, and I just have such a good time together,” says Greer. “They have been best friends forever, so being around those two is always fun. Peyton encourages improv, so we are always riffing and trying to come up with a funny piece of dialogue or moment in a scene. Even with all the joking around between takes, I’ve seen Paul take something funny and, on the fly, just seamlessly navigate it into something real and meaningful.”

BILL FOSTER
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne, who plays Bill Foster, a scientist and former colleague of Hank Pym, has been anxiously awaiting his chance to be in a Marvel film. “I just was really hungry to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” says Fishburne. “I would’ve played an asteroid in any movie given the opportunity! So the fact that Kevin and Peyton found that I was a good match for the character of Bill Foster is huge. It’s a dream come true for me.”

He continues, “What initially excited me about the role of Bill Foster is that he is a scientist in his own right, a contemporary of Hank Pym’s with the same level of smarts and curiosity. The fact that I’d be playing scenes with Michael Douglas and be a foil to him was a big factor. I’ve never worked with him before, so who in their right mind would walk away from that?”

Ant-Man, The Wasp, and Hank Pym return July 6 with epic adventures on a grand (and microscopic) scale. “We wanted to deliver on the promise at the end of Ant-Man,” says Feige. “When you look at the history of the comics, Ant-Man and The Wasp were one of the great team-ups of Marvel. We’d already touched on that a little bit in the flashback in the first film with the original Ant-Man and Wasp, and we absolutely wanted to see that now in the modern day. Hope and Scott as these two Super Heroes who couldn’t be more different is the perfect way to delve into their potential to live up to this iconic duo and pick up that mantle.”

Everything We Loved About Toy Story Land

June 30, 2018June 29, 2018

By Courtney Potter

D23 is celebrating the opening of Toy Story Land by bringing you along for an exclusive tour of this amazing new corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios park…

“Yeehaw!” Giddy up, partner—it’s almost time for the grand opening of the newest land to delight the young and the young-at-heart at Walt Disney World Resort… a chance to play big as an “honorary toy,” bringing the fantastical world of a child’s imagination to life right before our eyes.

Nestled inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios park is the brand-new Toy Story Land, inspired by Pixar Animation Studios’ iconic Toy Story films. While the 11-acre land isn’t officially opening to guests until Saturday, June 30, D23 was extremely fortunate to get a joyful, toy-full sneak peek. But that’s not all: We were also lucky enough to have a quick chat with Liz Gazzano, Pixar Animation Studios’ executive producer for theme parks—and got a few of her unique insights into what’s in store.

We honestly couldn’t believe it—stepping into Toy Story Land was like stepping right into Andy’s backyard! With a tip of his wide-brimmed hat, a delightfully giant Sheriff Woody was on hand to greet us as we enter. Soon, we’re the size of a toy, and there’s nothing but joy on the horizon. We couldn’t help but start to explore… and suddenly found ourselves surrounded by all manner of adorable fun. Giant yo-yos, domino pieces, Crayola crayons, and Scrabble tiles—expressively strewn about the mega-tall “grass” where Andy left them. There are lampposts shaped like Tinkertoys, and even benches built from Lincoln Logs and K’nex pieces! The whimsical touches don’t end there: Huge playing cards and jacks, a large balsa-wood glider, and (of course) a big Barrel of Monkeys all add to the incredible visual tapestry.

According to Gazzano, there’s a nifty creative touch that visitors should be very sure to look for as they walk into the land: “Andy’s sneaker footprint in the cement,” she shares. “It’s not something you would notice the first time you come through… details like that are things I love.”

Slinky Dog Dash
The centerpiece of Toy Story Land is the new Slinky Dog Dash attraction. As this is Andy’s domain, he’s taken his Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit and assembled his very own roller coaster—but instead of using the vehicle that came with the kit, Andy’s put his adorable floppy-eared dachshund Slinky Dog toy on the track! The family-friendly thrill ride offers guests a bendy, bouncy view of the entirety of Toy Story Land atop tracks and supports of bright red and yellow, designed (with hand-drawn plans, of course!) by Andy himself. (Even Rex and Jessie get into the action, helping Andy by stringing lights above his ginormous stacked Jenga pieces.) “One thing that I think is really fun with Slinky Dog Dash is being in the back seat and seeing his little tail spring [bounce up and down],” admits Gazzano, “just like the real toy… it cracks me up every time!”

Sitting down in our row, we couldn’t help but feel like we’d time-traveled back to our childhood—and it was the best! We laughed, we screamed with delight (especially about halfway through the ride; we don’t want to spoil the surprise!), and we left with wind-swept hair and smiles a mile wide… We especially loved the tuneful finale featuring Wheezy, the hilariously squeaky penguin from the Toy Story films.

(Luckily, we were able to visit Toy Story Land again once the sun went down—that’s when the entire area comes alive with incredible after-dark lighting and sound effects. Visiting soon? Be sure to ride the attraction at night too; it’s a whole different, but equally as fun, experience!)

Alien Swirling Saucers
We only had a moment to catch our breath, post-Slinky Dog Dash, when we found ourselves in front of the land’s other brand-new attraction—Alien Swirling Saucers. If you’re anything like us, you’ve wondered what life is like for those adorable three-eyed green aliens… whiling away the hours inside one of those claw game machines at Pizza Planet. (C’mon, we know you’ve thought about it.) As the story goes, Andy won this alien playset during one of his many Pizza Planet trips—and now we get to reap the whirling benefits. This attraction was particularly memorable from Gazzano’s point of view: “The process that I enjoyed the most was working with our production designer, Bob Pauley, who’d been a production designer on all three Toy Story movies,” she explains, “and having him design the ride vehicles and work with engineers from Imagineering. We would meet three times a week with our modeler at Pixar [to] design that vehicle… it [meshed] science and art in a really great way.”

We can safely say this attraction made all our Pizza Planet dreams come tr-“ooooooooohhh.” Once we climbed into our “saucer”, it was apparent that no detail was left in the proverbial pizza delivery truck; our particular alien (there are 22 in total) zoomed us ‘round and ‘round icons like Planet Pepperonia while the infamous claw loomed overheard. The attraction also includes lively, all-new music tracks based on the Toy Story films’ themes. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t giggling with glee the whole time!

Toy Story Mania
Even before Toy Story Land’s inception, no visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios park was complete without a twirl through Toy Story Mania—only now, with this new land’s opening, the fan-fave attraction has an amazing new entrance right across from Slinky Dog Dash. The carnival-style gateway features a candy-striped marquee—which is based, so we’re told, on the original box Andy’s own “Toy Story Mania Midway Games Playset” came in. The queue has nostalgic new touches we really enjoyed, including a gigantic View-Master disc (remember those?) featuring scenes from Disney’s Peter Pan… and don’t worry, the hilarious Audio-Animatronics® figure of Mr. Potato Head is back as the “Boardwalk Barker,” greeting guests with zingers a-plenty.

Woody’s Lunch Box
We’re happy to report the fun extends to food here at Toy Story Land, as diners are welcome to enjoy classic on-the-go fare from the new Woody’s Lunch Box. Since even toys have to eat now and again, Andy took his old Sheriff Woody-themed lunch box and propped it open with its gigantic thermos, creating a picnic for all his Green Army Men… and us. We sampled a few of the delightful treats featured at the eatery, including S’More French Toast (so delish, we hoped for seconds); Totchos, a bite-sized snack with potato barrels, corn chips, chili, and queso (delectable); and Lunch Box Tarts, a modern—and extremely tasty—interpretation of a breakfast toaster pastry as a hand-held dessert! And we couldn’t let this opportunity go by without trying the spot’s Grown Up’s Lemonade (for those 21 and over), created with cherry vodka, Odwalla Lemonade, and black cherry purée. So refreshing!

Toy Story Land Dedication
The next morning, we had the supreme pleasure of attending the spectacular Toy Story Land dedication ceremony, right in front of Slinky Dog Dash. After the Green Army Men “secured” the location, an “Andy’s Toys” box-like curtain was dropped to reveal our Toy Story faves: Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody, and Jessie the Cowgirl! They were soon joined by Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek, welcoming everyone who’ve “made a place for Toy Story in their hearts” to the immersive new land—a place where the young and young-at-heart can “play big.” But the biggest surprise was yet to come… Chapek thrilled the crowd (and those around the world watching the live stream over at the Disney Parks Blog) by introducing the voice of Buzz Lightyear himself, Disney Legend Tim Allen! “I’ve been part of this great movie for 20 years,” said Allen, “and you can’t ever imagine that somehow you’d be able to play in Andy’s backyard… This is amazing!”

With our time at the brand-new Toy Story Land now complete, we’ve been thinking back to something Gazzano had told us earlier—something that proved especially accurate once we’d experienced all the land had to offer. “The minute you cross that threshold,” she explains, “where Sheriff Woody is standing there greeting you, and you see all these big plants that look like grass, you really feel like you’re the size of a toy… Walt Disney Imagineering has done such an amazing job of bringing our characters to life, bringing our environments to life, building a back yard for Andy—making the guests feel like they truly can play here.”

For us, this was absolutely true… and we can’t wait to come back!

Our Top 7 Winning Disney Soccer Moments

June 29, 2018

By Karina Schink

The first leg of the World Cup is over! Hopefully your team made it through, but regardless of the outcome, there’s always a Disney team to root for! Here are some of our top Disney soccer highlights.

1. Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
This Disney Channel Original Movie premiered in 2006 and introduced us to Wendy Wu (played by Brenda Song), a tenacious young woman who must train to become a warrior, at the risk of losing her homecoming crown. In one of the DCOM’s most memorable scenes, Wendy faces off against her rival Jessica during a soccer game and loses the ball when she tries to defeat Jessica in a verbal confrontation. But Wendy’s warrior skills kick in, and in what we can only describe as a sideways bicycle kick (with much more than a 360-degree rotation), she launches the ball into the goal. We’re still crossing our fingers that we’ll see some of those ancient, thousand-year-old warrior skills in this year’s World Cup.

2. Bedknobs and Broomsticks
In this unforgettable Disney classic, Emelius Browne acts as a volunteer referee to two very “wild” teams. As predator (including the lion king of Naboombu) goes against prey, Mr. Browne finds himself in the middle of the animal antics, suffering burned feet and nearly getting trampled (multiple times) over the course of the match. This game was unlike anything we’ve seen these past few weeks—and, we’re pretty sure they broke a couple, if not all, of FIFA’s rules—but might mark the first instance we aren’t rooting for one team, but the referee!

3. The Big Green
This live-action gem didn’t just include one soccer game; the sport is at the very heart of this 1995 film. When teacher Miss Montgomery was with a, let’s say, less than enthusiastic class, she decided to approach her lessons a bit differently: by instructing her students in the ways of soccer. The kids didn’t start out as the best team, but through blood, sweat, and tears (and some pretty fantastical imaginations), they came through in the end and pulled together to prove that “they’re not the nothings from nowhere.”

4. Air Bud: World Pup
Is there a better way to celebrate the World Cup than with our favorite Golden Retriever and his own “World Pup”? Featuring soccer legends Briana Scurry, Brandi Chastain, and Tisha Venturini, this film follows Buddy’s owner, Josh, as the two join a soccer team and compete to win the championship. While these two navigate crushes, puppies, and the famous game itself, not everything goes as smoothly as possible. It wouldn’t be an Air Bud classic without some furry foils on their way to victory, right?

5. Goal! The Dream Begins
Another soccer-star-studded film, Goal! The Dream Begins tells the very humble rags-to-riches story of Santiago Muñez, who works two jobs to tirelessly support his family but still finds time to chase his passion: soccer. Santiago’s life turns upside down when he is discovered by a former professional soccer player and flies to England to try out for Newcastle United. As he faces adversity from other players on the field, Santiago must learn how to overcome not only their doubts but his own, as well. This film pulls on your heart strings, keeps you cheering, and, of course, reignites your love for the game.

6. Switching Goals
This two-hour television movie premiered in 2002 on The Wonderful World of Disney and introduced everyone to Sam and Emma, played by twins and Disney favorites Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, two soccer-loving sisters with a few tricks up their sleeves. When neither sister is named to the team they want, they pull off a time-honored twin tradition and trade places on their respective teams. This movie is driven by themes of teamwork and persistence, but at the heart of it all is family.

7. Sport Goofy in Soccermania
Much like the FIFA World Cup, in this cartoon—which debuted in the television special An All New Adventure of Disney’s Sport Goofy—it’s all about that trophy. Three of our favorite ducks, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, become teammates under Sport Goofy’s coaching to try and win back the valuable trophy (worth over a million dollars!) their Uncle Scrooge McDuck accidentally gave away. Even though the McDuck Greenbacks may not be the most soccer-savvy, you can’t say that they don’t give the sport their all in this 20-minute cartoon that perfectly combines humor, sportsmanship, and of course, the bond between an uncle and his nephews.

As the 16 teams moving forward keep pushing for that World Championship title, we can’t help but think that Sport Goofy said it best, “May the best team win!”

Sneak Peek at New Attractions Racing to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

June 29, 2018August 6, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Disney Parks fans welcomed several high-speed announcements this morning. Following the dedication of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks Blog shared some exciting news about the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

A New Look at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
The adorable new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will be headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019. We got our first look at concept art for the attraction at D23 Expo Japan 2018, and this morning we got another spectacular sneak peek!

The attraction, which will totally immerse guests in a cartoon world and feature a new catchy theme song created especially for the attraction, has now been revealed to feature Goofy as the railway’s wacky engineer. The fun begins when you see the premiere of a new cartoon short with Mickey and Minnie preparing for a picnic. As they head out, they drive alongside a train and find out that the engineer is Goofy. Then, one magical moment lets you step into the movie and on Goofy’s train for an animated adventure like you’ve never before experienced.

In order to create the most authentic experience with these beloved characters, the teams helping create the attraction are currently working with partners at Disney Television Animation in telling this attraction’s story, allowing guests to join Mickey and his friends like never before.

Cross the Finish Line with Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
Start practicing your “Ka-Chow,” racers, because beginning in early 2019, there’s going to be another exciting reason to get revved up about a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, a high-octane first-of-its-kind new show will put you right in the middle of the world of Disney•Pixar’s Cars. Located near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy brings guests face-to-face with racing legend Lightning McQueen. Our favorite red racer is here to share his knowledge with the next generation of rookies, but things don’t always go according to plan.

But don’t worry—with friends Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez and the gang from Radiator Springs on his side, Lightning gears up for the challenge.

7 Ways to Play in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

Beginning Saturday, June 30, guests of the Walt Disney World Resort will go to infinity and beyond in Toy Story Land, the latest addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Inspired by the iconic Toy Story films, the brand-new land features two new attractions (plus an update to a fan-favorite!), a delightful new dining establishment and a slew of surprises. Teams at Pixar and Walt Disney Imagineering have dug deep into their toy boxes to create an immersive world that celebrates play—and we can’t wait to jump into the fun!

We want your first visit to Toy Story Land to be the best playdate ever, so we’ve compiled a rootin’, tootin’ list of experiences you simply have to take in while you cavort through the joy-filled, toy-filled world.

1. Spend a day as an honorary toy.
From our first visit to Andy’s room in Toy Story in 1995, we’ve known one thing for sure: It’s good to be a toy! When you enter Toy Story Land, you are transported to Andy’s backyard where, as an honorary toy, you enjoy a unique, imaginative perspective on the world. Favorite playthings are part of the décor in Toy Story Land, which features lampposts shaped like Tinkertoys and benches fashioned out of Lincoln Logs and K’nex pieces.

2. Take in the toy-riffic view while you ride Slinky Dog Dash.
The new family coaster appears to have been assembled by Andy from his “Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit.” But, of course, a creative kid like Andy couldn’t help but stretch his imagination and replace the roller coaster vehicle that came with the kit with his old pal Slinky Dog. Guests ride within Slinky Dog’s coils, dipping, diving and dropping on the delightful new attraction—which is the first Disney coaster to feature a second launch at its midpoint.

3. Twist and turn beneath “The Claw” on Alien Swirling Saucers
All together now: “Ooohh!” Our favorite green Aliens have their own attraction at Toy Story Land, and everyone gets to ride along. Alien Swirling Saucers places guests inside a playset won by Andy at Pizza Planet where they swirl about in toy rocket ships helmed by the three-eyed cuties themselves. Keep an ear out for a space-inspired soundtrack of familiar songs that you’ve never heard quite this way before.

4. Enjoy new magic at Toy Story Mania!
Just in time for the opening of Toy Story Land, the popular attraction has a new entrance that’s designed to resemble the box that Andy’s Toy Story Mania Midway Games Playset came in. And with the addition of a third track, even more guests will be able to compete against each other in a series of virtual 3-D carnival games to see who will pop the most balloons, fire the most darts, and toss the most rings around the little green Aliens. But when it comes down to the question of who will have the most fun on Toy Story Mania!, that hasn’t changed—it’s always going to be a tie!

5. Savor new takes on old-fashioned eats and treats at Woody’s Lunch Box.
If all of the Pixar play makes you a bit peckish, simply look to the giant thermos and all of your cravings will be satisfied. Woody’s Lunch Box is a wonderful new walk-up window serving classic sandwiches, including a gleefully gooey grilled cheese, plus original snacks and sides such as the “Totchos,” Potato Barrels that have been given the nacho treatment—all the better to tempt your tastebuds. Grab a Lunch Box Tart or soda float and dine at a Tinkertoy table while you take in the sights and sounds of the land.

6. Assemble your own toy box at two merchandise locations.
Bring your favorite Toy Story pals home with you! A toy camper and a toy dump truck serve as enchanting emporiums where you can purchase T-shirts, replicas of the Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog Dash attraction vehicles, and more. We are eternally grateful for the new green Alien headband, and a cuddly Slinky Dog headband is available to “coil up” atop your noggin, as well. Slinky Dog also gets the high-tech treatment via a light-up version of the toy that can either be worn as a fashion accessory or brighten up a table or shelf once you’re home from your Toy Story Land adventure.

7. Mix and mingle with your fellow toys.
As an honorary toy, you’re one of the gang at Toy Story Land, where Woody, Jessie, Buzz and friends will be encountering guests throughout the land. Several times per day, Sarge and the Green Army Man Drum Corps will pause their march through Toy Story Land to play games with guests, such as “Sarge Says;” and you’ll also have the opportunity see if you have what it takes to join their ranks in an interactive boot camp.

Watch a replay of the Toy Story Land dedication ceremony that was streamed live on the Disney Parks Blog on Friday, June 29. The land officially opens to guests on Saturday, June 30. Let’s hear it for the toys!

The 7 Biggest Little Secrets Revealed by Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp Cast and Crew

June 28, 2018June 28, 2018

By Jim Frye

Marvel Studios’ 2015 film Ant-Man introduced audiences to the hilariously heroic antics of Scott Lang, played by Paul Rudd, a one-time thief who gets a new lease on life when he puts on a scientifically enhanced suit that gives him the power to change sizes. Introduced by Marvel Comics in 1962, Ant-Man later appeared in Avengers No. 1, alongside Marvel’s very first Super Heroine—The Wasp.

Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp, which takes place about two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War, puts both of those founding Avengers together onscreen for the first time as a Super Hero duo, with Scott once again donning the suit to fight alongside Evangeline Lilly’s Hope Van Dyne as The Wasp.

The cast and filmmakers of Ant-Man and the Wasp gathered this week and spilled the beans on some things that moviegoers might not know. Here’s the big and small of it.

1. Paul Rudd explains why he thinks this film was able to include more humor.
“After two other films,” says Rudd, referring to the first two films where his character appeared—the first Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War—he thinks audiences “buy” him as Ant-Man and they understand the rules. “It felt as if we had a little bit more freedom to play into the humor,” he says. “Where the first time around, we were still… modulating. Now, people know who this guy is already.”

2. Kevin Feige explains how much the Quantum Realm will be a part in future films.
“Without giving anything away… in the first film, we got a glimpse of it,” says Marvel Studios President and producer Kevin Feige. “For people who like to go through it frame by frame, there was a little silhouette of Janet lost in there, which is a big story element in this new movie. There are things that Peyton put in there—but where and how they pay off in the near term and the long term remains to be seen.”

3. Evangeline Lilly can explain quantum physics—and LOVES it!
“I really love quantum physics, and I did before this happened and that’s one of the reasons I was excited about this brand,” enthused Lilly, who plays Hope van Dyne/The Wasp, daughter of brilliant scientist Hank Pym. “At one point we thought the atom was the be-all and end-all, and the smallest nucleus in the world, but we found out that’s not true… And atoms can exist in multiple places at the same time.” She continued to explain that matter is kinetic and is displaceable, and that we have the ability to warp matter, and warp time, and warp the universe—in short, she blew our mind! And now we know there’s no one better qualified than Lilly to play a scientist that has a super-powered suit.

4. Hannah John-Kamen, who plays Ava/Ghost, does not consider her character a villain.
When asked if she sees her character—Ava/Ghost—as the villain, Hannah John-Kamen answered, “Absolutely not. I definitely approach the character not as the villain… when you play a villain, you have to play it like you’re the good guy and everyone else is bad. … She has a clear objective in the movie… I think what Marvel does so well is that it’s not black and white. The villains are redeemable.”

5. Peyton Reed wanted San Francisco to be a character in the film.
“We wanted to do a car chase that you just couldn’t see in any other movie,” said director Peyton Reed. “We wanted to do all these very specific things and make San Francisco a character in the movie. Thankfully the city of San Francisco was so cooperative and we had free range to do some crazy things.”

6. Michael Douglas was ecstatic to finally work with Michelle Pfeiffer.
“I look great,” joked Douglas, referring to his high-octane performance as Dr. Hank Pym. “First of all, when I discovered that Michelle Pfeiffer was going to be my wife—I’m such a tremendous fan of hers but never had any chance to work with her—I was totally ecstatic. And then to read the script and find out that Michelle Pfeiffer and I were going to be 30 years younger, it made it all that much better.”

7. Kevin Feige says that featuring The Wasp was always in the plans.
“The first Ant-Man film is essentially all about how qualified Hope is and her estrangement from her father,” says Feige. “So we always knew that the next one was going to be Ant-Man and The Wasp and [we would] finally see her suit up and be the hero that she was born to be.”

Catch all the action and comedy when Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp opens in theaters July 6.