Disneyland After Dark Returns to a Galaxy Far, Far Away—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

A second Star Wars Nite at Disneyland park is announced, and Big Hero 6 The Series readies its premiere for June 9… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

news briefs 4/24

Disneyland After Dark Goes Galactic with Second Star Wars Celebration

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite is so very nice, they’re doing it twice! Yes—due to unprecedented demand for their now-sold-out event on May 3, Disneyland park is adding a second Star Wars Nite celebration on Wednesday, May 9… and tickets go on sale very soon!

Guests at this supremely cool after-hours event will once again have special access to celebrate everything galactic across Disneyland park. Folks are encouraged to come dressed in their fave Star Wars attire, and they’ll have access to exclusive entertainment (like a dance party and character encounters); amazing and immersive Star Wars-themed photo opportunities; a commemorative lanyard and event credential; special food and beverage offerings; and even unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass pics taken during the event.

Plus, this second Star Wars Nite will also include the opportunity to be among the first to purchase limited-quantity Solo: A Star Wars Story pins, an Acme Archives Limited artist showcase and signing, and a book signing for It’s Your Universe from Ashley Eckstein. Honestly, if you’re local to SoCal and you’re a Star Wars fan, this is an event you don’t want to miss! Tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 1—visit the After Dark page at Disneyland.com for more info.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
April 29, 2018
D23 Attends “Disney Night” at American Idol
June 9, 2018
D23’s Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Experience in Florida
May 19, 2018
Exclusive Meet & Greet with Ashley Eckstein
May 25, 2018
D23’s Return to Marceline
November 16-18, 2018
Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse
August 23-25, 2019
D23 Expo 2019
Parks
February 28–May 28, 2018
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
April 26, 2018
Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land opens at Shanghai Disneyland
May 25, 2018
Incredible Summer Begins at Walt Disney World Resort
May 27, 2018
Star Wars: Galactic Nights Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
June 23, 2018
Pixar Pier opens at Disney California Adventure
June 30, 2018
Toy Story Land opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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
August 30-November 12, 2018
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
2019
Star Wars-Themed Lands Opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Studios
April 27, 2018
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War opens in U.S. theaters
May 25, 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story opens in U.S. theaters
June 15, 2018
Incredibles 2 opens in U.S. theaters
July 6, 2018
Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp opens in U.S. theaters opens in U.S. theaters
August 3, 2018
Disney’s Christopher Robin opens in U.S. theaters
November 2, 2018
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms opens in U.S. theaters
December 19, 2018
Mary Poppins Returns opens in U.S. theaters
Television
April 30, 2018
Dancing with the Stars: Athletes Premieres on ABC (8–10 p.m. ET/PT)
May 2018
New episodes of DuckTales debut every Friday throughout the month
June 9, 2018
Big Hero 6 The Series Premieres on Disney Channel (9 a.m. ET/PT)

news briefs 4/24

Big Hero 6 The Series Premiere—This Summer on Disney Channel

It’s almost time to return to San Fransokyo and catch up with Hiro, Baymax, and all their pals. Big Hero 6 The Series will make its big debut on Disney Channel (as well as DisneyNOW and Disney Channel VOD platforms) with back-to-back episodes on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10. Read up on what you can expect—and check out a teaser trailer with an adorable message from Baymax himself — here at D23.com.

Disneynature’s Penguins Debuts First Trailer

In celebration of this month’s Earth Day, Disneynature debuted the first trailer for its latest incredible feature. Penguins tells the story of Steve, an Adélie penguin who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner, and start a family. Unfortunately, none of it comes easily for him—especially considering he’s targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his “happily ever after.” Check out the captivating clip, above.

The film is the eighth theatrical release for Disneynature since the label’s 2008 launch, and it continues a long-standing tradition of wildlife documentary filmmaking at Disney that dates back to Walt Disney and his True Life Adventure films, produced between 1948 and 1960. Best of all, Disneynature’s films help empower viewers to lend their own support to conservation efforts dedicated to the wildlife featured in the films.

Brought to you by the teams behind Disneynature’s Bears and Chimpanzee, Penguins is slated to open in theaters nationwide in time for Earth Day 2019.

news briefs 4/24

Eat to the Beat with Brand-New Musical Guests at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a truly delectable event, running for 10 weeks this fall—and as our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog just announced, some fantastic new-to-the-Fest artists will soon be taking to the “Eat to the Beat” concert series stage.

New to this year’s series are percussionist/singer Sheila E and ’80s Canadian rockers Glass Tiger, both appearing in September. In October, 98 Degrees (featuring brothers and Dancing with the Stars alums Nick and Drew Lachey) will also join the festival for a weekend, as will TV and film star Jim Belushi—who brings his R&B band The Sacred Hearts to “Eat to the Beat” for the first time.

They’ll be joined by other music favorites including ’80s pop chanteuse Tiffany (September 1–3); viral sensation Postmodern Jukebox (September 10–11); Australian soft-rock icons Air Supply (October 8–10); ’90s darlings Hanson (Halloween weekend, October 29–31); and dance music diva Taylor Dayne (November 3–4). And so many more!

It all kicks off on August 30… for more information, both about the “Eat to the Beat” concerts (FYI: More artists will be added to the roster in the coming weeks!) and the incredible Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in general, visit TasteEpcot.com.

news briefs 4/24

Bold New Character Posters for Solo: A Star Wars Story

We’re counting down the days—we’ll be in single digits before you know it—’til the debut of Solo: A Star Wars Story, the latest adventure from the Star Wars universe and a look at the origin of the galaxy’s most beloved scoundrel. Just recently, we’ve been given a looksee at the film’s new character posters, featuring Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Emilia Clarke as Qi’ra, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as droid L3-37, and even Chewbacca.

Directed by Ron Howard, Solo: A Star Wars Story rockets into a theater near you on May 25.

news briefs 4/24

Disney Channel’s Descendants 3 Welcomes Back Fan Favorites

With production set to begin next month—and a premiere scheduled for 2019—Disney Channel’s Descendants 3 just made a super-fun casting announcement that’s sure to thrill fans of the first two installments: Sarah Jeffrey, who originated the role of prim and proper Audrey (daughter of Sleeping Beauty’s Princess Aurora), is set to once again play the role for the upcoming “trequel.”

Plus, two popular members of pirate Uma’s (China McClain) crew, Harry and Gil, are coming back—portrayed by actors Thomas Doherty and Dylan Playfair, respectively. These three performers will join Dove Cameron as Mal, Cameron Boyce as Carlos, Sofia Carson as Evie, Booboo Stewart as Jay, and Mitchell Hope as King Ben for a return to Auradon and the world of the “villain kids,” or VKs.

And, good news: Descendants 3 will once again be directed by Emmy® and DGA Award winner Kenny Ortega. Stay tuned for more Descendants dish as it becomes available!

Adventures by Disney’s Incredible New Africa Trip

At D23’s recent celebration of all things Disney’s Animal Kingdom (chiefly, its fabulous 20th anniversary), guests were treated to a very special announcement: Adventures by Disney has created a unique, adult-exclusive safari to South Africa for November 2018… and coming along for the (Jeep) ride are special hosts Joe Rohde and Dr. Mark Penning! Get all the safari scoop—including a cool clip with Joe himself — here at D23.com.

news briefs 4/24

Downtown Disney District to Welcome Salt & Straw Ice Cream

Fans of ice cream, and visitors to Disneyland Resort, ready those spoons—we’ve got some exciting news to share. The newest scoop shop from ice cream innovators Salt & Straw (and their co-founders, cousins Kim and Tyler Malek) will open at Downtown Disney District later this year.

This family-run ice cream company, which started as a push-cart in Portland, Oregon, is known for its imaginative ice cream creations. Each flavor is handmade in small batches using only the best local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Special offerings will be available each season, showcasing co-founder and head ice cream maker Tyler’s passion for partnering with local farmers and artists.

Construction is due to begin soon, and our taste buds couldn’t possibly be more excited.

news briefs 4/24

ABC’s American Idol to Feature Historic “Simul-Voting” Coast to Coast

This… is American Idol making history! For the first time in the history of U.S. television, a reality-competition series will allow viewers to watch and vote from both coasts simultaneously. Cool, right?

For a three-week span, American Idol will be simulcast in all time zones across the country, starting this Sunday, April 29 (beginning at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT), on ABC. Viewers can vote for their faves by text, via AmericanIdol.com/vote, and on the American Idol app; results will be revealed at the end of each show in real time, across the country.

“We set out on a journey to find the best talent this nation has to offer,” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey recently said. “As we head into the next phase of the American Idol competition, it only makes sense to let every viewer from coast to coast experience the magic of live television and have the ability to vote for America’s next superstar.” So get those texting fingers ready, and make sure to tune in!

Fun in the Sun with Disney Channel GO! Summer

Summer is just around the corner—which means vacations, cookouts, and (in the case of this summer) some totally nifty fan-centric programming and events from the good folks over at Disney Channel. Take a gander at what you can expect from the Disney Channel GO! Road Trip and Fan Fest right here.

Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land Opens to Guests at Shanghai Disneyland

By Beth Deitchman

Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land has officially begun to take guests to infinity and beyond at Shanghai Disney Resort. Shanghai Disneyland’s seventh land made its debut today, following a kinetic opening moment during an unforgettable grand opening ceremony. The new land marks the first major expansion at Shanghai Disney Resort since it opened in 2016.

Shanghai Disney Resort Toy Story Land

“We’re incredibly proud of the success of this one-of-a-kind, world-class destination, and we are thrilled to give our Chinese guests even more to explore and enjoy at the resort with the addition of a spectacular new land based on Pixar’s beloved Toy Story characters,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger at today’s special event.

Shanghai Disney Resort Toy Story Land

Shanghai Disney Resort Toy Story Land

Guests become “honorary toys” when they walk through the immersive new land and feel as if they’ve shrunk down to the size of a toy. Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land features three new attractions: Slinky Dog Spin, which takes guests on a whirlwind adventure as the beloved Slinky chases his own tail; Rex’s Racer, a thrilling ride on a U-shaped track; and Woody’s Roundup, which swings guests around in their carts for a rip-roaring square dance. Meet and greet characters at the Meeting Post, and enjoy immersive shopping and dining experiences at Al’s Toy Barn and Toy Box Café.

Shanghai Disney Resort Toy Story Land

It’s a “Year of Pixar” at Disney Parks around the world. Pixar Fest is underway at the Disneyland Resort and continues through September 3; and the resort is also gearing up for the opening of Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure park this summer. Walt Disney World debuts its own Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning June 30. Let’s hear it for the toys!

Get Ready for High-Flying Fun with the New Animated Series Star Wars Resistance

By Jocelyn Buhlman

It’s time to return to far, far away and a long time ago—a time that Star Wars fans have yet to see explored on the screen. Production has begun on Star Wars Resistance, the high-flying new animated series exploring the uncharted timeframe prior to Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Premiering this fall on Disney Channel in the U.S. and, thereafter, on Disney XD and around the world, the newest adventure series introduces viewers to a soon-to-be fan favorite new character.

 Star Wars fans, meet Kazuda Xiono—a young pilot recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order. Xiono will be joined by the adorable BB-8 and adventure alongside ace pilots and colorful new characters, and the new series will include appearances by fan favorites, including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively.

Get ready for the fun Star Wars adventures we know and love, as show creator and renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni once again brings us an intergalactic story for all ages, following in the footsteps of his much-beloved previous animated shows, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.

More veteran Star Wars storytellers join the crew along with some newcomers, including executive producers Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Justin Ridge (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), and Brandon Auman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); and art-director Amy Beth Christenson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels).

The new series is close to Filoni’s heart. He explains, “The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots. My grandfather was a pilot and my uncle flew and restored planes, so that’s been a big influence on me. There’s a long history of high-speed racing in Star Wars, and I think we’ve captured that sense of excitement in an anime-inspired style, which is something the entire team has been wanting to do for a long time.”

Marc Buhaj, senior vice president, Programming and general manager, Disney XD, says, “Our colleagues at Lucasfilm have created a compelling narrative for an untold moment in the Star Wars galaxy, and we are excited to partner with them again on this new original series. Star Wars Resistance will bring viewers across generations an engaging story with heart, humor, and both new and familiar characters.”

The voice cast also includes Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives), Suzie McGrath (East Enders), Scott Lawrence (Legion), Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor), Josh Brener (Silicon Valley), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Bobby Moynihan (DuckTales), Jim Rash (Community), and Rachel Butera (Tammy’s Tiny Tea Time).

 

7 Most-Memorable Moments from the Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

By Jim Frye

As movies go, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War is one of the biggest productions—in terms of scope and A-list actors—of all time. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, together with producer and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, have pulled off something truly extraordinary—combining the storylines and character arcs of 18 different films over 10 years into “the cinematic event of a lifetime.”

In anticipation of the April 27 opening, the film’s stars and directors have traveled to fan events around the globe, including Singapore, Tokyo, London, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Seoul, and Shanghai. It stands to reason, then, that the press conference to kick off the premiere week would be nothing short of spectacular—and it was.

Of course, because of the secrecy surrounding Infinity War (Sssh! No spoilers!), this large assembly of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) actors yielded few spoilers. But that didn’t matter, because half the fun was just seeing how each actor attempted to answer questions without giving away secrets. Did we learn much about the actual movie? Not really. But it was still one of the funniest, most enjoyable press conferences ever. Here are our seven favorite moments.

Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

1. Jeff Goldblum as “Grand” Master of Ceremonies
Since Jeff Goldblum nearly stole the show in the recent Thor: Ragnorak as the Grandmaster, ruler of the planet Sakaar, it made sense Marvel would enlist his services at this week’s press conference. Showing his skills as a Master of Ceremonies, Goldblum kept the proceedings moving right along, along the way receiving a huge compliment from Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), who called him a “national treasure.”

Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

2. Dropping the Curtain—The Grand Reveal
After Goldblum took the podium, regaling the audience about the sheer size of the cast in Avengers: Infinity War, he presided over the dramatic “unveiling” of the cast. With a rush of music and applause, the giant black drape dropped, revealing 21 cast members, plus Co-Directors Joe and Anthony Russo and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.

Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

3. Tom Hiddleston Surprised That He’s Still Around
“I’m astonished that I’m still here, as you may be,” said Hiddleston in response to a question. “Loki has fallen through a wormhole, and faked his own death, and I never expected to be playing this part for so long. The great privilege that I’ve had is working with every single person on this stage—and even with the gentleman moderator (Goldblum). They’re all great. Kevin Feige and the writers have created these characters with such precision, that what happens in the space between them is always unique.”

Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

4. Chris Pratt Talks About Bass Fishing
When it came to avoiding spoilery questions, no one did it better than Chris Pratt. He was asked, “What’s it like for Star-Lord, Peter Quill, to be seeing Earthlings for the first time in 30 years?” Pratt’s answer: “That’s a good question, but it might be best for you to wait and see it, so I’m gonna talk about bass fishing. Everyone knows that April’s a big month for bass.” He went on to give a lesson in the correct lure to use, finishing with, “Fish slow. You have to fish it slow. Thank you.” And he was done.

Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

5. Paul Bettany’s Best Memories As Vision
When Bettany was asked for his best on-set memories, he emphasized the need for secrecy by saying, “Well, snitches end up in ditches.” After the laughs died down, he continued, “And all the best memories are just unassailable. We’ve been making these movies for a really long time, and it’s been a unique experience as actors to keep getting to work with the same people again and again and again. We’ve all gone through real-life stuff together. People have gotten married, had children… real-life stuff has happened. I’ve never been on a set where people choose not to go back to their trailers, but rather they hang out on set and make fun of each other. Thank you, guys!”

Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

6. Anthony Russo Was Asked If Agent Coulson Comes Back In Infinity War
In another attempt to ferret out spoilery nuggets from the filmmakers, a reporter asked Co-Director Anthony Russo if Agent Coulson would return. Russo answered in true Pratt form: “What can I say…other than talk about bass fishing?” To which Paul Bettany interjected: “Snitches end up in ditches.” But Russo was able to give some insight into which characters made sense to include in this film. “When we began developing this movie, we had a picture of every single character who’s been in the MCU and we hung them on the wall. We spent months and months talking about where we could go with each character. Everyone on this stage has had a very specific journey in the MCU to arrive at in this moment. It was a very long, creative process. It was one of the most fun, creative exercises I think I’ve ever been through.”

Avengers: Infinity War Press Conference

7. Chris Hemsworth’s Most Challenging Scene To Film
Everyone discovered Chris Hemsworth’s comedic chops in Thor: Ragnarok, and he kept up the comedy during this press event. When asked, “What was your most challenging scene to film?,” he answered, “It was all very difficult because of the directors and the people I had to work with. It was an awful experience.” But after the jokes, he said, “The first day was what you see in the trailers—Thor meeting the Guardians—and it felt kind of like my first day at school because they all knew each other, and I was the new kid. I had some weird butterflies floating around in my body, but they squeezed them out of me with a big group hug—and all the butterflies went floating out of my ears.”

Get ready, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War opens this Friday—and we can finally see what all the secrecy is about!

Booyah! The Live-Action Kim Possible Finds its Stars

By Beth Deitchman

Here’s the sitch: Disney Channel has just revealed the stars of the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Kim Possible, a live-action comedy adventure based on the hit animated series of the same name. Sixteen-year-old Sadie Stanley will play Kim Possible—who challenges the social hierarchy of high school every day and also saves the world from power-hungry villains in her spare time. Stanley landed the role in her first-ever audition, and has since guest-starred on Game-Shakers. Sean Giambrone, who stars in the ABC comedy The Goldbergs, will play Kim’s BFF, Ron Stoppable.

kim possible

Judy Taylor, senior vice president, Casting and Talent Relations, Disney Channel, said, “Sadie delivers Kim’s confidence, smarts, and agility; most importantly, she’s an everyday girl with an extraordinary spirit.” She added, “Sean is such a magnetic actor; he always finds the right balance of physical comedy and heart. We’re excited for audiences to see Sadie and Sean bring these iconic roles to life.”

The original series creators, Emmy® winners Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley, are writing the script for the live-action Kim Possible, which promises to have all of the humor and heart that made the original series so beloved. See Mark and Bob in this casting announcement, featuring some familiar actors trying out for the roles of Kim and Ron, and call us, beep us, and page us—or at least follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!—as the series’ 2019 debut draws near.

The Avengers: Infinity War Premiere Celebrates 10 Epic Years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

By Jocelyn Buhlman

On Monday, we assembled along the purple carpet in Hollywood for the star-studded premiere of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War. The event was as large-scale as the movie it honors, taking place across three different theaters—the El Capitan Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and the TCL Chinese Theatre—with almost the entire cast in attendance, dressed in their Hollywood best and excited to see the much-anticipated movie for the very first time! We got a close-up look at some of the amazing costumes and props featured on the purple carpet in celebration of the 10-year history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—including a certain D23 Easter egg from Captain America: Civil War!

We also caught up with some of the super cast on the purple carpet to talk about Marvel memories, Disney inspiration, and more:

Avengers: Infinity War premiere

Joe Russo’s Favorite Marvel Memory:
One half of the directorial duo reflected on his career with Marvel Studios: “A favorite Marvel Memory? Maybe it’s tonight. Because, honestly, we’ve had to be so secretive for the past two years, and nobody’s seen it—none of the cast has seen it, none of the crew has seen it. And tonight, we get to share it with everybody.”

Avengers: Infinity War premiere

Tom Hiddleston Reveals the Disney Villain that Inspired Loki:
Hiddleston cites a childhood favorite Disney villain that may have had an impact on his role as Loki: “Unconsciously, probably, Shere Khan, the tiger from the Jungle Book. This was not a deliberate thing, but the film had a huge impact on my childhood and on my imagination. George Saunders, who voices that character, seemed to be a villain who always was enjoying himself, and I try to enjoy myself as a villain.”

Avengers: Infinity War premiere

Sean Gunn’s Favorite Marvel Memory:
Sean’s favorite memory has a special family connection—his brother, James Gunn, directed Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: “I gotta say that working with my brother on the first [Guardians of the Galaxy] movie, and working with my brother all along—nothing can replace that. As amazing as it is to meet all these heroes that I’ve had growing up, nothing is better than working with someone I’ve loved and been with my whole life.”

Avengers: Infinity War premiere

Clark Gregg Reflects on 10 Years of Marvel:
Clark Gregg is one of the few to  been with the Marvel Cinematic Universe for all 10 years. He shared his memories from the very first red carpet: “The first red carpet of Iron Man, I think everyone was very nervous because Iron Man wasn’t a hugely popular character [at the time]— even though fans like me loved Iron Man! And I don’t know how anyone could have could have convinced themselves that we’d be here 10 years later, with 30 characters, at least, that people want to see interacting! It’s just a thrill. As a [one-time] 9-year-old geek, I’m dying to go watch it!”

Avengers: Infinity War premiere

Benedict Wong Reflects on the “Benedicts”:
We all know about Marvel’s famous collection of “Chrises,” but we wanted to know more about the “Benedicts.” When we asked Wong who was the better Benedict—himself or Cumberbatch—he was quick to answer: “I don’t like to really compare, but it’s got to be me, really. “  He laughs, and amends, “No—we both have our merits, I think. But as a duo, wow! That’s quite deadly.”

Besides catching up with the stars, we had a chance to share our latest issue of Disney twenty-three, a Summer Movie Spectacular featuring five movie-themed covers, including Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Check out some of the exclusive photos we got with the stars while on the purple carpet.

Mark Your Calendar Now—Big Hero 6 The Series Launches Saturday, June 9

By Beth Deitchman

If you left your heart in San Fransokyo, there’s cause for celebration this morning: The adventures of 14-year-old tech whiz Hiro Hamada; his best friend, the huggable healthcare robot Baymax; and the rest of their superhero team continue on Saturday, June 9, when Big Hero 6 The Series launches with a premiere weekend event. Back-to-back episodes air Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10 (9 a.m. EDT/PDT) on Disney Channel, DisneyNOW, and Disney Channel VOD platforms; with brand-new episodes continuing to debut every Saturday through September.

“The Big Hero 6 The Series crew has been busy cooking up exciting new adventures for Hiro, his best friend Baymax, and the rest of the Big Hero 6 team as they continue their journey together in San Fransokyo. We cannot wait for the audience to come along for the fast and funny ride,” said executive producers Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley, who also created the early-aughts fan-fave Kim Possible.

Joining McCorkle and Schooley for this new ride are some familiar names (and voices): Nick Filippi, who is executive producer and supervising director for Big Hero 6 The Series, was a member of the Kim Possible creative team. And Emmy®-nominated actor Christy Carlson Romano—Kim Possible herself—will guest star as bot-fighter Trina.

Keep an ear out for a host of guest voices, including celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Alton Brown, who lend their voices to cooking competition participant Bolton Gramercy and host Yum Laboughé, respectively; Daniel Henney (Criminal Minds) and James Cromwell (The Young Pope), who reprise their roles from the Big Hero 6 feature film as Hiro’s brother, Tadashi, and Professor Callaghan, respectively; Susan Sullivan (Castle) as Fred’s mother; John Michael Higgins (Pitch Perfect) as Mini-Max, Fred’s sidekick robot; Diedrich Bader (American Housewife) as pompous local TV reporter Bluff Dunder; Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs) as Fred’s geeky archrival Richardson Mole; Naoko Mori (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) as thief-for-hire Momakase; Lucas Neff (Raising Hope) as fast-food mascot Noodle Burger Boy; and Mara Wilson (Matilda) as self-made billionaire Liv Amara.

Big Hero 6 The Series finds Hiro balancing life at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, where he faces both academic challenges and social trials as the new prodigy, with the high-tech adventures he embarks upon with Baymax, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go and Fred. As the Big Hero 6, the superhero team protects San Fransokyo from an array of scientifically enhanced villains. Maya Rudolph lends her voice to Aunt Cass; Ryan Potter voices Hiro; Scott Adsit is Baymax; Jamie Ching is Go Go; Alan Tudyk is Alistair Krei; Khary Payton is Wasabi; Genesis Rodriguez is Honey Lemon; and Brooks Wheelan is Fred. Additional members of the series’ voice cast include David Shaughnessy as Heathcliff and Marvel Comics legend—and Disney Legend—Stan Lee as Fred’s dad.

Leading up to the June 9 premiere, Baymax will appear in shorts that debut across Disney Channel, DisneyNOW, and Disney Channel YouTube. Look for a line of products available on shopDisney.com on May 1, at Disney store on June 1, and at retailers nationwide on July 1; as well as a DVD from The Walt Disney Studios to be released on June 26.

Adventures by Disney Announces Special Africa Departure Hosted by Joe Rohde and Dr. Mark Penning

By D23 Team

During the behind-the-scenes dinner at the D23 Celebrates 20 Years of Disney’s Animal Kingdom event celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Adventures by Disney announced a special adult-exclusive Safari to South Africa departure for November 30, 2018. On this unique trip, you can explore Africa with special hosts Joe Rohde, Portfolio Creative Executive, and Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, who will share their expertise on storytelling, wildlife, and conservation. D23 Members have an exclusive two-day window to purchase tickets for this very limited-ticket experience.

Joe Rohde and Dr. Mark Penning

Throughout the trip, Joe will share his insight on this magnificent country through the lens of an artist. Learn from Joe as he leads sketching sessions (no prior art experience required!) at iconic locations in South Africa. He’ll also share the experiences in Africa that inspired him to create Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Adventures by Disney Africa Safari

Adventures by Disney Africa Safari

Meanwhile, Mark, a native of South Africa, will share his expertise on South African natural history. From the birds at Cape point to the elephants, birds and monkeys in Knysna, to the game drives at Kapama Private Game Reserve, learn about the unique species that live in these areas.

Joe tells us a little bit about the trip in the video below.

Bookings are currently waitlisted for South Africa’s Animal Kingdom Theme Parks’s 20th Anniversary Safari. Visit AdventuresbyDisney.com/safari for more details!