Who’s Your Disney Soulmate?

February 14, 2018November 26, 2019

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Love and Disney go hand-in-hand, from signature romantic songs from your favorite movies to wearing matching shirts with your sweetie at your favorite Disney park. It’s only natural that Disney fans might imagine what it would be like to live a Disney romance with their favorite character. Whether you’re ballroom dancing with Cinderella or sailing with Prince Eric, everyone has a dream Disney true love… and now you can find yours! Our experts at D23 have crafted this quiz to determine exactly who your Disney soulmate is. So, sit back, relax, tell us a little about yourself, and you’ll be on your way to happily ever after in no time…

This campaign has ended. Check out D23.com for more Disney fun!

Everything You Need to Know About the New Characters in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther

February 13, 2018

By Jim Frye

There’s a new king in town, and his name is T’Challa, better known as Black Panther. The groundbreaking Marvel Comics character made his first appearance in Fantastic Four Vol. 1 Issue 52, published in 1966. Then in 2016, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) welcomed Black Panther to the big screen in Captain America: Civil War. This February, he’s back in his own film with a whole new cast of characters.

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.

Marvel Studios President and Black Panther Producer Kevin Feige says, “It’s great to be able to delve into the world of Wakanda, see Black Panther’s lineage and heritage, and meet these amazing, rich characters that surround him. To bring them to life, we put together a phenomenal cast. They are among the best that we’ve ever assembled.”

Here are some of the amazing cast members, to help get you ready for Black Panther, which releases in U.S. theaters on February 16.

CHADWICK BOSEMAN: T’Challa/Black Panther
Mourning the loss of his father, T’Challa’s claim to the throne is waylaid when villains outside the country pull him out of Wakanda and lead him on an adventure that spans the globe.

“T’Challa is smart. He’s a strategist and that has always been something that stood out to me, even in the comic books,” says Boseman. “He’s a world leader and with that comes the responsibility for an entire nation and considering its place in the world. That’s something that other Super Heroes don’t commonly have, but he must also uphold his legacy. It’s an interesting combination.”

MICHAEL B. JORDAN: Erik Killmonger
Erik Killmonger is a new foe to Wakanda with designs on the throne.

A longtime comic book fan, Jordan could not turn down the chance to work on the film. “I was very familiar with Black Panther,” he says. “As a kid I always wanted to be the Black Panther. Black Panther was a character that I always looked up to and admired my whole life, so it’s pretty amazing to get to be part of the story for the big screen.”

LUPITA NYONG’O: Nakia
Nakia is a War Dog, a Wakandan spy often imbedded in countries outside of Wakanda to observe and report back. She must decide whether she should be guided by her duty to her nation or her feelings for T’Challa.

Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o was drawn to Black Panther by several different elements. “I had been wanting to work with Ryan Coogler, who I think is brilliant,” says Nyong’o, “in addition to wanting be a part of the MCU. And then the fact that this was going to be Marvel’s first black Super Hero, and that he is an African king, and the fact that we were going to be creating this really dope African country, and populate it with all sorts of badass African characters—it was a no-brainer, honestly.”

DANAI GURIRA: Okoye
Okoye is the head of the Dora Milaje, the all-female Wakandan Special Forces. She is the best fighter in Wakanda who is not named the Black Panther, and she is fiercely loyal to the throne.

“These women have pledged their lives to the throne and to the maintenance of the security of the kingdom and specifically of the throne,” says Gurira. “But my character, Okoye, is also the general of the armed forces as a whole and the head of Wakandan Intelligence.

LETITIA WRIGHT: Shuri
Shuri is T’Challa’s little sister and the smartest person in Wakanda—the top scientist and the innovator behind the Black Panther’s updated suits and technology.

“Shuri is someone who’s very innovative,” says Wright. “She takes care of the technology side of everything that’s going on in Wakanda. She designs exciting, cool things that we’re going to see in the film. Her brain is always working, and she’s always thinking of solutions to help her country and building gadgets and things like better armor.”

MARTIN FREEMAN: Everett K. Ross
A CIA agent who was last seen interrogating Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, Ross soon finds himself aligned with T’Challa against international forces threatening to destroy Wakanda.

“I like his authority,” says Freeman. “I like his status, actually. I like the fact that he doesn’t care about offending people. I think he doesn’t care about where his jurisdiction is because his jurisdiction is everywhere as far as he’s concerned.”

ANGELA BASSETT: Ramonda
Ramonda is T’Challa and Shuri’s mother. Her goal is to help T’Challa become King of Wakanda in a peaceful transition of power, serving as a de facto advisor to the throne.

“Ramonda’s a wife, and she’s a mother of a son whom she is immensely proud of, and of a young daughter Shuri,” says Bassett. “As a mother of a boy and a girl, I know that there are just different dynamics and tensions that play out between boys and girls and mothers and sons and mothers and daughters.”

FOREST WHITAKER: Zuri
Zuri is the spiritual leader of Wakanda. A good friend to former King T’Chaka, Zuri has become a mentor figure to T’Challa, bestowing his knowledge and wisdom onto the Black Panther.

For Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, joining the Black Panther cast as Zuri was akin to a family reunion with director Ryan Coogler and Jordan, with whom he collaborated as a producer on Fruitvale Station.

ANDY SERKIS: Ulysses Klaue
Ulysses Klaue is an illegal arms dealer, smuggler, and gangster operating out of South Africa, whom we met in Avengers: Age of Ultron. He is after Wakanda’s vibranium.

“We do really honor the character of Ulysses Klaue and his brutal history with Wakanda,” says Serkis. “I wanted him to retain that anger and if there is any redeeming factor about Ulysses Klaue it is that he wants to expose their hypocrisy.”

Did You Know? 8 Incredible Facts About Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

February 12, 2018

By Jim Fanning

Take one cat and two dogs who comically converse among themselves in human voices, separate them from their humans, and send them off on a perilous quest through the Sierra Nevadas to find their family, and you have Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. This Disney hit, the popularity of which inspired a sequel in Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996), is a remake of Walt Disney’s classic 1963 film The Incredible Journey. Released on February 12, 1993, this live-action comedy-adventure celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, so to fete the film and its two fidos, Shadow and Chance, and their feline friend, Sassy, here are some fascinating facts about this beloved Disney animal adventure.

1. The Incredible Journey Began with a Book… and a Movie
The story of Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey starts with The Incredible Journey, a top-selling book by Sheila Burnford. The author based her novel about the unstoppable animal trio on her own pets. Her three animals were her constant companions in England during World War II, and the pets were themselves inseparable. “They were closer than any other dog and cat relationship I have ever seen,” she said of her English Bull Terrier and Siamese cat. “Sleeping in the same basket, hunting and playing together, they made a lawless pair.” Later, a young Labrador was added to the mix, and the pup guarded the older dog when the Bull Terrier’s eyesight began to fail. It was this remarkable animal-kingdom kinship that inspired the author to write The Incredible Journey. Less than a year after its publication in 1960, the book became an international bestseller. Walt Disney immediately saw that this extraordinary story would make a compelling film. Released in 1963, The Incredible Journey became an iconic Disney animal film.

2. Two Oscar^® Winners Team Up
One of the primary differences between the original film and Homeward Bound is that the animals talk. Since audibly revealing the thoughts of the pets is integral to the story, the casting of the actors who could convey personality with their voices alone was crucial. Consequently, the Homeward Bound filmmakers cast Academy Award^®-caliber talent. Two-time Oscar^® winner (For Best Actress in Norma Rae (1979) and Places in the Heart (1984)), Sally Field performs the voice of Sassy, the sophisticated Himalayan feline. As for the voice of Shadow, Don Ameche was signed to vocalize the wise Golden Retriever. A movie star from Hollywood’s golden era, Ameche experienced a popularity resurgence when he won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for Cocoon (1985). Homeward Bound marked a return to Disney for Don as he had starred in the popular comedy The Boatniks (1970).

3. Fox Voices Dog
When Emmy Award-winning TV and movie star Michael J. Fox voiced Milo Thatch in Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), animator John Pomeroy noted, “He was a virtuoso at the microphone, and he understood the situation and would improve it. He also improvised emotional nuances that weren’t in the script and made the character very sympathetic.” When Fox worked on Homeward Bound a few years earlier, he brought that same vocal skill to performing the voice of the enthusiastic American Bulldog pup, Chance.

4. The Animal Actors of Homeward Bound
Each of the animal actors portraying the three four-footed leads worked for up to seven weeks before shooting even began. Each responded to voice and sound commands, and each was rewarded for its performance not with movie-star perks, but with liver treats. The heart of Homeward Bound is of course the unusual bond between the three, which meant normal canine and feline conflict had to be dealt with. “There are certain restrictions to working with dogs and cats together,” said head dog trainer Gary “Sam” Vaughn. “But there are rewards, too. By nature, they don’t get along. But our animals spent so much time together that they have become very close. These animals developed affections for each other and the actors that come through on screen.” Added veteran animal coordinator and trainer Joe Camp, “This is the first time where you have animals, not just performing a behavior, but actually their behaviors interacted between each other. They’re in a sense communicating with their partner.”

5. Beauties and the Beasts
Homeward Bound has quite a Disney animation pedigree. Along with Donald W. Ernst, co-producer of Aladdin (1992), Kirk Wise, co-director of Beauty and the Beast (1991), served as executive producer. In that capacity, Wise supervised the writing and recording of the animals’ dialogue and was involved in casting the voice talents. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton came to Homeward Bound after penning the screenplay for Beauty and the Beast, while co-screenwriter Caroline Thompson also wrote Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, released in 1993, the same year as Homeward Bound.

6. Stand-In Pets and Supporting Players
Ben, Rattler, and Tiki, the main animals portraying Shadow, Chance, and Sassy, receive star billing in the film, but, in reality, Chance and Shadow were each played by four dogs, while Sassy was played by 10 cats. The additional animals were brought in to perform specialty actions or simply to give the lead animal performers a break. Other animals in the Homeward Bound cast include a mountain lion, an owl, black bears, a porcupine, and a skunk.

7. Chance, Sassy and Shadow’s Human Family
The first Incredible Journey film adaptation focused primarily on the animals’ journey, but this later version was expanded to examine the special bond between a child and his pet, especially as exemplified by Peter (Benj Thall) and his relationship with Shadow. “There is a magic between children and animals that adults can’t touch,” observed co-producer Mack Bing. “This magic was evident on and off screen. There’s an almost visible chemistry in that special relationship that makes this film work.” Producer Jeffrey Chernov added, “To me, the most important part of this movie is about family. The human characters don’t start out as a solid family, but they grow into one.” The animals’ family is named Burnford in honor of the original book’s author.

8. Incredible Journey, Incredible Scenery
Though the original book and movie took place in Ontario, Canada, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is set in California as the pets’ trek takes them through the wilds of the Sierras. In reality the movie was filmed in Oregon. “Oregon is a popular site for filmmaking because of its varied topography,” location manager Mark C. Hughes said. ”In this film, we used parts of downtown Portland to substitute for San Francisco; eastern Oregon to serve as Bishop, California, and the Eagle Cap Wilderness area, which bears a striking resemblance to the Sierra Nevadas.” Filming took place from August through October 1991. Midway through the project, the film crew packed their cameras and equipment on mules and horses and rode more than 15 miles of protected wilderness areas into the Eagle Cap area in the Wallow Mountains for three days of filming in the forest. “My job was almost made easier by Mother Nature,” said production designer Roger Cain. “You look around to decide what needs to be done to the surroundings and realize that there’s no way you can improve on the grandeur of the scenery. I think that the audience will feel awed by how remote a journey these animals are on.”

We’re Obsessed with All of the Magical Merchandise in Store for Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary

February 12, 2018February 12, 2018

By D23 Team

We’re already excited for Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th anniversary celebration, and D23 Expo Japan 2018 provided a sneak peek into some of the merchandise we can expect to see at the parks during this spectacular celebration. As part of the Oriental Land Company’s Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary Special Commemorative Program, D23 Expo Japan 2018 guests had the chance to preview everything from adorable plushies to stylish, new T-shirts. You can check out the gallery of merch below.

7 Things that Have Us Paws-itively Pumped for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther

February 12, 2018February 12, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Last week, journalists were given the royal treatment at a press event that featured the cast of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, along with director Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. The star-studded panel was chock-full of exciting behind-the-scenes stories to tide us over until February 16, when we finally get to sink our claws into the exciting new film.

1. Forest Whitaker knew the director was special from the start.
Forest Whitaker (Zuri) has worked with director Ryan Coogler on previous films, and said that there has always been something special about the talented filmmaker. “I knew it from the moment that I met him,” Whitaker recalls. “I’m just blown away watching his growth, every time, to see how he’s able to manifest so much importance in socially relevant moments, inside of things that we want to sit and watch. It’s been quite a powerful experience for me to watch that.”

2. Danai Gurira was the first to shave her head.
Black Panther’s team of female bodyguards, called the Dora Milaje, have already become iconic for their cool sense of style—including their shaved heads. But it took Danai Gurira (Okoye) a little time to warm up to the style. She recalls, “I was the first one to get my head shaved, and in theory, it sounded amazing. And then the day came and I was like, ‘Is it today?’”

But despite her hesitation, Gurira ended up loving the new look once her fellow actresses joined her. “The pride started to grow,” she explains, “this pride around it, and this sort of embracing of this symbol of power in these women. It was so subversive, and it’s so subversive in the right way. You don’t have to have hair to be beautiful.”

3. Letitia Wright couldn’t pick a favorite gadget.
Letitia Wright plays Shuri, T’Challa’s super-smart younger sister who’s enough of a tech whiz to give Tony Stark some competition! When Wright was asked to name her favorite gadget invented by Shuri, she couldn’t decide! “I created all of them, right?” she asked, hoping to be able to say that they were all her favorite. But in the end, she settled on two personal picks: “I think T’Challa’s suit is quite beautiful. But I think the gauntlets are pretty dope, because they’re her personal little thing.”

4. T’Challa doesn’t mind his younger sister being cooler than he is.
Other people may find the idea of a genius younger sis to be a little intimidating, but Chadwick Boseman insists that T’Challa takes it all in stride. “The idea of the next generation being smarter, being better than you, is a concept that [the Wakandans] would have evolved to, so even though she’s my younger sister, she benefits from whatever I’ve achieved.” He reflects that T’Challa’s achievements are meant to benefit the younger generation—whether they are younger siblings, children, or friends. “You want your sons and daughters to be better than you were,” he adds.

5. Black Panther comes from a tradition of challenging norms.
Many fans have expressed their excitement at seeing a Super Hero movie of Black Panther’s scale featuring an African-based story for the first time. Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger) thinks that this evolution in the Super Hero narrative is a natural part of both Black Panther and Marvel’s history. He explains, “The truth of the matter is Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and the whole Marvel bullpen created Wakanda and created T’Challa and made him a smarter, more accomplished character than any of the other white characters in the mid 1960s. They had the guts to do that in the mid 1960s. The least we can do is live up to that and allow this story to be told the way it needed to be told and not shy away from things that the Marvel founders didn’t shy away from at the height of the civil rights era.”

6. Wakanda hits home for some of the cast.
For Gurira, the movie’s African setting hit especially close to home. She explains, “I think what was really fascinating and almost very emotional for me, being that I’m Zimbabwean, is seeing the power and the potential of where you’re from, but also seeing how skewed it’s viewed by the world and how misrepresented it is. So, it’s kind of a salve to those wounds to see this world brought to life this way, and to see all the potential and power of all of the different African cultures and aspects of our being that was celebrated. We see beauty, we see power, we see potential, we see ability, we see resources, but they are never exhibited—and then to put it on a Marvel/epic scale of exhibition, it really salves wounds in a very deep way.”

7. The girl power is both on-screen and off-screen.
Not every important woman involved with Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is a brave warrior or gadget inventor. Some of them actually helped make the film! Coogler was quick to credit the amazing team of women involved with the film—both on and off the screen—explaining, “This film has involvement from brilliant women all over, from start to finish. We hired women who were the best people for the job. They weren’t hired because they were women, they were hired because they were the best.” He cites crew members such as director of photography Rachel Morrison, costume designer Ruth Carter, assistant director Lisa Satriano, production designer Hannah Beachler, and executive producer Victoria Alonso. He adds, “When you saw all those frames, you saw that presence.”

Breaking News About Disney Parks and Resorts from D23 Expo Japan 2018

February 11, 2018February 13, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Super (Hero) surprises, sneak peeks from a far-off galaxy, and a “Year of Pixar.” Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek just shared with guests at D23 Expo Japan 2018 exciting updates and new details about these and more experiences coming to every Disney theme park all around the globe. Fans can look forward to reimagined favorites, as well as entirely new ways for guests to encounter Super Heroes, Jedi, classic characters, and life-long Pixar pals.

“We are hard at work creating even more ways to experience Disney magic at our parks and resorts around the world,” said Chapek. “And with our incredible library of beloved stories and characters, we know exciting adventures and magical memories are in store for all our guests.”

Here are some of the amazing announcements and thrilling details from the presentation:

1. The Marvel Super Hero universe is coming to Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris.
As Walt Disney Parks and Resorts prepares to incorporate popular stories and characters into the resort, they are reimagining Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster as a high-speed, hyper-kinetic adventure where guests can team up with Iron Man and the Avengers. Chapek also gave D23 Expo Japan guests a sneak peek at one of the rooms from the upcoming Disney’s Hotel New York—The Art of Marvel, which opens in 2020. But guests won’t have to wait that long to come face-to-face with Captain America, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, and Black Widow: Marvel Summer of Super Heroes kicks off at Disneyland Paris this June!

2. A second Marvel attraction for Hong Kong Disneyland.
Since its January 2017 opening, Iron Man Experience has become the most popular attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, and an entire Marvel-themed area is underway at the resort. But that’s not all that’s planned for Marvel fans: Chapek shared details about a second Marvel attraction that is set for Hong Kong Disneyland, where you’ll be able to team up with Ant-Man and The Wasp to fight Arnim Zola and his army of Hydra swarm bots.

3. New details about the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at Epcot.
When the family attraction themed to Guardians of the Galaxy opens at Epcot, it will feature a brand-new innovative ride system—and will be one of the longest enclosed roller coasters in the world!

4. The Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World Resort will be seamlessly connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The luxury resort, announced at D23 Expo 2017, will completely immerse guests into an authentic Star Wars story at Walt Disney Resort—and that immersion will start the moment guests arrive! The journey through space will begin as you board a star ship and depart with your fellow guests on a multi-day Star Wars adventure that will be connected to the new land being built at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

5. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is going to be incredible.
Excited fans were thrilled to learn new details on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. When the new lands open next year at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, they will feature the Millennium Falcon and an impressive fleet of life-size X-wing fighters. Imagineers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible as they bring to life these jaw-dropping lands where guests will find themselves in the middle of the action as they live their own Star Wars stories.

6. So many ways to celebrate Pixar’s iconic storytelling at Disney parks around the world.
While we eagerly await the opening of Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land at Shanghai Disney Resort in April and at Walt Disney World this summer, we now have a new date to mark on our calendars: The highly anticipated Pixar Pier opens at Disney California Adventure on June 23 and will include the Incredicoaster and a future attraction themed to Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out. Additionally, a new Incredibles float is joining the Paint the Night parade this June (but you can see the popular parade in Disney California Adventure when Pixar Fest launches on April 13). And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a new, family-friendly show featuring Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s Up debuts on April 22.

7. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway celebrates classic Disney stories in a brand-new way.
The first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019. When it opens, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new original story and lovable theme song as it takes guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy® Award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts. The attraction will use new technologies that transform the two-dimensional cartoon world into an incredible multi-dimensional experience.

8. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is bringing even more Disney Magic to Japan.
Beginning next year, Adventures by Disney will take guests to the beautiful and storied country of Japan. D23 Expo Japan guests also heard from Chapek about the new experiences coming to Tokyo Disney Resort as part of the biggest expansion since the opening of Tokyo DisneySea. In Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland, the first-ever attraction inspired by Big Hero 6 invites guests to ride around with Baymax. The Fantasyland expansion at the park includes an entirely new area themed to Beauty and the Beast, with an attraction set to the award-winning music guests know and love; and the expansion will also include a full-scale, live entertainment theatre—the first at Tokyo Disneyland. Over in Toontown, guests will meet Minnie Mouse in a new design studio. And at Tokyo DisneySea, guests will soon take flight on a version of the popular Soarin’ attraction.

Stay tuned to D23 for more news about these eagerly awaited parks offerings, and click here to learn more about the exciting events from the three-day D23 Expo Japan 2018.

Kingdom Hearts III Opens the Door to the World of Monsters, Inc.

February 11, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

If you’ve been keeping up with all the magic from D23 Expo Japan 2018, you know that there was a much-anticipated announcement that is very dear to many fans’ hearts. Fans were thrilled when SQUARE ENIX® and Disney announced a new Disney•Pixar world inspired by Monsters, Inc. in Kingdom Hearts III.

Two new trailers were unveiled during the Expo and took viewers deep into the frights and delights of the animated classic as Sora, Donald, and Goofy transform into monsters to blend into the Monstropolis cityscape.

As part of a continued first-time partnership with Disney•Pixar for for the Kingdom Hearts games, Sora and his companions join forces with Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, with a special appearance by Boo. Fright team all-stars Mike and Sulley lend their scaring talents and special combination attacks against their enemies.

But we’re not just visiting Monstropolis! SQUARE ENIX also revealed new cutscenes and gameplay from the Toy Story world, which was originally announced at D23 Expo 2017, along with the brand-new reveal that Disney princess Rapunzel (Tangled) will be a playable team member. Fans also witnessed new towering Keyblade transformations, a new Magic Link System featuring Ariel (The Little Mermaid), the return of Dream Eater, “Meow Wow,” and KINGDOM HEARTS villains Marluxia and Vanities.

Fans were also treated to a second trailer teasing a mysterious meeting between Riku and King Mickey, and the announcement of a new theme song by series veteran singer Hikaru Utada, titled “DON’T THINK TWICE.”

All weekend at D23 Expo Japan 2018, fans have shared their love for the Kingdom Hearts games. The statue of Sora at Ikspiari has been a popular photo location, giving fans a chance to pose with one of their favorite characters. The excitement levels will continue to rise until the game’s release later this year.

FULL RECAP: D23 Expo Japan 2018 Delights Fans with Disney Magic

February 10, 2018February 13, 2018

By Jeffrey Epstein

Day Three Brings D23 Expo Japan to an Unforgettable Finish

Day three of D23 Expo Japan continued the cascade of the pixie dust that fell upon Tokyo Disney Resort over the long weekend in Japan.

The day opened with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek taking to the Maihama Amphitheater stage to outline some of the thrilling new experiences coming to Disney Parks around the globe. The show opened with an all-new video that looked at a child’s room (or perhaps that of a child-at-heart D23 Member)—each with areas dedicated to the beloved characters and stories of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

“Whether it’s nearly doubling the capacity of our cruise line with three new ships, creating a groundbreaking new hotel concept, building ambitious lands themed to one of our most popular stories, or giving some of our most classic characters their first ride-through attraction,” noted Bob, “we are working hard to give guests even more when they visit us.”

Bob went on to break exciting news about the new Star Wars-themed hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the first Adventures by Disney trip to Japan, new Marvel attractions coming to Walt Disney Studios Parks at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland, and much, much more. Check out our recap of the breaking news here.

In addition to the exciting Parks news, Bob brought out a cavalcade of characters including Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Captain America, Black Widow, Star-Lord, Gamora, R2-D2, C-3P0, and, of course, Mickey and Minnie—who had a fabulous all-new costume change for every segment. We were partial to their Star Wars outfits, with Minnie rocking a BB-8 look!

The presentation closed out with a musical number set to “Happily Ever After,” and the entire audience got into the act. Donning “Mickey gloves,” 2,200 fans moved in perfect choreography as Mickey and friends took to the stage.

The final panels of the day were a celebration of Disney character voices. Hosted by Rick Dempsey (a D23 Expo Japan favorite), the theme of this Expo’s presentations (so popular, it was held twice the same day!) was “Buddies.” The panel served as a character exploration and a concert, as Rick wonderfully navigated the talent and the stories, guiding the audience on an auditory adventure.

Natsumi Kon, who was the Japanese voice of Belle in last year’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, showed the audience how she captured the voice of Belle and performed a part of the song “Belle,” as well. A highlight for fans was the “meeting of the Moanas.” Auli‘i Cravalho (the U.S. voice for Moana) was joined on stage by Tomona Yabiku, who voiced the character for Japan. The two talked about creating the role of Moana before performing a dazzling rendition together of “How Far I’ll Go.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

As the session came to an end, the audience enjoyed a version of The Lion King‘s “Hakuna Matata” sung by various artists around the world, before Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto made one final appearance on the stage to close D23 Expo Japan 2018.

It was a fantastic weekend, full of music, laughter, and stories; breaking news and beloved classics; favorite and new characters; and a lot of love for all things Disney. In other words, it was a D23 Expo.

On behalf of all of D23, we say “arigato” to our wonderful fans in Japan who made the third D23 Expo Japan another unforgettable event.

Day Two of D23 Expo Japan Brings Studio Sneak Peeks and Tokyo Disney Resort Extravaganzas

Spectacular dancing, beloved characters, exclusive movie sneak peeks, and incredible performances highlighted the second day of D23 Expo Japan. Building on the momentum of day one, Disney fans were on the edge of their seats for the amazing presentations in the Maihama Amphitheater on Sunday, February 11.

In preparation for Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th anniversary, Oriental Land Company (which operates the resort) staged a presentation so jaw-dropping, they needed to hold it twice on Sunday to accommodate the crowds.

Disney Legend Toshio Kagami, Representative Director, Chairman and CEO of Oriental Land Company (OLC), kicked off the festivities highlighting the beginnings of Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983, to the phenomenal growth the resort has experienced over the past 35 years—including the addition of a second theme park, three magnificent hotels, a “resort line” (what we know as a monorail), and a vast entertainment and shopping district.

And the resort continues to grow and evolve; Toshio spoke of the incredible enhancements coming (including a Beauty and the Beast-inspired area and attraction and the family fun Big Hero 6-themed attraction with Baymax at Tokyo Disneyland, as well as the addition of Soarin’ to Tokyo DisneySea).

OLC’s president and COO Kyoichiro Uenishi followed Toshio to give additional details about the festivities for the resort’s 35th anniversary, which include a new parade, nighttime spectacular, and much more.

Always a highlight of the OLC presentation at D23 Expo Japan is the spectacle of music and dance, and this year’s event set the bar higher than ever. Dozens of singers, dancers, and beloved Disney characters took to the stage to perform fan-favorite musical numbers from the past 35 years of Tokyo Disney Resort. The audience clapped along to the pulsating beats and familiar melodies, which ended with close to 70 performers and characters on stage as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Chip, and Dale revealed their new 35th anniversary celebration outfits to enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

That evening, Walt Disney Studios President of Marketing Ricky Strauss once again took to the stage to take the audience on a journey through the upcoming films of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and the Walt Disney Studios. Strauss charmed the audience with his enthusiasm for upcoming animated films such as Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, Incredibles 2, and Coco—titled Remember Me in Japan—which opens this March in the region.

As a special treat, Naohito Fujiki and Hiiro Ishibashi (the Japanese voice actors portraying Hector and Miguel, respectively, in Remember Me) came to the stage to talk about making the movie. “I’m glad we recorded our parts in November, before all of the awards and nominations were announced,” joked Naohito. “It would have been a lot more pressure after!”

And Hiiro confessed he was thrilled to be given such a major role for his first big job. But the young talent showed he was indeed the right choice when he blew the roof off the amphitheater with a stunning rendition of the song “Remember Me” from the film.

As he ventured into the Studios’ slate of live-action films, Ricky treated the crowd to peeks of A Wrinkle in Time, Christopher Robin, and Mary Poppins Returns, as well as 2019’s Dumbo, and revealed new footage for the first time. Ricky told the crowd that what Dumbo director Tim Burton has done is truly convey that “what makes you different is what makes you special.” The crowd saw that, next year, Dumbo will truly soar.

To cap off the night, Ricky introduced a clip from next year’s The Lion King, a re-envisioning of the 1994 animated classic, which Jon Favreau is currently filming using state-of-the-art virtual reality cameras. Fans roared—pun intended—upon seeing “The Circle of Life” in a heart-pounding new way.

Day One: Setting the Scene and a Fantastic Opening

On Saturday, February 10, the third D23 Expo Japan began with typical D23 flair, as D23 Vice President Michael Vargo marched out with none other than Mickey Mouse to welcome guests to the Ultimate Disney Fan Event—Japan-style!

“Konnichiwa!” Michael exclaimed to the packed house at the Maihama Amphitheater, part of the Tokyo Disney Resort. “We are so thrilled to be here for the third D23 Expo Japan.”

D23 Expo Japan is a unique D23 Expo experience created just for Disney’s fans in Japan. Over the course of three days, nine panels take place in the 2,170-seat amphitheater, including presentations from the Studios, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Oriental Land Company (which operates Tokyo Disney Resort), as well as a concert from Disney Legend Alan Menken and much more. In addition to the main venue, in an adjacent theater space located in Ikspiari (a shopping complex, similar to Downtown Disney or Disney Springs), there will be screenings of popular TV shows, a sneak peek of Disney•Pixar’s Coco (which opens in Japan in March), and a big announcement from Kingdom Hearts.

The Expo also boasts two robust exhibits, including Inside the Walt Disney Archives: From Mickey Mouse to Forever After, an all-new exhibit created just for the event by the Walt Disney Archives team, which will tour Japan for the next two years. Oriental Land Company also put together a fantastic exhibit to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland.

Following Michael’s welcome, the Opening Ceremony continued as Walt Disney International Chairman Andy Bird took to the stage to give the audience a number of incredible surprises. Naoto Kaiho, who recently played Quasimodo in the Disney stage musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, performed a soaring rendition of the show-stopping number “Out There.” He was followed by Megumi Hamada and Kaho Shimada, who star as Mary Poppins and the Bird Woman, respectively, in the upcoming production of Mary Poppins in Tokyo. The pair sang a heartwarming rendition of “Feed the Birds” to thunderous applause.

But the surprises didn’t end there. Andy then treated fans to an advance look at the rousing “Un Poco Loco” number from Coco, which had never before been screened for a Japanese audience. And to cap things off, he brought out Disney Legend Alan Menken for a preview of his sold-out concert, taking place later that night. Alan performed a moving rendition of “Evermore,” which he wrote for the live-action hit Beauty and the Beast, and rounded out his performance with the film’s title song.

Alan and Andy then welcomed Mickey (now in his sorcerer attire) back to the stage. The crowd clapped along as Mickey “conducted” the beloved finale from Fantasmic!, followed by not one, but two confetti bursts.

One of the most highly anticipated experiences of the day was the Kingdom Hearts Fan Event. Fans of this beloved video game—which brings together the different worlds of Disney—gathered in hopes of more news about Kingdom Hearts III, which was announced for a 2018 release during D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim. Well, the fans were not disappointed! A new trailer revealed a brand-new Monsters, Inc.-themed world, along with new monster designs for Sora, Goofy, and Donald. Fans also got to hear the new theme song for Kingdom Hearts III , “Don’t Think Twice,” by Utada Hikaru.

Next up, The Walt Disney Studios presented a special panel dedicated to Marvel and Star Wars. Marketing President Ricky Strauss was brought to the stage by none other than R2-D2 and C-3PO to talk about the massive success of the Star Wars saga… and give a peek at what’s to come. J.J. Abrams, hard at work co-writing Episode IX before directing it this summer, filmed a special greeting for the audience. And then Ricky unveiled never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage from the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Ricky then welcomed none other than Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige to the stage. Kevin, fresh back from a visit to the Tokyo DisneySea theme park, noted how 2009 was an important year for him on a couple fronts… “2009 was the year Marvel became part of The Walt Disney Company and, coincidentally, it was the same year D23: The Official Disney Fan Club was founded,” he noted. “I’m proud to say that I was one of the very first D23 members.” (Needless to say, so are we!) Kevin treated the audience to sneak peeks of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Avengers: Infinity War. Plus, Kevin also shared a Marvel-ous video greeting to the audience from some of our favorite Super Heroes—including Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Don Cheadle, and more.

That evening, Alan Menken performed his spectacular one-man-show A Whole New World of Alan Menken to an enthusiastic audience. Alan performed this show at D23 Expo in Anaheim last year, so anyone who was lucky enough to see the show there knows how charming Alan is. He regaled the audience with stories, in-between renditions of some of his most beloved songs. A fitting finale for an amazing opening day.

12 Inventors to Inspire an Up-and-Coming Scientist

February 9, 2018

By Megan Deppe

“There’s really no secret about our approach. We keep moving forward—opening up new doors and doing new things—because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. We’re always exploring and experimenting.” This was Walt Disney’s approach to making a difference in the world, so it only makes sense that many Disney characters have embodied that vision. In honor of National Inventor’s Day on Sunday, February 11, we’re spotlighting some of the greatest scientists and inventors who have inspired us to keep moving forward ourselves!

1. Shuri (Marvel Studios’ Black Panther)
T’Challa may be the Black Panther, but his technology has to come from somewhere. It’s a good thing he has his younger sister, Shuri, and her prowess as an innovator and scientist to rely upon as he protects his nation. For Shuri, a project is never finished—she continually looks for more ways to improve her creations, and outdated tech is never allowed in her lab!

2. Gadget Hackwrench (Chip ’n’ Dale Rescue Rangers)
Gadget truly loves what she creates and doesn’t try to hide that. Her inventions made her invaluable to the Rescue Rangers team, along with her belief that “nothing is impossible.”

3. Lewis Robinson (Meet the Robinsons)
As a teen, Lewis Robinson is discouraged when his inventions don’t work the way he wants them to, but he ultimately realizes that he can’t dwell on the past. Lewis lives by Walt’s motto and keeps moving forward, and when he grows up, he is hailed as the “Father of the Future.”

4. Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb)
Phineas and Ferb have built plenty of their own creations, but we can’t deny that the greatest inventor in the Tri-State Area is Doofenshmirtz. Though all of his “inators” are designed to help him rule the world—or at least the Tri-State area—Doofenshmirtz puts a great deal of time and effort into them, and some are actually useful! After all, who wouldn’t want a copy of oneself to wait in long lines (“Run Away Runaway”) or a hat that makes your singing voice better (“Bubble Boys”)?

5. Tony Stark (Iron Man)
We can’t talk about great inventors without including the man who made us all wish for our very own Iron Man suit! Although Tony can get caught up in his scientific achievements and forget about the rest of the world, he proves that great things come from pushing boundaries and creating new inventions. Not only did his arc reactor save Tony’s life, but it create clean energy to power entire cities.

6. Syndrome (The Incredibles)
“Not every superhero has powers, you know. You can be super without them!” And Buddy Pine/Syndrome’s creations are, indeed, pretty impressive. He’s able to catch an entire super family with his zero-point energy ray, and he created rocket boots when he was still a kid, in order to keep up with his hero!

7. The Big Hero 6 (Big Hero 6)
It’s impossible to call out just one inventor from the Big Hero 6 team, since they’re all behind some pretty great inventions! Hiro, of course, outfitted his entire team with their supersuits and created the micro-bots. Go Go’s need for speed brought to life the motorcycle we’ve always secretly wanted, Wasabi’s quest for exact precision led to the creation of the amazing laser-hand, and Honey Lemon’s innate chemistry knowledge inspired her to design a purse that allows her to create chemical concoctions on the fly. We definitely feel safer with these inventors on the streets of San Fransokyo!

8. Tinker Bell (Tinker Bell)
Tinker Bell originally tried to deny her talent for “tinkering,” but she is definitely an inventor at heart! She creates several different machines to help other fairies, including a device that keeps Periwinkle cold when she visits Pixie Hollow. Tink’s love for a challenge and her inventive spirit combine to make her own unique form of fairy magic.

9. Varian (Tangled: The Series)
What the people of Corona call “magic,” Varian calls alchemy and his creations are always made with the good of his village in mind. He’s focused on making his father proud and helping others, whether he’s bringing hot water to his fellow villagers, or working hard to help Rapunzel solve the mystery of her hair

10. Flik (a bug’s life)
In a community that prioritizes doing everything the same way it’s always been done, Flik and his ideas were a little too much for his colony to take. But that didn’t stop him from crafting new devices to make his fellow bugs’ lives easier: Flik created an automatic harvester to help collect food, and a bird-shaped aircraft to scare away the grasshoppers. Even when he was told to stop “helping,” Flik believed in his ingenuity and kept creating new ideas.

11. Professor Ludwig VonDrake
Donald Duck’s Uncle is among the most accomplished inventors on our list, what with his many degrees (98!) and his long Disney history that has taken him from Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color all the way to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Mickey and the Roadster Racers. Over the years, Professor VonDrake has created teleportation bathtubs, a hat that will turn its wearer in to a genius, and a machine that gives Huey, Dewey, and Louie superpowers.

12. Galen Erso (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)
Galen Erso’s invention may have brought the Death Star to the galaxy far, far away, but we have to give him credit for also creating its fatal flaw. When he realized that his invention would cause harm to the galaxy, Galen—a man with great integrity and bravery—took it upon himself to make sure that it could ultimately be destroyed.

Everything You Need to Know About the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit at D23 Expo Japan 2018

February 9, 2018February 10, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

The Walt Disney Archives is a treasure trove of dreams and creativity that brings together items from all the worlds of Disney, while preserving the passion and story behind the pieces. But not everyone can have access to this storehouse of priceless works. The exhibit Inside the Walt Disney Archives: From Mickey Mouse to Forever After grants D23 Expo Japan guests an experience so immersive, they may feel like they are in the actual archives.

Featuring more than 770 pieces from the Walt Disney Archives, including items never before seen in Japan, this exhibit showcases unique pieces of Disney history such as:

Exclusive Mickey Mouse-related artwork and products
A reproduction of Walt Disney’s office, as seen in Saving Mr. Banks
A collection of Disney costumes from films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Tron: Legacy, and more
Unique items that illustrate Disney and Japan’s deep history and relationship

The exhibit is showcased in the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta Ballrooom “Paradiso,” and will be available for guests to view from 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. This exhibit is the second-largest Walt Disney Archives-produced exhibition in the last six years, and the largest Walt Disney Archives exhibit ever displayed in Japan.