7 Things We Learned About Star Wars: The Last Jedi from the Cast and Filmmakers

December 8, 2017March 26, 2018

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Journalists jumped to lightspeed to attend a global press event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles to learn more about Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The event, hosted by Anthony Breznican, featured a majority of Star Wars: The Last Jedi cast members, along with the film’s writer and director, Rian Johnson. And while the movie will remain shrouded in secrecy until its release on December 15, the cast and crew were able to tell us a little of what we can expect from this next chapter in the story of the galaxy far, far away.

1. With a cast this big, there’s plenty of adventure for everyone.
Between our three heroes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens —Rey, Finn, and Poe—as well as the film’s three villains—Kylo Ren, General Hux, and Captain Phasma, there is no shortage of characters for fans to love in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. But with newcomers to the saga such as Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), DJ (Benicio Del Toro) and Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern), there are now almost enough characters to fill a galaxy—and each plays an important part on this intergalactic journey.

Director Rian Johnson emphasized that he wanted every character to have a complete arc in The Last Jedi. As Oscar Isaac (Poe) puts it, “He’s challenging everyone, including the droids.”

2. It’s going to be darker than The Force Awakens, but just as much fun.
Lifelong Star Wars fans who were thrilled by the transition from Star Wars: A New Hope to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back can’t help but wonder if The Last Jedi follows in those foreboding footsteps. Johnson explains, “It’s the second movie in the trilogy, and obviously we’ve been trained to expect that it will be darker.”

If that has you worried that this film will be all dark side and no smiles, fear not! Johnson understands the balance of the Force when it comes to creating a great Star Wars film: “For me, this is a Star Wars movie, so first and foremost you want it to feel like a Star Wars movie. You have the intensity and you have the opera, but it also means you come out of the theater wanting to run in your backyard and grab your spaceship toys and fly around. That’s a key ingredient to it.”

3. We don’t know a lot about the new characters, but we do know the actors who play them love Star Wars as much as we do.

Who are Rose Tico and Admiral Holdo? Well, we won’t really find out until we finally get to see The Last Jedi, but until then, we can at least get to know the actors behind the characters.

Laura Dern portrays mysterious Admiral Holdo, who Johnson can only describe as, “a glorious, purple-haired wonder.” We might not be able to tell you much more than her hair color, but we can confirm that Dern geeked out at “every part!” when she watched The Last Jedi. She recalls breathlessly, “Suddenly, you’re an obsessed fan.” And Dern wasn’t alone in that feeling.

Newcomer Kelly Marie Tran had starred primarily in online content before she landed her life-changing role as Resistance maintenance worker Rose Tico. When asked about her experience on set, Tran had to stop and collect herself. “I’m trying not to cry right now,” she explained, a feeling that many fans can relate to when they start to think about the significance of the Star Wars franchise.

While Tran tried to view her role as a job, she couldn’t help but also act like a fan while she was on set. She’d try to focus on her work, as she describes, “But then C-3PO comes out and you’re like, ‘Oh! Wow!’” We can completely relate.

4. The ladies rule the galaxy.
With five major female characters in the film, it’s a great time to be a woman who loves Star Wars. Ridley expresses her awe at fan reaction to Rey and all the great women joining the Star Wars universe. “I knew it was a big deal,” she says, “but the response was so beyond everything I ever imagined.”

Tran understood the impact of her character as well. “It feels like both an honor and a responsibility at the same time,” she says, in reference to portraying Rose. She grins, adding “The girls in this movie kick some butt, and it’s going to be so good.”

Of course, it’s not just female fans who are rejoicing. Isaac, for one, is excited to see an intergalactic world that better reflects his life on Earth. He tells us, “The most influential people in my life have been women. That has shaped my destiny so much, so seeing that in film is really unique.”

5. It’s a hero’s journey, but it’s not about becoming a hero.
It’s no secret now that the classic monomyth of the hero’s journey, the traditional path many legends and stories follow, has inspired the path of Star Wars’ heroes throughout the ages. It’s a path that Johnson finds especially interesting. He elaborates, “If you look back, [George] Lucas famously drew from The Hero’s Journey that [Joseph] Campbell wrote about, and The Hero’s Journey is not about becoming a Hercules. It’s about adolescence, and it’s about that transition from childhood to adulthood and finding your place in the world.”

Does that sound familiar? It’s a path that Luke Skywalker famously followed in the original Star Wars trilogy, although his path for The Last Jedi is less clear. Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) explains, “I think a line from the script that epitomized my reaction was ‘This is not going to go the way you think.’”

6. Star Wars will be exploring, well, war!
It’s right there in the title. Fundamentally, Star Wars follows the effects of war on the galaxy. From Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to Star Wars Rebels, war is an essential part of the plot and themes of Star Wars stories. John Boyega (Finn) explains that this theme is very present in the new film: “There’s commentary on war. There hasn’t been a Star Wars movie yet that explores war the way The Last Jedi does. It’s very messy. The categorizing as good or evil is all mixed together.”

7. Carrie Fisher is forever a legend.
While most of the cast was present to discuss the movie, one member was missing, and everyone felt the loss. Carrie Fisher, the Disney Legend and icon who portrayed Princess Leia, passed away last year, but her spirit is still strong amongst the cast. From a young age, Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) felt Fisher’s impact. She recalls, “She was very significant, because I was first shown A New Hope when I was six and I remember thinking, ‘Wow! That character is really different.’ I watched TV and film excessively as a kid and it stayed with me throughout the years that she’s really interesting, she’s smart, she’s really fun, she’s courageous, she’s bold, she doesn’t care what people think, and she’s not going to be told what to do.”

But beyond the role of Princess Leia, Fisher represented something that remains with Christie as well: “You could be an individual and celebrate yourself.”

Dern agrees with that assessment. “We always had Carrie, not just Leia,” she explains. “That’s what moved me the most about the icon she gave us, [as well as] who she was individually and personally: to carry who she was so directly and to be without shame and to share her story, and to expect nothing less from any of us.”

Check Out These Incredible Gingerbread Houses at Disney Parks and Resorts

December 7, 2017January 8, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

Flour and sugar aren’t the wisest choices for building a home, but they’re the go-to options when it comes to building a gingerbread house. Every holiday season, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts takes those ingredients and adds their pixie dust and Disney magic to create the most spectacular gingerbread houses for their properties around the world. You can take a closer look at the houses in person during your holiday visit to the resorts, but in the meantime, D23 is happy to give you a closer look.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
‘Twas a grand production, completing the gingerbread replica of the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The seven-foot-tall and 12-foot-wide house was created by 16 bakers and pastry chefs, two electricians, six craftsmen, and one dreamer, “to describe their dream,” as the house’s accompanying sign notes. If you’re up for a challenge of your own, the gingerbread house features a number of Hidden Mickeys—how many can you find?

Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park
We’ve enjoyed studying this house since it debuted during Halloween Time back in September. Oogie Boogie, of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, stands seven feet tall in the scrumptious structure. He’s pried open the roof and stands, fork at the ready, to take care of a gingerbread bug infestation that’s plaguing the house. The team at Disneyland Resort Central Bakery used 200 pounds of gingerbread, 200 pounds of powdered sugar, and 30 pounds of white chocolate to create this frightfully fabulous house.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa
The Grand Floridian pastry team spent more than 400 hours baking the gingerbread used to construct this life-size house, as well as more than 160 hours constructing and decorating it. The house also contains The Bake Shop, which features gingerbread ornaments, cookies and gingerbread house kits that have been baked from a classic recipe from Austria. And if you’re looking to develop your own décor skills, stop by to attend a decorating demo, conducted daily in front of the display.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Stop by the Contemporary Resort’s fourth floor to see this year’s Mary Blair-inspired gingerbread display. Pastry Chef Jeff Barnes and his team re-create the Cinderella Castle in the style of the legendary artist on a backdrop reminiscent of it’s a small world. They used thousands of gingerbread blocks to build the 18-foot-tall display that includes Cinderella and Prince Charming, living deliciously ever after in the form of oversized gingerbread cookies, as they greet guests from the castle forecourt.

Disneyland Hotel Paris
It’s an edible winter wonderland inside the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris. This year’s snowy scene will give you chills—in the best possible way—as you gaze upon the pink and white house, surrounded by a forest of trees that have been dusted with snow.

Did You Know? 9 Rich Facts Celebrating Uncle Scrooge

December 7, 2017January 29, 2018

By Jim Fanning

‘Tis the Season for Scrooge—Scrooge McDuck, that is! Uncle to Donald Duck, Scrooge is the world’s richest duck. Created by Disney Legend Carl Barks in 1947, Uncle Scrooge is, according to Barks, “by any measurements the richest character ever to live in the realm of fiction. He is also the stingiest. He roams the earth and even outer space in search of additional riches to store in his vast Money Bin.” This money-loving miser, who is never happier than when he’s diving around in his accumulated currency, has more fans than there are coins in his Money Bin—and since that famed structure atop Killmotor Hill in Duckburg houses three cubic acres of cash, that’s a lot. To celebrate seventy priceless years of Scrooge, here’s a wealth of fun facts to highlight how this top-hatted tightwad waddled into the hearts of Disney fans everywhere.

1. A Christmas-Themed Comic Book Debut
Even some of Scrooge’s staunchest fans may not know that he made his moneyed debut in the pages of a Donald Duck comic book. Created by writer-artist Barks as a foil for Donald in a holiday-themed adventure entitled “Christmas on Bear Mountain” (Donald Duck Four Color 178, December 1947), Scrooge McDuck was named after the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In this crazed Christmas tale, Uncle Scrooge invites Donald and the nephews to his mountain cabin for the holiday, intending to test their courage by dressing up as a bear—until a real bear and her cubs intervene. Portrayed here as a stereotypically grumpy old man, Scrooge was intended to be a one-shot bit player until Barks realized that he had created a personality with truly rich (in every sense of the word) potential. With a hot temper almost more heated than Donald’s, Uncle Scrooge became the perfect sparring partner for Disney’s most famous Duck, and Barks featured the feisty skinflint in more and more stories.

2. Uncle Scrooge Makes a Mint with his own Comic Book
Scrooge’s comical combination of unstoppable spryness and his overtop obsession with money in Donald Duck stories, short and long, captured readers’ imaginations, and the miserly mallard was awarded his own comic book, starting with Uncle Scrooge (No. 1 Four Color #386) in March 1952. In that first epic adventure, “Only a Poor Old Man,” Uncle Scrooge explained to Huey, Dewey, and Louie how he acquired his fortune: “By being tougher than the toughies and smarter than the smarties… and I made it square! You’d love your money, too, boys, if you got it the way I did—by thinking a little harder than the other guy—by jumping a little quicker.” Donald and the nephews are along in these Scrooge-centric stories to lend a helping hand (even if they are only being paid 30 cents an hour). According to a 1967 Disney Publicity report, Uncle Scrooge was Disney’s biggest-selling U.S. comic publication; in fact, it was one of the most popular of any comic book, and is still published today.

3. Scrooge McDuck, International Superstar
So fascinating is this fabulously wealthy webfoot that his comic-book exploits are published all over the world, where McDuck is known under many monikers, including Oncle Picsou (France), Roope Ankka (Finland), Patinhas McPatinhas (Spain), and Paperon de’ Paperoni (Italy). Scrooge’s international appeal is apropos given his worldwide escapades. “A major reason for his rapid rise to stardom was his globe-trotting story roles,” Barks once said. “I sent him on location to many romantic areas of the world… Always I tried to make his adventures believable. If Uncle Scrooge voyaged up the Yukon River, the background scenery and the menaces had to be endemic.” A special example of Scrooge’s far-flung comic book adventures was originally published in Denmark in 1992–1994. Written and drawn by modern Scrooge chronicler Don Rosa as an extension of the McDuck mythos created by Barks, The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, an award-winning series, was printed in the United States in the pages of Uncle Scrooge in 1994 and 1995 before being published in graphic-novel form in 2005.

4. Uncle Scrooge: The Publishing King
Scrooge’s hit status on the newsstands led to even more publishing prominence. The parsimonious collector of cash was soon sought out by fans in coloring and activity books (not to mention puzzles, board games, and recordings), and, beginning in 1964, he was a prime player in the Donald Duck newspaper comic strip, drawn by Disney Legend Al Taliaferro. Two of Scrooge’s most prestigious printed-page projects were two hardcover storybooks, both published in 1960 and boasting illustrations by Carl Barks: Donald Duck and the Christmas Carol, a Little Golden Book in which Donald and the boys scare a little Christmas spirit into their impossibly wealthy uncle; and Uncle Scrooge: The Lemonade King, wherein business maven McDuck, purveyor of Scrooge’s Scrumptious Lemonade Parlor, tries to outsell Lemonade Leo by the bucket and the bathtub.

5. Scrooge Pops up on Mickey Mouse Club
Though there had been attempts to develop a theatrical cartoon starring Scrooge—Barks himself wrote a proposal for an animated adventure in January 1955—but Scrooge made his first animation appearance in the opening sequence of the Mickey Mouse Club TV series. Viewers first saw Scrooge pop up—literally, for he suddenly emerges from the Big Bad Wolf’s stovepipe hat to join in the festivities—when the five-days-a-week series was first telecast on October 3, 1955. That Scrooge should have been included in this splashy celebration along with such Disney celebrities as Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto (and nephew Donald, too) was a testament to McDuck’s vast popularity as a comic-book bestseller.

6. Big Screen Stardom
After two decades at the top of the comic-book biz, Uncle Scrooge finally made it to the big screen in Scrooge McDuck and Money (1967). Promoted as “The Tale of a Penny-Pinching Billion-Dollar Duck,” this animated featurette stars Scrooge (voiced by veteran Disney voice artist and dialectician Bill Thompson) expounding on economics to Huey, Dewey, and Louie—charging them three cents for his advice even though they end up investing $1.95 in Scrooge, Inc. Released on March 23,1967, this animated Scrooge-extravaganza was one of the last productions personally produced by Walt Disney.

7. Scrooge Plays Ebenezer
Scrooge returned to his Dickensian roots by portraying his stingy namesake Ebenezer Scrooge in Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983). Produced and directed by Disney Legend Burny Mattinson, this Academy Award^®-nominated featurette has become a Yuletide tradition, thanks in no small part to Scrooge’s sterling performance. This also marked the first time that Alan Young performed McDuck’s Scottish burr in animation. He originally voiced the cantankerous coin-counter in the 1974 Disneyland Records album, Dickens’ Christmas Carol that inspired the animated featurette.

8. Every Day Scrooge is out There Making DuckTales!
Scrooge really strode into the spotlight when DuckTales debuted on September 18, 1987, with the money-obsessed adventurer again voiced by Alan Young. For this enormously successful daily adventure series—DuckTales remained the No. 1 animated syndicated show for four years and became the cartoon cornerstone of The Disney Afternoon when the popular programming block upon its debut in1990—creator and producer Jymn Magon and all the creative talent behind the show sought to capture the fun, characterization, and adventure of Barks’ stories, even while expanding beyond them for the half-hour TV animation medium. Some of the episodes were directly inspired by specific Uncle Scrooge stories, including “Back to the Klondike,” “The Giant Robot Robbers,” “The Lost Crown of Genghis Khan,” and “Micro Ducks From Outer Space.” The TV series inspired a 1990 theatrically released DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp—Scrooge McDuck’s first feature film.

9. Scrooge Still Counts (Money) in New DuckTales
Today, Uncle Scrooge is more popular than ever, as proven by the hot new version of DuckTales, with David Tennant taking over the vocalization of the iconic character. Scrooge’s new starring series debuted with a TV movie—Woo-oo!—on Disney XD on August 12, 2017, with the series itself starting on September 23. 2017. The creators of this new take on the McDuck mythos have unique insight into a character who they themselves revere. Co-producer/story editor Francisco Angones believes that Scrooge is so penny-wise because “he knows how he earned every single gold coin in that Money Bin, and they all are attached to a memory.” As for the old miser himself, “I don’t think he worries about being lovable,” Tennant said of Scrooge. “I think that’s probably the key to him… He’s irascible and he can be tricky, and I think you love him in spite of that.”

Sneak an Exclusive Peek at these Stunning Disney Weddings from Freeform’s Holiday Special

December 7, 2017March 26, 2018

By Nicole Nalty

Freeform first took us behind the veil of a few Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings earlier this year and if you’ve been craving more ever since, you’re in luck! Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic will debut Monday, December 11, at 8 p.m. EST, to give an inside look at some of the merry magic that goes into their unbelievable holiday weddings. Hosted by the Ellen show’s Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Dancing with the Stars pro Allison Holker, the special will celebrate the nuptials of two very special couples in two very special weddings—one at Disneyland Resort in California and one at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Can’t wait until Monday? Take a sneak peek at exclusive photos from each wedding below!

Dominique and Joe, Walt Disney World Resort
Hailing from New York, Joe and Dominique took their first official vacation as a couple at Walt Disney World Resort, so it’s the perfect place to tie the knot. The couple’s ceremony will be held at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, a venue Dominique has dreamed about since she was a little girl!

Greg and Melanie, Disneyland Resort
You may recognize Greg and Melanie from the Freeform special that aired back in May. The couple got engaged at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and will be married in the Rose Court Garden at Disneyland Hotel, with a stunning reception in Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park.

Want more Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings? An unscripted series, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, launches on Freeform in summer 2018.

This Pack of Porgs Belongs Under Your Christmas Tree!

December 7, 2017

By Courtney Potter

According to our pals over at StarWars.com, porgs—the newest creatures in the Star Wars universe, making their sure-to-be-legendary debut in Star Wars: The Last Jedi—are “small, flat-muzzled avians,” with an inquisitive nature, “that flock about the rocks and roost in the cliffs of Luke Skywalker’s secluded island.” And based on their appearance in the official Last Jedi trailer, they also appear to be seriously tough cookies; honestly, to hang out with the likes of Chewbacca, you’ve gotta be.

We cannot wait to meet them when The Last Jedi rockets into theaters on December 15. However, if you need a porg fix ASAP, we here at D23 figured we’d take a spin through shopDisney.com to discover some of the most unique ways you can acquire one of your very own. (And remember: D23 Gold Members get a special discount, good for 15 percent off purchases of $65 or more.) Porgs are a prodigiously perfect present for under your favorite Star Wars fan’s Christmas tree!

1. Porg Talking Plush Figure by Hasbro
This soft and cuddly plush has a secret—it moves and talks! Your porg will be the hit of Christmas dinner as it waddles and flaps, chirps and chatters across the living room floor.

2. Porgs Cardigan for Women by Her Universe
Ashley Eckstein, who voices Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars Rebels, created her own clothing line (Her Universe) back in 2010… and now, shopDisney has this exclusive—and exclusively cute—lightweight knit cardigan from Ashley’s line, featuring several porgs on the rounded collar. (shopDisney also offers this exclusive Her Universe porg sweater.)

3. R2-D2 and Porgs Pin and Lithograph Set—Limited Edition
What’s better than a posse of porgs? A posse of porgs alongside everyone’s favorite astromech droid R2-D2, of course! This limited-edition pin set comes in a flip-top display box with a magnetic closure.

4. Porg Coin Purse—Loungefly
Show your porg pride this holiday season by keeping your spare change in this adorable coin purse. It features a dimensional design and a sturdy metal lobster clasp.

5. Porg T-Shirt
One of the niftiest new features of shopDisney.com is the ability to customize items—and when it comes to porgs, the world is your proverbial oyster! We particularly like this slouchy T-shirt from Bella+Canvas, which is available in granite, vintage white, or soft pink. You can even add text to the front or back!

6. Chewbacca and Porgs Padawan Blanket by Pendleton
Pendleton Woolen Mills, a sixth-generation family-owned business located in Oregon, is known for its incredible blankets, clothing, and other luxury fabrics. Own a piece of Pendleton—one that also celebrates Chewbacca’s new friendship with the porgs—by bringing home this reversible blanket (with a cool geometric pattern) this Christmas.

7. Porgs Pajama Set for Women
Stay comfy and cozy around the holiday hearth with these pajamas, festooned with more porgs than you’ll know what to do with. The two-piece set is made from 100% cotton and features a scoop-neck shirt with raglan sleeves and super-comfy jogger-style pants.

8. Chewbacca and Porgs OtterBox Symmetry iPhone 8/7 Case
Another favorite customizable offering from shopDisney is this iPhone case featuring an adorable tableau of Chewbacca and a pack of doe-eyed porgs. If the Star Wars fan in your life is prone to dropping their mobile device, this would make a great Christmas stocking stuffer.

9. Porgs Long-Sleeve Raglan Sweatshirt for Kids
And finally, here’s something for the Star Wars-obsessed kids in your family: a soft cotton jersey pullover with glitter-detailed porgs and contrasting sleeves. Order it early enough, and it could be a special Christmas present they can proudly wear to the local cineplex on December 15!

Merry shopping! And may the porg-rific Force be with you!

Get Ready for Christmas in the Pride Lands on The Lion Guard

December 6, 2017January 8, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—even in the Pride Lands, where Kion, Bunga, Beshte, and the rest of the Lion Guard are getting into the holiday spirit with Timon and Pumbaa. On a special episode of Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard, “Timon and Pumbaa’s Christmas,” which debuts Friday, December 8, at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel, Bunga wants to surprise his uncles with the most amazing Christmas celebration ever, so he enlists the entire Lion Guard (and their families) to create a merry and musical memory for Timon and Pumbaa (and for us!).

The idea for the special episode came to executive producer Ford Riley and songwriter Beau Black during another holiday season, while they attended an L.A. Kings hockey game together—and were inundated by Christmas songs that played in the arena during breaks in the action. As Riley remembers, “Beau leaned over to me and said, ‘Dude, we’ve got to write a Christmas song.’” Riley thought about the Pride Lands population and wondered whether they’d celebrate a human holiday such as Christmas, and then found himself thinking, “Timon and Pumbaa seem to have a wider knowledge of the world. Maybe if they heard about it from an ox, who heard it from a yellow wagtail, who heard it from a flying reindeer…” The rest, as they say, is ho-ho-holiday history.

“Timon and Pumbaa’s Christmas” is filled with holiday traditions viewers of all ages will recognize, but with a Lion Guard twist. The Lion Guard decorates their own Christmas tree but it’s a baobab, rather than a fir, and it’s adorned with ornaments of star fruits and gourds, as well as a garland of flowers. The big, bright star that signals the holiday’s arrival is inspired by the original animated feature, Riley explains. “Timon and Pumbaa are very aware of stars,” he says, adding, “Pumbaa thinks they’re big balls of gas. We’re trying to walk the line between what you would see in a traditional Christmas episode and what you’d expect to see in the world of The Lion Guard.” So don’t be surprised to hear younger fans singing a familiar melody with new lyrics—“Jungle Smells,” anyone?

Since Christmas music inspired the special episode, new songs were priority. Black thought about the show’s legacy, as well as the enduring nature of Christmas songs. Families often watch favorite holiday specials years after year, so he hopes there will always be an appreciation for this episode. Black admits to being very particular about Christmas songs, so he thought, “If I were to listen to Christmas songs, which ones would I listen to?” He typically gravitates toward contemporary, ’60s-style Christmas songs along the lines of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” so honey badger Bunga belts out the original song “Christmas in the Pride Lands” with a Darlene Love-inspired performance that will surely have fans listening to the tune for Christmases to come.

The episode’s other new song, “The Twelve Ways of Christmas,” is a unique interpretation of the classic “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The tune may be familiar but, Black confesses, this was the most challenging song they’ve done since the series premiered. “It was very challenging to make it work for the animation and get all those “12 ways” in, allow every character to have their moment, and not make it 10 minutes long.” Our friends at Disney Junior have given us the gift of the music video of the song, which they’re sharing with D23 in advance of Friday’s premiere:

You can also check out “Christmas in the Pride Lands” and songs from other favorite animated series on the just-released album Disney Junior Music Holiday Hits, a new digital compilation album available now. And after the holidays are over, The Lion Guard may be coming your way as part of the Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour live stage show, launching March 14 in Southern California and performing 50 shows across the country. Visit DisneyJuniorTour.com to learn more.

Disney Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

December 6, 2017January 8, 2018

By D23 Team

Holiday shopping can be overwhelming—trying to find the practically perfect gift for everyone on your list is a heroic task that we bet even the Incredibles struggle to accomplish.

We’ve taken some of the guesswork out of gift giving this year with a guide to some of shopDisney’s finest finds for the holiday season. (D23 Gold and Gold Family Members, don’t forget to use your D23 Discount!)

For the foodie…

Mickey Mouse Waffle Maker

Disneyland Attractions Retro Art Coasters

Peter Pan Appetizer Plate

For your friend who basically lives at a Disney theme park…

Mickey Mouse Disneyland Throw Blanket

Dumbo the Flying Elephant Retro Poster

Disney Park Pack Pin Monthly Subscription

For your relative who’s seen Coco in theaters multiple times…

Coco Pin Set

Coco Big Golden Book

Coco Throw Pillow

For the person on your list who appreciates something sparkly…

Alex and Ani Mickey Mouse Snowflake Bangle

Minnie Mouse Jeweled iPhone Case

Minnie Mouse Sequined Holiday Ear Headband

For the budding photographer…

Mickey Mouse Photo Frame

Minnie Mouse Photo Frame

License Plate Photo Frame

For the friend who plans to spend the holiday break in his or her PJs (no judgment)…

Mickey Mouse Holiday Collection

Mickey and Minnie Plaid Holiday Collection

Stormtrooper Collection

For the family that loves game night…

Mickey’s Fun Wheel 3-D Model Kit

Haunted Mansion Jigsaw Puzzle

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Clue

12 Days of Big Disney Parks Updates—Plus More in News Briefs

December 6, 2017

By Courtney Potter

Kick off the holidays with 12 days of updates from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and catch a glimpse of how the Star Wars: The Last Jedi cast trained for the film’s stunts… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Don’t Miss 12 Awesome Disney Parks Updates to Kick Off the Holidays!

On the first day of Christmas, our true love—Walt Disney Parks & Resorts—gave to us… the inaugural announcement in their new “12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas” daily update event, where we’ll get the inside scoop on offerings that’ll make their debut in 2018 and beyond!

On Tuesday, they kicked off the event by sharing new details about the Pixar Play Parade returning to the Disneyland Resort on April 13 as part of Pixar Fest. Several new images were revealed (seen above), featuring story elements that’ll be part of the parade as it winds its way through Disneyland park. The parade will begin with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp as it follows the familiar yellow Pixar Ball, known to fans from its cameos in so many Pixar films.

Up’s loveable curmudgeon Carl Fredricksen, Wilderness Explorer Russell, the colorful flightless bird Kevin and, of course, Dug the dog will join the parade—as will Joy, Sadness, and Bing Bong from Inside Out.

“12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas” continues through December 16, so don’t miss out—keep your eyes peeled on the Disney Parks Blog for more fun than you can shake a pear tree at!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
December 6, 2017
D23’s Holidays in Hollywood Studios
December 10, 2017
D23’s Light Up the Season
December 10, 2017
D23’s Holiday Shopping Day at Mickey’s of Glendale
December 15, 2017
A Force-Filled Star Wars Evening on the Lot
December 17, 2017
Exclusive D23 Holiday Gingerbread House Workshop
January 12, 2018
Lunch with a Disney Legend—Bob Gurr
January 13, 2018
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
February 2, 2018
D23 Member Night at Disney’s Aladdin at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre
February 20, 2018
D23 Member Night at Disney’s The Lion King in Orlando
Parks
November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26 and 28. December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort
November 10–January 7
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
December 16
Star Wars: Galactic Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
February 28–May 28, 2018
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
April 13, 2018
Pixar Fest begins at the Disneyland Resort
Summer 2018
Star Wars: Pixar Pier opens at Disney California Adventure
2019
Star Wars-Themed Lands Opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Studios
December 15, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters
February 16, 2018
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther opens in U.S. theaters
March 9, 2018
Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time opens in U.S. theaters
May 4, 2018
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War opens in U.S. theaters
June 15, 2018
Incredibles 2 opens in U.S. theaters
Television
December 1–25, 2017
Disney|ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas

Cool New Featurette and “Pop Icon” Posters for Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Hey, we almost forgot: Happy December! You know what that means… well, yes, of course, the holidays—but also, the Force will be disturbed (in a good way!) once more when Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi lightspeeds into a theater near you on December 15! You can imagine that these next few weeks will be chockablock with tantalizing Last Jedi content, to whet our appetites for all things Skywalker. Case in point: this brand-new featurette, about the physical training the cast went through prior to (and during) filming. Take a gander at stars Daisy Ridley, Gwendoline Christie, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, and Adam Driver in action, above.

But that’s not all: Lucasfilm also released a whopping 17 brand-new posters, featuring droids, gear, tech, and ships from the upcoming film. Nine of the posters debuted on the “Light Side” and eight on the “Dark Side.” Look at the rest, you can, over at StarWars.com…

Disney Nominated for 35 Annie Awards

We’ve officially entered “awards season,” when screenings and nominations abound! Just this week, the International Animated Film Society (ASIFA-Hollywood) announced nominations for the 45th annual Annie Awards, which recognize the year’s best in the field of animation. Overall, Disney received 35 nominations, with Disney Television Animation earning 14 nods—including six for the Mickey Mouse shorts and four for Tangled: The Series; Pixar Animation Studios receiving 15 nominations, including an amazing 13 for Coco (including “Outstanding Achievement in Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production” for Anthony Gonzales [Miguel] and “Best Animated Feature”); and Walt Disney Animation Studios garnering three nominations for Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (including a nod for the featurette’s music, penned by songwriters Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson and composer Christophe Beck.)

Additionally, Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and the Avatar Flight of Passage attraction from Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom each received one nomination.

The Annie Awards will be presented on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles; for a complete list of nominees, visit AnnieAwards.org. Kudos to all!

The Oscars Return in February, Hosted by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel

Speaking of “awards season,” we’ve officially entered the 90-day countdown to The Oscars, airing once again exclusively on ABC. And this time, the broadcast will actually start a half-hour earlier than usual—at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST… plus, the big Oscars Pre-Show will start at 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST, giving viewers a full 90 minutes of insider access and exciting red-carpet fun.

Check out ABC’s brand-new promo for the world’s most famous awards show (did you know it airs in more than 225 countries?), above. Hosted once again by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, The 90th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood. Mark those calendars!

#ShareYourEars to Support Make-A-Wish®

What’s more festive than grabbing a pair of “Mickey Ears” and taking a pic with all your besties? (Honestly, not much.) Well, good news: This holiday season, you can snap a fun photo and help a deserving charity at the same time! Disney Parks is donating $5 to Make-A-Wish®, up to $1 million, for each photo you take and share on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram wearing “Mickey Ears”—or any fun, creative ears—with the hashtag #ShareYourEars.

Millions of fans who shared “ear photos” on social media last year made the inaugural #ShareYourEars a huge success; the enthusiastic sharing led to a doubling of the original donation pledge to $2 million! Now it’s time to take it to a whole new level… so from now until Christmas Day (December 25), Disney Parks wants you to post all manner of unique “ear photos”—and don’t forget that hashtag!

Nearly 9,000 Disney-related wishes are granted worldwide by the Make-A-Wish Foundation each year—including experiences at Disney parks and voyages on Disney Cruise Line. For more info about Make-A-Wish here in the States, visit wish.org.

Read Up on Shanghai Disney Resort’s New Toy Story Land

Yes, it’s true—Shanghai Disney Resort is already expanding, and what they’re adding sounds totally cool! Read up on the resort’s newest area, Toy Story Land, coming to the newest Disney park next summer right here… D23.com got its hands on some amazing concept art, so do check it out, won’t you?

Whoopi Goldberg Hosts Freeform’s Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic

Brew up a cup of cocoa and snuggle up on the couch—there’s a great holiday TV special next week that you won’t want to miss. Newly-crowned Disney Legend and ABC’s The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg will helm Freeform’s Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic, premiering Monday, December 18, at 8 p.m. EST. Featuring special co-hosts Sofia Carson (of Disney’s Descendants) and Jordan Fisher (recent Dancing with the Stars winner), the one-hour event will reveal how the merry magic comes to life as the Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks and resort hotels are transformed into winter wonderlands filled with seasonal attractions, special entertainment, festive décor, and delicious treats that make every day feel like a holiday!

“As a longtime friend of Mickey, there’s no place I’d rather spend the holidays than at the Happiest Place on Earth,” said Whoopi. “To see the incredible work that goes into turning the parks into a winter wonderland is truly magical, and I’m so happy to be a part of it.”

You Won’t Believe These Magical Disney-Themed Lighting Displays

December 4, 2017January 8, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

Christmas lights give off a special glow… Whether you’re curled up on the couch in a room that’s illuminated by a newly trimmed tree or you’re strolling along your local Candy Cane Lane, Christmas lights don’t just brighten your surroundings—they brighten your spirits. ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight—which returns for its fifth season tonight (8–10 p.m. ET) with back-to-back episodes—celebrates families who take their holiday lighting displays to extremes. And when those families turn out to be Disney fans… well, that’s when the merry magic truly happens!

At Christmastime, neighbors refer to the Mize family’s home as the “Mickey Mouse Christmas House.” Mickey is front and center in their window displays, which showcase the Mizes’ vast collection of Disney items. “We love Christmas, we love Disney, and to be able to blend it is just fantastic,” says Les Mize.

“Weaver’s Winter Wonderland” features hundreds of cut-out characters (including more Dalmatians than we could count!), a waterfall, a sleigh for photos, and so much holiday spirit!

The Weavers have used lighting wizardry to turn the house into a 58-foot castle, and if you look toward the sky you’ll see Dumbo, Tinker Bell, and Peter Pan flying overhead.

“Disney is imagination,” says Scott Weaver. “I love their characters. I mean, they’re magic. Disney is magic. And I’ve only been to Disneyland twice.”

The Field family set out to bring the magic of Disney parks to their hometown. “We love Walt Disney World so much we transformed our house into a Magic Kingdom,” says Dennis Field.

“Everything we have is handmade by us. We don’t buy anything from the store,” says Larry Field. “We do everything by hand—no one has what we have.” The Fields do, indeed, have something truly unique: their own hand-crafted interpretation of it’s a small world.

Last year, the Fields entertained their neighbors with their very own “kiss goodnight,” using lighting and projection to create a yuletide take on a Disney parks’ fireworks show.

“When we were younger, we went to Walt Disney World. It was the one big vacation we had as kids because we didn’t have a lot of money growing up,” says Larry Field. “And we wanted to bring that joy and magic to the kids here in the local area who might not otherwise ever have that opportunity.”

Have you used Disney details to take your own holiday décor from “ho-hum” to “Ho, Ho, Ho”? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter—and tune in to The Great Christmas Light Fight tonight, December 11, and December 18 on ABC.

D23’s Ultimate Guide to Your Holiday Viewing—2017 Edition

November 30, 2017January 8, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

In the lead-up to Christmas, December 1 is an especially merry milestone. It, of course, marks the beginning of our D23 Days of Christmas. And if you haven’t busted open the first panel of your advent calendar, what are you waiting for? Today is also the beginning of another of our favorite holiday traditions, the “25 Days of Christmas,” which this year has expanded to include not just Freeform, but also ABC and Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD.

This year’s lineup of holiday programming is full of holiday specials, festive episodes of popular series, and plenty of Disney magic—from Disney Parks Presents a Disney Channel Holiday Celebration, airing today (8:30–9:30 p.m. ET) and featuring performances by some of your favorite Disney Channel stars, as well as an exclusive tour of the new Toy Story Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in summer 2018; to the Christmas morning must-watch event, Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration, hosted by Julianne Hough and Nick Lachey and featuring Idina Menzel singing the Disney classic “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

We’ve taken the liberty of compiling all of the network listings into one handy viewing guide. So pop some popcorn, toss some marshmallows into a mug of hot cocoa and curl up on the sofa—holiday classics and soon-to-be-favorites are coming to a screen near you!

Friday, December 1
10–10:30 a.m. ET: Mickey and the Roadster Racers—“Happy Hot Diggity Dog Holiday! / Happy Holiday Helpers” (Disney Channel)
10:30–11 a.m. ET: Puppy Dog Pals—“A Very Pug Christmas / The Latke Kerfuffle” (Disney Channel)
11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. ET: Sofia the First—“The Mystic Isles: A Very Mystic Wassailia” (Disney Channel)
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
11 a.m.–1 p.m. ET: Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (Freeform)
1–2 p.m. ET: Jack Frost (Freeform)
2–3:35 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
3:35–4:35 p.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)
4:35–7:05 p.m. ET: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Freeform)
7:05–9:15 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
8:30–9:30 p.m. ET: Disney Parks Presents a Disney Channel Holiday Celebration
9:15–11:25 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
11:25 p.m.–1:30 a.m. ET: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Freeform)
1:30–2 a.m. ET: Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (Freeform)

Saturday, December 2
7–9 a.m. ET: Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (Freeform)
8:30–9 a.m. ET: Star vs. The Forces of Evil—“Stump Day/Holiday Spellcial” (Disney XD)
9–9:30 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Freeform)
9–9:30 a.m. ET: Milo Murphy’s Law—“A Christmas Peril”
9:30–11 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (Freeform)
1:05–3:10 p.m. ET: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Freeform)
3:10–4:50 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
4:50–7 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
7–9:10 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
9:10–11:50 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (Freeform)
11:50 p.m.–2 a.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)

Sunday, December 3
7–7:30 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Freeform)
7:30–9 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (Freeform)
9–11:05 a.m. ET: A Dennis the Menace Christmas (Freeform)
11:05 a.m.–1:10 p.m. ET: Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (Freeform)
1:10–2:15 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
2:15–3:55 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
3:55–6:05 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
6:05–8:45 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (Freeform)
8:45–10:50 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
10:50–12:55 a.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)

Monday, December 4
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (Freeform)
12:30–2:30 p.m. ET: Arthur Christmas (Freeform)
2:30–4:35 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
4:35–6:40 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
6:40–8:50 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
8–10 p.m. ET: The Great Christmas Light Fight—season premiere (ABC)
8:50–11 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)

Tuesday, December 5
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: The Mistle-Tones (Freeform)
12:30–2:30 p.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
2:30–4:35 p.m. ET: Angry Angel (Freeform)
4:35–6:45 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
6:45–8:55 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
8:55–11 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
12–2 a.m.ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)

Wednesday, December 6
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Snowglobe (Freeform)
12–2:05 p.m. ET: Angry Angel (Freeform)
2:05–4:15 p.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
4:15–6:45 p.m. ET: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Freeform)
6:45–8:50 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
8:50–11 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)

Thursday, December 7
7–9:30 a.m. ET: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Freeform)
11 a.m.–1 p.m. ET: Snow Day (Freeform)
1–2:35 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
2:30–4:45 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
4:45–6:50 p.m. ET: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Freeform)
6:50–9 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
8–8:30 p.m. ET: Shrek the Halls (ABC)
8:30–9 p.m. ET: Toy Story That Time Forgot (ABC)
9–11 p.m. ET: The Great American Baking Show—season premiere (ABC)
9–11 p.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story (Freeform)
12–2:05 a.m. ET: A Dennis the Menace Christmas (Freeform)

Friday, December 8
7–7:30 a.m. ET: The Little Drummer Boy (Freeform)
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: A Dennis the Menace Christmas (Freeform)
11 a.m.–12:40 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. ET: The Lion Guard—“Timon and Pumbaa’s Christmas” (Disney Channel)
12:40–2:45 p.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
4:50–6:50 p.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story (Freeform)
6:50–9 p.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 2 (Freeform)
8–8:55 p.m. ET: Stuck in The Middle—“Stuck at Christmas” (Disney Channel)
9–11:30 p.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3 (Freeform)
11:30–12 a.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Arthur Christmas (Freeform)

Saturday, December 9
7–9:05 a.m. ET: Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (Freeform)
9:05–11:10 a.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
11:10 a.m.–1:15 a.m. ET: Arthur Christmas (Freeform)
1:15–3:25 p.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 2 (Freeform)
3:25–5:55 p.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3 (Freeform)
5:55–6:25 p.m. ET: Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot (Freeform)
6:25–8:35 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
8–11 p.m. ET: Mary Poppins (ABC)
8:35–10:45 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
10:45–12:55 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
12:55–2 a.m. ET: Jack Frost (Freeform)

Sunday, December 10
7–8 a.m. ET: Jack Frost (Freeform)
8–10:05 a.m. ET: Snow Day (Freeform)
10:05 a.m.–12:10 p.m. ET: Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (Freeform)
12:10–2:15 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
2:15–4:20 p.m. ET: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Freeform)
4:20–6:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
6:30–8:40 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
7–8 p.m. ET: America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC)
8–10 p.m. ET: The Wonderful World of Disney–Frozen (ABC)
8:40–10:50 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
10:50 p.m.–1 a.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
1–2 a.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)

Monday, December 11
7–7:30 a.m. ET: The Bells of Fraggle Rock (Freeform)
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (Freeform)
11–11:30 a.m. ET: The Little Drummer Boy (Freeform)
11:30 a.m.–1:35 p.m. ET: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Freeform)
1:35–2:40 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
2:40–3:40 p.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)
3:40–5:50 p.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
5:50–8 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
8–9 p.m. ET: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic (Freeform)
8–10 p.m. ET: The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC)
9–11 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)

Tuesday, December 12
7–7:30 a.m. ET: Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (Freeform)
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
11 a.m.–12:10 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
12:10–2:20 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
2:20–4 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
4–6:40 p.m. ET: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Freeform)
6:40–8:50 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
8–8:30 p.m. ET: The Middle—“The Christmas Miracle” (ABC)
8:30–9 p.m. ET: Fresh Off the Boat—“Do You Hear What I Hear?” (ABC)
8:50–11 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
9–9:30 p.m. ET: black-ish—“Sugar Daddy” (ABC)
9:30–10 p.m. ET: The Mayor—“Grey Christmas” (ABC)
12–2:00 a.m. ET: Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (Freeform)

Wednesday, December 13
7–7:30 a.m. ET: ’Twas the Night Before Christmas (Freeform)
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
11–12:10 p.m. ET: Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (Freeform)
12:10–1:50 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
1:50–4:30 p.m. ET: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Freeform)
4:30–6:40 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
6:40–8:50 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
8:30–9 p.m. ET: Speechless—“S-I-Silent Night” (ABC)
8:50–11 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
9:31–10 p.m. ET: American Housewife—“Blue Christmas” (ABC)
12–1 a.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)
1–2 a.m. ET: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic (Freeform)

Thursday, December 14
7–8:30 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (Freeform)
8:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic (Freeform)
11–11:30 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Freeform)
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. ET: Christmas Cupid (Freeform)
1:30–3:40 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
3:40–4:40 p.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)
4:40–6:45 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
6:45–8:50 p.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
8:30–9 p.m. ET: Disney’s Prep & Landing (ABC)
8:50–11 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
9–11 p.m. ET: The Great American Baking Show (ABC)
12–2 a.m. ET: Angry Angel (Freeform)

Friday, December 15
7–9 a.m. ET: Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (Freeform)
9–9:30 a.m. ET: The Little Drummer Boy (Freeform)
11 a.m.–1 p.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
1–3 p.m. ET: Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (Freeform)
3–5 p.m. ET: Angry Angel (Freeform)
5 –7:10 p.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
7:10–9:20 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
9:20–11:30 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
11:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
1:30–2 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Freeform)

Saturday, December 16
7–7:30 a.m. ET: The Little Drummer Boy (Freeform)
7:30–9:35 a.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
9:35–10:05 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Freeform)
10:05–11:35 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (Freeform)
11:35 a.m.–1:05 p.m. ET: Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (Freeform)
1:05–2:45 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
2:45–4:55 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
4:55–7:05 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
7:05–9:15 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
8–9 p.m. ET: I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown! (ABC)
9:15–11:55 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Freeform)
11:55 p.m.–2 a.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks (Freeform)

Sunday, December 17
7–8:30 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (Freeform)
8:30–10:40 a.m. ET: Christmas With the Kranks (Freeform)
10:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
12:20–2:30 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
2:30–3 p.m. ET: Disney’s Prep & Landing (Freeform)
3–3:30 p.m. ET: Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (Freeform)
3:30–5:35 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
5:35–8:15 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Freeform)
7–11 p.m. ET: The Sound of Music (ABC)
8:15–10:45 p.m. ET: Disney’s Frozen (Freeform)
10:45 p.m.–12:55 a.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
12:55–2 a.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)

Monday, December 18
7–7:30 a.m. ET: The Little Drummer Boy (Freeform)
7:30–8:35 a.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
8:35–10:40 a.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
10:40–12:50 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
12:50–3:25 p.m. ET: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Freeform)
3:25–5:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
5:30–8 p.m. ET: Disney’s Frozen (Freeform)
8–9 p.m. ET: Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic (Freeform)
8–10 p.m. ET: The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC)
9–11 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Arthur Christmas (Freeform)

Tuesday, December 19
7–7:30 a.m. ET: Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (Freeform)
7:30–9:40 a.m. ET: Arthur Christmas (Freeform)
9:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. ET: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Freeform)
12:20–1:20 p.m. ET: Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic (Freeform)
1:20–3:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
3:30–4:30 p.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)
4:30–6:40 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
6:40–8:50 p.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks (Freeform)
8:30–9 p.m. ET: Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice (ABC)
8:50–11 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Angry Angel (Freeform)

Wednesday, December 20
7–7:30 a.m. ET: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Freeform)
7:30–9:30 a.m. ET: The Mistle-Tones (Freeform)
9:30–10:30 a.m. ET: Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic (Freeform)
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET: Angry Angel (Freeform)
12:30–2:30 p.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
2:30–3:30 p.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)
3:30–4:35 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
4:35–6:40 p.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks (Freeform)
6:40–8:50 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
8:50–11:00 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
10–11 p.m. ET: A special edition of ABC News’ 20/20: Christmas Cribs (ABC)
12–2 a.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)

Thursday, December 21
7–8 a.m. ET: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (Freeform)
8–8:30 a.m. ET: Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (Freeform)
8:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Jack Frost (Freeform)
9:30–10:35 a.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
10:35–12:35 p.m. ET: Eloise at Christmastime (Freeform)
12:35–2:35 p.m. ET: Holiday in Handcuffs (Freeform)
2:35–4:35 p.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks (Freeform)
4:35–6:40 p.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
6:40–8:50 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
8:50–10:55 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
9–11 p.m. ET: The Great American Baking Show (ABC)
10:55 p.m.–12 a.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (Freeform)

Friday, December 22
7–8 a.m. ET: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (Freeform)
8–10:05 a.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks (Freeform)
10:05–11:05 a.m. ET: Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic (Freeform)
11:05 a.m.–1:15 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
1:15–2:20 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
2:20–3:20 p.m. ET: The Year Without a Santa Claus (Freeform)
3:20–5:25 p.m. ET: Arthur Christmas (Freeform)
5:25–7:30 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
7:30–9:40 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
9:40–11:50 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
11:50 p.m.–2 a.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)

Saturday, December 23
7–9:10 a.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
9:10–11:15 a.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)
11:15 a.m.–12:50 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
12:50–3 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
3– 5:05 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
5:05–7:10 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
7:10–9:20 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
9:20–12 a.m. ET: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Freeform)

Sunday, December 24
7–9:05 a.m. ET: A Dennis the Menace Christmas (Freeform)
9:05–11:05 a.m. ET: Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (Freeform)
11:05 a.m.–12:10 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
12:10–2:15 p.m. ET: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Freeform)
2:15–4:25 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
4:25–6:35 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
6:35–9:15 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Freeform)
9:15–11:25 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
11:25 p.m.–1:30 a.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
1:30–2 a.m. ET: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Freeform)

Monday, December 25
7–7:30 a.m. ET: Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (Freeform)
7:30–8 a.m. ET: Disney’s Prep & Landing (Freeform)
8–8:30 a.m. ET: Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (Freeform)
8:30–9:30 a.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
10 a.m.–12 noon ET: Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration (ABC)
11 a.m.–12:34 p.m. ET: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Freeform)
12:35–2:35 p.m. ET: The Polar Express (Freeform)
2:35–4:45 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
4:45–6:45 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause (Freeform)
6:45–8:50 p.m. ET: Elf (Freeform)
8:50–11 p.m. ET: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Freeform)
12–2 a.m. ET: Four Christmases (Freeform)

For the foodie…

For your friend who basically lives at a Disney theme park…

For your relative who’s seen Coco in theaters multiple times…

For the person on your list who appreciates something sparkly…

For the budding photographer…

For the friend who plans to spend the holiday break in his or her PJs (no judgment)…

For the family that loves game night…

Don’t Miss 12 Awesome Disney Parks Updates to Kick Off the Holidays!

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

Cool New Featurette and “Pop Icon” Posters for Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Disney Nominated for 35 Annie Awards

The Oscars Return in February, Hosted by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel

#ShareYourEars to Support Make-A-Wish®

Read Up on Shanghai Disney Resort’s New Toy Story Land

Whoopi Goldberg Hosts Freeform’s Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic

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