By D23 Team
Ah, Figment—dreamer, icon, and the embodiment of childish delight. How could we celebrate 35 years of Epcot without acknowledging the beloved purple dragon? Star of Journey Into Imagination With Figment and (in our eyes) an unofficial mascot of Epcot, Figment’s been a part of Epcot’s history for as long as the park itself!
Join us on a visual journey through Figment’s creation (two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow…) and some photos from his years at Epcot.
By Megan Deppe
Halloween is only a few days away, but the horror is real: You forgot to get yourself a costume! You were dazzled by the costumes at D23 Expo 2017 and feel the need to up your game, but you don’t have the time to craft a beautiful Te Fiti ensemble. So, what do you do? Thankfully, creating your Disney costume doesn’t have to be that hard. There are plenty of ideas that can be put together just in time for trick-or-treating that are sure to delight any fellow Disney fans in your path. Here are some of our favorite options for costumes to throw together at the last minute.
Royal Casual
We all love the Disney princesses’ gowns, but if you need a quick way to honor your favorite royal, try their casual look! Both Tiana and Belle have simple costumes to imitate: For Belle’s everyday look, all you need is a blue dress, a white long-sleeved shirt, a white apron, and some black flats. Top it off with a wicker basket and a book, and you’re done! And for Tiana’s waitress attire, start with a yellow dress (roll the sleeves halfway up!), and add a white apron and sensible brown shoes. Remember, she’s on her feet all day! And if you decide to bring a tray of biscuits to a costume contest, you may sway the judges your way…
Big Hero Halloween
Looking for a quick group costume? Well there’s no better way to celebrate Big Hero 6 The Series’ launch on Disney Channel this November than by channeling your favorite characters! Their superhero costumes may be complex, but you can dig into your own closet to create a genius take on these characters’ signature styles. Emulate Hiro’s look with cargo shorts, a red T-shirt, and a blue sweatshirt—plus, bring a little robot to tinker with on your walk. Wasabi’s look just requires black jeans, black shoes, and a matching green sweater and headband. Honey Lemon is simple: yellow everything! Dress, headband, heels, coat—the only non-yellow items are her pink glasses and white leggings. Throw on a white T-shirt, black leggings, black athletic shorts, and a black jacket and you’re good to Go Go. And if you’re dressing as mega-nerd Fred, you just need some green cargo shorts, a blue beanie, a long-sleeved white shirt, and a graphic tee over the top (the nerdier the better)!
Classical Character Costumes
This Halloween, take a classical approach and channel the beauty and artistry of Fantasia 2000! Grab a green shawl or flowing green dress and use flowers and butterflies to accessorize your hair to become the Green Fairy from the “Firebird” sequence. Re-imagine characters from the “Tin Soldier” segment by pairing a strappy pink dress and ballet slippers to pay homage to the ballerina, or don a red button-down shirt and white pants with suspenders for the tin soldier. The possibilities are limitless, just like the imagination shown in this spectacular film!
Rockin’ the Boat
A classic like Steamboat Willie never goes out of style! You can dress up as Mickey in his first onscreen appearance just by opting for a monochromatic look, then capping it all off with your trusty Mickey ears and a white hat. This costume is so easy, you may have extra time to spend perfecting his iconic whistle!
Fairy Power
Introduce a little magic to your Halloween this year by channeling Pinocchio’s Blue Fairy. Grab a pair of wings then search your local thrift shops and vintage boutiques for a sparkly blue dress and a blue headband.
Child’s Play
Embrace your inner child and spend your Halloween as Boo from Monsters, Inc. This costume is simple—an oversized pink shirt with purple leggings and white shoes. Then tie your hair back into pigtails to top it all off.
“Woo-oo!” Before Boo-oo!
DuckTales is back, and what better way to celebrate than by dressing as everyone’s favorite multi-trillionaire Scrooge McDuck? Take a red button-down shirt—you can customize the black cuffs and collar if you like!—white pants, a top hat, a cane, and some tiny spectacles.
Inside Lizzie’s Head
Jump back in time to the early 2000s and look to a classic fashion icon—Lizzie McGuire! Find your sparkliest hair accessory, throw on a crushed velvet top, and add a denim skirt to create a fun Halloween costume. This look may not be au courant, but no one will judge you for enjoying it on Halloween!
Winnie-the-Boo!
Winnie the Pooh and his gang were decked out for Halloween in Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie, and you can look to the Hundred Acre Wood for inspiration this year. It’s no bother to dress as Winnie the Pooh, with yellow pants and a red shirt, especially on a holiday dedicated to sweet eats.
By Nicole Nalty
If you’ve been to the park, you know that food is an integral part of the Epcot experience. Whether you’re working your way around World Showcase during Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, or are a regular at the Rose & Crown patio during IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, chances are you’ve had a taste of the awesome culinary options at Epcot. But…have you tried these?
1. Fish & Chips, Yorkshire County Fish Shop, U.K. Pavilion
Speaking of Rose & Crown, you can pick up this delicious delicacy at the pub, but we suggest checking out Yorkshire County Fish Shop, just next door. Crispy battered fish; hot, fresh, chips… yes, please!
2. Skølebrod, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, Norway Pavilion
Sink your teeth into a sweet cardamom bun filled with vanilla crème custard and topped with glazed and toasted coconut. Just be sure to bring some friends along so you can get a taste of some of the other amazing pastries that didn’t make this list––the Troll Horn is one of our other favorites!
3. Croque Glacé, L’Artisan des Glaces, France Pavilion
There are so many amazing things to eat in the France Pavilion, but do yourself a favor and save some room for a trip to L’Artisan des Glaces. The ice cream shop boasts a variety of delicious flavors (and look how cute those Mickey-shaped scoops are!) and some pretty creative concoctions that combine French pastries with their signature ice cream. Treat yourself to a croque glacé, your choice of ice cream and sauce, in between two slices of homemade brioche and pressed warm. Yep, that’s a real thing.
4. Pizza Margherita, Via Napoli Pizza Window, Italy Pavilion
In our opinion, nothing beats a great slice of pizza––and where better to go than Italy for a piece of pie? Stop by the pizza window at Via Napoli for a slice of margherita pizza… or if you’re feeling adventurous try the Pizza Bianca with Pomodoro sauce, prosciutto, arugula, and fresh mozzarella.
5. Kakigōri, Kabuki Cafe, Japan Pavilion
Three words: Japanese Shaved Ice. Available in rainbow, melon, strawberry, cherry, melon, and tangerine flavors, and the option to top with sweet milk. So many options––do your thing!
By Courtney Potter
Our exciting D23 Fanniversary—celebrating Epcot’s incredible 35 years of igniting your imagination—is still going strong, as is the all-new refreshed shopping experience over at shopDisney. (FYI: While Fanniversary ends at the end of the month, the new shopDisney is here to stay. Holiday shopping ahoy!) So, you know what this means, right? Yup—it’s the perfect time to look at some of the incredible Epcot-themed products currently available.
We’ve hand-picked seven fantastic items that you’ve just got to add to your Epcot collection. (And remember: D23 Members get a discount at shopDisney; exclusions may apply.)
Epcot 35th Anniversary Stripe T-Shirt—Adult
Wanna rep the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” in your neck of the woods? Look no further than this adorable orange T-shirt with a vintage-style “distressed” logo design.
Figment Epcot 35th Anniversary T-Shirt for Women
We are mega-huge fans of Figment ’round these parts, and we absolutely love this yellow women’s cut T-shirt featuring the fire-breathing favorite from Journey Into Imagination.
Epcot 35th Anniversary Baseball Cap for Adults
This “throwback” baseball cap—with the totally awesome mesh design—features the park’s original symbol combined with a cool interweaving design depicting Epcot pavilion icons.
Epcot 35th Anniversary Raglan T-Shirt for Women
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time with this women’s “retro” commemorative raglan T-shirt. We especially like the colorful “35” logo and the striped sleeves.
Epcot 35th Anniversary Raglan T-Shirt for Men—Walt Disney World
This men’s baseball-style shirt is made of a soft heather jersey knit and features an Epcot logo that celebrates the park’s World Showcase. So many countries represented on one piece of clothing! We’re impressed.
Honestly, in our minds’ eye, this is how we see citizens of Walt Disney’s original “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” enjoying their morning coffee. The design features colorful icons of Epcot’s popular attractions.
Figment iPhone 7/6/6S Case – Epcot 35
If you’re an Epcot fan with an iPhone, you positively must consider this fabulous Figment iPhone 7/6/6S Case. You’ll be a Dreamfinder in no time! (And your phone will be protected to boot.)
By Megan Deppe
You’ve carved your pumpkin and lit your jack-o-lantern, setting the perfect Halloween mood. It’s a little early to dig into the candy bowl, so why not dig into your movie collection instead? Whether you’ve come for the tricks, the treats—or both!—there’s a movie on this list for everyone this Halloween!
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
You’d best start believing in ghost stories, Disney fans—you’re watching one! Based on one of Disney’s most iconic attractions, Pirates of the Caribbean is perfect for Halloween—whether you want to enjoy Jack Sparrow’s hilarious antics, or shiver as the skeletal ghost crew creeps towards their prey under the water.
2. Mickey’s House of Villains
At the House of Mouse, Halloween is when villains break free of their restraints and roam the streets, ready to wreak havoc and make the most of this spooky time of year! Join Mickey as he takes us back through years of Halloween-themed shorts that offer valuable insights into how to be an effective ghost and the consequences of tricking the treats out of kids’ hands. But little does Mickey know that the villains have some Halloween plans of their own…
3. The Princess and the Frog
While Tiana and her gang are celebrating Mardi Gras, they don costumes and face off with one of the spookiest villains who fits right into the theme of Halloween: Dr. Facilier! His friends on the other side provide just the terror-ific touch that you need on Halloween night, and the graveyard reprise of the Shadow Man’s song is the icing on the creepy cake!
4. Monsters, Inc.
Monstropolis… where scaring is a full-time job and where a “Kitty” can be as cute and cuddly as he is ferocious and frightening! Take a trip to this colorful world and spend your Halloween with a couple of monsters who are terrified of humans for a change! You also might find yourself wondering how monsters dress up for Halloween… Do they dress up as humans?
5. Halloweentown
What better way to celebrate the holiday than by spending time in a town where it’s Halloween every single day? Travel back to the land where being normal is vastly overrated, where ghouls sweat in the sauna, and where magic can overcome any obstacle, if you believe in it. You can celebrate the spirit of Halloween with a movie that illustrates just how special the day is in every detail.
6. The Scream Team
Before Kat Dennings took to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Marvel Studios’ Thor and Marvel Studios’ Thor: Dark World as assistant Darcy Lewis, she was hunting ghosts in The Scream Team! In a film where ghosts are real and the depot to the afterlife is in your own backyard, you can really get into the supernatural side of Halloween and let your imagination run wild.
7. Tower of Terror (1997)
The exciting park attraction comes to life as the ghosts of the Hollywood Hotel delight on your television screen. Follow reporter Buzzy Crocker as he attempts to solve the mysterious disappearance of five people in an abandoned luxury hotel, only to find out that they’ve never left—their ghosts are still stuck in the hotel. It’s a great tale that delivers plenty of shivers at the end of your night, lifting your spirits as you anticipate that thrilling drop.
By Nicole Nalty
We first found out about Pixar Fest, a celebration of our favorite Disney•Pixar stories at the Disneyland Resort, during D23 Expo 2017, and now, the Disney Parks Blog has shared some more details around this exciting limited-time offering.
Beginning April 13, 2018, Pixar Fest will feature the debut of an all-new fireworks spectacular, Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular. Celebrate friendship during an emotional journey through our favorite Pixar pairings, while immersed in dazzling pyrotechnics, memorable music, and projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the façade of it’s a small world, and the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. Plus, Buzz Lightyear will take flight over Sleeping Beauty Castle for the first time!
Pixar Play Parade makes its way to Disneyland park––with new parade elements including the iconic Pixar lamp, characters from Up and Inside Out, while Paint the Night heads to Disney California Adventure park. In addition to favorite stories Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Cars, another Pixar story will join Paint the Night later in the year.
Also in Disney California Adventure, the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land will host the Pixar Shorts film festival, featuring rotating favorites like For the Birds and Lava throughout most of Pixar Fest. Over in Paradise Gardens, check out a new Pixar-themed musical troupe and Pixar character greeting opportunities.
There will be lots to see and do during Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort––including a new transformed land, Pixar Pier! Stay tuned for more details on themed food and beverage offerings, merchandise, and more.
By Nicole Nalty
Exciting news from the Disneyland Resort! Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog just shared more information on a new luxury hotel coming to the Resort in 2021.
The new hotel will be the first added to the Disneyland Resort in almost two decades and will connect all four Disneyland Resort hotels through lush gardens and walkways, transforming the gateway on the west side and the west end of the Downtown Disney District.
Inside the 700-room hotel guests will find a resort oasis, as landscaping and water elements on each level of the hotel showcase the beauty of nature. Peer outside from guest rooms and public spaces for views of the Downtown Disney District, and dine at an upper-level restaurant and lounge for a view of Disneyland’s fireworks spectacular. The hotel will also feature its own dedicated Disneyland Monorail platform!
Construction is set to begin summer 2018––stay tuned for updates on this exciting addition!
By D23 Team
Feast your eyes on some of the exceptional artwork that helped bring Epcot to life 35 years ago!
By Megan Deppe
How many times have you raced to the TV and flopped onto the couch to enjoy the latest Disney Channel Original Movie? That time-honored tradition began 20 years ago today with the debut of Under Wraps, the story of three friends who discover a mummy—a living mummy. Under Wraps is full of fun, adventure, and relatable characters, along with more than a little magic and mystery—everything a DCOM should be! An added boo-nus: Under Wraps’ major milestone comes just in time for the spookiest season, and you can check out the film on the new DisneyNOW app. We sat down to watch this Disney Channel classic again, and here’s why you should, too.
1. It’s perfect for Halloween.
First of all, there’s the mummy… but Under Wraps includes characters who are obsessed with monsters and other scary stuff, ancient Egyptian curses, and all sorts of great Halloween decor. Whether you want shivers or snickers, Under Wraps has got you covered!
2. It’s frightfully funny.
The three kids, Gilbert, Marshall, and Amy, are each funny in their own way, of course, but they take sarcasm to a whole other level. Our heroes’ quick wits are the perfect complement to their strong, silent co-star, who mostly relies on physical comedy to keep us in high spirits throughout the movie.
3. You’ll want a pet mummy.
Though Harold the mummy is a man (?) of few words, his charming performance is enough to almost make you want a mummy of your own. As Marshall says, taking care of him is kind of like taking care of a puppy—a cute mummified puppy who is fascinated by a boombox and will give you a potted plant when you feel sad.
4. It’ll renew your faith in love.
Part of the movie’s charm is the sensitive and tender way it looks at love. Marshall, whose parents who are divorced, laments to Harold that no one seems to stay in love for long. This is partially why he likes Harold, who is still devoted to his Egyptian queen even years after they’ve died. By watching Harold’s devotion, Marshall comes around on the idea that maybe, just maybe, love can last forever. It’s a sweet subplot driven by a love that lasts for hundreds of years.
5. It will inspire you to face your fears.
What better time to learn how to be brave than when all of our scariest dreams roam the earth? The always-anxious Gilbert is scared of the mummy, worried about breaking into the house of a dead guy, and too paralyzed by fear to save his friends when they’re in danger. He judges himself harshly for this, but his friends don’t—and it’s their love and support that allows him to find the courage he needs to be a hero when they really need him.
By Nicole Nalty
We love all of Disney’s leading ladies, but there’s a special place in our hearts for the one who started it all: Snow White! The 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has proven itself timeless, inspiring us even now, 80 years after its debut, which is why this collection is the apple of our eye. A Disney Collection, Celebrating 80 years of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first collaboration between Kipling and Disney and brings to life iconic elements of the film through adorable Kipling backpacks, pretty pouches, handbags, keychains, and more. Take a look at some of our favorite pieces below, and shop the whole collection here!
Disney’s Snow White Apple Keychain
No need to fear this red apple––the fluffy, bright keychain will bring life to any bag.
Disney’s Snow White Sweetie Small Metallic Wristlet Pouch
Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to work, dinner, wherever! This charming monochromatic pouch is the perfect Disney detail for any outfit.
Disney’s Snow White Paola Small Satin Backpack
Step aside, polka dots! A black backpack dotted with metallic apples is our go-to pattern this winter.
Disney’s Snow White Creativity XL Wristlet Pouch
Look like a queen (just don’t be an evil one, OK?) with this bright, beautiful wristlet.
Disney’s Snow White Printed Tote Bag
This apple and Snow White silhouette print is so cute it’s available in six different styles to suit your style, but we’re particularly fond of the tote bag.