Olaf Goes Big and A First Look at Woody’s Lunch Box—Plus More in News Briefs

October 25, 2017

By Courtney Potter

Everyone’s favorite snowman becomes a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon, and and a sneak peek at Toy Story Land’s eatery… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Frozen’s Olaf Celebrates Thanksgiving as New Macy’s Parade Balloon

With Olaf’s Frozen Adventure—Walt Disney Animation Studios’ brand-new featurette—opening ahead of Disney•Pixar’s Coco in just a few weeks’ time, everyone’s favorite sunny snowman is poised for a huge holiday season… especially since it was just this week announced that Olaf himself will debut as a balloon in the legendary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

“Having an Olaf balloon alongside Mickey, Elmo, and Big Bird is a dream come true,” admitted Josh Gad, the voice behind Olaf, to USA Today. “[It’s] something that, because [the parade’s] so storied and has such a long tradition, I now get to share with my own kids.” Fun fact: Chris Buck, who directed the first Frozen movie in 2013, drew a sketch for the balloon himself—and it was used as inspiration by the Macy’s Parade Studio design team.

Olaf is one of four new gigantic balloons to be featured in this year’s parade, which airs on NBC at 9 a.m. ET/PT. And don’t forget to see the snowman (and his Arendelle pals Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Sven) in action when Olaf’s Frozen Adventure rings in the season, ahead of Coco, at a cineplex near you beginning November 22.

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

October 29, 2017
D23’s Spooky Screening Series: Halloweentown on The Walt Disney Studios Lot
November 17, 2017
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Russi Taylor
November 18, 2017
D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Florida
November 18, 2017
Mickey’s of Glendale—Orlando Shopping Event
November 18, 2017
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
November 26, 2017
Join D23 at the Saks Holiday Breakfast with Snow White
December 6, 2017
D23’s Holidays in Hollywood
December 10, 2017
D23’s Light Up the Season
December 10, 2017
D23’s Holiday Shopping Day at Mickey’s of Glendale
February 2, 2018
D23 Member Night at Disney’s Aladdin at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Parks
August 25 and 29, September 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 29; October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, and 31; November 1
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
August 31-November 13, 2017
Epcot Food & Wine Festival
September 15–October 31, 2017
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort
September 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, October 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park
November 10–January 7
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
December 16
Star Wars: Galactic Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
2019
Star Wars-Themed Lands Opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Studios
November 3, 2017
Thor: Ragnarok opens in theaters
November 22, 2017
Coco opens in theaters
December 15, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters
February 16, 2018
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther opens in U.S. theaters
Television
October 19–31, 2017
Freeform’s 13 Nights of Halloween
November 2017
Big Hero 6 The Series Premieres on Disney XD

First Look: Woody’s Lunch Box at Toy Story Land

We’re just under a year away from the debut of Toy Story Land, the newest area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort—and work is continuing faster than you can say “There’s a snake in my boot!” Case in point: Our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog just revealed a fun “first look” at Woody’s Lunch Box, a walk-up, quick-service restaurant.

As seen in the rendering above, Andy has evidently used his lunch box and thermos to create a quick-service window that’ll offer up delicious meals and old-fashioned soda floats. And like the rest of Toy Story Land, Woody’s Lunch Box has been strewn about with some of Andy’s favorite toys, as well as items from his own lunch… Bonus points if you can spot the green army man on a nearby lookout tower, keeping watch for Andy’s return. Walt Disney World Resort is partnering with Mini Babybel cheese to help bring Woody’s Lunch Box to life.

Stay tuned for more info on Toy Story Land as it becomes available…

Celebrate Coco with “Plaza de la Familia” at Disney California Adventure

As previously mentioned, Disney•Pixar’s Coco opens on November 22—and Disney California Adventure park is getting into the spirit in a colorful new way.

“Plaza de la Familia, A Celebration of Coco and the Everlasting Bonds of Family” is a very cool immersive experience including storytelling, live entertainment (with mariachi music and folklorico dancers), and a yummy new menu of Mexican food. And it’s all inspired by the traditions behind the upcoming Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) holiday—which not only honors loved ones who’ve passed on, but also celebrates timeless family bonds…

Check out the video, above, for a peek inside the world of “Plaza de la Familia,” located near the Paradise Garden Grill at Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Pier.

Get Inspired by Thor: Ragnarok’s Cate Blanchett

She’s an Academy Award®-winning actress, with three Golden Globe Awards® to boot… and next week, she’ll be proverbially leaping off the big screen as Hela in Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok.

Are you looking for inspiration? Some encouragement or motivation, perhaps? Well, ask and you shall receive: Take a gander at this cute-and-clever short video, above, from our friends over at Marvel featuring Ms. Blanchett as she offers some hard-earned wisdom for the ages. (Especially good for those of you looking to become big-screen villains. Hey, it could happen…)

Thor: Ragnarok—starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, and Blanchett—premieres in theaters on November 3.

Guardians of the Galaxy—Monsters After Dark Running All Day on Halloween

Spooky-fun news for all D23 fans and friends who’ll be enjoying the Disneyland Resort on Halloween (next Tuesday, October 31)…

As you know, during this year’s Halloween season, Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: BREAKOUT! has been transforming into Guardians of the Galaxy—Monsters After Dark once the sun goes down each evening at Disney California Adventure park. But on Halloween, guests will have the opportunity to “#SaveGroot” all day long! That’s right: The Collector’s Fortress will feature this all-new version of the attraction’s story—in which the Guardians have accidentally left Groot behind—throughout the park’s full operating day.

Who better to spend Halloween with than an adorable dancing sapling, a smart-mouthed raccoon, and all their intergalactic warrior pals? (Answer: No one!)

9 of the Spookiest Spots at Disney Parks

October 23, 2017October 30, 2017

By D23 Team

With Halloween just around the corner, stories of haunted houses and creepy fun abound, especially throughout the worlds of Disney! Whether it’s Jack Skellington’s makeover of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, or a Cars Land “Haul-O-ween” at Disney California Adventure, some of the best thrills of this season can be found at Disney parks. That said, the frightful fun isn’t confined to just Halloween. Disney parks are filled with spine-tingling spots and suspenseful experiences that keep the spooky thrills going all year long. Here are some of our favorites!

1. Fantasmic! (Disneyland Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
At the thrilling nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!, Mickey finds out just how powerful his imagination can be! When the Evil Queen casts a spell to use the power of imagination to help herself and her fellow villains, we shiver as Chernabog summons his ghosts atop Bald Mountain and Maleficent awakens her inner dragon to wreak havoc on Mickey’s colorful dreams.

2. Snow White’s Scary Adventures (Disneyland Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris)
It’s in the title—when you enter Snow White’s domain at Disneyland Park, the Evil Queen will dog your steps and cause you to shiver in your shoes. From her eagle-eyed gaze atop her tower as you enter the attraction to her transformation into the menacing hag, she lurks in corners, popping out in the dark with that evil grin and a bright red apple at the ready.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean (Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom Park)
Dead men tell no tales, but Davy Jones has no qualms about telling you one to get you in the Pirates mood. Before you get to the Isla Tesoro for the fun of Captain Jack, you’re treated to the shivers of the ghost ship, with cold air literally raising goosebumps—if your nerves haven’t done that anyway. If you’re not on edge yet, just wait, because Jones looms out of the darkness to welcome you to the dangers of being a pirate on the open seas—before watching you plunge over the waterfall into the depths below.

4. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World)
Even going through the queue can give you some goosebumps. On your way into the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom, you’ll pass by the grave of Leota, which seems innocent enough—her tombstone even says she’s having a ball in the afterlife. But out of the corner of your eye, you notice that the eyes of Leota’s statue are open and staring at you. You blink, and they’re closed again, and you wonder if you imagined it, or if maybe Leota’s left her ball to say hello.

5. Splash Mountain (Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom Park)
After the fun of the Laughin’ Place, a sense of foreboding seeps into the climb up Chick-A-Pin Hill on Splash Mountain. Your log starts to travel up the hill, treating you to the shiver-inducing image of Brer Rabbit tied up, bathed in the red glow of a fire, as the shadow of Brer Fox laughs and prepares to cook up his supper. Before you have time to steady your nerves, you’re atop Splash Mountain’s iconic hill and screaming happily all the way down!

6. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (Disneyland Park)
If ever there was a ride to remind you to be a safe driver, it’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. With many twists, turns, and near-misses throughout populated areas, eventually you are taken through Toad’s trial and sentencing, and straight into a realm of fire and dragons and falling rocks.

7. Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Ah, the Forbidden Mountain, that beautiful icon rising over the rivers and jungles of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But don’t let the tranquility fool you—inside that mountain resides the fabled Yeti, a ferocious legend respected by the locals. Everything seems fine until the moment you see his shadow lunging toward your train—that’s when the shivers zip up your spine. Get ready, because you’re about to plunge backward down the mountain on a thrill-packed adventure. Beware the Yeti!

8. DINOSAUR (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
And while you’re at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, why not take a trip back in time to see some prehistoric creatures on the DINOSAUR attraction? But be careful, because there’s a hungry Carnotaurus growling in the dark, looking for its next meal. That meal might be you, though, when your ride vehicle gets stuck in the mud as the creature rampages your way. It’s the Imagineers at their anxiety-inducing best as the giant jaws close in—but don’t worry, it’s Disney—a happy ending is surely seconds away.

9. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Rod Serling is the quintessential mystery man, welcoming guests into the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Each step into this attraction is creepy and spooky, none more so than the dark, dank boiler room where guests load onto their elevators. It’s hard to decide what’s more ominous—the clanking, gurgling sounds of the boiler room, or the thought that you’re about to fall 13 terrifying stories in the service elevator. Either way, sign us up! We can’t get enough.

6 Dreamy Epcot Wallpapers for your Phone (or Desktop or Tablet!)

October 23, 2017January 2, 2018

By D23 Team

Escape to Epcot every time you check your phone (or take a break at work… we won’t tell!) with these stunning wallpapers.

Temple of Heaven in the China Pavilion

Desktop: 1920×1080 • 1680×1050 • 1600×1200 • 1440×900 • 1400×1050 • 1280×800 • 1024×768
Mobile: 1180×1920
Tablet: 2048×2732
Social: Facebook • Twitter

Spaceship Earth

Desktop: 1920×1080 • 1680×1050 • 1600×1200 • 1440×900 • 1400×1050 • 1280×800 • 1024×768
Mobile: 1180×1920
Tablet: 2048×2732
Social: Facebook • Twitter

Test Track

Desktop: 1920×1080 • 1680×1050 • 1600×1200 • 1440×900 • 1400×1050 • 1280×800 • 1024×768
Mobile: 1180×1920
Tablet: 2048×2732
Social: Facebook • Twitter

Torii Gate in the Japan Pavilion

Desktop: 1920×1080 • 1680×1050 • 1600×1200 • 1440×900 • 1400×1050 • 1280×800 • 1024×768
Mobile: 1180×1920
Tablet: 2048×2732
Social: Facebook • Twitter

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

Desktop: 1920×1080 • 1680×1050 • 1600×1200 • 1440×900 • 1400×1050 • 1280×800 • 1024×768
Mobile: 1180×1920
Tablet: 2048×2732
Social: Facebook • Twitter

Mission: SPACE

Desktop: 1920×1080 • 1680×1050 • 1600×1200 • 1440×900 • 1400×1050 • 1280×800 • 1024×768
Mobile: 1180×1920
Tablet: 2048×2732
Social: Facebook • Twitter

9 Things We Learned From The Cast and Filmmakers of Thor: Ragnarok

October 19, 2017October 19, 2017

By Jim Frye

Actor Chris Hemsworth, director Taika Waititi and some of their “friends from work” recently gathered to share stories from the production of Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok. Before you see the highly anticipated film, which opens in U.S. theaters on November 3, here are nine things we learned from this Marvel meet-up.

1. Director Taika Waititi had to ignore how big the film was and concentrate on his strengths.
“When they first asked me about making this film, obviously I thought Marvel had lost their minds—they’re just hiring anyone now,” laughed director Taika Waititi. “But I came in, and I knew my strengths were tone and character, and that I had to ignore the scale of this monster, this beast. It’s a huge, huge film. It can be distracting on set if you look over your shoulder and you see 300 people standing there. I just had to keep reminding myself that what’s more important is what’s inside the rectangle, and usually, it’s two or three people trying to remember their lines.”

2. Chris Hemsworth credits Waititi for changing up Thor.
“We all wanted to do something vastly different than what we’d done before,” said Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor. “And it all came from Taika Waititi’s crazy, wonderful brain, and his inspiration, and him pushing us every day on set, and constantly encouraging us to improvise, and explore, and take risks. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had on a set.”

3. Tom Hiddleston wanted Loki to get a haircut.
As the trailers reveal, Thor gets a big haircut for the film. Tom Hiddleston, who plays Thor’s mischievous brother Loki, wanted one too. “I did ask Taika if I could get a haircut,” says Hiddleston. “But his answer was a quick, ‘No.’”

4. Chris Hemsworth didn’t miss his hammer this time.
Thor is separated from his iconic hammer for much of the film, and Hemsworth didn’t seem to mind—other than, “What do you do with your hands?” he joked. “It just helped shed anything too familiar. I feel like holding the hammer, or even the wig in the previous costume, certainly just put me in a place and set me on a path of what I already knew. And I wanted it to be unfamiliar, and so everything from the hammer, to the costume, the hair—it forced me to move differently, and so that was a great thing. And I don’t really miss it, no. I’ve got one at home.”

5. Cate Blanchett wanted more fight scenes with Hemsworth.
When asked if she enjoyed her onscreen battles with Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, who plays the villainous Hela, answered, “I didn’t do enough of it. I kept wanting to do more. It was hugely enjoyable for me. Apart from working with these guys, obviously, the chance to finally—in my deep middle age—to get fit, and to wear that much Lycra was really exciting for me.”

6. We’re finally getting a Hulk movie—sort of.
Mark Ruffalo, who plays scientist Bruce Banner and his oversized, muscle-bound, green alter ego, said he wants to do a Hulk stand-alone movie. He even discussed the possibility with Feige. “I would love to do a Hulk movie, and I think we all would love to do one,” he said. “Over a year ago, Kevin said, ‘What would you like to do if you had a stand-alone Hulk movie?’ And I said, ‘I’d like to do this, this, and this; and this and this—and then it would end like this.’ And he’s like, ‘I love that. Let’s do that over the next three movies, starting with Thor: Ragnarok and carry it on through Avengers: Infinity War and its sequel.’ And so that’s my stand-alone Hulk movie.”

7. This is Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo’s favorite version of the Hulk so far.
“I think this is my favorite version of the Hulk,” said Hemsworth. “Because we actually got to act together. We’d only really fought one another in the previous films. And this time around, we got to improvise our way through it, and sort of invent this chemistry that we hadn’t explored before, and sort of build this new version of the Hulk, which was a little bit more articulate and vocal than he had been prior. And there’s just so much more room for the humor and fun that the character then embodies. I think it’s fantastic. I loved it.” To which Ruffalo responded, “I did too.”

8. Loki is stuck in the past.
“Thor has evolved, and grown, and matured,” says Hiddleston, “and Loki is stuck in his struggles of the past. And in a way, that’s the challenge for Loki in this, is that he’s got to confront the fact that time is moving on, and people change.”

9. Tessa Thompson and Kevin Feige would love to do a female Super-Hero movie.
Tessa Thompson, who plays Valkyrie, recounted how she gathered some Marvel women and went to talk to Kevin Feige about the possibility of a female Super Hero team-up. “It was a pretty amazing moment to be somewhere and have your shoulder get tapped and turn around and every female hero we have was standing there going, ‘How about it?’” says Feige.

11 Real-Life Landmarks that Inspired Epcot World Showcase

October 19, 2017January 2, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

Some folks are seasoned world travelers, ready to throw a backpack over a shoulder and traipse across the world to experience new sights and cultures, while some of us are at our happiest exploring every inch of a Disney theme park. Epcot’s World Showcase is our shared happy place—an immersive experience that takes guests through 11 “countries” and more than 4,000 years of history, culture, and food.

Reminiscent of a world’s fair, World Showcase’s 11 themed pavilions are all wildly unique, designed to reflect the architecture, landscapes, and streetscapes of countries from all over the globe. They’re each staffed by cultural representatives from the nations they represent, and as you stroll around the World Showcase Lagoon—enjoying an around-the-world journey over the course of a single visit to Epcot—you might take note of these real-life landmarks’ influence on the World Showcase pavilions.

1. Mexico pavilion: El Castillo pyramid
The impressive 36-foot-tall pyramid that welcomes guests to the Mexico pavilion was inspired by architectural elements of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. Among these was El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, built by the Mayans sometime between 800 and 1100 A.D. at Chichén Itzá in Mexico’s Yucatan state. Each of El Castillo’s four sides features a stairway comprised of 91 steps—add the final step to the pyramid’s top, and you end up with a total of 365 in all. The Mayans, who were early scientists and astronomers, designed the pyramid to display a very special effect: Twice a year, when the spring and fall equinoxes take place, a shadow falls on the pyramid that appears to take the shape of a serpent. And, in a bit of natural “Imagineering,” as the sun goes down, the snake also appears to descend…

2. Norway pavilion: Stave Church
The pavilion’s Stave Church Gallery showcases artifacts and items that demonstrate how Norway’s rich culture influenced Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen. And speaking of frozen fractals, stave churches—which were very common in Norway around the 13th century—were designed with steeply slanted roofs to keep snow falling to the ground, rather than accumulating on the roof and causing a collapse. The churches were named for their construction with wood frames and load-bearing posts that were called stafr in Old Norse, but are now called stavs in modern Norwegian.

3. China pavilion: Temple of Heaven
Just beyond the Gate of the Golden Sun in the China pavilion stands the Temple of Heaven, which houses the 14-minute Circle-Vision 360° film Reflections of China. The building is a replica of a structure erected in Beijing, China, in the early 1400s that emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would visit each year to pray for good harvests. The China landmark symbolizes the relationship between heaven and earth, with its rectangular base intended to represent our world and its rounded upper structure evoking something more otherworldly.

4. Germany pavilion: St. George and the Dragon statue
The Germany pavilion, which resembles a quaint German village’s town square, or platz, has at its center a replica of a statue that is located in the Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and celebrates of the legend of St. George and the Dragon. As the story goes, St. George was the unlikely hero who successfully took on a dragon that was terrorizing a small kingdom (and claimed the king’s daughter as tribute).

5. Italy pavilion: St. Mark’s campanile
Though nods to iconic Italian sites and architecture are on display throughout the Italy pavilion, the towering replica of St. Mark’s campanile, or bell tower, can be seen from afar and sets the tone for an experience that is truly magnifico. Venice, Italy’s campanile was originally constructed in the ninth century and used as a watchtower or lighthouse. In addition to inspiring the lofty landmark at Epcot, the St. Mark’s campanile inspired the design of towers around the world, including New York City’s famed Met Life Tower.

6. The American Adventure: Independence Hall
The American Adventure pavilion is designed in the Georgian style that can be seen in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, as well as the Old State House in Boston—both of which evoke the sense they are mansions that belong to the people, rather than a single land owner. Like both of these historic buildings, The American Adventure features a prominent steeple, a clock tower, and red bricks—110,000 of them, to be exact. Disney Imagineers spent five years completing The American Adventure pavilion, which was built with bricks of Georgia red clay that were aged for authenticity.

7. Japan pavilion: torii gate
The floating torii of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima is among Japan’s best-known landmarks. Its waterside location and traditional vermilion hue are echoed in the torii gate that welcomes guests to the Japan pavilion from the World Showcase Lagoon. The torii typically marks the entrance to a sacred space and can be spotted all over Japan in a range of sizes, from just a few inches tall to large structures that span across roads.

8. Morocco pavilion: Koutoubia Minaret
From narrow streets and intimate spaces to the hand-laid tile beneath your feet, the Morocco pavilion is an especially immersive experience at World Showcase. Perhaps its most striking feature is the Koutoubia Minaret, a replica for the icon located at Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech—the largest mosque in Morocco. When the landmark was finished in the 12th century, it was a gathering place for booksellers—considered a most honorable trade. The merchants plied their trade around the minaret’s base and inspired its name, which is derived from the word for booksellers, kutubiyyin.

9. France pavilion: Eiffel Tower
One of the most recognizable spots around the globe, naturally Paris’ Eiffel Tower is represented in World Showcase. Of course, Epcot’s version of Gustave Eiffel’s design is somewhat smaller than the original—it’s 1/10 scale of the Parisian tower and stands 103 feet tall. As beautiful as the Tower’s design may be, it has a scientific legacy that may surprise folks who think of it as a symbol of love and the City of Light. Originally built to stand for 20 years, Gustave Eiffel encouraged its use for scientific experiments in radio transmissions and in telecommunications. Now, 128 years later, the Eiffel Tower welcomes almost 7 million visitors a year. C’est magnifique!

10. United Kingdom pavilion: Tudor pub
Quintessentially British features of the United Kingdom pavilion include red phone booths, lush English gardens (complete with a hedge maze!), and a cobblestone street. But as you walk along the high street and approach the Rose & Crown Dining Room, you’ll see a progression of styles that demonstrates British architecture over different time periods—from an early cottage to a Tudor pub with its timber framing to an elegant Victorian bar. As you amble about the pavilion, you might also look for nods to the ultra-posh Hampton Court Palace and the quaint cottage where Anne Hathaway—the other Anne Hathaway, who married William Shakespeare—once resided.

11. Canada pavilion: Chateau Laurier
Your journey “north” to the Canada pavilion includes a spectacular tribute to the nation’s natural wonders, such as the majestic Rocky Mountains, a 30-foot waterfall, and beautifully landscaped grounds that are inspired by Victoria’s Butchart Gardens. But you simply can’t miss one of the more striking man-made landmarks in the pavilion: the Hotel du Canada, inspired by the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The hotel was commissioned by railroad magnate Charles Melville Hays, who was extending his Grand Trunk Pacific Railway west, and envisioned several deluxe hotels along the route. The hotel was impeccably furnished within and boasted a façade that featured Italian marble, Indiana limestone, and a copper roof. One hundred and five years after its grand opening, the Chateau Laurier is still welcoming guests to this day.

5 New Things We Can’t Wait to Experience at Epcot

October 19, 2017January 2, 2018

By Nicole Nalty

We all have our favorites when visiting a Disney theme park: favorite attraction, show, restaurant… But is there anything better than discovering a new favorite? As Imagineers continue to dream up experiences around the world, it’s fun—as a seasoned Disney theme park goer—to be able to try something new. At D23 Expo 2017, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek shared some seriously exciting announcements surrounding what’s coming up for Epcot, and we can’t wait to experience it all! Take a look below and let us know what you’re most excited to see on Facebook or Twitter.

1. Bienvenue, Remy!
Encountering a Disney character in their native country’s pavilion in Epcot is always a treat, with the addition of Frozen Ever After and Anna and Elsa’s character greeting experience at the Royal Summerhus being the latest seamless blend between the real world and the Disney world at Epcot. In 2021, on the opposite side of World Showcase, guests will enter the world of Ratatouille in a brand-new space in the France pavilion. The new attraction, inspired by the 2007 film, will be patterned after the No. 1 family attraction at Disneyland Paris. Très bien!

2. Guardians of the Future World?
Groot and the gang will make their mark in Future World with a brand-new E-ticket attraction based on the hilarious, action-packed films. Peter Quill (aka Star-Lord) paid a visit to Epcot as a kid, so the park will make a perfect home for this unexpected group of friends when the attraction debuts in 2021.

3. (Sky) High-Class Dining
Mission: SPACE received an update earlier this year, with enhancements to both the Orange and Green Missions, but cadets eager for a bite to eat can satisfy their hunger at new heights with a table-service restaurant next to the popular attraction. While we don’t have intel on its opening date just yet, we can’t wait to experience the out-of-this-world restaurant.

4. China in Circle-Vision
The use of Circle-Vision in Disney theme parks dates back to Walt himself, which makes us even more excited to see an updated film coming to the China pavilion. The new film will be created using a next-generation digital camera system for a seamless (and surely stunning!) Circle-Vision show.

5. Next-Level Transportation
There’s so much to see and do at the Walt Disney World Resort, and soon there will be one more way to get around! Disney Skyliner will connect both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to four different resorts: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and the proposed Disney Vacation Club property, Disney Riviera Resort.

Coco, Han Solo, and Black Panther—Plus More in News Briefs

October 18, 2017

By Courtney Potter

A fresh look at Disney•Pixar’s Coco, and the next Star Wars story gets a title… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Brand-New Clip from Disney•Pixar’s Coco

We’re just about a month away from the release of Disney•Pixar’s latest feature, the wonderfully colorful Coco—and we’ve got a brand-new clip to whet your animation appetite! Check out Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) as he—and a well-meaning mariachi player—incur the wrath of Miguel’s grandma in the video, above.

Additionally, take a look at the incredible amount of research that went into crafting the story (and the music) of Coco in this new behind-the-scenes featurette, below. Hear from director Lee Unkrich and producer Darla K. Anderson (both of Toy Story 3 fame), and co-director Adrian Molina—as well as actors Gonzalez and Gael Garcia Bernal (Hector); composer Michael Giacchino (Inside Out, Up); and songwriter Germaine Franco and music consultant Camilo Lara. Mark those calendars: Coco crescendos into a cineplex near you on November 22!

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

It’s Official! Director Ron Howard Announces Name of Next Star Wars Story

It’s a movie that’s heretofore been untitled… but this week, that all changed! Director Ron Howard took to his Twitter feed to officially announce the title for the next chapter in the Star Wars story—all about the origins of everyone’s favorite “scruffy-looking nerfherder” Han Solo. Watch Ron’s quick, funny video here.

New Black Panther Trailer is All Kinds of Amazing

Oh, the anticipation! Marvel Studios’ Black Panther won’t leap into theaters until February of next year, but that doesn’t mean our excitement is waning… far from it. Case in point: We almost leapt out of our collective chairs over this thrilling new trailer for the film, above. Take a look and see (or leap!) for yourself…

Black Panther follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who—after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda—returns home to his isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and 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. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

Directed by Ryan Coogler and co-starring Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis, Black Panther arrives on February 16, 2018.

Big Hero 6 The Series Kicks Off This November

San Fransokyo, here we come! Disney XD just this week announced that their new Big Hero 6 The Series will launch with a one-hour TV movie (airing simultaneously on both Disney XD and Disney Channel) on November 20. Read all about it at our D23.com rundown here.

Freeform Says “I Do” to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings

First comes love, then comes marriage… and Freeform will be there to chronicle several Disney-themed nuptials in a brand-new, seven-episode series entitled Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.

Each hour-long episode will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most spectacular weddings and engagements at Disney Destinations around the globe. From a sun-drenched holiday proposal at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, to a winter wonderland wedding at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, viewers will be guests from the start of each couple’s “happily ever after” journey. The producers of the series—including So You Think You Can Dance’s Simon Lythgoe—worked hand-in-hand with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts to bring you this special inside-look at Disney’s magical wedding planning services. (Fun fact: It’s fair to say everyone loves weddings—Freeform’s original breakout special of the same name, which aired this past May, was its highest-rated unscripted TV special to date!)

Look for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings on Freeform this spring.

Everything You Need to Know About Movies Anywhere

If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Gee, I’ve downloaded a lot of movies—Disney and otherwise—over the last few years, and I wish I had them all in one place”… well, listen up! Disney just last week revealed Movies Anywhere, a new hub for all your favorite films. Find out more right here.

Pawesome News: Select Walt Disney World Hotels Now Allow Dogs!

Here is some paw-ticularly great news for Disney fans who don’t want to leave their beloved pooch at home during a Walt Disney World Resort vacation… Guests are now allowed to bring dogs to four resort properties!

As part of this new pilot program, four Walt Disney World resort hotels have been designated dog-friendly: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. There is a per night/per room pet-cleaning rate (between $50 and $75, depending on the property), and a maximum of two dogs per guest room will be accommodated. Each guest room will have easy access to outdoor pet walkways for exercise, and green spaces for your pet to take care of their, shall we say, “business.” But if you’re not a dog lover, don’t worry—each resort will designate certain floors or sections of a hotel as dog-friendly, while the majority of areas will remain canine-free to accommodate guests with allergies or other concerns. They’ve got everyone covered!

And if you think staying at a Walt Disney World Resort property is exciting for humans, check this out: When your pooch “checks in,” they’ll receive their very own Pluto’s Welcome Kit—which includes a mat, water/food bowls, a pet ID tag, disposable bags, puppy pads, and dog-walking maps… plus a Pluto “Do Not Disturb” door sign to alert hotel staff that a pet is in the room. And Disney enjoys a partnership with Best Friends Pet Care, an on-property full-service facility that can provide assistance with pet daycare and other services; do note that fees will apply.

We’re betting the Disney dogs in your life will be paws-itively elated with this pilot program…

New Narrators Added to Epcot’s 2017 Candlelight Processional

And speaking of Walt Disney World Resort, here’s an update on a fan-favorite event that’s only a few short months away: Several more celebrity narrators have been added to Epcot’s 2017 Candlelight Processional.

Joining the previously announced new additions of actors Matt Bomer and Warwick Davis are—drum roll, please—Disney Legend and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 star Kurt Russell and Olympic gold- and silver-medal-winning gymnast (and recent Dancing with the Stars winner) Laurie Hernandez! (Both are first-time Candlelight participants.) And rounding out this year’s list are recent additions—and returning faves—actress/comedian Ana Gasteyer and Ariel herself, The Little Mermaid’s Jodi Benson.

For more information on all things Candlelight Processional, including the fantastic dining packages available, check out the 2017 event’s page at DisneyWorld.com.

10 of Our Favorite Huey, Dewey, and Louie Moments

October 17, 2017October 18, 2017

By Jim Fanning

Their names are Hubert, Deuteronomy, and Louis, but you can call them Huey, Dewey and Louie. Please. A triple threat of mischief, adventure, and comedic quack-ups, Huey, Dewey, and Louie have been enthralling dedicated Duck and Disney fans ever since they were hatched on October 17, 1937. Given their memorable monikers by Disney artist and employee Dana Coty—inspired by the names of political figures Huey Long of Louisiana, Thomas Dewey of New York, and his friend, Louis Schmitt—these beloved brothers may be identical, but they are instantly identifiable in whatever medium they appear. D23 presents 10 hilarious historical highlights of Donald Duck’s troublemaking, trouble-shooting nephews.

1. See You in the Funny Papers
Unlike most of the Disney characters who struck stardom in animated films, Huey, Dewey, and Louie made their debut not on the silver screen but rather in the Sunday newspaper comics section. Disney Legend Al Taliaferro came up with the ducky idea of introducing a trio of troublesome nephews to Donald Duck’s supporting cast—and if Mickey had two nephews, why shouldn’t Donald have a trio of bothersome little-boy relatives to get under(webbed)foot? With identical appearances and personalities, these little look-alikes made their unforgettable debut in the colorful panels of Taliaferro’s Silly Symphony Sunday funny-page feature on October 17, 1937. A Disney Story Department memo filed in the Walt Disney Archives dated February 5, 1937, reads, “Inasmuch as we have decided to actually put a story crew to work on [the animated short] Donald’s Nephews, we would like to recognize the source from which the original idea of these new characters sprang… Thanks.”

2. The Trio Trikes into Movie Theaters (and Directly Over Donald)
With a story crew consisting of Harry Reeves and Disney Legend Carl Barks, Donald’s Nephews reached movie-house screens on April 15, 1938, a good seven months after their comic-page unveiling. First seen in the picture postcard sent by Donald’s sister Dumbella (the nephews’ mother was his cousin Della in the comic strip), Huey, Dewey, and Louie are depicted as angelic little darlings—until the devilish ducklings actually zoom into the room on their tricycles. “They were real little hellions,” said Carl Barks. “They thought they could get away with anything.” Donald’s Nephews was a hit, making it clear that Huey, Dewey, and Louie—who were voiced by the man behind Donald’s famed quack, Disney Legend Clarence “Ducky” Nash —were here to stay, whether “Unca” Donald liked it or not.

3. A Trilogy for the Triplets: Scout’s Honor
Another starring picture was needed for the nephews, but, as Carl Barks recalled, “Harry [Reeves] and I realized that the [combative] character of the nephews in their first appearance would quickly become tiresome to audiences. We set out to make them more interesting and acceptable by broadening their characters.” A camping expedition seemed the perfect situation to test the mettle of this dysfunctionally funny family, so Good Scouts (1938) presented the nephews as, according to a Disney publicity story, “tenderfoot scouts who, in actuality, know far more about Camping and Woodcraft than Uncle Donald.” Good Scouts was a crowd-pleasing success and was nominated for an Academy Award^® as Best Cartoon Short, firmly establishing the nephews as Donald’s co-stars. Sea Scouts (1939) was a sequel of sorts, another top-notch Donald-and-nephews misadventure set on the high seas, while Fire Chief (1940), featuring the ducks as the members of Hook and Ladder Company 13 13/13, scouting for fires to fight, rounded out the Donald-in-charge-but-the-boys-know-best trilogy. Each of these three films established three nephews as what Carl Barks termed “the ‘brains of the family.”

4. A Trilogy for the Triplets, Part Two: Good Sports
Since competition was still at the heart of the Donald-ducklings dynamic, sports provided a healthy (and hilarious) way for uncle and nephews to compete, even though things usually didn’t end up too healthy for Donald. The nephews are Donald’s “putt”-upon caddies rather than his direct competition in Donald’s Golf Game (1939); their uncle’s high-handed manner inspires the triplets to sabotage the game by giving him Goofy Golf Clubs and trick balls. In The Hockey Champ (1939), Donald boasts of his status as the Hockey Champion of Duck Swamp, so the nephews take on the champ in a spectacular hockey game, making him the chump. The third entry in this unofficial trilogy, Donald’s Snow Fight (1942), finds winter sports devolving into a duck version of winter war with Donald’s snow ship attacking the nephews’ snow fort.

5. Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Publishing Kingpins
One of the first Disney comic books to feature original material, Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold (FC 9 1942) prominently featured the nephews, who are characterized in a new way. Explained Carl Barks, who drew the comic with fellow story artist, Disney Legend Jack Hannah, “The comedy situation of Donald the reckless bungler getting into hopeless troubles from which he is extricated by his sharp-witted, suspicious-natured nephews was competently developed in this story, and it has carried on into many tales of high and not-so-high adventures ever since.” The prominence of the nephews in the long-form Donald Duck adventure stories as well as their popularity classic 10-pagers in the top-selling Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories helped establish the global Disney Comics empire.

6. The Triplets are Top-Billed at Last
Huey, Dewey, and Louie were so popular they were featured in their own comic book, Huey, Dewey, and Louie: Back to School, first published in 1958. Created by writer-artist Carl Barks for the story originally published in Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories, (No. 125, February 1951), he explained that he “patterned the Junior Woodchucks after the Cub Scouts, the little bitsy guys… who were supposed to be so much smarter than their older brothers.” The popularity of the nephews in this scouting organization—and their use of the The Junior Woodchucks Guidebook, a fact-filled, all-encompassing volume, packed with obscure and arcane information—led to the nephews being awarded their own comic-book title in 1966, Huey, Dewey, and Louie: Junior Woodchucks. Some of the early stories, many of which were written by Carl Barks, have the nephews taking on Uncle Scrooge, as the miserly tycoon doesn’t realize how he’s impacting the ecology.

7. The Nephews in New Animation for TV
When Walt Disney entered the world of weekly television in 1954, his favorite characters stepped in front of the TV cameras, and Donald’s nephews were very much part of the new medium. The nephews particularly shine in “Your Host, Donald Duck,” originally seen on January 16, 1957, wherein Huey, Dewey, and Louie do their darnedest to help Donald host the Disneyland series in Walt’s place, only to have to take Donald and his unstoppable ego down a peg by broadcasting some wild sound effects. In another TV highlight, “At Home with Donald Duck” from November 21, 1956, Donald wants to screen his own cartoons but the nephews assert their own tastes by watching the Mickey Mouse Club on the family TV set. Created by the artists behind the theatrically released Duck cartoons, including director Jack Hannah, this new animation of Huey, Dewey, and Louie solidified their position as side-by-side TV stars with Donald.

8. Just Grab Onto Some DuckTales
Their TV careers became a duck blur when, along with their great uncle, Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie became the headliners of DuckTales. Premiering in 1987, this groundbreaking Disney TV series inspired by the Carl Barks comic-book epics plunged the nephews into unending globe-spanning escapades of action and d-d-d-danger. For the first time, because of the complexity of some of the Ducks’ tales, there was a way to tell these identical triplets apart. Huey was dressed in red, Dewey in blue, and Louie in green. So important was this duckling distinction that a mnemonic was created: the brightest hue of the three is red (Huey), the color of water, dew, is blue (Dewey), and that leaves Louie, and leaves are green.

9. Quacking Up with Quack Pack
In Lucky Number (1951), Huey, Dewey, and Louie were portrayed not as little boys but as teenagers. This animated short stood as an anomaly until the 1996 debut of the Quack Pack TV series wherein the nephews were also depicted as teenagers, complete with more individualized characters and voices. “Huey is the smooth-talking, wheeler-dealer, who’d rather read the business section than the sports,” explained co-producer Toby Shelton. “Dewey is the philosopher-thinker of the trio. Louie is the athlete, what he lacks in brains he makes up for with pluck.”

10. New DuckTales
When DuckTales got a reboot on Disney XD this year, the personalities of Huey, Dewey, and Louie (voiced by Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, and Bobby Moynihan) got a sharp new upgrade. “Since everyone always says ‘Huey, Dewey, and Louie’ in that exact order, we decided to make that the birth order, and by defining that, we were able to assign traits that fit,” revealed executive producer Matt Youngberg. “So, Huey’s the oldest, a little more responsible, a little bit brainy. Dewey wants to stand out, and wants to break out of being labeled as just one of a set of three. And Louie is happy being the youngest child—he can slip under the radar.” As co-producer Francisco Angones put it, “Huey has Uncle Scrooge’s brains, Dewey is Scrooge’s guts, and Louie is Scrooge’s ability to scheme and make money.”

We Know the Name of the Next Star Wars Story

October 17, 2017October 17, 2017

By D23 Team

Everyone’s favorite scruffy-looking nerfherder will take the spotlight in the upcoming untitled Han Solo film, which up until now has been…well, untitled. Now that production has wrapped on the set of the film, legendary director Ron Howard has a special message for us that includes a very special title… Watch his video below, and stay tuned for more information from Solo: A Star Wars Story, slated for release on May 25, 2018.

Hey #Twitterville we just wrapped production so here's a special message #StarWars pic.twitter.com/8QJqN5BGxr

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) October 17, 2017

Big News about Big Hero 6 The Series

October 17, 2017

By Beth Deitchman

If you left your heart in San Fransokyo, you can now mark your calendar for a return trip to the city. Disney XD has just announced that the animated Big Hero 6 The Series launches on Monday, November 20, with a one-hour television movie—Baymax Returns—premiering simultaneously on Disney XD and Disney Channel at 8 p.m. EST. On a scale of one to 10, how would we rate our excitement? It’s got to be at least an 11!

The new series picks up where Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar®-winning feature Big Hero 6 left off. Baymax Returns explores the moment in the film after Hiro believes his huggable high-tech robot is lost in the portal forever and discovers the chip his brother designed to create Baymax. Tech whiz Hiro sets off to rebuild Baymax—and also sets out on a new path as a student at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. The rest of the Big Hero 6 team—Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go and Fred—are along for the ride in Baymax Returns and in the series, which debuts in early 2018.

But lucky for us, we won’t have to wait until then for new adventures for Hiro and his friends. Two special full-length preview episodes of Big Hero 6 The Series will debut exclusively on the DisneyNOW app and Disney XD VOD immediately following the TV movie. And on Friday, November 24, new Big Hero 6 The Series shorts will begin rolling out every Friday (for six consecutive weeks) on Disney XD, the DisneyNOW app and Disney XD YouTube.

And if that’s simply not enough Big Hero hijinks for you, check out “Pocket Baymax” on the DisneyNOW app the same day that Baymax Returns launches. The customizable, interactive virtual assistant brings Baymax to life in a whole new way.

That’s news that’s worthy of a fist bump and a “Bah-a-la-la-la!”

Frozen’s Olaf Celebrates Thanksgiving as New Macy’s Parade Balloon

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

First Look: Woody’s Lunch Box at Toy Story Land

Celebrate Coco with “Plaza de la Familia” at Disney California Adventure

Get Inspired by Thor: Ragnarok’s Cate Blanchett

Guardians of the Galaxy—Monsters After Dark Running All Day on Halloween

Temple of Heaven in the China Pavilion

Spaceship Earth

Test Track

Torii Gate in the Japan Pavilion

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

Mission: SPACE

Brand-New Clip from Disney•Pixar’s Coco

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

It’s Official! Director Ron Howard Announces Name of Next Star Wars Story

New Black Panther Trailer is All Kinds of Amazing

Big Hero 6 The Series Kicks Off This November

Freeform Says “I Do” to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings

Everything You Need to Know About Movies Anywhere

Pawesome News: Select Walt Disney World Hotels Now Allow Dogs!

New Narrators Added to Epcot’s 2017 Candlelight Processional

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

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