Force Friday II is Almost Here—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Get ready to Find the Force, and read about The Walt Disney Company’s contribution to Hurricane Harvey relief… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Find the Force

Get Ready… Force Friday II is Only Days Away!

In just a few days’ time, you’ll be able to visit “a galaxy far, far away” in a whole new way! Beginning this Friday, September 1—at the stroke of midnight—the new product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be unleashed… and a big part of the celebration is an insanely cool augmented-reality event called Find the Force. Read all about how to play, and what kind of fun you can expect, in our D23 Force Friday II rundown here!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 31, 2017
Stand Out During A Goofy Movie at the El Capitan Theatre
September 8, 2017
D23 Member Mixer in Providence
September 9, 2017
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
October 1, 2017
D23’s Fanniversary Celebrates 35 Years of Epcot
October 1, 2017
A Progressive Dinner Celebrating 35 Years of Epcot
October 3, 2017
D23’s Sip and Stroll
October 29, 2017
D23’s Spooky Screening Series: Halloweentown on The Walt Disney Studios Lot
November 18, 2017
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
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
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
Television
September 23, 2017
DuckTales Series debuts with two new episodes (7 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Day of giving

The Walt Disney Company and Houston’s KTRK Donate to American Red Cross

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, The Walt Disney Company and its owned ABC television station KTRK in Houston have jointly announced a $1 million cash commitment to the American Red Cross in support of recovery efforts for communities affected by the hurricane.

In addition, this Thursday, August 31, Disney|ABC Television Group (DATG) will host a “Day of Giving” to benefit those impacted by the hurricane. Starting in the morning with ABC local affiliates and Good Morning America, and throughout the day on ABC, Freeform, Radio Disney, and across all DATG social platforms, look for ways you, too, can donate to the American Red Cross—with that money going to benefit those most in need.

“Our hearts go out to everyone in the devastating path of this historic storm,” said Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “It’s hard to fully appreciate the impact, in part because it isn’t over yet. But we know thousands of people have lost everything and now face the daunting challenge of putting their lives and communities back together, and we’re using our unique resources and reach to help those in need.”

Property Brothers’ Drew Scott Joins Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars

It’s official! On Wednesday morning, ABC’s Good Morning America helped Dancing with the Stars announce the very first celebrity joining Season 25: Property Brothers star Drew Scott! He’ll be teamed with DWTS pro (and winner of Season 24) Emma Slater.

Check out the video of the big reveal, above. And stay tuned for the huge announcement of the rest of Season 25’s celebrity cast—next Wednesday, September 6, only on GMA!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark

This Halloween, #SaveGroot with Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark

Yes, it’s true: The Guardians of the Galaxy are getting in on all the Halloween fun this fall at Disney’s California Adventure! As the sun sets each evening, beginning September 15, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will transform into a spooky new adventure subtitled Monsters After Dark, which features a rockin’ new song by Guardians composer Tyler Bates. Find out more here.

Disney Junior’s Vampirina Sets Premiere Date and Special Nationwide Screenings

Halloween is just a few months away, and Disney Junior is getting ready to kick off all the spooky celebrations with a big premiere! Their new animated series Vampirina—starring Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek), and Isabella Crovetti—will debut with back-to-back episodes simulcast on Disney Junior and Disney Channel on Sunday, October 1, at 11 a.m. EDT. The episodes will also be available on Disney Junior VOD, Disney Junior YouTube, and in the new DisneyNOW app—which will also debut two additional episodes the same day. New episodes will then be presented every Monday and Friday in October on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Check out the show’s main title theme in the video, above.

But that’s not all: Special screenings of Vampirina will take place at movie theaters across the country on Saturday, October 21; Thursday, October 26; and Saturday, October 28, as part of “Disney Junior at the Movies—HalloVeen Party!,” presented by Fathom Events. The screening events will include a never-before-seen episode of Vampirina, a fantastic costume party for kids and families, and much more! Tickets go on sale Friday, September 22, at FathomEvents.com/DisneyJunior.

Based on Disney Publishing’s popular children’s book series Vampirina Ballerina, the show follows the Hauntley family—friendly vampires who have recently moved from their home in Transylvania to a quaint Pennsylvania neighborhood. The stories follow Vampirina (aka Vee) as she faces the highs and lows of being the new kid in town including making friends and attending a new school in the human world. Along the way, Vee learns that it may be easier to blend in with her peers, but it’s more valuable to celebrate the qualities that make each person unique.

Marvel Day At Sea

Disney Cruise Line’s Marvel Day at Sea Finds its Super Heroes!

What could be better than sailing the beautiful open seas, on a fantastic Disney Cruise Line (DCL) ship, and having the opportunity to meet your favorite Super Hero in person? Not much, honestly. So if you want to create some vacation memories that’ll last a lifetime, look no further than DCL’s upcoming Marvel Day at Sea cruises—select 7- and 8-night Bahamian and Canada cruises from New York this fall, and select 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Miami in early 2018!

DCL recently announced the full Super Hero roster for each Marvel Day at Sea, and it reads like the next big Avengers blockbuster! Fans will be able to mingle with the likes of Black Widow, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Loki, Iron Man, Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot, Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, and Doctor Strange. Is that an epic assemblage or what?

Look for more information about DCL’s Marvel Day at Sea voyages as it becomes available.

Candlelight Processional

Narrators Announced for Epcot’s 2017 Candlelight Processional

The weather is still warm and school’s only just started… but that doesn’t mean we’re not thinking about the upcoming holidays. (It’s never too early to start planning, y’know?) So color us holly-jolly with this latest announcement from our friends down at Walt Disney World Resort: A slew of amazing narrators are coming to Epcot’s annual Candlelight Processional!

Several brand-new narrators are being added to the 2017 narrator roster: White Collar and The Last Tycoon star Matt Bomer, fan-favorite Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi), Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, and Avatar star CCH Pounder. Bomer, Davis, Sajak, and Pounder will join returning narrators Chandra Wilson (ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy), newly minted Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, multi-hyphenate (and mega Disney fan) Neil Patrick Harris, country star Trace Adkins, and Contemporary Christian recording artist Jaci Velasquez.

Several other narrators will be announced in the weeks and months to come… so stay tuned, and check out the Candlelight Processional website for info on 2017 show times and available dining packages.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Has the Best Way to Celebrate National Slinky Day

By Nicole Nalty

Ever since we found out that Toy Story Land was coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at D23 Expo 2015, we’ve dreamed of what Andy’s backyard might look like when this brand-new 11-acre land opens in Summer 2018. In honor of National Slinky Day––every day’s a holiday, right?––our friends at the Disney Parks Blog gave us a sneak peek at the arrival of one very special dog. The first Slinky Dog ride vehicle, part of the Slinky Dog Dash attraction coming to the new land, has made its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and some familiar friends are on hand to celebrate its arrival.

One of two attractions coming to Toy Story Land, Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it himself in his backyard. Guests will dip, dodge, and dash around turns and drops Andy has created to really stretch out Slinky’s coils.

Take a look at the video below and stay tuned for more updates on this exciting expansion!

These 7 Disney Beaches Offer Magical Fun in the Sun

By Courtney Potter

Ah, yes—the “dog days of summer.” When temperatures are still warm, but school bells start to ring across the country. It’s time to put away the swimsuits and pick up the textbooks… or is it? We’re all for extending summer fun for as long as possible—and thanks to several Disney Parks and Resorts, sun and sand is never out of reach.

There’s nothing better than experiencing Disney magic beachside… so D23 chose a few of our favorite water-adjacent resorts and park attractions that keep the “dog days of summer” going all year long. Start planning those vacations now—and don’t forget to invite us!

Aulani

Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa
We couldn’t start our list of Disney beaches without putting this one in the very top spot. Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, is truly one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth! Located in Ko Olina—on the leeward coast of O’ahu, Hawaii—Aulani is inspired by the traditions and natural wonders that thrive all around it. Guests at the resort have access to a gorgeous stretch of sand that offers snorkel gear and paddleboard rentals; an amazing sailing canoe experience; tons of beach games for kids and kids-at-heart; and even a “North Shore”-style surfing experience.

Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay
One of the highest-rated private island destinations in the world, Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s very own “oasis” in the middle of beautiful blue Bahamian waters. Once you disembark (your ship literally pulls up right next to the island!), everything you need for an amazing day of sun and fun as right at your fingertips—from lounge chairs to delicious food to all manner of family-friendly entertainment. At any given point, around 60 Disney crew members live full-time on the island… helping to not only take care of DCL guests, but also preserve the surrounding coral reefs and indigenous wildlife.

Hilton Head resort

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
Did you know Disney has a gorgeous hotel right on the coast of South Carolina? Located on 12 miles of pristine beach, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort was conceived to evoke the spirit of a 1940s hunting and fishing lodge. Families can rent a beach buggy to tour the grounds; swim in the Big Dipper pool; partake in a good, ol’-fashioned campfire sing-along; and (depending on the season) enjoy some tasty seafood “vittles” during Edmund’s Family Low-Country Boil. Golf enthusiasts can revel in several award-winning courses right nearby. And true Disney fans will be pleased to know Hilton Head Island is only a five-hour drive from Walt Disney World Resort.

Polynesian Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The original Polynesian Village Resort was one of the first two on-site hotels when Walt Disney World opened in 1971. After a refresh in 2014, the resort now boasts some truly incredible Disney Vacation Club villas and bungalows that sit right atop the water! White-sand beaches welcome all guests to a tropical retreat that brings the South Pacific to life… and the best part? Everything’s only steps away from the Magic Kingdom!

Vero Beach Resort

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Located along Florida’s “Treasure Coast,” about two hours southeast of Walt Disney World, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort literally puts the beach at your doorstep… but that’s not all. The resort sits next to a state park, a botanical garden, and an incredible river preserve that’s home to 36 rare and endangered species and a whopping one-third of America’s manatee population! With barbecue grills and grocery delivery available, this resort is a summertime (or, really, anytime) “home away from home.”

Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon’s Surf Pool
Ever wanted to see North America’s largest wave pool? Then hang-10 over to Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon! At the park’s Surf Pool, visitors experience swells up to six feet tall—waves so big they create their own watery “sonic boom.” Make sure you check out the chalkboard near the edge of the beach for each day’s wave schedule… and don’t worry, if you’re not a “big kahuna,” you can while away the hours lounging on the beautiful white-sand beach.

Blizzard Beach

Blizzard Beach’s Melt-Away Bay
Our pals down at Walt Disney World have not one, but two water parks available for all manner of year ’round summer-y fun! Float your cares away at Blizzard Beach’s one-acre Melt-Away Bay; waves here are shorter than Typhoon Lagoon’s Surf Pool—all the better for grabbing an inner tube, bobbing along the water, and catching some rays. But families who’d rather stay dry can watch the action from the nearby sandbar.

Are You Ready to Find the Force for Force Friday II?

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Beginning at midnight on September 1, the new product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi will blast off globally, along with a special new augmented reality (AR) experience available in more than 20,000 retail locations worldwide. From September 1–3, aspiring Rebel pilots and Jedi padawans alike can participate in Find the Force, a global augmented reality (AR) event that brings a galaxy far, far away to our little home planet.

Find the Force

Together we can fight against the Dark Side and discover fan-favorite and brand-new Star Wars characters. All you need to do to join in is download the Star Wars App and visit one of the participating locations any time from September 1–3. Find a graphic that contains the Find the Force logo and scan it to reveal a character that will appear in the room with you through the power of AR technology! Every day you can reveal new characters, including a new Star Wars: The Last Jedi character that has never been seen before!

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy explains, “Star Wars has always championed new technology, and we are excited that augmented reality will allow fans to experience the universe in a whole new way.”

If you can’t wait until next week’s intergalactic celebration, you can experience some of the Star Wars AR magic now. Starting today, downloading the latest version of the Star Wars App gives you an early look at the adorable Porg characters in AR. While you’re waiting to Find the Force, why not spend some time with the Porgs? We’re already obsessed with these intergalactic cuties!

Force Friday

Join in the international adventure by sharing your photos and videos of the AR characters on Twitter or Instagram by using #FindtheForce and #Sweepstakes throughout the Force Friday II weekend, and if you are in select global markets, you can participate in a sweepstakes for the chance to win the ultimate fan experience: tickets to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere in December.

For more information on this out-of-this-world experience, visit www.starwars.com/findtheforce.
Click here to see a list of all participating locations.

Help #SaveGroot During Halloween Time at Disney California Adventure

By Nicole Nalty

We’ve had so much fun spending our summer rocking out on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the thrilling new attraction at Disney California Adventure park. With fall just around the corner, there are even more thrills (and maybe even some chills!) in store in The Collector’s Fortress.

Once the sun sets each evening, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will transform into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. Your adventure picks up moments after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!. The Guardians have successfully escaped The Collector’s Fortress, but they have accidentally left behind Groot! This is where you come in: Rocket needs your help distracting the creatures that have been accidentally released inside The Collector’s Fortress so he can save everyone’s favorite Flora Colossus.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark will feature a brand-new song, aptly titled “Monsters After Dark,” created especially for the attraction by Tyler Bates, the composer of the Guardians of the Galaxy films.

Sounds awesome, right? You can experience Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark after sunset every night during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, which begins in just a few weeks on September 15 and lasts all the way through Halloween!

9 Disney School Supplies to Start a Magical New School Year

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Are you ready to go back to school? We have a little Disney magic to help you out. (Including a special Disney Store discount!) With the right supplies, you can make your new school year one you’ll never forget — and it all starts with a mouse!

Disney Store school merchandise

Mickey Mouse Junior Backpack
What better way to tote your school supplies than in this personalizable backpack featuring the main Mouse himself? The backpack even has mouse ears to keep your back-to-school style fun and fashionable.

Disney Store school merchandise

Mickey Mouse and Pals Emoji Stationery Set
Need to express yourself but can’t find the words? This Mickey Mouse and Pals Emoji Stationery Set will inspire you with stickers, decorative tape, mini sticky note pads, and more, all decorated with the cute and expressive faces of your favorite Disney emojis!

Disney Store school merchandise

Rapunzel Backpack – Tangled the Series
It’s time for the best. Back to school. Ever! Take Rapunzel’s adventurous spirit with you every day with this personalizable backpack that features Rapunzel and Pascal on their next big adventure—going to school with you!

Disney Store school merchandise

Star Wars BB-8 Lunch Box
Droids don’t need to eat, so you don’t have to worry about this mechanical cutie stealing your snacks! Have an intergalactic lunch with BB-8 keeping all your food safe, cool, and balanced with the Force.

Disney Store school merchandise

Stitch and Scrump MXYZ Journal Set
Express your mischievous side by writing in these out-of-this-world adorable journals. As part of the super-cute MXYZ collection, these journals will add a little fun to your back-to-school Ohana.

Disney Store school merchandise

Stitch MXYZ Pencil Case
While you’re writing in your journal, make sure to keep your pencils safe in this matching Stitch Pencil Case. We’re obsessed with this pink cutie and know that he’ll always inspire us to keep our writing a little bit fun and free.

Disney Store school merchandise

Mickey and Minnie Mouse MXYZ Desk Accessory Set
Any page looks more magical with some Disney washi tape, and Mickey and Minnie are happy to help hand it out. With these two cuties on your desk to inspire your creative best, every school project will have a little extra pixie dust.

Disney Store school merchandise

Frozen Water Bottle
Don’t let the name fool you—this Frozen-themed water bottle will keep your water cool, but not icy. You can enjoy the art of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf while staying hydrated. And with its handy clip, you can fasten this water bottle to your backpack whenever you need to “Let It Go.”

Disney Store school merchandise

Stormtrooper Zip Jacket
You might be a little short for a Stormtrooper, but with this jacket on, you’ll blend right in with your favorite Star Wars baddies and trouble-makers.

5 Things You Need to Know About DuckTales

By Nicole Nalty

Life is like a hurricane with a new DuckTales series on the way! We’ve watched the television movie (multiple times) and had a blast at our Disney Afternoon-inspired event on The Walt Disney Studios lot. In fact, it was at this special D23 Gold Member event that we got a glimpse behind the scenes at some of the ducky development, thanks to Matt Youngberg (executive producer), Francisco Angones (co-producer/story editor), and Sean Jimenez (art director) of the DuckTales team (original DuckTales super fans themselves!). The team shared exclusive clips and secrets way too secret for us to share here, but here are a few tidbits to tide you over while we wait for the series premiere on September 23.

1. Re-doing the “Woo-oo!”
What was the one question the DuckTales team was asked more than anything else during development? “Are you keeping the theme song?” Francisco shared (and we’re sure DuckTales fans agree) that they felt the theme song was so iconic that it was important to recapture the spirit of the original theme, which doesn’t just mean the song itself! The team made sure to include iconic imagery and beautiful animation so that the new theme met the same level of quality animation as the beloved original. That said, animation techniques have made great strides since the late 1980s, so the goal was to, as Francisco explained, “not only make it feel like the original and make it still have that handcrafted feel, but bring in some of the new technology of how you can produce animation and put it into the main title.” We think it holds up––woo-oo!

DuckTales

2. Finding the “Pulp”
While there have been great advances in technology, the team actually looked to the past when determining the show’s art style. When Sean was tasked with coming up with ideas for the look and feel, he immediately turned to the Carl Barks comics. Sean truly dove into these comics, literally zooming in on the page to find the “pulpy paper texture” that inspired the look and feel of the new show. The show, Matt explained, draws inspiration from the original pulp adventures, so finding a texture that “brought the pulp” and had a tangible feel was important to the overall design.

3. Birds of a Feather
What would DuckTales be without its flock of fowls? The team again turned to Carl Barks for inspiration when animating Scrooge and the gang for the 21st century. Carl Barks drew the Duck family in a style unique to the comics––different than the animators at Disney. The team created a guide for animators to follow demonstrating the difference between the two styles, with beaks being the most noticeable difference to the audience’s eyes. In the Barks style, animators draw the beaks farther back than in other styles.

DuckTales

4. Defining the Ducks
A key element to the show, according to Francisco, is that it is “a family comedy about the world’s most daring adventurers and they also happen to be ducks.” The team took time to develop each character, both in look and personality: Scrooge may be a miser, but he’s also an amazing adventurer. In fact, Scrooge is so frugal because, as Francisco said, “He knows how he earned every single gold coin in that money bin and they all are attached to a memory.” The team referred to Donald as the “Louis C.K. of Duckburg,” or, for a more classic Disney reference, “Who gets stuck with all the bad luck? No one but Donald Duck?” Donald’s bad luck is naturally going to make him overprotective of his three nephews. Speaking of nephews, the team created their birth order to help develop their personalities: Huey’s the oldest, Dewey’s in the middle, and Louie is the youngest. Huey, as Francisco explained, has Scrooge’s brains, Dewey is Scrooge’s guts, and Louie is Scrooge’s ability to scheme and make money. As for Webby Vanderquack, you’ll see the duckling has joined the main group of kiddos and is, as Francisco called her, the “ultimate Duck family fangirl.”

5. Might solve a mystery…
A family of adventurers is bound to solve some mysteries and maybe even rewrite history along the way, but DuckTales focuses on family in a way unique in the new show by delving into the history of the Duck family itself. We won’t give too much away in case you haven’t watched the TV movie yet (seriously, what are you waiting for?), but the team shared that there are big family secrets waiting to be discovered by the DuckTales crew.

Frozen on Broadway Sets a Date and a Big Milestone for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Frozen on Broadway gets a date, construction continues in a big way at Disneyland Park, and Olaf’s Frozen Adventure reveals its poster … Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Frozen on Broadway

Frozen on Broadway Sets Opening Date

Disney Theatrical Productions just announced the official opening date for Frozen on Broadway—March 22, 2018, at the St. James Theatre! The show will begin “preview” performances on Thursday, February 22, 2018, joining Disney’s other NYC hits Aladdin and The Lion King on the Great White Way. Tickets for Broadway performances are on sale now, so get ’em while the gettin’ is good! Check out FrozenTheMusical.com for more information.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 31, 2017
Stand Out During A Goofy Movie at the El Capitan Theatre
September 9, 2017
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
October 1, 2017
D23’s Fanniversary Celebrates 35 Years of Epcot
October 1, 2017
A Progressive Dinner Celebrating 35 Years of Epcot
October 3, 2017
D23’s Sip and Stroll
November 18, 2017
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
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
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
Television
September 23, 2017
DuckTales Series debuts with two new episodes (7 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Celebrates Big Construction Milestone

Huge news from the Disneyland Resort, friends: The newest land coming to Disneyland Park, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, just celebrated a huge (err, make that tall) milestone. Walt Disney Imagineering, as well as all the project teams responsible for giving galactic life to the land, commemorated the “topping out” of the tallest peak in the land’s 14 acres! Read more about it—and see a new video detailing the festivities—right here.

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Frosty Fun: First Poster for Olaf’s Frozen Adventure Released

When Disney•Pixar’s latest film, Coco, is released in theaters this fall, it’ll be joined by what’s sure to be a terrifically adorable addition to the Frozen universe: a brand-new featurette called Olaf’s Frozen Adventure! With several original voices from the 2013 film—including Idina Menzel as Elsa, Kristen Bell as Anna, Jonathan Groff as Kristoff, and Josh Gad as the happy-go-lucky snowman of the title—and all-new songs from the up-and-coming writing team of Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, the featurette follows sweet Olaf as he searches for the perfect holiday tradition to pass on to Arendelle’s royal sisters.

We may have to wait ’til November 22 to see the featurette—but today we got a look at its brand-new poster, above. And in case you missed it the first time around, check out this holly-jolly teaser for the featurette here!

The Muppets

Coming Soon: Grand Avenue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort is undergoing some super-big, super-exciting changes—most notably, the addition of two lands over the next few years: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. But this is Disney—and Disney likes to “go big”… so there’s a cool transformation happening over in the Muppets Courtyard too!

A portion of the former Streets of America, where the Muppets Courtyard “holds court” alongside Muppet*Vision 3D, is being transformed by Walt Disney Imagineering into a new area called Grand Avenue. Inspired by present-day downtown Los Angeles, Grand Avenue will include a cool corner pub (with plentiful California beers on tap) as well as Grand Park—an “urban square” with shops and restaurants like PizzeRizzo and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. But Muppets fans, take heart: The hilarious 3D attraction featuring Kermit and all his pals isn’t going anywhere… its theater is being renamed Grand Arts Theatre, and it’ll feature an amazing new marquee.

Look for these fun, SoCal-inspired changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this fall!

Teaser Trailer for Disney XD’s Big Hero 6: The Series

Are you ready for the further adventures of Baymax, Hiro, and all their friends? Big Hero 6: The Series is set to debut in November—and just last week, a tantalizing teaser trailer hit the World Wide Web. Check it out, above!

The series picks up right after the events of the 2014 Walt Disney Animation Studios film; Hiro is the “new kid” at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, and he faces the challenges of a prestigious school while simultaneously being the “little man on campus.” Thankfully, Hiro’s got smarts and creativity—and his best friend Baymax to help him along the way! It’s off-campus where things get dangerous… but with neat freak Wasabi, bubbly mad scientist Honey Lemon, fanboy Fred, and no nonsense Go Go by his side, Hiro forms an awesome (albeit rag-tag) super hero team: Big Hero 6. Together, they face madness and mayhem as a colorful array of science-enhanced villains threaten San Fransokyo.

Frozen on Broadway

Love is an Open Door… to Seeing the Cast of Broadway’s Frozen in Costume!

The stage musical adaptation of Frozen is currently playing to enraptured audiences inside the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in Colorado… but soon, the production will move to its permanent home at Broadway’s legendary St. James Theatre. Want to see what the triple-threat cast looks like in costume? D23 has you covered—check out the video worth melting for here.

Disneyland Railroad

All Aboard the Brand-New Grand Circle Tour at Disneyland Park!

“Your attention please! The Disneyland Limited, now arriving from a trip around Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom.”

There is a brand-new Guided Tour at Disneyland park, and it’s geared towards all Disney fans—especially those who love trains as much as Walt Disney! The Grand Circle Tour is truly a look behind “the steam behind Walt’s dreams” and departs daily from Tour Gardens.

The D23 team had an opportunity to experience the new tour that includes a ride aboard the beloved Disneyland Railroad’s presidential car, the Lilly Belle, as well as special tour takeaways including: a specially engineered donut served with a warm beverage (coffee or hot chocolate), an exclusive tour credential, and a print of the Main Street Train Station’s newly reimagined railroad map!

We sat down with Valerie Means, one of the developers of the tour, and she explained that the Grand Circle Tour is a great chance for guests to learn more about Walt’s passion for trains and how the Disneyland Railroad has played an integral part to the Disneyland story for more than 60 years. She was also excited to share that this tour integrates video technology during the two-hour tour—a first for Guided Tours!

If D23 Members are interested in pricing and booking information, please call 714-781-TOUR (8687).

Calling All Girls: Join the Thor: Ragnarok Superpower of STEM Challenge!

Amazing news for all you gals out there interested in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math. (Huge kudos if so; our own math skills need a bit of help.) This week, Disney and Marvel Studios announced the Thor: Ragnarok Superpower of STEM Challenge, in conjunction with the November 3 release of the next installment in Thor’s galactic shenanigans.

The program—supported by American Association for the Advancement of Science, Broadcom MASTERS, and Society for Science & the Public—seeks to inspire young girls to use the superpower of STEM to help their family, community, or the world be safer, healthier, or happier. Girls aged 15-18 (in grades 10 through 12), living in the 50 United States and D.C., are invited to use the superpower of STEM to create an original “Do-It-Yourself” project that can be replicated by others. Five finalists will then be selected to come to Los Angeles and present their projects, in person, to a panel of experts and—drum roll, please!—to attend the Red Carpet Premiere of Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok!

But that’s not all: One grand-prize winner will be selected from the five finalists to attend an immersive three-day mentorship in New York City with Walt Disney Imagineering to build her STEM story, creating a professional-level video teaching other young people how to recreate her Challenge-winning project. The winner will also have the opportunity to demonstrate her Superpower of STEM project live to the nation with a brief appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America.

For more info, visit the challenge’s website at MarvelStudiosSTEMChallenge.com. And good luck!

We’re That Much Closer to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with This Construction Milestone at Disneyland

By Nicole Nalty

After taking a closer look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge––coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland park in California in 2019––at D23 Expo, we’ve been anxiously awaiting more updates on the exciting project. Luckily for us, our friends at the Disney Parks Blog just shared an awesome milestone from the construction site at Disneyland park––the topping out of the tallest peak in the 14-acre land. Standing at 130 feet tall, the steel that makes up the highest point in the new land was put in place yesterday as the design and construction teams from celebrated the tradition.

Before the beam was put into place, Disneyland Resort cast members were invited to take part in another part of this tradition, by signing the steel beam. Some of these cast members will soon take on roles to help bring the land’s two signature attractions to life.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland

We’re that much closer to a galaxy far, far away! Stay tuned to D23 for more updates.

This First Look at the Cast of Frozen is Worth Melting For

By Beth Deitchman

Since the moment Disney Theatrical Productions announced that Frozen is coming to Broadway, we’ve been imagining how the blockbuster animated feature will translate to the stage. Last night, fans in the mile-high city attended the first performance of Frozen’s out-of-town tryout at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, but this morning Disney Theatrical gave the rest of us another peek into what’s to come.

This just-released video goes behind the scenes of the first photo shoot of Frozen’s stars, Caissie Levy (Elsa) and Patti Murin (Anna), along with Jelani Alladin (Kristoff) and John Riddle (Hans) wearing their costumes designed by two-time Tony® and Olivier Award-winning scenic and costume designer Christopher Oram. From the print on Anna’s dress and Elsa’s violet cape to Kristoff’s fur-trimmed boots and the royal-ish brocade on Hans’ waistcoat, the attention to detail brings all of our Frozen-fashion dreams to life. Renowned photographer Andrew Eccles photographed the actors backstage at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Frozen continues at Denver’s Buell Theatre through October 1, 2017, before it begins performances at Broadway’s St. James Theatre on Thursday, February 22, 2018, and opens in mid-March 2018.