9 Cool Ways to Beat the Heat at Disney Parks

By Courtney Potter

The “dog days of summer” are here—and while we love to have fun in the sun as much as the next person, there are times when we need to take a refreshing break. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of ways to stay cool inside Disney Parks. (In fact, our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog just posted their own rundown of ways to beat the heat!)

Sure, a water-based attraction like Grizzly River Run, Splash Mountain, or even the new Miss Adventure Falls at Typhoon Lagoon can chill you in a hurry… but we here at D23 have chosen a mix of stalwart faves and off-the-beaten-track options for keeping cool on these long summer days.

Do you have a favorite Disney location to pull up some shade? Make sure to head over to Facebook or Twitter to let us know!

Club Cool

Club Cool at Epcot
Located at the Innoventions pavilion inside Epcot’s Future World, Club Cool is a nifty (air-conditioned) spot where you can sample eight ice-cold Coca-Cola products from all over the world. And the best part? These thirst-quenching samples are totally free! Our current favorite is Inka Kola from Peru.

it's a small world

it’s a small world
Okay, this one’s a bit of a no-brainer—but it truly is one of the best places to beat the heat at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom parks! Not only is it an indoor, air-conditioned oasis, but the ride itself is so colorful and relaxing… just what you need after you’ve, say, taken on the thrills of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or the excitement of the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Blue Bayou

Blue Bayou Restaurant
We’re particularly partial to this delightful Disneyland restaurant, located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is second to none—but it’s the air conditioning, plus its proximity to the ride’s river way, that make it a great spot to cool down on a sunny day.

Soarin'

Soarin’
Another great indoor attraction for catching some air-conditioned respite… but the added bonus at Soarin’, besides the gorgeous visuals, is the occasional (gentle) gusts of wind that wash over you along the journey.

Enchanted Tiki Room

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (and Dole Whip)
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the most popular ways to beat the heat at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts… Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and Dole Whip®—the pineapple-flavored soft serve that’s taken the world by storm. Is there anything better on a hot summer day than crooning cockatoos and delicious desserts? We think not!

Festival of the Lion King

Festival of the Lion King
Disney Parks and Resorts are known for their incredible stage shows… many of which are located at indoor venues, where families can beat the heat while enjoying some world-class entertainment. Case in point: Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (as well as Hong Kong Disneyland, for you international travelers amongst us). This hour-long retelling of The Lion King is both entertaining and refreshing!

Country Bear Jamboree

Country Bear Jamboree
This was absolutely one of our favorite ways to cool off during summertime trips to Disneyland Park in years past—and remains a cherished attraction during our visits to the Magic Kingdom! Honestly, there’s nothing better than clapping along with The Five Bear Rugs band in a rousing rendition of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”…

Princess Dot Puddle Park

Princess Dot Puddle Park
Located inside “a bug’s land” at Disney California Adventure park, this wonderfully wacky water play area is great to help cool off the little ones in your life. (We’re sure a parent or two has partaken in the fun as well.) Make sure to keep an eye on the giant sprinkler nozzle as well as the ground around you… a blast of water could surprise you at any moment!

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion
This particular attraction is on our list for many reasons. Obviously, as it’s located indoors, it’s a great place to relax—in air-conditioned comfort—from inside your very own Doom Buggy. But don’t forget: At the Haunted Mansion, every room has “hot and cold running chills”! You’ll be shivering with the Hitchhiking Ghosts in no time!

Marvel’s Inhumans Trailer and Darkwing’s Coming to DuckTales—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Meet Marvel’s Inhumans, and read up on DuckTales news from the recent San Diego Comic-Con… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Amazing New Marvel’s Inhumans Trailer Debuts at Comic-Con

Unless you were visiting some hot springs in Iceland (and if you were, we’re jealous!), you probably heard about—or even attended—this past weekend’s mega-huge Comic-Con in San Diego, California. A treasure trove of amazing announcements, from all parts of pop culture, were divulged at various Comic-Con panels… including a brand-new trailer for ABC’s Marvel Inhumans! See why it’s one of the most talked-about new shows of the 2017–18 season in the clip, above.

Marvel’s Inhumans examines the never-before-told story of Black Bolt, the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans—with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy an entire city. After his Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii, where they’re greeted with surprising interactions with both the lush world and the humanity around them. Now they must find a way to reunite with each other and return to their home before their way of life is destroyed forever.

ABC will premiere a super-special version of the first two episodes in IMAX theaters around the globe for two full weeks, beginning September 1… subsequently, look for the show’s broadcast premiere on Friday, September 29, from 8–10 p.m. EDT.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 18, 2017
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Wayne Jackson
August 19, 2017
D23’s Disney Afternoon on the Lot
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
Parks
July 29, 2017
Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes return to Disneyland park.
July 29, 2017
The Disneyland Railroad returns to Disneyland park.
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
August 12, 2017
“Woo-oo!” DuckTales Movie premieres at 12 a.m. and airs for 24 consecutive hours
August 19, 2017
Marvel’s Spider-Man debuts on Disney XD (7–8 a.m. ET)
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)

 

Darkwing Duck

Let’s Get Dangerous: Darkwing Duck Will Visit DuckTales

Speaking of Comic-Con, there was a fantastic panel on Friday, July 21, dedicated to Disney XD’s forthcoming reboot of DuckTales—featuring the cast (including David Tennant, Kate Micucci, Ben Schwartz, and Beck Bennett) and creative team. And one of the biggest pieces of news to come from said panel? That Darkwing Duck himself will be making an appearance on the series!

According to our friends at Oh My Disney, not only will “the terror that flaps in the night” show up, but so will a bunch of characters from the Disney Afternoon series of the same name.

Audiences at the panel were also privy to an exclusive two-minute-long sneak peek of the show… but lucky for you, they’ve recently uploaded it onto the world-wide interwebs! Check it out, below:

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest Returns as Host for ABC’s American Idol

He’s been busy co-hosting ABC’s Live with Kelly and Ryan, and he’s about to get even busier: Ryan Seacrest is returning to American Idol! The award-winning host and producer was with the beloved music competition since its inception in 2002—and he’s ready to help reinvigorate the series as it moves to its new home on ABC.

“It’s genuinely hard to put into words what American Idol means to me,” Ryan recently said. “I’m so grateful for the show and all the career and life opportunities it’s allowed me to experience… To be asked to return this year, at my new home at Disney|ABC, is an honor, if not a bit surreal. I believe ABC is the perfect home for Idol, and I’ve every confidence the show’s legions of fans will love it… ”

The nationwide search for America’s next music superstar kicks off on Thursday, August 17, as the Idol Bus tour heads out to cities across the country. Check out AmericanIdol.com for more details.

Christmas in July merchandise

Ho, Ho, Hot—It’s Christmas in July at Walt Disney World Resort!

As far as we’re concerned, it’s never too early to start feeling some yuletide cheer… and the good folks down at Walt Disney World Resort agree! They just celebrated some of the amazing new offerings debuting at the resort for the upcoming holiday season—and D23 was there (with jingle-bells on) to get the inside scoop. Read all about it here!

All-New Trailer for Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok Will Make You Wish It’s November

Yet another exciting development at last weekend’s Comic-Con was all manner of ridiculously cool news from Marvel Studios… including a brand-new trailer for Thor: Ragnarok! See Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/the Incredible Hulk—alongside Marvel newcomers Jeff Goldblum and Cate Blanchett—above.

As we catch back up with the crown prince of Asgard, he’s imprisoned on the other side of the universe (without his mighty hammer) and finds himself in a race against time to get home and to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization as they know it—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Blanchett). Directed by Taika Waititi, Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok thunders into theaters across America on November 3.

Steamboat Willie As Told by Emoji is New and Adorable

We’re big fans of the As Told By Emoji series, and their most recent video—released to celebrate World Emoji Day on July 17—is all kinds of adorable. Steamboat Willie As Told By Emoji takes one of Disney’s earliest cartoons (and its first one with sound) and imagines what its story might look like in 2017.

Follow along—in black and white—as Mickey pilots a river steamboat, runs afoul of the boat’s real captain (that ol’ meanie Pete!), meets up with Minnie, and “plays” animals like musical instruments! And make sure to keep watching ‘til the (vivid) end.

Minnie Van

Minnie Van Service at Walt Disney World Resort

There’s a new way to get around Walt Disney World Resort, and it’s sure to add some polka-dotted fun to your day! Starting this month, a fleet of Minnie Mouse-themed vans will take guests from Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club to anywhere they wish around the entire Resort. And that’s not all: Pick-ups can be arranged right from a smartphone! Soon enough, a Disney cast member will arrive and drive you to your next destination in the most Minnie-fied way possible…

Keep your eyes peeled for more info on this new point-to-point transportation service as it becomes available.

Dream Big, Princess “Projections” Video Inspires Girls and Kids

The Disney Princesses are a pretty inspirational group of role models—no matter what age you might be—so Disney launched the Dream Big, Princess campaign in 2016 to inspire girls and kids all around the world to realize their own ambitions. Check out this brand-new video, “Projections,” which presents just some of the endless possibilities for kids in pursuit of their own big dreams.

Celebrate Christmas in July with this Sneak Peek at Disney Parks Holiday Fun!

By Jocelyn Buhlman

There are lots of ways to cool down on a hot July day: ice cream, a pool party, a strategically planned trip to a Disney park, or even adding a little bit of winter magic… It’s true—nothing chases away the dog days of summer like Christmas in July! We experienced holiday cheer at Walt Disney World today, through sneak peeks into some of the parks’ holiday offerings that are coming this fall. So pull on your winter scarves, shake your jingle bells, and turn on some merry tunes, because here’s a special Christmas in July celebration just for you.

A Blizzard of New Merchandise
So much new holiday-themed merchandise was unveiled that you’ll want to make a shopping list and check it twice! From stockings featuring fan-favorite characters like Stitch and the Hatbox Ghost, to an adorable Baymax tangled up in lights, there’s a little something for everyone in the new holiday merchandise coming to Disney parks.

Christmas in July merchandise

Tsumthing Merry and Bright
Caught up in the pin-collecting craze? Better start writing your wishlist now! In addition to a new line of adorable pins featuring our favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday pajamas, Disney Parks Merchandise will also be offering a line of Mickey’s Christmas Carol Tsum Tsum pins. Now you can go from stacking those irresistible plushies in real life to stacking up pins in your collection.

Christmas in July merchandise

Drink Up to a Happy Hanukkah!
The brand-new Mickey- and Hanukkah-themed glassware had us spinning with excitement! Decorated with stained-glass style art featuring dreidels and our favorite mouse, this set will keep your winter decorations full of Disney holiday magic!

A Delish Depiction
The fantastical gingerbread displays around Disney parks every holiday season are a highlight of Disney’s wintertime decorations. New this year, Amorette’s Patisserie will have extra-special holiday spirit with a gingerbread representation of Disney Springs.

Christmas in July merchandise

Decorations Fit for Royalty
Is your tree in need of some princess power? Why not add this pink—or is it blue?—handbag that evokes Princess Aurora to your collection of merry decorations. It’s one from a line of new ornaments representing handbags inspired by some of your favorite Disney characters!

The More Magic, the Merrier
Celebrating the holiday season at Walt Disney World will be even more magical in 2017! In addition to the return of the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! spectacular, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be celebrating the season with two new special holiday experiences (to be announced!) Over in Epcot’s World Showcase, the Mexico Pavilion will have a new entertainment experience themed to Las Posadas as part of the annual Holidays Around the World celebration.

These are just some of the new offerings that guests can look forward to for the holidays this year. In the meantime, head on over to the Disney Springs Marketplace, where guests can experience Christmas in July through July 30!

The Villain Kids are Dressed to Thrill in Descendants 2

By Beth Deitchman

Kara Saun is tasked with making sure that evil is always in fashion. The designer—a finalist on the first season of the hit series Project Runway, and who recently served as judge for D23 Expo’s Mousequerade costume contest—is in her dream job, creating the costumes for the Villain Kids in Disney’s Descendants and Descendants 2, premiering on Friday, July 21, in an unprecedented simulcast on ABC, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime and Lifetime Movies at 8 p.m. EDT.

Kara Saun

D23 spoke to Saun recently about what inspires her wickedly wonderful wardrobe for the sons and daughters of Disney’s iconic villains. When she embarked upon designing the costumes for the first Descendants movie, Saun did a ton of research—including trips to Disney’s Animation Research Library to look at the original artwork from classic animated films, which she watched “over and over again.”

“I start with the heritage parents to create a color wave,” Saun says. She assigns each character a dominant color based on the heritage parent and her research. For example, so as not to mix up Harry (son of Captain Hook, played by Thomas Doherty) and Gil (son of Gaston, played by Dylan Playfair) by dressing them both in red, like their fathers, Saun clad Gil in mainly burnt orange, a hue worn by Gaston in some early artwork she was able to view.

Descendants 2

Once she’s determined the color wave, Saun shares, “I pick out little things,” such as a white feather or an abundance of hooks worn by Captain Hook in some research material she turned up. “I really do start with the parent and then add my little version of punk to it.”

DOVE CAMERON

Mal (Dove Cameron)—Daughter of Maleficent
“She went from being the girl from the Isle of the Lost to, literally, a princess overnight. It’s really fun to create all of these princess looks for Mal in colors that she normally wouldn’t wear,” says Saun, who points out that Mal’s look has evolved from 1970s punk to preppy punk to a more polished punk. Mal’s wardrobe is still edgy but with more sophistication, and Saun notes, “It really tells her story. She’s just trying to fit in.”

SOFIA CARSON

Evie (Sofia Carson)—Daughter of the Evil Queen
Since Evie is now the junior fashion designer for all of Auradon, her wardrobe has been customized, from earrings and accessories to her distressed shoes. “Everyone is wearing Evie’s clothing to the cotillion, so for Evie, every time you see her I want you to feel like she’s a designer,” Saun says.

CHINA ANN MCCLAIN

Uma (China Anne McClain)—Daughter of Ursula
“I wanted to create a whole new color wave for Uma,” Saun tells D23. “I watched all the movies over and over again, and one thing that was so striking in Ursula’s look was that very bright turquoise eyeshadow, and that is how I got Uma’s color.” Uma’s braids are intended to look like tentacles, Saun says, “So when she’s fighting and dancing and you see the fringe going and you see her braids flying in the wind, it really looks like an octopus.” Viewers might also take note of the fishnet-inspired mesh Uma wears, and the trinkets that adorn her pirate jacket and her bag. “It’s really fun because Kenny said to me, ‘I want Uma to look like you just dragged her on the bottom of the sea,’” Saun laughs.

BOOBOO STEWART

Jay (Booboo Stewart)—Son of Jafar
A natural athlete, Jay’s wardrobe in Descendants 2 reflects the growth of the character, who has now become a natural leader. Saun points out, “For him, it’s still a polished punk but it has a little athletic twist to it, with the red knit on the sleeves and the waist.”

CAMERON BOYCE

Carlos (Cameron Boyce)—Son of Cruella DeVil
Carlos is one of the more tech-minded denizens of Auradon. “He has a polished punk look, but something he would never do before is wear a lot of shirts with collars,” Saun mentions, adding that this detail added a bit of preppy style for the character, as well.

Descendants 2 Director Kenny Ortega’s Secrets to Building a Hit Disney Franchise

By Beth Deitchman

He was the “playmaker” for Disney Channel’s much-loved High School Musical trilogy, but since 2015, director/choreographer/executive producer Kenny Ortega has had his head in a different game. Today, Descendants 2 premieres on an unprecedented six channels at once—a testament to the popularity of the Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants, which introduced the offspring of some of Disney’s most evil villains and their “wicked world” of the Isle of the Lost. The Villain Kids—or VKs, as they’re known—strike a chord with viewers in much the same way that High School Musical’s Wildcats did, and they’ve made a huge impact on the bestseller list, the music charts, and at retail.

When we asked Ortega whether there’s a recipe for a successful Disney Channel franchise, he shared a few key ingredients with us. “The big answer is having the right idea, where you’re going to be able to not just attract attention, but find an audience who’s going to want to come back and watch it again and again, and be thirsty for more,” he told D23.

Kenny Ortega on set

But, Ortega stressed, characters and a compelling story are no less significant. “I think that in High School Musical and in Descendants, we have these characters who come from different backgrounds that are dynamic in terms of their difference,” he pointed out. Even though characters like Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay are the offspring of some of the most evil characters in Disney history, Ortega stressed, they’re still relatable, which is why he believes that Disney villains have become the new Disney heroes. “I think there’s a really big story there. It’s that no matter where we come from, no matter what we’ve done, we have the ability to make choices that can determine who we’re going to become, and the choices can impact other people around us,” Ortega detailed.

From Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens to Sofia Carson and Dove Cameron, Ortega has worked with amazing young actors at the relative start to their careers, casting them in films that have a scale that could challenge even the most veteran actors. “I always look for partners,” Ortega explained. “It’s not enough to just come in and show that you have a skill as an actor or you have a voice or good movement skills. I’m looking for a person who is going to have opinions about their character. Who is a thinker. Who is an ‘imagineer.’” He was blown away by the dedication of the young cast of the High School Musical franchise, mentioning Efron’s insistence that Ortega shouldn’t be afraid to make the cast work.

The Descendants 2 cast at rehearsals
Ortega (far right) with the Descendants 2 cast—including Cameron Boyce and Sofia Carson (center)—who he acknowledges are triple threats who have blown him away with their ability to sing, dance and act.

“And that’s how I feel about everyone on Descendants 2—the new kids and the kids who are returning. They’re not afraid to do the work—they love it. They love raising the bar on themselves. They love having breakthroughs. They love learning. And that’s what makes them great partners,” Ortega said.

Ortega was drawn to the story of the Descendants from his first reading of the original script. “I was blown away that we were talking about the descendants of these heritage characters,” Ortega recalled. “The thought of being able to play with these brand-new characters who are born out of some of the greatest characters in all of Disney, many of which I grew up with, was so exciting to me—and also really frightening. Wow, what a responsibility!” He immediately envisioned how music and dance could help tell the story, and says the story came alive on the page. “As I was reading it, I found myself on the Isle. I found myself in Auradon,” he shared. “And whenever that happens to me—whenever I leave the page and I’m in the world, I know that there’s something there for me. That was it. I got bit—real hard and real fast!”

Kenny Ortega and the Descendants 2 cast hugging

One need only spend a few moments with Ortega to see how much he’s enjoying his time in this fantastical world and, when pressed, he confessed to having a favorite sequence. “I’ve always loved pirates and I’ve always loved Peter Pan. That was part of my childhood—I don’t know how many fences I fell off or how many sticks I broke sword fighting with my neighbors,” he laughed. He was thrilled to be able to play in that world with new characters like Uma and Harry Hook, and he pointed to the sequences on the old ship on the Isle of the Lost as some of his favorites: “They hearkened back to my own childhood and the things that excited me first in my life and made me want to be a filmmaker.”

Kenny Ortega with the Descendants 2 cast
The Descendants 2 stars and creative team joined Ortega for a warm moment after a script read-through.

The VKs have got all the ways to be wicked, but fans have all the ways to watch Descendants 2 tonight. Tune in to Disney Channel, ABC, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movies at 8 p.m. EDT, and then stick around on ABC for Descendants 2: ABC After-Party, airing at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.

The MINNIE VAN presented by Honda Rolls Through D23 Expo

By D23 Team

We gave you a sneak peek of the MINNIE VAN presented by Honda before it made its way to the D23 Expo show floor. Inspired by Minnie Mouse, this vibrant vehicle is outfitted with Minnie’s iconic dots and—of course––a big, beautiful bow.

If you didn’t catch this perfectly polka-dotted van at the ultimate Disney fan event, take a closer look below, including a look inside the car from itsjudytime!

Honda

D23 Expo Memories and a Descendants 2 After-Party—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Relive all the D23 Expo 2017 magic, and find out about a big Descendants 2 after-party on ABC… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Relive D23 Expo 2017

We came, we saw, we Expo’d! There was so much to see and do at D23 Expo 2017, and here at D23.com, we did our best to cover it all… Whether you attended in person or watched it all unfold via the world-wide interweb, take a(nother) gander at our Expo Update post—which is chockablock with goodies spanning the entire weekend.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 18, 2017
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Wayne Jackson
August 19, 2017
D23’s Disney Afternoon on the Lot
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
Parks
July 29, 2017
Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes return to Disneyland park.
July 29, 2017
The Disneyland Railroad returns to Disneyland park.
August 31-November 13, 2017
Epcot Food & Wine Festival
September 15–October 31, 2017
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort
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
July 21, 2017
Disney’s Descendants 2 debuts on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime and ABC (8 p.m. ET)
July 21, 2017
Raven’s Home debuts on Disney Channel (10 p.m. ET)
July 21, 2017
Descendants 2: ABC After Party airs on ABC (10:30 p.m. ET)
August 12, 2017
“Woo-oo!” DuckTales Movie premieres at 12 a.m. and airs for 24 consecutive hours
August 19, 2017
Marvel’s Spider-Man debuts on Disney XD (7–8 a.m. ET)
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)

                                    

Descendants 2

Descendants 2 After-Party Coming to ABC This Friday

The mega-huge premiere of Disney’s Descendants 2 is coming up in just a few short days! (It’s so big, it’s debuting on six different networks—ABC, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movies—simultaneously.) And the evening’s fun won’t be ending as the movie’s credits roll… in fact, make sure to stick around on Friday, July 21, for Descendants 2: ABC After Party at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.

The exclusive ABC post-movie special, filmed inside the beautiful 21 Royal at Disneyland park, will take viewers along as the stars of Descendants 2—Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, and China Anne McClain—appear as grand marshals in Disneyland’s parade down Main Street, U.S.A., and meet fans at the film’s recent red-carpet premiere event. Plus, they’ll be joined by the movie’s director, choreographer, and executive producer, Emmy® Award winner Kenny Ortega (High School Musical), who’ll talk about the making of the film… and will open the “director’s vault” to premiere his very own behind-the-scene clips and outtakes. It’s yet another “way to be wicked,” and we cannot wait!

Marvel's Spider-Man

Marvel’s Spider-Man Announces Premiere Date and Voice Cast

One of the amazing announcements to come out of this past weekend’s Expo was during the Marvel Animation panel, and it deserves a second look… The highly anticipated new animated series Marvel’s Spider-Man will debut on Saturday, August 19 (from 7–8 a.m. EDT), on Disney XD, and on the Disney XD App and VOD (at 12:01 a.m. EDT). The one-hour premiere will introduce us to teenage Peter Parker (voice of Robbie Daymond) as he navigates New York City—and his new school, Horizon High—all while trying to hide his super powers. As Peter embraces his alter-ego and takes on villains including Vulture, Lizard, Sandman, and the infamous Doctor Octopus (aka “Doc Ock”), he watches his hero lifestyle come between his personal relationships and struggles to keep his best friend Harry Osborn (voice of Max Mittleman) from landing on the wrong side of the law. The voice cast also features Nadji Jeter, Melanie Minichino, Laura Bailey, and Ratatouille’s Patton Oswalt.

But that wasn’t the only big news from the panel: a brand-new third season of Disney XD’s Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is on the horizon, as is a new 22-minute animated special from The LEGO Group and Marvel entitled LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes—Guardians of the Galaxy: The Thanos Threat. Keep your eyes peeled for more info on all things Marvel Animation in the weeks to come.

Celebrating Disney Media Networks’ 36 Emmy® Nominations!

Last week’s big news wasn’t just Expo-related; the Primetime Emmy nominations were announced on Thursday, July 13, and a host of Disney Media Networks television series and specials were on the list! Check out our rundown of all the notable Disney, ABC, and ESPN noms right here.

Halloween time at Disneyland Resort

Get Ready, Ghouls & Goblins: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort Expands

Can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about Halloween? (We can hardly believe we’re half-way through July… ) Disney Parks and Resorts are starting to ramp up all their spooktacular plans for Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort—and this year, Disney California Adventure Park is getting into the fun with chilling delights at Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street.

Tricks and treats to look forward to include hauntingly hilarious Halloween versions of Cars Land rides—like Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, and Radiator Screams—as well as Buena Vista Street décor themed after Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.

And of course, fans can expect some of Disneyland Park’s most popular All Hallow’s Eve fare, including Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, and the devilishly delightful “Mickey’s Halloween Party” (a separately ticketed event with trick-or-treat locations and special entertainment). It all kicks off September 15! To read more about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, visit our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog.

Unboxing the Newest Disney Treasures Box at D23 Expo

By D23 Team

We’ve already given you a sneak peek at Disney Treasures by Funko, a new subscription box featuring the most memorable moments from classic Disney films (and theme parks!), and if you joined us at D23 Expo, you might have even spotted Funko on the show floor––how cute were the life-size Belle and Tiana?

Funko even took Center Stage during D23 Expo to do a live unboxing of the next Disney Treasures box (you may have seen a closer look on our Instagram story!). But if you missed it, here’s another chance to see what fun awaits in Tiny Town. If you didn’t sign up for Disney Treasures at D23 Expo, make sure to do so before August 1 to travel to Tiny Town!

Which Disney Villain Could Be Your Parent?

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you were related to a Disney character? What if that character were a villain? In the Descendants seires, we learn about the lives of the Villain Kids (or “VKs”) of famous Disney baddies. But what if you were one of the VKs? Find out which Disney Villain you could be your parent with this magical quiz! Count up how many 1s, 2s, 3s, and 4s you get, and then check out the results section to discover your villainous parent.

What’s your dream job?

  1. Dragon Trainer
  2. Potion Master
  3. Candy Apple Maker
  4. Fashion Designer

What’s your favorite element?

  1. Fire
  2. Water
  3. Air
  4. Land

What is Your Favorite Color?

  1. Green
  2. Purple
  3. Blue
  4. Black & White

What’s on your evil agenda?

  1. Party crashing
  2.  Making nefarious deals
  3. Getting rid of the competition
  4. Being fashionable

Who is your best friend?

  1. I don’t trust anyone.
  2. My pets.
  3. My mirror.
  4. I don’t have friends, I have minions.

How do you make a fashion statement?

  1. A flowing cape
  2. A full face of makeup
  3. My stunning looks are all I need.
  4. A fabulous coat

What motivates you?

  1. Revenge
  2. Competition
  3. Power
  4. Riches

RESULTS

Moslty 1s: You are the child of: Maleficent

As a child of Maleficent, you can’t help but find many ways to be wicked. Things that you love: behaving dramatically, dressing dramatically, and scheming dramatically. Things you don’t like: being snubbed from party invitations. You can’t help it—it’s just how you take after your mother. You may not have magical powers and you might not be able to turn into a dragon, but, like the fairy of darkness herself, you always make sure to stand up for yourself—no matter what.

Mostly 2s: You are the child of: Ursula

You may not have eight legs or live under the sea, but you take after Ursula in your cleverness and determination. You can charm anyone with your words, and you know how to play a good trick or two. Like Ursula, you know exactly what kinds of schemes you need to concoct to get what you want.

Mostly 3s: You are the child of: The Evil Queen

Magic mirror on the wall, who’s the best-looking villain kid of all? As the child of the Evil Queen, we’re betting the answer is you. While you might not be as, well, intense about your appearance as the Evil Queen is about hers, you still take pride in dressing well, and might have a camera roll full of fabulous selfies. You may find yourself giving into your competitive edge, although when it comes to facing off against pretty princesses, you’d rather prove your worth through your actions then by using poison apples—we hope…

Mostly 4s: You are the child of: Cruella De Vil

If she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will—and she’s your mom, so we’re pretty sure you’re not scared of anything! You’re not much of an animal fan, and you’d rather recruit some humans to do your bidding in your next scheme. You enjoy fashion and the power of a good accessory, and you’re not afraid to try bold trends—like maybe multi-colored hair?