You’ll Be “Moved” by These Stunning PeopleMover Photos from the Walt Disney Archives

By Jocelyn Buhlman

The spirit of Tomorrowland centers on moving forward: We seek out new ideas for the future, we imagine the next steps of humanity, and sometimes we even literally keep moving forward with the help of a classic ride system. In 1967, PeopleMover debuted at Disneyland and provided guests with the public transportation of the future, alongside a quick glimpse into some of Tomorrowland’s classic attractions. The PeopleMover has taken many forms, from a spaceport transportation center at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, to a portal to the Game Grid when Disneyland’s PeopleMover transformed into PeopleMover Thru the World of Tron. As we celebrate this classic piece of Disney parks history, enjoy photos from the Walt Disney Archives of this fan-favorite futurist attraction.

Anyone Can Cook with These Tips from Ratatouille

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Where is there a better place to enjoy fine cuisine than the sparkling city of Paris? Whether you’re a human or, perhaps, something smaller, there’s a world of taste just waiting to unfold for everyone—and we mean everyone, even a little rat. Once upon a time, we would have been scandalized by the idea of a culinary rodent like Remy, but since Disney•Pixar’s Ratatouille stole our hearts (and our taste buds), we’ve learned this to be true: Anyone can cook! Ratatouille taught us that—and more—through its stunning tale of a rat becoming a chef in the city of lights. To celebrate the movie’s 10th anniversary, we’ve compiled our favorite pieces of wisdom that Ratatouille taught us about cooking.

Ratatouille quote
Click here to download.
Ratatouille quote
Click here to download.
Ratatouille quote
Click here to download.
Ratatouille quote
Click here to download.
Ratatouille quote
Click here to download.
Ratatouille quote
Click here to download.

Star Wars Forces of Destiny, Vampirina, and Rapunzel—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Get a sneak peek at Star Wars Forces of Destiny, and mark your calendars for Vampirina’s debut… Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!

Awesome Star Wars Forces of Destiny Sneak Peek

Look, there on the horizon—there’s a brand-new series of animated shorts winging their way across our solar system, and to say we’re excited would be putting it mildly! Star Wars Forces of Destiny, a collaboration between the good folks at Disney and Lucasfilm, explores the untold stories that helped shape the circumstances of several beloved Star Wars characters, including Rey, Jyn Erso, Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, Sabine Wren, Ahsoka Tano, and more… and the first short will make its debut on Monday, July 3, at YouTube.com/Disney (followed by a Disney Channel premiere on July 9, plus a two-part TV special in the fall). Check out the amazing new teaser trailer for the series, above.

Perhaps most significantly—and this part is really cool—actresses Daisy Ridley (Rey), Felicity Jones (Jyn Erso), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), and Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata, narrating the series) will all reprise their roles for the series! And for those of you who enjoy Star Wars toys and memorabilia, listen up: Hasbro is set to launch a line of Star Wars Forces of Destiny toys (including new “Adventure Figures,” which fuse traditional dolls with action figures) later this summer.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
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 17, 2017
Fantasmic! returns to Disneyland park.
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
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)
August 12, 2017
“Woo-oo!” DuckTales Movie premieres at 12 a.m. and airs for 24 consecutive hours
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)

Vampirina

New Animated Series Vampirina Debuts This Fall

Do you love the adorable Vampirina Ballerina book series from Disney Publishing as much as we do? Well then, your day is about to be made! Disney Junior has just announced an animated series based on the books; entitled Vampirina, the series will center around a young vampire and her family as they adjust to life in a new town. Read up on the show and its fabulous voice cast (including James Van Der Beek, Lauren Graham, Wanda Sykes, and Broadway’s Patti LuPone), here.

Tangled The Series

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rapunzel…

Late last week, D23 was lucky enough to obtain a first look at Inside the Journal—a new series of animated shorts that take you inside the world of Tangled: The Series (and Rapunzel’s very own diary) like never before. Take a gander at the trailer for the series, which just made its debut on Disney Channel, right here.

Miles from Tomorrowland

Musician Béla Fleck to Guest Star on Miles from Tomorrowland

It’s not every day that a 16-time Grammy® Award-winning musician guest stars on a Disney Junior animated series—so when it does happen, it’s something to celebrate! Béla Fleck, the legendary banjo player, will lend his instrumental expertise to a special episode of Miles from Tomorrowland… which happens to have been created by his very own brother, Sascha Paladino. (That’s the two of ‘em in the photo above.) The ep in question, “Galactech: The Search for the Plectrix,” premieres on Saturday, July 8, at 9 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior, and features brand-new music written and performed by Béla himself.

The story centers on Miles and his sister, Loretta, as they hunt for a lost musical instrument—one that used to belong to their grandfather—with a very special power. Wanna see Miles and Loretta mid-quest? Check out a clip from the episode, below.


 

Marvel’s Inhumans Premiering on ABC September 29

It’s one of the most highly anticipated shows of the upcoming TV season, and it’s only on ABC… The new Marvel series Marvel’s Inhumans brings the fan-favorite comic book series (and a new kind of family drama) to life on the small screen starting Friday, September 29, with two back-to-back episodes beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.

Marvel’s Inhumans explores the never-before-told epic adventure of the royal family including Black Bolt (Anson Mount), the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where they are greeted with surprising interactions with the lush world and 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. The series also stars Iwan Rheon, Serinda Swan, Eme Ikwuakor, and Isabelle Cornish.

If you’re looking for a super-special early look at the show, don’t forget—a version of the first two episodes will be shown globally in IMAX theatres for a two-week period, starting September 1.

The Lion Guard

Season Two of Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard to Debut Next Week

The adventures of Kion and friends continue when Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard roars back onto a TV screen (or mobile device) near you on Friday, July 7, at 8 a.m. EDT… and when they return, they’ve got some very special guests set to join the Pride Lands. Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo (Selma) will voice the role of Scar, the villainous younger brother to Mufasa, in an episode to air later in July; he’ll appear in the flames of a volcano after Simba and Nala’s young son, Kion, unwittingly summons him (in anger!) by using the Roar of the Elders.

Additional guest stars for the new season include Tony® Award-winning actress Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) as Dhahabu, a charismatic golden zebra; Oscar®- and Grammy® Award-winning rapper, actor, producer, and poet Common as Kiburi, an arrogant crocodile; and AJ Mclean of the Backstreet Boys as Kuchimba, an adorable golden mole. Y’know, all this good Lion Guard news truly gives us no worries for the rest of our days…

Descendants 2 Behind-the-Scenes Special Coming to Disney Channel

The big debut of Disney’s Descendants 2 is just around the corner—and to get us all in an appropriately wicked mood, a new behind-the-scenes special is coming to Disney Channel on Friday, July 7. It’s Going Down: Behind the Scenes is hosted by Descendants 2 actress (and Villain Kid super-fan) Anna Cathcart, who gives us an all-access sneak peek at the on-set fun.

See Anna visit Lady Tremaine’s Curl Up & Dye! Watch as the cast rehearses their big musical numbers! Marvel as director Kenny Ortega calls the proverbial shots! It’s more Descendants 2 scoop than you can shake a wand at. Watch the teaser trailer for It’s Going Down, above.

Kenny G

Epcot’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series Welcomes 11 New Acts

If you read D23.com with any regularity (and thank you heaps, if so!), you know that we’re big fans of the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival—which is going into its whopping 22nd year. And for 2017, the fest is welcoming a bevy of new musical acts to its always-entertaining Eat to the Beat Concert Series.

Jazz great Kenny G; renowned pop groups like 10,000 Maniacs and Squeeze; and the Baha Men (of “Who Let the Dogs Out?” fame) will join returning favorites Taylor Dayne, Starship, Plain White T’s, Air Supply, Sugar Ray, Christopher Cross, and Billy Ocean for a stellar 75-day line-up of musical magic. Performances kick off when the Festival officially opens on August 31, at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. each evening… and it’s all included in your Epcot admission.

Honestly, if you’re anywhere near Walt Disney World Resort this fall, do yourself a favor and check out this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Good food, good music… how can you go wrong? For more info, including a full Eat to the Beat Concert Series schedule, visit epcotfoodfestival.com.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Hamill, and Minnie Mouse

Disney Talents to Join Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018

At the heart of Hollywood, California, lies the Hollywood Walk of Fame—where the town’s Chamber of Commerce fetes all manner of celebrities (from music, TV, film, stage, and more) with their very own star embedded in the storied sidewalk. And next year, a plethora of Disney talents will join that historic roster…

Star Wars superstar (and new Disney Legend) Mark Hamill; Oscar® nominee—and star of Disney’s upcoming Mary Poppins Returns—Lin-Manuel Miranda; and even Minnie Mouse herself are all set to receive stars as part of the Class of 2018. Read more about all the honorees courtesy our pals over at Oh My Disney.

These Marvel Ozobots Made Us Feel Like Super-Smart Heroes

By D23 Team

Ozobot sent some of their most Marvel-ous new bots to our office, which means we were literally required to play at work. (Best meeting ever?) This was an incredibly easy task with these super-fun bots. See our reactions below and catch these bots in action at Center Stage during D23 Expo!

Ozobot Spider-Man and Venom

How cute is Spider-Man?! This Ozobot Bit comes with skins for both Spider-Man and Venom, and you can customize their faces with stickers, which we obviously had a lot of fun with…

Ozobot spiderweb

Spider-Man (or Venom, depending on your mood) is super-smart—the robot can follow patterns in the pack included with your Ozobot (we’re fans of the spider web-like one above), or follow a pattern you create using the provided markers. The possibilities are endless!

Ozobot Captain America

Captain America and Iron Man are part of the Avengers collection—which also features Hulk and Black Widow (available early 2018). Collecting them all leads to some really fun interactions on the included playfield. You can register your Evo within the Ozobot app for even more play options.

Like the Ozobot Bit, your Avengers Ozobots can follow patterns in the pack included, or follow a pattern you create… like ours below!

Ozobot D23 animated gif

Disney Characters Who Went from Zero to Hero

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Sometimes you’re born a princess, and sometimes you’re born a street rat. But no matter your status in life, there’s always a chance to save the day—just look at Hercules. Celebrating its 20th anniversary today, Hercules tells the mythical tale of an orphan boy turned demigod. But he’s not the only Disney character who turned his story from “zero” to “hero.” We’ve rounded up our favorite characters who stepped up to save the day—and change their lives.

Hercules

Hercules, Hercules (1997)
He’s the original zero who became a hero, the one who put the “glad” in gladiator—Hercules! While he was always a demigod, it took a lot of training—and a whole lot of monster fighting—before Hercules reached the status of a true hero.

Moana and Maui

Moana and Maui, Moana (2016)
You may think that Maui, Shapeshifter, Demigod of the Wind and Sea, Hero of Man (and Woman) would not have started as a “zero,” but it turns out that this demigod has a lot to learn before he becomes a true hero. After he loses his magical fish hook, Maui teams up with Moana, a chief’s daughter, who is anxious to prove herself as a wayfinder. Through their adventure to return the Heart of Te Fiti, they discover what it takes for both of them to be heroes in their own ways.

Milo Thatch

Milo Thatch, Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Milo Thatch used to be a laughingstock for his obsession with the lost city of Atlantis while as a linguist for the Smithsonian Institute, but when he was hired for a real expedition to Atlantis, he had the last laugh. Not only was he able to pursue his life dream of uncovering the ancient city, but he also helped save Atlantis and its people from the greedy schemes of Lyle Rourke.

Aladdin

Aladdin, Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin spent a lot of his life believing he would be nothing more than a street rat, but with the help of a magical genie (and several stunning musical numbers), Aladdin became a prince—and not just because he wished it! After he and Princess Jasmine defeated the evil sorcerer Jafar, they were able to pursue their romance and get married, making Aladdin a real prince, and a real hero!

Kristoff Bjorgman

Kristoff, Frozen (2013)
Originally a simple ice harvester with no friends besides his reindeer, Sven, Kristoff faced an unexpected opportunity to become a hero when Queen Elsa froze all of Arendelle. Teaming up with Elsa’s sister, Anna, Kristoff helped free Arendelle from its permanent winter and stopped devious forces from attempting to take over the kingdom.

Mulan

Mulan, Mulan (1998)
Mulan thought she could never be a perfect daughter because she couldn’t act the way she was expected to—but then she found a place where she fit in. Going to war in place of her father not only allowed Mulan to become a hero, but to find the confidence within herself to be the person she was meant to be, and not the person everyone else expected her to be.

Arthur

Wart/Arthur, The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Aspiring to squiredom, a young boy named Wart studied under the tutelage of the wizard Merlin while wishing for a bigger role in life, such as to become a knight. His dreams gave way to an even bigger reality when Wart unknowingly pulled a sword out of a stone—and becomes the famed King Arthur!

Princess Tiana

Princess Tiana, The Princess and the Frog (2009)
While Tiana started as a workaholic waitress, it was her adventures as a frog that gave her a chance to save the day. Not only was she able to defeat Dr. Facilier, but, with help from her new friends, she bought her dream restaurant and was able to finally open “Tiana’s Palace.”

Judy Hopps

Judy Hopps, Zootopia (2016)
Before Judy Hopps joined Zootopia’s police force, most everyone believed that bunnies couldn’t be cops. While Judy always knew that she could fit in with the team, it wasn’t until she exposed major corruption within Zootopia’s mayoral office and stopped a horrible plot to turn animals against each other that she was able to prove to the world that she belongs on the police force. Now, she not only fits in, but is considered a hero for her work in protecting Zootopia.

Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse, The Brave Little Tailor (1938)
Mickey played the role of a simple tailor in this classic animated short, whose only accomplishment was killing seven flies at once. When that feat is mistaken as killing seven giants at once, Mickey is appointed the “Royal High Killer of the Giant.” While at first Mickey is discouraged by the enormity of the task in front of him, using his wits and his sewing abilities, Mickey is able to take down the giant and free the people of the land!

See What The Walt Disney Studios is Bringing to D23 Expo

By D23 Team

At D23 Expo 2015, we met the cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at The Walt Disney Studios live-action panel, were the first to hear new details about Toy Story 4 at the Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Panel, and were thrilled by so much more throughout the three-day event. These two can’t-miss panels are back for D23 Expo 2017, along with new presentations that will bring some of your favorite characters and films to life in a whole new way. Take a look at the schedule below and get ready for D23 Expo!

Friday, July 14

John Lasseter at D23 Expo

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter (2:30 p.m., Hall D23) –– Join host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, as he shares never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming feature Coco and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. Plus, surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Saturday, July 15

Disney, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm – Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios (10 a.m., Hall D23)–– At this exclusive Hall D23 presentation featuring never-before-seen footage, surprise star appearances, and more, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at an exciting array of spectacular films on the horizon from these world-class studios. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Moana, Ariel, and Tiana

The Power of the Princess (10:30 a.m., Stage 28)––Join Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), and Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana) as they share stories from the making of these iconic films and how these characters have impacted fans across the globe. Hosted by Walt Disney Animation Studios animators Amy Smeed and Kira Lehtomaki.

Creating the Worlds in Pixar’s Universe (12:15 p.m., Stage 28) –– Pixar production designers and artists will literally take guests behind the scenes on a visual tour of the amazing worlds created in Pixar films––from oceans and outer space, to mountain tops and “monstropolises.”

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure: A Sneak Peek at the New Frozen Short Film (2:30 p.m., Stage 28) –– Be among the first to see exclusive and behind-the-scenes footage from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest Frozen holiday short film event, the highly anticipated Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. The film, which features the talents of the original Frozen cast, as well as brand-new songs, is directed by the Emmy®-winning team Stevie Wermers-Skelton and Kevin Deters (Prep & Landing) and produced by Oscar®-winning producer Roy Conli (Big Hero 6, Tangled).

The Evolution of Pixar’s Characters (6 p.m., Stage 28) –– Pixar characters are full of personality––from the waves in their hair to the shoes on their feet. Join some of the legendary Pixar artists behind its most memorable characters as they share what it’s like to draw these lovable characters to life.

Sunday, July 16

The Lion King

Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King (10 a.m., D23 Expo Arena) –– Join a Disney celebration of the magic, the music, and the majesty of the animated classic The Lion King. Producer Don Hahn, director Rob Minkoff, and animators Tony Bancroft and Mark Henn, along with some very special guests, reveal the secrets behind the making of the timeless animated classic.

Bambi’s 75th Anniversary (11:30 a.m., Walt Disney Archives Stage) –– Celebrate the 75th anniversary and Walt Disney Signature Collection release of Bambi with personal stories from the voice cast, anecdotes behind the making of this film and its exquisite hand-drawn artwork, and much, much more.

Throughout the weekend, be sure to check out these five sweet spots on the show floor:

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios
Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios once again join forces for a must-see animation experience at D23 Expo. Don’t miss artist demonstrations, autograph signings with top filmmakers, fan giveaways and interactive displays featuring the latest films including Cars 3, Coco, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.

Marvel Studios Pavilion
At the Marvel Studios Pavilion, fans will get an up-close look at the costumes and props from Thor: Ragnarok, including photo opportunities with exclusive set pieces from the film, as well as incredible costumes from Black Panther. Marvel Studios will host multiple giveaways and events within its pavilion space in Hall B. Fans will get the chance to meet with Marvel Studios’ filmmakers, development team, and talent. Exclusive artwork will be given away daily, along with other surprises. Details on talent appearances and special signings will be made available on the D23 Expo app.

Disney Music Emporium
Over the three-day Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the Disney Music Emporium will feature album signings by artists and award-winning composers. Limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products will be available, including new releases from Marvel, Moana, Beauty and the Beast, and Disneyland attraction picture discs, plus lithographs, Crosley turntables, and posters. For a complete list of talent appearances and album signings, visit http://waltdisneyrecords.com/d23expo/signings.html.

Disney Movie Rewards and Disney Movie Club
Disney fans will be able to experience a unique augmented reality photo booth presented by Disney Movie Rewards. Fans will be able to earn mystery points which can be used for great rewards like Blu-rays, movie tickets, and exclusive collectibles only available at DisneyMovieRewards.com. Disney Movie Club, the ultimate source for building your Disney movie library, will also be there hosting a special augmented reality gallery. Come by for free giveaways and a special sign up offer just for D23 Expo 2017 attendees.

Disney Family Movies
Stop by the Disney Family Movies booth in Hall C to learn about this fun subscription, video-on-demand service.

James Van Der Beek, Lauren Graham, Patti LuPone, and more star in Disney Junior’s Vampirina

By Nicole Nalty

Inspired by Disney Publishing’s popular children’s book series Vampirina Ballerina, Disney Junior’s Vampirina centers around Vampirina (aka Vee), voiced by 12-year-old Isabella Crovetti, as she adjusts to life in Pennsylvania, after she and her family move from Transylvania. James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek) and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) voice Vampirina’s parents, Brois and Oxana Hauntley, who are facing an adjustment of their own as the proprietors of the local Scare B&B––a bed and breakfast for visiting ghouls and goblins.

Van Der Beek and Graham lead a star-studded voice cast with recurring guests like Tony® Award-winning Broadway performers Patti LuPone and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Vee’s grandparents, and Wanda Sykes as Vampirina’s gargoyle sidekick Gregoria. With this talented bunch, it’s no surprise that each episode of Vampirina will feature original songs––and Van Der Beek, Graham, and Crovetti perform the series’ theme song.

Rounding out the voice cast are: Mitchell Whitfield (My Cousin Vinny) as playful ghost Demi; Jordan Alexa Davis (Sofia the First) as Vee’s best friend and next-door neighbor, Poppy; ViviAnn Yee (The Boss Baby) as another one of Vee’s close friends, Bridget; Dee Bradley Baker (Phineas and Ferb) as Vee’s teacher, Mr. Gore, and the Hauntley’s dog, Wolfie; Benji Risley (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie) as Poppy’s twin brother, Edgar; Cree Summer (A Different World) as Poppy and Edgar’s mom, Edna; and Ian James Corlett (Dinosaur Train) as Chef Remy Bones, the Scare B&B’s comedic skeleton chef.

Stay tuned for more ghoulishly great updates from Disney Junior’s Vampirina, debuting this fall!

Find Out Which Hercules Character You Are Most Like with this Epic Quiz

By D23 Team

It’s an anniversary of legendary proportions: June 27, the animated classic Hercules is celebrating 20 years of going from zero to hero! We all have a favorite character from the film, but which character do you think you are most like? With some inspiration from the muses, we went the distance and created this quiz to answer that very question. And don’t miss our Hercules panel at D23 Expo on July 16!

This campaign has ended. Check out D23.com for more Disney fun!

13 Underrated Sherman Brothers Songs to Enjoy Today!

By Courtney Potter

Music. It’s one of the most memorable components of any Disney movie. From Snow White’s lilting “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” to Moana’s resolute “How Far I’ll Go,” music propels each and every Disney story to the next level—of comedy, of adventure, of romance, and of plain ol’ fun. And no two people have influenced the history of Disney music quite like Richard and Robert Sherman. These tunesmith brothers, named Disney Legends in 1990, first started working for Walt Disney in 1960—just after they wrote a string of hits for then-Mouseketeer Annette Funicello (including her chart-topper “Tall Paul”). Over their 13-year career for the Disney Studios, they penned numerous now-beloved songs… including “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Feed the Birds,” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee” (which won them an Academy Award® for Best Song) from Mary Poppins; “Let’s Get Together” from The Parent Trap; and perhaps their most iconic composition, “it’s a small world” from the Disneyland Park attraction of the same name.

What are some “underappreciated” Sherman Brothers songs that are worth a second (and third, and fifth) listen? We’ve plucked 13 of our favorites from their massive catalogue.

The Happiest Millionaire

“Fortuosity”—The Happiest Millionaire

English actor Tommy Steele starred in this fan-favorite, live-action 1967 film about an unusual family living in 1900s Philadelphia, and it’s chock full of Sherman Brothers music. According to a Billboard magazine article from the time, the word “Fortuosity” means “faith and good fortune”… which Steele’s character, butler John Lawless, seems to have in spades. An instrumental version of the song can often be heard as you walk down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park.

Carousel of Progress

“The Best Time of Your Life”—Carousel of Progress

The Carousel of Progress, one of four attractions Walt Disney created for the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, is often remembered for its original theme song, the Sherman Brothers tune “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.” But Disney trivia buffs may recall that in 1974—when the attraction was moved from Disneyland to Walt Disney World—the Shermans replaced that song with “The Best Time of Your Life,” which reflected sponsor General Electric’s newly updated philosophy.

”—“An Adventure in Color” from Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color

“The Spectrum Song”—“An Adventure in Color” from Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color

The television landscape changed on September 24, 1961, when Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color was broadcast for the first time in an appropriate—and newfangled—rainbow of hues. To celebrate, the Sherman Brothers were tasked by Walt to write some fun tunes for “An Adventure in Color,” an animated segment in which he introduced a brand-new character: Ludwig Von Drake (eccentric uncle of Donald Duck). “The Spectrum Song” compares each color to a specific note on music’s “major” scale.

In Search of the Castaways

“Enjoy It”—In Search of the Castaways

Starring Hayley Mills, 1962’s In Search of the Castaways was based on the Jules Verne novel Captain Grant’s Children and followed a young girl’s search for her shipwrecked sea-captain father. Hayley and Maurice Chevalier (who portrayed the girl’s absent-minded professor pal) sing the jaunty “Enjoy It”—one of four Sherman Brothers songs in the film—as they prepare a feast by campfire.

The Sword in the Stone

“Higitus Figitus”—The Sword in the Stone
In case you haven’t noticed, besides being all-around great songwriters, Richard and Robert Sherman are particularly adept at… creating fantastic(al) nonsensical words! Case in point: Their song “Higitus Figitus,” the musical spell Merlin casts in order to pack up his living quarters in 1963’s animated feature The Sword in the Stone. “Hockety pockety, wockety whack—odds and ends and bric-a-brac… “

Mary Poppins

“Sister Suffragette”—Mary Poppins

One of the lesser-known songs in a film legitimately packed with amazing Sherman Brothers music, “Sister Suffragette” is the Mary Poppins anthem that Mrs. Banks (the delightful Glynis Johns) sings about her fellow “dauntless crusaders for women’s votes.” The song even has some real historical context, referencing Emmeline Pankhurst—the founder of the Women’s Social and Political Union in Manchester, England. The song’s melody is based on a cut song written for Mary Poppins, “Practically Perfect,” with lyrics changed for the Mrs. Banks character, to help convince Johns to accept the role.

Magic Journeys from Journey into Imagination at Epcot

“Magic Journeys”—Journey into Imagination at Epcot

One of the Sherman Brothers’ later Disney collaborations, “Magic Journeys” was written for a 3-D film of the same name that premiered in the “Journey into Imagination” Future World pavilion at Epcot when the park opened in October 1982. The film was an impressionistic view of a child’s imagination, which the dream-like ballad (with lots of unique musical interludes) helped to illustrate.

The Parent Trap

“For Now, For Always”—The Parent Trap

Richard and Robert wrote three songs for the 1961 live-action film starring Hayley Mills and Maureen O’Hara—the first big Disney movie they scored. The title tune and “Let’s Get Together” are usually the first two to come to a Disney fan’s mind… but there’s also the lovely (albeit brief) “For Now, For Always,” sung by Maggie McKendrick (O’Hara) as she recalls when she first fell in love with the twins’ father.

The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

“Ten Feet Off the Ground”—The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

Based on an autobiographical novel by Laura Bower Van Nuys, this 1968 film about the 1888 presidential election—starring Lesley Ann Warren (who’ll also be at D23 Expo 2017), John Davidson, and Buddy Ebsen—not only boasts the screen debut of one Goldie Hawn (in a bit part), but also features several big musical numbers written by the Sherman Brothers. One of our faves, “Ten Feet Off the Ground,” was later covered by Louis Armstrong himself!

The Jungle Book

“My Own Home”—The Jungle Book

Richard and Robert weren’t the first songwriters tasked with setting parts of Rudyard Kipling’s adventures to music… that distinction actually goes to Terry Gilkyson, who wrote what might be the 1967 film’s most recognized song: “The Bare Necessities.” However, the Shermans wrote the rest of the film’s soundtrack; “My Own Home” is their captivating ballad sung by a girl from the nearby “man village” who piques young Mowgli’s attention.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks soundtrack

“A Step in the Right Direction”—Bedknobs and Broomsticks

This 1971 film starring Angela Lansbury is a delightful mix of live action, animation, and special effects… but initially, Studio executives felt it was just a tad too long. So “A Step in the Right Direction”—one of the Sherman Brothers’ seven songs for the film, in which Eglantine Price affirms her hope of becoming a successful witch—was left on the proverbial cutting room floor. Thankfully, years later, that scene would be “reconstructed” using Studio photography for the film’s 25th anniversary, but the original footage has never been found.

Ford Magic Skyway

“Get the Feel of the Wheel of a Ford”—Ford Magic Skyway
During the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, Disney’s Magic Skyway at the Ford Motor Company Wonder Rotunda was the fourth-most attended attraction—welcoming almost 15 million people! Walt tasked the Shermans with writing a song that’d help convince Ford sign on to the idea, even though the song was never heard in the attraction. Here on D23.com, we have a fantastic rundown on what made this attraction so special (including exclusive video); check it out here.

The Gnome-Mobile

“The Gnome-Mobile”—The Gnome-Mobile
Last but certainly not least is the title song from a 1967 film especially notable for two of its costars; The Gnome-Mobile features Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber, who—just three years earlier—had starred in Mary Poppins as Jane and Michael Banks. Richard and Robert wrote the film’s theme song, which is sung by two-foot-tall gnomes from the California redwoods as they careen through the forest inside a vintage Rolls Royce.

Wicked Cool Disney Stamps Coming to D23 Expo

By D23 Team

Make your mark with the Disney Villains Forever stamps, a celebration of the historic Walt Disney Studios Ink & Paint Department. The collection highlights 10 classic villains, from The Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to The Lion King’s Scar. The U.S. Postal Service will dedicate these delightfully devilish stamps at D23 Expo 2017, on July 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Center Stage. Plus, the collection will be available for purchase following the dedication!

Take a look at the collection below, and stay tuned for more D23 Expo updates!

USPS Disney villain stamps