Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opens on May 27! Celebrate with a Summer of Heroes

February 15, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

Ready for some brand-new adventures at the Disneyland Resort? Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog just announced that Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will open at Disney California Adventure park on May 27. This thrilling attraction will take you right into the middle of the action as you help Rocket bust his friends out of the Collector’s Fortress. With music inspired by the film’s popular soundtrack, randomized ride experiences, and all-new visual and audio effects, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is sure to be a rocking ride.

In more super news, Disney California Adventure will be celebrating the arrival of the Guardians of the Galaxy with Summer of Heroes, a limited-time celebration of even more Super Hero stories. Taking place starting May 27 to September 10, Summer of Heroes will be an epic adventure, featuring five brand-new experiences:

1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!
Star-Lord gets the party started by firing up his old-school boom box for this new, year-round rock ‘n’ roll bash at Disney California Adventure park. While Gamora may just stand back and observe, everyone else is sure to join this awesome dance off.

2. A Meet and Greet Treet
This news has us saying, well, “I am Groot” (which here means, “we’re so excited!”). For the first time, guests will come face-to-face with Groot, one of the Guardians of the Galaxy. In this new, year-round encounter, guests can also meet favorite heroes Captain America and Spider-Man.

3. Heroic Encounter: Black Widow
In this limited-time experience, Black Widow will arrive in an armored Avengers vehicle several times throughout the day for a heroic encounter with Disney California Adventure guests.

4. Avengers Training Initiative
Think you have what it takes to be an Avenger? For a limited time, Black Widow and Hawkeye are looking for new young recruits. Watch as aspiring young Avengers face a series of tests to see if they have skills to join the ranks of the Avengers.

5. Special Sweets, Eats, and Souvenirs
Continue this epic adventure with some hero-worthy eats and special themed merchandise, available throughout Hollywood Land during the Summer of Heroes.

Are you ready to #HeroUp at Disney California Adventure? Stay tuned for more Disney news, including reopening dates of the Disneyland Railroad, Rivers of America attractions, and Fantasmic!

5 Enchanting Ways to Celebrate Beauty and the Beast at Disneyland Park

February 14, 2017February 14, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

With the debut of the live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast just around the corner, we’re finding more and more ways to celebrate this tale as old as time. Just now, our friends at the Disney Parks Blog shared five ways to be their guest at Disneyland park. These experiences are only available for a limited time, so be sure to explore Disneyland before the last petal falls (and stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details, including opening dates)!

1. Enchanting Eats at Red Rose Taverne
Village Haus Restaurant will transform into Red Rose Taverne, a lively French eatery filled with delicious quick-service meals for hungry beauties and beasts of all ages. Travel through each room of Red Rose Taverne to see the story of the animated classic Beauty and the Beast come to life through stunning murals. A feast for the eyes and the stomach, Red Rose Taverne will feature favorite tastes with a French taverne-inspired twist alongside new signature beverages. Plus, guests can get a taste of the infamous Grey Stuff—bon appétit!

2. Special Souvenirs at Royal Reception
After feeding the beast within, stop by Royal Reception (just next to Red Rose Taverne) to explore a treasure trove of collectibles inspired by the animated film and the upcoming live-action retelling.

3. Bonjour, Gaston!
Keep your eyes peeled—you just might find Gaston strutting about near Red Rose Taverne. That’s right! Everyone’s favorite guy (at least LeFou thinks so…) will be gracing guests with his pristine presence.

4. Treats with a Twist
Maurice’s Treats in Fantasy Faire will get even sweeter with new dipping sauces—marinara, strawberry, and yep, Grey Stuff!

5. A Royal Retelling
After grabbing a twist at Maurice’s Treats, stop by the Royal Theatre to see the royal players Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones perform their dramatic (and comedic) adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.

Celebrate a Friendship-Filled Gal-Palentine’s Day Like These BFFs

February 13, 2017

By Jocelyn Buhlman

This season of love and affection isn’t just for romantic couples. Sometimes, the heroine isn’t longing for true love’s kiss–she just wants a nice night out with her girlfriends. To celebrate the love of friendship between a gal and her pals, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite friends who are ready to celebrate their Gal-Palentine’s Day, Disney-style!

Tiana and Charlotte, The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Charlotte is a pampered heiress-turned-Mardi Gras-princess; Tiana is a hardworking entrepreneur who falls into love and into royalty. But despite their differences, these two couldn’t be closer. In their times of need, they’re there for each other to save the day, kiss any frogs, and support each other in their friendship.

Amelia and Abigail Gabble, The Aristocats (1970)
These silly twin Brits traveling abroad are memorable for their matching, colorful bonnets and the antics of crazy Uncle Waldo. While they’re on their tour of France, perhaps they might take a day to celebrate their friendship… and maybe even hang out with some cool cats.

Pocahontas and Nakoma, Pocahontas (1995)
When it comes to great friendships, sometimes opposites attract. Playful Pocahontas and practical Nakoma may have different approaches to life, but in the face of trouble these best friends always have each other’s backs.

Honey Lemon and Gogo Tomago, Big Hero 6 (2014)
It may seem like these two engineers come from different worlds—Honey studies chemicals and colors, while Gogo loves all things fast—but they make a great team, whether they’re saving the world or enjoying a meal at the Lucky Cat Café.

Maggie, Mrs. Caloway, and Grace, Home on the Range (2004)
These daring dairy cows just want to have some girl time at the Little Patch of Heaven Ranch, but when faced with dastardly forces, these bold bovines will stop at nothing to save the day!

Maid Marian and Lady Kluck, Robin Hood (1973)
This lady/lady-in-waiting duo know how to have a good time—whether they’re fighting Prince John’s evil regime or playing a rousing game of badminton. Today’s a day for them to get away from all the Merry Men and celebrate a very royal friendship, indeed.

Dory and Destiny, Finding Dory (2016)
Their friendship was forged during their time in the Marine Life Institute, and Dory and Destiny were delighted to be reunited years later during Dory’s adventures. The near-sighted whale shark, Destiny, provided friendship that had a lasting impact on Dory’s life. Even if Dory couldn’t always remember her past, she could still remember the lessons Destiny taught her. What’s whale for “Friends forever?”

Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, Minnie’s Bow-Toons (2013)
Of course, how can we celebrate a day of female friendships without remembering the original gal pals, Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck? If anyone deserve a night out on the town to celebrate their friendship, it’s these two trendsetting best pals.

How to Have a Magical Valentine’s Day Date at a Disney Theme Park

February 13, 2017February 13, 2017

By Jocelyn Buhlman

There’s no better way to spend Valentine’s Day than at a Disney theme park—and there are so many ways to enjoy that Disney magic. To help you plan that perfect day with your sweetheart, our love experts at D23 suggest these date ideas to take your Valentine to a whole new world!

Disney Foodie Feast

If you both have an appetite for more than just romance, head over to your favorite Disney theme park for a day full of dining and deliciousness. No matter whether you’re “eating around the world” at Epcot or dining all day on turkey legs, churros, and Dole Whips—you know you’ll be in for a delicious Disney date!

Must-See Attraction: Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy a Dole Whip float together.

Ideal Souvenir: Stop by your favorite candy shop in the park and pick up a treat to bring the Disney delights home with you!

The Perfect Picture: Once you’ve loaded up on your tasty treats from all over the park, make sure to take a picture of your deliciously-packed table for two.

Picture-Perfect Date

Make some memories together by planning a date of photo fun through your favorite Disney theme park. Try getting pictures with all your favorite characters, pulling silly poses on in-ride photos, and taking photos wearing matching mouse ears. At the end of the day, you’ll have a perfect collection of memories from a magical date!

Must-See Attraction: It’s not a photo date without a picture in front of a landmark attraction, so grab your cutie and stop by the castle, Tree of Life, or Spaceship Earth, and get ready to say “Cheese!”

Ideal Souvenir: A photo frame from your theme park of choice will be perfect for displaying that sweet picture of your day.

The Perfect Picture: No matter which park you visit, you can always find time to take a selfie with Mickey. Nothing is more appropriate for a photo date than saying “Cheese!” with the Big Cheese himself.

A Thrilling Date

Your sweetheart already makes your heart race, so why not plan a whole date around that thrilling feeling and seek out your favorite fast-paced Disney attractions? Spend the day gripping tight to your date’s arm while you scream with excitement on your favorite Disney attractions.

Must-See Attraction: No Disney thrill-seeker’s day is complete without scaling a mountain or two. Whether you’re bobsledding through the Matterhorn, expeditioning through the Forbidden Mountain of Expedition Everest, or riding the rapids down Roarin’ Mountain at Shanghai Disneyland, you’ll be sure to experience heart-racing thrills!

The Perfect Picture: To remember exactly just how much of a scream your ride was, many attraction offer in-ride photos, like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, or California Screamin’. Keep your eyes out for the flash of a camera and strike a pose!

Ideal Souvenir: Love the way one of your in-ride photos came out? Why not purchase it to commemorate your day of thrills and adventure?

Character Celebration

Go on an adventure through the world of Disney and meet all your favorite characters. Stop by meet and greets, enjoy a meal with character guests, and enjoy a day full of making new Disney friends!

Must-See Attraction: Whether you book a princess breakfast at Ariel’s Grotto in Disney California Adventure or enjoy a royal meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom, no character day is complete without a meal with the princesses.

Ideal Souvenir: An autograph book is an easy way to commemorate the cast of beloved characters you visit with throughout the day.

The Perfect Picture: Have you been practicing your royal posing? Clasp your hands over your heart and point your toe, and you’ll be looking as regal as the Disney princesses you meet!

A Glowing & Glittering Night

If you take the term “Date Night” seriously, why not make the most of the glowing ambiance of a Disney theme park? Watch a nighttime spectacular, enjoy the lights of Main Street, U.S.A., or experience some of your favorite outdoor attractions at night!

Must-See Attraction: Now that the Main Street Electrical Parade is shining its way down the streets of Disneyland again, find your favorite parade-viewing seat and get ready to enjoy the spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination with your sweetheart.

The Perfect Picture: Capture the essence of your magical night with a picture in front of the lit-up castle!

Ideal Souvenir: If you want to be able to “glow with the show,” grab a pair Made With Magic Mickey Ears, so that no matter where you walk in the park, you’ll be enjoying magical glowing lights.

The Classic Disneyland Date

You’ve seen it so many times: The cute couple posing in front of the castle, grinning on the carousel, and sharing matching Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars. There’s a nothing more charming than taking a Disney parks date the classic way.

Must-See Attraction: Make sure to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant and enjoy the view. A peaceful ride over Fantasyland lets you soak in the sights of the park and enjoy some quality time with your sweetheart.

The Perfect Picture: If you’re at Disneyland, take the time to throw a penny in Snow White’s Wishing Well and then snap a picture of the two of you in front of the well to remember your wishes that have already come true! If you’re at Magic Kingdom Park, you can do the same at Cinderella’s Wishing Well.

Ideal Souvenir: The perfect way to commemorate a classic day of Disneyland fun is, of course, with matching Mickey and Minnie Mouse Ear Hats.

5 New Disney Parks and Resorts Announcements You Need to Know

February 9, 2017April 27, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

In our opinion, it’s always a good time to visit a Disney park or sail on a Disney Cruise. But this week gave us five new reasons we can’t wait for our next Disney trip! Read on for exciting announcements from Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.

Rivers of Light Debuts This Month
We’ve had so much fun exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom at night—seeing the animals of Kilimanjaro Safaris in a whole new light, dancing the night away at Harambe Wildlife Parti and Discovery Island Carnivale, and marveling over the Tree of Life awakening. Now, a brand-new nighttime experience, Rivers of Light, will join this lively lineup when it premieres on Discovery River February 17. Blending together live performers, floating sets, fountains, and more, Rivers of Light honors the magic of animals and nature. You can reserve your viewing for the brand-new show (and even make dining reservations) by visiting MyDisneyExperience.com or the My Disney Experience app.

Pandora – The World of Avatar Gets an Opening Date
Speaking of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora – The World of Avatar will debut on May 27—that’s just a few short months away! Click here for more details.

All-New Fireworks Spectacular Coming to Magic Kingdom
Get ready to celebrate the end of an amazing day at Magic Kingdom in a whole new way—an all-new fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After, will making a sparkling debut on May 12. The show will feature some favorite Disney films (including Moana, Brave, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, The Princess and the Frog, and Aladdin) and iconic adventures Disney characters have taken to achieve their dreams and find their “happily ever afters.” The spectacular uses the latest fireworks and pyrotechnics, accompanied by original animation, state-of-the-art projection-mapping technology, and an original score.

In even more sweet news, the Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace will continue with the debut of Happily Ever After––the cherry on top of a perfect night!

Beauty and the Beast Show Enchants on Disney Dream
From spectaculars above the skies at Magic Kingdom to spectaculars across the sea, a brand-new stage production, Beauty and the Beast, will delight audiences on the Disney Dream starting November 6. Click here for more details.

Star Wars-Themed Lands to Open in 2019
The eagerly anticipated Star Wars-themed lands will open in 2019 at Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Click here for more details.

6 Valentine’s Cards for Every Disney Fan in Your Life

February 9, 2017

By D23 Team

Whether your Valentine lives in a galaxy far, far away or coasts the E.A.C., we have a valentine for every Disney fan you hold near and dear to your heart. Click the link underneath each card to download your favorite ones!

Click here to download.

Beauty and the Beast Stage Spectacular Coming to Disney Dream

February 9, 2017March 26, 2018

By Nicole Nalty

Disney Cruise Line invites you to be their guest with Beauty and the Beast, a brand-new musical production inspired by Disney’s live-action adaptation of the animated classic. Starting November 6, guests aboard the Disney Dream can experience the enchanting fairytale like never before, as the new production seamlessly weaves the romance, adventure, and magic of the live-action film with the powerful nostalgia of the beloved animated feature.

Something there that wasn’t there before
Taking the stage in the Walt Disney Theatre, Beauty and the Beast will tell the classic story through a new lens, with the help of a music box. Created by set designer Jason Sherwood (Paint Your Wagon, Frozen, A Musical Spectacular) and video designer Aaron Rhyne (Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, Broadway’s Anastasia), this scenic motif will flawlessly guide audiences through the tale as old as time, from Belle’s little town to Beast’s castle.

They can sing, they can dance
The musical production will feature two new songs created for the live-action film by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice: “How Does a Moment Last Forever” and “Days in the Sun.” The two songs will stand alone from the film versions with brand-new arrangements and orchestrations by Matt Castle and Frank Galgano (Into the Woods). And, of course, iconic songs that first appeared in the animated film, including “Belle,” “Something There,” and “Beauty and the Beast” will be revamped to fit the new show, and showstoppers “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest” will continue to do just that in production numbers. In fact, “Be Our Guest” has been completely re-imagined for the stage show––we can’t wait to feast our eyes on this new adaptation!

Charming characters
What would Beauty and the Beast be without its enchanted (and enchanting!) objects? Favorite characters like Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts will take the stage in an all-new way, thanks to a special blend of costuming and puppetry from costume designer Sarah Cubbage (Broadway’s Skylight) and puppet designer Lake Simon (Etiquette Unraveled).

Beauty and the Beast is led by director and choreographer Connor Gallagher (Tangled: The Musical, Found), who collaborated with writer Sara Wodsworth (Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, Broadway’s In Transit) and an amazing team, including four-time Tony® Award-nominated Japhy Weideman to amaze audiences aboard the Disney Dream.

You can find out more about this spectacular new show or book your vacation at disneycruise.com.

10 Disney Proposal Stories that Will Make You Believe in Love

February 9, 2017February 10, 2017

By D23 Team

Whether you’ve already found your prince(ss) charming or you’re still wishing upon a star for true love’s first kiss, there’s something magical about a Disney happily ever after. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked you to share your Disney proposal stories with us:

1. On Top of the World
“I proposed to my partner at the Top of the World lounge at Bay Lake Tower while watching the Wishes fireworks. We come to Walt Disney World frequently and to pop the question at a place that means so much to us both made this an extra special memory. Everyone applauded when he said yes!”—Michael Sferro

2. Out-of-this-Galaxy Engagement
“[We got engaged] right in front of Chewbacca! Magical! We have known each other since we were 5 years old in Kindergarten! Forty years later we got engaged at the Happiest Place on Earth!”—Melodie Bond

3. Surprise at Sleeping Beauty Castle
“It was our two-year anniversary as a couple and we decided to spend the day together at Disneyland. He kept telling me we were going to be late for something and I thought he might propose! He completely tricked me and took me to Carnation Cafe and told me that was my surprise. It was cute, but I was expecting something very different! After we finished breakfast, he told me he had one more surprise for me. He takes me to Sleeping Beauty Castle and I see my whole family standing in front! Still thinking the proposal thing was out the window, and [concluding that] spending the day at Disneyland with my family was the surprise, I ran up and hugged everyone. As I turned around he was on one knee! We will be married two years in April.”—Desiree Swift Cortes

4. Under the Sea Engagement
“We got engaged at Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot on September 1, 2005. I am a scuba diver and loved the idea of having dinner next to a huge aquarium. A scuba diver swam down next to our table and started tapping on the glass and pointing at me. He unrolled a sign and put it on the glass and it said ‘Kristen—Will you marry me? Love, Ryan.’ I was in disbelief! I turned to look at Ryan across the table and he was on his knee next to me with a ring! The whole restaurant stopped and cheered––another guest even drew a picture of the event and gave it to us as a gift! The whole night was magical.”—Kristen Cabot Brady

5. An Enchanting Evening
“This past October, my partner asked me to marry her at Walt Disney World. We always talked about getting engaged, but she surprised me during a last-minute trip for Halloween. I adore everything Disney, but I really love Beauty and the Beast so we went dressed as Belle and Beast for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. We had reservations at Be Our Guest Restaurant and the dinner was phenomenal. After dinner, we met Beast. I took my picture with Beast and turned to leave the room in excitement when the cast members had to tell me to turn around. She told me she had this speech planned, but all she could say was ‘Will you marry me?’ and all I could do was nod! The entire room erupted into cheers and applause! My fiancé and I have never felt so accepted and welcomed publicly as a couple as we did that night. The cast members were amazing and the guests were so kind. This was truly a magical night and Disney is our happy place.”—Trishia Wajda

6. A Newsworthy Engagement
“We went to see Newsies on Broadway during our first trip to New York City. During curtain call, my husband snuck off to the bathroom to change into a Newsies-inspired outfit, then surprised me with a tour of the set after the show! He took me up on the stage and pulled out a newspaper with a headline that read ‘Will You Marry Me’ as he got down on one knee. It was absolutely perfect!”—Amber Heimbegner

7. The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt
“I set up a scavenger hunt throughout all four parks with an invitation to Sara from Mickey to follow the clues. After a day of visiting each park at Walt Disney World, we both made a wish at Cinderella Wishing Well. After the park closed, I asked Sara to make my wish come true in front of Cinderella Castle–and the PhotoPass photographer helped make it an even more magical memory! This winter, we’ll be enjoying a land and sea honeymoon at Walt Disney World and on a Disney Cruise. Thanks for the most excellent memories! Our trips to Walt Disney World have brought us closer together—something sorely needed during a five-year long-distance relationship!”—Tim Rooney

8. Parasol Proposal
“I commissioned my proposal to be written on a parasol in New Orleans Square. It was Valentine’s Day, so my girlfriend didn’t think twice about a trip to the parks, and even less of the fact that I wore a blazer. (It was a little warm, but it was the only thing that hid the ring box). I had gotten my parents, her parents, and her best friend into the park, to film the big reveal, and there were some close calls––we must have walked past my now mother-in law twice, and thankfully my girlfriend didn’t notice. When the time came, everything went perfectly and it was a beautiful moment, captured on video with applause and happy tears. After, we celebrated at Café Orleans. To this day, I really don’t think I could organize anything that detailed again, but it was worth it. The cast member at the parasol stand told me, to their knowledge, no one had ever proposed in that way before. We do love to make magic.”—Tucker Knowlton Boyes

9. Forever Young
“On our first trip together to Walt Disney World, on the very last day, my fella and I went to meet Peter Pan. Drew asked for Peter’s permission to grow up. Peter insisted this was a bad, BAD idea and he forbade it. Drew carefully explained that if he couldn’t grow up a little bit, then he couldn’t get married. Peter hesitated, then amended his statement to say that he would allow Drew to have his own Wendy. Drew got down on one knee and asked me to be his Wendy, and I said yes. We decided to never grow up together!”—Aly Mierzejewski

10. Wishes Come True
“I took my wife (girlfriend at the time) to Disneyland one evening for the ‘perfect date.’ We had dinner together at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, enjoyed the fireworks spectacular, and then watched Fantasmic! from our priority seats. When Fantasmic! ended, I took her to Snow White Grotto, where we both tossed a coin into the wishing well. ‘Want to know what I wished for?’ I asked. ‘The only thing that would make this night more magical.’ I then got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. We have been happily married for more than five years now.”—Kevin Lemley

EXCLUSIVE: Listen to “No More Fear” from Freaky Friday

February 9, 2017February 9, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

Fans of Freaky Friday, rejoice! Whether you’ve been a fan since the publication of Mary Rodger’s 1972 novel or the debut of the 1977 feature adaptation, or if you discovered the hilarious hijinks with the release of the 1995 television movie or the 2003 feature film, get ready to celebrate the story in a whole new way with a brand-new musical based on the classic story. While we eagerly await its arrival in La Jolla (join us for a performance and special post-show chat!), our friends at Disney Music are giving us a first listen at one of the songs created for the musical!

“No More Fear,” sung by Emma Hunton as Katherine, the mother, in her daughter Ellie’s body, (freaky, right?) is a pivotal moment for Katherine to inspire her daughter to be bold and move through life without fear.

Take a listen below and pre-order the album here. Digital Redemption is available Feb 10 and Physical CD is available March 17.

James White Celebrates at Magic Kingdom—Plus More in News Briefs

February 8, 2017March 26, 2018

By Courtney Potter

Super Bowl Hero James White Visits Walt Disney World

Can you believe it’s been a full 30 years since the first Super Bowl-winning football player celebrated his team’s victory with a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resorts? The tradition started back in 1987, just after Super Bowl XXI, and now all kinds of achievements—in sports and beyond—are memorialized with a trip to visit Mickey Mouse and his pals…

Naturally, this year is no different: James White, a New England Patriots running back and one of the heroes of Super Bowl LI this past Sunday, was honored with a colorful, celebration-filled parade on Monday down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park! Park guests and NFL fans alike lined the street as James smiled and waved from a float he shared with Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney characters. After all that Main Street, U.S.A. fanfare, James posed for photos and even enjoyed some fun time in the park—including a trip on the popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Congrats to James and his teammates!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
February 10, 2017
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Dave Smith
February 11, 2017
D23’s Magical Screening Series: Tangled in Florida
February 19, 2017
D23 Member Night at Freaky Friday at La Jolla Playhouse
March 8, 2017
Exclusive D23 Beauty and the Beast Advanced Screening and Luncheon
April 10, 2017
D23 Members Invited to “Eat Like Walt” at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
Studios
February 16, 18 and 22, 2017
Newsies in select movie theaters
March 17, 2017
Beauty and the Beast opens in theaters
April 21, 2017
Born in China opens in theaters
May 5, 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opens in theaters
May 26, 2017
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
opens in theaters
June 16, 2017
Cars 3 opens in theaters
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

Parks
January 13–February 20, 2017
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
January 20–February 5, 2017
Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure park
March 10–April 16, 2017
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
August 31-November 13, 2017
Epcot Food & Wine Festival
2019
Star Wars-Themed Lands Opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Television
February 26, 2017
The Oscars® are broadcast on ABC
March 10, 2017
Tangled Before Ever After premieres on Disney Channel at 8 p.m. ET
March 24, 2017
Tangled: The Series premieres on Disney Channel at 7:30 p.m. ET

New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Teaser Trailer

If you happened to be watching the “Big Game” this past Sunday (and eating copious amounts of delicious snack foods, because that’s clearly part of the fun), you may have noticed there were several very cool, brand-new teaser trailers (from Disney and Marvel) that premiered during the broadcast. Case in point: An extended first look at Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2! (If you missed it the first time ‘round, check it out above.)

Our favorite ragtag team of vagabond heroes—Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Baby Groot (Vin Diesel), and Drax (Dave Bautista)—is back and better than ever… and they’re joined by Yondu (Michael Rooker) and Nebula (Karen Gillan), as they continue to hurtle around the universe—this time trying to unlock the mystery of Star-Lord’s parentage.

Ready to go “running in the shadows” with the Guardians? You’ll have to wait til May 5… but if this teaser is any indication, it’ll be so worth it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Extended Trailer Debuts

Honestly, Sunday’s game was an embarrassment of cinematic riches—besides the Guardians sneak, we also caught a glimpse of the next installment in the Pirates adventure… Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tale No Tales. In case you had to refill your chips and guac during this particular commercial break, take a gander at the trailer, above.

Johnny Depp returns as everyone’s favorite antihero, Captain Jack Sparrow—and as per usual, the good cap’n is in a heap of trouble… a cadre of deadly ghost sailors (led by the terrifying Captain Salazar, played by Javier Bardem) have escaped from the Devil’s Triangle, and they’re bent on killing every pirate at sea—especially Jack! His only hope of survival lies in the fabled Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy partnership with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. Ultimately, Captain Jack must reverse his string of ill fortune and face down one of the most formidable foes he’s ever encountered.

The fifth film in the franchise also stars Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa, Golshifteh Farahani (Body of Lies) as sea-witch Shansa, and, yes—Orlando Bloom as Will Turner. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales sails into theaters on May 26!

Beauty and the Beast to Celebrate Opening Night with Nationwide Events

We’re just a few short weeks from the debut of Walt Disney Studios’ live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast—and to celebrate, they’ve just scheduled some fantastic special opening night events for BATB fans around the country on Thursday, March 16. The events—at around 600 locations nationwide—will take place ahead of the 7 p.m. showings at theaters with IMAX®, Dolby Cinema®, and other select premium large formats. Fans will not only get the opportunity to be among the first to experience the highly anticipated film, but they’ll also get to see some exclusive behind-the-scenes on-screen content… plus, it’ll be the only chance for in-theater audiences to see Ariana Grande and John Legend’s music video for their big new “Beauty and the Beast” duet!

Tickets for these Beauty and the Beast opening night fan events are on sale now and available through BeOurGuest.com/fan-events. For more information, including which theaters near you might be participating, visit BeOurGuest.com.

Psst! D23 Members are invited to attend an advance screening of the film––click here for details.

Freeform and Marvel Announce Cast for New Series Cloak & Dagger

Freeform is ready to enter the Marvel Universe in a big way with Cloak & Dagger, a live-action series based on two beloved Marvel comic book characters. Former Disney Channel star and Hollywood Records recording artist Olivia Holt will portray Tandy Bowen, a once-privileged little girl who watched as her family was destroyed by a disastrous storm that uprooted her life. Now in her late teens, an unexpected encounter with a boy named Tyrone Johnson sparks a life-changing event. Aubrey Joseph (Run All Night, The Night Of) will play Tyrone, who, as a young man wanted nothing more than to prove he was fearless… but when everything he held close was taken away, life taught him to be afraid. Now older and more sheltered, Tyrone closes himself off—until he meets a girl named Tandy, and his life changes forever.

Additional cast for Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger will be announced at a later date, so stay tuned for more info on the decidedly intriguing show as it becomes available.

New “Rebel” Teaser for Descendants 2

The sequel to Disney Channel’s über-successful original movie Descendants won’t grace our screens for a few months yet—but thankfully, we’ve been getting some exciting sneak peeks over the last few weeks. And here’s another one! Check out the new teaser video, subtitled “Rebel,” above.

Cool, right? We get to see Descendants 2’s new villains in action—namely, Uma (Ursula’s daughter), Harry Hook (Captain Hook’s son), and Gil (Gaston’s son). This time ‘round, Mal (Dove Cameron) returns to her rotten roots on the Isle of the Lost, where Uma (China Anne McClain) and the other Villain Kids are setting out to break the barrier between the Isle of the Lost and Auradon, and unleash all the villains imprisoned on the Isle, once and for all. Say it ain’t so!

Look for Descendants 2 this summer, only on Disney Channel.

Music Acts Set for Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival—the fabulously fragrant Walt Disney World event now in its 24th year—is only a few weeks away… and as in festivals past, a dizzying array of awesome music acts from the ‘60s through the ‘90s will be providing an exciting soundtrack. The “Garden Rocks” concert series brings your favorite stars from rock and pop history to the America Gardens Theatre; this year, there’s not only music all weekend long (Friday through Sunday), but every Monday, too!

This year’s line-up includes The Pointer Sisters (pictured above) (March 10 though 13); Night Ranger (March 24 through 27); Berlin featuring Terri Nunn (April 30 through May 1); and The Spinners (May 26 through 29). “Garden Rocks” concert performances are held each Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of the Festival; show times are at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. each night. The best news? Concerts are included with regular park admission to Epcot!

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs from March 1 to May 29. For more info, visit epcotinspring.com.

Disney Foodie Feast

Picture-Perfect Date

A Thrilling Date

Character Celebration

A Glowing & Glittering Night

The Classic Disneyland Date

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

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