Happy Winds-day—and Happy Winnie the Pooh Day! In celebration of author A.A. Milne’s birthday and our favorite silly willy nilly ol’ bear, we’ve gathered some of the sweetest (and silliest) quotes to share with friends and family that you love more than honey––okay… maybe just as much as honey.
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By Jocelyn Buhlman
The famous theme song for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress declares “There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day,” but sometimes the promise of tomorrow has already come true today! Walt Disney tasked his Imagineers to envision ways to make our future bright, and the stories they told with classic theme park attractions like Spaceship Earth, Horizons, and the House of the Future promised us a future where robots helped us around the house, humans lived in space, and cars were crafted on the cutting edge. Does that sound like a fantastical future, or marvelous modern day? You may be surprised to learn just what kind of innovations Walt and the Imagineers predicted that are in use today!
1. Video Chat—WorldKey Information (1982), Spaceship Earth (1994) and Horizons (1983)
You just finished a video call on your laptop with your best friend, who happens to be working in China right now. You pick up your phone and see you have a Snapchat from your sister—another cat video! You send back a video of your dog, snoring on your couch, and don’t even think twice about what kind of futuristic wonders you just participated in. But back in 1982, everyday use of video chat was an amazing technological wonder of the future. On opening day, Epcot introduced WorldKey Information, in which guests could actually see a Cast Member while booking reservations. A year later, the fondly-remembered Epcot attraction Horizons opened and imagined what the world would be like in the 21st century. While not everything in “tomorrow’s windows”—i.e. achievable visions of the future—has yet been reached (we haven’t started building underwater cities yet!), the attraction envisioned the use of video chatting as a modern form of communication. Additionally, the 1994 version of Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth featured a future scene of an boy in America talking to a girl in Japan through video. At the time, the concept was still uncommon, but now the ability to talk with an international friend over video is as easy as picking up your phone!
2. Aero 2000—World of Motion (1982):
It’s fun to be free! The classic Epcot attraction World of Motion humorously showcased the history of human transportation through the years, from the wonders of “foot power” all the way to the not-too-distant future city. After riding the beloved attraction, guests could explore the Transcenter, an elaborate display showing off futuristic car designs, such as the Aero 2000. The sleek Aero 2000 was shiny, silver, and designed for minimal wind resistance, but it also featured an exciting array of special features: handle-less doors, voice commands, satellite display, a rear view camera… are these features sounding futuristic to you, or did you use one of those functions in your car today? Yes, World of Motion featured wacky scenes of an explorer coming face-to-face with a whimsical sea serpent, or an Audio-Animatronics® used-chariot salesman selling his wares to fellow Romans, but it also took the proposition of future transportation seriously, and gave us a peek into a very real future for us!
3. The PeopleMover — PeopleMover (1967)
Serenely travelling across the skies of Tomorrowland, the PeopleMover was Walt Disney’s idea for an intra-city transportation system. Within Tomorrowland at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, the PeopleMover has provided guests with a peek inside different attractions while safely and efficiently transporting them around the park using environmentally-friendly linear induction motors. This technology actually became functional transportation just as Walt predicted when, in 1981, WED Transportation Systems (a division of what is now Walt Disney Imagineering) created a version of the WEDway PeopleMover for the Houston Intercontinental Airport. This version of the technology is currently simply called The Subway, but it is currently in operation at the airport and making Walt’s dream of future transportation come true today!
4. Voice Activation—Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (1993) and Communicore (1982)
Who can forget the current ending of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, updated in 1993, where Father promises that his newfangled voice-activated oven will finally not burn the turkey, only for Father to accidentally give voice commands to turn the temperature up to 975 degrees! Epcot’s interactive Communicore pavilion (1982–1994) featured a less-silly example of voice command, with a friendly robot named SMRT-1 who could interact with talkative guests. Talking to a robot may still seemed far-fetched for us futuristic fellas, but in the palm of our hand is a device that already obeys our spoken commands. Many smartphones have a personal assistant software that is voice-activated and voice-controlled—our very own talking robots! And many companies offer a bigger home assistant, which can play music for you, set up timers and alarms, and so much more. There is even a voice-activated oven on the market today, so you can be like the family in Carousel of Progress! But if you play video games to kill time while your turkey is cooking, try not to yell out your score…
5. Space Station—Horizons (1983)
The space station Brava Centauri, with its zero-gravity exercise rooms, space wheel, and hologram screens, appeared as an out-of-this world fantasy to riders who explored the different future worlds of Horizons. While we may not have a full city floating in space today, the concept of a space station has still transformed from Disney magic to world reality. The International Space Station began construction in 1998 and is currently used internationally for research and has been occupied for 16 years since 2000. Prior to that, both Russia and the United States have built smaller, shorter-lived space stations to orbit the earth as well. We may not be harvesting space crystals up there like the citizens of Brava Centauri once did, but the fantastic future of humans living in space is now a fantastic reality!
6. Shower Sound Systems—House of the Future (1957)
Exploring the classic Monsanto House of the Future attraction in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland opened up guests to a wide world of technological marvels: plastic furniture! Flat screen TVs! Even a microwave oven! Back in 1957, these revelations seemed like truly futuristic propositions, but now they are everyday items in our home. But the House of the Future also predicted more fun futuristic technology, like a sound system for your shower! Today, you want to get your groove on while getting clean; you don’t need to live in a giant, white modular house in the middle of Tomorrowland. You can use anything from a full, in-shower sound system, to waterproof speakers, to speakerphone attachments so you can waltz while you wash.
7. Robot Helpers—Horizons (1983)
Horizons created a future world of new ideas—“If we can dream it, we can do it,” the attraction famously declared. Some ideas, like video chatting, were exciting and cutting-edge promises of a better future. In the “Looking Back at Tomorrow” sequence, the attraction also showcased yesterday’s visions of the future, including some ideas that were a bit on the… sillier side. Who could forget the overworked robot chef, trying his hardest to multitask in the kitchen, or the robot butler dusting and vacuuming in his fancy suit? Well, we did dream it, so guess what? It may not be able to sweep your floors, cook a full meal, and (accidentally) feed your cat all at once, like Horizons’ robot chef, but you can find a robotic kitchen that can make a mean meal in 30 minutes—proof that even the silliest dreams of the future can come true! And we may not have a humanoid robotic butler to clean our house like Horizons suggested, but nowadays you can get a robotic vacuum that roams your house freely and takes care of at least one chore for you! It’s amazing what kind of inventions can be conceived when someone puts their imagination to work.
By Beth Deitchman
Mickey and his friends are racing into all-new adventures in Disney Junior’s new animated series, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, which features Disney details that fans of all ages are sure to appreciate. The series premieres this Sunday, January 15, in a special simulcast on Disney Junior and Disney Channel at 9 a.m. EST.
Executive producer Rob LaDuca and co-executive producer and supervising story editor Mark Seidenberg are lifelong Disney fans who can trace their own Disney roots back to Adventures of the Gummi Bears, the first-ever animated TV series from Disney Television Animation. D23 spoke with the pair about Mickey and the Roadster Racers, which takes the gang and their unique transforming cars on humorous high-spirited races around the globe and back home in Hot Dog Hills. LaDuca and Seidenberg led the creative team for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and for the new series they’ve created a bustling mini-metropolis for the gang. Hot Dog Hills boasts a racetrack, a busy downtown area, and a freeway system—the Big Ears Freeway—that’s a not-so-hidden Mickey when seen from above. “We started out by designing the garage, and then took a little bit from Toontown, took a little bit from classic Mickey shorts and kind of put it all together,” LaDuca says.
To create vehicles that are as unique as their drivers, the creative team looked at famed car collections, including those of legendary car “Kustomizer” George Barris, the man behind the original Batmobile, the Munster Koach, and KITT from the series Knight Rider; and legendary car collector (and comic) Jay Leno, who also voices the loquacious racing announcer, Billy Beagle, in the series. “We gave Mickey the classic hot rod, made from a Model T, like in Walt’s day,” LaDuca explains. Goofy’s car, not surprisingly, is an offbeat one in the form of a bathtub (with a working showerhead!); sailor Donald drives a boat on wheels; Daisy’s purple car coordinates perfectly with her style; and Minnie’s elegant car was inspired by a bow. “The design comes from a French car from the 1930s, the Delahaye,” LaDuca explains.
Like all the best racecars, the Fab Five (plus Pete) drive cars with significant numbers, some of which have a little Disney history behind them:
Mickey Mouse: No. 28
This is an easy one for Disney fans, who all remember that Mickey made his on-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928.
Minnie Mouse: No. 89
Art Director Sy Thomas chose this number to represent that it’s been 89 years since we first met Minnie in Steamboat Willie, as well.
Donald Duck: No. 3
Donald may be one of the “Fab Five” but he’s also a proud member of the Three Caballeros.
Daisy Duck: No. 4
A number chosen for Daisy in honor of her four best friends, Minnnie, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.
Goofy: No. 8
You’ve heard the phrase “crazy eights”—that’s kind of goofy, but Goofy drives the No. 8 roadster racer because he’s always behind the eight-ball.
Pete: No. 9
Mickey’s nemesis since Steamboat Willie, Pete keeps coming back around to try to best our hero, Mickey. The No. 9 represents the nine lives of a cat.
Legendary NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick, and Jeff Gordon have zoomed into the recording studio to lend their voices to new characters; and Tim Gunn—beloved by kids and families as the voice of Baileywick on Sofia the First and as the supportive mentor to aspiring designers on Project Runway—goes against character to play the curmudgeonly world-famous travel writer Robbie Roberts.
The characters may be racing around exotic locales like Paris and Hawai’i, but wherever Mickey and friends find themselves in Mickey and the Roadster Racers, the themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, loyalty, and friendship are always strong. “We really want to continue the heritage of Mickey being the most positive, optimistic character,” Seidenburg says. “He’s everybody’s best friend. Kids and their families really respond to that, and we can put him in any situation and Mickey’s going to find the solution—he’s going to find the rainbow under every cloud.”
By Jocelyn Buhlman
January 15, 2017 is National Hat Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a Disney flair! There are so many hats to try on, but don’t worry, because D23 has picked out our favorites in honor of the special day!
Chewbacca Cap
If you want to show off your intergalactic swagger, this baseball cap featuring a fuzzy Chewbacca will show everyone that your fashion sense is out of this world!
Spidey Beanie
Hide your secret identity with the help of this beanie featuring everyone’s favorite webhead. Just remember that with great hats comes great responsibility!
Ewok Hood
If it’s a little cold out and you need to keep yourself warm and cuddly, say “Yub nub!” to this Ewok Hood that keeps your face warm and toasty while keeping you looking like everyone’s favorite fuzzy warrior aliens.
Sequin Mickey Baseball Cap
To subtly let the world know you have style, try on this white baseball cap for size. The sequined Mickey Mouse decal will show off your fashion sense and your love of the classics.
Pixar Baseball Cap
Sometimes you want to support your favorite sports team, but sometimes you want to support your favorite animation team instead! Let everyone see your Pixar pride with this baseball cap that shows off all your favorite characters!
Oswald Ears
If you’re a fan of classic fashion but like to let your unique style shine, put on this set of ears. Styled like everyone’s favorite Mickey Mouse ear hat, these Oswald ears will make sure you stand out from the crowd!
Monsters University Baseball Cap
When you want look so good that it’s scary, put on this hat for your favorite alma matter. No matter if your degree was in Scream Can Design or Scaring, everyone will be impressed that you graduated from Monstropolis’ best university.
Alice in Wonderland Ears
Are you late for a very important date? Then quick, put on these ears and get out the door and don’t forget to make a left at Tulgey Wood! No matter what your watch says, there’s always time for tea—especially when the Mad Hatter and March Hare are right there on your hat!
Pooh Bear Ears
Are you looking at this list, thinking “Oh, bother…” and wondering if you’ll ever find a hat for you? Do you have a rumbly in your tummy and need the perfect accessory before you go out to eat? Perhaps a pair of Pooh bear ears will express your true self! Just make sure to avoid any blustery days…
Classic Ear Hat
Celebrate National Hat Day like a member of the Mickey Mouse Club by rocking this pair of iconic ears! Whether you’re at a Disney theme park or watching your favorite films at home with friends, this hat is the perfect accessory for celebration!
By Nicole Nalty
While we’re all for exploring the great outdoors, during the chillier months it’s nice to stay snuggled up and enjoy a relaxing day indoors. Here are some tips to ensure that you have the ultimate cozy Disney day:
1. Find your coziest Disney sweater, socks, or pajamas.
2. Grab your pillow pet, favorite plush, or softest blanket.
3. Whip up an awesome entrée––like Steakhouse 55’s Eggs Benedict.
4. Get started on a movie marathon––maybe you’ll watch all of the Star Wars films, or every Disney Princess film, or every Toy Story film (don’t forget the tissues!).
5. Make yourself a cup of hot cocoa (or create your own hot chocolate bar!).
6. Snuggle up with a good book (or two…).
7. Binge watch favorite shows on the ABC app.
8. De-stress with a little coloring.
9. Treat yourself to a facial sugar scrub inspired by Wreck-It Ralph––so sweet!
By Nicole Nalty
It has become an annual tradition for many Disney fans to attend the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. And now, fans can add another fantastic festival to their must-do list: the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. A celebration of visual, culinary, and performing arts, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts begins this Friday, January 13, and continues Fridays through Mondays until February 20. Read on to see what’s in store.
See the Stars
While the Epcot International Festival of the Arts will feature a variety of performing arts celebrating all kinds of genres and styles of music, we’re especially excited to see talent from Disney Theatrical Productions, like Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins on Broadway) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan on Broadway), come together to sing from the award winning songbook of Disney on Broadway. Performances will take place at the America Gardens Theatre stage at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. Friday through Monday during the festival. Click here for the full schedule of performers. For more information on all of the performances taking place during the festival, click here.
Exclusive Experiences
Try your hand at drawing, watercolor painting, calligraphy and more through Interactive Workshops offered exclusively at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. You can also dine at favorite Epcot restaurants and receive priority seating at the 8 p.m. performance of that night’s Disney on Broadway-inspired concert (Psst! You can book now by calling 407-WDW-DINE).
Culinary Works of Art
What would a festival at Epcot be without delicious eats? Explore an all-new culinary experience with foods that might just be too pretty to eat (At least take a picture first!). Eat your way through seven different food studios with a collection of artful eats and drinks––see a full list of all of the eats here.
Admire the Arts
Ooh and ah over amazing art from legendary artists Mary Blair and Herb Ryman, and listen as Disney artists host special seminars on their work. Plus, take a stroll around World Showcase to experience eight different exhibits inspired by Japan, Morocco, China, and more.
Will you be visiting the Epcot International Festival of the Arts? Be sure to use the hashtag #artfulepcot to share your insta-masterpieces!
By Courtney Potter
It’s been almost six years since we last saw legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) race around the world (and take down the evil Professor Z) in Disney•Pixar’s Cars 2. But gas up and start your engines, because everyone’s favorite Piston Cup champ is back! Cars 3 will rev into our hearts this summer—and we just got an extended sneak peek at the film… take a gander, above.
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, Lightning is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win… plus inspiration from the late, great “Fabulous” Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that No. 95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!
Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist, Cars and Cars 2) and produced by Kevin Reher (A Bug’s Life, La Luna), Cars 3 cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives January 14, 2017 The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23 January 19, 2017 D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: The Magic of Disney Park Maps February 4, 2017 D23’s Magical Screening Series: Tangled On the Lot February 11, 2017 D23’s Magical Screening Series: Tangled in FloridaFebruary 19, 2017 D23 Member Night at Freaky Friday at La Jolla Playhouse July 14-16, 2017 D23 Expo 2017 Studios December 16, 2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters 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 |
Parks January 13–February 20, 2017 Epcot International Festival of the Arts January 20, 2017 Main Street Electrical Parade returns to Disneyland park 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 Television January 15, 2017 Mickey and the Roadster Racers Premieres at 9 and 9:25 a.m. ET on Disney Channel and Disney Junior February 26, 2017 The Oscars® are broadcast on ABC |
Get ready for a new way to enjoy attractions at Disneyland Resort! Disney MaxPass allows guests to make their experiences even more memorable with unlimited downloads of PhotoPass images and mobile booking and redemption of Disney FASTPASS through the Disneyland App. Disney MaxPass will be available for an introductory price of $10 a day, but Annual Passholders will be happy to know that Disney MaxPass will be available to purchase on a daily or yearly basis for current passholders. Disney FASTPASS at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks will still be available for guests, with two attractions joining the 14 already utilizing Disney FASTPASS –– Matterhorn Bobsleds and Toy Story Mania! Stay tuned for more details.
There’s more adventure on the horizon for everyone’s favorite wayfinder and her demigod pal! Walt Disney Animation Studios is introducing an all-new, sing-along version of the hit, critically-acclaimed comedy-adventure Moana—and it’s coming to theaters nationwide on January 27. Prior to its roll-out across the U. S. of A., the sing-along version will premiere exclusively at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre on January 20. Plus, the good news continues: The original theatrical version of the film will be available on digital platforms this February 21, and on Blu-ray™, DVD, and On Demand this March.
The sing-along version of Moana includes the full feature film with on-screen lyrics, so audiences can belt out the words to their favorite songs—such as the Golden Globe®-nominated “How Far I’ll Go,” written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Moviegoers should check their local listings for showtimes and theaters… and just FYI: The sing-along run will vary by location, so don’t miss out!
We’re now fully ensconced in 2017, and that means we’ll soon be singing that “song as old as rhyme” when Beauty and the Beast—Disney’s live-action re-telling of the classic 1991 animated film—roars into theaters this spring. And during this past weekend’s Golden Globes broadcast, a brand-new TV spot debuted… featuring a sneak peek of Emma Watson singing “Belle”! Be our guest and check out the new clip, above.
But that’s not all—a new poster for the film (seen above) just debuted as well. It’s the very first time we’ve seen some of our favorite “enchanted objects” as their human counterparts, including Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, and Sir Ian McKellen as Cogsworth.
Beauty and the Beast waltzes into a cineplex near you on March 17!
Speaking of the Golden Globes, Disney was well represented during the primetime broadcast… First, Tracee Ellis Ross won Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series—Comedy or Musical for her hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of Dr. Rainbow “Bow” Johnson in ABC’s black-ish—and later in the evening, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2016 hit Zootopia took home the trophy for Best Animated Feature Film!
Catch new episodes of black-ish on Wednesday nights through January 18, on ABC… and bring Zootopia home on Blu-ray™, Digital HD, or Disney Movies Anywhere now.
Epcot has hosted its Food & Wine Festival since 1995, which often left West Coast foodies hungering for their own version. Thankfully, their prayers were answered when Disney California Adventure (DCA) announced its own Food & Wine Festival a few years ago. After a short sojourn, the fest returned in 2016… and not surprisingly, it’s back this spring! The popular culinary celebration will delight DCA guests each day from March 10 through April 16, 2017.
Fans of delicious flavor are invited to celebrate some of the best of delicious California cuisine throughout the park—and there will be even more Festival Marketplaces to enjoy this year, plus enhanced Festival-inspired menus at existing restaurants and eateries, where guests can savor delicious eats from across the Golden State. Guests will enjoy culinary experiences created for the whole family, including a variety of food, beverage, and lifestyle seminars; cooking demonstrations; and all kinds of yummy presentations. Plus, look for appearances by celebrity chefs like Duff Goldman, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Guy Fieri, and more!
Tickets for premium experiences will be available starting February 1—and more information on the entire fest is forthcoming, so keep your eyes (and your apples) peeled…
Reading truly is, as the saying goes, fundamental—and to that end, Disney and ABC have just kicked off their fifth annual “Magic of Storytelling” Campaign with a donation of up to a whopping 1 million books to First Book, a nonprofit that provides new books to educators and organizations serving children from low-income families.
The campaign, which lasts now through March 31, aims to inspire imagination, cultivate a lifelong love of reading in kids, and bring books to underserved communities across the country. Disney itself has, over the last 16 years, donated an incredible 57 million books to First Book!
During the “Magic of Storytelling” campaign, families are encouraged to put everything else down, pick up a book, and read (independently or together!) during the second annual nationwide Disney Reads Day on February 4. Families can do this at home by taking time to read their favorite books together, or by visiting a participating Disney Store, Barnes & Noble, or other retail location for story time, themed activities, and cool giveaways. You can also help by posting a “Shelfie”—a selfie photo with a favorite book, or in front of a bookshelf—on Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag “#MagicOfStorytelling”; for every “Shelfie” shared, Disney will donate a book to First Book!
For info on all the imaginative fun over these next few months, visit MagicOfStorytelling.com.
Ready to take a little time and enjoy The View… direct from Disney’s Animal Kingdom? We sure are! For the first time ever, ABC’s long-running daytime chat fest will be broadcast live from Walt Disney World Resort.
For five magical days this spring, co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Jedediah Bila, and Sunny Hostin will take up residence right in front of the “Tree of Life” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for scintillating conversations about the latest “Hot Topics”—as well as chats with some amazing celebrity guests. Plus, the co-hosts will experience the magic of all four Walt Disney World theme parks. (Previously, The View broadcast from The Walt Disney Studios in March 2009, and from Disneyland Resort in November 2013.)
Sounds cool, right? Well, what if we told you there’s a chance you could visit Walt Disney World Resort alongside the View crew? The View’s “Magic Is Endless” sweepstakes, presented by American Tourister, offers the chance for three lucky viewers to win grand-prize packages—including a trip for themselves and up to three guests each to stay at Walt Disney World Resort; attend a taping of The View at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; and receive a $500 Disney gift card. Fans can enter now through January 29… for more information and your chance to win, visit www.TheViewMagicIsEndlessSweepstakes.com.
We here at D23 are big fans of the Hundred Acre Wood (and the adorable animals that live therein), so we’re all about celebrating National Winnie the Pooh Day on Wednesday, January 18. And it looks like our pals over at Doc McStuffins are similarly enamored of Pooh, Tigger, and all their friends: In a very special episode of Disney Junior’s Peabody Award-winning hit series, set to air on January 18 (at 7:30 p.m. EST), Doc and her toys will welcome Winnie the Pooh and friends to McStuffinsville.
The episode, “Into the Hundred Acre Wood!,” begins when Doc and the toys spot Pooh floating through the air, unable to get down. As they set out to rescue him, the wind magically transports them all to the Hundred Acre Wood—where Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore join Doc and the toys in the search for Pooh, in hopes of finding him in time for his favorite event of the year… the Honey Festival!
“Into the Hundred Acre Wood!” features two original songs, “Follow That Bear!” and “Think Heavy Thoughts,” both written and produced by Michelle Lewis, Kay Hanley, and Dan Petty. Winnie the Pooh also sings the series’ iconic song “I Feel Better.” So mark those calendars—and take a look at the episode’s trailer, above.
By Jocelyn Buhlman
We’ve been jumping to lightspeed with Star Tours since the attraction opened in 1987, although nowadays we experience our galactic adventures through the updated Star Tours—The Adventures Continue. As we celebrate over 30 years of amazing adventures with this Disney attraction found in parks all over the world, D23 has rounded up some fun facts about the Endor Express and beyond!
A Familiar Flight Number
While your destination changes every time you ride Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, the flight number always remains the same: 1401. That number is a special shout-out by the Imagineers who designed the ride, since the street address for Walt Disney Imagineering is 1401! Even when the Imagineers are flying out of this world, they can always take a little bit of their home with them.
A Blast from the Past
Fans of the original version of Star Tours may recognize a familiar voice while they wait in the queue for Star Tours—The Adventures Continue. Sputtering out with a glitchy voice, “T-this is C-c-captain Rex,” and other notable quotes from his original run on Star Tours, everyone’s favorite first-time flier, Captain Rex, is boxed up in a crate labelled “DEFECTIVE,” waiting with other droids to be shipped to a new planet.
That’s not the only familiar thing you may hear, however. Throughout the ride’s different sequences, you may hear some familiar dialogue said by new characters: Coming upon the opportunity to complete a Death Star trench run, Captain Rex said “I’ve always wanted to do this!” and now C-3PO echoes that sentiment before entering a podrace. Keep your ears open as you experience the attraction, because you may soon find yourself yelling, “Brakes, brakes… Where are the brakes?!”
Still Getting Used to His Programming
Speaking of everyone’s favorite robotic pilot, poor Captain Rex never did manage to fly us to the moon of Endor in the original Star Tours. You might blame it on the little droid’s scatterbrained personality, or, if you ever looked closely at Rex while he was still captaining the original Endor Express, you might have noticed the big red pull-tab sticking out of his body that was labelled “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT.” I have a bad feeling about that…
Paging Egroeg Sacul…
While you are waiting in the Star Tours—The Adventures Continue queue and watching R2-D2 bicker with C-3PO, keep your ears open for the announcements. Egroeg Sacul and Mot Worrom are paged, the backwards names of George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, and Tom Morrow, the name of the host of various Disney attractions including Innoventions and Flight to the Moon. A land speeder with the license plate THX 1138 is also paged, referencing George Lucas’ very first film.
Inner Space in Outer Space
Before the original Star Tours at Disneyland was sending us to a galaxy far, far away, the ride building housed an attraction that had us explore a different kind of space. Adventure Thru Inner Space was a dark ride attraction that allowed guests to shrink down to the size of an atom and explore the inner workings of a snowflake! How were guests able to shrink down so tiny? Well, through the magic of the Mighty Microscope, of course! The giant, iconic microscope used to be the centerpiece of Adventure Thru Inner Space’s queue before R2-D2, C-3PO, and friends moved in. But don’t worry—the Mighty Microscope is still in the attraction! As you zoom through the Death Star in one of the possible endings for Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, look to your left as you exit the deadly space station to spot the Mighty Microscope in its new home. The Rebels must have managed to steal it from the Imperials, though, because in the original Star Tours, just as you were about to fly out of the eminence bay, you pass by the Mighty Microscope on your right hand side.
Packing Up Some Shout-Outs
If you’re looking for more shout-outs to your favorite Disneyland attractions, make sure to pay attention to what the droid G2-9T is scanning while he checks luggage in the attraction’s queue. All sorts of references are made on the scanner, from referencing the Storm Trooper TK421 (why isn’t he at his post?), to Madame Leota’s head, to Major and Minor Domo from the classic 3-D show Captain EO. While you’re waiting for your next trip on Star Tours, make sure to pay attention to what the droid scans, because you just might see a shout-out to your favorite Disney movie or attraction! Keep your eyes peeled for references to everything from Toy Story to The Black Hole to, of course, Adventure Thru Inner Space.
Do You Think Luke Ever Flew On Star Tours?
The events of the original Star Tours take you on a whirlwind experience of classic Star Wars moments, such as dodging an asteroid field and joining in on a trench run against the Death Star. Have you ever wondered if these events actually fit into the Star Wars story? Well, Star Tours as a company has actually been acknowledged in several episodes of the animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, including via a poster Easter egg in the episode “Lightsaber Lost.” And our favorite first-time pilot, Captain Rex, has a guest appearance on the animated TV show Star Wars Rebels (pictured above), in the episode “Droids in Distress.”
But just in case you wanted a full explanation for just how exactly Captain Rex’s silly adventures fit into Star Wars lore, StarWars.com has a detailed explanation of just how our favorite attraction fits into the galaxy far, far away.
No Longer Feathered, But Still Friends
The Mighty Microscope isn’t our only shout-out to attractions from Disneyland’s past. Two of the droids featured in the attraction’s queue, G2-9T and G2-4T, have been referred to as “Goose Droids,” and if you take a closer look, you may notice that they have robotic webbed feet and tails. That’s because before the two droids at Disneyland’s Star Tours were working in the droid room, they had a different job that involved more… singing?
In 1974, Disneyland introduced a musical revue attraction called America Sings to celebrate America’s bicentennial. Throughout the show’s four main acts, a quartet of singing geese sang songs from “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad” to “Singing in the Rain.” But, in 1987, two of those Audio-Animatronics® singing geese took off their feathery costumes and decided to get into the travel business. Now you’ll see the geese scanning guests (voiced by Patrick Warburton, pictured above right—a familiar face to guests who ride Soarin’ Around the World) and checking bags for Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, although one of them still sings a familiar tune every once and a while. Keep your ears open while G2-9T scans your bags, because you may hear him sing, “I’ve been lookin’ at the saaaame bag, alllll the live long day!”
Sharp Eyes Will Spot These Ears
As you are standing in line for Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, you can watch silhouettes of various Star Tours workers and customers pass by a lighted window. Keep your eyes open for an astromech droid who rolls by the window, because when he stops and opens both his satellite dishes over his head, his outline forms the shape of a certain famous mouse! And make sure to look around the rest of the droid room as well, because in Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s versions of Star Tours, you can spot a smaller robot who casts another shadow with a famous set of round ears.
By Max Lark
No Disney fan needs any additional motivation to add the new Walt Disney Signature Collection release of Pinocchio to their movie collection. The timeless story of a wooden puppet brought to life by the Blue Fairy—with the promise that he can become a real boy if he earns it—is one of the most beloved movies in the Disney canon and one of the most ambitious animated movies ever made. But there’s even more to check out when this classic tale arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on January 31 (Pinocchio arrives for the first time on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on January 10): A majestically restored print of Poor Papa (1927)—the first Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon. It’s essential viewing for any fan of early Disney animation.
In 1927, while Walt was wrapping up the “Alice Comedies,” his distributor, Charles Mintz, brokered a deal with Universal for Walt to create a cartoon character. That new character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, would go on to star in 26 cartoons from the Disney studio. The series proved popular, and the character was the first to generate Disney merchandise—a candy bar, a stencil set, and a pin-back button!
Poor Papa was the first Oswald cartoon produced, but Mintz felt that Oswald looked “old” so the short was not released. The next Oswald short Walt and Ub produced, Trolley Troubles on September 5, 1927, debuted a redesigned younger version of Oswald. Given this second short’s positive critical reaction by the public, Universal and Mintz ultimately released Poor Papa on June 11, 1928. In this rather charming story, a bunch of storks bombard Oswald with bunnies until our hero figures out a way to thwart them.
The marvelous restoration is sourced from digital scans of a 16mm silent print that was made in 1930 for home use and discovered in the UK. This is one of three known surviving prints on this title.
Restoration was done in 2015 by Lowry Digital (a division of PrimeFocus Technologies) who have been entrusted with the restoration on many of Disney’s classic animation crown jewels.
By Nicole Nalty
Whistle, chirp, or let out a cock-a-doodle-doo! It’s National Bird Day and, to celebrate, we’re letting some of our favorite birdies take center stage. What are you waiting for? Olé! Olé! It’s showtime!
Archimedes, The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Whoooo’s up first? Why, it’s Merlin’s feathered friend, Archimedes. This opinionated owl doesn’t tolerate any funny business, and his tolerance is tested time and time again with whimsical wizards and witches like Merlin and Madam Mim around. A talented (albeit impatient) tutor for Wart, we think we’d learn a lot in a lesson from Archimedes.
Darkwing Duck, Darkwing Duck (1991)
The terror that flaps in the night, the winged scourge that pecks at your nightmares… No appreciation of Disney’s feathered friends would be complete without the fearless Darkwing Duck. Voiced by the incomparable Jim Cummings, he’s known by day as ordinary citizen Drake Mallard, but by night, Darkwing Duck protects the city of St. Canard from bad guys and their villainous schemes. Let’s get dangerous!
The DuckTales gang, DuckTales (1987)
We’re big fans of DuckTales here at D23 (we’ve been known to let out a “Woo-oo!” here and there), so it was a no-brainer for Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Launchpad, and the whole gang to be on our list. We loved the original show and we can’t wait for our friends to fly back to the small screen this summer.
Heihei, Moana (2016)
A newer addition to the Disney birdcage, Moana’s Heihei is the ultimate birdbrain. Voiced by Alan Tudyk (yes, really), the peculiar-looking rooster joins Moana on her journey to save her island, but unsurprisingly, is more of a hindrance than a helper along the way. While we wouldn’t necessarily put Heihei at the top of our list for intense ocean travel, we still think it would be a hoot to hang out with him.
Kevin, Up (2009)
Speaking of brightly colored but not-so-bright birds, we fell in love with Kevin the second he took his first bite out of Russell’s chocolate bar. Kevin has a hard time staying out of trouble, but ultimately is a fine friend for Russell, Carl, and Dug on their big adventure.
Iago, Aladdin (1992)
Ah, Iago… the bold, boisterous bird who also serves a silly sidekick to the evil Jafar. While Iago may not have the best intentions, it’s hard to hate such a hilarious henchman (henchbird?). Whatever you do, don’t ask him if Polly wants a cracker—the answer is no.
Lady Kluck, Robin Hood (1973)
While Lady Kluck is Maid Marian’s lady-in-waiting, she’s a leading lady in her own right. Fiery, feisty, and with an unparalleled skill for football, she’s a supportive friend to Maid Marian one minute, and barreling through a bunch of rhinos the next. Long live Lady Kluck!
Ludwig Von Drake, Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1961)
Eminent psychologist, renowned color expert, etymologist, and the most sought-after lecturer in the world, Ludwig Von Drake is without a doubt the brightest bird in this bunch––and he’ll tell you so, too! Professor Von Drake has taught us as much as any schoolteacher has since his debut in 1961. Originally voiced by the legendary Paul Frees, this quack-up character has had many starring moments throughout his career, some alongside Walt Disney himself! Good luck getting “The Spectrum Song” out of your head…
Orange Bird, Sunshine Tree Terrace (1971)
Moving from the screen to the parks, Magic Kingdom fans will be delighted to see this adorable addition on our list! The Orange Bird first flew to Magic Kingdom park in 1971, where guests could find him perched inside Sunshine Tree Terrace. Orange Bird is different from the birds on this list in many ways, but perhaps his most unique trait is his ability to communicate via orange thought clouds, rather than words. The Orange Bird flew south for quite a few winters but he made a triumphant return to Magic Kingdom in 2012.
José, Pierre, Michael, and Fritz, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (1963)
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Orange Bird’s neighbors over at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room! José, Pierre, Michael, and Fritz have all been clucking like a bunch of old hens since this iconic attraction opened at Disneyland park in 1963. Heralding from Mexico, Ireland, France, and Germany respectively, José, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz lead the room in rousing renditions of “Let’s All Sing Like the Birdies Sing” and “The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room,” as other birds, flowers, and even tiki gods join in the party. But be careful when visiting these four, as the tiki gods tend to get angered by all the celebrating…
Sam Eagle, The Muppets
A tribute to all birds… but mostly Sam Eagle. A bald eagle, Sam gets a little red, white, and blue at times (well, mostly blue). Perhaps the most patriotic character in the Disney family, Sam is always searching for ways to educate the audience about the United States of America, usually to no avail. But, Sam Eagle fans will be happy to know that Sam leads the charge in The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History at Magic Kingdom park.
Scuttle, The Little Mermaid (1989)
Talk about an odd bird… Scuttle gives Ariel a bird’s-eye view of the human world through trinkets he’s collected on land. While Scuttle’s intentions are earnest, he’s not the best at identifying human thingamabobs—but can you really blame him? Even with all of the snarfblatts and dinglehoppers, Scuttle is the sweetest seagull you’d ever want to meet.
Zazu, The Lion King (1994)
You couldn’t find two birds of a feather less alike than Scuttle and Zazu. Zazu is incredibly smart and dedicated to supporting Mufasa as his right-hand bird. While Zazu is very prim and proper, he’s also known to deliver iconic one-liners here and there (“He’d make a very handsome throw rug!”). All Zazu’s zingers aside, the bird serves as a sort of Jiminy Cricket-esque character for young Simba as he navigates the dangers of the Pride Lands.
Donald Duck, José Carioca, and Panchito, The Three Caballeros (1944)
We couldn’t talk about our favorite birds without mentioning these birds of a feather! The Three Caballeros first flew together in the 1944 film (although Donald Duck and José Carioca both appeared in Saludos Amigos in 1942) and are still fan favorites to this day. You can find the Three Caballeros on a “gran fiesta” in Epcot, and singing and sambaing in Disneyland’s it’s a small world. ¡Ay, caramba!