Find Your Way: 4 Moana Easter Eggs You May Have Missed

December 9, 2016December 12, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

By now, most of us have seen Moana (and if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?), but have you seen these Easter eggs? Easter eggs in Disney films are a time-honored tradition (see some of our favorites here!) and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest film is no exception. Read on for four creative cameos in Moana.

Runaway Robot
Those crazy Kakamora all have different looks––one appears to be a big Baymax fan!

A Frozen Fright
Surrounded by many monstrous tapa cloths, take a closer look at the one near Chief Tui and Moana. You might recognize a certain snow monster… That’s right! Frozen’s Marshmallow inspired this design.

Under the Sea
There’s something fishy going on here… Looks like Flounder has made his way into another one of directors John Musker and Ron Clements’ films in this ocean-themed tapa cloth.

A Wreck-tacular Surprise
Wreck-It Ralph just couldn’t wait until 2018 to make his return to the big screen! Catch everyone’s favorite bad guy during the film’s credits (and make sure to stay until the very end for another surprise!).

9 Reasons We Love The Muppet Christmas Carol

December 9, 2016January 8, 2018

By Courtney Potter

Now that it’s only a handful of sleeps ‘til Christmas, we decided to take a look at one of our yuletide favorites! Charles Dickens published his now-legendary novella, A Christmas Carol, on December 19, 1843. And on December 11, 1992—Disney released the fourth Muppets movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol. The first feature produced after the untimely passing of Muppets creator Jim Henson, the film was directed by Brian Henson (Jim’s son), with a screenplay penned by frequent Muppet contributor Jerry Juhl.

With Gonzo the Great narrating as Mr. Dickens himself, The Muppet Christmas Carol is one of the most faithful adaptations of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge’s tale of redemption ever put to film. A fantastic soundtrack (with songs by The Muppet Movie’s Paul Williams) and amazing performances by humans and Muppets alike have placed the film in living rooms across the globe each holiday season for almost 25 years.

As huge fans of all things Muppet, we here at D23 have narrowed down our myriad of reasons why we love The Muppet Christmas Carol to the following list. See if you agree with our “favorite things”!

Perfect examples of classic Muppets comedy…
Honestly, there’s no way to pick our favorite comedic moments in The Muppet Christmas Carol. From Rizzo’s now-infamous “Light the lamp, not the rat!” to Statler and Waldorf as crotchety Jacob and Robert Marley; from Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem rocking ol’ Fezziwig’s (pardon us, Fozziwig’s) party to the Swedish Chef and his rubber chickens—the film’s comedy is a big part of its big heart.

Funny “punny” character names…
Leave it to the Muppets to make the perfect name pun! It’s almost as if when Jim Henson first concocted the idea of Fozzie Bear in 1976, he knew that somehow, someday, he’d be able to make a version of A Christmas Carol co-starring Fozzie as Fozziwig, Ebenezer’s first boss and mentor.

Fantastic casting…
It’s hard to believe legendary Academy Award®-winning actor Michael Caine hadn’t yet played Scrooge by the time he delved into this 1992 film. On the film’s DVD commentary, director Brian Henson spoke of Caine’s performance; the trick, Caine said at the time, was to never treat the characters around him as Muppets—but to play “against” them, as if he were performing alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Magically merry music…
The soundtrack for The Muppet Christmas Carol is truly one of our holiday faves. Songs by Oscar® winner Paul Williams include “One More Sleep ‘til Christmas” (sung by Kermit in the Bob Cratchit role); “When Love is Gone” (sung by Ebenezer’s once-intended, Belle); and “Thankful Heart,” sung by Michael Caine as a changed Scrooge. A re-issue of the soundtrack in 2005 included two previously unreleased songs cut from the ’92 film, “Room in Your Heart” and “Chairman of the Board.”

The first film featuring Steve Whitmire as Kermit the Frog…
As previously mentioned, The Muppet Christmas Carol was the first Muppet feature produced after Jim Henson’s passing. Longtime Muppet performer Steve Whitmire had been chosen to take on the mantle of Kermit the Frog by this time—and his performance as Bob Cratchit in the film is particularly special. We especially love his adorable interactions with Miss Piggy as Bob’s wife, Emily.

The best Ghost of Christmas Present ever…
“Come in, and know me better, man!” Several new Muppet characters populate The Muppet Christmas Carol—including a gigantic, red-headed, thoroughly delightful but definitely absent-minded Ghost of Christmas Present. One of the most holly-jolly musical numbers in the entire film is his “It Feels Like Christmas”—talk about getting into the spirit of things!

The inaugural pairing of Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat…
The Muppet Christmas Carol marked the very first time that everyone’s favorite “whatever” teamed up with the street-smart rat who initially delighted audiences in 1984’s The Muppets Take Manhattan. Writer Jerry Juhl came up with the idea of using Gonzo as the film’s narrator; said Muppet performer Dave Goelz, “To add a disembodied narrator would have intruded into the film, so he came up with the idea of using Gonzo as sort of a Greek chorus, an unseen Charles Dickens, narrating and bridging the story. It worked incredibly well, and he also came up with the idea of adding a sidekick for Gonzo, who was Rizzo, and that sort of began their relationship as a duo.”

Beautiful costumes…
Longtime Jim Henson Company costumer Polly Smith created the Dickensian looks for The Muppet Christmas Carol; we especially like Gonzo’s red tail coat, and—well—pretty much anything Miss Piggy wears! Polly won several Emmy® Awards for her work on Sesame Street.

A timeless message, with a Muppet-y spin…
Ultimately, the main reason we love The Muppet Christmas Carol is its truly enduring theme. Like Dickens’ novella before it, the film is a story of redemption, of second chances, and of the power of kindness—made all the more powerful by the Muppets’ humor and heart.

Take a Holly Jolly Sneak Peek at Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas

December 9, 2016

It’s no secret that here at D23, one of our favorite things to do around the holidays is to curl up on the sofa and watch some of our favorite holiday movies and TV shows. This year marks the premiere of a new holiday special that’s sure to become a classic, Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas, and our friends at Disney Channel have given us a most wonderful gift that we’re excited to share with you: a sneak peek of the show, in advance of its premiere Friday, December 9 (8:30–9 p.m. EST).

In the extended-length episode of Disney Channel’s Emmy^® Award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, it’s touch and go for Donald when he delays heading south for winter with Daisy and all of the other ducks in order to stay with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto—who are determined to give their friend “the best gosh-darned Christmas ever!” Tune in to see Mickey’s childhood Christmas memories (which feature an adorable baby Pluto), Mickey and friends’ 187 must-dos before Christmas morning, and to find out what ducks do when they head for warmer climes.

Enjoy this exclusive clip now, and don’t miss Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special this Friday on Disney Channel!

Celebrate “Walt Week” with D23 and Disney Parks and Resorts Around the World

December 8, 2016December 15, 2016

By D23 Team

Fifty years ago on December 15, the world lost its master showman, but Walt’s legacy has lived on in the hearts of Disney fans around the world. As a tribute to the magic Walt has brought into our world, D23 invites you to celebrate “Walt Week: Celebrating a Legacy of Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation.” Starting today, D23 will honor Walt with a series of stories at D23.com/WalkWithWalt. And D23 Gold Members will find a feature on Walt in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three.

The celebration continues through next Thursday, December 15, when guests visiting Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Resort are invited to remember the man behind the mouse by sharing a personal message on Memory Boards. Guests can share reflections on Walt or favorite Disney memories on Mickey-shaped icons, which will then be placed on the Memory Boards.

Guests can find Memory Boards on December 15 at the following locations*:

Disneyland Resort—The gallery inside the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland Park (8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Walt Disney World Resort —Inside One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Disneyland Paris—Inside the Liberty Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A. at the entrance of “Statue of Liberty Tableau” (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Hong Kong Disneyland—Inside Art of Animation on Main Street, U.S.A. (10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

The boards will be on display at D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, from July 14–16, 2017, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

*Locations and times subject to change.

23 Books Every Disney Fan Needs to Read

December 8, 2016January 6, 2017

By D23 Team

Chilly weather makes for the perfect excuse for cozying up by the fireplace with a book, or two—or in this case…23! We’ve rounded up 23 recent releases that are perfect for any Disney fan––you could even start your own Disney book club! Can we come?

Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia
Disney Legend Dave Smith is back with a newly updated fifth edition covers all things Disney—from A to Z—through thousands of entries and more than 800 images. From all the Disney park attractions, restaurants, and shows; summaries of ABC and Disney television series; rundowns on all Disney and Disney•Pixar films and characters; the latest and greatest from Marvel and Lucasfilm; key actors, songs, and animators from Disney films and shows; and so much more!
Find out more about the book, here.

Frozen Northern Lights: Adventure Notebook
Do you wanna see the Northern Lights? Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff wrote this book, taking turns documenting their action-packed journey to the Northern Lights. The guide features full-color journal entries and doodles created by your favorite characters, and a double-sided pull-out poster.
Find out more about the book, here.

The Art of the Disney Golden Books
Disney Golden Books may have played a part in your childhood, and now you can celebrate the artwork of these charming reads. From Peter Pan and Cinderella to Toy Story and Tangled, artwork of Disney Golden Books is displayed in all its glory, evoking a poignant sense of wonder and nostalgia.
Find out more about the book, here.

Disney Classics Storybook Treasury
Enjoy five favorite Disney stories in one collectible jacketed volume. This treasury features full retellings of Lady and the Tramp, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, and The Lion King!
Find out more about the book, here.

Dali & Disney: Destino
In 1945, Salvador Dali and Walt Disney began working on a short animated film called Destino. Dali partnered with Disney Legend John Hench to storyboard the film, but production was brought to a halt because of financial difficulties. This volume showcases all 150 pieces of the film’s art created by Dali and Hench.
Find out more about the book, here.

Frozen: A Pop-Up Adventure
New York Times best-selling author, artist, and pop-up master Matthew Reinhart revisits Elsa and Anna’s epic journey in Frozen: A Pop-Up Adventure. The story of Frozen is displayed through nearly 20 pop-ups made with intricate paper engineering.
Find out more about the book, here.

The Hidden Mickeys of Walt Disney World
Calling all Hidden Mickey fans! Explore the Walt Disney World Resort with this book as your guide––each Hidden Mickey features a general hint for experts, and a very specific clue for when you’re absolutely stumped. Happy hunting!
Find out more about the book, here.

Birnbaum’s 2017 Disneyland Resort
Exciting new experiences are just around every corner at the Disneyland Resort! This book is a perfect guide for planning your next trip––are you counting down the days yet?!
Find out more about the book, here.

Poster Art of the Disney Parks
Disney attraction posters have been an important means of communication since Disneyland began displaying them in 1956. As evidenced by the evolution of the attraction posters, art styles and design techniques have certainly changed over the years. Posters from Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland exhibit the nuances in presentation that give each park’s collection its signature look.
Find out more about the book, here.

Art of Coloring: Moana
Pacific Island artwork, patterns, tattoos, and designs permeate the story of Disney’s Moana. These images are ideal for taking pen to paper and adding your own brand of color and style. Perfect for cultivating creativity, relaxation, and focus, these pages are filled with artwork evocative of the serenity of the Pacific Islands.
Find out more about the book, here.

Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai
It all started with a map… Maps of the Disney Parks are more than just atlases used by guests to find their way to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. They are snapshots of a place and time, relics treasured by collectors, and gorgeous pieces of artwork. Unfold this book bursting with beautiful maps from when the very first Disney park opened in 1955 right up to today with parks around the world.
Find out more about the book, here.

Disney During World War II: How the Walt Disney Studio Contributed to Victory in the War
Disney During World War II showcases Walt Disney’s largely unheralded sacrifices in the pursuit of Allied victory, showing the inner workings of a wholesome family entertainment studio transformed almost overnight into a war plant where even the studio’s stable of established characters were temporarily reinvented as warriors and team-oriented, patriotic American citizens.
Find out more about the book, here.

Marc Davis: Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man
A tribute to Marc Davis, Disney Legend and one of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” this book celebrates the animator and Imagineer’s work with The Walt Disney Company, with amazing art and content from his wife and fellow Disney Legend Alice Davis.
Find out more about the book, here.

The Art of Disney’s Dragons
Imagine if one sketchbook had been passed down through the decades from one Disney artist to the next, with each one making a contribution before leaving it in the talented hands of another. That idea was the inspiration for The Art of Disney’s Dragons. The drawings contained within this volume represent the entire range of dragon-themed development art from animators, live-action studio artists, and Imagineers.
Find out more about the book, here.

The Art of Minnie Mouse
Spotted: Artwork inspired by Disney’s legendary heroine Minnie Mouse created especially for this adorable read. The book features a never-before-published comprehensive filmography of Minnie’s animated appearances as well as a visual timeline of her career milestones.
Find out more about the book, here.

The Kingdom Keepers: The Return Book 1: Disney Lands
Fans of the Kingdom Keepers rejoice––the Kingdom Keepers are back in a brand new story! With the defeat of the Overtakers behind them, the five teenagers known as the Kingdom Keepers should be celebrating. By all accounts they saved Disneyland from certain destruction. Why, then, did their mentor leave one last puzzle for them to decipher? The Keepers must solve a puzzle of the past, or be crushed under an evil that makes the Overtakers seem like gentle souls.
Find out more about the book, here.

Moana and the Ocean
Follow Moana in this beautiful picture book featuring stylized illustrations and a sweet story narrated by Moana’s oldest friend—the ocean itself!
Find out more about the book, here.

Star Wars: ABC 3PO
Experience the ABC’s like never before…
With galactic friends who are hardly a bore.
From Akbar to Zeb, this nice little primer…
Will teach you and make you an excellent rhymer.
So, Padawans, prepare, get ready, get set…
To learn the ways of the Force—and the alphabet!
Find out more about the book, here.

Bug Zoo—Walt Disney Animation Studios Book
Ben loves bugs: armored, teeny, leggy, greenie, floaty, wingy, jumpy, springy bugs! After a trip to the city zoo, Ben collects all of the bugs he can find and sets up a bug zoo. He couldn’t be happier—but what about his bugs?
Find out more about the book, here.

Gravity Falls: Journal 3
Journal 3 brims with every page ever seen on Gravity Falls, plus all-new pages with monsters and secrets, notes from Dipper and Mabel, and the author’s full story. Plus, the book jacket doubles as an exclusive poster.
Find out more about the book, here.

Frozen Storybook Collection
Join Frozen’s beloved cast of characters as they celebrate their birthdays, compete in an ice-sculpting contest, seek the northern lights, and more! With 18 stories, this beautiful collection is a must-have for any Frozen fan.
Find out more about the book, here.

Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas
For Navidad, Elena of Avalor invites the entire kingdom to the town square to celebrate together. But her people are only interested in turning the celebration into a competition to prove that their traditions are the best. Can Elena show her kingdom the true spirit of Navidad?
Find out more about the book, here.

Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series
Celebrate the classic cartoon series with this richly illustrated volume of the Silly Symphonies. Favorites like Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and the Hare, Music Land, and The Old Mill are featured in this complete history of the iconic series.
Find out more about the book, here.

Exclusive: Step into Your Favorite Disney Story with Disney Princess PleyBox

December 8, 2016December 8, 2016

Disney fans have been captivated by the stories of Disney Princesses since Snow White’s debut in 1937. Now, the Disney Princess stories we know and love are coming to life in a whole new way with Disney Princess PleyBox .

Disney is proud to introduce a Disney Princess subscription product that will inspire girls to realize their full potential and dream big! Each box features a beloved Princess, their story, and special Disney Princess experiences and products that let you explore the qualities that help the Princesses achieve their dreams.

The magic of Disney Princesses will be delivered to your door in this special subscription product celebrating the stories of these lovely leading ladies. Each box you receive will celebrate one of the Disney Princesses. The PleyBox turns into a scene from the film and includes a Princess figurine, fashion accessories and more!

D23 Members are the first to be invited to enjoy this limited edition product––click here to gift it to your loved ones or yourself!

Meet K-2SO and the Other Disney Droids You’re Looking For

December 8, 2016

By Jocelyn Buhlman

With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story only a tantalizing week and a half away, we can hardly wait to meet all the new characters joining our favorites in a galaxy far, far away. One of these characters, K-2SO, is a unique droid stolen and reprogrammed from an Imperial base. He joins not just the impressive roster of beloved Star Wars characters, but a long list of unforgettable Disney characters, as well. Long before venturing with Lucasfilm to worlds like Jakku and Hoth, Disney was creating a wide variety of animated and live-action mechanical characters. We’ve rounded up a list of the most notable, lovable, and recognizable robots from Disney films you know and love.

Mickey’s Mechanical Man (1933)
In 1933, the story men at the former Disney Studio on Hyperion Avenue presented Walt Disney with a plot outline for a short called Mickey’s Mechanical Man. The cartoon opens with Mickey training a clunky, clanky, metallic robot for a boxing match against the reigning champ. The robot, who “coulda been a contendah,” gets the worst of it during the early rounds, but is miraculously revived into championship action by the blaring of Minnie’s car horn.

Modern Inventions (1937)
Donald Duck got into the robot-plot business in 1937’s Modern Inventions, in which he encounters many strange and whimsical machines in “The Museum of Modern Marvels”—including a mechanical barber chair, a robot nursemaid, and an automatic bundle wrapper. A running gag throughout the short has the robot butler grating on Donald’s nerves by continually whisking away Donald’s hat with the words, “Your hat, Sir.”

B.E.N. – Treasure Planet (2002)
Treasure Planet, a reinvention of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure tale, reimagines the book’s original character, Ben Gunn, as the computer-animated B.E.N. (a Bio-Electronic-Navigator). Comedian Martin Short provided the voice of this hilariously manic bucket-of-bolts robot who had literally “lost his mind” (or at least his primary memory circuit).

NDR-114 – Bicentennial Man (1999)
In this classic Disney film based on the short story of the same name by Isaac Asimov, Robin Williams starred as a robot called NDR-114, nicknamed Andrew. A special-effects company created a robot suit for him made up of more than 250 pieces, which were assembled into 30 wearable components weighing roughly 35 pounds.

Maximilian, V.I.N.CENT, and B.O.B. – The Black Hole (1979)
By far the biggest challenge in Disney movie robotics was 1979’s The Black Hole, which featured a veritable Who’s Who cast of robots. V.I.N.CENT (Vital Information Necessary, CENTralized) is a valuable member aboard the exploration ship U.S.S. Palomino crew, who discover the U.S.S. Cygnus, long thought lost, hovering on the edge of a black hole in deep space. The intrepid robot, voiced by an unbilled Roddy McDowall, ventures with the human crew to investigate the Cygnus, and they come across Old B.O.B. (BiO-sanitation Battalion), a similar but outdated model of V.I.N.CENT. In the story, it’s explained that B.O.B. was originally programmed in Houston, possibly explaining his southern drawl, provided by an uncredited Slim Pickens. On board the Cygnus, a mad scientist (is there any other kind?) is served by a giant robot named Maximillian. Apparently not programmed to speak, Maximillian communicated only through his action and the eerie glow of his single red optical sensor.

WALL•E and EVE – WALL•E (2008)
Pixar’s first foray into outer space introduced us to the two robots who stole our hearts: WALL•E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter—Earth), left to wander an abandoned earth, and EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), a high-tech droid sent to study earth. Even though both were practically silent, the moments they did speak left a lasting impression on audiences everywhere: who wasn’t exclaiming “WALL-EEE!” “EEVUH!” in tender imitation of the star-crossed robots when they left movie theaters?

Baymax – Big Hero 6 (2014)
Walt Disney Animation Studios set out to fulfill a challenge in the design of Big Hero 6’s healthcare specialist: create a robot that is huggable! Inspiration came everyone from Carnegie Mellon Univesity’s soft robotics research to the study of penguin behavior. The end result is the vinyl, inflatable robot voiced by Scott Adsit, who left audiences feeling very satisfied with their care.

Ultron and the Vision – Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The line between man and machine is frequently blurred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but none more than in Avengers: Age of Ultron. The movie features two androids equipped with highly complex artificial intelligences, on two very different ends of the moral spectrum. Ultron was created by Tony Stark to protect the world, but, in a chilling vocal and motion-capture performance by James Spader, he decides the only way to protect the world is to eliminate the force most motivated to destroy it: humanity.

On the other hand, the Vision is a protector of humanity, with a motivation so pure that he is the only other person so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to lift Thor’s hammer besides Thor himself. He was created when Tony Stark’s artificial intelligence computer, named J.A.R.V.I.S. (short for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System), merged into the robotic body that would become Vision. Paul Bettany provided the voice of J.A.R.V.I.S. and played the role of Vision. In his new form, Vision serves as an otherworldly addition to the new Avengers team.

Athena – Tomorrowland (2015)
Disney robots come in all shapes and sizes, from the marshmallow-like softness of Baymax to the humanoid mechanics of Ultron and the Vision. But this robot takes on another unlikely form: a little girl from the 1960s! Athena, acted with endearing optimism and intelligence by Raffey Cassidy, is a recruiter for the hidden utopia of Tomorrowland. She’s always on the lookout for the brightest minds and most positive thinkers to help build a great, big, beautiful tomorrow. Even though Athena looks like a young girl, she’s really a complex android programmed not only to be wise but also idealistic—never stopping in her mission to help save the world.

R2-D2, C-3PO, and BB-8 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
You know them, you love them, and no Disney robot list would be complete without them: the droids of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Originally premiering in George Lucas’ first Star Wars film, A New Hope, dynamic duo R2-D2 and C-3PO are practically our old friends at this point, having ventured across the galaxy in seven Star Wars movies, somehow always in the middle of the chaos despite being a couple of wisecracking droids. R2-D2, performed by the late Kenny Baker, is an astromech droid who speaks exclusively through unintelligible beeps and whistles—and yet we always seem to know what he means! C-3PO, performed by Anthony Daniels, is a protocol droid fluent in more than six million forms of communication—and is ready to complain in every single one of them. They are joined in The Force Awakens by newcomer and fan favorite BB-8, the loyal BB unit of hotshot pilot Poe Dameron, uniquely painted in a bright orange color scheme and rolling across the galaxy like the world’s cutest soccer ball. Like R2-D2, BB-8 only speaks in little beeps and whistles, but manages to convey so much, not only from his sounds, but in the way he turns his head or gives a friendly thumbs up. Together these three droids help create the futuristic and fun galaxy far, far away that we have come to love in the Star Wars films.

K-2SO – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
All the Star Wars droids we’ve come to know so far have worked exclusively for the Republic or the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story brings us a droid from the other side of the war: K-2SO, a reprogrammed Imperial security droid voiced and performed in motion capture by Disney voice-acting regular Alan Tudyk. While we are used to cute little round droids like R2-D2 and BB-8, K-2SO towers over humans in jet-black metal, designed to blend in on Imperial bases. With a dry wit and a somewhat ominous presence, K-2SO will be soon be in our hearts with the rest of the Star Wars droids after we see Rogue One, in theaters December 16.

This article originally appeared in a slightly different form in the June 20, 2008, edition of the Disney Newsreel company newsletter and was modified for D23.com.

Holiday Gifts for the Disney Fans in Your Life

December 8, 2016January 6, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

The holidays are filled with festive cheer, but figuring out what to get everyone on your gift list can be overwhelming. We’ve searched to find something for everyone on your list––and for gifts found at Disney Store, D23 Gold Members get a sweet discount!

For the Star Wars Fan
It’s an exciting time to be a Star Wars fan… The debut of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is just a few days away, and Episode VIII will be here before we know it. Pick up the Rogue One Elite Series deluxe figurines, add to a friend’s Funko collection with a new Jyn figure, or make friends and family feel the Force with the BB-8 App-Enabled Droid, with the all-new Star Wars Force Band.

For the Tech-Savvy Parent
Help parents stay informed about their kids’ online activity with Circle with Disney. Parents are able to filter content, set bedtimes for devices, and limit screen time to make room for family time.

For Tykes and Tweens
For little ones who love Disney Junior and Disney Channel, try a Lion Guard action figure set, or for the budding performer, an Elena of Avalor guitar. And, as long as they’re not rotten to the core, the Descendants Neon Lights Ball dolls are perfect for tween playtime.

For the Wayfinder
We immediately fell in love with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest heroine, and this Moana doll is perfect for the friend who won’t stop singing along to the soundtrack––you’re welcome! (P.S.: You should definitely give yourself this Pua Plush. You deserve it.)

For Someone Marvel-ous
For your friends who are really super, how about a Marvel Avengers figure set, or Marvel Legends Series action figures? And, for the friend who won’t stop talking about the newest Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2 trailer, try giving this tee.

For Your Friend Who Likes Warm Hugs
Elsa and Anna are a dynamic duo! The Frozen Northern Lights Elsa and Anna dolls are perfect for your favorite Frozen fanatic. If it’s not chilly enough to build a snowman, you can add this sweet Storybook plush ornament to your tree.

For the Radiator Racer
Cars fans are getting revved up for Cars 3, but in the meantime, give them the Cars “Flag Finish” McQueen, or add a little Cars to their coffee table with The Art of Cars book.

Tsum-thing Sweet
We all have at least one friend who is tsum-obsessed… You’ll want to gift this calendar as early as possible so your friend can countdown to Christmas! Earn extra brownie points by fishing out the new Finding Nemo set.

Find these gifts at participating retailers.

Pluto’s Christmas Tree Brownies

December 8, 2016November 30, 2020

Like watching the classic Disney animated short Pluto’s Christmas Tree, these charming Christmas tree brownies will put you in the holiday spirit.

Ingredients

Brownies—store-bought or using your favorite recipe
Candy canes
Green icing
Multi-color nonpareils
Yellow star-shaped candy sprinkles

Directions

1. Cut brownies into triangle shapes.
2. Break off candy canes into one-inch pieces and place a piece into the bottom of each triangle-shaped brownie. The candy cane will serve as the tree’s “trunk.”
3. Apply green icing onto the tree in a zigzag pattern.
4. Sprinkle nonpareils generously on top of each brownie (these are the tree’s “ornaments”).
5. Finish off each tree by placing a single, yellow star-shaped candy sprinkle at the top.

Unique Holiday Hijinks from Some of our Favorite Disney TV Shows

December 7, 2016July 1, 2022

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even Winter Solstice, there are a lot of reasons to make merry this time of year. To help celebrate the season, we’ve taken a fond look back at how some of our favorite Disney TV shows make the holidays merry and bright.

Phineas and Ferb – “Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation”
Of course Phineas and Ferb want to make the most of their Christmas vacation, but Doctor Doofenshmirtz celebrates Christmas by using his naughty-inator to keep the city of Danville on Santa’s Naughty List. No evil scheme can stop Phineas and Ferb from having holiday fun! With the help of their friends Buford, Baljeet, and Isabella (who is happily celebrating eight days of Hanukkah, but is glad to help out her pals), they put Danville back on the Nice List and keep Christmas Vacation full of fun and good cheer.

Even Stevens – “Heck of a Hanukkah”
The Stevens’ celebration of Hanukkah gets a magical twist when Louis wishes he had never been born after his silly antics ruin everyone’s Hanukkah presents. In a twist on the classic story It’s a Wonderful Life, Louis watches his family’s life if he had never been born and discovers that his silly antics are what brought his family happiness in the first place. Returning to the timeline where he had been born, Louis and the Stevens’ family are able to enjoy their Hanukkah celebration because of the happiness they bring each other.

Kim Possible – “A Very Possible Christmas”
You would think that for an action hero like Kim Possible, the holidays would be full of crazy adventures! However, after receiving a thoughtful Hanukkah gift from Kim, Ron Stoppable decides to take on her spy duties so that she can spend the holidays with her family. It’s a wonderful idea for a gift, but of course, Ron ends up caught up in Doctor Drakken’s nefarious plans and the entire Possible family team up to help save him. But the big mission doesn’t stop the holiday celebrations: Drakken agrees to a seasonal truce and invites everyone over for Christmas dinner. It’s a true miracle for the season!

The Weekenders – “The Worst Holiday Ever”
With a big group of friends, you know there has to be many ways to make merry! All four of the Weekenders celebrate different holidays during December, and together the friends recount the worst experiences they’ve had during their celebrations. But whether it’s Tish’s horrendous Hanukkah, Tino’s wacky Winter Solstice, Carver’s crazy Kwanzaa, or Lor’s crummy Christmas, the friends know that they still have a reason to celebrate, because no matter the holiday, they still have their friendship!

Bear in the Big Blue House – “A Beary Bear Christmas”
Holiday celebration in the Big Blue House is a fun and fuzzy adventure! Bear celebrates Christmas and shares with his friends his favorite Christmas tradition of finding the Christmas berry. Shadow teaches everyone about the celebrations of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, while a stray dog named Jack is invited to celebrate in the Big Blue House—and reminds everyone that no matter what holiday you celebrate during the winter, the most important thing is being able to celebrate with those you care about!

Lilo & Stitch, the Series – “Topper”
Now that Stitch has his own Ohana, he is finally able to celebrate Christmas! Lilo tries to teach him about how Christmas is celebrated in Hawai’I, but soon everyone learns about intergalactic holiday fun when one of Jumba’s experiment pods is mistaken for a Christmas present. Stitch’s first Christmas becomes an adventure to remember, and he learns what makes the season so important to his ‘ohana.

The Proud Family – “7 Days of Kwanzaa”
While the Proud family usually celebrates Christmas during the holiday season, they learn about the traditions of Kwanzaa after inviting a homeless family to join them for Christmas dinner. The family teaches them about the meaning of Kwanzaa and the importance of valuing family and unity over presents and possessions. The Prouds learn an important lesson about the meaning of the holiday season and sharing their support and love with others.

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody – “Christmas at the Tipton”
Celebrating Christmastime at a hotel is already a unique experience, but Zack and Cody’s holiday takes a turn for the unusual when a snowstorm keeps everyone trapped in the Tipton. A couple named Mary and Joseph tries to find a place to stay during the storm, but the Tipton doesn’t have any vacancies. The very pregnant Mary ends up stuck in an elevator with Zack and Cody and the twins help her deliver her baby! Only at the Tipton hotel could such seasonal hijinks end up mirroring the classic Christmas story and give all the hotel’s residents a holiday to remember.

Lizzie McGuire – “Aaron Carter’s Coming to Town”
When we think of a classic Christmas celebration, certain things always come to mind: Christmas lights, gingerbread men, and… early 2000s pop sensation Aaron Carter? For Lizzie McGuire and her friends, Aaron coming to town to film his new music video is the most wonderful time of the year! Not only do Lizzie and her friends get to be extras in Aaron’s new video, but Lizzie gets to share a kiss with Aaron under the mistletoe!