7 Ways To Prepare For Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

December 2, 2016

By Jocelyn Buhlman

We’re only weeks away from the premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, in theaters December 16—but for fans like us, the release date feels far, far away. Patience, young Star Wars fan… There is much for you to learn while you wait to find out what will happen to Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, and their band of rebels. Do you know exactly how Rogue One fits into the Star Wars universe? The movie is set after the prequel trilogy (Episodes I–III), but before the original trilogy (Episodes IV–VI), a 16-year gap that establishes the rise of the galactic empire and the formation of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Sure, we know that Rogue One is the story of how the Rebel Alliance stole the Death Star plans, but do we really know what is happening in the Star Wars galaxy during this time of civil war? Well, while you are crossing off the days on your calendar, waiting until it’s December 16, here’s what you might do to prepare for Rogue One and catch up on any intergalactic adventures you might have missed.

Read About What Happened After the Prequels
So you’ve watched all the Star Wars prequels and you’re well-versed in the tragic tale of Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the Dark Side… but do you know what happens next? Rogue One takes place 16 years after Revenge of the Sith, and a whole galaxy’s worth of adventures have happened in that time period. Fortunately, there are plenty of novels out there to take you on the adventures that happened after Anakin took the name Vader, but before the Rebel Alliance started hunting Death Star plans. Novels of note include Star Wars: Ahsoka by E.K. Johnson, the tale of Anakin’s former Jedi apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, after she leaves the Jedi Order. If you have a taste for the Dark Side and are eager to see how a young Darth Vader may play a role in Rogue One, then crack open Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Klemp, which chronicles Darth Vader’s life as a Sith Lord just after Revenge of the Sith. If you’re less interested in devotion to ancient religions and would rather take a more imperial approach to your evil, then learn about how the infamous Grand Moff Tarkin became overseer of the Death Star in the novel Tarkin by James Luceno. Whether you read one novel or all three, the adventures will have you sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation for Rogue One!

Join the Rebellion with Star Wars Rebels
Revenge of the Sith is sequentially the last Star Wars film to occur before Rogue One, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more adventures you can watch to get ready for the latest Star Wars installment. The TV show Star Wars Rebels, airing on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD, takes place two years before Rogue One. Chronicling the adventures of a group of Rebel Alliance members, the show explores the galaxy in the face of a growing Empire, a budding rebellion, and the last few remaining Jedi. You’ll see everything from a young Princess Leia serving as a rebel agent, to Grand Moff Tarkin’s early team-ups with Darth Vader, to the epic showdown between master and apprentice as Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker face each other for the first time since Order 66. There’s already three seasons of rebellions and adventures for you to watch, so you can get your intergalactic thrills while waiting for December 16!

Marvel at the Comic Book Adventures
If you’re still curious about what was happening before Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor lead their team on a certain rebel mission, you can follow the adventures of Kanan, Jedi hero of Star Wars Rebels before he became a member of the Ghost crew. In the Star Wars: Kanan comics, you can explore the Star Wars galaxy after Order 66 wiped out all the Jedi… except for two, Jedi Master Depa Bilba, and her apprentice, Kanan Jarrus. Rogue One explores the Star Wars galaxy when there are no Jedi left, but these comics explore what happens when you’re the only Jedi left. On the Sith side of things, you can always pick up an issue of Darth Vader to help you get hyped for his appearance in Rogue One. The comics cover his search for Luke Skywalker after A New Hope, and feature fan-favorite archeologist Doctor Aphra, who will be receiving her own comic series starting December 7! While you’re waiting to find out whether Jyn Erso and her forces of good succeed in their mission, be sure to pick up the first issue of Doctor Aphra to see what kinds of missions the forces of bad are pursing.

Arm Yourself with Rogue One Novels
Now that you have fully immersed yourself in the budding Rebel Alliance, the rising Empire, and the struggling Jedi, you’re ready to get right into the story of Rogue One. That’s where the novel Catalyst by James Luceno comes into play: Read about the life of Galen Erso, Jyn’s father, and how he came to work for the Empire. This novel serves as a prequel to Rogue One, and if you want to read what happens next, make sure to preorder the Rogue One novelization (in bookstores December 20) so you can read it and relive the movie as soon as possible!

Experience Star Wars at the Disney Parks
You’ve read the books, watched the shows, bought all the comics… What’s left for you to do while you wait for Rogue One? How about experience Star Wars in real life?! At Disneyland, you can be in the middle of an action-packed space battle between X-Wings and TIE fighters on Hyperspace Mountain. At both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can face off against the forces of darkness by experiencing the Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, where you have a chance to fight Darth Vader, the Seventh Sister Inquisitor, and other sinister Sith. If you still can’t get enough Star Wars, both Disneyland and Disney World offer plenty of other Star Wars experiences, like the classic attraction Star Tours, the new Star Wars Launch Bay, and more. You’ll feel like you’re part of the Rebel Alliance and be ready to save the galaxy again and again!

Become A Force For Change and Save Our World
Once you’re done saving the rest of the galaxy, stop by Target to help save our world. As part of the Star Wars: Force For Change campaign, Force 4 Fashion donates $5 of every T-shirt sold to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF kid power. The Star Wars: Force For Change campaign aims to inspire people to make a positive impact, so be sure to check out their website for other ways you can help bring the Light Side of the Force to our world!

(Of Course) Have a Star Wars Movie Marathon
No Star Wars movie preparation would be complete without the final, crucial step. Gather up your usual rogue’s gallery, make some festive Star Wars-themed snacks, and put on your favorite Star Wars movie. No matter if you’re watching them in release date order or chronological order, seeing the saga of the Skywalker family on your TV screen will only make you more excited to see Rogue One! Whether you and your friends spend the whole time discussing fan theories (Who is Rey’s father? How did Maz Kanata get Anakin’s lightsaber? What does Kylo Ren use to keep his hair looking so good under his helmet?) or take in every scene in awed silence, you know you’ll be full of that Star Wars spirit and ready for December 16. May the Force be with us all until then!

Restoring History: Walt Disney’s Birthplace

December 2, 2016March 31, 2017

By Nicole Nalty

Earlier this year, D23 took a closer look at the efforts to restore the Disney Family home in Chicago. Roy Oliver, Walter Elias, and Ruth Disney were born (in 1893, 1901, and 1903, respectively) in this very special house before the family moved to Marceline, Missouri in 1906. D23 Gold Members were the first group ever to tour the historic location during its restoration effort. Roy P. Disney—son of Roy E. Disney—even stopped by for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.

We’re excited to share photos of the progress made since this event in March, including a new fence and finished exterior. Check back here for more updates from this exciting project.

Update – 12/21
On the evening of Monday, December 5, the 115th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth, friends and fans gathered at Walt Disney’s birthplace. The house glittered with holiday decorations as local children sang Christmas carols and special guest Rahm Emanuel, the Mayor of Chicago, declared December 5 to be “Walt Disney Day.” Tripp Avenue, the street on which the historic home resides, was officially re-dedicated as “Honorary Disney Family Avenue,” and new street signs were unveiled.

From the Disney College Program to Celebrity Chef: Art Smith Comes Home to Disney Springs

December 2, 2016December 2, 2016

By Jeffrey Epstein

Chef Art Smith has come home—literally and figuratively. The celebrity chef, whose incredibly popular Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming opened at Disney Springs this past July, is returning to his culinary and educational roots. In 1981, Smith was in the first Magic Kingdom College Program (now known as the Walt Disney World College Program), where he was able to cut his teeth (or rather, sharpen his knives) in the kitchen. “I baked cakes in Central Foods,” he recalls, standing on the porch of Homecoming in a crisp, white chef’s coat. It’s a cool fall evening in Orlando, and his restaurant is buzzing with guests, enjoying his food and the cozy design of the warm space. Photos of Smith are peppered on the wall, including images of his family’s visits to the resort, as well as pictures from his time in the college program. “I remember my mother came here and celebrated her birthday—they stayed at the Treehouses in Fort Wilderness. I baked her birthday cake here. She still says it was the best cake she ever had,” he says.

Smith, now a two-time James Beard Foundation award winner, fondly remembers his original stint at Disney. “Being in the first college program was an opportunity to learn about the Disney way,” he explains. “I wanted to learn the magic of running a company, and Disney does that better than anybody. Being a part of the program—Snow White Village, Seven Dwarfs Lane, and among all those crazy kids—I learned a lot of great lessons. Most of all, I learned the lesson of team spirit. It’s carried through my whole life and my career. One of the things I tell students is that it’s so important to do good internships because they follow you through your whole life. I’m very proud of it.”

With restaurants in Naples, Florida; Chicago; Atlanta and Washington, D.C., Smith has a lot to be proud of—including a 10-year run as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. “Be authentic,” he says, is the best life lesson he learned from the star, who lent her voice to Eudora, Tiana’s mother in The Princess and the Frog, and who will appear in Disney’s upcoming A Wrinkle in Time.

A longtime Disney fan (he counts Mary Poppins and Maleficent as two of his film favorites), Smith recalls having a passion for the parks before he ever set foot in the Magic Kingdom. “When I was a little, itsy-bitsy kid, in 1964 or ’65 my grandmother took my uncle and aunt to the World’s Fair in New York. They came back with an LP of it’s a small world. I loved that record—I played it over and over and over again.” When he came to Walt Disney World for the first time in 1972, the attraction instantly became his favorite. He’s also a fan of the creators behind-the-scenes, and is especially passionate about the work of Mary Blair, both on it’s a small world and beyond. “The artwork in the Contemporary is beautiful,” he says of the 90-foot-tall mural in the Grand Canyon Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. “She was such an amazing artist.”

And a passion for Disney runs in his family. Smith and his husband, Jesus, have four adopted children who are already big Disney fans. (“Star Wars—and princesses for the girls,” he notes with a smile.) The family lives in his hometown of Jasper, Florida—about two hours from the resort. “We don’t come that often because I don’t want to spoil them,” he says. “They love it here.” They also love the delicious Florida-inspired cuisine Smith whips up at Homecoming—which includes a savory fried chicken, buttery shrimp and grits, and a must-try Hummingbird Cake dessert. “They are the restaurant critics,” he says with a laugh, noting he hopes their interest in his food could lead them to an interest in his business. “I want them to be a part of this as they get older—if they want to.” Sounds pretty sweet (and savory!) to us.

Once Upon a Wintertime Chocolate Dipped Cookies

December 2, 2016January 12, 2017

Cozy up with these frosty treats and a cup of hot cocoa.

Ingredients

White melting chocolate
Blue melting chocolate
Round chocolate crème-filled sandwich cookies
Optional: Snowflake-shaped candy sprinkles
Optional: White “pearl” candy sprinkles

Special Materials

Chocolate candy mold (made especially for round chocolate crème-filled sandwich cookies)—available online or at baking supply stores

Directions
1. Place 1 cup white chocolate and 4 pieces blue melting chocolate in a microwave-proof container and heat in the microwave 20 seconds at a time until melted. Mix melted chocolate together well, adding one piece of blue melting chocolate at a time until chocolate is desired shade of blue.
2. Pour two tablespoons of melted chocolate in each chocolate candy mold then place a cookie in each one. Pour chocolate on top of the cookie until it’s completely covered. Place mold in refrigerator and chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing the chocolate to harden and cool.
If you don’t have access to a chocolate candy mold, you may also dunk the sandwich cookies in melted chocolate, coating it all over. Place cookies on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing the chocolate to harden and cool.
3. Optional: Remove sandwich cookies and top with snowflake and white “pearl” candy sprinkles before serving.

The Magic Behind Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

December 2, 2016January 10, 2017

By Jeffrey Epstein

Tom Vazzana wanted to create a new Disney holiday tradition—something that was, in his words “pop and fun and heartwarming and funny.” And with that, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios came to be. The new nighttime spectacular, which runs through December 31, brings to life the classic and contemporary characters Disney fans love, wrapped up with a Prep & Landing bow.

After planning to visit his friends in Orlando, Santa Claus disappears, and it’s up to elves Lanny and Wayne to save the day. Walt Disney World Entertainment Show Director Vazzana says he wanted the show to “span the generations… I really love the shorts from Prep & Landing. And then I thought, What do our parents love? And that was the heartwarming films they grew up with, and you’ll see that in the show. The third thing is…The niche audience—what do they love? And I truly believed there needs to be a story. So I decided that Santa has come to Orlando to say hello, and then we’re on a mission to find him.”

The colorful show uses more than 100 clips of Disney animation, as well as custom new pieces made by Walt Disney Animation Studios of the Prep & Landing team created just for Jingle BAM! Vazzana and his team worked closely to make sure all the effects—from the incredible, crisp projections on the Chinese Theatre to the eye-popping lasers and dazzling fireworks—were perfectly balanced to move the story forward with a rich score of holiday music. A 60-piece orchestra recorded for two weeks to make sure the sound was just right, and composers Danny Elfman and Michael Giacchino were on hand to help guide the way. “I was trying to do Christmas music, and I said, ‘Michael, how can we make The Little Drummer Boy sound like the Mission: Impossible theme?’ If you listen closely, when the elves come in, it’s The Little Drummer Boy done à la Michael Giacchino.”

And there’s much more for fans to love. Look for homages to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in the opening number. “We replicate a few of the images from Streets of America,” reveals Vazzana. “And there are hidden Mickeys.”

One of the scenes he wanted to include was the moment in The Princess and the Frog when Tiana and Naveen—as frogs—kiss, setting off a magical transformation. “I had a list of must-haves,” he notes, including Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, which plays an instrumental role in the show.

But his favorite moment is when Carl and Ellie from Up are shown dancing. “[It’s] on the lyric ‘through the years we all will be together…’” he says, with a smile. “I did that for my parents—and for myself.”

Explore the “Collector’s Edition” of The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Films 1921 – 1968

December 2, 2016December 2, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

We’ve already pored over the pages of The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Films 1921 – 1968. Highlighting films from the start of Walt Disney’s career to Walt’s final film, The Jungle Book, the book features never-before-seen imagery and gorgeous concept art from some of Disney’s most beloved animated features. Today we’re excited to share the definitive Collector’s Edition of this stunning book.

D23 Members are invited to purchase issues 10-100 right here.

Presented in a clamshell box, the book features a facsimile of color storyboards designed for “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” sequence from the 1941 film Fantasia and a facsimile of five masterful cel setups from the classic Silly Symphonies cartoons. Produced with assistance from the Walt Disney Archives and Disney’s Animation Research Library, this special edition is limited to 2,500 copies.

And, as part of D23 Days of Christmas, you can enter for a chance to win a copy of the standard XL edition! Click here.

Go Inside Disney’s Inner Workings

December 1, 2016

By Courtney Potter

It’s a tradition almost 100 years in the making, and one that helps illustrate one of Walt Disney’s most famous quotes: “It was all started by a mouse.” Well before any of their animated feature films ever hit the silver screen, Walt and his brother Roy began spinning fanciful tales through the animated short. From Mickey’s first appearance in 1928’s Steamboat Willie to Pixar Animation Studios’ most recent short, Piper (debuting earlier this year with Finding Dory), this powerful animation heritage continues with Inner Workings—Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest short, which premiered on November 22 with their newest hit feature Moana.

Directed by story artist Leo Matsuda (Zootopia, Big Hero 6, Wreck-It Ralph) and produced by Sean Lurie (Moana, Zootopia), Inner Workings is the story of the internal struggle between a man’s pragmatic, logical side and his free-spirited, adventurous half. Created by a small team at Walt Disney Animation Studios in an adorably fast-paced style that blends CG and traditional hand-drawn animation, the short explores the importance of finding balance in daily life. Recently, D23 was lucky enough to sit down with the filmmakers for an “inner” look at bringing this colorful story to life.

Much of the short’s unique outlook is directly due to its creator; a native Brazilian of Japanese descent, Matsuda felt some struggle between the two sides of his personality. “I have a Japanese side in me that’s very disciplined and logical,” he says, “but I also have my Brazilian side—which loves Carnaval and parties. I feel I’m always in this tug-of-war between these two extremes in my life, and I think this short portrays a little bit of that.” Viewers of the short may even notice a resemblance between Matsuda and the short’s lead character, Paul—but it wasn’t intentional… at least initially. “At first, Paul was not the main character. He was just a ‘vessel’ for the short,” he explains. “I didn’t want him to be distracting, but then the crew would come to me, ‘Leo, what if he kind of looked like you a little bit?… [Ultimately], I thought, let me give it a try… I always show my fiancée everything, so I showed her. I remember her eyes widened, and she looked at me and the drawings and said, ‘You look just like Paul!’ I thought, well, I think she has a point. So I decided to go with this direction. It was some sort of coincidence, but it landed well.”

Inner Workings follows along as various parts of Paul’s bodily functions (including his heart, lungs, stomach, and brains) react to a not-so-typical day in his life. As a child, before the Internet made information instantaneously available, Matsuda was fascinated by his family’s set of Encyclopedia Britannica—“I’d order them and it was the greatest thing ever,” he admits—especially the pages dedicated to the human body. As he remembers, “It was the eighth volume, on biology. I would open the book and it’d have all these incredible extra pages—the human body—and you’d connect them and see how the systems inter-relate with each other and how they work. For me, that was just fascinating. That always stuck in my mind. I always wanted to do something with that.” Animating the organs themselves brought a few challenges. “Organs are kinda gross and disgusting,” jokes Matsuda. “We had to find a way to make them adorable. First, we tried actually a 2-D route. [We used] similar technology that was used in [WDAS shorts] Beast and Paperman, but it didn’t really work. Then we decided to look at real life. We decided to watch life in the aquarium; we looked at a lot of fish—because fish, they’re organic, but they are also beautiful… That opened up a whole new direction for us, and we were really happy with this path that we went down.”

As for the visions and dreams inside Paul’s brain, explains producer Lurie, “We were trying to figure out, ‘How do we depict what the brain is thinking in its own mind?’ Initially, we went with some complex CGI—but then we found that a more ‘graphical’ style actually seemed like it delivered the best humor and was the quickest ‘get.’ We wanted to make sure that we were conveying the idea of the story visually as much as possible.”

Mastuda was one of 73 hopefuls who pitched ideas to the Walt Disney Animation Studios Story Trust; the group was narrowed down to 10, then four, and Matsuda’s short was ultimately selected for production. “This short is special to me because it directly reflects a theme in my life that many people can relate to,” he explains. Continues Lurie, “The film’s lead character, Paul, realizes at a certain point that if he doesn’t live his life a little bit—taking some risks and following his heart—that he’s not going to be living life to its fullest. [But] he comes back to work, an idea which I credit Leo with. We’ve got to figure out how to find that balance in life, and I want to say that the crew that we worked with exemplified that. Leo and I had so much fun making this short—with just a small, incredibly talented group of people. It’s an honor to be able to work with such amazing talent at Disney Animation.”

Inner Workings is now playing around the country, ahead of Moana, in a cinema near you!

5 Things You Might Not Know About Moana

December 1, 2016December 1, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

We experienced a wave of emotions when we saw Moana the first time (and the second, and the third…). We fell in love with the characters (How cute is Pua?!), we’re still singing the songs, and taking in everything we can about the newest Disney film. We surfed the web (get it?) far and wide for things you may not know about Moana.

Mane-less Maui?
Early designs of Maui showed the demigod of the land and sea, protector of all, without his curly hair. That’s right! Maui was bald, just like his vocal counterpart, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But the Oceanic Story Trust advised filmmakers that although the legend of Maui varied, he was typically imagined with a full head of hair. Frankly, we can’t imagine him without it!

Always let your conscience be your guide
“Mini Maui” was one of our favorite characters in the film––even without a single line of dialogue! The two-dimensional tattoo of the demigod often demonstrated what we were thinking and ultimately led Maui to make the right decisions throughout his voyage across the ocean. While a majority of the film was created through computer animation, “Mini Maui” came to life using traditional hand-drawn techniques by animator Eric Goldberg and his team, and was compared to Jiminy Cricket, the loveable cricket conscience from Pinocchio.

Bird brain
Can you imagine Moana without Heihei? Originally, the rooster had a smarter, snarkier personality, which filmmakers didn’t feel was unique enough to the story. This version of Heihei almost got the rooster removed from the film, until a small group of story team members brainstormed the perfect way to keep him––just lower his IQ!

Look to the stars
The sky plays a big part in Moana, helping generations of wayfinders and our heroes, Maui and Moana, travel the ocean. To create the starry sky, filmmakers tasked astronomers to research which stars would’ve been visible in Pacific Island skies 2,000 years ago.

Word play
The shiny crustacean Tamatoa lives in the realm of monsters, Lalotai, located beneath the ocean’s floor. The name came from its uncommon locale: Lalo means “below” and tai means “the sea” in Proto Polynesian.

Molasses Glazed Ham with Cornmeal Crepes and Honey Butter

December 1, 2016November 30, 2018

This delicious ham, courtesy of our friends at The Chew, is the perfect dish for any celebration!

Servings: 8 to 10

Ingredients

Molasses Glazed Ham with Cornmeal Crepes and Honey Butter

7–9-pound smoked boneless ham
1/2 cup molasses
1 orange (zest and juice)
1 lemon (zest and juice)
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon orange liqueur
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Cornmeal Crepes

2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups whole milk
4 large eggs

Honey Butter

2 sticks unsalted butter
1/4 cup honey
salt (to taste)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF.
2. Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Set aside.
3. For the Molasses Glaze: In a medium sauce pan, over medium heat, add the molasses, the zest and juice of the orange and lemon, brown sugar, orange liqueur, and Dijon mustard. Whisk to combine, let simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. Brush the remaining mustard over the ham. Then, brush the glaze over the ham and place in oven for about an hour, or until the ham is warmed through and the internal temperature registers to 140ºF. Continue to glaze every 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, make the crepes. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the milk and eggs until well combined. Place a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of butter to melt. Ladle 2 ounces of the crepe batter into the preheated pan, tilting it so that a thin layer is applied to the entire surface area. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the edges of the crepe are slightly browned and crisp. Using a rubber spatula, flip the crepe and cook the other side until lightly toasted. Remove to a plate and repeat the process to make crepes from the remaining batter.
6. For the honey butter: In a medium bowl, add the softened butter, honey, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine. Serve with the cornmeal crepes.
7. To serve, spread the butter over a crepe. Thinly slice the baked ham. Place ham inside the crepe. Fold and enjoy!

D23’s Ultimate Guide to Your Holiday Viewing—2016 Edition

December 1, 2016March 26, 2018

By Beth Deitchman

Are your halls decked? Is your tree trimmed? Forget about stringing the popcorn, and start making plans to curl up on your sofa with a big bowl for snacking while you watch the sometimes heartwarming, sometimes hilarious holiday programming airing on ABC, Disney Channel, and Freeform this month.

From cable’s biggest programming event of the year, Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas—in its 20th year for 2016—to special episodes of your favorite ABC and Disney Channel shows like black-ish and Elena of Avalor, all the way to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017, D23 has you covered. Let it snow outside, because you have a ton of shows to enjoy inside!

Thursday, December 1
(3:30–6 p.m. EST) Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory—Freeform
(6–7:05 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(7:05–9:15 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(8–9 p.m. EST) A Charlie Brown Christmas—ABC (Includes a series of Christmas-themed animated stories based on the work of the legendary cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, spotlighting beloved PEANUTS characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Sally.)
(9–11 p.m. EST) The Great American Baking Show—ABC
(9:15–11:20 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(11:20 p.m.–12:55 a.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform

Friday, December 2
(11 a.m.–12 p.m. EST) Jack Frost (1979)—Freeform
(12–2:30 p.m. EST) Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory—Freeform
(2:30–3:35 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(3:35–5:10 p.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform
(5:10–7:15 p.m. EST) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)—Freeform
(8–8:30 p.m. EST) Liv and Maddie: Cali Style: “Cali Christmas-A-Rooney”—Disney Channel
(8:30–9 p.m. EST) Girl Meets World: “Girl Meets a Christmas Maya”—Disney Channel
(9–9:30 p.m. EST) BUNK’D: “How the Griff Stole Christmas”—Disney Channel
(9:20–11:25 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(11:25 p.m.–2 a.m. EST) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—Freeform

Saturday, December 3
(7–8:30 a.m. EST) Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas—Freeform
(8:30–10 a.m. EST) Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas—Freeform
(10 a.m.–12 p.m. EST) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish—Freeform
(12–2:05 p.m. EST) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)—Freeform
(2:05–4:40 p.m. EST) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—Freeform
(4:40–6:45 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(6:45–8:50 p.m. EST) Arthur Christmas (2011)—Freeform
(8:50–10:55 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(10:55 p.m.–2 a.m. EST) The Holiday—Freeform

Sunday, December 4
(7–7:30 a.m. EST) ’Twas the Night Before Christmas—Freeform
(7:30–8 a.m. EST) Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey—Freeform
(8–10:05 a.m. EST) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish—Freeform
(10:05 a.m.–12:10 p.m. EST) Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July—Freeform
(12:10–2:20 p.m. EST) I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)—Freeform
(2:20–4:30 p.m. EST) Arthur Christmas (2011)—Freeform
(4:30–5:35 p.m. EST) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town—Freeform
(5:35–6:40 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(6:40–8:45 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(8–8:30 p.m. EST) K.C. Undercover: “Holly Holly Not So Jolly”—Disney Channel
(8:45–10:55 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(9–9:30 p.m. EST) Best Friends Whenever: “The Christmas Curse”—Disney Channel
(10:55 p.m.–12 a.m. EST) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town—Freeform

Monday, December 5
(4–5 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(5–7 p.m. EST) Jingle All the Way—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(8–10 p.m. EST) The Great Christmas Light Fight—ABC
(9–11 p.m. EST) Scrooged (1998)—Freeform
(12–2:00 a.m. EST) Snowglobe—Freeform

Tuesday, December 6
(5–7 p.m. EST) Scrooged (1998)—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(9–11 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) Snow—Freeform

Wednesday, December 7
(5–7 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(9–11 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) 12 Dates of Christmas—Freeform

Thursday, December 8
(3–5 p.m. EST) Holiday Joy—Network Television Premiere—Freeform
(5–7 p.m. EST) Deck the Halls—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(8–8:30 p.m. EST) Toy Story that Time Forgot—ABC
(8:30–9 p.m. EST) Shrek the Halls—ABC
(9–11 p.m. EST) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)—Freeform
(12 a.m. EST) Holiday in Handcuffs—Freeform

Friday, December 9
(11–11:30 a.m. EST) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland—Freeform
(11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST) Holiday Joy—Freeform
(1:30–3:35 p.m. EST) Home Alone 3—Freeform
(3:35–5:40 p.m. EST) Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws—Freeform
(5:40–7:45 p.m. EST) The Search for Santa Paws—Freeform
(7:30–8 p.m. EST) Elena of Avalor: “Navidad”—Disney Channel
(8–8:30 p.m. EST) LEGO Disney Frozen Northern Lights—Disney Channel
(7:45–9:50 p.m. EST) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups—Freeform Premiere
(8:30 p.m. EST) Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special—Disney Channel
(9:50–11:55 p.m. EST) Snow Buddies—Freeform Premiere
(11:55 p.m.–2 a.m. EST) Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July—Freeform

Saturday, December 10
(7–7:30 a.m. EST) Mickey’s Christmas Carol—Freeform
(7:30–9:30 a.m. EST) Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws—Freeform
(9:30–11:35 a.m. EST) The Search for Santa Paws—Freeform
(11:35 a.m.–1:40 p.m. EST) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups—Freeform
(1:40–3:45 p.m. EST) Snow Buddies—Freeform
(3:45–5:45 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story—Freeform
(5:45–7:50 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 2—Freeform
(7:50–10:20 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 3—Freeform
(8–11 p.m. EST) Mary Poppins—ABC
(10:20–10:50 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story that Time Forgot—Freeform
(10:50 p.m.–12:55 a.m. EST) Arthur Christmas (2011)—Freeform
(12:55–2 a.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform

Sunday, December 11
(7–7:30 a.m. EST) The Little Drummer Boy (1968)—Freeform
(7:30–9:35 a.m. EST) Home Alone: The Holiday Heist—Freeform
(9:35–11:40 a.m. EST) A Dennis the Menace Christmas—Freeform
(11:40 a.m.–12:45 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(12:45–2:50 p.m. EST) Arthur Christmas (2011)—Freeform
(2:50–4:50 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story—Freeform
(4:50–6:55 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 2—Freeform
(6:55–9:25 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 3—Freeform
(8–10:04 p.m. EST) Frozen—ABC
(8 p.m. EST) Bizaardvark: “Agh, Humbug”
(9:25–9:55 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story that Time Forgot—Freeform
(9:55 p.m.–12 a.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform

Monday, December 12
(5:30–7 p.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(8–10 p.m. EST) The Great Christmas Light Fight—ABC
(9–11 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) Christmas Cupid—Freeform

Tuesday, December 13
(3–4:30 p.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform
(4:30–7 p.m. EST) Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(8–8:30 EST) The Middle: “A Very Marry Christmas”—ABC
(8:30–9 p.m. EST) American Housewife: “Krampus Katie—ABC
(9–9:30 p.m. EST) Fresh Off the Boat: “Where are the Giggles?”—ABC
(9–11 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(9:30–10 p.m. EST) The Real O’Neals: “The Real Christmas”—ABC
(12–2 a.m. EST) Three Days (2001)—Freeform

Wednesday, December 14
(3–5 p.m. EST) Home Alone 3—Freeform
(5–7 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) Arthur Christmas (2011)—Freeform
(8–8:30 p.m. EST) The Goldbergs: “Han Ukkah Solo”—ABC
(8:30–9 p.m. EST) Speechless: “C-H-O-Choir”—ABC
(9–11 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(9:31–10 p.m. EST) black-ish: “Just Christmas, Baby”—ABC
(12–2 a.m. EST) Santa Baby—Freeform

Thursday, December 15
(7:30–9:30 a.m. EST) Holiday Joy—Freeform
(11 a.m.–1 p.m. EST) Snow Buddies—Freeform
(1–3 p.m. EST) Home Alone 3—Freeform
(3–5 p.m. EST) A Dennis the Menace Christmas—Freeform
(5–7 p.m. EST) Arthur Christmas—Freeform
(7–9 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(8–8:30 p.m. EST) Disney Prep & Landing—ABC
(8:30–9 p.m. EST) Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice—ABC
(9–11 p.m. EST) The Search for Santa Paws—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe—Freeform

Friday, December 16
(7–9:10 a.m. EST) A Dennis the Menace Christmas—Freeform
(9:10–11:15 a.m. EST) Jack Frost (1998)—Freeform
(11:15 a.m.–1:20 p.m. EST) The Search for Santa Paws—Freeform
(1:20–3:25 p.m. EST) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups—Freeform
(3:25–5:30 p.m. EST) Home Alone: The Holiday Heist—Freeform
(5:30–7:35 p.m. EST) Jingle All the Way—Freeform
(7:35–9:45 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(8:31–9 p.m. EST) Dr. Ken: “A Park Family Christmas”—ABC
(9:45–11:55 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(11:55 p.m.–2 a.m. EST) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)—Freeform

Saturday, December 17
(7–8 a.m. EST) Rudolph’s Shiny New Year—Freeform
(8–8:30 a.m. EST) Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey—Freeform
(8:30–10:30 a.m. EST) Jingle All the Way—Freeform
(10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. EST) Happy Feet—Freeform
(1–2:35 p.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform
(2:35–4:40 p.m. EST) The Polar Express—Freeform
(4:40–6:50 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(6:50–9 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(8–9 p.m. EST) I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!—ABC
(9–11:30 p.m. EST) Disney’s Frozen—Freeform
(11:30 p.m.–2 a.m. EST) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—Freeform

Sunday, December 18
(7–9:30 a.m. EST) Happy Feet—Freeform
(9:30–11:30 a.m. EST) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish—Freeform
(11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. EST) Mickey’s Christmas Carol—Freeform
(12–1:35 p.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform
(1:35–4:10 p.m. EST) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—Freeform
(4:10–4:40 p.m. EST) Disney’s Prep & Landing—Freeform
(4:40–5:10 p.m. EST) Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice—Freeform
(5:10–7:20 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(7–11 p.m. EST) The Sound of Music—ABC
(7:20–9:50 p.m. EST) Disney’s Frozen—Freeform
(9:50 p.m.–12 a.m. EST) Elf—Freeform

Monday, December 19
(7–8:30 a.m. EST) Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas—Freeform
(8:30–10:30 a.m. EST) A Dennis the Menace Christmas—Freeform
(10:30 a.m.–12:35 p.m. EST) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish—Freeform
(12:35–2:40 p.m. EST) Home Alone 3—Freeform
(2:40–4:45 p.m. EST) The Search for Santa Paws—Freeform
(4:45–6:50 p.m. EST) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups—Freeform
(6:50–8:55 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(8–10 p.m. EST) The Great Christmas Light Fight—ABC
(8:55–11 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) Just Friends—Freeform Premiere

Tuesday, December 20
(7–9:10 a.m. EST) The Search for Santa Paws—Freeform
(9:10–11:15 a.m. EST) Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups—Freeform
(11:15 a.m.–1:25 p.m. EST) Home Alone 3—Freeform
(1:25–4:30 p.m. EST) The Holiday—Freeform
(4:30–5:35 p.m. EST) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town—Freeform
(5:35–6:40 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(6:40–8:50 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(8:50–11 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) Holidaze—Freeform

Wednesday, December 21
(7–9 a.m. EST) Snow Buddies—Freeform
(9–11:05 a.m. EST) Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws—Freeform
(11:05 a.m.–1:10 p.m. EST) Happy Feet Two—Freeform
(1:10–2:10 p.m. EST) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town—Freeform
(2:10–3:15 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(3:15–5:20 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004) —Freeform
(5:20–5:50 p.m. EST) Disney’s Prep & Landing—Freeform
(5:50–6:20 p.m. EST) Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice—Freeform
(6:20–6:50 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot—Freeform
(6:50–8:55 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(8:55 p.m.–11 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) The Mistle-Tones—Freeform

Thursday, December 22
(7–9:30 a.m. EST) Happy Feet—Freeform
(9:30–11:30 a.m. EST) Happy Feet Two—Freeform
(11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. EST) The Little Drummer Boy (1968)—Freeform
(12–2:05 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(2:05–4:10 p.m. EST) Jack Frost (1998)—Freeform
(4:10–4:40 p.m. EST) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland—Freeform
(4:40–5:10 p.m. EST) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story that Time Forgot—Freeform
(5:10–6:45 p.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform
(6:45–8:55 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(8:55–11 p.m. EST) Jingle All the Way—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)—Freeform

Friday, December 23
(7–7:30 a.m. EST) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland—Freeform
(7:30–9:30 a.m. EST) Jack Frost (1998)—Freeform
(11 a.m.–1 p.m. EST) Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish—Freeform
(1–3 p.m. EST) Jingle All the Way—Freeform
(3–4:35 p.m. EST) Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—Freeform
(4:35–5:40 p.m. EST) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town—Freeform
(5:40–6:45 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(6:45–8:50 p.m. EST) Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)—Freeform
(8:50–11 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(12–2 a.m. EST) Home Alone: The Holiday Heist—Freeform

Saturday December 24
(7–8:05 a.m. EST) Jack Frost (1979)—Freeform
(8:05–9:40 a.m. EST) Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas—Freeform
(9:40–11:15 a.m. EST) Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas—Freeform
(11:15 a.m.–12:20 p.m. EST) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town—Freeform
(12:20–1:25 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(1:25–3:30 p.m. EST) Arthur Christmas (2011)—Freeform
(3:30–5:35 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(5:35–7:40 p.m. EST) The Santa Clause—Freeform
(7:40–9:45 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(9:45–11:55 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(11:55 p.m.–2 a.m. EST) Scrooged (1998) —Freeform

Sunday, December 25
(7–9:10 a.m. EST) The Search for Santa Paws—Freeform
(9–11 a.m. EST) Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration—ABC
(9:10–11:20 a.m. EST) Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws—Freeform
(11:20 a.m.–1:25 p.m. EST) Arthur Christmas (2011)—Freeform
(1:25–3:30 p.m. EST) The Polar Express (2004)—Freeform
(3:30–4:35 p.m. EST) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town—Freeform
(4:35–5:40 p.m. EST) The Year Without a Santa Claus—Freeform
(5:40–7:45 p.m. EST) Elf—Freeform
(7:45–9:55 p.m. EST) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Freeform
(9:55 p.m.–12 a.m. EST) Scrooged (1998)—Freeform

Monday, December 26
(8–9 p.m. EST) Happy New Year, Charlie Brown—ABC: presented along with She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown
(9–11 p.m. EST) Rudolph’s Shiny New Year—ABC

Saturday, December 31
(8–11 p.m. EST, 11:30–2:13 a.m. EST) Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017–ABC

Monday, January 2
(11 a.m.–1 p.m. EST, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. CST, 9–11 a.m. MST, 8–10 a.m. PST) The 128th Rose Parade Presented by Honda—ABC