3 Big Disney Parks Announcements You Need to Know About Right Now

By Nicole Nalty

D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures kicked off with a conversation with Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. A lifelong Disney fan, it’s only appropriate that Bob shared some super exciting news about anticipated attractions and offerings coming to Disney theme parks.

MagicBand

MagicBand 2

You may have seen something magical on D23’s social media yesterday about MagicBand 2––Destination D guests are the first to experience the newest version of the innovative technology used throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Bob told D23 why it was so important for the new MagicBands to make their debut at this event, “Well, we have fans and we have super fans. And we owe it to our super fans to give them the best of the best and, when we can, be the first to try new things! It’s a privilege for us to launch something new and something as revolutionary as MagicBand 2 with our super fans.”

MagicBand 2 features a new design, making it even more customizable and versatile, while maintaining the same effortless convenience of the original MagicBand. Bob told D23 that when it comes to MagicBand 2, “the key word is personalization.” The MagicBand has evolved from a band to a versatile accessory: “The actual gem of the band can be popped out and potentially be put on a variety of merchandise,” Bob shared with us. So while you may enjoy wearing your MagicBand 2 as just that, you can customize your MagicBand 2 with exclusive Disney Parks merchandise to fit your personality and preferences. This new structure allows Disney theme parks to “create new, unique, personalized guest experiences,” Bob explained. MagicBand 2 will make its resort-wide debut soon, but we’re particularly partial to this exclusive Destination D design.

Pandora – The World of Avatar

Talk about an amazing adventure! Destination D guests were the first to learn that Pandora – The World of Avatar will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2017. The land is sure to be a highlight for all Disney fans, including Bob! When we asked him what new offering he is most excited to experience, Bob said, “everything in Pandora. From the placemaking to the two extraordinary attractions that will be in that land—both the Na’vi River tour as well as the Banshee attraction. These promise to set new high-watermarks for our experiential magic that we give our guests. And as a fan and as the Chairman of the Parks, I can’t wait to see this in real action.”

We can’t wait either! Pandora – The World of Avatar promises to be an unbelievably innovative land, from the bioluminescent forests to the two attractions. When we asked Bob for more details about the Banshee attraction, he shared that “it’s multi-sensory in a way that raises the bar higher than we’ve ever raised the bar before. There are elements of it that you will say are familiar, but the way things are integrated create a form of reality that we’ve not yet experienced.”

Bob also shared some never-before-seen images from the new land:

Avatar Bridge

This bridge, located near Tiffins Restaurant, will be the entry point to Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Canteen

Satu’li Canteen, featuring Na’vi art and cultural items, will be the main eatery in Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Merchandise Location

Explore Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more at Windtraders.

Courtyard

Enjoy a special drink at Pongu Pongu, a beverage location as eclectic as its Expat owner.

Star Wars at Disney Parks

Star Wars at Night

The creative minds at Walt Disney Imagineering are hard at work creating another world, or perhaps we should say a galaxy far, far, away…As Bob told D23, “We’re challenging ourselves to be as ambitious as possible with the development of the Star Wars-themed lands. We know the playbook in terms of how to make a ‘land’ and how to make an attraction. But incumbent with moving forward, is challenging ourselves to make it bigger and better than even sometimes we could have dreamed. I think the key word for me for the Star Wars lands that will distinguish them from everything else, with the unbelievable attractions we’re going to have, is the word ‘immersive.’” Disney fans feel that immersion when entering a land like Cars Land, but Bob feels the new Star Wars-themed lands will take that one step further: “Every element of that land will be in story.”

Destination D guests were the first to see what the Star Wars-themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will look like at night in the stunning image seen above. A sharp-eyed Star Wars fan will notice the distinct details that will bring this land to life, including one of the signature attractions that lets you take the controls of the Millennium Falcon.

While we wait for this unbelievable land to arrive in this galaxy, Bob also shared that a new adventure will be added to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, based on elements of the upcoming Star Wars: Episode 8.

We’re just getting started here at Destination D! Stay tuned to our live updates here on D23.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (Disney.D23) for more amazing adventures.

Live from D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures

We had so much fun at D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures! See some of the amazing adventures we had during our weekend at Walt Disney World Resort:

Ready for some amazing adventures? Follow along as we share live updates from D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures, taking place this weekend at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (Disney.D23) for more from this fan-favorite Disney weekend.

Friday, November 18

2017 events

An Eventful Year
2017 will be a year full of many more amazing adventures for D23 Members! See which events you can’t miss here.

D23 Expo 2017

Get Ready for D23 Expo
D23 Expo 2017 is coming up quickly! Read more about the Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired Design Challenge and the ever-popular Mousequerade, both taking place during next year’s D23 Expo.

"Walt’s Great Adventures" Walt Disney Archives exhibit

Walt’s Great Adventures
Explore Walt Disney’s greatest adventures in an exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives exclusively for Destination D. See photos from this amazing exhibit here.

Saturday, November 19

Star Wars at Night

A Conversation with Bob Chapek
Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts shared some exciting news about Disney theme parks around the world! Click here for updates on Pandora – The World of AVATAR, Star Wars-themed lands, and more!

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A Look Back at Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures
Film producer Don Hahn and Becky Cline, Director of the Walt Disney Archives, took guests on a true-life adventure, sharing photos and clips from the Academy Award-winning series. Guests also saw a sneak peek at Born in China, Disney Nature’s next film, debuting on Earth Day 2017.

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Talking Adventureland with Disney Legend Marty Sklar
Marty Sklar certainly has had a lot of adventures! The Disney Legend took guests on a visual tour of early concepts for one of the most iconic lands throughout Disney theme parks, Adventureland.

Pinocchio blu-ray cover

When You Wish Upon a Star…
Your dreams come true! The 1940 classic animated film Pinocchio is coming to Digital HD and Blu-ray – click here for details.

Treasure Cove

Disney Adventurelands Around the World
Disney Legend Tony Baxter and Imagineers Jason Grandt and Luc Mayrand shared what it’s like in the wilds of Adventureland at Disney theme parks around the world. Guests learned that Shanghai Disneyland originally had an Adventureland, but eventually became two adventure lands, Adventure Isle and Treasure Cove.

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Tales from the Jungle Cruise
Once a skip, always a skip! Justin Arthur, Alex Grayman, Kevin Lively, Chris Merritt, Trevor Van Dahm, and Wyatt Winter took guests on a tour of the world famous Jungle Cruise, and they were the perfect guides! Each of these presenters got their start on the iconic attraction, either at Magic Kingdom park or Disneyland park. Guests were in for a pun ride as our guides shared stories from their time in the jungle. Kevin Lively and Wyatt Winter shared how the Jingle Cruise (now celebrating its fourth year) came to be. “The spirit of the Jingle Cruise is that the holidays are what you make of them,” Lively explained of the spirit of the holiday attraction. “Found objects” make up most of the decor – tires from Kilimanjaro Safaris, and even material from a Jungle Cruise skipper’s pants deck the halls of this jolly jungle. Alex Grayman spilled secrets from inside the Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom park, and all of Destination D was inducted into the Adventurer’s Club thanks to Dr. Albert Falls!

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Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 45th Anniversary
Destination D guests were swept away to a tropical hideaway, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Disney artists Casey Jones and Richard Terpstra, D23’s Steven Vagnini, and Disney Vacation Club’s Ryan March explored the South Pacific-themed getaway, from early concepts to a chat with the legendary Auntie Kau’i, a cast member from Pearl Bay, Oahu, who helped open the resort in 1971. Cultural representative Ku’ulei joined our friends to lead a hula lesson for the whole hall with music performed by Kalei and Kau’i.

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Moana: Building a Legend
Screenwriter Jared Bush (Zootopia) took the stage to share secrets from Disney’s next animated film, Moana, diving into theatres next week. Destination D guests will see the film later tonight, so Jared’s presentation is the cherry on top of a sweet day!

Sunday, November 20

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It All Started with a Map
Historians and co-authors Kevin Neary and Susan Neary kicked off Sunday’s adventures by mapping out their stunning book Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai. Kevin Neary and Susan Neary worked closely with the Walt Disney Archives and the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library to curate this treasure trove of historic maps.

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New Walt Disney World Adventures
Walt Disney World Resort Ambassadors Caitlin Busscher and Nathaniel Palma helped us celebrate the amazing adventures that are already delighting guests at Walt Disney World Resort. Entertainment Show Director Tom Vazzana truly entertained the crowd with director’s commentary on the unbelievable new spectacular, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! The show features all-new audio of “Oogie Boogie’s Song” from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and all-new animation of some of our favorite Disney characters from our friends at Disney Animation. Imagineer Wyatt Winter joined us again to chat about Frozen Ever After, a new innovative Epcot attraction based on the hit film Frozen. The Audio-Animatronics used in the attraction are the first to be fully electronic, Wyatt explained, and the original animators from the film returned to help bring these iconic characters to life.

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Magic Journeys: 45 Years of Walt Disney World Adventures
Imagineers Jason Grandt and Alex Wright took guests on a journey through some of Walt Disney World’s most unique and fondly remembered adventures, from heading nowhere in particular on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (the Magic Kingdom attraction featured two tracks), to the high-flying adventure If You Had Wings. 

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Pandora – The World of AVATAR
Filmmaker James Cameron, Imagineer Joe Rohde, and A.C.E. Founder Marshall Lamm shared stories from their visits to Pandora, including amazing images that truly depict beauty of the land, and a video of the Shaman of Songs – click here for your first look. 

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The Art and Adventures of Marc Davis
Guests marveled at some never-before-seen Marc Davis art, as Imagineer Chris Merritt shared the stories behind the artwork. Chris Merritt is co-authoring a new book on the Disney Legend alongside Pete Docter. From familiar and beloved attractions to concepts that never came to be, Chris shared concepts spanning Marc’s storied career with WED Enterprises.

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The Imagineering Adventure
Ever wonder what happened to the Audio-Animatronics in America Sings? Disney Legend Tony Baxter shared stories from his legendary career at Walt Disney Imagineering, including moving our animal friends from America Sings into Disneyland’s Splash Mountain. Along with D23’s Steven Vagnini, Tony discussed the three factors that drive the creation of new attractions: timing, park needs, and new technology. Speaking of new technology, Shanghai Disneyland Portfolio Creative Executive Luc Mayrand walked guests through Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, perhaps Walt Disney Imagineering’s most innovative attraction to date, which opened earlier this year at Shanghai Disneyland. To celebrate the new attraction, Imagineers gathered water from each Pirates attraction around the world to pour into the water of the Shanghai attraction before opening.

Guiding Animals Through Change
As Disney’s Animal Kingdom expands with brand-new experiences, Dr. Scott Terrell, Director, Animal and Science Operations, shared how his team has prepared animals for the changes in the park. The team has taken great measures to make sure the residents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom are taken care of with the addition of nighttime hours at the park. As a special surprise, Dr. Scott brought out two different animals from Disney’s Animal Kingdom: a stunning black vulture (which flew through the room!) and an adorable aardvark.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Evolving a New Species of Theme Park
Imagineer Joe Rohde took the stage again to share some of his adventures creating Disney’s Animal Kingdom and bringing Pandora – The World of AVATAR to life. Joe encouraged the audience to travel and embrace every experience – a philosophy that has helped Joe and his team create some of the most immersive areas in Disney theme parks.

Destination D guests finished off the weekend with a trip to Magic Kingdom and a ride on one of the park’s most iconic adventures – The Jingle Cruise!

D23 Destination D: Explore “Walt’s Great Adventures” with the Walt Disney Archives

By Nicole Nalty

D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures is almost underway! Before we dive into a weekend full of panels, presentations, and amazing surprises, we took a sneak peek at the special exhibit the Walt Disney Archives created exclusively for Destination D.

“Walt’s Great Adventures” features photographs, props, and models that showcase Walt Disney’s professional and personal adventures. Take a look at some of our favorite pieces from the exhibit:

D23 Expo 2017 Mousequerade

Registration is now closed. We hope to see you at D23 Expo! Find out more details about Mousequerade here.

By Jeffrey Epstein

A ghoulish delight or a Jedi knight, a princess fair or a Country Bear… Mousequerade returns to D23 Expo 2017, and D23 invites fans to design their own Disney-inspired costumes for this incomparable competition. Past contests have showcased unparalleled creativity and innovation, and this year the event will be held on Friday, July 14 at 11 a.m. in Stage 28 at the Anaheim Convention Center, where dozens of finalists will strut their stuff for a panel of expert judges—Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars Rebels), Kara Saun (costume designer for Descendants 2), Yvette Nicole Brown (ABC’s The Mayor), and the contest’s host, Disney’s Jim Babcock.

At this one-of-a-kind event, 15 participants in each of the following five categories will dazzle the crowd with the original costume designs they have brought to life:

  • Once Upon a Costume: Let the most beloved stories—from the lands of make believe and fantasy—inspire your transformation into a beloved Disney character.
  • Worlds of Adventure: Ahoy, and may the force be with you! From buccaneers to galaxy royalty, these costumes rock the worlds of Disney adventure.
  • Heroes & Villains: Good vs. Evil… Light Side vs. Dark Side… Superhero vs. Super villain… Bring these classic struggles to life with imagination and ingenuity. Solo contestants or duos are welcome to compete.
  • Inspired by Disney: From attractions to animation, theme parks to cruise ships, architecture to live-action films, we challenge contestants to bring the unique creativity of Disney to life.
  • Casts of Characters: Entire groups of Disney characters are brought to life with up to eight of your friends or family members playing their favorite parts.

The winners of each Mousequerade category will receive a trophy and the winner of Best in Show will receive $2,300 cash.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to persons who are, as of entry, eighteen (18) years of age or older or the age of majority in your state of primary residence whichever is older, and legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. Limit three (3) Entries per person/Team. Entries must be received by 11:59 PM PT on 3/31/17. Click here for Official Rules and full details on how to enter, judging and prize limitations. All travel, accommodations and other expenses associated with Finalists attending the Live Contest at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA on 7/14/17 are not included.

D23 Expo 2017 Design Challenge

UPDATE: Submissions and updated information are available here.

By Jeffrey Epstein

Everyone loves arrrrrrrrt! In honor of the 50th anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland, D23 is looking for a band of swarthy artists to create Disney pirate-inspired artwork. Entrants can base their work on the beloved theme park attraction or any of the Pirates films, as well as other marauders from Disney’s treasure trove of cads including those from Peter Pan, Treasure Island, and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Twenty-three pieces of finalist artwork will be on display throughout the D23 Expo weekend on the show floor. The winning artist will be chosen prior to the start of the D23 Expo and will receive a cash prize of $2,300. Anyone interested in participating must visit d23expo.com/designchallenge on or after February 6, 2017 to submit sketches of proposed artwork (and to find out more about other entry requirements) no later than March 31, 2017. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of creativity, originality, and artistic expression.

Finalists in both competitions will receive one (1) complimentary ticket (and one (1) for a guest) to attend D23 Expo 2017. Contestants do not need to be members of D23 to enter either contest.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to persons who are, as of entry, eighteen (18) years of age or older or the age of majority in your state of primary residence, whichever is older, and legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. Limit three (3) Entries per person. Entries must be received by 11:59 PM PT on 3/31/17. If selected as a Finalist, Final Artwork must be received by 11:59 PM PT on 6/23/17. Click here for Official Rules and further details on how to enter, judging and prize limitations. Prize does not include travel to or accommodations in Anaheim, CA.

7 Reasons We Love Celebrating Mickey Mouse

By Jocelyn Buhlman

To celebrate Mickey Mouse’s birthday on November 18, D23 has rounded up a list of reasons why we adore the big cheese. What’s your favorite thing about Mickey?

dapper Mickey

He’s rocking a timeless sense of style.
From the simplest look to the sparkliest of suits, Mickey Mouse has a style for the ages. Of course, we adore his red shorts and yellow shoes, but we can’t forget his iconic looks like his sorcerer’s hat, his band uniform, and even his disco jumpsuit! And be sure to stop by Disney theme parks to see Mickey dressed for any occasion, whether it be a safari hat for Animal Kingdom, a newsboy suit for dancing around Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure, or bundled up in his coziest clothes for the parks’ holiday celebrations! Fashionistas, take note, because Mickey has miles of styles!

Mickey Mouse Club logo

He’s the symbol of our childhood.
Whether you were born when Mickey premiered or just last year, everyone has fond childhood memories of Mickey. He’s the quintessential symbol of childhood, entertaining us in his cartoons and welcoming our families to his theme parks, and even inspiring us to use our imaginations and follow our dreams! Whenever we see Mickey, we remember how it feels to be a kid, since like Walt Disney once said, “Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.”

Fantasmic

He’s full of boundless imagination.
When we think of Disney, we think of creativity and storytelling and adventures in far-off lands. Mickey Mouse embodies that creative spirit with his boundless imagination. As the star of Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios’ show Fantasmic!, Mickey uses his boundless imagination to fight off a rogue’s gallery of Disney villains, culminating in a battle of imaginations between himself and Maleficent, now transformed into a dragon. With an imagination that bold and beautiful, it’s no wonder that Mickey symbolizes the creativity of Disney.

Lonesome Ghosts

He’s a mouse-ter of all trades.
One of the many perks of starring in countless cartoons is lots of work experience—just ask Mickey! He’s driven a boat, flown a plane, hunted ghosts, cleaned clocks, and even ruled as a king! And, of course, he’s the welcoming host at Disney theme parks all over the world and the leader of the Mickey Mouse Club, too! You’d wonder how Mickey can do it all, but don’t forget, he’s been learning magic, too!

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

He’s a romantic at heart.
Even from the very first cartoon, Mickey Mouse has been trying to woo his love, Minnie Mouse. So many of his adventures are centered around flirting with her, taking her on dates, or just showing her how much he cares. And why shouldn’t they be? If you knew a lovely lass like Minnie, you’d be head over heels for her, too!

Brave Little Tailor

He’s small but mighty.
Could you imagine fighting giants, mad scientists, or even a team-up of Disney’s deadliest villains? Would you be brave, or would you be shaking in your mouse ears? Mickey’s had to face off against all of them, and more! His bravery is an inspiration to us all, as no matter how large or scary the foe, Mickey always stands up for the side of goodness! We may not be fighting fire-breathing dragons any time soon, but we still take inspiration from Mickey’s bravery when we face our day-to-day trials.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas

He’s the everyman of the story.
In any classic Mickey Mouse story, you have the main characters: quick-tempered Donald Duck and reliably scatterbrained Goofy causing trouble wherever they go—led by Mickey Mouse, who has to deal with all the cartoon mischief. He’s the everyman we can all relate to: a pure-hearted force of good who sometimes likes to cause a little mischief. We can see ourselves in Mickey’s adventures and acknowledge our own potential through Mickey’s own achievements—he represents all of us when we watch his cartoons.

Mickey Mouse Talks About His Great Birthday Adventure

By Jeffrey Epstein

In preparation for his birthday, Mickey Mouse toured the globe, while filming his new music video for the song “What We Got.” After globe-trotting to such cities as Shanghai, Rio De Janeiro, Paris, and Kyoto, D23 was able to sit down with Mickey to hear about his adventures and the big birthday celebration.

Happy birthday Mickey animated gif

First off, happy birthday, Mickey! One day early, of course.
Gosh, thanks, Jeffrey! Having a birthday is great, but getting to celebrate with friends makes it even better!

Mickey Mouse birthday adventure map

Speaking of celebrating, how was your trip around the world?
Aw, it was amazing! I got to see so many incredible places and catch up with all my friends—and make some new ones, too.

Mickey Mouse with the Eiffel Tower

Any favorite moments?
Gosh, it’s hard to pick just one… Hmm… Well, I guess after all the dancing, it sure was nice to sit down and enjoy a croissant while looking out at the Eiffel Tower. It made me think of Minnie, since Paris is one of her favorite places to visit.

Disco Mickey and Minnie

Speaking of the dancing, can you talk about making the music video? We are personally big fans of Disco Mickey Mouse.
Oh wow! I haven’t thought about that one in awhile! Well, at least not since the last time Minnie and I went dancing. Sometimes we still break out a few of those moves. Ha-ha! But, ya know, it was tons of fun to learn this new dance. And my friends seemed to catch on to it really quickly. Except for Goofy. He’s one of my best pals, but boy, talk about two left feet! I kept trying to tell him he didn’t have to stand on his head, but he just didn’t get it.

We love the new gold hoodie. Very sharp!
Aw thanks! Minnie picked it out for me. She’s got great taste!

How are you planning to spend your birthday!
Whoo! I’m gonna be super busy! I’m not exactly sure of everything that’s planned, but I know I’ll be visiting with my friends at Good Morning America, where we’re gonna show everybody a video we made during my trip.

Steamboat Willie

Another New York premiere for you! You made your big screen debut back in 1928 in New York at the Colony Theatre in Steamboat Willie!
That’s right, I did! I always enjoy seeing my friends in the Big Apple. Ya know they say it’s the city that never sleeps. Lucky for me I found some earplugs that come Mickey-sized!

And after Good Morning America, what do you have planned?
Well, I’ll be off to visit even more friends back home. I’ve got lots of shows and parades to do, and a little bird named Goofy might’ve let it slip that Minnie’s planning a surprise party. But don’t tell her I know about it! I’ve been practicing my surprised face, so she won’t catch on.

Will there be cupcakes?
I hope so. I love cupcakes! As long as Donald doesn’t bake them. Last year there was a pretty big salt and sugar mix-up. See, he’s not really the best cook. But don’t tell him I said that!

Do You Know These Musicians Who Brought Magic To 9 Classic Disney Animated Features?

By Jocelyn Buhlman

As Walt Disney Feature Animation prepares to release it’s latest adventure, Moana, in theaters November 23, fans eagerly await the release of the movie’s soundtrack. Part of the magic of Disney animated films is the music that transports us to far-off places such as the plains of Africa, the coast of Hawaii, or even the bustling streets of Zootopia, by Disney Legends including the Sherman Brothers or Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. In Moana, some popular musicians help set the musical scene—and this isn’t the first time Disney has employed established musicians to craft Disney magic. Do you know what other musicians have had us singing along in theaters? Read on to find out!

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa’i 

Lin-Manuel Miranda & Opetaia Foa’i , Moana (2016)
You’re probably already familiar with some of Moana’s soon-to-be iconic songs, such as You’re Welcome, performed by Dwayne Johnson, or How Far I’ll Go, covered by Alessia Cara. As you wait for your chance to finally meet Moana, take the time to meet the magic-makers behind the movie’s music: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa’i. Miranda already has the world turned upside-down from his smash hit Broadway musical, Hamilton, and will be starring in Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns alongside Emily Blunt. Foa’i is the leader of the South Pacific Fusion band Te Vaka, which celebrates the musical styles of the South Pacific and New Zealand, along with Foa’i’s own Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and Samoan heritage. Opetaia brought this passion and love of his heritage into his work on the songs for Moana, using the music to share the wayfinding history of the people of the South Pacific.

Elton John and Tim Rice

Elton John, The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King is one of Disney’s most acclaimed animated features, and the experience of the movie would not be the same without its amazing soundtrack, with lyrics by longtime Disney collaborator Tim Rice and music composed by rock ‘n’ roll legend Elton John. This is probably one of Disney’s most notable collaborations, not only producing songs that influenced generations (how many cats have been hoisted into the air while their owner belts out the lyrics to Circle of Life?), but holding the distinction of being the only Disney animated feature to have a soundtrack certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. The soundtrack really felt the love with accolades from the Academy Awards® and the Grammys.

Phil Collins

Phil Collins, Tarzan (1999) & Brother Bear (2003)
This famous rock star liked writing songs for Disney so much he did it twice! His work on the soundtrack for Tarzan was notable not only for the multiple awards it won, but also because Collins recorded his vocals for the soundtrack in five different languages, including French, German, and Italian. His work with the Tarzan soundtrack was so successful that he was asked to write the music for another Disney animated feature, Brother Bear. For that soundtrack, his performances of the songs were joined by Tina Turner and the Blind Boys of Alabama. His song Welcome continued its legacy beyond the film as the theme for Disneyland’s Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams, the parade which celebrated Disneyland’s 50th anniversary.

Lady & the Tramp

Peggy Lee & Sonny Burke, Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Lady and the Tramp is remembered for featuring the distinctive vocal stylings of American icon Miss Peggy Lee, both in voice acting and in the film’s soundtrack. Besides voicing Lady’s owner, Darling, and the vivacious pound pup Peg, Peggy Lee teamed up with Sonny Burke, leader of the jazz big band The Duke Ambassadors, to pen the film’s musical numbers. Along with her memorable performance of He’s A Tramp in the film, Peggy Lee is an award-winning singer and songwriter, known for her classic takes on songs like Fever, Why Don’t You Do Right, and Is That All There Is? Sonny Burke was a bandleader for recordings by artists like The Andrews Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby. Together this iconic team created a soundtrack guaranteed to give you a Bella Notte of good music.

Robin Hood

Roger Miller & Johnny Mercer, Robin Hood (1973)
Oo-de-lally! The fun and folksy songs of Robin Hood are part of the movie’s charm that keeps it beloved in the hearts of Disney fans everywhere. The sensational soundtrack makes sense when you consider that two of its writers were composers and performers of some classic songs. Roger Miller, songwriter and voice of roaming rooster bard, Alan-a-Dale, is responsible for penning and performing hits like King of the Road and England Swings. He combines his songwriting talents with Johnny Mercer for the silly number The Phony King of England, which captures the antics of Robin Hood and his merry men perfectly. Johnny Mercer is not only the founder of Capital Records, but also an Oscar-award winning songwriter, penning classics such as Moon River, Goody Goody, and Hooray for Hollywood. With a team like Miller and Mercer, it’s no wonder we’re still whistling along to the songs from Robin Hood today.

Oliver & Company

Barry Manilow, Oliver & Company (1988)
Oliver and Company’s soundtrack created many notable Disney moments. Besides being the first Disney film employing lyricist and Disney Legend Howard Ashman, the movie also features a soundtrack composed and performed by famous musicians. You might already know that Billy Joel voices street-smart terrier Dodger and preforms some of the soundtrack’s most well-known songs, but did you know that Barry Manilow helped write a song for the soundtrack? He helped write the song Perfect Isn’t Easy, the number performed by Georgiana, the spoiled poodle voiced by performing powerhouse Bette Midler. The star-studded soundtrack helped give Oliver & Company a modern, city-life feel to the classic tale of Oliver Twist.

Randy Newman

Randy Newman, The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Randy Newman had been crafting songs for our favorite films long before taking us down to New Orleans for The Princess and the Frog. He also created the soundtracks for all three Toy Story films, plus the music for A Bug’s Life; Cars; Monster’s, Inc.; and Monster’s University. But even beyond the world of Disney Animation and Disney-Pixar, Randy Newman is influential to the world of rock ‘n’ roll as both a songwriter and a performer, known for hits like I Love L.A. and It’s a Jungle Out There. Disney has certainly got a friend in this influential songwriter.

Lilo & Stitch

Elvis Presley, Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu, Lilo & Stitch (2002)
One of the most memorable things about this movie’s lovable heroine, Lilo, is the six-year-old’s precocious passion for a certain King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. While all the Elvis songs used in the film were previously released singles, the charm of the film is the uniqueness of a Disney animated feature using classic rock songs to punctuate the adventures of a girl and her alien. Original songs for the film also got a helping hand from Mark Keali’li Ho’omalu, a Hawaiian chanter who provided the movie with two beautiful sequences, He Mele No Lilo and Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride. Although both artists feature very different sounds, Lilo and Stitch’s most beloved sequences are made truly magical with music.

Sia Furler

Sia Furler, Zootopia (2016)
You may already know that Zootopia’s famous popstar, Gazelle, is voiced by musician Shakira, but did you know that another famous top-40 artist helped make Gazelle’s catchy single, Try Everything, come to life? Sia Furler, better known by just her first name, not only performs catchy songs that we know and love, but also writes pop hits for many famous musicians, such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, and… Gazelle! With Sia writing and Shakira performing, no wonder that uplifting theme from Zootopia has us tapping our toes, paws, claws, or whatever we have, to the beat!

From the Office of Walt Disney: A Man, A Mouse, and A Mentor

Walt Disney’s hand-drawn greeting to his first mentor is reproduced as one of the 23 treasures “From The Office of Walt Disney” for the 2016 D23 Gold Member Gift.

By Stacia Martin

Walt Disney was proud to hail from America’s heartland. Even as achievement and fame made him a citizen of the world, he never lost sight of his roots and stayed in touch with many friends from his Missouri days—including his second grade schoolteacher. Walt took particular pleasure in acknowledging those who had helped steer him towards success, and in the case of Mr. A. V. Cauger of Kansas City, he was not alone.

Arthur Vern Cauger opened the Kansas City Slide Company in 1910 and grew his business into the Kansas City Film Ad Company, creating advertising graphics and simple stop-motion animation for cinemas. Among the young artists who broke into the picture business under Cauger were Isadore “Friz” Freleng, J.B. “Bugs” Hardaway, Ub Iwerks… and 18-year-old Walt Disney, hired in 1920. Working for Mr. Cauger inspired Walt to move beyond commercial illustration and explore the possibilities of film; he enrolled in night classes at the Kansas City Art Institute, and experimented in a makeshift studio behind the family home, using a camera loaned to him by his supportive employer.

Walt struck out on his own in May 1922, opening his short-lived but innovative Laugh-O-gram Films Inc. Despite its financial failure, Walt was determined to continue, and joined his brother Roy in California in July 1923. The Disneys’ new studio launched in October, and before a decade had passed, many of Walt’s fellow Kansas City Film Ad cohorts, including Freleng, Hardaway, and Iwerks, came west to animate for them. While Freleng and Hardaway would eventually depart (and find particular fame at Warner Bros.), Ub Iwerks became a Disney mainstay. When their star character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, vanished on a technicality, it was this future Disney Legend who conspired with Walt to design and breathe life into their hope for the future: a cartoon mouse named Mickey.

A. V. Cauger continued his Kansas City business for many years, justifiably proud of the talents he had nurtured. He was doubtlessly most proud of Walt Disney, and pleased that Walt had made it a point to both publicly acknowledge his debt to his old boss and maintain contact with the self-effacing animation pioneer. In December 1944, Mr. Cauger and his wife, Nina, themselves took a trip to California—an event that would not go unheralded.

Walt’s Burbank studio was not yet five years old when he welcomed his Missouri mentor and toured him through the custom-built, air-conditioned motion picture plant. Perhaps the unique, independent wings of the Animation Building, designed for optimal natural artists’ light, brought back memories of the enormous multi-paned window wall in Kansas City Film Ad’s central work room, where both Walt and Ub Iwerks had spent many long (and warm) hours at the drawing board.

Mr. Cauger’s big night arrived on December 28, when the celebrated filmmaking fraternity he’d founded reunited to salute him with a testimonial dinner. The event was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, site of the first Academy Awardsâ ceremony. In addition to Walt and Ub, Friz Freleng and “Bugs” Hardaway, a host of old friends attended, all grateful for the vision of one man who had encouraged the potential within so many creative novices.

To commemorate the evening, a keepsake book was assembled for the Caugers. Titled simply “Memories,” the oversized autograph album featured wooden covers and the relief-cut image of a cozy cabin and pine trees on the front. Inside, on textured brown paper, each of the animation community’s brightest paid tribute to the man who had launched their careers. Many wrote their sentiments, some, like Ub Iwerks, drew caricatures of themselves, still others drew famous characters with which they had become associated. Each used graphite pencil—the key implement of their chosen craft.

D23 Member gift item. Picture of Walt speaking into a microphone
Walt Disney spoke for Mickey Mouse both on screen and on the air! This 1938 promotional photo is reproduced as one of the 23 treasures “From The Office of Walt Disney” for the 2016 D23 Gold Member Gift.

By 1944, Walt Disney no longer drew on a regular basis, though he liked to “keep his hand in” and retained a cartoonist’s touch in his strong, visually distinctive signature. In Kansas City, young Walt had drawn a lot, dreaming of new directions that those drawings might take. It was appropriate, then, that on this occasion Walt drew once again for Mr. Cauger. For this very personal tribute, Walt selected the character often identified as his “alter ego,” Mickey Mouse. Not only was Mickey Walt’s greatest success, but most importantly, Walt maintained a personal bond with his creation by performing his voice (exclusively until 1946, occasionally thereafter). Also, Mickey’s personality often mirrored that of a cheery, sometimes bashful Midwestern stripling, prone to expressions like “gosh,” “you bet” and “aw, shucks…” probably not unlike a teenaged Walt.

“To A. V. Cauger — Who gave me my first job in the movies — Walt Disney” reads the inscription beneath a mischievous, merry portrait of Mickey, drawn by Walt with simplicity and the unmistakable flair of pleasure.

Amazingly, just eight years after Walt began work at Kansas City Film Ad, his own animated character would impact not just his world, but the rest of the globe as well. Although in 2016 we celebrate the 88th anniversary of that all-important Steamboat Willie premiere, it is worth a moment reflect as well on the 72nd anniversary of Hollywood’s tribute to A. V. Cauger. Mickey Mouse’s success is rooted in that same celebratory spirit, proving that cherishing those who make dreams possible is just as  important as creative endeavor itself.