Get Ready to Play! Toy Story Land is Coming to Shanghai Disneyland

November 9, 2016November 9, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

The world we know and love from Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story will come to life like never before in a new land at Shanghai Disneyland. Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, along with Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Fan Xiping, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group, recently celebrated breaking ground on this new expansion.

Just like here in the United States, Toy Story is immensely popular in Mainland China, which makes the new land the perfect first expansion for Shanghai Disneyland. In fact, it’s SO popular, that the expansion began before Shanghai Disneyland opened (Shanghai Disney Resort also features an unbelievable hotel inspired by the series––click here for photos).

Like everything at Shanghai Disneyland, Toy Story Land will be an authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese experience; a truly one-of-a-kind land featuring three attractions and a themed character greeting area. Based on the amazing, innovative attractions we’ve already seen at Disney’s newest theme park, we’re sure Toy Story Land will be an absolutely immersive experience that all Disney fans will love.

Stay tuned to D23 for more Disney news and updates.

Gorgeous New Beauty and the Beast Photos—Plus More in News Briefs

November 9, 2016

By Courtney Potter

Be Our Guest to These Exquisite New Beauty and the Beast Images

Beauty and the Beast—and just last week, our “sneak peek” prayers were answered! The Walt Disney Studios released several new images from the film, featuring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as Beast.

Directed by Bill Condon, the film will bring the story—and its beloved characters—to life in a stunning cinematic event. With an ensemble cast including the likes of Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Audra McDonald, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson, Beauty and the Beast will waltz into cinemas on March 17, 2017.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
November 19–20, 2016
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures
December 4, 2016
Light Up the Season with D23
December 11, 2016
Holiday Gingerbread House Workshop at Downtown Disney
December 13, 2016
D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration
December 13, 2016
D23’s Moonlight and Mistletoe Dinner
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
Studios
November 23, 2016
Moana opens in theaters
December 16, 2016
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters
March 17, 2017
Beauty and the Beast opens in theaters

Parks
September 14–November 14, 2016
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort
November 11–January 8, 2017
Holidays at Disney Springs
November 14, 2016
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Television
November 11, 2016
Frozen makes its broadcast debut on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/PT
November 20, 2016
Elena and the Secret of Avalor is simulcast on Disney Junior and Disney Channel at 7 p.m. ET
November 24, 2016
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration, 8–10 p.m. ET on ABC
November 24, 2016
Freeform’s Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas begins
November 25, 2016
Disney Parks Presents: A Descendants Magical Holiday Celebration, 8–9 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
December 1-25, 2016
Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas
December 25, 2016
The Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration, 9–11 a.m. on ABC

Countdown to Moana—New Featurette and Song Snippet

In just a few short weeks, we’ll meet the newest members of the Disney animation family—a smart, strong, fearless teenager; her demi-god mentor; and their family, their friends, and even their foes. Just this week, we’re getting a glimpse into the amazing work that went on behind the scenes of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana via their new featurette, above. Meet some of the film’s “Oceanic Story Trust”—a group of cultural advisors who collaborated extensively with the film’s creative team—and hear from directors Ron Clements and John Musker, as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda (one of the film’s composers).

Speaking of Lin, we’ve got another Moana treat! Check out this clip from “We Know the Way,” a song from the film co-written and performed by Lin and fellow Moana composer Opetaia Foa’i.

Look for Moana to navigate into a theater near you on November 23.

Original Cast Members Join Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 TV Series

On a scale from 1 to 10, we’d rate our excitement at an 11! Disney XD’s upcoming animated series Big Hero 6—based on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar®-winning film inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name—will reunite a slew of its original cast members for its debut next year. Reprising their roles are Ryan Potter as tech genius Hiro; Maya Rudolph as Aunt Cass; Scott Adsit as huggable robot Baymax; Jamie Chung as no-nonsense, speed genius Go Go; Alan Tudyk as tech guru Alistair Krei; Genesis Rodriguez as quirky scientist Honey Lemon; David Shaughnessy as butler Heathcliff; and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee as Fred’s dad. Joining the main voice cast are Khary Payton (The Lion Guard) as control freak Wasabi and Brooks Wheelan (Saturday Night Live) as fanboy Fred.

The series picks up immediately following the events of the film and continues the adventures (and friendship) of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro and his amazing, adorable robot Baymax. Along with their friends Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go, and Fred, they form the legendary superhero team Big Hero 6—and embark on high-tech adventures as they protect their city from an array of scientifically enhanced villains. And in the meantime, Hiro faces all manner of trials and tribulations as the newest prodigy at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. Look for Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 in 2017!

Narrators Set for 2016 Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World

First presented to Disneyland visitors during the 1958 holiday season, the Candlelight Processional—the telling of the Christmas story through spoken word and song—made its way down to Walt Disney World in 1971. Since then, countless celebrity narrators have joined the annual event; now a part of Epcot’s Holiday Around the World celebration, the show includes an amazing 50-piece orchestra and mass choir.

Two new narrators will be joining Epcot’s 2016 Candlelight Processional: Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. (December 28–30, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Ming-Na Wen (December 22–24). This year’s star-studded line-up also includes Neil Patrick Harris (November 28–December 1), The View host Whoopi Goldberg (December 2–3), Edward James Olmos (December 4–6), and Jodi Benson (December 25–27). Visitors can catch the performances at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. each night at the American Gardens Theatre.

Heading to Walt Disney World for a holiday vacay? Don’t miss your chance to be a part of a longstanding Disney tradition! For more information—including how you can make reservations for a new Candlelight Processional dining package—check out their event page at DisneyWorld.com.

Exclusive Moana Clip in Disney Crossy Road Mobile Game

Mobile game players, take heed! There’s a wayfinder sailing over the horizon, and she’s headed straight for your favorite Disney game! An exclusive clip from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana—featuring Moana, Maui, and the crazy Kakamora (for the uninitiated, those are the film’s coconut-armored pirates!)—can only be viewed by Disney Crossy Road players in the mobile game. Look for it until November 12.

The integration continues on Thursday, November 17, when Moana-inspired content will be added to Disney Crossy Road, letting players hop into the 8-bit version of Lalotai and explore the Realm of Monsters with new figurines, such as Moana, Maui, Pua, Heihei, Tamatoa, and more. Players can collect shiny treasures along the road as they dodge giant frogs, mutant plants, and massive monsters!

But that’s not all: Disney Crossy Road players will have access to a special in-game promotion with Regal Cinemas that allows them to purchase online pre-sale tickets for Moana through November 22. The perfect way to kick off your Thanksgiving holiday weekend…

Fans Choose: Where Should Freeform Host Special Sneak Peeks?

Freeform is offering its fans a very unique opportunity—the chance to choose where the network will host some spectacular sneak-peek screenings for two of its most talked-about shows. As of November 4, fans can vote to bring a screening of the Season 2 premiere of Shadowhunters—as well as the first episode of the new original series Beyond—to their hometown, this December! Let your voice be heard, either at ShadowhuntersTV.com, BeyondTVSeries.com, or on Twitter (by tweeting #ShadowhuntersAndBeyond and the city and state of your choice.

Voting concludes on Tuesday, November 15, at 11:59 a.m. PT—and the winning city will be announced the next day. Once a location has been determined, fans can sign up to attend the screening on a first-come, first-served basis; they must be 18 or older, or attend the screening with a parent/guardian.

If it turns out you don’t live in the city where Freeform ultimately hosts their shindig, fret not: The second season of Shadowhunters debuts on January 2 at 8 p.m. PT, followed immediately after by the premiere of Beyond. (And for those of you who are super curious, the entire first season of Beyond will be available for immediate “binge watching” on digital platforms also on January 2.) Mark those new calendars now!

Bob Mattey: Master of Mechanical Magic

November 8, 2016

By Becky Cline

Legendary mechanical effects man Robert A. Mattey Jr. began his Hollywood career in the late 1920s, while visiting his father, a costume jeweler who created the faux coins used in the 1927 epic film The King of Kings. The 16-year-old Bob was fascinated by the production process, and was hooked for life.

Shortly after, Bob began working in motion pictures himself, most notably for RKO and Universal Studios in films such as King Kong (1933) and Tarzan and His Mate (1934). Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Bob did uncredited work for some of the best special effects supervisors in the industry, building werewolves, carnivorous plants, and much more.

In the early 1950s, Disney art director Harper Goff saw the giant mechanized octopus that Bob had created for the John Wayne film Wake of the Red Witch (1948) and knew that he had found just the man to help him through production troubles in Disney’s new epic adventure 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Harper was having a difficult time with the film’s giant “puppet” squid, which had been fabricated but was not working properly, so he hired Bob to mechanize a new more robust squid, sculpted by Disney artist Chris Mueller.

The film and its monster squid was such a hit that Walt Disney quickly offered Bob a permanent position at the studio as head of the Mechanical Effects Department, and Bob was soon hard at work building a host of mechanical figures for the soon-to-open Disneyland. Bob animated hippos, elephants, and other exotic animals for Jungle Cruise; populated the Rivers of America with lifelike deer, elk, and bears; balanced rocks and made mud baths bubble for the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland; and even worked mechanized magic in Fantasyland where he animated the charming figure of Timothy Mouse high atop the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction and gave guests severe sensory overload in the finale of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Bob continued to work his magic on attractions at Disneyland, including the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea walk-through attraction, the earliest mock-ups of Haunted Mansion, and he provided special mechanical effects for multiple Disney feature films including The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), The Happiest Millionaire (1967), Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968), and The Love Bug (1969). But it was in a non-Disney film of the 1970s that Bob’s greatest mechanical “monsterpiece” appeared to terrify audiences around the world—Bruce the Shark in Steven Spielberg’s megahit Jaws (1975).

When Disneyland opened in 1955, Bob was one of the pioneering artists who was given “screen credit” by Walt on the windows of Main Street, U.S.A. The firmly tongue-in-cheek tribute credited him with the title “Taxidermist,” a nod to his ability to create such lifelike dimensional creatures. In the 1970s, the window was moved and altered, but today it has been returned to its original state, to pay homage to Walt’s wonderful wizard of mechanical effects, Bob Mattey.

Celebrate Mickey Mouse’s Birthday with These 11 Swell Cartoons!

November 3, 2016November 3, 2016

By Jocelyn Buhlman

He’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me, and he’s celebrating his birthday in style this year! While Mickey Mouse travels the world to share his birthday spirit, the rest of us Mouseketeers can celebrate the Big Cheese’s big day from the comfort of our homes, with a little help from some animated classics. Below are 11 of Mickey Mouse’s most memorable, iconic, and just doggone funny appearances in Disney animation!

Steamboat Willie (1928)
You can’t talk about Mickey Mouse cartoons without thinking of Steamboat Willie. The first animated appearance for both Mickey and Minnie, the film follows their charming adventures of mischief and music on a river steamboat. When you find yourself whistling the classic tune from the short, remember that sound is important to this short not only because of the catchy song stuck in your head, but also because it was the first animated short to use synchronized sound!

Mickey’s Follies (1929)
This short consists of a series of performances by Mickey Mouse and his barnyard pals, making musical mayhem in the classic Disney way. For the show’s finale, Mickey performs “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo,” the theme of many of Mickey’s theatrical cartoons. We bet you can’t help but hum along with Mickey himself.

Puppy Love (1933)
Love is in the air when Mickey and Pluto pay a visit to Minnie and her dog, Fifi. Classic cutesy couple conundrums commence as Mickey tries to woo Minnie while his faithful pup tries his charms on Fifi, giving her a box of candies intended for Minnie. When the mix-up causes Mickey to give Minnie a dog bone instead of sweets, a fight ensues—but Mickey and Minnie can never stay mad at each other for long! Watch for the cartoony silliness and stay for the sweet duet from Mickey and Minnie about puppy love.

Lonesome Ghosts (1937)
“I ain’t scared of no ghosts!” In this classic team-up of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, our three favorite troublemakers are running their own ghost-catching business, but what happens when the crew receives a call from ghosts asking to be caught at their own haunted house? Ghostly goofy hijinks ensue, of course!

The Pointer (1939)
In this short, Mickey teaches Pluto to be a hunting dog in a series of wacky misadventures. Not only is Mickey teaching a new skill, but he’s rocking a new look as well! The Pointer marks the first time general audiences were introduced to Mickey Mouse’s modern character design. Shortly after this cartoon, Mickey would rock his new design with a new outfit as well—a certain red cloak and sparkly blue wizard’s hat for the animated classic The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Mickey Mouse Disco (1980)
If you want to shake your groove thing the Disney way, find yourself a copy of this iconic music video. Created to promote Mickey’s album of the same name, Mickey Mouse Disco is a music video of the Mickey animated shorts we know and love, but remixed to the disco music from Mickey’s album. If you ever wanted to bust a move with the main mouse himself, this music video will give you the chance!

Runaway Brain (1995)
It was a dark and stormy night… And all Mickey wants to do is find enough cash to buy his honey an anniversary present! But his bid for money leads him to accidentally donate his brain to a Frankenstein’s monster-esque creature who now has heart eyes for Minnie! This short, featuring work from animator and Disney Legend Andreas Deja, became an instant classic for its wacky humor and darker tone, which set it apart from the Mickey cartoons of the past.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Celebrate the holidays the Disney way! The cartoon showcases three stories about the spirit of Christmas, culminating in a Disney-fied version of The Gift of the Magi, starring Mickey and Minnie and reminding us about the love and compassion that lie at the heart of the holiday season.

No Service (2013)
The first episode of Disney’s new Mickey Mouse cartoon series features a play on Mickey and Donald’s classic attire. What does the wacky duo—one clad only in red shorts and yellow shoes and the other in nothing but a sailor shirt—do when they encounter a store with the sign “no shirt, no shoes, no service”? It’s the start of a new era of Mickey cartoons that keep the laughs and smiles going strong for the new generation of Mouseketeers!

O Sole Minnie (2013)
This Emmy® Award-winning animated short follows an Italian romance between Minnie and Mickey along the Venice canals. If you keep a sharp eye out, you’ll catch the familiar clock tower façade of it’s a small world in the background of a scene. This isn’t just a happy little shout-out—the art for the short was inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair, the artist and animator whose iconic visual style drove the look for many Disney films and, of course, the it’s a small world attraction at the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair and Disney theme parks.

Get a Horse! (2013)
Get a Horse! is a triumphant burst of energy that is full of firsts and milestones! It was Mickey’s first theatrical short since Runaway Brain, earning an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Short. Helmed by Lauren MacMullan, this short also holds the distinction of being the first Disney animated film to be directed by a woman! And in a moment of true Disney history, a certain familiar face pokes his head into the cartoon, providing the first Disney appearance of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in 85 years! These milestones already set the tone for the short’s combination of the old and the new, starting off like an old-school black-and-white Mickey Mouse short and becoming 3-D, computer-generated animation as the story progresses, with archival recordings allowing Walt to voice Mickey once again. The short is brimming with Disney energy and the mischievous fun that makes us say “Oh boy!” whenever we think of that famous mouse.

Did You Know? 5 Rootin’ Tootin’ Things You Need to Know About A Cowboy Needs a Horse

November 3, 2016January 29, 2018

By Jim Fanning

Saddle up, pardners! Time to round up a few factoids as we go ridin’, ridin’ along with Walt Disney’s A Cowboy Needs a Horse. Celebrating 60 years of rocking horses and western song, this stylishly animated “special” is special indeed. With the gentle clip-clop-like cadence of the title tune, Disney animation tells the tale of a little boy who, while fast asleep, dreams his way into some well-loved cowboy tropes, including stopping a stagecoach-robbing bandit and saving a train from crashing off a blown-up trestle. True to the cowboy code, this lovable little cowpoke refuses all rewards, even a kiss from a pretty little girl. So pull on yer fancy boots and shiny spurs and let’s pan fer the pure gold nuggets that have made this animated adventure a real gem ever since its release six decades ago on November 6, 1956.

Like fellow animator Ward Kimball, Disney Legend Bill Justice was a talent Walt turned to when he wanted something different. During the 1950s, Bill directed several experimental shorts, created during a time when Disney cut back on production of animated shorts because of rising costs. Walt asked Justice to oversee some productions that would maintain quality Disney animation in short form but at a reduced expense. One of the results was A Cowboy Needs a Horse, a simple but stylish short that relied on strong design, a distinctive premise, and a captivating main character—all tied to an irresistible song. In addition to directing, Justice animated such key scenes as the boy waking up, the bed becoming a horse, the boy riding a horse, and the young cowpoke receiving his western props—each of them drawn in by an oversized animated pencil. Corralling the comical antics were veteran story artists Dick Kinney, who had gagged up many a cartoon starring Donald or Goofy, and Roy Williams, who was gaining fame as the Big Mooseketeer on the phenomenally popular Mickey Mouse Club television series.

Beginning in 1953, with Adventures in Music: Melody, Walt began producing animated shorts with highly stylized designs. Unlike his more traditional animated films, these visually sophisticated shorts drew on modern design and contemporary styles for a more graphic look. The supreme example is the Academy Award^®-winning Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom (1953)—but A Cowboy Needs a Horse is also among these artistic experiments. Abstract shapes combine with stylized designs to form impressionistic mesas, canyons, and deserts, and bold color choices, such as burnt sienna skies, help tell this whimsically western yarn. While the backgrounds—the long pan background of the mid-century modern penthouse that begins and ends the film is a work of art itself—are credited to old hands Ralph Hulett and Al Dempster, Justice relied on his frequent collaborator, Xavier “X” Atencio, who is credited with layout and styling, to create the modernist-design eye candy. In 1965, Walt asked both Justice and Atencio to lend their talents to WED Enterprises, Inc. (now known as Walt Disney Imagineering), where, in addition to many other attractions, they brought their Disney artistry to Pirates of the Caribbean.

The lullaby-like title tune was written by Billy Mills, a prolific Big Band leader who reportedly made 10,000 radio performances, and Paul Mason Howard, composer of such hits as “Shrimp Boats.” The song was recorded by Fess Parker (star of Walt Disney’s “Davy Crockett”) on Disneyland Records (now known as Walt Disney Records) and Jimmie Dodd, the head Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club TV series, as well as famed singing cowboy star Roy Rogers, who had narrated the “Pecos Bill” segment of Walt Disney’s Melody Time (1948). The score, by turns evocative, exciting, and gently satirical, was composed by Disney Legend George Bruns.

The title song from A Cowboy Needs a Horse was performed on “Fun With Music Day” (plain old Monday to non-Mouseketeers) on the Mickey Mouse Club TV series. Originally broadcast on December 5, 1955—almost an entire year before the animated short was released to theatres. This production number paralleled the basic format of the cartoon, with Mouseketeer Dennis Day at first fast asleep in bed and then dreaming of life as a cowboy in a stylized western set complete with dancing cactus plants (full body costumes with Dennis’ fellow Mouseketeers inside). By the way, Mouseketeers, the famed Mickey Mouse Club title sequence was directed by A Cowboy Needs a Horse director Bill Justice.

On the March 27, 1959, episode of Walt Disney Presents, entitled “Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom,” Walt showcased not only the Oscar^®-winning short of the same name but also other music-centric cartoons, including A Cowboy Needs a Horse. All-new animation was created to introduce the short, including our little cowpoke—who we learn is named “Johnny”— panning for gold with a frying pan in the kitchen sink. Later generations were introduced to this unique little horse opera on Disney Channel and on the popular Walt Disney Home Video Sing Along Songs series—because as the title tune says, “the good Lord knows that a cowboy’s gotta keep ridin’, ridin’ along.”

11 Characters to Inspire Your Dapper Style

November 3, 2016May 13, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Need a little inspiration for your next fashion phenomenon? D23 rounded up 11 Disney characters who’s style is at their dapper best.

1. Roger and Anita, One Hundred and One Dalmatians
The couple that dresses well together, stays together—and no one is a sharper-dressed pair of puppy parents than Roger and Anita. Rocking cute vests, spiffy suits, and perfectly pressed button-downs, this couple makes dressing dapper an effortless part of everyday life.

2. Mary Poppins and Bert, Mary Poppins
Sometimes you need to save your dapperness for special occasions, like perhaps going on a Jolly Holiday and visiting a chalk pavement picture world. Bert and Mary pull out all the stops in their coordinating outfits, perfect for a day of carousel riding and fine dining.

3. Bowler Hat Guy, Meet the Robinsons
Looking this good has never been so bad. Bowler Hat Guy is so dapper that his own name reflects his sense of fashion. His classic, all-black look is perfect for showing off your style, although your own bowler hat only needs to have secret flying and mind-control powers if you’re planning on pulling off nefarious schemes or hanging out with a T. rex.

4. Pinocchio, Pinocchio
Pinocchio had to work hard to become a real boy, but he was already real dapper from the start of his story. From the wooden puppet’s hat to his suspenders, Geppetto knew how Pinocchio should dress to impress. It’s no lie that he has a dapper look that no one can compete with.

5. Jane, Tarzan
Just because you’re out in the jungle doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be dressed to the nines! Jane manages multiple dapper outfits while out studying the animals of the jungle, rocking both a gorgeous yellow dress and a more exploration-appropriate shirt-and-skirt combo.

6. Dreamfinder, Journey into Imagination
When it comes to dressing dapper, the only limit is your imagination! Just ask the Dreamfinder, decked out in a top hat and waistcoat in brilliant blue, looking fantastic for every flight of fancy. Emulating his look will make you a dapper dream (purple talking dragon optional)!

7. José Carioca, Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros
When it comes to the fashion of the Three Cabelleros, everyone remembers Donald’s classic sailor suit ensemble, of course, but the real fashion star of the trio is a certain Brazilian parrot. With his all-yellow suit-and-hat combo and his trusty umbrella, Jose is ready to Samba!

8. Peggy Carter, Agent Carter
If there’s one character with dapper style that you’ll be marveling at, it’s the genuine 1940s style of Peggy Carter. Whether she’s in uniform or rocking a snazzy coat and hat in Captain America colors, Ms. Carter has the style that leaves everyone staring.

9. Ellie and Carl, Up
Dapper style has no age—just ask Ellie and Carl from Up! As young adults, they coordinate their ensembles with matching suits and dresses, and they keep up that style as the years go by. Don’t forget about Carl’s fabulous collection of ties, either. Together, they’re the couple that made us believe in true love and true fashion.

10. Miss Bianca, The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under
Sometimes big fashion comes in small packages, and Miss Bianca from The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under is a perfect example. Whether she is rocking her purple shawl with her matching fur hat or her matching sun hat, Miss Bianca keeps herself looking dapper in even the most daring of situations. She proves that you can look classy no matter the direness of the situation.

11. Fear and Disgust, Inside Out
Inside Out’s colorful cohorts, Fear and Disgust, make us feel anything but that when we look at their outfits! In fact, we’re downright joyful as we admire Disgust’s darling green dress and purple scarf; and Fear certainly wasn’t afraid to make a bold statement in his sweater vest and tie. Who knew that something as abstract as emotion could dress so well?

7 Mickey-Shaped Treats that are Almost Too Cute to Eat

November 3, 2016November 9, 2018

By Nicole Nalty

Every Disney fan knows––food just tastes better when it’s shaped like Mickey Mouse. Whether you’re craving salty or sweet, there’s a Mickey treat for every appetite. Here are just a few of our favorites, and some of the places you can find them:

Mickey Macaron

One of the newer additions to the Mickey Mouse lineup, this Mickey shaped macaron (our friend Rachel Bshero at the Disney Parks Blog created your guide for macaron vs. macaroon!) is a light delight in any flavor.

If you’re snacking at Walt Disney World Resort you can grab a macaron at Amorette’s Patisserie, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, or indulge in a Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces.

If Disneyland Resort is where you’re chowing down, grab this delectable delicacy at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café or a cooled down version in the form of an ice cream sandwich at Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure.

Character Dome Cake

Another new addition to Mickey-shaped sweets, this darling dome cake from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs is the perfect take-home treat to enjoy with family and friends after your Walt Disney World vacation.

Mickey-Shaped Pretzel

In our opinion, it’s always a good time for a Mickey pretzel. You can munch on this savory snack salted or unsalted, with or without cheese dip.

Get your different-flavored twists on at Walt Disney World with a variety of pretzels available at The Lunching Pad, Sleepy Hollow, Gaston’s Tavern, Prince Eric’s Village Market, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, Sommerfest, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, and The Polite Pig.

If you’re deciding whether it’s to be or knot to be at Disneyland Resort, you can grab one of these classic treats at any of the pretzel carts located all around the parks!

Mickey Mouse Waffles

We never waffle over breakfast shaped like the big cheese. The Mickey waffle––along with the equally delicious Mickey pancake––have been Disney Parks staples for generations of Disney fans.

If you’re eating a waffle lot at Walt Disney World, grab your breakfast delight at the Whispering Canyon Café, Fresh Mediterranean Market, Garden Grove, Roaring Fork, and the Crystal Palace.

When you know you’re morning would be just waffle without, well, a waffle, at Disneyland Resort, head over to Carnation Café in Disneyland park and Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel to get your sweet breakfast fix.

Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar

Is there any treat more iconic than the Mickey premium ice cream bar? Creamy vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate, warm this sweet up in your hands before taking your first bite.

If your heart is melting for this cool snack at either Disneyland or Walt Disney World, grab one (or a pair) at any of the carts that sell frozen treats!

Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Sandwich

A Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwich is another cool snack for a hot day. Can’t decide between these frosty eats? Bring a friend to a frozen treats kiosk and get one of each!

Mickey Mouse Beignets

Sprinkled in powdered sugar, these warm desserts, inspired by the iconic New Orleans eat, are best enjoyed with a mint julep.

If you’re ready to say beign-YAY at Walt Disney World, grab a trio of these ch-ear-ful treats at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory.

When all you knead to round up a perfect day at Disneyland is this famous delicacy, head over to the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square, and grab some to share (or eat all on your own, we’re not judging!).

Mickey Krispie Treats

If you prefer more of a crunch to your snack, then the Mickey Krispie Treats should be your go-to. With all sorts of different kinds of flavors and varieties, there’s an ear for everyone who holds Mickey dear.

If you’re saying bon appé-treat at Walt Disney World, you can pick up your favorite flavor at Main Street Confectionery, Candy Cauldron, and Goofy’s Candy Company. And, if this caramelly drizzled confection looks like the exact Mickey Krispie Treat you’d like to eat, you can grab it at Karamel Küche at Epcot.

Next time you’re at Disneyland looking for a snack to love for ears and ears, grab one of these at Goofy’s Kitchen and Pooh’s Corner.

The Voices You Love Are Back in Disney XD’s Big Hero 6

November 3, 2016

By Jocelyn Buhlman

At the end of Disney’s Academy Award®-winning animated film Big Hero 6, we left our favorite team of scientific prodigies as triumphant heroes, ready to defend their city as superhero team Big Hero 6. We were all left wondering: What’s next? How will 14-year-old tech genius Hiro handle starting school at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology? What kind of new, high-tech villains will the team have to face?

You don’t have to wait around long to find out! Big Hero 6 is a new animated series coming to Disney XD in 2017, picking up immediately following the riveting events of the feature film. To help tell this new story, a whole cast of familiar voices have returned to reprise their roles from the movie: Maya Rudolph as Aunt Cass; Jamie Chung as electromagnetics specialist Go Go; Scott Adsit as everyone’s favorite inflatable health assistant, Baymax; Alan Tudyk as tech guru Alistair Krei; Ryan Potter as robotics prodigy Hiro; Genesis Rodriguez as the bubbly chemist Honey Lemon; David Shaughnessy as the butler, Heathcliff; and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee as Fred’s dad.

The super team is rounded out by newcomers Khary Payton (The Lion Guard) as laser specialist Wasabi and Brooks Wheelan (Saturday Night Live) as everyone’s favorite mascot by day—and also by night—Fred. Additional newcomers to the series include Jenifer Lewis (black-ish) as strict Professor Granville, Andrew Scott (Sherlock) as mysterious new villain Obake, comedian Andy Richter as Globby, Diedrich Bader (American Housewife) as Bluff Dunder, Susan Sullivan (Castle) as Fred’s mother, Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs) as Richardson Mole, John Ross Bowie (Speechless) as Mel, and Haley Tju (Bella and the Bulldogs) as classmate Karmi.

Returning to the super hero storytelling arena are executive producers and Emmy® Award winners Mark McCorkle, Bob Schooley, and Nick Filippi, originally known for their global hit Disney Channel Series Kim Possible, another story about tech-powered super-teens saving the day. Filippi is also the supervising director of the series.

If you’re going to San Fransokyo, you’re gonna meet some super people there! So, if you’re in need of some care from Baymax, a support network of tech geniuses, or a day to save, be ready to tune into Disney XD in 2017 to catch the new series Big Hero 6!

The Further Adventures of As Told By Emoji—Plus More in News Briefs

November 2, 2016

By Courtney Potter

The Nightmare Before Christmas As Told By Emoji Offers Big Holiday Fun!

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas manages to bridge two totally different holidays—in the coolest way possible, of course! So although we’re now stashing the Halloween decorations away for another year, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy Disney Interactive’s latest addition to their As Told By Emoji lineup…

Watch as Jack Skellington discovers all things yuletide in The Nightmare Before Christmas As Told By Emoji, above—which also features adorable emoji versions of rag doll Sally; confused yet kindly Sandy Claws; hooligans Lock, Stock, & Barrel; and even dastardly Oogie Boogie. And as a bonus, iPhone users can now add some Nightmare Before Christmas emoji stickers to your iMessages, via the iTunes store. Frightfully festive!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
November 4
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Glen Keane
November 5
The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23
November 19–20
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures
December 4
Light Up the Season with D23
December 11
Holiday Gingerbread House Workshop at Downtown Disney
December 13
D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration
December 13
D23’s Moonlight and Mistletoe Dinner
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
Studios
November 4, 2016
Doctor Strange opens in theaters
November 23, 2016
Moana opens in theaters
December 16, 2016
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters
March 17, 2017
Beauty and the Beast opens in theaters

Parks
September 14–November 14, 2016
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort
Television
November 11, 2016
Frozen makes its broadcast debut on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/PT
November 20, 2016
Elena and the Secret of Avalor is simulcast on Disney Junior and Disney Channel at 7 p.m. ET
November 24, 2016
Freeform’s Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas begins
December 1-25, 2016
Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas

Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time Begins Production in Los Angeles

One of the most anticipated films in recent memory, Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time is starting production this week in Los Angeles! In case you haven’t heard about the movie’s stellar cast, A Wrinkle in Time will feature Oprah Winfrey as Mrs. Which, Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit, Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Who, Chris Pine as Mr. Murry, Zach Galifianakis as The Happy Medium, Bellamy Young (ABC’s Scandal), Rowan Blanchard (Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World), and newcomer Storm Reid as the iconic literary character Meg Murry.

Directed by Ava DuVernay (Selma), the film is a reimagining of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic novel that takes Meg, her brilliant brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin on an unexpected journey into alternate dimensions on a mission to bring home their father. Produced by Jim Whitaker (Pete’s Dragon) and Catherine Hand, from a script written by Jennifer Lee (Frozen), A Wrinkle in Time will be shot primarily in California, with two weeks of production in beautiful New Zealand (lucky ducks!). Watch this space for more info on the film as it becomes available…

Alessia Cara Sings “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana

Can you believe it’s already November?! Boy, has this year flown by! And you know what might be most exciting about this month? The big premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest, Moana!

Just a few days ago, the good folks at Walt Disney Music gave everyone a fantastic new taste of the music of Moana with the release of “How Far I’ll Go,” a song from the film as interpreted by up-and-coming pop singer Alessia Cara. Written by the inimitable Lin-Manuel Miranda, “How Far I’ll Go” will be sung in the film by Moana herself (voiced by newcomer Auli’I Cravalho); Cara’s version will grace the end credits.

Moana sails into a cinema near you on November 23!

That’s So Raven Spin-Off in Development at Disney Channel

It’s hard to imagine now—with their fabulous slate of multi-camera productions—but Disney Channel was once a sitcom-less network. That all changed when That’s So Raven debuted in 2003; starring former child actor Raven-Symone, the half-hour series followed Raven Baxter, a teenager whose ability to glimpse flashes of the future often got her into hilariously hot water.

Lately, Raven-Symone has been at the hot-topic table of ABC’s The View… but there’s big change on the horizon: The actress is currently working with Disney Channel on developing—and doing some preliminary casting for—a family sitcom that will continue the story of Raven Baxter! The pilot episode is set to introduce the character (once again played by Raven-Symone) as a divorced mother with two pre-teen kids, one of whom has inherited her ability to look into the future. (As star and executive producer of the new series, the actress will be leaving her position at The View by the end of 2016.) More info on That’s So Raven spin-off shenanigans soon!

Celebrating Two Decades of 25 Days of Christmas

Hard to believe, but Freeform (formerly ABC Family) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of bringing Christmas cheer to viewers, in the form of 25 Days of Christmas—one of the biggest TV programming events of the year! The 25 continuous days of holiday-themed entertainment for the whole family runs from December 1 through 25, during which viewers can ring in the season with festive specials, classic holiday movies, and all kinds of returning favorites.

This year’s merriest offerings include the network television premiere of Holiday Joy and the Freeform premieres of Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, Snow Buddies, and Just Friends. (Holiday lovers can get an early peek of Holiday Joy on the Freeform app beginning December 1.) Additionally, Freeform is launching 25DaysofChristmasTV.com, which will post fun new holiday content each day—such as daily polls and holiday “shareables,” including gifs and short-form videos that viewers can post to social media.

Ready for your yearly viewing of The Santa Clause? Or Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas? Then tune in to 25 Days of Christmas beginning December 1.

Doctor Strange Comes to Marvel Games

Calling all gamers! And calling all fans of Doctor Strange himself! It’s the best of both worlds, just in time for the film’s release this week: Doctor Strange-inspired content is coming to almost all of Marvel’s PC and mobile games over the next few days, including Marvel Contest of Champions, Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Heroes 2016, Marvel Tsum Tsum, Marvel Avengers Academy, and Marvel Puzzle Quest.

Look for new characters, new modes, and new challenges… all heading up to the good Doctor’s debut in theaters on November 4. “Expand your mind” and get in on all the gaming action now!

Christmas Tree Trail to Spring Up at Disney Springs

Disney Springs Marketplace, the latest offering from our friends at Walt Disney World Resort, is a themed retail, dining, and entertainment center inspired by Florida’s historic architecture and natural beauty. And, as you might imagine, they’re ready to get into the 2016 holiday spirit in a big way. Case in point: their upcoming Christmas Tree Trail walk-through experience!

As you visit the 15 different themed Christmas trees, you’ll wind through a lovely winter wonderland complete with a gentle snow fall, toy soldiers, singers, and lots of photo opportunities. Planned tree themes include Mickey and Minnie Mouse; all manner of Disney Villains; films like The Princess and the Frog, Frozen, and the upcoming Moana; and even the Muppets.

The Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail will debut on November 11 and continue through January 8, 2017. Deck the halls, indeed…

How Scott Derrickson Cast the Perfect Spell with Doctor Strange

November 2, 2016

By Jim Frye

Scott Derrickson loves strange things.

The mind-bending, bizarre world of Marvel’s latest film, Doctor Strange, is familiar territory for the director. He loves that stuff! Just look at the films he’s directed, and you’ll get an idea of his eclectic—some might say scary—tastes: Sinister, Deliver Us From Evil, and his breakout hit The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Each film treads on the spooky side of things, exploring good, evil, and spirituality. And although Doctor Strange isn’t necessarily “scary,” Marvel’s mystical new character seems tailor-made for Derrickson. Or vice versa.

Derrickson brings his eye for the supernatural and paranormal to immerse audiences in the worlds of magic and alternate dimensions that define the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) newest Super Hero. “I grew up reading Marvel comics and I loved Doctor Strange,” says Derrickson. “And I think that of any comic book character from Marvel or DC or any other graphic novel, Doctor Strange is the single comic that uniquely fits my sensibilities because of the nature of the character.”

Kevin Feige, Doctor Strange producer and president of Marvel Studios, says that Doctor Strange opens a whole new type of storytelling, one that’s new to the MCU. “There are these street-level narratives of the Marvel Universe that we’ve seen in a lot of films,” he says. “There is the cosmic level, which Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers have taken us to. But there has always been a very important supernatural side to the Marvel comics, and we haven’t really touched on that. And Doctor Strange is our perfect entry point into that realm.”

And Scott Derrickson is the perfect person to bring us there. “Scott Derrickson has a great body of work and, if you look at his work going back to the early days up to his most recent films, he’s always playing with the genre; he’s always subverting the genre,” Feige says. “Sometimes he dives right into it, sometimes he twists it. That’s exactly what we love to do at Marvel. We realized he was the guy to lead us through this journey of Doctor Strange.”

“Doctor Strange has always been my favorite comic book character,” says Derrickson, “not just in the Marvel Universe but in all of comics. I connect to that comic primarily because of how seriously it takes the idea of mysticism and the notion that the universe is a profoundly mysterious place. I believe we are surrounded by more than what can be measured with instruments of science.”

Derrickson adds, “The comics were bold, trippy, hallucinogenic and fantastical—but at the same time they’re always treating these mystical things as though they are real. And I’m a person who thinks that they are real. I think the universe is incredibly weird and mysterious, and so to be able to use this kind of big-budget entertainment to explore the world’s weirdness and bring other dimensions into the cinema for audiences to experience—well, what could be greater than that?”

Strange New Worlds

As Marvel’s 14th film, Doctor Strange deals with some seriously strange stuff—parallel dimensions, alternate dimensions, and the multiverse, which is an entirely new area of storytelling for the MCU. The story follows world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange, whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing and hope in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence—the Sorcerer Supreme!

Fans of Marvel comics know that other dimensions play a huge role in the Marvel comic universe, not just for Doctor Strange but for quite a few of the Marvel characters. Doctor Strange, then, is the perfect choice to introduce this new element to the MCU. “It’s an attempt to create not only a broader universe for Marvel characters and Doctor Strange himself to inhabit, but it really is an attempt to push the ball forward when it comes to what audiences can expect to enjoy from tent-pole movies,” says Derrickson. “That’s an ambitious goal, but that’s what we’re doing.”

Derrickson continues, “This movie is certainly opening up the world of other dimensions more than any other Marvel film. In the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and The Avengers were amazing, groundbreaking, trendsetting movies and they all did kind of belong to each other. I think that Marvel very wisely recognized that it needed to take some hard left turns and some crazy, wild, ambitious risks—and certainly Guardians of the Galaxy, my favorite film of 2014, was that kind of crazy left turn. Doctor Strange is that, as well.”

“Stephen Strange, being a skeptic and a materialist and somebody who is very resistant to magic and mysticism, is forced to open up his mind to the possibility that maybe there is more to the world than what he thought,” Derrickson adds. “I admire character journeys where a person’s view of the world is expanded. I admire that in the real world when I see people having the courage to expand their minds and see that maybe the world is more than they thought it was—and that’s the journey of Stephen Strange.”

Actually, that’s not so strange, after all. Expand your mind—and take your journey to see Doctor Strange November 4.

Be Our Guest to These Exquisite New Beauty and the Beast Images

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

Countdown to Moana—New Featurette and Song Snippet

Original Cast Members Join Disney XD’s Big Hero 6 TV Series

Narrators Set for 2016 Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World

Exclusive Moana Clip in Disney Crossy Road Mobile Game

Fans Choose: Where Should Freeform Host Special Sneak Peeks?

The Nightmare Before Christmas As Told By Emoji Offers Big Holiday Fun!

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

Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time Begins Production in Los Angeles

Alessia Cara Sings “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana

That’s So Raven Spin-Off in Development at Disney Channel

Celebrating Two Decades of 25 Days of Christmas

Christmas Tree Trail to Spring Up at Disney Springs

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

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