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!

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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.

Celebrate a Monster of an Anniversary with 15 Things We Love About Monsters, Inc.

November 2, 2016

By Jocelyn Buhlman

1. The Friendships
On its surface, Monster’s, Inc. is a story about the monsters who hide in our closets. But at its heart, Monsters, Inc. celebrates the bond of friendship and how we can find it even in the strangest places. Not only do we watch the heartwarming longtime friendship of Mike and Sulley continue to grow throughout the film, but the budding friendship between Sulley and Boo proves that not even coming from two different worlds can stop love.

2. Boo’s Big Adventure
Mary Gibbs, the 5-year-old actress who voiced the loveable Boo, was too young to stand in a recording booth all day delivering her lines. Instead, Pixar staff followed Mary around the studio, recording her as she spent the day playing and giggling. The result was the adorable performance we hear in the final movie and an authentic performance of everyone’s favorite little “monster.”

3. A Monstrous Tribute
Mike Wazowski has a date-turned-disaster at a sushi restaurant called Harryhausen’s. That name has a special meaning: The restaurant was named in honor of Ray Harryhausen, a famous visual effects master best known for his monster creations from Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans. It’s only appropriate that such a master of monsters would be honored in a movie about monsters’ secret lives!

4. Monsters, Inc. Adventures at Disney Parks
We can finally experience Monstropolis in real life at Disney theme parks all over the world! Monsters, Inc.: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! at Disney California Adventure lets you experience the events of Monsters, Inc. for yourself, riding through scenes from the movie and the streets of Monstropolis. The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom lets you into an exclusive comedy show hosted by the monsters from the movie (plus some new faces), only now you are the star! And Monsters, Inc.: Ride and Go Seek at Tokyo Disneyland invites you to be part of a game of hide-and-go-seek that takes place across all of Monstropolis! No matter which park you go to, you know you’ll have a fun and furry good time entering the world of Monsters, Inc.

5. Hidden Pixar Secrets
Can you find the Pizza Planet truck in Monsters, Inc.? Did you know that Jessie the yodeling cowgirl has a new home in Boo’s room? Do you know where the famous Luxo Jr. ball is hidden? Pixar loves to hide references to their past movies and shorts in their current films, and Monsters, Inc. is full of fun and silly shoutouts to Pixar’s classic films.

6. Finding Familiar Friends
Speaking of hidden secrets in Pixar films, did you know that Pixar will sometimes hide a character from the next movie they are working on in the current film? For example, you can find Dug from Up barking at Remy in Ratatouille and Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear is owned by a girl watching Carl’s house fly by in Up. This tradition all started with Monsters, Inc., when animators hid a character from the next film as a toy in Boo’s room. So the question is: Can you find Nemo? He actually appears more than once in the movie, if you have a sharp eye.

7. The Chemistry of the Cast
Usually for an animated film, each performer records their lines by themselves. However, in order to capture the true camaraderie between Mike and Sulley, Billy Crystal and John Goodman recorded all of their lines together. Steve Buscemi and Frank Oz, the voices of scarer/assistant pair Randall and Fungus, also recorded lines together for certain scenes as well.

8. A World Built for Monsters
Pixar is always known for creative concepts, from imagining what our emotions are doing inside our head to illustrating the journey of an old man in his balloon-powered house. Monsters, Inc. demonstrates this creativity with the monster-fied technology and design in Monstropolis. Every detail reflects a world where everyone is big, hairy, scaly, and scary! From the “Stalk” and “Don’t Stalk” street signs, to Mike’s little teddy “bear,” to Sulley’s big armchair with a hole for his tail, Pixar thought of it all when it came to designing the world beyond our closet doors!

9. Randy Newman’s Big Win
Musician and composer Randy Newman already had a friend in Pixar with his work on the Toy Story films and a bug’s life, but he had never won an Academy Award® until he wrote his monster of a hit, “If I Didn’t Have You,” for Monsters, Inc., which went on to win the award for Best Original Song at the 2002 Academy Awards.

10. A Silly Recurring Gag
One of the most famous running gags in Monster’s, Inc. made us love Mike Wazowski—who may be tiny, but he has a big heart. Poor Mike can’t seem to get a break on any of Monsters, Inc.’s promotional material, getting covered by a bar code on a magazine cover or by a logo in a TV commercial. “I can’t believe it!” he says, “I’m on TV!” His upbeat attitude makes us laugh every time and makes us love him even more.

11. Sulley’s Spectacular Hair
Always open to challenging themselves and putting forward their best work, the filmmakers at Pixar decided for Monsters, Inc. to try their hand at animating a main character that was covered in bright blue hair! The result was, of course, our favorite, huggable top scarer, and his 2,320,413 blue hairs were all rendered in the physics engine Fitz, which Pixar created specifically to animate Sulley.

12. Fun Outtakes
In Pixar’s early days of feature film, they became known for animating outtakes from their movies and including them in the closing credits, giving audiences a reason to stay in the theater until the very end. Monsters, Inc. was the last Pixar movie to include outtakes, and what great outtakes they were! The whole audience was screaming with laughter over the wacky pranks, silly mistakes, and fun shoutouts the Pixar staff included during the end credits.

13. A Chase We Won’t Forget
One of the most iconic scenes of the movie was when Sulley, Mike, and Boo evaded Randall’s pursuit through the door vault. The resulting chase through the closet doors is dizzying and striking and left a visual impact in the mind of viewers everywhere.

14. The Magnificent Monsters
The most important part of creating the world behind our closet doors is making the monsters, of course! There are so many scary cool designs featured in the film, from Celia’s stylish snake hairdo to the spider-esque Henry J. Waternoose. Whether they are monsters you’d rather not see in your closet or monsters who are more of a fuzzy friend than foe, the world of Monstropolis is full of interesting characters designed by the talented Pixar team.

15. A Familiar Voice
Everyone was in stitches over Roz’s distinct vocal intonations, but did you know that the creator of her iconic sound is also responsible for another memorable Pixar character? Bob Peterson, animator, writer, and director for Pixar, was also the voice of everyone’s favorite chatty canine, Dug, from Up! Despite being so incredibly different from each other, both characters share the same, talented voice actor.

Disney twenty-three Joins the Rebellion to Celebrate the Arrival of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

November 1, 2016November 1, 2016

On December 16, Star Wars fans will blast off once again to a galaxy far, far away—only this time, it’s with a new set of characters (save for one Sith Lord) in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film’s stars Felicity Jones and Alan Tudyk, director Gareth Edwards, and producer Kathleen Kennedy give readers a glimpse into the making of the film, which is centered on a group of rebels determined to steal the plans for the menacing Death Star. Kennedy reveals the origins of this first “stand-alone” film, while Edwards discusses the detailed planning that went into bringing Darth Vader back to the big screen.

The winter issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also includes a look at the 30th anniversary of Disney Parks’ Star Tours, with detailed concept artwork and in-depth interviews. And Tudyk, who gives voice to droid K-2SO in Rogue One, talks about being a “lucky charm” for Walt Disney Animation Studios, having provided his vocal talents for such films as Big Hero 6, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and this month’s Moana.

Plus, Auli‘i Cravalho talks about her star turn as the title character in Moana, and reveals she almost didn’t audition for the dazzling animated film, which opens November 23. The creators of the exhilarating new Iron Man Experience unveil details about the Marvel-themed attraction, which opens at Hong Kong Disneyland next January. And the team behind the enhancements on the Disney Wonder cruise ship gives fans an inside look at the unique experiences and exquisite details guests will enjoy when they next set sail.

There’s much more Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three, including:

An exploration of the new book Maps of the Disney Parks, which highlights stunning works of art that have gone into park cartography over the years
The reunion of Newsies original Broadway cast members for a new filmed version of the hit musical
Famous Disney characters from around the world that you (may) have never met
The storytelling and artistry of Marvel’s Enchanted Tiki Room comic books
A celebration of 60 years of the delightful Daisy Duck
Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

And starting December 1, D23.com will once again kick off the “D23 Days of Christmas.” Each day will include sweepstakes for incredible Disney prizes, dazzling photography, delicious recipes, original stories and videos, colorful crafts, and much more. D23 will also host several exclusive holiday events for members including: Light Up the Season with D23 on Sunday, December 4, at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on Tuesday, December 13. Visit D23.com/D23Days to unwrap the holiday fun.

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November.

Inside a Halloween “Treat from the Walt Disney Archives”

October 31, 2016September 16, 2019

By Justin Arthur

Each Halloween, all manner of ghosts and ghouls assemble at The Walt Disney Studios lot for a spooktacular soiree, but this year, something new has materialized. For the first time, the Walt Disney Archives is presenting an immersive Halloween-themed exhibit exclusively for employees of The Walt Disney Company and their “loved ones.”

The Walt Disney Archives has partnered with the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood over the years to present some ghoulish favorites from films like Hocus Pocus and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, but has never before developed an all-Halloween walk-through experience.

Treats by the Walt Disney Archives — Jack-o’-lantern with boxes of vintage children’s costumes

When asked to put together an exhibit especially for Disney employees this Halloween, we were monstrously excited. We dug deep into the crypts of the Archives to present some of our favorite artifacts from the creepiest films and the eeriest theme park attractions.

Magician’s table from The Prestige (2006) with the book, Something Wicked This Way Comes — Magician’s table from *The Prestige* (2006) with the book, *Something Wicked This Way Comes*

Carousel horse from Something Wicked This Way Comes (1984) — Carousel horse from *Something Wicked This Way Comes* (1984)

After selecting objects from a variety of places—from legendary theme park attractions to wacky Tim Burton films—we couldn’t figure out how to bring them all together. But that was only until we realized that almost all of these ideas had one thing in common: an attic. So with that in mind, we filled our “Archives attic” with all sorts of twisted treasures from our collection. Look carefully around our cobwebbed corridors, and you might spot a few “hidden” pieces—everything from Wizards of Waverly Place to Lost to The Prestige.

Cow Devil from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Magic Kingdom Park — Cow Devil from *Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride*, Magic Kingdom Park

Upon entering the “newly dilapidated” historic Hyperion Bungalow, the exhibit begins with a celebration of Halloweens past. We’ve brought out some of our favorite children’s costumes from our Character Merchandise collection, as well as some devilish creatures from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Return to Oz.

Toy figures used by Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense (1999) — Toy figures used by Haley Joel Osment in *The Sixth Sense* (1999)

Winifred Sanderson costume worn by Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus (1993) — Winifred Sanderson costume worn by Bette Midler in *Hocus Pocus* (1993)

Spell book from Hocus Pocus (1993) — Spell book from *Hocus Pocus* (1993)

In an Archives first, we are presenting props and costumes from the spine-chilling classics of director M. Night Shayamalan, including The Sixth Sense and The Village. No Halloween is complete without Hocus Pocus, and we have Winifred Sanderson’s (Bette Midler) costume, as well as her beloved book of spells.

Maquettes of Victor, Sparky, and Sea Monkeys from Frankenweenie (2012) — Maquettes of Victor, Sparky, and Sea Monkeys from *Frankenweenie* (2012)

Mickey Mouse rocker and Tombstones from Frankenweenie (1984) — Mickey Mouse rocker and Tombstones from *Frankenweenie* (1984)

Pluto velocipede from Frankenweenie (1984) — Pluto velocipede from *Frankenweenie* (1984)

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) “Halloweentown” diorama — *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993) “Halloweentown” diorama

In the farthest recesses of our attic, we celebrate the Disney films of director Tim Burton. From Halloweentown to the Hollywood Hills of Ed Wood, we bring together some of our favorite of his films, including Tim’s original Frankenweenie featurette from 1984. Disney Archives Founder and Chief Archivist Emeritus Dave Smith loaned Tim Burton vintage Disney Character Merchandise pieces for the original film, and we’ve re-created the Frankenstein family’s attic with these original treasures.

Tombstones from Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom Park — Tombstones from *Haunted Mansion*, Magic Kingdom Park

Music box from The Haunted Mansion (2003) — Music box from *The Haunted Mansion* (2003)

Elizabeth Henshaw portrait from The Haunted Mansion (2003) — Elizabeth Henshaw portrait from *The Haunted Mansion* (2003)

Madam Leota crystal ball from The Haunted Mansion (2003) — Madam Leota crystal ball from *The Haunted Mansion* (2003)

Female Ghost costumes from The Haunted Mansion (2003) — Female Ghost costumes from *The Haunted Mansion* (2003)

In the final and most delightfully unlivable room of our attic, we present curiosities direct from Gracey Manor. From the attractions to the feature film, we celebrate the Haunted Mansion in all of its ghoulish glory. Making her debut with the happy haunts is O-Iwa, the “lost ghost” from Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. After Walt Disney said that he was “out collecting” to fill his Haunted Mansion with “ghosts from all over the world,” someone in Japan took him quite literally. In 1965, Matsutaro Shoriki sent him the head of a Japanese Kabuki ghost named O-Iwa, complete with human hair!

Bride Audio-Animatronics® figure from Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom Park — Bride *Audio-Animatronics*® figure from *Haunted Mansion*, Magic Kingdom Park

Before finding a way out, look out for the ominous bride. We hear she’s “dying” to meet you.

For two days only, we invite you to visit us in the Hyperion Bungalow—where there’s always room for one more!

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: