Triple Chocolate Cupcakes

August 25, 2016October 6, 2016

If you’ve been to Be Our Guest restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park, you might be familiar with the decadent and delicious triple chocolate cupcake. Bring this fan-favorite home with a recipe straight from the restaurant!

Makes 12 cupcakes

CUPCAKES
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream

SIMPLE SYRUP
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
2 cups heavy cream
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup espresso
4 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar

CHOCOLATE GANACHE
12 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) chopped bittersweet chocolate
1 cup heavy cream

FOR CUPCAKES:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.
2. Sift cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl; beat with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating until each is completely incorporated before adding the next. Beat in vanilla extract.
3. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour mixture and sour cream, beginning and ending with flour.
4. Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes.
5. Cool in pan 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

FOR SIMPLE SYRUP:
Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and cool completely.

FOR CHOCOLATE MOUSSE:

1. Heat 3/4 cup cream in a small saucepan until hot. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar, in a medium bowl until well combined; add hot cream to egg yolk mixture in a slow stream, whisking until combined.
2. Transfer mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 4 to 5 minutes. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; stir in espresso.
3. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring frequently until melted. Whisk chocolate into egg yolk mixture until smooth. Refrigerate until very cold.
4. Beat remaining 1 1/4 cups cream in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until medium-stiff peaks form.
5. Whisk 1/4 of whipped cream into chocolate custard to lighten mixture, then fold in remaining cream gently until completely combined but still light.

FOR CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

1. Place chocolate in a medium heat-safe bowl.
2. Heat cream in a small saucepan until hot (do not boil). Pour cream over chocolate and stir until chocolate melts.
3. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1. Cut out centers of cupcakes using a paring knife held at a 45 degree angle, cutting in a circle, to create a cone shape. Remove cupcake centers, set aside.
2. Brush top of cupcakes with simple syrup or spoon it over top to heavily moisten.
3. Fill cupcake centers with chocolate mousse. Place cut out cupcake center on top of chocolate mousse, with point of cupcake center facing up. (Refrigerate any remaining mousse, tightly covered, up to 3 to 4 days.)
4. Pipe chocolate ganache on top of cupcakes starting at the outer edges, slowly moving in and up to the top.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. All recipes are the property of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., and may not be reproduced without express permission.

Take the “First Ride of the Day” at a Disney Park

August 25, 2016March 26, 2018

By Courtney Potter

Taking a trip to a Disney Park is a truly memorable experience. There are the mind-blowing attractions, the tune-filled shows, the nighttime fireworks spectaculars, and all that delicious food! But the excitement doesn’t actually start there… sometimes, it starts before you’ve even stepped foot inside a park!

“It’s very exciting, because you see the kids’ eyes light up.”

Have you ever thought about that very “first ride” you take once you’ve arrived at Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort? We’re talking about the tram, the Monorail, the bus, and even the watercraft that transport you to the front (or sometimes the middle!) of the various parks and resort hotels. Those trips—especially the ones first thing in the morning—can be quite magical, too. D23 wondered what it’s like to facilitate those “first rides of the day,” and reached out to Cast Members for the inside scoop.

The Monorail
Perhaps the most famous mode of “first-ride-of-the-day” transportation, on both coasts, is the Monorail. Disneyland Resort’s version opened on June 14, 1959, and was the first daily operating monorail in the entire country! At first, it only traveled around Tomorrowland—but in 1961, it was extended out to the Disneyland Hotel. Over at Walt Disney World, a Monorail transportation system (larger in scale than its Anaheim counterpart) opened on October 1, 1971, connecting the main Transportation and Ticket Center at the parking lot with several of the hotels and Magic Kingdom Park.

It’s at Walt Disney World that we caught up with Alpha Bellamy, who has worked for Disney for 32 years, and on the Monorails for more than two decades. “The Monorail itself is the most popular ride at Disney,” says Alpha. “When it comes to kids [especially], the first thing they want to see is that Monorail… When we’re transferring our guests first thing in the morning, there’s that element of surprise—where they go right through [the middle of] the Contemporary Resort, leaving the Transportation Center, [and they] get that first look at the Cinderella Castle as we’re leaving the Contemporary… ” The excitement doesn’t end with that first enchanting vision on the horizon—far from it! As Alpha explains, “Once we drop off the guests, then the real magic starts—because if they’re here first thing in the morning, [the characters] have a show right there at the front of the park!”

Speaking of “first thing in the morning,” Alpha and the other members of the Monorails team often help kick off a family’s big day at Walt Disney World with a little something extra. The team will identify a particularly enthusiastic bunch waiting for that very first Monorail, and “we’ll walk them up our ‘unload’ side—so they [don’t] have to wait in line,” he says. “[We’ll] have a few balloons, some monorail stickers for the kids… We [also] have what you call trading cards; these cards have different trivia [facts] about the Monorails. [And] we’ll probably give them a couple FastPasses, for a couple of the popular rides in the Magic Kingdom—so they can feel that ‘magical moment’ before they [even] get on the Monorail… ” It’s no wonder Alpha has stayed with this particular mode of Disney Parks transport for 20 years: “The Monorail is still, to me, the coolest ride at Disney,” he admits.

Water Transportation at Walt Disney World Resort
A truly unique “first ride of the day” happens each morning (and every 15–30 minutes ’til well after sundown) at Walt Disney World Resort (WDW). Thanks to the large network of lakes and lagoons around the property, guests can connect to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios—as well as many resort hotels, and the Disney Springs entertainment area—via all manner of water transportation. You’ll find ferryboats, launches (otherwise known as “water taxis”), cruisers, and “party boats” (used for special nighttime activities like the Magic Kingdom’s “Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage”) offering up a relaxing cruise toward Disney fun.

Rob Tela—a veritable “jack of all trades” who’s worked for The Walt Disney Company since 1987—is currently a trainer and driver with WDW Watercraft Operations, based out of the Transportation and Ticket Center… and seeing guests (especially kids!) take that “first ride of the day” still thrills him. “The enthusiasm of the kids coming around the corner, coming out of the parking lot…” recalls Rob. “If you’re a people watcher and you sit here for any amount of time, trust me, it takes no time to see it: When we open up first thing in the morning, and all of a sudden they come around [and see] the sign that says ‘Ferryboats to Magic Kingdom,’ and then they see Cinderella Castle—and they say, ‘Oh my gosh. We’re finally here!’ I’ve seen adults tear up for that.”

Like Monorails, Rob and the Watercraft Operations team have a special “first family of the day” tradition. “We do something in the morning that we started about—oh, I want to say this was almost 18 years ago now,” he explains. “What we do is, we bring one of our launches over that would normally go to the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian Resort. We’ll pick out a family… [and we] take them across on their own private trip over to the Magic Kingdom. We’ll stop somewhere, usually in front of the [park], and take some extremely great pictures of the family and make that a ‘magical moment’ for them. Of course we have some accoutrements that we bring on, too; we have hats and balloons…” And the reason for all the fuss? “We started this because a lot of our guests don’t get the opportunity to stay on our property,” he says. “It’s kind of a personal bond that you make with the guests… It’s amazing what we can do.”

The Tram
Another iconic “first ride of the day” is the tram, which features prominently at both resorts. (You can’t think about the tram without hearing that recorded safety announcement, right?) Disneyland Resort’s Glenn Kobelski has been working as a tram driver and trainer, based out of the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, for 14 years. Here’s a fun tram fact to impress friends with: “If you stand one of the trams straight up and down next to the Matterhorn [inside Disneyland Park], the tram is higher,” explains Glenn. “The Matterhorn’s [147 feet], the tram is 170 feet!” Getting guests to the Resort first thing in the morning is one of his favorite aspects of the job. “It’s very exciting, because you see the kids’ eyes light up,” says Glenn. “It makes my heart warm to just talk with the guests, find out where they’re from. I always try to find a person coming from the farthest away, that day. And the farthest I’ve found so far is Zimbabwe!”

For many guests, Glenn continues, the tram is truly an “attraction” in and of itself—and there’s one “tram fan” that he’ll never forget. “This little boy, Mikey—he was terminally ill,” Glenn recalls. “He used to come in two or three times a week because he loved the trams, and all he did was just ride around on [them]… and then go home. I was talking to his parents one day and they told me all about it. I got special permission to take him out to where we park our trams and sit him in an empty tram in the driver’s seat, [and I] put my hat on him… He had all of his pictures taken, and [soon after] he ended up passing. His parents have those pictures, and they still come back once [a year] at the anniversary and look me up.”

Buses at Walt Disney World Resort
If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World, you know about the buses; on the hottest of days, they offer some delightfully cool respite, all while transporting you around every corner of the property—from 45 minutes prior to park opening through one hour after closing (or even as late as 2 a.m., for Disney Springs and certain Resort hotels).

John Livengood has driven WDW buses (based out of Epcot) since 2005, and his early-morning routes are—as you might imagine—particularly memorable. “When we see [guests] in the morning, there’s a lot of anticipation, [even] a little bit of confusion,” John explains. “Of course, they’re just waking up and starting their day—[so] when they get on my bus, especially, I try to ease their mind, give them a little bit of a joke or an interesting conversation, just to ease them into the [experience].” In fact, those conversations have morphed into a whole new aspect of John’s job: “My managers have [now] allowed me to step away from the seat, and stand up and talk to the guests while another driver is driving… people are really enjoying it!”

Among John’s many unforgettable “first rides of the day” is a cache of young guests on Christmas Day, 2012. “I had a group of about 18 kids coming from All-Star Music [Resort],” he explains. “I do my normal routine: ‘Good morning; we’re on our way out!’ I give them some trivia… The kids really responded to me, and it was a good ride all the way in. They all enjoyed it… That, in itself, was a good day, [then] I came back from lunch and I was given an Epcot-to-Disney’s Hollywood Studios route. As I pulled in, it was the same 18 kids! [But] there was also a child in a wheelchair; the Make-A-Wish Foundation had a child [at Walt Disney World], and they were taking the child from Epcot over to Hollywood Studios… so I escort the child [on the bus], I talk with her and have a couple of laughs with her. As I’m going to load the 18 kids that I picked up earlier, as soon as they saw me [again], they lit up… Their chaperone walked up to me and told me that they were actually a choir; [she said] they’d had so much fun with me in the morning, that they wanted to repay that back to me… ”

John continues, “So they proceeded to sing Christmas carols from Epcot to Hollywood Studios! The little child that was in the chair—when she got on the bus, you could see that she was in pain. She was just not having the greatest day. [But then] these kids got on my bus and started singing, and you could literally see this girl light up… To me, that was one of the most touching times I’ve ever [had]. To watch it come full circle was amazing.”

The “first ride of the day” at a Disney Park can leave a lasting impression, and it’s something that John—and all the Cast Members D23 spoke with—doesn’t take for granted. “I’m given an opportunity here that I’ve never, ever known in my life and that’s to be myself… Every single person here takes a chance, every day, to express magic—[and] to try to give magic to at least one person a day. If 74,000 of us [employees at Walt Disney World] can reach one person a day, I think that’s a pretty amazing number.”

Get the Picture: Foolproof Tips from a Disney Photographer

August 24, 2016August 24, 2016

We’re asking Disney photographers from around the world for their best tips and tricks in our new series, Get the Picture. From what time of day to shoot Cinderella Castle to interesting angles at Castaway Cay, learn how to create picture-perfect moments wherever you are! In this edition, we asked Walt Disney Archives Photo Editor and regular Disney twenty-three photo contributor—Ty Popko—for his tips on shooting at Disney parks, whether you’re using a phone or a professional camera. Here he shares his best—along with some fantastic examples of his work.

By Ty Popko

Do you want the photos you take on your next trip to a Disney park to stand out from the crowd? Remembering just a few simple tips can help you bring back truly special memories.

When you take a photograph, all you are really doing is capturing the light of the moment. If you think about light before you take your next photo, it might help you see your scene in a new way. Interesting photos usually use light to focus your attention and use shadow to frame it.

Light is best in the morning or evening when the shadows are long and beautiful. If the sun is directly above, try to find a nice shady spot under a tree or a castle entryway. Be creative and use your surroundings. Don’t be worried about gloomy skies. The cloud cover can help create an interesting, moody background with soft shadows.

While the Mickey Mouse flowerbeds at the entrance to Magic Kingdom and the drawbridge of the majestic Sleeping Beauty Castle are both iconic Disney parks photo locations, try to capture your next visit from a new angle. How about on the top of the train station stairs looking down on Main Street, U.S.A., or the view overlooking the Matterhorn and the lagoon while you wait to board at the Tomorrowland Monorail station?

Try to break free of too many posed photos and keep your camera at the ready for that joy of someone struggling to take that first bite into the candy apple, or Peter Pan sneaking up on your friend. These genuine moments of people being candid are harder to catch but are well worth the effort.

When that beautiful Disney rose catches your eye or your favorite protocol droid is attempting to fix a star speeder, try to find a new perspective. Move left, right, above, below, zoom in, or zoom out—anything that might help you find a new angle to set your photo apart. Don’t just take the first shot you see. Keep moving until you find what feels right.

People like to see people. You can show your family and friends a million photos of all your favorite lands, but showing them photos of people will always spark their interest. It can be easily overlooked when you’re having fun capturing the world around you. Make a nice mix of both.

Finally, don’t ask your friends and family to stare straight into the sunlight. Having people look away from the direction of the sun can help eliminate the squinting you see so often in family photos. It can sometimes add a great halo of light around the subject, which can also separate people or things from the background.

The great thing about photography is that all rules can be broken. Think of the Disney parks as enormous “sets” designed just for you. Capture all the light and life that takes place within its berms. Take your camera out the next time you’re at the parks and have fun creating memories you can share with your friends and family for years to come.

Have a question for our Disney photographers? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to check us out on Instagram for fun Disney photos.

See Ty’s complete gallery below.

Ducks cross Sleeping Beauty Castle drawbridge

Buzz Lightyear from Paint the Night parade

Disney’s The Jungle Book Returns to Theaters—Plus More in News Briefs

August 23, 2016August 23, 2016

See Disney’s The Jungle Book in Select IMAX Locations—For a Limited Time!

Lookin’ for those “bare necessities” once again? You’re in luck! Disney’s The Jungle Book—director Jon Favreau’s amazing live-action reimagining of the Disney animated classic—is back, but only for a limited time! The movie will be returning to select IMAX locations across the country from August 26 through September 1.

That’s not all: The film, featuring the voices of Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, and starring newcomer Neel Sethi, is now out on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere… with a big Blu-ray® Combo Pack, DVD, and On-Demand release on August 30! Go behind the scenes with in-depth bonus features that peek into the innovative filmmaking techniques used to create the immersive jungle world—and delve into some super-fun scene-by-scene audio commentary with Jon Favreau. Plus, meet the all-star voice cast who brought the film’s colorful characters to life, as well as the musicians who helped highlight the adventure with a fantastic music score. Might be time to bring Mowgli and Baloo home for good, eh?

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 27
D23 Member-Exclusive Shopping Event at Disney Store in Bridgewater, N.J.
September 23
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Bill Sullivan
September 24
D23 Presents Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 45 Bewitching Years (Florida)
October 5
D23’s Sip & Scream
October 5
D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A Midnight Soirée at the Tower of Terror
October 8
D23’s Age of Believing: 45 Years of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (California)
November 19–20
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
Studios
September 23, 2016
Queen of Katwe opens in theaters
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

Parks
September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30; October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort
September 23, 26, 28, 30
October 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Resort
September 2–October 29 (Friday and Saturday Nights, plus October 31)
Club Villain, special ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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
September 18
68th Emmy® Awards broadcast on ABC at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
October 3
Milo Murphy’s Law premieres on Disney XD at 8 p.m. EDT

Premiere Date Set for Disney XD’s Milo Murphy’s Law

Yup, they’re back! The creators of Disney Channel’s mega-hit Phineas and Ferb, Dan Provenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, are set to debut their latest animated series—Milo Murphy’s Law—on Monday, October 3, at 8:00 p.m. ET on Disney XD. (We’ve totally marked our calendar, y’all.) The series follows 13-year-old Milo Murphy (voiced by Grammy® winner “Weird Al” Yankovic), the fictional great-great-great-great grandson of the Murphy’s Law namesake; unfortunately for him (and those around him!), Milo is the personification of Murphy’s Law, where anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Check out a first look at the show’s opening sequence in the video, above.

Born with Extreme Hereditary Murphy’s Law condition (EHML), a trait that has affected the men in the Murphy family for generations, Milo is always expecting the unexpected. No matter what goes wrong—and it constantly does—Milo is prepared for every possibility… armed with knowledge, a backpack of supplies, and an endless sense of optimism and enthusiasm that can turn any catastrophe into an adventure! Milo Murphy’s Law also stars Sabrina Carpenter (Girl Meets World) and MeKai Curtis (Kirby Buckets) as Milo’s best friends, Melissa and Zach; Ming-Na Wen (ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as time travel agent Savannah; and Christian Slater (Mr. Robot) as self-proclaimed school “Safety Czar” Elliot Decker.

Marvel’s Runaways Headed to Hulu

If you’re a fan of Marvel’s groundbreaking comic book series Runaways, listen up: Soon, you’ll get to see them in live action! Just last week, Marvel Television announced that they’ll be bringing the fan-favorite comic to Hulu, executive produced by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage—the folks behind such popular shows as Gossip Girl and The O.C.

Every teenager thinks their parents are evil. What if you found out they actually were? Marvel’s Runaways (created by award-winning comic team Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona) is the story of six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other, but who must unite against a common foe… their parents! Stay tuned for more info—and a premiere date—as it becomes available.

“Monstober” is Coming: Disney Channel Makes The Swap

Can you believe it’s almost fall? You know what that means… Halloween is just around the corner. And with it will come Disney Channel’s spook-tastic “Monstober” programming event—chock full of more Halloween-related programming than ever before, including a brand-new Disney Channel Original Movie!
Peyton List (Bunk’d) and Jacob Bertrand (Kirby Buckets) star in The Swap, which will debut on Friday, October 7 (at 8 p.m. ET), on Disney Channel, the Disney Channel app, and VOD. Ellie O’Brien (List) is trying to juggle rhythmic gymnastics and troubles with her best friend. Meanwhile, classmate Jack Malloy (Bertrand) is struggling to live up to his brothers’ hockey-star legacies and his dad’s high expectations and tough-love approach. When a text argument about whose life is easier gets out of hand, Ellie and Jack trigger a totally unexplainable real-life swap! As each tries to navigate the other’s life, hilarity ensues when Ellie (as Jack) learns about brotherly bonding and hockey lingo, while Jack (as Ellie) has to decipher girl code and experiences a spa day.

With a rhythmic gymnastics championship and a spot on the varsity hockey team on the line, they must figure out how to get back in their own bodies before the swap becomes permanent. As they are forced to literally walk in each other’s shoes, they gain empathy for one another—and learn some valuable lessons about their own lives.

The 1967 Premiere of The Jungle Book was a Swinging, Star-Studded Safari

August 23, 2016August 22, 2016

By Beth Deitchman

A “swinging safari that will amuse the young and old.”

That was how Disney’s 1967 animated musical, The Jungle Book—the last animated feature to be personally supervised by Walt Disney—was described by Mrs. Reese Hale Taylor, president of the Los Angeles Zoo Association, in a letter inviting friends and zoo supporters to the film’s gala premiere on October 18, 1967. The spectacular evening served as a fundraiser for the Los Angeles Zoo—now an established and beloved institution for local families, but which had only been founded the year before, in 1966. Fittingly, all funds raised would be designated for enhancements and additions.

The nighttime event, which Mrs. Taylor promised to be a “glittering” occasion, was actually the cap on a very special day at Hollywood’s famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Earlier in the afternoon, more than 1,200 lesser-privileged children attended a festive screening of the film, arriving at the theater on buses that were named after famous Disney characters—each of whom rode to the premiere with the children, on their namesake bus. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck were among the Disney character luminaries who turned out for the magical day.

Famed television host Art Linkletter—best known for the book and subsequent TV series Kids Say the Darndest Things!—interviewed some of the children for segments that aired during local station KTTV’s “live, color coverage” of the premiere. The evening was truly a family affair for the guests, who included Hollywood stars such as Bob Hope, Charlton Heston, and Fred MacMurray, along with their families. Mrs. Taylor promised her invitees, “By 9:30 you can be on your way home, laughing all the way.”

Nearly 50 years later, The Walt Disney Studios’ live-action reimagining of The Jungle Book mesmerized audiences in theaters, and fans will be able to experience it again: The Jungle Book will be available early on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere beginning August 23, and on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and On-Demand beginning August 30. The Jungle Book is also returning to select IMAX locations for a limited time only, from August 26 through September 1.

“We saw The Jungle Book and are swinging with enthusiasm,” Mrs. Taylor effused about the 1967 title, and her words ring just as true for fans today.

Walt Disney’s Record Collection Revealed

August 19, 2016August 23, 2016

By Greg Ehrbar

When the Walt Disney Archives restored Walt’s office at the Walt Disney Studios earlier this year, they placed every available item just as Walt left it 1966 (thanks to Dave Smith’s meticulous documentation). In his private office, on a shelf to what would be Walt’s right, is a selection of vinyl LP records, including these:

Summer Magic* (Buena Vista STER-4028, 1963)
It’s no surprise to find an album from Walt’s own Buena Vista Records record company—with music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. With a few more songs than 1961’s The Parent Trap, Summer Magic was another step toward the full-scale musical form of Mary Poppins.

The Famous Ward Gospel Singers* (Buena Vista BV-3318, 1963)
In the book The Gospel Sound, historian Anthony Heilbut stated, “The Ward Singers have to be counted as the most influential Gospel group.” Recorded at Disneyland park, this is one of the earliest live albums recorded by the label.

Love Letters from Maureen O’Hara* (RCA Victor LPM-1953, 1958)
She hummed the Sherman classic “For Now, For Always” in The Parent Trap, but if you heard the complete version on Tutti Camarata’s album of that score, you know that Ms. O’Hara’s talent and beauty were vocal, as well as visual. She also recorded the Broadway Cast LP of Christine for RCA Victor.

My Favorite Songs from Mary Poppins—Ray Walston (Vee-Jay VJ-11110, 1965)
Mary Poppins—Lawrence Welk (Hamilton 152, 1965)
Music from Mary Poppins*—Ray Conniff (Columbia CS- 9166, 1965)
Disneyland-Vista Records president Jimmy Johnson may have brought these albums to Walt’s attention, as he aggressively sought out “cover versions” like these to maximize music publishing profits. In addition to Ray Walston (of TV’s My Favorite Martian), numerous stars recorded Mary Poppins tunes, including Mary Martin, whom Walt considered for the title role. An LP of Duke Ellington’s version (Reprise, 1965) was located in Walt’s secretarial office.

More Hit TV Themes—Nelson Riddle (Capitol T-1869, 1962)
The Rogues: Music from the TV Series—Nelson Riddle (RCA Victor LPM-2976, 1964)
We may never know whether Walt listened to these albums by Nelson Riddle (arranger/composer for Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, and many others) to consider him for film or TV work, if Mr. Riddle was a friend, or Walt just liked the music.

Mama Sang a Song—Walter Brennan (Liberty LRP-3266, labeled WDP Record)
This Oscar® winner played dual roles in one of Walt’s last films, The Gnome-Mobile. He recorded several albums in which he narrated and “talk/sang” songs and verse—similar to the way he performed the Sherman song, “Drummin’, Drummin’, Drummin’” in 1968’s The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band.

Other LP’s on Walt’s shelf include: Duchin Plays Cole Porter (RCA Columbia 36541); Paris: Its Sounds and People (Capitol T-10142); and The Benny Goodman Show (private pressing, BGTV-1), which was the soundtrack of a Disneyland-based TV special. Walt stored other records in drawers and boxes. One of these was a 1944 Decca album of music from Victor Herbert’s Babes in Toyland (with The Red Mill)*, starring Kenny Baker (The Jack Benny Program), possibly reviewed by Walt during the planning stages of his own 1961 version of the musical).

In a cabinet near the records is Walt’s record player. What did Walt have on the turntable? “Blue Rain” by Glenn Miller.* (RCA Victor 20-1536-A, 1939).

Want to experience Walt’s playlist for yourself? The above records marked with an asterisk (*) are still available as digital purchases. Pre-owned copies of the others pop up every so often in record stores and online.

To learn more about treasures from the office of Walt Disney, visit D23.com/OfficeofWaltDisney.

Did You Know? Swinging Stories from Disneyland’s Carnation Plaza Gardens

August 18, 2016January 29, 2018

By Greg Ehrbar

Aglow with idyllic charm suggesting the “Shipoopi” bandstand in The Music Man, Carnation Plaza Gardens brought a variety of joyous entertainment to Disneyland park beginning in 1956.

We asked Tim O’Day about the beloved location, since he was a Stage Manager there as a young Cast Member, as well as a PR executive for the Resort. (And don’t look ahead, but there’s a celebrity guest in this article too. You looked, didn’t you? I probably would have, too.)

“Carnation Plaza Gardens was the site for a great many shows and events,” O’Day recalls. “There were Disney Character greetings and shows—including one called ‘Fantasy Follies’ that ran for years. Its biggest claim to fame was that it was one of the places that kept the big band era alive.”

Here are a few factoids O’Day shared with D23:

· On one occasion, Walt presented each bandleader with an inscribed miniature piano as a special thanks for his or her Disneyland performance.

· The plaza was a location in the April 15, 1962 episode of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, Disneyland After Dark. Hosted by Walt, it starred Annette Funicello (pictured above), Louis Armstrong, Bobby Rydell, The Osmond Brothers, the Dapper Dans and the Elliott Brothers Orchestra. The episode was also released as a theatrical featurette.

· A TV dance show originating from Plaza Gardens was broadcast locally on Los Angeles station KHJ Channel 9, which is now KCAL.

· One year, on Count Basie’s (pictured above left) birthday, Sammy Davis (pictured above right), Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald visited for a surprise visit with cake at Plaza Inn.

· Before Plaza Gardens was built, there was a gazebo on the site where the first incarnation of the Candlelight ceremony took place in 1958 (known then as the Christmas Bowl).

· In June of 1958, Disneyland Records released an album of music from the Plaza called “Date Nite at Disneyland,” with the Elliott Brothers Orchestra, a favorite among patrons of the Plaza in the 1960s. The title track, “Let’s Dance at Disneyland,” was used for commercials and a 1962 Grad Nite 45-RPM record. .

· In the Winter of 1983, it was a setting in a TV special celebrating New Fantasyland called Believe You Can… and You Can!, starring Morey Amsterdam (The Dick Van Dyke Show) and Heather O’Rourke (Poltergeist). Morey played a leprechaun named “Jiffy.”

· On May 5, 2005, during the Disneyland 50th Anniversary celebration, film composer Alan Silvestri (Who Framed Roger Rabbit), who had composed a special suite for the occasion, conducted a live orchestra at Plaza Gardens to underscore events at Sleeping Beauty Castle featuring Julie Andrews, Christina Aguilera, and LeAnn Rimes.

Plaza Gardens also holds a special place in the heart of four-time Emmy® winner Peter Marshall (Hollywood Squares), who hosted the 1984 Disney Channel series Big Bands at Disneyland.

“I was more than thrilled to do the show,” Marshall told us. “Basically, I would introduce the performers and then do an interview. It was fun because most of them were already good friends. We had Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton (pictured above), Artie Shaw, Les Brown, Bob Crosby and the Bobcats, Bob Eberle, and Helen O’Connell, all the greats. They were all terrific.”

A few more fun facts: Marshall’s sister, actress Joanne Dru, was married to C.V. Wood, a key figure in the early days of Disneyland Park! He describes himself as a “boy singer” and still appears in concert, on CDs, and daily on the long-running radio show The Music of Your Life. Last March, hundreds of fans and friends (including Hollywood Squares co-star Rose Marie) celebrated his 90th birthday with an event held at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, California.

And the beat goes on… on select nights, members of big-band royalty still entertain for your listening and dancing pleasure in Fantasy Faire’s Royal Theatre which stands on the site of Carnation Plaza Gardens.

Swing on over to the Disney Parks Blog for more archival images of Carnation Plaza Gardens.

Main Street Electrical Parade Returns to Disneyland Park—Plus More in News Briefs

August 17, 2016

By Courtney Potter

Main Street Electrical Parade Returns to Disneyland for a Limited Time!

Look! See there? Those twinkling lights on the horizon? They’re not a mirage… They’re part of the truly legendary, positively world-renowned Main Street Electrical Parade, which is returning to Disneyland park early next year!

It’s been two decades since the parade last wound its glittering way down Main Street, U.S.A.—and now, it’s returning for a limited-time encore engagement. Most recently, this “spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination” has been dazzling guests at Walt Disney World Resort.

Fans of the equally luminous Paint the Night, take note: That popular parade, first introduced as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, will continue nightly performances before the Disneyland Forever fireworks through September 5—plus, it’ll return on select nights during the 2016 holiday season! So keep your eyes peeled to the entertainment calendar at Disneyland.com for more information… and stay tuned for more details about the Main Street Electrical Parade’s return as they become available.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 20
The Reluctant Dragon 75th Anniversary on the Lot
August 22
D23 Presents Aloha Aulani!
September 23
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Bill Sullivan
September 24
D23 Presents Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 45 Bewitching Years (Florida)
October 5
D23’s Sip & Scream
October 5
D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A Midnight Soirée at the Tower of Terror
October 8
D23’s Age of Believing: 45 Years of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (California)
November 19–20
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures
July 14-16, 2017
D23 Expo 2017
Studios
August 12, 2016
Pete’s Dragon opens in theaters
September 23, 2016
Queen of Katwe opens in theaters
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

Elena of Avalor Gets a Second Season on Disney Channel and Disney Junior

Great news regarding our favorite new Disney Princess! A second season of Elena of Avalor—a story inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore—has been ordered, after its amazingly popular premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior just last month. Additionally, the Princess Elena character recently debuted at Walt Disney World, with her Disneyland Resort debut coming soon.

Elena of Avalor stars Aimee Carrero, Jenna Ortega, Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown, Carlos Alazraqui, and Emiliano Díez, with recurring guest voices including Constance Marie, Lou Diamond Phillips, Gaby Moreno, and Justina Machado. The show was created by and is executive produced by Craig Gerber; Silvia Cardenas Olivas is the story editor, and will also serve as co-producer for the second season.

New Christmas Cheer at Tokyo Disneyland Resort

Sure, we’re in the throws of August—and many schools around the country have just kicked into their fall semester—but it always pays to plan ahead… especially when it comes to the holidays! If a jaunt to Tokyo is on your radar, we’ve got some cheer-full news: Tokyo Disney Resort is set to host a slew of fun Christmas-themed special events, programs, and activities from November 8 through December 25.

As part of its “Tokyo DisneySea 15th Anniversary: The Year of Wishes” celebration, Tokyo DisneySea will offer its annual special event, “Christmas Wishes”; in keeping with the theme, this holiday event will glimmer with even more symbolic Crystals of Wishes, adding extra-special sparkle. Additionally, after dark, “Colors of Christmas: Nighttime Wishes” will be presented on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor, and the S.S. Columbia (as well as the American Waterfront) will be decorated for both the holidays and the park’s big anniversary.

Over at Tokyo Disneyland, guests will enjoy “Christmas Fantasy,” a special event themed to “pop-up storybooks full of the Disney Friends’ Christmas fun.” And along the park’s parade route, “Disney Christmas Stories” will bring to life pages from storybooks—showing the Disney characters having fun at Christmastime.

Deck the halls, indeed!

Disney Theatrical Productions’ Newsies Coming to Movie Theaters in 2017

Soon, you’ll get to “seize the day” in a whole new way! Recently, Disney Theatrical Productions and Fathom Events announced that the Tony® Award-winning musical Newsies will make its worldwide cinema debut in early 2017, starring Jeremy Jordan, reprising his Tony Award-nominated performance as Jack Kelly.

He’ll be joined by fellow original cast members Kara Lindsay (Katherine), Ben Fankhauser (Davey), and Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Crutchie)—plus Newsies North American tour stars Steve Blanchard (Joseph Pulitzer) and Aisha de Haas (Medda Larkin). Additional cast from the Broadway and North American tour ensemble will also return, filling the stage with more “newsies” and more (ridiculously acrobatic) dancing than ever before.

Jordan and the returning original Broadway cast members will join the cast of the North American tour for one performance only that will be filmed on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre… in front of a very lucky invited audience!

Sounds fantastic, right? Look for more info on the Newsies 2017 in-cinema release later this year.

New Queen of Katwe Featurette

Opening across the country this fall, Disney’s Queen of Katwe is an amazing and totally heartwarming true story based on Tim Crothers’ best-selling book of the same name. A young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda finds her world rapidly changing when she’s introduced to the game of chess—and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, she’s instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

This new featurette, from our friends at Oh My Disney, introduces us to the characters of chess prodigy Phiona (played by newcomer Madina Nalwanga), her mother, Harriet (Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o), and her supportive coach Robert (Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo). The film, directed by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding), comes to theaters on September 23.

Freeform’s Latest Funday Programming Event: September 17 and 18

Nothing says “relaxation” like a weekend spent watching some of your favorite movies… thankfully, over the weekend of September 17 and 18, Freeform will help you kick off those proverbial shoes and settle in for some comfy, cozy time on the couch.

Highlights of this latest Funday programming event include Disney’s Tarzan (2:15 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 17); Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (4:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 17); Disney•Pixar’s The Incredibles (9:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 17); and Aladdin (9:45 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 18). Pop up some corn and enjoy!

For Pete’s Sake: The Long Road to Pete’s Dragon

August 16, 2016August 17, 2016

By Max Lark

With Pete’s Dragon charming audiences and critics in theaters, we Disney fans can’t help but be reminded of the 1977 film of the same name. Although the new film portrays a completely different adventure, it shares the central premise of the earlier film—telling the unforgettable story of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend, Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon.

It may surprise you to learn, as we did during a recent visit to the Walt Disney Archives, that the story of Pete’s Dragon and Disney begins decades before the 1977 film, extending all the way back to 1957 and Walt Disney himself. In December 1957, Walt Disney Productions hired author Seton I. Miller [who, incidentally, has a “based on a story by” credit in both films] as a film writer to write Pete’s Dragon and the U.S.A. (Forever After), based on an unpublished short story of the same name that Miller had co-written with S.S. Field. “Story #1791,” as the project was identified by the studio then, is the first record of the Pete’s Dragon property in the Archives, but records also indicate that this early work on the property ended soon thereafter. An interesting note the dragon is named “Gabriel” in the early drafts.

In March 1958, productions #5815 and #5816 were opened for Pete’s Dragon and the U.S.A., Part I & II—this time envisioned as a Fantasyland-branded two-episode entry for the Disneyland television show. Records pertaining to that production date to spring 1958, when writer Noel Langley was hired to craft a screenplay, a work which he completed that April. Although he was drawn to the story and its potential, Walt was still deciding the best way to approach the property, and Pete’s Dragon was soon put away to mellow. Work would not actively continue on the project again during Walt’s lifetime.

During the waning months of 1968, writers Bill Raynor and Myles Wilder were hired to further workshop the Pete’s Dragon story. They completed their outline in October 1968 and submitted it to the studio for review. Even after this brief developmental work, the story remained within the Burbank studios’ walls, again holding the project back from pressing toward production.

Fast forward to 1975 and work on the eventually released film—now called Pete’s Dragon—reignites. After producer Jerome Courtland rediscovered the tale, the studio hired Malcolm Mamorstein to write a screenplay based on the story by Field and Miller, and later brought on the talented songwriting duo of Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn to help give the project additional musical weight. All in all, this creative combination proved to be the curing “potion” to the property’s long gestating development. The film would finally be released on December 16, 1977, delighting crowds with its “brazzle dazzle” warmth and humor.

“It may have taken 20 years to come to life the first time around,” says Kevin Kern, senior archivist, the Walt Disney Archives, “but the production history of Pete’s Dragon provides a fascinating look into the film development process and shows how at Disney, a good story is never truly forgotten.”

Nearly 40 years after the release of Pete’s Dragon in 1977, that premise still holds true.

6 One-Of-A-Kind Disney Coasters From Around the World

August 16, 2016August 15, 2016

By Tyler Slater

Click click click… moment of silence and then… well, we all know what happens next. There are few experiences more thrilling than reaching the peak of a roller coaster. To celebrate National Roller Coaster Day, D23 is sharing fun facts and distinct details about attractions found at Disney Parks around the world. We know that Disney fans love iconic attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain, so today we are showcasing roller coasters unique to individual Disney resorts.

Walt Disney World Resort:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Date opened: April 7, 2006

Fun Facts:

At 199 feet, Expedition Everest is the tallest mountain at any Disney park.
The largest drop throughout the attraction is approximately 80 feet.
Vehicles reach top speeds of around 50 miles per hour while trying to escape the Yeti.

Disneyland Resort:
Disneyland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Date opened: June 14, 1959

Fun Facts:

The Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world. It was also the first roller coaster to use a block zone system, which allows for multiple vehicles to be on the track at the same time.
Towering 147 feet above Fantasyland, the Matterhorn is a 1/100th scale snow-capped version of Switzerland’s most famous mountain.
The Fantasyland side track of Matterhorn Bobsleds is roughly 100 feet longer than the Tomorrowland side track.

Tokyo Disney Resort:
Tokyo DisneySea:
Raging Spirits
Date opened: July 21, 2005

Fun Facts:

The design of the attraction’s fire idol was inspired by the look of Emperor Kuzco’s temple from Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove (2000).
The hands of the pocket watch inside the archaeologist’s field office are set to the time 7:17 to commemorate the opening day of Disneyland (July 17, 1955).
Raging Spirits is the first and only looping roller coaster at the Tokyo Disney Resort.

Disneyland Paris:
Walt Disney Studios Park:
Crush’s Coaster
Date opened: June 9, 2007

Fun Facts:

Guests board giant turtle-shell ride vehicles, facing forwards and backwards. All early scenes of the attraction are designed to delight both forward- and backward-facing guests. Then, once in the East Australian Current, the shells begin to spin freely, swooping and diving along the twisting track.
The underwater world of Finding Nemo (2003) is created by special “illusioneering” effects that use absolutely no water. Through other special technologies, Nemo and Squirt talk and move right along with guests.
The English-speaking Crush guests hear in the attraction is voiced by Andrew Stanton, the writer and director of Finding Nemo.

Hong Kong Disneyland:
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
Date opened: July 14, 2012

Fun Facts:

A crate near the ride track is labeled “M. Davis & Co., Est. ’79” as not only a reference to Disney Legend Marc Davis, but also 1979, the year Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened at Disneyland.
The ride track is almost one mile in length.
Much of the architectural detailing of Grizzly Gulch was inspired by Columbia, CA, one of the best-preserved towns in the “Mother Lode” area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Shanghai Disney Resort:
Shanghai Disneyland
TRON Lightcycle Power Run
Date opened: June 16, 2016

Fun Facts:

TRON Lightcycle Power Run is one of the fastest roller coasters at any Disney park.
Guests ride atop individual, two-wheeled Lightcycles for a unique roller coaster experience.
The cable and wiring for this attraction could circle the city of Shanghai 37 times.

See Disney’s The Jungle Book in Select IMAX Locations—For a Limited Time!

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

Premiere Date Set for Disney XD’s Milo Murphy’s Law

Marvel’s Runaways Headed to Hulu

“Monstober” is Coming: Disney Channel Makes The Swap

Main Street Electrical Parade Returns to Disneyland for a Limited Time!

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

Elena of Avalor Gets a Second Season on Disney Channel and Disney Junior

New Christmas Cheer at Tokyo Disneyland Resort

Disney Theatrical Productions’ Newsies Coming to Movie Theaters in 2017

New Queen of Katwe Featurette

Freeform’s Latest Funday Programming Event: September 17 and 18

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: