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a story by” credit in both films] as a film writer to write Pete’s Dragon and the U.S.A. (Forever After), based on an unpublished short story of the same name that Miller had co-written with S.S. Field.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.

“Walt’s Great Adventures” Coming to Destination D: Amazing Adventures

August 15, 2016August 12, 2016

By D23 Team

D23 Members will explore the travels and adventures of the “Showman of the World” as the Walt Disney Archives presents “Walt’s Great Adventures” at Destination D: Amazing Adventures, November 19 and 20 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This special exhibit, created exclusively for the event, will feature rare photography, models, and props that showcase Walt’s personal journeys, from his famous trip to South America in 1941 to some of his most memorable projects on film, television, and at Disney theme parks.

Here’s a sneak peek at what members will see in the exhibit:

Walt Disney with actor Dick Van Dyke and “Floyd,” the chimpanzee, on the set of Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. (1966).

Walt captures some of his South American travels on his personal camera during his famous visit to the continent in 1941.

A hand-crafted Gaucho doll presented to Walt during his trip to South America.

Walt and actor Robert Newton (Long John Silver) in England for the filming of Disney’s first all-live-action adventure, Treasure Island (1950).

Actors Maurice Chevalier, Wilfrid Hyde-White, and Hayley Mills with Walt Disney on the set of In Search of the Castaways (1962).

The crown worn by Jimmy O’Dea (King Brian) in Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959), a project for which Walt traveled to Ireland to research.

Walt on the set of The Moon-Spinners (1964), which was shot on location in Greece.

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets for D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures, a celebration of Disney adventures past, present, and future!

Top 10 Pivotal Platters from 60 Years of Walt Disney Records

August 12, 2016August 15, 2016

By Greg Ehrbar

As Walt Disney Records celebrates its 60th anniversary, there are literally hundreds (or thousands!) of Disney sounds that could easily fill dozens of Top Ten lists. Rather than a “best of” or “all-time favorite” list, these are great albums selected for their impact on popular culture, the entertainment industry, and The Walt Disney Company. The original catalog numbers are included in case you’d like to track down the first editions, though all are still available on CD and/or for download. It’s a chronological list, so one isn’t necessarily better than another. Isn’t that refreshing?

1. WALT DISNEY TAKES YOU TO DISNEYLAND (aka A Musical Tour of Disneyland)
WDL-4004 (May 1, 1956)
This was the first release to originate completely (music, script, production, manufacturing, and distribution) from Disney’s record company—and the only album Walt Disney recorded for his own label. It was reissued as A Day At Disneyland with Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket.

2. ANNETTE
BV-3301 (February 1960)
The first of more than a dozen Annette albums, it includes “How Will I Know My Love,” from the Mickey Mouse Club serial “Annette,” and “Tall Paul,” the song that launched the Sherman brothers’ legendary career—leading to their Disney TV, movies, and theme park work—and item number three…

3. MARY POPPINS Original Cast Sound Track
BV/STER-4026 (mono/stereo) (March 1964)
Disney’s record division was firmly established as a “player” in the recording business with their skillful production and marketing of this crown jewel. In its first year alone, it topped the Billboard charts for 14 weeks and sold nearly a quarter million copies.

4. DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL with The Walt Disney Players
STER-3811 (September 1975)
TV and film star Alan Young wrote and directed this recording with Disney characters in the famous roles. It inspired the Oscar^®-nominated 1983 featurette, Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Alan became the official voice of Uncle Scrooge for four decades.

5. MICKEY MOUSE DISCO
#2501 (July 1979)
Thanks to lavish production values, great Disney songs, fresh new tunes, and an aggressive national sales campaign, this was the first children’s record to go double platinum (two million copies sold). It was even made into a theatrical short.

6. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
#60618-7 (November 1, 1991)
It’s nearly impossible to choose between the iconic Ashman/Menken soundtrack albums, but Beauty and the Beast was the first animated feature nominated for a Best Picture Oscar^®, was a smash on Broadway, and is coming to the big screen again in live action.

7. THE LION KING
#60858-7 (May 31, 1994)
The first Disney album to get the Diamond Award from the Recording Association of America (10 million sold), this towering Elton John/Tim Rice/Han Zimmer masterwork also became one of the hottest tickets on Broadway and on stages around the globe.

8. TOY STORY
#60883-7 (October 24, 1995)
Randy Newman’s influence on both Disney and Pixar music began with the now-instantly recognizable opening notes of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” The range and depth of Randy’s music for both studios stand alongside the all-time great animation scores.

9. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
#61426-7 (January 20, 2006)
Ever since Annette, The Walt Disney Studios has had a knack for encouraging young talent, and the hits—and superstars—keep on coming. One of the most spectacular successes was this Disney Channel Original Movie that became an international sensation with numerous sequels (and a reboot on the way).

10. FROZEN
D001931102 (November 25, 2013)
“Let It Go” is lightning in a bottle, the kind of song that takes on a life of its own. That alone would make Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez’s Frozen score a landmark, but the work as a whole proved that the great Disney animated musical is alive and well and winning awards, box office dollars and millions of lifelong fans.

9 Questions with the Director of Pete’s Dragon

August 11, 2016

By Jim Frye

Disney’s reimagined Pete’s Dragon, from director David Lowery, hits theaters tomorrow. It stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Karl Urban, newcomer Oakes Fegley and screen legend Robert Redford in an all-new original story about an orphaned boy who befriends a lovable dragon. D23 caught up with Lowery to discuss his new film.

D23: Is this a remake of the original 1977 Pete’s Dragon?
David Lowery (DL): We took the name and the initial concept of a boy whose best friend is a dragon, but I love that we were not asked to re-create the original. All the other characters are completely different. To me that’s what is exciting. We get to tell an entirely original story.

Was it hard to reimagine such an iconic film?
DL: I had to cast aside the weight of expectations when dealing with such an iconic property, and treat it as if it’s not iconic, and treat it as if it’s a brand-new thing that no one has seen before. A lot of people have seen the original movie and value it and have incredibly fond memories of it, and that’s beautiful and wonderful. The original is great, and there’s no need to re-create it. I felt that in this case, the best thing to do was just start from scratch.

What will fans of the original film like about this new version?
DL: There are things in our film that fans of the original might value, but the great thing about it is that it’s not going to step on the memories that people have of the original. The original still stands on its own. This movie is hopefully going to please them, but also enchant an entire new generation of audience members.

What’s different and what’s the same?
DL: There’s a boy named Pete, and he has a dragon friend named Elliot, but beyond that there aren’t that many similarities—although those are two big similarities. But once you get past that, we’re in a completely different world, a different time, and all the other characters are different. We take the idea of a boy and his dragon and run with it in a completely different direction. It’s just as good, just different. And I think that’s something that audiences will respond to. This is a fantastic new adventure that I think everyone will love.

What can you tell us about the setting of the new Pete’s Dragon?
DL: We never quite say where it is, and we never quite say when it is. It’s sometime vaguely in the past. In my movies I love to do the whole ‘timeless’ thing, and this movie definitely plays into that. So it’s set roughly in the late ‘70s or early ‘80s.

What made you want to do this film?
DL: The idea of taking that title [Pete’s Dragon] and applying it to a blank slate had such tremendous potential. Together with my co-writer, we came up with a version that we liked, but we never assumed anything would come of it. We didn’t expect that Disney would hire us to write it. But we pitched it to the studio and sure enough, they liked it! We spent a year writing the story, and it eventually became a directing job when they asked me to direct it. The story had become so personal that it seemed like a natural thing to do.

Compared with your other films, can you discuss the challenges of filming a giant, computer-generated dragon?
DL: There was definitely a difference. I’m used to distilling the filmmaking process to a camera and the actors. No matter how big a movie is, it always boils down to that—except when one of the actors isn’t there. In this case, our lead character was never there so we had to figure out ways to make it feel like he was there for us—for me as a director, for the camera operator and for the actors who had to perform opposite him. It was a little bit of a learning curve, but you surround yourself with technicians who know how to do this and have done it before. Also, when you as a director have grown up watching behind-the-scenes documentaries on DVDs like Lord of the Rings, you kind of get an idea of how these things are done.

Oakes Fegley, who plays Pete in the film, is a brand-new actor. How did he do playing opposite Robert Redford, a respected veteran actor?
DL: He did great! One of the fun things about young actors these days is that they don’t have the same sense of legacy that someone like myself would have. I think maybe Oakes had seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid by the time we started shooting, so he didn’t have that same legacy and hadn’t matured enough to appreciate how big a star Robert Redford is, which was probably pretty refreshing for Mr. Redford, who got the chance to act with someone who didn’t have any preciousness about acting with him. And Robert Redford is known for doing some pretty serious dramas, and it was really fun to see him get to act with kids. That was so delightful on all parts and I think he had a lot of fun with it as well.

What’s one of your favorite classic Disney films?
DL: Pinocchio. It will always be near and dear to my heart. Plus, I had a massive crush on the Blue Fairy.

See Pete’s Dragon in theaters tomorrow.

How Disney Dragons are Drawn to Life

August 10, 2016August 11, 2016

By Jonathan McMullen

As you can probably gather from our recent stories here and here, we absolutely love Disney dragons. So when our friends at Disney Editions gave us the opportunity to get a closer look at their new book, The Art of Disney’s Dragons, we jumped at the opportunity to share it with Disney fans!

Cover art for The Art of Disney’s Dragons featuring Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty — Cover art for *The Art of Disney’s Dragons* featuring Maleficent from *Sleeping Beauty*

Imagine if a single sketchbook had been passed down through the decades from one Disney artist to the next, with each making a contribution before leaving it in the talented hands of another. That idea was the inspiration for The Art of Disney’s Dragons. The drawings contained within this volume represent the entire range of dragon-themed development art from animators, live-action studio artists, and Imagineers. Inside readers will find playful pencil studies of Mushu; color concepts on Figment (who was green before he became purple!); bold pencil layouts on Maleficent; and the latest character explorations of Elliot from the new 2016 live-action film Pete’s Dragon. Tom Bancroft, often recognized in Disney circles as being lead animator on Mushu the dragon in Mulan, writes the book’s introductory essay.

Elliot from Pete’s Dragon (2016) — Elliot from *Pete’s Dragon* (2016)

Flipping through the book was like discovering a dragon’s treasure trove! We encountered one breathtaking piece after another—many of which we had never seen before, such as concepts of sea serpents from World of Motion by Disney Legend Marc Davis and Charlotte’s knight-and-dragon-themed daydream from a never-produced sequence within The Princess and the Frog. Disney fans will not want to miss adding this book to their collection.

For your viewing pleasure, we were able to assemble an enticing morsel of the exquisite art found in the book. In addition, we sat down with the supervising animator for Mushu from Mulan, author, character designer, and animation director Tom Bancroft and Jennifer Eastwood, senior editor at Disney Editions, an imprint of Disney Book Group, to learn all about the new book and what it took to put it all together.

D23: Do you wish you had The Art of Disney’s Dragons while you were developing Mushu?
Tom Bancroft (TB): Oh yeah! To have a nicely curated book of amazing images from the Disney archives of all of the best dragons from the Disney films would have been the first thing I would have picked up for reference! I could have quickly seen what things each dragon has in common and what was different about them, which was one of the earliest parts of my discussions with the directors of Mulan. Once we knew most of the elements we wanted in Mushu, then the job became a question of how do we make him different from all the other dragons in the Disney canon—and elsewhere.

Various concepts of Mushu from Mulan — Various concepts of Mushu from *Mulan*

Which pieces in the book did you recognize from your research while developing Mushu?
TB: To see some of this art from The Art of Disney’s Dragons was a real stroll down memory lane from that year of researching and designing Mushu. I had looked at many of these dragons—from watching the final films to requesting some of this same artwork from the Walt Disney Archives—during that search for Mushu. Hercules was just coming out around that time so I looked at the Hydra from that. Elliott from Pete’s Dragon (1977) is a favorite of mine from childhood. I looked at The Reluctant Dragon to see how the animators of the 1940s handled a simplified and humorous dragon. And Maleficent’s dragon is probably the MOST iconic version of a dragon throughout the world.

(top left) Genie, as a dragon, and Aladdin from Aladdin, (center) Genie as a dragon from Aladdin — (top left) Genie, as a dragon, and Aladdin from *Aladdin*, (center) Genie as a dragon from *Aladdin*

Are there any pieces in The Art of Disney’s Dragons that you wish you had seen while you were developing Mushu?
TB: For sure. When I moved into animating Mushu, the great Disney animator Eric Goldberg was a big influence on me. He is known for creating some of the best, cartoon-y animation in the second Golden Age of Disney—highlighted by his creation of the Genie in Aladdin. It’s funny, but when I went through this book, I realized that he—and his team of animators—had a scene where Genie briefly becomes a dragon. I’ve seen that scene many times, but I had completely forgotten that he had already created his version of a dragon!

Which piece in The Art of Disney’s Dragons is your favorite?
TB: There are a couple of pages of beautiful, large images of clean-up drawings of Elliott from Pete’s Dragon (1977) that are breathtaking. Additionally, some of the model sheet sketches of the Reluctant Dragon are worth the purchase of the book on their own!

Elliott (Pete’s Dragon 1977) and firefighter clown from a never-produced area called Dumbo Circus at Disneyland, planned for opening circa 1976 — Elliott (*Pete’s Dragon* 1977) and firefighter clown from a never-produced area called Dumbo Circus at Disneyland, planned for opening circa 1976

Other than Mushu, who is your favorite Disney dragon?
TB: It’s a tossup between Elliott (from the original Pete’s Dragon) and the Reluctant Dragon. The former for nostalgia reasons (I saw the film in the theaters when I was a child) and the latter because of his wonderful design and animation.

Dragon (The Reluctant Dragon) from a never-produced area called Dumbo Circus at Disneyland, planned for opening circa 1976 — Dragon (*The Reluctant Dragon*) from a never-produced area called Dumbo Circus at Disneyland, planned for opening circa 1976

Which Disney dragons most influenced Mushu’s design?
TB: All of them. I can’t pick one that he’s a direct descendant of, but, that said, he may be a cousin of the Reluctant Dragon.

D23: How did you decide which images to include in the book?
Jennifer Eastwood (JE): I started the book’s pitch by making a list of my favorite Disney dragons. As I showed the list to friends and colleagues in publishing and the various Disney libraries, the list grew and grew. I knew we had something special in the works because everyone seemed to really get into the search for rare art. I was so impressed when Fox Carney at the Animation Research Library (ARL) pulled clean-up animation by Ub Iwerks from a 1929 Silly Symphony, and Vanessa Hunt at Walt Disney Imagineering practically danced with joy at the idea of including Rolly Crump’s concept art (with his notes!) that he had made for the Tower of the Four Winds structure at the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair.

Any fun stories from curating the images? Did you find things you weren’t looking for?
JE: Yes, the archivists found so many images I had no idea even existed. That’s what made it so great! Though perhaps one of my favorite moments was when we found images in an unexpected location. I have a nostalgic sweet spot for the original Journey Into Imagination ride at Epcot, and I fondly remember an old television set that played a loop of Figment animation where he’d do all sorts of wacky things. The Walt Disney Imagineering team had TONS of gorgeous Figment pieces—but nothing from that animation sequence. I talked myself into not being too disappointed about that, and then, Doug Engalla from the Animation Research Library found story sketches, character model drawings, and painted cels from the cartoon in their collection! Turns out, it had all been created at the feature animation studio at Walt Disney World, and the materials were then shipped over to the ARL for preservation afterwards.

Anything you learned about the characters or the animation process while researching?
JE: With this and really every book I edit, I’m continually amazed at the breadth of work that goes on behind-the-scenes to create the final characters we all love in the Disney films and parks. So many people put so much detail into every consideration in order to get it just perfect—and very Disney.

Figment from Journey Into Imagination at Epcot — Figment from *Journey Into Imagination* at Epcot

Which piece in the book is your favorite?
JE: That’s difficult. I’ll say the twin dragons silhouette on the book’s end sheets because that design is from the interior of Hotel Hightower, which houses the Tower of Terror attraction at Tokyo DisneySea; it’s a place I haven’t been to yet and really want to go to someday—and it made for fabulous end sheets. That, or Figment drawn in the style of the Mona Lisa painting… too much fun.

The Art of Disney’s Dragons, published by Disney Editions, is now available in bookstores everywhere.

Stay Tuned for New Rogue One Trailer—Plus More in News Briefs

August 10, 2016August 12, 2016

By Courtney Potter

New Rogue One Trailer to Air During Rio Olympics, This Thursday!

UPDATE: The new Rogue One trailer is here!

The torch has been lit, and athletes from around the globe have descended on Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympics! If that wasn’t exciting enough, get this: During this Thursday’s live Olympic coverage, Disney and Lucasfilm will premiere an all-new trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story!

We can’t tell you exactly when it’ll air, but we do know it’ll be sometime during NBC’s live event coverage throughout the day (and into the evening) of Thursday, August 11. And something tells us it’ll be worth waiting for. (The bonus, of course, will be catching some thrilling highlights from beach volleyball, swimming, and women’s gymnastics in the meantime… )

Don’t forget: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits theaters on December 16!

022415_news-briefs-February-24-2015-feat-2

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
August 11
Enjoy Complimentary Tickets to a Special 3-D Advance Screening of Pete’s Dragon
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
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

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

As Told By Emoji Goes “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo”!

Yes, it’s true—time for another installment of the impossibly adorable As Told By Emoji series from our friends over at Disney Interactive Media. For today’s chapter, they’ve taken on Disney’s 1950 animated classic Cinderella… Don’t forget that you can get these very emojis on the mobile device of your choosing, just by playing Disney Emoji Blitz (available at the Google Play store and the iTunes App Store).

But that’s not all: Cinderella As Told By Emoji heralds unparalleled access to all 11 Disney Princess films—and it’s all to celebrate the upcoming 25th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast this fall! So keep your eyes peeled from September 6 through October 17 for your chance to bring your favorite Disney Princess film home.

Star Wars Rebels Season 3 to Debut on September 24

We’ve got another tidbit of fantastic Star Wars news: Disney XD’s critically acclaimed series Star Wars Rebels is returning for its huge third season on September 24. During the one-hour premiere event (from 8:30–9:30 p.m. ET) entitled “Steps Into Shadow,” viewers will be introduced to several new characters…

Having established a secret base on Atollon, the Ghost crew—now led by a more powerful Ezra (Taylor Gray)—strengthens the rebel fleet by acquiring new resources and recruits eager to stand against the Empire. However, the Imperial efforts to eliminate the rebellion are now being led by the coldly analytical Grand Admiral Thrawn (new addition Lars Mikkelsen), whose insights make him a threat unlike any they have faced before. Plus, Ezra and Sabine (Tiya Sircar) take on new roles and challenges as the rebels prepare for their biggest mission yet… a direct assault on the Empire!

Star Wars Rebels also stars Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Sam Witwer as Darth Maul, David Oyelowo (soon to be seen in Disney’s Queen of Katwe) as Agent Kallus, and—new this season—Tom Baker (Doctor Who) as Bendu. Need to catch up? Look for Star Wars Rebels Season Two on Blu-ray® and DVD beginning August 30.

Leap Into Adventure with New Moana Trailer

“Light the torch, find your way, dive right in…” Disney’s Moana won’t reach our proverbial shores ’til Thanksgiving—but thankfully, we have an all-new trailer to help tide us over! Check out the new clip (featuring a taste of the soundtrack provided by Broadway superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pacific musician Opetaia Foa’i, and composer Mark Mancina), above…

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana follows an adventurous teenager (Auli’i Cravalho) who sails out on an action-packed, life-altering voyage to save her people. Also starring Dwayne Johnson, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk, Moana arrives at a cineplex near you on November 23.

Disney Channel Debuts “Free Period”: Original Short-Form Movies

They’re a unique collection of short-form stories, told from a family-friendly perspective… and they’re now available on both the Disney Channel app and the Disney Channel YouTube page!

“Free Period” is Disney Channel’s all-new collection of original short-form movies—12 in all—from up-and-coming content creators including actor Kent Boyd (Teen Beach Movie), acclaimed choreographer Christopher Scott (So You Think You Can Dance), and Imagen Award-winning director Francisco Lorite and producing partner Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under). The films offer a diverse range of genres, from irreverent comedy to mystery adventure, and some very unique visual styles; they’ll roll out daily now through Thursday, August 18. Fire up your nearest mobile device and check ‘em out!

Your Chance to Win a Trip to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Ever wanted to check out the amazing food and beverages (and fun!) available at Epcot’s legendary International Food & Wine Festival? Well, good news: You could win a trip to the festival from ABC’s The Chew; they’re looking to send one winner and three guests to stay in the middle of all the magic from October 5–9! Find out how to enter by watching the clip, above. You have until September 2 to throw your hat into the ring…

The 21st annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will feature some totally major culinary stars—including Graham Elliott, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Cat Cora—plus an amazing “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series with big-time music acts like Blues Traveler and Plain White T’s! Learn more at the festival’s page on DisneyWorld.com.

New Disney Channel Show from the Creator of Lizzie McGuire

So much amazing Disney Channel news this week, right? Well, here’s more: Mere days ago, the network announced a brand-new show for kids and families. Andi Mack, created and executive produced by Terri Minsky—who also created one of Disney Channel’s defining hit series, Lizzie McGuire—begins production this fall in Salt Lake City, Utah, with its eye on a 2017 premiere. Newcomer Peyton Elizabeth Lee will star in the title role; the series will also feature Lilan Bowden (Zombie Apocalypse), Lauren Tom (Friends), and Joshua Rush (Disney’s The Lion Guard).

The show centers around Andi as she’s about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her quirky older sister Bex returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi’s own life is turned upside-down… and she is left questioning everything she’s ever known. Look for it on Disney Channel next year!

More Fun to Come at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

There are two amazing water-based parks at Walt Disney World—Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach—and inside their gates are some of the best (not to mention most fun) ways to keep cool on your vacation. Now, a brand-new attraction is coming to Typhoon Lagoon, and it’ll be ready to ride in spring 2017.

Miss Fortune Falls is a family-style raft attraction that will takes guests on a journey through the fabled Captain Mary Oceaneer’s past. Legend has it that Captain Oceaneer, an awesome treasure-hunting heroine, traveled across the seas collecting artifacts before she became stranded at Typhoon Lagoon many years ago by a rogue storm. Guests will board rafts and ascend to the top of the attraction before plunging into a white-water expedition, where they will be able to spot some of the treasures the good captain has gathered from around the globe. With its two full minutes of adventure, Miss Fortune Falls will be among the longest attractions at both Disney water parks. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available, me hearties!

“Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit”: Open Now at World’s Largest Children’s Museum

“The doc is in,” and she’s coming to a town near you! Disney Junior is bringing its popular Doc McStuffins to communities around America in a first-ever touring museum exhibit based on the Peabody Award-winning television series! “Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit” just opened at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (the world’s largest museum for kids), and will travel to other museums around the country next year.

The exhibit is designed to model “care and compassion” for kids between the ages of 2 and 7, all through immersive activities that reinforce the importance of health and wellbeing. The bilingual (English/Spanish) interactive exhibit transports kids (and families) into Doc’s iconic backyard clinic and the McStuffins Toy Hospital, where they’ll don a white doctor’s coat, “scrub in” (learning the importance of washing hands to avoid germs), and assist on an “operation” of a toy dragon robot.

Keep your eyes peeled for more info on the exhibit’s travels as we head into 2017.

Fierce Friends: Our Six Favorite Dragons in Disney Parks

August 9, 2016March 3, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Dragons. Mythological creatures that can inspire both terror and trust… part reptile, part serpent, part bird, all legendary. The word “dragon” first entered the English language in the 13th century, but the very idea of this creature has its roots in ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia—after which, it literally spread around the world. So its no wonder that Walt Disney was inspired to include both fearsome and friendly dragons in some of his most iconic works, including 1941’s The Reluctant Dragon and 1959’s Sleeping Beauty. Later, those dragons—and many others!—have materialized at Disney Parks around the globe… inside attractions, and even during parades and nighttime spectaculars.

Now that Disney’s latest fire-breather (Pete’s Dragon, starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Robert Redford) is heading to theaters, we thought we’d take a look at some of our favorite dragons seen at Disney Parks. There were almost too many to choose from, so we narrowed our list down to a select few… did your fave make the cut?

Figment in Journey Into Imagination With Figment (Epcot)
Obviously, we couldn’t put together this list without including a character who’s become a true “fan favorite” over the years: adorable Figment from Epcot’s Journey Into Imagination! In the original version of the ride, the Dreamfinder teaches the mischievous little dragon how to put his own creativity to good use. Nowadays, Figment joins Dr. Nigel Channing (Eric Idle) as he explains how the five senses capture the imagination.

Fantasmic!’s Maleficent (Disneyland)
Much like Figment’s adventures, the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! takes us into the über-colorful imagination of Mickey Mouse. At every turn, Disney villains aim to turn Mickey’s dreams into nightmares; in the show’s penultimate scene, Maleficent appears in gigantic fire-breathing dragon form… and is vanquished by our hero! We’re quite excited that this particular dragon will be returning to Disneyland Park soon—but even now, she can be seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Saint George and the Dragon Statue in the Germany Pavilion (Epcot)
This is one of the more unique instances of a dragon inside a Disney Park! You can find this beautiful statue at the Germany pavilion inside Epcot; inspired by the “Saint George and the Dragon” statue in the medieval Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, it’s based on a legend in which a Roman-soldier-turned-Christian-matyr saves a small town by vanquishing a lake-bound dragon. The more you know!

Elliott in the Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom Park)
This parade has delighted Disney Park guests since it first traveled its Main Street, U.S.A. route more than four decades ago. One of its more memorable floats? Why, Elliott from the original 1977 Pete’s Dragon, of course! The jaw-droppingly illuminated pink-winged creature weighs more than 5,600 pounds; is 16 feet tall and more than 10 feet wide; and is a whopping 38 feet long. He can also blow smoke through his nose… and he can even “disappear”. Be sure to look for Elliott when the Main Street Electrical Parade returns for a limited time to Disneyland Park beginning early next year!

La Tanière du Dragon (Disneyland Paris)
Underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, in a dark and ominous dungeon, lies a monstrous—albeit beautiful—creature… Once the ruler of the skies, this defeated dragon is chained against jagged rocks; sure, it could be sleeping, but tread carefully. One wrong move might lead to a big surprise! Known as one of the most intricate and lifelike animatronic figures in Disney history (and seen exclusively at Disneyland Paris), this dragon awoke from a special two-month refurbishment in 2012.

Maleficent in Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade (Magic Kingdom Park)
This daytime parade at Magic Kingdom Park boasts one of our favorite dragon floats ever! Maleficent—as her fire-breathing, clockwork dragon alter ego—engages in battle with Prince Phillip and his mighty Sword of Truth. The rest of the parade is pretty spectacular, too; paying homage to the magic of Fantasyland and its many inhabitants, it features original music and performers on stilts and swings!

Our Hearts Burn For These Unforgettable Disney Dragons

August 5, 2016August 5, 2016

By D23 Team

Dragons have always had a special place in our imaginations. With iconic features such as long necks, sharp claws, and leathery wings, they can be found in stories and art from cultures around the world—always with a unique style, but still undeniably dragons. In honor of Pete’s Dragon, opening in theaters on August 12, we’re taking a look at our favorite Disney dragons. Did yours make our list? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Elliott, Pete’s Dragon (1977)
Let’s see—head of a camel? Check! Neck of a crocodile? Check! Ears of a cow? Check again! Looks like this is Elliott—the beloved and lovable dragon from the classic Disney film Pete’s Dragon. Whether he’s cooking apples with his fire breath or scaring away the Gogans with his roar, he’s always looking out for little Pete. But unlike most dragons who look ferocious, Elliott has a charm that just makes you want to snuggle him forever! If you ever find yourself with a lovable dragon as your guardian, make sure to hang on tight, because “It’s not easy to find someone who cares. It’s not easy to find magic in pairs.”

Mushu, Mulan (1998)
“The powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible Mushu.” With an introduction like that, how can Mushu not be one of our favorites? In the Disney animated film Mulan, this diminutive dragon aims to redeem himself as a Fa Family guardian by helping Mulan in her crusade. Whether he’s being funny, slinging one of his classic one liners—“I’m travel-size for your convenience.”— or being heroic, riding a rocket to help defeat Shan Yu, Mushu proves to be a Disney dragon with true staying power. Just remember one thing: He’s a “DRAGON, not lizard. I don’t do that tongue thing.”

The Reluctant Dragon, The Reluctant Dragon (1941)
A shy dragon that refuses to fight and prefers to recite poetry? That’s certainly not the typical dragon. The Reluctant Dragon—from the 1941 film of the same name—may be a bit eccentric, but he manages to mesmerize us with his exquisite prose. In the film, Sir Giles and the Boy try to get him to fight, but he refuses, stating, “It doesn’t agree with me.” After an impromptu poetry session—including the witty ode “To an Upside-down Cake”—they all hatch a plan to put on a mock fight that will preserve the heroism of Sir Giles and the ferociousness of the dragon in the eyes of the villagers. In the end it appears to the villagers that Sir Giles has reformed the ferocious dragon and the dragon recites to the crowd, “I promise not to rant or roar, and scourge the countryside anymore!”

Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty (1959)
While most Disney dragons fight the notion that dragons are evil, vicious creatures, there are a few on our list who lack good intentions… It almost makes sense that the “mistress of all evil” would be able to turn herself into a fire-breathing dragon, doesn’t it? This fan-favorite villain uses her powers to transform into a larger-than-life dragon in an attempt to defeat the brave and charming Prince Phillip. But, as in most Disney stories, good defeats evil, and Maleficent’s dragon tale ends.

Madam Mim, The Sword and the Stone (1963)
Maleficent isn’t the only Disney character with transformative powers! The magnificent, marvelous, mad, mad, mad, mad Madam Mim is also fond of shape-shifting. From a beautiful maiden with long purple hair, to a frightening dragon who’s escaped from its lair, Madam Mim battles Merlin as a powerful purple dragon—before coming down with a debilitating case of the pox. If we’ve learned anything from Madam Mim and Maleficent, it’s that transforming into a dragon usually doesn’t end in “happily ever after.”

Nessie, The Ballad of Nessie (2011)
Lucky for our friend Nessie, her story does have a happy ending! In the 2011 short, The Ballad of Nessie, this lovable sea dragon is forced out of her home as it is transformed from a quiet sanctuary into a miniature golf course. As Nessie scours the countryside looking for a new space to swim, she—and her companion MacQuack, a rubber duck—become increasingly discouraged with the lack of lakes. After days and days of crying, Nessie realizes her crocodile tears have created a large lake, and she finally has her “loch sweet loch.”

Elliot, Pete’s Dragon (2016)
We couldn’t round up our favorite dragons without including Elliot, from Pete’s Dragon. While Elliot may seem ferocious—he is, after all, a 24-foot-tall fire-breathing dragon—all Pete’s furry friend wants is a family. We can’t wait to meet Elliot when Pete’s Dragon debuts on August 12!

Flying Back in Time with Disneyland’s Flying Saucers

August 5, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

On August 6, 1961, guests began to fly into the future with Walt Disney’s latest attraction, the Flying Saucers. Bringing life to a relatively quiet Tomorrowland, the Flying Saucers were the bumper cars of the future—the saucers hovered above the ground thanks to bursts of air shooting through the attraction’s floor. While this attraction floated away in 1966, take a look at a few vintage images, courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Flying Saucers.

Each saucer fit one adult, or two children.

The attraction’s floor was equipped with four 100-horsepower motors, blowing more than 300,000 cubic feet of air per minute!

The attraction covered 16,000 square feet in Tomorrowland and could hold a maximum of 32 saucers.

More than 5 million guests took flight in Disneyland’s Flying Saucers—that’s almost 1 million guests per year!

New Rogue One Trailer to Air During Rio Olympics, This Thursday!

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

As Told By Emoji Goes “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo”!

Star Wars Rebels Season 3 to Debut on September 24

Leap Into Adventure with New Moana Trailer

Disney Channel Debuts “Free Period”: Original Short-Form Movies

Your Chance to Win a Trip to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

New Disney Channel Show from the Creator of Lizzie McGuire

More Fun to Come at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

“Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit”: Open Now at World’s Largest Children’s Museum

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