It’s All in the Family: Boy Meets World Cast Reunion

July 29, 2016July 29, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

The Boy Meets World family was already larger-than-life when the show aired its final episode in 2000, and it has continued to grow throughout three seasons of its family-filled follow-up, Girl Meets World. All of these characters are near and dear to our hearts, from Boy Meets World’s Mr. Feeny to Girl Meets World’s Farkle, which is we were so excited to see most of the original cast reunite and join the new cast for a ‘family reunion,’ as Ben Savage (Cory Matthews) shared on his Instagram.

Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter), Danny McNulty (Harvey “Harley” Keiner), Willaim Russ (Alan Matthews), Betsy Randle (Amy Matthews), Lee Norris (Stuart Minkus), Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), Anthony Tyler Quinn (Jonathan Turner), Lily Nicksay and Lindsay Ridgeway (Morgan Matthews), and William Daniels (Mr. Feeny) joined Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel (Topanga Matthews) and their new Girl Meets World family in the photo above.

Girl Meets World airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on Disney Channel.

Get Ready to Meet Your New Favorite Hero—Future-Worm!

July 29, 2016July 28, 2016

By Beth Deitchman

He’s fearless… unflappable… has the ability to travel through time—and have we mentioned his titanium-enforced abs?! This, Disney fans, is your new favorite animated hero: Future Worm. Yes, “Fyootch,” as he is known to his friends, is of the worm species, but don’t let his size or proximity to the ground fool you. Future Worm is a hero like you’ve never seen before.

Future-Worm!, the brand-new series debuting Monday, August 1 (11–11:30 a.m. EDT), on Disney XD, is an animated comedy adventure about an optimistic 12-year-old named Danny, who creates a lunchbox that doubles as a time machine. While in the future, he becomes fast friends with the aforementioned Future Worm, and returns home with his new friend to embark on new adventures—big and small.

The series was created by Emmy® Award-winning director Ryan Quincy—who also serves as executive producer. The name “Future Worm” came to Quincy soon after he began sketching the slithery creatures, sometimes trying out different hairstyles and visors. “But then I landed on that beard with that shape, and I was a big fan of pro wrestling as a kid,” Quincy told D23. “Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Mr. T, and Chuck Norris—all those types of characters are sort of blended in to Future Worm.”

Danny, on the other hand, was inspired by something closer to home: Quincy’s own childhood, growing up in Nebraska. “As a kid I wore a captain’s hat for… a couple of years,” Quincy sheepishly admitted. “For this character, I wanted a very simple sort of kid who was comfortable in his skin, who had this strong confidence.” Above all, Quincy wanted “optimism” to be Danny’s defining quality, as well as the basis for his friendship with “Fyootch.” “Fyootch could have hung out with anyone in time or space anywhere, and he decides to hang out with Danny. That says a lot about Danny’s character,” Quincy observed.

One of the fun challenges that comes with “grounding” a show around a character that’s a worm, Quincy mentioned, is dealing with the animal’s physical limitations: “He doesn’t have any arms. He doesn’t have any eyes to emote with.” Quincy relies on Future Worm’s tongue and tail to convey some emotion, but he was also quick to sing the praises of James Adomian, who voices Fyootch. “He brings so much charisma and energy to this character,” Quincy said. “It’s fun to see that kind of big, gravelly voice come out of that pink worm with blonde hair and a beard and a BeeGees hairstyle.”

Though Danny and Future Worm can—and do—travel through time, Quincy said sometimes the duo will just stay put, at Danny’s house. There is an intentional lack of rules surrounding the jumps forward and back in history. “Rules like paradoxes, the butterfly effect, running into your past self… that seemed like such a burden to deal with,” Quincy explained, and he also wanted to avoid running into famous historical figures. The question Quincy instead tried to answer is, “What would a kid, if he had a time machine, want to do?” And, Quincy concluded, a young boy would likely use his invention for something a little more self-serving than trying to figure out “Who knocked the nose off the Sphinx?”

Each episode of Future Worm! is divided into three segments—11 minutes, seven minutes, and three minutes—an unorthodox structure for most animated series. “The 11-minute segment is like our ‘mini-movie, with an A story and a B story,” Quincy said, while the seven-minute stories focus on one problem, like Danny and Fyootch wanting to play with a chemistry set from the future—only to be interrupted by Danny’s parents, who want to “cash in” a coupon for a home-cooked dinner from their son. At three minutes, the shortest sequences in Future-Worm! might not even feature the two protagonists, Quincy revealed. Fans can look forward to movie trailers featuring Danny’s favorite on-screen character, Steak Starbolt, or game shows from the future. “We wanted to build a world that was so rich in characters who could carry stories on their own,” he added.

Some of those characters are part of Danny’s present, like his parents—stay-at-home dad Doug Douglas and his toy inventor mom, Megan Douglas. And some are from the future, like Dr. D.—an imposing dinosaur with a “healing touch.” And some might even be familiar to viewers, who will see noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (Cosmos) playing… noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. The science authority was thrilled to participate in the show and, Quincy said, had just one caveat: “He would like just a little bit more science education ‘sprinkled’ into the show. He’s excited that Danny has ‘Science’ on his shirt, because that becomes an entry point for kids [to science].” Tyson also serves as an unofficial scientific adviser to the show. According to Quincy, when a script referred to a location being “3 million light years away,” Tyson implored them to “add a couple of zeroes” to that figure, pointing out that “Three million light years is actually pretty close!”

Thanks to his friendship with Future Worm—who Quincy refers to as Danny’s Jiminy Cricket-like sidekick—it’s guaranteed that Danny is never going to have a dull day. And thanks to Quincy’s unique sensibilities, which inspired him to create a show that parents can watch with their kids—it’s guaranteed that Future-Worm! viewers will always be thrilled!

Did You Know? Surprising Facts From the Cult Favorite Flight of the Navigator

July 28, 2016

By Greg Ehrbar

Zooming into its 30th anniversary on July 30, Flight of the Navigator is a sci-fi adventure with a loyal legion of fans in its orbit. It starts with every kid’s nightmare—waking up in a strangely altered reality, then morphs into an awesome kid’s dream-come-true—piloting a spacecraft with a goofball robotic sidekick.

Director Randal Kleiser is no stranger to Disney, having helmed Honey, I Blew Up the Kid and White Fang, as well as the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience attraction at Disney Parks around the world. His numerous other films include the megahit movie version of Grease, and Hanna-Barbera’s Emmy®-winning live-action drama, The Gathering.

Kleiser shared some behind-the-scenes stories for D23.com readers. “One of the crazy things that happened was we used a stunt double for the back of the David’s head when he was steering the spaceship along the wetlands,” he said. “The stunt boy was Norwegian and didn’t understand English. So if I said for him to move left, they translated from English to Norwegian—but by the time the boy would move left, he should have been going right. So it took all day and was very difficult to shoot.”

Some of the film was shot in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with local Florida actors and real news anchors. But when we go inside of the ship, we’re in Norway. “All the interiors of the spaceship were shot in a warehouse, one hour outside of Oslo,” Kleiser recalls. “It was during the cold months of February. The reason we shot there was that the producer had blocked funds there that could only be spent in Norway. I later heard a rumor that the blocked funds never came through. If that’s the case, we flew the crew from Florida to Norway for no reason!”

One big surprise for 1986 audiences was the voice of MAX, the ship’s computer: Paul Reubens, who had already become a movie star in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. In Flight, he used the pseudonym “Paul Mall” in the credits. Kleiser explains: “Paul did not want to have his name used in this project because he wanted to stay low key and have it be a surprise. Kind of like Matt Damon in Interstellar.”

An innovator in special effects, Kleiser was elected into the Science and Technology Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2010. “The effects in Flight of the Navigator were cutting-edge for the time,” he says. “It was the first use of image-based lighting and an early use of morphing in a motion picture.”

Like other great big-screen fantasies, it’s touching and insightful as well as funny and exciting. Ultimately, it’s our connection with loved ones that is what matters most. “But what really seems to resonate with many viewers is the idea of a younger brother who becomes an older brother. Anyone who has a sibling can identify with this,” Kleiser says.

More fun Flight facts:

The forest where David’s adventure begins was filmed at the Villa Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami (which at the time was, ironically, adjacent to the Museum of Science and Planetarium. In Iron Man 3, the Villa was used as the Mandarin’s lair.).

The film marked the feature film debut of actress Sarah Jessica Parker.
Flight is one of the few films or TV shows to depict non-glitzy, everyday suburban life in South Florida, right down to details like the Turnpike sometimes being faster than I-95.

The film was released a few months before the opening of Star Tours at Disneyland Park, where Paul Reubens voiced another zany robotic pilot named Rex.

How Imagineers Made History at Disney Springs

July 28, 2016

By Beth Deitchman

Disney storytelling—it’s the reason why Disney’s Animal Kingdom is more than just a theme park, and why Big Thunder Mountain Railroad can’t simply be described as “a roller coaster.” Walt Disney Imagineers bring rich details and backstory to every attraction or experience they create, and in the case of Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney Springs they’ve created what feels like a living history for an entire Florida town.

To set the scene, Imagineers began with the research they’re known for. “That’s something that’s really near and dear to us,” Walt Disney Imagineering Portfolio Creative Executive Theron Skees told D23 at the Awaken Summer preview event this spring. “If you think of Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, for example, you’ve got to [travel]—you’ve got to see it. We actually hired artisans [from that area] to carve and create a lot of those things, to create a level of authenticity,” he said. And, Skees detailed, they approached Disney Springs in exactly the same way.

“We did a lot of travel around the state of Florida. We looked at a ton of different types of architecture and buildings, and studied—literally—how people move through a retail, dining, and entertainment facility,” he said. Then they began to tell the Disney Springs story.

“Every neighborhood represents a different era of time, and it kind of represents a different architectural time period or genre that took place in Florida,” Skees explained. Though Town Center opened most recently, it now serves as the main entrance to Disney Springs. As the story goes, Town Center is located around a series of natural springs that drew the first settlers to the area. The Landing served as the town’s transportation hub on the waterfront, and was the site of the town’s marina, bottling company, and train station. The Craftsman-style Marketplace dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, while West Side is the most contemporary neighborhood found in Disney Springs.

The detail incorporated into each neighborhood is astounding. The Mediterranean-inspired architecture found in Town Center features 15 different shades of white. As you walk through The Landing, you might notice small bas-relief sculptures that are built right into the architecture. According to Skees, “That’s a nod to what the town may have sculpted or created to tell the story of what was going on in Disney Springs at that particular time.” The Marketplace has a vibe that definitely feels more handcrafted, while West Side shows the town’s evolution. Not only are there remnants of Disney Springs’ onetime railroad in West Side, but a commemorative plaque in the neighborhood’s Exhibition Park touts Disney Springs’ Centennial celebration, back in 1950.

Skees pointed to brick groundwork in The Landing as another wonderful example of how Florida history has been integrated into Disney Springs. “This is salvaged brick, over 120 years old…—it’s the perfect way to tell the story here and it really underscores our whole story here at Disney Springs of adaptively reusing things.”

Every shop or restaurant at Disney Springs has its own history. “It’s meant to be a collection of buildings that were built over a time period and were really designed and built for a different purpose,” Skees said. For example, the Morimoto Asia restaurant is in the building that was once the Springs Bottling Company, and a dramatic chandelier made out of a former bottle conveyance system can be found just inside the main doors to the restaurant. “We had to design [the buildings] in such a way that it captured the original use,” Skees explained, “but they had to look like they were lovingly restored and also outfitted with modern light fixtures and modern tables.”

No two trips to Disney Springs will ever be the same, Skees emphasized. “Our approach with the entire property was to create a venue where guests are excited about coming back—or just hanging out. If you sit in one place, you get to see part of the experience,” and, he added, “The next time you come you could sit in another place and experience something completely different.”

Disney Springs is celebrating its Grand Opening all summer long, and has recently welcomed new retailers such as UNIQLO and Coca-Cola Store, along with new restaurants from James Beard Award-winning chefs—Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless and Homecoming by Art Smith. And to keep up with news and updates from the waterfront district, visit DisneySprings.com and the Disney Parks Blog.

Don’t forget that D23 Gold Members get a discount at Ghirardelli and House of Blues at Disney Springs.

A Fan’s Ultimate Guide to Disney, Marvel, and ABC at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

July 27, 2016

By Jim Frye

Disney, Marvel, ABC, and Star Wars were “out in force” at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, giving fans more chances than ever to see their favorite stars and get all the latest news about their favorite shows and films. And best yet, we even had a D23 Member Mixer nearby to meet fellow D23 members, and take a break from the heat. If you weren’t able to make it out to San Diego this year, no worries! We’ve put together your ultimate guide to all things Disney at Comic-Con, featuring our top-5 Disney panels at the convention.

MOANA: ART OF THE STORY
Directors Ron Clements and John Musker presented artwork, music, and the latest news about Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, arriving in theaters this November. This dynamic duo of animation explained how important the culture of navigation is to the film, and detailed Moana’s father’s belief that no one should ever dare to go beyond the reef. This, of course, is a hurdle for Moana to get over, and becomes the basis for an incredible nautical adventure. And speaking of Moana, Auli’i Cravalho, who provides the voice for the character, was on hand at Comic-Con, as well. Guests in the room were treated to exclusive footage—including the first three minutes of the film in advance of its November 23 opening date!

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Of course, we couldn’t talk about Walt Disney Animation Studios at Comic-Con without mentioning a panel about one of the crown jewels from the Studio: Beauty and the Beast! The beloved film celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, so producer Don Hahn and directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise headlined a panel of filmmakers discussing the classic. Featured on the panel were animators James Baxter (lead animator for Belle), Dave Pruiksma (lead animator for Mrs. Potts), Nik Ranieri (lead animator for Lumiere), and art director Brian McEntee.

ONCE UPON A TIME
Fans of ABC’s hit series Once Upon a Time, beware—Jafar (played by Obed Fehr) is coming to Storybrooke in season six, along with everyone’s favorite “street rat,” Aladdin (Deniz Akdeniz)! The stars of the popular ABC program were all on hand in the massive Ballroom 20, including Jennifer Morrison, Colin O’Donoghue, Jared Gilmore, Rebecca Mader, Emillie de Ravin, Josh Dallas and Lana Parrilla. Moderator Yvette Nicole Brown kept the conversations moving as fans were treated to a special clip from season six.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
The cast from ABC’s popular Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. delighted fans with multiple appearances, most notably during their packed Ballroom 20 panel, and also outside the convention center at a free Entertainment Weekly Con-X appearance. In attendance were Clark Gregg (Coulson), Chloe Bennet (Daisy), Henry Simmons (Mack), Elizabeth Henstridge (Simmons), and Iain de Caestecker (Fitz), along with Jeph Loeb, executive vice president and Head of Marvel Television, and co-creators and executive producers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Taancharoen, and executive producer Jeff Bell. This powerhouse lineup revealed the exciting news that longtime Marvel character Ghost Rider will be blazing a path on the show next season.

MARVEL STUDIOS
It’s no surprise that the Marvel Studios presentation inside the 6,500-plus capacity Hall H was the marquee event of this year’s convention, bringing together cast, filmmakers, and surprises from Marvel’s spectacular lineup of blockbuster films, including Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming (in partnership with Sony Studios), Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige led the panel, introducing a brand-new company logo and, of course, the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction opening next year at Disney California Adventure.

D23 talked to many of the panelists; here are some highlights:

Ryan Coogler (Director, Black Panther): “I would tell the fans that we’re working hard and thinking about them. This is a film that’s being made by fans. We respect this world and these characters and what they mean to people. At the same time we want to make a film that’s challenging and gives people something unexpected and something new.”

Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger, Black Panther): “Ryan Coogler and I are really good friends; I’ve known him for a long time, I know his shorthand and his work ethic, and I’m really excited to read the script—I haven’t read it yet, even though I’ve tried to pry it from him!”

Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius, Doctor Strange): “I love the fans! The Walt Disney Company is many things and should really be proud of the fact that they keep the flavor of everything they do and respect all the genres they’re working with. That’s a thumbs-up to Disney.”

Dave Bautista (Drax, Guardians of the Galaxy): “I just can’t wait to ride the attraction (Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!)!”

Scott Derrickson (Director, Doctor Strange): “I love Doctor Strange. I grew up reading the Marvel comic. It’s my favorite character, and I think the only Marvel character that I’m suited to direct. It’s edgier, darker, very weird, but in the end it’s about a man overcoming his own ego. D23 fans, please come out and see Doctor Strange on November 4.”

Benedict Wong (Wong, Doctor Strange): “Scott Derrickson—what a visionary! I was really thrilled to be standing onstage amongst a really talented ensemble.”

James Gunn (Director, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2): “I spent a lot, a lot, a lot of time drawing little drawings of Baby Groot, trying to get him just right… it took a lot of work. I think when I wrote Baby Groot into the treatment before I wrote the script, it really ushered the movie into a new direction and it was a lot more exciting for me personally to write.”

OTHER DISNEY PANELS
And that’s just the tip of a huge iceberg when it comes to Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and ABC at Comic-Con this year. There were also panels about the Dynamic World of Disney Comics; Animation Storyboarding; Marvel Civil War II on the publishing side; Star Wars: The Science Awakens; a Q&A with the screenwriters of Captain America: Civil War, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely; and tons more. Once Upon a Time creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis even updated fans on their collaboration with Ian Goldberg on their new summer smash hit on Freeform, Dead of Summer. And we didn’t even mention Disney XD’s Pickle and Peanut, Future-Worm!, Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, or The 7D.

Whew! So much Disney, so little time.

Moana Voice Talent Revealed—Plus More in News Briefs

July 27, 2016August 22, 2016

By Courtney Potter

Huge Moana News: More Characters and Voice Talent Announced

The next adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Moana, officially sets sail on November 23—and just this week, we learned more about the cast of characters who’ll be accompanying the wayfaring teen on her life-altering adventures.

Costarring with newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as demigod Maui are Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, Disney’s The BFG) as Tamatoa, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters; Rachel House as Gramma Tala, Moana’s confidante and best friend; Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui, Moana’s father and the well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island; Grammy®-nominated singer Nicole Scherzinger as Sina, Moana’s always-supportive mother; and Alan Tudyk (known as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “lucky charm,” having voiced characters in Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, and Big Hero 6) as Heihei, the “village idiot” rooster who manages to stow away on Moana’s canoe, landing a front-row seat on her epic journey.

Check out a first look at a few of the characters, above—and keep an eye out for more Moana info as it becomes available…

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 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
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
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

Straight Outta Comic-Con: Amazing New Doctor Strange Trailer!

As you probably know, this past weekend, hundreds of thousands of fans descended upon San Diego for this year’s Comic-Con International—and D23 was there! One of the coolest things to come out of the whole weekend was a new official trailer for Marvel’s Doctor Strange, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The film chronicles the adventures of Dr. Steven Strange—a neurosurgeon who suffers a devastating accident, which propels him into a realm of magical alternate dimensions. Mark your calendars now for its November 4 release!

It’s a Whole New World on ABC’s Once Upon a Time

Another fun announcement to come out of last weekend’s Comic-Con came courtesy of ABC’s Once Upon a Time panel. Looks like favorites from Disney’s Aladdin are making their way to Storybrooke!

When the series returns to the airwaves this fall, look for Turkish-Australian actor Deniz Akdeniz as lovable “street rat” Aladdin; additionally, Oded Fehr (The Mummy, Criminal Minds) will join the cast as evil grand vizier Jafar. But perhaps most exciting—especially for fans of a certain recent ABC “cult favorite” musical, such as ourselves—Princess Jasmine will be played by former Galavant star Karen David!

Check out the first few minutes of the Once season premiere, featuring Jafar and Aladdin’s inaugural appearances, above… and stay tuned for Season 6 to kick off officially on Sunday, September 25, at 8 p.m. EST—only on ABC.

Two New Series Coming to Freeform

Freeform is loading up on all sorts of cool original content—including two new TV shows that have a little something for everyone…

Famous in Love is a new drama based on a novel by Rebecca Serle; it follows ordinary college student Paige (Bella Thorne, Shake It Up) as she gets her big break after auditioning for the lead role in a Hollywood blockbuster. She’s faced with navigating her new star-studded life (and undeniable chemistry with her two co-leads), all while discovering the highs and lows that come with being the new “It Girl” in town. Look for Famous in Love to debut soon!

Additionally, Freeform has “greenlit” The Deep, a one-hour drama that takes us inside Bristol Cove—a coastal town known for its legend of once being home to mermaids. When the arrival of a mysterious girl proves this folklore all too true, the battle between man and sea takes a very vicious turn as these predatory beings return to reclaim their right to the ocean.

A Sneak Peek at Disney XD’s New DuckTales

In advance of its debut at Comic-Con, our pals over at Disney XD revealed some very cool teaser art from the new DuckTales series, created by the production’s art team—led by Annie Award nominee Matt Youngberg (Ben 10: Omniverse) and Sean Jimenez (Gravity Falls). Youngberg will executive produce the series, which is set to premiere in 2017; once again, the show will take viewers on all sorts of high-flying adventures with Scrooge McDuck, his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and Donald Duck himself!

The art, seen above, will also appear on the back of the DuckTales Cinestory Volume 1 comic, a collectible edition featuring a retelling of the first five episodes of the original DuckTales television show. Look for it in comic book stores nationwide starting Tuesday, September 27. (Collectors, take note!)

Splash Around with 9 Spectacular Disney Resort Pools

July 26, 2016

By Courtney Potter

There is nothing better than a lazy summer day spent by the pool—soaking in some rays (safely covered in sunscreen, of course!)… splashing in the water… maybe even enjoying some tasty food or an icy beverage. And that extends to a Disney vacation! You’ll find some of the most spectacular pools ever created at Disney resorts (and onboard Disney Cruise Line) around the world, and they’re waiting for your arrival.

Sticking close to home this summer? No sweat! It almost doesn’t matter when you take your trip; you’ll want to visit these pools all year ’round. Wondering which ones we wish we were lounging by right this very minute? Read on for a rundown of D23’s favorite ways to have some fun in the summer sun!

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Sitting on a whopping three acres, Stormalong Bay is really a mini-water park, boasting almost 800,000 gallons! A sand-bottomed pool welcomes swimmers of all ages, while a lazy river and an elevated tanning deck invite true relaxation. Those of a more adventurous persuasion can fly down an amazing 230-foot-long waterslide that starts at the mast of a life-sized replica shipwreck. You’ll feel positively pirate-y when you’re through!

Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch Pool at Disneyland Paris
Guests can paddle around (or enjoy some real-deal length swimming) in between trips to Disneyland Paris Resort’s parks at this indoor pool. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the western-themed surroundings (based on Disney’s Davy Crockett 1950s TV miniseries) that include a wooden bridge and a slide. And don’t forget to check out the nearby Crockett-themed ropes course!

Uzima Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
This pool comes in at 11,000 square feet and is surrounded by beautiful Floridian palms and canopy trees. It boasts a very cool zero-depth entry point—similar to that of a natural beach (and much easier for little ones to enter the water)—along with a 67-foot-long waterslide, and a nearby lounge offers up delicious food and drinks. Perfect for relaxing after a long day out on the Animal Kingdom savanna…

The Dig Site at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
The Dig Site pool complex is particularly fabulous, as far as Disney pools go. Never been? Here’s why we love it: It boasts the largest hot tub on Walt Disney World Resort property; the centerpiece of the Lost City of Cibola pool is a gigantic pyramid; there’s a 123-foot-long waterslide that features a spitting jaguar “spirit animal”; and it’s got a white sand volleyball court, a kiddie pool, and an arcade. You could seriously spend the whole day there!

Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Befitting its tropical locale, this pool features an amazing “volcano,” a waterfall, and even a 142-foot-long waterslide. There’s food and drinks available at a lounge nearby—but if you want an ultra-cool way to acclimate to the indoors once your time at the pool is done, why not go for a Krakatoa Punch at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto?

King Triton Pool at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
One of Disney Parks and Resorts’ newest watering holes, the King Triton Pool is inspired by Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Perhaps most notably, this pool is indoors—so you can enjoy a dip before heading to Shanghai Disneyland for the day, or before heading out to Disneytown for the night, even when it’s raining! Murals and mosaics around the pool area beautifully depict several characters from The Little Mermaid.

E-Ticket Pool at Disneyland Hotel
After a refurbishment in 2011, Disneyland Hotel’s pool complex now features two places to take a dip—including a pool themed after the park’s early days, with lots of decorative signs resembling the theme park “E-tickets” of the past. Bonus: For the adults in your group, take a post-pool trip over to the legendary Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar for some tasty tropical beverages.

Waikolohe Pool at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Sure, this 8,200-square-foot pool (named after the Hawaiian word for “mischievous water”) is near some world-class beaches… but it offers so many cool amenities, you just have to take a dip! Look for poolside parties featuring all your favorite Disney characters, as well as the “Volcanic Vertical” slide and interactive fun and games for kids, tweens, and teens.

AquaLab Pool on the Disney Magic (Disney Cruise Line)
Onboard the Disney Magic cruise ship, you’ll find the AquaLab—a pool devised by Huey, Dewey, and Louie (Donald Duck’s three mischievous nephews) that’s especially “ducky” for the little ones in your vacationing clan. Upon entering the Lab, you’ll be met with three sets of still-wet duck prints, indicating that the boys have stepped away… Who’s in charge now? Why, you of course! There are plenty of cool interactive elements, including leaky pipes, pouring paint cans, and “Donald’s Boiler”, where pushing buttons may cause Donald to blow his top, drenching everyone in his path!

5 Rare Photos Reveal Secrets from Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland

July 26, 2016July 26, 2016

By Steven Vagnini

Sixty-five years ago, on July 26, 1951, Walt Disney’s long-awaited animated fantasy Alice in Wonderland was unveiled to audiences with a premiere at the Leicester Square Theatre in London. A film adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic stories had been on Walt’s mind for nearly 20 years—after silent film star Mary Pickford (a United Artists founder) proposed a live-action version to him in 1933. Walt was hesitant about the idea, and Paramount quickly secured the film rights. Ultimately, production on an animated feature would kick-start after World War II, with three years of steady production requiring more than a half million separate drawings.

But—curiouser and curiouser—few realize that a live-action version of Alice in Wonderland (1951) was actually shot on camera. Described by writer Louis Berg as “a phantom picture which will never be released,” the film represented the live-action reference process, in which actors were filmed on a Disney Studio soundstage using pre-recorded dialogue tracks. The resulting footage profoundly helped guide and inspire animators who studied the actors’ movements—from broad, unusual poses to small nuances—in their effort to imbue a sense of believability among the animated cast of more than 30 whimsical Wonderland characters.

Berg was right: The “phantom picture” would never be released to the public. In fact, most of it was sadly destroyed. But thanks to the foresight of Studio photographers—as well as the preservation efforts of the Walt Disney Archives—Alice aficionados can still explore this legendary process through photo documentation. In honor of the 65th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, D23 hopes you enjoy this exclusive gallery, revealing the live-action reference alongside final film frame.

What history lesson? Alice, played by Disney Legend Kathy Beaumont (who also provided the voice of the character), creates a crown of flowers while she should be paying attention to her history lesson. In the live-action shot, notice that the sister’s book presents no history lesson at all; it’s actually a copy of Alice in Wonderland!

One good turn deserves another… Alice attempts to peer through the Door Knob—who, incidentally, was the only major character created especially for the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland.

Would ya like to play hide-and-seek? After crawling through a log, Alice is about to meet two of the strangest characters she’ll encounter in Wonderland: Tweedledum and Tweedledee. (If you’re curious to know the difference between the two, Tweedledum has the lisp.)

Calloo, callay, come run away… The Walrus (from “The Walrus and the Carpenter” sequence) lures the Baby Oysters to their fate. Footage of the live-action filming was captured for the 1951 promotional film Operation Wonderland.

Do you play croquet? The Queen of Hearts prepares to take a swing during her croquet game. On the left, a mallet plays the part of the flamingo… but is that a ball of yarn representing the hedgehog?

Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Archives.

D23 Fab Five: Aimee Carrero’s Favorite Disney Princess Moments

July 26, 2016

As actress Aimee Carrero was growing up in Miami, Florida, Disney was a part of her life for as long as she can remember. “We’ve had Disney in the Carrero family for a very long time because my uncle is an Imagineer at the Orlando theme parks,” she explains, adding that Splash Mountain is a personal favorite attraction. “I think that when you’re a kid it’s absolutely terrifying, and when you’re an adult… it’s absolutely terrifying!” she laughs.

Carrero’s latest thrill comes from providing the voice to Disney’s newest princess, Elena of Avalor, on the series of the same name that debuted just last Friday on Disney Channel. Elena is Disney’s first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore, and Carrero—the daughter of a Puerto Rican father and a Dominican mother—is honored to be part of Elena of Avalor. “I feel like we are really doing some great work and the stories are something that we’re just so proud of,” she says. Carrero sees her 16-year-old character as a role model for girls and boys—and maybe even grownups. “I think she’s definitely more courageous than I ever was as a teenager and probably ever will be as an adult.”

While Carrero (who also stars on Freeform’s Young & Hungry as Sofia) is making new Disney memories on Elena of Avalor, we asked her to share her “Fab 5” Disney princess moments. She had a hard time picking just five, but here’s what she had to say:

1. “Once Upon a Dream” (from Sleeping Beauty)
“That song… ” she enthuses. “The lyrics alone just may be my wedding vow. Even as a kid I found that so moving, that idea of recognizing your true match just because you recognized their soul. You might have never before met them, but you recognized who they are at the core. I think that’s such a beautiful, beautiful idea.”

2. The cake scene from Sleeping Beauty
“My second princess-related memory is also Sleeping Beauty-related—that’s my favorite movie. I love when Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather were trying to make [Aurora’s birthday] cake—that was so funny to me. I remember watching that scene over and over again, as the three fairies were trying to put the party together, because I found it so funny.”

3. Cinderella serving breakfast to Lady Tremaine (Cinderella)
“In Cinderella, there’s a scene where Cinderella drops off her stepmother’s breakfast. She opens the door slightly and the light from outside of the room just shines in Lady Tremaine’s eyes and she looks so imposing. I remember just thinking, ‘Wow—what a strong image. It tells a story and she doesn’t even have to open her mouth.’”

4. Mulan’s transformation (Mulan)
“I loved, in Mulan, that whole sequence of Mulan putting on the uniform and cutting her hair off. It was so emotional, and it really stuck with me. I was a little older when Mulan came out, but I thought that it was a beautiful moment.”

5. The “Gaston” sequence in Beauty and the Beast
“The scene in Beauty and the Beast where Gaston and LeFou are at the tavern, singing ‘Gaston,’ was one of the first examples of comedy that I really enjoyed. I remember watching that scene over and over again because I thought, ‘How silly they were!’”

5 Thingamabobs We Love About Ariel

July 25, 2016July 26, 2016

By Nicole Nalty

When The Little Mermaid splashed into theaters in 1989, we were all blown away by the amazing animation, mesmerizing music, and, of course, the unforgettable characters that have earned a permanent place in our hearts. There’s lots to admire about Ariel, but we’ve narrowed it down to five thingamabobs that make us flip our fins for the marvelous mermaid:

Ariel is curious about the world around her, and more importantly, the world above her! The little mermaid collects treasures from the land and seeks to learn more about their purpose above the surface—albeit from Scuttle, a somewhat unreliable source. From dinglehoppers to snarfblatts, Ariel is eager to learn everything she can about the human world.

Ariel’s curiosity wouldn’t lead to much without her adventurous spirit. From exploring the wonders under the sea, to swimming up to the surface, Ariel is never one to turn down a new adventure!

Saving Flounder from a shark, standing up to her father, rescuing Eric from drowning—Ariel’s bravery shines at any scale. Most importantly, all of her moments of bravery come out of love for her family and friends, which is something we can all relate to.

Like many of the Disney Princesses, Ariel is determined to make her dream come true. Sometimes her determination can get her into trouble—signing your voice away to a sea witch probably wasn’t the wisest choice—but ultimately, Ariel’s determination helps her reach her dreams.

Perhaps most importantly, Ariel is kind. She treats mermaids, mermen, and even the smallest sea creatures with respect and love, a universal trait we can all try to emulate.