5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

November 2, 2023

By Courtney Potter

Welcome to November! Yes, we’re known to point out how fast time flies, but seriously y’all—time flies ultra-fast when you’re having fun… and there’s more fun than you can shake a proverbial stick at around the worlds of Disney this very weekend! From a brand-new trip behind the scenes of your favorite Disney Parks attractions, to some sure-to-be-spectacular (live!) performances from some of your favorite music acts, there’s something for everyone. Read on for what to expect:

Behind the Attraction—Season 2 now streaming on Disney+
From executive producers Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Brian Volk-Weiss, Behind the Attraction takes you on a ride behind Disney Parks’ most iconic and beloved attractions. Among other adventures, explore how Big Thunder Mountain Railroad became the wildest ride in the wilderness; see when the Pirates of the Caribbean set sail for Anaheim; and find out how the Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Meet the Imagineers behind these attractions, as well as the cast members who operate them.

2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony—live on Friday, November 3, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on Disney+
Recorded live in Brooklyn, New York, this year’s ceremony features rare once-in-a-lifetime performances and collaborations celebrating the legacy and influence of the class of 2023: Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, Bernie Taupin, and Don Cornelius.

Marvel Studios Legends—Friday, November 3, on Disney+
Prepare for Marvel Studios’ The Marvels hitting big screens around the country with three new episodes of this Disney+ series. In “Carol Danvers,” retrace the quest of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) to discover her truth, repel an alien invasion, and finally stand with the Avengers in their fight against Thanos. In “Kamala Khan,” unpack the surprising journey of Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) as she goes from a young woman who dreams about hanging with the Avengers, to a fledgling Super Hero who might actually get the chance one day. And in “Monica Rambeau,” relive the life of Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) from her childhood with “Auntie Carol” to her time trapped inside a powerful hex conjured by Wanda Maximoff, which altered her on a cellular level—imbuing her with powers of her own.

The Ghost and Molly McGee—Saturday, November 4, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD
The episode’s two stories include: “Smile Valley Farm,” in which Scratch (voiced by Dana Snyder) discovers he loves a game he initially (stubbornly) refused to try, so he’s faced with attempting to hide his growing obsession; and “The Grand Gesture,” where June (voiced by Sue Ann Pien) and Darryl (voiced by Michaela Dietz) accidentally transform Scratch’s ectoplasm into a living being.

Coco—Sunday, November 5, on ABC (check local listings)
ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney presentation for this weekend is this 2017 Oscar®-winning Disney and Pixar film. Despite his family’s perplexing generations-old ban on music, 12-year-old Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events… Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voiced by Gael García Bernal)—and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

An Imaginative Look at Behind the Attraction Season 2 on Disney+

November 1, 2023

From a swashbuckling adventure on the seas to an ever-evolving theme park where the impossible becomes possible, Behind the Attraction continues to live up to its name in Season 2, now streaming on Disney+. From executive producers Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Brian Volk-Weiss, the series shares inside looks at Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure and EPCOT and shares untold stories about the food and nighttime spectaculars that make each Disney Parks experience feel magical.

“The power that we have to build things that guests can only dream of or imagine is so humbling,” says Jeanette Lomboy, Executive Producer, Creative Ideation, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It speaks to all of the tools we have in our toolkit: the technology, the lessons we’ve learned from the past, and our legacy as Disney Imagineers. And all of that together creates the magic. That’s good stuff, right? That is what dreams are made of.”

Whereas Season 1 gave viewers an inside look at Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, Space Mountain, and other attractions, Volk-Weiss had always hoped to tell the behind-the-scenes story of a personal favorite. “My all-time favorite attraction anywhere is Indiana Jones Adventure,” says Volk-Weiss, who also directs each episode. “I got the bad news that it wouldn’t be in Season 1, but once Season 2 was official, we got the good news!”

Another attraction that seemingly everyone was excited to dive into was Pirates of the Caribbean. Initially conceived as a wax museum, technological advances convinced Walt Disney that a more sophisticated attraction could be created using state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics^® figures. The original version at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, proved so popular it spawned a hit film franchise and iterations in parks around the world. “I grew up about 10 minutes away from Disneyland, so it felt like an extension of my backyard,” Lomboy recalls. “When you’re a kid, you typically learn about a subject like pirates by reading books and seeing movies. But with Pirates of the Caribbean, as you go down those waterfalls, you’re immersed into a completely different world. You forget where you are. The pirates are alive and in front of you! It below my mind as a little girl. I was transported to a place I had never been before, to a place I’d only understood didactically.”

From the first time he experienced Pirates of the Caribbean as a young adult, Luc Mayrand, Senior Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, was blown away by the sea-roving scallywags. “As I started digging into it, I discovered more and more about what went into the attraction,” he says. “An immense blooming of all this magic had been made for this—the creation of New Orleans Square and all the things that go into on top of this extraordinary attraction. To me, it was a step above any invention I’d ever thought possible.”

So, imagine Mayrand’s delight when he was invited to help reimagine the attraction for Shanghai Disney Resort. “I had been dreaming about it all the time: ‘What could possibly be the next version of Pirates?'” he recalls. “At one point, we even did a hypothetical exercise where I sat in a room with a couple of core people and asked, ‘If Walt was doing this today, what would he want to do? If you picture how innovative he was, and what a rule-breaker he was, what would Walt and his team have thought?’ And, actually, some of those ideas are in the attraction [Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure].”

Of course, the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction has been updated several times over the years, adding context and layers to its storytelling. “I always have this quote in the back of my mind that Walt actually intended Disneyland to be a living, breathing thing—that it would be constantly evolving and changing,” Lomboy says. “If you go to any of our parks worldwide, there are a group of Imagineers at each whose sole job is to continue to adhere to the story of opening day, as well as continue to maintain, update, and add to it.”

That same ethos guides the Disney Parks Food and Beverage team, who share several mouthwatering tales about churros, DOLE^® Whips, turkey legs, and more. “Over the years, people’s tastes have changed,” Brian Piasecki, Concept Development, Culinary Director, Walt Disney World Resort, says. “Tastes have changed because we’ve pushed the envelope.”

Much of that iterating happens inside the secretive Flavor Lab at Walt Disney World Resort—and in Season 2 of Behind the Attraction, viewers get a special glimpse inside the intentionally nondescript building. “Aside from doing the food and the beverage menu development, we do a lot of collaboration here,” Piasecki says. “We’ll invite all of our partners from Walt Disney Imagineering to discuss what each dish is, hear stories from the Imagineers, and see the artists’ renderings. We really dive into how to bring a story to life and how to continue the storytelling with the food. It’s a great collaboration space that’s very open and friendly; it’s really, really comfortable, and it leads to so many great things.”

Because no matter how creative something looks, it needs to taste good, too. “It’s got to be delicious,” says Gary Maggetti, Food and Beverage Director at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. “What the culinary team has been able to do is put the accelerator down on great flavors that are memorable and that fit the accompanying story. Years ago, I would sit in front of an audience and say, ‘In Food and Beverage, we’re humble enough to realize that guests come here for the attractions and the entertainment, but the food and beverage needs to support the story.’ I don’t say that anymore, because now, people actually come for the food—and they’re doing that because the memories, the flavor profiles, and the adventurousness we’ve been able to execute is incredibly profound.”

“What’s really unique is that Disney’s culinary teams have the freedom to use their best judgment and to try new things,” Maggetti continues. “It’s not about mass dining. It’s actually about experiential food and beverage in every possible area. That sometimes is the reason why you’re coming to Disney. I’ve talked to many people who plan their vacations around dining experiences. It’s so incredibly important to the way they experience Disney.”

The Food and Beverage team has also found unique and magical ways to extend the storytelling from beloved films and series through its ever-changing menu offerings. For years, many fans had wondered what things such as the blue milk from Star Wars: A New Hope or the grey stuff from Beauty and the Beast tasted like—and thanks to the Food and Beverage team, their questions have been answered. “Disney has the ability to bring things to people that are only in the movies; they don’t exist otherwise,” Piasecki says. “For example, when we developed blue milk for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it was all about: What do we think it would taste like? What does the animal eat? What is its environment? We had no idea—but like always, we figured it out through collaboration and trial and error.”

With Season 2 of Behind the Attraction now streaming, Volk-Weiss hopes fans have as much fun watching it as he did putting it all together. “One of the great things about making a show like this is that not many people get to go to all the parks in five weeks,” the director and executive producer says. “I’ve always known that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Anaheim is the exact opposite of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Orlando—but how many people get to ride it on Tuesday in Anaheim and again on Wednesday in Orlando?”

Disney100: The Exhibition to Open in May 2024 at Union Station in Kansas City, Where the Roots of Walt Disney Run Deep

November 1, 2023

By The D23 Team

Today, on the same floors Walt Disney walked as a young boy and again as a budding entrepreneur, Union Station officials, alongside representatives from the Walt Disney Archives, announced the opening date for the Kansas City run of Disney100: The Exhibition – presented by Bank of America. Produced by the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions, Disney100: The Exhibition will open at Union Station’s state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot Bank of America Gallery on May 24, 2024, and is expected to draw enthusiastic visitors from every corner of the U.S. and around the world.

“Our leadership team has worked tirelessly over the last three years to ensure we were able to bring Walt and his story back to Kansas City, where his animation career began,” said George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station. “We have a long-time partnership with Semmel Exhibitions, and when we heard The Walt Disney Company was creating an exhibition celebrating its 100th anniversary, we knew we had to bring it here—to Kansas City—where the roots of Walt Disney run deep.”

Walt created his first commercial film and met Kansas City-born artist and Disney Legend Ub Iwerks during his time in Kansas City. Together, their innovative spirits, boundary-breaking technology, and unparalleled storytelling would help set the creative standards for the company that would be founded by Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney in 1923.

Kaye Malins from the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, Missouri, was also in attendance at the event to share stories about Walt’s life in Marceline and Kansas City.

Union Station is also thrilled to welcome back Bank of America as the Presenting Sponsor and is grateful for their community commitment and support in bringing these kinds of world-class experiences to Kansas City.

“It’s quite fitting for us to be the presenting sponsor of Disney100: The Exhibition in Kansas City,” said Matt Linski, President, Bank of America Kansas City. “Bank of America has a storied history with The Walt Disney Company, dating back to the early 1930s when we issued its first line of credit, beginning a decades-long relationship that includes the financing of some of Disney’s most iconic projects. We’re proud of our relationship with Disney and are fortunate to have begun it when Walt was in the early stages of his company.”

In creating this spectacular exhibition, the Walt Disney Archives opened its vault of treasures to showcase hundreds of objects, including more than 250 artifacts and works of art, costumes and props, and incredible memorabilia. Kansas City and Union Station have the high honor of being one of the first three cities to host the North American tour, along with Philadelphia and Chicago.

Within Disney100: The Exhibition, guests will encounter some of their favorite Disney stories as they journey through 10 imaginatively themed galleries showcasing “Crown Jewels” from some beloved films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), the live-action Cinderella (2015), Encanto (2021), and many more. The exhibition features more than 14 interactive installations and hundreds of items, including from some of the most recent members of the Disney family—Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel.

“Guests will step into Disney100: The Exhibition and experience 100 years of Disney history like never before,” said Becky Cline, Director, the Walt Disney Archives. We are excited to bring the tour to Kansas City—a place that was instrumental in Walt’s life. It was here where he forged his storytelling skills and his creative passion. Everything Walt did began with storytelling. It is the essence of Disney magic.”

This groundbreaking exhibition, celebrating 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the largest and most immersive projects the Walt Disney Archives has ever produced. Visitors will be taken on a visual journey where they can explore seldom-viewed works of art, including visual development art for Sleeping Beauty (1959), created by artist and Disney Legend Marc Davis. Also on display will be a special piece of production art from Mary Poppins (1964), which can also be seen in the opening titles of Mary Poppins Returns (2018), created by artist and Disney Legend Peter Ellenshaw.

The exhibition also showcases iconic props from live-action films such as the Mad Hatter’s teapot from Alice in Wonderland (2010); the poison caramel apple from Enchanted (2007), used by Timothy Spall and Amy Adams; and the dinglehopper from The Little Mermaid (2023), used by Halle Bailey. Fans won’t want to miss seeing Disneyland Park Employee Badge #1, issued to Walt Disney in 1955. Disney enthusiasts will also have the chance to leave with both memories and memorabilia, as the exhibition will include several extraordinary backdrops and photo opportunities, along with exclusive merchandise offered inside the Disney100: The Exhibition gift shop.

“Union Station is where Kansas City creates memories, and this is yet another opportunity for our institution to celebrate some of the iconic characters and stories that have captured the hearts of audiences around the globe,” said Ray Kowalik, Board Chairman, Union Station. “We welcome new and returning guests of every age to rediscover some of their favorite stories while inspiring a spirit of adventure and discovery. All are welcome to come experience the magic of Disney, right here at Kansas City’s favorite place to celebrate.”

This morning at the elaborate Disney100: The Exhibition announcement event, Union Station created magical moments from start to finish, with eye-popping visuals, themed live music by UMKC, confetti cannons, magic dust, an impressive “All Aboard Mickey” sculpture from the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, and more. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined the large gathering of invited guests who participated in the event and shared his great enthusiasm for the opening of the exhibition in Kansas City.

Tickets to Disney100: The Exhibition are now available at UnionStation.org, and Station officials strongly encourage the public to reserve their adventure time ahead of the opening.

Loki’s TVA Automat Key Lime Pie Recipe

October 30, 2023October 27, 2023

In compliance with TVA Regulations, it’s best to only enjoy one slice of this delicious pie per week. Any more could potentially cause a Nexus event, which would jeopardize the integrity of reality itself, obviously. Don’t forget to redeem a TVA Automat token to grab a slice. Please note, bartering for extra tokens is forbidden.

Ingredients

3 Ounces of Boxed Lime Gelatin Mix
1 ½ Cups of Whipped Dessert Topping
1 ½ Cups of Plain Yogurt
1 ¼ Cups of Boiled Water
1 Prepared 9” Graham Cracker Pin Crust
3 Fresh Limes

Instructions

Mix Boxed Lime Gelatin Mix into boiling water and whisk until completely dissolved
Stir in the juice of 1 lime to the gelatin mixture
Let mixture cool completely at room temperature
Add in all the plain yogurt to the cooled mixture and mix
Stir in 1 Cup of the whipped dessert topping, retaining ½ cup for pie topping
Add completed mixture into prepared graham cracker pie crust and smooth using a spoon
Let completed pie mixture set in a refrigerator for at least 2 hours
After setting, take pie out and garnish with 8 dollops of whipped topping, one per slice
Cut remaining 2 limes into 8 lime slices total
Add one lime slice to sit on top of each dollop of whipped topping
Serve Pie in 8 equally cut Slices

We thank you for being a valued employee of the Time Variance Authority. In compliance with TVA Regulations, it’s best to only enjoy one slice of this delicious pie per week. Don’t forget to redeem a TVA Automat token to grab a slice.

For All Time. Always.

Marvel Studios' Loki Season 2 Hinged Pin

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Opening Date Revealed for Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort

October 27, 2023October 27, 2023

Earlier this week, our friends at the Disney Parks Blog announced that Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland Resort will officially transform into Pixar Place Hotel on January 30, 2024, becoming the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States. As we at D23: The Official Disney Fan Club count down the days until it opens, read on for more details!

Favorite Pixar Stories Abound in the Pixar Place Hotel Lobby
Pixar Place Hotel will evoke the inspiration and humor that goes into every Pixar Animation Studios film, while celebrating the artistic process. Showcasing early sketches to finished design, the art and decor will highlight vibrant Pixar stories, revealing some never-before-seen artwork.

When the lobby is complete, guests will see even more unique art inspired by Pixar films and be greeted by the iconic Pixar Lamp balancing atop its ball, with an imaginative mobile of beloved Pixar characters floating from the bright skylight above. The mobile will depict the beginning stages of Pixar filmmaking, when animators create the characters’ designs with their most basic shapes and colors. The characters guests will see are at the beginning of their journey, just as the guests who step into the lobby begin their own story at the Disneyland Resort!

First Look at a Reimagined Guest Room Featuring Pixar Characters
Disney Parks Blog also shared a first look inside one of the guest rooms. From pillows inspired by the Pixar Ball to lighting reminiscent of the Pixar Lamp, there will be whimsical nods to the iconic animation studio throughout these comfortable and contemporary accommodations. Some of the art was even created by Pixar Animation Studios artists especially for Pixar Place Hotel. The headboards will consist of concept art from a variety of Pixar feature films, including The Incredibles and Toy Story 3, that are arranged in order from warm to cool colors, sharing the importance of color to the tone of a scene.

Great Maple Opening Soon—Plus, More Snacking Details!
Opening in November 2023, Great Maple restaurant will bring its innovative menu of upscale comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This modern American eatery will serve a robust selection of dishes made from scratch daily, including the Cajun Shrimp & Cheddar Biscuit Benedict, Soda Pop-Braised Baby Back Ribs, Charred Cauliflower Hummus, Maple Pecan-Crusted Salmon, Market Fish, a variety of inspired salads, and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Maple Bacon Doughnuts.

A few weeks after the ground-floor flagship eatery opens, more culinary delights also operated by Great Maple will open. A new grab-and-go coffee shop in the lobby, Sketch Pad Café, will serve assorted pastries accompanied by a selection of coffee and tea. Plus, an all-new menu will debut at the rooftop pool bar to be named Small Bytes, serving up salads, wraps, assorted cheese plates, and more, which guests can enjoy with signature beverages.

Piaxr-Themed Offerings Guests Can Enjoy Now
Families can frolic at the hotel’s new Finding Nemo-themed splash pad and pool area! Recently opened for guests of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, this rooftop oasis features Pixel Pool, which is lined with relaxing loungers, along with Nemo’s Cove pop-jet splash pad, and Crush’s Surfing’ Slide, a 186-foot-long water slide inspired by the coolest sea turtle in the ocean. The adjacent play court and pool bar will open later this fall.

Near the pool, guests can gather with friends on comfy couches surrounding fire pits inspired by some of Pixar’s more hotheaded characters, including Jack-Jack from Pixar’s The Incredibles and Anger from Pixar’s Inside Out.

Back in the lobby, browse through the new gift shop STOR-E—a playful take on the Pixar film name WALL-E—featuring Pixar-themed apparel and toys, plus more Disneyland Resort souvenirs and sundries.

Plus, a new and expanded fitness center recently opened, offering treadmills, free weights and more complimentary for hotel guests. Keep an eye out for a mural of Mike and Sulley running on a treadmill, inspired by Pixar’s Monsters University.

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is open and welcoming guests during this transformation and offers the added benefits of staying on property at the Disneyland Resort, including a dedicated entrance across the street with direct access to Disney California Adventure park.*

*Both Theme Park admission and park reservation for Disney California Adventure park are required for park entry at this special entrance for Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel guests, and a hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access.

Discover a Story a Century in the Making with the Winter Issue of Disney twenty-three

October 26, 2023November 3, 2023

For 100 years, Disney has created a legacy of making wishes come true, and this November, Walt Disney Animation Studios will release its 62nd feature film Wish. The Winter 2023 issue of Disney twenty-three showcases the gorgeous new musical comedy with original, exclusive images on the front and back covers featuring Asha and her lovable sidekick Valentino, as well as the magical wishing Star, and the formidable King Magnifico. Before the film’s release on November 22, learn more about how the filmmakers paid tribute to Disney’s storytelling legacy, as well as the intricate details behind the creation of the characters, the music, and the kingdom of Rosas. Directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn as well as members of their production team spoke with the magazine for this special cover story.

Walt Disney Animation Studios continues the Disney100 celebration with the new animated short film Once Upon a Studio—now streaming on Disney+—featuring a one-of-a-kind reunion of characters from throughout Disney Animation’s storytelling history. Disney twenty-three goes behind the scenes with directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy. The Winter issue also highlights interviews with the film preservationists and Disney Animation artists who restore the studios’ classic films—such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Cinderella (1950)—to their original colorful brilliance, the way audiences of that time would have experienced these beloved stories.

Travel higher, further, faster into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Brie Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel), Iman Vellani (Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel), and director Nia DaCosta, in exclusive interviews revealing the making of the upcoming Marvel Studios feature, The Marvels*, due out November 10. Vellani tells Disney twenty-three that “Marvel has always championed this idea of finding this idealized version of yourself through their characters—a version of yourself that could stop a train with one hand and save the world.” Plus, Marvel comic fans can “assemble” to celebrate two other Super Hero teams with a look back at the unexpected origins of the Avengers and X-Men in honor of their 60th anniversaries.

It's time to play the music, light the lights, and meet renowned designer and puppeteer Dave Goelz as he shares his 50-year journey with The Muppets. During an extensive one-on-one interview,* Goelz reminisces on highlights from his career bringing classic Muppets characters to life and working with The Muppets founder Jim Henson.

In honor of the 30^th anniversary of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, readers can learn frighteningly fun facts about the poetic origin of the film, the inspiration for Sally, and the process behind creating and preserving the original stop-motion puppets.

The new issue, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also features details on the upcoming Disney+ Original family holiday comedy film Dashing Through the Snow, releasing on November 17, as well as a closer look at what’s happening at the Disney Parks, including the transformation of EPCOT and the 10th anniversary of Disney ¡Viva Navidad! at Disneyland® Resort.

Also in the Winter 2023 issue of Disney twenty-three:

Read a special By the Numbers: Disney100 looking back at The Walt Disney Company from 1999–2023—the final segment in a four-part series.
Compare the finished, full-color characters from Robin Hood with original story sketches, animation drawings, and concept art in a special Character Analysis in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary.
Celebrate the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney’s True-Life Adventures with a look back at the origins of the nature documentary series, and how the films created a new kind of moviemaking that continues today.
Hear from the authors of must-read books perfect for any holiday wish list.
Regular features including Ask the Walt Disney Archives and a special D Society celebrating Disney fans.

Celebrate The Holidays with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club
Just in time for the winter holidays, D23 will be bringing back the popular Light Up the Season event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank, California on December 10. More information on the event will be available soon. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 3.

In addition to many great benefits, D23 Gold Members also receive the 2023 Gold Member Collector Set, which features the Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue, when renewing or joining this year. This once-in-a-century celebratory collector set will only be available until the end of the year, and a D23 Gold Membership also makes the perfect holiday gift for the ultimate Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars fans. Fans looking to treasure this one-of-a-kind collectible can do so by ordering a D23 Gold Membership through December 31, 2023.

Where Disney Fans Belong

Membership Benefits

Special Events

Attend fan-centric in-person and virtual events throughout the year.

A D23 Gold Member Card being held in front of a cash register and Mickey Mouse plush.

Exclusive Discounts & Offers

Year-round discounts and offers on shopping, dining, and more!

Merch

Add to your Disney collection with exclusive pins and limited edition merch.

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5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

October 26, 2023

By Courtney Potter

Ready to run amuck, amuck, amuck? Halloween is just around the corner! And we’ve put together a list of devilish delights to watch from around the worlds of Disney… Some are favorites from years past; others are episodes of current series—but all of them will offer up thrills, chills, and lots of fun. So if you’re anything like us and still putting together this year’s costume, why not fire up the nearest streaming device and let the following entertain you while you sew, or glue, or otherwise prepare yourself for Tuesday’s night of frights… ?

Muppets Haunted Mansion—now streaming on Disney+
The Muppets delighted the young and young at heart in 2021 with their first-ever Halloween special chock-full of all-star cameos, original music, and laughs aplenty! The Great Gonzo (voiced by Dave Goelz)—world-famous daredevil artisté—has done it all, seen it all, and survived it all… But on Halloween night, the fearless Gonzo (with trusty sidekick Pepe the King Prawn, voiced by Bill Barretta, along for the ride) takes on the greatest challenge of his life by spending one very daring night in the most grim-grinning place on Earth: the Haunted Mansion.

What We Do in the Shadows—five seasons now streaming on Hulu
If you haven’t yet delved into this FX series, Halloween weekend is the perfect time to do so… It’s a look into the daily lives of four vampires—Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch)—who’ve been together for hundreds of years. After a visit from their dark lord and leader, they’re reminded of their purpose in coming to New York City over a century ago. Hilarity, as it only occasionally but very memorably does with vampires, ensues. Also starring Harvey Guillén as Nandor’s “familiar,” Guillermo, this series is recommended for mature audiences.

Halloweentown—now streaming on Disney+
This 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie classic follows Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) and her younger siblings as they travel with their estranged grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds), who just happens to be a good witch, to Halloweentown—a place where creep-tacular creatures lead normal lives. On her 13th birthday, Marnie gets a surprise of supernatural proportions when she discovers that she, too, is a witch! Ultimately, she’ll have to learn how to use her broomstick—and fast—if she hopes to stop an evil force from taking over Halloweentown.

Goosebumps—new episode Friday, October 27, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
The new series based on the iconic R.L. Stine book series of the same name continues on both streaming services. For the uninitiated: Goosebumps follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle, while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past. When last we saw the bunch, a story from the past shed some light on their current circumstances. What’s in store this week? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

Hocus Pocus 30th Anniversary—Sunday, October 29, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Celebrate 30 incredible years of this fan favorite film on ABC as we fly our brooms (or vacuum cleaners) ever closer toward All Hallows’ Eve! Conjured up by an unsuspecting teen and his friends in 1990s Salem, Massachusetts, a tricky trio of 300-year-old witches known as the Sanderson Sisters (Disney Legend Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) set out to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth. But first, they must get their act together and outwit the shrewd youngsters… and a mysterious talking cat.

The Marvels Opening Weekend Fan Events at The El Capitan Theatre

October 25, 2023

Take your viewing experience of The Marvels higher, further, and faster with the ultimate fan-forward experience at The El Capitan Theatre! Celebrating the debut of Marvel Studios’ latest installment in the Multiverse Saga, fans of this heroically trailblazing trio can expect an interstellar array of awe-inspired offerings at these select fan screenings.

In addition to a few fan-tastic freebies, guests can check out costumes from the film and have the chance to purchase specialty concession items. And, if you’re a SUPER fan, it’s time to channel your inner Kamala Khan (aka Ms. Marvel) and come in your cosplay best! As any hero will tell you, it’s sure to make for the most interesting time when the worlds of super fashion and superpowers collide. So, whether you want to rock the red, blue and gold of Carol or light up the room like Monica Rambeau, your time to shine is now!

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is thrilled to take the stakes to intergalactic heights at the storied El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, hosting these two opening night fan events on November 9 & 10, at 7PM. Take a look below to see what you can expect for offerings on each evening.

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$50 Thursday Ticket Includes

One Reserved Seat
One Randomly Selected Funko POP!
One Randomly Selected The Marvels Canteen with beverage
One Popcorn
One Event Credential & lanyard

$50 Friday Ticket Includes

One Reserved Seat
One The Marvels Hat
One The Marvels Tote
One Popcorn
One Beverage
One Event Credential & lanyard

*Showtimes and dates subject to change without notice

More about The Marvels:
Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as “The Marvels.”

What’s New on Disney+ in November

October 24, 2023October 23, 2023

By Emily Hewitt

Loki is continuing his mischief as Season 2 of the Marvel Studios series continues through November, airing every Thursday at 6 p.m. PT… it follows along as Loki (Tom Hiddleston) navigates the multiverse in search of Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), Judge Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), Miss Minutes (voiced by Tara Strong), and the truth of what it means to possess free will and glorious purpose. While the season finale airs November 9, the Loki content doesn’t stop there: Assembled: The Making of Loki Season 2 premieres November 29, in which viewers will discover how the talented team that powered the second season of the series raised the stakes for this latest Marvel Cinematic Universe adventure, via interviews and exclusive on-set footage.

Meanwhile, Behind the Attraction Season 2 will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Disney… but not of a series. Rather, viewers will take a proverbial ride through the stories behind Disney Parks’ most iconic and beloved attractions. All episodes will premiere on November 1.

Marvel Studios Legends will release new episodes on Friday, November 3, centering on the stories of Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Monica Rambeau—the trio soon to be seen in The Marvels.

And with December just over the horizon, several holiday films and shows will be released: Dashing Through the Snow, premiering Friday, November 17, follows Eddie Garrick (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), a good-hearted man who has lost his belief in the wonder of Christmas. While spending time with his nine-year-old daughter Charlotte (Madison Skye Validum) on Christmas Eve, however, he befriends a mysterious man in a red suit named Nick (Lil Rel Howery). In The Naughty Nine, releasing Thursday, November 23, a mischievous fifth grader, Andy (Winslow Fegley), finds himself without a present from Santa on Christmas morning and pulls together a team of eight other “naughty listers” to help him execute an elaborate heist in Santa’s Village at the North Pole to get the presents they feel they deserve.

The Santa Clauses Season 2, follows Scott Calvin (Disney Legend Tim Allen)—who, after 28 years, reigns true as Santa Claus—as he continues to contend with a changing world to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for a new generation. Eric Stonestreet guest stars as Magnus Antas, aka the Mad Santa, who was in charge of the North Pole in the 14th century. The new season premieres with two episodes on Wednesday, November 8 and a new episode will be released every Wednesday that follows.

The Three Detectives, a film about three BFFs who have their very own detective club, will premiere on Wednesday, November 1.

Goosebumps, inspired by R.L. Stine’s worldwide bestselling books, follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a journey to investigate the tragic passing (three decades earlier) of a teen named Harold Biddle—all while unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past—will continue to air Fridays, with a November 17 season finale.

Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars will see its celebrity contestants and their pro dance partners continue cha-cha’ing through the month of November, with new episodes airing live on Tuesdays in your respective time zones on Disney+ and ABC, and the next day on Hulu.

Wednesday, November 1
Firebuds (Season 2, 5 Episodes)
The Incredible Dr. Pol (Season 23, 10 Episodes)
Kiff (Season 1, 3 Episodes)
The Villains of Valley View (Season 2, 3 Episodes)
Behind the Attraction (Season 2 Premiere, All Episodes Streaming)
The Three Detectives (Premiere)

Thursday, November 2
Loki (Season 2, Episode 5, Available at 6 p.m. PT)

Friday, November 3
Spider-Man™: Far From Home
Marvel Studios Legends (New Episodes)
Goosebumps (Episode 8)

Monday, November 6
JFK: One Day in America (Season 1, 3 Episodes)

Tuesday, November 7
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, New Episode, Live 8 p.m. ET/PT; same time as the broadcast on your local ABC station, based on your location)

Wednesday, November 8
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (Season 1, 6 Episodes)
Daddies on Request (Season 2 Premiere, All Episodes Streaming)
The Santa Clauses (Season 2 Premiere, 2 Episodes)

Thursday, November 9
Loki (Season 2 Finale, Episode 6, Available at 6:00 p.m. PT)

Friday, November 10
Goosebumps (Episode 9)

Tuesday, November 14
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, New Episode, Live 8 p.m. ET/PT; same time as the broadcast on your local ABC station, based on your location)

Wednesday, November 15
The Ghost and Molly McGee (Season 2, 4 Episodes)
Hamster & Gretel (Season 1, 4 Episodes)
Me & Mickey (Shorts) (Season 2, 22 Episodes)
Mickey Mouse Funhouse (Season 2, 8 Episodes)
To Catch a Smuggler (Season 6, 8 Episodes)
The Santa Clauses (Season 2, Episode 3)

Friday, November 17
Dashing Through the Snow (Premiere)
Goosebumps (Season One Finale)

Monday, November 20
Incredible Animal Journeys (Season 1, 6 Episodes)

Tuesday, November 21
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, New Episode, Live 8 p.m. ET/PT; same time as the broadcast on your local ABC station, based on your location)

Wednesday, November 22
Hailey’s on It! (Season 1, 3 Episodes)
Meet Spidey and his Amazing Friends (Season 3, 6 Episodes)
Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends (Season 2, 5 Episodes)
The Santa Clauses (Season 2, Episode 4)

Thursday, November 23
The Naughty Nine

Tuesday, November 28
Dancing with the Stars (Season 32, New Episode, Live 8 p.m. ET/PT; same time as the broadcast on your local ABC station, based on your location)

Wednesday, November 29
Life Below Zero (Season 21, 11 Episodes)
Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin (Season 1, 6 Episodes)
Mickey’s Christmas Tales (Shorts) (Season 1, 5 Episodes)
Assembled: The Making of Loki Season 2 (Premiere)
The Santa Clauses (Season 2, Episode 5)

Celebrate Disney100 with All-New “Disney by the Eras” Artwork

October 23, 2023

By Walt Disney Archives Staff

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, a series of six all-new illustrations explores the vast history of Disney’s creative endeavors by the eras—from the humble beginnings of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in 1923 to the company’s latest cinematic, streaming, and Disney Parks adventures.

Illustrated by noted visual artist Sam Carter (whose work has been featured at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, WonderGround Gallery, and beyond; see interview further below), in creative partnership with senior Disney designer Melanie Lapovich, the artwork first debuted as a series of photo locations at the Disney100: D23 Royal Anniversary Ball, held at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, on October 15, 2023—the eve of the company’s centennial.

The artwork is so stunning—and filled with so many beloved moments from Disney history—we thought D23 Members around the globe would love the chance to celebrate with an up-close look!

Illustration highlighting career milestones of Disney’s first 10 years, including Steamboat Willie, The Skeleton Dance, and the Alice Comedies. The art is all black and white against an illustrated green, forest background. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

1920s
This decade is when it all began. In 1923, the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio launched, soon to be renamed the Walt Disney Studio, then Walt Disney Productions. In this piece, we have Alice from the Alice Comedies, Walt’s first series of films distributed after he arrived in California, having established his own studio with his brother Roy. Behind her is Walt’s first breakout animated star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Two of the first iterations of Mickey Mouse are also represented here: Plane Crazy (1928) in the distance and Steamboat Willie (1928), the first Mickey Mouse short to be distributed and the first-ever animated film with fully synchronized sound, in the foreground. We can also catch a glimpse of the memorable skeletons from the first Silly Symphony short, The Skeleton Dance (1929).

1930s–1940s
The 1930s mark the debut of Walt’s first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Snow White herself serves as the focal point of the piece, with the Carthay Circle Theatre, where the film premiered, behind her. This era also saw the release of Fantasia in 1940, with Mickey Mouse playing the Sorcerer’s apprentice. Other animated features from the 1940s include Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi (1942). To celebrate the Burbank opening of The Walt Disney Studios lot in 1940, we have the famous water tower, the iconic Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive street sign, and the original Animation Building. This piece also celebrates the beginnings of Disney comics and consumer products in 1930 with the very first Mickey Mouse newspaper comic strip; the first Mickey Mouse book; and a 1940s edition of the Mickey Mouse watch.

1950s–1970s
This era is famous for the opening of our first Disney theme park, with Disneyland opening in Anaheim, California, in 1955 and Walt Disney World opening near Orlando, Florida, in 1971. This piece contains many famous attractions and characters created by WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering: “it’s a small world,” the original Barker Bird from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Monorail, and the Main Street Electrical Parade. The Orange Bird, created by Disney for the Florida Citrus Commission, also flew in! In the sky is the famous badge from the original Mickey Mouse Club television series in 1955. Famous icons from memorable movies round out this era: Maleficent in dragon form from Sleeping Beauty (1959), Peter Pan and the Darling children from Peter Pan (1953), and the title character of Walt Disney’s live-action masterpiece Mary Poppins (1964).

Art showcasing milestones and icons from Disney’s history in the 1980s, including Spaceship Earth, The Disney Channel, Madison from Splash, DuckTales, Minnie Mouse in a Kimono, and Figment the dragon. The illustrations are set against a purple-pink sunset like up by multicolor fireworks. In the top center of the art is an iridescent, diamond-like logo for Disney100.

1980s
This decade saw the opening of EPCOT Center (now EPCOT) at Walt Disney World Resort, with the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction and the lovable original character Figment. The first Disney Park outside the U.S. also opened in 1983—Tokyo Disneyland—represented by Cinderella Castle, the Meet the World attraction, and Minnie Mouse wearing a kimono. In this piece you’ll find an homage to Splash, released by the newly created Touchstone Pictures banner in 1984. This decade also marked the launch of The Disney Channel in 1983 and other original programming for television, including DuckTales (1987–1992) with Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie in front of Scrooge’s Money Bin!

1990s–2000s
This era is home to some of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most iconic films, including Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Aladdin (1992). Disney Theatrical Productions also launched in the 1990s, with The Lion King debuting on Broadway in 1997—and it’s still performed in New York today! We also see an ABC camera and an ESPN microphone in this piece to celebrate the TV networks, which joined the Disney family in 1996. Six theme parks opened during this era—Disneyland Paris (originally called Euro Disneyland) in 1992; Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in 1998; Disney California Adventure Park and Tokyo DisneySea in 2001; the Paris-based Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002; and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005—and Disney Cruise Line’s first ship, the Disney Magic, embarked on its maiden voyage in 1998. In 2006, Disney welcomed Pixar Animation Studios to the company, so we see the Pixar ball along with Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story films, Lightning McQueen from Cars (2006), Nemo and Dory from Finding Nemo (2003), and Carl’s house from Up (2009).

2010s–2020s
This era saw the additions of Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios, so you’ll find several iconic characters and scenes to celebrate. Iron Man, Black Panther, and Spider-Man fly over a skyline featuring Avengers Tower to honor the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Infinity Saga. Representing Star Wars is Grogu from The Mandalorian (2019–), while Rey and BB-8 venture off in the distance. We see Alex Honnold Free Solo-ing a cliff (from the 2018 National Geographic documentary), while Kiri from Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) rides an ilu. Enchanted Storybook Castle fills out the skyline to celebrate Shanghai Disney Resort’s opening in 2016. Finally, we highlight two films from Walt Disney Animation Studios: Frozen from 2013 and the upcoming Wish, in theaters November 22!

D23: Tell us how you went about creating the artwork.
Sam Carter: They were a labor of love. I had about a month to create them all, and it really was a group effort with the creative team at Disney Corporate Creative Resources (who outlined the things we should focus on and how they would be split up, by era: 1920s; 1930s and ’40s; 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s; 1980s; 1990s and 2000s; and 2010s to now).

I was addicted to working on this art, always thinking about the next composition puzzle-piece type of placement. There were a lot of late nights. For whatever character or building I was working on, I often played the music from that subject matter. So, these pieces are infused with one of the things that makes them so special to people: music.

When I first saw them off my Mac screen and printed 10’ x 8’ each, on [The Walt Disney Studios] lot of all places, it was hard not to tear up when I saw everyone taking pictures in front of them. I’ve done a lot of cool projects for [The Walt] Disney Company, but this was by far the most special; I’m bursting with pride and joy. I’m so glad everyone enjoys them.

D23: Looking back across 100 years of Disney, which era sticks out to you as a personal favorite? How did you translate your passion for that era into the final illustration?
SC: They were all a blast to work on. I’m passionate about all the content throughout, but I think the last one [2010s to today] is the most impressive—not because of the art, but because of all the studios that needed to give their input. And rightfully so... They all had great feedback and collaboration with us: Lucasfilm, Marvel, the Avatar team at [20th Century Studios], Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering. It was an honor to do one piece with all of those industry juggernauts.

D23: What are some of your favorite elements incorporated across the illustrations? Are there any hidden Easter eggs that fans should search for?
SC: Melanie Lapovich from Disney Corporate Creative Resources helped me out throughout the whole project. In one of many examples, she noticed that Minnie Mouse wore a kimono during the opening years of Tokyo Disneyland that had some fabric that happened to [resemble] the Spaceship Earth pattern. So, we added that to her purse. Composition-wise, I make sure there is reason for placement. Staying in that 1980s piece, Spaceship Earth is front-and-center, of course, but I chose the Japanese arch from World Showcase for a nice transition to Tokyo Disneyland.

Melanie also suggested that since Pixar was front-and-center for the 1990s and 2000s, we take those colors for the whole piece. Brilliant suggestion.

[There are] some “deep cut” things I dropped in and expected to be cut for various reasons. But I was very happy that I was able to put in the characters in the hot-air balloon from the [former] Meet the World attraction at Tokyo Disneyland. The night of the D23 Royal Anniversary Ball, I met a guest who came all the way from Japan; although little details like that might go unnoticed, even if one person got the feels, it is worth it.

I got my start at Disney in 1995 with the Main Street Electrical Parade, so you’ll find it in the 1970s piece... plus I really wanted some Disney Live Entertainment presence represented. I’ve always felt like that department is family and my home nest.