10 Favorite Disney Pets for National Love Your Pet Day

Since Pluto made his debut as Mickey Mouse’s loyal canine companion in the 1931 cartoon short The Moose Hunt, pets have held a special place in Disney history. They’re often the best kind of sidekick: a true-blue friend that’s ready for adventure. And they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and species—from dogs, rodents, and horses to… well, whatever Stitch is! It was a daunting task, but D23 chose 10 treasured Disney pets in honor of National Love Your Pet Day on February 20.

Pluto
The Disney pet that started it all, Pluto initially appeared as a bloodhound in the Mickey Mouse cartoon The Chain Gang in 1930. Eventually, he would star in 48 of his own cartoon shorts—plus countless appearances with Mickey and Donald Duck. He’s a steadfast pal with a powerful sense of smell… and adventure!

Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
Created by evil genius Dr. Jumba Jookiba, Stitch—otherwise known as “Experiment 626”—is a feisty yet adorable alien adopted by lonely Lilo in the 2002 Disney animated film. The little girl’s faith in “ohana” (Hawaiian for “family”) thankfully saves Stitch from becoming the ultimate weapon. Fun fact: Stitch is fluent in more than 20 different languages!

Figaro
Minnie Mouse’s mischievous (yet cuddly) cat was initially one of Pluto’s main rivals—but in recent years, they’ve enjoyed a much less contentious relationship. Animator and Disney Legend Eric Larson was responsible for Figaro’s realistic movements.

Little Brother (Mulan)
A dog may be thought of as “man’s best friend,” but for Mulan, her puppy is her “Little Brother,” in name as well as the affection she feels for him. And why wouldn’t she hold him in such high regard? The adorable canine is sweet, affectionate, and he can be enlisted—albeit unwittingly–into helping Mulan with her chores. That’s more than we can say for some human little brothers!

Rajah (Aladdin)
Together since he was a tiger cub, Rajah is Jasmine’s beloved pet and fierce protector—whether he’s shielding her from the evil Jafar or simply an unacceptable suitor. He’ll do anything to defend Princess Jasmine, though she’s no timid pussycat. Jasmine and Rajah are a perfectly matched pair.

Rhino the Hamster (Bolt)
Have ball, will travel! Rhino, a hamster with claims of being 1/16 wolf with a little wolverine thrown in somewhere, is Bolt’s biggest fan, and he has no idea that Bolt’s “super powers” are but smoke and mirrors executed through the wonders of filmmaking magic. In fact, Rhino may be the only one in the film who never realizes this—what the little hamster lacks in intelligence, he more than makes up for in passion and enthusiasm.

Jack the Monkey (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Hector Barbossa named his monkey Jack as a “tribute”—of the most insulting kind!—to Captain Jack Sparrow. The capuchin monkey is kind of cute, kind of mean, and a bit of a thief—but he’s usually loyal to someone he loves. Hmm… Maybe Barbossa wasn’t so off base in his choice of name, after all.

The Tank Fish (Finding Nemo)
Of all our favorite Disney pets, the gang from the tank in Dr. P. Sherman’s office might be the only ones you can’t dream about giving a cuddle or a pat to—but boy, are they entertaining. Whether we’re watching Bloat, the blowfish, blow up when he gets riled up (and, well, because that’s what blowfish do); hanging around with Peach the Sea Star; hearing Gill’s tales of life in the ocean; or watching Jacques try in vain to keep the tank clean, we have to admit to feeling a little sad when Nemo sets off on his big escape to return to the coral reef.

Pegasus (Hercules)
Created by Zeus as a gift for his son Hercules, Pegasus is “a magnificent horse with the brain of a bird.” While jealousy may be his vice, this mystical pet has the strength, stamina, insight, and response to rival any of the gods.

Buster (Toy Story 1, 2, & 3)
We all know that Andy’s room is filled with characters ranging from the rootinest tootinest cowboy to the intergalactic space ranger, but things change one Christmas morning as Buster excitedly joins the family. Buster is Andy’s pet dachshund that is able to understand the toys—and even break hide-and-seek records! As Andy departs for college, this Disney pet makes sure Molly steers clear of his owner’s prized possessions.

Filming Starts on Star Wars: Episode VIII—Plus More in News Briefs

Star Wars: Episode VIII Begins Production

Do you feel that? There’s a disturbance in the Force… and it’s a good one! The next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode VIII, just began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on this past Monday, February 15!

Star Wars: Episode VIII, written and directed by Rian Johnson, continues the storylines introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens—following the adventures of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and her cohorts Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac). The film will also welcome back cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis—and includes newcomers Benicio Del Toro (Oscar® winner for Traffic), Laura Dern (Jurassic Park), and Kelly Marie Tran. Check out the film’s tantalizing production announcement video, above!

Look for Star Wars: Episode VIII in December 2017.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
February 20
D23’s Adventure in Wonderland
February 20
D23 Shopping Day at Mickey’s of Glendale
March 3
Have a Wild Time with Zootopia
March 4
D23 Presents Walt Disney’s Chicago
March 18
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Charlie Ridgway
March 19
D23’s Very Important Date: 65 Years of Alice in Wonderland—Florida
April 8
Lunch with a Disney Legend: Don Iwerks
April 9
D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios
April 20
D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour in Portland, Oregon
June 8
D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour in Salt Lake City, Utah
Studios
March 4
Zootopia opens in theaters.
April 15
The Jungle Book opens in theaters.
May 6
Captain America: Civil War opens in theaters.
May 27
Alice Through the Looking Glass opens in theaters.
June 17
Finding Dory opens in theaters.
July 1
The BFG opens in theaters.
August 12
Pete’s Dragon opens in theaters.
November 23
Moana opens in theaters.
December 16
Rogue One opens in theaters.

Parks
March 2—May 30
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
April 1-May 1
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
June 16
Shanghai Disney Resort to open
Television
February 14
Frozen airs on Disney Channel at 7 p.m. ET/PT
February 14
Struck in the Middle Previews on Disney Channel at 8:45 p.m. ET/PT
February 21
The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60 airs on ABC from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
February 28
The Oscars® will be presented live on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
May 1
Disney Channel Presents the Radio Disney Music Awards airs on Disney Channel from 7–9 p.m. EST

Disney California Adventure Launches Food & Wine Festival

Walt Disney World tickles the taste buds of guests every year with Epcot’s popular Food & Wine Festival—and now the West Coast is getting in on the fun! Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort will soon be filled with even more fabulous food (and treats for all your senses) when the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival begins this April.

The month-long fest, taking place during weekends from April 1 to May 1, will celebrate the best of California cuisine. Festival Marketplaces, a distinctive new feature, will allow guests to sip and savor delicious flavors from throughout the state of California. The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will also include culinary demonstrations, appearances by celebrity chefs, and lots of informative seminars.

Stay tuned for more information—including how you can reserve your seat for the Festival’s premium experiences—as it becomes available…

Adventures by Disney Adds Three New American Itineraries

Ever wanted to get a truly unique “backstage” view of Walt Disney World? What about “glamping” near Yellowstone? Adventures by Disney now has you covered! Disney’s provider of guided group travel worldwide has announced three new American vacations available beginning Summer 2016. Exciting and educational, these vacations offer families unforgettable ways to bond and explore the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Each weeklong trip is filled with activities unique to the destinations visited. For the new Central Florida trip, families will enjoy unprecedented backstage access and VIP experiences at Walt Disney World Resort, airboat through Florida marshlands, and thrill in a visit to the famous “Space Coast.” The new Montana vacation offers glamorous camping, or “glamping,” near Yellowstone National Park and a stay at a dude ranch in Big Sky. And American history comes alive during a visit to both Washington, D.C. (our nation’s current capital) and Philadelphia (America’s first capital city).

These new adventures join an existing lineup of more than 30 other Adventures by Disney guided group vacations to some of the world’s most exciting destinations. Two Disney-trained Adventure Guides—along with local experts—ensure that every detail of the vacation is taken care of, allowing travelers to create amazing memories without the stress of planning. For more info on these new itineraries, check out AdventuresByDisney.com.

Dazzling New Summer Show to Debut at Magic Kingdom Park

Sure, it’s only February, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning all your summertime fun! Case in point: If you’re heading down to Walt Disney World Resort, don’t miss Magic Kingdom Park’s brand-new live stage show Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. Against the majestic backdrop of Cinderella Castle, Mickey Mouse and his friends will welcome favorite characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen.

The performance finds Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers preparing to host a joyous festival—and they’ve invited friends from near and far to join their celebration. From the Land of the Bewitching Bayous, Goofy has invited Tiana, Naveen, and Louis to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz; from the Land of the Enchanted Woods, Donald Duck brings some new friends he met at the Snuggly Duckling, and Daisy introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider; and Mickey shares a surprise with Minnie, as he has traveled to the Land of the Mystic Mountains to invite Olaf, Anna, and even Elsa—who contributes a blast of her icy magic.

The royal rejoicing of Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire kicks off at Magic Kingdom Park this summer!

P!nk Goes Through the Looking Glass with New Music

Using the backdrop of Monday night’s Grammy® Awards, Disney announced its collaboration with Grammy winner P!nk on music for its upcoming film, Alice Through the Looking Glass! P!nk will write and record an original song which will appear in the movie and on its soundtrack from Walt Disney Records (featuring four-time Academy Award® nominee Danny Elfman’s score). She’s also recorded a cover version of the iconic song “White Rabbit” for the film’s marketing campaign—as seen in the teaser shown during music’s biggest night.

Get a sneak peek at the P!nk fun to come by checking out the clip, above. And mark your calendars for the debut of Alice Through the Looking Glass—starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Matt Lucas, Helena Bonham Carter, Rhys Ifans, and Sacha Baron Cohen—at a theater near you on May 27.

LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures: Coming This Summer to Disney XD

As far as “pop culture mashups” go, we don’t think you could get more fun than LEGO and Star Wars. Thankfully, Disney XD agrees—and they’re set to debut LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures, an all-new animated television series that will introduce new heroes and villains in exciting adventures with lots of familiar Star Wars characters!

Told in the whimsical style that audiences have come to expect from LEGO Star Wars entertainment, the series will star the Freemakers—a family of scavengers who build and sell starships from the scoured debris of space battles strewn throughout the galaxy. When their youngest discovers a natural connection with the Force through an ancient artifact—the Kyber Saber—his world is turned upside down, and he and his family are thrown into an epic struggle against the Empire to restore peace and freedom to the galaxy. Throughout their adventures, the Freemakers explore new worlds, meet new and familiar characters, and learn the true value of what it means to be a family.

More info, including premiere dates, to come…

Disney twenty-three Takes Fans Inside Walt Disney Animation Studios

In the 10 years since John Lasseter and Ed Catmull took over the reins of what is now Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney has enjoyed incredible creative and box office success with such films as Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6, and, of course, Frozen. The spring 2016 issue of Disney twenty-three looks at the creative talents—from writers and directors to producers and animators—who have driven this wave of superior filmmaking that has resulted in two Academy Awards^® for Best Animated Feature for the studio.

Disney twenty-three, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members, includes exclusive interviews with Lasseter and Catmull, as well as the teams behind Walt Disney Animation Studios’ run of hits, discussing the secrets behind their work and how a Disney animated film goes from concept to creation. Plus, Disney twenty-three unveils rarely seen visual development art created for the Studio’s most recent films. There are also advance looks at the upcoming animated films Zootopia—including a revealing one-on-one with star Ginnifer Goodwin—and Moana.

In addition to the animation celebration, the issue offers a sneak peek of Captain America: Civil War, featuring exclusive interviews with star Chris Evans and one of the film’s directors, Joe Russo. And director Jon Favreau details the incredible work behind crafting the stunning live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, including how he snared Bill Murray to voice Baloo the bear.

Also included in the spring issue of Disney twenty-three:

Three cheers for the 10-year anniversary of High School Musical, including interviews with the director and members of the cast
A look at the colorful concept art from the 1967 animated hit The Jungle Book, with stories from Disney Legend Floyd Norman, who worked with Walt Disney on the film
A walk through Walt Disney’s office suite on the Studio lot, recently restored by the Walt Disney Archives
Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

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

Gravity Falls: Solving its Final Mystery

Gravity Falls creator and executive producer Alex Hirsch surprised fans in late 2015 when he announced the series would solve its final riddles in early 2016 after two stellar seasons—and sadly, that finale is upon us. Over two jam-packed seasons, the show has followed 12-year-old twins Dipper and Mabel Pines as they spend a summer break with their eccentric great uncle Stan in the sleepy hamlet of Gravity Falls, Oregon. After uncovering a mysterious journal in the nearby woods, Dipper, Mabel, and “Grunkle Stan” use the book’s magic to fend off all manner of paranormal oddities. And now, “Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls”—the final episode in a three-part, series-ending story that finds a triangular-shaped dream demon named Bill reigning end-of-times havoc on the town and its quirky residents—airs on February 15, at 7 p.m. ET/PT, on Disney XD.

D23 was lucky enough to attend a recent Gravity Falls finale event where Hirsch not only presented a (spoiler-riffic) look at a clip from the finale episode, but also led a special “table read” of a scene from the June 2012 series premiere! In an exclusive first look at the live performance, see Hirsch (voice of “Grunkle Stan”), Jason Ritter (voice of Dipper), and Kristen Schaal (voice of Mabel) as the characters hilariously recount Mabel’s early attempts at finding a boyfriend. Check it out, below!

In the Q&A that followed, the cast and crew reflected on—and celebrated—Gravity Falls’ past and present, while musing about its conclusion… and possible future. Co-star Kristen Schaal may be an in-demand voice actor across TV and film (she plays Trixie the Triceratops in Toy Story 3 and several Toy Story shorts), but she holds her Gravity Falls character close to her heart: “Out of all the characters I’ve played, Mabel is probably the most like me—and what I most want to be. Every time I would go into the recording booth to record Mabel, no matter what mood I was in, as soon as I said the first line… it was like instant access to a well of joy that I guess I always have, but don’t have an excuse to tap into. And Mabel, that was where she ‘came from,’ and I would always leave in such a good mood. Now that the show is over, I don’t know what I’m gonna do!”

Jason Ritter grew similarly attached to the character of Dipper, and appreciates the pre-teen adventurer’s growth over the course of the series. “At the beginning, Dipper is at that stage where he wants to be cool, and wants to be anything other than who he is,” said Ritter. “And he has a sister who refuses to be anything other than who she is—and I think he really started to embrace himself and all of his faults. And he’s also come to realize, specifically in the ‘Weirdmageddon: Part 2’ episode, how important Mabel is to him, and how important family is to him.”

The reaction of fans—and the series’ appeal to both adults and children—was one of the favorite parts of creator Alex Hirsch’s entire Gravity Falls experience. “What I was trying to do with this show [initially] was to make something that would appeal to people in my own age bracket,” said Hirsch. “I wanted to make something where the ‘scares’ would sometimes actually be scary; something that was multi-layered, with hidden jokes and secret references and codes. And I honestly thought it would go over kids’ heads—not because I wasn’t anticipating their intelligence, but I don’t think I was anticipating the scope of their passion. And I was so pleasantly surprised… If you make something worthy of their intelligence, they will show that intelligence in ways that will sometimes shock you.”

And lest you wonder why a highly successful show is ending so soon, that was always Hirsch’s plan. “When I originally pitched the show, I told [executives] that this series only has a few seasons; there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end—like a book with a certain amount of chapters,” he explained. “It’s a summer with a few big questions, and once they’re answered—that’s it. I’m grateful to [Disney Channel and Disney XD] for letting me tell the story the way I planned to tell it.” But Gravity Falls fans can rest easy knowing Hirsch hasn’t completely ruled out an eventual return to the Mystery Shack: “It’s not inconceivable that, one day, we may return to this world. When people watch the final episode, they will see threads that could potentially be addressed in some future form.”

In advance of the series finale of Gravity Falls this Monday, February 15, at 7 p.m. ET/PT, you can relive Dipper and Mabel’s entire summer in Gravity Falls via a 68-hour marathon that kicks off Friday, February 12 at 11 p.m. ET.

Watch an exclusive video featuring Alex Hirsch, Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, and Gravity Falls music composer Brad Breeck and click here for a video of the full table read!

Favorite Memories from Walt and Lillian’s 30th Anniversary Party

February 11, 2016December 6, 2016

By Steven Vagnini

In July 1955, construction on a 160-acre site in Anaheim was picking up at a hurried pace. Disneyland would soon premiere with a grand invitational preview, as national attention was drawn to this first-of-its-kind amusement enterprise. Yet amid the oversight and coordination of tireless designers, carpenters, painters, and landscapers, a restless Walt Disney found a rare moment to celebrate and reflect on his team’s efforts—and the life partner who stood by his side through each bold idea and risky new endeavor.

July 13 marked the 30th wedding anniversary of Walt and Lillian Disney. From the mid-1920s, when Lillian joined the staff of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, to the eve of a Magic Kingdom’s unveiling, the smitten couple had started a happy family and the Disney name had become a household word synonymous with family entertainment. To celebrate their marital milestone, Lilly and Walt threw a party at Disneyland—four days before the first official guests would enter through the park gates.

Here are some favorite memories from Lillian and Walt’s “Tempus Fugit Celebration.”

A whimsical invitation uniquely caricatured the couple.
On an invitation card illustrated by Disney staff artists, Walt and Lillian are depicted as happy lovebirds. Invitees (relatives and close family friends) opened their copy to discover that the celebration would be held at a soon-to-open Wonderland:

Where: DISNEYLAND…where there’s plenty of room…
When: …Wednesday, July 13, 1955, at six o’clock in the afternoon…
Why: …because we’ve been married Thirty Years…
How: …by cruising down the Mississippi on the Mark Twain’s maiden voyage, followed by dinner at Slue-Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe!

“Hope you can make it,” Lilly and Walt added. “…we especially want you and, by the way, no gifts, please—we have everything, including a grandson!”

Just before the party, Admiral Joe Fowler ran into a familiar face while inspecting an attraction.
Admiral Joe Fowler—who oversaw the park’s construction—arrived early that Wednesday to inspect the Mark Twain before its maiden voyage and encountered someone who alerted him to the ship’s “filthy” state. Together, Lillian Disney and Joe began sweeping the decks, ensuring the riverboat would be ready in time for its first guests!

After working all morning, Walt and Lilly welcomed their first guests to Disneyland in grand style.
Walt, having overseen park construction all day, took a much-needed pause and joined Lillian to welcome their guests. Traveling down Main Street, U.S.A. in surreys, lucky invitees gazed at the wonders of a nearly completed park. The sounds of a Dixieland band accompanied guests as they entered Frontierland and boarded the Mark Twain, where Mint Juleps were served on the milestone voyage.

An unexpected addition joined the Golden Horseshoe Revue cast…
After their journey along the Rivers of America, guests gathered inside the Golden Horseshoe Saloon for a buffet dinner and to enjoy the musical talents and comedic antics of Wally Boag, Donald Novis, and the original Slue Foot Sue, Judy Marsh. But it was actually Walt who stole the show, leaning over a balcony and interacting with the performers. Climbing down onto the stage, Walt’s enthusiasm was met with eruptions of applause and calls for a speech.

“He just stood there and beamed,” Walt’s daughter, Diane remembered, as quoted in Bob Thomas’ Walt Disney: An American Original. “Then everybody applauded and said, ‘Lilly! Lilly! We want Lilly!’ So mother got up on stage, figuring, ‘If I get up there, I can get Walt down.’ Well, that wasn’t the case. So mother dragged Sharon and me up on stage.” The band started to play, and guests began to dance in the Saloon. “He was loving every minute of it, just grinning at people.”

Walt enjoyed a rare rest before resuming work the next morning.
After celebrating their special occasion, Walt and Lillian headed back home to Los Angeles. Walt took the back seat, with a map of Disneyland in hand. “He rolled it up and tooted in my ear as if with a toy trumpet,” Diane continued. “And before I knew it, all was silent. I started looking around, and there he was, with his arms folded around the map like a boy with his toy trumpet, sound asleep.”

A well-deserved time to relax and reflect on the importance of his family… and, perhaps, the history that would be made in just a few days.

When D23 Gold Members open their 2016 D23 Member Gift, “From the Office of Walt Disney,” they’ll discover a re-created invitation to Walt and Lillian’s 30th wedding anniversary party inside. The card is a reproduction of the couple’s personal copy, with Walt and Lillian’s names lettered into the banner containing the names of invited guests.

This invitation is one of 23 reproduced treasures from the Walt Disney Archives, celebrating major milestones in the life and career of Walter Elias Disney. To learn more about this first-of-its-kind collection, visit D23.com/OfficeofWaltDisney.

All Kinds of Valentines

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance. It’s also a time to celebrate the love that surrounds us every day—between parents and children; between brothers and sisters; and between the best of friends.

We took a look through Disney past and present to find 14 examples of friends and families that truly care for one another.

Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather
We may never know if Princess Aurora’s three fairy godmothers are actually related, but they certainly act like siblings… bickering and gossiping one minute; warmly doting over their “Briar Rose” the next. And it’s their love for Aurora (and their magic) that helps Prince Phillip thwart Maleficent once and for all.

Mater and Lightning McQueen
These two Cars stars make an unlikely duo—one is a hotshot racer who finds himself stuck in a sleepy desert town, and the other is a rusty tow truck with a heart of gold. But Lightning McQueen and Mater find common ground and grow to love one another like brothers.

Sully and Boo
James P. “Sully” Sullivan, the top Scarer at Monsters, Inc., was never supposed to befriend a human child—but he did just that, and the resulting relationship with Boo is the heart and soul of the 2001 Disney•Pixar film. The adorable little girl with pigtails and her beloved “Kitty” are a picture-perfect example of Valentine’s Day friendship!

Bolt and Penny
The moment Penny adopted Bolt at the Silverlake Animal Rescue, they formed an unbreakable bond—even for a “super bark.” Despite some dognapping confusion, their love is greater than any super powers and even spans across the grandest adventures.

Roger and Pongo
A dog is a man’s best friend, and this statement is absolutely true for Pongo and Roger Radcliffe. Originally worried that his master was married to his songwriting work, Pongo was excited when a different kind of love blossomed upon meeting Anita and Perdita. Both leadings lads put their family, ranging from one to 101, first.

Timon and Pumbaa
Hakuna Matata! It’s easy to have no worries when you’ve got a great friend. Whether they’re rustling up grub or distracting hyenas (Luau!), this unexpected duo is always there for each other.

Mowgli and Baloo
It’s a jungle out there, but luckily Mowgli has the ultimate “papa bear,” Baloo! The lovable bear shows his new “cub” the bare necessities of life. These two fast friends take it easy, but during times of trouble, Baloo stops at nothing to protect his friend.

Tiana and Charlotte
Tiana and Charlotte are as different as day and night; Charlotte wishes on stars, Tiana works towards her wishes. Different as they are, these two have one very important thing in common—they’re determined to make their dreams come true. When the somewhat self-involved Charlotte realizes she can help bring Tiana’s dreams to life, she drops everything to help her best friend—even if it means kissing a frog.

Lilo and Nani
Being a legal guardian and sister is not an easy task, just ask Nani Pelekai. Even with her hectic schedule, Nani always manages to have her little sister, Lilo, her No. 1 priority. Their sibling love can weather any Hawaiian storm, including the mischievous adventures of her little sister and her alien pet, Stitch.

Han and Chewbacca
Chewbacca is an imposing presence, but he’s in possession of an equally big heart. And Han would have the world believe he’s a smuggler and a scoundrel at heart, but when the rubber meets the road—or when the Milennium Falcon meets a tractor beam—he’s always there for his friends. Neither is the warm and fuzzy type—no matter what that Wookiee fur might suggest—but few friends have each other’s backs like Han and Chewie do.

Swiss Family Robinson
The Robinson family was close before being shipwrecked on a deserted island, but bunking together in the relatively small space of their fantastic treehouse—and battling pirates—only strengthened the bond between Father, Mother, and three sons, Fritz, Ernst, and Francis. The saying goes, “A house is not a home unless there’s love in it,” and the Swiss Family Robinson’s treehouse is most definitely a house full of love.

Susan and Sharon (The Parent Trap)
The bond is so strong between twins Susan and Sharon, it’s no wonder that they ended up together at the same summer camp, despite being separated by their parents as children. After a rocky meeting, the sisters soon realize they’re better together and team up to persuade their parents to reconcile so that they never have to be apart again. They may create double the trouble, but it comes with an extra helping of sisterly love.

The Three Caballeros (Donald, Panchito, and José)
Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito set a standard for all subsequent trios of friends to follow. Birds of a feather, these original three amigos go everywhere together (in matching sombreros, no less!), stand together through stormy weather, and even have a signature song. They may say each man is for himself when a pretty lady happens along, but we suspect their true friendship prevails.

Goofy and Max
The love is strong in this family of two, in spite of Goofy’s inadvertent goofs, which frequently wind up embarrassing Max. But, like most sons, Max knows that Goofy’s heart is in the right place. Sometimes teenage Max might worry about turning out like his father—doesn’t every teen?—but deep down he knows that Goofy is his rock and a role model in the best possible way.

Disney Valentine’s Day Cards To Share With Someone Special

February 11, 2016January 30, 2017

Valentine’s Day is this Sunday and we’re giving you five Disney Valentine’s Day cards for the fan in all of us! These cards are perfect to share with the people you love—and the people you love, who love Disney! Simply download and print out on regular paper or cardstock for the perfect Valentine postcard.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Click Here

She’s Got A Dream

The worlds of Disney are wonderfully vast and home to a delightful variety of creatures, critters, heroes and princesses. And whether princess or frog, they share one important thing: They’ve all got a dream, whether they know it… or not. But that dream—and how they go about achieving it—is something that makes each of them uniquely them.

Rapunzel, of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Tangled, knows what her dream is, as she sings with the Pub Thugs in “I’ve Got a Dream”: It’s to see the floating lanterns gleam… which, of course, leads the princess on a journey towards discovering who she really is. Rapunzel also knows, however, that dreams don’t come after a princess—the dreamer has to go after the dream in order to achieve it.

Having had a lot of time for dreaming in her tower, Rapunzel only wonders “When Will My Life Begin?” for so long before taking that first adventurous leap to turning her dreams and ambitions into reality. And her can-do attitude is contagious—she doesn’t stop at being the architect of her own dream, she inspires even malicious Pub Thugs to find their personal passions, whether that’s music, the search for true love, or baking cupcakes.

Each of the Disney Princesses has dreams and ambitions, whether it’s Merida’s desire to break with tradition and make her mark as a great archer, or Tiana’s determination to own her own restaurant.

What people love about the Disney Princesses are their incredible stories and the qualities that help them achieve their dreams. Disney’s “Dream Big, Princess” campaign puts those great stories and qualities front and center and marries them with those of real-life young girls to inspire and encourage kids around the world to dream big.

Read a letter from Academy Award®-winning director/writer of Frozen and writer, Wreck-It Ralph, Jennifer Lee about how Disney’s Cinderella helped her dream big on TheWaltDisneyCompany.com/news. And follow @TheDisneyPrincesses on Instagram to discover more about the big dreams of Disney Princesses.

Celebrated Costume Designer Sandy Powell Talks Oscars, Cinderella

You can hardly miss Sandy Powell.

Not just for her fiery red hair and cool disposition, but also for her avant-garde and elaborate sartorial vision that’s fit for royalty, old Hollywood, and just about any other time period you can imagine.

The three-time Oscar® winner has been a force to be reckoned with when it comes to costume design. And that statement holds true for this year’s Academy Awards®—airing Sunday, February 28 (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT) on ABC—where Powell’s nominated for not one, but two Oscars for Best Costume Design. It’s a safe bet that she’s a shoo-in to bring home the gold.

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Weeks before Hollywood’s Biggest Night, the Cinderella costume designer sat down with D23 to talk about the gown, what it’s like to accept an Oscar on the actual stage, and what Cinderella would wear on the red carpet.

D23: When hear your name announced as a winner at the Oscars, what’s the first thing that crosses your mind? How do you keep it together on stage?
Sandy Powell (SP): I don’t know. It’s been so different for the three occasions where it happened. I guess the first time was like an out-of-body experience; I have no idea how I got to the stage. But I think the first thing that crosses your mind is, “How do I get to that stage without falling?” You’re sitting in a room of nervous people, and you can actually feel the nervous excitement in the room and that’s contagious. I think when you get up, you end up going somewhere else, and afterwards, you ask, “How did that happen?”

D23: Is the statue heavy?
SP: It is heavy. It sort of brings you down to earth a little, actually.

D23: Where do you keep them?
SP: They’re in my office!

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D23: What does a costume designer wear to the Oscars? Can you tell us who or what you will be wearing?
SP: I think I might make something myself. I haven’t made a final decision yet, but that’s the plan.

D23: What would winning for your work on Cinderella mean to you?
SP: The biggest thrill is being nominated by your peers, colleagues, and friends—the people I work with, the people who really understand what the job’s about. I think that’s really the best bit, the bit that means the most.

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D23: How closely did you work with the directors and the writers for the film, because it seemed that each character’s personality was flawlessly represented with his or her wardrobe?
SP: Not so much the writers, because the script was already done when I started working on the film, so I was following the script that I already had. But none of it described what the characters were actually wearing—which is good, because then it’s up to me to come up with that. I worked with the director, Ken [Branaugh], anytime I had an idea for fabric, color, or silhouette. I would show him and discuss my thoughts and concepts with him. Ken, to his credit, gave me carte blanche and let me do what I wanted. Knowing you’ve got the trust of your director is very nice.

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D23: Your interpretations of Cinderella’s blue dress has become incredibly iconic in a very short amount of time. Did you have a sense the dress was going to become an instant smash when you were designing it?
SP: Well, if I thought about it too much, I would have been too terrified to start it. That probably was the most challenging aspect of designing this film. I had to remind myself every now and then just how popular this fairy tale is and how important it is to a lot of people. I couldn’t think about it too much or else it would have crippled me. I’m glad it has become popular, but that is down to the fact that the film is successful and popular. I don’t think the dress would have been iconic on its own without the backup of a popular film behind it.

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D23: The male characters sometimes don’t get the attention they deserve because of the elaborate designs women wear. How do you work to make a man’s costume stand out without being garish?
SP: The men are just as important. Make it fit well, that’s what it’s about with the men.

D23: Do you ever grow an attachment to the costumes or pieces that you create?
SP: Yes, I do. I get very possessive. I think they’re mine in the end, but they’re not. And sadly, I can’t steal them!

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D23: If you were able to keep a prop or costume from the Cinderella set, what would it be?
SP: Oh gosh! That’s a tricky one because I love all of the stepmother’s costumes. I really like those, and I’d love to have one of those. If I was keeping it for me to look at and have, one of those. But you can’t not say the ball gown… I did make eight of them, so you’d think they could spare one! [laughs]

D23: Do you have a favorite moment from designing Cinderella that you recall fondly?
SP: I think it was the very first time that Lily [James] put on the ball gown and it was completed. In the fitting room, it wasn’t on set. And she put it on and she had tears in her eyes and said she felt like a little girl being like a princess again. It was a magical moment.

D23: If Cinderella were going to the Oscars, what kind of dress would you design for her—because she can’t wear the same thing twice!
SP: Probably something not as big as the ball gown. The same color, though. I like the color a lot. Maybe a much more wearable version. She’ll take up too many seats in that dress!

The Oscars will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 28, 2016. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC, beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. To view the full list of nominees and for more information about the telecast, visit Oscar.com.

Five Fascinating Facts—Disney Legend Don Iwerks

On Friday, April 8, a group of D23 Gold and Gold Family Members are invited to Lunch with a Disney Legend: Don Iwerks at the Disney Studio lot in Burbank. During the intimate luncheon, guests will have the opportunity to talk with Don about his 35-year Disney career, which included the development of innovative cinematography and film projection systems. Thanks to Don, guests have traveled all around the world (and beyond!) through film experiences like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Circarama, U.S.A., Captain EO, and Star Tours.

Here are five fascinating facts about Don Iwerks’ distinguished career at The Walt Disney Company:

His first role at the Studio was laboratory technician—before his Disney career was put on hold…

In 1950, Don began working at the Disney Studio as a laboratory technician before being drafted into the Korean War, where he served for two years in the Signal Photo Corps. After returning to Disney, he transferred to the Machine Shop, where he was eventually offered a camera technician role and worked on his first Disney film: the “mightiest motion picture of them all,” 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea!

Don assisted his legendary father with developing a quintessentially Disney film process.

Working closely with his father, Ub Iwerks—the special effects wizard more famously known for developing and first animating Mickey Mouse, pictured above—Don helped create specialized cameras and optical printers that would combine painted backgrounds, traditional animation, and live-action. The resulting sodium traveling matte process was used to bring a “Jolly Holiday” to life in Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins and earn a special technical Academy Award®.

Don helped guests travel the world (while standing still) through the magic of Circle-Vision 360.

Helping create the immersive, 360-degree photography process—first known at Disneyland as Circarama and used for 16 company productions—Don helped guests tour exotic and fascinating locations all over the globe. The first film, A Tour of the West, was projected from eleven 16mm projectors, while later films used nine. For Italia ’61 (prepared for an exposition in Turin, Italy), Don taught an Italian film crew how to use the unique camera. Perhaps the most memorable of the early films, America the Beautiful would play through multiple versions at Disneyland for more than 17 years and also be featured at Magic Kingdom Park.

Don cited his work at the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair and EPCOT Center as the defining moments in his career.

While creating all-new entertainment for the World’s Fair, WED Enterprises turned to Don to build the advanced film equipment needed to introduce Disneyland-style attractions to East Coast audiences. The Disney pavilions proved so successful that they gave Walt Disney Productions the confidence needed to move forward with a “Disneyland East” project. For Epcot, Don’s work included two brand-new Circle-Vision theaters (for O Canada! and Wonders of China), a five-screen, 200-degree wrap theater production (Impressions de France), and The American Adventure, which continues to amaze guests with its massive rear-projection and Audio-Animatronics® theater experience.

Don has received many honors—including a Main Street window he shares with a fellow Disney Legend.

From the prestigious Gordon E. Sawyer Award in 1997 to the Disney Legends Award in 2009, Don has received many notable honors throughout his career. One of the most special—seen by guests each day—is a window on Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park. “Iwerks & Iwerks Stereoscopic Cameras” is a tribute to both Don and his father (and fellow Disney Legend) Ub Iwerks.

These are just five fascinating facts about Don’s incredible career with The Walt Disney Company. Learn more about Don’s amazing accomplishments at Lunch with a Disney Legend: Don Iwerks on April 8, 2016. For more information and tickets, click here.