D23 EXPO Japan 2015 Dazzles Fans

Following an outstanding first day of presentations, D23 EXPO Japan 2015 continued to surprise and delight fans at the Tokyo Disney Resort throughout the weekend.

Saturday was full of excitement, as Tokyo Disney Resort’s presentation packed the Maihama Amphitheatre—not once, but twice. Kyoichiro Uenishi, representative director, president and COO of Oriental Land Company, opened the show highlighting the upcoming 15th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea, which will take place in 2016. For the first time, guests were able to see the new crystal-themed outfits Mickey Mouse and his friends will be wearing in the park for the event. The celebration was capped by a 30-minute medley of musical highlights from the park’s first 15 years, and the grand finale featured dozens and dozens (and dozens!) of characters filling the stage and the audience for a mind-blowing spectacle.

That evening, Disney Theatrical presented the first of two “Broadway and Beyond” concerts. And the guests were certainly “beyond” thrilled, giving both performances a standing ovation. Similar to the shows at D23 EXPO in Anaheim, Disney Theatrical brought out some of their most talented performers including Josh Strickland (Broadway’s original Tarzan), Kerry Butler (who played Belle in Beauty and the Beast), Alton Fitzgerald White (who played Mufasa in The Lion King), and Mandy Gonzalez (who played Amneris in Aida).

It’s wonderful to see how another culture experiences the wonderful world of Disney.

“Magical” is how Butler—a lifelong Disney fan and avid pin collector!—described the experience to D23. Butler was absolutely perfect singing “Practically Perfect” from Mary Poppins and thrilled the crowd with her rendition of The Little Mermaid’s “Part of Your World.”

“It feels like a dream come true,” added Gonzalez, whose powerhouse vocals dazzled the crowd, especially when singing “They Live in You” from The Lion King. “It felt like a rock concert. They gave us so much love. The energy was incredible.”

White, who performed at D23 EXPO 2013 in Anaheim, and sang the beautifully moving “Proud of Your Boy” from Aladdin, noted, “It’s wonderful to see how another culture experiences the wonderful world of Disney.”

And Strickland, whose Disney fandom may rival even the most passionate D23 Member, was thrilled to be taking part in another Disney event (he has performed at D23 EXPO in 2013 and 2015, as well as on several Disney Vacation Club cruises). Strickland had the audience cheering after her rocked on “My Strongest Suit” from Aida and sent chills through the crowd with his rendition of “Santa Fe” from Newsies. “To be surrounded by such an amazing culture and share my love of Disney with all the fans at D23 EXPO Japan truly lifts my spirits,” he told D23. “The Japanese fans are like none other in the world. Their support means the world.”

On Sunday, presentations included “The Secrets of Disney Character Voices—from Snow White thru Frozen,” hosted by Disney’s Rick Dempsey, which explored the history of beloved voices in Walt Disney Feature Animation, including the Japanese actors who voiced Snow White (Kurumi Kobato), Cinderella (Yoriko Suzuki), Jasmine (Kaori Aso), Belle (Eri Ito), Ariel (Mayumi Suzuki) and Elsa (Takako Matsu)! To conclude the festivities in the amphitheater, Shiki Theatre Company, which has produced The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aida, and—coming soon—Aladdin in Japan, presented a cavalcade of talent and musical numbers from Disney’s theatrical productions in Japan, past through present.

But there was much more to D23 EXPO Japan 2015 than just the presentations. Screenings of popular and upcoming Disney television shows were held in Ikspiari—Tokyo Disney Resort’s version of Downtown Disney/Disney Springs—including the premiere of Descendants.

There were multiple shopping opportunities for unique collectibles, from adorable mini Tsum Tsum plush and exquisite designer handbags to limited edition “uniBEARsity” plush (a bear only available at Disney Stores in Japan) and high-end jewelry.

And this year’s exhibits were breathtaking—as thousands of guests were able to see! The Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta played host to four interlocking exhibits. The Walt Disney Archives put together the stunning “Power of Princess,” featuring props, costumes, and artwork telling the story of the Disney princess. The exhibit highlighted how it is the inner strength of the Disney princess that makes them beautiful, courageous, and—of course—powerful. Guests were able to see the original Sleeping Beauty book; the bodice worn by Marge Champion, who served at the live action reference model for Snow White; and even Lily James’ stunning blue Cinderella ball gown from this year’s smash film. This beautiful exhibit was followed by Star Wars, which featured costumes from The Force Awakens, as well as treasures from Star Tours (including Captain Rex)! Guests then walked into the universe of Marvel followed by Toy Story, featuring larger-than-life models of characters for guests to pose with in celebration of that film’s 20th anniversary.

Plus, over at the Disneyland Hotel, Tokyo Disney Resort presented an exhibit celebrating nearly 15 years of Tokyo DisneySea with beautiful artwork, costumes, models, and more.

But nothing was more exciting to see than the fans themselves. Guests were thrilled to have some of the D23 EXPO magic in Japan, showing that Disney’s storytelling is universal.

View a photo gallery from D23 EXPO Japan 2015 below.

D23 EXPO Japan 2015—Off to a Spectacular Start!

The second D23 EXPO Japan started spectacularly—with plenty of pixie dust—on Friday, November 6, at the Tokyo Disney Resort. The opening ceremony kicked off with Paul Candland, president of The Walt Disney Company Asia, welcoming 2,000 guests inside the Maihama Amphitheatre.

“Few companies have such a legendary past, as well as a limitless future,” said Candland to the sold-out house. “And we’re thrilled to have you here to celebrate everything in the world of Disney. We’re even more excited to show you what’s coming next—and we have plenty of exclusive, first-looks to share with you.”

Candland proceeded to reveal that a second version of the extremely popular game Tsum Tsum will debut in the spring of 2016: Marvel Tsum Tsum. This new game will feature guests’ favorite characters from the Marvel universe and will feature a whole new game play. Candland also took the chance to debut the new short Tsum Tsum Disco—featuring dancing Tsums—and a blue-wig-wearing Mickey, who truly needs to be seen to be believed.

“Tsum Tsum is a hard act to follow!” cracked Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, who came out next to give the audience a taste of what is to come in the Star Wars saga, and she revealed that in February 2016, guests who take a trip on Star Tours at Tokyo Disneyland will meet new characters and go on an adventure to an iconic world from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Adam Sanderson, head of D23, gave the crowd a look at some of the excitement guests enjoyed at D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim earlier this year. “Our loyal Japanese fans have long been a part of the Disney family,” noted Sanderson. “And we are thrilled that we can bring the spectacular D23 experience right here to Tokyo Disney Resort for you to enjoy once again.”

The event concluded with a spectacular concert of Disney music performed by a live orchestra, with special appearances from some of Japan’s biggest names in music singing beloved Disney songs, such as “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes, “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Once Upon a Dream.”

During their exciting session that afternoon, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek gave guests a look at some of the exciting things coming to Disney Parks around the world. With the help of some special guests, including Imagineers Bob Weis and Scott Trowbridge, Chapek led the audience on a tour around the world, starting at Disneyland, offering a glimpse at the excitement of the Diamond Celebration currently underway. He continued his tour with a look at the astounding Shanghai Disney Resort now coming to life in China, The Iron Man Experience, which will soon arrive in Hong Kong Disneyland, and Toy Story Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Chapek gave the crowd an up-close look at Pandora: The World of AVATAR, which is currently under construction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Since the beginning, we’ve promised guests that they’ll be able to see the magnificent floating mountains, fly on a banshee, and experience the beauty of the bioluminescent forest,” Chapek said, before revealing the name of one of the land’s new attractions: the Na’vi River Journey. “Both the story and the park represent a deep connection with and respect for the natural world,” Chapek added.

Another highlight for the audience was getting to see what’s to come for Star Wars in the parks, and Trowbridge gave guests a peek at how they plan to bring the Force to guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts with the two 14-acre lands previously announced at D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim.

During the presentation, guests also enjoyed a medley of songs from a variety of Disney Parks nighttime spectaculars from around the world, sung by eight powerhouse performers—with a special appearance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The Dark Side made itself known as Darth Vader and a pair of Stormtroopers took to the stage. And the grand finale, in celebration of Frozen attractions and entertainment coming to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland, was a roof-raising rendition of “Let It Go” sung by a chorus of young performers and a magical moment with Elsa herself.

The day concluded that evening with a presentation by Dave Hollis of The Walt Disney Studios, who gave guests a preview of films to come, including a look at The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory, Moana, The Jungle Book, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Pete’s Dragon, Beauty and the Beast, and Captain America: Civil War.

“We have talked about what’s coming from Disney Animation, Pixar Animation, Disney Live Action, and Marvel,” noted Hollis. “There’s only one place left to go from here.” And that was a galaxy far, far away—as guests were all given mini lightsabers for the return of Kathleen Kennedy.

Kennedy gave the audience a look at a special trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens made just for D23 EXPO Japan, and she was joined by a very special guest: BB-8! Then Kennedy played a message for the crowd from stars Daisy Ridley and John Boyega. “There truly has never been a more exciting time to be a Star Wars fan,” Kennedy said.

And there has never been a better time to be a Disney fan.

See coverage on the rest of D23 EXPO Japan 2015 here.

Disney Details: True as Steel Mickey

November 5, 2015November 3, 2016

What you see is a dramatic photograph of a steel cutout of Mickey, our beloved mouse, stealing the scene from a gorgeous storm of golden electronic turbulence raging behind him. The image was captured at a steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where work took place on two new Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. This Mickey was among the first pieces of steel cut as part of the Art Deco-inspired scrollwork that graces the bows of both ships. The design features an intricate pattern reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s, with added touches of Disney whimsy such as the Mickey figure seen here.

It’s all in the Disney Details.

Club Villain’s Spellbinding Fun—Plus More in News Briefs

Club Villain: Putting a Spell on You in 2016

Heading to the Walt Disney World Resort next year? Then get ready for some new, truly spellbinding fun! Club Villain—a special ticketed event in Sunset Showcase, adjacent to Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—will offer guests fabulous performances, delicious food, bewitching cocktails, and enchanting encounters with some of your favorite Disney villains!

The first Club Villain will take place on the evening of Saturday, January 16, with reservations now open. The ever-mysterious Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog (recently seen in the Magic Kingdom’s “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular”) is your host for the night, welcoming friends from the “other side” to his parlor of mystical mishaps—complete with musical numbers and a wicked-cool mix from the house DJ. Also stopping by to socialize are mistresses of Disney mayhem including Maleficent, Cruella De Vil, and the Evil Queen.

Club Villain will be conjured up on select evenings in 2016, for $99 per person (tax and gratuity included). Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 90 days in advance; check out the Disney’s Hollywood Studios website for more info!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
November 6
VIP Studio Experience with Disney Legend Andreas Deja
November 7
D23 Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives
November 14
Pinocchio: 75 Years of a Disney Classic
November 14
Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event
December 4
Light Up the Season with D23
December 13
Holiday Gingerbread House Building Workshop
Studios
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.
January 29
The Finest Hours opens in theaters.
March 4
Zootopia opens in theaters.
April 15
The Jungle Book opens in theaters.

Parks
September 25-November 16
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
January 16
Club Villain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Television
November 30
It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Halloween Shenanigans at Disney TV Animation

Our friends at Disney TV Animation had a spooky good time last week during their big Halloween celebration in Glendale, California. Offices were turned into amazing displays (Check out what a jungle it was trick-or-treating at The Lion Guard’s office!), and even Gravity Falls creator/executive producer Alex Hirsch got in on the devilish action.

Hope y’all had a fantastic Halloween, wherever you live!

ABC Family’s Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas

Thanksgiving Week is traditionally filled with food and family… and now, thanks to ABC Family, you’ll also get a big helping of the “warm fuzzies” when the network presents its Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas event! From Sunday, November 22, through Monday, November 30, viewers will go “to infinity and beyond” with several films celebrating all your favorite Disney•Pixar characters. Blockbusters including Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and Ratatouille—plus other Disney classics like Cinderella, 1998’s The Parent Trap, and Wreck-It Ralph—are sure to delight the whole family!

Additionally, during this year’s Countdown, the network will present two all-new original specials: Pretty Little Liars: 5 Years Forward (which offers an exclusive glimpse at what’s to come from the series’ impending five-year “time jump”), and an all-new holiday episode of Young & Hungry. And it’s all helping usher in ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas, which kicks off Tuesday, December 1.

So tune that TV to ABC Family starting November 22—and we suggest claiming your space on the couch right now!

New Characters for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition

Big news from the good folks over at Disney Interactive: They’ve just announced that four new playable characters—and a brand-new Power Disc Pack—are available for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition! It’s the fourth wave of fresh offerings for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, and includes the first Marvel characters for Disney Infinity 3.0 (smash-happy Hulkbuster and super-villain Ultron), as well as one of the most highly anticipated Star Wars characters: Darth Maul himself!

Also now available are new products for Disney•Pixar’s upcoming Thanksgiving release, The Good Dinosaur, including a Spot figure and a themed Power Disc Pack. And fear not, longtime Disney Infinity fans: All figures and Power Discs from the 1.0 and 2.0 editions of Disney Infinity are compatible with Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition in the enhanced Toy Box 3.0. Happy playing!

Celebrating the New Year at Tokyo Disney Resort

It’s only November, but it’s never too early to start planning your New Year’s celebrations—especially if they happen to be taking you across the ocean! Tokyo Disney Resort will ring in Oshogatsu (the new year) with a “The Year of the Monkey” celebratory theme; from January 1 through 5, the entrances to both Resort parks will feature kadomatsu (traditional Japanese decorations), alongside The Jungle Book’s King Louie and his Monkeys at Tokyo Disneyland, and Aladdin’s Abu at Tokyo DisneySea. Tokyo Disneyland will offer a New Year’s Greeting twice-daily parade, featuring Mickey and Minnie (in kimono, of course!) aboard their “LiMOUSEine II.” And at Tokyo DisneySea, Mickey, Minnie and all their Disney friends (including Abu) will ride aboard a barge to share their own New Year’s Greeting three times a day.

Sounds like a fabulous way to welcome 2016, right? Maybe it’s time to cash in some frequent flier miles…

Frozen Reminds Fans, “Family Is The Best Gift of All”

The holiday season is upon us—there’s a chill in the air this morning, but our hearts couldn’t be warmer thanks to a holiday message from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, reminding everyone that “Family Is The Best Gift of All.”

“In both Frozen and Frozen Fever, the concept of family was explored and celebrated. By the end of the feature film, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven have formed their own unique bond, and there is no better time than the holiday season to remind us that family truly is the best gift of all,” says Oscar^®-winning producer, Peter Del Vecho.

The holiday season makes the perfect time to gather your family and “Say Freeze!” in a Frozen Family photo contest. Inspired by the awkward family photo in Frozen Fever, fans can submit their funniest, sweetest, and wackiest family portraits for the chance to win a vacation for four to The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. And just like our favorite Arendelle royals and their friends, a “family” can be anyone with whom you share a close bond—from your family at home to your sorority sisters to your soccer teammates. Learn more about the contest and view the Official Rules at Disney.com/SayFreeze.

The contest entry period runs through November 30. And on Sunday, November 29, the popular animated short Frozen Fever debuts on Disney Channel within Disney’s Descendants at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT. The short made its theatrical debut with Cinderella in Spring 2015 and reunited the original filmmaking team behind the feature film. In Frozen Fever, it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but when Elsa catches a cold, her powers may put more than just the party at risk.

To make the season even cooler, Disney Channel will also debut a special music video featuring the cast of Best Friends Whenever, singing their version of “Making Today A Perfect Day” on Friday, November 13 after an all-new Girl Meets World at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. The song from Frozen Fever is written by the Academy Award^®-winning team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

And, as if that isn’t enough to give you all kinds of Frozen feels, another Disney emoji video is coming soon! In the all-new Frozen Fever As Told By Emoji video, emoji-fied versions of Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and the rest of our favorite Frozen friends are back to retell the story of Disney’s Frozen Fever with help from the short film’s popular song “Making Today A Perfect Day.” The video is the fourth installment of Disney’s As Told By Emoji, a new series of videos that retell popular Disney stories by recasting our favorite characters as emoji living within a mobile phone. Fans can watch Frozen Fever As Told By Emoji on Disney Channel and Disney’s YouTube channel in early December.

So let it go and Say Freeze! for a photo, and be sure to catch these TV debuts. And enjoy them with your family, which, our Frozen friends remind us, really is the best gift of all.

Interview: Inside Out Brain Trust Pete Docter

It’s only appropriate that Disney•Pixar’s summer blockbuster Inside Out started with a single, ingenious thought, because it is a movie about the mind, after all. Directed and co-written by Oscar^®-winning Up filmmaker Pete Docter, the film largely takes place inside the mind of 11-year-old Riley (voiced by Kaitlyn Dias), who has mixed emotions about her family relocating from their home in Minnesota to San Francisco.

The problem is, the five main emotions in Riley’s brain—Joy (Amy Pohler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Bill Hader), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling)—have drastically different views of the world, and they’re going to have to find a way to get into sync as Riley crosses the vital threshold of childhood into adolescence.

Movie journalist Tim Lammers conducted an interview with Docter on behalf of D23.com about the film, which is out today on Blu-ray and DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Tim Lammers: Your daughter, Elie, of course, voiced a pivotal role in Up as the young Ellie. Once again, she plays a vital role with Inside Out, but in a different sort of way. How did that happen?

Pete Docter: My daughter was 11 at the time when we started on the project, and I was noticing that she had gone from this very rambunctious little kid to being a little more quiet and reclusive, and I was wondering what was going on in her head.

TL: That’s a great launching point for the film. How did developing it come about?

PD: I’ll go for walks when I get stuck for ideas for films, and I was thinking, ‘I know there are movies that take place in the body, but the mind—and emotions as characters—that could really take advantage of what animation does best: these strong, opinionated, caricatured characters that have strong ideas on how any given situation could be handled. That seems like something we can really do something with.’

Read more of Pete Docter’s interview as well as quotes from producer Jonas Rivera in the gallery below:

Riley’s First Date?—A New Emotion-al Experience

When this summer’s blockbuster Disney•Pixar film Inside Out ended, we weren’t ready to say goodbye to Riley or the voices that live inside her head. Lucky for us, the filmmakers were overcome by Emotions—the ones voiced in the film by Amy Poehler (Joy), Phyllis Smith (Sadness), Bill Hader (Fear), Lewis Black (Anger), and Mindy Kaling (Disgust)—just like we were. Inside Out releases on Blu-ray today with a bonus feature that will give you all the feels: a brand-new short, Riley’s First Date?—which shows us what happens when a boy comes to call for 12-year-old Riley. Riley, her parents, and all of the Emotions find themselves in uncharted territory. Sounds like all the makings for a core memory!

Riley’s First Date? is directed by Josh Cooley (who is serving as co-director of Toy Story 4, with John Lasseter). When Cooley introduced the short for fans at D23 EXPO 2015, he said, “Riley’s First Date? ventures into the minds of Riley’s parents when a mysterious boy shows up at the front door. Having a daughter myself, it was a lot of fun to mine my own feelings to show this emotional time in a parent’s life.”

The team at Pixar Animation Studios recently had a lot of fun with another very emotional time in many parents lives right now: the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Our friends at Pixar shared this fun video of the emotions from Inside Out watching the latest trailer for the film. We think it will make you feel tremendous Joy!

Disney twenty-three Journeys to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

To celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney twenty-three unlocks the power of the force to give fans a look behind the making of the newest installment in the Star Wars saga. The issue opens with “guest editor” C-3PO admitting he is unfamiliar with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club (“…although I am very familiar with the R2 series of droid, I am less familiar with the D23 line. Would it be R2-D23?”) and continues with candid interviews with the original Star Wars leads—Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford—looking back (and ahead) at the ongoing strength of these out-of-this-world films.

Director J.J. Abrams—whose long-standing history with Disney goes back to the TV show Felicity—sits down for a revealing Q&A, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy talks about inheriting one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Plus, Imagineer Scott Trowbridge gives fans a peek at what’s in store for guests at the parks, following Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger’s announcement at D23 EXPO 2015 of Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

And the Star Wars adventures continue. Also included in the publication, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members:

Stories behind the movie poster artwork for all seven films
An exclusive interview with Star Wars Rebels executive producer Dave Filoni, who talks about his first, nerve-wracking meeting with George Lucas
The incredible collectibles—past and future—that allow guests to bring the movies into their homes, including the story of the groundbreaking BB-8 toy
A salute to George Lucas by Star Wars authority Steve Sansweet

Plus, there’s plenty of Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three including:

The story of how the new Disney•Pixar film The Good Dinosaur came to rule the Earth
A look back at the creation of Fantasia, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary
How The Finest Hours went from an unbelievable true story to a gripping new film
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 mid-November.

All Aboard with Mickey: Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip

November 1, 2015November 3, 2016

By Jim Fanning

On November 1, 1940, Mickey Mouse first sported a straw hat, twirled a cane and whistled a happy traveling tune as he waited at the Burbank, California train depot (presumably not far from the newly opened Walt Disney Studios on Buena Vista Street in that same city) to start a jaunty train journey to Pomona in Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip. This classic short continues to entertain today with its surefooted mix of slapstick action, comedic antics, merry music, and masterful personality animation straight from the Disney golden age. In this animated gem, Mickey’s plans for a quick getaway (Pomona is about 40 miles from Burbank) with his pal Pluto are derailed when they discover that no dogs are allowed on the train—but tricky Mickey doesn’t let that stop him from boarding the train anyway. What follows is a hilarious game of cat (Pete in one of his intimidating authority figure roles as the brutish conductor) and mouse (you-know-who). Pete chases Mickey and Pluto throughout the train, and ever-resourceful Mickey adopts a number of disguises to elude the pursuing Pete.

The animators who created this cartoon classic included Dick Lundy (credited with the first animation of Donald Duck), Ken Muse, Ed Love, Marvin Woodward and Nick Nichols, who went on to become the primary director of the Pluto cartoons. Leigh Harline, fresh off his Oscar®-winning scoring of Pinocchio, also released in 1940, composed the music. Cues included “Trains on Time,” “Pluto Plays Follow the Leader,” “Watchful Villain,” and, of course, “Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip.” (The cut-off word “GERONOM” on the side of the train is an oft-overlooked nod to the film’s director, Disney animation stalwart Clyde Geronimi.)

Even though it’s set aboard a train, this is an everyday “domestic” story that balances out the other two Mickey Mouse shorts released in 1940: Tugboat Mickey (an adventurous team-up with Donald Duck and Goofy) and Pluto’s Dream House (a fantasy). Whatever the story team’s motivation in cooking up the plotline, they actually regarded it as something outlandish. “The director and crew on the [short] considered the plot ‘a lovely thought—but not at all practical,’ to use the philosophical words of Jiminy Cricket,” according to the Disney Publicity Department. “‘But who wants a practical plot in a cartoon anyway,’ the Disney gang said. ‘No cartoon plot is supposed to be true-to-life.’ And so the picture went on. On one of the last days of ‘shooting,’ the director walked in with a strange look on his face. In his hand he carried a newspaper clipping. Yes, it was about a man who was thrown off a train when the conductor discovered he was carrying his dog aboard!”

Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip was only the fourth Mickey Mouse cartoon to feature the beloved icon with his newly designed eyes-with-pupils. (That major alteration in the character’s countenance was actually introduced in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice but that production was not seen until Fantasia was released on November 13, 1940, 12 days after the debut of Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip.) And it was the last of his cartoons to be produced before Mr. Mouse’s short-lived redesign (including more realistic ears that worked in perspective) that began with The Little Whirlwind (1941).

Because of the short’s railway setting, we can assume that train-enthusiast Walt had a particular affection for this short. And though it’s not exactly hard evidence of the great showman’s specific interest in this cartoon, the only known footage of Walt performing Mickey’s voice is for dialog recorded for this short. The reason behind the existence of this film is lost to history but this invaluable footage shows Walt happily performing Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip lines along with Billy Bletcher, who is voicing Pete. (The footage of longtime voice artist Bletcher, who was also the voice of the Big Bad Wolf, is of course even more rare than that of Walt’s.) Between the classic cartoon itself and this priceless film of Walt Disney, Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip continues to deliver, right on time every time, after 75 years of train-travel-with-Mickey fun.

Watch the Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip classic short over at Disney.com.

Play the Online Game Monstober Zap!

For some interactive Halloween fun, play Disney Channel Monstober Zap! Protect your favorite Disney Channel characters from getting spooked in this classic arcade game!

CLICK HERE TO PLAY FULL SCREEN. (best for mobile and tablet devices)

Enjoy more games at Disney.com.

Watch new episodes on Disney Channel!