Meet Maximus from Tangled: The Musical—And More in News Briefs

Tangled: The Musical on the Disney Magic—Meet Maximus!

Hi-ho, Maximus, away! Our friends over at Oh My Disney were lucky enough to visit Disney Cruise Line’s Toronto rehearsal space to watch a sneak peek of Tangled: The Musical—the brand-new show based on the hit animated film. The highlight of the trip? Getting to see how Maximus, Flynn Rider’s long-suffering horse, comes to life on stage! Created by the folks behind the amazing puppets in Broadway’s The Lion King, Maximus (along with his human handler, David) is set to make a big splash once the production debuts onboard the Disney Magic in November 2015.

See Maximus (and David!) in action in the video above…

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
June 20
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
July 18
D23 Celebrates Disneyland, U.S.A.
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
Studios
June 19
Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).
July 17
Ant Man opens in theaters.
November 25
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.

Parks
September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
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
Television
June 26
Teen Beach 2 Premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel

Dawson and Buffy Join ABC Family This Summer

One series centered on a tight-knit group of high schoolers in a small town, facing problems of the typical, late-’90s sort. The other also centered on a tight-knit group of high schoolers in a small town… but they faced problems of the very atypical, fang-y sort. Both shows became pop culture mainstays—and now, ABC Family’s got ’em.

Starting June 22, Dawson’s Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer will join ABC Family’s weekday lineup! To help kick things off, fans have the opportunity to vote at http://abcfpoll.com/ for their favorite Creek and Buffy episodes; the top 10 episodes chosen will air during “Fan Favorite Week” beginning on Monday, June 22^nd, at 12 p.m. Then, on June 29, each series will start from the very beginning, with Creek at 12 p.m. ET/PT and Buffy at 5 p.m. ET/PT. Relive the epic Joey/Pacey/Dawson triangle! See Buffy win her special award at the Sunnydale High School prom (and cry when she does) again! We’re marking our calendars now.

**Musical Milestone: The Lion King Breaks Records**

Broadway’s The Lion King—the musical based on the 1994 animated hit—has not only delighted audiences in the Big Apple for 18 years, but its also been entertaining folks around the world through international tours and special “sit-down” engagements for nearly as long. And as of May 31, a whopping 80 million people have seen the production! Talk about a “circle of life”…

Productions are currently playing on Broadway; on national tours in the United States, Japan, and Australia; and in cities as diverse as Hamburg, Germany, and Mexico City. Check out this special video message from our Lion King performer pals, celebrating their amazing musical milestone, courtesy of Disney on Broadway.

The Good Dinosaur Finds Its Voice(s)

Ever wonder what might’ve happened if the world’s dinosaurs had never gone extinct? Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film, The Good Dinosaur, aims to answer that very question, and they just announced the voice cast that’ll help make it happen.

Raymond Ochoa (NBC’s The Night Shift, Disney’s A Christmas Carol) stars as Arlo, an Apatosaurus who finds an unlikely human ally in Spot (Jack Bright, Monsters University). Also lending their dulcet deliveries are Steve Zahn (That Thing You Do!, HBO’s Tremé), Jeffrey Wright (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Parts 1 and 2), Sam Elliott (FX’s Justified), and Anna Paquin (HBO’s True Blood). Look for Arlo to amble onto the big screen this November!

**The Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Galaxy Expands**

We’re legitimately counting down the days ’til Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens this December—and luckily, there’s been fun Star Wars news almost every week lately… what better to tide us over, right? So we were stoked to learn of the latest additions to the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition family. Characters from the popular animated TV series Star Wars Rebels—Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger, Sabine Wren, and Zeb Orrelios—are joining other Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, and Disney•Pixar characters in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition’s Toy Box. And good news is, all the characters are unlockable within every Star Wars™ Play Set!

In an effort to stop the plans of the evil Galactic Empire, these new Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition characters are super important players in the fight against the Dark Side, and they’ll be available this fall. Can’t wait that long to see ’em in action? Season 2 of Star Wars Rebels premieres Saturday, June 20, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.

More Main Street Merriment with New Enchanted Windows

We recently clued you in on the cool technology behind the new Enchanted Windows on Main Street, U.S.A. at the Disneyland Resort, and they debuted in time for the park’s Diamond Celebration. The Disney Parks Blog just posted a few new up-close photos of the windows, which really highlight the incredible detail that went into their creation. The first two windows are themed after Peter Pan and Cinderella; look for The Princess and the Frog, Aladdin, Toy Story, and Frozen later this summer.

Traverse Europe in Style with New Adventures by Disney Itineraries

Adventures by Disney (ABD) has been cornering the market on “ridiculously cool vacations around the world” lately, and they’re not stopping in 2016. Plans are afoot at ABD to offer travelers exciting new ways to experience Europe in 2016—including a reimagined trip through England and France, and additional departure dates for ABD’s fantastic new Danube river cruise.

The new England/France itinerary boasts a lesson in scone making, a dragon “hunt,” a speedboat journey down the River Thames, and a chance to explore the Eiffel Tower. And the cruise down the Danube takes you past iconic locations across Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. (Four countries in one trip? Yowza!)

Read up on all the latest and greatest at Adventures by Disney here.

**Visit Zany Zootopia in New Teaser Trailer**

Zootopia is a melting-pot metropolis of every kind of mammal you can imagine; unfortunately, just like in human-filled cities, not everyone gets along. Leave it to an idealistic police officer bunny (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, ABC’s Once Upon a Time) and a scam artist fox (voiced by Jason Bateman, Arrested Development) to solve the town’s biggest mystery.

Zootopia, the latest Walt Disney Animation Studios feature, doesn’t hit theaters until March 4, 2016—but we’re in luck, because a brand-new teaser trailer is now available! Take a gander at what makes the town so special, above.

So You Think You Know Chewbacca…

He’s terrifically tall, very hairy, and just about the best friend you could have beside you as you traverse the galaxy. Chewbacca the Wookiee (as played by the amazing Peter Mayhew) has attained iconic status after all these years—and thankfully he’ll appear in the highly anticipated new Star Wars installment, The Force Awakens, this December.

But how well do you really know Chewbacca? The good folks over at StarWars.com have unearthed eight little-known facts about the Wookiee, the hard-working actor behind his portrayal, and even how his recognizable voice was created. Get schooled on everything Chewie here.

Celebrate Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Legacy and Future at D23 EXPO 2015

Throughout D23 EXPO 2015—August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center—Disney fans will be treated to show-stopping presentations, engaging panels, and immersive experiences from our friends at Walt Disney Animation Studios. The lineup—just announced—is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most exciting presence at D23 EXPO yet!

Here is the lineup of all of the happenings you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars now!

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter

Friday, August 14, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, presents Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films. Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Disney Animation’s Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

**Welcome to Zootopia!**

Saturday, August 15, 1:30 p.m.—Stage 28

Welcome to Zootopia, a magnificent mammal metropolis, and home to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next feature, the comedy-adventure Zootopia. Join directors Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), producer Clark Spencer (Wreck-It Ralph, Bolt), and artists from the incredible production team as they introduce rookie rabbit-officer Judy Hopps, con-artist fox Nick Wilde, and a host of dynamic animal characters, sharing footage and behind-the-scenes stories with D23 EXPO-goers.

***Aladdin*—The Making of a Classic**

Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m.—Stage 28

Join Walt Disney Animation Studios filmmakers, including legendary directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg (Genie) and Mark Henn (Jasmine), as well as Jasmine herself, Linda Larkin, and the two actors who gave life to the character Aladdin: Scott Weinger and Brad Kane, as they unveil the stories behind one of the great Disney classics, Aladdin, a film that led to a “whole new world” for animation.

The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: from Paperman to Prep & Landing, Feast to Frozen Fever

Sunday, August 16, 11:30 a.m.—Stage 28

When Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Studio in 1923, their first medium for storytelling was the animated short. More than 90 years later, Walt Disney Animation Studios continues this tradition, making groundbreaking and award-winning shorts including Feast, Paperman, and this year’s hit Frozen Fever. Join the filmmakers behind these shorts and so many others, including Get A Horse!, John Henry, Lorenzo, and The Ballad of Nessie for a conversation about this truly animated art form.

Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!

Sunday, August 16, 3 p.m.—Hall D23

Join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar^®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your favorite friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film—including Anna and Elsa—with sing-along experiences and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

The Tunes Behind the Toons: Screening/Q&A

Sunday, August 16, 6 p.m.—Stage 28

D23 EXPO invites you to a special screening and Q&A panel for The Tunes Behind the Toons, a short form documentary that celebrates the power of music in animation. From the silent film days when organists played live accompaniments, to the music within today’s animated features, this documentary traces the origins of cartoon music and its pioneers. Featuring interviews with Alan Menken, Randy Newman, Patrick Doyle, Mark Watters, Bruce Broughton, Richard Sherman, and many others. Producer/director Dave Bossert will lead a star-studded Q&A following the presentation.

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

Animation—Show Floor Exhibition

For the first time at D23 EXPO, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios have created a joint experience no Disney fan should miss. With live demonstrations, presentations, and autograph signings with top filmmakers from each studio, plus free giveaways and interactive displays featuring the films Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory, and Moana, this is a can’t-miss attraction for animation fans.

An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg

D23 EXPO 2015 hosts the first public exhibition anywhere of “An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg.” Celebrate Goldberg, whose artistry at Walt Disney Animation Studios began with his groundbreaking work on Genie in Aladdin, and continues to this day on projects such as the upcoming Moana and the 2014 Oscar^®-nominated Mickey Mouse short Get A Horse! The exhibition features a collection of more than 100 of Goldberg’s caricatured creations of Disney characters, drawn in a style reminiscent of art seen on the famed walls of Sardi’s Restaurant and The Brown Derby. This incredible collection of art is from the newly released book An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg Draws the Disney Characters, and will be available for purchase in the Walt Disney Publishing pop-up shop on the EXPO show floor.

Frozen Album Signing

With the purchase of Frozen: The Songs or Frozen Picture Disc at the Disney Music Emporium, guests will be issued a wristband to secure a space for an album signing with Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, and Tom MacDougall (Co-Producer, Frozen Soundtrack) on Friday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Frozen FANdemonium: One of the “Coolest” Events You’ll See at D23 EXPO 2015

Are you ready to “Let It Go” at D23 EXPO 2015? The just-announced Frozen FANdemonium is going to give you that chance, and you won’t want to miss it!

D23 EXPO 2015 attendees are in for a fun-filled musical treat when Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration! takes over the 7,500-seat Hall D23 on Sunday, August 16, at 3 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center. In what will be a thrilling and fun interactive experience for Disney fans of all ages, join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar^®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film––including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences of your Frozen favorites such as “Let It Go,” “In Summer,” and more. Plus, fans can expect special surprises and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

Disney fans know Kristen Anderson-Lopez—and her husband and collaborator Robert Lopez—for their songs from Frozen, along with their song, “Moving Pictures,” that was sung by Neil Patrick Harris to open this year’s Academy Awards^®. The Lopezes also wrote the Annie Award-nominated songs for the 2011 feature film Winnie the Pooh and Anderson-Lopez—also an actress—was featured as the voice of Kanga in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh.

Robert Lopez is the three-time Tony^®-winning co-creator of the worldwide smash hit Broadway musicals Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon. Lopez recently became the youngest of 12 people in history who have won Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony® Awards (EGOT), and the only one to have accomplished it in under a decade.

Anderson-Lopez and Lopez won an Oscar and a Grammy for Frozen’s signature song “Let It Go” and they share a Grammy for the Frozen soundtrack.

Chris Montan currently serves as president of Walt Disney Music and oversees music for a wide variety of Disney projects including all Disney and Pixar animated feature films, all Disney Theatrical stage productions, as well as the music for Walt Disney Theme Parks and Resorts worldwide. Additionally, he is executive music producer for all of the Studio’s animated features and works closely in the story process as well as helping to select musical talent. Montan joined Disney in 1984. Under his guidance the Studio has garnered an unprecedented 42 Musical Academy Award nominations, and soundtracks from 10 of the Studio’s theatrical releases have been certified multi-platinum.

Summer’s End—Phineas and Ferb’s Creators Send Our Heroes Back to School

We know what we’re going to do today—watch the Phineas and Ferb marathon that’s underway on Disney XD: 73 hours of Phineas, Ferb, Perry the Platypus, and every “inator” Dr. Doofenshmirtz ever built! We also know what we’re going to do tonight—watch “Last Day of Summer,” the series finale that shows our heroes’ 104th day of summer and prepares to send everyone back to school. The episode airs on Disney XD tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

This was the summer that we never wanted to see end, and Phineas and Ferb creators/executive producers Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, recognizing this, stretched the summer’s last day out a little bit for the show’s fans. In the one-hour episode, the summer is coming to a close and it’s Candace’s last chance to bust her brothers. She is quickly foiled, but is presented with an opportunity to redo the day when she sets off Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s Do-Over-Inator, which results in other consequences like rips in the space-time continuum, the shortening of days, and the disappearance of her brothers.

When we attended a Q&A with Povenmire and Marsh, they acknowledged the film Groundhog Day and its influence on the final episode, in which the last day of summer repeats over and over.

“It fulfilled a lot of people’s wishes, I think, for that last day of summer to repeat,” Marsh said.

Povenmire and Marsh made the decision to end the show about two years ago. “We’ve been doing this for a decade and thought this was a good time. I feel like the show is really good and really fresh,” Povenmire said. Since the series will continue to air daily on Disney XD, Marsh adds, “There’s a whole new batch of kids who can start on episode one.”

The “original batch” of kids grew up watching Phineas and Ferb. Many have gone on to colleges, where Povenmire and Marsh often speak, and both are proud and moved whenever they hear of how their show has inspired viewers. When “Last Day of Summer” was announced, Povenmire tweeted the news. “Immediately there were hundreds of people saying wonderful things about the show,” he shares. “And some of them wrote things like, ‘This is the show that got me through PTSD. This is the show that got me through chemo with my kid because it was the one thing that would make him smile.’ And I started crying like I’m doing right now,” Dan admits.

Lucky for fans of Disney animation, Povenmire and Marsh aren’t going very far. Their next project for Disney Television Animation has already been announced. Mikey Murphy’s Law is slated to premiere on Disney XD in 2017, and the show introduces Mikey, the fictional great-great-great-great grandson of the Murphy’s Law namesake. Though whatever can go wrong for Mikey always does, according to Marsh, “If you ask Mikey, he thinks he’s lucky because his life is filled with adventure and excitement every day.” Povenmire agrees, and says that the show is “really about meeting adversity with positivity and optimism.”

Though Phineas and Ferb’s summer may be ending, neither Povenmire nor Marsh will close the door on future adventures with the pair. “I was ready to step away for a while, but I already miss those characters. I miss voicing Doof, I miss spending time with them,” Povenmire admits.

They’re both extremely proud of what they accomplished over “104 days of summer vacation.” When asked what they most want people to know about the show, Marsh emphasizes, “You can never go wrong overestimating the intelligence of kids. You can make cool shows that appeal to everybody from adults and teenagers to little, little kids all the way on down—without being mean, without having your shows filled with jerks and idiots. You can put big words in and it’s OK. You can do classical music and jazz music and folk music and rap and rock ’n’ roll and all of that, and kids will get it.”

And kids weren’t the only ones who’ve been “getting it” during the series’ 126-episode run. Thanks, Dan and Swampy, for an epic summer we’ll never forget!

What’s Your Favorite Lady and the Tramp Tune?

We’ve been humming the music from Lady and the Tramp all week long as we get ready for our big D23 Fanniversary party this weekend, and the movie has so many memorable songs. But which one is your favorite?

THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED

Disney’s Decades of Work with American Humane Association

D23 takes a look back at 75 years of a shared commitment to humane treatment of animals in filmed entertainment. For more information on the American Humane Association, and to take a pledge to be kind to animals, check out their Kindness 100 page!

Click on an image below to see a larger version of the timeline!

Disney Fans to the Rescue: D23 Members’ Adopted Dogs

In Lady and the Tramp, we see the plight of dogs at the pound waiting for loving homes. Last week, we found out that D23 Members are the pup-parents of a whole host of rescued dogs, and maybe it’s because they saw Peg and the gang in the pound! To celebrate D23 Fanniversary Home Edition this weekend, here are some of our members’ doggone cutest adopted pets.

To take a pledge to be kind to animals, including adopting your pets from an animal shelter, check out the American Humane Association’s Kindness 100 page!

Meghan’s dog, Blue, was found in a shopping center as a puppy, but now he’s a pampered pooch who dressed up as Eeyore for Halloween!

Linda’s dog, Mickie, is a Disney fan, too—complete with her own hidden Mickey on her fur.

Stitch is a part of Sergio’s “ohana,” but we’re pretty sure he’s not an alien.

Queen Elsa is our kind of girl—a Disney fan and a Star Wars fan (as proven by her Yoda ears).

Baxter is a Walt Disney World native, who was adopted from Lab Rescue of Florida.

Nala thinks of the backyard as her Pridelands.

Peanut collects Tsum Tsums, and even thinks he might be one.

This dog’s name is Scamp, and we can only imagine the roaring D23 Fanniversary party he’s having this weekend.

Frozen Comes to Epcot—And More in News Briefs

Ride Into the World of Frozen at Epcot in 2016

Wanna spend some quality time in the kingdom of Arendelle with Elsa, Anna, Kristof, and Olaf the snowman?

Epcot’s new attraction, Frozen Ever After, will be an adventure fit for the entire family, where guests will feel like they’ve stepped right into the magical world of the film! Replacing the Norway Pavilion’s Maelstrom, Frozen Ever After will transport riders to the “Winter in Summer Celebration,” where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers and creates a wintery summer’s day for the entire kingdom. Guests will also visit Elsa’s Ice Palace, as well the icy North Mountain, and they’ll meet all their favorite characters along the way.

The Pavilion’s exterior will be also expanded with many unique Norwegian architectural features, and the interior design of the “Royal Sommerhus” will reflect the cultural arts and crafts of Norway—providing a unique new setting for guests to meet and greet Elsa and Anna, live and in person! What more could a Frozen fan want?!

Look for Frozen Ever After to debut at Epcot in 2016.

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

Save the Date!

Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
June 20
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
July 18
D23 Celebrates Disneyland, U.S.A.
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Fall 2015
D23 Member VIP Nights at The Lion King
Studios
June 19
Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).
July 17
The Good Dinosaur opens in theaters.
November 25
Ant Man opens in theaters.
December 18
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters.

Parks
May 15–June 14
Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park
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
Television
June 9
73-hour-long Phineas and Ferb marathon kicks off at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD
June 12
Phineas and Ferb, “Last Day of Summer” premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD

**New Ant-Man Trailer: Heroes Don’t Get Any Bigger!**

We’ve marked our calendars and are anxiously awaiting the newest member of the Marvel family, Ant-Man’s arrival on the big screen! July 17 seems so far away, right? Thankfully, Marvel is whetting our collective appetite once more with a brand-new trailer…

Ant-Man stars Paul Rudd (This is 40, Anchorman) as Scott Lang—a master thief who’s forced to embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of world-changing threats.

Climb Disneyland’s Reimagined Matterhorn with this Behind-the-Scenes Look

Brrr! Feel that chill in the air? It’s coming off of the updated (and very awesome) Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland Park—an attraction that reopened just in time for the kick-off of Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration. Check out this video from Walt Disney Imagineering for a look at how the scary, hairy new Abominable Snowman was created… and find out how the designers tipped their hard hats to the attraction’s past.

**See the Light with Tangled Animated Series**

Rapunzel and Flynn and Maximus, oh my! Disney Channel recently revealed plans for a Tangled animated series to debut in 2017… and D23 has the whole thing covered! We’re particularly excited that the film’s stars, Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, will be back—as well as composers Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.

The new series takes place between the events of the Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film and the beginning of the 2012 short, Tangled Ever After, as Rapunzel acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom, and the people of Corona.

**Join Riley for a Slice of Pizza in New Inside Out Clip**

Oh man—the anticipation is building like whoa for Inside Out’s theatrical premiere on June 19. We seriously cannot wait to meet Riley and all her emotions: Joy, Anger, Disgust, Fear, and Sadness… especially after seeing everyone in action in this brand-new clip. Seems that Riley’s dad is called away from family fun to go into work, so it’s up to Joy to remedy the situation. Will a slice of pizza do the trick?

Disney Cruise Lines Set Sail Through the Land of Frozen

The first-ever Disney Cruise through the beautiful Norwegian fjords just set sail from Copenhagen; it’s a magical journey through the land that inspired Frozen—and of course Arendelle’s most famous siblings, Anna and Elsa, will be on hand for all the fun! Several more Norwegian jaunts are planned for the Disney Magic through June and into next year.

If you’re more of a land-lubber, fret not: You can fjord along with the Disney Magic as the ship’s cruise director, Brent Davies, offers up some fantastic, up-to-the-minute first-person accounts at the Disney Parks Blog.

**Cross the Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg**

“In the shadow of war, one man showed the world what we stand for.” Bridge of Spies, the latest film from famed director Steven Spielberg, stars Oscar^® winner Tom Hanks as James Donovan—a real-life Brooklyn lawyer thrust onto the international stage when he’s asked to negotiate the release of a captured American pilot during the height of the Cold War. This DreamWorks drama is being released by Disney’s Touchstone Pictures, and also stars Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and Alan Alda.

Check out the chilling new trailer for Bridge of Spies, above… and mark your calendars for its October release.

Relive Your Favorite Disney Animation Short Films… on Blu-ray!

Walt Disney Animation Studios has been making hilarious, heart-warming, and award-winning animated shorts for years; we seriously still laugh out loud imagining Goofy’s antics in How to Hook Up Your Home Theater. For the first time ever, WDAS is releasing an amazing new collection of beloved short films (including the never-before-released Frozen Fever, and the Oscar^®-nominated Lorenzo) on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD this August—and we seriously couldn’t be more excited!

The Short Films Collection also includes the 2012 groundbreaking Mickey Mouse cartoon, Get A Horse!, as well as Oscar winners Paperman and Feast. The collection also features all-new extras, including introductions and interviews with the Disney Animation filmmakers themselves. Get a sneak peek at the fun with this new trailer!

**Get Small with Ant-Man Sneak Peek at Disney California Adventure**

Great news, Marvel fans! This summer, the Bug’s Life Theater at Disney California Adventure will host a special sneak peek of the new action-adventure Ant-Man, starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas! For a limited time starting June 19, this special preview will give audiences an advance look at scenes from the film, presented in 3-D (cool!) with special in-theater effects that can only be experienced at Disney Parks. And don’t miss the opportunity to check out an Ant-Man suit from the actual film, also on display at Bug’s Life Theater.

**Experience the Star Wars Saga Like Never Before!**

If you’re anything like us, you’re shivering with anticipation over the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens this December. Disney-Lucasfilm Press knows we need something to keep us occupied ’til then, so they’ve decided to revise the saga for a whole new generation… of readers! In a new book series, fans can experience the original trilogy in an entirely different way, with Star Wars: A New Hope—The Princess, The Scoundrel, and The Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back—So You Want to Be a Jedi by Adam Gidwitz; and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi—Beware the Power of the Dark Side! by Tom Angleberger.

These are more than just retellings of the three original Star Wars movies—they’re true to the films while also offering a fresh take and a chance to get inside the characters’ heads. Look for the Star Wars book trilogy on shelves September 22.

Meet Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior Stars at D23 EXPO 2015

The talented stars and creators from tweens, teens, and families’ favorite Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior series will be at D23 EXPO 2015, August 14–16, at the Anaheim Convention Center!

The hot-off-the-presses schedule features “inside-the-magic” experiences that include star-studded musical performances by Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Holt, Bea Miller, Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, and a Teen Beach 2 Dance Party; a sneak peek at Disney Junior’s upcoming The Lion Guard; meet and greets with beloved characters from top-rated series like Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins; the premiere of an all-new Mickey Mouse cartoon short; and more.

Here’s the weekend’s line-up:

On Friday, August 14, fans can attend a performance by Disney Channel star Olivia Holt.

On Saturday, August 15, Sofia the First’s Ariel Winter will be a special reader during Disney Junior story time. Plus, fans can catch performances by Girl Meets World star Sabrina Carpenter, Disney’s Descendants stars Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson, and Radio Disney’s NBT Bea Miller. Also, popular radio personalities from Radio Disney will be on site for a Radio Disney dance party. Then, fans can join creators of hit Disney XD animation series for the New Disney Storytellers panel, which will offer a glimpse into the vision and inspiration that go into a Disney XD animated series.

On Sunday, August 16, younger kids and their families can start off with Disney Junior story time featuring special guest reader Loretta Devine from Doc McStuffins, and then get up and groove with Radio Disney Junior at a special dance party. Later in the day, tweens, teens, and families can catch the debut of an all-new Mickey Mouse cartoon short entitled “Wishing Well,” then boogie at a Teen Beach 2 dance party, featuring stars from the movie and its choreographer, Chris Scott.

*Schedule is subject to change.

Throughout the three-day event, Radio Disney on-air personalities will be hosting electrifying Center Stage performances and events, while casts from fans’ favorite Disney Channel and Disney XD series and movies will be making special appearances and signing autographs in the Disney | ABC TV Pavilion. They include fans’ favorite stars from Disney Channel’s Descendants, Teen Beach 2, Liv and Maddie, Jessie, Dog With A Blog, I Didn’t Do It, Girl Meets World, K.C. Undercover, Austin & Ally, BUNK’D, and Best Friends Whenever as well as Disney XD’s Lab Rats: Bionic Island, Mighty Med, Kirby Buckets, and Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Now through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Love Is a Song—Disney Wedding Playlists

When it comes to planning a wedding, there are so many ways that Disney fans like to marry—sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves—their love for Disney with the way they choose to celebrate their love as a couple. In the summer issue of Disney twenty-three, we take a look at some pretty spectacular weddings that have taken place at Disney parks and resorts. But no matter where you live or choose to get married, Disney music can set a magical tone that turns a wedding into a fairy tale or a flight of fancy that’s as unique as the couple getting hitched.

The possibilities are endless for incorporating Disney songs, scores, and soundtracks into a wedding ceremony and reception. Most of the brides and grooms we spoke with had a hard time narrowing down their choices for their wedding, and they were all happy to offer up suggestions that can take a happy couple from their walk down the aisle to a truly spectacular send-off.

May we present a few Disney alternatives to “Here Comes the Bride…”

Down the Aisle…:

“Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping Beauty

“Married Life” from Up

“Define Dancing” from WALL•E

“Jolly Holiday” and “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins

“Smiles” from the Main Street, U.S.A. music loop

…And Up the Aisle:

“The Incredits” from The Incredibles

“Fantasmic! Exit Music” from Fantasmic!

“Transformation” and “Finale” from Beauty and the Beast

“Rhapsody in Blue” from Fantasia/2000

“Soarin'” theme from Soarin’ Over California

“The Main Street Electrical Parade” from A Musical History of Disneyland

“That’s How You Know” from Enchanted

“Another Part of Me” from Captain EO

First Dance:

“I See the Light” from Tangled

“Bright Little Star” as performed by Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café at Walt Disney World® Resort

“Are We Dancing?” from The Happiest Millionaire

“So Close” from Enchanted

“Never Knew I Needed” from The Princess and the Frog

Be Our Guest—Dining Music

“Le Festin” from Ratatouille

“Ma Bell Evangeline” from The Princess and the Frog

“A Bug’s Life Suite” from a bug’s life

“Steamboat Willie” – Mickey’s Toontown Area Music from The Official Album of Disneyland

“Legacy” – EPCOT® Entrance Area Music from Four Parks, One World—Walt Disney World Official Album

“Spaceship Earth” from Four Parks, One World—Walt Disney World Official Album

“Grim Grinning Ghosts” from Une Journee a Disneyland Paris

“Tapestry Of Nations” from Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration

“Sooner or Later” – Critter Country Area Music from The Official Album of Disneyland

“Kingdom Celebration” from Tangled

These are our suggestions for just some of the traditional wedding moments where music comes into play. But there are so many other opportunities to put a Disney song in your heart—or your guests’ hearts—at a wedding. From the mother/son dance—”You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan is a favorite—to a touching moment when a bride and her father dance to a song like “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppets—to a couple making their “grand entrance” to the tune of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, Disney songs can be a part of any couple’s wedding “soundtrack.”

Disney fans know that all of their favorite movies and attractions tell stories, and they see their wedding as a story of their very own. They also know that telling the perfect story is all about the details. When Ashley Richards was deciding how she wanted her fairy-tale wedding to end, she looked to a favorite Epcot spectacular, IllumiNations, and selected the exit music—a subtle but meaningful choice. And Steven and Melody Vagnini turned their shared love for Mary Poppins into a magical moment that involved their families. They chose “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” for their send-off song—and with the help of hand-made, hand-held kites that guests could wave (made by über-crafty members of Steven’s family)—they enjoyed a colorful, spirited, and joyful start to their life as a married couple.

Now that’s a happy ending, Disney-style!