See Broadway’s Best in Concert at D23 EXPO 2015

Think of the thrill that comes from experiencing a Disney song performed live in one of Disney Theatrical’s award-winning musicals. Fans at D23 EXPO 2015 can expect a truly special experience on Saturday, August 15, when Disney Theatrical brings Broadway to Anaheim with the just-announced Disney on Broadway’s “THE ORIGINALS.” In anticipation of high fan-demand, two performances of the concert will be presented, at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. in Stage 23.

From left to right: Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, and James Monroe Iglehart.

Disney on Broadway’s “THE ORIGINALS” stars Broadway’s original “Mary Poppins” (Ashley Brown), “Tarzan” (Josh Strickland), and “Genie” (James Monroe Iglehart) from Aladdin. The “originals” will entertain and delight D23 EXPO attendees by performing favorite musical highlights from the Disney on Broadway catalogue. Tony Award^® winner James Monroe Iglehart will also serve as host for this 70-minute, live performance that features a five-piece band of Broadway’s best musicians with special behind-the-scenes videos and interviews that promise to enthrall Disney on Broadway fans of all ages.

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.

Halloween Brings Hocus Pocus to Magic Kingdom Park—And More in News Briefs

Sanderson Sisters Put a Spell on Magic Kingdom Park This Halloween

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on select nights from September 15 until November 1—and this year, the exclusive event will be “witchier” than ever before! That’s because the infamous Sanderson Sisters, stars of the Disney cult favorite Hocus Pocus, will take part in an all-new show on the Castle Forecourt Stage. In “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” the mischievous sisters return to the mortal world for one night during the Halloween season. With only a few hours to “run amuck,” the trio decides to use their magic to throw the best, most evil Halloween party this side of the graveyard! With help from all manner of Disney villains, Winifred, Mary, and Sarah gather together sinister shadows, nefarious nightmares, and the power of their frightful friends to conjure the ultimate “Hocus Pocus Party Potion” and cast a spell on everyone in the Magic Kingdom Park.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event, and it’s appropriate for all ages. See ya there, ghouls and goblins!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
June 6
Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event
June 6
Let’s Get Together with The Parent Trap in Florida
June 20
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
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
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

The Good Dinosaur Teaser Trailer Asks… What If?

Sure, we all know that a gigantic meteor smacked into Earth a couple billion years ago, sending dinosaurs large and small into extinction. But what if that meteor missed the planet entirely? It’s a totally intriguing question, and it’s the idea behind the upcoming Disney•Pixar film The Good Dinosaur, set to roar into theaters on Thanksgiving. This brand-new teaser trailer introduces us (albeit briefly) to Arlo, a cute green Apatosaurus who makes an unlikely human friend before setting out on a series of life-changing adventures. Color us intrigued!

**Calling Tech-Savvy Girls: Win a Trip to the Ant-Man Red Carpet Premiere!**

Are you a young lady between the ages of 14 and 18? And are you passionate about science and technology? Then Disney and Marvel Studios have an awesomely cool contest for you! The “Marvel’s Ant-Man Micro-Tech Challenge” invites girls to design and build a DIY project using at least one readily available micro-technology component. The projects can be practical, artistic, or just plain fun! Applicants are then asked to send in a short video demonstrating the project and explaining how it’ll inspire other girls to pursue their interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. Five winners will be flown to Hollywood for the star-studded red-carpet premiere of Ant-Man—plus, they’ll get to attend an amazing “Evolution of Technology” workshop at the Disneyland Resort, and get a special tour of The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank!

Entries are being accepted NOW through June 11, 2015. For more info, check out www.Ant-ManChallenge.com.

“Disneyland Day” Declared at California’s State Capitol

Just one week after the launch of Disneyland Resort’s 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration, Mickey Mouse himself arrived in Sacramento to help the California State Senate and Assembly proclaim Monday, June 1, 2015, as “Disneyland Day”! To mark the joyous occasion, the “Happiest Balloon on Earth” floated gracefully above the State Capitol lawn.

Disneyland Resort’s visit to Sacramento went beyond the Capitol and into the community with a visit to UC Davis Medical Center—where Mickey and Disney Ambassador Allie Kawamoto spent time with some young patients. But the adventures didn’t end there; more than 500 volunteers from Disney, KaBOOM!, and the city of West Sacramento spent the day building Disney’s largest KaBOOM! playground ever. And following the build, Disneyland Resort made surprise donations totaling $10,000 to the area’s Club West Teen Center and Yolo County Children’s Alliance. Kudos to all involved!

**Join the (Book) Force with Star Wars Reads Day in October**

There’s nothing quite like a book to take you to a galaxy far, far away. On October 10, 2015, bookstores, libraries, and retailers all over the globe will honor the written word with the fourth annual installment of Star Wars Reads Day—a celebration filled with signings, parties, and so much more! This year’s event is expected to break all kinds of records, as fans gear up for the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in December. Participants are set to include publishers like Disney-Lucasfilm Press, Marvel, Chronicle, Scholastic, Studio Fun, Phoenix International Publishing, and many others. Keep a sharp droid-like eye on StarWars.com for more info on Star Wars Reads Day as it becomes available.

**Emotion-Filled Fun with New Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Play Set**

Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, Sadness—we all feel them from time to time. But what if you could play with them instead? Luckily, Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out Play Set, a whimsical puzzle-solving action game available this fall for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, gives you the chance!

Based on Disney•Pixar’s anticipated film Inside Out (coming to theaters June 19), the Play Set takes place in Riley’s mind after she inadvertently catches a glimpse of a scary movie as she is falling asleep. Her adventurous Emotions rally together to calm the turmoil that has overtaken Imagination Land as a result. The single-player or two-player co-op game (with three unique game modes) asks players to help Riley’s Emotions journey through Imagination Land and return them to the “Long Term” before Riley awakens. Look for the Play Set in stores soon!

“Eat to the Beat” at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Delicious food, delectable wine, delightful tunes . . . all available amongst amazing rides, shows, and attractions. The 20th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is only a few months away (kicking off September 25); it’s a veritable bacchanal of exclusive eats and treats from around the world, and it’s one of Walt Disney World’s most popular events each year. A festival highlight is the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series, where the hottest acts from all kinds of musical genres take the stage every weekend. This year, the festival is stoked to feature new acts like ’80s divas Tiffany and Chaka Khan, as well as ’90s rockers Everclear. They’ll be joining returning performers like Rick Springfield, Sugar Ray, Christopher Cross, Jo Dee Messina, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Prepare your palates and get those dancin’ shoes ready, y’all!

Soar Into Summer with New Episodes of Disney Junior Favorites

Great news for little ones, and their sure-to-be-grateful parents: New episodes of several Disney Junior favorites will premiere every weekday for seven consecutive weeks starting on Monday, June 29! It’s all part of Disney Channel and Disney Junior’s “Soaring Over Summer” event—and it’ll feature the Season Three premieres of Sofia the First and the Peabody Award-winning series Doc McStuffins, as well as new episodes of Miles from Tomorrowland and Henry Hugglemonster. And that’s not all: Jake and the Never Land Pirates joins the fun with the premiere of a special 44-minute episode called “The Great Never Sea Contest,” which kicks off big Season Four shenanigans for Jake and the crew. Keep an eye (and ear) out for huge guest stars including Broadway’s Audra McDonald, legendary actor Malcolm McDowell, and Doctor Who alum David Tennant.

Another Look Inside Out

The countdown is on ’til Disney•Pixar’s latest, Inside Out, hits theaters. This new clip, featuring a look into Riley’s memories, makes us even more excited (one of our favorite Emotions, by the by) for the movie’s release in just a few weeks!

The film, directed by Oscar^© winner Pete Docter (Up), follows Riley as she’s uprooted from her Midwestern life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Guided by her Emotions—Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith)—Riley struggles to adjust to her new city, new house, and new school.

Tangled to Make its Series Debut on Disney Channel in 2017

“Once upon a time…” So many of our favorite Disney animated stories begin that way. That’s why it makes us so happy when we encounter a “twice upon a time.” This morning, Disney Channel announced that one of our favorite feature films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Tangled, has inspired an animated TV series, set to premiere on Disney Channel in 2017.

Produced by Disney Television Animation, Tangled has begun production with Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprising their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene (aka Flynn Rider). The series will also reunite Disney Legend and Academy Award^®-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.

The series was developed by animation veterans Chris Sonnenburg (Disney’s Enchanted) and Shane Prigmore (The Lego Movie). Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, says, “The genius of the original movie was its seamless blending of cinematic adventure, character-driven comedy, and touching emotion. And we are fortunate to have several of the creative talent from that movie on board with this new production. With the addition of Chris and Shane as executive producers, we have the perfect team in place to create a series worthy of the original film.”

The new series takes place between the events of the 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. Her irrepressible spirit and natural curiosity about the world drives her to the realization that there is so much more she needs to learn before she can truly accept her royal destiny. She boldly puts her crown and impending marriage on hold to seek out epic adventures, much to the dismay of the King, who, after missing out on Rapunzel’s youth, must accept that his daughter is now an independent young woman.

All of our favorite characters from the big screen will be coming to the series, including Eugene, Maximus the horse, the Snuggly Duckling Pub Thugs, a newcomer, Cassandra—a “tough as nails handmaiden”—and fan favorite Pascal, the chameleon.

Sonnenberg serves as executive producer and supervising director, and Prigmore is co-executive producer/creative director. Rounding out the creative team are Jase Ricci (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as story editor, and Emmy^® winner Kevin Kliesch (Tangled Ever After) is score composer. Celebrated artist Claire Keane (Frozen, Tangled), daughter of Disney Legend Glen Keane, who was animation supervisor on the feature film, consulted on the series’ development.

Disney Brides and Grooms “Take the Cake” to a Whole New Level

Most couples ensure a sweet “happily-ever-after” with an elaborate wedding cake, but Disney fans like to add a little Disney magic to their send-off—or, in the case of the new cakes Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings introduced last year, with innovative projection-mapping technology, a lot of Disney magic. We take a look at what’s gone into creating some spectacular Disney fan weddings in the summer issue of Disney twenty three, and here we invite you to take a look at some amazing Disney-themed wedding cakes that are almost too beautiful to cut!

These unbelievable cakes let couples who love any of Disney’s wonderful worlds to customize their cake however they wish with the use of projection-mapping technology and animation. Their vision moves from sketch, to color rendering, to a breathtaking cake—one their guests will remember for a lifetime.

Other couples choose to celebrate their shared love for Disney with something that’s a little less high-tech—but just as creative. When Steven and Melody Vagnini were married, they opted for a groom’s cake that the cake team had never before been asked to make: a cake that celebrates the Electrical Water Pageant that traverses the Seven Seas Lagoon, which the Vagninis loved individually as children and together when they were first becoming a couple.

Other couples have opted for cakes that cast them as a real-life prince and princess in their own fairy tale, like this creation topped with a Cinderella-inspired coach:

Castle cake toppers also lend a majestic detail to a wedding of two Disney fans:

A cake bedecked with snowflakes, for the couple who believes that “love is an open door”:

For the couple who knows super-couples come in any form, even canine (or a couple inspired by the film we’re celebrating in our upcoming D23 Fanniversary Home Edition), feast your eyes on this cake, featuring Lady and Tramp:

Disney fans can find inspiration throughout their favorite movie and parks attractions. But sometimes they need look no further for inspiration than the most iconic Disney couple of all:

Announcing Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration at D23 EXPO 2015

The music from Disney films has been making Disney fans’ hearts sing for decades, but today we announced a special event that you won’t want to miss at D23 EXPO 2015—Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration, hosted by Leonard Maltin.

Our friends at Disney Music Emporium have so much planned throughout D23 EXPO 2015, but the concert is the highlight. To ensure that as many guests are able to see the concert as possible, two 70-minute presentations have been announced for Sunday, August 16—one at 11 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m., both in Stage 23.

Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration will feature a 32-piece orchestra celebrating the Silly Symphony animated short films and their accompanying music, hosted by film historian Leonard Maltin. Fans will delight in watching selected Silly Symphony shorts from Disney’s archives while the music is performed live in synchronization with the picture, presented using high-quality, newly restored digital film masters. The music will be performed as it would have been recorded during those historic days at the Disney Studios on Hyperion Avenue in the 1920s and ‘30s. This very special concert event will showcase the music of the Three Little Pigs, The Old Mill, and many other classics.

Throughout the three-day Expo, Disney Music Emporium—the online destination for collectible Disney music products—is creating a pop-up store on the show floor. During the event, the Emporium will feature album signings by composers and Grammy^®-winning Disney music producers. Limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products, including Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection series, Star Wars: the Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels vinyl, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Master Score music sheet book, picture disc vinyl, plus lithographs and posters will be available. Additionally, visitors to the Disney Music Emporium will be able to pre-order the long-awaited The Silly Symphony Collection box set, featuring the complete restored soundtracks from all 75 Silly Symphony shorts from 1929–1939, with over eight hours of music on 16 vinyl LPs.

To learn more about The Silly Symphony Collection and Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration, click here, and visit Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection for more information about the CDs that will be available in the Emporium. A limited quantity of lithographs for each title featuring the back cover artwork designed by Lorelay Bove (Visual Development Artist, Walt Disney Animation Studios) will be a gift with purchase.

With the purchase of select music products at the Disney Music Emporium, guests will be issued a wristband to secure a space for an album signing. Click here for a list of album signings and artist appearances at the Pavilion. We’ll see you at D23 EXPO 2015!

What’s Mickey Mouse’s Best Look?

If there’s a character that can make almost any outfit look good, it’s undoubtedly Mickey Mouse. He’s been a tailor, a ghost hunter, a delivery boy, and everything in between.

But which of his iconic styles is your favorite?

THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED

Disney Store Opens in Shanghai—And More in News Briefs

Disney Store Goes BIG in Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s largest city . . . home to more than 24 million people! So it stands to reason that it would need the world’s largest Disney Store, right? On Wednesday, May 20, at 1:14 p.m. (an auspicious date/time “code” amongst the country’s social media-loving youth), Disney Store Shanghai opened in the city’s popular Lujiazui shopping district. The whopping 9,250-ft. location—which stands in the shadow of the city’s iconic Pearl Tower—has several unique features, like a 19-foot-tall “Disney Magic Kingdom Castle” in the middle of the store, as well as a Mickey-shaped roof covered with 8,000 twinkling lights. And like its sister stores all over the globe, it offers more Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm merchandise than you can shake a stick at. It’s a truly immersive experience, sure to tickle the Disney fancy of visitors and locals alike!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
May 29
VIP Studio Tour with Disney Legend Dave Smith
June 6
Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event
June 6
Let’s Get Together with The Parent Trap in Florida
June 20
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Studios
June 19
Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).
July 17
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 1
Mickey’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

Disney Infinity Community Builds Virtual Disneyland

Just in time for the Disneyland Diamond Celebration, the very cool (and obviously very talented) Disney Infinity community got together to create a brand-new Disneyland Toy Box! Players have been designing tons of virtual attractions for the game over the past few months, and some even teamed up to create the best ones possible. The winning designs—including Main Street, U.S.A., Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters—are now available to download, and you can get a sneak peek at ’em in the video above.

24 Hours of Disney, Coast to Coast!

Unless your name is Rip Van Winkle, you’ve been snoozing for the last few months, and this is your very first visit to D23.com, you probably know that Memorial Day Weekend saw the mega-huge, mega-awesome 24-hour kick-off to the Diamond Celebration at Disneyland Resort (as well as 24 straight hours of frolic at Walt Disney World Resort, celebrating their “Coolest Summer Ever”)! In case you couldn’t make the festivities, fret not: D23 had special correspondents at both parks—and you can see all their various shenanigans here!

Star Wars: Twilight of the Republic from Disney Infinity

The first of three Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Play Sets based on the world of Star Wars—called Star Wars: Twilight of the Republic—doesn’t hit store shelves ’til later in the year… but Disney Interactive is offering a peek at what’s to come, and it looks amazing! Set during the latter years of the Clone Wars, players can travel to four different locations and explore the worlds of Tatooine and Coruscant; they’ll battle droids in Geonosis; and they’ll even partake in an epic boss battle in Naboo. Along the way, they’ll use the Force (of course) and master their Lightsaber skills as they fight alongside Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda to save the Republic and defeat the Separatists. The only bad news is, we all have to wait until Fall 2015 to get our hands on it! The countdown begins…

A Boy, A Worm, and a Whole Lot of Fun

Future-Worm!, Disney XD’s short-form series about a 12-year-old boy who creates a time machine lunchbox and befriends a fearless worm from the future has made its debut. Today Disney XD premiered the first short, “No Anchovies!” on its YouTube Channel, and new shorts will premiere Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next two weeks. Andy Milonakis (Kroll Show) voices Danny, and James Adomian (The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson) provides the voice of Future Worm. Future-Worm! has it’s full-length series premiere in 2016. The show is created by Emmy^®-winner Ryan Quincy (South Park).

Frozen Free Fall Frosts Over Facebook

Attention, Frozen fans! One of Disney Interactive’s most popular mobile games, Frozen Free Fall, is now available on Facebook! This cool “match-3” game will feature 195 fun and challenging levels and favorite characters from the film, including Anna, Elsa, and Olaf the snowman. Each character has a unique (and, dare we say, spectacular) power-up that can be used to help progress the game.

The Disneyland Resort Dazzles with its Diamond Celebration Kickoff—UPDATED, Sunday, 10 a.m.

It’s the party of six-tenths of the century—the Disneyland Diamond Celebration! Sixty years in the making, the theme park that started it all is about to shine like never before. D23 has insider access and will be bringing you along for the ride, beginning tonight with our coverage of World of Color—Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Disney, continuing Thursday with a sneak peek at Paint the Night—All-New Electrical Parade and the brand-new Disneyland Forever fireworks spectacular, and staying up all night for the 24-hour party that kicks off at 6 a.m. PT on Friday, May 22, and doesn’t end until 6 a.m. PT the following day.

UPDATED Sunday, 10 a.m.: 24 Dazzling Hours at Disneyland Resort

UPDATED Saturday, 10 a.m.: The Celebration Continues Around the Clock!

After a day full of new entertainment, special treats, and shopping for lots of dazzling merchandise, D23 Members met up at 11 p.m. (or 23:00, if you’re using 24-hour time). For a group of people who had been awake and running around Disneyland Resort for 17 hours, our Members sure were excited to be there!

When 6 a.m. rolled around and it was time for our adventure to end, we were greeted by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Goofy, all up early and in their pajamas! Even though we had an incredible time, we have to admit— we were ready to be in our pajamas, too.

A special shout-out to all our friends who celebrated with us from Walt Disney World! We were lucky enough to have Walt Disney World Ambassador Caitlin Busscher as our correspondent for the day. To see all of Caitlin’s photos from the Coolest Summer Ever kickoff, check out our Twitter and Instagram pages!

Check back later today for a new video giving you a fan’s-eye-view of our 24-hour party!

UPDATED Friday, 1 p.m.: Oh, what a night!… And what a beautiful morning!

Last night we painted the night, and this morning we were up before dawn, all in the name of celebrating Disneyland forever!

Today marks the first day that guests of the Disneyland Resort will see the three new nighttime spectaculars, but we saw a special preview last night of the Paint the Night parade and Disneyland Forever fireworks and we were so amazed by what we saw that you can bet we’ll be watching again tonight. That’s right, we’re inside Disneyland for the 24-hour party, and we aren’t leaving until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning!

This was the scene at 6 a.m. this morning (as you’ll see from this video that our friends at the Disney Parks Blog posted). “Walk, don’t run: #Disneyland60 has officially begun!”

The party began with fireworks this morning, and speaking of fireworks, Disneyland Forever—the brand-new spectacular that will be featured nightly at Disneyland Park—features pyrotechnics, amazing special effects, and astounding projection-mapping technology.

The show is “street-to-sky,” with the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A., the Matterhorn, and the it’s a small world façade serving as part of the stage—in addition, of course, to the skies above Sleeping Beauty Castle. And it’s not just candy for your eyes, it’s music to your ears since the show features two original songs, the Disneyland Forever theme, “Live the Magic,” and the closing song, “A Kiss Goodnight,” written by Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman.

Paint the Night—All-New Electrical Parade is, of course, the other new nighttime spectacular that we saw firsthand last night. Your favorite characters still make their way down Main Street, U.S.A., but in brilliant ways you’ve never seen them before, thanks to more than 1.5 million brilliant LED lights. Talk about illuminating! The lights are on the floats, they’re on the performers’ costumes—they’re even on Slinky Dog’s ears!

We’re posting images throughout the 24-hour party on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, so follow DisneyD23 until the celebration ends—and after, for a special recap video. The party is just getting started!

**UPDATED Thursday, 10 a.m.: World of Color—Celebrate!… Why, don’t mind if we do!**

Last night, D23 was lucky enough to see the premiere performance of the brand-new World of Color—Celebrate! before it makes its official debut for guests tomorrow, during the 24-hour party. This amazing display of lights, water, music, animation and innovations that took our breath away pays tribute to Walt Disney himself, and his dream of Disneyland.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek introduced the new show—with the show’s host, Neil Patrick Harris, and the show’s “leading mouse,” Mickey—saying, “We’re thrilled to commemorate 60 years of Disneyland with three new nighttime spectaulars, including a special World of Color show. Our new show salutes Walt Disney, a visionary who dreamed big and then made those dreams come true.”

Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog shared this video from last night, in which Neil Patrick Harris talks about being part of this new spectacular. Keep following D23 throughout the weekend, as we celebrate along with the Disneyland Resort!

Journey Into Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland, the highly anticipated new film from director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol) rockets into theaters this Friday—and like any good mystery adventure, it’s keeping a lot of its most amazing secrets close to the vest. But here’s what we do know: A whip-smart teenager named Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) comes into possession of an unusual pin. Just by touching the pin, she’s transported to somewhere strange. Futuristic. Unlike anything she’s ever seen before, and filled with some of the best and brightest minds of the 20^th (and 21^st) century. As she tries to uncover the pin’s origin, she meets Frank Walker (Oscar® winner George Clooney), a former “boy-genius” who’s grown into an ornery, farm-bound recluse. Together, whether they like it or not, they embark on a dangerous mission—one that just may change the world as we know it.

On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney dedicated his newest themed land, Tomorrowland, at Disneyland.

It was golden time, when Walt—and most Americans, in fact—couldn’t help but imagine an optimistic future. But the public’s view of years-to-come seemed to shift somewhere in the 1970s, and it was this “darker” turn that intrigued the film’s co-writer and producer Damon Lindelof (Lost). As he started to formulate the story of Tomorrowland, he heard about a mysterious box found deep in the corridors of Walt Disney Imagineering. Initially labeled That Darn Cat (after the 1965 Disney film), that title was crossed out—and in its place was written “1952.” The box was a treasure trove of curiosities: futuristic models and blueprints, photographs, letters and all kinds of memorabilia related to both the development of Tomorrowland at the Park and the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair.

“I began to imagine that the contents of the box were a guide to a secret story that nobody knew,” Damon says.

“But if so, what would that story be? And the most obvious answer to me was that there really was a place called Tomorrowland that was not a theme park, but existed somewhere in the real world.” And you’re not mistaken: There are parallels between the world of Tomorrowland and one of Walt’s last projects—EPCOT, the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.” “Walt Disney was really interested in the future,” Damon explains, “and all the possibility it could bring. It completely and totally fired up his creative imagination.”

Early in the process, both Brad and Damon (the pair penned the script from a story idea developed with executive producer Jeff Jensen) always imagined George Clooney in the role of cynical scientist Frank Walker—and wrote with him in mind. “From very early on we described Frank as ‘George Clooney-esque,'” Damon explains. “We crossed our fingers and did our best job of writing it, infusing Frank with a curmudgeonly humor and a heroic quality—all of which we think George embodies. And then we sent it off into the universe.” Thankfully, the in-demand actor saw something unique and signed on, calling Frank “a disenchanted grump who was a bit of a dreamer as a young boy.” Britt Robertson (Under the Dome) plays Casey Newton, a teenager with a love of science who still sees the world through optimistic eyes. “Casey has this drive to do big things and change the world,” Britt says, “and she wants the world to be a place that’s full of hope and inspiration, but she doesn’t know how to make it so.” Could Tomorrowland offer the kind of promise she’s been searching for?

Filmed literally all over the world—at locations that included Spain (at the space-age City of Arts and Sciences culture complex in Valencia), Canada, Cape Canaveral in Florida and the it’s a small world attraction right inside Disneyland—Tomorrowland promises to be a quintessential Disney film, full of inventive storytelling and state-of-the-art special effects.

Brad can’t wait for audiences to finally see the finished product: “The interesting thing about Tomorrowland is that it’s an intriguing idea, and it’s connected with Disney in a really interesting way,” he explains. “We’re getting a large canvas to paint on, because the very word ‘Tomorrowland’ is evocative; it evokes play, and it evokes promise.”

Disney Cruise Line’s Big Apple Return—And More in News Briefs

Disney Cruise Line to Sail From NY “Sea”

New York City… the “Big Apple.” They say if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere—and that’s literally true for Disney Cruise Line’s (DCL) newest sailings! The Disney Magic has returned to NYC for several fabulous Fall 2016 cruises to both the Bahamas (including visits to Walt Disney World and Castaway Cay) and Canada (a five-night sojourn with stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick). But that’s not all: For the first time, DCL will offer seven-night voyages from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean (in addition to several shorter options), as well as several Bahamian and Mexican cruises departing from Galveston, Texas. Bookings for these amazing new itineraries open to the public today, Wednesday, May 20—and more details can be found on the “Itineraries and Ports for 2016” page of disneycruise.com.

Save the Date!

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
May 29
VIP Studio Tour with Disney Legend Dave Smith
June 6
Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event
June 6
Let’s Get Together with The Parent Trap in Florida
June 20
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
August 14-16
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Studios
May 22
Tomorrowland opens in theaters.
June 19
Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).
July 17
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.
May 22–23
24-hour event kicking off Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration at Disneyland Resort
May 22–23
24-hour event kicking off “Coolest Summer Ever” at Walt Disney World Resort
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 Retailers Spring Forth at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs

Exciting new tenants—including high-profile retailers like Zara and UNIQLO, as well as amazing dining options like Edison restaurant (inspired by The Edison lounge in Los Angeles) and Sprinkles Cupcakes—are among the latest to sign on as Downtown Disney continues its expansion into Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. A grand total of 13 new tenants were announced on Friday, May 15, and they join several new retailers and restaurants either already open or coming soon.

By the time it’s complete in 2016, Disney Springs will double the number of shops and restaurants currently found at Downtown Disney—and will grow to more than 1 million square feet. The complex will include four distinct, outdoor neighborhoods with a diverse mix of retailers and restaurant options. Definitely a little something for everyone!

Tokyo DisneySea Finds Nemo and Dory with New Attraction

A brand-new ride is coming to Tokyo DisneySea—and it dives right into the world of Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo and 2016’s Finding Dory!

The new indoor attraction, located at the park’s Port Discovery, will immerse guests in the briny sea of Marlin, Dory, Nemo, and all their underwater pals by using a unique ride system that seamlessly blends visuals from the films with a motion system. After boarding a submarine that “shrinks,” guests will explore a vast aquatic world from the same point of view as their favorite fishy friends! The production staff of Finding Dory (coming to theatres July 2016) will even take part in the creation of visuals for the ride… so you’ll truly feel like you’re a part of the movies!

Just keep swimming ‘til the new attraction premieres at Tokyo DisneySea in Spring 2017.

Take to the Skies with Grizzly Peak Airfield at Disney California Adventure Park

The next time you visit Disney California Adventure Park, make sure to check out the newly reimagined Grizzly Peak Airfield—formerly known as Condor Flats. The expansion offers guests new building exteriors, landscape features, and a whole lot more; additionally, pine trees will bring cool areas of shade, making guests feel like they’ve been transported to California’s High Sierras of the early 1960s.

The area’s new quick-service restaurant, Smokejumpers Grill, has been open since March 20—and it takes inspiration from the brave men and women who fight wildfires in California forests. In addition to a whole new look, the restaurant features an updated menu with tasty new items. That’s not all: Soarin’ Over California, one of the park’s most popular attractions, is once again open for flight!

Come in for a Grizzly Peak Airfield landing with this new video from our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering…

Star Wars: Force for Change Rockets Into Star Wars Weekends

“Ready, are you?” Starting May 15, Star Wars: Force for Change—Disney and Lucasfilm’s charitable initiative dedicated to finding solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges—comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios during this summer’s Star Wars Weekends! Several retail locations will offer T-shirts for adults, women, and kids featuring a Stormtrooper from Star Wars: The Force Awakens… and they’re the very first items from the upcoming film to be released in the park! During the final weekend, June 12–14, fans can purchase a limited-edition Stormtrooper pin at Darth’s Mall, located near Streets of America across from Studio Catering Company. A full 25 percent of the retail sale price of this product will be donated to U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power, a new program that uses the world’s first Wearable-For-Good bracelet to get youth physically active—all while providing lifesaving food packets to kids in need around the world.

A Stitch in (Virtual-Reality) Time with New ABC Family App

ABC Family is already one of the most social media savvy networks around—and with the debut of their latest procedural drama, Stitchers, they’re going one big step further! Starting today, ABC Family is offering Hack the Case, a brand-new smartphone app available from the Apple App store, the Google Play store, and on Stitchers.com.

Hack The Case places users right into the world of “stitching” through a virtual reality experience using 360-degree video. Similar to the new series, in which genius hacker Kirsten Clark (Emma Ishta) is “stitched” into the memories of the recently deceased in order to help solve their murders, the app challenges users to find out if they have what it takes to be a “stitcher,” too. Users will view multiple videos, collect clues, and attempt to crack the case… and those who succeed in solving it will be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win a trip to Los Angeles—where they’ll have an action figure created in their own image! Pretty cool, huh?

Stitchers premieres on Tuesday, June 2, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC Family.

Enchanting New Main Street, U.S.A. Windows for Diamond Celebration

The smells, the sounds, and the sights… there’s so much to love about Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park. And speaking of “sights,” there’ll soon be some new ones to behold—just in time for the park’s big Diamond Celebration, kicking off this week!

Since the early 1960s, scenes from Disney animated classics have been featured in the windows of Disneyland’s famous Emporium store. This year, in honor of the Diamond Celebration, these windows will be updated with exciting new technology and effects! There’ll be six Main Street Enchanted Windows in total; the first two, featuring the stories of Peter Pan and Cinderella, will be unveiled this month—followed by Frozen and The Princess and the Frog in July, and Toy Story and Aladdin in August.

Get the inside scoop on how these Enchanted Windows were created from John Gritz, Creative Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering.