Go behind the scenes with Tomorrowland art director Ramsey Avery (Star Trek: Into Darkness, Minority Report) and find out what it was like designing two worlds for Disney’s highly anticipated upcoming film.
Disney Cruise Line is Bound for the British Isles in 2016, and More in News Briefs
Disney Cruise Line Setting Sail for the British Isles in 2016
Next year, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is bound for the lands of some of our favorite Disney animated films with its first British Isles itinerary. If Brave made you want to visit Scotland, Peter Pan has you longing to see England, or Beauty and the Beast makes you dream of France, you’ll be as excited as we are about DCL’s new British Isles itinerary, which sails to Scotland, England, Ireland, and France. The Disney Magic will sail from Dover, England on June 5, 2016 and visit Invergordon, Kirkwall, and Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland; Newcastle and Liverpool, England; Dublin, Ireland; Le Havre (Paris), France; and Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. All of these, except Kirkwall, are first-time ports of call for Disney Cruise Line.
On this itinerary, guests can explore the majestic beauty of Scotland, experience Highland culture, sample traditional cuisine and spirits, and discover the country’s iconic castles. Elsewhere on the itinerary, guests will experience the merry, cosmopolitan city of Dublin, the culturally rich and romantic Paris, the birthplace of the Beatles and the British Invasion in Liverpool, and the charming countryside of Guernsey.
To learn more about DCL’s British Isles cruises, along with what else is new for 2016, visit the Disney Cruise Line website.
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives Fall 2014-2015 D23 Member Nights at Newsies—On Tour March 27 Lunch with a Disney Legend: Orlando Ferrante April 25 D23 Day at Walt Disney Studios and Archives August 14-16 D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California Television April 3 Muppet Moments Premieres at 8:25 a.m. ET/PT Studios April 17 Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom opens in theaters. May 1 Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters. 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. |
Parks March 4–May 17 22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. 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 |
Frozen Brings the “Cool” Factor to Disney’s Hollywood Studios June 17–September 7
We were already stoked about celebrating the “Coolest Summer Ever” at Walt Disney World Resort. But now that we know Frozen Summer Fun LIVE will be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? We’re in full brain freeze! The fun kicks off June 17 and runs through Labor Day, September 7, and the summer-long special event features a full day of Frozen fun from park open to park close. The planned festivities include the Frozen Royal Welcome procession, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (which moves into the Hyperion Theater), “Olaf’s Summer Cool Down” on the Event Stage, and nighttime presentations Frozen Fireworks and the “Coolest Summer Ever” Dance Party. This truly sounds like the coolest summer, indeed!
New Avengers: Age of Ultron Spot Tells Us Who’s Boss
The arrival of a new TV spot for Avengers: Age of Ultron means that the movie’s May 1 opening date can’t be that far off. The new spot includes lots of new footage, including Iron Man’s explanation as to which Avenger is actually running the show. And the new spot shows off newcomers Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch along with all of our returning favorites. When Ultron proclaims, “It’s time for some fun!” we couldn’t agree more.
Make It a “Perfect Day” By Singing Along with Anna and Elsa
Do you find that, since seeing Frozen Fever, you’ve been singing “Making Today a Perfect Day” a lot? Wouldn’t it be great if you could have every lyric at your disposal, instead of having to fill in the missing pieces with “la la’s”? Well, our friends at Oh My Disney have shared a lyric video that will have you memorizing all of the words in no time!
Sneak Peek at Polynesian Village Merchandise
We’re so looking forward to seeing how the Polynesian Village Resort has been reimagined when it opens later in the year. Last week the Disney Parks Blog previewed some of the new merchandise that will be available only at the resort. There will be awesome Tiki mugs to let you feel like you’ve brought Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto home with you, special pins (including a limited-edition pin for the grand opening), and fantastic Aloha shirts for both adults and kids that feature Mickey on a ukulele, Donald bringing the percussion, and a surfboard-wielding Goofy. Spring may have just sprung, but these images have us already thinking of warmer weather and tropical climes!
Disney Channel is Developing Throw Like Mo
So many of us were inspired in 2014 when 13-year-old sports prodigy Mo’ne Davis became the first female to pitch a shutout in the Little League World series, and then went on to make the cover of Sports Illustrated—the first Little Leaguer to be so honored. Now Disney Channel has begun development on Throw Like Mo, a biographical movie that will tell Davis’ story. Davis herself will consult on the film, which is being produced by Emmy® Award-nominated producer Debra Martin Chase (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Cheetah Girls movies) and written by Sheldon Candis (writer/director of LUV, A Slave in the White House, and director of Under Armour’s Misty Copeland campaign, “I Will What I Want) and Justin Wilson (LUV, A Slave in the White House). Mo’ne Davis said, “There are so many great things happening to me right now, and it’s a very exciting time in my life. A year ago, I never would have thought that Disney Channel would make a movie about me. I can’t wait to get started, and I hope it will encourage other viewers to believe that dreams really do come true.”
Mickey’s Typing Adventure Makes Keyboarding Fun for Kids
How much fun would learning to type have been if you’d had Mickey Mouse leading the way? Kids ages 6–12 will now get to work on their keyboarding skills with the help of Mickey and other beloved Disney characters in Disney Mickey’s Typing Adventure Web, an online typing program from Disney Interactive and Individual Software. In the program, Mickey Mouse takes users on a journey through the magical world of Typelandia, where strange things have been happening. A mysterious enchantment has taken over the land, and the only way to rescue Mickey and his friends is for kids to type their way all the way to the Palace, where they will discover the source of the magical spell and become the hero of this story. This sounds like so much more fun than hunting and pecking! Disney Mickey’s Typing Adventure Web follows a proven educational design that helps children achieve Common Core Standards in keyboarding, and also gives players the opportunity to take a break from the adventure at any point to play typing games in the Village Arcade, practicing the skills they’ve learned in the lessons. To find out more, visit the official site for Mickey’s Typing Adventure.
Are You Prepared to Run the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge?
Runners assemble! Registration for the 2015 Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort opens April 7, and this year there will be a new challenge awaiting runDisney’s mightiest runners. The Infinity Gauntlet Challenge is a 19.3-mile adventure that involves running the recently added Captain America 10K and the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon on consecutive days during the three-day race weekend, November 13–15, 2015, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Runners who sign up to run both races as part of the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge will receive finisher medals at the end of each race, plus an inaugural Infinity Gauntlet Challenge medal. (Registration for the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge is required.) To find out more about the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend and other runDisney races, visit the official runDisney website.
Weird Disney: Sandwich on Parade!
From showboats filled with characters to fire-breathing dragons, we’ve seen many impressive things parade down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disney theme parks. But there’s probably been nothing as delicious as . . . this sandwich.
We’d be lying if we told you this massive float was part of “Kitchen Kabaret on Parade,” “Things Willie the Giant Would Eat on Parade,” or “Food Magic.”
No, none of those parades actually existed. (Though maybe we wish they did.) But you might remember this float as a peculiar part of the beloved America on Parade, which performed at both Disneyland® Park and Magic Kingdom® Park from June 1975 until September 1976 during the American Bicentennial celebration.
Among the parade’s many floats and characters celebrating America’s history and culture were a large American Eagle, a fanciful ship navigated by Christopher Columbus, Betsy Ross in an oversized rocking chair, and perhaps the grandest sandwich ever featured in a Disney theme park—a float that inspired the lunches of 25 million estimated guests who enjoyed the parade.
Not pictured: the oversized jar of mustard. (We’re not kidding.)
Ten Nostalgic Snapshots of the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village
As Downtown Disney evolves into Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort, we pay tribute to 40 years of the shopping, dining, and entertainment district, which originally opened March 22, 1975 as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village.
The Shopping Village premiered as the centerpiece of Lake Buena Vista
. . . a city established in 1967, which, incidentally, wasn’t originally planned for Walt Disney’s “Florida Project.” During an early-1960s review session for the secret land acquisition, Walt approached a map of the Central Florida area and pointed to available acreage near the I-4 and Highway 535 interchange. It was a perplexing subdivision of property that Disney legal counsel Bob Foster sought to avoid. But Walt, envisioning the area as a potential entertainment and residential district, requested the extra land.
“That comment extended for a full year a land acquisition program that until that moment was nearing completion!” Bob shared with the D23 Team. He would eventually name the city the street address of the Disney Studio in Burbank, California: Buena Vista Street.
Nearly a decade after Walt’s original request, the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village was unveiled to Walt Disney World guests. The community, situated along the peaceful shores of the natural Village Lake, featured clusters of boutique and handicraft merchandise shops, with atmosphere and activities designed to form a “harmonious whole.” Among the original offerings were the Bath Parlour, Captain’s Tower, Gourmet Pantry, It’s a Small World After All shop, 2Rs—Read’n & Rite’n, and Posh Pets (!).
The area has been reinvented time and time again over the past 40 years. In 1977, a significant re-theming transformed the area into Walt Disney World Village, later becoming Disney Village Marketplace (1989). The area eventually evolved into Downtown Disney Marketplace (1997) as part of the expanded Downtown Disney Area. And today, the area is undergoing its biggest transformation yet as we anticipate the upcoming lakeside neighborhoods of Disney Springs.
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the shopping, dining, and entertainment district, let’s take a fond look back at some nostalgic shots from the Walt Disney World of yesteryear.
New Cast Announcements, a Release Date for Beauty and the Beast, other News Briefs
Beauty and the Beast . . . and Maurice . . . and Mrs. Potts . . . and a Release Date!
At D23.com, we’ve been so eagerly anticipating the release of Cinderella that we weren’t sure what we were going to do with ourselves now that the film is in theaters—until now. Hot on the glass-slippered heels of Cinderella’s release, Walt Disney Studios has given us a new date to mark on our calendar: March 17, 2017, the day that Beauty and the Beast will be released in theaters in 3-D.
Along with the film’s release date, we also learned about some exciting casting news. Emma Thompson has joined the Beauty and the Beast cast in the role of Mrs. Potts, and Kevin Kline will be playing Belle’s father, Maurice. Eight-time Oscar®-winner Alan Menken—who won two Academy Awards® for the 1991 animated classic—will score the film, which will feature new recordings of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice. Bill Condon will direct from a script by Stephen Chbosky, and the film will be produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Production begins in May at Shepperton Studios in London.
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives Fall 2014-2015 D23 Member Nights at Newsies—On Tour March 27 Lunch with a Disney Legend: Orlando Ferrante April 25 D23 Day at Walt Disney Studios and Archives August 14-16 D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California Television March 21–22 Princess Funday on ABC Family begins at 5 p.m. ET/PT April 3 Muppet Moments Premieres at 8:25 a.m. ET/PT |
Parks March 4–May 17 22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. 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 Studios April 17 Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom opens in theaters. May 1 Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters. 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. |
News Worth Melting For!
At The Walt Disney Company’s annual meeting last week, Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger revealed the coolest news ever about Frozen. Iger told shareholders—and D23 Members in attendance—that Walt Disney Animation Studios is officially developing Frozen 2 with the Oscar-winning team from Frozen, directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee and producer Peter Del Vecho. “We enjoyed making Frozen Fever so much and being back in that world with those characters,” said John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Pixar and Disney. “Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck have come up with a great idea for a sequel and you will be hearing a lot more about it, and we’re taking you back to Arendelle. We are so excited about that.” We are, too!
And the Saga Continues!
You could have heard our cheers from a galaxy far, far away when Iger also announced at the annual meeting that the first stand-alone film from the world of Star Wars will be titled Rogue One and will star Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything). Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla) is directing from a script written by Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (Cinderella, About a Boy). And adding to our very important dates for 2017 is the release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, which will open in theaters May 26, 2017—40 years and a day after the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977.
Start the Summer with 24 Hours of Disney Parks Fun!
When do you finally feel like summer has begun? The summer solstice? The end of school? Or when it starts feeling like summer at a Disney park? Last week, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts unveiled plans to kick off the summer season with 24-hour events at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. Disneyland Resort will launch its Diamond Celebration on Friday, May 22, at 6 a.m. PT; while Walt Disney World officially beings the “Coolest Summer Ever” at 6 a.m. ET. Both parks will stay open continuously for 24 hours, until 6 a.m. Saturday, May 23, local time. Visit
>D23.com for all of the details.
Wocka Wocka! Fozzie, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and More to Star in Muppet Moments
You know that old saying, “kids say the darnedest things”? Well, so do Muppets. And now Disney Junior is giving us the opportunity to watch kids and Muppets have fun conversations about everyday topics like “apologies,” “favorite foods,” and “manners.” Muppet Moments, a new short-form series premieres on Disney Channel at Friday, April 3, at 8:25 a.m. ET/PT, with additional shorts airing at 8:55 a.m., 9:25 a.m., and 9:55 a.m., all ET/PT. A new short will air daily through Friday, May 8, with additional shorts debuting throughout 2015. They’ll also be available on WATCH Disney Junior. And it turns out the Muppets are fans of Disney Junior shows, too. Enjoy this “leaked audition tape” of some of your favorite Muppets auditioning to play some of your favorite Disney Junior characters:
Disney Interactive Launches Cinderella Free Fall, Updates Frozen Free Fall
Match-3 games can be such a wonderful diversion at times, when, say… you’re waiting in line to go and see Cinderella or Frozen Fever. This is why we’re so happy to report that Disney Interactive has launched Cinderella Free Fall, a free-to-play puzzle adventure game that allows players to transform into the most iconic princess of all time, connecting and matching butterfly jewels on an epic journey through the kingdom. This brand-new match-3 app is available now on the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store, and the Windows Store. And if, like us, you’ve already been enjoying Frozen Free Fall, there’s a new update in celebration of the release of the short, Frozen Fever. The update offers 45 new levels, an Elsa’s Snowgies Power-up, and an Anna’s sunflower Power-up. You can create ice sculptures, follow the string and enjoy different surprises, and signal the arrival of the solstice with the Alpine Horns. There are even collectible cake pieces that unlock dazzling dresses for Anna and Elsa. This update is available now in Frozen Free Fall on mobile devices.
Celebrate “Princess Funday” with ABC Family This Weekend
Beginning this Saturday, March 21, at 5 p.m. ET/PT, ABC Family will be presenting “Princess Funday.” Princesses of all ages are encouraged to don their tiaras, raise their goblets, and celebrate “girl power” with a princess-packed viewing schedule of animated Disney classics. The Princess and the Frog kicks things off at 5 p.m. ET/PT, followed by The Little Mermaid (7 p.m. ET/PT), Sleeping Beauty (8:45 ET/PT), Cinderella (10:30 p.m. ET/PT), and Pocahontas (12:15 a.m. ET/PT on Sunday, March 22). You and your “princess posse” can have even more fun in the social media space with the fundayapp.com, where you’ll find ways to share your fan love and photos and enter sweepstakes.
Check-Ups and Meet-Ups With Doc McStuffins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Kids love watching Doc McStuffins care for her stuffed animals and toys on the popular TV show from Disney Junior; and they love watching her in person at Disney Junior—Live on Stage! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Now, starting this summer, kids will be able to visit with Doc in a dedicated space for her in the park’s Animation Courtyard, adjacent to Disney Junior—Live on Stage! According to the Disney Parks Blog, Doc will be “on call” beginning in May.
Walt Disney World Gingerbread Houses Still Creating Quite a Buzz…
We oohed and aahed over the amazing gingerbread creations on display around the Walt Disney World Resort this past holiday season. And we wondered what happens to these delicious-looking works of art when the holidays are over. The Disney Parks Blog satisfied our curiosity with the video above, which shows that the gingerbread houses are shared with what must undoubtedly be the happiest bees on earth, to help them pollinate the spectacular flowers that are in bloom right now at Epcot, as part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. No wonder the flowers at Epcot smell so sweet!
Tomorrowland Star Goes From Fields of Wheat to Jail
We’ve been waiting patiently for well over a year to learn more about Tomorrowland, director Brad Bird’s epic fantasy adventure film. First we saw “the box”—chock full of items examined by the Walt Disney Archives. Then there was The Optimist, a virtual and real-life scavenger hunt. Both of these things culminated at D23 Expo 2013 where Bird and producer Damon Lindelof broke down the contents of the box for guests, and where The Optimist’s grand finale included an immersive experience centered around Tomorrowland.
But these clues—and the since-released trailer for the May 22 release—have just kept us wanting more. So we couldn’t wait to sit down with The Optimist herself, Britt Robertson, who plays Casey Newton in the film—a young woman with a positive outlook on life, despite some odds stacked against her. She embarks on a daring adventure with a jaded scientist to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place, somewhere in time and space. Here’s a bit of what she had to say.
D23: There’s been so much mystery around the movie. What can you tell us?
A: The movie revolves around a 17-year-old optimist, whose dad works for NASA. And it’s her dream to work for NASA.
D23: Were there a lot of special effects used?
A: Funny enough, we used very little. There are some sequences where we needed to fill in the backdrops and the world of Tomorrowland where we used blue screen. But a lot of the stuff was really practical. The scene in the [film’s] trailer where I‘m hopping from the jail to the wheat field, that we all did practically. We went to interior B.C. [British Columbia]. They had grown this huge wheat field and they plopped me in the middle of it and I acted as if I had just come from the jail. And then about a month later, we went to the set of the jail and I would place my body in the exact same position I was in in the wheat field. It was very technical in the sense that my body had to be in very specific positions—and my wardrobe and my hair. So that was very challenging.
D23: What was it like seeing the trailer for the first time where you’re in the field with the fantastic city behind you?
A: They had shown me storyboards and ideas of what they were going to put in there. I had an idea in my head. But what was so crazy about it was being amongst acres and acres of all this wheat. It was beautiful and astonishing. The sun was so bright and the sky was so blue. You could see for miles. It wasn’t hard to fake. That was the point. They wanted me to be immersed in this crazy world so I could react naturally.
D23: OK, so what was it like working with George Clooney?
A: He’s such an iconic actor. There are so many ways his career has been inspiring to me. He started in television and made—what seemed to me—such a seamless transition to film. He’s had such an incredible career from acting to directing and now producing. Just to be a part of his life for those few months was so special. It’s rare that I get to be a part of people’s lives in a way that I can observe and take things from them that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. He would think of things and say, ‘You need to work with this director.’ Talking to me about different actors he’s worked with or producing or directing and how that happened to him. It’s so cool because now I have a little insight to his world. And I’m very, very fortunate for that.
D23: Since you’ve been to Disneyland, what are your Tomorrowland favorites?
A: Space Mountain. I love that! When we were shooting in the park, they were able to give us FASTPASS-es, because, you know, it’s usually a 45-minute line! So you can only go once or twice. I was able to go on it three or four times. It was so much fun!
D23: Do you have a favorite Disney movie?
A: I really love Peter Pan. And I love The Lion King. The Lion King was the first movie I ever saw. My mom took me when I was just born so I don’t really remember that time. But it was the first movie I ever saw!
More of our interview with Britt Robertson—including her favorite George Clooney prank—is featured in the Spring 2015 issue of Disney twenty-three, available to Gold Members of D23.
The Luck of the Disney Irish
Each March 17, people of Irish descent take a day to enjoy some corned beef and cabbage, listen to a jaunty tune played on a fiddle, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! If you made sure to wear green to celebrate your heritage, you’re in fine company—here are some fine Disney folk with roots in the Emerald Isle.
There’s a reason Michael wears green! He speaks with an Irish accent, and is voiced by Disney Legend Fulton Burley, who hailed from Tipperary, Ireland. You might also recognize his Irish brogue from the Golden Horseshoe Revue, where he performed from 1962–1987.
Darby O’Gill’s daughter, played by Janet Munro, is the subject of “Pretty Irish Girl,” sung by Sean Connery (as Michael) on the film’s soundtrack. “She’s my dear, my darlin’ one, my smilin’ and beguilin’ one. I love the ground she walks upon, my pretty Irish girl.”
No shilly-shallying, no dilly-dallying, the Biddle family’s new butler is as Irish as they come. Played by Tommy Steele, John dances many an energetic jig in the film, including one with an alligator!
High school is full of trials and tribulations, but none quite match finding out that your mother is a leprechaun, and you’re turning into one too! Come on, admit it, this 2001 Disney Channel Original Movie is an integral part of your St. Patrick’s Day memories.
You read it right! Walt Disney himself was part Irish, and took great pride in his heritage. Although his family left Ireland in the mid-1800s, he and Lillian ventured to Dublin for the premiere of Darby O’Gill and the Little People.
The Muppets are Coming!—Disney Junior Announces Muppet Moments
Have you ever wanted to sit down and talk with Kermit the Frog or Fozzie Bear? Well, some lucky—and adorable—kids are getting the chance to do just that. And you can watch these chats when Muppet Moments makes its debut on Disney Channel on Friday, April 3, at 8:25 a.m.
Disney Junior announced today that it will present Muppet Moments, a new short-form series of:
amusing conversations between Muppets and young children
. . . about everyday topics that include “apologies,” “favorite foods,” and “manners.” Four shorts will premiere on April 3—at 8:25 a.m., 8:55 a.m., 9:25 a.m., and at 9:55 a.m., all ET/PT—and a new short will air daily through Friday, May 8. New shorts will continue to air throughout 2015, and will also be available on WATCH Disney Junior.
In this featurette from our friends at Disney Junior, the Muppets tell us what it was like talking to kids—and you can see how much fun the kids had talking with the Muppets.
Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide said, “The Muppets have been a part of nearly every family’s life, and we are delighted to bring back fond memories of these iconic characters for parents and create new ones for the youngest members of the family. Muppet Moments highlight the Muppets doing what they do best—making kids and families laugh, while showcasing compassion and heart. Our hope is that viewers will come away seeing how funny and special the Muppets really are.”
Kermit the Frog added, “In show business, they say never work with kids or animals. Well, on Muppet Moments we break both those rules and a lot more—and the results are fun, silly, and even inspiring.”
In addition to Kermit and Fozzie, Miss Piggy will also star in Muppet Moments—naturellement!—and the short-form series will feature appearances by The Great Gonzo, Animal, Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Rowlf, Bobo, The Newsman, Rizzo, Sam Eagle, and Pepe the King Prawn. Here’s another video that shows the Muppets auditioning for popular Disney Junior roles. It turns out that Muppets are Doc McStuffins fans, too!
The series is produced by Alex Rockwell and directed by Bill Barretta; and is a production of The Muppets Studio in association with Disney Junior.
Vote in D23’s March Hare Mania
The March Hare has taken over D23.com, and he brought more than a little madness with him! This week he pitted some of our favorite Disney teams against each other, tournament style.
You voted all week long, and the winners are . . . Chip ‘n’ Dale!
Thanks for voting! We hope the tournament didn’t make you too mad . . . But Chip ’n’ Dale don’t mind if it made you a little nuts!
D23 Expo Japan 2015 Coming to Tokyo Disney Resort This November
The Walt Disney Company Japan announced today that it will stage D23 Expo Japan 2015, a special event for Disney fans created by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. The Expo will take place over three days from November 6 to November 8, 2015 in Maihama in Tokyo Disney Resort.
D23 Expo is a special event held every two years in the U.S. as part of D23’s ongoing engagement with Disney’s most passionate fans. In 2013, Disney launched D23 Expo Japan, a uniquely Japanese event that remains true to D23’s vision for “the ultimate fan event.” The program includes thrilling performances, as well as engaging presentations by Disney executives, and showcases what’s on the horizon from across The Walt Disney Company, including theme parks, movies, television, and music. Themed around “the power of story,” D23 Expo Japan 2015 will bring together fascinating tales from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel.
Expo-exclusive experiences, merchandise, collectibles unavailable elsewhere, and countless other surprises await fans. Ticket and program information will be posted on the Disney Japan website starting in late-April 2015.
The event will also feature a number of exhibitions to delight Disney guests. D23 and the Walt Disney Archives will present a new exhibition focusing on the enduring enchantment of the Disney Princesses, including costumes, artwork, vintage collectibles, and film props. Another exhibit will feature hands-on experiences that will transport fans into the worlds of such beloved stories as Star Wars, the latest episode of which will be released in December; Toy Story, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year; and, Tokyo Disney Resort®, which will present a special exhibition. Further details will be posted at http://disney.jp/D23 as they become available.
“We heard from a lot of fans about how delighted they were with the D23 Expo we held in 2013, and this Expo promises to be even more spectacular,” said Walt Disney Japan President Paul Candland. “We’re very excited about being able to present this great event once again, and we know our guests will have an incredible experience during the three days we have planned for them.”
To celebrate D23 Expo 2015 Japan, a Kingdom Hearts fan event will be held on November 3 at Cinema Ikspiari, Tokyo Disney Resort. Program information for the event, Kingdom Hearts―The Theater (working title), will be posted on the official Disney website starting in late April.
D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event has been held three times in the U.S., bringing Disney fans from around the world to Anaheim, California. The next D23 Expo will take place August 14–16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center and will feature: the 2015 Disney Legends Ceremony; a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives; the Expo Emporium, where Disney fans can buy, sell, and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia, and merchandise; an all-new D23 Expo Design Challenge; and a show floor full of special opportunities to see what’s on the horizon for Disney around the world.