Let Goofy Teach You How to Play Football

Whether they’re rooting for the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks, or are just excited to see this year’s crop of commercials, millions of Americans will gather together around their flat-screen televisions next Sunday, February 1, to watch the Super Bowl. To help you get geared up for the big game, D23 is excited to share with you Goofy’s “educational” short, How to Play Football.

Released on September 15, 1944, How to Play Football was the 13th release in the Goofy series of animated shorts, many of which find our star, well, “goofily” demonstrating the finer points of sports and activities like skiing, swimming, and self-defense. Ace sports announcer Frank Bull was hired to narrate this short and provide his football language and reporting style. And unlike most Disney shorts of the era, which were usually completed within a four-to-six-month window, How to Play Football was produced over 10 months due to delays caused by the studio’s need to frequently reassign the short’s artists to work on the studio’s war training film program.

Many American servicemen were among the first audiences to see How to Play Football before its official September 15 release date so that they could, as a Studio press release stated, “inaugurate the new season of Disney shorts with the greatest campaign given an entertainment single reeler in years.”

Disney fans might not agree on whether the Seahawks or the Patriots will walk away with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but we think they will be committed members of “Team Goofy” after watching How to Play Football. Enjoy!

Totally Chill Disney Snow Day Activities

We all know snow days are fun for about the first hour, until boredom starts to set in. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with five Disney activities sure to keep everyone entertained until it’s time to go back to school and work.

Use #D23SnowDay to be a part of the fun and share your snow day stories and pictures on Facebook and Twitter!

**Make a Frozen snowflake**

Download this easy template and make beautiful frozen fractals to decorate your home.
Print at home ►

Play a Disney guessing game

Disney movie buffs will love this one, and even better, all you need is a pen and some paper.
Read the rules ►

**Bake Toy Story Hamm-It-Up Cookies**

If you can get to the store for a few simple ingredients, these cookies will tickle everyone pink.
Get the recipe ►

Learn to draw Olaf

Do you want to draw a snowman? Now you can with this awesome lesson from Animation Academy at Walt Disney World Resort.
Watch video ►

Take a Disney trivia quiz

If D23 Members are anything, they’re trivia buffs, so try your hand at some quizzes on Oh My Disney.
Take quiz ►

Ten Disney Movies to Warm Your Heart

It’s downright cold around much of the country this week—so cold that you might be better off staying indoors and watching a Disney movie!

Of course you could argue that all Disney movies are heartwarming in one respect or another, but these 10 films always send us running for the couch, a cup of steaming hot cocoa in one hand, a remote control in the other.

Use #D23SnowDay on Facebook and Twitter to tell us what Disney movies you’re watching today!

Pollyanna (1960)

Pollyanna, as played by Hayley Mills in the film of the same name, was so adept at bringing positivity and cheer to the lives of the people she encountered that the word “Pollyanna” is now listed in the dictionary and defined as, “someone who thinks good things will always happen and finds something good in everything.” Pollyanna melted the heart of her stern Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman)—she’ll absolutely make you forget there’s a cold, cold winter outside.

Finding Nemo (2003)

We can’t say which of the film’s three main characters are most dear to our hearts: There’s Nemo, with his tiny little fin, who reminds us of ourselves when, in a moment of anger, he tells his dad, “I hate you”—like every kid does at some point—and totally doesn’t mean it, like kids never do when they say those words. Then there’s Marlin, a single, over-attentive father who makes mistakes along the way but only because he wants to keep his son safe. Rounding out this trio is Dory, a Regal Blue Tang fish with no short-term memory and the most awesome catchphrase ever, “Just keep swimming.” Dory’s mantra will get you through the chilliest of days and the roughest of patches.

Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

If there ever was a character that could use a snow day filled with Disney movies, it was P.L. Travers, the curmudgeonly writer of the book on which Mary Poppins was based. As P.L. Travers, Emma Thompson scoffs at the magic of Disney—and Walt Disney’s determination—until a charming moment late in the film that proves no one can resist the power of a brilliant song from Richard and Robert Sherman. Enjoy this film today, and dream of a sunnier day when you can go fly your own kite.

Eight Below (2006)

Paul Walker stars as Jerry Shepard, an arctic guide and dog trainer forced to leave behind his beloved family of eight dogs when a massive storm forces an evacuation of a research center in Antarctica. Shepard, pained by guilt, must wait months for the weather to clear to travel back to the mountain where he left his canine friends, who have since battled the elements—and predators—for survival. Eight Below is full of heart-wrenching scenes—we personally prefer fast-forwarding past the scene where Shepard must say goodbye to his family of dogs, leaving them to fend for themselves—but by the end of the film, no viewer can possibly remain untouched by this gripping tale about the indomitable spirit of man and man’s best friend and the unbreakable power of family.

The Parent Trap (1961)

Everything about The Parent Trap makes your heart beat a little faster. There’s the super-cute stop-motion animation title sequence, developed by T. Hee, Bill Justice, and X. Atencio; the sing-along quality of the songs “The Parent Trap” and “Let’s Get Together,” written by the Sherman brothers; the utterly charming storyline of twins Sharon and Susan—separated as children by their divorced parents—who accidentally meet during summer vacation at the improbably named Camp Inch; and the dazzling talent of Hayley Mills, who, with the help of double-exposure and split-screen shots, deftly plays Sharon and Susan. Not to mention a happy ending that puts the perfect bow on this gift of a film released by Walt Disney Studios in 1961. You’ll feel so warm and happy after watching this movie, you may just want to head outside to enjoy all that snow!

Dead Poets Society (1989)

If you’re home from school or work on a snow day, you might think that a movie that takes place at a school and includes highbrow literary references could turn your surprise holiday into a busman’s holiday. But Dead Poets Society, anchored by the late, great Disney Legend Robin Williams is as inspirational as Williams’ character, John Keating, who encourages his students at a stuffy New England boarding school to think and feel for themselves. The film’s line—”Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary”—was voted the No. 95 (out of 100) movie quote by the American Film Institute and the phrase continues to be words to live by for students of all ages.

Tangled (2010)

After being locked away in a hidden tower for years, Rapunzel is a character that could teach us all a lesson about how to keep busy on a snow day, even if we don’t have her long, silky locks to “brush and brush, and brush and brush.” She’s determined to make her own dreams come true, she’s resourceful, she’s self-sufficient, and her “prince” is actually a bandit named Eugene Fitzherbert (aka Flynn Rider). But Tangled also offers a gift to romantics everywhere, though it comes from an unlikely source, the film’s antagonist, allowing them to borrow Mother Gothel’s line to come out on top in a contest of affection: I love you… I love you more… I love you most!

Father of the Bride (1991)

Who doesn’t cry at a wedding? And who can hold back the tears when the bride is being given away by Steve Martin? Not us! In Father of the Bride, George Banks (Martin) has to accept the fact that his daughter, Annie (Kimberly Williams), has grown up and is ready to get married. He grumbles every step of the way, especially when having to deal with Franck, a flamboyant wedding adviser played hilariously by Martin Short. Disney fans will no doubt feel their heart grow just a few degrees warmer when they realize that the character George Banks shares a name with David Tomlinson’s character in Mary Poppins, creating a perfect justification to screen that movie along with Father of the Bride as a double feature.

WALL-E (2008)

Set 700 years in the future, WALL-E tells the story of the last robot on earth, who spends his days—alone—cleaning our trash-covered planet. By all logic, we shouldn’t feel anything for WALL-E; he’s essentially a computer on wheels. But between his odd collection of trinkets—such as a Rubik’s Cube, his rubber ducks, and, most memorably, his videocassette of Hello, Dolly!—and his steadfast devotion to fellow robot EVE, WALL-E has us feeling all the feels. WALL-E and EVE are a Disney super-couple to rival any Disney Princess and her mate, and this 2008 film from Pixar Animation is a lovely way to brighten up an otherwise dreary winter day.

Enchanted (2007)

In Enchanted, Amy Adams stars as an animated princess, Giselle, from the two-dimensional land of Andalasia, who ends up in the very real, three-dimensional land of New York City. The film has everything we’d expect from a Disney fairy tale, like a “Happy Working Song” song performed with animals, but all with a spin we wouldn’t expect… like the fact that the singing critters are rats and pigeons and cockroaches. We can think of no other film that has so successfully managed to spoof an entire genre of movies (Disney animated classics, no less!) while paying them such loving tribute that we want to go back and watch each of them all over again… which might just be the perfect way to get through the winter!

Remembering Walt Peregoy

January 22, 2015May 1, 2023

Walt Peregoy, a color stylist and background artist who was named a Disney Legend in 2008, passed away at his home in Encino, California, on January 16.

Born Alwyn Walter Peregoy in Los Angeles, California, in 1925, Walt spent his early childhood on a small island in San Francisco Bay. He was nine years old when he began his formal art training, attending Saturday classes at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley. When he was 12, Walt’s family returned to Los Angeles, where he enrolled in Chouinard Art Institute’s life drawing classes. At age 17, he dropped out of high school and went to work for Disney as an in-betweener.

After serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, Walt continued his art education, studying at the University de Belles Artes, San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico, and with Fernand Léger in Paris.

In 1951, with a young family in tow, Walt returned to the United States, and resumed his career with The Walt Disney Studios. Initially, he served as a designer and animator on Peter Pan (1953) and Lady and the Tramp (1955).

Walt’s unique style meshed well with that of his contemporary, stylist Eyvind Earle, and their work on the Academy Award^®-nominated short Paul Bunyan was a departure for Disney. “My style was unusual for Walt Disney, but he tolerated me,” Walt later said. Although, since he was “tolerated” for 14 years, the artist sheepishly admitted, “I had to be doing something right.”

Walt is perhaps best known for his work as color stylist on One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961). “To this day, Walt Peregoy’s color styling in One Hundred and One Dalmatians remains a fine example of how color can be used creatively in animation while serving more than a merely decorative function,” modern animation authority Amid Amidi once said.

012215_walt-peregoy-feat-2 — One of Walt’s conceptual works made for *One Hundred and One Dalmatians* (1961). “There’s not another artist in this world that has my color sense,” Walt once said. “It’s not ‘warm’ or ‘cool.’ It’s what I feel. How am I going to know what color to put there before I get there? It’s really what I feel.”

Walt continued at Disney on the features The Sword in the Stone, Mary Poppins, and The Jungle Book, after which he spent several years with Hanna-Barbera.

He returned to Disney in 1977, contributing his unique view to the design of EPCOT Center, where his influence included concepts, architectural facades, sculptures, and murals for many of the pavilions.

012215_walt-peregoy-feat-3 — For *The Land* pavilion at EPCOT Center, Walt designed key elements for the entrance mosaic and central atrium, including the original mural and balloons. His style was also showcased in the boat ride *Listen to the Land*.

His work was recognized by ASIFA-Hollywood in 2012 at the 39th Annual Annie Awards with a Winsor McCay Award.

012215_walt-peregoy-feat-4 — Walt at work at the Disney Studio in 1958.

“Walt was one of the most talented, difficult, brilliant, ornery, honest artists I ever worked with,” remembered Marty Sklar, Disney Legend and former vice chairman and principal creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering. “He was a prolific artist of subjects he loved: far-out city concepts, shapes and colors. He also loved horses—just look at the anatomy and dynamic movement in his drawings of horses. You knew right away that there was knowledge and love in those drawings! There were few who equaled his work, and I’m so glad I had a chance to work him.”

Disney Films We Can’t Wait to Watch in 2015!

Now that the New Year has arrived, we’re counting down the days ’til some of the most eagerly anticipated epic films from the Disney canon hit movie theaters.

Here’s what every Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm fan should add to their must-watch list for 2015:

Strange Magic—January 23
Cast: Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth, Maya Rudolph, Sam Palladio, Meredith Anne Bull, Alfred Molina, Elijah Kelley, Bob Einstein, Peter Stormare

Synopsis: Strange Magic, a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy-tale musical inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects. The film is directed by Gary Rydstrom from a story by George Lucas.

McFarland, USA—February 20
Cast: Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Morgan Saylor, Martha Higareda, Michael Aguero, Sergio Avelar, Hector Duran, Rafael Martinez, Johnny Ortiz, Carlos Pratts, Ramiro Rodriguez, Danny Mora, Valente Rodriguez, Vanessa Martinez, Chris Ellis, Diana Maria Riva

Synopsis: Based on the 1987 true story, McFarland, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White, a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school, with whom they ultimately bond to build not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.

Cinderella—March 13
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Stellan Skarsgård, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera, Derek Jacobi and Helena Bonham Carter

Synopsis: A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

Monkey Kingdom—April 17
Synopsis: Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in Monkey Kingdom, Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family is forced to relocate, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to lead them to untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.

Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron—May 1
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård with James Spader and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury

Synopsis: When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Tomorrowland—May 22
Cast: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Robinson

Synopsis: Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank, jaded by disillusionment, and Casey, a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out—June 19
Cast: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith

Synopsis: Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions—Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Marvel’s Ant-Man—July 17
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Judy Greer, Tip “Ti” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Wood Harris, Jordi Mollà, Michael Douglas

Synopsis: The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Disney•Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur—November 25
Synopsis: The Good Dinosaur asks the generations-old question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? The film is a humorous and exciting original story about Arlo, a lively Apatosaurus with a big heart. After a traumatic event unsettles Arlo’s family, he sets out on a remarkable journey, gaining an unlikely companion along the way, a human boy.

And last but not least…

Star Wars: The Force Awakens—December 18
Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Andy Serkis, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Domhnall Gleeson, Max Von Sydow

Synopsis: Although there’s no official synopsis yet, we’re certain that we’ll be transported back to a galaxy far, far away…

Disney Parks Experiences We Can’t Wait For in 2015

The New Year will bring a whole new slate of fun and unforgettable experiences to Disney Parks around the world. Here’s what’s coming to The Happiest Place on Earth and beyond in 2015:

Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration — The dazzling yearlong celebration will launch Spring 2015, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store to salute 60 years of magic.

Frozen Fun at Disney California Adventure — The new experience featuring magical adventures with characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ blockbuster film is now open at Disney California Adventure. You can meet Anna and Elsa at “Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome” inside the Disney Animation building, join Frozen friends and the royal historians of Arendelle during For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, play in the snow and meet Olaf the snowman at “Olaf’s Snow Fest!” and chill out at “Freeze the Night! A Family Dance Party.”

New Name, New Additions to Disney’s Polynesian at Walt Disney World Resort — As part of a sweeping re-imagining, Disney’s Polynesian Resort has returned to its original, 1971 opening day name: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. But that’s not the only thing we’re excited about in 2015. Changes include a new food and beverage experience opening for guests in 2015: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto—opening in the spring and based on the popular themed lounge at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Trader Sam’s will welcome explorers to a mystical and tropical oasis featuring a lounge area with handcrafted tiki cocktails served in souvenir mugs, paired with Polynesia-inspired small plates. You can now also find the Pineapple Lanai kiosk, which serves the world-famous Dole Whip soft serve and floats, along with a menu makeover at Capt. Cook’s quick-service restaurant. In addition, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will feature 20 Disney Vacation Club (DVC) bungalows on Seven Seas Lagoon and 360 Deluxe Studios. The DVC Bungalows will be the first of this type of accommodation at Disney, sleep up to eight guests, and feature a plunge pool where guests can enjoy views of fireworks over Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon.

New Africa Marketplace Coming Spring 2015 to Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Imagine the colors, scents, savory tastes, and boundless activity of a village marketplace in Africa. That sensory scene is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom with a spring 2015 opening planned for Africa Marketplace—a new shopping and dining option for park-goers in Harambe, the village anchoring the Africa section of the park. One highlight of the new space will be Harambe Marketplace, a new quick-service food and beverage location offering street-inspired dishes from walk-up windows. The new space also will open up a new pathway from Africa to Bradley Falls and the Asia section of the park. Together with the new Harambe Theatre housing The Festival of the Lion King, the addition of Africa Marketplace will double the size of the original Harambe Village. Paired with previously announced projects throughout the park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is undergoing the largest expansion in its history.

Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios — The Force returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 15, 2015 as Star Wars Weekends combines the fun and adventure of the Star Wars film franchise with the magic of Disney Parks. The 2015 event will feature Star Wars characters roaming the theme park for meet-and-greet opportunities, star conversations with Star Wars celebrities, a Star Wars motorcade through the park, interactive activities, exclusive merchandise, and more. Star Wars Weekends will be held every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from May 15–June 14. For more information visit DisneyWorld.com/StarWars.

Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Fantasy Comes to Tokyo Disney Resort — Now through March 20, 2015, guests at Tokyo Disney Resort will find opportunities to experience the beautiful world of Frozen at Tokyo Disneyland Park at Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Fantasy. Guests can enjoy the winter season in a lovely world of ice and snow created by Elsa’s magical power, and the nighttime entertainment Once Upon a Time will be presented in a special version that features new scenes based on Disney’s Frozen. During the day, Anna and Elsa will also make an appearance and greet guests along the parade route to the music of “Let It Go.” Around the Park, guests will find special menus and nearly 25 different types of special merchandise, as well as decorations of snow and ice crystals that are reminiscent of the film’s atmosphere.

Go to Norway with Disney Cruise Line — In summer 2015, Disney Cruise Line is charting a magical new course for northern Europe—exploring for the first time the Norwegian fjords and Iceland. Plus, Disney Cruise Line is returning to the Baltic for all-new itineraries, including sailings from Copenhagen, Denmark to St. Petersburg, Russia. Cruises to the Mediterranean, Alaska, Caribbean, and Bahamas also are included in the summer lineup. More details on 2015 itineraries can be found on the Itineraries and Ports for 2015 section of DisneyCruise.com.

Expanded Collection of Premium Culinary Offerings at Remy — Adult guests aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy can enjoy new premium culinary experiences and menus in Remy, one of Disney Cruise Line’s fine dining specialty restaurants. The expanded collection of offerings in the French-inspired Remy includes a unique tasting opportunity, a decadent dessert experience, a seasonal truffle menu, and special caviar selections.

Travel to Tuscany and Spain with Adventures by Disney — In 2015, travelers can explore iconic landscapes and exquisite Italian culture on a mouth-watering Tuscan culinary adventure, and to add even more excitement, guests can journey through the hidden treasures of Barcelona, Seville, and Marbella with the new Spain itinerary.

Disney Cruise Line Will Be Home to Land of Frozen This Summer — Disney Cruise Line announced some very cool experiences that will be coming to their ships this summer. Select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings to Europe and Alaska will feature a day of frozen fun that includes a deck party, “Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa, and Friends.” On board the Disney Magic, guests can enjoy an original production, Disney Dreams… An Enchanted Classic, featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and a lineup of beloved Disney characters and popular songs that will include, of course, “Let It Go.” Olaf will meet guests on board all four Disney ships, and the Disney Magic will be venturing to the land that inspired Arendelle, Norway. All of these experiences will kick off at one of Olaf’s favorite times of year, “In Summer.”

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Dates Announced — Mark your calendars! The beloved, annual culinary event launches September 25 and runs through November 16 this year, 53 days of sweet and savory tapas-sized dishes and beverages, plus tasting seminars, culinary demos, signature dining experiences, live entertainment, and more.

Garden Rocks Concert Series at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival — Eleven pop bands with hits spanning several decades will play the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the 22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 4 to May 17. The Garden Rocks Concert Series debuts in 2015 to span a broader range of decades and popular artists. Several acts will join the festival lineup this year, including En Vogue, Little River Band, Jon Secada, Pablo Cruise, and Taylor Dayne.

New Dining Options at Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort — STK Orlando, a modern steakhouse mixed with the ambiance of a sleek lounge, is the latest in a string of restaurants that have announced new locations planned for Disney Springs. This will be one of the largest STK locations in the world, occupying 14,000 square feet in a two-story building. Morimoto Asia and THE BOATHOUSE will also open their doors in 2015.

New Characters for Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) and Dates and Lineups for Epcot Festivals

Disney Infinity Lives Up to its Name with New Characters and Toy Box Game Packs

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “infinity” as “the quality of having no limits or end,” and we’re grateful that our friends at Disney Interactive take the name Disney Infinity to heart. Three of Marvel’s most notorious villains have just become available for game play, thanks to the addition of Green Goblin (Spider-Man‘s arch-nemesis), Ronan, and Yondu (both from Guardians of the Galaxy).

And in other exciting Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) news, fans can now purchase Toy Box Game Packs separate from the Starter Packs. A Marvel Toy Box Game Pack includes Assault on Asgard and Escape from the Kyln, while the Disney Toy Box Game Pack comes with Brave Forest Siege and Stitch’s Tropical Rescue. Both Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) Toy Box Game Packs are available at participating retailers worldwide, and deliver new structured gameplay modes where up to four players can engage in new adventures using any character from across the Disney Infinity universe.

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
February 8
101 Dalmatians: An Afternoon in the “Spot”-light
August 14-16, 2015
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Television
February 6
Miles from Tomorrowland premieres on Disney Channel at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT
February 13
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero premieres on Disney XD and Disney Channel at 9:45 p.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.
Studios
February 20
McFarland, USA opens in theaters.
March 13
Cinderella opens in theaters.
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.

Stop and Smell the Flowers—and Hear the Music—at Epcot This Spring

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival feels even more festive with the announcement of an all-star musical lineup for the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Performances will take place at America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the duration of the Flower & Garden Festival, with show times at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. Check out the Disney Parks Blog for the full list of performers—Gin Blossoms kick off the Garden Rocks Concert Series with performances March 6–8 while Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone appear the final weekend, May 15–17.

Disney Films Receive 9 Oscar^® Nominations

The 87th Academy Awards^® will be handed out on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC, and we’ll be watching to see which Disney films are honored. Disney films have received nine nominations, including Best Animated Feature (Big Hero 6), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Meryl Streep, Into the Woods), and Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy). To see the full list of nominees, visit Oscar.com.

Watch a New Trailer for McFarland, USA

We can point to so many sports-themed Disney movies that we’ve loved over the years: The Mighty Ducks, Cool Runnings, last year’s Million Dollar Arm… And we’re super excited about the newest film to follow in that tradition: McFarland, USA. The film is based on the true story of an economically challenged California town and its cross-country team, coached by Jim White (played in the film by Kevin Costner). We’ll be running to the nearest movie theater when it opens February 20!

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Dates Announced

One of the best parts about going on vacation is indulging—or maybe even overindulging—with exotic foods and beverages, isn’t it? Well, Epcot has announced the dates for the 2015 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, so that you can now schedule a vacation that’s packed with epicurean indulgence from start to finish. The 53-day long festival runs from September 25 through November 16, and will once again include a wide variety of tapas-sized dishes and beverages, tasting seminars, demonstrations, and more.

A New Interactive Queue at Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom Park

When there’s a smile in your heart, there’s no better time to start… We’ve gotten a smile in our hearts every time we’ve experienced Peter Pan’s Flight, but that smile is about to grow a little wider. The Disney Parks Blog shared a sneak peek at the attraction’s new interactive queue that will soon debut at Magic Kingdom Park, in which guests will be able to watch Tinker Bell fly, see their own shadows come to life on the nursery walls, and—best of all—get a sprinkling of pixie dust before they journey off to Never Land.

Disney Parks Blog Takes Us Behind the Scenes at Disneyland Resort

Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog provided a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a new commercial for Frozen Fun at the Disneyland Resort, showing a glimpse of what went into creating the 30-second spot in which many of our favorite Audio-Animatronics^® Disneyland residents welcome Anna, Elsa, and their friends with a special rendition of “For the First Time in Forever.” Enjoy!

Space Mountain Celebrates 40 Years of Intergalactic Adventure

Do you remember the first time you rode Space Mountain?

—how exhilarating it felt to be soaring through outer space, with stars so close you could almost touch them and having a sense that you’d left Earth behind to journey somewhere only astronauts had gone before?

Forty years ago today, January 15, 1975, guests at Walt Disney World in Orlando were Space Mountain‘s inaugural travelers. The attraction opened with fireworks, astronauts of both the NASA variety and the Disney variety, along with a 2,000-piece marching band that Jim Christensen, director of Disneyland’s music department, had just four hours before the ceremony to organize.

The spectacular opening also marked the Official Dedication of Tomorrowland, already home to Star Jets, which had opened on November 28, 1974, and Magic Carpet ‘Round the World (as a new version of America the Beautiful was being finalized). The Carousel of Progress also made its Walt Disney World debut on January 15, after being moved from Disneyland; and Mission to Mars (replacing Flight to the Moon) and the WEDway PeopleMover would follow that summer.

A photo from the dedication ceremony; in addition to Mickey Mouse, fans may notice Card Walker (then-Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Walt Disney Productions) catching the attention of Dick Nunis (Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World and Disneyland), along with representatives of sponsor RCA and 1975 Walt Disney World Ambassador Suzy O’Hara.

A rarely seen model of the Star Corridor, which guests passed through on their way to the Alpha and Omega Space Port areas where they boarded their shuttles.

Originally, guests concluded their trip to the outer reaches of the galaxy with a trip to the future, by way of RCA’s Home of Future Living, which was offered at Walt Disney World’s Space Mountain until a major re-theming of the attraction in 1985. As these rare photos of the post-show’s model illustrate, the experience demonstrated how new technologies would affect the lives of the average family years into the future.

Not unlike Horizons, which would open at EPCOT Center in 1983, the Home of Future Living imagined technological innovations—that looks like a precursor to a smartphone in the teenage daughter’s hand, doesn’t it?—while keeping all the relatable “people details.”

This was a model of the entertainment room, where even in the future, a gripping football team will continue to bring families together.

The thrills and wonder of Space Mountain will also continue to bring families together. We celebrate the attraction’s 40th anniversary at Walt Disney World, and quote the attraction’s original theme song as we say, “Here’s to the future!”

How to Get Your Workout at Disneyland

Disney Films Receive Nine Oscar Nominations

With the Oscar® telecast coming up this Sunday, pop culture junkies and office comrades around the country are passing around ballots to try to guess who will win on the big night.

D23 is all about giving a voice to the fans, so we decided, “To heck with guessing!"—we're going to let you vote!

Thanks for voting! See who won below.

Best Critter in a Supporting Role

Gus, Cinderella
Emile, Ratatouille
Meeko, Pocahontas
WINNER- Pascal, Tangled
Thumper, Bambi

Best Costume for a Ball or Special Occasion

Anna in her coronation dress, Frozen
Aurora in her magical pink and blue gown, Sleeping Beauty
WINNER- Cinderella in her ball gown, Cinderella
Charlotte in her masquerade ball gown, The Princess and the Frog
Giselle in her wedding gown, Enchanted

Best Special Effects by a Villain

Chernabog, Fantasia
Dr. Facilier, The Princess and the Frog
Judge Doom, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Yokai, Big Hero 6
WINNER- Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty

Best Act of Bravery by a Hero in a Leading Role

Carl rescuing Russell and Kevin, Up
Hercules fighting the hydra, Hercules
Merida vowing to save her mother, Brave
WINNER- Mulan volunteering to fight on behalf of her father, Mulan
Quasimodo helping Esmeralda escape, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Best Song Sung by a Leading Character About Their Hopes and Dreams

Disney Legend Howard Ashman called this the “I Want" song, where the main character sings about what they want, usually one of the first three songs in a classic fairytale musical.
“Almost There," The Princess and the Frog
“Belle," Beauty and the Beast
“Out There," The Hunchback of Notre Dame
WINNER- “Part of Your World," The Little Mermaid
“Someday My Prince Will Come," Snow White

Best Scenic Design of a Castle

WINNER- The Beast's Castle, Beauty and the Beast
King Candy's Castle, Wreck-It Ralph
The Palace of Agrabah, Aladdin
Rapunzel's Castle, Tangled
Sleeping Beauty Castle, Sleeping Beauty

The Oscars air February 22 on ABC.

Check out our Oscars study guide on Pinterest before you watch the telecast ►

Make a Frozen snowflake