New Short Frozen Fever to Open in Theaters in Front of Cinderella

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new short Frozen Fever, which welcomes Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf back to the big screen, will open in theaters on March 13, 2015, in front of Disney’s Cinderella, a live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale.

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and produced by Peter Del Vecho and Aimee Scribner, with an all-new original song by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez,

Frozen Fever marks the first project reuniting the Oscar®-winning original team from Disney’s “Frozen.”

In Frozen Fever, it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk.

A Two-Hour Premiere for Marvel’s Agent Carter, Disney & Turner Classic Movies Team Up, & Much More

Marvel’s Agent Carter Will Kick Off with a Two-Hour Premiere

It’s just a little more than a month until the debut of Marvel’s Agent Carter, right after the holidays. But we’ve gotten what we think is a Marvel-ous early holiday gift with the news that the seven-part television event will kick off with a two-hour debut, from 8–10 p.m. ET on January 6!

And, to tide you over, check out the teaser above. Of course we’ve seen glimpses of Agent Carter (played by Hayley Atwell) on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. this season, battling HYDRA like only a Marvel hero can, but this new video gives us a peek into what the secret agent’s daily life is like. Who knew that working for the “phone company” could be so exciting?

 

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
December 6, 2014
Honoring Diane Disney Miller at the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
December 6, 2014
Holiday Shopping Day at Mickey’s of Glendale
December 7, 2014
Holiday Gingerbread Houses at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Through January 4, 2015
Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
August 14-16, 2015
D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California
Television
December 1–25
ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas”
December 2
Toy Story That Time Forgot premieres on ABC at 8 p.m. ET
January 6
Marvel’sAgent Carter premieres on ABC at 9 p.m. ET		 Parks
November 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, and 30; and December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties at Magic Kingdom Park
Studios
December 25
Into the Woods opens in theaters.
February 20, 2015
MacFarland, USA opens in theaters.
March 13, 2015
Cinderella opens in theaters.
May 1, 2015
Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters.
May 22, 2015
Tomorrowland opens in theaters.
June 19, 2015
Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).

 

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Turner Classic Movies and Disney Partner on WDW Attraction and Special Programming

We’re definitely in a holiday mood these days at D23. We’re having so much fun giving gifts through our D23 Days of Christmas, and we don’t mind admitting that we like being at the receiving end of gifts like the new partnership between Disney and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ attraction The Great Movie Ride‘s pre-show and finale are set to receive a refresh, curated by TCM, that will include a brand-new montage and a classic movie-themed photo op. And this collaboration will also allow viewers to enjoy classic Disney experiences at home with the launch of Treasures from the Disney Vault, “a recurring on-air showcase” that will present classic Disney films and programming. First up on December 21 (beginning at 8 p.m. ET) will be holiday and winter animated shorts, along with the 1941 feature The Reluctant Dragon, a compilation of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier episodes, and more! To see the whole lineup and read all of the recently announced details, visit D23.com.

 

The Force Awakens! The Excitement Grows!

Speaking of gifts… You’ve probably already seen the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Have you seen it more than once? Do you want to see it again, like we do? The film will no doubt be the ultimate Star Wars present when it hits theaters during next year’s holiday season, on December 18, 2015. But this year we’re content to watch the teaser—again and again.

 

Watch “Proud of Your Boy” from Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway

Disney on Broadway is also in the gift-giving mood! Last week they shared the video above, of Adam Jacobs, who plays Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, singing “Proud of Your Boy”—accompanied by composer Alan Menken. The song was originally written for the animated film but was ultimately cut—and is now part of the hit stage production. For more information on the production, visit AladdinTheMusical.com.

 

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Ho, ho, ho! ABC Family’s Pop Up Santa is Bringing Cheer Through December 9

ABC Family’s Pop Up Santa giveaway is continuing to bring gifts to people when they least expect it. In addition to local giveaways happening in cities across the U.S. (through December 9), fans can also visit PopUpSanta.tv until December 25 for exclusive content, daily Pop Up Santa videos, and more—including a schedule for each day’s lineup of ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas.

 

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Start Exploring the Marvel Universe with Marvel Unlimited

The Marvel Universe is vast—seventy-five years and 15,000 digital comics vast, to put it into perspective. Whether you’re new to the Marvel Universe and want to dive in and explore, or you’re a longtime Marvel comics reader who wants to share the love with friends and family, Marvel Unlimited is the perfect first stop on a Marvel journey. And this week only, if you enter the Promo Code MARVEL75 at Marvel Unlimited Checkout, your first month of a Marvel Unlimited monthly subscription is only 75 cents. With nine films coming in the Phase 3 timeline alone, there’s absolutely no time like the present to start learning about Marvel’s Civil War and to discover exactly who Dr. Strange is.

 

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Walt Disney World Resort Takes Gingerbread Houses to a Breathtaking Level

We love to celebrate the holidays with gingerbread houses! D23 Members enjoyed decorating spooky gingerbread houses for Halloween, and this Sunday, December 7, we’ll be back at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort creating winter wonderlands out of gumdrops and gingerbread once again. But to see some gingerbread creations that are truly spectacular, check out the photo gallery on the Disney Parks Blog for a collection that looks almost too pretty to eat.

 

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Medals Fit for a Princess

When you’re dressing like a princess, you might wear a tiara. But when you’re running like a princess, you’ll definitely find yourself wearing one of the medals recently unveiled for the races happening during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, taking place February 19–22, 2015. All are inspired by Frozen—even the medal awarded to those completing the Glass Slipper Challenge has a familiar blue that we think Queen Elsa might favor. Do you want to run a half marathon? If you want to “let it go” for 13.1 miles—or even a 10K or a 5K—visit runDisney.com for information on upcoming race events.

Toy Story That Time Forgot Airs Tonight on ABC

The second Pixar Animation Studios special for television, Toy Story That Time Forgot, airs tonight, Tuesday, December 2 (8–8:30 p.m. ET) on ABC.

The special comes on the heels of the success of Toy Story OF TERROR!, which premiered to stellar ratings last October.

During a post-Christmas play date, the Toy Story gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turns out to be dangerously delusional. It’s all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie’s room in this Toy Story That Time Forgot.

The cast of Toy Story That Time Forgot includes Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Kevin McKidd as Reptillus Maximus, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Joan Cusack as Jessie.

Tune in to ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” Programming Event

ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas,” cable’s biggest programming event of the year, returns with 25 continuous days of holiday-themed entertainment for the whole family.

From December 1–25, viewers can ring in the holidays with new holiday episodes of original series, holiday specials and returning favorites.

This year, “25 Days of Christmas” will feature original holiday episodes of comedy series Melissa and Joey and Baby Daddy. And for the first time, holiday episodes of drama series Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters, Switched at Birth and Chasing Life will also make their debut during the week of December 8.

The holiday cheer continues with the network-television premiere of the delightful holiday movie Arthur Christmas, featuring the voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie and Jim Broadbent as Santa, on Saturday, December 6 (9–11 p.m. ET/PT) and the ABC Family debut of the new Christmas special Toy Story That Time Forgot on Sunday, December 7 (8–8:30 p.m. ET/PT).

On Sunday, December 21, the network will air a Rankin Bass holiday classics marathon, featuring such beloved programs as The Little Drummer Boy (1–1:30 p.m. ET/PT), Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (3–4 p.m. ET/PT) and The Year Without a Santa Claus (4–5 p.m. ET/PT). Other returning favorites include National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Monday, December 1, 6–8 p.m. ET/PT), Elf (Monday, December 1, 8–10 p.m. ET/PT) and a The Santa Clause double feature (begins Tuesday, December 2, 8 PM ET/PT).

This year, ABC Family is also surprising people across the country as Pop Up Santa! Check out what happened when the network’s stars surprised Disney Store guests at a recent Pop Up Santa event in the video above. Head to PopUpSanta.TV for more information.

ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas Programming Highlights

Disney Channel’s “Fa-La-La-Lidays” Kicks Off November 28

Disney Channel’s annual winter programming event, “Fa-La-La-Lidays,” kicks-off Friday, November 28 with a one-hour crossover of popular comedies Jessie and Liv and Maddie. The programming event also includes a holiday reunion episode of Girl Meets World, guest starring Rider Strong, William Russ and Besty Randle.

A Hawaiian holiday episode of Jessie guest starring Maia Mitchell and popular Liv and Maddie characters Joey Bragg and Tenzing Norgay Trainor, plus a holiday reunion episode of Girl Meets World guest starring Boy Meets World alumni Rider Strong, William Russ and Betsy Randle, new episodes of I Didn’t Do It guest starring Reginald Vel Johnson, Dog With A Blog and Liv and Maddie, will be presented during the fourth annual “Fa-la-la-lidays” event.

The animated premiere of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story That Time Forgot is also scheduled during the month. The multi-platform rollout begins with the Jessie episode, currently available to verified viewers on WATCH Disney Channel. WATCH Disney Channel will continue to roll out holiday programming, including 25 days of throwback, holiday-themed episodes, beginning December 1.

The “Fa-La-La-Lidays” celebration includes the winter makeover of DisneyChannel.com​. Each week, kids and families will receive a new, exclusive gift to unwrap containing holiday themed games, videos and activities. It will also feature online crafts, letting fans print their own one-of-a-kind presents to share, including posters, holiday cards and ornaments.

Turner Classic Movies, Walt Disney World Resort, and The Walt Disney Studios Team Up to Share Stories Centered on Classic Film

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride attraction highlights some of the most famous film moments in silver screen history and is set to receive a Turner Classic Movies (TCM)-curated refresh of the pre-show and the finale. TCM branding will be integrated into the attraction’s marquee, as well as banners, posters and display windows outside the attraction. In the queue line, families will enjoy new digital movie posters and will watch a new pre-ride video with TCM host Robert Osborne providing illuminating insights from the movies—some of which guests will experience during the ride. The finale will feature an all-new montage of classic movie moments. After guests exit the attraction, they will have a photo opportunity with a classic movie theme. The TCM-curated refresh is set to launch by spring.

Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride

As part of the relationship with The Walt Disney Studios, TCM will launch Treasures from the Disney Vault, a recurring on-air showcase that will include such live-action Disney features as Treasure Island (1950), Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) and Pollyanna (1960); animated films like The Three Caballeros (1944) and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949); classic nature documentaries, including The Living Desert (1953) and The African Lion (1955); made-for-television classics, such as the Davy Crockett series; special episodes from Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color; documentaries about the studio, including Walt & El Grupo (2009) and Waking Sleeping Beauty (2010); and animated shorts, such as 1932’s Oscar®-winning Flowers and Trees.

Turner Movie Classics Treasures from the Disney Vault

Treasures from the Disney Vault is scheduled to premiere on TCM Sunday, December 21 at 8 p.m. The opening night will include the holiday and winter animated shorts Santa’s Workshop, On Ice and Chip An’ Dale, followed by The Disneyland Story. The night will also include The Reluctant Dragon, Disney’s 1941 film that combined a live-action tour of The Walt Disney Studios facility with animated shorts; Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955), a compilation of the first three episodes of the iconic series starring Fess Parker; the Oscar-winning documentary The Vanishing Prairie (1954), part of Disney’s True Life Adventure series; the rarely seen Third Man on the Mountain (1959), an Alpine tale starring Michael Rennie and James MacArthur; and Perilous Assignment (1959), a documentary about the making of Third Man on the Mountain.

The Wizard of OZ

“At TCM, it’s our mission to share and celebrate the greatest films of all time,” Jennifer Dorian, general manager of TCM, said. “Disney provides the perfect relationship through which we can share the magic of the movies with every generation, not only through an amazing new showcase on TCM, but also through newly refreshed components of The Great Movie Ride attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”

“We are looking forward to this collaboration, which complements Disney’s commitment to telling great stories and immersing our guests in family entertainment,” Tiffany Rende, senior vice president, Disney Corporate Alliances and Operating Participants, added. “Through this alliance, we are able to share more classic Disney stories with TCM audiences, while further enhancing the guest experience by showcasing TCM content and talent.”

Gingerbread Beignets Recipe From Disneyland

Beignets are popular at the Disneyland Resort, but if gingerbread is more your style for the holidays, we’ve got the recipe for the beignets from some of the fine restaurants in New Orleans Square. They’ll be back to plain ol’ beignets in January but you’ll have this recipe year-round! The easy eggnog Anglaise for dipping is the proverbial icing on the cake. Forget wrapping presents for awhile—this sweet duo is worth some time in the kitchen.

Ingredients
Gingerbread Beignets
1 cup evaporated milk, heated until warm but not hot
1 envelope dry active yeast
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup molasses
2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup shortening
Vegetable oil for deep-frying		 Eggnog Crème Anglaise
2 cups eggnog
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
6 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Preparation

Gingerbread Beignets
1. Combine evaporated milk and yeast in a large bowl; add egg, molasses, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vegetable oil. Stir until yeast dissolves and mixture is combined.
2. Sift together 4 cups flour, salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a medium bowl.
3. Add half of flour mixture to milk mixture. Mix well.
4. Add shortening, blending until combined, then add remaining flour mixture. Knead until mixture comes together, adding remaining 1/2 cup flour, a bit at a time, if needed. Form dough into ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
5. On a floured board, roll dough to 1/3-inch thickness. Cut into 24 squares. Cover with a clean dish towel and set aside in a warm, draft-free area for 45 minutes.
6. Line a plate with paper towels; set aside.
7. Add vegetable oil to a deep-sided pot to a depth of 3 inches. Heat oil to 375°F. Drop in dough squares a few at a time, turning frequently with a long-handled slotted spoon. Cook until puffed and golden. Remove with slotted spoon and transfer to the plate lined with paper towels. Lightly tent with foil to keep warm while remaining beignets cook.
8. Combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Dust hot beignets with cinnamon-sugar mixture; serve warm.

Eggnog Crème Anglaise
1. Combine eggnog and milk in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until very hot but not simmering.
2. Meanwhile, combine sugar and egg yolks in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat until light, thick and fluffy.
3. Very slowly drizzle in hot eggnog mixture while beating at medium-low speed.
4. Transfer mixture back to saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and becomes creamy, 10 minutes. Do not simmer or the egg yolks will curdle.
5. Remove the sauce from the heat, whisk, and strain through a fine sieve. Stir in nutmeg and cinnamon, if using. Serve warm with Gingerbread Beignets.

 

S‘mores Bake From Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue at Disneyland

Winter holidays are the time for sweet indulgences, so what better time to share this goodie—perfect for splitting around a fire pit or the kitchen table. Give everyone a spoon and dig in!

This gooey, oft-ordered wow of a dessert is a collaborative effort at Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue at Disneyland park, on the menu for just a few months. Chef Craig Orrell created the recipe with Chef Toby Hollis and the Disneyland Resort Central Bakery team.

Ingredients

1 (10.5-ounce) box fudge brownie mix
1 (1-pound) bag large marshmallows
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons hot fudge sauce, warmed
8 graham crackers

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 cake pan with cooking spray. Prepare brownie batter per package directions and pour into prepared cake pan. Bake 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it.
2. Turn oven to broil.
3. Place marshmallows over brownies. Leaving oven door ajar, place marshmallow-topped brownies under broiler 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown, watching very closely to avoid burning.
4. Drizzle hot fudge sauce over top of toasted marshmallows.
5. Take half of the graham crackers and break them into planks; crush other half of graham crackers into crumbs.
6. Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over top of toasted marshmallows, and place graham cracker planks randomly into toasted marshmallows. Serve immediately.