Disney Films That Started Out As Children’s Books

From as far back as the Laugh-O-Gram films that Walt Disney made in Kansas City, Disney has long looked to children’s stories and fairy tales for inspiration to entertain its audiences. Sometimes these stories stay true to their original telling and other times Disney reinvents characters and plotlines to create new twists. Disney storytellers have added new heroes, alternate endings, and they have even made the villain a good guy, as is the case of Frozen‘s Elsa in Disney’s take on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. Anything is up for changing and everything can be rewritten.

Disney storytellers have added new heroes, and they have even made the villain a good guy . . .

As a tribute to the books that inspired some of our favorite Disney films, we pulled together a few facts about how Disney artists were inspired by the originals.

The Little Mermaid
The first Disney animated feature based on a classic fairy tale in three decades (since Sleeping Beauty) turned to the famous story by Hans Christian Andersen. Disney artists had considered an animated film of The Little Mermaid in the late 1930s, and illustrator Kay Nielsen prepared a number of striking story sketches in pastels and watercolors. For The Little Mermaid, the artists received inspiration from the Nielsen story sketches that were brought out of the Walt Disney Archives for them to study, and they gave Kay Nielsen a “visual development” credit on the film.

Frozen
With another of Hans Christian Andersen’s works, The Snow Queen, the idea was to capture the sentiment and themes of the original story, but allow the filmmakers the creative freedom to be inspired to tell their own story. Frozen embraces core elements from Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, a tale first published in 1845 that has sparked the interest of Disney filmmakers dating back to Walt Disney himself. A story of the struggle between good and evil, Andersen’s The Snow Queen depicts a shattered mirror that causes a young boy, Kai, to view the world in a negative way. But the Frozen story team was stumped by the Snow Queen herself. According to Jennifer Lee, who first joined the team as a writer and was later tapped to direct with Chris Buck, Andersen’s version of the title character was somewhat mysterious. “She’s more symbolic in nature in the original story,” says Lee. “We knew that she’d need her own voice in Frozen.” And she certainly got one!

Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
The Studio’s first animated treatment of the famous children books written by A.A. Milne was Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Winnie the Pooh and his friends, Christopher Robin, Eeyore the donkey, Owl, Kanga, and baby Roo, as well as Rabbit and Gopher, encounter a swarm of bees and a fabulous honey tree. Little modification was done on the original stories of the most famous teddy bear in the world. The most noticeable change was the introduction of a new character—Gopher.

Alice in Wonderland
Disney created the animated version of Lewis Carroll’s famous story of Alice and her adventures after falling down a rabbit hole. The animated feature had been on Walt Disney’s mind since 1933, when he considered a live-action version starring Mary Pickford. He shelved the project after Paramount made a version, but later had artist David Hall, a Hollywood artist and designer, create some concepts for an all-animated film. World War II intervened, and it was not until the late 1940s that work began again in earnest. One of Walt’s big problems with this film was that here he was dealing with a highly regarded classic, and what was charming and appropriately bizarre in book form seemed oddly out of place on the motion picture screen. Walt’s feeling, expressed in later years, was that Alice had no “heart.”

Peter Pan
Walt Disney planned as early as 1935 to make this film, arranging in 1939 with the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London (who had the rights to the play bequeathed by author James M. Barrie) for permission, but it was not until 1949 that production actually began.

Oliver & Company
The Oliver Twist story animated with a twist—the setting is New York and Oliver is a kitten and Fagin the human master of a pack of pickpocket dogs. In addition to the feline and canine cast, many different songwriters contributed to the production, including Howard Ashman and Barry Mann (“Once Upon a Time in New York City”), Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight (“Why Should I Worry?”), Barry Manilow, Jack Feldman, and Bruce Sussman (“Perfect Isn’t Easy”), and Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow (“Streets of Gold”).

Mary Poppins
Walt Disney began his quest to get the rights to P.L. Travers’ book Mary Poppins in the early 1940s. For additional information on the subject, may we direct you to the 2013 feature film Saving Mr. Banks. Although it took nearly 20 years to obtain the rights, when Mary Poppins was finally made, it won five awards out of its 13 Academy Award® nominations. P. L. Travers, author of the popular books on which the film is based, continued writing new adventures for Mary Poppins long after the film, and in the late 1980s worked with a Disney screenwriter on a film sequel that never materialized.

Treasure Island
Treasure Island was the first Disney live-action film without any animation. It was based on the book published in 1881 by British author Robert Louis Stevenson. Coincidentally, the Disney Company had “blocked funds” in England after the war, money that Disney films had earned in the country, which could not be exported due to currency regulations. Walt Disney decided that he could use the money to make some films in England, but since he could not find trained animators there to produce his usual fare, he decided to turn to live action instead. Over the next few years, four live-action films would be made in England.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Based on the 1972 children’s classic book by Judith Viorst, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day has more than two million copies in print. The book has a wonderful following,” says Miguel Arteta, who directed the big-screen adaptation. “So many people grew up with it in the ’70s, remember it fondly, and now, as parents, are reading it to their kids. It resonates with people because it makes it okay to admit that sometimes things aren’t going to go your way.” Filmmakers knew Alexander’s day would have to get much worse than the original 32-page picture book. The idea for the film adaptation was to use the story in the book as the first act of the movie. The second two acts of the film had to be a completely original storyline set during a second day that is even worse than Alexander’s first terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Alfred Angelo Unveils its 2015 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Bridal Collection

Alfred Angelo, America’s oldest and foremost bridal company, introduced its 2015 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings bridal collection. The latest line includes dresses inspired by eight of the Disney Princess characters and a bridal gown inspired by Elsa from Disney’s Frozen.

. . . a new dimension of design; the magnificence of color . . .

In 2015, Alfred Angelo is bringing the bridal collection to life with a new dimension of design; the magnificence of color. Each gown will be available in ivory and a signature color inspired by each iconic character.

The 2015 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings bridal collection by Alfred Angelo includes dresses inspired by:

Ariel—An independent spirit, Ariel inspires a gown that offers a splash of the unexpected for the unconventional bride who loves adventure. The flared gown has been crystal-beaded throughout to sparkle like treasures from the deep, while the dramatic skirt has been layered with glitter net to shimmer like sunlight on the waves.

Aurora—Romantic and graceful, Aurora exemplifies elegance and warmth. Classic princess details abound in this feminine, romantic gown that is highlighted with crystal-beaded lace and diaphanous draped tulle accented with the princess’ signature bloom, the rose.

Belle—Belle is as smart as she is beautiful, and represents the independent, sophisticated woman. With its layers of draped gossamer tulle, soft beaded flowers and a fully crystal-beaded bodice that illuminates with the lights of a thousand ballroom candles, this gown is the quintessential fairy-tale princess.

Cinderella—Elegant and kind, Cinderella is gracious, poised, and charming. Glistening like the light off of a delicate glass slipper, the hand-beaded yoke is as timeless and sophisticated as the princess herself. Clean lines and the classic ball gown silhouette exude a bride who is independent and empowered, all while embracing tradition.

Jasmine—Bold, adventurous and daring, Jasmine is a sultry beauty with a bohemian spirit. This modern jumpsuit with a detachable train, sheer back yoke and crystal beading that sparkles like stars in an Arabian night, this gown is for a bride who is daring and self-assured.

Rapunzel—Passionate and courageous, Rapunzel exemplifies a unique artistic vision. Covered in handmade wildflowers, this romantic cage-style gown evokes a sense of optimism and joy in its easy, graceful movement. The flowers have been beaded to sparkle like lanterns in the sky for a touch of offbeat whimsical charm.

Snow White—Full of gentle grace and compassion, Snow White’s inner beauty makes her “the fairest of them all.” The crystal-beaded waistline, handmade rose and cathedral train make this gown the perfect choice for celebrating a day of “happily ever after.”

Tiana—Ambitious, confident, and determined, Tiana is the sophisticated bride who likes a touch of jazzy fun. This strapless gown sparkles with the glitter and excitement of New Orleans and is adorned throughout with delicate embroidery and crystal beading that is reminiscent of the princess’ signature flower, the lily.

This season Alfred Angelo will also debut the highly anticipated gown inspired by Elsa from Disney’s Frozen. Reminiscent of Elsa’s “Snow Queen” dress, the ice-blue softly flared sheath gown has been dramatically beaded to glisten like sunlight on fresh fallen snow. The sweetheart neckline and dramatic Watteau train capture the essence of this bold and elegant character.

The 2015 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings bridal collection by Alfred Angelo will be available in January 2015 at Alfred Angelo stores in the U.S. and specialty retailers worldwide.

Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke Guest Stars in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke guest stars as Goofy’s pirate grandpappy, Captain Goof–Beard, in a special music–filled episode of Disney Junior’s Emmy Award^®‎–nominated animated series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse premiering Friday, October 10 (9 a.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel. The episode, titled “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Pirate Adventure,” features six new original songs performed by Van Dyke’s character alongside Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto.

Peg Leg Pete delivers a note from Goofy’s long–lost Grandpappy, Captain Goof–Beard . . .

In the special, Mickey and pals are enjoying a day at the beach when Peg Leg Pete delivers a note from Goofy’s long–lost Grandpappy, Captain Goof–Beard, asking for the gang’s help in ensuring that Harmony–Chord Island, the musical isle where Goof–Beard lives, doesn’t go completely out of tune and sink.

D23-EXCLUSIVE: Alexander’s Jennifer Garner Talks About Singing with Dick Van Dyke, Filming On The Disney Lot, and More!

Jennifer sat down with D23 to talk about Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which opens in theaters this Friday. We were in good company as Jennifer is a huge Disney fan and has so many stories about working on the Disney Studio lot. She told us about her favorite Disney characters, songs, and what Disney things turn her “very bad day” around. In true Disney-fan fashion, we couldn’t wait to ask her what it was like working with Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke, who makes a cameo in the movie.

D23: Is it safe to assume that working with Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke only added to the feeling that you were making a Disney movie?
A: Totally and completely, because Mary Poppins plays on a continuous loop in my house. He sang “Chim Chim Cher-ee” with me between takes and I was so excited. It was such a thrill to be with him, and he was so gracious and so sweet about asking me about my kids and what we like to watch. He was witty and funny and fast on his feet and, you know, he improvised one of the funniest lines in the scene! He was exactly what I wanted him to be.

Dick Van Dyke reads a book . . . and it makes for one of the funniest bits and best cameos in the movie . . .

In the film, Dick Van Dyke reads a book that Kelly Cooper’s (Jennifer Garner) company is publishing—mistake and all—and it makes for one of the funniest bits and best cameos in the movie. Like Mr. Van Dyke, Jennifer Garner already has quite a few Disney projects under her belt. On the hit ABC TV series Alias, she played a grad student-turned-secret agent Sydney Bristow. And in The Odd Life of Timothy Green, she plays a character that unexpectedly finds herself becoming the mother of an extraordinary child.

So with her previous Disney roles you can say Jennifer Garner has faced more than a little on-screen adversity as an actress. But Jennifer lives through a bad day of truly epic proportions as super mom Kelly Cooper in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the feature film adaptation of Judith Viorst’s classic, award-winning children’s book. The film also stars Steve Carell as her husband, Ben, Dylan Minnette as older son Anthony, Kerris Dorsey as daughter Emily, twins Zoey and Elise Vargas as baby Trevor, and Ed Oxenbould makes his big-screen debut as the title character, Alexander.

D23: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is an undeniable classic—but a short one at only 32 pages. What were you expecting when you learned it was being made into a feature-length film?
A: I was so thrilled by the adaptation, that they took this idea—because it’s an idea—and they used enough specifics from the book to have a connection. But they just blew the idea out of the water and made it contemporary and so relatable. I was thrilled when I read the script.

D23: You and your co-star Steve Carell are both parents in real life. What was it like working with the three teenage actors who play your children?
A: They are so poised and so fantastic. In every way, we were equals on set. They would toss out improvisations, or if we threw something at them they would catch it and throw it right back—they never missed a beat in any way. They’re sharp, they’re mature, but at the same time, they are kids so they’re silly. Ed was always doing magic tricks, Kerris is always singing, and Dylan is really invested in getting his band up and going. And we just genuinely enjoyed our time with them.

D23: Were you aware of Bella Thorne [who plays Anthony’s girlfriend, Celia], from Shake It Up?
A: Of course! Oh my gosh, that was my kids’ happiest day, when I was going to work with Bella.

D23: You spent a lot of time at The Walt Disney Studios filming [the ABC TV series] Alias. It must be like a homecoming when you return to the lot.
A: I get teary when I go back. I was just on the lot the other day for a meeting and the security guards all stop and hug me, and I get out of the car at the gate to give them all hugs to say hello. I know that lot like the back of my hand—it was my second home for so many years. But I don’t know the parts that most people see; I know the boiler rooms and I know the hallways under the buildings and the elevator shafts, and the loading docks and the places where you take the garbage out. But yes, I feel right at home whenever I’m on the Disney lot.

D23: It’s amazing how they continually remade the lot to look like so many different places.
A: We had to. It was such an ambitious show. I think we had eight days to shoot an episode and we spent five on location. But during those three days we had to come up with stuff to shoot right there on the lot.

D23: Do you have a first Disney memory?
A: I remember going to Walt Disney World when I was little. I remember that my little sister met Minnie Mouse, and my parents bought her a Minnie Mouse doll and my mom made her a matching dress. And she carried that mouse around and wore that dress and was so proud of it. I really remember being so happy for her when she had that moment with Minnie.

D23: Now who is your favorite Disney character?
A: I would have to say that I like how grumpy Donald is. I like Goofy. And I like the girliness of Minnie and Daisy. But my absolute favorite Disney character would have to be Robin Williams’ character in Aladdin, the Genie.

D23: Let’s say that your family is having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day of your own. What Disney things might turn that day around?
A: If I’m in the car and one of my kids is having a horrible time, especially the little one, I’ll turn on the Disney Princess radio station on iTunes. So we’ll go right to “Let It Go,” or as he calls it, “Snow Blows White on a Mountain Tonight.” Or I’ll dress them up—we like to dress up. We have Mickey and Minnie and a lot of other Disney costumes.

D23: Do you have a favorite Disney song?
A: “When You Wish Upon a Star.” “Kiss the Girl.” That one from Mulan that goes, “Ha!” And the one from Cinderella [sings], “So this is love… so this is love…”

D23: You’ve starred in The Odd Life of Timothy Green for Disney, and now you’ve made this film. Does being a parent influence your choice of film projects?
A: For sure. It does for Ben [Affleck, her husband], too. The second we had a boy he signed on to do Batman. So yes, you want your kids to feel a connection to what you do because it costs them for us to leave and do a movie. Compared to other jobs, obviously, it’s easy. But it means, from a little kid’s perspective, that your parents are leaving town or they’re missing bedtime for months in a row, or things like that. So it’s great when you feel like the light at the end of the tunnel is something that they can appreciate and see.

D23: This movie feels like such a modern incarnation of the classic Disney films everyone grows up watching with their families. Has that been your experience, too?
A: It’s so fun to sit and watch. I sat and watched it with my kids and they loved it so much and they each related to one of the kids specifically. I didn’t see a lot of films as a kid but when we did, it was such an event and it makes you feel like a family to go out and do something together. And especially this film, which is so much about, you know, “Turn to the people to your left, and turn to the people to your right, and give them a squeeze because you’re in it together.” I love that.

Very Bad Day Makes For a Very Good Night at the Alexander Hollywood Premiere

In Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, 11-year-old Alexander and his family find themselves living through a bad day of truly epic proportions. D23 was on the red carpet for the film’s World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on October 6, where the movie’s entire cast came out for what turned out to be a very good evening, indeed!

photo of actress Jennifer Garner multi-tasks on the red carpet, signing autographs and posing for photographers. — Actress Jennifer Garner, who plays the film’s super mom, Kelly Cooper, multi-tasks on the red carpet, signing autographs and posing for photographers.

photo of actor Ed Oxenbould at media wall pointing to his own image — Actor Ed Oxenbould plays the title character, Alexander—and makes a solid fashion statement with his sneakers-and-tie pairing.

photo of actors Kerris Dorsey and Steve Carell walking the red carpet at the World Premiere — Actors Kerris Dorsey and Steve Carell, who play Emily and Ben Cooper in the film, reunite for father-daughter photo at the World Premiere.

photo of actors Jennifer Coolidge and Dylan Minnette posing on the red carpet — Jennifer Coolidge (L) and Dylan Minnette (R) are happy to meet on solid ground, though their DMV-test sequence provides one of Alexander’s funniest scenes.

photo of three Thunder from Down Under dancers David F. Harris, Alex Biffin and Dylan Yeandle posing on the red carpet — “Thunder from Down Under” dancers David F. Harris, Alex Biffin and Dylan Yeandle shake things up on the red carpet.

group photo of Actors Steve Carell, Dylan Minnette, Ed Oxenbould, Kerris Dorsey and Jennifer Garner posing together on the red carpet — (L-R) Actors Steve Carell, Dylan Minnette, Ed Oxenbould, Kerris Dorsey and Jennifer Garner are one big, happy family as they rally together at the end of the red carpet before the premiere screening begins.

photo of actress Jennifer Garner posing for media on the red carpet of Hollywood Boulevard — The skies over Hollywood—and Jennifer Garner—are aglow as the film’s “magic hour” approaches.

photo of entry sign for Dave & Buster's in Hollywood — Let the games begin at the after party, held at Dave & Buster’s in Hollywood following the screening.

photo of actress Kerris Dorsey with string of tickets — Kerris Dorsey is a triple threat—winning on screen, at the arcade, and in her choice in fashions for the evening.

photo of actors Ed Oxenbould, Sidney Fullmer, and Lincoln Melcher posing amid game arcade — Ed Oxenbould (L) and Lincoln Melcher (R) put aside their on-screen rivalry (And from the looks of it, their videogame rivalry, too!) to take a picture with their co-star, Sidney Fullmer (C), at the after party.

photo of actor Dylan Minnette playing driving game at arcade — Dylan Minnette plays it much safer behind the wheel than his character, Anthony does in the film.

photo of actors Steve Carell and David Koechner posing — Actors David Koechner (right) and Steve Carell (left) are having a very good day at the film’s after party.

night photo of El Capitan Theatre with marquee for movie Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day — Don’t miss seeing Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, opening in theaters this Friday, October 10!

Anna & Elsa’s Boutique Now Open in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort

The newly transformed Anna & Elsa’s Boutique is now open in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort.

Guests, ages 3–15, can show their Disney Side with transformations inspired by favorite Frozen characters. Crystalizers (stylists) will help all visitors look their Arendelle best, from hair and makeup to wardrobe options that will generate plenty of warm hugs.

For more on this story, visit the Disney Parks Blog.

Anna & Elsa’s Boutique Now Open at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District, and More in News Briefs

Anna & Elsa’s Boutique Makes its Downtown Disney Debut in Anaheim
Frozen fans ages 3–15 can now channel their inner Anna or Elsa—or Olaf, for that matter, at the newly opened Anna & Elsa’s Boutique at the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. Stylists, known as “Crystalizers” will help young guests with their transformation, by way of hair, makeup, and wardrobe options. There’s also plenty of Frozen-themed merchandise to take home, as well. Visit the Disney Parks Blog for full descriptions of the packages the boutique has to offer.

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

D23 and Walt Disney Archives
Summer and Fall 2014
D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration
October 11
From the Vaults: Sleeping Beauty
November 8
Walt Disney Studios and Archives Tour
November 11
The Hunchback of Notre Dame VIP Experience
November 22-23
Destination D: Attraction Rewind at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World
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
October 13
Star Wars Rebels premieres on Disney XD at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
October 20
Kirby Buckets debuts on Disney XD at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Parks
September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, and 28; and October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 31
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties at Magic Kingdom Park
September 26, 30; October 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31
Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Resort
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
October 10
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day opens in theaters.
November 7
Big Hero 6 opens in theaters.
December 25, 2014
Into the Woods opens in theaters.
March 13, 2015
Cinderella opens in theaters.
June 19, 2015
Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).

Pixar Debuts Poster and Teaser Trailer for Inside Out
The film, which opens in theaters June 19, 2015, will introduce you to “the little voices inside your head.” And in the meantime, the trailer reacquaints you with some of the most moving moments from the Pixar movies you know and love.

Frozen‘s Jonathan Groff Among Epcot Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators
It’s beginning to look a little bit like Christmas on the Disney Parks Blog, where they’ve announced most of the celebrity narrators for the annual Candlelight Processional at Epcot, the joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. In addition to Jonathan Groff (the voice of Kristoff in Frozen), voices will also include Disney Legend Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid), Scandal‘s Joe Morton, and returning favorites Whoopi Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris. Visit the Disney Parks Blog for all of the details.

Star Wars Rebels Renewed for Second Season
Star Wars Rebels debuts in its regular time slot on Disney XD on Monday, October 13 (9 p.m. ET/PT), but Disney Channel has already announced that the show will return for a second season. The show, already acclaimed by critics and fans, “is set in the era between the film’s prequel trilogy and original trilogy and is in a unique position to bridge the two both aesthetically and generationally. Honoring the past while moving boldly into the future, it features fantastic icons from Star Wars while introducing a new generation to the far corners of the galaxy, one full of exotic new creatures and characters.” Check out StarWars.com for the full story.

Disney Weddings Takes the Cake
Planning a Walt Disney World Resort wedding? Check out the video above, which showcases the latest technology Disney Weddings is using to create a wedding cake that you and your guests will never forget.

New Haunted Mansion-themed Merchandise Shop Now Open at Magic Kingdom
Memento Mori, your one-stop shop for Haunted Mansion-themed merchandise is now officially open at Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park. Do know before you go that there’s a six-item limit on merchandise any guest can purchase in a single day, and Magic Kingdom guests can buy the new Haunted Mansion open edition pins at both Memento Mori and at Cherry Tree Lane at the Marketplace Co-Op in Downtown Disney Marketplace. California guests and Disney fans will be able to find the Dooney & Bourke bags at Vault 28 in Downtown Disney District (where a two-item daily purchase limit per guest will apply).

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Offers Frozen Holiday Premium Package
Want to make your holiday visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios even “cooler”? From November 7–19, November 21–December 9, and December 11–January 4, 2015, guests can purchase the new Frozen Holiday Premium Package. Included in the purchase ($89 per adult and $59 per child ages 3–9) is reserved seating for a performance of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at the Premiere Theatre, reserved viewing of Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights along with a Frozen-themed dessert party, and a holiday-themed lithograph and Frozen pin. For more details or to order tickets, please call (407) 939-1854.

See the Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House Installation
Every year, Disneyland Park guests look forward to a new design for the gingerbread house that’s part of the annual holiday transformation for Haunted Mansion. Check out the Disney Parks Blog’s time-lapse video that takes you behind the scenes of the installation process.

Castaway Cay Challenge Finisher Medal Revealed
January 2015 marks the debut of the Castaway Cay Challenge, which will follow the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Hundreds of runners will embark on a four-night cruise on the Disney Dream and will run the Castaway Cay 5K to earn the inaugural finisher medal pictured above. Visit runDisney for details about the all of the races taking place in January.

Sleeping Beauty Diamond Edition Now Available on Blu-ray, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere

Finally releasing from the Disney Vault, Disney’s ultimate princess fairytale classic Sleeping Beauty is available for the first time on Diamond Edition Blu-ray, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere. Experience all of the pageantry and power of this wondrous tale on Blu-ray—and for the first time on Digital HD—with incredible high-definition picture, thrilling, soaring sound and all-new Diamond Edition special features that make this a must-own for every family’s classic collection.

. . . digitally restored picture and sound, a digital copy of the film, and a variety of magical new bonus features . . .

Creating the ultimate at-home viewing experience, Disney’s two-disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray Superset (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) contains digitally restored picture and sound, a digital copy of the film, and a variety of magical new bonus features, including “Once Upon A Parade,” in which Modern Family star Sarah Hyland tells us the tale of Walt Disney World’s new Festival of Fantasy Parade, “Art of Evil: Generations Of Disney Villains,” a legacy piece spotlighting Disney’s favorite villain animator and Maleficent creator Marc Davis, and “@DisneyAnimation: Artists in Motion,” in which Walt Disney Animation Visual Development artist Brittney Lee goes through the process of creating a three-dimensional sculpture of Maleficent, completely out of paper.

Additional all-new bonus features include never-before-seen deleted scenes “The Fair” (with deleted character, The Vulture), “The Curse is Fulfilled” and “Arrival Of Maleficent,” plus the Beauty-Oke sing-along to “Once Upon A Dream.”

. . . vibrant visuals were created by a team that included Milt Kahl and Ollie Johnston, two of Disney’s legendary Nine Old Men . . .

Sleeping Beauty tells the wondrous tale of a princess cursed by an evil fairy, protected by three loving fairies and, ultimately, saved by true love’s kiss. Featuring the voice talents of renowned opera singer Mary Costa as Sleeping Beauty and Disney stalwart Eleanor Audley as the evil fairy, Maleficent, the film’s vibrant visuals were created by a team that included Milt Kahl and Ollie Johnston, two of Disney’s legendary Nine Old Men and an Academy Award®-nominated score, 1959, adapted from the incandescent music of Peter Tchaikovsky. Sleeping Beauty is the 16th animated feature in the Disney animated features canon, and was the last animated feature produced by Walt Disney to be based upon a fairy tale. It is the 10th film released as part of Disney’s prestigious Blu-ray Diamond Collection.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Soundtrack Now Available

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day hits theaters October 10 with a soundtrack that includes an original end-credit song from The Vamps, plus original songs from two of the film’s stars and score by Christophe Beck (Frozen). The six-song EP by Walt Disney Records on is now available in the U.S.

British pop rock band The Vamps was called on to write and perform the end-credit song “Hurricane.” The group filmed a music video for the song that features a cameo by Bella Thorne, who stars as big brother Anthony’s uptight girlfriend Celia in the film.

He added a genuine life beat to the whole film

According to the director, Christophe Beck’s score sets the pace for the film. “Chris Beck loved the honesty in the film with regard to what it’s like to raise a family and how hectic that can get at times,” Miguel Arteta says. “He added a genuine life beat to the whole film. When the troubles for the family start, you can almost hear Chris’ score going ‘Oh no!’ It feels like honest mayhem in an incredibly fun way.”

Dylan Minnette, who plays Anthony in the film, teamed up with Braeden Lemasters to write the song “Surf Surf Don’t Drown,” which is performed by Minnette’s band The Narwhals and appears in the film as the family rushes to get sister Emily to her play.

Best Worst Day Ever

Kerris Dorsey, who portrays big sister Emily in Alexander, wrote and performed the song “Best Worst Day Ever” along with her sister Justine Dorsey. The song can be heard during the credits.

The EP track list follows:

“Hurricane,” written and performed by The Vamps
“Best Worst Day Ever,” written and performed by Kerris Dorsey and Justine Dorsey
“We Are The Ones (Own The World),” performed by Charles William
“Surf Surf Don’t Drown,” performed by The Narwhals
“Perfect World” performed by IDK & The Whatevs
Suite from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Christophe Beck

New, Yet Familiar Faces Animate Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park

Senior Art Director Brian Sandahl gives a sneak peek at the spruced-up singing pumpkins and “little” Sally’s makeover for Haunted Mansion Holiday‘s 14th season of frightful fun.

For the complete story, visit the Disney Parks Blog.