Back to School: D23 Salutes Disney’s Animated and Live-Action Teachers

August 21, 2014March 27, 2018

It’s that time of year when students go back to school and meet up with that special person who will enlighten them… or is his or her worst nightmare! Disney teachers, like any other, come in all shapes, sizes, and even temperaments. From as far back as the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon short titled Oh Teacher to the most recent example of Cory Matthews as the father/teacher on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World, Disney has filled its stories with pixie-dusted professors and demonic disciplinarians.

Let’s take a look at some of our favorites!

Goofy as a teacher in Teachers Are People

Wise Old Owl from So Dear to My Heart

Mr. Rzykruski from Frankenweenie

Dean Hardscrabble from Monsters University

Professor Owl from Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom

Professor Derek Knight from Monsters University

Teachers from Meet the Robinsons

Mr. Bernie Kropp from The Incredibles

Mr. Ray from Finding Nemo

Ichabod Crane from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Mr. Woolensworth from Chicken Little

Merlin as a mentor to the Wart in The Sword in the Stone

Professor Ludwig Von Drake from An Adventure in Color/Mathmagic Land

Professor Phillip Brainard from Flubber

Emelius Browne from Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Professor Ned Brainard from The Absent-Minded Professor

Disney’s heavy class load doesn’t end there.

There’s also Jiminy Cricket in the I’m No Fool series, Friend Owl from Bambi, Alice’s sister from Alice in Wonderland, Professor from Lady and the Tramp, Charles Bryan from Summer Magic, Professor Wonderful from the Mickey Mouse Club, Alice from The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, Albert Dooley from Million Dollar Duck, Professor Quigley from The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Professor Shattuck from The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, John Keating from Dead Poets Society, Miss Bliss from Good Morning, Miss Bliss (the forerunner to Saved by the Bell), Glenn Holland from Mr. Holland’s Opus, Anna Montgomery from The Big Green, Jim Morris from The Rookie, Papale from Invincible, Professor Harold Hill from Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, Mary Helperman from Teacher’s Pet, Mr. Parentheses is a character from Hercules: The Animated Series, Ms. Nesbit from Monsters, Inc., Ms. Muriel P. Finster from Recess, George Feeny from Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World, Sir Gillium from Sofia the First, Mary from The Muppets, Emily Kristal from Doug, Principal Powers from Sky High, Mr. Pulman from Dinosaurs, Miss Hatchet from Kim Possible, Mr. Zimbaldi from A.N.T. Farm, Miss Taylor from Pete’s Dragon, Principal Mazur from A Goofy Movie, Mr. Flaco Moleguaco from The Emperor’s New School, Ms. Darbus and Coach Bolton from High School Musical, and Ms. Birch from American Dragon: Jake Long. Whew!

Also, the sea colony teacher in Horizons at Epcot, who appears with her students and a seal, and the teachers in Spaceship Earth (the mathematics/Greek teacher and later, in the Renaissance sequence), are some Audio-Animatronics® teachers.

Did we miss any?

WDI Reveals the Story Behind Disney Springs, A First Look at Paul Rudd in Marvel’s Ant-Man, and Much More in News Briefs for August 19, 2014

WDI Reveals the Story Behind Disney Springs

How does Walt Disney Imagineering re-imagine an area of Walt Disney World that guests have enjoyed for more than 40 years? That’s the creative challenge our Imagineering team, including Executive Creative Director Theron Skees, has been tasked with—to transform the area currently known as Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, a destination that’s being expanded to include more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment experiences.

The first “neighborhood” in Disney Springs—the opening of The Landing—is set for 2015. Construction on Disney Springs will continue into 2016.

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
August 24
Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Celebration
September 13
From the Vaults: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
September 27
D23 Member Night at Aladdin on Broadway
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
September 2
The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic premieres at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Parks
August 23
Villains Unleashed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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
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)

Elsa & Anna’s Boutique Announced for Disneyland Resort

Studio Disney 365 at Downtown Disney, Disneyland Resort, will undergo a transformation starting August 25, and will re-open in mid-September as Elsa & Anna’s Boutique with new transformations, inspired by beloved characters like Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. Here’s a look at the art for the logo that will grace this “cool” new location.

Get a First Look at Paul Rudd in Marvel’s Ant-Man

Principal photography has begun on Marvel’s Ant-Man, which brings one of Marvel Comics’ original founding members of The Avengers into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Marvel has released a first photo of the movie’s star, Paul Rudd, as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man. Michael Douglas co-stars as Lang’s mentor, Dr. Hank Pym. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man 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. The cast also includes Evangeline Lilly as Pym’s daughter, Hope Van Dyne, and Peyton Reed is directing the film, which is set for release on July 17, 2015.

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion Premieres Friday, October 3

The highly anticipated new series, Star Wars Rebels, will make its debut Friday, October 3 (9 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channels around the world with an animated one-hour movie, Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion. Episodes of the series will debut Monday nights beginning Monday, October 13 (9 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney XD. The movie will be available on Disney Channel SVOD and to verified users beginning Monday, September 29, on WATCHDisneyXD.com and the Watch Disney XD app. The talented voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus, and Jason Isaacs as the Inquisitor.

Go Behind the Scenes of Frozen on ABC This September

Walt Disney Animation Studios and ABC are giving viewers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the making of Frozen. The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic offers a look at the origins and evolution of the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster, and tells the real story of making a modern movie based on a timeless tale that nearly overnight became a cultural touchstone for legions of fans. The special will also offer an exclusive sneak peek at Big Hero 6, which hits theaters this November. The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic premieres Tuesday, September 2 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Anna and Elsa Together in Storybrooke

This week ABC released photos showing the eagerly awaited new arrivals to Storybrooke, Anna (Elizabeth Lail) and Elsa (Georgina Haig)—and Anna is holding something that looks remarkably like a wedding gown. Season Four of Once Upon a Time premieres September 28 at 8 p.m. ET.

Big Hero 6 Spotlighted in Latest Version of Disney Animated

Disney Animated, the 2013 Apple iPad App of the year, has been updated to give viewers an inside look at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming release, Big Hero 6. Delve into the art and inspiration behind Hiro and Baymax in futuristic San Fransokyo, and view concept art, character sketches, posters, and more. This update also offers exclusive art and behind-the-scenes details from Feast, the new short from Walt Disney Animation Studios that will debut in theaters with Big Hero 6 this fall. Throughout Disney Animated, explore pages packed with interactive images and multi-layer animated clips. Animate authentic 3D character models, control a Disney visual effects simulation, browse a rich timeline of all 53 Disney animated feature films—and more. Dozens of top animators, artists, technicians, and designers contributed to making Disney Animated an unprecedented hands-on experience.

Meet Star Wars Rebels‘ Sabine in “Art Attack”

In “Art Attack,” the latest Star Wars Rebels short to be released, Sabine sneaks into an Imperial compound, looking to create a diversion for her friends aboard the Ghost. Spotted by stormtroopers, she proves too quick to be captured—and leaves behind an explosive surprise. Star Wars Rebels premieres on Disney Channel this October.

New Merchandise Coming to Disney Parks, Disney Store, and Retailers Near You

Vinylmation Villain 5 is now available at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com. Each blind-boxed package contains one of eight different designs in the series, which includes The Incredibles‘ Syndrome, Brave‘s Mordu, a bug’s life‘s Thumper, Up‘s Charles Muntz, Finding Nemo‘s Darla, Monsters, Inc.‘s Waternoose, and Monsters University‘s Dean Hardscrabble—plus a Mystery Figure.
PANDORA Jewelry and Disney have announced a new collection of hand-finished sterling silver and 14K gold charms that will feature inspirations from some of Disney’s most beloved characters. The collection will include 25 different styles, with an additional 16 styles found only at Disney Parks.
DisneyStore.com has launched a dedicated shop page for “Bouncing Bouquet” by Vera Bradley, a collection created especially for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. The collection includes a wristlet, backpack, zip ID case, and hipster bags featuring Vera Bradley’s signature cotton quilted exterior in a colorful print of vivid florals with a subtle Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse design.
Disney Consumer Products and Le Sportsac have launched a “frightfully fashionable” 14-piece collection of totes, satchels, cosmetic bags, and backpacks inspired by DisneyŸPixar’s Monsters, Inc. and featuring artwork from the film’s production designer, Harley Jessup. The line is available at Le Sportsac stores and LeSportsac.com.

Re-Live Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Drop with MyMagic+

Walt Disney World Resort guests with a Magic Band and an active Memory Maker entitlement will now be able to receive a video memento of their 13-story drop. The feature utilizes new technology provided by Disney PhotoPass Service, including the ability to view and share the video with friends.

WATCH Disney Channel Launches Disney Replay

Disney Replay is bringing back 10 episodes from some of your favorite long-lost Disney Channel shows: Even Stevens, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Kim Possible, That’s So Raven, and Cory in the House. Fifty episodes are available now through September 30 at WATCHDisneyChannel.com or via the WATCH Disney Channel app.

Meet Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Newest Resident

Say “karibuni,” or “welcome,” to Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s newest resident, a baby gorilla born to mother Azizi and father Gino. The newborn male gorilla was born August 7 and is being watched closely by members of the primate team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He’s the fourth gorilla born as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which manages genetic diversity among species through detailed records of individual animals. Park guests who travel down the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail just might catch a glimpse of Azizi and her new arrival.

Your Favorite Disney Channel Characters Make a Comeback

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

Well, dig up your old puka shell necklace and bust out your laptop, tablet, or mobile device and download WATCH Disney Channel. The service is launching Disney Replay, which will bring back 10 episodes from the first seasons of some of your favorite, long-lost Disney Channel shows: Even Stevens, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Kim Possible, That’s So Raven, and Cory in the House.

Here are the five characters we can’t wait to see again:

Louis Stevens (Even Stevens)

With his messy hair and hilarious hijinks, Louis Stevens was the character we secretly wanted to be best friends with in Even Stevens.

Dr. Jumba (Lilo & Stitch: The Series)

This former evil scientist eventually made his way into our hearts—especially because he was the mastermind behind Experiment 626, aka Stitch. Doesn’t he look really, really huggable?

Rufus (Kim Possible)

This pink, adorable, naked mole rat was the best (and cutest!) Disney Channel sidekick ever!

Raven (That’s So Raven)

The multi-talented Raven could sing, design… and see the future. Doesn’t she sound like the perfect teenager?

Cory (Cory in the House)

Cory’s address was pretty spectacular—1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. Who wouldn’t want to pay him a visit and taste his dad’s scrumptious food?

To join this throwback extravaganza, visit WATCHDisneyChannel.com. All 50 episodes are available now through September 30.

Production Artwork From “The Mightiest Motion Picture of Them All”

Sixty years ago, “The Mightiest Motion Picture of Them All,” Walt Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, first whisked away moviegoers, diving to new depths of imagination and artistry. Having corralled an industry “who’s who” of technicians and artisans, Walt knew that something as large as the vision he had for Verne’s epic needed an equal sense of ambition. Culled from the Walt Disney Archives collection, the production artwork featured here is meant to begin to showcase just how “epic” the scale of this now-iconic film was, from its very conception, more of which will be celebrated on tour across the U.S. in this year’s D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration road show, presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection.

The photo illustration featured here blends a black-and-white reference photograph of one of the massive "Vulcania" matte paintings created for the film by Peter Ellenshaw with a modern-day color image of the painting  as it currently appears in the Walt Disney Archives. — The photo illustration featured here blends a black-and-white reference photograph of one of the massive “Vulcania” matte paintings created for the film by Peter Ellenshaw with a modern-day color image of the painting  as it currently appears in the Walt Disney Archives.

Here is another of the large matte paintings featuring Nemo's caldera-concealed hideout on Vulcania. Both paintings (like the film itself) represent a towering accomplishment in special effects photography, and help to showcase the immense talent that matte painter Ellenshaw was. — Here is another of the large matte paintings featuring Nemo’s caldera-concealed hideout on Vulcania. Both paintings (like the film itself) represent a towering accomplishment in special effects photography, and help to showcase the immense talent that matte painter Ellenshaw was.

Working with Art Director John Meehan, artists  like Harper Goff and Set Decorator Emile Kuri crafted the  interiors of the luxurious Nautilus from scratch. The concepts featured here provide a pre-visualization for the interior look of the sub's salon, with its exposed industrial inner hull and Victorian furnishings brilliantly juxtaposing each other. — Working with Art Director John Meehan, artists  like Harper Goff and Set Decorator Emile Kuri crafted the  interiors of the luxurious Nautilus from scratch. The concepts featured here provide a pre-visualization for the interior look of the sub’s salon, with its exposed industrial inner hull and Victorian furnishings brilliantly juxtaposing each other.

The concepts shown here highlight how the Nautilus itself plays an integral character in the film. At once ominous and beautifully powerful, we see how the vessel was imagined to coexist and blend in with the alien oceanic world around it, drawing inspiration from the very undersea wilderness from which it seeks to protect its crew.

20000-leagues-under-the-sea-concept-art-feat-10 — Undoubtedly, the most dramatic and exciting scene from the film is the climactic sequence where Nemo and crew ward off the vicious and invasive tentacles of a giant squid, which has set its sights on the Nautilus. During the production, many concepts were created to try and capture the sense of chaos and danger that the filmmakers wanted to convey to the audience with this integral scene’s ambitious special effects. The stunning result is, still to this day, nothing short of Hollywood magic.

Michael Giacchino Puts His Spin on the New Ratatouille-Inspired Attraction at Disneyland Paris

Academy Award^®-winning composer Michael Giacchino is Pixar’s go-to guy when it comes to scoring its animated films.

The noted American composer got his big-screen break when director Brad Bird asked him to score Pixar’s The Incredibles in 2004. Since then, Giacchino has brought his unique musical stylings to several other Disney/Pixar films, including Ratatouille, Cars 2, and Up for which he won the Oscar^® for Best Original Score in 2009—the first-ever for a Pixar film.

So when the folks at Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar decided to create a one-of-a-kind Ratatouille-inspired dark ride at Disneyland Paris, it’s no surprise that they invited Giacchino back for a second helping.

“The music is in touch with the story every step of the way,” Giacchino says about the soundtrack to Disneyland Paris’ latest addition, L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy, which loosely translates to “Remy’s Totally Zany Adventure.” “And that’s what’s really fun about the ride. It really is a lot like the film as far as the story goes. You start off really beautiful—here’s what I’m dreaming, here’s what I want—and then you get dumped into an environment that could give you what you want, but you’re going to have to fight for it.”

Now those lucky enough to enter the world of Remy, can feast not only their eyes, but also their ears, on this culinary adventure, knowing that the crème de la crème gave the brand-new attraction its signature sound. Bon Appétit!

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic to Air This Fall

If the air feels crisp this September, it’s not just the cool fall breeze. Walt Disney Animation Studios and ABC are giving viewers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the making of Frozen. The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic premieres Tuesday, September 2 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The special will also offer a glimpse toward the next chapter for Anna, Elsa, and friends, as well as an exclusive sneak peek at Big Hero 6 which hits theaters this November.

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic offers a look at the origins and evolution of the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster—now the biggest animated feature of all time.

The special tells the real story of making a modern movie based on a timeless tale that nearly overnight became a cultural touchstone for legions of fans.

Viewers will get a rare look inside Walt Disney Animation Studios and unprecedented access to the creative team that brought Frozen to life. Throughout the one-hour special, the audience will hear from Frozen stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, the directors, songwriters, producer, and artists, as well as Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter—the team who dreamed of making a cherished Hans Christian Andersen story into a spectacular big-screen animated musical.

Viewers will journey to the breathtaking Norwegian villages and landscapes that inspired the look of Arendelle, Frozen‘s fictional kingdom, and see images and footage from the research trips to Norway, Quebec, and points beyond that helped create the film’s unforgettable look and feel.

This special will also include some exciting announcements about the next chapter of Frozen and a never-before-seen preview of the Frozen characters, who are set to appear on the ABC hit series Once Upon a Time when the show returns Sunday, September 28. Members of D23 will get a special peek at what’s to come on Once Upon a Time in the Fall 2014 issue of Disney twenty-three.

The program will culminate with an exclusive sneak peek at the action-packed comedy-adventure Big Hero 6, currently in production at Walt Disney Animation Studios—under wraps until now—as the team prepares for their next big-screen epic. Sounds like September 2 will be the perfect night to “chill out” at home.

D23 Expo Tickets On Sale This Thursday, Disney Infinity 2.0 News, Parks Updates, and Much More in News Briefs for August 12, 2014

D23 Expo 2015 Tickets On Sale Thursday, August 14

On Thursday, August 14, at 10 a.m. PT, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will begin selling tickets for the next D23 Expo, which will take place August 14–16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The largest Disney fan event in the world, the D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Disney entertainment, uniting all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including The Walt Disney Studios (including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm); Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Consumer Products; Media Networks (including ABC, Disney Channel, and Radio Disney) and Disney Interactive. D23 Expo 2015 marks the fourth bi-annual event held in Anaheim. Visit D23.com for more information and ticketing information.

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
August 24
Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Celebration
September 13
From the Vaults: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
September 27
D23 Member Night at Aladdin on Broadway
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
August 15
How to Build a Better Boy premieres on Disney Channel (8 p.m. ET/PT)

Bring On the Princess! Bring On the Street Rat! Bring On… The Duck!

The “whole new world” of Disney Infinity 2.0 continues to grow with the announcement that Donald Duck, armed with his trusty mallet, will be bringing some “duck-feathered fun” to the Toy Box this fall. Disney Interactive also announced this week that Aladdin, his scimitar sword, and magic lamp will help you stay one jump ahead of your enemies when the character joins Disney Infinity 2.0 in the fall, while Jasmine will be able to summon desert winds upon her release in early 2015. You’ll also be able to soar around the Toy Box with Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Power Disc, or use the Rags to Riches Power Disc to transform Aladdin into Prince Ali. Each character is sold separately and has unique abilities only playable in the 2.0 edition of Disney Infinity.

Frozen Summer Fun Continues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is keeping the summer cool by extending Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! through September 28, four weeks longer than originally scheduled. Most entertainment and features will continue daily, though the Frozen Fireworks Spectacular will switch to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 5–28.

Dress Like A Villain

Just in time for “Villains Unleashed” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Neff’s Disney Villains Collection lets you wear your villainous heart on your sleeve—or on your head—with a new collection of items that include sweatshirts, T-shirts, watches, and caps. The collection of street-inspired apparel captures the spirit of Never Land and Captain Hook and is available at Tilly’s and tillys.com.

Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Medals Revealed

More than 12,000 runners will take on the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon this November 14–16 at Disneyland Resort, and runDisney has unveiled the finisher medals for the half marathon, as well as the Avengers Super Heroes 5K and the runDisney Kids Races. The Inaugural Mission finisher medal for the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon features a spinning inner medallion with a signature “A” for “Avengers” on one side, and symbols that invoke the spirit of Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk on the other side. The races are sold out, but a limited number of spots may still be obtained through runDisney charities and travel providers. Visit runDisney.com for the most up-to-date information and details.

Get Ready to Meet Baymax at Disney Parks

Big Hero 6 hits theaters November 7, but you’ll be able to meet the film’s hero, robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, and his closet companion, a robot named Baymax, at both the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney Resort this fall. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

ABC Family’s “Fun Day” to Spotlight Fan-Favorite Movies

ABC Family is about to introduce “Fun Day,” a monthly programming event that allows viewers to kick back, grab some snacks, and spend the weekend enjoying fan-favorite films. Mulan, Tangled, The Little Mermaid, and Pocahontas will all air Saturday, August 16, beginning at 6 p.m. ET/PT (and repeat Sunday, August 17, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT). Fans can also visit fundayapp.com to decorate their social media profile photos with beach-themed images, and use the app to upload photos and videos—which they just might see on-air.

Sizing Up Into the Woods’ Live Action Actors With Their Animated Disney Cousins

Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. The cast is a who’s who of Hollywood and will bring together a musical mash-up of fairy-tale characters. Walt Disney Studios recently released productions stills from the film with modern actors portraying characters from some of our favorite from classic tales and we couldn’t wait to see how they compared to their animated cousins!

MacKenzie Mauzy (Brother's Keeper, Broadway's Next to Normal) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time. — MacKenzie Mauzy (Brother’s Keeper, Broadway’s Next to Normal) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time.

Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean films, The Lone Ranger, Sweeney Todd) steps in as the Wolf, who sets his sights on Little Red Riding Hood.

Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air) fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery.

Chris Pine (Star Trek Into Darkness, Jack Ryan) portrays Cinderella's Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride. — Chris Pine (Star Trek Into Darkness, Jack Ryan) portrays Cinderella’s Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride.

James Corden (Broadway's One Man, Two Guvnors, The Three Musketeers, Gavin & Stacey) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family. — James Corden (Broadway’s One Man, Two Guvnors, The Three Musketeers, Gavin & Stacey) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family.

Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!, Chicago, The Good Wife) takes on the role of the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she'll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince. Tammy Blanchard (Blue Jasmine, The Good Shepherd) and Lucy Punch (Bad Teacher, Dinner for Schmucks) fill in as Cinderella's spoiled stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda. — Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!, Chicago, The Good Wife) takes on the role of the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she’ll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince. Tammy Blanchard (Blue Jasmine, The Good Shepherd) and Lucy Punch (Bad Teacher, Dinner for Schmucks) fill in as Cinderella’s spoiled stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda.

Daniel Huttlestone (Les Misérables) lands the role of Jack, an absentminded and adventurous boy who trades his treasured cow for five magic beans.

Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady, The Devil Wears Prada, August: Osage County) portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.

This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

Into the Woods is slated for a December 25, 2014 holiday release.

New Collection of Ghoulishly Grand Goods Celebrates the Haunted Mansion

Serpents and spiders… tail of a rat. Call in the spirits, wherever they’re at!

This fall, Disney Parks is hosting an estate sale that you’ll be, shall we say, positively dying to attend when a new line of exclusive items celebrating the beloved Haunted Mansion arrives at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Disney Design Group creative manager Cody Reynolds spoke with D23 about the collection and some of the concept art behind the new merchandise—which pays homage to familiar characters and also shines a light on some smaller details that even the attraction’s most devoted fans might have missed.

“We really wanted to dive into the lore of the mansion,” Cody explains, acknowledging the unofficial legend of Master Gracey—to some, a name on a grave in the Haunted Mansion cemetery, but widely believed by others to be the master of the mansion. “We approached it as if Master Gracey was having an estate sale, so all of the merchandise is almost as if it could be at a giant estate sale the Haunted Mansion would be having.” Of course, the exteriors of the attraction differ from park to park, so Cody and the other artists opted to focus on the inside of the mansion and its eerie inhabitants.

The artists worked within a group of themes, or “art buckets,” that they used to categorize their designs. Much of the character-focused artwork falls into the “Happy Haunts” bucket.

“We really wanted to draw inspiration from what illustrations looked like at the time period of the Haunted Mansion. They were like that letterpress, pen-and-ink-ish shaky line, not a lot of color—as if there were a ghost illustrator in the Haunted Mansion,” Cody suggests. “How would he see the characters around him?” The artists were influenced by the art styling of Tim Burton and Edward Gorey—who in turn influenced Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—and, of course, by Marc Davis’ original illustrations for the Haunted Mansion for Walt Disney Imagineering.

The “Forever Haunted” bucket incorporates designs and elements that really speak to the overall Haunted Mansion experience. “The image with all the characters—you see the Hatbox Ghost and Leota, the Hitchhiking Ghosts—it really tells the full story of the mansion, kind of in a different way than we’ve ever done before,” Cody emphasizes.

Cody’s favorite design can be found in this grouping. “The one with the skeleton—that’s actually my favorite design. One of the artists here did that and I love that it tricks the eye. When you look at it from a distance it’s a skull, although when you really look at it you see the Hatbox Ghost and how the gates form the eyes, and how the teeth are formed by the gravestones at the bottom.”

The mansion itself—and its purported property owner—are the focus of “From the Estate of Master Gracey,” which includes a Gracey family crest and a three-story floor plan. “This isn’t a literal blueprint of the attraction at all,” Cody clarifies, but is intended to represent preliminary plans Master Gracey may have had when he was building the mansion.

“You’ll see rooms that you see when you enter, like the portrait gallery and the ballroom. But then there are rooms that you don’t see, like the servants’ quarters and the game room. The top floor is the attic and you’ll see there are rooms there like the bridal boudoir and the sewing room, where the Hatbox Ghost would have made the hats.” Cody also reveals, “In the original design, the artists didn’t include a bathroom [in Master Gracey’s bed chamber]. And I said, ‘Well, Master Gracey would have his own bathroom.’ So we put the little details in there. It was a lot of fun.”

“Afterlife Advertisements” include a poster of Madame Leota, which could have been on the side of her gypsy cart, as well as other images that resemble advertisements during the time period of the Haunted Mansion.

A wide range of images and designs can be found in the “Fortunes and Fashions” art bucket, such as patterns inspired by tarot cards and items you might find in Madame Leota’s séance room. The designers also took traditional fabric designs like damask and toile and brought them to “afterlife” in a nontraditional, Haunted interpretation.

In a lace pattern, Cody points out, “The faces that appear there are faces above the doors in the Endless Hallway, on the grates. The other face is in the Stretch Room—it’s the grating that’s around the air vents—and the bat in the circle comes from the front gates of the Haunted Mansion.”

The stripe pattern features snakes that seem to slither upward. “Those are the doorknobs that are on the doors in the Endless Hallway,” Cody reveals, citing this as an example of the details most park visitors miss on their first Haunted Mansion visit, but which add to the attraction’s rich story. The stripe also references the frames around the mirrors found near the end of the attraction—the mirrors that alert visitors to the danger of Hitchhiking Ghosts.

All of the new items will be marked with the “Haunted Mansion Authentic” logo, and many will also sport a tarot card hangtag. The hangtag resembles a tarot card that’s been themed to the mansion and Madame Leota on one side, and will feature a story about the collection on the reverse. The collection will feature some of the expected, like T-shirts, but all are realized in an unexpected way. Cody expects the T-shirts that have been designed to resemble to the attraction hosts’ butler and maid costumes to be top sellers. But the collection is filled with surprises, like a pair of smoking slippers, fedora hats, and Cody’s favorite item: a wedding cake topper that features the iconic bride ghost and her headless groom.

The designers’ goal was to raise the bar, in terms of detail in the storytelling and the quality.

As a Haunted Mansion fan himself, Cody admits, “My favorite thing about the attraction is that there’s a warmth to the Haunted Mansion that I don’t think you’d expect. It is spooky and scary, but at the same time I think it has a lot of heart to it and a lot of great storytelling.”

Walt Disney Archives Introduces a New Exhibit on the Walt Disney Studios Lot

August 7, 2014October 5, 2016

Since 1970, the Walt Disney Archives has built up an astonishing collection of all things Disney.

Recently, after a small renovation of its Frank G. Wells Building facilities, the Archives staff had the chance to refresh its exhibit spaces to showcase more of its diverse collection, including items that have been tucked away for awhile.

Upon entering the Archives Reading Room, the first thing you’ll notice is a detailed recreation of an animator’s office from 1940—the year The Walt Disney Studios debuted its new Kem Weber-designed facility. Complete with original furniture, the display brings the best of the then-new studio to life. Objects in the Archives’ merchandise display were also refreshed.

While a few key items, like the first version of the Mickey Mouse watch, remain from the pre-renovation display, there is now an assortment of popular Mickey Mouse Club and early Disneyland merchandise prominently showcased, as well. Keep your eyes peeled; you may recognize something from your own collection! Also added to the Reading Room displays are items that Walt featured in his formal and working offices through the years. These include a Praxinoscope (an early animation device from 1879 that Walt favored so much he used it on the Disneyland television series), and the Disney family crest that the master showman had on display in his working office. The original watercolor painting of Walt used for the December 27, 1954 cover of Time magazine, painted by one of the publication’s most prolific artists, Boris Chaliapin, is also on display.

Inside the Archives isn’t the only place where some recent changes have occurred. New displays in the Frank G. Wells Building lobby include an exhibit dedicated to “Disney’s Sporting Life,” featuring props, costumes and set decorations from some of Disney’s most memorable sports-related productions.

This unique display includes Dean Jones’ racing costume from The Love Bug (1969), a polo shirt worn by Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans (2000) and a costume worn by Suraj Sharma in Million Dollar Arm (2014).

Another exhibit, “Disney Music Makers,” features musically related props and instruments from several Disney properties that will surely pull at the heartstrings of fans of all ages. Jimmie Dodd’s Mickey Mouse

Club “Mousegetar” can be found alongside musical objects from Captain EO, Haunted Mansion and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, to name just a few.

Also on display in the lobby is an exhibit celebrating Donald Duck’s 80^th anniversary. Consisting of vintage character merchandise, production artwork, and ephemera, this display showcases everyone’s favorite irascible fowl.

D23 Members will have the rare opportunity to see this new exhibit and enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour tour of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives, hosted by D23 and the Archives staff on November 8. For this particular tour that will celebrate the holidays, you will also see a piece of Disney history from The Santa Clause.

The Archives staff invites you to visit these exciting new displays and hopes to see you real soon!

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