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Let your imagination run wild with this D23 Exclusive Keepsake. Featuring the personification of imagination itself, this pin is all about the one, the only... FIGMENT! He’s the dragon that keeps on delighting by making mischief and turning worlds upside-down—literally. Pro tip: This pin pairs best with ensembles that are head-to-toe, royal purple pigment!
This pin is inspired by the iconic attraction Journey Into Imagination With Figment at EPCOT, which follows that cheery purveyor of inspiration, Dreamfinder, and his mischievous companion Figment. Since its opening in 1983, Journey Into Imagination has seen a few changes, but it continues to remain a staple of the EPCOT experience. Figment himself has become an iconic representative of fans around the world, encouraging all to set their imaginations free...
D23-Exclusive Ultimate Figment Fan Pin—Limited Edition It’s not just your imagination; this pin is chock full of Figment fun! This D23 Gold Member exclusive pin is an imaginative way to celebrate your ultimate Figment fanhood; it features everyone’s favorite inhabitant of the Imagination Pavilion, Figment—complete with “two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer, but still a lovable fellow”! The perfect accessory for any finders of dreams or employees of the Imagination Institute.
Our D23-Exclusive Ultimate Figment Fan Pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,500, is available to D23 Gold Members beginning at 8 a.m. PST on shopDisney, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
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Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $17.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.
Fathoms below, hundreds of mermaids and mermen roam underneath the ocean’s surface—and now you can see the story of one who ventured above! Disney’s live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid is now playing in theaters, shining the spotlight on free-spirited Ariel once more. To celebrate, we’ve curated an unsinkable test to find out which Disney mermaid you’re most like. Tell us about your life under the sea, and we’ll tell you who you have the most in common with! (No sea witches were consulted in the making of this quiz.)
First up, where are you swimming home?
Who do spend most of your time with?
What are you doing this afternoon?
If a sea witch offers you a deal, what do you do?
She took your voice anyway, and now you have human legs! Which shore do you wander onto?
Don’t panic, but you might have to battle that sea witch. How well do you think that will go?
Finally, which song from The Little Mermaid (2023) do you relate to the most?
Go Under the Sea to Find Out Which Disney Mermaid You Are
You’re most like… Ariel
You’re the Little Mermaid herself! Like Ariel, you have an unquenchable curiosity and yearning to explore beyond your home. You’re kind, fun-loving, and always appreciate the help of your friends. You’re willing to take risks to achieve your dreams—it’s worth it to be a part of the world you love!
You’re most like… Syrena
In Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Syrena is not as vicious as her fellow mermaids—and instead falls in love with a kind human. Like Syrena, you’re on the quieter side, but you have a strong will and fierce determination to protect those close to you. You know that kindness and strength aren’t always loud. Just be sure to watch out for pirates!
You’re most like… Madison
In Splash, Madison has six days to explore New York and spend time with a man she rescued before she must return home. Like Madison, you love a good adventure. You’re curious and outgoing, though you might get into trouble at times. Still, you love meeting new people—and they love meeting you!
You’re most like… Aquamarine
In Aquamarine, the lively mermaid Aquamarine sets out to prove to her father that true love exists. Like her, you’re a quick learner and a problem solver. You’re an idealist who might need a little help from your friends at times, but your bright spirit always sees you through. Not to mention, you might have a knack for making stylish new fashion choices!
You’re most like… Melody
In The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Melody—the daughter of Ariel and Eric—has a connection to the sea she just can’t ignore. Like Melody, nothing can stop you once you have a goal in mind. You’re determined and curious, but you have a strong love for those close to you. Just be careful about making deals with sea witches.
There’s one thing we know for sure: The cold never bothered her anyway!
It’s Disney Legend Idina Menzel’s birthday—and to celebrate such an auspicious occasion, we thought it was time to take a spin through a few of the memorable times she joined the worlds of Disney…
Best of all, these are all currently available to stream on Disney+, so why not whip up some tasty treats and make it a birthday gala of your own? We can guarantee great animation, several unforgettable takes on what “happily ever after” really means, and seriously fierce, Tony Award®-worthy singing.
Enchanted (2007) In this live-action musical comedy adventure—and her first foray into the worlds of Disney—Menzel portrays Nancy, the street-smart New York City girlfriend to Robert (fellow Disney Legend Patrick Dempsey). Despite the fact that she loses her boyfriend to an actual princess, Giselle (Amy Adams), Nancy gets her own happily-ever-after; while trying to bring Giselle back to the kingdom of Andalasia, Prince Edward (James Marsden) meets Nancy and falls head over heels… Who says you can’t meet a prince in the big city, anyway?!
Frozen (2013) Menzel is now known the world over as the voice of Queen Elsa in the animated phenomenon Frozen. For the three of you who, perhaps, have been backpacking across the Alps for a decade and haven’t heard of this little Oscar®-winning film, a refresher: Princess sisters Anna (voiced by Disney Legend Kristen Bell) and Elsa have grown up under wistful circumstances in the kingdom of Arendelle. When their parents are presumed lost at sea, Elsa is due to be crowned queen—but, fearing that everyone will soon discover she possesses magical powers, she runs away. With the help of mountain man Kristoff (Disney Legend Jonathan Groff) and snowman Olaf (Disney Legend Josh Gad), Anna sets off to find Elsa and bring her home.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017) In this animated featurette, Olaf—knowing that this time of year can be difficult for his friends—enlists reindeer Sven to help him create some warm and wonderful new Christmas family traditions for Anna and Elsa. Directed by Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers, the good folks behind Disney’s Prep and Landing animated specials, Olaf’s Frozen Adventures was first released theatrically with Walt Disney Animations Studios’ Coco for two weeks, then as a TV special on ABC.
Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) Menzel again voiced Elsa for a very memorable scene in the sequel to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wreck-It Ralph, in which Vanellope von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman) happens upon a room positively brimming with Disney Princesses! This was the very first time these princesses appeared together on screen—and it was teased at D23 Expo 2017, don’t you know?
Frozen 2 (2019) Elsa returned in this uber-popular, Oscar-nominated sequel, which aims to answer the questions: Why was she born with magical powers? What truths about the past await her as she ventures into the unknown, towards the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle? Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, Elsa faces a dangerous but remarkable journey where those answers are calling… but they’re also threatening everything she holds close to her heart.
Disenchanted (2022) It’s been more than 10 years since the events of Enchanted. Giselle and Robert are happily married—but she’s grown disillusioned with the big city, so they move their growing family to the sleepy suburban community of Monroeville in search of a more “fairy tale” life. Unfortunately, it isn’t the quick fix she’d hoped for. Menzel returns as now-Princess Nancy, who’s still trying to find a balance between her former cynical-New-Yorker world and her current, idyllic Andalasia home.
Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage? (2022) In this documentary special from Disney Branded Television and Ideal Partners, Menzel works to fulfill one specific dream that has so far eluded her grasp: to headline a concert at the world-famous Madison Square Garden in her hometown of New York City. Filmmaker Anne McCabe captures Menzel on a national tour over the course of 16 shows as she juggles the challenges of being a working mom with a grueling travel schedule, all while preparing to finally realize her goal.
One of the joys of being an archivist, especially for a collection as robust as the Walt Disney Archives, is rediscovering those forgotten tidbits of Disney history and connecting the dots to tell a story that few have heard before. Whether it’s searching through scrapbooks, document boxes, newspaper clippings, or the personal correspondence of retired employees, the thrill of discovering new and enduring Disney history is endlessly motivating.
In recent years, the tide of unearthing little-known Disney history has begun to shift towards those who haven’t yet had their turn in the spotlight, which is why I am delighted to share details of an unsung woman who was a foundational cast member at Disneyland Park throughout the 1960s. She mingled with presidents, royalty, and celebrities; debuted a role that became synonymous with the best and brightest cast members Disney has to offer; participated in a historic World’s Fair; and led a vanguard group of people who introduced the Walt Disney World Resort project to the citizens and tourists of Central Florida. Meet Valerie Curry.
Born Valerie Jane Watson on December 2, 1938, in Orange, California, she went to high school in Long Beach, California, and later attended Fullerton Junior College from 1956–1958 as a music major—and was voted “Homecoming Queen” in 1957 and “Woman of the Year” in 1958. An accomplished pianist, she also attended the St. Louis Institute of Music on a scholarship and spent a semester at Whittier College in Whittier, California. She collected classical records and piano literature, and that love of music led to an interest in teaching elementary school children, but she would take a break from school in 1959 to rethink her major.
During that time away from school, Curry joined the Disneyland Customer Relations Division (later named Guest Relations) answering letters requesting information about the park. On April 4, 1959, King Hussein of Jordan arrived at Disneyland for a day of fun in Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom, but there was a problem: all the Tour Guides employed in the Disneyland Customer Relations Division were taller than the king, which was a breach of etiquette at that time. The issue was solved by hurriedly locating Curry, who was then 20 years old and 5 feet 3 1/2 inches tall. “I had the good fortune to be selected to greet King Hussein of Jordan… for no special talent other than my height,” she later recalled. “After greeting King Hussein, I was made a VIP hostess.”
Valerie Curry poses for the camera on Main Street, U.S.A., February 1962.
Curry spent the next few years living a charmed life as a Disneyland VIP Tour Guide where she spent time with notable names such as Soviet composers Kabalevsky and Kondrashin, actor Jimmy Stewart, then-U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower—who remarked to her, “It must be quite an experience for you, working in this wonderful place every day.” To which she replied, “It’s more than that. It’s the greatest experience of my life.”
Pluto, Goofy, and the Big Bad Wolf join Curry before her flight to New York City for the premiere of Moon Pilot, March 1962.
In February 1962, Curry was bestowed with the title of “Miss Disneyland,” an honor that was born out of necessity for an ambassador-type presence for the forthcoming special production of Disneyland, U.S.A.—a lavish stage show featuring costumes, characters, vehicles, and other properties straight from the park and onto to the stage of Radio City Music Hall in support of the April 5, 1962, New York City premiere of the Disney film Moon Pilot. Russell Downing, then-president of Radio City Music Hall, had previously met Curry when she was his Tour Guide at Disneyland, and he, along with Disney officials, thought she was the unanimous choice to represent the park in New York City. “They decided, ‘How can we get the interest of the press in New York?’… so they came up with a tag of ‘Miss Disneyland,’” she remembered. “They weren’t looking for a beauty queen. They were looking for someone who had knowledge of the organization and enthusiasm.”
After the event’s conclusion, Curry returned to California to resume her duties as a Disneyland Tour Guide. Despite her “Miss Disneyland” moniker existing for only a few short weeks, the title and responsibilities would later evolve and rebrand into what we know today as the Disneyland Ambassador role, beginning with Disney Legend Julie Reihm Casaletto during the park’s 10th anniversary celebration, the Disneyland Tencennial.
Curry returned to New York City three years later for the second season of the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair. Disney designed and operated four different pavilions at the fair, including the “it’s a smallworld” attraction for sponsor Pepsi-Cola as a benefit for UNICEF. The management in charge of operations for the “it’s a smallworld” pavilion specifically requested that Curry be included for the 1965 season to manage and train the Guest Relations personnel at the pavilion’s VIP lounge. Disney Legend Bob Matheison, manager of operations for the “it’s a small world” pavilion, summed up Curry’s contribution in a company memo: “I don’t have to tell you that Valerie continues to do an outstanding job, and is a very great asset to us. I sometimes wonder if the executives of our company and the Pepsi-Cola Company truly realize how much she does represent their respective organizations at the fair.”
Curry in the offices of WED Enterprises, circa 1968.
Curry changed course in her Disney career in 1966 with a move to WED Enterprises (known today as Walt Disney Imagineering) for a three-year stint in a secretarial role that she said was her favorite. “The best was at WED; I worked for the master planners of Walt Disney World, and it was all secret. It was called Project X,” she once told an interviewer.
In April 1969, Walt Disney Productions set up temporary headquarters at the Ramada Inn in Ocoee, Florida, to present detailed plans for “Phase One” of Walt Disney World to press, leaders of American industry, Florida legislators, and invited guests. The four-day event included displays of artist renderings and models, a motion picture, and a construction site tour of the massive Disney property. To assist with the event, 10 Disneyland cast members were selected and flown to Florida, including Curry, who served as the group’s leader. Also in attendance was Bill Hoelscher, an Operations manager from Disneyland, and Holly Suminski (née Hoelscher; no relation to Bill)—a Guest Relations cast member at Disneyland since 1962. Unknown to them at the time, all three would reunite a few months later to onboard the first guest-facing cast members for Walt Disney World.
Around the start of October 1969, Curry moved to Central Florida, joining Suminski and Hoelscher to begin the important task of recruiting, hiring, and training the initial Guest Relations cast members for the Walt Disney World Preview Center, the first building on Walt Disney World property open to the public. It was here where tourists and locals could preview the upcoming Walt Disney World project via models, artist renderings, merchandise, and a short film detailing what “Phase One” of the property would look like once completed on October 1, 1971.
Curry (front row, far left) during her tenure as supervisor of the Walt Disney World Preview Center, circa 1970.
Curry continued in her role as supervisor throughout the lifespan of the Preview Center from January 10, 1970, to September 30, 1971, and then moved over to the newly constructed Magic Kingdom in October 1971 to help establish and supervise the Guest Relations department.
In the spring of 1972, Curry, along with her husband, John Curry (then-director of Walt Disney World hotels), left Disney. The couple eventually settled in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in 1973 where they lived for the next three decades. While there, she was an active member of the community, serving on various boards dedicated to education and the arts. In 1993 she penned a book simplifying classical music for laymen, copies of which she donated every year to new subscribers of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and sold to orchestras nationwide. She also leveraged her love of classical music to spearhead the creation of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition in 1996, which has become one of the leading international piano competitions in the United States. She passed away on September 28, 2010.
Throughout Curry’s storied 13-year career with Disney, she consistently displayed an aptness for representing the values established by Walt Disney—and the early pioneers of Disneyland—to provide an unparalleled level of courteous and welcoming service to all who visited “The Happiest Place on Earth,” and the world beyond its gates. From her role as “Miss Disneyland”—the forerunner for the legendary Disney Ambassador program which has selected cast members for nearly 60 years to represent Disney Parks around the globe—to her job opening shop for the nascent Walt Disney World Resort, Curry ensured the world-famous spirit of happiness and friendliness established at Disneyland would live on wherever she went. Curry was not only part of Disney history… she created it.
Hard to fathom, but summer is just over the horizon… and if you don’t believe us, check your calendar: We have ourselves a big holiday weekend to take in all manner of quality viewing from across the worlds of Disney! There are new episodes of animated series Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends and Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures; a brand-new documentary WILD LIFE from our friends at National Geographic; all episodes of the incredible new Disney+ Original series American Born Chinese; and so much more! Read on for the full rundown:
Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends—Friday, May 26, at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and 1 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior This new episode features two sure-to-be-thrilling stories: In “Ock Tower,” Spidey (voiced by Benjamin Valic) and Iron Man (voiced by recurring guest star John Stamos) must take back Stark Tower from Doc Ock (voiced by Kelly Ohanian). Later, in “Outsmarted by Art,” Hulk (voiced by Armen Taylor) and Miles (voiced by Jakari Fraser) have to find new ways to stop Sandman (voiced by recurring guest star Thomas Wilson) after he figures out how to avoid their signature moves.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures—Friday, May 26, 9 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and 7:30 p.m. ET on Disney Junior If you haven’t yet checked out this adorable new animated series from the good folks at Lucasfilm, do yourself a favor and gather the kidlets in front of your TV (or favorite streaming device). This new episode’s two stories include “The Jellyfruit Pursuit,” in which Nash (voiced by Emma Berman) and the young Jedi pursue stolen jellyfruit; and “Creature Safari,” which follows the younglings as they discover a bird-like creature.
National Geographic’s WILD LIFE—Friday, May 26, on Disney+ Following its broadcast debut on National Geographic, the new documentary WILD LIFE will be available on Disney+ beginning Friday, May 26. The film, helmed by Academy AwardⓇ-winning directors Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, follows conservationist Kristine Tompkins on an epic, decades-spanning love story. Kristine and outdoorsman and entrepreneur Doug Tompkins left behind the world of the massively successful outdoor brands they’d helped pioneer—Patagonia, The North Face, and Esprit—and instead turned their attention to a visionary effort to create National Parks throughout Chile and Argentina. WILD LIFE chronicles their journey to effect the largest private land donation in history.
American Born Chinese—all episodes now streaming on Disney+ It’s finally here: The Original series American Born Chinese is now available to stream on Disney+, and we legitimately couldn’t be more excited! Based on Gene Luen Yang’s groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name, American Born Chinese chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager named Jin (Ben Wang) whose life is turned upside down when he befriends Wei-Chen (Jimmy Liu), the son of a mythological god. Also starring Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Sydney Taylor, and Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, the genre-hopping series follows Jin as he grapples with his own identity as an Asian American, through family, comedy, and, of course, high-kicking Kung-Fu.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings—Sunday, May 28, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on FX Ready for more action and adventure? Look no further than the FX premiere of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings. Whether it’s your second or 22nd viewing—hey, no judgment here!—buckle up for the story of Shaun/Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), a young man living a low-key life in San Francisco. But after a group of assassins steal a pendant that his mother gave him when he was young, he and his best friend Katy (Awkwafina) journey to Macau in an effort to warn his sister Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) that danger is coming for her as well. As the film unfolds, Shang-Chi is forced to confront the past he thought he’d left behind… and when he’s drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization led by his estranged father, Shang-Chi realizes he must stop him and this dangerous cabal once and for all.
The droids of Star Wars are known for their unique noises, whether it’s the “beep boops” of R2-D2 or the well-articulated complaints of C-3PO. While some only communicate through electronic sounds and squeals, many of our favorite Star Wars droids have speaking voices that sound a bit… familiar. Do you recognize the famous voices behind these droids? Test your knowledge now:
Phoebe Waller-Bridge voices which rebellious droid?
Correct!Wrong!
Bill Hader teamed up with which DuckTales voice actor to be “vocal consultants” for BB-8?
Correct!Wrong!
Which Star Wars director has NOT voiced a droid?
Correct!Wrong!
Who voices IG-88?
Correct!Wrong!
Stephen Stanton’s vocal performance of AP-5 in Star Wars Rebels was inspired by which fellow actor?
Correct!Wrong!
Who voices Aly San San, the droid that delivers the safety spiel before Star Tours – The Adventures Continue?
Correct!Wrong!
Currently, where in the world of Star Wars can you hear Paul Reubens voice a droid?
Correct!Wrong!
Alan Tudyk is known for his voice work in many recent Disney Animated films, but you can also find him in the Star Wars galaxy! Which droid does he lend his famous voice to?
Correct!Wrong!
Quiz: Are these the droids you’re listening for?
Sure, you couldn’t tell the difference between R2-D2 and R4-P17 if they were standing right in front of you… but that’s why you’re on Earth and they live in a galaxy far, far away. The good news is that if you want to start brushing up on your BB units, there’s a universe of Star Wars entertainment to enjoy while you learn.
The depth of your droid knowledge may be the size of D-O, but you’ve got the potential to make it as big a Super Battle Droid! Step one: Look up the two droids that were just mentioned.
You’re no mindless philosopher—you know your droids! You’ve almost completely mastered your droid data. Keep up your studies and soon you’ll know more droids than C-3PO knows languages!
You ARE the droid expert we’re looking for! Your mastery of droid knowledge has led you to the ultimate success—now go out there and share what you’ve learned to any potential padawans in need of a Star Wars trivia master.
Celebrate 20 years of fish-filled memories in Finding Nemo with this adorable keepsake, exclusive to D23 Gold Members! You can open up a treasure chest of tank-gang fun with Nemo and Bubbles, reflecting on this monumental anniversary! Featuring a hinged opening, Bubbles’ iconic treasure chest flips open to reveal a “20” specially made for this milestone!
Inspired by Finding Nemo (2003) - Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist’s office aquarium. It’s up to his worrisome father Marlin and his friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish Dory to bring Nemo home—meeting vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more along the way.
D23-Exclusive Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Pin Go beyond the sea with this amazing pin, that’s practically bubbling up with fun! This D23 Gold Member exclusive pin is a totally awesome way to “shell-ebrate” 20 years of tank-gang adventures in Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo. The premium pin features Nemo, Bubbles, and the tank’s special Treasure Chest, which flips open to display “20” for 20 years! Get your fins on this pin now!
Our D23-Exclusive Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,000, is available to D23 Gold Members at 8 a.m. PT on shopDisney, Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
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Sign up today to access limited edition merch
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*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $24.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two(2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices
Fire up the Dream Mobile—It’s time to journey into the imagination with Dreamfinder, Figment, and this inspiring pin! Looking back on an incredible legacy, this pin commemorates 40 years of fan-favorite attraction: Journey Into ImaginationWith Figment at EPCOT. We’re excited to give D23 Gold Members an extra special way to celebrate this magnificent milestone, with an exclusive keepsake, channeling the indomitable spirit of imagination.
Inspired by the iconic attraction, Journey Into Imagination With Figment at EPCOT. Following the cheery purveyor of inspiration—Dreamfinder and his mischievous companion who’s two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer, but a lovable fellow—Figment! Since its opening in 1983, Journey Into ImaginationWith Figment has seen a few changes, but continues to remain a staple of the EPCOT experience. Figment himself has become an iconic representative of fans around the world, encouraging all to set their imaginations free to the fullest extent.
D23-Exclusive Dreamfinder and Figment Pin - Journey Into Imagination 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Pin One little spark is all you need to be inspired by this dream of a pin! This D23 Gold Member exclusive pin is an imaginative way to celebrate 40 Figment-filled years of Journey Into ImaginationWith Figment at EPCOT. The pin features Dreamfinder, Figment, and the Dream Mobile from the original iteration of the attraction in 1983! Perfect for anyone searching the universe for sounds, colors, ideas… anything that sparks the imagination!
Our D23-Exclusive Dreamfinder and Figment Pin - Journey Into Imagination 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,500, is available to D23 Gold Members at 8 a.m. PT on shopDisney, Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Not a D23 Gold Member?
Sign up today to access limited edition merch
and year-round discounts and offers!
*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $24.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two(2) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.
If Disney musicals can guarantee one thing, it’s memorable songs that stay with you for weeks after.
That’s often thanks to Disney Legend Alan Menken, lauded composer and resident EGOT winner (courtesy of one Emmy®, 11 Grammys®, eight Oscars®, and one Tony®). His career with Disney will come full circle when moviegoers are treated to his reimagined score for the live-action The Little Mermaid when it debuts in theaters worldwide on Friday, May 26.
Menken composed the songs and score for The Little Mermaid (1989) with the late Disney Legend Howard Ashman. The new score, which includes new arrangements and three new songs created in partnership with famed Broadway and film composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (no stranger to Disney, with composing credits for hit animated films Moana and Encanto to his name). Before we dive under the sea, we’ve compiled the ultimate Alan Menken watchlist to view before the film—or after, because we know you’ll be wanting more of Menken’s musical magic! While we haven’t included all of Menken’s work (that would require several weeks to make your way through), we’ve rounded up some of the can’t-miss Disney films from his celebrated career.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Be our guest to watch this Disney classic. From the whimsical opening number “Belle” to the romantic (and Oscar-winning) “Beauty and the Beast,” the tale of a small-town girl and cursed prince swept viewers off to far-off places, as did Menken’s gorgeous score and Ashman’s lyrics. For added fun, make it a double-screening: Disney delivered a live-action reimagining of the film in 2017, once again scored by Menken.
Aladdin (1992)
A legendary Magic Carpet ride wouldn’t have been so memorable without its Oscar-winning musical accompaniment “A Whole New World.” Menken’s music tells the story of Aladdin and his discovery of a magic lamp hidden within in the Cave of Wonders. He befriends its charismatic Genie, who plays wingman as Aladdin pursues the heart of Princess Jasmine. When he’s not granting wishes, Genie is granting grand-scale musical numbers like “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali.” Originally, Menken and Ashman wrote an entire version of the score that was later shelved, and only “Friend Like Me” and “Arabian Nights” remained. After Ashman’s passing, Disney Legend Sir Tim Rice penned the lyrics to “One Jump Ahead” and “A Whole New World.” Almost three decades later, Menken returned to compose the music for the 2019 live-action reimagining.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Written with Stephen Schwartz, this may be one of Menken’s most serious scores, underscoring a bittersweet story about a lonely bellringer named Quasimodo. He yearns to explore the world outside Notre Dame, expressed in the sweeping ballad “Out There,” but stays hidden under Claude Frollo’s order. Whether it be heroine Esmeralda’s hauntingly beautiful “God Help the Outcasts” or devious Frollo’s truly terrifying “Hellfire,” Menken delivers a score that can’t be missed.
Hercules (1997)
This animated musical went the distance, its score the result of Menken’s collaboration with lyricist David Zippel. Greek mythology is set to soaring gospel numbers as Hercules goes on a quest to regain his status as a god so he can rejoin his birth family on Mount Olympus. Add a ballad or two, and it’s clear that Menken’s music skills are as strong as Hercules’ “rippling pectorals.”
Enchanted (2007)
A fairy-tale princess tumbles into a terrible new world: Reality. From the animated kingdom of Andalasia, Giselle lands in the streets of New York City—but she brings her fairy-tale song and dance numbers with her! Who better to compose the score than the man behind so many Disney Princess films? Menken reunited with Schwartz to produce “True Love’s Kiss,” “Happy Working Song,” and the giant group number “That’s How You Know,” all of which merge that classic Menken sound with a mostly live-action story. It didn’t end there—15 years later, Menken returned for the equally magical sequel, Disenchanted.
Tangled (2010)
A necessary item on the watchlist, Tangled explores the journey of Rapunzel, a lost princess with big dreams and a whole lot of hair. With the help of dashing rogue Flynn Rider, Rapunzel embarks on a quest to find the “floating lights” that she’s always watched from her window. Menken worked with Glenn Slater to deliver another magical score and memorable songs—who could forget “I See the Light” amid hundreds of lanterns? And the film was just the start! Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, a three-season series, continued the adventure with even more of Menken’s songs.
Newsies: The Broadway Musical (2017)
Menken has composed several Disney musicals, but luckily for us, one of them was filmed at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Based on the 1992 movie musical, the stage show follows Jack Kelly and the “newsies” as they strike against publishing giants who raise prices at their expense. Backed by lyrics by Jack Feldman, these protests usually come in the form of epic dance numbers, and it’s yet another must-see project of Menken’s.
In just two days, the live-action reimagining of the beloved Academy Award®-winning animated classic The Little Mermaid will debut exclusively in movie theaters worldwide! The film, helmed by Oscar-nominated director and producer Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns, Into the Woods), stars beguiling newcomer Halle Bailey in the title role voiced in the original film by Disney Legend Jodi Benson. With music by original composer and Disney Legend Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Disney Legend Howard Ashman, along with new lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film brings to stunning life the beloved story of Ariel—a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a yearning for life beyond her father’s underwater kingdom. In the new film, the youngest and most defiant daughters of King Triton (Javier Bardem) visits the surface world, where she falls for Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), setting into motion a romance that will change both of their worlds. Longing to learn more about the human world, Ariel makes a deal with Triton’s sibling, the evil Ursula (Melissa McCarthy).
Before heading to your local multiplex, Marshall, Bailey, and David Diggs (Sebastian) share memorable highlights from working on the movie.
Reimagining a Classic David Magee (Finding Neverland) wrote the screenplay for the new film, which, like the animated movie, is based on the 1837 fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
“I love that Disney tackles and looks to projects that have strong original materials,” Marshall tells D23. “With Hans Christian Andersen, you have this classic writer of fables and tales. The reason it stands the test of time is because everyone can relate to someone who doesn’t feel like they belong in the world they’re in. …That’s why it resonates.”
About his new film, Marshall says he was “just as protective as the fans” of the original and “preserved all the great things that we love about The Little Mermaid, all the iconic moments and songs. We’ve just fleshed it out into a live-action piece that has more depth, more meaning, more scope.”
He continues, “When you have the tools to create a reimagination of something, the goal is to lift it up into something even more spectacular, even more beautiful, even more emotional. …There’s great color and light and joy to it.”
Casting About To bring the film to life required finding actors capable of taking on and making iconic characters their own. Marshall and producer John DeLuca first sensed that Halle Bailey could be Ariel upon witnessing her performance of “Where Is the Love” with her sister as part of their R&B duo Chloe x Halle at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Bailey was asked to audition and, according to Marshall, was the first actor they saw for the role. A fan of The Little Mermaid since childhood, Bailey shares what that first audition was like. “I remember being both thrilled and overjoyed and excited, because this movie has been something that I have always loved since I was a baby,” she says. “And to get a chance to kind of reinvent Ariel was such a beautiful experience. …It was really an exciting time.”
After seeing “every single person for this role,” Marshall says it was undeniable that Ariel was meant for her. “She did that thing that you pray actors do as a director… that someone comes in and claims the role and says, ‘This is mine,’” he shares. “And that’s what she did when she sang ‘Part of Your World’ and read some of the scenes. It was so emotional. It was so deep.”
For Ursula, Marshall says that Melissa McCarthy, who he had met and known peripherally, made “such perfect sense…It just seemed like she was so right for this.”
He continues, “I had a wonderful meeting with her and just knew we were on the same track. I just felt like we connected. And I think what’s interesting about this role—she’s very funny, which she always is, and brings such life and spontaneity to things—but she’s such a great actress. She brings such depth to this role as well. And I think people are going to see her in a way they’ve never seen her before. I don’t think they’re going to expect what they’re going to see here. She’s spectacular. And the voice is incredible.”
For Triton, Marshall recalls grocery shopping at Ralphs with DeLuca as they discussed whether their good friend Javier Bardem might consider the role. “He’s so right for it. He’s such a brilliant actor. He has such depth and such nuance, and literally my phone rang and it was Javier,” Marshall marvels. “And he said, ‘Have you cast the role of Triton?’ It was like mental telepathy.”
Having actress and comedian Awkwafina play Scuttle, the seabird and self-proclaimed expert on “human stuff” memorably voiced by Disney Legend Buddy Hackett in the original film, was DeLuca’s idea. (Awkwafina previously voiced the dragon Sisu in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon.)
Marshall recalls, “John said, ‘What about making her a female bird and what about Awkwafina?’ She’s so funny and such a great actress and I thought that was perfect.” For Sebastian, they asked Daveed Diggs to audition. They were fans of Diggs from his Tony Award®-winning dual portrayal of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Miranda’s Hamilton. “We had never met him. He came in and claimed the role of Sebastian for his own. He’s so original. He’s so funny. He’s so creative and he’s so wonderful and we just felt that in the room,” says Marshall. “Wait till you see him in this movie. He’s just brilliant.”
Diggs, like Bailey, was a fan of the original film and says “it’s still shocking to me that anyone would think that I should be Sebastian, but I love that character. I love this film. I’m super happy and grateful to be a part of it.” Working with Awkwafina was also a highlight for Diggs. “I was a big Scuttle fan always, so getting to work with Awkwafina on her rendition of it was really special for me. She’s so funny,” he adds.
For Flounder, Ariel’s steadfast fishy friend, Marshall thought of Jacob Tremblay (Room) because he’s a “marvelous actor.” In art, like life, timing is everything and Marshall says he was “at just the right age, just before his voice was about to change,” when they started recording the voice actors for the film. “He’s adorable as Flounder,” Marshall promises.
Menken adored working with the assembled cast: “I was thrilled with the experience of working with Halle and Jonah and Melissa and Daveed… and every other brilliant actor in this film. And the results were amazing. Plus, they were all total pros and easy to work with.”
