Award-Winning Oscar® Party Ideas

By Analise Warner

Ready to win the best in show for being the host with the most at your Oscar® viewing party? Let’s check: Music? Groovin’. Festive nominee-inspired party favors? Of course. Pick ’Em Game winners locked in? Absolutely. Follow these Oscar party ideas to be the star of the show on awards night! And make sure to tune in and watch The Oscars®, live on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC.

This Disney at the Awards playlist from Disney Music Group will B major at any Oscar viewing party! Enjoy a medley of classic and new songs recognized for outstanding achievement. Prepare those vocal cords to sing along live with Rihanna when she performs the Oscar®-nominated song “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Looking for more heroic harmonies? Feel like an award winner by taking home the powerful Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2-LP Disney+ Edition soundtrack! Another Disney icon Sofia Carson, also known as Evie from the Descendants trilogy, will perform the Oscar®-nominated song “Applause” from Tell It like a Woman. Turn it up; this playlist is sure to be a hit!

The Walt Disney Company received a total of 22 nominations for the 95th Oscars. Whether you need on-theme party favors, interactive activities, or merchandise to represent your favorite film, there are plenty of products to choose from. Explore a variety of warrior-worthy merchandise to assemble a heroic themed celebration inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Heroes of all ages will enjoy hours of fun with products such as: the LEGO Marvel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Shuri’s Sunbird and LEGO Marvel Black Panther King Namor’s Throne Room Building Toy Set; Marvel Legends Series Black Panther Wakanda Forever Namor Action Figure; Funko Pop! Marvel: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Black Panther Vinyl Bobblehead and more!

For another adventurous vibe, explore Pandora and soar into action with McFarlane Toys’ Jake Sully (Reef Battle) and the fierce, flying Skimwing! These figures are highly detailed, articulated, and feature a bioluminescent effect when placed under black light. Dress in style with Cariuma’s glow-in-the-dark Avatar Water Canvas sneakers; enjoy DK’s The Art of Avatar: The Way of Water; and check out the LEGO Avatar: The Way of Water Metkayina Reef Home Toy Set.

It’s time to play Oscars Pick ’Em! Predict the winners, play along with friends, and watch live Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. ET on ABC for a chance to win a trip for two to next year’s 2024 Oscars® Watch Party at the Academy Museum and $2,500 cash—along with fun Oscar themed merchandise*! This year, the big winner could be you!

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter Promotion between 2/16/23 at 12:00 p.m. ET and 3/12/23 at 7:59 p.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C. and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18+ at time of entry. Limit 2 entries per person. Visit abc.com/oscarspickem for Official Rules including details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, odds of winning, prize descriptions and limitations. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. Sponsor: Disney Streaming Services LLC, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91521.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your D23 knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

Who was on the very first cover of Disney twenty-three?

Correct! Wrong!

Walt Disney was on the very first cover of Disney twenty-three, D23’s quarterly publication sent to D23 Gold Members, in 2009.

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

Disney D23 Rewind—Week of March 6

By Courtney Potter

An image of the EngineEar Souvenirs shop at Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park. Its colorful sign above the door has the shop’s name in red script, with two turquoise lamps on top, at either side. On top of the sign itself is a small representation of a train, in blue and gray. Red doors are open to the shop. Several planters are seen to the right, and other Toontown buildings can be seen to the left.

EngineEar Souvenirs Now Open in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park

A swell new shop has opened its red doors for the first time in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park: EngineEar Souvenirs is now open, located next to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway!

As the official hobby shop of Mickey’s Toontown, EngineEar Souvenirs offers apparel, toys, and ear hats featuring Mickey Mouse and his pals. Among the offerings are a Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Remote Controlled Roadster Toy Car, ornament, and coffee mug. For easy checkout, guests can purchase items through Merchandise Mobile Checkout on the Disneyland app—where guests scan items through their phone and pay online.

EngineEar Souvenirs has debuted ahead of the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown, which reopens in its entirety on Sunday, March 19… that’s so soon! If you haven’t already done so, mark those calendars, Toontown fans!

See the Trailer for National Geographic Documentary Films’ WILD LIFE

The riveting trailer for National Geographic Documentary Films and Picturehouse’s upcoming documentary WILD LIFE—which spotlights conservationist Kristine Tompkins—has just been revealed.

Helmed by Academy AwardⓇ-winning directors Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, WILD LIFE follows Tompkins, former Patagonia CEO and president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, on an epic, decades-spanning love story as wild as the landscapes she has dedicated her life to protecting. After falling in love, 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 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.

The film will open In select citi”s ar’und the U.S. starting April 14; then, it’ll make its broadcast debut on National Geographic Channel on Thursday, May 25, and will stream next day on Disney+. WILD LIFE had a surprise screening at the 2022 Telluride Film Festival—and will also screen as part of the 2023 SXSW Film Festival this very weekend (on Sunday, March 12).

ICYMI: Dazzling Details to Discover in Disney100: The Exhibition

If you’re heading soon to The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to check out the amazing Disney100: The Exhibition, you can’t miss our handy-dandy rundown of some of the incredibly cool Easter eggs to be found throughout the exhibit. There’s so much to see; every nook and cranny is filled to the brim with Disney magic. Keep your eyes extra peeled!

In an artist’s concept art image of Lighthouse Point in The Bahamas, the new Disney Cruise Line destination, a beach is seen from above; many beach chairs are lined up along the sand, and some people are sitting or lying in the chairs while most are wading into the clear blue water. Behind the lines of beach chairs are multiple colorful buildings, as well as greenery.

Lighthouse Point to Welcome Disney Cruise Line Guests in Summer 2024

The good folks over at Disney Cruise Line (as reported by the Disney Parks Blog) made a big announcement this week: They’ll start welcoming guests to a one-of-a-kind island destination at Lighthouse Point—located on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas—for the first time during its opening season in summer 2024!

Created in close collaboration with local artists and advisors, the island retreat at Lighthouse Point will be a vibrant celebration of unique Bahamian culture, all brought to life with the quality and service guests have come to expect from a Disney vacation.

Guests will be greeted by distinctive, sweeping architecture in bright hues when they first arrive, created in partnership with local artists. Respect for the environment is at the heart of the location’s design: At least 90 percent of its electricity needs will be met by an onsite solar array; the pier was designed to avoid the need for dredging; and elevated walkways will help limit impact on the landscape.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to be surrounded by the wonders of nature—and get a glimpse into the efforts taking place to conserve wildlife and their unique island habitats.

Keep your eyes peeled for more details about Lighthouse Point inaugural itineraries, signature entertainment, dining, retail, and excursions. For more info, click here!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

It’s almost here—Hollywood’s biggest night! Get prepared for Oscars® Sunday by binge-watching a few nominated films from across the worlds of Disney, including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Turning Red, and more! (And don’t forget to tune into the sure-to-be-spectacular show itself: The Oscars®, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, airing live Sunday night on ABC.)

New Trailer (and Premiere Date!) for Disney+ Series Rennervations

Are you ready to Renner-vate? Jeremy Renner is! The two-time Academy Award® nominee and Marvel Studios Super Hero once again joins forces with Disney+ for a new Original series, Rennervations, from Disney Branded Television… and they just released a brand-new trailer to celebrate its upcoming premiere next month.

In the four-part series, Renner and his team of expert builders use their skills to reimagine decommissioned vehicles and rebuild them into mind-blowing creations that serve communities around the world—proving every build has a purpose.

Behind the big screen, Renner is a construction veteran with a passion for purchasing and reimagining huge vehicles with the help of his connections in the worldwide fabricator culture. With his best friend and business partner, Rory Millikin, and an all-star build crew, Renner travels the globe to rebuild vehicles to serve a new purpose—such as turning a tour bus into a mobile music studio; a delivery truck into a mobile water treatment facility; a shuttle bus into a mobile recreation center; and even a city bus into a mobile dance studio. Along the way, Renner teams up with celebrity friends Anthony Mackie, Vanessa Hudgens, Anil Kapoor, and Sebastián Yatra, all of whom share his enthusiasm and join him to deliver the finished vehicles to each organization.

“I’ve been on this journey for many years, and I started in my community by building vehicles for people in need,” Renner recently said. “But a few years ago, I thought, ‘How can I plus this up and create a bigger impact on a whole community?’ And that’s what this show does. This is one of my biggest passions and it’s a driving force in my recovery, and I can’t wait for the world to see it.”

All episodes of Rennervations will premiere Wednesday, April 12, exclusively on Disney+.

Concept art for the new fourth tower of the Disneyland Hotel is seen at dusk. A pool is seen in the front, surrounded by lounge chairs and some short palm trees.

Opening Date for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel Announced

Our pals at the Disney Parks Blog recently shared the exciting news that The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will open to guests on Thursday, September 28, 2023! This will be the fourth tower at the landmark Disneyland Hotel, located just steps from the Downtown Disney District, Disneyland Park, and Disney California Adventure Park…

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel celebrate the magic of creativity and storytelling through a blend of contemporary designs and carefully curated pieces inspired by the stories, characters, and worlds of Disney Animation. The lobby will feature a one-of-a-kind mural created exclusively for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel by Disney Animation artist Lorelay Bové, known for her work on The Princess and the Frog and Encanto.

A concept artist’s image of the lobby at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. A colorful mural by Disney Animation artist Lorelay Bové is seen towards the right, featuring characters from several Disney animated films. To the immediate left of the mural is a colorful statue of Mickey Mouse. On the left of the image is a seating area, with a couch and several chairs, next to a window. A large light fixture is seen overhead. A hallway can be seen past the mural to the far right.

Each of the 344 whimsically themed rooms include touches of Disney magic sprinkled throughout, honoring beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios films such as The Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, Fantasia, and more.

Beginning next Wednesday, March 15, Disney Vacation Club Members can make rental reservations by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Then, starting Thursday, March 16, Disneyland Resort Magic Key holders can begin booking rental reservations by calling (714) 956-6425. On Friday, March 17, all guests can make rental reservations online at Disneyland.com/VillasDisneylandHotel or by calling (714) 956-6425. So check those calendars and start making plans!

The Villas are limited in availability and are subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Check Out the Trailer for Disney+’s MPower

Here’s something cool to add to your viewing calendar: The new series MPower is now available to stream on Disney+… The four-episode series spotlights several inspirational women heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

From Carol Danvers and Wanda Maximoff to the women of Wakanda and the Guardians of the Galaxy, MPower unpacks the journeys of these characters from their birth in Marvel Comics to the MCU and beyond. Archival footage, imaginative animation, and candid interviews work in tandem to profile how these characters and the women behind their success have impacted fans around the world.

“Every hero has an epic origin story and so does this series,” Justin W. Hochberg, executive producer, recently said. “When I conceived MPower, I did it out of love for my teen daughter so she would have more icons to look up to, voices to learn from, and role models to help her impact the world. Today, that vision is now a reality thanks to Brie Larsen, Elizabeth Olsen, the women of Wakanda, and Zoe Saldaña, whose leadership was ‘Mpower-ing.’”

Saldaña is featured in Episode 4—and serves as an executive producer of the series. “MPower is a tribute to women’s representation and empowerment,” she explained. “We’re enthused to have the involvement of a diverse group of women whose voices and stories will serve as a source of inspiration. Our hope is that this series will ignite meaningful conversations and drive real change toward a more equal and inclusive world.”

Hop To It: D23’s March Hare Mania is Now Open

Can you believe it’s time for March Hare Mania once again? We legitimately love giving fans the chance to share opinions on their Disney favorites, and this year (to help celebrate Disney100) we’re going big—by asking you about your favorite era of Mickey Mouse. If you haven’t voted yet, what are you waiting for? Check out the bracket… and choose wisely!

Dazzling Details to Discover in Disney100: The Exhibition

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Heading to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? Don’t miss these incredible details throughout the galleries...

Where It All Began

The entrance to the “Where It All Began” gallery in Disney100: The Exhibition. To the left is a display on The Alice Comedies, including a screen showing film clips and a poster for Alice’s Fishy Story against a red wall. To the right is the gallery poster, depicting a premiere at the Colony Theater for Steamboat Willie and Alice’s Wonderland.

Gallery poster: Before you start exploring the gallery itself, stop and take a look at its poster to spot some Easter eggs from Disney’s early history.

  • The Colony Theater, for example, is where Steamboat Willie debuted in 1928!
  • The marquee on the theater is a reference to a different early Disney cartoon—Alice’s Wonderland (1923) is short which launched the Alice Comedies—and The Walt Disney Company itself, years before the creation of Mickey Mouse.
  • Standing outside the theater in the crowd of silhouettes are two figures who look suspiciously similar to a certain pair of young Disney brothers from around the time their cartoon studio was formed...
  • The vehicle outside the theater bears the license plate X034-0, which shares a number with Mickey’s car in the animated short Traffic Troubles (1931). In the cartoon, the car breaks down, and the plate turns upside down to spell out, “0-HECK.”

Where Do the Stories Come From?

A snow globe depicting a miniature version of St. Paul’s Cathedral sits in front of a screencap of the “Feed the Birds” scene from Mary Poppins. The images of white, flying birds are projected as to appear inside the snow globe.

Mary Poppins (1964) Snow Globe: You’ll definitely have “Feed the Birds” stuck in your head while you admire this iconic prop; projected birds bring the St. Paul’s Cathedral Snow Globe to life in its display.

Mary Blair Art for Alice in Wonderland: We hope you’re not late for a very important date while you’re admiring this concept art created by Disney Legend Mary Blair. Linger long enough, and you might get a visit from the Cheshire Cat and his mysterious grin!

Illusion of Life 

A poster for “The Illusion of Life” gallery, featuring the title in teal text over an image of Mickey Mouse painting his shoes with yellow paint. He is half colored-in, implying he is in the process of painting himself.

What’s in a Name?: The name of this gallery is inspired by the title of the legendary 1981 book The Illusion of Life, penned by Disney Legends Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston—two of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men of animation.

Hey, Dave!: In the corner of the gallery (featuring costumes and art from iterations of The Little Mermaid), keep an eye out for a photo of animator Dave Pacheco working on a drawing of Ariel. Pacheco is one of the two artists responsible for the stunning gallery poster artwork!

The Spirit of Adventure and Discovery

A close-up of the Ancient Jedi Texts, a brown leatherbound book with mysterious text inscribed on the cover.

THE SACRED TEXTS!: In Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, we only see the exterior of the book containing the sacred Jedi texts—but did you know that interior pages were created? You can see some of the actual sacred texts themselves projected onto the wall around the display of the prop book.

The Magic of Sound and Music

A statue of Mickey Mouse dressed as a conductor, with his hands raised, stands in front of tan and brown walls. The walls have a brown stripe of wood running across the middle that features the sound waves for the song “When You Wish Upon a Star.” 

Sounds Familiar: While you’re listening to “Let It Go” or “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” being performed in various languages, make sure to check out the wall behind the screens! The sound waves on the wall belong to a familiar tune—the Disney classic “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

Large silver chimes sit inside a glass case with a brown wooden backdrop. The chimes are a series of metal pieces tied together with clear string, similar to a wind chime. To the left of the chimes are a screen and the image of another prop used to create sound effects.

Pixie Power: One of the newer acquisitions to the Walt Disney Archives are the chimes that created Tinker Bell’s jingling sounds in Peter Pan (1953). While you can’t jingle the chimes for yourself, you might hear a familiar tinkling sound—and see Tinker Bell herself light up the chimes with her pixie dust!

How Kiff, Disney Channel’s New Buddy Comedy, Found Its Inspiration

Jessica Benda

In the quirky but endearing Table Town, optimistic squirrel Kiff and her bunny bestie Barry get into mischievous adventures that will make the episodes fly by!

Those episodes make up Kiff, an animated buddy comedy that premieres Friday, March 10, on Disney Channel and shortly thereafter on Disney+. Each half-hour installment is comprised of two 11-minute episodes and includes an original song. The series follows Kiff and Barry as they navigate school, relationships, and their eccentric community living on Mount Table.

While the show is certainly larger than life, it drew from real-world places and people. Only it’s not Mount Table, it’s Table Mountain, and Kiff and Barry aren’t woodland creatures as much as they are characters built from parts of people in their creators’ lives. Executive producers Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, which they looked to for inspiration for their new series.

In the animated series Kiff, the squirrel Kiff is tucked in her bed. Her room is enormous, and her bed is tucked halfway into a cave on one wall with her name in letter pasted above the frame. The cave has several shelves carved out that hold headphones, books, and lava lamps. On the other wall is a bright window with bean bag chairs and a plush rug nearby.

But before they created the world, they looked to the main character who would be living in it. Kiff, the series, started with Kiff, the character.

“We had her essence, we knew who she was, we knew where we wanted to go with her and how free we wanted to be with stories,” Heavens said. “We wanted to be able to tell as many different types of stories as we could. I think it all came from that, this strange and interesting world, but with relatable stories.”

Smal said that ideas could strike at anytime. Whether eating dinner or wandering through grocery aisles, they stumbled across situations that would be great to make a part of Kiff’s story. Add in the writing team, who looked to their own silly childhood memories for inspiration, and it was the perfect formula for fresh ideas.

The series is musical, with Smal leaning on his love of music and storytelling to write and co-produce the songs. With comedy and music already blending so well together, the decision to include songs came organically, Smal explained. “It just felt like music had a place in the world of Kiff,” he said.

A photo of Kiff’s creators, Nic and Lucy, who smile at the camera. Wearing an orange beanie and yellow striped sweater, Nic rests his elbow on Lucy’s shoulder. Lucy wears a cyan top.

Heavens and Smal met while doing development work at Sunrise Productions, a computer animation studio in Cape Town. Their similar senses of humor and complementary skill sets made them an ideal pair to bring Kiffto life. Smal is an animator, writer, storyboard artist, and co-produces the original songs, while Heavens is a writer and contributes to creative direction.

“I’m a writer, Nic is an artist, first and foremost, and we both put ourselves into as much of the show as we possibly could,” Heavens said.

“I think when we were spending time together working at the studio, we realized that it was kind of an effortless process,” Smal added of their time at Sunrise Productions. “We were laughing a lot and we’re like hey, this is this is fun. Let’s keep this train going.”

In the animated series Kiff, Kiff and Barry sit across the table from each other. Two stuffed animals, a penguin and bear, sit on either side of blue bunny Barry. He looks over at Kiff, who has a small glass of water beside her.

The bond between Kiff and Barry reflects some of the elements in Heavens’ and Smal’s own friendship, drawing inspiration from funny moments between them. Though they didn’t meet until Sunrise Productions, their shared experience growing up in Cape Town gave them plenty of material to draw from. It’s the fabric of the show, Heavens said. Characters are named after friends and family, while several quirky personality traits were inspired by childhood teachers.

In South African slang, “kiff” means very “cool” or “awesome.” That was the energy they wanted the show to reflect, Smal said. “At the core of it, it’s so wonderful to observe their friendship, Kiff and Barry, and it’s positive and it’s feel-good. And I think that’s what we need.”

Baller Photos from the Chang Can Dunk Launch Event

By Andie Hangmann

On Monday night, the stars and creatives from Disney’s Chang Can Dunk strutted down the orange carpet for the film’s launch and screening event at the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California.

The film’s stars Bloom Li, Dexter Darden, Ben Wang, Zoe Renee, Chase Liefield, Mardy Ma, and Eric Anthony Lopez, along with writer and director Jingyi Shao; producers Rishi Rajani, Lena Waithe, and Brad Weston; and costume designer Joshua Marsh were all in attendance.

Chang Can Dunk follows Chang (Li), a 16-year-old, Asian American high school student in the marching band, who bets the school basketball star that he can dunk by Homecoming. The bet leads Chang on a quest to find the hops he needs to dunk in order to impress his crush, Kristy (Renee), and finally gain the attention and respect of his high school peers. But before he can rise up and truly throw one down, he’ll have to reexamine everything he knows about himself, his friendships, and his family.

“It’s a film about family, friendship, going after what you want, and trying to become a better version of yourself,” said Li. “I’m grateful for everything that’s happened and everyone here. This is really a dream come true and I’m just trying to appreciate the moment.”

Added Rajani, “For me, to be able to put out a movie that is the kind of movie I wish existed when I was a kid is surreal. I think a lot of people will see themselves in this film.”

Prior to the screening, guests were immersed into the basketball world of Chang Can Dunk through engaging dunk photo opportunities and hoop-rific entertainment.

A child, held by an adult man, dunks a basketball at the launch event for Chang Can Dunk

“It is a basketball movie, so [the event] very basketball centric,” shared Shao with a laugh. “I see the Hoop Bus back there; it’s been a while since I’ve laced up the sneakers, but I’m going to put my jump shot to the test!”

“I hope when people watch this film they’re inspired and find out what their ‘dunk’ is,” he added. “What they’re dreaming to do.”

Chang Can Dunk debuts Friday, March 10, exclusively on Disney+.

Enjoy more photos from the launch event below:

Icons of Disney Storytelling: Wendi McLendon-Covey

By Bruce C. Steele

In this special series of intimate interviews, D23.com speaks with the most talented, prolific, and articulate storytellers from across The Walt Disney Company.

It’s graduation time for Wendi McLendon-Covey. After 10 hilarious seasons of the ABC hit series The Goldbergs—where McLendon-Covey has played lovably over-protective mom Beverly from the beginning—the network recently announced the sitcom will be wrapping up its run with a finale episode on May 3. Meanwhile, McLendon-Covey is also starring in the Disney Channel original movie Prom Pact, debuting March 30 and streaming on Disney+ beginning March 31.

Such a busy schedule is typical for McLendon-Covey, who also serves as executive producer of The Goldbergs. She’s spent three seasons as mom Nancy on Disney Channel’s fan-favorite animated series Big City Greens and has made guest appearances on Hulu’s animated hit Solar Opposites and on ABC’s beloved Modern Family. And that’s all in addition to her busy feature film career.

Since McLendon-Covey’s portrayal of Beverly on The Goldbergs popularized the term “smother”—signifying a mom without a lot of boundaries when it comes to looking after her kids—it’s not surprising that the stories she’s most connected with are about families.

D23: In recent years, you’ve become a real pillar of Disney storytelling. What keeps you coming back?
Wendi McLendon-Covey (WMC): What I love that Disney is doing really well is that they celebrate all types of families. I like that because your family is not necessarily who you were born to, right? Sometimes you make your soul family with people that you’re not blood-related to. Sometimes your family gets fractured and you bring in new people. Sometimes people can co-parent, and it’s actually better. I just really appreciate that Disney takes all families into consideration.

D23: How does that work behind the scenes?
WMC: It’s everywhere. It’s in the marketing. You can tell when you go to the parks. You can tell from the different types of content that Disney releases that they’re trying to be inclusive and live in reality. Families aren’t just mom and dad and kids anymore—sometimes families are blended. Sometimes you lose somebody and they’re irreplaceable. I really appreciate that.

David S. Jung, on the left, and Wendy McLendon-Covey, on the right, stand in front of a doorway in a scene from the Disney Channel movie Prom Pact. The actors are portraying the parents of the main character. Jung is wearing a dark brown sweater, buttoned up high, over a plaid shirt, while McLendon-Covey has on a loose-fitting orange cardigan sweater over a white collarless shirt. Jung is smiling broadly, while McLendon-Covey looks worried.

D23: How does Prom Pact continue that tradition?
WMC: I really liked Prom Pact [when I read it] because the main female character [high school senior Mandy Yang, played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee] is just not that into all this prom nonsense. I’ve got to tell you, my own prom was so disappointing that I was irritated that I spent so much time dreaming about it. But I love that Mandy’s a studious girl and she’s just like, “This is supposed to be the greatest thing that’s going to happen to me in my school career?” But then her parents [played by McLendon-Covey and David S. Jung] are saying, “Look, it’s OK for you to have a little fun! You’re not selling yourself out by wanting to put on a pretty dress.” It’s about celebrating both sides of yourself. You can meet in the middle.

D23: Looking at your career before and after the start of The Goldbergs, have Disney and ABC helped you to touch hearts in ways you didn’t expect?
WMC: I’m not sure how to answer that, but I will say that [before The Goldbergs], I always thought that I was just too weird to be on a network show. I’m not a mother in real life and I will never be one. I don’t know how anybody does it. So, when I go to fan events or when I’m just out in the world—to have people come up to me and say, “I wish you were my mom,” or “I wish my mom fought for me the way you fought for your kids,” I think, “Oh, my God. This is a lot.” Going into [acting], I never considered that anyone would ever say that to me. I never thought about, “Wow, there are people out there who didn’t have the luxury of being raised by a ‘smother,’ you know?” It’s not the worst thing in the world to have a mom that will fight for you fiercely and make a fool of herself. I was raised by a “smother” myself, and now I think back on it, [and I think,] “Well, good. She really loved me, didn’t she?”

Four cast members from ABC’s The Goldbergs stand together in what appears to be a dressing room. They are, from left to right, Sean Giambrone, Troy Gentile, Wendy McLendon-Covey, and Judd Hirsch.

D23: Is there a special bond between your viewers and the series you’ve worked on?
WMC: Oh, yes. At D23 Expo [last September], I was being stopped by people who were crying and saying things like, “You got me through chemotherapy; I binged The Goldbergs.” “You got me through the pandemic,” or “It’s something my kids and I can watch together.” I’m just there on set having the time of my life with my friends—my work family—and to hear that people respond to it like that, you can’t give me a better present. You really can’t. For Big City Greens, I’d go into my [recording] booth and do my thing and never see anybody. So, then to go online or hear that at Comic-Con people are dressing like those characters—I mean, wow, that’s incredible to me. And I know that their fan art game is just completely on point.

Four characters from the animated series Big City Greens cavort on and around a living room sofa. Depicted, from left to right, are Tilly (voiced by Marieve Herington), Nancy (voiced by Wendi McLendon-Covey), Gramma (voiced by Artemis Pebdani), and Remy (voiced by Zeno Robinson). All appear to be shouting with their arms raised and fists clenched. Gramma is brandishing a sword.

D23: What do you think is the lasting appeal of Big City Greens?
WMC: I love that the Green family all embrace each other’s idiosyncrasies. And Mom has been in jail! She’s a motorcycle mama who’s been in jail for releasing a cow into the wild. That’s as close to a superhero as I’m ever going to play.

D23: Tell me about your behind-the-scenes collaborations. What have you learned?
WMC: I’ve learned that as an actor it is an absolute joy to watch your castmates get their moments. Like when I see one of my TV children just killing it, all I want to do is just praise them and inspire them to keep going. And it’s been a joy collaborating with so many amazing guest actors who have come through. I just have to say what an amazing job this has been for all of us.

D23: How does what you do connect you and your audiences to the legacy of Disney storytelling?
WMC: Disney storytelling at its core is actually pretty simple, and there’s always an emotional component. So, you think of all the iconic Disney films... at the core, it’s always [about] someone trying to find what their soul needs. There’s always a grounded emotional core to every story—especially Coco. I have to tell you, I absolutely sobbed during Coco, which I watched many times. But I don’t care how old you are, I don’t care how cynical you are, you watch these Disney films and you leave transformed.

Wendi McLendon-Covey, in character as Beverly from The Goldbergs, poses in a denim jumpsuit in front of a black background criss-crossed by glowing pink and blue lines. She is smiling, with one hand on her hip and one in a lower pocket.

D23: Did you watch Disney films growing up?
WMC: Oh, yeah! And we had The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. It was a great way to combat the Sunday scaries, [the anxiety about] having to go back to school the next day. You watched The Wonderful World of Disney and it was like a soothing balm... And the parks—especially Disneyland [Resort] in Anaheim, because I grew up right next to it—that’s always been my touchstone, ever since I was a little kid. My great-grandpa was a groundskeeper at Disneyland, so he would take us there a lot. What was great is that the whole world of Disney transports you out of your reality—and that’s what I’ve always wanted to do. With whatever project I take on, [I want people to] forget you’re watching me, just get absorbed into this story. Forget my social media, forget your social media, put down your phone, just let yourself get absorbed into a really good story and have that escape. And that’s what I’ve always tried to do with whatever I take on, just [send viewers] on a mental vacation with this story.

D23: Is there an essential quality to Disney that you can’t find anywhere else?
WMC: Absolutely, because there is a heart to all of it. There’s a heart and a method and a formula of “you’re safe here. It’s safe to dream your dreams here.”

Avatar: The Way of Water Stars React to News of an Avatar Experience Coming to Disneyland Resort

By the D23 Team

News of the all-new Avatar experience coming to Disneyland Resort has reached Pandora itself, with enthusiastic reactions coming from Tuk, Spider, and Tsireya… or at least from the cast members who portray these young Pandora dwellers in James Cameron’s multiple Oscar® nominee Avatar: The Way of Water.

“Let’s gooooo!” Jack Champion, who portrays Spider, the human adopted son of Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), told D23. “I’m so excited for Avatar fans to experience the world of Pandora—just like we did—here at Disneyland [Resort]!”

Similarly excited was Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, who plays Jake and Neytiri’s youngest child, Tuk: “Oh my gosh! Avatar is coming to Disneyland [Resort]!” she told D23. “The ‘Valley of Moara’ is my favorite place to visit whenever I have the chance to go to [Walt] Disney World. I’ve always told my friends how amazing it is to be there and how one day they have to experience it themselves! Now with Avatar coming to Disneyland, I can take all my friends and we can experience the world of Avatar together! Woohooo!”

Bailey Bass, who plays Metkayina clan member Tsireya in the film, told D23: “I am over the moon about the Avatar expansion to Disneyland [Resort]! As a huge Disney fan and fan of the Avatar rides in [Walt] Disney World, I am so excited for Avatar fans to be able to experience the world of Pandora at Disneyland. I cannot wait to see what the Avatar and Disney team creates. I already know it’s gonna be awe-inspiring, jaw dropping, and magical.”

While details on the coming Avatar experience remain under wraps, it promises to be as amazing as those found at Walt Disney World Resort. “If you’ve had a chance to experience Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you have a pretty good idea of what Imagineers are capable of,” said Disney CEO Robert A. Iger when he announced the plans on February 8.

Cameron, director of the Avatar films and founder and CEO of Lightstorm Entertainment, added that the immersive parks experiences dovetail with the movies’ themes. “The films are all about connection… with the physical environment, with family,” he said. “I was thrilled to talk with Bob Iger about additional opportunities for people to step into the wondrous world of Pandora.”

The Disneyland Resort announcement has been a long time coming, since Walt Disney Imagineers have been working to imagine more ways to bring Avatar stories and characters to life since 2017.

Added Jon Landau, partner and COO of Lightstorm Entertainment and producer of the Avatar films, “Together with Disney’s Imagineers, and with future Avatar films already in production, we’re excited about where we might be able take future guests.”

Stay tuned for updates!

Grand Opening Video Preview of Disney100: The Exhibition

By the Walt Disney Archives team

On February 18, Disney100: The Exhibition made its world debut at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, kicking off a global tour of Disney magic a century in the making. This first-of-its-kind traveling exhibition from the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions invites guests to explore 10 themed galleries inspired by Walt Disney’s philosophies, featuring more than 250 artifacts, props, costumes, and works of art from the historical collections of The Walt Disney Company.

Invited press and D23 Gold Members were the first to preview the blockbuster exhibition during its opening ceremony on February 15. Kicking off the events were musical performances by the Philly Pops and remarks by Michael Vargo (Head of the Walt Disney Archives and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club), Becky Cline (Walt Disney Archives Director), Christoph Scholz (Executive Producer and Director of Semmel Exhibitions), and Larry Dubinski (President and CEO, The Franklin Institute). Additional special appearances included Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Disney Legend and former Imagineer Bob Gurr, and Disney Legend and producer/director Don Hahn. (Click here for more about the special event.)

Today, the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions are pleased to present this brand-new look at the opening weekend, with exclusive glimpses into the exhibition and memorable moments from the ribbon cutting ceremony:

Disney100: The Exhibition is now open at The Franklin Institute, and tickets are also now available for the exhibit’s European debut in Munich on April 18. For tickets, visit Disney100Exhibit.com and follow the global tour on Instagram and Facebook!

D23 Member Discount: Discounts to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute are available to D23 Members who reside in Philadelphia. Click here for more details.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

This week, nothing is out of reach! On Wednesday, watch all-new episodes of The Conners and Abbott Elementary, both airing on ABC. Then, on Friday, don’t miss back-to-back episodes of Kiff, airing on Disney Channel and Disney XD, followed by the premieres of UnPrisoned on Hulu and Chang Can Dunk on Disney+!

In a scene from an episode of The Conners, actor Laurie Metcalf points with her right hand at actor Alicia Goranson, who stands behind a restaurant counter. Metcalf wears a navy raincoat and denim jeans. Goranson wears a blue T-shirt with the Chicago Bears logo layered over a white long-sleeved T-shirt and a gray apron.

The Conners—Wednesday, March 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Seemingly everyone in the Conner crew is testing their luck in this all-new episode. Mark (Ames McNamara) fights for a coveted spot in the Lanford High chamber orchestra. Meanwhile, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) puts a lottery machine in the Lunch Box— and things get heated. The hilarious series also stars Disney Legend John Goodman, Sara Gilbert, Alicia Goranson, Emma Kenny, Jay R. Ferguson, William H. Macy, and Jayden Rey.

In a scene from an episode of Abbott Elementary, actor Janelle James stands with a young male student in the library and speak to the school’s teaching staff, who sit at wooden tables. 

Abbott Elementary—Wednesday, March 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
It’s Teacher Appreciation Day at Abbott! However, when the district awards the school only two courtside tickets to a Philadelphia 76ers game as token of their appreciation, the teachers must decide who deserves to go. Later, Janine (Quinta Brunson) invites the teachers to her house for game night and her sister, Ayesha (Ayo Edebiri), comes to visit. The award-winning series also stars Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Perfetti, and William Stanford Davis.

In a scene from an episode of Kiff, an animated brown squirrel named Kiff is hugged by five colorful animals inside a house.

Kiff—Friday, March 10, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Disney XD
The all-new animated series follows Kiff (voiced by Kimiko Glenn), an optimistic squirrel—whose best intentions often lead to chaos—and her best friend Barry (voiced by Michael Croner), a mellow bunny. The series premieres with not one but two episodes airing across both networks. The debut episode follows Kiff, determined to be the first sip at the new water fountain, followed by her discovery that Barry’s family shares bathwater. The hilarity continues with stories centering around a pool party and a road trip. The voice cast also includes Lauren Ash, Kate Flannery, James Monroe Iglehart, Vella Lovell, Rhys Darby, Nichole Sakura, Gary Anthony Williams, Tom Kenny, Eugene Cordero, and Rachel House.

In a scene from an episode of UnPrisoned, actors Delroy Lindo and Kerry Washington laugh and stand inside an office. Lindo wears a button-down shirt with red and blue vertical stripes. Washington wears a tan blouse, a tan blazer with black polka dots, and denim jeans.

UnPrisoned—Friday, March 10, on Hulu
Inspired by the life of series creator Tracy McMillan, the series follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a relationship therapist and single mom who teeters between being messy and a perfectionist. Paige’s life turns right-side-up when her dad Edwin (Delroy Lindo) is released from prison and moves in with her and her teenage son Finn (Faly Rakotohavana). Intended for mature audiences only, all eight episodes of this original dramedy from Onyx Collective will be available at launch.

In a scene from Chang Can Dunk, actor Bloom Li dunks an orange basketball and wears a blue jersey reading “Chang,” with the number “8” on the back.

Chang Can Dunk—Friday, March 10, on Disney+
The Disney+ Original film follows Chang (Bloom Li), a 16-year-old, Asian American high school student in the marching band, who bets the school basketball star that he can dunk by Homecoming. The bet leads Chang on a quest to find the hops he needs to dunk to impress his crush, Kristy (Zoe Renee), and finally gain the attention and respect of his high school peers. But before he can throw one down, he’ll have to reexamine everything he knows about himself, his friendships, and his family. Written and directed by Jingyi Shao, the coming-of-age sports comedy also stars Dexter Darden, Ben Wang, Chase Liefeld, and Mardy Ma.