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The day is finally here! While we have to wait a little longer before we can watch The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey, shopDisney has a complete collection of whozits and whatzits that have us floating full time!
Ariel Spirit Jersey for Adults – The Little Mermaid – Live Action Film Rise from the sea to greet your destiny in this dreamy pullover Spirit Jersey with allover “undersea” dye effect, Ariel art, and glittering “Part of Your World” text inspired by Disney’s live-action film, The Little Mermaid.
Ariel Plush Doll – The Little Mermaid – Live Action Film – 9” Ariel’s red hair cascades down from the head to the tail of this plush little mermaid doll that’s inspired by Disney’s live-action film. Pink fins adorn her soft-scaled tail, which matches her top. She’ll happily swim into your arms!
Ariel Costume for Kids – The Little Mermaid – Live Action Film – Limited Edition Out of the sea, little ones will wish they could dress up as our live-action little mermaid princess. Luckily, this shimmering Ariel costume is detailed in fanciful undersea fabrics, with iridescent sequins, pleated fins, and tiers of tulle, all for a fabulous look worth treasures untold.
The Little Mermaid Belt Bag – Live Action Film It’s easy to fathom why anyone would love the aquatic artwork on this belt bag inspired by Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. The simulated leather design features Ariel in an underwater setting while the embroidered bubbles and plants add a splash of color.
The Little Mermaid Throw – Live Action Film Bring some marine life into your home with this colorful throw inspired by Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. Ariel is pictured holding a dinglehopper as she is joined by her friends Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle in the bold allover pattern of this soft throw that will inspire waves of smiles!
The Little Mermaid Ear Headband for Adults – Live Action Film Inspired by Disney’s live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid, the soft satin padded ears have an allover golden scale pattern with Ariel featured in the print on the blue satin bow. A bejeweled trident brooch decorates the bow’s knot so you’ll be ready for the next fashion wave.
The Little Mermaid Loungefly Mini Backpack – Live Action Film
You’ll be excited to dive into this mini backpack by Loungefly inspired by Disney’s live action reimagining of The Little Mermaid. Ariel and Ursula are pictured on the simulated leather design, which features layered appliqué artwork and a front zip compartment with a scalloped edge. It’s shore to become a favorite.
The Little Mermaid T-Shirt for Women – Live Action Film
Ariel and Flounder frolic under the sea where they can be part of your world on this synthetic T-shirt featuring sublimated ink art inspired by Disney’s live-action film The Little Mermaid.
Books inspired by The Little Mermaid Dive into the adventures of Ariel and her friends with titles inspired by the new film. Whether you’re looking at the gorgeous illustrations or sharing the story, these books are sure to make a splash!
Want more? Be sure to check out the full collection inspired by The Little Mermaid at shopDisney!
Don’t miss all the magical content flying on to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week. Kick off the week with an all-new episode of American Idol, airing Monday on ABC. Then, follow the Matildas’ quest for glory with Matildas: The World at Our Feet, launching Wednesday on Disney+, followed by two episodes of Single Drunk Female debuting that night on Freeform. A new episode of Secrets of Sulphur Springs airs Friday on Disney Channel, and the highly anticipated Disney+ Original Movie Peter Pan & Wendy launches that same day on Disney+.
American Idol—Monday, April 24, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC In the all-new episode, the top 20 contestants take the stage for another lineup of live performances. While overnight voting results will reveal 10 Idol hopefuls moving on in the competition, superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie will choose two singers to round out the top 12. Tune in to find out whose performances wow the judges and viewers alike.
Matildas: The World at Our Feet—Wednesday, April 26, on Disney+ The Women’s World Cup doesn’t kick off until July, but football fans can whet their appetite with this all-new six-part documentary series that centers around Australia’s women’s national football team aka the Matildas. The series grants viewers unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes footage as the team prepares on and off the field for the 2023 World Cup on home soil. Through emotional interviews, the players and their families share deeply personal moments such as childhood memories, navigating long-distance relationships, motherhood, and more. All episodes are available to stream at launch.
Single Drunk Female—Wednesday, April 26, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform This week two all-new episodes—intended only for mature audiences—premiere on the network. In the first episode, Sam (Sofia Black-D’Elia) and Alex (Ricky Velez) prepare for their first romantic weekend away while Brit (Sasha Compere) struggles with singlehood in surprising ways. Elsewhere, James (Garrick Bernard) seeks help from an unlikely source. Ahmed Ibrahim, a participant of the 2022-23 Disney Directing Program, directed this episode. Then, Sam gets the opportunity to interview Bob the Drag Queen, but she sabotages her chance when she and Alex have their first fight. Meanwhile, James tries to reconnect with Mindy (Jojo Brown).
Secrets of Sulphur Springs—Friday, April 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel It’s time to get rid of the ghost in Room 205. The new episode follows the team as they compile all the skills and knowledge that they’ve recorded about the sinister guest to finally take him down. The spooky series stars Preston Oliver, Kyliegh Curran, Elle Graham, Kelly Frye, Josh Braaten, Landon Gordon, Madeleine McGraw, Diandra Lyle, Johari Washington, and Eugene Byrd.
Peter Pan & Wendy—Friday, April 28, on Disney+ Directed by David Lowery, the live-action reimagining of the beloved classic introduces Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson), a young girl afraid to leave her childhood home behind who meets Peter Pan (Alexander Molony), a boy who refuses to grow up. Alongside her brothers and a tiny fairy, Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi), she travels with Peter to the magical world of Never Land. There, she encounters an evil pirate captain, Captain Hook (Jude Law), and embarks on a thrilling and dangerous adventure that will change her life forever. The film also stars Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe, Molly Parker, Alan Tudyk, and Jim Gaffigan.
A cross-continental road trip is no easy feat, but fortunately, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park brings the continents to us!
At Walt Disney World Resort, EPCOT is often known for whisking guests around the world, but Disney’s Animal Kingdom devotes several areas to real-life locations. Sadly, Pandora – The World of Avatar and Dinoland U.S.A. don’t exist outside of the park (unless you leap forward several hundred years or go back a few million), but the park’s Asia and Africa sections reflect international inspiration.
In honor of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary on Saturday, April 22, we’ve rounded up some of the park’s attractions that you can find in real life.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain The mighty Mount Everest is the supreme challenge for any climber, so it’s no wonder that Walt Disney Imagineers wanted to replicate it! In Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, guests wander into a Tibetan Village to board a speeding train, which twists through the icy Himalayas. If ascending the mountain wasn’t daunting enough, the mythical Yeti might just try to keep you there.
Yeti spottings aren’t quite as standard in the Great Himalayas of southeast Asia, but Everest carries other challenges for even the most-seasoned climbers. With an elevation of about 29,032 feet, Everest is the world’s tallest peak. Though dazzling, the mountain has claimed the lives of more than 300 people with its perilous terrain, freezing temperatures, and thin oxygen.
Kilimanjaro Safaris In Kilimanjaro Safaris, 30 species roam 110 acres of picturesque open plains, shady forest landscapes, and rocky wetlands. Guests board a guided safari vehicle for an 18-minute tour through Harambe Wildlife Reserve, which simulates a lush African savanna.
Similar safaris run daily in several parts of Africa, and they are especially popular in Kenya and Tanzania. Kilimanjaro Safaris shares its name with Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, which towers at 19,430 feet tall! Located in Tanzania, it’s the largest free-standing mountain worldwide, which means it’s not part of a mountain range.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! This exciting stage show brims with innovative puppetry, catchy songs, and real-world locations! Based on Disney and Pixar’s beloved feature, Finding Nemo, the 25-minute tale is set in the oceans we all know and love. The adventure starts with the fish from Dr. P. Sherman’s office, located in Sydney, Australia. While 42 Wallaby Way may not be a verified address, the landmarks seen in the movie—including the Sydney Opera House and harbor—are home to hundreds of explorers each day. Of course, nearby is the spectacular Great Barrier Reef that Marlin, Nemo, and Dory call home.
In the 2016 film Finding Dory, our fish friends cross the Pacific Ocean to get to the Marine Life Institute, a setting for part of the stage show. The institute is fictional, but Morro Bay, California, is a spectacular real-life location. The Monterey Bay Aquarium isn’t too far off!
Maharajah Jungle Trek Explorers search Southeast Asia through the Maharajah Jungle Trek, which teems with native animals such as the Asian tiger. The Anandapur Royal Forest was crafted especially for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but Southeast Asia is certainly real! The animals seen on the trek—such as Elds deer, the Malayan flying fox, and blackbuck—are native to Southeast Asian regions such as India and the Philippines.
Festival of the Lion King In Festival of the Lion King, song, dance, and puppetry shine throughout the 40-minute stage show. Audiences are whisked away to the Pride Lands, a sprawling savanna of African wildlife. You got us—the Pride Lands aren’t technically a real place, at least by that name, but the inspiration is just as spectacular. For The Lion King, animators traveled to Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. The East African park is a bevy of wildlife and sweeping cliffs, and it just might remind you of some of your favorite spots in The Lion King!
In celebration of Earth Day, National Geographic’s award-winning Secrets of franchise is traveling the world—from the savannas of Africa to the urban landscapes of Asia—to reveal the extraordinary secrets of one of Earth’s most majestic creatures: the elephant. Executive produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-at-Large James Cameron, and narrated by Oscar®-winning actress Natalie Portman, Secrets of the Elephants will premiere on Friday, April 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic, and all four episodes will stream next day on Disney+.
The largest existing land animals, elephants have roamed the Earth for millennia. But even National Geographic Explorer and elephant expert Dr. Paula Kahumbu admits she’s surprised by the secrets uncovered in the series. “Forest elephants are particularly interesting, because they’ve only recently been discovered as a different species,” she says. “It’s literally happened in just the last few years. We recognized through genetics that they are not the same as savanna elephants; they are 3 million years separated. Yet, they’ve been so poorly studied because they were always assumed to be the same. That’s part of the reason why I really was curious to find out more about them and understand the differences between forest elephants and savanna elephants.”
According to Dr. Kahumbu, the forest elephants, in particular, were “very difficult” to study. “They live in deep, dark forests,” she explains. “They have been persecuted for hundreds of years, if not more. They are very scared of humans, and as a result, they are very dangerous. If they smell humans or see humans, they will try to attack. That is a learned behavior from being persecuted for so long, being killed for their ivory or their flesh. So, it’s very tragic. But at the same time, this series is a great opportunity for us to expose these magnificent animals as a new species—for the first time on film.”
In contrast, the desert elephants in Namibia were incredibly “relaxed,” according to cinematographer Bob Poole—which, of course, made his job much easier. “They understand people are not there to hurt them, so they’re fine with [humans],” he says. “But at times it was difficult, because we were working with a 50–1,000 millimeter lens—and if an elephant comes too close, you’re stuck with a close-up. You want a wide shot, and you don’t want to move because you don’t want to disrupt the scene. We’re trying to film elephants’ natural behavior, and the best way to do that is to almost not be there.”
Capturing the natural world without interference has long been part of the National Geographic ethos. “Animals don’t have a call time, so they’re going to show up when they show up,” Janet Han Vissering, Senior Vice President, Program Development and Production at Nat Geo Wild, explains with a laugh. “And this was shot over two years.”
To Make Secrets of the Elephants, the crew worked with local experts and scientists in Africa and Asia, Han Vissering says: “It was an all‑hands‑on‑deck process.” Not only did they film in multiple locations simultaneously, but they remained mindful of their carbon footprint. “Using our local talent, connections, and scientists is important,” she shares. “We were able to utilize that in full force to get this series done in record time.”
Dr. Kahumbu says working with the local experts and scientists was one of the most exciting parts of the project. “I wanted to go on the ground and embed myself with these phenomenal people who live with these animals, but whose stories have never been told, and whose knowledge hasn’t been seen or understood by people,” she says. “In Namibia, we worked with a man who… it was almost like he could call the elephants. It was incredible! He would stand in the desert’s dry riverbeds and the elephants would walk right up to us. In Borneo, we worked with a phenomenal woman who understood each individual elephant. She knew them by name, and she had learned them as characters with personalities—and that was how she had used science and the behavior of these animals to help the communities understand their animals. And then in the Congo, we worked with rangers. They were extraordinary, because we were on foot in the forest, walking down elephant highways—and every step of the way, I knew we could be in danger. But these guys could read the forest, smell and sense whether there was any danger coming from elephants at any moment. It was profoundly moving for me—life-changing—to know we have these people on the ground. It’s so important that we capture that knowledge and use it to help elephants.”
Ultimately, Dr. Kahumbu says, “I hope that this series profoundly impacts our audiences to fall in love with elephants and understand the pressures they’re facing as human populations grow and expand into elephant rangelands. We know there are solutions, but we need help to secure these elephants and make sure we can coexist with them.”
Are your Spidey senses tingling? Spider-Man™, Spider-Man 2™, Spider-Man 3™, and The Amazing Spider-Man™ are swinging onto Disney+ starting today, April 21! With great streaming there must also come great responsibility—so, can you detangle this web of trivia we’ve spun?
In which Marvel Comic did Spider-Man first appear?
Correct!Wrong!
Who is the villain in Spider Man 2?
Correct!Wrong!
One of Spider-Man’s popular villains, Doc Ock, can move his limbs at speeds of up to ___ feet per second.
Correct!Wrong!
Finish this quote from Spider-Man 2: “I have been ______ by fate.”
Correct!Wrong!
What year was Spider-Man 3 released?
Correct!Wrong!
In Spider-Man 3, what does Spider-Man’s new symbiote suit do?
Correct!Wrong!
In Spider-Man 3, who is Peter Parker’s best friend?
Correct!Wrong!
In Spider-Man 3, what is Peter Parker’s day job?
Correct!Wrong!
When was Venom’s first comic book appearance?
Correct!Wrong!
Featured in Spider-Man 3, when was Spider-Man’s symbiote suit first introduced in the comics?
Have you ever seen such a beautiful pin? Look back on 20 fabulous years of The Lizzie McGuire Movie with this D23-exclusive keepsake. We are beyond thrilled to bring our Gold Members an accessory so stellar, you’ll want to repeat it with EVERY outfit! It’s a perfect way to channel your “McGuire Mania” and celebrate the iconic character who came, saw, and told everyone what dreams are made of!
This pin is inspired by The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) ... Following the smash-hit Disney Channel original series Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004), The Lizzie McGuire Movie continues the story of teen Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) as she embarks on a class trip to Italy following her eighth-grade graduation. When Lizzie is mistaken for European pop sensation Isabella, she is instantly thrust into the spotlight—and begins to bounce between two very different worlds: her class trip, overseen by a no-nonsense chaperone, and the international music scene guided by Isabella’s handsome ex-partner, Paolo. The Lizzie McGuire Movie has defined a generation of fans and remained at the top of every playlist with its catchy finale tune, “What Dreams Are Made Of.”
D23-Exclusive The Lizzie McGuire Movie 20th Anniversary Limited-Edition Pin
Why not take a crazy chance and do a crazy dance with this D23 Gold Member-exclusive pin? It’s THE coolest way to celebrate 20 years of The Lizzie McGuire Movie! Featuring Lizzie’s animated cartoon consciousness, this pin is geared up to zip through a rambunctious Roman holiday, perfect for any nostalgic fan—or those wishing to bring justice to lip-syncing fakers named Paolo. Find out what dreams are made of and grab this totally awesome pin now!
Our D23-Exclusive The Lizzie McGuire Movie 20th Anniversary Limited-Edition Pin, offered in a limited run of 800, is available to D23 Gold Members at 8 a.m. PST on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, on shopDisney.
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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 $18.99 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
Our Spidey senses are tingling, because four Spider-Man films debut on Disney+ this weekend! Beginning Friday, April 21, binge Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, and The Amazing Spider-Man on the streaming service… then conclude your web-tastic marathon with a viewing of Captain America: Civil War, which introduces Tom Holland as the high-flying Super Hero into the Marvel Cinematic Universe—also available on Disney+.
Spider-Man (2002)—Available to Stream on Disney+ Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a nerdy high school student, bullied by jocks and struggling to fit in, all while harboring a big crush on his neighbor Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). But his life changes forever when a genetically altered spider bites him during a class field trip to a laboratory. The bite causes Peter to gain superhuman strength, clear vision, and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface. As Peter adjusts to his newfound powers, Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), an eccentric millionaire, transforms into the Green Goblin and threatens New York City; Peter, in turn, becomes Spider-Man to take him down. Spider-Man also stars James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, and J.K. Simmons.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)—Available to Stream on Disney+ After two years fighting crime as Spider-Man, life is falling apart for Peter Parker (Maguire). M.J. (Dunst) is engaged to another man; Peter’s powers are fading; and the Super Hero is now super-consumed with self-doubt. Plus, Peter’s best friend Harry (Franco) hates Spider-Man! Things become even more complicated when Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) is transformed into Dr. Octopus/Doc Ock, a cyborg with deadly metal tentacles, after a nuclear fusion experiment gone wrong. Doc Ock blames Spider-Man for the accident and seeks revenge. The film also stars Harris, Simmons, and Elizabeth Banks.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)—Available to Stream on Disney+ Peter (Maguire) and M.J. (Dunst) seem to finally be on the right track in their complicated relationship. However, when Peter’s Spider-Man suit turns black and takes control of him, his powers are enhanced—but so is the dark side of his personality. Peter must overcome the suit’s influence as two villains, Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace), rise up to destroy him and his loved ones. Bryce Dallas Howard, James Cromwell, and Harris also star.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)—Available to Stream on Disney+ Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is an outcast high schooler, trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. The teen is also navigating his first crush: Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). So when Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that once belonged to his father, he begins to delve into his parents’ mysterious disappearance, a search that leads him to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans)—his father’s former partner. However, as Peter clashes with Connors’ alter ego, The Lizard, he is forced to make some life-altering choices. Also starring Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, and Irrfan Khan.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)—Available to Stream on Disney+ With the public fearing the occasionally overzealous actions of Super Heroes, the government implements an accountability system for the Avengers… But this new system leads to a schism among the team of heroes: While Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) believes Super Heroes should remain free without government interference, Tony Stark/Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.) supports oversight. The debate escalates into an all-out feud, leading Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) to choose a side. Tom Holland makes his first appearance in the MCU as teen hero Spider-Man, and quickly mixes it up with the famed Avengers.
As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.
How tall is the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Correct!Wrong!
The Tree of Life stands 145 feet tall, and towers over the land at Discovery Island inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Get closer and you’ll see the shapes of over 300 animals carved into the tree!
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!
Welcome, foolish mortals, to fun under the sea and elemental connections as Disney brings the heat with a slate of films that are sure to warm hearts—and provide some chills as well. To celebrate the start of the summer season, the new issue of Disney twenty-three will feature three covers highlighting some of the biggest films coming from Disney: The Little Mermaid, Elemental, and Haunted Mansion.
Each cover features never-before-seen artwork showcasing the main characters who will tell these stories on the big screen. For The Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey glistens under the sea as the reimagined live-action Ariel. The fire-and-water friends Ember (Leah Lewis) and Wade (Mamoudou Athie) share their smiles on the cover for Elemental. Meanwhile, down in New Orleans, Rosario Dawson (Gabbie) and co-stars Owen Wilson (Father Kent), Danny DeVito (Bruce), Chase W. Dillon (Travis), Jamie Lee Curtis (Madame Leota), Tiffany Haddish (Harriet), and LaKeith Stanfield (Ben) appear in the “dead center of the room” on the cover featuring Haunted Mansion. D23 Gold Members will receive one of the stunning covers at random and will be able to purchase additional covers at shopDisney.com in May while supplies last.
In 1989, Disney fans around the world were introduced to Ariel in The Little Mermaid as she gave everyone a glimpse into life under the sea. On May 26, fans will have the chance to dive back into the fathoms below with the reimagined live-action film. Bailey—joined by director Rob Marshall, co-star Daveed Diggs (Sebastian), and composer and Disney Legend Alan Menken—gives readers a glimpse into part of her world during an exclusive interview, including the extensive “tank work” she did to bring Ariel to life.
The summer issue also breaks down the elements of Pixar Animation Studios’ new film, Elemental, in theaters June 16. Dig deeper into the flow of the filmmaking process, including the origins of the story, the real-life inspiration for Element City, and the creative process of bringing to “life” these permeable people. Director Peter Sohn and co-stars Lewis and Athie share all these inside details and more to get readers fired up for Pixar’s story about this unlikely connection.
From opposites react to ominous attractions, the summer of hits continues when Disney’s Haunted Mansion creeps into theaters on July 28 and brings to life the happy haunts of the beloved Disneyland Park classic. Stars Dawson, Stanfield, and Haddish share behind-the-screams details that are sure to leave readers in good spirits. Director—and former Haunted Mansion attraction cast member at Disneyland Park—Justin Simien shares that “it’s such a refreshing and funny take on a ‘ride movie’ that also strikes this unexpectedly personal chord.”
The back cover of the issue features the Electric Mayhem Band in a cover created exclusively for Disney twenty-three to celebrate the May 10 release of the Disney+ Original series The Muppets Mayhem. Executive producers Bill Barretta (Dr. Teeth), Adam F. Goldberg, and Leigh Slaughter and co-executive producer Jeff Yorkes, as well as Dave Goelz (Zoot) and co-stars Lilly Singh and Tahj Mowry, share stories on how the show—which follows the band on its journey to record their first album—rocks out.
After four decades of crusades and crystal skulls, it might seem time for archeologist-turned-adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) to retire his whip and fedora, but he’s got another quest to tackle in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, in theaters June 30. Ford is joined by co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Helena) and director James Mangold in exclusive interviews detailing the storyline of the new film, the action-packed stunts, and living up to the legacy of the Indiana Jones franchise. Ford shares with Disney twenty-three that he “wanted to finish the job. I wanted to see the character at the end of his career. I wanted to round out the story, as it were. So much of the character is based on his prowess, and when his academic career finishes, I always wondered what would be left of him.”
The new issue, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also sets sail through 25 years of the Disney Cruise Line; looks back at 70 years of Peter Pan, one of Walt Disney’s favorite childhood fairy tales and his first starring role; and gives a sneak peek into what happens when mythical beings enter the hallowed halls of high school in American Born Chinese, a new series coming to Disney+ on May 24.
Also in the Summer 2023 issue of Disney twenty-three:
A visual tour of the traveling Walt Disney Archives exhibit Walt Disney and El Grupo: A Trip Through Latin America
A tribute to the life and legacy of Disney Legend, animator, director, and story artist Burny Mattinson
A special By the Numbers: Disney100 looking back at The Walt Disney Company from 1949–1973—the second in a four-part series
Regular features including D Society, Character Analysis, and Ask the Walt Disney Archives
Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps and is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving before the end of May. For members looking to collect all three covers, they will be available exclusively on shopDisney.com while supplies last.
For Members looking to collect all three covers, they are now available exclusively on shopDisney.com while supplies last:
By Francesca Scrimgeour and Julia Vargas, Walt Disney Archives
When Walt Disney first arrived in California during the summer of 1923, he moved in with his uncle, Robert Disney, at 4406 Kingswell Avenue in Los Angeles. Before he made the move out west, he had sent a pilot film, Alice’s Wonderland—which he had made back in Kansas City—to various distributors hoping to sell the novel film concept as a dedicated series.
In October, Margaret Winkler, an accomplished New York distributor, thrilled with the Alice Comedies concept, agreed to back the proposed series. The contract for the first year of production called for one short film a month—a daunting task, but one that Walt, with his brother Roy by his side, was willing to try and accomplish. Thus, on October 16, 1923, Walt and Roy’s first contract was signed, and the brothers were in business. They named their company the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio—a testament to the communal faith in their creative endeavor that would drive their business for the ensuing decades, changing the face of entertainment forever. From these humble Hollywood beginnings, Walt and Roy’s organization would grow to reflect not only the ethos of the brothers’ creative and business acumen, but an intensely collaborative spirit.
A Creative Legacy: The Disney Bros. Story, a new exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives, includes a historical timeline of photographs of Walt and Roy O. Disney.
To celebrate this extraordinary partnership and foundation of the company’s 100-year history, the Walt Disney Archives recently unveiled a brand-new display entitled A Creative Legacy: The Disney Bros. Story. Located in the lobby of the Frank G. Wells Building on The Walt Disney Studios lot, this celebratory exhibit showcases the artistry, excellence, ingenuity, and perseverance that have defined the Disney brothers’ story. The display is open to Disney employees and their guests visiting The Walt Disney Studios and D23 Gold and Gold Family Members participating in The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23, as well as to guests partaking in select Southern California itineraries with Adventures by Disney.
The first of two exhibit cases reflect the Disney brothers’ story through featured historical photographs from their childhood up through the earliest days at the studio. The central showcase, presented just outside the Walt Disney Archives offices, highlights four different disciplines that represent many landmark business endeavors of The Walt Disney Company: Animation, Live-Action, Television, and Parks & Resorts.
This thaumatrope, featured in the “Animation” section of the display, was used by Walt Disney in “The Story of the Animated Drawing” (1955) to illustrate the early history of animation.
Animation Animation serves as the creative foundation of The Walt Disney Company and, appropriately, begins the story of this display. One of the items featured is the thaumatrope used by Walt Disney in “The Story of the Animated Drawing,” an episode of the Disneyland television series that aired on November 30, 1955. In his lead-in introducing the show, Walt demonstrates how to use the optical toy, explaining how it exhibits the principles of the “persistence of vision.” One side of the disc features the image of a bird, while the other shows a bird cage. When the disc is twirled, it creates the illusion of a combined impression of the bird inside the cage. Popular in the 19th century, the thaumatrope is recognized as an important antecedent of cinematography and the art of animation. Walt also discusses other animation novelties in this episode, such as the zoetrope and praxinoscope, examples of which are preserved in the Walt Disney Archives.
These vibrant stop-motion puppets were the primary cast in the opening title sequence of The Parent Trap (1961).
Live-Action Well-established in the field of animation, the Disneys forayed into the live-action side of filmmaking, releasing their first fully live-action feature in 1950 with Treasure Island. This section of the display showcases items from the Walt Disney Archives that represent the studio’s range of iconic live-action films through the years, including prop books, merchandise, and concept art.
A number of classic Disney films begin with an opening sequence that helps to establish the premise of the ensuing story. For The Parent Trap (1961), starring Disney Legend Hayley Mills, the imaginative title sequence was produced in stop-motion animation by renowned artists T. Hee, Disney Legend Bill Justice, and Disney Legend X Atencio. The sequence was also set to the tune of the title song, “The Parent Trap,” by songwriters (and Disney Legends) Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. This charming family of puppets was created using moveable arms and legs, felt hair, and snazzy outfits. Having these assets in the Walt Disney Archives allows the staff to preserve them as historical objects, which includes conservation work that protects their condition, so that they may continue to be shared with fans.
Nestled in the “Television” section of the display is the prop book Walt Disney’s The Art of Animation as featured on the Disneyland television series.
Television It is no secret that Walt was a leader in television entertainment, and the shows he developed were testament to his storytelling prowess, imagination, and innovative spirit. Making his TV debut on One Hour in Wonderland in 1950, Walt quickly recognized the power of this new medium and used it to his advantage a few years later when building Disneyland.
The Disneys’ TV legacy is represented in the display through the title cels for the Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color series; the membership application sign for the Mickey Mouse Club; and the Talent Roundup Day costume worn by Mouseketeer Carl “Cubby” O’Brien on the popular children’s show. With TV being such a groundbreaking enterprise for Walt Disney Productions—bringing Walt himself into the homes of American families on a weekly basis—it was only natural to include a montage of several of his TV lead-ins. In one of the featured clips, Walt showcases the prop book titled Walt Disney’s The Art of Animation, which was used in “The Story of the Animated Drawing” (1955) and “The Plausible Impossible” (1956) episodes of the Disneyland anthology series. In “The Story of the Animated Drawing,” Walt introduces this book as a pet project intended to document the history of the animator’s craft. Walt goes on to explain the book as a resource where “...you can read about the artists who dreamed and experimented, had their failures and successes, but somehow never gave up trying to breathe life and movement into the intimate picture.” While the prop presented on television was merely a mockup, a published book of the same title, by biographer and legendary entertainment reporter Bob Thomas, would be released in 1958.
Among the historic documents and ephemera in the “Parks & Resorts” section is the Disneyland prospectus prepared by WED Enterprises in 1953, along with a Disney Cottage sticker issued to Roy O. Disney for the Walt Disney World project and the “Meet Your New Job” Disneyland Employee Handbook from ca. 1957.
Parks & Resorts Partially as a result of the Disney brothers’ foray into television entertainment, Walt and Roy would revolutionize the amusement park industry. Famously, the idea of Disneyland was sparked in Walt’s imagination when he would take his two young daughters to carnivals, zoos, and small amusement parks, but often found himself sitting on benches eating peanuts while they experienced rides and had all the fun. Walt’s dream of a place where parents and children could have fun together evolved into the first Disney park, Disneyland.
The “Parks & Resorts” section of the exhibit is especially fitting in this space since Walt first thought of building his park on a strip of land just across Riverside Drive from the Disney Studios in Burbank. However, that acreage proved too small to hold all his ideas, thus leading him to Anaheim for his new venture.
This section of the display features early Disneyland merchandise, opening year brochures, and early Cast Member name tags, along with interoffice memos and commemorative plaques. An especially remarkable artifact is the unassuming blue binder housing an original copy of the Disneyland prospectus, which was prepared by WED Enterprises in 1953. This particular document was used by Roy, widely considered the financial genius of the Company, to present to potential investors and helped Walt achieve his dream of Disneyland.
