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

By Andie Hagemann

From the gridiron to the galaxy, this weekend’s slate of content highlights wacky families and chosen families. On Saturday, The Game Plan airs on FX, and later that same day, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder makes its broadcast debut on Disney Channel. A special presentation of Freaky Friday airs Sunday on Freeform, while The Wonderful World of Disney returns with Beauty and the Beast on ABC, and Guardians of the Galaxy airs on FX that night.

In a scene from the feature film The Game Plan, actor Dwayne Johnson portrays Joe Kingman and holds actor Madison Pettis, who plays Peyton, a young girl, in his arms. Johnson and Pettis both wear maroon football jerseys with white and black stripes and lettering. Red and white confetti falls from the sky.

The Game Plan—Saturday, January 7, at 8 a.m. ET/PT on FX
Professional football player Joe Kingman (Dwayne Johnson) has is all. He’s wealthy and carefree, and his team is bound for the playoffs. But Joe is tackled by the surprising news that he has an 8-year-old daughter. Now, he must learn how to balance his personal and professional lives as he tries to be the best father in the world to Peyton (Madison Pettis). The heartwarming film also stars Kyra Sedgwick, Roselyn Sanchez, Morris Chestnut, Jamal Duff, Brian White, and Paige Turco.

In a scene from animated series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, four teenagers stand side by side: Zoey, Penny, Michael, and Dijonay. Zoey wears eyeglasses, a blue jacket, and a green dress and holds a tray of nachos. Penny wears a white tank top, a maroon sweater, and a maroon skirt. Michael wears eyeglasses, black suspenders, a black and white long-sleeved blouse, and a pair of purple pants. Dijonay wears a lavender blouse, a light blue sweater, and a blue skirt.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder—Saturday, January 7, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
Ahead of the Season 2 premiere on Disney+ in February, the first season of the hit animated series will air all month long on Disney Channel and Disney XD, beginning this weekend with the first two episodes. Episode 1 follows Penny (voiced by Kyla Pratt) as her world is rocked following the arrival of two new kids in the neighborhood: Maya (voiced by Keke Palmer) and KG (voiced by Artist “A Boogie” Dubose). Penny dabbles as a social media influencer in Episode 2, but she soon realizes it’s not a picture-perfect life.

In a scene from Freaky Friday, actors Lindsay Lohan as teenage daughter Anna and Jamie Lee Curtis as mother Tess stand facing one another. Lohan wears a blue button-down shirt and her hair styled in a tight bun. Curtis wears a white, ribbed tank top and a pair of black pants. The two both hold onto a black belt and stand in a pink bedroom decorated with dozens of posters and photos on the walls.

Freaky Friday (2003)—Sunday, January 8, at 6:50 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her teenage daughter, Anna (Lindsay Lohan), couldn’t be more different‑and they can’t stand it! After receiving mysterious fortunes at a Chinese restaurant, the two wake up the next day to discover that they have switched bodies. Unable to switch back, Tess and Anna are forced to act as each other until a solution can be found. The hilarious comedy also stars Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Lucille Soong, Harold Gould, Willie Garson, and Stephen Tobolowsky.

In a scene from Beauty and the Beast, actors Emma Watson as Belle and Luke Evans as Gaston stand in a town square. Watson wears a white, long-sleeved blouse and a light blue dress while she holds a book with a brown cover in her hands. Evans holds a bouquet of pink peonies and pink hyacinths in his right hand and wears a tan coat with a red lapel and a red collar.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Beauty and the Beast (2017)—Sunday, January 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The live-action retelling of the animated classic follows Belle (Emma Watson), a bright and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by the Beast (Dan Stevens) in his enchanted castle. Despite her reservations, she befriends the castle’s staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s grisly appearance and see the kind heart within. The star-studded cast includes Luke Evans as Gaston, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Disney Legend Josh Gad as Lefou, Ewan McGregor as Lumière, Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy, actors Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, and Dave Bautista as Drax walk through a futuristic town. Saldaña has long black hair with a red ombre and green skin and wears a black, sleeveless top and black pants. Pratt wears a maroon leather jacket, black pants, and a gray T-shirt. Bautista is shirtless, exposing his gray skin and red markings, and wears black pants. Behind the group walks Groot, a large, tree-like humanoid.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)—Sunday, January 8, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on FX
Space ravager Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the target of ruthless bounty hunters after he steals an orb coveted by the powerful Ronan (Lee Pace). To evade Ronan, Peter enlists the help of four misfits: Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), and Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). However, when Peter discovers the orb’s true power and the threat it poses, he must rally the ragtag group to save the universe.

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.

Where did the Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue make its first appearance?

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The Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue was first revealed to fans at D23 Expo 2022... and it’s now featured in our 2023 D23 Gold Member Collector Set!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
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Behind the Scenes with Disneyland Resort’s Holiday Toy Drummers

By Courtney Potter

The holidays at Disneyland Resort are truly a feast for the senses… with delicious treats to eat on; incredible decorations that are a sight to behold; and memorable performances in every corner of both parks. Case in point: The Holiday Toy Drummers at Disney California Adventure Park!

From now through January 8, 2023, you’ll find these merry musicians playing with percussive precision on their drums—supplied by Yamaha, the official supplier of musical instruments to the Disneyland Resort—multiple times a day near the Obelisk in Paradise Gardens Park. D23 recently had the good fortune of chatting with the show’s director, Linda Simmons, about what goes into creating such a holly, jolly presentation.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club: Hi Linda! Can you give us a bit of background about you, and about the Holiday Toy Drummers? How long have you worked on the show?
Linda Simmons (LS): I’m the show director and choreographer for the Disneyland Band, since its new version in 2015, and also the All-American College Band. The Holiday Toy Drummers actually started at Disneyland Park around 10 years ago, and I took over the Disney California Adventure version of it about five years ago. We really worked on the storytelling; I partnered with Glenn Kelman, who was the original show director; we worked together—it was quite extraordinary because we wanted to make it more choreographed, more staged, and give it a little bit more dimension… It’s just been such a collaborative experience—not only with myself, but with the creative directors and producers at Disneyland. We partnered together to fine-tune it, and make sure that it was an extraordinary offering.

D23: What’s the process for putting together each year’s show? Do you hold auditions? If so, what do you look for in a drummer?
LS: Well, we don’t hold auditions every year, if the people that we know we used the year before are all at the resort, and we have enough depth. But sometimes people get different jobs or different shows… This year, we did have an audition—and we auditioned new people, as well as asked that all of our cast who’d previously participated in Holiday Toy Drummers come to the callback… We have 16 people on our roster now, to cover both Holiday Toy Drummers and the drummers in Mickey’s Happy Holidays; that includes three new people, and a couple people who’d been gone for a while and came back.

We look for a lot of things: Personality and showmanship, for sure! And also the ability to do drum tricks and stick tricks. A lot of the Holiday Toy Drummers toured with Drum Corps International, [with famous groups including] the Cavaliers or Pacific Crest—they’re true “drum corps” people. So, it’s a different skill set—although it crosses over—than, say the Disneyland Band, where you’re working as a “kit” ensemble; the Holiday Toy Drummers have to have rudimentary skills as well as tricks, and really understand marching and movement. The whole show is completely staged and choreographed—and the rehearsal process is pretty grueling, over a six- to eight-day period.

D23: Do the pieces the drummers play change each year?
LS: No, the show is what we would call “baked”—it’s the same music from previous incarnations; but when I came in, I kind of tweaked it… so there’s a progression of the performance technique, in the acting choices as well.

D23: Is there someone who’s been with the Holiday Toy Drummers the longest?
LS: Alex Blake—he’s been with the group pretty much since the beginning. He has become the leader of the ensemble, so I really lean on him a lot to make sure that the drumming and the music stays consistent. He also creates the beats for the drummers in Mickey’s Happy Holidays, as well as Jammin’ Chefs. So he’s really become my partner-in-crime.

D23: Do you have a favorite part of the process? What about a challenge that you needed to meet, maybe in an interesting or unique way?
LS: Honestly, it’s always been so collaborative. Even from the very beginning… it was just one of those truly creative, magical times that don’t happen very often, but when they do you remember them forever.

And I would say, for sure, the biggest challenge was when we did it six feet apart [during some of the early COVID-19 restrictions]. The show has all this drum-on-drum interaction, and times where they’re tossing sticks. Last year, they had to be six feet apart—and we were on the Palisades stage, on a high stage, so we couldn’t do any hard stick tosses because if they dropped their sticks, they would land in the World of Color moat! Obviously, we had to adjust the show… but we made those concessions, and then this year we brought the full show back.

D23: Do you have a stand-out memory from your time with the show?
LS: That’s a daily occurrence! I love that the drummers are so committed to excellence. The show is consistent, and the show is always clean. And when I watch people watch it and say, “Oh my gosh, wow—that’s amazing!”, I couldn’t pick one time, because every time I’m so proud of the work that we’ve done together. And I’m proud of the support that I’ve had. You know, it’s never one person—it’s me, it’s my boss, it’s the producers, it’s the operations partners, it’s a partner like Yamaha… it’s all such a partnership, and I love that.

These drummers—they’re my guys! And we’ve been on lots of adventures together, creating the show and putting it back on its feet every year. It’s just joyful!

Behind the Scenes of SuperKitties, Disney Branded Television’s Purr-fect New Superhero Series

By Andie Hagemann

Brave, smart, strong, and kind—meet the fearsome feline foursome who are ready to pounce into action when cat-astrophe strikes.

From Disney Branded Television, the new animated series SuperKitties features four adorable kittens—Ginny, Sparks, Buddy, and Bitsy—with plenty of super skills and gadgets at their disposal to protect the city of Kittydale from a slew of villains.

“I’ve always loved cats and I’ve always loved superheroes,” series creator and executive producer Paula Rosenthal tells D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. “There are many shows that pay homage to one or the other, but I noticed there was a void to pay homage to both, and I was looking to do it in a way that was different.”

While ruminating the concept, Rosenthal watched dozens upon dozens of cat videos for inspiration in developing the humor and action of the core group of heroes. The videos also helped with creating villains who are still likable to viewers despite their devious actions.

The creation of SuperKitties also marks Rosenthal’s return to the Disney family, previously serving as an executive for Playhouse Disney. “I feel a little bit like a unicorn,” she shares with a laugh. “How many people can say that they’ve been on both sides of [the creative process]?” When the time came to pitch the show, there was no doubt Disney would be her first stop.

In a scene from animated series SuperKitties, four kittens wear colorful superhero suits and masks and stand side by side. The group looks at another cat wearing a blue beanie on its head, a navy mask, and a navy superhero suit. Behind the cats is an enormous ball of yarn.

“From the beginning, it was always [this]: Being SuperKitties is what they do and being cats is who they are. I didn’t want to lose the cat-like behavior,” Rosenthal says, “but we wanted to tell these stories in a way that kids could see themselves as or aspire to be like these heroes we’re portraying.”

Each of the paw-some kittens possess a unique superpower. Ginny (voiced by Luca’s Emma Berman), the leader of the group, is a master at parkour. “When Ginny’s claws come out, she can jump and grab onto something, swing herself around, and leap from object to object,” Rosenthal says. Buddy (voiced by JeCobi Swain) can turn himself into a furball and knock things down, while his brother, Sparks (voiced by Cruz Flateau), is the brainiac who creates all the gadgets. The littlest cat, Bitsy (voiced by Pyper Braun), serves as the eyes of the audience. “She’s learning the way our audience will learn,” Rosenthal says. “She can go fast, and when she’s got her boots on, she can go with the speed of light.”

With so many different cat breeds, patterns, and markings to choose from, Rosenthal credits the collaboration with the creative team at Disney for the kittens’ purr-fect fur coats. “We wanted to keep them looking real and relatable, getting those beautiful colors and the combination of the eyes and the glitter in the eyes,” Rosenthal says. Unintentionally, Ginny bears a strong resemblance to Rosenthal’s very first cat, Daisy, a tabby with orange stripes.

In a scene from animated series SuperKitties, a rat pops out of a large contraption and laughs. It wears a red and white striped shirt and a white lab coat and a pair of goggles. Next to the rat a purple octopus wears a pair of large blue goggles and a white lab coat and sits on a blue platform.

SuperKitties features the recurring comedic villains Cat Burglar (voiced by Justin Guarini), Mr. Puppypaws (voiced by Aladdin on Broadway’s James Monroe Iglehart), Lab Rat (voiced by Ruth Pferdehirt), and Zsa-Zsa the cockatoo (voiced by Isabella Crovetti). “They all get into trouble trying to do something for themselves while unintentionally impacting the greater [city of] Kittydale,” Rosenthal says. In an upcoming episode, Cat Burglar lures animals with charms and gems into a faux mobile salon so he can make a bejeweled coat for his grandmother with the stolen items. But the SuperKitties teach Cat Burglar that stealing is wrong and encourage him to return the gems.

Rosenthal also teases an upcoming Christmas-themed episode—one of her favorite stories thus far—that features Cat Burglar. “You really get to see Cat Burglar’s heart,” she says. “It has beautiful music, incredible heart, an emotional journey, and great Christmas music—in addition to all the action and comedy.”

From the young to the young at heart, there’s something in SuperKitties for everyone. “It’s fun, it’s quirky, it’s high energy, but most of all there are beautiful lessons to be told in how with a little kindness, bravery, and strength you can make your home a better place,” says Rosenthal.

SuperKitties premieres Wednesday, January 11, at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT with a simulcast on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. An initial batch of episodes will be available to stream that same day on Disney+ and on-demand platforms.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

New year, new spectacular titles coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week! On Tuesday night, watch the The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds crossover event, followed by the series premiere of Will Trent, all airing on ABC. The second seasons of Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Star Wars: The Bad Batch launch Wednesday on Disney+, and that same day a new episode of Abbott Elementary airs on ABC.

In a scene from the ABC series The Rookie: Feds, actors Nathan Fillion as John Nolan and Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark stand inside a residential kitchen. Fillion rests his hand on the counter and wears a green corduroy coat and a black T-shirt. Nash-Betts looks to the left and wears a burnt orange T-shirt and a purple kimono with colorful flowers. On the kitchen counter sits a glass of red wine.

The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds Crossover Event—Tuesday, January 3, from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT
The two-hour crossover event begins with the adrenaline-pumping midseason premiere of The Rookie. Detective Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) and her husband James (Arjay Smith) find themselves trapped in the middle of a bank robbery, which leads the entire team on a citywide manhunt. Meanwhile, Officers Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) finally go on their first date, but it isn’t free of drama.

The action continues with the midseason premiere of The Rookie: Feds, as a mysterious caller threatens to reveal a leaked list of undercover FBI agents if a prisoner isn’t released. After an exposed agent is wounded, the team identifies the caller and heads to the Port of Los Angeles to secure the prisoner’s release. Later, FBI rookie Simone (Niecy Nash-Betts) enlists Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) to help her remodel Cutty’s garage into a living space.

In a scene from the ABC series Will Trent, actors Sonja Sohn as Amanda and Ramón Rodríguez as Will Trent stand side by side. Sohn wears an orange collared top, khaki pants, and an orange and tan plaid jacket with a gold police badge on her hip. Rodriguez wears a tan three-piece suit, a blue button-down shirt, and a green plaid tie. He holds a picture frame in his left hand.

Will Trent—Tuesday, January 3, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
When a murder investigation reveals there is more to the story, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) enlists the keen instincts of Special Agent Will Trent (Ramón Rodríguez) to uncover the truth. Along the way, he reunites with a part of his past that helped shape him into the agent he is now. The all-new series also stars Erika Christensen, Iantha Richardson, and Jake McLaughlin.

In a scene from the National Geographic series Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, two hippos stick their heads above the water’s surface.

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom—Wednesday, January 4, on Disney+
Prepare for hours of cuteness… because Season 2 of this beloved series will be available to binge on the streaming service beginning this week. The adorable Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom gives viewers a backstage pass to explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort. Discover how more than 5,000 remarkable animals spend their days, and meet the caretakers who help keep things running.

In a scene from Star Wars: The Bad Batch, an animated depiction of Chewbacca holds a green lightsaber in darkness.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch—Wednesday, January 4, on Disney+
The hit series returns with its long-awaited second season. Set months after the events on Kamino, Season 2 follows the Bad Batch as they continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places. Star Wars: The Bad Batch 2 stars Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of the Bad Batch and Michelle Ang as the voice of Omega. Returning guest stars include Rhea Perlman as Cid and Noshir Dalal as Vice Admiral Rampart, while Wanda Sykes will make her series debut as the voice of Phee Genoa. The first two episodes debut on the premiere date, followed by new episodes launching every Wednesday.

In a scene from the ABC series Abbott Elementary, actors Quinta Brunson as Janine and Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa stand inside a school library next to large wooden book stacks. Brunson wears a long-sleeved green and white dress and holds her hands behind her back. Walter wears a blazer, a neon green top, and black pants and holds a stack of books in her arms.

Abbott Elementary—Wednesday, January 4, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The hit series returns with a friendly competition between classrooms. Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) and Janine (Quinta Brunson)—and their classrooms—go head-to-head in a read-a-thon sponsored by a local pizza shop. Both teachers encourage their students to hit the books hard, but face a few unexpected challenges along the way. Meanwhile, Jacob (Chris Perfetti) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) team up to start a student-podcasting club.

Disney to Celebrate 100th Anniversary in 2023

By the D23 Team

The Walt Disney Company will mark its 100th anniversary in 2023, timed to its founding by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney on October 16, 1923. The year 2023 will celebrate the journey and storytelling of Disney’s creative visionaries across the decades, as well as the fans and families who have brought Disney into their hearts to create cherished memories during the past 100 years.

In 2023, Disney100 will introduce new experiences with beloved characters along with heartwarming new stories to delight audiences and guests around the world. There will also be a slate of exciting events around the globe to mark this milestone, including:

  • At Disney Parks, 2023 will be full of surprises and new offerings. The festivities start January 27 at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, when guests will enjoy the grand opening of the new attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and two all-new nighttime spectaculars—World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure Park and Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park—along with special entertainment, food, beverage, and merchandise offerings. Additionally, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, airing Saturday, December 31, on ABC, and ESPN’s broadcast of the 109th Rose Bowl Game on Monday, January 2, will both celebrate Disneyland as a home of Disney100. Later in 2023, the celebration will come to life at Walt Disney World Resort. International Disney Parks destinations will feature new offerings and surprises throughout the year, all leading up to the 100th anniversary of the company on October 16. 
  • Disney100: The Exhibition, opening February 18 at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a 15,000-square-foot exhibition that invites guests to step into their favorite Disney stories through innovative and immersive technology throughout 10 galleries. As part of the exhibition, the Walt Disney Archives is opening its vault of treasures, showcasing more than 250 of its “Crown Jewels,” rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia. The exhibition is beginning a five-year journey that will make stops across the United States and throughout Europe, including Munich and London in 2023. 
  • In Europe, fans will have the opportunity to experience Disney stories and songs in new, interactive ways, including a multi-territory European Concert Tour, Disney100: The Concert, kicking off in April; and an immersive Wonder of Friendship experience, debuting in May. 
  • Comic-Con Experience (CCXP) 2022 in Brazil marked the beginning of The Walt Disney Company’s anniversary celebration in Latin America, which will continue in 2023. In addition, Disney100 in Concert, developed in Latin America, will kick off in Argentina’s Opera House (Teatro Colón) in February, following an 11-country symphonic LATAM tour, where beloved characters will participate in generating a unique ensemble of music, film, and dancing. Tickets for Disney100 in Concert at Teatro Colón are on sale now. 
  • Disney will also celebrate its biggest fans in special ways throughout Disney100, with exclusive events, sneak previews, and, in September, a Disney100-themed Destination D23 just for Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at Walt Disney World Resort. 
  • On November 22, Walt Disney Animation Studios will debut Wish, an original animated story with all-new characters, plus original music by Julia Michaels. From the teams that created the Frozen films, Wish is inspired by the Studios’ legacy of storytelling and explores how the star that so many Disney characters wished upon came to be.

Some of the Disney100 celebration has already begun! Earlier this month, Walt Disney Animation Studios debuted an all-new Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short, officially bringing back the beloved character to celebrate the Company’s 100th anniversary. On December 12, the first offerings from the Disney100 Platinum Celebration Collection launched on shopDisney, including the iconic Mickey Mouse Ear Hat with a platinum touch, Sketchbook Ornaments with classic designs of fan-favorite characters, and exclusive Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse plush.

Disney is excited to honor its milestone birthday in 2023 by continuing to bring both new and timeless stories to life for the fans who have sparked the magic and wonder that is Disney since the company’s founding on October 16, 1923. There is much more to come, which Disney looks forward to sharing soon.

Every Disney Moment We’re Looking Forward to in 2023

We’ll admit it…. We’re pretty excited for 2023. Not only does it contain our FAVORITE number, but it also kicks off the celebration of 100 years of The Walt Disney Company! We have so much to look forward to from around the worlds of Disney this year that it might seem impossible to fit it all in one article—but we tried anyway!

Disney100

On October 16, 1923, Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio and changed the world forever. One hundred years later, we’re still carrying on the legacy of Walt’s dream—and creating new things beyond the bounds of what was possible a century ago. Of course, Disney can’t let this milestone pass quietly—we’re celebrating all year long with special events, exclusive merchandise, and highly anticipated entertainment. Disney100 will be the largest cross-company global celebration in the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company.

Here are just some of the ways you can help ring in 100 years of Disney in 2023:

  • See Mickey in his new “platinum” outfit
  • A brand-new Walt Disney Studios logo introduction
  • Disney100: The Exhibition
  • New Disney100 merchandise, including a Platinum Collection, a Decades Collection, and all-new books
  • A vinyl compilation highlighting Disney’s musical moments across film, television, and the Parks

You can read more about Disney100: The Exhibition here, and buy tickets here... and be sure to stay tuned throughout 2023 as more ways to celebrate Disney100 are announced!

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

There’s always a great, big beautiful tomorrow at Disney Parks, and 2023 is promising a positively platinum future! To ring in 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, Disney Parks across the globe are kicking off a spectacular celebration of Disney’s legacy—and it all begins on January 27 at Disneyland Resort, where you can look forward to Wondrous Journeys, an all-new fireworks spectacular at Disneyland Park, and World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure Park. Plus, the whole resort is going platinum with new decorations, merchandise, food, and even new costumes for Mickey Mouse and his friends!

As part of this 100th anniversary celebration at Disneyland, guests can look forward to the opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway on January 27 and the long-awaited return of the Magic Happens parade beginning February 24. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway first opened at Walt Disney World in 2020 and arrives at Disneyland Park to kick off not just the Disney100 celebration, but to usher in the reopening of Mickey’s Toontown on March 8! Guests of D23 Expo were able to get a sneak peek at what’s in store for the reimagined land, including Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard and CenTOONial Park.

Over on the East Coast, Walt Disney World Resort is taking guests into the Grid with the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run, an attraction that lets you climb aboard your own Lightcycle and race against the Grid’s speediest Programs. The highly anticipated coaster has been a fan-favorite at Shanghai Disneyland and will open at Magic Kingdom Park in the spring. Something a little more ghoulishly delightful is materializing over in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square; as announced at D23 Expo 2022, the fan-favorite and extremely beloved Hatbox Ghost will make his home at Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion next year. And as if that wasn’t enough, one more fan-favorite is returning to Magic Kingdom—the Happily Ever After fireworks will once again light up the sky with an updated version of the show in 2023.

As EPCOT’s multi-year transformation continues, guests will start to see some new enhancements open in late 2023. The World Celebration neighborhood and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will offer guests new and exciting experiences, while Figment will return to appear live and spark guests’ imaginations.

Our friends overseas are also hard at work creating new magic for Disney fans to enjoy, including World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. Opening in the second half of 2023, this Frozen-inspired land is the first of three to debut at international Disney parks. Over at Disneyland Paris, the park’s 30th anniversary will come to a grand finale with a new stage show, “Pixar: We Belong Together,” debuting late 2023 at Walt Disney Studios Park.

No matter if you live in California or Hong Kong or somewhere in between, there’s one new Disney Parks experience we’ll all be able to enjoy next year: A series of adorable shorts on Disney+ starring Duffy and friends! The six-episode, stop-motion animated series features all of Duffy’s friends, including the inquisitive new fox LinaBell. During the “World of Duffy & Friends” panel at D23 Expo 2022, guests got a sneak peek at some of the shorts—and they were riveted, “aww”-ing and “oh no”-ing as the adventures unfolded. Soon, you too can be captivated by the charming antics of Duffy and his cuddly crew!

Movies

In a scene from Walt Disney Studios’ The Little Mermaid, actor Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, a mermaid with long, flowy red hair, an iridescent green mermaid tale, and an iridescent purple strapless top. Bailey looks up and sits on a large rock deep below the ocean’s surface.

Swimming onto the big screen in 2023 is the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel, the spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film also stars Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as the voice of Flounder, Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Art Malik as Sir Grimsby, and Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina, along with Javier Bardem as King Triton and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.

In the reimagining of the Oscar®-winning animated classic, Ariel—the youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant—longs to learn more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, she falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life—and her father’s crown—in jeopardy. The Little Mermaid opens exclusively in theaters on May 26.

The key art for Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy features the top sails of a pirate ship peeking above a layer of thick clouds as it moves toward a golden sunset.

Coming to Disney+ in Spring 2023, is Walt Disney Studios’ Peter Pan & Wendy—a live-action reimagining of the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan. Directed by David Lowery, the film stars Alexander Molony as Peter Pan, Ever Anderson as Wendy, Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, Alyssa Wapanâtahk as Tiger Lily, and Jude Law as Captain Hook.

The new film dives deeper into Wendy’s story as she joins the boy who refuses to grow up on a magical journey to Neverland and reveals the history behind Peter Pan’s rivalry with one of Disney’s infamous villains.

On August 11, embark on a ghostly adventure with Walt Disney Studios’ Haunted Mansion. Inspired by the classic Disney Parks attraction, the film follows a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. Directed by Justin Simien, who used to work at Disneyland Park, the film’s star-studded cast includes Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, and Jamie Lee Curtis, to name a few.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, actors Paul Rudd and Kathryn Lang look at a group of people aiming weapons at them on an alien planet resembling a desert landscape.

Marvel Studios has three films lined up for 2023, starting with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania on February 17, which kicks off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Peyton Reed, the cast includes Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathryn Newton, and Jonathan Majors.

The beloved band of misfits return with the premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on May 5. James Gunn writes and directs the film, which stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, and Maria Bakalova.

On November 11, go higher, further, and faster when The Marvels premieres in theaters. The film, directed by Nia DaCosta, stars Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, and Teyonah Parris.

In a scene from Disney and Pixar’s Elemental, Ember, a fiery woman, and Wade, a water-like man, stand side-by-side in front of a counter. Behind them are lush, green plants.

On June 16, Disney and Pixar Animation Studios will release Elemental, introducing audiences to Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story, directed by Peter Sohn, introduces Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis), a tough, quick-witted, and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade (voiced by Mamoudou Athie) challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.

In a scene from Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, actor Harrison Ford portrays Indiana Jones. Ford wears a brown leather jacket, a tan button-down shirt, a brown tie, and a brown fedora. Ford holds a whip in his right hand and stands in front of a large window.

Legendary hero archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) returns to the big screen in Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on June 30. Starring along with Ford in the highly anticipated fifth installment of the franchise are Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Oliver Richters, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen. The film is directed by James Mangold.

In a scene from Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, actor Harrison Ford portrays Indiana Jones. Ford wears a brown leather jacket, a tan button-down shirt, a brown tie, and a brown fedora. Ford holds a whip in his right hand and stands in front of a large window.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming animated feature film Wish premieres November 22, exclusively in theaters. The epic animated musical, directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, is inspired by the studios’ legacy of films. The film is set in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes where wishes can literally come true. Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) is a 17-year-old optimist with a sharp wit who cares endlessly about her community. In a moment of desperation, Asha makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

Wish also includes Disney Animation’s good-luck-charm Alan Tudyk as the voice of a goat named Valentino, and showstopping original songs penned by Julia Michaels.

Streaming Ahead

There’s so much incredible content to look forward to in the new year—where do we start?! Well, as committed Whovians, we’re especially excited for Doctor Who’s debut on Disney+ in late 2023. But before we go galivanting through time and space on the TARDIS, there’s so much else in store on the streaming service, such as Season 4 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, featuring a host of original trilogy stars; several sure-to-be-thrilling new series from Marvel Studios, including Secret Invasion, Echo, and Ironheart; a deeper look into a fan-favorite Star Wars character with the new Lucasfilm series Ahsoka; and—coming up soon!—the return of both The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (February 1) and Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian (March 1).

Promo images for Marvel Studios’ Echo, starring Alaqua Cox (seen leaning up against a forklift, wearing a purple turtleneck, black pants, and boots), and Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 4 (image featuring, left to right, Lucas Grabeel wearing a black top and baseball cap, Corbin Bleu wearing a black denim button-up, and Monique Coleman wearing a yellow top and orange skirt).

Over on Hulu, Only Murders in the Building will return for a third season of hilarity, and How I Met Your Father will continue exploring the meet-cute of the show’s titular narrator.  On Freeform, the second half of grown-ish’s fifth season kicks off on January 18 as Junior continues in big sister Zoey’s footsteps, and the new series The Watchful Eye (debuting January 30) follows a young woman as she’s thrust into a world of old money and deadly secrets.

ABC welcome back A Million Little Things for its farewell season on February 8 (you can stream previous seasons on Hulu)... and there are several new series to look forward to—including Not Dead Yet (also premiering February 8), starring Gina Rodriguez as a broke and newly single self-described “disaster” who lands the only job she can find: writing obituaries.

Promo images for ABC’s Not Dead Yet starring Gina Rodriguez (seen wearing a blue leather jacket and looking at someone off-camera to the right); and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (the show logo is in the upper left of the image, and lead character Lunella—wearing large goggles, a yellow outfit, black boots, and red gloves—is using a broom to brush the teeth of Devil Dinosaur, a bright-red T-rex).

On Disney Channel, the highly anticipated animated series Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur chronicles the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex; look for it to debut on February 10. And Season 2 of Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom—debuting January 1 on Nat Geo, and then streaming on Disney+ January 4—will take another gander at the amazing animal care and conservation efforts across Walt Disney World Resort.

There’s truly something for everyone in 2023—so mark those calendars, and keep those eyes peeled...

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

By Andie Hagemann

As 2022 comes to a close, FX is counting down the start of the New Year with an epic Marvel movie marathon all weekend long. On Saturday, watch X2: X-Men United, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Then, catch Fantastic Four and Black Panther, both airing on Sunday. All these super titles are also available to stream on Disney+.

In a scene from X2: X-Men United, actor Hugh Jackman portrays Wolverine and extends his arms outward. He wears a white ribbed tank top and has metal blades extending out of his knuckles. Behind him are a large wooden staircase and a masked fighter holding a large machine gun.

X2: X-Men United (2003)—Saturday, December 31, at 11 a.m. ET/PT on FX
After brainwashed mutant Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) attacks the President of the United States (Cotter Smith), former Army commander William Stryker (Brian Cox) launches an investigation into the attack—as well as the mansion and school owned by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). Magneto (Ian McKellen) escapes his plastic cell and partners with Xavier and the X-Men to combat their shared enemy. The film also stars Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Rebecca Romijn, and Shawn Ashmore, to name a few.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Thor, actor Chris Hemsworth portrays Thor and actor Clark Gregg portrays Agent Coulson. Hemsworth and Gregg stand face-to-face in a desert landscape next to a vintage electronic sign painted yellow and orange. Hemsworth wears silver and black armor and a red cape; Gregg wears a black suit, a black tie, and a white button-down shirt.

Thor (2011)—Saturday, December 31, at 2 p.m. ET/PT on FX
Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of the Norse gods, is next in line to inherit the throne of Asgard from his aging father. However, on the day that he is to be crowned, Thor reacts with brutality when the Frost Giants enter the palace in violation of their treaty. Odin punishes Thor and banishes him to Earth. Meanwhile, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor’s brother, plots mischief in Asgard—and Thor, stripped of his powers, faces his greatest threat. The star-studded cast also includes Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Stellan Skarsgard, and Renee Russo.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, actors Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America stand side-by-side and wear olive military uniforms. Behind Atwell and Evans are other soldiers and a large white board with writing and drawings.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)—Saturday, December 31, at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT on FX
During World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his part and join America’s armed forces, but the military rejects him due to his small stature. However, Rogers gets his chance when he’s accepted into an experimental program that turns him into a super soldier. Ultimately, this new “Captain America” joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) in the fight against the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization. The film also stars Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Dominic Cooper, and Stanley Tucci.

In a scene from Fantastic Four, actors Kate Mara as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm/Human Torch wear all-black ensembles and stand on a metal platform.

Fantastic Four (2015)—Sunday, January 1, at 7 a.m. ET/PT on FX
Upon transporting to an alternate universe, four young outsiders gain superhuman powers as they alter their physical form in shocking ways. Reed Richards (Miles Teller) becomes Mr. Fantastic, able to stretch and twist his body at will; Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) gains immense strength as the Thing; Johnny Storm (Michael B. Jordan) becomes the Human Torch, able to control and project fire; and Sue Storm (Kate Mara) becomes the Invisible Woman. Together, the foursome must learn how to efficiently use their new powers to prevent Doctor Doom (Toby Kebbell) from destroying Earth.

In a scene from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, actors Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther, and Letitia Wright as Shuri stand in a narrow hallway. Nyong’o wears a green printed scarf around her neck and looks to her right; Boseman wears a brown hooded top and a metal claw necklace around his neck; Wright wears an orange sleeveless top with black straps on her arms.

Black Panther (2018)—Sunday, January 1, at 5 p.m. ET/PT on FX
After the death of his father, T’Challa (Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his place as king. However, when a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s title as king—and as Black Panther—gets tested as he’s drawn into a battle that puts Wakanda and the world at risk. To secure the safety of his people, T’Challa assembles his allies and unleashes the full power of Black Panther. Also starring in the hit film are Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, and Forest Whitaker.

Quiz: Which Disney Character Should You Be Like in the New Year?

By Victoria Hunt

The new year is just around the corner and with that comes new year’s resolutions. Whatever your resolutions may be, we could all strive to be more adventurous, caring, and optimistic—and who better to emulate than our favorite Disney characters! Take the quiz below to find out which character should be your 2023 inspiration.

What do you want to focus on this upcoming year?

Where do you want to travel in 2023?

What is something you want to work on?

In which Disney Park do you wish you were spending New Year’s Eve?

What is going to be your 2023 anthem?

Quiz: Which Disney Character Should You Be Like in the New Year?
Anna

Anna from Frozen is wearing a black sweetheart neckline with green off-the-shoulder sleeves. She is standing in the woods.

Anna from Disney’s beloved Frozen is the perfect character to inspire you in the new year. Her optimistic spirit is something we could all learn from. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day trials and tribulations of our lives, but if we look at the world through Anna’s eyes, we might just find that “Love Is an Open Door!” Next time you find yourself taking life too seriously, try emulating Anna’s silly and free-spirited optimism.
Mirabel

Encanto’s Mirabel is holding a stack of plates while looking over her left shoulder. She is wearing a white layered shirt and glasses.

We could learn from many characters in Encanto, but no one fully captures determination and perseverance like Mirabel. Whenever you are feeling unimportant or forgotten, reflect on Mirabel’s quiet accomplishments. Her strength might not get all the attention, but she rarely waivers in the face of struggle. Behind-the-scenes, Mirabel is an instrumental part of the Madrigals’ household. In 2023, don’t get in the way of your ambitions by focusing on what everyone else is doing. Stay focused!
Mei-Mei

You don’t have to turn into a red panda in 2023 to be more like Mei from Turning Red. All you need is an ounce of confidence! Being a teenager is hard enough, not to mention turning into a giant furry animal every time you feel a strong emotion. Like Mei, you might feel a lot, but you don’t show it to everyone. Take a page from her book by coming out of your shell and be willing to try new things, even if they are a little scary. You never know what you might see and learn from your newfound sense of adventure.
Searcher Clade

In Disney’s newest animated film, Strange World, Searcher Clade grew up with a unique view on his father’s expeditions. While his father loved adventure, Searcher found himself more intrigued by plant life. His passion sets him apart from the rest of the community and eventually helps him with a life-changing discovery. In 2023, embrace your unique nature and show off your skills, because you never know who might benefit from it!

Introducing Our 2023 Gold Member Collector Set

Join this magical celebration with a magnificent gift 100 years in the making—the Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue, designed with platinum panache for D23 Gold Members by artist James Fauntleroy. This icon of the Disney 100 years celebration is available to all new and renewing D23 Gold Members in 2023!*

Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue

Over the past 100 years, The Walt Disney Company has told stories that have defined generations, inspired the world, and introduced all of us to beloved characters that bring out the best parts of ourselves.

Collector Set 2023 - James Fauntleroy - Disney100

Starting with a small cartoon studio in 1923, Walt Disney’s dream has grown into a rich, century-long legacy of the world’s most inspiring stories, places, and fans. A momentous milestone deserves an equally incredible icon, so D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has partnered with artist James Fauntleroy and Gentle Giant Studios to create the Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club” Milestone Statue to pay tribute to The Walt Disney Company’s rich legacy of unmatched creativity—and inspire the next century of storytellers!

“I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse,” Walt Disney once reflected. Designed as a reflection of Disney’s past, present, and future, artist and Grammy®-winning music producer James Fauntleroy brought a “platinum pop star” tribute to Walt’s loveable mouse with a stylish varsity jacket featuring the Disney 100 years logo and flair paying tribute to Mickey’s own fandom for some of Disney’s most incredible stories. An oversized version of the Mickey statue was unveiled at D23 Expo, the celebration’s kick off, and now D23 Gold Members have the opportunity to bring home the magic with this exquisitely crafted 10-inch statue!

Collector Set 2023 - Mickey Mouse Statue

New! Choice of D23 Gold Membership Card Design

In 2023, D23 is offering the Ultimate Disney Fans the chance to celebrate the stories and characters they love most. In addition to receiving a commemorative member certificate, for the first time ever, all new and renewing D23 Gold Members will have the opportunity to choose one of four unique membership card designs showcasing the thrilling worlds of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel.

And what iconic characters from the last 100 years might you see on these 2023 D23 Gold Membership Cards? Let’s take a look at the fabulous fan favorites featured on each new D23 Gold Membership Card Design!

Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Disney

Disney – Get ready for a trip to where it all started 100 years ago. For the Ultimate Disney Fans, our signature D23 Gold Member Card for 2023 recounts some of the most iconic characters of the past 100 years: Tiana, Baymax, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Stitch, Tinker Bell, Mirabel Madrigal, Maleficent, and Mickey Mouse: The Leader of the Club!

Pixar – You’ve got a friend in D23! And for our friends who are the Ultimate Pixar Fans, a kaleidoscopic collection of inspiring Pixar Pals is here for you—to infinity and beyond. D23 is overjoyed to feature beloved characters who always seize their moment: Joy, Buzz Lightyear, WALL-E, Miguel Rivera, Meilin Lee, Kevin, Remy, and Mike Wazowski!

Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Pixar
Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Star Wars

Star Wars – A galaxy far, far away is just within reach… and if you are the Ultimate Star Wars Fan, you are sure to be strong in the Force with this card! D23 is excited to feature friends and foes from the outer rim and beyond: Rey Skywalker, BB-8, Darth Vader, C-3P0, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Ahsoka Tano, and Grogu!

Marvel – Prepare to assemble with an epic set of heroes. For the Ultimate Marvel Fans, an endless expanse of possibilities has opened for you to have your very own super team! D23 is excited to feature heroes (and villains) from across the multiverse: Captain Marvel, Loki, Groot, The Wasp, Iron Man, Thor, and Black Panther!

Collector Set 2023 - Membership Card - Marvel

Preferred card design must be made at least two (2) days before your D23 Gold Membership plan renewal date. Members who do not select a design by this deadline will receive the Disney-themed D23 Membership Card. Learn more about selecting your card design.

THE 2023 D23 COLLECTOR SET IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR GOLD MEMBERS.

JOIN THE CLUB

*The 2023 D23 Gold Member Collector Set, consisting of the D23 membership card (“Card”), certificate (“Certificate”), and Mickey Mouse “Leader of the Club" Milestone Statue (“Statue”), will be available starting January 1, 2023, for new or renewing D23 Gold Members joining or renewing on either a D23 Gold Membership Individual Plan or D23 Gold Membership Duo Plan (sent to the Primary Member) and will ship in 6-8 weeks after enrollment or renewal. Limit one (1) D23 Gold Member Collector Set per membership plan.