All-New Oswald The Lucky Rabbit Short Celebrates Disney100

By Zach Johnson

You better hop over to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ YouTube channel!

Today’s your lucky day, because Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is returning to the studio that bears his creator’s name—Walt Disney Animation Studios—in an all-new animated short, more than 94 years since Disney’s last Oswald cartoon. Created by Disney Animation’s hand-drawn animation team to help celebrate the start of Disney100 that marks 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, the Oswald The Lucky Rabbit short is directed by animator Eric Goldberg and produced by Dorothy McKim. And, in conjunction with the animated short, Disney launched a global Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Snapchat lens that allows users to channel Oswald using AR technology!

“On the eve of Disney’s 100th anniversary, it was such a joy to create the first new Oswald short from our studio since 1928,” McKim says. “Our hand-drawn animation team—including our hand-drawn legends Mark Henn, Randy Haycock, and Eric Goldberg, as well our wonderful team of 2D apprentices—had a ball animating in the style of Oswald’s era.”

Goldberg adds, “Oswald is such a plucky scamp. We wanted to bring Oswald back, and in the short, he literally returns to his original home: the movie screen. We wanted to have Oswald do all of the ‘squash-and-stretch,’ ‘rubber hose’-animation style, celebrating that first generation of Walt Disney’s artists.”

The black and white animated character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit sits on the stage of a movie theater. He points to a black exclamation point in the air above him.

Of course, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is considered Walt’s first breakout animated star and is widely considered one of the first characters in animation history to feature a unique personality. Walt introduced Oswald to moviegoers in 1927 with the short Trolley Troubles. Twenty-six Oswald short films were created by Walt and his team, with the final Disney shorts starring the character releasing in 1928, the same year Walt lost creative control over his beloved rabbit. In 2006, Disney CEO Bob Iger made an unprecedented deal with NBCUniversal that allowed sportscaster Al Michaels to contract with NBC in exchange for the return of Oswald to his home. Since then, Oswald has appeared in video games, merchandise, Disney theme parks, and more!

The Fairest Pin Celebrating Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 85th Anniversary

Here’s something for super fans of Snow White and even the Evil Queen! Celebrate 85 years of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by snagging this D23-Exclusive Pin!

The pin is inspired by the original animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, from 1937. In the film, the beautiful and kind-hearted princess Snow White charms every creature in the kingdom except one—her jealous stepmother, the Queen. When the Magic Mirror proclaims Snow White is the fairest one of all, the princess must flee into the forest, where she befriends the lovable seven dwarfs—Doc, Sneezy, Grumpy, Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, and Dopey. But when the Queen tricks Snow White with an enchanted apple, only the magic of true love's kiss can save her!

D23-Exclusive “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” 85th Anniversary–Exclusive Pin

Magic Mirror on the wall, reveal the fairest pin of all! This D23 Gold Member-exclusive pin is the most wishful way to celebrate 85 years of Walt Disney’s first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The pin features the sinister Evil Queen looking into her enchanted Magic Mirror. Avoid the poison apples and take a bite of the fun with this tempting pin!

Our Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 85th Anniversary pin, offered in a limited edition of 1,200, is available to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney on Tuesday, December 6.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to your D23 Gold Membership. These pins are sold for $15.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of one (1) pins of this style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to P.O. 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.

20th Century Studios’ Darby and the Dead Breathes New Life into a Classic High School Story

By Tori Hunt

We see dead people… okay­­—so maybe we don’t see dead people, but teenage medium Darby Harper certainly does. In the all-new 20th Century Studios’ original film Darby and the Dead, a near-fatal childhood accident gives Darby (Riele Downs) the ability to help spirits cross over to the afterlife. While she’s usually helping lonely spirits with their unfinished business, Darby is in uncharted territory when the school’s ‘it’ girl Capri (Auli’i Cravalho) dies in a horrific hair straightening incident. Once enemies from different sides of the social totem pole, the girls must figure out a way to work together so Darby can help Capri cross over into the afterlife. In return, Capri teaches Darby how to survive in the living world as an outcast.

In a virtual press conference, producers Adam Saunders (When We First Met) and Eddie Rubin (Blue Bayou) along with director Silas Howard (Dickenson), spoke about the decision to bring Wenonah Wilms’ story, adapted by Good Vibes’ screenwriter Becca Greene, to the big screen. The resulting film, debuting exclusively on Hulu on December 2, offers an all-new perspective on the classic teen movie genre. Far more than locker gossip and puppy love, the film ties in elements from horror films as well as beloved ’90s rom-coms. Genneya Walton, who plays high school student Bree in the film said, “I feel like the movie perfectly shows all of the things that we love from those ’90s and 2000s classics [with] the outfits, the cliques, the teenage drama, [and] the problems. Our cast is so incredibly diverse and perfectly displays the actual world that we live in and what it’s like to be around this age [and] living in this time. So, we get all the lovely things from the ’90s, 2000s but in our modern world.”

Apart from its unique genre-bending storyline, Darby and the Dead differentiates itself from its predecessors with intentional on-screen representation. Casting trans actress Nicole Maines as Capri’s cheer mate Piper meant deciding whether her character was outwardly transgender or not­­—a choice that Howard wanted to be thoughtful and powerful. “For me, as a trans human to do a classic high school story, where I never had visibility—there wasn’t even really language for it,” Howard said. “We got to make these roles our own and custom fit them.  And when we want to have these new fresh takes, it takes a lot of thinking about it, and it doesn’t just happen. It doesn’t just fall into place. [It] takes a lot of trust from the cast, with myself, and really strong writing.”

Maines found that the entire film challenges the stereotypes that are often seen in many teen movies. “I think that what this film does spectacularly, and what is groundbreaking about it, is that it showcases diverse and marginalized communities, particularly women, thriving and existing at the top of the food chain, which we never get to do,” Maines said.

Mac Hendrickson and Michele Weisler serve as executive producers. Producers Sarah Shepard, Adam Friedlander, and line producer Darren Cameron also contributed to the making of the film.

Darby and the Dead is set to be released on December 2 exclusively on Hulu.

Gorgeous Picture Book The Courage to Dream Expands on the World of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

By Bruce C. Steele

Set in the world of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the richly illustrated new picture book The Courage to Dream is about a young Wakandan finding her destiny. Assata hopes to become one of the Dora Milaje, the warriors who protect Wakanda. But because of her disability, she considers letting go of her dream.

As she considers what she may become, Assata encounters some surprising friends: the princess Shuri, the warrior Okoye, and the powerful M’Baku. Along the way, she learns that only she can give herself what she most needs: the courage to dream.

The book was created by New York Times best-selling author Frederick Joseph (The Black Friend) and New York Times best-selling illustrator and former Imagineer Nikkolas Smith (The 1619 Project: Born on the Water). Smith also worked on the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as a concept artist. Together, Smith and Joseph bring Wakanda to life in an inspiring story about discovering who you can truly be, with fresh, gorgeous original illustrations.

The authors recently answered questions from D23: 

D23: Tell us about the genesis of this book.
Nikkolas Smith (NS): The seeds of the book itself began to sprout six or seven years ago when I started bringing up the possibility of a book like this to Marvel Publishing, during my time as an Imagineer in Glendale, California. Years later, the doors eventually opened up!

D23: Where did the idea come from? Who inspired Assata?
Frederick Joseph (FJ): I considered what important concepts children (and adults) need more focus on. Perseverance and disabilities were those concepts for me, especially as a disabled person myself. As far as who inspired Assata, she is somewhat a mixed bag of my favorite parts of many children in my own family.

Author portraits depict illustrator Nikkolas Smith, left, and author Frederick Joseph, right.

D23: When you were writing and illustrating this beautiful book, who did you imagine reading it? I can’t help but picture a mother or father reading aloud while a young child looks at all the pictures. But I’m sure that scenario will be just a fraction of your readership.
NS: While I always envision children from 4 to 104 reading my picture books, I mainly have in mind the families of children with disabilities. I recently received an email from a mom of a child with a disability, hoping that I could one day contribute art to a project just like this one. I’m honored that with this book I can help young children with disabilities see themselves as the courageous heroes that they are.

FJ: Writing the book, I honestly imagined a young person reading it to themselves. I want this story to help foster hope within young people, as well as a sense of protection—sort of like a blanket that a kid carries around that makes them feel safe or invincible, sort of like a Super Hero.

D23: The illustrations are so evocative and often kinetic. How do you go about deciding on what you’ll show for each section of the text?
NS: As a concept artist on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film, I had a lot of Wakandan background characters in my head to draw from when illustrating The Courage to Dream. Imagining what some of their backstories were, I sketched multiple speed paintings to create new Wakandan characters that populate these beautiful villages, schools, and homes.

D23: Of course, I’m assuming the text came first, which may not be the case. Can you tell us something about how you collaborate? How do you maintain that necessary balance between words and images?
FJ: I wrote the book and created high-level art notes to accompany them, but it was almost like a perfect marriage of imaginations. Nikkolas had a sense of my vision and his own and ran with it from there.

NS: I create Artivism speed paintings every week, and once I received Fred’s epic story, the process for creating the look of the book was similar. I was able to get quick sketches back to the team and receive feedback on which direction to go from there.

In an illustrated page from the picture book Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, the main character, a young Wakandan named Assata sits in a chair on a fantastical street in Wakanda. Behind her is the warrior Okoye, of the Dora Milaje.

D23: Okoye and Shuri have such important roles in your story. Have you been able to share your work with Danai Gurira or Letitia Wright? If so, what was their reaction?
NS: I did have the opportunity to share the book with Danai and Letitia while we were all attending the Wakanda Forever world premiere in Los Angeles. I was thrilled to see how much they enjoyed receiving the book for themselves. Letitia even asked me to sign a copy for her!

D23: For a lot of young people, “author” and “artist” would be dreams that seem as difficult to reach as Assata’s yearning to join the Dori. Would you like to share any stories from your own childhood about pursuing your “impossible” dreams?
FJ: Something that comes to mind is the effort to become the first person in my family to attend college. Where I’m from, attending college is not a given, and as such, I had to work tirelessly to make that dream a reality.

NS: I always want to remind everyone that we all have creativity inside of us, and to never silence that magical talent. It can take you to the tops of mountains you may have never even known existed.

D23: This seems to me such a quintessential Disney story, particularly the quote, “’Impossible’ simply means you have to find another way to make something possible.” What are the Disney stories that have most inspired you over the years?
FJ: I’m a huge fan of Ratatouille and The Princess and the Frog. Those films both had elements that inspired me deeply, from the conversation in Ratatouille about it taking immense courage to create, regardless of how you might be critiqued, to watching Tiana, a young Black woman stopping at nothing to create the restaurant she and her father dreamt of.

NS: A couple of characters that I feel share Assata’s “anything is possible” spirit are the What If... Star-Lord, T’Challa, and Wall-E!

In an illustrated page from the picture book Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, the main character, a young Wakandan named Assata sits in her wheelchair, balanced atop a boulder, so her face is level with the powerful Wakandan chief M’Baku, who is crouched next to the rock.

D23: I like that the book ends not with the culmination of Assata’s dream, but with just beginning of the work necessary to achieve it. Is that part of the book’s message as well? That dreams take a lot of work?
FJ: Absolutely! The book in many ways is about having the courage to put in the work necessary to truly pursue your dreams. Assata’s story is hopefully just getting started, a journey all readers can learn from and likely relate to in some way.

D23: Is there anything else you like to relate about the creation of this book that these questions haven’t touched on?
FJ: I think it’s important to note how special it is that Assata is an all-original character in both Marvel books and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Readers are being given the opportunity not only to be introduced to her, but to begin watching her grow into whomever she is destined to become.

NS: I’m just honored that we had the opportunity to create this special project, as two young Black creators, expanding the world of a Wakanda that millions of people hold so close to their hearts.

Disney Delivers 75,000 Toys to Children in Need Through the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive

Today, in celebration of the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive and the Company’s 75-year collaboration with the Marine Toys for Tots Program, it was announced that Disney is providing a grant to the foundation that will deliver an additional 75,000 toys to children in need this holiday season. The donation was announced on ABC’s Good Morning America at a Giving Tuesday volunteer activity for Toys for Tots at Military Island in Times Square, where more than 50 volunteers from the NYPD, U.S. Marine Corps, and Disney’s own VoluntEARS program were on hand to help sort toys for the organization.

This donation from Disney brings the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive total impact to over 100,000 toys so far this holiday season. There’s still time to join the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive by purchasing a toy to donate online at shopDisney.com now through December 24, 2022, or by donating a new, unwrapped toy in person at a Disney store or Disney store outlet location, the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, or Disney Springs at Walt Disney World  Resort*, now through December 12, 2022.

The relationship between Disney and Toys for Tots dates back to the program’s beginnings, when Walt Disney and his studio artists personally designed the Toys for Tots train logo that is still used to this day. Since 1947, Toys for Tots and volunteers have distributed nearly 630 million toys to over 280 million children.

The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive aims to inspire hope where it’s needed most during the holiday season. For more information, visit www.disney.com/toydrive.

*At Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort, collection bins are located at the World of Disney store, Star Wars Trading Post, and Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Guests and cast members can also participate December 10–11, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when U.S. Marines will be on hand near the Downtown Disney® LIVE! stage to accept donations on behalf of Toys for Tots. At Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, collection bins are located at the World of Disney store, Marketplace Co-Op, Star Wars Galactic Outpost, and the Disney Springs Welcome Center.

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

The holiday season is here—and so are the holiday specials! ABC’s hit series The Great Christmas Light Fight returns Monday with back-to-back episodes as new families face off for the coveted trophy. Love Actually celebrates a milestone anniversary with Love Actually: 20 Years Later – A Diane Sawyer/ABC News Special, airing Tuesday on ABC. Lucasfilm’s new series Willow debuts Wednesday on Disney+, and CMA Country Christmas airs Thursday evening on ABC. Last but not least, watch a new holiday-themed episode of BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes, premiering Friday on Disney Channel. 

In a scene from The Great Christmas Light Fight, an aerial shot shows a residential house adorned with thousands of white and colored holiday lights. The front yard is covered with light strands and inflatable decorations of snowmen, Santa Claus, Olaf from Disney’s Frozen, and more. On the side of the house are large trees made of light strands. On the roof are lighted decorations including Christmas trees, Santa Claus, candy canes, and more.

The Great Christmas Light FightMonday, November 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The tree-mendously popular holiday competition series returns with two episodes! In the Season 10 premiere, host Carter Oosterhouse visits four families with spectacular holiday displays. From sweet-themed displays to a dazzling light show celebrating Christmas and Diwali, this season will surely put you in the holiday spirit. Who will win the $50,000 prize and coveted Light Fight Trophy? Tune in to find out!

In a scene from the feature film Love Actually, actors Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon stand side by side and wave. Grant portrays the Prime Minister and wears a black suit with a white button-down dress shirt. McCutcheon wears a bright red code and matching sweater, gold belt, and black pants. White confetti rains down in front of them as they stand on a platform with Christmas decorations behind them.

Love Actually: 20 Years Later – A Diane Sawyer/ABC News SpecialTuesday, November 29, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
To us, this special is perfect. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the holiday movie classic Love Actually, ABC News anchor and Disney Legend Diane Sawyer interviews the stars of the film, including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Laura Linney, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Olivia Olson, and more in this one-hour special. Discover how the film become a beloved Christmas tradition and global sensation, and uncover behind-the-scenes secrets of the film’s most iconic moments. The special will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.

In a scene from Disney+ Original series Willow, the stars stand with their backs toward the viewers as they stare at a large body of water. From left to right stand actors Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood, Tony Revolori as Graydon, Amar Chadha-Patel as Boorman, Ellie Bamber as Dove, Ruby Cruz as Kit, and Erin Kellyman as Jade. Davis holds a wooden staff in his right hand and wears a maroon cape, olive pants, and a brown leather backpack. Revolori wears black knee-high boots, black pants, a black long-sleeved top, and a charcoal hooded vest. Chadha-Patel wears brown boots, brown pants, and a green hooded long-sleeved top, and he has a large metal weapon slung across his back. Bamber wears a purple skirt and a green knitted sweater with two long strands cascading to the wet sand. Cruz wears a dark long-sleeved top, black pants, black knee-high boots, and a leather corset. Cruz holds a sword in her right hand. Kellyman wears olive pants, black knee-high boots, a gray long-sleeved top with a maroon short-sleeved top, and a brown leather vest. Kellyman holds a saber in her left hand.

WillowWednesday, November 30, on Disney+
Based on Disney Legend George Lucas’ 1988 fantasy-adventure film of the same, this all-new action-adventure series continues the magic with a new epic quest. Warwick Davis reprises his titular role as Willow Ufgood, the aspiring sorcerer who embarked on a perilous journey to save an infant empress and vanquish an evil queen from their world of Andowyne. Now, the world needs Willow’s magic again after dark forces have descended upon the Kingdom of Tir Asleen and kidnapped Prince Airk (Dempsey Bryk). Princess Kit (Ruby Cruz) assembles a ragtag group of heroes—Dove (Ellie Bamber), Jade (Erin Kellyman), Graydon (Tony Revolori), and Boorman (Amar Chadha-Patel)—to help save her brother, but they soon realize they can’t succeed alone.

In a scene from CMA Country Christmas, host and country music performer Carly Pearce laughs as she sits center on a large white couch. Pearce wears a long-sleeve white top with feathers around the wrists, white pants, and white heels. On each side of Pearce sits a band member holding musical instruments—a trumpet and a saxophone. Another band member sits in an olive chair holding a trumpet while two guitarists stand to the side. Christmas stockings, garlands, candles, and decorations are on a staircase and fireplace behind them.

CMA Country ChristmasThursday, December 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
The rockin’ annual Christmas special returns with all-new performances from country music superstars. Enjoy performances from host Carly Pearce, Curtis Chapman, Dan + Shay, Scotty McCreery, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Molly Tuttle, and The War and Treaty. Curl up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the festive musical stylings to get you into the holiday spirit!

Update: CMA Country Christmas will now air Thursday, December 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In a scene from BUNK’D: Learning the Robes, actors Trevor Tordjman, Shiloh Verrico, Miranda May, and Israel Johnson stand side by side and look to their right. Tordjman portrays Parker and wears a long, white night shirt with a matching cap. Verrico portrays Winnie and wears an all-black ensemble resembling the Grim Reaper and holds a clever in her left hand. May portrays Lou and wears a white ballgown with a beaded bodice and white angel wings. Johnson portrays Noah and wears a long red and black velvet cloak with a black robe underneath. Behind the actors is a rustic cabin with green shutters and pine trees.

BUNK’D: Learning the Ropes—Friday, December 2, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
This all-new holiday-themed episode puts a fresh spin on a beloved holiday story. Parker (Trevor Tordjman) is planning an over-the-top Christmas party at Camp Kikiwaka, and in the process, he becomes consumed with creating the most epic bash. Meanwhile, several ghosts visit Parker in the night to teach him the true meaning of the holiday.

You’ll Always Be a Prince to Me: 30 Years of Aladdin

By Christina Pappous, Walt Disney Archives

Thirty years ago, audiences around the world entered a veritable Cave of Wonders with the release of Aladdin. With its adventurous story, heartfelt characters, and stunning visuals, Aladdin was a success upon its release. While the wicked Jafar may have used the Sultan’s rare blue diamond to find a diamond in the rough, the creative team behind the film—led by directors Ron Clements and John Musker—used their own special kind of magic to conjure Aladdin.

The 1992 animated hit was not the first time the folk tales from One Thousand and One Nights appeared on the silver screen. Earlier adaptions include the silent The Thief of Bagdad (1925), starring Douglas Fairbanks, and The Thief of Bagdad (1940), a Technicolor confection with famed German actor Conrad Veidt as the film’s sinister villain, Jaffar. The ‘40 Thief of Bagdad was just one of the many aesthetic inspirations that Aladdin’s creative team referenced to shape the look and feel of their film.

Intricate Persian miniatures and their silhouetted shapes containing intricate details—as well as Arabic calligraphy with its curved, elegant lines—were perhaps the most frequently referenced during the production of the film... fitting for a story drawn from Persian, Arabic, and Indian sources.

Rasoul Azadani, layout supervisor for 1992’s Aladdin, at work. Note the research photographs on his bulletin board!

Aladdin layout supervisor Rasoul Azadani documented the architecture of his hometown, Ispahan in Iran, producing nearly 1,800 photographs that provided inspiration for production designer Richard Vander Wende, art director Bill Perkins, and of course, Azadani himself.

As production designer, Vander Wende emphasized the importance of graphic unity to advance the visual storytelling of the film—ensuring a vibrant, cohesive look for the characters and their environment... from the glittering, dangerous Cave of Wonders to the Sultan’s towering palace perched above Agrabah. Colors and shapes intentionally reflected the emotional arc of Aladdin; blue is associated with good, while red is associated with evil.

The Sultan’s throne room in 1992’s Aladdin.

Take, for instance, the throne room in the Sultan’s palace: While the Sultan inhabits it, the curves of its colonnade mimic the Sultan’s own rounded design—in the words of Perkins, “[his] basic shape is like an egg”— and the light blues and soft golds of his clothes are reflected in the color palette of the throne room.

Jafar and the Genie in the throne room in 1992’s Aladdin.

Yet when Jafar makes his initial wishes “to rule on high as Sultan” and then “to be the most powerful sorcerer in the world,” the throne room completely transforms. Instead of the genteel blue, it is now shaded in intense reds and dark golds, fitting for Jafar’s villainous ways.

Of course, Aladdin would have not been the same without the profound impact esteemed caricaturist Al Hirschfeld had on its animators.

Aladdin animator Eric Goldberg drawing the Genie with Al Hirschfeld.

The Genie’s lead animator, Eric Goldberg, heavily incorporated Hirschfeld’s exaggerated, whiplash lines for the kinetic, shapeshifting Genie. Hirschfeld’s unique style of caricature is evident when the Genie performs his rapid-fire impressions of Peter Lorre, Groucho Marx, and other pop culture figures.

Animators used this Jasmine maquette as a visual reference for her character during production of 1992’s Aladdin.

While Princess Jasmine may be a less zany character than the Genie, Hirschfeld’s influence is still felt in her character design. Her basic shape is that of an hourglass—and hewing to the graphic unity guiding the film’s look, the forms in her bedroom echo that, from the columns to the shadows the lamps cast on the curtains. Mark Henn, lead animator for Jasmine, drew inspiration for her character from voice actress Linda Larkin’s performance as well as from a photo of his own younger sister. Inspiration truly came from everywhere in the making of Aladdin!

“Keep Our Oceans Amazing” Campaign Launches in Celebration of Avatar: The Way of Water

By Alison Stateman

In celebration of the theatrical release of the 20th Century Studios film Avatar: The Way of Water on December 16, Disney and Avatar have launched a global “Keep Our Oceans Amazing” campaign to raise awareness of the challenges facing oceans and marine life. The campaign will support The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and its work to protect 10 of our oceans’ amazing animals and their habitats, connected to the beauty of Pandora. And as part of the campaign, fans are invited to participate in a host of celebratory experiences and products.

One such experience, called the Virtual Pandoran Ocean, transports fans to the wonders of the reef. Through this unique digital activation, fans can help Disney and Avatar “Keep Our Oceans Amazing” now through December 31 by creating their very own Avatar-inspired ocean creature at Avatar.com/KeepOurOceansAmazing. For every creature created in the Virtual Pandoran Ocean, Disney will give $5 to TNC—up to $1 million—to help the organization achieve its goal of protecting 10% of the ocean by 2030.

In Avatar: The Way of Water, audiences will be introduced to a new oceanic Na’vi clan and an array of diverse aquatic creatures in an all-new reef biome—inspiring audiences to connect with the beauty of our oceans right here on Earth. Oceans cover 70% of the planet; shelter an incredible diversity of life; and provide food, jobs, and more than half of the oxygen the globe breathes. Unfortunately, less than 8% of this unique ecosystem is protected. “Keep Our Oceans Amazing” aims to extend Disney’s longstanding conservation legacy to help protect 10 amazing ocean animals, including beluga whales, blue whales, whale sharks, hawksbill sea turtles, manatees, manta rays, parrotfish, staghorn coral, sea lions, and mangroves—as well as their coastal habitats, providing important shelter for many marine species. The specific ocean species selected can be found in waters throughout the world, and many of them share qualities with the Pandoran creatures and habitats featured throughout the film. Each animal and plant species is also classified as threatened, vulnerable, or endangered. TNC is working alongside indigenous peoples and local communities to develop multi-faceted solutions to the challenges these species face across the globe, to ensure that both people and wildlife thrive.

Disney has a long history of taking action for oceans and supporting the protection of marine life—from the Company’s 2030 environmental goals that include efforts to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, source sustainable seafood, and invest in the protection of our watersheds, to the funding and expertise for biodiversity protection through Disney Conservation. To date, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $120 million to support nonprofit organizations working around the world to save wildlife, inspire action, and protect the planet. Nearly $20 million of those funds have been provided to programs that benefit marine life, communities, and the oceans the world depends on. This initiative is part of Disney Planet Possible—tangible actions Disney is taking to help create a healthier home for people and wildlife.

“The Avatar ethos is that we are all connected to each other and our planet, and therefore are responsible for positively impacting the people and world around us,” Jon Landau, producer of Avatar: The Way of Water, recently said. “The ‘Keep Our Oceans Amazing’ campaign is a way for us to invite fans from around the world to join us in creating that impact.”

Global audiences were first introduced to the world of Pandora in the original Avatar and fell in love with the characters, the story, and the beautiful rainforests and creatures, which led to it becoming the highest-grossing film of all time. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.

Venture Beyond and Discover Items Inspired by Disney Animation’s Strange World

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest feature Strange World is out in theaters for you to explore, so we’ve gone out on our own adventure to find the best merchandise for you to show your Avalonia pride and your love of Splat! “Venture beyond” your current wardrobe with some new graphic T-shirts, or recreate your favorite movie moments with figure collector sets.

Splat Plush at shopDisney

Named by Ethan Clade, Splat is one of the strange inhabitants of Disney Animation’s Strange World. Ethan is a member of the Clade family of explorers who embark on an incredible journey to the treacherous land. Now you can bring one of the colorful creatures home in the form of this mischievous blob Splat plush.

Disney Strange World Mini Figure Collector Set 8pk

Get ready for an epic journey with the NEW Disney Strange World figure collector set! Bring the theatrical home and recreate scenes from the movie with this unique eight-character collector set. Relive the wonder with the Clade family, and more, as you re-experience the excitement of their explorations through wondrous new lands, where they discover ravenous creatures, and experience endless thrills!

Strange World Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Built-In Straw at shopDisney

Quench your thirst for adventure with this stainless-steel water bottle inspired by Disney Animation’s Strange World. Searcher and Jaeger Clade are featured on the colorful artwork, which shows the fantastical land and creatures discovered by the intrepid family.

Disney Strange World Ethan and Skiff Vehicle and Figure

Experience the thrill of exploring strange new worlds with Ethan Clade and his skiff vehicle! Perfectly designed based on the movie, take your 2.5” inch Ethan figure and his 6” inch skiff vehicle on endless adventures of fun racing through your own new stories. Marvel at the authentic detail, watch the real spinning action of the propellers, and have fun taking Ethan on and off the skiff.

Adult T-Shirts at shopDisney

Join the cast of Disney Animation’s Strange World as a member of the Avalonia Geographic Society, venture beyond the usual graphic tee, or show off your adventurous side with these three new tees available on shopDisney.

Avalonia Geographic Society Pullover Hoodie for Adults at shopDisney

Display your membership in the Avalonia Geographic Society with this collegiate pullover hoodie featuring the official seal as seen in Disney Animation’s Strange World. It includes the society’s intrepid motto: “Venture beyond!”

T-Shirts for Kids at shopDisney

Aspiring young adventurers will go make history and hang in there with Splat with these fun jersey knit tees direct from Avalonia.

Support Military Heroes When You Try Joffrey’s Valor Blend® Coffee

Joffrey’s is proud to be an American artisan roaster—and proud to support the U.S. Armed Forces with their Valor Blend® coffee. Using only the finest 100% Arabica Beans, this superior valor coffee is roasted to a bold profile and delivers a smooth, smoky finish. For each bag of Joffrey’s Valor Blend® coffee purchased, Joffrey’s donates $1 to Folds of Honor.

This charitable organization provides scholarships to families of our fallen and disabled military heroes. Since its founding in 2007, the organization has awarded over 24,500 scholarships to both children and spouses of our nation’s heroes—from colleges to K-12 institutions.

Learn more about Folds of Honor here.

D23 Gold Members get 20% off Joffrey’s Disney Specialty Coffee Collection, including Joffrey’s Valor Blend® , at checkout* with code: D23

*Receive 20% off online purchases of the Disney Specialty Coffee Collection , including Joffrey’s Valor Blend, by Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company® - The Official Specialty Coffee of Disney Parks & Resorts. Enter promo code D23 at checkout. Plus, enjoy free ground shipping on all orders of $60 or more (U.S. only). Valid on JOFFREYS.COM only, through 12/31/22 11:59 p.m. EST. Not valid with any other coupons, discounts, sales, or promotions. Disney Gift Cards not accepted for payment. Other restrictions may apply.