In 1940 Walt Disney and his production studio released their third feature-length animated film, Fantasia. That said, it’s actually less an animated movie-length story and more a collection of sequences set to orchestral pieces from several masters of classical music, as performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra under conductor Leopold Stokowski.
Fantasia is roughly divided into eight segments. Seven of them are the above-mentioned famous orchestral music, with an intermission segment in the middle featuring original tunes. Let’s list them down.
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Johann Sebastian Bach)
The Nutcracker Suite (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky) – memorable perhaps because of the dancing mushrooms
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Paul Dukas) – an iconic segment of the film, with Mickey losing control of the living brooms he enchanted using the hat of his master Yen Sid (often interpreted as an avatar of Walt Disney due to his name being that of the man himself, spelled backwards)
Rite of Spring (Igor Stravinsky)
Intermission/Meet the Soundtrack – the part where the Fantasia title card is shown; following the intermission is a jazz number and an animation demo of how sound appears on the film
The Pastoral Symphony (Ludwig van Beethoven) – might be remembered for its female centaurs
Dance of the Hours (Amilcare Ponchielli)
Night on Bald Mountain (Modest Mussorgsky) – unforgettable for its depiction of the Slavic dark deity Chernabog as a giant winged demon sitting on a mountain
We’ve already made a list the week prior, of the theatrical shorts that have been screen ahead of the feature-length films produced by Pixar. Now we’ll go over the ones shown in front of films by the main Walt Disney Animation Studios aka the Disney Canon (for the most part).
Note that sticking a theatrical short before the main movie is actually an old practice since the olden days of cinema, something familiar with The Walt Disney Company which started at that time. The shorts listed are animated, and were produced to first appear in cinemas specifically as pre-feature programs.
Scrooge McDuck and Money (1967) before The Jungle Book
The Small One (1978) before Pinocchio on its theatrical re-release that same year
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) before The Rescuers on its theatrical re-release that same year
The Prince and the Pauper (1990) before The Rescuers Down Under
The Ballad of Nessie (2011) before 2011’s Winnie the Pooh
Tangled Ever After (2012) before the 3D re-release of 1991’s Beauty and the Beast
Paperman (2012) before Wreck-It-Ralph
Get a Horse! (2013) before Frozen
Frozen Fever (2014) before the live-action adaptation of Cinderella
Feast (2014) before Big Hero 6
Inner Workings (2016) before Moana
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017) before Disney-Pixar’s Coco
These animated shorts below were created as stand-alone theatrical releases and were later inserted as pre-features for later animated films:
Lonesome Ghosts (originally 1937) before The Sword in the Stone (1963)
Boat Builders (originally 1938) before 2D release of Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Working for Peanuts (originally 1953) before 3D release of Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Disney’s first theme park in Asia is the celebrated Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba prefecture. As part of the development that transformed it into the multi-park Tokyo Disney Resort, the complex was graced with its very own dedicated venue for shopping, dining and entertainment, the third to be opened after Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs and Disneyland Paris’ Disney Village.
Named Ikspiari, the venue is located at the north and east of the Tokyo Disney Resort complex, and its proximity to two rail stations, one connecting with Metro Tokyo and the other to the rest of the resort, makes it accessible to both Disney guests and commuters from the city looking only to shop and dine. Listed are its selections of shopping options divided into clothing, jewelry and so on.
“Not all heroes are super.” It’s one story element well known to publishers of superhero comics like Marvel. That’s why they’ve had some titles featuring ordinary folks doing extraordinary things. One example is Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel in 1963.
Said comic book chronicles a special American commando team in Europe during World War II, and it features a cast of characters who eventually go into the period of Marvel Superheroes to this day. Of course, when Marvel Comics are adapted into movies, it’s inevitable some alterations would be done.
Today we’re listing the roster of the Howling Commandos as they appeared in the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger from Marvel Studios. Interesting facts include the change in leaders, with film!Captain America replacing the comic-book main character Sgt. Nick Fury (Caucasian rather than the MCU’s African-American SHIELD Director).
Captain America/Capt. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) – worked with the Howling Commandoes in the comics but only became their leader in the MCU
Sgt. James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan) – worked alongside Cap with the Howling Commandoes in the comics, but only became a member in the MCU
Corporal Timothy A.C. “Dum Dum” Dugan (Neal McDonough) – original comic-book Howling Commando; distinctive because of his mustache and bowler hat
Private Gabriel Jones (Derek Luke) – original comic-book Howling Commando; a visible hallmark of the racial integration of the unit, being African-American, especially while taking place in-universe during WWII
Montgomery Falsworth (JJ Feild) – known in the comic books as British commando Union Jack, part of the WWII super-team The Invaders; only became a Howling Commando in the MCU
Private Jim Morita (Kenneth Choi) – a Nisei soldier and later addition to the comic-book Howling Commandoes; his lookalike descendant is Peter Parker’s school principal in Spider-Man: Homecoming
Jacques Dernier (Bruno Ricci) – a French resistance fighter; occasionally allies with the Howling Commandos in the comics but only became a member in the MCU
Before Disney helped give it some feature-length film-producing clout for 1995’s Toy Story, the 3D animators of Pixar Studios have been making a number of short films, some of which have gone on to be award winners for pushing the envelope of computer animation; no wonder Disney eventually acquired them.
After they became the other production source of Disney animated feature-length films (alongside Walt Disney Animation Studios itself), Pixar continued making animation shorts, and started inserting them as extras in cinemas before the main feature. Here’s a list of Pixar shorts that have been paired with their Disney-Pixar big brothers.
For the Birds, before Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Boundin’, before The Incredibles (2004)
One Man Band, before Cars (2006)
Lifted, before Ratatouille (2007)
Presto, before WALL-E (2008)
Partly Cloudy, before Up (2009)
Day & Night, before Toy Story 3 (2010)
Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation, before Cars 2 (2011)
Toy Story Toons: Small Fry, before The Muppets (2011, a live-action film)
La Luna, before Brave (2012)
Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex, before Finding Nemo 3D re-release (2012)
The Blue Umbrella, before Monsters University (2013)
Party Central, before Muppets: Most Wanted (2014, a live-action film)
Lava, before Inside Out (2015)
Sanjay’s Super Team, before The Good Dinosaur (2015)
Piper, before Finding Dory (2016)
Lou, before Cars 3 (2017)
Bao, before Incredibles 2 (2018) Coming soon from this writing!
It started with a film in 1992, and by the time, its third installment premiered in 1995, Disney found itself with a strong brand of its time in The Mighty Ducks. The fictional ice hockey team inspired the formation of a real-life NHL team namesake, based in Anaheim (1993-2006).
The adaptation of the Mighty Ducks name actually became recursive, with an animated series in turn inspired by the NHL team airing for 26 episodes in the final season of the Disney Afternoon syndicated block for 1997. The cartoon Mighty Ducks are this other-dimensional group of humanoid warrior ducks from “Puckworld”.
Living in a realm where hockey is sport, martial art and way of life, the Ducks rose up to combat the invasion of reptilian invaders called Saurians. Their battle spills over to Earth, where they hide in plain sight as a new NHL team in Anaheim, managed by Phil Palmfeather.
Now we’re going to list the members of this version of The Mighty Ducks, ace hockey players and defenders of Earth and Puckworld against Lord Dragaunus and the Saurian threat.
Wildwing Flashblade – #00, current leader/goalie of the Ducks and friend of the team’s original founder Canard, who gave him the power-mask of Drake DuCaine (the ancient warrior who first defeated the Saurians) before he was lost in the dimensional trip from Puckworld to Earth; named after the mascot of the real-life NHL Mighty Ducks
Nosedive Flashblade – #33, Wildwing’s younger brother and the team’s left-winger for hockey games; deemed too young to join in the initial battles against the Saurians, Nosedive becomes an official Duck after the journey to Earth
Duke L’Orange – #13, team center; a former thief and gang leader in Puckworld who joins the Ducks against Dragaunus; lost an eye in his past and wears an eye-patch; carries a sword in combat
Mallory McMallard – #15, team right-winger; former Puckworld Special Forces soldier and master of their world’s martial arts; severe stickler for rules with a black-and-white world view
Tanya Vanderflock – #23, left defenseman; intellectual tech genius and engineer/mechanic for the Ducks’ Aerowing transport; has various allergies including of feathers, explaining why her tone of voice is like one with a head cold
Check Hardwing, aka Grin – #01, right defenseman; the largest Duck but also the most in-control; his Zen-calm demeanor stems from being a student of the Puckworld hockey Grandmaster, Tai Quack Do
Canard Thunderbeak – last survivor of the previous Puckworld resistance against the Saurians, he formed the Mighty Ducks and became their first leader; while pursuing the Saurian’s mother-ship Raptor between dimensions, Drake sacrificed himself to ensure the Duck Aerowing survived the trip’s perils, giving the mask of Drake DuCaine to Wildwing; believed to be still alive between the dimensions
Phil Palmfeather – team manager; befriended the Ducks on Earth and gives them a home and cover identity as the NHL team for Anaheim; he’d prefer them to play in the league and do promotional stunts to build their image, but is considerate enough to let the Ducks fight to save Earth when needed
The NHL’s Anaheim Mighty Ducks, formed by Disney in 1993, was later sold to their present owners in 2005 and renamed the Anaheim Ducks. By that point the Mighty Ducks brand had petered out, but it had been great fun while it lasted. And who knows? There’s always the possibility of a re-launch.
Following the sweet reception of its inaugural season, Lucasfilm Animation’s animated web series Star Wars: Forces of Destiny was announced in September of 2017 to be receiving a follow-up. The second season of the show, focusing on the various heroines of the Republic and the Rebels, premiered online March 25.
Unlike the 16 episodes that came before, Season 2 of Forces of Destiny is but half the number of its predecessor. Of special note is S2 episode 7, which is focused not on a Star Wars heroine but Luke Skywalker, voiced by Mark Hamill himself. Here is the episode list.
“Hasty Departure” – Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla, possibly during Rebels
“Shuttle Shock” – Rose Tico during Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
“Jyn’s Trade” – Jyn Erso (now voiced by Helen Sadler) before Rogue One
“Run Rey Run” – Rey before Episode VII –The Force Awakens
“Bounty Hunted” – Princes Leia and Maz Kanata, explaining how Leia got her disguise for Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
“The Path Ahead” – Luke Skywalker at his Jedi training on Dagobah, during Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
“Porg Problems” – Rey during her Jedi training on Ahch-to during Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Season 2 can be seen (alongside Season 1) on Disney’s official YouTube channel, as well as occasionally on Disney Channel.
We got a rundown of the shopping, dining, and other various establishments to be seen at Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney commercial complex last time. Now we’ll go over the same, but for that of the youngest yet most vital of the many Disney multi-park resorts, the one in Shanghai, China.
Shanghai Disney Resort currently has one component theme park (Shanghai Disneyland itself), two hotels, and one shopping/dining/entertainment district: Disneytown. Let’s start listing what it’s got.
The following is a list of establishments located at Downtown Disney, the outdoor shopping center and entertainment complex located at Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort which opened in 2001. It’s divided into categories listing the most current and active businesses and attractions.
Tenant Retail Outlets and Disney Merchant Shops
Alamo Rent a Car
Curl Surf
The Disney Dress Shop
Disney Home
Disney’s Pin Traders
Disney Vacation Club at Downtown Disney District
ESPN Zone Studio Store
The Lego Store
Marceline’s Confectionery
Pandora Jewelry
Pressed Coin Machines
Rainforest Cafe Retail Shopping Village
Sanuk
Sephora
Sunglass Icon
Walt Disney Travel Company Guest Services
WonderGround Gallery
World of Disney
Restaurants and other Dining
Catal
Earl of Sandwich
ESPN Zone
Häagen-Dazs
Jamba Juice
La Brea Bakery Cafe (with Express)
Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria
Napolini
Rainforest Cafe
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (with Express)
Splitsville Luxury Lanes (Dining)
Sprinkles
Starbucks Coffee (original and West locations)
Tortilla Jo’s (with Taqueria)
Uva Bar
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Other Entertainment Options and Establishments
AMC Downtown Disney (12 Movie Theaters)
Disneyland Monorail System Downtown Disney Station (disembarkation point only)
The 2015 Disney Channel Movie Descendants introduced viewers to a world strange yet familiar, where all Disney film characters live together in one universe. In a nation ruled by Belle and the former Beast, a prep school is home to the children of many beloved Disney heroes…and of villains too.
When the sons and daughters of four of the vilest bad guys in the Disney Animated Canon get a chance to attend Auradon Prep, they get a chance to become more than just junior evil villains. After foiling her mother Malificent’s plot, Mal settles in at school for more adventures.
Descendants: Wicked World is a spinoff sequel series to Disney Channel’s Descendants, chronicling the further adventures of the bad-turned-almost good foursome of bad-guy children as they make friends in school and become better rather than bad. It’s run for two seasons now, and today we’re listing the Season 1 episodes.
“Evie’s Explosion of Taste” (September 18, 2015) – Evie (daughter of Snow White’s Evil Queen) asks Mal to help fix the cupcakes she baked for the Heroes and Heroines Festival; one (interrupted) magic spell later…
“Mal’s Digi-Image Problem” (September 25, 2015) – After last episode’s cupcake incident, Mal paints a portrait of Audrey in her mother Aurora’s dress; but Ben (son of Belle and the Beast, future ruler of Auradon) unintentionally goads her into making questionable alterations to it
“Audrey’s New Do? New Don’t!” (October 2, 2015) – Audrey is miffed at the villain kids becoming popular, so she ropes Fairy Godmother’s daughter Jane to magically make her over; uh-oh…
“Careful What You Wish For” (October 9, 2015) – Tired of Evie and Audrey pestering her for magic solutions to past-episode problems, Mal absently makes a wish while rubbing the lamp of Genie’s daughter Jordan; see episode title for what it portends…
“Voodoo? You Do” (October 16, 2015) – Thanks to Mal’s accidental wish, she, Evie, Audrey and Ben are on the Isle of the Lost; can they find shelter from evil denizens with Dr. Facilier’s daughter Freddie?
“Lamp Sweet Lamp” (October 23, 2015) – Still in the Isle of the Lost, Mal searches for clues to return to Auradon, before Freddie entices Ben and Audrey to start walking on the bad side…
“Genie Chic” (November 6, 2015) – Rather anti-climactically, the gang returns to Auradon via Jordan’s lamp…taking Freddie (and an extra) along; Auradon Prep won’t know what hit it
“Puffed Deliciousness” (November 13, 2015) – Best way to break in a villain-kid transfer student to Auradon Prep (like Freddie, now) has got to be the food; makes up for mandatory “Remedial Goodness” class; oh and Ruby (Rapunzel’s daughter) was just there…
“Good is the New Bad” (November 20, 2015) – Alice’s daughter Ally has no partner for Auradon Prep’s song contest, so Mal suggests she team up with Freddie; what’s the worst that could happen? How about the competing singing duos becoming an ad hoc girl group (Song: “Good is the New Bad” sung by Mal, Evie, Audrey, Lonnie, Freddie and Ally)
“Spirit Day” (December 4, 2015) – Mal is out of her element joining the cheerleading squad on Spirit Day; she’s so off her game that she unleashes a “barking” hilarious spell
“I’m Your Girl” (December 11, 2015) – Jordan is guesting Mulan’s daughter Lonnie on her show, and Evie and Mal provide her with a nice “glowy” getup for the occasion; will something go wrong? (Song: “I’m Your Girl” heard during Lonnie’s talent show performance)
“Mash It Up” (December 13, 2015) – Another Auradon Prep dance party is on the horizon, and the girls discuss what to do inside Jordan’s lamp; funny ideas ensue, made even funnier when they’re combined…
“All Hail the New Q.N.L.B.” (July 5, 2016) – the Neon Lights Ball (from previous episode) is on, but tempers fly when Evie rubs her being chosen as the Queen of the NLB to the gang’s faces; meanwhile, missing and misplaced stuff causes renewed suspicion for Mal and the VKs (villain-kids)
“Mad for Tea” (July 6, 2016) – there’s no end in sight for Mal and friends as the continuing prep for the NLB sees more untrusting eyes turning their way; who’s ruining things for everybody?
“Carpet Jacked” (July 7, 2016) – It’s the NLB night and the girls have lost their ride for the evening; Jane makes an emergency vehicle for them; but the VK-shaming is still ongoing
“The Night is Young” (July 14, 2016) – At the NLB itself, more sabotage abounds; a busted sound rig leaves it wide open for Freddie to make a musical scene (Song: “The Night is Young” sung by Freddie)
“Neon Lights Out” (July 15, 2016) – Remember that shadow stowaway who followed Freddie back to Auradon way back in Episode 6-7? At last, Captain Hook’s daughter CJ appears!
“Hooked On Ben” (July 15, 2016) – Season 1 of Descendants: Wicked World might end with some sobering bitter-sweetness, as Mal gets sour with Freddie and CJ’s background shenanigans; or maybe not?
You can watch Disney Descendants: Wicked World on their official YouTube channel.
