BRAND-NEW WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES EXHIBIT CELEBRATING DISNEY’S MOST ICONIC HEROES AND VILLAINS TO OPEN AT D23 EXPO 2019

More than 70 Spectacular Costumes Spanning 55 Years—from Mary Poppins to this Summer’s Aladdin—Will Be on Display

 
BURBANK, Calif. (June 4, 2019) – The Walt Disney Archives returns to D23 Expo with an all-new exhibit, “Walt Disney Archives Presents Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume.” From the classic Mary Poppins to this year’s live-action retelling of Aladdin, more than 70 costumes from 55 years of Disney movies and television shows will be on display from August 23–25 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the biennial event, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.  
 
Guests entering the 12,000-square-foot exhibit will be greeted by “Cinderella’s Workshop,” a gallery featuring the beloved fairy-tale character’s dresses from her numerous Disney incarnations, including 1997’s Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella; the gown worn by Scarlett Johansson for Annie Leibovitz’s 2007 Disney Dream Portrait series; 2014’s Into the Woods; the 2015 live-action reimagining of the animated masterpiece Cinderella; and the ABC hit series Once Upon a Time. 
 
The main gallery will be broken into three sections: “Disney Heroes,” “Disney Villains,” and “Spaces Between,” reserved for the antiheroes whose fascinating journeys make them among Disney’s most complex characters.
 
Among the costumes included in the “Disney Heroes” section are Belle’s village dress and ballgown from 2017’s Beauty and the Beast; creations worn by the Genie, Aladdin, and Jasmine in this year’s live-action Aladdin; and—for the first time ever displayed together—three iconic Mary Poppins “traveling dresses” worn in three Poppins productions: the 1964 original film, 2019’s Mary Poppins Returns, and the Broadway musical. “Disney Villains” ensembles include the trio of wonderfully wicked witches from 1993’s Hocus Pocus, the duo of dresses worn by the stepsisters in 2015’s Cinderella, and the dress worn by the incomparable Bette Davis in 1978’s Return from Witch Mountain. And “Spaces Between” includes Maleficent’s gown from the 2014 film, as well as the Evil Queen and Hook’s costumes from Once Upon a Time.
 
The exhibit includes costumes from some of Hollywood’s preeminent designers, past and present, including Academy Award^®-winners Colleen Atwood, Sandy Powell, and Tony Walton, as well as Emmy^® winner Ellen Mirojnick and Emmy nominees Eduardo Castro and Penny Rose.
 
Many of the costumes on exhibit will be featured in The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between, a dazzling new book out this September from Disney Editions. The book will also be available in advance exclusively at D23 Expo.
 
Single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday of D23 Expo 2019 are available for $89 for one-day adult admission and $69 for children 3–9. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $77 for a one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2019, visit D23Expo.com.
 
About D23 Expo 2019
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2019 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.
 
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
 
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99), Gold Family Membership ($129.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Exclusive Disney Store Merchandise to Launch at D23 Expo 2015 - Toy Story 20th Anniversary, Star Wars, Tsum Tsum and More!

Glendale, Calif. — July 23, 2015 — Disney Store today announced the all-new collections and Limited Editions set to launch at this year’s D23 EXPO 2015, Disney’s ultimate fan event held at the Anaheim Convention Center August 14–16. Located within the Disney Consumer Products Pavilion at D23 EXPO, the Disney Store shop will feature new and exclusive products showcased throughout more than 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space. New items celebrating everyone’s favorite characters will be unveiled each day throughout the weekend.

In addition to offering attendees the chance to shop special products not yet available to the general public, fans will also have the chance to meet the artists and designers who created these exciting new collections and be treated to the official Disney Store opening ceremony on Friday, August 14. During the ceremony, a special attendee will be chosen to “unlock imagination” at 9 a.m.alongside some of Disney's most famous characters.

D23 EXPO attendees will get a first look at collections making their debut at the event, including the next installment of the popular Disney Fairytale Designer Collection; a Limited Edition Doll Collection from ABC Studios’ television series Once Upon a Time; Toy Story 20^th Anniversary; and Disney Tsum Tsum.

Highlights of the new collections include:

·         Disney Fairytale Designer Collection – Happily ever after meets happily evil in Disney Store’s newest series of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection being previewed at D23 EXPO. Featuring five sets of Limited Edition pairs, these collector doll sets were designed by Disney Store artists and carefully crafted to capture the beauty and romance of fairytale friends and foes.

Available for the first time at D23 EXPO, guests can pre-purchase the complete set of five Hero/Villain pairs prior to the general public pre-sale beginning online Monday, September 14.

Following the preview at D23 EXPO, the doll sets will be released and available for purchase in stores and online startingSeptember 29, with a new pair released each week. Each set is limited to an edition of 6,000 globally and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

This line expands into a collection of apparel, mugs, journals, home décor and more, available to the general public in stores and online on September 14.

·         Once Upon a Time – Continuing the ‘heroes and villains’ theme, Disney Store will introduce the Once Upon a Time Snow White and Evil Queen Doll Collection, available exclusively at D23 EXPO. Limited to an edition of 300, the doll collection, inspired by ABC Studios’ television series Once Upon a Time, brings to life the beauty, magic and charm of the iconic fairytale characters from the show.

Exclusively for guests who purchase the doll set at D23 EXPO, Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White) and Lana Parrilla (The Evil Queen) will be available for an autograph signing at the ABC booth on the D23 EXPO floor from 4 – 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. This special opportunity will be followed by the Once Upon a Time panel taking place in Stage 23 from 6 – 7 p.m.

·         Star Wars – Disney Store will launch an exclusive collection of Star Wars items at the EXPO on Friday, August 14. The collection will feature apparel, collectibles, and toys, including the Star Wars Elite Series, a new line of highly articulated and detailed die cast action figures, representing characters from Star Wars Episodes I-VI. The action figures will be sold individually at Disney Store locations beginning later this year; however, EXPO attendees have the opportunity to purchase the full set of Star Wars Elite Series action figures, which includes D23 EXPO-exclusive versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO.

Additionally at D23 EXPO, Disney Store will introduce Star Wars Legion Helmets, a series of eight vinyl collectible helmets inspired by the Star Wars Legion Helmet project launched in early 2014. Celebrating creativity and Star Wars, the project pulled together artists from across The Walt Disney Company, resulting in 300 stormtrooper helmets being transformed into diverse pieces of art, which inspired these collectible recreations – epic additions to every Empire.

·         Toy Story 20th Anniversary – In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Disney∙Pixar's Toy Story, Disney Store gleaned art from the adored film’s archives to illustrate the evolution of the beloved characters, Buzz and Woody. Featuring toys, collectibles, apparel and more, this collection will be released at the Disney Store shop at D23 EXPO on Friday, August 14.

·         Disney Tsum Tsum – All-new collections of everyone’s favorite stackable plush will be unveiled at D23 EXPO, with one releasing each day in limited quantities in mini, medium and large sizes. In addition, limited-edition mini box series – exclusive to D23 EXPO – will be released along with each collection, and a Mickey Mouse Tsum Tsum mini vinyl figure will be available for $5 with any purchase, while supplies last.

Also launching at D23 EXPO is Disney Store’s “Disney 3D Print Studio,” which offers fans the chance to personalize figures, including Marvel’s Iron Man, with their likeness through the use of facial-scanning kiosks. The figures ordered at the event will feature packaging unique to D23 EXPO.

New this year, in an effort to minimize wait times for guests, D23 is introducing StorePass at select D23 EXPO shopping locations, including the Disney Store shop. A limited quantity of StorePass tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, and while they last, at the StorePass desk located adjacent to the StagePass distribution area in Hall A. Guests can visit D23EXPO.com’s “Things to Know” page for more details.

The Disney Store shop at D23 EXPO can be found in the Disney Consumer Products Pavilion. Additional details and updates about Disney Store D23 EXPO events and activities will continue to be updated on www.D23EXPO.com, on Facebook, and Twitter@DisneyD23.

To find a local Disney Store, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow along on Twitter @DisneyStore.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

About Disney Store

The Disney Store retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America, Europe, and Japan. Disney Store is the retail merchandising arm of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive product lines that support and promote Disney's key entertainment initiatives and characters. Disney Store opened its first store in Glendale, California and, in doing so, originated the themed retail business model. There are currently more than 200 Disney Store locations in North America; more than 40 Disney Store locations in Japan; and more than 70 Disney Store locations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, plus online storeswww.DisneyStore.com, www.disneystore.co.uk, www.disneystore.fr, www.disneystore.de, www.disneystore.se,www.disneystore.dk, www.disneystore.it, www.disneystore.es and www.disneystore.co.jp. Each Disney Store location offers a magical shopping experience that can only be delivered by Disney, one of the world's largest and most successful entertainment companies. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us/disneystore or follow us atwww.facebook.com/DisneyStore and www.twitter.com/DisneyStore.

About Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that brings our Company's stories and characters to life through innovative and engaging physical products and digital experiences across more than 100 categories, from toys and t-shirts, to apps and console games. DCPI comprises two main lines of business: Disney Consumer Products (DCP), and Disney Interactive (DI). The combined segment is home to world class teams of app and game developers, licensing and retail experts, a leading retail business (Disney Store), artists and storytellers, and technologists who inspire imaginations around the world.

About D23 EXPO 2015

D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com.Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23EXPO.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

ABC Television Bringing Exclusive Q&As and Autograph Sessions with Your Favorite Stars At D23 Expo 2015

THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK SPOTLIGHTS THE CREATIVE FORCES AND STARS FROM SOME OF ITS MOST EXCITING SHOWS AT D23 EXPO 2015, WITH EXCLUSIVE Q&As AND AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS

“Once Upon a Time” Panel Features Series Creators/Executive Producers Edward Kitsis and

Adam Horowitz, as well as Stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parrilla, Who Will Talk About Their Hit ABC Series

Find Out What It’s Like to Work with the Muppets in a Special Panel Featuring the Talented Performers Working on the New ABC Primetime Series “The Muppets”

Autograph Sessions Set Throughout the Weekend with Some of Your Favorite Stars from “black-ish,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” “The Goldbergs” and “Once Upon a Time”

BURBANK, Calif. – July 16, 2015 – Be among the first to learn the secrets of what’s ahead on ABC’s most anticipated new and returning fall series; hear from some of the fairy tale residents of “Once Upon a Time” and the very talented performers from the new series “The Muppets”; and meet some of your favorite ABC stars in person during special signing sessions atD23 EXPO: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where all the worlds of Disney come together, August 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Panels and Presentations

The Magic Behind The Muppets

Friday, August 14, 10:00 a.m., Stage 23

Calling all Muppet fans! Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with the Muppets? Here’s your chance to find out firsthand when ABC presents a panel on the magic and art of being a Muppet Performer. Join these creative artists and some of your favorite characters, along with a few surprise guests, for a rare and unforgettable demonstration of what it takes to bring these iconic and enduring personalities to life.

Once Upon a Time: An Evening with Snow White & the Evil Queen

Saturday, August 15, 6:00 p.m., Stage 23

“Once Upon a Time’s” savior has gone dark! As Emma Swan transitions into her role as the Dark One, join the resident fairy tale characters as they cope with Emma’s new role and begin the search for Merlin. This is a journey that will take our heroes from the Enchanted Forest to Camelot and along the way bring many surprises, including Merida from “Brave,” as “Once Upon a Time” introduces its first Pixar character. Join co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis (“LOST”) and Adam Horowitz (“LOST”) along with series stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parrilla as they discuss the upcoming season of unexpected twists, evolving characters, new adventures and new rivalries. This panel is sure to bring some surprises you don’t want to miss and an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming season premiere!  The Q&A with this fairy tale team will be moderated by D23’s Jeffrey Epstein.

On The Show Floor

Autograph Signings

Meet and receive autographs from some of your favorite ABC stars at the Disney | ABC TV Pavilion booth, located on the show floor.  Following is the appearance schedule (subject to change):

Friday, August 14

12:00-12:50 p.m.

"Dancing with the Stars" pro dancers Witney Carson (Season 19 champion) and Allison Holker (Season 20 runner-up)

Saturday, August 15

4:00-4:50 p.m.

"black-ish" stars Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown and Marsai Martin

5:00-5:40 p.m.

"Once Upon a Time" stars to be announced

Sunday, August 16

10:00-10:50 a.m.

"Fresh Off the Boat" stars Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler and Ian Chen

5:00-5:50 p.m.

"The Goldbergs" stars Sean Giambrone and Hayley Orrantia

“Once Upon a Time” Snow White and Evil Queen Doll Collection

Limited Edition of 300, $129.95

Inspired by ABC Studios’ television series “Once Upon a Time,” this collection brings to life the beauty, magic and charm of the iconic fairy tale characters from the show. Exclusively available at Disney Store at D23 EXPO.

Doll Collection Autograph Signing Opportunity with Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White) and Lana Parrilla (The Evil Queen)

Ginnifer and Lana will sign the “Once Upon a Time” Doll Collection, available exclusively at Disney Store at D23 EXPO.  This autograph session will take place on Saturday, August 15 from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. at the ABC booth on the D23 EXPO show floor, and is exclusively for those guests who have purchased one of the dolls.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

About D23 EXPO 2015

D23 EXPO: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23EXPO.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

About ABC Entertainment Group

Formed in 2009, the ABC Entertainment Group, comprised of ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios, develops and produces compelling programming across all day parts for both national and international broadcast and digital platforms, as well as for national syndication. ABC Studios' current hits include “American Crime,” “black-ish,” “Castle,” “Criminal Minds” (CBS), “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How To Get Away With Murder,” "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," “Nashville,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Scandal” and “Secrets and Lies.” The ABC Television Network is also home to the Emmy-winning "Modern Family" and comedy favorites “Fresh Off the Boat," "The Middle” and “The Goldbergs”; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank" and long-running hit “Dancing with the Stars"; “General Hospital,” which has aired for over 50 years on the network, along with daytime talk shows “The View” and “The Chew”; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live."  The network also boasts some of television’s most prestigious awards shows, including The Academy Awards®, the Country Music Awards, The American Music Awards and The Billboard Music Awards.

Blu-Ray Review: Once Upon A Time The Complete Third Season

Once Upon A Time: The Complete Third Season brings us another season of fairy tales, folk tales and fables. One of the best stories of the season comes in the form of Peter Pan. This multi-episode story arch takes the story you know and gives it an amazing twist. The other major twist comes in the form of Regina's half-sister, Zelena. Not wanting to give away any spoilers for those that aren't caught up on Season Three, you will just have to watch it for yourself. Trust me, you are in for a great season.

Video:

The video quality of this season exceeds those of the first two seasons with stunning 1080p quality. It makes the TV show feel more like a theatrical experience though the digital effects remind you that this is a TV show.

Audio:

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound is part of each episode. The crystal clear dialogue and rear channel effects add to the immersive quality of the show.

Bonus Features: 

Inside the Writer's Room: See how the shows writers are bringing Frozen into the story.

Deleted Scenes: Twelve minutes of footage from the season. Some of it insightful and some of it not so much.

Wicked Villains: A twelve minute featurette focused on the villains of course.

The Tale of Ariel: Take a look at the development of Ariel, her design, her casting and how she was brought to the TV screen.

The Fairest Bloopers of Them All: Wish there were more bloopers than the actors simply making funny faces.

Audio Commentaries: Four fantastic commentaries on four of the best episodes of the season. You will find commentaries for "Lost Girl," "Think Lovely Thoughts," "The Jolly Roger" and "There's No Place Like Home." Robert Carlyle who plays Mr. Gold/Rumple is featured on the second commentary. I wish they would have more cast members on commentaries. Maybe that will be something in the future.

Conclusion:

A great presentation in terms of video and audio. The bonus features are somewhat lacking but the audio commentaries more than make up for it. Though I would have liked at least one more commentary track. But another great season of Once Upon A Time and something to get you ready for Season Four!

Jennifer Morrison "Emma Swan" Q&A - Once Upon A Time: The Complete Third Season on Blu-ray 8/19

ONCE UPON A TIME: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

Q&A

Jennifer Morrison – “Emma Swan”

Q: Do you think one day Emma and evil queen Regina [Lana Parrilla] will find a way to get along?

A: Maybe in real life that would be possible but with a television show there wouldn’t be much drama if they got along. So much of television is based on conflict, resolving things and coming together, and it all goes in cycles. To keep intrigue going and to keep people tuning in to see what’s going on I think we’re always going to be in cycles of conflict together.

Q: What did you most enjoy about making the third season?

A: Selfishly my favorite part of season three was doing the last two episodes because they were both basically about Emma going on this great adventure. It was really fun. Emma had never been in Fairy Tale Land [aka The Enchanted Forest] before so for her to be there, to see her parents back in time meeting and falling in love, plus all of the journeys and adventures that I got to go on in those two episodes was really fun. Also to wear the gowns and the capes and be a part of that world that Emma had never been a part of before was definitely a fun adventure for me. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for her when we start filming season four [in July].

Q: What’s been your most memorable on-set blooper?

A: I honestly don’t have one. We get asked all the time ‘What are the laughs on set?’ or ‘What are the jokes?’ but we have to film nine pages a day so there’s not a lot of joking. We all get along and we all enjoy each other’s company but most of the time we’re just trying to stay prepared and be ready for the next thing. There’s not a lot of time to goof around.

Q: So no wardrobe malfunctions in the Fairy Tale Land costumes?

A: [Laughs] Not so far, no, but then I’ve only worn them in two episodes and everything went well.

Q: You directed a short film called Warning Labels. Would you now like to direct an episode of Once Upon A Time?

A: I would love to direct an episode [laughs] but I don’t think they’d let me. It’s usually something that’s contractual; it would need to be in my contract and it’s not, but who knows what the future holds? Maybe if they see the short film and they like it they’ll change their minds. But I definitely will be doing more directing, whether it’s on Once Upon A Time or not.

Q: In the show, your character is grounded in reality, but it must be getting harder for her to stay grounded as the storylines progress. How do you see that evolving on the next season?

A: I don’t know anything about season four yet. I wish I did. [Laughs] I’ve been begging for information and they’re being very secretive so I’m honestly not withholding any information. But I’ve always seen Emma as her own person and also she’s a little bit like the representation of the audience. When people first began watching the show there was no reason to believe in all these crazy things we were proposing so Emma didn’t believe, along with the audience not believing. As Emma started to be convinced and to fall for the truth of this storytelling, then the audience fell for it with her. It needed to happen in season one that she broke the curse, otherwise people would start to get frustrated at her not believing – because she had too much proof that these things were real. She obviously has to deal with the fact that she’s the product of true love and she’s the child of Prince Charming [Josh Dallas] and there’s magic inside her that she doesn’t understand or know how to deal with. That keeps her grounded in a sense.

Q: Do the themes of the show resonate with real life for you?

A: There are parts of ourselves that we don’t understand in real life so it’s a metaphor for me. It’s a metaphor when I’m finding ways to connect with that part of the character. I may be talking about magic but maybe internally I’ll be thinking about love or vulnerability or taking certain risks that I don’t feel comfortable taking in my own life. So I assign the stakes of my own life to the stakes Emma would feel. I try to treat it the way you would if someone just walked up to you and said ‘By the way, you have magic’. I try to assess it as if someone was saying that to me. Near the end of season three, where I start to realize the wicked witch is in town, I’m like: ‘She’s real too? Good lord! What’s going on?’ I think the writers do a really good job of continually bringing Emma back to that place of everything being new and surprising to her. It was fun at the end of season three because there were some pop-culture references where Emma gets to be the one in the know and everyone else is going: ‘Who’s Princess Leah? Who’s Han Solo? Who’s Marty McFly?’ Emma’s the one who has the references and everyone else is confused, as opposed to Emma being confused and everyone else being in the know.

Q: Why do you think there’s such a fascination with fairy tales these days?

A: I think it’s a representation of what’s going on in the world. We’re in a time where information is accessible to everyone so nothing is a secret. We have the Internet, we have news everywhere, everybody knows every single thing that’s going on in the world at all times, and that’s not always been the case. No atrocity is a secret nor is any horrible crisis. We also just went through an economic crisis in most countries in the world and people are dealing with that, plus they’re dealing with personal illnesses, they’re dealing with wars in certain countries, there are all sorts of adversities and obstacles to overcome, and based on that everyone is searching for a place to have hope. The underlying message of fairy tales is that you’re searching for yourself, you have obstacles to overcome, there are journeys you need to take to find out who you really are, but when you overcome those obstacles you hope that life will be good. When we’re facing a lot of obstacles and we’re aware of the whole world facing obstacles maybe we’re all secretly searching for that kind of hope. So maybe Maleficent doing well and Once Upon A Time doing well is not just because there’s something comforting and nostalgic that we remember from our childhoods, it’s because there are underlying metaphors and subconscious meanings that are resonating with people right now.

Q: Do you have any input into the storylines on Once Upon A Time?

A: This is entirely the creation of the showrunners and writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. There are little details occasionally that come up – things like the fact young Emma wears a key around her neck, which is something I found in a bunch of memoirs I read about kids who grew up in the foster program. Depending on which home they were in, they often have a key round their neck and a box of stuff they travel with. I found several consistencies of behavior in the memoirs I read so there are little details in there like that. And when I gave Neil [Michael Raymond-James] the necklace back – when I tore off the necklace he’d given me – it wasn’t originally in the script that it would come up again. So yeah, there are tiny details, not specific plot points.

Q: What do you think about fans revealing plot points and spoilers on social media?

A: I don’t know what to think about that. I miss a sense of mystery in the industry, for sure. There’s something wonderfully magical about keeping some mystery to things and that applies to people’s personal lives and professional lives as well as plotlines. There’s something that’s been lost a little bit without the ability to maintain the mystery. I don’t know what to think about spoilers and things like that because obviously you want people to be excited when they watch in the moment and we’re thrilled that people watch the show when it airs and then start talking about it. But at the same time that might be spoiling the plot for someone who hasn’t seen the episode yet, or for a country where it hasn’t aired. It’s a weird balance. There are good things about it and bad things about it.

Q: Emma has a lot of fears, but what scares you in real life?

A: I have a lot of trouble flying, which is crazy because I spend a lot of my time on planes. I had a crazy flight a few years ago that made me a little phobic about flying, but I force myself to deal with it every time I get on a plane.

I really value my time with my family and friends, especially since I have to be away working so much, so I guess I’m also fearful of there ever being a time where I’d have to be separated from family and friends such as, god forbid, a parent dying. I know eventually it’s a reality we all have to face but that would be at the very top of my list of things I’m terrified of.

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THE STORY OF FROZEN: MAKING A DISNEY ANIMATED CLASSIC ALL NEW ABC SPECIAL

THE STORY OF FROZEN:

MAKING A DISNEY ANIMATED CLASSIC

All-New Exclusive ABC Special

AN UNPRECEDENTED BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE MAKING OF A MODERN MOVIE BASED ON A TIMELESS TALE, “THE STORY OF FROZEN: MAKING A DISNEY ANIMATED CLASSIC” PREMIERES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 8:00-9:00 PM ET, WITH A LOOK TOWARD THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR ANNA, ELSA AND FRIENDS

FEATURING AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK OF “BIG HERO 6,” WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS’ NEXT COMEDY ACTION ADVENTURE & MORE

“The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic” is an all-new, original special in a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Lincoln Square Productions and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The special ventures behind-the-scenes for an exclusive look at the origins and evolution of the Academy Award®- winning film “Frozen,” now the biggest animated feature of all time.   A breathtaking and fantastic saga, the special tells the real story of making a modern movie based on a timeless tale that nearly overnight became a cultural touchstone for legions of fans.

“The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic” airs TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 (8:00 -9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. 

  

            Viewers will get a rare look inside Walt Disney Animation Studios and unprecedented access to the creative team that brought “Frozen” to life. Throughout the one-hour special, the audience will hear from “Frozen” stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, the directors, songwriters, producer and artists and chief creative officer John Lasseter -   the team who dreamed of making a cherished Hans Christian Andersen story into a big screen animated musical.   Viewers will take a journey to the beautiful Norwegian villages and landscapes that inspired the look of Arendelle - the fictional kingdom - and see images and footage from the research trips to Norway, Quebec and points beyond that helped create the film’s unforgettable look and feel.

            This special will also include some exciting announcements about the next chapter of “Frozen” and a never-before-seen preview of “Frozen” characters Anna, Elsa and Kristoff on an upcoming episode of ABC’s smash-hit “Once Upon a Time.”

The program will culminate in an exclusive sneak peek at the action-packed comedy-adventure “Big Hero 6,” currently in production at Walt Disney Animation Studios –under wraps until now – as the team prepares their next big-screen epic.

  

“The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic” features interviews with “Frozen” stars Kristen Bell (voice of Anna) and Idina Menzel (voice of Elsa) as well as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer and “Frozen” executive producer John Lasseter, Academy Award®-winning filmmakers, including directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, producer Peter Del Vecho, and songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. This one-hour special will also feature exclusive insights and commentary from art director Mike Giaimo and talented artists from the art direction, animation and effects teams. The exclusive sneak peek of “Big Hero 6” is presented by the film’s directors, Don Hall and Chris Williams.

“The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic” is produced by Lincoln Square Productions. Jeanmarie Condon is Senior Executive Producer and Rudy Bednar is Director of “The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic.”

ABOUT “FROZEN”

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind “Tangled” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” presents “Frozen,” a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. The film is directed by Chris Buck (“Tarzan,” “Surf’s Up”) and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter, “Wreck-It Ralph”), who also wrote the screenplay. It is produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Winnie the Pooh,” “The Princess and the Frog”). Featuring original songs from Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit,” “Winnie the Pooh”) and Tony® winner Robert Lopez (“The Book of Mormon,” “Avenue Q”), and an original score by Christophe Beck (“The Muppets,” Oscar®-winning short “Paperman”), “Frozen” won two Academy Awards® (best animated film and best original song with “Let It Go”) and a Golden Globe® (best animated feature film). It is the fifth highest grossing film of all time and the highest grossing animated film earning more than $1.27 billion globally. Released wide domestically on Nov. 27, 2013, “Frozen” posted the No. 1 industry all-time Thanksgiving debut and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ biggest opening ever. The film’s Feb. 25 digital debut was the biggest digital release (sell-through) ever; it’s Blu-ray/DVD release on March 18 was No. 1 on the Nielsen overall disc charts for eight nonconsecutive weeks. The “Frozen” soundtrack is the top-selling album of 2014 and spent 31 consecutive weeks in the top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, including 13 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1. It is certified triple Platinum, selling more than 3.2 million units. The “Let It Go” film clip from “Frozen” has been viewed nearly 300 million times on YouTube.

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Located in Burbank, WDAS continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, stretching from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to 2013’s Academy Award®-winning Frozen, the biggest animated film of all time. Among the studio’s timeless creations are Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Tangled and Wreck-It Ralph.

Lincoln Square Productions:

Lincoln Square Productions produces original content for broadcast, cable and digital distribution specializing in entertaining ways to tell fact based stories.  Clients include ABC Television Group, Scripps Networks, Viacom, Discovery Communications, National Geographic Networks, and more.   Lincoln Square Productions is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. The headquarters are located in New York City.