This New Disney Trailer Brought Happy Tears to My Weary Eyes

Disney lovers of every variety: Absolutely STOP what you’re doing. This is NOT a drill. I repeat, this is NOT a drill! STOP what you’re doing and treat your heart and soul to this unexpectedly moving trailer for Disney’s upcoming Once Upon a Studio original short film!

Wait- You don’t even know what I’m talking about?? FINE! Let me quickly bring you up to speed!

You HAVE to know that The Walt Disney Company has been deep in its 100-year anniversary celebrations, known as Disney100. In 1923, Walt Disney and his brother Roy officially created the massive entertainment juggernaut we know today as Disney. The official day of the 100th anniversary is just a few weeks away, on October 16!

Credit: Disney

The celebrations have ranged from theme park offerings, special collectible merchandise, celebratory-themed food, and more! But the most exciting thing of all (if you ask me at least…and well, here you are) is the release of an all-new short debuting on ABC this October 15 as a part of “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration!”

Once Upon a Studio is a love letter to 100 years of Disney characters, creativity, and the magic of Disney Animation. Basically, it’s a short film with dozens of your favorite Disney characters coming together for the first time! Disney Animation says it brought back “FORTY voice actors” to the studio to record for this project! FORTY! Not to mention other legendary Disney visual artists.

Credit: Disney

Also, Once Upon a Studio combines live-action, 2D animation, and 3DCG animation. That’s right, we have classic hand-drawn characters from 1989 interacting with computer-animated ones from 2016, and my little pixie dust heart could barely handle all the magic.

The trailer has Moana and Flounder from The Little Mermaid (1989) having a moment together. Antonio from Encanto frolics with Meeko from Pocahontas, Pua from Moana, Pascal from Tangled, Cri-Kee from Mulan, and the birds from Cinderella, presumably using his animal communication skills! There are princesses and princes, and of course, Minnie and Mickey Mouse!

Credit: Disney

Rumor has it that Mickey and Minnie want to gather every character together for a big group 100th anniversary photo – even the villains! That’s right! We see Hades from Hercules, Cruella de Vil, and Ursula, but don’t worry, Anna and Elsa suggest that not EVERY villain will get the Disney100 treatment. (You’ll understand later.)

With “100 years of stories” and “100 years of magic,” it’s impossible not to feel your heart swell as each new familiar character graces the screen. Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf from Frozen, even revealed that the snowman would appear alongside the Genie from Aladdin, “utilizing previously unheard audio from [his] idol,” Robin Willaims.

I don’t know if you’re even emotionally ready to watch this trailer, but here it is! Make it known that if Disney is going to recycle its characters and IP for profit – THIS is how you do it!

Is it October 15 yet??

100 years of stories. 100 years of magic. 🧚🪄✨

Once Upon A Studio, a new Original short film, premieres on ABC during “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration!” on October 15 at 8/7c. pic.twitter.com/QrnRcF50pl

— Disney (@Disney) September 21, 2023