In the world's current state, so many of us are missing the entertainment, escape, and pure magic [1] that the Disney parks provide. We all have some pretty serious worries weighing on our minds, with the added pressure of trying to be the entertainment and escape for our kids while we're at it. To help out all of us, a handful of members of the Disney family have come together to deliver a dash of pixie dust [2] to your doorstep (well, technically your phone or computer).
Many of Disney's official Instagram accounts, as well as a few cast members, have been sharing art lessons, stories, sing-alongs, Disney history lessons, and more while we are doing our part and staying home. We're sharing 16 of these with you, but you'll want to continue keeping an eye on all of these accounts — they are always putting out exciting new content to help your family create magical memories at home.
Download Magical Mobile Wallpapers
Jay Ratner [4], a graphic designer at Disney World, shares many of his whimsical designs on Instagram. Keep an eye on his Stories, because he often formats his pieces to be used as desktop or mobile wallpapers and shares them there.
Find Out How to Draw Baymax
Michael Woodside [5], animation supervisor at Walt Disney Animation Studios, has been holding drawing classes each weekday via Instagram Live. In this lesson, animation-lovers can learn to draw Baymax from Disney's Big Hero 6. You can even use #drawingwithwoodsy [6] to share your completed pieces with your new favourite art teacher.
Celebrate Favourite Disney Attractions
Becoming a Disneyland VIP tour guide requires a vast knowledge and appreciation of Disney history. Based on his Instagram feed, Philander Butler [7] passed that test with flying colours. You'll find a wealth of Disney attraction education in his feed, including this celebration of Pirates of the Caribbean's [8] 53rd anniversary.
Discover the Men and Women Behind the Magic
Ub Iwerks, the animator credited with designing both Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse, passed away in 1971, but his impact will live on forever. On what would have been his 119th birthday, Butler [9] shared an in-depth look at Iwerks's role in making Disney what it is today.
Welcome a Baby Porcupine Into the World
Who knew that baby porcupines, unlike their sharp-quilled parents, were so soft and cuddly? As Disney's vice president of animals, science, and environment, Dr. Mark Penning [10] certainly did. In this post, Dr. Penning is inviting all of us inside Disney's onsite veterinary hospital to welcome Animal Kingdom's newest baby girl to the family.
Celebrate a Zebra Foal Joining the Herd
The Disney Conservation Fund [11] is dedicated to preserving nature and protecting wildlife. This week, it furthered that goal with the addition of a new baby zebra to the herd at Animal Kingdom. In this video, you can watch first-time mom Heidi with her adorable new daughter.
Learn to Make Coffee, Disney Style
We could all use a little extra caffeination right now, and Joffrey's Coffee [12] is helping parents add a special touch to their at-home coffee creations. This Jamaican Me Crazy Cold Brew can usually be found at Joffrey's kiosk locations throughout Walt Disney World, but now it is sharing the recipe so you can make it at home. Maybe your kids will even want to pitch in and help!
Discover the Design Origins of Animal Kingdom
Joe Rohde [13] is the longtime Disney Imagineer who headed up the concept, design, and production of Disney's Animal Kingdom (if you are completely obsessed with Pandora — The World of Avatar, you can thank Rohde). While we wait to find out when the parks will reopen, Rohde is sharing insight into the design inspiration for Animal Kingdom on his Instagram, including photos from his personal collection.
Learn to Draw Mickey
We love all of Woodside's [14] drawing lessons, but you can't call yourself a true Disney artist until you master the art of drawing Mickey Mouse. This one's almost an hour, but you'll learn so much more than just how to draw the shape of Mickey — Woodside delves into shading and other techniques that'll help you get it just right.
Read Along With Giggle McDimples
In this video from the official Disney Instagram account [15], Ally Maki, voice of Giggle McDimples in Toy Story 4 [16], reads a short story from the Toy Story Storybook Collection [17]. If you need a familiar voice to keep your kids occupied for a few minutes while you make lunch or eat a cupcake alone in the laundry room, they'll love this sweet virtual story time.
Enjoy Story Time With Yvette Nicole Brown
Disney Family [18] is a treasure trove of family-friendly recipes, crafts, and activities. While many families are stuck at home, they've invited members of the Disney family to read aloud from some of their favourite stories, including this one from Yvette Nicole Brown. Brown voices Luna, one of the magical flying jaquins, in Elena of Avalor, and her lively reading of the book Elena and the Secret of Avalor [19] will leave your kids spellbound.
Paint a Disney Pooch
This video from Disney Pets [20] isn't quite long enough to be considered a tutorial, but your kids will definitely enjoy seeing Dug from Disney's Up come to life. At only one minute and 30 seconds, it's just long enough to provide the inspiration your kids need to create their own version.
Sing With a Main Street U.S.A. Mainstay
Go ahead and get out the tissues, because there is no way you're getting through this Oh My Disney [21] video without crying. Members of the Disneyland Dapper Dans, a barbershop quartet that can usually be spotted on Main Street U.S.A., recently came together from their homes to sing "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Disney's Pinocchio. According to the Disney Parks Blog [22], they'll be sharing their harmonies with us again soon, and you can even vote for which song they should perform next.
Get a Lesson in Disneyland Attraction History
Like we said, Butler [23] knows a thing or two (or a hundred) about Disneyland. Although Disneyland was closed on the 15th anniversary of Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, Butler kept the party going with a few fun facts about this alien-zapping ride through space.
Indulge in Disney Lore
Modelled to look like a private club for world explorers, the now-defunct Adventurers Club was part nightclub, part improv show, and 100 percent like absolutely nothing else at Disney World. If you didn't visit Disney before the club's closing in 2008, you may have never known of its existence. Check out Rohde's [24] recounting and the various Easter eggs hidden throughout the Disney parks to experience it.
Become a Disney Mixologist
If you find yourself in need of a cocktail-size stress reliever at the end of the day, you'll want to tune in to La Cava del Tequila's [25] Instagram Stories. Each weekday at 7 p.m. ET, it's been sharing how-to videos for its famous cocktail recipes, like this refreshing Oaxacan Mule.
