BEFORE THE “TALE AS OLD AS TIME” HITS THEATERS THIS MARCH, EMMA WATSON, JOSH GAD, AND ACADEMY AWARD^®-WINNING DIRECTOR BILL CONDON TAKE DISNEY TWENTY-THREE BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE ELABORATE, LIVE-ACTION MUSICAL.

PLUS, THE EXCLUSIVE 40TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION OF THE NEW MICKEY MOUSE CLUB, A PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY FILM AND ATTRACTION, AND A PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN CELEBRATION.

BURBANK, Calif. – February 2, 2017 – Transforming one of the most beloved animated films of all time into a live-action feature, complete with elaborate sets, extravagant costumes, vibrant musical numbers, and dazzling special effects, is no easy task. But that’s exactly what director Bill Condon has done with Beauty and the Beast, which arrives in theaters March 17. “When a musical works and you feel that kind of thrill of taking off, I think it’s like nothing else,” says Condon who, along with stars Emma Watson (Belle) and Josh Gad (LeFou), reveals to Disney twenty-three the unique challenges they faced and the heartfelt moments they experienced when creating this sumptuous new film.

The spring issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also features a look behind the scenes with Chris Pratt and Kurt Russell at the making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, as well as an interview with Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who describes in detail the thrills and excitement that await guests on Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: BREAKOUT!—coming to Disney California Adventure later this year.

Plus, actors Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi talk exclusively with Disney twenty-three about Tangled: The Series, and the hair-raising good time they’ve had stepping back into the roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider (now known as Eugene). Disney twenty-three looks at five incredible decades of Pirates of the Caribbean, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer offers readers a sneak peek at May’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. And the Mouseketeers from The New Mickey Mouse Club come together 40 years later to look back on their fun and funkadelic ’70s-era show.

Also included in the spring issue of Disney twenty-three:

• A celebration of the Main Street Electrical Parade’s 45th anniversary, as it returns to its original home at Disneyland Park
• The wonder and beauty of Disneynature’s newest film, Born in China
• A peek at what’s to come during the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris
• Eleven cool experiences you may not have known about at Walt Disney World Resort
• A look inside the newly renovated Walt Disney Animation Studios headquarters
• Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

And readers will get a look at the 2017 D23 Gold Member Gift, “Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men.” The gift, sent to D23 Gold Members who join or renew for 2017, includes 23 meticulously reproduced items—including beautiful artwork—that represent the work and legacy of the nine animators who created some of Disney’s most enduring characters. More on the gift is available at D23.com/NineOldMen.

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-February.

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 ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) 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, Instagram, and YouTube.