ABC’s celebrating all things Disney with a 20/20 special Disney 100: A Century of Dreams. The two-hour special will air on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT and will feature new stories from those with intimate knowledge of Disney’s legacy, along with rare footage from the iconic brand’s 100 years.
Disney CEO Bob Iger, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and Walt Disney’s grandsons Chris Miller and Walter Miller are involved in the special in new interviews. The special explores Disney’s music history with songwriter Richard Sherman, Sir Elton John, composer Alan Menken, and singer/songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda talking about music’s role in Disney’s storytelling.
Disney 100: A Century of Dreams also includes interviews with actors who’ve voiced characters in Disney’s animated productions, including Idina Menzel (Elsa, Frozen and Frozen 2), Jodi Benson (Ariel, The Little Mermaid), Paige O’Hara (Belle, Beauty and the Beast), and Ariana DeBose (Asha, Wish).
ABC offered this description of the special edition of 20/20:
“The documentary takes viewers on a magical journey that started in 1923, featuring a century of stories and experiences that will touch the hearts of audiences everywhere. From the creation of the Disney Brothers Studio to modern beloved brands such as Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox, the core DNA of Disney remains the same: storytelling, creativity, innovation and optimism. The special is a celebration of the countless Disney creators, telling the story behind the story that will astonish even the biggest Disney superfans, and viewers will be treated to an inside look at an all-new Disney attraction.”
The documentary chronicles all facets of the storied company — from animation to parks to television to music — spotlighting those who have played essential roles in Disney’s history. Starting with the creation of the iconic character Mickey Mouse and unspooling the story of how Walt Disney’s quest to make the very first feature-length animated film, Snow White, nearly bankrupted the young studio, viewers will learn how unbridled determination and imagination became the cornerstones of the Walt Disney Company.”
