Disney’s ‘Encanto’ Takes Over ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’

Disney’s Encanto took over Dancing With the Stars, and Guests were left in tears. Last night, October 17, 2013, ABC’s hit television show Dancing With the Stars celebrated Disney’s 100th anniversary with a special tribute.

Disney 100

once upon a studio group photo

On October 16, 2023, the Walt Disney Company celebrated 100 years of entertainment, storytelling, and magic. Throughout Disney Parks and entertainment, huge celebrations have been entertaining Guests. Celebrations have stretched across the globe from Disneyland in Anaheim, California, to Shanghai Disneyland and everywhere in between.

Once Upon a Studio was released on Disney+ and Hulu as one of the most notable Disney 100 tributes. This Disney short film celebrates 100 years of Walt Disney Studios Animation and storytelling. The 13-minute film encapsulates the magic, featuring 543 Disney characters from over 85 feature-length and short films released over the past 100 years.

Across the Disney Parks, Guests have experienced once-in-a-lifetime celebrations for Disney’s 100th anniversary. In Disneyland Paris, Guests cheered as 100 Disney characters, and Disney VoluntEARS paraded down Main Street, U.S.A. Even Disney entertainment is celebrating, as celebrated films, including Moana and The Lion King, are back in select theaters for a limited time to celebrate the anniversary.

Dancing With the Stars Celebrates Disney 100

Disney logo graphic design celebrates 100 years with new details

Last night on ABC, Dancing With the Stars celebrated Disney’s centenary with Disney 100 Night. The episode featured Disney-inspired dances and a special showcase featuring Encanto, that left fans speechless. The showcase also unveiled Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 Disney 100 Platinum Edition.

Starting out, some audience members weren’t quite sure if they were watching a dance or a commercial for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. After entering the Hyundai, iconic Disney characters joined the dancers, including Tinkerbell, Peter Pan, Wendy, Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, and even Sorcerer Mickey himself!

Once the stars arrived on the Dancing With the Stars stage, Guests were instantly thrilled when they heard the recognizable start to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” from Disney’s Encanto. The dancer’s beautiful dresses referenced the traditional Columbian clothing worn by the films characters Mirabel, Isabella, Luisa, and more. Additionally, many dancers donned Bruno’s green poncho as a note to the Encanto character’s iconic look.

In addition to the beautiful costumes and set design, the dance even featured Bruno giving a prophesy. But you may be wondering, how do we avoid talking about Bruno with the show’s infamous judge Bruno Tonioli on set? Well Tonioli has a silent Bruno cameo during the number, but when the dance ended, he couldn’t help but shout his praise.

During the show, contestants celebrated Disney’s 100th anniversary with Disney-themed dances.  American Pie actress Alyson Hannigan and her partner Sasha Farber danced to “Be Our Guest” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater performed “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Fantasia. Mira Sorvino and partner Gleb Savchenko waltz to “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Disney’s Cinderella. 

The quickstep was performed by Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold to “You’ve Got A Friend in Me” from Toy Story. Jason Mraz danced the foxtrot with Daniella Karagach to “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev waltzed to “Part of Your World” from Disney’s newest live-action remake, The Little Mermaid. 

Dancing with the Stars Disney 100 night

Earning the highest scores of the night, Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy stole the show with the Paso Doble to “Un Poco Loco” from Coco. Following close behind in high scores were partners Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov, dancing to Frozen 2’s “Into the Unknown.”

The Brady Bunch actor Barry Williams and his partner Peta Murgatroyd performed a jazz dance to “He’s a Tramp” from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, earning the lowest score of the night. Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong joined them in the bottom three and danced the rumba to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” from The Lion King. However, NFL Star Adrian Peterson and Britt Stewart waltzed to “Baby Mine” from Dumbo and were eliminated by fans.