D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Kicks Off with an Expansive Lineup of Experiences and Programming Only Disney Can Deliver
Day-one of this reimagined fan event promises immersive experiences, star-studded presentations, exclusive merchandise, and more from across the worlds of Disney
Today marks the official start to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa®, taking place in Anaheim, California now through August 11. This year’s event is more expansive and immersive than ever before, offering tens of thousands of Disney’s most passionate fans a glimpse of the vast array of creativity, talent, and innovation that powers the brands and businesses of The Walt Disney Company. In addition to three nights of marquee showcases at the Honda Center, the Anaheim Convention Center will play host to an outstanding lineup of over 230 panels and presentations, show floor offerings, and Talent Central interactions.
Disney is uniquely beloved by fans around the world who are captivated by the joy and magic of its iconic stories and characters. This deep bond with fans, forged over a century of storytelling, is stronger today than ever before – fueled by the unmatched strength of Disney’s creative studios, the wide appeal of its brands and franchises, and the innovative ways the company brings its stories to life in its theme parks and experiences. With this unrivalled portfolio, Disney is able to consistently deliver fans the kind of high-quality entertainment they can’t get anywhere else. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event ignites the passion of fans from every corner of the globe, giving them the chance to experience the magic together and hear from some of their favorite stars and storytellers about what’s in store from across the worlds of Disney.
Today at the Anaheim Convention Center, fans will get their first chance to experience the largest show floor in D23 history, providing even more ways to interact with brands, stories, and talent they love, including immersive pavilions from Disney Experiences, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney+, Hulu, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, the Walt Disney Archives, and more. And, for the first time, Avatar will have a full pavilion, ESPN and ABC News will have a presence on the show floor, while Lucasfilm’s groundbreaking ILM Stagecraft technology will make its D23 debut. Meanwhile, exclusive panels and presentations today will allow fans of Toy Story to celebrate 30 years of the groundbreaking franchise, and Disney Princess fans can sing along with the original voices behind some of their favorite songs. From the small worlds of A Real Bug’s Life to creating larger-than-life worlds in FX’s Shōgun and Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Disney storytelling magic is around every corner of this jampacked event.
Tonight, Disney Entertainment will take center stage at the Honda Center, where the company’s powerhouse creative studios will deliver a star-studded evening featuring exclusive looks at highly anticipated films, series, and stage shows, with never-before-seen footage, surprise announcements, special guests, musical performances, and more.
Visit ultimatefanevent.d23.com for the full line up of offerings awaiting guests today at the Anaheim Convention Center. Outlined below are a few highlights including can’t-miss shows and experiences.
Friday, August 9 at the Anaheim Convention Center
Panels & Presentations
10:15 a.m. Behind the Summer Shenanigans with the Phineas and Ferb Creators
Backlot Stage
Join Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, the masterminds behind the beloved animated show Phineas and Ferb as they look back at the creation and legacy of this pop culture phenomenon. Hear behind-the-scenes stories and get ready to laugh!
12:15 p.m. Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed – The Return of a Beloved Classic
Backlot Stage
Wield the paintbrush once more in Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed out this fall! Join Disney Games, Epic Mickey Creative Director Warren Spector, and more special guests, for a conversation that delves into how this beloved classic adventure came to life.
12:45 p.m. The Muppets 70: A Glamorous Miss Piggy Retrospective
Walt Disney Archives Stage
Join host Yvette Nicole Brown, Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline, The Muppets Producer Dani Iglesias and Disney Legend Jodi Benson for a fabulous look back on the past 70 years of the Muppets, but mostly Miss Piggy! We will dive into the vaults to uncover nostalgic artifacts along with how we preserve this collection today!
1:30 p.m. 30 Years of Toy Story
Premiere Stage
Celebrate 30 Years of Toy Story with filmmakers and Pixar Legends as they reflect on the making of the groundbreaking classic nearly 30 years ago and share never-before-heard anecdotes about how the historic film came to be.
2:00 p.m. National Geographic’s A Real Bug’s Life LIVE
Hyperion Stage
Join insect experts and enthusiasts for a live show-and-tell of insects featured in National Geographic’s hit Disney+ series A Real Bug’s Life, narrated by Awkwafina, with its second season coming in early 2025.
3:45 p.m. Bringing the Worlds of Disney Animation to Life in Disney Parks
Premiere Stage
Team members from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios discuss bringing the worlds of Disney Animation to life in Disney Parks around the world, including such projects as World of Frozen (Hong Kong Disneyland), Zootopia (Shanghai Disneyland), Fantasy Springs (Tokyo DisneySea), and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom and Disneyland).
4:00 p.m. Musical Performance: Simple Plan
Spotlight Stage
Award-winning artist Simple Plan enthralled fans with a full set of some of their most popular music through the years, as well as their newly released cover of Can You Feel The Love Tonight from the upcoming Mickey & Friends pop-punk album, A Whole New Sound.
5:00 p.m. Making A Goofy Movie: The Road to Lake Destiny
Walt Disney Archives Stage
Join Disney Legend Don Hahn for a conversation with the creatives behind the A Goofy Movie phenomenon, including Director Kevin Lima and Disney Legend Bill Farmer, as they reminisce, and share clips from a new documentary about the incredible origin story of this beloved cult classic.
5:15 p.m. From Book to Screen: How Bestselling Novels Become Hit TV Series and Films
Hyperion Stage
Join creators/producers from Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, the Disney Original Movie Out of My Mind, the hit anthology series Goosebumps, and FX’s Shōgun, as they discuss their creative processes and share how their teams and artists bring each story to life.
6:30 p.m. Disney Princess – The Concert
Premiere Stage
Be our guest for a magical evening celebrating the music of Disney Princesses, heroes, and (yes!) villains, performed by Disney on Broadway and animation stars, as Disney Princess – The Concert returns to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
Show Floor Experiences
Pixar Animation Studios & Walt Disney Animation Studios Pavilion
Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios once again join forces for a must-see animation experience at D23. Artist demonstrations, filmmaker signings, fan giveaways and interactive photo opportunities make this booth one to visit over and over again.
The Magic of Disney on Broadway
Celebrating 30 years of enchanting theater, guests can immerse themselves in the theatrical world with live demonstrations, an intimate look at props and costumes, and the chance to meet talented artists from stages around the globe.
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm presents the magic of ILM StageCraft™, the technology used to bring to life the worlds of The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and more. Hear from luminaries such as Doug Chiang, the creature team from Legacy Effects, and more for a look behind the scenes.
Marvel Studios’ TVA Walkthrough Experience
Fans will get to enter the Time Variance Authority through an immersive walkthrough experience and see pivotal moments recreated from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as what lies ahead. Just don’t step out of line… or timelines.
Disney+
Disney+ is where all of Disney’s greatest stories come home. With themed environments and surprises around every corner, fans can step into the worlds of new and favorite stories. *The Great Pin Pursuit participant
The Hulu Experience
Visit The Hulu Experience for immersive activations and shareable moments featuring the Arconia from Only Murders in the Building; the iconic opening sequence of The Kardashians; and the wild world of Hulu Animayhem. *The Great Pin Pursuit participant
The National Geographic Hexadome Experience
Step into the world of National Geographic and be transported around the globe and beyond in this one-of-a-kind 360-degree immersive audio-visual experience. Also look for two National Geographic Expeditions photo ops outside the Hexadome, featuring remarkable global travel destinations. *The Great Pin Pursuit participant
FX
This interactive experience features The Bear restaurant, serving up premiums inspired by FX’s The Bear; a Shōgun garden and a costume display showcasing items from the series in a fully immersive Shōgun-inspired atmosphere; and the AHS Wax House exhibit inspired by the award-winning American Horror Story franchise. *The Great Pin Pursuit participant
* The Great Pin Pursuit
The Great Pin Pursuit offers a new way to explore D23! Select activations will feature commemorative pins as part of their interactive experiences and encourage those stopping by to collect them all. Visit the Disney+ Pavilion or The Hulu Experience to collect a pin lanyard and get started!
For the full lineup of show floor pavilions that fans can experience at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, visit ultimatefanevent.d23.com.
Talent Central Opportunities
Celebrities and creative talent behind beloved stories coming to Talent Central on Friday include Daniel Logan from Star Wars, National Geographic’s Bertie Gregory and Mariana van Zeller, future Disney Legend Martha Blanding, Phineas and Ferb’s Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, and more.
Shopping & Merchandise
World of Disney: The Product Experience will feature limited-edition and first-to-market merchandise from D23 Marketplace, Disney Publishing, and some favorite Disney brands. In addition, this destination invites fans to interact and engage with some of their favorite products and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.
- D23 Marketplace – The D23 Marketplace brings together the most exciting offerings from DisneyStore.com and Disney Parks into one shopping destination for a wide assortment of curated brand collections, specialty items, and milestone anniversary collectibles.
- Disney Publishing – Enjoy a brand-new sip-and-shop experience featuring the latest blend from Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. while browsing the latest books from Disney Publishing.
- Disney Store – Stop by the Disney Store booth to take photos in front of a plush mountain and try your hand at picking the cuddliest plush from one of three claw machines.
- Live at World of Disney: The Product Experience – Meet authors and artists and get products and books signed during scheduled sessions throughout the weekend.
- Mickey & Friends – Explore a festival-inspired space that features a live art installation, a DJ, and an engaging photo moment.
- Disney Princess “Create Your World” featuring LEGO – Snap a photo alongside LEGO builds of beloved Disney Princess dresses and participate in an interactive LEGO mural.
- Pixar Putt – Play the pop-up mini-golf sensation inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films.
- Marvel Block Party – Step onto this Marvel-inspired New York City street to snap a few photos and experience a range of Marvel lifestyle products for every fan.
- Star Wars Darkade – Guests can test their skills at the first-ever Star Wars villains-themed arcade while checking out new Star Wars products.
Please CLICK HERE for photography assets.
Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store, The Walt Disney Company Pin Store, and Disney Studio Store Hollywood are releasing their first day of new, limited-edition pins.
To follow along with announcements from the day, follow DisneyD23 on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23.
About D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Presented by Visa
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa is a one-of-a-kind, multi-day fan experience showcasing the very best in creative storytelling and innovation from across the worlds of Disney. D23 in 2024 has been reimagined to be more expansive and more immersive than ever before, with three packed days of showcases with stars and storytellers, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes moments, thrilling performances, shopping, surprises, and more. For the latest news on D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, visit ultimatefanevent.d23.com. Presentations, talent, and schedules are subject to change. Join the D23 conversation online by following DisneyD23 on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23.
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 over 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through special experiences; member-exclusive offers and discounts; its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; and the latest news and stories on D23.com.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
For images, logos, videos, and press releases, please visit D23Press.com.
