D23 2026 Starts Today: Your Complete Guide to Disney’s Biggest Weekend

D23: The Ultimate Fan Event (formerly the D23 Expo) is underway in Anaheim, California, running today through Sunday, August 16, 2026. The three-day fan event brings together Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars under one roof. We’ve got all the info about the major panels, exclusive shopping, immersive experiences, and headline presentations—including the Disney Legends ceremony and the parks showcase (this year, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris).

We also have the complete program schedule for all three days, plus the show floor map, so you can plan your weekend from the shuttle line.

Here’s everything you need to know about Disney’s biggest event. 

What is D23?

Named for the year Walt Disney started his studio (1923), D23 is the first official club for Disney fans. General D23 membership is free; however, Gold Membership carries an annual fee starting at $49.99.

D23 members get access to special experiences and events, including D23: The Ultimate Fan Event, which includes Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel expert panels, immersive experiences, exclusive shopping, and much more—including access to the Disney Parks Presentation (where big news is revealed) and the Disney Legends ceremony, which honors individuals who have contributed to Disney’s 100+-year history in a meaningful way.

“We have the biggest show floor we’ve ever had, we have an incredible slate of panels and presentations throughout the weekend,” said D23 President Michael Vargo. “And if you love to shop, we have something for you as well.”

Read our complete guide to the 2024 D23: Ultimate Fan Event here:

UPDATED: D23 The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Guide!

Entrance & Parking Information

The Anaheim Convention Center is open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. for Full-Day Guests and 4 – 8 p.m. for Afternoon Guests.

• For Full-Day Guests, event entry points open at 6:30 a.m. No queuing is permitted before 6 a.m., and overnight queuing is prohibited.
• For Afternoon Guests, primary event entry points are at Grand Plaza and Arena Plaza. No queuing for Afternoon Guests is permitted before 3 p.m.

Physical badges are needed for entry into the Anaheim Convention Center, and all Guests will pass through security screening at both venues (including bag checks and metal detection), so be sure to allow extra time for arrival. If you have not picked up your badge yet, do that before you get in line for anything else.

Parking

Parking is available at the Anaheim Convention Center for $25 (standard vehicles) and $50 (oversized vehicles over 19 feet; maximum length 40 feet). Some parking may be off-site.

• The Anaheim Convention Center accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Google Pay, and Apple Pay (cash is not accepted)
• Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in Car Parks 1 and 4
• If directed to park at Anaheim GardenWalk, visit Guest Relations in Lobby A for a $25 flat-rate parking voucher
• No in-and-out privileges or overnight parking

2026 Program Schedule

Panels, Presentations, and Performances will take place on three stages at the Anaheim Convention Center as well as separately ticketed events at the Honda Center (Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday, Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday, and the Disney Legends Award Ceremony on Sunday).

To help plan your weekend, you can find a printable PDF of the full program schedule HERE. Save it to your phone before you leave the hotel, because convention center wi-fi will not be your friend by mid-morning. 

Friday, August 14, 2026 (Today)

The first official event of the weekend is a Star Wars cosplay meet-up at 9:45 a.m. this morning, but the panels and presentations kick off soon after, with Marvel Fanfare at 10:15 a.m. on the Backlot Stage, Disney and NatGeo: Capturing the Wonder of Nature at 10:45 a.m. on the Walt Disney Archives Stage, and Beauty and the Beast: A Tale as Old as Time at 11 a.m. on the Premiere Stage.

Here’s the complete program schedule for Friday:

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Day two includes the fan-favorite D23 Mousquerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest at 10 a.m. on the Premiere Stage, Bluey: From the Backyard to the Big Screen at 12:15 p.m. on the Backlot Stage, and a Disney Princesses, Heroes, and Villains cosplay meet-up at noon.

Here’s the complete program schedule for Saturday:

Sunday, August 16, 2026

The third and final day finishes strong with panels celebrating 75 Years of Nonsense: Alice in Wonderland at 12:15 p.m. and the One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th Anniversary at 4:45 p.m. Jonas Brothers fans also won’t want to miss the opportunity to attend a live taping of the JoBros podcast Hey Jonas! at 4:45 p.m. (all three on the Walt Disney Archives Stage).

There are no reservations or standby queues available for the separately ticketed Honda Center shows.

Here’s the complete program schedule for Sunday:

D23 Show Floor Experiences

Ticket holders will have access to D23’s largest and most innovative show floor ever, featuring interactive experiences, including:

• The Disney+ Hulu Experience brings fan-favorite streaming worlds to life like never before with a signature 4D theater, immersive photo experiences, exclusive merchandise, a collectible pin-hunting adventure, personalized subscription support, and more.
• Marvel Studios’ TVA Experience: Your Next Assignment activation, an immersive walkthrough experience across the different worlds of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

• Lucasfilm Pavilion returns with an exciting array of photo ops, props, and costumes from current and upcoming stories set in a galaxy far, far away.
• Mundo Pixar: The D23 Experience will present a special preview of its globally touring immersive exhibition.
• Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios are joining forces for a must-see animation experience (with previews of upcoming films like Disney’s Frozen 3 and Disney and Pixar’s Gatto).

In addition, favorite brands, including BoxLunch, Pandora, Loungefly, Crocs, Spirit Jersey, Citizen, Topps, Wizards of the Coast, Collectors Editions, RSVLTS, and Ravensburger (with their Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game) will also bring exciting activations, exclusive offerings, and special experiences to fans throughout the event.

And the first Disney Lorcana Challenge Championship Qualifier (CCQ) of the next Challenge season runs Saturday, August 15, with the top players competing on Sunday, August 16. Additional tournament details and information on how to purchase CCQ entry tickets can be found by clicking here.

Afternoon Panels

Afternoon panels available to all Fan Pass and Afternoon ticket holders will include:

Friday, August 14

• Walt Disney: 125 Years of Inspiration: Celebrate Walt Disney’s 125th birthday with legends who were inspired by Walt and continue his legacy. Plus, special performances.
• Ink & Paint at Disney Animation: Learn the magic behind the Ink & Paint Department at Disney Animation, from an animator’s drawing and an inker transferring the image onto a cel to a painter bringing it to life with color.
• 20 Years of Enchanted: A Love Letter to Disney: Join co-hosts Nina West and Kevin Lima (director, A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, Enchanted) to celebrate 20 years of Enchanted with a fast-paced, Easter egg-filled tribute featuring special guests and surprises from Walt Disney Archives.
• The Quests Ahead for Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game: The Disney Lorcana TCG team at Ravensburger will be sharing details about all-new events coming to Disney locations, upcoming set releases in 2027, and more stories to play into from the realm of Lorcana.
• Houses Walt Built: The Walt Disney Family Museum: See rare photos and hear intimate stories about Walt and Lillian Disney’s Woking Way, Carolwood, and Smoke Tree Ranch homes with museum executive director Kirsten Komoroske and Carolwood miniature model-maker Mark Hurt.

• Disney Lorcana Speed Puzzling Team Events: Participate in Ravensburger’s first-ever speed puzzling events as guests race to put together one of three brand-new Disney Lorcana 300-piece puzzles, with each competitor also taking a puzzle home at the end. These one-hour long speed puzzling events take place today, Friday, August 14, at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are handled through Ravensburger at the booth. 

Saturday, August 15

• Worlds of Tinker Bell: Never Land to Pixie Hollow: Join host Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) to explore the magical evolution of Tinker Bell from Peter Pan (1953) to her own enchanting universe.

• Disney | Marvel: A Legacy of Stories: Discover the rich legacy of Disney and Marvel storytelling through classic comics, unexpected crossovers, and production insights from Marvel creatives and Disney archivists.
• Disney Style Around the World: Enjoy a showcase of iconic Disney fashion and fan-favorite collaborations, plus hear from panelist Bobby Kim, Vice President, Global Creative Director for Disney Consumer Products.
• Great Moments with Walt Disney: Disney historian Tim O’Day and editor of Disney Files magazine Ryan March will share the comedic side of the man behind the magic through humorous stories and rare video footage of Walt Disney.

Sunday, August 16

• One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th Anniversary: Celebrate Disney Animation’s pioneering feature film with a look back at rarely seen art from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.
• Searching for the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House: Disney artist Kevin Kidney will share his journey to the tropical island to visit the original filming locations from Swiss Family Robinson (1960)—including the legendary tree house that inspired the Disneyland Park attraction.

• The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds: Participate in live and online bidding for a chance to take home select, verified pieces from Disney’s theme parks and resorts. The auction will be hosted by Bret Iwan, Disney Fine Artist and the Official Voice of Mickey Mouse.

“This is actually a place where you can bid on finds from Disney parks and resorts and you can take home a little bit of the magic with you,” Vargo said.

Evening Performances at Anaheim Convention Center

Special evening performances offer something special for D23 attendees who do not have tickets to evening events at the Honda Center.

Disney Rewind Concert

The special evening performance will feature Disney animation and Broadway stars, including Disney Legend Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”), Disney Legend Bill Farmer (the voice of Goofy), and 2026 Disney Legend honoree Susan Egan (the original Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway).

• Friday, August 14 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m.

A Whole New World of Alan Menken

A special evening concert with Disney Legend and 8-time Academy Award-winning composer, including songs from “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas,” “Hercules,” “Tangled,” “Enchanted,” and more.

• Sunday, August 16 at 6 p.m.

The Spotlight Stage also returns with entertainment throughout the weekend, hosting an array of musical performances, Disney trivia, one-on-one interviews with some beloved celebrities, and sing-alongs of some favorite Disney songs. Check the D23 app or the stage signage for the day’s posted show times.

Show Floor Map & Directory

Screenshot these two before you walk in. Cell service inside the halls gets unreliable once the floor fills up.

Disney Legends

Disney has also revealed the 2026 class of Disney Legends, who will be honored during a marquee ceremony on Sunday. Hosted once again by Ryan Seacrest, the Disney Legends Awards is the company’s highest honor… recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact across The Walt Disney Company, from creative visionaries and Imagineers to executives and on-screen talent. The ceremony is one of the weekend’s headline events at the Honda Center, included with Ultimate Fan Pass ticket packages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This year’s honorees include Chris Berman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Susan Egan, Eric Goldberg, Anne Hathaway, Kim Irvine, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alan Tudyk, and Bob Iger… a notably wide-ranging group that reflects Disney’s reach across entertainment, music, animation, and the parks.

You can find our full breakdown of the 2026 Disney Legends honorees here.

Disney Legends 2026: Meet This Year’s Honorees

D23 Day at Disneyland

D23 Day took over the Disneyland Resort on Aug. 13, 2026, the day before D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event kicked off at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Park guests enjoyed complimentary ear hats, free PhotoPass downloads, rare character appearances, a special Disney Legends cavalcade, and a Disney Princess concert that required a virtual queue (and some luck) to see. No D23 membership or event badge was required.

Read our complete guide to the special day in the parks:

D23 Day at Disneyland 2026: Free Ear Hats, Princess Concert, Hatbox Ghost Popcorn Bucket & More

D23 Merch

In addition to panels and performances, D23 offers unique shopping opportunities, including many items and collections that are available exclusively during the event.

Some of the merchandise available includes the “Walt’s Office” collection (a collaboration with The Walt Disney Archives), Disney Epic Rivals, and a special Duffy & Friends collection featuring the adorable gang that’s so popular in Disney’s Asia parks and at Aulani in Hawaii. The exclusives are the items most likely to sell out on day one, so shop first and panel later if there is something you truly want. 

Here’s a round-up of everything we know so far:

D23 2026 Merchandise Preview: Walt Disney Company Store, Imagineering & More!

Micechat d23 – Enter to Win

Can’t make it to Anaheim this weekend? We’re giving away multiple prizes, from hotel stays to experiences and products. Entry is free, it takes about fifteen seconds, and the deadline is August 17th. Enter below ⬇️

How To Attend D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in Anaheim

All D23 Gold Members, including those enrolled in a complimentary Gold Member plan via Disney+ Perks or on Gold Essential, Choice, and Complete plans, can purchase tickets (subject to availability).

Each Gold Member may purchase tickets for themselves and up to 5 guests (6 tickets total). Guests of D23 Gold Members do not need to be D23 Gold Members to attend.

With the event now underway, most ticket types are gone. Check d23.com for anything still listed, and be aware that same-day availability changes hour to hour. 

Ticket Options

This year’s event has expanded show floor hours on Friday and Saturday, an earlier opening time on Sunday, and a new D23 Fan Pass afternoon-only ticket, offering later entry to the Anaheim Convention Center.

The three ticket types offered this year:

• 3-Day D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass, which includes access to both the Anaheim Convention Center and floor seating for the Disney Entertainment Showcase, Disney Experiences Showcase, and Disney Legends Ceremony at the Honda Center, with pricing that started at $1,299
• Sunday D23 Fan Pass (Anaheim Convention Center only) at $99
• D23 Fan Pass – Afternoon Only Ticket, a new ticket type that includes 1-day access to all experiences & shopping at the Anaheim Convention Center ONLY, with entry starting at 4 p.m., priced from $49

Each ticket is subject to an $11.25 service fee, and each transaction is subject to a $16 delivery fee.

Honda Center Parking & Bag Information

Parking at the Honda Center

D23 is offering complimentary parking in Honda Center parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible parking is also on a first-come, first-served basis on Level 1 of Cerritos Garage with overflow in Lot 2.

• Option 1: Personal Vehicle – D23 will offer complimentary parking in the Honda Center parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to limited availability, for guests attending the showcases. Parking lots will open approximately two (2) hours prior to each presentation start time.
• Option 2: D23 Shuttle – D23 will offer complimentary shuttles from the Anaheim Convention Center to/from the Honda Center. Wheelchair accessible shuttles will also be available. All shuttles will operate on a continuous departure schedule starting 2-2.5 hours prior to showtimes, available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to limited availability. Allow at least 90 minutes for travel time from the Anaheim Convention Center to the Honda Center.
• Option 3: Rideshare – A Rideshare pick-up location will be available in the Toy Story Parking Lot on Harbor Boulevard. Guests using rideshare services and taxis to the Honda Center must be dropped off and picked up at the ARTIC station.

Bag Check & Bag Policy

There will be complimentary bag check locations at the Anaheim Convention Center on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to limited availability). There will not be a bag check available at the Honda Center.

Know Before You Go:

• The Honda Center has a strict “No Bag” policy. The maximum-size bag allowed at the Honda Center is 5″ x 9″ x 2″, regardless of whether it is a clear bag or not
• Medical and diaper bags may be a maximum of 12″ x 12″ x 12″
• Backpacks, including all mini backpacks, are not permitted under any circumstances
• There will not be a bag check at the Honda Center

Bottom Line: plan ahead and measure your bag. If you are heading to a Honda Center showcase straight from the convention center, leave the backpack at your hotel, because there is nowhere to stash it once you arrive.

D23 Membership

If you’re not already a D23 member, you’ll need to do that before buying tickets. More information about D23 membership is available here.

Planning Time!

Let us know which panels and presentations you are prioritizing this weekend. And be sure to stop by the MiceChat booth in HALL D near the Disney Archives and Walt Disney Family Museum titled “MiceChat Presents a Walk in Walt’s Footsteps: from his historic 1901 Birthplace to his Storybook Mansion in the Hollywood Hills.” Dusty is there all three days and looks forward to meeting as many of you as possible. 

And don’t forget to enter our contest: