Disney's Destination D23 Returns in 2025 with New Disney World Venue and Double the Size

Figments FriendSep 04, 2025

Oh yeah, the first couple of Expo years were…….interesting indeed! 🙃 Very encouraging to hear that you felt last years mega Event went so smoothly. Sounds like they may have finally figured out how to properly manage the crowds and avoid a lot of the issues we both had to deal with in the past. I was skeptical of last years event when it was announced, with the changes to bring the masses over to Angels Stadium. Seemed like it was lining up to be a hot mess….but for the most part it sounded like they pulled it off with minimal issues. I have a friend who has been wanting to attend an Expo and has begged me for several years now to go with them, but I have been very hesitant after my prior Expo experience back in 2015. Hearing you mention how the chaos seems to have been reigned in a bit may make me reconsider. But I am in no hurry…..as I do enjoy watching from afar with the great gang of friends here and immediately getting to comment on the proceedings and announcements. Quite entertaining ….! -

Salted Nut RollSep 04, 2025

I don't understand the need to be present for big announcements, either. I guess it's kind of exciting to be sharing the excitement with a room full of people (if the announcement is something to be excited about), but as you say, the moment the panel is over, the news will be made public. It's why I'm never pressed about attending the major "news" panels at the D23 Expo. I'd rather go to panels that actually sound interesting or entertaining. I feel like if you're going to spend the time and money to attend an event solely to hear announcements, you're missing the the forest for the trees. I wasn't at Destination, but it sounds like they pretty much delivered what they promised. I hear you on that. The first couple of years I attended, I still had a blast, but it was a mess. Panels getting delayed because staff weren't told where people were supposed to line up, folks sleeping overnight in the basement, police being called because attendees were shoving each other. Good times! I was actually pleasantly surprised when I went last year, and everything was so much more streamlined and organized. It seems they finally got their act together and had things running smoothly. It was still crazy-crowded, but much easier to navigate than in the past. The only negative I had from the event was the heavy presence of Fox and Marvel. But that's a whole separate topic.

BocabearSep 03, 2025

The Expo I attended ( a long time ago...I think Hong Kong and 7 Dwarfs Mine Train were the new things) was fun...but a huge crowd and a lot of confusion... There was a vendor space that had mostly are back then...by a lot of imagineers who were there selling their work....which was pretty cool. THe Panel were ridiculous cheerleading shows...and nothing of any real substance was revealed. Best part of the trip[ was the stuff that happened outside of the Expo... The DCA 2.0 and Little Mermaid/Carsland had recently opened as did World Of COlor 1.0 original show...Which was spectacular... Other than that, I am not sure I would ever go to the Expo again... it has gotten bigger and seems even more like a "Pat ourselves on the back Cheerleading event"...yuck

HMFSep 03, 2025

Me too.

Disgruntled WaltSep 02, 2025

I likely will never attend one of the expos, because if I did, they'd probably have to escort me out after they announce the closure of another beloved attraction.

MisterPenguinSep 02, 2025

Oh, no! You found my sock puppet!!!

BrianLoSep 02, 2025

Indeed. And that speaks to the expectation mismatch. If you are only going for a parks keynote you aren’t going to have a good time. Even at Expo, which is highly erratic and inconsistent for parks news. 2017 and 2023 were stellar and then we have some mixed bag years and some rather bad ones. If you instead are going for everything else these events offer (or at least BOTH), you’ll have a good time. Plus expo had the added twist of not even being able to get into a panel.

Figments FriendSep 02, 2025

Yep. This is why I will likely never attend a D23 Expo again. Once was enough with the crowds and chaos. And that was back ten years ago or so! Now I get to enjoy all the announcements from afar, saving my money and time and sanity. It’s fun to hang out with the gang here and watch it all go down live in the comfort of our own home. Thanks, technology. However…I would consider doing a Destination D event again. As I mentioned earlier, the smaller scale makes it easier to handle and D23 still has a chance to pull out some fun surprises for the fans. -

MisterPenguinSep 02, 2025

Quite frankly, I don't understand the desire to receive new information on the parks at these events. I mean, yes, it's always good to hear about new things. But... The moment they're announced at these events, it's being reposted on social media such that the whole world now knows, too. I do look forward to see what announcements are made at these events, but not enough to go and to hear it in person. Whatever those in person hear, I hear, too, within the next one to ten minutes. I'm not a very good shill about this.

ManicMillennialSep 02, 2025

For some reason I’ve had that in my head for years. Thank you for responding to the question. 🙂

TheMaxReboSep 02, 2025

Not sure if they were specifically to focus on the parks but do think they typically had much less on the studios and films vs Expo which usually has all the actors and stuff there. That was definitely something with this years Destination that was bigger/better than in the past So maybe it just *seemed* like more parks as a % of info where it was really just less on the movies vs more parks. I think Destination has definitely had more on the archives and history of the company which often includes a lot related to the parks, but not park news

KamikazeSep 02, 2025

Have never heard of or thought that before. The Destination D events had themes originally, the first one was Disneyland 55, then WDW 40, then 75 years of animation.

ManicMillennialSep 02, 2025

Isn’t the “Destination” part of the name there because these “off years” were meant to focus more heavily on the parks and experiences segment of the company? To be clear this is a serious question. I’m not trying to be a jerk or anything.

DisneyHead123Sep 02, 2025

I should’ve said fan organization, that would’ve been clearer. I mean that if I view them as a business, that’s a one way relationship and it’s their job to sell me something, period. If people keep complaining to Twix that their candy is green then they don’t sit around playing “AITA?”, they just change the packaging. If it’s a local model train club or something like that, then that’s different of course.