Dates Announced for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 in Anaheim

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Saturday August 30, 2025 11:32am ET · "D23 - Official Fan Organization"
Dates Announced for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 in Anaheim

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D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026

During the opening day of Destination D23 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Michael Vargo, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, announced that D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will return to Anaheim, California from August 14-16, 2026.

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026

The event will once again take place at both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center, bringing fans together for major showcases, immersive experiences, exclusive shopping, and special celebrations across the city.

First D23 FAN-bassador

Vargo also revealed that Disney Legend Jodi Benson will serve as the very first D23 FAN-bassador. Benson will engage with fans throughout the year and appear at various D23 events leading up to the 2026 Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

What to Expect in 2026

Building on last year's reimagined, larger-scale format, the 2026 edition will feature:

  • Marquee showcases and presentations with first looks at upcoming Disney projects.
  • Immersive experiences highlighting Disney storytelling and innovation.
  • Exclusive shopping opportunities for members and attendees.
  • Community celebrations including D23 Day at Angel Stadium and D23 Day at Disneyland in the days before the event.

Tickets will go on sale in Spring 2026.

Additional D23 Programming Announced

Along with the 2026 event dates, Vargo outlined several offerings that fans can expect in 2025, including:

  • D23 Spotlight Series: A Halloween Spooktacular in Orlando with Walt Disney Imagineering, a "Boo-nanza" event in California, and a panel tied to the second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians this December.
  • D23 On the Road: Launching November 1, this touring event celebrates Home Alone's 35th anniversary with interactive screenings in 18 U.S. cities.
  • A Jolly Holiday on the Lot: Returning to the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank on December 14, 2025.
  • D23 Gold Theater Virtual Event: Hosted by Disney Legend Don Hahn with a behind-the-scenes look at the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
  • Walt's Los Angeles Tour: A new experience for D23 Gold Members with stops at Walt Disney Studios, Imagineering, Walt's Carolwood Barn, his first studio on Kingswell Ave, and more, ending with dinner at one of Walt's favorite restaurants.
  • Walt Disney Studios Walking Tour - Presented by D23: Returning with new interactive elements, expanded ticketing, and the ability for members to purchase up to four tickets or book full buyouts.

Conversation

2,445 comments
Discuss on the Forums
Disneyfanatic30Aug 30, 2025
Can’t wait
BrianLoAug 30, 2025
Accommodations secured!
Gremlin GusAug 30, 2025
Hopefully there'll be a parks panel at this one, there probably is but there isn't I'm going to cry lol
vikescaperAug 30, 2025
I was sad this morning because my vacation back home to Minnesota was coming to a close. While I was sitting in the airport, I saw the dates for D23 were announced. My Disneyland package has been booked!!!
JEANYLASERAug 30, 2025
:confused: What about the Disney Parks Panel at D23 expo for next year?:confused:
vikescaperAug 30, 2025
↩ replying to JEANYLASER
There will be one.
Loose PebbleAug 30, 2025
When do the rumors for Tomorrowland Revamp and Figment 4.0 announcements start bubbling up?
ManicMillennialAug 30, 2025
Got my hotel booked, now I wait and hope I can get tickets to D23. 😅
ajrwdwgirlAug 30, 2025
I'll be booking my hotel soon. At first I thought there would be a conflict with my husband's work and I'd have to go solo but turns out the event he needs to be at is the weekend is after D23! Yay! Now we just have to get tickets, hope the ticketing isn't a mess. For the last one our time came up to buy tickets as my husband was driving on the freeway and he had to exit and buy our tickets in the parking lot of a liquor store.
ManicMillennialAug 30, 2025
↩ replying to ajrwdwgirl
I make a lot of my expensive (often Disney related) purchases after having pulled into a liquor store too!
vikescaperAug 31, 2025
I really, really hope that the tickets don’t go on sale between February 28th and March 5th. I’ll be on a cruise between those dates and I don’t want to buy the internet package 🤣.
Salted Nut RollAug 31, 2025
↩ replying to vikescaper
Whoop whoop, here we go again! I thought we were going to have to wait til the end of the weekend to find out the dates, so this is a nice surprise. Got my hotel; now to prepare for the battle for tickets. Considering taking the day off work when they go on sale, because getting tickets was a bloodbath last year. Barely got mine, even with the Visa presale.

Ah, you're a fellow Minnesota native? I'm actually in Minnesota visiting family right now. Small world!
vikescaperAug 31, 2025
↩ replying to Salted Nut Roll
Yeah, I was born in Minnesota and then my family moved to Wisconsin when I was 9. I go back to Minnesota every few years on vacation and to go to the fair.
Surferboy567Aug 31, 2025
Been looking forward to this announcement since my last D23 last year. Hotel situation isn’t looking too great so we booked a temporary hotel for the time being. Just so we have something in the event we are not able to secure a better room.
ajrwdwgirlSep 01, 2025
My hotel is booked. Now just have to put a watch on flights and hope I get tickets. If I don't get tickets I guess I will just have a nice trip to Disneyland in August.
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