Okay so, remember how D23 used to feel like this huge homecoming? Well, it's actually coming home. Like, literally. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is returning to Anaheim this August, and honestly, we couldn't be more excited.
The whole thing runs August 14 to 16, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center, which basically means you can walk straight from the panels to Disneyland if you want. That's three solid days of more than 50 panels and presentations, plus some seriously epic evening showcases over at the Honda Center.
The Legends Lineup is Insane
Friday night brings the Disney Entertainment Showcase, Saturday is the Disney Experiences Showcase, and Sunday wraps with the Disney Legends Award Ceremony hosted by Ryan Seacrest. And speaking of Legends, the 2026 class is absolutely stacked. We're talking Dwayne Johnson, Anne Hathaway, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Jonas Brothers, Susan Egan, Alan Tudyk, Eric Goldberg, Jerry Bruckheimer, Chris Berman, Kim Irvine, and yeah, Bob Iger too.
The Floor is Where It's At
But the convention floor is where things get really wild. Walt Disney Imagineering is bringing their pavilion back with sneak peeks at upcoming projects, and there's this new Mundo Pixar experience with actual life-size sets you can walk through. Plus Walt Disney Archives: Uncrated for all the prop and costume nerds. There's an ESPN: Road to the Super Bowl activation, stuff for Bluey fans, Camp Rock 3 things, The Simpsons, and even a full Formula 1 car on display for the Mickey F1 situation. And D23 Mousequerade is back, so start sewing that costume now.
The Whole Week is a Party
And it wouldn't be D23 without the whole week being a party. The Walt Disney Archives opens an exhibition called Capturing Life, Creating Character: The Art of Live-Action on Saturday, August 8 at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center. Then there's D23 Night at the Anaheim Packing District on Tuesday, August 11 for the sixth annual World Taste event, and D23 Night at Angel Stadium on Wednesday, August 12 where the first 23,000 attendees get an exclusive Mickey Mouse bobblehead (and 2,300 of those are rare gold variants, because of course).
Thursday, August 13 is D23 Day at Disneyland with special themed merchandise, a Mickey Ear Hat giveaway, and a Disney Legends Cavalcade parading down Main Street. Plus Downtown Disney has special offers and themed fun all week long.
Ticket Info You Actually Need
Now for the logistics. Gold Charter Members get first crack on March 31 at 10 am PT. If you're on an Essential, Choice, or Complete plan, you get priority access April 2 at 10 am PT, and all D23 Gold Members can buy starting April 2 at 12 pm PT. Each member can grab up to six tickets total (you plus five guests), and your friends don't need to be members to tag along.
You've got options depending on how intense you want to get:
* D23 Fan Pass (convention center only): $49 afternoon only, $99 one day, or $297 for three days * D23 Ultimate Fan Pass (convention center + Honda Center): starts at $99 one day or $297 for three days * D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass (three days floor seating at Honda Center + RSP opportunities): $1,299 to $2,599
Oh, and they're actually fixing some of the pain points this year. We're getting expanded floor hours, early Sunday opening, and that afternoon-only ticket option if you just want to pop in after lunch.
Look, we've missed having this in Anaheim. It's just different when you can smell the churros from Disneyland while you're waiting in line for a panel. Start setting those alarms for ticket sales, because this is going to sell out fast.
