D23 2026 Details Revealed
Disney Announces D23 Ultimate Fan Event 2026 Lineup with Star Power and Exclusive Experiences
Key Points
A new feature-length documentary from Leslie Iwerks will explore how Disney's greatest storytellers draw inspiration from the parks, followed by a debut screening of the film on Disney+.
The Simpsons: Stories from Springfield panel will bring the show’s cast and creative team together to discuss the art of storytelling in Springfield across decades.
D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest will be presented by AT&T, hosted by Nina West, with judges Yvette Nicole Brown, Ashley Eckstein, and Bobby Kim.
Neil Patrick Harris will serve as host for the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday, guiding major theme park announcements and experiences.
Ryan Seacrest is slated to host the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony on Sunday.
Disney has revealed the full programming slate for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, running August 14–16, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The three-day event packs in concerts, panel discussions, a costume contest, awards, and major announcements spanning film, TV, theme parks, and gaming, according to What's On Disney Plus and Animation Magazine.
Fans eager to attend high-demand sessions have a narrow window to secure spots. The Reservation Selection Process opens July 20 and closes July 24, per WDW Info. Full-day Sunday Fan Passes are still available, along with Friday–Sunday afternoon passes.
Three Big Showcases Anchor Each Day of D23
Friday leads with the Disney Entertainment Showcase, covering film and TV news. Saturday features the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, focused on theme parks. Sunday closes with the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, according to WDW Magic. Each showcase acts as the main event for its day, with smaller panels and performances filling the rest of the schedule.
Neil Patrick Harris will host Saturday's Horizons showcase, guiding fans through major theme park announcements, per Disney Dining. Ryan Seacrest will take the stage Sunday to host the Legends Awards Ceremony. Both are high-profile picks that signal Disney wants these events to feel like prime-time television.
Rare Concerts and Live Performances Set to Dazzle Fans
Music is a big part of this year's lineup. Composer Alan Menken — the man behind The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast — will perform a rare solo concert. A separate Disney Rewind Concert will celebrate hits from the 1980s and 1990s, according to Animation Magazine.
Seth MacFarlane will lead a Muppets-focused music discussion, bringing a fresh angle to one of Disney's most beloved franchises. WDW Info also notes a live recording of the Hey Jonas! podcast will take place at the event, adding an unexpected fan-favorite moment to the weekend.
Milestone Anniversaries and New Stories Take the Stage
D23 2026 will mark major milestones for Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Kingdom Hearts, and Marvel's Spider-Man. A new feature-length documentary from filmmaker Leslie Iwerks will explore how Disney's parks inspire its greatest storytellers. The film will then debut on Disney+, per What's On Disney Plus.
The Simpsons: Stories from Springfield panel will bring the show's cast and creative team together to talk storytelling across decades. The D23 Mousequerade costume contest, presented by AT&T and hosted by Nina West, will feature judges Yvette Nicole Brown, Ashley Eckstein, and Bobby Kim, according to WDW Magic.
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