Everything to Know About D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

Get ready, Disney fans. More magic is on the way!

House of Mouse enthusiasts will once again be convening in Anaheim for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—formerly known as the D23 Expo—to celebrate all things Disney. Storytelling and innovation from across the Walt Disney Company will take center stage at the 2024 multi-day event, which has been "revamped to be more expansive and more immersive than ever before," according to the company.

“This August at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we’re excited to give tens of thousands of our biggest fans an experience like no other,” Asad Ayaz, chief brand officer of the Walt Disney Company, said in a previous statement. “Disney has the most powerful brands and passionate fans in the world, and we’re taking D23 to a whole new level this year to give them more of what they love from across the worlds of Disney in one incredible weekend.”

From the showcases to the 2024 class of Disney Legends who are being honored, here is everything to know about this year's D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event:

When is D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event happening?

The three-day fan event, presented by Visa, is taking place August 9-11 in Anaheim, CA.

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What will happen at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event?

The event will feature three marquee showcases—the Disney Entertainment Showcase, Disney Experiences Showcase, and the Disney Legends Ceremony—at the Honda Center.

The Disney Entertainment Showcase, which is described as "star-studded," will provide attendees with exclusive looks at films, series, and stage shows and will also offer a glimpse at what’s to come next. The following night, guests will learn the "latest on new and highly anticipated projects in development around the world for Disney parks, experiences and beyond" at the Disney Experiences Showcase. The magical weekend will conclude on Aug. 11 with the Disney Legends ceremony, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

Aside from the showcases, the 2024 programming includes over 55 panels and presentations, including Disney Branded Television's "Stay Tuned: You’re Watching Disney Channel" panel. This year’s show floor at the Anaheim Convention Center is described as "the largest in the event’s history." There will be shopping opportunities (The Walt Disney Company Store is making its debut this year), an exhibition from the Walt Disney Archives titled “A Great Big Beautiful Car Show,” plus immersive pavilions from Disney Experiences, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney+, Hulu, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, National Geographic and more. Over at Talent Central on the show floor of the Anaheim Convention Center, guests will have the opportunity to meet stars, Disney Legends, imagineers, and artists.

Michael Vargo, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, has said that D23 has been "reimagined to showcase even more of what" fans "love from across the worlds of Disney." He added, "Guests won’t want to miss the incredible programming and show floor offerings we have in store at the Anaheim Convention Center, where our exceptional storytelling and experiences will come to life through spectacular entertainment with many of the creative masterminds behind the magic.”

See the full schedule here.

Will there be any MCU news at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event?

Coming off the heels of Marvel Studios’ Hall H showcase at San Diego Comic-Con—where Robert Downey Jr.'s surprise return to the MCU was announced—Marvel is expected to reveal new information about upcoming projects at D23, per Discussing Film. Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars were among the films discussed at Comic-Con, so MCU fans will have to wait and see if more details about them emerge on Aug. 9, or perhaps other movies like Shang-Chi 2 and Spider-Man 4...

In the past, there have been reveals and announcements during the Marvel Studios panel. Take a look back at what D23 Expo attendees learned in 2022:

What Disney news should we expect at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event?

Whether you're attending in person, or following live coverage online, you can expect to learn a lot about future Disney projects. The House of Mouse has shared that at the Entertainment Showcase there will be never-before-seen footage shown, in addition to "surprise announcements." News and updates about projects in development around the world will be coming out of the Disney Experiences Showcase on the second night. Disney Parks has teased: "The future is bright for Disney Experiences and this can’t-miss showcase will show fans what’s on the horizon and beyond."

Who is being honored at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this year?

The 2024 class of Disney Legends includes:
–Costume designer Colleen Atwood
–Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett
–Martha Blanding, who was the first Black employee to commemorate 50 years with The Walt Disney Compan
–Writer/director James L. Brooks
–Filmmaker James Cameron
–Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis
–Grammy winner Miley Cyrus, the youngest Disney Legend to date
–Artist Steve Ditko
–Hollywood icon Harrison Ford
–Animator Mark Henn
–Puppeteer/filmmaker Frank Oz
–Talk show host Kelly Ripa
–Former Imagineer Joe Rohde 
–Composer John Williams

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Are tickets still available for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event?

Sadly no, the 2024 event is sold-out. Tickets for D23 gold and general members went on sale in late March.

What is D23?

D23 is the official Disney fan club. It was established in 2009 to "bring Disney fans closer to the 'magic' through one-of-a-kind experiences, special events, unique merchandise offerings, quarterly publications, exclusive online content, and opportunities to meet others who share the same affection for Disney."

Why is it called D23?

The “D” stands for Disney, while the number “23” represents 1923. That was the year that Walt Disney arrived in California and founded what has become the Walt Disney Company.

Do you have to be a D23 member to attend the fan event?

In order to purchase tickets, attendees had to be D23 members.

How much does a D23 membership cost?

D23 offers three different plans. There is a "General Plan" that is free and two paid memberships: the "Gold Individual Plan" for $99.99 per year and the "Gold Duo Plan" for $129.99 per year. All members have access to general events throughout the year, but Gold Members have access to Gold Member events and can enjoy year-round discounts and offers on Disney products and experiences. Through April 30, 2025, all D23 members can get 10 percent off regular room rates, and 10 percent off food and beverages during their stay at the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort, a Disneyland Resort "Good Neighbor Hotel." There are additional hotel offers for Gold Members at other hotels in Anaheim. 

Click here to join D23 today!

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