Disney has introduced the entire time table for the approaching D23 Expo coming to Anaheim, California on August 14, 15, and 16, 2026. This comprises the marquee Parks Panel, which may have a star host for the primary time ever, and this can be a notable one: diehard Disney and Figment fan Neil Patrick Harris. Right here’s your entire lineup of the weekend’s occasions, in conjunction with our remark.
Formally referred to as “D23: The Final Disney Fan Tournament,” that is the development of the 12 months for Disney fanatics. It’s just like the International Cup, however for lovers of items that aren’t mind-numbingly dull. So in different phrases, the D23 Expo is just like the Tremendous Bowl of the Disney fandom. (Apologies to the football fanatics available in the market.)
With full-day Sunday D23 Fan Passes nonetheless to be had, in conjunction with Afternoon-Best Passes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it’s nonetheless conceivable to wait the 2026 D23 Expo, too! The lineup of degree programming is a party of Disney previous, provide, and long term, filled with mythical skill, milestone anniversaries, and all-new finds throughout 3 unforgettable days.
Lovers can revel in Disney Legend and eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken in a unprecedented one-man live performance or sign up for Broadway and animation stars for one of the most highest Disney hits of the ’80s and ’90s on the Disney Rewind Live performance. Some other spotlight can be listening to Grammy-nominated vocalist and Emmy winner Seth MacFarlane and different particular visitors have a good time the undying Muppets songbook.
Milestone anniversaries take the highlight with 75 years of Alice in Wonderland, 35 years of Good looks and the Beast, 25 years of KINGDOM HEARTS, and extra. In the meantime, contributors of the latest category of Disney Legends sit down down for an intimate dialog. With showstoppers like D23 Mousequerade: The Final Disney Dress Contest, and the all-new Disney Reports Public sale, there in point of fact is one thing unusual throughout each degree.
Relatively than drudging during the complete time table, we’re going to begin with an emphasis at the highlights for Walt Disney International fanatics…
2026 D23 Expo Highlights
Saturday, August 15, 2026 – Horizons: Disney Reports Show off
Colloquially recognized amongst fanatics because the Parks Panel, fanatics can be in a position to enroll in host Neil Patrick Harris for a adventure into the tales shaping the way forward for Disney Reports around the globe.
Construction at the formidable tasks introduced in 2024, this 12 months’s exhibit will take fanatics deeper into the ingenious imaginative and prescient in the back of what’s to come back, listening to at once from the Imagineers, storytellers, artists, and innovators bringing those reviews to existence.
Impressed through the Carousel of Development, Neil will information the display and lead attractive conversations with the folks developing the way forward for Disney Reports. The presentation will be offering behind-the-scenes seems, particular performances, thrilling bulletins, and a couple of surprises alongside the best way.
A New Characteristic Duration Documentary from Leslie Iwerks
Uncover how Disney’s biggest storytellers draw inspiration from the parks the place their worlds had been all the time supposed to reside, that includes a panel with best filmmakers and particular visitors, adopted through the debut screening of Leslie Iwerks’ new characteristic coming to Disney+. (Iwerks directed Imagineering Tale and Disneyland Hand made, so that is extremely expected.)
Walt Disney: 125 Years of Inspiration
Sign up for D23 as we salute Walt Disney’s a hundred and twenty fifth birthday. Listen from those that knew him, legends who had been encouraged through Walt and proceed his legacy, plus revel in some particular performances—all encouraged through, and in a laugh birthday celebration of, Walt Disney.
Nice Moments with Walt Disney
Disney historian Tim O’Day and editor of Disney Recordsdata mag Ryan March proportion funny tales and uncommon video pictures of Walt Disney, appearing the comedic facet of the person in the back of the magic.
The Muppets Musical Historical past with Seth MacFarlane
Sign up for Grammy-nominated vocalist and Emmy winner Seth MacFarlane and different particular visitors for a dialog concerning the undying Muppets songbook. Seth will proportion the muse in the back of his upcoming Muppets orchestral album.
The Sherman Brothers on The Document
The Sherman brothers started their Disney profession at what’s now Walt Disney Data. Grammy Award®-winning manufacturer and Disney Track Historian Randy Thornton stocks uncommon recordings, demos, and interviews from his a few years taking part with “The Boys.”
On the lookout for the Swiss Circle of relatives Robinson Tree Area
Sign up for Disney artist Kevin Kidney as he stocks about his adventure to the tropical island to consult with the unique filming places from Swiss Circle of relatives Robinson (1960)—together with the mythical tree area that encouraged the Disneyland Park appeal.
Floating Mountains: A Dialog with Joe Rohde
Sign up for Disney Legend Joe Rohde for an unique dialogue of his memoir Floating Mountains. He’ll discover creativity, collaboration, and his paintings on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Aulani, and past—providing uncommon perception into considered one of Disney’s maximum visionary artists.
Properties Walt Constructed: The Walt Disney Circle of relatives Museum
See uncommon pictures and listen to intimate tales about Walt and Lillian Disney’s Woking Approach, Carolwood, and Smoke Tree Ranch houses.
The Carolwood Basis Items: Walt’s Barn
Come take a journey at the Carolwood Pacific Railroad as you find the historical past of Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn. Alongside the best way you’ll find out about our discoveries, secrets and techniques, and upcoming tasks. All aboard!
Our Remark
Two years in the past, we predicted the most important D23 Expo ever, surpassing even 2017. That ended up being right kind, no less than from the viewpoint of Walt Disney International information. Final 12 months, we cautioned fanatics towards anticipating an excessive amount of at Vacation spot D23, as we feared that many had been surroundings themselves up for unhappiness. We can now proportion equivalent sentiment for the 2026 D23 Expo.
Our viewpoint is that Disney principally “shot its shot” with a blockbuster 2024 D23 Expo, and there gained’t be just about as a lot in the best way of huge finds or bombshell information on the 2026 D23 Expo. As an alternative, we will have to be expecting new main points, fashions, and thought artwork about tasks that had been introduced two years in the past. Disney is principally telling us as a lot with the connection with 2024 within the press unlock.
This method is sensible. We have already got a significant venture slate that extends till no less than 2030. Is Disney actually going to announce tasks for 2032 to 2034 this go-round? And in the event that they did, would any people in truth consider that the ones are in truth going to be constructed?!
What we do be expecting is extra ‘singles and doubles’ information for Walt Disney International, particularly. Suppose smaller scale information like leisure, lounges, journey reimaginings and improvements. Examples of this would come with the hot rumor of Area Mountain being rebuilt, in conjunction with a long overhaul to Spaceship Earth.
I’d now not be expecting any bombshell bulletins of brand-new sights or lands. The whole thing introduced can be extra of a ‘gap-filler’ that may be slotted into the near-term timeline earlier than giant tentpole tasks come on-line. Sadly, I’d additionally await being subjected to ten mins or so of Epic Video games and Fortnite filler that the fan neighborhood, jointly, may now not most likely care much less about.
Were given all of that? Now let’s throw it no less than in part out the window with the announcement that Neil Patrick Harris is internet hosting the Parks Panel.
As it’s possible you’ll know, NPH is a Disney superfan. He’s hosted Candlelight Processional on a number of events, has a cameo within the new Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets, up to now did the spiel for California Screamin’ and narration for the sixtieth Anniversary International of Colour. He’s been noticed within the parks along with his circle of relatives within the parks on numerous events. He’s up there with John Stamos as one of the vital greatest famous person Disney fanatics and in point of fact considered one of us.
Most significantly, Neil Patrick Harris is considered one of us within the sense that he’s a Figment fan. He’s been noticed in Adventure Into Creativeness attire, together with a fan-made “Save Figment” blouse. On best of that, NPH not too long ago narrated the “How To not Draw with Figment” quick.
It isn’t arduous to believe a state of affairs by which Neil Patrick Harris is “interrupted” on the finish of his panel through Josh D’Amaro in a script-flipping second as the brand new CEO asks the perennial “what about Figment?” query. The duo then brings to the degree every other duo, calling out Dreamfinder and Figment.
After a ten minute scream-filled status ovation, the 4 then announce a blockbuster reimagining of the Creativeness pavilion and Adventure Into Creativeness appeal. No less than, that’s how this performs out in my fanfic of the Parks Panel. No longer that I’ve given the theory any idea or anything else.
I don’t assume that’s in truth going to occur. I’ve come to phrases with this now not being the 12 months for Figment, Dreamfinder and Adventure Into Creativeness. We’re getting shut, and I in point of fact consider it’s going to occur throughout the subsequent 3 years. If it’s going to occur in the future, what higher alternative for the brand new CEO to make his first ‘commentary’ and win over fanatics than through becoming a member of Neil Patrick Harris on degree on the 2026 D23 Expo? It’s the most efficient conceivable finishing–and new starting–that I will be able to most likely believe. And I’ve a brilliant creativeness.
What follows is the entirety else from the 2026 D23 Expo press unlock, which might or won’t hobby you…
D23 Expo Presentation Reservations
Visitors can use the randomized Reservation Variety Procedure (“Reservation RSP”), which is able to distribute reservations for make a choice shows and reviews on the Anaheim Conference Middle in line with personal tastes and availability.
The Reservation RSP can be open from Monday, July 20, at 12 p.m. PT thru Friday, July 24, at 12 p.m. PT. Visitors might rank their possible choices and request reservations for teams of as much as six other people for many choices.
Showed reservations can be emailed starting August 7. Whilst reservations don’t seem to be assured, standby queues can be to be had for shows at Anaheim Conference Middle Tournament phases, Ability Central, and maximum Display Flooring Reports.
Honda Middle presentations are to be had best to D23 Final Fan Move and D23 Final Most well-liked Fan Move price ticket holders. There aren’t any reservations or standby queues to be had for the Honda Middle presentations.
Honda Middle Showcases
On a daily basis on the Honda Middle, fanatics will revel in endless wonder and enjoyment moments, performances, and bulletins, in addition to sneak peeks on the fantastic motion pictures, presentations, sights, reviews, and extra coming from Disney’s ingenious powerhouses and groundbreaking innovators.
Friday, August 14 – Disney Leisure Show off
Friday night time, the world-class storytellers of The Walt Disney Corporate will take middle degree on the Honda Middle for the Disney Leisure Show off. Visitors can be expecting wonder famous person appearances, unique first seems at upcoming motion pictures and collection, thrilling new bulletins, and unforgettable musical performances. The star-studded presentation will have a good time the tales audiences love whilst providing an unique preview of what’s coming subsequent throughout Disney’s films, tv, video games, and reside degree productions.
Saturday, August 15 – Disney Parks & Lodges Show off (See Above)
Sunday, August 16 – Disney Legends Awards Rite
Hosted through Ryan Seacrest, the Disney Legends Awards Rite will characteristic tributes and noteworthy moments celebrating the lasting affect of this 12 months’s honorees, bestowing Disney’s very best reputation to a prominent crew of creatives, performers, and leaders, together with Chris Berman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Susan Egan, Eric Goldberg, Anne Hathaway, Bob Iger, Kim Irvine, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Alan Tudyk.
Anaheim Conference Middle Panels
Throughout all 5 phases on the Anaheim Conference Middle, fanatics can revel in all kinds of panels, shows, and performances, together with:
Hello Jonas! Reside at D23: Celebrating Disney Legends
Have fun Disney Legends Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas all over a reside recording in their hit iHeartPodcast, Hello Jonas! Listen unforgettable Disney tales, behind-the-scenes recollections, and particular visitors as they have a good time this fantastic milestone in combination.
Disney Rewind Live performance
Relive the magic of VHS vibes with without equal throwback match showcasing one of the most highest Disney hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s, stuffed with nostalgic favorites carried out through Disney and Broadway stars, together with Disney Legends Invoice Farmerand Jodi Benson, in addition to incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.
A Entire New International of Alan Menken
On this uncommon, one-man live performance Disney Legend and eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken stocks the songs and tales in the back of mythical Disney motion pictures and liked degree and display musicals that experience formed generations of audiences around the globe.
D23 Mousequerade: The Final Disney Dress Contest
Sign up for host Nina West for the go back of without equal Disney dress contest. Lovers will exhibit their Disney-inspired creations at the runway, so sign up for us to vote along judges Yvette Nicole Brown, Ashley Eckstein, and Bobby Kim.
The Simpsons: Tales from Springfield
Sign up for the forged and artistic staff of The Simpsons as they discover the artwork of storytelling in Springfield, from character-driven comedy and cultural satire to discovering recent tales greater than 3 a long time later.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 3
Sign up for the forged and manufacturers in the back of Percy Jackson and the Olympians for a must-see birthday celebration filled with behind-the-scenes tales and thrilling teases as Season 3 brings The Titan’s Curse to existence later this 12 months on Disney+.
Camp Rock 3: The Subsequent Era
Recent off the realm premiere of Camp Rock 3, sign up for the celebs as they proportion behind-the-scenes tales and favourite moments from bringing a brand new generation of the liked Camp Rock franchise to existence.
Bluey: From the Yard to the Large Display
Sign up for the staff in the back of Bluey and get caught into the entirety you’d ever need to know concerning the homegrown Aussie icon grew to become true-blue world phenomenon. Take a adventure from a yard in Brisbane the entire strategy to the large display in 2027’s The Bluey Film.
The Disney Reports Public sale – Uncommon and Outstanding Reveals
Via reside and on-line bidding, sign up for your host Bret Iwan (professional voice of Mickey Mouse, Disney Advantageous Artist) to find make a choice, verified items from Disney’s theme parks and inns which are able for his or her subsequent bankruptcy with the fanatics who treasure them maximum. Public sale knowledge and registration directions coming quickly.
LEGO Superstar Wars Screening Tournament
Enjoy a different screening of an all-new LEGO Superstar Wars animated journey stuffed with iconic characters, surprising laughs, and action-packed a laugh. Best for Superstar Wars and LEGO fanatics of every age. Extra main points to come back.
Lettuce Display You How We Make Bob’s Burgers!
Order up! The Emmy®-winning Bob’s Burgers ingenious staff takes you from script to display thru a reside demonstration that includes voice forged, reside drawing, storytelling insights, and a more in-depth take a look at how they bring about the episodes you recognize and like to existence.
Scrubs: Scrubbing Again In
Have fun the go back to Sacred Center with a dialog with the forged and government manufacturers of Scrubs that includes behind-the-scenes tales, fan-favorite moments, and a take a look at why the revival resonates lately— daydreams and all.
Good looks and the Beast: A Story as Outdated as Time
Have fun 35 years of Disney Animation’s vintage story Good looks and the Beast—from the display to the degree and past—with filmmakers and stars from the animated characteristic movie and the Broadway manufacturing it encouraged, together with Disney Legends Paige O’Hara, Susan Egan, Don Hahn, and Mark Henn, in addition to incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.
Zootopia: Ten Years within the Mammal City
Have fun ten years of Disney Animation’s Zootopia motion pictures—from theaters and Disney+ to Disney Parks sights around the globe—with the celebs and filmmakers in the back of the mammal city, together with Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Michael Giacchino.
Past the Magic: Disney Pin Buying and selling
A panel dialogue with the Pin Buying and selling product design staff on their function, thought design, and the innovation in pins. The panel will come with a D23 skill host and Pin Buying and selling design staff with a visible presentation to move with the dialogue.
The Quests Forward for Disney Lorcana Buying and selling Card Recreation (A.Okay.A. Ravensburger)
Sign up for the Disney Lorcana Buying and selling Card Recreation staff at Ravensburger as they proportion what fanatics can be expecting from upcoming set releases in 2027 and past, long term occasions fanatics gained’t need to leave out, and extra thrilling behind-the-scenes main points. They’re going to quilt the entire highlights of growing this superb card sport in addition to some exciting bulletins that you simply gained’t need to leave out.
DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS
Sign up for us for a adventure thru gentle and darkness as we commemorate 25 years of KINGDOM HEARTS. Uncover how this saga united Disney, Pixar, and Sq. Enix, with insights from the ingenious minds, personality voices, and extra in the back of the magic.
Disney Legends in Dialog
Hosted through Disney Legend Robin Roberts, pay attention in as contributors from the latest category of Disney Legends partake in an enlightening dialog about their storied careers.
Disney & Nat Geo: Shooting the Marvel of Nature
Pass in the back of the scenes with Disney and Nationwide Geographic storytellers as they discover how animals, ecosystems, conservation, and real-world adventures have encouraged a few of Disney’s maximum liked tales, tasks, and reviews.
Animating the Motion: Disney Magic Live to tell the tale ESPN
Uncover how ESPN and Disney are redefining reside sports activities storytelling—bringing iconic characters and immersive worlds from Toy Tale, Monsters, Inc., Mickey and Buddies, and extra into animated proclaims that carry the fan revel in.
Disney | Surprise: A Legacy of Tales
Chart the legacy of Disney and Surprise storytelling thru vintage comics, epic crossovers, and distinctive insights from Surprise creatives and Disney archivists. Consultation comprises M&M’S and M&M’S Surprise Mini Poster Fan Packs giveaway.
Long term of Virtual Comics: Disney, Surprise, & WEBTOON
Discover liked worlds in an entire new means as Disney, Surprise, and WEBTOON come in combination to highlight iconic comics tales reimagined for WEBTOON’s immersive, mobile-first vertical layout.
Have fun 65 Years of Surprise’s Spider-Guy!
From the hot go back to the large display in Spider-Guy: Logo New Day, to fan-favorite animated collection together with Surprise’s Spidey and his Superb Buddies, Spider-Guy’s 1,000th comedian, toys, and extra, Spidey’s been a long lasting popular culture icon for just about 65 years. Sign up for us to have a good time Spider-Guy with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes tales, and extra.
Surprise Fanfare
Sign up for Surprise Comics for a chat concerning the enduring enchantment of Spider-Guy, his greatest tales from the previous 65 years, and extra. After the panel, fanatics will obtain an unique comedian giveaway.
Making Disney Magic with Ron Clements
Mythical Disney Animation director Ron Clements takes you within his new ebook, Making Disney Magic, in conjunction with very particular visitors from his prolific legacy of animated motion pictures, together with Disney Legends Jodi Benson, and Mark Henn, in addition to incoming Disney Legends Susan Egan and Eric Goldberg.
HUZ: Attracted to Existence
Uncover Disney Animator Ron Husband’s inspiring tale in a brand new Disney+ documentary from Don Hahn. Hahn and a panel of animators and storytellers proportion behind-the-scenes tales in a birthday celebration of the artistry and mentorship in the back of many Disney classics.
Disney Track Items: The Artwork of the Rating
Grammy Award®-winning composer Michael Giacchino stocks an within take a look at his ingenious procedure—throughout Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Surprise—and the way he develops track that helps a filmmaker’s imaginative and prescient, that includes a different efficiency through Anthony Gonzalez.
Disney and The Grammys®: A Musical Legacy
Disney Grammy Award®-winning musical artists mirror at the songs, tales, and artistic possible choices that formed their careers—and the long-lasting legacy they proceed to construct throughout generations.
Ink & Paint at Disney Animation
Enjoy the magic in the back of the Disney Animation Ink & Paint Division come in combination earlier than your eyes—from tough animation through incoming Disney Legend Eric Goldberg, to an inker moving the picture onto a cel, after which a painter bringing it to existence with colourful colour.
Your Dream, Your Valley: Disney Dreamlight Valley
Sign up for us to have a good time Disney Dreamlight Valley, a life-sim journey sport that allows you to construct and discover an international stuffed with Disney magic, wealthy tales, and liked Disney and Pixar characters. Sign up for the sport’s creators for a retrospective and an exhilarating sneak peek at arrivals in 2026.
Disney Taste Across the International
Experience a exhibit of iconic Disney model and thrilling product finds from world wide and listen to from panelists Bobby Kim (Vice President, International Inventive Director for Disney Shopper Merchandise), Tiia Chandler (Senior Director, International Logo Partnerships for Crocs), and Lily Aldridge (twiglet, mom, entrepreneur, and Disney Taste fangirl).
Disney-fying Your House with Inside Design Magic
Fandom meets inner design with a panel of those that have infused Disney magic into their houses—from minimalist to the intense design and decor—there’s unending tactics to carry Disney’s motion pictures and parks to existence for your very own residence.
The Power of Innovation – Hasbro’s Grogu Animatronic
Sign up for the galaxy’s favourite foundling and the improvement staff in the back of Hasbro’s Final Grogu collectible as they talk about the experience and ingenuity had to carry a personality to existence as an animatronic… and possibly disclose a couple of secrets and techniques alongside the best way.
The Affect & Legacy of Disney Toys
Disney’s 100‑12 months toy legacy involves existence as professionals Alex Miller, David Pacheco, and Becky Cline discover how Disney toys formed the corporate, the trade, and generations of fanatics thru tales, uncommon artwork, and iconic artifacts.
Worlds of Tinker Bell: By no means Land to Pixie Hole
Sign up for host Ashley Eckstein and particular visitors as we discover the paranormal evolution of Tinker Bell from Peter Pan (1953) to her personal spell binding universe on this energetic birthday celebration of a favourite Disney fairy.
20 Years of Enchanted: A Love Letter to Disney
Sign up for host Nina West and director Kevin Lima as we have a good time two decades of Enchanted with a fast paced, Easter egg-filled tribute that includes particular visitors and surprises from the Walt Disney Archives assortment.
75 Years of Nonsense: Alice in Wonderland
Have fun 75 years of Disney Animation’s Alice in Wonderland with a glance again at hardly noticed artwork from the manufacturing and cross in the back of the scenes of the newly restored model of the vintage movie.
One Hundred and One Dalmatians sixty fifth Anniversary
Have fun Disney Animation’s pioneering characteristic movie with a glance again at hardly noticed artwork from the Walt Disney Animation Analysis Library.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 55 Magical Years
Disney’s dazzling musical has been spell binding audiences since 1971. This multi-media presentation makes use of uncommon pictures and artwork to weave a behind-the-scenes spell concerning the Oscar®-winning masterpiece—together with the involvement of Walt Disney himself.
Recovery at Disney: Holding our Legacy
Lovers will find out how the award-winning Disney Recovery staff preserves and restores its huge library of classics, from Steamboat Willie to The Sound of Track. They’ll additionally get to listen to concerning the demanding situations and surprises encountered all over the method.
Sounds Pleasant: An Illustrated Audio Journey
Disney artist and historian Stacia Martin provides fanatics an all-new nostalgic travel thru Disney track all the way through the a long time, taking part in a few of her favourite clips from her non-public selection of uncommon and antique vinyl information.
The Highlight Level will as soon as once more go back to the display ground with a number of panels, interviews, shows, musical teams, and interactive moments for fanatics to revel in all day lengthy, together with the go back of the preferred D23 Disney Stars Trivialities Showdown and sing-alongs with Nina West, in addition to thrilling performances like Mëtal Möuse: The Track of Disney – Electrified!
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Guidelines for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Scores. For the place to consume, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Opinions. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll beef up your travel, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In any case, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different puts!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you call to mind the 2026 D23 Expo panels and shows? May just this be the 12 months for Adventure into Creativeness 4.0? Or is that this simply extra false hope for fanatics? Hoping that Josh D’Amaro does the correct factor and joins Neil Patrick Harris on-stage to announce a journey reimagining or pavilion overhaul? Do you compromise or disagree with our review? Any questions? Listening to from you is part the joys, so please proportion your ideas within the feedback!
