D23 is the biennial "Ultimate Disney Fan Event" where the Mouse House drops every major announcement about the next two years of your family’s life—from Frozen 3 release dates to new lands in the theme parks—and if you’re planning on going to the 2026 event in Anaheim, you need to have your "Gold Member" status and your clicking finger ready by mid-April or you’ll be stuck watching the trailers on YouTube like the rest of us.
D23 is Disney’s massive official fan convention held every two years in Anaheim, serving as the launchpad for major reveals across Disney+, Marvel, and Star Wars. For 2026, the event is the epicenter of hype for Toy Story 5 and the burgeoning Disney-Epic Games universe. Screenwise recommends prioritizing the "Disney Legends" ceremony if you want to understand the creators behind your kids' favorite media, but warn parents that ticket windows are notoriously short and competitive.
If you’ve ever wondered why your kids suddenly start vibrating with excitement about a movie that doesn’t come out for three years, D23 is usually the culprit. Named after 1923 (the year Walt Disney founded the company), it’s the official fan club. While they do things year-round, the "D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event" is the big one.
Think of it as the Super Bowl meets Comic-Con, but with better churros and more people wearing Mickey ears. It’s where Disney executives stand on stage and show "exclusive footage" that inevitably leaks to TikTok within minutes. It covers everything: the movies, the parks, the cruise ships, and increasingly, the massive digital worlds like their $1.5 billion partnership within Fortnite.
You might hear your 10-year-old mention that someone "became a Legend," and no, they aren't talking about a high score in Roblox. The Disney Legends ceremony is the hall-of-fame induction for people who have made a significant impact on the Disney legacy.
In recent years, this has shifted from honoring animators from the 1940s to honoring the people your kids actually know. When Miley Cyrus was inducted in 2024, it signaled a shift: Disney is leaning hard into the nostalgia of the Gen Z and Alpha generations. For 2026, the rumors are swirling around icons from the early MCU and the creators of modern staples like Bluey (even though it’s a Ludo Studio production, the Disney partnership is massive).
Understanding the "Legends" helps parents connect the dots between the content and the creators. It’s a great jumping-off point to talk about how movies are actually made.
Since we are sitting here in April 2026, the D23 event scheduled for this August is the "make or break" moment for several massive franchises. Here is what Screenwise is tracking:
We’ve been hearing about it for years, but 2026 is when we expect the first real trailer. This isn't just a movie; it’s a cultural shift for the elementary school demographic. Expect the soundtrack to dominate Spotify for the next eighteen months.
Scheduled for a June 2026 release, D23 will be the victory lap for this film. While some parents (rightfully) feel that Toy Story 4 was a perfect ending, Disney is betting big on the return of Buzz and Woody. Screenwise suggests watching the original Toy Story with your kids to see if the themes of "growing up" still resonate before the new one drops.
The Fortnite x Disney "Persistent Universe"
This is the biggest digital wellness story of the year. Disney isn't just making games anymore; they are building a "social place" inside Epic Games' ecosystem. D23 2026 will likely show off how kids can move from watching a Marvel movie on Disney+ to playing in that world immediately. It’s the ultimate "walled garden," and parents need to be aware of how this increases the "stickiness" of these apps.
With the movie hitting theaters right around now (May 2026), D23 will focus on "what’s next" for the galaxy. If your kid is obsessed with the lore, this is where they’ll find out if their favorite niche character from The Clone Wars is getting a live-action series.
If you are reading this on April 3rd, you are in the "Danger Zone" for tickets. Usually, D23 tickets go on sale in the spring for the August event.
- D23 Gold Membership: This is the paid tier. It usually costs around $100/year, but it gives you first crack at tickets. If you aren't a Gold Member, your chances of getting a 3-day pass are slim to none.
- The "Honda Center" Factor: In 2024, Disney moved the big presentations to the Honda Center to accommodate more people. This means the event is split between the Anaheim Convention Center (the floor/shopping) and the Honda Center (the big stars/trailers). It’s a lot of walking. If your kids are under 7, this might be a "wait until they're older" situation.
It’s easy to dismiss D23 as a giant commercial—and, to be fair, it is. But for intentional parents, it’s a preview of the "digital weather" for the next two years.
When Disney announces a new series on Disney+, they aren't just announcing a show; they are announcing the next wave of backpacks, LEGO sets, and playground conversations. Knowing what’s coming at D23 allows you to:
- Budget for the "Must-Haves": If you know a massive Moana expansion is coming to the parks, you can start the "saving for the trip" conversation early.
- Curate the Hype: You don't have to let every trailer become an obsession. You can choose which franchises your family actually cares about.
- Discuss Corporate Media: D23 is a great time to talk to older kids (ages 10-14) about how marketing works. Why do they release a trailer now for a movie coming out in 2028? It’s a lesson in media literacy.
Q: Is D23 appropriate for young children?
It’s physically exhausting. While the content is "family-friendly," the 2026 event involves massive crowds, hours of standing in line, and loud presentations. It is generally better for kids ages 8 and up who have the stamina for a 10-hour day.
Q: How much do D23 tickets cost in 2026?
Expect to pay between $80 and $150 per day per person, depending on whether you want access to the big evening showcases at the Honda Center. Gold Members get a slight discount, but the membership fee itself adds to the total cost.
Q: Can I watch D23 reveals from home?
Yes, Disney usually livestreams the "smaller" panels on YouTube and Disney+. However, the "exclusive" movie footage is often blocked from the stream to keep the value high for in-person attendees.
Q: What is the "Disney Legends" ceremony?
It is an awards show held during D23 that honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Disney company. It’s a mix of celebrities, animators, and Imagineers, and it’s often the most emotional part of the weekend.
D23 isn't just for "Disney Adults." It’s the roadmap for the media your kids will be consuming for the foreseeable future. If you’re a "Disney family," getting tickets for the 2026 event is a major undertaking that requires planning now. If you’re staying home, keep an eye on the announcements—they’ll tell you exactly which characters are about to become the "Ohio" (weird/viral) trend of the next school year.