Destination D23’s “Bigger” Promise Sparks Debate: Is It About More Tickets, Not More Content? D23, The Official Disney Fan Club, has released the official schedule and map for its 2025 Destination D23 event, prompting a mixed reaction from fans who expected a “bigger” experience than what the new details suggest. The event, which takes place at Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort, was promoted as being “more than double in size” compared to previous years. However, a closer look at the programming has led to a debate among attendees over whether “bigger” refers to capacity or content.
Destination D23 is the “off-year” event for Disney fans, serving as a smaller-scale alternative to the biennial D23: The Ultimate Fan Event (formerly D23 Expo) in Anaheim, which typically hosts major announcements for the company’s films, theme parks, and streaming services. Fans of Destination D23 have historically valued it for its more intimate feel and deep-dive panels on Disney history and creative processes, often with a dedicated “Parks Panel” to provide updates on Walt Disney World.
This year’s panel schedule, however, notably lacks a specific, dedicated Parks Panel. In previous years, this panel was a highlight, often featuring high-level executives like Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, who would reveal upcoming attractions and projects. The absence of this key presentation, along with the lack of new, large-scale exhibits, has been a central point of disappointment on social media.
Instead of a broad showcase of The Walt Disney Company’s divisions, the event’s exhibits are limited to a small D23 Disney Archives display. The larger new space at Coronado Springs Resort appears to be primarily utilized for expanded retail opportunities, including The Walt Disney Company Store, Mickey’s of Glendale, and Ink & Paint Marketplace.
Many fans who purchased tickets have expressed frustration, believing that the “bigger” promise was a precursor to a more content-rich event akin to the D23: The Ultimate Fan Event. Instead, they feel the promise was fulfilled by simply selling more tickets to a larger venue. This perception is further compounded by the fact that many of the ancillary experiences surrounding the event, such as a special Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, are available only as separate, extra-ticketed purchases.
Destination D23’s “Bigger” Promise Sparks Debate: Is It About More Tickets, Not More Content?
