Live Updates from Destination D23 Day 1 at Walt Disney World. Today starts Destination D23, and we are front row to all the action and Disney announcements. Any news that comes out, we will be updating the article throughout the day. The event, a smaller-scale alternative to the biennial D23: The Ultimate Fan Event, has historically been valued by fans for its Disney panels and exclusive content.
Today, we will hear from Walt Disney Studios, which historically has broken at least 1 or 2 new bits of information. I would expect to hear more about Star Wars, Avatar, and upcoming Disney Animated movies like Zootopia 2.
Destination D23 officially kicked off last Tuesday, August 26th
4:50 – Don Hahn and Patrick Warburton are talking Emperors New Grove! Kronk himself is on stage!
4:40 – Disney Eats Sneak Peak of the Holiday Menu
4:25 – Disney Popcorn Buckets! Who writes more about Disney Popcorn Buckets then us?
4:20 – Disney Eats talked about the Reopening of Napa Rose at Disneyland. Plus, some of the new options coming to DCL and the Destiny
4:10 – Jack & Sally took over the stage to talk about the Halloween Gingerbread Displays at Disneyland.
4:00 – Disney Eats talking about the new Beak and Barrel at the Magic Kingdom.
3:55 – Disney Eats with the Try Guy. But at least Chef Mickey & Minnie, along with stage manager Chip & Dale are backstage.
3:30 – Carousel of Progress will be updated after 30 years! Brand new scene featuring Walt Disney!
“We are grateful to The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney Imagineering for their continued collaboration and ongoing partnership with The Walt Disney Family Museum.
The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future.
We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive,” Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of the Walt Disney Family Museum said.
There are still plenty of additional details to be revealed, including what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to. Disney Imagineers love this attraction and the heart of it will stay the same while introducing the Carousel of Progress to an entirely new generation of fans, showing them that a great big, beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.
3:30 – Chris Batty has come to the stage with news about Walt Disney World. Announcement incoming!
3:25 – New Disneyland Documentary is coming from Leslie Iwerks! Will be avaliable this winter on Disney+. Teaser now available on Disney YouTube!
3:15 – Don Hahn could be the greatest spokesperson Disneyland could ever ask for. His passion comes off in such a genuine way.
3:01 – The Happiest Place on Earth takes over Disney World.
2:55 – Joey Fatone from Nsync suprised the crowd and sang “Trashin the Camp” from Disney’s Tarzan. He was joined by Michael James Scott.
2:30 – D2K Animated Classics. Talking all about Tarzan, Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, and Atlantis!
2:20 – Becky Cline is back this time in Japan! She gets interrupted by Michael James Scott who wanted to show his love for the Japanese culture and his recent trip.
2:10 – We are back with Jeff ‘Swampy’ Marsh and Dan Povenmire talking Phineas & Ferb. They are answering questions while drawing.
Favorite “Inator”: Chicken Replace-inator. Favorite rides – JM: Haunted Mansion, DP: Rise of the Resistance. Perry the Platypus came out to greet them.
1:26 – We are on lunch break! Back at 2! We may hear some news about Parks around 3 to 4!
12:30 – Disney On Broadway with Susan Egan!
12:00 – Becky Cline from the Walt Disney Archives is out on the small side stage presenting Disney Around the Globe: India
11:45 – X Atencio: The Untold Story of a Disney Legend is still ongoing. What an amazing animator.
11:25 – We are 30 minutes behind schedule already! The panels have just started with The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics. There wont be much breaking news during some of these panels. We will keep you updated! Thanks for reading this morning
11:15 – Jodi Benson is singing her version of the Howard Ashman song “Disneyland”
11:00 – Michael Vargo revealed new and returning events! D23: The Ultimate Fan Event 2026 August 14 – 15 -16 2026! Jodi Benson is the official Fan-bassador for D23! D23 Day at Disneyland will return! Tickets will go on-sale in the spring! Follow D23 for information.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California: August 14, 15, and 16, 2026. The announcement was made at the Coronado Springs Resort and Spa and livestreamed to D23 Gold Members through D23’s exclusive Gold Theater online events program.
In the lead-up to next year’s event, fans can once again enjoy D23 Day at Angel Stadium and D23 Day at the Disneyland Resort, with tickets on sale next spring. The popular D23 Spotlight Series also continues, featuring a Halloween “Boo-nanza” in California, a Spooktacular event with Walt Disney Imagineering in Orlando, and a December celebration of Percy Jackson and the Olympians season two.
10:45 Message from Robert Iger that was pre-recorded.
Michael Vargo – President of D23 is here welcoming guests from the stage. He got jokes today saying they have revealed a new D23 Logo
10:30 – Patrick Warburton is here! He voices Mayor Winddancer is Zootopia 2!
10:22 Walt Disney Animation Studios Brand New Original IP “Hexed” fall 2026!
Jared Bush, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, was given a warm welcome when he took the stage and exclusively revealed the title, project details, and a brand-new animated logo for the studio’s November 2026 original feature, Hexed.
In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new animated film, an awkward teenage boy and his Type A mom discover that what makes him unusual might just be magical powers that will turn their lives—and a secret world of magic—upside down.
Disney’s Hexed opens in theaters in November 2026. The feature is directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand, with Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones producing.
10:18 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Last Straw due on Disney+ Dec 5th!
Disney fans in attendance were excited to learn that an all-new animated feature from the world of Diary of a Wimpy Kid is coming exclusively to Disney+ on December 5. Series creator Jeff Kinney sent a special recorded message for fans and introduced a never-before-seen clip from the new film, officially titled Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw.
10:14 – Ice Age: Boiling Point Due in theaters February 2027! Name of new Ice Age was announced.
10:10 – Avatar Fire and Ash trailer that has already been released is show.
10:05 – Star Wars The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer is shown. While the BDX droids came out on stage. Mando is seen destroying At-At walker from inside! Grogu uses the force. Sigourney Weaver has joined the case.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is due in theaters May 22, 2026
9:55 – Marvel Studios producers the Russo Bros are joined by Paul Rudd to talk about The Avengers: Doomsday coming in December 2026.
9:51 – Tron Lightcycle / Run Walt Disney World and Shanghai will receive a TRON: Ares overlay with soundtrack by NIN.
There was also Disney Parks news, as it was announced that the original music from Disney’s highly anticipated upcoming October 10 release, TRON: Ares—the first film score composed as a group by pioneering industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails—will soon be featured in the TRON Lightcycle Run attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort for a limited time.
Worlds will collide when the red overlay and music from Nine Inch Nails debut at TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise at Walt Disney World on September 15 and at TRON Lightcycle Power Run presented by Chevrolet at Shanghai Disney Resort on September 16.
9:50 – Tron! The original Tron and Tron Legacy is being remastered in 4k!
9:46 – New Pixar Release Calander!
9:35 – Pixar “Hoppers” Director Danial Chong and Producer Nicole Grindle are here for “Lizard” Lizard 🦎 Lizard… okay bad meme joke. March 2026 Hoppers comes to theaters.
Piper Curda who voices Mable is here. Along with Bobby Moynihan who voices King George!
9:19 – Studios panel starting, after Jodi Benson was announced as host for 2025 DestinationD23
Yvette Nicole Brown is our host for the Disney Studios Showcase.
Special Message from Pixar – 30 years of Toy Story and Toy Story 5 is coming next summer (which was previously announed)
September 12th Toy Story 30th Anniversary. Buzz Lightyear returning to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025
Conan O’Brian will play roll of Smarty Pants in Toy Story 5
Live Update 8:45 – 15 Minutes until start time and the room is filling up.
For the full schedule of all the happenings around Destination D23 2025.
SATURDAY – August 30, 2025
9:00 a.m. – Welcome!
9:15 a.m. – Walt Disney Studios Showcase
10:30 a.m. – Morning Break
10:45 a.m. – Welcome Back with Michael Vargo
10:55 a.m. – The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics (Part 1)
11:05 a.m. – X Atencio: The Untold Story of a Disney Legend
11:30 a.m. – Disney Around the Globe: India
11:35 a.m. – Be Our Guest with Disney on Broadway
Noon. – Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. – What’Cha’ Doin’ with Phineas and Ferb’s Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh
2:25 p.m. – Disney Around the Globe: Japan
2:30 p.m. – D2K Animated Classics
3:00 p.m. – Creating the Happiest Place on Earth
3:30 p.m. – Afternoon Break
3:45 p.m. – What’s Cooking with Disney Eats?
4:30 p.m. – Boom, Baby! 25 Years of The Emperor’s New Groove
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. KUZCOTOPIA NIGHT AT Disney’s TYPHOON LAGOON
Saturday – Destination D23 Live Stream
- Special D23 Gold Theater Welcome from Destination D23!
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. ET / 7:30 – 7:45 a.m. PT - Welcome Back with Michael Vargo
10:45 – 10:55 a.m. ET / 7:45 – 7:55 a.m. PT - The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics
10:55 – 11:05 a.m. ET / 7:55 – 8:05 a.m. PT - X Atencio: The Untold Story of a Disney Legend
11:05 – 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:05 – 8:30 a.m. ET - Disney Around the Globe: India
11:30 – 11:35 a.m. ET / 8:30 – 8:35 a.m. PT - Be Our Guest With Disney on Broadway
11:35 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET / 8:35 – 9:00 a.m. PT
Live Updates from Destination D23 Day 1 at Walt Disney World
