D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 takes place August 14, 15, and 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in Anaheim, California, marking Disney’s biggest fan gathering since the reimagined 2024 event. Tickets go on sale April 2 exclusively for D23 Gold Members. The 2026 Disney Legends class has been announced, featuring Bob Iger, Dwayne Johnson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and eight others. Fantasy Land News has covered every D23 development since the dates were first revealed at Destination D23 in August 2025. This page collects all announcements in one place and will be updated as news comes in between now and August.
Last Updated on March 26, 2026
D23 2026 Dates and Event Schedule
The main event runs Friday through Sunday, August 14-16, 2026. But the D23 experience stretches across the entire week beginning August 8. Here is the full week-long schedule as announced.
Saturday, August 8 is the D23 Member Preview, which opens the Walt Disney Archives’ newest exhibition at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim. Tuesday, August 11 is D23 Night at the Anaheim Packing House. Wednesday, August 12 is D23 Night at Angels Stadium. Thursday, August 13 is D23 Day at Disneyland Resort, featuring a Disney Legends Cavalcade and complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hats for guests while supplies last. A Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party also takes place at Disney California Adventure on August 13, tailored to families with young children.
The three main event days each close with a marquee showcase at the Honda Center. Friday, August 14 hosts the Disney Entertainment Showcase covering film, television, and streaming. Saturday, August 15 hosts the Disney Experiences Showcase, historically where the biggest parks announcements drop. Sunday, August 16 closes the weekend with the Disney Legends Award Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. PT, hosted by Ryan Seacrest and streaming live on Disney+.
Fantasy Land News first reported the 2026 dates when D23 head Michael Vargo announced the return to Anaheim during Destination D23 at Walt Disney World in August 2025.
D23 2026 Tickets: Dates, Prices, and How to Buy
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is an exclusive Gold Member event. A D23 Gold Membership is required to purchase tickets and there is no general public sale. Tickets go on sale in three waves starting March 31.
Charter Members, those who have held a continuous Gold Membership since before December 31, 2009, get the first opportunity starting March 31, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT. Gold Members on Essential, Choice, and Complete plans can purchase starting April 2 at 10 a.m. PT. All other Gold Member types join the queue on April 2 at 12 p.m. PT.
Ticket pricing starts at $49 for the new D23 Fan Pass Afternoon Only, a first for 2026 that provides Convention Center access beginning at 4 p.m. on your chosen day. The standard D23 Fan Pass covering full-day Convention Center access starts at $99 for one day and $297 for three days. The D23 Ultimate Fan Pass, which adds Honda Center seating, starts at $99 for a single day with Section 400 Side seating and climbs to $957 for a three-day Section 200 pass. The D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass with floor seating and RSP pin access starts at $1,299 for Floor Sections 110-112 and reaches $2,599 for Floor Sections 101-103. Every ticket carries an $11.25 service fee and every transaction carries a $16.00 delivery fee.
For the full breakdown of every ticket type, every section price, and a guide to which pass is right for you, read our complete D23 2026 ticket guide. Fantasy Land News also covered the April ticket sale confirmation when it was first announced in February.
2026 Disney Legends: The Full Class Announced
Disney announced the full 2026 Disney Legends class on March 26, 2026. Eleven honorees will receive the company’s highest honor at the ceremony on Sunday, August 16. The class spans former corporate leadership, animation, music, live performance, Imagineering, sports broadcasting, and blockbuster producing.
The 2026 Disney Legends are 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. Ryan Seacrest returns as host of the ceremony, which streams on Disney+ for fans who cannot attend in person.
Highlights of the class include Bob Iger receiving the honor immediately following his retirement as CEO in March 2026, Kim Irvine being recognized for 55 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Lin-Manuel Miranda being honored for songwriting contributions including Moana and Encanto. With this class, a total of 329 Disney Legends have been named since the program began in 1987.
Read the full profiles of every honoree in our complete 2026 Disney Legends article.
What Is D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
D23 is the official fan club of The Walt Disney Company, named for D as in Disney and 23 for the year Walt Disney founded the studio in 1923. The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is its flagship biennial gathering, held in Anaheim in even-numbered years. The 2026 event is the ninth in the series, which began at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2009.
The event brings together stars, filmmakers, Imagineers, and Disney executives for three days of panels, showcases, shopping, and announcements. It is the primary venue where Disney reveals major upcoming projects across parks, film, television, and streaming. In 2024, the event expanded from the Anaheim Convention Center to include the Honda Center for the evening showcases, a format that continues in 2026.
In years without the main event, D23 holds its smaller Destination D23 gathering at Walt Disney World. Fantasy Land News covered every announcement from Destination D23 2025 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, including the Carousel of Progress Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure reveal, Cinderella Castle’s new paint palette, and the first official confirmation of the 2026 event dates.
What Is New at D23 2026
Several changes distinguish 2026 from prior events. The new D23 Fan Pass Afternoon Only ticket at $49 is the most significant structural addition, giving fans a lower cost entry point to the Convention Center floor without committing to a full-day ticket. It is the first time D23 has offered a sub-$99 access option.
The Emporium, the section of the show floor reserved for independent vendors and small business exhibitors, has been eliminated in 2026. Disney communicated the decision directly to past Emporium exhibitors, stating that the event’s show floor is now focused on a curated experience centered on Disney storytelling, brand partners, and creative showcases. Fantasy Land News covered the Emporium’s elimination and its impact on the collector and small business community when the news broke in September 2025.
The D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass now includes RSP access to select limited-edition pins, a new addition for 2026 that gives top-tier ticket holders priority access to sought-after pin releases at the event.
Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel and a Disney Legend, serves as the official D23 FAN-bassador for 2026, engaging with fans and making appearances throughout the year leading up to the August event.
D23 2026 Show Floor and Programming
Disney is calling the 2026 show floor its largest and most innovative ever. The Anaheim Convention Center will host more than 50 panels and presentations created exclusively for fans, offering behind-the-scenes looks, first looks at upcoming projects, and conversations with creators. The show floor runs with expanded hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Confirmed show floor experiences and activations include Mundo Pixar: The D23 Experience presented by Disney Rewards Visa Cards from Chase, a special D23 preview of the immersive walk-through experience currently touring worldwide. The ESPN and the Road to the Super Bowl activation highlights the intersection of sports and entertainment. New activations include themed experiences for Bluey, Camp Rock 3, and The Simpsons, plus a standout Mickey F1 display featuring a real Formula 1 car. Fans can also compete in the Disney Lorcana Challenge Championship Qualifier hosted by Ravensburger, with the winner earning a guaranteed seat at the 2027 Disney Lorcana North American Championship.
Walt Disney Archives: Uncrated is an all-new exhibition on the show floor that takes fans into recreated sections of the Disney Archives warehouses, with themed displays of props, costumes, and puppets spanning generations of Disney film, television, and theme parks. The D23 Mousequerade costume contest returns, presented by AT&T, celebrating fan creativity and craftsmanship. A new feature-length documentary from filmmaker Leslie Iwerks premieres at the event.
Week-Long Events Beyond the Main Days
Saturday, August 8 kicks off the week with the opening of the Walt Disney Archives’ newest exhibition, Capturing Life, Creating Character: The Art of Live-Action, at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim. The exhibition features rare photography, costume pieces, artwork, and interactive elements exploring live-action performance and animation. Tickets go on sale March 27 at 10 a.m. PT on D23.com.
Tuesday, August 11 is D23 Night at the Anaheim Packing District, featuring music, trivia, fan activities, and the sixth annual World Taste of the Packing District. Wednesday, August 12 is D23 Night at Angel Stadium with the Angels hosting the Texas Rangers. The first 23,000 fans entering the stadium receive a themed D23 Mickey Mouse Bobblehead, with 2,300 of those being an exclusive gold variant. D23 Members can also receive a discount on tickets and access to special D23 event spaces on gameday.
Thursday, August 13 is D23 Day at Disneyland Resort, featuring a Disney Legends Cavalcade, complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hats while supplies last, and the return of the Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party at Disney California Adventure for families with young children. Downtown Disney also features special offers, discounts, and themed experiences throughout the full week.
D23 2026 Sweepstakes and Prizes
The Ultimate Disney Sweepstakes: Fantastic Prizes returns with prizes including a sailing on the inaugural season of the Disney Believe cruise ship, a National Geographic Journeys trip to Kenya for a safari tied to Jon Favreau’s upcoming Disney+ series Lion, and a trip to Los Angeles for the red-carpet world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday. Sweepstakes entries open July 23, 2026. No purchase is necessary to enter and D23 General Membership, which is free, is sufficient for entry.
What to Expect at the Honda Center Showcases
The three Honda Center showcases carry the most significant announcements of the weekend. The Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday covers film, television, and streaming. With The Mandalorian and Grogu already in theaters by August, attention will likely shift to whatever comes next in the Star Wars and Marvel pipelines, as well as Disney Animation and Pixar’s upcoming slates including Incredibles 3 and Frozen 3.
The Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday is where parks fans should focus their energy. In 2024 this was the session where the biggest Walt Disney World and Disneyland expansion announcements dropped, including the Villains Land announcement for Walt Disney World that FLN covered live from the event. By August 2026, projects announced at prior events will have updates and new reveals are expected. Universal’s Epic Universe will have been open for several months by then, which will inevitably shape the conversation around Disney parks investment.
The Disney Legends ceremony on Sunday afternoon is the emotional close of the weekend and one of the most-watched sessions on Disney+. With a class that includes Bob Iger and multiple household names, the 2026 ceremony is set up to be one of the most watched in the program’s 39-year history.
FLN at D23 2024: What We Covered From the Last Event
Fantasy Land News was on the ground at D23 2024 and covered the biggest moments as they happened. That coverage gives important context for what to expect in 2026, including which announcements from 2024 should have major updates by August.
The parks showcase delivered one of the biggest announcements in years when Villains Land was officially announced for Walt Disney World, a long-rumored project that finally got a confirmed name and direction. Billy Crystal surprised the crowd with a Monsters announcement for Hollywood Studios that brought down the house. On the technology and production side, FLN covered the ILM StageCraft Volume making its public debut on the show floor, a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking technology behind The Mandalorian and other productions.
Walt Disney Imagineering showcased its work with 3D models from the Imagineering Behind the Dreams pavilion remaining on display after the main event closed, and fans got a sneak peek at the Pixar Dream Production series that was heading to Disney+ in 2025. FLN also covered then-CEO Bob Iger welcoming fans to D23 and speaking about the company’s one-of-a-kind position in entertainment. In 2026, Iger returns to D23 not as CEO but as a Disney Legend honoree.
The FLN Take on D23 2026
The $49 Afternoon Only ticket is the most fan-friendly thing Disney has done with D23 pricing in years. It does not solve the fundamental problem of a Gold-Member-only event in a city that requires travel for most attendees, but it removes the harshest barrier for fans within driving distance of Anaheim who want the show floor experience without a full-day commitment or Honda Center seating. The Emporium elimination is a real loss for the collector community and for small businesses who built their year around the D23 floor. Disney says collecting will be reflected in programming, but a booth that lets you buy directly from a creator is a different experience than a panel that talks about collecting. Those are not the same thing. The Legends class is strong, and Bob Iger receiving the honor the same year he stepped down gives the ceremony a natural storyline. The Kim Irvine story is the one that will resonate most with serious Disney fans once people learn it fully.
Fantasy Land News will cover every D23 2026 announcement as it drops from now through August. For all the latest, visit fantasylandnews.com and join The Realm at fantasylandnews.com/the-realm.
D23 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is D23 2026?
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 runs August 14, 15, and 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in Anaheim, California. A full week of pre-event experiences begins August 8 with the D23 Member Preview.
When do D23 2026 tickets go on sale?
D23 Gold Charter Members can purchase tickets starting March 31, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT. Gold Members on Essential, Choice, and Complete plans go on sale April 2 at 10 a.m. PT. All other Gold Member types join the queue on April 2 at 12 p.m. PT. A waitlist opens after ticket sales close for members who miss out.
How much do D23 2026 tickets cost?
The new D23 Fan Pass Afternoon Only starts at $49. Full-day and three-day Fan Passes start at $99 and $297. Ultimate Fan Passes with Honda Center seating start at $99 for a single day and $297 for three days, with pricing varying by seat section up to $957 for Section 200 three-day passes. The Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass with floor seating and RSP pin access ranges from $1,299 to $2,599. All tickets carry an $11.25 service fee and a $16 delivery fee per transaction.
Do you need a D23 Gold Membership to attend?
Yes. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is exclusively available to D23 Gold Members. There is no general public ticket sale. You must be a Gold Member before ticket sales open to participate.
Who are the 2026 Disney Legends honorees?
The 2026 Disney Legends are 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. Ryan Seacrest hosts the ceremony on Sunday, August 16 at 1:30 p.m. PT at the Honda Center.
Can you watch D23 2026 on Disney+?
The Disney Legends Award ceremony on Sunday, August 16 will be available to stream on Disney+. Coverage of other showcases has varied in past years. Disney has not confirmed full streaming availability for the Entertainment and Experiences showcases at this time.
What is the Emporium and why was it removed from D23 2026?
The Emporium was a section of the D23 show floor dedicated to independent vendors, small businesses, artists, and collectors. Disney eliminated it for 2026, stating the event’s focus has shifted to a curated experience centered on Disney storytelling and brand partners. It is a significant change for the collector community and for small businesses that have exhibited at D23 since the event began.
What is different about D23 2026 compared to 2024?
The new Afternoon Only $49 Fan Pass is the biggest structural addition. The Emporium has been eliminated. The D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass now includes RSP pin access. The event format, with daytime programming at the Anaheim Convention Center and evening showcases at the Honda Center, continues from 2024.
Who is the D23 FAN-bassador for 2026?
Disney Legend Jodi Benson, best known as the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, is the first official D23 FAN-bassador. She was announced during Destination D23 at Walt Disney World in August 2025 and will make appearances with D23 throughout the year leading up to the August event.