Disney has announced dates & details for the 2026 D23 Expo, including when ticket sales and pre-sales start. This covers everything we know so far about the event, which will offer a week-long celebration in Anaheim and at Disneyland Resort. Plus, area hotel recommendations and more for the ‘Ultimate Fan Event’ that’ll be held a short walk from the parks in Southern California.
As always, we’ll be attending the 2026 D23 Expo and are really looking forward to it. We’ve had a good time at each of the past Expos over the course of the last decade-plus, and enjoy making a wishlist/predictions for the Parks & Resorts presentation, which is what I care about most.
However, the D23 Expo absolutely is not for everyone. The event has its moments, but also the worst aspects of both conventions (sitting around in conference rooms for hours on end) and theme parks (standing around in lines for hours on end).
It’s great for fans of celebrities, history, hype, exhibits, cosplayers, and random fandom fun. That’s a very eclectic range of interests, but such is the nature of the D23 Expo. If it isn’t immediately apparent that the D23 Expo is for you…there’s a good chance it isn’t. Don’t try to force it, do Disneyland instead–and pick different dates.
Dubbed “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” and hosted by the company’s Official Fan Club, the 2026 D23 Expo takes place in Anaheim, California from August 14 through 16, 2026, and celebrates the magic and excitement of Disney entertainment past, present, and future.
How to Purchase 2026 D23 Expo Tickets
All D23 Gold Members may purchase event tickets, subject to availability. For a limited time only, Disney+ subscribers on the D23 Gold Monthly plan can also take advantage of a new Disney+ Perk, upgrading to a paid Gold Essential, Choice, or Complete plan for 20% off.
To prioritize the most dedicated fans and the core D23 community, ticket access will roll out in tiers. Tickets for the 2026 D23 Expo will go on sale beginning Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET for current D23 Gold Charter Members during an exclusive 24-hour window.
A priority purchase window for D23 Gold Members on Essential, Choice, and Complete plans will start on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. All other D23 Gold Members will be able to join the queue at 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET that same day.
Each Gold Member may purchase 2026 D23 Expo tickets for themselves and up to five (5) guests, or six (6) tickets in total. Guests of D23 Gold Members do not need to be D23 Gold Members themselves to attend.
2026 D23 Expo Ticket Options
This year’s 2026 D23 Expo event is more accessible than ever before with expanded show floor hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There’s also a new “D23 Fan Pass – Afternoon Only” ticket, offering later entry to the Anaheim Convention Center. Ticket options for the 2026 D23 Expo span a range of experiences, including:
- D23 Fan Pass (Anaheim Convention Center only), available for $49 (Afternoon Only), $99 (1‑Day), or $297 (3‑Day)
- D23 Ultimate Fan Pass, which includes access to both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center showcases, with pricing beginning at $99 for a 1‑Day and $297 for a 3‑Day package
- The D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass delivers three days of floor seating at the Honda Center, three days of Anaheim Convention Center access, and exclusive Random Selection Process (RSP) opportunities for select limited-edition pins, with pricing ranging from $1,299 to $2,599 depending on location.
- Each ticket is subject to a $11.25 service fee, and each transaction is subject to a $16 delivery fee.
D23 Gold Members who are unable to purchase 2026 D23 Expo tickets may join a limited-time waitlist after ticket sales close. Due to limited availability, tickets are not guaranteed.
2026 D23 Expo Weekend Highlights
The 2026 D23 Expo will showcase the full strength of Disney’s storytelling engine—bringing together beloved franchises, bold new visions, and the creative leaders shaping what’s next. There will be a marquee presentation at the Honda Center each day: the Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday, the Disney Experiences (Parks & Resorts) Showcase on Saturday, and the Disney Legends Award Ceremony on Sunday.
On Thursday, August 13, D23 Day at Disneyland Resort officially kicks off the weekend with a Disney Legends Cavalcade, giveaway of complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hats (while supplies last), surprises, and more. Plus, Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party returns for a one-day special event tailored to families with young children at Disney California Adventure featuring live entertainment, Disney Jr. characters and activities, and fun photo opportunities.
Throughout the weekend, the Anaheim Convention Center will host more than 50 panels and presentations created exclusively for fans, offering behind-the-scenes insights, first looks, and conversations with the storytellers behind some of Disney’s most iconic worlds. One highlight is the premiere of a new feature-length documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, offering fans an exclusive first look at a powerful new Disney story told through her lens.
D23’s largest show floor ever will feature Disney Experiences and Walt Disney Imagineering; Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic; favorite movies and series with Disney+ and Hulu; Disney shopping, products, and more.
All-new experiences include Mundo Pixar: The D23 Experience; ESPN and the Road to the Super Bowl; activations inspired by Bluey, Camp Rock 3, The Simpsons; and a standout display featuring Mickey F1 and a Formula 1 car. Fans can also compete in the Disney Lorcana Challenge Championship Qualifier, where the winner earns 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 invites intrepid fans to uncover an unforgettable journey into the vast and hidden warehouses of the Walt Disney Archives. Guests will have the chance to explore themed displays featuring shipments of iconic props, costumes, and puppets from some beloved films, television series, and theme parks, which span generations of history at The Walt Disney Company.
City-Wide Celebrations in Anaheim
The 2026 D23 Expo is more than a weekend, it’s a city‑wide celebration that extends the fun throughout the week. The festivities begin on Saturday, August 8, with the opening of the Walt Disney Archives’ newest exhibition at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, Capturing Life, Creating Character: The Art of Live‑Action, featuring rare photography, costume pieces, artwork, and interactive elements exploring the connection between live-action performance and animation. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 27, at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on D23.com.
The celebration continues Tuesday, August 11, with D23 Night at the Anaheim Packing District, featuring music, trivia, fan activities, and the sixth annual World Taste of the Packing District. Throughout the week, Downtown Disney will also feature special offers, discounts, and themed fun leading up to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event from August 14-16, 2026.
On Wednesday, August 12, fans can attend D23 Night at Angel Stadium to cheer for the home team as the Angels take on the Texas Rangers. The first 23,000 attendees entering the stadium will receive a themed D23 Mickey Mouse Bobblehead, with 2,300 of these being an exclusive gold variant. D23 Members can receive a discount on tickets, access to special D23 event spaces on gameday, and a commemorative event gift.
Additional details on D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event including programming and shopping information will be announced in the months leading up to the event.
2026 Disney Legends
Disney revealed the lineup of individuals who will receive the prestigious Disney Legends Award, the company’s highest honor. As noted above, the Disney Legends Award ceremony will mark the final day of the D23 Expo, on August 16, 2026.
“D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is where we come together to give our incredible fans an early look at what’s coming next across our company, while celebrating the legacy of the extraordinary people whose creativity has shaped Disney into what it is today,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “It’s an honor to celebrate our Disney Legends — their impact is felt in everything we do and recognizing them alongside the fans who love their work is what makes this event so meaningful.”
Ryan Seacrest will return as the host of the ceremony that will take place on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. PT at the Honda Center. The event will be filled with tributes and unforgettable moments to honor and celebrate the icons behind the magic who have made a lasting impact on Disney. The ceremony will once again be available on Disney+, allowing fans around the world to experience the magic wherever they are.
The 2026 Disney Legends Award honorees represent the extraordinary breadth of talent and storytellers who have defined Disney across entertainment, storytelling, and experiences for generations. From performance and animation, to music and sports, to leadership and Imagineering, these honorees have shaped how audiences around the world connect with Disney stories.
During his two decades at the helm of The Walt Disney Company, former Chairman and CEO Bob Iger led Disney to unprecedented creative and business success, building on Disney’s rich history of unforgettable storytelling and serving as steward of the world’s most respected and beloved brands.
Susan Egan, Dwayne Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Alan Tudyk brought unforgettable characters to life on-screen and on-stage, lending their voices, performances, and star power to films, series, and musical moments that have become part of the cultural fabric.
From the Jonas Brothers shaping a generation of Disney music to Lin‑Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking songwriting for modern Disney favorites, alongside Eric Goldberg’s artistry and animation that brought beloved characters to life, these contributions have continually pushed Disney storytelling forward with innovation and heart.
Together, these creative forces are joined by visionaries whose impact extends beyond individual performances to the very foundation of Disney’s legacy and future. Jerry Bruckheimer’s prolific producing career has delivered cinematic spectacles that continue to define blockbuster storytelling, while Chris Berman’s pioneering voice and presence helped shape ESPN into a global sports and entertainment powerhouse.
Kim Irvine ’s decades of leadership at Walt Disney Imagineering left an indelible mark on Disney parks and experiences, preserving heritage while championing creativity. Collectively, the 2026 Disney Legends Award honorees embody the creative excellence, bold vision, and enduring influence that continue to shape Disney’s past, present, and future.
The Disney Legends Awards program is a 39-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, which began when Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire) was honored in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 329 Disney Legends has been named.
Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Dame Julie Andrews, Angela Bassett, Tony Baxter, Kristen Bell, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Marc Davis, Robert Downey Jr., Harrison Ford, Annette Funicello, Josh Gad, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Groff, Steve Jobs, Sir Elton John, Dame Angela Lansbury, Stan Lee, George Lucas, Steve Martin, Burny Mattinson, Alan Menken, Idina Menzel, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Ellen Pompeo, Robin Roberts, the Sherman Brothers, Marty Sklar, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, Betty White, John Williams, Robin Williams, and Oprah Winfrey, among many others.
Expect Sky-High 2026 D23 Demand
Back in 2024, the D23 Expo was reimagined to be bigger than ever before. That’s the case once again in 2026, with the highly anticipated event held at both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center.
This split venue approach worked really well last time. I was skeptical going in, and feared transportation would be a nightmare, but our experience was flawless. In general, operations were far better than ever before, inexplicably so, given that the event was much bigger.
Despite increasing in size rather significantly and, presumably, releasing more tickets for sale than ever before thanks to larger venues and splitting ticketing, the previous D23 Expo sold out in record time. The same occurred with this year’s Destination D23. In the past, there had been times when neither of these events sold out at all.
We’d expecting the 2026 D23 Expo to once again have sky-high demand, so keep on eye on ticket sale start dates. It’ll likely be advantageous to be a paid member to D23 and potentially being eligible for presales.
The last D23 Expo was a smooth event with lots of positive word of mouth, so we wouldn’t be surprised if tickets are even more competitive for the 2026 D23 Expo. Plus, FOMO is a powerful driver.
Technically, they’re once again not calling it the D23 Expo for some reason. The official name is “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.” No one is going to call it that. If you say, “I’m attending D23 colon the ultimate Disney fan event” to your friends or fellow fans and they might respond that you’re the “ultimate Disney colon dweeb.”
It’s just the D23 Expo. I don’t know why they decided to rename it, but I’m guessing it required a bunch of brainstorming sessions to conclude that ‘expo’ had some sort of negative connotation or something. That, or it was just too concise and didn’t have 4-17 words and at least one punctuation mark, as is required pursuant to Disney naming convention mandates. But I digress.
One of the neat things about the show floor is the chance to have one-on-one time with Imagineers, animators, and filmmakers who work their respective booths. Then there’s the 7,000-seat Hall D23 that plays host to the biggest panels, which will be joined this year by the 3,000-seat Premiere Stage, and the 1,200-seat Backlot Stage.
On the main show floor, the D23 Expo Live! Stage will feature performances, appearances, demonstrations, and more all weekend long. Many of these and other panels will be livestreamed to audiences at home, so it’s not imperative to attend if you want to keep up with what’s happening. However, a lot is not live-streamed, including pretty much anything with archival content, concept art, or extended trailers.
Guests can also enjoy shopping, many featuring D23 Expo-exclusive collectibles, at an assortment of Disney and partner pop-up shops including the D23 Expo Emporium, where the ultimate Disney fans can wait in the ultimate lines. Seriously, the lines are always multi-hour for these stores. I’ve never even set foot in Mickey’s of Glendale during any of the Expos I’ve attended.
As always, there will be a lot of celebrities from the Marvel and Star Wars series and films, along with those appearing in Disney+ content. In the past, those celebrities have included Robert Downey Jr., Christina Aguilera, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Emily Blunt, Angelina Jolie, Robin Roberts, Salma Hayek, Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, and the casts of Star Wars stuff and Marvel movies.
We’d strongly recommend booking your hotel for the 2026 D23 Expo now if you’re planning on attending. That’s right–book it right now, before tickets even go on sale. Just book something that’s refundable in case you get shut out.
If past precedent is any indication, rates will only increase as the event date draws nearer–and some hotels near the Anaheim Convention Center have already seen their rates skyrocket. If you’re seeing this news right as it’s breaking, you might even be able to beat the inevitable dynamic pricing increases once they learn about the event dates.
Refer to our Disneyland Area Hotel Rankings & Reviews for a rundown of the best (and worst) options. Note that it’s not strictly necessary that you book a ‘convention center’ hotel, as pretty much anything on or around Harbor Boulevard is going to be within a reasonable walking distance.
You’ll be paying a significant premium for the hotels at the ACC. With that said, we’d strongly discourage you from booking something that requires driving to the convention center–parking in the morning can be a real pain.
We’re already looking forward to the 2026 D23 Expo.
Like we said at the top, this event is not for everyone, and if you’re on the fence, it probably isn’t for you. It’s a convention. An exciting convention aimed squarely at Disney geeks with something for everyone in the fandom, including some truly deep cuts. But at the end of the day, still a convention.
If you find yourself mostly excited for blockbuster announcements (and unlike Destination D23, we have incredibly high hopes for the 2026 D23 Expo), you should probably ask whether you want to be there in the room where the news breaks and feel the energy and excitement of the audience–something I live for–or are okay watching along from home. Although you can always tack-on a visit to Disneyland during D23 Expo, it’s generally not the best time for a trip to the parks.
This isn’t to discourage anyone because, again, the D23 Expo is one of the highlights of our entire year. I am already excited, but we also are a special breed of Disney geeks (the convention-going kind), and not everyone is us. Maybe you are, in which case, we highly recommend attending. We’ll see you there!
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!
Your Thoughts
Do you plan on attending the 2026 D23 Expo? Excited that the Ultimate D23 Fan Event is returning to Anaheim, California from August 14-16, 2026? Do you agree or disagree with our advice for the D23 Expo? What have been your experiences with crowds and lines at past D23 Expos? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
