Get ready, Disney fans—Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney is set to be the ultimate fan gathering of 2025, and this year it’s bigger than ever. Presented by Lug, the event will take place August 29–31, 2025 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Exclusively for D23 Gold Members, this celebration will feature behind-the-scenes stories, Disney Legends, dazzling performances, and first looks at the company’s exciting future.
What to Expect at Destination D23 2025
Over the course of the weekend, attendees will enjoy an array of programming spanning all the worlds of Disney—from theme parks and cruise ships to film, television, and animation. Panels will feature Imagineers, historians, filmmakers, and cast members sharing stories, secrets, and sneak peeks. Highlights include:
- Behind-the-scenes presentations from The Walt Disney Studios on upcoming projects.
- A special 80th anniversary tribute to The Three Caballeros from the Walt Disney Archives.
- “Disney You Didn’t Know” sessions revealing surprising facts and hidden connections in Disney history.
- An all-new exhibit, Charting the Course: Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations, showcasing how different cultures and landscapes inspire Disney storytelling.
The schedule kicks off Friday with exclusive shopping opportunities and continues through the weekend with immersive panels, a special Kuzcotopia Night at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, and a nostalgic Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert.
Exclusive Event Experiences
D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon
On Saturday, August 30, the event turns into a splashy after-hours celebration of The Emperor’s New Groove’s 25th anniversary. Expect themed snacks, fun photo ops, water park thrills, and tributes to Disney’s water park history.
Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert
On Sunday, August 31, the weekend ends with a concert bursting with Disney hits from the ’80s and ’90s, performed by Broadway and Disney Animation stars. Fans can sing along to classics from Hercules, A Goofy Movie, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Lion King, and more.
Shopping Highlights
The shopping lineup will have fans opening their wallets faster than you can say “mouse ears.” Exclusive experiences include:
- The Walt Disney Company Store – East Coast pop-up with event-exclusive merchandise.
- Mickey’s of Glendale – The Imagineering campus store returns with rare specialty items.
- Disney Studio Store Hollywood – Making its Florida debut with apparel, accessories, and pins.
- Ink & Paint Marketplace – Featuring fan-favorite brands, including event sponsor Lug.
Many exclusive pins will be offered via a Random Selection Process (RSP) for attendees.
Special Week-Long D23 Extras
Leading up to the main event, members can enjoy special activities including:
- A Goofy Movie 30th Anniversary Throwback Premiere at Disney Springs, taking place in the same theater where the Florida premiere happened in 1995.
- D23 Nights at Disney Springs with unique shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences.
- A yet-to-be-announced spooktacular event on August 29 for those who love Disney with a Halloween twist.
Personal Reflection
As someone living right here in Central Florida, I’m counting down the days to see what surprises Disney will unveil. The panels, the concerts, the shopping—all of it sounds incredible. But what I’m really curious about? The whispers of a potential Villains Land. The idea of an immersive area devoted entirely to Disney’s most iconic baddies has fans buzzing, and if D23 is where we get confirmation (or at least some juicy new details), you can bet I’ll be in the audience grinning like Maleficent after a victory. Whatever happens, this year’s Destination D23 feels like it could be one for the Disney history books.
