This week we finally got the full Destination D23 lineup of programming! From exciting panel announcements to more details on what to expect for D23 Nights in Disney Springs, we finally have it. Destination D23 is the small of the fan events hosted every other year by D23 here in Disney World. This years event is August 29-31 at the Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center. This is such a fun event and I can’t wait to share what’s to come with you all!
What is Destination D23?
Destination D23 is like the little sister to the D23 Expo event that happens in California every other year. While the D23 Expo is where Disney makes the huge announcements and there is no possible way to do everything on the lineup you want to do. Destination D23 is much more chill. You have a guaranteed seat for all panels and events and time to really enjoy all that’s offered. At this smaller event we get panels more geared towards the Disney nerd, like me! Disney history, fun facts and throwbacks to the things we know and love. You can read a recap of the last Destination D23 here! I loved D23 Expo but not having to sit on a concrete floor at 4am for 3 hours to get a spot in the panel I want to go to sounds good! Haha!
Destination D23 Special Events Lineup
This year at Destination D23 we have a great lineup of special events. Included in your Destination D23 ticket is a shopping spree day on Friday, a nighttime party at Typhoon Lagoon, an 80’s/90’s concert and special DJ in Disney Springs all week long. There are also a few separately ticketed events offered. These include a special screening of A Goofy Movie, D23 night at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, speed puzzling event and a backstage tour at Cirque de Soleil. Let’s break down these events!
D23 Shopping Spree
On Friday before all the actual programming starts we have an opportunity to shop the Destination D23 stores! Ticket holders for the whole event had to reserve a time slot for Friday. D23 Gold Members who are not attending the whole event were able to purchase a ticket just for the shopping spree that has a specific time window for them to attend on Saturday or Sunday but cannot attend on Friday. There are still tickets available for D23 Gold Members. Think of this as pre-shopping for the weekend. You get to go in and see it before the weekend actually starts and maybe grab something that may sell out over the weekend. Destination D23 ticket holders will have access to these shopping location throughout the rest of the weekend. The stores include:
- Mickey’s of Glendale: Special Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks attraction-inspired merchandise that can only be found at Destination D23.
- Ink and Paint Marketplace: Think of this as a vendor hall. This is where you will see Lug’s booth as well as other Disney fan-favorite brands
- The Walt Disney Company Store: This is where the official Destination D23 merchandise will be sold along with The Walt Disney Company and Disney Studio’s collections.
- Disney Studio Store Hollywood: This is NEW! This will be a pop up location featuring new apparel, accessories, drink ware and open edition pins.
Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon
Celebrating 25 years of The Emperors New Groove, we are partying with Kuzco and friends at Typhoon Lagoon on ! This is included for Destination D23 ticket holders and D23 Gold Members were able to purchase separate tickets to the event that is now sold out. The event includes special character interactions which I am soooo excited for. Give me all the pictures with Kuzco, Kronk and Yzma!! It also includes ice cream, popcorn and soft drinks throughout the park, access to attractions, event exclusive photo ops, special entertainment and even Exotic Bird Bingo. Each guest will also receive an event exclusive gift and there will be event exclusive food and drinks available for purchase. The event runs from 8-11pm on August 30th and I can’t wait!
Disney 80’s-90’s Celebration in Concert
This event is only for ticketed Destination D23 guests and is such a cool part of the lineup! The event is presented by Disney+ and is a finale of sorts for the weekend. Broadway and Disney Animation stars will provide a flashback concert of all of our favorites from this era! The description says “rock concert lighting and larger than life projections” so this sounds like it’s going to be a pretty epic event. We all know this was the greatest era so it has to be good!
D23 Nights in Disney Springs
Throughout the week leading up to Destination D23 and throughout the weekend there will be a DJ set up at Expo Park (food trucks by AMC) from 6-9pm playing music and hosting Disney trivia. This runs from Tuesday, August 26 – Thursday, August 28th and I don’t think it will be exclusive to Destination D23 ticket holders. There will also be a D23 themed photo op available by Jaleo during this time! Y’all know I love a good photo op!!
D23 Speed Puzzling with Ravensburger
This is a separately ticketed event being held at The Edison at Disney Springs. You can choose from Tuesday, August 26th from 1-3 or Wednesday, August 27th from 1-3. Tickets are $35 for D23 Gold Members and $45 for General Members and there are still some available. The event includes Speed Puzzling presented by Ravensburger and lunch provided by The Edison. We, unfortunately are not attending this one because, well, work. But it does sound like such a unique event!
Drawn To Life Behind the Stage Tour & Post Show Q & A
This event is on Wednesday, August 27th from 12-1:30pm at the Cirque de Soleil location in Disney Springs. The event is sold out and I am so sad I did not get a ticket! The event includes a guided tour of the Drawn to Life theater by a Cirque de Soleil company member, a look at backstage areas, costumes, props and special details from the show. Also on Wednesday is a post show Q & A after the 8pm showing of Drawn to Life. D23 members must have attended the 8pm show in order to attend this event, there is no separate ticket.
A Goofy Movie Throwback Premier
This is the final showing of D23 On The Road: A Goofy Movie and this event is sold out! There are two showings on Thursday, August 28th at 4:30 and 7:30pm at the AMC in Disney Springs. We got tickets to the 7:30 show! This is the location of the original A Goofy Movie premiere 30 years ago so that is extra cool! The event includes a red carpet walk through at Stargazers Bar at Planet Hollywood, D23 exclusive A Goofy Movie photo ops and film inspired beverage.
During the screening at AMC Theater the description says we can expect interactive, fan-powered moments! We will also receive an exclusive Activation Kit filled with interactive surprises and themed goodies like a limited edition Lester’s Possum Park pennant, commemorative Powerline concert ticket and lanyard and a limited edition Goof Movie pin! I am so stoked for this part of the Destination D23 lineup. I know it was a separate ticket but still, such a cool add on to the weekend!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party During D23
This one is not really part of the Destination D23 lineup, it just happens to be happening during Destination D23 weekend. This is on Friday, August 29th at 7pm in Magic Kingdom. From what I can tell there is nothing special for Destination D23 ticket holders who are attending. I love the Halloween party and it would have been really fun to go during the Destination D23 weekend but we did not get tickets for this before they sold out. Hopefully we will get to go later in the season!
Destination D23 Panel Lineup
Now let’s get into the good stuff! The theme for this years Destination D23 is “Charting the Course” with a focus on Disney’s global adventures and the worlds of Disney. While we don’t get the huge announcements at Destination D23, we do get small glimpses at what’s to come and that is reflected in these panels. You can read more details on each panel over at D23! But here is a rundown of what D23 has planned:
Saturday Destination D23 Lineup
- 9am – Welcome with music and magic!
- 9:15am – Walt Disney Studios Showcase: an exclusive look at movies we love and a glimpse into the future!
- 10:30am – Morning Break
- 10:45am – Welcome Back with Michael Vargo, head of D23 sharing exciting news and updates about what members can look forward to
- 10:55am – The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics Part 1: part of a 3 part series celebrating 80 years of the Three Caballeros
- 11:05am – X Atencio: The Untold Story of a Disney Legend. Learning more about one of Walt’s most versatile employees
- 11:30am – Disney Around the Globe: India hosted by Walt Disney Archives
- 11:35am – Be Our Guest with Disney on Broadway. Performances by Disney Broadway stars, voice actors and a panel discussion
- 12:00pm – Afternoon Break
- 1:30pm – Hulu Trivia
- 1:55pm – Lorcana
- 2:00pm – What Cha Doin’ With Phineas and Herb’s Dan Povenmire and Swamp Marsh.
- 2:25pm – Disney Around the Globe: Japan hosted by Walt Disney Archives
- 2:30pm – D2K Animated Classics: A look back at Disney animated classics
- 3:00pm – Creating the Happiest Place on Earth: exploring Walt Disney’s vision with Disney Legend Don Hahn and acclaimed filmmaker, Leslie Iwerks
- 3:30pm – Afternoon Break
- 3:45pm – What’s Cooking with Disney Eats? From Mickey bars to Michelin stars, this panel is a foodie experience!
- 4:30pm – Boom, Baby! 25 Years of The Emperors New Groove!
Sunday Destination D23 Lineup
- 9:00am – Welcome with what sounds like some Disney Villains fun!
- 9:05am – Disney Villains Icons of Evil: this is where we may get some fun news regarding the new Villains Land in Magic Kingdom!
- 9:50am – Part of Our World with Jodi Benson & Rob Clements
- 10:10am – The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics Part 2
- 10:20am – The Disney Family Legacy with Roy P. Disney: I am most excited for this one, such an awesome opportunity!
- 10:45am – Morning Break
- 11:00am – The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics Pert 3
- 11:10am – Down the Rabbit Hole with Walt Disney Archives: discover the Disney you didn’t know!
- 12:00pm – Afternoon Break
- 1:30pm – Disney Channel Trivia
- 2:00pm – Stay Tuned: You’re Watching Disney Channel. Celebrating DCOM and series franchises with Disney Channel stars!
- 2:45pm – Disney Around The Globe: China hosted by The Walt Disney Archives
- 2:50pm – Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles with Disney imagineers
- 3:20pm – Disney Around the Globe: France hosted by Walt Disney Archives
- 3:35pm – A Goofy Movie: 30 Stand Out Years
- 4:10pm – Disney 80’s-90’2 Celebration in Concert
Conclusion
I am beyond excited for this Destination D23 lineup! Disney is saying it is the largest Destination D23 event ever! It’s going to be a busy weekend full of Disney magic. I wish we were staying on property but it just wasn’t in the cards this time around. I feel like now that we have attended both a Destination D23 and a D23 Expo I can say that Destination D23 feels a lot more intimate and personal as a Disney fan.
We loved the D23 Expo but it could definitely be overwhelming if you are not prepared, like really prepared! You also have to be ok with missing things you might really want to do at the expo because there are so many things happening at once and limited space for each panel during the day. Destination D23 allows you to see and do it all but you trade out the really big announcements that you get at the expo. I would love to know if you are coming to Destination D23 and if so, please find me and say hello! Thank you for reading along and have a magical day!