Disney has announced more details on the upcoming event, Destination D23, which will be taking place from September 8th through to the 10th, 2023, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Those attending the event can celebrate beloved moments and memories with behind-the-scenes stories, and special guests and performances. They will be able to get a sneak peek at the company’s boundless future, be among the first to access exclusive shopping opportunities, and experience plenty of surprises at this fan-favourite event!

It’s worth noting that the Destination D23 event isn’t like the D23 Expo, which is held at the Anaheim Convention Center every other year, as around 140,000 people attend that event and have huge studio panels, showcasing the latest films and shows. The Destination D23 event is held in a much smaller venue, which can only hold around 4000 people and is around 115,000 square feet, compared to the Anaheim Convention Center, which is 1.8 million square feet!

While fewer people can attend the Destination D23 event since it’s in a smaller venue, and tickets are sold out within minutes.  The good news is that Disney will be live-streaming some of the events online.

During the last Destination D23 event, there was a special Disney+ presentation, but it wasn’t very long and only showcased a handful of titles, including the “Muppets Haunted Mansion” and “It’s A Dog Life”, so don’t expect multiple three-hour presentations from the studios featuring lots of reveals and Hollywood actors.  But with the Disney 100 celebration, hopefully, us Disney+ fans might get a little something!

And on the evening of Sunday, 10th September 2023, Disney is going to be kicking off the spookiest season in style, and “skeleton dance” the night away with a special Disney+ Hallowstream Costume Bash, which is the grand finale to a weekend full of fun and surprises!

Presentation Highlights of Destination D23 will include:

• Hear from Disney archivists, historians, Imagineers, cast members, animators and luminaries—including Disney Legends Bill Farmer and Don Hahn; the voice actors behind some of Disney’s most iconic characters, Bret Iwan, Kaitlyn Robrock, and Ashley Eckstein; Disney on Broadway’s own Genie, Michael James Scott from Aladdin; and many more—in two days of programming worthy of the first century of Disney—and beyond!
• Join Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro as he hosts a fun and entertaining presentation about what makes a Disney experience so magical and memorable for guests and fans around the world.
• Dial the clock back to 1923 with Disney Legend Don Hahn and Director of the Walt Disney Archives Becky Cline and learn about Walt Disney’s Journey to join his brother Roy in California, and the earliest days of The Walt Disney Company—from the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio to the Alice Comedies, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and how everyone’s favorite mouse became a superstar!
• Catch up with the voice actors behind fan-favorite Disney characters, including Bret Iwan (Mickey Mouse), Kaitlyn Robrock (Minnie Mouse), and Disney Legend Bill Farmer (Pluto, Goofy), and join them for a hilarious “table read” of iconic scenes from 100 years of Disney history.
• Get weird with the Walt Disney Archives and experience 100 years of “weird Disney” moments in the centennial edition of a Destination D23 fan favorite!
• Journey through Disney’s history of optimism and innovation with the people who are part of a rich history of storytellers and inventors, beginning with Walt Disney’s relentless optimism and innovative spirit and leading us to some of the bright minds who are shaping Disney’s boundless future.
• Go down the rabbit hole to discover the “Disney you didn’t know” as the Walt Disney Archives uncovers some of the most astonishing Disney discoveries, connections, and little-known facts that will change everything—or at least some things—you thought you knew about the Disney universe.
• Celebrate 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios with legendary animators and guests, and get a sneak peek at their highly-anticipated upcoming feature film, Wish!

Guest attending the event will also be able to see a special 60 Years of Disney’s Audio-Animatronics Technology Exhibit: The Walt Disney Archives and Walt Disney Imagineering join creative forces for a special exhibition at Destination D23 to celebrate the history of Audio-Animatronics technology. This exclusive exhibit will showcase the evolution of the art and its related technology through a diverse showcase of rare figural assets, photography, and vintage ephemera and documentation all in the name of celebrating key moments from Walt’s earliest inspirations and development to modern-day marvels.

Are you looking forward to learning more about Disney’s 100th anniversary?  Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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