We’re sharing what you need to know about Destination D23 from 2025, as well as past announcements from Destination D23 2023.
Every other year, Disney celebrates their fans with Destination D23, alternating years with D23: The Ultimate Fan Event. Destination D23 is typically a smaller event but with plenty of news and updates to celebrate. And now, the 2025 dates and information have been revealed.
Destination D23 2025 Dates and Details
Destination D23: A Journey Around The Worlds of Disney will take place from August 29 to August 31, 2025 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The smaller-scale version of D23: The Ultimate Fan Event will include looks behind-the-scenes at Disney projects, as well as plenty of exciting announcements. The event will be taking place at a larger location than the 2023 version, which was held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Destination D23 2025 Schedule
The event will take place Friday, August 29, through Sunday, August 31. So far, Disney has released a general schedule of events for when shopping, presentations, and more will be available. Here’s what we know so far!
Photo Courtesy of D23
Friday, August 29, 2025
- 8 AM to 6 PM: Shopping (by reservation time, RSP Limited Edition Merchandise Pick-Up & Gift Pick-Up
Saturday, August 30, 2025
- 9 AM to 12 PM: Presentations
- 12 PM to 2 PM: Afternoon Break
- 2 PM to 5 PM: Presentations
- 5 PM to 8 PM: Evening Break
- 8 PM to 11 PM: Kuzcotopia Night at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Sunday, August 31, 2025
- 9 AM to 12 PM: Presentations
- 12 PM to 2 PM: Afternoon Break
- 2 PM to 5:30 PM: Presentations
Destination D23 2025 Special Events and Experiences
D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon
On Saturday, August 30, all Destination D23 2025 ticket holders are invited to celebrate 25 years The Emperor’s New Groove with a special event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park. After the day’s presentations, the after-hours celebration will include special tributes to Disney’s water parks, alongside complimentary snacks, photo opportunities, special activities, and exclusive entertainment.
Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert
Presented by Disney+, this celebration will cap off the weekend with a throwback experience showcasing fan-favorite Disney hits from the ’80s and ’90s. Broadway and Disney Animation stars “flashback through a defining generation of films and TV shows, with showstopping performances, rock-concert lighting, and larger-than-life projections.” Specially presented by Disney+ at Destination D23 2025, in partnership with Disney Concerts and 10th & Main Productions, you can expect music from: Hercules , A Goofy Movie , Toy Story , The Little Mermaid , Aladdin , Mulan , Beauty and the Beast , Pocahontas , The Lion King , The Disney Afternoon, and more.
The Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course, Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations
An all-new exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives that celebrates how the world around us sparks creativity. This is represented through a curated selection of photography, artwork, and dimensional artifacts. The experience “culminates in a dynamic showcase, featuring models, props, and costumes inspired by diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes, all reflecting the enduring legacy of Disney’s storytelling.”
D23 Shopping
- The Walt Disney Company Store: D23 Gold Members will have access to official Destination D23 merchandise, along with new D23 Member-exclusive items and other unique merchandise from The Walt Disney Company Store. Lmited-edition trading pins for this event will be offered to attendees exclusively through a Random Selection Process (RSP) opportunity.
- Mickey’s of Glendale: The Walt Disney Imagineering campus store returns with a pop-up shop featuring selections of specialty merchandise. Trading pins for this event will be offered to attendees through an RSP opportunity.
- Disney Studio Store Hollywood: The Disney Studio Store Hollywood will have a pop-up location at this year’s event that will feature new apparel, accessories, and pins. Limited-edition trading pins for this event will be offered to attendees through an RSP opportunity.
- Ink & Paint Marketplace: The Ink & Paint Marketplace will return with an assortment from fan favorite brands and friends of Disney, including Lug and more.
Destination D23 2023 Announcements
Wondering what the big announcements from the last Destination D23 in 2023 were? Here is the big news that was shared! Note that many of these plans have been expanded upon since their initial announcement, so we’ve included links for all the latest news.
Future Expansion Plans for Magic Kingdom
Read more about the Villains land planned here.
Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, joined Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman, Josh D’Amaro, onstage to speak about a future expansion for Magic Kingdom. While the two were coy on exactly what an expansion at Magic Kingdom will look like, they have shared that they are looking to tell stories “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain.”
The teased expansion would be similar in scale to lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Panora — The World of Avatar. That means they’d be adding new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more. Disney has promised more details will come in the future!
Potential Encanto and Indiana Jones Experiences for Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Read more about the confirmed expansion here.
Another expansion teased at Destination D23 was the reimagining of Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Imagineers are currently looking to expand with a land inspired by “tropical Americas,” looking at the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America.
Specifically, they are looking to bring in new experiences inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones! While Vaughn was quick to say that there’s still a long way before this concept becomes a reality, it’s an exciting possibility you can read more about here !
New Zootopia Show to Replace “It’s Tough to Be a Bug”
While the potential expansion for Animal Kingdom still isn’t fully confirmed, Disney did confirm that a new show based on Zootopia is being created for the Tree of Life theater in the park.
The new experience will have guests visiting the different biomes you only glimpse in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other characters. Read more about that here !
Hatbox Ghost Arriving in Magic Kingdom November 2024
At last year’s D23 Expo, we learned that the Hatbox Ghost would be coming to the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom. At Destination D23, it was confirmed he would be arriving in late November 2023, materializing as you pass the attraction’s Endless Hallway.
First Look at Ride Vehicle for New Avengers Campus Ride
Read more updates here.
Another announcement that was revealed at last year’s D23 Expo was that a new ride would be coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. Now, Disney has shared a first look at the “new world-jumping vehicle” that will be part of the attraction.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Brent Strong, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, shared the concept art for the ride vehicle, which combines “elements of Tony Stark’s time-suits with Xandarian jump points and Wakandan technology.”
Ahsoka Will Be Coming to Star Tours
The fan-favorite Star Wars character Ahsoka is currently meeting guests at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland Resort. Starting next spring, she will become part of the Star Tours attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.
Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern Coming to Magic Kingdom
Read more updates here.
Fans of Pirates of the Caribbean will be excited to learn that a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern is coming to Adventureland in Magic Kingdom! The new tavern will offer a first-of-its-kind experience that extends the story of the ride.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Imagineers are currently in the design process for the new spot, which you can read more details about here .
Asha from Wish Coming to EPCOT, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris
While details are sparse, Disney did share the Asha from the upcoming Disney animated film Wish will be available to greet guests in EPCOT, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. The new film hits theaters beginning this November, so we expect we’ll hear more details closer to that date.
EPCOT Transformation Updates
Disney also shared TONS of details about the ongoing EPCOT transformation, Beginning October 16th, guests will be able to experience the new Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at the park . Additionally, Moana will be available to meet nearby on that same date.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Beginning September 10th, Figment will be meeting guests inside the Imagination Pavilion at EPCOT. And starting September 22nd, Soarin’ Over California will return to EPCOT for a limited time in celebration of Disney100 .
World Celebration will open beginning this December 2023, tying together the EPCOT neighborhoods of World Discovery and World Nature. This will mark a major milestone completion for the transformation of EPCOT.
Additionally, the new night-time spectacular, “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” will debut on December 5th, 2023! Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World shared that the show will feature fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects, and music. Read more about it here .
Country Bear Jamboree Getting an Update
Beginning in 2024, Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom will be getting an update. Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty shared that the update will involve new songs, with the new experience serving as a “homage to the classic musical revues in Nashville.”
But rest assured, even with the update, you’ll still find the same famous characters like Trixie, Big Al, and others.
Test Track to Be Reimagined
Another ride that will be getting an update is Test Track at EPCOT. Imagineers are working with the teams at Chevrolet to update the ride, taking inspiration from the original World of Motion.
You can read more about the update coming to Test Track and Country Bear Jamboree here .
The New Disney Cruise Line Ship’s Name Has Been Revealed
Outside of the Disney Parks, Disney also revealed the name of the seventh Disney Cruise Line ship. Disney Adventure is the name of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship!
Work on the ship is currently underway in Germany. You can read more about the announcement here , as well as past news on the ship here .
