This year’s Destination D23 event will be held in Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World. This guide covers all dates & details, when tickets go on sale, advice about attending, plus predictions about what will be announced as part of the company’s 5-year expansion plans for WDW, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and beyond.
We’ll likely be attending the 2025 Destination D23 once again, and really look forward to the off-year D23 event. We’ve had a good time at each of the past D23 events at Walt Disney World, dating back to the 2011 Destination D (its name at the time) celebrating Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary. It’s always a fun event, and a nice change-of-pace from the bigger D23 Expo in Anaheim.
With that said, the 2025 Destination D23 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). It’s great for fans of history, hype, exhibits, and random fandom fun. That’s a very eclectic range of interests, but such is the nature of the Destination D23. If you aren’t interested in learning about the past, and would rather enjoy the present of the parks, you should just visit Walt Disney World during a normal time and read about the Destination D23 highlights and announcements here. By the end of this post, you should have a pretty good idea of whether Destination D23 is for you…
The latest news is that Disney has announced that tickets for Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney will go on sale on April 14, 2025 at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT, exclusively for D23 Gold Members.
Taking place at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, the one-of-a-kind Destination D23 event will bring together the biggest Disney fans for a multi-day experience on August 29, 30, and 31, 2025. New this year, Destination D23 will take place at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, providing a larger venue with increased capacity–making Destination D23 bigger than ever before.
“Disney is uniquely beloved by generations of people who are captivated by the magic of our timeless stories and the imaginative ways we bring them to life,” said Michael Vargo, Head of D23. “Destination D23 will bring together some of Disney’s most passionate fans for an immersive event allowing them to celebrate and experience what they love most from across the worlds of Disney.”
2025 Destination D23 Schedule
On Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31, ticketed guests can enjoy a full slate of over 25 specially curated presentations from across the company, including Walt Disney Studios, Disney Entertainment Television, Walt Disney Archives, and Disney Experiences (otherwise known as Disney Parks & Resorts, which is what this blog concerns).
This programming will feature the creatives and talent behind popular films and series, Imagineers, archivists, and Disney Legends, providing exclusive access and behind-the-scenes looks at fan-favorite entertainment and experiences. D23 Shopping Spree, an exclusive shopping experience, will be available to Destination D23 attendees starting Friday, August 29 and run throughout the weekend.
Here are some of the other major events throughout the weekend of Destination D23:
D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon: Saturday, August 30, 2025 — All Destination D23 2025 ticket holders are invited to celebrate 25 years of Disney Animation’s The Emperor’s New Groove with a splash at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park!
Following the day’s presentations, be sure to lever-age this after-hours exclusive celebration of the cult classic, including special tributes to Disney’s water parks. Look out for complimentary snacks, photo opportunities, special activities, and exclusive entertainment at this ultra neat, squeak squeakin’ member-only party!
Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert: Sunday, August 31, 2025 – This concert caps off the weekend’s journey with the ultimate throwback experience showcasing the very best hits of these fan-favorite decades. Dig out those flip phones and grab some shoulder pads as Broadway and Disney Animation stars flashback through a defining generation of films and TV shows, with show stopping performances, rock-concert lighting and larger-than-life projections.
This concert is a fan-inspired extravaganza as we go from “Zero to Hero” and see it “I 2 I” with musical moments 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! This live concert event is sure to spark nostalgia in any Disney fan.
The Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course, Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations — Disney storytelling is a vibrant tapestry woven from global inspiration. An all-new exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives celebrates that influence by exploring how the world around us sparks creativity. Through a thoughtfully curated selection of photography, artwork, and dimensional artifacts, we follow Disney creatives on an artistic journey— watching black-and-white reference images evolve into vivid concepts.
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. From Dwayne Johnson’s Jungle Cruise (2021) costume to animation maquettes from The Lion King (1994) and Mulan (1998) to original puppets from EPCOT’s Tapestry of Nations, fans will discover a vibrant global celebration. The Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course exhibit will be available throughout the weekend.
Here are the shopping opportunities during the 2025 Destination D23:
- The Walt Disney Company Store is back on the East Coast! At this location, D23 Gold Members will have access to official Destination D23 merchandise along with new D23 Member-exclusive items and other unique merchandise from TWDC Store. Please note that limited-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 to the event with a pop-up shop featuring selections of specialty merchandise! Trading pins for this event will be offered to attendees through a RSP opportunity.**
- Disney Studio Store Hollywood. For the first time, the magic of Tinseltown is coming to Florida for Destination D23! 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. Returning to Destination D23, the Ink & Paint Marketplace will feature an assortment from fan favorite brands and friends of Disney including Lug, and more!
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
During the week leading up to the event, fans can enjoy D23 Nights at Disney Springs, featuring a variety of additional fun activities and offers. On Thursday, August 28, D23 is hosting A Goofy Movie Throwback Premiere.
Stay tuned for more information coming soon about this separately ticketed event available to all D23 Members. Additional information will be released at a later date about an event happening the evening of Friday, August 29, 2025.
Here are other highlights of the 2025 Destination D23:
- See Disney archivists, historians, Imagineers, cast members, filmmakers, Disney Legends and luminaries in two days of programming spanning all the worlds of Disney!
- Enjoy panels celebrating the attractions, entertainment and experiences that define Disney theme parks and cruise ships.
- Discover exciting upcoming projects from creators and storytellers at The Walt Disney Studio!
- Take a trip around the world with the Walt Disney Archives, featuring interstitial programming focusing on Disney’s vast connections and history to locales around the globe, including a special 80th anniversary celebration of all things south of the border with The Three Caballeros!
- Go down the rabbit hole to discover the “Disney you didn’t know” as the Walt Disney Archives shares more 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. In this all-new and updated outing, you’ll never guess where we’ll end up next!
Additional presenters, presentations, and activities for Destination D23 will be announced soon.
2025 Destination D23 TICKET PRICES & INFO
Tickets for Destination D23 will go on sale exclusively to D23 Gold Members on April 14 starting at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT. General admission tickets are available for $299.
In addition, a limited number of Preferred ($549) and Premiere ($799) seating tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. These tickets will include dedicated queues for reserved seating areas. D23 Gold Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest for General, Preferred, or Premier seating. Tickets will be available at D23.com.
Here are other important Destination D23 notes:
- D23 Gold Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest for General, Preferred, or Premier seating.
- D23 Gold Members must be logged into their active D23 Gold Membership account at the time of ticket purchase to complete their reservation.
- Each adult ticket must be assigned to a unique individual name and a valid, unique email address at the time of purchase if you would like to participate in shopping experiences.
- Duplicate names or email addresses will not be accepted for multiple ticket purchases.
- Any adult ticket purchased without a unique name and valid email address at the time of purchase will be deemed ineligible for ALL shopping experience reservations:
- Participation in the Random Selection Process (RSP) for The Walt Disney Company Store, Mickey’s of Glendale, and the Disney Studio Store Hollywood
- All event guests under age 18 must have a valid event ticket and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to attend this D23 event. Children under three (3) years of age receive complimentary admission to Destination D23.
- D23 Gold Members attending must bring their photo ID, Gold Membership Card and event tickets or they will not be admitted to the event. Membership card may be a physical card or a digital membership card found in the Disney D23 app.
- Photography, video or audio recording will be permitted during most panels throughout the weekend, unless specified prior to the start of the session.
- All ticket holders for this event agree to comply with the latest guidelines put forth by the Walt Disney World Resort. Find the latest guidelines here.
- Event guests who are not staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort during the event may be required to park off-site to be shuttled to the venue. Parking information for event guests will be released at a later date.
- There may be reduced rate hotel rooms available for event guests at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Link to book a hotel room will be distributed within the confirmation email for event ticket purchases. Cost of the hotel stay is not included in the event ticket pricing; reduced rates are not guaranteed and are based on hotel availability. A Disney Resort stay is NOT required to purchase tickets to Destination D23 2025.
- Meals are not included as part of the event. Meals will be available for purchase at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. More details will follow for amenity services.
Our Commentary
Disney is sending mixed signals with the Destination D23 announcements to date. When we heard that they were moving the event to Coronado Springs Resort in order for it to be bigger than ever before, our expectation was that Destination D23 was becoming the D23 Expo: Walt Disney World Edition.
That would make sense after last year’s D23 Expo exploded in size last year and was even more popular than ever, selling out more tickets and faster than ever before. And against all odds, it was also the best-run D23 Expo ever! (Not a high bar.) That plus the new venue pointed to a similar transformation for Destination D23. Not so fast.
Now this press release comes out and the highlights signal something very different, and far less newsy. In light of this, what has been announced and the conspicuous omissions, plus what we’ve heard through the grapevine, it’s now our expectation that the 2025 Destination D23 will not be an announcement-heavy event.
That, basically, Disney “shot its shot” with a blockbuster D23 Expo last year, and there won’t be much in the way of big reveals or bombshell news at the 2025 Destination D23. Instead, we should expect new concept art about projects that are already underway, somewhat akin to what was revealed at D23 Brazil or the recent SXSW.
Along with this, we’d also expect more ‘singles and doubles’ news for Walt Disney World, specifically. Think smaller scale news like minor entertainment, lounges, ride reimaginings & enhancements–that type of thing. Examples of this would include more details about the new Audio Animatronics coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, enhancements to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Test Track (if it hasn’t reopened by that point), and maybe a yet-unannounced reimagining (Spaceship Earth?).
I would not expect any bombshell announcements of brand-new attractions or full-scale redevelopments. Meaning no Lion King or Moana rides for the kingdom parks, and nothing for Animation Courtyard. Although I would love to believe otherwise, I’d also bet that a reimagining of Journey into Imagination is “too big” for the 2025 Destination D23. It would be brilliant to make that announcement to the home crowd at Walt Disney World, but my gut says 2025 is too early. Maybe 2027 will finally be our year.
If my hunch here is accurate, this will be a return to normal for Destination D/23.
This event started out as a history-oriented event (and was called D23’s Destination D) that was absolutely awesome for geeks like us. Destination D/23 had maybe 1-2 newsy items per year, and was mostly hearing gritty old dudes talk about the creation of the Vacation Kingdom of the World, the challenges they overcame to achieve success, and how they just got stuff done. I’m sure current management didn’t like this for a number of reasons (namely the “getting stuff done” part).
It wasn’t until 2018 that Destination D23 really became the off-year Expo, and even then, the biggest news was the names of the attractions in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Everything else was updates, opening seasons, or returning/limited time entertainment. That’s literally it. Destination D23 really went mainstream in 2023, with what I’d argue was a bigger slate of announcements than during the 2022 D23 Expo.
There’s no way on earth that the 2025 Destination D23 will have more big news than the 2024 D23 Expo. I would also be very surprised if it can live up to the 2023 Destination D23 news slate. It would be a perfect venue to reveal, for example, that the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights and Country Bear Christmas are returning in 2025.
Beyond what’s been revealed here, I’d also expect a mixture of history-focused and synergistic panels. The last Destination D23 was a pretty massive departure from the first one we attended back in 2011 for Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary, but fan preferences have changed. Sadly, the ‘present-day’ panels are more popular.
Another sad point is that many of the Disney Legends who brought Walt Disney World to life have passed away in the last decade-plus or can no longer do presentations. This will likely feature younger Imagineers as a result–most likely the ones working on Tropical Americas, Monstropolis, Cars and Villains Lands.
Regardless of what form it takes, I love Destination D23 and hope to attend again this year. I’m really happy that it lines up with (what I assume will be) the start of EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival and (probably) the second week of MNSSHP. So I’ll be there regardless, even if I’m somehow unable to score Destination D23 tickets.
I’ve been to almost all of the Destination D/23s, and have loved just about every panel I’ve attended–some even unexpectedly, like a NatGeo one that I went in thinking didn’t belong at Destination D23 (it didn’t, but was still good).
For those worried that Destination D23 will cause worse crowds, it won’t. The few thousand attendees (at most) are a drop in the bucket, and that’s even if they were visiting the parks. They aren’t. This is a convention, so days are mostly spent at Coronado Springs. Unless you’re staying there or focused on the dorkiest rides at Walt Disney World, you probably won’t even notice there’s a D23 event happening.
This also touches on why Destination D23 definitely isn’t for everyone. I wouldn’t have this to coincide with my once-every-two-years visit to Walt Disney World, unless you’re a big enthusiast in the ballrooms of Coronado Springs. But if you’re a local or even an out of state Annual Passholder or enjoy conventions and are fine with far less park time, it really is a lot of fun. A different way to do WDW, make friends with common interests, and gain a greater appreciation for Walt Disney World.
Finally, an X-factor worth mentioning is that Destination D23 weekend might be the optimal time to experience Disney Starlight Night Parade, Test Track 3.0, and the rest of Disney’s summer slate. As discussed in Best Weeks to Visit Disney World in Summer 2025, we’re recommending dates in August as opposed to earlier in the summer, and that’s largely because Walt Disney World has been pretty bad at meeting deadlines lately.
The other wrinkle is crowds. We really don’t know what’s going to happen with Epic Universe–both that park itself and its impact on Walt Disney World. Publicly, the position of Bob Iger and co. is that a rising tide lifts all ships. Maybe they’re right, in which case it could be a busier summer, especially on the parade route in Magic Kingdom. Regardless of how things play out in June and July, we’d still fully expect late August and early September to be slower. Just like always. And that extends to Epic Universe, too.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be attending the 2025 Destination D23? If you’ve done the event in the past, would you recommend it to other WDW diehards? Think it’ll feature fewer announcements than the last Destination D23? Thoughts about anything else covered here? If you’re a frequent visitor during this timeframe, what’s your take on crowds, wait times, seasonal offerings, weather, etc? Agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!