By the D23 team
This year, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club marked a sensational chapter in its history, celebrating 15 magical years of connecting Disney fans worldwide. From the record-breaking D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim to the debut of the D23 Experience in Brazil, fans came together to honor the worlds of Disney in extraordinary ways. Join us as we reflect on the events that made this year one for the storybooks—and prepare for an even more incredible 2025!
Celebrating 15 Years of D23 at Walt Disney World
To mark its 15th anniversary, D23 hosted a spectacular celebration at Walt Disney World—welcoming the best fans in the world. The Magic & Mystery-themed evening featured photo ops with playing card artwork from the D23 Collector Set. Guests enjoyed a live DJ, bowling, food, and drinks, including Everglazed Donuts, and received exclusive items like a playing card-inspired pin and a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse figurine. Attendees could also purchase new collectibles and limited-edition D23 15th anniversary items during a unique shopping experience at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Milestone Anniversaries
2024 brimmed with milestone anniversaries that D23 celebrated with fan-favorite anniversary screenings and Street Food Cinema events. At the Los Angeles County Arboretum, D23 Members enjoyed a 15th anniversary screening of Up, complete with a presentation about peacocks and a surprise proposal at Carl’s balloon cart. The 35th anniversary of The Little Mermaid was celebrated with a dive-in screening at the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center—home to the country’s largest pool—during which co-director Ron Clements shared behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the film.
At Griffith Park in Los Angeles, fans celebrated 60 years of Mary Poppins with a special presentation, including an audio recording from P.L. Travers and Richard Sherman performing “Feed the Birds.” Attendees also visited the park’s iconic merry-go-round, the very inspiration behind Walt Disney’s creation of Disneyland. The series concluded with a 20th anniversary screening of The Incredibles at the Pearson Park Amphitheater. The event featured an Edna Mode’s Costume Contest, during which guests made sure to “suit up,” strike a pose, and strut across the stage.
D23 Day at Disneyland
The very first D23 Day at Disneyland Resort kicked off D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in style! At both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, guests enjoyed complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hats and a special map with 23 suggested activities. Rare characters like Lots-O’-Huggin Bear and Disney Jr.’s Ariel, who made her Disney Parks debut, greeted fans throughout the day. Meanwhile, the Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Parade amped up the energy at California Adventure. Disneyland Park hosted a D23 Day cavalcade with 23 beloved characters and Disney Legends, including Don Hahn, Floyd Norman, Mark Henn, Kenny Ortega, Tony Baxter, Jodi Benson, Wing Chao, Linda Larkin, Bill Farmer, Bob Gurr, and Martha Blanding.
The excitement extended to the Downtown Disney District, where D23 Members and fan event attendees enjoyed exclusive discounts at select dining locations and retail, including the World of Disney. The fun continued with dance parties at Tomorrowland Terrace and a performance by Suburban Legends.
D23 Day at Angel Stadium: A Home Run Celebration
The first ever D23 Day at Angel Stadium was a hit! The Los Angeles Angels triumphed over the New York Mets with a fitting 2-3 victory, and D23 Members enjoyed giveaways, an exclusive pre-game party, and commemorative postcards. The first 23,000 fans also received an event-exclusive D23/Los Angeles Angels Mickey Mouse bobblehead. Ravensburger provided Disney Lorcana starter packs, while the Walt Disney Archives hosted an Angels in the Outfield exhibit. Mickey Mouse even threw the first pitch with the help of twin Disney cast members Matt and Cody Breidinger.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Reaches New Heights
D23 raised the bar with its most impressive Ultimate Disney Fan Event yet, held this past August in Anaheim. For the first time ever, the event expanded to the Honda Center, hosting three spectacular evening showcases: Disney Entertainment, Disney Experiences, and the Legends Award Ceremony. Over at the Anaheim Convention Center, an outstanding lineup of more than 230 panels, presentations, show floor offerings, and Talent Central interactions kept the excitement going for three full days—not to mention the hundreds of dazzling cosplayers who stole the spotlight.
Fans explored the largest show floor in D23 history—featuring immersive pavilions from Disney+, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and more. They also enjoyed heartfelt tributes, including a musical celebration of Richard M. Sherman’s contributions and a nostalgic gathering with the voice actors behind Disney’s legendary animated characters! Featuring dazzling evening showcases at the Honda Center, surprise celebrity appearances, and exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming Disney projects, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event proved why it’s the unparalleled fan celebration. Take a gander at some of its most memorable moments in this recap video.
Legends Ceremony: Honoring Disney Greats
The 2024 Disney Legends Ceremony at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event brought heartfelt reunions and inspiring tributes welcoming a new class of 14 Disney Legends into the iconic pantheon: Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams. From onstage speeches to a star-studded celebration, fans and honorees reflected on Disney’s legendary impact . Relive the magic with this recap video and these standout moments.
The ceremony is also available for viewing on Disney+.
Tune-in To Terror: Disney+ and D23 Bring the Chills
D23 Members gathered at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for a spook-tacular night at D23’s Tune-in To Terror: A Hollywood Halloween Event, presented by Disney+. The hotel lobby transformed into the Tip Top Club from The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, with ghostly figures roaming the grounds.
The Witches’ Road Lounge, inspired by Agatha All Along, featured DJ Colette’s magical tracks, while the Black Flame Ballroom came alive with live music by The Salem Sound and an appearance by the Sanderson Sisters performers and Doug Jones, known for his iconic role as Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus. Other highlights included The Happiest Haunt, The Rerun Room featuring classic Disney Halloween films, and the Skeleton Dance Party celebrating 95 years of The Skeleton Dance. Delicious food, photo ops, and event exhibits from the Walt Disney Archives made for a ghoulishly fun night!
Celebrating Tiana: From Florida to New Orleans
D23 celebrated Princess Tiana twice in 2024! The festivities began in New Orleans with a 15th anniversary screening of The Princess and the Frog. Members enjoyed surprise appearances by Keith David (who voiced Dr. Facilier) and Jim Cummings (who voiced Ray), live jazz by The Crescent City All-Stars, presentations about the new Disney Parks attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and a curated exploration of the decades-long history between The Walt Disney Company and the city of New Orleans from the Walt Disney Archives.
The celebration continued for D23 Gold Members at Walt Disney World, where Imagineer Karin Hansen gave an exclusive preview of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and guests enjoyed Mardi Gras-inspired cookies and event-exclusive pins. The celebration also included a 15th anniversary screening of the film. Across both events, fans were treated to surprise appearances, live performances, and exclusive keepsakes, including pins and special performances!
D23 Brazil – A Disney Experience
In a historic first, D23 Brazil – A Disney Experience kicked off at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo, offering fans a jam-packed first day of exclusive announcements, presentations, and immersive experiences. Highlights included the announcement that Ice Age 6 was in production, exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming films like Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney’s Snow White, Lilo & Stitch, and TRON: Ares, along with exciting new content from Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Fans were treated to exclusive previews of Moana 2 and Zootopia 2, with surprise messages from stars Auli‘i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, and Shakira leaving the crowd buzzing. The excitement soared when Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World) and Rami Malek (The Amateur) took the stage to discuss their highly anticipated upcoming projects. D23 Brazil also featured a variety of interactive attractions, such as the Pixar Toy Story zone, the Marvel zone, and the Star Wars space, where fans tested their Jedi skills in a laser maze. Relive the excitement with these event highlights.
D23 Inside Disney
This year’s D23 Inside Disney video episodes brought fans closer to their favorite stories, with insights from beloved Disney stars and creators. From a special feature on Moana 2 to episodes spotlighting Mufasa: The Lion King, Inside Out 2, and more, the series offered a front-row seat to the magic of Disney storytelling. The series also featured behind-the-scenes Disney Parks moments, including an episode celebrating the 30th anniversary celebration of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Catch up on all the episodes here.
Thank you, Disney fans, for 15 magical years. Here’s to even more adventures in 2025!