By the D23 Team
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club wrapped up 2024—it’s 15th anniversary—and started 2025 in a major way... expanding our Gold Membership plan and curating a truly incredible slate of events and offerings for our fans, connecting them to the worlds of Disney like never before. We spent an incredible weekend at Walt Disney World Resort for Destination D23 (the biggest ever!); we kicked off our D23 Spotlight Series and D23 Gold Theater virtual event series; we spanned the country with our D23 On the Road series; and so, so much more.
Plus, we named our very first D23 FAN-bassador (spoiler alert: she’s the amazing Disney Legend seen above)—but more on that later...
Come along as we take a moment to reflect on some of the events (presented in, essentially, calendar order) that made 2025 such a memorable year—and let’s get ready for a totally epic 2026!
New Gold Membership Premium Items
Late in 2024, D23 announced our expanded Gold Membership plans—the Gold Essential Plan, the Gold Choice Plan, and the Gold Complete Plan. With the Gold Choice Plan, Members would not only receive the exclusive D23 Gold Membership Kit (full of amazingly fun items like a magnet, a pin, and of course your D23 Membership card!), but you could also choose one of four new D23 Gold Member Exclusive Premium Items:
+ A one-of-a-kind, fashionable D23 Gold Member Spirit Jersey
+ A limited-release collectible D23 Gold Member Pin Box Set, featuring 10 pins with original character designs
+ A D23 Gold Member Fan Pack, complete with a D23 Gold Member-embroidered crossbody bag, water bottle, and chino twill cap
+ A replica of the Disneyland Park Entrance plaque, a reproduction of the original plaque text draft with Walt Disney’s annotations from 1955—along with a first-to-market exclusive edition of the brand-new Disneyland 70th anniversary book, The Happiest Place on Earth, written by Disney Legend Don Hahn and former Disney Imagineer Christopher Merritt.
Gold Complete Plan Members would receive all four Premium Items... an amazing option for the ultimate Disney collector.
(In 2026, the Premium Item fun continues—with a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse Collector Statue, created exclusively to celebrate next year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event; a Loungefly x Disney Oswald Backpack & Ears Bundle; a RSVLTS x Disney Shirt; and a D23 Gold Member 10-Piece Pin Box Set. Click here for more info!)
D23 Gold Theater Showcases the Magic
D23 Gold Theater celebrates Disney fandom by taking viewers behind-the-scenes—diving into super fun, fan-favorite topics from across the worlds of Disney. Viewers can interact virtually with guest speakers and fellow Disney fans during these streaming events offered exclusively for Gold Members!
Since the series kicked off in January ’24, Gold Theater has celebrated the music and magic of Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman; the wild and wonderful that is Weird Disney through the decades; Disney at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair; the Walt Disney Archives’ 55th anniversary; an incredible Destination D23 livestream; the making of Haunted Mansion Holiday with Disney Legend Don Hahn; and so much more...
Just Announced: Launching in early 2026, all D23 Gold Members will also enjoy 24/7 access to a growing library of episodes with D23 Gold Theater On Demand—a new feature added by popular demand from fans, making it easy to relive favorite moments anytime, anywhere.
No Stopping Us Now: D23 On the Road!
We “hit the open road” like never before, beginning in May, with D23 On the Road: A Goofy Movie! Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fan-fave film, this interactive and immersive experience traveled to over a dozen cities; guests watched the film alongside an excited crowd and an electrifying emcee, and were all given an extra-special Activation Kit of Goofy-themed goodies. It all culminated in a recreation of the film’s Disney Springs premiere during Destination D23, complete with the film’s director, Kevin Lima, and voice cast, Jason Marsden and Disney Legend Bill Farmer.
Then, in November, we jingled all the way to our next On the Road series: Home Alone! It’s the film’s 35th anniversary, and fans were ready to get into the interactive holiday spirit with the McCallisters, the Kenosha Kickers, and a proverbial slice of Little Nero’s pizza in nearly 20 cities—including two extra-special events: the series’ kick-off at the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, CA, and a memorable stop in the very city where the movie takes place, Chicago, IL! This time ‘round, fans took home an Activation Kit that included major Home Alone-themed fun like a themed ornament and an exclusive holiday tote.
Stay tuned for more D23 On the Road news as we head into 2026!
A Return to Walt’s Marceline
In May, D23 chugged eastward to Marceline, Missouri, for a favorite Disney celebration in the charming small town of Walt Disney’s boyhood. Guests enjoyed tours of local landmarks, including the Walt Disney Hometown Museum and Walt Disney Elementary School, and other hallmarks... the event even included appearances from special guests—including Bret Iwan, the voice of Mickey Mouse—and an enchanting evening at the Walt Disney Family Farm, complete with fireworks!
D23 Spotlight Series: Shining a Light on the Magic
D23 teamed up with partners across the company—including the Walt Disney Archives and Walt Disney Imagineering—for the new D23 Spotlight Series, which takes fans deeper than ever into unique topics. Spotlight Series over the last year, held in Glendale, CA, and Orlando, FL, have included the making of the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction; a celebration of Walt Disney Archives’ 55th anniversary; and more. These events often included special displays from the Archives; rare photos and screenings; and even—in the case of the recent Spooktacular Spotlight event at Walt Disney World Resort—a private viewing of the new “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” stage show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
One of the more unique Spotlight Series events took place in May, when fans gathered in Glendale for “20 Years of Duffy and Friends”—celebrating the beloved characters with a Walt Disney Imagineering panel featuring Duffy and Friends Creative Lead Charlie Watanabe, Concept Designer Lead Laura West, and others. Many attendees were decked out in their Duffy and Friends best, and halfway through the event, we captured a group photo including over 125 fans and dozens of plushes all representing countless cuddly memories!
Milestone Anniversary Celebrations
Speaking of anniversary fun like Duffy and Friends’ 20th, D23 celebrated many incredible milestone anniversaries in 2025... for instance, in June, we honored Cinderella‘s 75th anniversary on the Walt Disney Studios Lot with the Restoration and Film Archive. D23 Fans got a first-of-its-kind tour of their vault and restoration lab, including coming face-to-face with the original celluloid negatives of several classic Disney films! Following a special presentation on the restoration process of the iconic film, Cinderella was screened for the event’s attendees at the Walt Disney Studios Main Theater.
This kicked off a summer of celebrations in honor of this year’s “big one”: Disneyland’s 70th anniversary in July! We couldn’t have been happier to commemorate such a momentous occasion with our fans—D23’s multiday programming began with an evening takeover of the iconic Anaheim Packing District, where D23 Members enjoyed a multicultural tasting menu and mingled over Disneyland-themed trivia. We also hosted an exclusive showing of Walt Disney – A Magical Life, the latest Audio-Animatronics® addition to The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln! Joining D23 were Imagineer Jeffrey Shaver-Moskowitz and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline to share what it was like to bring Walt to life at Disneyland. We closed out the weekend with a special Spotlight Series event about Disneyland’s early era, “Disneyland: Fond Memories of the Past”!
Don’t forget: You can continue the Disneyland 70th celebration at home with the still-available Gold Member Premium Item: The Happiest Place on Earth by Disney Legend Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt, along with the Disneyland Park Entrance plaque replica.
To Infinity and Beyond: A Return to Pixar Animation Studios
After a few years’ absence, D23 Gold Members returned in July for an intimate tour of Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA. During this fan-favorite event, our friends at Pixar took us through galleries, animation areas, and the Pixar Animation Studios Archives (a D23 first!)—with a special focus on celebrating 30 years of Toy Story. Reach for the sky… and raise your hands if you’d like us to round up more tours like these!
The Biggest Destination D23... EVER!
Exclusively for D23 Gold Members, Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney presented by Lug® was the biggest event of its kind. Adventurers in attendance celebrated beloved moments and memories with behind-the-scenes stories, very special guests, and incredible performances. From August 29 through 31, guests enjoyed more than 25 presentations from across The Walt Disney Company, including The Walt Disney Studios, Disney Entertainment Television, Disney Experiences, Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives. They heard firsthand from creative visionaries and talent, Imagineers, archivists, and Disney Legends, who shared big news and behind-the-scenes looks at entertainment and experiences.
Head of D23 Michael Vargo took the opportunity to announce to the assembled audience that, yes, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be returning to Anaheim next August—and to stay tuned for plenty of info to come. Plus, guests reveled in evening events like D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, D23’s first-ever water park adventure celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fan-fave film... featuring a surprise appearance by the voice of Kronk himself, Patrick Warburton!
Jodi Benson’s a Part of OUR World
But those weren’t the only cool announcements to come out of Destination D23... On that Saturday morning, Head of D23 Michael Vargo announced that Disney Legend Jodi Benson—voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid, of course—was being named the very first D23 FAN-bassador! She’ll be engaging with fans and making appearances with D23 throughout 2026, leading up to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event next August. “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is honestly one of my very favorite weekends ever,” Benson said. “I’m so excited for what’s to come in 2026.”
Benson recently shared a special holiday message for D23 Members and fans as we wrap up 2025 and head into ’26... check it out below!
Celebrating YOU, Our Members, For Incredible Fandom All Year Long...
These last 365 days wouldn’t have been nearly as extraordinary if it hadn’t been for you, the fans. D23 is where Disney fans belong—and we work hard to make sure you know you have a home with us year after year. We aim to bring you more of what you love, via signature events, exclusive merchandise, and one-of-a-kind moments you won’t find anywhere else. So as we enjoy this holiday season and head into 2026, we want to celebrate you. Thank you, D23 Members, for making us who we are!
It’s truly been an outstanding 2025. Here’s to amazing adventures in 2026—including a sure-to-be-spectacular D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event!