ICYMI: D23 Event Lookback Apr-Jun 2025

With the fan-favorite highlight of the summer—Destination D23—being only a few weeks away, let’s take a look at all the events and memories we shared with D23 Members over these last few months, from April through June! We held over 32 unique events in Los Angeles, Orlando, and everywhere in between—including Marceline, MO, and multiple stops around the nation with our new event series, D23 On the Road!

There’s always an event around the corner wherever you are, so check out our Membership and Events page to join in on the fun. And with that, buckle-up to revisit some of our recent events:

D23 On the Road: A Goofy Movie 30th Anniversary

A triptych of images celebrating D23’s On the Road series. On the left, two golden retrievers pose in front of a Powerline photo op. Both are wearing yellow event credentials modeled as an in-world credential to a Powerline concert. The dog on the right holds a prop of Goofy’s map from the film in its mouth. In the middle image, D23 fans pose in front of a Powerline photo op. The fans are similarly dressed in black outfits—on the left, a woman in a black skirt, top, and matching purse; to her right, a man in black jeans and a vest. On the right, inside a theater, fans fill in seats during the pre-show—with a host onstage preparing for audience trivia. The screen behind them displays a bright slideshow image for A Goofy Movie Trivia, which includes in-universe clipart including Powerline, Max, and Goofy, on a bright red and purple background.

This May. we launched our new event series, D23 On the Road, which offers guests from all over the United States the chance to participate in unforgettable interactive screenings of their favorite films. Our inaugural event was A Goofy Movie, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary! Fans have been having a “stand-out” time with showings in Las Vegas, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Dallas, Phoenix, Richmond, Charlotte, Atlanta, and more. Guests got to experience the film alongside an excited crowd and an electrifying emcee, and were all given an extra-special Activation Kit of Goofy-themed goodies. We’ll continue to meet our fans “I2I” this summer, culminating in a re-creation of the film’s premiere at Disney Springs during Destination D23! Learn more about D23 On the Road: A Goofy Movie here.

D23 Spotlight Series

A triptych of images celebrating D23’s Spotlight Series events. In the left image, D23 Members smile and pose in front of the Grand Central Air Terminal for a fan photo opp at D23 and WDI’s Duffy and Friends event in May 2025. Many hold up Duffy character plushes like LinaBell, ‘Olu Mel, and Duffy, and are dressed in Duffy-inspired outfits. In the middle image, Muppets Studio and Live Characters producer Dani Iglesias shares the stage with D23 Inside Disney’s Lisa Cabello while presenting objects from the Walt Disney Archives, including a prop Scrump doll from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch (2025), Kermit’s banjo from The Muppet Movie (1979), and a smiling puppet of Kermit the Frog. On the right, a glass slipper from Cinderella (2015) on display during D23’s Spotlight Series event celebrating 55 years of the Walt Disney Archives. Next to the slipper is a placard from the Walt Disney Archives, and a poster image from the 2015’s Cinderella.

Also in May, we sprung into spring with a special D23 Spotlight Series presentation with Walt Disney Imagineering celebrating 20 Years of Duffy and Friends! Our fans found themselves amongst plush pals and a sea of pastel Duffy (and Friends)-inspired bounds, and were treated to a special presentation from the Imagineers who help bring their stories to life! We also aired the presentation in the virtual D23 Gold Theater, which allowed our fans connect with the Imagineers live—including another reminder from creative lead Charlie Watanabe that, no, ShellieMay and Duffy are not girlfriend and boyfriend.

Then, we jumped into June with a celebration of 55 years of the Walt Disney Archives, with bicoastal events highlighting their incredible impact on the past, present, and future of The Walt Disney Company! D23 was joined by Disney Legends, directors, actors, and more to share stories about how the Archives imbues love and legacy into every collaboration. Crown jewels and special items from the Archives’ collection were also spotlighted—including several Muppets, a Figment Audio-Animatronic®, and props from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch and A Complete Unknown.

Read our recaps of the 20 Years of Duffy and Friends and the Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary Spotlight Series! Upcoming installments can be found here!

D23 Gold Theater

A side-by-side of images celebrating D23’s Gold Theater series. On the left, a behind-the-scenes photo from a shoot for April’s D23 Gold Theater event, “Walt Disney Archives Presents “A Beautiful Tomorrow—Just a Dream Away: Disney at the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair.” From a monitor, Leonard and Jessie Maltin appear onscreen from three different camera angles; Leonard in black business formal attire, and Jessie in a colorful blue and purple dress and black cardigan. On the right, D23’s Jessica McDonald and Disney producer and author Graham Allen smile for a photo at Pixar Pier at Disney’s California Adventure during a shoot for May’s D23 Gold Theater event, “Magic After Dark: The Story of Disney’s Nighttime Spectaculars.” Behind the two is a clear view of the Pixar Pal-Around, featuring the face of Mickey Mouse and rainbow colors on the spokes of the Ferris wheel. Jess wears a colorful pair of Minnie ears, and a lavender and purple shirt with squiggle stripes. Graham wears a brown, blue, and white argyle sweater.

Disney historians and commentators Leonard and Jessie Maltin hosted the third installment of our virtual event series, featuring a lively introduction of Disney’s significant presence at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. This landmark showcase included the debuts of it’s a small world, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and the Carousel of Progress, and Disney’s past and future following the Fair were discussed in a re-airing of “A Beautiful Tomorrow” panel from 2024’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

Following April’s mid-century matinee, we ignited the lights and let Gold Theater shine on “Magic After Dark: The Story of Disney’s Nighttime Spectaculars” in May. D23’s Jessica McDonald and producer and Disney author Graham Allen revisited D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event’s “Magic After Dark” panel, which showcased the incredible creative and technical talent behind the nighttime shows from Disney Parks around the world. Fans on the stream also got a sneak peek at the nighttime shows coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World this summer!

No matter where you are, catch up on can’t-miss panels on all things Disney with D23 Gold Theater! Stay tuned for upcoming showings here, including our presentation of May’s Spotlight Series event celebrating 55 years of the Walt Disney Archives, and an encore presentation of February’s “The Happiest Place on Earth” Gold Theater.

D23 SIGNATURE EVENTS

A triptych of images celebrating this spring’s Signature Events from D23. On the left, a street-view photo of the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. On the theater’s marquee is a bright display advertising Aladdin on Broadway with images of the cast, including the Genie, Jasmine, and Aladdin. A larger version of the marquee display is shown to the right of the theatre on a neighboring building. On top of the marquee is a large model of the Genie’s lamp. In the middle, a D23 fan excitedly dons the Scuttle costume from Disney’s onstage production of The Little Mermaid during D23’s tours of the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. The focal points of the costumes are the large white and brown wings with red and yellow feathers, worn on the forearms. On the right, an image of the Unisphere in Queens, New York City, taken during D23’s event at the Queens Museum in April 2025. The stainless steel structure is mostly hollow, with the world’s continents in large stainless steel relief— in this particular angle, a view of Africa, parts of Europe, and the Middle East. Encircling the globe are large arcs that float above the sculpture, which rests entirely above a shallow pool in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

D23 shared plenty of glee among galleries around the world with our fans. In April, the first stop in our globetrotting artistic affair was offering our fans exclusive first access to Disney100: The Exhibition in Paris, France! Oui, oui—we invited D23 members to be among the first public audiences to see the exhibit’s stop of its world tour, which featured unforgettable exhibits celebrating 100 years of The Walt Disney Company. Later that month, D23 members also got a special preview of Heroes & Villains: The Art of The Disney Costume at the South Carolina State Museum, which highlighted The Walt Disney Archives’ collection and exploration of iconic Disney costumes!

We said “Hello, New York!” for two tour events of iconic landmarks with connections to Disney. First were tours of the New Amsterdam Theatre, which is the home of Aladdin on Broadway! Fans got to tour the historic venue, including the stage—transforming them from someone in the crowd to someone in the spotlight. Then, we traveled to the Queens Museum, which hosted the landmark 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, to marvel at Disney-related items in their latest World’s Fair exhibit. Our fans unanimously adored seeing the Unisphere, and we couldn’t help but wonder what other magical memories could be made in the Big Apple.

And just like that, we traded the Brooklyn Bridge for the Golden Gate for our preview of “Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic” at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California. This exhibit celebrates the incredible contribution of artist Mary Blair—whose artistic touch can be seen on Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, it’s a small world, and more—and our fans were treated to a golden afternoon tea party!

Side-by-side images celebrating D23’s event in Marceline, MO. On the left, fans pose with Train Engineer Mickey in front of a large black steam train. Mickey is dressed in denim overalls, a pale blue dress shirt, and a small gray cap. On his right, a woman in a light blue long-sleeve and jeans, and on his right, a man dressed all in black and a gray cap. On the right, an image of fans at the Walt Disney Family Farm enjoying a fireworks display at dusk. In the sky, a large orange starburst of fireworks. The fans are dressed in summer attire, including shorts and t-shirts.

D23 also chugged eastward to Marceline, Missouri, for a fan-favorite Disney celebration in the charming small town of Walt Disney’s boyhood. Our guests enjoyed tours of local landmarks and Disney hallmarks, with appearances from special guests—including Bret Iwan, the voice of Mickey Mouse—and an enchanting evening at the Walt Disney Family Farm. Then we made our way back to the east coast for a day awash with events around The Little Mermaid, featuring Disney Legend Jodi Benson in Orlando, Florida! Fans enjoyed a Lunch with a Legend event at EPCOT’s Living Seas Pavilion, and a screening of the film with a pre-show presentation on The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

A side-by-side image celebrating D23 Day at Angel Stadium. On the left, Robo Stitch from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch (2025) is see in a small pink Jeep, being enjoyed by fans in various Angels attire in shades of white, red, and blue. On the right, fans pose at a Lilo and Stitch-themed photo op. A fan in a blue tank top, denim shorts, sunglasses and a blue cap holds a polaroid photo prop reading “‘Ohana”, with the photo portion hollowed out to see their face. Similarly, two fans in a black tank top and black t-shirt with sunglasses and a large sun hat pose with a polaroid photo prop reading “D23 Day at Angel Stadium.”

At the end of May we gave a big “Anaheim-ahh aloha” at D23 Day at Angel Stadium, for a baseball-themed bash that also celebrated Disney’s Lilo and Stitch! Fans enjoyed unique photo-ops, trivia moments, and a devilishly diva moment from robo-Stitch in the now iconic pink jeep. Stitch’s voice—and the director of 2002’s animated Lilo & Stitch—Chris Sanders threw out a special first pitch (with Stitch, of course)! Shortly after, we celebrated Cinderella‘s 75th anniversary on the Walt Disney Studios Lot with the Restoration and Film Archive. Fans got a first-of-its-kind tour of their vault and restoration lab, including being face-to-face with the original celluloid negatives of classic Disney films! Following a special presentation on the restoration process of the iconic film, it was screened at the Walt Disney Studios Main Theater. Big thank you to the Restoration and Film Archive team for being the bibbidi-bobbidi-best!

MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE SCREENINGS

A triptych of images celebrating D23’s recent screenings. On the left, three Glordon popcorn buckets pose at the D23 giveaway table at a D23 screening event for Elio at AMC Burbank 16 in Burbank, CA. Two Glordons hold popcorn and drink vouchers in their mouths, while another holds a guest credential with an image of Glordon and Elio on a cosmic-inspired background. In the middle, a fan and her dog pose with a Goofy Movie-themed photo op of D23 and Street Food Cinema’s A Goofy Movie screening event in June 2025. On the right, an image featuring Fork n’ Film’s Emperor’s New Groove-inspired drink, a pink liquid in a potion bottle with a large cork and a paper label with a large black llama. Behind them are D23’s pull-up banners of Minnie Mouse and Sorcerer Mickey.

We collaborated twice-more with Fork n’ Film to serve up delicious Disney memories with cinephile-forward cuisine. In April, fans tasted their way through A Goofy Movie with a yummy ’90s twist—cheesy towers and pizzas and, of course, a squeeze of Power Lim/ne. Then in June, D23 members and llama lovers solved their foodie funk with a menu inspired by The Emperor’s New Groove. Was Kronk cooking it up in the kitchen? We can’t say, but spinach puffs and other South American-inspired eats made for a memorably and truly triumphant dinner!

D23 fans were also treated to exclusive preview screenings of the latest movies, including Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* and Disney’s Lilo and Stitch. For Pixar’s Elio, the screening was previewed with a special discussion with visual effects supervisor Claudia Chung Sanii on bringing Elio, Glordon, and the other cosmic characters to life. Additionally, D23 members enjoyed a special outdoor screening of A Goofy Movie with Street Food Cinema at the Autry Museum of the American West, making for an unforgettable evening under the stars!

That’s all for now! Stay updated on upcoming events across our programming series and partnerships at D23.com and @D23 on social media! For Gold Member benefits, including access to Gold Member exclusive events, check out our membership page here. We hope to see you at one of our events real soon!