D23: The Official Disney Fan Club rang in the new year with a few new event series to fulfill our resolution of keeping fans engaged and delighted. Read up on what the D23 Gold Theater, Spotlight Series, and a few special partner events are all about, and how to find yourself at our upcoming can’t-miss events!
D23 GOLD THEATER
D23 rang in the new year with the premiere of the virtual D23 Gold Theater, allowing for fans around the world to connect and enjoy feature presentations on memorable Disney topics. The series began with a re-broadcast of the fan-favorite “Jolly Holiday” panel from 2024’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, with hosts Gregg Sherman and Tim O’ Day celebrating Richard M. Sherman’s musical legacy.
In February, Disney Legend Don Hahn and former Imagineer Christopher Merritt took the D23 Gold Theater on a trip through Disneyland’s early history and previewed their upcoming book The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland (which is also offered to D23 Gold Members as a premium item with an exclusive cover!). Closing out March, Walt Disney Archives Presents Weird Disney saw hosts Becky Cline (Director, Walt Disney Archives) and Bret Iwan (voice of Mickey Mouse) explore the unusual oddities that Disney has to offer.
Get excited for April’s installment of the D23 Gold Theater— “Walt Disney Archives Presents ‘A Beautiful Tomorrow— Just a Dream Away: Disney at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair’— hosted by Leonard and Jessie Maltin, HERE!
D23 SPOTLIGHT SERIES
2025 also saw the launch of the D23 Spotlight Series! These in-person panel events take fans on a journey to learn more about some of their favorite Disney subjects from curated in-house experts from partners across The Walt Disney Company, including Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Archives. In February, former Imagineer Susan Bonds, alongside current Imagineers Daniel Jue and Charita Carter took D23 on a journey through the Disneyland attraction Indiana Jones Adventure, and the feat of adapting a beloved film franchise into a now fan-favorite attraction.
The D23 Spotlight Series then traveled to Orlando for Space Mountain and Beyond, kicking off with a retrospective with archivist Steven Vagnini celebrating Space Mountain’s 50th anniversary, followed by a panel of Imagineers including Chris Beatty, Bette Lombardi, Pam Rawlins, and Wyatt Winter as they explored the attraction’s influence on thrill rides throughout the years at Walt Disney World.
Read about past Spotlight Series events HERE. Learn more information about our upcoming event in May, D23 Spotlight Series: 20 Years of Duffy and Friends, HERE!
D23 SIGNATURE EVENTS
Puppet fun abounded for D23 members during special members-only marionette matinees at Los Angele’s historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Fans were treated to a marionette show with some unique historical Disney ties, a backstage tour, and take a look at some Disney treasures from Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s archives on display, including some Pinocchio and Figment pieces!
In March, D23 Night with the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center brought the hockey energy in our first sporting event of the year. For fun off the ice, the Walt Disney Archives brought a display showcasing props and costumes from The Mighty Ducks movies and TV show!
Read about D23 Day at Bob Baker Marionette Theater HERE. And score a spot in upcoming can’t-miss events— including D23 Day at Angels Stadium— by keeping up with our event page!
FORK N’ FILM
On Valentine’s Day, Fork n’ Film went beyond the notion of Bella Notte and crafted an unforgettable evening for our fans! Fork n’ Film took D23 Gold Members on a culinary journey through Walt Disney’s The Lady and the Tramp, serving eats inspired by the film’s iconic moments. This full-course film screening was doggone delicious and left our fans noodling for more!
Missed out on the puppy pasta? A penne for your thoughts: check out our upcoming Fork n’ Film events exclusive to D23 Gold Members, including A Goofy Movie in April and The Emperor’s New Groove in June!
MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE SCREENINGS
D23’s film fanatics were delighted to enjoy sneak previews of the hottest new entries into the Disney theatrical lineup. In February, Captain America: Brave New World flew onto our screens and left us starry-eyed. We then bit into Disney’s Snow White with multi-city screenings and apple-ause to follow.
Finally, to thank our members for 16 sweet years of D23, we hosted a special screening of Wreck-It Ralph alongside a special keynote presentation from Gideon’s Bakehouse, where guests also received an event-exclusive cookie called “Sugar Glitch”, a vanilla dough cookie with a blue-and-white swirled cake batter-flavored cream cheese filling, covered in a coarse pink sugar!
If D23 Member-exclusive screenings and fan-favorite showings sound sweet to you, check out our events page, including our Toy Story, A Goofy Movie, and Pretty Woman anniversary screenings with Street Food Cinema!
Be sure to 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!