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D23 2026 Afternoon Panels & Shows Announced
If you are counting down the days until D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this August, your planning schedule just got a lot busier! Disney has pulled back the curtain on a massive lineup of afternoon panels and immersive show floor experiences.
Available to all Fan Pass and Afternoon ticketholders, these newly announced panels span across three action-packed days, offering everything from rare theme park history to celebrity-led anniversary celebrations.
Let’s break down the spectacular daily lineups and show floor highlights you need to know about!
Related – Disney Rewind Concert Bringing Eighty and Ninety-Night VHS Vibes to D23 2026
Friday, August 14: Animation Magic, Milestones, and Lorcana
Friday kicks off the ultimate fan weekend with heavy doses of history, pop culture nostalgia, and tabletop gaming excitement:
- Walt Disney: 125 Years of Inspiration: A spectacular salute to Walt Disney’s milestone 125th birthday! This panel features heartfelt stories from those who knew him, insights from legends continuing his legacy, and special musical performances celebrating the man behind the magic.
- Ink & Paint at Disney Animation: Step inside the legendary Ink & Paint Department at Disney Animation. Watch the mesmerizing process live as an animator’s pencil sketch is meticulously transferred to a cel by an inker and brought to vibrant life by a master painter.
- 20 Years of Enchanted: A Love Letter to Disney: Join co-hosts Nina West and director Kevin Lima (A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, Enchanted) for a fast-paced, Easter egg-filled tribute to the modern classic, complete with special guests and surprises straight from the Walt Disney Archives.
- Houses Walt Built: The Walt Disney Family Museum: Look past the theme parks and peer into Walt and Lillian Disney’s personal sanctuaries. Museum executive director Kirsten Komoroske and Carolwood miniature model-maker Mark Hurt will share rare photos and intimate stories about Woking Way, Carolwood, and Smoke Tree Ranch.
- The Quests Ahead for Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game: The Ravensburger team will unveil highly anticipated announcements, upcoming 2027 set releases, and all-new events heading to Disney locations worldwide.
- Disney Lorcana Speed Puzzling Team Events: A first-ever for D23! Happening at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. in the Ravensburger Gaming Area, teams will race to assemble one of three brand-new Lorcana 300-piece puzzles. Best of all, every competitor gets to take a puzzle home! (Note: Tickets are sold through Ravensburger and info will be communicated to D23 ticketholders later).
Saturday, August 15: Fairies, Super Heroes, and Global Style
Day two turns up the star power with panel hosts you know and love, mixed with classic Disney storytelling:
- Worlds of Tinker Bell: Never Land to Pixie Hollow: Host Ashley Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars) leads a lively celebration exploring the magical, soaring evolution of Tinker Bell from her 1953 debut in Peter Pan to her very own franchise universe.
- Disney | Marvel: A Legacy of Stories presented by M&M’S: Delve into the rich crossover legacy of Disney and Marvel comics. Marvel creatives and Disney archivists will take the stage to share production insights and unexpected storytelling secrets.
- Disney Style Around the World: From streetwear to couture, enjoy a global showcase of iconic Disney fashion. The panel features insights from Bobby Kim, Vice President and Global Creative Director for Disney Consumer Products.
- Great Moments with Walt Disney: Disney historian Tim O’Day and Disney Files magazine editor Ryan March share rare video footage and humorous anecdotes showcasing the brilliant comedic side of Walt Disney.
Sunday, August 16: Rare Auctions and Cinematic History
The final day of the convention gives collectors and classic cinema buffs the ultimate spotlight:
- The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds: Get your paddles ready! Hosted by Bret Iwan (Disney Fine Artist and the Official Voice of Mickey Mouse), this live and online auction features verified, select pieces from Disney’s theme parks and resorts looking for their next home.
- One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th Anniversary: Celebrate 65 years of Disney Animation’s spots and dots with a gorgeous look back at rarely seen concept art directly from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.
- Searching for the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House: Disney artist Kevin Kidney shares his personal journey traveling to the original tropical filming locations of the 1960 live-action film—including the real-life tree house that inspired the iconic Disneyland attraction.
Non-Stop Entertainment on the Show Floor
Beyond the traditional presentation rooms, the D23 2026 show floor is shaping up to be Disney’s largest and most innovative to date.
The popular Spotlight Stage Presented by Fandango is back on the floor, hosting celebrity interviews, interactive trivia, musical performances, and fan sing-alongs all weekend long.
Major studios are also bringing massive, interactive pavilions:
- The Disney+ Hulu Experience: An immersive streaming hub featuring a signature 4D theater, interactive photo ops, a collectible pin-hunting adventure, and exclusive merchandise.
- Marvel Studios’ TVA Experience: Your Next Assignment: Join the Time Variance Authority in a walkthrough experience across the expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Lucasfilm Pavilion: Returning with an unmatched array of props, costumes, and photo locations from current and upcoming stories in a galaxy far, far away.
- Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios: Joining forces to give fans highly anticipated sneak peeks at upcoming theatrical features like Frozen 3 and Pixar’s Gatto. Plus, you can check out a special preview of Mundo Pixar: The D23 Experience, the globally touring immersive exhibition.
- Lorcana Card Championships: Card players can watch or compete in the first Disney Lorcana Challenge Championship Qualifier (CCQ) of the season, kicking off Saturday, August 15, with the final top players battling it out on Sunday, August 16.
Beloved lifestyle brands like BoxLunch, Loungefly, Pandora, Crocs, Spirit Jersey, RSVLTS, and Citizen will also have booths overflowing with exclusive merchandise, special interactive activations, and limited-edition product offerings throughout the weekend.
Which of these newly announced panels is at the absolute top of your D23 itinerary?
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