Disney Reveals Jam-Packed D23 Day at Disneyland, Virtual Queue Concert & Imagineering's Biggest Booth

Disney just unveiled details about what fans will experience on the show floor at the 2026 D23 Expo, along with the jam-packed day at Disneyland ahead of the ultimate fan event. Here are the D23 highlights for Parks & Resorts fans, including what we’re expecting to see highlighted for Walt Disney World in the blockbuster Imagineering booth.

This year will feature the largest show floor in D23 Expo history, with expanded new & returning experiences, along with shopping opportunities and over 50 panels and shows, during the fan event August 14, 15, and 16, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center. With full-day Sunday D23 Fan Passes still available, along with Afternoon-Only Passes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it’s still possible to attend the 2026 D23 Expo, too.

There’s a lot of stuff on the show floor, like Marvel’s TVA Experience and Pixar’s 40th Anniversary booth. Let’s start with the main event, which is the popular Disney Experiences pavilion. In a time of unprecedented growth, the “Imagineering: Horizons” booth returns to the event and invites fans to explore their largest pavilion ever showcasing the progress shaping Disney Parks around the world. This exclusive experience gives guests an up‑close look at the people, the process, and the possibilities brought to life by Imagineers.

D23 is vague about what Imagineering: Horizons will feature, but our expectation is that it’ll be heavy on models. That’s hardly a bold prediction, as it’s usually the case. As you might recall, the 2024 version of the booth had several models, but a few of them weren’t installed until after the Parks Panel. This was a categorical mistake.

As a result of the models, which are what every parks fan wanted to see, only being showcased for one-third of the D23 Expo, crowds were modest on the first couple of days and absolutely bonkers on the final day. Our not-so-bold prediction is that Disney won’t make this same mistake again. Models will almost certainly be present in the Imagineering booth from day one, meaning that we’re probably going to get some worthwhile news out of the D23 Expo before the event even starts.

Also before the event even starts, it’ll be D23 Day at Disneyland on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Here are full details about that…

D23 Day at Disneyland

D23 Day at Disneyland Resort sets the stage for the 2026 D23 Expo, officially kicking off the ultimate fan celebration weekend on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The day also features the return of the Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party at Disney California Adventure, offering live entertainment, character experiences, and interactive activities for all guests, including preschoolers and their families.

Beginning at park opening on August 13, 2026 and while supplies last, guests entering Disneyland or DCA with valid park admission may receive a free Mickey Mouse ear hat featuring the D23 Day at Disneyland Resort logo and commemorative guide map. Note that limited quantities are available, and they often go fast.

Grab a seat along the parade route to see the Disney Legends Cavalcade, happening at Disneyland at 1:30 p.m. See if you can spot all 23 characters as they make their way down Main Street, U.S.A., with the Disneyland Band and select Disney Legends, who have been recognized for the unique and impactful legacies they have created at Disney.

Keep your eyes peeled for Merlin from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Sword and the Stone and Blue Fairy from Disney Animation’s Pinocchio, who you may encounter while wandering through Fantasyland in Disneyland.

Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland will feature music from day to night. From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., young kids and their families can boogie down with Stitch and some of his friends at “Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Bash.” In the evening, keep those dance moves grooving during the “Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Dance Party” from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

There will also be multiple D23 Day icon photo locations, located at Town Square at Disneyland, Pixar Pier in California Adventure, and in Downtown Disney. And photo booths in the Hollywood Backlot in California Adventure and Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland will offer D23 Day-themed photo strips for an additional fee.

As part of the festivities, all park guests with valid park admission and theme park reservations on Aug. 13, 2026, may receive complimentary unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken that day.

Disney PhotoPass service will offer fun Magic Shots you can find that day.

There will also be several merchandise collections released for D23 Day at Disneyland beginning August 13, 2026. Those include the D23 Day Logo Collection, Disneylandia Collection, Hunchback of Notre Dame 30th Anniversary, Alice in Wonderland 75th Anniversary, and D23 Medallions.

There will also be novelty items, naturally. Take home the Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost Popcorn Bucket, a new novelty available for purchase for a limited time beginning August 13th, at Harbour Galley, Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, Popcorn at Frontierland and Popcorn at New Orleans in Disneyland, and at Popcorn at Grizzly Peak Airfield and Popcorn Near Carthay Circle Restaurant in California Adventure. Available while supplies last; limit two (2) per person, per transaction. No discounts apply.

This Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost Popcorn Bucket is sure to be popular; the first of many long lines for merchandise over the weekend.

As the culmination to the day, a limited number of fans may have the opportunity to attend the live performance of “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” in Disney California Adventure on August 13, 2026.

This performance brings together the largest gathering of Disney Princess talent ever assembled, celebrating the iconic stories across animation, live-action, stage, and music. Attendance will be very limited and require additional steps.

This one-of-a-kind concert will transform the night with dazzling lights, sweeping projections, and sky-high fountains creating a truly immersive world where the music, magic, and legacy of Disney Princesses shine like never before. Fans can stream the concert on Disney+ and watch it on The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

“Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” Details:

Time: Virtual queue enrollment begins at 12:00 p.m. PST. Concert performance times are 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. PST
Location: Paradise Gardens Park, California Adventure

A virtual queue confirmation, wristband and valid admission for California Adventure are required to participate in this experience. Guests can request to join the virtual queue through the Disneyland app at 12:00 p.m. PST on August 13, 2026 after entering DCA, or Disneyland with a valid Park Hopper ticket.

You’ll be assigned an admittance group when joining a queue. When your group is called, and you receive a push notification, proceed to Hyperion Theater Courtyard between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to scan your ticket or entry code to pick up your wristband.

Virtual queue admittance groups are extremely limited and available while supplies last. Wristbands will only be distributed to guests who have obtained a virtual queue admittance group entry code and have signed a filming release form.

This will be the most competitive virtual queue at Disneyland in years. I’d assume the princess concert virtual queue will fill up instantly, leaving a lot of frustrated fans shut out. We’d advise against doing DCA on this day specifically for the concert, as most guests probably won’t be able to attend. Consider it icing on the cake if you get lucky and score a spot, but don’t have this be the basis for your visit. Demand will be sky-high.

Speaking of which, one question we often hear from readers is wondering about D23 Day at Disneyland crowds. We’ve been in the parks on portions of this day since it’s been a thing, and routinely went on Thursdays even prior to it having an official name.

Suffice to say, it’s busy. Attraction wait times are measurably elevated, but even beyond that, there’s just more crowding and congestion than you’d find on a normal Thursday this time of year at Disneyland. This is especially true around the special entertainment and cavalcade.

Generally speaking, you can expect elevated crowds August 12-15, 2026, as reflected in our recently-updated 2026 Disneyland Crowd Calendar red flag dates. In our experience, it’s worse in the lead-up to D23 Expo than it is during the event or after. Friday night is especially bad. I can’t speak to how busy Saturday night was last year, as I was at the Honda Center for the Parks Panel–but it used to be slammed.

Now let’s circle back to cover the other highlights of the 2026 D23 Expo show floor that might be of interest to DTB readers…

D23 Show Floor Highlights

The Walt Disney Company will bring the best of its storytelling to the expanded show floor, offering a chance for fans to immerse themselves in beloved films, shows, and streaming. Here’s a rundown:

The Disney+ Hulu Experience brings streaming to life like never before. The space features a signature 4D theater, exclusive merchandise, a collectible mystery pin quest, and personalized subscription support, alongside immersive photo opportunities inspired by Percy Jackson and the Olympians, FX’s American Horror Story, Camp Rock 3, The Simpsons, Only Murders in the Building, Marvel Television’s VisionQuest, and more.
Marvel Studios will captivate guests on the show floor with an epic activation entitled Marvel Studios’ TVA Experience: Your Next Assignment. Fans will once again join the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an immersive walkthrough experience across different worlds, both familiar and new.
The Lucasfilm pavilion will return with an exciting array of photo ops, props, and costumes from current and upcoming stories set in a galaxy far, far away. Guests will also have the opportunity to join fireside chats with the filmmaking teams behind some of their favorite Star Wars shows and movies. Fans can also be among the first to see LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian during a special screening at the Anaheim Convention Center, adding to the incredible Lucasfilm experiences fans will see throughout the event.
Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios are also joining forces for a must-see animation experience on the show floor, inclusive of a special celebration of Pixar’s 40th anniversary. Artist demonstrations, autograph signings with some top filmmakers, fan giveaways, and interactive displays featuring the latest films from these iconic animation studios—including the upcoming Disney’s Hexed and Disney Animation’s Frozen 3, as well as Disney and Pixar’s Gatto and Incredibles 3—make this pavilion one to visit again and again.
Mundo Pixar: The D23 Experience will bring a special preview of its globally touring immersive exhibition to the event, inviting guests to step inside some of their favorite Pixar stories. From unforgettable photo moments to a dedicated merchandise shop, guests will experience life-size sets inspired by some of the studio’s most beloved films.
The Avatar Experience welcomes guests to journey through the fascinating wonders of Pandora. Step into a lush, bioluminescent world, experience an immersive 4D moment, and explore a gallery of film artistry that showcases the craftsmanship behind bringing the Na’vi culture and Pandora to life.
At select times throughout the day, Bluey and Bingo will be available for photos in The Bluey Movie booth—for real life. Reservations are required for a chance to meet Bluey and Bingo.
Guests can also celebrate the new Simpsons movie—in theaters September 3, 2027—with fun, shareable photo moments to commemorate D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

Additional fan-favorites include an all-new exhibition from the Walt Disney Archives. Walt Disney Archives: Uncrated will make its debut on the show floor and invite intrepid fans to uncover an unforgettable journey into the vast and hidden warehouses of the Walt Disney Archives—spaces previously reserved for access to Disney archivists, alone. Guests will have the chance to explore themed displays featuring shipments of iconic props, costumes, and puppets from some beloved films, television series, and theme parks, which span generations of history at The Walt Disney Company.

In advance of the Super Bowl on ESPN and ABC this season, fans can experience the thrill of a Super Bowl victory through ESPN’s immersive “We’re Going to the Super Bowl!” activation, featuring photo opportunities, stadium-inspired environments, a confetti-filled victory celebration, and keepsake digital content and giveaways, including an exclusive ESPN Super Bowl D23 pin.

Disney Theatrical Group will spotlight its expanding portfolio of live experiences, from Broadway productions and arena tours to immersive experiences, through a showcase featuring authentic sets, costumes, props, concept art, and dynamic video content. The experience will offer fans exclusive first looks at upcoming projects, behind-the-scenes demonstrations, and live presentations led by hosts, including Disney on Broadway star Ryan McCartan, providing an insider’s look at the creative process behind Disney’s live entertainment.

Fans can also celebrate 125 years of the life of Walt Disney by exploring Walt’s family stories from The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, and the Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago; see displays of Walt’s famed classic vehicles from the Walt Disney Archives; reflect on Disney Legends of the past who worked alongside Walt; meet other friends of D23 including the Disneyana Fan Club; and more.

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of the 2026 D23 Day at Disneyland lineup? Looking forward to trying to score a spot in the virtual queue for the princess concert, watching the cavalcade, or getting free ears? Predictions as to which models will appear on the show floor? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts in the comments!