Figment Fan Neil Patrick Harris Hosting Disney Parks Panel at 2026 D23 Expo!

Disney has announced the full schedule for the upcoming D23 Expo coming to Anaheim, California on August 14, 15, and 16, 2026. This includes the marquee Parks Panel, which will have a celebrity host for the first time ever, and this is a notable one: diehard Disney and Figment fan Neil Patrick Harris. Here’s the complete lineup of the weekend’s events, along with our commentary.

Officially known as “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event,” this is the event of the year for Disney fans. It’s like the World Cup, but for enthusiasts of things that aren’t mind-numbingly boring. So in other words, the D23 Expo is like the Super Bowl of the Disney fandom. (Apologies to the soccer fans out there.)

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! The lineup of stage programming is a celebration of Disney past, present, and future, packed with legendary talent, milestone anniversaries, and all-new reveals across three unforgettable days.

Fans can experience Disney Legend and eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken in a rare one-man concert or join Broadway and animation stars for some of the best Disney hits of the ’80s and ’90s at the Disney Rewind Concert. Another highlight will be hearing Grammy-nominated vocalist and Emmy winner Seth MacFarlane and other special guests celebrate the timeless Muppets songbook.

Milestone anniversaries take the spotlight with 75 years of Alice in Wonderland, 35 years of Beauty and the Beast, 25 years of KINGDOM HEARTS, and more. Meanwhile, members of the newest class of Disney Legends sit down for an intimate conversation. With showstoppers like D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest, and the all-new Disney Experiences Auction, there truly is something extraordinary across every stage.

Rather than drudging through the full schedule, we’re going to start with an emphasis on the highlights for Walt Disney World fans…

2026 D23 Expo Highlights

Saturday, August 15, 2026 – Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase
Colloquially known among fans as the Parks Panel, fans will be able to join host Neil Patrick Harris for a journey into the stories shaping the future of Disney Experiences around the world.

Building on the ambitious projects announced in 2024, this year’s showcase will take fans deeper into the creative vision behind what’s to come, hearing directly from the Imagineers, storytellers, artists, and innovators bringing these experiences to life.

Inspired by the Carousel of Progress, Neil will guide the show and lead engaging conversations with the people creating the future of Disney Experiences. The presentation will offer behind-the-scenes looks, special performances, exciting announcements, and a few surprises along the way.

A New Feature Length Documentary from Leslie Iwerks
Discover how Disney’s greatest storytellers draw inspiration from the parks where their worlds were always meant to live, featuring a panel with top filmmakers and special guests, followed by the debut screening of Leslie Iwerks’ new feature coming to Disney+. (Iwerks directed Imagineering Story and Disneyland Handcrafted, so this is highly anticipated.)

Walt Disney: 125 Years of Inspiration
Join D23 as we salute Walt Disney’s 125th birthday. Hear from those who knew him, legends who were inspired by Walt and continue his legacy, plus enjoy some special performances—all inspired by, and in fun celebration of, Walt Disney.

Great Moments with Walt Disney
Disney historian Tim O’Day and editor of Disney Files magazine Ryan March share humorous stories and rare video footage of Walt Disney, showing the comedic side of the man behind the magic.

The Muppets Musical History with Seth MacFarlane
Join Grammy-nominated vocalist and Emmy winner Seth MacFarlane and other special guests for a conversation about the timeless Muppets songbook. Seth will share the inspiration behind his upcoming Muppets orchestral album.

The Sherman Brothers on The Record
The Sherman brothers began their Disney career at what is now Walt Disney Records. Grammy Award®-winning producer and Disney Music Historian Randy Thornton shares rare recordings, demos, and interviews from his many years collaborating with “The Boys.”

Searching for the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House
Join Disney artist Kevin Kidney as he shares about his journey to the tropical island to visit the original filming locations from Swiss Family Robinson (1960)—including the legendary tree house that inspired the Disneyland Park attraction.

Floating Mountains: A Conversation with Joe Rohde
Join Disney Legend Joe Rohde for an exclusive discussion of his memoir Floating Mountains. He’ll explore creativity, collaboration, and his work on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Aulani, and beyond—offering rare insight into one of Disney’s most visionary artists.

Houses Walt Built: The Walt Disney Family Museum
See rare photos and hear intimate stories about Walt and Lillian Disney’s Woking Way, Carolwood, and Smoke Tree Ranch homes.

The Carolwood Foundation Presents: Walt’s Barn
Come take a ride on the Carolwood Pacific Railroad as you discover the history of Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn. Along the way you’ll learn about our discoveries, secrets, and upcoming projects. All aboard!

Our Commentary

Two years ago, we predicted the biggest D23 Expo ever, surpassing even 2017. That ended up being correct, at least from the perspective of Walt Disney World news. Last year, we cautioned fans against expecting too much at Destination D23, as we feared that many were setting themselves up for disappointment. We will now share similar sentiment for the 2026 D23 Expo.

Our perspective is that Disney basically “shot its shot” with a blockbuster 2024 D23 Expo, and there won’t be nearly as much in the way of big reveals or bombshell news at the 2026 D23 Expo. Instead, we should expect new details, models, and concept art about projects that were announced two years ago. Disney is basically telling us as much with the reference to 2024 in the press release.

This approach makes sense. We already have a major project slate that extends until at least 2030. Is Disney really going to announce projects for 2032 to 2034 this go-round? And if they did, would any of us honestly believe that those are actually going to be built?!

What we do expect is more ‘singles and doubles’ news for Walt Disney World, specifically. Think smaller scale news like entertainment, lounges, ride reimaginings and enhancements. Examples of this would include the recent rumor of Space Mountain being rebuilt, along with a lengthy overhaul to Spaceship Earth.

I would not expect any bombshell announcements of brand-new attractions or lands. Everything announced will be more of a ‘gap-filler’ that can be slotted into the near-term timeline before big tentpole projects come online. Unfortunately, I would also anticipate being subjected to 10 minutes or so of Epic Games and Fortnite filler that the fan community, collectively, could not possibly care less about.

Got all of that? Now let’s throw it at least partially out the window with the announcement that Neil Patrick Harris is hosting the Parks Panel.

As you might know, NPH is a Disney superfan. He’s hosted Candlelight Processional on several occasions, has a cameo in the new Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, previously did the spiel for California Screamin’ and narration for the 60th Anniversary World of Color. He’s been spotted in the parks with his family in the parks on countless occasions. He’s up there with John Stamos as one of the biggest celebrity Disney fans and truly one of us.

Most importantly, Neil Patrick Harris is one of us in the sense that he’s a Figment fan. He’s been seen in Journey Into Imagination apparel, including a fan-made “Save Figment” shirt. On top of that, NPH recently narrated the “How Not to Draw with Figment” short.

It is not hard to imagine a scenario in which Neil Patrick Harris is “interrupted” at the end of his panel by Josh D’Amaro in a script-flipping moment as the new CEO asks the perennial “what about Figment?” question. The duo then brings to the stage another duo, calling out Dreamfinder and Figment.

After a 10 minute scream-filled standing ovation, the four then announce a blockbuster reimagining of the Imagination pavilion and Journey Into Imagination attraction. At least, that’s how this plays out in my fanfic of the Parks Panel. Not that I’ve given the idea any thought or anything.

I don’t think that’s actually going to happen. I’ve come to terms with this not being the year for Figment, Dreamfinder and Journey Into Imagination. We’re getting close, and I truly believe it’s going to happen within the next 3 years. If it is going to happen sooner or later, what better opportunity for the new CEO to make his first ‘statement’ and win over fans than by joining Neil Patrick Harris on stage at the 2026 D23 Expo? It’s the best possible ending–and new beginning–that I can possibly imagine. And I have a vivid imagination.

What follows is everything else from the 2026 D23 Expo press release, which may or may not interest you…

D23 Expo Presentation Reservations

Guests can use the randomized Reservation Selection Process (“Reservation RSP”), which will distribute reservations for select presentations and experiences at the Anaheim Convention Center based on preferences and availability.

The Reservation RSP will be open from Monday, July 20, at 12 p.m. PT through Friday, July 24, at 12 p.m. PT. Guests may rank their choices and request reservations for groups of up to six people for most offerings.

Confirmed reservations will be emailed beginning August 7. While reservations are not guaranteed, standby queues will be available for presentations at Anaheim Convention Center Event stages, Talent Central, and most Show Floor Experiences.

Honda Center shows are available only to D23 Ultimate Fan Pass and D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass ticket holders. There are no reservations or standby queues available for the Honda Center shows.

Honda Center Showcases

Each day at the Honda Center, fans will experience never-ending surprise and delight moments, performances, and announcements, as well as sneak peeks at the incredible films, shows, attractions, experiences, and more coming from Disney’s creative powerhouses and groundbreaking innovators.

Friday, August 14 – Disney Entertainment Showcase
Friday night, the world-class storytellers of The Walt Disney Company will take center stage at the Honda Center for the Disney Entertainment Showcase. Guests can expect surprise celebrity appearances, exclusive first looks at upcoming films and series, exciting new announcements, and unforgettable musical performances. The star-studded presentation will celebrate the stories audiences love while offering an exclusive preview of what’s coming next across Disney’s movies, television, games, and live stage productions.

Saturday, August 15 – Disney Parks & Resorts Showcase (See Above)

Sunday, August 16 – Disney Legends Awards Ceremony
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will feature tributes and memorable moments celebrating the lasting impact of this year’s honorees, bestowing Disney’s highest recognition to a distinguished group of creatives, performers, and leaders, including Chris Berman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Susan Egan, Eric Goldberg, Anne Hathaway, Bob Iger, Kim Irvine, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Alan Tudyk.

Anaheim Convention Center Panels

Across all five stages at the Anaheim Convention Center, fans can experience a wide variety of panels, presentations, and performances, including:

Hey Jonas! Live at D23: Celebrating Disney Legends
Celebrate Disney Legends Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas during a live recording of their hit iHeartPodcast, Hey Jonas! Hear unforgettable Disney stories, behind-the-scenes memories, and special guests as they celebrate this incredible milestone together.

Disney Rewind Concert
Relive the magic of VHS vibes with the ultimate throwback event showcasing some of the best Disney hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s, filled with nostalgic favorites performed by Disney and Broadway stars, including Disney Legends Bill Farmerand Jodi Benson, as well as incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.

A Whole New World of Alan Menken
In this rare, one-man concert Disney Legend and eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken shares the songs and stories behind legendary Disney films and beloved stage and screen musicals that have shaped generations of audiences around the world.

D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest
Join host Nina West for the return of the ultimate Disney costume contest. Fans will showcase their Disney-inspired creations on the runway, so join us to vote alongside judges Yvette Nicole Brown, Ashley Eckstein, and Bobby Kim.

The Simpsons: Stories from Springfield
Join the cast and creative team of The Simpsons as they explore the art of storytelling in Springfield, from character-driven comedy and cultural satire to finding fresh stories more than three decades later.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 3
Join the cast and producers behind Percy Jackson and the Olympians for a must-see celebration packed with behind-the-scenes stories and exciting teases as Season 3 brings The Titan’s Curse to life later this year on Disney+.

Camp Rock 3: The Next Generation
Fresh off the world premiere of Camp Rock 3, join the stars as they share behind-the-scenes stories and favorite moments from bringing a new era of the beloved Camp Rock franchise to life.

Bluey: From the Backyard to the Big Screen
Join the team behind Bluey and get stuck into everything you’d ever want to know about the homegrown Aussie icon turned true-blue global phenomenon. Take a journey from a backyard in Brisbane all the way to the big screen in 2027’s The Bluey Movie.

The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds
Through live and online bidding, join your host Bret Iwan (official voice of Mickey Mouse, Disney Fine Artist) to discover select, verified pieces from Disney’s theme parks and resorts that are ready for their next chapter with the fans who treasure them most. Auction information and registration instructions coming soon.

LEGO Star Wars Screening Event
Experience a special screening of an all-new LEGO Star Wars animated adventure filled with iconic characters, unexpected laughs, and action-packed fun. Perfect for Star Wars and LEGO fans of all ages. More details to come.

Lettuce Show You How We Make Bob’s Burgers!
Order up! The Emmy®-winning Bob’s Burgers creative team takes you from script to screen through a live demonstration featuring voice cast, live drawing, storytelling insights, and a closer look at how they bring the episodes you know and love to life.

Scrubs: Scrubbing Back In
Celebrate the return to Sacred Heart with a conversation with the cast and executive producers of Scrubs featuring behind-the-scenes stories, fan-favorite moments, and a look at why the revival resonates today— daydreams and all.

Beauty and the Beast: A Tale as Old as Time
Celebrate 35 years of Disney Animation’s classic tale Beauty and the Beast—from the screen to the stage and beyond—with filmmakers and stars from the animated feature film and the Broadway production it inspired, including Disney Legends Paige O’Hara, Susan Egan, Don Hahn, and Mark Henn, as well as incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.

Zootopia: Ten Years in the Mammal Metropolis
Celebrate ten years of Disney Animation’s Zootopia films—from theaters and Disney+ to Disney Parks attractions around the world—with the stars and filmmakers behind the mammal metropolis, including Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Michael Giacchino.

Beyond the Magic: Disney Pin Trading
A panel discussion with the Pin Trading product design team on their role, concept design, and the innovation in pins. The panel will include a D23 talent host and Pin Trading design team with a visual presentation to go with the discussion.

The Quests Ahead for Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game (A.K.A. Ravensburger)
Join the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game team at Ravensburger as they share what fans can expect from upcoming set releases in 2027 and beyond, future events fans won’t want to miss, and more exciting behind-the-scenes details. They will cover all the highlights of developing this amazing card game as well as some thrilling announcements that you won’t want to miss.

DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS
Join us for a journey through light and darkness as we commemorate 25 years of KINGDOM HEARTS. Discover how this saga united Disney, Pixar, and Square Enix, with insights from the creative minds, character voices, and more behind the magic.

Disney Legends in Conversation
Hosted by Disney Legend Robin Roberts, listen in as members from the newest class of Disney Legends partake in an enlightening conversation about their storied careers.

Disney & Nat Geo: Capturing the Wonder of Nature
Go behind the scenes with Disney and National Geographic storytellers as they explore how animals, ecosystems, conservation, and real-world adventures have inspired some of Disney’s most beloved stories, projects, and experiences.

Animating the Action: Disney Magic Live on ESPN
Discover how ESPN and Disney are redefining live sports storytelling—bringing iconic characters and immersive worlds from Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Mickey and Friends, and more into animated broadcasts that elevate the fan experience.

Disney | Marvel: A Legacy of Stories
Chart the legacy of Disney and Marvel storytelling through classic comics, epic crossovers, and unique insights from Marvel creatives and Disney archivists. Session includes M&M’S and M&M’S Marvel Mini Poster Fan Packs giveaway.

Future of Digital Comics: Disney, Marvel, & WEBTOON                       
Explore beloved worlds in a whole new way as Disney, Marvel, and WEBTOON come together to spotlight iconic comics stories reimagined for WEBTOON’s immersive, mobile-first vertical format.

Celebrate 65 Years of Marvel’s Spider-Man!
From the recent return to the big screen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, to fan-favorite animated series including Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, Spider-Man’s 1,000th comic, toys, and more, Spidey’s been an enduring pop culture icon for nearly 65 years. Join us to celebrate Spider-Man with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes stories, and more.

Marvel Fanfare
Join Marvel Comics for a talk about the enduring appeal of Spider-Man, his biggest stories from the past 65 years, and more. After the panel, fans will receive an exclusive comic giveaway.

Making Disney Magic with Ron Clements
Legendary Disney Animation director Ron Clements takes you inside his new book, Making Disney Magic, along with very special guests from his prolific legacy of animated films, including Disney Legends Jodi Benson, and Mark Henn, as well as incoming Disney Legends Susan Egan and Eric Goldberg.

HUZ: Drawn to Life
Discover Disney Animator Ron Husband’s inspiring story in a new Disney+ documentary from Don Hahn. Hahn and a panel of animators and storytellers share behind-the-scenes stories in a celebration of the artistry and mentorship behind many Disney classics.

Disney Music Presents: The Art of the Score
Grammy Award®-winning composer Michael Giacchino shares an inside look at his creative process—across Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel—and how he develops music that supports a filmmaker’s vision, featuring a special performance by Anthony Gonzalez.

Disney and The Grammys®: A Musical Legacy
Disney Grammy Award®-winning musical artists reflect on the songs, stories, and creative choices that shaped their careers—and the enduring legacy they continue to build across generations.

Ink & Paint at Disney Animation
Experience the magic behind the Disney Animation Ink & Paint Department come together before your eyes—from rough animation by incoming Disney Legend Eric Goldberg, to an inker transferring the image onto a cel, and then a painter bringing it to life with vibrant color.

Your Dream, Your Valley: Disney Dreamlight Valley
Join us to celebrate Disney Dreamlight Valley, a life-sim adventure game that lets you build and explore a world filled with Disney magic, rich stories, and beloved Disney and Pixar characters. Join the game’s creators for a retrospective and an exciting sneak peek at arrivals in 2026.

Disney Style Around the World
Enjoy a showcase of iconic Disney fashion and exciting product reveals from around the globe and hear from panelists Bobby Kim (Vice President, Global Creative Director for Disney Consumer Products), Tiia Chandler (Senior Director, Global Brand Partnerships for Crocs), and Lily Aldridge (supermodel, mother, entrepreneur, and Disney Style fangirl).

Disney-fying Your Home with Interior Design Magic
Fandom meets interior design with a panel of those who have infused Disney magic into their homes—from minimalist to the extreme design and decor—there’s endless ways to bring Disney’s films and parks to life in your very own home.

The Force of Innovation – Hasbro’s Grogu Animatronic
Join the galaxy’s favorite foundling and the development team behind Hasbro’s Ultimate Grogu collectible as they discuss the expertise and ingenuity needed to bring a character to life as an animatronic… and maybe reveal a few secrets along the way.

The Impact & Legacy of Disney Toys
Disney’s 100‑year toy legacy comes to life as experts Alex Miller, David Pacheco, and Becky Cline explore how Disney toys shaped the company, the industry, and generations of fans through stories, rare art, and iconic artifacts.

Worlds of Tinker Bell: Never Land to Pixie Hollow
Join host Ashley Eckstein and special guests as we explore the magical evolution of Tinker Bell from Peter Pan (1953) to her own enchanting universe in this lively celebration of a favorite Disney fairy.

20 Years of Enchanted: A Love Letter to Disney
Join host Nina West and director Kevin Lima as we celebrate 20 years of Enchanted with a fast-paced, Easter egg-filled tribute featuring special guests and surprises from the Walt Disney Archives collection.

75 Years of Nonsense: Alice in Wonderland
Celebrate 75 years of Disney Animation’s Alice in Wonderland with a look back at rarely seen art from the production and go behind the scenes of the newly restored version of the classic film.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th Anniversary
Celebrate Disney Animation’s pioneering feature film with a look back at rarely seen art from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 55 Magical Years
Disney’s dazzling musical has been enchanting audiences since 1971. This multi-media presentation uses rare photos and art to weave a behind-the-scenes spell about the Oscar®-winning masterpiece—including the involvement of Walt Disney himself.

Restoration at Disney: Preserving our Legacy
Fans will learn how the award-winning Disney Restoration team preserves and restores its vast library of classics, from Steamboat Willie to The Sound of Music. They’ll also get to hear about the challenges and surprises encountered during the process.

Sounds Delightful: An Illustrated Audio Adventure
Disney artist and historian Stacia Martin gives fans an all-new nostalgic trip through Disney music throughout the decades, playing some of her favorite clips from her personal collection of rare and vintage vinyl records.

The Spotlight Stage will once again return to the show floor with a host of panels, interviews, presentations, musical groups, and interactive moments for fans to enjoy all day long, including the return of the popular D23 Disney Stars Trivia Showdown and sing-alongs with Nina West, as well as exciting performances like Mëtal Möuse: The Music of Disney – Electrified!

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YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of the 2026 D23 Expo panels and presentations? Could this be the year for Journey into Imagination 4.0? Or is this just more false hope for fans? Hoping that Josh D’Amaro does the right thing and joins Neil Patrick Harris on-stage to announce a ride reimagining or pavilion overhaul? 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!