Disney’s biggest fan event of the year is coming up next month. I have been attending this convention since 2013. The event happens every other year. This will be my seventh D23 Expo personally. There is so much happening at all times at the fan convention that it can be difficult to pick your way through all the different offerings.
While I was reviewing the recently released schedule, I thought that I should call out some of the panels that stand out to me the most and share some quick tips on how to best be successful when attending the event. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including a look at a refreshed set of hidden gem attractions and the latest update on the new Disney Encanto ride.
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Presentations at D23 That I Am Most Excited About
After attending six D23 Expos, I have come to understand that there are a lot of choices to make at the event. It can be overwhelming to chart your course through the weekend.
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In addition to all of the presentations at the Anaheim Convention Center, there are also the big events at the Honda Center and the show floor itself. There are always unique highlights on the show floor, including the largest Walt Disney Imagineering pavilion ever showcasing the progress and new experiences at Disney Parks around the world in 2026.
Rather than restate the details of the headlining Honda Center presentations here, I wanted to pull out some specific panels on the schedule that stood out to me as most interesting from my own personal Disney fandom. By all means, check out the schedule for yourself. I wanted to share this look at my picks as the D23 Panel Reservations officially open to attendees.
I highly doubt that I will make it to even a third of all the presentations that I have picked out below. It isn’t possible to see and do it all. For anyone attending D23 for the first time, that is my strongest piece of advice. Pick one or two things each day that you want to see. Have backup options for if those don’t work out. There will be crowds. You will be hungry. Sitting on the stiff convention center chairs will get tiring. Remove the pressure of seeing it all. I can tell you right now that you will not be able to see and do everything.
Then, enjoy the show floor and most of all, talk to the people around you in lines and at the convention. I always love the conversations that I have with fellow Disney fans. I am really confident in saying that your best memory will likely be the nice chat that you had waiting for one of the presentations rather than the presentation itself.
Also, some of your best time at D23 may actually be spent having lunch or a drink in the Hilton Anaheim lobby restaurant (I’ve run into Oprah, Bob Iger, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Gurr, and more in the lobby during the event when they used to host the Disney Legends luncheon there). It’s great people watching and a necessary escape from the convention center. We love the Hilton Anaheim for meals and as a place to stay during the event.
Remember. At all times you will be missing out at D23. That is the nature of the weekend. Embrace the fact that by choosing any one panel or experience you are actively choosing not to do something else. With that context, dive into planning your weekend.
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D23 Panels That I am Most Excited About and Why
These are the D23 panels that I am most excited for beyond the big announcements from a quick passing look through. While it isn’t listed here, the panel that we will absolutely be reporting on the most closely is the Disney Experiences presentation at the Honda Center. Make sure you are on our Mickey Visit newsletter and that you follow us on social media to get the updates from that presentation as they are announced.
Here are the other ones on the list that stick out to me. See the full list of announced panels here. There are other wonderful panels that I didn’t include here because I really did grab these based on a first glance. Below each of these panels I have listed quick thoughts on why I added that panel to this article.
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+.
WHY – Love Leslie Iwerks and everything that she does. See my review of her recent fantastic Disneyland documentary featuring rare footage from the year of construction here. She strikes a sincere tone that balances honest with optimism. Her Imagineering Story and Pixar Story documentaries on Disney Plus are a must watch. This also sounds like it could be a panel of notable guests.
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.
WHY – I previously saw a concert with Alan Menken and Richard Sherman at D23 Expo a number of years ago. One of the best Disney memories and nights ever. Must-see! There was also a wonderful tribute performance to Richard Sherman last year.
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.
WHY – Love the Muppets energy and anytime that there is a possibility of a surprise Muppets performance live. Seems like that could happen here.
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, Don Hahn, and Mark Henn, as well as incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.
WHY – Don Hahn is a must attend for me when I see him on any of these panels.
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.
WHY – Great people on here. Zootopia is one of my new era favorites.
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.
WHY – I like seeing the Disney Legends from different areas of the company enamored with each other. Barnett Ritchie, the choreopgraher and director of Fantasmic! and Main Street Electrical Parade, accepted her Disney Legend award before Christina Aguilera. The pop star started off her own speech talking about how amazed she was by Ritchie. I love those moments that only happen at D23. Hoping this panel has some of that energy.
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.
WHY – Joe Rohde is another must-see for me at D23. This seems like it could be an almost professorial session. I interviewed Joe Rohde as part of my now defunct podcast when I was 15 years old. He is as thoughtful and impressive in person as his Instagram posts make him appear.
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!
WHY – This sounds like it would have Becky Cline, the head of Disney Archives, all over it. She and the archives team always deliver new details and photos in these panels that impress even the most well-read Disney fan. There is an entire weekend of presentations that I wish I could spend my time in, but it is difficult to see them all.
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.
WHY – Michael Giacchino! I love to see an artist analyze their own work and others’ work to explain why I like it so much.
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.
WHY – This sounds like an impressive live demonstration and Eric Goldberg is a personal favorite.
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.
WHY – Love this movie! Will Amy Adams show up? So many layers to the movie and the connection to classic Disney.
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.
WHY – Kevin Kidney brings love to everything that he does. From my favorite Disneyland parade, Soundsational, to superb Disneyland 50th anniversary merchandise. I like to show up for great passionate people.
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.
WHY – This one is all about the two hosts for me. Careful, they might win you over with their dry humor and engaging charm.
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.
WHY – Stacia Martin is an incredible talent with knowledge in music and is a great artist. She continues to bring wonderful stories to life and capture the magic of Disney in her love of audio and impressive artistry. I hope she has an easel with her, because her quick draws of Disney characters are some of the most impressive I have ever seen.
And to leave you with something fun. Here’s a photo of me at my first D23 Expo in 2013. It was the first real press event that I had ever gone to with Disney. Looking back 13 years later, it is incredible how far we have come with Mickey Visit and how much the event has changed.
Which presentations are you most excited to see at D23? See the full schedule that was released for the event here.
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