2026 D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim - August 14-16

[Sakura1017]

One thing that disney could capitalize which failed at sdcc was a movie premiere. Since everyone has assigned seats at Honda center it wouldn't cause issues of verifying tickets which took the longest time. Also with assigned seats you know your guaranteed a spot not like how sdcc it was a free for all and they definitely had empty seats in certain areas. Legends will be hit or miss on the crowds with panel so they could do something in place of it.

 

[soniam]

Did the bus take forever both there and back? It did not look like that much fun lol. I was glad we had a car.

Agree with you on the giveaways, but that was never a huge draw for me.

We stayed at one of the hotels that had the ART line to the Honda center. It was as really convenient. Had to walk through the crowds to get to the stop after it ended, but it was easy peezy once you got there.

Isn't Gold free for Disney + now? If so, that probably dilutes things.

Last year was the first time in forever that I attended D23. Here is one of the threads. I think @soniam is the master of tickets.

I haven’t been so lucky with Destination D. This was only the 2nd time I could get tickets. Usually there are at least 2 of us trying for Expo, if not a large group.

I actually don’t think I’m going next year or to the next Destination D. I think I need a break. Plus there are so many other vacations I want to take.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I should have taken a snapshot of the page when they first announced the date. I don't think there were all that many more (maybe one).

Anaheim Hilton booked quickly. I couldn't get August 16 to 17 but the rest of the dates were okay.

Based on this information (thank you, both, for posting!), I booked our hotel directly. Will continue checking for convention rates and other deals, especially as the dates get closer.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Good to see some familiar names in this thread. Here's hoping that next year's event is a great experience for all!

 

[nalababybear]

Ready for d23! At least a few weeks between sdcc.

Hotel. Was too slow for Hilton and hyatt place. Stuck at hyatt house. Thats OK. I like the dumplings and pizza downstairs

Tickets. Went fast last year. Crazy fast. Prior expos were zero issues. Yes D23 gold is eroded and wonder if they change up things like giving MK an advantage to boost sales there.

Honda center. Hit the food trucks before. The buses were fine. Easy on with only about 10 mi. Wait on either side. It did make a late night for sure and those who like hitting the parks in the evening had to make a choice. As a MK holder that doesnt impact us but see the impact there for travelers. I really enjoyed having more convention floor and panel time. Lots more time and opportunities to experience the con at a leisure pace as only three days vs sdcc four+preview. The assigned seats were awesome. Swag was a but disappointing.....but the experience was great. Three of hearts card trick was totally over the top 12k people doing it.
Cant wait!

 

[LAS2AMS]

Hotel. Was too slow for Hilton and hyatt place. Stuck at hyatt house. Thats OK. I like the dumplings and pizza downstairs

It’s not that the Hilton is sold out, it’s that it hasn’t opened reservations up for next August.

 

[AquaDame]

Did the bus take forever both there and back? It did not look like that much fun lol. I was glad we had a car.

Agree with you on the giveaways, but that was never a huge draw for me.

To was easy, I went on the earlier side and there was no wait any day. After night 2 was so bad I actually left before they were done the final night. It was a crush of people trying to get on, and the staff told us to go one way and we missed the actual queue and had to back track. It took over an hour to get back to my hotel (stayed at Pixar pier).

 

[ashley0139]

Ready for d23! At least a few weeks between sdcc.

Hotel. Was too slow for Hilton and hyatt place. Stuck at hyatt house. Thats OK. I like the dumplings and pizza downstairs

Tickets. Went fast last year. Crazy fast. Prior expos were zero issues. Yes D23 gold is eroded and wonder if they change up things like giving MK an advantage to boost sales there.

Honda center. Hit the food trucks before. The buses were fine. Easy on with only about 10 mi. Wait on either side. It did make a late night for sure and those who like hitting the parks in the evening had to make a choice. As a MK holder that doesnt impact us but see the impact there for travelers. I really enjoyed having more convention floor and panel time. Lots more time and opportunities to experience the con at a leisure pace as only three days vs sdcc four+preview. The assigned seats were awesome. Swag was a but disappointing.....but the experience was great. Three of hearts card trick was totally over the top 12k people doing it.
Cant wait!

Yes! I felt like I had so much more time on the convention floor and for smaller panels because we had assigned seats at the honda center.

They also may do something where you need to be a "higher" D23 gold tier this year.

To was easy, I went on the earlier side and there was no wait any day. After night 2 was so bad I actually left before they were done the final night. It was a crush of people trying to get on, and the staff told us to go one way and we missed the actual queue and had to back track. It took over an hour to get back to my hotel (stayed at Pixar pier).

Wow, hopefully they've smoothed it out more this year (although when they do that new problems always arise hahaha).