Disney’s biggest fan celebration, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, returned to Anaheim, California, from August 14 to 16, 2026. The three-day gathering brought thousands of Disney fans together at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center. The event delivered a packed schedule of movie announcements, television show reveals, and major theme park updates.
The Disney Entertainment Showcase took place on Friday night at the Honda Center. It featured appearances from major stars and provided first looks at some of the most anticipated projects from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. The Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase followed on Saturday night, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.
Major Movie Announcements Dominate the Entertainment Showcase
The entertainment showcase delivered news about several upcoming films that got the crowd cheering. Frozen 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on November 24, 2027. The new installment will feature a wedding, a new villain, a new love interest, and new music. Kristen Bell appeared at the presentation to share details about the plot, confirming that Anna will marry Kristoff.
Avengers: Doomsday received a special trailer during the event. The movie arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom. The film will also feature Sentinels.
Pixar announced several projects, including Incredibles 3, which is coming in summer 2028. The story will shift focus toward Violet and Dash as they try to prove they are ready to become superheroes. Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Vowell, and Huck Milner will return as Bob, Violet, and Dash. Peter Sohn directs from a script by Brad Bird.
Coco 2 is scheduled for November 2029. Benjamin Bratt will reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz. The story will follow a teenage Miguel.
The live-action Tangled movie is coming to theaters on March 31, 2028. Tegan Croft from Titans will play Rapunzel. Kathryn Hahn joins the cast as Mother Gothel.
Lilo & Stitch 2 will premiere on May 28, 2028. The sequel will feature Angel, Stitch’s pink co-star. Ice Age: Boiling Point arrives on February 5, 2027, with Queen Latifah and Dennis Leary returning. The Bluey Movie received a teaser trailer and will release on August 6, 2027.
Hexed, a new animated film, arrives on November 25. The voice cast includes Hailee Steinfeld, Walton Goggins, and Jodie Foster, who is voicing a character in her first Disney animated movie. Clay, starring Kieran Culkin, is set for November 2028. Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, arrives on May 28, 2027.
Disney also confirmed that Zootopia 3 is in development. Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan announced the project alongside Disney Animation head Jared Bush. The new film will introduce bird characters.
Television Series and Streaming Projects Get Spotlight
The D23 event also brought news for television fans. VisionQuest, the Marvel Cinematic Universe series, got its first trailer during the showcase. The show premieres on Disney+ on October 14, 2026.
Ahsoka Season 2 is scheduled for January 20, 2027. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 3 arrives on November 20, 2026. Disney also announced a Kingdom Hearts anime series for Disney Channel and Disney+. Oswald, a three-part series from Jon Favreau, is coming in February 2027. Camp Rock 3 is now streaming.
The Simpsons gave a season sneak-peek during a panel at the event. Romy & Michele 2 received an update, with Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino completing filming. A stage musical adaptation of The Greatest Showman will premiere in spring 2027 at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Theme Park Updates Excite Longtime Fans
The Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday night focused on theme park announcements. Disney revealed several updates that addressed long-standing requests from park fans.
Tomorrowland at Disneyland will undergo a reimagining to reflect the optimism it was known for when it first opened. The update will include new attractions and more open spaces.
Dreamfinder, a beloved character from EPCOT’s Journey to Imagination, is returning. Fans have spent years asking for his return after he was removed from the attraction in the late 1990s. Disney plans to reunite Dreamfinder and Figment in a new take on the classic attraction.
Spaceship Earth at EPCOT is getting an update. The new story will center on human connection while staying true to the attraction’s original spirit. Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting a new yeti. The current yeti, nicknamed Disco Yeti, was supposed to move but instead used strobe lighting effects. The restoration has been a running request among fans.
Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum spoke about the company’s approach to these updates.
“We’re really making sure we’re listening to all constituents and we’re paying equally as much attention in developing a new land like the villains that didn’t exist yet, and pay as much attention also to our existing guests and what is important to them.”
Monstropolis will open in 2027 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new land will feature a door coaster and a theater show called Welcome to Monstropolis with a new song by Randy Newman. The new Villains land coming to Magic Kingdom will be called Villains Land and will be as large as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
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Fans Find Escape at the Ultimate Disney Event
For many attendees, D23 offered more than just announcements. The event provided a break from everyday life. Monica Romero, 37, shared her feelings about the experience.
“Our world is so chaotic and unstable, and it seems like the bad guys are always winning. There’s a reason why we like it. Good can always win.”
The live audience at the Honda Center reacted with loud cheers and applause throughout the presentations. Fans also enjoyed interactive experiences, including a dance class hosted by Dancing with the Stars pros. Amy Adams surprised fans at a panel celebrating 20 years of Enchanted.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event runs through Sunday, August 16. The Disney Legends Award Ceremony takes place on Sunday afternoon at the Honda Center. Fans who cannot attend in person can stream select events on Disney+.
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