This past weekend, thousands of Disney fans traveled to Florida to attend Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney presented by Lug® — a one-of-a-kind, multi-day experience featuring exclusive programming, events, shopping, and more, all brought to life in a distinctly Disney way. This year’s event was bigger than ever, with an expanded footprint in a new location at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
On Saturday and Sunday, guests enjoyed a full slate of over 25 specially curated presentations from across The Walt Disney Company, including Walt Disney Studios, Disney Entertainment Television, Disney Experiences, Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives. They heard firsthand from creative visionaries and talent, Imagineers, archivists, and Disney Legends, who shared major news and behind-the-scenes looks at entertainment and experiences.
During the “Walt Disney Studios Showcase” on Saturday, host Yvette Nicole Brown invited the creative forces behind several of The Walt Disney Company’s highly anticipated films to join her onstage and share exclusive announcements and never-before-seen clips with fans.
The reveals began immediately, with the title and release date of the next big screen Ice Age adventure announced. Ice Age: Boiling Point, in theaters February 5, 2027, is a dinosaur-and-lava-filled madcap adventure that takes Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Scrat, and the rest of the herd to visit never-before-seen corners of the treacherous Lost World.
Then came a trio of Toy Story announcements.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Disney and Pixar’s beloved classic Toy Story, the film will be re-released in theaters on September 12, 2025. Tickets go on sale September 2. Fans then learned that Buzz Lightyear will once again fly to infinity and beyond during the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® this November. The iconic new Buzz balloon features a new design and returns to the skies of Manhattan for the first time since 2013. Then, Pixar unveiled a sneak peek of Toy Story 5, in theaters June 19, 2026. Fans got a first look at Smarty Pants, voiced by Conan O’Brien. After sharing exclusive story details, Pixar surprised the elated audience by screening the opening three minutes of the movie.
Pixar also gave a special sneak preview of the original comedy Hoppers, in theaters March 6, 2026. Director Daniel Chong and producer Nicole Paradis Grindle were joined onstage by Piper Curda (voice of Mabel) and Bobby Moynihan (voice of King George). Fans roared with laughter throughout a presentation that included three exclusive clips from the film.
Next, it was announced that the original music from Disney’s TRON: Ares will soon be featured in TRON attractions globally for a limited time. Worlds will collide when the red overlay and original music from Nine Inch Nails debut at TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise at Walt Disney World Resort on September 15 and at TRON Lightcycle Power Run presented by Chevrolet at Shanghai Disney Resort on September 16.
TRON: Ares opens in theaters October 10, 2025.
Also, for the first time, Disney has fully remastered the original 1982 cult classic TRON and the 2010 sequel TRON: Legacy in 4K Ultra HD. Both groundbreaking features will be available everywhere on digital and Blu-ray™ SteelBook™ beginning September 16, 2025.
Jared Bush, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, was given a warm welcome when he took the stage and exclusively revealed the title, project details, and a brand-new animated logo for the November 2026 original feature, Disney’s Hexed. In the film, an awkward teenage boy and his Type-A mom discover that what makes him unusual, might just be magical powers that will turn their lives and a secret world of magic, upside down. Disney’s Hexed opens in theaters November 2026. The feature is directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand, with Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones producing.
Bush also presented several exciting updates for Zootopia 2, which Bush writes and directs (with Byron Howard), announcing that Brown will join the cast of the highly anticipated November 26, 2025, animated release in two cameos as The Bearoness and EMT Otter. Fans were also overjoyed when Patrick Warburton stepped onstage and revealed that he will voice the character Mayor Winddancer, a charismatic but clueless stallion who dreams of being as heroic in real life as the characters he once played on television. Bush introduced multiple exclusive clips from the upcoming feature film to wild applause and was joined in-person onstage by characters Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and Clawhauser.
Then, the audience was the first to hear that an all-new animated feature from the world of Diary of a Wimpy Kid is coming exclusively to Disney+ on December 5, 2025. Series creator Jeff Kinney sent a special recorded message for fans and introduced a never-before-seen clip from the film, titled Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. Adapted from the third installment of Kinney’s worldwide bestselling book series, Greg Heffley returns for his next family misadventure. When laidback Greg finds himself at odds with his dad’s outsized expectations, pressure builds to turn his act around. After a series of hilarious near disasters, Greg’s dad presents him with an ultimatum that just might challenge Greg’s wimpy ways for good. Directed by Matt Danner and written and produced by Kinney, the cast includes Aaron D. Harris as Greg Heffley and Chris Diamantopoulos as Frank Heffley.
Following the Walt Disney Studios Showcase, Michael Vargo, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, shared a number of exciting programming offerings, including the return of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to Anaheim, California on August 14, 15, and 16, 2026. Fans can be among the first to hear exciting announcements during marquee showcases and presentations, and can also look forward to immersive experiences, exclusive shopping opportunities, and extended magic throughout the week leading up to the event, including the return of D23 Day at Angel Stadium and D23 Day at Disneyland.
Vargo also announced that Disney Legend Jodi Benson will serve as the first official D23 FAN-bassador, engaging with fans and making appearances with D23 throughout the year leading up to the three-day event. He then shared additional details about the next D23 Spotlight and D23 On the Road series and D23 Gold Theater events, among other offerings.
Throughout the day, fans were entertained by engaging and headline-making panels, from “The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics” and “X Atencio: The Untold Story of a Disney Legend” to “Be Our Guest with Disney on Broadway,” and “What’Cha Doin’ with Phineas and Ferb‘s Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh,” among others.
During the “Creating the Happiest Place on Earth” panel, acclaimed filmmaker with deep Disney roots Leslie Iwerks dropped a trailer for a brand-new documentary titled Disneyland Handcrafted. Capturing the construction of the DNA of Disneyland more than 70 years ago, the film will give audiences a chance to peek through the orange groves and experience the making of the park like never before. Using only rarely and never-before seen archival footage, the documentary shows an unpolished, fly on the wall perspective on what was actually happening during the construction of the park the year leading into its opening. The film will debut on Disney+ and Disney YouTube this winter, but audiences can view a first look of the film on Disney YouTube now.
Later, Executive Creative Director for Walt Disney Imagineering Chris Beatty crashed the panel to reveal that guests will be able to see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronics® technology in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom. “The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future,” Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, said. “We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive.”
During the “What’s Cooking with Disney Eats?” panel, guests were the first to preview some of the new themed drinks coming exclusively to lounges aboard the Disney Destiny, setting sail in November 2025. They include the Mirror Dimension at The Sanctum (a lounge inspired by Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange); My Way at Haunted Mansion Parlor; and Dead Man’s Chest at Cask & Cannon (inspired by the legendary Pirates of the Caribbean attractions around the world). Fans also got a first look at eight new novelty items coming to select Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line ships — including collectible popcorn buckets, sippers, and mugs. Additionally, fans got a first look at the outdoor patio coming to Napa Rose at Disneyland Resort.
At the “Boom, Baby! 25 Years of The Emperor’s New Groove” panel, fans got behind-the-scenes stories, little known fun facts, and more surprises about the quirky, fan-favorite film. To cap off the night, all Destination D23 2025 ticketholders were invited to celebrate the film’s anniversary during “D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon” water park. Featuring complimentary snacks, photo opportunities, special activities, and exclusive entertainment, fans had the chance to meet their favorite characters, from Kuzco to Yzma.
Sunday got off to a villainous start with the “Disney Villains: Icons of Evil” panel, hosted by Disney Experiences. In a special video message, Disney Legend Andreas Deja — the animator of such iconic Disney Villains as Gaston, Jafar and Scar — announced that he is consulting on the villains-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom. Working closely with Walt Disney Animation Studios, its design is largely influenced by the Art Nouveau style of architecture in Europe. Walt Disney Imagineers are calling its style “Conjured Architecture” — the blend of historical components and fantastical worlds that have merged to ultimately create a villains-inspired land that guests can experience firsthand. (For more news from the “Disney Villains: Icons of Evil” panel, visit the Disney Parks Blog.)
Following additional panels — including “Part of Our World with Jodi Benson & Ron Clements,” “The Disney Family Legacy with Roy P. Disney,” and ” Down the Rabbit Hole with the Walt Disney Archives,” among others — guests joined fan-favorite stars for “Stay Tuned: You’re Watching Disney Channel.” Fans joined Disney Channel stars including Mykal-Michelle Harris (Disney Jr.’s Ariel – The Little Mermaid, Raven’s Home), Monique Coleman (High School Musical franchise), Jake Thomas (Lizzie McGuire), Sway Bhatia (ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers), Mia Talerico (Good Luck Charlie), Janice LeAnn Brown (Wizards Beyond Waverly Place), and Jason Dolley (Good Luck Charlie, Hatching Pete, Corey in the House, Minutemen) for a conversation moderated by Ashley Eckstein to celebrate the iconic DCOM and series franchises that bring joy, connection, and magic to generations of fans.
Then, during the “Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles” panel, Imagineers announced that World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris will open Spring 2026. Its opening will mark the official transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World, where immersive worlds inspired by the most popular Disney stories are brought to life.
The panel also revealed a new Cinderella Castle color palette, which is inspired by the classic and original look of the castle. The updated paint will feature grays, creams, blues, and touches of gold in an effort to enhance Cinderella Castle’s architecture. It was also revealed that the next episode of We Call It Imagineering will debut Monday, September 8, on Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube.
As part of the heartfelt and hilarious “A Goofy Movie: 30 Stand Out Years” panel, fans were invited to take a road trip down memory lane with director Kevin Lima and Disney Legend Bill Famer, who shared never-before-told stories and reflected on the beloved film’s legacy.
To cap off an epic weekend of programming, fans attended the “Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert Presented by Disney+,” featuring Disney on Broadway stars Lissa deGuzman, Alyssa Fox, Bradley Gibson, Adam J. Levy, Nasia Thomas, and additional guests.