2025 Destination D23 Panel Schedule Overview

Destination D23, Disney’s biennial fan event, is set to take place from August 29 to 31, 2025, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World. This year’s event promises a mix of panels, performances, and exclusive experiences, though it notably lacks a major theme park presentation. Instead, the focus appears to be on Disney’s history, creative projects, and niche topics. Here’s a detailed look at the full panel schedule and what attendees can expect.

Event Overview

Destination D23 is Disney’s “off-year” fan expo, held in years when the larger D23 Expo is not scheduled. Traditionally, this event has a more intimate feel, focusing on Disney’s legacy and behind-the-scenes stories. This year, the event has expanded in size, moving to the Coronado Springs convention center, but retains its focus on unique and specialized content.

Saturday, August 30

• 9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome!
  Join us as we kick-off Destination D23 weekend in a morning of music and magic! Get ready to laugh and cheer along Disney’s new and nostalgic during our journey through the worlds of Disney.
• 9:15 – 10:30 AM | Walt Disney Studios Showcase
  An exclusive look at the movies fans love, and a glimpse into what to look forward to from Disney’s film studios.
• 10:30 – 10:45 AM | Morning Break
• 10:45 – 10:55 AM | Welcome Back with Michael Vargo
  Michael Vargo, head of D23, shares some exciting news and updates about what Members can look forward to from D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
• 10:55 – 11:05 AM | The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics (Part 1)
  Join the Walt Disney Archives for an 80th anniversary celebration of The Three Caballeros (1945)! Using the vibrant cultural settings of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort as a springboard, these short programs will explore Walt Disney’s research and goodwill trips across Latin America through rarely seen artwork, photography, and other archival materials that spotlight the lasting legacy of the landmark films they inspired.
• 11:05 – 11:30 AM | X Atencio: The Untold Story of a Disney Legend
  Disney Legend, X Atencio, is most well-known for writing the song lyrics and attraction scripts for Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. However, in the shadow of such iconic works, the rest of his story has remained largely untold— until now. Learn more about X’s legacy as one of Walt’s most versatile employees in an intimate conversation with his family and authors of the upcoming book Xavier “X” Atencio: The Legacy of an Artist, Imagineer, and Disney Legend, ahead of its wide release on November 4th. Guests will get the opportunity to view unreleased artwork and photographs from X’s personal collection and hear previously untold stories chronicling his 46-year career.
• 11:30 – 11:35 AM | Disney Around the Globe: India
  Take a trip around the world with the Walt Disney Archives through a series of interstitial programs exploring fascinating Disney connections to legendary destinations around the globe.
• 11:35 AM – 12:00 PM | Be Our Guest With Disney on Broadway
  “BE OUR GUEST WITH DISNEY ON BROADWAY” will feature performances by Michael James Scott (Genie) in Aladdin on Broadway and Danny Gardner (Lumiere) in the North American Tour of Beauty and The Beast. In between performances, Susan Egan (original Belle in Beauty and The Beast on Broadway), will join her Disney on Broadway family for a magical panel conversation.
• 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch Break
• *1:30 – 1:45 PM | Hulu Trivia
  Enjoy trivia themed to some of your favorite shows on Hulu towards the end of the lunch break before jumping into our afternoon panels!
• *1:55 – 2:00 PM | Lorcana
  A message from our friends at Ravensburger!
• 2:00 – 2:25 PM | What’Cha Doin’ With Phineas and Ferb’s Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh
  Get ready for some big laughs and doodles with “Phineas and Ferb” co-creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh. Draw along with them for this lively and interactive session as they share insider sketching tips and fun behind-the-scenes stories on the latest season of the show. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the world of Danville, this is one panel you won’t want to miss.
• 2:25 – 2:30 PM | Disney Around the Globe: Japan
  Take a trip around the world with the Walt Disney Archives through a series of interstitial programs exploring fascinating Disney connections to legendary destinations around the globe.
• 2:30 – 3:00 PM | D2K Animated Classics
  We’re throwin’ it back to the early 2000s-era of Walt Disney Animation Studios! Join us for a look back at some fan favorite titles from this bold, colorful, and nostalgic decade that brought many iconic films that booted up the new millennium, including Tarzan, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Treasure Planet, and Brother Bear. This deep dive is sure to be a total blast from the past!
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM | Creating the Happiest Place on Earth
  Join Disney Legend, filmmaker and author, Don Hahn, and acclaimed filmmaker with deep Disney roots, Leslie Iwerks, for a discussion on The Happiest Place on Earth. Together, they’ll explore Walt Disney’s vision and the legacy and nostalgia of Disneyland in honor of the resort’s 70th anniversary.
• 3:30 – 3:45 PM | Afternoon Break
• 3:45 – 4:30 PM | What’s Cooking with Disney Eats?
  Take your seat at the table! We’re cooking up something special and you’re invited to be a part of the live audience in the Disney Eats kitchen. From Mickey bars to Michelin stars, this panel is a foodie experience you won’t want to miss!
• 4:30 – 5:00 PM | Boom, Baby! 25 Years of The Emperor’s New Groove
  A panel celebrating 25 years of The Emperor’s New Groove? Bring it on. Join us for a conversation about how this quirky, fan-favorite film found its groove to become an iconic Disney classic. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories, little known fun facts, and more surprises for a must-see panel to lever-age!
• 5:00 – 8:00 PM | Evening Break
• 8:00 – 11:00 PM | D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
  Boom, baby! All Destination D23 2025 ticketholders are invited to celebrate 25 years of Disney Animation’s The Emperor’s New Groove with a splash at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park! Following the day’s presentations, be sure to lever-age this after-hours exclusive celebration of the cult classic, including special tributes to Disney’s water parks. Look out for complimentary snacks, photo opportunities, special activities, and exclusive entertainment at this ultra neat, squeak squeakin’ member-only party!

Sunday, August 31

• 9:00 – 9:05 AM | Welcome!
  Welcome back, D23 Gold Members! Be prepared for a kick-off of Destination D23‘s final day, where poor unfortunate souls are invited to peek through the magic mirror with our friends from the other side.
• 9:05 – 9:50 AM | Disney Villains: Icons of Evil
  Join Disney Experiences (and some of your favorite troublemakers) for a panel discussion on how Disney Villains experiences come to life around the world. Hear directly from the creative minds behind new projects and attractions, plus enjoy a special Villains-themed medley to kick off Destination D23 day 2.
• 9:50 – 10:10 AM | Part of Our World with Jodi Benson & Ron Clements
  Get the tea from under the sea! Join us for a conversation between Disney Legend (and voice of Ariel) Jodi Benson and The Little Mermaid co-director Ron Clements, as they share stories and reminisce about their work together at Disney. Ride the currents and get close to being part of their world, one with princesses of the land and sea, plus whozits, whatsits and more to shell-ebrate!
• 10:10 – 10:20 AM | The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics (Part 2)
  Join the Walt Disney Archives for an 80th anniversary celebration of The Three Caballeros (1945)! Using the vibrant cultural settings of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort as a springboard, these short programs will explore Walt Disney’s research and goodwill trips across Latin America through rarely seen artwork, photography, and other archival materials that spotlight the lasting legacy of the landmark films they inspired.
• 10:20 – 10:45 AM | The Disney Family Legacy with Roy P. Disney
  From a Dreaming Tree to the Disney Family Tree— D23 Gold Members are invited to take an intimate look into Disney family life with Roy P. Disney, as he shares photographs and stories about his childhood, his memories of his great uncle Walt Disney, his grandfather Roy O. Disney, and more, in a conversation moderated by Director of the Walt Disney Archives, Becky Cline!
• 10:45 – 11:00 AM | Morning Break
• 11:00 – 11:10 AM | The Three Caballeros: From El Grupo to Goodwill Classics (Part 3)
  Join the Walt Disney Archives for an 80th anniversary celebration of The Three Caballeros (1945)! Using the vibrant cultural settings of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort as a springboard, these short programs will explore Walt Disney’s research and goodwill trips across Latin America through rarely seen artwork, photography, and other archival materials that spotlight the lasting legacy of the landmark films they inspired.
• 11:10 – 12:00 PM | Down the Rabbit Hole With the Walt Disney Archives
  Go down the rabbit hole to discover the “Disney you didn’t know” as the Walt Disney Archives shares more of the most astonishing Disney discoveries, connections, and little-known facts that will change everything—or at least some things—you thought you knew about the Disney universe. In this all-new and updated outing, you’ll never guess where in the world we’ll end up next!
• 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch Break
• *1:30 – 1:45 PM | Disney Channel Trivia
  Towards the end of the lunch break, enjoy Disney Channel trivia to lead into the afternoon Disney Channel panel, hosted by Ashley Eckstein!
• 2:00 – 2:45 PM | Stay Tuned: You’re Watching Disney Channel
  Join fan-favorite Disney Channel stars from the past and present as they celebrate the iconic DCOM and series franchises that bring joy, connection, and magic to generations of fans. Tune in for laughs, fun, and moments you won’t want to miss!
• 2:45 – 2:50 PM | Disney Around the Globe: China
  Take a trip around the world with the Walt Disney Archives through a series of interstitial programs exploring fascinating Disney connections to legendary destinations around the globe.
• 2:50 – 3:20 PM | Beyond the Spires: An Insider look at Disney Castles
  Think you know everything about Disney castles? Think again! Join Imagineers as they peel back the plaster and pixie dust to share behind-the-scenes details and little-known facts from castles across the globe. Along the way, they’ll share the global inspirations, design challenges, and maybe even a few surprises that stretch beyond the spires.
• 3:20 – 3:25 PM | Disney Around the Globe: France
  Take a trip around the world with the Walt Disney Archives through a series of interstitial programs exploring fascinating Disney connections to legendary destinations around the globe.
• 3:25 – 3:55 | A Goofy Movie: 30 Stand Out Years
  Come take a road trip down memory lane with director Kevin Lima and Disney Legend Bill Famer, as they share behind-the-scenes stories and reflect on 30 stand out years of A Goofy Movie fandom.
• 3:55 – 4:10 PM | Afternoon Break
• 4:10 – 5:30 PM | Disney ‘80s-’90s Celebration in Concert Presented by Disney+
  Join Lissa deGuzman, Alyssa Fox, Bradley Gibson, Adam J. Levy, Nasia Thomas, and special guests for an ’80s-’90s musical mash! You’ve got a friend in D23 as we’re seeing fans “i2i” for favorite tunes from our favorite toons. We’ll see you just around the riverbend for this can’t miss concert!