Alright all you die-hard Disney fans, we’ve got some BIG news for you!
Last year, D23 had to postpone their Disney fan event, Destination D23. And, though it may be one year later, the event will finally be taking place in Disney World from November 19th through the 21st, 2021! If you’re not familiar with it, this is an opportunity for fans to be among the first to hear exciting announcements about upcoming projects, get behind-the-scenes info, hear from special guests, and more. And, now we’ve got the FULL schedule for this year’s event!
Located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the event has already sold out for 2021. But, if you weren’t lucky enough to get a ticket, select panels from Destination D23 will also be live-streamed on D23.com and D23 social media channels, so you don’t have to miss out!
The schedule on Saturday and Sunday will follow a general breakdown of presentations and extended breaks between 9AM and 7PM. And, there will be a special event taking place each evening.
Here’s the full lineup!
Friday, November 19, 2021
- 7AM-8PM — Guest Services (including International Will Call) Open (Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center — East Registration)
- 8AM-8PM — Gift Distribution Opens (Sorcerer’s Apprentice Ballroom)
- 7AM-8PM — Seven Seas Marketplace (Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—West Rotunda)
- 9AM-8PM —
- The Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Bringing Home the Magic Exhibit— An all-new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives takes you through a half-century journey of merchandise memories of the Walt Disney World Resort. From figurines and fanny packs to pins and plush, relive each exciting decade through the souvenirs that brought “The Vacation Kingdom of the World” home!
- Walt Disney Imagineering Presents: 50 Years of Dreaming and Doing Exhibits
- Walt Disney Imagineering Illusioneering Lab
- All in Grand Republic Ballroom & Atlantic B, 2nd Floor
- 9AM-5PM — Mickey’s of Glendale Pin RSP Pick-Up (West Registration)
On the 19th, there will also be a Mickey’s of Glendale pop-up shop. The store will also be open Saturday and Sunday.
If you are a registered Destination D23 guest, check for an email that will have a reservation link and details. You’ll be able to reserve an hourly shopping window at the store between 8AM ET and 8PM ET. Again, keep in mind the store will also be open on Saturday and Sunday.
On the 19th, there will also be a special advance screening of Encanto for Destination D23 attendees at the AMC Disney Springs 24. Screening times can be reserved with Mickey’s of Glendale Reserved Shopping Windows.
The times are scattered between 11AM and 2:30PM ET.
Saturday, November 20, 2021
- 7AM — Fantasia Ballroom Queue Open for General Seating and Preferred Seating
- 7AM-6PM — Guest Services (including International Will Call) and Gift Distribution Opens (East Registration)
- 7AM-7PM — Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Open (Ballroom of the Americas, 2nd Floor)
- 7AM-6PM — Seven Seas Marketplace (Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—West Rotunda)
- 7AM-8:45AM — The Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Bringing Home the Magic Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Presents: 50 Years of Dreaming and Doing Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Illusioneering Lab (Grand Republic Ballroom & Atlantic B, 2nd Floor)
- 8:30AM — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
- 9AM-12PM — Morning Presentations
- Destination D23 Welcome
- “Connections: A Look at the Future of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products – Around the world, we’re re-establishing connections—returning to our happy places with the people who mean the most to us, and making brand-new memories. In this session, DPEP Chairman Josh D’Amaro will share how, even in the most difficult of times, Disney continues to inspire and unite us through connections to beloved people and places… to treasured hopes and dreams… and to the power of magic and endless possibilities. You’ll get a first look at some of the newest projects around the world, and of course a little Disney magic along the way.”
- “Weird Disney World – The fan-favorite “Weird Disney” returns, as Director of the Walt Disney Archives Becky Cline digs into Disney history to bring you a half century of the wildest and wackiest Walt Disney World moments!”
- “Walt Disney World Trivia Challenge: The Vacation Kingdom – From Akershus to Ziwani Traders, how well do you know the Walt Disney World Resort? We’ll be putting our audience to the test!”
- “Planes, Trains, and Monorails: Walt Disney World on the Move Presented by Enterprise® – Host Bret Iwan and an array of Imagineers take us on a journey of Walt Disney World transportation, from Walt Disney’s Airplane to the Disney Skyliner.”
- “Walt ’70s World– A pop culture-fueled ride through the first of the Disney decades that defined Walt Disney World, featuring former Walt Disney World Ambassadors Ken Facey and Stephen Lim.”
- 12PM-2PM — Afternoon Break
- 12PM-1:45PM — The Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Bringing Home the Magic Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Presents: 50 Years of Dreaming and Doing Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Illusioneering Lab (Grand Republic Ballroom & Atlantic B, 2nd Floor)
- 1:30PM — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
- 2PM-5PM — Afternoon Presentations
- “Drawn to Life: Inside Disney’s first Collaboration with Cirque Du Soleil – Cirque du Soleil’s Michel Laprise and Fabrice Becker sit down with Natalie Woodward of Disney Live Entertainment and legendary Disney Animator Eric Goldberg to look back over the years long process of creating Drawn to Life, from the team’s early Animator’s Trust up to their emotions following the show’s grand opening.”
- “World Building for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Learn how this all-new two-night immersive experience is coming to life, and how it connects to the broader Star Wars galaxy, with host Ashley Eckstein and an array of the creative minds behind the project.”
- “Magical Entertainment for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration – Join the Walt Disney World Ambassadors, Disney Live Entertainment Creative Director Tom Vazzana, and some special guests for a look at new experiences created for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” along with a few surprises!”
- “Walt Disney World Trivia Challenge: Art and Flair – How well do you know the art of Walt Disney World and the legendary artists and Imagineers who brought it to life? We’ll be putting our audience to the test!”
- “The Art and Imagery of Walt Disney World – Join longtime Imagineering executive Peggie Fariss, and Imagineers Gary Landrum, Mike Pucher, and Stacy Shoff as they share stories of 50 years of the most gorgeous, stunning, and fascinating artwork and images behind The Most Magical Place on Earth.”
- “Walt ’80s World – Join us for a totally awesome pop culture-fueled ride through the second Disney decade that defined Walt Disney World.”
- “The Park Stars of Walt Disney World – Figment, the Orange Bird, and Bonnie Appetite are just a few of the original characters created just for Disney Parks. Join Imagineers Diana Brost and Jason Grandt as they take you on a journey around Walt Disney World to meet many of the fun personalities that have appeared attractions and shows from 1971 to today!”
- 5PM-7PM — Evening Break
- 7:00PM — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
- 7:30PM — The Magical Musical World of Encanto — Join members of the team behind Encanto, and some special guests for a melodic Saturday evening celebration of the upcoming musical, the 60th animated feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios!
Sunday, November 18, 2021
- 7AM Fantasia Ballroom Queue Open
- 7AM-6PM — Guest Services and Gift Distribution Opens (East Registration)
- 7AM-6PM — Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Open (Ballroom of the Americas, 2nd Floor)
- 7AM-6PM — Seven Seas Marketplace (Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center—West Rotunda)
- 7AM-8:45AM — The Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Bringing Home the Magic Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Presents: 50 Years of Dreaming and Doing Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Illusioneering Lab (Grand Republic Ballroom & Atlantic B, 2nd Floor)
- 8:30AM — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
- 9AM-12PM — Morning Presentations
- “Disney+ Download at Destination D23 – Fresh off the heels of Disney+ Day, join Disney+ and friends for a look at what’s trending and what’s next for the streaming service.”
- “Onboard the Disney Wish: Creativity & Inspiration Sets Sail – Hear from Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Cruise Line Entertainment as they share stories of designing the new spaces on board the next generation of ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.”
- “Walt Disney World Trivia Challenge: The Early Years – From the Florida Project to opening day and beyond, we’ll be putting our audience to the test!”
- “The Dawn of the Disney World – Join Steven Vagnini, author and historian behind the new Disney Editions coffee table book A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth,for an entertaining presentation on the development of the resort, followed by a lively discussion with Global Ambassador for the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary Celebration George A. Kalogridis, inaugural Walt Disney World Ambassador Debby Dane Browne, and longtime Imagineering executive Peggie Fariss for a conversation about their experiences being a part of the resort’s unveiling and 1971 opening (and beyond). To close out the session, Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline will host a special appearance by Disney Legend Dick Nunis for a look at how Walt Disney’s greatest dream was transformed into the Vacation Kingdom of the World.”
- 12PM-2PM — Afternoon Break
- 12PM-1:45PM — The Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Bringing Home the Magic Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Presents: 50 Years of Dreaming and Doing Exhibit; Walt Disney Imagineering Illusioneering Lab (Grand Republic Ballroom & Atlantic B, 2nd Floor)
- 1:30PM — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
- 2PM-5PM — Afternoon Presentations
- “Delicious Disney: 50 Years of Walt Disney World – Join host Morgan Gaines and authors Pam Brandon and Marcy Carriker Smothers for a half century of culinary history, including stories and a look behind the creation of the new ‘Delicious Disney Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from the Most Magical Place on Earth.'”
- “From the Vault: Merchandise Memories of Walt Disney World – Actress and fashion icon Ashley Eckstein and the Walt Disney Archives’ own Kelsey Williams join the creative minds behind the latest must-have Walt Disney World collections for a look at the past, present, and future of the merchandise you love to collect!”
- “Stories of the Walt Disney World Galleries – Meet the Walt Disney Imagineering Collections Team, the Imagineers responsible for curating and caring for the incredible artifacts within the galleries and exhibits found throughout Walt Disney World, and hear the behind-the-scenes stories of creating these unique, authentic, and surprising hidden-gem experiences.”
- “Walt Disney World Trivia Challenge: Magical Melodies – From bear bands to G Force Records, we’ll be putting our audience to the test on the most memorable musical milestones of Walt Disney World!”
- “Walt ’90s World – Oh snap! The last of our pop culture-fueled rides through the Disney decades that defined Walt Disney World.”
- “Musical Attractions of Walt Disney World – Join Imagineers Tom Fitzgerald and John Dennis on journey through 50 years of Walt Disney World music, highlighting songs and scores from some fan-favorite attractions – past and present.”
- “A FAN-Tastic Finale – The musical culmination an exciting weekend, featuring performances from Disney’s a cappella sensation DCappella, recording artist and star of Broadway’s The Lion King Syndee Winters, and some very special surprises!”
- 5PM-7PM — Evening Break
- 6:30PM — Doors Open to Fantasia Ballroom
- 7:30PM — Disney + Season’s Streamings Ugly Sweater Party — “Break out your ugliest sweater and join Disney+ for the grand finale of an incredible weekend with this special holiday celebration that you can’t miss!”
Wondering which of these panels you’ll be able to stream online?
Click here to see the FULL Destination D23 livestream schedule.
So, are you ready for Destination D23? More information on the presentations will be released as the date approaches, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest!
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