We are LIVE from D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event!

This is the BIGGEST Disney event of the year. We’re expecting TONS of announcements to be made about all things Disney. From the parks to movies to merchandise and everything in between, we could hear about anything Disney over the next three days. The event in Anaheim, California goes from August 9th through August 11th, and we’re here for all three days. So join us as we check out EVERYTHING at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

DAY 3

We were lucky enough to get a peek at the NEW Imagineering models for Disney’s new lands and attractions!

From the new Tropical Americas land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the charming new Monsters, Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we got to see an impressive preview of what Imagineers have in store.

NEWS: Disney Debuts FULL LOOK Inside NEW Park Expansions

Later, we sat in on a couple of panels. One of them included Joe Rohde telling us the story of his earring!

What’s with the earring?

Disney Imagineer and soon-to-be Disney Legend Joe Rohde gave us the scoop on his most recognizable feature! #D23 pic.twitter.com/UJFYWScmJB

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

Then Darren Criss and John Stamos shared the stage again!

Darren Criss and John Stamos share the stage again at #D23! pic.twitter.com/j3ra1jz8we

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

Sunday night was wrapped up with the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony where we saw several entertainers, actors, Cast Members, Imagineers, and more become Disney Legends.

Join us tonight for the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony! It starts in just moments! ✨#D23 pic.twitter.com/h2IlaBajdx

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 12, 2024

To see everyone who was awarded the title of Disney Legend check out our post below! And that’s a wrap of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event! Thanks, for following along!

14 NEW Disney Legends Were Inducted — Here’s How to Watch the FULL Ceremony

DAY 2

Okay, we are BACK! We spent a little time on day 2 checking out some of the merchandise on the show floor.

Hi 👋 from the SECOND DAY of #D23! We’re kicking things off with a look at some merch — and don’t forget that there’s a BIG panel happening tonight 😉
Stay tuned for more! pic.twitter.com/td1r7Hcv2e

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 10, 2024

Note that a LOT of these new items will be available at The Disney Store SOON, like these SUPER cute Mary Poppins Ears.

We also got a first look at some of the new merchandise coming to Disneyland next year for the park’s 70th anniversary/

We also dropped by the Storyliving by Disney exhibit.

Let’s check out Storyliving by Disney at #D23! pic.twitter.com/5lgpGrc9TZ

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 10, 2024

Um…we had to take a break to channel our inner Taylor Swift and practice our rendition of “Cruel Summer.”

OK, now, it’s time for the main event. We attended Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, with Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro. There was a TON of big news — we’re talking Disney World expansions, Disneyland updates, Disney Cruise line news, and much, much more.

Here we GO! It’s time for the BIG ONE!!! #D23 pic.twitter.com/obGkbaPjFt

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

 

 

 

Let’s start with arguably the biggest news of the night: Disney announced that a Villains Land is coming to Magic Kingdom.

To say we are excited would be a HUGE understatement. The crowd freaked out. WE freaked out. It was epic. Read more at the link below!

🚨RED ALERT: VILLAINS LAND Is Coming to Disney World!🚨

Speaking of Magic Kingdom, we’ve got ANOTHER big addition coming: Mater and Lightning McQueen are coming to Frontierland!

A ‘Cars’ area will soon make its way to Magic Kingdom, complete with TWO new rides.

BREAKING: CARS LAND and TWO NEW ATTRACTIONS Coming To Magic Kingdom in Disney World! 

BUT WAIT! There’s more. Yes, really! Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a brand-new ‘Monsters, Inc.’ land will debut with a NEW COASTER!

MONSTERS INC. LAND IS COMING TO HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS! #D23 pic.twitter.com/Nd7E5cpGrc

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

 

 

 

We still don’t know quite where this addition will be located, but fans are already theorizing that it could take the place of the Muppets Courtyard on Grand Avenue. What do you think?!

HUGE NEWS: A NEW ‘MONSTERS INC’ LAND and COASTER Announced For Disney World! 

Yes, it’s true. DinoLand, U.S.A. is closing and making way for a NEW land inspired by Tropical Americas.

This section of Animal Kingdom will feature two new signature attractions inspired by ‘Encanto’ and ‘Indiana Jones.’ The good news is that you still have a little time to enjoy DINOSAUR.

“You’ll Still Have a Chance To Experience Dinosaur One More Time” Disney Shares HUGE Update on the Fate of DinoLand, U.S.A. 

OK, we’re not done talking about the new ‘Indiana Jones’ ride yet. Just LOOK at this concept art!

Disney announced that the ride will feature a NEW story, so this ride will not be a copy of the attraction in Disneyland!

ALERT: A BRAND-NEW ‘Indiana Jones’ Ride Is Coming to Disney World! 

Here’s a peek at the new Casita attraction, too!

Looks pretty cute, right?

CONFIRMED: A NEW ‘Encanto’ Attraction Is Coming to Animal Kingdom! 

OK, we’re jumping back to Magic Kingdom now. Guess what? A NEW nighttime parade is coming to Magic Kingdom!

A NEW NIGHTTIME PARADE will come to Magic Kingdom Summer 2025! #D23 pic.twitter.com/uVwkzc45UN

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

 

 

 

This one should debut pretty soon — it’s got an opening timeline of summer 2025!

BREAKING: A NEW Disney Nighttime Parade Is CONFIRMED for Magic Kingdom  

OK, pilots. Time to strap on your flight suits and prepare for takeoff. The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride is getting an exciting UPDATE!

Disney shared that Grogu and The Mandalorian will be part of a NEW adventure as you fly through the sky on Smugglers Run.

CHANGES Announced for Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios  

Ready to feel like a VIP in EPCOT?

Check out this new Spaceship Earth-inspired lounge coming soon!

FIRST LOOK: NEW Spaceship Earth Lounge Is Coming to EPCOT 

The Tree of Life is about to have a NEW attraction, inspired by Zootopia!

Zootopia Better Together in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open at the Tree of Life next winter #D23

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the new concept art at the link below.

Disney World Teases OPENING TIMELINE for a NEW ‘Zootopia’ Attraction! 

Test Track is currently closed while Imagineers work on updating this popular attraction!

Test Track 3.0 will open in 2025 in EPCOT #D23

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

 

 

 

Test Track 3.0 will open in 2025 in EPCOT. Mark your calendars, people. This will be done in no time!

BREAKING: Test Track OPENING TIMELINE Announced in EPCOT!  

After all this news, we could use a nice, refreshing drink. Luckily, there’s a NEW Pirates Tavern coming to Magic Kingdom!

Disney shared some gorgeous new concept art that has us SO SO excited to visit this in person.

NEWS: Disney Just Released OPENING TIMELINE for NEW Pirates Lounge in Magic Kingdom 

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Fortnite is still SUPER popular, and Disney is ready to collaborate with Epic Games to bring its iconic villains to the game!

Disney animated characters will come to Fortnite THIS FALL! #D23 pic.twitter.com/QF5PymjUQ1

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

 

 

 

We got a TON of Disney X Fortnite updates, and fans are PUMPED to see these characters in the game!

Disney Villains Are Getting a NEW LOOK! See Their EPIC Transformation Coming to Screens This Fall

The Disney Cruise Line fleet is expanding…AGAIN! Four MORE Disney Cruise Line ships will soon join the fleet.

THIS IS HUGE! Disney is adding FOUR MORE SHIPS to its fleet IN ADDITION to the four that are already being constructed! #D23

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

In total, that will bring the count to 13 ships. WOW!

Say WHAT?! FOUR MORE Ships Are Joining the Disney Cruise Line Fleet

Oh, and we’ve got some HUGE Disneyland Resort news, too!

• Opening DATE Revealed for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland
• NEWS: A Walt Disney Animatronic (!!!) Is Coming SOON!
• NEWS: FIRST ‘Coco’ Ride EVER Is Coming to Disney California Adventure
• BREAKING: Disney Confirms NEW RIDE and Location for ‘Avatar’ Land
• RIDE VEHICLES REVEALED for NEW Marvel Ride Coming to Disney’s Avengers Campus

As you can see, it was a BUSY night.

DAY 1

When we reached the Anaheim Convention Center, the excitement was in the air — this is going to be a BIG weekend for everyone.

Here we go!

Hi from Anaheim 👋 where we’re kicking off the MASSIVE #D23 WEEKEND! Follow along with us for all the news! pic.twitter.com/Jq86dlKRws

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 9, 2024

Let’s grab a lanyard…

…a guide…

…and a tote bag for all the stuff we’ll be collecting!

Once inside, we were SURROUNDED by people. This is a HUGE event that always brings the crowds.

We also got a chance to visit the first-ever Avatar pavilion, an immersive space devoted to all things Avatar. Y’all, this exhibit is SO cool.

And, yes, there were banshees! We are expecting some Avatar news this weekend, especially since Disney has already teased an Avatar land coming to Disneyland. We can’t wait to see what Disney has in store!

Walk inside the pavilion with us here! 

There are a lot of fun photo ops in the Pixar/Animation Pavilion, like this one with the Inside Out 2 emotions.

There’s even a photo op to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Princess and the Frog.

We also discovered a VERY cool Star Wars photo op.

Speaking of which, we visited the Lucasfilm Pavilion and nerded out on all things Star Wars. WE SAW A LOTH CAT, Y’ALL. It seems Sabine’s Loth cat is doing just fine after she abandoned it in Ahsoka.

We even met a stripped down Elsa animatronic. Seriously, Disney never fails to amaze us with its technology.

We stumbled into the TVA experience, where Miss Minutes was waiting for us…okay, WE DON’T TRUST HER.

We also ran into some characters, including Captain Minnie of the Disney Treasure.

A highlight, though, was getting to meet Bluey and Bingo!

BRING THIS MEET AND GREET TO DISNEY WORLD!! It’s Bluey and Bingo!

And yes, we know they’re girls, we were just so excited! 🥹💙 pic.twitter.com/977ce84lWC

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 9, 2024

Okay, speaking of the Disney Treasure, we also got a sneak peek at some things that will be part of the Haunted Mansion Parlor on the ship! OOOH.

On top of that, we got a sneak peek at the Cast Member costumes. 

Disney also teased a first look at the Periscope Pub costumes.

You can read more about these costumes and their details HERE! 

We also got a FIRST look at the ride vehicle for the new Marvel multiverse ride with King Thanos coming to Disneyland — IT’S REALLY HAPPENING, Y’ALL. We hope we get more details about the ride this weekend.

Here’s a closer look at the NEW ride vehicle for King Thanos! 💥 #D23 pic.twitter.com/R4i8YoaXkY

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 9, 2024

OK, are you sitting down for this? You should be. Disney debuted some new technology that let us interview Mickey Mouse! 

We got to interview Mickey!! This was such a special opportunity (and sooo cute!), and we got to ask him about his favorite magical moment! ✨

Grab your tissues for his answer! 🥹 #D23 pic.twitter.com/GfqIyOqQFk

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 9, 2024

We had the opportunity to chat with him about everything from his friendship with Walt to his favorite food and, yeah, it was awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Just Started a NEW Character Trend… and It Could Change EVERYTHING

OK, time for some BIG news. Disney dropped a TON of details about upcoming movies and shows. Buckle your seatbelt. We’re going on a WILD ride.

Disney announced Toy Story 5 which will release in theaters in 2026.

Speaking of sequels, Incredibles 3 and…

New title art just dropped for ‘Incredibles 3’! #D23 pic.twitter.com/v99xpii9z9

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 10, 2024

…Zootopia 2 were also announced. 

We also got a first look at Frozen III. And Frozen IIII was confirmed as well.

We also got to see a trailer for the new Wizards of Waverly Place show coming to Disney+. 

Oh, and for all you Avatar fans, we have news about the THIRD movie joining the franchise.

It’s called Avatar Fire and Ash, and we don’t have many details yet, but it seems like those beloved characters will take on a whole new setting.

Ready for some Pixar news? Check out the trailer for Disney’s ‘Win or Lose’ series!

OFFICIAL TRAILER Revealed for Disney’s NEW ‘Win or Lose’ Series

A brand-new Pixar movie is also coming soon — this one is called Hopper, and has a 2026 release date.

Based on the concept art, we are VERY excited!

NEWS: Disney Announces a Brand-New Pixar Movie Is Coming in 2026!

If you’re a Disney Channel fan, you might want to mark your calendars: a Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour is coming in 2025!

🎶life is sweeter when you are! 🧁#D23 #Descendants4 pic.twitter.com/hhm0c5ahQW

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 10, 2024

We also got a first look at the trailer for the Agatha All Along show coming to Disney+.

Disney also confirmed the Freaky Friday sequel!

“You wanted it, and now you’ve got it!”

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan are here for Freaky Friday! 🤯🤩 #D23 pic.twitter.com/FtBTQhDrJq

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 10, 2024

But that’s not all! We also got a first look at the new live-action Lilo & Stitch and the internet is already divided over it. What are your thoughts???

On top of that, we got a first look at the trailer for the live-action Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.Disney also released a trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King!

We also got quite a few Disney on Broadway announcements!! One of the biggest announcements is that The Greatest Showman is being adapted for the stage.

Whew! That’s a lot! We’ll be live at the event for the next THREE days, so we’ll be updating this post regularly, so be sure to check back often!

FULL MAP and GUIDE for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

Are you at the biggest Disney fan event of the year? Let us know in the comments!