The D23 fan festival coming to Anaheim in August offers Disneyland fans a look back at the park’s 69-year history and a sneak peek at the future that promises a new Avatar themed land, Marvel E-ticket attraction and plenty of DisneylandForward projects.
The sold out D23 event will return to the Anaheim Convention Center on Aug. 9-11 in 2024 for exhibits, panels, presentations and shopping tied to all things Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
Larger nighttime showcases will take place at the Honda Center following daytime events at the Anaheim Convention Center.
What will Disneyland fans want to check out during D23 2024?
We combed through the 55 panels and presentations and 175 show floor offerings and Disney celebrity interactions to pick out the fan events focused solely on Disneyland.
The first place to stop will be the Imagineering: Behind the Dreams pavilion hosted by Disney Parks and Experiences. The Parks Pavilion is typically filled with design models and prototypes created by Walt Disney Imagineering of new rides, shows and lands coming to Disney theme parks around the world.
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The Lightstorm Pavilion will be of special interest this year to fans looking for a preview of the Avatar themed land coming to the Disneyland resort. The walk-though experience inspired by the alien world of Avatar will let visitors “discover the captivating culture of the Na’vi, explore the Bioluminescent Forest and soar through the mountains like a banshee.”
Two stage shows hosted by Imagineering look at the past and present of Disney Parks.
“Dream Chasing: Four Decades with Walt Disney Imagineering” will look at past Imagineering projects in Anaheim, Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai.
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“Bringing the Worlds of Disney Animation to Life in Disney Parks” looks at three recent projects that have all been teased as potential DisneylandForward themed lands — World of Frozen (Hong Kong Disneyland), Zootopia (Shanghai Disneyland) and Fantasy Springs (Tokyo DisneySea). The panel of Disney Imagineers and animators will also discuss Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — which has opened at Florida’s Magic Kingdom and is coming later this year to Disneyland.
History buffs will also want to check out “Charles Phoenix’s Big Retro Disneyland Slide Show” that offers a pop culture time travel tour to the early days of Disneyland and long-gone attractions.
“Jolly Holiday: A D23 Musical Celebration of Richard M. Sherman” pays tribute to the Disney songwriting legend who wrote tunes with his brother, Robert, for several Disneyland attractions — including “It’s a Small World,” “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” and “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” from the Carousel of Progress.
The Lionel Trains booth on the show floor promises a one-of-a-kind photo op featuring a surprise from Disneyland.
D23 Members also get a chance to dine at 21 Royal in New Orleans Square as part of the D23 Ultimate Disney Sweepstakes. The winner of the private dining experience adjacent to Club 33 can bring up to a dozen guests to the $15,000 multi-course dinner party.