D23 is here! What to know about the ultimate Disney fan event
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event kicks off Friday and superfans are getting an inside look at beloved Disney movie and show memorabilia, as well as a sneak peek at new Disney movies, shows, experiences and products coming soon.
This year's event, which is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center from Friday to Sunday, is bigger than ever, featuring a show floor packed with more than 50 immersive booths.
Among them include props from movies like "The Devil Wears Prada" and shows such as "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" and "Hannah Montana."
Asad Ayaz, chief marketing and brand officer for The Walt Disney Company, said there are Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the event and fans will see all sorts of fun, behind-the-scenes treats like new outfits.
"If you walk around the D23 show floor, you will see a lot from upcoming films, upcoming projects. You will see characters that haven't been announced yet," Ayaz told ABC News' Ginger Zee in an interview that aired Friday on "Good Morning America." "There's a lot of Disney history that is celebrated here and just walking through this Pixar pavilion, you can see some of the storyboards and some of the original artwork and some of the story about how these characters came about."
It's not just existing movies being showcased but new ones as well, like "Avengers: Doomsday," scheduled to debut in December.
"The movie is a culmination, in some ways, of 26 years, in the same way that 'Endgame' was 10 years in the making, so it's going to be an epic, epic situation," Ayaz said. "[I am] very personally, very excited about it. I can't wait for the world to see more."
Fans will also hear about new series coming down the Disney pipeline.
"You'll be hearing more about what's coming from Lucasfilm, which I think is pretty exciting," Ayaz said. "You're going to hear from Disney, some of the biggest shows on Disney+."
Disney innovation is also on display at D23 this year, with the largest Disney Imagineering pavilion in the fan event's history. Called the Imagineering: Horizons pavilion, it is showcasing the works of countless Imagineers, including a look at the new Piston Peak Cars Land coming to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
"It's very unique," Walt Disney Imagineering President and Chief Creative Officer Bruce Vaughn told "GMA." "These models are real working models and they're really fun and they're a great way for our fans and guests to actually be able to get a glimpse into what they're eventually going to be able to experience."
Vaughn added that the new ride vehicles are also designed as off-road vehicles.
"You're going to feel every bump. And when you slide on ice, you're going to feel the slide," he said. "Very different than any ride system we've ever done before.'
Outside of the showroom floor, fans can also join in on entertainment panels, shop exclusive merchandise and even catch Disney Legends "cement" their legacy.
"The goal is really to honor the fans," Ayaz said. "It's kind of incredible what these characters mean to people and this is an opportunity to celebrate that, to give people access and bring them all together from around the world."
How to watch D23 at home
For fans who can't make it to Anaheim for D23 this year, select events from the fan event will be available to stream on Disney+ around the world.
They include:
- Beauty and the Beast: A Tale as Old as Time 35th Anniversary Celebration – Live at 11 a.m. PT on Aug. 14
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 3 Panel – Live at 3:30 p.m. PT on Aug. 15
- Disney Rewind Encore Concert – Live at 6:30 p.m. PT on Aug. 15
- Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase – Live at 7 p.m. PT on Aug. 15
- Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration – Recorded live from Disneyland Resort and begins streaming Aug. 16
- Disney Worldbuilders Panel with Jared Bush, Pete Docter, Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Kevin Feige, moderated by Leslie Iwerks – Live at 10:15 a.m. PT on Aug. 16
- Disney Legends Awards Ceremony – Recorded live and begins streaming at 6 p.m. PT on Aug. 16
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News and "Good Morning America."
