D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, better known as the Disney Expo, is just around the corner. News has been flowing about the event for the last few weeks, including details on all of the programming as well as the show floor. To kick off that exciting weekend, Disneyland will be hosting a D23 Day. In this post, we’ll share all of the details on this special event. Let’s get to the news before adding our commentary.

D23 Day at Disneyland Resort returns Aug. 13, 2026, bringing Disney fans together for imagination, storytelling, and fandom at The Happiest Place on Earth. This all takes place before D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event begins in Anaheim on Aug. 14, 2026.

All guests with a valid theme park admission and reservation – including D23: The Official Disney Fan Club Members and D23 Event 2026 attendees – are invited to this celebration.

D23 Day – Aug. 13, 2026

D23 Day at Disneyland Resort on Aug. 13, 2026, marks the countdown to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim. During this one-day event, all guests visiting Disneyland Resort can discover themed moments and fan-favorite experiences that celebrate the worlds of Disney.

From special entertainment to dance parties, themed merchandise, and more, there’s plenty of ways to express your fandom!

Complimentary Ear Hats and Commemorative Guides

Beginning at park opening on Aug. 13 and while supplies last, guests entering Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure with valid park admission may receive a complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hat featuring the D23 Day at Disneyland Resort logo and commemorative guide. Limited quantities available.

Disney Legends Cavalcade at Disneyland

Experience a quintessential moment of D23 Day at Disneyland Resort and grab a seat along the parade route to see the Disney Legends Cavalcade, happening at Disneyland at 1:30 p.m. See if you can spot all 23 characters as they make their way down Main Street, U.S.A., with the Disneyland Band and select Disney Legends, who have been recognized for the unique and impactful legacies they have created at Disney.

D23 Day Entertainment

Explore the plethora of entertainment offerings across the resort on D23 Day, from dance parties to special character sightings and more.

Keep your eyes peeled for Merlin from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Sword and the Stone and Blue Fairy from Disney Animation’s Pinocchio, who you may encounter while wandering through Fantasyland in Disneyland.

Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland will feature music from day to night! From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., young kids and their families can boogie down with Stitch and some of his friends at “Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Bash.” In the evening, keep those dance moves grooving during the “Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Dance Party” from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Photo Spots

There will be some unique photo spots throughout the special event. Pose in front of one of multiple D23 Day icon photo locations, located at Town Square at Disneyland, Pixar Pier in California Adventure, and in Downtown Disney.

If you’re looking for new photos to decorate your walls with at home, photo booths in the Hollywood Backlot in California Adventure and Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland will offer D23 Day-themed photo strips for an additional fee.

Complimentary Disney PhotoPass Digital Downloads

As part of the festivities, all park guests with valid park admission and theme park reservations on Aug. 13, 2026, may receive complimentary unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken that day. Disney PhotoPass service will offer fun Magic Shots you can find that day.

Activities at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

Discover where love meets magic on D23 Day! On Aug. 13, waltz down to Rose Court Garden at Disneyland Hotel with your loved one to enjoy immersive entertainment, unique photo opportunities, and explore how love stories come to life with Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.

Throughout the month of August, Disneyland Hotel will feature a photo opportunity inspired by the upcoming film, Camp Rock 3.

Special Merchandise, Bucket, and Treat

The celebration wouldn’t be complete without merchandise to take home and a treat to try! Let’s take a look at the collections and limited-time items that will be available at the resort beginning Aug. 13, while supplies last.

D23 Day Logo Collection

• Locations – Emporium at Disneyland, Elias & Co. at California Adventure, and World of Disney at Downtown Disney
• Dress up for the ultimate kickoff party with a colorful tee, trading pin, and magnet, all with the D23 Day at Disneyland Resort logo.

Disneylandia Collection

• Locations – Emporium at Disneyland, Elias & Co. at California Adventure, The D-Lander Shop at Downtown Disney
• Disneyland Resort is collaborating with Southern California-based, Latina-owned lifestyle and streetwear brand Viva La Bonita. This collection, named “Donde Empiezan Los Sueños,” weaves together culture and storytelling, capturing how Disneyland inspires dreams.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame 30^th Anniversary

• Locations – Emporium at Disneyland, Off the Page at California Adventure, World of Disney at Downtown Disney
• Honoring the 30^th anniversary of Disney Animation’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, this vibrant collection features a Spirit Jersey, ear headband, trading pin, mug, and more!
• This collection will also be available at the D23 Marketplace in the Anaheim Convention Center during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, while supplies last. It will become available on DisneyStore.com at a later date with details to come.

Alice in Wonderland 75^th Anniversary

• Locations – Clothiers at Disneyland, Elias & Co. at California Adventure, The D-Lander Shop at Downtown Disney
• To celebrate 75 years of Disney Animation’s Alice in Wonderland, this pastel apparel and accessories collection is inspired by the Queen of Hearts’ favorite pastime: croquet!
• This collection will also be available at the D23 Marketplace in the Anaheim Convention Center during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, while supplies last. It will become available on DisneyStore.com at a later date, with details to come.

D23 Day Medallions

• Locations – Candy Palace at Disneyland, Kingswell Shop at California Adventure, Near Star Wars Trading Post in Downtown Disney
• Available for the first time in capsules and as a complete four-medallion set, the D23 commemorative medallions feature four distinct designs with the D23 Day at Disneyland Resort logo on the back. Available while supplies last.

Popcorn Bucket and Treat

Take home the Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost Popcorn Bucket, a new novelty available for purchase for a limited time beginning Aug. 13, at Harbour Galley, Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, Popcorn at Frontierland and Popcorn at New Orleans in Disneyland, and at Popcorn at Grizzly Peak Airfield and Popcorn Near Carthay Circle Restaurant in California Adventure. Available while supplies last; limit two (2) per person, per transaction. No discounts apply.

Indulge in the Sorcerer Apprentice Mickey Cake Pop, available for a limited time beginning Aug. 13 at Candy Palace in Disneyland, Trolley Treats in California Adventure, and Disney Wonderful World of Sweets in Downtown Disney, while supplies last. These will be such sweet additions to your celebratory day!

“Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” Live Performance

As the culmination to the day and in anticipation of World Princess Week, a limited number of fans may have the opportunity to attend the live performance of “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” in California Adventure on Aug. 13. This spectacular performance brings together the largest gathering of Disney Princess talent ever assembled, celebrating the iconic stories across animation, live-action, stage, and music. Attendance will be limited and may require additional steps.

This one-of-a-kind concert will transform the night with dazzling lights, sweeping projections, and sky-high fountains creating a truly immersive world where the music, magic, and legacy of Disney Princesses shine like never before. Fans can stream the concert on Disney+ and watch it on Disney Channel, Freeform, and The Wonderful World of Disney on ABC on Sunday, Aug. 16.

• Time: Virtual queue enrollment begins at 12:00 p.m. PST. Concert performance times are 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. PST
• Location: Paradise Gardens Park, California Adventure

A virtual queue confirmation, wristband and valid admission for California Adventure are required to participate in this experience.

On Aug. 13, you can request to join the virtual queue through the Disneyland app at 12:00 p.m. PST after entering California Adventure, or after entering Disneyland with a valid Park Hopper ticket.

You’ll be assigned an admittance group when joining a queue. When your group is called, and you receive a push notification, proceed to Hyperion Theater Courtyard between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to scan your ticket or entry code to pick up your wristband.

Virtual queue admittance groups are extremely limited and available while supplies last. Wristbands will only be distributed to guests who have obtained a virtual queue admittance group entry code and have signed a filming release form. Wristbands have no cash value, may not be sold, and will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or damaged. Wristband availability and procedures are subject to change without notice.

Please be advised that photography, filming, and recording of “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” will be taking place. Show times are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Downtown Disney D23 Offers

Beginning Aug. 1 through Aug. 16, select locations at the Downtown Disney District will have special offerings or discounts for guests that present their D23 Event badge or D23 Gold Membership Card. Learn more about the offers at D23.com.

Downtown Disney locations with discounts or special offers:

• Beignets Expressed
• Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs
• California Churro
• Céntrico (food and non-alcoholic beverages only)
• Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio (dine-in guests only)
• Kawaii Slime Co.
• Lovepop
• Naples Ristorante e Bar (food and non-alcoholic beverages only)
• PANDORA
• Parkside Market (excludes alcohol)
• Paseo (food and non-alcoholic beverages only)
• Salt & Straw
• Sunglass Hut
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes
• The LEGO Store
• Wetzel’s Pretzels

Commentary

D23 Day at Disneyland Resort sounds like a blast! The highlights, at least for me, are the Legends Cavalcade and the Disney Princess Concert. The latter is extremely unique and I’m a little surprised that Disney isn’t making it an upcharge event. Good on them! I expect the virtual queue to go within seconds for those 2 shows so be ready with your phones. Making a sacrifice to the virtual queue gods might help, as well.

I’m always a little split on attending D23 Day. As I said, it sounds like a great time and I’m happy that Disney is making this into a well thought out park day. There’s more offered here than I expected and many of them are complimentary with park admission. That’s great news!

My hesitation solely comes out of self-preservation. The D23 Expo is exhausting! Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful and something we look forward to every time it comes around. But, we do get tired. Preceding that event with a park day might not be in our best interest…

Forget all that, I just made a park reservation! We’re looking to the whole weekend being a celebration and D23 Day should be a fun way to start it off.

Are you excited for D23 Day at Disneyland Resort? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Planning a Disney trip? Check out our Travel Guides to help get you there! Here’s a link to discount tickets at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. If you enjoy what you’re reading here on Wandering in Disney please subscribe to the blog via email or WordPress and like our social media pages. You can find all of those things on the right side of this page. Thank you very much for reading, we appreciate it!