There is a specific kind of anticipation that builds in the Disney fan community every two years, and it does not come from a park opening or a film release.
It comes from a convention. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is the company's flagship gathering for its most dedicated fans, and in the years it takes place, it functions as the single most information-dense weekend in the Disney calendar.
Major announcements come out of the Honda Center presentations that ripple through the parks, the film slate, the streaming lineup, and the merchandise world for months afterward. The show floor at the Anaheim Convention Center fills with panels, first looks, exclusive shopping, and the kind of access to Disney's creative teams that does not exist at any other point in the year.
For the fans who attend, D23 is not just an event. It is a pilgrimage. And for the fans who follow it from home, it is the weekend that shapes what Disney looks like for the next two years. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 runs August 14 through 16 in Anaheim, California, across the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. Tickets go on sale starting March 31 for the highest-tier D23 Gold members, with broader access opening April 2. The full ticketing structure, pass options, and event programming details are below.
Mark your calendars! Tickets for #D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by VISA go on sale exclusively for D23 Gold Members Thursday, April 2!
Want priority access to tickets for this can’t miss event? Become a D23 Gold Member today at https://t.co/l1vb0ZqxXY! pic.twitter.com/CInOKWcvhW
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) March 26, 2026
The On-Sale Dates and Who Gets Access When
Ticket availability is staggered by D23 Gold Membership level, and knowing where you fall in that hierarchy before the sale opens is the first step in actually securing the pass you want.
On March 31, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT, an exclusive pre-sale opens for D23 Gold Charter Members only. On April 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT, access expands to D23 Gold Members on an Essential, Choice, or Complete plan. At 12 p.m. PT on April 2, all remaining D23 Gold Membership plan types can purchase.
Before you get to the checkout screen, note that each ticket carries an $11.25 service fee and each transaction carries a $16.00 delivery fee. Those are not small numbers when you are buying multiple passes, and they are worth factoring into your budget before you commit to a tier.
If the pass you want sells out, a waitlist opens for a limited time. You will need your D23 Gold Membership number and your preferred ticket types to join. Waitlist position is assigned randomly — submitting earlier does not help your odds — and selected guests are notified by May 15 via email and phone. The waitlist does not guarantee tickets.
Every Pass Type, Explained
Six pass options cover the range from a new entry-level afternoon ticket to a premium three-day floor seat. Here is what each one includes and what it costs.
The D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass is the top tier at $1,299 for three days. It includes a reserved floor seat at the Honda Center for all three evenings — the same seat each day — along with full three-day access to the Anaheim Convention Center. New for 2026, this pass includes special RSP access to select limited-edition pin releases during the event.
The D23 Ultimate Fan Pass covers three days at $297. It includes a reserved Honda Center seat for all three evening presentations and three-day Convention Center access. Single-day versions start at $99 and cover one Honda Center evening presentation plus same-day Convention Center access on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
The D23 Fan Pass covers the Anaheim Convention Center only with no Honda Center access. The three-day version is $297 and the single-day version is $99. New this year is the D23 Fan Pass Afternoon Only at $49, which covers Convention Center entry starting at 4 p.m. on one day. Afternoon Only tickets are not eligible for initial RSP reservation selection for panels and experiences.
The dividing line that matters most is Honda Center access. Only Ultimate Fan Pass and Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass holders get into the evening presentations. Everyone else is Convention Center only, full stop.
The Three Honda Center Presentations
Each evening of D23 2026 closes with a marquee Honda Center showcase. On Friday, August 14, the Disney Entertainment Showcase takes the stage at 7 p.m. On Saturday, August 15, the Disney Experiences Showcase follows at 7 p.m. — historically the most significant session for theme park fans, as this is where Walt Disney World and Disneyland announcements tend to land. On Sunday, August 16, the Disney Legends Award Ceremony closes the weekend at 1:30 p.m., hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
Throughout the weekend, the Anaheim Convention Center hosts more than 50 panels and presentations with behind-the-scenes access, first looks, and conversations with Disney's creative teams. The D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest presented by AT&T returns as a fan-favorite event, with submissions open through April 24. A new Leslie Iwerks documentary will premiere during the weekend, and limited-edition pins will be available at the event.
What D23 Means for Your Anaheim Trip
For guests who are combining D23 with a Disneyland Resort visit, the August 14 through 16 weekend requires some honest planning. The Honda Center presentations run into the evening, and a full Convention Center day stacked on top of park time is physically demanding in a way that catches people off guard. Building rest into the schedule rather than trying to maximize every hour of both the event and the parks will make the overall trip more sustainable.
Saturday, August 15 draws particular attention because the Disney Experiences Showcase is the session most likely to carry significant theme park news. Demand for Saturday passes tends to reflect that, so guests prioritizing the parks presentation should identify their preferred pass type before April 2 and be ready to move quickly when their membership access window opens.
For guests with Anaheim trips planned that same weekend who are not attending D23, the event's presence in the city is worth accounting for. A large influx of Disney fans into the area affects hotel availability, restaurant traffic, and crowd levels at the Disneyland Resort parks. If your Disneyland trip happens to overlap with August 14 through 16, expect a busier environment than a typical mid-August weekend would deliver.
Our D23 2026 coverage will continue as the April sale approaches and as programming details are announced. For a full comparison of pass types, membership tier breakdowns, and Anaheim trip planning around the event, our guide is on the site and updated as new information becomes available. Know your pass target, have your membership details ready, and do not wait until the morning of April 2 to figure out what you are buying.
This is all new to us and are looking forward to the adventure of the Disney key family