The lineup for Destination D23 is out, and one notable absence has quickly become the main talking point.
This year's biennial fan gathering at Walt Disney World Resort—running August 29 to 31 at Disney’s Coronado Springs—will not feature a dedicated Disney Parks panel.
NEW: Here's a look at the full Destination D23 event/panels schedule. The event runs Aug. 29-31 at Walt Disney World Resort.
NEW: Here's a look at the full Destination D23 event/panels schedule. The event runs Aug. 29-31 at Walt Disney World Resort. pic.twitter.com/OBzMkCcAxA
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) August 12, 2025
That detail landed with a thud among some in the fan community, especially those who recall last year’s event. In 2023, Destination D23's parks session ran long and was filled with major updates, from the closure of DinoLand U.S.A. to the now-complete Test Track revamp.
“What a waste of a D23 event,” one X user wrote. “So glad I didn’t fork out that much money to attend. Shame on D23.” Another posted, “No parks panel at Destination D23 is lowkey crazy.”
A Period of Rapid Change at Walt Disney World
The reaction is magnified by the sheer volume of construction and change already underway in Florida. At Magic Kingdom, Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island have been removed to make way for Cars Land and a future Disney Villains area. A Pirates of the Caribbean bar is in development, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be upgraded with handheld blasters and a new character, Buddy.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has permanently closed MuppetVision 3D to create a new Monsters, Inc.-inspired land. The Muppets will resurface elsewhere in the park when Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster closes in 2026 to receive a Kermit and Miss Piggy overhaul. Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will shut down starting September 25, 2025, making room for The Walt Disney Studios, complete with a Sorcerer’s Hat centerpiece.
Animal Kingdom is deep into the removal of DinoLand U.S.A. to clear space for a Tropical Americas land, with attractions themed to Encanto and Indiana Jones. Earlier this year, It’s Tough to Be a Bug! closed inside the Tree of Life theater, set to be replaced by Zootopia: Better Zoogether!.
What Might Still Be Announced
While the schedule suggests no park presentation, several confirmed sessions could still offer updates on ongoing projects. “Disney Villains: Icons of Evil” seems poised to reveal more about the Magic Kingdom expansion, particularly given that Disney has recently been surveying visitors about their favorite villains.
Another possibility lies in the “Walt Disney Studios Showcase.” The panel is expected to highlight upcoming releases like Zootopia 2 and the live-action Moana, either of which could connect to future park experiences.
Destination D23 differs from its larger counterpart, D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in Anaheim, in that it traditionally leans toward archival and celebratory programming. But with Walt Disney World in the midst of one of its most ambitious overhauls in decades, the absence of a parks panel still feels significant to some attendees.
For now, the speculation shifts from what will be announced to whether Disney will use its other panels to quietly drop the news fans have been hoping for.
Are you attending Destination D23?
