D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

Afternoon Programming for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Announced and Includes Alan Menken Concert and Disney Rewind Concert

There is a little over a month until D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event comes to Anaheim, California. When it does, there will be plenty of offerings for Disney fans to enjoy throughout this jam-packed weekend. Today, D23 revealed some of the programming for this ultimate fan event, specifically for the afternoon and evenings. This includes the Disney Rewind Concert and also A Whole New World of Alan Menken. This comes as there are still afternoon tickets available for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, and Sunday single-day tickets for the Anaheim Convention Center! Check out what was announced today below!

FRIDAY
August 14 | 7:00PM

SATURDAY
August 15 | 6:30PM

Disney Rewind Concert: Don’t miss the ultimate throwback event showcasing the very best Disney hits of the ’80s and ’90s! Relive the magic of VHS vibes with this live mixtape concert spanning Powerline, Disney Afternoon, Muses, and more, brought to life by Disney Broadway and Animation stars, rock-concert lighting, and larger-than-life visuals. The show premieres at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, with an encore performance at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 15.

The spectacular cast bringing these songs to life include Jared Dixon (Broadway’s “Simba”), Alyssa Fox (Broadway’s “Elsa”), Arielle Jacobs (Broadway’s “Jasmine”), Josh Strickland (Broadway’s “Tarzan”), and Raena White (Broadway’s “Sarabi”), with special appearances by Disney Legends Bill Farmer, Jodi Benson, and 2026 Legend recipient Susan Egan.

SUNDAY
August 16 | 6:00PM

A Whole New World of Alan Menken: Disney Legend and eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken shares the songs—and the stories behind them—in his rare one-man concert event, A Whole New World of Alan Menken. From “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Whole New World,” “Colors of the Wind,” and “Go the Distance,” to beloved stage and screen musicals that have become cultural landmarks, Menken’s music has shaped generations of audiences around the world.

His extraordinary body of work includes The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), Pocahontas (1995), Hercules (1997), Enchanted (2007), Tangled (2010), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Newsies (1992), and many more. The show is written by Menken and directed by Richard Kraft with additional material by Kraft and Jennifer Lucy Cook. This show will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16.

Other panels were announced for the afternoons and evenings as well. They include:

Friday, August 14

Walt Disney: 125 Years of Inspiration:
Join D23 as we salute Walt Disney’s 125th birthday! Hear from those who knew him, legends who were inspired by Walt and continue his legacy, plus enjoy some special performances—all inspired by and in fun celebration of Walt Disney!

Ink & Paint at Disney Animation:
Watch the magic behind the Ink & Paint Department at Disney Animation come together before your eyes—from an animator’s drawing to an inker transferring the image onto a cel, and then a painter bringing it to life with vibrant color, there is magic with every stroke of a pencil and brush.

20 Years of Enchanted: A Love Letter to Disney:
Join co-hosts Nina West and Kevin Lima (director, A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, Enchanted) as we celebrate 20 years of Enchanted with a fast-paced, Easter egg-filled tribute featuring special guests and surprises from the Walt Disney Archives collection.

The Quests Ahead for Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game:
The Disney Lorcana TCG team at Ravensburger can’t wait to tell fans about all-new events coming to Disney locations, upcoming set releases in 2027, and more stories to play into from the realm of Lorcana. Join the team as they cover all the highlights of bringing this amazing card game to life and wow the audience with exciting announcements!

Houses Walt Built: The Walt Disney Family Museum:
See rare photos and hear intimate stories about Walt and Lillian Disney’s Woking Way, Carolwood, and Smoke Tree Ranch homes with museum executive director Kirsten Komoroske and Carolwood miniature model-maker Mark Hurt.

Disney Lorcana Speed Puzzling Team Events:
Piece together a perfect pastime and participate in Ravensburger’s first-ever speed puzzling events at D23! Guests will race to put together one of three brand-new Disney Lorcana 300-piece puzzles, with each competitor also taking a puzzle home at the end. These one-hour long speed puzzling events will take place on Friday, August 14, at the Ravensburger Gaming Area at three different times—9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Tickets will be available through Ravensburger and will be communicated to D23 Event ticketholders at a later date. 

Saturday, August 15

Worlds of Tinker Bell: Never Land to Pixie Hollow:
Join host Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as we explore the magical evolution of Tinker Bell from Peter Pan (1953) to her own enchanting universe in this lively celebration of a favorite Disney fairy.

Disney | Marvel: A Legacy of Stories presented by M&M’S:
Discover the rich legacy of Disney and Marvel storytelling through classic comics, unexpected crossovers, and production insights from Marvel creatives and Disney archivists.

Disney Style Around the World:
Enjoy a showcase of iconic Disney fashion and some fan-favorite collaborations from around the globe, plus hear from panelist Bobby Kim, Vice President, Global Creative Director for Disney Consumer Products.

Great Moments with Walt Disney:
Disney historian Tim O’Day and editor of Disney Files magazine Ryan March share humorous stories and rare video footage of Walt Disney, showing the comedic side of the man behind the magic!

Sunday, August 16

The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds:
Through live and online bidding, discover select, verified pieces from Disney’s theme parks and resorts that are ready for their next chapter with the fans who treasure them most. Hosted by Bret Iwan, Disney Fine Artist and the Official Voice of Mickey Mouse!

One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th Anniversary:
Celebrate Disney Animation’s pioneering feature film with a look back at rarely seen art from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.

Searching for the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House:
Join Disney artist Kevin Kidney as he shares about his journey to the tropical island to visit the original filming locations from Swiss Family Robinson (1960)—including the legendary tree house that inspired the Disneyland Park attraction!

Located on the Show Floor, the popular Spotlight Stage Presented by Fandango also returns with entertainment throughout the weekend, hosting an array of musical performances, Disney trivia, one-on-one interviews with some beloved celebrities, and sing-alongs of some favorite Disney songs.

Note: Specific show times to be confirmed closer to the event.

Show Floor

D23 also revealed some of the offerings that will be found on the show floor throughout the weekend. This D23 promises to have the biggest and most innovative show floor yet! These highlights include:

  • The Disney+ Hulu Experience – This experience brings fan-favorite streaming worlds to life like never before with a signature 4D theater, immersive photo experiences, exclusive merchandise, a collectible pin-hunting adventure, personalized subscription support, and more.
  • Marvel Studios’ TVA Experience: Your Next Assignment – an immersive walkthrough experience across the different worlds of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
  • Lucasfilm pavilion – Explore the exciting array of photo ops, props, and costumes from current and upcoming stories set in a galaxy far, far away.
  • Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios – These two incredible animation studios are joining forces for a must-see animation experience that includes previews of upcoming films like Disney’s Frozen 3 and Pixar’s Gatto.
  • Mundo Pixar: The D23 Experience – Guests get to see a special preview of its globally touring immersive exhibition.

There will also be beloved brands on hand on the show floor. This includes:

  • BoxLunch
  • Pandora
  • Loungefly
  • Crocs
  • Spirit Jersey
  • Citizen
  • Topps
  • Wizards of the Coast
  • Collectors Editions
  • RSVLTS
  • Ravensburger (with their Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game)

There will also be the first Disney Lorcana Challenge Championship Qualifier (CCQ) of the next Challenge season on Saturday, August 15—with the top players competing on Sunday, August 16. More information about the tournament, along with how to purchase CCQ entry tickets, can be found here.

What do you think of all of the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event details that were revealed today? What are you most excited about? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!

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