News Destination D23 2025

BrianLo

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
Salted Nut Roll said:
I can't help but notice that this event is listed as a "Gold Member exclusive" event this year. Has this always been the case? I've never attended Destination D23, but I seem to remember it being open to general members as well.

If this is the new policy, it definitely doesn't bode well for the D23 Expo next year. Every Expo, they've been trying harder and harder to upsell the Gold Membership.
I've commented to friends that it seems like Disney is slowly trying to push their biggest events into GM-exclusives, forcing you to get the Gold package in order to attend. I saw the writing on the wall with the recent introduction of the new "cheaper" Gold Member tier. So has it finally happened? If so, that just seems really gross. I understand they do this for smaller, more intimate events throughout the year, none of which I've been compelled to get the GM for. But to pay for a Gold Membership on top of the $200-$1,000 for a D23 ticket, and the only "perk" is the privilege to attend (not even a discount is offered to GMs anymore) and access to a special resting area? That really rubs me the wrong way.
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Maybe I’m completely out of touch, but is the gold membership really that prohibitively expensive?

But beyond that, this was always a gold only event. Anaheim will likely stay general. I can’t for the life of me figure out why people would forgo it when there was line priority a number of conferences back. Now it’s only 49$

As is, they send you more stuff than the price you pay. I’m sure the Lorcana card will be worth something and for an extra 49$ you can even go up a tier and get a spirit jersey or several other things.
 
Salted Nut Roll

Salted Nut Roll

Active Member
BrianLo said:
Maybe I’m completely out of touch, but is the gold membership really that prohibitively expensive?

But beyond that, this was always a gold only event. Anaheim will likely stay general. I can’t for the life of me figure out why people would forgo it when there was line priority a number of conferences back. Now it’s only 49$

As is, they send you more stuff than the price you pay. I’m sure the Lorcana card will be worth something and for an extra 49$ you can even go up a tier and get a spirit jersey or several other things.
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Thanks for the clarification! That's good to hear. As for the Gold Membership being cost-prohibitive. At the $100 price point it had been at for the past several years...yeah, that's a lot. Will it break the bank for a lot of people? Probably not. But when you have to budget and prioritize how you're going to spend your "fun money" each year, it becomes harder to justify spending a hundred dollars on a Gold membership.
Of course, It's definitely a YMMV situation. Pretty much the only event I go to is the D23 Expo, where, once you have your ticket, there are no perks beyond a special lounge area. And I'm not a big collector or reseller, so the special merch would just be sitting around taking up space in my house. For others, it's totally worth it. It's just not for me.
Now with the new lower price point, the cost is easier to swallow. I just bristle at the idea of "having to" pay an annual fee to attend an event. Brings out the contrarian in me, I guess. But hopefully that won't be the case for the Anaheim event.
 
D

DCBaker

Premium Member
Original Poster
New details for Destination D23 2025:

Tickets for Gold Members go on sale on April 14 at 10am PT / 1pm ET.

Presentation Highlights of Destination D23 2025 will include*:
  • See Disney archivists, historians, Imagineers, cast members, filmmakers, Disney Legends and luminaries in two days of programming spanning all the worlds of Disney!
  • Enjoy panels celebrating the attractions, entertainment and experiences that define Disney theme parks and cruise ships.
  • Discover exciting upcoming projects from creators and storytellers at The Walt Disney Studio!
  • Take a trip around the world with the Walt Disney Archives, featuring interstitial programming focusing on Disney’s vast connections and history to locales around the globe, including a special 80th anniversary celebration of all things south of the border with The Three Caballeros!
  • Go down the rabbit hole to discover the “Disney you didn’t know” as the Walt Disney Archives shares more of the most astonishing Disney discoveries, connections, and little-known facts that will change everything—or at least some things—you thought you knew about the Disney universe. In this all-new and updated outing, you’ll never guess where we’ll end up next!
Plus, more presenters, presentations, and activities to be announced!

Note: Presentations may utilize haze, strobe effects, and/or other special effects.

Exciting Experiences at Destination D23 2025 will include*:
  • D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon: Saturday, August 30 — Boom, baby! All Destination D23 2025 ticket holders are invited to celebrate 25 years of Disney Animation’s The Emperor’s New Groove with a splash at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park! Following the day’s presentations, be sure to lever-age this after-hours exclusive celebration of the cult classic, including special tributes to Disney’s water parks. Look out for complimentary snacks, photo opportunities, special activities, and exclusive entertainment at this ultra neat, squeak squeakin’ member-only party!***

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  • Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert, presented by Disney+, caps off the weekend’s journey with the ultimate throwback experience showcasing the very best hits of these fan-favorite decades. Dig out those flip phones and grab some shoulder pads as Broadway and Disney Animation stars flashback through a defining generation of films and TV shows, with showstopping performances, rock-concert lighting and larger-than-life projections. It’s a fan-inspired, Disney+ extravaganza as we go from “Zero to Hero” and see it “I 2 I” with musical moments from: Hercules, A Goofy Movie, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Lion King, The Disney Afternoon and more! Specially presented by Disney+ at Destination D23 2025, in partnership with Disney Concerts and 10th & Main Productions, this live concert event is sure to spark nostalgia in any Disney fan.
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  • The Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course, Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations — Disney storytelling is a vibrant tapestry woven from global inspiration. An all-new exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives celebrates that influence by exploring how the world around us sparks creativity. Through a thoughtfully curated selection of photography, artwork, and dimensional artifacts, we follow Disney creatives on an artistic journey— watching black-and-white reference images evolve into vivid concepts. The experience culminates in a dynamic showcase, featuring models, props, and costumes inspired by diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes, all reflecting the enduring legacy of Disney’s storytelling.
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D23 Shopping Spree at Destination D23 2025 will include shopping experiences at***:
  • The Walt Disney Company Store is back on the East Coast! At this location, D23 Gold Members will have access to official Destination D23 merchandise along with new D23 Member-exclusive items and other unique merchandise from TWDC Store. Please note that limited-edition trading pins for this event will be offered to attendees exclusively through a Random Selection Process (RSP) opportunity.**
  • Mickey’s of Glendale. The Walt Disney Imagineering campus store returns to the event with a pop-up shop featuring selections of specialty merchandise! Trading pins for this event will be offered to attendees through a RSP opportunity.**
  • Disney Studio Store Hollywood. For the first time, the magic of Tinseltown is coming to Florida for Destination D23! The Disney Studio Store Hollywood will have a pop-up location at this year’s event that will feature new apparel, accessories and pins! Limited-edition trading pins for this event will be offered to attendees through an RSP opportunity.**
  • Ink & Paint Marketplace. Returning to Destination D23, the Ink & Paint Marketplace will feature an assortment from fan favorite brands and friends of Disney including Lug, and more!**
Additional D23 Member Experiences Happening the Week of Destination D23 2025:

These special opportunities will be open to all D23 Members and may include separately ticketed events. More details to come!

A Goofy Movie Throwback Premiere: Thursday, August 28. Did you know that A Goofy Movie had its 1995 Florida premiere at the AMC Theater now located at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World Resort! We’re going to be seeing fans “I 2 I” with a special 30th anniversary screening of A Goofy Movie at the same theater as the Florida premiere for a standout ’90s throwback! Stay tuned for more information on this separately ticketed event available to all D23 Members, which will go on sale at a later date.

D23 Nights at Disney Springs: Throughout the week leading up to Destination D23 2025, D23 Members can visit Disney Springs for a variety of additional fun activities and offers! Stay tuned for more information at a later date.

Also, stay tuned for more details about a spooktacular event happening the evening of August 29! It’s sure to be a wicked good time!

Full information available below:

d23.com

Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney – Presented by Lug - D23

D23 returns to The Most Magical Place on Earth for the biggest Disney fan event of 2025... now at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort, from August 29 – 31, 2025!
d23.com d23.com
 
Gremlin Gus

Gremlin Gus

Active Member
ednamodedarling said:
What are we thinking gets announced/elaborated on here?
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If I had to guess, I'm guessing we'll hear more details of the Tropical Americas attractions like what specifically the stories will be for the Encanto and Indiana Jones attraction plus more concept art for those rides as well, the Monstropolis land at DHS will probably get more details there including that show that's going to replace MuppetVision 3D, and I guess more info about Villains land and the Cars mini-land.

As for new attractions and shows (at least for WDW), maybe? Idk what to really expect in terms of new things
 
C

christine7257

Well-Known Member
Part of me really wants to go. And the other part thinks I'll just get annoyed and stressed by the crowds and can just watch the updates on social media. Either way, excited to see what gets announced!
 

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