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Credit: Taha, UnsplashFor Disney fans, D23 is the closest thing the company has to a convention built entirely for them.
Every two years, Anaheim becomes the center of the Disney universe for a weekend, with announcements, panels, exclusive merchandise, celebrity appearances, and the kind of behind-the-scenes access that does not exist anywhere else in the calendar. The event has grown significantly since it launched in 2009, evolving from a single-venue gathering into a multi-day experience that now spans both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center arena.
The Honda Center presentations have become some of the most anticipated moments in the Disney fan calendar, delivering major announcements across film, television, theme parks, and Disney’s broader creative universe to audiences of thousands.
If you have attended D23 before, you already know that tickets move fast and that the pass you want requires a plan rather than a hope. If this is your first time navigating the D23 ticketing process, the structure is more layered than a standard event ticket purchase, and understanding it before the sale opens will make a meaningful difference. Tickets for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 go on sale beginning March 31 for the highest-tier D23 Gold members, with broader availability opening April 2. The event runs August 14 through 16 in Anaheim, California.
When Tickets Go on Sale and Who Gets First Access
The on-sale schedule is tiered by D23 Gold Membership level. 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, tickets become available to D23 Gold Members on an Essential, Choice, or Complete plan. At 12 p.m. PT on the same day, all other D23 Gold Membership plan types gain access.
Each ticket carries an $11.25 service fee, and each transaction carries a $16.00 delivery fee. Those costs are worth factoring into your total before you finalize which pass type you are targeting.
If tickets sell out, a waitlist will open for a limited time. To join, you will need your D23 Gold Membership number and your preferred ticket types. Waitlist submissions are placed in random order — the time you submit does not affect your position — and those selected will be notified by May 15 via email and phone. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee tickets.
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 Pass Options and What Each One Includes
Six pass types are available for D23 2026, ranging from a new $49 afternoon-only entry point to a $1,299 premium floor experience. Understanding which pass matches your priorities before the sale opens will help you move quickly when access begins.
The D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass is the top-tier option 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 — plus full three-day access to the Anaheim Convention Center. New this year, this pass includes special RSP access to select limited-edition pin releases at the event.
The D23 Ultimate Fan Pass at $297 for three days includes a reserved seat at the Honda Center for all three evenings and three-day access to the Anaheim Convention Center. Single-day versions of the Ultimate Fan Pass are available from $99, covering one reserved seat for the Friday, Saturday, or Sunday evening Honda Center presentation plus same-day Anaheim Convention Center access.
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. A new addition this year is the D23 Fan Pass Afternoon Only at $49, covering one-day Convention Center access with entry starting at 4 p.m. on your chosen day. Afternoon Only tickets are not eligible for initial RSP reservation selection for panels and experiences.
Only Ultimate Fan Pass and Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass holders have access to Honda Center events. If the evening presentations are a priority for your D23 experience, those are the only passes that get you in.
What Is Happening Across the Three Days
D23 2026 runs August 14 through 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center. Each evening culminates with a marquee Honda Center presentation. On Friday, August 14, the Disney Entertainment Showcase takes the stage. On Saturday, August 15, the Disney Experiences Showcase — the presentation that historically delivers major theme park announcements — follows at 7 p.m. On Sunday, August 16 at 1:30 p.m., the Disney Legends Award Ceremony closes the weekend, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
Throughout the weekend, the Anaheim Convention Center hosts more than 50 panels and presentations offering behind-the-scenes access, first looks, and conversations with the people behind Disney’s creative projects. Fan-favorite programming returns, including D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest presented by AT&T, with submissions open through April 24. A new documentary from Leslie Iwerks will premiere during the weekend, and limited-edition pins will be available.
How D23 Can Affect a Disney Vacation
For guests planning a Disneyland Resort trip, the D23 weekend presents both an opportunity and a planning consideration. The event draws a large volume of Disney fans to Anaheim, and the overlap with Disneyland and Disney California Adventure can affect crowd levels at the parks during the August 14 through 16 window. Guests who are not attending D23 but have Disneyland trips planned for that weekend should be aware that the surrounding area will be significantly busier than a typical August weekend.
For guests attending D23 who are also planning park days, the combination of a full event schedule and theme park visits requires careful pacing. The Honda Center presentations run into the evening, and a full Convention Center day on top of park time is a significant physical ask. Building at least one rest day into the trip or choosing park days that fall outside the peak D23 programming hours will make the overall experience more manageable.
The Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday, August 15 is the session most likely to deliver significant theme park announcements. For guests who closely follow Walt Disney World and Disneyland developments, this presentation is the most strategically important of the three Honda Center events, and Saturday passes tend to reflect that in demand.
If you are planning to attend D23 2026 and want a full breakdown of the ticketing process, pass comparisons, and how to build a Disneyland trip around the event weekend, our D23 planning guide covers everything you need before the April 2 sale opens. Check it, know your pass target before you click, and have your D23 Gold Membership information ready to go.