Disneyland has just released the schedule and details for the upcoming D23 Day at Disneyland. Between arriving at park opening to grab a free ear hat and closing out the night with a free concert, it looks like fans won’t be getting much rest before the big three-day convention begins.
D23 Day at Disneyland is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, the day before the 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event begins on August 14. As with the last event in 2024, this D23 Day at Disneyland will feature a free gift for the first guests into the park, commemorative merchandise, a cavalcade of Disney Legends, and special photo opportunities.
Entertainment
A highlight of the day is the Disney Legends Cavalcade, taking place at 1:30 p.m. on Main Street, U.S.A. A host of Disney Legends, including newly-inducted members who will be honored at the Disney Legends Ceremony at the Honda Center on Sunday night, will participate in the processional. The 2024 event included Martha Blanding, Floyd Norman, Jodi Benson, Tony Baxter, Paige O’Hara, Wing T. Chao and more.
One big addition to the 2026 D23 Day at Disneyland is a live performance of “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration” at Disney California Adventure. The concert will be streamed on Disney+, and will be broadcast on Disney Channel, Freeform, and The Wonderful World of Disney on ABC on Sunday, Aug. 16. Park guests can enter into a virtual queue for the opportunity to attend one of the two performances.
The concerts are at 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. in Paradise Gardens Park. From the description on the Disney website, the show will utilize the World of Color fountains and lighting infrastructure to accent the performances.
To see the concert, you’ll need valid park admission, a wristband, and to sign a filming release form. A virtual queue opens at Noon on August 13 to select the lucky winners. To enter the virtual queue, you must have already entered Disney California Adventure, or have entered Disneyland with a park hopper ticket. If selected, you’ll need to return to Disney California Adventure between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to get your wristband. Full details are on the Disney Parks Blog.
Disney has promised special entertainment for this event, including rare character appearances by the Blue Fairy and Merlin in Fantasyland. Looking at the entertainment schedule for the day, the hours for “Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Bash” have been adjust to 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., so the Tomorrowland Stage can be used to host “Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Dance Party” from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
If you’re a PhotoPass fan, be sure to take advantage of the complimentary unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during D23 Day at Disneyland. There will be specially themed backdrops and D23 Magic Shots available during the event.
Merchandise
Of course this wouldn’t be a Disney event without merchandise. A small collection of souvenirs for the D23 Day at Disneyland – a t-shirt, magnet and pin – will be offered for sale. Disneyland will also release a new collection of medallions.
I’m fascinated with the new “Donde Empiezan Los Sueños” collection, which Disney says was designed in Southern California-based, Latina-owned lifestyle and streetwear brand Viva La Bonita. The collection bears the inscription “Disneylandia,” which Disney Enterprises recently filed a trademark for. This is the first time in my memory that Disney has ever used the term “Disneylandia” on official merchandise, and definitely shows an awareness of the local market.
Collectors will have the first chance to shop two movie anniversary collections during D23 Day at Disneyland, even before they are offered in the D23 Marketplace at the Anaheim Convention Center during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. These collections celebrate The Hunchback of Notre Dame 30th Anniversary and the Alice in Wonderland 75th Anniversary. DisneyStore.com will eventually offer items from both collections after the event.
Finally, the new Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost Popcorn Bucket will be released at select locations at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure starting August 13. These new releases always draw large crowds, and we recommend checking to see if Mobile Order is available, especially if you’re going to be waiting in line to purchase one of the other merchandise collections.
Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels
Also new this year are activities in Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Resort Hotels, including a Disney Weddings “social hour” at the Disneyland Hotel, where anyone can stop by for photo opportunities, wedding inspiration and the opportunity to learn more about Fairy Tale Weddings offerings at Disneyland as well as Walt Disney World, Aulani and the Disney Cruise Line. You can learn more about this event on the Disney Weddings website. Advance registration is encouraged, but not required.
A host of Downtown Disney locations are offering special discounts to D23 Gold Members or those with a D23 Event badge. The locations are listed below; check with each participating location for their specific offers.
- Beignets Expressed
- Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs
- California Churro
- Céntrico (food and non-alcoholic beverages only)
- Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio (dine-in guests only)
- Kawaii Slime Co.
- Lovepop
- Naples Ristorante e Bar (food and non-alcoholic beverages only)
- PANDORA
- Parkside Market (excludes alcohol)
- Paseo (food and non-alcoholic beverages only)
- Salt & Straw
- Sunglass Hut
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes
- The LEGO Store
- Wetzel’s Pretzels
