Destination D23 2023 will return to Walt Disney World to celebrate 100 years of Disney at Disney’s Contemporary Resort on Sept. 8-10, 2023.
Images courtesy of Disney
Josh D’Amaro’s Parks Panel Returns
One of the most anticipated panels of Destination D23 2023 will be hosted by Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.
D23 says D’Amaro will share “a fun and entertaining presentation about what makes a Disney experience so magical and memorable.” The parks’ chairman’s presentation at Destination D23 has traditionally also included news about upcoming projects (and occasionally even a few surprise reveals).
During his 2021 Destination D23 presentation, D’Amaro revealed details about Disneyland Paris’ 30th anniversary, announced the name of Epcot’s Connections Café and Eatery, shared the opening season of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and hailed the return of many experiences that had closed due to the pandemic, among other updates about attractions worldwide.
A Look Back Into Disney History
Throughout the weekend, renowned figures important to Disney’s legacy will share their insights into the company’s 100-year history.
Some of the recently-announced panels will cover the early days of Disney, weird moments in Disney history, Walt Disney’s spirit of optimism, and “the Disney you didn’t know.” More panels and special guests will be announced later.
Destination D23 2023 Shopping
Attendees can shop at several pop-up shops from favorite Disney establishments, including Mickey’s of Glendale, which sells items from the Walt Disney Imagineering campus store. (During 2021’s event, this was home to the infamous line of PizzeRizzo merchandise.)
In addtion, the Walt Disney Company Store will also make its east coast debut with exclusive employee and member merch and the Ink & Paint Marketplace will feature items from some of Disney’s product partners.
Click here for more info about Destination D23.
D23 Member Appreciation Month
D23 celebrated its 14th anniversary as the official Disney fan club on March 10, 2023. To mark the occasion, the club will offer exclusive discounts to members as part of D23 Member Appreciation Month.
To start things off, members can purchase select discounted shopDisney merch, receive 23% off their BoxLunch online purchase, and get $1 off a Ghirardelli sundae. Details are at the bottom of this link, and will be updated with more offers in the coming weeks.
Disney100 Event at the Walt Disney Studio
As part of a video message to D23 members and Disney fans, D23 VP Michael Vargo announced an upcoming special event.
On Oct. 16, 2023 — the official 100th anniversary date of The Walt Disney Company — D23 will host a party at the Walt Disney Studio lot in Burbank, Calif. Disney will announce more details soon.
