Unlock the Magic of D23 Expo 2024: Insider Tips and Everything You Need to Know!

Promising to be an unforgettable event, the D23 Expo this year in 2024 is coming up soon! The Disney Ultimate Fan Event brings together so many people from all over who are ready to celebrate the magic, wonder, and legacy of Disney through exclusive announcements, celebrity appearances, panel discussions, and much more. Whether you’re a long-time member of the D23 community or a first-time attendee, this guide will provide you with essential information and insider tips you need to help you secure your tickets, find the best accommodations, and make the most of this magical experience. Get ready to unlock the magic of D23 Expo 2024 with me!

What is the D23 Expo?

D23 Expo is a major highlight for many Disney fans like myself. Taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center, this Ultimate Disney Fan Event brings together the entire world of Disney under one roof for three days of enchanting entertainment, exclusive announcements, and unique experiences. From the latest in Disney movies and television shows to behind-the-scenes insights into Disney Parks and Resorts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This event only comes around every two years, so you won’t want to miss out!!

The expo is named after D23, the official Disney fan club that was established in 2009. The number 23 signifies the year 1923, when Walt Disney founded the company, marking the beginning of the Disney legacy. D23 Expo serves as a celebration of this heritage, offering us fans a glimpse into the future of Disney’s creative vision and storytelling.

By attending you may be able to see some of your favorite Disney stars, discover new Disney merchandise before anyone else, and attend panel discussions with the Disney’s masterminds, including artists, animators, and imagineers. The event is not just a convention; it’s a vibrant community gathering, a treasure trove of nostalgia, and a peek into the future of Disney’s expanding universe.

What are the Benefits of becoming a D23 Member?

Becoming a D23 Member unlocks many perks, especially when it comes to the D23 Expo 2024.

D23 General Membership offers access to a FanFare newsletter, allowing members to stay updated on all things Disney. It also provides access to general events and the opportunity to enter sweepstakes.

D23 Gold Members enjoy discounts for the D23 Expo event tickets and merchandise. They also have access to special member-only events throughout the year with different Disney inspired themes in varying locations like the D23 Day at Angels Stadium or D23 Day at Disneyland Resort. These events are a great way to connect with other Disney fans and can possibly bring you friendships within this magical community.

This year, the D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass, starting at $999 for 3-Day access, is exclusively available to Gold Members, offering unparalleled access to the event with added comforts and conveniences. But remember, these Preferred Fan Passes are in limited quantities, so acting fast is key.

How do I sign up to become a D23 Member?

Simply visit here and follow the instructions to become a general member. If you prefer to get the Gold Membership visit this link here. However if you are wanting to add someone else to a gold member pass visit this link here.

How to Purchase Tickets for D23 Expo 2024

Securing your tickets to the D23 Expo 2024 is the first step on your journey to this ultimate Disney fan experience. Ticket sales are being spread out across a span of three days starting March 26 (Tuesday).

Calendar Dates for Ticket Sales for D23 Expo are listed below

• March 26, 2024 (Tuesday) at 12 PM PT : D23 Gold Member Pre-Sale begins, offering an exclusive purchasing window for ONLY D23 Gold Members.
• March 27, 2024 (Wednesday) at 12 PM PT: Visa Cardholder Pre-Sale opens, allowing any Visa cardholders members an opportunity to purchase tickets on this day.
• March 28, 2024 (Thursday) at 12 PM PT: General ticket sales open for all D23 Members, including both Gold and General Members.

To participate in any of the sales (presale or general ticket admission), you must first register and become a D23 Member. Membership can be obtained for free as a general member, but exclusive benefits and early access to tickets are reserved for Gold Members.

What you need to know about D23’s Ticket Options and what you will experience:

This is the first time in its history that Disney has decided to add a second venue to experience the D23 Expo. In all previous years, the D23 Expo was exclusively held at the Anaheim’s Convention Center near the Disney Parks. This year in 2024, those who attend can also opt to join in on the magical fun at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

So how does this affect the prices? Essentially, the prices for the experiences you may want will fluctuate. Because there are a variety of things like the ticket cost itself, transportation, hotel stays, food and merchandise and each person’s budget is different!

Luckily for you, however, I am very much a planner and can give you a breakdown of things you might want to consider to help yourself plan your most magical trip to this year’s D23 expo and hopefully little to no stress!

If you want to join in on the magical fun but ONLY ONE DAY, consider booking the single day pass known as the D23 Fan Pass. But if you want to do ALL THREE DAYS and ONLY at the Anaheim Convention Center buy the 3 day D23 Fan Pass.

Access Only to the Anaheim Convention Center

• D23 Fan Pass: Pricing for D23 Gold Members $79 (special discount)
• D23 Fan Pass: Pricing for General Members $89 per day
• D23 Fan Pass 3-Days for Gold Members is $209
• D23 Fan Pass 3-Days for General Members is $259

If you want to join in on the magical fun for MORE THAN ONE DAY but would like to get ACCESS TO BOTH venues of the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center then consider booking the pass known as the D23 Ultimate Fan Pass! This is a step up if you’d like to do more but spread out across a few days and not commit to a full blown experience.

DISCLAIMER: You can purchase two days in any combination (e.g., Friday and Saturday) under the D23 Ultimate Fan Pass type but I would not recommend it. The prices are per day at a flat rate but may cost more than if you go all 3 days. You also would have to consider how close you’d like to be to the stage as well for the cost.

Anaheim Convention Center + Honda Center Access for D23 Ultimate Fan Pass

• D23 Ultimate Fan Pass: Pricing starts at $99 per day for one day with access to reserve seating in the 400 level upper rows.
• D23 Ultimate Fan Pass: Pricing starts at $149 per day for one day with access to reserve seating in the 400 level lower rows. This gets you a bit closer to the stage than the previous tier option.
• D23 Ultimate Fan Pass: Pricing starts at $189 per day for one day with access to reserve seating in the 200 level adjacent stage. This gives you a chance to be right next to the stage but may not give the best viewing experience depends on what you’re looking for.
• D23 Ultimate Fan Pass: Pricing starts at $249 per day for one day with access to reserve seating in the 200 level. If you want more of a center stage view, this might be what I would recommend.

Now if you can’t even begin to imagine what it would feel like to miss out on all of the many amazing experiences at the D23 Expo and want to see the breaking Disney news before everyone else in the world, then this will be the pass type for you! Purchase the 3 Day Preferred.

Anaheim Convention Center + Honda Center Access for D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass all 3 days

• 3-Day Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass is a D23 Gold Member Exclusive! Pricing starts at $999 day for all 3-Days with access to reserve seating in the 100 level. The sections for this are from 110-112.
• 3-Day Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass for all 3 days with access to reserve in the sections of 107-109 is priced at $1,499 and a bit closer to the stage.
• 3-Day Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass for all 3 days with access to reserve in the sections of 104-106 is $2,099 and reflected in the price is how much closer you are to the stage.
• 3-Day Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass for all 3 days with access to reserve in the sections of 101-103 is $2,599 and this places you directly in front of the stage!

Remember, availability for these 3 day pass types listed above are limited, and the demand will be high.

REMINDER: To streamline your checkout experience, log in to your D23 account in advance, make sure your payment information is up-to-date, and be ready to purchase the moment tickets go on sale.

Hotels near the D23 Expo 2024 event in Anaheim California

After securing your tickets to the D23 Expo 2024, finding the perfect place to stay is your next step. Anaheim offers a variety of accommodations, from luxurious hotels to value-friendly options, ensuring every fan can find a spot that fits their needs and budget.

Disneyland Resort Hotels means you’re close to the Disneyland and California Adventure parks, allowing you to extend the magic beyond the Expo days themselves. Their Disney hotel properties are located near the Anaheim Convention Center but are by no means the closest to the D23 Expo. These hotels are more on the luxurious side and do have certain perks that may make it worth your travel if what you wish is to be immersed into Disney theming and experiences.

If you’re looking for something to fit the Disney theme but more on a moderate level then you should consider booking with Good Neighbor Disney Hotels. These are a fantastic option in my experience because they are approved by Disney themselves, ensuring they meet a high standard of quality and service. Many of these hotels will offer shuttle or bus service to the Anaheim Convention Center and the Disneyland Resort, making your commute to the Expo and the parks much more convenient unless of course you prefer the outdoors and walking which can be really nice too!

For more information about Best Family Hotels Near Disneyland click here! This article will be updated soon with even more great hotel deals. See a variety of luxury, moderate and value friendly budgets here!

Rooms fill up quickly due to the this D23 Expo’s popularity when it comes to the hotels nearby. Making early reservations ensure you get the best rates and locations, making your stay as enjoyable and convenient as possible.

Special Events and Highlights

One of the most anticipated announcements is the induction of the 2024 Disney Legends. These individuals are being honored by The Walt Disney Company, as people who in their industry have made significant contributions to the Disney experience and their names will be forever enshrined in Legends Plaza at The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California. Being part of this particular ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because you will be able to witness Disney history in the making!

Another not-to-be-missed event is the D23 Mousequerade, the ultimate Disney costume contest. This event invites creators and designers to bring their most imaginative Disney-themed costumes to life. Competing in the Mousequerade offers a unique chance to showcase your creativity and possibly be crowned the winner in front of an audience of your Disney loving peers. It’s truly something incredible to see how these designers and creators are filled with innovation and their craftsmanship. If this is something that you would like to participate in, see the full details here!

D23 this year is extending its magic beyond the convention center with special days at Disneyland Resort and Angels Stadium. Starting on August 4th there will be a D23 Day inside of the Disneyland Resort where guests visiting, alongside D23 members can enjoy the park from rope drop to late night, with unique offerings that enhance the usual magic of Disneyland. However anyone in attendance at eiter Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park must have a valid ticket entry for admission and a valid reservation on this day.

For the D23 Day at Angels Stadium, attendees can enjoy special trivia, photo spots, and Disney magic throughout the game. Plus, the first 23,000 fans will receive a one-of-a-kind D23 Mickey Mouse bobblehead, making this an event not to miss for Disney fans and sports enthusiasts alike.

The Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes

In addition to the immersive experiences and exclusive access, the D23 Expo 2024 will be offering us fans a chance to win incredible prizes through the Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes. This summer, attendees and D23 members have the opportunity to enter and win some of the most exclusive prizes and experiences from across the Disney universe. The sweepstakes is open to all legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., aged 18 and above, who are current D23 Members (with the D23 General Plan being free to join).

The winner of the biggest D23 Prize will receive a 7-night Disney Cruise Line vacation for themselves and up to three guests aboard the Disney Treasure ship, including a one-time $6,000 payment to help with taxes, airfare (if living outside 250 miles from Port Canaveral, FL), ground transportation, a one-night Disney Resort hotel stay, and all onboard meals and pre-paid gratuities. Additional benefits include roundtrip coach airfares for up to four from the winner’s nearest major airport to Orlando, ground transportation to Walt Disney World® Resort, and coverage for taxes, fees, and port expenses related to the cruise.

Whether it’s exclusive merchandise, rare experiences, or other magical Disney surprises, the Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes is another way the D23 Expo 2024 is making dreams come true for Disney fans.

No purchase is necessary to enter or win according to their site. For official rules, including information on prizes and odds, see the D23 website.

How to Make the Most of Your D23 Expo Experience in 2024

These are some insider tips and recommendations for you to consider after you have already secured your tickets and hotel stay):

• Plan Ahead: With so much to see and do, planning your days in advance can help you catch all the must-see panels and presentations. Information about the events within the expo and panels have not been released yet but be sure to check the D23 Expo schedule as soon as it’s released and prioritize events that are most important to you.
• Arrive Early: Popular panels and events can fill up quickly.
• Explore Beyond the Panels: While panels are a significant draw, the Expo floor is bustling with exhibitions, pop-up shops, and interactive displays. Dedicate time to explore these areas—you never know what exclusive merchandise or surprise encounters await.
• Stay Hydrated and Nourished: The excitement and extensive walking can be draining. Keep a water bottle handy that can be easily consumed on the go. There will be food vendors throughout the D23 expo in the Anaheim Convention Center available for purchase.
• No official word yet from D23’s website about whether bags, purses, backpacks will be allowed at the Honda Center, however, according to the Honda Center Bag Policy, there is a strict no backpack policy, details can be seen here. Parking will be on a first come, first serve basis at the Anaheim Convention Center for a fee. Information about parking at the Honda center is unknown. No specific information has been provided by D23 Expo about how the transportation will work but will release more information as the day gets closer to the event.
• Connect with Fellow Fans: The D23 Expo is a gathering of like-minded enthusiasts. Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations. Sharing your experiences, excitement and fandoms with others can enhance your overall experience.

Make it a D23 to Remember!

As I wrap up our journey through the D23 Expo 2024 guide, I sincerely hope you find it helpful! If you’d like to see more Disney content and support me please follow me on Instagram and subscribe. The countdown to the D23 Expo 2024 begins, hope to see you there!