Disney packed a year’s worth of headlines into a single weekend at Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney, held at Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort.
The biennial fan event brought thousands together for two days of film previews, television updates, and theme park surprises — more than 25 presentations in all spanning Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Disney Animation, Imagineering, and Disney Experiences.
Pixar and Disney Studios Steal the Spotlight
The Walt Disney Studios Showcase, hosted by actor Yvette Nicole Brown, set the tone with a string of high-profile announcements. Kicking things off, Disney confirmed Ice Age: Boiling Point, a lava soaked prehistoric adventure slated for February 5, 2027.
Pixar then took over with a wave of Toy Story news. The 1995 original returns to theaters September 12, 2025; Buzz Lightyear will float down Fifth Avenue again this November in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; and Toy Story 5 is officially set for June 19, 2026. The sequel introduces a new character voiced by Conan O’Brien, a new, talking potty-training toy named Smarty Pants. Attendees were treated to the film’s opening minutes — an early preview that reportedly drew the loudest ovation of the showcase.
Pixar also previewed Hoppers, a new comedy from We Bare Bears creator Daniel Chong. Exclusive clips, paired with appearances by cast members Piper Curda and Bobby Moynihan, gave audiences a taste of the film’s offbeat humor and earned plenty of laughs.
A Neon Future for TRON
Another major reveal came from the digital frontier. TRON: Ares, hitting theaters October 10, 2025, will temporarily extend its reach into the parks. For a limited run this fall, TRON attractions in Florida and Shanghai will feature a soundtrack overhaul by Nine Inch Nails. Disney also confirmed 4K remasters of the 1982 original and its 2010 sequel, due on Blu-ray and digital September 16, 2025.
New Worlds in Animation
Walt Disney Animation offered its own surprises, beginning with Hexed, arriving November 2026. The film follows a boy who discovers his unusual quirks or “flaws” may actually be magical powers. Writer-director Jared Bush also brought updates on Zootopia 2, scheduled for November 26, 2025. Alongside the returning duo of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, Patrick Warburton joins the voice cast as Mayor Winddancer, a bumbling but well-meaning stallion.
On the streaming side, Disney+ will release Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw on December 5, 2025. Creator Jeff Kinney introduced the adaptation of his third book, with Aaron D. Harris and Chris Diamantopoulos leading the voice cast.
Beyond the Big Screen
Destination D23 wasn’t only about movies; the event also brought announcements for the broader fan community. Michael Vargo, head of D23, announced that the next flagship D23 Expo will return to Anaheim August 14–16, 2026, with expanded programming across venues. Disney Legend Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, was named the first official “FAN-bassador” for the celebration.
Documentary filmmaker Leslie Iwerks unveiled the trailer for Disneyland Handcrafted, which dives into the park’s original construction using rarely seen archival footage. The film will stream this winter on Disney+ and YouTube.
The parks news carried one of the weekend’s most surprising moments: Imagineering revealed that an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney will be added to Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom. The announcement was positioned as both a technological milestone and a tribute to the company’s founder.
A Toast to Disney’s Future
Even Disney Cruise Line made the agenda. Guests got a first look at specialty themed drinks coming aboard the Disney Destiny in 2025, with concoctions inspired by Doctor Strange, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Fans also glimpsed collectible popcorn buckets and sippers bound for Disney Parks and Cruise Line.
Across films, streaming projects, theme parks, and cruises, the weekend reinforced D23’s role as Disney’s ultimate fan showcase — balancing nostalgia with major forward-looking reveals. From a fifth Toy Story film to the promise of a remastered TRON and even an animatronic Walt himself, the message was clear: Walt Disney is investing heavily in keeping its stories alive across every corner of its empire.
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