Anaheim, Calif. Disney fans from around the world descended on Anaheim for the opening day of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa, and Disney wasted little time proving that this year’s celebration is bigger, louder, and packed with more surprises than ever.

From the sprawling Anaheim Convention Center show floor to an explosive nighttime presentation at the Honda Center, the first day delivered major announcements, exclusive footage, surprise guests, musical performances, new projects, and enough nostalgia to power a small Disney kingdom.

Josh D’Amaro, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, opened the evening showcase by celebrating the unique relationship between Disney and its global fan community.

“Disney has something no other brand on Earth can claim,” D’Amaro told the audience. “Not just a customer base, not just an audience, but an actual connection.”

That connection, he noted, reaches more than four billion fans worldwide, spanning generations, cultures, and virtually every corner of the Disney universe.

And judging by the reaction inside the Honda Center, those fans were ready for some serious news.

Disney Starts the Showcase With Big Surprises

Hosted by Zootopia 2 stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan, the Disney Entertainment Showcase became a rapid-fire parade of announcements covering Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Entertainment Television, and Disney Theatrical Group.

Dana Walden, President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, opened the Disney Entertainment portion alongside one of television’s most recognizable characters, Bart Simpson.

Fans were treated to a sneak peek at the upcoming The Simpsons movie, which is scheduled to hit theaters September 3, 2027.

But that was merely the opening act.

Lilo & Stitch 2 Officially on the Way

Maia Kealoha, who played Lilo in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, took the stage looking for her blue alien friend.

She didn’t have to wait long.

Stitch appeared on the big screen alongside a new pink companion, Angel, as Disney confirmed that Lilo & Stitch 2 is moving forward.

The sequel to the 2025 blockbuster, which earned more than $1 billion worldwide, is scheduled to begin production in Hawaiʻi later this year.

Chris Sanders, co-creator, co-writer and director of the original 2002 animated film, will direct the sequel and once again provide the voice of Stitch.

Lilo & Stitch 2 is scheduled to open in theaters May 26, 2028.

The Bluey Movie Gets Its First Teaser

The world’s favorite blue heeler also made a major appearance.

Disney unveiled a brand-new teaser trailer and poster for The Bluey Movie, giving fans their first glimpse at the upcoming CG-animated feature.

The presentation even included an appropriately chaotic game of Keepy Uppy featuring giant red balloons.

Directed and written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, the movie follows Bluey and her family through an action-packed day when an unexpected surprise changes everything.

The film is scheduled to arrive exclusively in theaters August 6, 2027.

Ice Age: Boiling Point Brings the Herd Back

The prehistoric gang is returning, and apparently Scrat has found himself some new competition.

Ice Age: Boiling Point stars Queen Latifah and Denis Leary appeared at D23 to introduce an exclusive clip featuring Scrat, Baby Scrat, and the wonderfully absurd new character Jurassic Scrat.

The new adventure sends Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Buck and the rest of the herd into the dangerous Lost World, where dinosaurs, lava and acorn-related chaos await.

The film is directed by John C. Donkin and produced by Lori Forte.

Ice Age: Boiling Point opens exclusively in theaters February 5, 2027.

Disney’s Tangled Finds Its Live-Action Cast

Kathryn Hahn brought a little Mother Gothel energy to the Honda Center as Disney offered a new look at its upcoming live-action Tangled.

Hahn discussed the film before fans received a taped message from Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim, who are currently filming in Spain as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

The cast also includes Diego Luna as a new character named Hawthorne, Caitríona Balfe as Queen Arianna, Elliot Cowan as King Frederic, and Patrick and Hugo McPherson as the Stabbington twins.

Directed by Michael Gracey, the live-action Tangled is scheduled for theaters March 31, 2028.

Jon Favreau Brings Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Back

Disney’s history took an unexpected turn when Kathryn Hahn introduced Disney Legend Jon Favreau.

Favreau unveiled Oswald, a new live-action/animated hybrid series centered on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, one of Walt Disney’s earliest creations.

The story begins when an earthquake releases Oswald, who has been hidden away since the 1920s. A middle school boy and his friends then attempt to help the cartoon rabbit navigate the modern world.

The series stars Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Ryder Allen, Al Madrigal, Kathryn Hahn and Albert Brooks.

Oswald premieres February 17, 2027, exclusively on Disney+.

Pixar Unleashes a New Generation of Stories

Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter received a roaring welcome before revealing an impressive slate of upcoming projects.

First came an exclusive look at Incredibles 3, bringing the Parr family back into action.

Directed by Peter Sohn and produced by Dana Murray and Brad Bird, Incredibles 3 will hit theaters June 16, 2028.

Then came the return of one of Pixar’s most beloved worlds.

Coco 2 Brings Miguel Back to the Land of the Dead

New concept art revealed Miguel as a teenager in Coco 2, before Benjamin Bratt appeared to confirm that Ernesto de la Cruz will return.

That development sets up another life-changing journey into the Land of the Dead.

The sequel reunites key members of the original creative team, including director Lee Unkrich, co-director Adrian Molina and producer Mark Nielsen.

Coco 2 is scheduled to debut exclusively in theaters in November 2029.

The Coco universe is also expanding into gaming, with Disney & Pixar Games and Square Enix revealing that KINGDOM HEARTS IV will feature a world inspired by Coco, with a late 2027 release window.

Pixar Introduces Ghost Market

Pixar also announced a completely original feature titled Ghost Market.

The story introduces audiences to ʻOno Market, a tiny plate-lunch shop hidden on Oʻahu’s North Shore that serves lost spirits caught between life and death.

The living aren’t supposed to enter.

Naturally, a fast-talking kid named Kyle does exactly that.

Directed by Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews and produced by Becky Neiman-Cobb, Ghost Market is scheduled for theatrical release in March 2028.

Gatto Takes Pixar to Venice

Pixar closed its portion of the showcase with a new look at Gatto, arriving in theaters March 5, 2027.

The animated adventure follows Nero, a scrappy black cat voiced by Mark Ruffalo, navigating the superstitious, canal-filled streets of Venice.

After becoming indebted to ruthless feline crime boss Rocco, voiced by Laurence Fishburne, Nero finds himself forced into an unexpected friendship that may help him discover his purpose.

The film reunites the filmmaking team behind Luca, director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren.

Romy and Michele Are Back

The yellow Post-it notes were flying when Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow returned to the D23 stage as Romy and Michele.

The duo revealed details about Romy & Michele 2, the sequel to the beloved 1997 comedy.

Directed by Tim Federle, the film also stars Alan Cumming, Camryn Manheim, Keegan-Michael Key, Rob Huebel, Breckin Meyer, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Janeane Garofalo.

The sequel will debut exclusively on Hulu in 2027.

Marvel Goes Nuclear

If the first half of the evening was packed, Marvel Studios arrived with a flamethrower.

Paul Bettany, James Spader and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige unveiled the first look at VisionQuest, the Disney+ series concluding the trilogy that began with WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along.

The series finds Vision hiding after escaping those attempting to weaponize him. His search for purpose becomes complicated when a bounty is placed on his head and he goes on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious boy who may be connected to Vision in ways he doesn’t understand.

VisionQuest premieres exclusively on Disney+ October 14, 2026.

Avengers: Doomsday Brings Out the Big Guns

Then came the moment Marvel fans had been waiting for.

Kevin Feige was joined onstage by Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell for a special look at Avengers: Doomsday.

Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel universe in the role of Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom, while Evans and Atwell reprise their respective Marvel roles.

A new poster also debuted, and tickets are now on sale.

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to arrive December 18, 2026.

The X-Men Are Coming

Marvel then delivered another enormous announcement.

Sadie Sink, who will debut as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, joined director Jake Schreier to discuss the new X-Men film in development.

They were joined by newly announced cast members:

• Kit Connor as Scott Summers
• Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier
• Samara Weaving as Emma Frost
• Inde Navarrette as Rogue
• Maya Boyd as Storm

Adam Driver also announced in a special video that he will portray Nathaniel Milbury.

The untitled X-Men film is scheduled for theaters May 5, 2028.

Marvel also unveiled a new trailer for Marvel’s Wolverine, developed by Insomniac Games in collaboration with Marvel Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment.

The game arrives on PlayStation 5 September 15.

Ahsoka Season 2 Takes Fans Beyond the Known Galaxy

Lucasfilm President and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni joined Rosario Dawson, Hayden Christensen and Eman Esfandi to unveil the teaser trailer for Season 2 of Ahsoka.

The Emmy-winning series returns to Disney+ January 20, 2027.

The new season continues Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren’s journey as they attempt to find their way home while the threat of Grand Admiral Thrawn looms over the New Republic.

Ryan Gosling Enters the Star Wars Universe

Director Shawn Levy brought a very special guest to the stage: Ryan Gosling, star of the upcoming theatrical adventure Star Wars: Starfighter.

Gosling arrived wearing a retro Mickey Mouse Club leather jacket, referencing his childhood days as a Mouseketeer.

The film follows a cynical rogue whose mysterious past throws him into a dangerous adventure across the galaxy.

Star Wars: Starfighter opens nationwide May 28, 2027.

The cast also includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, Flynn Gray and Amy Adams.

Walt Disney Animation Looks Toward the Future

Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush had several surprises of his own.

First, the studio confirmed that Zootopia 3 is officially in early development.

Goodwin and Quan joined Bush onstage, and the trio screened an exclusive sequence for the D23 audience.

Then came an entirely new animated project.

Clay Introduces a Magical New World

Disney Animation announced Clay, a new original feature currently in production.

Academy Award winner Kieran Culkin will voice Flip, a rebellious misfit who is unexpectedly chosen to mentor a young ball of clay named Mushy during an annual ritual.

The unlikely pair become caught up in a chaotic and ultimately life-changing adventure through a magical forest populated by fantastical creatures.

Clay is directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and produced by Peter Del Vecho, with a theatrical release planned for 2028.

Disney’s Hexed Adds Walton Goggins and Jodie Foster

Disney also revealed major casting updates for Disney’s Hexed, which arrives November 25, 2026.

Hailee Steinfeld stars as Billie Doe, a teenager who discovers she possesses magical abilities.

Joining her is Walton Goggins, who will voice Beef Roger Crummchuk, a reclusive three-eyed magical cat.

Then came another major surprise: two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster will voice Queen Celeste, a sinister ruler determined to maintain her grip on the magical realm of Hexe.

Frozen 3 Closes the Night in Musical Fashion

Disney saved one of its biggest emotional moments for the finale.

Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel took the stage as Anna and Elsa for a new performance of “Frozen Heart.”

Then Josh Gad appeared as Olaf to perform a new song about Olaf’s first crush, “Ooooh, Samantha.”

Both songs were written by Academy Award-winning composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

The presentation then delivered one final surprise: brand-new animation featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven, along with the introduction of a mysterious new villain whose powers may rival Elsa’s.

Frozen 3 arrives in theaters November 24, 2027.

Disney Entertainment Television Brings More Magic

The showcase wasn’t limited to feature films.

A spectacular opening number choreographed by Mandy Moore featured the Dancing with the Stars professionals alongside more than 50 additional dancers.

Disney+ also revealed the official teaser for Season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, inspired by The Titan’s Curse.

Walker Scobell returned as Percy Jackson, joined by surprise guests Ming-Na Wen as Hera and Andra Day as Athena.

Season 3 premieres on Disney+ November 20, 2026.

Disney also announced that an original Kingdom Hearts anime series has been greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+ in partnership with Square Enix and legendary game creator Tetsuya Nomura.

National Geographic transported fans to Kenya’s Maasai Mara with a presentation for LION, a new series following a real pride and a young cub named Kio over four years.

LION premieres on National Geographic August 19 and streams on Disney+ and Hulu beginning August 20.

Meanwhile, the Jonas Brothers joined the Camp Rock 3 presentation, which featured performances from the next generation of stars. Camp Rock 3 is now streaming on Disney+.

The Greatest Showman Heads to London’s West End

Disney Theatrical Group announced that the stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman will make its West End debut at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in spring 2027 following a sold-out run at The Bristol Hippodrome.

The production features songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Tim Federle, and direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw.

West End stars Oliver Tompsett, Samantha Barks and Malinda Parris, who performed during the D23 showcase, will reprise their roles alongside Ben Joyce and Vajèn van den Bosch.

The Convention Floor Gets Its Own Share of Disney Magic

While the Honda Center showcase dominated the evening, the Anaheim Convention Center was buzzing throughout the day.

Fans explored the largest show floor in D23 history, featuring immersive activations, interactive experiences, exclusive merchandise and opportunities to meet the storytellers behind Disney’s biggest franchises.

Panels and presentations celebrated Bob’s Burgers, The Simpsons, Enchanted and Beauty and the Beast, while Disney Lorcana and Disney Pin Trading offered deep dives for collectors.

The day also concluded with the Disney Rewind Concert, featuring Disney Legends including Jodi Benson and Bill Farmer, alongside incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.

Additional announcements included an extension of Disney and Formula 1’s “Fuel the Magic” collaboration through 2028.

Meanwhile, the Mundo Pixar Experience, described as the world’s largest immersive Pixar experience, announced its first-ever U.S. tour beginning in 2027.

Disney also highlighted its ongoing relationship with Make-A-Wish, with several D23 experiences supporting awareness of the organization’s work granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

And D23 Is Only Getting Started

If there is one takeaway from Day One of D23 2026, it’s that Disney came prepared to empty the surprise vault.

From Avengers: Doomsday and Star Wars: Starfighter to Frozen 3, Coco 2, Zootopia 3, Lilo & Stitch 2, Incredibles 3, VisionQuest, Ahsoka Season 2 and a new generation of Disney Animation stories, the company offered fans an unusually broad look at what’s coming next.

And there’s still more to come.

The second day of D23 continues at the Anaheim Convention Center before culminating at the Honda Center with Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

Fans can expect more announcements, special performances and a deeper look at the Imagineers shaping the future of Disney Experiences around the world.

After a first day this packed, the only safe prediction is that Disney hasn’t finished pulling rabbits out of the hat yet.