Top Stories

D23: Ultimate Disney Fan Event-2026 MEGA GUIDE!

21 July 2026 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Wow! It’s hard to believe 2 years have passed and we are almost at the start of another D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (formerly D23 Expo)! Are you headed to this incredible 3-day event of ALL things Disney and beyond? I’ll be there again covering all the fun and frolicking, and thought I’d share a guide with all the updates as they go live! Of course, I’ll be sharing things on @Zannaland on instagram as they happen and I’m able to update as well! AND, we’ll be breaking down all the news and updates on Up the Waterfall podcast! It’s always an exciting time full of all the things that make being an ULTIMATE Disney fan FUN!

Here are the latest updates straight from the D23 press releases!

July 21, 2026:

Disney Announces New Shopping Experiences and Exclusive Merchandise Available to Fans at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

A first look at the curated stores, limited-edition collectibles, interactive activities, immersive experiences, and treasured keepsakes awaiting fans at this year’s event.

Discover all-new stores including a D23 Marketplace Pin Store, Disney .YNSD by Mickey’s of Glendale, and The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds from Disney Parks.

BURBANK, California – July 21, 2026 – Today, Disney unveiled the full lineup of exclusive retail experiences and merchandise coming to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa, taking place August 14, 15, and 16, 2026, in Anaheim, California. Shopping will once again be a cornerstone of this year’s celebration, offering fans even more ways to engage with the stories, characters, and brands they love. Highlights include an all-new store from Mickey’s of Glendale; The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds from Disney Parks featuring props, artwork, and other unique treasures; limited-edition pins and collectibles; first-to-market brand collaborations and books; event-exclusive apparel; collectible vinyl records; and more.

Spanning the Disney universe, these curated shopping destinations transform retail into an immersive part of the event, offering attendees access to exclusive releases, limited-edition merchandise, and unique treasures available only at the event, while creating new ways for fans to celebrate their connection to Disney. Reflecting the passion of Disney’s global fandom and the company’s unmatched ability to create cherished stories that span generations, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year and brings Disney’s unmatched ability to create meaningful connections to life through experiences designed especially for its most passionate fans.

“Shopping is a fan-favorite part of the event, and this year our teams across Disney have come together to make it truly one of a kind,” said Michael Vargo, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. “We can’t wait for fans to discover exclusive merchandise they won’t find anywhere else and take a piece of the magic home to enjoy long after the event ends.”

WHERE TO SHOP

D23 Marketplace

Turn shopping dreams into reality at the D23 Marketplace, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event’s central shopping hub. Offering a curated assortment of merchandise and must-have collectibles, fans visiting this location will find products celebrating some of Disney’s most beloved stories, characters, and franchises including a The Princess Diaries 25th Anniversary Collection, Star Wars and Marvel must-haves, global Disney Parks collections, the return of Disney Fine Art, and so much more. New at this year’s event is the D23 Marketplace Pin Store, a dedicated space featuring specially curated limited-edition and limited-release pins, with new designs released Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Completing the space is D23 Marketplace Photobooths and Medallions, home to personalized products and event exclusive medallions.

Fans will be able to access the D23 Marketplace and D23 Marketplace Pin Store via virtual queue throughout the event with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. The D23 Marketplace Photobooths and Medallions will be accessible via standby queue. All three locations will be cashless with card and contactless payment options accepted. D23 Marketplace will offer merchandise mobile checkout and the D23 Marketplace Pin Store will offer mobile order.

Disney Store

The official home of Disney retail is coming back to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. At Disney Store, fans can shop uniquely imagined special-edition products and collections including Disney x Formula 1®, Blooms by Disney, and an assortment of Disney Store exclusive plush, as well as preview an all-new collaboration with SkinnyDip London. In addition to immersive shopping, the Disney Store booth will also offer interactive experiences including a life-size claw machine photo moment and a limited meet and greet with Disney Artists, featuring special sketch and signing opportunities which fans can pre-register for in the Disney D23 app from now to Friday, July 24, at 12 p.m. PT. Attendees who enter the main entrance of the Disney Store booth can also scan their badge to receive a free event-exclusive, limited-release tote bag or sticker featuring new character illustrations by Disney Artists, while supplies last.

Fans will be able to access the Disney Store via standby queue. Shopping in the Disney Store booth will operate via QR Code where fans will scan to shop and have products delivered directly to their homes via DisneyStore.com. Starting Monday, August 17, at 8 a.m. PT, select merchandise sold during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event at the D23 Marketplace and at the Disney Store booth will be available, while supplies last, at DisneyStore.com/d23-event/.

The Walt Disney Company Store

Back for its second year at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is The Walt Disney Company Store with two store locations in the Anaheim Convention Center. The first location, The Walt Disney Company Store, will exclusively host the official collection for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 featuring brand collaborations from RSVLTS, Spirit Jersey, Nike, and Loungefly. In collaboration with the Walt Disney Archives, this store will introduce a collection inspired by Walt Disney’s iconic office in Burbank, Calif.—Suite 3H—where creativity and imagination came to life, a tribute to the visionary who started it all. This location will also feature collections showcasing some fan-favorite Disney animated Epic Rivals, iconic Walt Disney Studios landmarks, and an all-new collection from HARVEYS with one-of-a-kind designs developed through decommissioned seatbelts from Soarin’ Over California. The Walt Disney Company Pin Store will offer a large assortment of limited-edition pins, mystery boxes, and framed sets, perfect for pin collectors of all levels. For a preview of what’s to come at The Walt Disney Company Store, fans can visit D23.com. All merchandise is subject to availability with a daily pin catalogue launching each day: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Fans will be able to access The Walt Disney Company Store via virtual queue on Friday, August 14, with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, will offer standby queue options only. The Walt Disney Company Store will be cashless with only card and contactless payment options accepted alongside merchandise mobile checkout. Fans will be able to access The Walt Disney Company Pin Store via virtual queue throughout the event with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. The Walt Disney Company Pin Store will be cashless with only card and contactless payment options accepted, processed via mobile order. Physical registers will also be accessible and used for all pin frame sales.

Mickey’s of Glendale

Returning to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2026 with all-new Walt Disney Imagineering-inspired merchandise is Mickey’s of Glendale and Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store. Developed especially for fans who love the artistry behind Disney’s Parks, attractions, and stories, Mickey’s of Glendale is the Walt Disney Imagineering campus store and houses exclusive merchandise assortments, pins, and more made by Walt Disney Imagineers. For a preview of what’s to come at Mickey’s of Glendale, fans can visit the Disney Parks Blog. For the collectors, Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store will be a must-visit, launching a new assortment of limited-edition and exclusive pins Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Fans will be able to access Mickey’s of Glendale via virtual queue throughout the event with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. Mickey’s of Glendale will be cashless with only card and contactless payment options accepted, alongside merchandise mobile checkout. Fans will be able to access the Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store via virtual queue throughout the event with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store will be cashless with card and contactless payment options, processed via mobile order.

NEW: Disney .YNSD

Debuting at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 is Disney .YNSD, a personal expression of the living design culture behind Walt Disney Imagineering across apparel, accessories, and beyond. Each lifestyle collection blends contemporary streetwear and layered storytelling, bridging style through thoughtful design, inviting fans to wear the magic and “IMAGINE THE REST.” A preview of the collections that will be featured at Disney .YNSD can be found on the Disney Parks Blog.

Fans will be able to access Disney .YNSD via virtual queue throughout the event, with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. Disney .YNSD will be cashless with only card and contactless payment options accepted, processed via mobile order.

Disney Studio Store Hollywood

Step into the glamour of classic Hollywood at the Disney Studio Store Hollywood, home to apparel, accessories, and more inspired by the timeless magic of the iconic entertainment capital. Fans visiting this location can shop an all-new curated collection inspired by the El Capitan Theatre’s Centennial Celebration alongside limited-edition pins being released across all three event days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Fans will be able to access the Disney Studio Store Hollywood via virtual queue throughout the event with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. Disney Studio Store Hollywood will be cashless with only card and contactless payment options accepted, alongside merchandise mobile checkout.

Disney Publishing Books & Brew

The hub for Disney best-selling books, reading-inspired products, and beyond is returning to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Disney Publishing will house first-to-market books including must-read graphic novels, autobiographies, and guidebooks as well as collectible “bookcessories,” tarot card decks, book nook kits, and more. At this destination, fans can also enjoy a steady cadence of book signings with some fan-favorite authors as well as a “sip & shop” experience featuring a delicious new Disneyland Resort coffee blend from Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Marquee booth sponsor Penguin Random House will offer gift-with-purchase items, including art prints, sticker blind bags, Disney Editions tote bags, and more.

Fans will be able to access Disney Publishing Books & Brew and make merchandise purchases via standard queue throughout the event. Disney Publishing Books & Brew will be cashless with only card and contactless payment options accepted. Registration to attend in-booth signings will be conducted via virtual queue.

NEW: The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds

Debuting at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2026 is The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds on Sunday, August 16, for fans both at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and globally online. Fans attending the event can preview items up for auction throughout the event weekend by visiting The Disney Experiences Auction Showroom. This is an immersive experience space via standby queue. Details for fans who want to bid will be communicated closer to the event. In addition, the show room will include a shopping experience that will allow fans a unique opportunity to shop rare and remarkable limited quantity props, artwork, and themed items found within Disney’s Parks, Resorts, and ships. A preview of items available during the event can be found here.

Fans will be able to access The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds via virtual queue throughout the event with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds will be cashless with only card and contactless payment options accepted, alongside merchandise mobile checkout. Due to the exclusivity of the product, this location will not offer refunds or exchanges.

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will also have some fan-favorite brands and shopping opportunities throughout the show floor featuring D23-exclusive merchandise, including mini backpacks and pins from Loungefly; a lineup of new Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars-inspired Spirit Jerseys; accessory bundles from Little Words Project; an array of Disney inspired watches from Citizen; and more. Brands including Just Play, Wizards of the Coast, Topps, NECA/KidRobot/Enesco, Pandora, Crocs, Her Universe, BoxLunch, Girls Crew, RSVLTS, and more will also have new products available for purchase. Fans of Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game can purchase the limited-edition 2026 D23 Collection and the Winnie the Pooh – Hunny Wizard Premium Foil Playmat at the Ravensburger Store on the show floor. Shopping at the Ravensburger Store will only be available through virtual queue. No standby shopping queues will be available during the event at any time.

HOW TO SHOP

Disney is dedicated to a seamless experience for fans visiting D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and are excited to announce the return of services that will allow fans optimal opportunity to both shop and explore the show floor. All services can be found through the Disney D23 app and the Disneyland Resort app, available for download on the app store for iOS and Android devices.

Virtual Queue

Select retail destinations will require virtual queue for entry. Sign up for a boarding group with virtual queue and explore the show floor while waiting to shop. Starting 6 a.m. PT and at 1 p.m. PT each day of the event, fans within a 90-mile radius of the Anaheim Convention Center can use the Disney D23 app and the Disneyland Resort app to enter a virtual queue. To provide all fans with an equal opportunity to shop, fans may join in a group of up to two (2) people, one queue at a time, subject to availability. Standby queue options may open throughout the weekend after all boarding groups have been redeemed. Joining the virtual queue does not grant immediate access, and there may still be a waiting period at the location once the boarding group is called. Virtual queue is limited in capacity and may book out. Valid admission is required. Traditional queuing (standby queue) is also available at locations not utilizing virtual queue throughout the event. Retailers who will be participating in virtual queue include D23 Marketplace, D23 Marketplace Pin Store, The Walt Disney Company Store, The Walt Disney Company Pin Store, Mickey’s of Glendale, Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store, Disney .YNSD, Disney Studio Store Hollywood, The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds, and Ravensburger.

This year, Ravensburger will participate in Disney’s virtual queue. Fans will not be able to get in line to purchase products at the show without a virtual queue timeslot. In addition to the items included in the D23 Show Bundle, Ravensburger will also have additional products from Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game, Disney Villainous, and Disney puzzles for sale.

Mobile Order for Pickup

At select shopping destinations, fans will have the option to order and pay for merchandise using the Disneyland Resort app on their mobile device. After joining an eligible store’s virtual queue and being called back, fans will be granted access to place a mobile order at the store entrance. After the order is submitted, a team will assemble the products and fans will receive a notification when their order is ready for pickup. A digital receipt will be sent to the email linked to the Disneyland Resort app, and all eligible discounts will be automatically applied.

Merchandise Mobile Checkout

Save time while shopping by paying for items using the Disneyland Resort app at select retail destinations. Scan each item’s barcode to add it to a shopping bag and pay for items by selecting “Purchase.” Once a purchase is complete, show the QR code confirmation to a Cast Member at the merchandise mobile checkout designated exit to scan before exiting the store. A digital receipt will be sent to the email address linked to the Disneyland Resort app. The merchandise mobile checkout service is available in addition to traditional checkout services.

DISNEY ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES COMING TO THE LARGEST SHOW FLOOR EVER AT D23: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT

Disney unveiled details about what fans will experience on the show floor at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa® . All-new and fan-favorite offerings will bring Disney’s brands and franchises to life like never before across the largest show floor in D23 event history. These expanded, immersive, and innovative experiences, along with unprecedented shopping opportunities and over 50 panels and shows, will be exclusively available to ticketholders during the can’t-miss fan event August 14, 15, and 16, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Disney also announced an unprecedented Disney Princess concert taking place during D23 Day at Disneyland Resort on Thursday, August 13, the perfect kickoff to the weekend festivities and World Princess Week.
Guests can accept a new mission at Marvel Studios’ TVA Experience: A New Assignment; swap stories with the filmmakers behind a galaxy far, far away at the Lucasfilm pavilion; celebrate Pixar’s 40th anniversary; and travel into the worlds of Disney+ and Hulu in a signature 4D theater. Beyond the marquee studios, fans can venture into the rarely seen vaults of the Walt Disney Archives, get a glimpse of the future of the parks with the Imagineering: Horizons pavilion, discover standout offerings from some beloved brands, and come face-to-face with the magic makers who bring Disney stories to life across the company. Disney continues to create meaningful connections with audiences of all ages and the show floor will offer fans unprecedented opportunities to celebrate some beloved favorites, discover new adventures, and experience the magic in ways only Disney can deliver.

“No one tells stories like Disney, and this year we’re bringing those stories to life on the largest show floor in D23 event history,” said Michael Vargo, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. “The show floor experience invites guests to explore, engage with, and celebrate the brands and franchises they love through immersive activations, unforgettable moments, and one-of-a-kind offerings that bring them closer to the magic than ever before.”

A KICKOFF CELEBRATION

D23 Day at Disneyland Resort* sets the stage for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, officially kicking off the highly anticipated weekend on Thursday, August 13. The celebration features a Disney Legends Cavalcade at Disneyland Park, a complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hat giveaway (while supplies last)**, and a series of magical offerings designed to immerse fans in the spirit of Disney storytelling from the very start. The day also features the return of the Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party at Disney California Adventure Park on Thursday, August 13, offering live entertainment, character experiences, and interactive activities for all guests, including preschoolers and their families.

As the culmination to the day and in anticipation of World Princess Week, a limited number of fans may have the opportunity to experience a live performance of Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park. This spectacular performance brings together the largest gathering of Disney Princess talent ever assembled, celebrating the iconic stories across animation, live-action, stage, and music. This one-of-a-kind concert will transform the night with dazzling lights, sweeping projections, and sky-high fountains creating a truly immersive world where the music, magic, and legacy of Disney Princesses shine like never before. Visit Disneyland.com for more information. Attendance will be limited and may require additional steps. A virtual queue confirmation, wristband, and valid admission for Disney California Adventure Park are required to participate in this experience. Show times are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Fans can stream the concert on Disney+ and watch it on Disney Channel, Freeform, and The Wonderful World of Disney on ABC on Sunday, August 16.

SPECTACULAR SHOW FLOOR EXPERIENCES

The creative powerhouse studios of The Walt Disney Company will bring the best of Disney storytelling to the expanded show floor, offering a chance for fans to immerse themselves in beloved films, shows, and streaming content.

The Disney+ Hulu Experience brings streaming to life like never before. The space features a signature 4D theater, exclusive merchandise, a collectible mystery pin quest, and personalized subscription support, alongside immersive photo opportunities inspired by Percy Jackson and the Olympians, FX’s American Horror Story, Camp Rock 3, The Simpsons, Only Murders in the Building, Marvel Television’s VisionQuest, and more.
Marvel Studios will captivate guests on the show floor with an epic activation entitled Marvel Studios’ TVA Experience: Your Next Assignment. Fans will once again join the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an immersive walkthrough experience across different worlds, both familiar and new.
The Lucasfilm pavilion will return with an exciting array of photo ops, props, and costumes from current and upcoming stories set in a galaxy far, far away. Guests will also have the opportunity to join fireside chats with the filmmaking teams behind some of their favorite Star Wars shows and movies. Fans can also be among the first to see LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian during a special screening at the Anaheim Convention Center, adding to the incredible Lucasfilm experiences fans will see throughout the event.
Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios are also joining forces for a must-see animation experience on the show floor, inclusive of a special celebration of Pixar’s 40th anniversary. Artist demonstrations, autograph signings with some top filmmakers, fan giveaways, and interactive displays featuring the latest films from these iconic animation studios—including the upcoming Disney’s Hexed and Disney Animation’s Frozen 3, as well as Disney and Pixar’s Gatto and Incredibles 3—make this pavilion one to visit again and again.
Mundo Pixar: The D23 Experience, presented by Disney Rewards Visa® Cards from Chase, will bring a special preview of its globally touring immersive exhibition to the event, inviting guests to step inside some of their favorite Pixar stories. From unforgettable photo moments to a dedicated merchandise shop, guests will experience life-size sets inspired by some of the studio’s most beloved films.
Inspired by the beauty of the Avatar films, the Avatar Experience welcomes guests to journey through the fascinating wonders of Pandora. Step into a lush, bioluminescent world, experience an immersive 4D moment, and explore a gallery of film artistry that showcases the craftsmanship behind bringing the Na’vi culture and Pandora to life.
At select times throughout the day, Bluey and Bingo will be available for photos in The Bluey Movie booth—for real life. Reservations are required for a chance to meet Bluey and Bingo.
Guests can also celebrate the new Simpsons movie—in theaters September 3, 2027—with fun, shareable photo moments to commemorate D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

The popular Disney Experiences pavilion is returning to the event, bringing the magic of the Disney Parks to the show floor for fans of all ages to enjoy. In a time of unprecedented growth, Imagineering: Horizons invites fans to explore their largest pavilion ever showcasing the progress shaping Disney Parks around the world. This exclusive experience gives an up‑close look at the people, the process, and the possibilities brought to life by Imagineers.

Additional fan-favorites include an all-new exhibition from the Walt Disney Archives. Walt Disney Archives: Uncrated will make its debut on the show floor and invite intrepid fans to uncover an unforgettable journey into the vast and hidden warehouses of the Walt Disney Archives—spaces previously reserved for access to Disney archivists, alone. Guests will have the chance to explore themed displays featuring shipments of iconic props, costumes, and puppets from some beloved films, television series, and theme parks, which span generations of history at The Walt Disney Company.

In advance of the Super Bowl on ESPN and ABC this season, fans can experience the thrill of a Super Bowl victory through ESPN’s immersive “We’re Going to the Super Bowl!” activation, featuring photo opportunities, stadium-inspired environments, a confetti-filled victory celebration, and keepsake digital content and giveaways, including an exclusive ESPN Super Bowl D23 pin.

Disney Theatrical Group will spotlight its expanding portfolio of live experiences, from Broadway productions and arena tours to immersive experiences, through a showcase featuring authentic sets, costumes, props, concept art, and dynamic video content. The experience will offer fans exclusive first looks at upcoming projects, behind-the-scenes demonstrations, and live presentations led by hosts, including Disney on Broadway star Ryan McCartan, providing an insider’s look at the creative process behind Disney’s live entertainment.

The Disney VoluntEARS pavilion will invite attendees to lend a helping hand as Honorary Disney VoluntEARS in different projects, assembling 8,000 kits per day for a charitable organization. On Friday, August 14, guests will build wish kits for children with upcoming Disney Wishes in collaboration with Make-A-Wish; on Saturday, August 15, fans will assemble welcome kits for military families with Blue Star Families; and on Sunday, August 16, attendees will put together Disney-themed activity kits for children in hospitals with the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Participants will cap off the experience with a photo opportunity as they exit the pavilion.

The Disney Music Group booth will invite guests into an interactive, music-filled environment. A classic radio booth will host scheduled on-air appearances, where some beloved Disney personalities from across the company will join for exclusive interviews tied to the event—and guests can step up to the microphone to record their own “Be Our Guest” segments with selected recordings eligible to be featured on the Disney Hits SiriusXM channel. A dedicated Disney Concerts area will give guests an up-close look at costumes from The Descendants/ZOMBIES: Worlds Collide Tour, while additional interactive moments include photo opportunities, prize wheel giveaways, and new exclusive offerings from Disney Music Emporium.

Treat yourself to an immersive walkthrough (or dance through) experience during Lights, Camera, Sparkle! Presented by Disney Consumer Products featuring photo opportunities across two exciting themes—one filled with unique Mickey & Friends and snack-inspired elements and another inspired by Stitch and Angel’s hit “Glitter Glide” music video. Whether you take a snacktastic selfie or the spotlight, there’s photo fun for everyone.

Throughout the show floor, incredible sponsors have created exciting activations for fans to enjoy, including:

Chevrolet: Celebrate 20 years of Disney and Pixar’s Cars with Chevrolet. Stop by to see the Chevrolet Colorado and Bolt in Cars-inspired wraps, snap pics with Lightning McQueen and Mater, score an exclusive canvas tote giveaway, and watch Trevor Carlton from Disney Fine Arts paint Chevy hoods live.
Heinz: Across oceans, cultures, and cuisines, great flavors bring us together. Explore the world aboard the HEINZ Flavor Ferry, sample globally inspired sauces, and snap photos across four regions. It’s a flavorful world after all, with HEINZ. Be among the first 570 flavor explorers each day to secure a limited-edition “it’s a flavorful world” pin—while supplies last.
Honda: Step into the magic of Disney Animation’s Encanto with Honda. Dance alongside some favorite characters at the photo opportunity, collect commemorative buttons, and explore the Honda Odyssey and Acura MDX inspired by the spirit of family and adventure.
M&M’S®: Step into the spotlight and “Be A Hero” with M&M’S® characters as they audition for the Marvel Universe. As part of this year’s M&M’S® x Marvel activation, immerse yourself in this exciting collaboration with photo booth moments, sampling, M&M’S® Marvel Mini Poster Fan Packs giveaways, and more.

For the first time ever at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, fans can enjoy the thrill of collecting with Topps through an interactive Topps Chrome Disney experience and exclusive trading card offerings. Fans of trading card games can also experience exclusive product offerings, accessories, and photo ops with Wizards of the Coast’s debut booth themed to Magic: The Gathering | MARVEL Super Heroes, and Ravensburger’s interactive Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game booth.

Fans can find other exciting offerings and activations across the show floor from some fan-favorite brands, including interactive photo ops with Marvel Legends role play items and the new Ultimate Grogu animatronic from Hasbro; D23 exclusive mini backpacks, mystery blind box tees, and more from Loungefly; a carnival-inspired game zone complete with giveaways and first looks of new Doorables and Happy Haul lines from Just Play; bracelets, bag charms, bead kits, and exclusive D23 merchandise featuring beloved Disney characters from Little Words Project; gameplay demos of Toy Story: Retro Round-Up and Toy Story 3 Complete Edition and an exclusive pin offering from Atari; an interactive light-inspired personality quiz from Citizen; a prize-packed claw machine, Jibbitz™ charms trading station, and new merchandise from Crocs; a never-before-seen collection of Disney charms, including charm mystery boxes from Pandora; and more.

Fans can also celebrate 125 years of the life of Walt Disney by exploring Walt’s family stories from The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, and the Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago; see displays of Walt’s famed classic vehicles from the Walt Disney Archives; reflect on Disney Legends of the past who worked alongside Walt; meet other friends of D23 including the Disneyana Fan Club; and more.

Many other new experiences can be discovered at the Anaheim Convention Center including the Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds display room on the second floor, the Disney x F1 Mickey car, as well as activations from Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, and more.

Some of the most prominent names from across the worlds of Disney will be onsite to meet with guests at Talent Central presented by M&M’S® that will be open each day on the show floor of the Anaheim Convention Center. Various Disney artists—including incoming Disney Legend Eric Goldberg and Disney Legend Mark Henn; Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter; and current and former Imagineers—will be available to sign exclusive lithographs, fine-art prints, posters, and other art related to their projects. Stars from award-winning series and shows will be at the event to meet fans, including the stars of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Camp Rock 3, Bob’s Burgers, The Proud Family, The Simpsons, Phineas & Ferb, and the Pros from Dancing with the Stars.

Readers of all ages will also have the opportunity to have their books signed by authors including Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, and Disney Legend Joe Rohde, as well as meet the official voices of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Bret Iwan and Kaitlyn Robrock, and artists from Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game, Magic: The Gathering | Marvel Super Heroes, Pin Trading, merchandise, and more.

For the first time, Fandango will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Spotlight Stage, which will return to the show floor with a full lineup of panels, interviews, presentations, musical performances, and interactive experiences. Featured programming will include Fandango Front Row, where Disney filmmakers and talent will join Fandango hosts for exclusive live conversations. Fans will hear firsthand about the creative process, the inspiration behind beloved Disney stories, exciting upcoming projects, and the magic that brings them to life. Throughout the day, guests can take part in demonstrations and lessons in voice acting, sketching, dancing, and more on the Spotlight Stage presented by Fandango.

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance! at the Orlando Kia Center-Discount Code!

22 August 2024 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney on Ice holds a special place in my heart, as it was one of the first opportunities to experience something (outside of Disney Parks) that I was ever offered on this blog. Now that we are in our 15th year of Zannaland, I’m thrilled to bring back news of the latest Disney on Ice show appearing in Orlando, along with a discount code for you to use! What’s funny is I recently was at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event (video and podcast recap coming soon!) and in the Disney Broadway section they had costumes from the various Disney shows, including Disney on Ice. It has been a bit since I attended a show, and I was quite impressed by the detail and quality of the costumes. It made me want to see Disney on Ice again. Later that day, I received an email with details about the upcoming shows in Orlando. So it was definitely meant to be! Read on for more details about the latest show: Disney on Ice presents Let’s Dance at the Kia Center in Orlando, from August 30 – September 1, 2024. And keep reading for the discount code so you can get tickets too!

**Disney on Ice Let’s Dance! Performance Info:**

Kia Center

Friday, August 30 – 7:30pm
Saturday, August 31 – 11am, 3pm, and 7pm
Sunday, September 1 – 1pm & 5pm

** Doors open one hour prior to show time.
** Any child who has reached their 2nd birthday needs a ticket.

Tickets are on sale at DisneyOnIce.com, arena box office, and ticketmaster.com.

Disney on Ice Let’s Dance! Show Story:

Mickey and his pals are rocking the DJ table at Disney On Ice and you’re on the guest list! Feel the electric atmosphere as they remix favorite Disney tunes into colorful worlds. Wish upon a star with Asha as she and Valentino save the Kingdom of Rosas from King Magnifico. Roar with delight as Simba, Timon and Pumbaa
step into the spotlight. Groove to ocean beats with Ariel and friends, harmonize with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf, and sway to the rhythm of the waves with Moana and Maui. And the party really goes off the charts when guest DJ Stitch takes control. Get ready to turn up the fun at Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance!

Disney on Ice Let’s Dance! Discount Code!

Save 20% off on select seats when you use code 2MOM4 online at www.DisneyOnIce.com. Enter Code prior to seat selection. Offer valid on select price levels and performances. Offer valid only on the following performances: Friday, August 30 at 7:30pm, Saturday, August 31 at 7pm and Sunday, September 1 at 5pm. No double discounts. Service charges, handling and facility fees may apply. Tickets are subject to market supply and demand. Offer expires 8/29/24.

Let me know if you will be seeing this fun looking show and maybe I’ll see you there! Thank you to Disney on Ice for providing complimentary tickets for my family and me to see the show. All opinions and thoughts are my own. Be sure to follow along on @zannaland on instagram to see more of Disney on Ice Let’s Dance! when it debuts in Orlando!

Disney’s Treehouse Villas: Original WDW to Today

11 July 2024 by Suzannah Otis 15 Comments

For those of you who have been reading Zannaland in one form or another since the beginning (that’s *15* years ago!) you have probably heard me talking or writing about my stays at the Lake Buena Vista Vacation Villas many, many times. If not, you can read about it at that link. I wish I had even more proof of my stays there; rolls and rolls of photos, ephemera, journal entries…it’s a time I would definitely travel back to if I could. That’s probably why I’m so grateful that the Treehouse Villas are still a place anyone can stay on Walt Disney World property. It was always my dream to stay in a Treehouse Villa (I mean, what child of the 80’s wouldn’t want to stay in a treehouse?!) I’m not sure why we never made it there back in the day, I can only imagine perhaps my parents were not as excited about potential mosquitos while staying in a swampy forest? The other (more probable) scenario is that Disney started to build more and more new resorts, and we wanted to try them all, finding new favorites along the way. 41 years after my first-ever stay on WDW property, I finally had this dream come true. (There are fewer and fewer dreams left – Cinderella Castle Dream Suite, I’m looking at you!) Now the Treehouses have gone through a few changes over the years, and I thought before I reviewed my recent visit, I’d take a stroll down one of my favorite streets of all – Memory Lane. Let’s see where those Treehouses came from and how they’ve stuck around after all these years.

Back in the planning stages of Walt Disney World Resort, after Walt had sadly passed, and the original idea of EPCOT would not come to fruition, some thought there could still be a way for folks to live IN Walt Disney World. They soon realized residents would have to vote on town governance issues, which is a WHOLE other topic. So instead, they decided to build some townhomes and spec houses for corporate sponsorship. Disney aimed to have corporate lease-to-purchase sales of these properties, so companies could have getaway home style resort accommodations for employees. This didn’t work out the way Disney had hoped, so after a few years, Disney opened up reservations to stay at these unique properties. The first were the Vacation Villa townhomes (where I stayed a few times as a child), followed by the Treehouse Villas, built up on stilts to “prevent flooding” as they were essentially nestled in to a swampy wetland area. A golf course had also been built and was followed by the Fairway Villas, little duplex-style homes right on the, well, fairway. Club Lake Villas were the last to be built, aiming at housing conventioneers. The four larger spec homes that had been built but never further developed were the Grand Vista Suites. These were like what we’d now think of a “grand villa” under the Disney Vacation Club lineup, but back then, more like a real 3-bedroom home.

Today we’ll just discuss the Treehouse Villas, which were of course the most whimsical of the lineup. Can you imagine Disney building a property today with a spiral staircase in the middle of the living space? Well that’s what the Treehouse Villas originally were. One bedroom on the ground level, with a spiral staircase leading up to the main living room, with two more bedrooms and a full kitchen upstairs. An outdoor deck overlooked the wetlands or the golf course, or the canal (later named the Sassagoula River!). If you’ve ever visited, you’ll see that there are smaller roadways connecting the villas. This is because all of the Lake Buena Vista Villas were intended to be traveled to by golf carts. You could rent one at the main check-in area and park your car there, making the rest of the trip by cart. That’s also how you’d travel to the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village (later Disney Village, later Downtown Disney, later Disney Springs). We did this when we stayed in the 80’s, and I almost drove our rented golf cart into the canal separating the Vacation Villas from the Village. Good times. I was 9, what do you want from me? (I didn’t ACTUALLY go into the canal.) Anyway, now of course there are parking spots, and there were when we stayed at the Vacation Villas too, but we still got a golf cart. It was THE way to travel.

Another of my vivid memories was taking the Disney buses (there were maybe only 4 routes back then?) and looking for the correct flag bus that went to the Villas. Because the Treehouse Villas were the first stop, riding back there in the pitch black at the end of the night was always a treat. I’d look out the huge windows in the front and watch for deer, bunnies hopping across the road, racoons, all sorts of critters. The Treehouse Villas were a magical utopia to me as we’d drive by, day or night. With their floor to ceiling windows and round shape, truly a dream destination. Ok, back to history.

When Michael Eisner took over, a lot of what he had experienced personally in his life became the blueprints for changes he made at the company. And while we all look back on his time fondly (I know I do), some of his decisions didn’t always translate to success for the Company. One of those blueprints was the Disney Institute. It’s funny to me that I (and many of my Disney-obsessed friends and family) take for granted our inherent knowledge or first-hand experience with long past Disney experiences. I mean, they certainly aren’t talking about the Disney Institute’s creation in Traditions, or on the latest vlog. Anyway, the Disney Institute does technically still exist and is now usually a corporate enrichment program for “master class” type of professional development.

When it started, however, anyone could choose to spend a portion or all of their Walt Disney World Vacation learning a new skill under the various topics of: Animation, Culinary, Gardening, The Great Outdoors, Photography, Television, as well as youth programs. In order to make Disney Institute a reality, changes were made to the existing villas and the surrounding buildings. During this time, the Treehouse Villas were turned into residences for the International Program Cast Members. You could still view the villas as you sailed by on a boat going from the Port Orleans Resorts to Downtown Disney.

When the Disney Institute didn’t take off as planned, it was retooled a few times, finally closing to the public in 2000. At this time, the Vacation Villas and all its other properties had to be destroyed. Well, “had to be” is debatable, but they were. The new resort of Disney’s Saratoga Springs sprung up in its place becoming the seventh Disney Vacation Club property. It would’ve been very easy to raze the Treehouse Villas and add another building or three of DVC villas to the Saratoga Springs land. For whatever reason, Disney chose to actually remodel the Treehouses, make them modern, yet still rustic, and create a few ADA compliant treehouses as well. They remained in their location and became a part of the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa family. And the rest, as they say, is history, well, actually that brings us up to current time. There are lots of sites out there that cover this history more in-depth, this is just my personal memories and knowledge from previous research.

I have attempted to stay at the Disney Treehouse Villas many times over the years, but we are not DVC members, and I’ve never really gotten into attempting to figure out renting points, so when we stay at Disney, it’ll be a cast member or travel agent rate, or sometimes full price. But the Treehouse Villas always remained woefully out of reach at over $1000 a night on an off-peak date. I was finally able to secure a 50% off rate recently, despite being right around the 4th of July. It was the perfect storm of all of the kids (2/3 of whom have real jobs where dates aren’t always the easiest to take off) being available and me being able to work from home meant I could make it work too. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my stories and my excitement and awe walking up to the treehouse. Today I shared a Reel on instagram, and I had so much fun both recording and creating it, it inspired me to get back to writing again as well. So here we all are. I did forget to take any still photos but I guess that just means I have to go back again.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zanna ✨ Disney ✨ Travel ✨ Adventures (@zannaland)

We had a wonderfully relaxing few days there and it was like when we go up to the mountains in a cabin, without the 10 hour drive. The couch was comfy, the views were amazing, and it was so secluded. We felt like we were in Fort Wilderness before they changed Trail’s End (RIP). I also felt like I was 9 again for a bit, and really renewed my passion for the Walt Disney World Resort and what made me fall in love with it to begin with. If you’ve read this whole post, I hope you now know a little more about WDW history and if you’ve been at the Treehouse Villas before, I hope it brought back some wonderful memories for you as well. I’d love to hear them in the comments if so!

June 25 marked 15 years of me writing on this site, zannaland, and though I don’t write as much (or even post as much on instagram thanks to my full time job AND running VeganDisneyFood.com) zannaland is always, always on my mind and something I will probably never give up on because sharing my love for Disney history and how it has affected my life and my family is a passion I just can’t shake. Thank you again for reading, and I promise, more to come.

NEW Wicked Feature Film Featurette

13 May 2024 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

As a lifelong Broadway musical fan, and a fan of Wicked the musical, I’ve been very excited for all the news surrounding the feature film. This new featurette just released gives us the biggest glimpse so far into the upcoming film, releasing its first part this Thanksgiving. Keep reading to learn more and watch the featurette below!

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

The film also stars Oscar^® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.

Here is the latest featurette from the Wicked movie – it looks breathtaking!

The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots); a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) and four-time Emmy winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) as the voice of Dr. Dillamond.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt (La La Land, The Little Mermaid), whose films, television shows and stage productions have earned a combined 46 Oscar^® nominations, 58 Emmy nominations and 36 Tony nominations, and by multiple Tony winner David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo, Next to Normal), with whom Platt produced the blockbuster Wicked stage musical. The executive producers are David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz and Jared LeBoff.

Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is adapted for the screen by the stage production’s book writer Winnie Holzman and by legendary Grammy and Oscar^® winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway stage musical is produced by Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

D23 Planning Tips: Disney Music Emporium Pavilion Returns To D23 EXPO 2022

12 July 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

As promised, we are getting more and more updates as the D23 Expo 2022 draws nearer. September 9 will be here before we know it and we’ll keep sharing these D23 news and scheduling updates as we receive them to help you plan out your D23 Expo experience. The Disney Music Emporium has always had some unique and interesting offerings at the D23 Expo. We’ve collected the Disney Legacy Collection albums, even gotten fun Disneyland Records t-shirts. It’s definitely fun spot you don’t want to pass by during the D23 Expo weekend! Here is the official update from D23 about the Disney Music Emporium at the 2022 D23 Expo:

Disney Music Emporium, the online destination for collectible Disney music products, returns to D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa with a pop-up store on the show floor. Over the three-day Ultimate Disney Fan Event, on September 9, 10, and 11, the Emporium will feature limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products, including new releases from Marvel and Lucasfilm, vinyl albums, die-cut picture-disc vinyl, and more.

In addition to the 24 new offerings available at D23 Expo 2022, 10 titles are exclusive or first-to-market, including Encanto die-cut vinyl (featuring “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”), Enchanted (available for the first time on clear vinyl), Hocus Pocus (score-only on moon-variant vinyl), Minnie Lo-Fi (on purple orchid vinyl), Adventure Thru Inner Space (picture disc), The Lion King on Broadway (first time on vinyl), The Mandalorian Season 1 (exclusive sand-colored vinyl), Music from WandaVision (exclusive red vinyl), The Legacy Collection: Aladdin (exclusive CD), and Turning Red – The Mix (exclusive CD).

Celebrate the powerful music of Marvel Studios storytelling when Variety’s Jon Burlingame hosts Disney For Scores Podcast Live. Burlingame will bring the format of the popular For Scores podcast to life as he interviews composers of favorite series and films, including Tyler Bates (Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Laura Karpman (Ms. Marvel, What If…?), and Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel). The panel is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9 on the Backlot Stage.

Additional highlights include:

The previously announced Disney Princess – The Concert performance presented by Disney Concerts on Sunday, September 11 at 4:15 p.m., featuring Tony^® nominee Susan Egan (Broadway’s original “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast, “Meg” in Disney’s animated feature Hercules), Broadway.com^® Audience Award nominee Isabelle McCalla (“Princess Jasmine” in Aladdin; The Prom), Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol (That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, Broadway’s final “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast), and Broadway World Award winner Syndee Winters (Broadway’s “Nala” in The Lion King; Hamilton)
Gifts with purchase include limited-edition Disney Movie Club collectible pendants (Bambi, Cinderella, Olaf, Aladdin Genie Lamp, Simba, and Nemo), while supplies last
Attendees can get three months free from SiriusXM. Listen to Disney Hits and hundreds of other SiriusXM channels in the car, on the SXM App and on your connected devices at home. Look for SiriusXM at the show for details. Offer available to new subscribers only; 18 years+.
Giveaways include limited first edition Disney Hits Trading Cards, featuring 30 collectible cards.

About Disney Music Group and Disney Music Emporium
Disney Music Group is home to Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Disney Music Publishing, Buena Vista Records, and Disney Concerts. The labels’ genre-spanning rosters include Queen (in North America), Andy Grammer, Sofia Carson, TINI Stoessel, DCappella, New Hope Club, almost monday, and more. DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks from some of the largest movie franchises in the world—from Disney, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and Pixar, including the chart-topping albums Encanto, Frozen 2, Bohemian Rhapsody, Moana, the Oscar^®– and Grammy^®-winning Frozen, the Grammy-winning Guardians of the Galaxy, the Emmy^®-winning music from WandaVision, the Emmy-winning music from The Mandalorian, the Oscar- and Grammy-winning Soul score, plus the Oscar-winning Black Panther and Coco soundtracks. Recent titles include Lightyear and Thor: Love and Thunder, featuring scores by Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino. Upcoming titles include soundtracks for ZOMBIES 3 and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Impacting pop culture around the globe, DMG’s rich and eclectic catalog includes music from films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Star Wars, and Beauty and the Beast, as well as recording artist Annette Funicello and the beloved classic song “It’s a Small World.” DMG produces the Disney For Scores podcast series, highlighting conversations with acclaimed film composers from DMG soundtracks. Disney Concerts licenses and produces hundreds of shows around the world, including Star Wars in Concert, Disney on Classic, Pixar in Concert, and many more. To stream classic Disney Hits, please visit: http://disneymusic.co/DisneyHits.

Honoring the continuing legacy of the Disney music catalog, Disney Music Emporium (DME) is the destination for collectible Disney music products. For more information and product offerings, visit DME at www.disneymusicemporium.com.

You can see our additional D23 Expo coverage and follow along with us on social media:

FOLLOW THE ZANNALAND FAMILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WATCH OUR VIDEOS, VLOGS AND PODCAST TOO:

Twitter: @zannaland, @otisney
Instagram: @zannaland, @UpTheWaterfall, @otisney
Zannaland’s facebook page
Zannaland on YouTube
Listen to Up the Waterfall podcast, subscribe on iTunes, or watch Up the Waterfall on YouTube

D23 EXPO 2022 Merchandise Info

21 June 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I will admit, aside from the Walt Disney Archives exhibits and the show-stopping news we usually hear, the merchandise is a main draw for me at the D23 Expo, and 2022 will be no different. I love being able to shop at “Mickey’s of Glendale” with exclusive Imagineer items, as well as of course all of the other specialty items you can find only at the D23 Expo. Below is the scoop from D23 directly with all the news and how you can ensure you see all the merchandise there is to see at the D23 Expo:

For the ultimate Disney fans, D23 Expo 2022 will feature never-before-seen, limited-edition merchandise from across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. Author appearances, engaging panels with iconic Disney personalities, and interactive social moments on the show floor will give attendees a variety of ways to celebrate the magic of Disney and kick off 100 Years of Wonder. The Ultimate Fan Event, presented by Visa, takes place in Anaheim, Calif., from September 9 through 11, 2022.

WHERE TO SHOP

D23 EXPO MARKETPLACE: Debuting on the show floor this year is an all-new shopping experience, D23 Expo Marketplace. This 27,000-square-foot retail location offers merchandise from fan-favorite collections and characters across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more, including limited-edition merchandise and the availability of the first items celebrating Disney’s 100th Anniversary. The D23 Expo Marketplace brings together the most exciting offerings from shopDisney, Disney store, and Disney Parks into one shopping destination for a wide assortment of curated brand collections, specialty items, and milestone anniversary collectibles.

MICKEY’S OF GLENDALE: Mickey’s of Glendale, the Walt Disney Imagineering store, will have three unique retail spaces for D23 Expo attendees to check out at the Anaheim Convention Center.
- Mickey’s of Glendale Main Store — Featuring merchandise designed by Imagineers, including hats, T-shirts, accessories, and more. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to shop collections celebrating the upcoming Walt Disney Imagineering 70th Anniversary.
- Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store — Disney pin enthusiasts will want to stop by this space, which will feature a large assortment of limited-edition pins.
- D23 Expo Shop x Mickey’s of Glendale — The Official Disney Fan Club and Mickey’s of Glendale have joined forces to bring you the official merchandise of D23 Expo 2022

DISNEY PUBLISHING: The shopping destination for Disney book fans returns this year with an array of exciting first-to-market books available for purchase. Disney Publishing continues its tradition of celebrating great storytelling by hosting a variety of authors behind well-loved Disney stories. Join these world-building creators for book signings within the booth, including Disney historian and 100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime author Marcy Carriker Smothers, DisneyBound’s Leslie Kay, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl’s Julie Kagawa, and Cautionary Tales’ Ridley Pearson.

WHAT TO BUY

Jam-packed with gear for every fan, from nostalgic collectibles, to fun twists on beloved classics, to playful merchandise from the newest series, movies, and characters, D23 Expo is the best place for fans to discover their next favorite treasure. A few highlights include:

D23 Expo attendees will have the first opportunity to purchase items celebrating Disney100.
Inspired by the vibrant landscape of Wakanda, and brought to life on-screen in Black Panther, World of Wakanda merchandise from Marvel will debut at D23 Expo Marketplace and on shopDisney.
Guided by the Light, a new collection by Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), is inspired by Ahsoka Tano’s strength amid darkness. The collection will also be available on shopDisney.

With the help of some magic, a new line of adorable plush inspired by tasty treats from Disney Parks Main Street Bakery will debut at D23 Expo: Disney Munchlings. These cute collectibles include a scented Mickey Mouse Cinnamon Swirl Bun and Minnie Mouse Wild Strawberry Cupcake. Disney Munchlings will also be available for purchase on shopDisney.

D23 Expo merchandise Munchlings — I know there is no image here, but I can’t wait to see what Munchlings look like!

HOW TO SHOP

A few ways for attendees to navigate the shopping experience with ease:

Virtual Queue: Attendees will be able to sign up for an available boarding group in a virtual queue for D23 Expo Marketplace, Mickey’s of Glendale Main Store, or Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store by using the Disneyland Resort app and scanning a QR code located at the store’s entrance.
Merchandise Mobile Checkout: Pay for items from D23 Expo Marketplace, D23 Expo Shop x Mickey’s of Glendale, or Mickey’s of Glendale Main Store via the Disneyland Resort app to save time!
StorePass: To shop select limited-edition collection items, attendees will be able to reserve via StorePass, an online reservation system prior to the start of D23 Expo. Details on how to get a StorePass reservation will be announced later this summer.

INSPIRED BY STORIES: WHAT TO SEE

Throughout the weekend, Disney will give fans the chance to get the very latest in product innovations, listen to revered authors, and explore fashion trends through an array of content. Highlights include:

Women in Disney Fashion: Step into the minds of major Disney fashion icons as they share an exclusive look at their upcoming Disney collaborations.
It’s a Small Disney World: Celebrating the Art of Disney Parks: Ever wondered what it’s like to be an official Disney Parks artist? Disney will gather six artists to dive into their art, ideas for the future, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Cautionary Tales with the Disney Villains: The Imagination of Ridley Pearson: Cautionary Tales author Ridley Pearson and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline will delight fans and spark creativity with insider Disney stories.
National Geographic’s 100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime: From a dessert cruise with fireworks views to an exclusive dinner in Walt’s Disneyland apartment, discover one-of-a-kind magical Disney experiences in this memorable discussion with expert Marcy Carriker Smothers.
Hey Disney! — a custom voice assistant built on Amazon’s Alexa technology — will be highlighted on the D23 Expo show floor (stay tuned for more details). Whether at home or in a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort hotel room, fans will be able to use an Echo device to interact with their favorite Disney, Star Wars, or Pixar characters.
On the Show Floor: Attendees can also check out activations from Visa, Amazon, Target, Aniplex, BoxLunch, Citizen, Enterprise, Funko / Loungefly, IMAX, Pandora, Ravensburger and Sunglass Hut, along with many others.

D23 Expo Guests should get ready to be wowed by the assortment of fan-favorite merchandise, books, clothing, and collectibles.

If you haven’t yet purchased tickets for the D23 Expo for 2022:

A limited number of single-day tickets for Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Friday and Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.

Schedule and talent are subject to change.

STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

You can see our additional D23 Expo coverage and follow along with us on social media:

FOLLOW THE ZANNALAND FAMILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WATCH OUR VIDEOS, VLOGS AND PODCAST TOO:

Twitter: @zannaland, @otisney
Instagram: @zannaland, @UpTheWaterfall, @otisney
Zannaland’s facebook page
Zannaland on YouTube
Listen to Up the Waterfall podcast, subscribe on iTunes, or watch Up the Waterfall on YouTube

Disney+ LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation Trailer With New Weird Al Song

21 June 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I feel like most of what I’ve been sharing lately in the Disney movie department has been the “_____ we didn’t know we needed” and it looks like this is definitely going to be the LEGO Star Wars…summer vacation?! movie we didn’t know we needed – and we’ve got the trailer. It’s coming to Disney+ so it’ll be fun and easy to watch no matter what your thoughts are on a limbo contest using Darth Vader’s light saber. It’s also no secret that we are LEGO fans around here.

You may be happy to learn that LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation features an all new song by Weird Al Yankovic, who also appears in LEGO form for the movie.

LEGO Star Wars Weird Al — Vic Vankoh in LEGO® STAR WARS SUMMER VACATION exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Here’s that limbo scene I mentioned above. I mean, worth it for Vader’s porg-filled beach hat alone, right?

Have I piqued your interest? Here’s the official LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation trailer:

The movie premieres on August 5th exclusively on Disney+. Here’s all the official Disney info:

Summer is here, and the trailer for “LEGO® Star Wars Summer Vacation” is about to heat things up! The all-new animated special from Lucasfilm and the LEGO Group and the newest entry in the popular signature branded cross-saga storytelling series that began with “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” and continued with “LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales,” will premiere August 5, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.

Finn is surprised by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Force Ghost) in LEGO® STAR WARS SUMMER VACATION exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

“LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation,” which is set shortly after the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” features the voices of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Yvette Nicole Brown, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, and returning cast members from previous “LEGO Star Wars” specials, and includes the new original song Scarif Beach Party performed by “Weird Al” Yankovic.

Looking for a much-needed break from stormtroopers and TIE fighters, Finn arranges a surprise vacation for his friends Rey, Poe, Rose, Chewie, BB-8, R2-D2, and C-3PO, aboard the ultra-luxurious Galactic Starcruiser, the Halcyon. But Finn’s plan to have one last hurrah together quickly goes awry when he’s separated from the group. While searching for his friends, he encounters three Force ghosts: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Leia Organa, who each share their own unexpected stories of vacations gone wrong, helping him to understand that holidays are about more than just having fun.

(L-R): Rose, Rey, Finn, Chewbacca, C-3PO and Poe in LEGO® STAR WARS SUMMER VACATION exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

“LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation” features the voices of: “Weird Al” Yankovic as Vic Vankoh; Yvette Nicole Brown as Colvett Valeria; Thomas Lennon as Wick Cooper; Paul F. Tompkins as Rad; Dee Bradley Baker as Boba Fett; Ashly Burch as the Tour Droid; Kyliegh Curran as Sidero; Anthony Daniels as C-3PO; Trevor Devall as Emperor Palpatine; Allie Feder as Sy Snootles; Jake Green as Poe Dameron; Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker; Ross Marquand as Han Solo; Omar Miller as Finn; Kevin Michael Richardson as Jabba the Hutt; Matt Sloan as Darth Vader; James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan Kenobi; Kelly Marie Tran as Rose; Helen Sadler as Rey Skywalker; Billy Dee Williams as Lando (Holovid); Matthew Wood as Ben Solo; and Shelby Young as Leia Organa.

David Shayne is writer and executive producer, and the director is Ken Cunningham. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert, Jason Cosler, Keith Malone, and Jennifer Twiner Mccarron are executive producers. Produced in collaboration with Atomic Cartoons.

Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader enjoy the sands of Scarif in LEGO® STAR WARS SUMMER VACATION exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

If you aren’t already a Disney+ subscriber, you can sign up today. We love our membership.

After watching the trailer, will you be adding LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation to your summer watch list on Disney+?

REVIEW: Lightyear is the Pixar Story We Didn’t Know We Needed

15 June 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Ok, so no one really thought we needed a Buzz Lightyear backstory, right? I was of the same mind, and thought this was a very silly attempt at extending the Toy Story franchise beyond its natural life and wasting all of our time. At a recent Lightyear screening, I was proven very wrong. My Lightyear review will not contain major spoilers, but will discuss some on-screen things (which have previously been discussed in the press), so proceed at your own risk if you’d like to be surprised. I will not discuss the major reveal toward the end of the film, so that major spoiler is safe.

Going back to my initial frame of mind when I saw the first real trailer for Lightyear, as an extreme David Bowie fan, I was slightly offended that they used his “Starman“ in the trailer for what I thought was such a pointless film. At the end of the movie (which didn’t use the song at all by the way), I took back my offense. Like many, I assumed this was based on the life of the “real world” person Buzz Lightyear, and had nothing really to do with Toy Story at all. In the first frame, we are told that “…in 1995, a boy named Andy received a toy Buzz Lightyear, based on his favorite movie. This is that movie.” Already, that made more sense to me, and I wish they’d explained that going in, I think it would’ve been more accepted from the start.

The film itself is genuinely entertaining from start to finish. We learn briefly about Space Rangers and what they do. We see Buzz as a devoted ranger, his friend and fellow ranger Hawthorne, and their latest mission. Something goes wrong, and the entire team is stranded on a planet, which Buzz feels is his fault. He works to get them off the planet and test out the hyper speed crystal fusion fuel they need to get back home. The only problem with all of his attempted and failed tests, is that Buzz is gone for minutes, while years and years pass by on the planet he’s returning to.

Buzz Lighyear and Sox — © 2021 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

To help him with his guilt over stranding people on this alien planet, Hawthorne gives Buzz a “personal companion robot” named Sox. He is a robotic cat, who truly steals the show and gives it its heart. Even when things seem serious or dire, Sox can find a way to help and inject humor with his “loading” noises of just “meowmeowmeowmeow” or “beepboopbeepboop.” It really helps keep the movie firmly in the kids zone and something that Andy would’ve appreciated as a kid, I think. (Although I’m pretty disappointed we didn’t get Sox toys back in 1995 when Toy Story came out.) Sox is the friend and co-pilot we all need.

Again, I won’t give anything more in this Lightyear review than what I’ve said above away, but suffice it to say, Buzz learns some valuable lessons about friendship, accepting help, and what life is all about. I will also note that there is a lesbian couple in the film, garnering its being banned in Saudi Arabia. The storyline is very subtly displayed, and portrayed as just “normal” which of course, is how it should be. I like to think about 1995 Andy watching this movie and thinking nothing of it as well, just a couple, no other adjectives needed. I wish Pixar had been so bold back in 1995, and I wish the world would’ve been as accepting as most of it is today. Strides are finally being made however, and acceptance and inclusion is becoming the norm.

So while of course we didn’t need another Toy Story movie, I think we did need the lessons Lightyear doles out and I will happily add this to one of my favorite Pixar tales. And tails. I’m totally getting a plush Sox just as soon as I finish posting this Lightyear review. (Here are two options below!)

Sox the Cat on Shop Disney — Sox the Cat on ShopDisney

Lightyear opens in theaters on June 17. I highly recommend heading out to see it, if only for the Sox moments. Until then, you can also enjoy some backstory as Disney+ invites fans to explore the history of Buzz Lightyear and get a sneak peek at the making of the all-new film.

Pixar Animation Studios’ “Beyond Infinity: Buzz and the Journey to Lightyear” explores the evolution of an icon, tracing Buzz Lightyear’s route from toy to the hero featured in the new film. Check out the trailer celebrating the launch of the documentary on Disney+.

Featuring filmmakers, storytellers, artists and members of the “Lightyear” voice cast, “Beyond Infinity: Buzz and the Journey to Lightyear” details how Buzz’s original action-figure design was realized, and how that look was translated years later into a human hero. Delving into the cultural impact of the galaxy’s most famous Space Ranger and his significance to Pixar filmmakers, this doc grapples with what actually is beyond infinity. It is directed by Tony Kaplan and produced by Sureena Mann.

Opening in theaters June 17, “Lightyear”—the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy—follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. The film is directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”).

I hope you enjoyed this Lightyear review and it wasn’t too spoilery, I couldn’t not talk about how wonderful Sox the robot cat is. Let me know in the comments below if you see Lightyear and what you think!

Thanks to Disney D23 for the screening of Lightyear, as always, my opinions and thoughts are my own.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links above provide a very small commission toward the running of this site. Thank you for supporting zannaland.

D23 Expo 2022 Big Stage Presentation Announcements

9 June 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

It’s getting closer to D23 Expo time!! Today Disney D23 made some announcements about the biggest presentations for the Expo main stage shows. Let’s get right to it! Here’s the official announcement from D23:

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has announced the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa, September 9, 10, and 11. Disney100 kicks off at the biggest Disney fan event in the world celebrating 100 years of wonder as The Walt Disney Company enters its second century. The festivities begin Friday morning, September 9 with the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony and a kick-off to Disney100. Later that same day, The Walt Disney Studios will showcase what’s on the horizon from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and Disney Live Action. On Saturday morning, the Studios will give fans a sneak peek at the latest from Marvel and Lucasfilm. Saturday afternoon, Disney Branded Television will preview their exciting slate. On Sunday morning, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and that afternoon, guests will enjoy a special presentation of Disney Princess – The Concert.

These incredible presentations will take place in “Hall D23,” the 6,900-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center. The schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations is as follows (all events subject to change and additional events to be announced in the coming weeks):

Disney100 kicks off at D23 Expo on Friday, September 9 at 10:30 a.m. with an epic presentation that includes the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, featuring Disney CEO Bob Chapek. Legends will once again honor those visionaries and artists who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. Look for the names of the 2022 inductees to be announced in the coming weeks.

On Friday at 3:30 p.m., guests will be treated to new details, first looks, sneak peeks, surprises, and announcements regarding upcoming theatrical and Disney+ titles from Disney Live Action, Pixar Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Studio heads, filmmakers, and cast members will come together onstage with the inside scoop on some of these studios’ most exciting titles.

Filmmakers, celebrity talent and surprise guests join representatives from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, among others, onstage in Hall D23 to showcase theatrical and Disney+ titles on Saturday, September 10, at 10 a.m. Going behind the scenes of these studios’ highly anticipated films, specials and series, attendees will see exclusive footage and be among the first to learn what’s in the works.

Disney Branded Television, home to some of the most iconic stories and characters in the Disney canon, including Peabody Award winners Doc McStuffins and The Owl House, and culture-defining movie franchises like High School Musical and Descendants, presents an exclusive showcase of upcoming content that will carry on the legacy of excellence in storytelling with a look at the new Disney+ Original series National Treasure, American Born Chinese, and The Santa Clause, on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The showcase will include talent appearances and never-before-seen sneak previews of original content for Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior.

On Sunday, September 11, at 10:30 a.m., join Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro for a look at Disney’s boundless future. With announcements and updates on the magic happening around the world in parks, on the high seas, at home, and beyond, attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at the big dreams of Disney Imagineers. Every Disney fan will want to be a part of this special presentation full of exciting news and surprises.

Sunday afternoon at 4:15 p.m., Disney Concerts presents a special performance of Disney Princess – The Concert, featuring Tony^® nominee Susan Egan (Broadway’s original ‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast, ‘Meg’ in Disney’s animated feature Hercules), Broadway.com^®Audience Award-nominee Isabelle McCalla (’Princess Jasmine’ in Aladdin, The Prom), Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol (That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, Broadway’s final ‘Belle’ in Beauty and The Beast), and Broadway World Award–winner Syndee Winters (Broadway’s ‘Nala’ in The Lion King, Hamilton). Music Director Benjamin Rauhala (Fiddler on the Roof, The Secret Life of Bees) and enchanting Prince Adam J. Levy (Moulin Rouge) will also join the quartet. The acclaimed cast will perform favorite Disney Princess and Frozen songs, including classics such as “Part of Your World,” “Let It Go,” “A Whole New World,” “Colors of the Wind” and “Almost There.” The performers will share exclusive, hilarious, and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen.

A limited number of single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.

Schedule and talent are subject to change.

What presentations are you most excited about? I can’t wait for the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products one, personally, along with all the Studios announcements too! Hope to see you there! You can read more D23 Expo news here!

My runDisney Race Weekend Sponsored by Enterprise

2 June 2022 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Princess 5K 2011 — My original runDisney race – Still running with my phone in hand!

I registered for my first runDisney race back in 2010. It was the Mickey’s Halloween 5K, part of the first-ever Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend that year. It was a different time and I made so many new friends and connections through Twitter. We were all calling it #EpicOctober and meeting up at various times. I was also meeting up with my fellow Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now planDisney) panelists, as it was my first year on the panel. I had never run anything in my life and was very, very worried I would not be able to complete the 5K. So, I didn’t go. I was ashamed, embarrassed and vowed that I would do a runDisney 5K someday, especially after meeting up with all my friends who did it and listening to all the fun they had on the course. So, I registered for the 5K during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. And this time, I actually did it!

Fast forward many years, and many, many runDisney races have taken place. Over that time, I did a handful of 5K’s and one 10K back in 2016. I then took 7 years off. A lot happened in my life between then and now, and I began to focus more on my health and fitness. I lost 75lbs over the past 2 years, and though I’ve been vegetarian since 2012, I went vegan in 2018, and have been ever since. After these changes, I decided to get back into runDisney races, and vowed that 2022 would be my “Year of runDisney” and I would do all the races I could this year. I bounced back with the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend races in January of 2022, where I did the 5K and 10K again. I had caught the runDisney bug and decided to challenge myself and register for the Disney Fairytale Challenge as part of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – this was doing the 10K and Half Marathon (plus I did the 5K too). Me? Do a half marathon?? I spent the next months being anxious and worried, while still knowing I had it in me to complete it. And I did.

I was not fast, I cried about 5 times (happy cries), but I did it. I am now a half marathoner! The next set of races were the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend – celebrating races from runDisney past, including the fan favorite Expedition Everest 5K and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler.

I wanted to register for the Challenge and do all of the races, but in trying to get both my husband and I registered, I was shut out of the Challenge and the 5K. I was able to register both of us for the Race for the Taste 10K and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10 Miler. Closer to the races, I received an email from Enterprise, the official rental car of Walt Disney World, about partnering with them to cover the races and share my experiences on social media. Of course, it was an immediate YES from me, and what follows is my sponsored account of the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend Celebrates Yestermorrow.

As part of our partnership, Enterprise provided a rental car for me as well as a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. I was very excited for both of these experiences. We started out by heading to the Car Care Center right near Magic Kingdom Park to pick up the Enterprise rental car. It was a seamless process, and it wasn’t just for me, the others getting their cars or dropping them back off were helped quickly and with minimal effort on the guests part. I picked up my super cool Dodge Challenger in bright orange and knew this was going to be a fun weekend.

We then headed over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was again so easy to check-in, I just did it on the ‘My Disney Experience’ application on my phone and didn’t even need to stop at the front desk. We could head straight to the room and unlock our door with the app or a MagicBand. We were given a standard view room, but really lucked out as our view was of the area where some of the animals come at the end of the night, so we really saw so many animals right from our balcony! There were 6 giraffes we could see often, three or four zebras (including a cute younger one), some Ankole cattle, waterbuck, impala, crowned cranes, and more (including bunnies and squirrels which are just as exciting to me). It was so cool to wake up and see giraffes right outside.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my favorite resorts in all of Walt Disney World Resort anyway, so I was so grateful and excited to get to spend 5 nights there. There are so many options for dining. The pool area is wonderful, and the rooms themselves were so peaceful and comfortable. When I first checked in, I had the balcony door open and was texting my friends that all I could hear was the gentle clicking of the bamboo trees in the distance. I was in heaven.

The next day, after breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, we set out to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. This is where you pick up all your bibs for the races, your race shirts, and you can also shop for fun merchandise from runDisney partners and official runDisney race weekend merchandise too. It was super easy to pop over in our Enterprise rental car and just park and head in. It’s a really fun way to start off every race weekend, because you are immediately surrounded by others who are doing the same thing you are, having fun, getting excited for the upcoming races, and of course taking photos at the many photo ops all around ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. We got our bibs and found out we were in Starting Group 2 for the 5K and the 10 Miler, but Starting Group 1 for the 10K. What luck! I’ve said before I’m not fast, so getting any extra time from being in a closer starting group is always a bonus that I appreciate greatly!

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend 2022

After getting all of our race info and bibs, we headed back to the resort to just chill before the first race – a night race! The Expedition Everest 5K always took place at night in prior years, so they kept with that tradition, and it didn’t start until 10pm. This was my first ever night race, though many of my friends had done either this race or the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend races that took place at night previously. It was kind of strange being up so late and just waiting for the race to start. I’m still not sure if I prefer that to the early morning 2:30am wake-up calls of the other races I’ve done.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Race Recap:

Mother Nature had some other ideas about our nighttime race, and there was worry about rain and lightning. So, in an abundance of caution not only for the racers, but also the amazing volunteers working the course, the course was shortened for the 5K. The scavenger hunt, which was all digital on an app this year, was also postponed getting everyone to finish the race as soon as possible and reduce the risk of weather affecting things. The course had the last half a mile taken off, but by the time we walked to and from the start and finish line, we had all definitely done a 5K that night. Luckily, the rain held off and we didn’t get drenched, so that was a very good thing. It was so fun running through Pandora: World of Avatar at night, with the bioluminescence and all the background sounds of creatures of Pandora in the distance. I loved it.

The medal for the Expedition Everest 5K has always been a compass, so I was very excited to finally get one myself. It was truly one of the most fun 5K’s and unique ones as well. I would sign up again in a heartbeat!

The next day, we had a day of rest before the early morning race times began on Saturday. We hung around the hotel, had some pool time, and our family visited so we could all have dinner together from Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, before we had to head to an early bedtime.

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early (well, not so bright, it was still very dark out at 2:30am). Having the Enterprise rental car meant we had a little more time to head over to EPCOT and park for the Race for the Taste 10K. My husband Scott and I headed into our starting group 1 and did some stretching before the race began. The runDisney crew always does an amazing job of hyping up the crowd at such an early hour, in rain or shine, cold or heat. This day, the humidity was at about 99% and it was like running through soup, but that didn’t stop the fun.

We saw so many fun characters along the course and seeing our friends racing along with us made it even more special. Having the runDisney PhotoPass photographers along the course ensures you’ll have some great memories of the race day and seeing the photos pop in on your app after the race is always a highlight.

Being locals, we aren’t the type to pack in non-stop theme park action during the race weekends. We can go to the parks most of the time, so we like to take the time to relax at our hotel and unwind between races during the runDisney weekends. Saturday night we took advantage of the delicious dining options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and had some dinner to go from Victoria Falls Lounge and the Mara. It was an early night again as we waited for the 2:30 alarm to go off Sunday morning!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10 Miler was the last race of the weekend, and all of my friends were in the same starting group as Scott and I, so it was a very fun morning as we laughed and got ready to race. Two of our friends ran the whole race, while my other one (Amanda, who got me into runDisney races to begin with) run/walked with us the whole way. The humidity was less savage this day, so it was a great race day.

The runDisney character stops and entertainment along the course was all themed to the Tower of Terror and 1939 (the year the elevator first dropped into the Twilight Zone). It was great fun. I had already done 13.1 miles in February, so I knew I could complete this 10-miler, and each race I ran a little more and walked a little less, so it was all a great feeling of accomplishment too. Unlike the other two races, we finished this one after sunrise, so we got to see the sun rise over EPCOT, after running through Disney’s Hollywood Studios and for the first time ever – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! I will never forget those moments.

Finishing the final race with my husband and my friends was such a wonderful experience. The runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend Celebrates Yestermorrow was a success all around! We finished up our morning with a family breakfast at Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge which has so many wonderful options for everyone to enjoy. After all the racing, we took a much-needed nap. Despite my lack of any real training, I was feeling great and ready to head over to a park and enjoy our last full day of this race weekend.

We popped over to EPCOT in our Enterprise rental car and enjoyed some of the delicious bites from the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, going on now through July 4. We ended our night watching Harmonious and wandering through Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts to check out the Easter egg displays before heading home for a good night’s sleep.

The next day, reality crept back in as we checked out, returned our rental car (super easy, we didn’t even have to go inside, we just handed them the keys and they said we were all set!) ,and headed home and back to work. I can’t thank Enterprise enough for really making this runDisney weekend an epic one with so many fun moments along the way, I’ll remember it for a very long time. I can’t wait for the next set of runDisney races – see you in November!

*Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of Enterprise.

I’d love to hear about your runDisney race experiences in the comments below!