Day 1 of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is in the bag. Today is primarily focused around the Studios, and we got lots of looks at projects already underway - with a few unexpected surprises. Read on to learn all you need to know from D23 2026 Day 1.
During the Disney Animation Studios portion of the Disney Entertainment Showcase we got some new visuals on the upcoming Disney Animation Studios film, Hexed. The film gained two new voice acting talent including Jodie Foster and Walton Goggins - they join Hailee Steinfeld in the film which will be released in November 2026.
Elsewhere, we got our first visual for Frozen 3 which is released in Fall 2027, we also learned that Josh Gad’s Olaf will receive a love interest - Samantha.
Two new films got announced, Zootopia 3 and Clay. Clay will release in the fall of 2028 and stars Kieran Culkin.
Marvel Studios have revealed more information about Avengers: Doomsday today. The film, which releases on December 18, 2026, has received a new poster featuring Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom. We also received a brand new trailer at the event.
In 2028, we join the X-Men for a brand new film. The film will be released on May 5, 2028 and features a stacked cast including:
Kit Connor, Cyclops
Sadie Sink, Jean Grey
Christopher Abbott, Professor Charles Xavier
Samara Weaving, Emma Frost
Inde Navarette, Rogue
Maya Boyd, Storm
Adam Driver, Mister Sinister
Finally from Marvel we got a brand new trailer and poster for the VisionQuest series coming to Disney+ on October 14, 2026.
We got the first sneak peek of the Jon Favreau-led Oswald mini series that will be streaming on Disney+ in February 2028. The series will consist of three parts and features hand-drawn animation. As part of the panel, Disney released a preview image that included a visual of Oswald in Walt’s office.
Given the history of this character, this is a series that many Disney fans (myself included) cannot wait to watch.
In 2028, Pixar will release two new films. The first is an all-original new film called “Ghost Market”. The film has been described as Pixar’s first supernatural film. Then, later that Summer the Parr family return for “The Incredibles 3”, this film is slated to focus more on the Parr children and a body known as the “Super Hero League”.
Coco 2 was announced to be releasing in 2029 and will see Miguel face off against Ernesto de la Cruz once again. Pixar also released a concept art drawing of the film.
Ahsoka season 2 got a launch date as part of the Live Entertainment panel. Season 2 will launch on Disney+ on January 20, 2027 and once again features Ahsoka, Anakin and Grand Admiral Thrawn - Lucasfilm have teased that Ahsoka will have to finally answer the question of whether she is a Jedi or not. Alongside that, we got a teaser trailer and new poster for the series.
We didn’t get too much information about Star Wars: Starfighter at this year’s D23 (likely, most of this will be saved for future trailers and Star Wars Celebration 2027) but we did see the film get a new logo that is clearly inspired by the original 1977 Star Wars logo. We also learned the name of Ryan Gosling’s character in the film: Kade Auberon
The Disney Entertainment showcase covered a lot. Here are some of the other news items that came out of the showcase:
The Bluey Movie received a trailer and a release date of August 6, 2027.
Lilo & Stitch 2 (the live action film) will be released on May 28, 2028.
National Geographic have produced a new series called “Lion”, featuring music by Hans Zimmer. Premieres this Wednesday (19th August).
The upcoming London theatrical production of The Greatest Showman received its cast including Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks. The show opens at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in Spring 2027.
Within the Horizons Imagineering pavilion, Disney held a preview presentation which featured the new Disney Vacation Club Lakeshore Lodge. As shared on Walt Disney Imagineering’s instagram stories, you can see behind the speakers a preview of what Disney is calling Lake Houses. These feel like they are the 1,2 or 3 bed villa type rooms that Disney offer within Disney Vacation Club accommodation. The rooms have a modern aesthetic with large windows looking out over the resort, to add rustic charm there seem to be wooden beams across the ceiling.
The resort is scheduled to open in 2027.
Since its announcement at D23 2022, Lorcana has become increasingly popular with fans across the world. During a panel hosted at the event this year, game developer Ravensburger announced a few game updates:
The upcoming Hyperia City expansion will feature several neighbourhoods bringing the city and its inhabitants to live
A new villains themed expansion deck will be released in 2027 called Into the Inkdark
Cosmic Quest was announced to be the Q2 2027 expansion.
Lorcana: A Visual Guide is a new book to be released on February 1st 2027 which allows players to dive deeper into the Lorcana story lore, as well as showcase the art style the game has become known for.
A digital version of the Lorcana TCG is in development at Ravensburger.
The Disney Live Entertainment showcase was certainly a good one for Kingdom Hearts series fans. Firstly, we learned that Coco will be one of the worlds featured within the game when it releases. We then also learned that the game will be released in Late 2027 on all formats.
Disney then provided some news that I don’t think was on anybody’s D23 bingo card, and that was a new Disney+ series themed around the game - although a completely standalone story.
DisneyNature announced a new film entitled “Wolf” to be released on DIsney+ for Earth Day 2027.
As part of a presentation at the Imagineering Horizons booth, Walt Disney Imagineering hinted at possible announcements around the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Let’s see what we learn on this over the course of the weekend.
Disney Dreamlight Valley has announced the next expansions to the game. Next week a themed free Hannah Montana & Lizzie McGuire update will be released. Free activities in the valley include Oogie Boogie in September, and Lilo & Stitch in December. Finally, a paid expansion called the Keepsake Sea will be released in the fall.
During The Simpsons panel, Simpsons show runner, Matt Selman, revealed that the Treehouse of Horror elements are coming to Halloween Horror Nights at the Universal Parks.
Today is, for any fans, the big one. Horizons: The Disney Experiences Showcase wraps up the day, here we’re going to learn a lot more about the projects that Disney are working on across the globe. Expect more details about the projects teased just yesterday, but we’re also expecting some surprises. It’s genuinely an exciting year for Disney Experiences and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store.
Elsewhere, Joe Rohde is promoting his new book with a panel. The book is much anticipated amongst fans of Imagineering and we’re expecting to hear some fun tidbits from one of Disney’s most prolific imagineers of recent years. For video game fans, the much-anticipated panel of Kingdom Hearts will take place, here we’re likely to hear more about the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4. The Marvel panel might give us some insight as to upcoming projects within the Marvel Comics universe.
If you’re looking for live streams, today is very much your lucky day. Disney+ will be streaming Horizons, as well as the Disney Rewind Encore Concert and the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 3 panels. YouTube has you set for the Kingdom Hearts panel.
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