D23 Expo 2026 Panels Every '80s, '90s, and Y2K Disney Fan Needs To Know About

This nostalgia is strong with D23 Expo 2026, as the ultimate fan event is giving every Disney era the spotlight to celebrate the studio's multigenerational legacy. The full panel lineup has been dropped, and if you grew up watching Walt Disney announce Disneyland plans on TV, waking up early for Disney Channel Saturday Morning Cartoons, or loading games and DVDs into your PlayStation 2, this year's offerings are built for major throwback fun.

There's just so much fromAlice in Wonderland turning 75 to A Goofy Movie needle drops live to Kingdom Hearts unlocking Y2K gamers' core memories. Not to mention the major news out of Disney Studios, with the latest on family favorites including Bluey, Marvel, and Disney Parks expansion reveals. With that in mind, we're running down the standout (above-the-crowd) programming that Disney and pop culture fans alike should be most excited for.

For the TV set bunch of '80s Disney Kids

• The Muppets Musical History with Seth MacFarlane: Join Grammy-nominated vocalist and Emmy winner Seth MacFarlane and other special guests for a conversation about the timeless Muppets songbook. Seth will share the inspiration behind his upcoming Muppets orchestral album.
• Walt Disney: 125 Years of Inspiration: Join D23 as we salute Walt Disney's 125th birthday. Hear from those who knew him, legends who were inspired by Walt and continue his legacy, plus enjoy some special performances-all inspired by, and in fun celebration of, Walt Disney.
• The Impact & Legacy of Disney Toys: Disney's 100‑year toy legacy comes to life as experts Alex Miller, David Pacheco, and Becky Cline explore how Disney toys shaped the company, the industry, and generations of fans through stories, rare art, and iconic artifacts.
• 75 Years of Nonsense: Alice in Wonderland: Celebrate 75 years of Disney Animation's Alice in Wonderland with a look back at rarely seen art from the production and go behind the scenes of the newly restored version of the classic film.
• Worlds of Tinker Bell: Never Land to Pixie Hollow: Join host Ashley Eckstein and special guests as we explore the magical evolution of Tinker Bell from Peter Pan (1953) to her own enchanting universe in this lively celebration of a favorite Disney fairy.
• One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th Anniversary: Celebrate Disney Animation's pioneering feature film with a look back at rarely seen art from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 55 Magical Years: Disney's dazzling musical has been enchanting audiences since 1971. This multimedia presentation uses rare photos and art to weave a behind-the-scenes spell about the Oscar®-winning masterpiece-including the involvement of Walt Disney himself.

For the Disney Channel Kids of the '90's

• Disney Rewind Concert: Relive the magic of VHS vibes with the ultimate throwback event showcasing some of the best Disney hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s, filled with nostalgic favorites performed by Disney and Broadway stars, including Disney Legends Bill Farmer and Jodi Benson, as well as incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.
• The Simpsons: Stories from Springfield: Join the cast and creative team of The Simpsons as they explore the art of storytelling in Springfield, from character-driven comedy and cultural satire to finding fresh stories more than three decades later.
• Beauty and the Beast: A Tale as Old as Time: Celebrate 35 years of Disney Animation's classic tale Beauty and the Beast-from the screen to the stage and beyond-with filmmakers and stars from the animated feature film and the Broadway production it inspired, including Disney Legends Paige O'Hara, Don Hahn, and Mark Henn, as well as incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.
• Scrubs: Scrubbing Back In: Celebrate the return to Sacred Heart with a conversation with the cast and executive producers of Scrubs featuring behind-the-scenes stories, fan-favorite moments, and a look at why the revival resonates today- daydreams and all.
• Celebrate 65 Years of Marvel's Spider-Man!: From the recent return to the big screen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, to fan-favorite animated series including Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends, Spider-Man's 1,000th comic, toys, and more, Spidey's been an enduring pop culture icon for nearly 65 years. Join us to celebrate Spider-Man with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes stories, and more.
• Disney and The Grammys: A Musical Legacy: Disney Grammy Award®-winning musical artists reflect on the songs, stories, and creative choices that shaped their careers-and the enduring legacy they continue to build across generations.
• Disney Style Around the World: Enjoy a showcase of iconic Disney fashion and exciting product reveals from around the globe and hear from panelists Bobby Kim (Vice President, Global Creative Director for Disney Consumer Products), Tiia Chandler (Senior Director, Global Brand Partnerships for Crocs), and Lily Aldridge (supermodel, mother, entrepreneur, and Disney Style fangirl).

Y2K Gamer and DCOM Generation of Disney Kids

• DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS: Join us for a journey through light and darkness as we commemorate 25 years of KINGDOM HEARTS. Discover how this saga united Disney, Pixar, and Square Enix, with insights from the creative minds, character voices, and more behind the magic.
• Hey Jonas! Live at D23: Celebrating Disney Legends: Celebrate Disney Legends Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas during a live recording of their hit iHeartPodcast, Hey Jonas! Hear unforgettable Disney stories, behind-the-scenes memories, and special guests as they celebrate this incredible milestone together.
• Lettuce Show You How We Make Bob's Burgers!: Order up! The Emmy®-winning Bob's Burgers creative team takes you from script to screen through a live demonstration featuring voice cast, live drawing, storytelling insights, and a closer look at how they bring the episodes you know and love to life.
• Disney Music Presents: The Art of the Score: Grammy Award®-winning composer Michael Giacchino shares an inside look at his creative process-across Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel-and how he develops music that supports a filmmaker's vision, featuring a special performance by Anthony Gonzalez.
• 20 Years of Enchanted: A Love Letter to Disney: Join host Nina West and director Kevin Lima as we celebrate 20 years of Enchanted with a fast-paced, Easter egg-filled tribute featuring special guests and surprises from the Walt Disney Archives collection.

Future family nostalgia with upcoming news and announcements from Disney, Marvel and Bluey: The Movie

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• Bluey: From the Backyard to the Big Screen: Join the team behind Bluey and get stuck into everything you'd ever want to know about the homegrown Aussie icon turned true-blue global phenomenon. Take a journey from a backyard in Brisbane all the way to the big screen in 2027's The Bluey Movie.
• Disney Entertainment Showcase:Friday night, the world-class storytellers of The Walt Disney Company will take center stage at the Honda Center for the Disney Entertainment Showcase. Guests can expect surprise celebrity appearances, exclusive first looks at upcoming films and series, exciting new announcements, and unforgettable musical performances. The star-studded presentation will celebrate the stories audiences love while offering an exclusive preview of what's coming next across Disney's movies, television, games, and live stage productions.
• Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase: Join host Neil Patrick Harris for a journey into the stories shaping the future of Disney Experiences around the world. Building on the ambitious projects announced in 2024, this year's showcase will take fans deeper into the creative vision behind what's to come, hearing directly from the Imagineers, storytellers, artists, and innovators bringing these experiences to life. Inspired by the Carousel of Progress, Neil will guide the show and lead engaging conversations with the people creating the future of Disney Experiences-complete with behind-the-scenes looks, special performances, exciting announcements, and a few surprises along the way.
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 3: Join the cast and producers behind Percy Jackson and the Olympians for a must-see celebration packed with behind-the-scenes stories and exciting teases as Season 3 brings The Titan's Curse to life later this year on Disney+.
• Camp Rock 3: The Next Generation: Fresh off the world premiere of Camp Rock 3, join the stars as they share behind-the-scenes stories and favorite moments from bringing a new era of the beloved Camp Rock franchise to life.
• LEGO Star WarsScreening Event: Experience a special screening of an all-new LEGO Star Wars animated adventure filled with iconic characters, unexpected laughs, and action-packed fun. Perfect for Star Wars and LEGO fans of all ages. More details to come.
• Zootopia: Ten Years in the Mammal Metropolis: Celebrate ten years of Disney Animation's Zootopia films-from theaters and Disney+ to Disney Parks attractions around the world-with the stars and filmmakers behind the mammal metropolis, including Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Michael Giacchino.

Today's Bluey obsession is yesterday's Muppets fascination, and Disney knows it as it celebrates Walt Disney's vision of family entertainment through its legacy films like Alice in Wonderland and looks to the future within everything at the Mouse House of film/TV and theme parks, only at D23 Expo 2026. For more information, visit D23.com.

Related: When Will 'Toy Story 5' Be Streaming? Here's When to Expect It on Disney+

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 7:42 PM.