Walt Disney Studios Shines on Final Day of Destination D23 - August 31, 2025

In a grand finale to this year’s Destination D23 fan event at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, the Walt Disney Studios-themed programming on Sunday, August 31 treated attendees to behind-the-scenes explorations, exclusive sneak peeks, and celebratory entertainment.

Morning Kickoff and Villains Spotlight The day began at 9:00 a.m. ET with an enthusiastic welcome address, immediately followed by the highly anticipated “Disney Villains: Icons of Evil” panel. Cast members and Imagineers joined to unveil upcoming villain-centric attractions and experiences for Disney Parks and beyond, teasing new narrative directions for familiar foes on screen and in parks alike.

Walt Disney Archives Exhibit Continues Throughout the day, the Walt Disney Archives’ “Charting the Course: Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations” exhibit offered a richly immersive look at how worldwide cultures have shaped Disney storytelling. Attendees wandered through displays of original concept art, props, and rare artifacts tracing the evolution of Disney’s creative process.

Beyond the Spires: A Peek at Disney Castles At 2:50 p.m. ET, D23 Gold Members tuning in online enjoyed the “Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles” panel. Hosted by Disney archivists, the session provided an exclusive deep dive into the architectural and storytelling magic behind Cinderella Castle, Sleeping Beauty Castle, and their international counterparts.

’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert Capping off Destination D23, the Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert lit up the evening stage. Broadway stars and Disney Animation voices performed live arrangements of classic film themes-from The Little Mermaid to Beauty and the Beast-amid dynamic projections and high-energy choreography.

Looking Ahead During the day’s events, Michael Vargo, Head of D23, reminded fans to mark their calendars for next year’s “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” returning to Anaheim, California, on August 14-16, 2026. Early ticket details and exclusive member experiences were also previewed for those eager to continue the Disney fandom journey beyond Destination D23.

With these standout presentations and celebratory moments, the Walt Disney Studios programming at Destination D23 concluded on a high note, leaving fans energized for the studio’s upcoming slate and next summer’s fan extravaganza.