The countdown is on! D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 is almost here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already dreaming of all the exclusive merchandise. Get ready to dive into three days of pure Disney magic, from August 14 to 16, right in Anaheim, California. This year, we’re seeing brand-new shopping spots alongside our old favorites, packed with unique items and interactive fun. Let’s talk shopping strategy!

For many of us, the real magic of D23 lies in discovering those impossible-to-find treasures and first-to-market exclusives. Trust me, you might even need an extra suitcase to bring all your goodies home! This year, Disney Experiences brings us a huge selection. Let me walk you through the highlights.

First stop, the D23 Marketplace – think of it as the beating heart of D23 shopping! Here, you’ll find a carefully picked selection of amazing items. Imagine snagging something from The Princess Diaries 25th Anniversary Collection, grabbing some Star Wars essentials, or exploring exclusive global Disney Parks merchandise. And yes, Disney Fine Art makes a grand return!

Big news for pin collectors! This year, the D23 Marketplace Pin Store gets its own dedicated space. Expect limited-edition and limited-release pins, with fresh designs dropping each day of the event – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Right next door, check out the new D23 Marketplace Photobooths and Medallions for personalized souvenirs and unique event medallions. It’s all about making those memories last!

To get into the D23 Marketplace, you’ll need to use the virtual queue throughout the event. A standby queue might open later in the day if all virtual slots fill up. Remember, it’s a cashless experience here, so have your cards or contactless payment ready. You can even use mobile checkout to speed things up.

Similarly, the D23 Marketplace Pin Store also uses a virtual queue. A standby option might become available later. This store is also cashless, accepting card and contactless payments via mobile order.

For the D23 Marketplace Photobooths and Medallions, you can access them via a standby queue. It’s also cashless, accepting only card and contactless payment options.

The Disney Store is back, bringing its unique magic to D23! Get ready to explore special-edition products and exclusive collections. We’re talking exciting collaborations like Disney x Formula 1, the beautiful Blooms by Disney range, and a whole host of Disney Store exclusive plush toys. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek at a brand-new partnership with SkinnyDip London.

Beyond shopping, the Disney Store booth offers some cool interactive moments. Imagine a life-size claw machine for photos and exclusive meet-and-greets with Disney Artists, where you might even get a sketch or an autograph! Make sure to pre-register for these artist opportunities via the Disney D23 app by Friday, July 24, at 12 p.m. PST. And who doesn’t love a freebie? Scan your badge at the main entrance for a chance to grab a free event-exclusive tote bag or sticker with new character art, while supplies last.

You can access the Disney Store via a standby queue. Remember to pre-register for Disney Artist meet-and-greet opportunities through the Disney D23 app from now until Friday, July 24, at 12 p.m. PST. Shopping inside the Disney Store booth works via QR Code: scan to shop and have your products delivered directly to your home through DisneyStore.com.

Can’t make it to D23, or just want to snag more goodies? Don’t worry! Starting Monday, August 17, at 8 a.m. PST, a selection of merchandise from both the D23 Marketplace and the Disney Store booth will become available online at DisneyStore.com/d23-event/, while supplies last. Set your alarms!

My personal favorite is back for its second year at D23: The Walt Disney Company Store! This year, you’ll find not one, but two locations within the Anaheim Convention Center, making it easier to explore.

This is your go-to spot for the official D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 logo collection. Expect awesome collaborations with brands like RSVLTS, Nike, and Loungefly. You’ll also discover collections celebrating iconic Disney animated Epic Rivals, beloved Walt Disney Studios landmarks, and a fantastic new line from HARVEYS, featuring unique designs crafted from decommissioned seatbelts from Soarin’ Over California. Talk about a piece of Disney history!

And for the true Walt Disney aficionados, get ready for a special collection. It’s inspired by Walt Disney’s iconic office in Burbank, California (Suite 3H), created in partnership with the Walt Disney Archives. A beautiful tribute to the visionary himself!

Keep an eye out for The Walt Disney Company PIN Store! It will feature a huge selection of limited-edition pins, mystery boxes, and stunning framed sets. Perfect for every pin collector, from casual enthusiasts to serious hunters. Check out daily pin catalogs launching each day of the event for what’s new.

For Friday, August 14, you’ll need a virtual queue to access The Walt Disney Company Store. A standby queue might open after all boarding groups are redeemed. On Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, only standby queue options will be available. The Walt Disney Company Store is cashless, accepting only card and contactless payment options, along with merchandise mobile checkout.

You can access The Walt Disney Company PIN Store via virtual queue throughout the event. A standby queue option will open after all boarding groups have been redeemed. This store is also cashless, accepting card and contactless payment options processed via mobile order. A physical register will also be available for all pin frame sales.

Calling all Imagineering fans! Mickey’s of Glendale, the legendary Walt Disney Imagineering campus store, returns to D23 2026. Get ready for exclusive merchandise and pins designed by the Imagineers themselves. This is where you find truly unique, behind-the-scenes inspired items.

And for the pin obsessed, the Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store is a must-visit. They’ll launch a new range of limited-edition and exclusive pins every single day: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You won’t want to miss these!

To access Mickey’s of Glendale, you’ll use a virtual queue throughout the event, with a standby queue opening after all boarding groups are redeemed. This store is cashless, accepting only card and contactless payment options alongside merchandise mobile checkout.

The Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store also operates via virtual queue, with a standby queue available once all boarding groups are redeemed. It’s cashless, accepting card and contactless payment options processed via mobile order.

Making its big debut at D23 2026 is Disney .YNSD! This exciting new brand showcases the dynamic design culture of Walt Disney Imagineering through apparel and accessories. Each collection mixes contemporary streetwear with rich storytelling, inviting you to “IMAGINE THE REST” and literally wear the magic. It’s a fresh take on Disney style, straight from the Imagineers.

You’ll need a virtual queue to access Disney .YNSD throughout the event. A standby queue option will open after all boarding groups have been redeemed. Disney .YNSD is cashless, accepting only card and contactless payment options processed via mobile order.

Lights, camera, action… or should I say, shop! Step into the old Hollywood glamour at the Disney Studio Store Hollywood. Here, you’ll find apparel, accessories, and more, all inspired by the timeless magic of the entertainment capital. Discover a brand-new collection celebrating the El Capitan Theatre’s Centennial, alongside limited-edition pins launching each of the three event days.

Access to the Disney Studio Store Hollywood is via virtual queue throughout the event, with a standby queue option opening after all boarding groups have been redeemed. This store is cashless, accepting only card and contactless payment options alongside merchandise mobile checkout.

Bookworms, rejoice! Disney Publishing Books & Brew returns, bigger and better than ever! This is your haven for first-to-market books, from thrilling graphic novels and fascinating autobiographies to essential guidebooks. You’ll also find collectible ‘Bookcessories’, unique Tarot Card Decks, and charming Book Nook kits.

Beyond the amazing selection, you can meet your favorite authors at special book signings. And how about a ‘sip & shop’ experience? Enjoy a delightful new Disneyland Resort coffee blend from Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. while you browse. Plus, look out for gift-with-purchase items from Penguin Random House, like art prints, sticker blind bags, and Disney Editions tote bags.

You can access Disney Publishing Books & Brew and make merchandise purchases via a standard queue throughout the event. This shop is cashless, accepting only card and contactless payment options. Registration to attend select in-booth signings will be conducted via virtual queue.

Get ready for something truly special: The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds makes its debut at D23 2026! This unique auction takes place on Sunday, August 16, and is open to both attendees and global online bidders. You can preview all the incredible items throughout the event weekend at The Disney Experiences Auction Showroom – an immersive space accessible via standby queue.

If you want to bid, head to Heritage Auctions online to register for digital bidding, or visit the showroom to sign up for in-person live bidding. The showroom itself offers a unique shopping experience, giving you the chance to buy rare, limited-quantity props, artwork, and themed items, direct from Disney’s Parks, Resorts, and even their cruise ships! Remember, due to the exclusivity, sales here are final – no refunds or exchanges.

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

But wait, there’s even more! Beyond Disney’s own shops, the Anaheim Convention Center show floor buzzes with other fantastic brands offering D23-exclusive merchandise. Think mini backpacks and pins from Loungefly, brand-new Disney and Star Wars-themed Spirit Jerseys, accessory bundles from Little Words Project, and stunning Disney-inspired watches from Citizen. The options are endless!

You’ll also find new products from beloved brands like Just Play, Wizards of the Coast, Topps, NECA/KidRobot/Enesco, Pandora, Crocs, Her Universe, BoxLunch, Girls Crew, and RSVLTS. And for all you Disney Lorcana fans, don’t miss the limited-edition 2026 D23 Collection and the exclusive Winnie the Pooh – Hunny Wizard Premium Foil Playmat at the Ravensburger booth. Seriously, it’s a treasure trove!

Okay, now you know where to shop, let’s talk how to shop. We want your experience to be as smooth as a leisurely boat ride – no frantic dashes needed! Your essential tools? The Disney D23 app and the Disneyland Resort app, available on your iOS or Android device. Download them now, you’ll thank me later.

How to Navigate Your Shopping Spree

Many of the popular shopping spots will use a virtual queue system this year. Here’s how it works: twice a day, at 6 a.m. PST and 1 p.m. PST, you can try to join a virtual queue through the Disney D23 app and the Disneyland Resort app. You need to be within a 90-mile radius of the Anaheim Convention Center to join. To keep things fair, you can join a group of up to two people, but only one virtual queue at a time. Once your boarding group is called, you might still have a short wait, so be prepared! If the virtual queues fill up, they might open a standby queue later. Remember, a valid event admission is always required, and some smaller locations will still have traditional standby lines.

For some locations, **mobile order pickup** is your best friend. After your virtual queue group is called, you’ll gain access to place a mobile order right from the store entrance using the Disneyland Resort app. Just order and pay on your phone, and a team will get your items ready. You’ll get a notification when it’s ready for pickup, and your digital receipt will arrive by email, with any applicable discounts already applied. Easy peasy!

Want to skip the lines entirely? Look for **Merchandise Mobile Checkout** at certain shops. Just scan items yourself with the Disneyland Resort app, add them to your virtual bag, and pay directly on your phone. When you’re done, show your QR code confirmation to a Cast Member at the designated exit, and you’re good to go! A digital receipt will hit your inbox, and yes, traditional checkout options will still be available too.

The excitement for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 is building fast! I’m already deep into planning my outfits and my shopping list. See you there, ready to discover all those incredible finds at the Anaheim Convention Center!