Thousands of Disney fans descended on Anaheim for D23, the company’s official biennial fan convention, seeking a weekend of fantasy, fandom and temporary escape from the pressures of everyday life.
Held just a short distance from Disneyland, the three-day event brought together Disney devotees for presentations, celebrity appearances, merchandise launches, character encounters, collectible trading and immersive experiences.
For many attendees, D23 offered more than entertainment. It provided a chance to step away from an increasingly uncertain world and enter the familiar universe of Disney stories.
“Our world is so chaotic and unstable, and it seems like the bad guys are always winning,” Monica Romero, 37, told AFP.
Romero said the appeal of Disney remained strong despite the criticism that its fantasy worlds were removed from everyday reality.
“There’s a reason why we like it,” she said, adding that the event reminded her that “good can always win.”
D23 passes range from $50 to $2,500, depending on the experience and access offered, but fans said the opportunity to immerse themselves in Disney’s world was worth the price.
A temporary escape from reality
For Skyla, 38, the attraction of Disney is closely tied to the ability to temporarily disconnect from everyday life.
A regular visitor to Disneyland, she said she goes to the theme park twice a week and particularly looks forward to D23 presentations showcasing new rides and experiences.
“You go into the park, and the real world gets to disappear for a while, and you just get to enjoy that time and just have happiness,” she told AFP.
She attended the event dressed as Lady, the pampered cocker spaniel from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, adding another layer of fantasy to the experience.
Across the convention, fans were surrounded by familiar characters and fictional worlds, turning the event into what amounted to a collective mental break from reality.
Collectors turn fandom into a treasure hunt
D23 also provided a major gathering point for collectors, particularly Disney pin enthusiasts.
Nineteen-year-old Chase Halon, who works at Disneyland, brought his passion for collecting to the convention as he searched for rare and newly released pins.
“It’s really fun and super-addicting as well,” Halon said, noting that some newly released pieces were difficult to find while older collectibles could be equally challenging to track down.
His prized possession is a limited-edition pin featuring Figment, the purple dragon associated with Disney’s EPCOT attraction. Halon estimated that the collectible could be worth about $5,000, although he acknowledged that its value could vary.
The trading culture gives fans another reason to attend D23, turning the convention into a treasure hunt where rare items can be exchanged, discovered and displayed.
Disney worlds come to life
Beyond presentations and merchandise, the convention offered fans numerous opportunities to physically step into the worlds associated with their favourite films and characters.
Visitors posed with costumed characters ranging from classic Disney princesses and witches to characters from The Simpsons and Toy Story.
At the Simpsons-themed area, fans recreated the familiar internet meme showing Homer Simpson quietly backing into a hedge.
At the The Devil Wears Prada experience, visitors posed for photographs against the fictional magazine Runway cover.
The Pixar section transported fans into Andy’s room, recreating the toy-filled setting from Toy Story.
Each attraction offered a different way for visitors to participate in the fictional worlds they normally experience through films, television shows and theme parks.
More than a fan convention
D23 also serves as a major promotional platform for Disney, bringing together celebrities, filmmakers and other creatives to showcase upcoming projects.
Commercial partners use the event to sell Disney-branded merchandise, while fans gather to exchange collectibles and share their enthusiasm with fellow devotees.
For many attendees, however, the appeal goes beyond new productions or merchandise.
The combination of costumes, characters, collectibles and immersive attractions creates a space where adults and children alike can temporarily suspend the demands of everyday life.
In an era marked by political uncertainty, social tensions and economic pressures, fans say the attraction of such escapism is precisely its simplicity: entering a place where familiar stories offer a reassuring belief that happiness is possible and that, eventually, good can prevail.
D23’s enduring appeal therefore lies not only in what Disney is selling but in what fans believe the experience gives them — a few days in which the real world can disappear and imagination can take its place.
