Everything Pixar at D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

Pixar fans attending D23 2024 are in for a treat! D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event takes place August 9-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center. The sold-out event will have something for every Disney fan, but Pixar has a pretty big presence at the event this year.

Pete Docter (Chief Creative Officer, Pixar) at D23 2022 (photo via The Walt Disney Company)

Pixar D23 2024 Panels

Friday August 9th

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation will come together for the panel So How Do You Direct Animation, Anyway? Panelists will discuss how directing for animation differs from live action movies and the challenges that come with it. The panel will run from 10:45am-11:45am at the Walt Disney Archives Stage.

30 Years of Toy Story, if you can believe it! The Premiere Stage will host this look back on Pixar’s first full-length animated feature from 1:30pm-2:30pm. Guests will include filmmakers and Pixar Legends who have worked on the series.

Pixar will likely have a place at the Disney Entertainment Showcase! The blockbuster panel will be held at the Honda Center from 7pm-9pm. No specifics have been announced as to what fans will get a look at, but Pixar has announced new projects at similar panels in the past. The studio has a few upcoming projects including Elio and Toy Story 5 that may also be included in this panel.

Saturday August 10th

Pete Docter (Chief Creative Officer, Pixar) and Amy Poehler (Joy) discussing *Inside Out 2* at D23 2022. Is there a new *Inside Out* surprise in store from Pixar at D23 2024? (The Walt Disney Company)

There’s some surprises in store at Pixar’s first panel on Saturday! Exploring New Parts of the Mind: Behind the Design of Inside Out 2 + A Dreamy Surprise will be at the Backlot Stage from 2:15pm- 3:15pm. Jason Deamer, a production designer on Inside Out 2, will take attendees through an in-depth journey of how the new emotions were designed. The panel also promises a “special dreamy sneak peak of an upcoming Pixar series”. A clue to which may be in one of the signing events on Sunday…?

Pixar will premiere the first two episodes of their series Win or Lose at D23! The watch party will take place at the Backlot Stage from 6:15pm-7:15pm. Filmmakers Carrie Hobson, Michael Yates, and David Lally will participate. The team will introduce the show and participate in a Q&A following the premiere. Win or Lose is Pixar’s first original series (as the studio did not produce Monsters at Work).

Sunday August 11th

A picture of Angela Bassett and Frank Oz — Pixar at D23 2024 will include the honoring of two Disney Legends who have voiced characters in their films. This will include (L-R) Angela Bassett and Frank Oz (Pictures via the Walt Disney Company)

Well, Pixar at D23 2024 mostly wraps up by Sunday, but two of the to-be-inducted Disney Legends have connections to the studio! Every D23, Disney honors those who have contributed in a legendary way to the company’s legacy. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place at the Honda Center from 5pm-7pm, though fans can also watch a simulcast at the Premiere Stage at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Just touching on their contributions to the studio, the two honorees with ties to Pixar are:

Angela Bassett, who voiced Dorthea Williams in Pixar’s Soul
Frank Oz, who has voiced characters in Monsters, Inc. and the Inside Out films

Pixar D23 Pavilions, Experiences, and Giveaways

Pixar on the Show Floor

The studio’s biggest presence on the show floor at D23 will, of course, be the Pixar Animation Studios & Walt Disney Animation Studios Pavilion. The two animation studios will host signings, giveaways, and artist demonstrations. Attendees will also be able to snap pictures at interactive photo spots inspired by films from both studios.

A look at the Disney+ booth at D23 Expo 2022 (The Walt Disney Company)

It’s likely that Pixar will also have a home at the Disney+ pavilion. This area will have “themed environments and surprises around every corner” for fans of the shows and movies that live on the streaming service.

World of Disney: The Product Experience will also feature offerings connected to Pixar’s beloved films and characters. Attendees will be able to shop new products featuring these characters and find interactive experiences!

And with a special exhibit like Walt Disney Archives Presents: “A Great Big Beautiful Car Show”, will one of Pixar’s most popular films get a spot in the show? Details haven’t been announced yet, but perhaps Lightning will strike one of the over 20 vehicles on display from the Archives’ collection!

Pixar D23 2024 Ball Giveaway

If you know your Pixar, you’ll know the iconic ball that appears in one of their earliest short films, Luxo Jr. If you’d like to add the blue and yellow ball with the red star to your collection, Pixar will be hosting multiple giveaways!

Two white, angular desk lamps- one bigger and the "parent" the other smaller and the "junior"- look at a yellow and blue striped ball with a red star on it. — The Pixar Ball, as seen in the short *Luxo Jr.* (1986). (Screencap of *Luxo Jr.* on Disney+)

Please note that D23 has indicated that you must make a reservation for this giveaway. It’s one of their most popular, after all! Reservations will open on July 15th and winners for the giveaway (as well as seating for panels and other events) will be chosen randomly. Attendees will be able to make their selections until July 19th. D23 will notify winners from August 2-5th.

The giveaway will take place at the Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios pavilion. Fans attending on Friday August 9th have two chances at 10am and 4:30pm. On Saturday August 10th, the giveaway will be at 2pm and 5pm. Sunday August 11th will also host two giveaway slots at 9:30am and 2pm.

D23 has also let fans know that there will be no standby line for this giveaway. Those who do get a slot should arrive 15 minutes ahead of time.