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.
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
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
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.
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!
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.
Pixar D23 Signings
Friday August 9th
Andrew Stanton, the legendary Pixar writer-director will be signing artwork from Toy Story. Located in Talent Central, the singing will take place from 3:30pm-4:30pm while supplies last. Stanton has worked on numerous Pixar projects including co-writing all 4 Toy Story movies. He has numerous other writing and directing credits with the studio- including occasionally providing voices for characters!
Peter Sohn, the director for Pixar’s Elemental will also be signing on Friday. This signing will take place at the Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios pavilion. Fans can catch Sohn from 3:30pm-4:30pm.
Saturday August 10th
Filmmakers from Pixar’s upcoming release Elio will meet fans and sign on Saturday! No specific guests have been announced, but the signing takes place 9:30am-10:30am at the Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios pavilion.
Peter Sohn will have another signing on Saturday. The director, artist, and voice actor will be at the Talent Central area from 10:15am-11:15am signing artwork from his film Elemental.
Filmmakers involved in Pixar’s 2026 slate of films will be signing at the Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios pavilion from 2:30pm-3:30pm. The films and people involved have not been announced, but those at the Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday night may get a sneak peak!
Some of the Toy Story 5 team will be signing at D23 as well! The signing will be at the Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios pavilion from 5:30pm-6:30pm. Exact guests have not been announced yet, but it is likely that Andrew Stanton will participate as he is the director for Toy Story 5.
Sunday August 11th
Pete Docter, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer and director of many classic Pixar films, will be signing at the Talent Central location. Pixar fans at D23 2024 will be able to meet him from 10am-11am. In celebration of Up‘s 15th anniversary this year, Docter will be signing prints of artwork from the movie which he directed.
A cryptic but definitely Pixar signing will be taking place at the Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios pavilion from 11am-12pm. Filmmakers from a project titled Dream Productions will be signing for fans. “Dream Productions” is a location inside Riley’s mind in the Inside Out films. Is this the new series that will be teased at the behind-the-scenes Inside Out 2 panel on Saturday?
Pixar’s presence at D23 2024 will also include a signing from the Win or Lose series team! As they will be at the series’ premiere on Saturday, this will likely include Carrie Hobson, Michael Yates, and David Lally. Head over to the Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios pavilion from 2:30pm-3:30pm.
Looking For More D23 2024 Coverage?
Stay tuned for more information about D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event! Marvel fan? Check out our guide to everything Marvel at D23 here! What about Star Wars? We’ve got a guide for Star Wars fans attending D23 too!
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