D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (previously known as the D23 Expo) will no longer includeĀ The Emporium – the beloved vendor hall – when the event returns in 2026.
As reported by Scott Gustin on X/Twitter, past D23 vendors were notified via letter that the vendor booths will not be returning in any form:
āThank you so much for being a past Emporium exhibitor for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. We truly appreciate the passion and dedication youāve shared with our Disney fan community through the years. The Emporium has been a beloved tradition, and your presence has helped make it so special for our guests. As the event has continued to grow, the show floor has evolved into a highly curated experience focused on Disney storytelling, brand partners, and creative showcases. To best serve our expanding audience and align with this vision, we have made the very difficult decision not to include the Emporium or vendor booths in 2026. We know this news will be disappointing, and please know this decision was not made lightly. Disney collecting remains an important part of our fan community, and youāll continue to see that passion reflected in programming, panels, and showcases at the event.
We are so grateful for your contributions to the D23 experience over the years, and we hope you will continue to be part of our fan community as we celebrate all things Disney together.ā
The Emporium was officially introduced at the 2015 D23 Expo, though vendor spaces had been a part of the event even earlier. It offered a unique space for collectors, small businesses, third-party vendors, and fans to gather, trade, and shop for everything from rare memorabilia and park props to trading pins and fan-made creations.
The next D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (formerly D23 Expo) will take place August 14 – 16, 2026, at both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Tickets go on sale in spring 2026.
Are you disappointed by this change? I know I am. The Emporium was always one of my favorite parts of D23; where the passion of the fan community truly came to life. Some of my most cherished pieces of vintage Disney memorabilia came from those vendor booths. The Emporium brought a human warmth to the event that balanced out the more corporate presence on the show floor. It’s a loss that will be deeply felt by longtime fans, collectors, and vendors alike.
