Anaheim drew a cross-section of Disney fandom this weekend as D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event filled the Anaheim Convention Center and its exterior spaces with elaborate costumes and themed meetups. The annual expo, which runs Friday through Sunday, brought attendees from across the country and around the world who converged on the city to celebrate Disney films, franchises and characters.
Cosplay on the convention grounds
Outside the convention center, crowds clustered for photo opportunities and organized gatherings, including a visible Marvel meetup and multiple Star Wars groupings. Photographers captured a wide range of characters — from classic Disney antagonists to comic-book heroes and original creations — underscoring how the event has become as much about fan expression as official programming.
- Star Wars characters and meetups drew sizable groups of fans.
- Marvel costuming was prominent among attendees assembled for themed photos.
- Families joined the cosplay scene, with multiple generations participating.
Photo captions from the event identify specific attendees and their home cities, illustrating the geographic reach of D23: Rachel Ibarra of San Dimas posed as Queen Amidala; Geofrey Panlaque and Rina Ramos, both visiting from Orlando, Florida, attended as characters from the Star Wars Rebels series; Casey Haddow of Moreno Valley attended with her granddaughter, Nyla Jackson, age 5, in costumes inspired by A Bug's Life; Andrea Seale of Burbank appeared as Roz from Monsters, Inc.; Mohamed Obsidye of Columbus, Ohio, presented an original superhero called "Afro-Pool" and led a dance outside the entrance; and Alexander Delayat of Lyon, France, posed as Cyclops from the Marvel universe.
"From Deadpool to Queen Amidala, Disney fans are dressing to impress at D23."
Local impact and atmosphere
The influx of visitors for D23 has obvious implications for Anaheim businesses and services. Hotel occupancy, restaurants and local transportation see increased demand during large conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, which serves as a focal point for regional tourism. While precise attendance figures for this edition of D23 were not provided in the materials accompanying the photo coverage, the variety of attendees and their origins highlight the event’s ongoing draw to Anaheim as a destination for major fan conventions.
For local residents, the visual spectacle on streets and sidewalks adjacent to the convention center provided an accessible slice of the larger event, even for those who did not hold badges for panels or exhibit halls. Families and passersby stopped to watch choreographed meetups, take photos, and interact with cosplayers — a dynamic that blends community engagement with tourism-driven activity.
| Attendee | Hometown | Character | Photo Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rachel Ibarra | San Dimas, Calif. | Queen Amidala | AP Photo/Chris Pizzello |
| Geofrey Panlaque & Rina Ramos | Orlando, Fla. | Star Wars Rebels characters | AP Photo/Chris Pizzello |
| Casey Haddow & Nyla Jackson | Moreno Valley, Calif. | A Bug's Life characters | AP Photo/Chris Pizzello |
| Andrea Seale | Burbank, Calif. | Roz (Monsters, Inc.) | AP Photo/Chris Pizzello |
| Mohamed Obsidye | Columbus, Ohio | Afro-Pool (original) | AP Photo/Chris Pizzello |
| Alexander Delayat | Lyon, France | Cyclops (Marvel) | AP Photo/Chris Pizzello |
Photographers from multiple outlets documented the scene, including Jerod Harris of AFP and Jeff Gritchen of the Orange County Register, whose work captured the diversity of costumes and crowd interactions on Aug. 14. Their images show both staged portraiture and candid moments, such as couples sharing a kiss in costume and intergenerational pairings enjoying the convention atmosphere.
As Anaheim continues to host large-scale conventions and events, D23 remains among the marquee gatherings that bring fans and commerce to the city. For residents, the weekend provided both a lively display of creativity and a reminder of Anaheim’s role as a hub for entertainment-focused tourism.
