D23 Strategy, Legends Debate & The Rise of the Bourne Stuntacular
Disney fans are gearing up for one of the biggest events of the year—and with it comes plenty of questions, debates, and surprises. In this episode, Lauren and Eric break down everything you need to know about D23 2026, from membership tiers and ticket strategies to whether the experience is actually worth it. They also dive into this year’s Disney Legends class, sparking a lively debate over who made the list—and who didn’t. Plus, a viral theme park meme shines a spotlight on an underrated stunt show, leading to a broader conversation about hidden gems across Disney parks. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just love staying in the loop, this episode has something for every Disney fan.
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D23 Strategy, Legends Debate & The Rise of the Bourne Stuntacular (Ep. 11) Transcript
Lauren Hersey: Welcome to Dis & Hers, the show about what’s happening in the Disney community. From his, hers, and your perspective, I’m Lauren.
Eric Hersey: And I’m Eric and today we’ve got a packed episode as we break down everything you need to know about D23, 2026, including the new week long expansion, what you actually get with a D23 membership and whether it’s really worth the cost. We’ll also take a look at this year’s Disney’s Legends class and who might have been left off this list before we shift over into my favorite online meme this week. And it involves a sign in an overlooked stunt show. And to wrap things up, we’re diving into some of the most underrated experiences at Disney.
Lauren Hersey: But before we get started, want to remind you that Diz and Hers can be found on all your favorite podcast platforms and also the video format on YouTube and Spotify. We’d love it if you could head over, leave us a review, and let us know what you want to hear us talk about on future episodes.
Eric Hersey: Yeah, but this week we’re going to actually talk about D23, is like right in the midst where everybody out there right now is probably on their phone or on their computer trying to get tickets, right, Lauren?
Lauren Hersey: Well, not quite yet, but the window opened and so there should be a countdown but by the time you’re listening to this you may or may not have nabbed your tickets and we’re not talking about D23 the membership we are talking about D23 the ultimate fan event expo and if you are not familiar, you’re a Disney fan, but don’t really know about D23 or the expo that is their big fan convention.
Lauren Hersey: It’s happening on August 14th the 16th at the Anaheim Convention Center. There’s also a full week of experiences leading up to that event. And then there are major presentations like the Parks Panel and the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony that are happening at the Honda Center. So there’s a lot of anticipation to see who and what kind of tickets we can get.
Eric Hersey: Right, right. And so this is where it gets a little confusing for someone like myself who’s not necessarily a merch guy or goes on and pays too much attention to this. And that’s what D23 really is. So Lauren, you have done this for us for the last several years. I remember you gifted me my first D23 membership years ago and it is the official fan club. So we were out, I was out online trying to find out all types of things. Like what is D23? Is it worth it? And other people were doing the same. So let’s start with the basics. D23 membership. Give us a quick rundown of what the heck is and does it cost something.
Lauren Hersey: Yes and no. So D23 is like Eric said, the official fan club and does it cost anything? Well, if you are a Disney Plus member right now and for I think like the last year, if you go to perks.DisneyPlus.com, you can get a complimentary gold membership and then anybody can join the fan club just for free.
Lauren Hersey: have access to lot of the events like these conventions, have to a gold membership. Then if you’re going to pay for a membership, there are three tiers of a gold membership. There are gold essential, which is $50, gold choice, which is one at 1999 that comes with one piece of merch, and then the complete plan, which is on three 29 at 99. But unfortunately, if you have a free membership, not the complimentary one through through Disney Plus, but you’re not able to come to the events like the convention. You have to pay for one of these.
Eric Hersey: Right. that’s what kind of confused me at first. Right. And I found somebody else online. It was the first medieval me wrote on Reddit. Has anyone attended D23 gold member events? Because essentially it says, I have a good amount of points considering a membership. How many events are there per year? Where are they held? it doesn’t. And basically they state that the admission is not part of the costs. You still have to buy admission. So let me ask you this, Lauren. When it comes down to it, what else? Is there only one event per year? One event per every year? Like, we know of the D23 Expo in Anaheim, and I know of like Destination D, which is every other year down in think Orlando. Are there other events that I’m not aware of that you have to be a member of to go to?
Lauren Hersey: yeah, so I always encourage people to check the D23 site often because there are a lot of events. But he’s right that, you know, a lot of them are centralized in Anaheim or Florida, obviously with the theme parks are I’ve seen a couple, I think in Marceline. Like I was really disappointed they were doing a Imagineering store pop up. Mickey’s of Glendale at Coronado Springs in Orlando.
Lauren Hersey: And I mean they do sell out pretty quickly depending on the event But there’s more to the membership than the event and I do think that they understand That value like if you’re not going to the event specifically so for the $49.99 like I just renewed our essential plan It did come with a magnet a pen a lorikana card So they try to add value there. I’m not sure if they’re still doing the D23 magazine. I know that’s why Jim was a member but the big ones are you know for this fan expo and for destination D23 that is held in Orlando and those are the big reasons people, you know opt for the higher memberships.
Eric Hersey: Well, that’s what we opted for because the big goal is to go out to the big convention…
Eric Hersey: Well, that’s what we opted for because the big goal is to go out to the big convention. So if you’re not familiar with D23, the fan Expo, this is a separate ticketed event in which you have to be a member of. And in true Disney fashion, there’s a bunch of tiers and a bunch of options and virtual queues and all the above. So we won’t bore you with all the details. I know you’ve been covering over on TikTok. You’re doing a whole bunch of D23 exclusives.
Lauren Hersey: Yeah, so if you’re interested, yeah, if you want to know more about D23 and how to get your tickets and what you need to have prepared, Diz and Hers on TikTok. But the long and short is that if you want to go out to Anaheim for three days, it’s $2.97. And some people are, yes, yes, if you get the Honda Center, that’s the most important thing to know. And if you want the special pins, you got to be at the $12.99 price.
Eric Hersey: 1299 is 1299 for special pins, not $12.99. So yeah, and there’s a whole bunch of different tiers. So I just, we got to go last, the last one in Anaheim, which was 2024. Lauren, what’s your general opinions on it?
Lauren Hersey: Yes. Yeah, I mean like for two ninety seven, yes. Absolutely, like I think it’s worth getting the $50 membership and I think it’s definitely worth it. If you’re a big Disney fan, and I’m assuming you can handle crowds because I’m assuming you like the theme parks maybe. I mean some Disney people, you know, don’t necessarily are all into the theme parks, but I think we definitely got the value. We also went to D23 Day at Disneyland the day before.
Lauren Hersey: And it’s kind of like the Comic-Con of Disney there are there’s like a the show floor There’s you know vendors. There’s the Imagineering booth. There’s you know panels and presentations all throughout the day My big gripe being a merch person was that you really did have to have a virtual queue for the studio store for Mickey’s of Glendale so Imagineering merch and for the D23 the big store.
Lauren Hersey: So we didn’t unfortunately get any of those virtual queues, but towards the end of the weekend they did let walk-ups. You would just wait in line because there are a lot of people but I will say, you know on Sunday morning the day after the parks panel we went because they in the Imagineering booth they do have like the models of the things that they announced for the parks but then we were kind of like we were kind of done by that point but was it worth it a hundred percent what do you think.
Eric Hersey: I think when it comes down to it, like I just say, if you love like the planning aspect and the virtual queues and it, or at least I wouldn’t say you love it, but if you’re not, that’s not a struggle for you. This is where you get the best of the best. These are all the people that wake up at seven o’clock and get the guardians and know all the tips and tricks. This is where you get the best. So it is super competitive to get these virtual queues. You really have to have an agenda of knowing what matters to you.
Eric Hersey: And I almost feel like you almost are going to have a letdown because you’re going to be able to do everything. I certainly enjoyed walking the floor. I think that was worth a $99 day pass. There were definitely showcases and presentations that I really enjoyed and liked and there were other ones that I had no interest in whatsoever but you had to wait and queue up for all of them.
Eric Hersey: There was about halfway through the most days I’m like all right I just want to go to Disneyland because you can kind of see California Adventure from the second story. Like I was just ready to go but obviously we’re queuing up again we’re going to do it again. I think there are some pains and struggles and there’s a lot of peopling and waiting in lines, but there’s a lot of cool things you can see and do.
Eric Hersey: And if you don’t like this and you don’t want to pay, there are a million vloggers that are basically just covering it the entire week. So you’ll get most of the stuff. But if you really love that being in the room where it happened kind of ordeal, definitely go.
Lauren Hersey: behind the scenes looks at how things come to be.
Eric Hersey: Yeah, but you gotta get that Honda Center ticket is not that easy to get. We didn’t get it last year and like we were with somebody who plans events for a living. They know exactly what they’re doing. They’ve gone to every single one of them. So it is still a lottery.
Eric Hersey: And what do you get at the Honda Center? Well, that’s where the big panels for the Imagineering is. That’s where you’re getting the Legends Awards. Like, so you kind of want to get that if that’s your deal. And if you don’t, then you kind of get like, you know, a little upset about that, a little disappointed.
Eric Hersey: And truth be told, this year, I think you want to get the honor of the Legends panel because we have a ton of Legends that are being honored this year. Lauren, do you want to give us a heads up of what this program is?
Lauren Hersey: Yes, so the Disney Legends program, it’s not new. I mean, they did move to the Honda Center in 2024, but they’ve been doing this since 1987 and there are 329 current legends that have been honored. But this year it’s taking place on August 16th and it’s kind of like an awards ceremony. So think of like the Oscars or something like that.
Lauren Hersey: Disney is having Ryan Seacrest as the MC or the host of the event and the honorees are stacked. The big ones, I mean you got Dwayne The Rock Johnson, you got Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Lauren Hersey: Anne Hathaway, obviously Bob Iger, can’t forget about him. I was really excited to see retired, I think, Imagineer Eric Goldberg, who is the animator. I’m not Imagineer, sorry. Yes, Eric Goldberg, he was the animator of The Genie. I love him. So anybody else you want to shout out?
Eric Hersey: Well, it’s a stacked class. You got Chris Berman from ESPN, Jerry Bruckheimer, Susan Egan, you said Anne Hathaway, Kim Irvine, the Jonas Brothers, and Alan Tudyk, which has been a voice actor in plenty of Disney things. So there’s a stacked, and it’s essentially the Hall of Fame, right? It’s the Disney Hall of Fame. Let’s call it what it is. They call it Legends, but it’s the Hall of Fame.
Eric Hersey: They all get their plaque, I think, that goes outside of the Disney studios. And truth be told, it’s a good time. But you want to be in the room where it happened and that’s in the Honda Center. So that’s the last day, but we got all the announcements and all good and well.
Eric Hersey: But I had to go over to X because at the end of the day this is what I wanted to see. I wanted to see everybody’s opinions on what was there so they Disney announced it immediately and then of course you go right to the comments to see what’s going on.
Eric Hersey: So there were a couple themes Lauren and the first theme is how did the Jonas Brothers get this before Raven-Symoné or Hilary Duff followed by Jonas Brothers question mark before Selena followed by the Jonas Brothers before Hilary Duff wild choice Hilary Duff 100 percent deserves this honor literally the blueprint.
Eric Hersey: People were not up people were kind of upset that Hilary Duff and Raven and Selena Gomez all these original like Disney Channel pop icons and I don’t think they were mad about the Jonas Brothers I think they’re just mad that the other ones were getting snubbed what is what’s your thoughts.
Lauren Hersey: I do not think that it’s snubbing anybody. I think that Disney is strategic. And so if you look at this, you know my thought with the Jonas Brothers specifically is right now they’re relevant in the Disney universe because they just had a Christmas special on Disney Plus.
Lauren Hersey: They were there though. They made the theme song for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. So they’re top of mind. I mean, Anne Hathaway with Devil Wears Prada 2 coming out. Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda like Moana, the live action is coming out this year.
Lauren Hersey: And so I think that it may have been, you know, less of a snub and more strategic. Obviously Bob Iger, because he just retired. I think Eric Goldberg just retired. So I don’t know, what do you think?
Eric Hersey: Yeah, I mean, I think it’s a 100 percent of marketing play. I don’t think these are made by merit at the end of the day. Like if it was merit, Eric Goldberg would have been in years ago. Right. I mean, he’s been animating forever.
Eric Hersey: I think it’s really when you create these classes and there’s not like a board of panel and experts, you’re almost making it to the point where you get a little bit of this, you get a little bit of this, you get a little bit of this. You don’t want to have 20 animators or all Imagineers or all movie stars. You kind of want a little bit.
Eric Hersey: So this year’s the Jonas Brothers. And I wouldn’t imagine, I mean, next year might be Raven. Might be Hilary Duff the next year you’re not going to get them all in one class as you can see they’re very it’s a varied list.
Eric Hersey: So I think you just pick every year you’re going to have a couple here and there but as I scrolled through the one thing I mean lots of people were talking about who was being snubbed and who probably shouldn’t be in there and like so forth in this for.
Eric Hersey: But the number one of course me being a Michael Eisner guy it’s like my why Iger before Eisner found one Epcot enthusiast said five reasons why Michael Eisner is more deserving to have a Disney legend he saved Disney from the actual decline in the 80s.
Eric Hersey: He led Disney during the animation Renaissance. He expanded the parks into a global empire. He built the modern Disney business model home video consumer product synergy. He delivered sustained organic growth not just acquisition driven expansion. Iger simply scaled the Disney that Eisner created.
Eric Hersey: I think I can agree with all that. I’m not saying Iger is not worthy but I’m also saying how many times that Eisner probably turned this down because you know he’s had to been offered right.
Lauren Hersey: I think I have heard that he’s been offered many times and that he turned it down. I think based on he seems like a little petty sometimes and I like I kind of like it.
Lauren Hersey: You know, he got ousted from his CEO role like he didn’t love like that was not like he wasn’t just riding off into the sunset it there was a lot of emotions as you know that happened.
Lauren Hersey: So I think he’s like well screw you people. I’m not coming back and doing that now. We know that Michael Eisner did just do an interview we talked about a couple episodes ago and he was back on the animation studio lot and he was talking about Disney so maybe time does heal all wounds.
Lauren Hersey: And who knows maybe if they offered it to him you know.
Eric Hersey: Next time around. Well, listen, then they did name the building after Eisner. So they are they’re getting we’re getting closer. So maybe let’s make the signs now for 2028 D23. Let’s get Eisner in.
Eric Hersey: But do you think Eisner should be a Disney legend? We want to hear from you. Who do you think is the biggest snub of 2026? Let us know.
Eric Hersey: But we do know what attraction in Orlando has been snubbed over the last few years. And it’s all of a sudden got a huge fan base coming out to support it. And we’ll talk about this attraction more after this.
Lauren Hersey: And we’re back. And if you’ve been on social media lately and you are in the theme park universe at all, you may have been seeing some random signs posted all over the internet and all over the parks. Eric, what is going on with this?
Eric Hersey: Okay, Lauren. So the fun part is, and this is so funny because it’s one of those things that we almost missed, last week.
Lauren Hersey: We’re switching gears though. We’re talking about Universal, right?
Eric Hersey: We are, we’re going Universal. We’re going theme park adjacent here down the street. And the Bourne Stuntacular based off the Bourne Identity film series has always been a really, really good show.
Eric Hersey: I remember when we first went, it was one of the things that I listed as like, wow, that was amazing. I haven’t seen anything like that. And it was kind of like, I didn’t even know it was here. I’ve never heard about it before. And it’s right when you get in Universal proper.
Eric Hersey: It’s like right on the Hollywood street. The first thing, and it’s not very well known in terms of like there’s not a huge marquee or anything that makes you say hey, let’s go in here and watch this show.
Eric Hersey: So a couple weeks ago Magic City Mayhem posted that there was a Bourne sign down by Mel’s Diner and it basically had The Bourne Stuntacular and had today’s show times and a QR code.
Eric Hersey: And then later it basically the same account posted that Bourne team members are trying to snag audience members down by the horror makeup show and tell them to go see Bourne and they had a sign basically giving times.
Eric Hersey: So it was kind of like, alright, hey, we need people to go to this show. It must not have been filling the seats or whatever. And the thing is, this is an amazing show.
Lauren Hersey: Oh my gosh, it’s like one of our favorite things at Universal.
Eric Hersey: Right. It’s one of those things that I wish I could see more and more often. And once you find it you’re like, wow, that was amazing.
Eric Hersey: So what happened was it created a meme because we got these sandwich boards, we got people down there telling people to go see it. So like everybody started coming out and saying this is a great show everybody does need to see it.
Eric Hersey: I don’t know if it was writing on the walls that like we’re scared that it’s going to go away because people aren’t visiting it. So memes just popped up left and right and it’s been the most entertaining thing on the feed as of late.
Eric Hersey: So I just want to share some of my favorites with you Lauren. So Tommy Hawkins he says I mean it’s ballsy but if we want people seeing Bourne Stuntacular the best stunt show in Central Florida you got to think outside the box and he’s got it on a giant blimp.
Eric Hersey: Then HHN Scott basically has a giant Bourne Stuntacular sign underneath the arches at Universal. Then we got Rockin Stardust why wait 15 minutes to see together when you can see the Bourne Stuntacular.
Eric Hersey: So it kind of goes on and on and Scott Walker made a fake t-shirt campaign and made it look like it was on Universal’s page and then showcasing Anne Hathaway saying are you wearing the Bourne Stuntacular showtimes t-shirt.
Eric Hersey: So the best part is Universal got in on this and on their official account they even said here’s the sign to watch a really awesome stunt show today and it is the globe with a giant sign in the atmosphere.
Eric Hersey: And even better yet people started making actual small signs for sale that are basically the sandwich boards for The Bourne Stuntacular.
Eric Hersey: So this was my fun but I want to ask you Lauren is The Bourne Stuntacular the best stunt show you’ve seen or is it the best one in the area?
Lauren Hersey: Yes. Just yes.
Eric Hersey: That’s easy enough. I went to Google search to see if that’s the case and just basically see what everybody’s out there. Now Google is saying that the best is Waterworld which we saw.
Eric Hersey: But to me there was nothing that kind of dropped my jaw as much as The Bourne Stuntacular.
Lauren Hersey: I wonder if the signs are important because it is a heavy performer base. There’s a lot of people that they need to put on that show. And if people aren’t going and seeing and supporting it like anything else they might be looking at cost saving measures.
Eric Hersey: Of course. I mean how many showtimes. So you need to fill those. And it’s not very visible.
Eric Hersey: But I’m glad everybody came out Bourne Stuntacular hopefully is busy and there’s so many people seeing it and there’s no chance of us losing something like that because I certainly want to see it some more.
Eric Hersey: But it got me thinking what are some underrated or hidden gems at some of the other parks.
Lauren Hersey: Yeah so this is on the Walt Disney World thread and it says the most underrated things at Disney World.
Lauren Hersey: One of those things that they loved this time around was the boat rides between the Wilderness Lodge and Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness, Contemporary. They go on to say it’s really beautiful at night.
Eric Hersey: Yeah and people were saying things like the garden area in the back of the UK pavilion it’s a nice little spot for rest.
Eric Hersey: Somebody else mentioned the hill in Japan which leads you up to the secret bathroom.
Lauren Hersey: Yeah that was really surprising to me because I feel like it’s kind of like the Bourne Stuntacular where it’s just like maybe off the beaten path.
Lauren Hersey: But they go on and people like the electrical water pageant.
Eric Hersey: Yeah absolutely.
Lauren Hersey: But what do you think are some underrated or hidden gem things from the parks?
Eric Hersey: I think a lot of it comes down to your mentality. Like I saw a lot of people saying just sitting on Main Street.
Eric Hersey: I tend to appreciate those little things much like a lot of these people on the Reddit forums.
Lauren Hersey: Yeah I think walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland and seeing the story is really underrated.
Lauren Hersey: And what about the Main Street vehicles.
Eric Hersey: Yeah we did the Omnibus.
Lauren Hersey: I love visiting all the resorts on the monorail loop.
Eric Hersey: Well here is a weird one second floor seating on Pinocchio’s Village Haus best view of Fantasyland.
Lauren Hersey: No me neither.
Eric Hersey: So it’s one of those things if you explore you’ll find these hidden gems.
Lauren Hersey: But we want to hear from you guys like what do you like what do you think is the most underrated experience.
Eric Hersey: Yeah let us know and I’m going to check out that second floor seating.
Eric Hersey: But I do think that’s going to be it for this week’s episode right Lauren?
Lauren Hersey: Yes so for more make sure you’re heading to DisneyHers.com. There you’ll find articles episodes updates.
Eric Hersey: And remember watch what you post you might end up in next week’s episode. Thanks for listening.
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