D23 – October 24, 2026 -- A handmade King Arthur Carrousel costume with a rotating headpiece and a motorized, 3D-printed horse won the solo category at Mousequerade, the Disney costume contest held on day two of D23 2026.
The winning look turned a 1955 attraction into wearable art
"A Jest of a Carrousel Ride," made by Julieanna Trinidade, paired a corseted top with an intricate skirt and puffed sleeves. It also took the innovation and technology award. The carousel it honors is one of Disneyland park's original opening-day attractions from 1955, and most of its horses date back more than 90 years.
Buzz and Woody dressed as Pizza Planet takeout to win the crowd
Presented by Disney Legend Jodi Benson, the audience choice award went to "To Pizza and Beyond." The duo of Buzz Lightyear and Woody entered disguised as a burger box and a drink cup from Pizza Planet. The restaurant appears in Toy Story and exists at Disneyland park as Alien Pizza Planet, a quick-service spot serving pizza, pasta, and themed sweets.
Other entries brought park scenes to the stage
One Alice in Wonderland couture design drew on the work of Mary Blair and featured a hand-painted skirt with velvet, satin, and silk. "The Auctioneer and the Redhead" recreated two Audio-Animatronics figures from Pirates of the Caribbean, posing and moving like the figures guests see from the boats. A limited-edition Redd doll is available during D23 2026.
Construction details ran from glow-in-the-dark accents and hand-dyed fabrics to inflatable elements and onstage transformations. One design carried 30,000 crystals and 500 LED lights. Materials included satin, taffeta, velvet, burlap, foam, denim, polymer clay, vinyl, and feathers.
Strict rules keep every costume original and handmade
Mousequerade has run since 2015. Costumes must be original and handmade, not purchased or professionally made. They must fit through a standard door, 80 inches high by 36 inches wide, when not fully worn. Technology such as digital design, 3D printing, and interactive elements is encouraged. Submissions closed in April, and top-scoring Single Category and Group Category entrants reached the stage.
Judges and host kept the Premiere Stage lively
Host Nina West opened with a Broadway-style musical number. Judges Ashley Eckstein, Bobby Kim, and Yvette Nicole Brown scored craftsmanship, originality, use of color and materials, storytelling, creative use of Disney, and stage presentation. First-time judge Kim, Disney Consumer Products' VP and Global Creative Director, said, "I was blown away by the talent, the creativity, the individuality."
Audience members also came in costume, including a Hatbox Ghost from The Haunted Mansion and hanging stained glass light fixtures like those at Refreshment Corner.