Fandom Unpacked
Come inside the minds of the world's greatest leaders of live experience brands with the Fandom Unpacked podcast series. Featuring conversations with the leaders on the front lines of brands who shape our culture, join us as we dive into the powers and forces that drive audience connection, loyalty, and lasting fandom.
Hosted by Damian Bazadona (Situation), Peter Yagecic (A Mind at Work Consulting), and Maureen Andersen (INTIX).
Fandom Unpacked is powered by Situation – the world’s leading marketing agency for live experience brands.
Fandom Unpacked
ICYMI: The Fans Who Bring D23 to Life
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With D23 2026 just days away, we revisit our conversation with Michael Vargo, Senior Vice President of D23, Corporate Events, and the Walt Disney Archives. Michael reflects on Mousequerade, D23’s fan costume competition, and what makes it such a powerful example of fans becoming active participants in the experience rather than just spectators.
Hear the full conversation with Michael Vargo in Season 1, Episode 12 of Fandom Unpacked:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449648/episodes/17321112-from-club-to-kingdom-the-power-of-the-disney-fanbase-with-d23
HEATHER GAULT
Hey, I’m Heather from the producing team of Fandom Unpacked, and this is In Case You Missed It.
Later this week, Disney fans will gather for D23 2026—a celebration filled with announcements, performances, exhibits, and plenty of surprises.
But one of the things that makes an event like D23 special is that the fans aren’t only there to see what Disney has created. They bring their own creativity to the experience too.
That brought me back to our conversation with Michael Vargo, Senior Vice President of D23, Corporate Events, and the Walt Disney Archives.
Michael was describing one of his favorite moments of the biennial event: The Mousequerade
MICHAEL VARGO
One of my favorite parts of this whole event is the Mousequerade that we do. This is a fan costume contest that we put on, and it is truly for the fans and put on by the fans, which is pretty unique and special. These fans create these incredible costumes by hand and recreate these incredible characters that they actually develop and showcase at this event.
And it’s like a fashion show, but it’s a costume contest. And it’s so great to see the fans just celebrate their favorites. It’s pretty incredible to put together and to see come to life onstage.
HEATHER GAULT
That’s what happens when an event gives fans room to do more than watch. They interpret the stories they love, add something of their own, and become part of the experience everyone else came to see.
You can hear our full conversation with Michael at the link in the episode description.
I’m Heather, and this has been Fandom Unpacked: In Case You Missed It.