The D23 Tax Write Off Guide
A simple way to know what is business and what is just fun
You just got back from Destination D23 in Florida. Your suitcase is heavier, your voice is tired, and your brain is buzzing with announcements, content ideas, and maybe a few regrets about that merch line you stood in for two hours. You’re already thinking about how to spin it all into client updates, podcast episodes, blog posts, or social content.
And then the practical side hits. Was any of this a tax write off?
If you run a business in the Disney space, whether you are a travel agent, a podcaster, a content creator, or any kind of entrepreneur whose work touches Disney, the answer is often yes. But it is not everything. The trick is knowing how to separate the business expenses from the fan splurges so you can enjoy both without blurring the line.
Business First, Fan Second
Here is the rule of thumb. The IRS does not care that you teared up during a panel reveal. What they care about is whether your trip had a business purpose.
Did you use D23 to:
Create content you are publishing for your audience?
Connect with other professionals, collaborators, or clients?
Research updates to parks, cruises, or media that affect your business?
If the answer is yes, then pieces of your trip count as business. It is not about stripping away the fun. It is about being able to show, clearly, that you were working while you were there.
The Personal-Professional Split
Think of it as two buckets.
The business bucket holds anything that supported your work: the event badge, the travel tied directly to the convention, meals where you discussed business, tools or gear you bought to capture content, even select merch if it is used in your marketing or set design.
The personal bucket holds everything else: the family trip days you added on, the popcorn bucket you bought just because it was cute, the Spirit Jersey you wore once and shoved in your closet. Those expenses are not wrong. They just are not deductible.
The more disciplined you are about making that split, the more confident you can be later.
Keep It Organized Now
The easiest way to make D23 business-friendly is to clean it up while it is still fresh.
Save your receipts, whether digital or paper.
Make a quick note on each one about why it mattered for your work.
Keep a simple log of which days were work-focused and which days were pure vacation.
This does not need to be complicated. A two-second note like “client networking lunch” or “panel coverage for podcast” is enough. What matters is clarity.
Why This Matters
D23 is not just a fan convention. For people who have built businesses around Disney, it is an investment. It is where you gather material, meet people, and deepen your expertise. That makes it work. And work comes with write offs.
When you treat events like D23 with a business mindset, you get two wins. You enjoy the magic in the moment, and you also create tax savings that make the next trip even easier to say yes to.
The Bottom Line
So, is D23 a tax write off? If you are in the Disney business, parts of it absolutely are. The key is drawing the line between fan and professional. Keep it clear, keep it organized, and do not overcomplicate it.
Because when your passion overlaps with your business, that is where the real magic happens.
👉 Want the complete breakdown of what small business owners can write off without second guessing? Grab our guide to tax write offs here.
