The Disney community is joining the music world in mourning the loss of Chad Gilbert, lead guitarist and backing vocalist of New Found Glory, who passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026. He was surrounded by friends and family, including his wife and mother. Chad had bravely battled cancer multiple times over the past five years, most recently facing a stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma diagnosis.
His passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of his bandmates, his fans, and the Disney community because Chad Gilbert was not just a musician. He was a devoted Disney fan through and through.
The Band Will Perform at EPCOT in His Honor
New Found Glory announced they will still take the stage at EPCOT’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series on September 28 and 29, 2026. The band made the decision to cancel their Aftershock Festival appearance to allow time to grieve, but chose to move forward with the EPCOT shows for a very meaningful reason.
In their statement, the band shared: “Our shows at Epcot were dates he was so excited for and he was actively planning to be on stage with us there.”
Knowing how much those shows meant to Chad made the decision clear. As the band put it: “Every note we play and every word you sing at Epcot is for Chad.”
Performing at EPCOT, they said, “feels like the right way to honor him.”
A True Disney Fan
Rolling Stone described Chad as a “massive Disney fan,” and it clearly was not just a casual interest. The fact that he was actively planning and looking forward to these EPCOT performances speaks volumes about how much this place meant to him personally.
New Found Glory also previously recorded a pop punk cover of “Part of Your World” for Disney’s A Whole New World album, and that song is included in their EPCOT setlist — making it an especially poignant moment for anyone who attends.
New Found Glory will perform six shows as part of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre in EPCOT on September 28 and 29, 2026. The Eat to the Beat concerts are included with regular EPCOT admission and do not require a separate ticket.
If you are planning to be at EPCOT this weekend, we encourage you to make your way to the America Gardens Theatre and be part of something truly special. It will be a night of music, love, and community — exactly the kind of tribute Chad Gilbert deserves.
Our deepest condolences go out to Chad’s family, his bandmates, and all of his fans during this incredibly difficult time.
Read About the Eat to the Beat Concert Series: Disney Just Revealed the Full 2026 EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup, and Three Brand New Headliners Are Joining the Party
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