We have made it to D23 Expo week! The event that theme park fans set their calendar around is here and, as you may have noticed by the content on the site recently, we’re very excited for it. Disney has released information about Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, the name of this year’s park panel. This is where the bulk of news and updates for the theme parks will be announced. In this post, we’ll share what you need to know about the panel including the Imagineers you can expect to see on stage, the content, where to stream and more!

The parks panel is what we’re basing our weekend around. Part of that is because of this website but even if this wasn’t my job, Saturday night’s festivities would definitely be the buzziest moment of the weekend for us. We’ve already put out our predictions, in case you missed those. There’s some interesting wording in this Disney news release so I’ll add in a little bit of commentary below. Before that, here’s what you need to know leading up to the parks panel.

Horizons: A Carousel of Progress will be streaming live on Disney+ beginning at 7 p.m. PT. Fans around the world can tune in as host Neil Patrick Harris is joined by the artists, storytellers, and creative leaders helping bring Disney’s next chapter to life. While most of the D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center, Horizons, the Disney Entertainment Showcase (Friday night), and the Disney Legends Ceremony (Sunday afternoon) will all take place at the Honda Center.

The parks panel in 2024 delivered a whirlwind evening packed with reveals for Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, and destinations around the globe. From new lands and attractions to ships and experiences still on the drawing board, Disney Experiences shared an unprecedented look at what was ahead.

Now, many of those projects are no longer concepts on a screen. They’re being designed, engineered, built, tested, and brought to life by teams across the globe. That’s exactly what Horizons: A Carousel of Progress will be all about.

SHARING A CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS

Horizons will feature a series of conversations with Walt Disney Imagineering leaders and creative talent helping shape projects around the world. The panel will take the audience on a journey through Disney’s unmatched storytelling legacy, the spirit of adventure at the heart of so many Disney stories, the remarkable creative process anchored by exploration and curiosity, and the bold promise of possibility that has guided Imagineers for more than seven decades.

And because this is still a Disney Experiences showcase, those conversations will be joined by high-energy performances, special moments, and a little Disney magic along the way.

Fans can expect project updates, first looks, new artwork and renderings, behind-the-scenes stories, creative insights, and a closer look at how some of Disney Experiences’ most ambitious projects are progressing. We’re pulling back the curtain on the work, collaboration, and imagination of many of the experiences in development that Disney fans are eagerly following.

MEET THE STARS OF HORIZONS

While thousands of fans will fill the Honda Center, the format is designed to feel surprisingly intimate. Along with Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum, Imagineers will engage in conversations that bring audiences closer to the creative minds moving projects from concepts and artwork into experiences guests will eventually explore, ride, sail aboard, and enjoy.

Whether leading large-scale portfolio planning, overseeing creative development, shaping immersive environments, or collaborating across global teams, each Imagineer brings a unique perspective and passion to the work of creating experiences that connect with generations of Disney fans. Let’s meet those people who will be on stage!

Bruce Vaughn, President and Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Imagineering

For Bruce, the magic happens when storytelling meets imagination. Throughout his career, he’s helped turn bold ideas into immersive experiences that bring Disney stories to life for guests around the world. Passionate about pushing creative boundaries while preserving the emotional heart of Disney, Bruce believes every great experience starts with a simple question: What if?

Ali Rubinstein, Senior Vice President, Global Creative & Development Studios

Ali fell in love with storytelling through theater and film and has been creating worlds that bring stories to life ever since. Today, she brings together art and innovation to shape places that feel joyful, exciting, and deeply human. She believes the best experiences strike a balance between the familiar and the new, creating moments of nostalgia, surprise, connection, and, above all, fun.

Michael Hundgen, Vice President Creative, Walt Disney World

For Michael, becoming an Imagineer is a true full-circle moment. After a childhood encounter with the Country Bear Jamboree sparked a fascination with Disney Parks and Imagineering, that passion eventually became a career. Today, he helps bring some of the biggest dreams on the horizon for Walt Disney World to life. As a lifelong EPCOT fan, being part of a showcase inspired by Horizons feels especially meaningful.

Emily “Emo” O’Brien, Portfolio Creative Producer, Disneyland Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort

Emo believes the best Disney stories are the ones guests can step right into. Throughout her Imagineering career, she’s helped create immersive experiences around the world, from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure to Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Today, she helps shape the future of Disneyland Resort, inspired by the power of storytelling to bring people together and spark new memories.

Caroline May, Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney World

Inspired by creative pioneers like Mary Blair, Caroline has always believed in the power of visual storytelling. Her love of art and design led her to Imagineering, where she helps create immersive experiences that surprise, delight, and spark curiosity. Caroline is passionate about finding unexpected ways to tell stories and creating moments that help guests see Disney worlds through a new lens.

Claire Weiss, Portfolio Creative Director, Disney Cruise Line

Claire believes every space has a story to tell. With a passion for design and immersive environments, she helps create experiences that transport guests into new worlds and unforgettable adventures. She loves discovering the details that bring storytelling to life in surprising ways, creating places that guests don’t just visit, but truly feel part of.

Brent Strong, Executive Creative Director

A lifelong Disney fan, Brent Strong grew up dreaming about the experiences that inspired him and now helps create new ones for future generations. Guided by optimism and a belief in the power of imagination, he loves building stories that bring people together. For Brent, the most rewarding moments are when guests become the heroes of their own adventure.

Chris Beatty, Portfolio Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney World

Chris has spent decades helping Disney stories leap from imagination into reality. An artist, storyteller, and creative leader, he’s passionate about creating experiences that inspire wonder and spark new dreams. For Chris, storytelling is about creating connections across generations and leaving guests with memories they carry long after the adventure ends.

Jason Grandt, Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney World

Jason’s fascination with Disney began when he discovered that the stories he loved on screen could become worlds he could step inside. Inspired by Walt Disney’s vision and a lifelong excitement for possibility, he now helps create experiences that bring imagination to life. For Jason, the most rewarding moments are those that spark wonder, inspire creativity, and leave guests excited for what comes next.

HOW TO WATCH ‘HORIZONS’ LIVE ON DISNEY+

Disney+ subscribers can stream Horizons: A Carousel of Progress live at 7 p.m. PT on Aug. 15.

Plus, throughout the weekend, subscribers can unlock special Disney+ Perks, offers, and experiences. Guests attending D23 can also step inside the Disney+ Hulu Experience, featuring immersive photo opportunities, a 4D theater experience, limited-edition merchandise, and more.

Imagineering: Horizons Pavilion

Along with the parks panel on Saturday night, the popular Disney Experiences pavilion is returning to the event, bringing the magic of the Disney Parks to the show floor for fans of all ages to enjoy. This pavilion will be larger than ever!

Imagineering: Horizons invites fans to explore their largest pavilion ever showcasing the progress shaping Disney Parks around the world. This exclusive experience gives an up‑close look at the people, the process, and the possibilities brought to life by Imagineers.

Commentary

Before I get into the wording weeds of the parks panel information, I want to acknowledge how cool it is that so many Imagineers will be featured. Showcasing these creative, brilliant people is a good way to get fans familiar with them. Having recognizable Imagineers is a tradition that dates back to Walt Disney creating Disneyland. Heck, Bob Gurr is still running around these days! Getting current employees up on stage is a smart move.

We’re also very happy to see this is going to be live streamed on Disney+. The D23 Expo isn’t everyone’s thing and it’s also expensive and hard to get tickets. This gives fans a chance to watch from home and still build excitement!

As for the wording before the Imagineering spotlight in the news, there does seem to be some expectation setting. I’ve said it over and over, other websites have said it, people who know far more than me have said it – the 2026 Disney Parks panel will be heavy on updates. This news release is emphasizing that.

Naming the parks showcase Horizons: A Carousel of Progress is a bit on the nose but, come on, it was sitting right there for them! Not only will we get an update about the actual attraction called Carousel of Progress, we’ll hear all about the progress throughout the parks.

I’ve mentioned this before but just giving updates on all of the projects going on across the globe would be enough to fill up the two hours. Add in the ever expanding Disney Cruise Line and Neil Patrick Harris doing some comedy and you’ve got a show!

Thankfully, I do expect a couple of brand new parks things to be announced. Those might end up being very entertainment heavy – parades and nighttime spectaculars seem like a sound bet. But I’m growing more and more skeptical that we’ll hear many brand new, big scale projects announced.

That’s okay by me. With all of the current construction progress ongoing, I’d love to hear more answers and details on those. I do think Disney is guarding against fans having unreasonable expectations. After 2024’s massive announcements, some might go in wanting the exact same amount of hype and thrill. The circumstances don’t dictate that though. Horizons: A Carousel of Progress should still offer plenty of brand new information and will be a great show but Disney is smartly tempering expectations so that anything new that is announced will be a major surprise.

We’ll be here to cover it all, updates or brand new info, as it gets announced!

Are you excited for the 2026 D23 Expo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Planning a Disney trip? Check out our Travel Guides to help get you there! Here’s a link to discount tickets at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. If you enjoy what you’re reading here on Wandering in Disney please subscribe to the blog via email or WordPress and like our social media pages. You can find all of those things on the right side of this page. Thank you very much for reading, we appreciate it!