Disney Reveals Details About 2026 D23 Parks Panel & Resets Fan Expectations for Big News.

Disney has announced details about the marquee Parks Panel at the D23 Expo, which is the event where news will be revealed for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, DCL and the international parks. Here’s the latest, including the Imagineers presenting, how to watch live from home, and the subtle way Disney reset (read: reduced) fan expectations for bombshell announcements.

Officially known as “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event,” the D23 Expo is the event of the year for Disney fans. It’s basically the Super Bowl of the Disney fandom, but only every other year. One highlight of the weekend for us parks people will be the “Imagineering: Horizons” booth.

The 2026 Horizons booth will be Imagineering’s largest pavilion ever, showcasing the progress shaping Disney Parks around the world. This exclusive experience gives guests an up‑close look at the people, the process, and the possibilities brought to life by Imagineers. The Imagineering: Horizons booth will be on the show floor, open August 14-16, 2026. We’re expecting a bevy of new models that pull back the curtain on what was announced two years ago.

In addition to that, the big event of the 2026 D23 Expo is “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress,” otherwise known as the Parks Panel. (Disney keeps renaming this stuff, but most fans use their established, colloquial names–including us.)

The good news here is that the 2026 D23 Expo Parks Panel will stream live on Disney+ beginning at 7 p.m. Pacific!

Fans around the world can tune in as host noted Figment fan Neil Patrick Harris is joined by the artists, storytellers, and creative leaders helping bring Disney’s next chapter to life.

Here is, specifically, what Disney has to say about what to expect from Horizons: A Carousel of Progress/Parks Panel:

If you joined us during D23 in 2024, you’ll remember 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.

And that’s exactly what Horizons: A Carousel of Progress will be all about.

Horizons will feature a series of conversations with Walt Disney Imagineering leaders and creative talent helping shape projects around the world – taking 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.

The language used here is important. It should give you a good of what to expect, and signal that you should lower your expectations if previously expecting major brand-new expansion or attraction announcements.

For those of you who don’t “speak Disney,” this is thinly-veiled code: “Please keep your expectations in check. We’ve seen some of your predictions on social media and, whoo boy, they are incredibly unrealistic. We already pulled out all the stops last time and announced like a bajillion dollars of stuff being built through the 2030s, including, perhaps, an Avatar Experience in California. A lot of this stuff isn’t even vertical yet! What else are you expecting?!”

This announcement to reset expectations so fans keep them in check shouldn’t even be remotely surprising. Here’s what we wrong in last week’s 12 Things Disney Will (and Won’t) Announce for Disneyland at 2026 D23 Expo:

D23 Expo is cyclical. The 2024 D23 Expo was arguably the biggest and best since 2017, with Disney pulling out all the stops and making major announcements that set the slate for the next 5 years at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. We’re likely out to the 2030s with the expansion projects, so it stands to reason that Disney won’t add blockbuster new lands and attractions for even more distant dates. There are likely two more D23 Expos after this one before the (alleged) Avatar experience opens!

Accordingly, it’s our expectation that the announcements for Walt Disney World and Disneyland at the 2026 D23 Expo will mostly be backfill of details and smaller scale projects. The kinds of projects that can be started and opened between now and the 2028 D23 Expo. Think ride reimaginings, enhancements, entertainment, seasonal overlays, and other offerings that can be deployed in an off-year to otherwise boost attendance and lure locals back to the parks before Avengers Campus Phase 2 debuts.

The bottom line is that the 2026 D23 Expo is not going to be on par with two years ago. Josh D’Amaro already delivered last time with bombshell after bombshell. That presentation probably helped get him the CEO job! Now the hard work has begun with building, and that’ll continue for the next ~4 years.

This is widely accepted as conventional wisdom. If you look around at predictions for the 2026 D23 Expo, you’ll probably see a sea of sameness. It’s pretty safe to predict updates on Avengers, Coco, Avatar, maybe even Eastern Gateway and what’s being built in Downtown Disney if they need filler. Everyone who is knowledgeable about this stuff knows this is the “fill in the blanks” detail-oriented D23.

However, that isn’t to say we can’t expect any new announcements. What we do expect is more ‘singles and doubles’ news for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Think smaller scale news like entertainment, lounges, ride reimaginings and enhancements.

When it comes to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, everything announced will be more of a ‘gap-filler’ that can be slotted into the near-term timeline before big tentpole projects come online. Examples of this would include the recent rumor of Space Mountain being rebuilt, along with a lengthy overhaul to Spaceship Earth. We’ll have more possibilities on our upcoming list of D23 predictions for Walt Disney World.

I would not expect any bombshell announcements of brand-new attractions or lands. At least, when it comes to the domestic parks. It’s possible the international parks will get a major surprise or two. (Hoping to have prediction for the international parks soon, too.)

Against that backdrop, Disney also announced the Imagineers who will be presenting at the Parks Panel, which should offer insight into the topics being covered:

MEET THE STARS OF HORIZONS

While thousands of fans will fill the Honda Center, the format is designed to feel intimate. Along with Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum (albeit without Chef Gordon Ramsay, regrettably), 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.

Here’s a rundown of the Imagineers who will join Neil Patrick Harris and Thomas Mazloum on-stage for conversations about upcoming projects at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and beyond:

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. Pacific on August 15, 2026.

One thing we’d note in closing is that the Parks Panel is notorious for having internet issues. Whether it’s at the Anaheim Convention Center or Honda Center, it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Ditto WiFi or cellular data. There have been multiple occasions when I’ve left the Parks Panel in order to obtain a better connection. It’s all due, presumably, to the concentration of people, all trying to use the internet at the same time.

Accordingly, don’t be surprised if there are drops in the livestream (aside from the possibility of intentional ones if something is being shown or performed that Disney doesn’t want/can’t stream). It still should be a great option for watching the Parks Panel, and we’re glad to see Disney finally giving fans this option!

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of the 2026 D23 Expo panels and presentations? Could this be the year for Journey into Imagination 4.0? Or is this just more false hope for fans? Hoping that Josh D’Amaro does the right thing and joins Neil Patrick Harris on-stage to announce a Journey Into Imagination ride reimagining or pavilion overhaul? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts in the comments!