List of Imagineers Presenting at D23 Disney Parks 'Horizons' Panel May Hint at Announcements

The 2026 D23 Expo, described by The Walt Disney Company as the ultimate Disney fan event, has taken place in Anaheim. The event featured the "Imagineering: Horizons" Pavilion and a corresponding panel where Walt Disney Imagineers presented upcoming projects. According to coverage from CNET and ABC30 Fresno, the event served as the primary platform for revealing all new lands and rides destined for both Disneyland and Disney World. The showcase included the presentation of models, artwork, and aliens, as detailed by MiceChat, while the Disney+ and Hulu platforms extended the celebration to audiences at home. Major entertainment reveals are emphasized across multiple outlets.

Animation Magazine reports first looks at several upcoming films, including 'Coco 2,' 'Incredibles 3,' 'The Bluey Movie,' 'Ghost Market,' and 'Hexed.' Deadline highlights the presence of stars from 'Avengers: Doomsday,' the new 'X-Men,' Ryan Gosling, and Anne Hathaway. Additionally, Yahoo reported a surprise appearance by Glenn Close, who wore a replica Cruella costume from '101 Dalmatians.' TheWrap suggests that the signals from Walt Disney Imagineering during the event point toward the start of a new golden era for the company's themed environments. Contextually, the D23 event has grown significantly since its origins as a booth at Comic-Con, a trajectory noted by Fast Company. The anticipation surrounding the 2026 iteration was high, with Vulture posing urgent questions ahead of the event and the Orange County Register identifying thirteen specific theme park projects to watch. Much of the early speculation, specifically reported by WDW News Today, focused on the list of Imagineers presenting at the 'Horizons' panel to hint at specific reveals, including possibilities regarding Figment and the potential casting of Neil Patrick Harris as the new Dreamfinder.

Moving forward, attendees and fans can monitor the official D23 and Disney+ streaming platforms for continued content. While many park and ride announcements have been made, the long-term implementation of the new lands revealed at Disneyland and Disney World remains a key point of interest. Coverage from Riding the Magic indicates that livestreaming options were provided for international audiences, such as those in the UK, ensuring that the announcements regarding the new Golden Era of Imagineering reach a global scale as the revealed projects move toward construction.