Disney's Horizons showcase at D23 reveals Tomorrowland reimagining, Journey Into Imagination updates, and more for fans.
- August 18, 2026
AceShowbiz - The second day of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa brought fans from around the world together for another day of storytelling, immersive experiences, and exclusive access to the future of Disney. From the largest show floor in event history at the Anaheim Convention Center to a spectacular evening presentation at the Honda Center, attendees experienced the imagination and innovation that define The Walt Disney Company.
Saturday culminated with the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, as fans packed the arena for an unforgettable look at the future of Disney Experiences. Throughout the evening, Disney Experiences leaders, Imagineers, and storytellers unveiled exciting new details, shared behind-the-scenes stories, and offered fans exclusive first looks at what's on the horizon. The spectacle came to life with Harris' show-stopping opening tribute to Disney Audio-Animatronics, surprise performances from Grammy Award-winning artists including Sheryl Crow, Beck, Los Lobos, and Gloria Gaynor, and celebrity cameos that kept the audience cheering.
Disney's unique ability to create stories and characters that form lasting emotional connections with audiences extends far beyond the screen. Through immersive destinations, groundbreaking attractions, unforgettable vacations, and innovative guest experiences, Disney brings those stories to life in ways only Disney can.
"As we continue expanding and evolving Disney Experiences around the world, our fans remain at the heart of everything we do," said Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences for The Walt Disney Company. "Events like this allow us to celebrate the incredible connection fans have with Disney while sharing our vision for the future and the stories, adventures, and memories we're creating next."
Throughout the evening, exciting updates were shared on transformative projects around the world, including Tropical Americas, Monstropolis, the Cars-themed area, and Villains Land at Walt Disney World Resort; the Coco attraction and Avengers Campus expansion at Disneyland Resort; and headline-making additions to Disney's international destinations, from a Lion King-themed area in Paris to new Marvel experiences in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and a reimagined Space Mountain in Tokyo. Among the evening's biggest highlights, fans cheered for the news that the Yeti will be brought back to life in Expedition Everest. Looking further on the horizon, Mazloum shared plans for a reimagined Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park and revealed that Journey Into Imagination will receive a complete reimagining at EPCOT, featuring Figment and the return of Dreamfinder.
Earlier in the day, the Anaheim Convention Center continued to serve as the epicenter of Disney fandom as attendees explored immersive activations, exclusive pavilions, fan-favorite panels, and extraordinary shopping experiences. The day started with the fan-favorite D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest presented by AT&T, where guests experienced the incredible artistry of costumes created by attendees. As the day continued, fans got a closer look at films and shows they love, including Camp Rock 3, Bluey, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Scrubs. A deep dive into Disney history also brought fans closer to the magic of Marvel's Spider-Man, Zootopia, KINGDOM HEARTS, Tinker Bell, and more.
Several announcements were shared at the Anaheim Convention Center, including the greenlight for a historic seventh season of Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends on Disney Jr. and Disney+. With nearly 1.3 billion hours streamed on Disney+ globally, the series is Marvel's most-watched TV series on the platform and the longest-running Spider-Man series overall. The announcement was made by Alyssa Sapire, Head of Disney Jr., Original Programming, and Strategy, during the "Celebrate 65 Years of Marvel's Spider-Man!" panel. Additionally, the Disney Princess Experience, an all-new immersive adventure, is currently in development, inviting guests to journey through the magical worlds of Rapunzel, Tiana, Belle, Moana, and Ariel. An exclusive first screening of LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian, an all-new animated special from Lucasfilm debuting on Disney+ September 2, 2026, also delighted fans.
The celebration continues tomorrow with the final day of D23, featuring additional programming, shopping, and fan experiences at the Anaheim Convention Center as well as the highly anticipated Disney Legends Awards Ceremony at the Honda Center, hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The ceremony will honor the newest class of Disney Legends, including Chris Berman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Susan Egan, Eric Goldberg, Anne Hathaway, Bob Iger, Kim Irvine, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Alan Tudyk.