LIVE ON DISNEY+! What to Expect at ‘Horizons: A Carousel of Progress’

Join Neil Patrick Harris and the Imagineers behind Disney’s biggest projects for an inside look at the stories, progress, and creativity shaping the future of Disney Experiences around the world.

There’s a great big, beautiful horizon shining at the end of every day… specifically, Saturday, Aug. 15.

Whether you’re attending in person or following along from home, there’s one thing you’ll want to add to your D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event checklist: Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, 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.

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.

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.

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.

So, mark your calendar and get ready to go behind the construction walls, because the next chapter of Disney Experiences isn’t just being imagined.

It’s being built.