Today, D23 revealed the panel lineup for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this August. The lineup includes a lot of things for Disney fans to get excited about. For fans of the parks, this year’s Disney Experiences Showcase immediately jumped out. This wasn’t just because it is the showcase that will look at what is coming to the parks. It is also because D23 is continuing to change how this showcase is presented.
Previous Iterations of the Experience Panel
Go back a few years to when this event was called the D23 Expo, and guests who attended earlier events will remember that Disney CEO Bob Iger at one point hosted this panel/showcase. Those who were in attendance will never forget when Iger announced what would become Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This was when Iger said, And one more thing, we’re not just building one of these, we’re building two.”
A New Location and New Format
Fast forward through the years, and as this segment of The Walt Disney Company continued to grow, the showcase evolved. Most recently, this saw then-Disney Experience Chairman Josh D’Amaro hosting the first Disney Experiences Showcase at the Honda Center. This was the first time it was held outside of the Anaheim Convention Center. With the venue change came a change in style. Instead of it being more of a presentation, it became a show. This became a huge production with a variety of segments and performances.
Neil Patrick harris
With the charismatic Josh D’Amaro now taking on the role of CEO of The Walt Disney Company, many wondered who would take on the role of host of this showcase. While Josh D’Amaro is gifted on stage, new Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum has a calmer demeanor. Today, it was revealed that Neil Patrick Harris (NPH) will be doing the honors. NPH is an accomplished performer both on the screen and the stage and will undoubtedly be putting these talents to use during this showcase. He also has a long history with Disney that includes being a regular narrator for the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT.
Along with revealing that NPH will be hosting Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, it was also revealed that the showcase will be inspired by the Carousel of Progress. Recently, the most recent (dating back to the 90s) version of the Carousel of Progress closed to be reimagined. The new version is set to open in 2027 at Walt Disney World Resort. It will include the beloved tune, There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, from the Sherman Brothers, and also continue to tell the story of the family that fans have known and loved for decades. There will be changes, however. This includes the addition of the Audio-Animatronic version of Walt Disney at the beginning of the attraction. New eras will also be showcased during the run of the attraction. This includes the 60s, the 80s, the New Millennium, and the Possible Future. A full rundown of the updates can be found here.
As Walt Disney World moves into the future with a new Carousel of Progress, the Disney Experiences segment of Disney will continue to blaze a path into the future. This will include new offerings around the globe from its parks, resorts, and cruise line. Here is the official description for this showcase:
Join host Neil Patrick Harris for a journey into the stories shaping the future of Disney Experiences around the world. Building on the ambitious projects announced in 2024, this year’s showcase will take fans deeper into the creative vision behind what’s to come, hearing directly from the Imagineers, storytellers, artists, and innovators bringing these experiences to life. Inspired by the Carousel of Progress, Neil will guide the show and lead engaging conversations with the people creating the future of Disney Experiences—complete with behind-the-scenes looks, special performances, exciting announcements, and a few surprises along the way.
As can be seen in the description, this will build off what was announced in 2024. This will be a showcase that is both entertaining and informative. The conversations and performances that happen on stage will lead to more conversations by fans in the days, months, and years that follow. This could end up being a highlight of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event for many Disney fans.
What do you think of Neil Patrick Harris hosting Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase? What do you most hope will be announced? What are you most looking forward to at this year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
