Before D23 opened its doors, Disney offered an early look inside the Imagineering: Horizons pavilion, and there is a lot to take in. Billed as the largest pavilion Walt Disney Imagineering has ever built, the space brings together models, Audio-Animatronics, concept art, and scale models tied to projects in the works around the world. For anyone who follows Walt Disney World, the display holds plenty of reasons to stop and look closely. Here is a walk through the highlights.
A Grand Entry With the Promenade of Progress
The pavilion opens with the Promenade of Progress, a walkway lined with artwork representing projects currently underway. It sets the tone for what follows, easing guests into the scope of what Imagineering has planned across its parks.
At the heart of the pavilion sits Center Stage, which will host more than 30 Imagineer presentations across the weekend. Its design draws from the 1967 Tomorrowland Terrace Stage, a nod to Disney’s own history. To keep everything running, Disney says more than 150 Imagineers will staff the pavilion throughout D23.
Piston Peak National Park Takes Center Stage
One of the standout displays belongs to Piston Peak National Park, the Cars-themed area heading to Magic Kingdom. Imagineering built a 19-by-19-foot model of the land, giving guests a detailed sense of its layout and scale.
Disney says the model includes the first look at Piston Peak’s second attraction, which makes it a point of interest for anyone tracking the project. A land marquee featuring a Goat Cart rounds out the area and gives guests a spot to pose for photos.
Tropical Americas and What Is Coming to Animal Kingdom
The Tropical Americas display shifts attention to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Here, Imagineering shows Audio-Animatronics that will appear inside the new Encanto attraction, offering an early sense of the figures guests will encounter.
Nearby, a model of the temple facade for the upcoming Indiana Jones attraction provides a look at that project’s architecture. Four character sculpts from the new carousel are also part of the display, filling out the picture of what this area of the park will hold.
A First Hint at Villains Land
Magic Kingdom’s future Villains-themed land makes an appearance, though Disney is keeping most details under wraps for now. The display centers on two themed tree sculpts.
Those sculpts offer a hint at the visual style Imagineers are developing for the land. It is a small preview, but it gives fans something concrete to consider as the project moves forward.
Monstropolis Comes to Life for Hollywood Studios
Fans of Disney’s Hollywood Studios will find plenty to study in the Monstropolis section. A mood board filled with sketches and renderings lays out the inspiration behind the land’s different neighborhoods, showing how the area is taking shape.
The display also has a playful side. Painted maquettes reveal what a Monstropolis pigeon, squirrel, and rabbit might look like, a reminder that even the local wildlife gets the monster treatment in this land.
A Nod to Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress receives some attention as well. The pavilion features two new costumes for the attraction, one from the 1960s scene and another from the Future scene.
Alongside the costumes, Imagineering displays two maquettes and a new attraction poster inspired by the original. It is a fitting tribute given the pavilion’s broader connection to the Carousel of Progress theme.
Disneyland Resort Projects on Display
The pavilion looks west as well, with new displays tied to Disney California Adventure. The upcoming Coco attraction is represented by a new queue rendering and a Hector sculpt, while the Avatar destination appears through a rockwork model and a ride vehicle model.
Marvel fans have something to examine too. The display includes an Avengers Campus expansion model along with a Stark Flight Lab ride vehicle maquette, adding to the picture of what is coming to the West Coast.
Projects From the International Parks
Imagineering brought projects from its international parks to D23 as well. Tokyo Disneyland is represented by the upcoming Wreck-It Ralph attraction and a reimagined Space Mountain, while Hong Kong Disneyland’s new Avengers attraction is also part of the lineup.
Shanghai Disneyland contributes a Spider-Man project, and Disneyland Paris brings The Lion King attraction coming to Disney Adventure World. That last display includes a black-light study model, offering a sense of what guests might experience aboard the attraction.
Final Thoughts
The Imagineering: Horizons pavilion packs a wide range of models, sculpts, and concept art into one space, spanning projects at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and parks abroad. With the Promenade of Progress, a busy Center Stage, and more than 150 Imagineers on hand, it stands as a central stop for anyone attending D23. If this is what Disney chose to reveal ahead of the event, the presentations to come should give fans even more to look forward to.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
