10 New Secrets Of Walt Disney Imagineering: The 2025 Projects & Next-Gen Tech That Will Change Disney Parks Forever

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) remains the secretive, creative force behind every Disney theme park, resort, and cruise ship, and as of December 2025, the division is undergoing one of its most technologically ambitious periods in decades. The Imagineers—a unique blend of artists, engineers, architects, and storytellers—are not just building new rides; they are fundamentally redefining the guest experience through cutting-edge robotics and augmented reality, proving that the spirit of innovation Walt Disney instilled is stronger than ever. The current focus is split between major park transformations, such as the historic multi-year overhaul of EPCOT, and the deployment of next-generation technology that blurs the line between a physical environment and a digital one. From free-roaming, autonomous robotic characters to a strategic partnership exploring the use of smart glasses, WDI’s latest projects confirm that the future of theme park immersion is arriving in 2025 and 2026.

The Masterminds: Key Figures and the Imagineering Hall of Fame

Walt Disney Imagineering was founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises (Walter Elias Disney), a separate corporate entity established to design and build Disneyland. The name "Imagineering" itself was coined by Alcoa executive Tom Rogers, combining "imagination" and "engineering." The division is the world's most unique design firm, blending world-class engineering with extraordinary storytelling. The legacy of Imagineering is built upon the genius of its core team, many of whom started as animators and artists for the studio. Their foundational work established the principles that still guide WDI today.

• Walt Disney: Founder, visionary, and the original "Dreamer" who established the philosophy of immersive storytelling.
• Herbert Ryman: The artist Walt recruited to create the original aerial rendering of Disneyland, which was used to attract investors.
• Marc Davis: A legendary animator who transitioned to Imagineering, designing iconic scenes and characters for attractions like *Pirates of the Caribbean* and *The Haunted Mansion*.
• John Hench: Known for his architectural and design expertise, he was a key figure in the design of Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth.
• Tony Baxter: A modern legend responsible for developing *Big Thunder Mountain Railroad*, *Splash Mountain*, and the original concept for *Star Tours*.
• Bob Gurr: The engineer who designed the ride vehicles for nearly all original Disneyland attractions, including the Monorail, Autopia cars, and the *Matterhorn Bobsleds*.
• Joe Rohde: The lead Imagineer for *Disney's Animal Kingdom* and the groundbreaking *Pandora – The World of Avatar*, known for his commitment to authenticity and detail.
• Claude Coats & Yale Gracey: Two of the original animators who brought their expertise in lighting, set design, and special effects to attractions like *The Haunted Mansion*.
• Alice Davis: Costume designer for many classic attractions, including the costumes for the Audio-Animatronics figures in *it's a small world* and *Pirates of the Caribbean*.
• Steve Davison: A modern Imagineer known for revolutionizing Disney's nighttime spectaculars and parades.

The 2025 Blueprint: Major Park Projects and Openings

The current slate of WDI projects is heavily focused on revitalizing existing park areas and delivering on major announcements made at recent D23 events, with several key openings slated for 2025 and 2026.

EPCOT’s Historic Transformation Culmination

The multi-year, historic transformation of EPCOT is nearing completion, with one of the biggest remaining pieces of construction set to debut in 2025: the reimagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet. The original version of the ride closed in June 2024 to begin its major overhaul, and Imagineers are working closely with General Motors to deliver a completely new experience. While the track layout and ride system will remain, the new attraction is expected to feature an entirely different story, new vehicle designs, and a fresh focus on the Chevrolet design process, continuing the park's mission to blend technology and imagination. This project is the capstone of a massive effort that has already delivered World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery, solidifying EPCOT's new identity for the next generation of guests.

New Shows and International Expansions

Beyond EPCOT, Imagineering is quietly advancing several other highly anticipated projects across the globe:

• Monsters, Inc. Theater Show: Permits have been filed by WDI for a new *Monsters, Inc.*-themed theater show, which is planned for the former MuppetVision 3D location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This new show is expected to use advanced projection and theatrical techniques to bring the beloved characters of Monstropolis to life.
• Disney Destiny Cruise Ship: The newest vessel in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the *Disney Destiny*, is scheduled to set sail in November 2025. Imagineers are responsible for the entire thematic design and guest experience, which includes new, innovative spaces and attractions onboard.
• Disneyland Paris Updates: In Europe, Imagineers are currently working on a new covered outdoor waiting area for *The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror*™ at Walt Disney Studios® Park, which is set to open in Spring 2026.
• Shanghai Disney Resort: The new *Zootopia* land continues to be populated with new details and Audio-Animatronics as the project nears completion, showcasing WDI's ability to develop entirely new, immersive worlds internationally.

The Technology Breakthroughs: Animatronics, Robotics, and AR

The true "secret sauce" of Walt Disney Imagineering in 2025 is its commitment to bleeding-edge technology, particularly in the fields of robotics and augmented reality (AR). These innovations are designed to create characters that are more lifelike and interactive than ever before.

The Next-Gen Animatronics Revolution

Imagineering is moving away from older pneumatic and hydraulic systems to develop all-electric figures, which offer greater speed, precision, and a wider range of motion. This Next-Gen Animatronics technology is being combined with advanced projection mapping to create a major leap in character realism. * Real-Time Projection: Imagineers Leslie Evans and Joel Peavy recently demonstrated a character that uses real-time front projection and new calibration tools to create incredibly expressive and realistic facial movements. This technology allows a character’s face to be instantly updated and synchronized with dialogue, eliminating the "uncanny valley" effect that has long plagued robotics. * Project Kiwi: Perhaps the most compelling innovation is Project Kiwi, a small-scale, free-roaming robotic actor. Developed by WDI Research & Development, Project Kiwi resulted in a tiny, autonomous Baby Groot robot that can walk, interact, and perform without being tethered to a track or hidden machinery. This technology represents a significant step toward having truly interactive, free-roaming characters engaging with guests throughout the parks.

The Augmented Reality Frontier: Meta Smart Glasses

WDI is actively exploring the future of the guest experience through a strategic partnership with Meta, testing the use of Ray-Ban smart glasses for both guest-facing and backstage applications. This technology allows Imagineers to "wear the guest's shoes" in a literal sense, experiencing a new attraction or land with an augmented reality layer before it is physically built. The smart glasses are being used on "greenfield sites"—completely cleared land—to visualize how a finished attraction will look and operate, allowing for real-time adjustments in the design process. While the full guest application is still under development, the potential is vast: personalized AR experiences, real-time in-park navigation, and seamless integration of digital elements into the physical environment, creating a truly phygital (physical + digital) theme park experience.

The Creative DNA: Walt's Principles of Storytelling

The technology only serves the story. Imagineering’s success is rooted in its disciplined creative strategy, often summarized by the famous "Mickey's Ten Commandments" and its core team structure. The Imagineering process is built on a three-role creative strategy for every project: 1. The Dreamer: The visionary who provides the unlimited creative vision, pushing the boundaries of what is possible (the Walt role). 2. The Realist: The engineer and project manager who determines how the vision can be physically and financially achieved. 3. The Critic/Spoiler: The role responsible for scrutinizing the idea, finding flaws, and ensuring the final product is flawless and meets the guest's expectations. This rigorous, multi-layered approach ensures that every attraction, from the reimagined Test Track to the smallest detail in the Zootopia land, is both technologically sound and emotionally resonant, maintaining WDI's status as the world's premier creative engine.