Former Disney Imagineer Eric Robison is returning to Walt Disney’s unrealized city of tomorrow with a new collection of concept artwork.
Upcoming Concept Art Book from Eric Robison
Titled Return to Progress City, the book features Robison’s artistic interpretations of the futuristic community envisioned by Walt Disney during the development of his Florida Project.
The new concept art collection blends Disney history, mid-century futurism, and imaginative world-building to consider what Walt’s experimental city might have become. Robison’s colorful concepts depict streamlined vehicles, elevated transportation systems, futuristic architecture, and landscapes in which technology and nature coexist in harmony.
Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, has joined Eric Robison for the artistic effort, providing commentary and captions throughout the book to help contextualize the new artwork. Weis also shared the following praise of Robison’s work:
“This vision of Walt’s to create a different kind of city exists in our dreams, and in Eric’s dreams, it comes to life in some incredible way. It blossoms because of the combination of Eric’s passion for Walt’s vision, but also his own talent in visualizing great stories and images.”
What Was Progress City?
Progress City was a large-scale model inspired by Walt Disney’s original plans for EPCOT, or the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Rather than a theme park, Walt initially envisioned EPCOT as an operating city where new approaches to transportation, urban planning, industry, and everyday life could be continuously tested.
The radial city would have placed a dense urban center at its core, surrounded by residential neighborhoods, green spaces, and industrial areas. Residents and visitors would travel using systems such as monorails and PeopleMovers, while automobile traffic would largely be routed below the pedestrian level. Walt famously presented the concept in a 1966 film created to introduce the larger Florida Project and attract support from American industry.
After Walt’s death, a massive model of Progress City was installed above the Carousel of Progress at Disneyland. When the attraction moved to Walt Disney World, part of the model was preserved and placed along the PeopleMover route in Tomorrowland. Guests can still see that surviving section while traveling through the show building for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
Eric Robison’s Disney Career
Robison began working for Walt Disney Imagineering after graduating with honors from ArtCenter College of Design. As a concept designer, he contributed to projects associated with Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney Resort. His interpretations of classic Disney characters later caught the attention of former Imagineering President Marty Sklar, helping establish Robison as a popular Disney fine artist.
His portfolio includes artwork celebrating the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and the Matterhorn, as well as the Disney Decades collection created for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary. In 2025, Walt Disney Imagineering commissioned Robison to create a painting commemorating Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.
Return to Progress City is being announced ahead of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which will take place in Anaheim from August 14 through 16, 2026. Robison is scheduled to make several appearances at Talent Central during the event, where he will be available to meet and sign Disney art prints.
Are you excited for Robison’s new artwork? Let us know on social media!
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The post Former Disney Imagineer Eric Robison Announces New ‘Return to Progress City’ Concept Art Book appeared first on WDW News Today.
