diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 07a24fc1..52767a07 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -141,8 +141,8 @@ horizon_ssl_no_verify: "{{ (keystone_service_adminuri_insecure | bool or keyston
 horizon_default_role_name: _member_
 
 ## Launch instance
-horizon_launch_instance_legacy: True
-horizon_launch_instance_ng: False
+horizon_launch_instance_legacy: False
+horizon_launch_instance_ng: True
 
 ## Neutron features to enable
 horizon_enable_neutron_lbaas: False
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/ng-instance-management-f9134fc283aa289c.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/ng-instance-management-f9134fc283aa289c.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9d2ccefe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/ng-instance-management-f9134fc283aa289c.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+features:
+  - The horizon next generation instance management panels have been
+    enabled by default. This changes horizon to use the upstream defaults
+    instead of the legacy panels. `Documentation can be found here <http://docs.openstack.org/developer/horizon/topics/settings.html#launch-instance-ng-enabled>`_.
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    The default horizon instance launch panels have been changed to the
+    next generation panels. To enable legacy functionality set the following
+    options accordingly:
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+       horizon_launch_instance_legacy: True
+       horizon_launch_instance_ng: False
+