Bryan Cranston Thinks the New Carousel of Progress Opens in May 2027, a Month Inside Disney's Late Spring Window

Disney has spent months saying "late spring 2027" for the reimagined Carousel of Progress. On Thursday, November 12, the show's new dad narrowed it down at a tequila bar. Bryan Cranston, who voices John, the father of the Carousel family, dropped in unannounced at the La Cava Experience in EPCOT and told the group he thinks the attraction opens in May.

"That's coming out, I think, in May," Cranston said, according to Attractions Magazine, and then made clear he meant May of next year. The moment was caught on video by Instagram creator The Enchanted Esquire.

Concept art for Act IV, the new show's finale set in the future. Artist concept only. Image: Disney, via BlogMickey

A date, with an "I think" attached

Treat this as a strong hint, not an announcement. Cranston hedged it himself, and WDW News Today notes that Disney has not officially confirmed an opening date and had not responded to its request for more information. BlogMickey points out that May fits neatly inside the late spring 2027 window Disney gave at D23 in August, which makes it the narrowest timing yet.

Cranston also said he might come down to Orlando around the opening, depending on his schedule with a play he is doing.

His agents expected a no

The better story from the bar may be how close Cranston came to passing on the role. He explained that his agents review the projects that come in and recommend whether he should take them or pass, and they were not especially keen on this one. Then they said the name of the attraction.

"What? What did you say?" he recalled asking, per Attractions Magazine. Once he confirmed Disney was reworking Carousel of Progress at Walt Disney World, his answer was short: "I'm in."

Walt Disney with a Carousel of Progress Audio-Animatronics figure. Image: courtesy of Disney, via Attractions Magazine

A fan since 1964

The reason is personal. "I first saw the Carousel of Progress at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City," Cranston said. He also recalls its later moves, first to Disneyland and then to Walt Disney World, and he still loves it. "It's sweet, and it still has that nostalgic kind of sensibility to it," he said, adding that it lets guests take a seat and rest partway through a busy park day.

The setting made sense too. BlogMickey notes that several drinks at La Cava del Tequila, in EPCOT's Mexico pavilion, are made with Dos Hombres, the mezcal label Cranston started with his former Breaking Bad castmate Aaron Paul.

The World's Fair poster for Carousel of Progress, photographed on the railing outside the attraction in Tomorrowland. Photo: BlogMickey

What is coming to Tomorrowland

Cranston's John will be heard alongside Jamie Lee Curtis as Sarah, the mother. Both were announced at D23 in August. Debi Derryberry, who voiced the daughter Patricia in the previous show, is coming back as Grandmother, as we reported in October.

• New opening: an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney introduces the show.
• Four new eras: the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, Halloween 1985, New Year's Eve 1999, and a futuristic family home beyond Earth.
• Kept: the same Carousel family, plus "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," the theme song by the Sherman Brothers.
• Timeline: the previous version had its final day on July 5, 2026, and construction walls went up the next morning. Disney's official word is still late spring 2027.

So, if Cranston is right and the carousel starts turning again in May, are you planning a trip around it, or waiting to see who else from the old cast turns up first?

Sources

• Attractions Magazine, Bryan Cranston has loved Carousel of Progress for 62 years, but his agents told him to pass
• BlogMickey, Bryan Cranston Hints New Carousel of Progress Could Open in May 2027
• WDW News Today, Bryan Cranston Reveals When New Carousel of Progress Will Open in Surprise Appearance at EPCOT
• Parks Magic, The Daughter Becomes the Grandmother: Debi Derryberry, Patricia's Voice in Carousel of Progress, Returns for the 2027 Show

Image credits: Act IV concept art by Disney, via BlogMickey. Walt Disney photo courtesy of Disney, via Attractions Magazine. World's Fair poster photo by BlogMickey.