Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
For decades, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has been a beloved fixture of Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World. However, after years of fans pointing out that the attraction’s “future” felt hopelessly stuck in the past, Disney has finally unveiled a massive, top-to-bottom reimagining. During the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2026, Disney announced thrilling updates that will bring this classic ride into a beautiful new tomorrow.
Hollywood Royalty Joins the Progress Family
One of the biggest bombshells from the D23 “Horizons” showcase was the announcement of a brand-new voice cast.
- Bryan Cranston as John: The Emmy Award-winning actor will take over the iconic role of the family’s optimistic patriarch, John.
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Sarah: Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis will provide the voice of the family’s mother, Sarah.
A video message played at D23 showed both Cranston and Curtis expressing their excitement to step into these legendary roles, ensuring the heart of the original attraction remains intact.
A Brand-New Timeline: From the 1960s to a “Possible Future”
To make the attraction more relatable to modern audiences, Imagineers are completely overhauling the timeline by shifting the setting to the latter half of the 20th century and the early 21st century.
- Act 1 (1960s): The new show will kick off in the 1960s, specifically starting with the historic moon landing in 1969.
- Act 2 (1980s): The second scene jumps to the 1980s. Set on Halloween night in 1985, this act will feature Sarah showing off her latest cutting-edge kitchen gadgets.
- Act 3 (1990s): Act 3 will take guests to New Year’s Eve in 1999, leaning heavily into Y2K nostalgia (complete with a cue for a Prince song!).
- Act 4 (The Possible Future): The final scene has been entirely redesigned as a “possible future” that pays homage to the attraction’s original roots. D23 models revealed Sarah sitting in a conversation pit by a fireplace wearing a futuristic dress and pants, while John is shown in a yellow sweater hanging out in the kitchen with a brand-new version of their loyal dog, Rover.
Reopening Timeline
The Carousel of Progress officially closed its doors for this extensive overhaul on July 5, 2026. Fortunately, fans will not have to wait too long to see the updated show. Neil Patrick Harris officially announced at D23 that the reimagined Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is scheduled to reopen to Magic Kingdom guests in late spring 2027.
With an incredible new voice cast and a refreshed historical timeline, this beloved Walt Disney World attraction is gearing up for a fantastic future.
