Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston Are Joining Disney’s Carousel of Progress as the New Voices of Mom and Dad

There really is a great big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day—and for fans of Walt Disney's most historic stage show, that future just got some major star power.

Last night at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Eventin Anaheim, host Neil Patrick Harriskicked off the Horizons: A Carousel of Progressshowcase with a crowd-thrilling casting announcement: Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtisand Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranstonare officially stepping in to voice Sarah (Mom) and John (Dad) in a brand-new reimagining of Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.

The update marks the attraction's most substantial overhaul in over three decades, bringing fresh energy to the most performed stage show in American theater history while honoring the heart and optimism Walt Disney originally dreamed up for the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair.

Related: Disney World's Carousel of Progress Closes Its Current Chapter After 30 Years

A Star-Studded Mantle for an Iconic American Family

For generations of parkgoers who know every word of the Sherman Brothers' theme song by heart, John and Sarah have felt like family. Handing the microphone to Curtis and Cranston brings an incredible blend of warmth, comedic timing, and charm to the rotating theater.

Curtis—beloved across the Disney community for her role as Madame Leota in 2023's Haunted Mansion and her recent Disney Legend induction—takes on Sarah at a pivotal moment in the show's history. For the first time ever, Sarah will take center stage in the brand-new 1980s scene, highlighting how new household tech and gadgets are revolutionizing life for the family. Meanwhile, Cranston steps into John's shoes with the relatable, everyman dad energy fans know and love, found out on the front porch handing out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters.

Related: Disney Just Announced a Massive, Retro-Chic Revamp of a Beloved Classic Attraction

Stepping Into New Decades and Meeting Walt Himself

Originally created to look back 60 years from the 1960s to the turn of the 20th century, the refreshed version will fast-forward to time periods that today's audiences grew up with:

• Opening Scene:Guests will be greeted by an incredible new Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney himself, recreating his iconic appearance in the 1964 television special Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair .

• Act 1 (The 1960s):The family gathers around the television on a warm summer night in July 1969 to watch the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.

• Act 2 (The 1980s):Set on Halloween night in 1985, Sarah shows off the era's latest appliances while John manages trick-or-treaters and Uncle Orville complains about having "no privacy around here" in the bathroom.

• Act 3 (The New Millennium):The family rings in Y2K on New Year's Eve 1999, discovering early dial-up internet while Grandpa nods off before midnight and Grandma sneaks the TV channel over to pro wrestling.

• Act 4 (The Possible Future):Inspired by original concept sketches from legendary Disney Imagineer John Hench, the final act transports the family into a futuristic, out-of-this-world home with helpful home robotics and space travel.

When to Catch the Reimagined Show

The attraction is currently closed as Walt Disney Imagineering works on the new sets, props, and animatronics. The reimagined Carousel of Progress is set to officially welcome guests back to Magic Kingdom in late spring 2027.

And don't worry—the beloved family dog Rover and the timeless chorus of "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" will still be waiting right there to guide you through every spin.

Related: Disney's Newest Lake Houses Are a Love Letter to Classic Disney Artistry

This story was originally published by Parade on Aug 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.