Bryan Cranston has loved Carousel of Progress for 62 years, but his agents told him to pass
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Bryan Cranston loves tequila, so his surprise appearance at La Cava Experience at Epcot wasn’t entirely out of character. But the actor had more than spirits to discuss with guests, including how he nearly passed on his upcoming role in Walt Disney World’s Carousel of Progress.
Cranston, who first experienced the attraction at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, revealed that his agents initially advised him to turn down the project. That recommendation went out the window as soon as he shared his love of the attraction.
During Cranston’s appearance at La Cava Experience at Epcot, the actor had more than spirits to discuss with guests, including how he nearly passed on his upcoming role in Walt Disney World’s Carousel of Progress.
Bryan Cranston was initially told to pass on Carousel of Progress
During a surprise appearance at La Cava Experience in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, Cranston shared the story with guests in a video captured by Instagram creator The Enchanted Esquire.
Cranston explained that when acting offers come in, his agents review the material and recommend whether he should accept or pass. When Disney’s Carousel of Progress project crossed their desks, they weren’t particularly enthusiastic.
But when his agents mentioned the name of the attraction, Cranston immediately interrupted them.
“What? What did you say?” he recalled asking.
After confirming that Disney was revising Carousel of Progress at Walt Disney World, Cranston’s answer was simple: “I’m in.”
His agents were surprised by his immediate enthusiasm, but Cranston had a personal reason for wanting the role.
Why Bryan Cranston wanted the Carousel of Progress role
Cranston’s enthusiasm for Carousel of Progress goes back 62 years, long before he became an Emmy Award-winning actor.
“I first saw the Carousel of Progress at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City,” Cranston recalled. He also remembers the attraction moving to Disneyland and eventually Walt Disney World.
“It’s sweet, and it still has that nostalgic kind of sensibility to it,” he said.
Courtesy of Disney
Cranston praised the attraction for offering guests a chance to sit down, relax and enjoy the rotating theater experience without having to keep moving through the park.
Now he’ll become part of the attraction’s history himself, voicing John, the father of the Carousel family, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis as Sarah.
Bryan Cranston hints at May 2027 reopening for Carousel of Progress
During the same conversation at Epcot, Cranston mentioned that the updated Carousel of Progress could debut in May 2027.
“That’s coming out, I think, in May,” he said, before clarifying that he meant this coming May.
Disney has already announced a late spring 2027 reopening window, so Cranston’s comment is consistent with the company’s plans.
Cranston also suggested he might visit Walt Disney World to experience the updated attraction himself, depending on his theater schedule.
What’s changing at Carousel of Progress?
As Attractions Magazine previously reported, Disney is making major changes to Carousel of Progress, replacing the familiar scenes with four updated eras while preserving the Carousel family and the Sherman Brothers’ song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”
The new storyline begins in 1969 with the Apollo 11 moon landing, moves to Halloween 1985 and New Year’s Eve 1999, then concludes with a futuristic family home beyond Earth.
Another major addition is a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure, which will introduce the attraction in a new opening scene inspired by Walt’s presentation of Carousel of Progress at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
Bryan Cranston’s history of surprise appearances at Disney World
Cranston’s appearance at La Cava Experience wasn’t his first unexpected encounter with Walt Disney World guests. The actor, who co-founded the Dos Hombres mezcal and tequila brand with his “Breaking Bad” co-star Aaron Paul, has made previous appearances at Disney Springs.
In September 2024, Attractions Magazine captured Cranston surprising guests at House of Blues. Cranston and Paul have also brought their Dos Hombres brand to Frontera Cocina at Disney Springs.
His latest Epcot appearance gave La Cava Experience patrons another opportunity to meet the actor, this time with an unexpected story about his connection to one of Magic Kingdom’s oldest attractions.
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