HUGE changes are coming to the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom — and we know diehard fans might not be sure how they feel about it (it’s us, we’re the diehard fans).
Carousel of Progress is closing!
Disney had previously announced that a Walt Disney Animatronic would be coming to the ride, but they shared that even more updates are on the way for this iconic ride. Each scene will be completely overhauled to feature new decades, and if you’re worried about what this means for the original, we might be able to ease your mind!
One of Disney’s main goals for this update is to keep the attraction relatable for audiences of today by featuring eras that people have personal connections to. Imagineering has been revisiting the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that helped shape history as it’s reflected in this family’s story.
©Disney
We have some MAJOR feelings about these changes. While we do appreciate that the attraction is being updated, this complete overhaul will essentially change quite a bit of the original ride. When we spoke with Disney about the changes, they assuaged our concerns, and it was easy to see how excited and confident they were that people would love the new version.
Carousel of Progress
The Imagineers in charge of this project shared that they know people love this ride, including the song, the family, and the humor — but that they really care about the ride and won’t let us down. They said, “Rest assured, know that when we talk about a classic like this…our Imagineers take the utmost care in how we approach that.”
Imagineers also talked about how, when making changes to an attraction like this, their goal is to “leave it better than they found it,” which gives us hope that these updates will be made with care and love.
Carousel of Progress
Oh, and don’t worry — “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” isn’t going ANYWHERE! Not only that, but to help bring the new finale to life, Imagineers looked back at original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, drawing inspiration from his imaginative vision of the future.
Carousel of Progress
Act 1 will feature the 1960s, which is when the Carousel of Progress first opened at the 1964 World’s Fair. The story looked back about 60 years, and now this new scene will mirror that idea — starting 60 years back from today, in the 1960s.
In the summer of 1969, the Carousel family gathers around the television to witness the historic moon landing. The moment captures the “spirit of innovation and possibility that has always been — and always will be — at the heart of Carousel of Progress.”
Carousel of Progress
Act 2 takes us to the 1980s, where bigger is better. On Halloween night in 1985, Sarah will take center stage as she shares all about how the new appliances and gadgets are making life easier for the whole family. John is out on the porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and poor Uncle Orville will still be in the bathroom with “no privacy at all around here!”
Carousel of Progress
In Act 3, we’ll travel to the new millennium as the 1990s draw to a close. The family is getting ready to ring in the new year on New Year’s Eve 1999. The Internet is bringing John, Sarah, Jimmy, and Patty closer together than ever before. Of course, Grandpa has already nodded off, so Grandma changes the TV over to wrestling when no one is looking.
Carousel of Progress
And finally, Act 4 features the possible future. The family is seen one last time in the distant future, in a home that’s out of this world. The off-planet scene features a helpful robot assisting with everyday tasks, along with space travel, and imagines a future where extraordinary innovation has become part of life.
Carousel of Progress
Disney shared that Carousel of Progress will close on July 6th and is expected to reopen sometime in 2027. These are some MAJOR changes, and we’re hopeful that the ride will still reflect everything we loved about the original.
If you’re looking for a way to show off your love of the Carousel of Progress, make sure you check out DFB’s Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow shirt! It comes in multiple colors, styles, and sizes, and will hopefully make being without this ride for so long slightly less painful. Grab it here!
©DFB
We’ll be on the lookout for even more Carousel of Progress updates you need to know about. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
Check out more Magic Kingdom news at the links below!
- 7 Big Changes Coming To Disney World Next Month
- 3 HUGE Disney Changes You Missed This Week — Including Attraction Openings, Ride Overhauls, and Hotel News
- The Single BIGGEST Announcement Disney Made This Month
- SEVEN Attractions Opened in Disney World Last Week…But Dozens Are Still Closed
- “Stop Ruining The Old Stuff” Disney Fans React To Latest Carousel of Progress News
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What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments below.
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media panel on upcoming changes to the parks and beyond. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
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We all remember the enchanted tiki room and country bear jamboree changes don’t we?
I’m not against the new version, but I hope they properly archive the original. They should do a professional recording and post it on D+ like they did with a lot of the Disneyland attractions. That would make me feel better
Walter Elias Disney was personally involved in the original COP design, storytelling and staging. The simple truth is that Walt’s vision can not be improved upon. I will go one last time to see the original and await the reopening.
Very concerned. The imagineer’s have not had a great track record on refirbing or re-theme9ng iconic attractions since Michael Eisner left in 2005. Since then there has not n been anything groundbreaking from them.
The only thing I will miss of the carousel progress I think it’s in the second scene John makes a statement saying oh something about Schwartz. I really loved that scene because that’s my last name and I just always had a big just a big thing every time we went to see it. It just made me feel good. That’s the only thing I hate rest of it. I think will be good. Thank you.
I wish there were benches on the carousel so older visitors could also enjoy the ride
I had the privilege of seeing the Carousel of Progress at the New York Worlds Fair when I was 16 years old. I loved it then as much as Walt loved it. Please save the current Carousel scenes so when this new one fails much as America Sings failed, you can still bring it back. While I’m at it, bring back Splash Mountain. Please don’t ever again change the Enchanted Tiki Room. Hopefully you learned your lesson with Under New Management. Thank goodness I can still watch Impressions of France though I have to adjust my schedule to fit its showing.
Sounds awful. Just depressing. My parents weren’t old enough to “relate” to the dawn of electricity, but it was still cool to show it like that. They should leave the beginning the same, then jump ahead to show the contrast. There’s not nearly as much that’s so different that’s visually striking after digital advancement in the more recent decades. Nothing like the jump to electricity and the earliest home appliances, indoor plumbing and telephones. It’s not that impressive if you start at the ’60s. Besides, based on that, the opening with Walt will have to say it’s ALL the future or his timeline won’t fit.
Hi Janet! The Carousel of Progress has seats for everyone in addition to allowing wheelchairs and ECVs inside.