HUGE Change Hits Magic Kingdom Tomorrow

A major change is coming to one of Disney World’s oldest attractions TOMORROW.

Carousel of Progress

Walt Diseny’s Carousel of Progress – – which has been operating in one form or another since its debut at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, meaning it actually predates Disney World by over a decade – – is set to close for a major refurbishment that will shift nearly everything about the 60+ year old attraction.

In an attempt to keep the show “relatable for today’s audiences,” the whole show is being restructured. The show will now feature a Walt Disney animatronic in the pre-show, followed by new acts based on the 1960s (itself harkening back to the decade the show originally debuted), the 1980s, the 1999-turn of the millennium, and a “possible future” that will imagine a time where “extraordinary innovation has become part of life and proves that a beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.” The Carousel of Progress will close on July 6th for its transformation, with an estimated reopening in 2027.

©Disney

This won’t be the first time the Carousel of Progress has changed. The attraction has been intermittently updated over the years, with the most recent major upgrade coming in 1994. While the show has its fans, me VERY much included, it is fair to say that the show – – especially the ending sequence that still name-drops the “upcoming” turn of the millennium – – has been feeling a bit stale for a couple of decades.

The resident flying ace is about to be grounded.

Despite that, reactions to the renovation details have been mixed so far. Some have been negative, with guests mourning the loss of most of the Walt-designed original concept) to positive, with some excited that modern audiences have their own time periods to look back on and deserve their own “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” to look forward to.

Carousel of Progress

Personally, after thinking over my own reservations on the change, I do believe that the attraction’s message of a hopeful future is one that needs to be relatable to modern audiences, and right now it’s not. The 1960s are as far away from the 2020s as the early 1900s were from the 1960s when the original debuted.

©Disney

Starting tomorrow, the Carousel of Progress is set to begin a massive transformation that will modernize the attraction for tomorrow, though if it turns out to be “great, big, and beautiful,” remains to be seen. Stay tuned to DFB for more on this project.

6 Magic Kingdom Secrets Disney Doesn’t Want You to Know

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Are you in favor of or opposed to the Carousel of Progress changes? Let us know in the comments below.