Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

This was a waste of time. The show itself is ok, but it seems that every time they announce something, like ‘please don’t stand up during the show’, that section repeats itself, which in turn makes the rather boring show even more boring.

One of my favorite attractions at WDW that always leaves me humming the song in my head! It certainly isn’t one of the most thrilling or popular rides but it’s one that holds the most nostalgia for me. I never leave the Kingdom without visiting that rotating show! I do hope they change the last scene, though.

This attraction is a true work of art from Walt Disney himself. It is one of his original creations still around for everyone to enjoy today. Some think it is a boring 20 minute ride, a nice seat in the a/​c where they can take a nap, but it is so much more. It was constructed originally for the 1964 world’s fair. My dad was lucky enough to get to attend the 1964, and truly value this attraction every time we ride it.
The song was created by the Sherman brothers, to celebrate moving forward in technology to keep moving forward «it’s a great big beautiful tomorrow.» And this ride continues to run everyday to deliver that message in Walt’s beautiful park each and every day.
Funny story, I went to Disneyland hoping to ride «the original» Carousel of Progress… Turns out they don’t have one… I was utterly heartbroken… We had it delivers to Disney world in 1975. So this classic attraction sure has traveled! From New York in 1964, to California 1967 – 1973, and then to Disney World in 1975.

I absolutely loved this! Love the idea of it, the simplicity and the magic. My only complaint is the last section was a little odd, but it’s probably difficult to incorporate modern times after the World Fair it was presented at. This ride reminds you how genius Walt Disney was and why the entire park exists in the first place.

«There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow» vous risquez de sortir de cette attraction avec cette chanson dans la tête!
Située au fond de Tomorrowland vous vivrez en une vingtaine de minutes l’évolution de la vie quotidienne d’une famille américaine du début du 20ième siècle à nos jours avec la creation de l’électricité, du téléphone, de la machine à laver, frigo… et des impacts de ceux-​ci.
La narration se passé en 4 tableaux où vous êtes confortablement assis dans un théâtre qui avance à chaque changement de scenes.
On comprend relativement bien même avec un niveau d’anglais basique, pour moi c’est un must do à chaque visite du Magic Kingdom car cette attraction à une âme qui la rend unique.

I wish Disney would give this attraction the attention and respect it truly deserves. For that matter, I wish they’d give those of us who love it a little respect, too! The outdoor dance club located right next to the attraction makes things just about unbearable. The constant thumping is as annoying as a crying baby sitting next to you for the entire show… try as you might to ignore it, but it’s always there: thump, thump… thump, thump, thump! «Knock it off, can’t you see I’m trying to sing the „It’s a great big beautiful tomorrow“ song!!!»
The Carousel is a Disney staple that is indeed due an upgrade. They still reference «car Phones» and laser discs in the final exhibit as Icons of high-​tech. The theater itself is dirty and the carpet looks like it hasn’t been replaced in years.
Why 4 stars with all these negatives? I give it 4 stars for everything it should be and has been. The charm is still there. Visiting the Carousel Of Progress is like visiting an old friend or relative; it’s comforting. I’ve gone there since I was a child and later took my own children. It’s one of the few attractions that hasn’t been re-​imagined. i.e., Jack Sparrow all over Pirates of the Caribbean.
Hoping Disney steps up and sorts the volume issue out from next door and also updates the final exhibit on the attraction. Still worth visiting, since it’s Walt’s vision from start to finish. Google it! Fascinating history with it’s debut from the 1964 World’s Fair.
–Neil
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Walt Disney’s Carousel Of Progress is located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom.
There was no line so my wife and I decided to go directly in.
Unfortunately they were having technical difficulties and a 10 – 15 minute ride turned into 30.
Was very disappointed when the carousel was not moving and the same section kept on repeating over and over.
The idea is great and on any other day with no glitches it is probably a great attraction.

This is an overlooked ride that often goes under the radar. My friend from Australia and I decided to go on this thing. It was really cool.
You begin back in the early days. The scene is basically a family and how conveniences have made their lives easier. For example, having an icebox was progress back then. There’s then a catchy tune each time for each of the scenes that you visit. I believe there are four scenes in the last scene is a lot more current and absolutely more different than the one before. Again, showing you how modern conveniences bring progress.
You are in the carousel. You are seated in the theater but the theater is what spins to the next scene. So you really are in the carousel. «There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow» is such a catchy and happy song. You will leave the carousel of progress singing it. It’s so fun!

Went to this at Disneyworld this past summer since my parents grew up with this ride at Disneyland in California. It was fun to sit through and rest. The song was stuck in my head. However, they need to update it since so much has changed since the 80s. We have iPads, smartphones, social networking, social media, lap tops, and flat screen TVs now and they need to show that for the last scene. Hope they will keep this ride and think about updating it to the latest technology.

The Carousel of Progress is a staple of Tomorrowland in The Magic Kingdom. We’ve been to Disney four or five times now and this is the first time we actually rode this one. Possibly due to nondescript signage, but I guess mainly it does not have a reputation for being one of the flashy new rides. And it definitely isn’t. It has a long history, having debuted at one of the World Fairs back when animatronics was a new thing, and I’m sure many people have beloved memories of seeing this attraction. It is neat that you are escorted into a small auditorium, which rotates around the stage taking you from one act to the next. Each section has the same man in progressively advanced decades talking about how much progress has been made to make life easier since the previous decade. The perspective when this ride first opened in the sixties must have been amazing, but it’s really hard to differentiate between some of the decades for modern audiences, and the fact that they had to make a fifty-​year leap to keep the last act relevant was pretty jarring (but appreciated.) It does have the catchiest song this side of Small World, and it’s so upbeat I can easily see why many people must consider it a favorite.

The Attraction with a «Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow» Today
Once again Disney nails their animatronics perfectly. The movements, sounds and voices are spot on… maybe a little creepy.
This attraction is a perfect resting point for your fellow weary travelers. A nice air conditioned attraction to get out of the scorching Florida sun. The show lasts approximately 20 minutes and you remain seated the entire time. You can take a nap in the seats since they are somewhat comfortable, but you will miss a nice show with catchy music in-​between eras.
Children may lose interest rather quickly since there is nothing exciting. It is an interesting history lesson of technological advances in the US throughout the last century.
The wait time is almost non-​existent because of the large seating sections and it is always moving, well every 4 – 5 minutes anyway.
Fun Fact: This was originally located at the 1964’s World Fair in Flushing, Queens.
This attraction is a MUST VISIT!
The standard wait time during my mid-​July visit was 5 minutes.

«There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day.» The Carousel of Progress holds a special place in my heart, and not just because I once broke up with a boy while on it (trust, the irony was not lost on me).
This is a Walt Disney classic. He actually had his hands in its creation and it is the only attraction at Disney World that can make that claim. Created for the 1964 Worlds Fair this attraction set up shop after said Fair at Disneyland, then it was transplanted to the Orlando resort. You follow a family throughout the century and see how progress has effected the day to day life of the American family. The tune is infectious and the entire show is engaging. The show runs continuously all day and you never have to wait too long for the next show to begin. Fun trivia: the dog in this attraction is the same dog that you find in Pirates of the Caribbean.
We adore this attraction and try to make sure we give it a ride at least once per trip. We always leave with a smile on our faces and humming the tune. There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow indeed.

Please don’t take the Carousel of Progress away… EVER!!!
This is not only a classic attraction but an historical one also and is ever so important. Everyone young and old should see this at least once in their lifetime as they’ll be better for the knowledge.
This was shown at the 1964 World’s Fair in NY and wayyy ahead of it’s time. It’s been at DW since the park opened but sadly not so many people visit it in droves any longer. It’s a rotating attraction that shows the life of a family during different decades. Walt was spot on about how life has evolved into technology.
It’s simply amazing!!!

Walt Disney was definitely ahead of his time with this little gem. I don’t recommend this ride to thrill seekers and probably not for small children or people in a hurry.
I do recommend this to those who are looking to spend d a relaxing time enjoying Walt’s view of progress and idea of the future. This ride is very mellow but with a very amusing song that you’ll probably end up singing along by the end of the attraction.
The carousel travels smoothly through different parts of the century and you get a glimpse of various times as narrated by an animatronic host and his dog.
Some of the animatronics could use some tlc as over the years their eye has become lazy. The auditorium itself could also use a little updating on the carpets and seats but this is still a treasured attractions.

More people should see this!
You can enter the revolving theater every 4 minutes so there is never a long wait time. (Don’t worry the actual show is about 20 minutes).
Even though the animatronics are kind of cheesy, it is fun seeing the progress of technology. I just wish it didn’t jump from the 40s (I think it was) to the future. I forget the exact decade, but it was quite a big jump. I want to see more decades!
I don’t think many people know about this ride. It is worth checking out.

NPS = 7
A classic favorite of mine!
This is a STAPLE when visiting the Magic Kingdom! I could not believe other members of our party had not been on the Carousel of Progress before on previous visits!
I will admit, however, that the Carousel needs to be updated within the next 5 – 10 years. The amount of people visiting the ride was only a handful and I cannot imagine the ride being all that popular anymore aside from my simple random sample.
The animotronics (sp? I meant robots) used in the Carousel of Progress could use some updating a la Wardrobe and Lumiere in the «Enchanted Tales with Belle» show. Now THOSE robots were mind blowing! Another portion should be added showing our even more distant future since what is depicted as the future now in the show looks like our modern day
The Carousel was an instant hit when Disney showed it off in the 1964 NY World’s Fair. But lately, it looks like the BuzzLightyear Laser Gun ride is getting more attention.

I love that this is the original Carousel of Progress from the 1964 NY Worlds’ Fair that was taken from Disneyland and put in MK. Yes the animatronics are creepy and the age of progress has heightened dramatically over the 80s (but remember that Walt Disney had set Tomorrowland in 1986, so I suppose it wasn’t too far fetched in their thinking).
However you look at the attraction as outdated or weird, we can agree on one thing for sure: Air Conditioning and seating for at least 15 minutes = huge plus. :)

If the song doesn’t stick with you for at least three days straight, you weren’t paying enough attention. It’s hokey and silly fun as fun as you follow the progression of time when the narrator.
Definitely worth a visit while you’re in Tomorrowland. Especially when you need a little time to rest your feet and enjoy a nice little respite.

Whether you’ve never seen this attraction or have seen it a hundred times, it’s well worth the short wait (typically only a few minutes, as long as the attraction is working properly). Now, if you’ve never been on this attraction (shame on you), there are a few things you need to know.
First and foremost, this attraction is NOT a ride, it’s an animatronic show inside a cozy little theater (the theater rotates, so stay seated). Though this is a cute show with a catchy theme song (it’s permanently ingrained in my mind), I don’t recommend this for everyone. If you have small children who can not sit still, this isn’t for you, as it’s approximately 20 minutes long. Also, as a former cast member of this attraction, I have heard numerous accounts of small children being scared of the animatronics.
That being said I’ve also heard that some little children are mesmerized by the animatronics and can’t get enough.

This was awesome. And weird. But Walt himself played a big role in this attraction. And it debuted at the World’s Fair. So you gotta appreciate it.
This attraction is basically a creepy, yet fun, animatronic show that takes place in a revolving theatre. And it’s all about the evolution of technology.
There’s pretty much never a line, which is always a nice thing. So come in, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. And I dare you to not sing along and have the song stuck in your head all day.

I had to be sure to ride all of the «legacy» rides at Magic Kingdom that I remembered from my youth. But I had no idea just how «legacy» Carousel of Progress would be. The final segment of the four, the one supposedly taking place in modern times, seemed so familiar to me because it was last updated in 1994! It’s known as the «Christmas in the House of 2000.» Which now makes it interesting in a retro-​futurism way, probably not the way Walt intended.
The ovens, fashion, and ideas are straight out of the mid-​90s. Some of it has come a little bit true, if you imagine Grandma is playing Oculus Rift and the voice control system is actually Nest or something. The first three segments are awesome and cute as ever, but yeah, the final segment really throws you for a loop. I felt like I was living inside Grandma’s alternate reality helmet.