What We Love About… The Carousel of Progress

Love it or hate it, but you have to give the Carousel of Progress props for its staying power in Tomorrowland. This attraction has been in continuous operation (in some form) since 1964.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress showcases the typical American family as they live through the 20th century. The guests are seated in a theater that revolves around each scene. The father is the main narrator as he offers his opinion on the changing technology and social life of the family.

There are fun details that you can find throughout the attraction for every visit. If you tend to skip the Carousel of Progress, you might want to change your mind after we give our reasons for loving this attraction.

 

Experience Walt’s Vision

The Carousel of Progress is a representation of Walt’s vision for the future, along with a healthy dose of nostalgia and a nod to America’s past.

During the World’s Fair in 1964-1965, Disney made Carousel the centerpiece of the General Electric exhibit. For television viewers, audiences were able to see a glimpse of the attraction with Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

In 1967, the attraction made its home at Disneyland. Walt Disney World would get its own Carousel in 1975. The Carousel has been updated a few times, but it still sticks close to the heart of the original attraction. When you experience this attraction, you can get close to the man himself, Walt Disney.

 

 

Now Is the Time… to Relax

With the oppressive Florida heat, this 20-minute show is the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy the air-conditioned theater. You get to cool off and see a pretty fantastic show. Just be prepared to stay for the entire presentation. If you get up to leave, the whole attraction has to be reset, and you have officially become “that guy (or girl)” for the rest of the day.

 

Tune-tastic

If you spend any time around Walt Disney World, you have heard the tune, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” in some form throughout the parks. The Sherman Brothers composed that song for the 1964 World’s Fair attraction, and it plays as the theater rotates to the next scene. The theme song was so catchy that it remained as the attraction moved to Disneyland. When Carousel made its premiere in Walt Disney World, “The Best Time of Your Life” was the new jingle. However, with the 1994 update, Carousel regained the original theme song.

 

 

Trip Through History

You can spot plenty of historical details in every scene. The early 1900s scene features a cast-iron stove, butter churn, and an icebox, along with thoughts about Thomas Edison’s newest innovation…snap-on lights. The 1920s brings jazz, Charles Limbaugh, and electric appliances into the conversation. You can spot the linoleum flooring and bright colors as we progress into the 1940s. Finally, the last scene takes place in the late 90s or early 2000s, and you can recognize the “newest” technology and fashion trends from that period.

 

All American Family

The Carousel of Progress follows the lives of the All-American family. The father, named John, narrates the scenes as he gives his opinions about the changing times. From the stage, Sarah, the wife and mother, makes an appearance and offers her counter-opinion to John’s curmudgeon attitude. The children, Jimmy and Patricia, make an appearance from the transparent curtained background. There is a younger daughter featured in the first scene helping Sarah with laundry, but she disappears from the rest of the attraction. Grandpa, Grandma, and everyone’s favorite houseguest, Uncle Orville, round out the cast. A loyal family dog is also present, though his name changes throughout the decades. The dog was said to be modeled after Walt’s own pooch, and you can find him (the dog) in several attractions like the Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

 

No Need for FastPasses

While all the other attractions need to be planned in advance, you can just walk into the Carousel with little to no wait time. If you do have to wait, then it is only for a few minutes as the six theaters cycle through the scenes.

 

Spot Those Hidden Mickeys (and Cats)

If you look closely, you can spot some hidden Mickeys in the attraction. There is a Sorcerer hat next to the exercise machine in the third scene, and a Mickey Mouse nutcracker appears on the mantle in the Christmas scene. For those with a sharp eye, you might want to look at the counter to spot the familiar mouse-eared pepper grinder.

Over the years, there has been another Easter egg in the attraction. Whether a painting or statue, every scene features a feline. You will want to keep a lookout for those feline pals.

 

 

Name That Voice

For those fans of The Christmas Story, you will recognize that John’s voice belongs to Jean Shepherd. Mel Blanc, also the voice of Bugs Bunny, voices Uncle Orville. B.J. Ward might not be a familiar name, but you have heard her voice around the parks. In addition to voicing Sarah, you can hear her in Spaceship Earth and several safety spiels.

 

 

A Nod to Walt’s Friends

The fabulous 40s scene features a sign that reads, “Herb Ryman – Attorney at Law.” Ryman was instrumental in helping Walt to sell the concept of Disneyland to the banks. You have to look out the window to see his poster, which was initially created for the 1964 attraction.

Marty Sklar also gets a shoutout in the Carousel of Progress. The former head of WDI oversaw the last major refurbishment in 1994. In the Christmas scene, you can see a note on the bulletin board that reads, “Marty called – wants changes!” scribbled on paper.

 

 

Sponsor Time

While General Electric was instrumental in bringing Carousel of Progress to the World’s Fair and Disney’s parks, they are not sponsoring the attraction at this time. You can still several GE props throughout the attraction, including the refrigerator and vacuum in the Fabulous 40s.

 

Spot Those Familiar Faces

If you travel through WDW, you might find some familiar faces along the way. John and Sarah’s likenesses are found in Spaceship Earth in the Renaissance period, and grandma is a rocking chair ghost in Haunted Mansion.

 

 

Hopefully, with these couple facts, you have a new appreciation for this classic attraction. Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of the Carousel of Progress. Is this a must-see attraction on your visit to the Magic Kingdom?