A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow: The Ever-Changing Carousel of Progress

A bright and promising future awaits Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. For 60 years, this personal endeavor of Walt Disney has been a strong symbol of optimism, innovation, and family through the ages.

Although the themes have remained consistent, the most frequently performed stage show in American theater history has undergone various transformations over time. Before discussing the future of this cherished attraction, let's explore its development.

The Evolution of Carousel of Progress

To grasp the complete history of Carousel of Progress, you need to journey back to the 1950s. During this time, Walt Disney aimed to expand Disneyland and envisioned an extension of Main Street, U.S.A. called Edison Square.

This square was to be anchored by Harnessing the Lightning, a walkthrough drama that explored how electricity and technology transformed the lifestyle of the American family. Although Edison Square was never constructed, it laid the foundation for a show centered around a powerful idea: technology would continue to evolve, but people would remain the same.

When work commenced on the Disney shows for the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, Walt and his team of Imagineers transformed the Harnessing the Lightning concept into the highly successful Carousel of Progress at the Progressland pavilion.

The fair introduced the attraction's renowned rotating theater system, along with its famous anthem by songwriters and Disney Legends Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. This project was a tremendous success and held a personal significance for Walt. It embodied his enduring spirit of optimism and showcased his meticulous creative guidance, even down to details like how Uncle Orville’s toes should move in the bathtub.

After its stint at the fair, Walt brought the show to Disneyland in 1967, featuring several updates, including a revamped Act Four set in Progress City, a futuristic community inspired by Walt's vision for EPCOT. At that time, no one could have predicted that this finale would foreshadow future events, as Carousel of Progress moved to Walt Disney World in 1975.

During its tenure at Magic Kingdom, the attraction has continued to evolve with new scripts, voice actors, time periods, and even complete scene updates. It also introduced a new theme song, “The Best Time of Your Life,” which replaced “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” for the first two decades of its operation in Florida. This tune can still be heard as background music throughout Tomorrowland today. The last significant update to the attraction was in 1993, which included an updated finale scene and the return of the original Sherman Brothers’ song.

Preserving Walt’s Vision

The Carousel of Progress was created to honor change, not remain static. As Imagineers, we bear the important task of sustaining Walt’s innovative ideas and forward-thinking spirit as we continue to shape the attraction’s future. So, what lies ahead?

Guests might recall that last year we revealed that Walt Disney himself will soon be featured in the attraction, thanks to the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology. Walt appears in a scene inspired by the 1964 special “Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair,” where he first introduced the Carousel of Progress concept and expressed his lasting belief in the power of progress to create a better future.

The team is thoroughly enjoying sourcing and recreating many props from that special, such as the prototype Tiki bird, the Tower of the Four Winds model, a doll from “it’s a small world,” and much more.

This once inconceivable opening moment will pave the way for a new era of storytelling for our American family and their beloved dog.

New Decades Coming to Carousel of Progress

Besides incorporating Walt Disney into the attraction that carries his name, Imagineers will refresh all scenes to reflect new time periods. This will allow us to follow John, Sarah, and their family as they adapt to evolving technology in different decades.

Our primary aim for this update was to ensure the attraction remains relatable to today’s audiences by showcasing eras that resonate with them personally. Many of our team members experienced these decades firsthand, making it a nostalgic journey to revisit the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that influenced our history, all depicted through this family’s story.

Act 1 – the 1960s

When the show debuted at the World’s Fair, it began by reflecting on the past 60 years to the start of the new century. Now, over six decades later, this new version echoes that concept, beginning 60 years ago in the 1960s.

In the summer of 1969, our Carousel family, along with millions globally, gathers around the TV to witness one of humanity’s greatest feats: the historic moon landing. This awe-inspiring moment embodies the spirit of innovation and possibility that has always been central to Carousel of Progress.

Act 2 – the 1980s

It’s the ‘80s, where bigger is better, and everything keeps expanding! We catch up with the family on Halloween Night of 1985, with Sarah taking the spotlight for the first time. She’ll explain how new appliances and gadgets are simplifying life for everyone.

Meanwhile, John is out on the porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and poor Uncle Orville is in the bathroom lamenting the lack of privacy!

Act 3 – The New Millennium

As the ‘90s come to an end, our Carousel family is gearing up to welcome the new millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999. Amid the excitement of the countdown to 2000, the Internet is emerging, bringing John, Sarah, Jimmy, Patty, and the world closer than ever.

Not everyone is staying awake until midnight, though. Grandpa has already dozed off before the countdown, while Grandma sneaks a peek at wrestling on TV when no one’s watching.

Act 4 – The Possible Future

As the show concludes, we see the family in the distant future, living in an off-planet home. With a helpful robot assisting with daily tasks and space travel, this scene envisions a future where extraordinary innovation is part of everyday life, proving that a beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.

To create this new finale, Imagineers drew inspiration from original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, inspired by his visionary depiction of the future.

First Glimpse of New Attraction Poster

We are thrilled to reveal our new attraction poster, which pays tribute to the original Carousel of Progress poster from its debut at Magic Kingdom. The design, like the attraction itself, captures both our past and our future.

When Will These Changes Take Place?

In preparation for the next iteration of this ever-evolving attraction, the Carousel of Progress will be temporarily closed starting July 6, 2026. We anticipate reopening in 2027.

We are eager to share more about the incredible work our team is doing in the upcoming months as we continue Walt’s vision, presenting the show to a whole new generation of fans while respecting its history and essence. We are incredibly hopeful for the beautiful tomorrow that awaits!