We’re at Destination D23, and we’re getting lots of news about the future of Disney, as well as some updates to the parks!
Carousel of Progress
During a panel, Disney made the announcement that changes are coming to a fan-favorite attraction in Magic Kingdom. After three decades, Carousel of Progress is getting an update!
Coming soon, Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom will be updated with an animatronic figure of Walt Disney himself! The ride, which is named after the Disney company founder, will have a new opening scene.
©Disney
“We are grateful to The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney Imagineering for their continued collaboration and ongoing partnership with The Walt Disney Family Museum. The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future. We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive,” Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, said.
Carousel of Progress
We recently saw the first-ever Walt Disney animatronic added to Disneyland Park for the new show, Walt Disney — A Magical Life. Now, Disney World can boast its own figure of Walt!
Walt Disney — A Magical Life
Disney stated that more details about the Carousel of Progress update are coming in the future, including news about what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to. We’ll be interested to see if this means we get updates to the other scenes of the ride!
Carousel of Progress
Disney hasn’t yet announced a timeline for this update, so we’ll keep you in the loop as we get more information.
Carousel of Progress
We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more — keep your eyes out for updates!
In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
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I love this ride! Glad to know wdw is keeping it. Love the idea of Walt introducing the ride, maybe like he used to introduce the Wonderful World of Color shows? Just hope this upgrade won’t take years like so much else they’re doing!
Having been on the Carousel of progress lots of times could I suggest headrests be fitted to make my short afternoon nap and break from the heat just that little more comfortable.
Very excited to see Walt Disney animatronic come to this ride, and that it’s getting an update however I hope Disney does this right and does not change the theme song. It’s iconic and would be a major disappointment. My son is 7, he first went on it when he was 2, and fell in love with the ride. So if something like that can captivate a 2yo to constantly sing & play the song when we aren’t in WDW, there is no need to change it. But updates to the last scene and adding Walt to the beginning I think would be great 🙂
It IS a great big beautiful tomorrow!!! Oh I am elated to hear this! Ever since Dl got their Walt, I have been wondering when we would get ours. This is one of my all time favorite attractions! It’s something I can’t miss whenever I’m there. I have been waiting for this for 20 years, wondering when the next update would be!! Soooo excited about this one! ❤️
They have got to update the last scene. Not only is it not futuristic anymore, it’s old technology. I love this ride but would love to see an update… they need to be cutting edge like they used to be!
Thank you for all the heads up information you provided on your Web site. We are pixie pass holders and visit Disney World parks and resorts at least twice a month.
That concept art makes it look like they’re using Young Walt, which is awesome! I hope it looks as good in real life as it does here – unlike the “MyPillow” Old Walt that Disneyland got. Maybe they can retrofit DL’s version at some point (considering Walt was over a decade younger when DL was conceived and constructed!).
Now they are messing with Walt’s FAVORITE ride, one HE created.
I doubt he’d approve of this change.
The Destruction of Disney continues unabated.
I was just about to declare war, but I LOVE the idea of a Walt Disney opening scene!!! Just don’t touch anything else, Disney. Nada. You don’t want another Iago disaster.. .
I was hoping for news of a revamped last scene but I’ll take this as a good interim step.
About time they pay tribute to the man that started it all.
I’m so happy about this! I was jealous that Disneyland had an animatronic of Walt and we Dont! And I felt that opening scene is a perfect place for him!
Sounds exactly like Igor. Walt didn’t want animatronics made of himself so let’s make two of them. Is the Disney Corporation that tone deaf? And with the quality of everything they’ve made the last few years, we can be guaranteed that this Walt puppet will break down on a regular basis just like the one in CA. I really cannot sell my stock fast enough. The Disney Corporation has turned from a company I loved with a passion to a company I hope fails thanks to Igor and his BoD.
What are they going to stop dishonoring Walt Disney? Then I’m electronic is horrid.
Agree with Louise – would love to see an updated last scene, so fingers crossed! I’m also looking forward to the new animatronic so count me in!
The last scene was updated not long ago. I think the way they blended old and new is hilarious and wonderful. While I’m generally a ‘what Walt wanted’ supporter, maybe he thought an animatronic of himself while he was living was just not okay. Who knows what he would have said about something for his very loyal fans all this time later? I am so excited. This means life for CoP for a least a while longer! YES! Something original isn’t being torn down for once!
I have to say the NEW song “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” is not my favorite . I miss the old song “Now is the time”…from the 1980s. I’m old, I want that version back. Haha