Change is in the air in Disney World, in case you haven’t noticed. Not only are some rides getting updates, but whole new LANDS are being built, along with huge expansions in the parks. Even Disney World hotels are getting in on the changes.
Disney recently confirmed ANOTHER big change that’s coming to Magic Kingdom soon: the classic theme park attraction, Carousel of Progress, will be getting an update!
During “The Happiest Place on Earth” panel at Destination D23, Disney dropped a new announcement about Disney World. The Carousel of Progress is getting a BIG update. After more than 30 years, the attraction will have a brand new intro…featuring Walt Disney himself! AND Disney even shared concept art of what this intro will look like, and yes, Disney World is getting an animatronic Walt similar to the one that debuted recently in Disneyland.
“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.
Theme park fans know that the Carousel of Progress has an impressive history. The idea for the attraction came from Walt Disney himself, and the Carousel of Progress made its debut at the New York World’s Fair in 1964. After its success at the World’s Fair, a tribute to the original version of the show found its way to the Magic Kingdom, where it’s been since 1975.
With this new addition, you’ll be able to catch a brand-new introductory scene and hear from Walt Disney. From there, the show will kick off as you follow an American family (and their dog Rover) over four generations of progress.
Disney teased, “There are still plenty of additional details to be revealed, including what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to.” The good news is that Disney confirmed, “Imagineers love this attraction and the heart of it will stay the same while introducing the Carousel of Progress to an entirely new generation of fans, showing them that a great big, beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.”
Keep your eyes peeled for more — we will continue to share updates!
In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
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What do you think about this news? Let us know in the comments!
Disclosure: We were invited by Disney to attend Destination D23. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.
