Get ready for a great big, beautiful tomorrow! Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, a true labor of love for Walt himself, has always celebrated optimism, innovation, and the American family. And guess what? This beloved attraction is about to get some amazing updates!

While its core message remains timeless, this most performed stage show in American theater history has evolved many times. Before we dive into what’s next, let’s take a quick spin back through its fascinating past.

To truly grasp the Carousel of Progress, we need to rewind to the 1950s. Walt Disney dreamt of expanding Disneyland, envisioning a Main Street, U.S.A. extension called Edison Square.

This square would feature a walkthrough drama, « Harnessing the Lightning, » showing how electricity and technology changed American family life. Edison Square never came to be, but the powerful idea at its heart — technology evolves, people stay the same — truly took root.

When Walt began creating shows for the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, he and his Imagineers transformed the « Harnessing the Lightning » concept into the Progressland pavilion’s huge hit: the Carousel of Progress.

This marked the debut of the attraction’s iconic rotating theater and its equally iconic anthem, penned by Disney Legends Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman. It was a massive success and a project Walt truly poured his heart into. It captured his optimistic spirit, showcasing his hands-on creative direction, right down to how Uncle Orville’s toes should wiggle in the bathtub!

After its run at the fair, Walt brought the show to Disneyland in 1967. It opened with updates, including a refreshed finale scene set in Progress City – a community of tomorrow inspired by Walt’s vision for EPCOT. Who knew then that this finale hinted at things to come? The Carousel of Progress moved to Walt Disney World in 1975.

At Magic Kingdom, the attraction continued its evolution. It saw new scripts, voice actors, time periods, and even full scene updates. For its first two decades in Florida, it even featured a different theme song, “The Best Time of Your Life,” before the original Sherman Brothers’ song returned in 1994, alongside an updated finale scene. Listen closely, and you can still hear “The Best Time of Your Life” playing as background music in Tomorrowland today.

We know the Carousel of Progress was designed to celebrate change. It never stands still. We, as fans, see how Imagineers continue Walt’s spirit of innovation and forward-thinking. So, what’s next for this timeless journey?

You might remember our big news from last year: Walt Disney himself will soon appear in the attraction! Thanks to the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology, Walt features in a scene inspired by his 1964 special, “Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair.” This is where he first introduced the Carousel of Progress idea and shared his unwavering belief in progress for a better tomorrow.

The team has had a blast sourcing and replicating props from that special, like the prototype Tiki bird, the Tower of the Four Winds model, and even a doll from “it’s a small world.” Talk about attention to detail!

This incredible opening moment truly sets the stage for the next chapter in the story of our American family and their lovable dog.

Beyond adding Walt Disney to the attraction, Imagineers are also updating all the scenes to new time periods! We’ll get to see what John, Sarah, and the family are up to as they navigate ever-changing technology in fresh decades.

One of the main goals for this update? To make the attraction relatable for today’s audiences. They achieve this by showcasing eras that guests have personal connections to. And don’t worry, the iconic “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” will still play as you transition between scenes!

Many of the Imagineers working on this refresh grew up during these decades. It’s been a real trip down memory lane for them, revisiting the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that shaped our history, all reflected in this family’s story.

What makes the Carousel of Progress so special is its reliance on physical props, painted backdrops, and practical effects. The team works tirelessly to ensure appliances and artwork perfectly match each decade. That’s real Disney magic!

When the show first opened at the World’s Fair, it looked back about 60 years. This new version mirrors that idea! It starts 60 years back from today, placing us squarely in the 1960s.

Picture this: it’s the summer of 1969. Our Carousel family, just like millions worldwide, gathers around the television. Their eyes are glued to one of humanity’s greatest achievements: the historic moon landing. This awe-inspiring moment perfectly captures the spirit of innovation and possibility that always defines the Carousel of Progress.

It’s the ’80s! A time where everything was bigger and just kept getting bigger. We find the family on Halloween Night in 1985. For the first time ever, Sarah takes center stage, sharing how all the new appliances and gadgets make life easier for everyone.

John is out on the porch, busy handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. And poor Uncle Orville? You’ll find him in the bathroom, complaining, “no privacy around here!”

As the ’90s draw to a close, our Carousel family prepares to ring in the new millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999. Amidst the excitement of the countdown to 2000, a new phenomenon called the Internet brings John, Sarah, Jimmy, Patty – and the whole world – closer than ever before.

And if your family is anything like mine, not everyone makes it to midnight! Grandpa has already nodded off before the big countdown, while Grandma sneaks the TV over to wrestling when no one’s looking. So relatable!

As our show concludes, we see the family one last time in the distant future, living in an out-of-this-world home. From a helpful robot assisting with daily tasks to space travel, this scene imagines a future where extraordinary innovation becomes part of everyday life. It truly proves that a beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.

To bring this new finale to life, Imagineers even looked back at original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, drawing inspiration from his imaginative vision of the future.

And speaking of looking forward, I’m thrilled to share a first look at the new attraction poster! It pays homage to the original Carousel of Progress poster created for its Disneyland debut. Just like the attraction itself, this design perfectly reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

To prepare for this exciting new version, the Carousel of Progress will temporarily close its doors starting July 6, 2026. We expect the attraction to reopen in 2027. So, mark your calendars!

I’m so excited to follow all the incredible work the Imagineering team is doing in the coming months. They’re carrying on Walt’s vision, introducing the show to a new generation of fans while truly honoring its history and heart. I couldn’t be more optimistic about the beautiful tomorrow on its way!