When I was a kid in the ‘80s, Tomorrowland was easily my favorite place in The Magic Kingdom. Attractions like Space Mountain, If You Had Wings, and the People Mover drew many repeat trips during our visit. Another must-see was the Carousel of Progress with its rotating theater and catchy theme song “The Best Time of Your Life”. Originally conceived as Progressland for the 1964 New York World’s Fair under Walt Disney’s leadership, this show is the quintessential Disney experience. It’s still a part of Tomorrowland more than 50 years later, but one glaring issue brings it down a little. The final scene needs help!
The last significant upgrade to the Carousel of Progress occurred in 1993 with a new script and a return to the original theme song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”. The largest update occurred with a brand new final scene. At the time, it showcased new technologies including a virtual reality video game and a voice-activated stove. These upgrades don’t seem so remarkable 23 years later, however. It’s still a fun scene, but the references need help. Instead of presenting an exciting future, it draws laughs and lots of head-scratching from new visitors.
I’ve developed five approaches that Disney could take to upgrade the conclusion to The Carousel of Progress. They range between minor edits and wholesale changes to the set-up. It’s easy to shoot for the moon with any wish list, but I’ve tried to consider budgetary limits of a show that doesn’t grab huge crowds. Disney did change the design of the building’s exterior, so they still care about this attraction. The attraction connects back to Walt, and it benefits the company to retain a show that received his input. They could market an upgraded final scene as continuing his legacy and even bring out their favorite quote to sell the change.
1. Minor Tweaks: The Car Phone Fix
The first method is the cheapest and simplest approach for Disney. The scene’s biggest laugh is when the daughter cites a car phone as the latest technology. She says this line: “You’re not going to tell us about the old days when you didn’t even have a car phone.” As someone who clearly remembers the wonders of this device, I understand the excitement in 1993. The simplest move would be re-recording that line to reference smart phones. We’d need a new actor to record the audio for the daughter, but that would be it. The grandpa does reference laser discs, so that could use a fix. We could also write that off as the old guy being way behind the times.
In a similar vein, just changing the virtual reality game would also pay dividends. Disney installed a flat screen TV more recently, but they didn’t change the simple game. It wouldn’t take a huge investment of time and money to upgrade the graphics and complexity of this video. If they don’t want to re-record all the audio, Disney could design the game to fit the dialogue. While neither of these tweaks would make a huge difference, it would be a start. We can’t underestimate how just a few significant changes might fix the dated feeling of this scene.
2. A Futuristic Look
Another option is revamping the set design, which doesn’t scream the future. Along with updating devices and furniture, Imagineers could use the windows in the background to sell an optimistic world on the move. This wouldn’t require a considerable shift in time or major script changes. The tweaks that I mentioned above could also help, but those issues would stand out less with a modern design. It’s telling that I remember very little about the décor.
The current final scene definitely offers the “open concept” kitchen that’s so common on HGTV. Even so, it needs more to signify that we’re in a marvelous technological world. It’s a traditional holiday gathering for an upper-class family, but it needs something more. Unlike the other three scenes, there are no cuts to other rooms from within the house. This fact makes the setting more important, and this space could use a lot of help.
3. This Show Needs a Script!
The first two methods focused on the surface level of the final scene. Now it’s time to get serious. The best way to improve the conclusion is to start from scratch. If Disney wants to use the same animatronics and sets, they could write a new script. The trick is hiring voice actors to perform the material. It would also still need to sync with the scene’s current elements. I like this idea because it removes most of the main issues. If possible, I’d find a way to minimize the joke of the burnt Christmas turkey. Of course, that would require more than just script changes.
What I love about Disney’s vintage attractions is the way they don’t fit into a conventional box. Even more popular rides like The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean don’t take the safe path. The Carousel of Progress is a goofy attraction, but the final scene veers too much into a cheesy mess. The feeling we’re left with is the dullness of the family. The other three scenes are hardly perfect, especially with their gender roles. Even so, they had a little oddness that’s missing from the end. A refreshed script would connect this scene better to the others and hopefully bring a little edge to this extremely standard American family.
4. A Distant Future
This is my favorite idea of the bunch, though it’s very unlikely. I’d love to see Disney blow up this scene and start over completely. Instead of trying to present today or the near future, why not fast forward a long way? It would essentially mirror the family in Horizons and its future of space travel, floating cities beneath the sea, and desert habitats. They could discuss all the opportunities that now exist because of technological advances. It would be a brilliant way to connect with the beloved EPCOT Center attraction and Walt’s idea of an optimistic future.
Another benefit of this choice is not worrying about the scene being out of date in 10 years. It’s hard to predict the small upgrades on the horizon, but it’s clear we won’t all be living in space anytime soon. I’d love to see Disney make a leap and try something grand. Few people are clamoring to keep the current scene; why not set a different standard? They could use the latest projection technology to present a believable city in the windows behind this scene. The family would still be celebrating the holidays, but in a stunning environment.
5. The Classic Version
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Disney could hearken back to the original Progressland and match the final scene from 1964 (or at least 1967). It wouldn’t be an exact replica; the many GE references would be replaced. Imagineers could also tweak any dated ideas of the time. Many people have a real interest in the New York World’s Fair and the Disney attractions that were part of it. Disney could make the Carousel of Progress a museum piece to show what Walt accomplished. They already renamed it Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, and this move would follow that set-up and honor the past through a modern update.
Ten years ago, I would not have guessed that the Carousel of Progress would still be operational in 2016. I was thrilled to introduce my daughters to a show that I loved as a kid. Even so, there’s room for improvement. Beyond just fixing the final scene, Disney needs to give more attention to the entire show. The décor, animatronics, and sound could use a boost. Painting the outside walls is a start, but there is a lot to do inside. Tomorrowland needs a refresh, and enhancing one of Walt’s favorite attractions would fit perfectly in that project. I’d love to see what Imagineering could do with even a modest budget to present a great big beautiful tomorrow once again.
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I agree the final scene needs an update. I too Love this and very time in the World I have to visit it.
Me too. I’m more concerned they’ll just close it rather than updating the last scene. Thanks for the comment!
There is too much time to cover in only four scenes now. What worked in the 1960s cannot work in the 2010s, assuming the goal is still to document progress from the beginning of the 20th century.
The most elegant solution would be to renovate the “fourth scene” (future) into a 1980s scene (which it half-way feels like already) and to turn the closing monologue / off-load scene after into a proper future scene set in the 2030s or 2040s.
(You’d have to extend the intro scene by a few minutes to accommodate the added length — perhaps lengthen the speech or add a pre-show track.)
I like your idea if we set aside the logistics of changing the show’s length from an operations perspective. It does feel like there’s currently a big jump from the ’40s to “today”. The show is also set up now to match four holidays, though I guess a fifth scene could go back to New Year’s Eve (which has been used in the past). It’s a fun idea to ponder, even if the odds are minimal that it would happen.
I think that your proposal is exactly right, i.e., have the fifth scene be set on New Year’s Eve (or Day). That would fit well with the concept of the scene being in the future — the whole “start of a new year” idea.
One of the reasons I’m not too troubled by the operations impact of this proposed renovation is that Carousel now operates consistently under-capacity. It’s an under-utilized people eater of an attraction. (We aren’t, in other words, talking about Toy Story Midway Mania here.) So I don’t think the impact of adding an additional 5 / 7 / 9 minutes to the ride would significantly affect crowd flows, even if there were an attendance bump following the renovation.
I agree that, at least in this era, the odds of this happening are minimal (primarily because it would be the most costly option). But that doesn’t mean that I don’t think it’s the best option if we wanted to best prepare the attraction for the coming decades. And who knows, maybe the next CEO after Iger will go crazy with CAPEX. I’ll get my proposal ready 🙂
Anything could happen like you say. Universal is really putting the pressure on Disney and isn’t showing any signs of letting up soon. It would take a lot more in terms of lost market share for Disney to start making changes all over the place. The updates you describe are the type that would get more interest than just a few minor tweaks. I’m still skeptical, but it’s fun to consider the possibilities!
I always make a point to ride COP when I go to Disney World because I’m certain it will be closed down before my next visit. But surprisingly it’s still there!
I read a rumor that COP would close for a few days in late July so they might be giving the final scene a mild refresh. Change the TV and video game, put a smart phone in the daughters hand, switch-out the furniture and appliances, give mother an iPad, etc…
If Disney could lure in a sponsor the atrraction could be given a proper overhaul. Maybe they could get a company like Honeywell to show how the entire home can be integrated and controlled from a handheld device, giving the final scene a more current feel.
It’s too bad that a sponsor is probably needed for major changes, but I think you’re right. The odds aren’t great that it would happen, though. I would like to see even minor updates, though the dialogue would still be tough to overcome. Still, it would show that Disney is trying.
If they’re going to do anything to it, I think they should really invest in major changes, otherwise it’s not worth it. Minor changes to the final scene are an acceptable “Band-Aid” for a few years, and could be incorporated into the budget of a full refurb, but I’d rather see a complete revamp.
That makes sense. I’d love to see them do a refurb that’s true to the original concept but uses modern enhancements. Despite some major expansions that are happening like Star Wars, Disney has been pretty conservative with updating attractions lately. It would be great, but I don’t see it under the current leadership.
I like the idea of adding a fifth scene. One idea I have is to have the family living in the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The script for the final scene was written many years ago and spoken by Walt himself.
Given the way Epcot the theme park is going, it would be really cool to go back and reference Walt’s original idea for EPCOT. I like it! It would connect well to Walt and also be something cool and unique that wouldn’t be outdated quickly.
I know that this thread is a bit old but wanted to chime in… I think the best way to update the carousel is to make the time between scenes 40 years, so you would start with 1900, then 1940 then 1980 and finish with 2020… Disney would only have to create two new scenes as 1900 and 1940 are already there, they would just move 1940 into the second slot and eliminate 1920… that would make the ride feel current!
It’s an intriguing thought, especially since Disney had a final scene that was set around 1980 in the ’70s version in Walt Disney World from what I remember. I do think that pushing the final scene into the future is a good idea, though of course 2020 is just a short time away. We’d need even that scene to look forward at technologies that are on the edge now. It could work. Thanks for the comment!
I think its time to revise the entire show. I’m working on a concept that starts in Spring of 1964 (incorporating Walt’s importance to the World’s Fair, Summer- Mid 80’s, Fall early 2000’s, and New Years 2064.
Here are some of the ideas
http://www.trenchb.com/disney.html
My quick thoughts for re-inventing the Carousel of Progress, after experiencing it last week, March 2018, as I had the same thoughts as you about the confusing last scene. It was one of my favorite attractions when I first visited Disne World in 1985 as a 10 year old. How we have progressed recently is in bringing technology to people with disabilities and to those we once excluded based on race, color, gender, age, creed, and sexual orientation, and in making the old new again and in re-using, repurposing, and recycling. How about a final scene set in 2018 in a renovated shot-gun style house with open concept kitchen, beautiful hardwood floors, reclaimed wood, hand-crafted artwork from African and Native Americans and otheres, recycled milk jug artwork; a home filled with extended family and friends of all different backgrounds, some with disabilities (and the technology that aids them – voice activation, seeing-eye dog, braille, scooter) and a breastfeeding mother. What I most noticed in visiting Disney World in 2018 is the diversity, including the number of people with disabilities who are able to experience the Magic, the joy, of imagination and play, and of what my wife and many others call “the happiest place on earth.”
Craig, interesting points about incorporating diversity into the Carousel of Progress! I like the idea and would love to see it in a new scene. I might veer towards depicting the future beyond 2018. My worry is that it would again seem out of date in a few years. Still, I’d be open to anything if Disney made any updates. Thanks for the comment!
Dan, I am glad you like my suggestion about including diversity in a contemporary scene. I agree with you about depicting a new future. I envision a home that uses 100% renewable energies; produces zero waste; lets the outdoors in; and has an indoor/outdoor garden that supplies fresh fruits/berries/vegetables and clean water year-round.
There are so many cool options for depicting the future! I think Disney may get there eventually, but right now they’re so locked into all the new attractions. It’s going to be tough for them to find the time (and the money) to make any updates, sadly.
For the time being, just put masks on every one in the final scene. Easy peasy and inexpensive.
If nothing else, it would help with the smoke when John burns their dinner! And the comments on “laser discs” and “car phones” would magically disappear. Brilliant!
Disney paid a lot of money for Star Wars… maybe put the final scene in the Star Wars Universe?
Sure, I guess. On the other hand, it does take place “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away…”, so I’m unsure if that really fits with progress. But weirder stretches have been made at the parks, so you never know!
I personally really like the idea of building something more in keeping with the 1964 (or 1967) version. I’ve always preferred Christmas being the only holiday in the show because I’ve personally always thought the other holidays were a little forced. Also, the sleek, mid-century futuristic design of the final scene would probably be a big hit, especially if they added the original concept for EPCOT in the window of the scene.
Aaron, I also really like that idea, and it’s grown on me even more the last few times I’ve ridden it. I would love having the concept of EPCOT in the window, and it would eliminate the need to try and match modern technology every time. I also think it might secure the attraction’s future by having it connect to the ’60s and the classic days under Walt. They already started that a bit with the video and even adding “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”. This would just continue that process and make it more like a museum piece than an attempt to chronicle the future.