Carousel of Progress' Future?

[disneydawn6]

I too love CoP and would be very disappointed if they closed it. However, I have read somewhere in the past that Disney was thinking of moving CoP from the Magic Kingdom to somewhere in Epcot. I wish I remember where I read this, I believe it was on one of the Disney websites. So if this rumor is true, and you don't see CoP in Tomorrowland, then head on over to Epcot

The original CoP was sponsored by GE. I think Horizons in Epcot was also sponsored by GE and the announcer in that ride and people were suppose to be descendants of the people from CoP. It's a great big beautiful Tomorrow was at Disneyland also.

I remember riding CoP at Disneyland. After the last scene it would turn the last time and instead of exiting the building, it would bring you to an escalator in the middle of the stage and you would ride it to the second floor of the building. Up on top was a small city of the future that sat behind glass. A recording would start and tell all about the different parts of the city. After it was over the door would open and you would leave by going outside the second story and walking down the ramp to the ground floor.

Oh the good old days!!

 

[PaulaSB12]

I hated COP. I would jump for joy if it closed, but sadly, I think most people actually like it. I don't know why, but they do. I doubt it will go anywhere, but I really hope they update it. That last scene was just brutal to watch.

You are not the only one, for all we know if Walt was alive HE might want it gone.

 

[ChrisFL]

The original CoP was sponsored by GE. I think Horizons in Epcot was also sponsored by GE and the announcer in that ride and people were suppose to be descendants of the people from CoP. It's a great big beautiful Tomorrow was at Disneyland also.

I remember riding CoP at Disneyland. After the last scene it would turn the last time and instead of exiting the building, it would bring you to an escalator in the middle of the stage and you would ride it to the second floor of the building. Up on top was a small city of the future that sat behind glass. A recording would start and tell all about the different parts of the city. After it was over the door would open and you would leave by going outside the second story and walking down the ramp to the ground floor.

Oh the good old days!!

Yes, that city of the future was Walt's EPCOT City plan, part of which is still in the Tomorrowland Transit Authority now at MK

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I love CoP. It would be a shame if they ever closed this show. I do wish they would give the last scene a much needed updats .

 

[Chuck S]

I think they need to keep the "idea" of the show, and the song, but basically gut it, put in the next generation of animatronics, so the movements are fluid, and have more time lapse between the scenes with a truly "modern" scene for the last scene.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I like COP... but it REALLY needs an update. THe problem is HOW do you update...

The best thing would be adding two rooms so that it goes 1900, 20, 40, 60, 80 and Current Day...

Or just update the end scene so that TODAY seems a little more... today.

Or maybe start in 1900 and go to 1930 and then 1960 and then Today.

Or start in the 40's and go from there...

ANYWAY, jsut some thoughts.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I've just gotta see all your houses..

 

[ChrisFL]

I've heard that COP was only supposed to show progress through the 20th century, in which case the final scene works (a bit)

 

[yitbos96bb]

I've heard that COP was only supposed to show progress through the 20th century, in which case the final scene works (a bit)

The last scene is supposed to show the year 2000 as imagined in 1994. And yes it DID work... but NOW that reality for the most part is more advanced than the last scene... its time for a change. The thing is you could get a lot of sponsor money for that last scene... get a branded plasma, a WII, iPhone, etc...

 

[ChrisFL]

The last scene is supposed to show the year 2000 as imagined in 1994. And yes it DID work... but NOW that reality for the most part is more advanced than the last scene... its time for a change. The thing is you could get a lot of sponsor money for that last scene... get a branded plasma, a WII, iPhone, etc...

Not if it's only representing the 20th century

 

[of the seas]

I thought they already closed this ride? We will be going this August, i hope it will be opened then! I haven't seen it since the 90's.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

I LOVE COP. I would be so upset if it was taken out.

I think they should make the last scene into two scenes. That way the "jump" of time wouldn't be so drastic. Of course I have no idea how they'd do that given the layout of the theater and how everything is timed together...


Interesting about the 20th century progress thing.

I just love the ride!

 

[wannabef]

I agree completely with the last poster.

Re #3: Are you thinking of RYCA-1? That was what you left when you got off Space Mountain. There was another way to access it if you didn't want to ride the roller coaster? The "framework" of it is still there - you walk along a conveyer belt. This may or may not be what you were talking about - I was born in the 70s, and was just a kid in the 80s - is that it?

RYCA-1? That's an abbreviation I don't know. I'll have to look it up. But, yes, that sounds like the place now that I think about it. (It's been a while.)

 

[wannabef]

RYCA-1? That's an abbreviation I don't know. I'll have to look it up. But, yes, that sounds like the place now that I think about it. (It's been a while.)

Turns out you were half right:

Originally the elaborate RCA Home of Future Living, dioramas along the exit ramp showed a dad in a patio chair engaged in a teleconference while kids inside watched videodiscs. In 1985 the area became the more spare RYCA-1 Dream of a New World, where robots built a pod city on a “hostile planet.” The goofy Federal Express FX-1 Teleport took over the planet from 1993 to 1998, as “teleportation units” digitized and transported alien fossils back to earth. Remnants of the FedEx scenes remain today, though the robot boy and dog have been around since the beginning. Originally known as Billy, the boy used to film guests for their television appearances on the Speedramp.

 

[lsytman]

I just can't imagine (though it's happened before) that they would take away a ride that is sooooo much a reflection of Walt himself! But you never know! I definitely think it needs a good strong rehab...the last scene is terribly outdated (roller blades, sweaters from the 80/90s and the kitchen is horrible) but I pray they never do away with this since it was an original Walt idea!! After all, I always leave WDW singing "It's a great big beautiful tomorrow!!"

Actually the original song at the end of this attraction was "Now is the best time of your life....." I am not sure exactly when they changed the song but my DH has been to WDW every year since its opening and the CoP is one of his favorites. When WDW first opened, you had to tear the tickets from a book for each ride.....boy, how things have changed.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Beautiful Tomorrow was the original song at the Worlds Fair..

When the ride moved from DL to WDW, they changed to "Now Is the Best Time" to coordinate with sponsor GE's marketing of the time..

It was changed back to "Beautiful Tomorrow" after an early/mid 1990's refurb.. (or there abouts..)

 

[jkp464]

I would hate to see COP go. I loved it as a kid (in the 70s) and I love it now. It's great entertainment where you can sit, rest your feet, and enjoy the air conditioning! Makes for a nice "break" without really taking a break.

 

[tikimimi]

COP should stay just the way it is - cleaned and repaired as needed. This is one of the crowning achievements of Mr. Walt Disney, and not only does it serve as a magnificent demonstration of technology of the era, his genius, and his priorities, it also serves to remind generations to come of how things were and an idea as to how things would change. What actually did change or didn't according to COP is just as much of a lesson. If there were a way to add to it without taking away from what Mr. Disney did originally, I'd say go fo it. But to change what he did in any way is akin to what they have done to PoC but on a much larger scale. WDW and Disneyland were built to be experiences - imagination and education meshed with oohhs and ahhhs. Thrills were not built as higher, faster, or more loopdeloops. Some of what Mr. Disney created should be left as is - COP is one of these.

 

[DVC Eric]

We love COP but they could up date the last scene.

 

[muppetkaties]

I LOVE COP, who doesn't wanna have "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow...." stuck in there head all day

I think the ride could use a refurb, but I look forward to that last scene, it's great to see what 2000 was envisioned to be, and who doesn't like laughing at the sweater and clothes!!!!