Carousel of Progress' Future?

[genkav]

tomorrowland has seen huge changes in their little predictions and rides, but i guess that's to coincide with the times. i wish they would still keep a lot of the original stuff because it would be a great reflection.

 

[IrishFinneganFan]

I love this ride, but do agree it needs major updates.

I think it's most likely to happen now that they've opened the new house of the future in Disneyland. They will probably want to update it to reflect upon that.

Sort of off topic, I really want to see a version of the House of the Future in Epcot.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Sort of off topic, I really want to see a version of the House of the Future in Epcot.

There already is one, on a much smaller scale. The House of Innoventions is located in Innoventions East.

 

[IrishFinneganFan]

There already is one, on a much smaller scale. The House of Innoventions is located in Innoventions East.

You're right! I completely forgot about that. I'll have to check that out next time I'm in Epcot.

~thanks

 

[raidermatt]

I'd expect the rumors of CoP's demise to intensify in the coming weeks and months. Same thing happened during the last slowdown. The attraction did survive, but on a more limited operating basis.

We'll see what happens this time. It's an easy mark because it does need an update. I just don't think they would save all that much by closing it. It doesn't cost much to run it. It would also be pretty expensive to convert the building to some other attraction.

I have a feeling the final straw will come when something major breaks, and it will require a lot of dough to fix.

Hopefully it will survive and eventually get another update, but I have serious doubts that will happen.

 

[nless_dream]

well, i liked that ride but just think it needs an update on the last scene.

 

[Santina7707]

I feel that it would be a huge disservice to Walt if they took away one of the rides that was ultimately inspired and created by him. I personally love the Carosel of Progress and never get tired of it - it's one of those attractions that I always make a point to see when I'm in Disney. I do agree though that the last scene - the 80s/90s scene should either be replaced or a new scene should be added after that to reflect what Walt intended: the future. I think this would greatly increase the ride's attendance and revive its' popularity.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I love CoP as well and I hope it is one of those attractions that stays a standard. I too would like to see some update in the last scene. This isn't the type of attraction that will ever draw hoardes of people to it but a good theme parks need madly popular attractions and those that are not so much so. It is always good to go into CoP get out of the crowds and the heat and see something that is enjoyable for my family and familiar.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I do agree though that the last scene - the 80s/90s scene should either be replaced or a new scene should be added after that to reflect what Walt intended: the future. I think this would greatly increase the ride's attendance and revive its' popularity.

I love COP as well and totally agree that a new future scene would completely re-invigorate attendance!

 

[tiggermei]

I love COP and have always. Even my DD8 enjoys it.

As far as updating the last scene, I guess I'm in the minority. It's supposed to reflect life in the TWENTIETH century -- which ended 8 years ago. It's should get dated. It'll get more dated over time. I'm going according to the spiel at the beginning of the attraction that says that's what Walt's vision was. Of course, that's not really "Tomorrowland"-ish.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I was just reading on the WDW Magic forums about the various rumors regarding the future of CoP. Which raises the questions:

1. Do you think CoP should stay put?
2. What would you do to improve the attraction or increase its attendance?

and somewhat unrelated...

3. I seem to recall an attraction at TomorrowLand (in the 70s & 80s) where you walked along a ramp with glassed-in scenes to the left and right of how technology would improve our lives in the future. I recall being fascinated by it when I was 7 (1977) and amused by it by '85, because the predictions of future tech were so far off the mark.

Does anyone recall this attraction? What was it?

I love this ride. I have been going on this ride since I was 4 yrs old. This is Walt's baby. I don't think they could get rid of it. God I hope not!

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I feel that it would be a huge disservice to Walt if they took away one of the rides that was ultimately inspired and created by him. I personally love the Carosel of Progress and never get tired of it - it's one of those attractions that I always make a point to see when I'm in Disney. I do agree though that the last scene - the 80s/90s scene should either be replaced or a new scene should be added after that to reflect what Walt intended: the future. I think this would greatly increase the ride's attendance and revive its' popularity.

I completely agree! To me, this is the type of attraction that sets Disney apart. Many parks can have great thrill rides, but not many have attractions that can both educate and entertain the entire family. CoP has always been a favorite of my family, usually something the kids want to do several times. I wish there was a way to add back in the 60's scene (which I never saw) so there isn't such a huge jump from the 40's to the current last scene, and then as the pp suggested, add a new last scene to reflect current progress. Regardless, as long as it's still there, my family will visit it at least once, probably more, on every trip!

 

[RandFamily]

Carousel of Progress is a family favorite! We sing along with the music and love the antiquated nature of it. I have always thought they needed a 1960's scene, too.

Last time we went on COP we decided to stay seated in the theater to ride it again. We sat al by ourselves and waited and waited, then finally a CM came in a told us that we had to get out or the ride wouldn't move - we must have been holding up the whole ride!! Somehow there must be a sensor or something that told them people were still in there since there was no CM in the theater with us. We were very embarrassed and slunk out, but now we remember it was laughter!

 

[AuburnJen92]

Carousel of Progress is a family favorite! We sing along with the music and love the antiquated nature of it. I have always thought they needed a 1960's scene, too.

Last time we went on COP we decided to stay seated in the theater to ride it again. We sat al by ourselves and waited and waited, then finally a CM came in a told us that we had to get out or the ride wouldn't move - we must have been holding up the whole ride!! Somehow there must be a sensor or something that told them people were still in there since there was no CM in the theater with us. We were very embarrassed and slunk out, but now we remember it was laughter!

That's too cool! I would like for them to put the other song in there...I ride it every time we go. I just have to. Walt would have wanted me to.

 

[proteus]

Definitely keep, it is a legendary ride. Wouldn't mind an update or two though.

 

[troynkasey]

I tihnk an update with current information would be enough. I don't think you can get rid of it. It's not a thrilling ride, but it's something that should stay...

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

They would never take away the 2nd idea Walt brought to the 1964 World's Fair! That's like taking out It's A Small World

And I just went on it twice 2 weeks ago, and the show was full each time

I bet if they did a full renovation of it adding some new features it would greatly increase attendance

 

[bobtrombone]

Here's what I would do - take the last scene and before the lights come up on it have an announcer say "It was a great century, wasn't it, folks? Let's jump forward several decades and see what science says we'll be able to have in our homes!"
Then you could REALLY do some imagineering about future innovations. Then, after it's out of date in 5 or 10 years, you could acknowledge it and say "Isn't it great how the future always surprises us? Imagine what the home of 2100 will look like!"
On the way out have a display of artwork imagining the future.

I would like it to stay.

 

[wannabef]

That's too cool! I would like for them to put the other song in there...I ride it every time we go. I just have to. Walt would have wanted me to.

AuburnJen92, this is not so much a response to your post, but I found this strangely coincidental: I'm the OP and haven't looked at this thread in some time, mainly due to work. I logged on just now while my computer is busy rendering a Quicktime of a commercial I directed and edited... the latest Auburn spot! I think you and your fellow alumni are gonna love this one!

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

Everytime I go to WDW COP is a must! It's like a trip down memory lane. Although I do think that with all the new technology out there, it could use some updates to the animatronics and so forth. IMHO there is a lot that could be done to update this ride without compromising it's intended history or Walt's vision.