Carousel of Progress "officially" closed?

[curiouser]

I got an email stating that COP has been officially announced as permanently closed. The emailer stated that he got the info from Alan Adams Kingdom Herald Podcast. I haven't listened to the Podcast, but I can't find any info to back this up.

I know theres been a ton of rumours that COP will be closing sometime soon, but has anyone else heard an "official" announcement?

I really hope not..

 

[TDC Nala]

No, and personally I won't believe anything until multiple sources say it came officially from Disney.

 

[grimley1968]

I don't believe it. CoP is too much of a direct link to Walt himself to close. However, I do think they need to close the ride for about 5 or 6 months and do some major refurbishment, as it really seems to be in major need of it. Maybe that's what they're doing?

 

[boomhauer]

Are you sure you're not referring to the Timekeeper? That recently closed for good.

I don't think they will ever close CoP. As someone else said, it's too close to Walt.

 

[CarolA]

Jim Hill Media reported this a few weeks ago. However, as the podcast I listen to (Inside the Magic) pointed out, there was no official announcement and Disney has been refrubishing the inside of the ride. Why would they refurbish just to close???

This comes up peroidcally, but until I see word from Disney I am not going to worry about it.

 

[JRawkSteady]

CoP is still running as we speak. They say it's open seasonally, but it's not. I believe it was mixed up with the Timekeeper which actually IS closing/closed permanantly.

 

[RyMickey]

There's always talk of CoP closing. However, like CarolA said, they are refurbing the seats and carpets of the attraction now. It seems likely that CoP won't be around forever, but it should be around for a little while longer.

That being said, Timekeeper is officially closed...and it's a shame that the Magic Kingdom's most underrated attraction has bit the dust.

 

[curiouser]

No, they are not confusing COP with Timekeeper. Though the email mentioned both closing, I know this person is a big enough WDWphile to not confuse the two.

I know COP closing rumors are rampant, which is why I was wondering if anyone else had more info. The fact that supposedly this podcast said it was officially announced as closing for good threw me off!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

C of P was open last week! I'm guessing they have it confused with Timekeeper?

 

[DeterminedOne]

Gawd, I hope it's not true.

 

[debster812]

We rode CoP on Friday the 17th. It was definitely open.

 

[Equidae]

CoP was alive and kicking Saturday night. Yup, I saw it. Timekeeper is closed though. Oddly, the map I got Saturday night (just to see for 'real') stated the Timekeeper was 'Temporarily' closed, but there was NO signage whatsoever by the attraction itself. We did take some pictures of the entryway and through the windows for old time sake (never know when it won't be there). But, yeah, CoP still running they are renovating the theatres one by one. If this is an official statement, can anyone post a link? I don't think anyone will. (At least, that's what I'm hoping!)

 

[-sts-]

oh GOd.. if it closed. there would be no point for me going to WDW anymore. That is the greatest attraction ever!

 

[JulielovesDisney]

It better not close! Even though it can get a little out dated and boring (gasp! ) I still love it! It's a classic Disney ride!!

 

[vertigo235]

I rode it yesterday, so it's certainly not closed now.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Just because an attraction is too closely linked to Walt doesn't mean it's safe. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is closed and Abraham Lincoln was Walt's childhood hero. WDW Today's podcast thinks COP will remain open as Disney is recarpeting the attraction.

 

[grimley1968]

Just because an attraction is too closely linked to Walt doesn't mean it's safe. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is closed and Abraham Lincoln was Walt's childhood hero. WDW Today's podcast thinks COP will remain open as Disney is recarpeting the attraction.

It needs much more than recarpeting. It needs the motors replaced that move the ride, or the gears, or whatever it is that sometimes just doesn't want to move. They need new drapes, new seats, some fixes for the AA's that no longer work, and they need to readjust the show so that there are 4 even chronological spaces between each show. We're getting to the point where it's 65 years or so between the 3rd and 4th segments. The point of the show and its format can remain the same, and the house can even remain the same, but I'd love to see some eras that are completely skipped over with the current historical spacing.

I hate to see Walt's ride become worn out, which it is becoming, both physically and with the show. I have to think Walt himself would heartily endorse keeping the show, and the ride, up to date. After all, it IS about progress.

 

[Randy K]

Yep they were confusing it with Timekeeper. They wouldn't spend $50,000 to refurbish it just to close it. It probably will close someday but with the refurbishment it should safe for at least 2-3 years.

 

[stampinshauna]

Just because an attraction is too closely linked to Walt doesn't mean it's safe. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is closed and Abraham Lincoln was Walt's childhood hero. WDW Today's podcast thinks COP will remain open as Disney is recarpeting the attraction.

Great Moment with Mr. Lincoln is not permanently closed. It is closed during the 50th celebration as that is where the 50th exibit and film are being shown. It is scheduled to reopen after the celebration is over.

 

[Matt]

My two daughters love it. There is honestly nothing cuter than watching my 3 yr old sing "it's a great big beautiful tomorrow" while in the show. We had people staring at her and commenting on how cute she was. I think we end up watching the show 5 times.