Carousel of Progress up and running?

[nhdisnut]

I have heard that the Carousel of Progress is now operating and that it will continue to be open until the new Stitch attraction is open. I am hoping this is true because COP is one of my all-time favorite attractions and we will be heading to WDW in just two weeks. I had been bummed because I figured that the last week in April was not going to be busy enough for it to be running. Can anyone verify this?

I'm hoping, because COP is a true classic with direct ties to Walt himself!

Thanks!

 

[ligirlz]

Yes it was running last week when I was there so I think it will be opened the end of April when you go. I also HEARD that it will be opened while Stitch is being built but I don't know if this is a fact maybe someone can clarify it.

 

[danny1649]

I think COP will be open during your visit.It is one of my favorites to and may I add you know your Disney.Walt did plan COP from start to finish what a wonderful mind Walt had.Have a wonderful time at WDW and I'm hoping COP is up and you get the chance to see it.

 

[nitsirk987]

OK, DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHEN THE STITCH RIDE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE?? I HOPE NOT BEFORE OCT 16TH!! WE ARE HEADING DOWN THERE THEN AND HAVNE'T BEEN ABLE TO GO ON IT FOR A WHILE. I REALLY ENJOY COP, HUBBY TAKES A NAP, BUT I ENJOY IT EVERYTIME WE ARE ABLE TO GO ON!!!

 

[debm]

Why will it stop when the Stitch ride is done? Isn't Stitch going over where The Alien Encounter was?

 

[Uncleromulus]

We used to ride COP all the time when it was open "regularly", but in recent years it's always been closed when we were at WDW. THose times we were able to ride it, it was nearly empty--the CM's outside were literally begging folks to go in.
THis attraction dosen't go upside down, spin wildly, play loud music, or go 30 MPH. As a result, I feel it has been on the endangered species list for some time. If WDW thought they could get away with completely closing it, they'd do so in a minute.
All of which is quite sad, as this ride does have ties to Walt and the "old days".

 

[WDWLVR]

We did COP in December and loved it as always.

Sad to say almost the entire show was interupted by people talking and kids complaining how boring it was.

It is also sadly showing its age and hasn't been kept up very well.

Still it is a classic and one we love.

 

[got2lovedisney]

While we were on CoP last week noticed a patch-up job on the left hand screen in the 40's segment. It's right in the middle and quite obvious. Other than that, it looked fine.

 

[Hugpug]

I like COP but I would love it more if they would include the setting the way it is at Disneyland. I really like the one in Disneyland. If the both of them where in the same show that would be awsome.

 

[nhdisnut]

Originally posted by debm
Why will it stop when the Stitch ride is done? Isn't Stitch going over where The Alien Encounter was?

I believe that COP might be open more often only because with the redo of Alien Encounter they want to have more attractions open to guests...but that's only my line of thinking on this. In any case, I'm thrilled that COP should be open when we go!!

 

[OLT2004]

COP should never close.
This was one of the last attractions that WED was involved in and should always be kept open as a tribute and memorial to WED.
The same goes for small world...
Should it be closed for maintenence & rehab/update from time to time...Of Course...BUT IT SHOULD NEVER BE PLOWED UNDER!!!
What do you think?

 

[Stilgar]

I agree 100%, it shouldn't be closed. From all that I have read online, it was an attraction that Walt really put his heart into. I love roller coasters and flashy rights as much the next guy, but there is really something special about this one.

My parents always took me on this one when we had our summer vactions. Now that I actually live in Florida I haven't been able to go on it once because it is always closed

However, I'm headed there at the end of May and it sounds like I finally get to take my wife to see CoP for her first time.

 

[geniegirl]

I LOVE THE COP - JUST WISH THEY WOULD BRING BACK THE OLD SONG. NOW IS THE TIME...... I USED TO SIT ON THIS RIDE OVER AND OVER WHEN I WAS A KID.

ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET THE OLD SONG - 3

I TALKED ABOUT IT SO MUCH BEFORE OUR LAST TRIP IN 2000 AND WHEN WE RODE IT THE SONG HAD CHANGED. IT WAS MY PARTNERS FIRST TRIP AND I THINK SHE THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY SINCE MY SONG WAS DIFFERENT!

 

[Chuck S]

geniegirl,

Now Is The Time was a "New Song" for the attraction. Great Big Beauiful Tomorrow is the original song written and performed for the show at its opening at the 1964 World's Fair and when the show was at Disneyland.

Does anyone else remember the giant color organ opening scene from the Disneyland version? Very 70s, but much more appealing than some curtains with a logo.

I think an idea for a rehab, especially since they don't have the escalator exitway at WDW, would be to replace the final scene with its original 1960s version, and install a new short "final" scene instead of the curtains for an exit scene when the doors pop open.