Carousel of Progress

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I don't keep up with the rumors of it's demise, (hope they aren't true) but I just have to say, that it's such a classic, and really fun. We went this past week and the whole theater sang along with the song!

Let's all try to visit it once a trip and maybe keep it open!!!

 

[alecam]

I'll be on it without a doubt on June 2nd!!

 

[disneydreamerinny]

Oh, I hope they don't close it.
I've only been on it once, the first time we ever went to Disney, and just loved it. The second time we went to Disney it was closed, only open seasonally.
So this time we go in November and we are really looking forward to seeing it again.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I really think that there might be something behind the rumors of CoP closing. Since 2001, CoP has been closing for long periods during slow seasons due to lack of interest. People just don't seem to be interested in the slow, old fashioned exhibits like CoP and HoP.
CoP is running into problems keeping updated, IMO. The show used to show American progress every 20 years. The first scene starts in the 1900's, the second in the 1920's, the third in the 1940's, and the last, which used to end in the late 60's, now jumps to 2005. The story needs a bridge between now and the 1940's, a scene that shows the 60's/early 70's. Unfortunately, the interest in the attraction only comes from people like DISers, who are WDW fanatics, and I don't forsee WDW adding an extra scene or doing any expensive overhaul on CoP, especially since they just updated the modern day scene in 1994. The average WDW visitor doesn't seem to be interested in the good ol' CoP anymore. Enjoy it while you can!!!

 

[elf]

I don't even care if they ever update it I love it just the way it is. I always go and check to see if they are running it the week I"m there. I've only been once when it was closed our entire trip, very dissappointing. The last time I was there I taped the whole show, thinking it might be the last time I'll see it. I wish I thought of taping Horizons.
Hope it's open in 12 days when I get there.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Like many WDW fanatics I love and appreciate the CoP. The song is addictive (second only to IASW). Just the direct connection to Walt is enough to make it one of my favorite attractions. Having said that, I agree that it makes sense for CoP to be on the chopping block. It is on prime real estate; it is need of updating (although I personally don't mind); it doesn't draw big crowds anymore. The times they are a' changin'. I hope whatever eventuially succeeds CoP is a worthy successor -NOT Buzz's Playground, Tomorrowland Pin Planet, or a Mickey in a spacesuit meet-and-greet.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Just the direct connection to Walt is enough to make it one of my favorite attractions.

I think that for that reason and that reason only, CoP is still around today. It would have been gone long ago if Walt hadn't had his hand in it's imagineering.

 

[Jalva22]

Does Disney mind if you videotape the shows? I'm planning to do that with my favorite "slow" rides if it's not out-of-bounds. It's been more than a decade since I've been to WDW and we're going this June. I'm already slightly disappointed that Horizons and World of Motion are gone. I'd definitely like to record CoP, Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Indiana Jones, etc. just as they are now.

Don't get me wrong though. The changes are just minor disappointments for me that are mixed in with a ton of excitement about being in WDW again.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Does Disney mind if you videotape the shows? I'm planning to do that with my favorite "slow" rides if it's not out-of-bounds. It's been more than a decade since I've been to WDW and we're going this June. I'm already slightly disappointed that Horizons and World of Motion are gone. I'd definitely like to record CoP, Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Indiana Jones, etc. just as they are now.

Don't get me wrong though. The changes are just minor disappointments for me that are mixed in with a ton of excitement about being in WDW again.

Sure you can, provided that they are for your own personal use. I don't think WDW would look kindly on someone profiting off of a video of their attractions.

 

[loriandmatt]

this also depends on the CM, but generally even if they say no videotaping but you keep your light off (some cameras have this option) you can tape it.

i personally have taped CoP - it turned out great. sit in the front row.

i tried PoC and Splash, but without the external light, they didn't turn out too good.

The only time i have ever seen a CM strickly enforce the no taping request was when folks do not turn off their camera light OR the one time on Star Tours. i guess that was because of the movement? (but who knows?) They actually announced several times for this person to stop videotaping and then stopped the ride and made this person stop.

- lori

 

[luv2nascar]

its a can't miss for DH and I. We will see it at least once or twice on our June trip.

 

[BostonRob]

Enjoy it while you can!!!

Well I can't. Everytime I get on that ride, I expect to hear "Now is the Best Time of Your Life", but instead I hear "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow". And I forget every time, so I keep getting on. But honestly, sitting through that half hour show without hearing "Now is the time, Now is the best time, Now is the best time of your life . . " just doesn't cut it for me.

I say bring back the old song or just knock it down.

 

[MissTink]

Well I can't. Everytime I get on that ride, I expect to hear "Now is the Best Time of Your Life", but instead I hear "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow". And I forget every time, so I keep getting on. But honestly, sitting through that half hour show without hearing "Now is the time, Now is the best time, Now is the best time of your life . . " just doesn't cut it for me.

I say bring back the old song or just knock it down.

What?! They changed the song??

 

[BostonRob]

Yes they changed the song. But now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure they changed it 10 or 15 years ago. Unless they keep going back and forth between the two songs (which might explain why I always forget that they changed the song).

When was the last time you were on the COP, and what song did you hear?

 

[jkh1978]

Well I can't. Everytime I get on that ride, I expect to hear "Now is the Best Time of Your Life", but instead I hear "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow". And I forget every time, so I keep getting on. But honestly, sitting through that half hour show without hearing "Now is the time, Now is the best time, Now is the best time of your life . . " just doesn't cut it for me.

I say bring back the old song or just knock it down.

The song playing now is the OLD song. They borought the original song back.

 

[BostonRob]

The song playing now is the OLD song. They borought the original song back.

Well then I say bring back the old new song. I grew up hearing

"Now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your life. Life is a prize, live every minute. Open your eyes and watch how you win it! Yesterday's memories may sparkle and gleam, tomorrow is still but a dream. Right here and now, you've got it made. The world's forward marching and you're in the parade! Now is the time. Now is the best time. Be it a time of joy or strife. There's so much to cheer for, be glad you're here. For it's the best time of your life."

As far as I'm concerned, that song is much catchier than the lousy "great big beautiful tomorrow".

 

[BostonRob]

I just did a little bit of research and while "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was the song when the COP was presented at the NY Worlds Fair and when the ride opened in Disneyland, as far as I can tell, when the ride opened in WDW in 1975, it was with the song "The Best Time of Your Life". So it would not be entirely inaccurate to say that "The Best Time of Your Life" was the original song in WDW's Carousel of Progress.

 

[Jalva22]

Well, I don't know what the original song was, but my only visits to WDW came between 1988 and 1993 and "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" is the only song I remember hearing. Regardless of which song they play, my favorite thing about WDW was always its optimistic view of the future. CoP's a big part of that, so I'd definitely hate to see it go.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I never miss it. Fortunately, it's always been open when we've been there and we go at off peak times, so I guess we've just been lucky.

But my DH and I are BIG on nostalgia...........my dad first took our family to WDW in 1978. He was always nostalgic also, so maybe the ride reminds me a little of my dad. Oh, lord, I'm going to start crying.............you know, this gets WORSE as I get older.......good grief!!