Is Carousel of Progress closing?

[Kaleigh]

I agree with Billy. The Carousel of Progress, though historic, does not need to look as though it hasn't seen maintenance in ten years. I think all he is talking about is making it the attraction we have all loved all these years, not a sad shadow if itself. Even the Sistine Chapel received renovation. And yes, people took issue with that, but to see it in person in all its glory is so much better than seeing it covered in ash and soot, untouched. That is how the COP is to me now. Whenever I go and see people who are riding it for the first time, I feel a little sad for them because they do not know how great it is/could be.
As far as the last scene goes, the problem with it is that it was attempting to portray the future, unlike any of the previous scenes which look back on times which have already taken place. I would actually prefer the last scene to keep with the pattern of one scene every 20 years and be set in the 60's. Or do the 80's. But what we have now, was NOT what Walt supervised and is not in keeping with the original intent. (I am specifically speaking of the last scene, lest there be any confusion)
One more thing: just because someone disagrees with me about an attraction or is critical of something that I love at Disney, I would never tell them to just not go. By being on this board at all, you are saying to me that you love Disney and are passionate enough about it to want to discuss it. Therefore, we have something in common, no matter how different we may be in life.

 

[Lewisc]

Kind of a reach comparing CoP with the Sistine Chapel. At a time when the MK was partially closed due to capacity I was able to walk on the CoP. We're lucky Disney isn't closing the ride. We should be happy it's running at all.

There isn't enough guest interest to warrant the kind of rehab that some posters would like.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

It's not disagreement that irks me, it's how the word "shell" was interpreted by Robo which launched a series of miscommunications. And then to be told that maintenance was unreasonable which led to my being told to go elsewhere. Those are the facts. If Bicker or that other poster who laughably accused someone of calling CoP the Peoplemover (I guess the poster didn't read the context) wants to break down the thread line by line - go ahead.

And Kaleigh, I love the Sistine Chapel comparison. This is a piece of Americana - a unique piece of art - and Disney possess the resources - audience demand be damned - to rectify it. Or to alter the operational schedule or to come up with something us mere armchair imagineers and theme park economists could never devise.

 

[p&tbrown]

It seems a little dated, but my mother remembers it from disneyland, I love the vintage Walt designed attractions, I hope this never closes!

 

[goofyernmost]

My last comment on this...

In an effort to be grounded and realistic in my expectations concerning CoP, I have this to say.

Economically CoP is no longer viable. It is outdated, non-thrilling and lame. Today's crowd wants their heart rate to increase, adrenaline to flow and will not be happy unless blood squirts out of their ears.

Realistically, as a business man, I would be a fool to sink any additional money into that attraction in an effort to draw larger crowds and bring cash into the Disney bank accounts. It's done, cooked, set the oven at 900 degrees, burnt crispy.

There are a few of us that have emotional and strong connections with that attraction, either from a personal point of view or from just a strong admiration and attraction to significant historical events. I'm not talking about flash backs in time to the 19th century but a true appreciation of the imagination, gamble and shear blood, sweat and tears that had to go into its creation.

Do we see its physical decline. Of course we do and we don't have to consult friends to confirm that decline. The damn thing is old, it's almost 50 years old. It's a piece of elaborate machinery that was built in a less technically advanced time and yet it still operates every single day. We would all love to see millions poured into it, but then what would we have? An updated version of a classic. Not really the original, but a NEW, NEW, NEW remaking of a classic.

Reality also dictates that there are not enough of us "admirers" of the past to motivate Disney or any other, for profit, business to invest any appreciable amount of money into its upgrade. I know that, you know that and the mere fact that it is still standing and still operating is a tribute to those of us that were so adamant about the importance of it as a historic starting point. To be honest, I'm not sure that, from what I have read about Walt Disney himself, it would still be standing. He believed in changing, upgrading and plusing. CoP would have been yesterdays creation, yesterdays technology and yesterdays child. It probably would have been gone a long time ago.

So with all that said, why do I not rock the boat and demand a better CoP? Because the fact that there is a CoP at all, at this point, is nothing short of a miracle. I am happy that it is still there. I am happy that I can see essentially the same attraction that I took my young children to see, so many years ago. I am happy that I can still sit in the seat and let the warmth of those memories flush over me again and again and again. I know that it will never be redone and as long as a reasonable amount of maintenance is done to maintain the integrity of the ride itself, I am thankful.

So those that wish to go on and on and on about the decline should realize that they are flogging a dead horse. You are preaching to the choir. We know, we realize and we see. We know that CoP isn't the attraction that it was back when it was new, we realize that money will not be thrown at it anytime soon and we see that it is what it is...an old attraction, maintained as well as can be expected under the circumstance and, above all, we appreciate that it is still there. This aging gem is still there for us to admire.

 

[seashoreCM]

Now CoP might be refurbished but thoroughly renovated and updated with all new scenes. The criticism from most of those who commented on this thread would continue fast and furious, stressing that CoP needs to stay original!

One ride I don't recall ever going on (perhaps I went on it once) was Horizons at Epcot. Someone a few years ago made a comment that it was a sequel to CoP. Does anyone recall whether it could have passed as such a sequel?

I could foresee CoP moved to a museum with stationary viewing areas in front of each stage. In an elaborate setup there would be videos of each stage's performance for museum guests most of the time and occasional live performances by appointment or for a fee.

OT: Other examples of mechanical exhibits with great sentimental value resurrected elsewhere and open to the public:

1. The Murtogh Guinness music box collection at the Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ. A few are played (live) for the general public, many are played on special guided tours by appointment. Donated; the museum built rooms, shelves and display infrastructure.

2. The Enchanted Village of St. Nicholas (life size dioramas), originally at Jordan Marsh (now Macy's) in Boston, the surviving parts (about a third) now at Jordan's Furniture (no relationship) in Avon, MA. The latter store's CEO purchased it at auction.

Idea for a fifth gate (fifth park). Vault Disney. A museum, hopefully not with decaying items as in boneyard (take the Backyard Tour at Hollywood Studios). Add some rides and it will become at least a half day park.

 

[Robo]

One ride I don't recall ever going on (perhaps I went on it once) was Horizons at Epcot. Someone a few years ago made a comment that it was a sequel to CoP.

Does anyone recall whether it could have passed as such a sequel?

Yes.

It was a very similar attraction (but not designed as a "continuation" of the same CoP story.)
It was a forecast of what living might be like in the not-too-distant future.

One of the more interesting things is that there was a reference to the music/song from
Carousel of Progress.
As your vehicle passed a scene, guests could hear the song from CoP being performed.

Both the original CoP and Horizons were each originally sponsored by General Electric.



.

 

[bicker]

Yes, indeed. Characters from CoP appeared in Horizons, and the context of the attraction was indeed what happens after the last scene in CoP.

 

[goofyernmost]

Now CoP might be refurbished but thoroughly renovated and updated with all new scenes. The criticism from most of those who commented on this thread would continue fast and furious, stressing that CoP needs to stay original!

One ride I don't recall ever going on (perhaps I went on it once) was Horizons at Epcot. Someone a few years ago made a comment that it was a sequel to CoP. Does anyone recall whether it could have passed as such a sequel?

Yes.

It was certainly a form of sequel, as in, after that this happened. It had the same upbeat theme, the same family situations, just connected further into the future. The theme songs from CoP could even be heard in certain areas. The only spot on the ride that was unimpressive to me was the ending. That is the part that everyone raves about, you know, choose the scenario that you like. It never was very clear to me what I was seeing or how it related, but that might have just been me.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

My last comment on this...

In an effort to be grounded and realistic in my expectations concerning CoP, I have this to say.

Economically CoP is no longer viable. It is outdated, non-thrilling and lame. Today's crowd wants their heart rate to increase, adrenaline to flow and will not be happy unless blood squirts out of their ears.

Realistically, as a business man, I would be a fool to sink any additional money into that attraction in an effort to draw larger crowds and bring cash into the Disney bank accounts. It's done, cooked, set the oven at 900 degrees, burnt crispy.

There are a few of us that have emotional and strong connections with that attraction, either from a personal point of view or from just a strong admiration and attraction to significant historical events. I'm not talking about flash backs in time to the 19th century but a true appreciation of the imagination, gamble and shear blood, sweat and tears that had to go into its creation.

Do we see its physical decline. Of course we do and we don't have to consult friends to confirm that decline. The damn thing is old, it's almost 50 years old. It's a piece of elaborate machinery that was built in a less technically advanced time and yet it still operates every single day. We would all love to see millions poured into it, but then what would we have? An updated version of a classic. Not really the original, but a NEW, NEW, NEW remaking of a classic.

Reality also dictates that there are not enough of us "admirers" of the past to motivate Disney or any other, for profit, business to invest any appreciable amount of money into its upgrade. I know that, you know that and the mere fact that it is still standing and still operating is a tribute to those of us that were so adamant about the importance of it as a historic starting point. To be honest, I'm not sure that, from what I have read about Walt Disney himself, it would still be standing. He believed in changing, upgrading and plusing. CoP would have been yesterdays creation, yesterdays technology and yesterdays child. It probably would have been gone a long time ago.

So with all that said, why do I not rock the boat and demand a better CoP? Because the fact that there is a CoP at all, at this point, is nothing short of a miracle. I am happy that it is still there. I am happy that I can see essentially the same attraction that I took my young children to see, so many years ago. I am happy that I can still sit in the seat and let the warmth of those memories flush over me again and again and again. I know that it will never be redone and as long as a reasonable amount of maintenance is done to maintain the integrity of the ride itself, I am thankful.

So those that wish to go on and on and on about the decline should realize that they are flogging a dead horse. You are preaching to the choir. We know, we realize and we see. We know that CoP isn't the attraction that it was back when it was new, we realize that money will not be thrown at it anytime soon and we see that it is what it is...an old attraction, maintained as well as can be expected under the circumstance and, above all, we appreciate that it is still there. This aging gem is still there for us to admire.

Now this is a thoughtful, beautifully written post. Cheers and many thanks.

 

[rocio]

I agree that they should keep CoP open at WDW, but they already have a history of finding
other uses for that kind of ride structure.

After the original CoP closed at Disneyland,
the building was first converted into another "rotating stage" attraction (America Sings) and
then it was used for CM offices for awhile, and
then it was converted into a Disneyland version of Innoventions.

America Sings!! One of my favorite attractions growing up. I saw COP once and that was enough for me. Probably because it doesn't have the nostalgia factor for me, but America Sings?!?!?! I would love to see that attraction alive once more.

 

[pikaboo27]

Oh, how I miss the COP. We mostly go to DL and COP has been closed for years and replaced with the boring and ridiculous Innoventions. It’s like someone said, “Hey, I know, let’s take a beloved but poorly attended attraction and replace it with a poorly attended 20 minute infomercial!” And I’m sorry, I love Nathan Lane, but his version of “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” makes my ears hurt. I don’t care how poorly maintained it is, anytime I make it to WDW, I head to COP right away. And I’ve been stuck in it for 45 minutes because people are too stupid to stay in their seats like they are supposed to. But that’s another story.

 

[goofyernmost]

Now this is a thoughtful, beautifully written post. Cheers and many thanks.

Thanks, I was thinking of becoming a motivational speech writer.

 

[Timchat2]

If the Carousel of Progress would ever leave, I think a natural place for it to move to would be The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. The Henry Ford focuses on progress and innovation in American life and the COP does exactly that. It would be a very nice thematic fit, although admittedly the logistics of such a move would be significant.

 

[yankeepenny]

I really think if Disney announced that CoP just might be leaving, a veil of protests would start.

It is in my top 5 favorite things about magic kingdom, even that tune" great big beautiful tomorrow" means something to me.

The way things in this world today seem, CoP is a nice trip back to simpler times. Maybe we could all use a little more of that.