Carousel of Progress closing to make room for a new "thrill ride"?

[Enigma]

Yeah.
That was a blue-sky plan from a year or two back. Actually there were two concepts. One took out the CoP, the other worked around it.
Currently....neither looks likely.

This was of course the Incredibles E-ticket that would have used the robotic arm right? Im glad it got cancelled because Incredibles makes no sense in Tomorrowland.

 

[AEfx]

The U.G. went really down hill (pun intended) when they started to include that crazy man's rantings. I can't help but smile when I think of him these days though, every time I see his name now I can just see Disney security escorting him off the premises of Disneyland for illegally running a business within the parks.

Gives ya that warm, fuzzy, karma really does exist feelings. If I ever got thrown out of a Disney park I'd be so humiliated I couldn't show my face again. I'd feel bad for him if he didn't deserve it.

AEfx

 

[Lee]

This was of course the Incredibles E-ticket that would have used the robotic arm right?

Yep.

I'm not saying that the myth is completely true, and not saying it is completely false. But Walt Disney did ask his brother Roy to carry out his wishes, such as building WDW.
It could have been possible that one of his wishes was to keep the Carousel of Progress open.

Anything is possible...but not one person has ever produced even the slightest bit of evidence that Walt ever said anything of the sort about CoP.
In fact, it kinda goes against Walt's well documented wishes for the parks to change and evolve.
99.999999% probability it was originated by a CoP fan who was desperate to create an argument for keeping it open.

 

[Champion]

This was of course the Incredibles E-ticket that would have used the robotic arm right? Im glad it got cancelled because Incredibles makes no sense in Tomorrowland.

Not to mention that the Kuka system doesn't have nearly the OHRC that the MK needs.

On the other subject, I wonder how many of the CoP fans would complain if it was packed up and moved to the Walt Disney museum and set up more as a 'display' there rather than a rotating theater.

 

[AEfx]

Anything is possible...but not one person has ever produced even the slightest bit of evidence that Walt ever said anything of the sort about CoP.
In fact, it kinda goes against Walt's well documented wishes for the parks to change and evolve.
99.999999% probability it was originated by a CoP fan who was desperate to create an argument for keeping it open.

I find your feelings toward CoP interesting, Lee. I completely agree with your opinion regarding Space Mountain (gut it...rebuild) but am surprised you aren't in support of CoP.

I don't believe that Walt made any sort of declaration, and think that using "Walt would have wanted..." in any conversation without using direct, documented quotes pretty silly (and pointing out as you correctly did that we DO have him on record as saying they would always change and evolve).

However, I can't deny the historical value of CoP and think for that one attraction, with it's unique history, deserves to stay off the chopping block. Just one attraction, IMHO.

Others have called it "outdated", which just seems crazy to me - did we find out they suddenly invented electricity in the 1700's and made the attraction inaccurate? The last scene could use a few tweaks if you truly wanted to represent "now" or "the future", but the rest of the attraction is timeless by nature.

AEfx

 

[AEfx]

On the other subject, I wonder how many of the CoP fans would complain if it was packed up and moved to the Walt Disney museum and set up more as a 'display' there rather than a rotating theater.

If it survived in some manner I would be happy, even if I didn't get to visit it often.

However, it is currently the longest running American theatrical presentation ever, and I think just for maintaining that record where ever it ends up it should be operational.

AEfx

 

[Lee]

I find your feelings toward CoP interesting, Lee. I completely agree with your opinion regarding Space Mountain (gut it...rebuild) but am surprised you aren't in support of CoP.

The CoP is a problem for me.
True it has historical significance, that can't be denied. But I will never cling to a ride just for that reason alone. Well....maybe Jungle Cruise....but, anyway...

Updating the final scene won't bring it up to date. As it is now there is a HUGE gap between the final two scenes. Moving the last one further into the future only makes that worse.

As it is now, it hardly relates to any of the (many) themes present in Tomorrowland. It isn't a whimsical look at the future, nor is it a serious exploration of where we are going, or even a fun romp with sci-fi type characters. It's just kind of stuck there, treading water while the rest of the land evolves around it.

It would be better served by being closed in it's current state, then perhaps restored in a new incarnation elsewhere. Heck, add a secne or two and put it at Epcot. Or, yeah, move it to the Disney museum.
I would much prefer to see that space used for some new, innovative attraction.

 

[AEfx]

The CoP is a problem for me.
True it has historical significance, that can't be denied. But I will never cling to a ride just for that reason alone. Well....maybe Jungle Cruise....but, anyway...

LOL although it seems we actually agree more than disagree on this one, I have to point out that in my last post I almost said, "Heck, take the Jungle Cruise for all I care". That's a huge chunk of land that seems a bit redundant because of AK (you can see them for real there, just not in a boat), but that just goes to show you we all have our favorites.

Updating the final scene won't bring it up to date. As it is now there is a HUGE gap between the final two scenes. Moving the last one further into the future only makes that worse.

That's a great point. I'd be for even a regression then...I think the original spirit of the show could easily be maintained even if they did regress the last scene. It's a demonstration of progress, how we got from point A to point B, and I don't think it would be wrong to simply freeze B even though the original intent of the final scene was to be forward looking. The essence would remain.

As it is now, it hardly relates to any of the (many) themes present in Tomorrowland. It isn't a whimsical look at the future, nor is it a serious exploration of where we are going, or even a fun romp with sci-fi type characters. It's just kind of stuck there, treading water while the rest of the land evolves around it.

I'm neither a critic nor a supporter of the current "theme" issues Tomorrowland is having. I see it as a mish-mash, but as time goes on and you are correct that it seems to be going in a different direction.

It would be better served by being closed in it's current state, then perhaps restored in a new incarnation elsewhere. Heck, add a secne or two and put it at Epcot. Or, yeah, move it to the Disney museum.
I would much prefer to see that space used for some new, innovative attraction.

Then I can completely agree with you. Moving it to Epcot has always been one of my fantasies, actually. Not sure exactly where, but it could be done. My preference is for it to remain in operation, but I could really care less where. I'm just fine leaving it where it is, but I am by no means a zealot who believes that's the only place it belongs (which would be a silly assertion in the first place since it's not where it originally stood to begin with).

Glad I asked you for clarification and now know you aren't a CoP hater, just like I hope you know I'm not a CoP crazy, LOL. I just think of all the attractions, it should survive in some form. If they took it away from WDW and relocated it, that would just mean a few more roundtrips on the TTA each visit to Tomorrowland. I could live without it, but I think the show has an important message and historical value that really should exist somewhere.

AEfx

 

[mousermerf]

I agree with Lee... at some point we have to admit defeat and let it go. CoP simply is not serving its intended purpose. If we want to make it a museum piece, either send it to a museum or build one for it.

 

[Krozar]

Yah, the rest of it is timeless. It was very well made and even today I find the themeing of the different times to be impressive. It's too bad that the setup of CoP does not allow more scenes to be added without serious re-work (and probably having to make the current scenes smaller to squeeze in another) because 1940s to TODAY is quite a large gap. Would be nice to see a 1960s with references to space and whatnot.

But it's sad just how neglected it is. With the cost of operating anything of its scale in WDW, it just amazes me that nobody will just walk in there and AT LEAST drop off a laptop that appears somewhat modern. Simple fix to the most obvious piece of outdated prop. Heck, could even use a display laptop that the Kissimee Wal*Mart is looking to trash. If they want to go all out... 16:9 plasma/LCD showing Gummi Ships from Kingdom Hearts II It's not PS3, but it's better than what is there and it's a game that Disney already owns the rights to.

 

[Sabrefan14]

Its a great ride, one of Walt's last creations, and one of my Favorites at WDW, The song and story are great. Maybe they could update the last scene a little bit, but its still great.

 

[jmvd20]

I had been to WDW countless times prior to going on CoP for the first time a few years ago. I immediately said that it was on my must do list for every vacation from that point on. Of course I want to see it stay like it is but if they at least have the sets somewhere at WDW that would be fine with me... As long as "A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was played non-stop.

 

[Bratstarman]

Yah, the rest of it is timeless. It was very well made and even today I find the themeing of the different times to be impressive. It's too bad that the setup of CoP does not allow more scenes to be added without serious re-work (and probably having to make the current scenes smaller to squeeze in another) because 1940s to TODAY is quite a large gap. Would be nice to see a 1960s with references to space and whatnot.

But it's sad just how neglected it is. With the cost of operating anything of its scale in WDW, it just amazes me that nobody will just walk in there and AT LEAST drop off a laptop that appears somewhat modern. Simple fix to the most obvious piece of outdated prop. Heck, could even use a display laptop that the Kissimee Wal*Mart is looking to trash. If they want to go all out... 16:9 plasma/LCD showing Gummi Ships from Kingdom Hearts II It's not PS3, but it's better than what is there and it's a game that Disney already owns the rights to.

I think you are all making the same point but don't realize it. Everything I see here points to a Disney Museum, where people like you can provide loving care to old attractions. Most every museum lives off of volunteers, and this would be a way to make them look any way you please. It's an amazing concept.

 

[dizpins14]

I've always wondered if the Odyssey Restaurant could be converted into a new area for the CoP. I'm sure structurally it could be a problem and it doesn't really fit with the themeing, being in between World Showcase and Future World.

Maybe if a little more room was added to the Odyssey it could be turned into a mini Epcot pavilion. Move the CoP there to demonstrate Disney's origins in the Worlds Fair and how Epcot was created as a permanent Worlds Fair.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I enjoy CoP simply because it always makes for a nice nap! The last three times I've ridden it, I don't think I've made it through the first scene without dozing off.

 

[Mr Bill]

I've always wondered if the Odyssey Restaurant could be converted into a new area for the CoP. I'm sure structurally it could be a problem and it doesn't really fit with the themeing, being in between World Showcase and Future World.

Maybe if a little more room was added to the Odyssey it could be turned into a mini Epcot pavilion. Move the CoP there to demonstrate Disney's origins in the Worlds Fair and how Epcot was created as a permanent Worlds Fair.

Hmm... I think this has potential.

 

[Gatorboy]

It would be great to see it completely restored with original scenes (bring back the 60's) and mechanically updated. Maybe move it over to Main Street (expanding the Main St. Cinema building), where it makes more since. Bill it as Walt's '64 World Fair classic.

 

[ToTBellHop]

it'd be fine at Epcot (though I don't personally see them ponying up the money to move it...if it leaves, I'd guess it would be gone forever), but I do think it's time for it leave the Magic Kingdom. But, with all of the investment that will go into Space, I just don't see that kinda investment just yet. I think CoP still has several more years with us.

 

[Enigma]

COP, Stitch's Great Escape, Laugh Floor, and Buzz Lightyear should all be removed and replaced with new attractions (or 1-2 MAJOR attractions).

 

[CThaddeus]

COP, Stitch's Great Escape, Laugh Floor, and Buzz Lightyear should all be removed and replaced with new attractions (or 1-2 MAJOR attractions).

Why not just bulldoze the whole Park and start over?

*Note: I'm not advocating this in the slightest.