Carousel of Progress - NEW Rumor...

[General Grizz]

I just got a report in yesterday, stating that after crowds die down at the parks after Labor Day, the Carousel of Progress may have its last spin in October (2005). The building would remain closed for a period of time as sets slowly begin to get moved out. This would be several months after the kick-off of Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary Celebration (nearly as ironic as Progress’s closure during Walt Disney’s birthday celebration).

AGAIN: this is only a rumor.

Discuss - and contact Disney showing your support for the attraction, if you please!

====================================================
Disney loves hearing from its guests. TAKE NOTE: Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress is currently open. There are no planned dates for closure at this time. This attraction, along with Timekeeper, has been under consideration for replacements, such as the flying saucer ride.

EMAIL:
Walt Disney World Guest Communications: wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

WRITE!:
Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Mr. Al Weiss
President of Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 828-3464

Mr. James A. (Jay) Rasulo
President of Walt Disney Attractions
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Mr. Lee Cockerell
Executive VP of WDW Operations
1375 Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
Phone: (407) 934-7287

Mr. Dave Vermeulen
General Manager of the Magic Kingdom
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 824-4040

Mr. Phil Holmes, Vice President
Vice President of the Magic Kingdom
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Mr. Marty Sklar
President of Walt Disney Imagineering
1401 Flower Street
Glendale, CA 91221
Phone: (818) 544-7251

Mr. Michael Eisner
Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

 

[conntom]

I hope you are wrong I love Carousel of Progress I hope its
at WDW forever.



:xmas:

 

[phichi17]

As this is only a rumor, I'll not loose my mind, however the show does need a IASW type rehab with new tech for it to be a big draw again. I love the story, but the last scene needs refreshing. Leave the other scenes be, just update the AA's.

 

[KevinPage]

The building would remain closed for a period of time as sets slowly begin to get moved out.

Any mention of where the sets would be going?

There is always talk about the show building itself being soooo old that I'd be surprised if they kept that for a new attraction. Wouldn't they just rubble the whole thing?

And has there ever been any word from the "inside" that the attraction could be moved to Epcot or has all that been dreamt up by our internet hopes & dreams?

 

[General Grizz]

Any mention of where the sets would be going?

There is always talk about the show building itself being soooo old that I'd be surprised if they kept that for a new attraction. Wouldn't they just rubble the whole thing?

And has there ever been any word from the "inside" that the attraction could be moved to Epcot or has all that been dreamt up by our internet hopes & dreams?

Jim Hill has always said that some of the sets would be moved to Innoventions as a tour of the "house of the future."

As for the building, apparently it is being worn out and the costs to keep it operating - or to refurbish the mechanisms - would be tremendous. I would assume the same circuluar area would be used with a gutting on the inside of the building and perhaps the ride system.

I have no word from any source stating that the attraction would be moved to any other park. If Wonders of Life is demolished - based on leak damage Disney doesn't want to fix - I think Carousel of Progress, along with a great new post show, would fit quite well for families who can't experience Mission Space and Test Track.

 

[Shaman]

I always thought CoP would fit quite nicely right infront of SSE where the info screens and the fountains are....

Wasn't there a rumor still flying around that they were going to knock down Innoventions and replace those buildings with vegetation/gardens?

CoP and the gardens surrounding it would be nice.

Just my opinion. :lookaroun

 

[KevinPage]

Jim Hill has always said that some of the sets would be moved to Innoventions as a tour of the "house of the future."

Well if the attraction can't be saved, this is somewhat good news. Hopefully they keep the people and Jean Sheppard narration as well. It would be bitterswet no doubt, but better than nothing.

I have no word from any source stating that the attraction would be moved to any other park. If Wonders of Life is demolished - based on leak damage Disney doesn't want to fix - I think Carousel of Progress, along with a great new post show, would fit quite well for families who can't experience Mission Space and Test Track.

Good point, but I'd be MORE than pleaantly surprised if they actually did this though. I assume the actual costs would be prohibitive in their eyes.

I just wonder though if there is a way to keep the sets as they are, but maybe have it a walk through experience or some other way to lessen the maintenance issue of a rotating theatre.

I think Innoventions would be an ideal place for the attraction (barring them keeping it at the MK or placing it in its full glory at Epcot). It would show a tie to the "old way" and all the "new technology" of today. After all, Innoventions is about "progress". You could even cut out the final scene so it goes from the 1960's to today (the rest of Innoventions).

Again, this probably just wishful thinking as most guests don't really care or would even notice it's loss at the park. Yeah, on busy days there will be alot of people on the attraction, but most of the time if something is open, people would go on it. Doesn't mean they love it or go on it every trip. So Disney would really be plunking down some serious $$$ to appease of fanatics.

 

[joel_maxwell]

And has there ever been any word from the "inside" that the attraction could be moved to Epcot or has all that been dreamt up by our internet hopes & dreams?

that is my gripe...... if they are so concerned (probably one of the reasons) about getting a new attraction in tomorrowland, i wish they would just relocate CoP in a new show building with a major rehab were it wouldnt always be threatened by a flying saucer attraction. just makes sense to me.

 

[Boo's Mom]

I've never been on CoP........... :lookaroun

 

[Fran98765]

I never quite got the logic behind "open seasonally". I mean, I realize that it's not open at times due to cost... so why have the attraction at all? If it's too costly, that it's closed most of the time, then they should really put something else in that has a use. Having a shut down attraction most of the time is really a waste of space.

 

[Laura]

Something I really loved about Disney as a kid were all the "progress" rides....Horizons, World of Motion, Spaceship Earth, and Carousel of Progress. The Carousel of Progress was great about 10 years ago, but now it's rather outdated. I would love a new script and some updates with new technology, but I bet it won't happen.

I don't believe COP fits in the Magic Kingdom at all. It would have fit in great at Epcot before they removed WOM and Horizons. Now the only "progress" ride left is SSE and there's already talk about renovating that as well. That just makes me sad. Ever since I was a kid I've loved seeing the way technology has changed over the years on these Disney attractions. It's a shame that all the rides with educational value are disappearing.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I can't imagine that there's a hope in hell of CoP being moved to Epcot. If Disney were so keen on keeping it they'd just refurbish it and leave it where it as that would be far cheaper. If they close it at the MK some of it may show up around the place, but basically it'll be gone.

As I've said before on here, I do have mixed feelings about this. All in all, though, I can't believe that Walt would have left it there for so many decades. Even though it may still pull decent crowds on busy days, it's not a major draw for the park anymore, it's expensive to run and it occupies prime real estate (although so did the empty 20k lagoon for many a year).

Still, if it goes I'll miss it as it definately is a link to the past and in many ways has real historical significance through it being one of the most popular exhibits at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I really hope that they don't take CoP away. I am usually one who doesn't mind change, but there is no reason to get rid of CoP (especially if they are replacing it with something as stupid as rumored).

 

[Shaman]

What is rumored to replace CoP? :veryconfu

 

[Cynderella]

I PRAY this is just a rumor......I'd be heartbroken if they got rid of COP. As I've stated before on the other COP threads, COP is one of the few original rides left. I absolutly love it and I see no reason why it should have to leave. Sure its not as high tech and up to date but I guess that is why I love it so much. It makes me mad when Disney gets rid of their classic rides. I guess I just really hate change. And if its not a rumor......(which it better be!!!) it has to atleast stay open till Dec. so I can ride it one last time when I go at the end of Nov.

 

[conntom]

I have E-mail WDW I will Post the E-mail if I get one.

 

[General Grizz]

Wasn't there a rumor still flying around that they were going to knock down Innoventions and replace those buildings with vegetation/gardens?

Yep, that was being planned, but last I heard, it was cancelled.

Perhaps because they were looking at using Innoventions West as a queue and launch for the redesigned Spaceship Earth... but that story (potentially also cancelled) is for another thread. :lol:

 

[General Grizz]

that is my gripe...... if they are so concerned (probably one of the reasons) about getting a new attraction in tomorrowland, i wish they would just relocate CoP in a new show building with a major rehab were it wouldnt always be threatened by a flying saucer attraction. just makes sense to me.

I agree that it should still exist SOMEWHERE... and if Disney is looking for park space to put a new attraction, well, they've had a giant expanse called '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' sitting barren over over a decade...

 

[matt88mph]

Didn't CoP recently break the record as the longest running stage show in American history?

If that's so, why get rid of it now?

 

[General Grizz]

What is rumored to replace CoP? :veryconfu

Potentially a flying-saucer style ride, hosted by Toy Story's Little Green Men aliens.

Of course, a similar experience can be found at any local carnival or at Disney Quest.

Although CoP may be outdated - with the potential to be updated - where are the new attractions that prominently showcase the vision for the future/dreaming and doing (i.e. "If we can dream it, we can do it")?