COP goes to Washington

[niteobsrvr]

The Carousel of Progress is often the topic of discussion on these boards especially related to the fact that it isn't open that often any longer.

This got me to thinking of a way the ride could be open day in and day out year after year without the worry of profit and loss etc. The only solution I could think of would be to move it to the Smithsonian Institution.

I know there are many people on here that say the ride belongs at a Disney Park and that is all there is to it. But it seems to me, that the inevitable is going to happen one day. It will either never open again and remain idle for years to come or worse it will be dismantled and stored somewhere.

It is my personal feeling that this ride is a part of American History both from the standpoint that it was a World's Fair exhibit and it was one of Walt's creations. Wouldn't it be more suitable for it to take up residence at the Smithsonian somewhere as a way to represent American History, the legacy of Disney, and also the state of the art in Amusement Attractions for the time period?

It sure seems to be a better alternative that letting it get dust covered from in-operation or worse moth-balled. Moving it to Washington would allow countless numbers of people to enjoy something that could very easily be considered a National Treasure.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Well, i wouldnt mind seeing it at the smithsonian - it'd be a lot closer. But i forsee one lil problem - where the hell you gonna put it? You been there lately? The place is friggin packed!

 

[niteobsrvr]

Originally posted by PhotoDave219
Well, i wouldnt mind seeing it at the smithsonian - it'd be a lot closer. But i forsee one lil problem - where the hell you gonna put it? You been there lately? The place is friggin packed!

LOL, well there always seems to be room for just one more thing in my house. LOL, maybe the Smithsonian has the same situation.

In all honesty, I don't have a clue but I bet if enough people put their heads together, a solution could be worked out.

 

[mickey04]

I reluctantly voted yes that I would like to see it in the Smithsonian... someday. I don't know- I guess I'm just one of those people who thinks its perfect where it is now. Something about it just embodies the spirit of Walt Disney World and even Disney itself, even if it is outdated, and I don't think it would give me the same feeling if it were somewhere else. However, I also have to be a realist and accept the fact that Disney will not keep CoP forever. So, as an alternative to closing and being dismantled, I would want it put in some sort of museum like the Smithsonian- it would be an excellent fit for the American History Museum. But if it could remain in Tomorrowland at WDW forever (and open), then I would prefer to keep it there. I love it and it is as much a part of the WDW experience for me as anything.

 

[MKCustodial]

Here's how I see it. People who don't like CoP tend to say the following:

- "Of course it's always closed, nobody ever rides it!" - Duh, if it's always closed how do you want people to experience it? As Grizz and others have stated many times, Disney never did a good job on advertising CoP like they do with many of their other attractions, including "old" ones like Jungle or Pirates.

- "The only people who'll miss it are Disney enthusiasts like us, the average WDW Guest won't even know it's gone." - In my mind, the "average WDW Guest" is like my cousin who went only once and probably will never return. Sure there are many families in the US who try to go as often as every 2 years, but I wouldn't call them average, I'd call them fans. And I just don't think there's a true fan out there who can say CoP is a bad attraction or that it needs to go simply because it's old. Sure, tons want Spaceshipe Earth to go and Time Racers to come in, but can you really be so quick as to ask for the death of Caroussel of Progress??

All in all, we've heard about the maintenence difficulties, its engine, its age is showing and all that. But I'd say keep it where it belongs even if in 10 years it becomes a walk-on attraction for Guests to see how the "old show used to be".

 

[netenyahoo]

I think it is a good idea to move it. I am sure WDW wants that space for a new ride and moving it would save it. I am sure the Smithsonian can find some place for it. CoP is an American treasure. It was at the World's Fair then at Disneyland then WDW. It could be preserved for many generations to come. Maybe this way too I could actually get to see it.

 

[Walter]

CoP is a Disney treasure, and, therefore, should be kept at WDW. I know that it's not open often, but it should be. It would be on the same level as closing IASW, which would never happen.

 

[miles1]

Lets see here...

COP: Building where plastic people go around and around saying the same things over and over again without really getting anywhere.

U.S. Capitol Building: Building where plastic people go around and around saying the same things over and over again without really getting anywhere.

Sounds like a good fit to me!

But seriously, if Disney does ever decide to dismantle or mothball the COP, I think your idea about the Smithsonian is great. (Let's hope they never do.) But at least the Smithsonian would preserve it for the symbol of Walt's imagination that it is and make it accessible for a lot more people.

 

[markc]

This would never happen, for two reasons...1. Lack of Space; 2. Lack of funds. The Smithsonian and other landmarks in Washington DC have been suffering from lack of sufficient funds for quite sometime..the cost to move the COP, build a special building for it, and operate it would be way out of their budget. It's a nice thought, but an impossible one at that.

 

[ArsonWinter]

Move CoP to Epcot!

Really... although historical, it belongs in the one park that can do it justice. At the MK, CoP was out of place, and that's why it seemed "outdated," but in Epcot, and with a few coats of paint, it could be a real crowd pleaser.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by mickey04
I reluctantly voted yes that I would like to see it in the Smithsonian... someday. I don't know- I guess I'm just one of those people who thinks its perfect where it is now. Something about it just embodies the spirit of Walt Disney World and even Disney itself, even if it is outdated, and I don't think it would give me the same feeling if it were somewhere else. However, I also have to be a realist and accept the fact that Disney will not keep CoP forever. So, as an alternative to closing and being dismantled, I would want it put in some sort of museum like the Smithsonian- it would be an excellent fit for the American History Museum. But if it could remain in Tomorrowland at WDW forever (and open), then I would prefer to keep it there. I love it and it is as much a part of the WDW experience for me as anything.

my exact thoughts! nice post, mickey04!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Originally posted by markc
This would never happen, for two reasons...1. Lack of Space; 2. Lack of funds. The Smithsonian and other landmarks in Washington DC have been suffering from lack of sufficient funds for quite sometime..the cost to move the COP, build a special building for it, and operate it would be way out of their budget. It's a nice thought, but an impossible one at that.

Not quite chief. The smithsonian might be facing a reduced federal budget but they're making it up in private donations from huge corporations. You been to American History or Natural History lately, or diven past the construction of the Annex on out on 28? All the recent renovations and exhibits seem to me that theyre doing fine financially.

While i dont have the time to sit and pull up their budgets from the past 5 years, i assue you theyre doing fine finanacially.

However, the Smithsonian really doesnt have much room to add new stuff in any of their exisiting museums. And unless Disney was going to give a donation to add a special building for it, i really dont think that they can find a spot for it. American History just doesnt have the room.

 

[A Kind Of Magic]

Don't Destroy The Magic!

Don’t Close CoP.

What ever the reason just don’t destroy it!

Okay shut it down for repairs or what ever but don’t bull doze it into atoms like they did Horizons hosted by GE.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Re: Don't Destroy The Magic!

Originally posted by A Kind Of Magic
Horizons hosted by GE.

Horizons presented by GE