Has COP ever changed ?

[Mr Lightbeer]

Although we have been on C.O.P numerously we have always thought that there are now less segments on the ride than when we first went on in 91.How many segments are there ? and has it always been this number or are we dreaming?

 

[figmentcrazy]

I know that it has changed. I have an MP3 of the old dialogue. But I'm pretty sure it's the same number of segments. They just updated the ending and changed the dialogue to be a tad more PC (I'm assuming that's the reason they changed the dialogue as the old dialogue has some pretty ridiculous lines by today's standards). I think it was changed in the mid-90's...?

 

[WDW-Imagineer]

I'm pretty sure the segments have remained the same (numbers, that is).

 

[sillyspook13]

The only segment that was really changed was the last one. Also, the song was changed.

 

[figmentcrazy]

I just finished listening to the MP3 of the old ride again. The song is definitely the same, but the dialogue has changed. They also updated the last segment with the computerized oven and the VR game on the TV set, etc.

 

[MouseRight]

COP had a makeover several years ago. It brought back the original song from the New York World's Fair where COP originated in 1964. The song that had been used at WDW was different. The makover was to bring it back in line with Walt's original, which he personally supervised in 1964. The other changes noted above are correct. Some PC language and teh final scene was revamped. Actually, the final scene has been changed at least 3 times at WDW. When I went there on my honeymoon in 1977, it was different. Then in the 80's it was the one you are all familar with similar to teh one today but not exactly. Finally, the one now where teh stove blows up and the granny is playing virtual reality.

 

[racoonze]

The carousel keeps progressing

The original song was "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"

I grew up with the more recent version with the song, "Now is the Time." Because that is what I'm used to I prefer this song.

A few years ago they gave the ride a big redo. They brought back the original song but did a really lousy job rewriting the script. The lines sound very stiff and they don't really tell as much about the culture of the day.

One of the major themes was the subtle advancement of women in the workplace. The wife asks why she doesn't get equal pay for renovating the rumpus room. "You just iron the wrinkles out of my shirt!" the man responds. Now that sounds really offensive to the less intelligent. But those that realize that that is really the attitude back in those days, see it as a snip of the culture of the past. Then the carousel spins and the wife ends up as a nicely dressed professional woman with grown children. So because Disney's designers didn't want that one line and others to be in there they watered down the whole message of progress in the name of "Political Correctness" a term which I have grown to despise.

Well enough ranting. I miss the way it was. Napster was for a while a source for both recordings. If you get the chance, try to hear the "Now is the Time" version. It is much more fun.

rac

 

[Brett]

A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow was a better song for the CoP than Now is the Time, in my humble opinion...

 

[figmentcrazy]

Thanks racoonze! I wasn't aware of that extra bit of history...

 

[BJones82]

It is going down for another month long refurbishment soon as well so it looks like another update to the final scene

My next Trip to WDW  

 

[Wngo905]

Now is the Time.... to say 13 Year old thread
See what I did there?

 

[TubaGeek]

A fun fact for this ancient thread: since it's premier, Carousel of Progress has never gone more than 8 years without a major change... until 1993, which I'm pretty sure is the last time they dusted in there.

 

[marni1971]

93 was indeed the last major overhaul.

 

[Tobe]

A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow was a better song for the CoP than Now is the Time, in my humble opinion...

I prefer "A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" as well but that is probably just because that was the song that was being used every time I have ridden the ride. I have listened to "Now is the Time" a few times but it doesn't seem to hook me as much as GBBT. But ah well to each his own, that's what I say.

This ride also has my favorite unintentional dirty joke at WDW. At least I think it is unintentional. When they overload the fusebox and dad says that he blew the whole neighborhood, again! Wonder if Sarah knows!