Here's a question I hope someone can help me with:
I was born Dec 5th, 1962 and I remember going on the Carousel of Progress at the New York World's Fair. I remember being very impressed at the people "appearing and disappearing"; I don't remember much else about the World's Fair. I'm assuming that it was in the summer of 1964, so I would have been less than two years old at the time. Does anyone know the actual dates that the New York World's Fair ran?
If I'm right, than seeing Carousel of Progress would have to be my earliest memory. Maybe that's why I drag my wife on it every time we're in WDW.
I saw the COP when I was 6 years old, at Disneyland in 1967. I was chuckling at this quote because I would have described my memories the exact same way. People appearing and disappearing, and also the big turning theater. The COP is part of the reason that I am so hooked on Disney.
The next time that I was at Disneyland was in the spring of 1975. I had been looking forward to seeing the COP again. Imagine my surprise when it was America Sings! I really liked that show too, but was disappointed that it wasn't COP.
Then later that same year I was at WDW for the first time. Holy smokes! COP was there! WOW! I didn't remember the song well enough to realize that it had changed, but was soooooooo excited to see the "big girl" spinning and singing!
I didn't visit WDW (or Disneyland) again until I took MY family to WDW in 1998. We rode COP several times, and my kids (particularly my daughter who is now 17 years old) became "hooked" as well. She often describes COP as the one attraction that cannot be missed. She sings the song to her friends (cool teenagers!) when she describes her now ANNUAL visits to WDW. My othe kids love the attraction too. The few times that it has been closed during our visits in recent years have been big disappointments.
I really think the attraction is still relevant in today's world. I mean...my kids LOVE the thing. Everyone who I have taken on it over the past 8 years (lots of folks!) has enjoyed the attraction. Yes it needs an update and some serious TLC. But it is PURE Disney magic. Just the right combination of elements to hit the "sweet spot" for families. A theme song that seems to fit today as well as yesterday. (Not an easy thing to do......look at some of the songs that if sung today get condemned by kids).
Are the counts down? I see the theater 1/2 to 3/4 full whenever I ride it. Even when the park is slow. I hear people singing the song as a group and laughing about their experience. I know that I am an easy target because of the connection to my youth, but sometimes these classic attractions just need a little care to be relevant again. Look at how popular the Tiki Room is at Disneyland these days! They completely rebuilt the attraction but kept (mostly) the original show, and it is packed all day!
There is a real business case that can be made to keep COP. I hope they stop this "middle of the road placekeeping stuff" and do it! If they want the real estate in Tomorrowland then move it to Epcot. It would be great there, and with the recent improvements in Epcot (They are doing some great stuff in that park!)it could be a real winner again.
