Let's be honest...is Carousel of Progress going to last the next five years?

[FettFan]

If that were to happen, that just speaks to the poor management.

Welcome to D'amaroland.

 

[FettFan]

There will probably be a person in a wheelchair as well.

"And Uncle Orville has *borrowed* my tools again. This time, he's mounting wagon wheels on Sarah's old lounger. He calls it a 'Carriage Seat'. Heh. Hopefully he uses it to roll himself to the employment bureau."

 

[Goofyernmost]

I don't think they'll close it.

They almost did, in fact they did for a short time and it looked like it was going to be junked and then they found one that really was more controversial by the name of Alien Encounter. They closed that and reopened CoP to have a fill in while they created Stitch's Great Escape. There was a huge organized movement to keep CoP during that time and it never closed again. That was in the early 2000's or around that time.

My point is that it has been about 20 years now since that time and it could and will happen again. This time we might not be lucky enough to save it.

 

[Ghost93]

They could easily include gay or interracial couples in the present and future segments of the ride to show the progress that has been made in Civil Rights.

 

[dovetail65]

Looking at the direction of the parks, Carousel of Progress seems like it's going to be on the chopping block sooner rather than later. What do you think is the most likely outcome in the next five years?

I wish they would keep it as the oringal idea Walt wanted but do what he would of done in 1964 had they had todays tech and 100 million bucks. That thing could be a people eater. Make the theaters much larger but make it so guests want to go. Give the younger people what they want, 3D, action suspense, in 4 or 5 shows that spin around eating up the guests.

The Shamans at navi cost 10 million, so they need up the ante if they want it to be around another 50 years, not just add a few characters. WDW need revamp and update all the tech ground up and just go for it. The animatronics need to be today's versions or better, cutting edge.

If not put the space to some kind of use, the place was gross when I was there 2 days ago. I felt like the theater was about qualtiy of the the dirtier bathrooms. I had nostalgia but my 20 year old kids just wanted out.

 

[Minthorne]

I think after the live action CoP movie comes out the attraction may be updated.

 

[esskay]

I think after the live action CoP movie comes out the attraction may be updated.

I have visions of Christopher Walken as John, obviously CGI'd to look a bit younger than he now is, with Jim Carrey as Orville.

 

[dovetail65]

I think after the live action CoP movie comes out the attraction may be updated.

The only thing I heard is that Tom Hanks may take over as a new narrator in 2023(the original narrator we hear now died in 1999), but it's nothing firm.

The only other thing I see about a movie is the Jeff Kinney said he imagined to include Diary of a Wimpy Kid characters and story lines into a revamped Cop, but again nothing firm I can find.

Can you link me to a movie that is actually happening.

 

[Minthorne]

The only thing I heard is that Tom Hanks may take over as a new narrator in 2023(the original narrator we hear now died in 1999), but it's nothing firm.

The only other thing I see about a movie is the Jeff Kinney said he imagined to include Diary of a Wimpy Kid characters and story lines into a revamped Cop, but again nothing firm I can find.

Can you link me to a movie that is actually happening.

I'm pretty sure a bus driver told me...

 

[dovetail65]

I'm pretty sure a bus driver told me...

hehe. A CM told me at Guest relations on Saturday that we guests know things before they do, so maybe that bus driver does know.

 

[The Lochness Monsta]

I'm surprised they haven't made one of the families African American.

 

[dovetail65]

Here is that article about Tom Hanks taking over after the 50th anniversary is done (End March 2023) or later as narrator of COP.

I can't see Hanks' Hanks getting changed in without some type of other upgrades:

Tom Hanks to Replace Current Voice in Carousel of Progress Attraction: Rumor | Disney Dining

After nearly 60 years, Disney's Carousel of Progress is getting a unique and exciting upgrade, or so we've heard.

www.disneydining.com

|

Also as a side note I never knew about Tom Hanks is a distant cousin of Walt Disney and also Related to Fred or Mr Rodgers.

 

[Doberge]

They need all the attraction capacity they can muster with Splash closing and Tron opening, both pushing guests to the east side of the park and Tomorrowland. So CoP seems pretty safe for a while. But the bigger crowds over there may be a litmus test for CoP. If it fails to absorb crowds management may look to more drastic moves?

 

[Kirby86]

They need all the attraction capacity they can muster with Splash closing and Tron opening, both pushing guests to the east side of the park and Tomorrowland. So CoP seems pretty safe for a while. But the bigger crowds over there may be a litmus test for CoP. If it fails to absorb crowds management may look to more drastic moves?

I think it lives in the same zone as Muppet Vision. It won't ever be a main draw but once people go into the park it's one of those why not rides so they go on it. It'll keep those people off the walkways for 15 to 20 minutes.

 

[celluloid]

Attention spans, too long without update, high capacity but low ridership, physical cost of maintenance is high and no marketable tie in film.

With current leadership, the attraction will not make it the five years questioned or much longer.


There is the negative, here is a thought.

With a shift in thinking you can't just chase the next big movie synergy all of the time, we could get an update and rennovation that utilizes and entertains from what it is.


I love the Carousel of Progress, and it is long past due for its update. By principal it should have some amazing updated effects that entertain and inspire people of progress. Over 30 years since a new one went into the works. It is time. Now is the time, now is the best time.

 

[ppete1975]

I wish they would keep it as the oringal idea Walt wanted but do what he would of done in 1964 had they had todays tech and 100 million bucks. That thing could be a people eater. Make the theaters much larger but make it so guests want to go. Give the younger people what they want, 3D, action suspense, in 4 or 5 shows that spin around eating up the guests.

The Shamans at navi cost 10 million, so they need up the ante if they want it to be around another 50 years, not just add a few characters. WDW need revamp and update all the tech ground up and just go for it. The animatronics need to be today's versions or better, cutting edge.

If not put the space to some kind of use, the place was gross when I was there 2 days ago. I felt like the theater was about qualtiy of the the dirtier bathrooms. I had nostalgia but my 20 year old kids just wanted out.

If you do all of that, you might as well replace it. The charm and nostalgia is that Walt was behind it and it is classic disney. The history of the ride is more riveting than the attraction. Outside of updating the end scene and a few other tweaks, once its updated too much its not what it was. And at that point they need to just move on sadly.

 

[celluloid]

If you do all of that, you might as well replace it. The charm and nostalgia is that Walt was behind it and it is classic disney. The history of the ride is more riveting than the attraction. Outside of updating the end scene and a few other tweaks, once its updated too much its not what it was. And at that point they need to just move on sadly.

Well it might shock you to know just how much of the attraction has changed at CoP. Most of what you see now is from 1994, not 1964.

They can keep just as much while giving a huge update.

 

[ppete1975]

Well it might shock you to know just how much of the attraction has changed at CoP. Most of what you see now is from 1994, not 1964.

They can keep just as much while giving a huge update.

not if you gut it and replace the characters with super modern aas and make it a 3d attraction, like the post i was responding to. You can update it, certainly clean it, replace the seats and the audio equipment but once the overall story is changed and you go modern with everything else all thats left is the theater. And at that point just start over and make something better, the only think saving COP is nostalgia and history.

 

[ppete1975]

Here is that article about Tom Hanks taking over after the 50th anniversary is done (End March 2023) or later as narrator of COP.

I can't see Hanks' Hanks getting changed in without some type of other upgrades:

Tom Hanks to Replace Current Voice in Carousel of Progress Attraction: Rumor | Disney Dining

After nearly 60 years, Disney's Carousel of Progress is getting a unique and exciting upgrade, or so we've heard.

www.disneydining.com

|

Also as a side note I never knew about Tom Hanks is a distant cousin of Walt Disney and also Related to Fred or Mr Rodgers.

With it just being an audio track once they fit it into his schedule, in theory couldnt the change be made over night? They wouldnt have to physically do anything. Could they do this as part of the 100? If they did decide to do this would they announce it ahead of time so people could ride it one last time with the latest narrator? OR would they do it as a surprise. Certainly, interesting if it ever happens

 

[celluloid]

not if you gut it and replace the characters with super modern aas and make it a 3d attraction, like the post i was responding to. You can update it, certainly clean it, replace the seats and the audio equipment but once the overall story is changed and you go modern with everything else all thats left is the theater. And at that point just start over and make something better, the only think saving COP is nostalgia and history.

I think most fans, even die hards of the attraction would be fine with all new Animatronic Hardware, lighting, backdrops, writing and other effects as long as it improved the experience. That is separate from making it 3D or a thrill ride, which I get would certainly change the audience it is intended for and its inspiration. I am a purist and it is sadder seeing it like it is now, not entertaining as many vs what if they did the revamp right and to the nines. I feel the same way about TIki Room. We should have the same story in spirit but how the affect on guests is done should be much better than what we have. There is a balance.