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

[dovetail65]

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

Well yeah you are right. I would only hope they would fix it all up. Hanks should go on it and say hey I am not involved unless this is upgraded! The theater itself is actuly near gross.

 

[dovetail65]

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.

I am a purist too, the thing is as we get older the our kids get older what a purist means changes.

A 10 million dollar Shaman like at Navi in 40 years might be considered junk and what my kids think of being old school purist 40 years from now.

Heck, I still love Tiki birds clickity clack and all, but with today's tech, well it might not even work because the birds could look so real it may not have that same fun effect. Part of the fun is it being cheesy at this point, at least I think so.

Some may not realize the Original Tiki Birds was to be a dinner show, but back then one major reason they canceled it as a dinner show was the birds at that times seemed so realistic back then Disney thought guests would think they might be pooped on by the birds while eating! This is why there are secret bathroomz at the Disneyland Tiki bird show I believe they are still there to this day.

 

[ppete1975]

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.

The issue I see is ride time and the theater, no matter how great you make it peoples attention spans arent going to sit still for that long for an attraction like COP. We already have people getting up and walking out. Even if massively redone I think its time has passed, once you get passed history and nostalgia. I hope it stays forever as a Walt and history fan, but the writing seems to be on the wall.

 

[celluloid]

I am a purist too, the thing is as we get older the our kids get older what a purist means changes.

A 10 million dollar Shaman like at Navi in 40 years might be considered junk and what my kids think of being old school purist.

Heck I still love Tiki birds clickity clack and all, but with today's tech, well i might not even work because the birds could look so real it may not have that same fun effect. Part of the fun is it being cheesy at this point, at least I think so.

I agree. I am of the opinion The Tiki Room today could keep most of the Wally Boag Written show and update it to where we believe the birds are flying around at times, and even more of the room subtlety and magically comes to life around us.

 

[ppete1975]

Well yeah you are right. I would only hope they would fix it all up. Hanks should go on it and say hey I am not involved unless this is upgraded! The theater itself is actuly near gross.

They could keep the history and gut the theater part, new carpet new seats etc and at the same time do the same at muppets 3d.

 

[celluloid]

The issue I see is ride time and the theater, no matter how great you make it peoples attention spans arent going to sit still for that long for an attraction like COP. We already have people getting up and walking out. Even if massively redone I think its time has passed, once you get passed history and nostalgia. I hope it stays forever as a Walt and history fan, but the writing seems to be on the wall.

I get the concern. And I think a huge part is
this is true for the current version. If it was more entertaining and plussed like it should have been decade(s) ago, than there would not be as much of that.

 

[dovetail65]

The issue I see is ride time and the theater, no matter how great you make it peoples attention spans arent going to sit still for that long for an attraction like COP. We already have people getting up and walking out. Even if massively redone I think its time has passed, once you get passed history and nostalgia. I hope it stays forever as a Walt and history fan, but the writing seems to be on the wall.

Well I am not so sure about that. YOu may be right, but me being there in july or August when it 95 degree with 3 to 6 kids being an AC haven could be enough. I get your point, but if it's good I could see people doing attractions for 30 minutes, I could. Getting out of the heat even when something isn't so great may be enough though. Sometimes we go in stores just to get out of the heat in summer.

I think make it great and they will come.

 

[ppete1975]

Well I am not so sure about that. YOu may be right, but me being there in july or August when it 95 degree with 3 to 6 kids being an AC haven could be enough. I get your point, but if it's good I could see people doing attractions for 30 minutes, I could. Getting out of the heat even when something isn't so great may be enough though. Sometimes we go in stores just to get out of the heat in summer.

I think make it great and they will come.

AC rides get turned into guardians of the galaxy.

I miss the dinosaurs....

 

[ppete1975]

I get the concern. And I think a huge part is
this is true for the current version. If it was more entertaining and plussed like it should have been decade(s) ago, than there would not be as much of that.

funny thing is if they had closed it in 1993 or 2001 I dont think anybody would have cared. Now you have the wave of nostalgia and saving everything Walt that came from retro and mid century is popular, and the loss of so much classic at fantasy land, skybuckets, and the people mover in disneyland. Now people are much more protective about the older stuff.

 

[celluloid]

funny thing is if they had closed it in 1993 or 2001 I dont think anybody would have cared. Now you have the wave of nostalgia and saving everything Walt that came from retro and mid century is popular, and the loss of so much classic at fantasy land, skybuckets, and the people mover in disneyland. Now people are much more protective about the older stuff.

Agreed. It is a bigger beast now because Disney is "themed" to Disney. Not doing new things.

But Now is The Time WDW version is a beloved. Arguably more beloved than Disneyland's due to the time it initially had. Growing up in SWFL my family would sing Now is The Time a lot. So it tells you it did have impact like Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for West Coast.

No fault against the 1994 endeavors though. It was fantastically done for its time. 3D audio and other things. It just ran two decades past when it should have changed again where we are now. I had managers when I worked at MK that thought the current running version was one Walt produced originally.

 

[ppete1975]

Agreed. It is a bigger beast now because Disney is "themed" to Disney. Not doing new things.

But Now is The Time WDW version is a beloved. Arguably more beloved than Disneyland's due to the time it initially had. Growing up in SWFL my family would sing Now is The Time a lot. So it tells you it did have impact like Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for West Coast.

No fault against the 1994 endeavors though. It was fantastically done for its time. 3D audio and other things. It just ran two decades past when it should have changed again where we are now. I had managers when I worked at MK that thought the current running version was one Walt produced originally.

it wasnt even close to what disneyland had when it moved in 75, so I understand the its been changed several times. But its always kept the same nostalgic feel of the worlds fair version. So I feel that Disney assumes it isnt worth doing a massive overhaul the ROI isnt there (you off the diehards, then the budget plus what would you really put there that would draw tons of people making it worth it) heck they cant even figure out what to do with Stitch. So it draws people in its current state and they dont have to spend any money, just like JII, although wed all be happy with a complete overhaul of it as long as figment is part of it.

 

[Big T 1963]

Only if he does this laugh at the end of the show as it goes to the last room..

PRICELESS

 

[Disstevefan1]

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?

It would be terrible if COP closed, but the way TWDC destroys EVERYTHING, I would not be surprised.

It would be very easy to make this a blended family and keep it going, but that is too obvious and simple.

Each time period even could be a different family, blending over time. Again, too obvious and simple.

 

[FettFan]

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.

That would be interesting if true, because Tom Hanks is notorious for not doing voice work for merchandise, non-feature projects, or amusement parks.
Whenever you hear Woody speak in the parks or on a tv commercial or a video, it's not Tom but his brother Jim Hanks, such as here for the Wall-E superbowl spot.



Fun fact: Jim and Tom are so close in appearance that Jim body doubled for him for the running sequence in Forrest Gump...and that's part of why Forrest grows the giant Duck Dynasty beard, to help hide the switcheroo.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

That would be interesting if true, because Tom Hanks is notorious for not doing voice work for merchandise, non-feature projects, or amusement parks.
Whenever you hear Woody speak in the parks or on a tv commercial or a video, it's not Tom but his brother Jim Hanks, such as here for the Wall-E superbowl spot.



Fun fact: Jim and Tom are so close in appearance that Jim body doubled for him for the running sequence in Forrest Gump...and that's part of why Forrest grows the giant Duck Dynasty beard, to help hide the switcheroo.

It was from this interview that he mentions it..

 

[FettFan]

It was from this interview that he mentions it..

Ah. Neat.

EDIT - wait. This video was about voice acting….and is 11 years old. I was thinking it was TH talking about a COP update.

 

[EOD K9]

I’m not familiar with that particular character, but…!!!!!

Look it up on YouTube with Saturday Night Live.

 

[donaldtoo]

Look it up on YouTube with Saturday Night Live.

I googled after I posted, and am now familiar with the character.
I just haven’t watched SNL in decades.

 

[WondersOfLife]

no, No, NO!! There are certain things that Walt created that directly influenced the Disney theme parks that we love today…Great Moments w/ AL, which in Florida became HoP, iasw, and CoP…since kids don’t learn history in schools today, they (and we) need to keep these iconic tributes to Uncle Walt…Tweak it? Sure…replace it? HELL NO!! (At least not until I’m worm food)…

You must be new.

 

[Kamikaze]

I googled after I posted, and am now familiar with the character.
I just haven’t watched SNL in decades.

You've missed nothing.