Thoughts on Carousel of Progress

Goofyernmost

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
Bobby Steormann said:
It's a classic so disney will never get rid of it. I personally find the ride/show very boring. I skip it.
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Classic or not, it almost went away the late 90's. There is nothing that the suits at Disney would like to do more then level that attraction. The fan base coupled with the fact that they needed someplace for people to go while they redid Alien Encounter into Stitch are the primary reasons why it is still operating today. It is one of those rides that would be a total shame to lose. Along with the show one of the last remaining direct connections to Walt Disney would disappear.

Today's audience does not know how to appreciate anything that doesn't have a screen and can be held in their hand. There is no sense of history or desire to preserve and appreciate what went before us. In my mind it could stay the way it is or go back to the original last scene and label this as a historic documentation of the history of progress before our time or our children's time. It will eventually weaken and break to the degree that it cannot be repaired and then you will see another Meet & Greet in that spot. Just have patience, you will win eventually. Or will you lose something more important... a part of our heritage.
 
epcotisbest

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
It seems the concept of scare quotes needs to be spelled out slowly. Webster defines scare quotes as "quotation marks used to express especially skepticism or derision concerning the use of the enclosed word or phrase." Does that make sense? "Disney" is a reference to the rather sizable fan base and contemporary management belief that theme parks are not a legitimate creative medium and must instead pull from content created elsewhere in the company, primarily the Studio. It has absolutely nothing to do with Walt Disney being personally involved or anything else like that. It is about the standards applied to new theme park investments today, mainly being part of a larger franchise.
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You're gonna have to spell it out much slower for this to make any sense.
 
epcotisbest

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Goofyernmost said:
Classic or not, it almost went away the late 90's. There is nothing that the suits at Disney would like to do more then level that attraction. The fan base coupled with the fact that they needed someplace for people to go while they redid Alien Encounter into Stitch are the primary reasons why it is still operating today. It is one of those rides that would be a total shame to lose. Along with the show one of the last remaining direct connections to Walt Disney would disappear.

Today's audience does not know how to appreciate anything that doesn't have a screen and can be held in their hand. There is no sense of history or desire to preserve and appreciate what went before us. In my mind it could stay the way it is or go back to the original last scene and label this as a historic documentation of the history of progress before our time or our children's time. It will eventually weaken and break to the degree that it cannot be repaired and then you will see another Meet & Greet in that spot. Just have patience, you will win eventually. Or will you lose something more important... a part of our heritage.
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You forgot scare quotes!
 
tigger1968

tigger1968

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
It seems the concept of scare quotes needs to be spelled out slowly. Webster defines scare quotes as "quotation marks used to express especially skepticism or derision concerning the use of the enclosed word or phrase." Does that make sense? "Disney" is a reference to the rather sizable fan base and contemporary management belief that theme parks are not a legitimate creative medium and must instead pull from content created elsewhere in the company, primarily the Studio. It has absolutely nothing to do with Walt Disney being personally involved or anything else like that. It is about the standards applied to new theme park investments today, mainly being part of a larger franchise.
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Duly noted. Keep in mind that your definition of "Disney" may make perfect sense to you, but it may not be clear or mean the same as it does to others. So when you proclaim that you think something isn't "Disney" enough for you, someone else might look at that and think you mean its not "Disney" enough from a design or thematic perspective. Which is what I did. Sorry for not understanding what your vision of "Disney" is.

Oh, and yes....your condescending reminder of what scare quotes are did make sense. "Thanks for that."
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
tigger1968 said:
Duly noted. Keep in mind that your definition of "Disney" may make perfect sense to you, but it may not be clear or mean the same as it does to others. So when you proclaim that you think something isn't "Disney" enough for you, someone else might look at that and think you mean its not "Disney" enough from a design or thematic perspective. Which is what I did. Sorry for not understanding what your vision of "Disney" is.

Oh, and yes....your condescending reminder of what scare quotes are did make sense. "Thanks for that."
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:facepalm: It seems the condescension is warranted because you still do not get it. If it is what I consider to be Disney it would not be in quotes. The concept of people wanting more attractions with established characters and franchises and less without is not some obscure notion, but one stated rather frequently.
 
Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
roj2323 said:
Doing a few things would probably help
  • Rename it to: Walt's Carousel of progress
  • Add seat belts to prevent show holdups
  • Update the final scene so it actually looks futuristic instead of the 1980's.
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I really don't think the last scene needs to be updated. It'd be nice, but the show still shows progress and the last scene isn't that outdated. It's more about the essence of progress. The 1900s, 20s and 40s are super outdated, but still are important times in history and a good way to show how far we've come.

Overall, I think they need to give it more TLC. The carpets and seats and should be replaced, the curtains replaced, and all the audio systems needs to be updated. The animatronics needs some help as well, but the show is really great as is. Sure, the final scene could use some updates, but just changing the clothes the characters are wearing would bring it up to the 2000s as least. Patricia's leg warmers and grandma's dress look ridiculous.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey said:
I really don't think the last scene needs to be updated. It'd be nice, but the show still shows progress and the last scene isn't that outdated. It's more about the essence of progress. The 1900s, 20s and 40s are super outdated, but still are important times in history and a good way to show how far we've come.
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The problem with the current version of the last scene is that it became a prediction of the future. That is what makes it dated, because it is incorrectly telling us what our lives were like ten years ago.
 
Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
The problem with the current version of the last scene is that it became a prediction of the future. That is what makes it dated, because it is incorrectly telling us what our lives were like ten years ago.
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From a logical perspective, I totally agree with you...especially the line about, "We've got a whole new century ahead." That doesn't make sense.

My point is that in the theme of progress, it shows how far we've come and the message is more "what will the future bring? than "This is the future we think will come." They even say, "What will they think of next?"

I kind of disagree that the last scene is a prediction of the future. It's not like they are living in space, riding in spaceships to work, and riding around on hovercraft. Even when the "new" last scene was done, all the technology still existed. It just seems more dated now because we've even moved ahead more.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey said:
From a logical perspective, I totally agree with you...especially the line about, "We've got a whole new century ahead." That doesn't make sense.

My point is that in the theme of progress, it shows how far we've come and the message is more "what will the future bring? than "This is the future we think will come." They even say, "What will they think of next?"

I kind of disagree that the last scene is a prediction of the future. It's not like they are living in space, riding in spaceships to work, and riding around on hovercraft. Even when the "new" last scene was done, all the technology still existed. It just seems more dated now because we've even moved ahead more.
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Virtual reality is the one thing that, to me, makes it come across as a prediction as that was supposed to be the future of video games in 1994.
 
Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
Virtual reality is the one thing that, to me, makes it come across as a prediction as that was supposed to be the future of video games in 1994.
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Yeah, but even VR was a known commodity for the end customer, even in 1994. Remember the Atari Jaguar?

jagvrheadset.jpg


Again, not trying to be argumentative. I just think the last scene is simply a portrayal of how far we've come and they are excited about tomorrow. Changing it to current technology wouldn't make that last scene a whole lot different other than updated clothes, decor, and perhaps a few smart phones. I think the essence of progress remains intact, despite the ending. They could clean up the references in the dialogue and replace the 90s decor and be in good shape.
 
ImagineerDude

ImagineerDude

Well-Known Member
Lately, I've had a greater appreciation for the older "boring" attractions like CoP. Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Spaceship Earth, and Small World are just as fun as Soarin' or Pirates to me. It's great to get outta the heat for a little while too! We were the only 3 people in the bear theater on an EMH night this May and we were cracking up! We were pretty slap happy at that point too! My only problem with CoP is that it is beginning to look VERY outdated, mainly the family (besides Rover). I still like looking at all the details. It will always be better than the Tiki Room to me. I hate those freaking birds. (Suppose you wanna shoot me now, right?) I guess it's the appropriate time to tell you that I've never had a Dole Whip either :oops:
 
Dog Ate Mouse

Dog Ate Mouse

Well-Known Member
COP is a must do every time I visit the Magic Kingdom. It's a great big beautiful tomorrow.

I find this a classic ride and just a really nice enjoyable ride/show that I find to be a good break from all the walking I have been doing all day.
 
Goofnut1980

Goofnut1980

Well-Known Member
I love this ride. I don't want it to go away, but it could use re-imagined. The only part that drives me crazy is going from the 40s to the 90s, uh, I mean present day.
 
worldfanatic

worldfanatic

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
The problem with the current version of the last scene is that it became a prediction of the future. That is what makes it dated, because it is incorrectly telling us what our lives were like ten years ago.
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Exactly.
In it's current form, it's terribly dated and pretty much a poor excuse of an attraction, except for those fans clouded by nostalgia.
I'm all for keeping classics, but not when they're allowed to wither and become completely out of touch with today's world.
 

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