updating carousel of progress.

[Amidala]

In my opinion the only scene that can be updated without messing with the classic is the last one. The other thing that can be upgraded is the animatronics.
If you make the movements more impressive that alone will make the attraction look new. If you tamper with the other scenes then you are totally disrespecting Walt.

I feel like this is thrown around a lot but...from what we know of Walt, he understood that the parks were a dynamic place, not a museum. There are plenty of arguments for and against changing the CoP, but this one has never made sense to me. If Walt was alive today, CoP would probably have already been updated multiple times or replaced by now. If anything, it's hardcore fans of the attraction who might feel disrespected if it were to drastically change or shut down because the attraction has nostalgic value for us–not Walt.

 

[donaldtoo]

I feel like this is thrown around a lot but...from what we know of Walt, he understood that the parks were a dynamic place, not a museum. There are plenty of arguments for and against changing the CoP, but this one has never made sense to me. If Walt was alive today, CoP would probably have already been updated multiple times or replaced by now. If anything, it's hardcore fans of the attraction who might feel disrespected if it were to drastically change or shut down because the attraction has nostalgic value for us–not Walt.

I have to, respectfully, disagree on this one.
Walt was all about progressing in a general sense, but, he was also keenly aware of historical context. I have never, based on my readings, thought that Walt wanted CoP updated, per se. It was about a particular time in history and should remain as such. What would be the value, historically, of constantly updating the scenes? So, what does anyone learn about Walt's time when the first scene begins in the late 1960's, 1980's, and so on...?!
That, for that particular attraction, makes absolutely no sense to me.

 

[Amidala]

I have to, respectfully, disagree on this one.
Walt was all about progressing in a general sense, but, he was also keenly aware of historical context. I have never, based on my readings, thought that Walt wanted CoP updated, per se. It was about a particular time in history and should remain as such. What would be the value, historically, of constantly updating the scenes? So what does anyone learn about Walt's time when the first scene begins in the late 1960's...?!
That, for that particular attraction, makes absolutely no sense to me.

Well, of course Walt never spoke about wanting the CoP updated...he passed away when the attraction was still fairly new. We have no way of knowing if he would have expected CoP to still exist and entertain guests so many decades later. But I think this also comes down to different people taking away different messages from the same attraction–which is understandable. For me, I don't think CoP was ever meant to be about "a particular time in history," it's about celebrating human achievement, and showing how quickly we are capable of developing as a society over a relatively short period of time. CoP still accomplishes this...but it now leaves a huge gap in between Acts I-III and Act IV that makes the message feel disjointed. If the purpose of the attraction is to celebrate human achievement, why do we get to see modern-day technology in the final act when we've skipped over the discovery of the home computer, virtual reality, etc.? It doesn't feel earned.

Again, I completely sympathize w/ resistance to changing this particular attraction. I think it's already been said (and I agree) that CoP is only up and running now as a testament to Walt's vision, and for its nostalgic value. And I'm not saying that's inherently a bad thing...This attraction would likely shut down for good long before TDO would make the kinds of changes I've suggested here. Just saying that there could be an alternative that would be true to the spirit of the ride and inspire the same kind of wonder in new generations.

 

[donaldtoo]

Well, of course Walt never spoke about wanting the CoP updated...he passed away when the attraction was still fairly new. We have no way of knowing if he would have expected CoP to still exist and entertain guests so many decades later. But I think this also comes down to different people taking away different messages from the same attraction–which is understandable. For me, I don't think CoP was ever meant to be about "a particular time in history," it's about celebrating human achievement, and showing how quickly we are capable of developing as a society over a relatively short period of time. CoP still accomplishes this...but it now leaves a huge gap in between Acts I-III and Act IV that makes the message feel disjointed. If the purpose of the attraction is to celebrate human achievement, why do we get to see modern-day technology in the final act when we've skipped over the discovery of the home computer, virtual reality, etc.? It doesn't feel earned.

Again, I completely sympathize w/ resistance to changing this particular attraction. I think it's already been said (and I agree) that CoP is only up and running now as a testament to Walt's vision, and for its nostalgic value. And I'm not saying that's inherently a bad thing...This attraction would likely shut down for good long before TDO would make the kinds of changes I've suggested here. Just saying that there could be an alternative that would be true to the spirit of the ride and inspire the same kind of wonder in new generations.

And again, I disagree. This particular attraction was not meant for that kind of "updating". I'm very aware of when Walt passed, and that was exactly my point. The attractions that came after that like Horizons and Spaceship Earth further filled that "inspiration" gap. CoP never has, and never will, IMO, need to do that. It is a nod back to Walt's time.
I stand by my original post, further back in this thread...the only "updating" this attraction needs is back to it's original '64-'65 World's Fair Glory.

 

[Amidala]

And again, I disagree. This particular attraction was not meant for that kind of "updating". I'm very aware of when Walt passed, and that was exactly my point. The attractions that came after that like Horizons and Spaceship Earth further filled that "inspiration" gap. CoP never has, and never will, IMO, need to do that. It is a nod back to Walt's time.
I stand by my original post, further back in this thread...the only "updating" this attraction needs is back to it's original '64-'65 World's Fair Glory.

I would say Horizons was more predictive/inspirational and Spaceship Earth was concerned specifically w/ communication & the spread of knowledge as opposed to progress of technology in the home. But like I said, I totally understand where you're coming from on this! Agree to disagree IG.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I feel like this is thrown around a lot but...from what we know of Walt, he understood that the parks were a dynamic place, not a museum. There are plenty of arguments for and against changing the CoP, but this one has never made sense to me. If Walt was alive today, CoP would probably have already been updated multiple times or replaced by now. If anything, it's hardcore fans of the attraction who might feel disrespected if it were to drastically change or shut down because the attraction has nostalgic value for us–not Walt.

If Walt were alive today, CoP would have been history by now because of the reasons that you listed. The only reason for its continued showing is because Walt isn't alive today. It is pretty much a masterpiece and is worthy of historical preservation. You are correct, he wouldn't have had a nostalgic reaction to it because his brain was always creating new things, but, out of respect, I feel that his genius should have a way to be conveyed. It was an attraction that along with a couple of others was the starting point of the Disney parks that we all enjoy so much. Just like historical buildings and historical sights it needs to be protected and remain for all the next generations to see. Walt would not approve, but, I think he would be proud that we want to keep his memory alive by preserving his creation. As it is, not updated or modified. If we want a measure of what happened in the 21st century, what's stopping them from creating another show entitled CoP Part II. (although is kind of what Horizons was)

 

[Amidala]

If Walt were alive today, CoP would have been history by now because of the reasons that you listed. The only reason for its continued showing is because Walt isn't alive today. It is pretty much a masterpiece and is worthy of historical preservation. You are correct, he wouldn't have had a nostalgic reaction to it because his brain was always creating new things, but, out of respect, I feel that his genius should have a way to be conveyed. It was an attraction that along with a couple of others was the starting point of the Disney parks that we all enjoy so much. Just like historical buildings and historical sights it needs to be protected and remain for all the next generations to see. Walt would not approve, but, I think he would be proud that we want to keep his memory alive by preserving his creation. As it is, not updated or modified. If we want a measure of what happened in the 21st century, what's stopping them from creating another show entitled CoP Part II. (although is kind of what Horizons was)

And I would be fine with that as a compromise! Like I said, I totally understand exactly why CoP is still open today, and I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to commemorate one of Walt's most memorable creations. My main point was that I can't see this attraction being preserved for much longer (even if it seems safe for the immediate future), and I think an overhaul would allow CoP to continue on w/ regained relevancy, rather than fading into obscurity. Would also love to see a kind of spiritual successor (like Horizons), which could act as a continuation of CoP's legacy in the modern age w/o decimating the ride & all of its history. But I doubt TDO would make an original dark-ride attraction along these lines, unfortunately.

All hypothetical obviously, since I'm also positive TDO would sooner shut CoP down than make such drastic changes to the attraction!

 

[Goofyernmost]

And I would be fine with that as a compromise! Like I said, I totally understand exactly why CoP is still open today, and I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to commemorate one of Walt's most memorable creations. My main point was that I can't see this attraction being preserved for much longer (even if it seems safe for the immediate future), and I think an overhaul would allow CoP to continue on w/ regained relevancy, rather than fading into obscurity. Would also love to see a kind of spiritual successor (like Horizons), which could act as a continuation of CoP's legacy in the modern age w/o decimating the ride & all of its history. But I doubt TDO would make an original dark-ride attraction along these lines, unfortunately.

All hypothetical obviously, since I'm also positive TDO would sooner shut CoP down than make such drastic changes to the attraction!

You are more then likely correct. They made a very significant move to end it around 20 years ago. It's old, it costs a lot to keep it running and they would just love to see it something full of screens that doesn't move. I am aware of that, and my conversation is strictly to try and get the message out that complaining about the ending, demanding an update, will be like pulling the plug on its life support. Loss of that would be, by far, the saddest loss of anything on the site. Not because a lot of people would be upset (although there would be) but because it is a magnificent work of art that can never be replaced, ever. To me it would be worse then torching the Mona Lisa.

 

[retroeric]

What about this crazy idea-

Change the last scene to a 1960 scene and build a second Carousel next to the original which would be 1980, 2000, 2020 (present), and the last room being "the future". This not only solves the original's problem of jumping from the 1940s to the present, it gives WDW an entirely new attraction while at the same time pleasing the purists who want to ensure the original stays put. It also makes the AA crowd ecstatic as there would obviously be tons of new stuff. Call it Carousels of Progress. Or COP 2.0. If there isn't enough real estate next to COP, build it on top! Sure the two combined would be a 42 minute attraction, but there have been longer ones. Maybe make each ride a separate queue so you don't have to commit to both.

 

[Driver]

In my opinion the only scene that can be updated without messing with the classic is the last one. The other thing that can be upgraded is the animatronics.
If you make the movements more impressive that alone will make the attraction look new. If you tamper with the other scenes then you are totally disrespecting Walt.

Agreed and as already mentioned this is a classic from Walt himself. There are tons of attractions that came post Walt that are up for grabs so to speak for upgrades. This one is special let's maintain it as the classic that it is.

 

[danyoung56]

This particular attraction was not meant for that kind of "updating".... CoP never has, and never will, IMO, need to do that. It is a nod back to Walt's time.

But we aren't seeing the mid-60's version of the show now. It went through 2 updates - 1 when it moved into WDW with the "Now Is The Time" theme, and then again when it went back to the "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" theme.

 

[donaldtoo]

But we aren't seeing the mid-60's version of the show now. It went through 2 updates - 1 when it moved into WDW with the "Now Is The Time" theme, and then again when it went back to the "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" theme.

I know, and that is exactly why I said at the bottom of my post that the only "updating" this attraction needs is to be brought back to it's original '64-'65 World's Fair glory.
Otherwise, just leave it alone...unless it needs maintenance, obviously.

 

[WDWFANSINCE81]

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this and I am not sure if its new or always been there but when riding tonight on the bulletin board in the last scene behind mom at the computer is a handwritten note that says "Marty is asking for changes". I noticed it as we were rotating and couldn't grab a pic. I would like to believe it's referencing Marty Sklar....I think its a sweet tribute and hopefully foreshadowing of a great and throrough update. Anyone able to elaborate?

 

[Yert3]

I wish they would change the last scene back to the 1960’s. The last scene is so awkward and can’t decide what it wants to be. Everyone has 1980’s/ early 90’s fashion, they talk about laser discs, and car phones. Yet they have a flat screen TV, virtual reality video games, and use voice commands. It doesn’t make any sense!

If they just changed it to be the 60’s, we’d have a good amount of time between each scene. 1900 —> 1920 —> 1940 —> 1960. I personally hate having the last scene be a period of time that never existed!

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

I hate pulling up an old thread but didn't see anyone else cheering that they FINALLY UPDATED THE LAST SCENE!!! (okay, just clothes and hair, but I'll take it!)

Using the allears article link but also saw on the site that cannot be named:

UPDATES Come to Carousel of Progress Finale in Disney World

Updates have been made to the Carousel of Progress in Disney World! Check them out here.

allears.net

 

[Smiley/OCD]

2022 updates = not goin’ anywhere!! It IS a great big beautiful tomorrow

 

[GustoGummi]

I think restoring the 1967 finale would be most welcome.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I think restoring the 1967 finale would be most welcome.

No! No it wouldn't!

 

[wdwfan22]

I think restoring the 1967 finale would be most welcome.

No there is no need to make everything retro.