In a serious win for workforce “be honest to Florida,” Walt Disney World has introduced one other main attraction improve in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom: Carousel of Progress is getting a brand new present scene! Listed below are official particulars in regards to the modifications, idea artwork, and our commentary.
As we’ve been saying for some time, Tomorrowland is desperately overdue by a wholesale reimagining. One appeared to be beginning in 2019 as a part of the lead-up to TRON Lightcycle Run, however then…you already know what occurred in Spring 2020. Late final yr, we shared in The Way forward for Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom that we nonetheless count on a reimagining of Tomorrowland.
My suspicion then was that Imagineering has lined up the present slate of tasks purposefully, teeing up a reimagining of Tomorrowland as a part of the 10-year plan within the early 2030s as soon as the present 5-year plan is completed (particularly the Piston Peak Vehicles Land). Because it seems, we’re really getting this–at the least a part of it–steadily amidst the opposite tasks. First with Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin, which is presently closed till 2026 for a experience reimagining, and now with Carousel of Progress.
This comes as Tomorrowland has obtained a slew of placemaking updates in the previous couple of years, which largely roll again the Tomorrowland ’94 look to the cleaner model of the unique Tomorrowland. A lot of this has concerned the elimination of ornamentation and gildings, plus new retro-inspired signage changing extra elaborate ones.
The consequence to date has been a combined bag. Tomorrowland as soon as once more has Area Age model, with swooping traces and crowd pleasing visuals which are imbued with a way of retro-futuristic optimism. Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless lots of Tomorrowland ’94 in place. A few of this was merely painted over or hid, possible deemed too expensive or concerned to revive the retro-futuristic model.
Now, modifications have come to Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. With an emphasis on the Walt Disney’s a part of the attraction title. Right here’s the official announcement made throughout Vacation spot D23, adopted by our commentary:
Throughout Vacation spot D23, Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed that company will quickly be capable to see Walt Disney by the magic of Audio-Animatronics in “Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress” at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World!!! pic.twitter.com/XWcLXlFOQ0
— Disney Vacationer Weblog (@DisTouristBlog) August 30, 2025
In an thrilling announcement on stage through the “Creating the Happiest Place on Earth” panel at Vacation spot D23, Walt Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed that you’ll quickly be capable to see Walt Disney by the magic of Audio-Animatronics expertise in “Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress” at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort.
“We’re grateful to The Walt Disney Firm and Walt Disney Imagineering for his or her continued collaboration and ongoing partnership with The Walt Disney Household Museum. The introduction of a brand new Audio-Animatronics determine of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an thrilling milestone in our shared mission to rejoice the story of the person behind the magic and encourage new generations together with his improvements and imaginative and prescient for the long run. We respect the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to maintain Walt’s legacy alive,” Kirsten Komoroske, Govt Director of the Walt Disney Household Museum mentioned.
Walt’s personal concept from starting to finish, the Carousel of Progress made its debut on the New York World’s Honest in 1964, the place it was a direct smash hit for tens of millions of individuals visiting from world wide. Since then, the present has had extra performances than another stage present within the historical past of American theater and has discovered a snug residence as a tribute to the unique model of the present inside Magic Kingdom since 1975.
Progress and innovation had been two of Walt’s cornerstone passions, which is as evident within the present as we speak because it was when it first debuted. Earlier than you comply with an American household (and Rover!) over 4 generations of progress as expertise transforms their lives and paves the way in which for once-unimaginable improvements, you’ll be capable to catch a brand-new introductory scene and listen to from the legendary man who by no means stood in the way in which of progress — Walt Disney.
There are nonetheless loads of extra particulars to be revealed, together with what John, Sarah, and the remainder of the household are as much as. Disney Imagineers love this attraction and the guts of it is going to keep the identical whereas introducing the Carousel of Progress to a completely new era of followers, displaying them that an amazing massive, lovely tomorrow is only a dream away.
It’s really not the primary time Walt Disney World up to date Carousel of Progress lately, both. Walt Disney World made a minor however significant refresh to the finale simply three years in the past, which largely concerned altering the wardrobes and hairstyles of the Audio Animatronics, together with just a few updates to the set.
The purpose of that was making the “futuristic” finale really feel much less caught within the Nineteen Nineties, and it at the least partially succeeded. Along with modernizing Carousel of Progress, a bunch of nice easter eggs and nods to Disney historical past had been additionally added–together with issues like Patricia’s “Progress Tech – College of City Planning” sweatshirt (a nod to Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype Neighborhood of Tomorrow), John’s “My Meals Rocks” apron (a nod to the defunct EPCOT Middle stage present), slippers that includes the Invoice Justice foolish reindeer, and extra.
We had been actually happy to see all of this. Ages in the past, I posted Tom’s High 7: Walt Disney World Journey Improve Want Record, which put Carousel of Progress close to the highest and talked about that the primary draft of the want record had 6 of the 7 entries in Tomorrowland. That additionally talked about a previous submit I wrote titled “Give Me $2,975 And I Will Repair Carousel of Progress.” That underscored simply how little cash it will take to make the Carousel of Progress finale much less embarrassing.
It in all probability price Walt Disney World a bit greater than that, however they did it. The scene nonetheless isn’t excellent. There’s nonetheless a VR online game, however not a present one–one nearer to Digital Boy (keep in mind that?). There script nonetheless incorporates phrases like “laserdisc” and “carphone.” There are different parts of the sensible residence–however not a modern-day one–that really feel quaint.
Whereas these modifications would’ve been good, it was clearly a “no dough” refresh. We had been happy to see it as a lot for the substance of the modifications as what it symbolized: that Carousel of Progress was in all probability “protected” for at the least one other decade. Enter the upcoming modifications that seem they’ll have a very wholesome funds (“lotsa dough,” or regardless of the reverse of “no dough” is).
Our Commentary
I’m completely ecstatic in regards to the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics and brand-new introductory scene being added to Carousel of Progress. That is improbable information, plain and easy. I can’t even comprehend any negativity round this information. It’s actually an amazing massive lovely announcement.
Beforehand, we’ve mentioned that the perfect long-term transfer for Carousel of Progress could be to revive the unique World’s Honest model of the attraction, with some type of narrative framing that it’s being offered by the Tomorrowland Metro-Retro Historic Society or one thing.
This isn’t precisely that, however is doubtlessly even higher. Having a complete new introductory scene that includes the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics is a big win. The one query is what occurs with the remaining scene, particularly the finale. My hope continues to be a restoration of the World’s Honest model–or one thing that appears ahead on the future from the center of the final century–even when I’ll miss that superb mid-199os inside design, the Digital Boy-esque sport, and that Sorcerer Mickey summary artwork.
The most important motive I’m excited to see Carousel of Progress get some love is as a result of, once more, this implies the attraction will be marked “protected” from substitute for at the least a pair extra many years. My daughter can be raised proper, by the Nation Bears and Progress Household, simply because the Tiki Gods meant.
Talking of which, you would possibly recall that my perspective with the reimagining of Nation Bear Jamboree was aid that it might be marked protected from substitute, which had been rumored for years. I used to be the outlier; aid was not the consensus view amongst CBJ disciples. However I don’t assume some followers absolutely respect simply what number of shut calls we’ve had with outright elimination of those legacy sights.
On this case, the enhancements to Carousel of Progress strike me as precisely that–enhancements. This isn’t like Nation Bear Musical Jamboree; it isn’t a matter of Imagineers being tasked with an disagreeable project and making “lemonade out of lemons.” Walt Disney World has had a good variety of tasks like that, the place we’ve mainly needed to say, “you don’t perceive simply how a lot worse that this might’ve been.”
Not the case right here. It is a labor of affection for the Imagineers engaged on the undertaking, and a pure win for Walt Disney World diehards. It enhances Carousel of Progress in an extremely logical method, and can entice new audiences to the attraction. It’s one more signal of paradigm shift on the Walt Disney Firm, inside Imagineering, and indicators the beginning of a brand new chapter.
Bluntly, that is the kind of undertaking that I can’t think about getting greenlit again in early November 2022. I shudder on the considered a Carousel of Progress reimagining being introduced again then; it will’ve gone a lot, a lot in another way than this.
This isn’t to say that all the things is ideal now (gestures over on the Riverbeds of America), however issues are getting again on monitor with the suitable tasks being accepted and correctly funded, and the creatives given the latitude to truly execute on their visions.
As for my perspective on including a Walt Disney Audio Animatronics to the parks, I’ve shared that at size in my protection of the ‘Magical Life’ present at Disneyland. In case you’ve missed that, I used to be unequivocally on board with including the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics to Disneyland. I’m likewise equally enthusiastic (maybe extra so given divergent demographics) in regards to the determine coming to Walt Disney World.
As we speak’s youthful generations will not be studying about Walt Disney. Or worse but, they’re consuming anti-Walt propaganda and studying about who he really was not. Walt not comes into our residing rooms on Sunday nights, however slander about him is ubiquitous on social media. In my opinion, Walt Disney is likely one of the biggest individuals of all-time; a shining instance of American ingenuity and spirit who needs to be studied as a job mannequin.
No matter different arguments for or in opposition to a Walt Disney Audio Animatronics which may’ve existed at one time, this is the one which wins out for me in 2025, practically 60 years after Walt Disney’s passing. Maintaining his legacy alive for future generations is of paramount significance, as if safeguarding his popularity from morons and misinformation.
Including the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics to Carousel of Progress ought to assist increase consciousness about this nice American, introducing him to youthful generations in a method that the pre-show video that performs outdoors (and even Walt Disney Presents over at DHS) simply can’t accomplish.
Then there’s the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics itself. As you’re possible conscious, an identical determine debuted at Disneyland this summer time as a part of Walt Disney – A Magical Life. It immediately turned the topic of social media criticism and ‘My Pillow’ memes.
Our overview of the brand new present at Disneyland coated how the Walt Disney determine is off-model. That criticism apart, the overview is hardly scathing, and if something, my opinion of the present has improved with subsequent viewings of Walt Disney – A Magical Life taking part in to a packed home of precise followers who’re enthusiastic to see the Walt Disney AA. There’s one thing in regards to the vitality of the viewers that elevates the expertise as a complete.
Because it stands, the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics is about ~80% of the way in which there, however the face may use a bit extra iteration. Hopefully the Imagineers are capable of slim his head, add a bit extra definition to his jawline, and repair different faults with the second era of the Walt AA that’ll be utilized in Carousel of Progress.
Even so, it’s not like the present model of the AA is dangerous. The mannerisms and physique language plus the ‘shut sufficient’ likeness successfully convey precisely who that is. Walt Disney is probably the most lifelike human Audio Animatronics determine that Imagineering has ever created, and is extremely technically subtle.
The WDI workforce achieved many inventions by no means finished earlier than in a humanoid determine, and truly needed to look forward to expertise to catch as much as necessities for Walt Disney on which they might not compromise. The Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics is extremely fluid and lifelike–Imagineers shared that it was essential to seize and convey the way in which Walt spoke together with his arms, how he furrowed his forehead, and the twinkle in his eye.
The technological leaps to attain these far-reaching ambitions had been referred to as “moonshots” inside the Imagineering workforce that innovated them. A number of the improvements had been pushed by necessity–there have been sure actions Walt had to have the ability to accomplish to look appropriately lifelike. Some simply happened naturally by way of pushing the bounds of the Audio Animatronics medium.
All of that is actually spectacular. The Walt Disney Audios Animatronics undertaking was clearly a labor of affection for Imagineering, and so they nailed so a lot of Walt’s mannerisms. In solely a pair minutes of the present, they managed to personify Walt Disney. This is kind of what we’re anticipating of the brand-new Carousel of Progress introduction, albeit with new dialogue, costuming, and set dressing.
The Audio Animatronics is like an episode of the Walt Disney’s Fantastic World of Coloration got here to life. The achievements with the Audio Animatronics, its fluidity, and people mannerisms are second-to-none. From a technical perspective, Walt Disney is the perfect human Audio Animatronics we’ve ever seen.
That’s why it pains me all of the extra to say that the facial options simply don’t nail Walt Disney’s look. There’s simply one thing barely off in regards to the determine. I’m not fully positive what, or even when it’s one single factor. The face appears bloated, the cheeks and nostril aren’t fairly true to life, his neck is just too stout–I’m undecided what else. My hope is that Imagineering nails this on the second go-round of the Walt AA, and the mannequin for Carousel of Progress conveys his extra slender and elongated facial construction.
At minimal, Carousel of Progress will profit from the format. “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” is off-balance, with the prolonged “One Man’s Dream” movie adopted by solely a pair minutes of the Audio Animatronics on the finish. This can primarily be the precise reverse of that, functioning because the opening act to an Audio Animatronics-heavy stage present. (I’m going to imagine Walt Disney can be, by far, probably the most superior AA in Carousel of Progress, serving to him look higher by comparability, too.)
What’s additionally fascinating about these Carousel of Progress modifications is what they take off the desk.
Since final fall, we’ve been speculating that probably the most logical substitute for Corridor of Presidents that may not outrate Walt Disney World diehards is importing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” and operating that in tandem with Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln. It might be a really comparable set-up to Disneyland, utilizing the identical kind of turntable system.
In my opinion, this may’ve been the best “resolution” for Corridor of Presidents. (Other than the most suitable choice of all, which is simply leaving it alone and persevering with so as to add new Audio Animatronics, no matter who wins every election.) It might have far fewer Audio Animatronics, so Walt Disney World would really like the decrease working and upkeep expense. It might even be uncontroversial, as Walt Disney and Abraham Lincoln are among the many two hottest Individuals of all-time. Lastly, it’d be a improbable legacy attraction.
Though we need to see it live on endlessly, it does appear that Corridor of Presidents’ days are numbered. Assuming that, changing it with Walt Disney – A Magical Life and Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln struck me as the proper compromise that respects the legacy of this house, the corporate’s founder, and our nice nation’s historical past. If changing sights had been a democratic course of, I might’ve voted for this feature.
With this Carousel of Progress information, that’s off the desk. With the earlier Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets announcement, so too is one other idea that was rumored to be within the operating for changing Corridor of Presidents. I’m undecided what, if something, that leaves for a Corridor of Presidents substitute in 2029 or at any time when.
Hopefully nothing! I’m mildly fearful it’ll be one thing fully incongruous with Liberty Sq., however that’s one other concern for an additional day. As we speak, let’s simply rejoice this nice plussing to Carousel of Progress!
In the end, it’s nice to see Tomorrowland persevering with to obtain consideration in an effort to incrementally enhance the world and drag it into the 2000s. It’s even higher to see Carousel of Progress obtain enhancements, and I can consider no higher method than through the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics determine. It is a massive win for the attraction, diehard followers, the legacy of the person behind the magic, and the Imagineers behind bringing Walt to life.
Within the grand scheme of issues, it is a comparatively minor victory for Walt Disney World and workforce “be honest to Florida.” However it’s a victory. It’s very a lot value celebrating these enhancements, and drawing consideration to them–simply as we do with the dangerous issues taking place on the parks.
These are the sorts of issues that matter disproportionately to diehard followers, so giving Walt Disney World a little bit of “optimistic reinforcement” may end in comparable such enhancements sooner or later. And as mentioned above, it means that issues are again on monitor for the corporate as a complete, Walt Disney World as a website, and inside the halls of Imagineering.
Right here’s hoping that there’s a Nice Massive Stunning Tomorrow for this land, and updates like this to Tomorrowland solely speed up (…proper over to the speedway). It might be fantastic if Walt Disney World allowed Imagineering to carry again the unique Walt-era Area Age design of this land to provide one thing that’s directly futuristic and basic. There’s lots of room for enchancment in Tomorrowland
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Your Ideas
What do you consider the brand new enhancements coming to the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom? Ideas on the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics coming to Walt Disney World? Is that this what successful tastes like, workforce “be honest to Florida”?! Any hopes for added updates or an overarching reimagining of the Tomorrowland? Do you agree or disagree with my ideas? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
