Changes
/* Current Cast (1994-Present) */
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image= CarouselCarouselexterior.jpg| caption='''The exterior of the Carousel of Progress. Photo: Disney'''
| land=Tomorrowland
| duration=20:45
=== Show Development and the 1964 & 1965 World’s Fairs===
Although the Edison Square concept never saw the dawn of day, General Electric was still interested in partnering with Disney. The company approached Walt, and asked him to create an attraction for the 1964 World's Fair in New York. When discussing what the pavilion would be, Walt reached back to his old idea, and once again pitched General Electric on the idea of an electrical progress show. GE loved the idea, and agreed to sponsor the new attraction <ref> http://blog.silive.com/goofy_about_disney/2015/01/disney_goes_to_the_fair_carousel_of_progress_saw_a_number_of_firsts_outside_the_ge_pavilion.html </ref>.
[[Image:ProgresslandCarouselwalt.jpg|400px|thumb|The Progressland pavilion at the 1964 World's Fair| Progressland World's Fair Carousel of Progress]]
A big advancement in the development of the General Electric attraction was the fact that WED Engineers had finished the Audio Animatronic technology that they had been working on. Although the new technology was not yet perfect, it was good enough to start creating a show, which would eventually become the Carousel of Progress. Imagineers, including Disney legends Roger E. Broggie and Bob Gurr, also devised what they called a "Carousel Theater", a theater which actually rotated clockwise, allowing guests to move on to the next scene without having to stand up <ref> http://modernmouseradio.com/2012/04/19/its-a-great-big-beautiful-tomorrow/ </ref>.
In order to create the characters for the Carousel of Progress, a series of models and voice actors were brought in. The model for the father of the show was actor Preston Hanson, with Rex Allen as his voice. Another model was brought in to pose for the mother, while her voice was done by Rhonda Williams. Casts were made of Disney designer Harriet Burn's arms, which were used for both the mother and the daughter. The son and teenage daughter in the show were based on Disney designer Chick Mill's 8 year old son and 18 year old daughter. Disney Imagineer Richard Irvine's daughter also posed for the teenage daughter role <ref name="Korkis"> http://www.mouseplanet.com/9835/The_Carousel_of_Progress_Cast</ref>.
The robins that sit outside the window in the first scene, were the same robins that Harriet Burns created for Marry Poppins<ref name=Korkis />. The robins came from a Los Angeles museum, and were acquired in exchange for Disneyland tickets. Clarence Nash, the original voice of Donald Duck supplied the Robbins's chirping. [[Image:Carouselwalt.jpg|400px|thumb|Walt Disney showing off his Carousel of Progress|alt= Walt Disney Carousel of Progress]] Walt Disney himself came up with the idea for the family’s dog (he was also the one who suggested the dog change color and breed every scene). Walt was also personally involved in the creation of Cousin Orville, who is seen sitting in a bathtub during the second scene. The character was originally designed by Marc Davis for inclusion in the Edison Square attraction, but it was Walt who modeled his actions (Walt also came up with Orville's dialog as he was acting the character out). The famous voice actor Mel Blank supplied the voice for both Orville and the parrot that can be seen in the first scene. Blaine Gibson, who sculpted all of the characters, said that the grandmother in the attraction was based on his wife's grandmother. Her voice was done by Barbra Luddy <ref name= Korkis />.
The show opened at the 1964 World Fair inside General Electric’s Progressland Pavilion, and it was one of the most visited attractions at the fair. The show consisted of scenes featuring the 1890s, 1920s, 1940s and 1960s<ref> http://www.nywf64.com/genele01.shtml </ref>. The unloading and unloading scenes featured the "kaleidophonic screen" which dazzled guests with various colors. After the show, guests were invited to go to the second floor of the pavilion and see the "Skydome Spectacular". Here, images of nature and energy were projected on the pavilion's domed roof (like a planetarium). The Skydome Spectacular also showcased how GE products were used to help get energy from the sun, and protect the environment.
===Move to Disneyland (1967)===
[[Image:CarouselWalt3.png|thumb|400px| Walt Disney with a model of the Carousel of Progress| Walt Disney Carousel of Progress model]]
On July 2, 1967, the attraction re-opened as the Carousel of Progress in Disneyland. Since the show had proved to be such a hit, General Electric decided to sponsor the attraction for ten years. A new theater was constructed in Disneyland, with the scenes being directly transported from the World's Fair <ref name= "Yesterland"/>. Although the show remained essentially the same, a few changes were made. A new voice was recorded for "Sarah" (the mother), and the 1960's scene which was originally set during New Years was updated. Another minor change was the fact that in the 1940's scene, the father now sat on a bar stool instead of a kitchen bench. Also of note, all references to GE's failed "Medallion Home" campaign were dropped from the attraction.
After the conclusion of the show, guests could board a speed ramp and go to the second floor of the attraction. This floor consisted of a four minute post show, narrated by Sarah and John (the mother and father from the attraction) and it also held a large model that Disney had created for [[Progress City]]. The model was based on Walt Disney's original concepts for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT), as well as the rest of Florida Project. <ref name= "Yesterland"/>
===Move to Walt Disney World (1975)===
Although the Carousel of Progress did eventually make its way to the Magic Kingdom, this was not always the plan. In early 1970, Disney had planned on building a "carousel theater" on the location that would eventually become the Circle-Vision 360 Theater <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=812 </ref>. When this did not come to fruition, the carousel theater was eventually moved to the space next to a scaled down [[Space Mountain]].
[[Image:CarouselwaltCarouselwaltconstruction.jpg|400px|thumb|The Carousel of Progress under construction at Walt Disney showing off his World.| alt= Carousel of Progressconstruction Disney World]]
Meanwhile, in the early 1970's the attendance of the Carousel of Progress in Disneyland began to dwindle. General Electric decided that it was not getting enough advertising from the attraction. Their research also showed that 80% of the people who saw the Carousel of Progress were from California and that most had seen the attraction numerous times. After getting this information, General Electric asked Disney to move the attraction to the newly opened Walt Disney World. Disney agreed, and on September 9, 1973 they closed the Carousel and moved it to Florida <ref name= "Korkis2"> http://www.mouseplanet.com/9818/A_Carousel_of_Progress_Christmas </ref>. At this time, the Progress City model was also moved with the show (a portion of the original model it is now housed above [[Stitch's Great Escape!]] and can be seen on the [[Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover]]).
===Post General Electric 1985-Present===
[[Image:Carouselexteriorgear.jpg|thumb|400px|The Carousel of Progress as it appeared from 1994 until 2016.|alt= Carousel of Progress gear exterior.]]
When General Electric's contract ran up on March 10, 1985, they chose not to renew. The Carousel was then closed for a period of time to remove all references to General Electric. The General Electric logos which were featured on the outside of the attraction were changed to a new logo, which showed the blueprint of the six carousel theaters and stages. Inside, the General Electric logos that were featured in the loading and unloading theaters were also removed. These were replaced with the blueprint logo and the name Carousel of Progress <ref name= "Yesterland"/>. Although all of the major references to General Electric were removed, some of the household appliances still read “GE” to this day.
Following a decrease in attendance after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Carousel of Progress was closed. The attraction later re-opened but was listed as a "seasonal" attraction <ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2005/04/tomorrowland-then-and-now-a-world-on-the-move/ </ref>, leading many to speculate that it would soon close for good. Since 2003, however the Carousel has been open nearly every day <ref> http://anopensuitcase.com/carousel-of-progress-by-contributing-author-corey-applegate/ </ref> and Disney states that it has no plans to remove the attraction.
In July 2016, Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress recieved received a new multi-color exterior paint scheme <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/carousel-of-progress/news/22jul2016-photos---a-look-at-the-new-paint-scheme-at-carousel-of-progress.htm </ref>. At this time, the interior of the attraction was also cleaned and refurbished, with one of the theaters getting new carpeting and seats <ref> https://twitter.com/WDWNT/status/759038369275973632 </ref> On July 1, 2022, the characters in the Carousel of Progress' finale scene were updated. At this time, all six members of the Carousel of Progress family were given updated clothing and new, more detailed faces <ref> https://wdwnt.com/2022/07/breaking-family-gets-new-outfit-in-final-carousel-of-progress-scene-at-magic-kingdom/ </ref>.
==Current Show==
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After it begins to rain, the family's son begins to talk from the left room. The son's name is James, and he is scolded for using his father’s Stereoscope without permission. James is watching Little Egypt dancing the "Hootchie-Cootchie". John comments that she is going to be the star of the upcoming World's Fair, and that James better put the Stereoscope away before his mother finds it. The upcoming World's Fair is a reference to the 1906 World's Fair in St. Louis, which has led many to conclude that the scene guests are watching takes place on Valentine’s Day 1906 (although this is unconfirmed).
===4th of July (1920s)===
As guests leave one scene and arrive at the next, they find John is once again sitting in his kitchen. Wires and new electric machines are all over the room, and instead of sitting on a rocking chair John is now sitting on a smaller kitchen chair. Although a dog still lies on the floor, the dog has changed colors and presumably breeds. When John stops singing, he tells guests that things have changed a lot in the last twenty years. He then proceeds to tell guests the new accomplishments of the era. These include:
[[Image:Carousel20s.jpg|thumb|500px|The 1920s scene on the Carousel of Progress. Photo: Disney| alt= Carousel of Progress 20s scene]]
*Charles Lindbergh, who is about to fly over the Atlantic Ocean by himself (John says he will never make it).
===Christmas (21st Century)===
Unlike previous scenes, the Christmas scene begins will the whole family in one room. They all sing It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow as guests enter the scene. John is standing on the right working on Christmas dinner, while Sarah sits nearby working on a computer. [[Image:nowfinale3.jpg|500px|thumb|The final scene in the current attraction, Christmas at the turn of the 21st century.| alt=New Carouse of Progress finale]]Rover is once again in the kitchen, and is also once again a different color. Jim and his grandmother are playing a virtual reality game, while Trish and her grandfather sit around the Christmas tree. Sarah tells John that she has programmed the oven to recognize his voice. John then comments that now all of the household appliances are voice automated, to which the grandfather replies "Then tell the refrigeration to bring me a root beer".[[Image:nowfinale.jpg|400px|thumb|The final scene in the current attraction, Christmas at the turn of the 21st century.]]
Sarah responds to the joke, saying that although they can't do that, she can brighten the tree lights. She then tells John to try the voice activated oven, which he does with no problem. After the oven confirms John’s temperature command, Trish comments that, "the oven even talks back now!" She and the rest of the family also make fun of John for burning last year’s turkey. At this point, the grandma who has been playing the motion sensor game has her score up to 550 points. John and Jim are both impressed, and they repeat the score in awe. Upon hearing John say 550, the oven increases its temperature, although nobody seems to notice.
John then told the family that it was getting close to midnight, and that they better watch the New Year’s celebrations on TV. The TV then turned on, just in time for the Walt Disney World New Year's celebrations. A newscaster, broadcasting from atop the [[Contemporary Resort]], said that all around, people were joining together to celebrate the New Year with hope and optimism. The family then commented that the chili was almost ready. They all agreed that they were living in the best time, and that electricity had really helped their way of living. Finally the family sang "The Best Time of Your Life" one more time as the scene ended.
===New Year's Eve (1980s)===
The grandmother then agreed, and said that "it's a great time to be alive". Jim reminded her, that she and her husband did all kinds of things during the past year including: traveling the world, taking up tennis, and organizing their high school reunion. The grandmother replied that they all have a lot to be thankful for, something that her husband agreed with. John, who was cooking the kitchen, told everybody that he's making his famous "Omelet Superb avec Jambone". Jim and Trish then pointed out that “Omelet Superb avec Jambone” just meant simply ham and eggs. After John responded by asking whatever happened to respecting your elders, his father replied that he always wondered the same thing when (John) was young. Sarah then told John that she was going to put his recipe "on memory", which prompted Trish to ask Sarah to put the New Year’s celebration from Europe on the television. The television in the middle of the room then showed New Year’s celebrations from London and Paris, before finally stopping on Walt Disney World, where the family watched the fireworks in awe.
==Cast==
===Original Disney World Cast (1975-1981)===
[[Image:AndrewDuggan.jpg|400px|thumb|Abderew Duggan played the father in the Carousel of Progress from 1975-1994. Photo: TCM|alt= Andrew Duggan Carousel of Progress]]
*'''John (father)'''– Andrew Duggan
*'''Sarah (mother)'''– Coreen Conolly
[[Image:MelBlanc.jpg|400px|thumb|Mel Blanc voices Cousin Orville in the Carousel of Progress.|alt= Mel Blanc Carousel of Progress]]
*'''Grandmother'''– Dena Dietrich
*In the 1940s scene, a sign outside the window reads "Herb Ryman Attorney At Law". This is a tribute to longtime animator and Imagineer Herb Ryman <ref name= "Yee"/>.
* In the current version of the Carousel of Progress, Trish, James, and John all have references to Disney's past on them. John wears an apron that says "My Food Rocks", a reference to the former [[EPCOT Center]] attraction [[Food Rocks]] <ref> https://wdwnt.com/2022/07/breaking-family-gets-new-outfit-in-final-carousel-of-progress-scene-at-magic-kingdom/M.</ref>. Trish wears a sweatshirt for "Progress Tech's School of Urban Planning", a reference to Walt Disney's Progress City concept<ref> https://wdwnt.com/2022/07/breaking-family-gets-new-outfit-in-final-carousel-of-progress-scene-at-magic-kingdom/M.</ref>, and James is wearing a sweatshirt with a logo inspired by those created for Walt Disney's never built Mineral Spring Resort <ref> https://twitter.com/DisneyExploring/status/1542935635186528257 </ref>.
==References==
