Changes

The concept for the Carousel of Progress began in the late 1950s. At the time, Walt Disney was planning on expanding Main Street USA in Disneyland. One , with one of the expansions would have been proposed being known as Edison Square. The main attraction of this new area was going to be a show hosed hosted by an "electro-magnetic man", named Wilbur K. Watt. The show , who would have chronicled the evolution of electricity in the home, from the late 19th century and and beyond. There The attraction would be have consisted of a number of stationary scenes which that progressed through time. After guests had finished watching one of the scenes, they would get up and move to the next one<ref> http://www. The show was going to be mouseplanet.com/9833/A_Visit_to_Edison_Square_1959 </ref>. Although the attraction would have been sponsored by General Electric(GE), however technological limitations at the and time constraints made the show impossible. The Thus, the idea for the new attraction, and the Edison Square expansion in general , never came to fruition.===The Show Development and the 1964 & 1965 Worlds 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>.

Although the Edison Square concept never saw the dawn of daySince there would be a time lapse between when one scene ended and another started, General Electric was still interested in partnering with Disney. They approached Walt, and asked him the Sherman Brothers to create an attraction for write a song that would bridge the 1964 World's Fairscenes together. Walt reached back to his old ideawas so excited about the show when he told them about it, his enthusiasm stuck with the Sherman Brothers as they worked on the song. The song that the brothers composed was an upbeat and once gain pitched General Electric optimistic number about the bright future on the idea of a electrical progress showhorizon titled [["It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"]]. GE loved itThe Sherman Brothers later remarked, and agreed to sponsor that they felt "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was like Walt's theme song because it featured the new attractionsame kind of optimism about the future that he had <ref> http://www.thedisneyproject.com/2013/03/theres-great-big-beautiful-tomorrow.html </ref>.

Around In order to create the time that characters for the ride was being developedCarousel of Progress, Disney Imagineers finished the Audio Anamatronic technology that they a series of models and voice actors were working onbrought in. Although The model for the new technology father of the show was not yet perfectactor Preston Hanson, it with Rex Allen as his voice. Another model was good enough brought in to start creating what would become pose for the Carousel of Progress. Imagineersmother, including while her voice was done by Rhonda Williams. Casts were made of Disney legends Roger Edesigner Harriet Burn's arms, which were used for both the mother and the daughter. Broggie The son and Bob Gurr 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 devised what they called a posed for the teenage daughter role <ref name="Carousel TheaterKorkis"> http://www. The theater in which guests sat in, actually rotated clockwise, allowing them to move to the next scene without having to stand upmouseplanet.com/9835/The_Carousel_of_Progress_Cast</ref>.

Since their would be a time lapse between when one The robins that sit outside the window in the first scene ended , were the same robins that Harriet Burns created for Marry Poppins<ref name=Korkis />. The robins came from a Los Angeles museum, and another startedwere 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 asked Disney showing off his Carousel of Progress|alt= Walt Disney Carousel of Progress]] Walt Disney himself came up with the Sherman Brothers to write a song that would bridge idea for the scenes together family’s dog (he was also the one who suggested the dog change color and breed every scene). Walt was so excited about also personally involved in the show when he told them about itcreation of Cousin Orville, that they created a new song with this enthusiasm who is seen sitting in minda bathtub during the second scene. The song that the wrote character was titledoriginally designed by Marc Davis for inclusion in the Edison Square attraction, [["Itbut it was Walt who modeled his actions (Walt also came up with Orville's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"]dialog as he was acting the character out). The song was an upbeat famous voice actor Mel Blank supplied the voice for both Orville and optimistic song about the bright future on parrot that can be seen in the horizonfirst scene. The Sherman Brothers later remarkedBlaine Gibson, who sculpted all of the characters, said that they felt "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" the grandmother in the attraction was like Waltbased on his wife's theme song because it featured the same kind of optimism about the future that he hadgrandmother. Her voice was done by Barbra Luddy <ref name= Korkis />.

The show opened at the 1964 World Fair as inside General Electric’s ProgresslandPavilion, 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 pavilions 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 naturethe environment.

The attraction Progressland was a huge hitwith visitors, and even though nearly 200 people were loaded into the Carousel every four minutes, the wait to get in was usually hovered around an hour<ref> http://www. The nywf64.com/genele04.shtml </ref>. Based on this success, the Progressland show returned for the 1965 World's fairFair <ref> http://www.nywf64.com/genele01.shtml </ref>. This time, a large covered queue was constructed to protect guests from the sun. After Due to its continued popularity, after the Worlds World’s Fair had ended, it was decided that the show Carousel of Progress would be moved to Disneyland<ref name= "Yesterland">http://www.yesterland.com/progress.html </ref>.

===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.

On July 2, 1967, After the attraction re-opened as the Carousel conclusion of Progress in Disneyland. Since the show had proved to be so popular, General Electric decided guests could board a speed ramp and go to sponsor the second floor of the attraction for ten years. A new theater was constructed in DisneylandThis floor consisted of a four minute post show, with narrated by Sarah and John (the scenes being directly transported mother and father from the World's Fair. Although the show remained essentially the same, attraction) and it also held a few changes were madelarge model that Disney had created for [[Progress City]]. A new voice The model was recorded for "Mother", and the 1960based on Walt Disney's scene that was set during Christmas was updated. Another minor change was original concepts for the fact that in the 1940's sceneExperimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT), as well as the father now sat on a bar stool instead rest of rather than a kitchen benchFlorida Project. Also of note, all references to GE's failed <ref name= "Medallion HomeYesterland" campaign were dropped. />

After the show was over, guests could board a speedramp and go ===Move to Walt Disney World (1975)===Although the second level Carousel of Progress did eventually make its way to the attraction. The second level consisted of a four minute post showMagic Kingdom, narrated by Mother and Father. The second level also held this was not always the large model that plan. In early 1970, Disney had created for Progress City. Progress City was based planned on building a "carousel theater" on Walt Disney's original concepts for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT)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, as well as the rest carousel theater was eventually moved to the space next to a scaled down [[Space Mountain]].[[Image:Carouselwaltconstruction.jpg|400px|thumb|The Carousel of Progress under construction at Walt Disney World. | alt= Carousel of Progress construction Disney World]]

===Move 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, 1973they 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]]).

In When the early 1970attraction moved to Disney World, a new show building was constructed in Tomorrowland. Unlike the minor changes that occurred when the show had moved to Disneyland, this time, major changes were made to the Carousel's attendance at show. For starters, the Carousel of Progress begin to dwindledazzling Kaleidophonic Screens that entertained guests while they were loading and unloading were removed. The screens had been experiencing many technical difficulties, so they were replaced with silver curtains and a GE logo. General Electric also asked the Sherman Brothers to write a new song for the attraction, since they decided that it was they did not want guests to wait for "A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"; instead they wanted them to buy their products now. After getting enough advertising from these instructions, the Sherman Brothers created a new song for the attractioncalled "The Best Time of Your Life" (often mistakenly referred to as "Now Is Time"). Their research showed that 80% Instead of talking about how great the people who saw future would be, the Carousel of Progress were from California and most had seen new song focused on the attraction numerous timespresent <ref name= "Korkis2"/> .

After getting this informationThe 1975 version of the Carousel of Progress featured a new voice cast as well as an update of the New Year's scene. Instead of being set in the 1960s, General Electric asked Disney to move the attraction setting was changed to the newly opened Walt Disney World1970s. Disney agreedThe daughter, and on September 9son, 1973 they closed the Carousel grandmother and moved it grandfather were also added to Disney Worldthe scene (instead of only being referenced to as was previously the case). The final difference between the Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions of the Carousel of Progress City model was also movedthat while Disneyland's Carousel rotated clockwise, and is now housed above [[StitchWalt Disney World's Great Escape!]] and can be seen by guests riding the [[Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover]]Carousel rotated counter-clockwise<ref name= "Martin"/>. The Carousel of Progress opened in Walt Disney World on January 15, 1975.

A new building for In 1981 the show final scene was constructed once again updated in Disney World's Tomorrowland. Unlike the minor changes that occurred when the show moved order to Disneyland, major changes were made to the Carousel's show. For starters, the dazzling Kaleidophonic Screens that entertained guests while they were loading and unloading were removed. The screens experience many technical difficulties, and were replaced keep up with silver curtains and a GE logo. General Electric also asked the Sherman Brothers to write a new song for the attractionchanging times. GE decided that they did not want guests wait for "A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow", they wanted guests to buy products now. With this idea in mind, the Sherman Brothers created another song for the attraction called " The Best Time of Your Life" often mistakenly referred to as "Now Is Time". Instead of talking about how great the future would be, the new song focused on the present. In 1975, The Disney World version of the Carousel of Progress also featured a new voice cast. Beside minor cosmetic changes, the only major change in the show scene was an update of the final Christmas scene. Instead of being set in the 1960(fittingly) known as New Year's, the Christmas scene was changed to be set in the 1970s. In 1981, the final scene was once again updated. This time only the script was changed1980s.<ref name= "Korkis2"/>

When General Electrics contract ran up on March 10*In Patty's room in the 1940s scene, 1985 they chose not to renew it. The Carousel was 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 was change to show a blueprint of the six carousel theaters and stages guests can find Mickey's Sorcerer Hat from Fantasia<ref name= "Yee"/>.

Inside, *A note on the General Electric logo that was featured bullion board in the loading and unloading theaters was also removed. It was replaced with the blueprint logo and the name Carousel of Progress. Although all ' final scene reads "Marty Called- Wants Changes!" this is a reference to former head of the major references were removedWDI, some of the household appliances still read GEMary Sklar<ref name= "Yee"/>.

*In 1993 the Carousel of Progress closed for 1940s scene, a major refurbishment. In conjunction with the rest of sign outside the window reads "New TomorrowlandHerb Ryman Attorney At Law", the attraction was given a new mechanical theme. The blueprint logo was replaced with This is a new tribute to longtime animator and Imagineer Herb Ryman <ref name= "cog logoYee", and a series of large cogs were painted on the outside of the Carousel. The attraction's final scene was also updated, now taking place in the year 2000. A new voice cast also re-recorded the dialog, including the Tex Ritter (who voiced the Father in the original show) as the grandfather in the final scene. A four minute preshow video, explaining the history of the attraction was also added/>.

When * In the current version of the Carousel of Progress reopened in 1994, 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 name was changed 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 Carousel of ProgressCity concept<ref> https://wdwnt. And a contemporary version com/2022/07/breaking-family-gets-new-outfit-in-final-carousel-of It-progress-scene-at-magic-kingdom/M.</ref>, and James is wearing a sweatshirt with a logo inspired by those created for Walt Disney's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow was reinstated as the shows theme songnever built Mineral Spring Resort <ref> https://twitter.com/DisneyExploring/status/1542935635186528257 </ref>.