Difference between revisions of "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress"

Revision as of 16:33, 15 February 2012

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress is an attraction located in Tomorrowland.

Attraction History

The concept for the Carousel of Progress began in the late 1950s. Walt Disney was planning on expanding Main Street USA in Disneyland. One of the expansions would have been known as Edison Square. The main attraction of this new area was going to be a show hosed by an "electro-magnetic man", named Wilbur K. Watt. The show would have chronicled the evolution of electricity in the home, from the late 19th century and and beyond. There would be a number of stationary scenes which progressed through time. After guests had finished watching one of the scenes, they would get up and move to the next one. The show was going to be sponsored by General Electric, however technological limitations at the time made the show impossible. The idea for the new attraction, and the Edison Square expansion in general never came to fruition.

The 1964 & 1965 Worlds Fairs

Although the Edison Square concept never saw the dawn of day, General Electric was still interested in partnering with Disney. They approached Walt, and asked him to create an attraction for the 1964 World's Fair. Walt reached back to his old idea, and once gain pitched General Electric on the idea of a electrical progress show. GE loved it, and agreed to sponsor the new attraction.

Around the time that the ride was being developed, Disney Imagineers finished the Audio Anamatronic technology that they were working on. Although the new technology was not yet perfect, it was good enough to start creating what would become the Carousel of Progress. Imagineers, including Disney legends Roger E. Broggie and Bob Gurr also devised what they called a "Carousel Theater". The theater in which guests sat in, actually rotated clockwise, allowing them to move to the next scene without having to stand up.

Since their would be a time lapse between when one scene ended and another started, Walt asked the Sherman Brothers to write a song that would bridge the scenes together. Walt was so excited about the show when he told them about it, that they created a new song with this enthusiasm in mind. The song that the wrote was titled, [["It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"]. The song was an upbeat and optimistic song about the bright future on the horizon. The Sherman Brothers later remarked, that they felt "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was like Walt's theme song because it featured the same kind of optimism about the future that he had.

The show opened at the 1964 World Fair as Progressland, and was one of the most visited attractions at the fair. The show consisted of scenes featuring the 1890s, 1920s, 1940s and 1960s. 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 domed roof (like a planetarium). The Skydome Spectacular also showcased how GE products were used to help get energy from the sun, and protect nature.

The attraction was a huge hit, and even though nearly 200 people were loaded into the Carousel every four minutes, the wait to get in was usually around an hour. The Progressland show returned for the 1965 World's fair. This time, a large covered queue was constructed to protect guests from the sun. After the Worlds Fair had ended, it was decided that the show would be moved to Disneyland.

Move to Disneyland 1967

On July 2, 1967, the attraction re-opened as the Carousel of Progress in Disneyland. Since the show had proved to be so popular, 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. Although the show remained essentially the same, a few changes were made. A new voice was recorded for "Mother", and the 1960's scene that was set during Christmas was updated. Another minor change was the fact that in the 1940's scene, the father now sat on a bar stool instead of rather than a kitchen bench. Also of note, all references to GE's failed "Medallion Home" campaign were dropped.

After the show was over, guests could board a speedramp and go to the second level of the attraction. The second level consisted of a four minute post show, narrated by Mother and Father. The second level also held the large model that Disney had created for Progress City. Progress City was based on Walt Disney's original concepts for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT), as well as the rest of Disney World.

Move to Walt Disney World 1973

In the early 1970's attendance at the Carousel of Progress begin to dwindle. General Electric decided that it was not getting enough advertising from the attraction. Their research showed that 80% of the people who saw the Carousel of Progress were from California and 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 Disney World. The Progress City model was also moved, and is now housed above Stitch's Great Escape! It can be seen by guests riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.

A new building for the show was constructed in Disney World's Tomorrowland. Unlike the minor changes that occurred when the show moved 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 with silver curtains and a GE logo. General Electric also asked the Sherman Brothers to write a new song for the attraction. 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 was an update of the final Christmas scene. Instead of being set in the 1960'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 changed.

Post General Electric 1985-Present

When General Electrics contract ran up on March 10, 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.

Inside, the General Electric logo that was featured in the loading and unloading theaters was also removed. It was replaced with the blueprint logo and the name Carousel of Progress. Although all of the major references were removed, some of the household appliances still read GE.

In 1993 the Carousel of Progress closed for a major refurbishment. In conjunction with the rest of the "New Tomorrowland", the attraction was given a new mechanical theme. The blueprint logo was replaced with a new "cog logo", 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 the Carousel of Progress reopened in 1994, the name was changed to Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress. And a contemporary version of It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow was reinstated as the shows theme song.

Following a decrease in attendance at the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Carousel of Progress was closed. The attraction later re-opened but was listed as a "seasonal" attraction, leading many to speculate that it would soon close for good. Since 2003, however the Carousel has been open nearly every day and Disney states that it has no plans to remove the attraction.

Current Show

The current show features an identical loading and unloading room as well as scenes depicting:

• Valentines Day at the turn of the 20th century

• The 4th of July during the 1920s

• Halloween during the 1940s

• Christmas in the 21st century

In each scene, the father or the family (named John) shows guests the newest technology and inventions of the time period. Other family members as well as their dog appear in each of the scenes. Although the story takes place over, about 100 years, the family only gets slightly older throughout the show.

Preshow and Loading Scene

Although the Carousel of Progress does not have long queue, their is a preshow video shown to guests while they wait in line. The video talks about the history and development of the attraction, even including clips of Walt explaining the attraction on his television show. The video lasts about five minutes, after which guests can usually enter the theater for the next show. On the stage in the loading room, is a large Carousel of Progress logo, framed by green curtains. The attractions narrator (who also voices John in the rest of the show), tells guests more history about the attraction. He focueses in on the fact that the attraction was Walt's idea, and that he loved the show. After the introduction the attraction's theme song, "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" begins playing as guests move on to the first scene.

Valentines Day (Turn of the 20th Century)

The first real scene in the Carousel of Progress takes place during Valentines Day, right around the turn of the 20th century. As the scene opens, robins chirp in the background, and the music fades. The father of the family, John is sitting in a wooden rocking chair, inside his home. On his right, his dog Rover is happily laying on the floor. He tells guests that it is "right around the turn of the century", and also that it is Valentines Day. John also claims that things could not get any better then they are at that time. He then gives a list of the new inventions and technological achievements of the day, including:

As John highlights the new pieces of technology, a spotlight shines on them and they begin to work. He then comments that problems such as chopping wood, sour milk, and having to get water from a well are things of the past. After he is done showing off the new technology he calls to his wife, Sarah who is ironing in the room to his right with their daughter. The two discuss how Thomas Edison is working on an idea for "snap on electric lights", which the Sarah says will mean no more kerosene and no more no more gas. She also shows guests her new "wash-day marvel", and comments that now she can do the laundry in five hours instead of two days! As John is explaining that Sarah now has time for other things, he is cut of by her response of "Such as canning and cleaning the oven?". Sarah then excuses herself, commenting that she needs to get the laundry off the line before it starts raining cats and dogs (which makes Rover bark).

After it begins to rain, the families son begins to talk from the left room. The sons name is James, and he is scolded for using his fathers Stereoscope without permission. What he is watching, is 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 references to the 1906 World's Fair in St. Louis. This has led many to conclude that the scene guests are watching takes place on Valentines Day 1906, although this is unconfirmed.

As the John and James finish talking, John tells guests that they also have, "one of those talking machine". The right stage then shows a grandmother, sleeping with the radio on. The radio plays, "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow", and the grandmothers parrot exclaims "She keeps that thing on all day!". John's attention is then drawn to a room on the left, where his daughter Patricia is. Patricia is getting ready to go to a Valentines Day dance on the other side of town. John explains that she will be taking one of the new "horseless trolleys", before telling her that she better be home by 9 o'clock. He then tells guests that he is going to take one of the new trolleys downtown to have a root beer, which he explains is just a sarsaparilla with a new name. After he is finished he begins singing It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow and the Carousel spins, moving guests to the next scene.

4th of July (1920s)

As guests leave one scene and arrive at the next, the 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 he is sitting on a smaller, kitchen chair. Although a dog still lies on the floor, the dogs changed colors and presumably breeds. When John stops singing, he tells guests that things have changed alot in the last twenty years. He then proceeds to tell guests the new accomplishments of the ear. These include:

• Charles Lindbergh, who is about to fly over the Atlantic Ocean by himself (the Father says he will never make it).

• Sports stadiums are being built all over the United States. He also says Babe Ruth is the countries best baseball player.

• Advertisements are out for the Jazz Singer, in which Al Jolson will talk and even sing.

• Electric starters are now in cars, eliminating the need to crank them.

• People can travel by train from New York to California in 3 days.

He then tells guests that Thomas Edison has brought electricity to his home. At this point all of the electrical machines in his kitchen including a refrigerator, a toaster oven and other cookware. Since all the machines are running at the same time they blow a fuse. This not only shuts of the power in the family's house, but also the whole neighborhood. One of the neighbors can be heard telling her husband that, "They did it again!". She wants her husband to go over and confront John, but this never happens. John does tell Jimmy, his son to go put in a new fuse. Jimmy remarks that the Father blows a fuse every time he has company over, before the lights come back on.

With the power in the house restored, the scene shifts to the Mother who is sitting on the front porch. She is outside sewing a George Washington costume for John to wear. He tells the guests that Sarah's Ladies Club is in charge of the town's 4th of July celebration. He also says that she has the whole family performing in their presentation, with John and Sarah going as George and Martha Washington. As John is making a joke that being the, "father of our country suits me", Sarah interrupts him to say how happy she is that they put electric lights on the porch. John then tries to make another joke about going to the 4th of July next year as Benedict Arnold, when Sarah interrupts him again, saying how excited she is about her firework show. As she is talking, Rover begins barking and John tells him not to interrupt while Sarah is interrupting. Sarah then tells John that Jimmy has volunteered to pick the music for the celebration. He appears with his grandmother in one of the right rooms. He is dressed in a colonial outfit and is standing next to a radio, which is playing patriotic music. John then tells guests that they can now get news and entertainment on their radio from all over the country (even Pittsburgh!). The radio then says that people have begun gathering downtown for the 4th of July.

After hearing this, John tells his daughter Patrica that she better hurry up and get ready. Patricia is sitting in a room on the right, wearing a Statue of Liberty costume. She tells her father that she hopes her new boyfriend doesn't see her in it and run away. John makes a joke saying she can, "always carry that torch" for him, and then begins talking to the guests. He tells them that they now have indoor plumbing which is great for cold days, especially for Uncle Orville. Orville is then shown sitting in a bathtub on the left side of the stage. John informs us that he has set up an air cooling system. While he sits in the bathtub, a fan is blowing on him. As John tells guests that Orville has no job, Orville responds by saying, "No privacy at all around this place". Sarah then calls John, telling him its time to go. John concludes the scene by telling guests with all the convinces they have, they are really on easy street. He then begins to sing Its A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, as guests move on to the next scene.

The line about Charles Lindbergh flying across the Atlantic Ocean has led many to assume that this scene takes place on July 4, 1927.

Halloween (1940s)

As It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow continues to play, the scene changes to the 1940s. John is now sitting in a circular booth and wearing a sweater. His dog Rover, has once again changed colors but is still laying on the floor. As the music stops, John tells guests that everything is better than ever in the 1940s. He then shows of the new technology that they have in the kitchen, including, a refrigerator that holds more food then ice and a dishwasher. He also informs guests that he is now apart of the Rat Race. He says that the highways are now full of people who drive to work in the city, and then drive home every day. Johns also says, that they now have television (when it works), and that John Cameron Swayze brings them the news every night.

At this point, the scene shifts and focuses on a room on the right where the grandmother and grandfather are watching boxing on TV. After that, Jim calls from his room and asks what John thinks of his Jack-O-Lantern. After John says its scary, Jim remarks that he used his sister Patty as a model. After Rover "laughs" at this joke, Sarah calls out from a room on the left, and tells Jim that Patty is prettier then either one of them.

Jim then tells guests that Patty is using an old exercise machine that was "All the rage in the twenties" but never worked. Patty is then shown using the machine, while talking on the phone about her date for tonight. After this, John tells the audience that he is caught up in the "do-it yourself" craze. John and Sarah are redoing their basement and making into a rumpus room. On the left, guests can see Sarah putting wallpaper on the rumpus room. She is using a "paint mixer" that John says he made from her blender. As he is admiring his work, the paint mixer goes haywire and shoots paint everywhere. John then says that it's time to move on, but everybody should try and cheer Sarah up by "singing our song". At this cue, A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow begins playing, and guests move onto the next scene.

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 room. John is standing on the right working on Christmas dinner, while Sarah sits nearby working on a computer. 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 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".

Sarah replies, 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 Johns 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 years turkey. At this point, grandma who has been playing the motion sensor game, has her score up to 550 points. John and Jim, both impressed, repeat the score in awe. Upon hearing John say 550, the oven increases its temperature, although nobody seems to notice.

The grandfather then remarks that he cannot believe the new gadgets that people have today. Trish, cutting him off, begs him not to tell another story about the time before there were even car phones. The grandfather, still undeterred tells her that for a while he didn't even have a house phone, not to mention the technology of today. He gives examples of modern technology including laser discs and high definition televisions, before commenting on how everything is automated today. His last example is about automated flushing (which can be heard in the back ground) this leads Uncle Orville who is off stage, to repeat his earlier line, "No privacy at all around here".

The scene then shifts back to the grandmother who has no beat her video game. She finishes with a score of 975, which John once again repeats. After hearing this number, the oven overheats and begins to smoke. The family all laughs at the fact that another Christmas turkey has been ruined. John jokes that maybe in the new century ovens will learn to read minds. Jim says that someday everything will be automated that John will never have to cook again. At the prospect of this, Rover barks leading the family to laugh and sing It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow one final time.

Guests then come to the unloading area, which looks identical to the loading area. Here they are told to collect their belongs before exiting.

Deleted Scene

Since the show moved to Walt Disney World only one scene has really been removed. The Original Disney World show ended with a scene set during New Years Eve in the 1980s. In 1993 (with the scene now obviously dated) the final scene was changed to the current, Christmas in the 21st century.

New Years Eve (1980s)

The Christmas 1980s scene started with the family sing the show's theme song (at the time) "The Best Time of Your Life". The family was positioned in the same places that they are in the current show. Trisha (holding a gutair) and her grandfather sat around the Christmas tree, while Jim and his grandmother sat next to a large TV. John and Sarah were both in the kitchen area, with John cooking and Sarah sitting next a computer. As always, the family's dog was sitting on the kitchen floor. After they had finished, John commented on how beautiful the sunset looked and how happy it made him. Sarah then said that she was just happy that everybody could be together for New Years Eve.

The grandmother 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 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 is cooking the kitchen tells everybody that he's making