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By India McCarty
Beloved Disney World attraction The Carousel of Progress is getting a makeover.
“There’s a great big, beautiful tomorrow on the way for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress,” a post on the Disney Parks Blog announced.
The Carousel of Progress, originally designed by Walt Disney for the 1964-65 World’s Fair, showcased an American family through the decades, finally ending in the ’90s (the ride’s last update was in 1994).
Disney Parks Blog explained that the park’s imagineers will be “updating all the scenes to new time periods” in an effort to “keep the attraction relatable for today’s audiences by featuring eras in which our guests have personal connections.”
The ride will now cover four chapters: the 1960s, the 1980s, the New Millennium and The Possible Future.
Related: How Walt Disney’s Faith Was Central to His Groundbreaking Career in Entertainment
“The Imagineers working on this refresh grew up during these decades, so it’s been a real trip down memory lane to revisit the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that helped shape our history all reflected in this family’s story,” the post continued.
This isn’t the only change that is being made to the popular park attraction. It was announced in 2025 that Disney himself will be brought to life through an animatronic.
“We are grateful to The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney Imagineering for their continued collaboration and ongoing partnership with The Walt Disney Family Museum,” Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, said in a statement.
She continued, “The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future. We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive.”
Disney World’s sibling park, Disney Land, recently celebrated a major milestone in the continuation of Disney’s legacy — they welcomed their billionth park visitor.
“Welcoming our one billionth guest is a remarkable milestone for Disneyland Resort and a testament to the generations of guests who have made this special place part of their lives,” said Jill Estorino, President, Disneyland Resort. “For more than 70 years, Walt’s original park has been a timeless symbol of Disney storytelling, where memories are made and shared, and we are honored to carry that legacy forward for guests today and for generations to come.”
The new and improved Carousel of Progress is expected to open some time next year.
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