Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress To Close This July for Scene Updates
Walt Disney World has announced that Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress will close beginning July 6, 2026, for an extensive refurbishment. The attraction is expected to reopen in 2027. You may remember that last year, Disney announced that a new Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney himself was coming to the attraction.
Per today’s announcement, Walt will be in a scene inspired by the 1964 television special, “Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair.” This is also where he first introduced the idea of the Carousel of Progress, sharing his belief in the power of progress to shape a better tomorrow. Disney notes that the team of Imagineers working on this set is enjoying sourcing and replicating some of the props seen in that special. There were mentions of the prototype tiki bird, the Tower of the Four Winds model, and a doll from the “It’s a small world” attraction.
In today’s announcement, Disney notes that Imagineers will update every scene on the attraction to new time periods. When the attraction reopens, guests will be able to see what John, Sarah, and their family are up to as they navigate the technology of new decades.
The following excerpt is from the Disney Parks Blog announcement:
One of our main goals for this update was to keep the attraction relatable for today’s audiences by featuring eras in which our guests have personal connections. That includes the iconic “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” which will continue to play as guests transition between scenes.
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.
One thing that I think makes the Carousel of Progress so special is that physical props, painted backdrops, and practical effects everywhere. And the team is working tirelessly to make sure things like appliances and artwork are true to that decade.
New Scenes Announced for Carousel of Progress
Here is a description of the new scenes provided by Disney.
Act 2 – the 1980s
It’s the ‘80s, where everything bigger is better, and things keep on getting bigger! We pick up with the family on Halloween Night of 1985, and for the first time ever, Sarah is taking center stage. She’ll share how all the new appliances and gadgets are making life easier for the whole family.
Speaking of John, we’ll find him out on the porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and poor Uncle Orville can be found in the bathroom with “no privacy around here!”
Act 3 – The New Millennium
With the ‘90s drawing to a close, our Carousel family is preparing to ring in the new millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999. Amid the excitement of the countdown to 2000, a new thing called the Internet is bringing John, Sarah, Jimmy and Patty – and the world – closer together than ever before.
And if you’re anything like my family, not everyone is making it to midnight. Grandpa has already nodded off before the big countdown, while Grandma sneaks the TV over to wrestling when no one’s looking.
Act 4 – The Possible Future
As we reach the end of our show, we see the family one last time in the distant future, in an out-of-this-world home. From a helpful robot assisting with everyday tasks to space travel, the scene imagines a future where extraordinary innovation has become part of life and proves that a beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.
To help bring this new finale to life, Imagineers looked back at original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, drawing inspiration from his imaginative vision of the future.
End Excerpt: Reference Disney Parks Blog
New Attraction Posters for Carousel of Progress
Disney also shared a preview of new attraction posters that were designed for the updated Carousel of Progress. They pay homage to the original posters that were created when the attraction first debuted at Disneyland.
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World between now and July 6th, make sure to check out Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland! For more refurbishments coming to Disney World, see our list below. Check back with Resorts Gal for more Disney news and updates.
Disney World Ride, Attractions, and Other Theme Park Closings and Refurbishments
In the Comments
What do you think about these updates coming to the Carousel of Progress? Are you excited to see the changes? Let us know in the comments below.
