Fully Updated Carousel of Progress Coming in 2027
By Rikki
“Well, that’s progress for you!”
And honestly? That phrase has never felt more fitting.
Disney has officially announced that Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is receiving a massive overhaul, featuring:
- Brand-new show scenes
- New decades and storylines
- Updated technology
- A new finale scene
- An updated family journey through time
This will mark the attraction’s largest update since 1994.
Biggest Carousel of Progress Update in Decades
Disney previously confirmed the attraction would receive a brand-new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, but now Imagineers have revealed that nearly the entire show experience is being refreshed.
The update is designed to make the attraction feel:
- More relatable to modern audiences
- More connected to recent decades
- More emotionally nostalgic for guests
However, Disney also confirmed that one beloved element is staying: “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” will continue throughout the attraction.
New Time Periods Coming to Carousel of Progress
The updated attraction will follow John, Sarah, and the rest of the Carousel family through newly selected decades as technology rapidly evolves around them.
Act 1 – The 1960s
The first scene now takes place during the Summer of 1969. The Carousel family gathers around the television to witness the historic moon landing.
Disney says the scene will celebrate:
- Innovation
- Optimism
- The spirit of possibility
…which has always been at the heart of Carousel of Progress.
Act 2 – The 1980s
Next, guests jump to Halloween Night, 1985. And for the FIRST time ever, Sarah takes center stage! She’ll explain how new appliances and gadgets are transforming everyday family life in the 1980s.
Meanwhile, John is outside handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and Uncle Orville still can’t get any privacy in the bathroom. Because some traditions apparently never change.
Act 3 – The New Millennium
The next scene takes guests to New Year’s Eve 1999. The family prepares to celebrate the arrival of the year 2000 while discovering a brand-new thing called The Internet
Disney says this scene will show how technology is bringing the world—and the family—closer together than ever before.
And there are already some fun callbacks hidden throughout:
- Grandpa has fallen asleep before midnight
- Grandma secretly changes the TV to wrestling
A clear nod to the original attraction’s beloved humor. Give ’em a left, you big lug!
Act 4 – The Possible Future
The finale scene will now transport guests to a futuristic out-of-this-world home.
Disney describes a future where:
- Helpful robots assist with everyday tasks
- Space travel has become commonplace
- Extraordinary innovation is simply part of life
To create this new finale, Imagineers looked back at original futuristic concept art created by Disney Legend John Hench.
Why Disney Is Making These Changes
According to Imagineering, the goal is to make Carousel of Progress feel more personally connected to today’s guests.
By focusing on:
- The 1960s
- The 1980s
- The turn of the millennium
…Disney hopes audiences will relate more directly to the attraction’s evolving technology and family storytelling.
Closing Date & Reopening Timeline
To prepare for the next version of the attraction, Carousel of Progress will temporarily close beginning July 6, 2026.
Disney expects the attraction to reopen sometime in 2027.
Final Thoughts
This is easily one of the most significant changes ever made to Carousel of Progress.
I’m certainly torn seeing a classic attraction evolve. I mean the history behind it is incredible. However, the positive thing is that Disney appears to be approaching the update with a strong respect for:
- The original tone
- The attraction’s history
- Walt Disney’s vision of optimism and progress
And thankfully…There’s still a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day. So, I’ll be optimistic about the future….but will certainly miss the “original.” The good thing is that if you want to see the original, we have it on our YouTube channel!
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But now, I want to know your thoughts. What do you think about these changes coming to Carousel of Progress? You can share with me in the comments or on social! Find me on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and TikTok.
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