Disney Reveals Details of Major Overhaul Coming to a Beloved 62-Year-Old Attraction
Disney Reveals Details of Major Overhaul Coming to a Beloved 62-Year-Old Attraction
Colson ThayerThu, May 28, 2026 at 6:36 PM UTC
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A scene from Disney's Carousel of Progress
Credit: Disney
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Disney's Carousel of Progress will close in July for a major update debuting in 2027
Updates include a Walt Disney animatronic and new scenes set in the 1960s, 1980s, the turn of the century, and the future
The attraction's iconic Sherman Brothers song, “There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” will remain part of the show
The overhaul is the first major update to the attraction since 1994
Fans of corny jokes, high-tech audio-animatronics and the Sherman Brothers' “There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” are in for a treat when Disney completes a major overhaul on the Carousel of Progress attraction next year.
On July 6, Walt Disney World will close the Magic Kingdom rotating theater attraction in order to make some long-awaited updates to the attraction's storyline — including the addition of a very familiar face.
Last August, Disney officials announced they would be adding an animatronic of Walt Disney himself to the beginning of the show, but on Thursday, more details were released about how he'll be incorporated. Walt's scene takes inspiration from the 1964 special Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair, in which the famed animator first introduced his idea for the Carousel of Progress. To replicate the set, Imagineers are sourcing and replicating many of the props, including a prototype Tiki bird and a doll from “It's a small world.”
Concept art for the audio-animatronic Walt Disney coming to Carousel of Progress
Credit: The Walt Disney Company
The show will then transition to completely scenes featuring new time periods starring John, Sarah and the rest of the family who already occupy the ride. To keep the attraction relevant for modern audiences, the team behind the project selected four new eras that guests can recognize and remember: the 1960s, 1980s, the new millennium and the possible future.
The first scene, set in the summer of 1969, follows the Carousel family as they witness the historic moon landing. On Halloween night of 1985, Sarah will take center stage for the first time and explain how new appliances and gadgets are making their lives easier. Then, guests will find the family ringing in the new millennium on New Year's Eve 1999, chatting about recent innovations like the internet.
Concept art for the possible future scene on Carousel of Progress
Credit: The Walt Disney Company
Finally, the last scene will focus on the possible future. Taking inspiration from the original concept sketch for the attraction by Disney Legend John Hench, guests will find the Carousel family in an “out-of-this-world home,” according to the Disney Parks Blog.
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And rest assured, the beloved Sherman Brothers tune is here to stay. As guests transition in between scenes, they'll hear “There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” just like in the current iteration of the show.
An attraction poster for Carousel of Progress
Credit: The Walt Disney Company
The last time Carousel of Progress received a major update was in 1994, which included an finale scene and the return of the Sherman Brothers' song. This current overhaul is expected to be completed in 2027.
The attraction first premiered as part of Walt's set of shows at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. Afterwards, he brought the Carousel of Progress to Disneyland, where it opened in 1967 with several updates. It was later transferred to Walt Disney World in 1975.
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During its time in the Magic Kingdom, the attraction has evolved with new scripts, voice actors, time periods and even featured a new theme song, “The Best Time of Your Life,” during its first two decades of operation in Florida.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
