True Disney Magic As Carousel of Progress Closes
Last night, Guests rushed to enjoy the Carousel of Progress one final time before its extended closure. See how Disney Cast members and fans created true magic for the last night of this iconic show.
Carousel of Progress
Carousel of Progress is one of the remaining attractions created by Walt Disney himself. The show has had more performances than any other stage show in the history of American theater and is a true piece of history.
It has been rumored to be in serious need of a refurbishment, and many fans worried that the classic would meet a fate similar to Tom Sawyer's Island and Rivers of America.
Disney Imagineers hope to breathe new life into this attraction. Last August, Disney Imagineers shared plans to bring a Walt Disney animatronic to this attraction.
Carousel of Progress Changes
This will not be the only change to this attraction. Carousel of Progress will soon feature new decades.
To prepare for the next version of this ever-progressing attraction, the Carousel of Progress will be temporarily unavailable beginning July 6, 2026. We expect the attraction to reopen in 2027.
Yesterday, July 5, 2026, was the final date to enjoy the current version of Carousel of Progress.
Carousel of Progress Final Night
Large crowds formed throughout the day to enjoy the current version of Carousel of Progress. Disney did not issue wristbands to ensure order for the final Guests of the evening as it had done with previous attractions set to close.
Carousel of Progress is closed until 2027.
While the lack of a formal queue for this attraction was a little chaotic, Disney provided the perfect blend of magic for this final night. Carousel of Progress Cast Members created a fun dance party for Guests thanks to the Tomorrowland DJ.
A Disney PhotoPass photographer was also located by the exit of the Carousel of Progress. Disney fans even brought Disney magic to this final evening of Carousel of Progress.
Thanks to @DrewSmith for sharing the Disney fans gathered outside of the attraction to watch the Guests exit from the final show:
This morning, construction walls now surround Carousel of Progress. Our fingers are crossed that the new scenes will include the nostalgia we have enjoyed in previous versions of the Carousel of Progress.
What do you think of these big changes? Would you prefer for it to stay the same? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna loved Disney from an early age. As a child, her family would joke that she lived in "Donna Land." As an adult, she enjoys planning and creating magical vacations for her family. She always brings a little faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust!
Leadership at WDW seems to be focused on destroying Walt's legacy (CoP, Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer's Island, etc.) and Disney history at the Magic Kingdom. I get updating the CoP, but to show our true progress, some of the original scenes need to stay. Not sure exactly who is making all these decisions, but I really think they're making a huge mistake.