The New Carousel of Progress Update is Giving Fans All the Feels

Disney promised some BIG changes and star-studded narrators. We love this newly announced addition.

Carousel of Progress

The Carousel of Progress was one of the attractions that first debuted at the New York World's Fair back in 1964.

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.

Carousel of Progress Changes

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.

This will not be the only change to this attraction. Carousel of Progress will soon feature new decades.

• Act 1: The 1960's: In the summer of 1969, our Carousel family, along with millions around the world, gathered around the television to witness one of humanity's greatest achievements: the historic moon landing. Filled with awe, the moment captures the spirit of innovation and possibility that has always been - and always will be - at the heart of Carousel of Progress.
• Act 2: The 1980's: 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.

• 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.
• 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.

Returning Carousel of Progress Magic

Disney just announced that the previous voice of Patricia in Carousel of Progress, Debi Derryberry, will now be the voice of the grandmother.

This is the type of Disney nostalgia that we love. It will be great to have her familiar voice still as part of this attraction. Derryberry has also lent her voice to many of our favorite Disney films, including Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (Pizza Planet Aliens and the Pizza Planet announcer), A Bug's Life (Baby Maggots), Aladdin (various roles), Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (Annette), and Playhouse Disney (Clay).

Carousel of Progress will open in late spring 2027.

What do you think of this returning magic? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.