Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is one of the oldest and most charming shows in Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney developed it for the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, and it moved to Tomorrowland in 1975. The show follows a single family through four eras of American life, from the dawn of electricity to a future full of smart-home gadgets. It is also the attraction with the longest run of stage performances in American theater history, a fun fact fans love to repeat.
| Location | Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom |
| Attraction type | Audio-animatronic show in a rotating theater |
| Height requirement | None |
| Show length | About 21 minutes |
| Opened at Magic Kingdom | January 15, 1975 |
| Thrill level | None: seated, indoor and air-conditioned |
| Lightning Lane | Not usually needed |
What the show is like
You sit in a large theater that slowly rotates around a fixed central stage. Each time the seating turns, a new scene appears: the family’s home around the turn of the twentieth century, then the 1920s, the 1940s, and finally a version of the present day. The same father narrates every scene, chatting with the audience about the newest inventions of his time, from gas lamps and iceboxes to radios, refrigerators and video games.
The songs tie it all together. “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” was written by the Sherman Brothers, the same team behind the music of Mary Poppins, and you’ll probably be humming it for the rest of the day. Keep an eye out for the family dog, Rover, who shows up in every era, and the small jokes tucked into the sets.
Tips for visiting
- Use it as a break. With a 21-minute runtime, cool air and almost no wait, this is one of the best places in the park to rest tired feet in the afternoon heat.
- It sometimes runs seasonally. The show has occasionally operated on a reduced schedule. Check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
- Pair it nearby. It sits between Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and the PeopleMover, another relaxing Tomorrowland classic.
Accessibility
Guests may remain in wheelchairs and ECVs. Assistive listening, audio description and handheld captioning are available. The only motion is the slow rotation of the theater between scenes.
Is it worth it?
Yes, especially for anyone who loves Disney history. It isn’t flashy, but it is heartfelt, funny in a gentle way, and one of the last attractions in the park that Walt Disney personally worked on.
Featured Photo: Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (29419641154) by Theme Park Tourist, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
