Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress: A Rotating Legacy of Innovation (2019)

If there’s a closer connection to Walt Disney in a Walt Disney World attraction, I can’t think of it. Walt’s future vision inspires the Carousel of Progress and features Walt himself in the preshow—something no other Florida attraction does.

The attraction was initially developed for the 1964 New York World’s Fair as Progressland, presented by General Electric. Walt believed in showcasing how electricity could improve the American home. It was the perfect platform to debut Disney’s groundbreaking audio-animatronic technology.

A Journey Through Time: From the World’s Fair to Tomorrowland

After its success at the fair, the attraction moved to Disneyland in 1967. There, it thrilled guests with its rotating theater design and upbeat theme song, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.” In 1973, Carousel of Progress was packed up and relocated again—this time to Walt Disney World’s Tomorrowland, opening in 1975 alongside the debut of Space Mountain.

Walt’s Personal Touch and the 2019 Ride Experience

I included the iconic clip from  for this blog and video, featuring Walt Disney introducing Progressland. It sets the stage perfectly for the full ride-through, recorded in 2019 at Walt Disney World, showing the classic rotating theater and animatronic stage show just as it exists today.

From gas lamps and hand-cranked laundry to voice-activated ovens and virtual reality games, Carousel of Progress remains one of the most nostalgic and educational attractions at any Disney park. It’s a love letter to innovation, family, and Walt Disney’s unwavering belief in progress.

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You might also like these Walt Disney World 4th of July Speculators 1988. 1989. 1990. 1991. 1992. or The Voices of Liberty on the 4th of July.