
Last month, Walt Disney World Resort cast members frantically attempted to stop guests from exiting a moving attraction that previously killed a Disneyland Park employee. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has stirred controversy in the last year for mechanical malfunctions and outdated themes that some guests find offensive.
History of The Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress is a 20-minute rotating theatrical show in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park. Initially conceived as “Progress City” for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, the attraction briefly lived at Disneyland Park before finding a home at Walt Disney World Resort in 1975. Though it underwent some changes over the years, Walt Disney Imagineers restored the Carousel of Progress to its original condition and re-incorporated its original theme song, “It’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” in 1994.
The attraction has seen few updates since. The final “futuristic” scene still laughably mentions the magic of self-cleaning ovens and car phones, though Imagineers did makeover the animatronics’ hairstyles and clothing. Maintenance on the ride is so lacking that one of the animatronics’ hands fell off in front of guests this year.
Some fans want Walt Disney World Resort to update the Carousel of Progress. Others want it gone for good, especially those who dislike the attraction’s depiction of the “traditional” American family and questionable historical references.
Guests Take Offense
“Back in 2020 I went on the Carousel Of Progress for the first time and was shocked to hear a reference to The Jazz Singer, a movie starring Al Jolson, a man famous for his blackface performances,” u/Big_Pomelo_2786 wrote on Reddit. “While the film has significant historical value, as it was the first film to have audio that is recognizable, it is today only really known for its blackface. I am confused on how I feel about the line still being around, as while it is referencing a film resolved around blackface, hiding America’s history isn’t the correct way around it either.”
Increasingly, guests are fed up with the Carousel of Progress’s length, content, and flaws. Last month, TikTok user @y0ungbl00dpeaches shared this video of multiple Disney Park guests trying to exit the rotating attraction:
@y0ungbl00dpeaches #carouselofprogress #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #magickingdom
In the video, seated guests became frustrated because the Carousel of Progress automatically stopped whenever the guests violated the ride’s safety guidelines. They groaned as fellow passengers stood up again just as a cast member announced that the attraction would start moving in 40 seconds.
“Guys, you can’t leave,” one guest yelled. “Stop leaving! You’re going to ruin it.”
“Hi, friends, just a reminder that this is a 20-minute show, and you cannot leave halfway through,” the Disney cast member announced over the loudspeaker.
Other guests clapped as the antsy family finally sat down, and the Carousel of Progress resumed.
The video amassed tens of thousands of likes and comments. Most users were appalled at the guests who tried to leave.
“Granted it was a little boring but I loved this ride, got to sit with AC for 20 minutes while it was hot out,” said @karepocalypse.
“This show is great,” @the_j3nn agreed. “It feels like taking a quick nap in an old basement.”
“A 20 min show turns into a 2 hrs of waiting for them to fix it!” @mminjax replied.
A few commenters argued they had the right to leave whenever they wanted.
“I’m so glad you got through this,” @aidan.was teased. “That must have been really difficult for you.”
“‘You can’t leave!’ Watch me 😂,” @saltycapricorn wrote.
Still, others shared the grim reality behind the cast member’s warning.
“If y’all think these people are dramatic for telling people to sit down…just keep in mind that a cast member died on America Sings at Disneyland, which had the same system as Carousel of Progress,” @towerofthe4winds said.
America Sings Tragedy
In 1974, an attraction hostess named Deborah Gail Stone was crushed to death between a rotating and stationary wall on the America Sings attraction. She was just 18 and the first cast member to die in an accident at Disneyland Park.
America Sings closed for days following her death, allowing Imagineers to install a warning light to alert cast members who got too close to a dangerous area. They later replaced the solid wall that trapped Stone with a breakaway wall to prevent a similar accident.
Never exit a moving Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort attraction. Alert a Disney cast member if you need immediate assistance.
Should Walt Disney World Resort replace Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress or leave it as is?
This post Fans Walk Out of ‘Offensive’ Disney Ride as Retheme Petition Gains Momentum appeared first on Inside the Magic.
OMG! Really? People are complaining about the Carousel of Progress? This is ridiculous. It’s a ridiculous story about ridiculous people. If you don’t like it, don’t go on it. But I enjoy this ride and go to it every visit. What are these ridiculous people with butt hurt feelings who think the world should revolve around them. There are plenty of things in this world that I don’t care for. But I do not try to impose my dislikes on others. It’s just way to simple to turn the channel, turn down the volume or not participate in the things I don’t like. Please. It offends me that a Disney ride could offend somebody.
Do a minor update but it’s a favorite given it’s one of the original attractions and was created for the world’s fair. So far a lot of the attractions and hotel room makeovers have missed the mark.
OMg people grow some backbone. Why do you even come to Disney? If it upsets, you so much stay the heck at home.
Absolutely ridiculous what some people get offended about these days! It’s good to see history as it was!! Everyone can form their own opinion . You don’t like it? Fine move on and get a life$ These easily offended snowflakes need a reality check!