Ode to Disney World’s Carousel of Progress

CoP-CurtainAs we know, a lot of great things (and people!) came out of 1964.  Walt Disney’s imaginative and innovative contributions to the World’s Fair in New York that year were not just the technological beginnings for many of the modern rides and attractions we enjoy today, but also the debut of a few of the most beloved and enduring attractions that remain near and dear to our hearts.  One of those is Walt Disney World’s Carousel of Progress.

After the World’s Fair, the Carousel, originally named Progressland and sponsored by General Electric, moved to Disneyland and was renamed Carousel of Progress.  Guests (up to 3600 per hour) at Disneyland enjoyed the attraction until 1975 when it moved to Disney World and opened with a new song, “The Best Time of Your Life“.  GE’s corporate sponsorship officially ended in 1985.  A 1994 refurb returned the attraction’s original music, the song we all know and love, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow“.CoP-Dad2

The Carousel of Progress gets a bad rap.  Kids think it’s boring, thrill seekers think it’s simply a cool spot for a nap.  I’ve heard “boring”, “old-fashioned”, “antique” (that one really hit a nerve!) and “never seen it” when I asked some folks about one of my favorite Tomorrowland attractions.  A few of you, though, are firmly in my camp – we, the lovers of Dad, voiced by Jean Shepherd of “A Christmas Story” fame, Mom, Son and Daughter, Grandmother, Grandfather, Rover, and Cousin Orville, think Carousel of Progress is wonderful.  How can you not adore the dialog and carefully crafted scenes that illustrate how inventions over the past century changed the daily lives of a single family?

CoP-Dad-With-FanI asked and you were more than up to the task!  A call across social media for haikus paying tribute to the Carousel of Progress was answered with enthusiasm!  While not every entry was necessarily from a Carousel fan, all the poems were heartfelt and creative!  Way to go, Disney friends!!!  Prepare to be amazed…

Ode to Disney World’s Carousel of Progress

Rotate through the years
Uncle orville in the tub
Feel Walt’s touch throughout. – Dean (@CT_Mickey_Man) of the WDWNE Podcast

Nineteen Sixty Four
An innovative display
In New York City – Andrew Carrieri (@AndrewCfran) of The Mouse for Less blog

“Walt Disney presents”…
Those words mean so much to me CoP-Dad3
This was Walt’s project

Quickly time passes
Everything getting better
Don’t burn the turkey.

Do people still ride
The carousel of Progress?
I wish they all would – TRIPLE entry by poetic genius Wesley Snyder (@365DaysOfDisney)

Dad is in a chair
He celebrates holidays
Grandma Shoots Spaceships – M. Parrish (@Schmadvertising)

CoP-Christmas1So the seats rotate.
It’s the Christmas Story guy!
I am so sleepy. – Chad Reno (@Chad_Reno13)

Electric servants
Improving family life
Progress with each turn – HowBowers/LiquidLuau (@GoawayGreen) 

Now is the best time
So the new old song proclaimed
Shining at the end – Paulie (@YoPaulieNJ) of the WDWNE Podcast

On this New Years Eve
Virtual Reality
Is still The Future – Trish (@Babbletrish)CoP-Grandma

So what, the stage turns.
Wait, the theater can turn?
My mind has been blown – March Dizwireness (@Dizwire)

“Are you awake, dear?”
“Give ‘im a left, ya big lug!”
Grandma is on fleek – The Redhead (@TheWickedWench)

Lonely in the back
Tommorowland’s old relic
Smells like a barnyard – Jerusha (@OrangeBirdSwirl)

Beautiful refrain,
running endless through my brain,
just a dream away…. – Heather Brainerd via Facebook

O, moving circle!
Rest and breathe nostalgia.
Comfort me, again – Lyn Maszk via Facebook

CoP-MomSpecial shout-out to my buddy Sean (@1MinDisneyDream) from the Enchanted Tiki Talk Podcast who could not contain his enthusiasm for Carousel of Progress into a haiku and submitted this poem instead:

Carousel oh Carousel ur always progressing.
Let it be known ur lines are short but ur message is long and clear
it’s a great bit beautiful tomorrow.
The end.

Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun!  Sing with me now….

“…Man has a dream and that’s the start
He follows his dream with mind and heart
And when it becomes a realityCoP-Rover
It’s a dream come true for you and me

So there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
Shining at the end of every day
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
Just a dream away…”

Watch for more opportunities to join the fun on Facebook and Twitter.

Which attraction do you think needs to be featured on our next “Ode to” article?