A day at Walt Disney World’s first theme park, the Magic Kingdom, can be… overwhelming. The park, pretty much a lock for the most attended theme park on Earth each and every year, is often packed with crowds spread across its lands and attractions.
There is one attraction we tend to rush to provide a respite when things become too overwhelming. However, that MAY be about to change.
My ideal day in Magic Kingdom starts with rope dropping, AKA showing up before the park opens and knocking out as many rides as possible. By about noon, you’ll probably feel super accomplished with how many things you’ve done. So when the crowds come flooding in, it’s time to relax!
As I’ve mentioned on the site before, I’m a Gen Z Disney adult, but I’m a grandma at heart. That’s why my afternoon Magic Kingdom pick for ages has been …*drum roll please*…Carousel of Progress! Not what you were expecting? Let me explain.
Depending on who you are and how invested you are in Disney history, your reaction to Carousel of Progress will vary. The show originally debuted at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair alongside another iconic attraction (“it’s a small world”). It then moved to Disneyland and opened there in 1967.
On January 15th, 1975, the attraction officially opened in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. As of now, the park’s visitors can still experience the 21-minute show that follows a family and how technology changed their lives through the 20th century. It’s all tied together with the theme song “There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” composed by the iconic Sherman Brothers!
If you’re like me and love the show, then you get to enjoy the show without much of a wait. Typically, the longest you’ll wait is a few minutes for the theater to rotate to the next scene. If you’re with others who really don’t care about the show, they can take a quick, air-conditioned nap in the dark. And let’s face it — it’s well deserved after getting up so early for rope drop!
However, thanks to a 2025 announcement, the Carousel of Progress is about to change… and possibly get a lot busier. At the 2025 D23 Ultimate Fan Event, Disney made a surprise announcement that major changes were coming to the iconic Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom. A Walt Disney animatronic – similar to the one that debuted at Disneyland earlier this year – will now be part of the attraction’s pre-show, and the entire presentation will be updated, likely with a new finale.
Will these changes make Carousel of Progress much busier? We’re going to find out! Keep following AllEars for more from Disney World!
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What is your favorite tip to escape the crowds in Disney World? Let me know in the comments.
I discovered this idea on one of our first visits as parents. When my 2nd child was to young to ride on another ride my wife took our oldest daughter and I took the other to CoP and we took a nap in the AC. Since then it’s become one of her favorites.
I am probably the only person who enjoys the queue. It’s time to think, plan, people-watch, meet new people and enjoy the people who are with you.
I love the ride. Like the new seat covers. All the details. It’s fun.