Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress

In 1959, the General Electric Company teamed up with Walt Disney Productions to tell the story of electricity for the upcoming 1964-5 New York World's Fair. What they came up with was "Progressland," one of the most successful and exhibits at the entire Fair (and a great big commercial for GE). The 16 million visitors to the attraction at the World's Fair not only saw the show, but 160-foot scale model of Walt Disney's vision of EPCOT, known as "Progress City" on the building's second floor. When the World's Fair ended, the attraction was so popular that it was moved to Disneyland, where it ran from 1967 thru 1973. Later renamed the "Carousel of Progress," the attraction takes guests through four generations to see how electricity (thanks to General Electric, of course) has contributed to better living. Throughout your journey, you see how advances made with electricity makes the family's lives easier. The final scene depicts a futuristic, all-electric home with a variety of amazing products made possible through electricity. After General Electric's sponsorship of the attraction expired, the attraction was modified to remove references to the company, but the central theme of the attraction never changed. Initially created for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair as General Electric's Progressland, the attraction was relocated to Disneyland in 1973 and renamed the "Carousel of Progress." In 1973, the entire attraction, minus the second floor exhibits, was moved to a new building in Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland. On January 15, 1975, the Carousel of Progress opened in Tomorrowland in Walt Disney World with a new final scene and new song. The show's original theme song, "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," was replaced with "The Best Time of Your Life," as the attraction was now sponsored by GE. In 1993, the attraction was renamed "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress," underwent a refurbishment and the original show music, "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," was returned. The six theaters each rotate around a center stage, transporting guests through time as they follow a growing family embracing new technologies. The poor dog in the Carousel of Progress must have an identity crisis, as he has been called many different names throughout the history of the attraction. Currently referred to only as "Rover," he was previously called "Buster," "Sport," and even "Queenie!" Not only that, his hair has changed from white (at the World's Fair) to light brown to his current dark brown. Walt Disney requested that the Carousel of Progress never be removed from the Magic Kingdom. Although it was moved from Disneyland to Walt DisneyWorld, the attraction continues to this day. While many of the other member of the family speak to one another, only the father and narrator, John, speaks directly to the audience. Cousin/Uncle Orville, seen in the bathtub in the Carousel of Progress (look closely - you can see his toes wiggling), was voiced by famous Warner Brothers voice artist, Mel Blanc (ever hear of some guy named, "Bugs Bunny?" Hmph. Me neither). Mel stopped by the studios one day in 1963 and voiced Orville - the only time he ever performed a voiceover for Disney, other than contributing some "grunts" for cavemen in the 1964-5 World's Fair "Ford Pavilion." To add an extra bit of realism to his small part, Mel put a pencil in his mouth when recording to simulate a cigar when he learned the character would be smoking in the tub. The original character was voiced as "Cousin Orville", but was changed during the 1994 refurb to "Uncle Orville", as seen in the current version. CAST Carousel of Progress - Original WDW Version 1975-1981 Father (John) - Andrew Duggan Mother (Sarah) - Sharon Douglas Grandmother - Peggy Stewart Grandfather - Bill Keene Daughter - Rori Gwynne Son (Jimmy) - Al Able Cousin Orville - Mel Blanc Carousel of Progress - Second WDW Version 1981-1994   Father (John) - Andrew Duggan Mother (Sarah) - Coreen Conolly Grandmother - Dena Dietrich Grandfather - James Gregory Daughter (Jane) - Claudia Johnson Son (Jimmy) - Gary Morgan Cousin Orville - Mel Blanc Note: Andrew Duggan recorded some new lines in 1985 when General Electric dropped its sponsorship of the attraction Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress 1994-present   Father (John) - Jean Shepherd Mother (Sarah) - Unknown Grandmother - Janet Waldo Grandfather - Rex Allen Daughter (Patricia) - Unknown Son (Jimmy) - Noel Blanc Uncle Orville - Mel Blanc NOTES: Jean Shepherd, Father’s current voice, is a contemporary American humorist. Guests may recognize him as the narrator from "A Christmas Story." Shepherd also provides the opening and closing remarks of the current attraction. Rex Allen, the current voice of Grandpa, was the original voice of Father in the 1964 World’s Fair version. Janet Waldo, Grandma in Act IV, previously served as the voice of Judy Jetson on the popular 1960s television cartoon, “The Jetsons.” Noel Blanc is the son of Mel Blanc If you would like to contribute to this entry, or have photos you would like to share to be used here, please send your trivia or contact us using the contact form here

 

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