At a Glance
Duration: 21 minutes
Look Out For: animatronics and claustrophobia
Opening on January 15, 1975, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a rotating stage show taking guests through history as the average American family welcomes the great big beautiful tomorrow. But how scary is Carousel of Progress? Let’s take a look at the ratings:
1. Ride Length
Carousel of Progress has a ride duration of 21 minutes. As a stage show, this attraction has a slow pace and informational tone – setting it apart from the various rides in the park.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
Carousel of Progress has no height requirement, making it a great show for the whole family – not to mention a 20 minute break from the heat!
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
While the Carousel of Progress does not have ride vehicles, guests are seated in a rotating theater seating 240 people. There are no restraints needed as this is a stage show with only the gentlest rotating movement between scenes.
4. How Does Carousel of Progress Work?
Carousel of Progress works by rotating its guests around a circular stage – bringing them to 4 different show scenes in total. The actual theater (where guests are seated) moves very gently between scenes, stopping as the scene plays, and then moves to the next one. While it may seem like the stage is moving, it’s actually the seats rotating around a stationary platform – much like an actual carousel.
5. Is Carousel of Progress Scary?
Carousel of Progress is not intentionally scary whatsoever. As a gentle, slow-paced show centered around a family experiencing technology, this attraction contains no spooky imagery or thrilling elements at all.
However, it should definitely be noted that the stars of the show are old-school Disney animatronics that could make some guests a bit uneasy. While they’re all very friendly and endearing, the whole family tends to be a bit shifty a may malfunction from time to time just due to the ride’s age.
6. How High is Carousel of Progress?
Carousel of Progress does not involve heights of any kind. While the theater technically moves in a circular motion, it never leaves the ground.
7. How Fast is Carousel of Progress?
Carousel of Progress does not go fast. With the only movement being the slow rotation between scenes, many guests won’t even know they’re moving at all – but rather assume the stage is turning.
8. Does Carousel of Progress Have Drops?
Carousel of Progress does not have drops of any kind.
9. Does Carousel of Progress Cause Motion Sickness?
Carousel of Progress should not cause motion sickness to most guests. While the theater does move slowly between scenes, the rotation only lasts for 40 seconds each time and does not involve any screens or rushing visuals.
10. Is Carousel of Progress Claustrophobic?
Carousel of Progress could be a bit claustrophobic to some guests. While this attraction has large, fairly open seating like other stage shows, it differs in the sense that the theater actually moves throughout the run time. Because of this, some guests may feel uneasy having to remain seated and not having the option of leaving the theater once the show has started. This combined with the 21 minute run time is definitely enough for some guests (like me) to feel a bit confined.
11. Are There Animatronics on Carousel of Progress?
There are many animatronics on Carousel of Progress. As I mentioned earlier, this ride is almost 40 years old and revolves around animatronics that certainly show their age at times. While all very friendly and endearing, they do have that old-school, uncanny valley feel that many other older animatronics have – think Pirates of the Caribbean and Spaceship Earth. If you or someone in your party is extremely averse to animatronics, you may want to think about skipping this one – especially since the rotating theater doesn’t allow for a mid-ride exit.
Carousel of Progress Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Tomorrowland area and the line remains entirely outside. As a not-so-popular stage show, the line is almost never long, and guests will often just have to wait outside the doors for the next show.
Carousel of Progress Ride Walkthrough
Once you’re led into the theater, you’ll take a seat and wait for the show to begin. A voiceover will introduce you to the show and its history, before you slowly rotate into the turn of the 20th century – around the year 1900. You’re introduced to our narrator – John, his wife – Sarah, their son – James, and daughter – Patricia. We also meet the grandparents and Uncle Orville along the way. Every scene (approximately 5 minutes long) gives us a little snapshot of life at the time and hopes for the future.
The theater will rotate again, bringing guests into the 1920s – and again, taking us to the 1940s. With each scene, we see how technology not only changes life but exceeds hopes for the future in many ways. Of course, each new step forward comes with its own setbacks and growing pains, but we watch the family take it all in stride.
Finally, we arrive in the 21st century – which was clearly meant to appear futuristic when the ride was last updated decades ago – but is a charming scene regardless. We’re left hopeful for the future and the technological advances that are yet to be made. With that, the ride comes to an end and the theater returns to its starting point, allowing guests to exit the attraction.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is Carousel of Progress? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
