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New Carousel of Progress Exhibit Arrives at Walt Disney Presents
Guests visiting Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can now get a sneak peek at the upcoming reimagining of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress with brand-new costumes, scale dioramas, and concept art on display.
Located right next to the live-action Ariel character greeting area, this new exhibit offers park-goers an up-close look at how Imagineers are bringing the classic attraction into a new era ahead of its scheduled reopening in late spring 2027.
The new display showcases physical costume mannequins for John (Father) and Sarah (Mother), highlighting the distinct style changes coming to the attraction’s new time periods:
- Act I (1969): John’s costume features a classic yellow sweater over a vibrant, multi-colored turtleneck paired with khaki pants. According to signage in the display, his 1969 outfit draws direct inspiration from his appearance in the Act IV finale of the original 1964–65 New York World’s Fair Progressland show.
- Act IV (Distant Future): Sarah’s costume showcases a futuristic yellow-and-blue dress paired with beige trousers, blending forward-thinking materials with retro-inspired silhouettes.
Accompanying the costumes are detailed scale dioramas and concept art showcasing the updated show scenes:
- The Staging: One model displays Sarah sitting in a future-forward living area featuring a cozy conversation pit and modern fireplace, while another shows John and Rover hanging out in an updated kitchen set.
- New Time Eras: When the attraction reopens, the timeline will shift from its original early 20th-century origins to focus on key decades of the mid-to-late 20th century and beyond: 1969, 1985, 1999, and the distant future.
- Walt Disney Intro: The exhibit reveals that the show will open with a brand-new introductory scene inspired by the 1964 TV special Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair. Using Audio-Animatronics technology, Walt Disney himself will step onto a soundstage to introduce the Carousel of Progress to guests!
As previously announced, the Magic Kingdom attraction is currently closed for its historic overhaul. When it reopens in 2027, star voice talent Bryan Cranston and Jamie Lee Curtis will lend their voices as Father (John) and Mother (Sarah).
Be sure to stop by Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during your next trip to check out this exciting exhibit in person! Contact our partners at Get Away Today to book your next trip.
