Disney Files Permit for Carousel of Progress Updates: What Fans Can Expect

For generations of Disneyfans, Carousel of Progressisn’t just another Tomorrowlandattraction. It’s a memory machine—one that many grandparents rode as kids themselves and now share with grandkids, humming along to “A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” as the theater slowly turns.

That’s why even a small update tied to the ride tends to get outsized attention. This week, there was one. According to BlogMickey , Walt Disney Worldhas filed a new permit connected to Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom, a behind-the-scenes move that suggests long-planned changes to the attraction may finally be moving forward.

The filing itself doesn’t reveal creative details or timelines, but it marks the first concrete development since Disney confirmed last year that a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic will be added to the attraction’s opening scene—an announcement Parade previously reported following the Destination D23fan event in August 2025.

Related: Disney Set to Make Major Change to Iconic 50-Year-Old Attraction

At that event, Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed that guests would soon be greeted by Walt Disneyhimself before the show begins, framing the decades-long story of progress through the eyes of the man who imagined it. Disney emphasized that the heart of the attraction would remain unchanged, even as the introduction is updated for a new generation.

“The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future,” Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, said at the time.

Related: Disney is Bringing Back a Beloved Experience After Nearly Six Years

The new permit, first reported on February 5 , was filed by Walt Disney Imagineering and references show-related systems inside the attraction. Disney has not yet announced when work will begin, whether the ride will temporarily close or when guests can expect to see the updated opening scene.

For longtime fans planning multigenerational trips, the excitement comes from seeing a core, signature attraction—one Walt Disney personally shaped—being thoughtfully carried forward. First created for the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair and part of Magic Kingdom since 1975, Carousel of Progress still reflects Walt’s belief in optimism, ingenuity and the hopeful notion that the future is something to look forward to. With this newly filed permit, the attraction appears to be carefully extending that legacy—allowing families who have loved it for decades to experience it in a slightly new way, together.

Related: The 10 Most Anticipated Theme Park Launches of 2026

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.