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

Like all the best theme parks in the world today, Disney has introduced an array of fan-favorite attractions to each of its international properties over the past several decades.

While some fans might gravitate towards newer rides like Magic Kingdom's Tron Lightcycle Power Run or Animal Kingdom's Avatar Flight of Passage, certain age-old attractions continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Disney fans across the globe.

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress serves as one such example of this nostalgic kind of attraction.

Originally constructed for the 1964 New York World's Fair, the Carousel of Progress has long since become a permanent fixture of both California's Disneyland and Florida's Magic Kingdom theme park properties.

Yet according to a new press release from the company, Disney's Florida location will soon see a brand-new version of the beloved Carousel of Progress.

As revealed by Disney themselves, a new audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney will make its way to the Magic Kingdom's iteration of the ride.

As part of the new construction plans for the attraction, this new figure of Walt Disney will appear in an added scene at the beginning of the Carousel of Progress, introducing the decades-long story of an ordinary American family through the ages.

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," said Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, of the announcement.

"We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive,” Komoroske continued.

In spite of this exciting new announcement, there's no word yet as to when the Carousel of Progress will close or reopen with the new Walt Disney figure added into the show.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.