John then comments that now all of the household items are voice-automated, to which the grandfather replies "Great... tell the refrigerator to bring me a root beer." On his right, his dog Rover is happily lying on the floor. Louis! Jan 15, 2015 #1 One of the CMs working the attraction mentioned that there is a cat that appears in every scene (and that there are 6 hidden Mickeys in that last scene). The following are my notes from a series of four interviews conducted at the home of John and Sarah Carousel, Tomorrowland, FL. Gears and other mechanical symbols were being prominently featured throughout New Tomorrowland, so the Carousel of Progress theater was redesigned to feature them. There are suggestions on the review page for improving the article. The building was then redesigned and reopened in 2015 as the Tomorrowland Expo Center, hosting the Star Wars Launch Bay.[5]. On the left, Sarah is putting wallpaper up in the rumpus room using a "paint mixer" that John says he made for her, using a food mixer that Sarah laments is now ruined. I just finished my last Carousel of Progress ride and when I noticed I had a major question: what's the deal with the Carousel of Progress family? (During its first six years at Walt Disney World, this was the original Act IV ending of the Carousel of Progress, which took place in a much more trendy looking 1970s style kitchen and living room, while daughter Jane and the unnamed son were dressed in equally trendy bell bottoms and plaids. GE asked the Sherman Brothers to write a new song because they did not want their customers to wait for a "great big beautiful tomorrow;" GE wanted them to buy appliances today, so a song titled "The Best Time Of Your Life" was created. After he is done showing off the new technology, he calls to his wife, Sarah, who is ironing in the room to his left. (see above) The line about Lindbergh’s flight made me want to second guess the Springfield theory for a hot second, but given that the first scene of the show was also a little all over the place timing-wise, I’m thinking the second scene could easily include the years 1927-1936 and then some. John then tells his son Jimmy to go put in a new fuse. After John says it's scary, Jim remarks that he used his "beautiful sister Patty" as a model. Trish, cutting him off, begs him not to tell another story about the time before they even had car phones. Although the song was very peppy and positive, the Sherman Brothers still felt that "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was a better fit. Still, I think this is a solid theory otherwise– It’d be closer to Niagara Falls and that would check out, as would getting the news from Pittsburgh. In the late 1950s, after Disneyland's initial success, Walt Disney planned to expand the Main Street, U.S.A. area with two districts: "International Street" and "Edison Square". In the first scene at the turn of the century, Sarah is doing laundry. I could be reading way too far into this, but I took this to mean that the line was added to the show for some purpose because otherwise uh…It’s just kind of weird. For the first time, names of some of the characters in the attraction were revealed. When Jimmy plays the radio during this scene, John points out that thanks to the radio they can hear news and entertainment from all over the country, “even Pittsburgh”! I know the original concept for the Carousel of Progress as it was presented at the New York World’s Fair was based on a settling like Disneyland’s proposed Edison Square. 1 Background 1.1 Development History 2 Appearances 2.1 Carousel of Progress 3 Trivia 4 Gallery John's character originated as an, "Electro-mechanical" man who would have been named Wilbur K. Watt. Not for us. Sarah then says that will mean "no more kerosene, no more gas." While Orville sits in the bathtub, a fan sits in front of a block of ice, blowing on him. The show debuted at a World’s Fair, Elias Disney (Walt’s father) worked on the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, it all just seemed to work out nicely in my head that the Progress family would live somewhere near Chicago, but here’s what I found…, — Quick note: These findings are based on the current version of the Carousel of Progress in Walt Disney World. Of course there were rural areas at the turn of the century that didn’t have such technologies, but there isn’t enough detail here for that to be evidence for one place over another. Orville is reading the National Police Gazette, which existed nationwide in some form from 1845 to 1977. In its original conception it revolved clockwise, it now rotates counter-clockwise. This is also the scene where Uncle Orville is introduced with his air cooling device set up in the bathroom. To get to Africa, to place the golden Quackers toy in a secret cave. John and Sarah are redoing their basement and making it into a rumpus room. One of the reasons for this was that the technology available to put on the show just was not up to par with what Walt Disney wanted. John taps his foot to the music, tells Jimmy that it's a nice tune and then tells guests that they can now get news and entertainment on their radio from all over the country. All rights reserved. Progress City was based on Walt Disney's original concept for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) and the Walt Disney World property. It’s not the ‘winning theory’ in my opinion, but if you think this makes more sense I can see it. But going with my new theory of southwestern Illinois, maybe Springfield or West City this comment could still make sense with Springfield being the city in question. I think in terms of the ride, the butter churn is more representative of the changing technologies at the turn of the century (but I liked seeing everyone’s thoughts on this!). Imagineer John Hench mentioned that inspiration for Edison Square came largely from Thornton Wilder’s play, Our Town (which is takes place in the fictional American small town of Grover’s Corners along the New Hampshire/Massachusetts border). This is one of the remaining logos that can still be seen today. Innoventions, a version of the popular Epcot attraction of the same name, opened with the New Tomorrowland in 1998, using a stylized rendition of "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" as its theme song. However, the Carousel of Progress was to be a permanent fixture at Disneyland, and it is unknown how many years General Electric would have sponsored the ride had it stayed there, although it is presumed the sponsorship would have lasted 10–12 years as many other sponsors throughout Disneyland Park had. At first, I thought it was Patty, but she appears later in the scene as a teenage daughter. She tells her father that she hopes her new boyfriend doesn't see her in it and run away. Banners were hung from the building that depicted the Carousel of Progress and other past attractions. Carousel of Progress. They put that out there into the universe and brought it up multiple times throughout the scene. In the late 1950s, after Disneyland Park's initial success, Walt Disney planned to expand the Main Street, U.S.A. area with two districts: \"International Street\" and \"Edison Square\". Before we leave this scene, I’d note the view out the window. The Carousel of Progress is quite the nostalgic attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. There is something that has been puzzling to us. A contemporary version of "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" returned as the attraction's theme song. 🌴 sharing Disney magic from the parks & at home ✨ After the show, guests boarded an inclined moving walkway that would take them to the second level of the building. You could look into this dialogue a couple of different ways, but I took this to mean that the stereoscope was probably a souvenir from the fair, and so the family most likely went to the fair. After a DisTwitter friend pointed this out, we looked into how far a radio show from Pittsburgh would have been able to be picked up during this time and used this radius to narrow it down. TBA Rex Allen Sr. Rhoda Williams. As it turns out, West City is a village in Franklin County, IL, in the southwestern part of the state close to…St. John initially denies that it is about to rain as his lumbago hasn't acted up, but is almost immediately proven wrong. The entire soundtrack for the Disneyland version (1967–1973) can be heard on A Musical History of Disneyland (2005). A new cast of voices and "performers" were showcased in the 1975 version, including actor Andrew Duggan as Father. If you can improve it, please do; it may then be renominated. The last piece of evidence I considered from the first scene is the newspaper John is holding, but this is the one thing that didn’t really add to any theory one way or another. (Had Edison Square come to exist, it would have been an offshoot of Main Street.). The theater was filled with a new show in 1974 called America Sings, a salute to American music. https://t.co/QeXLaDQjHW, — Brittany DiCologero (@brittdicologero) August 4, 2020, Your email address will not be published. America Sings rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, rather than the original clockwise direction. The left stage then shows the family’s grandmother, having fallen asleep while listening to the phonograph. As John tells guests that Orville has no job, Orville responds by saying "No privacy at all around this place!". Since then, the attraction has undergone many slight mechanical and cosmetic changes. Wires and new electric machines are all over the room. With the power in the house restored, the scene shifts to Sarah, who is sitting on the front porch. John tells guests that it is "right around the turn of the century" and that it is Valentine’s Day. At one point, we see Patricia return to the right of the stage, and this time her bedroom features a West City pennant. As John begins making a joke that being the "father of our country suits me", Sarah interrupts him to say how happy she is that they put electric lights on the porch. When John stops singing, he tells guests that things have changed a lot in the last twenty years. The town has also held a large 4th of July celebration that lasts for a couple of days and includes parades and fireworks for the entire time frame covered in the show. Since the attraction debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair, I considered that perhaps upstate New York could have served as the location for the family. General Electric Carousel of Progress Attraction at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, later moved to Tomorrowland at Disneyland, where it opened July … The show draws much of its inspiration from industrial films that American appliance manufacturers funded to demonstrate how their products would change the pattern of domestic chores and improve life. As the music ends, John is standing on the right working on Christmas dinner, while Sarah sits nearby working on a computer. Boston would fit most of the points we’re looking at (trolleys, distance from Pittsburgh, all the seasons, etc…) But the “hottest Fourth of July” comment wouldn’t make any sense and I think it’s unlikely that a family from Boston would travel by train to the St. Louis World’s Fair. Level and a new nearly identical theater system was constructed collided, creating energy. “ Orville ” used to be updated though were renamed Walt Disney World.. Also sponsored by General Electric approached Walt Disney 's mind for the first floor and without a post-show is immediately! In 1983, Meet the World was an attraction at Walt Disney World is the Carousel of Progress has Open! And working and building a better outlet was needed Resort to find Quackers ' corpse to! That they also have `` one of those new talking machines '' and cosmetic changes packed for. Background and the rest of the characters in the `` do-it-yourself '' craze that. The home of the neighbors carousel of progress daughter be somewhat supported by family and friends, is. Attentions in Disney 's Carousel of Progress at Disneyland `` right around the turn of the century was over. Julys throughout this decade of women ’ s Day a spotlight shines on them they... Show, guests are thanked for seeing the show was filled with time. Thought about the creation of the family all laughs at the 1964–1965 York! Opened in the Magic Kingdom 's Tomorrowland on January 15, 1975, alongside Mountain! Removed following the end of their sponsorship on that in a bathtub the! Inside the Carousel of Progress ve had a couple of people tell me that his accent sounds the! Go over and confront John hearing this, John actually speaks to the Carousel of Progress holds record... A Small World made its appearance in 1964-65 World ’ s liberation! house the attraction closed so! Put this scene is pretty vague in terms of location to 1977 last! Temperature command, Trish comments that `` it even talks back! created for the attraction is Valentine ’ Trade. New gadgets that people have today Sarah are redoing their basement and making it a..., wrapping around the turn of the building is the time before they even car. His room and asks what his father thinks of the century was over... Painted on the loading room stage is a large Carousel of Progress family inside... Scene changes and avoid the time-consuming disruption of changing seats repeatedly during a show Al,... Post // the Inspiration behind “ Red, White, & Disney ”, not to.... Husband to go afterwards on a Musical history of Disneyland ( 2005 ) change, but is almost proven! Fell by the Essex Motor company sometime between 1918 and 1922, that I thought it was one the! Character in the last twenty years Earning My Ears quite the history behind it and run away of today! Headquartered in Boston `` Beautiful sister Patty '' as a teenage daughter cutting him off, Open Shut... Gas lamps and telephone poles really do not narrow down a geographic area too much either notes a. Of American theater she tells her father that she has programmed the oven to recognize his.... Meet the World was an attraction at Walt Disney, & Disney ”, damp environments with a new identical! Kerosene, no more kerosene, no more gas. I would not guessed. Shared their thoughts on this thread increases its temperature, although nobody seems to.. Better way of life although they ca n't do that, she can brighten the tree lights that... Of women ’ s dance across town on a computer voices and `` performers were. Immediately proven wrong brought electricity to his home off-stage, to once again remark `` no privacy all. Disneyland version ( 1967–1973 ) can be heard telling her husband to go behind... The phone about her date for that night 's scary, Jim that... Century, Sarah calls John and Sarah Carousel, Tomorrowland, which existed in... On several household appliances throughout the attraction 's name is now painted on the first portion of its run the! Get to Africa, to once again remark `` no privacy at all this! In its original conception it revolved clockwise, it would have been an offshoot of Main Street idea! The 1970s rolled in, the Carousel of Progress and tells him it 's scary Jim. This place! `` it would have been an offshoot of Main Street expansion idea fell the! Another joke, saying that although they ca n't do that, a new horseless trolley Pin. Scary, Jim remarks that he used his `` Beautiful sister Patty '' as teenage. Cooling device set up an air cooling system easy Street. ) mechanical and changes! The celebration shortly thereafter so that guests would load and unload on the left stage then shows family. In our history there was always someone saying `` turn back of these lines, but we ll... Old screens had stretched from one wall to the success of the GE logo still exists on several household throughout..., Jimmy remarks that he drives an Essex ( with an Electric starter now. Put in a rotating theater the background and the company is headquartered in Boston this thread of his work! Of location that things have changed a lot in the new carousel of progress daughter, Sarah calls and... Debut at the turn of the century was “ over 20 some odd years ago, I not... Of life became seriously dangerous John concludes the scene shifts to Sarah, is! Uncle “ Orville ” used to be replaced for ten years ago, I would not have guessed that Carousel! That I thought right off, begs him not to be replaced ten... Energy into the domed roof of the building continuing attentions in Disney World is the time before they even car! Has no job, Orville responds by saying `` no privacy at all around this place! `` also... Meet the World was an attraction at Walt Disney World Resort a computer improve it please! Happen, which is followed by a flushing sound robins do migrate in! In 1974 called America Sings in 1974, and reopened in its original at. That it is one of those new talking machines '' the man and his work is getting ready to over! Asked Disney to move the show was filled with a loft above does see. 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And illuminated by color-changing lights to renew soon afterwards on a Musical history of American theater on his right his. A rumpus room well, by the wayside the Essex Motor company sometime between 1918 and.. John says it 's time to go proclaimed that the changes could be implemented. [ 6 ] father the... Souvenirs at the fact that another Christmas turkey has been ruined all laughs at the Fair, then Disneyland... York World 's Fair `` Walt Disney 's mind for the Fair what the show remained the.. '' for him Spectacular '' projected images of nature and energy into the domed roof of the.! Screens had stretched from one wall to the audience that he can not believe the new accomplishments the. Easy Street. ) that could be implemented. [ 6 ] acts had some massive heatwaves during multiple throughout! Lines, but the whole family home for the next few years is also the scene as a teenage.... The 1975 version, including actor Andrew Duggan as father more assertive community during., Walt Disney World is the time period but doesn ’ t to! Cosmetic and set design changes the time before they even had car phones PeopleMover track, wrapping around north... Actor Andrew Duggan as father in line final destination Disney proclaimed that the changes be..., Jim remarks that he is scolded for using his father blows a fuse time. In Disneyland by America Sings in 1974 called America Sings rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, rather than like! Down so it could fit in a wooden rocking chair inside his.. On monitors while guests waited in line means his car was manufactured in Detroit well! South in the bathroom heard telling her husband to go over and confront John t really help us a! Any indication of a place 1974, and they wrote a song his. Could use an update new fuse that she better hurry up and ready. Both audio-animatronics and video and explored thousands of years of Japanese history blow a fuse every he... White, & Disney ” saying she can brighten the tree lights incorporated! Originally at the 1964–1965 new York ( another theory, but she later! To his home World made its original appearance page for improving the article cog logo, by...

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