Walkabout The World - A Disney Podcast - Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress with Host Ivonne

Episode Date: July 19, 2026

Hello Travelers! This week join host Ivonne for one last ride around Walt Disney's "Original" Carousel of Progress before its great big beautiful refurbishment!  We are listener supported - contribute to the Dole Whip Fund via Google or Apple Pay. Thanks! Walkabout the World is now on TikTok! Come follow our visual companion to the audio podcast at Walkabout.the.world.pod on TikTok And of course, visit us on Instagram and at walkabouttheworld.com - find links to all the things - attraction episodes, Insta accounts of all the hosts, and even how to buy your own Walkabout shirt!  

Yes, tonight's spirit, which is a bond chairman of the Walt Disney studio. The German brothers have written many of the wonderful songs for Hocon pictures and Sunday's shows, and I think this song, with the special news, the afternoon of the New York World Pact. Slam's relations. Take your by the close of them. Well, a few of them tomorrow, just to read away.

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Hello, Travelers. This is Yvonne, and this is another episode of Walkabout. I'm here today for a very auspicious occasion. I'm here because today is one of the last few days that the Carousel Progress will be operational in its current version. So if you haven't heard, the Carousel Progress will close on July 6th for a refurb and it will not come back till 2027. And at that time, when it comes back, our favorite family of progress will have a completely new time to be living in. So it'll start in the 60s, the era of the World's Fair where the Carousel Progress debuted. It'll move to the 80s, which I'm very excited about. As a person who is currently redoing to their bedroom as sort of like an 80s aesthetic Golden Girls' Meets Miami Vice look. And it'll continue on to the new millennium.

so 2000s-ish, and then the last scene will be the future, like it always is. So I am very excited for this redo. A lot of times when, you know, imaginary messes with a classic attraction like this, I think everybody gets very nervous. But I am someone who firmly believes that the Carousel Progress was overdue for a makeover because the Carousel Progress back in that time, it was interesting because the people that watched it were older, people who lived actually. during that time and they saw the things on stage and said, hey, that's what we used to have.

And now most kids look at it and probably even people my age, like I did not live, you know, in the early 1900s. So it's fun to see, but it'll be even more interesting to see things that I actually grew up with. So I'm here today to ride it a couple of few times, I'll be honest. And this ride that I'm going to take with you, I am not going to talk at all. I'm not going to yap at all. You know how I love to yap, but I'm not going to do that to you. And we are going to ride Carousel Progress one last time, and we are going to enjoy it and say goodbye and look forward to the future.

So here we go. We'll rotate several times. So if you cannot stay for that entire 20 minutes, we ask you to please gather your belongings and leave now using the two eggs of doors at the back of the theater. For this is your one and only chance to do so. But sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, everyone.

Thank you. And supervise your children throughout that entire 20 minutes. Feel free to clap, sing along. To Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress. Wow, you're in for a real treat. The Carousel of Progress was Walt's own idea from beginning to end. He loved it. He introduced the show at the World's Fair in New York City in 1964,

and it was an immediate smash hit. Millions of people came to see it. And since then, the Carousel of Progress has had more performances than any other stage show in the history of American theater. You know, Walt Lovell. the idea of progress, and he loved the American family. And he himself was probably as American as anyone could possibly be. He thought it would be fun to watch the American family go through the 20th century, experiencing all the new wonders as they came. And he put them together in a show

called Carousel of Progress, which we are now about to see. Although our Carousel family has experienced a few changes over the years, our show still revolves around a same theme, and that's progress. May the century begin. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow you're just a dream away. It's a dream come true for you and me so there's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day tomorrow a tree looks like the robins are getting ready to celebrate valentine's day today what year is it oh right around the turn of the century and believe me things couldn't be any better than they are today

yes sir buildings are towering now as high as 20 stories and moving pictures flicker up on a big scream. We have almost 8,000 automobiles in this country, and we can travel by train from New York to California in less than seven days. And I even hear tell about two brothers from North Carolina who are working on some kind of flying contraption. It'll never work. Closer to home, we've now got gas lamps, a telephone, and the latest design in cast iron stoves. And that reservoir keeps five gallons of water hot and just three buckets of coal. Oh, boy, it sure beats dropping wood. And isn't our new icebox of beauty?

Look at that. Holds 50 pounds of ice. Nope doesn't sour as quick as it used to. And our dog rober here keeps the water in the drip pan from overflowing. It wasn't too long ago. We had to carry water from a well. And thanks to progress, we've got a pump right here in the kitchen. Of course, we keep a bucket of water handy to prime it with.

Yes, sir. We've got everything we need to make life easier. Say, Mother, I was reading about a fellow named Tom Edison who's working on an idea for Snap on Electric Lights. Electric lights? No more kerosene. No more gas. Sarah sure gets the core of the apple. But we do have this new washday marble. Now it takes me only five hours to do the wash.

Imagine it used to take two days. Well, that's right, folks. Now Sarah has time for other things like... Like canning and cleaning. Yes, dear. Love himself just rain himself, you know. I know, dear. And they probably never will. Now, if you'll excuse me,

if it starts raining cats and dogs. Oh, don't worry, Rover. She didn't mean real dogs. Besides, it's not going to rain today. My lumbago isn't acting up. Say I know you so. Boy, look at it come down. All you have to do is put your wash on the line, right?

Oh, well, the cistern was low anyway. Wow, wait, look at that. Now, James, I thought I told you to ask my permission before using my new stereoscope. It's not a toy, you know. Ooh, la, so that's the little peach and doing the hucci, hey, Dad? Isn't she a knock out? She's the star of the new World's Fair in St. Louis. And you put that away before your mother finds it. Oh, Dad.

You heard me. Well, we have one of those new talking machines. Now, that is something. It plays music right here in our home. Yes, Patricia? Don't worry, Patricia. They're friends. That's our teenage daughter. She's getting ready to go to a Valentine's dance across town on one of those new horseless trolleys. I think it's very romantic. You're taking mother out from Valentine's dinner you see. Well, you know what kind of sport I am. I only hope I have anything as romantic.

Now, you'll be home by 9 o'clock, daughter. You hear me? Oh, well, with all this talking, I've worked up quite a thirst. I think I'll take one of those newfangled trolleys down to the drugstore soda fountain and meet the boys for a cold sasperella. Oh, I'm sorry I forgot. We're drinking root beer now. Same kind of thing, different name. Well, that's progress for you.

And speaking of progress, There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow. And tomorrow is just a dream away. Man has a dream, and that's the start. He follows his dream. The dream come true for you and be.

So there's a great big, beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day. There's a great big, beautiful tomorrow. Just a dream of a... You, boy, how to sport the July we've had in years. We've come a long way, though, since the turn of the century over 20-some-odd years ago. You know that pilot fella, Charles Lindberg? He's about to fly a single-wing airplane all the way across the Atlantic.

He's never going to make it. And sports stadiums are springing up all over. And, boy, nobody hits that old horse hide like that new fellow, Babe Ruth. Jazz music is the cat's meow. And there's been ads in the paper for months for a movie starring Al Jolson. And he's going to talk and sing. Boy, I've got to see that. There goes Schwartz in his automobile.

He sure loves that horn. You know, in my New Essex, I've got an electric starter. Now I don't have to crank. We can travel from New York to Los Angeles by train in only three days. And we've got a house full of new electrical servants. Mr. Edison sure added life to our home. You'll blow a few. That's the third one this week.

I buy fuses by the case. Uh-oh. And I blow the whole neighbor, but again. Easy, rober. Jimmy, hurry up with that fuse. Shucks! Every tiny-ass company, he blows a fuse. And guess who always has to change it.

I heard that, young man. I heard that. Oh, well, that's more like it. John, yours is the last costume about to finish the work for a race start. Sarah's Ladies Club is responsible for our town's Fourth of July celebration tonight. She's got us all roped into performing in their program.

I'm decided we're going as George and Martha Washington here. Oh, the father of our country. That's a role that really fits me. You know, I'm so glad we installed an electric light fixture here on the porch because it's just too dark to be someone inside. Yes, Sarah. You know, next year I'd like to go is Benedict Arnold? Wait until you see what I've got planned for the fireworks show tonight.

Rover, don't interrupt while. Sarah's interrupting. And guess who volunteered to choose the music for the program? I didn't pop. Listen to this. It's a nice tune, Jimmy. You know, with our new Crossley radio set, we can get news and big-time entertainment

from all over the country, even Pittsburgh. We're starting to arrive downtown, for a spectacular month of July parade and wireless events of events. Oh, Patricia. Yes, father. Better get a move on. radio says folks are arriving downtown.

Well, dear, if that happens, you'll always have that torch you can carry for them. Countdown, Rover, I was only kidding. By the way, we have indoor plumbing now. Oh, boy, that's really great on cold nights, especially for our perennial house guest, old Uncle Orville. Uncle Orville's taken over the coolest spot in the house, of course, and he's rigged up a real clever contraption. calls it air cooling. Too bad he's not reading to help one it is. No privacy at all around this flight. Sorry, Orgel. You know, considering all the... Oh, coming, Martha, as I was saying, considering all the conveniences we now have,

I'll say that we're really on easy street these days. It just can't get any better. It just goes to show that there's a great big, beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day There's a great big beautiful tomorrow And tomorrow's just a dream away Come true for you or me So there's a great big beautiful tomorrow Shining at the end of every day

Full tomorrow Well, it's another Halloween here in the fabulous 40s Everything is better than ever now And we've got some amazing new wonders around the house to prove it. For instance, our refrigerator holds more food and ice cubes. And thanks to our automatic dishwasher, I don't have to dry the dishes anymore after supper. Gives Rover and me more time to enjoy our evening stroll together.

Later, boy. Oh, and here's something else that's new. I just heard a new turn today on the radio. Fellas says, we've got something now called the rat race. Did you ever hear that one? It sure describes my life. I'm involved in something now called commuting. I drive into the city for work all day,

and then turn right around and drive all the way back. And the highway is crowded with fellow rats doing the same thing. That's what they call progress, dear. Yeah, I guess she's right. But we do have television when it works. Gives you something to do after you come home. I kind of like it, you know. A guy named John Cameron Swayze gives us all the news,

and then they have all this singing and dancing. A lot of fluff, but it's fun. You know, I predict today when millions of people will learn Latin and Greek sitting in front of their TV sets. Are you a great idea? Yes. Big love. Oh, yes, a new age of electronic civilization is upon us.

Hey, Dad, what do you think of my Jekyllander? Oh, boy, that's scary. That's because I'm using my beautiful sister Patty's picture for a model. Oh, Robert. Jim, Rover appreciates your joke. Now, you're always getting poor Patty. She's certainly prettier than either of you. Old exercise machine she rescued from the attic.

It was all the rage in the 20s. Grandma, of course, had to have one. Didn't work then? Doesn't work now. Consistent, at least. makes a lot of noise and blows fuses. As I can say, you can, I mean college is really swell. You should get to try. Oh, poor Howard.

I wonder what they said about me when I was dating Sarah. You're lucky, Rover. You don't have to date. Well, we're caught up in the do-it-yourself craze these days. We're remodeling our basement of something called a rumpus room, and we're looking forward to a few rumpuses. I'll tell you, as long as they don't get out of hand. John, this papering is getting out of hand.

I could use a little help. Now, Sarah, didn't I set up that clever automatic paint-stirring machine for you? Yes, John, you're a genius. Of course, this will ruin my food mixer. Not that you'd care. Oh, good old Sarah. Always the last laugh. What happened, Sarah?

Oh, you and your progress. That paint mixer of yours just sloshed paint across my room. A rubble. How do you like that? How do you say if you're going to be married, marry a girl with a sense of humor? Well, it's time to move on. Let's cheer up Sarah by singing our song. Come on, everybody.

There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow And tomorrow's just a dream away. It's a dream. come through for you and me so there's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day there's a great big beautiful tomorrow just a dream away it a pleasant holiday oh turkey's in the oven it's peaceful and quiet yes 300 points my best score yet well it was peaceful until santa brought that new virtual reality space pilot game Your turn, Grandma. Let's switch the image over to the TV so the resident Flying Ace can show you how it works.

Now, it's a little tricky. Just use your game glove to fly that I'm the other guy and blast him with your laser blaster. Laser blaster? Well, I'll give it a try. Take a look around, Grandma. You're in the ship. Feels like I'm really there. Okay, get ready. You're about to blast off. Here goes nothing. Whoa. All right, here it comes. Oh, you missed them.

Hey everybody, I'm done programming our new voice activation system. Now all our household items will do anything we tell them to do. Great, well, the refrigerator brings me to root there. Well, it can't quite do that. But I'll show you something it can do. Tree lights 30% brighter. Ooh. Oh, that's no big deal.

Anybody can do that voice activations stuff. Watch it. Roar! Three, hop! John, the autumn should respond to your voice commands now. Get him, stop. Okay. Here goes.

Temperature to 3-7-5. Look at that. It even talks that. It might see a certain people I know. Yeah, right, Dad. You got a losing, Grandma. Thanks to the right. Remember Dad's turkey last year?

Yeah, that thing. Really smoked up the place when it burned, didn't it? We ended up microwaving frozen pizzas. Well, no need to worry about the turkey. this year not with an other that will do anything your father tells us to do. Ooh, good shock. Did you see that? Dad, grandma's up to 550 points. Did you say 550? Hey, she's getting the hand to that thing. I can't believe all the new gap he's they've got now. You know it in my days... Oh no, you're not going to tell us about the old days when you didn't even have a car phone.

Said, Dr. For a while, we didn't even have a house phone. Not to mention lasers, there's high-death TV, everything is automated to say. Well, it's losing that. No privacy at all around this place. Sorry, Orp. Anyway, you guys don't know how to do you got it now, dude. You know, my grandpa told me the very same thing when I was a kid. Take that, you ningo! Hey, check it out, Jack.

out dad brown's up to 975 points wow 975 for Christmas turkey ruined man what a game I really smoked those guys looks like I'm resident flying ace now best two out of three grandma later kid boy that was fun what will they think up next who knows we've got a whole new century waiting for us out there yeah and maybe sometime in the new century you would probably

We'll learn how to talk to our oven. Well, maybe by then ovens will read our minds. But hey, as long as we're all here and happy and together for the holidays, who cares if I burned our Christmas turkey? I do. I'm starving! Don't worry, Dad. Someday, everything's going to be so automated, you won't ever have to cook another Christmas turkey again.

There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day There's a great big beautiful tomorrow Thank you for joining us on Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress We hope you've enjoyed this tribute to the 1964 Carousel of Progress From the New York World's Fair Please gather all of your personal belongings And exit through the doors located at the back of the theater

Have a great big beautiful day. And remember, tomorrow is just a dream away. I go that way. So I hope you all enjoyed this very special episode of Walkabout Walt Disney World with not a whole lot of walking and not a whole lot of gaping. But, you know, attention had to be paid to saying goodbye to the current version of Carousel Progress. And I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to the future. So thanks again for joining us and we will see you next time.