ORLANDO, Fla. — “It’s a great big beautiful tomorrow” for one of Walt Disney World’s classic attractions and other future expansions at Disney’s parks.
Earlier this year, a major update to the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom was announced, revealing that the Tomorrowland through-the-years experience will see new decades: the 1960s, 1980s, Y2K and “the possible future.” Currently closed, the attraction, which originally debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, is expected to reopen in spring of next year.
In the months since the announcement, Disney has slowly unveiled more details about the carousel’s update. Now, visitors to the “Walt Disney Presents” gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can see new costumes that will be worn by animatronics when the revised attraction opens next year, as well as model sets that illustrate the vision behind the new scenes.
Within the gallery, guests can also see small sculptures that show the ideas behind new Monstropolis critters and a model of the Tropical Americas land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Carousel of Progress updates
The last major overhaul came in 1994, featuring scenes set in the 1900s, 1920s, and 1940s and a finale showing a then-future home with virtual-reality games and a voice-activated oven. This was the version of the attraction guests saw until it closed in July of this year.
In the updated carousel, John, the dad, will be voiced by Bryan Cranston and Sarah, the mom, will be voiced by Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis. The grandmother’s voice will be provided by Debi Derryberry, who previously voiced Patricia, the daughter in the 1994 update.
In 2025, it was announced that an animatronic of Walt Disney himself will introduce the new attraction in a scene inspired by the 1964 TV special “Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair.”
The updated Act 1 opens in 1969 with the carousel family — headed by John and Sarah (and still including Rover the dog) — gathered around a TV to watch the historic moon landing.
At the end of the hallway in the Imagineering section of the “Walt Disney Presents” gallery, guests can see John’s new 1960s-era costume and a 1:12-scale model showing the vision for the opening decade’s set. John and Rover are seen in a kitchen with orange cabinets and period appliances.
The behind-glass display also shows Sarah’s futuristic costume: a golden robe and blue shirt slightly reminiscent of “Star Wars” attire. Imagineers also came up with a 1:12-scale model for the future scene with a tall fireplace, sunken living room and decor that feels almost mid-century modern.
The “possible future” scene, the final act, takes place “off planet” in a spacey scene with a robot assistant.
Act 2 of the revised experience takes place on Halloween night in 1985 with Sarah taking center stage to share how new appliances and gadgets have made life easier for the family. John is on the front porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, while Uncle Orville is in the bathroom, saying, “No privacy around here!”
Act 3 takes place on New Year’s Eve 1999, with the countdown to the new millennium and the family — John, Sarah, Jimmy and Patty — discussing the advent of the internet. Grandpa has nodded off before the countdown, and Grandma turns the TV to wrestling when nobody is looking.
The Sherman Brothers song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” will return when the updated attraction reopens.
Mini monsters
In 2027, the first phase of Monstropolis, the new “Monsters, Inc.”-themed land, will open to the public, featuring a new show, restaurants and shops. This takes over the space formerly occupied by the Muppets Courtyard and Grand Avenue areas.
Guests can get a small sneak peek of some of the land’s critters in the “Walt Disney Presents” gallery. Imagineers made “maquettes,” or three-dimensional concept sculptures, to envision what the urban creatures of Monstropolis might look like.
See a two-headed monster pigeon, a pair of “splitting hares” with three ears and a monster squirrel with three eyes and three tails.
“For Monstropolis, Walt Disney Imagineering worked closely with Pixar to create a cast of ‘monsterfied’ creatures that add personality and charm to the city’s streets,” reads an informational plaque explaining the critters. “These maquettes represent just some of the unique wildlife guests may encounter, helping make Monstropolis feel like a thriving city with a rich ecosystem all its own.”
When the first part of Monstropolis opens next year, guests can see the “Welcome to Monstropolis” show featuring a new original song by Randy Newman in the Glob Theater. Mike and Sully will host.
Phase one also includes Harryhausen’s Restaurant, the location where Mike and Celia had one of their “most unforgettable dates.” The sushi chef with many tentacles is brought to life as a new Audio-Animatronics figure.
To-go pizza is available at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, an eatery named after Fear Tech’s six-legged mascot.
When the new land opens, guests can explore the Monsters University Alumni Club lounge and the Scareporium store.
The land’s signature ride will recreate the hanging doors seen in the 2001 animated film. Housed in a 103,000-square-foot building, the attraction will represent the first suspended coaster and first vertical lift in any Disney park. The ride is scheduled to open in 2028.
Tropical Americas
In 2027, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will see the opening of a new land, Tropical Americas, where DinoLand U.S.A. used to be.
Resembling the northern reaches of South America, Central America, and parts of Mexico, the 11-acre land is set in the fictional town of Pueblo Esperanza. It ties together “Encanto,” Indiana Jones and other Disney stories represented in the land’s wooden carousel.
A diorama model in the Imagineering exhibit gives a bird’s-eye view of what the land will look like.
Visitors can experience Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto and an Indiana Jones-themed thrill ride that replaces “Dinosaur.”
Disney’s first Encanto-themed ride will be a family-friendly dark attraction taking guests inside the Madrigal family’s house on the day Antonio receives his gift to communicate with animals.
The Indiana Jones attraction takes guests into an ancient Mayan temple using a similar ride system and track layout as “Dinosaur.” Harrison Ford served as the animatronic model for “Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.”
Other details currently public: The land will include a Maya-inspired play area and a “hacienda-style” quick-service restaurant, one of the largest counter-service locations at Walt Disney World.