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Carousel of Progress
"It's a Great Big
Beautiful Tomorrow!"
This perennial classic, which premiered back in 1964 at the
New York World's fair, has both its big fans and its
detractors. For what it's worth, I enjoy the attraction, but
am appalled by the fact that Disney only stabs at keeping the
attraction properly maintained. It's disrespectful to Walt, in
my opinion. The last time I enjoyed Carousel, I could smell
oil, and even some of the "skin" on our narrator was
torn in places. It's really time for a refurb--and a major
one, to boot.
Rumors have been circulating for awhile that Disney has
plans to "ditch" this attraction and place a brand
new one in its place. If, in fact, this rumor turns out to be
true, then it makes sense that Disney isn't pumping more money
into it.
But enough of the rant. Suffice it to say that, for a
little Disney history, you should experience Carousel, but be
prepared for a bit of a jolt when you compare the upkeep on
this attraction with the upkeep on others.
John, our narrator, takes us from the turn of the 20th
century to the 1990s (including laser discs and car phones).
Much of the storyline focuses on the refinement of
electricity, and that's fitting, since the attraction was
originally sponsored by GE, who "brings good things to
light." Rover is the ubiquitous pet who always has
something to "say" when John makes a joke, or
something unusual happens in the plot (like the lights coming
up on Uncle Orville, who's soaking in the bathtub). The sexism
of much of the twentieth century pervades the scenes up to the
1990s, with the "little woman" spending the day
washing clothes--though she gets a few digs in herself with
her mild criticism of hubby's malfunctioning inventions.
The final scene depicts the husband as the incompetent
chef, and Grandma beats her grandson in a video "virtual
reality" game. So I guess everything is equalized by the
closing curtain.
"A man has a dream and that's the start
He follows his dream with mind and heart.
And when it becomes a reality,
It's a dream come true for you and me.
It's a great big beautiful tomorrow,
Shining at the end of everyday.
It's a great big beautiful tomorrow.
And it's only a dream away."
In the
"Fabulous Fifties" scene, John tells us about
something he heard on the radio--the "rat race."
"I'm one of the rats, too. I'm involved in something
called commuting."
Grandma
gets her game on when she beats her grandson at a high-tech
virtual reality video game on their Hi-Def TV.
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