Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Figure Being Added to Classic Disney World Ride

Earlier this summer, Disneyland introduced the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure as part of the 70th Disneyland anniversary celebration. “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” featuring Walt Disney Imagineering’s first lifelike audio-animatronics figure of Walt Disney, is part of a new show at the Main Street Opera House.

Now Disney is bringing another Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure to Walt Disney World! Keep reading for all the details just announced at Destination D23.

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Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Figure Coming to Carousel of Progress

The Carousel of Progress attraction at Walt Disney World is one of the most iconic attractions in Disney history that Walt Disney himself created. Disney created the attraction in partnership with General Electric (GE), and it debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. After the fair, it moved to Disneyland and then eventually to its home at Magic Kingdom in 1975.

Disney Imagineering has announced that they will be adding a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure, similar to the one from Disneyland, to this iconic attraction. This is the perfect place to incorporate a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure since this is the only attraction at Disney World that Walt helped plan, design, and was physically involved with.

This new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure will be a part of a brand-new introductory scene guests see before the ride begins. According to Disney, there are more details that will be revealed soon including what “John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to” which hints at additional changes to the scenes of this beloved attraction. But don't worry, Disney Imagineers love this attraction and have said that the “heart of it will stay the same while introducing the Carousel of Progress to an entirely new generation of fans.”

Carousel of Progress Updates Over the Years

Carousel of Progress's main feature is its unique six-stage design, where the audience auditorium spins around the stationary stage, allowing for continuous scenes and making it the most-performed show in American theater history. 

Carousel of Progress has received many updates over the years, with the most notable being the update in 1993 when it was changed back to its original show and theme song, “There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.” Previously, the attraction was rewritten and restaged with a new theme song, “The Best Time of Your Life,” as part of its move to Magic Kingdom in 1975 from Disneyland.

Carousel of Progress has also received many small updates more recently including clothing changes for the iconic family, hairstyle changes, and small decoration additions. It is likely we might see a larger update to Act 4 when the family is seen enjoying the most recent technological advancements of the 21st-century.

Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Figure at Disneyland

We were among the first to see the Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure when it debuted at Disneyland this summer.

At Disneyland, the debut of the Walt Disney figure is preceded by the “One Man's Dream” movie, which is also shown at Walt Disney World. The movie provides a strong overview of Walt Disney's life that is told in his own words before guests are shown the Audio-Animatronics figure. Once the curtain rises, the figure of Walt Disney is seen leaning on the desk as he describes moments he is most proud of, which are all created from different audio snippets from Walt Disney.

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Disney Imagineering succeeded at capturing his essence with the figure, even if it was not a 100% photocopy of the man. You can read our full review for all our thoughts and emotions we felt after seeing Walt Disney in this form for the first time. I am excited to see the success of this technology come to Walt Disney World, especially to such an iconic ride at Magic Kingdom.

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