Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has officially closed at Magic Kingdom, and it won’t reopen until 2027. The attraction went dark for a complete refurbishment and enhancement following the park’s close last night, and the lines told the story. Even after Magic Kingdom’s official 11 p.m. closing time, guests kept queuing up for one final spin through the Carousel before it disappeared for the next year or so.
Disney confirmed the attraction became temporarily unavailable starting July 6, 2026, with a target reopening sometime in 2027. This marks the biggest change to Carousel of Progress since its last major update back in 1994, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most significant refurbishments in the attraction’s 60-year history.
The refresh will finally bring Walt Disney himself into the show as an Audio-Animatronics figure, placed in an opening scene inspired by the 1964 special where Walt first introduced the Carousel of Progress concept. From there, Imagineers are updating every act to new time periods that carry more personal resonance for today’s guests. Act One moves to 1969 for the moon landing. Act Two jumps to Halloween night in 1985, with Sarah taking the spotlight for the first time. Act Three lands on New Year’s Eve 1999, as the family rings in the millennium with the internet reshaping their world. The finale pushes into a possible future, imagining a home with a helpful robot and space travel, inspired by original concept art from Disney Legend John Hench.
Through it all, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” stays in place as the show’s anthem, and Disney says the physical props, backdrops, and practical effects will remain true to each era being depicted.
Our Take: Something is fitting about a huge line forming for Carousel of Progress after hours on its last night. This is a slow-paced, sit-down attraction that doesn’t always get the hype of a big thrill ride, but it means something to generations of Disney fans, us included, who grew up watching that family move through the decades. A year-long wait is a long time, but bringing Walt into his own attraction and updating the eras to ones guests actually remember living through sounds like the right call. We’ll be watching for construction updates and any reopening date news as 2027 gets closer.
For the latest on this refurbishment as Disney shares more details, keep checking back with FLN
Disney World’s Carousel of Progress Closed Until 2027
