Walt Disney Imagineering Shares Carousel of Progress Concept Art from 1993

Walt Disney Imagineering is feeling a little nostalgic. Today, they shared a piece of concept art for the Carousel of Progress’ current finale, illustrated by Greg Wilzbach in 1993. The artwork captures the plan to reimagine the space from “New Year’s Eve in the Home of the 1980s” to “Christmas in the House of 2000.”

For the most part, the scene we know today stayed true to the concept. The daughter’s guitar, a leftover from the previous finale, didn’t survive the update, but nearly everything else did. The home theater, the virtual reality game, and the “smart” kitchen all made the cut.

The concept art also includes several handwritten notes, although many are difficult to read. Wilzbach said that Grandma should be wearing slacks. Also, a sconce should go out when the dark barks, but that idea was also scrapped.

Last August, Disney announced that Carousel of Progress would soon receive its first major update in decades. While the headline change was the addition of a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, Disney also hinted that more updates are on the way.

Here’s my pitch: stop chasing technology altogether. The leap from the third scene’s 1940s vibe straight to “modern day” always feels jarring. Furthermore, what’s meant to be forward-looking feels dated.

I’d love to see Imagineers bring the attraction back to its roots, capping it in the 1960s. Focus on the optimism of that era without trying to compete with iPhones and smart homes. I’d appreciate that nostalgia way more than campy video games. And with Walt set to take center stage, framing the ride around the events of his lifetime seems appropriate.

I have no doubt Imagineers will come up with something infinitely better.