Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress Accessibility

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a shining beacon of accessibility in Tomorrowland! With available accommodations, this Magic Kingdom icon is as accessible as any theme park attraction I’ve experienced. That being said, you should be aware of a few considerations before riding.

Consideration: Committing to the full 20 minutes

The only accessibility concern I have for the Carousel of Progress is the time commitment. You must be able to remain seated for the full 20-minute experience. Most shows allow you to exit if it’s not working for you or your family. You cannot leave Carousel of Progress without a medical emergency. Cast Members will remind you of this several times before the show begins.

Consideration: Motion sickness

I typically do not include motion sickness as a consideration in accessibility reviews, because it seems self-evident. If you have not ridden Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, you may not realize that the theater rotates very slowly. While not common, this can be an issue for those who experience extreme motion sickness.

Available accommodations

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is physically accessible. You may stay in your wheelchair or ECV for the duration of the show. There’s a dedicated area that includes companion seats, as well.

The theater is also air-conditioned, something that every park guest can enjoy. It can also be a necessity for people with heat sensitivity.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is very sensory-friendly. There are no abrupt loud noises to startle or upset anyone. There is one scene with a small amount of fake smoke. I did not detect any smells, and the sound was quieter than the narration.

Disney Handheld Devices

Finally, individuals with vision or hearing impairment may want to use a Disney Handheld Device. These devices offer the following technologies:

Audio Description

Walt Disney World theme parks offer audio descriptions through Disney Handheld Devices for select attractions and entertainment.

Handheld captioning

Disney Handheld Device features Handheld Captioning—a portable captioning system that displays on-screen text in select theaters and attractions.

Assistive listening

Disney Handheld Device features Assistive Listening—which amplifies sound through headphones or induction loops at specific theme park attractions and entertainment locations. This service is recommended for Guests with mild to moderate hearing loss.

All Disney Handheld Device descriptions are taken directly from the Disney website.

Disney Handheld Devices are available at Guest Relations. They require a $25 refundable deposit and must be returned on the same day. Visit Disney World’s Accessibility page for more information.

Summary

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is one of the most accessible rides at Magic Kingdom. It is physically accessible, air-conditioned, and sensory-friendly. If you can commit to the full 20 minutes — and if slow rotations don’t trigger motion sickness — this ride will work for you.

This attraction represents the promise of the future for individuals with disabilities. Technological advances (like the Disney Handheld Device) have led to amazing leaps forward in accessibility. I’m excited to see what further improvements the great big, beautiful tomorrow will bring!

Read more: Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain Accessibility