The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World has shuttered the Carousel of Progress. This “ride” led people through the advancement of technology through the century (the last one) and, Worlds Fair-like, promised …
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
Shining at the end of every day,
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
And tomorrow is just a dream away.
Man has a dream and that’s a 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.
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow
Shining at the end of every day,
There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow,
And tomorrow is just a dream away.
(Via John)
The theme may have been dated (in public perception, if not reality), but I have very, very fond memories of this attraction at the Disneyland Magic Kingdom. That CoP has been closed for decades (it was replaced by something Bicentennial with music. Currently it’s a video game showcase, as far as I can tell). It really did make me feel like the Future would be Better.
Had I known this was still the “traditional” CoP when I was at WDW earlier this month, I’d have made a point to go on it.
Maybe it’s appropriate that, now with the 20th Century well and truly over, its celebration should be over. Maybe, as we herald Windows XP and the USA Act, we should stop celebrating what technology can do for us, and instead worry about what it will do to us.
All I know is, another childhood icon bites the dust. *Sigh*
(Via Blather)