Carousel of Progress Gets Brand-New 1970s-Style Seating

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom has new 1970s-style seating.

New Carousel of Progress Seats

A curved row of brand-new theater-style seats with various patterned upholstery, reminiscent of Carousel of Progress's 1970s-style seating, in a modern auditorium; empty and brightly lit.

There are seven rows of seats in each Carousel of Progress theater. All chairs have been replaced in one of the six theaters and we expect the seats in the other theaters to be replaced soon.

A curved auditorium with rows of cushioned, 1970s-style seating in vibrant colors and patterns, including red, yellow, and orange. The dark blue wall behind the seats contrasts with the white ceiling adorned with a few air vents, reminiscent of a Carousel of Progress scene.

Each row now has either green, orange, red, or blue upholstery. The actual seats are covered in a solid pleather material.

A row of patterned seats with green armrest pads arranged in a waiting area with a carpeted floor.

The seatbacks feature a 1970s-style pattern of circles and diamonds creating a starburst effect.

An auditorium with rows of patterned seats in shades of red, orange, and mustard, with a few people sitting in the back rows.

The new chairs are gray plastic. The backs have slightly rounded corners, similar to those that Carousel of Progress had in 1975 when it first came to Magic Kingdom. Below is a photo from that era via The History of Disney on Blogspot.

A black-and-white image of a stage play set depicting a 1950s living room, kitchen, and dining area. Several actors are performing domestic scenes in the mid-century interior. Empty theater seats, reminiscent of brand-new seating in a Carousel of Progress exhibit, are visible.
Source: The History of Disney, Blogspot

Below are the most recent seats, which had teal upholstery and square backs.

carousel-of-progress-seating-every-row-7-4451845

Carousel of Progress originally debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. In 1967, it moved to Disneyland. It opened at Magic Kingdom in 1975. With each new location, the show was updated. The current version debuted in 1993. There have been no significant changes to scenes or dialogue since then, but the animatronics’ costumes in the finale were changed in 2022.

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