Carousel of Progress Script (Ohio Magic Kingdom Version)

Father: Welcome to Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress! You're in for a real treat. The Carousel of Progress was Walt's own idea from beginning to end. He loved it. He introduced the show at the World's Fair in New York City in 1964 and it was an immediate smash hit. Millions of people came to see it and since then, the Carousel of Progress has had more performances than any other stage show in the history of American theatre. You know, Walt loved the idea of progress and he loved the American family. He himself was probably as American as anyone could possibly be. He thought it would be fun to watch the American family go through the twentieth century experiencing all new wonders as they came. And he put them together in a show called Carousel of Progress, which we are about to see. Although our Carousel family has experienced a few changes over the years, our show still revolves around the same theme: and that's progress. May the century begin.

Chorus: 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 the start. He follows his dream in mind and heart.

Father: And when it becomes a reality, It's a dream come true for you and me. For there's a great big beautiful tomorrow, Shining at the end of every day, There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, Just a dream away.

Father: Well, the robins are back. That's a sure sign of spring. What year is it? ? Oh, just before the turn of the century. And believe me, things couldn't be any better than they are today. Yes sir, we got all the latest things: gas lamps, a telephone, and the latest design in cast iron stoves. That reservoir keeps five gallons of water hot all day on just three buckets of coal. (Laughs) Sure beats chopping wood! And isn't our new ice box a beauty. Holds 50 pounds of ice. Milk doesn't sour as quick as is used to. Our dog Rover here keeps the water in the drip pan from overflowing. You know, it wasn't too long ago we had to carry water from a well. But thanks to progress, we've got a pump right here in the kitchen. 'Course we keep a bucket of water handy to prime it with. Yes sir, we've got everything to make life easier. Mother! I was reading about a fellow named Tom Edison, who's working on an idea for snap on electric lights.

Kaitlyn: I'll believe that when I see it.

Father: That's My Wife Katie!

Kaitlyn: But with my new wash day marvel, it takes only five hours to do the wash. Imagine!

Father: That's right folks. Now Mother has time for recreations like-

Kaitlyn: Like canning and polishing the stove?

Father: (Laughs.) Ok Mother! You just iron the wrinkles out of my shirts.

Kaitlyn: Yes, Dear!

Father: But no one can improve on nature for drying clothes. (Sound of thunder and rain.) Oh well, the cistern was low on rainwater anyway.  (Rover growls.) Rover! Mind your manners! You know, our home entertainment is getting better too. With this amazing new stereoscope, my son can now see and learn all about the latest events in the world. Like the World's Fair in St. Louis.

Son: Wowie! Look at that! What's the Hoochie Coochie, Dad?

Father: (Clears throat.)  Get back to your homework, son. You know spring cleaning is a lot easier than it used to be. Our newair suction vacuum cleaner operates on one boy power. Sure an improvement over the old carpet beater. Folks, we don't have an opera house in our town, but right here in our own home we got the next best thing, a talking machine.

("There's a Great Beautiful Tomorrow" plays for Grandma and her parrot.)

Parrot: (Squawks.) She keeps that thing going all day long. The tenor's driving me nuts. Progress! (Squawks again.)

Father: (Chuckles.) You know, the young folks have their own ideas about entertainment. For instance Chelsea, our teenage daughter is getting ready to go to a trolley party on one of those new electric street cars. She says hayrides are old-fashioned.

Chelsea: Thanks for letting me go, Daddy!

Father: Be Home by 7:00, Daughter!

Chelsea: Yes, Daddy!