Inspired by merry-go-round at Griffith Park, New York, Walt Disney built Cinderella's Golden Carousel. The carousel was originally built in 1917 by Philadelphia Toboggan Co for Maplewood Olympic Park in Maplewood, New Jersey.
After acquiring the carousel, Walt Disney got it renovated so that the two pieces do not look alike. Each of expertly carved horses is uniquely carved and painted to an extent to be work of admirable art, each for their own touch of class.
Story of Cinderella is depicted by eighteen hand painted scenes on wooden canopy of carousel. Originally the carousel was called Liberty, and it is the oldest ride in the park.
While spinning, it plays Disney tunes adding a bit of antique charms of what carousel was. This is essentially a slow moving ride that suits little children.
Cinderella's Golden Carousel is located under the shadow of Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. None of the horses are alike; each has its own distinct charm for attraction.
Everything featuring in carousel is intricately hand carved and painted. All the horses are brightly ornamented, as are the painted murals depicting story of Cinderella. Cinderella's horse is exclusively decked up with a golden bow tied on its tail.
Imaginers and artists of Disneyland redesigned the ornamentation of horses in 1917, now adored with 23 carat gold and silver leaves, including use of bronze carvings.
Old fashioned organ playing Disney tune produces a nostalgic effect of Cinderella with her Prince Charming on galloping horseback. Classics played on organ are the ones like, "when you wish upon a star’, "High ho’, "feed the birds’, and "Hakuna matata’.
Ambiance is perfected by the scenic backdrop of the castle and its surrounding. It is enough for the visitors to emotionally get carried over to times in the story, if not into their childhood days. Both, children and adults love going round and round riding the carousel. This is the place which inspired production of classic Disney film titled "Cinderella’.
Normally there are long queues of visitors but, it doesn't need spending long time as the ride duration is short. However, the up and down movement of the horses delight children the most. In evenings, lighted up carousal looks like a fairyland translated into the park.
It is a very popular spot in Fantasyland and many come back to the carousel again and again, never getting tire, possibly it is the attraction of Cinderella, or who knows it takes them back to their childhood days listening story of Cinderella on mom's lap. |
