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Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Cinderella’s Golden Carousel is the centrepiece of Fantasyland in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
It was actually built in 1917 by Italian woodcarvers for Detroit Palace Garden Park. In 1928 it was taken to Philadelphia to be renovated and then transferred to Olympic Park in New Jersey, where it remained for thirty-nine years. When the park eventually closed Disney discovered it. This fact alone makes it the oldest attraction in any of the Walt Disney Parks.
The artists employed by Disney renovated the horses so that they now look like charging white stallions. If you study them closely you will find that no two horses are alike. There are ninety horses in total, eighteen rows of five, all brightly coloured with the largest on the outside and the smallest on the inside. Each horse has been given a number, which you will find on its bridle. The wooden canopy was given a new look also, with eighteen hand-painted pictures, all telling the story of Cinderella. Unbelievably, there are massive 2, 325 lights on the carousel.
If you had ever wondered what the difference is between a merry-go-round and a carousel, I can tell you now. A merry-go-round has some horses that do not move, whereas a carousel’s horses all move up and down. So there you have it, Cinderella’s ride is definitely a carousel!
The whole ride only lasts two minutes but it is a favourite with young children and adults alike. Possibly bringing back memories from their youth when they used to ride the carousels at their local annual fair. One of the best times to ride is in the evening after dark when the carousel is all lit up; it certainly is a lovely sight to behold.
Lines do tend to build up during the day due to the slow loading time of the ride. Guests, of course, need to dismount and leave the ride before the new guests are allowed to mount the horses.
Disney music accompanies the ride as the horses, with their riders, gently rise up and down, whilst the guests waiting can only watch and wait in anticipation for their turn to arrive.
As the carousel is covered with a canopy it can be a welcome relief in the summer, to escape the sun for a short while. If you have friends or relatives taking photographs for you, it is advisable to choose one of the horses on the outside of the carousel for the best pictures.
It is certainly a change from the big-thrill rides in Disney and possibly not one the teenagers will want to frequent, but if you have young children why not join them on the carousel. After all you’re on holiday, let your hair down and enjoy yourself!
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