Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Approaching Fantasyland from Cinderella Castle, you will immediately see the Carrousel. Brightly colored horses and delightful Disney music will keep you smiling as you enjoy this gentle ride. The line circles around the carrousel, and your group can watch the riders enjoying themselves while they are waiting.

Similar attractions under varying names can be found at two other Disney Parks including Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. This 90-horse carousel plays organ-based Disney classics during the two-minute ride period. Hand painted scenes from Disney's Cinderella can be seen on the ride.

Touring Tips

• The line moves at a steady pace as this ride is only two minutes in duration.
• The Carrousel is open as one of the Magic Kingdom's Extra Magic Hour attractions. This program allows resort guests entrance to the park one hour earlier than normal operating hours on designated days.
• Sit on the outside ring of horses for better photo opportunities.
• Most kids love this ride; there is nothing scary and the ride is very gentle.

Facts

• Opened October 1, 1971.
• An original Fantasyland attraction, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly Cinderella's Golden Carrousel)was built in 1917.
• On June 1, 2010 the name was changed from Cinderella's Golden Carrousel to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.
• Each horse is completely unique, with its own pattern and color scheme and a number on the bridle.
• There are 2,325 lights on the Carrousel.
• There are eighteen hand- painted scenes that tell the story of Cinderella on the wooden canopy that covers this attraction.

History

The carousel was originally built by The Philadelphia Toboggan Company, one of the most prestigious carousel companies, in 1917. In 1967, Walt Disney purchased the handmade carousel (and horses) from the Olympic Park in Maplewood, New Jersey. The original name of the carousel was Liberty, and the maidens can still be seen on the top of the carousel. It was discovered there by Disney when Maplewood closed in 1967. It was fully restored, with a new look celebrating the story of Cinderella in 18 hand-painted scenes on the canopy. The hard-maple horses are in five sizes -- arranged from the largest on the outside to the smallest on the inside -- 18 rows of five horses each. The band organ that adds music to the ride is part of the antique masterpiece. The carrousel restoration was completed in time for the opening of Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971.

There are conflicting stories regarding whether one of the horses on the carrousel is "Cinderella's Horse". The horse in question is in the second rank of horses, and is the only one that has a golden bow on its tail. Cast Members refer to this horse as one that belongs to Cinderella and it has been referred to as such in various Disney publications. Cinderella has been depicted as riding a horse in various pieces of collectable sculpture and artwork, such as a 2001 Limited Edition lithograph. However, in an interview with Isle Voght, a park employee responsible for restoring the ride along with John Hench, she gives her own reasons for doubting the veracity of the Cinderella's Horse story, namely that the princess would not have a horse on an inner row, and that her horse would be decorated much more elaborately than the others. Also, she states that Cinderella never rode a horse in her film. The Disney Imagineers did not include the story of Cinderella's horse in the 2010 rewriting of the carrousel backstory.

Legend has it that Walt Disney was inspired to include a carrousel in his park after taking his daughters to the merry-go-round at LA's Griffith Park.