Disney World at 50: Antique carousel still makes the royal rounds

[Disney4me]

One thing at Disney World is older than Disney World. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, spinning near the castle since 1971, was made in 1917.

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Prince Charming Regal Carrousel has been operating at Magic Kingdom since the theme park's opening day in 1971. (Courtesy of Walt Disney World/Matt Stroshane, photographer)

 

At least one man-made item at Walt Disney World is older than Walt Disney World itself. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, which was operating at Magic Kingdom’s opening day in 1971, was constructed in 1917. That thing keeps on spinning in the shadow of Cinderella Castle.

For this week’s Disney World at 50, we take a look at the merry-go-round once known as Cinderella’s Golden Carousel.

Philadelphia story

Once upon a time, the Fantasyland ride was manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Co., now known as Philadelphia Toboggan Coaster. It’s well-traveled for something that just goes in circles. Its first home, under the name of Liberty Carrousel, was at Belle Island Park in Detroit. Then it was moved to Olympic Park in Irvington, New Jersey. That’s where it was purchased by Walt Disney Co. in 1967 and shipped to California before rehabbing and moving to Florida 50 years ago.

The Past Prologue website reports that it was the largest merry-go-round in North America originally, sporting extravagant sleighs, scenes of the American countryside and 3,000 lights.

There are several PTC carousels of that era still in operation, including one at Six Flags Over Georgia (made in 1908), Hersheypark in Pennsylvania (1919) and Kings Island in Ohio (1926). The company also created Starliner, the short-timer roller coaster at Cypress Gardens by way of Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Florida’s panhandle.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel has been spinning at Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland since the theme park opened in 1971, although it was then called Cinderella's Golden Carousel. The ride itself was manufactured in 1917. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

Horse sense

In previous incarnations, the carousel’s wooden horses were reportedly black, brown, gray and white. The company painted them all white, allowing every rider to be a hero. And they matched the horses pulling the carriage in Disney’s 1950 animated film “Cinderella.”

The horse figures are ornately decorated with gold and floral carvings, but some sport helmets. The ride has had a varying number of steeds, but the current total is 90. Plus, there’s one bench/chariot for folks avoiding ups and downs. The horses are arranged five deep with the most ornate ones on the outer ring, almost as if they were Instagram-ready.

Some people — including some cast members — point to one particular figure being Cinderella’s horse. There’s a discrete golden bow on its rump that’s pretty understated for a regal steed. And her alleged horse is not even on the outside for all to admire and from which to bestow a royal wave. (Now seems like a good time to remind us that it’s all just pretend, yes?)

Vignettes around the top of Prince Charming Regal Carrousel represent scenes from 'Cinderella,' including the fateful moment the clock struck midnight. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

Eyes and ears

There are 18 panels circling the ride that show scenes from “Cinderella,” including key moments of magical dressmaking, ballroom dancing, the clock striking midnight and glass slipper auditions. Even though this ride is named for the prince now (see below), he appears in just five of the panels. That’s very Charming of him.

Selections of the piped-in organ music include “Once Upon a Dream” from the film, but also Disney classics such as “Whistle While You Work,” “Be Our Guest” and “You Can Fly,” which tie nicely with nearby Fantasyland attractions.

Joust in time

In 2010, Disney changed the name of the ride from Cinderella’s Golden Carousel to Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel, going with the double-R, en francais spelling.

At the time, Disney Parks Blog said the back story was that Prince Charming had devised a spinning contraption for his personal jousting practice. Then he made a second one for the public and placed it near the castle.

“Instead of a working knight’s training device, however, this new carrousel is more befitting its regal location in the Castle Courtyard — its rustic training horses replaced with ornately decorated prancing steeds adorned with golden helmets and shields, flower garlands, feathers, and other festoons,” the post states. “Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.”

Julie Andrews performs near the Magic Kingdom's carousel for a television program in October 1971.

Center stage

Legend has it that Roy O. Disney, Walt’s brother, noticed during construction that the carousel didn’t quite line up with the opening through the castle. He had it moved 8 inches to get it centered.

Other sources say it was 2 feet. You know how legends go. Either way, folks unhappy with the current nonalignment of Epcot’s ginormous “Harmonious” ring and Spaceship Earth and American Adventure, can point to this as precedent.

Mad Tea Party

The Mad Tea Party ride at Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 without a roof. The covering was eventually added in 1973 (along with the central teapot) due to Florida's extreme weather conditions. (Jim Hicks / Orlando Sentinel)

 

 

 

 

Dewayne Bevil

Orlando Sentinel