Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Spin around, up and down to joyous music atop a regal steed at this classic attraction inspired by Disney’s Cinderella.

“It’s a merry-go-round, people…but it is classic enough to warrant its own popcorn bucket!”

There’s not a lot to say about this attraction placed directly behind Cinderella Castle in the castle courtyard. It’s a merry-go-round (or carousel…or carrousel). The attraction was originally built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Inc. in 1917, but has undergone refurbishments over the years, primarily by Arrow Development – a company known for both their family and more aggressive-style roller coasters found at theme parks around the world.

The attraction itself has 18 rows of horses and/or benches, usually containing four spaces per row, which adds up to an approximate ride capacity of 72 people per ride cycle. Once known as Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, the name was updated in 2010 after adjustments and artistic choices were made and it became the awkwardly named Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. (The double-R is on purpose.) As Disney is known for their knack for storytelling, the attraction got a new backstory that Disney’s official park blog summarized as the following:

Following their fairy-tale romance and happily-ever-after wedding, Cinderella and Prince Charming took up residence in Cinderella’s (sic) Castle. With peace throughout the kingdom, Prince Charming had time to practice for jousting tournaments. In the countryside near the castle, he built a training device of carved horses, on which he could practice the art of ring-spearing, a tournament event in which a knight rides his horse full speed, lance in hand, toward a small ring hanging from a tree limb, with the object of spearing the ring. This event was known by various names throughout the lands, but generally came to be called “carrousel.”

The carrousel device drew the attention of the villagers, who wanted to take a turn on this amazing spinning contraption. So Prince Charming had a second carrousel constructed closer to the Castle, where everyone could take a spin on this wondrous invention. 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. Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.

Which brings us back to the original point: It’s a merry-go-round, people.