Carousels hold a special place in the history of the formation of the Disney Theme Parks.

Walt’s Dream
Before there was a Disney World or a Disneyland, Walt Disney used to take his daughters on Saturdays for “Daddy’s Day” activities. Frequently they would go to Griffith Park near the Disney Studio which happened to have a merry-go-round. It was here that Walt thought up the concept of having a place where he could go with his family and they could all have fun together.

This was the genesis of the idea that eventually led to the creation of Disneyland and the future Disney Theme Parks.
The actual carousel that has become Cinderella’s Golden Carousel has a long history dating back to its creation by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1917. Back then it was called the Liberty Carousel and its first home was Palace Gardens in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1928 the carousel went through a rehab and then was moved to Maplewood, New Jersey where it became part of Olympic Park until its closing in the mid-1960’s.

The Disney Imagineers discovered it prior to certain demolition in 1967 during a scouting trip for the to-be-built Magic Kingdom.
Re-Imagined For The Magic Kingdom
During a painstaking restoration process, the old Liberty Carousel became Cinderella’s Golden Carousel.

There are 18 scenes telling the story of Cinderella in panels that were added along the top of the carousel.

All of the original 72 horses were refinished and additional ones were added to bring the number up to 90. Each horse is uniquely decorated and all are white to reflect the horse of a hero or heroine. The most ornate horses are on the outside where they are most visible.  There are horses that are decorated to appeal to boys, as well as, ones to appeal to girls.


If you take the time you can find Cinderella’s horse which is in the 2nd row from the outside and has a gold bow on its tail.

You can find Cinderella’s Golden Carousel behind Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland of the Magic Kingdom.

The location that you will find the carousel located today is slightly different than its original placement.

Roy O. Disney noticed that the carousel was not centered when you viewed it through the castle opening. They repositioned it, so that now the view through the castle into Fantasyland includes a centered Cinderella’s Golden Carousel.
Although it does not have any of the technology that you will see in the newer attractions, Cinderella’s Golden Carousel evokes thoughts of Walt Disney during his “Daddy’s Days” enjoying time with his daughters.

Take the time to check out all of the details that can be found in this special attraction and see if you can be lucky enough to claim Cinderella’s special horse for your ride.