Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Last updated
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
HKDL CINDERELLA CAROUSEL.jpg
Cinderella's Carousel at Hong Kong Disneyland
Magic Kingdom
Area Fantasyland
(Castle Courtyard)
StatusOperating
Opening dateOctober 1, 1971;52 years ago (October 1, 1971)
Tokyo Disneyland
NameCastle Carousel
Area Fantasyland
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 15, 1983
Hong Kong Disneyland
NameCinderella Carousel
Area Fantasyland
StatusOperating
Opening dateSeptember 12, 2005
Ride statistics
Attraction type Carousel
ModelGrand Carrousel
Theme Cinderella
Music Disney tunes
Vehicle typeHorses/chariot
Rows5 (Magic Kingdom)
4 (Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland)
Riders per row1
Manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters in Magic Kingdom
Chance Rides in Hong Kong Disneyland

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly Cinderella's Golden Carousel) is a carousel in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. A similar attraction under a different name can be found at Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. It plays organ-based versions of Disney music during the two-minute ride period. Hand-painted scenes from Cinderella can be seen on the top; hence the name "Prince Charming".

Contents

Magic Kingdom version

The carousel was originally built by The Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1917. It was originally known as "The Liberty Carousel", (PTC #46) and delivered to Palace Gardens located in Electric Park Detroit, Michigan. Liberty originally had a 60-foot platform, 72 wooden horses, four chariots and sleighs, and seated 99 passengers, five abreast. It was moved to Olympic Park in Irvington, New Jersey, and in 1967 the Walt Disney Company purchased it. [1]

Arrow Development, in which Disney had purchased a 1/3 interest in 1960 and which had restored the King Arthur Carousel for Disneyland, produced new engineering drawings for the mechanism and horses. It was shipped to California, where the horses were stripped and each given a unique design. Molds were made of 18 horses to make fiberglass copies for a new Disney carousel being built for Tokyo Disneyland and also to serve as temporary stand-ins when original wood horses are taken down for repairs. Disney also added a 23 karat gold leaf, silver, and bronze to each of the horses and added scenes from Cinderella's story. The carousel was in place when the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, opened in 1971. [2]

While it was extensively refurbished and repainted in 1967 to match the Cinderella theme, maidens from the original design can still be seen on the top. All ninety horses are painted white because white horses are typically associated with heroes. All of the original horses were carved from maple. One chariot that was originally installed on "The Liberty" was lost during the refurbishment, but was rediscovered and installed in 1997. [3]

While the carousel was being installed at the Magic Kingdom, Roy Disney noticed that the placement was off center with the Cinderella Castle breezeway, and it was moved eight inches so it would be center. [3]

Cinderella's Horse

There are conflicting stories regarding whether one of the horses is "Cinderella's Horse". The horse in question is in the second rank, and is the only one that has a golden bow on its tail.

Cast Members have referred to it as Cinderella's as well as in various Disney publications. [4] [5] Cinderella has been depicted as riding a horse in various pieces of collectable sculpture and artwork, such as a 2001 Limited Edition lithograph. [6]

However, in an interview with Isle Voght, a park employee responsible for restoring the carousel along with John Hench, [7] she gives her own reasons for doubting the veracity of the Cinderella's Horse story, namely that Cinderella would not have one on an inner row, and that it would be decorated much more elaborately than the others. Also, she states that Cinderella never rode one in the film.

The Disney Imagineers did not include the story of Cinderella's horse in the 2010 rewriting of the carousel backstory.

Name change

On June 1, 2010, the name was changed from Cinderella's Golden Carousel to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. [8] The name change helps tell the rest of the Cinderella story that inspired the carousel. The official story as published on Disney Parks Blog is: [9]

Following their fairy-tale romance and happily-ever-after wedding, Cinderella and Prince Charming took up residence in Cinderella’s 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.

Tokyo Disneyland version

In Tokyo, the attraction is known as the Castle Carrousel. It features 72 white horses, each uniquely adorned. [10] The carousel plays calliope music, but it does not have a genuine band organ. The carousel's make and origins are unknown.

Hong Kong Disneyland version

In Hong Kong, the attraction is known as the Cinderella Carousel. The carousel was built by Chance Rides of Wichita, Kansas. It came with four rows of Bradley and Kaye horses and Columbia chariots.

Incidents

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic Kingdom</span> Theme park at Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom Park is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It opened on October 1, 1971, and is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Experiences division. The official park name has changed slightly over the years, from Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom (1971–1994) and The Magic Kingdom (1994–2017). The park was initialized by Walt Disney and designed by WED Enterprises. The park layout and attractions were based on Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, and are dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tokyo Disneyland</span> Theme park in Chiba, Japan

Tokyo Disneyland is a 115-acre (47 ha) theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, near Tokyo. Its main gate is directly adjacent to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station. It was the first Disney park to be built outside the United States and it opened on April 15, 1983. The park was constructed by WED Enterprises in the same style as Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida. It is owned by The Oriental Land Company, which licenses intellectual property from The Walt Disney Company. Tokyo Disneyland and its companion park, Tokyo DisneySea, are the only Disney parks in the world not owned or operated by The Walt Disney Company in any capacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinderella Castle</span> Fairy tale castle at two Disney parks

Cinderella Castle is a fairy tale castle at the center of two Disney theme parks: the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Based on Cinderella's fairy tale castle from Disney's 1950 animated feature film, both serve as the symbol and flagship attraction for their respective theme parks. Along with Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Castle is a main symbol of The Walt Disney Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happiest Homecoming on Earth</span>

The Happiest Homecoming on Earth or the Happiest Celebration on Earth was the eighteen-month-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland theme park, which opened on July 17, 1955. It commemorated fifty years of Disney theme parks and celebrated Disneyland's milestone throughout Disney parks all over the globe. The "Homecoming" name was only used for Disneyland Resort; all the other Disney Parks resorts used the "Celebration" name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantasyland</span> Themed land at Disney theme parks

Fantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at all of the Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. It is themed after Disney's animated fairy tale feature films. Each Fantasyland has a castle, as well as several gentle rides themed after those Disney animated feature films.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a Walt Disney World event hosted at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida on select evenings in November and December leading up to Christmas. It features holiday entertainment including a parade, dance parties, character meet-and-greets, and complimentary treat stations. The event runs from 7:00 pm to midnight, but party guests may enter beginning at 4:00 pm. The event requires purchasing a separate ticket from the general admission ticket counter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Arthur Carrousel</span> Attraction at Disneyland

King Arthur Carrousel is a carousel attraction located in Fantasyland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The carousel was built in 1922 and operated at Sunnyside Beach Park in Toronto, Ontario, until the park closed. The ride was relocated to Disneyland in 1954, where it was refurbished and modified by Arrow Development, and opened with the park on July 17, 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mad Tea Party</span> Attraction at Disney theme parks

Mad Tea Party is a spinning tea cup ride at five of the six Disneyland-style theme parks around the world. The ride theme is inspired by the Unbirthday Party scene in Walt Disney's Alice In Wonderland, and plays a carousel version of the film's "Unbirthday Song". It was one of the opening day attractions operating at Disneyland on July 17, 1955.

America on Parade ("AOP") was a parade created for Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom for the United States Bicentennial and for Disneyland's 20th and The Magic Kingdom's 5th anniversaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mickey Mouse Revue</span>

The Mickey Mouse Revue was an indoor audio-animatronic stage show at the Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland theme parks. It was one of the three original opening day attractions in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland in 1971. After closing at Magic Kingdom in 1980, it was moved to Tokyo Disneyland for that park's opening in 1983 where it remained for 26 years before closing permanently in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dumbo the Flying Elephant</span> Ride at six Disney parks

Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an aerial carousel-style ride located in Fantasyland at six Disney theme parks around the world. It is based on Disney's 1941 animated feature film, Dumbo. The original attraction opened at Disneyland on August 16, 1955. The five other versions of the attraction were opening-day attractions at their respective parks. It is the only attraction that can be found at all six Disney castle parks worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure</span> Dark ride attraction

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure is a ride attraction based on the 1989 Disney animated film The Little Mermaid, located in Paradise Gardens Park at Disney California Adventure and in Fantasyland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park, where it is titled Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. The ride opened on June 3, 2011 at Disney California Adventure, and on December 6, 2012 at Magic Kingdom.

Le Carrousel de Lancelot is a traditional family carousel attraction in Disneyland Park (Paris)'s Fantasyland area. The ride features organ music from various Disney films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Street, U.S.A.</span> Themed land at Disney theme parks

Main Street, U.S.A. is the first "themed land" inside the main entrance of the many theme parks operated or licensed by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Main Street, U.S.A. is themed to resemble American small towns during the early 20th Century. In Tokyo Disneyland, it is called World Bazaar and covered by a glass Victorian-style conservatory roof to shield guests from the weather there. At Shanghai Disneyland, it is called Mickey Avenue and is orientated to help introduce visitors to Disney characters.

Snow White is a Disney media franchise that began in 1937 with the theatrical release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It is based on the 1812 fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

Cinderella is a Disney franchise that commenced in 1950 with the theatrical release of the 1950 film Cinderella. The series' protagonist is Cinderella, who was based on the character of the same name from the Cinderella fairy tale.

<i>Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland</i> Nighttime show at Tokyo Disneyland

Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland was a nighttime spectacular at Tokyo Disneyland that premiered on July 10, 2018, alongside Dreaming Up!, Let's Party Gras, and Hello, New York! as part of the 35th anniversary of Tokyo Disney Resort. The show was produced by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, under Lead Creative Executive of Parades and Spectaculars Steve Davison.

References

  1. ↑ "Rutgers University Press". Archived from the original on 2006-10-13. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
  2. ↑ Marlin, P. "Cinderella's Golden Carousel". Past Prologue. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 Duncan, Gene (2010-10-20). "Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at Magic Kingdom Park". The Walt Disney Company - Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  4. ↑ Alex Wright/Imagineers (8 December 2009), The Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Disney Editions, ISBN   978-1-4231-2468-9
  5. ↑ Magic Kingdom Park Guide, Disney Editions
  6. ↑ "Cinderella's Golden Carrousel Lithograph". Don "Ducky" Williams (artist). The Walt Disney Company.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. ↑ Sampson, Wade. "The Tale of Cinderella's Golden Carrousel". MousePlanet.
  8. ↑ "Magic Kingdom's Cinderella's Golden Carrousel – New Name". 26 May 2010.
  9. ↑ Smith, Thomas (25 May 2010). "Carrousel Name Change at Walt Disney World". Disney Parks Blog. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Castle Carrousel In Fantasyland At Tokyo Disneyland". Cocos Islands: Holiday Travel. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.