A merry place to be inspired - Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round

After a short drive into Griffith Park and along some winding roads, our GPS brought us to this beautiful Merry-Go-Round. When parking, you are higher than the carrousel itself which allows you to see the old structure from an unusual position and you can see it sitting in all its glory in the distance. The first time we visited, like an excited child, I fast stepped down the hill to get a closer look. 

The carrousel is protected by an external railed gate which you enter first. A second gate then guards the ride which sits underneath a large red and white roof. There is no doubt that this carrousel is old; it's been sitting there since 1937. The 68 horses are all finely carved and are antique looking with hair tails. The paintings that adorn the top exterior have either been renovated or have almost completely decayed. But these imperfections adds to its unique charm. 

To ride the carrousel is inexpensive (only $2 each) and you can buy your tickets at a side window where they also sell snacks and refreshments. When I first saw the carrousel, I was astonished by its speed. I have never seen horses go so fast on this kind of attraction! On a later occasion I took my parents to see the carrousel and was initially concerned it would be too fast for them, but we bought our tickets and we were so pleased we did. However when I took my wife on it, she was pleased when it stopped as she suffers from motion sickness! 

When taking a ride, you feel light weighted and free from the world as you circle around. A Military Band Organ plays a selection of over 1,500 marches and waltzes as the horses go up, down and around.*

It was this very carousel that Walt would take his two daughters to after church on a Sunday. Sharon and Diane, his two daughters, would ride on it over and over. Back in those days there was some apparatus that had rings sticking out from a slot and you'd grab a ring as you went by. If you got the gold ring you'd get a free ride. According to a story from Diane Disney Miller, one day she kept getting the gold ring and felt so clever for getting the free rides. Years later Walt admitted he gave the kid working the ride a few dollars, and he kept putting the gold rings where she could get them.**

As Walt watched his girls enjoy their many rides on the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, his mind continued to explore new possibilities. While sitting on a park bench in front of the ride, he dreamt of a place where parents and children could go to enjoy their experience together. This was of course the beginnings of Disneyland. 

At the back of the carousel, and behind another railing, sits one of the original park benches that Walt would have sat on in the forties. Another of these preserved benches is also in Disneyland, but more about that in a later blog.

* Information used from Laparks.org 
** Information from the book: Inside the Dream, the personal story of Walt Disney. 

The view of the Merry-Go-Round from the top of the hill.

The red and white roof that protects the Merry-Go-Round.

The view Walt had when he sat watching his daughters having fun.

The current information sign. 

A plaque on one of the attraction carriages that reads: 

Restored in memory of Walt Disney through the generosity of The Walt Disney Family Foundation.

Some of the scenic paintings that decorate the carrousel.

The antique looking horses with hair tails.

The bench Walt sat on in the forties, an image of him on the bench 
and an image of the second bench displayed at Disneyland.

 Recreating the image 60 years later of Walt on his bench at the carrousel. 

If you look closely, notice the same painting of a cottage at the top of the carrousel in both pictures.

The ticket to ride the Merry-Go-Round. 

I wonder if it was more expensive in Walt's day?

A trip around Disneyland on the Lilly Belle

There are going to be many blogs about trains because trains were very close to Walt Disney´s heart.

On Sunday, 10th January 2016, several historical attractions temporarily closed at Disneyland to allow for the construction of Star Wars Land. One of those closing attractions was the symbolic Disneyland Railroad. We took the opportunity to take one last train trip around the park but not in any usual way. We visited the Main Street Train Station and asked if we could ride on the glorious Lilly Belle.

Originally, the Lilly Belle was one of the six canary yellow passenger coaches that circled Disneyland. When the Grand Canyon diorama opened in 1958, it was known as the Grand Canyon Observation car #106. Since then, and later in 1966 when the park added Primeval World, Guests complained that they could not see the exhibits through the small windows. Overtime, the new open cars we see today were introduced and most of the original coaches were destroyed or sold by 1974. However, Disneyland Transportation realized the need to have a special train car where VIP Guests and associates could be given private tours of the park. Within 2 years, and working with the Retlaw president, the Grand Canyon Observation car was renovated and transformed into the Disneyland Railroad Presidential Parlor Car. Walt´s wife, Lillian Disney, was highly influential in the new and current Victorian design. Thus the coach was named the Lilly Belle.*   

The Ward Kimball locomotive arrived at Main Street Train Station and the open-air, side facing coaches passed us by. There, at the back of the train was the Lilly Belle. Regular Guests were unloaded and loaded first and then our special tour group of fourteen were escorted onto our exclusive carriage. As we climbed the stairs, the excitement built. As soon as we walked through the red door, the lavish interior made me instantly travel back in time. We headed to the back of the carriage, passing the many red cushioned chairs and marble topped tables. We sat at the end by the far door on the only two-seat armchair. A table with books sat to our right and a black and white photo of Walt and Lillian sat on the table in front.

As the train departed from the station, our Railroad Cast Member stood in the center of the carriage and told us facts about the railroad as we travelled around the entire park. During the journey, an old style photo album was passed around the group. Inside was a small selection of photos depicting Disney history and of course, trains. The book was a replica and had clearly been looked through by many Guests. As we carefully looked at the old photos as we circled Disneyland, sitting on this historic coach, I felt a special nostalgia; I imagine I felt similar to how Guests felt during the early days of the park.

As we arrived back at Main Street after our twenty-five minute tour, we were able to take some last minute photos before we stepped off and the next tour came on. For our final surprise, the Cast Member at the station exit gave us our very own Lilly Belle ticket to commemorate our special journey.

When the Disneyland Railroad reopens in a years time, the track will have been altered and the journey we took on this last day will never be the same again.

* Information about the history Lilly Belle taken from a variety of sources. 

Video of the Lilly Belle interior 

 The Ward Kimball locomotive arriving at the station.

Since 1998, the Lilly Belle has been in and out of service, sometimes available for public rides but often only available for private, VIP rides and for Club 33 members.

A black and white portrait of Walt and Lillian Disney.

Hand woven pattern made by Lillian herself. 

This sign was originally used to split the carriage between smoking and non-smoking Guests.

Three books including Time Machine by H. G. Wells.

This is the ticket we received as we left the Lilly Belle. The carpet in the carriage is the same as Walt's apartment from above the fire house on Main Street and includes hidden Mickeys within its pattern.

A Cast Member told us about the history of the Disney Railroad as we traveled around Disneyland in style. 

When you board, Walt's smoking jacket is hanging near the forward entrance. 

I have also read this is said to be a gift from Emperor Hirohito.

The photo album of personal family photos that you are welcome to carefully look through. 

Image of Guests in the carriage from the photo album.  

Image of a restored carriage showing how they looked in 1955.