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?