We know a LOT of fun facts about Disney.
You can’t really help but learn a ridiculous amount of trivia when you’re in the parks as much as we are. Between that and watching decades of Disney movies, we’re pretty much experts. But since you’re here, we figure you’re pretty deep in the Disney lore too…and today we’re testing that theory!
We’re here to pose a Disney trivia question for you and see if you get it right. Are you ready?
Which Disney World attraction is the OLDEST?
The answer? It’s the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel in Magic Kingdom. Does that surprise you? If so, let’s take a step back in Disney history!
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel originally opened with Magic Kingdom Park on October 1st, 1971, but at that time, it was known as Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel, according to D23. So if it opened with several other attractions on Disney World’s first day, how is it the oldest?
Well, it turns out that the carrousel was originally built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. in 1917, and its original home was the Detroit Palace Garden Park. It was later moved to Maplewood Olympic Park in New Jersey in 1928. When it came time to build Disney World, Walt Disney wanted a carrousel that was bigger and better than the version residing in Disneyland…so he sent Imagineers on the hunt for a new design. And that’s when they found this one!
Thankfully, Imagineers came across the carrousel before it was demolished. It certainly fit Walt’s dream of “bigger” considering it was 60 feet in diameter and fitted with 72 maple hand-carved horses and four custom-built chariots. The carrousel was created by German and Italian craftsmen.
The carrousel had to be dismantled piece by piece and transported to Florida. There, Imagineers put it back together and renovated it, adding details from Cinderella and repainting it. Disney also bought more horses so that there would be 90 in total.
Each horse on the carrousel is different and artfully crafted. And Disney even brought in artists from Cinderella to hand-paint scenes from the film around the top of the ride on the panels.
Ultimately, the ride was rebranded as Prince Charming Regal Carrousel on June 1st, 2010. And today, it serves as an important icon of the park — you can even see it THROUGH Cinderella Castle from Main Street, U.S.A.
So there you go — the oldest attraction in Disney World dates back more than a century! Make sure to give it some love the next time you visit.
The Best and Worst Rides in Magic Kingdom — Click Here!
Do you ride the carrousel when you go to Disney World or do you skip it? Tell us in the comments!
Trending Now
How did the 4th of July affect Disney World's wait times?
Grab these LEGO sets before they're gone!
There's a NEW Donald Duck Loungefly collection online you've gotta see!
Donald Duck is back in his official meet and greet spot in EPCOT!
Amazon is clearing out the Disney vault!
We're rounding up the BEST ride hacks for your visit to Universal Orlando!
Bad Florida weather is creating some new problems at Disney World.
Amazon has Loungeflys on sale as part of Prime Day!
We asked our resident Disney adults which ride at Hollywood Studios they would rope drop...
Amazon Prime Day is giving us amazing deals on Oura Ring accessories!
We're sharing the worst-reviewed restaurants in Hollywood Studios!
The holiday dates can be confusing for Disney World, so we're going to break it...
Here's what you've gotta know about Disney World's "Other" Airport!
You can save BIG on a new Marvel Unlimited Membership right now, but there's a...
Check out these three new snacks that just landed at Disney World's water parks!
There's a NEW treat in EPCOT that we're 100% sure you CANNOT miss!
We are rounding up everything that is closed this week in Disney World!
More construction updates are coming to the new Tropical Americas land, and these new permits...
We found the best Disney essentials you can get on sale on Amazon right now!
Heading to Disney World in 2025? These are the best restaurants you'll want to dine...