Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly Cinderella's Golden Carrousel) is an authentic carousel in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Similar attractions under varying names can be found at two other Disney Parks, including Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. It plays organ-based Disney classics during the two-minute ride period. Hand-painted scenes from Disney's Cinderella can be seen on the top; hence the name "Prince Charming".

Magic Kingdom version

The carousel was originally built by The Philadelphia Toboggan Company, one of the most prestigious carousel companies, in 1917. It was originally known as "The Liberty Carousel", and delivered to Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan.^[1] It was moved to Olympic Park in Irvington, New Jersey, and in 1967 the Walt Disney Company purchased it.^[2] Arrow Development, in which Disney then owned a 1/3 interest, produced new engineering drawings for the mechanism and horses. While it was refurbished extensively and repainted in 1967 extensively to match the Cinderella theme, maidens from the original design can still be seen on the top. All of the ninety horses are painted white, because white ones are typically being associated with hero characters, and most are carved from maple wood. Some have been recast from the originals in fiberglass. There is also a chariot on it, originally installed on "The Liberty". It was lost during the refurbishment but was rediscovered and installed again in 1997. ^[1]

While the carousel was being installed at the Magic Kingdom in 1971, 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.^[1]

Cinderella's Horse

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

Cast Members refer to it as one that's Cinderella's and it has been referred to as such in various Disney publications.^[3][4] Cinderella has been depicted as riding a horse in various pieces of collectable sculpture and artwork, such as a 2001 Limited Edition lithograph.^[5]

However, in an interview with Isle Voght, a park employee responsible for restoring the carousel along with John Hench,^[6] 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 Carrousel to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.^[7] The name change helps tell the rest of the Cinderella story that inspired the carousel. Here’s the official story behind it:

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.

Hong Kong Disneyland version

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

• King Arthur Carrousel

References

External links

• Information about name change at AllEars.Net
• The carousel was incorporated into an original painting and limited edition print offering by Randy Souders entitled "Cinderella's Golden Carrousel" created for the first Official Disneyana Convention held at Walt Disney World in 1992.