Guests love a classic carousel ride. Everything from the carved, wooden figures to the organ music to the glow of the light bulbs spark a sense of romanticism. If you did not ride a Cedar Fair carousel, did you really visit the amusement park?
car·ou·sel
ˌkerəˈsel/
noun: carousel; plural noun: carousels; noun: carrousel; plural noun: carrousels1. (North American) a merry-go-round: a rotating machine or device, in particular a conveyor system at an airport from which arriving passengers collect their luggage.
2. (historical) a tournament in which groups of knights took part in chariot races and other demonstrations of equestrian skills.
The carousel, with traditional horses and later every other animal and mythical creature imaginable, has existed for hundreds of years. Today Cedar Fair parks collectively own 15 versions in one form or another. Some are traditional merry-go-rounds, while others are unique double-decker carousels.
With so many carousels in Cedar Fair’s lineup of attractions, we were curious which park had the oldest operating merry-go-round.
Our list starts at 1991 and takes us back to 1902.
13) Michigan’s Adventure- Carousel (1991)
Manufacturer: Chance Rides
12) Kings Island- Character Carousel (1982)
Manufacturer: Chance Rides
For reference, here is a great photo of the Kings Island Carousel outfitted with the Hanna-Barbera characters.
11) Canada’s Wonderland- Character Carrousel (1981)
Manufacturer: Chance Rides
10) California’s Great America- Carousel Columbia (1976)
Manufacturer: Chance Rides
10) California’s Great America- Character Carousel (1976)
Manufacturer: Chance Rides?
9) Canada’s Wonderland- Antique Carousel (1928)
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company
8) Kings Island- Grand Carousel (1926)
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company
8) Worlds of Fun- Grand Carrousel (1926)
Manufacturer: MC Illions
7) Valleyfair- Carousel (1976) (Originally from Excelsior Park, circa 1925)
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company
7) Cedar Point- Kiddy Kingdom Carousel (1925)
Manufacturer: Dentzel
6) Carowinds- Character Carousel (1923)
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company
5) Dorney Park- Antique Carousel (1921)
Manufacturer: William and Edward Dentzel
4) Cedar Point- Cedar Downs Racing Derby (1920)
Manufacturer: Prior and Church Company
3) Kings Dominion- Carousel (1917)
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company
2) Cedar Point- Midway Carousel (1912)
Manufacturer: Daniel Mueller
1) Knott’s Berry Farm- Merry-Go-Round (1902)
Manufacturer: Dentzel
Regardless of whether you prefer a lead or jumper horse, which of the Cedar Fair carousels is your favorite?
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Valleyfair’s carousel was built in 1926 — not 1976! By that time, PTC was only manufacturing coasters.
Thank you for the clarification, as the Valleyfair website shows it as 1976. Upon further investigation you are right; however, we are seeing anywhere from 1924-1926 at Excelsior Park as the original manufacture date. Do you have some documentation showing it was 1926 vs 1924 or 1925?
Cedar downs is not only my favorite carousel but one of my favorite rides. Coasters are cool but so are classics!