<p><P><P>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?</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>car·ou·sel</strong><br />
ËkerÉËsel/<br />
noun: carousel; plural noun: carousels; noun: carrousel; plural noun: carrousels</p>
<p> 1. (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.</p>
<p> 2. (historical) a tournament in which groups of knights took part in chariot races and other demonstrations of equestrian skills.</p></blockquote>
<p>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. </p>
<p>With so many carousels in Cedar Fair&#8217;s lineup of attractions, we were curious which park had the oldest operating merry-go-round. </p>
<p>Our list starts at 1991 and takes us back to 1902. </p>
<p><strong>13) Michigan&#8217;s Adventure- Carousel (1991)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Chance Rides</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lakesider/1200388948/in/photolist-4UygQs-2Q5iPb-4Uyhpd-7j8qyy-4Uu6DB-54TWni-7j4psH-7j8hJG-nCxgd9-nCe7RT-Pf1mTC-Pf1mpG-QkZ4Dc-QkZ7pc-PhHnYD-PhHkAn-Qign6U-PXkB4J-Pf1oFA-Qigvyf-Pf1rwW-QkZ6QX-PhHp2F-7j4y38-7j8rfb-8vgX9L-cdLarQ-bWoPrK-ahzgep-6LWk7H-8kPi9n-Pf1jDh-JkBz4i-vsDTXU-nSZ74h-nCd4ie-nWtYBz-nUptEe" title="a horse of a different color"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1024/1200388948_4fdaaac4ea_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="a horse of a different color"></a></p>
<p><strong>12) Kings Island- Character Carousel (1982)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Chance Rides</p>
<figure id="attachment_10073" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10073" style="width: 940px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Kings-Island-Character-Carousel.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Kings-Island-Character-Carousel.jpg" alt="Kings Island Character Carousel" width="940" height="421" class="size-full wp-image-10073" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10073" class="wp-caption-text">©Kings Island</figcaption></figure>
<p>For reference, here is a great photo of the Kings Island Carousel outfitted with the Hanna-Barbera characters.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/29235310@N07/2768820510/" title="Hanna Barbea Carousel gang"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3046/2768820510_6f8a5a34a3_z.jpg?zz&#x3D;1" width="640" height="480" alt="Hanna Barbea Carousel gang"></a></p>
<p><strong>11) Canada&#8217;s Wonderland- Character Carrousel (1981)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Chance Rides</p>
<figure id="attachment_10088" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10088" style="width: 940px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Canadas-Wonderland-Character-Carrousel.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Canadas-Wonderland-Character-Carrousel.jpg" alt="Canada&#039;s Wonderland Character-Carrousel" width="940" height="421" class="size-full wp-image-10088" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10088" class="wp-caption-text">©Canada&#8217;s Wonderland</figcaption></figure>
<p><strong>10) California&#8217;s Great America- Carousel Columbia (1976)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Chance Rides</p>
<p><a href="https://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/190330-Californias-Great-America-Carousel-Columbia-©Ashley-Robbins.jpg"><img src="https://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/190330-Californias-Great-America-Carousel-Columbia-©Ashley-Robbins.jpg" alt="190330 California&#039;s Great America Carousel Columbia ©Ashley Robbins" width="847" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18833" /></a></p>
<p><strong>10) California&#8217;s Great America- Character Carousel (1976)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Chance Rides?</p>
<p><a href="https://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/190421-Californias-Great-America-Character-Carousel-©Ashley-Robbins.jpg"><img src="https://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/190421-Californias-Great-America-Character-Carousel-©Ashley-Robbins.jpg" alt="190421 California&#039;s Great America Character Carousel ©Ashley Robbins" width="974" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18832" /></a></p>
<p><strong>9) Canada&#8217;s Wonderland- Antique Carousel (1928)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPtViH1liFi/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A photo posted by CPFoodBlog (@cpfoodblog)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-01-26T01:01:08+00:00">Jan 25, 2017 at 5:01pm PST</time></p>
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<p><strong>8) Kings Island- Grand Carousel (1926)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company</p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/130728-Kings-Island-Grand-Carousel.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/130728-Kings-Island-Grand-Carousel.jpg" alt="130728 Kings Island Grand Carousel" width="1169" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10080" /></a></p>
<p><strong>8) Worlds of Fun- Grand Carrousel (1926)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: MC Illions</p>
<figure id="attachment_10076" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10076" style="width: 940px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Worlds-of-Fun-Grand-Carousel.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Worlds-of-Fun-Grand-Carousel.jpg" alt="Worlds of Fun Grand Carousel" width="940" height="421" class="size-full wp-image-10076" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10076" class="wp-caption-text">©Worlds of Fun</figcaption></figure>
<p><strong>7) Valleyfair- Carousel (1976)</strong> (Originally from Excelsior Park, circa 1925)<br />
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/342t1rFSz9/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A photo posted by Valleyfair Amusement Park (@valleyfairmn)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-06-13T23:49:17+00:00">Jun 13, 2015 at 4:49pm PDT</time></p>
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<p><strong>7) Cedar Point- Kiddy Kingdom Carousel (1925)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Dentzel</p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/130802-Cedar-Point-Kiddie-Kingdom-Carousel.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/130802-Cedar-Point-Kiddie-Kingdom-Carousel.jpg" alt="130802 Cedar Point Kiddie Kingdom Carousel" width="1155" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10081" /></a></p>
<p><strong>6) Carowinds- Character Carousel (1923)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company</p>
<p><a href="https://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/190426-Carowinds-Carousel.jpg"><img src="https://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/190426-Carowinds-Carousel.jpg" alt="190426 Carowinds Carousel" width="1024" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18834" /></a></p>
<p><strong>5) Dorney Park- Antique Carousel (1921)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: William and Edward Dentzel</p>
<figure id="attachment_10095" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10095" style="width: 960px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/110622-Dorney-Park-Carousel-©Shawn-Meyer.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/110622-Dorney-Park-Carousel-©Shawn-Meyer.jpg" alt="110622 Dorney Park Carousel ©Shawn Meyer" width="960" height="720" class="size-full wp-image-10095" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10095" class="wp-caption-text">©Shawn Meyer</figcaption></figure>
<p><strong>4) Cedar Point- Cedar Downs Racing Derby (1920)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Prior and Church Company</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPxIuQojKLt/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A photo posted by Bo Corbin (@coasterphotographer)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-01-27T12:26:10+00:00">Jan 27, 2017 at 4:26am PST</time></p>
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<p><strong>3) Kings Dominion- Carousel (1917)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Company</p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Kings-Dominion-Carousel.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Kings-Dominion-Carousel.jpg" alt="Kings Dominion Carousel" width="2048" height="2048" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10086" /></a></p>
<p><strong>2) Cedar Point- Midway Carousel (1912)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Daniel Mueller</p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/140508-Cedar-Point-Midway-Carousel-and-GateKeeper.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/140508-Cedar-Point-Midway-Carousel-and-GateKeeper.jpg" alt="140508 Cedar Point Midway Carousel and GateKeeper" width="1046" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10089" /></a></p>
<p><strong>1) Knott&#8217;s Berry Farm- Merry-Go-Round (1902)</strong><br />
Manufacturer: Dentzel</p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/141125-Knotts-Berry-Farm-Carousel.png"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/141125-Knotts-Berry-Farm-Carousel.png" alt="141125 Knott&#039;s Berry Farm Carousel" width="1199" height="461" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10085" /></a></p>
<p>Regardless of whether you prefer a lead or jumper horse, which of the Cedar Fair carousels is your favorite? </p>
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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!