This carousel, built in 1926, in the heart of LA’s Griffith Park was the inspiration for Disneyland:
The idea for [Disneyland] came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always Daddy’s day with the two daughters…. I’d take them to the merry-go-round… and as I sit while they rode… I felt that there should be something built where the parents and children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started” – Walt Disney
The Merry-Go-Round that Walt references is the one here in the park, between his Los Feliz home and the Disney Studio in Burbank.
The Disney+ series Prop Culture filmed a segment here in an episode exploring props and costumes from Disney’s 1964 film, Mary Poppins. In the episode, host Dan Lanigan brings Karen Dotrice, the actress that played Jane Banks, here to discuss how the carousel inspired a fantastical scene in the film while checking out the iconic yellow dress and hat costume that she wore in the movie. Read more about the real-life locations featured on the show in our blog post: 7 Real-Life Locations From The Disney+ Series Prop Culture.
The ride is still open to the public, though operating on a limited schedule – check their official website for more information.
Address: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Visitor Information: City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
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4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
