Why? Well, Disney's added a backstory to the ride:
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.
Thoughts?
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WHO GIVES A CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. why does there need to be more boys on the carousel? isn't tom sawyer's island enough? instead of renaming the damn carousel, why dont they fix "disco yeti"
Nib high football rules!!
PRINCES CHARMING'S "WORD"
Maybe they could just remove the attraction altogether and put something else in its place, something that doesn't scream "midway ride" at the top of its lungs.
Also, Luis -
Word to the wicked stepmother!
Personally, I thought there was nothing wrong with the first name and I actually prefer it just because the new name seems harder to remember. I think it should have been Prince Charming's Golden Carousel.
Then again, Disneyland's is called King Arthur's Carousel so it is not that Disney is going into uncharted territory.
I like the Carousel so as long as its still around, I would enjoy it!
I'm curious, though, re: James R's predictable post [I was waiting for the "it screams midway" comment {g}], how many theme park goers are rabid in their antipathy toward so-called "off-the-shelf" rides? Have we ever had a poll asking whether TPIers ride them or not? Because personally I'll ride a Scrambler anywhere I find one and regardless of what it's called. I just like the experience. Don't care if it's the same from one park to another. It's fun and for me, very repeatable. Same for Spiders, Himalayas, Tilt-a-Whirls, teacup rides, and if there's any small child I can cadge into going on with me, carousels!
And I'm not sure I'd put too many carousels in the "off-the-shelf" category anyway. Certainly a carousel with unique and elaborate horses/animals, designed and painted a la the creations from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, is not something I'd call "off-the-shelf." Too much history is behind this ride for me to dismiss a classic just because one carousel ride experience is much like another -- they're often real slices of history and show great artisanship.
The new name is a bit harder to remember, though -- what was it, Prince Charming's Regal Carousel? Not that it matters, how many called it Cinderella's Golden Carousel rather than just "the carousel" or "the merry-go-round" or "the roundabout" (for the Brits) anyway?
However, a carousel is a carousel. Actually, I would rather have an antique one with the hand carved/painted horses and the traditional calliope/organ over any kind of theme. For those reasons, I care even less about the Disney carousel.
Now, how about that Yeti overhaul that seems to be coming?
Now I can sleep at night…
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