Los Angeles Is Spending $1 Million To Preserve an Iconic Piece of Disney History

If you are a Disney fan, you have undoubtedly heard the story of how Walt initially came up with the idea for Disneyland.

As the tale goes, Walt would take his daughters to Griffith Park, where he would watch them ride the Merry-Go-Round.

Watching the children enjoy the rides while their parents sat idly by, Walt began to dream up a new kind of theme park, a place where guests of all ages could have a good time and families could enjoy together.

Photo: D23

With that spark, Disneyland was born.

Los Angeles Has Purchased the Carousel

While the Happiest Place on Earth continues to celebrate its 70th anniversary, the city of Los Angeles is making sure that the carousel ride that started it all remains intact.

Today, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks approved a purchase of the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round for $1 million.

Photo: Also Disney

“[Walt] regularly frequented the Merry-Go-Round on Saturdays. There, he watched his daughters ride around and daydreamed of one day creating his own theme park. This very merry-go-round, with its beautifully crafted horses and chariots, is widely recognized as the inspiration behind the vision that would one day become Disneyland,” the Recreation and Parks department explains.

Credit: Disney

According to KTLA5, the iconic piece of California history is comprised of “68 hand-carved horses, two chariots and a Stinson 165 Military Band Organ capable of playing 1,500 songs.”

A Winding History

The carousel originally called San Diego home before it was relocated to Griffith Park in 1937.

Over the decades, the merry-go-round has been in the possession of multiple private owners. Most recently, it was owned by R&J Amusement Company LLC, as part of a partnership between Warren Deasy, Rosemary West, and Julio Gosdinski.

Photo: The Eastsider LA

In recent years, the attraction has been closed. Now, thanks to the city of Los Angeles, the carousel will remain in Griffith Park. Hopefully, it will continue to bring joy and inspire visitors.