If you’ve lived in Los Angeles for more than a week, you’ve probably seen the signs. They point you toward the "Old Zoo" or the hiking trails, but eventually, you’ll find yourself standing in front of a massive, circular wooden building that looks like it hasn't changed since the Great Depression. It hasn't. The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round is one of those rare spots in a city obsessed with "new" that refuses to update its soul.
It’s loud. The band organ—a 1926 Stinson—is honestly a little overwhelming if you're standing too close. It’s the kind of music that feels like it’s vibrating in your molars. But that’s the point. This isn't some plastic, sanitized theme park ride with a digital soundtrack. It’s 68 jumping horses, all hand-carved, each with its own weird, distinct personality. Some look noble. Others look like they’ve seen things.
The Spillman Engineering Connection
Most people think every old carousel is a "Ferris" or a "Stein and Goldstein," but this one is a Spillman Engineering masterpiece. It was built in 1926. Think about that for a second. This machine has outlasted almost every building in downtown LA. It didn't even start its life in Griffith Park; it spent its early years at San Diego’s Mission Beach before moving up the coast in 1937.
What makes a Spillman special? It’s the detail. You’ll see real horsehair tails. The "jewels" on the saddles are actually faceted glass that catches the light as the platform spins at a surprisingly high speed. Seriously, this thing moves faster than modern carousels. If you’re a parent trying to snap a photo of your kid, good luck. You’ve got about a 0.5-second window before they blur past you in a whirlwind of calliope music.
That Walt Disney Bench (The Legend vs. Reality)
You can't talk about the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round without mentioning the man in the fedora. Every tour guide in the city will tell you the same story: Walt Disney sat on a park bench here, eating peanuts, watching his daughters Diane and Sharon ride the horses, and realized he wanted to build a place where parents and children could have fun together.
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Basically, this carousel is the DNA of Disneyland.
There is a park bench inside the enclosure. People treat it like a shrine. Is it the bench? Disney Imagineers eventually moved what they claim is the original bench to the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A., in Anaheim. But the spirit is here. When you sit on the wooden slats and watch the horses go around, you get it. You see the repetitive motion, the joy, and the slightly mechanical soul of it all. It’s easy to see how a man obsessed with trains and animation would find inspiration in a giant, rotating wooden machine.
Beyond the Disney Mythos
While the Disney connection gets the headlines, the carousel's survival is actually a miracle of maintenance. It’s currently operated by the Davis family. They aren't some faceless corporation. They are people who genuinely care about the mechanical integrity of a hundred-year-old gearbox.
Imagine trying to find parts for a 1926 Stinson 165 Band Organ. You don't just go to Home Depot. You have to find specialists who understand the intricate bellows and paper rolls that make the music happen. It’s a dying art form. When the organ is playing "The Stars and Stripes Forever," you’re hearing a mechanical computer from the pre-digital age.
The Aesthetic: Not Just for Kids
Look closely at the horses. They are four abreast. This means there are four rows of horses. The "outside" horses are always the most ornate because they were the ones people saw first from the midway.
- The Jumpers: Notice how some horses are "jumpers" (they move up and down) while others are stationary?
- The Paint: The colors are vibrant, but they follow a specific historical palette.
- The Details: Look for the small carvings on the "romance side"—the side of the horse facing the public. You’ll see custom saddles, intricate bridles, and even the occasional carved animal hide.
Hollywood loves this place, too. If it looks familiar, it’s because it has been in everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to MacGyver. It has a "haunted but beautiful" vibe that cinematographers can't resist. On a Tuesday morning when the park is empty, it can feel a little eerie. In the middle of a Sunday afternoon, with hundreds of screaming kids and the smell of popcorn, it’s the heart of the city.
Why the Location Matters
The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round isn't just plopped in the middle of nowhere. It sits in a natural bowl between the Los Angeles Zoo and the Griffith Observatory.
If you’re planning a visit, don't just ride the carousel and leave. Walk the trails behind it. You’ll find the ruins of the Old Zoo, which is basically a collection of 1930s-era stone cages that look like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie. It’s a strange juxtaposition: the whimsical, brightly colored carousel and the decaying, grey stone of the abandoned animal enclosures.
That’s LA in a nutshell. It’s the glam and the grit, side by side.
Logistics You Actually Need
Honestly, don't just show up and expect it to be open every day. It’s usually a weekend thing, plus holidays. During the summer, they open it up more often, but always check the Griffith Park website or call ahead.
The price is usually around $5. In a city where a cocktail costs $22, it’s probably the cheapest high-quality entertainment you’re going to find.
- Parking: There’s a massive lot right in front. It’s free. That’s a miracle in Los Angeles.
- Food: There’s a snack stand nearby, but it’s basic. Think hot dogs and sodas. If you want a real meal, pack a picnic. The grass fields surrounding the carousel are some of the best spots in the park to spread a blanket.
- Crowds: Sunday is the busiest day. If you want a specific horse—like the one that looks like a war horse—get in line early.
The Sound of the Stinson
The Stinson 165 is the "voice" of the carousel. It uses perforated paper rolls to play music. It’s essentially a giant wind instrument powered by a motor. It’s loud enough that you can’t really hold a conversation while you’re riding. You just have to lean into the noise.
Sometimes they play marches. Sometimes they play old waltzes. It creates this hypnotic atmosphere where time sort of stops. You’re not thinking about your emails or the traffic on the 5 freeway. You’re just moving in a circle, following the tail of a wooden horse that hasn't stopped running for ninety-nine years.
The Importance of Keeping it Local
There have been times when the carousel faced budget cuts or maintenance scares. It’s a fragile piece of history. Unlike the Griffith Observatory, which gets massive federal and private funding, the carousel relies heavily on the people who actually use it.
Every ticket you buy goes toward the grease for the gears and the paint for the manes. It’s a community effort to keep this thing spinning. It’s one of the few places in LA where you’ll see people from every single neighborhood—Burbank, Echo Park, South LA, the Valley—all congregating in one spot.
What to Do Next
If you're headed to the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, make it a full day. Here is the move:
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- Morning: Hit the trails behind the carousel. Follow the signs for Bee Rock if you want a workout, or just wander through the Old Zoo enclosures for the "cool" factor.
- Mid-Day: Grab a ride on the carousel. Try to get an outside horse for the best views. Sit on the "Walt Disney Bench" afterward just to say you did.
- Afternoon: Head over to the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad nearby for a miniature train ride. It’s another classic LA experience that keeps the vintage vibe going.
- Check the Calendar: Look for "Carousel After Dark" events or holiday-themed nights. Sometimes they run the machine at night with special lighting, and it’s spectacular.
The carousel isn't just a ride; it’s a time machine. It’s a reminder that even in a city that’s constantly tearing itself down and rebuilding, some things are worth fixing, over and over again.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Check the Weather: It’s an open-air building. If it’s 95 degrees in the Valley, it’s going to be hot inside that enclosure. Bring water.
- Bring Cash: While they usually take cards now, the system can be finicky in the park. Having a few fives on hand saves you a headache.
- Photography Tip: Use a slow shutter speed if you want that "motion blur" look of the carousel spinning, but keep your subject (the rider) as still as possible. The lighting inside is tricky, so a fast lens is your friend.
- Respect the Wood: These are antiques. Don't let kids climb on the horses while they are stationary, and be careful with bags and backpacks that might scratch the paint.