You’ve probably seen the Instagram shots of the Griffith Observatory or the Hollywood Sign. Everyone goes there. But if you walk just a bit deeper into the "Park Center" area, past the winding trails and the towering pines, you’ll hear it before you see it. It’s a wheezing, triumphant sort of music. Mechanical. Nostalgic. The kind of sound that feels like it belongs in a black-and-white movie.
That is the Griffith Park merry-go-round.
Honestly, it’s a miracle it’s still there. Built in 1926 by the Spillman Engineering Company, this thing has survived the Great Depression, the rise of digital entertainment, and a global pandemic that nearly ended it for good. It isn’t just some playground toy. It’s a 100-year-old piece of kinetic art that moves at a surprisingly fast clip. Seriously, if you’re used to the slow, gentle drift of modern carousels, this one might actually startle you.
What Really Happened with Walt Disney?
Let’s clear up the big legend first. You’ve likely heard that this is where Disneyland was born. It’s not just some PR fluff.
Back in the 1930s and 40s, Walt Disney used to bring his daughters, Diane and Sharon, here on Saturdays. He called it "Daddy’s Day." While the girls were spinning on the horses, Walt would sit on a nearby bench, eating peanuts and watching them. He realized there wasn't really much for the parents to do. They just sat there. Bored. Waiting.
He thought, Why isn't there a place where the whole family can have fun together? That thought, sparked right here in Griffith Park, eventually became Disneyland. If you look closely inside the pavilion today, you can actually see one of the original benches from that era. There’s a plaque on it. It’s a weirdly emotional spot for Disney buffs. It’s the physical "ground zero" for an industry that now dominates the planet. Interestingly, a twin of that bench is currently sitting in the Opera House at Disneyland in Anaheim, but this one in the park? This is the one where the actual sitting happened.
Why the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round is Different
Most carousels you see today are "three-abreast" or smaller. The Griffith Park merry-go-round is a massive, four-abreast machine. It has 68 horses. Every single one of them is a "jumper," meaning they all move up and down.
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These aren't plastic. They are hand-carved wood.
If you look at the manes and the tails, you'll see incredible detail—jewel-encrusted bridles, sunflowers, and even lion heads carved into the saddles. Some of these horses were actually carved by Charles Looff, the legendary figure who built the first carousel at Coney Island and the Santa Monica Pier. You're literally riding a museum piece.
Then there's the music.
The Stinson 165 Military Band Organ is the heartbeat of the building. It’s widely considered the largest band organ on the West Coast. It doesn't play MP3s. It uses paper rolls to play over 1,500 different marches and waltzes. When it kicks in, the sound is massive. It’s an "orchestrion," basically a robot marching band in a box. It’s loud, it’s brassy, and it’s beautiful.
The $1 Million Rescue
For a while there, things looked pretty grim. The carousel had been operated for decades by the Davis family, and later by Julio Gosdinski, who was a beloved figure in the park. When Julio passed away in 2020, the carousel fell into a legal and mechanical limbo. It closed. It stayed closed.
People were worried it would just rot away.
But in late 2025, the City of Los Angeles stepped in. The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) officially purchased the carousel for $1 million. They didn't just buy a ride; they bought the history. Right now, there is a massive $2 million restoration project underway to get every horse repainted and every mechanical gear greased.
The goal? Have it spinning perfectly for the 2028 Olympics.
Hollywood’s Favorite Backdrop
Because it’s so close to the studios, the carousel has a resume longer than most actors. It has appeared in The Mentalist, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and MacGyver. It was the creepy carousel in Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction. It even showed up in True Blood.
There is something about the way the light hits the painted horses that location scouts just can't resist. It can look whimsical and sweet in a rom-com, or haunting and eerie in a thriller.
Making the Trip: What You Need to Know
If you're planning to go, don't just put "Griffith Park" into your GPS. The park is over 4,000 acres—you will get lost. You want to head to 4730 Crystal Springs Drive.
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- Parking: Use Lot #3. It's usually free, which is a rarity in LA these days.
- The Vibe: It’s very "old-school." There’s a snack bar nearby that sells churros and hot dogs for prices that feel like they haven't changed since the 90s.
- Speed: I’m serious, it’s fast. Hold onto the little ones.
- Schedule: Currently, it's typically open on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, since the city just took over, hours can fluctuate based on the restoration schedule. Always check the official LA Parks website before you drive out.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
Don't just ride it once and leave. To really "get" the experience, try this:
- Look for the "Real" Tail: Many of the horses have actual horsehair tails. It’s a weird detail that most people miss because they’re too busy trying to get a selfie.
- Find the Bench: Look for the dedicated Disney bench inside. Even if you aren't a "Disney Adult," standing where a world-changing idea was formed is pretty cool.
- Check the Organ: Walk around the center of the ride to see the Stinson Organ. Watching the little mechanical figures "play" the percussion is fascinating.
- Pair it with a Hike: The trailhead for the "Old Zoo" is right nearby. You can see the abandoned stone cages from the 1930s and then come back to the carousel for a snack. It’s the perfect "weird LA" afternoon.
The Griffith Park merry-go-round is one of those rare places where the past isn't just a memory—it’s something you can actually climb onto and ride. It’s a bit creaky, and the music is a little too loud, but that’s exactly why it’s worth saving.
For the most up-to-date reopening status and ticket pricing as the 2028 restoration progresses, monitor the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks "Park Center" bulletins. If you're visiting on a weekend, bring cash, as the vintage ticket booth often prefers it over digital payments.