King Triton’s Carousel

February 2001 – March 2018

LOCATION

Paradise Pier – Follow the path on either side of the bay to reach the far end of Paradise Pier, where Mickey’s Fun Wheel and Toy Story Midway Mania sit. You’d find King Triton’s Carousel in the center of this walkway, between California Screamin’ and Midway Mania.

BACKGROUND

King Triton’s Carousel made its debut along with the rest of California Adventure, in February 2001. Throughout its lifespan, the ride went through few changes, even when the rest of Paradise Pier underwent a complete overhaul from 2010-2012. At first, Imagineers planned to build a new façade for the carousel to match the new Victorian Boardwalk, but this project was scrapped in favor of other ride refurbishments. For more than a decade, the Carousel was a centerpiece of Paradise Pier, and served as a boardwalk classic with its own Disney twist.

EXPERIENCE

Riders chose to ride a number of aquatic animals, from otters to whales to everything in between. Once settled, riders embarked on a two minute ride around the rear of Paradise Pier, with views of the boardwalk, the bay, and California Screamin’, accompanied by King Triton’s organ music. Finally, the carousel came to a stop, and riders continued on their adventures through Paradise Pier.

CLOSURE

During the summer of 2017, Disneyland announced plans to split Paradise Pier into two new lands: Paradise Park and Pixar Pier. As part of this transformation, the boardwalk side of Paradise Pier would be completely redesigned to Pixar theming. King Triton’s Carousel closed in March 2018, to make room for the new land’s theming.

TRIVIA

My original rating: King Triton’s Carousel is a nice break from the chaos of the boardwalk. The music is lovely, and it’s fun to ride sea creatures not usually featured on carousels. However, the carousel is somewhat tucked away in the back of Paradise Pier, so the views from the ride are limited. That being said, the carousel is a fun stop in between coaster rides and arcade games. (★★★☆☆)

The carousel’s full name was “King Triton’s Carousel of the Sea”.

Technically, King Triton’s Carousel was a merry-go-round, not a carousel. Carousels only feature horses, while merry-go-rounds can feature any number of animals.

The carousel hosted a total of 56 animals and two water chariots.

On the wall behind the carousel, you’d find 16 pictures of famous California boardwalks, all dated between 1904 and 1958.