The Carowinds carousel is a living piece of amusement park history. Built in 1923 during America’s “carousel golden age” by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (#67 of 87 ever made), it features 68 hand-carved wooden horses and chariots.
Throughout the ages, this popular amusement park ride has gone by many names – carousel, roundabout, and merry-go-round. But one element never changes – the world’s love for a simple ride that goes around and around to a soundtrack of cheery music. The setting is a treat in itself: when you step onto the carousel’s platform, you’re engulfed in amazing artistry with hand-painted murals overhead and intricately crafted characters just waiting to be chosen for a ride.
After taking special care to choose the host ride that’s perfect for them, guests young and young at heart will experience pure joy and delight as they spin on this timeless ride. What’s more, it’s a great place to grab a bit of shade on a sunny day. A fun idea for parents: Ask your children what type of energy they think makes The Grand Carousel go around. Solar? Steam? Magnetic?
Guests must be 46" tall to ride alone OR accompanied by a supervising companion.
Rider Safety Information
- Min Height Accompanied
- <46"
- Min Height Alone
- 46"
- A carousel ride which features animals – both stationary and moving up and down – and chariot seating mounted on a circular platform that rotates.
- Guests under 46” tall must be held by a supervising companion who is standing on the platform between the horses or seated beside them in a chariot; only one rider per horse.
- Guests must have the ability to straddle the ride unit.
- Guests unable to straddle the ride unit must be seated in a chariot unit.
- Guests who do not have independent seated postural control, an appropriate center of gravity, or appropriate observed behavior must ride in a chariot with a supervising companion.
- Guests with a full leg cast must ride in a chariot.
- Alternate Access is available at the ride exit. Riders will have to take several steps, on their own or with the assistance of a companion and be capable of stepping up onto a platform.
- Service animals are permitted to ride on the ride platform or chariots.
- Visit our Guest Assistance Guide for additional accessibility information.
