The oldest ride at Great Adventure is the Carousel, an English "Gallopers" style Carousel built in 1881. It toured on the English fair circuit for decades before it was purchased for Great Adventure and brought to the US.
The ornate Carousel was originally steam driven and when it was installed in the park it was also steam driven for a short period, then converted to compressed air drive. The ride was designed to run at high speeds, with the rows of horses and cockerels in slots on the floor so they could spin outward at full speed, adding to the thrills.
Over time many of the elements were removed including the ornate band organ, the elaborately painted rounding board steps, and the steam engine was deactivated and replaced with an electric drive motor when the ride was leveled off with a much safer loading platform in the 1980's.
The ride has continued to delight generations of guests at Great Adventure for 50 years now, and just received fresh paint on the horses and the elaborate pavilion for the 2024 season.
Click for the whole Carousel spotlight:
The ornate Carousel was originally steam driven and when it was installed in the park it was also steam driven for a short period, then converted to compressed air drive. The ride was designed to run at high speeds, with the rows of horses and cockerels in slots on the floor so they could spin outward at full speed, adding to the thrills.
Over time many of the elements were removed including the ornate band organ, the elaborately painted rounding board steps, and the steam engine was deactivated and replaced with an electric drive motor when the ride was leveled off with a much safer loading platform in the 1980's.
The ride has continued to delight generations of guests at Great Adventure for 50 years now, and just received fresh paint on the horses and the elaborate pavilion for the 2024 season.
Click for the whole Carousel spotlight:
