Disney's Hidden Carousel: A Century-Old Treasure Revived

The miniature carousel at Disney's BoardWalk Inn lobby is a piece of history that dates back over a century. Built by renowned carousel maker M.C. Illions in the 1920s, it was originally created as a sales model to showcase the craftsmanship and design of full-sized carousels.

Years later, the model was auctioned off and eventually acquired by The Walt Disney Company. When Disney's BoardWalk Inn opened in 1996, the carousel became the centerpiece of the lobby.

Former Disney Imagineer Justin Jorgensen spent nearly two years working on the project at Walt Disney Imagineering. He recalls that the team aimed to create a restored-but-lived-in appearance, preserving subtle signs of age and original details throughout the piece.