Home > Massachusetts > Six Flags New England > Carousel > Review Comments
 Review of Carousel @ Six Flags New England
1 Rating Posted by: papa1958 on 5/26/2003 12:54:00 AM
This ride could be great. The 1902 Carousel: (a) is large; (b) has the horses all work and are in good shape and (c) has an attractive and well located cover building. Unfortunately, the interior (where the band organ should be) is basically empty and what is there is not well maintained. Hopefully Six Flags will do better by this treasure. Compare, for example, the much better care given to the carousel at Playland in Rye NY.
 

Review Comments

bumprnugit on 7/31/2004 12:41:12 AM said:
Just a couple of things; callopies are for circuses, not carousels. Band organs (ideally Wurlitzer 165s) should be a part of any great carousel. I agree that Rye has a better maintained ride, as the "swing slots" at the base of the poles at Playland are allowed to actually work, and the horses are better maintained. However, both rides were carved by M.C. Illions in the Coney Island style, and the better example of work in my opinion are these horses. The Rye carousel loses points as a garish amount of "jewels" were added to the Playland horses post-installation by a third party. Finally, as the SFNE ride has a mix of animals (lions, tigers, elk) it is technically a menagerie. I apologize if I am being anal retentive, but it is what it is.
adriahna on 8/23/2004 10:23:05 AM said:
Oh, bumprnugit, I hate to correct a fellow carousel fanatic, but here goes...sigh...the Rye carousel horses are Charles Carmel carvings. The Derby Racer horses are, indeed, by Marcus Illions. Chances are that Borelli did get ahold of those Rye carousel horses. Oh, and yes - this is just my opinion here, mind you - Wurlitzer 157s are better. Hee, hee...
bumprnugit on 8/25/2004 10:03:33 PM said:
Yikes! You are correct; I am ashamed of my error. (Its been quite a few years since Ive been to Rye, and I may have Illions on the brain as Saratoga Springs, NY has the small two abreast Kaydeross Park carousel in Congress Park.) Thanks for taking it easy on me. One closing note on the SFNE king horse / American Beauty stallion; I have never seen another "anatomically correct" horse on a carousel...can you help me with this one?
adriahna on 8/26/2004 10:40:53 AM said:
Yay!!! I was wondering whether the anatomically correct American Beauty would ever be brought up on TPC - you should get an award!!! Heres all I know about that figure, as mentioned in the wonderful "Painted Ponies" book: it is INCREDIBLY rare, and may in fact be the only one in existence by Illions. He supposedly added that little "feature" to lead horses to go on carousels ordered by customers he didnt like. How about that for subtle revenge???
bumprnugit on 8/26/2004 11:35:26 AM said:
I have the same book...how about the unfinished American Beauty found in a PA barn? "Grab the Brass ring" is another nice book on carousels, although not nearly as comprehensive as "Painted Ponies". Im guessing youve been to the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, CT. Its been a few years since Ive been there, but I assume R & F Designs is still located there. They do some really superb restoration work. It really kills me though to see horses from private collections, though even singularly beautiful, they really should be on intact rides. Its like looking at a caged animal in a zoo; they look nice static, but when a carousel is complete it truly is "art in motion". Unfortunately, park patrons do not always exercise the care they should on these classics. My last trip to SFNE is evidence of this. The American Beautys right front leg must have been used as a step and snapped off at the joint. Six Flags, in a move that does not surprise me, temporarily ( I hope temporarily) fixed it with DUCT TAPE! Need I say more about some past references to this chain Ive made in other posts? Nice chatting with you.
BobFunland on 8/26/2004 12:11:40 PM said:
Im kinda worried as to what an anatomically correct carousel house is, because I was good in Bio and Im pretty sure I know what it means...
bumprnugit on 8/26/2004 12:14:06 PM said:
Well, the horse IS a "stallion"...its not obscene by any stretch, but M.C. Illions did display his knowledge of the equine form.
adriahna on 8/27/2004 12:15:00 AM said:
Well put, bumprnugit - equine form indeed! I understand what youre talking about - I have such mixed feelings in regard to carousel figures being collected as works of art. Yes, theyre being preserved wonderfully, but they just arent as great in collections as they are on a beautiful machine. Such colors, lines, grace and energy deserves motion and music, you know? The Bristol museum was a thrill, and the restoration shop was most impressive. There is an incredible Illions Lincoln horse there - just beautiful. And Im sorry to hear about the American Beauty - lets hope its temporary usage of duct tape - thats like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa - at least as far as carousels go. And, well, carousels are very high on my list of art forms.
Cyclonic on 8/29/2004 6:46:51 PM said:
I see this just as I am working on my SFNE gallery on my website. I have the pictures I took of the Carousel earlier this year, it is sad.


http://www.penncoasters.com/galleries/sfne.htm


BTW, I keep meaning to write a review, but one of the most fantastic machines I have ever seen is the PTC machine at Seabreeze. Those folks up there know how to care for a carousel. If only it had a ring catch.

bumprnugit on 8/29/2004 10:22:31 PM said:
Cyclonic, its interesting you mention the Seabreeze carousel. The original PTC #36 and Wurlitzer 165 band organ were destroyed by fire in 1994 while, I believe, the roof was being worked on. Everyone in the community was devastated, but some of the original horses survived, and a hand carved replica was created. I havent been to Seabreeze since 1993, but from what I hear they did a fantastic job with the carousel and band organ. Before the fire, the ride was well mantained, the 165 band organ sounded great (it stated on the platform it sat on "Cheerful Melodies"), and there was also quite an extensive collection of music rolls. I guess my preference for 165s is due to this carousel...the original played a great rendition of "American Patrol." (Adriahna - Seabreezes 165 was much better than Knoebels organ by the Phoenix.) Im way overdue for a return to Seabreeze...
adriahna on 8/30/2004 12:49:55 PM said:
I have recordings of Seabreezes old 165, and theyre great - but a shame I didnt get the chance of hearing the real McCoy (recordings never do a band organ justice).

I had the IMMENSE pleasure of finally visiting the 1921 Dentzel machine at Glen Echo Park - it has to be one of the most beautiful carousels I have ever seen, and the 165 there is simply beyond comparison. The carousel and organ were restored to match the original factory colors, and the sound of that organ is pristine. If you havent visited, its an absolute must. The park is neat, too - the rides are long gone, but many great Art Deco structures remain, and its just a peaceful, very clean place to go (its a National Park).
papa1958 on 8/30/2004 4:10:45 PM said:
I stand corrected on the "band organ" versus "callopie" matter, but Ive yet to hear a reason that I shouldnt criticize SFNE for not having a band organ. Speaking of fine carousels without working band organs, have either of you seen the incredible antique PTC model at the Palisades shopping center in West Nyack, NY. It is the finest carousel I have ever seen.
papa1958 on 8/30/2004 4:12:03 PM said:
Also I dont think bumprnugit was anal at all for correcting my mistake.
DmctNY8 on 8/30/2004 7:03:11 PM said:
I didnt know there was that much to know about merry-go-rounds.
Cyclonic on 8/30/2004 7:17:45 PM said:
Yup. There is a small following here on the site. Some of us are not all about coasters
adriahna on 8/30/2004 7:35:59 PM said:
Papa, Im really itching to see the Palisades carousel - I was just thinking about that the other day, and wondering where its located in relation to me. Isnt it relatively close to the George Washington Bridge? I have to check this one out for myself...
bumprnugit on 8/30/2004 8:11:09 PM said:
papa1958, I agree with your original review that this carousel could be great...for as long as Ive been going to Riverside/SFNE, they have NEVER had a band organ. I had hoped that when they moved the ride to the front of the park, they would at least remove the battleship grey paint from the deck (they did), replace all the lights (they didnt), and finally get a band organ for these magnificant animals (the chariots are pretty comfy, too.)
One thing I have learned over the years about this park is not to expect too much, and when things change they typically are NOT for the better (see my Cyclone review.)
I havent seen the Palisades carousel yet, but have been on the (Roseland) PTC at Carousel Mall in Syracuse. At least one armored horse carries a PTC shield that is pretty cool. I dont recall if it has an actual band organ, though. I think it may have a small Wurlitzer, as I seem to remember listening to it with my wife while we ate at Unos (this was back in 93.)
BobFunland on 8/31/2004 9:38:55 AM said:
How long has papa been back? I hevent seen him in a while?
papa1958 on 8/31/2004 10:54:50 AM said:
Adriana:

The Palisades mall is right at the West Nyack exit off the NY Thruway -- about 3 miles west of the Tappen Zee Bridge. There is a fair amount of historic information about the carousel posted on a wall near the ride. The Mall-of-America-like indoor mall also has an undistiquished fifty foot ferris wheel, a "Jeppers" (with a small coaster and a tilt-a-whirl), a number of privately operated motion rides and a full-size public skating rink. It is rummered that it was also supposed to have a full-size roller coaster but some downsizing cratered that idea. There is a neon light display that looks like a coaster where the ride was supposed to be.

Bob:

Ive never left. Where have you been?
BobFunland on 8/31/2004 11:14:11 AM said:
I havent seen you around in a while, maybe this review just triggered my memory.
adriahna on 8/31/2004 12:38:40 PM said:
Thanks, papa - I knew it was close to one of the NY bridges, you cleared things up. Ive got to check this one out...
papa1958 on 8/31/2004 1:46:45 PM said:
Bob:

I have been gone three weeks. I visited Disney World, Universal Orlando, Trimpers Rides (MD) and Jolly Roger (MD). Ill post lots of new reviews this week.
adriahna on 9/7/2004 10:31:15 AM said:
Hey, papa - I finally visited the Palisades PTC this weekend - I recognized that machine from the moment I laid eyes on it. Although Id never seen it in person, I have an article from NCAs Merry Go Roundup magazine, documenting its restoration for Expo. Its a wonderful piece, and a very important documentation of PTCs "awkward phase", as I call it - meaning Leo Zollers short-lived leadership over the carving shop. The horses are strangely elongated, with high-set eyes, odd, long faces, stretched out bodies and short legs - a complete opposite from both the companys earlier, and later examples. The lovers chariots are AMAZING, and the rounding boards are a real joy. The carousel has been beautifully restored, and one would swear that the horses are brand new, theyre kept in such great condition. The lack of a band organ is a shame, though - but I cant see one running at full tilt in a mall - the sound alone would be an annoyance to most (but heaven to me). And another shame - the carousel is run at snails pace. In all, I really appreciate this machine - its a very important part of PTC history, and thus amusement park history in general. Is it my favorite example? I cant say it is, but I can say that its a wonderful piece, and should be checked out any self-respecting carousel nut. Im very happy to have finally had a look. If this were in review format, Id give it a 9. Thanks for the heads up, papa.
papa1958 on 9/7/2004 2:26:42 PM said:
Adriahna: Thank you for your very thoughtful comment. Maybe you or I should ask this websites editor to add the mall to the list of New York amusement parks.
adriahna on 9/7/2004 6:22:31 PM said:
This sort of thing has come up before, papa - Cyclonic was trying to get Weona Park, which is in PA, listed - it has a great old Dentzel carousel. However, and understandably so, Mark was hesitant - since there arent any other rides in the park, it doesnt really count as a theme or amusement park. I feel for you, though - there are so many great carousels located in relative isolation, regarding other rides. Perfect examples: PTC #6, in Burlington, CO, the three great carousels in NY parks in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, the Dentzel in Glen Echo Park, MD...and, of course, PTC #15, in the Palisades Mall. Its a shame, really - I wish I could review them all right here, but it just isnt so, at least for the moment...
papa1958 on 9/8/2004 3:24:00 PM said:
If you add in the rides at Jeepers, there are probably a dozen "attractions" at the Mall.
adriahna on 9/8/2004 5:05:47 PM said:
Thats true - I hadnt thought of that. I was so focused on the carousel, I couldnt see much of anything else!!!
Post Review Comment
You must login or create an account to post a review comment.
 
Clicky Web Analytics