Beginning on April 1st, the renowned carousel of Budapest’s former Vidámpark (“Amusement Park”) once again welcomes children and adults alike for fun-filled rides. The merry-go-round became the property of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden in 2014, when its intricately carved figures – such as wooden horses, gondolas, and chariots ornamented with angels and mirrors – were all renovated, its drive system was modernized, and the chariots and the carousel's ceiling canopy were given brand-new gilding. Before 2014 the carousel belonged to Budapest's Amusement Park, which inherited it from its predecessor – a former Funfair that operated here under the name "Vurstli" – in 1950.
So we can pretty safely say that almost all residents of Budapest rode this roundabout at least once in their lifetime. This cultic carousel is the only amusement ride of the onetime Vidámpark that still stands strong in close-to-original condition.
According to surviving documents, the carousel operated on the premises since 1906, and its builder and first operator was an entrepreneur named Scheffner – hence the frequently-used name: “Scheffner’s Carousel” – and after the nationalization of the "Vurstli", the Funfair inherited it. Since April 1st, the merry-go-round again awaits everyone with nostalgic rides between 10am-6pm on weekends and on holidays, and it will continue to operate through autumn. Furthermore, the carousel is also planned to be put into operation on weekdays in the summer, but then it will not be accessible through the Budapest Zoo anymore, but from the nearby streetfront. Therefore, from now on anyone can mount a wooden horse on the carousel for only 400 forints per go.
