Thanks to a truly special Adventures by Disney experience, my mom and I were able to walk down Disney memory lane with a near-private tour to the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round.

What does the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round have to do with Disney, you might wonder? — or you’re a better fan than me and already knew — but, as legend has it, the merry-go-round was what sparked the inspiration for Disneyland. According to the story, Walt Disney was sitting on a park bench, watching his two young daughters ride the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round and thought something similar should exist for all families to enjoy: a clean, safe and fun place where families could go and enjoy quality time together. Enter Disneyland.

While you may be a true fan and already knew that story, I was dazzled and instantly excited at the opportunity to ride the famous ride.

The owner, Julio, has worked at the merry-go-round ride for about 33 years since his after-school job, now proud owner it for seven years. The ride is now 93 years old with almost all of its original trappings — incredible when you consider the company that made the ride in New York back in the early 1900s is no longer in business. The ride has its original motor and organ, both from 1916. All the ride’s horses are original, from the 1920s, and all are jumpers — meaning there are no stationary horses on this merry-go-round. There is, however, one stationary bench for guests with limited mobility or adults who want to join their kids on the ride but without having to climb on the horse in a skirt — like my mother.

Fun fact: The difference between a merry-go-round and a carousel is, a carousel has all sorts of animals (like a carnival) while a merry-go-round is strictly horses.

While this merry-go-round may sound like a dusty antique, it’s actually in stunning condition and the fastest in the business. The ride spins at a record 14 mph, which may not sound like much, but considering the average merry-go-round moves at 4 mph, you can definitely feel the difference.

The ride originally moved at 25 mph, but safety regulations caused the owners to pull back and cap it at 14 mph, which is now grandfathered in and the only one of its kind.

Julio shared a few personal stories with our group, telling us all about the ride’s history and its importance to him, as the owner before him was like a father to him, and the whole story couldn’t have been more in-tune with what Walt Disney himself felt while watching his daughters ride the jumping horses — at some insane speeds, I might add.

Once we were able to ride the ride, we dispersed to find our horses with far more appreciation than we would have had before. The organ music began, we strapped in and began our ride around. The horses have real horse-hair tails, a 200-pound weight limit, and only one can’t handle adults at all; it’s reserved for children, but Julio or a valued staff member will readjust the ride as needed.

The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round is open Friday through Sunday and only costs $2 to ride.

— Angelique Platas, associate editor