At a glance
Le Carrousel de Lancelot is a traditional carousel in the centre of Fantasyland, just behind Sleeping Beauty Castle. Inspired by the film The Sword in the Stone and the legend of the Knights of the Round Table, it lets you ride one of 86 richly decorated horses or sit in one of the two carved chariots.
Each mount is unique, with its own colours and armour. The sixteen horses on the outer row are carved from wood, while the others are made of fibreglass. The ride is decorated with gilding, jousting lances and painted murals showing the life and deeds of Sir Lancelot.
It turns to classic Disney tunes played by a historic organ called Big Nelly. As it goes round, the carousel gives you panoramic views of the surrounding land. It’s a gentle family ride that takes young and old into a romantic, colourful medieval world.
The carousel with hand-painted horses. A classic ride themed on Excalibur, where every mount has its own medieval decoration. Gentle thrills and organ music make it a safe bet for toddlers. Its spot at the foot of the castle also makes it a lovely photo subject.
History
Opened on 12 April 1992 along with the park, Le Carrousel de Lancelot is the Disneyland Paris version of the King Arthur Carrousel, which opened at Disneyland in Anaheim back in 1955. Set in Fantasyland, it draws on the legend of King Arthur and the sword Excalibur. It hasn’t changed much since opening day.
Technical data
- Duration
- 1 min 30
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Carousel
- Opening date 12 April 1992
- Duration 1 min 30 s
- Number of horses 86 (16 outer + 70 inner)
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact moderate
- Perceived wait moderate
- Minimum height None (open to all)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors suitable
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
No Single Rider here. To save time, count on Premier Access or park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
Not open during Extra Magic Time: it opens at the same time as the park.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- A timeless classic for the whole family
- Beautifully decorated horses
- Disney tunes played on an organ
Weak points
- Uncovered queue
- Fairly short ride
- Some visitors rush to grab a particular horse
My verdict
Le Carrousel de Lancelot is a traditional carousel with 86 hand-painted horses themed on the Arthurian legend, tucked just behind Sleeping Beauty Castle. It lasts 1 min 30 s, with Disney tunes played on an organ and a carefully themed medieval feel. It’s inspired by the King Arthur Carrousel at Disneyland in Anaheim (1955).
It’s one of the most relaxing rides in the park and a good photo spot at the centre of Fantasyland. My tip if you don’t like the feeling of sitting high up on a horse: there are two carriages instead of horses, much more stable and just as photogenic. Watch out for visitors rushing to pick a particular horse, as boarding can get a bit chaotic in peak season.
Best time to visit
Calculated from the ride’s queue time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Le Carrousel de Lancelot is in Fantasyland, near Les Voyages de Pinocchio and the Excalibur rock.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long queues for the most popular rides?
To avoid long queues at Disneyland Paris, I combine several tactics. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille and Spider-Man, as long as you’re happy not to ride with your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you priority access to the headline rides. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and it’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without queuing. Finally, heading to the most popular rides during a parade or a big show empties the queues considerably.
02 Are the queue times shown in the park reliable?
Yes, the queue times shown in the app or on the screens around the park are generally reliable. They’re often the same as, or slightly longer than, the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be closed for refurbishment during my trip?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website, several weeks in advance. Because the parks are open all year round, the maintenance teams sometimes work on days when the parks are open, which leads to temporary closures. My advice: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before booking, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young children?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can frighten young children even without a height restriction. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling scenes. La Tanière du Dragon, under Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, plays on a ghostly atmosphere and is really intense for toddlers. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful moments and darker scenes. I’d suggest watching how your child reacts before you get on.
05 How far in advance does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of ride closures around 2 to 3 months in advance. For major rides, the park tells visitors about planned construction work at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, as dates can change. That way you avoid the nasty surprise of finding out on the day that your favourite ride is being refurbished.
