About City Park Carousel
City Park Carousel offers a classic amusement park experience within Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, often bundled with access to Storyland Park. It provides specific value through limited-time discounts and special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks'. However, be aware that the carousel, once free, now requires admission and the park can be subject to private closures. Booking birthday parties here carries significant risks based on recent negative experiences.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Budget-conscious families looking for a few classic rides and Storyland access during weekday discount hours.Families attending specific, pre-planned special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks'.Families with younger children who enjoy carousels, trains, and gentle rides.Locals who have a nostalgic connection to City Park, understanding the changes in admission policy.Likely suitable for young children to pre-teens, given the nature of a carousel, train, and other rides like a ladybug coaster and umbrella cars, as well as the inclusion of Storyland Park.
Why families love it
- Summer Saver discount available Tuesdays through Thursdays for $15, which includes 4 specific attractions (Ladybug Coaster, Carousel, Umbrella Cars, Train) and free entry into Storyland Park.
- Special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks' offer unique perks such as free rides, hot cocoa, and marshmallows for toasting (requires paid tickets in advance).
- Access to Storyland Park is included with Carousel Gardens admission during certain promotional periods like the Summer Saver.
- Summer Saver discount provides an affordable option for families interested in specific classic rides and Storyland access.
- Special holiday events (e.g., 'Celebration in the Oaks') enhance the experience with unique offerings like free treats and rides.
- The overall atmosphere is conducive to making family memories when visiting under positive circumstances.
Insider tips
- Visit Tuesdays through Thursdays with the 'Summer Saver' discount to pay $15 for access to 4 rides (Ladybug Coaster, Carousel, Umbrella Cars, Train) and free entry to Storyland Park.
- For special ticketed events like 'Celebration in the Oaks', purchase tickets in advance and arrive at opening to ensure you can experience all offerings.
- Before visiting on a weekend, especially a Saturday, check the park's schedule or call ahead to confirm it's not closed for a private event.
- If considering booking a birthday party, ask specific, detailed questions about staff conduct, party timing policies, and the condition of rental facilities (e.g., air conditioning) to avoid negative experiences.
Good to know before you go
- Booking birthday parties here due to serious concerns regarding staff treatment and facility maintenance (broken AC).
- Visiting on a Saturday if your primary goal is to ride the carousel or access the main park attractions, as it may be closed for private events.
- Expecting a full amusement park experience if visiting during the Summer Saver discount days, as only a limited number of rides are available.
- If you expect the carousel to be free or very cheap to ride, as general park admission is now required.
- The historical carousel, which used to be free to watch and cheap to ride, is now behind a fence and requires general amusement park admission even to see.
- Crowds
- Special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks' can get crowded, requiring early arrival to experience everything.
- Value
- The 'Summer Saver' discount (Tue-Thu) offers good value at $15 for 4 rides and Storyland entry, assuming those rides are sufficient for your family. Special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks' require advance paid tickets but include free rides and treats, offering good perceived value. General admission to the carousel is no longer free, requiring a paid entry to the amusement park. Birthday party packages appear to offer poor value due to significant service and facility issues reported.
- Food
- During 'Celebration in the Oaks', free hot cocoa and marshmallows for toasting are provided.
- Safety
- No specific safety features were mentioned in the reviews.
What parents say
"I highly recommend Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, they currently have a summer saver discount for $15 Tuesdays through Thursdays (only 4 of the 18 attractions are available: ladybug coaster, carousel, umbrella cars, and the train) and you get free entry into Storyland Park. It’s open from 11 AM - 4 PM."
a year ago
"Went there on a bucket list trip, after a 40 year wait to go back home to New Orleans for a week. Was sad to see the carousel now behind a fence, part of the amusement park with admission to even see the old carousel that used to be free to watch & cheap to ride. AND it was closed to the public for a private birthday party that Saturday. So we were bummed. 🙁 I do & will always love City Park tho. It's dear to my heart."
5 months ago
"Celebration in the Oaks, lovely event. Free rides, free hot coco and marshmallows for toasting. Get there at open or you won't be able to do everything. (Event is paid tickets in advance)"
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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