Superstition Springs Center
Audio By Carbonatix
A popular metro Phoenix carousel is getting a big change. But it isn’t riding off into the sunset.
After nearly 18 years in operation, the double-decker carousel at Superstition Springs Center in Mesa will be replaced with a single-level merry-go-round in spring 2026.
Photos and videos shared online in recent weeks fueled speculation that the carousel was permanently closing. Posts on TikTok and Instagram pointed to a sign at the mall claiming the ride was shutting down for good.
That isn’t the case.
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Macerich, the California-based company that owns Superstition Springs Center, said the carousel is staying.
The current operator will run the 26-foot-tall carousel through February. A new operator will install the single-level carousel, which will begin spinning in spring 2026.
“Carousel rides are a beloved staple and community favorite at Superstition Springs Center, and we are pleased to share that the attraction is here to stay,” Macerich said in a statement.
Carousel rides have been a central part of Superstition Springs Center since the mall opened in 1990. Located next to the food court, the attraction has long been one of the mall’s most visible and heavily used features, especially for families visiting the East Valley shopping center.
Over the years, the carousel has served as both an entertainment option and a practical gathering point. Parents often used it as a reward during shopping trips, while families regularly used the ride as an easy place to meet. Even for shoppers who never boarded, the carousel became a familiar landmark inside the mall.
The original carousel was a single-level ride that operated during the mall’s first 18 years. In 2008, Superstition Springs Center upgraded the attraction to a double-decker model, marking a significant change to the mall’s interior. Standing 26 feet tall, the new carousel quickly became a visual centerpiece.
At the time of its installation, the two-level ride was promoted as a major draw. It was also the first double-decker carousel in Arizona, helping the mall stand out among regional shopping centers. Its Victorian-style design and elevated height made it visible across much of the main concourse.
Despite broader changes in retail, the carousel remained a constant. Stores opened and closed, but the ride continued operating as a family-friendly anchor. Industry experts often cite attractions like carousels as tools to encourage longer visits and repeat traffic.
At Superstition Springs Center, that approach has endured for more than three decades. While the carousel’s design will soon change, the mall plans to keep the attraction in place, maintaining its role as a recognizable feature for longtime visitors and new generations alike.
