Why is a Mesa mall replacing its beloved double-decker carousel?

A popular metro Phoenix carousel is getting a big change. But it isn’t riding off into the sunset just yet.

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 leaving the mall. Earlier this month, Gilbert resident Patsy Koeneke posted an Instagram photo of a sign at Superstition Springs stating the ride would close on Feb. 7.

Days later, a video posted to TikTok by user almondbuttergenes repeated the news and expressed sorrow of the carousel’s closure. “It’s been here my entire life. I’m sad,” they wrote.

This week, the mall’s owners put their own spin on the issue and set the record straight.

Macerich, the California-based company that operates Superstition Springs Center, said in a statement to Phoenix New Times the carousel is staying after being replaced with a new model.

The current operator will continue running the 26-foot-tall carousel through February, the company said. A new operator will then install a 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.

The history of the Superstition Springs Center carousel

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.