Carousel of Happiness — Attraction in Nederland

Individuals who use service dogs are not welcomed here. I am a staff member for a person with autism who uses a service dog to help access the community. We arrived, were allowed to buy tickets, and wait in line while the ride was moving. Once my client and there stakeholder were on the ride, I was confronted by the ride operator with a policy pamphlet telling me I had to take the dog out to the waiting room. I informed the ride operator that separating a service animal from their client was a misdemeanor and a violation of my client’s civil rights. He then had me speak to the Executive Director Melody Baumhover who chose to yell at me for doing my job which is to advocate for my client. She was unkind, short, and disrespectful in her approach. Their pamphlet states “Service animals are welcome in the gift shop and should remain outside the carousel room” Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go. People with disabilities who use service animals cannot be isolated from other patrons, treated less favorably than other patrons, or charged fees that are not charged to other patrons without animals.

They broke multiple state and federal laws during this interaction. They were so comfortable discriminating against my client that Melody Baumhover told me to report her as if they break these laws daily, monthly, yearly.

I do not recommend this place for anyone experiencing a difference because they will not...

Super cute carousel with a great story/history. My kids & nephew (11 month - 7 years old) all loved it.

It's $1 per rider (depending on the attendant, this may mean any baby over 6 months AND their parent need a ticket).

It's a great place to enjoy an hour or so with your kids. I've only been in the summer, but it hasn't ever been excessively busy. It was mostly fairly quiet / calm, minus the odd group here and there. Be sure to also head upstairs to the puppet theatre and checkout the carousel from above.

It's located next door to a cute little train "restaurant" (milkshakes, premade burritos, bagels, coffee -includikg with alternate milk options-, doughnuts, etc.). All reasonably priced, so you can go on a whim and not need to pack snacks or a lunch.

If you'd like to make a day of the trip, since the drive to Nederland from Boulder (or other surrounding cities) isn't the shortest; you can also spend your time at the 'Wild Bear Nature Center' in the same shopping plaza, or walking around mud lake (the kid friendly flat/short hike ~1 mile...

I just spent Memorial day here and was very impressed and moved by this wonderful place. The carousel is full of joy and love! Each piece was handcrafted to perfection with love and care. Being a veteran who recently served in Iraq it is difficult to find such joy in a holiday whose true meaning seems to have been lost and transformed into a national BBQ and sales event. This place and the wonderful people that created it, know the true meaning of this special day. In an age of technological "importance" and material "value", it is easy for many to lose focus on the truth behind such days. I believe that as Americans we need more places such as this to honor the memory of those who gave their life for this country. That being said this is a great place to bring your family or just bask in the joy and learn the beautiful history of The Carousel...