Original Castle Park Dentzel Lion

From the Bud Hurlbut Carousel Collection, A historical $2 million dollar carousel figure sale, auctioned in the fall of 1990.

Later in life, in a Carousel Documentary, Bud was asked if he had any regrets in life. Bud said, “That carousel auction. “I wouldn’t have done that again. Take all of those great animals off the rides, and away from the kids.” $2 million was nothing. Bud regretted parting out the great carousels when he could have just as easily become the keeper of them in tact for all to ride. A special guy in many ways he was, Bud. An amusement park innovator with Disney, and Knott’s Berry, then his own Castle Park. I believe there was a famous story where he almost owned the Santa Monica carousel, but old fashioned phone lines were crossed that day, and he lost out by a hair, and it went to San Diego instead. Bud was an Southern California, National and International amusement innovator, ride builder, and overall visionary legend.