Facts and Secrets About Sleeping Beauty Castle

When you enter Disneyland in California you are greeted by the beautiful park icon: Sleeping Beauty Castle. This symbol of fantasy has become a symbol of Disney itself. When Walt was coming up with ideas for his theme park he knew that he needed a central hub of sorts, and within that hub an icon was needed. The park icon being a castle was a very early plan that came to fruition with Sleeping Beauty Castle. Continue reading to learn all about this castle and its facts and secrets!

The Movie And The Castle

Although the castle is called Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland and the castle opened a few years before the film premiered. Guests first entered the castle gates in 1955 when Disneyland opened, but Sleeping Beauty the film didn’t premiere until 1959. The castles in the film and the castle in the park were indeed designed by two different people. The park castle was designed by Herb Ryman while the movie castle was designed by Eyvind Earle. The two castles ended up having a very distinct look from one another, but they are both symbolic of fantasy and another world.

Walkthrough

Sleeping Beauty Castle is home to a walkthrough attraction, and always has been. Guests climb a staircase and explore displays inspired by the artwork of the Sleeping Beauty film. Featuring sound, lighting, and other visual effects, guests are invited to see the 3-D displays of the world of Sleeping Beauty.

Early Inspiration

While it was known that the park icon would feature a castle, it wasn’t decided to be Sleeping Beauty Castle until much later during the planning process. Early inspiration for the castle was a generic medieval castle. The castle was simply called Fantasy Castle. The idea of the castle being Robin Hood Castle also came up during early development of the park.

Other Facts

There are many fun facts about Sleeping Beauty Castle. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Sleeping Beauty Castle is home to a real working drawbridge but it has only been lowered twice in Disney history: once for the opening of Disneyland and once more for the rededication of Fantasyland in 1983.
• The castle was originally made to face in reverse; it wasn’t until a split second decision made by Imagineers right before their presentation to Walt that the castle was turned around.
• The castle is one of the smallest Disney castles standing at just 77 feet tall. Disney wanted the castle to be smaller so it wouldn’t intimidate guests.
• Much of the castle was inspired by Inspired by Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria.
• Forced perspective is used to make the castle appear taller than it actually is. Forced perspective is seen in many other areas of Disney parks around the world including Cinderella Castle in Florida, Beast’s Castle in Florida, and The Matterhorn in Disneyland.

Do you enjoy Sleeping Beauty Castle in California or Cinderella Castle in Florida? What else do you know about these iconic castles? We want to hear from you in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray.