- Joined
- Dec 15, 1998
Sleeping Beauty's Castle
Click on the picture for a bigger view
Sleeping Beauty's Castle sits charmingly next to the Matterhorn. Ever since Disneyland opened, and even before, through Disney's TV show in 1954, Sleeping Beauty's castle has been one of the most photographed icons in the world. Disneyland's castle not only represents Disneyland, but is a symbol of Disney itself. The castle was designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman, and was partly inspired by Bavaria's beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle. There are references to Sleeping Beauty in the fresco paintings from the movie, and by the squirrel water spouts that were inspired by Princess Aurora's woodland friends. Also, the castle turns blue and pink at night. The drawbridge really works, and has been raised and lowered twice - once when Disneyland first opened, and again in 1983, when Fantasyland was totally redone.
The Sleeping Beauty Castle (Disney's ORIGINAL castle) is smaller than the castles at the other parks, and stands at 77-feet. Walt Disney wanted a smaller castle that would be friendly to guests, instead of a more intimidating full-scale castle, which were really built to intimidate the enemies and the subjugated people. In that regard, Sleeping Beauty Castle is charming and elegant.
For Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Celebration, the castle was transformed into a glittering jewel by day and glows pink and blue by night (thanks to Aurora's fairy friends).
The castle has been repainted in a glittering paint developed by Disney's Imagineers that shimmers in the sunshine, and has been decorated with royal banners, jewel-like sapphires, diamonds, and rubies, and it has been trimmed in gold. The 50th Logo is prominently displayed with Disney's Coat of Arms below it.
View of Castle
Castle from Fantasyland
Five of the larger spires now wear beautiful crowns that have been decorated to represent the five decades of Disneyland.
The first crown represents the first decade with Mickey Mouse ears, like those worn by the members of the Mickey Mouse Club. This crown is on the left, as you face the castle from Main Street.
The second crown represents the next decade, when Tomorrowland was redone in 1967. It has rocket ships and is accented by opal-like planets. This crown is the second one on the tall spire of the castle.
The third crown represents the third decade, when guests were wowed by the Main Street Electrical Parade. This crown has the Blue Fairy and sits on top of the tallest spire on the castle.
The fourth crown represents the fourth decade, and the opening of the exciting E-ticket ride "Indiana Jones." The crown has an Arabic look to it, and is represented by the Eye of Mara with a red ruby in its center, and guarded by snakes. This crown is to the far right.
The fifth crown represents the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland, and has Tinkerbell and fireworks all around it. This crown sits to the right of the castle entrance, as seen from Main Street.
Next to Sleeping Beauty's castle is the Snow White Grotto, worth a visit. Snow White and the dwarves were a gift to Walt Disney, and he put them next to the castle in their own special place. Because the person who made them did not realize that Snow White is taller than the dwarves, he made the figures all the same size, so the Imagineers used forced perspective to set them up in a charming grotto. Next to the grotto is a very special wishing well. Every 15 minutes or so, you can hear her song "I'm Wishing." This can be a very romantic spot
As night falls, the castle looks even more like a fairytale as it lights up.
At night, Remember Dreams Come True fireworks surrounds and highlights the castle in a spectacular show of color and lights
Click on the picture for a bigger view
Sleeping Beauty's Castle sits charmingly next to the Matterhorn. Ever since Disneyland opened, and even before, through Disney's TV show in 1954, Sleeping Beauty's castle has been one of the most photographed icons in the world. Disneyland's castle not only represents Disneyland, but is a symbol of Disney itself. The castle was designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman, and was partly inspired by Bavaria's beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle. There are references to Sleeping Beauty in the fresco paintings from the movie, and by the squirrel water spouts that were inspired by Princess Aurora's woodland friends. Also, the castle turns blue and pink at night. The drawbridge really works, and has been raised and lowered twice - once when Disneyland first opened, and again in 1983, when Fantasyland was totally redone.
The Sleeping Beauty Castle (Disney's ORIGINAL castle) is smaller than the castles at the other parks, and stands at 77-feet. Walt Disney wanted a smaller castle that would be friendly to guests, instead of a more intimidating full-scale castle, which were really built to intimidate the enemies and the subjugated people. In that regard, Sleeping Beauty Castle is charming and elegant.
For Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Celebration, the castle was transformed into a glittering jewel by day and glows pink and blue by night (thanks to Aurora's fairy friends).
The castle has been repainted in a glittering paint developed by Disney's Imagineers that shimmers in the sunshine, and has been decorated with royal banners, jewel-like sapphires, diamonds, and rubies, and it has been trimmed in gold. The 50th Logo is prominently displayed with Disney's Coat of Arms below it.
View of Castle
Castle from Fantasyland
Five of the larger spires now wear beautiful crowns that have been decorated to represent the five decades of Disneyland.
The first crown represents the first decade with Mickey Mouse ears, like those worn by the members of the Mickey Mouse Club. This crown is on the left, as you face the castle from Main Street.
The second crown represents the next decade, when Tomorrowland was redone in 1967. It has rocket ships and is accented by opal-like planets. This crown is the second one on the tall spire of the castle.
The third crown represents the third decade, when guests were wowed by the Main Street Electrical Parade. This crown has the Blue Fairy and sits on top of the tallest spire on the castle.
The fourth crown represents the fourth decade, and the opening of the exciting E-ticket ride "Indiana Jones." The crown has an Arabic look to it, and is represented by the Eye of Mara with a red ruby in its center, and guarded by snakes. This crown is to the far right.
The fifth crown represents the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland, and has Tinkerbell and fireworks all around it. This crown sits to the right of the castle entrance, as seen from Main Street.
Next to Sleeping Beauty's castle is the Snow White Grotto, worth a visit. Snow White and the dwarves were a gift to Walt Disney, and he put them next to the castle in their own special place. Because the person who made them did not realize that Snow White is taller than the dwarves, he made the figures all the same size, so the Imagineers used forced perspective to set them up in a charming grotto. Next to the grotto is a very special wishing well. Every 15 minutes or so, you can hear her song "I'm Wishing." This can be a very romantic spot
As night falls, the castle looks even more like a fairytale as it lights up.
At night, Remember Dreams Come True fireworks surrounds and highlights the castle in a spectacular show of color and lights
Thanks for posting these photos MaryJo! They're gourgeous!!!! I can't WAIT!!! ONLY 49 more days until I'm at 
