Disney Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Disney Wiki

Sleeping Beauty Castle is a fairy tale castle at the center of Disneyland and formerly at Hong Kong Disneyland. It is based on the late-19th century Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.[1]

Disneyland version[]

Opened July 17, 1955, the castle is the oldest of all Disney Park castles. Its primary inspiration was the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Though it reaches a height of only 77 feet (23 m), it was designed by Herbert Ryman[2] to appear taller through a process known as forced perspective; design elements are larger at the foundation and smaller at the turrets. It initially featured an empty upper level that was never intended to house an attraction, but Walt Disney was not satisfied with what he viewed as wasted space, and challenged his Imagineers to find some use for the space.

Beginning April 29, 1957, visitors were able to walk through the castle and view several dioramas depicting the story of Disney's 1959 film Sleeping Beauty. The voice of Cliff Edwards singing "When You Wish Upon a Star" is piped into it.[3] The original dioramas were designed in the style of Eyvind Earle, production designer for Sleeping Beauty, and were then redone in 1977 to resemble the window displays on Main Street, U.S.A.. The walkthrough was closed for unspecified reasons in October 2001; popular belief claims the September 11th attacks and the potential danger that ensued played a major factor in the closure.

On July 17, 2008, Disney announced that the walkthrough would reopen in the style of the original Earle dioramas, enhanced with new technology not available in 1957. It did so on November 27, 2008 at 5pm., drawing long lines going as far back as the Hub at the center of the park. Unlike previous incarnations, visitors who are unable to climb stairs or navigate the passageways can still experience the walkthrough "virtually" in a special room on the ground floor. This room is lavishly themed, and presents the closed-captioned CGI walkthrough recreation on a high-definition TV. This same virtual recreation is included on the Sleeping Beauty 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition DVD.

The Disney family's coat of arms hangs above the archway to the castle.[4] It is composed of three lions passant in pale.[5] It is known that the coat of arms was not originally on there, but was placed there sometime between June [6] and July 1965.[7]

At the rear of the castle, shaded by the archways and driven into the ground is a gold spike that is widely, but wrongly, believed to mark the geographical center of Disneyland as of the addition of Mickey's Toontown in 1993. In reality, it is a surveyor's mark that was used to ensure that the castle's drawbridge and entrance lined up with Main Street U.S.A. when the park was first constructed. The original geographical center of the park was in the middle of the round park, where the "Partners" statue stands. The addition of Mickey's Toontown moved the actual center of the park a few yards northward, but still on the hub side of the drawbridge.

Fiftieth anniversary[]

50 Years Castle 2

Happiest Homecoming on Earth Castle

In celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary in 2005, the castle was repainted and five turrets were decorated with stylized crowns, each representing a decade in the park's history.

Sixtieth anniversary[]

For Disneyland's 60th Anniversary, World of Color changed to the World of Color: Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney. The park introduced Paint the Night and a new fireworks show, "Disneyland Forever". A 24-hour kickoff event occurred May 22, 2015.

As part of the celebration, the castle was covered with diamonds and glitter, with a large 60th logo in the center.

Hong Kong Disneyland version[]

Hong Kong Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle was a nearly identical copy of the original in California. However, the two castles could be differentiated through very subtle details. If one were to look closely enough, Hong Kong Disneyland's castle was built with much more precision compared to Disneyland's. This could be observed through straighter and sharper edges on towers and walls as well as more ornate turret toppings. Hong Kong Disneyland also used a different color scheme compared to that of Disneyland, with natural white and pink for the accents and cornice, giving the castle a more medieval look while the original uses slightly more saturated colors for its cornice and decorations, giving it a more fairytale look. Disneyland frames its castle with lush trees and gardening to compliment its fairy tale aesthetic. Hong Kong Disneyland had less trees surrounding its castle, allowing a more open view to accompany the nightly fireworks show. While Disneyland did not begin its nightly fireworks tradition until one year after the park opened, Hong Kong Disneyland's was built with the firework performances in mind. This resulted in the fortress-themed buildings to the sides of the castle, which housed the Fantasyland dark rides, being much more extended to both sides compared to Anaheim's, allowing a much more panoramic view to the pyrotechnic display.

The park's current castle became completely redesigned and reconstructed in 2020, as part of its 15th anniversary celebration. The converted castle, called the Castle of Magical Dreams, was designed to pay tribute to all Disney Princesses, and the Sleeping Beauty Castle now becomes the lower base of the new castle. The castle closed on January 1, 2018.[8][9]

Fifth anniversary[]

In celebration of Hong Kong Disneyland's 5th Anniversary, Celebration in the Air, unlike Disneyland, the castle has been transformed into Tinker Bell’s Pixie Dusted Castle. The castle is decorated by golden pixie dust, which sparkles and shimmers in the sun, and illuminates by night.

Tenth anniversary[]

Although no significant decorations is added to the castle for the park's 10th anniversary, the nightly "Disney in the Stars" fireworks show is added with elaborate projection mapping with visuals to compliment the display. This, however, resulted in the elimination of a few pyrotechnic elements launched from the front of the castle during the show.

Replacement[]

On August 26, 2019, the Sleeping Beauty Castle was replaced by Castle of Magical Dreams.

Logo usage[]

As a Disney icon, this castle and the Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle have become the basis for the logo of Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Television, Disney Music Group, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It was also heavily featured in advertisements for The Wonderful World of Disney, formerly shown on the Disney Channel.

Disneyland[]

Hong Kong Disneyland[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. Smith, Alex (2008), Is Authenticity Important? (PDF), Royal College of Art, retrieved 2011-01-3
  2. "Animating the Disney Parks: Herb Ryman".
  3. "One of Disneyland's many voices has an ear for magic" (October 17, 2015), p. Local 1. 
  4. "Disney Coat of Arms / Disney Family Crest". 4crests.com (2011-12-24). Retrieved on 2011-12-29.
  5. Erik, Irrawaddy. "The Disney Crest | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved on 2011-12-29.
  6. "Daveland Disneyland Photo". Davelandweb.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-29.
  7. "Daveland Disneyland Photo". Davelandweb.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-29.
  8. Barnes, Brooks (November 22, 2016). "Hong Kong Disneyland, Seeking Return to Profit, Plans $1.4 Billion Upgrade", The New York Times. 
  9. Miller, Daniel (November 22, 2016). "Hong Kong Disneyland in line for a $1.4-billion expansion, adding a 'Frozen' themed land in a bid to boost growth", Los Angeles Times. 
v - e - d
1000px-Disneyland Park Logo svg
Main Street, U.S.A.
Disneyland RailroadGreat Moments with Mr. LincolnThe Disney GalleryDapper DansMain Street VehiclesMain Street CinemaPenny Arcade
Adventureland
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki RoomIndiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden EyeJungle CruiseAdventureland Treehouse
Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain RailroadMark Twain RiverboatGolden Horseshoe SaloonPirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer IslandSailing Ship Columbia
Fantasyland
Sleeping Beauty CastleSleeping Beauty Castle WalkthroughAlice in WonderlandCasey Jr. Circus TrainDumbo the Flying ElephantFantasyland TheaterIt's a Small WorldKing Arthur CarrouselMad Tea PartyMr. Toad's Wild RidePeter Pan's FlightPinocchio's Daring JourneySnow White's Enchanted WishPixie HollowSword in the StoneRoyal HallMatterhorn BobsledsStorybook Land Canal Boats

Seasonal: It's a Small World Holiday

Tomorrowland
Astro OrbitorAutopiaSpace MountainStar Tours: The Adventures ContinueDisneyland Monorail SystemPush the Talking Trash CanBuzz Lightyear Astro BlastersFinding Nemo Submarine VoyageStar Wars Launch Bay (Reopening on April 5, 2024)

Seasonal: Hyperspace Mountain

New Orleans Square
The Haunted MansionPirates of the Caribbean

Seasonal: Haunted Mansion Holiday

Critter Country
The Many Adventures of Winnie the PoohDavy Crockett's Explorer CanoesTiana's Bayou Adventure (Opening in Fall 2024)
Mickey's Toontown
Chip 'n' Dale’s GADGET CoasterRoger Rabbit's Car Toon SpinMickey and Minnie's Runaway RailwayMickey's House and Meet MickeyMinnie's HouseDonald’s Duck PondGoofy’s "How to Play" Yard
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's RunStar Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Avatar Experience (Opening in TBA)
TBA
Current Entertainment
Magic HappensPaint the NightPixar Play Parade (Reopening on April 26, 2024) • Together Forever: A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular (Reopening on April 26, 2024) • Mickey's Mix MagicFantasmic!

Seasonal: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeDisney's Celebrate AmericaHalloween ScreamsBelieve... In Holiday MagicFantasy in the Sky: New Year's Eve SpecialVillains Dance Party

Former Attractions and Entertainment
The Walt Disney StorySnow White and Her AdventuresAladdin's OasisSwiss Family TreehouseSplash MountainBig Thunder RanchMike Fink Keel BoatsNature's WonderlandMickey Mouse Club TheaterAutopiaSkywayAriel's GrottoDisney Afternoon AvenueChip 'n' Dale's Treehouse20,000 Leagues Under the SeaRocket Rods Circle-Vision 360° (America the BeautifulWonders of ChinaAmerican Journeys) • Rocket to the MoonThe World Beneath UsHouse of the FutureSubmarine VoyageFlying SaucersHall of ChemistryAdventure Thru Inner SpaceAlpine GardensCarousel of ProgressAmerica SingsInnoventionsThe American Space ExperienceSuper Hero HQStar ToursRocket JetsBeauty and the Beast Live on StageThe Magic, the Memories and YouPeopleMoverStarcadeMagic JourneysCaptain EODisneyland ForeverHoney, I Shrunk the AudienceStar Wars: Path of the JediThe Disney GalleryDisneyland Dream SuiteMain Street Electrical ParadePirates Arcade MuseumCountry Bear JamboreeToon ParkLight MagicAmerica on ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeAladdin's Royal CaravanThe Lion King CelebrationTriton GardensHercules Victory ParadeMulan ParadeMotor Boat CruiseMickey and the Magical MapViewliner Train of TomorrowSnow White's Scary AdventuresTale of the Lion KingTarzan's TreehouseWondrous Journeys

Seasonal: Rockin' Space MountainCountry Bear Vacation HoedownCountry Bear Christmas SpecialWalt Disney's Parade of DreamsMickey's Soundsational ParadeFrightfully Fun ParadeThe Hunchback of Notre Dame Topsy Turvy CavalcadeParade of the StarsMickey's Costume Party CavalcadeBelieve... There's Magic in the StarsFantasy in the SkyImagine... A Fantasy in the SkyMagical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical CelebrationsRemember... Dreams Come TrueJingle CruiseSpace Mountain: Ghost Galaxy


v - e - d
Hong Kong Disneyland Logo 2021
Main Street, U.S.A.
Animation AcademyArt of AnimationHong Kong Disneyland Railroad • Hong Kong Disneyland Band • Main Street Vehicles • Ragtime Piano • The Annex • Building a Dream: The Magic Behind a Disney Castle
Adventureland
Festival of the Lion King • Jungle Drumming • Jungle River CruiseKaribuni MarketplaceLiki TikisMoana: A Homecoming CelebrationTarzan's Treehouse
Fantasyland
Castle of Magical DreamsThe Royal Reception HallCinderella CarrouselDumbo the Flying ElephantFairy Tale ForestFantasy GardensHong Kong Disneyland RailroadIt's a Small WorldMad Hatter Tea CupsThe Many Adventures of Winnie the PoohMickey's PhilharMagicMickey and the Wondrous BookPixie HollowPush the Talking Trash CanSnow White Grotto
Tomorrowland
Hyperspace MountainOrbitron
Toy Story Land
Barrel of Fun • Cubot • RC RacerSlinky Dog Spin • Toy Soldier Boot Camp • Toy Soldier Parachute Drop
Grizzly Gulch
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine CarsGeyser Gulch • Welcome Wagon Show
Mystic Point
Mystic ManorGarden of WondersFreight Depot
World of Frozen
Frozen Ever AfterPlayhouse in the WoodsWandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs
Stark Expo (Opening in 2024)
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!Avengers Quinjet (Opening in 2024) • Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!Iron Man ExperienceIron Man Tech Showcase
Current Entertainment
Mickey and Friends Street CelebrationPaint the Night Parade (Reopening in 2024) • Plaza GroundsThe PavilionMomentousFollow Your DreamsWe Love Mickey!

Seasonal: Let's Get WickedMickey and Friends Christmastime BallPixar Water Play Street Party!Tree Lighting Ceremony

Other Attractions
Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre
Former Attractions and Entertainment
AutopiaBuzz Lightyear Astro BlastersDapper DansDisney in the StarsDisney on ParadeFlights of Fantasy Parade• High School Musical: LIVE! • Jungle Puppet Carnival • Jedi Training: Trials of the TempleLucky the DinosaurMuppet Mobile LabSleeping Beauty CastleSpace MountainStitch EncounterStar Wars: Command PostSword in the Stone • The Disneyland Story presenting How Mickey Mouse Came to Hong Kong • The Golden MickeysUFO Zone

Seasonal: A Celebration of CocoA Magical Frozen Snowfall • Adventureland Oasis Party • Alien InvasionCaptain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Boot CampDemon JungleDisney Friends Springtime ProcessionalDisney Music Program“Frozen” Festival Show“Frozen” VillageGlow in the Park Halloween ParadeGraves AcademyHorrors of the AmazonInferno Dance PartyMickey's Halloween Time Street PartyIt's a Small World HolidayJack Skellington’s Villainous GatheringJourney to the Halloween TownJungle River Cruise: Curse of the Emerald TrinityLightning McQueen Live!Main Street Haunted HotelMarvel's Mission: Dimensions of DangerMickey's HouseMickey's WaterWorksNightmare in the SkyPirate TakeoverPirates of the Caribbean Ghost TrailRoyal Christmas BallSanta Mickey's Toy-riffic Street PartyStar Wars: Tomorrowland TakeoverSpace Mountain: Ghost GalaxyStitch's Summer Dance BashStitch and Friends Summer SurpriseThe Nightmare ExperimentThe Revenge of the Headless Horseman • Tinker Bell Castle Illumination • Tomorrowland Party ZoneTurtle Talk with CrushVillains Night Out!Mickey's Rainy Day Express


v - e - d
Kingdom keepers - logo
Books
Kingdom KeepersKingdom Keepers I: Disney After DarkKingdom Keepers II: Disney at DawnKingdom Keepers III: Disney in ShadowKingdom Keepers IV: Power PlayKingdom Keepers V: Shell GameKingdom Keepers VI: Dark PassageKingdom Keepers VII: The Insider
Characters
Original Characters: Finn WhitmanCharlene TurnerTerrence MaybeckDell PhilbyIsabella AngeloWayne KreskyAmanda LockhartJessica LockhartMrs. WhithamGreg LuowskiDillard Cole

Disney Characters: Mickey MouseMinnie MouseGoofyDonald DuckDaisy DuckPlutoChip and DaleArielViolet ParrMulanKing TritonMegaraStitchRemyDjangoRajahPrince PhillipElsaRapunzelTimonPumbaaTiggerLiloWinnie the PoohPiglet
Overtakers: MaleficentChernabogThe Evil QueenCruella De VilClaude FrolloUrsulaJafarShan YuJack SparrowTia DalmaGastonPrince JohnHorned KingBig Bad WolfJ. Worthington FoulfellowGideonShenzi, Banzai, and EdDiabloMagic BroomsGreen Army MenBlackbeardShere KhanSi and AmHopperFlotsam and JetsamJudge DoomMadame LeotaSaborThe Headless HorsemanStormtroopersScarZira

Locations
Magic KingdomEpcotDisney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Animal KingdomDisney's Typhoon LagoonDisneyQuestCinderella CastleIt's a Small WorldSplash MountainThe New Adventures of Winnie the PoohBig Thunder Mountain RailroadCamp Minnie-MickeyExpedition EverestFantasmic!Voyage of the Little MermaidDisney DreamWalt Disney: One Man's DreamDisney's Animal Kingdom LodgeSoarin'Mission: SPACETest TrackWonders of LifeMorocco PavilionChina PavilionFrance PavilionNorway PavilionMexico PavilionDisneylandJungle CruiseThe Sorcerer's HatIndiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden EyeBuzz Lightyear Astro BlastersThe Haunted MansionCasey Jr. Circus TrainMickey's ToontownMatterhornThe Disney Gallery


v - e - d
Goldsleepbeautytitle
Media
Films: Sleeping Beauty (video/soundtrack/The Legacy Collection) • Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your DreamsMaleficent (video/soundtrack) • Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (video/soundtrack) • Maleficent 3

Shows: House of MouseOnce Upon a TimeOnce Upon a Time in WonderlandSofia the FirstChibi Tiny Tales
Video Games: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by SleepDisney InfinityMaleficent Free FallDisney Infinity: 2.0 EditionDisney Heroes: Battle Mode
Books: My Side of the Story: Sleeping Beauty/MaleficentThe Curse of Maleficent: The Tale of a Sleeping BeautyOnce Upon a Dream: From Perrault's Sleeping Beauty to Disney's MaleficentMistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark FairyDisney Princess BeginningsPrince of Thorns & Nightmares

Disney Parks
Castle of Magical DreamsCinderella Castle Mystery TourClub VillainDisney Animation BuildingKing Arthur CarrouselLe Château de la Belle au Bois DormantLa Tanière du DragonPrincess PavilionSleeping Beauty CastleSorcerers of the Magic KingdomMidship Detective AgencySleeping Beauty Castle WalkthroughDisney Heroes: Battle Mode

Entertainment: "A Whole New World" A Magical Disney SongbookAnimagiqueCinderellabration: Lights of RomanceDisney's BelieveFantasmic!Feel the MagicMickey's Gift of DreamsMickey's Magical CelebrationOnce Upon a MouseOne Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives On!Soryo KobuThe Golden MickeysThe Starlit Princess WaltzVillains Tonight!
Restaurants: King Stefan's Banquet Hall
Parades: Disney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's FantillusionDisney's Party ExpressDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Festival of Fantasy ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeHappiness is Here ParadeJubilation!Magic HappensMain Street Electrical ParadeMickey's Rainy Day ExpressMickey's Soundsational ParadeSpectroMagicThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeNightfall GlowMinnie's Tiara of Dreams
Fireworks: Celebrate! Tokyo DisneylandDisney Dreams!Magic, Music and MayhemMagical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical CelebrationsMomentousWishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney DreamsWonderful World of AnimationWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Club Mouse BeatMickey's WaterWorks
Halloween: Celebrate the MagicDisney's Maleficious Halloween PartyFrightfully Fun ParadeHappy HallowishesHocus Pocus Villain SpelltacularInferno Dance PartyIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsJack Skellington’s Villainous GatheringLet's Get WickedKooky Spooky Halloween NightRe-Villains! Halloween ParadeThe Disney Villains Halloween ShowtimeThe Villains Rockin’ HalloweenThe Villains WorldVillains GroveVillains Mix and MingleVillains Night Out!World of Color: Villainous!
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeRoyal Christmas BallRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Sleeping Beauty: AuroraPrince PhillipFlora, Fauna, and MerryweatherMaleficentDiabloKing StefanQueen LeahKing HubertForest AnimalsSamsonGoonsMinstrel

Maleficent: Forest ArmyKing HenryKing Henry's ArmyFairiesQueen IngrithConallBorraGerdaDark FeyLickspittle
See also: Vulture (deleted character) • The Duke

Locations
King Stefan's CastleForbidden MountainAurora's CottageForestMoorsUlsteadCavernous Nest
Songs
Sleeping Beauty: Hail to the Princess AuroraThe Gifts of Beauty and SongI WonderOnce Upon a DreamSkumpsSleeping Beauty

Deleted Songs: Sing a Smiling SongIt Happens I Have a PictureRiddle DiddleGo to SleepEvil - Evil
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil: You Can't Stop The Girl

See also
1951 versionSpinning WheelMaleficent's Staff
Advertisement