Introduction | Attraction | Touring Tips | Kids/Characters | Dining | Shopping | Interesting Facts

INTRODUCTION

Sleeping Beauty Castle, the entrance to Disneyland's Fantasyland, lies at the end of Main Street. This lovely symbol of Disneyland, with its towers and turrets and flying pennants, is a true fairytale castle.

ATTRACTION

Sleeping Beauty Castle opened on Disneyland's Opening Day, July 17, 1955. The neo-romantic castle, which has become a beloved symbol of Disneyland, was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman. The castle has many interesting architectural details, including water spouts shaped like squirrels and the Disney family coat of arms above the entrance.

The working drawbridge has only been publicly lowered twice: once when the park opened in 1955, and again when Fantasyland was rededicated in 1983. It's quite common to see swans and ducks swimming serenely in the moat.

The 77-foot castle was extensively decorated for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary celebration. Banners and tapestries draped the towers and walls, pennants flew from the towers, and five elegant crowns adorned the turrets. Golden accents abounded, from the castle railings to the parapets, the bejeweled crowns themselves, and the golden "hidden 50 Mickey" above the castle's entry. And with the addition of high-tech lighting and projection systems, the castle has become an animated backdrop for Disneyland's firework spectactulars as amazing choreographed lighting effects illuminate the castle or images of stars, flying atoms or even hitchhiking ghosts are projected on its walls.

TOURING TIPS

When passing through the castle's main entrance, take a look at the beautiful murals along the walls, which depict scenes from the Sleeping Beauty movie. Along the back wall of the castle is a drinking fountain surrounded by sculptures of Aurora, Philip, and the three fairies.

There are three different ways through Sleeping Beauty Castle: over the drawbridge and through the main entrance; the narrow archway by the Heraldry Shop that leads toward Tomorrowland; and a small path next to the Once Upon a Time shop that ends at the Plaza Gardens.

Don't miss Snow White's Grotto and Wishing Well, located along the right side of the castle.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Disney characters are usually found in the mornings in front of the castle and along the path that leads back to Snow White's Grotto.

Check the daily Times Guide for times and locations of other character greeting opportunities.

DINING

The Village Haus, serving burgers and pizza, is behind the castle on the edge of Fantasyland.

SHOPPING

Three Fairies Magic Crystals - Located within the castle's wall, this shop offers custom laser-etched crystal merchandise.

Heraldry Shoppe - Get your family's coat-of-arms on personalized plaques and clothing.

Once Upon a Time - Princess shop, offering Princess clothing, dolls, toys and accessories.

INTERESTING FACTS

The castle at one time hosted its own attraction. Sleeping Beauty Castle was a walkthrough attraction featuring a series of animated dioramas depicting the story of Sleeping Beauty. It started next to the current Once Upon a Toy Shop, went upstairs and across the castle's main entrance, then exited on the other side. The attraction opened on April 29, 1957, and closed in 2001.

For Disneyland's 40th anniversary in 1995 a 40th Anniversary Time "Castle" was buried in the castle's courtyard, to be opened in 2035.

Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle is the only Disney castle with a functioning drawbridge.

Hong Kong Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle has the same design as Disneyland's.

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