Disney Parks - castles around the world

Category: Travel

The centerpiece of any Disney park is the iconic castle. Actually, it’s not only identified with the parks, it is the symbol of the company. Every movie begins with the castle. But in the films the castle and its surroundings varies depending on the theme of the show. And that is true for the castles in the parks as well.

Disneyland – Anaheim, California

Disneyland was the first Disney theme park and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is the focal point of the park. Located at the end of Main Street U.S.A., the iconic pink castle stands as a testament to Walt Disney’s imagination, his films, and all those who created the company. 

While many people might think of the Matterhorn is the symbol of Disneyland (this is the only park that has a Matterhorn), in fact it is the castle that most often comes to mind when people think about Disneyland.

Walt Disney personally oversaw the construction of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. When the park opened in 1955 the 77 feet high castle captured the hearts of all the guests. It was the epitome of fantasy, which is what the park is all about.

Guests can walk through the castle and on the other side is King Arthur’s Carousel surrounded by the attractions of Fantasyland. 

Walt Disney World – Orlando, Florida

Standing 189 feet high, Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is a giant compared to the castle at Disneyland. This castle has had many incarnations as through the years the façade has stayed the same but the design has changed to focus on whichever anniversary was being celebrated. The castle looked like a giant birthday cake for the 25th anniversary  and for the 50th anniversary it took on a more regal exterior.

Cinderella’s Castle was built in 1971 and inside there is a Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique for children, Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant, and for lucky guests  there is a Cinderella Suite. To get a night in the enchanted Cinderella Suite, guests win it through a contest or be invited by the park. 

The suite was opened in 2006. It is four stories above the Magic Kingdom in the beautiful – and very big – castle. Once you enter the castle’s private reception area you’ll take the elevator to your suite and live like a king (or queen, princess or prince!) The suite has the feeling of a real castle from the past (say, the time of Cinderella) with all the modern amenities! Flat screen TVs, an incredible bath tub with a twinkling ceiling so you can feel like you’re bathing under the stars, a salon and bedchamber. 

Originally this space in the castle was thought to be intended as an apartment for the Disney family. Now this regal suite is a special place and for some lucky people a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Think about the stories you could tell when you get home, or the memories your children will have after such an experience. It’s what dreams are made of. 

Tokyo Disneyland – Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Disneyland is the only Disney park not operated by Disney. Instead it is under the thumb of the Oriental Land Company. The landmark castle in Tokyo is basically the same exterior as the Cinderella Castle in Florida. It was built in 1983 and stands 168 feet high, a little shorter than the castle at Walt Disney World. 

Guests can walk through this castle and look at art depicting Cinderella’s story and see her throne as well. 

Disneyland Paris – Paris, France

Formerly referred to as Euro Disney, this park changed its name to  Disneyland Paris in 1994. It’s no wonder the castle in this park is the 167 feet high Le Château de la Belle au Bois dormant. This translates to “Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.” You would think being in France they would have constructed the castle from Beauty and the Beast (which was produced in 1991), but sadly, no. Nevertheless, this is a magnificent and beautiful castle and the centerpiece of Disneyland Paris.

Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong

Another Sleeping Beauty Castle resided at Hong Kong Disneyland. This was almost identical as the castle in Anaheim, standing 77 feet high.

To celebrate all the Disney princesses, the castle in Hong Kong Disneyland changed in 2020 to the Castle of Magical Dreams. This transformation is magnificent. It now stands 167 feet high and is colorful, imaginative, and magical. Looking at the façade guests can pick out parts from their favorite princess movie.

Inside the castle in a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and this is an area in which guests often find princesses for meet and greets.

Shanghai Disney – Shanghai

In 2016 the Enchanted Storybook Castle wowed guests with its impressive façade that looks like it came out of a storybook, hence the name! It stands 196 feet high and inside this massive castle is a boutique and a restaurant. It is definitely the focal point of the entire park and a location guests enjoy looking at and visiting. This is not like any other Disney park castle. It’s, well, to put it bluntly, it’s enchanting.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.