Credit: Disneyland ParisNew images have revealed more damage to an iconic Disney castle.
There are currently six Disney theme park resorts dotted across the globe, each with its own cultural quirks. For example, while Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are steeped in the Americana aesthetic, Shanghai Disneyland was specifically built to feel “authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese,” as per Disney CEO Bob Iger himself.
However, there are a few things that tie these parks together. For one thing, you’re never too far away from a hefty helping of sugar and carbs or expensive merchandise. Mickey Mouse is reliably omnipresent, whether you’re in Anaheim or Tokyo. Most notably, every single Disney resort also boasts at least one castle.
Disney’s Castles Across the Globe
The first and most famous is, of course, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California, which opened with the rest of the park in 1955. This 77-foot-tall castle was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and serves as the centerpiece of the original Disneyland park, representing the spirit of fairy tales brought to life.
Meanwhile, Walt Disney World in Florida is home to Cinderella Castle, which stands an impressive 189 feet tall. Opened in 1971, this castle is much larger than its predecessor and features intricate details, including mosaics depicting scenes from Cinderella.
Its counterpart in Tokyo Disneyland also honors Cinderella, mirroring the Florida version but with slight variations to suit Japanese cultural tastes and architectural preferences.
The Enchanted Storybook Castle in Shanghai Disneyland, which opened in 2016, is the largest Disney castle to date, towering at 197 feet. Unlike other castles, it represents all Disney princesses rather than a single character, offering a grand, multi-story experience complete with dining, entertainment, and a walk-through attraction.
Similarly, Hong Kong Disneyland once featured Sleeping Beauty Castle, but this was replaced in 2020 by the Castle of Magical Dreams, a structure that now celebrates multiple Disney princesses with elements from their stories integrated into its design.
Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant
In Disneyland Paris, you’ll find what is often regarded as Disney’s most beautiful castle to date.
Opened in 1992, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant (French for “Sleeping Beauty Castle”) has little in common with the OG Sleeping Beauty castle in Southern California, aside from its pastel pink hues. Instead, it stands 167 feet tall and is inspired by both the fairy tale and real French landmarks like Mont Saint-Michel.
Unlike other Disney castles, it features a dragon animatronic lurking in its dungeon—a nod to European legends. The castle’s spires, stained glass windows, and whimsical design elements create a magical centerpiece for the park, capturing the romantic essence of French storytelling and art.
Despite being renowned for its beauty, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant seems to have a tough time withstanding the elements at Disneyland Paris. The castle has received multiple touch-ups over the years to remedy chips, faded paint, and damage inflicted by the fire used during the park’s nighttime spectaculars.
The Castle looks great but one of the turrets already has some damage on its roof.
The Castle looks great but one of the turrets already has some damage on its roof. pic.twitter.com/jJy50p724K
— DisneylandParisGuest (@DLPGuestEN) April 13, 2023
Inside, the castle has also suffered from long-term leaks that are causing significant damage.
It’s been so so long of the castle leaking with nothing being done and it’s really inexcusable.
Yes it’s a big and difficult job but this is destroying the interiors of the most beautiful Disney castle in the world.
It’s been so so long of the castle leaking with nothing being done and it’s really inexcusable.
Yes it’s a big and difficult job but this is destroying the interiors of the most beautiful Disney castle in the world. pic.twitter.com/oTSKB2Mca7
— Belle (@FiBelleFi) February 22, 2024
Now, even more damage has been reported. According to @DisneyphileLIVE on X (formerly known as Twitter), the stone plinths on the main bridge of Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant are crumbling – and have been for a long time.
“In the festivities of the day, here is what currently remains of one of the stone plinths on the main bridge of the Castle,” they wrote in a post (translated from French). “For years, these elements have been crumbling due to wear and tear and the weather, but also water fountains, which accelerate the phenomenon.”
Dans les réjouissances du jour, voici ce qu'il reste actuellement de l'une des plinthes en pierre sur pont principal du Château.
Depuis des années, ces éléments s'effritent de par l'usure et la météo mais aussi les fontaines d'eau, qui accélèrent le phénomène. pic.twitter.com/eAvTPxoFwo
— Disneyphile (@DisneyphileLIVE) August 29, 2024
There’s a lot of work going on at Disneyland Paris right now. Its neighboring park, Walt Disney Studios Park, is in the midst of a transformation that will eventually see it adopt the new moniker of Disney Adventure World. This includes the addition of its own version of World of Frozen, plus a Tangled (2010) ride and a new lake area for nighttime spectaculars.
In comparison, it’s been years since Disneyland Paris received a new attraction. Its last addition was Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in 2006, a whopping 18 years ago. To put that into context, the ride is considered so outdated within the Disney lineup that Tokyo Disneyland is already prepping to tear its version out and replace it with a new Wreck-It Ralph (2012) ride later this year.
While fans had hoped that Disneyland Paris would finally receive attention from Walt Disney Imagineering in the near future, D23 was devoid of any new announcements for the park (aside from a new fireworks display). Considering its unique beauty, we’re hoping that will change ASAP – and that some in-depth TLC for Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant is included in that package.
What’s your favorite Disney castle?