Credit: DisneyDisney is officially blocking off its iconic castle to all guests, effective today.
Disney castles have anchored the company’s theme parks since Sleeping Beauty Castle opened at Disneyland Park in 1955. Inspired by European storybook architecture, it set the template for every park that followed, acting as both a visual icon and a symbolic gateway into Walt Disney’s carefully constructed worlds.
That blueprint expanded with Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom in 1971, with a similar castle following at Tokyo Disneyland. Hong Kong Disneyland later opened with a replica of Anaheim’s castle, only to tear it down and replace it with a unique design inspired by multiple princesses – Castle of Magical Dreams – in 2020. Shanghai Disneyland also has a unique centerpiece in the form of the Enchanted Storybook Castle.
Disneyland Paris has long been considered home to the most beautiful Disney castle. Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant draws inspiration from Neuschwanstein Castle, blending fairytale spires with rich detail, stained glass, and even a hidden dragon.
But as of today, it has blocked the castle’s main access point.
All Guests Barred From Entering Sleeping Beauty Castle
As of today, the bridge to Sleeping Beauty Castle is closed.
After years of complaints that Sleeping Beauty Castle and its surroundings are quite literally “crumbling,” Disneyland Paris is undertaking extensive repair works around the castle’s bridge and entrance.
The bridge leading to Sleeping Beauty Castle is now closed to guests as its long-awaited refurbishment begins. 🚧
Despite the work on the bridge, Sleeping Beauty Castle and La Tanière du Dragon will remain accessible throughout the renovation period. 🏰🐉 #DisneylandParis
The bridge leading to Sleeping Beauty Castle is now closed to guests as its long-awaited refurbishment begins. 🚧
Despite the work on the bridge, Sleeping Beauty Castle and La Tanière du Dragon will remain accessible throughout the renovation period. 🏰🐉 #DisneylandParis pic.twitter.com/9NWyUSKjwB
— Pixie Dust DLP ✨ (@PixiedustDLP) May 5, 2026
That means guests can no longer walk straight through the castle into Fantasyland. Access hasn’t been completely cut off, though. Visitors can still enter via the courtyard and slip inside from the side to reach La Tanière du Dragon. But unfortunately, that classic Sleeping Beauty Castle photo is now off-limits until late September 2026.
This marks the second major reconstruction of the castle’s bridge after its 2010 refurbishment. At the time, Disneyland Park didn’t have Disney Tales of Magic, the nighttime show that uses projection mapping and fountains around the castle. During the work, those fountain effects are paused, though white walls have been installed to support projections.
Of course, summer isn’t exactly the ideal season to add an eyesore to the center of the iconic park. However, the good news is that the work should be complete before the busy Halloween and Christmas periods.
With Disney Adventure World now open, guests have far more photo opportunities at Disneyland Paris’ second gate. That hasn’t exactly been the case in recent years, as construction walls dominated the park during its transformation from Walt Disney Studios Park, limiting space and sightlines for photos.
The castle is technically home to the resort’s second castle in the form of Arendelle Castle in World of Frozen. The new land includes a 118-foot icy North Mountain, the Frozen Ever After boat ride, and Royal Encounters with Anna and Elsa inside the castle itself.
Will the ongoing refurbishment interfere with your planned Disneyland Paris trips?
