Le Chateau De La Belle Au Bois Dormant

The history of Le Chateau De La Belle Au Bois Dormant is an interesting one, the concept originated from the idea of creating it simply as the Imagineers had before with Sleeping Beauty's and Cinderella's Castles in Disneyland, Walt Disney World and cloned for Tokyo Disneyland. However they did not understand that it would not work at all for a European country. It is France and the loacltion is Marne La Vallee, there are local Medieval castles no more than 45 minutes away. So they had to rethink the idea, the Imagineers came up with many from the idea to completely redo the whole castle idea, to even taking away a historic landmark and replacing it with a futuristic skyscraper of three towers. In the end they decided not to collect inspiration from Medieval castle's that are located in Europe, instead they would build one from scratch. The castle was to be 100% fairytale in every way possible, with inspiration coming from some of the most loved European fairytales, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. All used for parts of the castle and the result is what is now le Chateau De La Belle Au Bois Dormant, trees were trimmed into square shapes, rocks were formed to give it that extra fairytale look on either side. The building itself was not made out of Fibreglass, but made of bricks, stones and tiles. A first in many ways for a Disney Magic Kingdom castle, making it the most authentic fairytale castle in the world. A castle so magical, it will more than probably never be rebuilt or outdone by Disney in any other part of the world

Tapperstries, stained glass windows and even the stone carved ornate pillars were all created by hand and using old fashioned methods found to be used during the era the Castle was meant to have been created at. . Imagineers also made sure this castle was more than just an notable entrance to Fantasyland. They placed a walk through of the story on the top balcony of the main hall, in many ways a tribute to the original Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough (now closed) in Disneyland in California. A lifesize Maleficent dragon was also part and parcel to the castle, in the dungeon below, making it one of the scariest and the largest, when constructed animatronic ever concieved.

The castle has been slightly altered also since the day people started walking on it's magical drawbridge. In 1998 the castle had a refurbishment and the original salmon colour was taken away and, in its place the castle was painted in a much more fairytale pink. There is hope that after the 15th Anniversary the castle shall be completely restored to its glory it held in 1998, after its complete exterior refurbishment.




	Le Chateau De La Belle Au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty's Castle) is the world's greatest fairytale castle, as you step into Main Street you are struck by this magnificent centrepiece, home of the Royal Princess Aurora and her story of how her goodness defeated the evil of Maleficent. The castle has been in place since the Medieval period and has grown to become the centre of the Disneyland Park, starring host to Fantasyland through its gates and just located before is the timeless Victorian era of Main Street USA. As you enter the wonderous castle travel up the stone staircase next to the Golden book of Sleeping Beauty, as you walk up you will notice more and more details. When you reach the top, a balcony is above the central hall holding host to tapperstries that tell the story of Sleeping Beauty. Follow these works of art around to see the whole story, along with seeing how enchanting this castle truly is. The pillars are actually stone carved trees with magic sparkling on them. Be sure to exit off to the outdoor balcony and take in the magical view of Fantasyland. As you follow the stairs in the tower down, do be careful not to distract the resident Dragon as she can be fairly fearsome. Other princesses have left their mark around the castle over the years, such as Snow White, leaving her very own wishing well, that she sat at for many days wishing that one day her Prince would come.
	The history of Le Chateau De La Belle Au Bois Dormant is an interesting one, the concept originated from the idea of creating it simply as the Imagineers had before with Sleeping Beauty's and Cinderella's Castles in Disneyland, Walt Disney World and cloned for Tokyo Disneyland. However they did not understand that it would not work at all for a European country. It is France and the loacltion is Marne La Vallee, there are local Medieval castles no more than 45 minutes away. So they had to rethink the idea, the Imagineers came up with many from the idea to completely redo the whole castle idea, to even taking away a historic landmark and replacing it with a futuristic skyscraper of three towers. In the end they decided not to collect inspiration from Medieval castle's that are located in Europe, instead they would build one from scratch. The castle was to be 100% fairytale in every way possible, with inspiration coming from some of the most loved European fairytales, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. All used for parts of the castle and the result is what is now le Chateau De La Belle Au Bois Dormant, trees were trimmed into square shapes, rocks were formed to give it that extra fairytale look on either side. The building itself was not made out of Fibreglass, but made of bricks, stones and tiles. A first in many ways for a Disney Magic Kingdom castle, making it the most authentic fairytale castle in the world. A castle so magical, it will more than probably never be rebuilt or outdone by Disney in any other part of the world Tapperstries, stained glass windows and even the stone carved ornate pillars were all created by hand and using old fashioned methods found to be used during the era the Castle was meant to have been created at. . Imagineers also made sure this castle was more than just an notable entrance to Fantasyland. They placed a walk through of the story on the top balcony of the main hall, in many ways a tribute to the original Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough (now closed) in Disneyland in California. A lifesize Maleficent dragon was also part and parcel to the castle, in the dungeon below, making it one of the scariest and the largest, when constructed animatronic ever concieved. The castle has been slightly altered also since the day people started walking on it's magical drawbridge. In 1998 the castle had a refurbishment and the original salmon colour was taken away and, in its place the castle was painted in a much more fairytale pink. There is hope that after the 15th Anniversary the castle shall be completely restored to its glory it held in 1998, after its complete exterior refurbishment.
	When Anniversary's strike, most are overlooked in Paris, but occasionally the anniversary is too important to miss out. During 1993 for the resort's 1st Anniversary the castle was transformed into a giant birthday cake, entitled Le Chateau Du Gateau. This was the first ever of its kind, to be used as inspiration to the Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary Castle Cake during 1996. The Festival of Fools struck Paris by storm in 1997, so for the park's 5th Anniversary Le Chateau De la Belle Au Bois Dormant was transformed into Le Chateau Du Fois (The Castle of Fools). The castle was transformed with oversized carnival hats on each and every large turret and the number 5 in the middle. The decorations spread also in Central Plaza with two gargoyles sitting on bells overlooking the castle. In 2002 the Castle gained the most simplistic transformation for an anniversary, it gained a scroll with the number 10 on it. This was placed on the castle for a very short period, it was even taken down April 13th 2002. It was mostly to celebrate the day and not draw attention to the anniversary so much. Christmas 2004 and Disneyland Resort Paris came up with a new idea for the castle, an Ice Palace, the castle was turned into this palace by placing thousands of fairylights on each turret. Tinkerbell lights it up every evening during the season, it was improved even more in 2005 by adding extra lights making it truly a magical winter wonderland sight. The biggest celebration in Disneyland Resort Paris's history, the 15th Anniversary is celebrated during 2007, the castle has been modestly transformed into a character castle. On each turret and on the banks around are 15 Disney characters made in gold, holding a candle each, or three if it's Lumiere. Each night during the celebration their candles light up. Tinkerbell holds pride of place right at the top, spreading her pixie dust during the Candlebration Ceremony.
	More Enchanting Photos can be found on Photos Magiques
PATMAGIC.net 2004-2007 Photos PATMAGIC, DLRPMagic, Laughing Place, Memories of Disneyland Paris Logo ©Walt Disney Company