The Front of the Castle	The Castle as Viewed From the Carousel	The Turret of the Castle Towers Over the Park

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. . . This might be a biased opinion, but I've always thought that this is the best of the three (different) castles in the Disney parks. It's beauty is in its simplicity. . .

. . . The interior ride is a great place to go if it's hot out. Inside the stone walls, it's always dark and cool. (And there's never a line to get in). . .

pointless trivia

• On a financial proposal in 1953, the castle was referred to as "The Medieval Castle." Later, in an early TV show, Walt Disney called it "Snow White's Castle." Then, during park construction, it was known as "Fantasyland Castle." By opening day, it has assumed it's current title. (The E-Ticket, Winter 1990-91)
• One day during the planning of the interior, Walt Disney, along with a few Imagineers, explored the castle's upper area. Along with junk from the castle's construction, they discovered that it was infested with fleas. They later found out that wild cats had made the castle home. Walt got rid of the fleas but had the cats removed, cleaned, and given to good homes. (Ibid)
• The castle drawbridge has been raised and lowered twice. Once, for Disneyland's opening. And later, for the debut of the new Fantasyland in 1983. (Ibid)
• The Disney family coat-of-arms can be seen over the entrance to the castle. (Disney News, Spring 1989)
• The interior attraction was expanded in 1968 and redesigned in November 1977. (Disney A to Z)
• Movie actress Shirley Temple dedicated the walk-through attraction in 1957. (Ibid)
• Though usually said to be patterned after Newuschwanstein castle in Germany, the castle is actually modeled after numerous European castles. (Ibid)
• Walt Disney intentionally built the castle on a smaller scale because he knew that the large, imposing castles of the Middle Ages were built by tyrannical aristocrats and monarchs to intimidate the peasants. Obviously, he did not want his fairy tale castle to have the same effect on Disneyland guests. (Ibid)
• TEST: What is the name of the heroine of Sleeping Beauty? Answer Below

    In 1997, two murals were added in the corridor that leads through the castle. Beautifully painted, they capture scenes from the film and include a small poem. Here are descriptions and poems from both.

Answer: Aurora

pinocchio's daring journey		snow white's scary adventures