Sleeping Beauty Castle, Central castle structure in Disneyland, California, United States
Sleeping Beauty Castle is a central structure at Disneyland Park in California, built with turquoise-tiled towers and golden spires. The architects used a forced perspective technique that makes the building appear taller than it actually stands.
The design drew on the Bavarian castle Neuschwanstein, and the drawbridge opened for the first time in 1955 when the park launched. Later, the interior was expanded with a walkthrough fairy tale experience that still guides visitors through the rooms today.
The name comes from the 1959 Disney animated film, and visitors today recognize the same fairy tale motifs in the stained glass windows and wall reliefs along the walkthrough. The rooms inside show three-dimensional scenes with glowing colors that guide the eye through the story of the sleeping princess.
The walkthrough inside is accessible during regular park hours and offers a short tour through several small rooms. The Disney family crest hangs above the drawbridge entrance and can be seen from the courtyard in front.
A time capsule has been buried near the drawbridge since the park's fortieth anniversary in 1995. Inside are mementos and documents meant to be opened only in the distant future.
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