Disneyland Paris (originally known as Euro Disney Resort and later Euro Disneyland) is almost 21 years old. The park features a version of Sleeping Beauty’s castle that Alain Littaye of the Disney and more blog claims is the most “fairy tale” of all the Disney park castles. Check out these photos and then let us know what you think. ~~Rick
Max Fan, D&M contributor and DLRP Welcome webmaster, came back last weekend with great pictures of Disneyland Paris’ Sleeping Beauty Castle. What follows is a special tribute to what is, for many, the most beautiful Magic Kingdom castle of all the Disney Parks – and certainly the most “fairy tale” castle. Today we’ll take a look at the exterior of the castle. I’ll cover the interiors in a future installment.
WDI Imagineer Tom Morris was in charge of DLP Fantasyland – and of course Sleeping Beauty castle – when they built the park. Almost everyone agrees that Tom did a fantastic job on the castle. The castle is considered superlative throughout. In the photo below, shot in 1995, Tom Morris stands with the castle model.
As usual, WDI Imagineers did lots of preliminary artwork and models like those shown below. (The great attraction poster is the opening image of this article.)
The aerial picture below was shot at the end of the 1990’s by the great photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand at the request of the park.
So how is the castle looking today, almost 21 years after Disneyland Paris opened its gates? Pretty good I must say. The castle has been repainted several times since opening day, and even its color was changed a bit. As you will see with Max’ photos below, all shot at sunset, it always looks magical.
St. David’s Day is celebrated at Disneyland Paris the first of March. The park now celebrates this great Welsh event. A short but special fireworks show was part of the celebration, and Max shares a video with us! But first, some photos of the castle at night with its great lighting.
And here is Max’ video of the St. David fireworks.
Special thanks to Max for his castle pictures. we’ll be back soon with a new update. Note that the above pictures were shot before the latest snow fall in the North of France! Yes, DLP has been covered by a major snowfall three times this winter. This has been an unbelievably harsh winter this year – not to mention freezing temperatures.
Alain Littaye is the author of one of the most collectible Disney theme park books of all time, Disneyland Paris From Sketch To Reality. On special sale right now in the MiceChat Store for just $145 (a $40 discount).
It’s available in very limited quantities and makes the perfect present. Order your copy of this acclaimed book while you still can! The book is still available in the MiceChat Store at a discount – HERE.
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