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After a more than 24-month-long closure, “Cinderella Castle” has finally reopened to eager guests and other visitors.
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Credit: Becky Burkett
The Lure of the Disney Castle
Each of Disney’s theme park resorts around the world features an iconic princess castle, and the lure of each castle is undeniable. While there’s not a castle at each Disney Park, each of the resorts features a dazzling princess castle as part of its presentation to the millions of excited guests who visit each and every year.
Both Disney World and Disneyland Resort feature a beautiful, iconic castle among their iconic structures, as do the rest of Disney’s magical theme park resorts across the globe. There are Disney princess castles at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland at Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disney Resort. Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Oahu, Hawai’i, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort in Florida, and Disney’s Hilton Head Resort in South Carolina do not have castles on the premises, as none of these locations is a theme park resort.
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort/Credit: Disney
Cinderella Castle: Disney World’s Iconic Backdrop
Cinderella Castle rests easy in her familiar spot at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., inside Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida. Further, she’s the central hub for the theme park, centrally located among the pathways to Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
Not only does she serve as the iconic landmark that has symbolized Disney World for more than 50 years, but she has also found her way into the scrapbooks and vacation memories photo albums of millions of guests since Disney World first opened in 1971. Over the years, Cinderella Castle has become one of the most photographed structures in the world, serving as the iconic and magical backdrop for millions of guests’ Disney vacation photos
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Credit: Inside the Magic
The Inspiration For Cinderella Castle
Disney World’s Cinderella Castle is the culmination of many forms of inspiration. Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the real-life castles said to be among the structures that inspired the design and construction of Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle.
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Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria/Credit: Neuschwanstein Castle
Built in the 1800s at the request of King Ludwig II, the structure of Neuschwanstein Castle combines various architectural styles, including Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine. The combination was incorporated into the castle’s design in an attempt to reflect the vision of art and royalty held by the king.
The castle is also said to have served as part of the inspiration behind Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in Southern California.
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Credit: Ed Aguila/Inside the Magic
Another castle, located in Scotland, is said to have inspired Walt Disney when he began to imagine the design of a new princess castle at his soon-to-be-constructed Florida theme park resort.
Construction of the elegant castle known as Craigievar in Aberdeenshire began in 1576. Described as “spellbindingly beautiful,” Craigievar is nestled on a picturesque hillside and is one of the most beloved castles–and the best preserved–in all of Scotland. Its Scottish Baronial style is still evident, though the castle is nearly 450 years old.
It is widely believed that after the original Imagineer and incomparable visionary, Walt Disney, saw photos of Craigievar in Aberdeenshire, he based the designs of his fairy tale castles–at least in part–on the look of Craigievar.
Credit: Disney
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Until the 1960s, Craigievar was a family home that featured a blend of “cozy interiors and rare antiquities within [its] ancient walls.”
Closure of the Castle That Inspired the Design of Cinderella Castle
Recently, however, the castle was closed to the public to allow artisans to initiate and complete the Pink Again initiative, aimed at reviving the castle’s so-called “Craigievar Pink” color. Work orders also called for the implementation of enhanced elements to protect the fabric of the castle, as well as its exquisite interiors.
Craigievar in Aberdeenshire/Credit: Inside the Magic
More than 3,400 gallons of limewash were applied to the castle’s walls, restoring the seven-story structure’s original renowned pink color and breathing new life into its appearance. Limewash is used on ancient structures to prevent condensation.
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The extensive conservation work was executed as a means of protecting the castle from the effects of years of climate change. Subtle changes were also reportedly made to the detailing of the castle, as well as to its slate roof, in an effort to keep rain and snow away from the structure.
The Original Pink Castle Reopens
To the delight of locals and tourists, Craigievar Castle reopened on Friday, May 31, though it did so with a limited number of ticketed tours available for visitors to purchase. Walt Disney fans who want to see the beauty of one of the castles that inspired the design of Cinderella Castle can purchase tickets for castle tours by visiting Craigievar’s website.
Credit: Craigievar Castle
A limited number of tickets are available for purchase for guests who want to tour the 17th-century castle and take in the splendor of her newly renovated exterior. Tickets range from approximately $1.30 per child or “Young Scot” to approximately $20.50 per adult.
This post “Cinderella Castle” Finally Reopens to Guests, Visitors After Months-Long Closure appeared first on Inside the Magic.
