We Ranked All 18 Disney Park Castles!

The Definitive Ranking of Every Disney Park Castle based on their movie counterparts

BY: V. RHODES

Photo: Alessandra West @aly_sf

The Definitive Ranking of Every Disney Park Castle

We rank every single castle, from the original Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland California to lesser known castles like Alice’s Curious Labyrinth Castle in Disneyland Paris.

The ‘Disney Castle’ is one of the most recognizable icons of modern pop culture. Starting from Disney’s original princess movie, Snow White (1937), all the way to contemporary hits like Frozen (2013), the ‘castle’ represents both the animated genre as well as a symbol for the theme parks. 

All six Disney Resorts have one main castle. But did you know that many of them have secondary castles? In more recent years, imagineers have been able to recreate animated castles through different rides or dining experiences. We’re ranking all 18 castle experiences by looking at their theming, what kind of attraction they are, and how similar they are to the movies! 

(This article will only include built castles as of this article being posted. Any announced castles, like Elsa’s Ice Palace at DisneySea will not be included.)

#18

Tangled Bathrooms

FAST FACTS

PARK: WDW Magic Kingdom, Florida

Based On: Tangled (2010)

Land: New Fantasyland

Built: 2013

Type: Restroom

Program: Restroom, Rest Area, Scavenger Hunt

Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Don’t get me wrong, this is one of my favorite restrooms in all of Disney World! But compared to the rest of the castles on the list, it doesn't stand a chance. You can see Rapunzel’s paintings and lanterns all throughout this area, as well as her tower in the distance. Tangled (2010) is my favorite modern Disney movie, and I wish there was a real tower or castle we could explore, and not just a bathroom.

 

#17

Fairy Tale Forest

FAST FACTS

Park: Hong Kong Disneyland

Based On: Disney Princess Movies

Land: Fantasyland

Type: Walkthrough

Program: Photo-ops, Castle display

Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Like many castles on our list, the Fairy Tale Forest showcases a collection of miniature castles made to look like full sized ones at a distance. This is using a technique called “forced perspective”. Unlike some other examples, there are faux frames positioned in front of each castle to achieve a postcard or photograph effect.

 

#16

Storybook Land Canal Boats

FAST FACTS

Park: Disneyland California

Based On: Disney Movies

Land: Fantasyland

Built: 1955

Type: Attraction

Program: Boat Ride


Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Storybook Land Canal was an opening day attraction at Disneyland California, but has been updated with new story scenes since. My favorite display is seeing Jasmine’s Agrabah palace, which typically gets overlooked amongst Disney Princess castles.

 

#15

Le Pays des Contes de Fées Boat Ride

FAST FACTS

Park: Disneyland Paris

Based On: Disney Movies

Land: Fantasyland

Built: 1994

Type: Attraction

Program: Boat Ride

This boat ride gets a slight advantage over the previous entries because, you know, Paris! There is a good mix of classic fairy tales, and Disney movie stories that are showcased. The Cave of Wonders is absolutely beautiful!

 

#14

Belle’s Castle (Casey Jr: Le Petit Train du Cirque)

FAST FACTS

Park: Disneyland Paris

Based On: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Land: Fantasyland

Type: Attraction

Program: Train Ride

Our only train ride on this list showcases Belle’s castle from Beauty and the Beast (1991). If you take the Casey Jr: Le Petit Train du Cirque, you will get an up close look at this castle. The colours of the tower and the rock-work look very similar to the movie. Unlike other castles on this list, there isn’t as much work done to make you believe it is life sized, but it is really nice for fans to see.

 

#13

Alice’s Curious Labyrinth Castle

FAST FACTS

Park: Disneyland Paris

Based On: Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Land: Fantasyland

Type: Attraction

Program: Walkthrough Maze, Photo-op

Image Credit: Daniela Santos Araujo

There are very few attractions based off of Alice in Wonderland (1951), so I am overjoyed when I come across one! My biggest criticism of the Queen of Hearts Castle from Alice’s Curious Labyrinth is the colour. Who chose this colour! It’s not from the movie?! Overall the maze is really fun, and I’m excited for all things Alice!

 

#12

Tangled Tree Tavern

FAST FACTS

Park: Shanghai Disney Resort

Based On: Tangled (2010)

Land: Fantasyland

Built: 2016

Type: Restaurant 

Program: Quick serve food 

Image Credit: That Disney Girl

This opening day restaurant is really fun and a fan favorite for locals! This restaurant is based off of the Snuggly Duckling pub in Tangled. It is not specifically a castle, but you can see Rapunzel’s tower in the background (similar to the Tangled bathrooms in Magic Kingdom).

 

#11

Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall

FAST FACTS

Park: Tokyo Disneyland

Based On: Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Land: Fantasyland

Type: Restaurant 

Program: Quick serve food

I’ve never been to Tokyo, but you better believe this would be my first stop! Half the fun of this castle is that you get to eat inside of it, and there is whimsy Alice in Wonderland themed food.

 

#10

Cinderella Castle

FAST FACTS

Park: Tokyo Disneyland

Based On: Cinderella (1950)

Land: Center 

Built: 1983

Height: 168 ft

Type: Park Icon

Program: Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall, fireworks, Shows

This castle is a replica of the Cinderella Castle in Florida but with one major difference: Fairy Tale Hall. Guests can wander through the castle as see paintings, thrones and even the glass slipper on display.

 

#9

Be Our Guest Restaurant

FAST FACTS

Park: WDW Magic Kingdom, Florida

Based On: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Land: New Fantasyland

Built: 2012

Type: Restaurant

Program: Be Our Guest Restaurant, character dining

Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog

One of my favorite castles at Disney World is Belle’s Castle. Although the exterior view is really cool, it's the inside that wows! You can be seated in one of three dining rooms: the Grand Ballroom, the Castle Gallery and the West Wing. The West Wing is my personal favorite because you can see the Beast’s rose and portrait. Be Our Guest Restaurant is pretty pricey to eat at for dinner, I would recommend going for lunch where the restaurant turns into a quick serve and the price point is lower, but the atmosphere is the same.

 

#8

Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast

FAST FACTS

Park: Tokyo Disneyland

Based On: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Land: Fantasyland

Built: 2020

Type: Attraction

Program: Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (Trackless Dark Ride)

Image Credit: TDR Explorer

Unlike the other castles on this list, Belle’s castle is showcased beautifully inside and out. Guests board tea cups and dance through the story where they encounter the most advanced animatronics Disney has ever created. Next time you’re in Tokyo, don’t skip this one, you’ll thank me! 

 

#7

Sleeping Beauty Castle

FAST FACTS

Park: Disneyland California

Based On: Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Land: Fantasyland

Built: 1955

Height: 77 ft

Type: Park Icon

Program: Sleeping Beauty Story Walkthrough, fireworks

Sleeping Beauty Castle is the original Disney park castle, and the oldest attraction on this list. Although it isn’t as grand as some of the other entries, it is really charming and is the only one that Walt himself saw constructed.

 

#6

Castle of Magical Dreams

FAST FACTS

Park: Hong Kong Disneyland

Based On: Disney Princess Movies

Land: Fantasyland

Built: 2020

Height: 167 ft

Type: Park Icon

Program: Enchanted Treasures Jewelry, The Royal Reception Hall Meet and Greet, stage show, fireworks

Image Credit: Orange Magazine

For the 15th Anniversary of Hong Kong Disneyland, the Castle of Magical Dreams replaced the original Sleeping Beauty Castle. This is the first Disney Park Castle icon to be replaced. The Castle of Magical Dreams was redesigned to pay tribute to all 12 Disney Princesses and the 2 Frozen Queens (Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, Moana, Anna and Elsa). You can see different architectural styles from each distinct story, city and time period.

 

#5

Ariel & Prince Eric’s Palace

FAST FACTS

PARK: WDW Magic Kingdom, Florida

Based On: The Little Mermaid (1989)

Land: New Fantasyland

Built: 2012

Type: Attraction

Program: Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid (Dark Ride), Ariel's Grotto (meet and greet)

One of the best additions to new Fantasyland is Ariel’s Palace. Unlike some of the other castles on this list, the exterior is almost an exact replica of the 1989 film version. The palace is an elaborately themed building that houses a Little Mermaid dark ride and an Ariel meet and greet. Ariel's Grotto is actually one of the few places where you can take a picture of Ariel in her mermaid tail. At other typical character meetings, Ariel is wearing a ball gown.

 

#4

Enchanted Storybook Castle

FAST FACTS

Park: Shanghai Disney Resort

Based On: Real-life Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Land: Fantasyland

Built: 2016

Height: 200 ft

Type: Park Icon

Program: Castle Shows, Meet and Greets, Royal Banquet Hall Restaurant, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Stage Shows, Fireworks, “Once Upon a Time” Adventure Walkthrough attractions, Voyage to the Crystal Grotto walkthrough

Enchanted Storybook Castle is the largest Disney Park Castle. Inside you’ll find character meet and greets, a royal restaurant, and a unique Little Mermaid walkthrough of the Crystal Grotto. This was also the first castle to be designed using BIM software which is revolutionary for the industry.

 

#3

Triton's Kingdom (Mermaid Lagoon)

FAST FACTS

Park: Shanghai Disney Resort

Based On: The Little Mermaid (1989)

Land: Mermaid Lagoon

Built: 2001

Type: Land

Program: Retail (The Sleepy Whale Shoppe, Mermaid Treasures, Kiss de Girl Fashions, Mermaid Memories, Grotto Photos & Gifts, and Sea Turtle Souvenirs), Attractions (Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster, Scuttle’s Scooters, King Triton’s Concert, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Blowfish Balloon Race, The Whirlpool, and Ariel's Playground) and one restaurant (Sebastian's Calypso Kitchen).

Mermaid Lagoon is an entire land at Tokyo DisneySea based on The Little Mermaid (1989). Guests enter through King Triton's castle into an indoor fantasyland that recreates the feeling of being underwater. The castle itself is beautiful and really calls back to the source material. There are a dozen shops and attractions for guests to enjoy that are targeted at a younger age. It’s very common in Tokyo for guests to go BIG with their outfits, and Mermaid Lagoon is the perfect backdrop!

 

#2

Cinderella’s Castle

FAST FACTS

PARK: Magic Kingdom, Florida

Based On: Cinderella (1950)

Land: Center 

Built: 1977

Height: 189 ft

Type: Park Icon

Program: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Cinderella Castle Suite, Back of House, Outdoor Stage Show, Character meet and greet, projection show, firework show

Cinderella’s Castle is widely regarded as the most iconic of all the park castles. The stark bright coloring and architectural style has allowed this castle to remain a timeless classic. Regardless of your opinions of the anniversary overlays, the classic white with blue roofs is still my favorite. Cinderella Castle is also unique for having a hotel room inside! You can only stay by invite-only, or if you win a special contest making it the most exclusive Disney resort room!

 

#1

Le Chateau de La Belle au Bois dormant

FAST FACTS

Based On: Sleeping Beauty (1959) and the Castle of Loire Valley

Location: Disneyland Paris

Land: Center 

Built: 1992

Height: 167 ft

Type: Park Icon

Program: Firework & Night shows, walkthrough stained glass window display, Walkthrough Dungeon

Le Château de La Belle au Bois dormant translates to “the castle of the beauty in the sleeping woods”, which is wordy but apparently the French focus groups loved it! Aside from it’s bright pink exterior, the castle’s architectural style was based after other French Châteaus resulting in a very different Disney park icon. 

The castle itself feels like it's carved into the landscape. One of my favorite elements of this castle is the greenery that surrounds it, specifically the trees cut into squares! This is a direct reference to the Eyvid Earle cubist concept art for Sleeping Beauty (1959). 

In addition to the castle being beautiful and picturesque there is an amazing dungeon below: La Taniere du Dragon! Discover a giant sleeping dragon amongst green glowing waters and stalactites. 

 

How many of these castles have you visited? Let us know in the comments!

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REFERENCES

Theme Parks, Florida, Paris, California, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, AnaheimV. RhodesDisney, Animated Movies, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland, Disney World, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tangled, Snow WhiteComment