Exploring Sleeping Beauty Castle

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris is absolutely spectacular on the outside, and it's equally stunning on the inside. In fact, mere photographs can't do it justice (especially since some of these were taken on my phone when my camera died during my visit!). The natural elements of the exterior hillside carry through in the design motif of the interior, with vines and trees carved into the columns.

The interior of the castle also continues the idea of combining French influences with fairytale elements from Sleeping Beauty. La Boutique du Chateau, a Christmas shop located inside the castle, has a high vaulted ceiling inspired by Sainte Chapelle church in Paris, while the carvings around the fireplace bring to mind the scene from the film when Briar Rose crooned "Once Upon a Dream" with her forest friends.

La Boutique also introduces the first elements of stained glass, which play heavily in the interior of the castle. The stained glass windows were designed by English stained glass specialist Paul Chapman. Chapman had done work on the restoration of Notre Dame among other things and came out of retirement for the opportunity to create these works of art for Sleeping Beauty Castle.

The tale of Sleeping Beauty carries through the castle. This book, a replica of the one seen in the opening of the film, sits at the head of a trail leading up, around and through the castle. Along the way, Princess Aurora's story is told in stained glass, illuminated manuscripts and nine incredible, woven tapestries produced in the Aubusson region of France, an area famous for its tapestries since the 14th century.

The central hall of the castle is open to the upper levels, creating a stunning space dominated by tree-like columns inspired by those found at Paris' Saint-Severin church. During my visit, the castle was under refurbishment, and the upper levels were not open to Guests. Even from ground level, though, I could appreciate the works of art here.

The stained glass windows seen above open onto Fantasyland, while the oval window in the image below is the one located above the entrance to the castle. This window offers a bit of an optical illusion. Look at it one way, and you'll see a beautiful red rose. Look again, and there's a pair of doves. Each represents the gifts bestowed upon Princess Aurora by two of the good fairies... before Maleficent crashed the birthday party, that is. More on her tomorrow...