Oh, and about that castle...

[BobF58]

I've read a lot of condesending comments about the Sleeping Beauty castle. While it's true that it does not stand tall, and the Matahorn is much more visible around the park, I still like it very much. The Cinderella castle in WDW is beautiful, but I still remember from when I was 13 in '71, how disappointing it was to walk right through without being to "run" around inside the castle. It seemed like a hollow facade after that. The Sleeping Beauty castle has a more realistic shorter wider look. You can at least walk inside through the Sleeping Beauty story, and what I really like, is that the Fantasyland rides; Alice, Peter, Toad, Pinocchio and Snow White, all feel like they're also part of the castle, instead of as seperate "warehouse" buildings like in WDW. In addition, it seems like there are more doorways and trails to the other lands.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Michelle]

Thanks Bob, I agree that the castle at Walt's original park is lovely and comparing it to Cinderella's Castle at the MK is like comparing apples and oranges.

People need to remember that the ICON for Disneyland was never the castle, it was the Matterhorn. WDW has the castle icon, so it's natural that it's bigger.

DL will always be #1 in my heart!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Good comments, and I agree completly !

 

[greyno]

I couldn't agree more WebmasterMichelle.

 

[doombuggy]

I agree that DL's SB castle is much more interesting. I loved doing the "tour" thru it. I do think that the trees need to be pruned so you can see the castle better from the other end of Main St. I was disapointed on my first visit, not being able to see the castle very well.

 

[princessKT]

I'll always look at the castle and think it's the icon, and i don't care that it's small when I think of Disneyland, I'll always think of the Walt/Mickey statue with the castle behind it!

 

[acmmommymouse]

Also love them both, for different reasons. Atleast they never tried to make the DL castle into a birthday cake!

 

[Safari Steve]

Just leafing through my copy of the WDI book and... I don't mean to nitpick but...
The park opened in 1955, the Matterhorn was built in 1959, and the logo on the side of a Disneyland company car in a picture (p. 128) shows Sleeping Beauty Castle as the logo. Personally, I think that all three castle designs are attractive, and they all fit well into their surroundings.

 

[raidermatt]

I agree with Steve that the Castle is the "trademark". Its really the Disney symbol. Its the symbol they use for the beginning of their films, and its the shot they always show when showing fireworks, or when promoting the park.

I also think all the castles are geat.

The Matterhorn is more visible from the outside of the park, and I know its what I always look for when approaching the park.