Was it an honor for Hong Kong to get a replica of the original? Both share the name of “Sleeping Beauty Castle.” Hong Kong Disneyland’s Castle is the only one based on the original look of Disneyland’s Castle in California. From the beginning, Walt wanted a castle in his Park to serve as a soaring central point as his Guests stepped into a magical new world in which the classic Disney stories would come alive. The first castle was created when Walt Disney designed the original Disneyland in California, which opened in 1955. 23, 2004) mentioned that a castle is the heart of every Disney theme park, beginning with the first: Sleeping Beauty Castle was the centerpiece of Hong Kong Disneyland when the park opened September 12, 2005-slightly more than 50 years after the original Disneyland in California, and around 7,000 miles away.Ī 2004 Hong Kong Disneyland press release (“Hong Kong Disneyland Celebrates ‘Topping Off’ of Sleeping Beauty Castle,” Business Wire, New York, Sep. That’s how it should be.īut Sleeping Beauty Castle in Hong Kong? Not so much. Even as the park around it has kept evolving, the castle has been constant, except for minor changes. Generations of Disneyland guests have an emotional attachment to it. The original Sleeping Beauty Castle in Anaheim is a revered landmark with undeniable historical significance. And there’s no room for a restaurant or anything else that requires space. But there’s no Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through here. The other side of the castle also looks like the original. Hong Kong Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasyland side

The second clue is that so many guests have umbrellas-not only when it’s raining, but also when it’s sunny. The Lantau Mountains in the background are the first clue that this isn’t Anaheim. Hong Kong Sleeping Beauty Castle on a sunny day.

Photo by Deror Avi, 2013 (CC BY-SA 3.0) (modified) Hong Kong Sleeping Beauty Castle on a rainy day It’s the first and only Disney theme park centerpiece castle to be sent into retirement. At first glance, it appears to be Sleeping Beauty Castle, the centerpiece of Walt Disney’s Disneyland since the park opened in 1955.īut this is Sleeping Beauty Castle at Hong Kong Yesterland. Photo by Fanghong, 2019 (CC BY-SA 3.0) (modified)

Disneyland castle