Disneyland Celebrates 60 Years of Sleeping Beauty
Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle has been a landmark since the park first opened in 1955 and has the distinction of being named after a Disney heroine nearly four years before Aurora appeared in her title film role. The film officially opened in January of 1959 and was still in the early stages of production when Disneyland theme park opened!
Since Disney Legend and Imagineering Artist Herbert Ryan first created the concept illustration of the castle, various finishes and updates have been added to make her always look her best! As a matter of fact, Disneyland is currently under the process of refurbishing the castle which will continue throughout the Spring. Sleeping Beauty Castle will re-open in conjunction with this summer’s opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The refurbishment is being dubbed Project Stardust and will consist of a range of updates from an overall beautification of the castle to maximizing the comfort and access for all guests.
Some of the enhancements are discussed in this video. Check it out.
Other efforts to ready Disneyland for the influx of Summer guests include the enhancement of curbs on Main Street U.S.A. These will now have slow inclines to help improve access when guests first enter. New brickwork brightens up the iconic thoroughfare and the horse-drawn streetcar track has been replaced in its entirety.
Over in Fantasyland, Disney is reconfiguring the queues for Matterhorn Bobsleds, “it’s a small world” and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland is also open for business offering seating and dining in an area previously underutilized. Planters and outdoor vending carts are also being adjusted to increase the amount of walking space and more efficient stroller areas are being created.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog throughout the Spring where more changes will no doubt be afoot in preparation for Galaxy’s Edge.
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