Disneyland is preparing to reopen for the first time in a year and to mark the occasion, Disneyland lit up Sleeping Beauty’s castle as a symbol of hope and a show of gratitude to fans.
In addition to the emotion-evoking illumination, there were a few notable appearances: Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort “… shared messages of optimism and gratitude to the cast members of the Disneyland Resort.”
Also, Justin Rapp and Rafa Barron, took part in a livestream of the relighting as you can see below:
“As cast members, we know the enormous effort it has taken to get back to this point and why returning to this happy place is so special for all of us,” Barron said, as Rapp called the feat “uplifting.”
“Tonight, taking in the majesty of Sleeping Beauty Castle, we recognize its significance of the symbols of the hopes and dreams of so many,” Rapp added.
The park reopens Friday, April 30 to guests who already have tickets and reservations, with plenty of COVID-19 protocols in place to keep everyone safe.
As we previously reported, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland closed for refurbishment in preparation for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and now it’s re-opened and more beautiful than ever!
The beloved icon now features vibrant new colors, a new roof and charming and subtle pixie dust, among other enhancements. Over the years, the colors and finishes on Sleeping Beauty Castle have been refreshed and updated since Disney Legend and Imagineering Artist Herb Ryman first created the concept illustration of the castle in the 1950s.
“What’s interesting about this time is that we used an ages-old painting technique called atmospheric perspective to visually heighten the castle,” said Kim Irvine, art director at Walt Disney Imagineering. “We warmed the pink hues on the lower towers and gradually added blue to lighten the colors toward the top.”
The same technique was used for the new roof, now with gorgeous cobalt hues. Each of the 18 original turrets was digitally scanned to create the same roofline, and pixie dust was sprinkled on the center roof.
“We focused the golden accents and pixie dust around the entrance to the castle, as though it has been magically enchanted,” said Irvine. Colorful banners, pennants and landscaping also were included, and the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough received new paint and lighting.
To celebrate the reopening, the Disneyland Resort made a donation to Ryman Arts, a charity founded in Herb Ryman’s memory, and planted a dwarf fir tree in his honor. The “Ryman Tree” recalls a Christmas tree that belonged to Herb Ryman the last year of his life that was once planted near the castle after his passing.
The gateway to Fantasyland—and the symbol of all the magic of Disneyland park—is Sleeping Beauty Castle. An opening day landmark since 1955, Sleeping Beauty Castle has the distinction of being named after a Disney heroine nearly four years before Sleeping Beauty appeared in her title film role 60 years ago in January 1959. In fact, “Sleeping Beauty” was still in its early stages of production when Disneyland park opened.
Sleeping Beauty Castle has the distinction of being named after a Disney heroine nearly four years before Sleeping Beauty appeared in her title film role 60 years ago in January 1959. In fact, “Sleeping Beauty” was still in its early stages of production when Disneyland park opened.
Over the years, the colors and finishes on Sleeping Beauty Castle have been refreshed and updated since Disney Legend and Imagineering Artist Herbert Ryman first created the concept illustration of the castle. Today, 60 years after the film “Sleeping Beauty” debuted, Sleeping Beauty Castle is undergoing another refurbishment through spring in preparation for this summer’s opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The refurbishment is part of Project Stardust—a number of enhancements to the Disneyland Resort, specifically Disneyland park, to continue to deliver a world-class guest experience. The enhancements will range from overall beautification of the theme park to maximizing guest comfort and access. When Project Stardust is complete, Disneyland park will remain the beloved icon and international treasure it is today, while preparing the theme park for its next phase of significant growth, starting with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where tradition meets a new frontier.
A number of efforts are already underway or completed. On Main Street, U.S.A., for example, curbs are being enhanced with slow inclines to help improve access when guests first enter. New brickwork adds to the storytelling of the iconic thoroughfare, and for the first time, the horse-drawn streetcar track was replaced in its entirety. In Fantasyland, reconfigured guest queues for Matterhorn Bobsleds, “it’s a small world” and Dumbo the Flying Elephant have improved guest access and comfort, while Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland now welcomes guests to a brand new area that was previously underutilized.
Throughout Disneyland park, the locations of planters and outdoor vending carts are being adjusted to make room for additional walking space and new, more efficient stroller areas. There also will be more seating in Disneyland park than ever before when Project Stardust is complete. We look forward to sharing more about these efforts and carrying forward Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland park, while preparing it for future generations.
In the video below, Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine talks about the beautification of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
