27 things you probably didn't know about Disney castles around the world

Megan duBoisJun 12, 2020, 23:43 IST

The castle at Disneyland Paris looks like something out of a storybook.rifqa.j/Shutterstock

There are Disney castles in theme parks around the world, and each one has its own unique features and secrets.
Disneyland Paris is the only castle that has a dragon lurking underneath it.
It took almost 18 months to build Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.
The drawbridge on Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland has only been lowered twice.
Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle is built in an amphitheater to accommodate more guests during shows and fireworks.

When people think of the Disney parks, they may picture the iconic castles that stand tall in each of them.

But you may not know that Disney castles around the globe each have their own unique features and attributes.

Here are some little-known facts about all of the different castles in Disney parks.

Disneyland unveiled Sleeping Beauty Castle before the animated movie was even released.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California. Megan duBois for Insider

Inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World, there are detailed mosaics that tell Disney's version of "Cinderella."

Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. Disney

All of the Disney castles face north-to-south, so there's always good lighting for photos.

The sun doesn't rise or set behind a Disney castle. Megan duBois for Insider

Hong Kong Disneyland's castle is set in front of a natural mountain landscape.

Hong Kong Disneyland was built next to a mountain. AP Photo/Vincent Yu

There is a secret suite inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.

You can stay inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. Photo courtesy of Disney

Tokyo Disneyland's Cinderella Castle is almost identical to the one at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The castle at Tokyo Disney Resort is modeled after the one at Walt Disney World. AP Photo/Koji Sasahara

At Disneyland Paris, there's a dragon lurking underneath the castle walls.

Disneyland Paris has a dragon under its castle. Michel Euler/AP

Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle is the largest castle created in Disney history.

Shanghai Disneyland has the biggest castle of all the Disney parks. Aly Song/Reuters

Thousands of glass crystals and twinkle lights were placed on Sleeping Beauty Castle during Disneyland's 60th anniversary.

The Disney castles get decorated for special anniversaries. Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Each Disney castle is lovingly referred to as the park's "weenie."

The castles are the "weenies" in many Disney parks. Megan duBois for Insider

It took almost 18 months to build and complete Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.

Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World has a stage for shows. Megan duBois for Insider

Sleeping Beauty Castle features a walk-through attraction that tells the story of the princess it's named after.

Guests can walk through Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. Megan duBois for Insider

The stained glass windows inside Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris were made by a master craftsman.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

So far, Hong Kong Disneyland is the only park that's completely rebuilt its castle.

Hong Kong Disneyland's castle looks completely different now. AP Photo/Kin Cheung

There are over 40 coats of arms in Cinderella's Royal Table, the restaurant inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.

You can dine inside Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. Courtesy of Disney

Enchanted Storybook Castle at Shanghai Disneyland has an attraction underneath it.

Voyage to the Crystal Grotto is underneath the castle. Kyodo News/Getty Images

Tokyo Disneyland actually has two full-sized castles that guests can walk through.

Cinderella Castle was built first followed by the Beast's castle. Kyodo News/Getty Images

When Walt Disney World celebrated its 25th anniversary, Cinderella Castle was turned into a giant, pink birthday cake.

The whole castle was transformed for the birthday celebration. Chris O'meara/AP

Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle has a functioning drawbridge.

The drawbridge on Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland actually works. Megan duBois for Insider

There's a golden peony on top of the highest spire of Enchanted Storybook Castle in Shanghai Disneyland.

There are nighttime projection shows on the castle. AP Photo/Paul Traynor

The paint on Disneyland's castle makes it look taller than it actually is.

The castle is actually pretty short. Megan duBois for Insider

Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World isn't dismantled during hurricanes, though it's designed to withstand many of them.

The castle in Florida was built to withstand a few types of hurricanes. Megan duBois for Insider

Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World was modeled after various French castles.

The Imagineers borrowed designs from famous French castles. Handout/Getty Images

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris incorporated designs from storybook castles as well as real ones.

Imagineers made the castle look like something out of a storybook. rifqa.j/Shutterstock

Shanghai Disneyland's Enchanted Storybook Castle was built into an amphitheater.

The castle stage is surrounded by an amphitheater. AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

Each Disney castle features a special nod to Walt Disney.

Walt Disney liked the bright-blue turrets. Megan duBois for Insider

There's a full-service restaurant inside the castle at Shanghai Disneyland.

Shanghai Disneyland's castle is home to a fancy eatery. Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images

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