Learn insider secrets and fun facts about Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle.
When you think of Walt Disney World, no symbol springs to mind like Cinderella Castle.
Located in the heart of the Magic Kingdom, the fairy tale castle is the focal point of Walt Disney World, welcoming guests into a land of fun and fantasy.
Read on to learn fascinating trivia and insider secrets about this amazing structure:
- Made of concrete, steel, cement, plaster, and fiberglass, the Castle opened in October 1971. Construction took 18 months and was completed in July 1971.
- Guests often mispronounce the name of the castle, making it possessive. The correct pronunciation is Cinderella Castle, not Cinderella’s Castle.
- The moat surrounding the Castle is 6 feet deep at the drawbridge and filled with 3.37 million gallons of water.
- Thirteen intricately carved, winged gargoyles appear on the outside of the Castle.
- The columns situated in the walkways that curve around either side of the Castle are decorated with animals featured in the Disney animated film “Cinderella.”
- The Castle was built to withstand winds of up to 90 miles per hour.
- Standing 189 feet tall, the Castle is reportedly the most photographed building in the world.
- An architectural technique called forced perspective makes the Castle appear larger than it actually is.
- From Main Street, on the right side of the Castle, a white flag can be seen. The flag is actually a radio-transmitting antenna that allows technicians to communicate with floats during parades.
- Inside the Castle, five murals tell the story of Cinderella. The murals contain over one million glass pieces, many of which are fused with silver and 14-karat gold.
- A small fountain, a princess statue, and a mural with a painted crown sit to the right of the Castle walkway. Guests who look at the statue while drinking from the fountain will notice an illusion that makes it appear that the crown is on the head of the princess.
- Each night before the fireworks display Tinkerbell “flies” from the castle on a suspended cable. She travels a distance of 750 feet at 15 miles per hour. Surprisingly, Tinker Bell is usually played by a man!
- The restaurant inside Cinderella Castle was originally known as King Stefan’s Banquet Hall. It was renamed Cinderella’s Royal Table in April 1997. Strangely, King Stefan was Sleeping Beauty’s father, not Cinderella’s.
- Over 40 coats of arms are displayed inside the restaurant. Each is a tribute to someone who played a significant role in the development of the Walt Disney Company.
- A suite inside the Castle was originally planned for the Disney family. Because Walt Disney died five years before the park opened, it remained unfinished and was eventually turned into a telephone call center.
What’s your favorite fun fact about Cinderella Castle? Feel free to share any which aren’t mentioned here.
Sources
- Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom, www.wdwmagic.com, May 18, 2011.
- Peter Vidani, Walt Disney World Facts, and Trivia, wdw.trivia.tumblr.com, April 2011.
- Disney Trivia, Which Castle is in Which Disney Park?, www.disneytrivia,tmblr.com, November 2011.
- Cinderella Castle, www.mouseplanet.com, January 2005.
- Florida Vacations, Disney World Trivia, www.floridavacationguide.wordpress.come, April 6, 2011.
- Cinderella Castle Magic Kingdom, www.allears.net, December 2004.