Merlin l'Enchanteur

A narrow, stone staircase leads up from the dragon's lair beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris and into another fanciful spot, the abode of Merlin the magician. There are plenty of dark and gloomy corners here, but there are also wonders to discover.

Merlin, especially as portrayed in Disney's 1963 animated feature The Sword in the Stone, is a wizard and a man of science who lives his life backward through time. As a result, not only did he know the exact time and place to expect Arthur to "drop in," but he also has quite the collection of anachronisms one would not typically expect to find in a medieval castle keep. (Again, apologies for the quality of the photos, as these were also from the day my regular camera gave out on me.)

From the model of the solar system to the telescope and flying machine, Merlin's chambers are packed with fascinating props and other details. Take note of the proliferation of owls in the decor, and see if you can spot Archimedes among them.

A bit of Merlin's story carries into the courtyard beyond the castle as well, in the form of the legendary sword Excalibur, planted firmly in a stone and anvil until such time as the one true king might come along with the fortitude to remove it.

La Tanière du Dragon

Completely unique to Disneyland Paris is a minor attraction of sorts, tucked into the hillside beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's here that you'll find La Tanière du Dragon, the dragon's lair. The path leading to the left of the castle has a distinctly less friendly character all its own. The lanterns are more Gothic than romantic. The stone and wood are heavier and darker, and even the carved details in the columns transition from vines and squirrels to thorns and ravens.

That raven bears a striking resemblance to Diablo, loyal pet of the evil fairy Maleficent. Maleficent is also referenced in the horns depicted on the sign marking the entrance to the dragon's lair. Fans of Disney's 1959 animated classic, Sleeping Beauty, will remember that Maleficent turns into a dragon in the film's climax, only to be defeated by Prince Phillip and the Sword of Truth. Did Maleficent perish in that battle, or does she perhaps live on, forever in dragon form and banished to this subterranean realm?

Once inside, the dank caverns of dripping stalactites are dotted with the occasional flickering torch, suspended by sconces forged in an appropriate silhouette. Before long, though - and almost before your eyes have time to adjust - you turn a corner and find yourself in the heart of the lair, mere feet away from the beast itself.

The dragon of La Tanière du Dragon is actually the largest Audio-Animatronics figure created for Disneyland Paris, with a length of more than seventy feet. It's movements are subtle, but highly effective. Walk in, and you may find the dragon asleep, it's tail gently swaying and it's chest heaving slightly with each breath, wisps of smoke drifting from its nostrils.

After a few moments, the creature awakens, clacking its long talons and raising its mighty head to roar defiantly at the unwelcome visitors. Each time the dragon stirs, it reacts a bit differently, adding to the sense that it's truly alive.

La Tanière du Dragon was closed for refurbishment until the final day of my visit to Disneyland Paris. I'm glad I had the chance to experience it. While this attraction may not have the thrills of Space Mountain or draw the crowds of Pirates of the Caribbean, I would definitely categorize it as "not to be missed." The experience of entering that space and standing in the presence of something so lifelike is amazing. I have goosebumps just thinking about it!

Exploring Sleeping Beauty Castle

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris is absolutely spectacular on the outside, and it's equally stunning on the inside. In fact, mere photographs can't do it justice (especially since some of these were taken on my phone when my camera died during my visit!). The natural elements of the exterior hillside carry through in the design motif of the interior, with vines and trees carved into the columns.

The interior of the castle also continues the idea of combining French influences with fairytale elements from Sleeping Beauty. La Boutique du Chateau, a Christmas shop located inside the castle, has a high vaulted ceiling inspired by Sainte Chapelle church in Paris, while the carvings around the fireplace bring to mind the scene from the film when Briar Rose crooned "Once Upon a Dream" with her forest friends.

La Boutique also introduces the first elements of stained glass, which play heavily in the interior of the castle. The stained glass windows were designed by English stained glass specialist Paul Chapman. Chapman had done work on the restoration of Notre Dame among other things and came out of retirement for the opportunity to create these works of art for Sleeping Beauty Castle.

The tale of Sleeping Beauty carries through the castle. This book, a replica of the one seen in the opening of the film, sits at the head of a trail leading up, around and through the castle. Along the way, Princess Aurora's story is told in stained glass, illuminated manuscripts and nine incredible, woven tapestries produced in the Aubusson region of France, an area famous for its tapestries since the 14th century.

The central hall of the castle is open to the upper levels, creating a stunning space dominated by tree-like columns inspired by those found at Paris' Saint-Severin church. During my visit, the castle was under refurbishment, and the upper levels were not open to Guests. Even from ground level, though, I could appreciate the works of art here.

The stained glass windows seen above open onto Fantasyland, while the oval window in the image below is the one located above the entrance to the castle. This window offers a bit of an optical illusion. Look at it one way, and you'll see a beautiful red rose. Look again, and there's a pair of doves. Each represents the gifts bestowed upon Princess Aurora by two of the good fairies... before Maleficent crashed the birthday party, that is. More on her tomorrow...

Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant

The castles at the center of the stateside Disney Parks were architecturally based on real castles found in Europe. For Disneyland Paris, it was felt that approach would have been too familiar and not served the purpose of transporting Guests to a fantasy world. Instead, the Imagineering designers combined the French inspiration of Mont Saint Michel's spiraling hilltop with elements straight out of Sleeping Beauty to create a fairytale castle like no other.

The hill leading up to the castle is dotted with rectangular trees like those seen in Eyvind Earle's incredible background paintings for Disney's 1959 animated classic. The fantasy look is further enhanced by the castle's pink hue and brilliant blue, glazed tile turrets.

Even in close-ups, le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty's Castle) is spectacular. From the stonework and landscaping to the myriad nooks, crannies and pathways leading into and around the castle, there's a wealth of detail to discover.

The further up you go on the castle walls, the more elaborate and fantastic it all becomes. Each tower of the castle is capped with a copper finial or weather vane. Every one of them is unique, crafted by a pair of French artisans using old world techniques and carefully covered in gold leaf. The golden towers of the castle were originally suggested by illustrations found in the medieval book Les Très Riches Heures de Duc de Berry, and they provide a finishing touch to Sleeping Beauty Castle in Paris that renders it the most beautiful Disney castle in the world.

A Quintessential Disneyland Moment

On a recent visit to Disneyland, I found myself in the Central Plaza, pausing as I often do to say "Thank you" to Walt Disney for everything he's given us. I love the "Partners" statues of Walt and Mickey in the Disney Parks. Walt probably would have hated them, though. He was a very humble person.

The statue stands where it does in Disneyland today thanks to sculptor Blaine Gibson, a team of Imagineers and a couple of odd special events held back in the '80s. At that time, celebrations like State Fair and Circus Fantasy involved placing such things as a Ferris Wheel or Globe of Death (that sphere with the motorcycles inside) in Central Plaza... right in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. To keep such things from ever happening again, "Partners" was given the place of honor in the middle of the Hub.

Moving beyond the Central Plaza toward Fantasyland, I was admiring the perfect placement of King Arthur Carrousel as a visual draw, when a pair of Cast Members informed me that the Disneyland Band was about to play. Next thing I knew, they were marching across the drawbridge, joined soon after by a host of Disney characters. With all the music and dancing, it was as if a Disneyland TV special from days gone by had come to life right before my eyes!

The set included a number of favorite Disney tunes, and then finished with Bandleader Ray's sincere remarks that "We're proud to welcome you to Disneyland, the only Disney Park in the world in which Walt Disney actually set foot." With that, the voice of Walt Disney himself was heard, as the 1955 dedication of the Park was replayed for the gathering crowd. It was a perfect moment on a perfect Disneyland day.

The Anniversary of the Anniversary

Five years ago, Disney Parks around the world joined in "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" in honor of the 50th anniversary of the one that started it all, Walt Disney's Disneyland Park in California. As Disneyland prepares to mark its 55th this weekend, let's take a look back at the granddaddy of all anniversary celebrations.

For the 50th, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland was decked out in gold bunting and added details, including the addition of five golden crowns on the castle's turrets. Each crown had a unique design, meant to evoke a highlight from one of the park's first five decades.

The Mickey ears on the first crown represent the genesis of the park in the 1950s and pay tribute to the fact that this was "all started by a mouse."

Rocketships and orbiting planets adorn the crown signifying the new Tomorrowland of 1967. Just above that is the crown for the 1970s, with images of the Blue Fairy from the Main Street Electrical Parade.

The 1980s saw the complete re-imagining of Fantasyland with a heavy dose of pixie dust from Tinker Bell (and the Imagineers).

The crown for the 1990s features snakes, jewels and the Eye of Mara from The Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, a major addition to the park during that decade.

Disney Castle, v. 1.0

The original Disney castle, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, may be one of the smallest but it's also the most charming. Drawing inspiration from Neuchwanstein Castle in Bavaria, the castle at Disneyland was named for Sleeping Beauty, even though the Disney film based on the same story was still in production. In fact, Disney's Sleeping Beauty wouldn't come out for another four years after Disneyland's debut. That was a fairly bold move on Walt's part, using the central icon of his new park as essentially a commercial for an upcoming film release. Of course, Sleeping Beauty has since become a classic, so no one seems to mind.

Sleeping Beauty Castle has changed a bit over the years, becoming more beautiful with the addition of richer colors, textures and architectural embellishments. One of the features that's been there from the beginning, though, is the coat of arms placed above the castle entrance. The shield with the three heraldic lions is actually the Disney family crest. Since lions are also a symbol frequently associated with royalty, it works here, and the lion motif is repeated elsewhere.

Sleeping Beauty Castle is also unique in that it was designed with a functioning drawbridge. The bridge has only been raised, and ceremoniously lowered, on two occasions - for the opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, and for the dedication of the remodeled Fantasyland in 1983. Portions of the mechanism for raising the bridge can still be seen in the alcoves at the castle entrance, but most of the machinery that would do the job was removed during renovations in the 90s, when it was determined it would not likely be needed again.

Since this is Sleeping Beauty's castle, details and references to Aurora's story abound. Look for some of the woodland animals she befriended as Briar Rose, sculpted into the design features of the castle. In the rear courtyard, take note of the trees, squared off just as they were in the gorgeous background paintings done by Eyvind Earle for the animated feature.

The story of Sleeping Beauty is fully told via the castle walk-through. First opened in 1957, the attraction recently made a return to Disneyland after being closed for several years. Now remodeled with enhanced special effects, the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through is better than ever.

Beautifully illustrated books, similar to the one at the opening of the film, help to tell the story and lead Guests through the corridors of the castle interior. Along the way are plenty of surprises and magical touches, from the spells cast by the three Fairies to the incredible transformation of Maleficent into a fire-breathing dragon.

Of course, just as in the Sleeping Beauty film, our journey through Sleeping Beauty Castle concludes with a victory of good over evil and everyone living happily ever after to enjoy other adventures in Disneyland.

On to the Theater!

Hi-diddle-dee-dee, a bug's life for me!

During the conceptual phase for Disney's Animal Kingdom, several ideas were pitched for the space within the Tree of Life, including a restaurant and a show based on The Lion King. Once it was brought to the attention of the team that a film about bugs was in production at Pixar Animation Studios, everything suddenly came together. "It's Tough to be a Bug" became one of the few Disney Parks attractions to open ahead of the film from which it drew its inspiration (the first such attraction was actually Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, which opened a full four years before Sleeping Beauty appeared in theaters).

Guests find themselves "shrunk" as they proceed along the path and down into the roots of the Tree, on their way to becoming "honorary bugs." Outside the Tree of Life Repertory Theater, posters help promote some of the stars featured in the current production:

Just above the entrance, the termites have carved a marquee to advertise the show:

As the audience gathers in the lobby, steer clear of the occasional prop, such as this giant dung ball:

Each Guest is presented a pair of bug eyes, custom-made 3-D glasses designed just for this attraction (of course, one should not put on the glasses until safely seated in the theater, so please don't follow the lead of my wife and kids)...

The walls of the lobby are lined with tracks left by ants, termites and other previous visitors. Here too, while waiting for the voice of the "Theater Lady" to prep everyone for the show, the audience can also take time to enjoy posters promoting other past and future productions... each one a clever, insect-inspired twist on an actual Broadway show: