One of the most iconic parts of the Disney Parks around the world are the Disney Castles! That is because there is nothing as magical as a beautiful castle. The six Disney Castles around the world are all unique and perfectly Disney each in their own way!
This is my super helpful ranking of every Disney Castle around the world! Now although you can find some smaller castles sprinkled around the Disney Parks around the world, this list ranks the six main Castles located in the Castle Parks (think Magic Kingdom and Disneylands)!
When ranking the Disney Castles around the world I applied the following factors:
- Size – while size is not everything, there is something extra magical about the bigger Disney Castles
- Detail – detail was a huge factor in my rankings and Disney never disappoints in the detail department, the Disney Castles are no exception
- Sparkle – this one is obvious, Disney Castle and sparkle go hand-in-hand
- Amazement Factor – this was another big factor for my rankings and I evaluated amazement from various angles around the parks
- Guest Interaction – some Disney Castles are way more than meets the eye and others are limited in what guests can do in, or even under, the Castle so this became my most important factor when ranking the Disney Castles
Important Warning! Some of the Disney Castles are currently undergoing some major changes and upgrades! At this time, Hong Kong Disneyland’s Castle is getting a serious upgrade and Magic Kingdom’s Castle is undergoing a (pink) update! This list is subject to change as these big Disney Castle renovations finish up and the beauty of these new Castles around Disney are unveiled.
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Ranking Every Disney Castle Around The World
How Many Disney Castles Are There?
There are six (6) main Disney Castles located all around the world! I am considering every main Disney Castle located at the center of each Castle Park as a main Disney Castle.
There are six (6) Disney Resort locations spread across Europe, North America, and Asia and each Disney Resort includes one “Castle Park,” also known as a park with a Castle in it. This means, there are six (6) main Disney Castles…at least for now!
Be sure to check out the smaller Disney Castles around the world though too! DisneySea is home to the breathtaking Atlantica (where you can find Mermaid Lagoon) and Magic Kingdom is home to Beast’s Castle (where you can find Be Our Guest Restaurant).
List And Locations Of Disney Castles Around The World
The 6 Disney Castles Around the World:
Disneyland California, Disneyland California Resort, USA
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, USA
Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan
Disneyland Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disney Resort, Hong Kong
Disneyland Shanghai, Shanghai Disney Resort, Peoples Republic of China
Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Paris Resort, France
Ranking Every Disney Castle Around the World
6. Disneyland Hong Kong
The Disney Castle located at Disneyland Hong Kong is Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. BUT! She is undergoing a massive renovation and upgrade with an expected completion of summer 2020. Since the new Disney Castle at Disneyland Hong Kong is not yet completed, I have no choice to apply all of my Castle factors to the current Castle.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Hong Kong is very small, especially compared to its backdrop of a massive mountain! Unfortunately, as you approach Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Hong Kong you don’t notice the Castle first, you notice the mountains! The beautiful mountain and natural backdrop, while stunning on its own, detracts from the teeny Castle that appears to be just plopped in front of it. Rumor has it that this is something that will change after the upgrade!
Another reason Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Hong Kong ranks at the bottom of my rankings is that there is nothing to do inside. While this Castle is similar to the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland California, the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Hong Kong does not have a walk-through or any attractions, shops, or restaurants inside.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Hong Kong can be really sparkly and has some amazement factor, it is still a Castle after all. That said, it is just too small and limited, almost cheap feeling, to take any spot other than 6 on my ranking of every Disney Castle around the world!
5. Disneyland California
Disneyland California is home to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and this is the original Disney Castle! While it scores points for being the first, Disneyland California’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is pretty small and more colorful and cartoonish than Castle to me.
It is definitely less fancy than the newer Disney Castles and always feels far less sparkly. Due to its size, there is less of an amazement factor as you enter the park and approach the castle. It is clear you are standing in front of a Disney Castle, but it always feels more kid-like than beautiful and magical.
Given that Disneyland is in the middle of a city and requires a bit more Imagineering to provide a fully immersive feeling, it would be great if this Disney Castle got an upgrade.
Disneyland California’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle scores points for guest interaction as it does have a walk through attraction open for all guests with no extra charge.
4. Disneyland Shanghai
The Disney Castle located at Disneyland Shanghai is the Enchanted Storybook Castle. This massive and stunning Disney Castle is the newest Disney Castle around the world and maybe that is why I hold it to a higher standard than some of the original Disney Castles. Although the size of the Enchanted Storybook Castle at Disneyland Shanghai is impressive, and the Castle is breathtaking as you approach, all of the sides and views of the Castle are very similar. This means your photo opportunities around the Castle are somewhat limited.
Disneyland Shanghai’s Enchanted Storybook Castle scores really high when it comes to guest interaction as it is home to a restaurant and a gift shop! This Disney Castle is also very elegant, and sparkly, more than child-like, which is definitely my preference when it comes to Disney Castles.
One of the best parts of the Enchanted Storybook Castle is the amazement factor! As you approach this massive Disney Castle, you first come to the Gardens of Imagination. Seeing the massive Disney Castle behind these expansive gardens will make every visitor say WOW!
3. Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom, located at Walt Disney World Resort, is home to the original Cinderella’s Castle! This Disney Castle is massive, beautiful, and iconic. The moment you enter Magic Kingdom you will see this sparkly gem immediately and as you walk down Main Street, the size becomes even more impressive.
As Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom is in the dead center of the park, you also get so walk by and around her all day as you navigate through the various lands.
At this time, Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom is undergoing an update and it appears this Disney Castle is about to become a whole lot more pink. I am not a fan of the bubble gum colors on Disney Castles and prefer the white, blue, silver, and sparkle look so we will see if this update causes a change in my rankings. Only time will tell!
Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom was my home Disney Castle as a child. All I ever wanted was to go inside and explore and while I am glad Disney has added to the interior from when I was growing up, it is not great. Unfortunately, the only guest interactive activities inside this Disney Castle will cost you a lot more money on top of your park ticket.
Cinderella’s Castle is home to Cinderella’s Royal Table (expensive), the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (super expensive), and the Cinderella Castle Suite (the most exclusive Disney space at any Disney resort in the world)!
I don’t view Cinderella’s Castle as being very accessible to the average guest so it scores really low for me when it comes to guest interaction. That said, nothing can take away from home beautiful and breathtaking this Disney Castle is. There is really nothing more exciting than taking your family photo on Main Street with this beauty behind you! Maybe you can even catch a photo while Tinkerbell is flying “over” it!
2. Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland is home to the second Cinderella’s Castle (the first can be found at Magic Kingdom). Since Tokyo Disneyland’s Cinderella’s Castle and Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella’s Castle are really similar, they are ranked back-to-back on my list with Tokyo Disneyland pulling ahead due to guest interaction points!
Tokyo Disneyland’s Cinderella’s Castle is home to Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall. I love Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland basically took that Disney Castle and added access for ALL guests! Guests to Tokyo Disneyland can walk through the Fairy Tale Hall, with no extra costs or fees, and see the famous glass slipper.
Tokyo Disneyland also gets snow so you can catch a glimpse of this beauty with a fresh fluffy coat and I think Tokyo Disneyland does a top notch job with the lights, sparkle, and decor all year round!
One negative factor for Cinderella’s Castle located at Tokyo Disneyland is that is one of the hardest Disney Castles to see as you enter the park and approach. This is due to the fact that Main Street at Tokyo Disneyland is a covered area. This means your view outside the covered Main Street area is limited until you pop out from under it. Given the weather in Tokyo, I am grateful for the covered Main Street, but it does take away that WOW feeling as you enter the park because this Disney Castle is a bit hidden.
1. Disneyland Paris
The Disney Castle at Disneyland Paris is Le Chateau De La Bella Au Bois Dormant! This Castle, which I will refer to as Le Chateau, is a bigger and better version of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland California. Le Chateau scores the top spot in my rankings of every Disney Castle around the world because not only is this Disney Castle huge, magical, beautiful, and oh so sparkly, but it also has a dragon under it!
Le Chateau is a top attraction when visiting Disneyland Paris. For obvious reasons, La Taniere du Dragon should be your first stop when you arrive at Disneyland Paris as it’s the perfect way to kick off your magical day. Although Le Chateau is similar in size to Cinderella’s Castle, it has far better guest interaction options and feels more integrated into the park.
One great thing about Le Chateau at Disneyland Paris is that this is one of the Disney Parks around the world where it can snow which means you can see this beauty covered in a fresh snowfall if you time your visit right! Disneyland Paris also does a great job with the lights making this beautiful Disney Castle even more awe-inspiring.
Inside La Chateau at Disneyland Paris you can find the Sleeping Beauty Display and because every side of Le Chateau is unique, you can take jaw dropping photographs all around it!
Be sure to check out my guide for the best views of the Disneyland Paris Castle and don’t miss out on a great photo opportunity.
What is your favorite Disney Castle? Are you as excited as I am for the Disney Castle upgrades and updates? Let me know your top Disney Castle in the Comments and feel free to share your favorite Disney Castle tips!
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Hi, There i am from the netherlands so i have only see Le Chateau De La Belle Au Bois Dormant (as we call it “kasteel van Doorenroosje”), but i really like the feeling that Le Chateau gives and the snow and the beautyfull music (steamboat willie) makes it so wonderfull. defenetly the best!!
Oh and disney is even changing it write now. I can’t wait when it’s done!!