When you think of Walt Disney World castles , your mind probably jumps to the whimsical spires of Cinderella Castle . That ’ s no surprise : The beloved , instantly recognizable centerpiece of Magic Kingdom stands 189 feet tall , making it the tallest castle in the Florida parks and more than 100 feet taller than Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland .
The royal blue , pink , and gold castle is eye-catching with its detailed turrets and spires , and the use of forced perspective makes the landmark appear larger than it is . Unlike Sleeping Beauty Castle , which is based on the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria , Germany , Cinderella Castle takes inspiration from French Gothic architecture ; Imagineers looked to the architecture of French châteaus in regions such as Chambord , Chennonceau , and Ussé to inform the design of Cinderella Castle . ( Many argue that Cinderella Castle also takes inspiration from Mad Ludwig ’ s castle in Bavaria ; even the Neuschwanstein Castle website makes this claim , despite Imagineers citing the French inspiration in The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World .)
Cinderella Castle may be the most iconic ( and largest ) at Walt Disney World , but the resort is full of other castles that are a sight to behold . One is only a stone ’ s throw away in Fantasyland . A close re-creation of the castle in the 1991 animated film Beauty and the Beast , Beast ’ s Castle in Fantasyland is a beautiful beacon for the popular Be Our Guest Restaurant , inspired by the Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley of France . However , as you arrive at the grand , gated entrance to the restaurant , you don ’ t seem to get any closer to the castle . Although it looks huge and far away along the hills of France , it is small and nearby , once again thanks to forced perspective . Upon stepping inside the restaurant , you ’ ll feel magically transported into the castle because of the detailed theming in the gorgeous , ornate rooms ( and the occasional appearance by Beast ).
You ’ ll find yet another beloved Disney castle in Fantasyland . Prince Eric ’ s Castle houses the Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid attraction . The interior isn ’ t a replica of the castle , but it effectively sets the scene for a calm , fun attraction that takes riders into Ariel ’ s story . Eric ’ s Mediterranean-style castle seemingly takes inspiration from the Chillon Castle , which sits along Lake Geneva in Switzerland , and the Tintagel Castle along the cliffs of North Cornwall in England .
TOP : Prince Eric ’ s Castle . PHOTO BY JUDD HELMS | LEFT : Beast ’ s Castle . PHOTO BY LAURIE SAPP PREVIOUS : Cinderella Castle , Walt Disney World ’ s tallest castle . PHOTO BY DANNY SHUSTER