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Cinderella Castle looks bigger than it really is
- Thread starter robw1997
- Start date
mwbrown
New Member
Its all about Forced Perspective. As the castle gets taller, the windows get smaller width-wise and taller, which makes the eye perceive it as taller. The buildings on Main St. USA do it too, although to a much more limited extent.
It is part of why the trees that used to fill the hub got cut down (although mostly for the fireworks I think). As the trees grew taller and taller, it blew the forced perspective of the castle because it showed the castle as not that tall compared to the trees, and it blocked the ground level which sets up the forced perspective effect....
It is part of why the trees that used to fill the hub got cut down (although mostly for the fireworks I think). As the trees grew taller and taller, it blew the forced perspective of the castle because it showed the castle as not that tall compared to the trees, and it blocked the ground level which sets up the forced perspective effect....
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Also the bricks are shorter as they go higher also adding to the forced perspective effect.
yensid67
Well-Known Member
Silly Ford91explorer....everyone knows that there are NO 'BRICKS' in the castle!:ROFLOL: Just pulling your chain...I had to when I read that!
Will
WDWScottieBoy
Well-Known Member
When walking towards the castle from MSUSA, you're actually walking uphill a slight bit to give it a higher look. Also, as previously mentioned, the "bricks" get smaller but make it appear that it's because of height. All of MSUSA is done this same way with forced perspective. And DVCOwner, you are right, most things at Disney are a certain height due to FAA requirements to avoid having lights put on them.
Scuttle
Well-Known Member
It can't be over 199 feet tall same with tower of terror
Nick Wilde
Well-Known Member
Another way they use Forced Perspective, is at the beginning of MS, the buildings are tall and get shorter as yo go down. They also gain more stories the shorter they get.
tahqa
Well-Known Member
200 feet is where you have to start using the aircraft beacons. The Mickey Hand that loomed over Spaceship Earth had an aircraft beacon on it.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
I hear the height restriction quoted often but where do you measure from? Would it be from the surface of the seven seas lagoon or the stage in front of the castle? Sea level or the top of everest?
The FAA says "Above Ground Level (AGL)" so does the height include the tunnels? Don't know and really don't care just curious.
The FAA says "Above Ground Level (AGL)" so does the height include the tunnels? Don't know and really don't care just curious.
Last edited:
Crazydisneyfanluke
Well-Known Member
If the castle is 189 feet, and the limit is 199 ft, then i believe its from ground level. the tunnels are probably 9 feet tall with a foot of concrete.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
This is not true. Neither is the story about the street itself being wider at one end.
ElusiveWookiee
Member
Ground level is relative, so the tunnels wouldn't matter. If I'm not mistaken, the 189' actually measures from the base of the castle, at the bottom of the moat, to the highest turret. The castle itself is 183'. Now, the question is how far above "ground level" the bottom of the moat is. And what constitutes "ground level" if the grade has been permanently modified.
Sea level would be more interesting, since it is a constant. My house is 400' above sea level, and I certainly wouldn't want to have a beacon 200' underground.
When the castle was being constructed, 190' was the regulation from the FAA. The regulation has since changed to 200', allowing for the extra height on Expedition Everest.
DinoInstitute
Well-Known Member
Am i the only one that doesn't really fall for force perspective, I mean at least not as much.
For me it seems obvious that the windows and such are smaller than they should be. This is especially with Hogwarts castle and to a lesser extent Cinderella
For me it seems obvious that the windows and such are smaller than they should be. This is especially with Hogwarts castle and to a lesser extent Cinderella
Nick Wilde
Well-Known Member
What's your source? Mine's from The Hidden Magic Of Walt Disney World. It's a book, not an internet site.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Observation. You can just look at the buildings and street to see that there is no significant difference in height and that most of the floors align. You can do it at home with Bing Maps' Birds Eye View. There are also published elevation drawings of Main Street, USA out there that also show this.
RMichael21
Well-Known Member
No, I think everyone doesn't fall for the beast's castle in NFL...
Nick Wilde
Well-Known Member
Very true. They could have done a better job with that. The lightning rods give it away too.