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At the other end of Main Street is the place where most visitors have their *emotional moments*...in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
My *spot* is elsewhere, but the appealing design work of the Castle always leads to some moments where one needs to make time to just stop and take in the lovely scenery.
Here are a pair of close up photos i snapped to capture some of the upper detailing.
Every time i look at the Castle itself in person, or later on in photographs like these, i always find new things to see.
The more you look, the more you see...and when you take the time to see you are always visually rewarded.
A closer view of the detailing on the towers -
Inside the Castle is the charming *Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough* Attraction.
I have mentioned it previously here and shared a few photos during the first chapter of this venture, as it is a unique experience and ties into the theme of these Tours.
For those not familiar with it, you walk through the upper levels of the Castle interior and are treated to some charming diorama scenes depicting key moments from the film *Sleeping Beauty*.
Many of the scene windows showcase simple but appropriate projection and lighting effects.
Well worth taking the time to walk through.
As also noted previously, Tony Baxter was involved in helping to bring this gem back to life after a dormant period of closure.
One could say, he *re-awakened* this *beauty*.
Here is a photo of the man himself presenting a small model of the first diorama in the walkthrough, with various samples of background artwork on display behind him.
And now for a bit of fun related to Sleeping Beauty Castle -
On my previous venture, readers may recall that i had stayed in the pup tent that is set up at the base of Big Thunder Mountain instead of a hotel room.
This time around i had hoped to stay at the Panhandle Hotel, which is located in the town next to the BTMR train tracks, Rainbow Ridge.
I was really looking forward to it, but the Panhandle was booked solid with out-of-town prospectors the week i was in town.
Dang it !!
Yeah, a little disappointing..but the word must be out about what a unique place it is.
Location, location, location...and that new painting inside the lobby is a must see too.
Alas, all seemed lost and as night fell i was getting concerned...i really did*t want to have to trudge over to Harbor Blvd. and beyond and pay some outrageous, expensive room price to sleep in a run down motel.
The campsite at the base of Big Thunder Mountain was definitely in the *basic accommodations* tier, but it was certainly worth the money.
Sure, Disney really overpriced that venue...and the Panhandle Hotel would have been even more expensive to room in, but as a serious Baxter Fan it was one of those *must do* things.
I was finally willing and ready to pay up....but it did not happen.
Not this visit, however. Dang prospectors.
Things were not looking good, and just before i had to leave the Park for the evening to find a place to room for the night i ran into a fellow fan of *Tony*s Mountain*.
He must have spotted the *Baxterland* t-shirt...and knew i was looking for something special.
When i explained my situation, and he learned the Panhandle Hotel had turned me away, he kindly offered me a stay in THIS room instead......
There was of course a catch -
I had to share this room in the Castle upstairs with about 25-30 feral felines.
I am not a *cat person* by any measure....so i actually had to stop for a moment and rethink the offer ( crazy, i know..) ....but the expense of rooming in Anaheim made me make up my mind pretty quickly and i excepted.
Turned out the cats were out all night roaming the Park for snacks, which worked out well for me in the end.
Of course the cat hair was a bit unruly...and i am still blowing my nose...but i digress....
...just a bit of playful fun.
