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The most interesting thing about the Disney castles........
- Thread starter AREM
- Start date
donsullivan
Premium Member
Unlike Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty Castle in Paris is not directly due north. Main Street runs about about 40 degrees west of due north.
edit: It 'appears' from Google earth, that Sleeping Beauty Castle in Hong Kong faces to the east.
edit: It 'appears' from Google earth, that Sleeping Beauty Castle in Hong Kong faces to the east.
hpyhnt 1000
Well-Known Member
Hm. Well, I just did a check on Google Earth (yes, I have nothing better to do right now. :lol
and the castles of Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom both fit that rule, with the front facing south and the back facing north. As far as Paris and Tokyo are concerned, Paris is southeast to northwest, while Tokyo is more of a northwest to southeast. Now, one could argue that they're position further north of the equator could be the reason for that in order to better handle the angle of the sun in relation to the tilt/rotation of the earth (but don't ask me). Unfortunately, Google still shows Hong Kong in the early stages of construction, so I don't know about its castle.
Take it how you will. I guess its somewhat true, but eh... :shrug:
and the castles of Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom both fit that rule, with the front facing south and the back facing north. As far as Paris and Tokyo are concerned, Paris is southeast to northwest, while Tokyo is more of a northwest to southeast. Now, one could argue that they're position further north of the equator could be the reason for that in order to better handle the angle of the sun in relation to the tilt/rotation of the earth (but don't ask me). Unfortunately, Google still shows Hong Kong in the early stages of construction, so I don't know about its castle. Take it how you will. I guess its somewhat true, but eh... :shrug:
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Huh! Very interesting!
Timon
Well-Known Member
According to Google Earth the American park castles face South.
but....
Looking at the Disneyland Paris Castle - it faces Southeast
Looking at the Tokyo Disneyland Castle - it faces Northwest
I couldn't find a aerial map of Hong Kong - sorry
So I would think that kills that "all castles blah blah blah" statement, unless of course my map reading skills off.:wave:
but....
Looking at the Disneyland Paris Castle - it faces Southeast
Looking at the Tokyo Disneyland Castle - it faces Northwest
I couldn't find a aerial map of Hong Kong - sorry
So I would think that kills that "all castles blah blah blah" statement, unless of course my map reading skills off.:wave:
That might be true except that picture I posted came for Disney's CM online portal site. The picture comes directly from Disney.
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
And besides, most are oriented in the South or North direction...That means that you were right, and they won't be directly backlit by the sun.
Timon
Well-Known Member
Think about it, TDL Castle faces NW that's like it being where the Noodle Station at the MK facing the hub. Check out the attached picture, you won't find the sun rising or setting behind the castle in Florida. Being a 20+ former cast member I can tell you there are lots of clueless behind-the-scenes cast members who get lost in their parks, let alone know the history.
Here the TDL aerial notice the dark shadow on the castle front and left side (as you look at it)
That doesn't look very south facing to me. What do you think?
Here the TDL aerial notice the dark shadow on the castle front and left side (as you look at it)
That doesn't look very south facing to me. What do you think?
Lee
Adventurer
Hmmm...I take back my comment from earlier.
I knew it was true about MK and DL, and that Paris was slightly altered to account for the sun, but I had no idea Tokyo was completely off.
Either HK or TDL one (I forget which) was placed according to an oriental tradition. Feng-Shuei kind of deal.
I knew it was true about MK and DL, and that Paris was slightly altered to account for the sun, but I had no idea Tokyo was completely off.
Either HK or TDL one (I forget which) was placed according to an oriental tradition. Feng-Shuei kind of deal.
Figment632
New Member
I think the most interesting thing about them is the lack of variety among them.
DL: Sleeping Beauty
WDW: Cinderella
DPL: Sleeping Beauty
HDL: Sleeping Beauty
TDL: Cinderella
No lve for Snow White, Belle, Jasmine,ect... Even through DL's castle was originally supposed to be Snow White all of the castles belong to two Princess's :shrug:
DL: Sleeping Beauty
WDW: Cinderella
DPL: Sleeping Beauty
HDL: Sleeping Beauty
TDL: Cinderella
No lve for Snow White, Belle, Jasmine,ect... Even through DL's castle was originally supposed to be Snow White all of the castles belong to two Princess's :shrug:
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
The order of DeMolay is a youth group that is sponsored / proctored by Freemasons.
Walt was a very active and proud member of DeMolay
A lot of symbolisim in Freemasonary has to do with the orientation of buildings and directions of the compass.
Hence, Walt -> DeMolay -> Freemasons -> Castle orientation -> Illuminati / New World Order / Bilderberger / Skull & Bones / Secret room with Walts frozen head under the castle. (Oriented so he can see the rising sun)
-dave
/ Skull & Bones / Secret room with Walts frozen head under the castle. (Oriented so he can see the rising sun)
-dave
*spit coffee out of mouth upon reading this* :lol:
GrumpyFan
Well-Known Member
Arrow Loops
One of the most interesting things I've discovered on Disney's castles are called balistraria's, or arrow loops. They can be seen from the outside of the castles and they look like small vertical slits or crosses in the walls. In a traditional, real-world castle, these would've been used by archers in the castle when defending it against attacks. They would aim their bows or crossbows out these at their attackers.
The fact that Disney included these in the design of their castles just adds to the realism. It's a small detail, and one that would never actually be used in their parks (hopefully), but they put them there nonetheless!
One of the most interesting things I've discovered on Disney's castles are called balistraria's, or arrow loops. They can be seen from the outside of the castles and they look like small vertical slits or crosses in the walls. In a traditional, real-world castle, these would've been used by archers in the castle when defending it against attacks. They would aim their bows or crossbows out these at their attackers.
The fact that Disney included these in the design of their castles just adds to the realism. It's a small detail, and one that would never actually be used in their parks (hopefully), but they put them there nonetheless!
DisneyPrincess5
Well-Known Member
How it always ends up distorted in my dreams!
wdwmemories
New Member
I did notice a huge compass in the pavement of the MK castle which shows that it faces south.
http://www.wdwmemories.com/cinderella-castle-hub-picture-002.html
So at least in Florida I think this is true!
Thanks for sharing the cool factiod.
http://www.wdwmemories.com/cinderella-castle-hub-picture-002.html
So at least in Florida I think this is true!
Thanks for sharing the cool factiod.